We lost to corruption in our party

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Vanguard, A UGUST 1 AUGUST 1,, 2015

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Vanguard, A UGUST 1 AUGUST 1,, 2015 —3

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Vanguard, A UGUST 1 AUGUST 1,, 2015

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015–5

‘We lost 2015 election to corruption in our party’ *PDP workers own up, reveal high level sleaze in the party *Call on EFCC to probe NWC *APC has Infiltrated our Staff — Metuh

By Henry Umoru

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LANS by the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to reduce their staff strength, slash their salaries and allowances by 50%, yesterday took another dimension as the workers have vowed to fight members of the National Working Committee, NWC with their last blood, alleging corrupt practices in the party they said cost them the 2015 Presidential election.

The workers’ revelations and allegations appeared so strong that party spokesman Olisa Metuh alleged that the ruling party, APC has infiltrated their party.

The PDP workers have even invited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to focus its attention on the party leadership and probe them for alleged fraudulent practices.

Protesting yesterday, the PDP workers under the aegis of the PDP Workers Welfare Association alleged that the leadership of the Party under the Acting Chairman, Uche Secondus and Secretary Professor Adewale Oladipo have lost relevance and direction to lead the party and should therefore resign and face the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

In a press conference statement jointly signed by the chairman of the PDP Staff welfare Association Ngozi Nzeh and Secretary Dan Ochu-Baiye, the aggrieved workers stressed that they were surprised that members of the NWC were still hanging around to kill the party after former chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu had resigned following the failure of the party.

The staff said, “It is curious to observe that a party which once prided itself as the biggest party in Africa could be so liquidated by such executive recklessness of its NWC members so much so that N12,000,000,000 (Twelve Billion Naira) was squandered in 9 months.

“Party members will need to know why delegates were compelled to pay the sum of N10,000 (Ten Thousand Naira) each into a private account of a company called MORUFI NIG. LTD. We are aware that over N1,000,000,000 (One Billion Naira) was realized from this fraudulent exercise. Why did the NWC compel Party members to pay sums into a company account rather than the usual party account in the same Zenith Bank?

“As part of their agenda to ridicule and crumble the party, legitimate bills owed to media houses, contractors and even cleaners have not been paid till date. Most Party members who conducted congresses and primaries that generated these huge sums have also not been paid.

From left Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari; Chairman Presidential Committee on Victims' Support Funds, Lt. Gen. Theophelus Danhjuma; Members of the Committee, Mr. Wale Tinubu; Prof. Ben Angue and Mrs. Toyosi Akerele during the meeting between the President and the Committee at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja.

Photo by Abayomi Adeshida, yesterday.

“Will over twelve million members of PDP believe that even as we address this press conference, the NWC are still using party finances to fund frivolous personal expenses such as weddings, naming ceremonies, funerals etc to the tune of hundreds of millions of naira.

“Because of these ceaseless acts of recklessness and palpable fear for their fate, they have refused to summon a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) since the Party lost in the last elections. Shouldn’t any organization with a responsible leadership call for a NEC meeting for an appraisal of what transpired months after we lost elections?

“Several factors have been adduced as the reasons why the party performed so poorly in the last general elections. We make bold to say that responsibility for the abysmal outing of the party should be located directly at the doorsteps of the NWC members due to the following reasons:- Criminal imposition of unpopular candidates; Mind boggling extortion of aspirants.

An example here is the yet to be resolved allegation by Ndudi Godwin Elumelu who paid whopping N750,000,000 (Seven Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) to the NWC to obtain the gubernatorial ticket of the party in Delta State.

There are many other victims; Appointment of incompetent cronies who were specifically detailed to return unpopular candidates as officers in congresses and primaries. The same scenario is being played out in Kogi while Bayelsa is in the wings.

“In Kogi, it is widely alleged that the incumbent Governor was requested to cough out the sum of N1,000,000,000 (One Billion Naira) to the same NWC to retain his ticket. Non remittance of campaign funds to state chap-

ters; Results submitted by Congress Committees were blatantly changed; Wholesome embezzlement of proceeds of sales of nomination forms.”

The workers who boasted that it has possession of incriminating documents to indict the NWC, however called on the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), the national caucus and other critical stakeholders to invoke the relevant section of the party’s constitution to hold a NEC meeting to sack the NWC. It would be recalled that the PDP, barely two months into its new status as the opposition political party, after sixteen years of power, was already struggling in all quarters and yesterday concluded to reduce its staff strength by 50%.

The party had on Wednesday said it would reduce the salaries and allowances of its staff by 50%, those of members of the

National Working Committee.

In a letter signed by PDP National Secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo and addressed to all directors and administrative staff of PDP, the leadership of the Party would also reduce the number of its security by 50%.

The letter dated 29 July, 2015 with reference number PS/DD/ AD/HOD/SAs/PAS and obtained

by Vanguard, the Secretary who noted that the decisions were reached at the 406th meeting of the NWC yesterday, stressed that the party’s Research Directorate has also been abolished and functions of the Directorate transferred to the Peoples Democratic Institute.

The PDP while asking its workers to return to their respective states and prove their membership, had said, “Furthermore, Establishment staff who would remain are required to obtain individual letter of revalidation

from their State Party Chapter within one month of this circular as to their suitability for service at the National Secretariat.”

The workers statements read in part: “In view of the incontrovertible fact that the current National Working Committee has lost relevance and direction and has proven grossly incompetent of leading the party out of the present quagmire, we demand their immediate resignation.

“We are surprised that while the former National Chairman, Ahmadu Adamu Muazu resigned, these harbingers of political ill-fate are still hanging on to celebrate over the misfortunes of the Party.

“Nigerians will recall that in the United Kingdom, leaders of Labour and Liberal Democrats resigned honourably following the loss of their parties in the 2015 British Parliamentary Elections. What is the PDP NWC still waiting for? To hang on and further scavenge on the party? This must stop.

“We appeal to the Board of Trustees, the National Caucus and other members of the National Executive Committee to invoke relevant sections of the Party constitution to call for a meeting of NEC since the NWC is reluctant to do so. A stitch in time saves nine.

“We also call on the anti-graft agencies such as the EFCC, the Police, and ICPC to beam their searchlight on the nefarious activities of the PDP NWC before they finally take the party to the grave yard.

“We demand that the National Secretary and his co-travelers in the NWC unconditionally withdraw their sadistic circular and adhere strictly to the provisions of the establishment manual should they no longer require our services.

The workers also took a swipe at the National publicity secretary Olisa Metuh for failure to lead the party to victory in his home state of Anambra and lacked the morale right to question their loyalty to the party.

Boko Haram: We ‘re more resolute now to deal with terrorism, Buhari tells UN Envoy

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja said that Nigeria has gathered more capacity to effectively root out insurgency in the country.

Buhari’s new strength however followed the formation of a stronger regional coalition between Nigeria and her neighbouring countries in the full activation and deployment of the Multi National Joint Task Force which has been established under the auspices of the Lake Chad Basin Commission.

It will be recalled that President Buhari just returned from Republic of Cameroon where the regional Task Force was launched.

Speaking when he received the United Nations SecretaryGeneral’s Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, President Buhari assured that the measures so far taken would lead to the speedy defeat and elimination of Boko Haram within the region.

He added that with the relocation of the Command and Control Centre of the Nigerian military to Maiduguri, Borno State, the morale of troops in the frontline states had improved significantly.

“You can tell the SecretaryGeneral that we are doing our best and our best will be good enough for the nation and the

sub-region,” he said.

The president also solicited the assistance of UN through the Representative in the forthcoming elections in Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea and Burkina Faso.

He remarked that the use of innovative technologies was necessary to ensure more credible elections.

“When citizens recognise that their votes count, it will boost their confidence in democracy and their countries’ electoral systems,” he said.

He recalled that why Nigeria could afford the use of smart card readers to authenticate prospective voters, other African countries may require support and assistance from the international community.

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015

Three Siblings burnt to death in midnight fire •Ambode commiserates with family

BY EVELYN USMAN AND MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

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HREE siblings were burnt to death in a midnight fire that engulfed a mechanic village beside Jakande estate in Oke-Afa Isolo area of Lagos.

Several houses, shops and vehicles were also destroyed by the fire. Its cause could not be immediately ascertained.

The children: Feranmi, ChristianaandPelumi ofages 12, 7 and 5 respectively were said to have been locked up in one of the shops by their mother who reportedly went to visit her husband who lives far from Isolo.

Meanwhile, Governor AkinwunmiAmbodeofLagos Stateyesterdaycommiserated with the family of the three children, expressing deep shock over the disaster.

Ambode warned that the state government would no longer tolerate the violation of the law banning sleeping in markets and other public facilities, saying “relevant provisions of the law would apply to erring residents,” The governor who raised a delegation led by the Permanent Secretary in the OfficeoftheDeputyGovernor, Michael Ola-Dawodu to examine the extent to loss suffered by the residents, lamented that the loss of life especially losing three female siblings- Christiana 12, Feranmi 8 and Pelumi 6, to a preventablefiredisasterisvery painful.

When the fire started the children were fast asleep.

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laterheardtheirpassionatecry forhelp.Buthelpwasfarfrom them as everyone ran in different directions for safety apparently not to be electrocuted by the high tensionwiredirectlyabovethe affected area. Men of the Lagos State Fire Service later arrived the scene and managedtoputouttheraging fire. The charred remains of the children were later removed.

As at the time Saturday

Vanguardvisitedthescene,the mother of the children was yet to return from where she went to.

Traders and residents around the area blamed the death of the children on their mother.Oneofthemsaid:“We havewarnedherseveraltimes to always take the children along,wheneversheisleaving for her husband ‘s place but she would always say that nothing would happen. If she had heeded the advice her

children would have been alive now. Her husband lives far from her and she goes to visit him once in a while”.

Director, Lagos state fire service,MrRasakFadipesaid, “ eight lock-up shops six vehicles and a room and parlour were destroyed”.

On his part the South West spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye who described the incident as unfortunate, disclosed that: same night another outbreak of fire occurred at Travel Day Inn at Toyin st, off Allen Ikeja. Fire alsodestroyed5lockupshops and part of Divine Int. Hotel at Vion st. Owode Ajegunle.

Boroh’s appointment has averted crisis in N/Delta — Clark timely, and has immediately •Hails Buhari for action

BY HENRY UMORU

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ORMER Federal Commissioner for Information and South South leader, Chief Edwin Clark said yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointment of Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh, Rtd as Coordinator for the Amnesty Programme has averted a major breakdown of law and order that would have engulfed the Niger Delta region of the country.

In a letter to President Buhari, the Elder Statesman who hailed the president for the action, described the appointment as very timely and good for the people of the region, adding that the speed of his action was an indication that the president was in touch

with the situation on ground.

Chief Clark had in a letter to President Buhari last week, urged him to as matter of urgency appoint a new Coordinator of the programme to avert crisis following the end of tenure of the immediate past coordinator, Kingsley Kuku.

The Ijaw leader’s open letter of congratulation to President Buhari on his timely appointment of a Coordinator for the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme to avert crisis in the region, read in full, “I write to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your appointment, yesterday, of Brigadier-General Paul T. Boroh (rtd) as coordinator of the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme.

The appointment was very

lifted a threatening spectre of frustration, despondency and restiveness and with the news, last week, that beneficiaries of the Programme were facing destitution, either by being sent out of their training programmes, especially abroad, or denied their allowances in Nigeria.

“Being a principal participant in the long tortuous and dangerous process that led to the establishment of the Amnesty Programme and as a Father of the Region, I had, immediately upon hearing of gathering protesters, the cries of many Leaders of the area, written to Your Excellency a letter dated, July 23, 2015, to request the prompt appointment into the position, which you graciously announced yesterday.

Police withdraw 200 men from LASTMA

BY EMMA NNADOZIE, Crime Editor

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O fewer than 200 officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, have been withdrawn from the Lagos State Transport Management Agency, LASTMA, for yet-to-be disclosed reasons. They have been directed to report at their command headquarters in Ikeja, over two weeks ago. Investigations revealed that the withdrawal may not be unconnected with a breach in their condition of service by the management of LASTMA, since they were drafted to assist the agency in their operations in the state.

Sources at the headquarters of the agency in Oshodi intimated that their activities and operations have been virtually grounded following the development. According to the source, “we came to work one morning only to be informed that police authorities have ordered the immediate withdrawal of their officers and men attached to us and since then, our operations have been paralysed all over the state.”

Officials of the agency who spoke with Saturday Vanguard on the condition of anonymity disclosed that officers and men of the police force attached to the agency have been grumbling for long over alleged short change in their allowances without care from the management of the agency.

“They have openly been agitating that their counterparts posted on special duties to other agencies and government house, Alausa,

are adequately remunerated while the Management of LASTMA, pays them pea nuts.

Apoliceofficeronmuftiseen inside the headquarters of the agency told Saturday Vanguard that they have been withdrawn for over three weeks and all efforts by the management of the agency to make Police authorities change their decision have so far failed. “ The Chairman of the board, Young Arebamen, a retired Commissioner of Police, even held a meeting in his office with the new Commissioner of Police in Lagos, but nothing has come out of it till now. We were just dumped at the headquarters in Ikeja without any other posting.

“Our grouse is the way we are being treated at LASTMA. Whileourcolleaguesattached to the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Governor’s Monitoring team, GMT and other Task Forces, are paid handsomely every month, we receive paltry allowances every six months from LASTMA in spite of the tedious nature of our assignments. That is why Lagosians have been complaining of high level of corruption in the agency.” When contacted for confirmation, the new Lagos State Police spokesperson, Patricia Amadin said, “Its an administrative re-structuring.

Postings in the force are supposed to be dynamic. We don’t want anybody to assume stationery roles in any beat. The new Commissioner of Police posted them out and he is going to replace them with fresh hands. The command is not aware of any grumbling from any quarters.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015 — 7

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Ooni: Final rites begin

By Gbenga Olarinoye, Osogbo

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N what appears to be a preparation for the formal announcement of the demise of Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, there were fears yesterday in the ancient town that traditional rites have begun with imposition of Oro festival which will last for seven days.

During this festival period which is from dusk to dawn, all females are not allowed to come out in the town untill the festival is over.

Saturday Vanguard reliably gathered that Oro Festival is already on in the town, the development many people termed as a prelude to the formal announcement of Ooni’s death.

A palace source however dismissed this claim, saying there are certain rites that must have been performed, before the ongoing Oro Festival, before the news will be broken.

The source specifically added that one of the conditions will be to shut down all markets in Ile Ife to public, symbolic jingling of royal gong across town and appearance of dreaded “Isogun”, a chief that only makes appearance at Ile Oodua at the demise of Ooni.

It was also learnt that a particular door at the backyard of Ooni’s palace

that had been permanently closed since December1980, when Ooni Sijuade ascended the throne, would be opened to indicate that the throne is vacant.

“Until all these conditions manifest, it cannot be concluded that Ooni has joined his ancestors. I live here in the palace and we believe baba (Ooni) is still alive in the United Kingdom.

“Preparation is in top gear for the marriage of his son in Victoria Island in Lagos on Sunday. I can’t confirm if he will appear in person at the event but that marriage is what is engaging all of us now,” the source said.

Another very close family source said the final rites must have begun but on a very light note so as not to scare people, stressing that the manner the passage of the monarch happened did not allow for strict adherence to traditions.

He said “ some of the rites to be performed before the declaration are on. The chiefs are only being careful so as not to create panic in the town. Those rites that cannot be done secretly will be done when other arrangements have been concluded regarding moving him (Ooni) back home.

Asked whether Oro Festival is part of the final rites

Police kill armed robbery suspect in gun duel before declaration of Ooni death, he said: “the ongoing Oro just coincided with these controversies about Baba (Ooni) . It is usually held around this period every year.”

Already, there are palpable apprehension in the ancient town following the announcement of Oro festival.

Specifically, residents of areas such as Moore, Enuwa and Isale Agbara said Oro adherents were sighted but added that before the controversy over Ooni’s whereabouts started, the festival had been on.

But despite the festival being on, commercial activities were still active, though on relatively cautious scale in Ife metropolis.

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ENATOR Dino Melaye, yesterday, explained that he accompanied Toyin, wife of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, last Tuesday because he wanted to know the level of culpability in

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gun duel between the Oyo State Police Command and a gang of suspected armed robbers raping women and terrorising Ogbomoso and Oyo town has left one of the bandits dead and two others with serious injuries.

According to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammadu Musa Katsina, all the suspects arrested were six in number.

While parading the suspects with dangerous weapons allegedly found on them, the state police boss assured residents of the state of their safety, adding that with effective policing which his command had embarked upon and

with array of trusted and capable men working with him, there would be no problem at all.

One the robbery suspects, Fatai Balogun who live at Ode-Aje area of Ibadan confessed to the crime saying he joined the gang about one year ago and within that time, he had participated in no fewer than seven armed robbery operations at Ogbomoso and Oyo axis.

The suspect also confirmed that his gang killed a woman at Akinmorin area of Oyo. Another suspect, Mr. Ibrahim Idris who claimed to have graduated from Olabisi Onabanjo University †owned up that he bought and sold stolen items for the gang.

Robbers kill two policemen during bank robbery

By Boluwaji Obahopo, Lokoja

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Briefing: House Majority Leader Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila addressing pressmen at National Assembly while Mr. Smart Olanrewaju looks on . Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

Why I accompanied Mrs Saraki to EFCC — Sen. Melaye

By Joseph Erunke

By Ola Ajayi, Ibadan

the allegation against her by her petitioners.

Melaye, who is the Chairman, Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Media and Publicity, said he only went to the anti-graft office in his capacity as an independent investigator.

The lawmaker, who represents Kogi West Senatorial zone in the Senate, said in a press statement, in Abuja, that his explanation became necessary,

following the barrage of attacks and criticisms he had so far received from his “brothers, sisters and fellow citizens” since Tuesday, when he was sighted accompanying Mrs Saraki to the headquarters of the commission in Abuja.

Melaye, who said he had no regret nor apology to anyone for his action, debunked insinuations in some quarters that he may have been one of the beneficiaries of the contracts in which the former Kwara State First Lady was being accused of misdeeds.

He said he had never executed any government’s contract, either at the local, state or federal government level in his life, and challenged anybody who will controvert his position to provide evidence.

Melaye, in the state-

ment entitled: “Stand up for what you believe in regardless of the popularity or acceptance of your belief”, also revealed that his visit to the commission’s office along with the Senate President’s wife was a personal sacrifice aimed at preventing the commission from being compromised through influence by desperate politicians.

He said: “The invitation of Mrs. Toyin Saraki by the EFCC, however, is not a criminal indictment. I will not abandon my friend because of mere EFCC invitation. I also went there as a private investigator and an anticorruption crusader to find out the extent of culpability of my sister and friend since she was not told the content of the petition against her before her appearance before the EFCC.

RMED robbers yesterday attacked one of the old generation banks in Lokoja, Kogi State capital, killing two police officers on duty in an attempt to forcefully break into the banking hall.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the robbers arrived at the premises of the bank located along the Kogi Local Government Secretariat in the morning before the bank workers could settle down, and started shooting sporadically to scare away both the workers and the

early customers.

However, all attempts made to gain entrance into the banking hall proved abortive as security details engaged them in a gun duel which led to the loss of the policemen, a development that caused panic among the residents of the area who scampered for safety.

The State Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Sola Collins Adebayo who confirmed the incident, as well as the death of the two police officers killed during the incident said that police will commence investigation with immediate effect.

COAS promises more vibrant, well equipped Army *As College of Logistics graduates officers

By Bashir Adefaka

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HE Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has promised to meet the needs of the Nigerian Army College of Logistics (NACOL), charging officers to remain disciplined, loyal, dedicated and hardworking.

Major General Burutai who was special guest of honour at a Passing out Parade (POP) of the college marking the end of Logistics Staff Course 12/ 2015 was represented by the Commander, Nigerian Army Medical Corps, Major General Obashina Ayodele Ogunbiyi held yesterday in Lagos.

He described the numer-

ous achievements of the college in areas such as training, seminars, workshops and various research inputs to Nigerian Army policies, adding that he would meet the needs of the college.

Buratai added that, “It is our desire to build a Nigerian Army that would be professional, well equipped and responsive in performing her constitutional roles of protecting the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Consequently, adequate consideration is being given to the provision of logistics requirements to formations/units in the Nigerian Army to guarantee effective logistics support in all operations and exercises.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015

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Banks set to release list of chronic debtors, 38 coys owe one bank N7.4 billion

By Francis Igata

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By Omoh Gabriel, Business Editor

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IGERIA Banks, in compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN’s directive, will on Monday begin the publication of chronic debtors who owe banks millions of Naira and refused to pay.

Vanguard gathered that most banks have perfected arrangement to release the names of individuals, companies and directors owing banks huge sums.

According to documents sighted by Vanguard yesterday in one of the banks alone about 38 companies and individuals owe the bank a total of N7.4 billion.

The facilities were mainly to Petroleum oil trading companies, importers, and manufacturers who took over draft and have failed to pay back.

Analysis of the facilities in the bank document sighted showed that Bank of Industry term loan top the list with about N743.5million. The facility was granted in 2012 and its tenure expires in 2016. This was followed by short term loans granted to a company into manufacturing with an outstanding debt of N741 million. A share loan of N502.722million granted in 2008 which due repayment was in 2009 remained unpaid in the books of the bank as at the time of writing this story. Many of the facilities that have gone bad granted by the banks range from term loans, import finance, over draft, CBN/CIF term loans as well as commercial paper.

This is not the first time in the banking industry that names of bad debtors are being published. It will be recalled that in 2009, during the heat of the global financial crisis the then CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi caused the CBN to publish the list of bad debtors. But this time, the CBN has asked the banks to publish the list.

Debtors were given up to 1st of August 2015 to settle their debts or have their names published in the dailies.

It will be recalled that the CBN, in 2009 made good the promise by its Governor, Sanusi to publish the list of those indebted to the four banks that failed the second phase of the CBN audit test and whose managements were sacked. The CBN had in a statement signed by M.M. Abdullahi, Head,

Ugwuanyi rescues graduate casual workers

Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, condoling with parents of the late Joseph-Mary, Celestina and Richard Odinigwe, surviving children (in white) at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Enugwu-Ukwu yesterday.

Corporate Affairs said: In furtherance of the efforts of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to assist the banks affected by the outcome of the recent CBN/NDIC Special Examination, we publish herewith the list of nonperforming loans of N100 million and above for Bank PHB, Spring Bank, Unity Bank, Wema Bank and Equatorial Trust Bank as at June 30, 2009. Four of the five banks are being owed a total of N348.409 billion.

A breakdown of the amount the individual banks were owed in that exercise showed that Bank PHB was owed N170.073 billion; Spring Bank, N95.594 billion; Equatorial Trust Bank, N46.154 billion and Unity

Bank, N36.585 billion.

This time around the apex bank in an effort to forestall another build up of nonperforming loans (NPLs) in the banking industry, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and deposit money banks (DMBs) in the country in April disclosed plans to publish the names of new bank debtors.

In addition, the central bank had said it might be compelled to stop such loan defaulters from accessing FOREIGN EXCHANGE through the interbank FOREIGN EXCHANGE market. The Director, Banking Supervision, CBN, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins, who disclosed this while briefing journal-

ists at the end of the 321st Bankers’ Committee meeting in Lagos, said the names of those she described as “chronic debtors” would be published alongside the companies they represent, their directors, subsidiaries and other associates.

Martins who declined to give a specific date or period when the names would be published as well as the total amount owed by the debtors, said banks are currently compiling the names.

“Total loans in the industry are in the region of N13 trillion. Right now, we have not reached the upper limit of five per cent on NPLs, but we don’t want to get there.”

All Nigeria Championships: Ogunlewe shocks Egwero to national 100m title

By Ben Efe

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OME boy, OghoOghene Egwero was the major casualty at the All Nigeria Championships, which ended yesterday at theWarriTownshipStadium in Delta State.

Egwero, was the favourite to win the race, having swept through the semi-final with the best time. But he was dusted by Seye Ogunlewe, an emerging sprint talent in a tight race, which the starting officials made a mess of after a false start.

Ogunlewe, pulled out of the pack even as Egwero struggled to put his race back together after the distraction at the start. But it was all a matter of seconds and Ogunlewe raced to finish at 10: 19; Egwero finished at 10:21 while JonathanNnmajuwasthird with 10.30 seconds.

The other highlight of the day was in the men 400m hurdles. Miles Ukaoma,

the 2014 American NCCA champion, ran 48: 85 seconds much to the delight of athletics officials who waited for more than 10 years to see such a performance by Nigerian athletes in that discipline. Henry Amike’s 48:50 seconds remains the national record since 1987.

The women 400m also produced an excitement. It was a hot contest between Patience Okon George and Regina George, but it was Okon George who held onto her lead from the last curve to finish at 51.31 seconds, while flamboyant George checked in at 51.65 seconds. Margaret Etim was third with 52:64.

‘It was a hard race and I was never in doubt that Regina is a worthy competitor,’ said Okon George.

The men’s version of the race did not provoke much interest. Chidi Okezie finish at 46.15 seconds, Nathaniel Oghenewvegba was second with 46:20 and

Noah Akwu was third with 46.38.

In the women 200m, junior athlete Praise Idamadudu was too strong for other competitors. She finished in 23. 48, Gloria Asumnu was second with 23.53, while Ngozi Onwumere placed third with 23.74.

Also another junior athlete, Peter Odele beat Obinna Metu and Egwero to the title in men’s 200m,.

He ran 20:47 seconds, while Metu and Egwero clocked 20.57 and 20. 60 respectively.

OVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State,yesterday,came to the rescue of some grieving 20 graduate casual workers of the Institute of Management and Technology,IMT, Enugu who have been receiving N10,000 monthly salary each since 2005.

They had broken down in tears as the governor paid an unscheduled visit to the institution yesterday, telling the governor that since they had remained under that condition in agony, the system had continued to employ fresh graduates, leaving their,”protesting workers”,request for upgrade unattended to.

The workers alleged that they had “been working as casual workers in the school since 2005 as graduates on this small salary” According to them, IMT had during the period under review continued to employ workers and placed them on appropriate grade levels but would not consider them for such employment, their cognate experience notwithstanding.

Governor Ugwuanyi who could not hide his sympathyforthemimmediatelydirected that their names be compiled for remediation .

He told the Rector of the Institution, Prof. M.U. Iloeje, to forward the names to his office through his Chief of Staff.

...intervenes in Rangers crisis

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HEgovernorinvitedthe players and management of the club to a round table discussion with a view to addressing the issues and encourage the team to live up to its expectation to be able to break the jinx of winning a trophy for the state after 32 years.

After listening to the presentations made by the team including, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Charles Ndukwe, board members and fans of

the club, he informed them that he had instructed the Accountant General of the state to ensure that their June and July salaries were taken care of.

Gov.Ugwuanyireminded the team of the symbolic nature of the Rangers’ jersey which he said represents “the soul of an Igbo man” and charged them to tackle their responsibilities with all seriousness so that their promise to win a trophy after 32 years will be actualized.

Varsity don attributes current spate of human trafficking to greed

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

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university don and Head of Post Graduate Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, Awka, Anambra state, Prof. Stella Okunna, has attributed the major cause of the current spate of human trafficking in the country to greed.

Speaking as a special guest at a one-day workshop organized by Miss

Hope Okoye, founder of Integrated Anti Human Trafficking and Community Development Initiative, INTACOM Africa, yesterday, Okunna a former Commissioner for Information the state said that before now, child trafficking posed a major problem, but today because of greed, adults let themselves to be trafficked to faraway lands because they have been given promises which they fell for.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015 — 9

BRIEFS Court declines to sack Gov Ayade of Cross River State

Group warns Wike on dirty fight against T Amaechi R IVERS People’s Con gress, RPC, an umbrella body of all ethnic, social and non governmental organisations in Rivers State has raised the alarm that there are clandestine efforts by Governor Nyesom Wike’s government to rubbish the legacies of former state governor Chibuike Amaechi and hang on him a picture of corruption in order to destroy his image.

The Co-ordinator of the Congress, Ipinabo Chinda in a statement made available to Vanguard said it was not averse to probing the eight-year rule of the former governor, adding that information at its disposal showed that some persons in government were dubiously collecting and fabricating documents to push out to the media with the intent of presenting the former governor in bad light.

“We, members of the Rivers People’s Congress, RPC, an umbrella organ of all ethnic, social and non governmental organizations in Rivers state, are alarmed at the

FEEDING CHILDREN OF IDPs: From left, Treasurer, Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Dr. Batulu Isa-Mohammed, Wife of the Deputy Governor, Adamawa State, Mrs. Miracle Martins, and Senior Brand Manager, Twinings Ovaltine Nigeria Ltd, Mrs. Taye Adewunmi, at the beverage food products presentation by Ovaltine to the Internally Displaced Persons in Yola, Adamawa Camp, Thursday.

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KWA-IBOM state government yesterday said it has received a total of eleven thousand six hundred and eighty (11,680) Orphans and Vulnerable Children, (OVC) presently under its care and protection.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr Glory Edet disclosed this during a meeting of United States Agency for International Development USAID, with OVC stakeholders held on Friday in Uyo the state capital.

Edet who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Mrs. Cecelia Inyang said the OVC were formerly handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare on June 12, 2015

by Association for Reproductive and Family Health, ARFH. She specially ex-

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HE Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, declined to sack Governor Benedict Ayade of Cross Rivers State from office over an allegation that he falsified his age. A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Chief Joe Odey Agi, had in his suit, alleged that governor Ayade lied about his age.

The plaintiff who came second in the gubernatorial primary election the PDP held in Cross River State on December 8, 2014, adduced exhibits before the court showing that governor Ayade had in three different affidavits that were deposed on oath, gave conflicting dates as his year of birth. Besides, he contended that governor was not qualified to be the gubernatorial flag-bearer of the PDP having allegedly failed to pay his membership subscription since 2014. Consequently, the plaintiff, among other things, prayed the court to determine “Whether in the circumstance, Benedict B. Ayade, is qualified to contest or be nominated without breaching the Guidelines and constitution of the PDP and section 177(c) of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999, as amended”.

Delivering judgment on the matter yesterday, Justice Abdul Kafarati agreed with the PDP that the issue of whether Ayade was validly nominated or not, fell within the purview of an internal affair of a political party.

Justice Kafarati said there was evidence to the effect that Ayade was not only duly cleared to contest the April 11 gubernatorial election in the state, but also paid his monthly subscription fees.

Gunmen kill two policemen in failed kidnap attempt

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA, Yenagoa

information at our disposal which shows that there is concerted, ongoing plot in the government of Chief Wike to rubbish the legacies of our former governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, and to hang on him a corruption toga to make him ineligible for any future appointment by the Change touting government of President

Muhammadau Buhari.

The people of Rivers state will not accept this ungodly move and will definitely stand together and say NO to it.

“Indeed we are aware that some persons in government are dubiously collecting and fabricating documents to push out in the social media, in some international media and indeed

in some collaborating news media in Nigeria, that the Amaechi government, in which Chief Nyesom Wike played a very major role until they fell apart, and the person of Rotimi Amaechi, is corrupt. This is with the intent of colouring the public mind with a negative image of Rotimi Amaechi. We abhor this in all its ramifications.

Akwa Ibom receives 11, 680 orphans

BY CHIOMA ONUEGBU, Uyo

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

pressed appreciation to USAID and all the intervention partners for their financial and technical support to the vulnerable children in Akwa Ibom state adding that all hands must be on deck to check the growing and unfortunate army of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in the society.

“The Ministry of Women Affairs has battled the growing OVC problem in Akwa Ibom since 2007. Every child has the right to receive basic education, basic health, basic nutrition services and legal protection among others as building blocks on which our nation’s future lies.

“So together, let us secure a bright future for our children through providing integrated care and support to Orphans and Vulnerable Children.

Akwa Ibom government remains committed to this noble project and will ensure that personnel will be made available for the exercise.”

Okowa harps on transparency, good governance

BY FESTUS AHON, Penawou(Niger Delta Affairs/BRACED Asaba

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ELTA State Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has sworn in three Special Advisers with a charge to use their expertise and professional experience to work for good governance and transparency in the state.

