My problem with Dame Patience Jonathan - Gov Amaechi

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TURD AY 2 — SA SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013 — 3

TURD AY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013 4 — SA SATURD TURDA

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SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013 — 5

Anambra Guber: 26 Aspirants pick PDP forms for N11 million each •Women not excluded •Aspirants promise to address security, provide infrastructure, others

BY HENRY UMORU, Abuja

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HEAD of the An ambra State gubernatorial election fixed for November 16th this year, aspirants for the position on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP yesterday stormed the Wadata Plaza, National Secretariat of the party to collect forms for the sum of N11 million.

According to the leadership of the party, each male aspirant will purchase expression of interest form for N1 million while the nomination form is N10 million, amounting to a total of N11 million.

Each female aspirant according to the party will purchase the Expression of interest form for N1 million and the nomination form for N5 million which will stand at N6 million as against previous arrangements where female aspirants only pay for the PDP Expression of interest form and get the nomination form free.

Meanwhile, to avoid a repeat of last governorship election in Anambra State where PDP members dumped the PDP for other parties following some irreconcilable differences and then paved the way for the incumbent, Peter Obi to win the election, the aspirants have decided to sheath their swords and embrace peace, work as one family, just as they were also determined to win the November election in the State.

Also ahead of the 2014 gubernatorial election in Ekiti State, warring factions of the State yesterday resolved to put their differences behind them and work as one family, embrace peace for the overall interest of the party and the state.

The Ekiti stakeholders also agreed to forget their problems as move designed to defeat the incumbent Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, just as the state Chairman, Chief Makanjuola

Ogundipe and the Secretary, Tope Aloko embraced each other before the Governor Henry Seriake Dickson led PDP reconciliation Committee.

Addressing Journalists at the end of the well over seven hours meeting which took place at the PDP Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja, Governor Seriake who noted that PDP was a united family, stressed that the Anambra State gubernatorial aspirants have resolved to work together, however stressed that there were issues at the State chapter of the party on structure, adding that plans have been concluded on how members of the Committee would meet with the Alhaji Bamanga Tukur led National Working Committee, NWC, Anambra State PDP stakeholders especially those not contesting. The PDP has fixed the Anambra State primary election for August 24 where the governorship candidate of the party would emerge and wrestle it out with Senator Chris Ngige of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Professor Charles Soludo of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, among others.

Some of the aspirants at the PDP Secretariat yesterday who got the forms for N11 Million were Barrister Obinna Uzoh, Sylvester Okonkwo, Chief Ugochukwu Okeke, among others.

Twenty-six aspirants have indicated interest in the primary election of the Anambra state chapter of the party.

Vanguard gathered that aspirants who have purchased the PDP expression of interest and nomination forms include, Senator Andy Uba; former minister of women Affairs, Mrs. Josephine Anenih; a former member of the House of Representatives, Nicholas Ukachukwu; a former president of

the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, and PDP chairman in the state, Tony Nwoye; a former Senator, Emmanuel Anosike; Chairman, Gocuz Group of Companies, Obinna Uzor and an aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, Akachukwu Nwankpo.

Others are Okeke Ugochukwu; Michael Okoye; Sylvester Okonkwo; Alexander Obiogbolu; Jerry Ugokwe; Walter Okeke; Charles Odunukwe; Chuba Ikpeazu, Eucharia Azodo; Donatus Okonkwo; Chuwuka Onyema; Onyenisi Obianuju; Kramer Agape Ifunayachukwu; Adimachukwu Calista and Chinyere Udemba.

Speaking with Journalists after submitting his form, Obinna Uzoh who was accompanied by his supporters however said that with his pedigree especially in the provision of infrastructure, touching the lives of his people through his Foundation and with the Construction of Churches at Ihiala, provision of scholarship to his people, he would improve more on the State when he becomes the governor, adding that the area of security will be a priority for him as governor of the State.

Also speaking shortly after he submitted his nomination form at the Wadata Plaza, Chief Ugochukwu Okeke who noted that only credible and transparent congress could guarantee the success of the party in the November 16 governorship election in the state, said, “The only thing that can make PDP relevant is to allow the people to decide. Let the ordinary people decide who is going to govern them, by taking it back to the people, what we demand is free and fair election, we don’t want consensus” Okeke stated that consensus arrangement being dangled in certain quarters was undemocratic, adding that the

Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi welcomes Rev James Aye Oruwori and other members of the Niger Delta Bishops Forum when they visited him in Port Harcourt, on Friday. people of Anambra state under the platform of the PDP should be the only people to decide who should govern them and kicked against consensus arrangement ahead of the primary election.

Before Seriake’s meeting, the leadership of the party had berated members of the executive committee of the Ekiti state chapter of the party over the recent violence that engulfed the chapter over adoption of governorship consensus candidate.

Chairman of the PDP National Disciplinary Committee and governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson said during interactive session with Ekiti state PDP Executive Committee led by its Chairman, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe,

that as a disciplined party, the PDP was worried about the development and will not accept such from its members.

Governor Dickson made it clear that the leadership of the Party would no longer entertain any reported cases of violence in the state since the party had adequate and vibrant internal mechanism for members to resolve issues without resulting to violence. According to him, the Committee decided to interact with members of the State Working Committee first as the custodian of the Party ‘s Structures in the state, with that of other stakeholders to follow.

He said,”the leadership of the party is worried about the growing

violence in the Ekiti State Chapter of our party, this must stop, we should refrain from violence particularly when we are talking about issues in our party, please convey this message to our members back home, we don’t want reported cases of violence again because the party has the necessary internal mechanism for members to resolve issues.

“We are a disciplined political party, we are a National Party, we are not a party founded on violence, Aspirants can wrangle, Aspirants may disagree, but not the members of the State Working Committee who are the Custodians of the Structures of the party, we should be able to put our house in order.”

Diaspora group canvasses for AguataOrumba governor

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HEAD of Anambra State governorship election slated for November this financial year, Aguata-Orumba community residing in the United States of America after its 7th bi-annual convention held in Houston Texas rose up from the convention canvassing for the next governor to come from Aguata-Orumba community of the state.

The convention with the theme, “Our Vision, Our Time”: was graced by the the Deputy Governor of our State, Mr. Emeka Sibeudu and people from the local community.

In his opening remarks, the National President, Sir Chris Okpalaezecha from Akpo, said that the conven-

tion theme “ Our Vision, Our Time” was quite appropriate given the current election season in the State that AguataOrumba region deserved a “full term” in the Governorship mantle.

According to him, there was need to rekindle their collective commitment to community service, a cornerstone for more rapid progressive development of our region.

Earlier in his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Anambra State , Mr. Emeka Sibeudu, applauded the group’s collective efforts in sustaining their cultures and values despite the challenges and conflicts of

values children born over there face..

He pleaded that the group continues to sustain Igbo culture and values in diaspora, adding that children must be part of that effort to ensure the eternal relevance of their.culture.

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013

My problem with Patience Jonathan — Amaechi

BY FRANCIS JAKPOR

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IVERS State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has reacted to the ongoing controversy between him and the first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, saying the perceived misunderstanding arose out of his desire to provide a conducive learning environment for the children of Okrika, home town of the First Lady.

Amaechi said he has enormous respect for both President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience.

He spoke when clergymen of the Niger Delta Bishops’ Forum visited him in Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday as part of their efforts to mediate in the political crisis in the state. The bishops had some weeks back visited the First Lady and Minister of State for Education

Nyesom Wike in Abuja as part of their efforts to resolve the issues Amaechi said: “My Lords, I don’t know what to say, believe me, the only thing I want to say to you that I want to put on record is that the wife of the President said that when my wife came to beg me, I pushed her away. I have never quarreled with my wife publicly, and I will never quarrel with my wife publicly. So, there is no time I pushed my wife away and there is no time I will push my wife away.

I want to also correct that so that nobody goes away with the impression that somebody told my wife ‘go and talk to your husband and she came but I pushed her away’. No. That day, I simply walked away into a bus and I sat down until they finished.

So, all I did was go back to the bus to enable my wife perform her official function of someone who

•Governor Rotimi Amaechi had received the wife of the President and escort her to all the places she wanted to go to.

“I hope that it (this mediation) will work.

Niger Delta Monarchs came and no result came out of it and since you are men of God, I hope that God will bless this one. I hope so because that is the same way I spoke to them(the monarchs) and

they said, ‘watch out, it will work’, and they never returned because it never worked. There are so many persons who had come to mediate but nothing came out of it. If it is peace that everybody wants, I am ready for peace. When you say you are seeking for permission, I am wondering why, because if you did not have the permission, you would not have gone to see the wife of the President. The mere fact that you have seen the wife of the President means that you have initiated the peace move. So, you don’t require any further approval than the approval of God that you have started with.

“There are aspects of the story that is public that I need to correct. Lord Bishops, please allow me to correct those ones too because when you spoke with the wife of the President, she spoke publicly. She said and I concede to her when she said she is my mother. As wife of the President who is the head of government and head of the nation, she is my mother and you expect that as my mother, she should be able to protect her son. No mother takes away a Police Commissioner to the detriment of her son.

So when next you see my mother, please tell her that she should try and protect her son.

“The other aspect is the Okrika story when she visited. Like I said, as the Governor, by protocol I will receive the President and you know that the President is not just our President, he is the head of the nation but when the wife of the President came, I went to receive her at the airport and she slept in Port Harcourt. The

next day, she came up with a programme that was not part of the official programme, and what was the programme? She wanted her people to receive her in Okrika.

There was no plan, there was no protocol arrangement, nothing.

We just had to quickly arrange protocol to take her to the place. But to do that, we wanted to also show her, that part of her programme, not our programme, was to show her the projects we had done in Okrika. So we took her to the Rufus AdaGeorge ring road in Okrika which we started and completed and then somewhere, we saw a health centre and a primary school and I said stop, let me show her this health centre. We looked at the health centre and we were satisfied. At the primary school, there were houses around the primary school too close for comfort, no football field, no playground, no space at all around the school and I turned to the wife of the President and said ‘Your Excellency Ma, we have not finished with this building, we would buy the houses that are surrounding the primary school and demolish them’. Once she heard the word ‘demolish’, the wife of the President flared up and took the microphone from me and started all sorts of diatribes that I won’t mention here for the respect I have for the office of the wife of the President. When she finished, I felt that it is wrong to confront the wife of the President publicly.

When she finished, I withdrew and walked into the bus. When we got to the ground of the reception which was not part of our programme, which she just included by herself, I came down from the bus and went to sit in one of the primary schools. That was where she said my wife met me.

How did the wife of the President know that my wife met me and I pushed her away when she was supposed to be in a public ceremony. Was she standing with me and my wife in that primary school and saw me push my wife away? So, it is important that you get to know this and it is important that the public knows

that the altercation between myself and the wife of the President was as a result of providing services to her place, the Okrika people because you must deal with the issue of paedophiles. If you build a primary school and the place is surrounded by people who are cooking and selling and buying, that is not a conducive atmosphere for learning and we did not say we would come there with caterpillars and demolish, we said we would buy the houses from the people and pay them off to be able to get a football field and provide playground for the children and fence off the school so that we can protect them from paedophiles, that was what happened.”

Governor Amaechi also spoke on the issue of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of State for Education whom he nominated for appointment as Minister.

“I hear you also visited Nyesom Wike. I try not to talk about Wike. I say so because he is my subordinate, I try not to talk about him but I hear you visited him. Why I won’t talk about him is that Nyesom Wike, his second tenure as Obio Akpor Council Chairman was by the grace of God but I was the architect of that second term. Nyesom Wike was appointed Chief of Staff by me. Nyesom Wike as a Minister of State, I nominated him. I was under pressure by the President to drop him, I

refused. The President persuaded me to drop him and bring a woman but I refused.

I hear he is going all over town saying I didn’t appoint him. I didn’t appoint him, the President appointed him but I nominated him to be a minister as the Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum. I did but you know, character doesn’t come easily, character is a very difficult thing and I am a man of character”, Amaechi said.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013 — 7

We’re investigating Saraki over eight fraud cases — EFCC •Vows to deal with ex-gov for shunning summon •I’m yet to be served with letter —Saraki

By SONI DANIEL Regional Editor, North

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HE Economic and Fi nancial Crimes Commission, EFCC, vowed on Friday to take necessary steps to arrest and try former Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki, for several fraud-related cases.

The commission, apparently peeved by the refusal of the former governor to honour its invitation dated July 25, 2013, said that it would use all legitimate means to compel the Senator to honour its invitation.

The action of the antigraft agency followed the denial by Saraki that he had not received any invitation from the commission over any fraud-related investigation.

The former governor, who now heads the Senate Committee on Environment, described his alleged refusal to honour EFCC summon to answer questions relating to his tenure at the Societe General Bank of Nigeria and at the Government House Ilorin for eight years, as a calculated attempt to tarnish his image.

Saraki said however that he would happily report to the agency once he was served with the invitation to do so, as he had nothing to hide about his tenure.

Saraki who spoke through his aide, Bamikole Omishore, said that he only got to know about his invitation on the pages of an Abuja-based newspaper and expressed surprise that the agency, which had been investigating him over the years had resorted to using such a medi-

um to summon him.

Saraki said that there was nothing new for the EFCC to investigate about him, having carried out similar probe between 2010 and 2012 without finding anything incriminating against him and his administra-

tion.

The lawmaker said: “For the avoidance of doubt, those who have been following this unfolding drama will recall that the EFCC has been conducting investigations on the Senator between 2010 and

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S a measure to decon gest prisons at the Federal Capital territory, FCT, Abuja, the Federal Government has established a Prerogative of Mercy Committee headed by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, SAN. Saturday Vanguard gathered that about 545 inmates were at the FCT prison and

commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that Senator Saraki was invited through the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly by a letter dated July 25, 2013.

Uwujaren said, “Saraki was to report at Idiagbon House by 10 am on Wednesday July 31, 2013 but did not honour the invitation.

Emergency FEC discusses medium term fiscal strategy, budget

BY BEN AGANDE, Abuja

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From L-r: Mr. Alex Kola Folorunso, Special Projects Executive and Mr. Yommy Dauda, Advert Executive, presenting Vanguard Newspaper to Oba Mudasiru Ajibade Bakare-Agoro, the Ranudu of Imota, Lagos during the commencement of the 20th coronation anniversary of the monarch.

Tragedy in Enugu as cassava meal kills three names were given simply edly as they battled with

By CHINENYEH OZOR, Nsukka

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RAGEDY struck at Owerre Obukpa in Igbo-Eze South Local Government area, Enugu State as three children from same mother have reportedly died after taking cassava meal allegedly suspected to have been poisoned.

Vanguard gathered that the three children whose

as Ikechukwu Ugwuanyi, Chinecherem Ugwuanyi and Nnenna Ugwuanyi died serially after partaking of an alleged fermented cassava meal three days ago. Both Ikechukwu and Chinecherem died at University of Nigeria, Nsukka Medical Centre while the youngest Nnenna died immediately after the meal.

The siblings were said to have been stooling unabat-

Adoke heads FG’s Prerogative of Mercy Committee

By JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, Abuja

2012 without finding him wanting in any way. ”As regards SGBN, again this is not new, as investigation on this was done over 10 years ago and during the investigations Senator Saraki while governor of Kwara State waived his

immunity to answer questions by EFCC officials in Lagos as regards his time at the bank.

But the Commission on Friday, faulted Saraki’s claim of not receiving its summon to appear before it on July 31, 2013 to answer questions on pending fraud-related matters.

The Spokesman for the

out of the number, 101 of them had been convicted, 444 were awaiting trial while 13 were then freed.

The Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Chief Obunike Ohaegbu who disclosed the setting up of the committee to Saturday Vanguard after paying a courtesy visit to the minister said that the Prerogative of Mercy Committee would help to decongest the prisons as well as free inmates that had

been reformed after serving several years in the prison. Chief Ohaegbu stated that he had written to the minister in February this year on the need to constitute the committee and expressed happiness that the Attorney-General in his wisdom had set up the committee, stressing that there were some inmates that had either over stayed in the prison or had been there for several years without trial.

death before they were rushed to the University of Nigeria Medical Centre where the two finally gave up.

An eye witness account who pleaded anonymity told Vanguard that their biological mother was attending to one of her daughters who just put to bed outside the country home when the tragic incident occurred, explaining that their father Lawrence Ugwuanyi, a staff of the University of Nigeria, Works Department died barely two years ago while on duty at the University with his eldest son dying few months later.

Late Ugwuanyi was said to have married three wives and between the three wives there was allegedly no love as they often accuse one another on any slightest misunderstanding prompting the alleged suspicion that the three children may have died of food poisoning.

HE Special Emergen cy meeting of the Federal Executive Council yesterday began discussion on the medium term fiscal strategy framework for 2014-2016 fiscal year.

The medium-term fiscal strategy framework for 2014-2016, according to the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku was presented by Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and was aimed at achieving an early presentation of the 2014 budget.

Mr Maku said a special session of the FEC had to be convened in order to allow members of the council ample time to exhaustively discuss the policy, adding that the regular council meeting would not be able to handle the dis-

cussions comprehensively.

He said the idea was to discuss the budget forecasts and to look critically at the revenues expectations with a view to intensely growing the economy within the three-year period, stabilise the macro-economic environment and scale up the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and ultimately consolidate on the administration’s Transformation.

Agenda.

He pointed out that the framework was still “a work in progress” and that its details, including the figures being debated, will not be made public until work is concluded.

Besides, observations were raised by cabinet members for the Finance Minister to fine-tune and return to FEC before approval ahead of eventual presentation to the National Assembly, he disclosed.

Monarch honours ex-Delta SSG

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HE Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, yesterday in Orerokpe, headquarters of Okpe Local Government Council of Delta State, in collaboration with Okpe Traditional Council, bestowed on the former Secretary to Delta State Government, Engr James Bokohwo Erhuero, the traditional chieftaincy title of “Afure of Okpe Kingdom.”

At the same time, the wife of the former SSG, Mrs. Christiana Kehinde Erhuero, a legal practitioner, was equally bestowed with the title of “Ohovwore of Okpe Kingdom.”

A source at the Orodje’s

palace, said the couple were honored for their selfless contributions to societal development, particularly the Delta State government and the state civil service commission where Engr Erhuro was helmsman between 1998 to 1999 and 1999 to 2003 respectively. Also Mrs. Erhuero is reputed to have upgraded academic standard at Orodje Grammar School, Sapele, where she was principal in 1998, until she retired in 2006 as Permanent Sectary at the Sapele Zonal office of Local Education Authority, before venturing into legal practice.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013

Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund safely invested, says Okonjo-Iweala

BY EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief

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HE Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said that the $1 billion Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund was being safely invested and that Nigerians would reap the proceeds of the fund shortly.

She spoke during an assessment visit to the Abuja office of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, yesterday.

“The Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund has taken off. The $1 billion has been allocated into various buckets. $ 325 m has been allocated for Infrastructure, Stabilization Fund $ 200m; and Future Generation Fund another $ 325 m . The balance we will allocate as we get along. “The monies have been safely invested for

our future generations; monies being , safely managed to go into very important infrastructure for this country and monies are being safely managed for our stabilization Fund to help us manage the fluctuation in our macro economy as we go along”, she said..

The minister revealed that the board has decided on the first infrastructure investment. But that it needed to finalise talks with private sector investors who would serve as partners The board has been discussing a series of infrastructure projects for the country. Very soon we will be telling you which ones they are going to be working on. The board has decided on the flagship infrastructure project. “ Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, said that the best experts in global fund investment both at instutional and individual levels have been hired to advise the NSIA, with a view to making it very successful

in its operations.

“We are using topflight investment advice and we have a topflight board”, she said, disclosing that global financial managers such as City Group, Goldman Sachs, Credite Suisse, United Bank of Switzerland, and Nigeria’s Stanbic IBTC have been engaged to guide NSIA in investment decisions.’’

According to her, the board and management of the NSIA recognized the responsibilities on their shoulders and were determined to give the best in investment returns to Nigerians.

She described the

DIBOFUN descendants yesterday endorsed one of their illustrious sons, Dr. Meyiwa Erewa for the Warri Federal House of Representatives seat come 2015, saying that he is the only man that qualifies to bring dividends of democracy to the people of Warri constituency.

The endorsement which was made during the visit of Dr. Meyiwa Erewa to the Dibofun descendants in Warri, Warri South Local Government Area, Delta state had prominent sons and daughters, members of the family in attendance. Chief Sam Eyengho [The Tieyemewei of Gbaramatu Kingdom] who briefed the Dibofun descendants about the intention of Dr. Erewa to run for the Warri Federal House of Representatives seat come 2015 stated that no Warri indigene has ever represented the Itsekiris at the national level. He pleaded with family members to support their son in his bid to run for

the Federal House of Representatives seat.

President General of Dibofun Descendants Union, Elder J. A Okoro who responded on behalf of the family stated that he sees Dr. Erewa as the best person to represent the Itsekiris at the Federal level in that capacity.

Elder Okoro prayed for Dr. Erewa to be victorious come 2015 and urged family,sons and daughters of Jakpa

authority as a “very small professional institution.

And it will remain that way. As of now the total

number of staff is 15 and we don’t want it to be bloated. That is what we want”, adding, “reports

outside indicate that this Sovereign Wealth Fund has started in a very good way.’’

Court vacates order stopping PDP convention

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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ESPITE came the way of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, as an Abuja High Court at Apo, vacated the interim order that restrained it from

2015: Dibofun Descendants endorse Erewa for House of Reps

BY GAB EJUWA

Hajia Halima Wada cooking for select guests and her husband at the festival venue. See story below.

community in warri north L.G.A to support Erewa’s ambition. Dr. Muyiwa Erewa in a chat with Journalists promised to deliver democracy dividends to the downtrodden if elected come 2015. Other members of Dr. Meyiwa Erewa entourage are Mr frank Awala, Engene Eyube, Pechia Egodo, Mr. Andrew Aganbi, Jackson Erewa and other prominent politicians.

going ahead with its planned special convention fixed for Saturday, August 31.

Justice Suleiman Belgore equally struck out the suit that sought to sack the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamangar Tukur, from office sequel to an application by the plaintiffs, begging the court to discontinue further hearing on the matter.

The plaintiffs, Abba K. Yale, Yahaya Awira Sule and Bashir Maidugu, through their lawyer, Mr F. N Nwosu, told the court that they resolved to submit themselves and canvass their grievances before the national reconciliation committee that was constituted by the party.

Though counsel to both the party and its chairman did not oppose the

application for withdrawal of the suit, however, they insisted that contrary to request by the plaintiffs that the case be struck out, they said the appropriate order the court ought to make in the circumstance was to dismiss the matter in its entirety.

In a short ruling, Justice Belgore, maintained that in view of the fact that the plaintiffs filed their motion for discountenance under Order 27 rule 3 of the FCT high court rules, the court had no choice than to strike out the originating summons, adding, “no judge will insist that a plaintiff must continue with a suit against a named defendant., that will fall against common sense.”

The judge noted that he had earlier enjoined the warring parties to pursue an amicable settlement of

their dispute out of court, “It is in the interest of all concerned, at least, on the part of this court, it will help to decongest the docket and allow the court to concentrate on other matters.

“Therefore, this suit is struck out and the effect of the earlier order restraining the 1st defendant from holding its convention loses its potency. That order is hereby discharged as it crumbles with the striking out of this case.

“Consequently, the order restraining the defendant and its agents or any group of persons acting on its behalf, from convoking, convening or holding any convention, special or ordinary, for the purpose of electing its national officers for any office, is hereby vacated,” the judge ruled.

Obi demolishes Onitsha hotel where human heads were found

BY VINCENT UJUMADU, Awka

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OVERNOR Obi said that his Government would not rest in order to stem the dwindling crime in the State. He made this comments while personally supervising the demolition of Upper Class Hotel, Onitsha where two fresh human heads, arms and ammunition were discovered. Governor Peter Obi personally supervised the demolition

of the three storey structure at 8 Old Market Road, Onitsha.

Governor Obi said the State Government had also confiscated all assets

belonging to the owner of the hotel, Mr. Bonaventure Mokwe, from Umuchu,who he said had been arrested together with his staff. He

explained that the action was in line with the policy of his administration to sustain the fight against crime and criminality.

The Governor made it

clear that government will not relent in its resolve to flush out hoodlums from all parts of the State.

Kogi First Lady cooks for guests at food festival

BY PETER DURU, Makurdi

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IGERIAN women

have finally picked up the challenge and taken the centre stage of promoting the rich cultural heritage of the country to the outside world by creating a platform

where the diverse food in the country are projected to the outside world and tourists alike.

Last year, the ceremony took place in Benue and this year, Kogi State hosted the event which culminated in a grand cooking competition on the

20th of June, with 30 participants being short listed from numerous recipes submitted.

First Lady of Kogi state kick-started the grand finale when she prepared a local delicacy for her husband, Capt. Idris Ichalla Wada and other dignitaries

in her executive kitchen to the delight of guests At the end of the event, winners walked away with prizes which included a brand new Kia Picanto, motorcycles, deep freezers and kitchen appliances and utensils.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013 — 9

How FEC jettisoned gay marriage — Turaki

BY OKEY NDIRIBE, Abuja

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Gov. Obi with the Commissioner for Public Utilities, Dr. Emeka Nwankwu (right), and the traditional Ruler of Ndiokpaleke, Igwe Brown Okpaleke (left) at the commissioning of Ndiokolo-Ndiokpaleke Rural Electricity Project in Orumba North Local Government Area

HE Minister of Spe cial Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs Alhaji Tanimu Turaki yesterday gave an insight into how the Federal Executive Council (FEC) rejected international pressure to legalise gay marriage in the country.

Turaki spoke on the controversial issue in Abuja yesterday while hosting staff and friends of his Ministry after breaking yesterday’s Ramadan fast.

The Minister who described Nigerians as a highly religious society said the FEC could not accommodate such an

Controversy deepens over ‘deportation’ of Igbos

BY DAPO AKINREFON

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ONTROVERSY has continued to trail the alleged deportation of about 70 Igbo traders by the Lagos State Task Force to Anambra State.

The Lagos State Task Force on July 24, 2013 allegedly dumped about 70 persons said to be Igbo traders in the State at Upper Iweka Onitsha, Anambra State.

The Lagos Chapter of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) on Friday urged Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State not to allow the deportation of Igbos controversy cause rancour among Igbos and Yorubas in Lagos.

But the governorship candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) in Anambra state, Chief Udo Udeogaranya described the move by Lagos state government as unconstitutional, illegal and immoral.

Also, a former Commissioner for Health in Lagos state and stalwart of the Lagos state Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Segun Ogundimu called on the president and the National Assembly to probe the deportation.

CNPP urges Obi not to allow issue degenerate to rancour In a statement by its state chairman, Mr Akinola Obadia, the CNPP said that the deportation issue must not be allowed to de-

generate to an extent that it will cause disaffection among peace-loving Igbo people who have settled in the State, transacting their legitimate businesses and happily living with their Yoruba brothers. ”We in the CNPP have gone extra mile to find out the fact from Government source, on the issue of the return of 14 destitute persons in the State to their States of Origin.

We decided to get the true picture of the matter against the disinformation and rumour some people are spreading.

It added that “we believed that it is on record that in this exercise, three States were involved, and to ensure respect for the dignity of the human person, Lagos State Government notified the Government of each affected State at least 90 days ahead of time to enable them to make adequate arrangements for accommodation and rehabilitation of the individuals.”

It however warned against tribalising the relocation which it claimed was a glaring National issue to create problem where it did not exist.

It said “Anambra state Government never replied Lagos State Government request neither in writing

nor by practically effecting the removal of their destitute citizens in the State. Why then should anybody start making unnecessary noise after 90days notification by Lagos state Government.”

Jonathan, NASS must probe deportation — Ogundimu Addressing a press conference in Lagos, Dr Segun Ogundimu who faulted the deportation called on President Goodluck Jonathan to wade into the matter.

He said the Lagos PDP was not part of it.

Ogundimu, a former Commissioner for Health in Lagos state, appealed to Igbo speaking community in Lagos to restrain themselves from reacting rashly.

He, however, stated that if urgent steps were not taken to address the issue, “it may be an invitation to an anarchy that may consume us and our nascent democracy.”

The party chieftain warned that “this act as moral equivalence of extension of Boko Haram insurgency in Lagos and totally distance ourselves and the real Lagosians from this myopic act. We have never seen an Igbo man begging for alms on the streets of Lagos and therefore refuse to buy the story of destitute slammed on these innocent souls.”

anti-religious practice in a country like Nigeria.

Said he, “When we discussed the issue of gay marriage at the Federal Executive Council, we all said that it was very unnatural. How can we explain this to Nigerians?

That a man will go and marry a man and a woman will go and marry a fellow woman. Then we also discussed the aspect of the psychological and mental trauma that the children of such union, whether adopted or not, will have to go through.

For example when they go to school and they are asked; who are your parents? And they have to answer that their mummy and daddy are both men or are both female. This does not fit into a highly religious society like ours”, Turaki said.

He further said: “There is nowhere in the world where God is worshipped like in Nigeria. Even traditional worshippers take their religion very seriously. We pray a lot and that is why God has not forsaken Nigeria.”

