Binder 1222333444 sunday may 4, 2014

Sunday Edition

Sanctity of Truth Sunday, May 4, 2014

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Vol. 1 No. 75

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Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

NEWs

POLITICS

Corruption is Nigeria’s biggest problem }26 –Awujale

FG beefs up security at airports, Sheraton hotel

}2

insurgency/Herdsmen attacks

Food scarcity looms }2

L-R: Vice President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Issa Aremu; Chief Oseni Elamah; Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole; President General, Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, and others at the second edition of the 10km Okpekpe road race in Edo State...yesterday.

Chibok pupils: Confusion as Jonathan’s wife takes over probe

lWAEC releases names, pictures lFalana rejects presidential committee job Anule Emmanuel

T

he wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience, has practically taken over the investigation of the April 14, 2014

abduction of over 200 girls by Boko Haram insurgents from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

The President’s wife held a five-hour meeting at the Presidential Villa with wives of

Northern governors and other stakeholders, where she vowed that the girls must return by Monday or she would lead a protest to President Goodluck Jonathan; the Senate President, David Mark; and Borno State

Governor, Kashim Shettima.

Jonathan had on Friday set up a fact finding committee made up of security agencies, civil society groups and international organisations to investigate the matter and prof-

fer solutions to the problem.

Jonathan set up the committee after meeting with security chiefs on Thursday’s bomb blast in Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja, which claimed 19 lives.

It was the second blast in

the same area, coming after a similar one on April 14, which claimed over 70 lives.

The President’s committee is headed by Brig-Gen. Ibrahim A. Sabo (retd.) while human CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

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MAY 4, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

News

Food scarcity looms over insurgency, herdsmen attacks Cephas Iorhemen, Makurdi, Hassan Jirgi, Damaturu, Ibraheem Musa, Kaduna, Muhammad Ahmad, Lafia

T

here are strong indications of a looming food scarcity following the destruction of huge tracts of land and the killings of farmers and traders by Boko Haram insurgents and suspected Fulani herdsmen in areas regarded as food-producing areas of the country.

Top on the list of most affected states are Yobe and Borno, which have been experiencing emergency rule in the past one year, as well as Nasarawa, Plateau and Benue states, which are popular for their various farm produce.

Our correspondents’ reports from various parts of the North showed that relentless attacks on farmers by herdsmen in Katsina, Benue, Yobe and many other states in the country, over grazing on farmlands had led to over 200 deaths, forcing the farmers to

abandon their farms.

In March, over 100 farmers were killed in Katsina in one fell swoop by herdsmen, forcing Governor Ibrahim Shema and his Zamfara State counterpart, Abdulaziz Yari, to convene a special security meeting between both states to finds ways to fight crime and end attacks on villages in the two states.

Similarly, attacks on farmers, farmlands, yam barns and the burning of houses have become a regular occurrence in Benue State. Benue state

Governor, Gabriel Suswam, and his Nasarawa State counterpart, Tanko Al-Makura, recently a long meeting on the matter.

In Plateau State, the various clashes between peasant farmers either Hausa/Fulani and the indigenous tribes coupled with poor policies on agriculture has greatly affected farming activities in all the villages as most people are now afraid to visit their farms.

The state secretary of the Nigerian Farmers Association, Alhaji Fodio Usman, ex-

L-R: Lagos APC Women Leader, Mrs Kemi Nelson; Hon Funmi Tejuosho; Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa; and Hon Olayinka Osinubi, during a press briefing by Lagos APC women on the abduction of female pupils of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State held in Lagos...on Friday.

pressed fear on what could be the future of farmers in the state following the commencement of this year’s farming season in the troubled state.

He said, “The situation which has virtually affected the three senatorial zones displaced thousands of farmers in the state who are either Fulanis, Hausas, Beroms, Taroq, Gummai and other tribes in the state, leading to the displacement of 20,000 farmers.”

Another farmer, Mr. Yohana Gom, who told New Telegraph on Sunday that many villagers cannot visit their farms, predicted “a looming food crisis over the escalating insecurity in Plateau State.”

Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, told New Telegraph on Sunday that his conviction in revolutionising the sector in the state was informed by his belief that the sector would be a revenue earner for the country New Telegraph on Sunday’s correspondent in Benue reports that for the past three years, the state has sailed through intense heat as most local governments such as Guma, Makurdi, Gwer West, Kwande, Gwer, Agatu, Logo and Vandeikya that are reputed for the cultivation of staple crops such as millet, rice, yam, cassava, pepper, tomatoes as well as economic trees such as oranges and mangoes were immersed in the attacks where hundreds of farmers were killed and property worth billions of naira destroyed.

While scores of lives have been lost to the herdsmen in Benue, the carnage has also left the indigenes of agrarian communities of the state with apprehension over their safety; hence they are not as committed to farming as before.

Rich and fertile land of the Tiv people in the affected communities, now deserted, have been taken over by the armed Fulani insurgents. This, many Benue people believe, is a signal of no end in sight to the crisis despite the peace agreement signed between the two sides, and the peace and reconciliation committee put in place to find lasting solution to the impasse.

Speaking to New Telegraph on Sunday in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources Mr. Donald Amokaha Gbugho, warned that a famine imminent in the country if something drastic is not done about this trend in the state regarded as Nigeria’s food basket.

Gbugho, who recalled the damage caused to farmers during the 2011 flooding that eroded their crops, stressed the need for all hands to be on deck in order to feed the state’s growing 4.9million population.

“Twice in 2011, flood came and destroyed a lot of property including farmlands; and this time around too, the Fulani / farmers’ crisis is with us.

This one is even worse than the flood which we are yet to recover from. We were, howCONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Terrorism: FG beefs up security at airports, Sheraton hotel Wole Shadare, Andrew Okungbowa and Chijioke Iremeka

T

he Federal Government on Saturday heightened security at the nation’s major international airports as well as the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, as a result of rising cases of insurgency in the country.

The Federal Government has also ordered increased security checks at all Nigerian airports, especially Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The new security measure is to ensure that security operatives are on the alert to ward off threats to air safety and to protect the airports which could be easy targets for Boko Haram insurgents.

In new measures handed down to airlines and other aviation operators, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria said effective from May 1, 2014, only crew buses, airport operational

vehicles, VIP as well as government and military vehicles would be allowed to approach the airport terminal building.

Other measures are that intending passengers can no longer be dropped off at the departure area or picked up from the arrival areas of the airport.

Consequently, the government noted that intending passengers may experience traffic build-up due to diversion of vehicles approaching the departure area. It warned that they risk missing their flights due to excessive traffic approaching the airport terminal.

It stated that authorised vehicles approaching the terminal may also experience delays due to expected traffic from the diversion of vehicles.

One of the biggest European airlines operating in Nigeria, British Airways, on Friday informed its customers of the new security measures via a statement.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Taskforce on committee on airport security had a hectic time

enforcing an order to remove protocol officers attached to state governors, other high ranking government officials and influential citizens from major airports across the country.

The forceful ‘arrest’ and removal of the personnel on Friday led to fisticuffs, with many of them claiming that they needed to get permission or directives from their principals to comply.

The situation led to pandemonium around the vicinity and inside the Lagos airport terminal.

Many who were not sure of what was happening scampered for safety as they were said to have been scared by the heavy presence of armed policemen.

Others who were approaching the airport had to turn back, thinking there was a breach of security. Some were seen informing people approaching the airport that there was a bomb scare.

An eyewitness who spoke to New Telegraph on Sunday at the Lagos airport yesterday said the task force came in three Hilux buses, brandishing weapons

and moved to the baggage clearance area of the airport, with a view to driving away people who were not authorised to be in sensitive areas of the facility.

A visit to the area yesterday showed that calm had returned to the airport as travellers and other users of the airport conducted their affairs peacefully.

The atmosphere was devoid of the usual sirens from escort vans of top government officials and their protocol officers.

To ensure security of the nation’s airports against terrorism, the Federal Government has barred military and civilian protocol officials from all restricted areas, including the arrival and baggage halls at the five international airports in the country.

Before now, protocol officers attached to governors, top government officials and influential Nigerians were regularly allowed access to restricted and sterile areas of the airports to fetch their principals. Most of them even got accredited by FAAN and were issued with On

Duty Cards to gain easy access to restricted areas.

The chairman, Presidential Committee on Airport Security, Prof. Sylvester Monye, had last week said personnel drawn from the military and the police would be set up and empowered to enforce the order, which he said would affect aides to governors and other dignitaries as well as military and paramilitary personnel.

In a related development, security presence at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja was increased on Saturday, in response to the United States Embassy’s warning of an impending attack.

The embassy had in a travel advisory to Americans said it received credible information that some terror groups were planning to attack the two Sheraton hotels in Lagos (Sheraton Ikeja and Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island).

It advised Americans to stay away from both hotels.

However, the management of Starwood Nigeria, speaking on behalf of both hotels, gave the as-

surance that adequate security measures had been provided at both facilities.

Responding to the alert, the Area General Manager of Starwood Nigeria, Mr. Barry Curran, who is in charge of all Starwood hotels in Nigeria told New Telegraph on Sunday that there was no cause for alarm.

“I don’t have any comment to make other than what I have read about the threat and travel advisory. But all our security is in place and on high alert. There is nothing to fear or worry about.”

Our correspondent observed that although security had been beefed up at both hotels, business activities went on as usual.

Two OP MESA military patrol vans were parked at the entrance to the Sheraton Ikeja while the usual screening of vehicles with bomb detectors was going on.

The car park and function suites were full while guests were checking into rooms, perhaps either oblivious of the embassy’s warning or indifferent to it.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 4, 2014

News

Nyanya blast: Security agents arrest eight suspects Emmanuel Onani and Ahmed Mari

D

efence Headquarters yesterday said security agents had arrested eight suspects, in connection with Thursday’s bomb blast in Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja.

A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said the suspects, mainly foreigners, were arrested around Kugbo, a settlement less than two kilometres from the scene of the incident.

“In Abuja, eight persons are currently being interrogated after raid operations by security agencies on joint surveillance and patrols mission in the Federal Capital today. The arrested persons are helping ongoing investigation with useful information after the operation which is sequel to intelligence reports.

“Most of those arrested are foreigners who were picked up around Kugbo and areas adjoining the Nyanya site of the recent bombings in the Fed-

eral Capital. Those confirmed to constitute a threat to security will be handed over to appropriate prosecutorial agency on conclusion of the preliminary investigations,” the statement said.

In a related development, the Defence Headquarters yesterday refuted online media reports of a dawn attack on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The statement noted that “on receiving distress call, troops at about 2am this morning launched a counter attack using mainly mortar shells on a group of terrorists who had attacked and killed four persons in Margimari village and other settlements in the outskirts of Maiduguri.”

It further disclosed that multi-national troops arrested a Chadian, Usman Mecheka, operating with the terrorists group around Lake Chad.

This is even as it pointed out that the Special Task Force in Plateau State, raided a camp maintained by a criminal gang, where guns and other dangerous weapons were recovered.

The statement reads in full: “There was no attack on Maiduguri metropolis as widely reported this morning by some media outlets especially a foreign television channel. Rather, on receiving distress call, troops

at about 2am this morning launched a counter attack using mainly mortar shells on a group of terrorists who had attacked and killed four persons in Margimari village and other settlements in the outskirts

of Maiduguri. There was no fighting or attack around the University or any barrack in Maiduguri either, as reported.

“Meanwhile, a Chadian, Usman Mecheka operating with the terrorists group around

Lake Chad has been taken into custody by the Multi National Joint Task Force. He was apprehended by the Task Force while trying to extract a ransom from herdsmen and farmers in the CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Chief Operating Officer, Oando Marketing Plc, Mrs. Olaposi Williams (left), receiving Oando Award for Most Innovative and Impactful Company in the Downstream Oil & Gas Major Marketers, from the Chairman, lkeja Hotels Plc, Mr. Goodie lbru, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and lndustry 2014 Commerce and Industry Awards in Lagos …on Thursday

Chibok pupils: Confusion as Jonathan’s wife takes over probe CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), is a member.

Other members are two representatives of the National Council of Women Societies, two representatives of the Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, National Parents Teachers Association, Nigeria Police and State Security Service respectively.

Although the President is expected to inaugurate the committee on Tuesday, his wife may have rendered it inoperative before its take-off.

At the meeting held on Friday night, she delved extensively into the committee’s terms of reference and set up a parallel body to look into the matter.

The functions of the presidential committee are to liaise with the Borno State Government and establish the circumstances leading to the school remaining open for boarding students when other schools were closed; liaise with relevant authorities and the parents of the missing girls to establish the actual number and identities of the girls abducted; interface with the security services and Borno State Government to ascertain how many of the missing girls have returned; and to mobilise the surrounding communities and the general public on citizen support for a rescue strategy and operation.

They are also to articulate a framework for a multi-stakeholder action for the rescue of

the missing girls and advise the government on any matter incidental to the terms of reference.

However, Friday’s meeting, which was attended by wives of governors and some stakeholders, got a report from Head of WAEC National Office, Mr. Charles Eguridu.

At the meeting, which began by 6pm, the WAEC boss handed over the full names, photographs and ages of the candidates who registered for the WAEC/SSCE in the school to the wife of the President.

He also tendered a letter written to the governments of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, asking them to make arrangements for the safe conduct of the Senior School Certificate Examination.

“This letter was written early in March before commencement of the exam. We have the school, Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok; 530 candidates registered for this exam by our records. From our records, the school before now was a girl’s school. But for the 2014 examinations, 135 male candidates registered for the exam in the school as part of this 530, and 395 female candidates registered for the exam.

“When we enquired, we were told that the school is now a mixed school. But they have not written to WAEC to effect the change of name from a girl’s secondary school to a mixed school. And WAEC hasn’t got the mandate to change the name of the school without the approval of the Ministry of

Education in that state. So the name of the school still bears Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok. As part of our registration processes, we demand and indeed insist that the candidate should register online and we have deployed modern ICT facilities. Part of the registration demands that the candidate’s photograph should be captured and I have with me the photographs of the candidates and their names, the date of birth and the ages of each of the candidate. I have also asked my staff to produce a long list of the names and centre number, gender, and the date of birth of each of these 530 candidates.

“When we made that representation (letter) to the three states affected, none of them responded to the honourable minister’s request but rather we followed it up and I directed my zonal coordinator, in Borno State in particular, to liaise with the ministry of education in Borno State. And the response they got was so disheartening.

“They were told that they had security in place for the candidates and that we should come and conduct the exams in the schools and that they were not ready to relocate their students from Chibok and indeed other areas to Maiduguri or nearby locations where security agencies could provide security. So, if we fail to conduct the exam, the world will blame us and so at great risks, my officers went to Chibok and conducted the exams.

“After the unfortunate incident, where the students were said to have been abducted, our staff now got a response from the state that they were now ready to relocate the remaining students to another place called Uba. And as I speak, 189 candidates are continuing with the exam in Uba. We are trying to extrapolate from the 189, how many of these candidates are male candidates and how many are female. With that extrapolation, we are likely to be able to know the exact number of candidates who have been abducted by the insurgents.”

Responding, the President’s wife said every effort would be made to effect the release of the grils within three days.

She said another meeting would be held by 4pm on Sunday, where other relevant stakeholders would be expected to make presentations on the matter.

The meeting also resolved to set up a special committee chaired by the wife of the Borno State governor, Nana Kashima Shettima, to assist in bringing people relevant to today’s meeting to answer some questions.

The invitees are the wives of the senator, members of the House of Representatives, house of assembly and local government chairman under whose jurisdiction Chibok falls; wife of the minister representing Borno State in the Federal Executive Council; and wife of the village head of Chibok.

Other key witnesses expected

at the next meeting are the GGSS Principal, Mrs. Asabe Kwambura and two teachers from the school as well as the security man; two SSCE invigilators; chairman and secretary of GGSS Parent/Teacher Association; and two house parents from the school.

Also expected are two parents whose children are still missing as well as two of the pupils that escaped.

She added, “The Commissioner for Education in Borno State is to shed light on WAEC revelation; the WAEC Registrar is to provide us with the names and pictures of the students registered for the exams in Chibok Girls School. We will also request the InspectorGeneral of Police to invite the Commissioner of Police in Borno and the Divisional Police Officer.

“The policemen and soldiers on guard that day will also be invited so that all of us can ask them questions. The principal is to also come with a list of those who took part in the examination on the day of the abduction and the number of those who slept in the hostel that night.”

In what looked like a veiled threat, the President’s wife said governors must take responsibility for security challenges in their states, in line with their mandate as chief security officers.

She said, “Within three days, something will happen.

We will get to the root of the matter. I don’t come out and go

back empty. I have come out and something must happen.

“We will not fold our arms and see our children kidnapped; our husbands, sons, daughters also being killed.

We should be more concerned.

“We will form a committee to call on appropriate persons to come and answer questions.

They must answer us. If they say they won’t answer us, then they should go and bring our children. The demonstration will take place at their doorsteps.

“When they answer us, we can then approach our neighbours, the President, Senate President and others to help us.

I have been dealing with this secretly but you have taken me to the market square. There is no more hiding (place).”

The meeting, however, chided organisers of the protests held in some cities on the matter for not allowing the President’s wife to lead the demonstrations.

Attempts to obtain clarifications from the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, failed as he did not respond to calls or text messages sent to his phone.

Also, the All Progressives Congress, to which the Borno State governor belongs, declined to make a comment on the matter.

A member of the presidential committee, Mr. Femi Falana, failed to fulfill his promise to send a statement to one of our CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Moments

L-R: National Sales Manager (Health Care), Reckitt Benckiser, Mr. Dickson Ikhuoria; Speaker, Reckitt Benckiser on Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease, Dr. Michael Ezeanochie; Member, Global Hygiene Council/ Speaker for Reckitt Benckiser on Dettol, Dr. Nneoma Idika; Marketing; and Area Sales Manager, Lagos and West, Reckitt Benckiser, Mr. Gbenga Olotu, at the 54th Annual General Conference/Delegates’ Meeting of Nigerian Medical Association in Benin....on Saturday

L-R: Deputy High Commissioner to UK/father of the Groom, Amb. Oluwatoyin Lawal; Groom, Jide; Bride, Jumoke and Groom’s Mother, Mrs. Abiodun Lawal, during the wedding ceremony of their son in Lagos… on Saturday. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE.

L-R: Director General, Nigerian Institute Of Medical Research (NIMR), Prof. Innocent Ujah; President, Malaria Society of Nigeria (MSN), Sir John Babatunde; National Professional Officer, South West, World Health Organization (WHO), Roll Back Malaria, Dr. Tolu Arowolo and Director of Admin, NIMR, Alhaji, Abudullahi Yunsazazzau, during a symposium in commemoration of 2014 World Malaria Day in Lagos.

L-R: Country Manager, Management ABB, Nitin Desai; Director, Powercell Ltd, Dr. Olusegun Odejayi, and Managing Director, Powercell Ltd, Tayo Balogun, during the launch of ABB UPS, held in Lagos.

PHOTO:ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA

MAY 04, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

L-R: Head of Communications, Sanofi, Chidilim Menakaya; Marketing and Business Development Director, Herman Addae; Malaria Programme Officer, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Victoria Omoera; Medical & Regulatory Affairs Director, Sanofi, Dr. Fifen Inoussa; and Key Account Manager, Aderinsola Taiwo, after a press conference to commemorate the World Malaria Day 2014, in Lagos …on Thursday

L-R: President, Student Union Government (SUG), Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, Comrade Elusakin Feranmi; Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Special Adviser to the Governor on Tertiary Institutions, Alhaja Mulikat Bello; Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola ; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (right) and others, during the presentation of four 18-seater buses to the SUG at the Government House Lawn, Osogbo, Osun State …on Friday

L-R: Vice President, Nigeria Internet Registration Association(NIRA), Mr. Sunday Afolayan; President, Mrs. Mary Uduma; and Financial Secretary, Mr. Sikiru Shehu, during the Association’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos…on Friday.

PHOTO:GODWIN IREKHE

L-R: Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Islamic matters, Alhaji Abdulhakeem Kosoko; Chairperson, Women Affairs Sub- committee, Lagos State Secretariat Mosque, Alhaja Sekinat Kazeem; and Chairman, Committee of Imams, Alhaji Rafiu Kazeem, during singles/ couples seminar entitled Global Socialisation: “Effects on the Muslim Homes” by the Women Affairs Sub- committee in the mosque in Lagos…on Thursday. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 04, 2014

L-R: His Eminence, Superintendent (Dr.) James Akinadewo of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide; Revd. Robert Ojo and Revd. Clement Adeyemo, during the funeral service of His Eminence, Primate Adediwura Solomon in Lagos…on Friday

Moments

L-R: Children of the deceased, Mrs. Olufunke Ademokoya; Mrs. Abosede Awolaja; widows, Mofoyeke and Deborah, during the service.

PHOTOS: GODWIN IREKHE.

L-R: Oota Olubadan, Chief Lekan Alabi; Former Minister of State for Agriculture, Otunba Bamidele Dada; his wife Omolade; Patron, Oyo State NUJ, Mr. Bamidele Samson; and Chairman, Oyo State NUJ, Mr. Gbenga Opadotun, after a World Press Freedom Day lecture in Ibadan …on Friday L-R: Chairman, Ulo Consult, Chief Uche Okpuno; Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan and Senate President, David Mark, at the burial of Chief Okpuno’s mother, Obi-Bridget, in Asaba …on Friday

L-R: Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Senator Jubril Martins Kuye; and Deputy Governor, Prince Segun Adesegun, during the Installation of Kuye as the Asiwaju of Ago-iwoye at Ago iwoye, Ogun State….yesterday

Captain, Matured Minders Initiative, Mr. Olatunbi Hanson (fourth left); Secretary, Mrs. Bunmi Balogun and Administrative Officer, Heritage Homes, Mr.Akinola Kola, and others, during the Initiative members’ visit/presentation of gifts to the Homes in Lagos...on Thursday PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE.

L-R: Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan; and a victim, during the visit of the ministers to the National Hospital in Abuja… on Saturday

Cross section of children of Heritage Homes, Anthony, Lagos

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE.

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MAY 04, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

News DELTA Two killed in Police, cultists shoot-out in Delta Dominic Adewole

Cult war yesterday broke out in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta state.

For hours the locality knew no peace following the terror unleashed by a notorious cult gang operating from the stateowned Polytechnic in the town.

The fierce battle that ensued thereafter between the cult group and men of the state police command led to the killing of a chieftain of one of the rival groups, simply identified as Chuka, a.k.a Polopolo.

The New Telegraph gathered, that the chieftain had in the past three days been terrorising any opposing group or perceived enemy in the area.

Nemesis however caught up with him after he allegedly killed an elderly man, identified as a rival cult member’s father, on Workers’ Day with several matchet cuts.

BORNO Chibok: Group condemns committee approach Human Rights Agenda Network (HRAN) has condemned the committee approach adopted by the Federal Government for the rescue of the abducted female pupils of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

In a statement issued yesterday and endorsed by HRAN Cordinator, Chino Obiagwu, the group said the rescue of the school girls deserved drastic and urgent attention which does not call for a committee.

“The government has shown little or no commitment to deploy sufficient troops or summon foreign assistance if it is unable or incapable of undertaking the operation. The military requires sophisticated equipment, including unmanned aerial surveillance plane, massive foot patrol, intelligence debriefing of the schoolgirls who escaped etc to rescue the girls and not to set up and inaugurate a committee,” it said.

BENIN NMA canvasses peace, exercise for healthy living

The National President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, has called for peaceful co-existence among Nigerians to promote healthy living and development in the country. Enabulele made the call in Benin on Saturday during the NMA’s International Walk for Peace.

He said that sport had been discovered to be a unifying factor among the people, adding that without peace there would be no development.

The NMA boss further said that it was important for people to exercise since regular exercises promote healthy living.

The walk, tagged ‘Dame Patience Jonathan International Walk for Peace’, was part of the association’s 54th Annual General Conference and delegates meeting holding in the state.

He said that exercise was good for the body in terms of health promotion and improving the overall body fitness.

KWARA Kwara Speaker advises journalists

The Speaker of the Kwara House of Assembly, Mr. Rasaq Atunwa, has urged journalists to maintain the ethics of the profession and resist the temptation to be manipulated by politicians.

Atunwa made the call while declaring open a capacity building workshop organised by the Kwara State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Saturday in Ilorin.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the workshop was organised to mark the 2014 World Press Freedom Day. The Speaker said journalists must resist attempts by governments and institutions to ensure their reportage unduly favour them.

“In this trying period towards the 2015 elections, journalists must ensure that they maintain objectivity and preserve the truth and facts. It will not be easy. There will be pressure to induce or entice journalists to skew their reports.

New group emerge from Bayelsa APC

Chris Ejim Yenagoa

A

new political group known as the Bayelsa Integrity Group yesterday emerged from the fold of the All Progressives Congress.

It declared that the handing over of party structures to state governors was responsible for the mass defection of members from the party in Edo and Bayelsa states.

The group, which is made up of prominent elements of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party(ANPP) in Bayelsa State, said though the APC National Secretariat outlined the guidelines for the proper conduct of the congresses, they were characterised by irregularities and imposition, violence, death and parallel executives.

The Bayelsa Integrity Group in a statement issued signed by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Christopher Abarowei, expressed concern over the rising disenchantment and disunity within the party over the controversial conduct of the party congresses.

“We, after a close scrutiny and investigation into the conduct of the party primaries nationwide,

have observed the inability of the National Headquarters and leaders to properly articulate and manage the conduct of party congresses have led to a disturbing and worrisome trend. It has caused disenchantment rather than unity within the party,” BIG said.

The group threatened to defect to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party at the state and national levels, “as was visible in the massive defection of party members in Etsako Local Council area of Edo State and the declaration of 68 former aides of the former Bayelsa Governor,Timipre Sylva.

“In one of the political blunders committed by the National Secretariat, the handing over of the party structures to governors and ex-governors without ascertaining their political relevance and ideology is wrong. The party should have confirmed if these governors and former governors can turn the fortunes of the party around in the states. Or can they summon the political will to improve the lot of the party in the states?”

The group called on the party to embark on a review of the conduct of the last congresses of the party nationwide and save it from a disgraceful outing ahead of the National Convention.

Imo Carnival: Traders kick over planned closure of markets for one week Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

I L-R: Secretary, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Andah Amgbaso; director general, FRCN, Alhaji Ladan Salihu; Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji; and director News and Current affairs, FRCN headquarters, Abuja, Sani Suleiman in a group photograph after their courtesy visit on the governor in Umuahia

Ex-Nasarawa lawmaker may replace Gulak

Muhammad Ahmad Lafia

A

former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Wadada, has been tipped by high profile members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to replace Dr. Ahmed Gulak as the political adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan.

Sources close to the former lawmaker revealed that he held a meeting with PDP chieftains on Tuesday evening at Asokoro area of Abuja where he was asked to prepare for the job.

New Telegraph on Sunday learnt that Wadada was being considered due to his closeness to the Chairman PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, and his relationship with most members of the House of Representatives.

A PDP chieftain, who spoke

on condition of anonymity, said, “We feel Wadada can assist the President to lobby members of the House of Representatives on certain issues on behalf of the presidency because of his closeness to most of them and his experience.”

Investigation revealed that the PDP in Nasarawa is pushing for more federal appointments to assist in grabbing the state in the 2015 elections.

It was also learnt that the state chapter of PDP had last month made the demand during a meeting with President Jonathan. The President obliged and asked them to remind him of the demand.

The state chairman of the party, Chief Yunana Iliya, told our correspondent that the state would benefit from such appointments, if given the opportunity.

“We will certainly push for such appointments you know we have prove our worth during the

last local government elections and we need somebody close to the president that could advance our course,” he stated.

When contacted, Wadada said he held a series of meetings on Tuesday on how to move the PDP forward in the country.

“You know, I am a party man

and politician. So, there is nothing wrong if I held a meeting with high profile members of my party.

“My project has been to promote democracy at all time and it is true we discussed at length on issues that will help the party move forward.”

mo traders under the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) have expressed dismay over the arbitrary closure of markets in Imo state at the slightest excuse.

Responding to the planned closure of all markets in Imo State from May 6 to May 13, 2014 for the conduct of the maiden Imo carnival, the traders viewed the proposed action as insensitive to their feelings.

They noted that this was moreso as they largely depend on their daily market transactions for the upkeep of their families.

Noting that only the affluent can cope with the heavy impact of the seven-day closure of markets, the traders argued that the action would worsen the economic doldrums and

NOPRIN tasks Jonathan on Oyerinde’s death

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etwork on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to set up an independent panel of inquiry to examine and review the reports of the police and the Department of State Security on the killing of a former aide to Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

It said this would enable the government to resolve the contradictions in the investigation and identify those who killed Oyerinde two years ago and

bring them to justice.

NOPRIN in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said the inconsistencies in the police report and the contradictions in the separate investigation reports by the police and the DSS introduced complications and undermined the effort for justice.

“It was expected that the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN), would study both reports of the police and DSS on the murder of

Comrade Oyerinde, resolve the conflicts therein and give appropriate legal advice that will lead to the apprehension and prosecution of the actual perpetrators of the tragic murder.

“It is even more disturbing that despite these inconsistencies and contradictions in the reports of the two security agencies, the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions praised both the police and the DSS at the same time ‘for a job well done’.

stagnation prevalent in the state.

In a statement by NANTS signed by its state Chairman, Prince Chimaeze Oforduru, the Secretary, Nkechi Okerafor and four other officers, the association warned of the organisers of the Imo Carnival against using any form of force or coercion to shut down the markets on the said week, as the consequences would be too severe on the people and economy of the state.

In a memorandum to all market trade union executive in Imo state, NANTS noted that it was not at any time consulted before the decision to close the markets were made and as such dissociates all traders from the arrangement.

The document reads in part, “We hereby urge all market and trade union executives under the umbrella of NANTS not to subject the people to unnecessary hardship by surrendering to the purported plan to close Imo markets for seven days in favour of a carnival.

The memorandum added, “If the organisers view it necessary to shut down markets for seven days, then the entire state should be shut down both the public and private sectors inclusive as a real sign of equity and fairness. That is to say that government offices, political party offices, financial institutions, schools and even churches should be shut down.

The market is not a guinea pig for every experiment.”

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 4, 2014

Makurdi

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enue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam yesterday said his administration was ready to readiness to commence the biometric registration of its workforce next week.

The governor who stated this during an interaction with newsmen in the state capital, Makurdi, said it had become imperative because of the need to fish out ghost workers and ascertain the exact number of authentic staff on the state’s payroll.

Suswam lamented that the over-bloated workforce was fast crippling the civil service, said most people have been fraudulently made to appear on the list of workers.

Suswam, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Solomon Wombo, stated that during the biometric exercise, all civil servants in the state would appear in person and produce valid documents such as employment and promotion letters, which would be captured to enhance the payment of salaries.

He noted that the state government had screened consul-

Ebonyi APC suspends Ucha, Ede, others Ewa Nnanna Abakaliki

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday suspended Sen. Julius Ucha and Peter Ede, member representing Ishielu/ Ezza North in the House of Representatives.

Also suspended was Hon. Enyi C.Enyi,amemberofthestate house of assembly representing Ezza North West Constituency and the acclaimed chairman of the party, Hon. Ben Nwaobasi, as well as seven others.

Briefing newsmen yesterday in Abakaliki, the faction led

by Elder Sam Igwe said their suspension was based on their individual political antecedents, which were aimed at jeopardising the party’s chances in the 2015 elections.

“Having observed with dismay and astonishment the ugly political antecedents of some bad eggs who found their way into

APC either by hook or crook and bearing in mind that their presence in our great party would jeopardize the victory of our party in 2015 polls, on this stand, we unequivocally and unanimously approve the suspension of the following from the party and urge them to henceforth, desist from parading themselves as members of APC in Ebonyi state,” he stated.

Igwe, who also accused the police in Ebonyi State for allowing themselves to be used to brutalise APC members during the just concluded state congress, urged the Inspector General of Police to re deploy the state police commissioner.

He, however, reaffirmed his readiness alongside with his executives to lead the party into victory in 2015 elections as those he considered as responsible for blocking people’s entry into the party had been fished out and shown the way out.

of the Workers’ Day celebration when he declared his intention to cut the salaries of all political appointees and civil servants from those on grade levels 7 and above to settle primary school teachers who went on strike since October last year.

Meanwhile, the governor’s elder brother,Chief Terkula Suswam, has dragged the Federal Government before the International Court of Justice at The Hague over what he described as crimes against humanity committed against the Tiv nation.

Suswam, who stated his intention at a news briefing at his country home in Anyiin in Logo Local Government Area

he Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, on Saturday in Abuja commended Nigerians for the voluntary blood donation to Nyanya bomb blast victims.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Chukwu, and the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, visited the victims on admission in the FCT. Chukwu also lauded the National Blood Transmission Services, for prompt response in giving blood to the victims, adding that other security personnel and the Red Cross Society did well too. “Nigerians really did well for responding to emergency like this, many people willingly presented themselves to donate blood for the victims.

FCT

LAGOS

FCT

Minister hails Nigerians

tants and banks to that effect, adding that details of the contract terms would be made public as soon as possible.

“During the exercise,workers will have to appear personally and produce documents like employment letters, letters of promotion.

They will be validated, captured and paid salaries automatically,” he explained.

The exercise, according to the governor’s aide,is to be carried out by competent people who have carried out a similar exercise in other local governments in other states. He stated that in order to ensure the success of the programme, the state government has fully engage the personnel to fully commence the exercise.

He said earlier attempts to conduct the exercise failed because those engaged to handle the programme did not understand the workings of local governments, as more people were fraudulently captured than expected.

Wombo condemned the May Day booing of the governor by the workers and accused the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress in the state of leading the protest, which he described it as a ploy to score cheap publicity in the media.

Workers in the state on Thursday booed the governor at the McCarthy Stadium venue

News

Benue to register workers as gov’s brother sues FG T Cephas Iorhemen

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Group endorses Akwa Ibom SSG for governorship

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he Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government,(SSG), Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, has been described as one of the very fewindigenesofthestatebestsuited to succeed Governor Godswill Akpabio.

Thisassertionwascontainedin a statement signed by Akparawa Ukeme Ekong and Obong Sylvester Umana, president and secretary respectivelyoftheAkwaIbomSupport Initiative andmadeavailabletonewsmeninLagos.

The group declared its support for the zoning of the governorship positiontoEketSenatorialDistrictin the spirit of equity, justice and unity and lauded Akpabio and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state for taking the decision.

Jonathan hosts media chat today Anule Emmanuel

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resident Gooddluck Jonathan will today speak on current national issues in a fresh edition of the Presidential Media Chat.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, yesterday said the event would be broadcast live at 7pm on the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and the Voice of Nigeria (VON).

According to Abati, during the programme, the President is expected to respond to questions from a panel of journalists and media executives on current national developments.

L-R: Former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Leader, Chief Taiwo Olatubosun; Governor Kayode Fayemi; and state chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Jide Awe, at the Re-elect Fayemi campaign tour of Irepodun/Ifelodun LGA... on Friday.

Police arrest Maidoya over invasion of APGA hqtrs Onwuka Nzeshi Abuja

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he Police has arrested the factional Secretary of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Alhaji Sagir Awaal Maidoya over the recent invasion of the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

Maidoyaisthescribeofthefaction of the party led by Chief Maxi Okwu.

The arrest followed a petition by the National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) over the invasion by members of the Okwu led faction of the party.

Since the invasion, New Telegraph on Sunday learnt,the Police had been on the trail of the leaders offactionbutmanyoftheminclud-

ing, Okwu were said to had gone underground.

The leadership of the party had in a petition dated April 17, 2014 urged the Police to investigate the circumstances leading to the invasion and prosecute the perpetrators.

The petition signed by the party’s National Legal Adviser Mr Ifeanyi Mbaeri alleged that the invasion of the National secretariat on April 16,2014 was unlawful and resultedin the destructionofsome properties belonging to the party.

The petitioners further alleged that rather than wait for the judicialprocessconcerningtheleadership tussle in the party to run its course, Chief Maxi Okwu and his groupdecidedtotakethelawsinto their own hands by invading and unlawfully taking over the APGA National Secretariat.

Kidnapping: Anambra monarch assures foreign investors of safety Uwakwe Abugu Awka

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traditional ruler in Anambra State, Igwe Godson Ezechukwu, has called on foreign investors to come to the state to do business and not to be scared by reports of kidnapping and other forms of criminality.

Ezechukwu, the traditional ruler of Umuchu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, spoke in his palace yesterday when a delegation from an American company, Blount Internationals, paid him a visit.

He also appealed to them to establish a branch of their company in his domain, assuring them that his subjects would not only protect them

but would work hard with them to ensure that the investors and the people live in harmony.

European Managing Director and Sales Manager of the organisation, Messrs Marnix Kuyper and Simon Pears respectively, had visited his palace in Umuchu in company of their major partner in West Africa, Chief Godwin Ezeemo, who is a native of the community and business mogul.

Blount internationals are makers of Carlton Chainsaw, saw chains and files and its officials have been in the state in the past few days, touring the commercial city of Onitsha and other areas where the company’s products are being distributed.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 4, 2014

News

Envoy calls for 50% women participation in politics Tai Anyanwu

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igeria’s High Commissioner to Singapore, Ambassador Nonye Rajis-Okpara, has called for more women participation in Nigeria’s politics come 2015 elections.

She made the call while addressing the inaugural summit of Imo State Congress of America (ISCA) on women empowerment, which held in Houston, Texas, USA, recently.

The ambassador, who’s address focused on ‘The Role of Women in Governance, noted that presently women occupied

35 per cent of positions of leadership in Nigeria.

She, however, insisted that in the 2015 elections, she would like to see 50 per cent of political offices occupied by Nigerian women.

She also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for giving greater support to women empowerment and their participation in governance more than any President or head of state before him.

“I’m proud to say that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s confidence in Ni-

gerian women has not been misplaced, as milestone achievements in his administration are attributed to women appointees in various ministries, parastatals and government agencies,” the envoy said.

She pointed out that in recent times great women like Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; a former World Bank Vice-President, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili; and former Minister of Information, Prof. Dora Akunyili, became notable role models following their role in governance.

LAGOS

LAGOS

LAGOS

Lagos shuts 18 firms over tax

Telecoms operators seek govts’ help

UNESCO calls on states, societies to defend press freedom

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UScientific and Cultural Or-

he Lagos State Internal Revenue Service says it shut 18 companies in April for failing to remit N56 million personal income tax to the coffers of the government.

The Head of Distrain Unit of the agency, Mrs. Folasade Coker-Afolayan, told the News Agency of Nigeria yesterday in Lagos that the unremitted taxes were for a period ranging from one year to four.

Coker-Afolayan, who noted that tax was the responsibility of citizens, said the government needed funds to provide infrastructure for the people.

he Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) on Saturday appealed to federal and state governments to assist them in ending the issue of poor services in the industry.

The association’s Chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that challenges in telecommunications should not be left for the operators alone.

He said that the operating environment was not conducive enough to maintain uninterrupted services.

nited Nations Educational,

ganisation (UNESCO) has called on all states, societies and individuals to actively defend press freedom as fundamental rights.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mrs Sylvia Iwuchukwu, UNESCO Assistant Programme Officer on Education, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.

The statement said that the World Press Freedom Day was celebrated in more than 100 countries around the world every May 3.

Nyanya blast: Death toll rises to 20 Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

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A coss-section of members of Albino Foundation on a road walk in commemoration of the National Albinism Day, in Abuja…yesterday

Fayemi, Fayose, Bamidele fight over monarchs Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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ampaigning for the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State is now taking a new dimension as incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Governor Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele of the Labour Party (LP) are now fighting over access to traditional rulers in the state.

The tone was set on April 25 when Bamidele took his campaign to Isan-Ekiti, Fayemi’s hometown and was allegedly refused access to the monarch.

Bamidele said few hours to the commencement of the rally, the Onisan of Isan-Ekiti, Oba Sunday Ajiboye, reportedly called him on telephone to say that his safety could not be guaranteed in the town.

The same scenario allegedly repeated itself few days later when Fayose wanted to campaign in Isan and the Onisan said Fayemi would

be holding a meeting there and that the PDP candidate should not come to the town.

On May 1, when Fayemi wanted to campaign in IyinEkiti, Bamidele’s hometown, aggrieved youths also said they would not allow the governor access to the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaiye, and locked up the palace gate.

Fayemi eventually had access to the monarch as the gate’s locks were cut by security agents attached to him.

On May 2, when Fayemi took his rally to Afao-Ekiti,

the hometown of Fayose, some youths also reportedly did not let him have access to the Oba. However, all the parties involved have denied using under-hand measures to prevent their opponents from meeting with the monarchs.

In various statements and briefings, the three main candidates washed their hands off the issue.

Monarchs only have one vote individually like every other person, but the way the matter is going, it may not be the same again with the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers after the poll, as bad blood is now flowing among them.

he Health Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Dr. Ademola Onakomaiya, yesterday stated that the number of deaths in Thursday’s bomb blast in Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja had risen from 19 to 20.

The FCTA health secretary, who spoke when the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, visited the hospitals, also stated that 44 persons have been discharged.

According to him, 20 victims were still under admission, with 11 of them at the FCTA hospitals, while eight were at the National Hospital.

Out of the 11 in the general hospitals, four of them were in Intensive Care Units.

The minister, who spoke after touring the hospitals, condemned the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents.

At the scene of the bomb blast, which the minister had

visited earlier, he stated that the population of the area was a concern to the FCTA. According to him, about two million persons live in the area.

He stated that the ministry was liaising with the Federal Ministry of Works to expand the roads in Nyanya.

He also stated that President Goodluck Jonathan had directed the construction of a modern park in the area, stating that the FCTA transport secretary would provide a temporary park for motorists.

He also directed that all stationary vehicles on the Nyanya roads should be cleared for security reasons within one week.

For his part, the village head of Nyanya, Alhaji Angola Kaduna Shuaibu, said the administration should expedite the demolition process but advised that those to be affected should be adequately compensated.

He stressed that while there are people living in Nyanya illegally, there are those with legitimate concerns in the area.

I’m most sued gov - Wada Muhammad Bashir Lokoja

Kris Wada, has said he ogi State Governor, Id-

is the most sued governor among his colleagues in the country.

He said out of 15 cases against him, 12 had been cleared in his favour, while three are still pending.

Wada stated these yes-

terday at Onyedega, the headquarters of Ibaji Local Government during his ‘thank you tour of the 21 local Government Areas of the state, after his governorship victory in December 3rd 2012.

The governor stressed that the cases were a ploy by his political opponents to distract him from fulfilling the campaign promises he made to the electorate.

EDITORIAL

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 4, 2014

Our VISION

To build a newspaper organisation anchored on the sanctity of truth.

Our MISSION

To publish a newspaper of superior value, upholding the fundamental ethics of journalism: balanced reporting, fairness, accuracy and objectivity.

Sanctity Truth Sanctity of ofTruth www.newt e le g r aphonline .com

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Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha

SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2014

Poor sanitary conditions in Lagos State

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takeholders who gathered recently at an advocacy and sensitisation campaign by the Lagos State Ministry of Environment have raised concern over the unhygienic act of open defecation which could jeopardize the vision of transforming the state into a tourist haven. The wife of the Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola described open defecation as a habit that affects the citizenry negatively, because they are easy ways to spread diseases such as typhoid and cholera.

Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello said the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recently revealed that out of the 2.5 billion who live without adequate sanitation around the world, 33 million Nigerians have no access to decent toilets.

As a result of this inadequacy, citizens of Africa’s most populous nation answer the call of nature in the open. Describing the cost of open defecation on health as too grave and monumental, Bello said it is too much to be ignored because it does not only pollute underground waters, it also contaminates agricultural produce and aid the spread of diseases such as diarrhea, tapeworms, intestinal parasites, hookworm, hepatitis among others.

It is important to point out that, infant and child under-nutrition and stunted growth are also aggravated. Most striking are the 2,000 children who die every day across the world from diarrhea and other preventable diseases caused by poor sanitation.

Lagos State with over 20 million people contends with the challenges of inadequacy

of water and poor sanitation, due to neglect of several years and migration of people from other parts of the country.

It is appalling to observe that a total of over 570 public toilets currently existing in the State are grossly inadequate for a population of over 20 million people. It is therefore imperative for government to build toilets and bathrooms in strategic locations across the state, while arranging for effective ways of maintaining them. More importantly, individuals, groups, corporate organizations should collaborate with the state government as well as engage in private investment to complement government’s efforts.

Public Health Law is an important public health development because it assists in reducing illness and premature death. Public health law empowers the government at various jurisdictional levels to improve the health of the general population within societal limits and norms. To this end, it is imperative that the Lagos State government should put in place effective laws that criminalise open defecation in the public and other unhealthy sanitary habits. There must be strategic and systematic means of effectively implementing the law in the overall

It is appalling to observe that a total of over 570 public toilets currently existing in the State are grossly inadequate for a population of over 20 million people

interest of all the residents of the state.

Similarly, the Lagos State administration must endeavour to develop and implement policies and programs and undertake other actions to deliver effective, efficient, qualitative and affordable public health services.

To make maximum impact, the government at the state and local councils must embark upon accelerated, coordinated and integrated enlightenment as well as public education campaign to educate the people on the standard behaviour expected from them especially as it concerns hygiene.

Moreover, development control as a potent tool for city management ensures that the continual growth and management of a city can be such that make for orderliness and improved healthy environment with commensurate aesthetics. It also ensures that the environmental challenges as a result of city growth can be reduced to tolerable levels. In metropolitan Lagos, development control requires special skill as a result of the daily problems the authorities are confronted with, which is attributed to the sheer size and rate of increase of these settlements and the complexities of the tasks involved. The problem ranges from uncontrolled change of use of property, non-compliance with space standards and approved design, unguided and ineffective enforcement of building regulations. Lagos State undoubtedly needs modern re-planning in such a way that would impact the citizenry and public health positively.

Environmental degradation is both a cause and consequence of poverty. The

slum is the poster child of urban environmental degradation. Poverty puts pressure on people to engage in unsustainable and environmentally unfriendly practices.

Lagos is characterized by substandard and inadequate housing, slums, and lack of infrastructure, transportation problems, low productivity, crime, juvenile delinquency and poverty is also endemic. The urban poor, confined to economically fragile and ecologically vulnerable areas, contribute to the incidence of environmental degradation, urban congestion and public health challenges.

Slums are environments in which a set of forces interact to give rise to a devalued physical and social image of an area by the larger community. Squatter settlements are uncontrolled illegal and temporary settlements. Slums, shantytowns and squatter settlements exhibit similar characteristics.

These include poor sanitary surroundings, dilapidated structures, high occupancy ratio, physical drabness of surroundings in terms of non-existent landscaping and social amenities, inadequate provision or complete lack of public facilities, absentee landlords, low rent, haphazard architectural design and general features of vandalism.

Poverty is an enormous threat to political stability, social cohesion and environmental balance of our cities and until it is tackled decisively, sustainable urban development will remain a mirage. Lagos State must work conscientiously to tackle poverty to create the type of city and towns that are devoid of environmental challenges like open defecation.

GABRIEL AKINADEWO Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief IKE ABONYI Deputy Managing Director/DEIC FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Managing Editor, South SULEIMAN BISALA Managing Editor, North AYODELE OJO Acting Editor, Daily LAURENCE ANI Editor, Saturday EMEKA MADUNAGU Editor, Sunday LEO CENDROWICZ Bureau Chief, Brussels MARSHALL COMINS Bureau Chief, Washington DC SAM AMSTERDAM Editorial Coordinator, Europe EMMAN SHEHU (PhD) Chairman, Editorial Board JOSEPH ONYEKWERE News Editor (Sunday) PADE OLAPOJU Production Editor TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

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MAY 4, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

OPINION

Memo to National Conference on Nigerian Education Sam Azoka Onyechi

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hat a whole lot is wrong with education in Nigeria today is an understatement and a nation that denies education to its people denies them and their country a future; denies them civilisation and optimum utilisation of God-given human resource, which is a key factor in individual, entrepreneurial and national development.

There is therefore an urgent need to save Nigerian educationfrom its current stupor before we drift permanently into the lonely and terrible abyss of ignorance that would probably lend credence to the aphorism that “where ignorance is bliss: it is folly to be wise”.

Why Our Educational System Is Rotten There is organised chaos in the country for the benefit of those who reap out of chaos, so our educational institutions are caught in the Sisyphean web of myriad manifestation of corruption and politicisation of every aspect of the Nigerian life.

Wise nations keep politics away from the ivory tower, hence the name, but unfortunately in Nigeria we merge the sacred with the profane, so all is soiled. Some patriotic alumni of historically great institutions in the country in a patriotic bid to save the fast fading glory of their alma mater have mooted the idea of individual restoration of such institutions through voluntary contributions but there is obviously not much that can be done singly or at institution levels because individual efforts in this regard would simply be a pinch of salt into an ocean. Moreover, even the academia has joined the political bandwagon for its selfish pecuniary gains and may likely sabotage such noble efforts.

Education used to be for those who have professed the ability and the interest to read and write but these days, even parents in their misguided love are keen to pay bribes to get their lazy kids to “pass” exams; worse, teachers are even more keen to record good pass marks at WAEC or similar exams for the students they did not teach, so they write

the answers and pass to their students at examinations. The school authorities themselves aspire to have astounding records of good performance at external examinations as this will bring good patronage of more students to their schools with proprietors laughing their way to the bank, so what do they do? They discuss with the external invigilators that their students are willing to play ball and with mutual consent, collect agreed sums of money per student for the invigilator, so he looks the other way when the mass cheating is being organised by the school principal or the proprietor himself.

Gone are the days when students are made to repeat a class because they did not do well in their promotional exams. What then is the outcome of this organised educational crime? Candidates who are “ready” for the higher institution without an iota of readiness for or any appreciation of the rigours of higher educational pursuit. Same scenario is only but predictable at the higher schools, and so there must be a way to survive and graduate from the university - either by bribing the lecturer, some of whom are ready to be bribed or by sleeping with others if you are female and the lecturer is male, randy and dirty; or a combination of these and more means of getting grades you did not work for.

Make Laws Protecting The Sacredness Of Education I believe we should be looking at raising the consciousness of Nigerians and our politicians to the sacred nature of education rather than making an isolated attempt at turning around a particular institute or university because the forces that prevail against good education in the country are pervasive and a behemoth.

There is therefore the need for the national conference to discuss and ratify measures against politicising education, making government to fund education and academic research directly and adequately, and interfere less in academic institutions and matters of academia such as appointment and removal of VCs; compelling our society through

the legislature to encourage the making of laws aimed at challenging the influences of corruption and bribery in educational matters particularly and punishing same; getting the National Assembly to pass a bill with severe punishments for academic and exam malpractices, including aiding and abetting these, with such punishments as closure of schools that aid and abet exam malpractices and jail terms for officials who do so entrenched in such laws.

Redesign Our Educational System Nigeria must redesign her educational system by removing all forms of politicking from education and its administration in Nigeria; by making laws that separate education from all forms of manipulation or political influences; by creating huge budgetary allocation up to 40 per cent of national budget through the legislature as educational fund that will not lend itself to government agent’s further approval processes; by further making laws criminalizing any attempt or support for any attempt that aims to lower educational standards in any form or guise; by restoring hitherto precivil war international standards of education in Nigeria as per structure, syllabi. Infrastructure, admissions, teacher engagement, accreditation, board supervision; by reviving the teacher middle class status in society through proper and regular salaries and perks designed to make teaching a worthy profession; and other measures with similar motives of aiding revival of education in Nigeria, including free and compulsory education for Nigerian citizens up to SSC Level, establishment of a professionally oriented education commission and board with powers to oversee full implementation of all aspects of educational processes and practices,especially any form of corruption such as stealing or diverting of funds meant for education, etc.

Sending The Hawking-Professors To The Laboratory I think we should try to tackle this problem,

which is gradually and steadily killing the future of Nigeria, at this holistic and general level land with a sincerity of purpose that is fast fading from Nigerian leadership. This if truly pursued will take the Hawking-Professors off the streets, where they are selling away their future and God-given intelligence as baked bread, to the research laboratory where they will be manipulating cassava by-products for global food supply from Nigeria.

This is FACT as so many of us, including most conference attendees are beneficiaries of standard and affordable education in this same Nigeria 30 to 50 years ago and would have otherwise been hawking bread on our streets or engaged in some other menial tasks generally undertaken by undeveloped intellect. To the National Conference attendees, I must ask, who would have known that you have something upstairs to give your nation if you did not have the opportunity given by this same country to go to school and develop yourself?

This is the question your conscience must answer before the sitting of this conference is over or you would indeed be hollow men masquerading as patriots, feeling nothing, seeing nothing, thinking nothing and doing nothing. This issue on reviving education should not and must not be our typical business as usual affair – it must haunt us, pervade us, terrorise us, even more than Boko Haram and should have pride of place in the hierarchy of issues being currently discussed, for the growth and stability as well as sustenance of tomorrow’s Nigeria. It is not an overstatement to assert that this is the greatest issue of importance in the ranking of the affairs of state on the agenda of the National Conference, for a properly educated and usefully engaged populace equals a civilised and progressive-minded nation.

May God help us see what we are doing to our future and retreat in time.

•Sam Azoka Onyechi is Public Affairs Analyst/ CEO, Inspection And Tests Nigeria Limited

Online media and abuse of press freedom Moshood Isah

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he notion of a free press emanated after resilient agitation against the early authoritarian stance towards press in the society. It is pertinent to say that nations have developed from the philosophy of absolutism where both private and public owned media existed to service the government of the day, to a more rational and free society where media can check the excesses of government. This was why the media was dubbed the ‘fourth estate of the realm’. Both the moral and constitutional power mustered by the media in any society has given it the leverage to operate almost on a ‘free-hand’ basis. Thus there have been calls to also curb the excesses of the media.

The internet technology has led to influx of various online media which are gradually ousting the mainstream media. The online media has become so easily accessible that anyone can launch a news blog without knowing a single law and ethics of the media and become

a ‘journalist’ overnight. Many online bloggers are not really qualified professionals but are the most dependable source of information in the country due to their timeliness. Even though newspapers are moving with the trend of timeliness by updating their sites as soon as events happen, hard copies of tabloids will still be on the news stand. The emergence of online media has made it easier for individuals or groups to operate without the needed licences. Thus, this gives them the levity to disseminate information with impunity whether true or false. More so, it is very difficult to track offenders because of the anonymous nature of the medium.

In this vein, there is an incessant conscious or unconscious violation of media ethics with a regulator. Even though not a classical example, the Wendel Simlin pseudonym case on twitter allegedly trying to defame the reputation of a former public servant was just a sign that violation of journalism law had gone viral. More so, there are instances of stalking and hacking through personal information like text messages, as in the case of rested British tabloid, News

of the World, all in the name of investigative reporting. At this juncture, there is the need to say that it is not only the online media that are culpable in most of these offences. It is rather unfortunate to know that even the mainstream traditional media with operating licences and who are supposed to have signed undertaking to uphold these laws and ethics are also often found wanting.

The constitution and the social system have no doubt bestowed on the media, the responsibility and the freedom of information dissemination and so there is need to live up to such billings. It is no more news that due to a desire to earn bragging right, media houses tend to report inaccurate information and end up misleading the society. The typical Nigerian media will rather use a large number to describe the magnitude of an event, despite it is certain that numbers could not be verified. It is far better and safer to use a clause like ‘we cannot authoritatively verify this number or figures as the case may be’. The audience will definitely comprehend the stand of the media

due to the complexity of the situation. In this era of insecurity, the least expected from the media is inaccurate information. The media has a better way of optimizing its freedom rather than abusing it to some extent.

The Freedom of Information Act is an avenue which is expected that media will grab with both hands to avail the citizens of vital information. The media with its constitutionally guaranteed freedom can be socially responsible to a very large extent and also serve as a catalyst to the development of societies.

Tracking the manifestoes of political parties and prompting them via interviews and political platforms will go a long way in keeping public servants and executives on their toes in a bid to fulfill their manifestoes. Media houses can also put their heads together in ensuring credible elections by tracking the entire process in every polling unit. This may be difficult but it is not too much a sacrifice for the betterment of the nation.

•Moshood Isah writes from Sapele Street, Garki 2, Abuja

Life Boko Haram: Experts divided Enugu State land revocation; Widow cries for help pgs.12 &13

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MAY 4, 2014

over calls for foreign assistance

By Ahaoma Kanu and Steve Uzoechi

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he crowd was attracted by the wailing of a woman on the floor of a makeshift relaxation spot in Kado area of Abuja. Her rolling on the floor had caused her Hijab to fall out and other women tried desperately to cover her as she kept shouting to no one in particular.

Hajia Talatu had just received news that her relative, whom she sent on an errand at Maraba, a settlement in Nasarawa State near the Federal Capital Territory, was among those that lost their lives in the May 1, 2014 bomb blast at Wazobia Park in Nyanya. It was the second time a deadly explosion had occurred in the same area within 17 days.

“What will I tell her mother and father?”

Hajia kept asking but nobody had any reasonable response to her query. She was among over five million people affected by the Boko Haram insurgency since 2009.

The fugitive leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, had few days ago claimed responsibility for the April 14 attack that killed over 80 persons and injured more than 200 others. He promised that the insurgents were in Abuja and would carry out more attacks.

This became more real than imagined by many residents in and around Abuja. This is coming at a time when over 250 school girls abducted in Chibok community in Borno State are yet to be rescued.

The May 1 bomb blast has been described as one blast too many and already, many Nigerians are losing faith in the security agencies’ ability to tackle the security situation in the country.

“The army had their checkpoint close to the area that the explosion happened and were searching vehicles entering Abuja. They did not care for those going into Nyanya, Maraba and others because people living there don’t matter; yet we are the ones being killed. How can they be there and the bomb exploded right in their faces,” Jude Okoye, a transport operator asked New Telegraph on Sunday.

Already, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has accused the military and other security agencies of aiding and abetting the sect to continue carrying deadly attacks in the North.

“It is strongly believed that without support and cooperation from within the military and security circles, the insurgents would not have been succeeding so easily in their dastardly acts,” the communique which was signed by the group’s Secretary-General, Col. John Ubah (retd), after the meeting of the National Executive Council of the Forum, read. The ACF urged the Federal Government to do an

Obama

in-house search of its security apparatus and put in place measures that would boost the morale of the troops and inspire confidence of the people in the government.

But when New Telegraph on Sunday spoke with security experts, there were mixed feelings on the proposed assistance being offered by the US. Mr. Michael Ejiofor, a retired SSS Director, told New Telegraph on Sunday that he welcomed the idea. He said terrorism is a global problem and should be tackled collectively.

“Terrorism is a global war, it is not restricted to Nigeria alone. You have a lot of terrorist acts all over the world so it needs international collaboration.Nigeria has been collaborating with other countries so it is not news if it (US) says that Nigeria should seek foreign assistance. But foreign assistance means sending troops to be deployed in Nigeria to perhaps assist in that regard. I don’t think that is right but we can collaborate with foreign countries in terms of trainings, exchange of information and the rest of them to ensure that this scourge is brought to a halt,” he said.

Retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ben Oghomone, said that seeking foreign assistance would not help much because the foreigners may not be able to operate efficiently as they are unfamiliar with the Nigerian terrain. “If you bring in the Americans or British, how much of our terrain do they know? The government should fund our security outfits effectively so they can counter this situation and arrest it. We have the capacity to stop this,” he said.

Dr. Ona Ekhomu, a security expert and chairman of Trans-World Security, advised that the assistance that should be given by foreign allies should be limited to technical support and training and not

Jonathan

bringing troops to fight for the country.

“The problem runs deep and is ours to solve.We must have our security infrastructure right.I see it as a waste of public resources and an admission that we don’t understand what the issues are. What the foreigners can do for us is to maintain our crime scene like we saw during the UN building bombing, when the FBI came and told us the kind of weapon used. They helped us determine the bomb signature and that was when we knew the weapon was more sophisticated and was way beyond the technical competence of Boko Haram. There, we need the technical competence of the Americans but beyond that, America will not send boots down to do anything for you,” he warned.

A counterterrorism expert, Mr. Oludare Ogunlana, who doubles as the Executive Director of the Nigeria Chapter of the National Association for Intelligence Educator, (IAFIE) and publisher of the African Journal of Counterterrorism, was of the opinion that Nigeria does not only need assistance from the US but also from neighbouring countries like Cameroun, Niger and Chad.

“Of course, we need foreign assistance. The war against terrorism requires international cooperation. We need to share intelligence, knowledge, technological skills and training. The United States of America has spent a lot to train our army and also support us with equipment.

We need cooperation from our neighbours like Cameroun, Niger and Chad. All those countries where we share boundaries must work with the Nigeria government to defeat Bokoharam. If we fail to seek their assistance, they may use those places as ‘safe haven’ where they will continue to be launching fierce and daring attacks against Nigerian states,” he said.

Of course, we need foreign assistance. The war against terrorism requires international cooperation. We need to share intelligence, knowledge, technological skills and training

Coordinator, Network on Police Reform in Nigeria, Okechukwu Nwanguma, , wondered what the FG had done with the assistance given by these foreign countries in the past. This is coming on the heels of a revelation by Sahara Reporters, an online media agency, that the US State Department donated $20 million (N3.176 billion) in military funding assistance to the Nigerians dating back to 2012.

“But I do know that the world has become a global village. What happens in one country or continent can have political, social and/or economic consequences for another. There is need, therefore, for international and intercontinental cooperation in tackling and battling crime, corruption and pursuing development goals, etc. Nigeria has for a long time been receiving support from the US and the UK in forms of funding and training to address crime. So, foreign assistance has been available but I guess it’s what the Nigerian authorities make of this assistance that matters. How do Nigerian authorities manage funds donated by foreign governments to tackle crime, etc? What use have they put the technical assistance received? Corruption and diversion or misuse of resources have denied Nigerians the benefits that ought to have come from these foreign assistance,” he said.

One strategy that helped curb the excesses of the al-Qaeda terrorist group by Americans was the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVS), also known as drones. These are aircraft either controlled by ‘pilots’ from the ground or increasingly, autonomously following a pre-programmed mission. Drones fall into two categories: those that are used for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes and those that are armed with missiles and bombs.

This technology played an important role in subduing al-Qaeda cells in Afghanistan and Yemen and provided the intelligence used by the Americans to eliminate Osama bin Laden.

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Life

Widow begs Chime: Retrieve m y

A portion of the land

Ahaoma Kanu

I

n August 2013, the Enugu State Government revoked many plots of land and demolished buildings which were alleged to have defaulted in some terms of contract with the state.

The level to which the exercise was carried out and some of the victims that protested against the demolition made many believe it was a punitive measure against those opposed to the government.

Among those affected at that time were a former governor of the state, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, whose property at Zoo Estate in the state capital was revoked and allegedly reallocated to another top politician in the good books of Governor Sullivan Chime; a former commissioner for information under the erstwhile administration, Mr. Igbonekwu Ogazimorah, who lost his block of stores at New Market Enugu; while Mr. Josef Onoh, son of another former governor of the state, late Chief C.C Onoh, had his property at Ekulu GRA, revoked and demolished. Children of a late Supreme Court Judge, Justice Anthony Anigbolu were

not spared as their property located at Independence Layout was affected while one Chief Humphrey Ojinma said that even after getting a high court judgment stopping any action on his property on Ogbolu Street GRA, it was still demolished.

Even as the high-profile victims groan, some ordinary citizens are also caught up in the same situation.

One of such persons is a retired federal civil servant, Mrs. Mabel Olisakwe, who has pleaded with Governor Sullivan Chime to reverse the state government’s decision to revoke her property and reallocate same to a top government functionary.

Speaking to New Telegraph on Sunday, Olisakwe, who retired as an Assistant Director of Nursing at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, said her property located at Plot 448 New GRA, Trans Ekulu, which was given to her by the state Ministry of Lands was revoked and reallocated to a serving commissioner in the state.

“I was given this land by the Ministry

of Lands, Enugu and I had my re-certification as requested by the government.

I also had my Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), approved plan from the Enugu East Planning Authority and have paid my land rate up to 2015. But I was asked to stop work on my property which I had already constructed up to DPC level and fenced with a gate. But funny enough, I was not served any papers or informed of any revocation of warning letter,” she said.

In a letter with subject, Plot 448, Trans Ekulu New G.R.A Enugu, dated March 20, 2014, to the commissioner for lands, Mr. Chukwuemeka Ujam, and which was received on the same day by the ministry, she explained her plight to the commissioner and pleaded to be allowed to continue work at the site.

The letter, which was obtained by New Telegraph on Sunday, reads in part, “I fenced the land with (a) gate and started a structure on the land up to D.P.C level when my N10 million got stuck with Harvard Trust Mortage Bank; (this money was) made up of my gratuity, pension and

accumulated areas of pay.”

She continued, “I was made a widow in 1982 when I was still very young with four little children to care for. This land is the only inheritance I have for the 33 years I worked. I started work at the site last week, thanks to one of my sons, and yesterday, the site engineer called me to say they were asked to stop work. Sir, kindly see to my plight. I had no information of the revocation or warning letter.”

After several efforts to get the response of the government and the failure of the ministry to allow her continue work, Olisakwe launched an ‘investigation’ and discovered that her property had been reallocated to the Commissioner for Water Resources in the state, Michael Nwachukwu, whom she said had been entering the property forcefully.

Olisakwe , through her lawyer, Mr. Chuma Oguejiofor, then proceeded to write a petition to the Divisional Police Officer at Trans Ekulu Police Station, Enugu entitled, “Engr. Michael Nwachukwu - His Conduct Likely To Cause A Breach of Public Peace and Forceful

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 4, 2014

land from your commissioner Entry on Property in Possession of Our Client.”

In the petition, Olisakwe claimed that she had been in possession of the property and effected some improvements until lately when Nwachukwu started entering the place forcefully without her consent. On being confronted, he replied that her statutory right of occupancy over the land had been revoked by the government.

“Till date, no such revocation notice has been served on our client who is also contesting the purported revocation in the High Court Enugu in suit No. E/164/2014, with Michael Nwachukwu as the second respondent in the case.

“That apparently emboldened by the fact that he is more influential than our client who is only but a poor widow, the man has been using his wealth to change the character of the property, including to forcefully enter the same against the will of our client,” the petition reads in part.

Oguejiofor urged the police to intervene in the matter and call Nwachukwu to order.

Olisakwe’s son, Obinna, told our correspondent that he launched an investigation in the ministry and sources there got informed him that the property was reallocated to Nwachukwu after the ministry could not locate the file to the said property. He was also able to confirm the veracity of the information when both parties were invited to Trans Ekulu Police Station for a discussion by the Divisional Police Officer.

“We were concerned because there should be a warning letter before any legal revocation and we were not served that. But when the order to stop work came, I investigated and was told that the government had given the land to the Commissioner for Water Resources. Then the day we were at the station, the government party brought out a letter purportedly sent to us as the first warning but the address they claimed to have sent the letter was not ours.

“You know that the government embarked on a recertification exercise around 2006-2007 and we did ours.

So, the address on the former Certificate of Occupancy changed but the format that this said first warning letter did not even carry the new address or the old one. One of officials in the ministry that helped do the investigations told me that that is the way the ministry grabs people’s land.

“They thought that maybe the owner of the land had passed on and so they just did the paper work and reallocated the property. In fact, we were told that the file for the property could not be found so they produced another one for their intentions,” he said.

When contacted by New Telegraph on Sunday, the Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Chukwuma Ujam, claimed that Olisakwe was whipping up sentiments.

“The issue is this - we don’t revoke land that is developed. Now, we can serve you intention to revoke and give you time to develop. If you don’t build, we then perform the actual revocation. If after revocation you then rush to the site and start putting up a building, that’s an illegal structure as the land is no longer yours. “When you have a Certificate of Occupancy, you sign up some certain clauses, you agree that within three years you will erect a building for occupation and use. So anybody coming to you, ask the person when the person got the C of O and when the person built to see if the person erected within the three years specified.

“If the person just rushes to site, the person is trying to whip up sentiments and there is no basis for such sentiments and even challenging government because it is an affront to government. Does the person have a building approval? It is hooliganism, you don’t start erecting a building without government approval. If you do that it will backfire because originally the government

Mabel Olisakwe

owns all the land,” he said.

But Olisakwe countered the commissioner’s submission, saying that she got her C of O in 2006, building approval from the government in 2007 and commenced building that same year.

“Since he said they may serve an intention to revoke, why was mine different? Why was there no revocation letter? Why was the letter purportedly shown us bearing an address that does not belong to me?” she asked.

When New Telegraph on Sunday called Nwachukwu’s line, he neither picked calls put through to his phone nor replied text messages sent to him.

According to Olisakwe, she is ready to head to court to get justice, saying it is unfortunate that people in government would be so cruel to ordinary citizens.

But to Onyeama, it is just a matter of time before those occupying offices will leave and start getting the houses they may be acquiring now revoked and demolished by other politicians.

“Look at the case of the former governor and his commissioner. They were demolishing people’s houses some years back but today they are feeling the heat. That is the kind of circle we have in Enugu State,” he said.

Chuma Oguejiofor

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Life

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News

Food scarcity looms over insurgency, herdsmen attacks CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

ever, lucky that the flood was a natural occurrence but the Federal Government came to our aid. The Fulani attacks are beyond the reach and management of the state government alone,” he declared.

The commissioner said the state government had resorted to distributing fertilisers to farmers as well as engaging agriculture extension to improve farm yields. He wondered how farmers would get these seedlings because their harvest had been destroyed.

Also speaking, the President of Agricultural and Allied Employees’ Union of Nigeria, Simon Anchaver, warned that Nigeria was on the verge of experiencing a major food

crisis if something urgent was not done to stem the lingering security challenges in parts of the northern states.

He lamented that aside the drop in the quantum of food production in the North, the situation had been made worse by the failure of transporters to move available food crops from the affected states to other parts of the country for fear of being attacked.

Corroborating his view, the Co-ordinator, Christian Association of Nigeria, Gboko, Pastor Sam Gar, said that the Fulani attacks on Tiv farmers posed serious negative economic consequences for the country.

He enumerated some of them to include extreme hunger, malnutrition, sickness, high

school dropout, massive rural urban drift, loss of jobs and homelessness.

The insecurity witnessed in the southern part of Nasarawa State has also drastically reduced farming activities in the state. Checks revealed that the herdsmen/farmers’ clashes and communal crisis had sent a lot of farmers packing from their farmlands and villages.

This has mainly affected farmers in Keana, Doma and Obi local government areas where large crops such as yam, cassava, maize and sesame seeds have been abandoned as the owners fled their farms for safety.

The Tiv/Fulani crisis in Keana and the Eggon-Arago communal clashes have led to the

death of several people in those areas, who are mostly farmers. Most farmers who spoke to New Telegraph on Sunday said that the assurance by government of improved security is not a guarantee because the reasons for the crisis have yet to be properly addressed.

John Gopak of Obi said he annually harvests yam from his three-hectare yam farm, but had to abandon this farm due to insecurity.

The Sarkin Noma Lafia, Alhaji Muhammadu Akuwa, said that the crisis posed a great danger to the farming season and that most farmers in the affected areas had fled.

He added that they are praying for God‘s intervention to ensure that something could

L-R: Wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Josephine Mark; Head, National Office, West African Examinations Council, Mr. Charles Eguridu; and wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan, during Mrs. Jonathan’s meeting with wives of Northern state governors and women across the country over the abduction of some female pupils from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State at the Presidential Villa, Abuja…on Friday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

Nyanya blast: Security agents arrest eight suspects CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

area, after an earlier attack on the community.

“Troops of the Special Task Force in the Plateau have also raided a camp maintained by an armed gang operating in a settlement in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State. A gun fabricating machine as well as some arms and ammunition from the hideout were recovered during the raid.

Also recovered during the raid, were local single barrel guns, pistols, an automatic rifle, bullet pellets and a large quantity of materials for producing gun powder.

“The raid has equally yielded vital details to track down the operators of the gun fabricating hideout who are now on the run. The area is also being combed in the search for similar criminal outfits.

“In another development in Tanabu community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of

Plateau State, troops of the Special Task Force have successfully repelled an attack by a gang of cattle rustlers who had invaded the community after a shootout.

The troops had the encounter when they responded to a distress call from herdsmen in the area, leaving one of the cattle rustlers dead while others fled when they were overpowered by the troops.

“In Abuja, eight persons are currently being interrogated after raid operations by troops of security agencies on joint surveillance and patrols mission in the Federal Capital today.

The arrested persons are helping ongoing investigation with useful information after the operation which is sequel to intelligence reports. Most of those arrested are foreigners who were picked up around Kugbo and areas adjoining the Nyanya site of the recent bombings in the Federal Capital. Those confirmed to constitute threat to

security will be handed over to appropriate prosecutorial agency on conclusion of the preliminary investigations.

“In the meantime, Operation Restore Peace currently being conducted in the North Central States has maintained its operational tempo However, gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists on the early hours of Saturday invaded Alimeleri village of Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, killing scores of people and setting the whole village ablaze.

A resident of the area, who fled to Maiduguri told our correspondent that the gunmen came around 2am and started shooting sporadically and throwing explosives at the houses.

He said, “The gunmen who came in Hilux pick-up vans and motorcycles started shooting sporadically and set the whole village on fire. We were even

lucky to escape into the bush.

“We left the village in the night but we don’t know the numbers of those killed but I think many people have been killed in our village and one nearby village.”

Students of the University of Maiduguri and residents of Dalori Quarters 202, 303 and its environs were also in the early hours of yesterday thrown into confusion following sporadic gunshots and explosion at Ali Maileri village, 15 kilometres away from Dalori quarters.

A female student of UNIMAID told our correspondent that they had a sleepless night on Saturday when they started hearing gunshots and explosives around 2am.

Efforts to obtain the comments of the spokesman for the 7th Division, Col. Muhammad Dole, and the Police Public Relations Officer for Borno State, Gideon Jibrin, for comments did not yield any result.

at least be harvested.

“Only God blesses the yield, but certainly it will affect our harvest except God does otherwise because farmers have abandoned their farms for safety,” he lamented.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Danladi Madaki, said government would continue to do its best for the sector by providing necessary farming implements and improved seedlings but that the insecurity witnessed in some parts of the state had had a devastating effect.

“In normal consumption life when there is a crisis, it affects the people and the economy. The fear of the unknown makes it difficult for people to go to the farm.

“The consequences are going to fall on farmers because when there is insecurity the farmers will abandon their farms. This will affect the harvest but government will continue to do is to ensure improve yield and harvest,” he added.

In Yobe State, our correspondent who visited some of the areas, said crop losses had enveloped the state, with a resultant negative impact on food production and food security.

The chairman, Farmers Association in Yobe State, who did not want his name in print, said, “We cannot allow our farmers to go to the farm due to the insecurity in our zone because of fear of Boko Haram insurgents. For now, we can’t farm like before.”

Also, with the disruption of

normal life and state of emergency in many areas close to the state, merchants are finding it difficult to transport food and cash crops as well as other consummables out of Nigeria through the border with Niger Republic, as a result of activities of Boko Haram.

A dealer in foodstuff in Damaturu lamented that the insurgents had on many occasions blocked highways, killed farmers and burnt dozens of villages and markets.

From Kaduna, where many communities have been attacked and farmlands destroyed in recent times, comes the report that the umbrella body of Fulani herdsmen, Mayetta Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, has resolved to register all its members across the country to dissociate themselves from accusations of insurgency and activities of its members.

National President, Altai Muhammadu Kirowa, who stated this at a meeting of the association in Kaduna, said his members were not responsible for the spate of killings in the country. He said the identification of the Fulani would help in knowing the real cattle breeders in the country and help in the effort to end killings perpetrated in the name of Fulani herdsmen.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, failed as he could not be reached as he was said to be out of town. He could not also be reached on the telephone.

Jonathan’s wife takes over probe CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

correspondents on the matter.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Ikeja Branch, Monday Ubani, said it was a sign of total confusion in the presidential Villa.

“Upon what basis did she set up that committee? What constitutional role is she playing and who empowered her to set up such committee?” he queried.

Meanwhile, human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has rejected his membership of President Jonathan’s committee on the Chibok incident.

In a statement yesterday, Falana said, “l thank the

Federal Government for appointing me as a member of the Presidential Committee to make recommendations for the release of the 223 students of the Government College, Chibok, Borno State who are still held incommunicado in the illegal custody of a gang of heartless criminals.

“Apart from my involvement in the ongoing nationwide demonstrations in which protesters are demanding for the immediate release

of the abducted girls from the custody of the dreaded boko haram sect a Committee of Concerned Nigerians working with the parents of the girls has engaged my professional services to seek legal redress with a view to compelling the Federal Government to discharge its duty to the victims of the crime against humanity.

Furthermore, I have accepted the request to collaborate with an international human rights organisation which is currently mobilising diplomatic and political support for the release of the abducted girls from the captivity of the nihilist forces.

“In the light of the foregoing I regret my inability to accept the appoinment to serve on the committee to determine the number of the missing girls. However, I urge the President and Commanderin-Chief of the Armed Forces to direct the Joint Task Force to intensify the military campaign to secure the release of the girls. After all, the military authorities did announce last week that the girls would regain their liberty in a matter of days!”

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Delicate beauty of stud earrings

The red dress effect

Why I fell for Olu Jacobs –Joke Silva

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M

Contents 04.05.14

-Joke Silva

} 18-19

ACCESSORIES When buying stud earrings to accent your personality and keep a solid foot in the world of fashion and style, go for the ones that best compliment your personality

} 17

17

oul

Body&S

FASHION

NEW

You need to be careful when choosing the colour of shoes to go with your red dress

The waistcoat is one piece of clothing that once mastered, can bring a whole new dimension to your look.

When worn well, a waistcoat can serve you the same way a suit does } 44

PH TELEGRA

ON SUN

DAY MAY

4 04, 201

es ssori Acce

Pg. 17

te Delica of beautyarrings stud e

afterned s and pat ect shaped favour ite obj p r dee ter you rts, stars to wara ndssa Ok -from heabeautiful rou a is the ays and ity red plic is alw r the re hen sim the game, hold you cut s of studs to name stu d earpair of go for rings have on. rl to attenti dai nty pea Stud ear of sparkle nd s, Fro m rings. dia mo ant age staying shi mm eri ng es of studs the adv while ieti r var uty the you re are y in e even s. and bea ey the the wa l upgrad ou t of dre ssi ng. Th r that wil of work clothe d you l ove ral glamour to ng plaine st yin g new stu r bu ent you also add wit hou t bei Wh en to acc kee p a ble gs em rin ens gs ear son ality and rld of atious. wo ostent gh stud earrin per in the go for they are solid foot Althou style, k small, ing. plin and may loo plain or bor fashio t best com ally mond, the ones tha sonality. not usu e in dia r per ls.

They com er crysta ment you oth are and rin gs gol d stu d ear So me

Vane

W

} 22&43

BEAUTY Some people wear deodorants to cover up underarm odour, but if you sweat a lot, you probably need an antiperspirant to slow down the production of underarm sweat

T h e Te a m l Juliet Bumah (Editor)

} 21

GLAM DUDES

Pg. 50

Body&

Juliet

about Olu is that he is a very principled person. He knows how to organise things, how to sort out things. I knew he had girls, but he was able to end his relationships and I ended mine too...

NDAY

04 MAY

50

COVER One good thing

8

BED, WORK & LIFE

“Who is Cherish’ father?” Richie’s voice was gruff and her heart almost stopped beating.

“Cherish’ father?

What kind of question are you asking me.

How can you ask such a question?

Of course, you are,” she replied

} 20

l Bayo Adeoye (Senior Correspondent) l Vanessa Okwara (Correspondent) l Biwom Iklaki (Correspondent) l Ugochukwu Nnakwe (Graphics) l Edwin Usoboh (Graphics) +234 (0) 811 675 9770, +234 (0) 701 110 1014 chibumah@yahoo.com julietbumah@newtelegraphonline.com

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 04, 2014

Accessories

Delicate beauty of stud earrings Vanessa Okwara

W

hen simplicity is the name of the game, go for stud earrings. Stud earrings have the advantage of sparkle and beauty while staying out of the way in your overall dressing. They also add glamour to your ensemble without being ostentatious.

Although stud earrings may look small, they are not usually plain or boring.

They come in diamond, gold and other crystals.

Some stud earrings are

shaped and patterned after your favourite objects -from hearts, stars to deep red and beautiful roundcuts - there is always a pair of studs to hold your attention.

From dainty pearl to shimmering diamonds, there are varieties of studs that will upgrade even the plainest of work clothes.

When buying new stud earrings to accent your personality and keep a solid foot in the world of fashion and style, go for the ones that best compliment your personality.

17

Body&Soul

18

Body&Soul

MAY 04, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Why I fell for Olu Joke Silva is one of the veteran actresses in the Nigerian acting world and one of the best thespians that God has blessed Africa with.

The dark-skinned mother and actress spoke on her job, marriage to another wonderful actor, Olu Jacobs, and sundry issues with BAYO ADEOYE For the benefit of those who haven’t read how you started in the industry, can you tell us how your journey into acting began?

I started out after my A level. I wanted to seek admission into the University of Ibadan or Ife, but they told me that I was late so, they couldn’t process my admission. My parents said I should work for a year, so I started working with the University of Lagos Cultural Centre, then somebody invited me to NTA Victoria Island, drama section. Then again, Jide Ogungbade invited me to Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) to do drama on radio. The same group also invited me to the National Theatre where I was involved in various projects, working for a year. Because I spent one year working in those environments- Radio Nigeria, NTA and National Theatre- I networked with lots of experienced professional actors, performers and producers at that time. I am talking about 1981.

So, after that year, my parents said I should go to England for proper training. I got training with Golden Lock that got me an audition for the Drama School in England, because getting to drama school there is so competitive. Thousands of people apply but sometimes they don’t take more than 20 per session. Golden Lock prepared me. God so good, by the time I finished from drama school, there were lots of jobs. I worked at Whale Courts Theatre, I did a couple of jobs with BBC radio, I also did some adverts meant for Nigeria but shot in London. One of them was Peak milk advert. Then I came back to Nigeria where I featured in Mirror in the Sun and Second Chance.

Having been trained in England where the industry is well structured, recognised and appreciated, how did you prepare yourself mentally and psychologically for Nigeria?

You see, it is not that the industry was not that structured when I came back. It was structured but it was an informal structure. One needs to understand the working of the industry at the time. And then along the line, work started coming in, new technology, home video. But fitting in for me was not a problem. I was just one of those who believe that my work would speak for itself. I give my 110 per cent for every job that I do.

Second Chance and Mirror in the Sun differentiated those who were given work and those who were creating work.

Nigerian theatre scene is being dominated by mediocre people who have no business in the industry.

What are the challenges of working with such people with your kind of upbringing?

I think that was a strong term! It is not easy, but I must tell you it is not easy anywhere in the world, especially our sector of the industry, which is acting.

But my main focus when I came back was to be an actor and be the best actor I could be. But then it’s the same with our industry in other parts of the world. We have thousands of people chasing one job, one role, so you have to be very sharp, very creative and always be on your toes. Another good thing about our industry

19

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 04, 2014

Body&Soul

Jacobs -Joke Silva is that it is a very fluid industry. The industry is not where you work all the time, but your fluidity will help you out. I think that is why I insist that you must be trained. In training you learn so many skills you don’t even realise you have in you. When I was in England, I was thinking of creating work, so we started our own production company. Lofudo Productions. All along, setting up the outfit and production work, there was a need for subvention of style of acting in the theatre. The style of acting in theatre is very centralised, with lack of creativity and communication. So we said okay, we need to set up a school where we will bring all these things out, that is what I meant by fluidity in the industry. If you are not acting, you are producing, if you are not producing, you are training.

You said earlier that you insist that people should get training in the industry. Is it your training or talent that got you this far in the industry?

Well, I belong to the school of thought -I am not saying it is gospel - I belong to the school of thought that says talent is never enough. In my experience, I have seen lots of talented people that went down the drain with a lot of talent and no training to help sharpen and focus the talent. The winning combination, history has proved to me, are talent with training. If you have the two, it will be easier for you to function in such a mobile and competitive industry.

You are such a big star and veteran, yet very simple.

Is this the way you were brought up or you decided to live that way?

(Laughter) Well, I think is it my family. My family will say that there are plenty stars in our family o, where is the big head coming from? Let’s also say I am very grateful to God for his favour and grace that gave me this amount of recognition from the public. I always find it amusing when people call me ‘big star’. I am grateful for the recognition. I think part of it is what a friend told me recently; one has to be faithful to the calling that one had. So, you know, the talent is not your own but grace from the Lord. But whenever it wants to get into your head, you quickly realise that one has nothing to boast about. And then there is so much work to do. We haven’t got to where we want, not that we haven’t got anywhere. Acting is a job that has no end, there is too much work to do. We got lots of attention with Nollywood; there are times that our industry gets to the world on a bigger scale than what we have at the moment. We’ve got the world’s attention with Nollywood, but the work now is to solidify that huge market and to solidify that industry that has got the world’s attention. I guess that is one of the reasons for this simplicity. When there is still much to be done, why would you start to blow your own trumpet?

I remember then during the time of late Hubert Ogunde, Ade Love and others, the industry was well recognised, especially outside Nigeria. What do you think is the problem now?

I think we have a huge market now than what we had in the time of Ade Love and Ogunde. The industry is bigger now but interestingly, as much as the industry is bigger, it is not in the mainstream as it used to be. I think the fact is that if we want to be in the mainstream, our cinema should be on the platform where the rest of the world operates. We also just have to put some things in place, for example; because of pirates, our films are just going across the borders indiscriminately. Proper licensing for the films is not done. There is the need for film protection and this is where our government needs to come around, so that when our films cross the border without protection and we cannot track them, we cannot give them to the mainstream organisation.

I am not saying these are the main reasons, but they contribute to it.

Let’s talk about your marriage to Olu Jacobs. I read sometime ago that you met at the theatre. Was it love at first sight?

No, but for him it was love at first sight. For me it was more of a gradual thing. But then he was a handsome man, you couldn’t but fall in love with him. He was such a macho man with a husky voice, I liked him when he approached me but as a lady, I just needed to play kind of hard to get( general laughter).

But he is the same charming, handsome and caring man.

But your kind of marriage is one out hundreds in the industry where marriages hardly survive. Can you share the secret of your successful marriage?

It can be a bit tough, but I am one person that believes in the power of prayer.

Marriages survive with prayer.

So that is the secret.

What are the challenges you faced while raising your children.

Where the two of you will be on location at the same time?

