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scope ...let your business be found Jan. 16 - Jan. 31 Vol. 2 No. 28

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NIGERIA...

2014 in retrospect and other stories

2

Jan. 16 - Jan. 31 Vol. 2 No. 28

Life’s Wall We Invite You To Share With Us Your Most Profound Thoughts!

Question For Current Edition: Would you accept a gift from your EX during the festive season or birthday, even when you’re married?

R e s p o n s e s : Victoria - No I wouldn't because I know my problems between me and my present life. husband would not be pleased if he finds out about it.

Adam - Yeah why not an EX should not be someone that you can eradicate from your life just like that.

Bisi - Yes I would as long as all strings with the fellow have been cut.

Joy - It depends on how we parted ways. If it was a mutual and peaceful breakup I could accept it.

Tom - Why not! After all I didn't sign an agreement to reciprocate. A gift is a gift.

Grace - No I wouldn't, it doesn't just sound morally right to me.

Tony - It depends on the kind of gift, if it's a box of chocolate no, but a million naira cheque hell yeah I will.

T.J - No wouldn't cause my EX belongs to my past; I prefer severing all ties completely with them.

Betty - Yes would do only if it's ok by my husband.

over their minds but the truth is your EX isn't your enemy, cause before he Christopher - Definitely yes, because I'm or she became an EX they were the sure when we ended the relationship, it was good moments that when you on a settled and understandable manner. remember you either smile or cry We are friends and we still chat once a depends on the event that occurred while,so no offense. before the break-up. But to me I don't see anything wrong taking a gift from Mary - Yes I will, if he sends me the gift and your EX but if you are into another I didn't ask him for it, but I will let my relationship and you know your man husband or fiancée knows what is going or lady is the Jealous type and you on. truly care about his/her feeling you go to responsible sometimes.

Alice - I will tell my fiancé first. If he wants me to collect it, then I will and if he is not ok Kate - Nope and if I have to I will first with it, I wouldn't. So this way if any issue have to seek the consent of my arises later on, I wouldn't be the only one spouse. responsible for it because men are sometimes funny with their intentions Christabel - Yea I would simply when they give gifts. That's my honest because of what we had in the past, opinion. yea we broke up but that doesn't mean we are enemies plus it just a gift BKY - What for? We are done and we are married or not. done for good. Though I have forgiven him and forgotten how and why we departed Ene - No, cause that's in my past and but I wouldn't want to have anything to do that's where it belongs as well. with him again.

Peter - No, cause once I’m done with Yemmy - Why not, I will collect it but I'll you that's it. keep my lady informed so that she wouldn't feel I'm doing something else behind her Blessing --- I would ask my husband because so many ladies can be so very first, if he says yes, I would accept but jealous. if no, then I'm sorry.

Toyin - EX is an EX nothing more than that I Lucy - It all depends on how we wouldn't, as such I accept it no matter what and I wouldn't be happy if my boo broke up. accepted such from his EX too. What I don't Obinna - I can accept gifts because want him to do; I wouldn't do it either.

Peace - If we are still in good term with gifts are not to be rejected. each other, we don't have any issue against Udoka - If it is something edible I will one another, we are friends, I would not take, but if something else I'll take accepting his gifts with open mind but with the knowledge of my boo. it.

Mariam - Yes, I will accept gift from my EX only if the intention is well known.

A.Y - It's not an issue for me if there is no string attached.

David - No I won't an EX will always be an Taiwo - Yeah I would only if I was the one EX. Why should I receive a gift from her who ended the relationship in the first what if she wants to harm me? place.

Tex - Yes why not! I would cause it is the Ifeanyi - No I won't collect anything from time/season to exchange gifts and share my EX without my wife's consent. love.

Mercy - Yes I would with the permission of Patrick - Yes as long as the gift has no my husband. interior motive but if it does, then NO would be the answer.

Favour - NO, I can't collect anything from my EX because my hubby wouldn't Youpele - Xmas yes, birthday when enter tain such a thin g. Personally, I married it's a maybe because I might see wouldn't advise anyone to collect anything nothing in it; but on the other hand my wife from his/her EX because it might come may read meaning into it so, I would just back and haunt them in the future if your avoid birthday gifts from all EX's for peace spouse finds out. to reign though it depends on the kind of gift as well. If it is a bottle of wine or whiskey Michael - I will collect only if it's my why not. birthday. However, she shouldn't expect me to reciprocate such gesture in the future.

Gold - No, because it's not wise to do so.

F.M - I wouldn't do that no matter what. I am just imagining that if my partner does that, I will see it as a sign of doubt that anything can still happen. As a guy you will want to go to any length to get the heart of a girl you really want.What if the EX is such a person?

Godwin - Yes would if it's given to me with Eric - Capital NO, reason is because my Rhoda - Truthfully, I don't see anything bad love has already been sold to someone in that if the purpose of giving is sincere. the right motive and a clear conscience.

But on a lighter note I wouldn't collect such else. gifts because of my marriage; my hubby is Victor - No, I wouldn't even consider it; a JEALOUS type. tongues would wag my reputation matters Johnson - It's a no for me. I can't start something I can't end. a lot to me.

Chioma - For God's sake an EX is an EX; I don't have any business with him again the Daniel - No because if I'm married I Busayo - That's kind of a serious one in the day he becomes my EX, so he should take wouldn't want my EX to cause any sort of sense that most people let Jealousy take his gifts to the needy. NO OFFENSE.

Kasarachi - It's a big NO. Even the Bible says the gift of a man maketh way for him.

Guys are funny. If I accept the gift, he will come back later for something else.

Jessy - If he is giving me a gift of a car, or house whose document is in my name, or even if it's any sensible gift, I will gladly accept it because that is a manna from heaven. But if he comes back for something else in return or wants to come and claim the gift or wants to boast about the gift, I will let him know the real meaning of Maga don pay. And that no amount of gift item or money can buy me.

Oluwaseyi - Yes on one condition, if we had separated peacefully.

Chika - Yes, I will accept it.

Gift - Yes, I will.Why not?

Akin - I will but if we had issues, I will give it out.

Olayinka - I will not accept.

? ??

Question For Next Edition: What was the best part of the year 2014 for you?

Please write on our wall...SMS your thought to 08060917396 or mail: wall@ph-microscope.com.

You can put your name if you want to. We will publish your thoughts in the next edition.

Write to sponsor a question, call or text or sms: 08060917396.

3

Jan. 16 - Jan. 31 Vol. 2 No. 28

Editorial 2015 should not be business as usual...

PH Microscope is a freely distributed fortnightly publication started in June 2013 and dedicated to showcasing PH businesses, organisations and even government. We provide information to people on whats going on around the state.

We also offer an affordable and effective advert platform to everyone. We do PR inserts, and help businesses and organisations to connect with their immediate environment.

Even though we have our convictions, and we express these convictions in a generally objective manner, we pride ourselves as being nonpartisan and unaffiliated to any brand or organisation. We simply strive to provide an equal platform for opinion sharing, and information dissemination.

I

will like to say Happy New Year to all of you, our numerous readers. This is not a late greeting by any means, as the year is still fresh; we are only 2 weeks gone in a year of 52 weeks. I want to thank you all for picking up the papers from every drop off point, and accepting it when it is offered to you free.

I also want thank our clients, who advertised using our platforms last year, and I ask that the Lord will bless your industries this year.

2014 was a tough year for business and even tougher for security of lives and properties. We can only hope and pray that we get a reprieve this year. A lot of people think hoping is pessimistic, but for those of us who still has faith, hoping and prayer is always an effective weapon against discouragement. In 2014, Oil prices started on a high of over 100 dollars per barrel, but closed at about 49 barrels. Even for the richest of nations, this is a severe point to be. Most oil producing nations may not feel this impact for sometime because they have taken some steps to protect themselves from vagaries such as these. But our country has never done anything to protect the economy from these kinds of instability. We are not the only ones fortunately, but that knowledge doesn't make it any better, or does it? Russia today also is reeling from the price crashes. Its economy is going to keep shrinking till 2017 if nothing changes; its currency already shrank by more than 45% in the past few months, and they are staring inflation in the face right now.

This is what happens when one fails to prepare no matter who you are.

The Government, through the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-

Iweala, announced a set of austerity measures aimed at tightening our belts, and they are all but laughable.

If an austerity package will at best generate 10billion naira from a budget of over a trillion naira, then I don't need anybody to tell me that we are near certified as a nation than I thought. That is even less than an impact a pin will make if it drops into the ocean!

I know that the government itself knows that we know that there are probably thousands of other areas where we can tighten our belts as a nation, but a few individuals in government continues to play the ostrich with the lives and future of a whole nation, while the rest of us continue to sit in a boat that is fast drifting.

Oil prices are predicted to stop at about 30 US dollars! What shall we do as a country then? Our radio colleagues carried a news item that made me laugh and weep at the same time. Listen to this 'over 90 ships, heavily 'stuffed' with different kinds of consumer and luxury goods, are waiting to dock in Lagos”. It will surprise you that we still import basic things such as tooth picks in this country. Not that we don't make some, but whatever we make is never going to be enough to pick the over 170million tooth filled mouths we have in this nation.

When you look at the makeup of our problems as a nation, you would wonder why any right thinking guy will want to be President at this time? Our issues are enough to send any well meaning President or Governor into an early grave. Yet, people are killing themselves and swearing to all kinds of covenant just to get into political offices. I wonder if they are going there to fix the country or to help throw in the

last shovel full of sand to close our graves! Perhaps they are not visionary leaders, but vultures who are going in there to supervise our extinction as a nation!

With oil prices currently at around 48 dollars, most state Governor state went ahead to announce hundreds of billion naira budgets calling them all kinds of names, from budgets of hope, budget of assurance, budget of poverty eradication, etc. I ask myself, how are they going to fund this budget?

Where is the revenue coming from?

I was gladdened at least to hear that River state Government's budget in 2015 is less than the one for 2014 by 31%. At least some one is thinking!

The reality facing us is that 2014 may be tough for the economy. But as an optimist, I hope that it will not be that tough. Apart from my faith, another thing that gives me hope is that I know that a lot of trade is not known to Government or recorded

by Government. So maybe a parallel economy that is not backed by our petro dollars will spring up and save us from a complete collapse. This is after all not the first time it has happened. Just before the Babangida regime collapsed, the Maradona was quoted on TV sounding perplexed and saying that after all the beatings the economy had received then, he still wonders why the economy had not collapsed. You see, maybe after all, Nigeria is a cat with 9 lives.

We have added a number of columns to the content. Teens Crib is a page for teenagers, but written and edited 100% by teenagers. This page gives us lots of insight into how teenagers think and what they think about. I think the biggest readership of this page should come, not from teenagers, but from their parents!

We also have added a page called My Life! This page brings to you the interesting story of people's lives.

These people cuts across all kinds of spectrum, but one thing is common to them all; their stories are unique.

The “My Business” page brings information to you on different companies and institution in Rivers State. Some of these you never know existed, and some you have seen, but you have always wondered what they do. One key thing is that after reading this page, you will know that most of these companies are helping to sustain the economy of the state in many different ways and more than this, they are also giving back to the state in several other ways.

This year, we have made a promise and we will do all we can to keep it.

We will serve you Rivers news.

There is so much information that doesn't make it to the news in this state, but we are about to remedy that!

Happy New Year!

Folarin Banigbe-Philips We are making changes to your Publisher/Chief Editor favourite tabloid!

To ensure that we continue to entertain and inform you, we continue to make changes to the structure and the content of your favourite news magazine.

"Published by Immenso Media Technologies” ISSN: 2408-5871

Almost everyone will need our services. We represent Rivers state and we are happy to provide more information on how you or your business, ideas, events and whatever else you do can be discovered by more than 2 million Rivers residents.

Folarin Banigbe-Philips Publisher

Rhoda B. Longjohn PR Executive

Franca E. Idemudia ICT/Education Desk

Kofi Bartels Political Desk

Adeniran Adekola Circulation/Operations

Chuma Nnoli Sports Desk

Olawale Olaogun Graphics

Daguo Ibibo Graphics

4

Jan. 16 - Jan. 31 Vol. 2 No. 28

Lifestyle

INTERVIEW

Nma Phil Onuigbo takes Rotary further with Port Harcourt Airfield Club

By Folarin Banigbe

The opportunity to serve, Professional Networking, Personal Growth and Development, Friendship, Cultural Diversity, Good Citizenship, World Understanding, Entertainment, Cultural Diversity and Family Foundation to mention but a few.

To join Rotary, you have to be invited and introduced by a Rotarian. For example, if I know you as a friend or colleague or acquaintance and I see you as a Rotary material, I talk to you about Rotary and if you get interested, I can introduce you to my club as a guest, the process of membership begins with you as a guest developing interest to join Rotary. Rotary membership is by invitation because one needs to be able to vouch for the person he or she is introducing.

So without being introduced, I cannot join the Rotary club. What if I don't know any Rotary member?

If you think you like the way Rotary works, and you have interest in joining Rotary, you can actually check the Rotary website and find a club near you. Once you know where they meet and their meeting time, you can go there and speak to the President or any member of the Club, a Rotarian must introduce you.

Nma Phil Onuigbo

- Chartered president of Rotary Club Port Harcourt Airfield

F

rom the busy world of corporate corridors of a multinational, Nma Phil Onuigbo has managed to create time for her life’s passion, which is serving other people. Her involvement with the Rotary International in Nigeria has enabled her to carry out life changing community service efforts. As a founding president of the Port Harcourt Airfield club of the Rotary International. She talks to us about the Rotary International, and particularly the activities of the Port Harcourt Airfield Club.

Can you introduce yourself?

My name is Nma Phil Onuigbo, the Charter President of Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Airfield, Rotary International District 9140.

What does a charter president mean?

A Charter President is more or less the founding President. Once a club is chartered, the very first President is referred to as a Charter President.

How does Rotary organise its hierarchy, is your own called a chapter?

There is really no hierarchy among clubs, but what you can say is that it extends. Every Rotary club around the world is a member of the Rotary international and each is independent, so you don't really call it a chapter. The only hierarchy is that each club belongs to a district.

There are three districts in Nigeria, and our own club belongs to District 9140 which is made up of eleven states in the south east and south south of Nigeria. A District Governor oversees the district.

The very first club was chartered in 1965, and since then many more clubs have been chartered or extended. Once a club is extended, it becomes an entity on its own, completely independent and is expected to be as strong as the mother club, applying all principles of Rotary international in her affairs and activities.

So what triggers an extension of another club?

The trigger for a new club is the desire to bring Rotary closer to the communities. For instance, if you had only a club in Port Harcourt today as we had in the sixties, it'll be very difficult for members to attend weekly meetings from their various offices or homes because of distance, it'll also be a problem to have a facility that can accommodate hundreds of people who would be members of this one club, as you and I know, Port Harcourt has greatly expanded and population highly increased since the sixties. Taking Rotary Clubs nearer to communities where people live or work is the reason for extension.

How many clubs do we have in Port Harcourt now?

Currently, there are 14 clubs in Port Harcourt.

So is there a national leader in Nigeria?

No, there's no such leader. Just as clubs are independent and strong on their own, so are the districts. Each district is independent of the other and none is higher than the other. The various leaders all take office the same time, and leave office the same time. As you may have known, Rotary leadership runs for only one year even at the international level.

Can you be President twice?

No, each President hands over leadership to the successor at the end of each Rotary year. There is usually no reason for a second term.

What is Rotary International all about?

Rotary International is an organisation of business, professional and community leaders who have volunteered themselves to serve humanity. There are over 30,000 clubs in 200 countries of the world with a total membership of about 1.2million Rotarians. Rotary started in Chicago in 1905 by a lawyer named Paul Harris.

When you say volunteers, what exactly are the volunteers volunteering for?

They volunteer their time, talent and treasure in service to humanity. These are the three basic things that each volunteer has decided to do and these are people who want to help build communities and make their society a better place.

Why should I join Rotary, and how can I join Rotary?

There are several reasons why you should join Rotary –

What are the core values of Rotary international?

Our core values are Service, Fellowship, Diversity, Integrity and Leadership. When we talk about what we stand for, Rotary has a number of guiding principles around this area and they are The Rotarian Code of Conduct which states that a Rotarian will act with integrity and ethical standards in his/her personal and professional life; will deal fairly with others and treat them and their occupations with respect; will use his/her professional skills through Rotary to mentor young people, help those with special needs, and improve people's quality of life in his/her community and in the world; will avoid behaviour that reflects adversely on Rotary or other Rotarians; and will not seek special business or professional advantage from other Rotarians.

This is the Rotary code of conduct and every Rotarian is expected to live by and be guided by it.

Then the 4-Way-Test of the things we think, say or do which can be applied profitably in relations with others in the home, community, and business, national and international life, particularly to proposed plan, policies, statements and advertising in business and the professions, to proposed legislation in government to relations between students and teachers in school. It asks us the following questions: 1st Is it the TRUTH? 2nd Is it FAIR to all concerned 3rd Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIP 4th Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

This is what Rotary lives for, and of course if you go ahead and talk about the objectives of Rotary, this also checks you on business and how you live with others. This is what that says: The objectives of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis for worthy enterprise, and in particular to encourage and foster: 1. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service 2. High ethical standards in business and profession, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society.

3. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business and community life.

4. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill are peach through a fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

These are the ideal of Rotary.

Which area does the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Airfield cover?

Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Airfield is expected to cover Rumuobiakani, Rumuomasi, Shell Industrial Area, the Nigerian Air force base and other businesses in that vicinity, stadium Road, Elekahia, Military Barracks (Bori Camp) but in community service and service delivery, we are not restricted to any particular area of coverage, we can go to anywhere there is a need. The location of the club was targeted to these areas so that those who work in these organisations and other business persons and community leaders around them can easily find a club to belong.

Jan. 16 - Jan. 31 Vol. 2 No. 28

5

Lifestyle How many members are in your club?

My club started with 34 charter members but we are currently 55 in number.

Rotary is involved in various humanitarian services around the world, and they are known to spearhead or champion these initiatives, the current one being Polio. We hear Nigeria will be polio free this year so congratulations.

But what other initiatives is Rotary currently involved with?

In addition to Rotary International's top goal of eradicating Polio worldwide, Rotary International has six areas of focus and they are: 1.

Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution 2.

Disease Prevention and Treatment 3.

Water and Sanitation 4.

Maternal and Child Health 5.

B a s i c Education and Literacy 6.

Economic and Community Development How do you select a project and the recipients of your empowerment and community service projects?

Each club has board of directors, among them is a Community Service Director whose role it is to do a research and feasibility study and revert to the President and board of Directors with the outcome.

Can communities or individuals come to Rotary and ask for this assistance?

Yes, they can but they will still be subjected to the normal process of vetting and checking that they actually need help.

Let's talk about you for a while. When did you join Rotary and why?

I joined Rotary 8 years ago. My reason for joining is typically embedded in Rotary's motto: 'Service Above Self' Were you introduced to Rotary and when was your first contact with Rotary?

Yes, I was introduced to Rotary. I came in contact with Rotary for the first time in my life as a student of Trans Ekulu Girls Secondary School, Enugu. I saw Rotarians visit our school several times to organize and offer Career Guidance and Counselling to us, donate books and provide my school with various other services. They were corporately dressed, had good manners and were always well composed, I liked them. So when they chartered an interact club in my school, I became a member of that club and that was how I came into the Rotary family. Interact club is the youngest Rotary family member for secondary school students aged between 12 and 18 years while Rotaract club is for youths between the ages of 18 and 30 who are in higher institutions, there's also Rotaract club for youths of same age category but who are community based.

I had always wanted to be like that, but I never knew that one day I will be a Rotarian because all I knew was that Rotarians were coming, and I had become an Interactor.

But 8 years ago I thought about creating time outside work to do things I had always loved; service to humanity.

Coincidentally, that same period my thoughts became stronger, I received a text message inviting me to Rotary. I was like wow! How did this person know I was thinking along this line? The message came from a friend who is a senior colleague at Shell and someone who I had known for a long time. I got excited after reading the message because it was something I was already thinking of doing and also because the invitation was coming from a friend who I had always admired his way of life. So I went with him to his club meeting/fellowship where he introduced me as his guest, you remember I had mentioned that Rotary membership starts with one being invited and introduced as a guest.

So you didn't pass through Rotaract?

No, I didn't pass through Rotaract in the university. As an Engineering student, I was involved in several other things which included technical paper presentations at workshops and conferences as well as in competitions during Nigeria Universities Engineering Students Association week. Also, as an outdoor person, I belonged to an international body which offered me an opportunity to be involved in acting drama, which was like a continuation of my life in secondary school where I represented my school in all inter-school and inter-state

drama competitions. So I was not in Rotaract because of time, which was strange.

Can one be a member of Rotary and other clubs or association?

Why not? It depends on the individual. If you are a Rotarian and you want to belong to other clubs, you sure can. Rotary does not restrict you from being part of any other group or association. We are an open group and a volunteer organisation, so we have no such restrictions.

How has the Rotary family shaped your life?

Meeting Rotary first as an Interactor shaped my life incredibly, it developed my leadership skills.

The Polio Effort: how exactly did Rotary help?

It may interest you to know that Rotary started the fight against Polio in 1979 with a project to immunize 6 million children in the Philippines and by 2012, only 3 countries remain Polio-endemic, down from 125 countries in 1988 and Nigeria is one of these three countries, the other two are Afghanistan and Pakistan. Rotary keeps working hard, providing vaccines, mobilizing Rotarians around the globe to always partake in immunization programs, creating awareness, making financial contributions and until Polio is eradicated from the world, Rotary is not stopping.

Rotary after Polio, what is next in the health Sector?

In health, apart from Polio eradication, we are concerned about maternal and child care and disease prevention and treatment. These are part of Rotary International six areas of focus which I had outlined earlier.

As a Charter President, you are an opinion leader, so I want your opinion on the current political situations viz-a-viz the coming election, what do you think about this?

Rotary is non-political and non-religious so I may not want to comment on the political situation in the country. All I wish our country is good leadership which will definitely translate to good governance. For us in Rotary, leadership is key. So if we have the right leadership, we will have the right government. If we have the right government in place, things will be good for our nation.

What is your opinion on the security situation of the country?

The issue is lack of basic social amenities. There is no society without water, power supply, employment, good roads, good health care, that will be normal. It is practically not possible. So for me, the major problem with security is lack of provision of these basic amenities.

When someone is gainfully engaged, he does not have time to think about things that do not benefit him, his family or the society. I grew up in this country and I have seen how much the country has deteriorated. As a child growing up in the city of Enugu, water was not a problem. We had pipe borne water flowing in the house, we had showers and we had clean toilets. There was constant power supply; it was so good that NEPA went on air to inform the public of any planned power outage, the reason for the outage and when power will be restored. Yes, I saw this as a kid in this country. My father did not own a car, not because he couldn't afford it but because it was not a necessity. Why was it not a necessity? There was adequate transportation system which included road and rail transport. For the road transport, one had options of going by buses or taxis and those would pick and drop you by your door steps, just the kind of system we see in the western world. Our country had it, how did they disappear? If these things were working today, we will have none of these problems that have translated to so much insecurity. Nigerians are good people, they are hard-working and they persevere, but lack of these basic necessities has caused so much hardship and hunger. A hungry man is an angry man and anger can be exhibited in various forms!

Many Nigerians would have been self-employed if we had constant power supply, water and good roads, many would live and succeed with their businesses in their various villages, our environments including remote villages would have been developed and people will be comfortable living and doing businesses in those places thereby reducing the kind of population we find in the cities today.

Our overall environment would have been so enabling that local and international businesses will thrive. Today, the reverse is the case. Nigeria in 21st century has her children carrying buckets up and down in search of water, people are cooking with firewood. The very few who can afford comfort are spending money on petrol and diesel to generate power to watch TV, preserve food in refrigerators and pump water from the bore whole. What a shame!

Until changes are made in these areas, we'll continue to leave in insecurity in this country and our leaders won't be

begging and chasing people to come and invest in Nigeria.

With an enabling environment, investors will come from all parts of the world.

One may ask, what about all the insecurity in the western world, is their environment not enabling? The truth is that there are people who live just by causing destruction but the question is how many of such people compared to a country where majority are struggling to survive as a result of lack of basic social amenities.

Your view of life?

Life is simple, we make it difficult. If we believe and see life as simple, we will always live a better life and have a good relationship with one another. Secondly, the world is a small place, and so for me, whatever we do in life, we should try to maintain a good relationship and do things that when you look back, you will have no regret. Finally, I believe in doing the right thing at all times. If I do the right thing and you do the right thing, the world will be a much better place and life will be sweet.

FACTS SHEET Started in Chicago in 1905 by a lawyer named Paul Harris

Core Values Service, Fellowship, Diversity, Integrity and Leadership

Code of Conduct i. Rotarians will act with integrity and ethical standards in his/her personal and professional life ii. Rotarians will deal fairly with others and treat them and their occupations with respect; iii. Rotarians will use his/her professional skills through Rotary to mentor young people, help those with special needs, and improve people’s quality of life in his/her community and in the world; iv. Rotarians will avoid behaviour that reflects adversely on Rotary or other Rotarians; v. Rotarians will not seek special business or professional advantage from other Rotarians.

The 4-Way-Test 1st Is it the TRUTH? 2nd Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3rd Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIP? 4th Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Airfield Coverage Rumuobiakani, Rumuomasi, Shell Industrial Area, the Nigerian Air force base and other businesses in that vicinity, Stadium Road, Elekahia, Military Barracks (Bori Camp).

Meeting Venue Novotel hotels 3 Stadium road

Time Wednesdays at 5:30pm.

Contact E-mail rotaryclubofportharcourtairfield@gmail.com

Jan. 16 - Jan. 31 Vol. 2 No. 28

6

Fashion and Style

How to stop your hair from ageing T

here is some sort of controversy in the beauty industry these days that hair-care trends follow skin-care trends. So probably it was only a matter of time before words like ant-aging and renewal started turning up on shampoos and conditioners. Apart from being trendy, there happens to be a real reason that haircare companies are choosing to bring age-proofing products into market. Combine with the increased environmental insult and basic chronological aging, and you have an epidemic of parched and frayed hair. The good news is you don't have to take extreme measures in other to score younger-looking strands of hair. Doing the following would help you get or keep your hair looking ever young and beautiful.

1. TREATING YOUR HAIR BETTER A New York City dermatologist says 'Anyone older than 30 will eventually have finer, thinner hair'. Records have shown that 50 percent of women at one point in their post-puberty lives will suffer female-pattern hair loss, a genetic and hormonal condition causing sparseness around the crown. You should try to avoid the use of chemically process products infrequently as possible, also avoid anything that pulls too hard on your hair, such as tight rollers, ponytails, weaves, and braids. Not only can they cause breakage, but they can destroy your roots permanently, rendering them unable to produce hair. Do not underestimate the power of proper nutrition.

Consuming high-protein, low-fat, low-carb foods, as well as popping 5,000 micrograms of biotin (B-vitamin) daily have been recommended for a more healthy hair. The use protein-laced styling products, as your hair gets thinner; it gets weak and less able to support its own weight, leading to breakage and loss, and as such Protein fortifies the hair shaft.

your age or younger. In other words, if your look works for you, don't mess with it, no matter what society deems appropriate. Of course, there are wrong styles for example; hair that is too stiff, puffy, or frumpy can make you look older. In such cases, you go for a neutral, adaptable haircut that gives you options, so steer clear of short, blunt bangs.

3. KICK IT UP WITH A LITTLE BIT OF COLOR The kind/ type of hair color you carry would make you look either older or younger. As we age, we lose definition in our face, and hair color can add that back in.

In an attempt to cover your gray hair, you could go blonde and adding some deeper, caramel lowlights to go with it. Conversely, if you are still holding on to that jet-

“Applying much cream and liquid on your hair does not guarantee its growth” - Bisi Daniels

2. GETTING THE RIGHT HAIR CUT Having the right haircut works with your stylist begin able to find a lightly layered look that falls well around your face and is an appropriate length for your proportions and lifestyle; that would help you looking

Don't wait till your hair is smelly before you wash it! – Stephanie Green Stephanie Green is the owner of STEPH G Beauty Salon and she took some time to speak to our fashion correspondent about the intricacies surrounding our hair. You should learn a thing or two from the interview. And if you live around Rumuobiakani, you may want to go to her Salon. You will enjoy the experience. It's at the back of the Eze's Palace around Rumuobiakani roundabout.

PHM: How often should a girl wash her hair?

STEPHANIE: Even without being told whenever you make your hair; if you discover that the hair smells before remaking it endeavor to wash it. And if you're not making your hair, it's advisable you wash every day.

PHM: Is it advisable for people with extremely thick hair to wash every day?

STEPHANIE: It's advisable to wash once or twice in a month for people with thick hair.

PHM: What quantity of shampoo do you think is advisable for washing your hair?

STEPHANIE: There is no precise quantity to use, you can use as pleased PHM: How many times should one wash in one sitting?

STEPHANIE: Two to three times depending on how dirty the hair is.

PHM: Speaking of breakages what advice do you have to women out there that can help protect their hair?

STEPHANIE: The best way is to avoid retouch your hair often. At least ones in two months depending on your

black hue, give it up a few lighter highlights can be good.

The bottom line is contrast.

4. BOOST THE HEALTH OF YOUR HAIR A more healthy hair connotes a healthy woman; restoring your hair's health is fairly easy. You can take off about two years' worth of damage in a month. Start with looking for and using shampoos and conditioners that have a shine enhancer and a moisturizing ingredient. And you don't shampoo every time you shower, but coating your hair with conditioner whenever it is exposed to any sort of water. Water is highly dulling and drying to hair. Try as much as possible to avoid heat-styling tools also when using a high-wattage dryer holds it 24 inches from your head; Wet-to-dry-hair straightening irons also wreak havoc. Limit the use of such tools to at least more than three times per week, and making sure that when you use them, you shield your strands with a heat-protectant spray and supplement treatments. Using Shea Butter helps to boost the health of hair.

After conducting the research on the various ways in which we can prevent our hair from ageing; we took some time out to talk to the expert's themselves on their own point of view. Below is an interview done with two of Port Harcourt based beauty stylist.

hair texture you can apply placenta and other hair treatment which helps to stop hair breakage.

PHM: Is it advisable for a woman to always retouch her hair immediately she loosens it.

STEPHANIE: No, because it causes damage like hair breakages and it makes the hair very light. People with stubborn hair can retouch where possible but with a weak hair, it's not advisable.

PHM: Methods and nutrients used to boost the hair?

STEPHANIE: Using placenta, lota-body and pink oil helps to boost the hair.

PHM: Apart from applying these chemicals what natural products can be used?

STEPHANIE: They can use shear butter which is commonly called Ori. This applied after washing your hair, divide the hair into four places and then apply it into the scalp.

PHM: How about cutting the tip of the hair?

STEPHANIE: Yes, depending on the hair type, if it's a long hair you can cut it but for short hair it's not advisable.

PHM: Would you advice women to braid, fix or leave their hair?

STEPHANIE: It depends on the individual but for me; I prefer fixing because it prevents the front hair from cutting.

PHM: Is it advisable to condition your hair without washing it?

STEPHANIE: That's not possible except it's a living in conditioner; for example products like dark n lovely, hair organic, mega growth conditioner etc.

PHM: What does hair mayonnaise do for the hair?

STEPHANIE: It helps the hair to have a good texture.

Bisi Daniels is the owner of a Beauty Salon and she took some time to speak to our fashion correspondent about the intricacies surrounding our hair. You should learn a thing or two from the interview. And if you live around Rumuobiakani, you may want to go to her Salon. You will enjoy the experience.

PHM: So what can you tell us about hair ageing?

BISI: Hair ageing has to do with the pulling out and scantiness of hair which depends on the hair texture.

PHM: How do we stop hair ageing?

BISI: Well, this differs in people although using some hair creams and conditioner can help while in some people it is natural.

PHM: How can we treat our hair better?

BISI: The best way to treat ones hair is to wash thoroughly and to ensure that the scalp is not dry.

Applying much cream and liquid on your hair does not guarantee its growth.

Continue on page 22

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Jan. 16 - Jan. 31 Vol. 2 No. 28

7

Lifestyle

From Chili Pepper to C.E.O of a Conglomerate: The success story of IBIFIRI A.C BOB-MANUEL

By Rhoda B. Longjohn

T

he name A.C Bob-Manuel has been synonymous with quality in the construction industry in Rivers State mostly in the eighties and nineties and even continues till today.

But a scion of the Bob-Manuel dynasty has taken this group from construction to a whole new level, including an Automobile assembly plant. A.C BobManuel tells us the story of his life, how he started business and how he has successfully grown the family business into a conglomerate.

Tell us about the Bob Manuel Group Bob Manuel group has been in business for some time now. We are into manufacturing, automobiles and construction.

What made you choose the name?

Obviously I am proud of my name. My late dad was good enough to have left us a good name. The name Bob Manuel construction was in the eighties seen as the best construction company in Port Harcourt, and we are all proud of his achievements. The name of his company then was A.C Bob Manuel, and that's how we stuck to that name.

How did it start?

Well I had a very humble beginning. I am one person that is always realistic to myself and I was trained to believe in hard work. I started out from scratch and today I am where I am now; it started actually when I was in school, I was fortunate to have been business inclined and as at when I was graduating from school I had virtually all sort. Back then in school I was into commodity speculation. I buy commodities and I speculate on them, store them, leave them for two to six months and I sell them with a kill. It so interesting that you could do some basic things and make genuine money out of it. You go to the market in the exterior of Kano, buy stuff like chili pepper (chili pepper are those small peppers); you buy them and learn the process of preserving them; you preserve them for six months there about and you sell them two times the amount you bought them for. In doing that I was not distracted from school because I just needed about a weekend to go and speculate. I then keep the goods for six months and I have 100% or more what I invested in. As at when I was leaving school, I had two cars of my own. I had a range rover, and a Mercedes S500. I had 3 trucks when I was leaving school, so I was very well established and I knew where I was going. I never thought I was going to work, I have never looked forward to working. I have always seen myself as being very selfless, and always knew that I was going to give people a place to work.

What do you think are the main ingredients for success?

Drive, sincerity and self-belief. For example, if your drive and passion is about journalism, it will spur you on to success. The truth about life is that there is nothing that your mind can conceive that you cannot bring to reality. It can take a while, but you can definitely achieve it if you are serious about it. You have to be realistic with yourself, and you have to have that drive to follow your dreams.

Considering the state of the economy of Nigeria,

how would you advise someone who wants to start a business?

Going by the current economic realities, I will suggest to anyone starting a business to look at starting something that will be export related either immediately or in the future. The naira is losing its value, and if you are going for imports, it will be difficult as goods that you bring in will be expensive. If you want to start a business, or even if you want to manufacture stuff, have an eye for the export market.

The fact is that whatever you manufacture, when you sell it out there, it will be at a profit because of the naira dollar exchange rate.