“We have been through situations that saw many countries torn into pieces but whatever happens to Nigeria, the nation would like an elephant, only shake its body and move on” he added.

Turning to his staff in the Ministry, Turaki said, “We may be starting this journey now but I see

this Ministry outliving all of us”.

He said he would try in all ways to give the Ministry a transparent and responsible leadership. Said he: “Sometimes, I may push you to achieve targets in the discharge of our duties.

It is because I believe there is wisdom in our going that extra mile to discharge the mandate given to us not only by Mr. President but by all Nigerians. So, let us treat ourselves as members of the same family regardless of our positions.”

Responding on behalf of the staff of the Ministry, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita lauded the great humility displayed by the Minister in inviting the staff to break the fast with him and his family, saying such a gesture was not common among his peers. She pledged the support of the staff to the Minister in ensuring that the Ministry under his leadership becomes the envy of all other Ministries.

At the breaking of fast event was a former Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Ali Abubakar Jatau, Mr. Joe Kyari Gadzama, (SAN), among others who in their respective speeches described the Minister as hospitable, humble and highly intelligent.

Joy as Anambra community gets electricity

G

OVERNOR Peter Obi has commissioned the Ndiokolo-Ndiokpaleke Rural Electricity Project in Orumba North Local Government Area.

The project was initiated and completed by Governor Obi’s administration.

Governor Obi said the project was in line with the policy of his administration to open up all rural communities with massive infrastructural development. He recalled that the area had been without light until the intervention of his administration.

The Governor explained that his government was working in all sectors in every community to uplift quality of life in all parts of the State.

The Commissioner for Public Utilities and Water Resources, Mr. Emeka Nwankwu said the project

was completed under the second phase of the State Rural Electricity Scheme and regretted that nothing was done in the sector by successive past administrations since the completion of the first

phase in the old Anambra State.

Mr Nwankwu explained that every part of the State is now connected to the National Grid while over four hundred transformers have been distributed and

installed in various communities by the Governor Obi administration. He enjoined the benefiting communities to take full ownership of the facilities and to protect them from vandalism.

Lagbaja lectures Glo X Factor contestants on making money from music the X Factor singers.

A

FRO calypso music maestro, Lagbaja, says the Top 9 contestants in the X Factor singing reality TV show must see music as strictly business if they are to succeed in the entertainment industry.

The renowned musician said music, like other genres of entertainment, is run on the business principle of demand and supply, and the contestants must focus on this as their guiding philosophy in the

pursuit of their music career.

Lagbaja stated this when he featured as surprise guest at a Master Class organized by show sponsors, Globacom, on Sunday in Ikeja, Lagos. The Master Class series is meant to help mentor the contestants and prepare them for their live performance shows which began last week. Early this month, another renowned musician, Sammy Okposo, had paid a similar visit to

The Top 9 contestants are Eshum, Ankara Boi, Pheel, Princess Pat, DJ Switch, Vicky, DNA Twins, Symphony and SmoothBoiz.

Explaining the business philosophy of music, Lagbaja, said, “What matters most is not who wins the show at the end of the day. The most important thing is what you do afterwards, how you are able to apply the basic principles of demand and supply.”

10—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013

BY EMMANUEL EDUKUGHO

I

n the heat of the power sector re form back in 2010, the masses thought their prayers for stable power supply had been answered.

Their elation knew no bounds because, over the years, they had been used to a culture of darkeness for weeks and sometimes months - with astronomical bills coming their way by the dozen.

Three years after, the story is no different. Consumers still pay through the roof for inadequate or zero power supply with many questions asked but little or nothing by way of answers.

When the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, came on board, a new tariff was introduced commencing from June 1, 2012, pegged at N500. Before then, Nigerians were only paying a fixed, basic access charge irrespective of electricity consumed. Today, that fixed charge has been increased to N750 - leaving one question on the lips of many: where is the electricity to justify the hike?

Defending the increase, NERC chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, at a recent media briefing, maintained that the new tariff was fair, reasonable and necessary to guarantee continual improvement in electricity supply to Nigerians.

He asserted that power supply had “improved significantly” and the new N750 charge was not too much, being one of the lowest in the world. But that makes no difference to the masses whose lives have been drastically affected by the increment. Indeed, it runs foul of NERC's initial payment plan which recognised different classes of consumers such as the poor, wealthy and corporate organisations.

Pre-paid meters, once believed to be the much-awaited solution to power supply hiccups, have not measured up.

Earlier, the Federal Government came out with a policy that the meters be issued free of charge to consumers, but that policy was later reversed and the public constrained to pay. So the reality of the situation is that today, electricity charges have been arbitrarily hiked while power generation has drastically dropped.

Irked by this development, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has rejecting the new tariff, insisting there is no

Hike in electricity tariff:

Paying for darkness that's not yet over

justification for the hike following government’s failure to check epileptic power supply and the low earning status of most workers.

NLC president, Abdulwaheed Omar, described the tariff as exploitative since

According to the NLC, the multi-year tariff structure, as designed by NERC and tacitly approved by government, only protects the interests of investors in the power sector and has little or no consideration for consumers

the review had not been accompanied by commensurate improvement in power supply: “If anything, electricity service delivery has plummeted over the years, with consumers being compelled to pay exorbitant tariffs for incompetence, poor services and fraud.”

He added that the review, whether carried out suddenly or in advance, was without justification or rationale and would negate whatever gains were expected from the much-vaunted power sector reforms.

According to the NLC, the multi-year tariff structure, as designed by NERC and tacitly approved by government, only protects the interests of investors in the power sector and has little or no consideration for consumers, most of whom are poor and incapable of paying.

Meanwhile, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, which is on the verge of being unbundled, has been accused of fleecing Nigerians of several billions of Naira through obnoxious electricity bills. Nearly N3.5 trillion is believed to be generated by PHCN annually, most of which is alleged to be misappropriated by officials. Amidst all this, the average household pays between N5,000 and N10,000 monthly as

electricity bills despite only having power supply for a week, and sometimes two or three days a month.

David Ejike who resides off the Lagos/Badagry Expressway told Saturday Vanguard he is only sure of power supply once a week or an average of 3/4 days a month but continually gets a N6000 bill monthly.

“All our complaints have fallen on deaf ears. You complain, they won’t listen.

They have marketers with revenue targets running into millions of Naira to be met. At times, electricity bills are sent before the end of the month. Customers are threatened with disconnection if they don’t pay on time," he lamented.

In Ejike's estimation, the billing system is exploitative and arbitrary. This is worsened by the fact that when the cables are cut and seized due to non-payment, consumers are still expected to pay an extra sum of money for retrieval without which the confiscated cables could get missing.

Another consumer, Kate Omare, who resides in Aguda, Surulere, asserted that PHCN officials were frustrating the pre-paid metering system by deliberately delaying delivery to consumers.

“Pre-paid meters will prevent them from cheating and defrauding customers, hence they are blocking the introduction of these meters. At the beginning, it was to be given out free, but now they are saying it will cost between N30,000 and N50,000. Yet one cannot get them.”

Indeed, NERC made a U-turn on this when it announced that consumers would now pay for pre-paid meters under the Credited Advance Pay for Metering Implementation, CAPMI, scheme.

The pilot initiative will involve about five distribution companies unbundled from PHCN, starting with Eko (Lagos) Ibadan, Benin, Kano and Abuja. With this system, the mantra is that some states such as Abuja will enjoy 24 hours' power supply, Lagos 22, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, Kaduna, Benin and Calabar 20, to be followed by Aba, Nnewi and Onitsha which are business centres.

Amidst all this, consumers wait with bated breath for the day power supply will finally be regular and payment equal to services rendered.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013—11

Niger

Residents tell cheery stories

BY WOLE MOSADOMI

N

IGER state hosts the N3 million N a i r a Electricity Dams -Jebba, Kainji and Shiroro in the country. In fact, another, which is the Zungeru Hydroelectricity Power Project which is expected to provide 700MW, is also ongoing in the state.

The ground-breaking ceremony of the project was personally witnessed

by President Goodluck Jonathan on May 27, 2013 in Zungeru to mark Democracy Day. Due to this advantage the state enjoys, one may be quick to conclude that electricity supply to consumers in the state should be regular, especially since the state is not industrial. In other words, most consumers in the state use power for domestic purposes, thereby making supply relatively steady.

However, while most electricity consumers applaud the steady electricity supply in the state, some complain bitterly about poor supply. Those mostly involved in this category are resident in new settlement areas which are fast developing, thereby overstretching the social amenities planned for such areas. Some of the booming industries that often use power in Niger include the printing press, welders, hairdressers, launderers, tailors, among others.

But the majority of consumers interviewed spoke glowingly about improvement in power supply for commercial and domestic uses.

One Malam Yahaya who is the Director of Yahaya Ikon Allah Metal workshop along Lagos Street, Minna said they were not having much problems with power supply to carry out their business.

According to him, “We have steady power supply now unlike in the past when it was not stable and very low even when supplied.”

He however said that in the event of power outage, they make use of their power generators just for some hours or minutes as the case may be - though it has economic implications on their income.

Another Printer, Mr. Kunle, Director of Kunle Social Printers along Lagos Street, corroborated what the spokesman of welders in the area said by adding that power supply in the area had not only been stable but was coming in full capacity. He pointed out that in the past, the area used to experience low current, thereby having negative effects on their businesses unlike now when supply is stable and high enough to power their machines.

Kunle, while commending PHCN on the improvement, however advised that there was room for improvement, especially with some people using pre-paid meters which involve paying according to consumption.

Meanwhile, most consumers resident in Fadipe, Gbeganu, Morris and other few areas are still battling with unsteady power supply which they attributed to overloading of the exist-

ing transformers serving the areas.

Generally, though, consumers of electricity in Minna, the state capital and its environs, have cheery news to share as most of them are experiencing not only steady but full power supply.

The Business Manager, Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Minna, Engineer Shehu Bagudu, said in an interview that the state had the

capacity to provide adequate power supply to residents, adding that what was needed were additional distribution transformers, underground cables and aluminum conductors to upgrade what he described as the “undersized materials.”

According to him, “Even with the improved power supply in the state for

now, the PHCN is planning to install another 60MVA station to further beef up power supply in the state.”

In all, inadequate power supply in the state could be attributed not to generation but to obsolete or overloaded transformers serving the consumers. But if those issues are addressed, most residents would be wearing smiles on their faces all through.

Benue

Epileptic supply persists amidst assurances

BY PETER DURU, MAKURDI

D

espite over $10billion spent on several pow er projects across the country, Nigerians have continued to experience epileptic power supply. Even the construction of 10 new power generating plants under the National Integrated Power Project, NIPP, targeted at realising over 4,774 megawatts of additional electricity in the country has not helped matters.

In Benue State, the situation is not different. It is even worsened by the fact that the state is not yet connected to the national grid; hence power supply in major towns is oftentimes rationed to the extent that there is hardly 12 hours' supply to any part of the state.

At the moment, contruction work on the 330KVA power lines running from Jos to Makurdi may have been stalled due to demands for compensation by communities where the power towers are situated.

Indeed, the development prompted an angry reaction from Governor Gbariel Suswam, who at a recent meeting with leaders of the affected communities, warned that the state could be denied the benefit of steady power supply due to the inordinate stance of the concerned communities. He however assured that the state would start enjoying full power supply as soon as the project was completed before the end of the year.

“The projects are ready, and in line with the reforms introduced in the power sector, they will all be priva-

tised. We recently travelled out of the country to market the NIPP plants built by the local governments, states and the Federal Government. Altogether, these threetiers of government have expended over $10billion to build the 10 plants that are being warehoused by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company set up by the Federal Government.

The governor explained that his administration decided to carry out marketing across the globe so that it could get the best hands to manage the power plants. ”We’re hopeful because the exercise went well and many investors have expressed their intention and willingness to key into it. Hopefully, at the end of the day, Nigerians will start enjoying consistent electricity supply in the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, as residents continue to grapple with epileptic power supply, the Makurdi Business District of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, insists it supplies the amount of power apportioned to the state.

A top management staff of the district who spoke to Saturday Vanguard on grounds of anonymity said, “I acknowledge that the power supply in the state is far from adequate, but the situation is not peculiar to the state. ”We work round the clock here in Makurdi to ensure our customers get the best of our services, and by so doing we also ensure that whatever quantity of supply we get is distributed to customers. After all, we are also in business,” he quipped.

12—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013

Bayelsa

Stable electricity still pipe dream

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA, Yenagoa

B

Edo

Hard times hit business people

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE, BENIN

D

espite the huge sums of money invested in the nation's power sector by successive administrations, Nigerians are yet to enjoy stable electricity supply. The majority of manufacturing industries in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna, Warri, Sapele and other industrial cities across the country have closed shop in the face of the onslaught, while electric generator dealers have been smiling to the banks.

Since 1999, several Ministers of Power have been appointed to oversee the workings of the PHCN, the organisation saddled with power generation in the country. But none has been able to wave the magic wand that would propel the PHCN to perform.

What could be responsible for the parlous state of power generation in the country? A leader of the Nigeria Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) in the MidWest Zone, Benson Okorodudu, blamed the situation on the activities of militants in the Niger Delta. "As it is now, we are experiencing a fall in power generation due to the activities of militants in the Niger Delta who tamper with gas lines supplying fuel to different power plants. As I speak with you, this has affected Egbin Power Plant in Lagos, Omotosho, Geregu in Kogi State, Afam 6 in Rivers State and the newly installed NIPP. We lost over 1,500 megawatts to the activities of the militants and this is grossly affecting power generation,” he said.

On his part, Principal Public Relations Manager, PHCN Benin Distribution Company Limited, Tunde Fadipe, said the Minister of Power, Professor Nebo, was on air recently to explain to Nigerians that the power

Yobe More bills, less power

BY BALA AJIYA

F

OR quite sometime, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has not been living up to the expectations of Yobe State residents in particular and the nation in general.

What is more disturbing is the alarming rate of outrageous bills sent to innocent Nigerians monthly.

It would seem the more these bills are paid, the less power supply that consumers enjoy.

Mallam Kabiru Ibrahim decried this development, narrating how the downtrodden masses were being subjected to the extortionist policies of the Power Holding

sector lost over 1000 megawatts to vandalism, noting that it was a fundamental issue because there would be no power supply without generation.

He explained that since power generated was fed into the national grid, availability of power to each station depended on what was allocated to the National Transmission Company of Nigeria at Oshogbo.

Asked for his opinion, Emeyounu Adibe, a consumer in Benin, said “the state of the power sector in Nigeria is a big embarrassment to Nigeria as a country. There is no excuse that Nigeria, which prides itself as the giant of Africa 50 years after independence, still wallows in darkness due to inefficiency as far as the power sector is concerned.

“Again, if the Nigerian government right from 1960 till date had recognised the power sector as key to economic development and growth, it would have done more than it has done and is still doing today.

It is a shame that a country of over 160 million people with huge human and material resources cannot boast of stable power supply.”

Another consumer, Pius Osemwengie, said there had been no improvement in power supply in Edo, adding that “what we are getting is a state of confusion in terms of increase in electricity tariff. I remember when it was called ECN, electricity supply was stable and everything was working. But today we are not getting value for what we are paying for because the power is not there. We have not improved in any way. The only thing we have improved, if at all, is revenue generation for PHCN."

Company of Nigeria, PHCN. He lamented paying huge bills but having nothing to show for them, adding that PHCN officials were in the habit of arrogantly disconnecting lines without cogent reasons.

Meanwhile, a top PHCN official in Damaturu who declined to be named said epileptic power supply was a nationwide phenomenon.

"Currently, there is no supply from the transmission station which we are getting from Potiskum; while Potiskum get its supply from Gombe. Presently, Yobe is getting 30 Megawatts, Borno 70 Megawatts, Bauchi 50 Megawatts, Gombe 60 Megawatts and Ashaka 30 Megawatts. When added, It is not enough due to acute

shortage of power supply throughout the country. A state that is supposed to have 30 megawatts is being given 3 megawatts; while the second aspect of the problem the organisation is facing is the distance from Potiskum to Damaturu which covers about 1400 poles. Whenever a single pole is faulty, it can affect the whole state.

"Comparing Potiskum to Damaturu which has 3 poles to maintain, it is easier in Potiskum due to the fact that Damaturu is the only state with 33 KV lines which is insufficient, considering that more housing estates are being constructed on a yearly basis."

ayelsa has a riverine terrain with al most 70 percent of her communities situated in the creeks. Most of her communities are almost or in some cases totally surrounded by water, hence making these communities inaccessible by road.Until 2006, precisely seven years after its creation, it was the only state in the Federation not connected to the national grid; while its only means of electricity supply was through a state-owned gas turbine known as the Imiringi Gas Turbine.

The turbine was used to power the state capital and its environs, leaving out the rural communities in the creeks.

Interestingly, the gas turbine plant was built in 1982 by the administration of late Senator Melford Okilo, when Bayelsa was part of the old Rivers State, to power Yenagoa and its environs. The broken-down turbine inherited by the state was however refurbished and put into operation by the Bayelsa State government during the administration of Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. That was when residents of Yenagoa and its environs enjoyed uninterrupted power supply.

At the time, the development stimulated the growth of small-scale enterprises, many of which ironically have since folded up on account of the current epileptic supply from the national grid.

Power outage only occurred then when the turbine was shut down for routine maintenance by the State Electricity Board, the outfit saddled with managing power generation and distribution, or when the Kolo Creek Gas delivery line was shut down during routine maintenance work by its operator, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

The only drawback was that when the turbine jet engine experienced system failure, the entire state capital and its environs would be plunged into darkness spiralling into months as the manufacturers of the turbine, Roll Royce, Aberdeen, Scotland had to be placed on notice to fabricate the needed parts and ship same to Nigeria.

However, the expectations of many that the connection of the state to the national grid would improve power supply have turned out to be a mirage due to the growing energy demands of the fast-growing state and its poor distribution network.

Sadly, while mainland Yenagoa and its environs are linked to the national grid, the source of energy in the far flung riverine communities is through diesel-powered generating sets, most of which were submerged and destroyed by the last flood which devastated the entire state.

Aside Yenagoa Council Area, KolokumaOpokuma Council Area and Ogbia Council Area, parts of which are connected to the national grid, most of the rural communities are yet to be connected due to their location.

Interestingly, the state has the advantage of sitting where it can generate up to 1000 megawatts of electricity due to the abundance of gas stocks.

Though the state's power situation is not different from what obtains in other parts of the country, those people used to constant electricity supply when the state gas turbine was operational are no longer at ease with the PHCN due to erratic power supply in the state.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013—13

Anambra Finally, improvement long awaited

BY VINCENT UJUMADU, Awka

T

HERE was jubilation in many parts of Awka, the Anambra State capital, following the sudden improvement in power supply around the area.

For many years, consumers had been putting up with the usual load- shedding by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, which often came with fitful power supply.

When Saturday Vanguard toured some ongoing power projects in the state, it discovered that the positive development followed the installation of a new mobile 40MVA feeder line at Agu Awka, with two transformers that had undergone a successful test-run.

Checks also revealed that another 60MVA injection sub-station from the 132/33/KV which feeds the 2x7.5 MVA in Agu Awka was under construction and could be hooked to the national grid before the end of the year.

John Nweke, a hotelier, observed that the regular power supply was already making a positive impact on his business, as petrol purchase for power generators had considerably reduced, thereby improving the hotel's revenue base.

“Since I commissioned this hotel in 2010, my greatest headache had been electricity supply. We took off with two giant generating sets that were consuming about N200,000 worth of gas every week.

Sometimes we would borrow from our other business outfits to ensure the standard of this hotel was maintained, even when we were not breaking even.

It was therefore a miracle that in the past one week,

Ogun

Tale of failing businesses

BY DAUD OLATUNJI,ABEOKUTA

T

he power situation in Ogun State is not looking up,as businesses continue to collapse by the day.

The few that manage to thrive virtualy feed on generators which increase production costs.

Naturally, it was lamentation galore when Saturday Vanguard sought the opinions of businessmen and women at major markets in Abeokuta, the state capital, following the failure of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, to restore electricity in most areas. That notwithstanding, it was gathered that PHCN continues to issue outrageous monthly bills for services not rendered; while the businesspeople continue to pay for fear of being cut off from the grid.

To Mrs. Olaniyan Damilola who owns a beauty salon in Abeokuta, “Inadequate power supply is really disturbing our businesses in the area. Sometimes PHCN restores power at night and other times not at all." Abidemi Jibowo , a trader, tells the same story: “Power supply at Asiribo, Alowonle, Adigbe is not in proper condition and affects sales negatively. A n d when PHCN decides to restore power, it will either be too low or too high, eventually damaging our equipment. The government should find a lasting solution to

the problem to ensure the smooth running of businesses in the area."

He added that over the past one year, electricity supply had not been stable, but PHCN was in the habit of issuing outrageous bills for poor services. “A transformer was given to the area by government since October last year, but it is yet to be installed. If not for the vigilance of members of the community, some parts of the transformer or even everything would have been stolen. They should help the community connect the transformer to the grid to make it useful to residents. If they do that, the people will be proud of them.

Ayinla Rasak, a professional barber in Sapon, lamented that the power situation was crippling his business. "I spend N400 on petrol everyday, but how much do I realise daily? It is killing my business," he said. Razak was joined by Dapo Kinyemi, a vulcaniser in Itoku market, who said the situation had constrained most of his colleagues to revert to the 'Okada' business which does not demand power. ”The power situation is not okay. I spend about N500 on petrol everyday.

Something must be done to solve the problem," urged Taofeek Akinleye, a fashion designer.

Checks also revealed that another 60MVA injection sub-station from the 132/ 33/KV which feeds the 2x7.5 MVA in Agu Awka was under construction and could be hooked to the national grid before the end of the year. we had barely put on the generators and for once, our balance sheet showed some signs of positive change.

“Initially when I asked for the reason behind the improved electricity, some people told me PHCN workers were on strike over the Federal Government's planned phase-out of the power company and therefore left the light on before starting the strike. It was much later that I learnt a new substation in Awka had started functioning. I pray it will continue like this so that all those depending on electricity for their businesses can heave a sigh of relief," he said.

Likewise, Chief Emmanuel Nnaoba who manages a petrol station in Awka expressed satisfaction with the development, even though he admitted it would adversely affect his gas sales. He said the majority of his patrons were hoteliers, schools and internet operators, adding that he had noticed a decline in business over the past one week.

Nnaoba, however, admitted that steady power supply was the wish of every Nigerian and urged stakeholders to ensure continual service delivery.

“In as much as I know improved power supply will negatively affect my business, I believe the development is good for our country because that is the only thing that can encourage investors. So much money goes into power supply, and this will reduce if public power supply works on a regular basis," he quipped.

14—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013

Imo

At the mercy of PHCN

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

P

ublic power supply in Imo State can be described as anything but stable. So the reality is that a good number of consumers no longer rely on the services of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, to meet their electricity needs.

While the dire situation has made it impossible for most families to cool/preserve their consumables, the business community has witnessed dwindling profits. From the roadside metal worker to the big industrialist, it is a sad tale of huge losses.

Addressing the issue in a telephone interview, National Vice President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Enugu Zone, Dr. Frank S.U Jacobs, lamented that the “power situation is worse than it has ever been”.

Jacobs, who owns a brewery in Mgbidi, Oru West Local Council Area of Imo, was particularly irked that public power supply had since become a luxury in the area, lamenting that there had been no public power supply to his factory in the past three weeks. ”The power situation in my area is hopeless. I don't know what the situation looks like in other areas, but mine is a tale of woe. We have not had power in our factory in the past three weeks, but have been running on diesel-powered electric generating sets,” Jacobs lamented.

In his estimation, cost of production at his factory has increased, and the nation will be worse for it since it is the same with other factories. ”To keep our production lines running, we have had to use diesel on a daily basis. Honestly, we use up to 150 litres of diesel everyday. If you multiply 150 by the prevailing market price of diesel, you will arrive at what my establishment spends daily. This cannot be said to be good for any business concern,” Jacobs reasoned.

While asserting that the extra expenditure was adding to the cost of production, the Zonal MAN boss lamented that

it was leaving no room for the local industries to compete favourably with their foreign counterparts: ”This ugly situation does not and can never make our products competitive with the imported ones. Our businesses suffer and most times, the outfit is forced to close shop when costs get prohibitive," he said.

The brewer therefore appealed to government to match its words with action, stressing that the only way the teeming unemployed youth could be absorbed into the productive sector was through the establish-

ment and sustenance of industrial concerns.

In his own reaction, Apostle Ejike Emereonye who lives in the World Bank Housing Estate, Owerri, observed that PHCN services in the past three years had been nothing to write home about. ”When the light shows up at all, it is usually for a few minutes and this can happen about five times a day. At no time did it last for two hours at a stretch. However, if it lasts for that long, it may be because the intensity of light supplied was lower than a candlelight and this neither rotates the ceiling fan nor operates your television set,” Emereonye fumed.

The fiery pastor opined that there was no family in the World Bank Housing Estate without a generating set, adding that every night, the entire Estate was as noisy as any industrial enclave: ”No family preserves anything because the freezers are rendered useless. The little money meant for food is sadly spent on petrol. The pain is that the bills keep coming in their thousands. One wonders what the bills are for or how they were arrived at since there are no meters and light rarely comes.”

When contacted, the Senior Manager, Public Affairs, Owerri Business Unit of PHCN, Comrade Franklyn Nwachukwu, said power allocation as at Wednesday, July 24, 2013, stood at 20 megawatts. ”Under normal conditions and when the two generating stations are in operation, we are given up to 80 to 100 megawatts a day,” Nwachukwu explained.

He however expressed regret that in recent times, public power supply had been epileptic, hence the downward trend in generation capacity.

Meantime, it is anybody's guess when the ugly scenario will improve.

Rivers

All talk, little action

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

L

ATELY, power supply in Rivers State has been witnessing a steady decline, giving Port Harcourt residents hard times and crippling their businesses.

At Rumuokuta, Rumuigbo, Rumuokoro, Rumuodara, Elohany, Eleka and other neighbouring communities in Obia Akpor, power conditions have worsened such that residents were forced to declare they would no longer pay their light bills.

At Rumuigbo, Juliet Kelechi who trades in frozen food said: “My business is collapsing. This area does not get electricity for days, sometimes over a month.

Customers are complaining because I am unable to keep stocks frozen on generating set.”

Freeborn Wenodi, a drycleaner in the neighbourhood, noted that “commercial laundering has become entirely automated from washing, drying to ironing for anyone who wants to grow in the business. Without PHCN energy, it is extremely difficult to sustain oneself with alternative power sources.”

Ajah Sampson runs a popular hangout off Ada George Road. “How can the small, medium-scale investor grow in this country?"he queries. "A lot of youths are willing to engage in income-generating ventures like my bar and restaurant. You struggle to mop up cash to start something and government, with its failed infrastructure and repressive revenue, does not want

the ordinary man to succeed. The business I run here is rewarding for the patient-minded. But power, the indispensible resource you need to keep it going, is not there. So you run on generator which triples your operating cost. That is why some people get frustrated and turn to crime.”

"I moved from Elohany. There you have power lines but it is a miracle getting steady power supply. We perpetually live on generators. At Ellios where we relocated to, it has been like heaven.

Power is far from regular, but you are sure you will get supply from PHCN every other day," disclosed one Emmanuel Aruya.

However, the majority of residents consider the Rivers situation strange because in recent times, the state government has committed huge funds to establishing its own power development infrastructure.

At the height of the agitation to transform Nigeria’s power sector to a deregulated industry, Rivers was a pacesetter among states establishing Independent Power Plants (IPP) and other major electricity infrastructure.

Ex-Governor Peter Odili set the ball rolling with a two-pronged strategy accorded N114.9 billion (representing 25% of total capital spending spanning his 8 years administration to the sector).

At his exit from office on May 29, 2007, Odili

The majority of residents consider the Rivers situation strange because in recent times, the state government has committed huge funds to establishing its own power development infrastructure

noted that “we had left in place a generating capacity of 381 Megawatts from 16 brand-new gas turbines and one refurbished inherited OMPADEC (Eleme) turbine. We also put in place civil works infrastructure to accommodate future expansion at the Omoku Power Plant.”

But current State Commissioner for Power, Augustine Wokocha, was not forthcoming with an update after repeated interview requests. However, between Odili’s foundation efforts and what currently obtains, the state statistics show government has shored up its megawatts to 560 and targets 750 megawatts.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013—15

Achieving a robust energy mix in Nigeria

BY UCHE ANEKE

T

here is no doubt that achieving a robust energy mix in Nigeria is in concert with President Goodluck Jonathan’s vision of providing power to all within the country.

This vision is an integral part of the long-term targets of the Road Map for the Power Sector launched by the President in August, 2010.

Of course, the short and medium targets were to achieve a substantial increase in the total quantum of power delivered to electricity consumers across the country and ensure a substantial reduction in government’s funding and managerial direction in the electricity value chain.

At present, the major sources of energy supply in the country are 70 percent thermal and 30 percent hydro.

This is despite the fact the country is blessed with renewable energy sources like coal,wind, solar and an abundance of waste from biomass.

