Moves to defy Jonathan

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2—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012

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4—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012

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Bakassi Appeal: Moves to defy Jonathan •Sabotage feared •Outrage, confusion trail a Minister’s attempt to abort ICJ ruling review •Bakassi indigenes drag FG to court

By SONI DANIEL, Assistant Editor & IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja

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HE spontaneous excitement that trailed the announcement of the formation of a team

by President Goodluck Jonathan to work towards the review of the International Court of Justice ruling on the Bakassi peninsula is being cut short following alleged frantic attempt by a top government functionary to stall the work of the committee.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that since the formation of the committee to review the ICJ’s ruling some top government functionaries opposed the review have refused to attend any meeting where moves to ask the ICJ to review the ruling would be concretised Meantime, Bakassi indigenes opposed to Green Tree Agreement have launched a court process to outlaw the agreement.

President Jonathan had raised the eight-man committee after a marathon meeting with stakeholders at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday night and asked it to work assiduously towards filing a case for the review of the ICJ ruling, which ceded oilrich Bakassi to Cameroon ten years ago.

The committee comprised eight members drawn from the National Assembly and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, whose heads were also at the meeting where the decision to form the committee was reached.

Saturday Vanguard learnt that based on the directive of the President, members of the team quickly retired to their respective offices to work out modalities for the maiden meeting of the team, headed by a top government official, which was slated for 9pm on Thursday.

The members, it was gathered, were however rudely shocked when they arrived the minister ’s office for the proposed meeting only to be told that the meeting would no longer hold as planned.

They smelt a rat but could not do anything.

Some of the members who made spirited efforts

to reach the minister to get an explanation on why the meeting was surreptitiously put off, could not reach him. They returned home frustrated at the end of the day.

The implication of the disappointment is that with only four days to the end of the deadline for Nigeria to file a review of the judgment, nothing has been done to that effect.

Furious and deeply upset by the minister’s action, the frustrated members retired to their respective destinations, wondering what would become the fate of Bakassi indigenes after next Tuesday, October 9, 2012.

The top government functionary is said to have argued that as far as he was concerned Nigeria would not review the ICJ ruling so as not to incur the sanctions of the United Nations.

The minister is said to be working in concert with a former justice minister, who played an active role when Nigeria lost the Bakassi case to Cameroon, to ensure that Nigeria does not file any appeal as ordered by the President.

It was gathered that the two men were unhappy with the position adopted by those who argued in favour of the appeal of the judgment.

The influential cabinet member is said to have castigated the protagonists of appeal, saying that they confused Jonathan with sentiments rather than bring up concrete evidence to warrant appeal at the ICJ. Contrary to the clear directive by the President that the team should work towards the review of the judgment before the October 9 deadline, the minister is reported to have turned round to claim that Nigeria would only be compiling the evidence of human rights abuses committed by Cameroon against Bakassi natives.

He reportedly declared that as far as he was concerned Bakassi had been ceded to Cameroon and that the country could only ask the ICJ to compel the latter to respect the tenets of the world court by protecting Nigerians living in the peninsula.

According to him, Nigerian was not bound by any deadline to file action

against human right abuses by Cameroon, since the ICJ did not specify any timeline to do so.

It was learnt last night that the minister had taken the position not to allow Nigeria to seek a review of the case because he wanted to appease the United Nations so as to be given a juicy appointment at The Hague after leaving Jonathan’s cabinet.

But the matter is said to have shocked Presidential officials, who are worried over the attempt by the minister to change the directive of the President for unknown reasons.

Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, told Saturday Vanguard he was shocked over the latest development over the Bakassi issue.

Ndoma-Egba, who was present when the Presidential directive was given on Thursday, said: “My understanding is that Mr. President ordered for a review.”

“Why will there not be a review after the resolution of the National Assembly and the directive of Mr. President at a meeting with major stakeholders last Thursday?” he asked angrily.

Senate President David Mark for instance, is said to have defiantly argued that it was mandatory for the Federal Government to call for the review of the ICJ ruling since the National Assembly had already passed a resolution asking the government to do so.

Mark said that the issue at stake was not whether Nigeria would win the case but taking the first step to ask for a review of the judgment based on new evidence and in accordance with the resolution of the National Assembly.

The Senate President pointed out that Nigeria could decide to ask for review irrespective of the outcome or be prepared for the consequence of not doing anything A member of the House of Representatives from Cross River State, who was at the meeting with President Jonathan, Amb Nkoyo Toyo, in a statement to Saturday Vanguard last night, expressed utter disappointment with the sudden volta face by a certain minister over a clear directive issued by the President on

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned more suspects of Oil Subsidy scam at the Ikeja High Court on Friday. Pix Mr Abiodun Bankole (left) and Mr Aro Bamidele at the court on Friday. Photo by: Lamidi Bamidele the matter.

Toyo noted, “After a meeting Mr. President had with the leadership of the National Assembly, a committee was set up for the purpose of reviewing the ICJ judgement. It could not have been otherwise.

“Today, we read conflicting stories about the Committee’s Terms of Reference. This is worrisome as it either means that the entire leadership of the country is in confusion or someone is playing games or the entire consultation was a grand strategy to mislead the country.

“The summary of the outing as was captured by the Senate president is instructive. We do nothing, we prepare for war (I imagine if nothing is done and people decide to seek self determination) or we do something and that something is to seek review on the basis of resolutions reached by both houses of the National Assembly.

“Failure to register our interest to review will leave the country exposed, the multiple issues of insecurity, threat and frustration by the militants now moving in the direction of Bakassi will only grow. The growing criminality and need to police the area will cost the country even more than an action at The Hague.

“The neglect and human right abuses are going on as though we are dealing with a people who belong to nowhere.

This is a crime against humanity and those responsible cannot pretend that they do not know the consequences of their action against its citizens.

“We cannot afford to do nothing as if that is our new foreign policy strategy. Mr. President must clarify his position on the matter as too many aspects of the Bakassi story remain unaddressed,” she stated.

Other aggrieved members of the National Assembly from Cross River State, who got to know of the minister’s antic yesterday, said they were meeting to come up with a common position against those trying to truncate the federal government’s move to get the Bakassi matter reviewed in the interest of Nigerians and posterity.

Another lawmaker from the state told Saturday Vanguard that it was wrong for the government functionary to stand on the way of the people for reasons yet to be made known.

“We are going back to see Mr. President on the matter because time is not on our side and we really want him to call this minister to order because he may set the country ablaze because of his unbecoming actions.

“What this man is trying to do is not only very provocative but is also a serious setback to this country and its people,” the lawmaker said.

The politician called on President Jonathan to

take action against the said functionary if the order to review the judgment was not carried out successfully.

Green Tree Agreement: Bakassi indigenes drag FG to court Embattled indigenes of Bakassi in Cross River State, on their part yesterday dragged the Federal Government before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja with a view to securing an order quashing the Green Tree Agreement that Nigeria entered with Cameroon in 2006.

The suit was endorsed by nine executives of Free Bakassi Association, Prince Imoh Ukpa Imoh, Mr Godwin Ukpong, Mr Chritian A. Umoh, Mr Anthony Achibong Ukong, Mr Kingsley Edu, Mr Etim Ekpeyong Ndong, Mr Offiong Anying Ekpeyong, Bassey Okon Osua and Bassey Ikoedem Antiga.

In a motion ex-parte that was moved in court yesterday by their counsel, Mr Festus A. Ogwuche, the applicants, sought leave for an order of mandamus that would compel the Federal Government to by any means available to it, repossess, occupy and take full legal and administrative control of the Bakassi Peninsula.

The motion was filed

Continues on page 6

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6 , 2012

Police substitute charges against Cynthia’s suspected killers •Re-arraigns 7 suspects in new charges

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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AGISTRATE Ola lekan Aka-Bashorun of the Yaba Magistrate Court in Lagos yesterday told suspected killers of Cynthia Osokogu that old things are passed away and all things have become new, after they were re-arraigned in a consolidated charge marked as TA/52A/2012.

The accused persons in the new charge are Okwuno Echezona Nwabufo, 33, Ezike Ilechukwu Olisaeloka, 23, Orji Osita, 32, Maduakor Chukwunonso, 25, Gideon Okechukwu, 39, Ezike Nonso Ifechukwu, 22 and Ezeaka Chinonso, 27.

Aka-Bashorun, after listening to the argument of the defence counsels and prosecutor, agreed with the prosecutor that all the

Flood cuts off 20 communities in Delta •10, 000 villagers trapped

BY EMMA AMAIZE, Warri

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O fewer than 10, 000 villagers were trapped in over 20 communities that were submerged by flood in Delta State, yesterday.

Saturday Vanguard learnt that the situation was very serious at Ofagbe and Okpetu in Isoko North local government areas, where the people woke up and found out that they had been swamped by by water.

It was gathered that a state government delegation, led by the Secretary to the State Government , Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, could not assess some of the flooded communities, yesterday, and arrangements have been made to provide canoes and buses to evacuate the people.

Former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and Chief Adviser to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on Legislative Matters, Mr. Emma Okoro, who hails from Ofagbe confirmed to Saturday Vanguard, that his community and other neighbouring towns had been sacked by flood.

He said the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, himself and other top government officials from Isoko area could not assess some of the communities yesterday because they had been cut off by flood, but said evacuation would commence today .

defendants in the matter followed the same transaction, adding “the best thing to do in the case is to pack everybody (defendants) to the DPP. It is for the DPP to say, you stay here and you stay there.”

During yesterday ’s proceedings, the prosecutor, Superintendent of Police, Mr Chukwu Agwu, withdrew the initial three charges and substituted same with charge TA/52A/2012 and it was immediately distributed to the defence counsel by the court’s registrar. “We will be withdrawing the the three charges to substitute with the new charg-

es,” Superintendent Agwu said.

Present in court were all the defendants with their lawyers, except for Gideon Okechukwu whose lawyer was not in court. But when the court asked him of his lawyer, he told the court that he has a lawyer.

Superintendent Agwu informed the court that the matter is now a new matter, following the consolidation of the three charges. He urged the court to overrule the bail initially granted to the defendants who were brought into the matter after the police allegedly found late Cynthia’s white Blackberry Bold-5 Mobile phone in their possession.

The Obi of Onitsha, Agbogidi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, enters the Ime-Obi Arena yesterday for the 2012 Ofala Festival sponsored by Globacom.

Bakassi Appeal: Moves to defy the President •Continued from page 5 pursuant to section 1 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights(Enforcement and Ratification Act Cap 10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990, as well as Order 34 Rules 1(a), 3(1) and (2) of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules, 2007.

Contending that the controversial judgment of the International Court of Justice, ICJ, which in 2002, ceded the oil- territory to the Republic of Cameroon, amounted to a nullity being contrary to the fundamental principle upon which the court was established, the applicants, adduced 95-legal grounds why Nigeria should forthwith appeal the verdict.

Besides, they sought leave for an order of mandamus, compelling the Federal Government, President Goodluck Jonathan and the Attorney General of the Federation, who were all joined as respondents in the suit, to “unilaterally resile from, withdraw, rescind, repudiate and/or revoke Nigeria’s obligations under the Green Tree Agreement entered into between Nigeria and Cameroon in Green Tree, New York, USA on the 12 th day of June, 2006, for its being invalid and in breach of Articles 1, 2, 20, 21, 22 and 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, Article 1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Article 1(2) of the UN Charter, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of indigenous peoples, and being inconsistent with sec-

tions 1-3, 2(1) and (6), 13, 14(1) and (2)(b), 17(1), (2)(b), (c ) and (d), sections 19(a) and 9d0, 21(a) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”

The applicants, argued that the ICJ gave its judgment on the protracted dispute over ownership of the oil rich Bakassi Peninsula, based “on archaic and anachronistic colonial declarations, and communications between colonial officers.”

Meanwhile, presiding Justice Gabriel Kolawole adjourned ruling on the application till October 9, saying he needed time to carefully peruse the court processes in view of “weighty national issues raised therein.”

Specifically, it is the contention of the Bakassi indigenes that the ICJ, “in reaching its decision, relied on: (a) Henderson-Flerichau Exchange of Notes of 1931, (b) The Anglo-German Agreement of 11th March and 12th April, 1913 and (c) The British Order-in-Council of 2 August, 1946.

“The ICJ gave the decision as though the territory is occupied by wild animals without any rights under municipal or international law, and treated the colonial declaration and communication as conferring absolute proprietary rights and obligations to the territory to persons or entities outside the people who for centuries lived and existed therein and of which the territory is their homeland.

“The treaty, signed years before Nigeria came into existence as a sovereign entity was a

“Treaty of protection” conferring limited “protectionist” rights on Britain and cannot by any shade of imagination translate to sovereignty or absolute power of transfer of title, sufficient to extinguish the rights of the kings and chiefs to the traditional over lordship of the territory and/ or give Britain an absolute right to alienate their rights and interests unilaterally without the free prior consent and authority of the chiefs and kings.

“The respondents are hereby given notice to produce the said treaty of 10 th September 1884 which the applicants put in their possession upon the proceedings in the ICJ.” More so, the applicants said they were neither consulted nor was their consent sought before former President Olusegun Obasanjo endorsed the Green Tree Agreement, saying they were totally kept out of the picture of things prior, during and even after the execution of the Agreement.

“The applicants only got notice of the Agreement via media reports and grapevine, and upon contact with their representatives in the state and National Assemblies, were told that nobody was either consulted nor was aware of such agreement. “ Before the applicants could realize what is happening, they were told that for them to remain as Nigerians, they are required to vacate their ancestral home and move into settlements to be built, constructed and maintained by the respondents, or else, if

they opt to remain in their fatherland, they should be prepared to remain as Cameroonians.

“The applicants are scattered in different parts of the country, as in Delta State, Bayelsa, Rivers State, Akwa Ibom, etc, living under the basest form of human degradation embodying all the pains and sufferings that could be experienced by man, existing in makeshift pre-civilization abodes having only trees as cover against rain and shine, and other vagaries of the weather, which are most times inclement.

“The members of the applicant community are dying in their numbers everyday from afflictions of disease, poverty, malnutrition, squalor, etc, and there is no end to their suffering, humiliation, degradation of their human essence and homelessness.

“The Cameroonians changed the names of their communities and altered every existing tradition structure or monument which they could not destroy to suit their whims and purposes and destroyed and obliterated the very essence of their origins.

“The applicants do not have direct access to the ICJ , as by virtue of the statute of the ICJ, only states are recognizable parties before it, and have employed all existing measures to prevail upon the respondents to go back to the ICJ and undo the havoc they have caused in their lives, all to no avail.

“The applicants’ dehumanization is worse than animals, more humiliat-

ing than slavery, and degrading to the basest form of inhumanity, and is unpalatable and unacceptable in a 21st century world.

“The applicants are under the direct traditional authority and suzerainty of the Obong of Calabar and are forever subjects to the Royal Office and paraphernalia of the Obong’s stool, which is also their cultural and spiritual guardian and guidance; the applicants cannot in any way be extricated from their historical cultural roots which are tied inextricably to their kiths and kin in Cross Rivers State, Nigeria.

“Furthermore, the applicants cannot have their land in one country and be citizens of another country, and the respondents cannot impose their nationality on them as their right to a nationality is guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“By the failure of the ICJ judgment to conform to this basic principle of justice, renders it null and void, and thus, the ceding of the applicants homeland to Cameroon is anchored on nothing and is bound for the ground.

“Under international law, the 1st -3rd respondents do not have any obligation to obey the ICJ judgment, and is not bound by the Green Tree Agreement to take the territory belonging to the applicants to the Republic of Cameroon without their free, prior and informed consent, hence the need for the 1st -3rd applicants to quickly return to the Hague to untie what they have intricably and unlawfully knotted,” they added.

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SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012 — 7

Appointment of new service chiefs: 12 Army, Airforce generals set to be retired soon

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI, Abuja

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OLLOWING the ap pointment of a new Chief of Defence Staff in the person of Vice Admiral Ola Saad Ibrahim, retention of Lt. General Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika as Chief of Army Staff, new Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh, Saturday Vanguard can report authoritatively that about 12 Major Generals and their equivalent in the Nigerian Airforce will soon proceed on retirement.

For the Nigerian Navy, the gale of retirement will tarry awhile as most of the officers who are Rear Admirals in rank still have between six months and one year, to attain either the mandatory period of 35 years in service or go as a result of age on rank status as contained in the terms and conditions of service of the armed forces.

Vanguard gathered that among the officers that will be affected by the retirement are Principal Staff Officers both at the Defence and Services headquarters, Commandants of Tri-Service Institutions and Air Officers’ Commanding (AOC’s).

Already, Vanguard was told that most of the senior officers who had been aware of what would become of their fate when the President makes the appointment of new service chiefs, have started

arranging their bags and baggages and that there is no feeling of animosity among them because the terms and condition of service (TACOS) had prepared them for it.

It was gathered that for the Nigerian Navy which is spared the agony of having to retire its officers, at least for now, there will be mass re-organization and postings of senior officers, as some would be moving to the Defence headquarters while those who will fit into the vision and mission of the new CNS would be brought into the management team.

Meanwhile, Vanguard can report that the appointment of Rear Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba who hails from Ibusa in

Oshimili- North Local Government Area of Delta State has elements of fate and the hand of God. The senior officer, a Course 22 regular intake of the NDA who was trained in the United States, UK Royal and Indian navies and is a Navigation and Direction Specialist, was never reckoned with as the next CNS as he has almost been wished away from those that make things happen.

Rather, other senior officers had been warming up especially as they calculated that Ezeoba who had not been a Flag Officer Commanding any of the Naval Commands cannot stand a chance against the many that had been FOC’s in the recent past.

Fuel Subsidy Scam: EFCC arraigns 13 suspects

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH, ONOZURE DANIEL & MICHAEL OLADEPO

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HE economic and financial crimes commission, EFCC, on Friday, October 5, 2012 arraigned thirteen suspects

implicated in a fresh N3.7billion fuel subsidy scam. The massive fraud was perpetrated using various instrumentalities such as forging of bills of lading, certificate of quantities and certificate of origin among other criminal infractions to

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EMBER repre senting Ndokwa East Constituency in the Delta State House Assembly, Hon. Friday Ossai Osanebi has rendered some assistance to the Ndokwa East flood victims, which is his constituency and called for more assistance from government agencies and philanthropists.

fraudulently obtain payments from the petroleum support fund as subsidy for the importation of petroleum motor spirit (petrol).

The suspects comprising eight individuals and five companies were arraigned before justices Habeeb

Abiru and Lateefa Okunnu of the Lagos high court, ikeja. The individuals involved are Samuel Bamidele, Abiodun Kayode Bankole, Ifeanyi Anosike, Emeka Chukwu, Ngozi Ekeoma Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Maula, George Ogbonna and

Ughelli North disowns DESOPADEC representative

BY FESTUS AHON, Ughelli

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HE Ughelli North Economic and Development Group has alerted the government over the alleged superimposition of Mr. Peter Ogedegbe to represent them in the recently dissolved board of the Del-

ta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC. A statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Clement Unior alleged that Ogedegbe “fraudulently claimed to have hailed from Ughelli North paternally and maternally which gave him the opportunity

Osanebi distributes relief items to Ndokwa East flood victims the Delta State House is

BY SIMON ADEWALE

Rivers State Deputy Governor Engr. Tele Ikuru, Chairman of Opobo-Ndoni LGA Maclean Oranta, Deputy Speaker House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha and the covener Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro economic summit Dakuku Peterside at the opening ceremony of the summit in Port Harcourt, Thursday night.

After he undertook assessment of the flooded communities and distributing of relief materials such as, food, clothing, bedding, medicines and doctors to attend to victims. Hon. Friday Osanebi, who was accompanied

by Chief Godwill Obielum said the opening up of several dams and rivers caused the rise in River Niger water level which really affected the people he represent in

disheartening.

He said the displaced persons are presently camped in Ossissa, Kwale and Ivrogbo temporary refugee camps for Ndokwa East victims, following the washing away of their communities, farmlands, fish ponds and crops by flood water from the River Niger and Ase Creek, adding that the flood, took the farmers unaware as the rising water rose in fury and submerged farmlands and crops.

to sit in the board of the just dissolved commission.

“But we make bold to tell the world that Peter Ogedegbe whose records are not far fetch is paternally from Ophori-Olomu and maternally from Ovwor-Olomu,” Ughelli South Local Government Area of the State.

Continuing, the statement said: “we therefore advise Peter Ogedegbe and his cohorts to desist from laying claim to the area otherwise they will be dragged to the antigraft agencies.

The group recalled in dismay that Ughelli North lost its seat in DESOPADEC in the last board while Ughelli South had two persons; Johnson Boro from Ughievwwen clan and Peter Ogedegbe from Olomu clan.

Comrade Unior however appealed to the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to guard

against such mistake in order to create a sense of belonging to indigenes of Ughelli north council.

However, all efforts to reach Peter Ogedegbe for his comments proved abortive.

Emmanuel Morah. The five companies involved are A.S.B. Investment Company Limited, Anosyke Group of Companies Limited, Dell Energy Limited, Downstream Energy Sources Limited and Rocky Energy Limited.

A.S.B. Investment Company Limited, Aro Samuel Bamidele and Abiodun Kayode Bankole were arraigned before Justice Lateefa Okunnu on an 18 count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, forgery and uttering false documents.

Protest rocks Abeokuta as govt may depose unruly monarch

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NDIGINES of Onig bedu village on Friday stormed governor’s office, Oke-Mosan,Abeokuta calling for the removal of the warring monarch, Olu of Itori,Oba Fatai Akamo who allegedly slapped a villagehead Oba Adisa Akinremi.

Indication however emerged yesterday that,Oba Akamo was on his way out of his throne which he ascended eight years ago as Ogun state government has begun process of his dethronement.

It would be recalled that, Oba Akamo allegedly

slapped Oba Akinremi during a disagreement on traditional matters at Divisional Office of Nigeria Police. Station in Itori in Ewekoro local government area of the state.

According to the findings , the embattled Oba Akamo who was beaten blueblack by Oba Akinremi was said to have been told to start packing his belonging in his palace.

At Thursday ’ s protest,the placards carrying villagers described Oba Akamo as terrorist who had been allegedly involved in some controversial matters in the area.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012

Two armed robbers shot dead in Delta • Suspected cult members kill one

BY FESTUS AHON, Ughelli

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T least two armed rob bers were Thursday night shot dead by the Police in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State.

The robbers, Saturday Vanguard gathered have been terrorizing the town and its environ. A dependable source said the notorious robbers were killed during a shootout with the police.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, said the robbery gang was intercepted by the police, while trying to rob unsuspecting students of the State Polytechnic, Ozoro in one of the popular Hostels near the campus at about 10pm, adding that the police acted on a tipoff.

According to the source, “a call was put forward to the Police as soon as the notorious gang brandishing dangerous weapons entered the first room in the hostel. On noticing that Police were around, the gang ran out of the hostel opening fire indiscriminately while trying to escape.

“We heard several gun shots and after a while we came out to meet two of the armed robbers lying dead on the ground. We were very happy and commended the effort of the Police.”

As at the time of filing this report, residents of the area, mostly students were seen trooping to the Ozoro police station to catch glimpse of the dead robbers. Effort made to reach the Divisional Police Officer for comment proved abortive. However, a senior police officer in the division said the “two armed robbers were killed during a cross fire with our men and two cut to size guns and a small wooden pistol were recovered from them.”

Meanwhile, suspected cult group on Wednesday night murdered a young man believed to be a member of a rival cult group at Orhuwhorun Junction, Ovwian, Udu Local Government Area, Delta state.

Our correspondent reliably gathered that the cult members numbering over 30 stormed the kiosk belonging to the deceased mother at Orhuwhorun Junction at about 9:00 pm.

The source added that the cult members stormed the kiosk in a commando style carrying locally made guns, broken bottles, sticks, cutlasses and other weapons.

“On sighting the boy, the rampaging cult members descended on him clubbing him to death before he could get help,” the source said. Leader of the Ovwian Local Vigilante group, Mr. David Ukiri, who spoke to newsmen said they have arrested three persons in connection with the killing of the young man.

He said the three suspects have been handed over to the police at Ovwian-Aladja police station, adding that the deceased has been deposited in a nearby morgue.

The police could not be reached for comment as at press time.

HE team from the Federal Government led by the Minister of Environment, Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafa and accompanied by the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah; the Minister of State for Works, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda; the National

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Transition

R. Eugene Ogueri of Umuanyasie village Umunchi in Osuowerri Isiala Mbano local government of Imo state is dead. He died at age of 80. Until his death, he was a senior catechist with CKC Catholic Church Umunchi.

He will be buried today October 6, 2012 after funeral mass at CKC, and interred in his compound after funeral mass. He was survived by his wife, Ezinne Felicia Ogueri, children, grandchildren C M Y K

Emergency Management Agency, Mohammad Sani Sidi said that Anambra State was the worst hit by the flood that was currently ravaging 14 states in the country.

They made this observation after touring affected States and Local Governments.

Late Ogueri and other relations among whom are Mrs. Chika Kaka and Mr. Ositadimma Ogueri.

Navy hunt for kidnappers

BY EMMA AMAIZE, Warri

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HE Nigerian Navy in Warri, Delta State, has launched a manhunt for the gunmen , who shot and wounded a naval per-

sonnel on the waterways in Warri, Thursday, while escaping into the creek with a man they kidnapped in Udu area of the state.

Navy spokesperson in Warri, C.I.D. Yohanna told

Teachers raise alarm over dilapidated condition of schools els, regretting the poor

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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S teachers in the country celebrate world teachers’ day with

Anambra worst hit by flood The Minister of Envi— Presidential team ronment said that An-

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Gov. Obi (Middle), conducting the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah left) and the Minister of Environment, Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafa (right) during the tour of flooded local Governments in Anambra State in helicopter.

ambra was situated at the lowest point of the River Niger that occasioned the enormous destruction wrought by the flood.

The Minister and all the members of his team commended Governor Obi for his efforts to assist the victims.

The Minister of Aviation whose house alongside that of the Former Minister Prince John Emeka; the former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Prince Chinedu Emeka; the Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Princess Chinwe Nwebili; the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Oselloka Obaze, among others were under water said that the situation was clearly beyond human comprehension. He thanked the Governor for his relentless efforts to offer assistance.

the theme, Take a stand for teachers, they, yesterday raised alarm over the dilapidated structures and falling infrastructures in schools across all tiers of government in the country even as the federal government admitted challenges facing Nigerian teachers.

President of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, (NUT) at the Eagle Square in Abuja lamented the deteriorated state of especially primary and secondary schools at local government, state and federal government lev-

condition of the schools and its negative contribution to the performance of students across the nation.

According to him, “we wish to use this auspicious day to remind the government of Nigeria on all the tiers that our schools are still largely dilapidated and are unsuitable for conducive learning” Olukoya noted that, “Students do well when they study in a conducive environment. It is a conducive environment that makes a teacher to perform at his optimum”.

Despite the state og dis

Saturday Vanguard that the gunmen opened fire on naval personnel, who attempted to stop them.

He said the injured navy official was rushed to the hospital for treatment, but a source claimed the gunmen were sea pirates and not kidnappers.

Meanwhile, the national president of the Ijaw People Development Initiative, Comrade Austin Ozobo, on Thursday, condemned the attack on the navy and the resultant siege on the waterways by NNS, Delta.

His words, “While Ijaw riverine communities fault the attack on NNS, Delta by unidentified sea pirates in Warri River, we are unhappy at the restriction of movement in the waterways over armed robbers attack on the navy in Warri, as thousands of innocent people were stranded from the morning of the incident to the evening hours” .

EFCC arres Y S arrestt MAPOL MAPOLY Stt af afff in handcuf handcufff over N.1bn fraud

By DAUD OLATUNJI, Abeokuta

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PERATIVES of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have arrested three Executive members of the Non-Academic Staff union (NASU) of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta,MAPOLY for allegedly mismanaging a sum of N.1billion sinking funds.

Saturday Vanguard

gathered that,the three officers who were arrested in handcuff on Thursday include; NASU Chairman, Secretary and treasurer; Mr. Odeogbola Jekinmose,Lekan Egbewunmi and Taiwo Samsideen respectively following a petition by aggrieved members of the union.

It was reliably gathered that,part of their sins is that, the arrested principal officers allocated loans to themselves in

excess of what they could repay, going by their earnings.

