EFCC declares three marketers wanted

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2—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8 8, 2012

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SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8 8, 2012—3

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4—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8 8, 2012

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SATURDAY

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 — 5

Oil subsidy: EFCC declares three oil marketers wanted •Arraigns bank manager, others over N.59bn •As marketers meet Okonjo-Iweala; allay fears of fuel scarcity

BY EMMA UJAH, ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF AND SONI DANIEL

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HE nation’s major petroleum products marketers, yesterday, pledged to work with the Federal Government to successfully complete the on-going subsidy payment audit and continue, unabated, the distribution of fuel to their various outlets across the country.

The Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Folawiyo Energy, Mr. Dipo Makanjuola, who made this declaration at a news briefing at the end of a meeting between the marketers and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in Abuja, said the audit was necessary. He said that the marketers were on the same page with the government team on the matter of verification.

The assurance is coming as the Economic Crimes and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday declared three more oil marketers wanted in connection with fraudulent subsidy claims running into billions of Naira from the Federal G o v e r n m e n t .

The EFCC also dragged three persons including a branch manager of one the old generation banks in Ilorin, Kwara State Mr. Sirajudeen Abdullahi, on an eight-count charge over alleged forgery and theft of over N59 million belonging to the University of Ilorin.

Those arraigned alongside Abdullahi included Segun Adelodun and John Afolabi. They allegedly stole N59, 006, 250 from the university’s personnel cost account lodged with the bank in Ilorin.

However, speaking at the end of the meeting between government officials and the marketers, Mr. Makanjuola of the Folawiyo Energy disclosed that, ‘’there is a verification exercise that is on-going by a firm of auditors and we expect that it will be concluded by the end of next week. Subsequently, payments will be made.Basically the amounts that we have... are all outstanding; we have agreed. We are basically on the same page. So we hope that subsequently, we can move from there and continue to support government in this

Oil Marketers meet with Finance Minister: From Left, NIPCO Managing Director Venkatapathy V, Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Task Force Chairman and Managing Director of Access Bank , Mr Aigboje Imoukhuede addressing Pressmen shortly after a meeting between Oil Marketers and Minister of Finance in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan. regard.We would like to assure Nigerians that there is no need for panic buying. There are adequate products in the country.’’

Makanjuola regretted that the impression that the nation was running short of petroleum products was due to inadequate information, which unscrupulous persons took advantage of to create panic.

“Unfortunately, in situations like this, people tend to peddle false ieddle information. And I am sure that in the next few days the situation would be normal around the country.”, he added.

Also speaking, the CEO of Oando Plc, Yomi Awobokun, said that the auditors had completed work in his company, adding that the mandate of those undertaking the verification was very clear.

He described the exercise as necessary and in the interests of all genuine marketers and Nigerian public.

Against the backdrop of what has transpired in the industry, we fully support the requirement to ensure that there is a thorough exercise and understanding in clear terms before subsidy payments are made.

“The process is on-going.

It is a necessary process that the industry needs and I am sure that Nigerians will be happy when that process is concluded. The minister has also assured us that the government is not broke; as it was being rumoured but only want to indeed to ensure that companies that supplied fuel that will get their

money and we appreciate that.”

Awobokun added, “the marketers are prepared to ensure that the exercise is thorough and completed.

We are doing everything we can to ensure that distribution continues. We will continue to distribute the products. The NNPC has agreed to support us.

“As I speak to you, there is a lot of oil in Apapa. Right now, the NNPC has ensured that there are three cargoes in Apapa, discharging, to ensure that there is fuel in all parts of the country. And I expect that the efforts will continue.”

Earlier, the minister said that the two sides agreed to work together for a transparent process in the subsidy administration and that the marketers had

agreed to continue to ensure adequate products supply across the country.

She disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan had insisted on the consultations, seen as a means of guaranteeing a smooth supply chain in downstream sub-sector of the economy, as it was critical for the running of the nation’s economy.

Meanwile, the EFCC said that the three men: Abdul Afeez Olarenwaju Olabisi of Fargo Petroleum and Gas Limited, Abubakar Peters Ali Jeldi, owner of Nadabo Energy Limited and Ikechukwu Onuabuchi Nworgu of Star Inspection Services Nigeria Limited were wanted over alleged forgery, conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences and engaging in money

laundering.