Renewable energy has not been adequately exploited due to very high initial costs.

However, government is intensifying efforts through local and international partnerships to harness the potentials of these sources for electricity generation in the country. For instance, a few projects, mostly funded by grants from international and non-governmental organisations, have been implemented in the rural areas of the country such as the Millennium Development Goals energy-mapping project going on in the 774 local government areas of the Federation. Minister for Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, in a recent interview with newsmen, underscored the efforts of the Federal Government at diversifying the country’s energy mix by describing it as critical to electricity getting through to all Nigerians.

In his words,“That effort is going to drive the whole vehicle of ensuring that many of the rural areas not connected to the national grid can have some kind of ring-fencing,

to-Power project. There are plans by the government to build Coal-Fired Plants in Enugu, Benue, Kogi and Gombe States.

Already, the Minister of Power and Minister of Mines and Steel Development recently concluded a visit to Coal plants and other facilities operated by HTGPacific Energy Consortium in India and China to ascertain the competencies of the consortium in order to ensure value judgment in doing business with the firm. ust before the visit, the Minister of Power inaugurated an eight-member committee to develop a workable framework that could galvanise long term use of the country’s abundant coal resources to improve her power generation capacity.

Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has put 10 of its National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) generation plants up for sale. These projects, with total capacity of 4,775MW, are located in Calabar, Egbema, Ihovbor,Gbarain, Sapele, Omoku, Alaoji, Olorunsogo, Omotosho and Geregu. Road shows have been conducted in Lagos, London and most recently in New York to advertise these projects and attract investors to them. The plants are expected to attract not less than US3.8 billion.

Hoping that all these efforts are pursued to a logical conclusion,there is reason to believe the ongoing initiatives to achieve wider energy mix in the country will soon be realised. This will go a long way to satisfy Nigerians’ hunger for electricity.The gains associated with this are manifold. Small and medium scale enterprises as well as cottage industries will spread across the length and breadth of the country, with a concomitant increase in economic activity.Many new jobs will be created, in the public and private sectors. The crime rate will reduce,and Nigeria would have fulfilled her ambition of achieving 40,000 MW by 2020 and putting in place a competitive power market.

J

President Goodluck Jonathan where they would be serviced by renewable energy”.

On policies that will guide the government to ensure the sector is growing like it should, the Minister remarked that the Ministry of Power is working on a renew-

Professor Chinedu Nebo Various incentives such as a robust regulatory frame work, tax holidays and cost reflective tariff for power sale have been put in place to attract more private investment to the power sector. Results of these initiatives

At present, the major sources of energy supply in the country are in the proportion of 70 % thermal and 30 % hydro. This is despite the fact the country is blessed with renewable energy sources like coal,wind, solar and an abundance of waste for biomass able energy and energy conservation policy for the country.

Indeed, there are a number of new initiatives consistent with government’s determination to achieve a wider energy supply mix. These initiatives, which cover generation, transmission and distribution projects in the sector, also promote the emergence of a private sector-led competitive and efficient electric power industry as well as implementation of renewable energy programmes and initiatives in solar, wind, biomass, small hydro, etc.

include the tremendous interest shown by foreign and private investors in the ongoing privatisation of the power sector. Government is intensifying efforts in hydro power development. Just recently, the National Economic Council gave approval for $1.72 billion counterpart funding for development of hydro power projects, including Mambilla (3,050MW) Zungeru ( 700MW) , Gurara 11 (360MW) , Kashimbilla (40MW) and Itisi (40MW).

There are also other small and medium power projects ongoing nationwide which

will boost the power generation capacity.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, recently disclosed that about 200 dams which hitherto were constructed for purely irrigation purposes are now being adapted for electricity generation. The power to be generated from these dams may remain off grid to serve the local needs of the rural people who have for long been marginalised in power supply.

The Ambassador emphasised that the concomitant multiplier effect on the agriculture value chain would be unimaginable, while employment generation and empowerment would naturally follow. In May this year, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Power and HQMC Korea Co Ltd .Under that agreement, HQMC is to provide 1,000 MW of solar energy every year for the next 10 years via projects spread across the country.

The Minister of Power, who described the project as laudable, expressed confidence that it would help achieve the country’s desired energy mix.

Another major effort at energy mix expansion is the Coal-

Read more on page 46

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SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013 —17

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18—SATURDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 3, 2013 Aunty Julie, My guy wants to run my life as if I’m a robot. He orders me around as if have no brains and cannot think. He tries to tell me how to manage my resources by putting himself in charge and almost forces me to do things I don’t want to do with my money. It bothers me that my family is unhappy with me for falling so deeply for a man who is yet to pay a bride price on my head.

But I am so weak where he is concerned and feel so unhappy. What do I do about this?

Madeleine, Lagos Dear Madeleine, You have to be honest with him and tell him how you feel about his attitude. It’s good that you realise your guy is controlling. Tell him you think he has been taking control of

He pushes me around the whole affair. He doesn’t have to step on your toes and walk in front of you or behind you either.

If he’s understanding, then he will listen to you. Try to break free from the control of your beau. You have to be assertive.

One way to deal with a controlling partner is to find out the reason they are exerting

this control. It may be due to the parental examples they were shown as a child. If one parent was seen to be more dominant than the other, this model may become ingrained in the child. As an adult, they may be unconsciously mimicking this type of control.

Another possible reason for the behaviour of a control-

Should I continue with this guy?

Dear Aunty Julie, I just came across your column recently and like how you treat people’s questions.I have two serious challenges before me, but will start with the one of utmost importance.

I was in a relationship three years back, it was nice and we treated each other with so much affection. Even though distance was there, it was not a problem because we talked on the phone regularly. But at a point, we both lost focus and stopped communicating for almost a year.

Then recently, four months ago to be precise,we regained contact and want to start all over. He said in the course of our separation,he got himself entangled with someone and it ended badly. Now he says he just wants to take it slow with me and see if will still work.

Now, my fear is this: Back then when he didn’t have a good job, he used to check on me as if I was about to disappear. Now, he has a better job but doesn’t act that way. Is this relationship healthy for me?

Ediae , Warri Dear Ediae, Long-distance helps you develop a sense of yourself-ina-relationship, rather than yourself-as-part-of-a-couple.

While the difference may seem subtle, I suggest that it is vital. Without the option of spending every evening together, you have to maintain your own interests, much like when you were single. You

spend hours at the salon, have a standing visit at your sister ’s place, go out for drinks with your girlfriends and otherwise continue developing yourself. Basically, one couldn’t resist calling her fiance’s cell phone moments before their wedding to tell him she loved him but things change, people change.

So, yours is a tough question.

Trust issues in relationships - although it seems innocent right now - will eventually destroy your rela-

to physical abuse and domestic violence.

A domineering behaviour can make the other partner feel unhappy and inferior. In this case, communication is very important.

Let your partner know how you feel about his attitude towards you. Let him realise you are a team. A team means working together to achieve goals and not competing against each other.

I can’t have a lasting affair Aunty Julie, I find it hard to have a lasting relationship. I have been dating ladies and breaking off whenever I meet another beautiful one. I’m like what women call players and don’t like it. I feel very bad each time I stop seeing any of my ladies.

There was this bad case where two of the ladies I dated and dumped became very close friends. It makes me feel very sick. How do I have a lasting relationship? I am 31 years old and employed.

Simon, Lagos Dear Simon, You are indeed the guy we mothers warn our daughters against. And I wish there was a simple answer to this nag-

ging question you raised. But one thing I know is that if you’re in a happy relationship, it is only natural to want to do something to ensure it will last. The problem is, you just can’t flip a switch and make your relationship strong and lasting. I do know, however, that if you really love someone, you must be honest with her.

You must respect her and give her all your attention. If you stay honest with a lover, respect them and their property/space and pay close attention to them and what they’re saying a little bit everyday, you are way more likely to have a lasting friendship and romance.

There’s no harmony in my relationship Aunty Julie, I’ve been dating a lady for the past six months but there is no harmony in our relationship. We love each other very much and cannot afford to stay apart, but there are always problems. Is it possible to love someone and just not be able to get along with that person? I’m afraid of losing her and fear I may not be able to cope alone without her. If this relationship ends , how do I get over it - especially when none of us wants to let go yet it seems to be a necessity?

Taiye, Ibadan Dear Taiye Yes, it is possible to love someone and just not be able to get along with that person.

No relationship is conflict-free.

The important thing is not whether you disagree, but how you disagree. Sometimes couples argue a lot because they

Dating Blues

A guy went out with his girlfriend and asked her, “Why is it every time I go out with you, I end up spending thousands of naira?”

“Because I’m a prostitute.”

Death Sentence

tionship. When one person finally understands there is nothing they can do to be trusted, they end up leaving.

It’s hard to imagine loving someone so much that you’ve dedicated your life to them only to find out there is just about nothing you can do to make them trust you. But you can take the chance. If he tarries for long, just move on.

ling partner may be found in previous relationships. If a previous relationship ended due to a lack of trust or some form of deceit, this can continue in future relationships.

A controlling partner may not realise they are being controlling to the extent that it is harmful to the relationship.

There are many ways a controlling partner can exert his or her control. It can take the form of simply phoning the partner continually to check up on him or her. It can take the form of verbal abuse and constant arguments. If left unchecked, it can often lead

A woman accompanied her husband to the doctor’s office. After the check-up, the doctor took the wife aside and said, “If you don’t do the following, your husband will surely die”. *.Each morning, fix him a healthy breakfast and send him off to work in a good mood.

have simply not developed simple, respectful ways of talking and listening. Sometimes they want to persuade the other person to change his/her opinion, behaviour, or mind.

If this might be the problem, consider seeking counsel for the express purpose of learning how to disagree constructively. A couple can often make rapid progress toward a more harmonious relationship when poor communication is truly what’s at issue.

On the other hand, in many cases, a relationship that has formed and endured despite constant disagreement and argument is a relationship that is perhaps not based on love between two independent adults, but rather between two co-dependent people.

However, if you are a young, childless couple and your re-

lationship is fraught with not being able to get along, and you try counselling and don’t see reasonably rapid results that is, some discernable easing of tension within six months, then it might be wisest for you two to move on and see if you can each find partners with whom you are more compatible.

Remember, it is important, when it comes to relationships, to use your head, as well as listen to your heart. A healthy relationship needs to make you feel good, not stressed or unhappy.

If you decide to dissolve the relationship, how do you get over that loss? It will probably be hard at first, and you may never get over it completely.

What are your fears, how do you feel, what has changed, and how will you cope? Look

C O C K - T A L E S *At lunch time, make him a warm, nutritious meal and put him in a good frame of mind before he goes back to work. *For dinner, fix an especially nice meal, and don’t burden him with household chores. *Have sex with him several times a week and satisfy his every whim. On the way home, the husband asked his wife what the doctor had told her. “ He said you’re going to die,” she replied.

Honeymoon

A young couple get married and celebrate their first

to family and friends for support. Allow yourself time to grieve, and see a counsellor if the grief and sadness linger for more than a year. With time, people heal and move on.

If, over time, you discover that your relationships all seem the same, where you care about one another but disagree, then this is important information to have as you talk with a therapist, gain new perspective and create new patterns. What is it that gets you to choose people with whom you can’t get along?

What do you bring to relationships that contributes to disharmony? When you can get to talk about and learn from these kinds of questions, you will be more likely to choose a more appropriate partner to love and with whom you can build a healthy, happy relationship.

night together, doing what newlyweds do, time and time again, all night long. Morning comes and the groom goes into the bathroom but finds no towel when he emerges from the shower. He asks the bride to please bring one from the bedroom. When she gets to the bathroom door, he opens the door, exposing his body for the first time to his bride. Her eyes go up and down and midway, they stop and stare and she asked shyly, “What’s that?” pointing to a small part of his anatomy. He, also being shy, thinks for a minute and then says, “Well, that’s what we had so much fun with last night.” And she, in amazement, asks, “Is that all we have left?”

SATURDAY Vanguard AUGUST 3, 2013—19

Could single parents successfully raise healthy children?

O

nce in a while, he visited showering us with cash gifts that always put mum’s back up. ‘Why don’t you pay their school fees for once, instead of occasionally buying their affection’, she would yell.

“In time mum got a lover but he didn’t live in. He had his own flat and was also separated from his wife.

Once in a while, mum and I would spend the weekend with him when the boys were in the boarding school.

Gabriel, my mum’s boyfriend was the closest person to a dad that I had. I was particularly close to him,and

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exposed to, did I have a right to expect undying love from any man, whatever that meant?

“When I got married, it was with my eyes wide open. I would notice my friend’s incredulous look when they first met my husband but that was the idea. He was no six packers to look at and would not set that many women’s heart on life. But he had a fairly successful business and lived in his own house. He was also kind and generous, and treated me like royalty.

12 years and three children later, he too strayed! One of ’d thought they were normal his office workers with whom but now it sounded wrong. he had an affair got pregnant “I saw Gabriel from time to time and decided to have the as he lived not too far from baby. It was the right excuse our flat. When next I saw him, I needed to leave. I was never I told him of what we were in love with him and living taught in school. He became with him was becoming fidgety, begged me not to tell stressful. I made a big deaf of anyone and gave me all the his ‘indiscretion’ and money in his pocket which threatened to leave. was quite a lot. After that, was really surprised whenever 1 saw him, he’d when he calmly agreed to ignore me and move quickly away.The hurt was real and move out instead so I could raw, but I got over it and never have the family house for said anything to mum. She’d myself and the children as he done a good job raising us. intended to move into a The boys used to give him a luxury flat he just bought. He tough time, but she refused to was obviously eager to grab involve dad, instead she at whatever happiness he enlisted the help of our uncle. could with a new partner who “I was a bit wild at the loved him. “it was a relief that our university. Thanks to Gabriel, I’d discovered the benefit of marriage didn’t end on using my sexuality to get what acrimonious grounds. We I wanted from men. It was didn’t even consider divorce. extremely empowering to be The kids visit their dad as in control of a man at the often as they want to and they

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How to dudge that social kiss!

f you’ve ever wondered what behaviour is polite these days, you’re not alone. Here is an expert’s up-dates to contemporary grace.

Should come in handy as you socialize!

Rules for eating out in group Don’t be a penny pincher. It’s not in good form to quibble over the bill if your starter cost N50 less that everyone else’s.

Plays fair, if you order the most expensive item on the menu—the lobster special for instance—it’s only right to let your fellow diners know before the bill comes that you’re prepared to pay the difference.

Make the table no-cell zones If a call is crucial, excuse yourself and chat outside the restaurant. Do offer but don’t demand ‘taste.It’s fine to encourage your friend to sample some of your baked salmon, but it’s less than polite to request a forkful of hers—she may have germ issues or a particular hearty appetite!

To be great hotess Don’t invite separated or divorced partners to the same party unless you’ve warned both and you’re assured they’re ok with it. Give advance warning.Send out invitation at least two weeks in advance. Lastly, don’t make your guests wait to eat especially if you’re serving alcohol. Have nibbles or appetizers circulating

mum was at work or away shopping. Some times, when I was in the bathroom he would sneak in to watch me, then touch himself. I was only happy he liked me so much. Sadly, their affair ended after four years. He’d patched things up with his ex and they were now back together. I was 14 and in a sex education lesson when our teacher talked about masturbation, oral sex and full intercourse. Listening to her, I became alarmed. What she was describing—those embarrassing things lovers did together; some of them I’d done with Gabriel, or rather, he had done to me?

as soon as the part begins.

Don’t forget to RSVP. It’s also fine to do this via e-mail, as long as you know your hostess is tech-savvy. Don’t show up empty handed!

Bring food, a bottle of wine or another small gift. Don’t request diet dishes. If you’re watching your weight, eat light during the early part of the day. Or, if the party is casual, bring something you know you’ll be able to eat.

Never show up early Arrive within five minutes after the slated time for a dinner party in order to be fashionably late, if it’s not a sit-down dinner, half an hour late is acceptable.

Social kissing Social kissing is all the rage. Even the most die-hard kiss-refusers will find themselves enveloped in an embrace by someone they barely know. What next? To avoid a social kiss, thrust out your right arm as if to shake hands. Thus may be enough to stop the kisser in her tracks.

Double kissing is on the rise, so remain alert for a second peck landing on the left cheek.

Going for a third is just silly.

,

T

he statistics of broken marriages are never encouraging. When they got to where one in five marriages end in divorce, the alarm bell clanged.

Then they got to two and it became a sort of ‘so-what’, now no one really knows what the statistics are because some separated couples never even bothered with the cumbersome divorce process. They just separate, start different homes and get on with their lives. With the woman now the typical mother hen, clasping her children to her chest; her trophies for her long-suffering!

She’s then faced with the task of raising her children single handedly without the benefit of a resident husband or father.

Instead of panic however, she has a long list of female friends and relatives who’d themselves single handedly raised children who turned out okay. “I was only four when my parents’ marriage packed up”, recalled Princess, a fairly successful “Oil and Gas’ player who is a single parent of two. “My mother worked as a secretary in an oil company and we lived in a middle income company flat. 1 had two elder brothers and we initially missed our dad.

he was always affectionate towards me. Once in a while, he would come to where I slept on the sofa cuddling me. If 1 slept in their bed whenever they were in the living room, he would sneak into the bedroom, take my hand and move it over his body so I was touching him. He would then lift up my nightie and touch and kiss me. I found it a bit strange.

My real dad had never cuddled me like that before, but when he said it was our special secret, I was pleased. He was my daddy and it was only right we had special moments.

“Our special secret continued especially when

It was extremely empowering to be in control of a man at the young age

young age, it kind of felt good to realize that when I wore certain things, I get drinks for free, got chauffeur driven to wherever I wanted and loads of gifts too!

“Unfortunately, I also lost respect for most men. I came to see them as predators that would stop at nothing to get into your pants. I fell in love a few times, had really passionate relationships but that never stopped me from being suspicious and I was right. A few friends had slept with each other’s husbands with little or no remorse; some husbands had gone on to brazenly sleeping with their friend’s daughters and even their siblings wives. If that was the playing field, I was now

,

now have two siblings. In fairness to my ex, he actually looks better and more relaxed than when we were living together as man and wife and I can do my own thing without feeling guilty.

I think it’s a myth that children fare better when raised by both parents.

Some do, whilst some would have been better off living with either of the parents.

When there is tension in a marriage, children easily pick it up and this can be very stressful for everyone. My children are well turned out and have friends from broken homes as well as seemingly solid ones.”

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013 Most often, soon-to-benewlyweds get overwhelmed by concerns about wedding outfits, cakes, guests and venues. The result is that with all the fun and fuss of planning, the focus on the “ever after” can sometimes be overshadowed by the events of “The Big Day.” But there are real vows that, if kept in the forefront of a person’s thoughts and actions, will help keep a relationship as romantic, exciting and enjoyable as the wedding itself. * I promise to support what lights you up Getting married often involves the misconception that we now hold some sort of magical power over our partner. But the question is, since when does loving someone give us the right to change who they are? Couples can be compatible without exactly being mirror images of one another. So if a husband wants to attend a party or a wife plans to go to a church service, the fact that we don’t share those interests is no reason to hold our partners back from being who they are.

*I promise equality in everything we share When one person is adult and the other childish, they typically evolve into the roles of an angry, disapproving parent and a helpless, incompetent child. If one is extroverted and the other withdrawn, they become a mismatched couple - with one being the spokesperson for the duo and the other silent.

That is why it is necessary we take a hard look at ourselves and how we may be acting unequal in our relationship. We should try to identify if we are being childish/inferior or parental/superior. When we desist from acting out these behaviours, we stop provoking

08052201257 anyagafu@yahoo.com

Real vows to make that marriage last

and to always look for the kernel of truth in your words Most arguments between a couple are impossible to mediate for one reason: Both people are right, and both are wrong. They are in a stalemate, because in defending their own points of view, neither person can see those of their partner. Though it may sound silly, it’s actually valuable to take the advice of business consultants who recommend that the first step in resolving an altercation is to see your adversary’s side of the argument, then yours, and finally to look together for common

a corresponding reaction in our partner. For example, we may not like when our partner tells us what to do, but may just be asking for that reaction by complaining about problems we could easily solve ourselves. *I promise not to see you as an extension of myself The mutual respect and equality that most couples share when they are just getting to know each other often seems to fade with familiarity. When we first fall in love with some-

one, we value them for their opinions, thoughts and beliefs. Yet when we begin to see ourselves as part of a couple or regard our mate as our missing rib, we sacrifice the sense of individuality that enabled us fall in love in the first place. Viewing our partners as part of us makes us lose a sense of boundary or respect for them and for ourselves. *I promise to be open to anything you say

Most arguments between a couple are impossible to mediate for one reason: Both people are right, and both are wrong ground between both points of view. If no agreement can be reached, it is also possible for two people to agree to disagree and maintain their loving feelings for each other. *I promise not to project elements from my past onto this relationship Though it may sound vague and

Why is she so different?

I'd like to have a romantic relationship with my girl but she is so different. She is not the like the other girls I have dated and it baffles me that she is this way.

Sometimes, I have this feeling that she is lonely when we are together and fear there are things she wants in a man that I don’t have. I have thought of asking her what she wants from me but feel it will seem odd.

Please advise me.

Uchenna, Onitsha.

Ans: It’s normal for relationship partners to have different needs in at least some areas, such as: spending time with others vs. spending time with each other, wanting “quality time” together vs. needing time to be alone, going out partying vs.

going elsewhere. Differing needs don’t mean your relationship is coming apart, but it is important to communicate about them to avoid misunderstandings.

So tell your partner directly what you want or need, rather than expecting them to know already .Set aside time to discuss unresolved issues: Stop pouting, sulking, and the “silent treatment" as that could only make matters worse. Inevitably, you and your partner will have conflicts, but they needn’t be nasty.

Secondly, coming from different worlds should not be an issue . What is important is an awareness of your own feelings: how you feel about your partner, how comfortable you feel in his or her presence, what does and doesn’t feel comfortable or desirable in terms of physical closeness or sexual contact. Trust your gut feelings.

Communicate what YOU really want sexually.

simplistic, this is perhaps the hardest vow for any of us to keep, as we are rarely entirely conscious of how our past experiences infiltrate our present actions. However, our reactions in our closest relationships often have more to do with defenses constructed long ago and old projections that we make on our partner than on anything going on in the present. For this reason, when something bothers us about our partner, it’s always important to think about why it bothers us – is it more our own overreaction or more a quality we really don’t like?

One important form of honesty in a relationship that is often overlooked is getting to know yourself. So thinking about how past experiences shape our current perceptions can help us identify when our reactions are overreactions and inappropriate to our current situation. *I promise to make my actions meet my words Every one of us knows that couple who seem to detest each other, argue day and night but still close every phone call with “I love you.” This couple single-handedly illustrates how, when it comes to love, showing is more important than telling. It’s not enough to say “I love you” when our actions aren’t loving. We can all find examples of this in our everyday lives: those of us who say "we want to be close" but continually make excuses for not spending time together, others who say "we want to have a personal conversation" but then criticise what our partner says, and still others who maintain "we want to be more sexual" but proceed to watch TV late into the night.

Express what you enjoy and also what you are not comfortable with.

Communicate clearly to your partner/ date what your limits are. Be prepared to defend your limits. If you mean No, then say “No,” and don’t give mixed messages. You have the right to be respected and you are NOT responsible for your partner/date’s feelings or reactions. You and your partner have a responsibility to prevent unwanted sexual contact. Men must recognise that No means "No", regardless of when she says it and whether you think she is saying “yes” non-verbally. If a person says “no” and is still forced into having sex, then a rape has occurred. But if you feel unsafe, leave the situation immediately - 50 to 70 percent of rapes are perpetrated by an acquaintance of the victim.

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who have been linked or want to be linked and therefore, are not answerable for disappointments or embarrassments some people may encounter in the process.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013—21

In recent years, church business has boomed. Smart alecs who hitherto were loafers had gate-crashed into the sanctified precincts to steal from unsuspecting worshippers

Pastor John’s nemesis :

BY KATYA SAMUEL-ANYAGAFU

T

here was no premonition that something would happen that Sunday. I was therefore shocked when I got to Church and found the premises cordoned off by armed mobile policemen. Teargas had already been shot into the air and worshippers stood in groups meters away, speaking in whispers.

I found my way to a group of Church council members. Elder Theophilus was making a speech and I brought out my notebook as the council's secretary and began to take minutes, but he tapped me gently on the shoulder and asked me to put away the minutes book. " You don't understand, Sister Blessing,” he said. “Pastor John has been arrested for trumped-up charges of murder, obtaining by trick and impersonation."

That was a bit too much. How could anybody accuse an anointed man of God like Pastor John of such terrible things? A man of God whose humility and holiness were legendary, a man known to be soft-spoken and kind to the needy.

I was trying to frame a question for Elder Theophilus when gunshots rent the air. Everybody scampered in different directions. I grabbed my bag and

O-Men

headed to the church's extension, but there was no access road. How could that be?

In recent times, church business had boomed. Smart-alecs who were hitherto loafers had gate-crashed into the sanctified precincts to steal from unsuspecting worshippers.

It was normal to find a group of characters in uncompleted buildings, shops and warehouses making a caricature of themselves all in the name of speaking in tongues. They believed they were exorcists and had led many astray. Their victims were mostly those fate had dealt with: the frustrated, the jobless, the barren, the victimised and oppressed.

These smart-alecs were crooks who dared to wade in where even angels feared to tread. Pastor John did not belong to that category. He was neat and started his divine call in a big way. He never hyped the issue of paying tithe like the rest of them. He didn't hype the issue of giving. He had no questionable background. He was known nationwide as the founder of The Royal Priesthood Assembly with over 2000 flock, operating from an allblue, air-conditioned glass house. He didn't seem to need the tithe like the rest of the modern-day pastors and so, worshipers felt free to worship with

What’s he really up to?

L

ate-night phone conversations snag the beginning of that thing called love. His kiss es sent chills down your spine and everything that came out of his mouth made you laugh.

This is it! The love of your life, your soulmate; the man you can see yourself waking up to every morning despite his terrible morning breath and the crust between his eyes.

So what happened? Where did it all go wrong?

Your interest lingers but his seems to have died off like the beetles. And now, your mind is wondering and you’re trying to figure out a mystery nobody might even be able to solve. Is it you? Shouldn’t you have said what you said the night before ? Or maybe he got turned off when your toenail nearly

him. There was no issue of coming to church and leaving with the guilt of not being a faithful tither or being accused of robbing God of tithes and offerings. He didn't come across as a scallywag who transformed into a super hero or a mini god. He founded the Assembly and had a retinue of choice vehicles which he changed as new ones came into vogue. But how could he be arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for defrauding foreigners of hundreds of millions of dollars and pounds sterling? How could Pastor John with his GQ looks and Harvard University background be termed ”a mere houseboy ” who killed his master, made away with his millions and then changed his name from Uwadiegwu Nwankwo, son of an illiterate palmwine tapper to Pastor Kennedy John, a rich man of God with the gift of gab, called to serve the downtrodden through his evangelistic-apostolistic ministry? How could all the church property be confiscated by the government? How could...?

I was lucky to get away from the chaos in the Church that morning and was shocked that some days later, the EFCC also arrested Elder Theophilus and Sister Paulina, the choir mistress

put his eye out. Believe me when I say, it’s much deeper than your imperfections. The funny thing about love is that your heart sees everything that your eyes refuse to believe. You just choose to ignore it. So let’s dissect to see if your man’s a cheat or just might be getting a bit too comfortable with the idea that you’ll be around forever. * If your man goes out with the boys and not only does he not answer your phone call but doesn’t call back within a 10-minute time-frame, consider that a problem. A man checks his phone approximately every 10 minutes. DON’T BE A FOOL! *If every time you check his phone ( and you know you check his phone) and his call log is empty, consider that a problem as well. You can’t possibly believe he didn’t make a single phone call throughout

who was accused of conniving with Pastor John over the years. It was her business relationship with Pastor John that brought her to the Church where she also functioned as the Secretary.

No wonder she was so rich and the envy of other women!

Three weeks after the incident, the church council paid me a strange visit. Brother Paul, head of the Deliverance Team, led the delegation to my house that Saturday evening. I was shocked when I opened the door and saw the men. I thought they had come for me also over issues I knew nothing about. “ Hello, Sister Blessing,” began Brother Paul. “ Peace unto your household!” I swallowed saliva and smiled, opening the door.They followed me into the sitting room and sat comfortably. “ You guys met me well , what should I offer you?” I asked as I made to sit down. I noticed them exchange glances. “ Did you call us guys?” asked Brother Paul.

I smiled. “ The Church business has failed. So shouldn't we be called guys?” “ You surprised us, Sister Blessing, but the good Lord understands,” one of the ministers supplied. “ Is Elder Theophilus out?” I asked.

“He's not. As a matter of fact,there is another charge against him,” Brother Paul supplied, bending his head.

“Another charge?” I asked. “ It's about forgery. He's using the name of his late younger brother to run his business and bearing his name,” a deacon amongst them told me. “ So, his real name is not Theophilus?” I asked.

'Something like that,” the Deacon replied.