It would be recalled that Governor Ibikunle Amosun, had, on assumption of office constituted a panel of enquiry to cleanse the Polytechnic of its rot but has failed to implement the recommendations of the panel as headed by the respected retired Justice Bakre, thereby deepening the mess in the Polytechnic.

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SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012 — 9

Awolowo: Babatope tackles Achebe •Battle against falsehood has started

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor

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ITERARY giant Chinua Achebe’s depiction of Chief Obafemi Awolowo as a man driven by an overriding ambition for power at the expense of Ibos was yesterday described as nonsensical and a twist of facts.

In a rebuttal of Achebe’s representation of Awolowo in a new book, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, a close aide and follower of the late sage, noted what he said was Achebe’s penchant to soil the image of Awolowo.

Vowing that the battle to check Achebe had just started, Babatope told Vanguard yesterday that while Achebe had the liberty to write he could not

murder history with his attack on Awolowo.

Achebe in the new book just released had accused Awolowo of being driven by an ambition for power which “drove him into a frenzy to go to every length to achieve his dreams. In the Biafran case it meant hatching up a diabolical policy to reduce the numbers of his enemies significantly through starvation — eliminating over two million people, mainly members of future generations.”

Responding yesterday, Babatope said: “While Achebe is free to write on any topic that suits his fancy, he has no right whatsoever to irresponsibly murder history by recklessly attacking a great leader like Papa

Kidnapped Delta commissioner’s whereabouts unknown 6 days after

BY EMMA AMAIZE, Warri

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IX days after Com missioner for Higher Education in Delta State, Prof Hope Eghagha was abducted on the Warri-Abraka-Agbor highway and his police orderly shot dead by kidnappers, his whereabouts remain a mystery.

A suspected linkman to the kidnappers had called 24 hours after his kidnap demanding a payoff of N10 million to facilitate his release.

However, realizing that security agents could trace him if he proceeded with the strategy, he had switched off the phone since then.

Police spokesperson in the state, Mr. Charles Muka, told Saturday Vanguard when contacted, yesterday, that the police

were searching for the kidnappers.

Meantime, a group, Uduaghan Vision Students, on Thursday, condemned the kidnapping of Prof Eghagha and killing of his police orderly, and called for his release.

State coordinator of the organization, Comrade Phillip Urieh in a statement wondered why such a calamity befell an honest and God-fearing man like Prof Eghagha.

“We wondered how that could have happened to a honest and God fearing man like Prof. Hope Eghagha who is always standing for the good of Delta Students.”

Urieh urged students in the state to be watchful, pray for God’s divine protection for Prof. Hope Eghagha, and sympathized with family of the late police orderly.

Awolowo. Nigerians should expect detailed, honest, factual and objective replies to the Achebe nonsense after we have copies of the book in our hands.”

“This is not the first time that Achebe will publish scathing attacks on Papa Awo. He did it in his book written about 30yrs ago titled ‘The trouble with Nigeria’. The battle against falsehood has started.”

Police investigate N78m fraud against Bayelsa House S

PECIAL Fraud Unit is investigating a case of Conspiracy, Misappropriation and Conversion of N78,000,000.00 public funds leveled against Hon. Kombowei Benson, Speaker and 18 other members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.

In a petition submitted

by Transparency and Good Governance Coalition, Abuja, the group alleged that the suspects requested for approval of N78,000,000.00 from the Governor to attend the 43rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Africa Regional Conference in South Africa from 29th June, 2012 to 8th July, 2012. It was further alleged that the Speaker and his members of the State House of Assembly did not attend the conference rather they converted public fund to their personal purse.

Police investigation so far revealed that the Speaker, leading other 18 members, including his Deputy, with the exception of Hon. Omonibeke and three others departed Nigeria for South Africa allegedly for the con-

LG Tribunal verdict fallout: Be vigilant, Group tells Ondo voters

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HE people of Ondo state have been enjoined to be vigilant and ensure no room is given to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to rig in the October 20th gubernatorial election “especially now that it has been confirmed by a Tribunal that they are master riggers in the party.”

Speaking against the backdrop of Thursday’s verdict of the Local Government Election Tribunal

which pronounced Ibrahim Obanikoro of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the Ikoyi/ Obalende Local Council Development Area election following a petition challenging the earlier result which gave victory to the ACN, a group, Forum For Democratic Transparency said, the Tribunal’s verdict is a clear indication that the ACN is using illegitimate means to win elections.

Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun attending to one of the participants, Mrs. Fausat Lawal during the flag-off ceremony of Breast and Cervical Cancer Awareness and Screening Exercise at Olorunda Health Centre, Olorunda in Abeokuta North Local Government area of Ogun State...yesterday.

In a statement issued in Akure on Friday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Adebari Mayaki, the Forum said “it has become obvious that the ACN does not have the popularity they claimed to have,” adding that the Tribunal judgement has shown clearly that the People of Lagos state voted out the party in the last Local government election.

ference on the 6th of July and arrived Johannesburg on 7th July, 2012, the day the conference ended.

It was also discovered that no attempt was made

by the speaker and his members to go to the venue of the conference rather they relied on the information given to them by the Clerk and the Protocol officer that the confer-

ence had ended.

All the suspects blamed their departure/arrival for the conference on the late issuance of visa by the South African Embassy.

Woman delivers baby girl at relief camp

BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO, Lokoja

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NE of the flood victims in Kogi State, Mrs. Racheal Adesopo has delivered a baby girl in one of the relief Camps set up for the Internally Displaced Persons in Lokoja, the State Capital.

Mrs. Adesopo delivered the baby girl on Thursday

night at St. Luke Primary School, Adankolo, Lokoja, through the help of the health personnel attached to the relief camp.

However, the Nigeria Army, Lokoja Command has donated cash to flood victims in the State as well as the mother of the baby.

Commandant, Head Quarter Special Task force Battalion, Lt. Col. Gabri-

Gov Imoke commends Airtel for adopting rural school

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ROSS River State governor Senator Liyel Imoke has commended Airtel Nigeria for adopting a rural primary school in the state.

The governor, speaking when a team of Airtel executives led by the Managing Director & CEO, Mr. Rajan Swaroop, paid him a courtesy visit in Calabar yesterday, stated that Airtel’s gesture was in line with the state’s vision to provide education to the poorest of the poor in rural communities of the state.

Imoke, represented by the Honorable Commissioner for Education, Professor Offiong E. Offiong, praised the initiative of Airtel Nigeria to adopt a school in the state unsolicited, which clearly underlines the telco’s commitment to giving back to the com-

munity through its visionary Corporate Social responsibility programme.

el Olorunyomi who presented the relief materials to the Head of SEMA representative, Mrs. Alice Ogedengbe said the gesture is their secondary responsibility to the country aside their peace keeping and territorial defence The Army who were first to visit the new born baby at the camp donated forty bags of rice to the flood victims and fifty thousand naira to the mother of the baby.

Lt. Col. Olorunyomi urged the State Emergency Management Agency to ensure equal distribution of the food items across the relief camps set up in the State.

Robbers invade NUJ, cart away money took the sum under the

BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO, Lokoja

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RMED robbers on Friday invaded the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi State Council carting away N200, 000 and other valuables belonging to the Secretary of the council, Alhaji Adeiza MomohJimoh.

The men of the underworld who apparently trailed the council secretary from Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) where he made cash withdrawal at about 10am on Thursday broke into his vehicle and

broad day light.

Narrating how the incident happened, MomohJimoh explained that: “I went to the bank, withdrew the sum and kept it in the pigeon hole of the car, but when I left to purchase recharge card, they had entered the secretariat, broke into my car and took away the cash”.

Momohjimoh who described the incident which happened in a quick succession as saddening, urged the law enforcement agencies in the state to step up action to check mate the growing spate of criminality.

10— SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012

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lood has continued to ravage the length and breadth of Nigeria with its inherent consequences. This prologue by Saturday Vanguard’s JOHN BULUS seeks the readiness of government to meet the expectations of Nigerians in that direction. Perhaps, one line of prayer Nigerians will never make is to ask for any kind of natural disaster. In any case, no one would contemplate that. But while the case may be different with some people in some technologically advanced societies, it is definitely on the reserve side with Nigerians.

This is predicated on a lot of factors which included poverty, illiteracy, apathy, corruption, collapse of social infrastructures and so on and forth. In fact, Nigerians are never prepared for any emergency situations and because of this, stories of earthquakes,tsunamis, hurricanes and a whole lot of other natural disasters that originated from other climes are not usually received with corresponding alacrity by most Nigerians.

To some extent, most people think that Nigeria, nay Africa may be immuned that such destructive occurrences are simply far-fetched.

But obviously, the year 2012 has been a different one for Nigeria and most Nigerians. It is a year that has inculcated in most

Nigerians the feelings of fear. Similarly, the government is startled by the deluge of destructions. Since the beginning of the rainy season, it is hard to find anyone who is without the knowledge of the menace of flood associated with, perhaps, the unusual volume of rainfalls this year.

If one has not been directly affected, one must have been indirectly affected.

From south to north, east to western Nigeria, there have been severe incidences of flood and windstorms that have ravaged communities, destroyed houses and submerged farmlands while several families have been displaced.

The worse is the supreme prize which many hapless and helpless victims of the disaster have paid with their lives. Even though, reports put the number of deaths at about 140, some analysts believed that it has exceeded that number.

Indeed, the case of flood and its attendant challenges this year are unprecedented. It caused erosion and jolted rivers and seas to overflow their banks.

Even dams were not spared as they overflowed beyond their boundaries.

Consequently, many villages, houses are menacingly threatened by either erosion Continues on page 45

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012—11

Flooding caused by dredging of River Niger without environmental impact assessment—Evah ...Why I rejected Gov Dickson’s appointment offer

During the military era you went to court to stop the dredging of River Niger, today flood disaster around the River Niger area is causing a lot of death and destruction. What is your opinion on the current situation?

It is bad as we speak, families are suffering and some are mourning their loved ones and the flooding is getting worse everyday, and the federal and state governments are all helpless. What is causing the uncontrollable flooding and helplessness is because government dredges the River Niger without environmental impact assessment. It was one of my reasons for going to court through my lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN). My arguments were tested in the federal high court Benin and I got historical ruling and when the civilian government came in 1999, our governors and the so-called honorable men threatened me to withdraw my matter from court and I refused. They threatened that they wanted to be part of the case if I refused to hands off. They argued that they are the true representatives of the Niger delta people.

Since democracy has emerged.

It got to a point that lives of members of my family were threatened by these politicians to please Obasanjo and by the time Yar ’ Adua emerged as president, our politicians had done the final sale of our own part of the River Niger to dredge without acceptable environmental impact assessment (EIA). You see what we are seeing now is natural disaster but it is uncontrollable now because man (Federal Government) has tampered with the natural mechanism that was supposed to adjust itself when natural disasters occur. You can see that the agencies of government only get to the affected areas

and fold their hands to watch the display of nature because they don’t even know how to start helping the situation.

But the government told Nigerians that an (EIA) was conducted before the dredging?

The federal government displayed only fake EIA to the public. Any EIA without any input by the local people (communities) along the River r\J1ger is fake and it is not of international standard. If you gather professors and consultants who are strangers to that environment to write a report without involving the local people who are naturally gifted with climate change even when they were in their mother}s womb} your report is fake and you know those in government prefer fake reports to manage Nigeria. That is why

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omrade Joseph Evah is the coordinator, Ijaw Monitoring Group and the former Publicity Secretary of Ijaw National Congress (INC).

In this enounter with AZUH AKANWA, he speaks about flooding across states in Nigeria and why he rejected Gov Dickson’s appointment offer in his home state, Bayelsa.

Excerpts.

ports are dead} while the government approved billions of dollars to built new inland ports to bring goods through our water ways from London} USA} Canada to Abuja. It is a shame.

Nigerians are shocked to hear that at a time when Goodluck Jonathan is the president of Nigeria and his state governor is creating state flag and coat of arms to threaten national unity. What is your reaction?

You see, those Nigerians suggesting that Governor Dickson is threatening national unity are suffering from “On Unitary Government we stand Mentality.JJ Every patriotic Nigerian who recognizes Nigeria as a Federation will applaud governor Dickson}s move. When Nigeria was practicing true Feder-

It is bad as we speak, families are suffering and some are mourning their loved ones and the flooding is getting worse everyday

Ghana is better than us. Today the oil companies are using fake report to destroy our environment.

You said several reasons led to your court action. What are the other reasons?

Economic survival was my second reason outside the environmental reasons that led to my court action. I was shocked that the federal government that abandoned Burutu ports} Warri port} Sapele Port} Akassa Port} Patani Port and other sea ports built by colonial masters} prefer to build new inland ports at Lokoja and Baro including the proposed Abuja inland port; so I was angry and I addressed a world press conference as the spokesman of Ijaw National Congress that the Ijaw will resist General Sani Abacha}s intention and in fairness to the military government at that time} they slowed down the move until democracy produced Zombie politicians that even clapped hands for Yar ‘Adua for the flag off of the dredging despite the fact that all our sea

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alism. This country was making progress until the military came and forced unitary system mentality in us. Why are people behaving as if it was Dickson that started this true Federalism something? Why are people not condemning Lagos} Osun} Ondo} Ogun} Ekiti} Kwara} cross River states for adopting these symbols even before Dickson moved to encourage true federalism.

But some people are complaining that the president’s home state should be careful on national matters?

I reject that blackmail from unpatriotic Nigerians. You see, it is the same blackmail they are using against the president in the villa not to do anything for the Niger delta till he leaves office. If the president wants to do something about development for his people, some fake characters will tell him that such a step will make him look like a Niger delta president or Ijaw president; that is nonsense.

Some people felt the governor took the decision too ear-

Comrade Joseph Evah ly, they suspect he is working for the break up of Nigeria.

Nigeria has broken-up before Dickson became governor. A country that lacks trust among the federating units; a country that annulled free and fair election in 1993, kill the winner; a country that the resources of one area are used for development of other areas alone, is not a united country. You said Dickson’s action is too early or why is he in a hurry? You know Dickson is a product of Ijaw struggle. So he knows the secret of Nigeria. He was part of Ijaw National Congress team when we left the leadership of INC, so when he emerged as governor, the spirit of the struggle started haunting his body and soul to actualize the dream of the struggle. So, that is why he is in a hurry to further unit the Ijaw natioh and set Ijaw nation in a strategic position that can quickly compete with the Yoruba nation that is the most advanced in the country. Like what Tinubu did in Lagos in those days, Tinubu will appoint you into a position whether you are from Ekiti, On do or Osun state as long as you are good even if you are not a politician; Tinubu will give you appointment to work for Lagos. That was why Tinubu could produce over 500 Fasholas within a given period. Dickson’s appointments are not based on PDP structures line-up by the party but his central focus s Ijaw nation. For example, the governor invited me to Yanagoa and urged me to take up appointment but I declined to take political appointment. Instead, let me stay outside to help him by condemning any bad policies or

commending good policies.

It is strange to hear that in Nigeria, somebody will refuse political appointment knowing fully well about the opportunities around such offices?

Well the governor meant well when he requested me to accept an offer to serve. I did not campaign for him during election and am not even a PDP member or any party member.

It is very difficult to campaign in Bayelsa because of the terrain and I did not enter the jungle with them. But he felt I have something to offer in government.

I told the governor that I prefer to stay outside and enjoy what am doing. I like visiting universities and other higher institutions to address Niger delta students; organize programmes for the blind, disable and widows, helping them to get assistance to improve their lives. I like to visit our villages with students to deworm our children in the Creeks yearly and am used to seeing people coming to my office to seek help and how I try to help them.

Again, I also felt that it is not proper for all Ijaw activists to be inside government. If we all enter government, then we are in trouble because the struggle is not over yet. Almost all our activists are in government even when I was discussing with the president in Aso Rock Villa in 2010, I told Jonathan that I don’t want appointment in government because it is dangerous for ail activists to be holding political position, even if those our activists holding political positions treat us like lepers while considering themselves as living in paradise.

astation which ommunities in Apa, Agatu, OtukBuruku, Tarka and local government e state left on its 50,000 displaced ith thousands of houses and huts merged or washed

he flood ravaged t way anything lometers radius of River Benue . the communities badly hit by the waters included be, Gyado Villa, ies in Wadata and ge, the abattoir new Makurdi rth bank and the Judges’ quarters te Minority Leadr George Akume er of State, Trade ment, Dr. Samuel e their residential s e s . ened by the rising s were the main the Benue State and the newly conenue University Hospital, the Readquarters of the Christian Church CG and the coopquaters of state sportation compaLinks Nigeria, all . vastation also jority of the stue state owned Beuniversity who n droves after losf their books and items to the flood. eath toll from the Benue State has mal with one death rded. he victims of the n narrated their s to Saturday Vanding that the Fednment intensified meliorating their

Benue State Makurdi flood victims recount their experiences and pains

Benue State First Lady(right) presenting relief materials to the Executive Secretary of SEMA, Mr. Adikpo Agbatse(left) for onward distribution to victims of the Makurdi flood

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sing flood water ntinues to ravage ts of the country, he disaster in Beave continued to r losses even as nue to lament their

As for 57 year old Zaki Adev Serser Francis, who is the New Bridge Traditional Head, controlling Kongba Community, he would not forget in a hurry the unfortunate ordeal.

Aside losing his 25 year old daughter, Dooshima to the flood, he is one of the many families whose houses were also washed away by the raging flood.

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arrating his ordeal to Saturday Vanguard at the LGEA Primary School, Wur ukum, one of the designated camps for displaced persons in the state where he is now taking refuge with his family alongside hundreds of other families who were displaced by the rising Benue River water, Chief Adev said after the wa-

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that she saw plenty water coming towards our compound but that she would quickly go to the farm to harvest some maize and I bade her bye-bye. Sadly, my daughter could not come back

again. She got drowned in the flood. I lost her as she died leaving four children behind for me to cater for.�

Zaki Adev said when he saw the rate at which the flood was coming, he quickly move some of his belongings and his other children to an open space close to the Wurukum round-about until he heard an announcement on the state radio that the state government had established camps for displaced people.

While thanking the state and federal government for the help rendered to displaced persons, Zaki Adev, however appealed to the state and federal governments to help him resettle after the flood crisis adding that he no longer has any house or farmland to return to as his compound and farmlands have all been washed away.

torrential rainfall warming addin flood is very deva Benue State since the frontline state Benue River.

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lso recounti father of Romeo Dajoh sa several of his h items but thanke he was able to e his family While Titus Nna not so lucky as h able to remove an his house but for he and members ly were putting o flood struck Wuru According to hi the rising water c a strong wave, away leaving our was lucky that I d any of my four ch pregnant wife.

We thank the sta eral government to our aid but I s that they can do because we are pletely helpless.

Meanwhile as t ment, NGOs, pub individuals and i al organisations e cour to victims o Benue State First Mrs. Yemisi Su was among the e to the flood sites tlement camps f placed has called for the country.

Mrs. Suswam plies relief materi beverages, schoo sandals to the v weekly basis, ass that she would al their pains, promi tinually reach ou While presentin material to th through the State cy Management A assured the flood the state govern working round the relevant agencie that the displac normal live again Also in one of h the camps, Gover Suswam also call lic spirited indivi tend assistance to

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012—13

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HE simply gave her name as Madam Jane. She was seen struggling to harvest her cassava prematurely in the pool of water that almost got to her knee level in one of the communities in Joinkrama, JK, Ahoada West local government area of Rivers state.

When Saturday Vanguard sought to know why she did not wait for the flood to dry up before harvesting her yields, she said the water had started destroying the cassava before they mature.

Madam Jane was not alone as other farmers in the community lamented that though it was not harvest season, they were forced into premature harvest to save their yields.

According to Mrs. Roseline Ngozi, she was not even sure when the pool of water would dry up. She said the flood even forced her to relocate from her house in the community to Okobe, a nearby village. And for some days, she had been coming from the community to harvest her cassava.

Most houses in the community had been completely taken over by flood. Some of the residents were seen ferrying their belongings on their heads to safety.

Ikodo, Igwechi, Ongo, Enito were among communities in Ahoada West local government area that were taken over by the flood.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that some residents in these areas were forced by the situation to relocate to Ahoada main town and other neighbouring villages yet to be affected by flood.

According to some victims, the problem started about a week ago. They said most of the affected communities had been used to flood problems in the past but not up to this current magnitude.

They said in the past, flood problem was witnessed in some parts of their communities around the end of October or early November. But the situation had a way of taking care of itself. They said they did not panic when they first saw the pool of water rising in their communities because they had thought it would disappear as it had always been.

But they became frightened with the mounting water level after about three days. “ We had to rush to our farms to start harvesting our cassavas and yams. “, an elderly man told Saturday Vanguard.

Others said they had to

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Rivers State

Flood disaster forces farmers into premature harvest zFamilies postpone burials of loved ones

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BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

Most houses in the community had been completely taken over by flood. Some of the residents were seen ferrying their belongings on their heads to safety

start ferrying their personal effects to safety when it became clear that the pool of water was still rising by the day.

Mr Felix Felix who lives in Okobe community said the flood had started flowing into some farm lands in Okobe community, adding that some parts of the local government secretariat at Akinima had also been taken over by flood.

He said if the situation continued for another few days, the local government secretariat would be completely submerged by flood.

Most of the victims opined the problem was caused by Orashi River in the area that overflowed its bank.

Families postpone funeral plans

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Saturday Vanguard investigations showed the devastating flood in the communities even forced families to reschedule the funeral rites of their loved ones. “There is no way we can do burial under this condition”.

Some families who spoke undercover said graves cannot be dug in a pool of water.

In addition,they said strangers would not want to come to the area in the flood for burial programme. So they had to reschedule every burial arrangement to December, January, hoping that normalcy would have returned to the community then.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY VISITS COMMUNITIES The Senate Committee on

Environment and Ecology was in the state as part of its oversight functions to inspect oil spill sites. And some of the communities affected by the flood were on the list of places to be visited by the Senate Committee.

It was in the course of going about its job in the state that the Committee ran into the flood comunities. The Committee could not inspect spill sites in some of the oil producing communities in Ahoada West local government area because of the flood problem.

The Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Nyema Weli who was on the entourage was rattled by the problem. He said the state government was not aware there was flood challenge in the area. He however assured that urgent steps would be taken to mitigate the plights of victims of the flood.

Earlier, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Bukola Saraki said he was deeply touched by the plights of victims of the flood, stressing that his committee

would officially get to the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA to come to their aid. However, the South South zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr Emenike Umesi said they had been aware of the flood situation in the affected communities in the local government and had been working on the affected areas. He also listed Ndoni in Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government area as other areas affected.

He said they had concluded assessment of the affected communities to determine the level of assistance that could be given to the victims.

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he NEMA Coordinator, Mr Umesi said in Ndoni his agency identified a camp for victims but it was swept off by flood. He said they had already alerted the local government authority of the incident. According to him, the local government would now give them another space to set up a fresh camp for the victims.

In an earlier interview with the Vanguard, Mr Umesi had appealed to states in the South South region to set up State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA to urgently tackle disasters of this nature.

He had said such agency would help to efficiently manage disaster situations in the region.

According to him, governments in the region should not wait for disaster predictions before they come up with concrete plans on how to effectively tackle disaster situations.

He said the region was on the coastal plain of the country so there was need to have emergency respondent measures on ground.

He further appealed to those living around the coastal plane in the region to be very vigilant, adding that SEMA would help a lot to achieve results in times of disaster management.

Mr Umesi said most areas in the region were prone to flood problems, stressing that a system should be worked out to take care of owners of farms affected by flood disaster.

He said the focus at the moment was making provisions for only physically displaced persons. “There is need to go beyond this to also compensate owners of farm lands taken over by flood”.The South South Coordinator also urged local governments to set up local government emergency management committee, adding that such proactive measures would help a lot in addressing challenges posed by natural disasters.

mission with admirable zeal and courage, in a and forthright manner. Products had to obtain C’s seal of approval to find a shelf in the open also took the n of the importrugs, smashing ked establishrning their vile

again, most of etrators of this from the same e country with y”, aa she soon n. That fact howhelp the crimiried the usual ” way, without Dora would not y even resorted the “final solue survived their er to even take rt. Perhaps the he courts were g as one would d, but she was n by the threats She carried on d work and the eat in its impact y of the supply es and drugs he country. head, she then st for the senaAnambra State, me the backslidf safe medicine The change at s accomplished hoopla that can by those who are at it, and there al eager expecing happened fact,everything be going at the he news of pronapproved medsided before Dr, drew, and nothto bring it up ain. But silentusly, all sorts of nal products be-

aIl sorts of illicit operations became stronger. On the home front too, new medical products were bei g manufactured freely.

The main sources of these illegal products are in the Asian countries, mostly around China and India. But almost every country gets to play a part since the Nigerian entrepreneurs are the motivators. They go out and encourage the manufactures of the counterfeit drugs for which they pay very little and sell at a huge profit, not caring about the ealth of their hapless customers. It is said

ry a NAFDAC registration number. How safe are we now? Dora, where are you?

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fall-out from the rum pus about the 5000 naira note, the introduction of which has been suspended until you and I learn more about it—according to the magisterial pronouncement of Dr Rueben Abati— is the indication that inflation will continue to rise in this country, for as long as the Central Bank of Nigeria does not desist from making the monthly allocation to the States in naira, out of the revenue accruing mostly from petrol sales which come in dollars.

This is presented as the source of the surplus of

of the National Assembly these days, in the establishment of a position in national affairs. They must appreciate that the system of paying out the state allocations is inimical to the health of the national economy by the stated manner in which it generates inflation perennially .. Otherwise, they should have come out with their own standpoint. But they seem so complacent with that aspect of the monthly distribution of the “national cake”.

However, perhaps more light needs to be shed on how this system of payment increases the inflow of money into the economy. Is the exchange of currency from dollar to naira so generous that there is so much overflow into the coffers of the States? No State Governor has yet complained of being overstuffed with the monthly allocation. Who stands to gain from the exercise in which the common man stands to continue to lose in this manner? In any case, even if there were a case of a surfeit of available funds, could it not be diverted to

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an uncommon hese dealers in rugs to import onally traveling der these lethal would then fly eria to see the h the ports to the But Dora’s operid them at the them away and harmful goods lic. Some items ourse, but only elves pursued to ses where they in ashes.

*the waning glories of nafdac *call for a loud debate *the traffic laws of lagos state

But they seem so complacent with that aspect of the monthly distribution of the “national cake”

*Dora that they seem to quote false NAFDAC registration num rs some time ago, but they seldom bother about such subterfuge any longer. They just put the articles out, stark and plain, just like that without any inhibitions. The rest is left to the man who believes he has bought a malaria remedy and winds up with a massive sore throat, or something more serious, or much worse.

M

alaria just came to mind as a very common malady. In fact, the claims of some of these devil-

naira chasing a relatively low amount of goods to buy. Complying with the loose definition of inflation, it creates excess liquidity—that is, too much for too little and that naturally makes way for a scarcity that gives rise to increasing costs. It sounds much mellower in the words of Henry Boyo, the erudite economic columnist of “The Punch”. He is so convincing.

But don’t the State Governors realize this setback?

They seem to gleefully perform their “cap-in-hand” act every month without much

suburbs to thei on the island, a are engaged in tivity traveling land in the oppo to the mainlan is the commerc tre, not only of also of the en while the main ically, Ikeja— point of the affa ment administr versification of however, is tilt wards the inc from the mainl land .. Several been taken to c suing problem years, the res traffic across th given rise to the of two long br the traffic flow. way law for stre also created ahead of sever in West Africa National Capita of the first West to install traffic ban roadway bridges were s the sub-region cently, whereas feature on Lag decades. But t ume of the incr ular movement neutralize all o

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productive ventures in industry that would create jobs and thus limit the thrust of the actual cash injected into the economy? But the State Governors have said nothing, and the CBN is saying nothing other than the installation of the 5000 naira note. But it seems to me that this is a national issue, and a loud debate is called for here.

The threat of prison sentences has thrown many people across the street from the new traffic laws of Lagos State. But that should not be so.

ithout a most ag pect of the traff Lagos is traffic agencies invol be numberless MA, the Polic Forces, the V.I most anyone i uniform in the s getting, with course, the St himself. But achieved beca effectual manne exercise is pe officials are r incurably corru in this regard, frightening an penalties that t lates for some es. Many would “settlement” t possibility of a astronomical fi nately, the neg

ed as much ble to read ributes in Major nyemi that n the hope of the my head answered. relating to his etirement beloved and ating to his arceration military. I ly grateful Nyiam for me light. ill have to st to time y because, ime, will out.