A statement by the EFCC’s Acting Head, Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspects obtained billions of naira as subsidy payments from the Petroleum Support Fund, PSF, under false pretences, and disappeared in the wake of the commission’s investigation of the subsidy regime.

The statement entitled, “Fuel Subsidy Scam: EFCC declare marketers wanted,” reads, “The EFCC, has declared three oil marketers implicated in the multi- billion naira fuel subsidy scam wanted.

The trio of Abdul Afeez Olarenwaju Olabisi of Fargo Petroleum and Gas Limited, Abubakar Peters Ali Jeldi, managing director of Nadabo Energy Limited and Ikechukwu Onuabuchi Nworgu of Star Inspection Services Nigeria Limited are wanted by the Commission for offences bordering on criminal conspiracy, forgery, obtaining money by false pretences and money laundering running into several billions of Naira. ‘’Olabisi, 31, hails from Kwara State and speaks Yoruba, Hausa and English languages fluently. His last known address is Fargo Petroleum and Gas Limited. ’’Jeldi, 34, is of the Igala stock from Kogi State , North Central Nigeria. He speaks his native Igala, Hausa and English languages fluently. His last known address are 4B Louis Solomon Close,

Victoria Island, Lagos and 15 Ogbunike Street , Lekki, Lagos . ‘’Nworgu, 46, hails from Abia State . He speaks Igbo and English fluently.

His last known address is Star Inspection Services Nigeria Limited, 4A, Lander Close, Off Liverpool Road, Apapa Lagos . The trio allegedly obtained billions of Naira as subsidy payments from the Petroleum Support Fund under false pretence, and disappeared in the wake of the Commission’s investigation of the subsidy regime.

The Commission enjoins anyone with useful information as to their whereabouts to contact its Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt and Abuja offices or through these numbers: 094604620, 07026350721,07026350722,07026350723,070-6350724, 070-26350725; or by e-mail to: info@efccnigeria.org or the nearest Police Station.’’ eldi, 34, is of the Igala sor the nearest Police Vanguard gathered that the EFCC declared the suspects wanted when they consistently failed to show up and clear themselves of allegations of fraud and money laundering after several invitations.

“These men must have fled. That is the way we look at it. We have made several attempts to fish them out but they have carefully avoided the commission since the investigation started,” the source said.

Mourners frown over non release of Cynthia’s corpose • Cynthia’s dad react

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA Asaba

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UNDREDS of mourners who besieged the family compound of the late Cynthia Osokogu in Boji-Boji Owa, Agbor, Delta State, yesterday left the compound, disappointed over the non release of her corpse by police for interment, even after a funeral mass was conducted at Saint Dominic Catholic Church, Owa in her h o n o u r .

Cynthia’s corpse was slated for interment at the family compound on

Owa-Ike Street, BojiBoji Owa, Ika North Local Government Area of Delta state yesterday, but this was not to be.

One of the mourners who simply identified herslf as Rose, lamented the development said: “I travelled all the way from Nasarawa State to this place to pay my last respect but have waited for the arrival of the corpse for several hours without success. It is painful.”

Her father, Major General Frank Osokogu, rtd, later explained that the burial was postponed based on the advice of the police and doctors.

He said, “as regards the

interment, we have shifrted the date based on the advice of the professionals who are handling the case. The professionals I am talking about are the police and the medical team. “They have the profile of the case. They have to handle the documentation, looking at the profile and circumstances of the case.

The documentation must be done without mistakes because the matter is going to court. So, it is on their advice that we have decided to postpone the interment but since we have gone very far with the arrangement before this time, there was no need to

postpone everything; we were advised that we could go ahead with other items in the programme as scheduled.

“When the technical team finishes its job and releases the body to the family, the inner family and friends who are still disposed to be around will come and participate in the burial. The information came this morning from Lagos and there was nothing we could have done.

This is not strange, it has happened. The medical personnel are involved in the technical team and it is the medical people that carry out the autopsy.”