The newly sworn in Special Advisers are Professor Sylvester Monye(Project Monitoring and Senior Political Adviser); Hon. Joseph Otirhue(Local Government Affairs) and Hon. Kelly

Commission).

Speaking during the swearing in ceremony yesterday in Asaba, Okowa said his administration was very meticulous and resolute in its commitment to ensure that only the best and brightest were given appointment stressing that “the Special Advisers were appointed based on their proven merit, professionalism, loyalty, dedication to duty and selfless service”.

He charged them to ensure that they build and manage key

relationships be it with the ministry, department or agency across government or with stakeholders.

“You should acquaint yourselves with the policy direction of the state and work in close liaison with commissioners for the achievement of the required objectives, and as special advisers, being experts and knowledgeable in your fields, we expect sound advice that meet international standard and capable of putting our state in a better stead” the governor added.

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WO policemen were Thursday night killed during a foiled kidnap attempt when armed men attacked the country home of Elder Remember Ogbe, chairman of Southern Ijaw local government area of the state.

Luck, however, ran out on the alleged mastermind of the kidnap attempt, an indigene of Akassa in Brass council area who was arrested by men of the Anti kidnapping unit. The tragic incident occurred at about 8pm when four armed men launched a daring attack on the Amassoma residence of the council boss in the Southern Ijaw local government area.

The sound of heavy exchange of gun fire was said to have caused serious pandemonium in the community as the natives were forced to retire to their homes for fear of being hit by flying bullets.

Though it could not be immediately ascertained if the gunmen were kidnappers or on a mission to eliminate the council boss, Saturday Vanguard however gathered that they met stiff resistance from the policemen attached to his residence.

An eyewitness told our correspondent that one of the policemen, a corporal was killed during gun duel with the armed invaders.

The other slain policeman, according to the source, was not stationed at the chairman’s residence but had approached the place on hearing the heavy exchange of gunfire to ascertained what was amiss when he was gunned down by the retreating gunmen.

Itsekiri Progress group lauds NASS over resolution of crisis

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ELTA-based pressure group, the Iteskiri Progress Club, IPC, has commended members of the National Assembly for successfully resolving the leadership crisis that has rocked proceedings in the House for the past weeks. The Publicity Secretary of the Itsekiri elite pressure group, Mr. Lawrence Ukubeyinje gave the commendation in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri, weekend, saying that “now that they can face the challenge of enacting good laws for the governance of the country devoid of personal aggrandizement.”

The IPC noted that the period of the crisis would have taught the law makers some lessons and charged them to remember that they are in the Hallowed Chambers to represent Nigerians in particular and not their various parties and self-interest only. Mr. Ukubeyinje further stated that with the security challenges confronting the country, all that is required is genuine support for Mr. President in his bid to sanitize all sectors of the nation’s economy to alleviate the sufferings of the massesand reassure Nigerians that all hope is not lost.

The IPC therefore charged the National Assembly members to always exhibit maturity in the handling of their affairs and avoid actions capable of dragging the esteemed reputation of the Hallowed Chambers into the mud such as resorting to fisticuffs, noting that the whole world is watching them with keen interest.

10 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015

Jonathan’s aides stripped of passports •Abati, Adegbe, Obua, 9 others affected •It’s normal to surrender official passports after tenure – NIS

BY SONI DANIEL, Regional Editor, North

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WO months after leaving power, no fewer than 12 close aides of former President Goodluck Jonathan have been stripped of their official passports.

A competent source told Saturday Vanguard that the decision to withdraw the official passports of the former aides of Dr Jonathan was to prevent misuse and conflict with new aides and officials of President Muhammadu Buhari, who assumed duties on May 29, 2015.

It could not be established last night whether the affected officials were ordered by the Presidency to surrender the passports or whether they did so voluntarily.

But Saturday Vanguard learned that the affected former aides of Jonathan had already returned the passports to

the Presidential Villa preparatory to being handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS. Abati, Adegbe, Obua, 9 others affected Among those whose passports have been retrieved are former Special Adviser to the President on Media Reuben Abati; former Aide-de-Camp, Col. Ojogbane Adegbe and former Chief Security Officer, Gordon Obua, who is currently hospitalised over poor health arising from his recent incarceration by security agents.

Nine other key officials of the Jonathan Presidency who were also issued with official passports have also been stripped of the travel documents.

It was gathered that the former officials had been asked by the Presidency to relinquish their official passports to the Villa

within a stipulated timeframe for onward return to the NIS, which issued them.

Questions to answer However, another source hinted that the withdrawal of the former president’s henchmen’s travel documents was to

prevent some of them who have some issues to explain to the new administration from leaving the country and being given preferential treatment at their destinations.

“Don’t forget that some of these officials may be

needed here to answer some questions relating to their tenure,” the source said.

No ill-motive –NIS However, the Nigerian Immigration Service said last night that there was no ill-motive in withdrawing the official passports of government officials who had completed their assignments.

NIS Public Relations Officer, Mr. Joachim Obua, explained that it was normal for officials of government to surrender their official passports at the end of their tenure.

“It is important for the position to be made clear that official passports are not the property of anyone holding it. Once you complete your assignment you have to return it to the NIS,” he explained.

Buhari orders immediate release of FG’s N5 billion pledge to Victims Support Fund •as Danjuma threatens to publicly name defaulters

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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R E S I D E N T Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja directed the Head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, to facilitate the immediate release of the N5 billion pledged by the Federal Government to the Victims Support Fund (VSF), since July last year.

This came as the Chairman of the Funds Presidential Committee,

Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd.) threatened to publicly name defaulters in the pledge.

President Buhari’s order came after receiving a briefing on the activities of the Committee from Danjuma at the Presidential Villa.

Buhari said his government was making unrelenting efforts at stamping out insurgency in the country, saying that despite the challenge of acquiring

the strategic equipment and weapons to confront the terrorists, the Nigerian military has recently showed enough strength in rooting out Boko Haram.

He added that the full deployment of the MultiNational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), under the auspices of memberstates of Lake Chad Basin Commission, will further boost ongoing military operations against the insurgents.

Danjuma had earlier told the President that out

of the N55.92 billion pledged at a fundraising dinner for the Fund in August last year, N33.54 billion was still outstanding, including N5 billion from the Federal Government.

According to him, the VSF currently has N23.33 billion in four bank accounts, revealing that the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan gave the Committee approval to incorporate the fund into a Trust Fund, to “insulate it from political interference’’.

Chief Alex Duduyemi book launch in Lagos

From left,Chief Launcher and Chairman Honeywell group,Oba Otudeko,Awujale of Ijebuland,Oba Sikiru Adetona,Former head of Interim National Government,Chief Ernest Sonekan,Chief Oyekunle Aremu Alex Duduyemi and his wife,Chief (Mrs) Olusola Duduyemi at the ceremony. All photos by Biodun Ogunleye.

From left Chief Ernest Shonekan, Chairman of occasion and Dr Oba Otudeko,Book Presenter at the ceremony Px Biodun Ogunleye

L-R Mrs Lulu Andyson ,Chief Oyekunle Aremu Alex Duduyemi and Mrs Funmi Ajose Adeogun.at the ceremony.

From left Oba Sikiru Adetona, Awujale of Ijebuland, HRM Oba Adedotun Gbadebo,Alake of Egbaland and Sonny Odogu at the ceremony.

Px Prince Ademola Dada, Chief Lucky Igbinedion,Former Governor of Edo State and another guest at the occasion.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015—11

IGBELE:

Evil forest where Itsekiris dump corpses of witches, wizards

BY OGHENE OMONISA The Ofuobu family of Ode-Itsekiri Town in the Warri Kingdom of Delta State recently lost their matriarch who died at the ripe age of 82. She lived a fruitful and illustrious life, leaving behind six children, many grand children and greatgrand children. A successful trader, all her children are university graduates who equally turned out to be successful in their various professions. Her immediate and distant family members are proud of her because hers was a life worth celebrating. (Ofuobu is not the real name of the family. As a condition for granting this interview, the first son

demanded that the family name not be mentioned. And on the request of this reporter, he came up with the fictitious name of Ofuobu, which literally means keep it secret in Itsekiri.)

But even before members of the Ofoubu family contemplated plans for her burial rites, one thought quietly occupied their minds: the ife (oracle) consultation to determine if she was a witch while alive. It would eternally be devastating, embarrassing and stigmatizing for the family if they go and bife (find out through oracle consultation) and the outcome was negative; that is, if she

She lived a fruitful and illustrious life, leaving behind six children, many grand children and great-grand children

was a witch while alive, and so could not be given a proper burial, but her corpse would be dumped at igbele, the evil forest where the corpses of witches and wizards are abandoned to be devoured by vultures and monkeys.

The Ofuobu family is Itsekiri and ife consultation is a ritual in Itsekiri traditions which every corpse undergoes before burial.

Ife, bife, ife bibi “There is a slight distinction between ife and bife”, says Pa Enoko Peduru, an Itsekiri elder in Warri, who is well

Continues on page 12

12— SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015

Evil forest where Itsekiris dump corpses of witches, wizards

Continues from page 11 grounded in the customs and traditions. He explains that while ife is the oracle, bife is the Itsekiri word for consulting oracle, or finding out through oracle. The act of consulting oracle is known as ife bibi. And the Itsekiri word for an oracle priest is obi ife.

Oracle consultation is not

peculiar to the Itsekiris, he says. “There are different ethnic groups that also consult oracle, and they have their various names for it. The Urhobos call it evwa; the Ijaws, agbraka. To the Binis, it is iha, while the Yorubas call it ifa.”

“Every ethnic group has its share of witches and wizards”,

avers Pa Omajuwa Metsese, a self-avowed traditionalist at Ajamimogha, Warri, who, along with his son, Faith, spoke to this reporter.

Pa Metsese explains that ife bibi is not unique to the Itsekiris, because when a person dies in some other ethnic groups, especially in controversial circumstances, family members of the deceased might insist on finding out through oracle the cause of the death.

“It could be found out that the person was killed through witchcraft or other evil means, or he has died from his past evil or wicked deeds”, Pa Metsese says, adding that such oracles are just for the sake of revelation as nothing is done to either the killer of the deceased nor the deceased if he had died from his past evil deeds.

“Itsekiris do not allow that”, he declares. “In our own case, if it is found out that the dead person was a witch, he is not buried on our soil inside town.

His corpse is thrown into igbele, the evil forest, across the river.” But if the oracle reveals that the person has died from the evil deeds of another person, ife bibi awaits the culprit. “That is what makes our own oracle casting for the dead unique”, he enthuses.

Faith, the young Metsese, a geologist graduate and businessman chips in that depending on the prowess of the obi ife, the ife could even reveal some relevant descriptions of the person

There are different ethnic groups that also consult oracle, and they have their various names for it.

responsible for a death. It could be that the culprit is a family member of the deceased: a parent, sibling, uncle, or aunty.

“That goes to show you how relevant ife bibi is”, the elder Metsese says. But to avoid family conflict, the obi ife could just say the death was caused from within or from outside.

To bife and dump the corpse of a witch at igbele is an age-long tradition of the Itsekiris. Though similar customs and traditions in burial rites, marriage ceremonies, inheritance and others with other ethnic groups, especially their Urhobo and Ijaw neighbours, this aspect of ife bibi is peculiar to the Itsekiris.

“It’s the unique way of our traditions of punishing the evil ones in our midst”, Pa Peduru says with pride. “If you feel you could commit evil through witchcraft or any other supernatural means and leave the world in peace, ife bibi awaits you.” He adds that spiritually, such a person pays for it as his corpse being dumped at igbele causes his spirit to be restless, going by the belief, which also brings shame to his family.

But ife bibi is not only done to determine if somebody was a witch while alive, he says.

Like many Itsekiris who spoke on this, it was corroborated by Pa Oleko Ejutemiden, an obi ife at Ode-Itsekiri, also known as Big Warri, an island town across the Warri River, which is regarded as the traditional capital of the Itsekiri nation. The oracle priest adds that through ife bibi, everything could be revealed about a death, depending on the enquiry made to the ife. It responds to enquiries on whether a person died a natural death? If not, what or who was responsible?

Mr. Alfred Omagbemi, a veteran broadcaster and Itsekiri cultural advocate, however reveals that not only the corpses of evil ones are dumped at igbele. He says there are some deaths that have their peculiar ‘spirits’, causing the corpses not deserving to be buried inside town. “They are when a person commits suicide, drowns or burns.”

•To be continued next week

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015—13

ANTI-CORRUPTION:

Buhari’s first suspect won’t find it funny — Adesina, SA Media and Publicity

BY BASHIR ADEFAKA

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pecial Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina was until his appointment the managing director of Sun Newspapers and concurrently, the president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE. In this interview, the presidential spokesman responds to issues on the pace and pattern of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Excerpts: How do you think the press and the executive arm of government can collaborate to move the country forward?

I think that cooperation is very, very important. You see, recently the relationship between the

First Estate and the Fourth Estate had been downright adversarial and if it was not adversarial, it was suspicious. It is better today than it has ever been in the history of the country. We know that the country had been under long military rule during which the executive and the media were never friends.

We still have vestiges of that even now, but then things are fairly better than they have ever been. And I believe that under this administration, it will be a lot better. Don’t forget that the very day that President Buhari resumed at this Presidential Villa was also the day he visited the State House Press Corp in the gallery where they stay. It was some sort of wonderment for them because I heard a lot of them say openly that they had been covering this Villa for six, eight years and that they never received the President. So, for President Buhari, to on the first

day of his resumption in the Villa, to have paid the press people a courtesy visit, so to say, I think it foreshadows what is to come. It is going to be a pleasant relationship in the months and the years ahead. I read the column of one of them, I think Lekan Adetayo of The Punch, he narrated an account of the day they stayed very late at the Villa because there was a political meeting going on and when that meeting finished in the wee hours, the President (Buhari) passed by and he stopped by to greet them. He said members of the Press Corp appreciated that a lot because in the past, presidents would just walk by and would not give them a glance.

It shows that we are in for a good relationship. It does not mean that they will see the truth and will not talk. No, they are still going to be independent, they will report truly and factually but they are going to be treated as decent professionals. And it is

He has always said unless Nigeria kills corruption that corruption will kill Nigeria

going to be good for our country. Enough of adversarial relationship between the press and the executive!

What would be the signature programmes of this government?

Right from the campaign you knew the things that were dear to the heart of the president. I sat at an interview he also granted a television station and he reiterated those programmes. Of course you know that one of these is anticorruption. He has always said unless Nigeria kills corruption that corruption will kill Nigeria.

So, anti-corruption is going to be very dear to his heart. I told some people privately that I pity the first person that President Buhari will catch in his anti-corruption drive (laughs). I pity the first person

Continues on page 14

14—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015

Continues from page 13

devaluation of Naira, you know that kind of decision is not a oneman decision. There must be an economic team which will also come and when the economic team sits down they would articulate a thrust. That policy thrust will determine the direction to take.

who is going to fall into this anti-corruption trap and that person is not going to find it funny.

And has he not caught the first person yet?

No. When he catches the first person, you will know publicly that there has been a catch, and he will look for more.

If you have evidence that somebody has taken any major fund anywhere, and it comes to the knowledge of the President, you can be sure that he will also be dealt with. Gone are the days when people would be accused of stealing billions and trillions of Naira and it ends there and nothing comes out of it. You can be sure, not with this President, because anti-corruption is very, very dear to his heart. Then, one thing that is also very dear to his heart is generating employment. He is concerned about the rate of unemployment in the country. He has said that about 60 percent of youths are unemployed. Youths that are the life blood of the economy, about 60 percent of them are out of jobs, or they are underpaid or disgruntled. So, he looks forward to a situation where the country will be so fixed that jobs will be available, particularly to the youths and that also is tied to the economy. When the economy is properly fixed, it will reflect in the employment situation.

So, he plans that the economy must be fixed and Nigeria will become robust. Now when the economy is robust, there will be opportunities aplenty. That is also very dear to the heart of the President. I have so many references about things that are dear to his heart to be achieved for the good of Nigerians. One day I was talking with the President, if you hear what he expressed about power, he said, “Ah, if this government can fix power, it will touch every aspect of the lives of Nigerians. It will touch the artisans, touch everybody, touch industries everywhere.”

And saw the passion with which he was talking about that power and I know that he will make it.

Nigerians are saying that power has improved even when it is believed that the Buhari administration has not started working on power.

What does it portend?

You can say that he has not done anything yet about power and the refineries, but then, the truth is that things are falling in place. So if things are falling in place naturally, you can then imagine, when he unfolds policies in those areas, you can imagine how better things will get. There is something called the right atmosphere. I believe that the right atmosphere is responsible for the improvements that you are C M Y K

So if things are falling in place naturally, you can then imagine, when he unfolds policies in those areas, you can imagine how better things will get

Buhari’s ffir irirsst suspect won’t ffind ind it funn funnyy talking about all over the place.

There is apprehension that the failure to appoint ministers may be contributing to economic difficulties especially the slide of the naira?

Before, the talk was that there were no service chiefs but as we sit down and talk today we have service chiefs. Few days ago, we would have said there was no National Security Adviser but as we sit down and talk today there is an NSA. That shows you that appointment is work in progress just as people expected new service chiefs, and it happened; they expected a new NSA and it happened, the same way ministers will come. It is constitutional to have ministers and this President will never violate the Constitution. He knows that it is constitutional to have a cabinet but this Constitution does not prescribe the maximum or minimum number of ministers for him to constitute his cabinet. The Constitution, I assume, believes that a President is a responsible person and he will do what is needful. And, for now, things are moving because what the President has done is to

empower the Permanent Secretaries to run the bureaucracy. So, all the ministries are moving. I was with him when he instructed a permanent secretary that, “What your minister should have done, you must do now that the minister has not come.” So, he has empowered the permanent secretaries to take decisions but that is not to say that ministers will not come at the soonest of time……

Some are rejoicing that the civil service is getting strong…..?

(Cuts in) The civil service should be strengthened. The bureaucracy lubricates the system. If the bureaucracy is hampered in anyway, the system will be affected. So, it is good that the bureaucracy is strengthened. So, when ministers come, the bureaucracy can work with them, advise them properly and then things will move better. Not that the bureaucracy should be relegated to the background. So it is good that the President has strengthened the bureaucracy and what ministers will then do is to collaborate with the bureaucracy and then move on.

The second part of that question bordering on devaluation or no

What is your reaction to insinuations that the president has tilted the appointments he has made towards the north?

Well, what I would say is that the North is part of this country just like the South is. No part should be marginalized. In the South, South-South, South-West, South-East should not be marginalized. In the North, North-East, North West, NorthCentral should not be marginalized. There should be fairness and equity in the country. If there is any President that believes in fairness, it is this one. He believes in being fair to everybody. The mandate he received is a national mandate.

Thankfully there is that portion of our Constitution, which makes it impossible for somebody, who has not scored popular votes, who has not scored enough votes in a broad section of the country to become President. Before President Buhari emerged, he satisfied that part of the Constitution. So he knows that he has a national mandate and he is going to exercise that mandate nationally.

Before the new service chiefs were appointed, the talk was that there had been nine appointments and only one was from The South. Ahead we are close to 500 appointments because, Federal boards alone are populated by 601 people. So, all those boards will be constituted, there will be cabinet of which the Constitution says at least one from each state, then ambassadorial postings, there are going to be personal aides, there are going to be so many appointments. So, when the President has just got nine, it is too early to cry woe!

One would have thought that the recent removal of the service chiefs would also affect the police boss. Why was he retained?

IGP (Solomon Arase) is one of the best, in fact, the very best in the force now and by virtue of being IGP he is going to be one of the best. And you know that the IGP is not just holding that office, he is an outstanding officer.

A lot of people pay tribute to him. So, for the President to have retained him, it shows that he knows his onion. I also pay tribute to him as a man of honour. He is a fantastic officer, and for the President to have retained him, I think it was a good decision. The President has the prerogative to change anybody he wants to change.

For him to retain the IG, it means that the IG simply merits being retained.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015—15

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

F

or close to two months, they fought endlessly for positions leaving the National Assembly profusely bleeding. Various meetings were summoned at all levels yet no compromise. But 20 minutes meeting with president Mohammdu Buhari, the imbroglio ended. Read the insider's account of how a presidential intervention helped to resolve the leadership face off in the House of Representatives.

The meeting was slated for 5pm that Monday. And before the time, they had filled the place. It was one, long awaited, make or mar meeting, and so, no one needed to be left out.

The first to come was the Speaker in his official car and after two different coaster buses that carried the members wheeled in.

The hall was waiting and within minutes, it was filled to the brim.

Banters and pleasantries were unprecedented. The smiles were broad but there was still deep seated animosity and aggression within.

Seated on the podium were the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, his deputy, Yusuf Lasun and the national chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Oyegun.

Joining them after a while was President Mohammadu Buhari and then the discussion began behind closed doors.

Within 20 minutes, they were done. Next, the door opened and they started filing out.

One had expected the same broad smiles that flashed across their faces ab initio, the banters and the conviviality that heralded the meeting.

But that was all gone. And then, you could obviously behold minds cosmetically covered with subdued and sinister smiles.

Seeing the televisions camera waiting outside, one or two of the lawmakers, presumably footsoldiers of the both the protagonist and the antagonist, the hero and the villain approached them. Fortunately, the story- hungry Journalists obliged them a space and they ventilated their feelings.

From their voices, one could dictate dissension, a clear indication that the meeting was deadlocked.

Yes, deadlocked because expectations were high that the lawmakers would have come out embracing each other, saying that the crisis in the House of Representatives was over.

But that was not to be. They wore long faces. But then, Journalists patiently waited there apparently for the big masquerades.

Minutes later, the three musketeers, Oyegun, Dogara and Femi Gbajabiamila emerged from within.

They were in the presidential villa, Abuja at the instance of presidential Mohammdu Bahari to seek ways of resolving the logjam occasioned by the principal officers positions in the House.

Here were their respective answers to Journalists' questions in a sequential order.

Gbajabiamila "We had a family meeting. We spoke heart to heart.

The President was very forthright. It was basically on the party supremacy. I believe that by the end of the day, before the end of this C M Y K

REPS CRISIS:

How Presidential

Prestige saved the day night, you guys will know the outcome. We are still talking. But I think, this is the first time everybody is coming together in a cordial atmosphere as one family. I think we are almost at the point where all of these will be behind us.

Oyegun: "Everything is up. You can see I am smiling. You will be very surprised. A lot was achieved in 20 minutes. You can see the Speaker of the House standing firmly by me. In another three to four hours, we will have good news for the nation. It is never too late to strengthen the past", he said.

Dogara: "I have always been by the party. There has never been a time that I have never stood firmly by the party. So, like my chairman has explained, sooner or later we will have good news for Nigerians", he said.

More meetings Sure, the meetings were not over because the crisis was still unresolved. The meetings continued that night at different locations. The next day, Tuesday, was the resumption date for the National Assembly and having adjourned two times since its inauguration consequent upon the

crisis, the sure thing was that it wouldn't adjourn again. At least, not that day. If they did, Nigerians would have reacted vehemently.

And so, whatever happens, the principal officers must be named.

I think, this is the first time everybody is coming together in a cordial atmosphere as one family. I think we are almost at the point where all of these will be behind us

Tuesday, D-Day On Tuesday, the anxiety was high.

Just like the day of inauguration of the National Assembly, everywhere was occupied. The floor and the gallery. No foothold.

Then midway into the plenary, Speaker Dogara temporarily relinquished his seat for his deputy and went into a closed door meeting with Gbajabimila and Hon. Doguwa.

Then the anxiety heightened, prompting a flurry of questions.

What would happen when he returns? Will he name Gbajabiamila the Majority leader of the House eventually? Will he pooh-poo the party's directive? What about the meeting with President Buhari? Just a plethora of rhetorical questions.

After about an hour, the Speaker reappeared, took his seat and began to read the names from a paper before him.

Trust Dogara, he started with the last and in this case, least office. This

Continues on page 16

16—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015

•Oyegun

•Okorie

•Shaibu

How Presidential Prestige saved the day Continues from page 15 heightened suspense. With some intermittent pauses and calculated silence, he called the names and eventually reached the peak with Gbajabiamila named as the House Majority leader. A wide jubilation on the floor ensued.

With this, the siege was over in the House. APC had crossed the hurdles. Governance can now start.

Some Nigerians react Following the return of peace, Saturday Vanguard sampled the views of some Nigerians on the matter and what it portends for the country.

We are more united now-Hon. Phillips Shaibu, member representing Estako Federal constituency in the House of Representatives I feel great. I feel happy. I feel fulfilled. I feel the House of representatives is ready for its business to join Mr. President to drive the change that the people voted for. I am so excited and happy we have put this thing behind us. Yes, I actually felt disappointed. I wasn’t happy because Nigerians are in a hurry to see us to get the ball rolling especially on the mess that we have inherited from the PDP, the insurgency that we inherited from the PDP, the darkness that we inherited from PDP, the Economic crisis we inherited from PDP and the devaluation of our currency that we inherited from PDP. So, there are lots of mess that Nigeria voted against which they are expecting the House of Reps or the National Assembly to join hands with Mr. President and set the ball rolling to make sure all those things are changed. So,I'm wasn’t happy the crisis came. But I also think the crisis came at the right time and it has put us in a position to understand each other better and I can tell you that from the discussions and dialogues that took place, we now understand each other better than we did at the C M Y K

I think it was a period which enabled us to deeply understand each other knowing full well that all of us came from different political parties to form APC. I think this has reunited us and brought us to understand each other better and I can tell you that we are hitting the ball in a very strong footing

beginning. So, for me, I think God wanted us to understand each other better so that people will not come in between to derail the change that Nigerians voted for. So, God allowed it to happen so that we would understand each other better and I can tell you that we can tell of the capacity that each us has in terms of issues, in terms of the dreams and focus that influence the National Assembly. So I think it was a period which enabled us to deeply understand each other knowing full well that all of us came from different political parties to form APC. I think this has reunited us and brought us to understand each other better and I can tell you that we are hitting the ball in a very strong footing.

All thanks to President Buhari, Chief John Oyegun, APC national chairman The misunderstanding in the

House of Representatives has been very very amicably resolved thanks to The intervention of Mr. President who again made it quite clear with everybody, that there is no alternative but to listen to what the party says.

I want to emphasise the fact that all of us were what we were, what we are thanks to the platform that the party provided for everybody. I think his message resonated very intensive with all the members of the House. He still did not interfere.

I want to make that very very clear and his parting words to us was that the presiding leadership of the House and the party should go and resolve whatever issues there are that was militating against the resolution of the problem and that is what exactly happened. When we were leaving there I promised, the press was very anxious to hear that A, B and C have been appointed to whatever positions but that is not what happened. I promised that within a few hours, 4 hours as I said definitely by the next morning, the nation will be glad knowing that this issue would have been resolved and put behind us. We left there into consultations and discussions with the presiding officers of the House of Representatives. Let me take this opportunity to pay tribute to their maturity to their sense of responsibility, tribute to their loyalty of the party and above all tribute to their sense of general good meaning their patriotism displayed by the Speaker and his Deputy. It did not take long, necessary concessions that had to be made were made.

President Mohammadu Buhari's intervention was key-Dr. Chekwas Okorie, National Chairman, United Progressives Party, UPP. Most Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief when the lingering, scandalous and embarrassing leadership tussle in the House of Representatives was finally put to rest at the resumption of the House on Tuesday 28 July, 2015.

I have always been of the opinion that President Muhammadu Buhari’s intervention in the matter will be a key factor in resolving the conflict. I have also always made it clear that his intervention is not interference as he had pledged not to do. I will therefore give the President and the defacto leader of APC kudos for providing the desired leadership in resolving the problem. I will congratulate the APC for saving its face through the outcome of the negotiations that led to the resolution of the matter.

I advise the leadership of the National Assembly as constituted to drop immediately their loyalties to primordial cleavages outside the House and dissolve into a cohesive team that will serve the best interest of the Nigerian people. Similarly, I advise the APC leaders to consider the profound injunction of President Muhammadu Buhari that they should not allow their personal ambitions and interests to render the APC prostrate and vulnerable to the demolition plot of the rampaging PDP. It is unfortunate and worrisome that the leadership crisis in both the Senate and House of Representatives have caused Nigerians so much anxiety and trepidation so early in the life of the present government.

It is democracy at play--Hon. Victor Ogene, immediate member of the House of Representatives from Anambra State.

It is democracy at play. It is consensus building and at the end of the day even battles that are fought on behalf of the nation always invariably end around on a negotiating table. So, in this instance, for me, it is a win win situation. Both former camps had issues to prove.

One: the independence of the legislature in terms of choosing their leaders. That point was eloquently made on the June 9, 2015.

For the people who believe that the party ought to be supreme, I think they also scored a major victory on July 28, 2015. So, invariably, it is a win win situation. But it also tells everyone hereafter that there is a line where party supremacy stops especially when it is in conflict with the independence of an institution or an arm of government. I would simply urge all those involved to move on to deliver on the campaign promises of the party which is to bring about change in virtually all facets of Nigerian life especially in terms of tackling insurgency, fighting corruption and putting the economy on a sound footing. These can only be done when you have a national assembly that is in tune with the policy terms of the party in place. So, I think that from now onwards, we will begin to see the road signs of how the Buhari administration will pan out within the next few weeks.

Bottom line Obviously, the APC federal lawmakers played bitter politics that held the House, nay, the country hostage for upwards two months.

But thank goodness, it is over.

Nigerians now expect nothing but action and action flowing the presidency, federal legislature down to the States. No excuse. This is what Nigerians await.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015—17

Let the Lawmakers move on and work for Nigeria

BY YUSUPH OLANIYONU

T

uesday resumption of the two chambers of the federal legislature resumed after five weeks suspension of plenary. The recess scheduled for July 21 had been postponed by one week, obviously to allow more time for the reconciliatory process going on then among the legislators in both chambers of the National Assembly.

As a result of the media hype and sensationalism surrounding the crisis, obviously fuelled from outside the parliament, many had believed that the resumption day was going to be the real day of trouble in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. They expected the lawmakers to freely break the law by resorting to fighting. Some others talked about the possible collapse of the leadership in both chambers. The ground for this latter belief was laid by a Senator, Kabiru Marafa who kept on making incendiary statements. One would have thought that based on the Senator ’s statements, the Senate Chambers would collapse on the resumption date.

All these negative expectations were against the background of the efforts by the Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to mend fences between the groups in the National Assembly. The Governors met with the various groups but no solution seem to have been found, at least as presented by those using the division in the legislature to underscore their own importance and relevance.

However, what happened in the chambers of the National Assembly last C M Y K

Tuesday was a positive anti-climax. First, in the Senate where members sat before their colleagues in the House of Representatives, the plenary was devoid of any problem. Members came in and exchange banters and greetings in a manner which suggested the holiday had cooled tempers. Then, the legislative debates began.

The icing on the cake was a motion sponsored by 81 Senators expressing a vote of confidence on the leadership of Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki. With 81 Senators which when added to the duo of the Senate President and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, both of whom

What is now required is for the legislators to support President Buhari in finding solutions to all the problems keeping Nigeria down. This is where Buhari has a role to play in consolidating and utilising the newly achieved peace in the National Assembly

could not vote, the motion enjoyed the support of clearly more than two-third of the legislative house. It therefore, should require no need for voting. Yet, the Senate President still gave the nay sayers the opportunity to express themselves.

Surprisingly, no single voice said no. This then made the vote of confidence on Saraki and the rest of the Senate leadership, a unanimous decision of the 108 members in the Senate.

With that symbolic signal that peace has finally returned, the Senate was able to return to normal legislative transactions in which two main motions that could solve the problem of bad roads and environmental degradation across the country were rigorously debated.

Also, in the House of Representatives, Speaker Yakubu Dogara successfully announced names of principal officers and the choice seemed to have finally settled all the hitherto prevailing differences. The Representatives also went on to discuss motions of relevance to their constituents. In settling the issues in the House of Representatives, the meeting President Muhammadu Buhari had with all the legislators the previous day is widely believed to have played a key role. The President’s intervention made possible the shift of positions which led to the return of peace.