What do you think Government should do about the economy now?

Government must stimulate the economy. The economy has to be restructured. It should be such that we are encouraging manufacturing. Funds should be injected into that sector. The major problem with our economy is our over dependence on oil. So when you are dependent on one item, whenever you have with fluctuation of oil prices, there will be panic everywhere. It's not just a Nigerian problem. Russia too has the same problem, and they are in a recession because they are also dependent on oil. We should look at other areas of the economy.

Tourism is one area that is presently grossly untapped in Nigeria and government should encourage people to go into that sector. Argentina generates the highest percentage of her income in tourism that has to do with Polo. We have a polo club here in Port Harcourt, but we are doing nothing about it. We have lovely beaches all around in Rivers state, and we are not using these to attract tourism. Take Dubai; they have had to create everything they have from scratch to attract people and attract investments, but we have it all here naturally and we cannot harness it. We need to take our minds away from oil so that we can move forward. We need people who have what it takes to move this country forward. Gone are the days when we vote for people just because we like them, now they must be there because they can deliver.

Your thoughts on Youth unemployment The problem of youth unemployment is largely a problem of orientation. We need to carry out a reorientation on our youth. They come out of university thinking the only next step is getting a white collar job. There are so many other jobs that are not white collared that are better earning. Even in the US, you have people in entertainment, and entrepreneurship and they are the more highly paid ones. We have a major industry in this country today that is being overlooked. We have the artisans doing technical work all over this country. We call them artisans but if you look at how much we pay them, they actually earn more than a white collared worker earns.

The unfortunate part is that most of them are not from Nigeria, they are from the West African coasts.

Meanwhile, our youth are stuck with the orientation that it is only Shell work that matters. We need to change this, and get them to embrace other areas of labour. We must encourage them to go into technical areas that these artisans currently control. We must motivate them sufficiently so that they will not be looking down on their artisanship work.

Can you do an assessment of the current administration?

If I am to rate, I will rate the current governor second to Alfred Diette-Spiff. Spiff was the governor who sets the standard for other governors based on his performance. Rotimi was not able to do as much but his was a very good performance too. So I will rate him next to Spiff.

What's your position in all the clamoring for Governorship based on ethnic divide and all that?

We should take away sentiments from the point of view of where the person is from and all that. What should matter is what the person has in store for us.

This election must be based on the economy. The principal issue needs to be about how to move the economy forward. Any candidate who does not have a solution on how to fix the economy of Rivers state should not be taken seriously. Our oil resources are dwindling; we don't have a lot of resources left.

America used to consume about 30percent of the global oil resource, but now they don't import anymore, but they are also now exporting. So you now have America now also competing to supply the 70% demand. That is a big problem!

About six years ago, I drew the attention of the Governor of Rivers State to this issue. Rivers is directly hit with this price regime for crude oil. The revenue coming from the federal government is going to dwindle. Now, if you don't have someone that has the capacity to make a difference in our economy, then we are going to be doomed.

What's in the future for the Bob Manuel group?

We are setting up an Automobile assembly plant in P o r t Harcou rt. That should kick o f f

Bobthere Manuel here about the end of next year. All in all, areA.C lots of positives in our future.

Please sir can you let us into the abbreviation of your names A.C Andy, Clarence Bob Manuel Where were you born?

I was born in Rivers State, in Port Harcourt. Growing up, I was opportune to spend most of my time in Kano, most of my friends call me Sheu and they mistake me for an Hausa guy.

Where is Mr. Bob-Manuel from?

I am from Abonema, and I am a Kalabari.

What schools did you attended I attended Port Harcourt primary school, and then I attended Bereton Montessori. Surprising isn't it? We were the pioneering set Bereton; then Bereton was still inside of the government house. When we left they now moved them out. Diete-Spiff was the executive governor of the state at that time. I went on to the Federal Government College Kano and then Bayero University Kano for my first degree. I had my master's degree at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University.

So sir can you compare schools then and now?

Well I think there is a huge departure because back then we never had so many Nigerian scrambling to go outside the country to go to school. Instead, we had more people coming in from outside coming to school here. It's so bad now that you have more people scrambling to go anywhere outside the country, even to Benin Republic to go to school so there is a major issue with our education sector. While I was in Kano I never heard somebody trying to copy in school not until when I graduated and came to Port Harcourt you that I started hearing people talk about sorting and all of that. It never happened back then, it was like a taboo; you don't even go there or think of it.

Continue on page 22

Jan. 16 12 - Jan. 31 26 Vol. 2 No. 28

8 8

HEALTH NUGGETS

By Victoria Sideso

STOP SKIMPING ON SLEEP:

IT MAY COST YOU MORE THAN SLEEP CAN FIX LATER

STD/STAPH: Itching Biting and pinching, vibration & crawling sensation, stomach noise. Menstrual disorder, weak erection, Quick and premature ejaculation. Watery and low sperm, rashes & Discharge, internal heat, waste pain, fever. HEPATITIS -80,000 people die of Hepatitis yearly in Nig* 40% of HIV Positive are co-infected with Hepatitis* It kills faster than HIV* it causes Liver cancer.

SYMPTOMS: Jaundice, yellowish urine and skin itching, stomach pain, Liver problem, stooling, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, weightloss, wormlike & vibration in the body.

Jan. 16 - Jan. 31 Vol. 2 No. 28

9

Lifestyle

Vox Populi: Mention two key areas you want the incoming government in Rivers State to focus on and why?

GBENGA DUROSIMI ETTI - The incoming government should provide affordable housing scheme, so that an average Rivers man would have a place to call a home.

BISMARK - Provision of good roads is important because many people use the roads everyday to do their businesses. If this is taken care of, the number of road accidents will reduce.

DESMOND - Unemployment is a key point that should be looked upon. The incoming government should provide jobs for all; that would reduce the number of crimes the people commit.

MOSES - I want the incoming government to focus on job creation, which is a catalyst to curb other problems.

JANET - First unemployment and second security of lives and property.

DAUDA - I will want the incoming government to focus more on power and self sufficient energy generation. Secondly the issue of unemployment.

BABA FEMI O. - I will like the incoming administration to focus more on the projects that are already in place. E.g.

Schools, health care centers, roads etc.

OBY - The incoming government should focus more on youth development and empowerment so as to reduce radicalism and violence in the society.

HAMZA M. - They should create more employment opportunities to put in check the rate of joblessness in our society.

DAVID MADU - They should build more road network and improve on power generation to foster development MRS VIKKY - Electricity and road repairs because a lot of places in Port Harcourt do not have steady power supply, which affect businesses and income generated. Roads too needs to be repaired to reduce traffic congestion in Port Harcourt. More link roads should be constructed and faulty ones repaired.

UZI JAYERIS - Security and secondly, the incoming government needs to monitor petro marketers because most of them do not sell at the approved price M.C.R – Job creation and power supply. if these two can be improved, life will be easier in the state ANDREW - Creation of more jobs and the process of getting those jobs should be transparent, so that there won't be too much favoritism. Also efforts should be made on steady power supply.

FAITH - In my own honest opinion, I think it will be nice if the new government focuses on education and job creation. So many people are ignorant and many graduates are still unemployed AGNES - The incoming government should focus on improving the road network in the state and also do more on education.

MADUKA - I think the government should try and provide steady power supply . e.g. , we have not had light for six weeks in

my area and nobody cares . Most businesses are finding it difficult to survive.

PRECIOUS – It's not enough to have ten point agenda or seven point agenda. I would advise the incoming government to look at power and job creation. If there is steady power , many people will engage themselves in one thing or the other. Again jobs need to be created not only for graduates alone , but also for non graduates as well.

TEKENA - As for me portable water and agriculture. As we all know food is very important in our daily lives. And we also know that a hungry man is an angry man.

The state can also generate revenue from that angle.

CHIOMA - Like it is said health is wealth.

Most of our health care facilities are dormant and needs to be reactivated. Qualified doctors and staff should be employed and paid well, so that they would do their job well JAMES OKORO - The incoming administration should focus on transportation and good roads. Any vehicle that is not in good condition shouldn't be allowed to use the road because such can put the lives of people in danger. More roads needs to be constructed and the bad ones repaired so as to take care of the untold

traffic on the road.

CHIKA GOLD – I will like the incoming government to put in place a process for constant road maintenance and construction.

Also the issue of corrupt practices by individuals or group of people in government offices needs to be tackled.

HAMZA YUSUF – I want the incoming government to help look into the illegal extortion of money from shop owners by some groups. For we that do business here, it's not funny when you spend lots of money for something you can't give an account for.

ERICK – From the look of things, the road network in this state is something else that's why the few roads we have are over congested by traffic. Because of this, we need more roads to aid easy movement. Secondly jobs are to be created. Not everyone will work in an oil company.

OZIOMA SONIA - The major issue that I would want the incoming government to have a look at is creating jobs. If this is done, trust me the issue of robbery would reduce.

KURE WABARE – Employment for youth development. Secondly power CHIRAH MARTINS – First employment and second road construction.

10

Jan. 16 - Jan. 31 Vol. 2 No. 28

Teenage’s Crib

MAKING GOOD IMPACT

By Beauty Martins

A

teenager or teen is a young person whose age falls between thirteen to nineteen (13-19) years. They are called teenagers because their age number ends in “teen” and majority of their characteristics are similar through this age band. Most teenagers 18 and 19 are seen or referred to as young adults. A teenager can also be said to be a juvenile between the onset of puberty and maturity.

Almost all teenagers are seen by the society and parents who don't really understand them as weird, naughty, stubborn etc. but in actual fact, there are a few reasons why most teens act the way they do. These include; ŸEARLY FEELING OF MATURITY: Most teens feel that they are now grown and can make right decisions on their own

however, most times they tend to regret their actions but that doesn't mean they are totally wrong .In some cases, a number of teenagers have been able to spring up shocking and wonderful ideas that is moving the world today. This shows that no matter how wrong the society may think a teenager is, there is always an atom of truth in what they say. Ÿ NO FEAR OF RISKS: All teenagers take stupid risks that they might one day regret and wonder what made them to do such weird things. Studies have shown that it is not because teens are not thinking of the risks involved or the consequences of their actions but at that time, they were mostly thinking of how such risks can make them better individuals. ŸPEER PRESSURE: Friends have a major

Making means to cause something to become or to appear, while impact is a mark or influence, or to have a strong effect on something or somebody. As teenagers, maximum impact is what we all need to make in order to affect people's lives positively. Living without impacting knowledge, advice and using your talent makes one of no use in the society. As teens, we ought to be a source of change, making and creating ideas that would leave a lasting impression on peoples mind.

Why must I make an Impact? ŸSo I would not die empty ŸBecause God has deposited so much in me ŸSo I can be the best among the best ŸTo be a contributor and not a consumer ŸTo be a voice to be heard and not an echo ŸBecause I am a born star (ref. Matthew 5:14-16) In this life, make it your aim to be remembered for the impact you have made and not for the money and qualifications you gained. As tiny as the needle is, it makes still makes an impact.

What can hinder you from making Impact? ŸWhen one is not in touch with God ŸLoss of my vision ŸIgnorance ŸUnwillingness to read in order to discover new ideas ŸBeing content with an average or mediocre life ŸLaziness ŸPride ŸSin ŸFear of criticism ŸDemonic influence ŸAssociating with the wrong people ŸInability to pray How to make Impact? ŸDiscovering yourself and having a belief in yourself and

your abilities

ŸSeeking God's advice and staying connected to him ŸLetting the word of God be your guide ŸStart from somewhere and always think big ŸLearn to do things differently and properly

Always remember that no one is too small to make an impact, everyone was born with unique talents; harness them and they will take you far

QUESTION Being a teenager what do you think is the major challenge teenagers are facing in the world today?

JOKE:

QUOTE “Friendship with oneself is all-important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else.” - Eleanor Roosevelt Send answers and feedback to:

Whatsapp: 08060917396

Facebook: facebook.com/phmicroscope

BRAIN TEASER

This is an Test your IQ

Answer: There is no letter E in the whole paragraph!

A Nigerian, an American and a German board a plane✈.

As the plane was flying over the sea satan came out and said to them: I want you to drop something into the sea, if i find it you die and if I don't you live.

The American quickly plucked a button from his shirt and threw it into the sea, satan dived into the sea and came up with the button. ''see!'' he said and killed the American.

The German threw a Pin into the sea, Satan dived and came out with the Pin. ''See!'' he said and killed the German.

The Nigerian brought out a pure water sachet, opened it and poured the contents into the sea holding back the sachet, he said to Satan, ''Oya begin find water inside water...Idiot''...

Proud 2 b a Nigerian ''Even the devil bowed''.

11

Jan. 16 - Jan. 31 Vol. 2 No. 28

Faith and Religion

Deal with Peer Pressure before it deals with you - A message for young people!

By Olufemi and Christy Olawole: Directors of the Bread of Life Youth Mission (BOLYM) What Is Peer Pressure?

Peer pressure occurs when an individual experiences implied or expressed persuasion or enticement to adopt similar values, beliefs, and goals, or to participate in the same activities as those in a peer group.

Young people face many issues related to conformity and peer pressure. They are pulled between the desire to be seen as individuals of unique value and the desire to belong to a group where they feel secure and accepted. The result is that often young people reject family or general societal values, while feeling pressured to conform to the values of their peer group.

An example of this is seen when young people join gangs. In joining the gang they are rejecting the community's way of dressing and behaving. Yet to belong to the gang, they must conform to the gang's own style of dress, behavior, and speech. Research has shown that peer pressure is common in adolescents of all ethnic and social backgrounds, and it comes with risky behaviours such as gambling, cigarette smoking, truancy, examination malpractice, drug use, sexual activity, fighting, shoplifting, and daredevil stunts.

Why is peer pressure powerful?

Peer pressure is powerful because it works on the desire of young people to feel accepted by and belong to a group. Peer groups provide a place where adolescents feel accepted; where they can feel good about themselves, and where their self-esteem is enhanced. Young people tend to gravitate toward other young people with the same problems and in the same situations as themselves and where they feel they will be understood, accepted and celebrated. The feeling of belonging and desire to be accepted is a very powerful force that can outweigh ties to church, school, family, or community.

How can young people deal with peer pressure? The following are strategies young people can use to deal

with negative peer pressure effectively: · Live your life on principles: Have a set of good and moral values on which you live and make your decisions. Don't be a push around, stand for what you believe is right. The best place to find a set of time tested principles is in the bible. Try to read it sometimes; Proverbs and Ecclesiastes will be a good place to start. · Learn to say “NO”: This is perhaps the most difficult thing in the world for many young people to do, but it is an essential skill if you are to successfully ward off negative peer pressure. Say 'NO' politely to anything that violates your values and conscience. Stay away from places and READ THE BELOW INFORMATION TO AVOID REGRET!!! peers who pressure you to do stuffs you know are wrong. The Bible warns in Proverbs 1: 10, “ My son, if sinners entice Fact you do not consent.” · Don't box yourself into a corner: Avoid COPIES THE COST OF PRINTING 1,000 putting yourself in tempting situations OF A5 FLYER AT THE PRESS that make you feel uncomfortable. For PUT THE SAME 1,000 COPIES IF YOU example, if you don't want to start COST YOU IT IN THE MICROSCOPE WILL gambling, stay away from areas where you know kids go to gamble. · Be a model: Set a good example for How's does that work? others by being proactive to stand and suggest what is right. If you think right, do the right things and say the right things, others will want to come close to you and be influenced by you.

Whats more: · Choose your friends wisely: Let good and godly character be at the top of your list when choosing a friend. If you hang around with people who share your values, chances are you'll never be asked to do something you don't want to do. · Think before you act: Think about the consequences whenever you are asked to do something you are not sure about.

So, if you are looking for the best place to put your advert naira, Stop for a moment and ask: Will this choose us! activity get me into trouble? Will it be harmful to my health? How will my

ATTENTION EVERYBODY!!!!

parents feel about this? Will God be happy with me? · Don't be afraid of rejection: Nobody is universally accepted, hence do not be afraid of being rejected or mocked by peers for standing for what you believe to be right. · Know that you are unique: You don't need to be like others or copy their bad habits. Dare to be different. It is only the teenagers who dare to be different that can make a difference in their generation. · Be true to yourself: Think about the reasons why you are considering doing something you are uncomfortable with. Is it to gain popularity? Although there is nothing wrong with wanting to be popular, there are right ways and wrong ways to achieve it. If you compromise your values just to fit in with a particular group, you are not being true to yourself. · Pray, Pray and PRAY!: Pray about whatever pressure you are facing. Pray for grace and wisdom to face a persistent pressure and overcome it. You may also need to talk to a trusted adult, teacher or counsellor.

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Jan. 16 - Jan. 31 Vol. 2 No. 28

12

My Life

Peter Mojuetan:

How to be a philanthropist T

he name, Peter Mojuetan, is not popular in Rivers State, but for anyone who grew up in Port Harcourt in the eighties and nineties will remember FF. Mr Mojuetan is probably Port Harcourt’s most publicity shy philanthropist. He operates out of a nondescript building in GRA but from this building, he has given hope to thousands and water to probably millions more. We were fortunate however to be granted a rare exclusive interview in his office.

Where did it all start?

It is simple, following the footsteps of Jesus Christ, our master. The bible says he went about doing good, and looking at my own background in particular; I come a poor background and I struggled to go to school. It was actually by sheer providence that I was able to go to school. So when I was leaving the University of Ibadan in 1969, I said to myself “I have gone through rough days. As much as possible, whoever I come in contact with, I will try and do something to help that person”.