Like I said, I believe in prayer. When I started changing my house helps a

lot, I prayed. So I asked God to just bring me someone that will be good to the children; that is one. Two, my mother is incredible, when we were raising our children, she was amazing, my friends used to call her professional grandmama. Her grandchildren are her life.

With that kind of backup, I would say it helped my home front a lot. There are challenges, sure, just like in any other marriage. But one is able to conquer it with prayer and faith in God. It is not something I will say we were able to do on our own.

We were able to nurture our marriage with the grace of God. Marriage is a challenge itself, it is not easy by any stretch of imagination because you are bringing two people from different backgrounds. Even if you are bringing people from the same background, it is not easy. Their way of doing things will be different. When you are dating, it will be different from when you are married. The early years can be very tough and that is why I said it is the grace of God. I think something I keep repeating anytime I am asked this question is to learn how to forgive each other. Because there are times your spouse will hurt you so much and you feel like killing him or her. But just keep forgiving each other Again, both of you should face the Lord. Give everything to the Lord, let him handle everything. I am a testimony of that.

When you finally agreed to date your husband, didn’t you nurse fears that being a handsome and popular artiste, girls would be running after him?

Just as he has girls chasing him, I have guys chasing after me too (Laughter). But one good thing about Olu is that, he is a very principled person. He knows how to organise things, how to sort out things.

I knew he had girls, but he was able to end his relationships and I ended mine too before we agreed to date, and we courted for five years before we finally got married.

You talk about God and prayer all the time. How religious are you?

I am not a religious person, I am a Christian, I worship God and adore my Lord Jesus Christ for all he has done. I go to church, I am a pastor in my church.

Really?

Yes, I am a pastor with God Bless Nigeria.

20

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 04, 2014

Body&Soul

with

Juliet Bumah +234 81 1 675 9770 chibumah@yahoo.com

Should I continue to live this lie?

P

atra could not sleep. Richie’s medical report kept creeping into her mind. She sighed for the umpteenth time.

“Does it mean my husband did not father this baby in my womb? Is it possible that Pius is the father of my unborn baby? If he is, then he is the man! What my husband could not achieve in more than eight years, he did in minutes?”

Really, Pius achieved that in minutes. Apart from that first time when the sheath slipped off, they were very careful and made sure they mated safely.

It was useless lying on the bed. She got up, poured a glass of orange juice and sipped.

Time was 10.30pm.

Her phone rang. It was Pius. She picked it.

Pius’ voice was creamy in her ears.

“My love, how are you doing? Missed me? I’ve been missing you all day.”

“Baby, am good. Haven’t been able to sleep,” she replied.

“Why?” He asked with genuine concern.

“Just restless sweetheart,” she replied.

“How’s my son doing? Is he kicking? You’re gonna gimme a strong boy, you know? Be ready,” Pius chatted on.

Patra’s mouth went dry. Richie’s or Pius’ baby?

She sipped her orange juice.

“My love, are you there...?” Pius asked.

“Yes baby, I’m here love. Baby is doing great,” she replied and forced herself to concentrate.

“I love you Patra. I’ll be with you in a matter of days. Can we go to Abuja together? By the way, you are not having my baby in Nigeria. Hope you know that?”

Patra’s heart skipped a beat. She wondered how she would handle the precarious situation she found herself.

Anyway, she still had more than five months before delivery. She would sort out herself before then or things would sort themselves out. Anyhow, she would not commit suicide.

She needed to make her worries known.

She began, “Baby, er...er...I couldn’t sleep because I’ve been thinking. If this baby is yours, how am I going to handle my husband? If I were single, there wouldn’t have been any problem but I’m not. I wedded in the court...”

She was suddenly weary and her voice cracked. There was momentary silence at the other end. Then Pius sighed.

“My love, if I say I’m not thinking about that, then I’m the greatest liar on earth. I know it’s a big issue but I believe that we’ll sort it out as time goes on. I feel for you. I know that you are going through a lot of stress over it. I myself have been having sleepless nights, thinking of how I can take you and my baby. One thing though, there is no doubt he is my baby. I feel it in my bones. The first time I set my eyes on you, my spirit told me you were the angel sent to give me peace. I love you Patra. Lemme take care of your worries,” he said.

Somehow, half of the burden in Patra’s heart lifted and she could breath a little better.

“I love you baby,” she said, and meant it. ********** Richie tossed on the bed. Sleep eluded him. How could he sleep when his roof was burning? As much as his heart would want him to believe there was no problem, his mind told him the truth.

“Richie, you are impotent. You have been farming on someone’s field and and another man has been farming on yours.”

That voice jolted him. He sat up.

“Someone has been farming on my field! Who?” Now, that was a million-dollar question. The nerves on his neck stoodout. He felt his breath quicken.

“Hey take it easy boss. Don’t die before the actual death.”

He looked around. Cherish slept peacefully beside him.

He took a closer look at the sleeping girl and realised that she neither resembled him nor Ruth. Cherish had that rheumy-eyed old man’s forehead. He raised the sleeping girl’s head. Yes, a very close semblance. He swore softly.

“Perhaps, the boy is mine,” he told himself without conviction.

He realised that he needed to tell himself the bitter truth.

Ruth had taken him for a ride.

“I have to take care of this now,” he told himself.

His face set, he reached for his phone. ********* Ruth was breast feeding her baby. She looked around her and smiled. She had not done badly for herself. Her 40th birthday was five weeks away. She would love to celebrate it together with her baby’s dedication. The only snag was that Richie didn’t know her real age. She couldn’t even remember how old she was supposed to be by Richie’s reckoning. She didn’t remember how old she told him she was when they met about four years ago.

“Is it possible for Richie not to be around for Junior’s dedication?” She shook her head. She doubted it.

As she thought about the issue, something gnawed at the corner of her mind but she could not lay her hands on whatever it was.

Her phone rang and she picked it and smiled.

“Hello, my husband,” she cooed into the phone.

“Who is Cherishs’ father?” Richie’s voice was gruff and her heart almost stopped beating.

“Cherishs’ father? What kind of question are you asking me. How can you ask such a question? Of course, you are,” she replied, “ adding soothingly, “My darling, you are her father. Only a mother knows the true father of her children and I am telling you that you are.”

She was surprised that her voice was so calm.

His next question, however, took the wind off her.

“So my innocent wife, who is this 40-year old Patricia Gyang that you habour in your closet?” Richie voice was so calm now.

“My darling, you know I’m in the hospital. I have just been treated for malaria shortly after childbirth and I’m not so strong. I’m sure there has been a mistake. We will sort it out when I get home tomorrow...”

Ruth could think of nothing else to say. Her mind was in a turmoil. Her secured life was threatening to come crashing on her head.

She couldn’t remember how that phone call ended.

All of a sudden, she realised what had been disturbing her mind. She shouldn’t have given Richie access to that file! ********* There was a masquerade dance competition in Richie’s village. All the fearful masquerades were singing in their guttural voices and dancing, each trying to ‘out dance’ the other. They jumped, rolled, thumped their feet in dance and the spectators cheered.

Richie’s head throbbed. The masquerades and the spectators were in his head! As they somersaulted and the spectators cheered, Richie held his head tightly. It was about to explode.

Then, the biggest of the masquerades thumped in and the other masquerades ran away. The crowd cheered.

“So, Patra knew all this while that I was spurting impotent fluid? So she had been sleeping with strange men in order to get pregnant? Why didn’t she tell me so that together, we would seek for a solution? No wonder she was so calm on Valentine’s Day when she discovered I had a family outside our home. Family? Did I say another family? With Ruth? That lying bitch?” He shook his head and laughed but regretted it. Those two actions got his head almost cracking with pain.

“But what if Patra did it to cover my shame? What if she discovered that I was the problem and decided to get herself pregnant and have the child for me?

“I loved my wife and I still do. God! “ He looked around Ruth’s room and tears coursed down his cheeks.

This moving series continues next Sunday.

21

MAY 04, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Body&Soul

Care for sweaty underarms Biwom Iklaki

N

o doubt, the days are hot this season and people sweat a lot. Most people put on either deodorant or antiperspirant before leaving the house. There are some products that perform both functions. These products are used to control sweat and odour in our underarms.

Some people wear deodorants to cover up underarm smells, but if you sweat a lot, you probably need an antiperspirant to slow down the production of underarm sweat. Our bodies are constantly producing sweat, but

there are times they produce a lot more. Solid antiperspirants are made with several ingredients, including wax, a liquid emollient and an activeingredient compound. It’s the active ingredient that gives antiperspirants their sweatblocking power.

So, if you only ‘perspire’, you may want to use only the deodorant. But for those who are heavy sweaters’, a wax-base antiperspirant is the answer.

However, remember that deodorants work better when complemented with a healthy hygiene.

22

Body&Soul

Vanessa Okwara ed symbolises passion, love and glamour. Men love to see their ladies dressed in shades of red, because it is attractive. The red dress effect is an ongoing trend in the world of fashion because females in red, especially dresses are usually considered to have more sex appeal.

A red dress can be a bold fashion statement; if worn well, it can create a look that is both classic and seductive. When you choose accessories to pair with your dress, stick to simple, unobtrusive pieces that add a little interest and contrast without drawing too much attention. Make your dress the focal point of your ensemble.

While rocking a red dress, go easy on the accessories so that they don’t overshadow the colour.

You also need to be careful when choos-

R

ing the colour of shoes that will go with your red dress. Nude is considered a perfect colour because it focuses attention on your dress and makes your legs look amazing. A pair of nude pumps adds a touch of sophistication and class to your LRD. Also, black shoes work nicely with a red dress.

Black is considered a more formal shoe.

Red shoes work with a red dress as well because they are matching colours.

Finally, since red is such a striking colour, make your dress the centrepiece of your look. This means it is best to go for understated makeup and natural colours so you look pretty and polished. If you’re the edgy fashionable lady who is not afraid to take the plunge, go for bold red lips to compliment your red dress; but make sure you keep other makeup and accessories minimal so as not to look like a fiery masquerade.

The red dress effect

MAY 04, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

43

Hardball We need to probe past killings, says Nyako p.24

biyi adegoroye, ASSISTANT Editor, Politics biyi.fire@yahoo.com

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Tel: 08033024007

MAY 4, 2014

Interview Awujale: Corruption is Nigeria’s biggest problem p.26

23

Politics ON SUNDAY

Parallel APC excos and Amosun’s second term bid

I

t appears the centre can no longer hold in the Ogun State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC). The party, which had been enmeshed in the throes of supremacy battle, formally split during its state congress last week. The outcome of the exercise was the election of parallel state executive members by two factions angling for the control of the party. The same thing also occurred in Ebonyi and Ondo States.

Though the crisis has manifested in different dimensions and widened the gulf between loyalists of Governor Ibikunle Amosun and former governor Olusegun Osoba, it has also dramatically rekindled memories of succession politics that ravaged the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general elections.

In the build-up to 2011, the PDP was enmeshed in a bitter factional war as the party was divided into two factions. While one faction was loyal to the then governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the other comprised loyalists of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

As it unfolded now when the APC held parallel congresses, the PDP then also conducted parallel primaries to select its candidates. At the MKO International Stadium, Abeokuta, Daniel’s faction of PDP held primaries which saw Prince Gboyega Isiaka emerging as its governorship candidate. That exercise was supervised by national officers of PDP and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria Police and Department of State Security (DSS), among others.

Within the premises of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) complex in Abeokuta, the PDP members belonging to the anti-Daniel faction gathered to elect their governorship candidate, Gen. Adetunji Olurin (retd), and candidates for other elective positions. That primary election was not monitored by the relevant agencies but it dramatically turned out to be the authentic.

On January 26, 2011, Justice Abdul Kafarati of a Federal High Court, Abuja granted an order which eventually altered the Ogun PDP structure in favour of Obasanjo’s loyalists. The landmark judicial decision had consequential effects on the state polity and Daniel’s men battled unsuccessfully to upturn it.

In search of platforms to realize their ambitions, Isiaka and 38 other candidates belonging to Daniel’s camp defected to the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN). They ultimately contested the 2011 general elections with PPN tickets but today, the rest is history.

For political pundits, however, what played out in PDP is similar to the emerging scenario in APC. On Saturday April 26, two APC factions gathered at different venues for the party’s state congress. While party stalwarts loyal to Amosun converged on the June 12 Cultural Centre Ground, Kuto, Abeokuta, the Osoba faction held its state congress at a private hall in Quarry Road, Abeokuta.

Amosun

Osoba

With the emergence of two state executives for the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State last week, KUNLE OLAYENI writes that the entire imbroglio has not only put the state on a familiar terrain, but also endangered the chances of Governor Ibikunle Amosun of getting a second term Chief Roqeeb Adeniji was elected state chairman of the Amosun faction while the Osoba group, in a consensus arrangement, produced Chief Olu Agemo as chairman. Interestingly, both factional chairmen hail from Ogun West Senatorial District. Osoba and the state Deputy Governor, Segun Adesegun, did not attend any of the parallel congresses.

A member of the House of Representatives, representing Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, Segun Williams, commissioners, special advisers, some state lawmakers and party stalwarts attended the congress held by the governor's camp.

In the other congress, National Assembly members, including Senator Gbenga Obadara (Ogun Central), Senator Adegbenga Kaka (Ogun East), and Senator Akin Odunsi (Ogun West) were in attendance.

The House of Representatives that attended are Adekunle Adeyemi (Ifo/Ewekoro

Federal Constituency), Olumide Osoba (Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi-Owode), Abiodun Abudu-Balogun (Ijebu North/Ijebu-East/ Ogun Waterside), Bukola Buraimoh (Remo), Babatunde Ogunola, (Ado-Odo/Ota). Some members of the state House of Assembly were also in attendance.

INEC officials monitored the congress by Amosun’s loyalists while the state congress of Osoba’s group was monitored by a National Ex-Officio of the APC, Chief Yemi Sanusi.

Addressing party faithful that gathered at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Amosun said the month-long congresses of the party had produced “no victors, no vanquished.”

The governor, who enthused that the exercise had proved that free and fair elections are possible in Nigeria, urged APC members to unite in order to overcome the challenges ahead. He said those who won should be magnanimous in victory while the losers should

take the outcome in their strides.

“One thing we should all take away from the conduct of our congresses is that there was no overt or covert attempt to impose candidates or disenfranchise anyone. The exercises were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere and all electors exercised their right of franchise without let or hindrance,” he added.

Amosun that Osoba remained the leader of the party in the state, adding: “Though by my position as the governor, I’m regarded as the leader of the party but we all know that we have a leader, Akinrogun Olusegun Osoba.

We have his blessings for what we are doing here now.”

But for the discerning observers, the political undercurrents in the state APC are not unconnected with the battle for 2015 and the political survival of some frontline gladiators.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

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MAY 4, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Politics / Hardball

We need to probe past killings, says Nyako Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State was the talk of the town in the recent time, following the controversial memo he sent to the Northern Governors Forum in which he accused President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration of carrying out genocide against the people of Northern Nigeria. In this interview in Yola, Nyako denied that he was condemned during the enlarged security meeting, saying that the memo was in good faith, as captured by Ibrahim Abdul

Y

our Excellency, these days you are in the news for the memo that you sent to the northern governors. What really spurred you to write this memo?

That is a very good starting question. The facts of the matter is that, we especially in the state, are all fully aware of, and perceived what is going on: that the security situations is seriously deteriorating by the day. There is mass death or killings and the record is there. The number of people being taken and killed almost every day, from custody of state apparatus to grave yards for burial while others from cells whose inmates are neither fed, nor looked after is a known fact in this state.

Cases of mass murder by bloody killers who cut the throats of our citizens are well known, but the killings have been attributed to so-called Boko Haram. Thousands of our young girls and boys have been kidnapped by clearly organised militia in the last few years and kidnapping is now a random affair all over the far North. Take the case of school girls that were abducted in Chibok, Borno State; they were abducted in a commandostyle.

These organised kidnappers must have the backing of some people for them to move about freely with abducted children just as those who convey ammunition and explosives from the Ports to the safe-houses of so-called Boko Haram in the North. So, we should no longer be deceived, we no longer accept, let alone believe that our prominent Mallams in the Mosques in Kano and Zaria have been killed by Boko Haram members or Christians in the North, nor do we believe that the killing of the pastor and other worshippers in churches was done by any Muslim or Boko Haram members.

There have also been attempts to assassinate some of us and two of our most prominent Traditional leaders (Shehu of Borno and the Emir of Kano), Senators and others too numerous to mention, all from northern Nigeria.

When we knew what is going on, (we know Nigeria is signatory to a lot of international agreements and conventions, and I am sure you know of that even our President is restricted from killings without order in our country), because there are restrictions today; you are subjected to certain protocols of international agreement. The second aspect is that if Nigeria is involved in acts of wrongdoings, the agency of government in charge of that is definitely answerable. It's a known fact that first and foremost, all of us should pray

for the president to have a successful and happy tenure in office. All of us want to succeed in whatever responsibility, where all of us collectively campaigned and voted for him.

It's a known fact that when an agency of government is not doing its job well, that agency is associated with the culprits or even the criminals.

If the Customs is not doing its job well, and it persists, before Nyako you know where you are the whole Customs Service, the personnel will be seen turning to smugglers.

Likewise the police, if you have all sorts of robbery in a neighborhood and the police are there and they are supposed to prevent those acts of wrongdoing, before you know where you are, people will begin to ask you; whether the police in that area have become the criminals. The same thing goes for Judges and military organisation too. Over the years, the military is very much restricted in its conduct of organizations, wherever it is.

The first Geneva Convention stipulates that the military should behave itself more less that was in 1864, about 150 years to this year. The laws which restricted the military had explained that even in occupied territory soldiers are expected to operate within the ambit of the laws by observing rule of engagement, no civilian life should be lost in the conduct of the military operations.

Internationally, it's not encouraged to send in military in an internal security situation. Some countries even prohibited it.

Remember, I was a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council. In certain areas when we had a break-down of discipline or security, simply refused to allow our boss, Ibrahim Babangida to send the military. We have cases in Zangon Kataf and Taraba and many others where we found alternative solution.

If you send in military the situation will deteriorate, because we have different rules of engagement; we have a different code of

conduct, we have a different mentality; ‌ we tend to come-up more aggressively. So there are cases even in my experience when we have refused to permit the military to get involved because from the experience of day one, if we go in, we (the military) aggravate the situation. To that one, I say, we have to emphasize to them the need to restrict, observe and be guided by the military code of conduct.

Today, we have a situation where people are daily dying, so we have to find a solution.

What do you want us to do? This humiliating situation is substantially in the North.

Therefore, northern governors must sit down to discuss the matter. Now before you declare a state of emergency, there should be checklist, especially where the military have to get involve. So declaration of state of emergency is a very serious affair requiring proper analysis on all items of its Checklist.

Can we share your experience on the much talk enlarged security meeting in Abuja?

I am very delighted in our security meeting. The one thing that we all agreed on is that a lot of strategy is required to address the problem and they involve everybody. We go for the solution and all the senior stakeholders for maintenance of peace in our country, the president was there with his minister of defence, governors were there regardless of party. Traditional rulers as well as the clergies were there.

But reports say that there was unanimous condemnation during the said enlarged security meeting, what is your take on it?

I was shocked when I heard later, that some wrote to say that my paper was condemned, my paper was never condemned.

Though there are observations, nobody came out to ask even where did you get or how did you come to this conclusion? I read the paper. Let me tell you, my later was never condemned, people made observations but nobody came out and asked me why or how I reached my conclusion and all that. They never asked me this. Mr. President allowed everybody to speak, asked for comments and we were allowed to read the papers again and ask for comments and nobody condemned me for writing such a letter. The saying that my paper was condemned was all nonsense.

There is one striking thing I found there, and that is some people especially from former eastern Nigeria if you like, South-East, they don't want the mention of the mass murder of leaders, military and political leaders from the North, South, and South-West. My own suggestion to them, after the meeting was that if you feeling so worried about it, and we are feeling so bad about it, we request government or president to have for the setting up of truth and reconciliation committee like that of South Africa on the 1966 event so that those involved would tell each other the CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 4, 2014

Politics / Hardball

‘37 defecting Reps should be in legislative limbo’ Hon. Raphael Igbokwe represents Ahiazu/ Ezinihite /Mbaise Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives and he is the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Federal Capital Commission. He spoke with CHUKWU DAVID on the recent court judgment against the 37 PDP Members who defected to All Progressives Congress and his bills on contempt of parliament and immunity for spoken words by members amongst others

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hat is your reaction to the recent High Court judgment against the 37 members of the Peoples Democratic Party who defected to the All Progressives Congress in the House of Representatives?

Well, this is the beauty of democracy. Wherever there is any misunderstanding, we expect the judiciary to always come in to give a proper interpretation that will settle the situation. And that is the very essence of democracy, and the very essence of the rule of law. We have come as a people to agree to operate the democratic system. So, it is binding on us as citizens to abide by the ruling or judgment of the court. Now the court has just pronounced that the 37 members don't have any business being in the House, having defected and realizing the judgment of an earlier court that posited that there was no division in the PDP. So, that remains the position until that judgment is varied or appealed against and set aside. But for now that is the case. And based on that, what this other court now said is, if there is no division, what is the justification for the defection. So, the court said that they have no business being in the House, and now gave a perpetual injunction that they should not participate in any proceedings of the House; they should not bring in any motion, or vote in any motion, or proceeding that will result in a change of leadership.

Yes, this has received mixed feelings amongst the members of the public. But as a PDP member, this is a welcome development.

Now the other school of thought had made an argument that the suit before the court was not about making a pronouncement about vacation of seats, that what was before the court was about leadership change. But for anybody to be able to cause a leadership change, the person must be validly and competently elected into the House, and must be competent to be able to participate in such procedure. Now, your right to take part in the change must be derived from a legitimate authority, which is, are you ab initio qualified to participate, initiate and vote in relation to change of leadership? The foundation needs to be established. You don't place something on nothing. And the issue here now is that the court is saying ‘no.’ If you have to change from one party to another, the ground on which you can do this is only when there is a division in the party or where there is a merger and you don't want to be part of the merger. If there is no division, you cannot. So, having crossed over to APC when there is no division, it means that you don't have a legitimate stay again in the House. Therefore, it is implied that you cannot participate in the change of leadership.

If by the judgment of the court they cannot participate in a change of leadership, can they participate in other proceedings of the House?

The argument here is, if you cannot participate in any proceeding that could lead to a change in leadership, do you now have right to participate in any other proceedings in the House. The answer is very clear. If you cannot participate in one motion, you cannot participate in any motion in the House because all the business of the House is conducted through motions and bills. In fact, the judgment said’ any proceeding’. So, if you cannot participate in one proceeding, you cannot participate in any proceeding at all, which is very clear. And the court has a large power in the interest of justice to make pronouncement to preserve the law; to preserve sanity in the society and to preserve democracy. That is what that judgment is all about.

court of superior jurisdiction. That is the truth of the matter. So, I will only advise them in the interest of democracy; in the interest of our legal system and in the interest of our country to take recourse to a Court of Appeal. Good a thing they have also approached the Court of Appeal. So, let them be patient, and the court of appeal will make a pronouncement concerning the matter.

You were working on two bills on Speech Immunity for members of the Parliament and the other on Contempt of Parliament.

What are the stages of the bills in the House?

Igbokwe

So, for now, the House has sat and looked into the matter. I am of the opinion and I belong to the school of thought that there is only one ground we can continue to sustain the presence of the affected members, which is, that time should be taken to look at the ingredients of the judgment side by side with the content of the appeal filed.

So, the argument by the APC that they have filed an appeal is not enough to cause them not to respect a subsisting judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. The only ground is if I go through their filing and see that yes, there are injunctive reliefs sought by them, or that they have also filed a stay of execution in the High Court. If they have filed that, naturally, as a law-abiding citizen, as somebody who has taken an oath to preserve the laws and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , it should be binding on me and any of my colleagues and the House, I will advise that we maintain the status quo until the determination of the suit. But if it is an ordinary appeal, I will say that the affected members need to vacate their seats. I think that our senior colleagues in the Senate in the PDP, who wanted to defect to the APC, should be grateful to the President of the Senate for the wisdom he applied in handling the matter.

At that moment, they were saying that he was against them, but now it will dawn on them that he did them a very big favour. So, the position taken by the leadership is to appeal to everybody to look at the issue and look at the

integrity of the House of Representatives as an institution, and put away partisan politics and look at what ought to be done with reference to the provisions of our law and the ordinary processes in such situation, because we make the law. We should not be seen today as law breakers. So, in such situation we look at the clear provisions of the law on what ought to be done, that everybody will be treated fairly and equally, because all of us are equal before the law. I think so far, we have taken time to say let's do things properly, follow the rule of law and let's know the next action to take. I am very clear that the time is given for everybody to go and study what the situation is and come up with what they know or feel about the matter. But I have made my opinion. After my research on their files, if I don't see any injunctive relief or stay of execution being applied, by then I will definitely wish to raise the issue.

The APC has consistently said that the judgment was given in error. What is your view?

Those opinions are not meant to be canvassed on the pages of newspapers. That is why in the democratic system they created room for Appeal Courts. The essence of appeal is that any judgment you do not accept, or you perceive to be erroneous, you have an option to go and correct it through an appeal in court; and not filing an appeal on the pages of newspapers. And the position of the law is. No matter how defective a judgment is, it remains a judgment until it is set aside by a

The court said that they have no business being in the House, and now ruled that they should not participate in any proceedings of the House

Yes, I am happy that both bills saw the light of the day. They have passed first and second reading and went for public hearing. They were well accepted, and they were incorporated into the constitution in the process of amendment, and voting had been taken on them and all scaled through. And what we are talking about is about building democratic institutions, enhancing the effectiveness of our democratic institutions. It is not about any person. One thing I know about other Parliaments is, once you are invited, you are bound to honour the invitation. And if you don't, it now places a criminal burden on you.

It is because there is no criminal burden placed on anybody in this country; the people treat invitations from the Parliament with levity. And these are people who are supposed to be checkmating activities and spending of government to ensure that moneys appropriated are spent on the things they are mend for, so that they can translate to meaningful development that can enhance the well being of the people. And in our country, when a head of an agency is invited and he fails to come, the impression is that it is the President that instructed him not to come. But the President Goodluck Jonathan I know cannot be supportive of such attitude.

So, a lot of people do these things hiding under the umbrella that, yes,’ I am in the executive; I am a principal minister and so on’. But if you look closely you find that the President has been feeling very strongly about compelling anybody invited, no matter how highly placed, that person has to honour the invitation of the people. So, under the Act being sought, if you dishonour the invitation of Parliament, you know that you are on your own; people will not say that it is Goodluck Jonathan or any other president in future who asks you not to come. What is in the constitution now is just to create a civil burden so that if you don't come, the Inspector-General of Police will order your arrest. Even if they arrest you, you only pay for the cost of causing your attendance.

In the proposed Act, what is the punishment like?

In my bill, I proposed that if you elect not to honour the invitation of Parliament, you are seen to have committed an offence, and if you are found guilty, you will be sentenced to six months imprisonment or a maximum of N500, 000 as a penalty. The most important thing is that you have a penalty from the court which has far reaching consequences.

You know that you can't hold public office at least for the next 10 years; you will be blacklisted everywhere. So, it is about building the capacity of our democratic institutions. And the one on the freedom of speech is saying that you should have the freedom to be able to put in your best, to contribute well; ask immediate questions without fear of intimidation or harassment.

26

MAY 4, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Politics / Hardball

Corruption is Nigeria’s biggest problem –Awujale

The Awujale of Ijebu Ode and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, is reputed as the longest reigning monarch in Nigeria.

Crowned 54 years ago, the traditional ruler will celebrate his 80th birthday on May 10. In this interview with some journalists, he shares his experience.

KUNLE OLAYENI brings excerpts.

K

abiyesi. You have been a rallying point for many developmental projects in Ijebuland. Why haven’t you used this influence to bring together many influential Ijebu sons and daughters to come home to establish industries so as to reclaim our economic prowess?

Thank you very much. Ijebu people are not farmers; we are commercially-oriented people. So, if you look at all the commercial activities in the country, Ijebus have trade in every sector. You talk of the agricultural and every other sector, we are very much there. We have to appreciate our special circumstances. If we come back today and say you want to establish an industry, there are some processes you have to go through, they will ask to go and bring your tax clearance for company that not yet establish. If that is not yet done, that is the number one obstacle that will be on your way. Two, even, if you are able to secure land, the governments that ought to give you encouragement are not doing so. In fact, they will discourage you by putting all sorts of problems and obstacles in your way. Sometimes, they will even ask you to come and do a guarantor, they will even ask you to come and pay some charges before you do it. I think government should do something on how to support every investor, how to give them special incentives, to encourage them to set up a means and not putting obstacles in their ways. This is the worst problem we have now in this country. You will go down several times so as to get your com-

pany approved by the government, you will still have to complete the form and pay some charges, comply with the civil servant bureaucratic attitude, they are not helping at all. I don’t think that it is right. I think anybody setting up an industry; government must try all incentives to encourage them so that more and more will come.

That is the problem we are now having in this country. This attitude has to change but then our politicians, who are at the helm of affairs, who want to do everything only for those that give them their votes; this too has to stop for this country to move forward. And to those campaigning for them when they go out, they are even worse than the people that are getting them. They are not sincere, that is why they resort to you because of your vote.

Then, you have to think very well before you cast your votes for some of the politicians. Most of the things they are doing now is that you can support their political ambition. This is the problem we have about that. On any regret since I came on the throne (laugh). Well, I don’t know, may be that has disappeared from my memory.

Can you tell us some of your challenges in life?

I have forgotten many of them but no matter what the situation was, I have had to face the challenges. It is a normal trend of life. The most important thing in my life is just the grace of God, so I give thanks to Allah for His grace and for seeing me through those challenges, so that is it. Over the years, quite a long time now, sometimes you will get to a stage that you will no longer differentiate

now, but the most important thing is to thank God for His grace, so that is the bottom line.

People believed that Ijebus are very unique, including their traditional rulers.

To some tribes, they will not want to get married to the Ijebus ladies because they believe the marriage may not last long?

Our culture is such with protocol that when you want to marry, you will go and get what we call Alarina (match maker), who will go to the parents of the girl and ask on your behalf. The next thing is that the parents of the girl are going to make enquiries to make sure that you are not from a bad family and that you are a good person within your family. You don’t mess up there, you behave very well. If they get any bad report, they will not allow you marry their daughter. But now, we are in a very bad generation, therefore, every aspect of our culture is very important because it goes a long way in ensuring that the relationship last longer. “Ijebu to ji’su loja, ki s’ara wa. Eyi to ko petesi, ni ti’wa,” meaning. “Any Ijebu that steals is not part of us, but those that build big houses are our own.” That is our slogan. I think that, that aspect of our culture is not limited to Ijebu; you have all over, but it is you boys that are encouraging these girls to withdraw this culture and it is a very important aspect of our culture, because it brings peace and orderliness to the society. Ijebus are prosperous, they are not farmers. They are commercially minded people and Ijebu are straightforward and they are honest people.

Ijebu Obas are very unique and bond to-

gether, what is the secret of these?

In every home, there is division of labour.

Between you and your wife, there is division of labour. You don’t cook the soup, do you? Your wives are there to take care of that aspect and as the landlord; you have your role – to provide for the welfare, as the minister of home affairs, to take care of the ministry. So, you can see that there is division of labour. So, there is no way at the end of the day, you will not all come together and appraise what you have done in your own domain.

Now, as the chief servant, the Obas, there is completely uniqueness and togetherness among us, and I want to tell you that unlike many other people, Ijebu people are very monolithic, unlike when you go to Ekiti, Oye Ekiti, Ile Ife, they are not one. Even if you go to Abeokuta here, we have Ake, Owu, Gbagura, Oke Ona. The federation of Ijebu is a unit and all the Obas are coming together and we do everything together. If you touch an Ijebu man or an Ijebu Oba on his occasion, all the other Obas will show you the friendship and the strength of bond among them. And what you see shows the fact all Ijebu people are one another’s keeper. We have common interest and this is the reason why we make progress.

What can you attribute the success of your peaceful reign in Ijebu to and how have you been able to manage many Obas in your domain?

Well, age is one thing and your intelligence is another thing. For example, if you put a man of 10 years as the president of Nigeria, automatically, he becomes my father of all. That is the office.

But then, what he does there now depends on how intelligent he is, that will reflect in his . …But the office will renew how he behaves in the community; they hold him to a high esteem. That is the situation. Therefore, if you put a man of 20 years as the governor of Ogun State, whatever he does will reflect on the people. Whatever he does, will reflect on the people and must never put the position in a place of trial. You must begin CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 4, 2014

Politics

Parallel excos and Amosun’s second term bid C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 3

Genesis of the crisis

The crisis currently bedeviling the ruling party was long foretold. What is known today as Ogun APC originally started with the fusion of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and a faction of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) led by Amosun. It was on the ANPP platform that Amosun earlier contested and lost the 2007 governorship.

But shortly after Amosun’s inauguration as governor on May 29, 2011, cracks gradually appeared in the APC. Across the local governments and down to the ward level, the dichotomy in the party became more intense as the administration grew older. In spite of the party’s domination of the state House of Assembly with comfortable majority, the APC lawmakers were also caught up in the schism.

The feud initially manifested in the sharing of appointments. Party stalwarts, who claimed to be the original ACN members, complained of being sidelined in the scheme of things. They alleged that only Amosun’s supporters, who defected from the ANPP, were favoured with political positions.

The Osoba camp reportedly played no role in the nomination of commissioners, special advisers, local government chairmen, councillors, council consultants, boards’ members and other appointees. As a result, loyalists of Osoba waited to have their pound of flesh.

But Amosun’s supporters equally had their reservations. They had complained before the 2011 poll that the slots given to their group by the party leaders were inadequate. Several moves to get the ACN leadership to reverse the decision then were rebuffed.

When he eventually assumed office, the governor saw it as an opportunity to accommodate his supporters. Even in the House of Assembly, Amosun ensured that his loyalists were installed as principal officers.

When the merger of the Legacy Parties – ACN, ANPP, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and a faction of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) – was eventually consummated to form APC, the squabbles in Ogun State chapter did not abate. Notable ANPP and CPC leaders joined forces with the camp opposed to Amosun, thus aggravating the situation.

Attempt to set up a harmonization committee for the party suffered a setback as violence erupted at its inauguration on January 9, this year.

Some party faithful had gathered at the APC secretariat in Leme area of Abeokuta to witness the inauguration when suspected thugs invaded the venue and unleashed terror.

Violence

But tension continued to rise within the party.

On January 16, barely a week after the Leme incident, mayhem was unleashed in Wasimi, Ewekoro local government area of the state when thugs disrupted a stakeholders meeting convened by Senator Gbenga Obadara, representing Ogun Central Senatorial District.

During the attack, the Senator’s police orderly, Sergeant Sunday Akinbode, was shot. Also, nine other party stalwarts reportedly sustained gunshot injuries. The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ewekoro, orderly to the police Area Commander, Ota and three other officers were reportedly wounded in the incident.

Obadara, who is the chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation, escaped death by the whiskers alongside Senator Akin Odunsi, a former governorship aspirant, Chief Remilekun Bakare, as well as two House of Representatives members, Adekunle Adeyemi and Olumide Osoba. He accused Amosun of allegedly masterminding the disruption of his meeting.

But the governor denied his alleged involvement in the disruption of the meeting. He blamed the National Assembly members for precipitating violence in the state. He bemoaned the attempt to link him or any member of his govern-

Obasanjo

Senator Kaka

ment to the violence in order to score political points.

“The alleged thuggery has all the trappings of a stage-managed event, with the aim of attempting to take over the machinery of our great party through subterfuge. But we will not be taken in by such blackmail,” he said.

dime. You did not campaign for us. You wrote us off. But God did not. God supported us and we won our elections even before yours. You may also want to recall that you were selected by the party leaders, among 10 other aspirants.

“While you currently continue to boast that none of the current NASS members will make it back to their positions come 2015, we are resolute in our belief that it is only God who places people in positions. God is not asleep. We firmly believe it is God that’ll decide everybody’s future, not a mere mortal. In addition, what did you achieve with the nine House of Assembly slots you got from the leaders towards the 2011 elections? You lost six of them to the opposition.

“On 2015 elections, can you please mention any NASS member you have seen his poster for a second term in office? Are you not the one, who has been stage-managing endorsements for a second term in office since 2012 – barely one year after being in office? In almost all the nooks and crannies of the state, your posters for second term are everywhere.”

War of letters

In an open letter dated January 18, 2014 and addressed to Senator Obadara, Amosun said the political crisis in the state was a premeditated attempt by members of the National Assembly to destablise the APC and cause tension in the state.

The letter, was titled “Pulling Down the House to Protect a Corner: A Note of Caution,” and copies were sent to Osoba, the APC Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, and the party’s National Secretary, Alhaji Tijani Tumsah.

Amosun also described the violent incidents as part of a larger plot by the group “to control the structure of our party in the state, commencing with the hijack of the party membership registration exercise, hence the attempt to foist a ‘Harmonisation Committee’ on the party in the state.”

He said, “It is regrettable that despite all my efforts to warm up to you and your colleagues since your nomination as party candidates and up till now, it is obvious that your group has always had scanty regard for me and my office because you believe that I played no role in your emergence as party candidates and subsequent elections in 2011 and will play no role in your reelection.

“This explains why you continue to rebuff all my initiatives to make us work together as a team in the overall interest of our party and the good people of Ogun State. Nonetheless, I remain undeterred in the search for unity. You are therefore at liberty to share the content of this letter with your colleagues.

“In the last few months, I have received security reports and information from credible sources, including party faithful, leaders, mutual friends and utterances directly emanating from your group, indicating that you and your colleagues were planning to precipitate a crisis in our party in pursuit of your personal agenda.”

But the National Assembly members hit back at the governor in an open letter dated January 21. They denied masterminding the violence. The federal lawmakers also raised some fundamental issues, which according to them, ignited the APC crisis.

They said, “It is regrettable your assertion that we disrespect you possibly because you did not play any role in our emergence as candidates in 2011. You could not have played any role in our emergence because you were an aspirant like all others, including ourselves, but for different positions. No wonder you derided us after our emergence as candidates that we had no electoral value.

“You did not support anyone of us with a

Controversial songresses

Apparently to forestall a further degeneration of the crisis, some prominent traditional rulers in the state waded into the matter by brokering a peace deal between the warring camps. But the truce only lasted for a while.

After the conclusion of the APC membership registration exercise, the stage was set for the party’s wards, local government and state congresses. But apparently to avert possible clashes among rival APC members across the 236 wards of the state, Amosun and Osoba reconciled their differences at a stakeholders meeting which also had in attendance the National Assembly members and leading chieftains of the party.

The reconciliatory meeting, held at the Gateway Hall, near the presidential lodge, Abeokuta, lasted about five hours. Speaking at the end of the parley, Osoba reiterated his commitment towards promoting unity in the APC to ensure a resounding victory for the party in 2015.

But speaking with reporters after the meeting, Osoba said he was committed to promoting unity among party members towards ensuring resounding victory for the APC in 2015 general elections. The former governor stated that the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to address grey areas and reposition the party.

“We all agreed that we will follow the constitution, that where there is consensus which is the usual practice with us, there will only be congress to adopt the consensus. But where there is no consensus, the field is free as progressives for people to come and exercise their right. The governor has assured us of adequate security. I have no doubt that by the grace of God, APC will show evidence of serious and conducive internal democracy,” Osoba said.

But what transpired on the field during the ward congresses rubbished whatever reconcili-

ation that might have been forged. Claims of disenfranchisement and logistics problems marred the exercise in many of the wards. Violence also broke out at some wards, resulting in severe injuries for several party members.

The handling of the complaints arising from the ward congresses by the Hon. Ope Salami-led State Congress Committee (SCC) was not satisfactory to the National Assembly members, who alleged that the exercise was skewed in favour of Amosun.

Consequently, the development gave rise to the parallel local government congresses on April 12. Across the 20 local government areas of the state, rival APC members conducted parallel elections and produced different executives along the camps of Amosun and Osoba.

Kaka explained that the mismanagement of the ward congresses worsened the situation.

The senator maintained that only the governor’s loyalists were given nomination forms for party positions.

According to him, candidates who paid and had their tellers with them were denied access to the nomination forms for party positions “whereas those who did not pay the requisite money were given the forms clandestinely.” He contended that the SCC embarked on an exercise in nullity.

Litigation

Miffed by the conduct of the ward congresses, the National Assembly Caucus of the APC petitioned the party’s Appeal Committee. The battle for the soul of the party further shifted to the courts as some aggrieved members instituted two suits against INEC, the APC, the SCC and five others at the Federal High Court, Abuja and the Federal High Court, Abeokuta to challenge the conduct of the ward congresses.

In one of the suits with number FHC/ ABJ/294/2014, the plaintiffs prayed the court to declare the ward congresses null and void.

Mediation collapses

Barely two days to the state congress, there was another attempt to mediate between the feuding groups. The APC Appeal Committee, headed by Hon. Ikra Bilbis, met with the factions to appraise the controversial ward and local government congresses and discuss ways of ensuring a hitch-free state congress.

While the Osoba group accused the governor’s camp of hijacking and manipulating the congresses, loyalists of Amosun insisted that their adversaries were only trying to stoke unnecessary bickering and disaffection in the party.

But the intervention met a brick wall as some party chieftains engaged in physical combat, which brought the meeting to an abrupt end.

The two groups subsequently traded blames over the cause of the clash.

Obasanjo’s entry

Another bone of contention in the APC is the seeming incursion of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the party. It is common knowledge that Amosun had always courted the ex-president. But the New Telegraph learnt that the manner which aggrieved loyalists of Obasanjo who defected from the PDP were given a pride of place in the APC ruffled feathers between Amosun and Osoba camps. Notable among Obasanjo’s henchmen, who defected to the APC, were Chief Bode Mustapha and Senator Dipo Odujinrin. The pro-Osoba group believed the integration of the ex-president’s men was to spite the core party members.

Implications for 2015

With about nine months to the 2015 general elections, permutations and scheming have begun in earnest across various political parties in the state. Though some APC stalwarts believed there is still ample time for reconciliation, political observers contend that failure to mend fences timely might be disastrous for the ruling party just like the PDP in 2011.

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MAY 4, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Politics

We are searching for Chime’s successor, says EUF Leo Sobechi

F

ollowing the resolution of the feud between Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, a prominent pressure group, Enugu Unity Forum, has said that the task for choosing a successor for the current governor is now a collective one.

Giving the indication in an interview, Secretary-General of the forum, Dr. Chuka Ezema who is a lecturer in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka said stakeholders in the state are working round the clock to ensure the emergence of a credible successor to sustain current developmental efforts in the state.

“Already, three persons, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Eugene Odoh; former Deputy Governor, Ezenwata Okey Itanyi, and former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Uganda and a current member of the National Conference, Hon Fidel Ayogu have indicated great interest in the governorship position,” he said.

Ezema said that the forum, a body of professionals that came together to sanitize and stabilise the politics of Enugu State, felt that if it keeps quiet, “the dreams of the founding fathers who struggled to ensure the state was created, may never be actualized. So we came together to pursue good governance; because the sole objective of modern society is good governance and we believe that through good governance we shall have social amenities. Through good governance,

we would have security of lives and property and employment would be generated for our young ones.”