Now, where do we go from here? With the return of peace, the legislators have no option than to get cracking. They need to start working for Nigeria. They need to start coming out with legislations, embark on oversight functions, debate policies and programmes which can form the basis for advocacy work. They must start making creative, out of the ordinary and ingenuous suggestions which can help the executive to change the landscape of the entire country for the better. Our people have suffered from want in the midst of plenty for too long.

This time around, the people voted for change, positive and progressive one for that matter.

That is why the legislators represent not only the diversity of Nigeria, but also the rich nature of her human capital. They represented the different professions, men and women with varied experiences and world views. Fortunately, they have the fortune of working with an executive led by a determined, courageous and popular retired army General, Buhari as the chief executive of our state.

What is now required is for the legislators to support President Buhari in finding solutions to all the problems keeping Nigeria down. This is where Buhari has a role to play in consolidating and utilising the newly achieved peace in the National Assembly.

The President should maintain his earlier position not to get involved in legislative politics. He should immediately send out the right signals and body language that he is ready to encourage the new initiative by the legislators to resolve their internal differences on their own. The President should make it known to those who use the legislative chambers as a front for shadow boxing to steer clear and allow the lawmakers to do their work.

A way to send the right signal that he is ready to help the National Assembly build on the new found unity is for the President to now openly meet and relate with the leadership of both chambers. He should be ready to gainfully engage with them on how to prosecute his war against insecurity, unemployment, corruption and economic recession. The President should immediately create a platform for exchange of ideas on the role he expects the legislative houses to play in backing up his multifarious programmes, policies and projects aimed at addressing the four-point agenda he has set up for himself.

We need to put behind us the past experience in which the President travelled to the United States for crucial bilateral discussions on several issues without any member of the legislature. That was an opportunity missed - to give legislative backing to executive engagements. Buhari was obviously trying to avoid getting involved in the problems in the National Assembly. However, the gaffe will not be lost on the host President Barrack Obama who on his last trip to Kenya and Ethiopia went with over 20 Congressmen.

My advice therefore is for all Nigerians to let the legislature work. If we give them all the cooperation they need, it becomes easy to access them as an institution and as individuals on how far they have gone in fulfilling the aspiration of their electors.

•Olaniyonu is Special Adviser to Senate President.

18—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015

•Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijuwade Okunade

Is the mysterious tree in Ile Oodua announcing Ooni’s death?

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE, OSOGBO.

D

espite fast erosion of Yoruba traditional beliefs and customs, Ile Ife remains one town that has managed to Spartanly hold on to its past while not completely wishing away civilisation.

Since becoming monarch in December, 1980, Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, Olubuse II has clearly remained the symbol of Ife cultural beliefs and those of Yoruba race in general.

Despite being an elite monarch, the manner he managed to combine fashion with the demands of the revered stool , the Ooni has left many people in doubt, if on his demise, his successor C M Y K

However, since the death of Ooni Sijuade was reported and the subsequent denial of the death

by Ife Chiefs, newsmen and other interested people from every part of the country have been besieging Ile Oodua, the palace of the monarch to find out what has happened to him

would be able to raise the ante.

Also, the perfect way modernity complements nature as reflected in the arrangement and aesthetics of buildings, preservation of monuments and sites within Ooni’s palace is another credit to Ooni Sijuade.

However, since the death of Ooni Sijuade was reported and the subsequent denial of the death by Ife Chiefs, newsmen and other interested people from every part of the country have been besieging Ile Oodua, the palace of the monarch to find out what has happened to him.

During one of the visits by Saturday Vanguard, a source within the palace, who pleaded anonymity in an informal chat, said the

monarch would not have travelled out of the country, but changed his mind on advise of one his personal physicians.

The source said the royal father was apparently having a premonition of the inevitable, when he shunned all pleas to have him treated outside the country, until he caved in under family pressure.

“His health was being carefully managed at ripe age of 85 years. It is not a hidden secret that Baba was struggling to cope with the demands of the stool. If he had not gone out of Nigeria, probably, this controversy about him would have been avoided,” the source said.

Leading our correspondent round the palace during the visit, the source, who claimed to have Iived in the palace in the last 35 years of the reign of Ooni Sijuade, said there were

ominous signs the 50th Ooni might have “slept”.

He pointed to a particular tree at the entrance of the palace and said that the mysterious tree appears to be mourning.

According to him, the tree usually, whenever in good mood, would respond to greetings in manner that only inhabitants of Ile Oodua understand.

He added that since the Ooni was reported dead and later refuted, the atmosphere around the palace appears moody and the tree at the entrance of Ooni’s palace, in response, is showing strange signs.

Described as a philanthropist, Oba Okunade Sijuade, the source said feeds about 1,000 of his subjects daily and would always be ready to attend to their needs.

“Ooni Sijuade is loved by Ife people because of his generosity to people. He feeds almost 1,000 people daily and attends to their needs even when such would discomfort him.

“Whenever any of them, whether highly placed or not has any issue that requires his attention, he would attend to their problems promptly. We will surely miss him”.

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, AUGUST 1, 2015—19

One healing story speed for a change and opted instead for comfort and, I dare say a different travelling experience. The fact that we also wanted to spend a couple of days in Dubai made the choice of Etihad easier. I should be commenting on our experience shortly.

My reason for going to the UK was to heed Wole’s call. It was a call I couldn’t refuse even if I wanted to; and I didn’t want to because it was to celebrate the one year of his son’s healing. Tomi, one of the most accommodating and sensitive human beings I know was a sickler. I used the past tense because he has been healed in a revolutionary procedure after 25 years of pain and

,

Back in the 70s,my close friends and I fantasized about speed as most young people are wont to do. We loved those sleek, ugly- beautiful cars that promised, not just driving pleasure, but also speed in the realm of Formula One. An advert that encapsulated this and made speed look glamorous was from BMW, the German ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’. In most of the magazines of our time, Esquire, Playboy, Time and Newsweek, it emblazoned its message of speed. ‘If you are late to the airport’ it advised, then the car to take out of your garage was a BMW and went on to emphasize the take-off power of a BMW engine by stating the 0 to whatever Miles- Per- Hour in 10 seconds.

This advert caught my imagination as it did many of my friends.

Two of my childhood friends, Wole Adeloye and his senior brother Kayode, who was my primary school classmate— and rival—have had a life-long relationship with cars and speed. Wole, till today, tries to attend a motor show at least once a year and goes on the auto-bans whenever he can squeeze the time. He has also been able to drive many of his dream cars by renting them when on trips to Europe and America apart from having owned more than a couple of high-tech cars like Porsche, Mercedes and yes, BMW. Kayode on the other hand, has confessed to doing 150 miles per- hour on the auto-banns recently.

He also boasts that any car he cannot take off the road due to an engine fault, will have to be towed. Not surprisingly, both studied engineering. Wole’s advice, when I was about to go for my first car in 1976, was to buy a Fiat Mirafiori, an Italian car that was for the yuppies in the 70s.

Although it was nowhere near any of our fantasy cars, it was noted for its take-off speed, and therefore quite ok for the young and adventurous. Unfortunately, my employer ’s generosity couldn’t quite accommodate it and I had to settle for something less.

Funny how time slows everyone down.

Two weeks ago, I was on my way to Wole’s UK residence. The quickest way would have been a direct flight from Lagos to London. But we,madam and I, relegated

familiar stories for those who live around sicklers. They were accounts of pain, of uncertainty, of crises in the cold of the night. Accounts of a spoiler that turned up anytime something good was coming to the family or the family was planning a trip. In summary, they were accounts of a traumatic past, a worrisome present and a bleak future. This was the story until last year when God intervened and the power of prayers took control.

In a lay man’s language, the procedure is to flush out all the sickled cells and replace them with healthy ones. But every step of this procedure is laced with mines.

There has to be a match, the immunity has

Of the many ‘angels’ God sent to this family, a UK based Nigerian doctor stands out

trauma. We were to celebrate that fact in two days of testimonies, dancing and praise worship.

The full account of Tomi’s testimony would take a book and I have urged Wole to do that. After all, he is very comfortable with words—Government College Ibadan taught him well in that regard. But the testimonies we heard from Tomi and his parents brought tears and cheers to many a face at the gatherings. They were simple accounts of a sickle cell sufferer. They were also

to be brought down so low that the chances of a rejection would be minimised.

Unfortunately, the body at this point is also susceptible to infection. Then the healthy cells must ‘take’ and grow. And if anything goes wrong along the way, it is not a simple matter of returning to status quo. It is a grave matter of losing a life; which was why Tomi was initially not considered ‘sick’ enough to be accepted. The hospital wanted people who were so sick that they had nothing to lose. Tomi’s life had been a

The legislator’s mandate is not for self

By Yakubu Dogara

W

hen we departed for this recess, it was not in the most honorable of circumstances for which I had cause to apologize to Nigerians in that behalf. Today as we resume, I am not ashamed to once again reiterate our unreserved apologies to the people of Nigeria for that unfortunate incidence and promise that we shall be the vibrant House of the Nigerian people that we are.

My dear colleagues, the Eight Assembly has a very crucial role in the political history of our dear country : we are saddled with the responsibility and special privilege to midwife the first government of complete democratic transition in which an opposition party has assumed the realm of government, the first in our political experience.

Furthermore, we are a product of an overwhelming mandate of change from the people of Nigeria.

Indeed we are called to national service at a time when public expectation for good governance is at it’s peak and the peoples patience with government is on the edge.

I make bold to state that if the public expectation on previous legislatures was one hundred percent, then the expectation on this Eight Assembly must be anything but not less than two hundred percent ! Therefore we can neither afford to abuse the confidence

reposed in us nor can we dare to expose ourselves to the cruel judgment of history.

We had started on an excellent note, or so I thought, having spent a whole legislate day conducting free, fair and transparent elections to elect the two Presiding Officers, at the end of which both those who won and those who did not win exercised great maturity in respecting the will of the majority.

How come then that this spirit of maturity and democratic culture suddenly appears to be eluding us in our effort to conclude the composition of Principal officers to facilitate smooth take off ?

Our great party, the All Progressives Congress APC along with Mr President and other party

,

leaders exhibited uncommon democratic tradition by abstaining from direct interference in the process and given the manner we conducted the election in this Chambers on 9th June, I am persuaded that they do not regret reposing such confidence in us.

In this regard we owe them, ourselves, and indeed all Nigerians a duty to prove that we can conclude this process rancor free and without denting our party’s democratic credentials. This we can do and I am confident that we shall.

Today marks the 49th day since 9th June, it would appear it has been all about our selves and our personal ambitions. My dear colleagues the mandate we hold is not about our personal ambitions it is all about the people, the people, and the people,

life of prayers and thanking God for small victories. But this time, the prayers intensified. A group, led by a Pastor decided that it was going to fast and pray until the hospital changed its mind. The hospital eventually did. And when the three month procedure was going to start, prayer groups were formed in many cities of America, Nigeria and the UK thanks to the power of the social media.

When I met the family in the US about a week before the procedure was to start, I was apprehensive. My friend must have been too because the conversations were not as free flowing as they normally are. Tomi was quiet and pensive and I had no words with which to lift him up.

The Tomi I met last week was a healthy, happy man. Incidentally, the first event for the celebration was held at a venue where Tomi was rushed to two years ago during his mother’s 50th birthday. This indeed is a healing story.

Of the many ‘angels’ God sent to this family, a UK based Nigerian doctor stands out. Dr Awogbade went beyond the call of duty and is in many ways, responsible for Tomi being alive today.

Of import however was her statement that many sicklers would live normal lives if the Nigerian authorities could take the simple step of identifying them at birth for proper management. Her goal is to come to Nigeria to help reduce sickle cell incidences. She will need all our support.

Back to our Etihad experience. It took us 24 hours almost to the hour to get to London. A journey of six hours by direct flight. (You wonder why some airlines which are airborne for six hours charge almost twice those that are airborne for 15 hours. There is a rip-off somewhere).

But it was a delightful experience. Etihad in-flight services are up there. And the lounges especially in Abu Dhabi are fantastic. They are homes away from home.

My experience reminded me of another BMW claim when it was advertising the luxury and comfort of its cars. BMW, the advert said, was the car that would make you want to take the longer way home.

How true of Etihad.

indeed it is about Nigeria : as representatives of the people therefore, we must be the manifestation of their high expectations of good governance, probity, transparency and accountability ; we must be the manifestation of their unmitigated impatience against dormancy in governance and above all we must resonate their pain of poverty, squalor and insecurity.

During the period of the working Recess we inaugurated a group of Experts on Law Review and Reform of the various Laws in our Statute books, some of which have become obsolete and outdated.

The Committee will advise the Hon Speaker and the House of Representatives on the legislative action required to achieve this.

I need hardly restate the fact of the enormity of the task before us.Let us therefore resolve here and now to activate our mandate by kickstarting the real business of the people and our nation. May the Almighty God help us to humble ourselves and to dedicate our all to diligence in the task ahead.

God bless us all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

•Being excerpts of a speech delivered by Speaker Yakubu Dogara at the resumption of the House of Representatives last Tuesday

C M Y K

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015

I

resources? Can the president truly be father of all while remembering things like 5%? The moral ideal is equal treatment for all but that is not the practice. But shouldn’t presidential speeches espouse moral ideals ?

Is the president forthright, poorly tuned or patently vindictive? Some will s ay a

gbos will tell you that the taste of the coming faeces can be known from the flavor of the heralding

fart.

Fodder for the naysayers. The camp of the opposition is buzzing with derision and mockery. And if your sympathy lies with the president you will not fail to be irritated by the tactlessness that has become rampant in his corner . But it is perhaps more unbearably annoying for his fans because it’s all largely gratuitous , largely recklessly self inflicted. A certain awkwardness now dogs just about everything. The bulk of the president’s admirers have not lost their confidence, though worry is gradually seeping to the surface.

On the major issues, particularly terror and anti corruption wars, he is believed to be laying solid foundations. But how long will public confidence endure the distractions and lapses? A sobriquet has attached. Not “Action man” , which would have been my prediction in April , but “Baba go slow” . That may even be mild, other traducers want something more cruel.

The opposition has to be strong, virile and vocal. Political vigilantism cannot be performed halfheartedly.

Committed irreverent fanatics must people the opposition . Whatever energizes them is good for our democracy.

Many who were happy to see the APC emerge , do not want a one party state. They want a combative and competitive PDP. The president’s fans should take the goofs and taunts in good faith and hope they don’t mean much more.

Presumably the presidential gaffes have served our democracy well.

They have unwittingly helped rejuvenate and galvanize a beleaguered and disintegrating opposition by giving them hope.

The president accepts he has been slow but assures he has been deliberately cautious. I believe him but for some others that is cheap sophistry , futile attempt to mask his ill preparedness. PDP says he has been clumsy. Asiwaju says it’s still honeymoon, the opposition counters that a nation in dire straits has no such luxury. Let’s forget the Saraki and Dogara matter. No cabinet in two months? Not heartwarming but understandable. No economic adviser for so long with the economy going through such precarious turbulence?

Strange. And if the president has run for president 4 times then it is not out of place to wonder who had been advising him on the economy.

It’s easy to muddle up names - West Germany and Michelle . And that is why world leaders go through some briefings before major meetings. The president should know that his performances at these meetings affect the morale of ordinary Nigerians .

Let’s accept these slips are fairly commonplace , Obama referred to Nigeria as an East Africa African country. But Obama won’t mix up his party’s name. And the Chibok girls weren’t abducted from hotels. One slip too many ? He will get better.

The probes are coming and a deluge of filth is expected. We are told Jonathan is itching to speak, some say he has been clandestinely rallying peacemakers , urging them not to forget. At some point something will have to give. The president, reputed for taciturnity, has been made garrulous by the sheer weight of the revelations. When a frog runs in the afternoon, they say, it is either after something or something is after it.

Barking is good, biting is better.

Ministers sold a million barrels of crude daily ? And funneled monies into private accounts? Crude vessels were diverted, accounts switched , billions siphoned? The president has dabbled into the “18” as they say, he must go for broke or lose the public. Some advise that the president should allow the criminal justice process to run its course quietly .Sensationalism before conclusion of investigations puts the cart before the horse and impacts negatively on the process. A process whose legitimacy partly depends on C M Y K

Buhari’s teething problems : Gaffes upon gaffes, blunders unlimited

the perception of fairness.

In politics , tact may mean that forthrightness should be bridled, curtailed. It’s sometimes politically indecent to parade the truth unclothed, naked. Joe Biden is loved but when Joe Biden speaks from the heart his fans are filled with trepidation. Not because he may forget the name of his party or that he may refer to Russia as USSR, no.

But because he may voice publicly those things politicians do but will never openly speak about. President Buhari may not have Biden’s legendary flippancy but he is so inflexible and so forthright that political tact does not come naturally to him. And when he speaks now, I fret.

The president was at the US institute for peace. He was asked a question that was centered on Niger Delta militants , illegal oil bunkering and inclusive governance. He had need for the moderator to clarify something about ‘inclusiveness’. I would like to believe he didn’t hear the question well. But let me accept the position of many opposition activists that he didn’t understand the word ‘inclusiveness’. He sought the help of the moderator and many insist that is unforgivable. They say he is obsolete. They wont give him any benefit of the doubt, they, whose delusion that he has no certificate has remained insoluble. And someone, a political pharisee, bemoaned her fate of being a Nigerian saddled with the misfortune of a p resident who knows not the meaning of ‘inclusiveness’ and who had not the shame to hide such an inadequacy on a world stage.

Bigotry, truly has many outlets.

Many other politicians of guile would have just rambled on.

Propelled by self deceit or pride or foolery or a combination of those . They would have ignored any words they didn’t understand and proceeded perhaps with the confidence of a con artist. But what would an honest man intent on giving truthful answers to questions do if asked a question that left him with the need of clarification of a word? The opposition can rightfully mock him but his supporters and others should see virtue in his

disposition. But it didn’t end there.

In the attempt to deal with that question on inclusiveness the president , honest to a fault, dabbled into what many politicians would never say. Political correctness is socially acceptable pretense and perversely it has become a virtue.

Politicians favour their supporters and favour communities who give them good votes. Campaigns are often bargains. Vote me and I will provide you with XYZ. In the face of scarce resources any elected official may do a bit more for individuals and communities that contributed more to his victory. Obama is now a salesman for gay rights groups.

The president talked about 97% and 5 %. And since 97% sounds like the core north, some have concluded that he is an unrepentant sectionalist. It doesn’t matter that the speech ,taken as a whole, cannot support that conclusion. He had stated that everyone and every community will get their dues and that the constitution he has sworn to uphold precludes him from discriminating against anyone. And I understand that to mean that only with respect to ‘extras’ will the 97% group may get a bit more. But 97% does not necessarily translate to northern Nigeria. Perhaps if the federal government decides to establish 6 federal libraries or zoos across the country , one in every region, then Imo may get that of the southeast. Even though all the other southeastern states may be potentially good sites. And Kano may be similarly rewarded in the northwest. Every party , every politician , will do same but none will voice it and that is why many of his supporters see this show of forthrightness as a blunder. Candour was flaunted but many saw vindictiveness and divisiveness. The PDP and the opposition insist it was a portentous and dangerous statement. They claim the truth has emerged, pretentions have fallen off and that the president truly belongs to some group after all. If it was a slip , they insist it was a Freudian slip. That which was buried in the heart, the mouth has let out. Do politicians in reality favour certain constituencies ? Do votes affect distribution of resources? Should votes matter in the distribution of

glance at the appointments made so far will help. I don’t subscribe to this view. Major appointments are yet to be made but the president went to the US with 33 men and not a single woman .

That is simply sacrilegious.

Mama Peace once claimed a president Buhari would send women back to the kitchen! Fight for gender equality is as important as the war against terror.

And only a man from the south east made that trip? Naivety , poor judgment, in the season of Nnamdi Kanu . And his Radio Biafra. Biafra is about freedom fighting but Nnamdi Kanu is a rabble rouser and his radio Biafra project , in my estimation, is a scheme for private aggrandizement . Rabble rousers should not be aided by avoidable indiscretions that estrange hearts and minds. Why hand them easy converts? Igbos complain of marginalization, 5% talk doesn’t help such a perception and tongues have been wagging.

Why then the unhelpful hair splitting at NIMASA, why couldn’t

the man who had resumed as acting head just remained? Isn’t anyone getting fed up with reversals.

The president must become sensitive to little things . He must not fritter away goodwill needlessly. INEC is a sensitive organization. And in the aftermath of a general election it is particularly sensitive. Jega’s departure was planned so a handover to an acting head should have been mere routine. Avoidable tardiness and confusion at INEC invariably invite suspicions . The legitimacy of an umpire ,in part, rests on her acceptance by major stakeholders. How was even this, this handover bungled and made controversial?

Passion untempered can be counterproductive. Buhari understands the Leahy law. The law makes moral sense. Why give sophisticated weapons to butchers? Buhari, in opposition, vociferously condemned alleged human rights abuses by some of our military units.

Buhari, the president , has promised to investigate these abuses. But strangely , before he has even commenced proper investigations and prosecutions, he wants the law disabled. He pointedly holds the application of the law partly responsible for the failure of our military to contain the insurgency. He employed the words “aided and abetted”. He read from a prepared speech. That was a major inexcusable blunder.

The use of ‘unwittingly’ and ‘unintentionally ’ cannot mitigate the damage.

Cosmetic. It doesn’t relieve the law of undeserved blame wrongly ascribed to its application. Buhari is passionate but diplomatic language should be well nuanced. Who wrote that speech?

It is true and good that the president is being held to higher standards, even by his critics, than his predecessors?

And his every word and step are being scrupulously scrutinized?

That is change in the right direction.

The President will get better.

Mama Peace once claimed a president Buhari would send women back to the kitchen!

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015—21

By BENJAMIN NJOKU njokujamin@yahoo.com

An evening of music, dance with Beautiful Nubia

BY KEHINDE AJOSE T was an evening of songs dance and poetry last Saturday as Segun Akinlolu a.k.a Beautiful Nubia hosted music enthusiasts in an event tagged, "Beautiful Nubia Live in Concert."

The event, which held at the Eniobanke Arts Centre, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, saw the performing poet and prolific singer thrilled the quality guests with his evergreen indigenous songs which got them singing along, dancing and jumping their troubles away.

The talented artiste touted as Nigeria's foremost contemporary folk and roots musician, gave the audience a treasured African experience, synergizing with his percussionists, keyboardist, bassist, hornsmen and vocalist.

Before the event kicked off at 6

I

A

Lari Williams performing on stage

*Chris Ajilo performing on stage with Beautiful Nubi pm,the Roots Renaissance band performed some melodious instrumentals to wet the appetite of the audience.

Opening the night was veteran actor and performer, Lari Williams, who recited some of his evergreen poems. Beating his a local drum, Lari Williams relayed the story of a man who embarks on a journey to Africa in search of fulfillment. His

FJ the King returns

fter a long absence fro Ejike Chukwuanuka m the music industry, Prince Jeff back again. The Enug popularly known as FJ the King, is u State-born crooner his long-awaited single recently dropped FJ, also the crown pr , “Oh my lover.” inc e of his Enuogwu dance hall star, Timay a, in the new hip life kingdom, featured ruling airwaves and top single currently In a chat with Daylighping music chats amid reviews. who doubles as the he t.ng, the entertainer (Agugbaola 1) Worldwide Limited, saad honcho of Attitude Unit Group fans who have stood id the new single is for his teeming in him musically. “As by him these years and equally believed Nollywood star and aide being a musician, I’m also a pioneer God fearing philanth known for my reaching ropist that is well “Oh my lover ”, is a sp out to the needy. ec globe. It is a special so ial dedication to my fans across and cherish the true ng for all those that are truly in love me the name FJ, the intern aning of love.” On how he came about King" is a stage name ational business man said: "FJ the given to me after the , coined from Fanta Jeff which was Fa I was managed the nta advert I did way back in 1991. wood actor. I also plan by the late Sam loco Efe as a Nollyyed the role of Nkem of his hit movies, ’Ikuk Owoh’s son in one After that movie, I dr u’.

"Big Boys Outing and opped two hot singles back to back, huge successes,” he Jigida" in same 1991, which were all added.

C M Y K

performance was greeted with a rousing applause as Lari proved to everyone that he is truly a legend. Thereafter,the Oba Dika Brass Band took the stage and gave a superb performance. As the wind blew the palm fronds at the back of the stage,the Oba Dika quartet took the audience on a musical journey, starting with the gospel themed 'Agbara mi ko' and then transiting into other highlife tunes that resonated

Prince Jeff

with the audience. Their performance left the audience yearning for more.

The Beautiful Nubia's moment

But the highpoint of the event was when Beautiful Nubia mounted the stage to perform some of his evergreen songs. His Roots Renaissance band members welcomed him on stage with light performance. A performing poet, prolific musician and philosopher, Nubia was ushered in like a 'king of the stage.' Accompanied by highlife legend, Chris Ajilo and a talking drummer, Beautiful Nubia re-enacted the poetry of the countryside as he brings his audience into the imagery of the poetry of the community.

His performance that night can be described as 'incredible.' He was dressed without the usual glamour peculiar to hip hop artistes of this generation. Dressed in an adire T-shirt and jeans on a blue foot wear,Beautiful Nubia interacted with the audience,as he put up an amazing stage presence bringing all his songs to life.

He started with "Ireti Ogo", an inspirational didactic song that teaches one to be courageous when faced with life’s challenges.Next came a

song he calls "The small man’s anthem(Oro aiye soro)" that talks about the storms of life and the wide gap between the rich and the poor.

The Palm wine magic Mid way into his performance,fresh palm wine was brought on stage as members of his band members were seen drinking and playing music.The dreadlock wearing artiste later revealed why palm wine is significant to his band.

According to him, “Palm wine helps me keep my band together .Get them drunk and they won’t ask for their money”. He went on to describe the power of good music: "Whenever good music is being played ,the spirit descends and you would have found the purpose of life” he remarked.

Another memorable performance was the one involving Blackman Akeeb Kareem and highlife crooner, Chris Ajilo.They gave older members of the audience a nostalgic feeling as they performed their old tunes.This was one of the highpoints of the evening.

Present at the event were music critic and writer, Benson Idonije,Ade Bantu, Yemi Shodimu and other music enthusiasts. Indeed, it was a memorable evening of songs and dance.

22 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015

With FLORENCE AMAGIYA 08053788974 email: daise4000@yahoo.com

Good upbringing brought me this far — Sir Kenny Okolugbo

S

ir Kenny Okolugbo may not have appealed to many in Delta state, but as the saying goes, you cannot please everybody. He came into political limelight at the age of 30 in 2003 when he contested for a seat in the House of Reps under the platform of Alliance for Democracy. Although he lost, he stayed focused. He contested again in 2007 on the Accord Party platform. He was a one-time member of the Youth Committee of the Presidential Campaign team, and a past Commissioner of DESOPADEC representing the Ndokwa nation. He is a grassroot man who before serving in the capacity of a commissioner, planned outstanding projects and ventures to benefit his people. Sir Ken is a business man, married since 2009 with children. He became one of the youngest Knights in Nigeria at age 37. He is also the Managing Director of Kenkol Company Ltd, and a builder who has a reputation for making ‘dream homes’ come true.

In this edition, the Knight of St. Christopher who turned a year older two days ago shared his story...

Enjoy!

Early years

I

grew up in a very strict Chris tian home with five other siblings. 'Curfew' was set at 7:00 pm.

We never listened to worldly music, and always attended every church service. I am the last born of my family. My mother used to be the Headmistress of the University Demonstration School, Abraka, back then, while my father was a Reverend and Professor of Religion.

Along the line my teacher mother noticed the stubborn traits in me.

She caned me at any given instance and picked on me during class lessons.

Several times I wondered if my mother was my real, biological mother, and once discussed it with my elder brother who is a year older than I am, and he admitted to have had similar doubts. I grew up to become restless and got involved in all sorts of vices which my father used to preach against. But in the long run, the discipline I received from my parents helped shape who I am today. We lost both parents in year 2000. I consider myself to be a very lucky person because not everyone who went through the route I took while growing up would come out as I did, even though I was a very intelligent young man. I C M Y K

•Ken and family

was born more than 40 years ago. I attended University Demonstration School Abraka and St. Gorge’s Grammar School Obinonba. I graduated in 1996 with a degree in Political Science from Edo State University, Ekpoma, with a second class honors degree by the grace of God. As a young man, I can still remember how my fifth year birthday

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015 — 23

With FLORENCE AMAGIYA 08061644307 email: daise4000@yahoo.com

•Ken's G Wagon

•Ndokwa's glass house today •School project commission

•DESOPADEC'S road projects commision

M

y siblings and I had earlier on built a strong bond with our mother tongue and background, so in 2010, I was inspired to go back home to build a house and a church which we dedicated in June of that same year. After my 40th birthday, under the regime of the former Governor of Delta state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, I was appointed a commissioner on behalf of Ndokwa nation in DESOPADEC. Meanwhile, before the appointment, I had seen people living in abject poverty and squalor in my home town. I felt compassion and I prayed to God to help me make more money in order to help my people in need. I was working on those dreams when the opportunity fell on my lap. So all I did was to put my words and dreams into action. So when I was made a commissioner, I left the comfort of my home and offices, moved back to the village, and felt the pulse of my people. It was easier to touch the grassroots, being in the same boat, and that is the reason for the success stories.

I built a borehole in the community and made sure some places where Government presence hasn’t been felt has 24 hours water supplies right in their homes. I set up a scholarship scheme for the schools and donated over 200 tricycles to indigenes, built and renovated classrooms, donated books and incentives to both teachers and students. We setup a solar system powered borehole in over 15 communities. We built a glass house which is the only one situated in Delta State today. It contains a learning hall, an ICT training centre with over 40 brand new computers, a research/library centre, an event centre, offices and accommodation all fully air-conditioned. All these were put in place to promote the propaganda titled ‘’Delta beyond Oil”; the aesthetics, programmes, job creation and lives that are being touched are part of the give-back.

POLITICAL AMBITION

was celebrated. It was so unique judging from the perspective that my parents were extremely God-fearing. I will forever cherish the memory of that particular birthday celebration.

After graduation, I set up my own business known as KENKOL NIG Ltd as l have always been a strong believer in being self reliant. Later, I became property agent. I used to bring buyers of properties and sellers together and I take commissions on the deal. I became stabilized in my business in the year 2000.

I was able to build an estate in Kubwa, Abuja. That was the beginning of my success story. I started representing multinational companies like Microsoft Nigeria, Total and a few others while being paid in dollars. We veered away from just being an agency to building user-friendly homes and increased our client base.

GIVE BACK C M Y K

I

Be focused; do not veer off your track in Life. I suffered being a prodigal son all because of my stubbornness but the greatest joy for my parents and me was getting back in line. Have your dream, work towards it, never give up and never forget your God

joined politics early. I became part of the presidential campaign team in the media section. That shot me into the international limelight because I became the chair spokesman. I spoke on numerous national TV stations including CNN. My fan base began to grow rapidly. During that period, I tried to be neutral when talking or handling issues in politics except when necessary.

•Ndokwa with friends and well wishers

24 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015

By KEHINDE AJOSE 08054680266

Who is music king of the streets?

BY KEHINDE AJOSE

The success of an artiste is said to be measured according to the acceptance of his/her songs on the streets. This generation of music lovers more often than not, care less whether the songs have meanings or not. All they desire is a rhythm they can flow with and dance to. Dbanj, Psquare, Davido, Wizkid, Kcee, Iyanya and even

Korede Bello: Like Iyanya, ladies love Korede him T ruth be told, one of the traits that stand Korede Bello out is his looks. Have you ever witnessed ladies’ reaction to any of Korede Bello’s performances? It is usually an emotional experience for them. Ladies respond to him the way they respond to a man they are in love with.Though Dorobucci launched him into the music scene, he has shown that he has what it takes to thrive by releasing his own hit songs.

The youngster, whose dad bought him his first guitar, released an Afropop song titled African Princess in February 2014, which was a semi hit song. But with Godwin, the Mavin’s boy blew the hearts of his fans away and built for himself an enviable place on the streets.

Social media influence Recent reports show that Godwin music video has one million views on YouTube in over five weeks of its release.