I got up and walked inside the room and returned with the Church Council's book. I handed over the book to Brother Paul who looked up in suprise. “ What is this?” he asked. “ This is resigning my membership of the Church. I want to serve God for real. Definitely, I joined the wrong group.” “ And who told you the rest out there are different?” asked Brother Paul.

I wondered at that comment. I really wondered.

the day. Men know women will do more than just check their phones, they will do call backs with no questions asked. I mean that’s only if you’re a chic with spine. * He, all of a sudden, is in love with his friends? Either he is kissing his buddies or his buddy’s sister, Check on that.

Need I say more?

Still not convinced, huh? Yet you still drive yourself crazy with the thoughts of your man hugging a curvaceous hottie with hips like Omo Sexy. Get it together, ladies. Women all play the doormat once or maybe even twice in their lives, but don’t let it get to the point where he is wiping his feet on your face.

22—SATURDAY

Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013

(Text Only)

Head to Knee Technique: Sit with your legs straight in front. Raise your hands overhead, tilting the body slightly backwards.

Bend down to touch the forehead to the knees with the forefinger and thumb formed into a ring around your big toes. This is the ideal posture. This may be impossible to execute by a lot of people.

But it will do to hold far down the leg and bend as far down as possible.

Hold the position briefly and rest. You may repeat another time.

Benefits: Tones up the back and leg muscles. Gives ample massage to the abdominal organs and helps you burn fat around the waist.

Exercise: Who needs it?

Hea

The Headstand: The Headstand, one of the most potent postures, is often referred to as the “King of the Asanas” because of its manifold mental and physical benefits.

Many rightly see it as a panacea for all human ailments. If you have only a short time for practice, and want to maximize the benefits, do the Headstand.

d to Kne e

: By Ade wal e

In this inverted position, at least 90 per cent of the body weight should rest on the elbow. Hardly any pressure should be taken by the head or neck.

Technique: To perform the head-stand, sirshasana in sanskirt, get on your knees, interlacing the fingers, place the hands on the floor in front of you.

Lean forward and place the head on the floor and supporting its back with the interlaced fingers. With the help of the feet raise the hips up in the air. Now, raise the feet and bend the knees until stillness is obtained standing on the head.

Straighten the legs rather slowly until the whole body is in a straight vertical line.

Benefits: •Gives the heart a well deserved rest, as gravity helps to return venous blood to the heart.

• Regular practice helps to strengthen the respiratory system and the circulation, keeping them flexible and slowing down the rate of breathing and the heartbeat when at rest, • The body is generally en-

Yoga Classes The Headstand: By Self

@ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

hanced by the deep breathing and the brain, spine, and entire nervous system receive a rich supply of nutrients. This refreshes and rejuvenates the entire body.

Muscles' improver Technique: Sitting down with the feet outtretched in front of you; draw them towards you till the heels touch or almost touch the crotch. With the hands hold the big toes for a count of 5 to 10. Rest and repeat once or twice more.

Benifits: This exercise firms up the thigh muscles.

It benefits the pelvic region helping to ease painful periods and labour pains in women and increasing mainly vigour in the menfolk.

Muscles' improver:

By Bonny

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013—23

Opinions. Quite often, men and women disagree on issues or how to respond to things they feel something about. Men, as a rule, seek to bring others over to their way of thinking.

Women, on the other hand, generally like to discuss things and then get angry about them in private if oth-

ers disagree, unless they are living with a man. So, what to do when differences of opinion arise? Get away. Stop talking. Shut up. Whatever is easiest.

Intimacy. At first, sex was exciting. Then you start feeling funny about yourself and about your partner. You argued and fought and finally broke up. Now you are enemies.

This syndrome is what is called the morning-after syndrome. We wake up and find that intimacy is not really there. The sexual relationship does not satisfy us anymore, and what we end up with is not what we really wanted in the first place. All we have is two self-centred people seeking self-satisfaction. The elements of genuine love and intimacy cannot be obtained “instantly,” and you find yourself in an unbalanced state, searching for harmony.

How men can get along with women

Q

uite often, men are

confused and even at times dumbfounded by the words and actions of women in their lives. This is quite understandable when you consider the innate differences between men and women. The good news, though, is that there are things that can be done to promote harmony and allow for a smooth-sailing relationship between both genders. * Privacy. Women want privacy, whether it’s time in the bathroom, sitting and reading on the sofa, in their room, or going for a walk. There are times when they want to be alone, and times they want to share some of that private time with others. It all depends on them, their particular mood and other things that may or may not be going on in their life. Why or when is moot, because the reasons are not that important. What is important is that you give them whatever privacy they are asking for without question, comment or grief. * Needs. Women, like men, have needs; though some men may consider some of these needs as more of the “want”

category. It’s all semantics.

To sail happily through the murky waters of interpersonal relationships with women, men need to realise that when a woman says she needs something, in her mind, it is a need, and therefore something to be taken seriously. If you are the person that can provide this need and are able, then by all means go ahead and do so. This, of course, does not mean that men must accede to women’s wishes on every score simply because women seem to need things all the time. What is called for, though, is listening, asking questions and generally acting like you care about what they want. * Control. Women, like men, like to feel they have some degree of control over their lives. This, of course, isn’t a problem; everyone deserves to have some say in what happens in their life. The problem comes in when women try to exert control in ways that men don’t understand, like withholding sex because they are secretly holding a grudge about something that may have happened

Ask the Sexpert I have been having a lot of sex lately. I go out often, and when I do, I have sex with different partners. My friends and roommates are concerned with my behavior, and one of them called me a nymphomaniac, which really hurt my feelings. I do not feel like I need to have sex, I just really enjoy it. Am I a sex addict?

Many individual factors, personal feelings and choices go into deciding how much sex is “enough” or “too much.” You need to consider your own values, priorities and what you consider “too much” sex. Some peo-

weeks or months before. Or they may begin to do radical things with their hair or clothes. This is an area where men quite often become confused and either don’t do things to address the problem, or wind up doing things that make it worse.

What they should be doing, however, is simply talking to the woman. You need to go a little deeper.

Ask how things are going at work, with their friends or other relationships. Ask how they’re feeling about finances or their self-image.

Or ask them if they are fearful of anything or angry at someone. These kinds of questions help you figure out where she’s at emotionally, which quite often can help lead to the real problem. Keep in mind, though, that she may not know exactly what is bothering her.

This is not necessarily a bad thing. By asking deeper questions you might actually be helping her figure out what is wrong, which might help her to solve the problem herself. This is a good thing. * Anger. Everyone gets

ple do experience compulsive sexual behaviour, sometimes referred to as hypersexuality or hypersexual disorder.

This disorder is defined as an obsession with sexual thoughts, behaviours or feelings that can have a detrimental effect on multiple aspects of one’s life, such as health, occupation, and relationships.

If you feel as though you have lost control of your sexual behaviour or if you feel like you want to clarify your values around sex, you can speak with a counselor . You should seek immediate treatment if you have a history of problems with impulse control, or if you feel as

angry at times, that’s not a bad thing. The bad thing is when a woman is angry at you and you don’t know or understand why. What are men supposed to do in these situations? Two things. The first is to demonstrate very clearly that you care about whatever she is angry about. That it matters in general and more specifically to you. The second is to give her time to process her own anger. This is a good thing because it gives you time to think about the situation yourself. The amount of cooling time is generally dependent on how angry she is and your own knowledge of her personal history. At any rate, once she’s cooled a bit, try to talk with her in ways that demonstrate you truly want to understand her anger. If you’ve done something you need to apologise for, do so.

Sincerely and with humility. If you feel her anger is out of line with your words or actions, then tell her so and stop the conversation.

The point here is, once you know what she’s mad about, you can either apologise or not.

though you are losing control of your sexual behaviour.

While your friends clearly care about you, you need to decide for yourself how much sex you want to have and with whom.

Since testing positive two years ago, I’ve lost all desire for sex. I avoid putting myself in sexual situations, and the few times I’ve met someone, I’ve become anxious and gone through the paces for their sake. Will I ever have a normal sex life?

Your low sex drive may be physiological. HIV medications can cause anxi-

What do you do when the thrill wears off and the more you have sex, the less you like it? We rationalise it by saying, “We are in love.

No, I mean really in love.”

But we still find ourselves feeling guilty and unsatisfied. It is common to see men and women searching for intimacy, going from one relationship to another hoping, “This time will be it.

This time I am going to find a relationship that will last.”

What we really want is not sex. What we really want is intimacy.

Today, the word intimacy has taken on sexual connotations. But it is much more than that. It includes all the different dimensions of our lives — yes, the physical, but also the social, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects as well. Intimacy really means total life sharing.

And haven’t we all had the desire at one time or another for closeness, for oneness, for sharing our life with someone totally?

We long for moments of expressions of love, closeness and tenderness, but frequently, at the critical point, we often draw back. We are afraid of closeness. We are afraid of love. The closer you come to somebody, the greater potential there is for pain. It is the fear of pain that often prevents us from finding true intimacy.

ety and deplete libido. HIVer men have less testosterone—and therefore less desire. Hormone treatments and exercise can enhance endorphins and desire.

Erectile dysfunction medications can be a quick fix but won’t resolve underlying

feelings. If diagnosed recently, you may have unresolved feelings of self-blame for being infected through a potentially controllable behavior.

What’s more, you could feel “diseased” or like damaged goods, and your resistance to sex could be a guard against rejection.

Counseling and support from other HIVers can clarify these feelings and help you realize you are sexy—and deserve a fulfilling sex life.

24—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013

08056180112

Honey, honey heal my skin

I

F I hadn’t known Lizzy for many years, I would not have believed it was her I met at a function earlier this week.

Lizzy used to be a petite, fair-skinned 25-year-old back in those days. She had a good heart, a good head and a good mind. But her good points were marred by a terrible skin condition.

To say Lizzy had ugly skin would be an understatement. Her skin was horrible! Her face was as bad to look at as it was to touch. Her arms, legs and torso were worse. Every millimeter of her skin was full of white patches and dark, scaly rings.

Lizzy wasn’t born like that, but an allergic reaction as a teenager had triggered the skin condition. She consulted the best dermatologists, tried everything old and new, all to no avail. The scaly skin persisted, earning her the nickname “Lizard” even among close friends.

So it was a pleasant surprise to be confronted, almost one decade later, by the same Lizzy, now displaying a radiant, satin-smooth skin in place of the “signature” lizard-skin of old.

She was utterly dazzling in a pale yellow short-sleeved dress that set off her perfectly glowing skin.

“How did I do it?” Lizzy asked the unspoken question on my mind.” The secret is honey,” she remarked pointedly.

“Ordinary, natural honey; I eat it, drink it, bathe with it and rub it on my skin. And it worked like a charm. It’s amazing!”

T

he honey treatment began in June 2011. By January 2012, her scaly skin had smoothed out noticeably, although the patches remained. Although constantly worried the scales would come back, she healed much faster than expected.

“I wouldn’t have believed it myself if somebody had told me

Ordinary, natural honey; I eat it, drink it, bathe with it and rub it on my skin. And it worked like a charm

,

two years ago that people would be complimenting my skin. To be honest I would have laughed at their face.

Then I probably would have cried and avoided the mirror for days. But thanks to honey, my worst nightmare is over.”

Lizzy’s story is not all that amazing because for thousands of years, honey has been recognised as one of the most natural home remedies to treat a wide range of ailments. Honey has been used as a natural in first aid treatment for wounds, burns and cuts as it is able to absorb moisture from the air and promote healing.

I

ts antibacterial properties prevent infection and functions as an anti-inflammatory agent, reducing both swelling and pain, and even scarring. Here are the best honey-based home remedies for skin problems.

,

Anti-germicide Raw honey is an ancient remedy for cuts, scrapes and burns due to its natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. Simply clean the area, dab on a small amount of raw honey, and wrap as normal. Change wrapping at least once daily until the area is healed.

Body scrub Stir a couple pinches of ground nuts into a tablespoon of honey (adding a squirt of lemon juice).

While the ground nuts exfoliate and the lemon juice brightens, the honey will moisturize for a smooth surface. You can also soften your skin by exfoliating with a mixture of raw honey, sugar and sweet almond oil. Store the mixture in a glass jar and use as needed.

Honey facial Massage a teaspoon of raw honey into your face and let it sit for 1030 minutes before rinsing with cool water. This simple honey mask can smooth your skin, fight wrinkles, improve skin tone, reduce redness, and help with blemishes.

Mosturiser

•Perfectly glowing skin Experiencing a rough patch? Mix equal parts olive oil and rub on dry skin. Leave for 10-20 minutes before rinsing the area for smooth (and staying) results.

Lip balm Bring a little sweetness to your lips by combining one teaspoon of honey with 1/ 2 cups of natural grated beeswax. Add 10 drops of lemon essential oil, two drops of vitamin E oil and 1/4 cup of coconut oil.

Blend into a creamy paste. Store in a large container with lid.

D

epilatory wax

Combine two teaspoons of brown sugar, one teaspoon of honey and 2-3 teaspoons of water in a microwavable container, heat in the microwave until the mixture turns brown (approximately 30 seconds).Let cool, use a small spatula to thinly apply wax to skin, then apply a muslin cloth strip, pressing and smoothing in the direction of hair before peeling back in a swift motion.

Hair repair Add a teaspoon of honey to regular shampoo to smooth damaged tresses, or combine with a teaspoon of olive oil for deeper conditioning. Apply to hair and let soak for 15-25 minutes before shampooing as usual.

Bath soak Combine two tablespoons of honey and one cup hot water and let solution dissolve for about 10 minutes. Add 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil, then pour in bath water.

Acne solution Reserve a little dab of honey for skin and apply to blemishes, then keep covered with a Band-Aid for 30 minutes.(Honey also works as an antiseptic for burns and abrasions.)

Facial Combine two teaspoons of milk with two tablespoons of honey. Smooth solution over face and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing off.

Cuticle cream Melt some beeswax and apricot kernel oil in the microwave. Stir in one tablespoon of honey and, once cooled, divide into small tins for quick cuticle repair on the go.

Wart remedy Using honey for skin doesn’t just involve softening.Proving one of the easiest (and better smelling) wart removers, apply honey to problem area twice a day until you see results.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2013 — 25

08116759764 anozieegole@yahoo.com

Karen Igho out with reality show

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

E

X-BBA star, Karen Igho, is set to hit the screen with her own reality TV show.

Titled ‘Knowing Karen’, we scooped it will primarily feature the Big Brother Africa winner and radio personality engaging in the different activities that sum up her celebrity status.

This will include before, during and after-work related activities like photo/video shoots and special events.

Several classes have also been planned for the series such as policing, custom officing duties and waitressing to meet surprised fans in the grassroots.

Showing her readiness to work with high-profile corporate brands,

Ayefele donates N50m to Alma mater

Karen is currently said to be taking etiquette lessons.

We also gathered that the additional acting lessons which she got while she was in London recently will be displayed through monologues recorded with fans.

Theodora-Anne M ‘Doranne Beauty’ ogo unveils

F

A

PPARENTLY irked by the deplorable state of his Alma mater, Dr, Yinka Ayefele, MON last Thursday donated N50 million to Ipoti Community Secondary School in Ipoti, Ekiti which he left 28 years ago.

The popular musician also laid the foundation of a multi-purpose hall for the use of the school and the community.

Earlier in her speech, Commissioner for Environment,Dr(Mrs) Eniola Ajayi, who represented the state governor, said the state wanted generous indigenes who could improve their community to complement the efforts of the state government.”The government of Dr. Kayode Fayemi has done a lot in terms of turning the fortunes of the state around.

The government has done a lot in the areas of education,” she said.

The event which held at the school premises, was attended by the Chairman of Ijero local government, Hon. Bode Agbeleye and the newly installed Onipoti of Ipoti Ekiti, HRH James Oladipupo Kolade.

•Karen

•Dora

OLLOWIN and style, G h e r p a s s io n fo r Theodora-A fa s h io n e nne Mogo , a talentdesign makeup ou er, is set to unveil a o d ne tf faction the it poised to give Nige -in-a-million y crave. rians the sa tisLocated at th e b u siness distr Doranne B ict of ea which is in uty is an internationa Ikeja, Lagos, to makeup l artistry, hu beauty centre and styling man hair sa , on-locati on makeov photo shoo le ers for brid s ts als, how her pa , runway, among othe ss rs ed, Mogo, ion for making people . Recounting who gradu look good st ated from B artsity, said: ab “G makeup. I re rowing up, my mum cock Univermember sh had a ton products. I e would alwa used mostly Fashion of Fair ys go to he and play a ro rd out. That’s und with her makeup ressing table ho w good starte w my addiction for h hen she was air and loo d. I’m very king hair looks. particular a W never satisf hen I started using bout how my w ie whatever. S d with my stylist’s eaves, I was cut, curls o I started a experimen ting by my nd self.”

s a ic s u m , e c n a d f o Evening e c n ie d u a l il r th s r la o MTN sch IMONLUAMEN WINIFRED

I

Ayefele presenting books to the students

T was fun galore recently when the 6thgraduands of the MTN Foundation, in conjunction with the Musical Society of Nigeria, (MTNF-MUSON), showcased their mastery of musical instruments and vocal renditions in grand style.

The Agip Recital Hall, Muson Centre, venue of the graduation concert, was filled to the brim with classical music lovers, including friends and relatives of the graduating students. Those who could not find seats in the hall converged on the foyer where they watched proceedings from a multimedia screen.

The graduation concert has

become a tradition of sorts after it was first organised by the pioneer set of the diploma programme to show their appreciation for the music scholarship they received from MTN Foundation. The music scholarship covers their tuition and textbooks, among others.

The concert kicked off with

the performance of two graduating students who took the audience through Trumpet Concerto in E Flat, a beautiful composition originally arranged by J.N Hummel, an 18th Century Austrian composer and virtuoso pianist whose music reflected the transition of classical music to the romantic musical era.

26 — Vanguard, SARTURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2013

Why people accused me of being gay — Benson Okonkwo T

all, well-built and handsome, Benson Okonkwo a.k.a ‘Mr Packaging’ is riding the crest of success in Nollywood amidst rumours that he is gay. In this engaging interview with Showtime Celebrity, the soft-spoken actor speaks out on his gay story, journey to prominence and much-touted romance with actress, Nkiru Sylvanus.

By FLORENCE AMAGIYA & ANOZIE EGOLE

As a ladies’ man, have you ever been threatened for any reason?

Yes. Some weeks ago, an unknown lady walked up to my security guard and left a note with him. She warned C M Y K

me to step down for her boyfriend who was a strong contender in the justconcluded City People’s Face of Nollywood award. She didn’t stop there, as she kept calling me and warning that if I didn’t step down, she would deal with me.

Why do you like to be called a ladies’ man?

Why not? I’ve got all it takes to be a ladies’ man. I am hot, I am a head-turner anywhere I go. But it is not all ladies that say “hello” to you that you respond to. This is because I have a girlfriend I

am seriously in love with. I believe one is enough.

What inspired you to go into acting?

I love acting and usually acted for my siblings when I was growing up. It was my mother who advised me to get

registered with the Actors Guild of Nigeria. Later, I registered with the Enugu State chapter of the guild when late Pete Eneh was the chairman. My mother even

Continues on pg 27

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2013 — 27

Continues from pg 26 provided the money with which I registered. That was how I started my acting career.

Does it mean you didn’t set out to become an actor?

I have always known that I’m good looking. I have all it takes to be a model as well as an actor, but my mum introduced me to the trade.

And so far, so good, I am not regretting it.

What’s your reaction to the issue of sexual harassment in Nollywood, considering that you were once accused of being gay?

Sexual harassment is everywhere, even in the banking sector. Thank God I have not been sexually harassed before now. It is not about how many producers or directors you sleep with.

What matters is if you are talented. You can sleep with everybody without being able to deliver. But if you are good and God is by your side, you can go places. Actually, a colleague of mine was the brain behind the gay rumour.

They feel threatened because of my good looks.

Have you ever been approached sexually by the same sex?

Not at all. It has never happened to me.

Are you saying homosexuality does not exist in Nollywood?

I don’t know if it exists, but I have not experienced it before in the industry although I have been harassed sexually outside the industr y.

When they approached me, I simply rejected their request, telling them they met the wrong person. I might look like a gay man, but I’m not.

Interestingly, I try to convert them to become my friends whenever they approach me.

How many movies have you starred in so far?

I have starred in not less than 30 movies and it’s still counting.

Of all the movies, which would you consider most challenging?

The movie I did with Ifeanyi Onyeabor which is yet to be released. The movie is titled, “Games Town” star ring myself, Mama G and many other stars. I sustained an injury while on location. I fell off the bus while playing a kidnapping scene. In the movie, I kidnapped Kenneth Albert, and had to jump with him from the bus.

Unfortunately, the location driver suddenly zoomed off,

leading to my falling flat and rolling on the ground. I was really injured in the process.

Did you actually date Chika Agu? Chika Agu is very close to me as a colleague. I didn’t date her and cannot date her.

She is like a sister to me. My mother knows her very well and we even attended her mum’s burial rites. I didn’t date Chika.

There was a picture where both of you were cuddling in a pool. Was it a movie scene?

There is nothing attached to that. The picture was taken when I attended her mother’s funeral rites at her village.

We visited their village stream. I was just trying to cheer her up. She was wearing her top, and I was

comes clothes. I also like to combine colours well. I have always loved fashion and inherited the attribute from my mother.

What has fashion done for you?

It has given me fame and so many roles in movies.

Because I costume myself, most times the costumiers recommend me to directors.

It has taken me places and also makes me stand out.

How did you make the City People nomination for the ‘Face of Nollywood’ award?

I got an email telling me I had been nominated for the Face of Nollywood award alongside Uti Nwachukwu, Kenneth Okoli, Walter Anger, and many others. When I got the mail, I promised myself I

I fell off the bus while playing a kidnapping scene. In the movie, I kidnapped Kenneth Albert, and had to jump down with him from the bus.

Unfortunately, the location driver suddenly zoomed off, leading to my falling flat and rolling on the ground.

I was really injured in the process wearing my singlet and shorts. There is nothing passionate in the picture.

What is Nkiru Sylvanus to you?

I met Nkiru Sylvanus in 2008. That was on the set of a movie directed by Theodore Anyaji. The movie was titled, “Agency ”. While we were shooting the movie, she was nice to me. She is a wonderful actress with a heart of gold. I have worked with so many Nollywood stars but Nkiru is different.

She has always been there, supporting my career in any little way she could. I appreciate her so much for always being there for me.

She is like my “Madam”. I love her acting prowess.

Is it true that she likes young actors?

I’m not aware of it. I am just hearing that for the first time.

What’s the secret behind your charming looks?

I started my career as a model, so I have always liked to look good. Even in Nollywood, I am known for my dress sense. That’s why I’m called “Benson Mr. Packaging”. My fans also love me because of the way I dress. I am crazy when it

second and the third edition is gearing up. With big names like Ramsey Noah, what do you think are your chances of winning the contest?

I am among the top 22 contestants. I know I will go far. I also thank my fans for their votes. I’m thinking about my chances, but I want to win.

What is sexy about you?

I’ve got a charming smile, great height, romantic eyes and good posture. I am a head turner anywhere I go.

How do you keep yourself the way you are?

I don’t really work out much because I am always on set.

But I’m always very conscious of my diet.

Before you came into the movie industry, would you say you had a crush on anyone?

(Laughs) No comment.

If you had the chance to

pick one actress to spend a lonely night with, who would that be?

(Laughs) No comment.

What are you working on presently?

I am working on a movie and my saloon. The most recent movie is a Christian movie I did with James Onyeakpor and it will soon be out.

How is the pay like in Nollywood?

When we started newly, we were paid depending on scenes and the number of times we made appearances.

A scene was about N1,200 and really not worth the stress. But we did that because of the passion we had for the profession. I thank God the pay has improved now. I know that with time, it will be much better.

Who is the woman in your life?

She’s called Emerald.

We’ve dated for about 9 years now, and I love her so much. I met her during my secondary school days. I plan to marry her as soon as I’m financially alright.

She understands and knows one or two things about me.

was going to do a lot of campaigning to emerge the winner. I thank God that people know I am good at what I do. I wish I had won the award.

Which of your works do you think gave you the nomination?

I don’t know, but I would mention m o v i e s such as “No Man’s L a n d ” , “Wicked Uncle” and “ M y World.”

When you heard of the ‘Sexiest in Nollywood’ contest, what came to your mind?

As I told you before, I know I am hot and a head turner. I was not surprised. I knew it was one of those things I deserved as an actor. I said “thank God that Vanguard has decided to recognise Nollywood.”

The first edition was won by my Jim Iyke, while Desmond Elliot bagged the

•Benson Okonkwo

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28 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3 , 2013 — 29

30 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2013

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Arsenal

s the 20 manag ers of the Premier League finalise their plans for the new season, it’s an exciting time for young players hoping to make their mark on the biggest stage.

Our team have selected the up-and-coming players that will be wanting to make a first-team breakthrough over the next nine months.

Serge Gnabry Age: 18 Position: Midfielder/Winger uring Theo Walcott’s contract wrangles last season the suggestion was Arsene Wenger believed this dynamic winger could fill any potential void. The German youth international with an Ivorian father is a direct runner with a powerful shot and has already played Premier League and Champions League football despite just turning 18.

D

•Serge Gnabry

Aston Villa Samir Carruthers

Age: 20 Position: Winger aptain of Villa’s victorious Next Gen Series team last season and Republic of Ireland Under 21 international whose energetic performances in the continental tournament have been rewarded with a two-year senior contract. Could be ably assisted in Paul Lambert’s side by countrymen Graham Burke and Michael Drennan this coming season. Carruthers is eligible to play for Morocco, England and the Republic of Ireland.

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•Samir Carruthers

Tottenham Kenny McEvoy

Age:18,Position:Right winger

The joke doing the rounds online is that Spurs should sell Gareth Bale to Real Madrid but send McEvoy,18, who looks just like the £85 million man. But McEvoy deserves credit in his own right. He terrorised West Ham in the FA Youth Cup in January, scoring twice, and has pace to burn. Needs to improve decision-making.

Swansea Rory Donnelly

Age: 21 Position: Striker Signed by Brendan Rodgers but rarely got close to the first team, despite his pace and ability in the air.

Expected to feature far more prominently this season, especially in the cups, after an excellent pre-season campaign. Was prolific for Cliftonville and was a target for both Everton and Liverpool before Rodgers signed him.

Chelsea

Bertrand Traore

•McEvoy

Crystal Palace Reise Allassani

Reise Allassani

Age: 17, Position: Striker Two-footed forward who has quickly risen through the Palace youth ranks to the Under 21 development team at just 17, and also represents England. Scored a classy goal on international debut against Wales in the Victory Shield last year. Tottenham and Celtic were among the clubs interested in Allassani before he committed to Palace.

Everton

•Bertrand Traore

Age: 17, Position: Attacking midfielder The imposing attacking midfielder from Burkina Faso is 17, and on a student visa so not yet officially a Chelsea player.

But he has impressed on the club’s pre-season tour to the Far East, scoring twice, and Jose Mourinho is anxious to sign him up once 18 in September.

Manchester United Adnan Januzaj

John Lundstram

Age: 18, Position: Striker Having impressed on United’s preseason tour of Asia, Belgian teenager Januzaj will be hoping for more first team action as the David Moyes era begins. With Barcelona and Juventus among the clubs sniffing around for his signature, United would be wise to tie him down to a contract soon.

Age:19, Position: Midfielder If much is expected from Ross Barkley this season, it won’t be long before his fellow midfielder Lundstram is pushing for consideration at first team level. A regular for England at age group levels, he has been to three major tournaments . Powerful in the tackle and passes the ball with elegance.

•John Lundstram 31-7

•Adnan Januzaj

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Madrid claim £105m deal to sign Bale has been agreed

Liverpool chase Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa for £22m

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eal Madrid have claimed that they have agreed a fee with Tottenham, enabling them to buy Gareth Bale, the Daily Mirror reports. The fee is reported to be a staggering £105 million, which would be a world record transfer fee.

However, Tottenham insist that a deal hasn’t been completed with yet, with the two clubs failing too agree on which Real Madrid players should move in the opposite direction.

Spurs are interested in several Real Madrid players, including young striker Alvaro Morata, who won the golden boot at the recent European under Championships in Israel.

However, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t want to sell Morata, feeling that the youngster will have a big future if he stays at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Italian is also unwilling to let Luka Modric move back to White Hart Lane, feeling the Croatian still has a role to play at the club despite a disappointing debut season.

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IVERPOOL have tabled a bid of around £22m for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.

The Brazilian international, 24, is not being targeted as a replacement for Luis Suarez, with the Anfield club desperate keep their want-away star. to Liverpool officials would not comment on the bid, with reports in Costa’s native Brazil claiming the offer has triggered a release clause in the player’s contract.

Atletico are considering the bid, having already sold Radamel Falcao earlier in the summer to Monaco for £50m.

David Villa was recruited from Barcelona as his replacement along with another Brazilian forward, Leo Baptistao.