When I hear young people say today that they are poor, I laugh. We are the people who went through real poverty at our time. I was unable to attend secondary school because there was no finance, but thanks to Chief Obafemi Awolowo's educational programmes in those days; those who couldn't go to secondary school had an opportunity to go to Modern School which is a 3 year programme. So we went to the modern school, and from there we went to the teachers college for the Teachers Grade II certificate, and while there we were encouraged to do the GCE O' and A Levels and from there went to the University. It was still equally hard in the University.

However, my brother in-law helped me through. At that time at the University of Ibadan, we were not paying school fees in advance. When you finish the year, you go off to work and come back the next session to pay for the previous session's tuition. Luckily too, at that time Chief Awolowo was the Minister of Finance in Nigeria, and those of us who were unable to pay our fees were declared indigent, and we were asked to continue studying. I was in the university between 1966 and 1969, and gratefully to God, I did well, and didn't have any carry over. At that time, jobs were waiting for you as you left the university.

I knew my goal and I knew I needed money. In the business world, your internal revenue, yourself finance, meaning the money that you have saved is the bedrock upon which you start your business. I knew i needed to have a financial foundation in order to be able to start a business of my own in the future. So outside of my day job, I drove what we call kabu kabu or taxi cab; I did part time teaching first at the Baptist High School, and then at Stella Maris, both in Port Harcourt. it was in the course of doing all these that i discovered poverty in students. Some will not come to school because there is no transport fare. Some will come to school, within one hour they are already sleeping because of long hours of trekking to school. So when I started my business, and had some trailers, I decided to convert some to buses and I started the free school transport system way back then. It wasn't every day, but on occasional days, we will take a route along Baptist High School, through Stella Maris up to Borokiri. This was in the 70s.

Within 3 years of starting Freight Forwarders, God gave us a breakthrough in business. With God and with hard work, we became a success. Once we had a breakthrough, I felt we could more for people. So we will look around and find an area of need, and we will try to fill it; so we will do transport, health, provision of free water to people.

One of the most important works that the foundation has done is the free water supply. Water was a major issue in the city of Port Harcourt in the 80s, and at a point, with our free water supply, we will load up our tankers and take to town to supply to people. People trek to Military Hospital, Bori Camp, Government House, GRA and at a time, we were supplying virtually the whole of Port Harcourt.

The water infrastructure is such that if there was constant power, we would have been able to supply the whole of Port Harcourt city. The water provision was such and important thing to a lot of people. The Muslim community will come here and will pray with us. In their own religion, water is life. If you give someone water, you have done a lot We ran into the land where our headquarter is in 1986, and we bought it and built it. This building is today the bedrock of this foundation. Without the building, we would not have been able to do what the foundation is doing now. We have had a lot of people coming in, asking us to sell the land

Tell us about your early years I was born 2nd September 1943. I am from Okwagbe in Delta State, but because of economic migration, our parents settled in Eku. Then my parents were trading up and down the Benin River with canoe. I used to wonder how they did, but they did it and survived. My parents were very poor and they itinerant trading up and down the River.

My name is Victoria, an accounting graduate from the University of Port Harcourt, and I’m waiting for my NYSC callup. I got to know about this foundation from a friend who had been in a previous batch. I’ve really learnt a lot of things, how to make to make buns, cookies, moi-moi etc. and I’ve never done it before. This foundation is really a good one and it’s helping young people discover what they can do, how to discover their potentials and developing them. It’s also a way of eradicating poverty because from what I’ve learnt I think I can run a small scale business of my own and with that I can take care of myself and other needs.

Young people should get up and do something because doing something helps them to develop their intellect. It’s not just about acquiring knowledge; one can use business to make it in life rather than waiting to get a job.

Students in the fashion program working on their designs

In fact I was already working somewhere and other places were still sending me telegrams that my job was waiting and asking when I would resume. That was in those days.

The early years of philanthropy before the start of the foundation The foundation was formally registered in 1995, but we have been providing services to the public from much earlier. After I left the University, I went to work with the UAC in their shipping line. I was posted to Port Harcourt and it was all smooth sailing. Then in 1976, the Federal Government promulgated the indigenization decree and I keyed in to it. I set up my own company Freight Forwarders, or FF. Before I started the company, I was doing things here and there after my day work with UAC.

because of its prime location, but we are not prepared to.

Another thing we do is to award Bursary to people. We were in Baptist College the other day and we found that people couldn't pay their fees and were being asked to leave.

So we decided to step in and help. We cannot carry the entire burden, but we just encourage them. Our policy is to reach as many people as we can, so we spread the resources we have to as many as possible.

We also provide books to Universities and other similar institutions. We do all these as our abilities reach. We are self funded. There is no kobo from anybody, and we try to do the bit we can to ensure that a lot more people can be helped.

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My Life I’m Annette Opusunju, I’m from Rivers State, I got to know about it last year November through a friend and applied the same day. I started on the 6th of January and it has really been an interesting experience for me, right now I’m trying to finish the skirt I’m making, I sewed the butterfly top in the first two days, later I was given extra material to make a pencil skirt which I’m about finishing. I was working with the Rivers State Government but I left the job to go for something more. I didn’t want to be depending on monthly salary so I decided to learn a skill. I’m thinking of making a fashion home, since my compound is big; I’ve been planning with someone from Senegal but just came here to learn how to sew. The benefits I have gotten from the foundation would be the skills because I haven’t sewn before in my life but with the help of the foundation they have taught me how to do that. I would advise propel to get a skill because if you depend on people and government they would remain jobless

Summarising the journey, what would you say?

I will say it's been exciting. We have seen the awesome works of God and we have seen that whatever you put your mind to do, nothing can stop you. He is there, and He will help. Hard work is key. I am just recently relaxing a bit. In the past, I get up from bed at 4am. I think it's because I worked with the Germans. These are the people that really value work. The English are not as hard working. Look at their breakfast; the English lay out a spread but the continental Europeans just take slices of bread and tea and off they go to work. So I learnt from them that ideal of hard work.

And the work that I do in this foundation is full time.

You cannot do it part time. I see the people who are coming and talk to them, and counsel them. This set has been with us for two weeks, and we take them on both skills acquisition and self reliance. We say to them, that we expect them to be able to at least buy some of the tools they need, e.g. the sewing machine for those who are learning fashion design. We tell them to invest in their future. E.g. A sewing machine costs 18,000 and your handset costs 25,000, so how can you say you don't have money. It's a matter of putting the priorities right.

So we not only teach them skills acquisition, but we also counsel them on having the right perspective to life.

We challenge the trainees to look at starting up something, even if you will need a loan. We help people find their direction and we assist them with the knowledge they need to also survive.

For example, someone comes here wanting to learn how to bake cake. So we tell them, cakes are occasional items, but if you combine this with making Akara or Moi-moi or even Sobo and some of these other things, you can ensure that you are earning money every day. We are happy that we are touching lives. There is so much excitement when they are graduating. We try to tone it down, but the students always want it big.

they don't have a structure to fund it themselves or with support from people that is confirmed, then they run into trouble and ultimately pack it up.

It took me years of planning to get here. I had it in mind, and in God's goodness, we made a success of the business that he gave us so we had some finances to work with.

And I must say that people have been very supportive to us. Each time we have an issue, and I take it to my support group, they have always responded very well.

By sheer providence, I met a young man some 30-40 years ago. His name is Victor Osiemwonyi and he came in from the US and flew in to Lagos. All his money, ticket and passports were stolen and he was stranded in the airport. I saw him, and till today I never knew what took

In 1969, I said to myself “I have gone through rough days. As much as possible, whoever I come in contact with, I will try and do something to help that person”. me to him. I asked him what the matter was and he started laughing. He said he had been standing there since but nobody offered to speak to him, that I was the only one in all the time he had been standing.

So he told him all his documents were stolen and he wanted to go on to Benin to visit his parent, but he had no means anymore. So I asked him what he wanted. He said he just wanted to get a ticket to get to Benin. I wasn't thinking of anything, but I gave him the money to buy the ticket to go to Benin. Down the line we lost contact but I was sitting down in my office one day in 2007 thinking about the foundation and what will happen when the business we were running closes because at that time, things had changed a lot in the shipping sector. I was already in the capital market at that time; Dr Gamaliel Onasode had assisted me to do some investments, but at this time, we had some additional funds and I didn't want to start a manufacturing concern at that time. So I called the bank where Victor worked, and I was told he had left.

Somehow after several calls, I got his contact. When I called him, he was excited. I told him I had a problem, and he said well sir “íf you think I can solve it, then consider it

My name is Omo S. Kaha, from Edo State. I got to know about the foundation through my sister and colleague who met someone that had graduated from the fashion program and said that the dress she was putting on she made it herself after two months, I found it to impossible for you to be able to make a dress for yourself under two months. I have been in Port Harcourt for years now and I have never heard of a place like this, I asked how much and she said it was free. When I came I thought I knew something about computers, but I didn’t know how much was there to learn till I came. My advice is that young people should just not put all their hopes on just their certificate only; rather they should be more creative and innovative with their time than just begin idle.

building was built for personal use, and we actually lived there for a while, but we found that it was too big, so we moved out and later turned it into the foundation office.

We don't try to do everything, we do what we can, and we try to spread our help as wide as possible. We have a hall here that we give out free to people who wants to have their wedding reception. We just try to do the things we can do without noise or fanfare across board. I get over 200 calls a day, from different people. As quiet as we are, we are still very well known.

We also have this in village, in both my father and mother's village. When we started, the villagers came to me and said, instead of you to be enjoying your money, you are here doing this and that, but it is there, and it is doing well.

Is there a selection process for admission into the foundation programme?

What we have seen is that we have a lot of people without direction. They don't even know what they want. There is no counsel. So we started from the church, I will ask them, what are you doing, this one says nothing, that one says nothing. So we started from there.

There is also the problem that we find people who are seemingly graduates but they are not so sound in the things they studied. Sometimes you won't blame them because most schools today are a shadow of what they once was.

We give attention to those who had just graduated but need to be sound. We look at those have finished service and people like that.

So we empower them. A fresh graduate will sow clothes in about two weeks. So summarily, we don't have firm criteria for selection. We take as many as 150 in every set, and right now we have about 600 people on waiting list. Because of power supply inadequacy, we are not able to run shift, but if we had light all round, we would be able to do shifts and accommodate more people.

So the decision you made way back at the University is the pivot to the start-up of the foundation?

Yes, because I went through the mill. Then we would resume 2nd January at the University of Ibadan and on the 3rd, lectures start. WE had 3 months to do vacation jobs so we can pay Other people start foundations like our fees. We cannot go home because this, but they are unable to continue. there is no transport money. We eat 100 How have you forged ahead? or 101 or 001. We had no money to buy I like the word you used. I have some meat for our food. people who came here sometime ago, and ICT students taking lectures for the day in their class room So then we had to struggle to pay fees and they said they have an idea about an do stuff, so yes, I took that decision and NGO and they have taken the idea to the God has been good enough to allow me to National Open University, and so on and do it. so forth. So I asked the man, what is your The good thing is that schools were very base? What have you put in place? Are done”. I told him I wanted to come into the stock market. well run then. That is why today, I wonder how the VCs you looking for sponsorship or investors? You have to He said, “sir, this is what I do for a living. Consider it are managing these schools. I was in a room for 3 years, and ask certain questions in life to understand what people done”. Today, 50% of the funding for the foundation we were only 2. The last time I visited UI, I don't know actually require of you. comes from him in the capital market. And all because of when tears came to my eyes. There were about 20 students All I have said now looks smooth, but it was not that a man I met almost 40 years ago. Our steps are ordered by in a room. I said, how can you cater for the hygiene smooth. That is the part education plays. If you look at the Lord. We don't have to worry about things that requirements of these people? How can you be admitting our books last year, you will be shocked how much we much. students without thinking of the facilities to put them? have spent. If there is no funding, there is no way this So to ensure that Foundation continues to exist, we place can continue. The bible says, money answereth all strategize and we continue to invest, and you need people things. So to run things like this, you must have clear for when you are not able to do the thing that is required. vision on how to fund the place; and how to minimize Continue on page 14 The next thing is that we know our limitations. This costs. So when people come up with ideas like this and

Jan. 16 - Jan. 31 Vol. 2 No. 28

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My Life Continue from page 13

Peter Mojuetan:

How to be a philanthropist The water infrastructure is such that if there was constant power, we would have been able to supply the whole of Port Harcourt city

There are no hostels but you keep admitting. Any school that can build hostel accommodations will have it oversubscribed because what the students are paying outside is more than what the university will charge.

But back then, schools were school. This is not our country really. The schools, the hospitals, the roads; this is not our control. Then I flew the Concorde from PHC to London to New York and back for 2000naira. The naira was 60k to the dollar, but now everything is upside.

How do you encourage these people to go into Entrepreneurship?

In my interaction, I have seen so many unemployable youths, but I have also seen some stars amongst them. We try to encourage all of them to think about self empowerment. There are no jobs, and where there are, most people will not get it. So we encourage some of them to go and get a second degree. The response to that is that there is no money, and we say well, we cannot sponsor you, but we can advise you. So we set them up to meet members of their families and we advise them to ask them for help...

We also help them with information to apply for available scholarship. One of them recently got a delta state scholarship for his PHD. We push them, we try to remove their sense of inertia and it works. We help them with small finances as we can afford so that they are not demoralized.

Another thing we must do is to inculcate the sense of dignity of labour. The people who troop in from Europe and USA today, most of them are not working blue collar jobs. The difference of course is that they are well paid. But if we can encourage people to look at picking up anything that will give them a lifeline, then there will not be so much dependence on government. Our transport sector can absorb millions of job. Look at the UK railway system. That system can employ millions of jobs easily to the economy.

My name is Kwelle Chika Hart; I got to know about the foundation in course of my job. I saw a lot of people in the computer section so I add to ask questions and she told me that they run a foundation free of charge, so I then told her that I was interested in learning in other to acquire more knowledge on it cause the one I knew was just the periphery of it. One of the benefits of the foundation as that it has giving me the general notion that people can better their lives if they wish to. My advice would be that the young people out there should not waste their time doing nothing, they should try and join the foundation to enable them better their lives in the future by teaching them how to make money for themselves without waiting for salary. My job now is talking to people even the young people in my village as well as telling them about the benefits of the program. In the next few years I see myself as an entrepreneur and if I am to work it would have to be multinationals and the essence of working would be to rise capital in other to start up my own business; the foundation the man as laid, he as prepared me on how to go about my entrepreneurship business in the nearest future.

Cross section of the ICT students in practical session.

Back to Nigeria, It's been a progressive damage of the decades. So what would you say have contributed to the country coming to where it is today? And what were those marker years when things changed irreversibly?

I think the problem is that our democracy was not allowed to run its normal course. Look at the western countries, they had their rough times, but the democracy was never truncated, and so they could grow through the process. That our democracy that was truncated was a major setback. People become heads of state, and they just choose their cronies to go and become people that were not responsible in leading their homes now have the mandates to lead states economy.

So the military with their command structure change the nation from a Federation into a unitary state. Before then, there was healthy competition amongst all the regions. They were all trying to put things in place that will stand them out, but after the military, no more of that was heard.

Then we had the oil price boom, that event also was a major marker year. So people stopped going to farm and working hard to make things happen. We abandoned other growth areas in our economy and just sat on the oil windfall. That was too much money too early in our national life, and it made the nation lazy. If I give you 100million naira now, it can ruin your life, because the things you will want to do with it will not be the things you should do with it.

If we had been able to nurture our democracy from the 60s, we would have been a better country. And when wealth came, people who were not qualified to manage it were managing it. People who had no interest in education were now managing it. I am sitting here talking to you now by the grace of God, because I took time to acquire education. The military didn't care about education, and they eventually supervised the breakdown of the standards of the university.

But all is not lost, because we cannot be isolation from the rest of the world. Things will change if all of us will now begin to sideline government and begin to do our own things. Let the medical doctor practice his trades.

Let the professionals continue to try to excel at their profession. Let the businessman do their business with integrity. When we all stop looking to government to bring everything, then we will be well on our way to getting this back.

Do you think that the oil price regime will be instrumental in getting people to turn away from government largesse?

This is the unfortunate thing. If you have been following world politics, you will see that every successive American president have one agenda which is how we can reduce their dependence on foreign oil? That has

My name is Ifeoma Arua; I discovered the foundation last year 2014 while I was a corper. I saw it as an opportunity to improve myself; I asked for the processes and I applied. Right now I am in the catering program were I am been thought a lot of different ways in making pastries and in cooking also. The experience has been splendid, I have gotten a lot of things that beat my imagination. There are many skills acquisition program and when you get there it is more like theory, they give instruction and say do it like this or like that and by the time you live the place and get back home you really can’t do anything on your own cause you have to start looking through your books just to know what they said; but coming down here it is basically practicals. They tell you this is what we are making today; they give you the measurement and you then work on it on your own that way you know exactly what to do on own next time. I think one of the benefit for me as been self-improvement and gaining more knowledge in a particular food or pastries. Right now we are in the entrepreneur stage in this country that even if you have a job, you also need multiply strings of income I have a passion for food with what I am been thought now in the foundation I could open a restaurant with time and I would have established something that would be a source of employment to others out there. I would say that everyone should learn a skill with that free time you have and improve yourself because you never can tell where it would take you in the future because it might be the opportunity you actually need to unlock some doors.

been the key thing for them. Other nations looked at this and they started to diversify long ago to reduce their dependence on foreign oil. But what do we do here, we just sit around and we are watching things go down. Even if oil is sold at 50dollars, if we can get rid of corruption, that is still a lot of money for our development.