I can not know the yemi that something ger, more nloye.You e’s parents re friends. and mine he same

which sometimes required weekend stays. I used those o p p o r t u n i t i e s whenever I represented my school, to touch base with my Ijesha school mates.

Akinloye was of course, one of them. So the off and on contact went on, until we both grew wings and flew in different directions. I to journalism, and he the Army.

But you never really forget your childhood friend, doaespite the fact that all the males had Akin in their names and he would reply politely, ‘he is fine’ without giving much away.

We met one more time after his retirement, and it wasn’t a very comfortable meeting.

As a journalist, I had heard ‘stories’ about the reasons for his premature retirement.

I didn’t know how to ask and he didn’t offer any

urnalist, I had heard about the reasons for mature retirement

he revered ollege Oyo. vitable in a like Ilesha that our cross. And Often. In n happens, and his ves paired to age it was that came my he family. other Dele unterpart who struck ndship and each other w months e between ’t readily escapade Maybe we oung, too be let to ises then. nyemis left at was it. would have great t i o n s , College, d Igbobi gos, short of us for d we met hose Igbobi eference to who had He chose College also in o his late brother

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information. Although he was the one who came to me as I recall, he seemed withdrawn and ‘aloof’. Completely apathetic to the swirls around him. So the silence was punctuated by polite enquiries about the past and our siblings.

I have always wondered why a country can so easily dispense with the services of his brightest and best. From the little I have said, it is obvious that Akinloye had a good pedigree,and he could have excelled in any profession. He chose the military, and while there, did himself, his family, and the country, proud by collecting accolades wherever he went.

From accounts, it seems the generals broke and destroyed one of their finest officers because he refused to acquiesce and chose to side with the progressives; because he loved the military too much to allow it to be overtaken by forces that could only destroy it?

He might have died unfilled, but I am glad he did not die unsung. In fact, as one writer put it, his eulogy has been better than those of many generals. Given his talent, dedication and promise, its easy to say it was all a tragic waste.

But that would be wrong.

His ideals will live on.

Younger officers will read about him and at the opportuned time, will rise up to say ‘enough is enough’ Meanwhile, I am proud to say ‘I also knew Akinloye Akinyemi.

May his soul truly rest in peace.

The latest ‘talk of the town’ wedding THE nearest I got to being invited to the wedding of the Alakijas was when a friend showed me the invitation card-If that is what one will call what was sent out to the Lagos jet set. It contained every thing; where to sit, what to eat and drink, where to serve your driver, how to retrieve your gifts etc Even a sticker for you to pack your car!

Every thing was put in a gilded box that you are advised to leave behind and use as a jewelry box. The card promised glitz, it promised glamour…. and may be more… for those who like that sort of thing.

Some of those who went, described the event variously as ‘nice’, ‘rowdy’, ‘interesting’, ‘rich’ etc. Although I really didn’t ask too many people, I didn’t hear anybody describe it as ‘classy. In any case, what is really important to both the hosts and the guests, is that ‘it did not disappoint’ Really, you cant stop the rich from spending their money the way they want. They can decide to buy odd and even private jets if they so wish. Or his and hers of exotic things like rare diamond and automobiles. They have been known to buy football clubs and artworks that nobody sees, let alone appreciate. Their only obligation to you and I, assuming they have not stolen the money, is to pay appropriate taxes when due.

But beyond this obligation is a moral responsibility.

What I choose to call Individual Social Responsibility (as opposed to Corporate Social Responsibility CSR) They need to be conscious of the society they leave in.

A society where the average Nigerian lives on the equivalent of a dollar a day. They therefore need to impact their neighbourhood in positive, significant ways. I hear the Alakijas are a very generous couple and have

I

n the last two and a half months, polit ical fireworks have been on display in the sunshine State of Ondo where Governor Abdul’Rahman Ifamumikomi simply shortened to read Mimiko, calls the shots.

Expectedly, it is understandable why the fireworks have assumed this fever pitch. Ondo State is home to all manners of political hara-kiri and engagement; a scenario that became manifest in 1983 when the ruling National Party of Nigeria tried to rig out the Unity Party of Nigeria under the incumbent Governor Adekunle Ajasin. Late Chief Akin Omoboriowo of the NPN was said to be coasting home to victory before the State got itself under political terrorism with its attendant wanton destruction of lives and property. The political violence in Ondo State using the 1983 scenario as a case in point offers a very symbolic lesson that election riggers are actually not wanted in the State.

I

was an eye witness to the 1983 political imbroglio which reduced what ought to be a civilized and peaceful election conduct to a theatre of war with cake of crimson. People were burnt alive in broad day light without caring a hoot.

Lawlessness assumed the driver seat while the siege mentality imposed on the state as a result of the political fracas destroyed the fabric of political engagement.

Every politician became a prime suspect.

Mutual suspicion became the order of the day.

Distrust, mistrust and subterfuge engaged the minds of everyone as the state lived under perpetual fear and anguish. Till date, it is still a fairy tale how Chief Omoboriowo escaped from the state to Lagos. The military

This gang up again Governor Mimiko Governor or re-elect their own man, the incumbent Governor Mimiko fondly called Iroko by his political followers, several pundits have been advertising obtuse permutations.

The tempers in Ondo State are building up and will get to a crescendo on that day when the people will elect one of the candidates as Governor. Typical of any political engagement in this part of the world, every candidate will give full assurance of victory when confronted with questions of preparedness and political reach. Even those who may not have campaigned will readily tell you that they have since done their home work and just waiting for

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knew Major Akinyemi:a tribute

As we speak, PDP h recovered from the sh that exercise

the coronation. We saw it in Edo State particularly in the PDP which boasted that Oshiomhole was on his way out. As it turned out to be, Oshiomhole’s trouncing of the stubborn PDP politicians has since become a great lesson in political engineering. As we speak, PDP has not recovered from the shock of that exercise.

I

Mimiko than aspiran candida Akeredo better pa Ibadan, show tha been con his pe respons question debate g this cla knows th of Ondo people. also k through because with the He has l town; p politics governm outside it ex-this,

f the Action Congress of Nigeria was lucky in Edo State, it will not be as lucky in Ondo State. For those who may not know, Ondo State people are very principled in terms of political engagement; and building and retention of affinity. To some extent also, their respect for political ideology has not been badly eroded like we have in some other parts of the country where money can sway voters in an awful and ruthless manner. Mimiko has been on ground in Ondo for more than three decades now. Having enlisted in politics in 1979, and stayed the course since

also as a the Fede From the at the d unargua experie busines governa those contestin

A

s wh part of arithmeti his achi the last t years off selling p others. B scenario longer achievem eye of chieftai about eg I do n rational opposit present front aga Even if th as it doe Ondo Sta need together of forces its usua

Anambra State

Obinna Uzoh gives Anambra flood victims succour, donates relief materials A

s flood continues to ravage Anambra West and Anambra East Local Government areas as well as Ogbaru area of the state, succour came the way of the victims last week when a philanthropist and business mogul donated relief materials.

In a move that gave the flood victims hope, Barrister Dr. Obinna Uzoh, chairman/chief executive officer of GOCUZ Group Limited, under the auspices of Obinna Uzoh Foundation, breezed into town not only to sympathise with the flood victims but also to provide them relief.

In the last two weeks, flood A submerged church at has sacked many communities in Anambra West, Anambra East and the Ogbaru areas of the state. Homes, farmland, schools, churches, police stations, hospitals and other things have been submerged.

People have been displaced and without homes and food, they have been at the mercy of the elements. The devastation caused by the flood is so enormous that Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has asked again soon. for help from the Federal GovUzoh said: “When I heard ernment and other spirited about the flood, I decided that Nigerians. it was better I come here and Apparently answering the see things for myself. What I call, and in line with his hu- have seen today makes my manitarian services, Uzoh heart to bleed. I have seen bought food items, made up of how our people have been disbags of rice, vegetable oil, salt, placed, how farmland have tin tomatoes and other edibles been submerged and how worth more than N5 million roads have been covered by and headed for the affected water. This is unprecedented. areas. When he beheld the This is why I have come to devastation of the area and the tell you to take heart, be strong condition of the affected peo- and have faith in God. We Anple, his compassion increased, ambra people are known to be as he promised to assist in oth- strong. We withstand and overer ways possible. come tragedies. I know we will At Anambra East, the first overcome this one. port of call, Uzoh sympathis“Please, accept this token I ed with the traditional ruler, have come with. This is my Igwe Idigo, at his palace. Also humble contribution in the efpresent were cabinet chiefs, a fort to ameliorate the suffering large crowd of villagers, who of flood victims. Keep hope had gathered to hear the alive. This problem will also soothing address of Uzoh and pass and we will live our noralso get food items. They were happy that Uzoh left his businesses and family to identify with them in time of sorrow.

Addressing the people, Uzoh said he was moved by their plight and therefore, decided to make his own contribution to alleviate their sufferings. He told them to be steadfast in the things of God, as the Almighty would soon give them cause to smile Atani police stattion submerged

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16—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012

Nzam in Anambra state

When I heard about the flood, I decided that it was better I come here and see things for myself. What I have seen today makes my heart to bleed

,

mal lives again.”

The philanthropist called on public-spirited individuals to assist Anambra State take care of the flood victims, at this time of agony.

Expressing the community’s gratitude, Igwe Idigo thanked Uzoh for his benevolence and kind-heartedness. He prayed that God would reward him abundantly.

One of the flood victims and beneficiary of Uzoh’s gesture, Mrs. Ngozi Ejiofor, said they were overwhelmed by the philanthropist’s kindness. She said that Uzoh was the first individual to come personally to sympathise with the flood victims as well as give them relief materials. She led other women and children to cheer Uzoh, amid dancing. Uzoh’s train moved to Anambra West Local Govern-

ment Area, where royal fathers from the affected communities, including HRH Igwe P.N Okolo of Nzam, Igwe (Sir) Tony Onyekwere of Owelle and Igwe J.C. Ajodo of Ukwalla were on hand to receive him. Also present were the council transition committee Chairman, Hon Chinedu Obidigwe and others.

Uzoh told the villagers to cheer up, even in the midst of the flood, telling them that God would take control of everything. While donating the relief materials, he said that his coming was to let them know that he cared and felt their sufferings.

While receiving the materials, the royal fathers prayed for God’s abundant blessings on Uzoh. They prayed that as the philanthropist remembered their communities, in their time of need, God would uplift and increase him in great measures.

In his thank you message over Uzoh’s donation, a member of the state’s House of Assembly representing Anambra West, Hon Victor Jideofor Okoye, said: “Thanks for the donation. We highly appreciate your timely intervention. Givers

Obinna Uzor’s donation

never lack. You and yours will never lack, in Jesus name.”

At Atani, in Ogbaru Local Government Area, the last port of call for the day, Uzoh was moved to tears when he saw the condition under which the victims were at a waterlogged primary school, where they were camped. He told the people to be strong, as their misfortune was temporary.

On hand to receive him were community leaders, who took custody of the relief materials and cash donated by the Uzoh.

President General of Atani Town Union, Chief (Sir) Frank Mesiobi, while thanking Uzoh, said he has demonstrated great magnanimity. He prayed that God would reward him.

Others who expressed gratitude to Uzoh include Hon. Simbad Chukwuma, Chief Benson Nwadukwe and Hon. Obidi Nwabueze.

Uzoh has been involved in philanthropic activities in Anambra and other states. Recently, he donated textbook and other educational materials to schools in Anambra. Currently building a hostel at the Catholic Youth Village in Awka, which would be commissioned by March next year. He has also reconstructed school classroom blocks. He built a three story Faculty building for the Law Department of Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State.

The philanthropist recently sponsored a health programme, where doctors went to rural communities in the state and provided health care to villagers.

Last February the church, which he single-handed built at Ihiala was dedicated by the Papal Nuncio.

Uzoh recently partnered with the Barracks Community Action for Progress, a non-governmental organisation on the ‘Back to Book’ project.

According to Mr. Patrick Akobo, leader of the NGO, ‘Back to school’ project was restoring reading culture among children. He said that through reading, kids would be engaged and therefore stay away from corrupting foreign movies, the Internet, cyber crimes and other vices.

Uzoh had commended the NGO for organising such event, while stressing the need for individuals and organisations to come together and support such laudable programmes.

He pledged partnership with the group to attain listed objectives. He therefore donated learning materials to students and pupils of the Army Day Schools.

Continued from page 44

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012—17

C M Y K

18—SATURDAY VANGUARD, OCTOBER 6, 2012 Dear Aunty Julie, I have a boyfriend that I love so much but everyone teases me about him because he is three inches shorter than me.

I know I shouldn’t be worried about this, but it just bothers me to think people can’t accept the fact that I am going out with someone shorter. Even some of his friends say, “Aren’t you taller than him?” and I will say, “Yes, just a little,” and they will be like, “Isn’t the guy supposed to be taller than the girl?”

They won’t say it in that form, but you know how people say one thing that really means the opposite? That is what they do. I am not thinking about dumping him because he is shorter or anything, but why do people say this, and does it matter that he is shorter?

Anonymous,

I’m taller than my boyfriend Dear Anonymous, Many couples are out there where the female partner is taller than the male — especially in this age of platform

shoes and high heels! Maybe your friends are giving you a hard time because: they have insecurities about their own height; they are jealous of your relationship; they have narrow-minded views about how men and women are sup-

posed to look and behave ; they are intimidated by you because you are tall and elegant ; they hold notions that height = power. With your head above your boyfriend’s, they may think of you as challenging the idea that women are not as physically strong, smart, or opinionated as men and they are curious about how you and your boyfriend kiss, hug, and are intimate It’s also possible that your peers are teasing you because this is their way of making conversation. Sometimes when people feel awkward, or are having trouble finding things to say, they’ll resort to mocking and joking , shifting the focus from them to you. If their underhanded remarks are really bothering you, it’s totally okay to say something about it.

The straightforward ap-

Is it wrong to be a feminist?

Dear Aunty Julie, I’m a young woman who is a very strong feminist. I don’t hate men though and I have male friends. I’m reasonable enough to know that most men are not bad at all. However, I’ve become increasingly annoyed with men when they say or do the slightest thing sexist. I know there’s nothing wrong with believing in women’s power, but how do I keep myself from becoming so strong of a feminist that I become prejudice?

Abigail, Lagos Dear Abigail, Being a strong feminist does not require that you become prejudice towards men. Feminism, at its most basic level, is the belief that women should have equal political, social, and economic rights and opportunities as men. Feminists believe and acknowledge that gender inequality exists and believe that working to eradicate this inequality would improve the lives of everyone — women, men, and children alike. However, sometimes the awareness you gain from delving deeply into an issue like feminism makes you more sensitive to

potentially sexist remarks, actions, or institutions . Finding passion like you have is great and being able to recognize how it affects your outlook and interactions with others is very insightful and important.

The struggle you describe is not unlike one that many feminists face.To transform this annoyance you’re feeling into positive energy, try getting involved with others who share your beliefs and who may also relate with your frustrations. Seeking out a supportive feminist community in your town, or online that allows you to use these feelings as fuel to promote gender equality may help you progress to the last few stages. Exploring these resources may even motivate you to start your own feminist group, volunteer with an existing organization, or, at the very least, give you the opportunity to have your voice heard through virtual outlets such as Twitter or other social networks.

However, if you find that you’re not able to do this, that doesn’t mean you’re not a feminist or that you won’t be able to get past the frustration that your social consciousness has

Food for thought A dietician was once addressing a large audience in Chicago. “The material we put into our stomachs is enough to have killed most of us sitting here, years ago. Red meat is awful. Vegetables can be disastrous, and none of us realizes the germs in our drinking water. But there is one thing that is the most dangerous of all and all of us eat it. Can anyone here tell me what lethal product I’m referring to? You, sir, in the first row, please give us your idea.”The man lowered his head and said, “Wedding cake.”

Desperate couple A man really loved a woman, but he was just too shy to propose to her. Now he was up in his years and neither of them had ever been married. Of course, they dated about once a week for the past six years, but he was so timid he just never got around to suggesting marriage much less living together.

But one day, he became determined to ask her the question. So he calls her on the phone, “June.” ”Yes, this is June.”

C M Y K

brought about. First of all, you don’t have to identify as a woman to be a feminist! Feminism is the commitment to the belief that all genders are equal and deserving of the same rights and freedoms, and that gender stereotypes negatively affect all people. Feminism may manifest itself in a

variety of different ways and, like in your case, may bring up feelings of anger, sadness, and discrimination. Take comfort in the fact that others share in these feelings.

Again, being a feminist doesn’t mean you’re anti-men but it may bring up strong feelings towards people, organiza-

proach: “Why do our heights matter to you? We’d appreciate it if you stopped with the jokes.”

The jokey approach: “Well, you know what they say about short men and tall women...”

The “get lost” approach: “I really don’t appreciate those comments. My boyfriend and I are really happy. Can you give it a rest?”

You can also talk with your boyfriend about how their remarks make you feel. They probably bother him, too! Together, you can make the point that your relationship is great, and that you don’t need or want your friends to give you two a hard time about your difference in size.

If your friends don’t get the idea that their comments are upsetting to you, and stop, then it may be time to re-consider whether hanging out with them is really worth it.

tions, and institutions that act in gender discriminating ways.

Recognizing and addressing this with the help of a supportive feminist community and possibly a mental health professional may help you reach the stage where you are able to transform these negative feelings into positive actions to promote gender equality.

My ex wants me back Dear Aunty Julie, I am a 26 year-old lady . My ex-boyfriend recently professed his undying love for me. It had been a year since we broke up and he told me it was one of the biggest mistakes he made in his life. In the year that we were “broken up,” I struggled to let go of the past, to let go of losing him. He picked up a new girl in that time. So, of course I jumped at the offer of “getting back together.” It has been a couple of months that we have been trying to rekindle our lost love, and it seems to me that he has made little effort to keep the flame burning or to light the candle for that mat-

ter. I fight day and night with the idea of moving on with my life because these were the very same problems that ended our relationship the first time, but after waiting and dreaming for a year that I could have his true love back, I am very afraid that throwing it away will only devastate me.

Rachael, Port-Harcourt Dear Rachael, If you take time to reflect on your relationship and your personal needs, it is a great way to clarify how best to move forward, as an individual or as a couple. Have you considered making a list of what you

C O C K - T A L E S ”Will you marry me?” ”Of course I will! Who’s this?”

Getting revenge with marriage Old farmer Johnson was dying. The family was standing around his bed. With a low voice he sad to his wife: “When I’m dead I want you to marry farmer Jones.”

Wife: “No, I can’t marry anyone after you.”

Johnson: “But I want you to.”

Wife: “But why?”

Johnson: “Jones once cheated me in a horse deal!”

What a large crowd A man was traveling down a country road when he saw a large group of people outside a house. He stopped and asked a person why the large crowd was there.

A farmer replied, “Joe’s mule kicked his mother-in law and she died.” ”Well,” replied the man, “she must have had a lot offriends.” ”Nope,” said the farmer, “we all just want to buy his mule.”

Going crazy with confusion A psychiatrist visited a California mental institution

want from a relationship — i.e., respect, daily phone calls, regular sex, romantic gestures, compassion, etc.? While it is important to consider the needs and wants of your partner, try to focus on yourself during this activity.

How well do the qualities of your current (and ex-) boyfriend match your list? Is he presently meeting your needs?

Is he capable of meeting your needs? What are you willing to give up or overlook? Where are you not willing to compromise? Can you discuss this with him and see where he is willing to accommodate and where he isn’t? Are his needs being met in this relationship?

and asked a patient, “How did you get here? What was the nature of your illness?” He got the following reply.”Well, it all started when I got married and I guess I should never have done it. I married a widow with a grown daughter who then became my stepdaughter.

My dad came to visit us, fell in love with my lovely stepdaughter, then married her. And so my stepdaughter was now my stepmother. Soon, my wife had a son who was, of course, my daddy’s brother-in-law since he is the half-brother of my stepdaughter, who is now, of course, my daddy’s wife.

So, as I told you, when my stepdaughter married my daddy, she was at once my stepmother! Now, since my new son is brother to my stepmother, he also became my uncle. As you know, my wife is my step-grandmother since she is my stepmother’s mother. Don’t forget that

my stepmother is my stepdaughter. Remember, too, that I am my wife’s grandson.

But hold on just a few minutes more. You see, since I’m married to my step-grandmother, I am not only the wife’s grandson and her hubby, but I am also my own grandfather. Now can you understand how I got put in this place?”

After staring blanky with a dizzy look on his face, the psychiatrist replied: “Move over!”

SATURDAY

Vanguard OCTOBER 6, 2012—19

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ome five months ago, Earnest, a chartered accountant who’d just ventured into doing it alone in his private firm, became a father for the first time. He’s still in awe of what he termed “a miracle and God’s priceless gift to us”. According to him “My son’s coming has turned me up-side out. All those things that seemed essential to me have, in the past days, taken on a different colour. Like many young unattached professional men I know, I have lived a life that on occasion has veered along the edge—parties, reckless relationships, you name it.

In a word of insecurity and ambition and ego, it is easy to be drawn in, to take chances with your lives, to believe that what we do, and what people say about us is reason enough to gamble with life.

H

ow I got married was not such an event. I’d knew Clair for a few years, but I’d other girlfriends too.

Then she got pregnant and, for the first time in my life, abortion didn’t feature. I was 28, a few of my friends were already married and Clair seemed keen to give it a go, so we got married. But as the baby grew inside her, I became curious. Who was I bringing into the world? I imagined what it would look like. Would it be a boy? A girl perhaps? And now that he is here, days have melted into nights and back again.

Clair and I are learning a new grammar—a long sentence whose punctuation marks are feeding and winding and nappychanging. Clair ’s mother had offered to help and she’d stayed for a few weeks until Clair, could cope with looking after our son.

“I was never tired of watching the baby suckle contentedly. And my dear wife, who’s always been a designer freak, is often more tired than I have ever

known her, yet she’s happier.

I’ve learnt to give her a break and look after our son from time to time. These are my moments too— moments

,

“

“The joy of a first time father is priceless”

all that chasing after fame and fortune was sweater than this wonder I’ve helped create.

“It is times like this that

Looking at my son gives me flash-back of an abusive father who was glued to the bottle

when I gaze into my son’s sleeping face, listening to his occasional sigh and gurgle and I wonder how I could ever have thought that

,

I’m pained, haunted more like, by the memory of each suffering child I have come across. To say the truth, it is almost too much

to bear at this moment to even think of children being hurt and abused and even killed. Looking at my son gives me flash-back of an abusive father who was glued to the bottle. I was the first of five children and the memory of my mum is not a pleasant one.

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oney was scarce and the little there was paid for the alcohol to which my father had become addicted. The cancer of alcoholism ate away at my dad until mum died prematurely. We were then left to be raised by our maternal grandparents. They did their best but I always

Go On - have your 40 winks at work!

C M Y K

says: “We are all working harder and getting less sleep than we need”. So what else is new? According to a recent survey nearly three quarters of us are getting less sleep than we did five years ago. And more than half the people questioned felt that a lack of sleep was affecting their performance at work. So could power-napping be the answer? It could let us get through our long days, says the expert. “Think of the brain as a factory, and sleep as the machinery that allows the factory to be productive. If you nap for around 20 to 40 minute— you are in the first couple of sleep stages and will

,

F

or the eight years he was top dog in America’s politics, President George W. Bush, the penultimate president of the United States of America was said to sleep for 20 minutes in the afternoon and was regularly in bed by 10 o’clock. As far as anyone knows he still sticks with this routine. He is in good company. Napoleon was alleged to have napped between battles and Winston Churchill regularly slept in the afternoon - although he would often stay up all night. Unfortunately, not all top executive and powerful men get as much sleep as they should.” Sleep expert Dr. Chris Idzikowski

If you sleep for longer, you will enter deep sleep

feel better when you wake up. You are warming up the machinery to help your brain work better. But power naps should be short, otherwise they won’t work. If you sleep for longer, you will enter deep sleep. And when you’re woken, you’ll

,

feel irritable. That’s like stopping the machinery suddenly when it’s in full production.”

Sadly, today’s busy lifestyles are supposed to be in the way of our natural sleep patterns and we shouldn’t be ashamed to nap. “In our urbanized society, we got up early and go to

hated the way people looked at us with pity. Some had seen our father weaving and stumbling from one cheap bear parlour to the other.

Though I loved my father, I was ashamed of him. Before the drink possessed him, I remember the time he showed us off proudly at parties, the few things he bought us and the stories he told once in a while.

“Thank goodness I was a brilliant scholar and had a good education due to a few scholarships I was awarded.

My siblings haven’t done so well for themselves, but they’ll get by. I help from time to time and when dad died last year, we were all he had to give the semblance of a good burial.

How could he waste away his life like that? A man who’d had a fairly basic education. Only, he couldn’t hold down a decent job - the booze always won.

When I went to clear his room at the insistence of his younger brother who graciously gave him a room in his house, the room was full of old cheap gin bottles and clothes. I noticed that he had kept all the letters Iand my siblings had written to him. Letters and photographs from years ago. For all those years, they were his link with the family that was lost to him.

Then I noticed a Bible lying on the bed. It lay open, and I noticed that he had underlined a particular sentence: (Lord let me hear thy mercy in the morning, for I have hoped in thee...)

“When my son is older, he will learn how complicated life becomes, how people can easily lose their way and get hurt inside and out. I’ll also let him know that when he let out his first powerful cry in the delivery room where I’d gone to watch the miracle of his emergence into the world, and I became a father, I thought of my own father. And foolish though it may seem I wish he were here to see his first grandchild. To . witness sound of hope in your first lustful cry, a new beginning, that you, in all your innocence and freshness, have brought into the world .. .’

bed late,” explains the expert.

“We aren’t programmed to live that way. We need a certain amount of sleep so we build up ‘sleep debt’. Most people wait.

Until the weekend to pay it off all at once. But by getting a small amount of sleep the middle of the afternoon, you can rejuvenate your brain and payoff some of the sleep debt.

“Siestas have long been a feature of Mediterranean culture.

Shops and businesses in Greece, Italy and Spain regularly close in the long, hot afternoons. In America some large businesses have special rooms containing massage chairs, where executives can recharge.

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6 6, 2012

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eing heartbroken is a pain that no one can understand until they have experienced it for themselves. You obviously have, therefore are aware of how fragile your heart is right now.

Healing a broken heart will take time, but is not impossible, though it may feel that way at the time. It is never an easy process to go through, but with the right prescription, you will be on your way to recovery and happiness again.

The first thing you should keep in mind is that it is okay to feel sad and grieve about what happened and that you are not stupid for doing so. It is perfectly normal to feel sad and cry after a break up. You have invested most of your time and all of your love and interest into your ex-partner; therefore will go through a sad and painful withdrawal. It is notable that you not grieve all on your own.

Sure, there will be times when you will just want to be alone and undisturbed. However, it is important that you talk to your friends and family about it.

Talking about it is not only healthy, but will mend your heart quicker because you will release the thoughts and facts that are hurting you so much.

Seeking professional advice will be a great help to you as well because your mind will open up and see new perspectives and understandings of what happened. It will help you gather your strength, pick yourself up, and find the happiness you deserve to have.

Accepting the fact that you and your ex-partner are no longer together is a necessity if you are going to start mending your broken heart. If you catch yourself unable to function due

Are you nursing a broken heart ?

to constantly thinking about your ex or repeatedly calling or visiting him or her for another chance, then chances are you are suffering from love addiction and should seek counseling. Discontinuing a serious relationship is emotionally challenging and can drive you to do things that are unhealthy for your selfbeing. To avoid entering such hazardous areas, keep yourself occupied. Go out with your friends and family to help get your mind off the break up. It is best to spend as less time alone as you can in the first few weeks of your breakup so that your

emotions can slowly and patiently form back into their normal pattern.

Fight the thoughts that tell you that you are a failure and are to blame for the end of your relationship.

When a relationship ends, it means that the two of you were no longer compatible and that always takes two, not just you. Instead of beating yourself up over what has transpired, examine your ex-relationship by listing the things you enjoyed most about it and then the things that disappointed you and what you believe really caused the breakup. Look at the relationship as

a learning experience and an opportunity to improve your relationship skills, and a way to realize what you truly need and want from a romantic relationship.