Costa, who is 6ft 2in, scored 20 goals in 44 appearances for

Chelsea plot £25m for Raphael Varane

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helsea boss Jose Mourinho is plotting £25m bid for Real Madrid youngster Raphael Varane.

The returning Blues boss is clearly keen to continue the West London club’s youthful transfer policy and having already signed young German Andre Schurrle and Dutch international Marco van Ginkel Mourinho is now looking to conduct an audacious Bernabeu raid.

Mourinho signed Varane from Lens in June 2011 and last term showed great faith in t h e French centre-back who duly repaid the Portuguese boss with a series of mature displays.

Now the Chelsea boss wants to lure the 20 year old to West London, which could be a very tough task.

Rui Patricio closes in on move to Monaco

RUI PATRICIO is closing in on a move to Monaco after the French club agreed to meet Sporting Lisbon's asking price for the goalkeeper.

Arsenal had been heavily linked with a move for Patricio as Arsene Wenger looked to provide stiff competition for incumbent number one Wojciech Szczesny.

Besiktas Chasing Ronaldinho

Lucas Piazon set for loan switch

Turkish giants Besiktas have confirmed their pursuit of Atletico Mineiro star Ronaldinho. Besiktas coach Slaven Bilic has revealed that his side is keen on landing the former-Barcelona star, who he believes could be a valuable addition to the squad.

The Turkish outfit have been linked with a move for the 33year-old for long now.

Chelsea's Brazilian wonderkid Lucas Piazon is set to follow the likes of Patrick Van Aanholt and Gael Kakuta on loan to Eredivisie side Vitesse Arnhem this summer, according to sources in the Netherlands. The Europa League champions have a strong relationship with the Dutch outfit having acquired the signature of their star, Marco Van Ginkel this summer.

Barcelona insist Alexis Sanchez is not for sale The Chilean, who has caught the attention of Napoli, will not be leaving the Catalan giants this summer, according to the club's vice-president.

Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu has reiterated the club's position on forward Alexis Sanchez, insisting he is not for sale.

Man United on the verge of completing £80m deal to re-sign Ronaldo

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onaldoMan United are reportedly on

the brink of completing an astonishing £80m deal to re-sign Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo according to reports.

The Old Trafford side have supposedly spent the past two weeks negotiating terms to see the 28 year old move back to the Premier League title holders, paving the way for Gareth Bale’s apparent imminent arrival at the Bernabeu. Newly appointed United chief executive Ed Woodward has apparently been in talks with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez for some time and has sought to take advantage of the fact that Ronaldo has steadfastly refused to sign a new long term contract at the Spanish giants.

Atletico last season and can also play on the left. He has won two caps for Brazil.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is ready to make a move for highly sought after Ajax playmaker Christian Eriksen. The Gunners boss appears to be losing out to Shakhtar Donetsk in the race to sign Brazilian youngster Bernard and has turned his intention to Danish international Eriksen. The 21-year-old has helped Ajax to three successive Eredivisie titles and could well be looking to make the ‘step-up’ and is wanted by both Liverpool and AC Milan.

Arsenal set sights on £16m Christian Eriksen

32—VANGUARD, SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2013 ty swept the polls. When the right candidate in the person of Olusegun Mimiko came out, Ondo people did not vote ACN or PDP, they voted for the person they felt was the right and better candidate. They did not look at his platform. He won by a landslide and that is the only governorship slot the Labour Party has produced in Nigeria today. I see this repeating itself in the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra.

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rs. Ifeoma Akabueze , Vice Chairperson, SAKAB International Company Limited, is a crusader for social justice and financier for the rights of women and the youth. Perhaps to make her aspirations true-to-life, she is throwing her weight behind Chief Ifeanyi Ubah’s governorship bid, describing him as the only aspirant in the race with a new face which will transform Anambra politics and give the youth the pride of place they deserve. Excerpts:

Money and politics

It is always good to study the past record and background of the person you are electing. If you mistakenly elect a hungry or greedy person as governor, what do you expect in return?

Do you think such a governor would ever want to be a hungry man in his life again?

Or do you expect him not to ‘settle’ the peo-

Interest in Anambra politics

I don’t play partisan politics, but that does not mean that as a business woman, I am ignorant of all that has been happening in Anambra State and the country politically and otherwise. Let me use this forum to tell you I have been following all the political activities in the state and the country generally. I have been waiting for the appropriate time to talk. That right time has come because the eagle has landed. I can now tell the good people of Anambra State that the right man for the job is Chief Ifeanyi Ubah and he should be supported massively.

He will bring down the dividends of democracy to the grassroots, and with his new face, transform the old face of Anambra State politically and otherwise.

When I said he is the only aspirant with a new face among all the other 41 governorship aspirants in the race, it is not a joke. Many of them have at one time or the other held a highly exalted position in Anambra State and in the nation’s polity. But what do Anambra people have to show for it?

Nothing. What did they benefit from them? Nothing.

What the good people of Anambra need now is a leader with a new face that will transform the old face of Anambra, so let all Anambrarians - both home and abroad - especially the women and the youth, come out en masse and demonstrate their love and support for him.

*Ifeoma Akabueze

Entrepreneurship will tackle rising youth unemployment

Support for Labour Party

All the other political parties in Anambra are being rocked by one problem or the other, one crisis or the other.

If you want to talk about the Anambra PDP, presently it has three factions - with three factional leaders claiming the chairmanship position.

When it gets to the primaries, which of the factions will produce the governorship candidate for the party and how will they reconcile that?

Again, if you go to APGA, it is the same story. Which of the factions will present the governorship candidate for APGA? Is it Victor Umeh’s fac-

—Ifeoma Akabueze

tion or Governor Peter Obi’s faction? The new APC just got registered as a political party after the merger of the opposition parties. So the only political party in Anambra today where there is no squabble is the Labour Party.

If a party is going for an electoral war and there is already an internal war within, as is the case of those parties I mentioned earlier, don’t you think it will be extremely difficult if not impossible for such a political party to get victory at the polls? In the Labour Party in Anambra,

they are united, coordinated and there is cohesion at a very high level of existence.

That is all a political party needs to secure victory at the polls. And not only that, the Labour Party is capped with a credible candidate like Ifeanyi Ubah. I strongly believe that personality and not party will decide this Anambra 2013 Governorship election as it happened in Ondo State the last time. ACN and the PDP are the two dominant political parties in that state.

But when the time of the election came, the Labour Par-

ple who sponsored him? It is impossible. He must enrich himself bogusly and his sponsors will loot the state treasury dry to the detriment of the innocent masses that cast their votes for him. The electorate has mistakenly armed such a person to acquire maximum wealth for himself and his entire relations for life to the detriment of the poor masses.

But when you elect a successful and fulfilled man with ideas like Ubah, what is he going to steal that has he not seen or does not have? He has created enough wealth for himself and his family which his children will not be able to finish.

Women and the youth

Entrepreneurship has become the buzzword in today’s global corporate milieu and is apparently the solution to the rising incidence of youth unemployment. In realisation of this, Ifeanyi Ubah will graciously approve the organisation of a two-day Youth Business Entrepreneurship seminar which the office in charge of Youth Affairs will conduct regularly

for the youths drawn from the 24 LGAs on how to start and grow their own business and generally acquire entrepreneurship education to sustain their business ideas.

Through this Bureau of Youth Affairs , he will equally undertake collaborative initiatives with several youth-based organisations to draw the attention of the youth and students to the fact that they need to become more responsible and useful members of the society. Precisely, he will partner with an NGO, the Alliance of Youths Against Crime in Nigerian Communities, AYACNC, to organise a one-day Law Enforcement Agents and Youths roundtable to look at issues concerning the relationship between youths and the law enforcement agencies. He will also package a two-day Agric – Entrepreneurship for over 10, 000 youths in the 24 LGAs which deals with teaching the youth practical skills in fish farming, snail

when you elect a successful and fulfilled man with ideas like Ifeanyi Ubah, what is he going to steal that has he not seen or does not have? farming, grass- cutter farming, soap-making and confectionaries.

You know that any government which does not handle the issues of the youth seriously and carefully is bound to fail. They are the leaders of tomorrow and as such should be carried along. His government will initiate so many programmes that will positively touch the lives of the youth and women of Anambra. Again, he promised to make sports a priority.

Retired civil servants He will design a better welfare package for the civil servants in Anambra, including the retired ones. He has promised to make their salaries, arrears and pensions payment regular and as and when due.

Under his administration, they will smile. He also has promised that there will be nothing like terminating civil servant appointments under the pretext that there is no money to pay their salaries. Instead, he has promised to employ new ones to increase the number of civil servants in Anambra, thereby making the workforce in the ministries more effective and efficient.

VANGUARD, SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2013—33

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

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ou studied Marketing for your OND and HND. Why didn’t you practise it?

Right from my primary school, I discovered I have the gift of barbing. Then I used a comb and blade to cut male hair. I did it for the fun of it, even though I earned little money from it.

However, when I got to JSS 3, there was this senior friend of mine who had a barbing salon and already knew how to cut with a clipper. Out of curiosity, I approached him so I could learn how to use clippers too, but he refused to teach me because I was still in school. However, during one Salah, my senior friend had too many customers, including children.

Fortunately, I also went there to cut my hair. On getting there, he remembered I’d told him I wanted to work for him.

That was how he told me to cut for those children with my blade and comb. At the end of the day, I made almost N60 because I ended up cutting for almost 25 children and he asked me to take the money. I was very happy, and it was at that point I realised I could make good money from cutting hair.

Did you show the money to your parents?

No, I didn’t. I lavished it during the Salah festivities.

But they already knew I used to cut hair and would charge like N1 per person.

I made so much from my friend’s shop because he had a beautiful shop and charged N3 per person.

How old were you then?

I was like 15 years old then.

How did you move from cutting male hair to making female hair?

I don’t like being idle, so after my secondary school I did a lot of menial jobs like carrying sand at building sites. But it was during my NYSC in Gombe that the idea came - even though I didn’t know I would end up making female hair. All I was just thinking about was what would keep me busy after my NYSC before I could find a job. I already had a barbing salon where I made money to sponsor myself through school.

One day, when I was praying, something just told me that if I didn’t get a job on time after my NYSC, I should find something else to do.

When I got back to Lagos, I spread my CV out. One day, my pastor called me and asked why I hadn’t got a job. I told him I’d not found any. So he asked me to bring a list of what I knew how to do best. I made a list of three things, one of which was how to cut white people’s hair. I took it to him, and at the end of the day, he advised that instead of cutting white people’s hair I should

rather learn how to make female hair.

That was how I started looking for a place to learn.

I first went to Bobby’s but was told the registration had closed. Then, a friend of mine advised me to try ‘Make Me’ at Bode Thomas.

That was how I got enrolled in ‘Make Me’ for a period of one and half years. But within six months after I got there, I had already become perfect such that my boss started paying me a salary.

After learning for one and half years, I worked there for another one and half years making three years. While working at ‘Make Me’, I made hair for many celebrity ladies like Monalisa Chinda, Fatia Balogun, Bisi Ibidapo. Then I started on my own. But before I got my own shop, I would take customers to my wife’s shop - even though at that time I didn’t know I would marry her.

Before I got my own shop, I would take customers to my wife’s shop but as at then, I didn’t even know I would marry her From there, we started Today ’s Choice here in Mushin, and it has grown over the years such that most of the ladies, including celebrities whose hair I used to make at ‘Make Me’, still come here to look for me. Hair making is what

How I left Marketing for hair-making —Akinhanmi

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unday Akinhanmi, CEO, Today’s Choice, located in the heart of Mushin, is a lady’s man any time, any day. And that’s because with his fingers, he can transform a duckling into a princess. From a boy who started out cutting hair for the fun of it, he has grown to become the proud owner of one of the best beauty salons in Mushin. This is Sunday’s experience. Read on.

makes me happy, and since I found my passion, I’ve never looked back. Making women beautiful is my pride.

What challenges did you face?

I faced lots of challenges while starting out because many people didn’t believe in me at first. Like when I was looking for a place to learn how to make hair, a lot of people didn’t understand why a man would get involved in making women’s hair, especially since I’m a graduate. On that fateful day when I went to Bobby’s to register, I met a man who after sizing me

up thought I wasn’t qualified to learn there, although I didn’t let him know I was a graduate.

Even at that time, I didn’t let my parents, neighbours and some friends know I was learning how to make hair because they would discourage me.

I also faced the challenge of money. I didn’t have enough money to set up my own salon, that was why I used to take my customers to my wife’s place when I just started. But with time, I had to start saving because there was nobody to help with money.

Again, we had a challenge with location.

Initially, after I finished learning at Make Me, I was disturbed about how to get customers to come all the way to Mushin because most of my customers stay on the Island, Ikoyi, Ajah and other highbrow areas. But I was happy when they didn’t mind coming here to look for me. Stars like Fatia Balogun always come here to make their hair. So far, it’s been challenging, but thank God we are making headway.

What’s your goal in the next five years?

My goal is to have my own brand of human hair and we are working towards it.

34—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013

C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013—35

BY IYABO AINA

Chris Brown moves to make up with Rihanna?

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here are indications that Chris Brown may make up with Rihanna after all.

After several breakups and making-up, fans probably thought it’s finally over between the two lovebirds. But no, their love tango seems not to be over, because Chris recently posted a tweet that he’s in Geneva to “clear his head.”

And guess what, Rihanna is also in Geneva where she’s presently having her world tour.

Chris also wrote “Sometimes you just need that time to get away and think about life.” So don’t be surprised if you see pictures of Chris Brown and Rihanna together soon.

EXPOSED PUBLICITY STUNT!

DJ Khaled’s proposal to Nicky Minaj F

or those of you already expecting a wedding date to be announced by just engaged Nicky Minaj and DJ Khaled, sorry to disappoint you. It was all a publicity stunt!

Recently, news of 37-year-old record producer, rapper, DJ and record label executive, Khaled bin Abdul Khaled, better known by his stage name DJ Khaled asking Nicki Minaj to marry him via a video posted online hit the airwaves. He explained why he wants Nicki as his wife.

In the video, DJ Khaled expressed his love to Nicky and finally asked her to marry him, presenting her a $500,000 diamond ring and help from MTV. But seriously, it has been confirmed that both aren’t engaged as earlier believed.

Nicky is only acting along to help him promote his upcoming album. The duo are said to be friends as Nicky reportedly said she found the public proposal funny.

Nicky is engaged to her long-time boyfriend and hype man, Safaree.

Shailene Woodley hits red carpet Shakira wants barefooted !

$14.95m for Miami mansion

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atest information spreading online about sexy singer Shakira, 36, was that she is selling her deluxe mansion in Miami for the super-sized price of $14.95 million.

Although Shakira undoubtedly enjoyed the property’s prime location just minutes from the trendy South Beach neighborhood when she bought it in 2001, it seems her situation has changed a bit. The Season 4 mentor on “The Voice” is now mom to 6month-old son Milan and spends most of her time in Spain, where she resides with her football player boyfriend, Gerard Pique.

According to reports , Shakira is leaving the place bigger and better than she found it. Though we gathered that she purchased the mansion for $3.38 million, but has completely remodelled and added 1,663 square feet onto the home, so it now has six bedrooms and eight-and-a-half bathrooms in 8,355 square feet.

Casa Shakira also added light wood floors, a state-of-the-art kitchen and a gym, but those are just a few of the highlights from the inside. The exterior of the estate has a pool with a hardwood deck and direct access to the water by way of a private deck.

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reaking your heel on a red carpet might be considered a Hollywood starlet’s worse nightmare, but that’s not the case for Shailene Woodley.

While at a screening in Los Angeles last Tuesday night for her new film, “The Spectacular Now,” the 21-year-old actress’s heel snapped while she was standing and talking to reporters.

“I’m so freaking stoked,” Shailene said.

“Now I have to go barefoot.”

For what it’s worth, we did witness the heel breaking in two.

“You witnessed it!” Woodley continued.

“So when people are like ‘Shai’s such a hippie, she does the red carpet without shoes, how disrespectful,’ you can be like, ‘She broke her heels and her shoes!’”

Woodley has been known to put an interesting foot forward on event carpets before.

Woodley at the airport (Splash News)While “The Descendants” star was at the 2012 Independent Spirit Awards, she posed for pictures on the carpet sans shoes, and after the Golden Globe Awards that same year, the nominee ditched her heels for barefoot running shoes. The actress was spotted wearing the same athletic footwear when she touched down at LAX on Saturday.

“I do have them!” she laughed. “I don’t know where they are right now, in the car somewhere.”

“Shai would be going barefoot whether her shoes snapped or not,” her “Spectacular Now” co-star Miles Teller chimed in.

36—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013

Lady Gaga to perform ‘Artpop’ at MTV awards A

merican pop singer, Lady Gaga, is billed to perform the new single from her highly anticipated fourth studio album, Artpop, for the first time ever live at the 2013 “MTV Video Music Awards.

From her powerful rendition of “Paparazzi” to the gender-bending, adrenaline-fuelled version of “You and I”, Lady Gaga is the mastermind behind some of the most memorable VMA performances in recent years. This year, she’s expected to continue that legacy with what’s sure to be an unforgettable performance of the first single to be officially released from her fourth full length album, Artpop, on August 19th.

As one of the most talked about and innovative artistes of this generation, Lady Gaga has left an indelible mark on the “MTV Video Music Awards” by winning an astounding 13 Moonmen trophies since 2009, including “Best New Artist”, “Video of the Year ” for “Bad Romance” as well as “Best Video with a Message” for “Born This Way”.

Justin Timberlake, Acklemore and Ryan Lewis lead this year ’s VMA pack with six overall nominations each. Timberlake’s nominations include “Video of the Year”, “Best Male Video”, “Best Pop Video” and “Best Editing” for “Mirrors”, while

Lady Gaga

Timix to host celebrity house party

By ANOZIE EGOLE

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or fun-seekers, this Sunday will not be forgotten in a hurry as new kid on the block, Timix, gather celebs from music, movie, radio, television and sports in Lagos, for this year’s first big house party.

Organised by MIGMIE, the house party, billed to hold across the four cities of Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Benin and Lagos, will kick off on Sunday, August 4 at Black Lounge, Elegushi Beach, Lagos. The party will also include banters, games and performances.

Speaking on the party, Ti-

mix said: “I have shown you how a house party is done in the video, now I want to bring the video back to life. This is the first of a four-city tour. My team and I are working hard to make Abuja, Port Harcourt and Benin bigger, but the first stop is Black Lounge, Lagos this Sunday. We are trying to make this impactful and different. We can assure you that this tour is something to look forward to.”

The tour will include bigger celebrity house parties, select club gigs, road stops, TV and radio performances as well as extended media visits.

Timix, who is signed to MIGMIE music, returned to Nigeria last June with the release of “Kowole.” Featuring Dammy Krane, he’s one

his “Suit and Tie” featuring Jay Z scored nods for “Best Collaboration”, and “Best Direction”. Previously, Timberlake had taken home seven “Video Music Awards”, including “Best Pop Video” for “Cry Me a River”.

Other notable nominees receiving multiple 2013 Video Music Award nods range from the worlds of Pop, HipHop, EDM, R&B and Rock and include previously nominated artists such as Taylor Swift, Drake, fun, Calvin

Harris, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs as well as first-time VMA nominees Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey, The Weekend and Capital Cities.

Winners will take home a special-edition Moonman trophy, re-imagined by worldrenowned, Brooklyn-based artiste KAWS and created exclusively for this year ’s show. The MTV Video Music Awards will take place at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on the 26th of August.

Wande Coal dumps Mavin Records?

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

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f rumours making the rounds are anything to go by , another member of Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records may have dumped the label for good.

Showtime gathered that Wande Coal allegedly left Mavin Records to float his own label, Black Diamond Entertainment.

Tongues started wagging recently when Wande Coal‘s new single, “Kilaju” was produced by Maleek Berry and released under his Black Diamond imprint.

A member of his new team who pleaded anonymity confirmed the split to Showtime, stressing that WC’s Twitter bio says it all.

Meanwhile, Don Jazzy could not be reached to confirm or deny the rumour.

Wande coal

Klever Jay’s Omo Aye video out soon and the United States, the vid-

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Timix of the emerging acts to watch out for.

fro pop act, Klever Jay, is set to hit the airwaves with a brand new video of his current single, Omo Aye. The fast-rising musician, who recently signed a multimillion-naira deal with Black Wall Street, a record label based in Abuja, released the single in June this year.

Shot by Patrick Ellis at choice locations in Nigeria

eo of the new single was directed by none other than Jeffery, the man who did the video for The Game’s hit track, My Life According to Suni Osorun, CEO, Black Wall Street/Avatar, Klever Jay’s new video will drop on August 10, 2013. “The new video will hit major television stations across the country on August 10, this year.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013 — 37

Glo X Factor : Vicky, SmoothBoiz survive eviction scare

Yet another Wizkid impostor!

BENJAMIN NJOKU

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eeks after an impostor who claimed to be the talented singer, Ayo Balogun popularly known as Wizkid defrauded students of the University of Lagos (Unilag) of the sum of N500,000,00 as full payment for a show tagged “ Concert for Life”, the ugly incident has repeated itself.

This time around, the victims are not Unilag students, but an Owerri,Imo State-based businessman, Chief Chukwudi Ofoha. He is the CEO of Ibari Ogwa, a popular hangout located in the World Bank area of Owerri.

Showtime gathered that the impostor who claimed to be Wizkid was contracted by one Mr. Ugochukwu Favour Mayor on behalf of Chief Ofoha for a show at the hangout. The impostor is said to have charged the latter the sum of N1million. And in sealing the deal, an advance payment of N300,000,00 was allegedly paid into the impostor’s UBA account.

An insider told Showtime that shortly

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after the payment was made,the impostor switched off his cell phone, thereby raising the suspicion that he was not the real Wizkid.

Based on this development, the CEO of Ibari Ogwa is said to have arrested and detained Mr Mayor at the State CID in Owerri.

Meanwhile, a source who confirmed the development to Showtime during the week hinted that the impostor is still demanding for the balance of N700,000,00 from his victim.

According to the source, the Police are already investigating the matter.

But series of efforts made at press time to contact Wizkid proved abortive Last month, the hit-maker granted journalists an interview where he decried his continuous impersonation by fraudsters. Bugged by increasing complaints and reported incidents, Wizkid expressed worry that some bandits would go to any length to perpetrate evil acts and defraud innocent fans and customers. Interestingly,one of the impostors was recently nabbed in Lagos.

Wizkid

hile the audience turned up at Dream Studio, Ikeja, Lagos expecting to witness the first eviction in the contest, they were certainly not prepared for what was to follow. There was palpable excitement as a representative of renowned auditors Alexander Forbes came on stage to hand over the result of the voting to show host, Toolz. But the excitement quickly gave way. A hush descended on the hall as Toolz, announced: “The two acts at the bottom having secured the least votes are…

Vicky and … SmoothBoiz.”

If the audience thought that Toolz was up to some game and that she would quickly reverse herself and say the two contestants had actually polled the most votes, the flicker of hope faded as she proceeded to request the rest of the contestants, Eshum, Pheel, Ankara Boi, Princess Pat, DJ Switch, Symphony and DNA to leave the stage to go and prepare for their performance show.

“No ooo!, no oo!, how?, Vicky?

SmoothBoiz? bottom two? Not possible, the two are the best singers on the show!” many members of the audience chorused when it dawned on them that indeed their beloved Vicky and SmoothBoiz were staring exit in the face.

Olamide drops new video GRACE EKPENBOR

Olamide

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ast-rising rapper and YBNL nation recording artiste, Badoo of life Olamide, dropped a video for the hit banger “Durosoke” last Wednesday on Star music app.

So far, the rapper has had an exciting year with an endorsement deal, award nominations as well as several music and video releases. According to the promising act, “My dream is to be one of Africa’s biggest exports and I am working very hard towards this. My fans have supported me in ways I never e v e n e x p e c t e d . In t u r n , I promise to keep giving them even more than they expect as a badoo mo fe durosoke” The exciting video “Durosoke” premiered exclusively on Star Music app last Wednesday. The app enables users watch, stream, download their favorite songs/videos, create their own playlists and also get the latest news on their favourite stars while interacting with one another.

Dr SDr. SID

Dr. SID, Olamide square off in Abeokuta T

here probably won’t be another concert like this for a long time to come, judging by the sweltering crowd, high level of anticipation and powerful crowd responses that resonated throughout the star-studded lineup at the 8th leg of Star Music Trek which held at the Abeokuta Sports Complex, Abeokuta, Ogun State last Saturday.

The event was compered by stand up comedian, Laff Up with a surprise appearance by comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, who ensured that there wasn’t a dull moment through out the night.

Juke Box, 2010 winners of Star Quest, was a delight to watch as they

performed some of the hits that won them the coveted 2010 Star Quest Crown. The melody makers are fast becoming a crowd favourite, winning a hard-earned place in their fans’ hearts.

After a long break from The Trek since the first leg in Festac on June 8 -Sound Sultan came well prepared to get the crowd dancing first as he dished out many of his popular hits accompanied by his live band.

For 45 minutes, cheered on by the appreciative crowd, Dr SID’s motley selection of songs kept the crowd going, fuelling anticipation of even more thrilling performances from other artistes during the concert.

38 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013

Hollywood actress Lindsay Lohan leaves rehab after 90 days

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ohan, 27, whose once promising Hollywood career has been upended by legal woes and erratic behavior, now must complete 15 months of therapy and 30 days of community labor to satisfy her sentence, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Dabney said.

The “Mean Girls” star struck a deal in March, to plead no contest to charges that she lied to Police when she said she was not behind the wheel after her Porsche sports car smashed into a truck in June

2012, in Santa Monica, California.

Lohan has already completed three months of therapy and must attend sessions three times per week, Dabney said.

She will remain on probation for another two years.

The troubled actress, who has spent at least six stints in rehab in as many years, was on probation at the time of the car accident for a 2011 conviction for stealing a necklace.

She spent part of her rehab stint at the Betty Ford Center

in Rancho Mirage, California,before transferring to a facility in the coastal town of Malibu.

Lohan, whose troubles began in 2007 with a drunk driving and cocaine possession arrest, spent several weeks at the Betty Ford Center in late 2010 after failing a court-ordered drug test.

The actress stars in the upcoming low-budget film “The Canyons.” She is also slated to appear in an interview with Oprah Winfrey this month on her own television network.

Lindsay Lohan

Annie Idibia’s daughter becomes actress

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

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our-year old daughter of 2face and Annie Idibia, Isabella Idibia has chosen a path so dear to her mother’s heart when she debuted in Nollywood last week. She’s starring in Uche Jombo’s new

flick, “Unconditional.”

Also, starring in the movie is former Super Eagles’ play-

er, Julius Agahowa’s daughter..

Sources disclosed that Isabella made her acting debut in Nollywood, with Unconditional as she acts alongside Dakore Akande,

her mother, Annie Idibia, Ruth Kadiri and Uche Jombo.

4- year old Isabella, HVP gathered is playing the role of an identical twins separated at birth and given to two different mothers, Uche and Dakore.

Annie and daughter

Forbes honours Mo Abudu

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orbes Media, world re nowned establishment which has become a symbol of distinction over the world for recognizing worthy business decision-makers, investors and progressive individuals for making real impact around the world by stimulating business growth, spearheading innovation, and influencing great change in the economy of the world, has named Mo Abudu as the first woman on the African continent to own a pan-African TV channel.

In the best of Forbes Media tradition, this honour is coming to the industrious and illustrious Mo, known vastly within and outside the industry as Africa’s Queen of Talk, after months of intense research and a thorough verification exercise by Forbes.

An incontrovertible position, the award, no doubt, firmly af-

Mo Abudu and CEO of Forbes Media

firms and establishes Mo Abudu as a true primus inter pares who has indeed treaded grounds that many may have considered an uphill task even for some of the highest flying African women. The dogged, tireless and steadfast visionary known for her simple, timeless and inspirational mantra, “If you can think it, you can do it”, has continued to blaze the trail in many areas, expanding possibilities and being a huge inspiration to millions in Africa and many parts of the world.

She has made her mark in diverse fields of endeavor, which cut across the corporate world as an Executive in Exxon Mobil for nearly a decade; she was the promoter behind the Protea Hotel Oakwood Park, of which she remains a shareholder and director; she was the Founder of Vic Lawrence and

Associates, now one of Nigeria’s leading Outsourcing firms, and most recently in the dynamic world of media, she is the Creator, Executive Producer and Hostess of “Moments with Mo”.

Mo is a great believer in the media, and her strong persuasion about using media and entertainment as a tool to change global perceptions about Africa and to advance various social-economic agenda, is the driving force behind EbonyLife TV. Being the first African woman to establish, own and run a Pan-African TV Channel is no mean feat.

The quest began as far back as 2006 when the multiple-award winner began exploring the possibility of getting a channel on Sky in the UK.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013 — 39

Uche Jombo flaunts new set of teeth I

Uche Jombo

What’s wr ong spotting them ttoge oge ther? wrong ogether?

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

f you’ve been privileged to get close to actress, Uche Jumbo before now, you would probably have noticed her new set of teeth.