Then Nigerians have to adjust our ostentatious lifestyle.

Whatever you cannot afford should feature in your budget. If you can afford something, please by all means enjoy it. But if enjoying will eat into your children's school fees, or if it will affect your paying your house rent, then something is wrong. I tell people this “the moment you earn 100 naira as salary, and you spend 100 naira and 50kobo, you will never know peace. That 50k kobo will take away your peace. How do you want to do it? There is saying that “for those who have preferences, suffering is inevitable”.

So in essence, the truncating of our democracy and the long stay of the military and the moral decadence led us to where we are. To be fair to the military, there was a period of massive infrastructural development all over the nations at that time, but we could not maintain them.

Jan. 16 - Jan. 31 Vol. 2 No. 28

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Relationship/Lifestyle

Responses

Heart 2 Heart

By Ayodeji Faleye E-mail: ayductdejiro@gmail.com

Tel: 07034636125, 08079694583

Please help!

I'm 18 year old lady who perhaps fell in love a bit too early. It was all sweet and romantic until I found out the truth about him. He cheats, drinks a lot and then says nasty things to me. He'd apologise all the time and I'd forgive him coz I love him. One morning I went to his house without notifying him and to my surprise I found a lady naked in his bed. I didn't ask questions, I just fought to get her out. When he got back, an argument started and he slapped me so hard three times. He's not violent but that day he was. I decided to stay away from him but recently I've been having bad dreams with scenes of blood and a baby. I've been trying to understand what they mean- Am I pregnant or has he impregnated another girl? His family doesn't know anything yet and I don't know how to tell them that we're gonna break up as they are keen on paying my bride price. Please help.

Itoro: First of all, you can't be calling another girl by that big word, she probably didn't know about you. Your man drinks, cheats and beats you up, you're still asking for what to do, his family are keen on paying your bride price not him dear. Is that the kind of life you want for yourself?

Nnamdi: Let him the hell go away from you and move on.

Richard: What kind of help do you want since you have already realized the kind of person you are dealing with, forget about him, he's not yours.

Thus, you have seen enough, just make a 'U' turn!

Miracle: Break up with him and focus on your studies.

Austin: You're too young to tie yourself to a man who doesn't know how to treat a woman. You know what to do. The answer lies within you.

Prisca: This is obvious, you want to marry that kind of a person, stop fooling yourself and move on!

Debby: There's no need to fool yourself about loving the guy anymore, unless if you want your life to be destroyed. Take a look at yourself, don't rush into marriage, you're still young and maybe not matured enough. So be wise and make a U TURN while it's still worth it.

John: You obviously know what to do; you can surely forgive a cheater but not a violent guy.

International Day of persons with disabilities Keeping It Real (KIR) Foundation in partnership with the Niger Delta Coalition of Persons with Disabilities with sponsorship from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) hosted an event to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) on Wednesday, the 3rd of December 2014. The event held in the Onyx Hall at Atrium Event Centre, Stadium road, Port Harcourt. The purpose of this event was to promote the theme of the International Day of Pe r s o n s w i t h D i s a b i l i t i e s ; ' S u s t a i n a bl e development: the promise of technology'.

The event started by 12.30pm prompt and ended by 3pm. Miss. Mmanti Umoh; @MissChangeGene was the compere of the day. The programme of events included a welcome address by the Executive Director of Keeping It Real (KIR) Foundation, Mrs. Bitebo Gogo. The chairman's opening address was given by the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) who was represented by Barrister George Turnah. Barrister George Turnah is the Special Assistant to the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Youth. He apologized on behalf of the Managing Director who would have loved to be at the event but was unavoidably absent. He conveyed his well wishes to the persons with disabilities on the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

He continued by saying that the NDDC currently considers the welfare of Persons with Disabilities a top priority and that the Commission has put in place structures to support the cause of Persons with Disabilities. Advocacy speeches were given by the President of the Niger Delta Coalition of

Persons with Disabilities, Mr. David Enogho and Mr. Ernest Igbuzor, the South-South Zonal Coordinator of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), as the day's event also served to promote awareness about the people with disabilities.

Also at the event was Miss Taiwo Lawal, the first blind African photographer who inspired the audience with her life story and how she became a blind photographer. She also demonstrated her skill by taking live shots of a delegate. The KIR Foundation Awardees for the 2014 International Day of Persons with Disabilities were Miss Taiwo Lawal, Mr. Fredrick Amakir i, the first blind principal of the Special Needs School, Creek Road, Borokiri in Port Harcourt, Dr. O. Agi Otto, a visually impaired lecturer and Mrs. Catherine James Atteng, a Special Educationist and advocate for persons living with disabilities. They were given awards for their outstanding contributions to the society and also for supporting the disability community.

The event was focused on challenging persons living with or without disabilities to become contributing members of the society. The 2014 theme 'Sustainable development: the promise of technology', provided a framework for considering how people with disability are excluded from society by promoting the removal of all types of barriers. These barriers include those related to the physical environment, information and communications technology (ICT), or attitudinal barriers. There were over 200 persons living with disabilities at this event, as well as other special guests and the media.

Rose: You better leave him and wait for your rightful man, his family wants to pay your bride price, is it him? Is this the kind of life you want in marriage? You better grow up dear and find your square root, he's not meant for you.

Emmanuella: It's good he is showing you his true colour now, he is not a kind of person you can marry, don't allow love to blind-fold you, just stay away from him, he's not good for you at all.

Emeka: He is absolutely not a responsible man and he will never be a good husband except he's transformed. So, for now forget about him, let go of him.

Jesse: His character should be an eye opener for you; he is not a husband material. Pick a race and run for your dear life.

This issue of him not trusting is killing me I'm a lady in my early 20's and my boyfriend is 26, we've been dating for a year, he has a child from another woman. I love him so much but the problem is that he doesn't trust me because the other day he found a missed call from my ex, then we started to argue. He is in his final year at the University and I'm working, so I try by all means to support him financially since I'm from a well established family. We are in a long distance relationship where we only see each other during school holidays or when I'm off. I tried to prove to him that I love him and he is the only guy in my life but it seems like I'm making things worse, so what should I do to make him trust me because this issue of him not trusting is killing me?

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Jan. 12 - Jan. 26 Vol. 2 No. 28

Campus Gist

INTERVIEW

Ajayi Beauty Martins: Only 17 years and already reaching for the skies!

At 17, she is already preparing to become one of this century's amazons. What she is doing, and how she is influencing her generation is amazing to note. Beuaty Martins is the executive director of the Voice Initiative, and she shares thoughts on these and also on her life.

Question: Alright Miss Beauty, it's nice to have you here. Do you mind to introduce yourself?

Answer: I'm Ajayi Beauty Martins by name, also known as Miss B.B.M (Blessed Beauty Martins).

I am 17years old, born th on the 4 day of April 1997, will be 18 in few months time by God's grace. From a lovely home which includes my mum (Queen Ajayi), my kid sister (Promise Ajayi), my grand-dad, aunties and uncles.

I hail from Owan-west L.G.A in Edo State. A Christian teenager who attends The Redeemed Christian Church of God (Precious People Parish) precisely Rivers Province 4. And a year one Sociology student of the University of Port Harcourt.

Question: For a seventeen years old, you've done pretty remarkable things and one of them is the voice initiative.

Answer: yes Question: can we talk about the voice initiative Answer: The voice initiative is an organization that I believe came God basically because it wasn't really something I was thinking about or something I ever imagined at that time. I just woke up and while doing one or two things in the house. It came to my mind and I started writing down things. The voice initiative is an organization that has to do with basically youths and teenagers in an out of school. The voice initiative has a background theme of speaking to the future of the African child i.e. the main purpose of the voice initiative where I have a few of my friends and people around me (older and younger) who work together with me in order to go to Secondary school, churches, teens organization and everywhere possible we can meet with teenagers and young people to talk to them about the future of Africa which we all are part of and if these teenagers are not able to understand what the future of Africa really need, it means our future has no hope. But because we have a few people who have seen the future (a few young ones, teenagers and youth) who have been able to understand that the future has a lot in store for us that is why we are able to see if we would be able to convince teenagers and youths out there that there is so much more they have to do for Africa to be a better place and it begins with each and every one of them.

Question: So what do you tell them, do you tell them to go to school or what exactly is the message you pass across to them?

Answer: The message we pass across basically, first of all is change. Now as an individual, a youth, an adult, a teenager and a child if you're not able to change yourself, you basically cannot change anybody not to talk of changing the people around you nor the world. Now we talk to them about different things concerning life; we talk to them about

their well being as teenagers because if you are not mentally, spiritually and physically okay as a teenager, going to school wouldn't be in your mind. So first of all we talk to them about their selves; about their personality as youths and teenagers how to become better people and one of the ways to become a better person is going to school in our present society because we have a lot of people out there who may be didn't even go to school but are making it in one way or the other but at the end the day you see that no matter how they've made it in life, they will still have to turn back to the school in order to get more knowledge about things that are going on.

We also talk to know about their spiritual life because as a teenager, you have to be involved with God. I'm a Christian so I talk about God. You have to be involved with God because if you're not, you are in peril of not achieving purpose. We have potential that so many people have seen and they want to make sure these potentials don't come out, that's why you have to be very involved with God, make sure He's the one in charge of your life; that he's at the driver's seat of your life even as a teenager. We talk to them also about friends and family. The people we have around us influence us a lot so we try to make sure these teenagers are able to understand that the kind of friends they make, the kind of people they talk to, the kind of things they bring into themselves are the things that would affect their lives today or tomorrow. So our family and friends are basically among the most important thing even as teenagers. We also talk to them basically about being able to relate with disabled people in the s o c i e t y because those people are also important, being able to reach out even with the little you have to the poor, less privilege, to the needy, to those who really need your help.

Those are the basic things we talk to them about but the utmost goal is inspiring, motivating and empowering the African teenager for a better future Question: So when did you start the Voice Initiative?

Answer: I think that was April 2014. It was very early in the morning I was trying to prepare to go out and I just heard the phrase- The Voice. I was like what is this really supposed to be. I left what I was doing and went into the house; took a pen and a book and started writing everything that was coming into my head Question: which programs have you

have you run since you started The Voice Initiative?

Answer: Since the inception of the voice in April 2014, we've organized a few teenagers and the first program we had was at the Government Senior Secondary School Elekahia (My Al-Ma – Mater) with about 70 persons in attendance more of teens between 13 – 21 years. That was in the month of May 2014, few weeks after the voice came up. We had a program, talk to teenagers; we were able to present honoraria to the school with a poem written on it myself. We were able to talk to a few of the teenagers on the theme “Making Impact” and at the end of the day, we had teenagers who came back and said yes we've learnt something.

So many of them found out that even as young and as little as they are, in their small houses, among that little group of friends, they still can be able to make a change, they can be able to make impact where ever they are.

Question: what's next?

What is the plan for voice initiative in 2015?

Answer: We have a lot of plans for the v o i c e initiative, trying to raise it to the next.

We are trying to get more teenagers involved.

Teenagers who naturally wouldn't want to talk to o t h e r teenagers, or who wouldn't want to showcase what they have to other teenagers. We are trying to get those kind of people involved in the team. I have a few schools and churches that are in the plan for the year 2015. We want to make sure that we can empower the teenagers through skill acquisition, inspiring and motivating them for a better future. For example, I'm into bead making what I do is if I go for a program, I hold a seminar, and afterwards I can look for a few teenagers who are interested in bead making, give them the idea of it or if possible teach them what it is about and with that little thing, you've empowered the teenager or the youth and that person is able to go back home with a different

“Look at the mosquito, if it bites you, you will understand what making impact means. If a small needle pierces you, you will understand what making impact means”

perspective.

Question: Most sixteen to seventeen year olds are interested in more things than this. What does a typical teenager think about? How are you different from a typical teenager?

Answer: Basically as a teenager in the general sense, we are mostly involved in the process of growing up from being a child to an adult. Now, there are so many things around us that a normal teenager would be totally focused on, e.g friends, social network like bbm, Facebook and so much more. They are also concerned with going out with friends, hanging out, clubbing, and partying. There so many things teenagers do today that most times you wouldn't just blame it on them but blame it on the age range. We have a few teenagers who are exceptional that they've decided to go further and explore their teenage age. I normally tell most of my friends that I so love being a teenager right now because its only once in a life time. There is no way I can leave this phase of life without achieving something because there wouldn't be any story to tell the people coming behind me but at least if I'm able to achieve something no matter how little there would be something I would be able to take back and say “yes, this is what I did as a teenager” so you can do that.

One thing basically I see that makes me different from other teenagers is that I pursue my passion. I won't necessarily say I am different because I would say every teenager has something they have a passion for. Passion is one of the main thing and purpose too, as a teenager you might have a passion for dancing. We have teenagers around who have done great things with their dance steps, basically for me I have talents, I do so many other things but I've always had a passion for writing, talking. Most times when I tell people talking is my ministry, they would look at me like talking is your ministry? It seems out of this world but that is what I have a passion for; to talk to people and see the way I'm going to impact their lives with the things I do whether I dance, act, sing whatever I do let it just be able to show someone that I can do this better if this person can do it.

Question: If I present to you a teenager who keeps to him or herself, who is not coming out with his or her gifts. What

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Campus Gist are the likely ways which you would encourage such a person to get going in spite of what is around him?

Answer: First of all, for a teenager who is like that you just don't rush into talking to the person, you just don't rush into saying you have to be better and all that.

They just listen to it and the next day it's off their head. First of all, you go close to the person, make the person a friend, try to convince the person that there is nothing he or she cannot do and with that relationship of being friends with the teenage, you would be able to get to know the teenager and know the weakness and strength of the teenager and with that you would be able to tell the teenager this is what you are good at and whether the teenager is an introvert or not, there would be a lot more difference. He will then be able to bring forth or show what he or she has gotten inside, so the first thing is to bring the person close to you as a friend Question: You are dealing with hundreds of people from your initiative point of view, how do you make hundred people your friend? Is there system you have learnt or used that helps them go and do these things by themselves?

Answer: now as a teenager, God has giving me the grace to be able to influence people around me without so much stress. Basically I'm a very social person, I make a lot of friends, I try to get involved where ever I am. Most teenagers look at attitude of people for example; a teenager who is shy comes to you and asks you for something and you are just snubbed him/her as most teenagers tend to do. So if one day go and talk to this same person in order for the person to change, the person would be like “I did talk to you once and you snubbed me so why should I listen to you”? That why if you are dealing with young people, no matter the number. In life, there a saying that “that no matter how good you are not everybody would like you” but there is something you would do that would make that person change towards you not necessarily be your friend but the person is able to listen no matter how stubborn or naughty. Adults would say teenagers are stubborn, naughty. There is always something that can bring up the teenager from that character or trait so it's just about looking for the particular means you can reach that person because we as individuals, we all have different ways, character; different ways of thinking and different things ruling us as teenagers.

Question: When did you discover that you have this gift and when did this life start for you?

Answer: As a younger child, my mum would usually say when her friends come around the house, my sister goes into hiding and I'll be the one to come and sit close to them, start disturbing and pinching them whether I know the person or not.

Growing up, while I was in children's church. I think about 8 or 9 years old, I noticed whenever I'm around in the children's church that I would just say something and at the end of the day it just gets everybody involved. It's either if I'm not in church somebody would be like “oh this kid is not in church and some things are lacking”. So that started grooming me and most times I would be called to take bible readings and stuffs like that. Every teenager and human being at one point in time have stage fright in them so from the normal church service, reading the bible, you go to school and the teacher ask a question you're able to answer I started noticing I would be able to do this better. So when I got into teens church by age 13, that first year I was very shy because it was somewhere I've never been to. The teenage church is totally different from the children church because teenagers would always see children like they are bigger than them, so I was really having inferiority complex but later on I started thinking if I could do better in children church why can't I bring out my best even as a teenager. At the age of thirteen I started working with other teenagers, I

was actually the youngest then and when they see me coming into church I would just speak and everybody would be wondering who has that tiny voice that is disturbing the teenagers. Few month later they made me program coordinator of the teens church giving me a higher ground to be able to interact with every one because I had to coordinate how the serve would go and later I became the secretary, then vice president of the teens church and right now I'm actually leading a teens church. Even in my secondary school, as a prefect you have to come out and give announcements and most times you have to talk to students who have been naughty, all these has helped.

Question: so would you say church has contributed immensely to your development?

Answer: Yes, church and school has contributed majority and also my mum because most times most parents when you tell them you're going to church they would always be like sit there but she has always encouraged me to go to church. Some time when I wake up in the morning and say I'm not going to school, she pushes me just to make sure I leave the house so I believe these three personalities; the church, the school and the people round me (my mum) most especially has done a lot.

Question: How has coming from a single home affected you growing up?

Answer: Like every teenager, most times we would go back and wonder why me because when you go out and look at your friends. they would be like most times when I talk I'm always talking about mum and they would be like mum, mum every time. What of dad? So I say to them, Dad is a story for another day and some of them would just laugh it off, But growing up as a teenager, it has really done more good than harm to me. I believe that “for everything there is a reason” I can't really say if it was supposed to be liked, but I know that God has a reason for allowing it.

Growing up without having a dad around its not been rosy but with God everything has been fun and it's been a wow experience because most times in a complete family, the dad would have so much of the say and I believe may be if he was around, maybe there are so many things I've done and so many places I've gone to that I wouldn't have been given the opportunity to go. For my mum understands me better, she understands being a teenager because she has been there once. She understands when I tell her I need to go to this place and she'll be like okay do this or just advises me. If I had a father figure around I would have to go to him also and he can eventually say no and that just brings down the whole thing because the men have the higher say in the home.