Learning to forgive yourself and your ex-lover will speed up the healing process for the reason that you will feel more peaceful and calm about it.

Hating your ex will only build up tension and stress in your life, causing your emotions to slow down from getting back to order. One way to avoid bitterness against your expartner is to look at the breakup as a favour. Appreciate their honesty of no longer wanting to pursue the relationship, instead of giving you high hopes for a possible future together. It is always an advantage to exit a relationship that had no chances to survive than to be misled.

Conquer your fear of being alone. You need to help yourself understand that it is not abnormal to be on your own and that your values come from who you are rather than whom you are with. Teach yourself that there is more to life than romantic relationships by spending quality time with your friends and family. Learn more about whom the other people in your life are and introduce more of yourself to them as well. Go out and do things together and treat yourself to something you enjoy, whether it is your favorite restaurant, shopping, going to the movies, or anything else. Learning to be your own best friend will not only improve your relationship with yourself, but with others as well. As you begin to discover the other beauties of life and yourself, you will

become more stable and stronger to face anything that crosses your path, such as a new relationship in the future.

Before you consider entering another relationship, take a step back and ask yourself why you want to do so. Make sure that you are not entering a new relationship on a rebound. This will only leave you with unfinished emotions and you will never have closure from your former relationship. Never begin a new relationship because you are afraid of being on your own, or feel the need to just be in a relationship. Form a relationship with someone new because you feel strong and secure on your very own and feel that you are ready to attempt a new romance.

Also remind yourself that love is a wonderful feeling and experience and should not be generalized based on your past experiences. Do not use facts about your ex as a way to judge new people in your life. Leave your past behind you and focus on moving ahead. Get to know new people for who they are, not by comparing them to others, what they are not, or what they could be. Once you have observed their personality, values and everything else, trust yourself to make the right decisions without constantly doubting yourself. If you wish to try having a new relationship, then do so. If you do not however, then do not feel guilty to kindly walk away from the situation. You would be doing both you and the other a person a huge favour and saving time and emotions from being hurt.

You have nothing to fear or worry about. After all, there will always be one person who will always love you, appreciate who you are and be there for you. . . and that is YOU.

She cheated on me and is regretting aspect of our relationship? Am I “selling short” and blind to her untrustworthiness?

How can I trust her again? y girlfriend recently admitted Ephraim, Abuja that she had cheated on me.

She said, and I believe her, that Ans: You are torn between a rock and a she really loves me and that this was a hard place. On the one hand, you love mistake she regrets. However, I can’t take it your girlfriend and want to forgive and out of my mind and forget about it. I am trust her; on the other, your feelings were angry that she ruined the purity of our love hurt, your perspective of your relationship story. It feels like it’s no longer “a dream has been changed, and you don’t want to come true” — merely a watered down feel taken advantage of. version of it because it is no longer The way you described your “flawless.” I feel like a pushover for not doing relationship prior to the cheating, anything about it. I’m really in love with her as ”flawless” and pure, while it sounds and I can’t bring myself to break up just for wonderful, might be a clue into your that. How can I forgive her? Will I always expectations of relationships in general. keep this poisonous thought inside? How Should a relationship be flawless? can I prevent this from shadowing every Cheating aside, did you ever notice other

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flaws or have concerns about your relationship? Flaws, concerns, problems, issues , whatever you call them , are common in relationships, maybe even universal. In a long distance relationship, it can be easy to ignore or overlook flaws for awhile. Because we don’t see our loved one as frequently, we can idealize our relationship and those few precious in-person visits.

Expecting or dwelling on relationship perfection of the past may hinder your healing process. Instead, you might approach your situation as a chance to strengthen the bond you two once shared. Perhaps you could sit down with your girlfriend and each make

a list of all of the qualities you love about one another and another list about things that need improving in your relationship. You could discuss your expecations regarding fidelity, open communication, and honesty, and listen to her expectations. How can you achieve the improvements you’ve both listed?

Are they reasonable? What are you willing to compromise on?

Another possibility may be to explore your feelings by agreeing with your girlfriend to allow yourselves to see other people. Dating helps pose two options: first, it may help you realize partners who are better suited for you, allowing you to cut

your losses and move on.

*Destiny, 32, handsome, graduate and gainfully needs an educated, employed lady of 2 5employed, desires a lovely giirl of 18-31 for a 43 for marriage on 08076355362 serious relationship that will lead to marriage on •Ayomide, 50, an engineer , based in that will lead to marriage on 07067504523 08089353066 Lagos, wants a lady aged 35-45 from the •Ayinde, male, 44, Christian, educated, employed , Yoruba, *Idemu, 49, widower, with two children, needs a South West for christian born again lady of 37 years and marriage on above who is gainfully employed or into Do you have reactions to our stories or have you any experience you want 08154677743 business and must be resident in Delta to share with our readers? Please e-mail,anyagafu2@gmail.com •Taofik Ajibola, state on 07034362180 31, lives and works •Race, 34, fair, single, from Imo State , Do you want to be linked? in Lagos, wants a Neither Chioma Gabriel nor Saturday Vanguard has any relationship with anybody wanting to be based in Lagos, desires a working class lady of 23-26 years linked. We have no agents anywhere and charge no fees. We have no personal information of people for a serious woman on 08162782661 who have been linked or want to be linked and therefore, are not answerable for disappointments or •Efosa, 30, from Edo, needs a reliable relationship on embarrassments some people may encounter in the process. lady of 23-26 for a serious relationship 08052355875 C M Y K

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

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er education was not of paramount importance. As long as she could cook, clean, and was schooled in the art of keeping a home (and a man) mission accomplished. While this is going on our boys are raised as emperors of all they survey (whether or not they’ve earned it) and thoroughly schooled to understand that women are their chattel and therefore treat them as such.

While the above scenario is still actively in play in some far flung areas I am happy to say that things have improved considerably. I am not sure what exactly is

A paucity of good men responsible for the turn around… maybe people were having more daughters than sons so it became imperative to educate them regardless of gender or be saddled with illiterate children period. Or, maybe, it’s when the boys grew up to be indolent, lazy, money

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knew this day would come. I knew that it was just a matter of time before our negligence came back to bite our collective asses. There was a time when the lament was that there were no good women out there for our sons to marry… the story today is rather different.

The evolution of the girl child in these parts over the last several decades has been an interesting one. She’s come full circle. She’s moved from being the afterthought, being ignored and a 3rd class citizen in her father’s house to a 1st class citizen. How, would you say? There was a time when a daughter was merely considered an extra pair of hands in the house. Someone to help ease the burden of house chores till someone who could afford the bride price came along or in bigger family dynasties she is bartered off to strengthen inter-family bonds.

Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012—21

above and beyond. Great; right? The problem though is that while we changed our thinking and approach to raising our daughters; the way we raise our sons have remained pretty much the same.

So what do we have on our hands?

On the one hand a generation of

Today’s young woman is sharp, aggressive, and knows what she wants; and if what she’s looking at isn’t it – she’s gone

grabbing selfish louts who were simply squandering the family fortune that parents began to see the wisdom of educating their daughters. Anyway, the girl child became the recipient of world class education comparative to that of her male siblings and in a lot of cases far

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beautiful, highly educated, successful, goal driven,entrepreneurial and independent women. Schooled very early in the art of making and managing their own money. And on the other, a generation of boys who are still mostly indolent, lazy and

50 years since it all started I had taught I myselt this

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WAS once in a bookshop where I picked up a book on Yoga. In it was a picture of the author illustrating Nauli—an abdominal exercise in which the central muscles of the belly known as the rectus muscles are isolated and made to be in a circular motion of both ways. Though, this appeared to be a difficult exercise, the writer had mentioned that it couldbe mastered on one’s own without a teacher. All it took was diligent practice.

It immediately occurred to me that this writer of Yoga was very right.

I had taught myselt this exercise back in 1962. It was the very first Yoga exercise I ever did. Eight years later when I was 22 I met my yoga teacher.

I came to appreciate the body more and more as a tool which could be bettered by sensible exercise and changes in diet. Every Yoga book I read drove home the tremendous importance in helping the body rid itself more efficiently of waste products. There were exercises to aerate the lungs and increase their

exercise back in 1962. It was the very first Yoga exercise I ever did

t’s not so much that our girls are over exposed or over educated…

I think it’s that we don’t spend enough time with our boys. Isn’t it hilarious? We encourage our sons to go out there and ‘sow their wild oats’.

Then you complain when he can’t find a virgin as a wife duh? Where do you think all those oats were being planted?

No, we have to spend more time with our boys, teaching them life skills, teaching them how to be husbands and fathers. And since women are at the receiving end it will be mainly up to us to get the job done. After all who’s better to teach a man how to treat a woman than a woman herself?

Besides myself demonstrating the Nauil, there’s also this other illustration to make the reader know that this is an exercise that can be attempted by both sexes provided there isn’t a medical problem to consider.

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capacity; others had to do with cleansing the stomach, while others helped in achieving thorough bowel movement. f all the various ways and means of bringing about

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better elimination, Nauli is top on the list. It is said to be India’s gift to the world. It is the final word in stomachcare, if you ask me. Thirtyseven years after I first started its practice, I’m still at it and much, much the better for it. Nauli must be the “back-bone” of my fairly good health.

presume that they emperor of all they survey simply because their mama told them so! No, I am not saying that there are no good Godfearing eligible bachelors out there…

I’m just saying that they are few and far between.

Come time to marry now, trouble.

The boys are busy looking out for malleable woman who would take their bullshit just like their mothers’ took their fathers’. Thing is, that kind of woman is fast becoming extinct.

Today’s young woman is sharp, aggressive, and knows what she wants; and if what she’s looking at isn’t it – she’s gone. Then we turn around and begin to call her all kinds of names forgetting that we are the ones who raised her to be independent, able to recognise and settle for nothing less than the best.

NAULI Technique: Stand with the feet slightly apart and place the hands on the thighs.

Bend the trunk a little forward. Now take in a deep breath and exhale forcefully and fully as you push on the thighs and draw upwards the diaphragm. Quickly, without inhaling, contract the central band of muscles of the belly and push it outwards giving the appearance of a ridge down the centre of the belly.

Now draw the muscles in and out for several times.

Benefits: With Nauli all the internal organs are massaged and invigorated. It is a powerful tonic for gastrointenstinal disorders or weakness.

Regular practise leads to an improvement in posture, as well as toning the muscles that are used for respiration and for elimination.

Yoga Classes

Nauli or the Abdominal Contraction

@ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos. 9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

22—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012 ave you ever had a wonderful day with

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your husband only to be rejected sexually at the end of the day? You lay in bed replaying the events of the day in your head.

There were no arguments; you both appeared to be enjoying yourselves. It was an expensive outing but your husband didn’t complain, he even made several purchases for himself.

So, what happened to that loving man you spent the day with?

Where is the man who seemed to be happy to be with you and eager to please?

Not to worry, he is still there.

He is now passive aggressively punishing you for what he wasn’t willing to express to you earlier.

That expensive day of shopping bothered him. It bothered him tremendously and you now need to be punished for engaging in an activity that he failed to be honest with you about.

Abstinence is a common complaint from women involved with passive aggressive men. If he’s in a financial pinch, he’ll take you out for the evening but remind you that the evening’s expenses are a huge burden. He’ll then make up pay by refusing to have sex. But if you offer to go Dutch before he suggests it, he’ll take it as an emasculating gesture. And still, he’ll make you pay by withholding intimacy. His sexual refusal, however, will usually be hidden under the guise of a transparent excuse: he’s sleepy, sick, preoccupied with work.”

Try to get a passive aggressive man to admit he is punishing you by withholding intimacy and he will look at you as if you have three heads. Diane’s ex husband was passive aggressive. His favourite way of punishing her was to withhold intimacy. He punished her so often that as far as intimacy, they averaged six times a year.

She did what most women who are punished in such a way would do. She internalized it, made it about her. If she was better looking, thinner, a better mother or a better wife, her husband would want to be intimate with her. That is what most women married to passive aggressives do; they doubt themselves and buy into the

Ask the Sexpert

Is your husband with-holding intimacy?

“too tired” excuse.

Most men engage in sex for pleasure, so they can make a deeper connection with the woman they love. The passive aggressive man doesn’t view intimacy the same way. For the passive aggressive man, love is not about making an intimate connection with his

wife but about proving to himself that he isn’t dependent on his wife, that he doesn’t need that intimate connection.

While most men are having sex with their wives in order to connect more deeply with her, the passive aggressive man withholds sex from his wife in order to keep himself safe and to show her who

the boss is.

But there are ways of dealing with a passive aggressive husband who withholds sex: *Do not internalize his behaviour. It isn’t about your worth or attractiveness. It is about him and his inability to express anger. *Call him on his behaviour. Tell him you know he is upset and you deserve to be told what is wrong instead of punished like a child. *Keep in mind that his behaviour has to do with fear, fear of getting to close to you, fear of being abandoned by you and probably years of hidden anger toward you. *Get into therapy as a couple. A passive aggressive man can change his behaviour if there is motivation and a commitment to his marriage. *Reassure him that he is important to you, that you love him and hope that he loves you enough to want to change the unhealthy relationship dynamics. *When all else fails, make the decision to either stay and accept his behaviour or leave the marriage. If, after expressing your desire to save the marriage by going to counseling and helping him change destructive behaviours he carries on, the odds of him ever changing is slim to none.

So are you living in a “sexless marriage?” Is there less sex than you feel is appropriate? A sexless marriage is one in which a spouse feels there isn’t enough intimacy or there is no intimacy at all.

Let me qualify what I have said above by saying that if you want intimacy every night and your spouse only wants it three times a

week, you are not living in a sexless marriage. If you want intimacy every night or three times a week and your spouse wants it once a month, you are living in a sexless marriage.

Your spouse may disagree. Having sex once a month or once every three months may fulfill their need for sex. In their mind, they are not living is a sexless marriage because their needs are being met.

The problem lies when there is a huge difference in the sexual needs of the spouses. The definition of a sexless marriage is not dependent upon whether or not there is no intimacy in the marriage but on the effects of differing sex drives in the marriage.

For example, Jay could care less about intimacy. He had even told Janice, his wife that he didn’t know “what the big deal was about intimacy.” Jay was quite happy and content having intimacy every three months.

Janice, on the other hand fully understood what the “big deal” was. Janice had a healthy sexual appetite and meeting her sexual needs meant intimacy at least three times a week, not every three months.

Janice had no control over getting her needs met though because when it came to sex, Jay was calling all the shots. Intimacy was on his terms because in his mind they had a healthy sex life. After all, his needs were met and to him that meant there were no problems.Situations like the one above are not uncommon. It is estimated that 1 out of 5 marriages are “sexless” or your husband withholds sex. Maybe you are and are familiar with feel-

ing undesirable, unattractive and unwanted by your spouse.

If so, the first thing you have to do is not internalize your spouse’s low libido. Do not make it about your level of attractiveness or desirability. It is not about you, it is about them.

Is there a way to fix a sexless marriage? Maybe, maybe not. Being able to fix the problem depends on what is causing the problem. Identifying what is causing the lack of sex is your first step; secondly, you must take steps at finding solutions for the causes.

I fantasize about someone else

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’m happily married, but I still can’t help fantasizing about the guy I had a thing with back in the university. There is nothing between us anymore and we haven’t seen or communicated over the years. Am I a bad wife?

Christy, Jos Ans: No, you’re definitely not a bad wife! It’s a natural part of human nature to wonder about the what-ifs and subconsciously create scenarios out in your sleep. Just make sure it doesn’t snowball into an obsession, like fantasizing about him during waking hours. Or letting it make you resent your husband, thinking you didn’t play the field enough before getting married. If so, ask yourself C M Y K

why you have a sense that the grass might have been greener if you’d taken things further with this guy.

You should also look to rekindle some of the spark with your husband. Focus all of your energies on him and your relationship so that you can keep your fantasies in perspective. Call your husband up to say something loving and sexy. It’s the little things that can correct the balance. Also get real: Remind yourself that this “dream guy” does have flaws in real life and chances are you weren’t compatible. There’s a big reason why you and your husband made it to the altar, and you and your crush didn’t. There’s nothing like a little reality check to turn a fantasy on its head.

Why is our sex life already dwin-

dling?

Ques: My husband and I used to have sex every day, maybe several times a day. Now I’m lucky if we make love twice a month. Is it normal for sex drives to decrease after the wedding?

Omasan, Benin Ans: This happens to 99 percent of couples. When two people first meet, they’re fizzing with sexual chemistry and energy. But after time, a couple would burn out if they kept up this hot sexual pace. Even if both people agree they’d like more sex, most people fall into a sexual routine. And they feel daunted wondering how they can initiate new things. Because, let’s face it, once you start doing the same sex position every Saturday night, you get into the

mindset that this is all you can come up with.

Then there’s comfort. Men in particular tend to find that regular sex at a predictable time is comfortable. The once rampant stud seems to disappear in the comfort of the married relationship. Comfortable sex is great, but when men get too comfortable, they forget that even a small bit of effort will make their wife feel special and desirable again.

So it’s time to talk with your husband without making it seem threatening. Approach it from the angle that you’d like to do more of X, Y, or Z, rather than saying that you don’t get enough of X, Y, or Z. Next, introduce small changes. If you tend to have sex, say, once every couple of weeks on a Sunday morning, seduce him on a Friday night...with a new position.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6,,2012—23

By Anozie Egole 07088551416 egole.anozie@yahoo.com

Tonto Dike goes gaga on Twitter

Ras Kimono, Ibinabo honoured

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op Nollywood screen Diva, Tonto Dike recently displayed her mannerism on twitter.

The ‘I Go Sing By Force” actress’, we learnt, had it rough with her friends and fans on twitter during the week when she declared her intention to wax an album.

According to one of her fans on twitter, “Tonto declared on twitter that she wanted to go into music and some of her fans and followers questioned her ability to sing judging from the previous ‘Nollywood music escapades’ of Omotola, Geneveive and Jim Iyke.

Many even criticised her song which was released few months ago and featured ‘KAS’.Arrgghh! The comment however sparked rage from Tonto Dike and her supporters as they went all out to ‘Yab’ all the tweeps that criticised her song.

A source close to the actress, expressed her anger this way; “Imagine A ‘Top Class’ Nollywood Screen Diva using f-words on her fans and even haters.” It was alleged that Tonto Dike went wild insulting everybody and calling them names. Is Tonto Dike another ‘Omo Baba Olowo?

Kanu Nwankwo, Walter Wagbatsoma, Sade Okoya to be honoured

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non-profit organisation, Business Leadership Awareness Group (BLAG) has concluded arrangements to honour three successful entrepreneurs for their invaluable contributions to humanity.

Ex-international and former Super Eagles’ star, Kanu Nwankwo, Oil & Gas mogul, Walter Wagbatsoma and philanthropist, Sade Okoya will be honoured for their “heart of gold” contributions at a colourful event scheduled to hold this month in Lagos.

Speaking on the forthcoming event, the Executive Director of BLAG, Ossy Otegba, disclosed that the non-profit organisation is currently working on a yearbook that will promote these outstanding individuals so that they can be encouraged to do more for humanity.

Popularly known as Papilo, Kanu Nwankwo came from a humble background but rose to fame with remarkable exploits in football and business. Today, he owns a chain of businesses with diverse interests in oil, property, hospitality and photography.

The Owerri, Imo State-born businessman is regarded as one Nigerian with a heart of gold because of his immense contributions to the society.

Through his many charitable works, it was no surprise that

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eggae music star, Ras Kimono and newly elected National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima last Sunday, were honoured at the 6th annual Nigeria Media Nite Out Award held at KOGA Event Centre, Alausa-Ikeja, Lagos.

Ibinabo, who was sworn-in as the first female president of AGN on Saturday, was honoured with the Outstanding Nollywood Personality of the year award, while Kimono scooped the Music Personality of the year category.

Other entertainers honoured during the event themed ‘Advantages and Disadvantages of Freedom of Information Bill (FOI)’ included, Chuks Nwanne of The Guardian, Hakeem Rahman and Oritse Femi, while P.M.News Bayo Adetu got the Entertainment Writer of the Year award.

Posthumous award was given to late Ogbonna Amadi, former Group Entertainment Editor of Vanguard newspapers for his contribution to the growth of entertainment journalism in Nigeria.

According to the award organizer, Sola Olugbenro of Solkem Entertainment, in the last six years, Nigeria Media Nite Out Award has been honouring deserving media personalities who have excelled in their field.

Lagbaja: The face behind the mask uncovered S

ince 1993, fans of Afrobeat star, Lagbaja had been wondering what he looked like behind the mask, but a photo that recently leaked online would have given answers to a question of nineteen years.

According to Lagbaja, his mask is used as an icon of man’s facelessness. Lagbaja is a Yoruba word that means “nobody in particular”. It depicts the anonymity of the so-called “common man”. The mask and the name symbolize the faceless, the voiceless in the society, particularly in Africa.

He has always said the man behind the mask is Bisade Ologunde, and the masked man is Lagbaja. Now fans can see both men look like.

Kanu Nwankwo Nwankwo was a made a UNICEF’s ambassador for two consecutive years.

A few years ago, the former soccer star encountered a life threatening heart ailment but miraculously got healed after surgical operations in the United States as well as prayers from family, friends and fans all over the world.

Immediately he got healed, Kanu returned to active football and used his fame to help assist numerous others

also battling with heart ailment. He supported many charity organizations including Heart of Gold Hospice and later launched the Kanu Nwankwo Heart Foundation - a non-profit organisation that raised millions of Naira for children with heart related diseases.

With the help of Kanu Nwankwo, many have been treated both at home and abroad and are now living healthier, better life.

24 — Vanguard, SATURDAY , OCTOBER 6, 2012

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he ancient town of Okagwe, Ohafia, in Abia State is bound to stand still come Friday, October 12, as the remains of the former Group Entertainment Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, Ogbonna Amadi will be laid to rest.

According to a funeral programme released during the week, there will be a service of songs by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Acme Road parish, at his residence, at 7/ 9 Aganga Williams

EXIT OF A RARE GEM

More tributes as Amadi begins final journey home Street, Off Haruna Road, Ifako Ijaye, Lagos. The service of songs starts from 5pm and ends 7pm.

On Thursday, October 11, his body leaves Lagos for his home town, where there will be wake-up the same day.

Interment is scheduled to take place on Friday,

October 12, at his family compound, in Okagwe after a funeral service.

Meanwhile, the entertainment journalists are putting plans together to hold a candlelight procession in honour of the deceased on Tuesday, October 11, at the popular celebrity hangout, O’jez Restaurant and Bar, National Stadium,

Surulere, Lagos.

The candlelight,is part of activities lined up for the burial of their departed colleague who died on Wednesday, September 29, after an asthma attack.

Before he died, Amadi was the Group Entertainment Editor of Vanguard Newspapers and one of Nigeria’s pioneer entertainment writers. He was

passionate about entertainment and spent his entire career spanning over two decades on the beat – gathering news, setting the agenda for the industry, mentoring young reporters, and ensuring that Vanguard newspapers where he worked for many years, gain prominence in entertainment.

Ogbonna: Lord of Nigerian entertainment journalism

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he news of the sudden death of my friend, colleague and brother, Ogbonnaya Amadi whom I called the Lord of entertainment reporting in Nigeria made me scream. My host in Mannheim, Germany where I am currently doing a couple of things including being a visiting reporter for African Courier, the International News magazine published in Germany and a member of the consortium organizing the Nollywood @20 E Golden Awards rushed out of the room to see what was wrong with me. The sad news came via a phone call from my brother from another mother, publisher of High Society Magazine, Charles Nwagbara who called very early on Thursday morning to announce it to me. I tried to get myself together because it is one of the most shocking news I ever heard in the last few months because no one expected it.

Let me hope I can do a tribute to the man who gave me the room to first contribute to Vanguard Showtime before God showed me the way to tow the movies line. It was after, that Uncle Sam discovered me and asked me to start a movies column which I called Home Video People and ran it for nine years before Benjamin Njoku took it over.

– Fred Iwenjora

The fact is that I cannot talk about my entertainment journalism career without a mention of Ogbonnaya Dusty Amadi.

Ogbonna was very good at encouraging unknown artistes who found their way to the Kirikiri canal for interviews and will regularly entertain them and do stories about them without fuss. A case in point was when I was still a stringer for Showtime and Victor Gotevbe introduced the duo of KC Presh to me.

This was in their early years and they were fresh from the AJ jungles but full of zest to excel and I did a story on them. In fact I was the first to write about them in any newspaper. When I called Ogbonnaya’s attention to the story of the boys and their determination to excel, he

bought it hook line and sinker and reminded me of how he did same for the Pretty Busy Boys which included Late Junior and his soul mate Pretty, Showkey and Daddy Fresh and Cash man Davies.

The story of KC and Presh was published pronto and they have been grateful ever since.

His battle with asthma was long drawn that he always had his inhaler in his pocket in case of any of such attacks the last of which he never survived.

As he prepares for his final journey on earth, the task now is to see that all he stood for in the issues of giving a pride of place to entertainment reporting in Nigeria is preserved and pursued vigorously by all colleagues who knew him and all that he stood for.

You are no more, yet you live on my heart

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— Princess Eukay Amadi, Sister in-law

efore I met you Dusty, you were already in love with me. When we met first time in Umuahia during one of your visits, you were just great and calling me your wife when I was not one yet.

When there was doubt about my marrying your brother due to pressure, you called and cleared all doubt. I remember that evening as I waited to board the bus to Jos en-route Gombe State to continue my Youth Service when you called me. I narrated my challenges to you concerning my marrying your C M Y K

“kid” brother and you asked me just one question. Eukay, do you love my “kid” brother, which was the way you called him. To which I said yes, and you asked me to follow my heart which I did.

Seven years after, I am still following my heart but where are you now. You abandon me eh! Dusty, my strength and courage, my friend, you were indeed a true and great brother-in-law. You called my husband “kid” brother so why have you left him and me. Love than death itself is more strong. You may be dead today but you live on in my heart because

you showed me love.

Adieu! Dusty, you came, you saw, you conquered and like a candle in the wind, you went off in a blaze of Glory. Rest in Peace.

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012—25

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26— SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012

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ans of Nigerian movies will not forget in a hurry last weekend’s invasion of Nollywood by Ghanaian celebrities who were in the country for the world premiere of Yvonne Nelson’s latest movie project, ‘Single & Married.’

The movie made a dramatic entry into Nollywood, with a stunning premiere at the Silverbird Cinemas, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The premiere attracted hundreds of Nigerian movie fans and a large number of celebrities who trooped to the cinema to witness the historic movie with an amazing cast of different career backgrounds. It was directed

by Pascal Amanfo.

Most of the movie’s scenes were greeted with laughter and cheers ; an obvious indication that the movie served the purpose for which it was produced.

It was not a comedy but there was enough scenes to excite movie freaks.

The cast which included Kofi Adjorlolo, Efya, new Ghanaian actors; Kweku Elliot, Chris Attoh, Eddie Watson, Tiffany, Nadia Buari, Tana, and Yvonne Nelson, put up a top-notch performance which wowed the audience at the premiere.

As anticipated, the premiere event ended with applause from the audience, with some screaming, “Congratulations Yvonne; this is a good movie.

There are good lessons to learn from this movie.”

The movie, narrated by Ghana’s iconic presenter Anita Erskine, delved into the intricacies of marriage and the challenges of being single, with focus on young adults.

The storyline raised serious issues about why spouses cheated on their partners and how to stop them. But it was told in a rather subtle, entertaining way. It was indeed a must-see.

Also adding to the colourful premiere event was the number of Ghanaian celebrities who graced the red carpet.

Yvonne Okoro, Majid Michel, Prince David Osei, Eddie Watson, Fred Nuamah, songstresses Efya and Irene Logan and Fashion 101 anchor Sandra Ankorbiah were at the red carpet event to support Yvonne Nelson.

Ahead of the premiere, the celebrities visited some of Nigeria’s influential media houses including Silverbird TV in Lagos, Rhythm FM and Cool FM. It was quite interesting how the Ghanaian celebrities shook the airwaves. There were few azonto moments when Efya and host of the late C M Y K

Between Hoodrush and I

Faces of Ghanaian celebrities at the event.