On the methods of selecting the most qualified person for the job, he said the forum was “adopting acceptable scientific standards of assessment, looking at people’s antecedents. If the person has occupied positions before, you assess how he performed there. Interacting with the person to know what he has in mind, based on that you can determine his suitability for the job.”

Commenting on the performance of Chime throughout his tenure, he said though “at the beginning most people never gave him any chance, it did not take long before he asserted himself.

Right from the day of his inauguration he gave the clear signal that his would be a big departure from the past. He did not want an army of young boys that you don’t know exactly what they were doing” He said that Chime was a big departure from his predecessor, because he embarked on “concrete development across the whole state,” unlike his predecessor who did not take the whole state as his constituency. “I remember the then President Olusegun Obasanjo was invited to the state to commission some eight projects. All of them were within two kilometres radius, within a particular zone. The Law School, the ESUT permanent site, everything was from here to Agbani. But Chime has shown that he is a different person”.

He said that the Forum, in conjunction with other stakeholders in the state is looking out for

a successor that would do better than Chime.

“That conforms to the prayer of an average Igbo man, your successor is like your son, and you would like him to do better. And once he puts that scenario, then we believe and trust that we are on the same page with him, which means we are all involved in the search. If we get somebody that has the character and charisma to deliver the goods better than what he has done. He has done very well but we expect something better. “ On whether Chime has a strong voice on who succeeds him, he said the belief that the incumbent holds more than 70 percent stake in determining his successo was borne out of reality and not internal democracy. “It is more of what they used to call god fatherism; anointing and whichever name you choose to call it. And because there is no internal democracy in the parties, the incumbents determine largely who takes over from him.”

Dr. Chuka Ezema

Nyako: We need to probe killings ‘Corruption is our problem' C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 4

truth, apologise to each other and forgive each other so that we do not continue to pass our anger to younger generation.

We should all sit down and tell one another our feelings about that event; we should all sit down and discuss all the consequences, and we should all apologise to one another because there were so much loss of lives and properties. I think if we have truth and reconciliation committee on this particular topic, then perhaps, we begin to understand the sensitivity of the other fellow and his anger and that we should not be passing our anger to the future generation.

So, to me this is a big lesson from this my paper. In a nutshell, to say that there was condemnation is just nonsense. Let me commend the conduct of our president during the meeting because he exhibited exemplary leadership. Mr. President to me was really superb on the way he handled the meeting. No sign of anger, no sign of getting too involved.

This is coming on the heels of allegation by the state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, that you denied them Ribadu Square to host the President, why?

No. There is no truth whatsoever about it. I hate the idea of people lying and giving wrong information. I was so disturbed that even during the last visit of Mr. President, the PDP members took him to a hotel to address them. I was not happy about it. I was then ready to give the party a befitting hall at Government House for that meeting.

In fact, I was very annoyed when they took him to one small cubicle.

In a nutshell, what message do you have for Nigerians?

Let me say, on the final note, with all

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 6

seriousness that each and every one of us whatever is our religious or ethnic background and regardless of where we were born, needs this country Nigeria, for selfactualisation and greater possibility.

The various ethnic groups too by their individual traits require the space and the great population of this country; such ethnic group as Fulani, who are nomadic by vocation require pasture and grains for their cattle. The Hausa and Igbos require further reach to fulfill their commercial ambition; some other Nigerians like the Yorubas require higher job opportunities for employment and profits that should exist in a united Nigeria. The aristocratic Kanuri and Shuwa who are presently under siege need the locals amongst us to save them and other groups would like expanding markets for their yams (the Tiv/Munci) and other farm produce far beyond the boundaries of their domains.

Quite a number of us should simply be happy to have an erosion-free area where we could build houses and offices of our desire and enjoy the liberty to partner with persons of our choice regardless of primordial divides. Let me tell you, even my father who by today’s standard could be said to be untutored, fully realised the need to seize the opportunities a greater Nigeria offered him from the 1920s. His cattle business and commercial activities were spread to all the big towns in eastern Nigeria operating from Adamawa and northern Cameroon. So let us please sort ourselves out.

Our late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo once said something to the effect that the consequences of breaking up of Nigeria would be too traumatic to even be contemplated. We all should therefore perish the thought of Nigeria falling apart. Let’s enjoy the opportunities Nigeria offers to all!

to exhibit mutual respect and understanding so that there will be no problem with his situation.

The most important thing is that you have people around you as advisers who can influence you, but if you yourself have nothing before they give you advice, you will have problem. But if you have something before they give you advice, you can always wait for whatever applies to them and then decide which one is better, whether what you are told or yours. Somebody can plan that step, that is about that. Now, Igi po loko, ki a to fi igi omo maa gbe gbedu.

Therefore, it is a privilege if you are called upon to serve the people. It is a special privilege for you to be called upon to serve as Kabiyesi and in that situation, all you need to do is to pray to God. You know, whatever we do has been directed by God, we are not acting on our own; whatever happens is destined by God. God now guides you to be able to manage the administration. And one of those things that make you successful in a place is to be there and serve the people honestly and to be very honest and fair in everything you do. That will be one of those things that is going to help you in all your endeavors’. If you look back some years at a stage, I had heart problem which nearly cost my life then, I got to the hospital on several occasions.

On that occasion, I thought it was 2012 or thereabout, I had an accident but not too much then, I was protected and receiving treatment.

But then, even with that accident, when I came back from the hospital, I received some members of my age group, most of them were even worse than myself because age has taken shape on some of them. Some of them were doctors, you can see how things work out. So, you just start therapy on any situation for yourself putting God by your side...... When I was 40-44, I could run around. I’m sure, soon you too will join me. You will do it and I will teach you one story.

Look at the Yoruba “omo elede to lo ba iya e, o ni iwo iya mi, o ni aisan buruku wo lo ba e je, o ni ko buru ko maa lo oun a de maa so fun. o wa petiole,

o bere sii fenu fin le igba ti iya lo tan o wa wo ara re ninu mirror,o ni ko senu towun lo ri bayii. enu iya e atijo to se be lo se tie bee.” Everybody will go that way.

Kabiyesi, you have since been speaking against corruption in this country. With the present situation in the country, can you share an experience with us to condemn the corruption tendencies common among our leaders?

Now when we talk about corruption, we only believe when we give money that you are corrupt.

When you do injustice, it is corruption. Therefore when you talk about corruption, we only limit it to money. No, it goes beyond that. There is corruption in everywhere. I want you to be very careful. If you do injustice, it is corruption. If you do injustice to other people, it is corruption. When you say what is not right about a person, it is corruption and the greatest problem we have in this country is corruption and until we get over that, this country will remain same. Corruption has become part of our life in this country, from our leaders and even, the Obas are not left out, there is corruption everywhere. It is the greatest problem facing us as a country, and we have to overcome it to move forward.

The country is rich in every aspect of human endeavour, but, this corruption will not let us grow.

And not until we go back, we can go beyond where we are today, when you take money before you vote, you are corrupt. If I take money before I vote, I am corrupt. If I give it to you, you are corrupt. If you give it to me and I take, I am corrupt; we are both corrupt. Therefore, don’t put it at that end result. And to our leaders, if we refused to be corrupt, they will change their ways. Our electorate collect money before they vote; they get rice, bread and mortgage the life of their children and families, it’s wrong. People should refrain from being corrupt. If we as the people change, our leaders or anybody coming to corrupt us will also change. We are not making any head way substantially and economically, only God can save us. It is an endemic and pervasive everywhere, Obas are not exempted.

29

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 4, 2014

Politics

Ekiti 2014: I’m not intimidated, says Bamidele

Y

ou are in the gubernatorial race against an incumbent governor, Kayode Fayemi of the APC and a one-time governor, Ayo Fayose of the PDP. Don't you feel intimidated?

I never had the opportunity to govern the state before as an incumbent which tends to give both Governor Fayemi and former Governor Fayose the leverage and advantage so to say. I have chosen not to work by sight. If I am to work by sight, I probably would have withdrawn from the race.

However, I am working by faith, and this faith is driven by my conviction that someone is in charge, who is bigger than all of us. Secondly, it is a faith driven by conviction that by the grace of God, Ekiti State at this point needs a critical intervention. I am also convinced that I have the cognate experience and exposure to be able to provide the kind of leadership that is needed by a state in pain. Thirdly, I will also emphasise that at the end of the day, what would matter most would not be how much money any candidate can put on the table for this election. To an extent, all of those would come because it is a Nigerian election, but I am trusting God that at the end of the day, integrity would count, issues would also count if we are able to make it a campaign of issues and ultimately God will ensure that his will is done.

Hon. Bamidele Opeyemi is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Budget and the governorship candidate of the Labour Party of Nigeria in Ekiti State. He spoke with select journalists in Abuja recently explaining why he is seeking to govern the state. PHILIP NYAM was there

What are you bringing to the table that has not been seen in Ekiti?

I am convinced that what Ekiti needs at this point is political intervention, because it is an unusual situation. The state is 17 years old and in those years the state has had all sorts of leaders as governors. We have had governors that did not spend more than one day in office: governor for two days, three months and, a sole administrator.

Since the creation of the state only one governor has actually completed his tenure of four years as an elected governor.

The polity in Ekiti has been quite unstable; and as much as possible the people in the state have come to the conclusion that the state has been placed in a barber’s chair that keeps spinning on one spot, without actually moving. And at this point is not just another governor the state needs, but an unusual governor, someone that will be able to provide the kind of leadership that the state needs at this time. Firstly, what I am pledging to the people of my state is leadership that would be inclusive. I will recognise stakeholders and I will run a government along with them; the civil society will have a say in the running of the government. I will galvanise the academic community. Ekiti is a small state of 2.5 million people with over 5,000 members of the academic community. It is unusual. The state is a home to a lot of critical thinkers and the intelligentsia, it is not a place you just come and rule from an Olympian height.

I have promised not to engage in any kind of violence because I am convinced that if it is all about serving the people, there is no need to shed blood and my prayer is that I will not step on blood to serve as governor. Beyond providing leadership, I also want to emphasise that I will do everything possible to grow the economy of Ekiti.

As we speak, we have less than 250,000 buildings with electricity in the state, most households still rely on firewood exposing, our mothers, wives and sisters to the danger that is inherent having to sit in front of a naked fire everyday to cook.

Over 200,000 houses still rely on nearby bushes for people to pass excreta or ease themselves, still rely on nearby streams or rivers in order to get drinkable water. As we speak, there is no town where you can open the tap and water will run, there are separated families partly because of the social economic crisis that people are going through. We have over 21,000 widows who have nobody to run to for survival, over 7,000 physically challenged people too. When you put all these together, in terms of social development, there is still a long way to go and I said I will concentrate as part of the cardinal programmes of my administration on social development, and es-

Bamidele

As we speak, we have less than 250,000 buildings with electricity in the state, most households still rely on firewood sentially I will also make a cardinal programme of our administration human capital development.

I will focus on education and tourism development, increase internally generated revenue and invest in agriculture to prevent dependency on federal allocation. We will also focus on youth and sports development especially based on my background as a commissioner on youth, sports and development in Lagos State.

You served under Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for eight years, what support are you getting from him?

Yes I served under him for eight years and also under the incumbent governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola for four years as commissioner. This campaign is about Ekiti and my slogan is Ekiti First. Asiwaju is a Nigerian patriot and a benefactor that I will always appreciate. I met him in the cause of exhibiting my own sense of indignation to injustice… I was one of the legboys that God used to ensure that Asiwaju and Governor Babatunde Fashola were able to create a new Lagos. So if I carry the same dream about my state and feel there is a need to create a new and united Ekiti, I don’t think anybody should hold that against me.

But it is unfortunate that I am not pursuing

that aspiration on the same platform with him, because I wanted the party to commit itself to free and fair primaries and anyone who mattered in the party made it clear that was not going to happen and the leadership of the party in Ekiti State went really violent and saw my aspiration as an affront, that I was trying to aspire when there was a sitting governor. The governor felt he was the best that could happen to Ekiti and saw my aspiration as an affront and what did I get? I got physical attacks on my person and supporters. Eventually, on November 3, 2013, two of my supporters were shot and one of them died. Foluso Ogundare died he was 34 years old. If I went through all of that just because I asked for commitment to internal democracy, I did not get that and I decided to leave that party for another platform.

I want to place it on record that it was not a defection for me since I never left my party in spite of all I was going through, I still stayed in the then Action Congress of Nigeria until the last day when those who founded the party decided they were no longer interested in ACN and submitted the registration certificate back to INEC to enable them finalise negotiation with other defunct parties, to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

So what I refused to do was to join a new party with the same people in Ekiti who to me have become serial persecutors and who I did not want to be in the same boat with. For Asiwaju, I would naturally and legitimately not expect him to give me any support if I am running for governorship on the platform of an opposition party, because in Ekiti, Labour Party, the platform on which I am contesting is an opposition party. It will be

unfair on my part to think that Asiwaju will give me any support.

How committed are you to the promise that if elected you would not seek a second term?

Everything you have alleged I said is true, I did not just say it, I wrote it and signed it and gave it to stakeholders in Ekiti including the media. I gave it out because I wanted to commit myself to it. I came to this conclusion in recognition of the political mood in Ekiti State that I said is one state that has become very volatile, one polity that has become very unstable. I believe we are in a time where we need a lot of sacrifice and if I am going to run, I want to offer myself for reconciliation within and outside the political class, hence the need for such sacrifice. I also do not want to get myself into the scheming of second term which has been the bane of development in Ekiti politics in the last 15 years of this attempt at democracy in the country. I have been a victim of this scheming, I ran for senatorial primary and won but the sitting governor, Fayemi frustrated that move and made sure I did not come to the senate because he saw me as a potential competitor. He felt the popularity he saw on the streets, if he allowed me to come to the Senate I will most likely run against him in 2014 for governorship and that may not be in the best interest of his own second term ambition. But today, I can say he has failed in doing what he did in that regard because here I am in the race and by God’s grace I am, the candidate to beat in Ekiti and I have no doubt that come June, I will defeat Governor Fayemi in a credible election.

I am the next governor of the state.

30

MAY 4, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Politics

Presidential condolences for Sambo's brother

F

or members of the the Aso Rock community, the week began on a sad note. Vice President, Architect Namadi Sambo, his family and many Nigerians in the early hours of Sunday, were indeed thrown into shock with the tragic death of Captain Yusuf Sabo Sambo, immediate younger brother to the Vice President.

In far away Tanzania, the news of the sad incident about that fatal auto crash which claimed the life of his brother was broken to the vicepresident while he prepared to depart for Nigeria after representing President Goodluck Jonathan at Tanzania's 50th independence anniversary.

Late Capt. Sambo died while riding his car on Clinton Drive along the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, in Abuja. Aged 58, Capt. Sambo was believed to be one of the finest pilots Nigeria ever produced. Until his death, he was a qualified pilot who worked with the former Nigeria Airways and the Presidential Air Fleet before retiring to private life.

It was a solemn moment in the presidential villa after news broke about the crash. Friends, political and business associates as well as diplomats paid visits to the Akinola Aguda House official residence of the vice president to express their condolences.

President Goodluck Jonathan was among the earliest callers. He visited the vice president in company with his wife and First Lady, Dame Patience, as well as a large contingent of aides to share in the moment of grief.

Watching him speak, it was not in doubt that the President was touched by the death. In addressing guests at the residence, he noted with nostalgia the qualities of late Captain Sabo and how his death came at a time the country needed him most.

President Jonathan said, "I was in Yenegoa and came back today to hear the sad news of the fatal accident which took his life. I was shocked. The vice president was in Tanzania representing me

Anule Emmanuel emmyanule@yahoo.com

at the 58th anniversary of their independence."

He did not fail to leave behind words of reflection for his deputy.

"Of course, we know that we are mere mortals. All of us are mere earth and will surely go back to earth. Nobody knows when it will happen

but it's a journey that we will all make. The time of this incident sometimes worries us, the world is where everybody comes to play his part.

"Late Sambo played his role very well but I think his death was too early," Jonathan added.

But the President only opened the condolence

door for other visitors. They poured in in their hundreds, too numerous to mention. Putting down the names of specific visitors would in fact mean, writing a whole piece of its own. Most governors, ministers and political aides were at the residence to spend some minutes with the vice president. One attraction was the scene created by political jobbers and beggars who never failed to take advantage in making ends meet.

But the vice president and his family provided the fertile ground for these category of persons. Morning to evening, they gathered comfortably with assorted food to eat as they mourned and prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased. Although it was a mourning period, man must eat and so guests were never disappointed.

The political adviser Jonathan needs "I think I am the most criticised President in the whole world, but I want to tell this audience that before I leave, I will be the most praised President,�. These are exact words of President Goodluck Jonathan when he addressed members of the Nigerian Bar Association. NBA, at the opening of the 52nd general meeting.

Considering these words, no one can be in doubt that President Goodluck Jonathan really needs the sympathy of Nigerians for the numerous challenges that have confronted his government. But aside this sympathy and cooperation, the President also needs persons with sound mind as key aides for appropriate advise to be able to tackle these challenges.

It is Boko Haram, kidnapping, crude oil theft or the many intrigues of the forth coming 2015 elections? Ask just a few.

The President's decision on Tuesday to terminate the appointment of his special Adviser on Political Affairs, Dr. Ahmed Gulak, has been interpreted in some quarters as a belated step. President Jonathan in just three paragraphs had sacked Gulak without reason.

Although Gulak has played his part in the political life of the present administration, reactions that have greeted his sacking indicate that most of his utterances have rather contributed to creating more enemies for the President on the political front. It also believed that his ouster is not unconnected with this belief.

But away from politics and the many interests on 2015, the kind of political adviser President Jonathan needs is someone who can provide him with workable regular briefs and policy positions and not attacks on op-

position politicians.

Gulak's replacement should be of one with a wide experience capable of monitoring political events, with a view to identifying politically problematic issues meriting the President’s attention. It is in the interest of the President to engage someone with wide established contacts in all regions, because these geo-political zones possess different socio-political opinions. So, such an adviser must obtain balanced views of the problems and issues relevant to each region.

If the former political adviser had concentrated on such schedules and busied himself with thorough political research and preparation of briefs to keep the President abreast of political developments, nationally, regionally and internationally, he may have had little time to engage in verbal fisticuffs such that have cost him his job.

Mark and Ekweremadu's concerns and remedies for terrorism

T

here is no doubt that Nigerians are currently living in intense fear as a result of the worsening state of security in the country. The very devastating activities of Boko Haram insurgents, particularly in the North-East region and other northern parts of the country are quite worrisome.

With the Monday, April 14 and May Day bombings of the Nyanya Motor parks in the nation's political capital, the Thursday incident in Abuja, and the abduction of 234 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, many Nigerians- political analysts, security experts and commentators have been expressing their views and emotions, trying to fashion out pragmatic ways of tackling the security problem.

The political and traditional leaderships in the northern geo-political region either deliberately or erroneously made it a partisan affair by introducing ethno-religious coloration to it rather than seeing it as a social vice that should be nipped in the bud before it flowers and bears poisonous fruits that could destroy the society.

Initially, some have suggested that the Federal Government should go into negotiation with the sect as a means of bringing the insurgency under control. Government, after initial resistance, agreed to dialogue with the group. But the insurgents ridiculed the arrangement and refused to cooperate with the government.

For the President of the Senate, Senator

From the Chukwu David chukwudavid68@yahoo.com

David Mark, the only workable strategy left for government is to see the situation in the country as a state of war, and therefore, apply full military force against the insurgents.

In his recent address to the Red Chamber on resumption from the Easter recess, the agitated Mark said, "there is no doubt that our nation is at war. The enemy has clearly and unequivocally served the nation notice of its vile intentions. Therefore, a clear, unambiguous and decisive military response from government, beyond the imposition of a state of emergency, is urgently required in this circumstance. This is an option we must consider now.

"It is obvious that we are dealing with insurgents and well funded nihilists who are determined to violently trample upon the secularity of the Nigerian state and destroy the country. A modern, vibrant, progressive, multi-ethnic, multi-religious Nigeria is an anathema to them. Because they are fired by zealotry and extremism, they are not likely

Therefore, a clear, unambiguous and decisive military response from government, beyond the imposition of a state of emergency, is urgently required in this circumstance. to be swayed by overtures of any kind. We must henceforth shift from fighting terrorism to fighting insurgency.

"Our emphasis must therefore be on winning the hearts and minds of the communities in the immediate theatres of conflict. The full might and strength of our security services must now be deployed to confront this scourge and we expect our security services to rapidly reorient their assets and capabilities so as to overcome this difficult challenge. And this must be done within the shortest possible time frame with minimal casualties. Let me

emphasise that for them to achieve this they require the cooperation of all and sundry".

For the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, a multi-level policing strategy would make a difference in the on-going government's attempts to rid the nation of all indices of security threat, in order to have a country, where the lives and property of citizens are adequately secured, and rapid socio-economic and political development encouraged.

Ekweremadu has been at the fore front of those advocating for the establishment of state police in Nigeria, despite that many Nigerian’s vehement opposition to the proposal.

The opposition is hinged on the suspicion that the state governors will use it to hunt and torment their political opponents at elections.

Apart from his call for immediate review of the policing system in Nigeria, Ekweremadu, who is highly worried about the security situation also sought the cooperation and assistance of the member countries of the Economic Community of West African States, in the fight against terrorism, not only in the sub-region in general but in Nigeria in particular.

Accordingly, Ekweremadu, in his recent meeting with the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, implored him to make war against terrorism and youth unemployment the focus of his administration.

Football Uche Akubike: I was never jailed in South Africa p.32-33

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Football Unforgettable moments of the FIFA World Cup p.34

Dapo Sotuminu, Deputy Sports Editor dapo.sotuminu@newtelegraphonline.com 08099400190, 08038154192

Fatai Atere: Eagles will perform wonders in Brazil

A

former victorious Golden Eaglets star, Fatai Atere, has said that the Super Eagles of Nigeria would perform wonders at the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup after they must have booked a ticket to play in the second round of the Mundial.

“My expectation is very high after watching the Eagles play a number of matches. I can confidently say that the team would do well at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. I saw the Eagles played at the African Nations Cup in South Africa and they were very good as they shocked tournament favourite Cote d’Ivoire on their way to winning the cup which the country last won 19 years ago.

“I also saw them played a friendly in England and I personally watched the warm-up game against Mexico in Atlanta City in the USA. The friendly game against the Italian national team which ended in a draw tells a lot about the readiness of the Nigerian team to take the world by storm.

“This is a sign of good things to come at the 2014 World Cup. I want to say here that the moment the Eagles scale through the group stage to the second round, the quarter final ticket is a sure bet, but winning the World Cup title is a tall order. I can’t stick my neck out to talk on that.”

He said that: “In the World Cup finals nothing is impossible. When the Golden Eaglets went to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in China 1985 no one gave

us the chance to win the cup, but with determination it was possible. People thought we were just going to be mere participants but we stormed the world with our superlative performance. This is the same optimism I want the Super Eagles to take to the Brazil 2014 World Cup. The good thing about it all is that majority of the Eagles’ players are top class stars playing in top European clubs and those who are home-based are the best in the country. It was no surprise that a home-based player, Sunday Mba, was the one who won the 2013 African Nations Cup title for Nigeria.”

Atere who also played for the Flying Eagles at the ECOWAS Cup in 1988, noted that, the presence of Argentina in the same group with Nigeria is no big deal as the Eagles are renowned for playing well against top rated teams.

“The Eagles will face Argentina headon; skill for skill, wit for wit and the best team of the day would go home victorious. My fear is the other teams in the group; Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina. I am afraid that the Eagles might want to be overconfident against these two teams and that may be disastrous. The mention of this is a clarion call on the Eagles’ chief coach, Stephen Keshi, and the players themselves not to be complacent against Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina, more so, when they would play against them first, with the game against Argentina coming last on June 25.”

He advised that, the Eagles’ players

Victorious Super Eagles with the 2013 Nations Cup trophy won in South Africa

should take all three matches serious as if they are playing the finals. If we cross the group stage, I want to say here that the quarter-finals is a sure bet.

And if the Eagles venture book a ticket to play in the semi-finals, the world would be shocked. The world would know who Nigeria is.

Atere who is a on a short vacation to Nigeria from his base in the United states where he had stayed since 1998, called on the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to give the Eagles’ chief coach total support, a situation that would give him the confidence to lead the team to victory at the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

31

Sp rt Did you know?

That the overall top goal scorer in World Cup history is Brazil’s Ronaldo?

He scored 15 goals from 1998-2006.

The Brazilian national team has also scored the most World Cup goals; a total of 210

Fatai Atere

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MAY 04, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Sport / Stars of Yesteryears

Uche Akubike: I was never jaile He could be comfortably referred to as a nomadic player owing to the number of clubs he had played for in the Nigerian football league and some other leagues across the world in the last 19 years, Uche Akubike one of Nigeria’s foremost goalkeepers spoke to DAPO SOTUMINU on his impression about Nigerian football, the false story that he was jailed in South Africa and many more in this exclusive interview

When did you start playing real club football?

I started from Nitel Football Club of Lagos in 1995.

That same year I was invited to the Golden Eaglets team under Coach Fanny Amun. That was the team that was eliminated from the FIFA U-17 World Cup by a protest filed by Benin Republic in 1996. It was a painful experience.

After the Eaglets’ disqualification I left Nitel FC to join Jasper United FC of Onitsha. It was while in Jasper that I was invited to the national Under-20 team, at the same time I had the opportunity of also getting a call to the Under-23 team preparing for the Atlanta 96 Olympics. I was dropped from the Olympics.

After one year with Jasper United, I left the club and moved to Algerian USM Blida. Afterwards I signed with Canon Yaoundé, and also played on loan with FK Hajduk Kula in Serbia, and B71 Sandoy in the Faroe Islands.

When the team came back from the Olympics which Nigeria won, I was again drafted to the Super Eagles team in 1997 for the team’s preparation for the France 98 World Cup. I was called up by Bora Milutinovi for the Nigeria national team as back-up goalkeeper ahead of the 1998 FIFA World Cup. I also played a number of friendly matches and was part of Nigerian team in the African Nations Cup qualifiers. I was also part of the Nigerian team in the Hong Kong 4 Nations Tournament.

The preparation for the France 98 World Cup started in Switzerland, despite making my impact, I was dropped and the NFA brought in Peter Rufai to replace me. Abiodun Baruwa also came later, but the original three goalkeepers invited to the camp were Ike Shorunmu, Willy Okpara and I. Later on, with the

stiff competition in camp Ike Shorunmu broke his shoulder bone, a situation that saw the introduction of Baruwa and one other Nigerian goalkeeper based in England, I can’t remember his name now.

The England-based keeper was screened out and I was left with Willy and Baruwa.

The pre-tournament friendly match against Yugoslavia was the last straw that broke the camel’s back as Baruwa and Willy were dropped due to poor performance. Though I was on the bench, the action also affected me. This paved the way for the return of Peter Rufai who eventually kept the goal for Nigeria at the France 98 World Cup. Rufai was recalled from retirement instead of the NFA to give those who made blunders in the friendly games the opportunity of making amends. Rufai did not however had a good outing at France 98.

That same year I continued my career a t Jas-

per United, and later moved to Gabros FC of Nnewi.

In the 1999/2000 season, I moved to Iwuanyanwu Nationale of Owerri. At the end of that season, I joined Gombe United in the 2000/2001 season, where I played until 2002. After this time, I made a move to join Bendel Insurance of Benin but my clearance was not released by Gombe so I had no option than to return to the club where I played another full season.

In January 2003, I went to Julius Berger of Lagos, from where I travelled out of the country and played on loan for Platinum Stars of South Africa in 2005.

I played only for a season and a half in South Africa before leaving for Olympic Marseille of France, where I played for six months relieving the club’s injured goalkeeper. When the keeper regained full fitness, the French club giant did not ask me to stay despite doing well.

After this Marseille deal, I returned to Nigeria to play for Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt in 2005. At the end of the 2005/2006 season I wanted to join Kwara United of Ilorin but along the line I had a problem with the team’s coach, Kadiri Ikhana.

That was my first national team camp, it was a great experience. We stayed eight months in the Eaglets’ camp; it was the longest ever I stayed in Nigeria.

We had very excellent players good enough to win the FIFA U-17 World Cup but the disqualification against Benin Republic killed that dream.

The team’s coach, Fanny Amun, selected the best players across the country and it would interest you that some of those players are still playing first team football in Europe. Sometimes, I look at the pictures to flash through the good old days where we were given everything in the national camp. I mean everything to do well.

What do you remember most in the Flying Eagles and the Under-23 teams?

Yes, as for the Flying Eagles team in 1998 when coach Tunde Disu was the chief coach, it was full of healthy competitions for positions. The most striking was that between Julius Aghahowa and Pius Ikedia in the outside right position.

I shuttled between the two teams; I didn’t even have the time to interact with my teammates. Most times I joined the team 24 hours before a game in the Under-20 and quickly departed the next day after the game for the Under-23 team. The situation was like this until goalkeeper Sam Okoye came to the picture together with Longinus Duru and at that point I was asked to settle down in the Under-23 team, while they concentrated in the Under-20.

What kind of problem was that?

What coach Ikhana did to me on the issue of my transfer wasn’t good, today I see him like a father, so I won’t want to make any public statement on the issue. But the bottom-line is that what he did to me was very bad. I have put all that behind me today; all is now in the past.

This happened in the Week 9 of the season. I left Ilorin and headed straight to Rangers International of Enugu where I completed the 2006 season and stayed there until 2007. I later moved to Wikki Tourists of Bauchi and Niger Tornadoes of Minna. After all these movements, I went back to Gombe United.

The thing is that, if I move to a club and such movement ended not to be a good one, I always have the shoulders of the management team of Gombe United to lean on as they always accepted back me no matter what.

Currently, I am in Kaduna.

Is there anything special in Gombe United that kept you going and coming?

Akubike

what was the experience like?

I don’t know how to put it, but all I can say is that, if I miss my way in the Nigerian league, Gombe United is always there for me as my home. I was always welcomed in Gombe whenever I crashed into the usual magic of the Nigerian league. Gombe is like my true home, whenever I fell into trouble or even got injured, I went back to Gombe to start again. I have great respect for the club.

You were in the Golden Eaglets’ team of 1996,

Do you have any regrets playing for the national team?

Nothing much, but the only painful regret I have is that, after training with the various national teams for a long time and having the hope that I would surely make it to the international competitions, I never did. I have never made it to the World Cup or the African championship before. I was always dropped at the last minute.

That was the only regret, but I took solace in what my manager told me then, that sometimes it happens like that. This helped me to move on. That was the bad experience I Uche Akubik had in the national teams.

Even in the Super Ea- Date of birth: Mar gles ahead of the France Place of birth Akw 98 World Cup, I was in the Height: 1.80 m (5f team until that final friendly Playing position: game against The Nether- Club information lands before I was dropped Current club Eny when I was already dream- Senior career* ing of playing in the World 1997 NITEL Lagos Cup finals. Before then, I had 1998-1999 Jasper the feelings that I was going Gabros Internati to make the team to France USM Blida having stayed that long in Canon Yaoundé the Eagles, but shockingly Hajduk Kula (loan B71 Sandoy (loan I was dropped.

I remembered that Dan- 2000-2003 Gombe iel Amokachi and Uche Oke- 2003-2005 Julius chukwu gave me the con- 2004-2005 Platin fidence that, there was no 2005 Dolphins F.C way the coach would drop 2006 Kwara Unite me from the team having 2007-2008 Shark gone that far in the prepa- 2008-2010 Wikki T rations as I kept the goal in 2010-2012 Gombe 65 percent of the games we 2012 Enyimba played. But the whole story National team changed after a closed door 1998 Nigeria meeting with the NFA chair- cap: 5

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 04, 2014

ed in South Africa man Col. Abdulmumuni Aminu. I don’t know what was discussed.

You played in South Africa, how will you compare the league to that of Nigeria?

At that time, the South African league was not as technical as that of Nigeria; the standard in Nigeria was higher. But in terms of organisation and getting things done, South Africa was way above Nigeria.

They had sponsors for the league which was not the same with our country. I don’t know why corporate sponsors shy away from bankrolling the Nigerian league despite the huge resources in the land. If the league had been sponsored fully since inception of the Professional League in 1992, Nigerian football would have gone very far in terms of development.

While in South Africa, you had a bad experience as you were jailed by the courts over an arranged marriage to a South Africa lady so as to get permanent resident permit?

No, that was a bad one for me; I don’t like talking about the matter, A Nigerian sports journalist who was based in South Africa at the time, I can’t remember his name right now was the one who made the mistake of identity as he wrote a false story against me. I did not marry any girl with such arrangement which I know was illegal. You just said I was accused for not knowing her name as the arrangement was strictly business, but you know that is not possible. Even if you have a girlfriend there is no way you won’t know her name, let alone someone you called your wife. It was a false report as it never happened to me. The whole judicial process was not about me but someone else, but the mischievous journalist put my name as the culprit.

It was a case of mistaken identity, as I followed it up with the South African embassy in Nigeria. I went there to show them my international passport that I was not jailed at any point in time. The passport showed evidence of international travels during the period. Immediately I left Silver Stars of South Africa, I moved to Olympique Marseille of France, if I was in jail, how could I have travelled from South Africa to Nigeria before making another trip to France and at the ke’s profile same time played in the French Ligue. rch 17, 1980 (34) I was a household wa Ibom: Nigeria name in South Africa ft 11 in) because of my excellent : Goalkeeper performance for Silver n Stars FC, so if I was jailed Enyimba it would have been a public issue in South Africa itself.

Like every other NigeriUnited an, I saw the story on interional net and in the newspapers.

When I complained to the an) South African embassy an) in Nigeria, they said the e United report was based on the s Berger information given to the num Stars (loan) website by the Nigerian C. journalist. I complained ed (loan) bitterly about this. The ks embassy reconfirmed that Tourists it was a case of a mistaken United identity. After this, to show that I was clean, I embarked on a visit to South Africa. If I was jailed in the circumstances that I was

mistaken for, the South African embassy wouldn’t have given me an entry visa to enter the country again.

I also later found out that, the person behind the false report was a Nigerian football agent who was not FIFA licensed. I stayed with him during my time with Silver Stars FC. He wanted to have all the money I was paid by the club but I refused to let him have his way. So he thought that the best thing to do was to sponsor such damaging story against my person. Though he was the one who took me to the club, but he got greedy and collected all my money leaving me with only my salaries.

At that time, my sponsor was Mr. Emmanuel Ibru, who was also my manager; he revealed all the secret dealings of the agent diverting monies that were supposed to be for me. Mr Ibru also confirmed that the Nigerian agent used my money to buy a house in South Africa.

My manager helped greatly to expose the case, and more of the agent’s evil deeds were exposed. And it was also proven beyond reasonable doubt that he was the person behind the fake story against me.

The agent was charged to court by the South African government, the house he bought with my money was seized and he was sent to jail.

That was how the case was officially closed and I moved on with life.

I wanted to intimate Peterside Idah of Supersport about the whole development and how the man who set me up had been sent to jail but each time I tried his phone number it went to voicemail. That was why I didn’t have my side of the story in a big media organisation.

What is your assessment of the Super Eagles goalkeeping department ahead of the 2014 World Cup?

The problem with the Eagles goalkeeping department is that of lack of continuity. Starting from Pastor Alloy Agu’s days in the national team, when he made a mistake in a Nations Cup match against the Black Stars of Ghana at Senegal 92, he was not given a second chance. The same thing happened to me in the Eagles, so also to Abiodun Baruwa in 1998, and even Vincent Enyeama at some point. Vincent made a mistake in an away game when Samson Siasia was the Eagles’ chief coach, and instead of being given another chance he was dropped and replaced by Dele Aiyenugba, who also made a mistake in a Nations Cup qualifiers’ against Tunisia and was dropped permanently. It should not be so.

Don’t be surprised that if Enyeama makes an-

the right things at the right time. We are supposed to be more advanced than what we are today. Our country is so blessed with everything, but poor leadership has been the big problem.

How far do you think the Eagles would go in Brazil?

I watched the World Cup draws with some of my friends, and I can say confidently that with the teams in our group, once the Nigerian team qualifies for the sec-

Akubike

other mistake in the 2014 World Cup warm-up matches, he may be dropped to be second choice despite his excellent performances in the French Ligue I. It should not be so.

Nigerians should allow the Eagles coaches do their job and carry out what they have in their books towards winning laurels for the country. The interference in this present Eagles team is too much.

The chief coach may end up taking a decision that is not his own and this may lead to failure at the 2014 World Cup. If Stephen Keshi takes a decision, he should be allowed to execute, we should just assume that he is right until proven otherwise.

When the Eagles get to Brazil now for the World Cup proper, I am sure one minister would come to say that so and so players must be played without the slightest knowledge of their current form. The coach knows the players and he should be given the chance to do his job.

Not many countries have the kind of huge talents that abound in Nigeria, but the problem is that of our sports administrators who have refused to do

ond round, they will get to the quarter finals and also go as far as the semis, and anything can happen from there. Forget the fact that we have a team like Argentina in our group; this would not stop the Eagles from achieving better result in Brazil. You will be surprised that the Argentines are also scared of what Nigeria can do to them going by the Eagles’ pedigree in international football. Don’t forget that Nigeria defeated Argentina at the biggest stage before, at the Atlanta 96 Olympics and in a friendly played in Abuja where they lost 4-1 even with the team captain Zabelleta playing in that game. While Nigeria lost to Argentina in three World Cup games 1994, 2002 and 2010 all by a slim margin of just one goal. While Bosnia-Herzegovina who are newcomers won’t get their rhythm until after Nigeria must have defeated them, while Iran will naturally fall against a more superior Super Eagles team. Good enough they play the Arabic football pattern which Nigeria is already used to playing African opponents like Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

MAY 04, 2014

Countdown to FIFA World Cup

Unforgettable moments

of the FIFA World Cup

WITH IFEANYI IBEH

HOLE IN ONE

Oyebanji pulls out of Cameroon Open

F Pele Maradona Dennis Bergkamp scores encounter with Chile at the 1962 against Argentina World Cup, a match later dubbed Arsenal’s Dennis Bergkamp the ‘Battle of Santiago’. produces a moment of magic in Clive Thomas denies Zico injury-time to send the Netherlands Clive Thomas blows for time through in their 1998 quarter-final after disallowing Zico’s goal. against Argentina.

Welsh referee Clive Thomas Diego Maradona’s crazed cel- blows the final whistle seconds beebration fore Zico scores what would have Diego Maradona scores against been the winning goal for Brazil Greece. against Sweden during the 1978 Diego Maradona produces a World Cup. demonic celebration after scoring Cameroon stuns Argentina against Greece in 1994.

Francois Omam-Biyik scores for Maradona subsequently tested Cameroon against Argentina. positive for ephedrine doping and Francois Omam-Biyik’s goal was banned from the tournament, causes a major upset as unfancied with Argentina eliminated in the Cameroon beat reigning champions second round.

Argentina in the opening match of Manuel Negrete’s wonder goal the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

Manuel Negrete scores against Pele carried off Bulgaria.

Pele goes off injured against Mexico midfielder Manuel Ne- Portugal. grete produces some incredible Brazil’s Pele is carried off the acrobatics to score a wonder goal Goodison Park pitch after being for the host side against Bulgaria in badly injured against Portugal durthis 1986 second-round clash. ing the 1966 World Cup in England.

Senegal shock France It meant the most famous footSenegal 1-0 France. baller in the world would not play Debutants Senegal stunned any further part in the tournament, the reigning world and European and the reigning champions would champions France in the opening be eliminated. match of the 2002 World Cup. Robson scores after 27 secZaire’s free-kick farce onds Zaire’s Mwepu Ilunga kicks the Bryan Robson scores after 27 ball away against Brazil. seconds against France.

Zaire’s Mwepu Ilunga runs out of England’s 1982 World Cup camhis team’s wall to kick a Brazil free- paign kicks-off in dramatic fashion kick away in this bizarre incident when Bryan Robson scores after from the 1974 only 27 seconds World Cup. against France.

The ‘Battle Yakubu’s inof Santiago’ credible open-goal Chile and miss Italy clash durYakubu misses ing the 1962 an open goal against World Cup, later South Korea. dubbed the ‘BatNigeria striker tle of Santiago’ Yakubu misses an Italy had open-goal against Yakubu two men sent South Korea during off in a violent the 2010 World Cup.

ormer Nigeria number one and 2011 winner of the Cameroon International Championship, Gboyega Oyebanji, has pulled-out of this year’s edition of the event.

The IBB International Golf and Country Club assistant professional said that his reasons are personal as he would have loved to be part of the championship.

“Although my game is not in top shape I would still have loved to make the event. I have a natural attraction for the venue, maybe because I have won there before. But for personal reasons, I want to be exempted from this year’s event.”

Despite Oyebanji’s expected absence, seven other Nigerians have signified their intention to take part in this year’s tournament taking place at the Tiko Golf Club, in Likomba, Yaoundé. They are Gift Willy, Oche Odoh, Olapade Sunday, Chidi Tobias, Liadi Jaiyeola, Magnus Onumajuru and Kingsley Oparakwu.

Oyebanji won the second edition of the Cameroon Open in 2011, a year after another Nigerian; Ali Abdullahi won the tournament’s inaugural edition.

Abdullahi however died three days after his victory in Cameroon, on May 19, 2010, in a car crash on his way to Minna, Niger state

Gboyega Oyebanji explaining a point to Oche Odoh

in Nigeria.

The 26-year-old was Nigeria’s number one ranked golfer at the time of his death and the Cameroon Golf Federation, FECAGOLF, will be honouring his memory at this year’s championship which runs from May 7 to 10.

Time for McIlroy to respond

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ory McIlroy’s slide-out of the top 10 in the golf world rankings has raised question marks over whether he’s had his day in the sun.

The Northern Irishman turned professional back in 2007, but started to appear on the radar in 2009 when he managed to secure his first victory in the Dubai Desert Classic, before going on to secure a joint 10th-place finish in his first US Open outing later that year.

A tie for fourth at the PGA Championship was enough for McIlroy to sit second in the Race to Dubai standings behind Lee Westwood, which also saw him break into the world’s top 10 for the first time.

McIlroy’s rise to the top had begun as he picked up a first PGA Tour win at the Quail Hollow Championship, and he fired the lowest firstround score in Open Championship history, with a joint-course record nine under 63 on the Old Course at

St Andrews on his way to a tied-third finish.

In 2011 a tie for fifth at the Masters was followed by McIlroy’s first major win at the US Open at Congressional, when he also set the course record.

A good start to 2012 saw McIlroy surge to number one in the rankings -the second youngest player to do so - while he broke another record with an eight-stroke victory at the PGA Championship. He went on to win both the PGA Tour and European Tour money titles in the same year.

However, as McIlroy switched to Nike equipment in early 2013, his form started to stutter as he struggled in the early tournaments. He withdrew from the Honda Classic and tied for 25th at the Masters. He did pick up towards the end of the year by defeating Adam Scott in his own backyard to win the Australian Open, giving hope that he could return to his peak form in the New Year.

Woods’ company to design course near Houston

T

iger Woods Design has been chosen to design Bluejack National, an 18-hole course near Houston that is slated to become Woods’ first completed design in the United States.

Construction on the site, formerly BlaketreeNationalinMontgomery,Texas, will begin this summer and is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2015.

“Bluejack National has one of the best natural settings for golf I have seen,” Woods said in a statement. “With its changes in elevation, the beautiful pines and hardwoods, Bluejack National is reminiscent of the pinelands of Georgia and the Carolinas. The opportunity is here to create a golf course unlike any other in the Houston area, and our goal is for it to be among the best in the nation.”