Uche wasn’t so lucky to have a good set of dental, especially the ones in front. But now, things have changed for the actress as she wears a new set of frontal dental. Only a smile from her, and you would find yourself melting away but, the new set of teeth seem to be whiter than the others.

Meanwhile, the actress cum producer is back on our radar, with something refreshingly distinct from her past works, the actress whose last work A Mother’s Fight and Misplaced garnered rave review, attention and patronage in the DVD

AMVCA is back

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ince Nollywood bay boy, Jim Iyke and fair complexioned Ghollywood screen goddess, Nadia Buari confirmed they are dating, one does not see any reason for all the noise about spotting them together, especially at social functions.

Last weekend, the internet was awash with stories of how the lovebirds were spotted together at a fashion show in Ghana. While Jim and Nadia were not the only couple-tobe who graced the occasion, the noise about their presence does not in anyway reduce the love they have professed to each other.

Squealers said, the lovebirds became the centre of attraction as soon as they arrived the event venue with Nadia sporting a nude coloured shirt that showed off her underwear. Jim wore white jacket with ash colour pant to the event.

ANOZIE EGOLE

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Buari’s fashion sense, according to the industry watchers, may have robbed off on Iyke who wore a blinding white shorts suit to the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice

Awards (AMVCA) held in March.

Recall that Iyke and Nadia were together at the Ghana Music Awards and paparazzi couldn’t get enough of them.

per-stardom on the same platform.

Iyanya and Praiz did justify their current rating. Veteran Nollywood artiste, Olu Jacobs, amongst other industry giants, spanning telecommunications, oil and gas, manufacturing, media and the rest, were most thrilled as they kept applauding the Project Fame season one graduates, all through their performances.

Six among the new contestants gave a foretaste of what is to be expected in the coming weeks. Staring eviction in the face, Gbemisola, Veronica, Daniel, Niniola, Olawale and Johnny needed to convince the panel of judges that they deserved a place in the academy. While they took turns to make a possible last impres-

sion through various renditions from popular artistes, only four of them got the judges’ nods to join the other 12 contestants. Veronica and Daniel could not deliver such master-strokes that would have given them the ‘heads up’ to be part of this year’s academy. Gbemisola, Niniola, Olawale and Johnny joined the academy. The contestants are Blessing, Simon Ekechukwu, Omolayo Babawale, Janet Ayoka, Gbemisola Rowland, Johnny Drill Ighodaro, Niniola Apata, Immaculate Patience, Henry McJohn, David Crentsil, Roland Ricketts, Leonard Massaquoi, Oluchi Isreal, Jimoh Lucky, Olawale Ayodele Ojo and Margareth Cephas.

MTN Pr oject FFame: ame: 116 6 cont es Project contes esttants unveiled!

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t was a great evening of ex tra-ordinary performances, quality attendance and special treat, last weekend, as West Africa’s most productive musical reality show, the MTN Project Fame, unveils the 16 contestants who will, once again, bring the sub-region to standstill, with breathtaking music renditions, week-in-week-out, for the next two months. The expectations that surrounded the opening show and gala were not unmet. Select contestants treated the audience to songs

by Alicia Keys and other popular artistes. Remarkably, as well, Iyanya and Praiz, two popular artistes and alumni of the reality show, graced the stage to stir memories of how they were nurtured into su-

market, will be releasing two works before the end of the month end. The works are titled “False and Lies Men Tell.”

“False” stars the likes of Kate Henshaw, Kalu Ikeagwu and Uche herself. Kalu is the unfortunate husband who wanted to eat his cake and have it, by playing love with a stranger on Blackberry despite having a dutiful and dedicated wife in Kate Henshaw.

In “Lies Men Tell”, a philandering Ibo husband, Desmond Elliot took his playboy game too far, his smart wife, Uche Jombo outwitted him in the game of smartness. It will be a game of winner take all. The release of both movies at the end of this month will coincide with the celebration of Uche Jombo’s month on Africa Magic Entertainment on DSTV.

fter a successful first edition of the AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards, held last March, MultiChoice and AfricaMagic has unveiled the second edition. The African Magic Viewers Choice Awards were created to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution made by Pan African filmmakers, actors/actresses and technicians in the success of the continent’s film and television industry.

The official announcement of the 2014 AMVCAs was made during the week on Africa’s biggest reality show, Big Brother after BBA invited 2013 AMCA award winners, Ghanaian actress Jackie Appiah and director Akin Omotoso, to judge a movie task that was presented by the housemates last Thursday.

This year a total of 28 awards in 26 categories will be awarded ranging from acting and directing to

Abiola scriptwriting and cinematography, with 9 of those categories being voted for by the viewers. Other areas in which honours will be given are editing, make-up, sound, lighting, including the most anticipated of the whole ceremony, the Industry Merit Award and the Trailblazer of The Year Award. Last year the two awards were awarded to veteran Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs and Nigerian actress Ivie Okujaiye respectively.

40—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013—41

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI, FLORENCE AMAGIYA, & ANOZIE EGOLE

...On the increasing rate of divorce among celebrities!

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very now and then, stories of crashed marriages involving celebrities make headlines in the national dailies. It has become so alarming that people are wondering loudly what might be responsible for this ugly trend.Our team went to town and sought the opinions of the celebrities on the issue.

It depends on the dividuals

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— Muma Gee

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t depends on the individuals involved in the marriage. We have two types of marriages in the industry. We have the celebrity/noncelebrity marriage and celebrity/celebrity marriage of which I happen to fall into the latter category. The reason we record a lot of divorce in the former is because

I mus or 5yr mustt live with a man ffor 5yrss before... —Eniola Badmus

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hat is the point if I marry today and tomorrow it’s all over? What’s

the essence? I am living my life. I will have a baby when it’s necessary. Marriage is good but what’s the essence of me getting married today and divorcing tomorrow? If I am going to marry any man,we should be together for five years before we walk down the aisle. We may have children but at least, after five years, I would have ascertained that he’s ready for me. Not getting married today, and tomorrow he’s out of my life. I’ve seen it happen to my friends and I don’t want to go through that trauma.

Dating for 5yr s doesn’t guarantee lasting marriage — Mr. Raw

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ivorce is all over th e wo rld , an d so me th in g to do wi it ha s exposure we now have th th e olden days, our parents . In the tolerant and ready to maare more marriages work. But no ke their wadays, everyone is independent and feels

they can take care of thems even when the marriage canelves still me mended.

It’s not how long you someone that guarante date lasting marriage life. Th es a is is because you can date someon 5 years and still divorce aftee for r2 years.

the celebrity involved is usually too busy and doesn’t have time for the family. The marriage could also crash for lack of trust, jealousy and ego problem.

I think it’s bad because for me, I don’t believe in divorce.

But if the condition is bad enough such that life is involved, one has no choice than to walk out of the marriage.

It’s not only peculiar with celebrities —Foluke Daramola

Blame it on lack of under undersstanding —Joke Silva here are several reasons we record divorce cases in the country today. One of the reasons is the historical perspective where somebody believes that domestic violence and divorce is a normal thing because he or she is used to that. There is also a perspective of lack of understanding.

In relationships, there are also power play where one party wants to lord it over the other. In this issue of power play, one needs to calm down. If the two parties are struggling for power, it would be better for one party to play the fool. Another factor that can lead to divorce in marriages is a situation where one fails to satisfy the partner in totality. I don’t buy the idea that it is common among the entertainers.

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don’t have much to say about that because I have been a victim of divorce some time ago. I was married for five years but it didn’t work so, we had to divorce. For me, it’s not only peculiar with the Nig eria n mo tion pic tur e industry. The problem is that we are in the public eye. I know it is never the wish of any woman to end a marriage she has toiled to build up. So, for any bod y to tak e tha t decision, it means the person through hell. It can happen to any must have gone one. It happens in every profession , not only in Nollyw someone that broke up with her ood. I have seen months of their marriage. We wouhubby after two happier if someone dies in a marriagldn’t have been e because he or she is afraid to call it quit.

It’s a per sonal personal thing — Rykardo Agbor

think it is a People’s marriages Ipersonal thing because if we go out of the entertainment are their s... theirs... industry and look at marriages,

— Onyeka Onwenu

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orry, I don’t like to comment on such because people’s marriages are their marriages, and their divorces are their divorces.

we will find that it has the same problem . While some can handle it, others can’t. Maybe, the problem is incompatibility which is a peculiar thing. Abroad, people get married today and divorce tomorrow. It really does not have anything to do with entertainment.

42—SA TURD AY 42—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard,

AUGUST 3, 2013

I did not vote for child marriage – Ugbesia says governors, other powerful forces stultified LG autonomy

Senator Odion Ugbesia is the senator representing Edo Central senatorial district of Edo State and a member of the Constitutional Review Committee in the National Assembly. Recently, he came under fire from women within and outside the state following allegations that he voted in favour of underage marriage in the recent constitutional amendment exercise conducted by the National Assembly. But the soft-spoken senator continues to insist he made no such move, adding that the issue of child marriage was never brought before his committee.

Ugbesia, who also is a member of the Constitutional Review Committee, disclosed that pressure from governors influenced the Senate’s decision not to approve autonomy for Local Governments, just as he declared that the powerful nature of governors is threatening the nation’s democracy.

Excerpts: You have been accused of voting in favour of underage marriage. How do you react to this?

I want us to face the facts squarely, nothing like child marriage was brought to the Senate. What was brought to us was Section 29, 4A and B. Section 29 specifically deals with the citizenship of this country. Let me read it: “Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration in the prescribed manner for renouncing citizenship. It went further to say “ for the purpose of sub section 1 of this section, full age means the age of 18 years and above.”

B, “Any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age”. This is the report of the Constitutional Review Commission of which I am a member. Now,

,,

By SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY

Sen Odion Ugbesia

But you did not send me to the Senate to promote religious intolerance, you did not send me to the Senate to promote ethnic or cultural intolerance

the drafters of our constitution, in their wisdom, chose the word ‘woman’, and woman by dictionary definition means “an adult female”. They could have chosen the word “girl”, they could have chosen the word “teenager”, but they chose the word “woman”.

Be that as it may, there was nowhere in that section where child marriage was mentioned. I am a trained political scientist, so I have seen and studied many constitutions. Constitutions don’t deal with marriages; those are mundane issues left for legislators to deal with. Even in Nigeria today, you don’t have a uniform marriage age. I, Elder Odion Ugbesia, am against child marriage. Yesterday I was against it, today I am against it, tomorrow I will still be against it. They should not vilify me based on falsehood.

Two, this issue has been in the Nigerian Constitution. What was brought before us is should we delete it or not? To me, 4A or 4B is not injurious to anybody.

It has been there and if you remove it, it does not add value to our morality. If you don’t remove it, it does not subtract value from our morality. Those interested in marrying a 13-year-old will still marry a 13-year-old whether it is there or not because it has been there since

1976. 4A means “the age of 18 years and above”. B, “any woman” not any child or any teenager. “Any woman” because there is a deliberate effort here to show that the person who must stand to renounce the citizenship of this country must be an adult. So where is this thing over child marriage coming from?

What you are implying is that since Yerima spoke on the issue, I probably should not have voted this way or that way. But you did not send me to the Senate to promote religious intolerance, you did not send me to the Senate to promote ethnic or cultural intolerance.

If anything, I was sent to the Senate to promote good governance, to promote harmony among the ethnic groups or religious groups in this country. You did not ask me to go and vote for minor marriages because it is not even there.

Why didn’t the Senate approve state police /LG autonomy?

This is what Nigerians should crucify us for. I will go down on my knees to apologise to them. Today we have what is called the Governors’ Forum. This body is not known to the Nigerian constitution, but still determines the shape and direction of Nigerian politics because the governors have assumed so much powers not envisaged in the con-

stitution. Why have they become so powerful? Because they control the political processes, political parties are under their whims and caprices, they have so much money. Last time, this same exercise was sent to the states because no matter what we do now, we must still send it to the state Houses of Assembly and we need 24 state Houses of Assembly to ratify it before it can be approved.

But there are chances now because the House passed that version of Local Government autonomy. There will be a conference session where local government autonomy might still be passed, but I want to challenge you that even if it is passed and it comes to Edo State, it will not see the light of day because the governors are not well disposed to it.

Are you blaming the governors for the Senate’s failure to pass the bill?

Are you not in this country? Have you not noticed that the Governors’ Forum has held this country hostage? We recommended Local Government autonomy for all states at the committee level, we had to bring it to the floor of the Senate where you have 109 people for debate. It did not pass. It is not that we did not see the need for it, but people voted against it. I do know that there were sources behind it coming outside the Senate.

Were the governors the forces?

Who else is against Local Government autonomy? Let me tell you one of our problems today. There are cases in court where the money directed to local governments doesn’t get to them because it is stopped at the state level. We are talking about true fiscal federalism. If the money meant for the third tier of government does not get there, then we have a problem because the governors don’t allow the money to get there.

The same goes for state police. The Ni-

Continues on page 43

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Continued from page 42 gerian Constitution provides for a Nigerian Police Force, but there is this agitation that there should be state police in order to stem the tide of crime. We fear that this provision can be abused by the governors. Take Edo State as an example. If you set up a state police, do you know who Oshiomhole will put there as policemen? It is because of fears over the abuse of the institution that the Senate did not pass that bill. Governors have assumed some powers because of the money they control.

Do the governors always induce senators financially in order to get their way?

I am not aware of that. As a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I think I should not be afraid to say anything. I think the governors, whether it is the Governor’s Forum collectively or the governors individually, have assumed too much powers that the constitution drafters did not envisage. The only reason they are doing that is because they have so much control over the resources of the states. We also have a situation where all political parties depend on the state governors for their existence. And he who pays the piper dictates the tune.

Nobody can be a senator in this state today without Oshiomhole’s endorsement.

What’s your take on the Rivers crisis?

The crisis in Rivers State is derived from the Governor’s Forum, but there are many fundamental issues we must deal with. Last week, the Senate voted to take over the functions of the state House of Assembly in Rivers State as

Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013—43

‘The Rivers crisis has affected the fortunes, robustness of PDP in the South-South prescribed in section 114. Now, in dealing with that issue, we looked at so many fundamental issues. We looked at the President’s relationship with the governor, the anxiety over 2015 and the extraneous forces like the Governors Forum and the rest of it. All of these coming into play in a particular issue makes a solution to the crisis almost impossible. You cannot legislate peace, you cannot decree peace, you must negotiate peace. And I said, we must strengthen the hands of the Senate President to begin to find an amicable solution and a sustainable one at that to the crisis in Rivers State. The Rivers crisis has affected the fortunes, the robustness of the PDP in the South-South. But I know we will find a solution to it and things will move ahead.

Aren’t you worried that sometimes Ministers use their connection with the Presidency to fight their governors or senators?

We all have our peculiar contributions to the crisis. It is not that the Presidency is responsible or Amaechi is responsible. Look at the individuals involved; all of these must be brought to bear on the effort to find a solution to the crisis in Rivers State.

A more radical approach would be to proscribe the Governors Forum, but if you do that, you would be violating their freedom of association according to the Constitution. For now, the National Assembly cannot proscribe the Governors’ Forum. What can solve the situation now is Presidential intervention.

The president has enormous powers,including the power of persuasion. I think that is what the President needs to employ more in dealing with the crises in the country.

The people of Esan land are not satisfied with your representation. What are you doing about that?

That is not true. I am about the only senator in Sen Odion Ugbesia this state or anywhere else who can boast trict. I can take you to where they are of building a three-class room block in located. I have built roads in communiseveral communities, and I have ties. Where is that senator who will say equipped them with computers. I am the he can match my records? None. only senator that will tell you I have built over 30 boreholes in my senatorial dis-

44 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013

8th Day Fidau Prayers for Late Alade Odunewu The 8th Day Fidau prayers for Late Alade Odunewu took place at the Island Club Lagos yesterday. Photos: Shola Oyelese

From left: Mr Oluwasegun Odunewu,Mr Akanni Odunewu, both sons and Mrs Ebunoluwa Awosika ,daughter, at the prayers

L-R: Chief Deji Salako , Vice Chairman, Island Club, Prince Ademola Dada, Chairman, Island Club and Mr J . J . Adolo

From left: Imam Alabi Alabidun Agba, Dr Femi Okunnu and Alhaji Akin Kekere-Ekun

L-R : Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, Chairman, Dept of Mass Communication ,Radio UNILAG and Sir Odafe Othiliwa, Fmr GM, Daily Times

L-R: Dr Balogun Adebayo and Alhaji I . B . Jose Ibrahim

More encomiums for Alade Odunewu Kalu felicitates with

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R I E N D S , sympathisers and family members yesterday gathered at Island Club, Lagos, for the 8th day Fidau prayers for veteran journalist, Alhaji Alade Odunewu (Allah-De) who passed last Thursday at St Nicholas Hospital, Lagos.

The event, observed under the atmosphere of solemnity had media chiefs, government representatives, politicians and the general public in attendance.

Speaking at the event, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Nigeria

Media Merit Award, NMA, Engr. Vincent Maduka, OFR, reminisced on how late Odunewu offered to endow an award category as part of the Nigeria Media Merit Award,before his retirement as Chairman of the board in 2012.

“He had a fulfilled career in journalism, rising from a reporter to become an Editor, Managing Editor and Editor-in-Chief at different times for different major newspapers in Nigeria.

His “Allah Deh” satirical newspaper column in the Daily Times was very

popular and contributed immensely to social development and democratic emancipation of Nigeria” he said.

Prince Ademola of the Island Club, in his own speech said “ Although I have been a member of

T

HE traditional ruler, the Obuzor of Ibusa, Obi Louis Nwoboshi has commended the Presidency and the Naval Command in Delta State, for the approval to site the Naval School in his

In a statement, signed by the secretary of Obuzor in Council, Onowu Austine Abuah, the Ibusa traditional ruler described the decision to establish the Naval School in Ibusa as a welcome development which will no doubt bring more development to the area.

Anenih @ 80

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FORMER Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has congratulated the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Tony Anenih, as he turns

Lagos Assembly okays Gbeleyi as Finance Commissioner

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AGOS State House of Assembly, yesterday, confirmed the nomination of Mr.

Obuzor of Ibusa commends Presidency, The monarch also comNavy Community.

BY TOMMY ANADUAKA

this great club for more than 30 years, I cannot claim to have known Alhaji Odunewu too well.

But the little I knew of him in the last 20 years speaks volume of the man’s accommodating and understanding attitude”.

mended the Ezemeze and Umuogwo communities in particular for deeming it fit to offer their land freely to the Naval Command adding that the project when completed will further boost economic and educational development in the area and entire State.

Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi as Commissioner for Finance.

Gbeleyi replaced Mr. Adetokunbo Abiru who resigned his appointment earlier in the week.

Before his appointment as Commissioner for Finance, Gbeleyi was Special Adviser on Public Private Partnership to the Governor.

He is a Chartered Accountant, and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

Gbeleyi is currently cocoordinating Lagos state government’s team efforts for the delivery of

such landmark projects as the Eti-Osa Lekki Epe Toll Road, Lekki – Ikoyi Toll Bridge, Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lekki–Epe Airport among others.

Earlier, the House has commended efforts of the leaders of All Progressives Congress, APC for their quality leadership role in ensuring that Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, register their new political party.

Moving the motion under matters of urgent public importance, Hon. Suru Avoseh described APC as a party that would improve lives of Nigerians.

80 on Sunday.

Kalu, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Oyekunle Oyewumi, described Anenih as a statesman whose virtues are worthy of emulation.

Kalu, who is in Zimbabwe as a part of the African Union Election Observer Mission, said Anenih has conducted himself creditably well as a reliable family man, an astute politician and a rock solid businessman.

He added: “Indeed, by whatever parametre, you are indeed a rare breed, a man of uncommon pedigree and one to be emulated.”

Kalu said that as a politician, the PDP was lucky to have him in its fold. He said: “His understanding of the political terrain in Nigeria is confounding and his ability to relate with men and women of all ages and standing in life baffles me till date. ”Edo State is lucky to have such a man who has attracted so much development to the state with his ability to walk his way through even tough terrains.”

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, AUGUST 3, 2013—45

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he interview granted by Senator Sani Yerima to a major newspaper last Saturday did little justice to the issues at hand. I had looked forward to reading it in the hope that certain ‘matters arising’ would be cleared but was very disappointed.

I know there is nothing like a perfect interview. But a good interviewer should put himself in the position of the readers and ask questions that should satisfy the curiosity and interest of the public in the person being interviewed. I finished the interview feeling as unsatisfied as I am sure many readers also felt.

Senator Yerima owes the rest of us explanations on certain issues ranging from sharia to child marriage. I was hoping the interview would shed light on the personality of our esteemed Senator who is not shy to act out his beliefs even when they are at variance with our laws and the constitution.

It was interesting to learn for example, that he has a wife who is a medical doctor. But the interviewer did not follow up to ask if he married her as a 13-year old and then allowed her to study after child bearing. We also did not learn what happened to the 13-year old import that caused so much furore a couple of years ago.

Has she given birth? Has she gone back to school? Is she being allowed to dream and work towards the fulfilment of that dream? Or is she just a sex slave? What is the relationship between that child who would never experience the joy and heartaches of adolescent life and the medical doctor?

I would also have loved to know how many daughters Senator Yerima has and what the fate of those girls is.

Would a wife who is a medical doctor allow her daughters to be married off at 13 knowing the health implications to an unripe mind and body? Would she fight or simply acquiesce to a selfish interpretation of an ancient religious dogma? How many ‘mothers’ with VVF has she treated at her place of work? How many child mothers who are having a hard time coping with life has she met?

In the interview, Senator Yerima talked about tolerance to other religions. In other words, he respects the rights of other religions but does not recognise the rights of the female gender much less those of the girl child. He said a child who is old enough to menstruate is old enough to marry. Really? In this age of improved nutrition where girls start menstruating as early as 11, 12? At this point, I thought the interviewer would ask for the Senator’s definition of marriage. Is it a one-way sex adventure? a ‘bang, bang, thank you maam’? or that of mutual consent? Is a wife an object of gratification and nothing more? Does this senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria believe in values like consent, companionship,

Would a wife who is a medical doctor allow her daughters to be married off at 13?

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friendship, mutual respect and tolerance in marriage? Not to talk about attraction and love?

Senator Yerima lives a schizophrenic life. A part of him lives in a dark, anachronic age where women are regarded as appendages to men.

Another part lives in the age of internet and democracy.

He put on that democratic hat when he said, straight faced, that he would not mind contesting for the Presidency of Nigeria. He deferred, he said, to General Buhari the last time and would defer only to him. He would, he said, throw his hat into the ring the minute he knows General Buhari will not contest.

And under what umbrella? The newly registered All Progressive Congress of course. So you ask yourself what this man, who lives in a time-warp, is doing in a progressive camp. But he is not the only one. Thanks to Vanguard’s Sunday article, we can identify a few more ‘progressives’ among those who voted for what is now popularly called the girl-child legislation.

Then you look further and see a lot of the ‘progressives’ among those who voted against the fiscal autonomy of the Local Governments. Imagine the inconsistency; these people want proper separation of powers. They want a true Federal system with the States enjoying as much autonomy as possible including State Police. But what do they practice? They are afraid to run Local Government elections and afraid to cede power to Local Governments. Secondly, how democratic is it to disallow primaries and to ask aspirants to high offices to await for their turn? How progressive is it to allow a man (or a small group of men) to become oracles whose words must be obeyed at all times?

A progressive should have a liberal mind. He must be guided by fundamental rights of decency and equity. He must look more at content and character than tribe, religion or gender. He must allow dissenting opinions and allow superior logic to hold sway.Do we see these values anywhere around?

We all know about PDP which someone famously described as a nest of killers.

I think this goes beyond physical annihilation. It is a nest of destroyers— of values, morals, spirituality etc. and ultimately, if care is not taken, PDP will destroy this country.

But is APC the messiah we are looking for or should we look for another?

Although there are some good men in APC, something tells me we need a 3rd force, made up this time, of young, educated, dedicated and passionate men and women who will harness the potentials of the country that are being dissipated by all manners of ‘progressives’.

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Ultimately, if care is not taken, PDP will destroy this country,but is APC the messiah ?

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A life of thanksgiving

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ne of the keys that will propel your rising is the key of per sistent thanksgiving. Thank God that the devil could not stop you despite all he threw at you. For some it was hardship, sickness, loss of job, loss of fortune, death of member of the family, discouragement. For others, it was pain, sorrow, barrenness, unprogressiveness, miscarriages, etc. In the midst of it all, God is still God. There can be no other God like Jehovah that reigneth from eternity to eternity. The truth of the matter is that no matter what you may have lost, God’s intervention is the reason why you did not lose everything. Remember that satan’s ministry is to steal, kill and destroy while Jesus came to give you life and life more abundantly (John 10:10).

I beseech you to join the league of those that constantly thank God in everything (1 Thess. 5:18). That you have life is by grace. You did not make or created yourself. God is your maker. He made you for a glorious purpose. Remember what He told Jeremiah, “before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jer. 1:5). No matter the present state of your life, it is not the end. You are on your way to greatness. Thank God that you are alive. Thank Him for your present status. Know that you are not the worst. You are better than someone else. When you thank Him, He will lift you higher than your present level. You are just one step away from your desired goal.

There are three days in a man’s life.

Yesterday, today and tomorrow. You can do nothing about yesterday because it is gone but you can do something today and look forward to a brighter tomorrow. Refuse to be tied to your negative past. It will rob you of your now and future. It is a killer of joy. When there is no joy there can be no fruitfulness. Thus, you cannot see any reason to be thankful.

Your attitude is what determines your altitude in life. If you are not grateful to God, you will be grounded. When gratitude becomes your lifestyle, you will continue to gain altitude in life.

Thanksgiving will take you to a higher realm in life. Hear me, as you commit to thanking God always, your status will change this year.

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Learn to recount God’s benefit in your life and give Him thanks. The Psalmist said in Ps. 103:2, “… and forget not all His benefits”. Never take the happenings in your life for granted. Nothing is too small to give God thanks for.

When you appreciate Him for that little, much will be added. Don’t let the devil stop you and make you to focus on what you have not received. Stay focused on your future but be totally grateful for your present. Your future is too great compared to where you are now. Thank Him in advance for where He is taking you.

Beloved, see God as the reason behind every good thing in your life.

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How progressive are ‘The Progressives’?

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There are three days in a man’s life. Yesterday, today and tomorrow. You can do nothing about yesterday because it is gone but you can do something today and look forward to a brighter tomorrow

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Know that, no man can prevail by strength (1 Sam 2:9). Every good gift comes from God (James 1:17). “For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? (1 Cor. 4:7). Know that God is the doer of everything good in your life. It is not by your act of hard work, “for without God ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Lift your voice and thank Him for every good thing that has happened to you.

Know that God expects you to thank Him. In Lk 17, He asked the leper who returned to thank Him about the other nine that were cleansed of leprosy. This means that God keeps record of what He has done and He is waiting for you to return the glory to Him. The leper that returned to give Him glory was made whole while those who did not return to give Him glory were not made whole. As you thank Him, He will make available what is missing by making your life whole. It is time to make thanksgiving your lifestyle daily and constantly.

A To manifest testimonies like never L before, you must constantly give Him thanks because it is His will.

A In doing His will, you will be F pleasing Him and in return there I shall be restoration in every area of your life because He reigns forN ever. Keep thanking Him and testimonies shall not cease in your L mouth every day, week and month. God bless you and bless O our great nation Nigeria.

K Have you given your life to O Jesus? If not, please pray this prayer. Father, I come to you as I J am. I invite Jesus into my life to A be my personal Lord and Saviour.

For more details, contact us at Christ Reality Church, beside Gossard Hotel, opposite First Bank Sports Ground, Community Road, Satellite Town or P.O.Box, 3196, Yaba Lagos. Tel: 08023062635 08168955932; 08033378769. Email: Johnson_crm@yahoo.com. Website: www.christrealityministries.org.

Our account details are Pastor Johnson Omomadia, Guaranty Trust Bank, A/C Nos. 0005171407; Christ Reality Ministries, Zenith Bank A/C 1011711622.

Worship with us on Sundays, 1st Service: 745am-9:15am; 2nd Service 9:1511:30am. Wednesdays Word Revelation 6pm. Counseling days Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 11am-5pm daily or by appointment. Showers of blessing every 2nd - 4th Sat. of each month, 6 a.m - 7.15 am.

46—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013

BY KINGSLEY OVEDJE

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NVESTORS who missed out on the telecoms licence regime in Nigeria now have another golden opportunity to invest in the next big sector on the African continent – the Nigerian Power Sector – with huge returns to make from generating electricity to a population in excess of 160 million people!

This is because the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC, is currently offering for sale an 80 percent stake in the 10 gas-fired power generating stations it built from the scratch on behalf of the three tiers of government.

Already, the NDPHC has invited prospective investors to submit Expressions of Interest (EoI) for the 10 thermal stations through publications in national dailies.

Following this, 110 private investors’ companies have put in their EoIs, which submission closed on Friday, July 19, 2013.