Day Ghollywood invaded Nollywood Friday morning show on Cool FM, made some mesmerising dancing steps in the studio while other celebrities

applauded them. Yvonne was expected to tour Africa with the movie, following reports

that some African countries could not wait to see the movie and meet her and the cast.

Angel Ufuoma storms US for Dr. Bello’s world premiere E

merging actress and one of the new faces in Nollywood, Angel Ufuoma is currently in the United States, for the world premiere of Tony Abulu’s star-studded movie, "Dr. Bello", at the Kennedy Centre, in Washington DC. The pretty and cerebral Cambridge trained lawyer, featured in the movie alongside some heavyweights including Hollywood based Isaiah Washington and Vivica Fox. Soft-spoken Ufuoma, was among the few Nigerian stars specially invited for the historic event holding this weekend amid glitz and grandeur.

Ufuoma, HVP reliably gathered will spend a few weeks after the premiere to rest, network and also explore new avenues and frontiers for her blossoming career with her foreign partners, before returning home to partake in some of the productions already lined up for her.

Ufuoma who left the country last Thursday night, was recently in Rwanda, South Africa and London,

Ufuoma respectively, for a big budget international movie production that will soon hit shelves globally.

Since her arrival barely a year ago in the highly competitive Nollywood, the

sexy starlet from Delta State, is gradually becoming the darling of leading filmmakers, especially those based outside Nollywood, and has continued to wow and dazzle them with her acting skills.

Gabriel

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ultiple award winning actotr, and younger brother to one of the most accomplished film makers and directors, Kunle Afolayan, Gabriel Afolayan is still reliving memories of the role he played in the yetto-be released movie, “Hoodrush’.

Gabriel said “Hoodrush,” is a movie he would remember for a long time, because, according to him, “ it brought out some parts of me that I never thought of.”

He played the role of ‘Tavier’ The young actor, who recently launched himself into the nation’s music scene with the release of the music video of his hit single, “Kokoro Ife” (Love Bug), disclosed that after featuring in the movie, he has had cause to receive good offers, given the positive reviews trailing the trailers despite the fact that it is yet to be released.

Also, O.C Ukeje who played the role of Shev Jabari said “ it was a great experience starring in the movie and even a greater experience thereafter because of the projects I have been called upon to feature in. Hoodrush further puts me on the map and I am sure it did that and more for other cast members”.

The movie which features other acts like the talented Bimbo Akintola, Bolanle Ninolowo of Diesel Music, Ijeoma Agu, Lee Lee Byoma and others was shot in the city of Lagos and was written, produced and directed by Dimeji Ajibola of Flipsyde Studios. It is due to hit the cinemas later this month.

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012—27

Ibinabo to warring factions in AGN

Sheathe your sword N

Ibinabo

ewly elected president of the Actors Guild o f Nigeria(AGN), Ibinabo Fiberisima h a s already started the process of rebuilding the once collapsed a c t o r s ’ house.

The former b e a u t y q u e e n , upon her assumption of office last Saturday, appealed to all the aggrieved members of the guild to sheathe t h e i r

swords and embrace dialogue for the sake of moving the guild forward again.

Ibinabo, who defeated Emeka Rollas at the polls, said, the challenge before her incoming administration is to strive to restore peace and unity in the troubled guild.

Suing for peace, Ibinabo said “the election is now over, all I am now after is to unite everyone in the guild and bring the A-list stars back into the fold. We need to rebuild the guild, we need to bring love back into the guild, enough of this fight.”

“I am going to form a reconciliation committee, that’s the first committee I’m going to form. By the time, we have reconciled all the warring factions, there will be no fight in the guild. It is time for us to move forward, it time for us to rebuild our guild.”

‘I am the president and I intend to remain president of this guild till my tenure ends and I will change the face of

Oboli, Tonto and Chika Ike battle for Afro-Hollywood Best Actress award

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he African Voice Newspaper, UK, has released its nominees for the 17th African Film Awards 2012 a.k.a Afro Hollywood Awards.

The winners in each award category, who will be attending the prestigious annual awards in London, will be announced at a special ceremony on Wednesday, October 10, in Akure, Ondo State.

The African Actor of the Year will be contested by one of South Africa’s leading actors, Jafta Mamabolo (famed for his role in Otelo Burning), who will slug it out with Joseph Benjamin of Nigeria (Tango With Me) and Van Vicker of Ghana.

Chika Ike will have Tonto Dikeh and Omoni Oboli to beat in the Best Actress (English language film) category while the battle for the Best Actress (Supporting Role in an English language film) will be between Kiki Omeili, Nse Ikpe Etim and Oge Okoye.

Nominees for the Best

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Actress (Yoruba language film) are Funke Adesiyan, Ayo Adesanya and Laide Bakare Commenting on this year ’s edition, Prince Mike Abiola, publisher of African Voice Newspaper UK and Chairman of the awards committee said “the awards ceremony will attract British African stars from film & television, B r i t i s h producers seeking collaboration w i t h Nollywood practitioners and high net worth British Africans seeking to invest in Africa’s leading film industry.

“Akure in Ondo State has been chosen to announce the finalists from Nollywood this year to promote peaceful electioneering in the forth coming Governorship

Omoni Obolio elections in the state. It is hoped that the popularity of Nollywood and wide acceptance of the award brand will drive international media attention to the variety of tourist attractions in the state such as the historic Idanre Hills”.

this guild.”

Ibinabo was officially sworn in as the new president of AGN after winning the national elections.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the guild’s national secretariat, in Surulere, in the presence of a few notable Nollywood actors, directors and producers including movie producer, Zeb Ejiro and his brother, Chico Ejiro, two former AGN presidents Segun Arinze and Ejike Asiegbu, Charles Inojie amongst others.

In the absence of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria Electoral Committee (AGNEC)

chairman Ayo Manuel, Ibinabo was sworn in by the acting chairperson, veteran actress Rachel Oniga and another AGNEC member actress Florence Onuma.

Calling on all members of AGN to support the incoming administration, the two past presidents of the guild, Ejike Asiegbu and Segun Arinze have thrown weights behind Ibinabo’s presidency. “ We can’t continue with this fighting. The time is now for us to reunite and give peace a chance,” said Asiegbu.

Meanwhile,an impeccable source hinted that Emeka Rollas is laying claim to the guild’s topmost position. He was announced as president a few hours before the results were released by the electoral chairman, Ayo Mauel. Also, on Thursday, Emeka Ike dragged the newly elected executives to the police station, where all parties were advised to maintain the status-quo.

Winning MTN Project Fame is a dream come true – Ayo

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wenty-five year old Ayobami Ayoola last Saturday emerged the star prize winner of MTN sponsored Project Fame West Africa (season five), smiling home with a brand new Toyota Rav.4, N2.5 million and a mouth-watering one year recording contract.

The grand finale show which held last Saturday, at Ultima Studios, Admiralty Way, Lekki, Lagos, witnessed special performances from Style-Plus of the famous “Olufunmi” hit track; Chidinma, winner of MTN project Fame season 3 and Flavour. The finalists were also on stage to perform their personal composition.

Out of the seven contestants who made it to the grand finale of the music competition, Ayo emerged winner, having gotten the highest number of votes from viewers, both within Nigeria

and the whole of West Africa.

Ayo was closely followed by Marvelous Odiete, Adetoun Adekoya and Ella Nnabuchi, who emerged the first, second and third runners up respectively.

An elated Ayo, speaking briefly after he was announced the winner of the show by the hosts, Joseph Benjamin and Adaora Oleh in a tension soaked night, said winning the competition is a dream come true for him.

Young Ayo, whose music talent was discovered by his father, a pastor, said on four occasions, he had tried to participate in Project Fame, but couldn’t scale the audition hurdles. “But when I eventually made it to the Academy this season, it was a big achievement for me, and coming this far to become winner is a dream come true.”

28 —Vanguard, SARTURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012

I will marry a guy who fits into my lifestyle — Ijeoma Imoh

By AYO ONIKOYI and FLORENCE AMAGIYA jeoma Imoh is not exactly a greenhorn in Nollywood, she has been around for close to ten years now and even though she does not rank in the top list of the mega super stars the Abia- state born actress can hold her own anywhere and even give the top-draws a run for their money.

Beautiful, sexy and infectiously jovial Ijeoma started her foray in the movie industry with TV soaps and worked her way into the hearts of movie lovers for her scintillating role in ‘Bumper-to-Bumper’ and though she would tell you she is not there yet with the very best Ijeoma, no doubt, has made a respectable name for herself in the industry.

In this interview with Showtime Celebrity, she opens up on the challenges associated with acting, what would make her have sex on set and many more.

Excerpts:

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You have being acting for about ten years now, how has it being for you?

Acting has being good, but I cannot say it has been smooth all the way, it has its ups and downs. It is a

known truth that nothing good comes easy and becoming a famous star isn’t easy also. The likes of RMD and Genevieve didn’t become top stars all of a sudden. They went through thick and thin to become what they are today. It took them years to get to where they are today. It also feels good to go to some places and you are recognized and you don’t go through what you would have gone through if you were not a celebrated face. I am not where l planned to be in my acting career, but l am going there and by the grace of God I will get there.

From your experience, what does it really take to break through in Nollywood?

It takes believing in God. It also takes believing in yourself, but majorly it takes perseverance. As an actor or an actress, you know that it is not all the auditions you attend that would land you juicy roles, but one shouldn’t allow that to stop you from going to other auditions. You never know the audition that would give you the break.

Don’t be discouraged, believe in God and yourself that one day you would scale through and it would happen as you believe.

Another element that plays a great deal is luck, but it is good to be talented. Luck in the sense that you aren’t so talented but you were lucky to get the role after the audition.

Yo u h a v e b e e n i n t h e industry for about 10 years, what would you say is the reason some of your colleagues are successful. would you say it is because they are lucky or favouritism comes to play in getting roles?

Everything

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comes to play for a role to be gotten. First, you must have the passion for the job; you must be talented and skilled also. Luck also plays a vital role because you may have all of these qualities, yet you aren’t lucky, then you don’t get the role.

Favouritism is also important because if you are loved by people then you may be nominated for a role.

The industry thing is not a do or die affair and if l have been sexually harassed, perhaps l would have been very famous (laughs). The story line is ‘l like you and l want to date you’. If l like the person in question, my luck and if l do not like the person, l tell him that.

What’s the harassment in it? I have never being

But rumour has it that some actresses share ‘the national cake’ to producers for roles in movies.

Is it true?

When you say their bodies, l suppose you meant sex for roles?

I think even if an actress decides to share the ‘ national cake’ for a role in the movie it is okay by me because it is a personal thing. The only problem she would have is if she doesn’t know how to act because there are many actresses out there who are very good in their games. So, no matter how many producers an actress sleeps with if she isn’t good in her game she may not get the role. We should always put it in mind that there are several people out there, who have gone to better themselves in the game of acting and having the talent is better than sleeping with all the producers in the world for just a role.

What is your idea of sex, generally, what would make you go to bed with a man?

Dating can lead to marriage, so l think l would want to know the man l am dating to know if we are sexually compatible or if he is even able to do ‘the do’.

Like you said rightly l am not

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mother Teresa and I do not want to make a mistake in marriage choice since it is my life and happiness. But on the other hand, it is wrong to jump from one bed to another because there is repercussion; there i the case of sexually transmitted disea that. It is also bad if you are not of age. endeavour to do things right and at the

As a professional, can you have se the money is right?

I can accept it in Hollywood, b Nollywood. Don’t you want me to marry speaking, why would l want to have s Is it part of the script? We have way these things on set in Nigeria. We d naked like the camera shows. I have go like that and l didn’t get naked. I w short and a tube top, besides the duve used to cover up. That way, you are no all.

We see a lot of it in Ghanaian mo

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012 — 29

You seem to have girls all around you all the time, would that have to do with the rumour that you are a lesbian? or what’s the gist?

There is no gist, if l have guys around me they would say l am a prostitute. Now , l have ladies as friends and they are still calling me a lesbian? I am not someone that can be influenced at all.

And even if l say that l am not a lesbian now, who would believe me? But just to put the record straight, I am not a lesbian and so long as no woman can come out and say l have called her to meet me somewhere then there is no evidence whatsoever.

Are you in any relationship?

I am in a relationship.

What would make you marry a guy?

I will marry a guy if he fits into my life style. He would definitely be okay, but l need to get married to my friend. I need a man who would be by me at all time, not the good weather husband that changes his man at the least provocation, someone who can stand in for me at all time.

So what are doing in Lagos State University at the moment?

I am studying History and International relations.

How do you cope with schooling and acting?

I am running a part time programme.

is ses and all We should right time. x on set if

but not in y? Seriously sex on set? ys of doing do not get otten a role ore a bum et was also ot naked at vies these C M Y K

How does studying History and International Relations help you with acting?

History is knowing about the past and international relationship has to do with more than the national level.

My course has helped me get into the depths of acting more than l would have done on my own. An actor is someone who can enter any character and be the character. By knowing the history of a place, l can understand the way of a people, their culture and lifestyles. And by knowing the people, you can enter their characters, which is my job as an actress.

How do you catch your fun?

I love dancing, hence l club a lot. l love swimming. I love travelling, l love cooking, l love visiting friends.

What is your philosophy of live?

I don’t make life look so hard, as though l am the only one going through troubles. Everybody have their own issues. Don’t be desperate about anything.

What is sexy about you?

What is sexy about me is that l am me. I am Ijeoma makes me sexy. I talk like Ijeoma and not like you or any other person.

What part of your body is sexy?

The whole of my body is sexy except that l am not tall.

What movie gave you the break?

I haven’t done a major, major job hence l am not so popular yet! Let’s be honest here, If I walk into any embassy today I would not be given the kind of recognition that the likes of Genevieve would get but there would be some who would spot me and recognise me for who I am .

I haven’t done so many lead roles, yes, l have done some sub- lead roles, but not so many. I want to say that l haven’t hit the jackpot yet.

With the help of more lead roles, interviews and all others we shall surely get there.

What have you been doing lately?

I have being doing a lot in the entertainment world lately. I have being juggling between fashion, schooling and featuring in musical videos, and embarking on trips to Ghana. I am doing voice over. At the moment, I am in the studio with my director doing voice over. I am doing voice over for Yo r uba movies. I am doing everything practically in the entertainment world. I am also working with Yor of WAZOBIA to see how the other side of comedy works.

You starred in one Yo r u b a soap recently, is that an indication that you are planning crossing over from acting in English to Yoruba films?

I know l did one Yo r u b a s o a p b u t l cannot even remember the title of the movie and my friends are all

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days, what can you say about that?

I cannot say much about a set l am not in, but not everything is as it seems. And if these ladies practically go nude then it is their lives and a free world.

My course has helped me get into the depths of acting more than l would have done on my own. An actor is someone who can enter any character and be the character

calling me to say they saw me, but l don’t even know the soap title. It is not an indication that l am leaving English movies for Yoruba movies, but if that’s what God wants l would do just that, but the fact is that l can do both movies. The good thing is that l do not only speak Yoruba fluently, l also write the language.

You seem to be shuttling between Lagos and Ghana these days, what’s the catch?

I was called by a musician known as Kokovelle, his name is Nathaniel. We met some time ago when l had a business with them to come to Nigeria and we became friends and stayed in touch.

So when he wanted to do his musical videos and movies, he called on me to see him in Ghana when l was through with whatever l was doing at that time. So l visited Ghana and we have done two movies. One of the movies was directed by a Nigerian director called Ifeanyi Oyagbor. The other movie was directed by another d i r e c t o r, b u t I c a n n o t remember his name now.

These movies were shot in the recent two years, but l am going back to Ghana to do more movies soon.

W h a t

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would you say is the difference between a Nigerian movie and a Ghanaian movie?

These movies all belong to Nigerians, but it is only a change of location when these movies are shot in Ghana. And since it is shot in Ghana, importing Nigerian actors would be very expensive hence the need for Ghanaian stars.

Ghanaian actresses are daring in movies because their culture supports it, but our culture in Nigeria doesn’t support acts like that because at the end of the day, the Nigerian actress won’t be considered fit for a normal marriage . The lady doesn’t propose to men in Nigeria, hence the woman is very careful in whatever she does so that her image wouldn’t be tarnished.

Have you ever being harassed in the industry?

The industry thing is not a do or die affair and if l have been sexually harassed, perhaps l would have been very famous (laughs). The story line is ‘l like you and l want to date you’. If l like the person in question, my luck and if l do not like the person, l tell him that.

What’s the harassment in it?

I have never being sexually harassed before.

30 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012

Key English Premier league battles to watch this weekend

Manchester City Have the Black Cats Round for Lunch

This weekend sees the last set of Premier League fixtures before the international break and there are some intriguing contests on show. Both sides of Tyneside play both sides of Manchester, there are three clubs still waiting for their first league win and one half of Merseyside could go joint top of the table by tonight! It’s shaping up to be another top-class weekend of football, so let’s preview the some key battles to look out for this weekend!

Will Norwich Be Singing Like Canaries at Stamford Bridge?

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ince their last league vis it to Stamford Bridge 14 months ago, Norwich go to Chelsea still searching for their first league win of the season and smarting after being walloped 5-2 by Liverpool last weekend.

•Frank Lampard If it were me, I wouldn’t want to go to Stamford Bridge needing a result, but that’s the situation Chris Hughton finds himself in this weekend.

He needs to get that first league win, but to be honest, I don’t think it’ll happen this

weekend.

Although Norwich held their own for 80 minutes in this fixture last season, Chelsea’s quality shone through in the last 10 minutes as they scored a couple of late goals to earn the three points.

The European champions will head into the match full of confidence after a 4-0 win in Champions League action this week, which followed an important 2-1 win at Arsenal last Saturday.

Hopefully, Norwich will be strong and resilient, but ultimately, the attacking threat posed by the likes of Juan Mata, Oscar, Eden Hazard and, of course, Frank Lampard, will be enough to see Chelsea through.

Can the swans stop their slide or will Reading get their first win?

•Mario Balotelli

hen Manchester City played Sunderland at the Etihad last season, City had to come back from 3-1 down to rescue not just a point, but their unbeaten home record and their hopes of winning their first Premier League crown. The champions have been out of sorts since the season started.

They haven’t played to the high standards they set last season, but they’re still at the top end of the league and unbeaten in league competition.

Last night in their Champions League clash, Mario Balotelli came through once again when City needed him, so he’ll be pushing for a start today.

Their opponents, Sunderland, are also unbeaten after drawing four and winning one of their first five games. Martin O’Neill might be slightly concerned that all of his

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oday will be the first com petitive match between these sides since Swansea beat Reading in the 2011 Championship playoff final to earn promotion to the Premier League.

Despite making an impressive start to the season, Swansea have lost their last three matches and will want to stop the rot before it goes on any longer.

They may have lost Scott Sinclair to Manchester City, but there’s enough quality in their •Swansea side to make sure that they’re a Vs Reading threat to similar clubs in and around their position.

Michu has been particularly keepers in the country.

Reading’s start to life back impressive since joining in the summer and in Michel Vorm, in the Premier League has Swansea have one of the best been difficult.

Will West Brom bag all three points have to be absolutely deagainst QPR? Brom lighted with the start they’ve

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f all the sides in the made under their new managPremier League, West er, Steve Clarke.

Three wins and two draws from their first six games, including wins over Everton and Liverpool, see the Baggies sitting sixth in the table.

They have not yet conceded a goal at home and look very strong defensively.

Going forward, the likes of James Morrison, Graham Dorrans, Shane Long and Romelu •West Brom Lukaku can cause problems for any defence in the country.

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team’s goals this season have come from Scotland striker Steven Fletcher.

He’ll want his other players to start chipping in with goals to take the pressure off his in-form hitman.

In terms of the game itself, any team managed by Martin O’Neill will be well-drilled, hard-working and disciplined and if they get enough space on the ball, they could cause the champions problems. I just think t h a t City’s astonishing record at home in the league over the last 18 months will be enough to see them through against the Black Cats.

GOLF NEWS

International Team Presidents Cup Captain Nick Price chooses 3 assistants W

orld Golf Hall of Fame Mem ber Nick Price will Captain the 2013 International Presidents Cup Team. With the Ryder Cup heading back to Europe, we can start looking ahead to the Presidents Cup that would run through October 1-6, 2013, at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. titles on the PGA Tour. He won Muirfield Village is the dethe 1992 and 1994 PGA sign and home of golf legend Championships, as well as, Jack Nicklaus. It annually the 1994 British Open. He was hosts the Memorial golf touralso a member of five Presinament, and is the only course dents Cup teams. that has hosted a Ryder Cup, Price chose Tony Johnstone a Solheim Cup and now a and Mark McNulty plus JaPresidents Cup. pan’s Shigeki Maruyama for International Team Captain his three assistant captains.

Nick Price was inducted into Nick Price said of his two the World Golf Hall of Fame fellow countrymen from Zimin 2003. He won five events babwe, Johnstone and Mcon the European Tour, and 18

Nick Price

Nulty, “The three of us have enjoyed friendship and rivalry that has lasted mor than 40 years, and having played on man teams together during that time, the were an obvious choice for me. They bring an incredible amount of match-play ex perience and knowledge to this team, and I know they are as excited as I am to be part of The Presidents Cup again.”

Price went on to talk about the addition o his Asian assistant captain,“His enthusiasm dogged competiveness and incredible team spirit are things I will never forget. " He has a wonderful sense of humor, i

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is

Vanguard, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012 — 31

•Radamel Falcao

Off The Pitch

Fernando Llorente open to January transfer?

Radamel Falcao unsure over Atletico Madrid future

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adamel Falcao might on his way out of Guardiola might be on management. Inside, dates on Fernando Vidal and Wilfried The Colombian Falcao has said problems may move to a new “ The situnot only on the mant h e

b y the club would be stay if they

b

e Spain, and Pep his way back to we also have upLlorente, Arturo Zaha. striker Radamel Spain’s economic mean he has to team: ation depends the players and agement but also economy of the clubs and even the country.

I could only go what was said by and they said it difficult for me to did not reach the

AC Milan want Pep Guardiola?

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C Milan president Silvio Berlusconi wants to re place current manager Massimiliano Allegri with former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola. Guardiola, 41, quit Barcelona at the end of the 2011-12 season, citing fatigue. He is not currently managing a team. Allegri, 45, has managed Milan since 2010, winning the 2010-11 Italian league title. Milan’s slow start to the season has led to speculation over Allegri’s future with the team.

Guardiola is thought to want a job in England, and Manchester United are reportedly interested in Guardiola as a successor to legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

TENNIS NEWS

Serena Williams is one of only two American women ranked in the top 25 in the world

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•Serena Williams

en American women are ranked in the Top 100 in the world in tennis as per recent Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings of October 1. The bad news is only one, Serena Williams, is in the Top 25. At No. 4 , if you do not count Varvara Lepchenko at No. 19, who was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan but became a U.S. citizen on September 24, 2011.

After Christina McHale at No. 30, Sloane Stephens at No. 37 and Venus Williams at No. 40, there are only two other Americans in the top 80: Vania King (No. 67), who is known more as a doubles player, and Jamie Hampton (No. 77).

Then you find three Americans in the 90s, barely making the Top 100. They are Lauren Davis (No. 91), Coco Vandeweghe (No. 95) and Melanie Oudin (No. 97)…Remember her?

Considering the U.S. is a country with more elite tennis training and practice facilities than any other country in the world, so many foreign players come to the U.S. to either go to college or train, these rankings do not speak well of how successful they are at developing American players . Whether you like them or not, Serena and Venus Williams continue to carry the slowly dimming torch of American women

•Fernando Llorente

F

ernando Llorente is open to a January transfer from Athletic Bilbao to Juventus according to Llorente’s agent: In the summer, he wanted to join Juventus but Athletic Bilbao did not want to sell him for less than his release clause.

Italy in January? Why not? It is a great championship and

Manchester City want Arturo Vidal?

M

anchester City are interested in Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal, according to a report.

City reportedly wanted to sign midfielder Daniele De Rossi from Roma over the summer, but no move materialized. Now manager Roberto Mancini reportedly wants Vidal, a 25-year-old Chilean international.

It was reported that “Mancini loves this guy to death and has briefed owners about him. There was talk last summer Tevez or Dzeko

t is a grinding process; plenty of players

grind their whole careers in the Top 100 but are never a threat in any of the major tournaments. Americans look for and want winners.Melanie Oudin is probably the best known of the group from her exciting run to the 2009 U.S. Open singles quarterfinals as a 17year-old. Yet while she won the 2011 U.S. Open C M Y K

mixed doubles championship with fellow American Jack Sock, her singles game has suffered since 2009.

This year in the majors ,she lost in qualifying at the Australian Open; the second round of the French Open, the first round of Wimbledon and, after receiving a wild-card entry into the U.S. Open, lost in the first round.

Arturo Vidal might have been involved, but Juve wanted silly money.”

Wilfried Zaha: bound for Premier League?

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Sloane Stephens is ranked No. 37 in the world

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Fernando would like to play there. Juventus are a great team, but so are Inter, AC Milan, Manchester City and so on. We will see what happens. Llorente, a 27-yearold Spain international striker, walked out of training earlier this week after a heated disagreement with manager Marcelo Bielsa .

Wilfried Zaha

rystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha could be bound for the English Premier League, according to media reports.

Liverpool and Tottenham are thought to be interested in Zaha.

According to reports, Palace manager Dougie Freedman said: "When he’s ready and when I think he’s ready to go to the right club, I will tap Wilfried on the shoulder and tell him I can’t help him any longer".

Wilfried can play at the top level if he continues going with his movement, he’s got wonderful technique and ability. His allround game is coming together.

Palace currently play in the League Championship, the second tier of English football. Zaha has represented England at the Under-19 and Under-21 levels.

32—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012

Kate Upton flaunts cleavage for cosmopolitan

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nce again, Kate Upton showcased her awesome rack, her fantastic cleavage and her all-American curves, this time in a set of sizzling hot leopard-print bikinis while she poses in a horse’s crib for her latest photo shoot with Cosmopolitan.

Sadly, there was no horse-riding to better appreciate her God-given assets

J

anet Jackson and her fiance Wissam al Mana are reportedly planning to get married in Doha in Qatar in 2013.

Janet Jackson and her fiance Wissam al Mana are reportedly planning a $20 million wedding.

The couple hope to tie the knot in Doha in Qatar where the billionaire was born and are making arrangements for the ceremony to take place in 2013.

According to an insider the wedding will be ‘’one of the biggest, most memorable extravaganzas in recent

history’’.

The source added to N a t i o n a l E n q u i r e r magazine: ‘’They have tentatively set a late 2013 wedding date. But they are still working out the details and the exact day.’’

They will reportedly spend $3 million to fly in their 500 wedding guests from all over the world, while Wissam wants to give all attendees a $10,000 Rolex watch each as a thank you for attending.

The insider added: ‘’Wissam is going to splash big when

In the accompanying video interview with the magazine, the seductive blonde offered some tips on how men can start a conversation with women without the use of pick-up lines.

“All pick-up lines are horrible.

None of them work. You just make a fool of yourself. Just be yourself and have a normal conversation.”

he marries Janet. It’s going to be the wedding of the century.’’

Janet has been dating Wissam who is almost a decade younger than her since summer 2010.

The 46-year-old singer - the sister of the late Michael Jackson - has previously insisted there is nothing wrong with dating younger men as long as the couple are

happy.

Janet - who was in a sevenyear relationship with music producer Jermaine Dupri said: ‘’My mother always raised us to believe that age was just a number. All of us my sisters, my brothers - we’ll just tell you our ages because it’s all about where you are mentally and how you feel about yourself. It doesn’t matter.’’

Kate

Jewelry stolen from Julianne Moore’s NYC home

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Julianne

C M Y K

ctress Julianne Moore had more than $127,000 worth of jewelry stolen from her New York City apartment, according to police officials.

The jewelry was swiped from Moore’s Manhattan brownstone between June 6 and Aug. 28, when her residence was being renovated, officials said Wednesday.

During that time, 15 to 25 construction workers had access to the entire house, according to the police report. There have been no arrests.

Seven of the 10 pieces of stolen jewelry were from Cartier, including the most expensive item of all, a $33,000 Cartier platinum diamond tennis bracelet. Four Cartier watches valued at a combined $77,800 were also taken.

Moore’s assistant filed the report to police about the missing jewelry Oct. 1. The “Boogie Nights” actress shares the home with her husband, director Bart Freundlich, and their two children.