As at the time of this report, Korede Bello has 79, 500 followers on Twitter and 272,000 followers on Instagram.

Olamide, among others, have all paid their dues in this respect and are smugly sitting at the zenith of Nigeria’s music ladder. They have all won in the streets and have moved onto higher plane.

Right now, the battle for the heart and soul of the streets, made up of predominantly teenagers and youths in their 20s, rests on Kiss Daniel, Korede Bello, Lil Kesh and Reakado Banks. This quartet have released singles that have electrified the streets and reached its heart. But who is the king?

Lil Kesh: An energetic performer with style H

ave you ever seen Lil Kesh peform? His performances are usually filled with an uninhibited flow of energy and creativity that makes his fans run wild with excitement. His unique version of Shoki has continued to spread like wildfire, making other versions of Shoki a joke.

The Bariga-born rapper broke into the industry with the song Lyrically which got the attention of his mentor and label boss,Olamide.

His uniqueness and social media influence Lil Kesh’s uniqueness stems from the fact that his music and lyrics connects to the hearts of his fans. He releases songs that generate mainstream appeal.

Lil Kesh once said that Shoki was inspired by the street. As at the time of this report, he has 10,000 followers on Instagram and 37,300 followers on Twitter.

His massive hits songs Gbese and Shoki still thrill his fans whenever he performs them.

Here are the first stanzas from each of their hit singles.

I don get alert, Godwin And I don pay my rent, Godwin Them bin wan fall my hand, but Godwin Them bin wan kill my joy, but Godwin I say anything them do na Godwin Na Godwin na Godwin oo Anything I do na Godwin Na Godwin na Godwin oo I don change my name to Godwin And omo I don buy motor, na Godwin Them say my market no go sell, but Godwin And them bin say I no go blow, but Godwin My brother make them try their luck My God go win My God go win, my lord go win o Anything them do na Godwin Na Godwin na Godwin oo C M Y K

orget the glamour,screaming fans and huge social media following, Reekado Banks’ tale of stardom wasn’t without a dint of sacrifice. As an artiste, Reekado Banks has an astonishing work ethic. He once released three songs in three days! But Katapot or Chop am is arguably the stake that won the streets over.

Social media influence The music video of Katapot has 235,886 views on Youtube (as at the time of this report). He calls his fans Reekaddicts and has 41, 700 followers on Twitter and 159,000 followers on Instagram as at the time of filing this report.)

But who is m

Here are the first stanz ReeKado Bank’ Katapot

But who is making more sense lyrically?

Korede Bello’s Godwin

Reekado Banks: Incredible work ethics F

Lil Kesh’s Shoki

Shoki-Lil Kesh featuring Davido and Olamide oya show me shoki, shoki shoki everybody shoki, shoki shoki and the request say shoki, shoki shoki everybody shoki, shoki shoki oya show me shoki, shoki shoki everybody shoki, shoki shoki oya shoki, shoki shoki shoki, shoki shoki I am looking for that shawty with the baddest shoki when everybody they shoki abi you still dey look for johnny but if you get case for body the town will go make you the shawty david please don’t stop it i wanna see you drop it now for me now on this ground oya daun

Chorus: If dem like make dem fire katapot of envy Dem throw us bomb of Jealousy Dem stand dey eye our progress See dem no fit put asunder Ye, ye..

If dem like make dem fire katapot of envy Dem throw us bomb of Jealousy Dem stand dey eye our progress See dey cannot stop our love oh Verse 1: See no be me fine pass Oh my pretty baby girl Still you stand by me Event hough I make you vex Oh why Why you love me like this

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015 —25

By AYO ONIKOYI,

Kiss Daniel: The Woju magic No one can succinctly explain how Woju became a hit song,yet the song has gone on to become one of the biggest songs of Daniel Anidugbe popularly known as Kiss Daniel.Though the song was released in September 2014,it generated much acceptance in 2015.

Kiss serves a follow up to Woju titled Laye.

Social media influence The music video of Woju remix currently has over 2 million views on Youtube. He has 71, 900 followers on Instagram and 69, 800 followers on Twitter, a social media following that might intimidate his contemporaries.

making more sense lyrically?

zas from each of their hit singles.

Kiss Daniel’s Woju Tell me why baby why I deserve this Oh ah!

Baby baby ah?

Hmm hm hmm Mo gbo pe kikan kikan Ni o ibonju My baby baby no dey kanju Even when your friends dey ranju As we dey go dem dey mon’ ju You still respect my hustle I count on you, u no dey burst my bubble oh eah Girl, there will be no me Without you by my side How I want take survive How I want live this life Na only God fit decide Na you dey boost my bololo dada(dada) Yea ahh…

Verse 1: Nor be you I carry come But na you I go carry go Sisi Agbarigo eh ya oh wey Nor be you I dey check on o But na you I wanna know know know know know Sisi Ferari o eh ya oh wey Refrain: Very sweet Very nice Baby tu di du di du Odikwa tight (Odikwa tight) Sho’ mo pe o sexy Ma lo rope iro ni Otun mo pe o de wa pa O wa fe ma buga si emi Chorus: Woju o Le le le le le le le Baby ko ya woju o Le le le le le le Ko ya woju o Omo de yi le le le le le Baby ko ya woju o La la la la la la

9

1

. Dil -Honeymoon Soulful Dil has just unveiled a new song which he calls Honeymoon.The song is produced by Don Adah. Recall that Dil collaborated on and also produced Yemi Alade’s Temperature.

2

. Geoffrey-Monalisa Geoffrey,winner Project Fame West Africa, Season 7 has been releasing different songs in recent times. The suave singer is back with a new track titled Monalisa. The song is produced by Password while the video is directed by Miyagi.

3

. Navio featuring Dr SidWork it East Africa’s sought after artiste,Navio has collaborated with Surulere crooner,Dr Sid on a song titled Work it. Navcorp films and Ahoy synergized to produce the video of this song.

4

. Shatta Wale-Trust Nobody Shatta Wale, a budding artiste recently became a father. The talented singer has unveiled a new track titled Trust Nobody.

The song is self produced.

5

. Sound Sultan-Remember Who knew Sound Sultan could rap. Well he did just that in this new song. Amazingly,the last verse of the song is still empty and he is inviting any interested rapper to do a free style on it for an opportunity to be featured in the final cut.

6

. CDQ-Wa danmiwo Talented indigenous rapper CDQ raps on the instrumental of Tyga and Young Thug’s Hookah. The song is a vulgar free style called Wa danmiwo

7

. Shiikane-Tuele Sexy girl group Shiikane recently unveiled a new song titled Tuele. Tuele means easy.

The talented trio collaborated with Harrysong and Doctor Amir on this tune

8

. DJ Shabsy-Raba G- Worldwide Entertainment recently unveiled DJ Shabsy as the label’s official DJ. He has released a new song in which he featured Kiss Daniel and Sugar boy,titled Raba. The song is produced by DJ Coublon.

. Frank Edwards – Onye [The Story] The song expresses the tale of Frank Edwards, how he started small and now an inspiration to his generation. The video of Onye creates an insight on what his fans can expect from his forthcoming album.

10

. Sarkodie-10k Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie is at it again. This time he delivers on this new groovy song titled 10k. The song is produced by Lazzy Beatz.

11

. Dbanj featuring Ice Prince-Salute DB Records has released the music video for the song Salute. The release is part of the I am Dbanj 10th anniversary celebrations.

The video is directed by Moe Musa and was shot in Atlanta.

12. Victoria Kimani-Two of Dem Chocolate City’s songstress,Victoria Kimani after much anticipation is out with the visuals of her song Two of Dem. In the song, she sings about having everything in double. The video was shot in South Africa and shot by directors at Studio Space.

13

. DJ Lambo featuring Cynthia Morgan, Seyi Shay and Eva Alordiah-The Motion DJ Lambo,the official DJ for Chocolate City has unveiled her new track titled The motion. The vivacious DJ teams up with Cynthia Morgan, Seyi Shay and Eva Alordiah to deliver a brilliant dancehall song.The song is produced by the duo of Chopstix and Reinhard.

14

. Mo’Cheddah featuring Olamide

– Bad The petite rapper and singer,Mo’cheddah flaunts her sexy side in this new flick. The video features rustic scenes and was shot in Apapa.The video is directed by Clarence Peters.

15

. Charlae-I wan marry Fast rising Afropop artiste,Charlae who is fast gaining buzz for his wedding themed song I wan marry has released the visuals for the tune. I wan Marry video was shot in Lagos and directed by Ben Adii

C M Y K

26—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015

‘Going nude in a movie will not show the world how great I am’ L

IKE or hate her, Ogechi Peters is a talent like no other. The rising actress who has starred in a couple of Nollywood flicks including, A night with the Governor, Lagos Men, School War, Faithful Sin, Helpless Sister, among others, is carving a niche for herself in the industry.

But despite her undying love for acting, the actress said she will not stoop too low to act nude in a movie.

According to her, “I don’t have to go nude to show the world the great woman that I am.”

Describing her experience in the industry as memorable, Ogechi who delved into acting three years ago, said it’s never easy dealing with different kind of people in the industry, adding, “I’ve learnt to accept people the way they are, and understand them, otherwise you would have issues with a lot of them in the industry.”

Ogechi, who started out as a model after graduating from the university admitted making mistakes in life. “I have made mistakes which I have learnt from, and I thank God for the strength in facing them. I think we all shouldn’t have regrets because we always have something to learn from our past dealings. Learning from the past made me to get to where I am today, and the woman I have grown to be,” she confessed.

The beautiful actress said her ambition is not only to become one of the best actresses in Nollywod but also to be a source of inspiration to the young ones. “My ambition is to be better than the best, to get to a level where I will be helping a lot of people, especially the young ones who are in need of assistance. To be in a position where I will be helping people to get empowered is what I’m aiming.”

•Ogechi Peters

Nollywood actor dumps ancestral name •Says it’s associated with evil

R

i m i M t a h W Orjiekwe, hubby failed l torevea R

ISING stars, Mimi Orjiekwe and Charles Billion, who got engaged three years ago are now husband and wife.

But what was not in the news is that prior to their marriage, Charles had to let his long dreads out for the sake of the love of his life. The couple who got engaged on July 18, 2013 while on vacation in Tanzania, did their traditional marriage

C M Y K

rites recently in the bride’s home town, at Umuelem Village, Ichieke Achi, Udi in Oji River Local Government of Enugu State.

The groom and his people came all the way from Okuta-Ebelle Local Government, in Edo State to take their Igbo bride home.

Mike Ezuruonye, Ruth Kadiri, Wisdom Macaulay, Chigozie Atuanya, Uche Ogbodo, Anita Joseph among other Nollywood stars were at the occasion to support the lovely couple.

ISING Nollywood actor, Cyril Chukwuemeka recently shocked his fans when he renounced his surname name, “Pharaoh”, claiming that the name is associated with evil and something that is totally against his new faith.

The bearded actor, whose foray into the movie industry started in 2011, after he starred alongside Kenneth Okonkwo and Clem Ohameze in the movies, “Born Again Billionaire” and Kingdom Billionaires claims that before now, he never knew that ‘name’ has a strong influence on a person’s lifestyle.

Revealing why he decided to renounce his surname, Cyril said, “while I was growing up, I used to think and believe that name is nothing more than the grouping of several letters of an alphabet or other symbols, which represents the identification of a person or an object. I really did no believe that name has an influence on a person’s character.”

“The fact that our former President, Goodluck Jonathan was an epitome of greatness does mean that any child born and named Goodluck will be great in life. As a child I thought as a child, but now that I am a man, I’m thinking like a man. Then I thought that names were just meant for identification. But now, I know better.”

The Anambra State-born actor who has since given his life to Christ revealed that he decided to renounce the name, Pharaoh, after he listened to the teachings of His Lordship,

Bishop Sylvanus Ofili, of the Christian Liberation Ministry International on the topic, “What is in a Name.”

After the sermon, he said, “ I came •Cyril to understand the reason Jacob’s name which means supplanter was changed to Israel after he had an encounter with the angel of God at Bethel.

I also understand why Jesus Christ personally changed the name of his apostle from Simon to Peter which means “rock.”

“Saul was a persecutor of Christ, and when he had an encounter with God, his name was changed from Saul to Paul. Having gone through these theological teachings, I was meant to understand that my ancestral name, Pharaoh, which is given to every first male child or only son from my maternal lineage following our ancient affiliations with the Egyptian Dynasty. That name is against my religious beliefs and stands as an enemy of God. I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savour. It means that I’m now Born-Again, old things are passed away and behold all things are made new through Christ who strengthens me,” he said.

Cyril has featured in many Nolkywood flicks including, Tears of A Billionaire, Burning City, Demonic Call, Living Christ, Princess Ifeoma, Indian Queen, among others.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015—27

Tony Umez breaks silence

‘I didn’t have sex in controversial ‘Room 027’

By BENJAMIN NJOKU

T

WO years after ‘Room O27’, a soft porn movie generated a lot of controversies, following its explicit scenes of sex and nudity, when clips of the film surfaced online, one of the lead characters, Tony Umez has broken his silence, claiming that there was nothing like sex in the movie.

The soft-porn movie, written by Dami Joe EfeYoung, featured Tony Umez, Chinelo Ememchukwu and actor Collins Onwochei as they allegedly engaged in a dirty act.

But speaking on the controversial movie, in a recent chat with HVP, Umez refuted claims that he had sex in the movie.

According to him, “It wasn’t as if there was sex all through the movie, but it was just an aspect of a whole movie. It was a 2-hour movie, but people are focusing on that particular scene. That scene just

happened, it wasn’t the whole movie and it wasn’t as if there was sex on set. Everything was basically makebelieve. It was made to look real and people believed in it too.”

Although, he said he would not blame anyone because people are entitled to their own opinions, he has since learnt his lessons as an actor. “The experience has taught him to be more circumspect in the things he does as an act. “That I should not just look at the creativity embodied in a script, but I should also look at the societal reaction to it,” he said.

“I don’t blame them because they have their own opinions while I have mine. The movie generated a lot of controversies when it was released. Some people commended it while many others faulted the movie.

Like I always say, I have weathered the storm and I have moved on.”

On his wife’s reaction, Umez said, it wasn’t a pleasant news when his wife heard about the movie.

•Tony Umez

Day Multichoice relaunched its compact bouquet *Afolayan signing the deal with the management of the airline.

L-R: Martin Mabutho, General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria; Actress, Ivie Okundaye; Chioma Afe, Marketing Manager, MultiChoice Nigeria; Banky W and Akinola Saliu, General Manager, Sales, MultiChoice Nigeria during the re-launch of DStv Compact bouquet held at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Tuesday.

Kunle Afolayan becomes Air France brand ambassador •To shoot new film with the airline

By ANOZIE EGOLE

M

ULTICHOICE Nigeria during the week reaffirmed its place as a leading pay TV company in the country when it revamped its DStv Compact bouquet to offer better value for money.

The event, which held at the prestigious Oriental hotel,• Lekki, b n Iiab o Lagos, had top Nigerian entertainers including EME boss, Banky W, Kate Henshaw, Ivie Okundaye, OC Ukeje, Charles Inojie among others in attendance. The celebrities collectively endorsed the relaunched product.

Interestingly, the all new Compact bouquet comes packed with over 95 world class channels including access to its flagship on demand video rental service – DStv BoxOffice.

Speaking at the event, General

Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho said, the new offering further reiterates the company’s commitment to provide Nigerians with quality entertainment they can afford.

“DStv Compact is designed for our young, cool and trendy subscribers who desire premium content in a bouquet that is affordable and fits perfectly into their lifestyle. We have refreshed the bouquet to include some premium channels as well as introduced BoxOffice for access to block buster movies for subscribers who have the Explora decoder”, he said.

Mabutho also said that the bouquet now comes with new channels.

A

WARD winning actor cum producer, Kunle Afolayan has concluded plans to shoot a new movie in collaboration with Air France .

This is coming on the heels of his endorsement as the brand ambassador for Air-France.

According to Kunle, he decided to sign the deal with the brand because he believes that the relationship will help take Nollywood to the global market and he saw the connection between his brand and Air-France.

Speaking at the unveiling of the project to the media at Air France office, Lagos, during the week, Kunle Afolayan said that the journey was to take not just him as an individual globally, but to take Nollywood to other parts of the world through this means. “The journey started when we went for Air-France sponsored, Nollywood festival in Paris, I met with the President of Air France and discussed with him briefly on a movie, (Figurine), that we wanted to do and we need airlines to sponsors us because the movie because, it will involve us travelling to Germany and

other places. And out of all the airlines that we met, it was only AirFrance that saw the vision in us.

When we came back to Nigeria they invited me and we agreed on the deal. The contract involves us doing a movie with the airline. So we are working on the movie which will be out next month. This I would say keys in well because we have people flying from one destination to the other for the movie production and being that they have passion for that, we would like to give them that platform to leverage on. It is not just movie, we are going to create things, what ever Gold Pictures and Air-France believe in we are going to work that way. What we signed now lasts till the end of last year and if it works out well, we will continue. ,”. He said.

Responding, the Commercial Director, Air-France, Arthur Dieffenthaler, said that they are very pleased working with Kunle in this project. “Working with someone like Kunle Afolayan is a welcomed development to us. It will help us to connect to more people.

STOP PIRACY NOW! STOP BUYING PIRATED MOVIE AND MUSIC CDs, DVDs. IT IS KILLING THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. C M Y K

28 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015

BY DAMILOLA SHOLOLA

A

yo Adesanya recently marked her 20 years in the Nigerian movie industry and she is without doubt a star when it comes to acting. Still bubbly and animated at 45, she has a spirit that makes her look far younger than her age. Ayo has entertained fans from all walks of life and she has admirers both from the younger and older generations. In this exclusive interview, the screen diva talks about her life in Nollywood and the journey so far 20 years in Nollywood, how has the journey been so far?

So far so good; I can’t say it’s been fun, fun, fun all the way but I’m grateful to God that 20 years is here because looking back was just like yesterday.

It’s been wonderful; it’s been a beautiful experience all the way You said it wasn’t all fun, what problems have you faced so far?

There are a lot of challenges.

I believe over the last twenty years I’ve been able to build something out of my career.

Building a career, I would relate it to your everyday life; you have a lot of ups and downs. During this twentyyear journey, I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs but I would just like to say that most of the things I’ve done have been positive; most of the jobs I’ve touched have come out successful, so I’m so grateful Are you working on any movie now?

Yes, I’m going into a project really soon. I’m actually at the preparation stage. I’m working on a comedy; I’ve been doing comedy ever since and I think a lot of people enjoy it so I’m trying to work on something new Going down memory lane, what movie would you say brought you out?

Some people say it is ‘Out of Bounds’, the one RMD produced and Tade Ogidan directed. A lot of people remember ‘Most Wanted’ too.

While some will still say it is the soap ‘Palace’. It is difficult to point out any particular one.

When I finished ‘Dry Leaves’

by Opa Williams, my first, and I was invited for ‘Most Wanted’, people began to really notice me. I think what gave me that break was that immediately ‘Most Wanted’ came out, ‘Out of Bounds’ came out a few months after and then the soap ‘Palace’ was running simultaneously so I think everything just worked together. When God does his work, he does it in mysterious ways so it was all interconnected Between acting and producing, which do you find most fulfilling?

Production is very tasking C M Y K

while acting is fun. I love it when people call me to interpret a particular role. I would just put my feet up, enjoy and relax. All I need to do is read my script, change my costumes and do my part, just interpret my role. When it comes to production, it’s a lot of work because you’re responsible for every other person in that project.

What has been your most stressful movie production?

I think it was ‘Amope Alasela’, the one I played a double role.

There are two actually, there was one ‘Edun Ara”, that one we had to shoot in Arepo and we had this face off with some vigilantes there.

Real face off?

Real face off, in fact they shot at us. It was me, Fathia Balogun, Funso Adeolu that night, so many of us were there and it was my production so I was responsible for everybody there.

It was just God because it would have been fatal; they actually

Ayo Adesanya @ 20 in Nollywood

Says “Celebrities shou avoid marrying one ano

God said we should come to the world, get married and multiply you know, I’m beginning to think marriage is not for everyone.

y but

ran after us and they were shooting. The people there, I really don’t know what their bone of contention was because before we went in there to shoot, we took permission from a particular source and another source came and said they were not aware we were doing anything like that. It wasn’t until they recognised three or four of us that they mellowed but we still had to resolve the issue at the police station that night.

What has been your biggest movie production so far?

I think all my productions have been good, people like them and give me good feedback on them. But if I have to choose based on most popular reactions, I will say it is ‘Amope Alasela’, the one I played an old woman and a young woman. People found it hilarious because it was a comedy.

There was a time you took a break from acting, what was happening then?

That was when I had my baby. I just took a break to take care of my baby In your 20 years anniversary picture, you wrote the new you is a positive you, what did you mean by that?

Like you just said now that I took a break; after taking a break I came back and all I’m just trying to say is that I was given another chance because I know that it is not easy to leave the entertainment scene and try to come in and re-launch yourself. But God has been so good because I’m coming back and in fact, I think I am working more now than I used to, even when I started in the movie industry. I’m busier now than when I started, so the best is yet to come Have you featured in any movie this year?

I’ve done quite a lot this year.

Early this year, I was on a location for months in Ibadan, we were shooting a TV series called Casino. It’s not out yet, the rollout has not started; they’ve not even started doing the promo but that was where we were for quite some time.

By the grace of God, when it comes out, I’m sure people would see a new me; that’s one of the projects that would bring a new me out

,

ld other”

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015 — 29

I’ve never dated anyone in the industry; my baby’s father was not in the industry when I met him

,

confused. Fine, God said we should come to the world, get married and multiply but you know, I’m beginning to think marriage is not for everyone.

When you ask me if I’m going to get married again, get confused because I am not God. It is only God that knows for sure what can happen or not. Tomorrow, I might just meet somebody that would sweep me off my feet, so, it’s not as if I’m closing the door totally. God is the owner of my life, if He says it is okay then it is okay. But then, it doesn’t mean you cannot be happy if you’re not married. I want the coming generation to be happily married, I want them to settle, I want them to believe in love, I want them to have a peaceful life and a peaceful home; I encourage it. Because I’m not married does not mean that I do not understand what love is, I know what love is, I know what romance is, I understand it so well but once in a while in the journey of life, you find out that there are some things you just have to live with or without.

What is your advice to upcoming actors?

Once in a while, they should just wait and ask where they are going? To me, I believe everybody is just rushing up and down as though this is a race. You can’t take my shine; I can’t take your shine. What will be mine will be mine, what will be yours will be yours so they really need to calm down and do the work

Would you have dated anyone else in the industry if you were not with Goriola Hassan?

I’ve never dated anyone in the industry; my baby’s father was not in the industry when I met him. I actually brought him into the industry so it’s not as if I met him in the industry. I don’t like dating people in my industry. I don’t believe two famous people should be together because there will be clash of ego and their lives would be on the center page of the newspapers. For my job or for my showbiz life, publicity is good but for my private life, I love to keep it really private. I don’t think two celebrities should be married to each other, it is always very tedious.

Are you still planning to get married?

When people ask me that question, they just get me

If the right man comes, what qualities should he have?

I’m old school, people look at me and say wow; you look

deep. When you’re deep, a lot of people can identify with you and say they love what you do and feel you.

good, I thank God for that.

Most times they say Ayo you dress like a younger person.

That is me, inside of me I am a very young person and I’m alive, I’m colorful and vibrant.

I’m very charming when it comes to the inside of me. That is what I always radiate, that is what I show to the world; that is how I can express myself.

Having said that, your heart tells a lot to me; I don’t care what you look like. I love to laugh a lot so I like happy people, really happy people not people pretending to be happy. I don’t care if you’re short or tall, fair or dark; it is the inside of your heart that matters to me. I’ve gone through a lot and I’ve seen a lot; even the simplest of things touches me. I’m your everyday happy-go -lucky person, when you’re sweet, when you’re cool, when you’re calm, It works for me. But then, please I am not searching.

Are you still planning to remove your tattoo?

I’m removing it gradually; it’s a gradual process There are rumors that you had a tattoo on your bum, is it true?

I don’t have any tattoo anywhere, don’t mind anybody.

Unfortunately, I’m not a nudist; I would have said people should come and see. I don’t have any tattoo on my backside. Initially my friends would come to me and ask me if I really have it on my bum but no way. I don’t have. I just have one on my arm and that’s it.

Is it a cross?

It’s actually a dagger, you can see the blood dripping and it says ‘No Fear’. It means I’m not scared of anybody except God, no fear for anybody except God. What more should people expect from Ayo Adesanya?

20 years down, waxing stronger, the best is yet to come

What is it that makes a good actor?

You just said it, actor, acting; the person is acting. You’re interpreting a role and you want people to believe that this is who you are for that period of time; this is a character you’re playing out. People should be able to see you and say you are good. I love it when you’re deep. What I mean by being deep is doing your job not to impress or to be vague. You’re not in it for social media just to show yourself. You do your work and we see it that you’re C M Y K

30 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015—23

Being on cover of Boots magazine has made me ident — Ijeoma Kalu, plus-size model conffid you’re out of the door.”

Even though many will regard being tall as an advantage, Ijeoma recalls that it wasn’t always so for her. In her words, “I’ve always been a tall person. I got my height from my grand-mother, and it hasn’t always been easy. In school, I always had to sit and stand at the back so I wouldn’t tower over everyone else. People also expect you to be bold as a tall person, but I hadn’t found my confidence at that time because I was just getting to know myself and build an identity.

But now, I’m a lot older and my height is actually an asset.

Sometimes, I even go out of my way to wear heels despite my 6ft height.”

Not just a model, she also has a job as a social worker. She talks about it, “It basically involves working with disadvantaged, marginalised people and making sure that they have a voice. My job also entails making sure that this group of people get the services that are due to them. It’s been tough trying to manage both careers, but I think I’ve been able to do that. I work part-time as a social worker so I can dictate, to some degree, my availability as a model.”

On how daring she can be, she says, “I don’t think I’ll be stripping off. I can do fashion magazines, showcase clothing, beauty products.

However, I won’t even do bikinis.”

By TOFARATI IGE and JULIET EBIRIM

I

t’s not every day that an international magazine which caters to a largely Caucasian audience puts a Black person on their cover. But earlier this year, a London-based Nigerian model, Ijeoma Kalu, was instantly transformed to a celebrity of sorts when her smiling face emerged on the cover of the widely read Boots Health and Beauty Magazine domiciled in the United Kingdom (UK).

Before conducting this interview, we had already seen her pictures online, but meeting her physically, she looked prettier and taller than we anticipated. The brown gown she had on was free flowing; it emphasized her height, and her sensuous curves were visible enough to turn men’s heads.

With a smooth Queen’s English and accent informed by her long stay in the UK, Ijeoma, in town on a short visit, tells us the story of her career as a model.

MODELING IN UK

C M Y K

BOOTS MAGAZINE COVER

,

With a giddy chuckle, the Psychology graduate and Masters Degree holder in Social work begins her story animatedly; almost like a kid telling her friends about a new toy factory she just discovered.

“My parents, Chief Uwa Igwe Kalu and Lolo Lovina Kalu are both Nigerians. My dad is from Abiriba in Abia State. We lived in Nigeria in the early years of my life but we were always travelling on vacation. In 1986, my mum decided that it was best for us to go over to the UK for better education. So, we relocated to the UK. I have seven siblings; two boys and five girls and I’m the fifth.

“I have always had a strong passion for modelling, fashion and girlie things. The industry in UK is predominantly dominated by Caucasians, but there is a market for black women too. Just like it is everywhere, if you’re good at something and can command attention with your confidence, you will be noticed,” she says.

She continues, “I work with some fashion houses in the UK and maintaining a specific size is an issue.

You have to maintain your size for particular jobs. It’s a very competitive and cut-throat world out there and you’re conscious that someone else who has a better personality, looks or whatever, might just come into the industry and before you know it,

The experience brought out something in me which I didn’t even know I had.”

,

In March 2015, Ijeoma beat 8,500 other people to become popular and widely read Boots Health and Beauty Magazine’s cover girl. But how did it all come about? She tells the story with a sparkle in her eyes and voice. “I read about it in the magazine and I decided to send in my random pictures for the fun of it.

Winning the competition didn’t even cross my mind. Sometime later, I was asked to submit a video saying why I wanted to be in the competition, but I was on vacation and I didn’t have access to a camera, so I used my phone to record a video, just being my normal hearty and crazy self. I had a pair of eccentric earrings on and the wind was blowing in the background; it looked quite glamorous in a way.

Eventually we were short-listed for the top eight, and final four. Anyone could have won, because there were lots of glamorous-looking ladies there. I had a nice time doing the shoot; the ladies were all nice, and the photographer was extremely

Continues on page 31

funny...he made me laugh a lot. The experience brought out something in me which I didn’t even know I had.”

Does she think being Black gave her an advantage? “To be very honest, no. I wouldn’t even have thought they’d want a black face on their cover. I appreciate Boots for what they’ve done. Not only did they feature women who haven’t been airbrushed (which is another issue) because most ladies on the covers of magazines have been air-brushed and this gives a false presentation of what beauty is when they appear without any wrinkles or blemishes.”

LESSONS LEARNT

Of course, she couldn’t have had such an experience without learning a thing or two.

She mentions some of them, “I never thought I would win the competition. I was even amazed when I made it to the final four. I guess they saw God’s face in me because I prayed about it, and people also commented on my smile. We don’t usually see Black and plus-size ladies on the covers of magazines, but this has shown that we’re also beautiful. Now, I feel more confident to apply for photography jobs; I’ve even built a portfolio since then and I’m taking my modelling career more seriously. I have a blog now: www.allthingstallandplus.com as well as a Youtube account:Trendzunik and my Instagram page: @ijaykheavens where I talk about my own idea of beauty and fashion which is that it should be quite fluid. One doesn’t have to be a size 0, or a particular skin colour and tone before you can be termed beautiful. I can be the size that I am, and show a kind of beauty that many women can identify with.”

DISCRIMINATION

Being on cover of Boots magazine has made me confident

Even though we like to think otherwise, racism and other forms of prejudice are not dead in the world.

Ijeoma attests to this by saying, “I think discrimination is everywhere, though it’s not like what it used to be many years ago. It may not be that overt, but it’s still there in some ways.

However, I choose not to focus on that because I believe once you’re talented in something, your colour, size or shape should not matter.”

NIGERIAN FASHION INDUSTRY IJ, as she is fondly called by loved ones, quickly confesses that she doesn’t know much about the fashion industry in Nigeria, but she says she’s ready to learn.

Her words, “I don’t know a lot about the fashion industry down here, but I believe it’s growing. Nigerian ladies are so fashionable and gorgeous, and I think they lead in Africa. However, just like with everything else, there is still room for growth. I’m yet to see larger ladies on the runways and fashion pages. In the UK, plus-size ladies are really having a say.

There’s a lady, Tess Holliday who is size 24, and she’s making so much money these days. It’s all about how much confidence you have in you and your body, and people love her.”

C M Y K

,

Continues from page 31

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015—31 She also hints that she’ll love to be a part of the industry. She says, “If given the opportunity, I’ll absolutely love to come down here. I’ve seen some of the fashion designers here, and I think their works are amazing. But I think it’s quite difficult to break into the market as a larger lady because I’m size 16. I remember I was here a couple of years back; I saw an advert and went for the casting. The person I met there couldn’t believe I was the model; she thought I was a designer because of my size. Her words were, ‘But you can’t be the model, you’re fat.’ So I think there’s a missing gap in that area.”

Considering such obvious and blatant discrimination she faced, how does she think a re-orientation can be achieved taking into cognisance that many African women are plus-sized? She tasks the media on this. “I think the media has a When I huge role to play. By become a showcasing women mother, that of all sizes, they will send a message that will be a beauty doesn’t have priority for to do with a me, giving my particular shape. child the best Designers should also make outfits that even if it will cater to a large means spectrum of women. breastfeeding.” The UK is making an advancement in that area, and a couple of years ago, we saw the first plus-sized ladies on the runway.

In the modelling industry, anybody above size 12 is plus-size, though there is debate on whether the term ‘plus size’ should be removed because at the end of the day, a model is a model.”