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

Confusion as P olice Cor poral kills ‘T ricy cle operat or’ Police Corporal ‘Tricy ricycle operator’ Chairman in Lagos •••kill two robbers in Apapa

•••Tricycle operators protest

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ANDEMONIUM broke out Thursday night in Mieran area of Lagos after a Police Corporal allegedly shot dead chairman of Tricycle operators. The reason for the dastardly act could not be immediately ascertained but an aye witness account said the deceased identified as Dele Oroja was riding on his tricycle otherwise known as ‘Keke Marwa’ when he was stopped by the Corporal also identified as Abbey Adekunle and his team.

They reportedly demanded for an unspecified amount of money at a road block mounted in defiance of the InspectorGeneral of Police IGP MD Abubakar ’s order. The deceased was reported to have refused to yield to the corporal’s overtures following which an arguement ensued. According to the eye witness, the Corporal promptly grabbed his rifle and fired at the deceased who reportedly died on the way to the hospital. The news of the shooting soon filtered into town prompting a rowdy situation as other members of tricycle operators surged towards Mieran police station with

a view to razing it down.

The killer cop was said to have been arrested and detained.

Lagos state command Police Public Relations Officer DSP Ngozi Braide who confirmed the incident described the circumstance surrounding the shooting as mysterious adding, “At about 10.20pm Thursday, one corporal Abbey Adekunle attached to Meiran Division while on duty and clearing of obstruction in front of the Police Station allegedly shot one Dele Oroja a tri-cyclist, in a mysterious circumstance”.

Continuing she said, “ the victim was immediately rushed to Araba Medical center, Meiran, but unfortunately died over the night. The corpse, has been deposited at the General Hospital Ikeja for autopsy while the suspect is under arrest and currently being detained at the State CID Panti, Yaba.

“The Commissioner of Police Lagos State Command wishes to use the medium to appeal to members of Meiran Community and Lagosians to embrace peace and remain calm as Police have commenced investigation

and that justice will definitely be done in this matter, please.”

In another development, two dare devil armed robbers were yesterday gunned down along Creek road Apapa, Lagos by policemen attached to Apapa Division in a shoot-out with the police. Sources said the bandits had laid ambush against an unidentified middle-aged woman who came out of one of the second generation banks holding a big brown envelope. Thinking that woman was holding money, the robbers moved towards her and attempted

Ondo Gov, Mimiko poses ,after he was awarded UN Habitat Scroll of Honour in Italy. to grab it but she reportedly resisted and she was fired at. The shooting, it was gathered attracted some policemen led by the DPO, CSP Usman Ndabanbo who responded immediately. During a

shoot-out that ensued, two of them were gunned while others escaped with bullet wounds. One died on the spot while the other died on the way to the hospital. The new Area Commander Mohammed

Ali confirmed the incident adding that the success was achieved through public cooperation.

Meanwhile, tricycle operators yesterday protested the killing of their colleague by a policeman.

Rainstorm kills CPC legal adviser

BY WOLE MOSADOMI, Minna

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HEAVY downpour in Minna Niger State on Thursday evening wrecked havoc claiming the life of a lawyer, injured a woman and two children of the same parent and also left several properties including

vehicles damaged.

Some houses were also submerged in different parts of Minna, the State Capital during the rain which lated for less than one hour.

The rain which was accompanied with heavy wind also uprooted trees planted along major roads especially those along

Government Reserved Areas (GRA) thereby causing traffic logjam along the roads affected.

Our correspondent reliably gathered that the casualty, one Barrister Joseph Kolo of the Albarika Chambers based in Minna the State Capital was smashed in his car when a tree uprooted by the

Suspension: A-Court dismisses suit seeking Salami’s re-instatement

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja

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OVES by the sus pended President of the Court of Appeal, PCA, Justice Isa Ayo Salami to expedite the process for his return to office suffered a major setback yesterday.

A five man panel of justices of the Abuja Division of the appellate court where he held sway until August 18, 2011, when he was axed from office by the National Ju-

dicial Council, NJC, in an unanimous ruling yesterday, dismissed a suit that was filed before them by the embattled PCA. Specifically, Salami who was suspended from office over alleged judicial misconduct had gone before the appellate court to challenge the refusal of a Federal High Court in Abuja to transfer his matter to the National Industrial Court for proper adjudication. He had in a motion filed pursuant to Section 295(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended,

urged the trial court to stay further hearing on the substantive suit challenging the legal propriety of his suspension by the NJC, pending the outcome of his appeal, which was dismissed yesterday.