New York City’s Buildings Department lists three permits, filed in July, for interior renovation and plumbing work, according to The New York Times.

The brownstone has been on the market twice in the past few years, the newspaper reported.

The six-bedroom home was most recently listed for $12.5 million.

Nicki

Nicki Minaj defends cuss filled rant with Maria Carey

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icki Minaj is defending her cuss-filled rant during the “American Idol” auditions, claiming that Mariah carey started the fight by calling her a “bitch.”

As previously reported by Hollywood celebrity gossip, the rumored feud between ‘’ American Idol judges’’ Nicki and Mariah came to a head on Tuesday at the show’s auditions in Charlotte, North Carolina, when Nicki went on a swearing marathon during an argument with Mariah.

And though it looks like Nicki is the bad guy for cursing out her fellow judge, a source close to the rapper reveals that Mariah was the one who started it all.

“Mariah Carey fired the first shots in her “American Idol” war with Nicki Minaj ,calling the rapper a “bitch” multiple times This eventually led to Nicki’s outburst, “She keeps bringing up how many records she’s sold, name dropping people she’s worked with, how many tours she’s done, and how many Grammys or awards she’s won.

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012—33

Why sleeping longer Saturday ‘ll make y y ou sleepier Monda A S much as sleeping in late on the weekends feels good, it doesn’t help anyone catch up on sleep lost during the week. It can actually make you even sleepier next week. If you think you can make up for missed hours of sleep during the week we can make up for those hours by sleeping in the same amount on Saturday and Sunday, experts say it’s a bad idea.Sleeping in on weekends causes a delay function in the brain’s circadian clock up to two hours, messing up the internal clock. This makes for very painful Monday wake-ups.

To balance any form of “sleep debt,” it is advisable to go to sleep earlier on the weekends and get a full eight hours of rest, rather than sleeping in later. It might not be the best but a lot better than struggling with grogginess on Monday morning.

The rule is not to mess with your sleep cycles.

Sleep debt is the difference between the amount of sleep you should be getting and the amount you actually get. It’s a deficit that grows every time we skim some extra minutes off nightly slumber.

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eople accumulate sleep debt surreptitiously and studies show that such shortterm sleep deprivation leads to a foggy brain, worsened vision, impaired driving, and trouble remembering. Known long-term effects include obesity, insulin resistance, and heart disease.

Many people suffer from chronic deprivation.

On average, an adult sleeps between six to eight hours during the week and at least eight hours on the weekends.

Generally experts say eight hours of sleep is ideal per night, although some people may require only six hours of sleep while others need ten. That means on average, we’re losing one hour of sleep each night—

•Studies show that accumulated sleep is detrimental to the health more than two full weeks of slumber every year.

The good news is that sleep debt can be repaid—though it won’t happen in one extended snooze marathon.

Tacking on an extra hour or two of sleep a night is the way to catch up.

For the chronically sleep deprived, take it easy for a few months to get back into a natural sleep pattern.Go to bed when you are tired, and allow your body to wake you in the morning naturally and

you may find yourself in the beginning of the recovery cycle: Expect to payback upward of 10 hours sleep per night.

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s the days pass, however, the amount of time sleeping will gradually decrease.For recovery sleep, both the hours slept and the intensity of the sleep are important. Some of your most refreshing sleep occurs during deep sleep.

Although such sleep’s true effects are still being

studied, it is generally considered a restorative period for the brain. And when you sleep more hours, you allow your brain to spend more time in this rejuvenating period.As you erase sleep debt, your body will come to rest at a sleep pattern that is specifically right for you.

Sleep researchers believe that genes—although the precise anemones have yet to be discovered—determine our individual sleeping patterns. That more than

likely means you can’t train yourself to be a “short sleeper ”—and you’re fooling yourself if you think you’ve done it.

A 2003 study in the journal Sleep found that the more tired we get, the less tired we feel.So earn back that lost sleep—and follow the dictates of your innate sleep needs. You’ll feel better. “When you put away sleep debt, you become superhuman. Talking about the improved mental and physical capabilities that come with being well rested.

How cigarette smoking almost stopped my heart M y name is Susan. I used to be overweight, hypertensive and a chain smoker. Two years ago, I weighed 134 kg, had a blood pressure of 160/100, and smoked two packs of cigarettes daily. I never realized it, but I developed signs of heart failure several months before I was actually diagnosed. I couldn’t walk from one end of the house to another without being out of breath, which I assumed was just becauseI weighed 130 kilos and smoked

C M Y K

a pack of cigarettes a day.

One day, I realised something was seriously wrong. For weeks I would come home from work so exhausted that I crawled straight into bed. My husband begged and insisted I see the doctor.

F

inally, I went to a doctor who examined me,and I did x-rays—and a CT scan.

There was fluid in my lungs.

I had congestive heart failure. My heart couldn’t

pump enough blood throughout my body,causing blood and fluid to get backed up.

I was admitted to the hospital, still in shock. It took 10 days there to drain the fluid from my body: my lungs, my stomach, my feet. I left nearly 12 kilos lighter.

I was also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Sitting in my hospital bed watching all the machines around me pump water out of my

body, I realized that I could either change my habits or die.

There are many causes of congestive heart failure, but in my case, it was mainly due to lifestyle.

I was overweight, smoked, and had high blood pressure and high cholesterol, all of which were extremely hard on my heart. When I went to my doctor for a checkup a few weeks later, he told me that if I picked up another cigarette, I was signing my

own death warrant. I was shocked, and really afraid then—I knew smoking was bad for my lungs, but I never realized it was so dangerous for my heart.

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y doctor scared me into never touching a cigarette again. I turned to food, but only healthy food. I read food labels and also started cooking more. I lost over 50 kilos. To help my heart recover and maintain my weight loss, I had to exercise.

34 — VANGUARD, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012

Three affordable men’s suits

Looking good is everything *Important five men’s fashion rules F

OR a man of style, here are some style tips. Ultimately, you don’t want to be caught off guard when certain situations arise be it a wedding, a first date or a very important occasion.

Every man has asked himself about matching their socks with their trousers and other assorted questions at some point in his life. Below are listed six important men’s fashion rules to live by which should at least clear up some confusion about a few things.

1. Always match your belt with your shoes. This is a good rule to follow and it keeps things simple. It’s best to stay with traditional colours such a black, dark brown or a rich tan. Other colours will be difficult to match, and generally speaking, should be avoided. If you wear sneakers every day, that probably means you are wearing jeans in which case I suggest trying a belt made of fabric or something equally as casual, but please avoid dress belts with jeans and sneakers. If you wear suspenders, I am compelled to ask you why, but I digress. Just don’t wear a belt and suspenders together, it’s one or the other.

2. Match ties and shirts.

For a while, the solid-coloured shirt with a tie of the same (or slightly-off) colour was seen everywhere. This is now a somewhat dated look.

Try mixing things up a little and experiment with colours.

Ties are great way to express yourself, but keeping it taste-

ful is your best bet. You can’t go wrong with diagonal stripes, modern polka-dots, plaids and subtle patterns.

Just make sure your tie compliments your shirt, suit, sweater or what ever you will be wearing it with. Novelty ties are best avoided since the novelty is short lived.

Ties should be tied in whatever style most strikes your fancy. You should know that there are many different ways to knot your tie, and different knots say different things. One

,

By GABRIEL AMEH

Try investing in one good watch that suits your lifestyle and taste, however, if you are someone who likes to own more than one watch, wear the appropriate timepiece for your outfit

,

can prefer the Windsor or the four-in-hand, but I do suggest that you explore a little just for kicks. As for clip on ties— just say no.

3. Pleats vs. Flat-Front.

Why so many men have avoided flat-front trousers has always been a mystery.

Flat-front trousers look better than pleated pants, at least most of the time. Plus pleats make you look less slim. I have heard guys wear pleats because it’s more comfortable or because flat-fronts are more for athletic bodies. Truth is most men can wear a flat-

Calvin Klein Charcoal Two Button Suit

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his 2-button charcoal suit with a flat front pant is such a great basic for the office and beyond. It would make a great first suit if you’re just starting out or don’t need to wear a suit that often. And you can’t beat the price.

front trouser. If you want more room, then buy them

a little big and have them brought in at the waist. This can be done at the store where you buy your clothes or by an independent tailor. And lastly, flat-front trousers are much more fashionable. How do you feel about pants with pleats? Take this poll.

4. Socks. The more official rule on socks is that they should match the colour of your pants, though preferably not the exact same shade unless, of course, you are wearing black in which case it’s okay. However, it’s good to wear socks with patterns, such as stripes in various colours.

But do try to match your socks with your pants and shoes. Glenn O’Brien from GQ magazine thinks “. . .you will

ultimately realize that beyond the valley of rules rises the mountain of aesthetics, the peak of which (if there is one) is always shrouded in beautiful clouds of various hues, many of them resembling certain of my more unusually hued socks.”

Although it should be obvious, white socks should be reserved for the gym.

5. Watches are the single most important accessory a man can own. Try investing in one good watch that suits your lifestyle and taste.

However, if you are someone who likes to own more than one watch, wear the appropriate timepiece for your outfit: black band with black shoes and belt; brown band with brown shoes and belt; and silver band for either.

John W. Nordstrom Wool Blend Suit

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nother great basic is this John W. Nordstrom twobutton gray stretch wool suit.

The cut is a little more traditional and the trousers are pleated. This is another amazing value, especially considering it is wrinkle resistant which is great for the guy who travels. It comes in several colours but the gray is a trend colour and easy to coordinate with shirts and ties, but a crisp white shirt is always striking with this shade of gray.

BCBG Two Button Black Wool Slim Fit Suit

othing beats a plain N black suit. What makes it outstanding is its

versatility. A basic black suit can be worn at the office, out on the town as well as weddings and, well, at funerals also. And a slim fitting suit like this one is modern and similar to designer suits twice the price.

O-Men MISTRESS: A mysterious sexy woman that a married man sees in secret to have a romantic and sexual relationship with. This is the definition of a mistress.

There is good sex, hotel room adventures, late nights, seductive phone calls, exciting secret dates, gifts and the thrill of doing something bad. But is being a mistress as glamorous as it seems?

Yes, BUT only at first. Being a mistress has its exciting moments and these are the moments that convince women to become a mistress in the first place. In the beginning, the mistress holds all the power. She is the one who has the married man under a love spell and she gets all his attention and time that he should be spending with his wife. She is the one he fantasizes about when he is with his wife and the one he misses. He urges for her company and longs to hear her voice. The mistress C M Y K

What does he want in a mistress? is the woman a married man makes first priority and will shower her with gifts to keep her happy. This all sounds fun and good, but it is very short lived and eventually, the light goes on and shines on the truth of what the life of a mistress really is and eventually becomes after the sexy stage is over.

Relationships that start off in deception usually end in deception. When a woman gets involved with a married man, she turns a blind eye to the fact that he is a cheater and an unreliable partner. She sees only what she wants to see and believes only what she wants to believe. She acknowledges the fact that he is cheating on his wife with her, but refuses to

see that she too is a victim of his selfish behaviourchoosing to make herself his victim. Men rarely leave their wives and family for their mistresses, which means that they string their mistresses along, having them believe that one day they will both be together with no more hiding around. Mistresses hang on to this fantasy, believing that their married lover truly loves them and will eventually be with them and this begins a long journey of emotional pain, emptiness and endless waiting.

There are of course cases when a married man will actually leave his wife to be with his mistress, this has been known to happen, but it is rare.

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012—35

Mrs. Chioma EmmaNwachukwu

Our goal is to raise exemplary leaders

—Coordinator Teesure With the increasing societal challenges befalling young adults in Nigeria, concerned Nigerians and organizations like Polished Pillars Foundation (PPF) is in the front burner, championing the course of adding value to life and society by helping teenagers discover, develop, release and maximize their God given potential, live as gifts and positive change agents in the society and their generation.

The foundation established by Mrs. Chioma EmmaNwachukwu, focuses on building exemplary leaders in teenagers by integrating the virtues of character, faith, talent and resourcefulness.

Recently Esther Onyegbula had a chat with the founder of PPF and the coordinator of Teesureon and she shares her experience working with young adults.

a focus or know where he or she is going.

What inspired you to establish the foundation ?

The foundation started in 2009; it was inspired by passion and purpose.

What is the teenagers summer retreat all about?

Teenager summer retreat is one of the activities of polished pillars foundation.

We have Saturday meetings with children but the summit is a more robust, detailed, comprehensive way of interacting with them. It gives C M Y K

us more opportunity of grooming them, training them, staying with them and better understand them in a more relaxed atmosphere.

So what is the significance of this retreat in terms of their educational performance?

If you look at our activities, it is tailored to the overall educational development of the children. Also, we have specific activities targeted at academic excellence. They are taught best method of studying their books, how to effectively use the internet and other academic related issues.

What inspired the theme of this summit “understanding purpose”?

Each year, we choose a different theme, the theme understanding purpose, is to help children understand their life purpose at an early age. Like Miles Morose said, when purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable. When a child does not understand purpose, he goes to school everyday but does not have

,

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hat is the founda tion all about?

In a nutshell, polished pillar foundation, has the vision of raising exemplary leaders that will make a difference by impacting their generation positively. Partnering with credible private organizations and well-meaning individuals, the foundation has organized life changing seminars, retreats and trainings which is helping young adults make the right choices in life.

This is the fourth edition of this summit, would you say over the years you have been able to achieve the vision of this summit?

Teesure is a growing concern, we cannot say we have gotten it all, but there are definitely things that are encouraging us.

For instance, the progress we have recorded over the years

Having participants from different religious setting has not caused any challenge; for now none to the best of my knowledge

,

in terms of the development and success stories of our participants, in different areas that they find themselves, standout.

How do children get to participate in this summit?

For participation, we sometimes have our fliers with all necessary information,

we also have the foundation website where people can always log in and get necessarily details of upcoming events. We also send out this information through schools, our fliers are distributed in different schools.

Do you get parental consent from parents before their children can participate?

We make sure that every child that participate in the summit get the endorsement of the parents, so that they don’t see this as an avenue of running away from home. The parents must endorse and bring them so we know that they are coming from their parents.

What are your major areas of concentration in impacting the lives of these children?

The major area of concern, when you read the papers you get to read a lot of worrisome vices young children engage in. We are looking at a new Nigeria, we are clamoring for better and more quality life and these are the people that could deliver that to us because they are the future of tomorrow and the earlier they realize and understand they have a role in all of these and transformation of our nation, the better for us all. So we are grooming them for the future.

Why doesn’t the foundation reach out to more public schools?

We have students from different public and private schools, the participants of

the summit cut across all schools, in Lagos and Ogun states.

Has the foundation faced any challenges in terms of having participants from different religious background?

Having participants from different religious settings has not caused any challenge; for now not to the best of my knowledge.

Children from different religious backgrounds participate in the summit because all we are concerned about is moving them forward by inculcating in them the right virtues.

Having the right virtues is accepted by all irrespective of their religious background.

What is you educational background?

I have a nursing and midwifery background after which I studied human nutrition from the University of Ibadan for my first degree.

And for my masters degree, I studied business administration to boost my business skills.

I work with Nestle Foods as a scientific and external affairs manager.

What is the future of foundation?

In the long term, we want polished pillars to be seen as a household name when it comes to bringing up teenagers. We want the foundation to make impact in every home and outside Nigeria.

36—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012

EBUN SESSOU

As a child, I couldn’t af ford to eat what I wanted— Okali P

rofessor David Okali is a lecturer at the Department of Forest Resources Management ,University of Ibadan. He is our guest in this edition of Celebrity Tummy Talk .

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hat was growing like in terms of food?

That is a difficult question to answer. But, I would say that I had so much challenges in terms of food. There was no time to dictate one’s choice of food. One was scared to eat one egg alone because you cannot afford to be called a thief. But, things are different now. I think, there is more enlightenment on what children should be allowed to eat.

I believe parents know that it

Professor David Okali

Citrus Fruits

TIT BIT

C M Y K

Today’s Menu

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Chicken Republic debuts with Cool Kids Meal I n its efforts to attract more customers, Chicken Republic has introduced a new package for children, “Cool Kids Meal” with mini chicken sub, fries and a small bottle of 5 Alive at an affordable price.

The package was introduce on the occasion of the nation’s 52nd independent anniversary in some cities including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Benin, Ibadan, Ijebu-Ode, Akure, Warri and Ekiti respectively.

Speaking with our reporter, Store Manager, Chicken Republic, Ajah, Mr. Emore Oghenekevwe said, it was part of the company’s efforts to compete with other Quick Service restaurants, QSR. "We used to experience low turn-out before now but since the new package has been introduced, there is tremendous change.

“We believe that people will

is important to allow their children stay healthy. Food is more available now compared to my childhood days.

Do you have any special food now?

Nothing special. We cannot get fruits from the forest again.

Now, we are restricted to all the commercialised food.

Can we say such lifestyle has contributed to some health challenges we are experiencing now?

We can only ascribe that to

begin to see why it is necessary to patronise us and we will not let them down”, he added.

part from oranges that is widely known in the citrus family, grapefruit, lime and lemon are also fruits that you would like to have on your menu every day as well.

Whether sweet or sour, each of these special fruits packs its own nutritional punch. They share their health benefits and all qualify as super foods.

Citrus fruits are a rich source of vitamin C and they are sources of powerful nutrient. It contains flavonoids and phytochemicals that help protect our bodies from diseases. Oranges also contain potassium and folic acid.

All citrus fruits contain valuable fiber, especially in the membranes separating the sections and in the white part of the rind (or pith). For that reason, when you eat a fresh orange or grapefruit, it is al-

ways best to try to eat at least a bit of the white around the juicy sections of fruit. It has anticancer and antioxidant properties. Its consumption is capable of reducing the risk for stroke by as much as 19 percent.

It neutralizes damaging free radicals and can help prevent cancers, especially colon

Your ffood ood and yyour our health Measles is a highly infectious disease. It is also called skin rash and fever.

It usually occurs in children.

However, you can overcome measles by eating good food.

Dieting: At the beginning of the treatment, the patient should be given juice of fresh fruits like oranges and lemon frequently. This is sufficient as the child suffers a lack of appetite during this period. As the condition improves, the child can be placed on all fruit diet(eating fruits for the

day). Thereafter, he may be allowed to gradually embark upon a well balanced diet. The child should be bathed with lukewarm water and the juice of (dongoyaro) neem leaves add to stop the itching in the

Dogonyaro

the impact of the development of our existence and what we call bio-diversity.

Most of the places used for planting have been converted to houses. Fruits that one could enjoy are no longer available.

Do you exercise?

Until five years ago, I was playing tennis. Now, I have relocated to a place where it is not too easy to engage in such exercise. I only play table tennis.

Drinks.

I was a beer drinker but now, I take red wine, soft and fruit drinks.

child. You can also rub pure honey on the body. The osmotic pressure on human body will extract pathogens from the rashes of measles and it dries up quickly.

Honey

cancer. Citrus fruits are also a good source of fiber, which will help keep blood sugar levels under control. Fiber is an aid in lowering cholesterol levels as well and helps prevent hardening of the arteries.

Fiber also helps make you feel full on fewer calories great for those of us trying to find their waistlines again.

Orange, lime, grapefruit and lemon have shown undeniable fact that these juicy and delicious fruits are power houses of nutrition and belong on any list of 10 healthiest foods.

How

to

get

more

citrus

fruits in your diet: Grate orange, tangerine or

lemon peel and add it to tea, yogurt, or a hot cereal like oatmeal. Add orange or lemon zest to salad dressing or sprinkle on your salad. Make a salad dressing using fresh lemon, lime or orange juice instead of vinegar. It’s both tasty and refreshing. More lemon facts: Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to fresh cut fruit or a fruit salad will keep fruits like apples and pears from going brown and add that extra nutritional zip. Toss orange slices or canned mandarin oranges on your salad. Slice oranges or lemons and place them on top of fish or chicken before baking or grilling. Don’t forget to just eat oranges, tangerines and grapefruits whole. The bit of white pith you eat with the flesh is very healthy and adds fiber to your day.

SATURDAY, Vanguard, OCTOBER 6 2012—37

Panache as Shodipo Clark’s daughter weds The Okolugbos dedicate son with pomp

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wo powerful families, the Clarks and the Alakija became one last Saturday when their Children, Oyinkansola Segilola Abiola, daughter of Dr (Mrs) Bisola Shodipo Clark and Chief Akintayo Akindeko wedded Adeyemo Kehinde Alakija, son of Mr and Mrs Alaba Alakija. The couple exchanged matrimonial vows at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja and later dazzled everyone at the reception which held at the Harbour Point, Victoria Island. Many prominent personalities graced the occasion.

Photos by Shola Oyelese

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ir Kenny Okolugbo and wife, Lady Uzoamaka were happy parents last Sunday when they dedicated their son, Master Somfechukwu Okolugbo to God at the New Era Anglican Church, Orile-Ilasan, Lekki, Lagos. The event, which was both a dedication and baptising ceremony was followed by a thanksgiving session and then guests, made up of some notable names in the society joined the family at their Lekki Phase 1 residence for a reception which was as refreshing as it was entertaining. Photos by Bunmi Azeez

The happy Couple; Mr and Mrs Adeyemo Alakija The newly wedded couple; Mr and Mrs Adeyemo Alakija flanked by the bride's parents

From left: Sir Kenny Okolugbo, baby's dad, Lady Uzoamaka Okolugbo, baby's mum, Mrs. Ijeoma Anusim, Godmother, carrying Master Somfechukwu Okolugbo and Mr. Charles Anusim, Godfather

Mr & Mrs Alaba Alakija, parents of the groom L-R:Dr Bolu Akin-Olugbade,the couple Mr and Mrs Adeyemo Alakija with Mrs Bukky Ajomo

From left: Hon. Chugabu Onwuka, Barr.

Alex Onwundianu and Mr. Godwin Ossai

L-R: Chief Edwin Clark, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd) and Dr (Mrs) Bisola Shodipo Clark HRH Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, Osile of Okeona, Egba and Oloris Yetunde and Olabisi Tejuoso

From left: Chiko & Chigo Ekwensi and Mr. Osy Okoro

Elizabeth Ehigiamusoe celebrates 50 in style

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t was a day of joy and merriment when Elizabeth Ngozichukwuka Ehigiamusoe, Managing Director of Micro Investment Support Services Ltd, a micro-leasing company celebrated her 50th birthday. Family and friends who came to celebrate with her had delightful time of lavish refreshment and entertainment. The celebrant, who is also an artiste, thrilled the guests with tracks from her recent album titled “Ndidi” C M Y K

Mrs. Elizabeth Ngozi Ehigiamusoe (centre) flanked by husband (left), Godwin Ehigiamusoe, Managing Director, LAPO, friends and well-wishers.

38—SA TURD AY V anguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012 38—SATURD TURDA Vanguard,

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SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012—39

HAIRSTYLE OF THE WEEK

A woman is never complete without a good hair —Ebube

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s entertainers get diversified into other business for survival, Nollywood actress, Ebube Nwagbo who has made a mark in the movie world, is also trying to carve a niche for herself in the business

Every lady wants to look good. But truth is it’s not everybody that can afford to buy them because they are quite expensive

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world.

And she isn’t after just any kind of business, Ebube is obviously trying to break into the beauty world.

With the debut of her hair brand, Po s h Hair, she

Ebube

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says her adventure into hair is because she likes to look good.

“My going into Posh Hair is because I love to look good. So I decided to invest into something I love.”

Taking it further, Ebube is one of the people who believe that a woman’s her is her glory and that hair adds to the beauty of every woman.

“A woman is never complete without a good hair. At the time I decided to do the hair business, the craze for human hair had just set in.”

Speaking further on her new hair line, she says although every lady wants to look good however, not every lady can afford to buy a good human hair which is able to stand them out from the crowd.

“Every lady wants to look good. But truth is it’s not everybody that can afford to buy them because they are quite expensive.”

And what can she do to make her brand of human hair affordable for all? She says, “So I decided to do something for people out there who can’t afford the luxury. This will make them look like their celebrities.”

“With Posh Hair, you can still get the celebrity look without breaking into a bank. Posh hair cuts across every lady. We have varieties depending on your budget- there’s something for everybody. No matter who you are, we have different products to suit different tastes and classes.”

She concludes that “going into posh hair was also because it is something that will help me expand and growgrowth is exactly what I need at this time.”

Curly hair problem solved THE BASICS Curly hair, because of its construction, is drier and more prone to breakage/frizz than any other hair type.

SULFATES: Typical shampoo contains harsh chemicals, sulfates, which strip hair of its natural oils and moisture. (Yes, even popular brands like Pantene and Herbal Essences contain them!)

These sulfates aren’t really good for ANY hair type, but they’re especially bad for curly hair, due to its delicate nature.

SILICONES: As most shampoos contain sulfates, most conditioners, and various other styling products (ex. serums, gels), contain various silicones. They are used to make your hair shinylooking. The only way to remove (most) silicones is with sulfates. Since, with the method, you won’t use any sulfates, it is important to avoid heavy silicones. If you continue to use silicones, they will build up on your hair.

How am I supposed to wash my hair, then?

CO-WASHING/NOPOO: Although you can buy sulfate-free shampoos, they still tend to be too harsh to use on

your curls every day.

So, you can wash your hair with conditioner.

What? No shampoo?

Gross!

It really isn’t gross when you think about it. Ensure that you massage your scalp with the conditioner, to loosen all of the dirt, and you’ll be okay. You know what’s gross, though? Having all of those harmful sulfates in your hair.

Okay, anything else?

Yes! When purchasing styling products, you may notice that nearly all of them contain silicones. But, not to worry, look for other types of silicones that won’t build up on your hair and make it gross.

I’ve been doing the Curly Girl Method for a few weeks, and nothing’s happening.

What’s the problem?

The first thing that you should do is check all of the products that you’re using to ensure that they do not contain sulfates and silicones.

If they do, that’s the problem. If they don’t, just wait it out for a few more weeks. You’ve probably been using harmful products on your hair for all of your life, and it needs some time to adjust. Some people even say that their hair looks worse at first.

40—SATURDAY VANGUARD , OCTOBER 6, 2012

Lagos Chamber holds seminar on auto maintenance

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HE issues surrounding maintenance challenges within the Nigerian Automobile industry will

Stallion takes best of European, Asian brands to Abuja show D

ETERMINED to give Nigerians a wide range of choices in making their automobile purchase Stallion Motors, multiple automobile franchise dealerships has affirmed its interest in the 14th International Abuja Motor Show slated for 16 - 24, October 2012.

The company’s group managing director (automobiles), Mr. Parvir Singh made this pronouncement Tuesday when Mr. Ifeanyi Agwu, chief executive officer, BKG Exhibitions Limited, organizers of the show and some automobile journalists visited the Victoria Island headquarters of the conglomerate.

Mr. Singh said the company is participating at this year’s motor show to avail government, desiring individuals, institutions and blue chip companies’ of her efforts to raise the profile of Nigeria automobile industry.

He said: “We walk our talk at Stallion and this is evident in our growth pattern which evidently distinguishes us as one of the prime stakeholders that has dug its feet in the sand of time by investing heavily in local production of automobiles.”

This initiative according Mr. Singh “is the vision of the founding directors of the company who believe in backward integration and the need to show commitment to the future of Nigeria by contributing to the development of her economy.”

Also explaining why Stallion is expanding her franchise, Mr. Singh said it is the tradition of the company to grow

All New Honda CR-V set to shine at Abuja Motor Fair exponentially and also connect with the Federal Government growth initiative by consistently liaising with world class automobile companies to establish significant representation in Nigeria.

He enjoined Nigerians to take advantage of its participation at the Abuja Motor Show to buy their choice vehicles at the right price from the world’s best brands marketed by Stallion subsidiaries.

Stallion Motors currently has exclusive franchises for nine automobile brands including Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen (passenger and commercial), Skoda, Honda, Hyundai (passenger and commercial) as well as Ashok Leyland buses and trucks with Foton and SsangYong.

Among some stunning models that would be displayed are Ashok Leyland buses and dump trucks, SsangYong Pick-

ups and light commercial vehicles, Foton pick-ups and light commercial vehicles, Volkswagen

Hyundai, and Skoda passenger cars.