The transactions, to be conducted through International Competitive Bidding, will cover the following generation companies: Alaoji Generation Company Nigeria Limited, situated near Aba, Abia State, with total gross installed capacity of 831.3 MW (at ISO); Benin Generation Company Limited, situated near Benin city in Edo State with total gross installed capacity of 507.6 MW (at ISO); Calabar Generation Company Limited - near Calabar city in Cross River State, with a total gross installed capacity of 634.5MW (at ISO); Egbema Generation Company Limited near Owerri in Imo State with a total gross installed capacity of 380.7 MW (at ISO), and Gbarain Generation Company Limited, situated near Yenegoa in Bayelsa State with total gross installed capacity of 253.8 MW (at ISO).

The rest are Geregu Generation Company Limited in Ajaokuta, Kogi State with total gross installed capacity of 506.1 MW (at ISO); Ogorode Generation Company Limited, Sapele Delta State with total gross installed capacity of 507.6 MW (at ISO); Olorunsogo Generation Company Limited, located at Olorunsogo in Ogun State with total gross installed capacity of 754 MW (at ISO); Omoku Gen-

NIPP: Hitting the final stretch eration Company Limited, near Port Harcourt in Rivers State with total gross installed capacity of 264.71 MW (at ISO) and Omotosho Generation Company Limited in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, with total gross installed capacity of 512.82 MW (at ISO).

These power plants have a combined design capacity in excess of 5,453 megawatts (mw) at ISO conditions and 4,774mw (Net)

The entire process of privatisation of the power sector is irreversible and what happened in the telecoms sector is about to repeat itself in the power sector To handle the sale of the power plants in line with due process and laid down procedure, the three tiers of government have set up three committees, namely: the Joint Evaluation Committee, charged with evaluating the expression of interest for the power plants; the Joint Transaction Committee of the NDPHC headed by Managing Director, NDPHC, James Olotu and the Joint Technical Committee, headed by Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam.

Also, the NDPHC, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and other stakeholders in the power sector recently launched a road-show in Lagos, whose train also moved to London, Hong Kong and New York in the United

States (US)to provide necessary information to potential investors on the 10 power plants. The road-show has apparently yielded good dividends, as no fewer than 110 global and indigenous investors are currently jostling to buy the NDPHC plants.

Understandably, a great scramble is underway for the NDPHC plants. With Nigeria’s population of over 160 million people, the country is without doubt the largest market for investors in Africa. To be sure, the meteoric rise of hitherto unknown telecommunications companies to global reckoning following their entry into the highly rewarding Nigerian telecoms sector has put both indigenous and foreign investors on the alert for any investment opportunities in Nigeria. It is against this backdrop that over 200 investors have indicated their interest in acquiring the NDPHC plants.

Also, these investors are seeking to capitalise on the growth opportunities in the Nigerian electricity market, where demand far outstrips current supply and the potential for strong economic growth is high.

Moreover, some foreign investors are interested in the plants because they want to establish a strong presence in West Africa, using Nigeria as a platform for acquiring further assets in the region.

The NDPHC plants are also being sought after since they are all newly constructed and as such offer the best fuel efficiency and lowest operating costs, thereby relieving investors of pressure from construction cum commissioning costs.

Investors are also excited by the NDPHC plants because they are assets that can be further developed, as all but one of the open cycle gas turbine power plants have the potential for expansion and growth.

In addition, these investors relish the opportunity to partner with the three tiers of government that have shown a strong commitment to the country’s

power sector reforms, including taking several measures to support the credit-worthiness of investments in the country.

The power plants have also attracted mammoth investors’ interest because their buyers-operator would benefit from a Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) designed to be cost-reflective tariff that accounts for operating cost and capital recovery, incentivising efficient operations based on best new entrant capabilities and technology.

The MYTO also brings certainty to the tariff regime.

Potential operators are also scrambling for the NDPHC power plants because they would benefit from Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with the Federal Government owned entity – the Bulk Electricity Trading Plc. (NBET) – which will act as the bulk buyer of electricity in the early stages of market liberalisation.

And the opportunity to benefit from the 10-year term Gas Supply and Aggregation Agreements with Nigerian oil producers makes the NDPHC’s power plants a good buy for private sector investors.

At the Hong Kong road-show, Suswam disclosed that the three tiers of government have thus invested well over $8 billion in building 10 power plants, and expect over $6 billion (about N936 billion) in revenue from their sale.

The revenue receipt, according to Mr. Olotu, would be ploughed back into the sustained capacity development in the power sector, specifically to build a number of hydropower dams across Northern Nigeria.

During the road-show, Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, stressed that “the power sector will thrive in the hands of the private sector and drive the Nigerian economy. We will give maximum support to investors to take over the sector.

"The entire process of privatisation of the power sector is irreversible and what happened in the telecoms sector is about to repeat itself in the power sector. We expect that achievements in the power sector will dwarf the telecoms sector, and this will revive our economy/SMEs which are currently moribund.”

Also at the road-show, Director-General, BPE, Benjamin Dikki, said the sale of the power plants fell within the context of President Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda “which seeks to create a conducive atmosphere for private capital inflows.”

Similarly, Representative of the financial advisers to the privatisation programme, West African CPCS, Arif Mohiuddin, assured potential investors that the bidding process would commence in August and the final handover to eventual winners would be in June, 2014.

Likewise, Olotu assured: “All the plants are in top condition and have gone through pre-commissioning checks to ensure optimal performance in the hands of the operators who would be selected through a detailed and rigorous process to ensure that the full objectives of the NIPP projects are realised.”

Although Global System of Mobile communications (GSM) operators are currently making huge profits in the country, analysts say successful bidders for the NIPP power stations are in for bigger returns on their investment, given the acute thirst for regular power supply in the country. Without an iota of doubt, buying into any of the 10 power stations up for sale is the best investment move anyone could make in Nigeria today! * Ovedje wrote in from Asaba, Delta State

SATURDAY, Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013—47

A-list parade ffor or Ra er w eds Rayy Ekpu as daught daughter weds

From left: Mr. Ray Ekpu, Bride's Father, Mrs. Eniola Osho, Groom's Mother, Mr. Alexander Osho Groom his wife Edikan Ray Ekpu, Hon. Fidelis Osho, Groom's Father and Mrs. Uyai Ekpu, Bride's Mother

Senator Udoma Udo Udoma and his wife Sally

IT was a show of glamour and glitz last Saturday, July 27, 2013 in Lagos for veteran journalist, Mr. Ray Ekpu, who handed daughter, Edikan in marriage to heart-throb, Alexander Oshiniyi Osho,son of Hon. Fidelis Olukayode Osho.

The couple, Alexander and Edikan were pronounced man and wife at Redeemed Christian Church of God, Victory Chaple, Magodo, GRA before they were presented at the reception at the Grandeur Event Centre, Alausa, Ikeja. Top celebrities from several strata of the society graced the occasion.

Photos by Bunmi Azeez

From left: Mrs. Margaret Ajayi, Dr. Udo Udo-Aka, Mrs. Cordelia Ikeanyi and Chief Oliver Ogbonna.

Madam FFagbuar agbuar o laid tto o rest agbuaro

From left Mr Oviyan Whenu; Chief (Mrs) Olabisi Salis; Mrs Bola Adesola; Mrs Basirat Adeoti and Mr Segun Adeniyi.

CHILDREN and relations of late Princess Senami Olubunmi Fagbuaro, Nee Whenu has laid to rest the remains of the woman described by many as caring mother and grandmother. The final burial event took place in Ogba, Lagos and it was more of celebration of life than of death.

The children, who were joined by friends, family and well-wishers spared no expense in giving their mother a befitting burial ceremony which saw many who attended the occasion having so much to eat and drink with souvenirs go go away with. Photos by Lamidi Bamidele

From left: Mr. Yakubu Muhammad, Mr. Dan Agbese, Chief Alex Akinyele, Mr. Soji Akinrinade and Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, Editor-in-Chief/GM, Publication

From left:Mr. Ken Calebs Olumese, Senator Florence Ita Giwa and Aremo Olusegun Osoba,

Efuoma and Vict or Victor

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ictor Emudianughe and fiancee, Ufuoma have consummated their relation in a Holy matrimony. Both the traditional and ‘White’ wedding held at Otefe, Oghara, Delta State.

Mr and Mrs Victor Ufuoma Emudianughe

Mr Makin Adesola and Mrs Sade Ojo C M Y K

From left Mr Seyi Whenu,Director, Service Matters, Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, brother to the deceased; Eng Debola Fagbuaro; Mrs Oluwafunmike Oladeju and Mr Ayodeji Fagbuaro, Children

The couple and family members

48 — Vanguard,

Vanguard, SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2013

SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2013

Igbo deportee from Lagos dies, five others in critical health condition

BY OKONKWO EZE

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e were treated like criminals in our own country—deportees Speaking with Crime Guard , the deportees expressed regrets that a thing like this was happening in a country they were citizens.

They accused KIA officials of carrying out indiscriminate

Deportation: Fashola meets Lagos-Igbo leaders ...says

state govt. only re-integrates 14 persons,not72toAnambra

By OLASUNKANMI AKONI and MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

•Tales of how they were arrested •As reactions trail their deportation from Lagos

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OVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, reiterated that his administration did not repatriate 72 Igbo people to Anambra State as widely claimed,saying: “Only 14 persons were re-integrated to their native town.”

Fashola, who made the clarification during a courtesy visit to the State House,Alausa Secretariat,Ikeja by Aka Ikenga, an Igbo community in Lagos,said that the issue was a routine exercise that had been exaggerated to score cheap political point.

•Deportees

• One of the deportees narrating his ordeal

to a Red Cross offical

arrests of non-indigenes of Lagos, adding that majority of those detained in various local government cells in Lagos State were Igbos.

According to one of the deportees who gave her name as Rosemary Nathaniel, a native of Ubakala in Umuahia, Abia State, “I was neither a beggar nor a hawker for the past five years I lived in Lagos.

I was working at a T-shirt weaving centre at Mile 2, Lagos and I lived with my sister. But in January this year, KAI officials and some policemen arrested me and my friend while we were standing and discussing on the road. We were dragged into their waiting vehicle and taken to a prison at Alausa area of Lagos.

We saw other people who were also arrested . They took us round the area, made other arrests before taking us all to the prison.

The painful aspect of it was that they never bothered to ask any of us where we lived or what were doing for a living.

As I speak, my sister whom I

live with does not know anything about my whereabouts. It is so sad that this is happening in one’s own country.

Another deportee who identified himself as Osondu Mbuto, a trader from Ohaozara in Ebonyi State said he was arrested by KAI officials while

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ESIDENTS of Onitsha, Anambra State, were greeted with the sight of 67 persons later discovered to have been deported from Lagos, Wednesday, July 24.

The deportees, majority of whom were of Igbo extraction were dumped like helpless refugees at the popular Upper Iweka area of the commercial city.

On enquiry, they disclosed that they were arrested by officials of Lagos State Kick Against Indiscipline,KAI from various parts of Lagos. They further stated that they were detained in different prison custody for a period of six months to two years before they were brought into Onitcha at about 3.20am.

From their looks, it was discovered that majority of them were not beggars after all.Some of them were discovered to be hawkers whose goods were reportedly seized by KIA officials.But owing to the trauma, they looked pale, malnurished and sick.

When news of the deportation spread across the state, officials of the Nigerian Red Cross Society led by its South East zonal chairman, Dr. Peter Emeka Katcy, arrived the scene at about 6am,where they began a section of interview with the deportees apparently to ascertain their claims.

By noon, relatives of the some of the deportees surged Onitsha, where a total of 41 of them were taken to their different family houses while the Red Cross team whisked the remaining 18 to Onitsha South Local government township Stadium, where they were given first aid treatment and food.

At the stadium, more relatives of the remaining deportees arrived on daily basis, from outside the state, identified their own and took them home. Some of them who were certified medically fit and could find their ways home, were given transport fare .

trader. I packed my goods somewhere and went to eat.

As I was going, three persons approached me . Thinking they were miscreants on a mission to dispossess me of my goods, I decided to give them some money. Then, all of a sudden, I saw an armed policeman pointing his gun at me. he

It is very despicable and disheartening that a state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria will bundle people who are in that state, who are not indigenes of Anambra State, and dumped them under the fly-over bridge at Upper Iweka

on his way to his shop on December 18, 2012.

He lamented that since his arrest, he was left incommunicado for eight months in a cell around Ikorodu area of Lagos before he was brought to Onitsha.

“I am a Lagos-based petty

,

ordered me to follow the KAI officials. Out of fear, I joined them as they marched me into a waiting vehicle and drove away”.

“My initial suspicion was that they were taking us to Alausa police station, where they used to detain people unlawfully

only to release them later after parting with some money. But no! they took me to another place in Ikorodu,close to Ijebu-Ode. After taking my statement, they pushed me inside the cell where I was, for eight months.

Two days before we were deported, a man whom they called boss came with a paper and a biro and said those of us interested in going to our home town should put down our names.

Some did while others did not for fear that they were going to be killed. That was how we were sandwiched inside a truck and brought here at the wee hours”

O

— 49

ne dead, unconscious

others

As at Monday, this week, only five of them were left in the one-room apartment at the stadium. Their identities were given as:Friday Ndukwe from Ohafia in Abia State; Grace Igbochi who claimed to be a Lagosian, Ugulari Tutua from Warri, Delta State; Chinyere Nocholas from Awomamma,Imo State and Rosemary Nathaniel from Ubakala Umuahia,Abia State.

A member of the NRCS and Education Officer attached to the Onitsha South Local Government

Education Authority,Mrs. Nneoma Judith Nwora, disclosed that one of the deportees died Friday from a protracted illness, adding that the five remaining deportees comprised two males and three females.

Three of them according to her, were unconscious at the moment, adding that some Rev. Sisters from nearby Madonna Mercy Convent had indicated interest to come and pick them for feeding and medical treatment until they recovered and were fit to go home.

R

eactions trail deportation

Reacting to the development, the South East Zonal Red Cross boss, Katchy, described the action of the Lagos State Government as condemnable, adding, “it is very despicable and disheartening that a state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria will bundle people who are in that state, who are not indigenes of Anambra State, and dumped them under the fly-over bridge at Upper Iweka in Onitsha and left them to their fate.

Most of the people interviewed are not even indigenes of Anambra State. Some of them are from Ebonyi, Imo and other states.

This is an insult to Anambra State.

We shall draw the attention of His Excellency, the Governor of Anambra State, Mr.Peter Obi to it, and ask why such invasion in his territory and we will find out why Lagos State should invade Anambra State territory by dumping people here helplessly.

Also, in a communique issued at the end of the general meeting of the Onitsha branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the association insisted that those deported be recalled by the Lagos State Government,threatening to take legal actions against Lagos State government if such exercise was carried out again.

The association also appealed to the Anambra State government to come to the assistance of those affected by providing means of transportation to them to enable them go back to their various states of origin,even as it called on the Federal Government to call the Lagos State government to order.

The Lagos State government has however debunked allegation that it deported indigenes of Anambra State, clarifying that it only carried out a rehabilitation and resettlement of citizens from other states.

According to him: “The fact is that 14 people and not 70 or 72 destitutes were picked up on our streets as part of our routine exercise. We took them to Majidun Rehabilitation Centre, Ikorodu. It was not a detention camp, and anyone can visit the place.

“After their treatment, they demanded that they wanted to go home.

And we cannot decide their home town but we relied on whatever information the patients released to us.

And all we did was rei n t e g r a t i o n . ” Fashola added: “By January, our plan is to improve the place and upgrade it into a State mental institution because there isn’t any in the state, owned by the state government.”

He said: “Also, just last week, I read a report that an insane woman at Oshodi was allegedly impregnated by somebody.

And immediately we rescued her and we commenced taking care of her.”

The governor emphasized: “For us in Lagos, human life and welfare has no political coloration.

Our government doesn’t care about where one comes from. Our responsibility is to serve everyone who depends and trusts on the ability of the state g o v e r n m e n t irrespective of where they come from.”

•Governor Fashola Governor Fashola, while faulting the claim by the Anambra State Government that it was not informed about the move maintained that there was correspondence between the Lagos State Government and Anambra State Government liaison offices in Lagos on April 9, 2013,and the Special Adviser on Youths and Sports, Mr. Enitan Badaru disclosed the integration plan and there was a reply from the liaison office to the Lagos State Government on 15th, requesting specific information which he said was provided in another letter to the liaison office on April29th.

Governor Fashola added that when they failed to respond to the last letter, the state government was forced to act since the state was expending resources on feeding.

He however, acknowledged the fact that the state could have waited a little longer and apologised if the decision had inflicted pains on the Igbo people in Lagos.

Fashola explained that it was wrong for Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State to say that he was not informed adding that it might either be he was being mischievous or was not properly informed by the liaison office which exchanged correspondence with the state government.

Fashola, expressed sadness over the fact that the governor had called him personally on minor issues but this time, opted to go to the press on a matter that could have been settled.

“If the governor had called,we could have sorted out things...”

The governor added that what happened was not new,and displayed a similar letter he received from Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Godswill Akpabio on two persons who claimed to be from Lagos State.

“We took them in but they are not from Lagos and we are looking through the South West”, Fashola said.

He added that such issues ought to have been treated on merit without ethnic or religious coloration which he said engendered sentiments in people.

Speaking on comments from some constitutional lawyers, the governor said that rights guaranteed by the constitution are not absolute.“If you want to live in my house, you must live according to the law by not constituting a nuisance. If you become a nuisance, I have a duty to protect myself ”, he said, and advised experts to moderate their comments.

Earlier, President of Aka Ikenga, Mr. Godwin Uwazurike said Igbo in Lagos had always supported the government and will continue to be loyal but that they were put under pressure following alleged deportation of Igbo people from Lagos State.

Also, Mr. Ben Aka told Fashola that his group was now finding it difficult to convince Igbos in the state and indeed, Anambra to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) with Anambra election around the corner.He said the opposition was already catching in on the development to make political gains.

48 — Vanguard,

Vanguard, SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2013

SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2013

Igbo deportee from Lagos dies, five others in critical health condition

BY OKONKWO EZE

W

e were treated like criminals in our own country—deportees Speaking with Crime Guard , the deportees expressed regrets that a thing like this was happening in a country they were citizens.

They accused KIA officials of carrying out indiscriminate

Deportation: Fashola meets Lagos-Igbo leaders ...says

state govt. only re-integrates 14 persons,not72toAnambra

By OLASUNKANMI AKONI and MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

•Tales of how they were arrested •As reactions trail their deportation from Lagos

G

OVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, reiterated that his administration did not repatriate 72 Igbo people to Anambra State as widely claimed,saying: “Only 14 persons were re-integrated to their native town.”

Fashola, who made the clarification during a courtesy visit to the State House,Alausa Secretariat,Ikeja by Aka Ikenga, an Igbo community in Lagos,said that the issue was a routine exercise that had been exaggerated to score cheap political point.

•Deportees

• One of the deportees narrating his ordeal

to a Red Cross offical

arrests of non-indigenes of Lagos, adding that majority of those detained in various local government cells in Lagos State were Igbos.

According to one of the deportees who gave her name as Rosemary Nathaniel, a native of Ubakala in Umuahia, Abia State, “I was neither a beggar nor a hawker for the past five years I lived in Lagos.

I was working at a T-shirt weaving centre at Mile 2, Lagos and I lived with my sister. But in January this year, KAI officials and some policemen arrested me and my friend while we were standing and discussing on the road. We were dragged into their waiting vehicle and taken to a prison at Alausa area of Lagos.

We saw other people who were also arrested . They took us round the area, made other arrests before taking us all to the prison.

The painful aspect of it was that they never bothered to ask any of us where we lived or what were doing for a living.

As I speak, my sister whom I

live with does not know anything about my whereabouts. It is so sad that this is happening in one’s own country.

Another deportee who identified himself as Osondu Mbuto, a trader from Ohaozara in Ebonyi State said he was arrested by KAI officials while

,

R

ESIDENTS of Onitsha, Anambra State, were greeted with the sight of 67 persons later discovered to have been deported from Lagos, Wednesday, July 24.

The deportees, majority of whom were of Igbo extraction were dumped like helpless refugees at the popular Upper Iweka area of the commercial city.

On enquiry, they disclosed that they were arrested by officials of Lagos State Kick Against Indiscipline,KAI from various parts of Lagos. They further stated that they were detained in different prison custody for a period of six months to two years before they were brought into Onitcha at about 3.20am.

From their looks, it was discovered that majority of them were not beggars after all.Some of them were discovered to be hawkers whose goods were reportedly seized by KIA officials.But owing to the trauma, they looked pale, malnurished and sick.

When news of the deportation spread across the state, officials of the Nigerian Red Cross Society led by its South East zonal chairman, Dr. Peter Emeka Katcy, arrived the scene at about 6am,where they began a section of interview with the deportees apparently to ascertain their claims.

By noon, relatives of the some of the deportees surged Onitsha, where a total of 41 of them were taken to their different family houses while the Red Cross team whisked the remaining 18 to Onitsha South Local government township Stadium, where they were given first aid treatment and food.

At the stadium, more relatives of the remaining deportees arrived on daily basis, from outside the state, identified their own and took them home. Some of them who were certified medically fit and could find their ways home, were given transport fare .

trader. I packed my goods somewhere and went to eat.

As I was going, three persons approached me . Thinking they were miscreants on a mission to dispossess me of my goods, I decided to give them some money. Then, all of a sudden, I saw an armed policeman pointing his gun at me. he

It is very despicable and disheartening that a state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria will bundle people who are in that state, who are not indigenes of Anambra State, and dumped them under the fly-over bridge at Upper Iweka

on his way to his shop on December 18, 2012.

He lamented that since his arrest, he was left incommunicado for eight months in a cell around Ikorodu area of Lagos before he was brought to Onitsha.

“I am a Lagos-based petty

,

ordered me to follow the KAI officials. Out of fear, I joined them as they marched me into a waiting vehicle and drove away”.

“My initial suspicion was that they were taking us to Alausa police station, where they used to detain people unlawfully

only to release them later after parting with some money. But no! they took me to another place in Ikorodu,close to Ijebu-Ode. After taking my statement, they pushed me inside the cell where I was, for eight months.

Two days before we were deported, a man whom they called boss came with a paper and a biro and said those of us interested in going to our home town should put down our names.

Some did while others did not for fear that they were going to be killed. That was how we were sandwiched inside a truck and brought here at the wee hours”

O

— 49

ne dead, unconscious

others

As at Monday, this week, only five of them were left in the one-room apartment at the stadium. Their identities were given as:Friday Ndukwe from Ohafia in Abia State; Grace Igbochi who claimed to be a Lagosian, Ugulari Tutua from Warri, Delta State; Chinyere Nocholas from Awomamma,Imo State and Rosemary Nathaniel from Ubakala Umuahia,Abia State.

A member of the NRCS and Education Officer attached to the Onitsha South Local Government

Education Authority,Mrs. Nneoma Judith Nwora, disclosed that one of the deportees died Friday from a protracted illness, adding that the five remaining deportees comprised two males and three females.

Three of them according to her, were unconscious at the moment, adding that some Rev. Sisters from nearby Madonna Mercy Convent had indicated interest to come and pick them for feeding and medical treatment until they recovered and were fit to go home.

R

eactions trail deportation

Reacting to the development, the South East Zonal Red Cross boss, Katchy, described the action of the Lagos State Government as condemnable, adding, “it is very despicable and disheartening that a state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria will bundle people who are in that state, who are not indigenes of Anambra State, and dumped them under the fly-over bridge at Upper Iweka in Onitsha and left them to their fate.

Most of the people interviewed are not even indigenes of Anambra State. Some of them are from Ebonyi, Imo and other states.

This is an insult to Anambra State.

We shall draw the attention of His Excellency, the Governor of Anambra State, Mr.Peter Obi to it, and ask why such invasion in his territory and we will find out why Lagos State should invade Anambra State territory by dumping people here helplessly.

Also, in a communique issued at the end of the general meeting of the Onitsha branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the association insisted that those deported be recalled by the Lagos State Government,threatening to take legal actions against Lagos State government if such exercise was carried out again.

The association also appealed to the Anambra State government to come to the assistance of those affected by providing means of transportation to them to enable them go back to their various states of origin,even as it called on the Federal Government to call the Lagos State government to order.

The Lagos State government has however debunked allegation that it deported indigenes of Anambra State, clarifying that it only carried out a rehabilitation and resettlement of citizens from other states.

According to him: “The fact is that 14 people and not 70 or 72 destitutes were picked up on our streets as part of our routine exercise. We took them to Majidun Rehabilitation Centre, Ikorodu. It was not a detention camp, and anyone can visit the place.

“After their treatment, they demanded that they wanted to go home.

And we cannot decide their home town but we relied on whatever information the patients released to us.

And all we did was rei n t e g r a t i o n . ” Fashola added: “By January, our plan is to improve the place and upgrade it into a State mental institution because there isn’t any in the state, owned by the state government.”

He said: “Also, just last week, I read a report that an insane woman at Oshodi was allegedly impregnated by somebody.

And immediately we rescued her and we commenced taking care of her.”

The governor emphasized: “For us in Lagos, human life and welfare has no political coloration.

Our government doesn’t care about where one comes from. Our responsibility is to serve everyone who depends and trusts on the ability of the state g o v e r n m e n t irrespective of where they come from.”

•Governor Fashola Governor Fashola, while faulting the claim by the Anambra State Government that it was not informed about the move maintained that there was correspondence between the Lagos State Government and Anambra State Government liaison offices in Lagos on April 9, 2013,and the Special Adviser on Youths and Sports, Mr. Enitan Badaru disclosed the integration plan and there was a reply from the liaison office to the Lagos State Government on 15th, requesting specific information which he said was provided in another letter to the liaison office on April29th.

Governor Fashola added that when they failed to respond to the last letter, the state government was forced to act since the state was expending resources on feeding.

He however, acknowledged the fact that the state could have waited a little longer and apologised if the decision had inflicted pains on the Igbo people in Lagos.

Fashola explained that it was wrong for Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State to say that he was not informed adding that it might either be he was being mischievous or was not properly informed by the liaison office which exchanged correspondence with the state government.

Fashola, expressed sadness over the fact that the governor had called him personally on minor issues but this time, opted to go to the press on a matter that could have been settled.

“If the governor had called,we could have sorted out things...”

The governor added that what happened was not new,and displayed a similar letter he received from Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Godswill Akpabio on two persons who claimed to be from Lagos State.

“We took them in but they are not from Lagos and we are looking through the South West”, Fashola said.

He added that such issues ought to have been treated on merit without ethnic or religious coloration which he said engendered sentiments in people.

Speaking on comments from some constitutional lawyers, the governor said that rights guaranteed by the constitution are not absolute.“If you want to live in my house, you must live according to the law by not constituting a nuisance. If you become a nuisance, I have a duty to protect myself ”, he said, and advised experts to moderate their comments.

Earlier, President of Aka Ikenga, Mr. Godwin Uwazurike said Igbo in Lagos had always supported the government and will continue to be loyal but that they were put under pressure following alleged deportation of Igbo people from Lagos State.

Also, Mr. Ben Aka told Fashola that his group was now finding it difficult to convince Igbos in the state and indeed, Anambra to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) with Anambra election around the corner.He said the opposition was already catching in on the development to make political gains.

50 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013

FG initiates extradition process against alleged Al-Qaeda kingpin

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI Abuja

T

HE Federal Govern ment has initiated extradition proceeding against a Nigerian, Lawal Olaniyi Babafemi, who was accused of belonging to a foreign terrorist organization, alQaeda.

The government applied to a Federal High Court in Abuja for the extradition of 32 years old Babafemi also described as “Abdullah” and “Ayatollah Mustapher” to the United States, where he is wanted over his alleged involvement in terrorism related activities.

In its application, FG, exhibited a four-count charge marked:13CR109-JG, filed against him before the United States District Court of the Eastern District of New York and a bench warrant issued for his arrest by a US magistrate.

Specifically, the suspect was charged with “conspiracy to provide support to a foreign terrorist organization, provision and attempted provision of material support to a foreign terrorist organization, unlawful use of firearms and conspiracy to unlawfully use firearms.”

Upon conviction, the charge against him attracts a minimum sentence of 10 years and maximum of life imprisonment.

FG maintained that Babafemi, who until now, was based in the US, fled to the country upon realizing that he was to be

arrested by men of the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

He had since been arrested and is being held by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Documents filed by the FG before the Abuja court further revealed that the US authorities are of the view that Babafemi belongs to the “al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)” an affiliate of al-Qaeda.

He allegedly travelled to Yemen between January 2010 and August 2011 to train with the group and relate with its senior members including the now deceased Anwar al-Aulaqi and Samir Khan.

Babafemi was said to have admitted, upon interrogation that he was paid about $8,600 by the AQAP to return to Nigeria and recruit some English speaking individuals to work in AQAP’s English language media organization.

The media organization is believed to serve as the organization’s medium of radicalizsing English speakers, who it

recruits to commit terrorist attacks on its behalf.

The group had claimed responsibility for series of terrorist activities, in-

E

CONOMIC and Fi nancial Crimes Commission, EFCC yesterday arraigned a former Presidential candidate of Hope Democratic Party, Chief Ambrose Owuru on a five-count charge which included uttering, forgery and obtaining money by false pretence.