Growing up as a child has been fun. I've never felt the emptiness of my dad not being around because my mum and her siblings have always been there. Her dad who is my grand dad has been the best dad I could ever have, he's been there always to support my mum, he's been there financially and otherwise when I need something in school, he is always around to assist, most times when his friends are around he uses me as an example and most times that gives me the reason to do more. Yes if he can tell his friend when it comes to book don't worry none of your children can compete with my granddaughter that gives me the motivation to do better so that he can be prouder of the person/ child he has trained.

Question: Has your dad always not been there? Or was there a time you lived with him?

Answer: Well basically I can't tell but I think till about 3 years, as a child I wouldn't remember those times.

Question: So your early recollection

of your life was without your dad and it didn't affect you negatively? Was there a time you were pestering your mum for your dad Answer: I would say there haven't ever been need for that because whenever there's a dad figure needed I would always have somebody around. All my uncles are always there when I call and ask for something as fast as possible they try to deliver that to me. The vacuum has not been there so there's never been a reason to look for a dad. Most times, as a teenager when you're with your friends and everyone is talking about their dad, I just bring my grand dad into the conversation because he's the best dad.

Most people don't even know his my grand dad; they call me Ajayi- my grandfather's name. Most of my friends did not even realize he was my grand dad because he has always been there and my uncles (mostly Uncle Sunday and Uncle Segun) have been there, and my aunties too. I have people all around me always so the vacuum I would say I've never felt.

Question: Are you in touch with your dad?

Answer: Not really, I think growing up as a child, I think my mum used to call once in a while, he used to come around but since I became a teenager I haven't really been in touch with him, not necessarily that I really don't want to but most times I just see it as not necessary.

He has been able to stay without us for

“God has not made you come from a single parent background because he wanted to punish you, he has a better reason than that”

years, may be one day when he realizes he needs to see us he would be the one to come.

Question: So what if he shows up when you want to get married because that when the father always show up.

Answer: Well, I already have someone who will stand as a father so that wouldn't be an issue so it's pointless.

Question: Growing up has been fun, and family has been good to you. What will you say to children that have had a different kind of experience than you have hadchildren whose extended family has not been that good to them?

Okay, a word to teenagers and young people in that situation.

One thing that has worked for me is the God factor and personality. Most children from the age of 9 can make decisions on their own. So you can decide how you want to live your life, e.g. If I decide that with or without mum or dad or even family, that I want to be a naughty teenager, going out with a gang, or with different guys, or fellow girls, doing all sorts of wrong things, because right now, we have so many teenagers doing that. So if they have not really thought about their future, then they will probably

continue like that. A friend used to say “my future is so bright I have to wear shades”. So if there is no thought of the future, no matter what your family background is, you may not do well.

Someone once said this, “your family background should not put your back on the ground”. So I will say to teenagers in this situation as described that they need to give their lives a second thought, because most single mothers wish for a situation whereby their kids turn out good and they can feel that all their years of sacrifice is not a waste.

So you think about your parent, think about your family, think about the people behind you who may be looking up to you. That's why the Voice network talks to teenagers first of all about personality change. If you can't change yourself, there is no way you will change others. So it's not your fault you came the way you did, but God has not made you come from a single parent background because he wanted to punish you, he has a better reason than that, so you have to be able to tell God, with the benefit of hindsight that yeah, God you know it was good that I came through this way. At the end of the day, you must try to make an impact. So many people today came out from a single parent background, and today they are successful, so if you can, pick yourself and try to make an impact.

Question: Most of the time, in most families, teenagers turn to drugs, sense or violence and claim it is as a result of poverty? Has that been your experience too?

Answer: Teenagers around the world have almost the same way of thinking. For me

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Jan. 12 - Jan. 26 Vol. 2 No. 28

Lifestyle

I am the best assembly man ever produced by Obio Akpor Constituency 1 - Hon. Collins Ordu Honourable Collins Chukwuemeka Ordu, JP was a member of the Rivers State House of Assemby, from 2007 to 2011 representing Obio Akpor Constituency 1.

He ran for office at that time on the platform of the PDP. Now he is contesting for the same seat in the February 2015 Elections on the platform of the APC. We caught up with him on one of his campaign rallies and he spared some time to speak with us.

PHM: Why is the Rivers state House of Assembly complex still locked?

HON. COLLINS: The Rivers state House of Assembly complex is locked because the police is rather trying to exercising a lot of undue powers. The House of Assembly went to court because they were supposed to be sitting and the issue of who is supposed to be speaker was actually what was burning, we went to court to determine who will be speaker and the court now ruled status quo should remain till judgment is given on the matter.

However, the police have said that they would not allow entrance into that premises on still the case is settled, so in view of trying to move the state forward the governor in his magnanimity provided an alternative venue for the House of Assembly to continue carrying out their duties.

PHM: But as the chief security officer of the State, dose Governor Chibuike Amaechi not have the right to make the police vacate that complex?

HON. COLLINS: The police claim that the place is unsafe, and if that is their grounds for keeping it locked up till this point then you would wait for them to give a go ahead.

PHM: Are the PDP members of the house meeting with the rest of the assembly in the house the new house?

HON. COLLINS: It is up to them to come to the new place where they are supposed to be meeting, but they have decided not to attend because in their thinking they want Rivers state to come to a halt so that people will notice that Rivers state is not functional, but other Rivers indigenes do not think in their direction; we would rather think of how to move Rivers state forward. That was the reason why the Governor gave that place to the House of Assembly and these other people refused to attend because their interest is to ground the State to a halt.

PHM: If they are willing to attend there will be no oppositions from the APC side?

HON. COLLINS: They have the legitimate right to attend if they make themselves available. Obviously they would be allowed to attend as nobody is preventing them.

PHM: So the status quo as declared by the court is that Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Dan Amachree is still the Speaker of the House of Assembly?

HON. COLLINS: Yes, Rt. Hon. Dan Amachree was to continue as speaker PHM: Let's go back to our constituency. One of the problems that I know lawmakers like you face is having people come into your office to ask for things like paying of schools fees and footing of medical bills, money to start business or pay off debts and so on? How do you cope with all these?

HON. COLLINS: Yeah, that goes to show the level of poverty in the country but we are doing it not because they are asking, we are doing it because we very much feel for them. You can ask me and I will say I would not give to you the point is that when you see the level of poverty

around the whole place, you have to it to assist them as much as you can, and it doesn't matter if you go out of your way to assist.

PHM: Are you inundated with this request all the time?

HON. COLLINS: The request is more than the resources; the request is even more than what the State can carry but because we are doing it within the limit of our resources, we are doing what we can afford to do while we strive to live.

PHM: So how much time do you give to constituency visits by your constituents? When do you open your doors so people can come and speak to you?

HON. COLLINS: I operated an open door; any time, any day as long as you have contacted me and they have

“So what I did was to look for the worst school within the constituency, and I found it in Iriebe; and we built a block of six classrooms and six toilets” booked you, but when you come when you have not been booked you have the opportunity to be booked there.

PHM: Where is the boundary of the Obio/Akpor Constituency 1? Where does cover?

HON. COLLINS: Obio/Akpor Constituency one covers three kingdoms; Oro-Evo, Oro-Esara and OroOpotoma. Let me break it down. Oro-Opotoma is made up of Rumuomasi, Elelenwo, Oro –Evo is made up of Woji, Oginigba, Rumuobiokani, Rumuodomaya and Rumuokwurusi and Oro-Esara is made up of Eliozu and Rumuobochi; these three kingdoms make up Constituency 1 while Constituency 2 is our brothers from these other side where you have the Apara, Rumuigbo, and Eliozu etc PHM: Now, you are an APC candidate but before 2011/ 2012 everybody was in PDP as far as we know, but with this split into APC/PDC, how do you see the election in Constituency 1 playing out? Your opponent is Hon Martins Amaewhule and I am sure you are or were friends before so how would manage going into the elections contesting against him?

HON. COLLINS: Hon Amaewhule is still my junior friend; we have not quarreled. I am older than him so he is my junior friend. Our relationship has nothing to do with

the elections. What is there now is that I am on this side and he is on the other side but it does not mean that we are at loggerheads. We exchange pleasantries when we meet but the point is that he knows that I am there to defeat him so his duty is to strive to see how he can gain some points.

PHM: So you don't consider him as a competitor?

HON. COLLINS: No, he is not a threat. The reason why I say he is not a threat is even if he is in PDP, PDP in this state is an opposition party. The ruling party is APC, but that is by the side. I was in the House of Assembly from 2007 - 2011 and my achievement within that period if you compare it to his, he is just beginning. If you want to compare in percentage it's 80% for me to 20% for him so I tell you he is not a threat to me. Now, if we go back to our Constituency, I am seen as the best Assembly member ever to be produced by Obio/Akpor, but it is unfortunate then that I ran for just one tenor but right now they have tried him and he has not been able to deliver the dividends of democracy, that is why they are bringing me back to come and continue.

PHM: So you are challenging an incumbent right now?

HON. COLLINS: I'm challenging an incumbent but in this case the incumbent has only achieved 20% and I have achieved 80%.

PHM: Ok, when you were in the House of Assembly for Obio/Akpor Constituency 1, can you name some of your achievements?

HON. COLLINS: When I was in the Rivers State House of Assembly, by a way of robust collaboration I brought a synergy between the government and my people and I attracted a lot of projects to my constituency. So many projects were done in my Constituency as a result of my relationship with the system unlike him. Now I don't know if he is representing media houses because every day he is in the media making all sorts of noise which is not what we his Constituents asked him to do. We expected him to collaborate with the executive and bring the dividends of democracy back home. Like I said when I started as a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly I attracted a project to Iriebe and I would tell you the project is quite emotional; I went around the entire Constituency to look for the worst school as at then and you know when you want to repair things and you go and fix things for somebody who already enjoys a somewhat good environment you may have not done anything. So what I did was to look for the worst school within the constituency, and where I found it was in Iriebe. I went there and I built a block of six class rooms and six toilets. They were very happy because they had not seen government presence before. When we found them, their roofs were leaking, the children were sitting on the floor but we rebuilt it.

My second Constituency project was in Rumuobiokani, if you know the Anglican Church you would see a building that has fourteen class rooms and about twelve toilets. After that I went to his (Hon Martin's Amaewhule) own town which is Eliozu. That was where I flagged off my campaign when I was going for election in 2007 and the situation of their town hall was terrible; the same as the primary school. When I saw it, I said to myself while I sat there I said God if you give me an opportunity I would build this town hall for them. Go to Eliozu now, the town hall there is more beautiful than any other house there. I attracted attention to get that done and then you go to Elelenwo, there is a storey building there as their town hall. I did that too. The more recent one is Mini Okoro police station; the administrative block is a one storey building. I also attracted that and then you go to Rumuodomaya; the road linking Rumuodomaya with Rumuokwurusi village, I nominated it into the budget and it was done.

PHM: Constituency projects- is that something that happens in Rivers State all the time? And all these projects that you have mentioned, were they done with your funds or by government participation?

HON. COLLINS: Yeah, there is what we call Constituency projects. The one I explained to you earlier were all within budgetary provisions. Constituency projects also have budgetary provisions but they are in the name of the Assembly man, so the Assembly man would mention any area of his interest and the ministry of works would be executing the project directly on behalf of the Assembly man.

PHM: People have said that the House of Assembly is an appendage or an extension to the Executive arm of the Rivers State Government. What is your view about this?

HON. COLLINS: The Rivers State House of Assembly and every other Assembly is never an appendage to the governor. The point is that we normally collaborate with the governor; you see what I mean by collaboration and from what you are saying, it is not expected of an Assembly member to come to the public and make noise and heat up the politics, you negotiate an attract projects to your locality, it not like you can't criticize the government but you criticize with fact and evidence.

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Lifestyle Continue from page 18 Interview with collins Ordu

PHM: During your tenor what were the bills that you brought forward?

HON. COLLINS: I had two bills that I brought up to my credit but one of the bills unfortunately did not survive because as at that point in time; we had only a few persons that really believed in them. The first bill came because at the time we came in, it was difficult to get petrol even when you have your money and I raised a motion to set up a taskforce that would be responsible for monitoring the delivery of this product and it worked. That was during Governor Celestine Omehia's period and it worked.

There and then people began to get fuel to buy. Then I brought a bill on quality assurance. As product of the Shell system, I looked at the Government system and noticed that the reason why most of our projects fail is because of a lack of quality assurance. With a quality assurance plan, you know that quality requirements for the project, and when the project is being executed, the quality inspectors know what to watch out for, and if the contractor does not met the mark of the quality plan, the work is rejected and you don't pay him. But at that time, because of the way government system works, that bill was not approved PHM: When you get in this time what would be your legislative focus?

HON. COLLINS: My legislative focus this time would be to reintroduce that bill because it is very necessary. That is why a lot of our projects don't last. Then I will bring up a bill on proverty eradication. We will look at the issues and see how government will eradicate poverty.

PHM: The Local Government is supposed to be closest to the people, but mostly their presence is not usually felt in Obio Akpor. How would you use your office to collaborate with the LGA chairman for the development of Obio Akpor?

“The Rivers State House of Assembly and every other Assembly is never an appendage to the executive.

We only collaborate with them” HON. COLLINS: To say that there are no projects begin done, I wouldn't agree with you on that. The truth is there are projects begin executed, but the point is you just may not know where they are been done. The LGA chairman will be advised to consult far and wide. I will work with him to identify what my people need and collaborate with him to get it done. There is no reason for strive if we are both trying to serve our communities.

PHM: With the way things are, after the elections in 2015, we may have a situation where there is no clear ruling party in the state. What are your thoughts on that?

HON. COLLINS: Yeah. That will even be good for the state. It will not be a case of business as usual anymore. As long as those in opposition do not come with the view of destroying the state, there is nothing wrong in having a virile opposition party. It makes for a stronger democracy.

So let us remove the fight and the violence and constructively criticize the government of the day for the development of the state PHM: Can you summarize the rest of your manifesto please?

HON. COLLINS: As a matter of fact, my manifesto will not be different from my party's manifesto. My party's manifesto basically is to end corruption and provide services to the people. But the major thing is corruption.

We want to make sure we end corruption in our nation PHM: Who is Collins Ordu?

HON. COLLINS: Hon. Collins Ordu is an Ikewerre son.

I am married to a beautiful woman and we have three kids.

I cherish my family and I have a very happy home. My early years were all spent in Port Harcourt. I attended Army children school Rainbow town, and then Stella Maris College. Next port of call is the University of Port Harcourt where I bagged a degree in Banking and Finance.

I am grateful to God for the success I have achieved in my life, and I am also grateful to The Shell Petroleum Development Company for the training and professional integrity it built into me. I got my ideals of quality development from my career with Shell. I was there from 1993 to 2007. I am in people person. In everything I do, I put the people first. I am proud of my name. It means a lot to me so I try to live a life that helps me protect that name.

This is the summary of the person of Collins Ordu.

Continue from page 17 Ajayi Beauty Martins only 17... too, it was not all rosy growing up, but even if you are from a family that cannot afford to send you to school, remember that school is not the only way to acquire education; it is just one of the ways. We have people who have made it with football, hair dressing etc.

If there are not enough funds to send you to school, there are so many ways you can help yourself. Growing up as a teenager, you would probably have seen your mate wearing good clothes and having fun and you wished you were part of them. My mum used to say “whatever you cannot get now, you will certainly get it in the future.

So whatever you want, if you don't get it now, you can work towards it and make good use of your life in other be better in future. You can find someone to give you a loan, start up something with it, and maybe at the end of the day, you can pay back the loan, and you try to move on with the remainder. You will never realize how far that can take you. My mum has a friend who learnt braiding in Lagos, and later moved to Port Harcourt.

When she came in, she started very small. From there she got referrals.

Now she is counting in her millions (Unique Braids). A lot of people have been able to succeed in life not by stealing, or by doing drugs or prostitution but in a legal pursuit. That is why teenagers are also advised to be involved in a church, because apart from helping to mould you, the church will also act as a point of assistance.

They may not be able to send you to school all the way, but perhaps they will be able to sponsor part of the education Question: There are some teenagers who come from rich background and because they have everything they need at their beck and call, they sometimes end up not having a focus in life. How would you advise such people?

Answer: There is a statement that says “Money can stay with you, but it doesn't last forever”. I was watching a movie that featured a man who is very rich. Then one day his house got burnt.

He did not have a life saving and his life turned around for the worse. Now you have parents who are wealthy and can give you everything you want.

However, please note that your father's name is not your name, and no matter how rich he had been, you also have to achieve something for your own life.

It should be that people should b able look at you and say, this person makes a difference in her life despite his/her parent being rich.

So your parent being wealthy and you are able to get the things you want does not mean it will last forever. No one prays for something bad to happen.

What if you lose your parents and because you have a low ambition, you find it difficult to survive? Someone says that it is the children of the rich that becomes poor in later life. While it may be a generalization, but even if you have everything in life, you still need to be able to work hard and get your own stuff. So if you decide you are not going to work out how to move forward and you just sit down and wait for your father's wealth, yes you might do well in life, but you may not have pursued your own dreams. So no matter what background you came from, or whether your parents are rich or poor, there is something inside of you that was put there by God and that thing has to come out.

Question: Why do you think the University today affects teenagers?