,

HOME COMING

Will IJ be returning home to Nigeria anytime soon? Yes, she says. According to her, “I think I have a passion to do something in Nigeria specifically because I do think it’s lacking here.

Something that has to do with re-educating our ladies to be confident in themselves regardless of what they look like – skin, colour, complexion and so on. Let them value themselves so they can strive to be better people and achieve great things, because their confidence comes from within. They don’t need somebody to praise their standard of beauty, because your standard of beauty may not be what the world sees as beautiful, but within yourself, you’re confident.”

MEN, MARRIAGE, MOTHERHOOD AND MODELLING

Ijeoma says she’s single at the moment, but what qualities must a young man possess before he can apply for the keys to her heart?

“Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, even though I know everybody says this, but because I’m a born-again Christian, I have to be with someone who really knows God. I’m quite open in terms of who I date. It just has to be somebody who shares the same values and beliefs with me. He could be from anywhere in the world.”

She feels marriage doesn’t necessarily have to end her modelling career. She quips, “It’s possible to continue, it depends on the kind of modelling that I do. If I’m doing something that requires a specific size, once I’ve had a baby, the female body changes. But if I’m doing something that requires just a head shot – I can manage to keep my face looking good by eating well, keeping hydrated, having a good skin care regimen and working out. All these can help to lengthen ones career.”

But some female models who have babies choose not to breastfeed so as to maintain their firm boobs, will she tow that path too? She is vehement in her response. “I’m a traditionalist in a lot of ways and in that as well. Even though I have to live my life, I also have to do what’s best for my baby. When I become a mother, that will be a priority for me, giving my child the best even if it means breastfeeding.”

32—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015

08 116759 759 081 6759759

Couple who shared that kiss in the middle of the street as riot police battled an angry mob

I

t was a kiss that caught the imagination of the world, a tender moment as chaos raged around them.

A young couple

unknowingly became the image of the 2011 riots in Vancouver, when thousands of ice hockey fans took to the streets after the city’s team lost the season-ending

‘Naughty Pilot'

C

Stanley Cup Final.

But it seems the moment when the couple lay down in the middle of the street and shared a passionate kiss as riot police shut off the street was not a fleeting

hloe Mafia claims ‘naughty pilot let her and glamour model friend into cockpit of transatlantic flight’ The busty brunette says she was left “shocked” at 33,000ft after being allowed in the cockpit. X Factor reject Chloe Mafia has claimed a pilot allowed her and a fellow glamour model pal into the cockpit during a transatlantic flight from London Heathrow to JFK in New York.

The self-made millionaire reportedly made a video documenting

moment. The couple are still together today and are living together in Australia, according to The World Post.

Scott Jones, from Perth, and his Canadian girlfriend Alexandra Thomas were photographed locked in a passionate kiss on the ground while surrounded by batonwielding officers. The pair had gone to a local bar to watch the Stanley Cup when they became caught up in the carnage

the extraordinary flight, which would have broken aviation rules putting passengers at risk.

Busty Chloe told the paper she was “stunned” as she alleges she drank alcohol, sung Disney songs and saw packets of cigarettes in the cockpit during the Kuwait Airways flight.

Following the terrorist attack on September 11 2011 passengers are no longer allowed in the cockpit.

Furthermore smoking has not been allowed in the cockpit since 2007. She says the pilot did not partake in

that erupted following the Canucks’ 4-0 defeat by the Boston Bruinson June 15, 2011.

As chaos swirled around the town, Ms Thomas was knocked to the ground by riot police before her boyfriend came to her aid where he gave her a kiss that won the heart of millions across the globe.

But Mr Jones revealed at the time the intimate moment was not as romantic as the world first believed. He said the kiss was an attempt to comfort his girlfriend when she became frantic.

‘We were knocked over, and I was just trying to calm her down, because as I’m sure you can imagine, she was somewhat distraught,’ he told ABC News in June, 2011. The photograph sparked an online storm,

buzzing with questions on who the mysterious unidentified lovers were at the time and whether the whole thing was deliberate or set-up.

But the iconic kiss image of the romantic clinch was snapped by Getty photographer Richard Lam, who initially thought the two people on the ground were injured. Four years on, the couple are living in Melbourne, where Mr Jones manages a bar and Ms Thomas, who recently applied for an Australian citizenship, works as a sewerage planning engineer.

Mr Jones told The World Post the photographer had given the pair a signed copy of the nowfamous photograph, which is hanging up in their bedroom.

drinking the booze which was given to them.

Playboy model Chloe claims: “We were sitting in business class about 30 minutes after take-off.

“The seatbelt signs had just gone off and a stewardess came and said the pilot wanted us to go to the cockpit.

“They locked the door and the captain introduced himself and said ‘Hi, I’m the naughty pilot’.

“He said he lets sexy girls in the cockpit, even though he’s not supposed to, because he ‘made the rules’.”

He also reportedly sung along to various Disney tunes with the startled models while travelling at 33,000ft.

Calls to the airline failed to be answered a representative.

However, many took to

Twitter to voice their disgust and call an investigation.

Sara Al Ajmi wrote: “If the story is true, not only should @KuwaitAirways dismiss this pilot, but also publicly apologises for the behaviours of its employees.”

Chloe, who now goes by the name Chloe Khan, has made a fortune by stripping on webcam.

The mother-of-one first came to the public’s attention when she sparked outrage with her partying and outspoken ways back in 2010 on the X Factor.

She was eventually kicked off the ITV show after bosses allegedly found out she was taking cocaine.

Chloe now divides her time between the UK and Las Vegas – where she works in Spearmint Rhino.

‘I will ffind ind yyou... ou... and I will disconnect yyou’: ou’:

Great-gr andmother Great-grandmother andmother,, 99, is sent a letter telling her she is PREGNANT in hospital blunder

Hospital

F

ather threatens to cut off teenagers’ WiFi and mobiles in hilarious note inspired

by Liam Neeson’s famous Taken speech Gone are the days when being grounded or having your pocket money deducted was deemed a suitable punishment.

Now a father has shared his particular method of discipline on Reddit - and it involves the grave threat C M Y K

o f restricting h i s children’s internet access a n d cutting off their phone plans.

T h e u s e r, known a s labuzan, who is believed to be from the US, posted on the site a hilarious letter he wrote to his messy teenagers based on Liam Neeson’s famous speech in the Hollywood blockbuster Taken.

In the note, which featured a photo of Liam Neeson in the film talking to the kidnappers who are holding his daughter, he wrote: ‘I don’t know who you are. I don’t know what you want.

‘If you are looking for a maid to clear up for you, I can tell you I don’t do that.

But what I do have are a very particular set of skills.

Skills I have acquired over a very long lifetime. Skills that make me an expert in home WiFi systems and cellular data plans.

‘If you clean up your own kitchen mess that will be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you.

‘But if you don’t, I will look for you, I will find you and I will disconnect you.’

The reminder was taped up in the kitchen as the Labuzan explained: ‘My teenagers refuse to put their dishes in the dishwasher. So I put this above the sink.’

The post on Reddit encouraged a thread of over 3,500 responses and the photo is being shared across Twitter and Facebook.

A

greatgrandmother was astonished to be told she is pregnant by an NHS hospital even through she is nearing her 100th birthday. Doris Ayling, who has seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, received a letter telling her to attend an antenatal appointment.

After she complained, the health service was forced to admit that it was all a mistake - but it is still unclear how the blunder happened. The 99-year-

old, from Bognor Regis in Sussex, was sent a letter from Fareham Community Hospital in Hampshire.

The document - which accurately stated that Mrs Ayling was born in 1915 claimed that she was booked in for an antenatal consultation.

After her 76-year-old son Brian contacted the hospital, they apologised for the error.

‘I was a bit amused by it all,’ Mrs Ayling told the Bognor Regis Observer.

‘I’ve never been to the Portsmouth hospitals and I

don’t know where the Fareham hospital is. It’s a complete mystery to me how I got this letter. ‘I had three children when I was 20, 23 and 29. That was enough.’ She added: ‘I’m almost 100 so how can I be expecting?’

Mrs Ayling’s children, who are all pensioners themselves, said that they had a ‘good laugh’ over the bizarre mix-up.

A spokesman for Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust said: ‘We have written to the lady that was incorrectly sent the appointment letter.

‘It was a rare administrative error and we have apologised for any unnecessary anxiety this error may have caused.’

SATURDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 1, 2015 — 33

‘Modric is Real’s key player’ R afael Van Der Vaart believes his former Tottenham Hotspur teammate Luka Modric is Real Madrid’s key man, and talked Gareth Bale and Iker Casillas.

•Modric

Van Der Vaart, back in La Liga with Real Betis, spent two years at Santiago Bernabeu before moving to White Hart Lane, where he played with Modric and Bale.

“Modric? Luka is the key player at Madrid now. He doesn’t score a lot or give many assists, but he never loses the ball.

“Bale has great speed and will always get at least 15 goals. What happened is that he cost •100m so people expected him to do the same as Cristiano Ronaldo.

“The Portuguese and [Lionel] Messi are on another level. It’s like being compared to God: Impossible.”

Siasia: •Siasia

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

C

oach Samson Siasia insists he is not afraid to lead his charges into the lion’s den for tomorrow’s deciding African U-23 Championship qualifier against Congo in Point Noire.

Siasia’s side hold a slim 2-1 first leg advantage over the Congolese, who will qualify for the U-23 Championship if they win 1-0. The three best teams at the eight-nation tournament in Senegal will represent the continent at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Nigeria, gold medalist at the Atlanta Games in 1996 and silver medalist in Beijing 2000 under Siasia, did not feature at the last Olympics in London.

Community Shield: Cech faces Chelsea ffire ire T

Bring on Congo Speaking in an interview with nff.com, the former Super Eagles coach said “the game in Congo is one that we must do all within our power to end on a victorious note. We are not going to Congo for anything but fight for our place at the African U-23 Championship.

“I love big games and I’m not shy to say so and this is with every sense of modesty. Pointe Noire is another tough session but I look forward to it. It will not be easy even though nothing good in life comes easy but we will give it our very best shot and return from Pointe Noire with victory. Congo have to be ready for us because we are ready for them”, added Siasia.

omorrow ’s Community Shield between Chelsea ad Arsenal will undoubtedly be about one man, Petr Cech.

The 33-year-old swapped west London for north London this summer in a £10 million deal at the end of June after playing second fiddle to 23year-old Thibaut Courtois at Chelsea last season.

Cech is set to come face-to-face with with his exteammates and former manager, Jose Mourinho, in this weekend’s Premier League curtain raiser. The Czech international lifted the Community Shield twice during his eleven years at Chelsea in 2005 and 2009.

•Cech

OAUTH agog for NISONMG Briefing reporters, the Chief Medical Director

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE, OSOGBO.

A

bout 500 athletes are expected to fight for laurels as the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile-Ife hosts the 5th edition of the Nigeria Schools Of Nursing and Midwifery Games [NISONMG] The Games run from August 4—7 at the sports Complex of OAU.

Enugu sports on the move

BY EDWIN EZE overnor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi G of Enugu State ignited th the State, Thursday, July 16

2015, when he inaugurated his State Executive Council at the New Exco Chambers in the New Government House, a multi-billion naira architectural masterpiece built and furnished to taste by the Former governor, Sullivan Chime.

The whole State came alive as the new Commissioners and Special Advisers drew thousands of people from their various communities who thronged Enugu, the state capital to celebrate with the appointees. Virtually, all the major towns in Enugu State had cause to celebrate, because one political appointee, either as Commissioner or Special Adviser had link with them. It was a departure from the old practice in the state where some Governors concentrated power in their zone or at worst their Local Government, even at critical points from their towns only.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

C M Y K

•Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi a.k.a “GBURUGBURU” or worldwide, ensured that appointments reflected the zones of the State, with local government spread in keeping with his alas name-GburuGburu. Contrary to allegations that old people were recycled by the appointment, it is on record that out of the 24 Commissioners; only 4 were above fifty years, the remaining 20 represent the youthful and vibrant stock in Enugu State.

The records are there. In my

Local Government the two Commissioners are within 4045 years. In my primary constituency-sports, the Commissioner is less than 40 years old. Charles Ndukwe Chuka, came, into his Office as the Youth and Sports Commissioner on Wednesday nd July 22 , bubbling with vigour and enthusiasm to work.

He was received by the courageous and iron-willed intellectual, the Permanent Secretary Dr. (Mrs.) Chinwe Anibeze, a vibrant intellectual who held the ground at the Sports Ministry, for over three months before the appointment of Commissioners in the State.

After full briefing by the Permanent Secretary, Commissioner Charles Ndukwe had no time to waste as he invited Directors and Heads of Departments to an interactive session. The rdnext day Thursday, July 23 was followed with a Luncheon Buffet Party involving all the Staff of the Ministry. It would have been an avenue to dine, wine and talk. However, the Commissioner preferred wining and dining without

CMD of OAUTH, Professor Victor Adebayo said this was the second time the competition will be hosted in the South-West zone.

According to him, the competition which would be organized in collaboration with the South-West Zone of the National Sports Commission NSC will gulp between N45million.

much talk. He insisted, “please no protocols today let’s just celebrate”. It must be noted that on arrival there was no money in the Ministry, so how did Commissioner Charles Ndukwe raise money to buy all these?” the workers wondered.

They were made to understand by the Commissioners P.A, Mr. Kenechukwu Anikwe that their boss was a successful business man who came into politics to serve and contribute his quota to Youth Empowerment and Sports Development in the State. As the workers celebrated their Commissioner’s Luncheon Party, they recalled that such a thing never happened since 1991 that Enugu State came into existence.

Monday, July 27th 2015, was the turn of the Players of Enugu Rangers International who had to abandon their light training to meet the Commissioner for general discussion about their problems and welfare; the players were later ushered into the Ministry of Youth and Sports Conference Hall to behold a sumptuous

buffet Lunch Party. They were commended by the commissioner for qualifying for the quarter final of the Federation Cup and also reminded that the National Premier League is still open for grabs.

The players took their turn to dine, wine and celebrate with their new Sports boss. Skipper of the Coal City flying Antelopes, Okey Odita assured the Commissioner that Rangers were poised and more determined to win trophy and or trophies this year. Some journalist who came that fateful Monday morning to watch Rangers in training did not see them and speculated that they were on strike. They published it, but they were shocked to see Rangers in training later on Monday evening, “It is not that Rangers are not owed salary, but rather it is the fact that salary owed them, which this new government inherited is being addressed by the government”, the Commissioner told this writer.

The players were never on strike.

The Commissioner choose Monday Morning when the players usually have light training to discuss their welfare and later fete them.

34 — SATURDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 1, 2015

E

H

ow has it been so far since you left the Super Eagles?

I thank God, today I am alive in the land of the living, I am healthy and very happy with myself.

Did you miss the team at all?

Oh yes! I did as a football coach. To be in the Nigerian national team is something that is very special being an ex international who played for the national teams. I was the first captain of the Flying Eagles, once captain of the Super Eagles and the first Nigerian player from home to sign a professional contract in Europe. That was in 1982, when Nigerian players were still in darkness. I am part of Nigerian football history.

You have made it clear to us that football is like the air you breath. Why is it only the national team the exinternationals like yourself, are ever eager to coach; why not the clubs?

No I don’t think so. Have you forgotten? I was a coach with Enyimba, I was a coach with Rangers before joining the national team. I started with the clubs before the national team.

When you were with the national team what kind of relationship did you have with the other coaches especially Keshi?

We were very united and we handled the job professionally. For some reasons we were asked to go.

If we had remained intact without the distractions after we won the Nations Cup in 2013 Nigerian football would have been in a very good position today especially the Super Eagles.

So, is that why the team is struggling to qualify for the Nations Cup 2017?

No, the team is not struggling, but playing to qualify. We haven’t reached the point of struggling and God will not make us struggle. A new coach has been appointed. I hope he does well.

What is your opinion on Sunday Oliseh’s appointment?

Well, I knew him as a player. I don’t know him as a coach. I have no doubt he may do a very good job.

You took the NFF to the Court of Sports Arbitration C M Y K

Okpala:

No regrets taking NFF to •Speaks on CAS Keshi, Oliseh

over your unpaid allowances after you were removed from the Eagles bench. Do you have any regrets about your action?

I have no regrets about it all. It was my money. I was fighting for it and I went to the appropriate quarters to seek redress. I didn’t go out of FIFA to seek justice. And you know that there are rules governing the game of football and any nation affiliated to FIFA must obey these laws and rules. It was a very simple thing. I was hurt and I needed redress, I wanted to get my money and I went to the right place.

Has the NFF settled you?

They paid me the first instalment. I am still waiting

for the outstanding. They said they are going to pay, so I am still waiting.

,

x-international, Sylvanus Okpala holds no punches when it comes to football discourse.

He was made the assistant Super Eagles coach under Stephen Keshi. But he was summarily disengaged by Nigeria Football Federation administration of Aminu Maigari after the national team won the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa and it seems the hornets’ nest was stirred. In this round-table interview with JACOB AJOM and BEN EFE, Okpala who says he has no regrets taking NFF to the Court of Arbitration for Sports bares his mind on burning football matters.

I knew Oliseh the player but I don’t know Oliseh the coach; however I have no doubt he will do will

,

At the moment Stephen Keshi has filed a suit against the NFF over his sack. NFF seems confident that Keshi does not have any case against it. Is it that the officials of the NFF did not learn any lesson from your own case?

If you ask me for advise; I will tell the NFF to seek mediation. Because if they go for mediation, they will give out less money. If they allow the case to get to court, they may end up spending more money. There are laws governing football. For example, in the FIFA statutes there isn’t any law that stops football federations from

•Keshi

SATURDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 1, 2015 — 35 time.

It is like you are very sympathetic to Keshi?

I worked with him for a year and half. From what I observed he is a very good coach. Other people can have their own opinions about him.

I cannot say, if he did anything wrong.

•Okpala

sacking coaches, but only that you need to fulfil certain obligations... call the man involved and do the needful.

Just like when Ghana sacked Kwesi Appiah, they called him and they mutually parted with him. I read in the papers that Keshi wants to go to CAS, I haven’t spoken with him. There is no

•Pinnick

rule stopping a coach from seeking another job while he is holding one. For instance, I read in the newspapers that Pep Guardiola has had an agreement with Manchester City, while still with Bayern Munich. The German club have not sacked him. This is one of the excuses the NFF gave for sacking Keshi. The other was that he called someone to camp without the authorisation of the NFF technical committee. It was the same NFF that paid the player’s airfare and camp allowances. If they didn’t like him, they would not have paid such allowances.

The truth is that they were in a hurry to get rid of Keshi. They would have allowed Keshi to finish his contract. They had Oliseh in mind for a long

You were an exinternational who knows about the sentiments attached to the jersey number 10. Yet Keshi invited a player nobody knew about to play for Nigeria in that jersey?

There is nothing wrong with that. I know of some big stars in jersey number 10 invited by their country and they were put on the bench. I don’t think that is an issue. It was not all the professionals invited that played the game.

We have heard of stories about Football agents putting pressure on the national team coaches. What is your say on this issue?

I don’t know if this is true, because I have not experienced that kind of a thing. Nobody has ever approached me so I don’t know about it.

Do you think that the NFF will give Oliseh ample room to do his job?

I wouldn’t know. All I know is that we have to give him the support he needs to succeed. Not just the NFF, but all Nigerians.

What do you make of Oliseh’s stand of inviting only players who are in big clubs only?

I don’t know how he’ll do that. How many players in the squad of 94 were playing

that effect. No player or coach would be settled; that was what primarily caused our failure to qualify.

,

But considering the obvious breakdown in relationship between Keshi and the NFF do you think he could have walked away in the long run?

No! No coach has walked away from his job. Because if he walks away, he will lose money. Remember Jose Mourinho during his first spell with Chelsea, he had a strained relationship with the owner, but he never walked away, the same with David Moyes who was subjected to abuse during his time with Manchester United. He stayed until the club called him and let him go after he was amicably settled.

Recently Carlo Ancelotti, they never allowed him near the bench in their last five games, but he waited until he was eventually asked to leave.

Nobody walks away. Even if Keshi had gone to Ivory Coast, the NFF should have allowed him to stay instead of making all that trouble going to Ivory Coast to investigate.

Had Keshi gotten the job, the NFF would have held him for breach of contract and then asked for compensation from him and the Ivorian federation. And if they refuse to pay, NFF will take Keshi and Ivory Coast to CAS. And if they get redress they can use that money to hire Oliseh for one year. There are rules governing the game and you cannot bend the rules.

Had Keshi gotten the job, the NFF would have held him for breach of contract and then asked for compensation from him and the Ivorian

,

with big clubs in Europe?

Oliseh was playing in Belgium, Uche Okechwukwu was playing in a lower division club. Also take for instance the Cameroon squad at Italian ’90; most of their players were in the second division clubs, but they went there and performed. So I don’t think Oliseh meant to say that. Is he saying that, if he sees a good player in the amateur ranks he won’t invite him? People misunderstood what he said.

You were once part of the national team. You will agree that we don’t have outstanding players again.

Once in a country’s football life there will always be a downturn. Look at Brazil, they are not what they used to be. Those kind of players you are talking about come once in a while. But in another two or three years you will see them springing up again. The national team is not a club and no country has been able to maintain a stable team. Germany, they were down when they hosted the world in 2006, they were beaten in the quarter-finals.

But after four years or more they are back to the top. It is normal, but we have to work hard on our team. I agree we had exceptional players in the past, but now we don’t have.

Were you pained that we didn’t qualify for the Nations Cup 2015?

Of course. I felt so bad as a Nigerian that we failed to defend the Nations Cup in 2015. But then there was a lot of distraction and confusion.

There were fears that FIFA was going to ban Nigeria.

The players were confused, everybody was confused. It was hard for the players and coaches to concentrate. You read everyday in the newspapers that Nigeria would be suspended. There was even a letter from FIFA to

Where are you coaching presently?

I am coaching my family.

But I have had offers. I am not interested because there is a lot of discomfort in Nigerian club football and the money has to be good for me to get involved. I am not asking for too much money.

Money is not everything, but you have to be able to get money to take care of your needs.

People believed that you are a hard-liner?

I am not a hard-liner. It showed when I was with the Super Eagles at the Nations Cup. Some people only thought that they could push me aside, so I had to fight back. There was no reason for them to sack me. And when that happened I had to take measures within the rules of the game. I played football and football passed through me. And so at all times I want to ensure that the rules are followed. Other nations are obeying the rules, that is why their football is on top. You can’t cut corners, you must obey the rules and there is nothing like Nigerian factor in it.

I am not a hard man. I am only agitating for the right thing to be done. When you pay others and you don’t pay me like Maigari did, there is always going to be a problem.

He gave me 50 percent of my bonus, when in fact the government gave him 100 percent (laughs) It is laughable; isn’t it?

If you see Maigari, will shake him?

I’ll shake him if he is willing to shake me. I don’t have anything against him other than he did not pay me.

He is a good administrator.

There is no enmity in sports. I am a sportsman who fights for his rights and the rights of players.

If am offered the job of the Eagles, I’ll take it. It is my fatherland. I am ready to work for my fatherland.

NB Okpala went to CAS because Maigari ordered that his Nations Cup bonuses be slashed by 50%. NFF could not defend that action and Okpala won his case.

Keshi intends to fight for compensation for sacking him before the end of his contract.

Okpala’s victory has encouraged him. John Obuh, Christian Chukwu, Amodu Shuaibu, Austin Eguavoen are among the coaches the football house owed salaries, bonuses and never settled before disengaging them.

Same happens in our clubs.

Okpala’s lead may change the face of Nigerian football even if it takes time.

C M Y K

36—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015

Lions Club presents Omolola Anobili as DG

I

t was indeed pomp and pageantry spruced with panache as members of Lions Clubs District 404B-1 Nigeria came roaring at the KNOT Centre, Yaba, Lagos last Sunday to usher in Lion Idowu Omolola Anobili as their new District Governor for the 2015-2016 Lionistic year.

The historic occasion which was also attended by captains of industry, royal fathers and other well wishers saw the launching of a fundraising for a proposed ‘Eye’ Clinic Centre. Some members and guests were honoured with excellence awards at the event. Photos by Lamidi Bamidele

Mfon and Richard

F

ormer Miss Imaobong Mfon Udofia and Mr Richard Eyo tied the nuptial knot recently in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The couple, Mr and Mrs Richard Eyo at the traditional marriage

L-R: Mr Opena Anobili; Lion Idowu Omolola Anobili, Lion's Clubs' District Governor 404 B-1; Lady Taiwo Ade-Ojo, Platinum Special Guest; Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, Chairman, Elizade Motors; Lion Stella Agbegun, Multiple Council Chairperson and Dame Adetope Tyches, International Director Endorsed for Africa

The couple, with bride’s and groom’s parents

LA WSAN’s Dinner LAW 21st Law Students Association of Nigerian Students, LAWSAN Delta State University Chapter Dinner held at Oleh hall penultimate Friday.

Photos by Akpona Omafuire

L-R: Lion Stella Burasi; Lion Omotunde Johnson and Lion Princess Toyin Atobatele

L-R: Engr. Jaiye Balogun, Air Vice Marshal Tony Okpere (rtd); Mr Samuel Ekpuk and Lion Abiodun Adediji, Immediate past District Governor 404B2 and the outgoing DG, Mr Dele Balogun.

Elder Nse Ekefre, District Gov 404A-2 and his wife Helen.

C M Y K

L-R: HRH Oba Adefila Ayogunmoge III, Ogoreke of Oreke-Okegbo, Kwara state and HRH Oba AbdulRasaq Afolabi Iyiolasemi ll, Olojoku of Ojoku land, Kwara state.

L-R: Lion Patricia Udeme, District Governor, District 404A-1; Lion Felicia Obilo and Lion Sylvia Effah-Diejomaoh

L-R: Mr Sam Idowu; Mr Ayo Fawole and Lion Oluwole Adeyemi

Prof. Martins Gasiokwu (M), Dean, Faculty of Law, flanked Justice Andrew Akpofure (3rd R), Dr. Peter Gasiokwu (2nd R), Associate Prof. Beauty Alloh (6th Left) Mr. A.C.E Abuza(Esq.)(Left), Christian Ededhor (4th left), LAWSAN President and others

L-R; Mr. joseph Emuakpoeruo, Akpokona Omafuaire, Christian Ededhor, LAWSAN President and Mr. Eshenake Benjamin

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, A UGUST 1, 2015 — 37 AUGUST

(Text Only)

Too busy to take care of your health?

Benefits: The wheel pose strengthens the thigh muscles while improving the flexibility of the back.

The Rocking Technique:Sit with the fit stretched in front of you.

Bend knees with the heels next to the buttocks. Now, place the hands at the back of knees. Next, raise the feet a bit off of the floor and thrust both legs quickly in front and draw the back equally quickly without brushing the heels against the floor. Keep this forth and backward motions of the legs continuous.

Duration: Perform the rocking for ten counts, with each forth and backward movement counting as one.

Rest a while and do another ten.

Benefits: The rocking strengthens the upper thighs and lower abdomen. It is also said to help facilitate sleep.

•The Camel

W

e should all heed the Spanish proverb that says: A man too busy to take care of his heath is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools.

•The tree

The tree Technique: Stand with both feet together with the help of your right hand, raise the right leg and place sole of the right foot high up against the inside of the left thigh. Now, proceed to place your palms together. Try to be as still as possible. If you sway a bit, don’t worry. After all, trees sway, keep the breathing normal.

Duration: Stay in the posture from 10 to 60 seconds. Repeat with the left foot against the right thigh.

Benefits: The tree helps to develop to the highest degree the ability to mental concentration, poise, and physical balance.

The Semi-Tie-up Technique:Sit with both legs stretched in front of you. Bend the right knee and with both hands place the right leg at the back of the neck.

Keep it in place with the left hand and put the right hand firmly down on the floor. Breathe normally.

Duration: Retain the posture for 10 or 15 seconds and change legs.

Benefits: The semi- tie-up stretches and strengthens the hamstrings, shoulders and back muscles. It also helps to message the abdominal area and burn fat the waistline.

The Camel Technique:Sitting on your heels, arrange the palms with the fingers pointing backwards, next to the toes. Now, raise up your body, hump up your chest and drop back the head.

Duration:Retain the Camel pose for 10 or 15 seconds. Rest a while and repeat.

C M Y K

*The Rocking

Yoga Classes STARTED @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

38—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015

W

hat is the Fashion Art Fusion 2015 all about?

Art Fusion is actually our creation, it is meant to celebrate fashion and art. It is a sort of a marriage of Fashion and Art. The whole idea is taking the runway from the regular runway where you just have models coming on the runway and showcasing their cloths. We want to project the Art, because of the passion I have for the Art and when I say the Art, I mean visual and performance art. Yes, because of my passion for the Art, I decided to create Fashion Art Fusion to celebrate the less known art form. You know if you want to do fashion, it is easy for you to get sponsors and the glamour around it, but when you are talking of spoken word like poetry or dance and alternative music, people are not really interested. So through this we are promoting music, dance and visual art.

The music we promote is the alternative music and not the mainstream music. For us, we have a lot of talents out there doing chants and other kind of not so popular art but they are not promoted. These are very good talented people who do all forms of art. So we want to use this platform to promote them.

What should people expect to see at the show?

On that day, you are going to see a blend of fashion on the runway, music, dance and a handful of others who will be entertaining the audience with their arts.

We had a maiden edition last year and this year we want to have the second one and we want to take it a bit higher than what it was last year. So we are using Oriental Hotel Victoria Island and the runway will definitely be a kaleidoscope of creative arts. It is holy matrimony between the runway and visual arts. The runway will also feature designs from Queen Ahneva Ahneva who is a celebrity radio host of Classic FM and an artistic designer with over twenty years in the industry both locally and internationally.

Ejiro Amos Tafiri, a renowned designer who has showcased her design locally and internationally stage will be the “cherry on the cake’ together they plan to blow the minds of guests.

We should expect to see aficionado, very talented people, fashion designers who know their onion, putting out what they know how to do best. You expect to see those who will dance and tell you that dance is art and not just exercise, but some art form that should be celebrated.

These are forms that have been relegated.

So this mix is what is going to make FAF very interesting and it is what is going to differentiate it from the regular runway on the regular fashion show. There will be performances by Ijodee (dancer), Squad 1, Adunni Nifattiti, Ivori (Poet), Donna the poet, Tonnie and son on. Again, as part of the commitment to help budding talents, three lucky students from Yaba College of Technology, Fashion Department will be privileged to share the runway with professional.

Organisers of the event, which is proudly sponsored by Vlisco, GAC Motors with other partners have promised to give guest the best of the fashion world.

What informed your choice of this year’s theme, “Aficionado”?

Aficionado is, really being the best in what you do. We are looking at a group of talented people coming together to showcase their arts either in fashion, dance, or any other art. We are putting together the best and that is why it is titled Aficionado. I personally have a passion for wearable art. In as much as I sew for corporate organizations the regular C M Y K

Fashion Art Fusion is a celebration of fashion and arts — Austin Aihmankhu The stage is set for the exquisite second edition of the Fashion Art Fusion. The fashion show, which is an artistic foreplay of the runway, spoken word and alternative music, is on the verge of a revolution in the Nigeria fashion industry. It is delicately planned for the elite-minded fashion and art lovers. The event which is the brainchild of Austin Aihmankhu of Luzol brand debuted last November at Sailor’s Lounge, where he impressed guests with his trademark, “Applique on Fabrics”. Celebrities like Nollywood actor, Fred Amata, graced the runway with an intricate design of the popular outfit, “Senator”.

However, Aihmankhu has raised the bar with the launch of his new fashion line, Luzol Sounds. Music instruments such as the trumpet, the drum among others, inspire the designs. With a keen eye on alternative music, the design mostly display instruments used in this kind of music. More of these designs will be displayed at the FAF billed for August 2015 at Oriental Hotel, Lagos. Austin Aihmankhu tells us more about the forthcoming Fashion Art Fusion show.

clothing, my passion basically is wearable art and we are going to see some of these on that day. We want to turn the individual to a mobile canvas.