Woods’ company will also design a short course at Bluejack National as a “high-quality alternative to the 18-hole experience.” He indicated the course will be designed to reward players who successfully take on hazards, and that areas around the greens will remain firm and tight to promote chipping creativity.

Roving Worshipper C&S Divine Chapel marks Easter in grand style p.53

TAI ANYANWU, titus.anyanwu@newtelegraphonline.com 0706 438 0029

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

MAY 4, 2014

www.newtelegraphonline.com/faith

Sermon Errors in pre-marital relationships p.57

Sermon God’s order for prosperity p.52

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Faith ON SUNDAY

Nigeria is on downward slope, says Ademowo Tai Anyanwu

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s the second session of the 23rd Synod of the Anglican Communion, Lagos Diocese (Nigeria) gets under way today, deliberations of the assembly of the Bishops, the clergy and the laity would focus on what has been described as Nigeria’s looming descent into the Dark Ages.

The synod’s President and Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and dean emeritus of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Most Rev. E Adebola Ademowo, explained that the coming together of the delegates, chosen at the vestry meetings, had been organised under the theme: ‘Divine intervention’.

“The theme of our Synod this year is very appropriate if we contextualise it in relation to our situation in our country. We need divine intervention as the election into various offices approach,” he stressed.

The church, he added, “is praying that God should halt Nigeria’s looming descent into the Dark Ages insecurity, unemployment, worsening crime rate, etc.”

Ademowo regretted that after 100 years of co-existing as one people, Nigerians had yet to come to terms on how to remain together as one indivisible nation.

These, he lamented, were indices of under-development; adding that God would intervene in the nation’s sociopolitical situation.

Ademowo will officially open the synod with a presidential address, on Monday May 5, at Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, at 11am.

The Bishop of Oru Province of Owerri, Rt. Rev. Dr. Geoffrey N Nwachukwu, will handle Bible exposition titled ‘God’s

intervention in the life of Nations: The Nehemiah Experience.’

Mrs. Amaka Okekeocha would in the same vein speak on ‘Transformed Life: God’s Tool for National Rebirth’.

Other resource persons who would handle various topics specially tailored to address the state of the nation are as follows: The Rt. Rev. S T G Adewole, Bishop of Jebba (Province of Kwara). He would be speaking on the topic ‘Putting Righteousness on the National Agenda.’

‘Conformed or Transformed: Where do you Stand’ will be preached by Rev, Akin-Johnson while The Venerable A G Odubena would deal with the topic ‘God’s Intervention in the Birth of the Nation.’

Three other papers would be presented at the synod, as part of the efforts to find lasting solutions to the imminent danger orchestrated by Nigeria’s socio-political situation.

The first paper, ‘Surviving in the Midst of Daunting Challenges: The History of Israel’ would be presented by the Archbishop of Owerri, the Most Rev. Dr. Caleb Maduoma.

To handle the second paper titled ‘God’s Foot-steps in the Unfolding of Events in Nigeria’ is the Bishop of Awha, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Alexander C. Ibezim while the Bishop of Okene, The Rt. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Ajulo, would speak on ‘Keeping Godliness on the front burner: An Imperative for Nigerian Clergy.’

The coming together of the delegates, consisting of the House of Bishops, the House of the Clergy and the House of the Laity who had chosen at the vestry meeting of every church in the diocese, would also entail taking progress reports from churches, cathedrals, archdeaconries, directorates, institutions and theological colleges and other bodies in the diocese; for the purpose of decision making.

According to Ademowo, the synod would come up with a communique. Ademowo, who is the seventh Bishop of Lagos, would be flanked by legal luminaries such as the Retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Chancellor, Justice George Adesola Oguntade; Deputy Chancellor and Justice of the High Court, Justice Adedayo Oyebanji.

Kingdom Men Summit holds May 8-12

I

nternational mentor, relational expert, author and chief steward of Kingdom Global Ministries, Dr. Larry Titus, will take the centre stage from May 8 – 12, 2014 at the Kingdom Men Summit in Lagos, to give men and women insight into what qualities to look for in a real man.

The event’s theme, according to its organisers, is ‘The Complete Man.’ The Kingdom Men Mega Summit 2014 is powered by Kingdom Men Ministry, which says it is devoted to raising men with a commitment to doing God’s will as fathers, in the workplace and society at large.

The organisers said the event would also feature otherclerics such as Pastor Taiwo Odukoya of Fountain of Life; Rev Albert Femi Oduwole, president of Word Ablaze Ministries; and Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, Dr. Alex Bamgbola.

Other speakers include Mr. David Abraham, managing director, Managing Business for Christ (MBFC); Rev. Ajibola Oluyede, trustee member of KMEN; and Rev (Mrs) Olufunmi Oluyede, past treasurer, Nigerian Bar Association and currently Africa Chair, International Bar Association.

Fernando Alvarez from Texas, USA; Bayo Adesuyi, gospel singer and other anointed men and women

of God are expected to provide musical ministration.

The programme will commence on Thursday May 8 with an exclusive breakfast meeting with church leaders between from 8am to noon.

The programme continues on Friday with three breakout sessions for both men and women. On Saturday, participants will deal with topics such as ‘When the bread winner isn’t winning’ (for women); ‘Worse than an infidel’ (Men); ‘Sexual Attraction Outside the Home;’ and ‘The Oral Sex Question’ (men and women apart simultaneously); ‘Iron Sharpens Iron;’ ‘The Case for Discipleship and accountability’ (groups); and ‘Help: I don’t know my calling’ (men).

There would also be two special sessions focusing on Business/Economy Roundtable and a roundtable on Politics/G overnance. Each day activities would begin 8am and end by 7. 30pm.

The Chief Vision Steward and Chief Host of Kingdom Men, Rev. Remi Akano, said in the statement that he hopes that the programme will impact immensely on the participants.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 4, 2014

Interview Interview

Why we held Catholic Praise Concert - Egbumokei An Engineer by profession but a Catholic and lover of music, Peter Egbumokei recently organised the first ever Catholic Praise Concert in West Africa. He spoke with EBERE AMEH before the event in Lagos.

How did you come about this concert?

What inspired you? love God and I love music, that’s why I brought this together. I’ve had this dream for decades, probably up to 20 years running and it had been coming back and forth until finally I said, “God, I’m going to offer you a praise offering.” And that’s how I started this journey.

It is unbelievable, my prayer was that I’m like the young boy that brought five loaves of bread and two fish. Lord God, this is all I have, transform it the way you did the five loaves and two fish to feed 5,000 people. Take everything I have, as small as it is so we can have a wonderful concert to the glory of your name. And that’s how we started the planning in 2013 and we are here today.

I’ve had an interesting adventure of faith so far. I had died once and God brought me back to life. I say so far because I’m alive and I still have many more decades to live by His grace. Though I hope it won’t be as dramatic as my past.

I was shot multiple times by armed robbers and left for dead. How God rescued me is still a marvel to me. People will say why didn’t God prevent it from happening? But He always allows certain things to take place for greater glory to His name. It took me a long time to even begin to appreciate what God had done for me and the worst thing was not the gunshot injuries; several other things that happened in my life afterwards that almost took me away from God and out of the church had also, at the same time, brought me closer to God and helped me to begin to appreciate God more and understand that He has a purpose for my existence. My existence is part of His grand plan. I can’t say confidently that I’m fully aware of the mission He has for me, but each day, I realise that vision, that mission and I actualise it. Ultimately, Christianity is a journey and I’m taking my own journey. Where it will lead me to, I don’t know but I look to God, I trust in Him and I follow Him wherever He leads me.

I

What do you intend to achieve by the concert?

The concert is meant to contribute to evangelism in the Catholic Church. It is being run under the auspices of my foundation, Felicia Michael SOS Foundation; we’ve had support from other groups. It is an NGO that was established by my family in honour of my late father and mother who were very active in church – helping the needy. Our biggest support is the Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos. His approval stamp and blessing is fully on this.

We are trying to reach out to the young at heart and the youngsters in the church. We are trying to reach out to even non-Catholics, nonChristians to understand what Christianity is about and draw them into using music. Primarily, I can say that we are giving God a praise offering and we are praying to God to deliver us as individuals and as a nation, from the clutches of evil. We are also doing it in gratitude to God that despite all the hardship, we are still standing strong and God will rise and help us overcome.

What about the artistes?

We gathered some of the best gospel artistes in the country. Some of them are not so well known, some are well known. We have Axios Choir of Babcock University; we have Desugad, a dance group; SSB, another dance group; St Augustine’s Choir from St Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikeja; a solo gospel artiste popularly called Prisca d Nightingale; Keller Thrillz, the equivalent of PSquare in the gospel realm; DJ E-Mo, a gospel DJ, who does a mix of gospel songs; and then Frank Edwards, one of the big-

gest household names in the country. He is not Catholic but he is a Christian performer.

The concept is new, it is the first of its kind, I don’t want to say in the world, but it is the first of its kind in Nigeria and probably in Africa. For me, it is an adventure and we look forward to making it an awesome intro into this kind of active evangelisation through music. It will start with the Holy Mass and then followed by the concert.

We hope to make it a yearly affair and we hope to become stronger and better.

Do you think this kind of event is right at this time, bearing in mind the mood of the people of Nigeria after the deadly attacks by Boko Haram and the unprecedented kidnap of over 200 girls?

I agree with you. All that happened just before the finalisation of this event. When I heard about it, I was saddened, but anybody can be sad.

I was frustrated, I was angry and I still am. But I ask myself, what can I do?

On the other hand, I think it is right to carry on with the concert. We are not just praising God because we are all happy. We are praising God because He is worthy of praise, no matter the situation. The Bible says in all situations, give God the glory. We are using praise to draw God’s attention to our plight. That is why Deliver Us is one of the themes of this concert.

I’m confident that this concert will lift our heartbroken and grieving brothers and sisters in Nigeria. My heart is with the parents, siblings and relatives of the abducted girls and those killed as a result of terrorism in the North.

We pray for them that this music wherever they hear it, will lift them to remind them that there is a God and that God will find a way to rescue the children and bring justice to them and their families and

peace in this country.

The problem with Nigeria has been attributed to religion. Many believe that if the country is split into North and South, there will be peace. Do you subscribe to that?

Not entirely. Nigeria’s problems appear to be religion or tribe, but it depends on which side you are looking at it from. A child who is not doing well in school will typically believe that every teacher is against him or her. That is the way Nigeria is. Because of poverty, people look for irrational excuses to blame for their woes and that is the downside of extreme poverty. If things were going well, people would not be talking about religion. We’ve always had religious diversity and even within the same ethnic group, there can be skirmishes.

So our problem really is

neither tribal nor religious. It is poverty. Poverty has transcended into poverty of the mind, poverty of the spirit, poverty of the body, poverty of finance, no money in the pocket to buy food and many more. Once you have the basic necessities of life, which are food, shelter and clothing, you can now begin to think of other things. But when you don’t have food, for instance, the world looks dark to you. When you have those basic needs met, the world would look better and you would look at things in a better way, forgive more easily and have a better vision. I thank God for my life.

If I didn’t have food, my vision would not have gone beyond how to get food for my family. If I didn’t have a job, I’d primarily be concerned with getting a job. I probably would not be in a state of mind to even think of this concert. What we should be thinking now is how to deal with the root cause of poverty.

I know it is easy for somebody on the sideline to say you should do this, you should do that.

I appreciate the challenges the government is facing, but I tell them to take baby steps - you learn to crawl, you learn to walk then you learn to run. Government should take a look at the country and ask themselves some pertinent questions. Do they want their grand children to be in this kind of nation? If not, let them begin to build a nation where they would want their grandchildren to be able to walk as human beings with dignity, not out of fear, not necessarily because they are the wealthiest but because they are part and parcel of this great nation. A place where they can live confidently and comfortably.

What are your plans for this concert?

I hope it becomes an annual festival that people will look forward to. Right now we are targeting 1,000 people, we’d probably be going towards 5,000 in a few years’ time. And we’ll be looking for bigger venues. We hope to be able to use it as a platform to draw attention to certain issues and find solutions to them, using the proceeds then to aid the less privileged and certain causes in the society.

Though this is the first one, we have had calls by people to have it in other states.

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Roving Worshipper

C&S Divine Chapel celebrates Easter in grand style

L-R: SP Awode presenting the key and documents of a Toyota Sienna to the Leader-In-Charge, SP Oyeku JP, during the church service while SP Idowu looks on

Kayode Olanrewaju

“W

hy seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,” Luke 24 verses 5 to 6.

With these words and strong belief in the crucifixion and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, members of Cherubim & Seraphim Movement Church (Ayo Ni O), Chapel of Divine Blessing, AIT Road, Alagbado, Lagos turned out in large numbers to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus amid praise worship and dancing.

The celebration, which began with a 40-day fasting and prayer, as observed by Christian faithful, climaxed with the Easter Sunday thanksgiving service, as well as an Easter retreat, held at the church’s main auditorium.

As part of activities lined up to mark the Easter, the church’s monthly 24-Hour programme for the month of April, which had as theme: ‘Resurrection Power,’ was also dedicated to the resurrection of Christ.

Apart from the usual praise worship, seminar/counselling, prayer, dancing and vigil, the programme featured a three-hour film show of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Dressed in white garments, the congregation on that Easter Sunday was filled with joy and renewed hope of what the resurrection of Jesus Christ holds for them.

The Sunday also marked what the faithful described as the ‘opening of drums,’ since drumming was suspended during all the church activities throughout the 40-day fast, as an atonement for Christ.

The only Bible reading for the Sunday thanksgiving service was

taken from the Book of Matthew 28 verses 1 to 10.

In his sermon on the ‘Resurrection of Jesus Christ,’ Special Apostle Pastor W.O. Adedoja, who is also the chairman of the Church Evangelical Committee, charged the congregation to live in Christ and allow Jesus Christ to live in them.

While describing Easter Sunday as very important period in the lives of Christians, which he said marked the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Pastor Adedoja recalled how God created Adam and Eve and put them in the Garden of Eden and gave them everything, and how the devil came to deceive them. He also spoke on how God withdrew His mercy, for which the people began to die.

“But, God again sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, as our saviour to save us from our sins and died for us so that we will not perish, but inherit the kingdom of heaven,” he said.

According to him, Jesus Christ was crucified and died for us on the cross of Calvary and saved us from our sins. For us to inherit the kingdom of heaven, He went to prepare for His children.

But, Pastor Adedoja regretted that despite the fact that Jesus Christ died for us, “many Christians have sinned and fallen short of His glory,” given the attitude some Christians towards life and their fellow human beings.

On the essence of Easter, the cleric said, “If we remember and celebrate Jesus Christ, as we are doing today, it is not too much for laying down His life for us to be saved.”

He noted that the death of Christ rather than bring sorrow should bring joy to Christians, who know the importance of His death and resurrection.

“Christians should not be afraid

because His resurrection is a blessing to us,” Adedoja stressed, urging Christians to be steadfast so that the privilege of His resurrection will not be a waste.

While reminding the congregation that “no one can get to heaven without Christ in his life,” he urged Christians to be joyful in Christ.

He wondered why many Christians nowadays go to church and not as Christians in the true sense for it, because they didn’t allow Christ in their life, while they have forsaken His ways.

He advised Christians to be born again by living in Christ and allowing Christ to live in them.

To do this, Adedoja insisted that Christians should be models and shining examples of Christ-like character, noting that they should all seek peace and love of the world, society and the church.

In his message, the Leader-InCharge of the church, Special Apostle J.A. Oyeku JP, however, said that “without our Lord Jesus Christ resurrected from death, our lives would have been in vain, and there would not have been hope of restoration of the peaceful relationship we have with God before Adam our fore-father severed it through sins.”

To him, Easter reminds us how God sent His only begotten son – Jesus Christ – to die as sacrifice for our sins and to save us.

The Sunday service was also marked by the dedication of an ultra-modern one-storey church secretariat building complex built by the Remi Awode Foundation (RAF), a foundation instituted by Special Apostle Emmanuel Aderemi Awode, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Chemstar Group, manufacturer of Fine Coat and Shield Paints, for the church to assist its members

and the less-privileged members of the congregation.

The secretariat houses the offices of the Leader-In-Charge; Deputy Leader (Special Apostle J.O. Idowu), the church secretary, conference/meeting room as well as children auditorium.

Before the dedication of the building, the foundation presented a Toyota

Sienna bus to the Leader-In-Charge; a Toyota Camry car to the deputy leader, as well as two other cars to the Church Pastor, Special Apostle Pastor A. Babalola; and the Church Prophet, Special Apostle Prophet Solomon Bamidele.

Presenting the car keys and particulars to the beneficiaries, Awode thanked God for His blessing and mercies on the church and the entire congregation, saying the vehicles were presented to them in recognition of their activities and services to the church.

“Today marks a significant day in the life of our church, in view of the progress and development of members and church,” he said. He also praised the elders and the entire congregation for the love, support and steadfastness for the growth of the three-year-old church.

It was the turn of Easter retreat on Monday, which the church Secretary, Special Apostle A. Akinsanya said was organised yearly as remembrance of resurrection of Jesus Christ, as ordained

by Christ.

“The retreat is organised to bring salvation to the people as well as bring members of the congregation together to wine and dine, and feed them with the words of God. The high points of the retreat were launching of the maiden album of the church choir, entitled, ‘A simi loju;’ presentation of gift items to widows; a Bible quiz in which the winner went home with a N20,000 cash prize; and a ceiling fan, first runner up got N10,000 cash and a wall clock, while the third position winner received N5,000 cash and a set of cups.

The children too were not left out as they were entertained with a bouncing castle, as well as lots to eat and drink, and they went home with various gift items as part of the church Easter package.

This year’s Easter celebration ended with a three-day revival, tagged, ‘But Make Me Thereof a Little Cake First,’ I Kings 17: 13, held between April 23 and 25, beside Joke Ayo International School, AIT Road, Alagbado, Lagos.

WOR D S EA R C H

Some books of the new Testament

MATTHEW CORINTHIANS TIMOTHY MARK GALATIANS TITUS LUKE EPHESIANS PHILEMON JOHN PHILIPPIANS HEBREWS ACTS COLOSSIANS JAMES ROMANS THESSALONIANS PETER

T H E S S A L O J A M S P E C G M R A C E H E B R W M N Y O T A A O N O P G A L A E G A R H E L T M S L H I R L T H B I R N R A T Y P O E A U E Y T N N H K Y T H H H S S K V R G T G O R G F I J T I S E G A L H A J L P A S A O O L I C M T I P M H A H L F N H M I A O S A E P H E S I A N S R I C N L N T J F H B S L T P E O T S S S E G H V B R E E I H R S N U U R O M A N S E H M A I Y A M T H M A T T R E W T O N L T P H I L I P P I A N S E N S E I E A T C O L O S S R O M A T M T T E R G A L A T I C O R I N T H Olulana Kayode

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Faith

Hour of Come on, do your father’s work LIBERATION by

Chidi Anthony Tel: 08124284979

L

et me tell you about a friend of mine called Uche. On account of my deliverance ministry, I often go on deliverance mission to liberate may troubled homes, and persons.

Whenever, one goes on such assignments, people often dash the deliverance minister money. That is why I always carry little cash in my hand.

And my friend comes to ask me for N5,000 or N10,000 and I will be dashing him some. At some times, Uche would tell me, “Chidi, stop giving me money. Rather, take me and show me how you are making this money so that I can start making my own money.”

He said, “Don’t give me fish; teach me how to get fish.” I replied, “You cannot do the kind of work that I do.”

I reminded him that he has a teaching ministry and not a deliverance minister.

“Uche I destroy shrines. Your own work is different,” I explained.

He said to me, “Forget about that thing, just show me the shrine and go and sleep. Before you wake up, I would have destroyed it.”

Few days later, a deliverance assignment at a place call Asaga, Ohafia, Abia State came calling. What I had to battle is the thunder god, known in Igbo language as kamalu. I said to Uche, “We are going to Ohafia . We are going to destroy Kamalu.”

And he said, “Let’s go.”

We departed for the shrine. The people of the town had just given the deity a fresh sacrifice of blood.

It was a very fearful sight to behold.

I pointed out the shrine to Uche; and on seeing the altar, my friend didn’t realise when he see let out a fearful sound. He said “eh! eh!”

Then I said, “Ok, Jesus said when you come to the house of a strong man first you will have to bind him.”

Having said that, I commanded everybody to begin prayers. Uche burst out in tongues: “Lambra lambra: Lambra lambra lambra.” He came

over to where I was praying, put a hand on my shoulder me and said, “Chidi, did you say you are going to carry this thing? My hand is not in it. Le le le lehi.” I thought my friend was speaking in real tongues.

Again, he came, “Lenkere lenkere lenkere. Chidi, I hope you are hearing me; lenkere lenkere lenkere lehi. My hand is not in it, my hand is not in it lelelelelelehi. After he pushed me the second time, I listened closely as he repeated, “Chidi, did you say you will carry this thing? My hand is not in it; my hand is not in it.”

Immediately I heard him, fear entered into me. I pondered, “Could it be that God is talking to me through him? That I should not destroy the god of thunder?” The information put fear inside me. It was not until I heard the voice telling me, “Come on do the work of your father while there is day; for night cometh when no man shall work.’

I ignored the other information, entered the shrine, brought it out and set it on fire. Assuming that I allowed that other voice projected through my friend to soak inside me, I would have had lots of problem upon entering the shrine house.

Information you have can de-

God’s order for prosperity

L

et’s begin with your thought or imagination in Duet 28:1-14, God gave more power for those who are covenanted with him to achieve everything without struggling but any one who refuses God’s order suffer great blockage. In 2 Cor. 8:9. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. You are a child of God and yet you are struggling with poverty and difficulty then something is wrong in your understanding and Christian life. What are those words of the Lord that ye must obey in order to prosper” Remember, We are deed to be teaching born again Christians therefore be prepared to learn mental understanding of the principles of prosperity and their application is all you need, to male your dream come true.

A. W H AT YO U T H I N K O R I M AG I N E : I n yo u r h e a r l ays t h e f o u n d a t i o n o f wh a t yo u a r e p u r s i n g . G e n 1 1 : 5 6. I n t h i s s c r i p t u r e n o t h i n g wo u l d h ave s t o p p e d t h e i r i m a g i n a t i o n f r o m c o m i n g to p a ss i f n o t fo r t h e i n te r ve n tion of the Almighty G od.

Because the human spirit is n at u ra l ly u n a c h i eve d .

It has the potential of b r i n g i n g to r e a l i ty yo u i m a g i n at i o n wh e t h e r go o d o r b a d !

Now le arn to think or imagine yo u r go o d d r e a m .

B. AS A BELIEVER: The s c r i p t u r e g ave yo u wh a t to come to p ass in your life (Phil 4 : 8 -9 ) .

Now l e t m e g ive yo u s o m e g u i d e s u p p o s i n g yo u

i m a g i n e f i n d i n g yo u r s e l f i n h e ave n k n e e l i n g b e fo r e Je s u s C h r i s t , o r i m a g i n e yo u r s e l f i n u p s t a i r s o r f ive b e d r o o m f l a t o r s e e i n g yo u r s o n o r daug hter as a me dic al Doctor, L aw ye r, E n g i n e e r, p i l o t e t c o r i m a g i n e yo u r s e l f l iv i n g i n E u r o p e o r USA o r s t a n d i n g b e f o r e a c r owe d o f t e n t h o u s a n d p e o p l e to te a c h o r p r e a c h o r f i n d i n g yo u r s e l f, preaching in a big or with a g r e a t n ews o f w i n n i n g a b i g contract or gaining a good e m p l oy m e n t . Th e r e a s o n why t h e B i b l e i s co n ce r n e d a b o u t wh a t yo u t h i n k , i s t h a t t h e L o rd . Acco rd i n g to t h e s c r i p t u r e s w i l l d o f o r yo u b o t h t h e t h i n g s yo u p r a ye d f o r a n d a l s o t h e t h i n g yo u t h i n k i n yo u r h e a r t ( E p h 3 : 2 0 -2 1 ) .

S o yo u can now, see that what you think in your heart is very important (Prov. 23:7).

C. GOD ALSO BRINGS: About our wealth and well being through His thought ( Jer 29:11) Handover your good ways to God and these thoughts of yours that are good will be established (Prov. 16:3).

GIVING TO GOD’S SERVANTS: 1 Kings 17:10 -16.

Look at 2 Chron. 20:20 “And they rose early in the morning and went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants Jerusalem; believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. How do your treat the servants of God in your life? There are so many of them around you the prophets, evan-

gelists, pastors, teachers, when you see them in need what do you do? Do you disregard them or treat them with disdain ? if you must proper, then you must treat them kindly for they speak to bless you, may be all you need to prosper in your desire.

A. HANNAH: Have prayed for years to no avail, but when Eli spoke and confirmed her request after the sacrifice at Shiloh, the Lord granted the desire of her heart and that became the beginning of her prosperity.

1 Sam. 1:11-20 B. THE WIDOW OF ZAREPHATH: Was to eat her last meal but the gift she gave to Elijah became the factor that gave her food and life all through the days of the great famine 1 Kings 17:15-16.

C. E L I S H A : Pa ss e s through the town of Shumen and a woman there gives him food often to eat, the woman was barren but her favour to the servant of God earned her a son 2 Kings 4:8; 15-17.

D. JESUS SAY: That even a cup of water given to His servant in His name will attract a reward. Thinks of when you give more than a cup of could water.

(Matt 10:42).

E PETER GAVE JESUS: His boat to use as pulpit to preach to the multitude and Jesus gave His prophetic word of blessing and Peter caught a great multitude of fishes Luke 5:3-7 F. JESUS: was given five loafs of bread for multitude to eat and have 12 baskets as remain to the person that brought

stroy you. I don’t know the information you have. Have they told you that nobody can progress in your family? In some places they say what our forefathers did was fighting everybody. Your elder brother believed it, he is not progressing.

The one following him also believed, his case is not different and you too believed that that shrine has power over you. Who said so?

It is wrong information. I can’t work there because it is a Yoruba company; they won’t promote me since I’m an Igbo. Who said so? It is a lie, if you go and work there, you will get your promotion. That is an Igbo company, I will not go there because they are too Igboic; yes, because you believe it.

My mother was born in a nearby village. From my father’s house to my maternal house is not far. When we were little children, one could trek to my maternal home. There is a cherry tree, we call it Udara ego, on the road to my maternal home.

Then they told us that if one was going to Ego in the night, one must see a spirit.

For that reason, whenever I went to my maternal home I must leave before nightfall because I simply did not want to encounter the evil

spirit. I held and operated with that information until one day, when I went to my maternal home.

My grandmother sent me on an errand. I had tried everything within my means to return early as usual but I was held down till about 6pm. When I was to leave, my problem became how I could cross the dreaded udara ego without seeing the evil spirit.

Usually, when I was passing ego territory, I would fold my trousers and remove my shoes ready to run for my dear life. I want you to know what information can do. When I come near the cherry tree, something will prompt me to check if the spirit is not hiding in the corner.

And when I cast a glance at the tree, it would look as if the spirit was actually hiding behind the tree.

But it was all imagination emanating from the information that had made rounds about the tree.

That is what wrong information can cause. When you go to the hospital, they will tell you can’t deliver that child. And very likely, you believe it, even when your chances are very bright, you will deliver through a Caesarean section. Wrong information can do a lot of harm; it can destroy you.

The word makes rich by

Prince N. Samuel Tel:

08037240738 or 08080523632.

Samuelprince71@yahoo.com or bishopsamuelprince@gmail.com

the bread and the two fishes (Matt 14:16-20). Have you ever trough of giving a man of God that he may bless your soul? Like the memory verse told you.

If the prophet speaks to your situation you will surely prosper just as the Lord will surely establish you.

GIVING TO THE POOR Let us look at giving to the poor prov. 19-17 “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath give will he pay him again”. You have every reason on earth as a believer to prosper.

Look at this scripture (Hag. 2-8) the Lord is saying that both silver and gold belong to him. Through prosperity in the real Christian understanding is more than silver and gold yet if the Lord blesses you with abundant silver and gold then you will possess many other things that make for a wealthy living.

Now compare the above scripture with Rom 8:32. If God can afford to give a part of himself, His son Jesus Christ, then His giving to us silver and gold ought not to have been a big deal. Our duty is to teach you what you ought to know in order to prosper. No wonder God lamented that my people perish for lack of knowing what they ought to know. Hos4-6 now for instance, of all the good qualities exhibited

by Cornelius, holiness, fearing God with all his household, giving alms

and prayerful life, only two of thee great qualities broke through the metallic windows of heaven and appeared before God[s tabernacle.

When the angel returned with the message of G od back to Co r n e l i u s , h e t o l d h i m t h a t first his prayers and se cond his giving of alms to the poor h a v e t o u c h e d G o d ’s h e a r t (Act10:4).

A . F I R S T YO U R B R E T H REN: in the faith lack (Gal 6:10) B. ORPHANS AND WIND OWS : de s e r ve yo u r g i f t s a n d visitation the Bible classifies t hat act as pure religion ( James 1: 27 ) C. D E S T I T U T E AND HANDICAPS: Along the road side deserve your gift and also the pr isoners (2 Timothy 1:8) D. T H E P O O R I N T H E S O C I E T Y: A l s o d e s e r v e a l m s (Lev 19: 10) The Lord warned that you should not tot ally gle an your farm, le ave some purposefully for the poor of the land to harvest.

E . V I C T I M S O F WA R : Natural disaster or accident n e e d s y o u r a l m s . Yo u a r e i n vite d to worship with us @ Champions Embassy Global Church, Inc. #9 Liberty Dr ive, O f f A d a - G e o r g e R o a d , b y B a ke r y J u n c t i o n , Po r t H a r c o u r t , Rivers St ate, Niger ia.

ADVERTISE YOUR CHURCH EVENTS, SPECIAL PROGRAMMES, CONVENTIONS AND OTHER CHURCH ACTIVITIES ON THESE PAGES. CONTACT: TAI ON 07064380029

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The Voice of

Dominion by

Bishop David Oyedepo

Phone: 7747546-8; E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

W

e l c o m e to t h e m o n t h of May. You wil l enjoy t h e Un s p e a ka b l e G i f t s of G od all through this m o n t h i n Je s u s’ n a m e ! T h i s month, I shall be teaching you on theImpartation of Spiritual Gifts for Sup ernatural Turnaround.

Every spir itual gift at work in a man is ordained to change the story of that man. However, spiritual gifts are imparte d largely through a desperate quest from the seeker.

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink ( John 7:37).

It takes a genuine thirst to qualify for an encounter with the Spirit of God (Isaiah 41:17).

A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men (Proverbs18:16).

Spiritual gifts are spiritual forces ordained to effect spiritual turnarounds in the lives of believ-

ers. How much of the gift of God at work in us, determines how profitable our lives will be. The Bible says: The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal (1 Corinthians 12:7).

Therefore, without a thirst, you cannot encounter the power of God. So, as you genuinely open your heart for an impartation with spiritual gifts, you will have an unforgettable encounter!

But, how do we get imparted with spiritual gifts?

God’s Word is Spirit and life ( John 6:63). When we hear the Word with an open he art, the Spir it enters into us. And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I he ard him that spake unto me (Ezekiel 2:2). It is called impartation. So, we can be imparted freely with every spiritual gift that we truly thirst for, through the Word.

Also, G o d rele ase s spir itu al gif ts into our lives through

THE Oracles of God by

Frank Oboden Olomukoro frankolomukoro@yahoo.com, 07033621866

I

n Matthew 24:3 “the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” The Lord’s response was a prophetic insight into future events that would happen among the nations politically and the natural disasters that would be pronounced and profound, heralding the judgment of God. Be that as it may, there is the prophetic sign that is commonly overlooked, even though scripturally true.

This will be our focal attention. It is the sign of a prophet sent by God with a warning message.

A scriptural prophet himself is the most notable sign before judgment. When God sends a prophet, look out, judgment follows it. After Noah came the destruction by flood. After Lot came fire and brimstone on Sodom. Moses was a judgment to Pharaoh and Egypt as well, to name a few examples. It always has, it always will be, there is no way around it. Most times, the presence of a sent prophet goes right over the top of the people, and they never know it until it is too late. Why? Hear what Jesus said: ‘An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the Prophet Jonas.’ Jonas was a sign pointing to Jesus Christ. Noah, Abraham,

Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, John the Baptist were all dispensational or major prophets sent by God at certain junctures in human history to unfold God’s secret plans to warn the people of impending judgment. “Surely the Lord will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets” Amos 3:7.

Major prophets are not comparable to prophets or prophetesses with prophetic gifts.

The latter are local assembly ministers while the former are dispensational. Apostle Paul was an example of a Dispensational Prophet sent to the Gentiles while Agabus was a Local Ministerial Prophet with the gift of prophecy. ‘Every man is given according to the proportion of faith.’ If we may ask, why do the people reject the God-sent prophet messengers in their day? Always, history repeats itself as a recurring decimal. Noah as earlier mentioned was a true sign that was overlooked in spite of the many years on ground building the Ark, gathering the species of animals into the Ark and entering the Ark with his immediate family and daughters-in-law, the minority few that believed him. The people stuck to their personal opinions, others their

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Faith

Impartation of spiritual gifts for supernatural turnaround! (1) prophetic impartation.

Je sus was te aching and the power of G od fell on people and he ale d them (Luke 5:17 ). Saul found himself in the midst of the prophets, the Spir it c ame up on him and he prophesie d among them (1 Samuel 10:10 -1 2). S o, our spir itual connection to any spiritual platform grants us access to every spiritual virtue obtainable there.

What are the proven spiritual gifts obtainable in Living Faith Church? ➢ The Spirit of Grace (Acts 26:2 2): It enhances our ste adfastne ss and sustains our commitment to God. Paul said, “By the help of God, I have continued unto this day.” So, the Spirit of Grace empowers our continuous commitment in and out of season, until we enter into our rest. ➢ The Spirit of Faith

(Ephesians 6:16): It empowers the believer for dominion.

Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obt aine d promise s, stopp e d the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens (He brews 11:33-34).

Fr iend, t h e s p i r i t u a l gifts for supernatural turnaround are imparted only when you are born again and become a child o f G o d . Yo u b e c o m e a child of G od, by confessing your sins and accepting Je sus as your L ord and Saviour. You c an be G o d’s child now, if you haven’t b e en, by saying this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of

my sins. Cle anse me with Your precious Blood. De liver me from sin and sat an, to serve the Living G od. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.

Thank You, for saving me!

Now, I know I am b orn again!”

I will continue with this te aching next week .

Excee ding Grace and the Unspe akable Gifts of G od are your portion this year!

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan L and, Ot a, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at6:00 a.m., 7: 35 a.m., 9:10 a.m. and 10.4 5 a.m. respectively.

I k n ow t h i s te ac h i n g h a s b l e ss e d yo u . Wr i te and share your testimo ny with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ot a, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.

Spiritual blindness religious creeds. As Noah was overlooked, so today too, the religious world will overlook the prophet messenger that is sent to them except a minority few to whom God will reveal the prophet by scriptural understanding. But the majority will lack the revelation to recognise their dispensational prophet because they are tied to their denominational doctrines and systems. Noah was God’s divine revelation for that day but the people stuck to their religious creeds. This way, the sign that Noah was, was overlooked and they all perished. Similarly, the Pharisees, the Sadducees and the scholars in the time of Christ condemned Him outrightly because he did not come out of them or their Sahedrine Council. Jesus didn’t have the polish and shine of ecclesiasm, Jesus didn’t have the educational stand point, the tinsel and the stuff that the ecclesiastic should have, a great hood on a turn-around collar. They reckoned that Jesus was a glutton and wine bibber because of his unpolished mix with sinners. Matt.

11:19 ‘The son of man came eating and drinking with others, and they say behold a glutton and wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and especially wicked sinners.’

Yet scripturally, Jesus was a true sign that was overlooked.

He was the Son of Man, meaning a prophet messenger. The

ability to hear, recognise and receive a prophet messenger of your day is predicated on divine revelation to one. Although Jesus Christ had been on ground with his 12 disciples, yet the disciples and the people could not identify who He was. He asked them in Matthew 16:13 – 18, “who do men say that I the Son of Man am?” The disciples said, “Some say that thou art John the Baptist, some Elias and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” The scripture said, ‘Those who know their God, they shall do great exploits.’

The religious Jews in Christ’s day did not know their long expected messiah, the result of spiritual blindness and ignorance of the knowledge of God’s programme. Isaiah captured this spiritual condition in his prophesy in Isaiah 6:9-10, which Christ referred to in Matthew 13:14-15.

“In them indeed is a process of fulfillment of a prophesy of Isaiah, which say we shall indeed hear and hear but never grasp and understand; and you shall indeed look and look but never see and perceive. For this nation’s heart has grown gross (fat and dull), and their ears heavy and difficult of hearing, and their eyes they have tightly closed, lest they see and perceive with their eyes, and hear and comprehend the sense with their e ar, and grasp and understand-

ing with their heart, and turn and I should heal them.” No wonder they overlooke d Christ. “But whom say ye that I am?” He asked the disciples. They too couldn’t figure out who Christ was until God revealed it to Peter and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” This was not Peter’s ability intellectualy but God unveiling who Christ was to him.

Jesus said, ‘Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my father which is in heaven.’ God’s truths are only understood by revelation. Flesh and blood is manmade theology, religious creeds and dogmas.

In every age or dispensation, it is God’s pattern to anoint one person and usually the person does not come from the existing ecclesiastical system. God never uses a group or corporate body. He always uses one, and the religious body has never come to terms with God’s anointed person.

That is why the true signs are overlooked, because the systems the people belong to are opposed to scriptural truth.

Olomukoro wr ites from the Chr ist ian Ministry of Re c o n c i l i a t i o n ( G ra c e & Truth), Bethlehem Camp ground Km 14, LagosIbadan Expressway (beside PUNCH Newspapers), Wasimi, Ogun State.

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Faith

The Seeds of by Greatness Apostle Clement

Faithfulness & Diligence

F

aithfulness is the ability to do that which has been promised or expected; it is an abiding loyalty to a cause. It is an attribute of God. The Bible says “God is not a man that He should lie; neither the son of man that He should repent; Hath He said and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken and shall He not make it good?” (Numbers 23; 19). God’s faithfulness, the Bible says, extends from generation to generation. It is this attribute of God that makes people of all generations and times to depend on Him. Faithfulness brings about dependability; complete reliance.

God’s faithfulness, we all can acknowledge, is never in doubt at any time. Can the same be said of us children of God? The Bible says, “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness… whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promise; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature…” (2 Peter 1:3&4).

This means that, we as children of God having the nature of God, should exhibit the same attributeswhich God has. It is expected of us to be faithful in our service to a faithful God and our fellowmen. Faithfulness leads to consistency, and consistency in efforts (diligence) is the gateway to greatness.

In order to emphasise the importance of faithfulness in our march to greatness, the Lord Jesus told His disciples the following parable: “… A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. And he called his 10 servants and delivered them 10 pounds, and said unto them, oc-

cupy till I come… and it came to pass that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first saying, lord thy pound hath gained 10 pounds.

And he said unto him, well, thou good servant; because thou hath been faithful in very a little; have thou authority over 10 cities.’’(Luke 19:12-17). ‘’Thou has been faithful over very little,’’ the noble man said to his servant, ‘therefore much can be entrusted into your care. “For he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much,” (Luke 16:10).

Today, many children of God are interested in being in charge of 10 cities, they want to occupy high positions in the church; they want to mount the pulpit, yet they have not been found doing anything let alone (being) found faithful in the little. Get your hand to something, no matter how little, and be faithful at it. Our faithfulness over the little has to be established first before God can give us charge over much.

“And the second servant came, saying Lord thy pound hat gained five pounds. And he (nobleman) said likewise to him, be thou also over five cities.”

God’s blessings to us are to the extent that we are faithful in our service to him. In Psalms,, the Bible says, “With the pure, thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the forward thou wilt shew thyself forward,” (Psam18:26).

It means our unfaithfulness will rob us of God’s faithfulness. We are

the ones who determine the level of God’s faithfulness that we experience. “And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin; for I feared thee because thou art an austere man; thou takest up that thou art layedest not down and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he (nobleman) said unto him. Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury... take from him the pound and give it to him that hath 10 pounds,” (Luke 19:20-24).

Friends, the same is true today.

God has given you gifts and talents and diverse abilities that you may fulfill your role in the body; but you are seated doing nothing, preferring and desiring the talents and ministries of others while you have refused to do something about your own ministry. You do not want to start from the bottom, where you are. You are waiting for a time that God will move you to the top dramatically. There is no such dramatic transformation in the Kingdom of God. God’s promotion only comes through our faithfulness in little things. If we truly desire to be great, we have to be faithful over the very little opportunities we have to serve.

Are you a messenger, clerk, a housewife, a cleaner in the church or a greeter? Learn how to be faithful in that which God has given you, no matter how lowly or small; do not despise the days of humble beginnings. God does not reward office or position. He rewards faithfulness.

Prophetic Insight with

Rev. James Akinadewo Tel: 08037188392 (SMS only) motailatugrow@hotmail.com

W

e appreciate God for His provisions and divine clemency and pray we will enjoy the rest of the season in the fullness of His power in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Have you noticed around you that things change for the better daily?

Everything created by God is perfect, not just perfect but improving and becoming better daily.

‘And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.’ (Genesis 1: 31) The import of this Bible verse is – the evening and the morning that God created became better daily and from those creatures came better things we behold today.

Are you one of those making things better in the world? The answer to that question is the thrust of our teaching today – Be innovative.

Divine word ‘Behold the former things are come to pass and new things do I declare, before they spring forth I tell you of them.’ (Isaiah 42:9) ‘Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth, shall ye not know it? I will even make a way

in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.’ (Isaiah 43:19) The Bible says the least of God’s word shall not go unfulfilled because He will honour His word more than His name. Change is the only constant thing in life. Obsolete ideas cannot work with present-day reality and the earlier we understand the mind of God, the better for us.

God Almighty (our creator) understood Himself very well, knew what He created and why they came into being, projected into the future with perfect thinking that His creature (man) must become creative and continue the good works He started.

Let’s examine carefully viz – = Will do new things – God created heaven and earth and created man to continue His work, thereby becoming co-creator with Him. The reality is that after creation, He charged Adam with his first assignment, told him to give names to other creatures, aside him (Adam) that He (God) named Himself.

This is telling you that God wants man to continue the good work He started and be highly innovative to do it better.

God built the first bridge on earth inside the Red Sea but knew that the

by Ogbonna Bishop Lawrence Osagie apostleofgraceinwo

Tel: 08063250667, mail:powerlineministries@mail.com, www.powerlineministriesinc.org

God will always entrust his treasures and blessings to those He has found faithful in one position or another. He seeks those He can depend and rely on, and He must have proven you at one position, no matter how lowly.

Beloved, whatever talent is in you, there is a place for you in the Kingdom of God, or in your service to humanity.

Begin today to seed your talent faithfully on your job, business, family, the church of God, and God will see it fit to move you up. We should be found faithful in our service to our fellowmen, because the Lord Jesus said, “…and if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?” (Luke 16:12).