All-new Honda CR-V paints Abuja red

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HE 4th generation Honda CR-V again received a thunderous applause when The Honda Place (THP), authorized marketers of Honda automobiles took the wrap off the appraised model at a gala night in Sheraton Hotels Abuja recently.

The remodeled crossover had in June 2012 at a previous launch at the Ocean View Restaurant Lagos reawakened the enthusiasm of automobile enthusiasts that witnessed the unveiling ceremony.

Coming 16 years after it was introduced; the CR-V has continued to enjoy customer loyalty and increasing sales year-on-year due to its

L-r: Julian Hardy, Deputy MD, Stallion Motors in charge of European brands, Mr. Ifeanyi Agwu, MD, BKG Exhibitions organisers of the Abuja Motors Show presenting the fair package to Mr. Parvir Singh, Group MD, Stallion Group in his office recently.

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passenger and commercial vehicles, Hyundai buses and trucks as well as Porsche, Audi, Honda,

uniqueness, ample passenger room, cargo capacity and competitive pricing.

A successful global brand, the CR-V has in these years of tremendous achievements elicited more than a dozen different competitive models from rival automakers making their way into the mid-sized SUV category.

Mr. Arvind Sharma, branch manager, The Honda Place, Abuja who gave this insight in his presentation, described the new CR-V as sedanlike ride with stunning economical four-cylinder engine spectrum with remarkable handling.

He said: “While some models offer V6 engines, Honda CR-V has remained focused on its practical aspirations and true-to-form design, becoming the best choice available in the all-important compact, smallSUV segment,” Sharma noted. Redesigned for 2012, the new Honda CRV maintains its previous size, with minimal hardware changes though with enough style and feature modification to keep Honda’s top selling crossover fully competitive.

And like its predecessor, the remodeled CR-V is offered in familiar LX and EX-L trim levels.

The LX model though

comes pretty wellequipped, its EX-L option gets additional convenience and luxury features, but without navigation systems for the local market.

A peep in the hood underscores CR-V’s standard 2.4-litre inline four cylinder engine with 185 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque’ mated to Honda’s fashionable five-speed transmission, just as all models comes in the traditional front wheel drive safe for the all-wheel drive that is optional. The Abuja branch manager of The Honda Place said CR-V list of features is amazing, adding that its intelligently thought-out interior with high quality materials distinguishes the crossover from competitions.

Couple with this, he noted, is the car’s comfortable ride, quieter engine (than before), better road handling and remarkable steering high points.

Other technical features on the new CR-V focuses on the next generation mini-utilities, which come as standard, e.g. two info screens, a rear view camera, Bluetooth, and a function that reads incoming text messages from paired phones – provided the phone is a BlackBerry.

be on the front burner on Thursday, October 18, 2012 when the Automobile and Allied Products Sectoral Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) holds its 2012 Seminar.

According to the Chairman of the group, Mr. Oigiagbe Oseme, the seminar which will take place at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, will have as guest speaker-Professor Okey Iheduru of the Arizona State University, as well as the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga who will be the Special Guest of Honors.

The Director, Policy and Planning of the National Automotive Council, Mr. Luqman Mamudu and the President, Motor Mechanic and Technician Association of Nigeria are to lead the discussions on the topic.

Oseme said “annually, the group, every October holds a symposium, to talk on topical issues.

Those issues reflect the current benchmarks and best practices in providing automobile services, The seminar would have relationship with national economy, we are looking at the issues of job creation, utilising the human capital and ensuring that those potentials of good tooling give value to the society. So everybody in the industry will know how to handle new technologies, innovation and products that come into the country, this would engage practitioner to ensuring proper maintenance ”.

Guinness partners Lagos on ‘don’t drink and drive’ initiative

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UINNESS Nigeria Plc has rounded up the second phase of its landmark ‘Don’t Drink and Drive Campaign with the Lagos State government by flagging off the Motor Park Health and Safety Drive at the Iyana Ipaja Motor Park, Lagos.

The event was witnessed by the Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and representatives of the state ministries of Health and Transport who re-iterated their commitment to safe driving in the state.

Seni Adetu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nigeria said that the initiative is one that the organization is committed to for the long-term. “Over the years, Guinness Nigeria Pic has been in the forefront of the campaign against drink-driving.

Our involvement in this area dates back to 2004 when we partnered with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

Forth Gener

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012—41

Niger State Rain of tears rages in Minna W

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waiting in front of the gate to his friend’s house for the rains to subside as a big tree gave way to the rainstorm and fell right on his car and smashed him right in his car.

He died instantly.

Also in Bosso local government area, the people of Gwaibaitas family of Gungel Village was thrown into mourning as two members of the family were washed away by flood after a downpour. The corpses of the deceased were later recovered kilometers away from their area the next day.

Similarly, Zungeru in Wushishi local government area of the state also had its own bit-

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hen it did not fall at the appropriate time, both Christians and Muslims headed for both their Churches and Mosques seeking the face of God. Hope was almost lost for the rains but it eventually came.

The prayers were eventually answered. The rains started normally as it was in the past except for the warning by National Meteorological Agency (NIMA). On the likelihood of imminent flooding in most parts of the country this year.

In the past years, flooding had been limited to communities along Rivers Niger and Kaduna especially those living downstream of Jebba, Kanji and Shiroro. However, the flooding of this year extended to other communities in most parts of the state including Chanchaga, Bosso, Munya, Shiroro, Borgu, Wushishi, Mokwa, Bida Edati and Lapai.

Besides the human lives lost, properties worth millions of naira were lost including animals and farm produce.

As at last week, 49 lives have been lost to the flood, 117 communities submerged with no fewer than 663,000 people displaced.

The heavy rainfall was complemented by excess water released from the three hydroelectricity Dams of Shiroro, Jebba and Kainji in the past few weeks.

Most of the affected communities are now accessed through canoes as almost all the access roads used in the past have been washed away.

In Minna, the state capital, despite the multimillion naira drainage system across the city, flood also sacked some of the communities leaving four people dead.

More devastating was a family who lost two children Bashir 12yrs and Mustapha, (10yrs) died when they slipped into a flowing drainage in front of the Bahago Plaza, Tunga area during a downpour.

Legal Adviser to the leading opposition party in the state.

Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Barrister Joseph Kolo also died mysteriously during a downpour in Minna. Though he was not washed away by flood, he was smashed right in his car while

Eshiu, Kpataku, Dere, Egba, Reba, Achiba, Muye-Gbako, Tsakanabi, Ebwa and they want to be relocated at Kolu in Egba Junction in Bina area.

Others are Egya and Sokun who want to be relocated in Nambata-Ebege area, Pelle, Rigido, Edda, Gbami who want to be resettled at Puzhi

Besides the human lives lost, properties worth millions of naira were lost including animals and farm produce

ter experience of this years flooding. Besides, farmlands were washed away, two Fulani herdsmen were also washed away with their cows.

Worse hit were Mokwa and Lapai local government areas of the state where lives and farm produce were lost.

Mostly affected were Aza, Muregi, Zdagu, Egagi, Zdagu, Ketso Kpashafu and Lenfakus, all in Mokwa local government area of the state.

In Lapai local government, communities submerged were

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area while Yawa, Yambabu, Koki, Elegi and Mumbu communities want to be relocated at Madalla area.

Workers at a car washing centre in Minna, the state capital also watched helplessly when four cars brought for washing were submerged by the torrential rainfall just as valuable properties left in the vehicles were either damaged or washed away in the presence of the vehicle owners.

In an interview with Saturday Vanguard, Director Gen-

eral, Niger state Emergency Management Agency, (NSEMA) Malam Mohammed Shaba confirmed that almost 665,000 people have been displaced in 117 communities in the state.

He said already, government has opened six camps across the state adding that the Agency needs about N50m to cater for those affected.

He admitted that residents in most of the affected areas contributed to the flooding as houses were built on the water ways thereby affecting the free flow of water.

Malam Shaba also lamented the attitude of residents in Minna who dump refuse indiscriminately in the drainages.

Already, Niger state government has released N20m for the resettlement of those displaced and for provision of relief materials.

Councilor representing Muye Egba ward in Lapai local government area, Malam Abdullahi Wakili told Saturday Vanguard that though they were alerted on the impending flood, they never knew it would be as devastating.

“Last year, a similar prediction was made but since it did

not happen, we thought that of this year will not be of a high magnitude as we are witnessing. Infact, the alert of this year even came after the damage had been done”, the councilor remarked.

According to him, “the extent of flood this year has never been witnessed before. infact, we used to have minimum of rain water with overflowing of water to some extent but this one is the first of its kind. The first downpour washed away most farm lands with houses destroyed and then came excess discharge of water from the Shiroro, Kanji and Jebba Dams.

Chairman, Lapai local government area, Alhaji Isah Saidu has led officials of the Council to the affected areas to commiserate with the affected people and gave them cash and other relief materials.

THREAT TO FOOD SECURITY Managing Director, Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, Professor Paul Marley has raised an alarm over the flooding witnessed across the country in the past few weeks saying, it is a threat to the food security programme of the federal government.

Speaking in an interview, the MD called on the government and Nigerians to brace up for possible high prices of foodstuff next year.

According to him, “except for rice that is highly tolerant of water, other cereals like maize, Millet e.t.c. cannot.

Horticulture crops and other food crops in flood affected areas are being lost.

Professor Marley attributed the flooding especially in the northern part of the country to the Flouting of town planning regulations and indiscriminate dumping of refuse along water ways.

He called on government to sanction those flouting town planning laws.

42—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012

Oyo State

Over 100 lose their lives zHow Ajimobi tackles flooding in Oyo

BY Ola Ajayi, Ibadan

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S a result of the pre diction by meteorolo gists that the volume of rainfall this year could double that of last year and that Oyo State could be one of the states that are likely to experience flooding, residents in the state always scamper for safety whenever the cloud gathers in preparation for another rain.

Their fears are understandable considering the enormity of the loss of lives and property that greeted the August 26 flood disaster and the one that occurred some months ago where five people were feared dead.

But, the Governor Abiola Ajimobi led administration has, no doubt, taken some proactive measures to prevent further loss of lives and property.

Besides, the evacuation and rescue of victims all over the affected Areas and establishment of Internally Displaced Persons Camps (IDPs’) at Abbey Technical Odo-Ona Elewe, and Sacred-Heart Primary School Oke-Ayo at Oluyole Estate, the Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo said relief materials were given to over 10,000 people affected by the flood.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that over 100 lives were lost, while over 100 billion Naira worth of property damaged.

To ensure that the effects of the flood disaster was reduced, government set up a panel to look into the overt and covert causes of the flood, with a view to recommending appropriate solutions.

Factors, which were listed as causes of flooding in the state last year and this year are natural and Anthropogenic in nature: These, according to the findings of the state government, are heavy downpour of 187.5mm that falls for 7.5 hours; indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainages; climate change and effects of global warning.

Speaking with Saturday Vanguard about the actions taken so far by the government, the Director, Engineer Kayode Adepoju said the flood washed away several roads and bridges According to him, the drainages and roads were washed away as a result of poor quality of construction done by the

This we did and we thank God that the result is what we have now – a great reduction in the destructive powers of the flood”

last administration in the state.

The areas flooded include Onipepeye, Odo-Ona elewe, Odo Ona Apata, Nihort, Ijokodo, Sango, Apete, Ajibode, Orogun, Agbowo, old Bodija, Ikolaba, Ibadan Polytechnic, Fatusi Ogbere, Olodo Kumapayi, University of Ibadan, Eleyele Waterworks and Oluyole Estate.

He said bridges, roads and culverts that were washed away by the flood in places like Agbongbon Bridge, Simeon Adebo\Davies Hotel/ Blessed Water Road, Simeon Adebo/Adeyi, Awolowo Road, Orita Aperin/Omowumi/Olorunsogo Bridge, Failed portion opposite Orogun Junction, along U.I/Ojoo Road, Mokola/Cele/Barrack Junction Road/Bridge, Salami Estate/

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Bodija Road, Ona River at Olubadan Avenue, Oluyole Estate are presently being repaired.

He said unless residents of the state keep some rules and regulations on clean environment, if there is heavy rain, flooding cannot be ruled out.

To prevent another flood disaster, the Oyo State Environmental Management Agency (OYSEMA) is relentlessly embarking on sensitization and advocacy programmes, even to all the 33 LGAs of the State.

The Disaster Risk Reduction effort was flagged off by His Excellency the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Adeyemo Alake.

That panel set up by the government came out with the list of a total of about 2,500 hous-

es which it recommended for demolition. But after a critical look by government, Adedayo stressed being a humane one, the number was reviewed downwards, with the belief that massive dredging of rivers and streams, as well as construction of bridges across the state, would ameliorate the situation.

“This we did and we thank God that the result is what we have now – a great reduction in the destructive powers of the flood”, he said.

On the demolition of Structures erected on statutory setbacks, Dr. Festus Adedayo said over 60 houses on flood plains have been demolished and more are still slated for demolition.

Also, he noted that enforcement of rules and regulations on compliance with environmental laws are being vigorously pursued.

Other measures put in place to prevent another loss of lives and property through flooding, weekly environmental sanitation has been introduced to promote culture of hygiene and safety promotion.

Contrary to some claims that the government mismanaged the relief materials donated to victims of the flood, Adedayo said the government took prompt action by the evacuation and rescue of victims all over the affected areas; establishment of Internally Displaced Persons Camps (IDPs’) at Abbey Technical Odo-Ona Elewe, and Sacred-Heart Primary School Oke-Ayo at Oluyole Estate.

He disclosed that the total money collected by the state government from donors

amounted to N93,200,000.

He further explained that construction of temporary pedestrian bridges to reconnect cut-off communities in the affected areas. i.e. Apete and Ayegun communities was provided.

As at now, he added that contracts have been awarded for the reconstruction of the major bridges and roads affected during the flood and works are on-going steadily on them i.e. bridges at Apete, SecretariatBodija, Olomi, Ogbere etc.

Works have also begun on recently damaged bridges and roads like Agbongbon Bridge, Simeon Adebo\Davies Hotel/ Blessed Water Road, Simeon Adebo/Adeyi,Awolowo Road, Orita Aperin/Omowumi/Olorunsogo Bridge, Failed portion opposite Orogun Junction, along U.I/Ojoo Road, Mokola/Cele/Barrack Junction Road/Bridge, Salami Estate/ Bodija Road, Ona River at Olubadan Avenue, Oluyole Estate.

On Apete bridge, the state government, immediately the disaster occurred, constructed a make-shift bridge for the residents and awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the damaged bridge. However, upon the serial complaints of the residents of the area, government had no other alternative but to call the contractor to hands off it. Being a government that abides by the dictates of process and order, the re-award of the bridge contract is going through due process to showcase the government as an open and transparent one.

It appears that the Federal Government is yet to honour the promises it made immediately after the flood disaster of last year.

Recently, a member of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Segun Olaleye once called on President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure the fulfillment of the promise he made during his visit to the state.

Owing to the task of reconstructing these bridges is so massive and is beyond the state government alone, immediately after the last year flood, the governor met with officials of the World Bank and did a power-point presentation on the case of Ibadan flood disaster, upon which the bank sent its representatives to the state for an assessment.

The report has culminated in the bank, with the support of the Federal Ministry of Finance, agreeing in principle to grant the state government the sum of N200 million emergency relief, which is almost

Continues on page 43

Lagos State

Victims count losses

BY EBUN SESSOU

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n Lagos, rainfall is rather becoming a curse rather than a blessing with the loss of lives and properties as a result of heavy downpour, storm and flood. Recently, the city of Lagos experienced another flood tragedy that left many people homeless.

Some of the victims were speechless as they did not know what the future would unfold.

One of the victims of the recent flood in Lagos was Pastor Akinolu who lives in a new site of the low cost housing estate Oke afa area of Lagos.

When Saturday Vanguard visited him, the mood was enough to tell what the family has been going through since the incident occurred.

Explaining how the tragedy besieged his household, he said, “I went for all night prayer when I received a call from my wife. She was unable to relate the incident to me properly. So, when I got back home, I saw that the whole compound was flooded.

“It is not too long that we packed to this place. I don’t know why, I should be experiencing this tragedy now.

“I have not recovered from a particular flooding I encountered last year and this one is coming at this time”, he lamented.

Another victim was Mohammed Soneye who sustained severe injury as a result of the rainstorm. As the storm raged, an uncompleted building fell on him while sleeping.

A neighbour, Adebayo, who explained to Saturday Vanguard how the tragedy occurred, said: “About 1.15am, Mohammed’s brother, Mr. Akeem raised the alarm that we should help rescue his brother.

We rushed to his apartment, but unfortunately, he was soaked in his blood. It took time before he could be removed from the debris, and by the time he was removed, he was severely injured.”

Continuing, the neighbour added that, “he stays in the boys’ quarter of the main building and was fast asleep when the building collapsed.

“I was sleeping in my house, which is opposite their apartment, when a call came in that the building had collapsed on him and I should come and assist. I quickly rushed to the scene, but he was badly injured,” he lamented.

For hours, many areas in La-

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SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012—43

It is not too long that we packed to this place. I don’t know why, I should be experiencing this tragedy now

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gos experienced torrential rainfall that left untold hardship on the people due to bad city planning. It left the affected areas submerged in flood.

In Lagos, the whole of the state tasted the bitter pill, as areas like Arowojobe and Akinwunmi estates in Maryland, parts of Ikeja GRA, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Victoria Garden City (VGC), Ibeju-Lekki, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Yaba, Surulere, Gbagada,

Oworonshoki, MafolukuOshodi, Iyana-Ejigbo, IsheriOsun, Berger-Alagbole Road, Ajegunle, Ikorodu Road, Ogijo and Odogunyan, were all affected.

Commuters were forced to return home after waiting in various motor parks in vain for commercial vehicles that never came.

Areas that seemed worst hit by the traffic gridlock were the mainland areas, such as Ogba, Ikeja, Orile-Agege, Alagbado, Iyana-Ipaja, Ipaja, Ayobo, Moshalashi, AIT Road, Kollington, Oke-Odo and Ahmadiyya. Between Ahmadiyya and Ijaiye on the LagosAbeokuta Expressway, a portion

of the road collapsed, leaving commuters stranded.

It was, however, another opportunity for commercial bus operators and motorcyclists, popularly referred to as Okada, to make more money as they inflated transport fares.

In places like Alagbado, Orile-Agege and communities along the old toll gate at Sango-Ota, the volume of the flood was very high. In some places the flood was said to have reached rooftops of bungalow structures. People had to evacuate their residence for safety.

Many residents could not sleep in their houses as the whole place had been taken over by rain flood. Possessions were lost

to the floods, while some residents resorted to bailing out the flood water.

A lot of Lagosians had stories to tell on their experiences with the rainstorm and the flood.

An occupant of the building where Mohammed lives, Bimpe Irepo, stated that she would had been a victim of the incident if she had not attended an all-night prayer. “I stay upstairs and my room was affected. The collapsed wall fell onto our bedroom and our kitchen. I thank God that I heeded my wife’s call to attend our church’s vigil in EbuteMeta. Maybe, we would have been dead by now.

“My eight months old pregnant sister, Bosede, who slept in the sitting room when the incident happened, is currently in shock and has been put on bed rest because of this incident.”

It was also learnt that no fewer than three persons were feared dead in different parts of the state because of the floods.

“The flood destroyed property worth several millions of naira in our area and many residents have so far been rendered homeless.”

A landlord in the area, Sunday Adewale, narrated how his family slept outside after the disaster. Also, a trader, who identified herself as Aderemi, said she lost goods worth N60,000 in the flood. “In spite of the flood and the losses, I am still grateful to God for saving my life,” she said.

In Ejigbo area, Omotayo said her family kept vigil when they saw the impact of the rain. “The rain was so serious; the wind was scary. I had to gather my children together at about 2.00am after I heard the sound of the wall collapsing. Luckily, no one was hurt, but one of my neighbours had his car badly damaged by the wall, which fell,” she told.

Over 100 lives were lost Continued from page 42 ready. Part of the fund, he maintained, is to channelize the 30km Ona River and complete the Upper Ogunpa River, along with helping solve the state waste management challenges, from storage, collection, transportation to disposal sites, so as to turn them into sanitary landfills and to eventually begin a waste-to-wealth programme.

An absence of these efforts has often been a major cause of flood disasters,” government said. Another part of the government’s efforts at ensuring that the flood disaster of

last year does not reoccur was to also partner with the World Bank on the Eleyele Dam. The report, which came out after this partnership, discovered that the Eleyele dam had not been silted in its 47 years of existence.

Some few weeks ago, Governor Ajimobi had to urgently rush to the World Bank office in Abuja, as a result of the predicted heavy rainfall. He further made a presentation to World Bank officials in Washington through teleconferencing in Abuja to show the emergency nature of the Eleyele Dam. This

led to the palliative measures taken by the state government in the reconstruction of Eleyele Dam’s broken slabs. Perhaps, if this had not been done today, the flooding situation would have been more chaotic.

“Even though flooding was a natural occurrence, the Oyo government has done every humanly possible thing to ensure that there is no reoccurrence of flood disaster in the state.

It is however not resting on its oars,” Adedayo said.

Anambra State

Unless assistance comes, we’re ruined forever — Anambra flood victims

BY Vincent Ujumadu

F

ROM Ogwu in Ogba ru to Anaku in Ayame lum; from Aguleri Otu in Anambra East to Nzam in Anambra West, the cry of the flood victims is the same and that is that unless assistance comes their way as soon as possible, they would be ruined forever. Those who spoke with Saturday Vanguard said everything they acquired in their lifetime had gone with the flood, which they claimed, took them by surprise.

Though the flood was initially thought to be the usual thing that happens every year, in which farmlands were flooded after harvesting crops, it turned out that this year ’s flood was totally different. According to a farmer from Akili Ozizo in Ogbaru, Mr. Paul Ifedi, the last time a similar flood was witnessed was in 1969, adding that even at that, the 1969 flood happened after all crops were harvested.

Educational Institutions, public and private buildings in the affected areas been submerged, forcing authorities to close down schools. For instance, the Atani campus of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko has completely been submerged, necessitating immediate evacuation of the about 3000 students and staff of the institution to safer places, just as most parts of Oba Ofemili in Awka North local government area of Anambra State had also been flooded.

Rector of Oko Federal Polytechnic, Prof Godwin Onu, had to deploy 10 coaster buses to the school, which had been evacuating the students and their property, while hundreds of families in the institution’s host community of Atani sacked by the menacing flood have been moving out of the town. Other parts of Atani town and neighbouring Akili, Osuche, Osomala, Ogbakuba, among others, are seriously under threat of flood.

Apart from the buildings that were submerged, properties of the polytechnic, including generating sets, office furniture and documents were destroyed. The menacing flood had seriously affected most of the communities in Ogbaru, prompting farmers in the area to harvest crops that were not mature.

At Oba Ofemili in Awka

North local government, it was a pathetic story when Saturday Vanguard visited the community as flooding in the area had rendered hundreds of people homeless. Like in Ogbaru, all the farm produce and most domestic animals had all died.

The Regent of the community,

neighbouring communities of Ugbene and Ugbenu.

The transition chairman of Awka North local government area, Lady Joy Enweluzo, who described the situation as terrible, called on the state and federal governments to come to the rescue of her people. She

,

C M Y K

44—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012

“From what I have seen, this problem is beyond what the state government can handle. I have been hearing of flooding in Nigeria , but this year’s has surpassed all the previous ones

,

Chief Anaelo Nwanelo and the president general of the town union, Mr. Nwabufor Chukwuma, who shed tears at the development, supervised the evacuation of their people out of the community. According to them, over 350 buildings in the community have been submerged since the flooding began last month. The flood is still moving rapidly towards the

said: “From what I have seen, this problem is beyond what the state government can handle. I have been hearing of flooding in Nigeria , but this year’s has surpassed all the previous ones.

“Over 1500 farm lands have been submerged in this local government area and one of the most painful aspect of it is that the solar energy built for

this community by Guinness Plc, which was commissioned in April this year has been submerged”.

“All the eight villages that make up Oba Ofemili namely, Umuanyafulu, Umuezeaku, Umuahibu, Enugu-Agu, Akpana, Ezike, Enugwu and Umuosite have been submerged, just as the Migrant Primary School and over 40 hectares of rice farm comprising over 17 camps in the area have been destroyed. Some of the displaced families have taken refuge in the community’s hall.”

Following the magnitude of this year’s flood, the Anambra State government had virtually turned every attention to the affected areas. For instance, Governor Peter Obi had to cancel his scheduled visit to Mexico last week to be able to attend to the needs of the victims. He also delegated his deputy, Mr. Emeka Sibeudu to preside over the ceremonies of this year’s Independence Day celebration while he shuttled the flood –ravaged communities in the four local government areas that were worst hit.

Obi has already directed the secretary to the state government, SSG, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, who is coordinating the evacuation and supply of relief materials to the victims, to immediately turn the vast Governor’s Lodge at Onitsha into a camp to house some of the displaced persons as the existing camps were full with some of the victims having great difficulty finding places to keep their heads. The menacing flood has continued to ravage more communities and even sacking the victims from their present camps.

Obi has promised that the state government would continue to feed and provide materials for the victims since they were suffering from a natural disaster that was not their own making.

He said: “Few weeks ago, the governors of the South-East sent money to Haiti to help that country rebuild its infrastructure after the earthquake that took place there in 2010.

If we could do it to them, we must do more for our people that elected us to serve them.”

There are no fewer than 10 camps set up for the victims in various parts of the state and the state government had ensured that they are fed three times daily. At a camp in a primary school in Atani in Ogbaru local government area, the refugees commended the state government for coming to their assistance, but insisted that their greatest worry is what would be their fate after the flood.

Mrs. Apolonia Muofunanya who hailed from Nzam in Anambra West local government area, but was residing at Odekpe with her family said that all the crops in their farms were destroyed, while her husband’s fish pond was submerged at night with all the fish in them. She said: “We planted cassava, yams, potato in addition to the fish ponds, but we did not generate any money from them before the flood. We usually borrow at the beginning of the farming season and repay after selling the crops and with what had happened, I do not know what will happen. My husband has suddenly developed high blood pressure and was taken to a hospital at Okpoko for treatment and I don’t know how we are going to settle the hospital bill.

Another woman, Mrs. Comfort Ozem from Ebonyi State who had lived in Ogbaru for the past 20 years said their house was submerged and later destroyed, adding that all her domestic animals and harvested crops could not be retrieved before they were evacuated. She was however happy that all members of her household came to the mainland safely, but expressed the fear that nothing was left for the family to rely on.

For Justina Jideani from Innoma and Agbonma Udeora from Nzam, those they borrowed money were already asking for their money, adding that the loans usually attracted 100 percent interest at the end of every farming season.

According to them, repaying such loans was usually not a problem as they always made

Continues on page 45

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 6, 2012—45

The rage of flood across states Continues from page 10 or flood.

For instance, the Atani Campus of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko in Anambra State has been eaten up. The campus has been shot down by the authorities.

This has paralyzed academic activities in the institution. In Lagos, many houses have been destroyed and people displaced. Roads are not spared as they have been cut off.

In the North Central geo-political zone, Benue, Kogi and Plateau states have not had it so good. Many communities have been completely overtaken by flood. It could be re-

called that Lokaja-Abuja Highway, the only link between the North and south was completely flooded that for days, motorists and passengers were stranded on the way. The road is yet to get better.

Communities in Edo and Delta states are not spared either. It got to an unbearable point that Governor Adams Oshomole of Edo State had to let out a yell, calling for the help of the Federal Government.

Even while the menace of flood is yet to die down, the Nigerian Metrological Agency, NIMET, has continued to baffle more Nigerians by making predictions of more calamities.

Hear the Director-General of the Agency, Dr. Anthony Anuforom. “For hydrological and water resources sector, this implies adequate water and stream-flows which may affect the dam storage for municipal water supply, hydropower generation and irrigation.

“Development and regular maintenance of dams for dry

Unless assistance comes, we’re ruined forever — Anambra flood victims Continued from page 44 enough money from sale of crops at the end of the farming season.

Igwe Christopher Idigo of Aguleri was short of words when the senator representing Anambra South, Dr. Andy Uba visited his domain in connection with the flood.

He said: “Everybody should join us to ask God to direct this flood to recede so that all the people displaced can go back to their homes. According to him, the impact on the refugees was already being felt by the various communities hosting them as prices of food items have suddenly gone up in all the markets. The Monarch was also worried that at the state of the flooded building, noting that all the buildings that were affected would have to be fortified before people could pack into them

again, otherwise they would collapse.