Where did Luzol Sounds come from?

I was the official clothier for the Lagos International Jazz Festival that happened this year. I got inspired to create a line called Luzol Sounds. Luzol Sounds is about having musical instruments on clothing either in appliqué form; appliqué is a medium where you use fabrics to work on fabric or using fabric paint to work on clothing. It is part of we would showcase on that day.

What are the criteria for selecting the designers for the show?

Initially it was wearable arts. Queen Ahneva Ahneva who came on board the first time, does a lovely wearable art. She has been in the industry for about 30 years, first in America before she came over to Nigeria. Then we decided not limit it, but look for people that are creative in the fashion industry to be part of it.

So we had to bring on people like Ejiro Tafiri, Ade Bakare and a couple of other talented people.

Before now I am not sure I have heard about Luzol. So where have you been all the years?

I am surprised people ask me that question because the label is more than ten years. I started off clothing corporate organisations not real uniform though, we were doing bulk work for cooperate organisations, for conferences and all that, so in that case we were not fully into couture. We were like 70 percent corporate and 30 percent couture. So we were not really advertising or really known but the organisations that need our service knew us. We were dealing with BAT, Guinness, UAC Foods and the likes. However, last years, •Austin we decided to come out with the brand to tell Aihmankhu the world that this is what we do, that we had something to show and we are known for wearable art and so let’s bring it there. We felt we should create a platform to celebrate what we do. For me, it is not just talking about fashion.

Fashion Art Fusion was informed by my passion for the art, dance, poetry and alternative music. I have not been involved in runways because I have not been really interested.

But now, I felt this something new and interesting and so we should promote this culture of ours. So for me, it is a cultural move..

AFWL 2015: What to expect at the show W

ith just five days to the biggest fashion show on the continent, the Africa Fashion Week London2015, here are some international designers and brands to expect at this year’s event, holding next Friday and Saturday August 7-8 at the West hall of the London Olympia.

Mary Martin, winner of the Mercedes Benz Best Designer in Africa makes her bow on the AFWL catwalk for the first time.

•Jazz Effects at AFWL 2014

Innocente Messy a young Congolese designer shows us there is more to Congo fashion than the fabulous Sapeurs.

Collections from Taiwan by AimeeKu and Thai designer Porjai Thai Printer is set to prove that African fashion is already inspiring Asia in a big way.

The South African KZN Fashion Council are leading a 20-strong delegation of South Africa’s best designers into their new home; a

themed pavilion and an accompanying catwalk show signs off their debuting appearance at AFWL. Leading hair care brand Motions are once again, as the official hair sponsors of AFWL 2015 creating the hairstyles for the catwalk to compliment the dynamic fashions.

Dare 2 Wear, to get picked out from the crowd to win designer goodies and beauty prizes. Strut, our annual catwalk competition will allow 10 winners from each day to try their walk on the AFWL catwalk and a chance to win a modelling contract with a top agency.

Furthermore, the Face of Africa Fashion Week London 2015, Scottish born Ugandan, Maggie Smith; AFWL Brand Ambassadors Ghanaian Victoria Michaels and international model and philanthropist Congolese Nöella Musunka Cousaris join the stellar lineup. Highlighting a unique and fashionforward catwalk collective; daily eyecatching runway shows and vibrant exhibitions, this 2-day event brings together fashionistas and industry professionals from around the world to Europe’s largest and most important African-inspired fashion event.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015—39

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40—SATURDAY

Vanguard,AUGUST 1, 2015

Lifestyle:

Act now to prevent liver cancer!

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An MCC is much more than a Mobile Mammogram. Rather, it is a clinic on wheels, in which cancer screening, follow-up and treatment (including surgeries), can take place. It also contains facilities for screening against most common diseases, including the 10 Major Cancer-related killer diseases (Diabetes, Renal Disease, Obesity, Malaria, Schistosomiasis, Helicobacter pylori, Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS,

very year, July 28 is marked as World Hepatitis Day, WHD. The theme of this year ’s WHD is “Prevent Hepatitis. Act Now”.

Viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by a group of virus known as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Annually, viral hepatitis affects 400 million people worldwide, causing acute and chronic liver disease and killing about 1.5 million people (4,000 people daily), mostly from hepatitis B and C (HBV & HCV). Yet, it is entirely preventable. With better awareness and application of its preventive measures, this life-threatening disease could be eliminated and 4,000 lives could be saved daily, underscoring the importance of the theme of WHD 2015.

Viral Hepatitis causes 80 percent of liver cancer deaths. This fact makes hepatitis a target disease of the Big War Against Cancer in Nigeria, the current focal cause of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECPNigeria). The first phase of the Big War is aimed at “Taking holistic health care to the Grassroots” by raising funds to acquire and deploy •Some lifestyle changes can work toward preventing cancer. While you can’t 37 Mobile Cancer Centres predict cancer, it’s important to learn how to minimise your risk.

(MCC), one for each state and Abuja. reduce rates of liver alcohol. Other risk factors dose of this vaccine is Over 83 percent of cases of cancer. include: Aflatoxin exposure, now being given at liver cancer occur in Screening and early obesity, diabetes, and birth. The vaccine is developing countries. In diagnosis can prevent smoking. safe and effective, Nigeria, liver cancer is the health problems that Signs and symptoms of giving life-long second leading cause of may result from viral liver cancer often do not protection from HBV cancer death, accounting for hepatitis infection and show up until the later infection and HBVover 11,000 deaths yearly prevent transmission stages of the disease. Some related chronic disease and 32 deaths every day. A of the virus. of the most common and liver cancer. recent well-known male Treatment with drugs, symptoms of liver cancer Vaccination for HCV Nigerian casualty is Senator including oral are: weight loss (without is currently Khalifa Zanna, a recently reantiviral agents can trying), loss of appetite, unavailable. However, elected Senator of Borno decrease the risk of feeling very full after a small antiviral medicines can State, who died at the age of liver cancer. meal, nausea or vomiting, cure HCV infection.

60 on May 16, 2015. On that Reversing the liver and spleen Other ways of same day, 31 other current hepatitis and enlargement, belly pain or preventing hepatitis Nigerians also died of liver liver cancer epidemic pain near the right shoulder include limiting cancer, unknown and calls for massive blade, swelling or fluid transmission of these unsung, but not unloved. awareness and build-up in the belly, viruses by avoiding Liver cancer is also the widespread itching, yellowing of the skin sharing of needles and second leading cause of availability of these and eyes (jaundice). other items such as cancer deaths worldwide, interventions.

The survival rate from toothbrushes or razors accounting for over In Nigeria, the liver cancer is generally or nail. Avoid getting 700,000 deaths yearly.

Mobile Cancer Centre, poor because liver cancer tattoos or body The leading cause of liver MCC, being progresses rapidly, and piercings from cancer is cirrhosis (damage championed by the treatment options are unlicensed facilities, of liver cells and CECP would be an limited. Thus, prevention is screening of blood replacement with scar excellent means of the key to reducing liver donation products, and tissue) due to either HBV, facilitating health cancer deaths. safer sex practices, also HCV, or chronic alcoholism. education, screening One of the most successful protect against In 2013, 300,000 deaths as well as vaccination ways of preventing liver transmission. Reducing from liver cancer were due against hepatitis at the cancer is vaccination alcohol abuse, obesity, to hepatitis B, 343,000 to grassroots. against hepatitis B. The first and diabetes would also hepatitis C and 92,000 to C M Y K

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Hypertension).

In line with the theme of this year’s World Hepatitis Day, the CECP- Nigeria hereby invites all Nigerians to ACT! (Attack Cancer Together!). This could be done through advocacy and by donating towards the acquisition and deployment of the MCC. Be a voice for the 1,800 lives lost to hepatitis – related liver cancer every day!

“By moving forward together we have the potential to show Cancer: It is not beyond us.”- UICC 2015. By Dr. Abia Nzelu, Executive Secretary, CECPNigeria. For more details, contact info@cecpng.org or info@givingtide.org

Vanguard, SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2015 —41

Typically Male etting the right screen test at the right G time is one of the most important things a man can do for his health.

Screenings find diseases early, before you have symptoms, when they’re easier to treat. Early colon cancer can be nipped in the bud. Finding diabetes early may help prevent complications such as vision loss and impotence. The tests you need are based on your age and risk factors.

Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Nigerian men. It tends to be a slow-growing cancer, but there are also aggressive, fast-growing types of prostate cancer. Screening tests can find the disease early, sometimes before symptoms develop, when treatments are most effective.

Screenings for healthy men may include a digital rectal exam (DRE) and possibly a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test.

Government guidelines recommend against the routine use of the PSA test. Talk with a doctor about the risks and possible benefits of the PSA test. Discussions should begin at 50 for average-risk men, 45 for men at high risk and 40 for men with a strong family history of prostate cancer.

Testicular Cancer This uncommon cancer develops in a man’s testicles, the reproductive glands that produce sperm. Most cases occur between ages 20 and 54. Men at higher risk (a family history or an undescended testicle) should talk with a doctor about additional screening. Some doctors advise regular self-exams, gently feeling for hard lumps, smooth bumps, or changes in size or shape of the testes.

Gentlemen, get your screen tests right sigmoidoscopy that examines only the lower part of the colon.

•Some lifestyle changes can work toward preventing cancer. While you can’t predict cancer, it’s important to learn how to minimise your risk Colorectal Cancer Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer. Men have a slightly higher risk of developing it than women. The majority of colon cancers slowly develop from colon polyps: growths on the inner surface of the colon. After cancer develops, it can invade or spread to other parts of the body. The way to prevent colon cancer is to find and remove polyps before they turn cancerous. Screening begins at age 50 in average-risk adults. A colonoscopy is a common test for detecting polyps and colorectal cancer. A doctor views the entire colon using a flexible tube and a camera. Polyps can be removed at the time of the test. A similar alternative is a flexible

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) The risk for high blood pressure increases with age. It’s also related to weight and lifestyle. High blood pressure can lead to severe complications without any prior symptoms, including an aneurysm — dangerous ballooning of an artery. But it can be treated. When it is, you may reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Know your blood pressure. If it’s high, work with your doctor to manage it. Blood pressure readings give two numbers. The first (systolic) is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. The second (diastolic) is the pressure between beats.

Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80. High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, and in between those two is prehypertension — a major milestone on the road to high blood pressure. How often

blood pressure should be checked depends on how high it is and what other risk factors are present.

Type 2 Diabetes One-third of persons with diabetes don’t know they have it.

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, blindness from damage to the blood vessels of the retina (shown here), nerve damage, and impotence. But this doesn’t have to happen. Screening is straightforward.

A fasting blood sugar test, glucose tolerance test, can be used to screen for diabetes.

Healthy adults should have the test every three years starting at age 45. If you have a higher risk, including high cholesterol or blood pressure, you may start testing earlier and more frequently.

H u m a n Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It’s in the blood and other body secretions of infected individuals, even when there are no symptoms. It spreads from one person to another when these secretions come in contact with the vagina, anal area, mouth, eyes, or a break in the skin.

SEXUAL ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS

8 WAYS TO COPE WHEN YOUR PARTNER’S SEX DRIVE EXCEEDS YOURS (IV) vii) Talk to your partner and tell him how you feel. Try to engage him/ her in a conversation when you’re alone but not in the moment. Your partner may have no idea that you feel rejected; he may simply be wrapped up in whatever’s going on with him. Talking might tune him in to your feelings and needs viii) Ask him how he feels and what might be affecting his interest level. Perhaps he’ll share that he has been stressed by an assignment at work. Perhaps he’s experiencing depression. Showing concern will help you both by providing him with empathy and support while reducing your selfconscious thoughts.

Hello Viewden, I have been using Prosolution for the past three weeks and I’m amazed at the result I’m getting. I now stay about 30 mins before I ejaculate and my wife has stopped calling me “oneminute man” Thanks for restoring my pride. I want to ask if I need to keep using Prosolution forever or how many packs do you think I need to use before I can stop taking it. My wife’s vagina is always very dry during intercourse and she also complains of pains.

What can you suggest she takes?

Hussein Hello Hussein, Prosolution is still one of our best herbal supplements that help corrects premature ejaculation and the interesting part of it is that you don’t need to keep using forever. The minimum you can take for Prosolution is 2packs, C M Y K

while the maximum quantity is 3 packs, and why this is so is that result varies with individual’s bodies and the rate at which we see result may differ. If you take 2 packs and you feel you are ok, stop taking and you won’t experience premature ejaculation again if you compliment it with a healthy lifestyle. I’ll advise you get a lubricant for your wife especially the water-based lubricant which is easy to clean after sex.

Lubricants like Smoth n slick, Mood lube, Mood lubricant to mention but a few will really help.

My penis is so small and is becoming very embarrassing to me cos my wife stylishly complains too.

One of my friend introduced me to Vigrx plus. Does it work, how does it work? How long do I have to use it? Ola Vigrx plus as suggested by your friend is very effective and this is how it works- the herbal Ingredients directly target nitric oxide levels, helping to relax the smooth muscle tissue of the corpus cavernosa (the 2 long cylindrical tubes in the penis) and its associated arterioles to increase blood flow to the penis, resulting in noticeably thicker, fuller and longer size. Being a natural product, you can take Vigrx plus as long as you want. Again the longer you take, the result will be better, but the least you can take is 3 packs which will take you for 3 months and this is why – in the 1st to 4th week: You experience an improvement in your erections. 4th – 8th week: You notice increase in your penis

size. 3rd Month onward, you see most vieweden@yahoo.com, viewden@ymail.com.

Kemi Fawole (MD Viewden) visible results. Vigrx plus is safe even for diabetics and hypertensive.

Im a 55 year old man with diabetes and chronic waist, back and leg pain and is a serious case or arthritis, I read about Gingko tea with Cleanshield liquid to help my arthritis and that if I combine the Gingko tea alongside Vimax, I’ll get a good result. Please how true is this? Is it safe for me? HRH Ola Your Highness, what you have read is very correct. Gingko tea when combined with Cleanshield liquid helps maintain the skeleton health we increase in age, small holes emerges from our bones and these products helps to handle all these alongside he pains. Gingko tea when used with either Vimax , Plant Vigra or Libigrow is very safe for diabetic men and gives very strong erection and they also help correct stamina and libido imbalance in men and they can also be used by men who are not even diabetic.

I would like to know if Volume pills is still available as I have been using for the past 2 months and my semen quantity has greatly increased.

Thank you so much Viewden- Ben Hello Ben, volume pill is still available and just like you know, I helps to increase semen quantity in men with very little or no case of ejaculate.

You are welcome to buy anything.

These are all we can take for this week. Adults who needs these aphrodisiacs can call 08034666358, 07059294782 or place your order at www.viewden.com. For further enquiries, send an email to us at:

42—SA TURD AY 42—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, A UGUST 1 AUGUST 1,, 2015

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Making the most of one-night stands!

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NE-NIGHT-STANDS are memorable because they are never planned. One minute you’re anxious about the stalemate in your love-life, and the next you are making wild love to a person with whom you are not romantically linked. It is not often this happens, but when it does, do you make the most of it?

A few years back, Lizzy was shocked when she got a call that her mum just had a partial stroke and she was needed urgently at the hospital she was taken.

“I’m her only child,” she said, “and, I anxiously rushed to the government hospital she was taken.

Then, I called the private hospital my company used for her to be transferred, so she could have proper care.

We’ve always been close and since dad died a few years ago, she’d needed me more than ever.

“A few days later, I was at her bedside when this doctor called. When he introduced himself, I was surprised. Tall, dark and handsome, Frank looked more like a model than a doctor. I stopped gawping at him and tried to focus on what he was saying to me.

He assured mum would make a quick recovery and I sighed sadly. It was a relief that mum would be all right but the trauma of the few days coupled with the fact that my husband was on a contract job in Saudi Arabia for nine months made me really vulnerable. Sensing my sadness, Frank asked me into his office where I could talk properly.

“As I narrated all that had happened in the past, coupled with the fact that I was alone in the house with our three children, I felt a bit weepy and Frank got up from his chair, enveloped me in his arms and it felt good. He was afterall a doctor, and I was a patient’s relative. Only, he started kissing me. ‘What are you

on my shoulder. His eyes said all I needed to hear and I willingly followed him to his office. We made love three more times over the period mum was hospitalised. When she was eventually discharged, I went to Frank’s office to say good-bye. A look at my face and he didn’t bother to ask if we could meet again. We’d had our fun and that was it.”

Lateefat’s experience happened when she was temporarily co-opted by a modelling agency for a big fashion show. A make-up artiste, in her 30s, she found herself working with Chris, a photographer a few years younger than she was. “Chris was a very friendly guy and we hit it off immediately,” she recalled. We had to work together most of the time and as the days passed, I started fantasising about him while I

His eyes said all I needed to hear and I willingly followed him to his office doing?’ I asked. But, he continued kissing me and as lust stared in my loins, the despair of the past few days were forgotten. I kissed him back as his hands tumbled with the buttons of my blouse, he eagerly undid his trousers, and eased me gently on to the leather couch in his office and for the next few minutes, sex took my mind of my problems.

Afterwards though. I felt guilty but the sex loosened the frustration I’d bottled inside me for weeks.

“I vowed it would be a oneoff though, but the next day I was sitting with mum as she slept when I felt Frank’s arm C M Y K

,

lay in my boyfriend’s arms Dammy, my boyfriend lived on and off with me and, though, we had a son together, he wasn’t really keen on getting married. He was a bit pompous and a ladies’ man. I didn’t fancy spending the rest of my life with him.

“In the meantime, Chris was getting bolder. I would be with the models, applying make-up, and he would walk behind me, pinching my bottom!

When I warned him not to get us into trouble, he bragged that he was trouble!

Then, later one afternoon, we were in the bigger office

where all the models’ outfits were when he started flirting outrageously with me. Alone at last, I actually felt nervous. But the models were busy elsewhere and

we were able to relax. When the phone rang, I answered and it was one of our boring customers rattling on and on, making silly enquiry. Chris slowly got up and stood behind me. His hands rested on my shoulders before hanging on my boobs. I ought to be shocked, instead I tingled all over. He then started raising up my loose top and massaging my bare breasts.

Phone still to my ear, I started up and saw his mischievous smile. I was burning with desire at this moment. And, there was the danger that someone would walk in. As his arms wreaked havoc on my body, desire welled up.

“When the boring caller finally stopped, Chris and I started kissing passionately. I quickly locked the door as he spun my swivel chair around and pulled me into his arms.

Still glued together, he hitched up the black cotton skirt we were all asked to wear, running his hands around my hips, ‘Better than any of the models’, he complemented.

Then, he lifted me onto the desk, lowered me backwards and we began to make love.

The phone started ringing again, but we were too carried away to stop. Until finally, satisfied, we slumped, panting and laughing hysterically in each other’s arms. ‘That was fun!’ Chris gasped and I agreed.

“There was no awkwardness between us at work afterwards, just lots of secret smiles. But my experience finally gave me the confidence to give Frank his marching orders. I wanted to enjoy being single again and having fun without his making me feel uncomfortable. A few days later, Chris offered to take me out but I gentlyturned him down. My confidence boosted, I didn’t want to continue my freedom with a toy boy —the wonderful memories of our days together at the modelling office was all the boost I needed.”

Beating the broken-heart blues...

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he end of a relationship could be devastating and you may feel you’ll never get your confidence back, but there are simple steps you can take to start putting your life together again. Whether you want to sob, rage, or crawl under the covers, just go with it Denis Knowies, a marriage counsellor, says the first step is “to realize the awful feelings are not the end of everything, they are the start of the healing process.

You’ll go through despair, anger, denial and finally acceptance, but never fight your feelings”.

W

hen you’re ready— and only you will know when that is, she advises these simple steps: Instead of dwelling on how you didn’t measure up (women generally blame themselves), do a relationship postmortem.

Ask yourself what worked, what you loved about him, where the relationship went wrong, what you would do differently and what your priorities are now. Isolating what you want from a partner makes you less likely to repeat old patterns and gives your next relationship a better chance of success. et some perspective: It’s not

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the whole of you that’s been rejected. Rebuild your confidence by making a list of the things you ’re good at— for example: you ‘re a good parent, a fantastic friend, great at your job and men find you attractive.

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ake small steps: If you’ve become too frightened or low to go out at night, move away from your comfort zone slowly. Can’t face that blind date? Go out with the girls after work one night. Slowly push back the boundaries and start to rebuild your confidence.

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rite everything down—it’s very cathartic: Write your ex a letter outlining your feelings, but don’t send it. Keep it in a diary to help track progress.

One day, you’ll look back and wonder why you ever felt so miserable.

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evamp hour look: There’s nothing like pampering to restore selfesteem, in fact, scientists ARISE (Association For Research Into the Science of Enjoyment) have found that experiencing pleasure can boost your immune system and reduce stress hormones.

The key with a make over, however, is not to make drastic changes you may regret.

A new hair colour is one of the easiest ways to transform your look or cover any gray that’s making you feel worse. A lot of newly single women tend to desperately look for a big change, but it’s best to go a few darker shades at a time. The perfect hair colour makes the eyes more noticeable, which makes you look younger. Professionally made faces, once in a while, arc a good compromise and can take years off you, while semipermanent colours are the most natural way to cover grey.

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et active: Exercise has many benefits in the traumatic time following a break-up.

Women want to overhaul their bodies, possibly because they feel being over-weight contributed to the end of the relationship—which, of course, it rarely has.

Whatever the motive, exercise is a great moodbooster. Exercise releases endorphins that give you a natural high. Research shows it can be as effective as anti-depressants at treating mild depression. It can also give you a new purpose.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015—43

YETUNDE AREBI

A house built on sand

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hough it had not come as a big sur prise, still everyone was thoroughly miffed and disappointed when Toyin announced that she was pregnant.

There was no doubt that she planned to keep the baby, otherwise, the announcement of the pregnancy would not have taken place.

She would have found a solution to it, if she had truly considered it a problem and wanted it out.

But Toyin as I would later discover was very proud of her new condition as she asked me what I thought about her keeping the pregnancy.

Before I could respond, she slipped it in that the baby was a free gift from God. Besides, it was what some women, older and more experienced than her were looking for and what some would pay dearly to have. What answer would I give other than affirm that she was on the right path? But the truth was that Toyin was not in the position to be talking about a pregnancy in the first place, not to mention her superior position in all the unfolding drama. Toyin, at the time (about seven years ago) was just a SSS1 student.

Tall, dark, well bosomed with all the right womanly curves, she'd seemed to grow up before her time when I met her about a year before the pregnancy brouhaha. We had just moved to the area and her mother ran a retail shop right in front of their house adjacent to ours. One could not but notice Toyin and her family, no matter how much one may love to ignore them. Her mother, a very polite, slightly heavy figured woman made it her duty to exchange pleasantries with all the neighbours as they drove or walked past their shop.

I assumed this was her strategy for attracting customers to her shop as further down the road, she had a bigger and younger competitor. A look at the family and you will discover that all the children took after their mother, tall, dark complexioned and blessed with her good looks. Toyin's father, though dark skinned, was the opposite.

Short, slender, with a monstrous temper. He went off the handle often when his temper possessed him.

So, you might hear his voice ringing out in the early hours of the morning, arousing you from sleep or as late as imaginable. He never cared about the neighbours and many decent people would rather avoid him. I saw him as a frustrated man and this was confirmed over time by events and stories emanating from his household. He was not happy with his wife and children and perhaps, what his entire life had become over the years. However, he did not know how to address the issues properly and so, everything continued to degenerate around him, before his very eyes.

Together, the couple has four children, Toyin, the second born, two other girls and the last child, a little boy, less than 10 years of age. Toyin's father, also the only man fondly called Baba-landC M Y K

lord on the street was obviously quite advanced in age, much more than his wife. By the time we moved into the neighbourhood, the first girl, had been 'married' for a couple of years. Like history was repeating itself with Toyin, she too had gotten herself pregnant by a guy, whose family also owned a property in the neighbourhood and had moved in with him.

At less than 21, and without secondary school education, she already was saddled with two children. But she and the children appeared well taken care of as the 'husband' seemed level headed and doing well at his job. (I have no idea what) Toyin's younger sister, Shade at less than 14 was already set in following in the footsteps of her sisters and would later drop out in JSS 3.

All were thoroughly enmeshed in the business of the loins that brought pleasures to the sexes. It was a pity to watch as their mother struggled with curtailing the excesses of her children as well as the explosive manner her husband handled them. It soon became clear that the family only lived together but was disintegrated perhaps, beyond redemption.

So, who got Toyin pregnant? We were not surprised. It was no other than her long time puppy love. A young secondary school boy, who had recently dropped out for obvious reasons too. Sunny lived with his father and younger brother who was in Primary school despite his advanced age at the time.

They lived in a rented room in the house right opposite Toyin's house. Sunny was learning to become a bricklayer after their drunkard father had declared he could no longer support his education. Their mother had died several years back, I learnt. It was Toyin who had been supporting him for as long as anyone could remember. In fact, story had it that she'd once stolen her mother's thrift savings to pay for their accumulated house rent some years back.

A development that had pitched the two families against each other, with Toyin's parents banning their friendship. Unlike her older sister, Toyin had managed to get herself into a worse situation, pregnant for a jobless dropout with no roof over his head, nor inheritance (Sunny's father is not a landlord) to look forward to. But her parents had no choice, obviously tired of schooling, the pregnancy was Toyin's excuse to bail out. She told all who cared to listen that the pregnancy was already past its first trimester and she could not therefore succumb to her parents' wishes to terminate it. Toyin's father went around like an enraged bull and wounded lion combined, disturbing the neighbourhood about the fresh twist in his fate and threatening all sorts of calamities for his wife and the erring youth. Toyin stayed 'put' in her father's house as she could not cross the road with her belongings into the room Sunny shared with his father and younger brother. And so they gave birth to their lovely daughter whose names are laced with the beautiful adjectives of love, faith and God's will. But it would not be the typical happily ever after story after all. Many of us neighbours were keenly interested in the unfolding events and trust me, I had predicted that the so called love story would end a disaster, especially for the boy if care was not taken.

He had led himself into a trap that he might never be

able to escape from if he does not relocate from the neighbourhood or even the state as soon as possible. I told them that while he would be struggling to provide for the child, his girlfriend would move on with her life with the help of her parents.

With time, I was proved right.

Besides the fact that Toyin's parents were against their daughter's choice of a 'husband', Toyin was not also lacking in vision, desires and aspirations for her life. It soon became obvious to her that Sunny was not likely to 'make it' anytime soon.

Their fights over the welfare of the child had become almost a daily occurrence and Toyin's parents were not ready to take full responsibility of their daughter's love child. Sunny must provide them with the sum of N200 everyday for his child's upkeep. So, Toyin got herself a job as a sales girl in one of the new super malls springing up all over the country. She soon discovered that she had indeed short changed herself by limiting the tentacles of her sexual exploration to the arms of a nogood novice who in perhaps seven life times would not be able to give her the new life she now craved.

When the child became of school age, with mother now firmly in charge, daily feeding allowance was increased to N500 to be paid by Sunny while Toyin paid school fees. With time, Toyin forgot about the circumstance of her real life, that though not married, she had a legitimate relationship with the man who had fathered her child. She began bringing home her lovers who dropped her off in their flashy cars.

Naturally, they were older, richer and more experienced and poor Sunny stood no chance at all.

Sometimes, she would not return for several days and would offer no explanations. The relationship died a natural death but the N500 daily levy continued. On such days that he could not come up with it, curses, hail and brimstone would be poured on him publicly. Sunny bore everything in silence and I fell in love with the dignity with which he carried himself.

But everything would come to a head late one evening. Obviously acting on information, three young ladies came calling as soon as Toyin returned from work. Their noise made me look out from my bedroom window as usual and within a few seconds, a large group of people had surrounded them. They accused Toyin of dating the boyfriend of one of them. They had come to teach her the lesson of her life they said. She was fond of doing such they claimed and called her all manner of unprintable dirty names. Perhaps, feeling pity for her, poor Sunny felt he had to do something, so he stepped in and tried to ask questions.

That did it! The girls appeared to have a dossier on Toyin and Sunny's relationship and proceeded to reveal its content.

They called him names and told the whole gathering that he was the biggest fool they had ever come across. The child they gave to him was not his. He only came into the picture when the real father refused to accept paternity. He should stop wasting his time and use his N500 daily donation to better his life. Though Toyin too refused to be shouted down, everyone had heard the important information, including Toyin's parents. The girls were eventually driven away but the damage had already been done. The fallout of the event made the rounds for the next few days and a few months after, Sunny left for a job in Abuja and has since not returned. That is almost two years now. Toyin has abandoned the child with her parents and is said to be 'married' and living somewhere in Ikorodu.

Toyin's father has continued to shout to the heavens anytime the demons come upon him. But the story is that he dug his own grave. Those who knew him in the neighbourhood some 25+ years back claim these people were not his original family.

Toyin's mum was just a little girl, who had barely completed her primary school education when he impregnated her.

He was an elderly man with a house of his own and children even older than her sister, brought Toyin's mum and dumped her with him. Angered by his shameless action, his wife who already had a house of her own had left him, taking their three children with her. One of them we heard lives in the UK. He'd been stuck with his little child bride who suddenly became a mother and then grandmother at barely 40+ years. Pray, what sort of upbringing can a primary school girl of about 12-14 years give as a mother? Our men can surely do better than this. Do have a wonderful weekend!

44—SA TURD AY 44—SATURD TURDA

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Vanguard, A UGUST 1, 2015 AUGUST

hen many of us read or hear about cultism and violence in secondary schools, it all sounds so distant until you experience it firsthand. I was around a government-owned secondary school when I noticed some students and some people arguing outside the school gate. In a twinkle of an eye the argument degenerated into mayhem. One of the students brought out a machete from God-knows-where and mercilessly descended on one of the men they were arguing with (blood stains were still visible on the road four days later when I passed there). Like the unpredictable Chicago weather, the chaos and violence spread fast to the road. As I made to escape, I correct/ discipline the child, you pick heard a big bang on my vehicle. I just up a fight with anyone who wants to… kept driving as far and fast as possible Now your child is 17 years old and from the scene, thankful that the object was arrested for cultism and armed hit the vehicle, not me. robbery and you want to blame the When I had driven to safety, so many university he entered 2 months ago.” questions started flooding my mind.

The Bible says: “train the child in the How did we get here? Secondary school way he should go and when he grows children now go to school with guns and up, he will not depart from it” (Prov. machetes? How did cultism creep into 22:6). Much of the violence in schools secondary schools? Who is to blame for and the problems we have in the this mess? The schools? The Parents? larger society are creations of the Government? How can a boy not more family units. Parents are failing in than 16 years viciously machete a fellow their responsibilities big time. human being without qualms. Some people cannot even slaughter a fowl; the only living thing they kill without qualms are mosquitoes!

I wanted to go back and report the matter at the police station about 150 Sometimes when schools make meters away from the school. Then I progress on the formation of the remembered it was at the same police children, the parents undo the station a policeman advised me to go schools’ efforts. I was at a and fix my car after a young man had graduation of a mission school with deliberately rammed into me because a strict dress code. The girls are not he was angry that I got to the allowed make-up, their hair cut low roundabout before him and was in front and their dresses well above their of him. It did not matter that I was on chest and below their knees. Then I the left and had the right of way. noticed the alumnae who graduated My friend, Ajala Olatunde a year earlier with skimpy and Tamunoemi, wrote on his Facebook revealing dresses and multiple ear page on July 8, 2015: “When you give rings. There was a disconnection birth to a child and fail to nurture him and I was wondering what could or her well, don’t expect much when he/ have happened just one year after she is grown (up). Your child steals, these girls graduated. But it all came fights, insults elders, instead of you to

Let’s tackle this violence together after the ceremony and some mothers came out with skimpier and more revealing dresses (I know that some of these girls’ natural tendencies might have been suppressed during their time in the school, but nurture does triumph over nature sometimes). Teachers might not be perfect, but many parents are very unhelpful Surprisingly, some of these parents are the so called social critics and commentators in the media. Mass access to the social media has exposed the hypocrisy in us. People

Parents are failing in their responsibilities big time

,

who cannot run their lives are spitting venom at others; people who cannot manage their homes comprising half a spouse and a quarter of a child are the most vociferous in criticizing others who are managing thousands and millions of people, especially government officials. I do not have issues when public officials are criticised. After all, they are our servants and are there at our behest; at least that is what it is supposed to be. Batter them; shred them, if you like, especially when it is constructive; our society would be

better for it. But our society would be much better, if we removed the specks from our eyes while trying to remove the logs from the eyes of others (I know Jesus will forgive me for reordering his admonition). Let us all strive to keep our corners clean; that is how the larger society gets cleaned up.