Here is where most of us children of God are guilty today. Are you faithful to your employers (government or private)? Are you a habitual late comer to your place of work, or are you never found on your desk for m more than three hours out of the eight hours of daily work? You spend most of the working hours on unproductive discussions, or even reading the Bible or distributing tracts. This is wrong, and it does not bring glory to God. You must put in reasonable service to your employers to justify the remuneration given to you.

The use of your employer’s time to do the work of the Kingdom of God indicates lack of wisdom, and it gives room for ill-speaking about us (believers) and our faith. To Caesar, we must

render that which is Caesar’s. God will not grant our heart desires if we have not been found faithful in the things of others. Be whole-heartedly committed and dedicated to the cause of others, and God will give you yours. We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. It behoves on us as children of God to be good examples whatever your calling or trade, strive to be the best in your field.

With the help of the Holy Spirit you can be the best in your field. Daily ask for the help of the Holy Spirit in the performance of your duty.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, you can be the best worker in your office. Ask God for His wisdom to handle and deal with any situation that may arise in the course of your daily duties. Be the most faithful, dedicated and committed worker in your establishment thereby fulfilling the scripture: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in Heaven,” (Mathew 5:16). The Bible exhorts that in whatever we do, we should do as unto God. So, our faithfulness should be unto the Lord and the Lord Himself will promote us in due season (Psalm 75:6&7; Galatians 6:9). Faithfulness is a basic requisite for God’s promotion.

Bishop Lawrence Osagie is the Founding Pastor of Powerline Bible Church, Odo Olowu Bus stop, between Cele and Ijesha B/stops, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos.

What a wonderful time in His presence construction giant, Julius Berger, would do a better one in Nigeria.

The long Third Mainland Bridge in Nigeria attests to this.

A chariot of fire took Elijah to heaven and the king of elevators business in Nigeria, Kresta Laurel, is greatly improving in that field, building ‘automatic lifts’ in skyscrapers around the world thereby becoming innovative in the world of creation. These people researched into what God did, improved, became innovative and the world marvels at their exploits. = Shall spring forth – Anything you can conceive, you can become. Those who made the first aeroplane saw how birds were flying and believed they could make a flying machine.

After several attempts, they hit it right and became achievers, to the surprise of mediocre persons who never believed in them. Achievers don’t follow the crowd, they stand out in their generation. = Ye shall know it – Be the best and leave the crowd of the rest. The moment you transform your world positively, people will see it, know it and tell it.

What is God telling you to add to your world? Rise up now, charge yourself, go for it and you will achieve it.

Only those who make moves make waves. You don’t need to be President, Governor or a company CEO before making the move. Start from where you

are, you have something to add to your world. That you came into the world and did not die till now is enough reason for you to know that you are a change agent, a positive one indeed.

Divine voice (1) Imagine how the world will be without computers. It was typewriters everywhere until the day a genius woke up from the right side of his bed, put on his thinking cap and decided that something can be better.

Stand up for recognition, Bill Gates. He decided that typing can be done better, easier, more compact and highly inviting, hence the decision to set up Microsoft and it is now a computer world.

Wi t h de t e r m i n a t i o n , h e threw himself into it. Me ditating, he sat in his mother ’s kitchen and worked himself to the bones, came out with the first computer and bec ame a celebrity.

What he did was simple. He looke d at the typewriter and decided to have something better – pure innovation.

Divine voice (2) Those not aiming for the best will be counted with the rest. Veteran journalist and n e ws c a s t e r, Jo h n M o m o h , knew what he wanted in life.

He left the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and starte d C h a n n e l s Te l ev i s i o n , w i t h special interest in innovative news gathering and that move

has brought multiple honours to him.

Among Nigeria’s television stations, Channels Television is the best in news bec ause John Momoh lit his t alent, bec ame innovative and gave flight to his vision.

Fo c u s N e v e r m i n d wh a t p e o p l e w i l l s a y, g o f o r i t , yo u w i l l g e t t h e r e . Eve r y t h i n g a b o u t television was manual until someone introduced the remote control. It has pro gressed to plasma screen n o w. A r e yo u w a s t i n g yo u r ow n t a l e n t o r m a x i m i s i n g i t ?

T h e c h o i c e i s yo u r s .

Wi r e l e s s m i c r o p h o n e w a s introduced with a gre at ide a a n d s e l l s l i k e h o t c a k e n ow.

S o m e o n e s a t d ow n a n d m a d e i t h a p p e n . W h a t a r e yo u a d d i n g t o yo u r o w n wo r l d ? A l l t h e s e a r e i n n ov a t i o n s , d o i n g s o m e t h i n g b e t t e r t h a n wh a t others did.

Yo u c a n’t a f f o r d t o f a i l , it is your world. Remem b e r t h e B i b l e s ays i f a nyo n e lacks wisdom, he should ask G o d wh o g ive s w i l l i n g l y. G o o n yo u r k n e e s a n d a s k G o d with humility for a gre at inn ov a t ive i d e a t o c h a n g e yo u r wo r l d f o r t h e b e t t e r.

Rise up now and change yo u r wo r l d p o s i t ive ly a n d l e t m e h e a r yo u r t e s t i m o ny.

S i n i s a s i n k e r, r u n f r o m i t . Je s u s l ove s yo u . G o d b l e s s N i g e r i a . It i s we l l .

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Errors in pre-marital relationships T here are certain mistakes young people make while in pre-marital relationships. These mistakes should be avoided. They are follows: Boasting before men of the coming of many suitors: It is wrong for a young girl to begin to boast before a man of too many men proposing to her or asking for her hand in marriage. In most cases, most of these young girls who boast of this never had any man propose to them. A young girl told a man who approached her that “five men are on line.” So the man felt the contest was too high for him and did not come back to her. After a while, the man approached another young girl who accepted him. So, they established a marital relationship. Much later, the other girl visited the young man and asked him why he had not shown up since the first time he visited her. Then, she needed the man, but it was too late.

Offer of gifts through a third party: If you are into a relationship and wish to do good to your partner, go to the person and do whatever you wish to do, or prayerfully and intelligently pass it through a trusted friend or relation.

The young president of a youth fellowship of a church made a proposal to a young sister of the same fellowship.

In order to maintain his integrity, he began to send gifts to the young girl through his deputy who lived on the same street as the girl. However, the deputy youth president sent all those gifts to the girl in his own name, making the girl to believe that he loved her more than the president. After all, he proposed to the girl who accepted him and married him. This is an act of deceit, but we should learn from it.

Seeking prayer assistance before accepting a proposal: It is always good for you to have your own personal conviction to marry a person so that you would face what comes to confront you later. Many young people have been misled because they sought the prayer assistance of their friends, prayer partners and so-called senior friends in the Christian faith. Some gave them prophecies, visions, revelations and dreams that God was never part of. Are

you not aware that when you are desperate about a thing, Satan stays close to whisper to you? So, at a moment like this, you must endeavour to carefully distinguish the voice of God from the voice of Satan.

Besides, most prayer partners, when you let them know of a man coming to you for marriage, if they are of the same sex, and are aware of the greatness of the man, become envious and plan to overtake you. A young girl told her prayer partner to join her to pray if a particular brother that was coming to her for marriage was God’s will. The girl prayed and got the answer, but because she envied the girl as a result of the man’s status, she told her that God did not approve of the relationship. The prayer partner who trusted her had to keep off from the relationship. In no distant time, her friend visited the man and told him that God said that he would be her husband. The man accepted it. Later, they got married. Today, they have many children, but the other girl is yet unmarried. So, be careful of who prays with you.

Asking for signs/dreams: This is one of the devil’s means of joining a man and a woman as husband and wife. In my book, Couples and Singles Gathering, I teach young people to always pray carefully for their partners, whether known or unknown. Pray that no one should marry your spouse. Pray that whoever is meant for you, no matter where he or she is in this world, that at the appointed time, God should bring two of you together as a couple. The reason is that if you got married to a wrong person, both of you will produce wrong children who will become disasters to the world. There must always be, “the bone of my bone, and the flesh of my flesh.” When you carry the bone of a cow and join it to the bone of a goat, there will be a walking or movement problem. The same thing is applicable to your marriage.

Pray earnestly for your right partner, and do not depend on the world of signs or dreams for they can be deceitful. A young girl prayed that any man who would marry her must give her a flower if God is into the union.

Power of Insight Bishop John Ogbansie gbe Tel:08033416327

I

Word of FAITH by by Apostle Clement Apostle Clement Ogbonna Ogbonna apostleofgraceinwof2010@gmail. apostleofgraceinwo com, 08036774737

In the process, a wrong man brought her a flower. Today, their marriage is a product of daily conflicts. There has never been peace and love. You should know that in as much as God uses signs or dreams to deal with most of His children, it is not at all the time. The devil manipulates signs and dreams. So, we should not be ignorant of his devices.

Praying of hanky-panky: Hankypanky has to do with a behavior that is not considered correct or acceptable, especially involving sexual activities or opposite sex relationship.

It is an intentional delay in proposal, especially when a person is sure that she is loved, and that God sanctions her relationship with a man. In order words, when a young woman is sure of the man who is coming to her for marriage as husband and purposely wants or wishes to dribble him, it is an act of hanky-panky.

When a man approaches you for marriage and you know that he is not the right person for you, you do not have to shun him or insult him, or try to use him as a waiter or a coverage until the right person comes. Kindly and respectfully talk to him. Appreciate him for his attempt, boldness and his love for considering you worthy to make a good wife and then admonish and pray with him for his real wife before dismissing him. This is honour-

able and Christian-like.

The agony of playing hanky-panky Instability in marriage proposal and acceptance causes a lot of havoc before, during and after the process.

The perfect will of God does not accommodate it. Hanky-panky acts are acts of confusion, insincerity and lack of the leadership the Holy Spirit.

It fosters: A break-down in divine relationship Lack of concentration in prayers Total distraction Emotional upset Lack of effective marriage planning Lack of coverage of vital issues, and secrets consideration and acts Cheap, free and insincere love Sentimental and fearful relationship Lust of the flesh and of the eyes Lack of physical, spiritual, social and economic commitment A loop-hole for satanic penetration So, when a young person has a strong desire to go into marriage, and prays to stay off regrets, he or she should avoid these errors in pre-marital relationship. They engender strife, acrimony and long lasting marital conflicts.

You can worship with us @ Word of Faith Int’l Church. No. 66 Ohanku Road , Aba.

The mystery of anxiety

with

read a story about a 95 years old woman at a nursery home. One day she received a visit from one of her fellow church members who asked her, “How are you feeling? Oh1, said the old lady, “I am just worried sick!” Her visitor asked her, “What are you worried about dear? “You look rather well and healthy today. Are they taking care of you here?” “Oh! Yes, they are taking very good care of me, she replied.

Are you in pain? Her visitor asked her again “No, I am not in any pain at all.

Her visitor asked her, “Well then, what are you worried about? The 95 years old woman leaned back in her rocking chair, sighed a heavy sigh, then slowly explained her major worry. She said, every close friend I ever had, are dead already and gone to heaven. I am afraid and worried that they are all wondering where I went.

There are at least seven reasons why worries are counterproductive: Worry wastes time that could be spent in better ways. It focuses on the problem not the solution. It causes us to assume responsibility that belongs to only God. It paralyses us with fear. It saps our joy. It drains our energy. It keeps us side tracked when we could be doing God’s will.

Anxiety is a negative insight in tomorrow’s problem. When you allow anxiety and worry in your life, you have openly invited fear. Fear

Faith

has torments. Faith and fear are enemies and cannot co-exist. Anxiety celebrates today’s problems to complicate tomorrow’s challenges. Worries and anxieties are therefore enemies to success and good health.

In the book of 1st Peter 5:8, the word of God said, “Be sober and vigilant, because your adversary the Devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom to devour.” In the light of the above discussion, what the devil actually does is to announce and advertise his presence and intension, by roaring and terrorising the environment of his victim. Without touching his victim, they begin to die many times, with fear, anxiety, tension and worries. If the devil succeeds in planting fear in your heart and mind, then he has you before he gets near you.

Do not worry about the past because the past is history. Do not worry about the future, because the future is mystery. Be more concerned about today that is why it is called “present.”

Worry is interest paid on trouble that never happened. The book of Philippians says, “Be anxious for nothing “worry and anxiety is a passage of a vote of no confidence on God. You are telling God that he is not able of keeping his promises.

Most women praying for the fruit of the womb in anxiety and curiosity will go to every good, bad and ugly

place seeking the solution to their problem. They will go to native doctors, witch doctors, orthodox doctors and homeopathic doctors. They will go to demonic false prophets and occult alters. After drinking series of occultic concoctions and over dose of drugs, they will develop more complications in their wombs and hormones to the extent that their health will be in danger.

At that point they will go back and be ready to wait for his appointed time. Wait for God’s appointed time. His promises in Christ are yea and amen. He is well able to fulfil all His promises to you.

He is well able to fulfil all his promise to you. Some unmarried boys and girls of marriageable age, will not also wait for God’s appointed because of anxiety and curiosity, they rush into marriage outside the will of God. Quickly as it turns our sore, bitter and hellish they rush out, and start waiting for God’s time and the fulfilment of his promises.

Many out of anxiety and impatience have entered into wrong businesses, wrong courses of study in the universities and wrong profession, with the incidental consequences of failure and regrets. Most medical counsels to women seeking for the fruit of the womb will always be, “Relax your mind and stay one place so that the hormones responsible for conception will gather together and be in the right position to activate and expedite conception.

Because of worries and anxiety

over one issue of life or the other, many have done a lot of harm to themselves and have even gone as far as attempting suicide. Many have developed many sicknesses like hypertension or high blood pressure and other general Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Many have also rushed themselves to untimely death, while a whole lot of others have become mentally and psychologically shattered. Do not kill yourself for nothing, wait patiently on the Lord. In his own appointed time, he will surely visit you at the point of your need. Remember, “He that spared not his son own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things,” Romans 8:32.

Better days are coming. Success is like a road, when you reach your climax or destination you wait for others. One little boy of about eight years old told his father to buy him football; his father agreed and said, “I will buy it for you next tomorrow.

The following day, this boy went to his father carrying and saying “Daddy I want the football today.

He disturbed,, begged, boarded and wearied his father with his incessant demand for football that his father rebuked him and threatened to flog him. Is it not likely that when we faithlessly and impatiently bog and disturb God’s ears with a particular thing which he has already promised to give us, he may get disgusted and even rebuke us?

T here is an evil spirit behind anxiety and worry. When it comes,

it attacks the faith of the believer, and makes hi to forget the promises of God regarding his expectations.

Believe God for your miracles. You can overcome your worries, because the Bible says, “When you pass through the water, I will be with you, when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned neither shall the flame kindle upon thee, Isaiah 43:2.

You can overcome your worries, because the Almighty God, the uncreated creator of heaven and earth is your father. He is ultra powerful, Omnipotent, omniscience, Omnipresent and all sufficient. He has given you the license to call on him at all times, especially in times of trouble. He said thus: “Call unto me, I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 3 3: 3. You c an overcome your worries because he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways-Psalm 91:11.You c an overcome your worries because you are covered by the precious blood of Jesus. You can overcome your worries because you have the favour of G od upon you life, and the divine power of attorney to use his name. Thus the word of God says, 2And in that day, you shall ask me nothing, verily, verily, I say unto you, whatever you shall ask the father in my name, he will give it to you.- John 16:2 3.

42

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 4, 2014

Sermon & Faith

Your dark hour

“When thou passest through the waters…; and through the rivers…: when thou walkest through the fire...”

Is 43:2

I

n life, everyone, be it man or woman has his or her dark hour. For whosoever that is born of a woman, there is the dark hour. The number or caliber of prophets you have encountered notwithstanding; everyone at one point in time will come face to face with his/her own dark hour. Following the scripture above, ‘when thou passest through the waters…’, is not a conditional statement, in other words, it is not tied to any condition rather, it is subject to time. This means that at a certain time, you will pass through rivers and high waters; at a particular time, you will pass through fire. The good news, however, is that in all these, God will always be there to deliver and see you through.

When you are in your dark hour, the way and manner you receive it will determine whether you will see or get to your promised land. For some, this is when they see God as being wicked and not worthy being served ( just because of a surmountable challenge). Even Jesus Christ, the King of kings, Prince of peace and Lord of lords had to face His own dark hour.

“And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead

him away safely. 45And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.

46And they laid their hands on him, and took him. 47And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 48And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? 49I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. 50And they all forsook him, and fled.” Mark 14:44-50 In His own dark hour, there was no one left with Him, all His disciples fled when He was arrested by the Roman soldiers.

They must have reasoned within themselves that if Jesus could be arrested so what then remains of their fate? These are people for whom Christ would leave the earthly ministry after He must have completed His assignment on earth. How erroneous it is to adjudge one’s loyalty when the going is good. When things are smooth for you, you never may have the opportunity to know who really loves or cares about you.

“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” Job 14:1 It is not strange when your friends or acquaintances forsake you during hard times, no one will stand by you in time of trouble. There is a time when you even think God has forsaken you, when everything seems to be working against the prophecy you have heard, against the dreams you have. There comes a time when things you are seeing are working contrary to what God seems to promise you and you begin to wonder if God ac-

WORD OF LIFE by

Moses Kattey Tel: 08087707486, Email: moseskattey@yahoo.co.uk

D

emons perch on sins as flies perch on dirt Sin is sin, no matter the type. Three types of sins of interest here include: The sins you committed against God The sins committed against fellow human beings or institutions The sins others committed that hurt you In anyone’s life, these types of sins might exist and serve as ground for the devil to perch on.

When the sins no more exist, demons have nothing to perch or hold onto again, so they leave.

(Sins committed against God and man) can be taken care of by confession and in some rare cases by restitution, if led by God to do so.

(Sins committed against you or other people’s sins which affect your life) and can only be taken care of by you consciously, deliberately and willingly forgiving your offender.

Except this is done, the sin remains in your own life and the demons perch on them. Those who offended you might have repented, and have asked God to forgive them without recourse to you. But until you, who were hurt by these sins forgive, they remain sins in your

own life. That Head of State has died, yet you say you will not forgive him. The other person may not even know he has offended you, yet you say you will never forgive him/ her. That other person has refused to ask you for forgiveness and is in fact boasting much of the evil he/ she did to you.

I forgive for my own good, not necessarily for the sake of others. I mean the one, not necessarily them that benefit more from the forgiveness I offer them.

Whether the offender realises it or not, whether they see the need to ask for forgiveness or not and whether they accept, appreciate or come back to me or not I forgive them for my good. That is what the devil has nothing in my life to hold unto, and nothing to perch on.

I might look foolish or weak in their eyes, but for my own good I forgive.

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh and he hath nothing in me – John 14:30 Living Bible puts it this way: I don’t have much more time to talk to you, for the evil prince of this world approaches. He has no power over me.

To the best of my ability and by

tually made a mistake when He showed you that glorious end. But you must also remember that scripture that says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me…” Know it that you are going to pass through turbulent times, but the consolation you have is that His presence is guaranteed.

Looking through the scriptures, there was never an allusion that you would pass through the fire, water or even the shadow of death with your friends, so why are you complaining of being alone.

The journey of life is a solitary one, your only companion is the Holy Spirit. Every man, woman, boy or girl will pass through his or her dark hour at one time or the other. The friends that are very close to you will say some things that will le ave you speechless. When you nee d people the most, that is when they wil l deny and desert you, but this is not unexpected. It is just normal for them to le ave you, they can’t be there bec ause they are not G od.

In fact, when people don’t disappoint me that is when I am disappointe d.

Being alone does not me an you have been forsaken. “ W h e n sh e s aw Pe te r wa r m i n g himself, she looke d closely at him.

“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. But he denie d it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said

to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galile an.” He began to c all down curses on himself, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”

Mark 14:67-7 1 (NIV ) Jesus was alone for some time but His be ing alone brought sons and daughters to Him. Therefore, something great, a miracle is coming out of your being alone too in Jesus name.

G od is working out something gre at from your being alone. Your being alone is going to trigger some miracles. Human elasticity has its limits and this is applicable to even your fr iends and people around you especially during your trying times, your dark hour. Pe ter could not be ‘the fortress’ Jesus could rely on, he denied his Master on many grounds.

Until you are in your dark hour when you are lonely, you c annot le arn basic secrets or lessons of life. In other words, your dark hour, that lonely period is a le arning period. …to be continued .

I know you have been blessed .

Write and share your testimonies , comments, etc ., with me.

Rev’d Femi Akinola – The Hebrews International , L ekki , L agos.

But why do I forgive? the special grace of God, I ensure that I dispose of all the sins inside me, especially the sins of others that hurt me, by forgiving all my offenders. By this way, the Lord ensures that the devil has nothing in me to hold unto, had nothing in me to perch on, and therefore has no power over me. It is simply for my good, irrespective of what the enemies or offenders do or feel about it. Once I tell them that I have forgiven them and reverse the decisions I took when the offence was committed or when I was hurt, I am free. It is left with them to settle it with God. For we know him that saith, vengeance belongeth unto me, I will repay, saith the Lord. And again the Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Heb. 10:30,31).

Living Bible puts it this way: For we know Him who said “justice belongs to me, I will repay them,” who also said, “The Lord Himself will handle those cases (Heb. 10:30,31).

If God remembers what they have done to me and punishes them tomorrow, it is not because I asked Him to do so, but because He is a God of justice. Even then, I do not have cause to glory for their punishment, for this will negate my purpose of forgiving them. If God does that tomorrow, it is because of the law of sowing and reaping.

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease

(Gen. 28:22).

When I forgive, and reverse every decision or curse, if anything still happens, it is not because I desire it or prayed for it but the scripture has to be fulfilled.

Do nor be deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting (Galatians 6:7).

Let’s be careful, for everybody involved in a crisis is sowing and therefore must reap what he/she sows, if the word of God is true.

Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner do evil and hundred times and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with hem that fear God, which fear before him. But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow because he feareth not before God (Eccl.

8:12-13).

It is not your duty to implement the word of God, nor to help anybody reap what he has sown.

It is your duty to forgive completely, and not to monitor what happens to those who hurt you.

Don’t ‘face’ the enemy again Unforgiveness takes me backward. Many years ago, especially the early 90s, I was greatly offended. The attack was much

on me. It came to a point that I employed the services of a lawyer who wrote letters to those hurting me. I really planned to take them to court.

One day as I sat on my chair contemplating on what I was about to do on this matter, I felt into a trance. I saw myself far ahead of my distracters, but suddenly I turned back to ‘face’ them.

I said, “let me face them,” and turned backward to meet them behind me.

Immediately, I realised a voice that spoke inside me: Facing them means turning backward to meet them. Eventually, you will settle as fellow ministers, and move forward in a group together. You will not be ahead of them again.

I realised that the Lord was telling me to forgive them and continue ahead of them. Fighting or facing them stops progress.

Nobody or country develops or grows in wartime. I decided not to ‘face’ them again. I instructed my lawyer to forget about the case. I forgave them and no one of them is ahead of me. They may have all the money, houses etc but I know that I am far ahead of them and they cannot even meet me, neither will their children meet my children in life. Why? Because the children of those you forgive eventually line up behind your children. This is one more reason I forgive.

Worship with us at Commonwealth Covenant Church, Eleme, Rivers State

44

MAY 04, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Body&Soul

Get a stylish waistcoat

Vanessa Okwara

M

ore often, designers showcase blazers, bow ties, trousers, flat caps and more on the runways, but very few have displayed waistcoats.

The waistcoat is one piece of clothing that once mastered, can bring a whole new dimension to your look.

When worn well, a waistcoat can serve you the same way a suit does -define your your masculinity quite well. It assists you in maintaining a more streamlined and tidy look. The waistcoat hides a fat gut and when you go out for lunch, it makes you not to eat too much because it has no space for expanding tummies.

Moreover, women notice a man

who pays attention to details in terms of dressing and the waistcoat certainly does that. It also adds class to an otherwise casual look.

There are many styles available and the classy man chooses how he wears it.

Like every other piece of clothing for men, there are certain rules that must be adhered to.

1.

Make sure it fits nicely around the shoulders and under the arms. Before you buy, try it on to make sure it fits.

2.

You may button it up completely or leave one bottom undone. Nothing looks more lazy or sloppy than a waistcoat left to flap about in the wind. A fastened and fitted waistcoat always look great when paired with smart

shirt and tie.

3.

Try your best not to look like a waiter. Go for seasonal materials such as tweed/corduroy or cotton/whipcord and avoid any fabric with a shiny polyester appearance or any unnecessary details such as fancy lining.

4. The waistcoat that comes with a suit or one that is an alternative to a suit is the best.

This way you can guarantee it will have a high quality of tailoring and it gives you the option of wearing it as part of a three-piece if you so desire. Some of these waistcoat come with lapels of their own, which when worn without a jacket, can add a really nice formal touch to a look.

45

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 04, 2014

Body&Soul

I can’t cope with two wives, says Hafiz Oyetoro (Saka)

He is popularly known as simply Saka but his real name is Hafiz Oyetoro. In this interview with BAYO ADEOYE the popular actor and his wife, Olaide, revealed the secret of their 11-year-old marriage

I understand you met your wife in school. Tell us how it happened?

Hafiz: Yes, she was a final year student of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education where I am a lecturer. She came to the school to submit her final year project. I was with a friend who knew her. I begged my friend to facilitate our meeting because I loved her at the first sight.

Olaide: I believe it was God that brought us together. When he approached me at first, I refused his request but I later discovered that he is a good man, religious and well behaved.

How long did it take before you eventually got married?

Hafiz: It took me a year. I was ready but she was not, she gave me a tough time for almost six months before she finally accepted. As a matter of fact, my friend had to persuade her to accept my proposal.

Olaide: I did not give him a tough time. I only took my time to study him. I was well brought up and we don’t jump into marriage where I come from.

So, did he propose in a romantic way?

Olaide: (Laughter) Romantic ke? There were no flowers or candles when he proposed; he only said ‘I want to marry you’. But I told him I was not ready for marriage because I wante d to pursue a d e gree pro-

gramme; he accepted and even bought me the entry form.

Hafiz: She had said no at first but after my friend’s intervention, she agreed and took me to her guardian and that settled it.

And since I married her I have never had any regret. It has been from one level of progress to the other. I married her into a room and parlour apartment before we moved into the college staff quarters. Very soon insha Allahu we will move into our personal home. I thank God for giving me this woman as wife.

Olaide: I believe women should pray very well before getting into marriage. It is God that chooses for people and He is the one who chose Hafiz for me.

What are those things you don’t like about him?

Olaide: He gets angry and storms out of the house.

At such times, I stay in the room and pray for God to take control.

Hafiz: She is a little stubborn. Sometimes, I would express my dislike for certain things but as a woman, she would want to stand by her point. At such times, I would walk out of the house because I love her. I would have to go out so that my anger can burn itself out. I would not want to say something that will hurt her. She has been there and taking care of my house. I cannot stay back home and say painful things because of a little misunderstanding.

When you married him he was not this rich…

Olaide: (Cuts) He has never been poor. He was not as rich as though, one has to reach a phase in life.

I thank God for giving him to me.

As a Muslim, your religion allows you to marry as many wives as you wish.

Would you want to marry a second wife?

Hafiz: Second wife? That is not for me. I have three children; I have my job and my good and beautiful wife. I can’t cope with two wives.

Is he romantic?

Olaide: Yes he is romantic and artistic. He sings for me sometimes.

Hafiz: I am not a good singer actually. I sing for her whenever I offend her despite my croaky voice. It has been fun all the way. There is no marriage without disagreement, without that the marriage would not be realistic. Most of the misunderstandings we have in the house are everyday friendly disagreements.

Do you have pet names for each other?

Haf iz: I call her Olomi.

Olaide: I call him Oye, which is the short form of his name.

How do you handle female fans?

Hafiz: As I tell people my fans love Saka, not Hafiz.

Saka is that funny actor while Hafiz is a strict and disciplined lecturer.

46

MAY 04, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Body&Soul

Hajiya Jummai Aliyu’s penchant for charity

with

Bayo Adeoye 08032016869

bayoolunla@yahoo.com

Sir Gabriel Igbinedion spoils wife with $240,000 car

H

ajiya Jummai Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu is conservative in nature and is always moderately dressed. Hajiya Jummai, who is the wife of Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, maybe mistaken her for an introvert because she hardly talks in public.

Unlike most first ladies who wield enormous powers, Hajiya Jummai sees herself more like a mother than a power broker.

A holder of a Bachelor of Education degree from University of Abuja, Hajiya Jummai chooses to go for charity and the rehabilitation of women, children, widows and people with disability, hence the establishment of ‘Life Rehab’ as her pet project in the state.

Nigeria designers storm second African Fashion Show

T

op Nigerian designers are expected to showcase their stuff at the second edition of Africa Fashion Show Geneva. The event, organised by Crucible Events and Planners, an events management group in Geneva, will be holding this month.

Following the success of the first edition of AFSG held in June 2013, this year’s show will be held at the Château des Penthes, one of Geneva’s most prestigious venues, alongside the ‘Here Africa’ art exhibi-

tion organised by Art for the World.

Africa Fashion Show Geneva, which aims to showcase and celebrate Africa’s diverse fashion talent and cultural heritage, will feature designs from Africa’s brightest talents including Cy’MUN (Cynthia Mnwangari, Burundi), Manye Styles (Gifty Kpentey, Ghana), A la Pointe du Caftan (Samira el Mouhssine et Said Mahmoudi, Morocco), Ahdookeh (Morenikeji Fatai Agoro, Nigeria), Baldon Clothiers

Odogbolu agog as Diya celebrates 70th birthday

T

he usually sleepy town of Odogbolu, Ogun State came alive yesterday Saturday, May 3, as Nigeria’s former Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Donaldson Oladipo Diya celebrated his 70th birthday The event began with a thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Odogbolu.

It was then followed by a grand reception at Diya’ private residence, Tanimowo Villa. A lot of prominent dignitaries were in attendance at the event.

(Adedoyin Balogun, Nigeria) and Malleni Designs (Peace Malleni, Uganda), amongst others.

“The Africa Fashion Show Geneva aims not only to promote cultural exchange and encourage a positive narrative about Africa, but also to utilise the power of innovative, creative solutions – including art, fashion, music and dance – to create awareness of African excellence in the world,” said Tayo Omotola, CEO of Crucible Events.

Taking place over two days, the event will commence with a runway fashion show on May 30, 2014 at Château des Penthes and culminate in an exclusive gala evening on May 31, 2014 at the Mandarin Ori-

ental Hotel, Geneva.

Alongside an exclusive runway show, the gala event will also feature live performances by Nigerian rap and hip-hop artiste, Babatunde, and US-based Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, producer, and emcee Maimouna “Mumu Fresh” Youssef.

The event is set to host distinguished guests of the Genève International, the diplomatic and UN community, Mr. such as Michael Moller, Acting DG United Nations Office in Geneva; Mrs Anja Loetscher, Director, Geneva Convention & Visitors Bureau; as well as African Ambassadors in Geneva and leading names in Swiss business, media and fashion.

T

he Esama of Benin, Sir Gabriel Igbinedion, will stop at nothing to prove that he is indeed a man of wealth, good taste and affluence. He made this known recently when he splashed a whopping $240, 000 on a Bentley Continental GT convertible 2013 model for his wife, Lady Cherry Igbinedion, as a birthday gift.

Lady Cherry, Celeb Lounge learnt, clocked 62 on Sunday, April 13, and so the wealthy man surprised his wife with the mouth- watering stateof- art car.

Also, as part of the birthday package, the Esama took her on a journey to their London home where he presented the gift during a private party.

About Chime’s next ambition

H

aving spent his statutory two terms as governor of Enugu State, Governor Sullivan Chime, reliable sources say, is desirous of going to the Senate to continue his political career.

Celeb Lounge gathered that his senatorial ambition is no longer news to his political associates and close allies as he is said to have secretly intimated them about the move.

Our sources further informed us that the governor is covertly putting every machinery in motion to ensure he succeeds in his bid to represent Enugu West senatorial district in the Senate .

Folorunsho Alakija’s Rose of Sharon celebrates

T

he richest black woman in the world and chairman of FAMFA Oil, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, will be celebrating the sixth year anniversary of her foundation, Rose Of Sharon, a non- governmental organisation she set up to cater for widows and their children.

Celeb Lounge gathered that the billionaire would be celebrating the anniversary with thousands of widows across the country on May 23. Since inception, Rose of Sharon Foundation has assisted over 5000 widows and also paid the school fees of many orphans.

Rose of Sharon has wife of Lagos State governor’s wife, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, as its grand matron; Mr. Modupe Alakija as the chairman; and Folorunsho Alakija, Mrs. Gladys Ifeozo, Mrs. Esther Tinuke Osho, Mrs. Stella Awoh on its board.

47

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 04, 2014

Body&Soul

Mike Adenuga the peacemaker M

any don’t know that apart from being a guru in business, Chairman of Globacom, Mike Adenuga, is a peace broker. He had brokered peace between his friends, business partners and celebrities. His peace moves were not reported on the pages of newspapers until recently when the war between the singing twin, PSquare, came to a halt all of a sudden.

A source revealed to Celeb Lounge that the dispute was resolved by the business guru.

According to the source, Otunba Adenuga gave PSquare the marching orders when it became obvious that things were getting messier

with

by the day.

The source said that Otunba Adenuga, through a letter, told the twins to get their acts together or risk being kicked off the Globacom ambassadorial list.

The letter said Globacom signe d a deal with PSquare and not Peter or Paul. The letter further told them to resolve all crisis as their drama was becoming an embarrassment to Glo’s corporate image.

I

neasy lies the head that wears the crown, goes the saying. This can simply fit into what the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Folashade TinubuOjo, is currently experiencing. Months after assuming office as the market leader, she has realised that the postion has its challenges. Stakeholders have been criticising her actions and inactions.

She was recently accused of demanding money from traders at Iponri Market before re-opening the market which she had earlier closed down.

She reacted, via a statement from her media consultant, Gboyega Akosile, that the allegation was false.

Despite this, the lady remains calm and unruffled as she continues with her job.

When Godsday Orubebe turned motivational speaker

F

mer minister stated this at the recently held April edition held inside the church’s expansive hall. Elder Orubebe, while delivering his welcome address, admonished the congregation to always seek the face of God. He said, “On behalf of my wife and management of Glory Sanctuary Christian Centre, I welcome you all to a night of testimonies. I appreciate all partners and pas-

08032016869

bayoolunla@yahoo.com

House of Tara hosts first make up in Nigeria conference

Folashade Tinubu-Ojo’s many challenges U

ormer Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, recently turned a motivational speaker at the April edition of Glory Sanctuary Christian Centre Holy Ghost service, Warri in Delta State.

The top politician urged Nigerians to pray and ask God to reveal His purpose concerning their individual lives, as failure to do so might lead to huge failure. The for-

Bayo Adeoye

tors for their support so far in this vision of God.” At the all-night service, prayers were offered for President Goodluck Jonathan, the Niger Delta and Delta State while several gospel artistes led the congregation in praise and worship.

Peace Maker and his Band and several others thrilled, worshipers with gospel tunes.

t was a convergence of industry leaders in the first ever make up in Nigeria conference (MINC) which held at Oriental Hotel Lagos on April 30, 2014 and hosted by House of Tara International.

The event saw a large crowd of ladies and men from all over the federation who have passion for the makeup business come together under one umbrella for a learning experience and to build and equip the nation’s next set of pioneers and innovators in the beauty sector.

Speaking at the event, the host of the First Makeup in Nigeria Conference (MINC) Mrs. Tara Fela-Durotoye, CEO of House of Tara said, “We are focused on opening up the space for expansion and growth and we are also passionate about connecting entrepreneurs with opportunities. We are excited to host this conference.” She also said they underestimated the number of makeup artists in the country that would be interested in the conference and were quite shocked at the crowd that showed eagerness to register and

learn from t h e leaders in

the beauty industry invited for the sector.

Makeup in Nigeria conference had professionals from different parts of the world who came to share their wealth of experience in the beauty world. They include Lola Maja- Okojevoh, Mr. Idy Enang, Mr. Obi Asika, Mr. Bayo Babalola Haastrup, Mrs. Bimpe Onakoya,Khuraira Musa from the USA, Mrs. Joy Adenuga from London and Mrs. Buntricia Bastian from the United States.

Other notable trail blazers in the industry who graced the occasion were Chief Opral Benson, Alhaja Tejuosho and Alhaja Kuddy Cosmetics.

48

DIY on the GO

Body&Soul

Caring for your clothes

Abimbola Sodeke

C

aring for your clothes will make them last longer.

Protect the fabric, and it will always look nice.

To keep your fabrics from wear and tear, bear the following in mind:

1. Hang your clothes on good cloth hangers. Don’t dump dirty clothes on the floor, keep in the hamper.

2. Don’t stain your clothes.

While eating, hold the napkin between your shirt or blouse and the food.

3. Dab ice water onto food stains immediately, so it does not set. Do not rub.

4. Wash your clothes often.

Give gentle wash cycle for delicate clothes. Do not use liquid bleach in the wash, separate coloured clothes from whites.

Pure soap with (baking) soda is much better, safer and more environmentally friendly to the health than bleach. Chemical bleaches are extremely dangerous to your health, and do not properly wash your clothes clean.

5. Dryers wear out your clothes and fade their colours more quickly than sunlight.

Drying in sunlight or in the open air is also a much healthier way of drying your clothes - sunlight is a natural disinfectant. Try drying your clothes on cloth-racks if the weather is not good, and ironing them when still slightly damp. Much better, for your clothes and for the environment.

If you must use a dryer, set it to ‘warm’ and make sure you do not leave the dryer on, longer than necessary.

6. Remove the clothes from the dryer and hang them im-

mediately. Button the top button on shirts, and hang blouses neatly on the hanger.

Smooth the fabric with your hand, so as to avoid wrinkles.

Iron out any wrinkles.

7. Fold all other garments neatly and place in the wardrobe.

8. Hang your clothes in the wardrobe, and make sure they are crowded or pack together.

They need breathing room or they will become all wrinkled and slip off the hangers.

9. Padded hangers might be costly. If you have heavy or delicate fabrics that could get stretched out of shape, pad the hangers yourself with a few layers of tissue paper, old socks, etc.

10. Don’t squeeze your fabric to avoid wrinkles and slack.

MAY 04, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

MAY 04, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Wine & Dine

The world in your glass 1

Biwom Iklaki

G

oing wine tasting is a charming way to spend a day or a weekend. It is so enjoyable, in fact, wine tasting has become a vocation in itself.

Wine tourism has done so well that many wineries around the world now provide tasting rooms with spectacular views of their vineyards, wine tasting dinners and tours of their cellars and vineyards.

Most wine enthusiasts would agree that wine is a beautiful thing. It is a perfect complement to a meal, and a great way to unwind after a hard day at work or for celebrations. During relaxing vacations, imagine lingering over a glass while watching the sun dip below rolling hills of vineyards.

Now imagine doing it every day for a week or longer. Wine regions like Napa and Sonoma counties in California and Bordeaux and Burgundy in France are well-known tasting destinations. More recently, however, many more areas around the United States, Canada, Australia and South Africa have come into their own as wine tasting destinations. Before you pack your bags and go traipsing down grape valleys, read -this week-, about one of the five basic wines one must know:

Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon is touted as being one of the most popular red wines that ever was. Originating in Bordeaux, France, in the 17th Century, Cabernet Sauvignon is now found in every major wine-producing country in the world, including Canada, Australia, the U.S., Chile, and Italy.

This bold wine is made from a pairing of the Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc grapes, and once it has aged (at least 10 to 15 years), it boasts an oak-y aroma that often hides hints of coffee, chocolate, leather, and tobacco. Younger Cabernets (aged 3 to 7 years) have a lighter, fruitier smell and taste with aromas of cranberry, raspberry and plum swirling in the bowl of your glass.

So, whether you like your red wine woody and earthy or fruity and floral, this wine often referred to as the ‘king of red wines’ will surely make a welcome addition to your wine rack and table.

Best paired with: Aged Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold wine that tends to overwhelm light dishes. It is best savoured with red meat dishes, like steak and lamb, heavy cream dishes, and dark chocolate desserts.

Younger Cabernet Sauvignons are best paired with pork, veal, poultry, pasta, and light cheeses.

49

Body&Soul

50

MAY 04, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Body&Soul

Beads vogue

Biwom Iklaki

M

any women look forward to braiding their daughters’ hair.

Hairdressers are are aware of this, so some of them set up salons strictly for children. Interestingly, one may have to book ahead or you may not have a chance to make you baby’s hair.

In kiddies salons, children of all ages can be found, some crying, in one stage of hair decoration or another. When they are done braiding, they decorate with beads and ribbons. Many boutiques and shops for kids have special displays for beads and ribbons.

For children who are in school, most schools have specifications

for using beads. Some insist on their school colours while others are more particular about a uniform style for every week. However, you will hardly know of these restrictions when you enter a salon for kids as almost all of them are wearing beads!

ICT World Impact of computer use on children’s development p.59

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

www.newtelegraphonline.com/politics

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

MAY 4, 2014

Market and Malls SON DG to Aspanda: Produce auto parts p.57

51

Business AZUBIKE NNADOZIE, ASSISTANT Editor, SUNDAY

azubike.nnadozie@newtelegraphonline.com

ON SUNDAY

Shell blames profit slide on insecurity R Azubike Nnadozie

oyal Dutch Shell has announced a 45 per cent decline in its first-quarter earnings compared with a year earlier, blaming continued security problems in Nigeria and a governmentordered reduction of gas output in the Netherlands for the decline.

The company said, however, that

production had started at its giant Majnoon field in Iraq.

A statement issued from its headquarters at the Hague says it earned $4.5 billion for the quarter compared to $8.2 billion a year earlier.

Shell’s exploration and production business reported a slight increase in earnings, as the company’s strong natural gas business performed well, while marketing and

refining fell.

It said production fell sharply and the company took a large write-off on its refining business.

Shell’s chief executive, Ben van Beurden, said he plans closings and sales in the refining business as he tries to push Shell to a higher level of profitability.

Recent reports show that Shell, along with other companies in

the industry is struggling to make money in products like diesel and gasoline refined from oil at plants in Europe as a result of weak demand and a glut in refining capacity.

He said Asia has also become a difficult market because so many refineries have been built.

Shell said that it was completely writing off the value of its Bukom refinery in Singapore.

“I am determined to improve our competitiveness and to adapt the company to respond to changes in the industry landscape,” van Beurden said in a statement.

Shell had previously announced the sale of its Australian refining and marketing business to Vitol, a trading house, for $2.6 billion.

It is also selling marketing and refining units in Denmark and Italy and said Wednesday that it was considering disposals in Norway.

Mr van Beurden also said that marketing and refining and chemicals had the potential to earn 10 per cent to 12 per cent returns on average capital employed, an oft- used industry metric. He said that was more than double current levels.

But overall, Shell’s return on average capital employed fell to just 6.1 per cent, compared to 13 per cent a year earlier, the company said.

The largest earnings impact came from $2.9 billion in write-downs, mostly on the value of Shell’s marketing and refining units in Europe and Asia. Excluding those large onetime factors, earnings were $7.3 billion, down 3 per cent from the same period in 2013.

Inside

L-R: Second Vice President, Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), Mr. Lampe Omoyele; Managing Director, Towncriers Limited, Mr. Kayode Olagesin; President, ADVAN, Mr Kola Oyeyemi; Chief Executive Officer, Proximity Universal Marketing, Mr. Rotimi Olaniyan, and Executive Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Onyekachi Onubogu, during a courtesy visit to the association’s office in Lagos

GDP rebasing is about getting policies right - Okonjo-Iweala Kenneth Tyohemba Abuja

C

oordinating Minister of the economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala has explained that the recent rebasing of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was carried out in order to get Nigeria’s economic policies right.