In the meantime, succour had continued to come the way of the victims. For instance, Senator Andy Uba donated about N1 million to the flood victims in various camps when he visited them, just as the senator representing Anambra North, Mrs. Margery Okadigbo came with beverages, onions, yam flour, cartons of noodles and cash. Already, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has delivered large quantities of food and clothing items to the victims through the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). Among the relief materials brought by the South East zonal coordinator of NEMA, Mr Bandele Onimode, were 1476 bags of rice, 300 bags of garri, 100 gallons of palm oil etc 100 gallons of groundnut oil, 50 bags of granulated sugar, among other items.

Governor Obi has also assured that the victims would not be abandoned, saying that ther is need for the international community to assist the state in this time of need.

season irrigation and water supply should be accorded high priority.

“However, episodic flooding and erosion in the coastal zone and river catchment areas maybe inevitable and as such, adequate publicity is highly recommended in order to reduce damages and risk of loss of life and property, especially

in areas prone to river bank overflows.”

With the predictions of more flood and erosion in the months ahead, all eyes are now on the Federal Government to provide proactive measures or be ready to meet up any emergencies that may arise from the natural phenomena. But will it? This is one question that is begging for answer.

were students on the morning when es of our colleague veyed to the Mubi G pital.

Yusuf, Yola

nown for its trade, llegal importation m products to the ng Cameroon has eries of curfew ime to terrorists atny lives, among inent indigenes of d other businesshave either been aimed by the susnmen. Notable attacks was the out at the Mubi al Cattle Market in 2011 of which no n 20 people of the extraction doing the market were

n, series of killings ant in the ancient i, so much so that urfew was in force test massacre took the question that e unanswered is, have killed the udents of these terions on the day the s celebrating her endence anniverit the suspected at have laid siege or rival cult groups e institutions that he heinous attack? urity operatives at heir investigations e up openly to tell

Amina Usman, It was around 10 day, I was with m leagues at Wuro P some gunmen aske students to submi phones to them a asked to go quietl for they were not female students bu The males were a down and were in While we were cryi ing, the gunmen w other compound an similar sounds of gunmen.

Efforts for us to g compound were re gunmen. It was a sa academic career. I leave Wuro Puteji thr who was mobile a boarded a vehicle t

•Students of Federal Polytechnic, Adamawa

Independence Day Massacre In Mubi:

Was it cultism or terrorism attack? ,

e the October 1st ck at the Wuro uje off campus hosg students of the ytechnic, Adamaniversity and the l of Health Techn Mubi, the sleepy was already in crithe commercial of Adamawa State own peace for the ars since the emere dreaded Islamist Boko Haram. its environs have many terrorist atbe due to its proxloseness to Borno ates. The area also mmon border with oons Republic, so at one hardly difbetween the peoemirate and their an counterpart owural affinity, inter ons, marriage and

This is a very sad event in my life; I came to this institution two years ago and throughout I had not experienced such a sad day in my life like the one of last Sunday

,

turned to the state capital, they officially confirmed that the unknown gunmen that carried out the attack called out the names of the student victims before shooting them. Adamawa State Police command spokesman, ASP Mohammed Ibrahim told newsmen immediately on arrival that even as investigation is continuing, there are signs that there may be some internal factors in the killings, but quickly added that “we cannot prove it until we complete our investigations”.

Meanwhile, a security source

vacate their hostels immediately. The fleeing students of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi spoke to Saturday Vanguard of their ordeals as they depart Yola for their various destinations.

Exe Ibiam HND II – Engineering This is a very sad event in my life; I came to this institution two years ago and throughout, I had not experienced such a sad day in my life like the one of last Sun-

Aisha Hassan, HND II Business and Mg

Well, you can see board a bus to the ea the country. I am lucky students th stranded but not w ship. I hate to expe again in my life.

Ibrahim Olawo HND II Electric

What I can simpl the Polytechnic au the government sh the situation on g an undergraduate, sit for my last sem last Tuesday but f situation that cr Those of us that ar were being referre pers in the maki some of us have fi ing our projects. We when the Polytech ties will call us bac exams.

Sunday Akindeji, ND II

What I want to poi this is a bad develo history of this scho a number of stude including the chi Lucky, my friend those

infrastructure

ruption, uption, a major ediment to Nigeria’s elopment — Nnabuife

ruption has mpediment country’s t.

The ust remove corruption ector if the l develop.

Power, you know is key to economic development.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan should transform Nigeria from a consumer to a producer nation for foreign investors to take him serious.

Having as chairman, NFA Fund Raising Committee for US/94 in FCT, how can the country reduce unemployment among our youths through sports?

Proper and focused development of sports infrastructure will accelerate sports development and create more jobs for youths.

There should be an Olympic size gymnasium in every State of the federation. Ditto, lawn tennis courts, swimming pools racing tracks, basket & hand ball courts, etc. where sports development shall be a continuous process and preparations for competitions shall stop to be a fire brigade affair.

As a construction Engineer , what could be responsible for incessant building collapse in the country?

Incessant collapse of

buildings or failure of buildings is caused by non compliance with building regulations and specifications, as well as the domination of quacks in the building/ construction industry in Nigeria. In Nigeria, draftsmen suddenly become architects and engineers. Even a half baked bricklayer, overnight becomes a contractor. Developers want the cheapest way out. This leads to the compromise of standards, ultimately leading to building collapse. As nobody is held accountable, the mistake is often repeated and nobody cares.

What best way do you think we can develop Nigeria for the future generation?

The country can be better developed for future generation by a more focused investment in education infrastructure.

All public schools must be made to attain the Rivers’ State standard. Retooling the education curriculum, by aligning it with the motivational needs of our

pplauds Red Star Express Cooperative

gos State stry of and has Red Star ooperative the most in Lagos, hails Red numerous nted and ojects and

schemes, including the Red Star Estate.

Commenting on the development, Red Star Express, Marketing Manager, Ngozi Ochokwu expressed gratitude for the commendation from the state government. She recalled ‘over the years, the society has embarked on minor and major

projects to benefit its members. She listed the sale of electronics, bulk purchase of food items and the Magboro Estate Development named the “Red Star Express Estate.’as some of their projects Red Star Express C o o p e r a t i v e Multipurpose Society was founded in 1997 and was registered as FedEx Red Star Express CoOperative Thrift and Credit Society (RSE CTCS).

“The cooperative society has 483 members and is still striving to reach its goal by embarking on other housing projects.

“According to her, one of its flagship projects, Red Star Express Estate

,

Highness, a Nnabuife, nal Ruler of t Kingdom, n Engineer. ormer NRC Flag bearer ring option chairman Raising r US/94 in ayed Field ional level. rview with Vanguard e blamed undert on He also that if develops ructure, it jobs for the pts: traditional ke Ancient who was itics during elections in u see the economy

The leadership must remove the cobweb of corruption in the power sector if the economy will develop

children and removing quota system and introducing healthy competition among the pupils. Training and retraining of all operators in the educational system through capacity building and enforcement of appropriate standards in both private and public institutions.

Our indigenous Universities should be made to only

,

admit students who possess credit in at least 2 Nigerian languages to read any course and encourage the translation of most text books into these indigenous languages.

What should be the role of traditional rulers in nation building?

Traditional Institutions should be properly equipped to explore their

wealth of offering se areas of se morals and form the be society w foundation building.

Rulers appointed i courts of ap be manda governmen consult Tra before em developme What is y the youths Learning developed self evident without a c meaningle future lead to be intellig visionary compassion

Experts list gains of thrift soci

F

inancial experts drawn from three African countries, Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania, have listed the inherent gains of cooperative societies in a developing economy like Nigeria.

The experts who made this declaration in a workshop organised by a financial sector development organisation, Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFINA) recently, highlighted opportunities for using cooperatives as a channel for enhancing financial inclusion in Nigeria.

They, however agreed that traditional co-operatives are common throughout Nigeria, but lamented that these groups tend to be small with a common bond based mainly on membership of a kinship, societal and or professional group.

The experts noted in dis-

mine the optimal strategy for expanding and deepening financial services to and through cooperatives.

But in its bid to improve stakeholders’ sector and the inherent potentials for enhancing financial inclusion in Nigeria, EFInA undertook an indepth study of the sector in three states - Enugu, Kebbi and Oyo. The EFInA Managing Director, Ms Modupe Ladipo who made this disclosure in her presentation, observed that there is a dedicated following of cooperatives in the three surveyed states.

The EFInA helmsman stated that this trend has been replicated across Nigeria as members saved regularly as well as make real demand for loans.

“Our data revealed that the 700 members interviewed in these three

served,” La She, how that if optim atives can empowerin munities, fa and micro e throughout Also in h tled, coope tential cha hancing fin sion, Minis ative Deve Marketing nourable Jo disclosed saving and ative (SAC mained m and largest “At the e there were tered coop ing over 10 bers in Ken Nyagah u ment of Afr to create a vironment and develop

50 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012—49

T

opo Beach, popularly known as Padi-sea beach, located in Badagry area of Lagos is usually a beehive of activities, particularly at weekends, as fun seekers from all walks of life throng there to unwind.

The beach also serves as residence for fishermen who are already laying claims to some sections of it with distinct barricade to delineate one’s domain from another.

However, it has been discovered lately that robbers hide under the veil of the social significance of the beach to perpetrate heinous crimes as a recent discovery clearly portrayed. The police acting on a tip-off, discovered a large catchment of arms cleverly buried in the river bed.

The recovered arms included two AK 47 riffles, four AK 47 magazines with fifty seven rounds of live ammunition, four pump action guns with one hundred and four rounds of live cartridges, two single barrel guns, charms and amulets .

Addressing newsmen on how the police outwitted the sea criminals, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Manko said “ A team of Anti- Crime Patrol Marine division from Badagry , led by Inspector Mojeed Olaniyan stormed the beach and arrested one Momayan Fiapanu and Nunayon Yanagbon who belong to a deadly gang of sea robbers who have been terrorizing

How we hijack cargoes, by sea robbers

Suspects and recovered arms and ammunitions

they knew nothing about the attacks . One of them, Momayan Fiapanu told Crime Guard that his cousin whose name he gave as Sunny Apkota was a member a sea-pirate gang, disclosing that other members of his gang were from the Niger Delta region .

According to him, “ I

sea, I sighted them attacking a ship and when I asked him later, he just told me to mind my business.

How my brother and his gang operate My brother is the gang leader. What they do is that they go into the sea with boats like other fishermen. When they sight an oil tank, they would intercept the ship and start shooting.

Then , some of them would mount the cargo , order the crew to enter into another boat while they would sail in the hijacked boat. They would thereafter, sell the product same day.

At times, they would take the product to Benin Republic and at other times, to Seme. At other times, they would dress up like soldiers and escorts cargoes, to avoid attack .

How I was arrested I was on the sea fishing when I sighted some Marine Policemen.

They arrested me and asked after my brother. They

,

BY EVELYN USMAN

the waterways of Nigeria, Benin Republic and Ghana for a long time. They

specialized in hijacking Diesel and other petroleum products in the sea and also

attacking other cargo ships” But when approached, the suspects claimed

What they do is that they go into the sea with boats like other fishermen, when they sight an oil tank, they would intercept the ship and start shooting

am a fisherman. All I do is to go to the sea to fish and at the end, sell the fish to people who come to the beach. The guns they recovered are owned by some Niger Delta boys. They are my brother ’s friends. I live with my brother at the beach” Asked if he knew what business his brother was into, he replied, “ Initially, I did not know because he was into fishing as well. But one day while I was on the

,

did not find anything in my boat. They followed me to the shore where they conducted a search around and discovered these weapons”(points at the displayed weapons) However on his part, 29year-old Nunayon Yanagbon told Crime Guard that he knew nothing about the recovered weapons nor attacks on the sea, stating that he was only arrested when the policemen stormed the beach.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012 —51

I’m not an armed robber, but on revenge against women -suspect

By IFEANYI OKOLI

W

hereas, the thick cloud generated by the gruesome murder in a Lagos hotel of one Miss Cythia Osokogwu by her BB friends is yet to settle, a man who suffered similar fate n the hands of a female friend but didn’t die is on revenge mission. He even recruited a friend and together, they have been all over town drugging and robbing ladies who falls into their snare in retaliation. But like what happened to Cynthia’s killers, the Police in Lagos have arrested the suspects and are telling the story of their lives. Police sources disclosed to Crime Guard that the suspects were trailed by crack detectives to a popular hotel in Oregun. The sources hinted that the syndicate operated in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja before they

Igwe

•Says I once sucked a lady’s boobs, slept off and was dispossessed of $30,000.00 were finally rounded up. It was said that several innocent women had fallen victims to the suspects who confessed to have robbed them of expensive jewelries, handsets and cash running into millions of Naira.

In an interview with Crime Guard, one of the suspects who gave his name as Igwe, said he had no apology for what he was doing, adding that a lady he picked in Lagos in 2010 when he came back from South Africa rubbed him after he sucked her boobs and slept off. He claimed to have stayed in South Africa for 10 years during which he made so much money; but lamented that he got to Nigeria only to be duped by a lady. It was

after that horrible experience that Igwe vowed to take his pound of flesh from women.

According to him, he would go out at night and pretend to be a rich man who has plenty of money to spend, look for well dressed women, who have expensive jewelries on, phones and then asked them out. At the hotels, he would drug their drinks, raped them and robbed them afterwords. This he said has been on for the past two years until they were recently arrested. He further stated that they have been shuttling Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja. In one of their trips to Port Harcourt, he claimed that they made so much money from the girls they caught, but was

Family alerts Police over attempt by church to take-over their land I

n

spite of a caveat on their family land in addition to a court order restraining a popular church from further tampering with their family land the church agents have gone ahead to start work on the land. Sequel to this development the Itolu Olorogun descendants of Igejeye, Igbesa in Ogun State, south- west Nigeria, have sent a Save Our Soul message to the Commissioner of Police Ogun State, CP Ikemefula Okoye to quickly come to their rescue before the church takes over their land. The head of the family, Chief Rasaki Awinlw who spoke to Crime Guard said the unfolding events had clearly shown that the church was not only out to displace them from their ancestral land, but is allegedly out to eliminate them using allies.

He said the matter pertaining the

land had been lingering since the year 2007, adding that the family through their lawyer had met the general overseer of the church to intimate him that the land he wanted to buy, which he eventually bought does not belong to those who sold it to him. He claimed that, the pastor rebuffed their entreaties, went ahead and bought the land and started building on it; prompting them to go to court to seek redress.

According to him, the court in July 2012, ruled that the party should maintain status quo pending the determination of the suit before it which was filed by the aggrieved family; stressing that the church through its agents defied the court order. Quoting part of the content of the letter dated April 29, 2009 and addressed to the general overseer of the church, Chief Rasaki Awinle said, “We advised that the general overseer of the Living

Faith Tabernacle aka, Winner chapel, Idiroko Bishop David Oyedepo to beware of fraud stars and not to enter into transanction to purchase the land from any person without informing the entire family through Abimbola &Abimbola (Opada Chambers) on No 9, Lewis Street Igbosere road Lagos and that such transaction is at his own risk but the church through the agent, one Nurudseen Adeoye went ahead and purchased the land and started building on it.

The land in question belong to our progenitor, Pa Olorogun who died several years back and bequeathed it to us the children which now make up the five families. Those who are claiming to be part of our family who now went to sell the land to the church were actually visitors to our land while our progenitor was alive. It is unfortunate that this same people whom we

The fenced land in dispute allowed to settle with us are now turning against us and even claiming what belong to us.”

Continuing, Chief Awinle said, “That is why we have petitioned the Commissioner of Police Ogun state, CP Okoye because, the general overseer of the church is a respected person in the society and we are sure he would not allow himself to be dragged into unnecessary land dispute especially, family land. After the high court ruling of July

2012, which said that all parties in dispute should maintain status quo, we discovered that the other party laying claims to the land stormed the land, in defiance to court order and started building.

Attempt by some of us to confirm that they were actually building was at the peril of our lives as we were chased out with guns and cutlasses. This is why we are appealing to the CP to use his good offices to investigate the criminal aspect of this matter.”

defrauded by his own boys,adding that he managed to come back to Lagos. When Crime Guard spoke with the suspects, Igwe the Orlu, Imo State born business man blamed his action on his ordeal in the hands of the first girl he met when he returned to the country.

According to him, “I am a native of Orlu in Imo State, but I traveled to South Africa in year 2000, and I lived for 10 years before I returned home.

I came back with $30,000 and I lodged at the Airport Hotel in Ikeja. On the night, I went to Metro Park Night club and picked a woman. I took her to my hotel room and when we got there I had a friend who came to pay me a visit in my room and while we were discussing, the woman discovered that I just returned from South Africa and I had some money. When the friend left and we were about to make love, I asked her to take her bath but she refused and said we will do that after sex but while I was romancing her, I sucked her breasts before I went into her.

But shortly afterwords, I started feeling very dizzy and immediately fell asleep; I did not wake up until 6.00am.

When I woke up, I discovered that she was gone; quickly, I checked my bag to see if my properties were still intact but I was shocked that the $30,000 I brought back home and all my Jewelries were gone. I immediately ran to the security guard to inquire if they saw her and they admitted seeing her on short, and when they asked where she was going, she told them that she was going to get toothpaste and soap.

I rushed back to my room and I check the wardrobe where she kept her cloth and I discovered that her bag and a pair of trouser were still there. After waiting for a long time and she didn’t return; I released that I had been robbed by a prostitute. There and then, I decided to take my pound of flesh from women. I can not count the numerous women I had done this to. But now, I have realized that what I was doing was a t r a n s f e r r e d aggression; which is not good.”

ordered the restructuring of the sports r better results in future. Bolaji seems to have started work in that with a directive that the Nigeria eague, a supposed nursery for the ootball teams, should suspend the n of the football season until they any questions, including sponsorship d TV rights. Excerpts: have had situations where those who should get the funds are not getting enough; players are being owed salaries and the sponsors are not getting real value for their money.

There’s also the issue of broadcast right which even the current board of the Nigeria Premier League have been asking questions themselves. Are we getting real value for our league? Is the league not heavily undervalued and how can the clubs benefit more from these rights? Its logical that we sort everything out so that the league will start on a clean and more attractive note.

Are you not worried that 80% of the clubs are government owned? In this your reform, are you also working in that direction?

To your first question, yes I am worried that it is so but it is an aberration that we have to live with for now until we can reach a situation that can encourage individuals and private organisations

,

art with the issue of the takeholders for the start ue which has off on your w far have you dressing the orced you to kick off such e next two can start? of the league many issues. e is a big d the value of ess revolves ntegrity. And you have hanging tegrity, issues hat will make ractive to any Under such ople will not he stadium, l not put their at we want to up a medium rm plan to he Nigeria ague which I necessary not tball but for loyment in our national ll. mediate term deal with a lot d largely we with matters on p, broadcast and the ation of the ally. On the nsorship, we resolved that. had several nd consultah have been th the two olved. But we r to ask them unds because ask questions he previous s spent. We

•Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi with FIFA President, Sepp Blatter at the FIFA House in Z

Abdullahi dissects problem of Nigerian sports •Says NPL must answer questions on how they sponsorship money Federation come in because they have the major role to play? It is the NFF that has the franchise that has produced the league. It is their product.

And then how does the Sports Ministry come?

What we are saying is that the NFF owns the league and the NFF is a parastatal under the National Sports Commis-

You cannot run a successful league without the media; the success of the English League lies heavily around the media

to own a club. The individuals and organisations need to have confidence. Once we are able to clean up the league, then it becomes easier for private investment to come in. For me, any talk of reform in terms of ownership must have short and long view on how to go about it. If we remove government

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sion. The line of relationship is such that we at the NSC can work out a broad frame of policy which they can build upon. But on those things that are core football issues, there is no mix up. It is clear the Federation should take charge of those exclusive matters. This is part of what we’re doing to properly position all aspects of

project with mutual respect and that is how we intend to carry on to the benefit of Nigerian football and sports indeed.

We have many national teams like U-17, U-20 and the Eagles. But we always lump everything together for just one company. This pattern has reduced revenue for the system as the teams have been under-valued and has denied other companies from healthy competition.

The major problem is that we still have this beggarly mentality and so when we get that kind of small money from anybody we are so grateful rather than properly checking the value of our products and programmes. But we don’t bother to evaluate what we have. It is when we are able to do that that we can then attach value to each of our teams and say this is the minimum we want and if you don’t have that we won’t accept.

Can’t we group this teams and evaluate them properly and as the minister you invite companies to take them as sponsors?

I don’t want to do that

instance...

No, I disagree. I know it is not exactly the same now but I won’t agree with that belief that our system is peculiar when we can turn it around and make it function properly as in some other places. The way we are now, it is not easy to put any amount on a team and invite people to take them when we don’t even know the actual value but if we are able to get a system that puts football league in the hands of private people and run football league as proper business, then we can begin to move very fast forward. It is about making profit at the end of the day.

Another issue is that of the media. You cannot run a successful league without the media. The success of the English League lies heavily around the media. It’s a media invention; it is an J

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event tied around the Nigeria ho consume th The only cha our football DSTV – a monopoly. W alternative f when you h through S buying into they pay you want becaus you don’t alternative ou is a process that brings i six compani say before y rights, you one, two, th Things won’t again.

In the past, was made that...

It is becaus running it lik business tha like that.

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ata, Wembach to grace Nkwocha’s stimonial

OB AJOM

NGEMENTS top gear for g out’ of one a’s most women Perpetua whose l has been ovember 18. ising comch is headed u Ladipo is of sports es like Aisha eran Coach ton, Effiong aul Ogazi,

Ademola Olajire, Mitchel Obi among others.

Speaking in a pre-event briefing in Lagos Thursday, Ladipo said “Nigerians must learn to appreciate their heroes and heroines when they are alive so that they can be seen as role models for the younger ones.”

Reeling out Nkwocha’s personal achievements, Ladipo said, “she has attended 5 African Women Championships, four times African Footballer of the Year

award winner, been to several World Cups where she won Most Valuable Player on three occasions and the won the Golden Boot Award on two occasions.”

Ladipo said world soccer stars like Abby Wambach of the USA, Mata of Brazil, among others will be part of Nkwocha’s testimonial.

A book titled “The African Football Legend” on the story of Perpetua Nkwocha written by Harry Awurumibe will also be launched on that day.

a Ibom ends coaching course

ort to ensure a Ibom State e up to date ofession, the unction with ngdom based nage-ment ystal Sports ent has a four day course with senal FC of ainer, Mark round to put through. hing course w over sixty attendance luded last in Uyo, the l as the sports ent outfit o do more in s to ensure n coaches are n modern day chniques. ommissioner e, Pastor Ita the sports decided to the course

because of the need for the coaches to be more professional and learn the modern day techniques of coaching which will help them to excel in their chosen career. According to the Pastor, the three days

Schotyssek’s Heineken Nigeria Novelty: More ex-E Cup champion declare for Akpabio

T

HE 16th in the series of the Heineken Nigeria Cup, a tournament put in place to celebrate the nation’s Independence anniversary came to a thrilling end at the golf section of the Ikoyi club 1938 with Joachim Scholtyssek emerging as the tournaments’ new champion.

Playing off a handicap of 21, Scholtysssek fired from all cylinders for a record score of 71-net, to beat other contenders for

r goals, Howard es

from B/Page tory over the ans, adding, “ call on all

coaching course has been able to help the state to know how good the coaches are and what they can achieve in their profession having been given a quality training by the former Arsenal trainer.

They have case a step writing throu chairman, E Oyewole to governor of Abiola Ajimo a review and the “injustice to them desp honour to th In a letter t Ajimobi title Redress on W of Reward Oyewole, th Basorun of I said that they their plea t State go because of th that “ a gove redresses inj of commiss predecesso definitely a g thatv has t God.” Elder Oyew that the gove took over Compol revoked the plots of land given the 199

by Oyakhire after it took o without any publicly a justification.

boost their morale and chances of going to the final and doing well”.

Howard, a former Shooting Stars and Union

the tournaments prized trophy leaving Bonny Obieze and Tim Fischer with a score of 74 in the second and third place respectively.

Backed by the famed International Premium Lager beer, Heineken, the competition also saw Chairman of the tournament, Tayo Babal-akin, coming fourth in the nett category after a 74 while Femi Olufowobi completed the top five categories

after carding 74, winning on count back in the men’s nett competition. In the men’s gross category, Peter Eben-Spiff topped in the category after a 76gross leaving Christopher Obije in the second position. Former Nigeria Cup winner, Tim Ayomike grossed a score of 80 to duck in the third position, while Austin Esosa Ojomo’s 83-gross score could only place him the fourth.

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HE list of former Nigeria internationals expected to grace the novelty match between Team Akpabioism and Ex-internationals has increased as organizers got response from the former stars to participate in the event scheduled for Uyo Township Stadium November 24, 2012.

Chancellor of the Akpabio Centre for Leadership Development, Pastor Bassey James, who is coordinating the encounter, said that Sunday Oliseh was the latest former Super Eagles star to agree to participate in the event which he said was aimed at propagating the leadership qualities of the Akwa Ibom State

colleagues accepted th and they considered th a unique mee the coordinat James, who delight w developmen Mutiu Adep Omokaro, Ozogula, Ede and Victor Ag agreed to par Former captains Hen Stephen goalkeeper P and Austin O well as Yisa S Friday Ekpo, Victor Ikpe West, Sams Daniel Amo Emmanuel had already a

ampions League: Al Ahly don’t scare Sunshine skipper

in the history can football uggle for the ze, the CAF s League been so d as the 2012 en increased eward for the USD $1.5m is motivation e for the d seriousness he last four in tion; Al Ahly unshine Stars T. P. Mazembe DR and champions, f Tunisia. e Nigeria ves, the task have been they take on hampions, Al pt in today’s clash at the International jebu-Ode. e’s best experience arance in the e 2011 CAF on Cup, the second tier n, which the nfully to Club unisia. y, the stakes e higher, so is on. But it is a the Coach Ogunboteshould seize wo arms.

ne started the ign on a shaky have since o a resilient sted players oits with the team have them. Team Godfrey who is likely to ll-important sounded ead of today’s ainst the ampions. “I’m he team will worried about of goals we ecause goals

Moses James of Sunshine Stars out-jumps Esperance player during a match.

U-17 Women’s W Cup results Germany 2 Japan 0

to deliver. Midfielders like Ibrahim Ajani, and Abiodun Kayode must work hard to contend the Egyptians.

The General Manager of the Ondo Football Agency, Mike Idoko said the team is prepared despite some internal crisis which resulted in a players’ strike during their preparations for today’s encounter.

“The spirit in camp is high and the boys are ready to go all out to win.

We are aware of the burden we are carrying on our shoulders and we won’t let Nigerians down.”

He said they were not under any pressure.”We are not under pressure to beat Al Ahly because

Bra Gh

Go for goals, Howard charges F/Eag

*As Nwosu calls for support •Opens up on Osaze, ORMER Flying F Eaglesexclusion captain, clean this weekend in ionship billed for Algeria Mikel’s Franklin Howard has Ilorin, as doing this

BY EDDIE AKALONU

urged the national U-20 team to beat their South African counterparts

would brighten their chances of retaining the African Youth Champ-

CROSS WORD PUZZLE

next year.

Also ex- Green Eagles forward, Henry Nwosu said the 1-1 away draw 1

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the team had ago was a that would

continues

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ACROSS

DOWN

1.Indonesian Capital City (7) 4.L.G.A. in Borno State (5) 7.Zodiac Sign (3) 8.Newcastle United Winger, Hatem (7) 9.Country in Europe (7) 10.Ethnic Group in Ghana (7) 13. State in Nigeria Known as “Sunshine State”? (4) 15. L.G.A. in Plateau State (5) 18. Country in Africa (6) 21. Fabric (4) 23. L.G.A. in Kaduna State

1.L.G.A. in Katsina State (5) 2.State in Nigeria (7) 3.Traditional Ruler of Oyo (6) 4.Minister of State for Information & Communication, Mrs. Omobola (7) 5.Former Brazil Striker, Faria (7) 6.Minister of Special Duties, Prof. Taobeed (7) 11. Water Sport (3) 14. L.G.A. in Kano State (4) 15.Former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed (7)

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