Parents should reorder their priorities, family comes first. Do not bring children into the world, if you are not ready to create the time and make the sacrifice to give them proper upbringing. When you spend all your time pursuing other interests to the detriment of your children, you endanger not only yourself and family, but the larger society.

The government, on its part, needs to tackle cultism and violence in public secondary schools. That some parents failed in their parental responsibility does not mean the rest of humanity must continue to suffer. The other students need to be protected. The good works of their parents must not be allowed to be in vain.

The government should adopt a carrot and stick approach. There should be reasonable budgetary provisions for schools which should be judiciously applied not stolen.

Every school should have at least one well trained counselor to interact with and guide the students on both academic and personal issues. In addition, soldiers were deployed to government-owned schools in the 70s to maintain and enforce discipline. While some of them went beyond limit, there was orderliness. An improved version of that scheme should be reintroduced Finally, teachers in public schools should do their job conscientiously.

Many of them abandon these children to do other businesses and this has contributed to the mess in public schools.

,

BY SHEYI MONEY

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ETWEEN the summer and autumn of 1940 when Britain stood in grave danger of being overwhelmed by the all-conquering German air machine, the small Royal Air Force (RAF) of Britain braved the odds to defend the Island in World War II’s first major campaign fought entirely by air forces. Known as the Battle of Britain, it was also the largest and most sustained aerial bombing activity to that date Germany’s air power, according to military experts, dwarfed the British such that, it was thought that in a matter of days German victory in the skies would make it easy for her land troops to make a way into English territory. But the so-called Lilliput of an RAF staved off the deadly Luftwaffe attacks from Berlin to save Britain and indeed Europe from complete control of Adolf Hitler.

As he looked back at the invaluable contribution of the puny RAF, British Prime Minister at the time, Winston Churchill declared: “Never, in the field of human conflict, was so much owed by so many to so few.” This famous remark hasn’t been disputed; for truly the survival, together with their subsequent victory of millions of Britons and Europeans was made possible by RAF men and women.

Now in Nigeria, as we look at the fate of the oil industry, we can say without sounding immodest that never in the history of our country has so much been owed to a single sector by so many others sectors crowding around it. True, cocoa in the west, groundnut in the north and coal in the Southeast may have performed their own wonders in their era. These resources in the 50s and 60s did give us the high-rise Cocoa House, schools, hospitals, Industries, groundnut pyramids and estates.

But it was the era of petrodollars in the 70s, 80s and 90s that saw the erection of super highways and mega skyscrapers in our cities.

The oil industry has been the single largest donor to service our humongous national, state, and local government budgets running C M Y K

Oil sector as scapegoat into several billions of dollars. Although, its manpower has what appears to be an insignificant percentage of the work force of the nation, it is nevertheless known to be responsible for some 70% of the income and wealth of Nigeria.

So, when the oil sector sneezes the nation catches cold.

But alas, in the face of current global oil price crash, the authorities have failed to sympathise with the industry and its players and accord them the recognition they deserve.

They have refused to learn from the attitude of the great Sir Winston Churchill. Instead, we have visited the oil workers with such ingratitude and gross indignities as a witch hunt, unjustifiable layoffs, malicious accusations, absurd charges of corruption and the discrediting of local oil merchants who have contributed greatly to bringing down unemployment with their job-creating measures. There is also a vicious attack on major stakeholders in the downstream sector, especially the use of the media to bring down indigenous oil companies under the guise of probes.

Why must the oil industry, so “little” a sector owed so much by so many, be the only casualty when a concatenation of global events and locally mismanaged politics come on board to rock the economy. Venezuela, Saudi

Arabia, Angola, the Gulf nations among others are experiencing hiccups following the slump in oil prices. Yet we do not hear of disruptive job losses or ill-advised government charges of sleaze against the industry players.

Wagging war on the industry and on its patriotic and enterprising denizens via mass sack and biased investigation of their activities are, to be sure, not the proactive answer to the current challenges in the sector.

Consider this: if you resort to outright castigation of the indigenous operators in the oil industry as the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is being stampeded to do, it would backfire with its outcome of ballooning the labour market with a spiral effect of worsening the poverty levels, a condition the governing party vowed to put in order during the campaign for votes. Next, we inject notions of instability in the polity when we don’t attach creative long-term solutions to our economic problems. Now this

The strategic solution to arresting our vulnerability in global oil politics is to play out of the box, move imaginatively to find a way of diversifying our sources of revenue, industrialise agriculture, and pump enormous capital and human resources into it as well as build more refineries as we rehabilitate the existing ones to a functional mode. Thankfully, the much-maligned Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has unveiled a plan for the establishment of modular refineries.

These are mini refineries that, by the reckoning of DPR, would allow private investors including big names like Shell, Chevron, Total and Texaco as well as indigenous companies like Oando, Aiteo, MRS and others to contribute in restoring life to our downstream sector.

They are said to be cheap to build, with such far less endowed countries as Chad, Niger Republic and Congo operating them to cushion them and their citizens against the vicissitudes of the world market.

Let Nigeria align with the realities and dynamics of the petroleum industry by giving it and stakeholders the honor they deserve as the hen laying the golden eggs. You don’t kill or destroy the hen by initiating policies that suggest that you don’t recognize the role they played in the past, a role they’d still play better if well handled for more productive work in the years ahead.

sends wrong signals to the •Money is an energy international investors we intend to development economist in woo for the reform in the industry.

Lagos

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, A UGUST 1 AUGUST 1,, 2015 —45

46—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015

•Aremo Segun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun State and Sam Amuka, celebrant at the lecture and launch of a book entitled Voices from Within

•Mr John Momoh, Chairman Channels TV and Mr Sam Amuka, celebrant

The funny side of Uncle Sam’s day of honour

BY MIKE EBONUGWO & CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

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AST Thursday, Nigerian media professionals and others within the pen fraternity gathered to celebrate and honour one of their own, a man widely regarded as a leading icon and doyen of Nigerian journalism and one who had significantly contributed and is still contributing to its evolution.

It was an occasion that lived up to its billings. The large crowd of not just who is who in the Nigerian media circle but also wellwishers from all walks of life that graced the occasion more than attested to this.

And indeed, for the C M Y K

organisers led by Mr Lanre Idowu, the Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Publications, it was mission accomplished, especially when the man of the moment, Mr Sam Amuka, was, for once, persuaded to bask in the euphoria of his celebrity status against his preferred self-effacing disposition.

For the audience, it will certainly remain a day to remember by reason of the sheer excitement that characterised the proceedings.

The wisecracks Although there was no parade of recognisable stand-up comedians ‘cracking’ their latest jokes, yet there was no dull

This was more than an entertaining interlude between the book launch and lecture, the key elements of the programme to honour Sam Amuka, the publisher of the Vanguard Newspapers and a life patron of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria, NPAN, who turned 80 on June 13

moment from beginning to the end as the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, Lagos venue of the occasion sizzled with anecdotes, infectious jokes, wisecracks and witty remarks that did not fail to elicit rounds of laughter.

As it turned out, this was more than an entertaining interlude between the book launch and lecture, the key elements of the programme to honour Sam Amuka, the publisher of the Vanguard Newspapers and a life patron of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria, NPAN, who turned 80 on June 13.

It also emerged that the occasion was one that Uncle Sam, as he is fondly called by his numerous admirers,

could have avoided if he could help it since it was said that he is spotlight-shy, a reason for which he has always preferred not to celebrate his birthday. But it was an appropriate ambush opportunity, which his friends did not allow to pass as they used it to the full not only to pour accolades on him but also to ‘mercilessly’ subject him to rib-cracking jokes.

Journalistic exploits This was even as they delved into the past and regaled members of the audience with their journalistic exploits and peccadilloes.

Spearheading the jocular

Continues on page 47

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015—47

The funny side of Uncle Sam’s day of honour

From left; Chief Tony Momoh, APC Chieftain and Mr Sam Amuka, celebrant

From left, Mrs. Irewe Harriman; Chief Rita-Lori Ogbebor, Senator Bode Olajumoke, and Mr. Sam Amuka.

I’m still alive Prince Tony Momoh also took his turn to fire witty riposte from all cylinders.

First, when called upon by the MC to say a few words at the occasion, he retorted: ‘’How can I say only a few words when the chairman (Osoba) has said so much?’’

Turning to the man of the moment, he recalled that when he (Tony Momoh) celebrated his 70th birthday which attracted a massive crowd, including three former heads of state, Uncle Sam had said to him in his room, ‘Tony die! If you can pull such a crowd while alive what will you do when you die?’

Concluding he said to Uncle Sam: ‘’Sam I’m still alive’’.

Obviously reluctant to give up tormenting his friend, Chief Osoba returned to the offensive with more jocular jabs. He told the audience that when put on the spot concerning any subject matter or situation, the man of the moment was fond of saying: ‘We thank God’. And then he quipped: ‘’Sam, today we thank God for your 80th birthday’’. He had gone on to make ‘’Sam we thank God’’ a jocular refrain.

He also did not spare Prince Tony Momoh, the other member of their triumvirate. According to him, the ace columnist was ‘notorious’ for ‘’snatching our girlfriends’’. But in reference to his (Chief Osoba’s) wife, he said that the first time Uncle Sam met

Uncle Sam’s controversial prayer But characteristic of him, Uncle Sam’s response to the outpouring of tributes on him, including the jokes made at his expense, was to offer a three-point controversial prayer for all who graced the occasion and wished him well.

His prayers: ‘’May you all live to be 80!’’; ‘’May you all be celebrated when you are alive!’’; ‘’And when you die, there will be nothing more to say of you!’’

There were resounding chorus of Amen to the first prayer points. But the third elicited laughter and halfhearted Amen.

Uncle Sam then concluded on this humorous note: ‘’There is God oooooooh!’’

Continues from page 46 assault on Uncle Sam were his contemporaries and colleagues at the Daily Times, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Prince Tony Momoh, the former being the tormentor in chief.

Although the point was earlier made that Uncle Sam has the habit of disappearing from the scene, including travelling out of the country, whenever it was time to mark or celebrate his birthday, it was Chief Osoba, a former governor of Ogun State, who, in his opening remarks as chairman of the occasion, emphasised the point that the Vanguard publisher is indeed publicity-shy, adding that ‘’if Sam is to have his way he will disappear from here in the next five minutes.’’

Uncle Sam’s ‘disappearing’ acts While congratulating the organisers for successfully persuading Uncle Sam to agree to being publicly honoured, he also did not fail to advise them to hasten the programme because ‘’I don’t want Sam to disappear; even in his own event Sam can disappear ’’.

He did not stop there.

Through Chief Osoba’s unrelenting humorous attacks, members of the audience learned that Uncle Sam loves fish head and chicken wings and would even go out of his way to

the woman who later became his wife, he said ‘many had been there before you, but you’re the one reigning now and long may you reign’. ‘’And my wife is still reigning till today.’’

He was also to inform his captive audience that the man of honour considers every part of his body very important. But there is a part of his body he considers most important and regularly prays that it would not die before him. The audience got the drift and roared in laughter.

Indeed, when Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, while launching the book prompted the female members of the audience to chorus that they love Uncle Sam, Chief Osoba joked: ‘’All of you who love Uncle Sam, please report at his flat; I can assure you that he can cope’’. This drew another round of laughter.

We’re celebrating him because he represents the best in us’’ through his humaneness, humility, accessibility and other enduring attributes

enjoy any delicacy prepared with these. And for good measure, he had added thus: ‘’I don’t want Sam to disappear to go and eat fish head’’.

Mr Idowu equally harped on the fact that Uncle Sam had made it an annual ritual of disappearing whenever his birthday anniversary is near and profusely thanked him for finally agreeing to be celebrated even if it was not on his exact birthday.

He added, ‘’we’re celebrating him because he represents the best in us’’ through his humaneness, humility, accessibility and other enduring attributes.

Though he could not resist making the jab that Uncle Sam would have loved to be born in July instead of June.

C M Y K

48—SATURDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 1, 2015

Entrepreneurship, Nigeria and its operating environment

channelled to education in the country, yet the more money we pump in, the more standards are falling. Where are those technical schools equipped with workshops we had in those years that empowers youths to be selfreliant. Let’s first revive our educational system; in it we can acquire creativity, entrepreneurial skills and other things.

Government can make provisions for practical training after youths have left schools.

In addition, over the years in Nigeria, we have seen good policies from those governments but there is no will power

to implement such good policies and so reverse becomes the case. If trillions of naira that are read in our national budget were implemented, Nigeria would have become one of the leading economies of the world today.

Even the recent one meant for SMEs was not implemented well.

Credit schemes that promote entrepreneurship are difficult to access from the appropriate quarters.

Multiple taxation affects entrepreneurship development.

Insecurity and lack of power supply as witnessed in Nigeria.

Cour Courtt frees GMT Securities and Asse ts Management boss Assets

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Buhari

Obama

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mall business firms and entrepreneurship play a signifi-cant role in world economy. Specifically, small business firms constitute majority of the types of businesses in all economies of the world. It should also be noted that some of the world’s multi-national corporations which have influenced many world economies started as small business enterprises.

However, Nigeria constitutes an important part of the world economy considering its abundant human and nonhuman resources, therefore, the issue of small business and entrepreneurship should be of interest to business practitioners, scholars and government policy designers and implementers.

Recently, US President, Obama has tasked Nigerian youths and all and sundry on entrepreneurship, creativity as the way for self achievement and economic growth and development.

This assertion of President Obama is not a new wine in this regard because past and present governments of Nigeria never failed to formulate good policies

that would promote entrepreneurship knowing that it is a major function of economic growth. Many developed economies of the world applied all strategies to ensure entrepreneurship drives. So, Nigeria is not ignorant of the relationship of entrepreneurship and the economy.

If we must tell ourselves the truth; the success of any nation’s self-reliant economic strategy and policy, including small business and entrepreneurship policies and programmes, it is mainly a function of its people’s positive attitude towards entrepreneurship, into the extent to which the right incentives and infrastructures are adequate enough to make risk worth-taking in business entrepreneurship. At this point, Nigerian entrepreneurs and government policy designers and implementers have a lot to learn from the attitudes of other countries businessmen towards entrepreneurship.

Moreso, how favourable is Nigerian operating environment? A small business organisation is a product of its

environment and it exists to satisfy some needs and wants in the environment. Therefore, the business environment provides the reason for the life of a small business organisation.

It is the totality of the factors that affect, influence, or determine the operations and/or performance of a b u s i n e s s .

Entrepreneurship exists within an extensive and c o m p l e x environmental network.

It includes such things as the political, cultural, economic, religious, educational and other relevant factors.

Again, President Obama advised on youth creativity, skills etc.

That takes us to the standards and type of curriculum operating in our educational system.

Millions of Naira being

TECH + 2 015: Nigerians eexperience xperience 20 transf ormable power of technology transformable *As Drone Club wins Most Innovative Solution Award

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ECH+ 2015 was a gathering of all things technology, and positioned to enable the thousands of participants and visitors appreciate and experience the transformable power of technology.

It is designed for technology consumers and businesses, product manufacturers, service providers across diverse segments of the information and communica-tion technology (ICT) industry and ancillary fields of human endeavor, hardware designers, manufacturers, innovators and policy makers, among others.

The edition which was put together by Connect Marketing

Services, Nigeria’s leading Marketing Services and Consumer Engagement Company, alongside its partners in the technology sector with lead sponsor, MTN Nigeria, Huawei, Jumia, Coscharis Motors, Samsung, Google, Uber, Terragon Group,Enplug Africa, Atlantic Exhibition and Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency (LASAA), aimed at educating Nigerians how business transactions can thrive through digital technology globally. Experts around the globe came up with their successive experiences and admitted it is the way forward for developing countries like Africa

and Nigeria in particular.

The exhibition and conference which attracted many games, gifts and awards saw Drone Club win the MTN/Mahindra Comviva Most Innovative Exhibitor Award at the end of the exercise at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. The award was received

by DJ Tee and James Amuta, whose companies are pioneer members of the Club.

Speaking on the award, a drone pilot and sole operator of the The Drone Guy company, James Amuta, said it came as a surprise given that the exhibitions were the first outing for the club.

He attributed it to the efforts of the co-pilots who came together to form a strong team.

High Court sitting in Lagos has discharged and acquitted renowned Nigeria stock broker and head at GMT Securities and Assets Management Limited, Mr. Ebi Odeigah of ten count charge of fraud, conspiracy, issuance of dud cheques etc preferred upon him and his brother in- law Mr. Alexander Nkenchor as well as his company.

According to the judgment delivered at High Court No. 26 by Honorable Justice L A Okunnu Friday, June 26, 2015, neither Mr. Odeigah, nor his in-law Alex Nkenchor and company GMT are guilty of the charges brought against them or has any case to answer. The respected judge said the prosecution could not prove its case where the defence excelled in providing facts to its defense.

In the view of Justice L. A Okunnu having listened to all the parties and witnesses, since “the prosecution had failed to prove its case on each of the counts in the amended information, I therefore hereby acquit each defendant on each said count and discharge him/it in respect of same.”

Interestingly, while the crowd was jubilating as the Judge addressed the court, Mr. Odeigah seated in the full glare of the court could not contain himself. Odeigah said, “I feel good that I have been vindicated at last” he busted out. I thank those who had faith in me that I will never be associated with fraud as I was accused. Before now, I took stories about people hook line and sinker but now I know that lies can be told against people when they have no voice to explain themselves.

I was a victim of such lies. I was called a thief, a fraudster and other bad names that I am not with the testimonials I have. But I give God the glory that the court has seen the truth and amplified it by this judgement.

LSBC re tirees beg Ambode tto o retirees save them from penur penuryy ensioners of Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation, owners P of Radio Lagos, Eko FM AND Lagos State Television Service have again sent an SOS to the Lagos state Governor, Akinwunmi

Ambode to save them from starvation and homelessness.

The Retirees under the aegis of Retirees of Lagos State Broadcasting Association, say they have been languishing in poverty since living service and have continued to face hardship because they were neglected before now.

According to the pensioners, the organisation had since 2013 stopped paying retirees gratuity due to paucity of funds. The spokes person of the Retirees who pleaded anonymity for fear of being witch-hunted, said the situation worsened by the provision of the new pension scheme which does not allow retirees to draw from their contributions, held by Pension Managers until the bond is released by the employers.

The spokesperson, further stated that the LSBC’s financial situation took an unfavourable turn when in 2013, former Governor, Babatunde Fashola cut the monthly subvention accrued to Radio from about N10 million to N2 million and further reduced it to N1.2million and N800, 000 for Television before he left office.

According to the Spokesperson, “Presently, the two stations struggle to pay salaries living management to continually complain of lack of funds to settle retirees. Consequently they repeatedly appealed to the former Governor, before he left office, but he turned deaf ears to their cries”.

In the same vein, aggrieved pensioners with the United Bank for Africa, under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, UBA Plc. Unit, at the bank’s head office in Marina, met with the bank’s management for dialogue which lasted for hours.

The chairman of the pension union, Chief Emmanuel Ojo, said they came to discuss with UBA management to review their pension payment which is nothing compared to the standard of living now.

Ojo, the Union Chairman, confirmed to jounalists after meeting with the bank’s management that they had reached an understanding with UBA management.

“We have reached an understanding, but they refused to put it into writing. We have given them till August”.

A worker of the bank, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the management was able to reach an agreement with the union, adding that something would be done to meet the demands of the pensioners.

Divisional Head, Marketing and Corporate Relations, UBA, Mr. Charles Aigbe, said, “We have regularly engaged our pensioners and have always treated them fairly and respectably. the management of United Bank for Africa at their head office at Marina Lagos, on Wednesday has agreed to review the present amount the bank is paying its retirees who had laboured for years for the success of the bank considering the high standard of living in the country today.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015—49

This man killed 7 in a day including his girlfriend

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BY IFEANYI OKOLIE n Saturday, February 16, 2013, Henry Chibueze, a notorious kidnapper terrorizing South East and South South parts of the country, stormed the home of his girlfriend, Sandra Ijedinma, at Igando area of Lagos State, with an AK47 assault rifle and opened fire on everyone present in the apartment, killing his girlfriend, her elder sister Praise Ozor, and her two children.

Not satisfied, Henry proceeded to a nearby street where one of Sandra’s elder sisters resided and killed the woman and three of her children, before fleeing.

His anger was said to have been that Sandra, who was an optician with Madonna University, had called off their relationship, when she learnt that he was a kidnapper.

Sandra’s twin sister, Katherine who sustained a bullet would during the attack had told vanguard in 2013 that the assailant was familiar with everyone in their family but nobody knew he was a kidnapper . She explained that her late sister used to visit Henry at his base in Delta State and in one of such visits, some heavily armed men stormed Henry’s apartment, manhandling Sandra in the process.

She added that the armed men reportedly told Sandra that her lover absconded with their share of a ransom paid to them for one of their kidnapping exploits, threatening to wipe out all his (Henry’s) family members if he did not pay them. Thereafter, Sandra informed her family members in Lagos of what had happened and they rushed to Delta State to bring her to Lagos for proper treatment. But while she was receiving the treatment, she called off the relationship and Henry; feeling betrayed, stormed their Lagos home and killed people while Katherine narrowly escaped death.

The police in Lagos went all out in search of Henry. Vanguard gathered that operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, who were then headed by Sp Abba Kyari, trailed him to Abia, Delta and Rivers State, where they rounded up some of his close friends, relatives and seven members of his gang who were behind the kidnap of a British national, Diction Lee, few minutes after the Briton arrived at the country.

They kidnapped him on Airport Road, Ikeja. At that point, it was established that Henry had escaped from the country and was based in Ivory Coast.

But while the search for him went cold in Lagos, Henry, was said to have regrouped with his gang in Imo State and they coordinated several kidnappings in the South East and South South, where he kidnapped over 200 persons, killing most of his victims, including the wife of a royal father in Imo State and an official of the Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission which yielded him N50m ransom.

However, luck ran out on him, last weekend, when he attempted to kidnap the tribunal Judges, handling Election Petition in Imo State, at their lodge, in Disney Hotels, along Onitsha -Owerri Road. Operatives of the Department of State Security, DSS, acting On a tip-off swooped on him, but he managed to escape with bullet wounds which he had gone to treat in the house of his elder brother’s wife, in Ohafia, Abia State, where men of the secret police eventually apprehended him.

He was arrested along side an army deserter, Akeem Bello, from Kwara State, who abandoned

his duty post at Maiduguiri where he was posted.

Fear of the activities of the Boko Haram sect probably informed his action. A native doctor, Dan Elengi, who is said to be the proprietor of a popular hotel at Ohii in Owerri Local Government Area, of Imo State was also among those nabbed.

The 28-year-old man, who is an indigene of Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State, confessed when he was paraded before the Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, that he operated from Abidjan, Cote d’ Ivoire and he killed his girl friend and members of her family because she stole his N45million, after he had opened a shop for her in Aba. Meanwhile, relatives of his victims have been thrown into celebration following news of his arrest. They called on the Imo State Government to ensure that Henry who is also known as Vampire is prosecuted judiciously. Ekene Ozor, the husband of one of Sandra’s sisters who was killed on the day of the attack wants Henry to pay for his crimes. “That man is evil. He robbed me of my wife and two children and robbed my in-laws of eight members of their family. But my God told me that he would not escape judgment. I am grateful to God for his arrest and I commend the efforts of the Nigeria police especially, the Special

I had seven corpses to deal with at a time and they were all in the mortuary Anti Robbery Squad SARS, Lagos State Police Command, who first handled my case, the DSS operatives for their continued efforts to apprehend this heartless criminal. I wish to commend also the governor of Imo State Rochas Okorocha, for his efforts in the arrest of the deadly gang of killers. Days after the attack on my home were highly traumatic. I had seven corpses to deal with at a time and they were all in the mortuary. I was the only one taking care of my remaining children and I passionately wish to appeal to governors Rochas Okorocha, Ifeanyi Okowa, Akinwumi Ambode and other governors in the federation and well meaning Nigerians to come to my aid as I feel very concerned about the education of my remaining children and their welfare.

Things have tough for me, my little children. We are still having the psychological pain of the attack of Henry. We have been haunted by the fear of another attack by the serial killer. There have been fears of going out freely because of the horrifying threats from the serial killer and his cohorts. Consequently, I’m indebted to the tune of N7.2 million excluding properties sold to meet up with bills, drugs, surgery of my wife’s younger sister who survived gun shots. It is by grace of God that I am still alive because it made me hypertensive since then.”

•Suspect...

Henry Chibueze,

50—SATURDAY

Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015

Release the corpse of my son for burial, 78-yr-old widow tells NLNG •Accuses daughter in-law of complicity

F

or Rose Omefe Opkodu, a 78year-old widow who hails from Ubulu-uku town in Delta state, life has become a nightmare. The shocking news of the death of her son, Michael Opkodu recently sent cold shivers up her spine and for several days it was as if the world was descending on her.

Crime guard gathered that the deceased, 41, was married to Vivian Opkodu for three years and they had a son before his sudden and mysterious death.

According to the widow who spoke to Crime Guard, recently: “One of my sons, Gideon who lives in Lagos came down to our village, Ubulu-uku, and informed me that his senior brother, Michael was dead. Gideon further explained that representatives of the company, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG), where Michael worked for ten good years, called his wife to say that he died of heart attack in the vessel while they were traveling off the coast of Spain.

“Since representatives of the company notified my son’s wife of his death, we have not heard from them as they seem to have found pleasure in relating with the wife, without carrying the whole family along.

As it is, all information relating to my son’s death had been handed over to his wife.”

Lamenting, Rose Okpodu

said the worst part of the nightmare is the controversy surrounding his untimely death. “It was from his wife that we heard that he died of heart attack.

We have not seen any document to verify any of this information. If nobody should know, at least, I should know and be satisfied of what killed my son or the circumstances that surrounded his death.

At a point, we had to employ the services of a lawyer who wrote a petition to the officials of the company because of the way they related to us which we found to be suspicious.

Since our lawyer wrote to them stating some of these issues, till date, they refused to reply the lawyer’s letters and refused to see our lawyer when she visited their headquarters in PortHarcourt.

“There was also a time the deceased's brother, Gideon, visited Havanah Hospital, Port-Harcourt, where they deposited Michael‘s corpse in their mortuary to see the corpse and request for the death certificate. The doctor at the hospital made a call to someone in NLNG headquarters, Port Harcourt, who instructed that they should not allow him access to the corpse or be given any document unless he cleared from them or the deceased’s wife, Vivian, permitted such.

Unfortunately, the wife has disappeared from my son’s house in Ikorodu, Lagos, and nobody has been able to

reach her on phone.

They were married for three years and had a male child before the death of my son. Sincerely, we do not know where she is or if she has even buried my son somewhere.

I do not know the culture that permits a wife to bury the dead husband in exclusion of the husband’s family.

From where I come from, it is an abomination.

I do not deserve to be treated this way by the company or my son’s wife because I lost my backbone, Michael

•Rose Omefe Opkodu

My people will say that one person does not dig grave and pack away the sand.”

Appealing to the authorities concerned, Madam Okpodu stated; “I am appealing to those concerned to release the corpse of my son to me and also all documents relating to his death. And, if they push me too hard, I bet them that I will spend my last breath to insist that a second autopsy be done to

find out what they are hiding and I am saying this because, my son was hale and hearty a few days before he traveled. And, suddenly under one week, they said he was dead. I do not deserve to be treated this way by the company or my son’s wife because I lost my backbone, Michael. It is not a thing of joy that at my age, I am battling to bury my son whilst the reverse should be the case,” she lamented.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015—51

Murder at dusk

Mother reacts Amidst tears, Lolo Josephine Ugwuokwor, 55, the mother of the deceased managed to speak with Crime Guard. She narrated her unbearable traumatic ordeal ‘’ The killers of my daughter will never go unpunished. It is too painful to me that my daughter was carelessly killed by unknown gunmen. I am appealing to the police to investigate and arrest her killers with the fear of God. We have reported to our community and everybody is waiting for the outcome of police investigation. I spoke with her immediately she returned from Enugu unknown to me that it was the last to speak with her before she went to UNN to see her son, Chidera.

Female teacher shot dead in Nsukka

BY CHINENYEH OZOR; Nsukka

T

ension mounts at the University town of Nsukka, Enugu state, following last week’s gruesome killing of a female classroom teacher at about 200 meters to her residence while returning from the state capital where she attended the swearing- in ceremony of newly appointed commissioners in the state.

Crime Guard gathered that the teacher identified as Princess Uzoamaka Onyishi, nee Ugwuokwor, 40 , hailed from Mbu -Akpoti in Isi- Uzo local government area of the state. She had accompanied one of her relations , Mrs. Eze, to attend the swearing-in ceremony of her husband, Mr M.E Eze, who was appointed Attorney -General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, only to be assailed by unknown gunmen, very close to her Uwani-Ugwu residence in Nsukka metropolis.

Investigations revealed that Princess Onyishi drove herself to Enugu, venue of the ceremony in company of her Kano-based sister, Mrs Ndidiamaka Nnaji, to attend the ceremony.

Reports said that soon after the ceremony, both of them cruised in a blue -coloured Toyota Corolla of the deceased back home. It was gathered that after she had dropped her sister at the family house along Ogurugu road in Nsukka, picked up her cousin, Miss Jacinta Okwor, who stays with her and headed to her residence at Uwani- Ugwu, tragedy struck. She was shot dead by two unknown gunmen.

The attack Eyewitness account said the two gunmen ambushed the princess at a flooded spot on the pretext that their motor cycle had problem along the lonely road around 8.30 pm. Reports said the unsuspecting Princess fell victim to the bullets of her assailants as she tried to offer help by directing her head lamp towards the passable side of the road only for one of them to point gun at her and without demanding anything from her, pulled the trigger and shattered her skull. The assailants fled under the cover of darkness.

Visit to son at the campus Further investigations revealed that the deceased who is the daughter of late Igwe Gabriel Ugwuokwor, the traditional ruler of Mbu Akpoti, a neighbouring community in the area and mother of five children, also visited her first son, Chidera Onyishi, a first year student at the Department of Political Science, at the University campus, unknown to the boy that it was the last he will see her mother. With the joy of the swearing in celebration, the deceased was reportedly singing songs of praises that their relation and close acquaintance had been elevated as a commissioner only for her to be assailed by yet -to -be identified gunmen.

Visit to the family house When Crime Guard visited the family house at Ogurugu road, members of the family wore gloomy faces, wailing and confused over the fate that befell them. Her elder sister, Uzoamaka. Nnaemeka Ugwuokwor, told Crime Guard amidst tears that the entire family has been thrown into confusion by the killing of their sister.

According to her, ‘’My sister just returned from Enugu where she attended the swearing-in ceremony of newly appointed commissioners.

One of our relations was amongst them. On arrival at Nsukka, she drove to the family house to see

•The late Princess

Reports said the unsuspecting Princess fell victim to the bullets of her assailants as she tried to offer help by directing her head lamp towards the passable side of the road only for one of them to point gun at her and without demanding anything from her, pulled the trigger and shattered her skull. The assailants fled under the cover of darkness

our mother, Lolo Josephine Ugwuokwor. When she was through with her, she went to see her son at the campus. As she was just driving into her house later, she met two young men carrying a motor cycle, trying to manoeuvre their way in the flooded area of the road. When she tried to evade the young man dragging the motor bike, another young man emerged from the bush, pointed gun at her and shot her, straight on the forehead. She died on the spot. Before she met her untimely death, she was teaching at Urban Boys Secondary school, Nsukka. She was the kind that hardly could hurt a fly. What prompted her killing still remains a mystery to the family that just buried their father, Igwe Gabriel Ugwuokwor. She was driving herself when the incident happened. She never joined politics for one day. Her only business in politics was to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed commissioner. The incident has been reported to Nsukka police division who promptly responded to the call put across to them when she was shot.