The nation’s economic managers have come under strong criticism since the rebasing of the Nigeria’s GDP which pushed the economy to be the largest in Africa and the 26th largest economy in the world.

Okonjo-Iweala who spoke in Abuja against the backdrop of criticisms trailing the rebasing of the economy, regretted that some sections of the country are seeing the action as government attempt to score a cheap political point.

Speaking at a forum organised by the Kukah Centre in Abuja, with the theme, ‘Nigeria’s GDP Rebasing, Issues, Facts and Fiction’ OkonjoIweala stated that GDP rebasing is supposed to be carried out every five years, but however regretted that Nigeria did not embark on the rebasing of its economy in the last 24 years.

She stated that the purpose of rebasing GDP was to capture diverse and dynamic aspects of the country’s economy that were neglected.

She further emphasized that GDP rebase was not intended to make Nigeria the largest growing economy in the world, but was done to know the size of the country’s economy by capturing new economic sectors and reducing more focus on oil.

“When the exercise was going on we did not intend to make our economy to be the largest, but

when we arrived at the figure, cynics started criticizing, but the fact is that Nigeria’s economy is on the rise”, she stated.

According to the minister the new results of the Nigeria’s GDP which were validated by a panel of local academic experts saw an increase from N42.4 trillion to N80.2 trillion, ranking Nigeria 26th largest economy in the world, and the largest in Africa.

The minister further stated that “the structure of Nigeria’s economy has changed significantly since 1990 due to the rapid growth of and emergence of sectors such as telecommunications and the movie/entertainment industry (Nollywood)”.

Also speaking, the Statistician General, Dr Yemi Kare said GDP should not be mistaken for economic growth, nor does it eradicate poverty.

Kare stated that “from the available figure, it can be deduced that producers in the country are producing more, and people are buying more, which means they are earning more; this is an indication that the economy is growing”.

In a remark, the Founder of Kukah Centre, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, while appreciating the presence of the minister, also applauded her for her sound economic policies and enjoined her never to merge economic policies with politics.

Bishop Kukah also expressed worry over the abduction of the Chibok school girls and the Abuja bombings. While calling on Nigerians to be steady fast in prayers, he added that the worst of time can also be “the best of time if we can have the confidence to start fixing our economy with right policies.”

Jonathan

Jonathan to commission maritime university, shipyard pg 42

Akintunde

Nigerian media must innovate or die

pg 56

52

MAY 4, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Business / News

Insurgency takes toll as companies’ post poor returns Azubike Nnadozie

A

s a result of security threat to their operations posed by the Boko Haram insurgency, major providers of telecom services in the country in September 2012 threatened to withdraw their services from the North.

Their threat was hinged on the spate of attacks on their base stations which made them to lose over N1.03bn as at the time. The attack at the time was targeted at their base stations in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi and Gombe states.

Today, the virus has spread to other sectors of the economy with

the manufacturing sector experiencing a huge decline in revenue.

According to analysts, insurgency in the northern part of the country has begun to eat into the top line of some companies whose operations and/or distribution are affected.

A recent investment guide issued by Meristem shows that the Food and Beverage sector (FBS) has been somewhat affected by the insecurity challenges in the northern part of the country.

“Companies within the sector have had their top line affected (depending on their level of exposure) in the last one year. Nestle

for instance announced in H1:2013 that the insecurity concerns was affecting their northern operation; the aftermath of which brought about a slower 2013FY turnover growth of 14.03% (lowest in 6 years) relative to 5-year average growth of 20.95% while 2014Q1 turnover also grew only by 8.89%,” it stated.

The group stated that whilst Cadbury was able to sustain modest turnover (6.59%) and fantastic earnings growth (79.79%) throughout 2013FY, the company’s decline in turnover and earnings by 17.24% and 29.41% suggest that Northern market exposure plus the company’s laxity in route to market may be

having a strong grip on operations.

In another instance, while Dangsugar also has significant exposure to the northern market, volume sales surged by 23% though revenue declined by 3.48% owing to moderation in international price of sugar which was effectively passed through to customers.

“It is our opinion that while the northern insurgence is a drag on some Food and Beverage companies, the degree of exposure to a large extent and the strategic ingenuity of some of the companies have a major connection to driving revenue growth,” it added.

It noted that Cement Company

of Northern Nigeria Plc (CCNN) whose market area covers 6 states in the North Western region recorded 2.7% decline in Q1:2014 revenues, adding that while the unrest in the North may have affected construction activity, increased competitive activity by peers or possibly lower volumes/prices as factors that could have been responsible for the decline.

Adenuga honoured with Grand Commander of Business award

T

L-R: Category Manager, Deodorant and Skin Care, Unilever Nigeria Plc, James Inglesby; Manager, Skin Care, Mojirola Emelideme; and Marketing Director, Personal Care, David Okeme, at the launch of the new variants of Vaseline lotion and cream held at BNatural Beauty Spa, Ikeja, Lagos…on Friday

Jonathan to commission maritime university, shipyard Paul Ogbuokiri

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan will on Saturday, May 10 open Nigeria’s first maritime university at Kurutie, Warri Southwest Local Government Area of Delta State.

The event will be the high point of the President’s tour of facilities of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.

A statement by the Head Public Relations of NIMASA, Mr. Victor Osamgbi, said the President would tour the facilities at the temporary site of Nigeria Maritime University at Kurutie, before performing the ground-breaking of the permanent site, located at Okerenkoko, also in Warri Southwest Local Government Area of Delta State.

The statement quoted the Director-General of NIMASA, Mr. Ziakede Akpobolokemi, as saying that Jonathan will similarly perform the ground-breaking of NIMASA Dockyard and Shipyard, also sited at Okerenkoko, which are expected to build and maintain various sizes of vessels.

New Telegraph on Sunday learnt that the President would be hosted to a grand reception by the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom during the tour, as well as the people of Oporoza in Warri Southwest Local Govern-

ment Area.

Akpobolokemi said the maritime university would commence academic activities at the temporary site in Kurutie in September, adding that the institution would provide the human capacity required for the maritime sector in addition to serving as a research and knowledge centre.

“The shipyard facility will similarly complement this objective,” he further said.

Akpobolekemi stated that the dearth of skilled maritime manpower was a major reason that influenced the decision of the National Assembly to endorse the recommendation of NIMASA to establish

a maritime university.

According to him, the establishment of Nigeria Maritime University is in furtherance of NIMASA’s passion for building local capacity in the maritime sector and ultimately for the export of manpower. “The Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme has graduated 51 cadets, while 2,505 officers and ratings are undergoing various maritime academic programmes in reputable institutions in Philippines, Egypt, India, Romania and the United Kingdom,” he added.

New Telegraph on Sunday learnt that the agency had also sponsored maritime institutes in four Nigerian

universities – University of Lagos; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Niger Delta University, Amasoma, Bayelsa State; and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State, while the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron continues to enjoy funding from NIMASA even outside the statutory funding requirement as enshrined in the NIMASA Act 2007.

The NIMASA director-general said these capacity development initiatives would quicken the pace for the development of human capacity that would conveniently take over the Cabotage trade in the very near future.

Unilever launches new Vaseline brand

U

nilever Nigeria on Friday launched two new products into the rapidly growing personal care market in Nigeria– Vaseline Total Moisture and Vaseline Cocoa Glow.

The launch of Vaseline’s lotions and creams is an extension and upgrade to Unilever’s already successful and well know Vaseline brand.

This launch of the products in Nigeria for the first time will allow Unilever to become a meaningful player in the life of the Nigerian women.

According to the Marketing Director Personal Care, Mr. David Okeme;

the product is made to get the Nigerian women to fall in love with Vaseline lotions by convincing them that only the product can give soft, smooth skin all day long because only Vaseline lotions and creams have stratys-3 for multilayer moisture “Vaseline appeals to people who don’t want brands that merely seduce them with quick fixes; but they want brands that really deliver. For our target, being healthy and taking care of herself – especially her skin – is important.

She is not looking for superficial lotions, quick fixes, or products making exag-

gerated promises, she wants substantive skin care that delivers real results,” he said.

Vaseline Total Moisture is a combination of vitamins, minerals and conditioning moisturisers.

It works like a moisture multi-vitamin to replenish your skin with 100 per cent of the daily hydration and nutrient your the skin needs. This gives a person great-looking skin that feels vibrant and healthy each day.

With the product, the skin never suffers dehydration neither does it get flaky or dull.

he Chairman of Mike Adenuga Group, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. (GCON), was last weekend honoured with the award of Grand Commander of Business at the 17th City People Awards for Excellence 2014.

The award presented by the First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola, was in recognition of his outstanding business success in Nigeria and Africa.

Adenuga sits atop a chain of businesses in the telecommunications, aviation, real estate, oil and gas and other sectors. His companies include telecoms firm, Globacom, upstream oil and gas company Conoil Producing and downstream oil marketing firm, Conoil Plc. He also has massive investments in the real sector and banking.

Mrs. Fashola said, “On behalf of the organisers of the 17th City People Awards for Excellence 2014, I present the award of the Grand Commander of Business in Nigeria and Africa to Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. the chairman of Globacom.”

In his citation, the judges acknowledged Adenuga as a shining symbol of the irrepressible spirit of the quintessential African entrepreneur - passionate, committed, resilient and extremely hardworking.

“Each of his businesses in these sectors plays leadership roles, helping to set the pace and contributing to the growth of the Nigerian economy. These companies provide direct employment to thousands of Nigerians and people from the international community, as well as millions of other indirect employment,” the citation stated.

Receiving the award, Adenuga said it was a confirmation of the appreciation of the people for his contributions towards the economic development of Nigeria and Africa as a whole. He attributed his success to the help of God and thanked City People for the recognition.

Adenuga was represented by a director in Mike Adenuga Group of Companies, Mr. Niyi Adewunmi, who received the award on his behalf.

One of Adenuga’s companies, Globacom, has been conferred with at least six awards, including the Outstanding Telecoms Brand of the Decade and Telecom Company of the Year in the last three weeks.

SundayTransport 53

PAUL OGBUOKIRI,

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNRDAY

paul_ogbuokiri@newtelegraphonline.com 0802-779-0557, 08037613380

MAY 4 , 2014

New automotive policy: Nissan rolls out inaugural Nigerian car

Paul Ogbuokiri

N

igerian ‘Nissan Patrol’ last weekend rolled out of the assembly plant in Lagos, making it the first to be assembled in Nigeria under the Memorandum of Understanding between Nissan, Stallion Group and Renault.

Stallion Group, Nissan’s representative in Nigeria in a statement said the inaugural vehicle, a Nissan Patrol, marked a milestone in the company’s continued wave of expansion into high-growth markets.

It said Nissan is targeting significant growth in Africa as the company builds momentum towards achieving its Power 88 goals, a commitment to reach eight per cent profitability by the end of fiscal year 2016.

New Telegraph on Sunday learnt that the first ‘built in Nigeria for Nigerians’ Nissan Patrol follows the signing last year of the MoU for vehicle assembly in Lagos between the RenaultNissan Alliance and West African conglomerate, Stallion Group.

Since then, preparations for production in Nigeria to global production standards have been achieved at a rapid pace, setting a new benchmark in responsiveness and organisational

agility.

Takashi Hata, Nissan senior vice president and chairman for the Africa, Middle East and India region, was quoted as saying, “For Nissan, Africa is our strategic growth driver. Demand for cars is growing quickly in African markets as demonstrated by the first model being produced a mere seven months after the announcement of the new automotive policy.

“By acting quickly to begin production in Nigeria we are securing for ourselves first-mover advantage.”

Nissan South Africa Managing Director, Mike Whitfield, who also heads up Nissan’s Sub Sahara Africa region, is delighted with the successful launch of the first Patrol.

“Nissan was a pioneer in the foundation of the car industry in South Africa. Now we are once again at the forefront of manufacturing in Africa, this time in Nigeria where we see huge potential. We want to play our part in the economic growth of Nigeria and Africa,” he stated.

The rollout of the first Nissan vehicle comes shortly after confirmation that Nigeria’s economy has now overtaken that of

South Africa. Africa’s most populous country is pivotal to Nissan’s mid-term growth plan, which seeks to double sales on the continent by FY2016, up from 110,000 units at the end of FY2012.

Nissan’s growth strategy in Africa gained momentum with the introduction this year of Nigeria’s new Automobile Industrial Policy, aimed at stimulating the development of the auto industry in the country.

“We are grateful to the Nigerian government for implementing automotive legislation that is conducive to investment. It was instrumental to our decision to open an assembly plant in partnership with the Stallion Group, already our exclusive distributor in Nigeria,” added Whitfield.

Nissan anticipates vehicle demand to increase in Nigeria, which is seeing a rise in fast-growing industries such as finance, retail, communications and film.

In addition to the Patrol, Nissan also plans to produce the Almera and NP300, starting in early May and followed by mass production in August. With these three models, Nissan aims to be a significant player.

Auto Clinic M

ost auto accidents are the result of human error. The best way to reduce the risk of being involved in an accident is to practise safe driving behaviours.

Whether you’re just learning to drive or you’ve been behind the wheel for decades, it’s a good idea to review some basic rules for safe driving. Here are 10 driving tips that will safeguard you and your passengers.

1.

Drunk Driving: Alcohol causes a number of impairments that lead to car accidents. Even at low blood-alcohol levels, intoxication reduces reaction time and coordination and lowers inhibitions, which can cause drivers to make foolish choices. At higher levels, alcohol causes blurred or double vision and even loss of consciousness. Drunk driving isn’t just a terrible idea, it’s a crime.

2.

Excessive speed: As a Federal Road

Safety Commission campaign so succinctly put it, “Speed kills.” Research has shown that for every mile per hour you drive, the likelihood of your being in an accident increases by four to five per cent. At higher speeds, the risk increases much more quickly.

FRSC explains the consequences of fast driving quite simply: “Speeding is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes.”

3.

Use of Cell phone while driving: FRSC has banned the use of cell phones while driving. The reason is because of the number of deaths attributed to this seemingly harmless activity.

If you think that talking and texting while driving isn’t a big deal, consider this: One researcher compared the reaction time of a 20-year-old driver talking on a cell phone to that

of a 70-year-old driver. What’s more, working a cell phone behind the wheel can delay reaction times by as much as 20 per cent.

4.

Sleepiness: A study conducted by researchers at Virginia Tech reported that 20 per cent of all accidents have sleepiness as a contributing factor (Source: TheDenverChannel). If a driver is tired enough to actually fall asleep while driving, the results are predictable. Even on a relatively straight highway, a sleeping driver will eventually drift off the road. Trees, utility poles, ravines and bridge abutments turn this into a deadly scenario - and that doesn’t even take other cars into account.

The solution is simple: Get a better night’s sleep! Make sure you get eight solid hours of sleep, not just on the night before a long drive, but on a regular basis. Failure to get enough

sleep every night builds a sleep deficit that can leave you drowsy and unable to focus. If you’re driving and feel the least bit groggy, take action immediately.

5.

Seat belts save lives: Worn properly, they prevent you from being thrown around the inside of a crashing vehicle or, worse, thrown through the windshield and flung completely out of the vehicle.

Even a low-speed crash can send an unbelted person careening into the dashboard or side window, resulting in severe head injuries or broken bones. At higher speeds, the possible fates of the unbelted occupants are gruesome: severe lacerations from being propelled through the windshield; struck by other cars because you landed on the road; slammed into a tree or a house at 50 mph (80 kph). Sound scary? Then buckle up.

54

MAY 4, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Sunday Transport

Auto Trend: Vehicles, accessories, discounts and more...

200, 000 vehicles flow into Nigeria each year - Report

Stories by Chijioke Iremeka

“1

50, 000 used vehicles and 50, 000 new ones flow into Nigeria each year, but the grey (Tokunbo) market is far larger with annual imports of 350, 000 used and 70, 000 new vehicles,” says National Automotive Council.

According to the council, virtually all the vehicles in the country are imported as Nigeria’s assembly plants operate below 10 per cent of utilisation capacity; hence, there is the urgent need to develop the country’s local assembly.

Meanwhile, frustrations of the local vehicle assembly over low patronage are still biting hard. Though the government is putting measures in place to support local production, the investors say the protection of the industry from inherent stiff completion poses a great challenge to the new policy.

However, says an Oxford Business Group report, “as the economy grows, sales of buses, truck and cars are rising in the country. Automakers are capitalising on the vehicle boom and setting up dealerships across that the country, while some firms are taking a stab at the local assembly.”

According to the report, Toyota dominates the formal market with brand agent, Toyota Nigeria, supplying 70 per cent of new vehicle imports through its official dealers.

“Korean brands, such as Kia and Hyundai, are gaining market share, while wealthy Nigerians can buy Porche and Mercedes Benz,” the report noted.

In the commercial segment, according to the report, India’s Tata has been growing the sales of commercial vehicles at the rate of 100 per cent a year since it entered into the market in 2008. The firms have supplied buses and garbage compactors to the Lagos State Government

and with a new infrastructure project in the pipeline.

Ensuring that the vehicles, whether imported formally or locally produced, can compete comfortably with tokunbo vehicles, the investors say, is a major challenge currently facing the country.

Bola Akindele, the managing director, Courtville Business Solution, a private firm that registers vehicles in 20 out of 36 states across the country, said about 15 million vehicles were registered in Nigeria in 2013, up from 10 million in 2007.

He noted that many of these vehicles entered the country through semi-legal or illegal channels. “Indeed, Nigeria’s tokunbo market for vehicles remains the biggest challenge for dealers and manufacturers alike,” he noted.

The General Manger, Toyota Dealers Mandilas Group, David Edward reportedly said that about 80 per cent of vehicles in the country are purchased as tokunbo.

Before rainy season sets in

Tips on wet tyres ll tyres, by their nature, have to find a balance between a few contradictory extremes. Tyres with lots of grip generally wear faster, and those that perform well in warm and dry weather do not generally do so in cold or wet. With few exceptions, this is simply a natural law of tires.

If you’re only facing the occasional light shower, almost any tyre with proper tread depth and pressure will get the job done. But, if you’re dealing with downpours and standing water, tyres designed for wet-weather driving are your best and, most importantly, your safest bet.

Here are three tyre terms that would make shopping for wet-weather tyres a little easier: • Circumferential grooves: These are the tread lines that wrap long ways around the tyre. As tyres spin on wet surfaces, circumferential grooves channel water away to maintain good traction. The next time it rains, watch the rear tyres of the car in front of you as they pull away from a stop. If you see water radiating off them, that’s the circumferential grooves at work.

Rubber compound: Tyres are made up of varying types of rubber compounds, depending on the manufacturer’s intended use of the tyre. For example, tyres designed for wet-weather conditions usually have a softer rubber compound for better grip.

While their soft rubber compound makes summer tyres well suited for rainy conditions, it also causes them to stiffen when temperatures fall below freezing,owhich means less traction.

A

•

Contact patch: The contact patch is the part of the tyre that touches the road.

Picture your car sitting on a plane of glass, and you are looking at it from underneath the glass. Your tyres would look like four rubber squares pressing up against the glass.

These are your contact patches, and they carry the weight of your vehicle. Wet-weather tyres have narrower contact patches so there’s less surface area against the road, which reduces the risk of hydroplaning.

So climate should be the deciding factor. No matter which type of tyres you choose, be sure your tread depth and tyre pressure are up to snuff — especially if rain is in the forecast.

Hyundai Motors donates to orphanages, old peoples’ homes

A

s part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, Hyundai Motors Nigeria has donated a number of mosquito repellents and other items to 10 orphanages as well as other homes for the less privileged across the country to commemorate World Malaria Day. This gesture, according to the company, is aimed at improving the socio-economic welfare of the less privileged, especially to reduce the malaria scourge, which is accounts for most deaths in Africa.

Presenting the items to the Little Saints Orphanage, Head, Sales and Marketing, Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited, Mr. Jatin Nadkarni said the initiative was part of Hyundai’s contribution to the welfare of the less privileged.

He stated that it’s imperative to forestall

the risks of malaria scourge that threatens more than 90 per cent (about 150.3 million) of Nigeria’s 167 million people, adding that the items, which were donated to select homes across the country, were in fulfillment of the automaker’s global campaign values of ‘Touching Lives.’

“We should begin to plan how to better the lives of half of the population of children, who are vulnerable to the malaria scourge, especially those under five, which currently accounts for 52 per cent of the country’s population,” he said.

Nadkarni urged them to be conscious of their environment and keep it clean, saying that the only way to maximise what one has achieved is through healthy living.

“We are happy to be associated with you

(those in the homes). It’s Hyundai tradition to give something back to the society that drives our sustenance and commitment.

This is part of our philosophy,” he added.

In her response, the founder, Strong Tower Mission and owner of Little Saints Orphanage, Rev. Christiana Bamidele George, thanked Hyundai for its philanthropy, describing the company as relentless and cheerful in its humanitarian gestures to the home.

She said, “Hyundai remains one of our habitual donors. It takes its corporate social responsibility very seriously.”

The Hyundai team also visited orphanages and less privileged homes in Ibadan, Ilorin, Benin, Warri, Uyo, and Abeokuta.

55

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 4, 2014

POWER PLATFORM

Business / Media

xxxxxxxx

Consumers demand inclusion of renewable energy in power reform Ben F., Ajeronmi, Lagos The major problem we have here is crazy bills.

We don’t even know how to go about it because if you are trying to clear the bill, more will be coming. This has made a number of house owners and dwellers to stop paying. They rather depend on power theft (power tapping).

What we see here are clusters of wires here and there. PHCN had come and disconnected some houses but they still tap light without paying. What they do is to use flexible wires to temporally connect light. Then upon information that the PHCN people are coming, they would quickly remove them.

This is not the best for the environment, because it has led to a number of fire outbreaks in this area in the past. If possible, let every house have a prepaid meter to stop this problem of crazy bills.

And this is the only way it can be solved.

ChijiokeIremeka and Abimbola Sodeke

E

lectricity consumers across the country are calling for the inclusion of Renewable Energy (RE) in Nigeria’s power reform, to solve the problem of epileptic power supply and bolster economic stimulation.

The consumers stated that one of the major challenges standing between the country and its industrialisation target is the paucity of power supply, stating that the country is endowed with abundant energy resources, both conventional and renewable, but these have not impacted on the power situation in the country.

According to stakeholders in the power sector, electricity challenges in the country, range from power generation to its transmission and distribution. “The introduction of renewable energy resources into the nation’s energy mix has a number of implications on its energy budget,” they said.

Also, the Presidential Task Force on Power said the available capacity for distribution through the national grid is roughly 4000MW. “Electricity from power plants is estimated at a capacity of between 4000MW and 8000MW, though Nigerian power generation has declined from a peak of about 4517.6MW recorded in December 2012 to 3781.8MW in October 2013,” said the task force.

The sector report shows that though the country’s peak demand level was forecast at 12, 800MW of electricity, energy generation capacity stood at about 3559.46MW per hour (MWh/h), while actual amount of electricity sent out into the national grid was 3487.85 MWh/h.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Technical Committee on National Council on Privatisation, Atedo Peterside, said nine out of the former PHCN generation companies had 2692MW as of September 2013, compared to a total installed capacity of 6976.4MW. Nigeria’s Infrastructural Concession Regulatory Commission observed that 60 per cent of Nigerian population had no access to electricity amidst untapped numerous renewable energy sources.

Sequel to this, the director of an Abuja-based

Heinrich Boll Foundation, a green political movement, which spreads across the world as a response to the traditional politics of socialism, liberalism and conservatism, Christine K., recommended the decentralisation of power generation and supply to help solve Nigeria’s electricity challenge.

She observed that in most developed and developing countries with power problems, the solution has not been from limited sources of energy (hydro and thermal power stations), as in the case with Nigeria, but in the development of clusters of other renewable energy sources.

Christine K maintained that a decentralised system of power generation and supply has, no doubt, increased the Total Electricity Installed Capacity (TEIC) of the countries that adopted the system.

A research conducted in 2010 revealed the following as TEIC of underlisted countries: United States TEIC with its estimated population as at the end of 2010 stood at 1,000,000MW, with a population of 215 million people. Argentina (32.000MW, 40 million people), Venezuela (23,000MW, 29million), Poland (33,000mw, 38million) South Africa (44,000mw, 51million), Morocco (6,000MW, 32million) Egypt (270 MW, 81 million), Libya (6,000MW, 6million).

But when compared with her 170 million population, the proposed Nigerian TEIC of 6,000MW will still not make much difference, considering what other countries have in proportion to their populations. Hence, there are suggestions for government to revolutionalise renewable energy in the country to bolster economic stimulation.

Hence, these are the reasons for the following complaints, on which the consumers are seeking clarifications. New Telegraph on Sunday captured these complaints from different regions, across the country.

EEDC Onitsha disconnected us because we insisted on prepaid meter From Chike (Nkpor) Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Onitsha unit has disconnected a number of electricity consumers at Fegge, Onitsha and Nkpor in Anambra State because we insisted on prepaid meters

before any other payment is to be made.

Also, other areas like Okpoko and Ugwuagba, all in Onitsha, have vowed to discontinue payment until prepaid meters are given to them. Why would they not give us prepaid meters? Let them be ready to disconnect all consumers in Anambra State because we need prepaid meters.

‘IKEDC, stop this fraud and wickedness’ Evang. T.U.O Lajide, Ifako Bariga, Lagos Electricity is not supplied yet the bill is 984 units.

Give me prepaid meter to justify my case.

Give us electricity, we’ll decide on kerosene lantern and candle John Abba, Festac, Lagos The Federal Ministry of Environment has proposed a ban on the use of kerosene lantern and candle in the country for some funny reasons. But I would want the ministry and the Federal Government to go and develop the modalities for improving power supply in the country.

If there is constant power supply in the rural and urban areas, who will be talking about candle light and kerosene lantern? These would be automatically out of the system.

But what about the rural dwellers, who cannot afford the crazy bills circulated by the agency? Will they be in perpetual darkness? Ministry of Environment should think of what to do to tackle erosion that is killing people and wasting our farmlands rather than wasting her time in frivolities.

Poles and wires removed from Mowe Road due to road construction Mrs. Oluwatoyin A, Mowe, Ogun State Power supply in this area used to be steady but we started having problems after the construction of the road began. And because we live near the road, where the construction is going on, we are badly affected. Our electricity poles and wires were removed because they fall within the areas where a drainage system is being dug. But there is hope that it will be fine, but when, we don’t know.

Still the old story, crazy bills

It’s almost a year now, no light Adeola S., Ofada, Ogun State Since last year, our poles were removed, and as a result there, there is no light as I write. We have been using generatiors to power our homes or rechargeable lamps. They claimed it’s the construction of Mowe-Ofada-Owode Road that is causing the outage but some parts still have power supply We are calling on PHCN to come and help us sort out this problem because it’s killing our businesses.

We paid N2, 500 for transformer repairs, yet no light Ngozi C.N, Ofada Ogun State About a year running now, we have not seen electricity. It started from road construction to bad transformer and every house was asked to produce the sum of N2, 500 to repair the transformer, which we did last year. Some people paid more than we have paid yet no light.

Next month will make it exactly one year we were cut off from power supply. We have been running generators and spending fortunes on fuel and diesel, which would have gone to electricity charges.

It’s not fair; the expenses are killing and now petrol is being sold at N110 per litre in our area.

We appeal to PHCN and Ogun State Government to restore our light. We can’t work by running generators. We are begging for a change.

FEEDBACK Unfortunately, all efforts made by New Telegraph on Sunday to get the spokesperson at Yakoyo PHCN office along Mowe-OfadaOwode Road to comment on the situation in his area proved abortive as the supervisor was not available for comment. His subordinate declined comments.

However, when contacted, Pekun Adeyanju, the spokesperson for Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, said the authorities had created a call care centre for customers to report their problems instead of taking it to the media.

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MAY 4, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Business / Interview

Nigerian media must innovate or die –Akintunde Muyiwa Akintunde is the CEO/Lead Consultant of Leap Communications, a public relations consultancy. He is also Secretary-General of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), the consulting arm of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). As a journalist, he started with The Guardian and later joined TimesWeek (a newsmagazine in the stable of Daily Times) as Senior Writer; Newswatch magazine (as Assistant Editor and later Associate Editor); TheWeek magazine (Deputy Editor); Post Express (Sunday Editor); and Africa Today magazine (Managing Editor, West Africa). He spoke to PAUL OGBUOKIRI on the future of Nigerian media

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hat is the business focus of Leap Communications?

Leap Communications is only about two years old, having been incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission in July 2012. But its founder and CEO has been in the communications profession – the media industry and public relations practice – for over 25 years. Leap Communications sets out to be a strong player in the public relations consultancy, delivering strategic services that impact positively not only on client’s communications deliverables but also on the bottom line. We specialise in crisis and issues management, capacity development, media content development, media and influencer relations and strategic planning and research. We have also offered services pro-bono to humanitarian organisations, including Rotary Club International, as part of our not-for-profit public relations discipline.

Who are your major clients?

Within the short span of our existence, we have offered services to clients in various sectors of the economy, including telecommunications, manufacturing and maritime. In 2012 and 2013, we managed third party advocacy for one of the major telecommunications companies in a nondescript manner, which would not enable us to mention the name of the brand. We, however, consult for Kakawa Discount House Limited, Redwood Consulting Limited – for which we successfully executed the inaugural edition of PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge in 2013, and we are set for the 2014 edition. We also have consulted informally for Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), managing its capacity development programmes and media relations. We are hoping the relationship would be formalised in due course. Leap Communications is a growing concern and the horizon looks promising in the coming months and years as we explore several sectors of the economy.

What is your assessment of the Nigerian media industry?

As a journalist myself – having practised full-time for over 20 years – I would say that the Nigerian media has played significant roles in the growth of the Nigerian state. Perhaps without the Nigerian media, independence would not have been possible for the country in 1960.

However, there are reasons to worry. Standards and ethical values are crashing at a disturbing rate. And it is time stakeholders in the media industry came together to address and fix the problem. Journalists deserve good remuneration, which should be paid as at when due in order for them to live a good life like other professionals. There are training gaps that required urgent intervention by media owners and users of the media. Journalism is said to be an open profession, but it is a place for those who have the calling and the passion to serve humanity.

Would you say the Nigerian media has fully matured?

Yes. A man who is over 100 years old and is not matured should be sent back to the Creator for reformatting!!! However, the media must avoid creating unintended panic while reporting and commenting on issues that can tear the society apart.

With the coming of social media, where do you expect the industry to be in the next 10 years?

This is the age of the citizen as a reporter.

With your phone, you can do almost everything, including reporting from the scene of a disaster! This has no doubt created concern for the traditional media, particular the print, which had initially had the broadcast media as a major threat given its instantaneous reporting advantage.

However, the traditional media would have to up its game, if it must not become extinct.

This has happened even in the developed with the winding down of some major news publications. It is expected that more and more newspapers and magazines would develop their online versions and exploit the advantage of mobile technology to deliver their content, beyond what is served on the newsstands.

The message here for the traditional media is simple: innovate or die!

ping sector is a long-term project, which government policies have been designed to deliver.

But this has to be executed with purpose and consistency.

But we must not throw the baby away with the bath water. The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( N I MASA), which c o n ceived

and runs the NSDP, had a patriotic reason for doing so. And at least 16 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory administration have already realised the importance of developing capacity in this specialised area and have shown faith by sponsoring some of the cadets.

One of the primary goals of NSDP is to fill the generational capacity for the conduct of Flag Administration and Port State Control duties. It is estimated that NSDP will guarantee that Nigeria is Africa’s hub for the supply of maritime human capital. Indeed, the expectation is that NSDP holds the future for the development of future Nautical Scientists, Naval Architects and Marine Engineers who will close capacity gaps in Nigeria’s ship building value chain, ship manning and contemporary elements of ships operation and navigation.

Clearly, investments in the development of maritime human capacity would end up as the surest path to Nigerian maritime sector growth.

Do you think the Nigerian maritime industry has a good image in the country and in the comity of maritime nations?

The image crisis is not peculiar to the maritime industry in Nigeria. We tend to view everything about government with suspicion because we have experienced failures from the public sector over the years.

It would therefore take quite a while for trust to be regained. And given the frequent changes that occur in the maritime sector, it would require a lot more time to attain the kind of positive image the country truly deserves as a major maritime destination in the continent.

Top mariners in the country have written off the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).

What is your take on this?

T h e i r concern is understandable.

When the se afarers conclude their studies, where would they work?

Developing the indigenous ship-

Akintunde

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MARKETS&MALLS NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

MAY 4, 2014

Tel: 08027790557

SON DG to ASPAMDA: Produce auto parts T

he Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, has charged members of the Auto Spare Parts and Machineries Association to consider venturing into manufacturing auto spare parts in the country in order to advance the level of industrialisation in Nigeria.

He said this during an awareness and sensitisation tour of ASPAMDA in Lagos on Wednesday.

He said he was impressed at the presence of many brands in the market.

“Instead of just concentrating on importation of these spare parts, you can also aspire to set up factories here in the country that would help to provide jobs for unemployed youths. With determination and strong will, we can find sustainable solutions to the challenges of industrialisation in the country as we join hands together to move Nigeria forward,” he said.

He also said that the implication of over 95 per cent of imported spare parts sold in Nigeria was that the traders were paying to sustain the jobs of those producing them in other countries while the nation is faced with a serious unemployment challenge.

According to him, having many brands in the market is commend-

able as far as the products can be traced to their sources or origins.

He added, “However, if our traders have their own brands, it would go a long way to ensure their commitment in applying the right quality standards to such products.”

He called on the dealers to embrace the new e-registration exercise even as he officially opened the SON help desk at the market to provide assistance to the dealers through the electronic registration

of their products.

“I want to help promote ASPAMDA but that can only be done when the right standards are in place here. Nigerian standards are equivalent to international standards and we already have laboratories that can be used in testing most products,” he said.

The DG also informed the auto dealers on the timely completion of the registration exercise by the agency, which he said would vary in duration depending on the com-

plexity of the component or part to be registered.

Listing the different categories of auto parts to be registered as body, electrical, suspension windscreen and accessories, he explained that the electronic registration does not in any way conflict with the SONCAP registration.

Also speaking at the event, the President of ASPAMDA, Dr. Anthony Ughagwu, praised SON on its efforts at curtailing the produc-

tion, marketing and circulation of substandard and fake goods in the country.

“Our association has also been making a lot of efforts to help check the influx of substandard and fake auto spare parts and allied products into our plaza. In this regard, we have on several occasions petitioned the Minister of Trade and Industries on the unacceptable proliferation of substandard products into our plaza by Chinese businessmen, “ he added.

Used televisions at electronic section, Alaba International Market, Lagos

Bad roads: Ariaria shoe manufacturers lament poor sales

Chijioke Iremeka

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hoe manufacturers in Ariaria Industrial Market, Aba, Abia State have said that they are losing local and international customers because bad roads have made access to the market difficult.

Speaking under the aegis of Powerline Shoe Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Ariaria International Market, Aba, the shoemakers said they lost their customers from Cameroon, Ghana and Togo, who used to come to the market daily to buy shoes and other leather materials for their local markets.

They urged the Federal Government to save the market from totally losing its domination of the shoe manufacturing business in the sub-region.

The association’s president, Mr. Goodluck Nmeri, said the hardship their customers suffer in Aba, whenever they come for business, causes them ill-health.

He noted that it makes it difficult

for them to return.

“The roads are bad and impassable for vehicles, which has increased the cost of transporting goods back home. For instance, Cameroonians normally pass through Ikot Ekpene Road but that road is cut off and they have to go through Owerri, which is an additional cost to them,” Nmeri said.

He said that other customers were scared of the Boko Haram insurgency, adding that they had resorted to sending waybills instead of coming in person. He lamented that this neither benefits the manufacturers nor their foreign customers, as the system is quite slow.

“Even our patrons in Port Harcourt have reduced due to the poor state of roads in Abia State, especially Aba and its environs.

Also, Chinese shoes are being sold everywhere in the streets of Aba and this is not healthy for us.

The market does not accommodate their rubber and so-called leather shoes anymore. This has made our

business dull and unattractive,” he said.

According to him, the roads were a bit better last year, saying the situation has become too bad

this year.

A shoe manufacturer in the market, Mr. Kingsley Udo Kalu, chided the federal and state governments over the alleged neglect

of the industrial market.

“If this market survives, it survives for all, especially as the government is embarking on industrialisation policies,” he added.

LG boss advises Ladipo traders on filth

T

he leadership of Aguiyi Ironsi International Market in Lagos State, popularly known as Ladipo Auto Spare Parts Market, have been called upon to promote discipline and orderliness in the market.

The Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area, Hon. Olatunde Adepitan, who made the call during the week, said, “It is not to the delight of the local government to see Ladipo market shut regularly; there are traders who depend largely on their daily income to survive in that market. Those who promote indiscipline in the market are fat cats, who can afford to survive for months, if the market is closed. My appeal to the traders is to take the bull by the horn

and make Ladipo auto spare parts market a model.”

According to him, people find it difficult to walk or drive through the market due to indiscriminate parking by customers who throng the market in large numbers.

“As the chairman of Mushin Local Government, it is a thing of pride to me if Ladipo market is adjudged the most orderly and clean market in Lagos State. As much as we try to instill discipline in that market, we come across obstacles from the union leaders who have a mindset to work for their personal interest rather than the interest of the larger society.

“I am not personally happy that visitors to Mushin go through much

rigour driving through Ladipo auto spare parts market due to indiscriminate parking by customers who throng the market in large numbers.

“After the MOU signed between the Lagos State Government, Mushin Local Government and the traders in 2013, I facilitated our traffic officials to enforce the one-side parking in the market. We stopped the collection of tolls on the other side of the market and concentrated actions on only the side allowed by all the stakeholders. I am surprised that somebody said the local government should be blamed for the rot in the market. Council does not give permission for street trading in Ladipo market neither do we collect money from hawkers,” he said.

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T

he negative sentiment that has marred the Nigerian equities market in 2014 returned this week as the NSEASI lost in all but one of the trading days of the week with WtD and overall YtD returns of -0.82% and -6.65% respectively. In the four weeks preceding the Easter break, investors took position ahead of Q1 numbers. However, a mixed bag of Q1 results increased the activities of profit takers and the previously seen positive momentum has taken the backseat and brought the market return negative for the second consecutive week.

Insurgency in the northern part of the country has begun to eat into the top line of some companies whose operations and/or distribution are affected. While on the domestic wing, the Naira sustained its upbeat trend all through the past week on the global front the US Federal Open Market Committee decreased the monthly bond buyback by additional US10bn much in line with expectation.

In this report, we take a look at the effect of QE further tapering on the Nigerian market and shed more light on the recent appreciating trend of the nation’s currency. Furthermore, we give our opinion on the effect of insurgency in the northern part of the country as it relates to the affected companies and also on the Q1 results of the companies that have released so far.

Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Tapers by Another $10bn: Implications for Nigerian markets

The US Fed decided to further reduce the pace of its monthly asset purchases by an additional $10bn to $45bn in May, with hints that the reduction will continue at subsequent meetings except economic data dictates otherwise. This was after the committee considered major US macro-economic indicators such as economic growth (which picked up after initial slowdown caused by adverse weather), labour market indices (which showed improvements on a balance) as well as household spending (which is rising faster than expected). This has implications for emerging and frontier markets that have so far seen an outflow of foreign funds and local currency volatility since the QE tapering began.

The Nigerian equities market may not be spared from the negative investors’ reaction that may trail the news more so given the negative sentiments the insecurity challenges and political uncertainties are generating. Cheap funds that hitherto would have considered our market may find it less attractive given the headwinds. The fixed income market may not be as negatively affected (rising yields) as the equities market given lesser foreign investors’ exposure and the increasingly higher local demand for instruments.

Any significant funds outflow will amount to pressure on the foreign reserves that have only started showing signs of accretion after declining steadily since tapering commenced. Depending on how significant this pressure is, the CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee may need to put in place measures to save the reserves from dwindling any further especially if US data shows economic improvement for the month of May when the MPC will be meeting.

Naira remains strong despite QE fears

The local currency has appreciated by 0.87% Ytd despite the pressures exerted on developing economies currencies by QE tapering of the US. The relative respite can be attributed to several factors including the abatement of fears that the FOMC would further retrench the program due to weaker US data and efforts by the CBN to combat round-tripping (RDAS auctions). Data for March 2014 shows that inflows from foreign sources into equities increased by 54% month on month to USD879mn(from USD572mn), while fixed income market inflows declined slightly by 6% to USD103mn (from USDUSD110mn) although inflows into money market instruments increased by 630% to USD40mn(fromUSD6mn).

A total of USD12.006bn has been sold by the

MAY 4, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Unimpressive Earnings Dragging Equities

… Opportunistic investors at alert

CBN in 2014 in support of the local currency.

Given the reduction of capital flight, increase in funds inflow as well as sale of US Dollars by IOCs in Nigeria, the need for CBN to resolve to sell dollars from the reserves has declined significantly.

As a result of this, amount offered reduced from USD3.0bn, USD3.4bn and USD3.6bn in January, February and March to USD2.8bn in April. This has seen the foreign reserves increase from its year low of USD37.803bn on 28th March to its current level of USD38.149.

Owing to the widening disparity between the Inter-bank and BDC rates in the beginning of the year, the CBN intervened by removing the limit on the amount of dollars that can be purchased by a BDC in a week. This has caused a significant reduction in the spread between the inter-bank and BDC exchange rates which has fallen by NGN7.36 from NGN14.66 in the beginning of the year.

Banking

A great number of the banks (13 out of 15) have released Q1:2014 results and as expected, normalized earnings growth has been witnessed across board owing to the headwinds that continue to hit the sector.

First Bank: Impairment Charges pressures Earnings Gross earnings grew by 7% (NGN396bn) driven by interest income (+10%, NGN324bn).

This was possible as the banks 22% growth in deposits in spite of headwinds allowed it to create risk assets thus growing its loan book by 15%. The reduction in COT and eradication of ATM charges pulled down the noninterest income (NII) bringing it down by 9% (NGN67bn). Cost of Risk (1.2%; 0.9%FY2012) rose on the spike in impairment charges for the bank (62%; NGN20.3bn) pushing down earnings below our expectations by 7%.

Consumer Goods Sector

Conglomerate: Discretionary spending softness and insecurity also account for poor numbers Earnings results posted by most of the highly defensive consumer goods and the Conglomerate stocks have been rather disappointing. For the highly diversified conglomerate companies, though UACN reported a

49% profit growth, turnover growth was not impressive (4%. vs.14% CAGR and target).

AGLEVENT grew 2013FY revenue and profit by 7.84% and 42.55% respectively, but 2014Q1 result ran contrary to this with -19.45% and -28.02% accordingly.

Brewery Sector

In the Brewing space, Nigerian Breweries reported a c.7% revenue and profit growth.

GUINNESS on the contrary posted yet another disappointing result, (-11% top-line and -22% bottom-line growth) dragged not only by the obvious challenges in the sector, but also the keen competition in the beer market. Champion Breweries is yet to translate its c.1% Q1 sales growth to profitability. PAT declined 43.34%.

Though cost to sale ratio is improving (70.62% vs. 88.92% in prior period), Earnings remains pressured by 94.05% expansion in OPEX. Overall, though we acknowledge the fact that internal operational itches among some of these companies account for these poor numbers, we also believe this dragging performance remains pressured by weakening discretionary spending and the sustained insecurity in the north.