Justice Suleiman Aliyu of a Federal High Court, Port Harcourt fixed August 13 for bail application and hearing on the matter, adding that the accused be remanded in

Abdulmutallab.

The extradition application could not be heard when he was taken to

court on Thursday owing to its late service on Babafemi’s lawyer, S. O. Yahaya.

Aftermath of Kano bomb attack: Grandma, mother of blast victim die in 3 days

BY FRANCIS JAKPOR

I

T appears the last has not been heard about Monday’s bomb blast in Sabon Gari, Kano, as two relatives

of one of the deceased have died within three days after the tragic incident.

Sources told Saturday Vanguard that Thomas Olayi Eneji, 35, from Bekarawa LGA, Cross Riv-

er State, was at the venue of the incident for a drink when the blast occurred, charring his hand and face beyond recognition.

But that was only the start of the tragic story, because

Glo Ambassador, Lagbaja, embracing the SmoothBoiz group who are among the Glo X Factor Top 9 Contestants on his arrival to lecture the Contestants on the Business of Music .

on Tuesday this week, his grandmother was said to have given up the ghost on hearing the news of his untimely death; while his mother also died the following day (Wednesday).

Thomas, who until his death was the first son of his parents, is survived by a pregnant wife who has summarily become a widow in the wake of the incident. His corpse was moved to Calabar yesterday amid tears of relatives and friends.

On Monday this week, suspected terrorists detonated four bombs at a drinking ‘joint’ in Sabon Gari, where most non-indigenes reside. The first of the series of explosions was said to have occurred around 9:12 pm, while the others followed in quick succession. So far, casualty figures are conflicting, with some saying as many as 20 persons lost their lives and others as few as six.

Hezbollah: Take us to prison, Lebanese suspects beg Court •As 3rd accused reveals plot to assassinate Saudi Arabian Ambassador

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI Abuja

T

HREE Lebanese

suspects, Mustapha Fawaz, Abdullahi Thahini and Tahal Roda, accused of complicity in the illegal

importation of arms into Nigeria, yesterday, persuaded the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court to transfer them from the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, to Kuje Pris-

EFCC arraigns Ambrose Owuru

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME, PH

cluding the December 25, 2009 bombing attempt in the US by a Nigerian, Umar Farouk

EFCC custody.

Meantime, EFCC said in a statement that Chief Owuru allegedly obtained the sum of sixtysix million naira (N66, 000,000.00) from one Ikechukwu Eze through a phoney land deal.

The complainant alleged that sometime in March 2011, he paid the sum of sixty million naira (N60m) through Skye Bank, Olu Obasanjo Road branch, Port Harcourt, to Barrister Owuru for a property located at Nzimiro Street, Amadi , Port Harcourt.

In the process of tak-

ing possession of the property, it was discovered that a portion had been sold to another person. At this point, Barrister Owuru allegedly asked for another N6m to settle the other buyer, one Chief Austin Omire, which Eze allegedly obliged but he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

In a related development, attempt to secure bail for the leader of the Rivers state House of Assembly, Hon Chidi Lloyd, by his counsel failed yesterday due to his absence in court.

on.

The accused persons, who made the application on a day one of them mounted the witness box and narrated before the court how he got involved with the operations of the alleged Lebanon based terrorist organization, Hezbollah, said they no longer feel comfortable being left in the custody of the DSS, alleging interference from foreign agents.

Begging the court through their lawyer Chief Raji Ahmed, SAN, the co-owner of Amigo Supermarket Limited and Wonderland Amusement Park Resort, Mr. Mustapha Fawaz, who is the 1st accused and the 2nd accused, Mr Abdullahi Thahini, told the court that the DSS earlier left them at the mercy of foreign mercenaries who they said interrogated them for 14 days.

They argued that considering their resolve to testify before the court pertaining to their involvement in the activities of Hezbollah vis-àvis the 16-count terrorism charge preferred against them by the federal government, “we apply to be transferred to a neutral place, possibly the police headquarters or Kuje prison,” they pleaded.

Sequel to a no-objection stance by the defence counsel, Mr. Simon Egede, Justice Ademola Adeniyi, ordered that they should be transferred from custody of the DSS to the prison forthwith, even as he adjourned the case till Monday for the two accused persons to give their own testimony.

Besides, the accused persons, yesterday, told the court that they intend to call a top member of Hezbollah to appear and testify about the organi-

zation, its operations in Nigeria and their involvement in it.

Meantime, the 3rd accused, Roda, who was arrested inside the house where a large cache of arms and ammunition were discovered by the Joint Military Task Force, JTF, in an underground bunker at No 3 Gaya Road, off Bompai Road in Kano, in his testimony yesterday, narrated in the open court, how another Lebanese, Abdul Hassan Tahir who is currently at large, told him about a plot to assassinate Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria.

Roda, told the court t h o u g h he didn’t believe the plot, he said Tahir, insisted that Hezbollah had already mounted surveillance at the Saudi-Arabia Embassy in Lagos with a view to monitoring the movements of the Ambassador.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 3, 2013—51

Ro tar oyi taryy Club Ik Iko inducts new president * empowers community

Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metropolitan District 9110, Nigeria has installed Rotarian Kevin Ofili as its 12th President and the Board of Directors for 2013 – 2014, at the Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Ofili, a graduate of Estate Management from Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu State, holds a Diploma in Financial Management from the University of Ibadan and a Master ’s degree in

Project Management from the University of Lagos.

Following the reputation of the Ikoyi chapter of the Club, Ofili restated that Rotarians had been charged to change lives, while assuring that Ikoyi Metro would do all in its power to put smiles on the faces of the underprivileged and physically challenged in society.

“Our club had within the past 12 years of existence, among other achievements, donated

The Federal Government yesterday in Abuja, said it would establish National Council on Power this year to ensure that its plan to electrify rural communities was implemented.

The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said this in a statement issued

by Mr Timothy Oyedeji, the minister’s Deputy Director of Press, in Abuja.

The statement said Nebo announced the establishment of the council when a delegation from the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), led by its President,

Mr Mustapha Shehu, paid him a coutesy visit in Abuja.

It quoted the minister as saying that President Goodluck Jonathan was committed to strengthening the rural electrification programme in the country.

According to him, the proposed council will be responsible for co-ordination of electricity issues at the federal, state and local government levels.

He noted that the rural populace had been shortchanged for a very long time by the lack of access to electricity.

$113,800 to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. We have been able to build an all Paul Harris Fellows club by having every member contribute at least $1000 to the Rotary Foundation,” he said.

According to him, the Club had, within same period, exhibited its belief in service above self through other projects such as donation of food and clothes to various orphanages in Nigeria and Ghana, built modern public conveniences at Obalende Bus Terminus, sponsored many RYLARIANS to Rotary Youth Leadership Training programmes, among others.

Rural Electrification: FG to establish National Council on Power

Gr asscutt er ffarming arming is a gold mine—Onebunne Grasscutt asscutter Prince Arinze Onebunne, Principal Researcher/CEO, Jovana Farms, is an advocate of poverty eradication through animal farming.

That explains why he is on a mission to equip Nigerians interested in the business through regular nationwide seminars and capacity-building initiatives.

In this edition, he highlights grasscutter farming and its benefits.

“Are you an unemploy-ed graduate or did you just retire from paid employment and you are aspiring to own a business? I advice you to invest in grasscutter farming and stop procrastinating”.

In Africa, he said, Nigeria is the largest importer of frozen fish and meat (FDF, 2002) and requires approximately 1.5million tons of fish and meat annually to meet demand.

“Currently, domestic supply is about 0.5 million tons (Over 30% of demand) including massive importation which gulps over N20 billion annually. Preli-minary market analysis according to IFC suggests that an additional 25,000 tons or 100% increase in current production can be easily absorbed.

Cattle which could have been another major source of protein, is being drained by desert encroachment, pest attacks and other fac-

tors”.

Onebunne said that animal farming like grasscutter, snail and rabbit is thus placed on the spotlight as the best option for food security in the country today, saying further that the grasscutter-raising business is adaptable to any location. Many owners use shed, backyard, and old barns as sites for grasscutter hutch. With the RedMeat situation what it is and the economy in turmoil now is a good time to consider the grasscutter business.

According to him, the best way I know to put food

ing, even the breeding family of one-male and four-females can bring huge money. The whitemeat, how-ever, is by far the most important product, he said.

He explained that grasscutter meat is recommended for patients with cardiac problems, diabetes and high blood pressure. Local demand for the meat is increasing as the people become m o r e health conscious by avoiding the c o n sumption of red meat that is loaded with cholesterol.

“The

on the table and more naira in your pocket without a large investment, is raising grasscutters. The Profits can come in many ways: you can sell your grasscutters live or smoked to restaurants, the manure for fertilizer to horticulturists or for worm grow-

main reason grasscutters are now being preferred by some farmers for rearing purposes is because it is easy to house and you don’t buy food for them like you do in poultry, fish and pig farming. They also can produce many litters. In this category, they are next to pigs and rab-

bits. A female grasscutter of good specie can litter up to 14 babies in a year. Other advantages are that they are efficient converters of wide range of vegetables and grass matters into meat, they have a rearing period of 24 to 26 weeks and they have a high rate of ailment resistance.

You can get started, without the costly items the so-called experts say you should have, with N45,000 one can kick-off with one male and four females depending on the age, weight and specie. They can be reared in wooden cages which costs N7,000 to N10,000, therefore with N55,000 one is already in business.

It is good to play the job when writing hundreds, possibly thousands of job letters where you “beg to apply” instead of settling down with this easy-tostart, profitable agri-business that will help you build up your business capital, feed yourself and your family, get others employed and launch you en-route your financial freedom. The choice is yours.Visit www.jovanafarm.com for more details. Choose also the nearest venue from the advert box in this page.

The minister commended the NSE for addressing the problems of its members and urged the members to brace-up for an impending growth in the power generation and distribution sub-sectors of the economy.

The minister said, “unless the country has well trained engineers, there will be influx of foreign engineers who will want to take over the jobs from Nigerians.

“We now have more Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in the country, hence we need more trained engineers to man the power plants.”

BUSINESS GUIDE

52—SATURDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 3, 2013

Edo agog for Ministry of Justice Cup

BY OJIEVA EHIOSUN

A

S part of efforts to foster unity among sports loving men and women of Edo state, the Edo state ministry of Justice is set to hold the maiden editor of U- 16 Football Championship as well as Sports festival tagged ‘Unity Cup’. The Attorney – General and commissioner for Justice, Barrister Henry Idahagbon, said the sports festival is aimed at fostering unity among workers and also to demonstrate the good will of the state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in returning Edo state back to its premier position in Nigeria sports.

“I’m happy to say that we have set machinery in motion to kick start the first ever Edo state ministry of Justice U-16

football tournament as well as sports festival which comprises of all ministry workers starting from myself to the least worker in the ministry.

The importance of this championship can not be overemphasized, because if you take a holistic look at the government of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, you will discover that there is a whole lot of difference compared to what we had in previous governments that have governed this state, and sports is another way of empowering the teeming army of unemployed youths .We will also use the occasion to introduce monthly physical training programmes for our staff because when somebody is physically sound, he or she is most likely to be free from diseases. As busy as I am, I don’t joke with my Saturday physical

fitness excises, because when the body is functioning well, that is when you can work and get good result. For example, take a look at our governor, the speed at which he carries out his daily activities, he hardly had time for rest, if he was not a physically strong person, he would have broken down.

That is why we lay emphasis on physical training, so this competitions is a step taken at the right time.

We will make it compulsory for all ministry workers in this state to participate,” he added.

He maintained that the project is a state project that needs active participation, and sponsorship from both the public and private sector, adding that government alone can not fund sports programmes.

Pinnick, Egbo trade words on alleged debt, club’s dissolution

By TONY AGBAZA, OLEH

T

WO sports administrators in Delta State, Amaju Pinnick, Executive Chairman of the State’s sports council and Evans Egbo, Chairman of Isoko United football club are trading words over the decision of the Delta State Sports Council to dissolve some football clubs in the state.

According to Egbo, the dissolution of Isoko United Football Club has caused him “serious hardship” leading to debts running into millions of Naira, alleging that the Delta State Sports Council was owing him N20 million, an allegation Pinnick quickly dismissed.

According to Egbo, “I spent my own hard earned money for three good years (running Isoko United FC) without any help from the Delta State Sports Council”, but Pinnick, reacting said that Isoko United alongside Delta Force and Okpe United were dissolved as the government could no longer foot the bills for maintaining the clubs.

The Sports Council boss

disclosed that “the government decided to retain only one state-owned club, Warri Wolves to enable the state manage their resources,” stressing that very soon Warri Wolves would be given out to private hands to run.

The Isoko United boss told Saturday Vanguard sports that though the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan promised to give him N10 million to off set some of his bills, the promise is yet to be fulfilled. While appealing to Governor Uduaghan to look into his plight and

•Pinnick

intervene so that he could get his entitlement, Egbo said, “it was not easy taking care of over 36 players in camp and also paying two coaches together with other workers.”

Stressing that the state was not owing any individual or club, Pinnick said those who are not satisfied with the decision of the government to dissolve the clubs are free to go to court, disclosing that the sports council recently won a suit instituted against it on the same matter by Okpe United.

World Championships countdown: Okagbare v Fraser- Pryce showdown entices athletics fans

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ITH only six days left for the World Athletics Championships in Moscow, Russia athletics fans are stoking up a rivalry between fast rising Nigerian star, Blessing Okagbare and Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann FraserPryce.

Okagbare, at the London Anniversary Games gave world athletics fans something to chew on after the dope damages done the sport when top sprinters, Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell failed dope tests.

Okagbare set an African record running 10.79 seconds, an all time best for her. Fraser-Pryce was forth in that race even though she ran 10.77 in the semifinal of the same event.

However, for most athletics fans who responded to a post on IAAF World Athletics Club page on social media, Fraser-Pryce is saving her ‘best for the last’.

Fraser-Pryce, twice Olympics champion from Beijing 2008 to London 2012, will be aiming to win her second World Championships title after taking it for the first time in Berlin 2009 with 10.88 seconds. But the athlete, nicknamed the ‘Pocket Rocket’ for her explosive starts, will face a healthy rivalry from Okagbare, Kelly Ann Baptise, English Gardner and Barbara Pierre who are in the world top three list. There is also Camiliter Jeter who is defending the title from

Daegu 2011.

Fraser-Pryce had a bad race at the London Anniversary Games, perhaps, that is what Nigerians will be wishing happens during the final in Moscow.

Certainly Okagbare has the edge mentally speaking. Fraser-Pryce who trains with dope tinted Powell had to walk out of a media briefing when the dope issue was raised. In 2010 she served a sixmonth ban after she tested positive to stimulants, no doubt all these will be playing in her mind in Russia. But will Okagbare rise to the occasion?

Comments on social media: “If the choice is only between these two and Shelly runs the way she did last week it will go to

Blessing. I mean, who blows their jets in a semi!?

Not smart racing especially from a professional sprinter.”

Susanne Williams “Last diamond meet, Fraser- Pryce runs 10.77 then in final, finishes 4th.

She had the brakes on and walked out at the start. She will be a metre in front to 60m then Blessing will come home strong, it will be good race, but FraserPryce wins in photo finish....

Don Zammit “ I really can’t choose, Shelly-Ann will have to make another world leading time to win, because Okagbare will be right by her side Nello Philips “Go Blessing, represent Africa” Zang Milama Ruddy

SHOWDOWN... Blessing Okagbare and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce sizing up for Moscow 2013.

Nigerian athletes depart for Russia on Monday

B

A R R I N G unforeseen circumstances, Nigeria’s team for the World Championships will travel out on August 5 to Moscow, Russia for the event which runs from August 10-18.

The team will compete in mostly sprints and relays with Blessing Okagbare and Tosin Oke being the only athletes taking part in the field events. The 20 athletes who were selected at the Cross River/All Nigeria Championships in June are being expected in Lagos this weekend from their different abodes as plans by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria to run a camp ran into a hitch.

“We are only going to Russia to do our best. Our athletes have prepared on their own and I am sure we can get one or two medals,” said a member of the AFN. Okagbare raised the hope of AFN officials last week when she ran a personal best of 10.79 seconds in the women’s 100m. If she can

reproduce this performance, she could be on the medal’s podium in Russia. She is also expected to anchor the women’s 4x100m relay.

Other notable athletes in the team are Ajoke Odumosu, Gloria Asumnu as well as Regina George who is

seeking to establish herself in the world after winning the African championships last year in Benin Republic.

Others include OghoOghene Egwero, Noah Akwu and new comer Leoman Momoh who will run in the 800m men.

TEAM Blessing Okagbare Gloria Asumnu Regina George Ajoke Odumosu Omolara Omotosho Ehigie Josephine Okon Patience Stephanie Kalu Ugonna Ndu Uko Peace Mayungbe Ibukun Abogunloko Bukola Egwero Ogho-Oghene Noah Akwu Momoh Leoman Tosin Oke Onakoya Abiola Salihu Isah Ogunmoa Tobi Odeka Gerald

100m/200m/Long Jump 100m 400m 400m Hurdles 400m 400m 400m 100m 400m Hurdles 4x100m 4x400m 4x400m 100m 200m/400m 800m Triple Jump 4x400m 4x400m 4x400m 4x400m

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013 — 53

TURD AY Vanguard, AUGUST 3, 2013 54 — SA SATURD TURDA

SATURDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 3, 2013—55

Pillars’ coaches recovering fast, says Galadima Ganaru, and his assis-

K

ANO Pillars FC chairman, Abba Galadima, said yesterday that that the three coaches involved in Thursday’s auto crash were

responding to treatment from injuries they sustained.

Galadima told NAN on telephone that the technical adviser, Baba

CHAN: Eagles can win in South Africa, says Gero S

TILL basking in the eu phoria of qualifying for the CAF African Nations Championship for the first time, Super Eagles’ striker, Alhaji Gero has declared that Nigeria can repeat the Nations Cup 2013 feat accomplished by the full fledged Super Eagles in South Africa.

The home-based Eagles edged out Cote d’ Ivoire 43 on aggregate to reach the final of the tournament after two unsuccessful qualification campaign.

Coach Stephen Keshi had led the Super Eagles to a successful run defeating Burkina Faso at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg to win their third Africa Cup of Nations title.

“I believe we are going to win the trophy because we have players in Nigeria who can become the best with the right motivation,” stated Gero.

“I don’t have any doubt in my mind that we will do well. Now that we have qualified, you are going to see how the players at home will take the competition.

“This is the opportunity we have been waiting for, and now that it has come, we are not going to let it go without the trophy resting in Nigeria.

“It was a good feeling beating a tough Ivorian

TUSSLE... Super Eagles striker, Alhaji Gero tries to outwit an opponent during a match. He says the Home-based Eagles are capable of winning the CAF African Nations Championships in South Africa next year. Photo: AFP. side to participate in the CHAN competition for the first time. I knew that there was no way we were going to lose to the Elephants.

“We are going to prepare very well and with coach Stephen Keshi in charge, you can be sure we are on the right track.”

NBBF unfolds Afro Basketball plans T

HE Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) said that it had concluded plans to ensure a successful outing for the D’Tigress

at the Afro Basket Women Championship in Maputo, Mozambique. The NBBF said this in a statement signed by its Media Offic-

….Investigates match-fixing allegation in Dstv League

F

OLLOWING allegations that some clubs in the Atlantic Conference of the Dstv Basketball League have conspired to lose their matches deliberately, the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF has opened an investigation of the alleged match-fixing.

Specifically, the federation is following leads provided in official reports of the officiating officials for the matches under investigation following open fingerpointing that some teams and their officials conspired and colluded to lose their matches at a critical period in the regular season to confer

advantage to certain teams while putting other teams at a disadvantage.

The Federation’s Technical Director, Muktar Khaled confirmed that at the end of the investigation,

appropriate sanctions would be applied where guilt is proved during the season or thereafter to serve as deterrent to other clubs who may want to do same in future.

He warned teams and

officiating officials that the federation will not tolerate any form of fraudulent practices detrimental to fairplay and the good name of the game which could also bring the sport into disrepute.

ARS Season 3: Curtain Falls On Port Harcourt Zone

T

HE Port Harcourt leg of the 3rd Airtel Rising Stars, ARS U-17 zonal championship, which commenced on Monday will be rounded off on Friday at the Training Pitch of the Liberation Stadium.

Well over 3,500 participants featured in the weeklong championship, which ends today with finals of both the male and female

tants, Aliyu Makaiba and Kabiru Baleria were in stable conditions.

The crash occurred around Gangarida, in Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and killed a roadside mechanic, as the coaches were on their way home from a Federation Cup quarterfinal match.

Pillars, currently the defending champions of the Globacom Premier League, lost the encounter 0-3 to Warri Wolves in Ilorin.

“The coaches are responding to treatment and I must say that they have made some impressive recovery between yesterday (Thursday) and today (Friday).

“We’re all being hopeful and prayerful toward their quick recovery.

“We’ve been told by the doctors that their conditions have been stable, but we cannot say when they will be discharged from hospital; the doctors will decide when,” Galadima said.

The chairman expressed his gratitude to Nigerians for their show of concern and support over the unfortunate incident.

“On behalf of Kano Pillars, I want to say a big thank you to all Nigerians who have empathised with us either through phone calls or visitations,” he said..

categories. The participating teams were not given specific names, as the young boys and girls were selected and grouped into Teams Red and Teams White to march the colours of Airtel, sponsors of the youth empowerment programme.

The players in Teams Red Were more business like from the screening stage

which ended on Wednesday, through the knock out stages that were concluded today.

Team Red defeated their White counterparts 1-0 in the female third place game, while Team Red also triumphed over Team White 5-3 via penalty kicks in one of the semi finals of the male category.

er, Patrick Omorodion.

It said that the team would camp in Abuja from Aug. 12 to Aug. 25 as part of the preparation.

According the federation, the camp will consist of home-based and foreignbased players.

It said that it would carry out first selection of players after the camping.

The News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) reports that the home-based players are: Nkechi Akashili, Magdalene Ukato, Amaka Nwakamma, Atosu Upe, Grace Okonkwo, Evelyn Akhator, Nkem Akarawe and Nkoyo George.

Others are: Theresa Samuel, Lillian Okwadi, Nana Sule, Regina Lornumbe, Lina Ubol Dong, Funmi Ojelabi and Chioma Udeaja.

The shortlisted players are from seven clubs in the Zenith Bank Women League namely: First Deepwater, Dolphins, First Bank, Sunshine Angels, FCT Angels, Plateau Rocks and Nigeria Customs.

“The team will be play three friendly matches in Lagos from Aug. 27 to Aug.

31 before departing for a training tour of some African and European countries.

“The tour is expected to run from Sept. 3 to Sept. 17,” NBBF said.

NAN reports that the Afro Basket Women championship will hold from Sept. 20 to Sept. 29 with 11 countries participating.

The participating teams will be divided into two groups.

Nigeria’s D’Tigress will play in Group B alongside Angola, Mali, Cape Verde, Cameroon and Kenya.

The Afro Basket Women Championship will also serve as a qualifier for the 2014 FIBA World Championship billed to hold in Turkey. Two countries are expected to qualify to represent Africa at the global championship.

The Nigerian team will be coached by Scott Nnaji alongside Lateef Erinfolami, Aderemi Adewumni and Emmanuel Odah.

The quartet will aim at repeating what Nigeria did in the 2003 and 2005 editions of the championship which recorded the country’s best performances.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 3, 2013

Rangers face more suspension trouble … As NFF warns against going to CAS

R

ANGERS of Enugu faced more sanctions concerning their players, after reliable duo Seun Taro and Pierre Coly were suspended by the Nigeria Football Federation’s

appeals committee for unruly behavior.

The League Management Company (LMC) had handed a season long ban to both players for alleged

Malawi can’t stop Eagles’ World Cup dream – Aroh

BY OJIEVA EHIOSUN

A

S the Super Eagles prepare to battle Malawi in the final leg of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers in Brazil, Dr. Edozie Okey Aroh, commissioner for youth and sports in Anambra State has advised Nigerians not to lose sleep over the match but be confident in the Stephen Keshi-tutored side.

Speaking to Saturday Vanguard sports recently, Dr. Aroh affirmed that the Flames of Malawi do not posses the pedigree to truncate Nigeria’s World Cup dream but however, warned the team against underrating the Southern African side even as he said the Eagles need total commitment in the crucial tie.

“If you ask my opinion on the Nigeria/Malawi World Cup qualifier, I will say that I do not see Malawi as a team capable of truncating our 2014 World Cup dream. They are no threat at all, and we should not lose sleep over them because we have a team that is capable of beating Malawi right in front of their home fans.

But that does not mean Nigeria should underrate them, they must play them with every amount of seriousness, all we need is the ticket to Brazil 2014,” he stressed.

On the exclusion of some members of the Super Eagles by coach Stephen Keshi, the

Delta wins Weightlifting Championships

D

GETTING SET.... Super Eagles trio of Vincent Enyeama (left), Victor Moses (m) and John Obi Mikel preparing before ca match. Anambra State sports commissioner, DrEdozie Okey Aroh is confident the Eagles will fly over the Flames of Malawi when both sides meet in the last group match of the 2014 World Cup qualifier in Calabar next month.

Anambra sports commissioner advised that the Ilah-born tactician should accommodate all the experienced professionals as they are the ones that could rescue him in times of difficulties.

“Keshi must not ignore the services of those experienced professionals because when the chips are done, they are the players that will rescue him but as for qualification, the Eagles will hoist Nigeria’s flag in

Today’s matches Kwara United El Kanemi Warriors

NPL v Sharks v Enyimba

Namibia Zimbabwe Zambia

CHAN v Mozambique 4.00pm v Mauritius 4.00pm v Botswana 2.pm

Séwé

CAF Champions League v Recreativo

4.00pm 4.00pm

3.30pm

Confedrations Cup TP Mazembe

v

assault on match officials in a Week 3 game against Warri Wolves, but the bans were lifted by Organising and Disciplinary (O & D) Committee of the NFF in late June.

But the Appeals Committee has decided to extend the punishment of both players by suspending them for further two matches, meaning the duo will miss Rangers next League game away to Wolves, and their Week 24 home game against Kaduna United.

An official of the Enugu State-owned club laments the loss of the players, describing their recent bans as the result of bureaucratic power-play.

Meanwhile NFF secretary-general Musa Amadu warned the club against taking its expulsion from the CAF Confederations Cup contest to the Court of Sports Arbitration (CAS).

FUS Rabat

4.00pm

Brazil 2014, quote me,” he opined.

Speaking on the final of the Governor Peter Obi U17 Football tournament which comes up next month, Dr Aroh said he was expecting a grand finale especially with the expected attendance of Eagles coach, Keshi and

some other ex internationals like Austin Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu.

“You know that this state had produced champions for Nigeria in the past.

Our decision to invite the likes of Stephen Keshi, Austin Jay jay Okocha, Kano Nwankwo, John Obuh and many others to

watch the final of our Governor’s Cup is part of our strategy for sports development.

These people are household names in Nigeria sports history, their presence in any sports gathering gives a morale and motivational boost to players,” he said.

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1.Czech Republic Currency (6) 4.Minister of Trade & Investment, Mr. Olusegun (6) 7.African Waterbuck (3) 8.L.G.A. in Kebbi State (6) 9.Tanzania Capital City (6) 10.Musical Instrument (5) 12. Former Edo State Governor, George (5) 14. Muslim Holy Book (5) 16. L.G.A in Ekiti State (5) 17.Edo State Capital (5) 19. L.G.A in Borno State (5) 22. Former Supper Eagles Striker, Victor (5) 25. Newcastle United Midfielder, Yobann (6) 26.Equatorial Guinea’s Capital City (6) 28. Oyo State Capital (5) 29.L.G.A in Kaduna State (6)

DOWN 1.Rwandan Capital City (6) 2.Former United States President, Mr. Ronald (6) 3.Ondo State Capital (5) 4.Special Adviser to the State Governor on Media, Nasiru (5) 5.Former Super Eagles Striker, Obinna (6) 6.Traditional Ruler of Oyo (6) 10. Country in Asia (6) 11.L.G.A in Kogi State (5) 13. Igbo Word for “Mother” (3) 15. Flamingoes (U-17) Goalkeeper, Amina (3) 17. State in Nigeria (6) 18.Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Umar Ghali (6) 20. Ghana “Black Stars” Midfielder, Mubarak (6) 21.Kogi State Capital (6) 23. Colour (5) 24.Citrus Fruit (5)

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ELTA State has emerged overall champions of the National We i g h t l i f t i n g Championships which ended in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State yesterday after its contingent ganered 26 gold, 16 silver and 7 bronze medals out of the 20 States that participated.

According to the Media Officer of the Weightlifting Federation of Nigeria who was on ground at the venue, George Aluo, Delta was followed by Plateua State who won 24 gold, 4 silver and no bronze while Edo State placed third with 17 gold, 5 silver and 9 bronze medals.

Host State, Akwa Ibom occupied the fourth position with 12 gold, 15 silver and 9 bronze medals.

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SOLUTION Solution on page 45 on page 55

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