Both the police and some clergy men assisted in taken her to Bishop Shanahan mortuary where her corpse was deposited. Presently, the matter has been transferred to Enugu state police headquarters. The gruesome killing of our sister has taken the family to a devastating point of agony, mourning, confusion and pity. She is the most endearing in the hearts of members of the family. She was humble, amiable and loving to the people that interacted with her. We are not suspecting any person for now,. Our only prayer is for God to bring out the killers of our sister. She was a mother of five, two boys and three girls. The first is a first year student at UNN, the second will be writing the post UME, the third is in SS 3, the fourth is in SS 1 while the last one is in primary five.

Appeal to the police “We look up to the police to unearth the circumstances surrounding the wicked killing of our sister. We believe the police will stand to the challenge to fish out perpetrators of the heinous crime and bring them to book. We are equally appealing to the general public to assist us in our moment of grief to give information, if any, about the killing. We cry for help from any quarter to assist us fish out those that assailed our sister to death.

We have sent messages across to various communities within Nsukka and beyond to report any suspected person to the nearest police station in connection with the killing. It was pure assassination as the killers never demanded anything from her, neither her car key, nor cash, nothing whatsoever.

Eye witness account The lady who was with t h e deceased when the u g l y incident happened, Jacinta O k w o r , narrated their travail. “ I was in the vehicle with her when the p e o p l e emerged and shot her. The two men demanded nothing from her, only pointed gun and shot her instantly. When she was shot, she fell on my laps. I did not know she was dead. When the two men left, I started calling her to wake up for us to go, unknown to me that she was dead. As my efforts to wake her failed, I took the bush part and ran to a house not too far from the scene and informed her husband that aunty has been shot dead just now. The killers did not demand anything from her. I sat with her in the front seat. It was a horrible experience. I have not recovered from the trauma. The cloth I wore that faithful day is still soaked with the blood of my aunty.

God will never forgive her killers. I am an apprentice tailor under my sister’s care but now they have killed her. One of the two men was dragging motor cycle and she flashed light to help him only for another to emerge from the bush and shot her, point blank without uttering a word to her.”

Husband laments Husband to the fair- complexioned princess, Sunday Onyishi, 57, lamented the circumstances that surrounded the gruesome murder of his wife. “The whole thing still sound strange to me. I still could not believe that my wife was killed like a common thief. We have been married for the past 22 years and blessed with five children.

I am a transporter. Nobody has ever complained to me that she had problem with her. I don’t know why she was killed.

When my sister in- law rushed to me and broke the news of her death, I rushed shouting, neighbours joined me, we combed the entire place but could not see the killers. Then we invited the police to see what happened. I am not suspecting anybody but the killers of my wife will definitely be brought to book.

We moved in into our own building five months ago. Her killers did not allow her enjoy the house she laboured for all these years of hardship. I want the police to unearth the surroundings of her killing by faceless two young men,” he stated amidst tears.

52—SA TURD AY 52—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, A UGUST 1 AUGUST 1,, 2015

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015—53

t t o r o r r r a ro P P Pa le le b a a n n o o s a a e r e T r T Tre TThhee We conclude the serialisation of short fiction by Ogaga Ifowodo, the award-winning poet, columnist and activist. The stories to be featured are from his work-in-progress entitled The Hostage, beginning with the story “The Treasonable Parrot,” his fiction debut featured in the AGNI Portfolio of African Fiction, edited by E. C. Osondu and William Pierce, published in volume 72 of the magazine in 2010. At the heart of the collection is the title story, a novella. As the general caption of this special serialisation suggests, the stories are set in Nigeria’s recent history of dictatorship as experienced by charactersprivately and in unsavoury social encounters caused by the relentless logic of the radical curtailment of freedom. Book your copy in advance!

Continues from last week e drew his service pistol and pointed it at his prisoner, but somehow remained calm enough to repeat his simulated conversation to the point where he thought he’d heard the bird speak. Again the parrot squawked, and this time he was sure.

But what was that? He was unable to make any sense of it, though there was no doubt now that his prisoner had, indeed, broken its silence (To avoid repeatingthisword,justthreesentences after, in the same context). He went through the conversation for the fourth time, pushing his nose right to the metal of the cage.

“Well, Chief Okotie, we know how much you are risking in this operation.

We also understand that, being a civilian, this is an unusual venture for you. But vice president and minister of finance for four years, that is more than enough reward, you will agree?

Moreover, we promise to arrange an election to make you president in due course. Surely you can’t expect more?”

The parrot squawked again, clearly now: “Haa-haa-haa-haa! Musa is a fool!”

Colonel Akalo was puzzled. After pondering the parrot’s strange words for a few minutes, he decided to go over his simulated conversation for the fifth and final time to see if he might get a clue from whatever the parrot volunteered next. Colonel Akalo spoke as if making the early morning broadcast. “Fellow Nigerians, I, Major Gordon Shija . . .”

“Haa-haa-haa-haa! Musa is a fool!” the parrot repeated.

“Is that a code? What does it mean?”

Colonel Akalo yelled at the parrot. But the bird was silent once again, burning his forehead with its cold stare. Colonel Akalo was finally unable to restrain himself. He aimed his pistol at the parrot and warned it for the last time.

“Now listen to me, you bloody parrot.

Still in your golden cage, you probably don’t know where you are. This is a bunker, far from your master’s parlour in Ikeja. If you don’t answer my question now, I will either shoot you dead here or have you shot elsewhere.

One more chance to live. Tell me, what does ‘Musa is a fool’ mean?”

“Haa-haa-haa-haa! Musa is a fool,” the parrot screeched, this time with a definite smirk in its tone.

Colonel Akalo squeezed the trigger.

It was a muffled pistol, so he heard himself yell, “Bloody bastard, no man or beast dares me and leaves this room alive!” The bullet hit the reinforced concrete wall, bounced off the desk and fell at his feet. Colonel Akalo was bathed anew in his sweat. He dropped into his chair, sensing himself swaying slightly, lightheaded from the mental exertion. The whisky too had begun to take hold. Then quite unbidden the parrot screeched again, “Haa-haahaa-haa! Musa is a fool!”

“All right, Musa is a fool, is that so?

H

C M Y K

Soon you will know who is a fool.” He picked up the spent bullet and put it in his right flap pocket. Then he lifted the handle of the green rotary telephone to summon his aide-de-camp. A door opened and he was shocked to see not his aide but General Barawo. And now he felt like a man whose time was up, a prize-hunter lured out of safety and thrust in sight of his wounded quarry.

Why had the Commander-in-Chief come in unannounced? Had he really just come in, or had he seen him shoot at a caged parrot? Colonel Akalo tried his best to regain composure enough to loosen his tongue. He heard himself say, “Your Excellency, sir, what a surprise. I was just about to—” “Haa-haa-haa-haa! Musa is a fool!” the parrot said in a stunningly human voice, an unmistakable taunt in its creaky laughter.

“What was that, Colonel Akalo?”

General Barawo asked. “I’m not sure I understand you.”

Colonel Akalo again willed life into his tongue. “Pardon me, Your Excellency, sir, but I didn’t say anything.

Sir, may I ask what you heard?”

“Curious, very curious, Colonel Akalo. When you announced your marvelous plan for unraveling the secret of a coup by interrogating a parrot, I doubted your sanity. But you have proved me wrong before and I thought you might surprise me again, so I granted your wish. Besides, I understand you claim special training from Sandhurst. That course must have been added after my time there, I dare say! But no matter. You asked for twelve uninterrupted hours before briefing me and I granted that too. It is now three full hours since your time was up, and since you did not have any news for me, I thought I’d come see you at work.

And what do you salute me with?

‘Musa is a fool!’ Is that right, Colonel Akalo, am I a fool? Well, speak up, Colonel, for I don’t have any more time to waste.”

Colonel Akalo’s tongue would not

move, so he opened his lips and made a soft choking sound.

“Haa-haa-haa-haa! Musa is a fool!” the bird screeched with irrepressible glee, this time startling Colonel Akalo who thought he was hearing himself speak.

“There you go again, Colonel Akalo.

I see that—” “Your Excellency, sir, I . . . Sir, it—” “Oho, so you do have a tongue after all! I was beginning to think a parrot had taken it from you. Well, then, use it! What do I hear you say?”

Colonel Akalo realized how far he was from being kingmaker, never mind king. All he could do for the moment was explain. The Commander-in-Chief had heard the only thing the parrot had said since he began the interrogation. His error, he declared, was to have underestimated a civilian coup plotter. “I believe now,” he said, “that Chief Okotie planted the well-trained parrot with the present result in mind. Sir, I have concluded that we will get nothing from this parrot.”

“Speak for yourself alone, Colonel,” said General Barawo acidly. “We never thought coup secrets could be got from a parrot. Your aide tells me he was so astonished by your decision to arrest a bird that he very nearly disobeyed an order for the first time. Well, I should like to know what you propose to do.”

Colonel Akalo described his plan.

He would turn his attention to the tribunal, to bringing the arrested traitors to justice. He could even joke: “Now that I am going to be dealing with human suspects, I hope Your Excellency, sir, will be assured of my usual unimpeachable services?”

“And the parrot?” pressed General Barawo.

“Leave the bloody bird to me, sir. I will take care of it.”

General Barawo left the room. He would have to delay the tribunal’s sitting by a day—which wasn’t a bad thing, come to think of it, as that would give him more time to decide what to do with Colonel Akalo. He was even surer now that the colonel would do exactly what he wanted with the trials, which was to send a stern message to traitors in and outside the army.

Especially outside the army. The idea of wealthy civilians funding mutiny in the military had to be stamped out. He would let Colonel Akalo conclude the trials, after which he must dispense with him. He could already detect worrisome ambition lurking behind all that zealousness.

Colonel Akalo was glad to get away lightly, considering that General Barawo was not known to give second chances. And he had decided on the fate of the parrot. By refusing to talk, the treacherous bird had displayed unalloyed loyalty to its master and so proved itself a public enemy. It had also thoroughly humiliated him in the process.

The Colonel proved himself a redoubtable military jurist once more.

Of the 127 persons tried, only five escaped death by firing squad. They were to serve life sentences. Because of the large number of condemned persons, the executions took place in three batches at the Bar Beach on Victoria Island. The beach, once a halfmile or so of warm sands washed and replenished by the Atlantic’s waves, had lost most of its natural charm and many of its genteel visitors. It was now a haven of derelicts, lunatics, and members of the Aladura sect in cheap white gowns offering frenzied prayers to their sea-dwelling God, of hookers looking for hard-pressed men, pickpockets, a smattering of intrepid tourists, itinerant food vendors, suya merchants, hawkers of sundry wares, buskers and beggars, peddlers of Indian hemp or marijuana and even more potent drugs (if you know what gbana is), and shopkeepers who sold beer and soft drinks from makeshift kiosks of plywood or palm fronds. The beach stretched from the perimeter fence of the Nigerian Television Authority on the right, driving down Ahmadu Bello Way from Bonny Camp up to Eko Hotel, formerly the Eko Holiday Inn. It afforded a splendid view ofthewaterfrontskylinewhenyoufaced the shore and an unbroken ocean view that dissolved at the distant meeting pointofheavenandearth.Butthebeach suffered its worst fate when it was chosen for the public execution of armed robbers in the hope of stemming the violent crimes that plagued the country in the aftermath of the civil war.

On the day the last round of executions was to take place, the atmosphere was anything but gloomy.

In fact, it was a sunny afternoon tempered by that soothing sea breeze that Lagosians would do anything for on those balmy afternoons when the infernal heat drove them mad. It was a perfect day for walking barefoot in sand and foam, carousing close to a suya stand away from the crashing waves, swimming if you were bold and swift enough, or wandering away to read a book or write a poem or nurture a beard under a coconut tree. It seemed both a crime and a sin to have public executions on this day, but soon a bugle sounded and the condemned men, consisting of a colonel, three majors, and two captains said to be among the nine military masterminds of the coup, were led in, their hands cuffed behind them. They were promptly tied to stakes affixed to oil drums filled with wet sand.

But there was a seventh sand-filled drum to which nobody was bound. A murmur had just begun about why it was there at all when a beautiful parrot in a copper cage was brought out by two armed soldiers. The crowd surged forward, but horsewhips cracked left and right and quickly restored order.

This was indeed a novelty. Those who

had witnessed every execution at the beach swore they had seen nothing like it before.

The cage was placed on the drum. It was high noon when the firing squad marched in to the music of a small army brass band, followed by Colonel Akalo, who took a seat set up for him under a big green-and-white umbrella.

He had assigned Sergeant Musa, the deadliest sniper in the army, to the parrot. Now it will know who is a fool.

The countdown began and the crowd held its breath. A few women, children, and even some men unmanned by the prospect of the warm red blood about to be spilled, averted their eyes. “Ten, nine, eight . . . one, fire!”A mad staccato of gunshots rent the air. Colonel Akalo pulled a green handkerchief from a pocket of his speckled combat jacket.

Hewipedhisface,whichranwithsweat despite the cool breeze. Then he signaled for his whisky, ready to drink to the death of the treasonable parrot.

An aide put the bottle in his hand, cap unscrewed. As he lifted the quarter-full Red Label to his lips, he noticed that an unusual hubbub had taken the place of the usual ghostly silence after an execution. In a moment he knew why.

The crowd had turned almost as one person to stare at him. Slowly his hand fell to his side.

“Laila-illalahi!” he cried, losing grip of the bottle and spilling its contents onto the beach sand as if in propitiation of some new wicked spirit now in charge. Sergeant Musa’s first bullets had missed their target but somehow cut a neat hole in the cage. And now the crowd, transformed into one pair of eyes, was following the parrot as it flew straight towards Colonel Akalo.

He felt the same infuriating disdain of those intense yellow-grey eyes back in the interrogation bunker. Then time slowed to a dead stop, the last grain in the hourglass, and he knew that unless he could flee the parrot and the crowd he would die. He tried to stand up and run, but the sea of men, women, and children pressing in on him didn’t permit an inch of movement. And in that timelessness, he saw Sergeant Musa tracking the parrot’s flight with his rifle. With one eye squinted shut and the other in the rifle’s sight, the deadliest sniper in the army saw only the bird. As Sergeant Musa perfected his aim, Colonel Akalo looked into the barrel of his trusted executioner’s rifle and wailed, “Don’t shoot, you bloody fool! Forget about the bird!” But his tongue was heavy, heavier than the sand-filled drums where six men had crumbled, their lives draining into the sea. Nor would it have mattered had he been able to yell in his best parade voice. In that instant, longer than a day and shorter than a heartbeat, the parrot alighted on his forehead and Sergeant Musa pulled the trigger.

A gasp from the crowd joined the thundering of the Atlantic as Colonel Akalo took three bullets in the head and fell. For a moment, Sergeant Musa and the crowd stood frozen into one solid mass of bodies. But soon enough, the afternoon sun thawed them back into individual men and women and children, and they turned to watch the flight of the parrot. It had changed direction the moment the bullets found Colonel Akalo and headed for the open sea, squawking repeatedly the only words it remembered hearing the coup plotters say: “Haa-haa-haa-haa! Musa is a fool! Haa-haa-haa-haa! Musa is a fool!”

54—SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, AUGUST 1, 2015

Bey ond the Niger Delt ty Beyond Deltaa Amnes Amnesty T

he Willink’s Commission of July 1958 was to enquire into the the fears of the minorities and the means of allaying them in the Nigerian Federation. A mixture of governments from General Yakubu Gowon in 1967,General Murtala in 1976, General Ibrahim Babangida in 1987 and 1991 to the late General Sani Abacha in 1996 created States. Before then the civilian government of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa created the Mid-West Region in 1963.

The demand for greater autonomy as articulated for the control of the region’s petroleum resource resonated as oil was found in the Niger Delta. Through the years, governments, civil society organisations and the media have made their way to the region to consider the major issues and to brainstorm on solutions to address these challenges.

The story of Niger Delta has been a patchy one yearning for development since oil was discovered by Royal Dutch Shell on the 15th of January 1956 at Oloibiri, in present day Bayelsa State. The region has 159 oilfields and 1481 oil wells in operation. After about six decades of operations the Niger Delta is maturing; reached the plateau of production where oil reserves are dropping and output is dropping too. Nigeria’s oil production reached production peak in 2005 and has a reserve depletion period of about 38 years from now.

Most International Oil Companies (IOCs) are divesting from the onshore in the Niger Delta, concentrating on offshore exploration and production (E&P). IOCs claim they are divesting because of insecurity and operational difficulties in terms of sabotage to infrastructure and oil theft. It is a truism that IOCs had operated in dangerous terrains but if we may rationalise; there is diminishing output of marginal fields.

One of the super majors that made Delta thick left; Warri’s socio economic life

F

ollowing the recent terrorist attacks at the Turkish border, Turkish government is demanding that Ambassadors from all the 28 NATO member nations should join hands in fighting the ISIS. The request which came at the emergency meeting in Brussels, invoking Article 4 of the NATO charter, which allows members to consult with NATO allies when their security or territory are threatened.

According to Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who explained that his country is not only pleading with its NATO partners for support in its post-attack strikes on ISIS, or of its attacks on Kurdish separatist groups in Iraq and Syria, but also to inform allies of the measures it is taking in that regard.

Also, NATO deputy spokesperson, Carmen Romero, stated that the meeting was a signal of strong solidarity with Turkey.

Earlier in the week, the Syrian Kurdish defense forces that the US has been working with to C M Y K

plummeted in a dangerous downward spiral and portends danger. This is compounded with a dead refinery in Warri, same with Port Harcourt refinery. Before the upsurge in militia using weapons, arms and ammunitions, there have been conflicts within the Ijaw, Urhobo and Itsekiri communities sometimes culminating in conflagrations in that part of Delta State.

The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) formed in 1992 protested IOCs operations and demanded royalties, damages and compensations from oil companies. They also demanded immediate stoppage of environmental degradation and called for negotiations for mutual agreement on all drillings.

Engagements with the authorities led to the formation of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and the issuing of the Kaiama Declaration to struggle peacefully for freedom, selfdetermination and ecological justice which culminated in the “ Operation Climate Change” of December 1998.

Government’s response was the deployment of troops to occupy the Ijaw areas of Delta and Bayelsa States. This drove the youth group with roots in tertiary institutions to metamorphose into militias. This piece is for us to proffer solutions to imminent danger that looms in the near future for a highly militarized zone.

By the year 2008, insecurity, kidnapping of expatriate oil workers especially with the oil majors operating in the region rented the air.

Militants employed covert operations against the state via vandalism of oil pipeline and illegal bunkering. Up till now a Joint Task Force of the military to contain threats of offences against the state is in place.

The late President Yar’Adua granted the Niger Delta militants amnesty relying on Section 175 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the proclamation. He granted amnesty and unconditional pardon to all persons who directly or indirectly

participated in the commission of offences associated with militant activities in the Niger Delta.

Was the amnesty granted the former militants an exigency for the government of Umaru Yar’Adua? Yes! Production had dropped to about 700,000 barrels down from about 2.5 million barrels per day. The annual revenue accruing to government dropped to about $42.2 billion by 2009.

President Umaru Musa Yar ’Adua established the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme on June 26, 2009, to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the region for sustainable development amid cries for injustice meted by companies that ravaged their natural habitat for about six decades.

Nigeria has enjoyed relative peace since the Amnesty programme commenced in 2009.

Government’s attempt at appraisal should not be misconstrued as a stoppage of the programme. The government should equally fulfill its side of the bargain by paying the monthly stipends and the fees of students in schools and training institutions all over the world.

It was heartwarming last Tuesday when President Muhammadu Buhari appointed retired Brigadier General Paul Boroh to take charge of the Amnesty programme. The appointment put paid to all rumours of regrouping of the former Niger Delta agitators.

We hope General Boroh would bring his international experience in conflict resolution to bear. He should not allow the matter to degenerate, especially now that we are regaining the confidence of the international community.

Last Monday, the President in an NTA televised programme, Good Morning Nigeria, appealed to Nigerians to be patient with him as security is key to meaningful development, reiterating his fight against corruption, which would aid him in addressing high unemployment rate in the country. I call it the three cardinal programme of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The Amnesty programme has developed a lot of human capital in the Niger Delta. One is worried of the socio-economic implications of this army of occupation (thousands of highly trained professionals) that may soon be left unemployed when they complete their various programmes both locally and overseas.

By all intents and purposes, they may again become hopeless, helpless, dejected and possibly restive. It is a problem the President did not create inheriting from the land of many

corrupt people he is now fighting. Solution must come.

We encourage Mr. President with this quote

by William Halsey: ‘’ All problems become smaller if you don’t dodge them, but confront them. Touch a thistle timidly, and it pricks you; grasp it boldly, and its spine crumble.”

As the President Tackles unemployment the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), put in place by the immediate past administration in January 2014, would be of significance in addressing the Niger Delta and indeed the national development problem. That Plan is for Nigeria and should not be jettisoned irrespective of who designed it.

A particular area of focus of the NIRP is Oil and Gas Industrial Related activities among others. The Plan’s preamble is: ‘’ that no country has ever become rich by exporting raw materials without also having an industrial sector. The more a country specializes in the production of raw materials only, the poorer it becomes”.

The Niger Delta problem is an issue for all.

Several ad-hoc government interventions have not impacted on the rural dweller. Many managers of these ad-hoc agencies, who mostly are from the Niger Delta saw such funds as their share of the national cake, have a fair share of the calamity in the Niger Delta.

Report from Chatham House in the UK revealed that Nigeria loses about $8 billion yearly from Oil theft. We also lose about $18 million daily to gas flaring by the IOCs. The President’s attempt at recovering about $150 billion stolen money stashed in major economic hubs of the West is in the right direction. Part of that could be ploughed back to this region that requires genuine attention.

Mr. President, with dwindling fortunes of petroleum in the international market courtesy of crude export and products imports we must do the extra-ordinary now to get out of the woods. We have comparative and competitive advantages when we establish refining and petrochemical plants for vertical linkages for our economy which is heavily import dependent.

We implore the present government (federal, state or both) to invest in the construction of refining plants in the Niger Delta region to diversify our economy using the backwardforward production model. It would genuinely put us in good stead to effectively control our policies. Reliance on international Oil Companies would make us cede that power.

We may however partner with them as no man is an island.

The Turkish terrorists’ attacks war on terror.

Report also disclosed that Turkey ’s military

action against the Kurds have raised doubts over its priorities on whether

Irish, Spanish recoveries

A

•Recep Tayyip Erdogan fight ISIS reportedly stated that Turkey has been shelling them, saying that the Kurdish forces have proved the most effective and successful US ally against ISIS, but Ankara.

Notably, Turkey is NATO’s only Muslim

member and one of its most powerful, thus creating tensions within NATO. It is likely also that Ankara would face questions at the NATO meeting over its decision to lump its campaigns against the Kurds and ISIL together into a broad

recent review disclosed that the Irish and S p a n i s h economies are fast recovering from the severe global financial disaster both countries experienced.

Both countries economic experts stipulate that the two countries are becoming the fastest-growing countries in the eurozone, owing to the fact that both the consumer and business confidence are won back after the prolonged period of austerity.

According to data, spending by foreign tourists helped Spain to its fastest quarter of growth since 2007, while the Irish economy returned to its pre-crisis size and grew at 6 times the pace of the wider eurozone.

However, it was recorded that tourists injected about •6.5bn into the Spanish economy in June, up 4.3 per cent on the previous year.

Also, figures for the first half of the year were at about •28.3bn, up 7.4 per cent from the same period in 2014, helping the

it is more interested in limiting Kurdish capabilities in Syria and Iraq than tackling ISIL.

economies

Spanish economy grow for an 8th consecutive quarter.

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund expects Spain’s economy to grow 3.1 per cent this year and the Irish economy to expand by 4 per cent. Earlier this week the Irish central bank, one of the most cautious of official forecasters, raised its outlook for growth both this year and next to 4.1 and 4.2 per cent respectively.

According to agency report, normality is back, although the Spanish economy is expected to play a large role in the upcoming national elections, which are scheduled to be held before the end of the year.

Although, Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, who is staking his reelection hopes on the improving economy stated that reform policies put in place by his party have been responsible for Spain’s turn round and recent strong economic performance, Professor of economics, José Ignacio Conde-Ruiz, is of the view that Spain’s current growth is heavily weighted towards increases in domestic consumption.

Notably, Spaniards’ view of the country’s economic outlook has improved with about 28.3 per cent, saying the economy would be better a year from now.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST1, 2015—55

Pillars can’t win title —Esom

F

Rangers eye revenge against Enyimba Stories by John Egbokhan

H

opes were dashed the last time Rangers met Enyimba at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium in Enugu on July 19. For the first time since 2007, sixtime league champions, Enyimba recorded a 2-1 win win against their oriental brothers The win did not come easy as Enyimba had to dig deep to score the winner in the closing minutes of the highly entertaining match that got fans rolling from end to end to keep up with the pace of the unfolding end-to-end football spectacle that captured the imagination of fans who watched it live on television.

Enyimba needed the win to keep up the pace with Sunshine Stars at the top of the table. With defending champions Kano Pillars nowhere near the top eight teams on the log, it seems that the battle for the title is a straight fight between Sunshine Stars and Enyimba, who both have 36 points. But both teams can ill-afford to disregard the trio of Wikki Tourists, Warri Wolves and Heartland, who all have 33, 33 and 32 points respectively.

Such has been the unpredictable nature of the league this season that fans have started trooping to the stadium to get a feel of the drama and it promises to get even better tomorrow when Enyimba host Rangers in the star match of round 20 at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba. Enyimba are a team I a hurry to return to the summit of Nigerian football,

having seen Kano Pillars rule the land in the last three seasons. Aba used to be the place to be in the years of former Aba State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu but the eight-year reign of immediate past Governor, Theodore Orji brought a reversal of fortunes as Enyimba grappled with the reality of playing catch-up to the likes of Pillars, Dolphins, Ocean Boys and Bayelsa United who all won

ormer Kano Pillars striker, Tochukwu Esom fears that reigning champions Pillars may well bid bye to any hope of retaining the title.

Esom played for Pillars in the last campaign but got injured along the way, which effectively ruled him out of further participation in the season.

His contract with Pillars ended with the season and after holding out for a new deal, the club told him he was surplus to their requirements. The decision made him to relocate to his place of birth, Asaba in Delta State, where he is gradually picking up the pieces of his career as he attempts to rebound into the top flight.

And speaking to Sports Vanguard, Esom who is currently training with the Umu Eze football side, who won the 2015 Asagba of Asaba football tournament held last weekend at the Federal College of Education (Technical), is

tipping Enyimba to take the title away from Pillars.

“With the way things are going now, I don’t see any way that Kano Pillars can retain the title. They have won it three times and it appears the law of diminishing return has caught up with them. It is really not easy winning the league, not to talk of doing it three times.

“I also think the hunger is no longer there because the players have seen all that is to be seen on the domestic front and want to do something else. Their lack of hunger has opened up the space for the likes of Sunshine Stars and Enyimba, who I feel are the ones likely to win the title.

“I feel Enyimba have an edge over Sunshine Stars because of their experience and the quality of players in their fold. Both teams are tied on 36 points and the difference at the end of the day will be the team with the tradition, experience and greater desire. It all points to an interesting battle between these two teams”, added Esom.

the leagues in the last decade.

But with Coach Kadiri Ikhana firmly in charge in Aba, it seems that the good old days are back for Enyimba fans who will be hopeful of an encore of wins against Rangers tomorrow.

But Rangers are coming to town with a different agenda, to avenge their 2-1 loss suffered a fortnight ago and improve their standing on the table.

Don’t write us off ..Ganaru warns Pillars critics

I

n his second spell at Kano Pillars, Coach Baba Ganaru has warned critics and foes of the defending league champions not to write off their chances of bouncing back to give a strong challenge for the title. Pillars hopes of defending their title seem a tall order given that they are TABLE Team Sunshine Stars Enyimba Wikki Tourist Warri Wolves Heartland Giwa Abia Warriors Ifeanyi Uba Kano Pillars Rangers Nasarawa Utd Shooting Stars Akwa Utd El Kanemi Warriors Kwara Utd Lobi Stars Sharks Bayelsa Utd Dolphins Taraba

P 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 18 19 19 18 19 19 19 19 19

W 11 10 9 10 10 8 9 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 6 4 3 4 3 2

nine points adrift of leaders Sunshine Stars and Enyimba, who both have 36 points. But in a season where the prevailing theme has been one of unpredictability, Ganaru, who has been appointed by the club’s management to oversee team, has promised to return Pillars back to

D 3 6 6 3 2 7 2 3 3 3 5 4 3 3 4 9 9 6 8 7

L 5 3 4 7 7 4 8 8 8 8 7 7 9 9 8 6 7 9 8 10

GF 30 26 24 31 30 24 23 21 23 21 18 17 13 17 18 17 15 12 16 17

GA 18 16 19 21 20 21 23 17 21 21 20 14 18 28 24 23 21 21 21 28

winning ways.

Speaking from Kano, Ganaru said “I am happy to be back at Kano Pillars. I am satisfied with the terms offered and promise to do my best to return this great club to its pride of place in the country. The journey is not yet over and I will do my best to ensure that we finish well and make our fans happy”. Ganaru will lead his charges out for tomorrow’s home GD PTS clash with Lobi Stars at +12 36 the Sani Abacha +10 36 Stadium, Kano. +5 33 +10 33 +10 32 +3 31 0 29 +4 27 +2 27 0 27 -2 26 +3 25 -5 24 -11 24 -4 22 -6 21 -6 18 -9 18 -6 17 -11 12

•Ganaru

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2015

Siasia:

Okpala:

Bring on Congo >>33

No regrets taking NFF to CAS >>34/35

•Speaks on Keshi, Ogunlewe s ey e re venge Ranger is new 1100m 00m Oliseh against Enyimba National •Okpala

>>8

Champion

CROSS WORD PUZZLE

Today’s Fixtures German Super Cup nich Wolfsburg v Bayer n Mu

ACROSS

7:30pm

French Super Cup 8pm PSG v Lyon Tomorrow NPFL 4pm v Rangers Enyimba 4pm rs Sta g tin oo Sh v El Kanemi Warriors 4pm land Wikki Tourist v Heart awa Utd 4pm v Nasar Dolphins 4pm d v Kwara Ut Giwa 4pm ors rri Wa ia v Ab Ifeanyi Uba 4pm s v Warri Wolve Sharks 4pm rs Sta ine nsh v Su Taraba 4pm d Ut wa Ak v d Ut Bayelsa 4pm rs Sta bi Lo Kano Pillars v Community Shield m Arsenal v Chelsea 3p

>>55

1)Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu — (6) (3)State in Nigeria known as ‘’Centre of Excellence’’ — (5) 7) Italian Capital City — (4) 8) L.G.A. in Imo State — (6) 9) Seat — (5) 10) Chairman, International Olympics Organisation (100), Thomas — (4) 11) L.G.A. in Delta State — (6) 14) Ugandan President, Mr. Yoweri — (8) 18) Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi — (8) 21) Plateau State Governor, Hon. Simon — (6) 24) Croatian Currency — (4) 25) United States President Mr. Barack — (5) 26) Former Super Eagles Striker, Benjamin — (6) 27) Hazard — (4) 28) L.G.A in Cross River State (5) 29) Greece Capital City — (6)

DOWN 1)Devil — (5) 2)L.G.A. in Niger State — (5) 3)Former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Young — (8) 4)African Antelope — (6) 5)Former Minister of Health, Dr. Adenike — (6) 6)Senate President, Mr. Bukola — (6) 12) Vietnamese Currency — (4) 13) Flamingoes (U-17) Striker, Uchenna — (4) 15) Country in Asia — (8) 16) Mask — (4) 17) Mid-Day — (4) 18) Ethnic Group in Nigeria — (6) 19) Ghana ‘’Black Stars’’ Midfielder, Mubarak — (6) 20) African Textile — (6) 22) Former Warri Wolves Striker, Joshua — (5) 23) Twelve Dozen — (5)

Solutionon on page Solution page2119

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