Food and Beverages Sector: Northern Insecurity Threats Notwithstanding, Growth Remains Feasible

The Food and Beverage sector (FBS) has been somewhat affected by the insecurity challenges in the northern part of the country.

Companies within the sector have had their top line affected (depending on their level of exposure) in the last one year. NESTLE for instance announced in H1:2013 that the insecurity concerns was affecting their northern operation; the aftermath of which brought about a slower 2013FY turnover growth of 14.03% (lowest in 6 years) relative to 5-year average growth of 20.95% while 2014Q1 turnover also grew only by 8.89%.

Whilst CADBURY was able to sustain modest turnover (6.59%) and fantastic earnings growth (79.79%) throughout 2013FY, the company’s decline in turnover and earnings by 17.24% and 29.41% suggest that Northern market exposure plus the company’s laxity

in route to market may be having a strong grip on operations. In another instance, while DANGSUGAR also has significant exposure to the northern market, volume sales surged by 23% though revenue declined by 3.48% owing to moderation in international price of sugar which was effectively passed through to customers.

It is our opinion that while the northern insurgence is a drag on some Food and Beverage companies, the degree of exposure to a large extent and the strategic ingenuity of some of the companies have a major connection to driving revenue growth. For instance, we reason that the decline in CADBURY’s numbers cannot absolutely be attributed to northern crisis but also inadequate internal route to market strategy considering that NESTLE (a major competitor) grew its revenue by c.10% in the same quarter.

In the medium to long term investment horizon, the FBS still portends attractive investment case given the growing population, increasing per capita income and consumer spending as well as supply expansion drive by most of the players.

Industrial Goods Sector: Cost curtailment drives profit growth

Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc (CCNN) whose market area covers 6 states in the North Western region recorded 2.7% decline in Q1:2014 revenues. While the unrest in the North may have affected construction activity, we also see increased competitive activity by peers or possibly lower volumes/prices as factors that could have been responsible for the decline. Asides, the insecurity crises being a downside risk to the Northern player, its small size relative to peers (500,000 metric tons, <2% of industry’s installed capacity as against c.70% for Dangote cement) will limit dispatch to capture farther markets.

In addition, increased distribution expenses to serve other regions may deter expanding its market reach. However, 47.02% reduction in operating expenses and 39.48% drop in finance expenses contributed to the 85.6% boost in After-Tax profits in Q1:2014. We see efforts at further cutting down on cost of sales (which grew 0.34% in Q1:2014) via reduction in the use of Low Pour Fuel Oil for fuelling its plant as well as pursuance of capacity expansion plans will help support sustenance of profit growth over the near to medium term.

Insurance Sector

CUSTODYINS Continues to Ride on Synergies from Merger Inorganic growth in operations has made the underwriter a pacesetter in the insurance space as the company posted fantastic 2013FY and Q1:2014 results. In Q1:2014, CUSTODYINS recorded c.73% and c.91% surge in its top-line and bottom-line respectively. The growth in top-line was driven by the company’s strive to penetrate and exploit opportunities in the retail market while also increasing its market share in the underwriting of “big ticket” insurance contracts (majorly oil and gas insurance, in which it operates as one of the industry leaders).

The growth in bottom-line was driven by efficiency in cost management as net claims incurred and underwriting expenses declined by 26% and 11% respectively. We remain optimistic on the company’s performance for the year and in the near term as it continue to stretch its strength in underwriting general insurance while its life, trustee and pensions businesses will also augment its bottom-line going forward. However, a business model that currently tilts more to underwriting “big ticket” insurance which comes with high re-

59

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 4, 2014

Market Report insurance costs (169% increase in Q1:2014) remains a concern for the underwriter.

Positive 2014FY Feasible for MANSARD despite Dip in Q1:2014 Earnings The strong top-line growth recorded in 2013FY (c.9.2%) continued into Q1:2014 as gross premium grew c.31%. However, profit-after-tax declined by 16% as against PAT growth in 2013FY (which was largely driven by tax concession though PBT dropped by c.9%). Even though the company recorded high underwriting expenses as a result of re-insurance cost and net claims incurred that increased by 33% and 46% respectively, the company was still profitable based on its primary business line as underwriting profit expanded by 14%. The drop in unaudited earnings was however caused by a huge 39% decline in investment and other income.

Our outlook for the company remains positive as management strives to further drive top-line through the inherent opportunities in the retail sector. However, operating and nonunderwriting cost management deficiencies remain a concern.

ter result which showed a 62%Y-o-Y decline in revenue as the company vulnerability to the current tough operational environment. Despite the unimpressive top line performance earnings declined by only 9% primarily due to better cost management (cost to sales 92.92% vs. 97.17% corresponding period in 2013), coupled with a 33% decline in finance charges. On the back of the attractive numbers

by MOBIL we anticipate a positive investor’s sentiment and maintain a positive outlook for the counter.

Healthcare: Finance Cost; a major drag to sectoral performance GLAXOSMITH

GSK Q1 performance could be termed fair as the company was able to grow its revenue by 12.66% with a marginal increase in earn-

ings by 3.16%. Cost to sale margin increased by about 2% from its previous quarter. The marginal growth in earnings can be attributed to about 75% and 30% reduction in other income and finance income respectively and also a 100% increase in finance income in the period.

The company’s cash reserve fell by 25.96%; this could be attributed to a 57.50% increase in receivables. The company stands a risk of bad debt if this trend in receivables persists.

NEIMETH

The company’s Q2 result shows a top line growth of 12.24% while the bottom line dipped by 142.80% despite the 5% reduction in opex margin. The negative position was as a result of increase in cost to sale by 15.20% and a 53% increase in finance cost. The company’s cash reserves dipped by 31.57% while the inventory level increased by 13.75%.

The company recently released its FY; 2013 and Q1 2014 to the market, for the full year, the company grew top line by 28.99% which is above our estimate of 23% while bottom line dipped by 25.09%. The dip in earnings can be attributed to increase in cost to sale by 4% and increase in opex margin by 7%. Finance cost also contributed its quota by increasing by 28%. Fixed Asset grew by 50.52% which can be attributed to the new bio-tech plant at ota which is modeled in line with the WHO good manufacturing practice (GMP).

For the Q1’2014 result, the growth in the top line is very marginal by 2.87% while the bottom line advanced by 4.76%. Increase in finance cost by 196% remains a major cause for concern, the cost to sales margin increased by 2% and opex margin declined by 10%. The company grew other income by 108.66%.

Conclusion

As H1:2014 gradually winds up, we expect investors to continue re-appraising their holdings in the Equities market, taking position and profit ahead of potential opportunities and headwinds. Our outlook for the Naira remains positive primarily due to the apex bank’s resolve to maintain the current band at NGN155+/-3%, also, Nigeria’s relative attractiveness to peer emerging economies augurs well for continued capital inflows which we believe will impact positively on the volume and value of transactions on the exchange.

MOBIL post impressive Q1

MOBIL Plc was able to manage the effect of delayed import license in the first quarter of the year as the company grew its top and bottom line by 17% and 519%Y-o-Y respectively, although the massive growth in earnings was as a result of a NGN2.78bn gain which the company reported as other expenses.

Also, ETERNA also released its first quar-

ICTWorld

FIDSON

with

Kingsley Roberts kingndcha@yahoo.co.uk

Impact of computer use on children’s development

T

he increasing amount of time children is spending on computers at home and school has raised questions about how the use of computer technology may make a difference in their lives from helping with homework to causing depression to encouraging violent behavior.

This article provides an overview of the limited research on the effects of home computer use on children’s physical, cognitive, and social development.

Initial research suggests, for example, that access to computers increases the total amount of time children spend in front of a television or computer screen at the expense of other activities, thereby putting them at risk for obesity.

At the same time, cognitive research suggests that playing computer games can be an important building block to computer literacy because it enhances children’s ability to read and visualise images in three dimensional spaces and track multiple images simultaneously.

The limited evidence available also indicates that home computer use is linked to slightly better academic performance. The research findings are more mixed, however, regarding the effects on children’s social development. Although little evidence indicates that the moderate use of computers to play games has a negative impact on children’s friendships and family relationships, recent survey data show that increased use of the Internet may be linked to increases in loneliness and depression. Of most concern are the findings that playing violent computer games may increase aggressiveness and desensitize a child to suffering, and that the use of computers may blur a child’s ability to distinguish real life from simulation.

The authors conclude that more systematic research is needed in these

areas to help parents and policymakers maximize the positive effects and to minimise the negative effects of home computers in children’s lives.

The time is ripe to assess the impact of home computer use on child and adolescent development. Most American children now have access to home computers and are using them for everything from playing games to doing schoolwork to chatting with friends via e-mail to surfing the Web. In 1999, an estimated 67 per cent of households with children had a computer game system such as Sega or Nintendo,60 percent had home computers, and 37 percent had home access to the Internet more than twice the percentage with access in 1996.

Although children still spend more time watching television than using computers, when a nationally representative sample of children ages 8 to 18 were asked which medium they would choose to bring with them to a desert isle, more chose a computer with Internet access than any other medium, including television.

With the increased role of home computers in children’s lives has come increased concern about how children may be affected. Time spent on home computers may displace other activities that have more developmental value, and the merit of the computer-based activities has also been questioned.

Surveys of parents suggest that they buy home computers and subscribe to Internet access to provide educational opportunities for their children and to prepare them for the “information age.”

Although they are increasingly concerned about the influence of the Web on their children and are disappointed with some of the online activities their children engage in such as games and

browsing the Internet to download lyrics of popular songs and pictures of rock stars parents generally view computers favorably, and even consider children without home computers to be at a disadvantage.

Although research on the effects of children’s use of home computers is still sketchy and ambiguous, some initial indications of positive and negative ef-

fects are beginning to emerge. This article begins by describing the increasing amount of time children are spending on home computers and the impact of computer use on other activities.

This discussion is followed by a survey of the available research about the effects of home computer use on children’s activities and development in four broad areas: (1) physical well-

being, (2) cognitive and academic skill development, (3) social development and relationships, and (4) perceptions of reality.

The article concludes with a summary of the issues requiring further study to better understand what can be done to ensure that children’s use of home computers has a positive impact on their lives.

...displacement of other activities

W

hen children use home computers instead of watching television, it is generally viewed as positive; but when children use computers instead of participating in sports and social activities, it raises concerns about the possible effects on their physical and psychological well-being. Results from a national survey suggest that in 1999, children between ages 2 and 17 were spending approximately 1 hour 37 minutes per day using the computer and/or playing videogames, 1 about 24 minutes more than in1998.

Yet little research exists on how children’s growing use of computers may be displacing activities other than television viewing, and the few findings that exist are ambiguous.

Some evidence indicates that children who use home computers may watch less television than nonusers, but other evidence suggests that television viewing remains the same or might even increase with the use of home computers. For instance, parents reported in a 1998national survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center those children in households without computers watched television an average of 36 minutes longer each day than children in homes with

computers (2 hours 54minutes versus 2 hours 18 minutes, on average).

Children in homes with computers also spent less time watching videotapes and more time doing schoolwork and reading magazines or newspapers, compared with children in homes without computers. Even after controlling for families’ income and education levels, computer ownership had a significant, albeit weaker, effect—that is, in homes with computers, children spent less time watching television compared with children in families with similar income and education but without home computers.

Interestingly, having a home computer did not affect the time spent reading books or playing video games on non-computer platforms. Other studies, such as a 1999 study by Nielsen Media Research, suggest that computer use does little to reduce television viewing.

The data gathered by Nielsen showed almost no change in household television viewing after households gained Internet access. Indeed, many Americans report that they prefer to use computers and watch television simultaneously.

A study carried out in 1999 on 10,000 U.S. households by Media Matrix, an Internet and digital media research firm, found that among households with a

home computer, 49% used their computers and watched television at the same time.

Still others suggest that, because of the growing trend to link the content of various media—as exemplified by the “tie-ins” between children’s television shows, computer games, and Web sites—computer use may not displace television, but may instead lead to an increase in television viewing.

Furthermore, it appears that greater access to home computers may actually be increasing children’s total “screen time,” that is, time spent using a computer, playing video games, and watching television combined. For example, parents reported in a1999 survey that children between ages 2and 17 with access to home computers and video games spent an average of 4 hours 48minutes per day in front of a television screen or computer monitor.

In contrast, parents reported that children without computers or video games spent an average of three hours 40 minutes per day in front of a screen, more than an hour less. Another national survey of children ages 2 to 18 found that total reported screen time averaged four hours 19 minutes per day, excluding use of the computer for schoolwork.

60 60

Abuja Beats

Bomb Blast: Fear grips Abuja residents Johnchuks Onuanyim

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esidents of the Federal Capital Territory have never felt as threatened as they have been in the last two weeks, with two bomb blasts recorded in Nyanya, a satellite town of the Federal Capital Territory within two weeks.

The last time there was palpable fear in the territory was during the rash of demolitions

by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai as FCTA Minister.

But the bomb blasts that have claimed more than 100 lives and properties worth millions of naira in the last two weeks through two different bombing in FCT have renewed the fear of Abuja residents.

This situation has made a mirage the alleged tight security in the Federal Capital Territory.

The two bomb blasts that happened in the same vicinity of about 100 meters from each other within a short period of time have brought the total blasts in Abuja to seven.

Before the first blast in Abuja on October 1, 2010, Abuja was considered to be the most secured place in Nigeria, which led to many people relocating to the nation’s capital. It was considered so because it is home to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Goodluck Jonathan, and the headquarters of all the security agencies.

But the recent happenings, which include intermittent bombings and warnings of bomb threats in Abuja, have shown that the city’s security is as porous as the North-East states, where insurgents have taken firm root and more than 1,000 persons have been killed through bombings. As the bombings and killing in those states increased, it became pertinent that people moved from the states to Abuja for refuge. Unfortunately, those that relocated to Abuja for safety cannot say they are safer, as bomb attacks and threats of more blasts have made the city a fearful state to stay in.

“Since the blasts have occurred twice at motor parks, it means they can occur anywhere and therefore nobody is safe,” said a resident.

Further, the resident told Abuja Beats that she had received several warnings via social media about planned bomb attacks in Abuja.

According to her, such warnings have earmarked places like Wuse market, Utako market, churches etc as targets of the insurgents.

She noted that if security agencies could not stop the blasts at the motor parks, what would be the possibility that other areas, likely targeted by the insurgents, would be protected?

According to her, the bomb threats would definitely affect church services in the nation’s

capital.

Another resident of FCT, who spoke to Abuja Beats, said the terror of bombing in FCT was greater than the terror of demolition of houses that actually commenced in 2005.

According to him, the demolition terror did not consume lives like the bombings that residents of Abuja are witnessing today.

“Not many lives were lost during the demolition acts and threats. Nobody today can sincerely that he or she is safe with the level of bomb attacks,” he said.

Arguing further, he expressed the fear that the security agents were incapacitated with the development, given the level of success of these blasts. As you know, these blasts occurred some kilometers away from the Presidential

Villa, seat of power. And that is a serious threat to the seat of power.

“If government and security agencies cannot prevent bombing close to the Villa, it means that the insurgents are catching up with government base gradually,” he said.

The closest bomb blast to the Presidential Villa happened in 2011, when the Force Headquarters also known as Loius Edet House was bombed by insurgents. That was the second after that of Abacha Barracks that happened in 2010.

The Force Headquarters blast was followed by the attack on the United Nations Building, Thisday Newspapers’ Abuja Office and the two recent ones in Nyanya.

Put together, the blasts in the Federal Capital

Territory since 2010 is seven with total deaths put above 150 persons and properties worth millions of naira lost.

The inability of security agencies to uncover these blasts is of utmost concern to residents of the FCT. Most of the residents believe that the decay in government to address security challenges is shown by its inability to investigate the Circuit Camera Television contract failure in FCT. There were allegations that the N76 billion security camera facilities in Abuja have been stolen, but that these allegations have not been investigated is an indication on the part of government’s insensitivity to security in Abuja.

Security agencies and the FCT administration have regularly claimed to be on top of the security situation. They have also regularly asked FCT residents not to panic, without a corresponding effort to protect lives and properties.

Minister of Federal Capital Territory Administration, Senator Bala Mohammed, reacting to Thursday night’s blast, described the incident as a serious emergency. He gave the assurance that government and security agencies were alert to ensure the safety of FCT residents.

For residents of Mpape, Bwari Area Council, nobody knows the next target since the insurgents seem to be targeting the satellite towns.

According to him, beyond the loss of lives, people’s livelihoods are being destroyed.

“Some of us left Northern states to relocate our businesses here and now we cannot guarantee the businesses here anymore,” he said.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MAY 04, 2014

Abuja Beats

The Role of Women in Governance

By Amb. Nonye Rajis-Okpara PROTOCOL 1.​It is indeed a great honour for me to have been invited to attend the inaugural summit of Imo state congress of America (ISCA) on women empowerment and to deliver an address on - “The Role of Women in Governance.”

2.​Let me however take this opportunity to congratulate the leadership of Imo state congress of America (ISCA) for their faithful stewardship and in particular, the foresight and wisdom in organizingthis summit on a very important subject of women empowerment.

WHAT IS EMPOWERMENT? 3.​Oxford dictionary defines empowerment as: to give someone the authority or power to do something. The Word Bank defines empowerment as the process of enhancing the capacity of individuals or groups to make choices and to transform those choices into desired actions and outcomes.

4.​The United Nations on her part, defines women empowerment as having five components: women’s sense of self-worth; their right to have and to determine choices; their right to have access to opportunities and resources; their right to have the power to control their own lives, both within and outside the home; and their ability to influence the direction of social change to create a more just social and economic order, nationally and internationally.

5.​We can therefore, say that women empowerment simply put, is the process of giving power or authority to women to regulate their day- to- day lives socially, politically and economically- a power which enables them to enhance their position in the power structure of the society.

6.​The empowerment of women occurs in reality, when women achieve increased control and participation in decision making that leads to their access to resources.

7.​Over the years, women were under represented in Government in most countries around the world, thereby impeding their invaluable role in governance. Happily, in recent years a lot haschanged as increasing number of women worldwide are being elevated to key positions in government, and they are making positive and meaningful contributions to national development.

8. ​In a world where women form half thepopulation, just over 20 countries have women as Heads of Government and Heads of State, besides women in leadership positions as ministers, speakers of legislative houses, legislators,Ambassadors, Governors, Mayors. Despite the recent increase in number of women in key positions, statistics still shows that women are under represented in government of most countries, 9.​The recent increase in women participation in governance could be attributed to deliberate policies and measures adopted by some Governments to encourage women participation in governance at all levels. Also the role of Non Governmental Organizations has been very instrumental in this paradigm shift.

10.​It is therefore worthy to say that the Imo state Congress of America, has by this singular act oforganizing this summit, achieved another milestone in efforts towards attainment of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of promoting gender equality and women empowerment worldwide.

Ambassador Rajis-Okpara

11.​Let me also note that the increasedparticipation of Nigeria women in governance is largely attributed to the conscious and deliberate effort of our dear mother, Dame (Dr) Patience Faka Jonathan - First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

12. A ​ s President of Africa First Ladies Peace Mission, she has been at the forefront of promoting peace and gender equality worldwide.

The First Lady, throughout the 2011 Presidential Campaign,constantly pleaded for implementation of 35 per cent quota for women.

She pleaded with Mr. President and the state Governors for gender equityat both state and federal levels. Through her pet project - Women For Change Initiative, she encourages more participation of women in governance. This will enable them to maximize their God given potential and fulfill their destiny.

13.​In pursuit of her passion and commitment to improve the overall lives of Nigerian women, the First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan encourages all state Governor’s wives to establish pet projects with an agenda to promote women’s empowerment and gender equity in their states. As a result of these initiatives we have seen more women participation in governance and empowerment at all levels in Nigeria.

14.​In Nigeria subsequent Governments have adopted policies and measures to open the system for greater participation of women in governance as well as women empowerment. Under the 4th Republic, we saw several women in powerful positions as ministers.

This was followed by the creation of the Ministry of Women Affairs under President Olusegun Obasanjo and the appointment of many more women in the cabinet.

15.​However, I should note that President

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, more than any President/Head of State before him, has given greater support to women empowerment and their participation in governance.

16.​His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s understanding of the significance of women empowerment and their role in governance became the first President in Nigeria to appoint 35per cent of women in Fedearal appointments. Thisgave women 13 Ministerial positions in cabinet andthe appointment of more women as Ambassadors and High Commissioners.

17.​In recognition of his commitment to women empowerment, President Goodluck Jonathan was honored with a “Life Time Achievement Award” in August 15th, 2013 in Abuja, by Nigerian women. The climax of the event was the book launch by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, the book is Titled “Goodluck Ebele Jonathan: Champion For Women.” The book highlighted the achievements of the President empowering Nigerian women.

18.​It is remarkable to note that the President’s commitment to women empowerment is not limited to Nigeria. At continental level, the President on the occasion marking the Centenary celebration ofNigeria called for an Affirmative Finance Action for women, wherein banks would devote at least 30% of their lending in Agriculture to women farmers and women owned agribusiness.

19.​I am proud to say that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s confidence in Nigerian women has not been misplaced, as milestone achievements in his administration are attributed to women appointees in various ministries, parastatals and government agencies.

20.​The Nigeria High Commission in col-

laboration with Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, in October 2013 organized - “Nigeria Singapore Business and Investment Forum (NSBIF), with the Theme: “Nigeria the New Frontier- Unlocking Opportunities in African’s largest Market”.

21.​The event was rated by Singapore government as the biggest successful bilateral event ever organized by any single mission in Singapore. The remarks from Singapore Government officialsand captains of industries are evidence of the impact created by the forum.

Nigeria Minister for Trade and Investment Dr Olusegun Aganga also described the forum as one of the best he has attended in the recent years.

22. Several MOUs were signed during the forum and the mission has subsequently experience high volume of business visit to Nigeria by Singaporean companies. Our charge as Ambassadors by Mr. President is to attract FDI - Foreign Direct Investment into Nigeria.

23.​Singapore Government last week invited allAfrican Ambassadors resident in Singapore to a meeting with an agenda to forge ways of strengthening her bilateral ties and increase economic engagement in Africa. The meeting ended with Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs inviting ten African Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the President of African Union to a round table meeting with the view of strategizing on ways to engage the African continent as an emerging market. And I believe that Nigeria is the gate way to Africa.

24.​His Excellency, Amb. Shabbir Hassanbhai – Singapore Ambassador to Nigeria and African Heads of mission in Singapore congratulated Nigeria High Commission for hosting the investment and business forum and declared that it was a game changer for bilateral ties. I am not by any means blowing my own trumpet but I want to believe that all these significant milestones in our bilateral ties are not coincidental.

25.​In recent times great women like Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala – Former World Bank Vice-President and Prof. Dora Akunyuli are all notable role models in their role in governance.

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the National Economy is a globally renownedEconomist.

26.​Dr Okonjo-Iweala is best known for her two terms as Finance Minister of Nigeria and herposition at World Bank. She briefly served asNigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, and alsocontested for World Bank president in 2013emerging as one of the top 3 contenders.

27.​One of her notable contribution to Nigeria was in 2005, when she led the Nigerian team that struck a deal with the Paris Club, a group of bilateral creditors, to pay a portion of Nigeria’s external debt (US $12 billion) in return for an $18 billion debt write-off. This was a debt Nigeria was spending roughly US $1 billion yearly just for debt servicing without repayment on the principal.

28.​Dr Okonjo-Iweala also introduced the practice of publishing each state’s monthly financial allocation from the federal government in the newspapers. This action increased transparency in governance. She was instrumental in helping Nigeria obtain its first ever sovereign credit rating (of BB minus) from Fitch and continued on page 62

62

MAY 04, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Abuja Beats

I lost my only son to insurgency -Heartbroken mother Yekeen Nurudeen, Abuja

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or Mrs. Prisciilla Mbarumo Ashafa, there is nothing left for her to fight for other than for peace and love to reign in the country.

Mrs. Ashafa who works for a non-governmental organisation, Women Environmental Programme, lost her only son to an attack by insurgents in Yola, Adamawa State.

She and several other women dressed in black outfits carrying placards and banners with various illustrations as well as inscriptions were a spectre to behold at Eagle Square, Abuja on May 1 when workers from all over the nation gathered to mark their day.

While workers were celebrating their day inside the Eagle Square, although amidst tight security the protesting women were at the main entrance of the Square preaching peace.

According to the leader of the women, who spoke to Abuja Beats, the women gathered to call attention of all Nigerians to the need for the restoration of peace in the country.

Her words, “We are here to pass the message across that we want peace in this country; we are tired of bombs. We want peace in this country; we want everybody to embrace peace. These are women from all over Nigeria; we are women from Plateau, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Benue, Niger, Cross River. We are

all here.

“We are all here to complain about the incessant killings of our loved ones, of our children and others. But most importantly is to say that we want peace in this country, we are tired of bombs. Where there are bombs, there is no development.

“If you go to displaced camps in Benue and Nasarawa, thousands of people that are there are women and children. And where children are, they are being raped, the women are also being raped.

“We are tired of our children being taken as sex workers, just like the case in Borno. We are saying that we want our children back. We want to have peace in this country, that’s why we came here.

“As mothers we have to take the issue of violence against women in our hands; we have to take our destinies in our hands. We have to start preaching about peace and love from our home to the outside world. That’s what we are doing here.

“I’m a victim of violence because I lost my son, the only son I have in this world was

Police arraign eight for drug abuse Tunde Oyesina

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killed in Yola. But I stand here to preach peace here today. We cannot all be violent. That is the only treasure I had in this world and he has been taken away because of violence.”

he police in Abuja have arraigned eight men before an Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court in Wuse Zone 2 over alleged smoking of dried leaves suspected to be hemp.

The prosecutor, Emmanuel Adikwu, told the court that a police patrol team attached to the Maitama Police Station in Abuja arrested the eight suspects while they were constituting a public nuisance.

The accused are Ahmed Atiku, Destiny Mba, Julius John, James Audu, Mohammed Ahmed, Adamu Shehu, Salisu Umar and John Colombus, all of no fixed address.

The prosecutor submitted that some of the dried leaves were recovered from the accused persons during investigation, noting that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 198 of the Penal Code.

Section 198 of the code states that whoever commits a public nuisance in any case not otherwise shall be punished with imprisonment for one year or with fine or both.

When the First Information Report was read to the accused, they all pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The magistrate, Mr. Celestine Odo, however, granted them bail in the sum of N20,000 and one surety each in like sum.

He also ordered that the sureties must be resident and work within the court’s jurisdiction and adjourned the case till May 5.

The Role of Women in Governance c o n t i n u e d f r o m pa g e 6 1

Standard & Poor’s.

29.​Prof. Dora Akunyuli a pharmacist and administrator, gained international recognition and won many awards for her work in pharmacology, public health and human rights.

Prof. Akunyuli, as Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), sawto the eradication of counterfeit drugs and unsafe food.

30.​The former DG of NAFDAC at the risk of her life alongside her team fought an uncommon battle against adulterated drug dealers who have destroyed so many lives in Nigeria.

Her work isindelible in Nigeria.

31.​We have many other women in Nigeria who played vital and visible role in governance and have become role model by their engagement and outstanding performance. They are: Queen Amina of Zaria, famous for expanding and fortifying her territories with earthen walls some of which are still visible in places like the walls of Zaria.

32.​Madam Ikonna Nwayiukwu Enyia, was a lady warrior who together with her compatriots confronted their Warrant Chief who dared to enforce the abhorrent tax law on women by the colonial masters. That confrontation led to what is thereafter referred to as the Aba Women Riot of 1929. Their heroic act and struggle led to the abolition of unfair tax law in Nigeria.

33.​Madam Ikonna’s patriotic and courageous act inspired female Nationalists such as Mrs. Margaret Ekpo, Chief Funmilayo Ramsome-Kuti, Hajia Gambo Sawaba and

many others who fought for political, social and cultural emancipation of Nigerian women.

34.​When we talk about Role of Women in Governance, I would like to draw our attention to aspects/roles that are equally important rather than the high profile and glamorous positions such as Ministers, Ambassadors, Governors, and Presidents. In India, there is the Andra Pradesh Mahila Samatha Society.

This society creates time and scope for rural women to critically analyze and understand the factors influencing their lives. Initially the Sanghams as they are called concentrated on discussion about how they can make the best of what is provided them.

35.​The Sanghams as they are called realized that women’s political participation is an important aspect of Women Empowerment.

They therefore, started questioning the general belief of the time such as the role of men, the place of men and place of women in the overall sphere of things and they sought entry into political domain. Even though their entry and participation were not without challenges, they persevered.

36.​They took some initiatives such as: • Perspective building on the role of women in governance and generating awareness on the functions of local governments in their society.

• Pre-election voter awareness campaigns so they will elect people who are sympathetic to their cause.

• Training for elected women representatives forvarious bodies on roles and responsibilities

• Introducing governance in curriculum in all educational interventions and many others.

As a result more than 1874 of sangham women were elected at various levels of government in 2006 and this number grew to 1926 in the subsequent year.

37.​In Rwanda, after the genocide ended in July 1994, the population of Rwanda was fractured drastically. The population was 70% women and girls. Given this demographic imbalance, women immediately assumed multiple roles as heads of households, community leaders and financial providers meeting the needs of devastated families and communities.

38.​They were the ones who picked up the pieces of a literally decimated society and began to rebuild. They buried the dead, found homes for nearly 500,000 orphans and built shelters.

With early and critical support from the United Nations and United States Agency for InternationalDevelopment and other International Aid Organizations, women in Rwanda were the leaders in reconstruction efforts.

38.​Today women remain a demographic majority in Rwanda representing 54% of the population and contributing significantly to the productive capacity of the nation. Quite simply they are the majority constituency and most productive segment of the population.

39.​The Rwanda women play a vital role in the physical reconstruction of the country and also in the crucial task of social healing, reconciliation and increasingly governance.

39. I am confident that we will see greater participation of our women in governance come

2015 and I believe that not only 35 per cent but 50 per cent women participation is possible in Nigeria! There is hope for Nigerian women and it will take collective effort of all of us at this summit to get to our promise land.

40.​From Margret Thatcher of great Britain, Indira ghandi of India, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and many others, women have contributed immensely to the growth and development of humanity in general.

41.​I would like to use this platform to call on women to shun all discriminatory practices against fellow women and unite in our struggle for equitable political representation. I therefore, chargethe leadership of Imo State Congress of America (ISCA), not to loose focus. You must work together in empowering our women and taking this crusade to the grassroots, as women remain a potent force in national development.

42.​It’s only through real women empowerment that we as women can truly play any significant role in governance and impact our state, nation and the world at large.

42. In conclusion, I would like to close with this fundamental truth, in the words of our dear President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan - “Africa must address the issue of women empowerment to improve human security. Securing women’s future will secure Africa’s future.”

•Ambassador Nonye Rajis-Okpara, MFR, High Commissioner of Nigeria to Singapore, delivered this paper at Imo State Congress of America (ISCA) Women Empowerment Summit in Houston, Texas.

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MAY 04, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Sport / News

Man City defeat Everton to go top of EPL table

Odemwingie’s goal sends Fulham to relegation

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A

goal from Nigeria’s striker, Osaze Odemwingie which made it goal number six for the former Bendel Insurance of Benin star player, and three assists at the Britannia Stadium gave Stoke City a 4-1 victory over Fulham a result which confirmed the latter for relegation to the lower league.

Fuham’s defeat - coupled with Sunderland winning 1-0 at Manchester United - was enough to send Felix Magath’s side down.

Stoke’s opener came on 39 minutes after Marko Arnautovic cut the ball back from the right byline to Stephen Ireland, whose shot was deflected off Dan Burn onto the crossbar, with Peter Odemwingie there to slot home from close range.

Arnautovic added the second on 54 minutes with a breakaway goal following a pass from Odemwingie.

Stoke added another breakaway goal with 17 minutes remaining, with Oussama Assaidi scoring from Arnautovic’s pass.

This relegation is Fulham’s first since they plunged into the league’s bottom division in 1994 - and Magath’s first in his lengthy career with nine different clubs.

Even news of scores going against them elsewhere could not rouse the visitors and the increasingly inevitable Stoke opener arrived on 39 minutes when Ireland’s shot struck Burn, hit the bar and bounced down for Odemwingie to tap home.

RESULTS

Barclays Premier League West Ham 2 - 0 Tottenham Aston Villa 3 - 1 Hull City Man United 0 - 1 Sunderland Newcastle 3 - 0 Cardiff Stoke City 4 - 1 Fulham Swansea 0 - 1 Southampton Everton 2 - 3 Man. City Spain - Liga BBVA Rayo Vallecano 0 - 3 A. Bilbao Barcelona 2 - 2 Getafe Malaga 0 - 1 Elche Osasuna 0 - 2 Celta Vigo France - Ligue 1 Bastia 1 - 1 Lille Lens 0 - 0 Angers Germany - Bundesliga Dortmund 3 - 2 Hoffenheim Monchengladbach 3 - 1 Mainz Braunschweig 0 - 1 Augsburg Frankfurt 0 - 2 Leverkusen Freiburg 0 - 2 Schalke 04 Hamburger 1 - 4 Bayern Nurnberg 0 - 2 Hannover 96 VfB Stuttgart 1 - 2 Wolfsburg Bremen 2 - 0 Hertha Berlin

Battle: Everton’s Leon Osman (left) competes with Yaya Toure during the first half of the Premier League clash yesterday

Ethiopia runners clear Okpekpe Road Race titles Cajetan Mmuta Benin

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wo Ethiopian star athletes, Teshone Asafah and Wooden Ayela, yesterday made history in the male and female categories of the second edition of annual Okpekpe Road Race held in Edo State.

The 18 year old Asafah had finished in a record time of 28 minutes and 35 seconds to win the race breaking the record of 29.49 seconds set by Moses Mazai of Kenya in 2013.

Ayela won the female race finishing in a record time of 32 minutes 4 seconds to win the cash prize of $15,000.

However, the second and third positions in the male category were won by two Kenyans, Amos Mitel and Cornelius Kangogo within re-

cord time of 28minutes 53seconds and 29 minutes 15 seconds respectively.

The second and third positions for the female category went to Jenneth Yela from Ethiopia and MoheÍn Debaba of Kenya made at a record time of 32 minutes 52 seconds and 32 minutes 59seconds.

The Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, won the Executive Category race at record time, while Comrade Isah Aremu finished second.

Oshiomhole lauded organisers of this year’s race for the successes, describing it as “as a thing of joy that Edo State is hosting the world.”

He observed that the Okpekpe 10 Kilometer Road Race has gone down in Nigeria’s sports history as one as outstanding and the peoples delight

and also a unifying factor. According to the governor the race acts as a bridge between the different tribes of the country and the world at large.

Oshiomhole further tasked the organising committee to strive towards closing the discriminatory police that favours male athletes against their female counterparts as both sides worked hard to earn their laurels. He urged the International Athletics Federation to ensure that the female winner in the latest competition was rewarded with the same cash prize of $25,000 and not the $15,000 as announced.

The governor called for an urgent planning for a full 42.2 Kilometer marathon race on the 52 kilometre Urhonigbe road in Orihionmwon local government council in the Edo South district of the state.

Marketing Director Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Walter Drenth (third from left) and the Public Relations Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Ekanem Kufre (second from right), with the Lisbon bound lucky consumers who were part of the viewing experience at the Heineken House, Lagos

anchester City grasped control of the title race as they came from behind to beat Everton 3-2 and move to the top of the table with two games remaining.

There was a subdued atmosphere for long periods at Goodison Park as a home victory would do Merseyside rivals Liverpool a massive favour, but Everton needed to win to realistically keep their hopes of UEFA Champions League football alive and they took the lead in the 11th minute when Ross Barkley curled a sublime shot into the top corner.

However, Sergio Aguero beat Tim Howard at his near post to equalise after 22 minutes and Edin Dzeko’s well-directed header from James Milner’s cross made it 2-1 just before half-time.

In a crucial period at the start of the second half, Joe Hart saved brilliantly from Steven Naismith and Dzeko struck City’s third moments later.

Romelu Lukaku headed in midway through the second half to set up a tense finale but City held on to go above Liverpool on goal difference with a couple of home games to follow, whilst also ensuring that Arsenal will finish fourth ahead of Everton.

World Cup: Eagles ready, says Maigari Jude Opara Abuja

T

he president of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, says his board has put in place everything that will enable the Super Eagles compete favourably at the forthcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup. Maigari told journalists in Abuja that already his federation has secured a conducive camp for the team in the United States of America coupled with three international friendly matches already lined-up for the team before they travel to Brazil for the global championship.

“We are almost ready for the championship, we at our level as a federation especially at the board level has almost put everything in place so I believe the coaches are also rearing to go and very soon we are going to have three quality friendly matches starting with the clash against Scotland in London this May, don’t forget we have also secured a first class camp site for the team in the USA, all that is remaining is just to polish the team, I will say we are ready for the world Cup.” The NFF boss said he is optimistic that everything has been done to make it possible for the team to get its funds for the championship in good time.

SPORT Fatai Atere: Eagles will perform wonders }31 in Brazil

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

VOL. 1 NO. 75

SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2014

N150

FAITH Ademowo: Nigeria is on downward slope

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Of illogic and fire to the insurgency O ne of the many peculiarities of the Nigerian Islamic insurgency is that its objective is ill-defined. Some would say it is not even defined at all. Rather, what seems to be playing out is downright lawlessness, perpetrated by people who take imponderable delight in bloodshed and chaos.

At first, we were told that Boko Haram (which actually means no to Western education) was opposed to western-style schools and education and that their mission was to prevent Muslims from acquiring that type of education. But, even that sounded implausible because the very lifestyle of leaders of the sect, manifest in their expert and lavish use of tools of western civilization (phones, cars, guns and the like) to ply their deadly trade and the fact that they were educated in modern Westernstyle schools in Nigeria, stood in obvious contradiction of their advertised belief. In other words, you have, and enjoy the accoutrements of, Western education but it is not good for others. Needless to say, we practically threw that reason for the advent of the sect out the window.

As the insurgency increased in tempo and violence and government took steps to curb it, including agreeing to negotiate with the sect’s leadership on how to end the uprising, we were told that Mallam. Shekau, the sect’s spiritual leader and commanderin-Chief had demanded that President Jonathan convert to Islam as a pre-condition for talks. Even though the government still set up a committee to negotiate with Boko Haram , it was clear from the beginning that the negotiation would come to naught, because the nation was faced with a fastidious enemy who could not be placated, who either did know what they wanted or simply didn’t want to be open about their demands.

And so, here we are, immobile in our own dilemma, unable to decisively confront a deadly enemy whose mission and objective we do not understand. In newspaper opinion articles, editorial commentaries and radio and television talk-shows, the recurring question has, thus, become: just what does Boko Haram want?

In a situation where there is no clearly stated, or no generally accepted, objective of the Boko Haram insurgency, many are bound to answer the above question according to their own interpretation of what is going on. And one of the most common of such interpretations is that this is all politics!

First, the impertinent demand by Shekau that President Jonathan convert to Islam as a condition for his recognition by the Islamic sect leader and subsequent negotiation with his government, can be validly interpreted to mean that the problem that radical Islam (and there doesn’t seem to be too many conservative, establishment Northern Muslims these days!) has with the President of the Federal Republic is that he is a Christian.

Which is to say that were he not a Christian, there probably wouldn’t be this strand of Boko Haram that has practically turned the country upside down. The other point is that if this was not all politics, if Boko Haram was not enacting a well-choreographed

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Nyako

script that enjoys plenty of elite buy-ins, the northern political establishment would have been much more vociferous in its condemnation of the sect’s well documented heinous criminalities. By that same token, northern leaders would have been more active in, and supportive of, the federal government’s battle against the insurgency and general insecurity in the land. But, what do we have instead? A seemingly timid northern elite who have no harsh words for Boko Horam, only for President Jonathan against whom all manner of charges is hauled by those who think he should fly into the northeast in a sputnik and pluck Boko Horam out of existence without any single collateral damage.

Consider the Chibok girls abduction incident, for instance. While every Nigerian’s heart bleeds for these girls, their parents and relatives, we must also pause and ponder: how could almost 300 girls be writing exams in a security challenged place like Chibok in Borno State, where Boko Ha-

MAMA LASISI

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ram sprouted and the governor, the chief security officer of the state, did not deem it necessary to make any preliminary arrangement to secure the place or even ask for a special security arrangement by Abuja for the girls? To be sure, any negligence on the part of any stakeholder that could have led to this horrible situation is condemnable.

But, the protesters who lay all the blame for the Chibok disaster on the footsteps of the federal government alone miss the point.

Indeed, more than the federal government, we must be able to ask Gov. Kashim Shetima and Co. what they themselves did or have done to bring an end to this national show of shame.

If reports are anything to go by, what we know about the war against Islamic insurgency in the North East is that the governors in the zone have only hauled abuses at the federal authorities for “doing nothing” to secure the zone but done practically nothing themselves to save the situation. Which brings me to this question: when Gov. Nyako of Adamawa State in his recent vile, tendentious letter accused ‘Easterners’ led by President Jonathan of committing genocide against the North, was he talking about the do-nothing-to-secure-the-zone accusation against the federal government or was he really serious about the “Easterners” plotting and executing genocide against the north?

Pardon my naivety, but how? Between the people who routinely lob bombs into markets, churches and mosques and kill hundreds in the process, and the soldiers, state security officials and police officers who get killed every so often as they battle to contain the insurgency, who would be guilty of genocide? Between the people who explode bombs in motor parks (twice now in less than a month in Nyanya on the outskirts of

Abuja) and kill hundreds, invade villages and kill villagers by slitting their throats, invade students’ hostel and slaughter some of them like goats, waylay travellers and kill off all of them, invade a girls’ school and abduct hundreds of them to unknown destinations, and security agents who work to checkmate the activities of these hoodlums, who would be guilty of genocide? Between “Fulani cattle rearers” who carry sophisticated weapons and sack villages across Nigeria, killing and maiming villagers, and security agents who work to stem their atrocities, who would be guilty of genocide?

However, for Easterners, Nyako’s accusation should, in a certain sense, be something to celebrate. For, what it means, it seems to me, is that the much desired and soughtafter unity among people of the old Eastern Region has since arrived and blossomed rather unobtrusively. Because the apparent annoyance of the Nyakos of this world would appear to be that instead of going with the North as they used to, the South Easterners have cast a long look back and seen a greater advantage and justice in giving unalloyed support to their brother next door, so he could succeed as president of Federal Republic. Political Nigeria is never at ease with a united East because with such new-found unity and collective strength, the old East as the nation’s golden geese can henceforth effectively demand its social and economic rights of a Nigeria that had hitherto grossly neglected it.

In Nigeria, it’s alright for the South West to trade state governorships for an Obasanjo presidency but it is criminal, indeed a certain attempt at “genocide against the North”, for the South East, a predominantly PDP zone, to support a South South President who treats the zone as a human habitation and a legitimate part of Nigeria and who, in any case, is national leader of the PDP! This is my advice: instead of playing the victim, Murtala Nyako and Co. should sit down and ask themselves why the North, which, by the way, needs this federation more than the rest of, has become its sick baby, the very one so blinded by the hate of others that it is prepared to pull down the roof just because not one of its own is President. As the Yorubas would say, Hausa-Fulani ronu!

By Aliu Eroje

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