Answer: The university today affects teenagers a whole lot. I would say that this does not come from the university itself because the university is a higher institution of learning where you send your child to get more learning. Most students come there from different backgrounds and with different types of parents, so there is always a culture mix. For example, most parents are too firm with their children, and do not allow him/her to go out even to see a friend because they don't trust him to behave properly. But one thing parents don't know if a child who has been chained before now tastes freedom in the university, it's like giving a chicken the wings of an eagle, so basically that is an opportunity to do all they were not able to do when they were home. That

is why I will say to most parents, how we take care of our children at home will determine how they will behave when the parents are not there. If you have child whom you have given your trust, you will be able to know everything about that child's movement and will know that he/she will be fine.

He is able to take decision that will not jeopardize the trust the parents have placed on him. Being in the university is a different world of its own; there are the parties, the clubs and most time no one tells you to do anything. A student can live the hostel and go away from the hostel for weeks and no one will ask after you, not even the hostel janitor.

As a teenager, you must be able to take good decisions, with or without friends around you. Most teenagers can make right decisions now and friends will come and overturn it. But if the teen has a strong will, he is able to stick to his decisions. Most people are in university but they really don't know why they are there. It is true that most parents talk to their children before they leave home and they try to tell them what behavior is expected of the kids in school and all that...but if you are just talking at that point, it is almost too late. That education should have started long ago. Also to parents, if your teenager does something wrong, the next thing is not to scold her and beat her; you can just talk to her to find out why she did what she did and try to correct her in love. Don't take your trust away from him/her because of one incident. The more you flog kids, the more they get worse. Talk to them as a friend, and you will get them to respond to you.

Question: Advice to Parents on how to deal with teenagers?

Answer: I believe every single mum or dad was once a teenager. They also have passed through the stage their teenagers are passing through now. I know that sometimes, they are afraid of the child making some mistakes they have made in their own time or that they have seen people make and their scared when the teenager does something close. Most of our parents embarrass teenagers in public which most of the teenagers hate. If you are trying to correct a teenager, try not to do it in public because everything you say at that time is not what they are thinking, but the embarrassment you have caused him or her. Parents should make these teenagers close friends because if they are not your friends, no matter what problems they have they will not talk to you. They will rather prefer to talk to a person who sees them as friends, and not just try to get to the root of the issue. So to the parents I will say make your teen your friend, and love them. This is not just saying to them once in a while “I love you”. This is something that you must demonstrate. If love is not shown, the tendency is that they will find someone else to love; maybe a best friend, a mentor or something, but somehow they make the wrong choice of a mentor, and end up taking the wrong advice The pressure an average teenager faces today is different from what our parents face. Most teenagers are wild, agreed. The kind of things that teenagers think of today, adults would sometimes never have imagined it. So how do you get him/her to let you know what is happening in their lives.

So many teenagers are going through depression, anxiety, the fear of being killed or raped or pressed into cult groups, but the parents don't get to know these things because are not close friends with them.

Again, parents should tell their kids their fears. Most times, my mum will tell me that one of her fears for me is that I should not get into pre-marital sex. For her, it is a no, and she explains why she doesn't want it.

Parents should also show example to the child under God. If your words do not match your actions, you have no moral right to scold your children. So in essence, parents should be plain to their children, and tell them exactly what they (parents) want from the children and parents should be able to show good examples to their teenagers by serving God truly and living a life

worthy of emulation.

Question: Last words?

Answer: To every teenager out there, understand that no one is useless.

Everyone has something for the world to use. So in living your daily life, try to make an impact. From as little as helping people on the way, make an impact. No matter how small you think you are, and perhaps you think you cannot make an impact. Look at the mosquito, if it bites you, you will understand what making impact means. If a small needle pierces you, you will understand what making impact means. So you must ask yourself, why can't also make an impact in my world. Your world can be as small as that your classroom, or your group of friends you call reading mates, or in your teenage church, or just in your neighborhood. Just make something happen such that when you are no more, or when you leave that area, they will always remember you with fond memories. Also realize that no matter what you parents do, and no matter how mean you think they are, they are only doing their best to ensure that you turn out well in life and to all single parents out there, keep up the good work and may God bless you richly.

Question: What is the uglie st experience you have ever heard?

Answer: I really don't have any, because I always believe that everything happens to me for a reason and purpose only God knows.

My wish I always wished that I had a complete family. I would have wished that I never came from a single family. I wished that in next world I will have the same mum, a better dad, and come from the same Ajayi family but for the main time, my greatest wish is that God keeps my mum alive to reap the fruit of her labour. She has made so much sacrifice for me and finally I wish for God to keep me alive to be one of the world greatest female figures and a personality to be reckoned with, a living testimony.

THE VOICE INITIATIVE (Speaking To The Future Of The African Child) GOAL Speaking prior knowledge of the future Rebuilding the thinking mentality of the African child Building the total Child, Teen and Youth.

Changing you to CHANGE others TARGET: In and Out of school Children, teens and youths MEANS: Seminar/talk shows Career and idea facilitation Books and Motivational materials Skills Acquisition FOCUS 1. CHILD ABUSE 2. SINGLE PARENTHOOD & DISFUNCTIONAL ISSUES 3. ACADEMIC CHALLENGES 4. SOCIETAL INFLUENCE 5. PROMOTING INCLUSIVENESS CORE VISION: TO INSPIRE, MOTIVATE & EMPOWER THE AFRICAN CHILD FOR A BETTER FUTURE Contact: www.facebook.com/thevoiceinitiative www.facebook.com/beuberrycollections +234 (0) 7069742900, +234 (0) 8026135316 Twitter: @BBetNIAJA BBM: 515B7E60

Jan. 16 - Jan. 31 Vol. 2 No. 28

20

Politics

2014 IN RETROSPECT Compiled by Kofi Bartels and Folarin Banigbe

The year 2014 has without doubt been one of the most eventful years ever in the history of Africa's most populous nation Nigeria. In the areas of politics, security and the economy, several happenings made it year to remember and at the same time a year to forget. Without wasting any more ink, let's flashback those moments that stood out in 2014.

The police chief had ordered the cancellation of a rally by the group and this did not go down well with its members and patrons. Senator Magnus Abe who visited the venue of the rally to see things himself saw the other side of the coin as he was allegedly shot and injured by rubber bullets and tear gas from the police. Chaos ensued and the state was plunged into further political crisis. I particularly remember church-goers having to walk due to the Bombing Justice out of its shirt Rivers State began the year on a not so very blockade of the Rumuola-Rumuokuta road good note when two High Court Divisions with police vehicles. Magnus Abe was later in Ahoada East and Okehi in Etche Local flown abroad for treatment.

Government areas were hit by a bomb explosion and fire respectively in the Judicial Prejudice by the NJC? month of January. The two incidents came The judiciary crisis that began the year on the heels of a similar explosion that before continued in 2014 with the absence occurred at the premises of the Ahoada of a Chief Judge for Rivers State. The noHigh Court on December 18, 2013. This love-lost relationship between the ensured that the political crisis that rocked Governor and the National Judicial the State the previous year was carried over Council continued throughout the year into 2014. Till date no investigation or with both parties not willing to come to a report of these incidents has been compromise. Lawyers were the biggest concluded. The same Ahoada High Court casualty as their source of relevance and livelihood, the courts, remained shut in was again bombed on June 9, 2014.

2014. This has never happened in Nigeria before. The NJC declared its preferred Budget passed into law in Makeshift candidate Justice Daisy Okocha Assembly House administrative head of the State's judiciary Still in January 2014, the political crisis in the interim after suspending the Chief rocking Rivers State took another Judge, Justice P. N. C. Agumagu earlier in dimension when members of the Rivers the year. However, a move by the judge to State House of Assembly passed the 2014 act as such failed as supporters of Governor Appropriation Bill into law. The Amaechi prevented her from gaining access controversy was that the Assembly to the State Judiciary Complex. Prior to members sat in the Government House, that, the state chapter of Judiciary Staff Port Harcourt to pass the budget and this Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) had on June 10 raised some dust, especially from the embarked on an indefinite strike due to opposition PDP. The action of the what it says is a threat to lives around and lawmakers, according to sources, was to within courts premises in the state. This prevent the police from stopping them strike was announced barely 48 hours after from sitting. Recall that 32 members of the the NJC had made the appointment. The House loyal to Governor Rotimi Amaechi NJC had ordered the most senior Judge in had tried to hold plenary in the assembly the state High court, apparently referring to complex on Moscow Road but were barred Justice Okocha to assume responsibility of by the state Police Command as led by the assigning cases to Judges and discharging controversial CP Joseph Mbu. other related functions, but the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission in a circular Magnus Abe almost died from rubber directed Judicial staff in the employment of bullets the state to ignore official instructions from Rivers State Commissioner of Police Joseph the Administrative Chief Judge appointed Mbu did not fail to grab the headlines early by the NJC. Till date, the State courts on in 2014 when, on a quiet and solemn continue to be shut.

Sunday in January, gun shots (rubber bullets) and tear gas fumes were let loose on End of the Mbu Era members of the Save Rivers Movement, a In February 2014, after resisting months of pro-governor Chibuike Amaechi group. pressure from segments of the public and

RIVERS STATE

polity, the Nigerian police hierarchy finally succumbed to pressure and redeployed the controversial Police Commissioner Joseph Mbu to the FT, Abuja. It is safe to say that the people of Rivers State will forever remember this police officer for mostly the wrong reasons. The State Government and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress must have breathed a huge sigh of relief on seeing Mbu's back. He was later to cause further controversy in his new posting as Commissioner of Police for Abuja when he arrested and detained a prominent television journalist for describing him as controversial, and yes Mbu was controversial.

The year 2014 in Rivers State wound down a bit more peacefully than usual with the political actors busy with their horsetrading and campaigns ahead of the 2015 elections. The two major parties the PDP and APC conducted their primaries and produced their governorship candidates in through processes that were questioned by members of the parties. As at the time of writing this, the PDP has been dragged to court by one of its governorship aspirants and the ruling might render the party's State primary election useless. At the end of the day, Nyesom Wike and Dakuku

in July 2014. It arrived quite comfortably in an airplane and came in the form of Liberian-American Patrick Sawyer who was in Nigeria for an ECOWAS conference scheduled for the city of Calabar. Sawyer died five days after his arrival at a private hospital in Lagos but the damage had already been done. Special mention must be made of the heroic doctors and nurses led by now late Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, who refused to allow Sawyer leave the hospital despite his insistence. The health workers paid for this with their lives after contracting the disease in the process.

A month later, in August, the disease took a stroll to Rivers State in the form of an ECOWAS official, Olu-Ibukun Koye. The diplomat is believed to be among those who met Mr. Sawyer on his arrival in Lagos. He then flew to Port Harcourt where he took ill. This happened a few days after Nigeria's health minister Onyebuchi Chukwu had declared with glee that Nigeria had succeeded in check-mating the spread of Ebola in the country. The arrival of Ebola in Rivers State was said to have culminated in the death of Dr. Iyke Enemuo who according to the Rivers State government, single-handedly treated and cured the infected ECOWAS official in a Port Harcourt hotel room. One wonders how the doctor performed this feat but yet couldn't take care of himself. The official recovered from the ailment and returned to Lagos where health workers were said to have tested him when he allegedly came for a clearance certificate and gave him a clean bill of health. The Rivers State Government told us at the time that “about 100 contacts

Peterside emerged as governorship candidates for the PDP and APC respectively while Mr Tonye Princewill, not pleased with the state of things, left PDP for Labour Party and has since been made the party's governorship candidate.

EBOLA In April 2014, the Federal Government admitted that Nigeria was in danger with the rate at which the Ebola virus had been moving eastward towards the country. The dreaded virus had broken out in the West African nations of Liberia and Sierra Leone, later spreading to Guinea and Senegal. As feared, Ebola finally paid a visit to Nigeria

from a hotel, patients of Dr. Enemuo and patients of the hospital where Enemuo was treated until his demise have been identified and restricted.'' Nigeria was declared Ebolafree in October 2014 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to the relief of a hundred and sixty million people. Hand sanitizer sellers smiled to the bank after

making huge sales on the over-priced prices were making it hard to defend defect from one political party to product. the currency. Also, in reaction to another will lose their seats as the law p l u m m e t i n g o i l p r i c e s , t h e does not allow anyone who defects to Coordinating Minister for the retain the seat. This caused some THE ECONOMY Economy and Minister of Finance, rancour in the red chamber. The Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had said Senator has since eaten the humble pie that Nigeria was ready to absorb the as he recently decamped to the APC shock from continued fall of crude oil from the PDP. prices. She has since changed her In April, a Federal High Court in stance by telling Nigerians to be ready Abuja declared as unconstitutional, for some 'belt tightening'. the defection of 42 members of the The year 2014 saw, for the first time, House of Representatives from the the federal government unable to People's Democratic Party to the meet its obligations by paying the o p p o s i t i o n A l l P r o g r e s s i v e s monthly statutory allocations to Congress. The ruling put the seats of States. At a point, the monthly the 42 lawmakers under threat as the F e d e r a l A c c o u n t A l l o c a t i o n court also advised them to resign Committee (FAAC) meeting, which “honourably” because they had no was billed to hold in Enugu was business in the National Assembly. called-off and states went home The APC representatives and their empty-handed due to inadequate lawyers stayed put in the house Nigeria: the biggest economy in funds for each state to share at the pointing out that the judge merely Africa with one of the poorest meeting. Monthly payments to gave a legal opinion. An appeal was people Nigeria's thirty-six states had been filed the next day by the leadership of In April, the National Bureau of dwindling for months and this was all the house. The gale of defection Statistics released the result of the down to the slump in oil prices which claimed its biggest catch when in rebased Gross Domestic Product for inadvertently led to a fall in revenue October Speaker of the House of the country, which showed that the Nigerian economy had overtaken South Africa's as the biggest on the continent. According to the Statistician-General Dr. Yemi Kale, the country's real GDP for 2011 and 2012 now stood at 5.09 per cent and 6.66 per cent, while the economy grew by 7.41 per cent in real terms in 2013. The rebased nominal GDP for 2010 was N54.20tn; while for 2011, 2012 and 2013, he put the figures at N63.25tn; N71.18tn and N80.22tn ($510bn), respectively. This implied that the country had now overtaken South Arica to become the largest Lawmakers scaling gate of National Assembly economy on the continent of Africa and 26th largest globally. South from the sale of crude oil. As at now, Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, Africa's GDP for 2013 was $370.3bn several states are unable to meet part formally defected from the People's (N60.7tn). However, economic and of their wage bill and some workers Democratic Party (PDP) to the All financial analysts pointed out that the are being owed their salary from 2014. Progressives Congress (APC). This nation's rebased GDP figure of The International Monetary Fund seemed to ruffle feathers in high $510bn did not make Nigerians richer (IMF) has already predicted hard places as Tambuwal's security aides in any way. times for the Nigerian economy in were withdrawn.

2015.

Oil Price drop: Has the day of The day when federal lawmakers reckoning come for Nigeria? become Ninja warriors The economic good news was POLITICS Nigerians will not easily forget events however short-lived as global oil of 20th November, 2014 when several prices came crashing down in 2014. Defections and counter-defections m e m b e r s o f t h e H o u s e o f The year recorded the worst losing The year 2014 saw an unprecedented Representatives scaled the fence to streak for the price of crude in recent number of cross-carpeting in gain access to the complex Thursday history (more than fifty percent fall in Nigeria's polity, all part of the horse- after they were stopped by security the price of oil), after oil producing trading ahead of the 2015 elections. agents. The legislators, led by the countries had enjoyed years of excess Recall that in 2013, five governors had newly-defected Tambuwal braved profits occasioned by high oil prices defected to the APC from the PDP police tear gas and made their way to in the mid-2000s. But as oil prices and the PDP had gone to court the green chamber. For most increased, many energy companies seeking that their seats be declared observers, this was the highpoint of found it profitable to begin extracting vacant on account of their defection. the political drama for 2014. oil from difficult-to-drill places. In the However, in June an Abuja Federal United States, companies began using High Court adjourned indefinitely Stealing is not corruption techniques like fracking and hearing for want of diligent service by On May 5, 2014 President Goodluck horizontal drilling to extract oil from PDP. The court eventually struck out Jonathan responded to allegations shale formations in North Dakota the case exactly one year after it was that he is not doing enough to curb and Texas. In Canada, companies instituted. corruption among his ministers by were heating Alberta's gooey oil claiming that most of what is referred sands with steam to extract usable At the national assembly, the rank of to as corruption is not really that at crude. This led to a boom in "tight APC senators swelled as no fewer all. oil" production. The US alone has than eleven PDP senators decamped added 4 million new barrels of crude in January. This came on the heels a “Over 70% of what are called oil per day to the global market since wholesale defection to the APC by corruption (cases), even by EFCC 2008. (Global crude production is thirty-seven PDP members of (Economic and Financial Crimes about 75 million barrels per day, so Nigeria's lower legislative chamber, Commission) and other antiThe House of Representatives in c o r r u p t i o n a g e n c i e s , i s n o t this is significant.)

December 2013. The senators corruption, but common stealing,” communicated their decision to the president told national television, What next? Devalue the naira of decamp to the APC in a letter saying the corruption claims course? addressed to the Senate President appeared “politically motivated”.

As a result, the Central Bank of David Mark who refused to Nigeria's Governor, Godwin read the letter on the floor of E m e f i e l e , a n n o u n c e d a N 1 3 the senate. The Chairman of devaluation of Nigeria's currency at the Senate rules and business the Monetary Policy Meeting (MPC) committee Senator Ita Enang Continue on page 22 in Abuja, admitting that the falling oil had warned that senators who It was a bag of mixed fortunes for the Nigerian economy in the year 2014.

The year began with the worst bout of fuel scarcity in the Goodluck Jonathan era. In February, the long queues returned to the streets of several Nigerian cities in what some had initially described as panicbuying. This turned out to be untrue as the scarcity persisted till March and was attributed to the delay in release of import allocation to petroleum marketers for the first quarter of 2014 by the federal government.

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22

Jan. 16 - Jan. 31 Vol. 2 No. 28

Lifestyle Continued from page 7 From Chili Pepper to C.E.O of a Conglomerate...

What was growing up like for you?

Growing up was engaging and fun. Port Harcourt was a garden city. There were lots of trees and garden but now we don't have that anymore. Most of the development has not been structured but I think this governor was trying to restore those past. We hope that the future government will continue with this bit of restoration. There were no security issues back then; one could go from place to place with no thought of security. The problem is that Port Harcourt is growing at a very fast pace, and when a city is growing like that you will have the problems we are having.

I try not to be carried away with emotion. I met a friend and met someone I could confide in, and it all made sense that we should get married. So it was not love at first sight.

Favorite Sports?

I play Polo. It's my favorite sports. I watch football like every other Nigerian, but Polo is my sports.

Favorite Food?

I am not sure. That's tricky. I am not sure I have a favorite food but if I will, it has to be Jollof Rice and salad.

How do you unwind or relax?

I unwind by playing Polo. I love listening to music. I unwind by listening to music. I listen to all kinds of music.

Dress code Corporate dresses because I would be going for corporate meetings.

Greatest memory of my life The times I spent with my mum. She is late now, so that has to be my greatest memory.

The Best day of my life As a business man, it's always when you make money, so I have so many best days of my life.

What's your passion? What you can spend all your money on?

God and my Job definitely because for you to be able to achieve something in this part of the world you must be very passionate and committed towards it

When did you meet your wife? And how?

Continued from page 21

Continue from page 6

2014 IN RETROSPECT Put simply, while stealing can be defined as taking a person or organisation's rightful property without their permission, corruption is not one but a whole range of misdeeds, the common factor in which is the abuse of a person's office for personal gain.

As this attempt to define corruption makes clear, it can range from the petty corruption of junior officials – bribe-taking by police officers on the street corner for example – through high-level embezzlement and theft of public funds to the payment or receipt of bribes made to affect office-holders' decisions in office.

The key difference with “common stealing” is that the people who break into a house and steal, have no authority over the house or property. And people who carry out a corrupt act do have that trust as a public office holder of some sort and abuse it for their own gain.

So what do you think? We are not judges, just journalists!

250million naira Bullet Proof Cars What can one do to warrant having to protect your life with over 120million cars?

Erstwhile Minister of Aviation, Mrs Stella Oduah was obviously afraid of her life for some reasons. She had to order for and buy not one but two bullet proof SUVs. When the news broke, it was met with the usual two sides to a coin. At the end of the day, it was gathered that the vehicles purchase did not follow due process. All these commotion did not affect the position of Minister as she continued in office for several months until finally dropped by the President in a later cabinet reshuffle 10 billion Naira transportation allowance for Petroleum Minister The duties of a petroleum minister are so urgent and important that she must fly chartered flights. At least that is what her boss said in her defense when the House of Assembly summoned Mrs Diezanni Allison-Madueke to tell her own side of the story in the allegation that the NNPC spent 10billion naira to fly the minister all over the globe. That side of the story has not yet been told as there is a court injunction from the minister saying the she should not be invited for questioning. In the meantime, the flying continues maybe.

Official Money Laundering The South African government announced that it had seized a private jet belonging to Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor for bringing in cash over the approved limit into South Africa and failing to declare it. The cash found on the plan was about 9.5million dollars. A day

or so after, the Federal Government came on air to say that the plane was on official assignment and that the money belonged to the Nigerian government. Apparently, the government was trying to buy arms at the black market to help in its fight against the Boko Haram torment in the north east of Nigeria.

A few weeks after, another round of cash was seized again. The Nigerian government later explained that it was forced to buy arms at the black market because the American government was blocking their attempts to buy in the open market.

Chibok school girls' kidnaping On the night of 14-15 April 2014, 276 female students were kidnapped from a Government secondary school in the town of chibok in Borno state, Nigeria.

Responsibility for the kidnapping was claimed by the so called Islamic Jihadist and terrorist group called ' BOKO HARAM' based in the northern part of the country.

Since 2010, Boko Haram has targeted schools, killing hundreds of students. A spokesperson of the group said such attacks would continue as long as the Nigerian government keeps interfering with traditional Islamic education. About 10,000 children have been unable to go to school as a result of their activities.

Wole Soyinka on President Jonathan's cold slowness Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka decided to grant an interview to CNN about the president's “cold, slowness to react to important issues” which he made a monthly affair. In May, in an interview with the Cable News Network (CNN)'s Christine Amanpour, Soyinka blasted President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, saying he lacks the capability to take on the Boko Haram insurgents head-on, because “he and his government are living in denial”. Soyinka also had strong words for First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, over her emotional display on national television over the abduction of the Chibok school girls. He also had harsh words for the president's advisers and a section of the nation. In September, he lashed out at President Goodluck Jonathan again for embracing corrupt politicians and failing to prosecute the sponsors and members of Boko Haram.

One week he was presiding over the House of Representatives as its Speaker elected on the platform of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) and the next week, he was being proclaimed the newest entrant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party's rally in Abuja. From there, the headlines screamed 'Tambuwal' when his security details were withdrawn and the week after that, he and his allies in the

How to stop your hair from aging House were refused entry in to the House; they were met with tear-gas canisters when they would have it no other way.

The week after that, he was rumoured to be the APC's 'joker' for the presidency in 2015; his cohorts even went as far as purchasing the party's presidential form for him and presenting it to him in M a i t a m a residence. He accepted it and confirmed that he will get back to them. A few days after this misleading gesture, he opted to go for the S o k o t o gubernatorial ticket of the APC – one which he picked almost without any opposition.

PHM: How do we boost the health of our hair?

BISI: We can improve the health of our hair with creams, shampoo, and conditioner. People also read about the products they are using on their hair.

PHM: State the rule for washing our hair?

BISI: The rules are as follow; wash your hair when dirty and endeavor to use lukewarm water.

PHM: Is it advisable to avoid using different shampoos?

BISI: Yes because all women do not have the same texture of hair.

PHM: How often should women relax their hair?

BISI: Once in three months PHM: How often should women wash their hair?

BISI: I would advise ladies to wash their twice in a week but on the fact that women make their hair, I would recommend that the wash the hair once in every three weeks.

PHM: What's your advice to women with thick hair to boost their hair texture and prevent it from ageing?

BISI: Thick hair texture tends to age faster than people with soft hair. I would advise them to apply oil to the hair scalp regularly.

PHM: Between braiding, fixing and leaving the hair like that which would you prefer for women.

BISI: This depends on the individual but for me I would recommend leaving the hair like that but because women want to look good in the society this would be difficult.

PHM: What's the best quantity for shampooing ones hair?

BISI: There is no particular measurement for applying shampoo but as you washing your hair, you need to observe if the hair is clean enough.

T h e Transformation of our Nigerian Military Of all the jobs of the world, the army is probably the least showy and spectacular but it is certainly not the least deserving of admiration. Maligned at the beginning of the year for its slow response to the increasing incursions of the Boko Haram, the Nigerian Military finally began to take the war to the insurgents, from Chibok to Damaturu, Adamawa and Gombe, Kebbi and Bama, the Nigerian Military has overturned its reputation as the sit-downlook unit to a more proactive, in-charge one capable of holding its own down against the insurgents any day – though there have been cases of mutiny, court-martial, corruption, lack of weapons, poor environmental conditions and other, they have persisted.

Super Falcons back in the driver seat Nigeria's Super Falcons made headlines in the year when they reclaimed the continental soccer crown which they lost to Equatorial Guinea two years ago by beating the Indomitable Queens of Cameroun in

the final of the African Women Championship in Namibia and qualify for the 2015 FIFA Women World Cup. The victory means a lot to Nigerians, especially because it comes at a time when the national male football team, the Super Eagles, gave the country's football lovers heartache when it failed to qualify for the 2015 edition of the African Champions Cup which it won last year in South Africa. Though the ladies have been handed a tough draw for the World Cup which will begin in Canada on July 6, 2015 – the team will play Sweden, USA and Australia.

23

Jan. 16 - Jan. 31 Vol. 2 No. 28

Sports

By Chuma Nnoli (chumality@yahoo.com)

LeBron James

LeBron travelled to Miami for rehab NBA star player LeBron James had to stay in Miami to take advantage of warmer weather last week as part of a rehab process to deal with back and knee strains that have sidelined him from action in the last fortnight according to ESPN.com.

His coach David Blatt had already revealed that Cleveland Cavaliers doctors advised James not to attend games over the past week because "continuous sitting" on the bench would be bad for his back.

For this reason, James was excused from team activities and did not attend road trips in Charlotte and Philadelphia and a home game against the Dallas Mavericks. James spent part of that time doing rehab at the Cavs' practice facility but also spent time last week in Miami. Spending time in the warmer weather was deemed healthy for James' back. James said he was having rehab sessions three to four times a day during the past week and is expected to be back in action soon.

Your 2015 sporting calendar 2015 promises to be a very eventful year filled with numerous sporting events at the national, continental and global levels and as this is the 1st edition of PH Microscope for the year we think it’s pertinent to let you know some of the high profile events that would define the next 12 months Sports Wise.

January

June

17th: Start of Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea6th: UEFA Champions League final in Ber lin 19th: Australian Open starts in Melbourne (tennis) 6th: Start of FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada 7th: French Open Ends (tennis) February 20th: Final of FIFA Under 20World Cup 1st: Australian Open ends(tennis) 29th:Wimbledon Open Starts (tennis) 8th: Final of Africa cup of Nations All Nigeria/Cross River state Athletics 15th: Start of African Under 17 Championships in Nig er Championship in Calabar 13th – 15th:NBA All-Star weekend (Basketball)

March

July

1st: African Under 17 Championships ends 1st: Capital one Cup Final inWembley 7th: Start of 2014/2015 Glo Nig eria professional Football League season 8th – 22nd:AfricanYouth Championships in Seneg al 15th: Formula One season starts

4th-26:Tour de France (cycling) 12th:Wimbledon Open ends (tennis)

August 23rd - 30th:World Athletics Championships in Beijing 31st: US Open (tennis)

April

September

9th-19th:19th National Sports Festival in Calabar 9th- 12th:The Masters in Augusta (golf) 9th: Start of Diamond League season (Athletics)

13th: US Open ends (tennis)

May

17th: FIFA Under 17World Cup starts in Chile

24th: English Premier League final day (2014/2015) 25th: French Open starts in Rolland Garr os (tennis) 27th: Europa League final inWarsaw 30th: English FA Cup final,Wembley 30th: FIFA under 20World Cup starts in New Zealand

October

November 8th: FIFA Under 17World Cup ends

Forget foreign athletes and concentrate on home grown talents - Udobong tells AFN Olympic Gold medalist Aniefiok Udobong says Nigerian athletics had a great year in 2014, revealing that priority should be given to developing talents if the momentum is to be built upon. Udobong who was part of the Nigerian Quartet that were awarded Gold in the 4x400m relay event of the Sidney 2000 Olympics has always been a strong advocate of concentrating on home grown talents and picked out the country’s successes in the African Athletics Championships and the Commonwealth Games as evidence that talents still abound in the country, noting that despite a handful of foreign based athletes brought back by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria to represent the nation, it was the home grown contingent that won a bulk of the medals. “You can see I’m vindicated in the sense that our winners were home grown, home based athletes. We brought in a lot of foreign based athletes that were Americanized but they were failures, so we should have used that money to develop the home grown ones, as long as our policy is development and grassroot we’ll continue to do well. He told PH Microscope.

Nigeria finished 8th in the Glasgow Commonwealth games with 11 gold medals 3 of which came from athletics, the country also won 8 gold medals to place 2nd behind South Africa in the African Athletics Championships

Boston bid for 2024 Olympics Boston has been selected by the United States Olympic Committee as its candidate city to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Boston beat domestic competition from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington DC to be put forward.

"Our goal is to host Olympic and Paralympic Games that are innovative, walkable and hospitable to all," said Boston mayor Marty Walsh.

The deadline for cities to apply to host the Games is 15 September.

The International Olympic Committee are due to make a decision in 2017.

The last time the USA hosted a summer games was in Atlanta in 1996, although Salt Lake City, Utah, hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002.

Wilfried Bony to Manchester City a certainty Manchester City have agreed a fee of around 28 million pounds to sign Swansea striker Wilfried Bony, strong British media sources have revealed Bony, 26, was the highest scorer in the Premier League for the calendar year of 2014 and is currently on duty for Ivory Coast at the African Nations Cup. He has proved to be an inspired signing for the Swans since arriving from Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem for 12 million pounds in the summer of 2013. He has scored nine Premier League goals already so far this season, having managed 17 in the league in the 2013-14 campaign.

Sports Extra

River State FA set up Electoral Committee

Did you

Know?

A whale’s heart beats only 9 times in a min?

The black mamba snake which is found in Africa is the fastest moving land snake (20km/hr)?

Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, a Nigerian, became Africa's richest woman again in 2014 and that Isabel Dos Santos from Angola is the second richest?

The world's largest Catholic spiritan seminary is in Attakwu, Enugu, Nigeria?

That in the year 2014 King Mswati of Swaziland offered to pay Swazi girls $18 monthly to remain virgins because of the rate at which they were losing their virginity?

Nigerian football won’t grow if we don’t separate it from politics - Akpoborie Fo r m e r N i g e r i a n I n t e r n a t i o n a l Jonathan Akpoborie says if Nigerian football is to improve in 2015 there must be a road map to separate the nation’s politics from the day to day running of the game in the country. The previous year had so much of negativity around the country ’s football with the infighting in the Nigerian Football Federation(NFF) culminating in the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2015 Africa cup of Nations, and ahead of a busy year for Nigerian football which will among other things see Nigeria’s Under 17 team (Golden Eaglets) and Under 20 team (Flying Eagles) engaging in continental championships to get tickets for the 2015 FIFA World Cups in both levels, the Super Falcons having a date with the rest of the World in June when the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off in Canada with competitive matches also on for the Under 23 team and home-

based Super Eagles, Akpobrie tells PH Microscope things have to be done differently from the past if we must make headway. “we need to draw a road map where we have to separate our football from our politics, you know me and you, every Nigerian you meet if you ask them how is the health of the Nigerian politics, they’ll tell you it stinks, you know when it stinks and football is going round the same avenue then definitely it would stink also.” he said. The 43 year old who scored a handful of goals while playing in the German Bundesliga added “we have to get a road map that shows this is where we are heading to, this is where we going to start making football earn its own living not depending on the Government, then the administrators will be able to make decisions on their own.”

Carl Frosh vs Julio Chavez fight almost a done deal

Carl Frosh

Julio Chavez

Carl Froch has revealed his dream match-up with Julio Chavez Jr in Las Vegas has nearly been agreed.

The IBF and WBA super-middleweight champion is also open-minded to extending his storied career beyond the proposed March date with Chavez.

Fr o c h h a s n o t f o u g h t s i n c e spectacularly stopping George Groves

at Wembley Stadium in May, after which he instructed promoter Eddie Hearn to deliver a maiden bout in the fight capital of the world.

“We’re nearly there, dare I say it, with the Chavez fight in Vegas which I’ve talked about since knocking out Groves,” Froch told Sky Sports News

The Rivers State Football Association(FA) has set up an electoral committee ahead of its elections next month. The committee which is headed by Mr Menekia Angala will have the task of screening candidates vying for different positions in the Body that organizes football in the state. Other members of the committee are Chukwudi Ejimofor, Christian Udogu and Mrs Barbar Horsefall, with the association’s secretary Benjamin Akubo also acting as scribe for the committee. The election has been fixed to hold on February 19 with 9 positions on the board to be contested for. These include the seat of the Chairman, Vice Chairman and 7 members. Meanwhile The Rivers State FA secretary Benjamin Akubo has revealed to PH Microscope the criteria for prospective candidates who intend to throw their hats into the ring and challenge for a position in the football governing body.

Mr Akubo said such persons must be nominated by an affiliate Local Government Football council, noting that out of the 23 Local Government Areas(LGA) in the state, only 14 indicated interest and were duly registered with the FA in 2011, meaning indigenes of those affiliate LGAs can offer themselves for elections if so nominated by their people. He further added that for indigenes of the other 9 Local government football councils not registered at the moment with the FA, they can be nominated by a football club duly affiliated with the association. He also stated that “Such person must have passion for football because the football association does not reward members financially, we don’t have financial incentives to boost your being there and so we expect that you must have a recognizable means of livelihood.”

Interested persons can pick their intent forms from the Rivers State Football Association secretariat.

Roger federer humbled by a thousand victories With 17 grand slam titles under his belt, Roger Federer has made a habit of smashing barriers and passing milestones but even he was moved by his latest achievement. On Sunday, he chalked up another watershed, registering his 1,000 ATP career match win by beating Milos Raonic 6-4 6-7(2) 6-4 in the final of the Brisbane International.

Only Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl had achieved the feat before and Federer was clearly moved.

"It feels very different to any other match I've ever won, because I never thought about anything, reaching 500 or 800," he told a news conference.

“All those numbers didn't mean anything to me, but for some reason 1.000 means a lot because it's such a huge number. Just counting to 1,000 is going to take a while."

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