FRSC declares Lagos-Ibadan expressway killer route

BY CHRIS OCHAYI, Abuja

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EDERAL Road Safe ty Corps, FRSC, has

Mob lynch bandit for snatching workers’ salary

BY EMMA AMAIZE, Warri

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N irate mob, week end, in Warri, Delta state, lynched a suspected bandit, who snatched workers’ salary from a staff of a private company.

Four persons were, however, hit by stray bullets in the hot chase for members of the robbery gang.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the robbery gang, which operated on a motor cycle, snatched the salary of workers at Enerhen Junction, Warri, but one of

rainstorm fell on his car along the road while trying to drive into an Estate just opposite his chamber along Bosso road.

It was reliably gathered that late Joseph Kolo who was until his death the Legal Adviser to Congress for Progressives Change, (CPC) in the State was crushed right in his car while waiting outside the gate of the Estate where he went to transact business for the rain to subside.

The lifeless body of the Lawyer was seen trapped in his car shortly after the heavy rain by passers by who immediately raised an alarm but help was too late as Kolo had already given up the ghost.

them was pursued to Okoro Street by a crowd.

He shot intermittently into the air to scare the people and was shot severally with a pump action gun by a citizen, but the bullets could not penetrate because of his alleged fetish power.

declared that the LagosIbadan expressway records the highest number of road traffic crashes in the country, warning motorists and other road users to have a change of attitude to lessen the spate of crashes in Nigeria.

The FRSC’s Public Education Officer, Mr. Jonas Agwu, who stated this at a media briefing in Abuja, named Kaduna-Zaria and Abuja-Lokoja roads second and third respectively as killer highways in the country.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 — 7

ant speedy de S-South to Jonathan: We w want devvelopment •Sets up committees on PIB;1999 Constitution;Bakassi, Sale of Oil blocs opment Company, SPDC.

BY EMMA AMAIZE In communiqué jointly AND EMMA ARUBI, signed by the national Warri leader of the zone and LDERS and leaders former Federal Minister of of South-South, the Information, Chief Edwin geo-political zone of Pres- Clark, national chair and ident Goodluck Jonathan, secretary of SSPA first ciweekend, called on the vilian governor of Edo president to speed up de- state, Chief John Odigie velopment of the zone, –Oyegun and one-time lamenting that since his Commissioner in Bayelsa assumption of office, the state, Chief Ayakeme people have not received Whisky respectively, said, “the normal fruits of their “By principle of affirmative action, it owes the son being in power”.

The people at a gener- people of the South South al meeting of the South- zone the sacred duty of South Peoples Assembly, economic empowerment, SSPA, in Warri, Delta especially through the peState, also constituted four troleum industry, which committees to come up derives mainly from the with the position of the zone with all its attendant people on the 1999 Con- hazardous effects”.

According to the comstitution Amendment, Petroleum Industry Bill, muniqué, “Contrary to Bakassi/Boundary Dis- the views of some mispute on Oil Wells and Underhand Sale of Oil Blocs by oil multinational, Shell Petroleum Devel-

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Uduaghan consoles Cynthia’s family

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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OVERNOR Emman uel Uduaghan of Delta State, yesterday, visited the family of Major General Frank Osokogu (rtd) in Boji-Boji Owa, near Agbor, Delta state, to raise their spirits over heartbreaking strangulation of their daughter, 24-year-old Cynthia Osokogu, in Lagos by her supposed social media friends.

The remains of the late Cynthia,a graduate of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, who was into private business before her premature death in the hands of friends made through the social media, were committed to mother earth, yesterday.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state ( m ), Mrs Roli Uduaghan ( r) and Major General Frank Osokogu Rtd , father of the late Cynthia Osokogu when the governor and his wife paid him a condolence visit at Boji Boji Owa, Ika North-East LGA, Delta State. Photo: Sunny Okafor guided Nigerians, President Goodluck Jonathan, since his assumption of office, in trying to satisfy the totality of his Nigerian constituency, had not given to the South South

on daily basis to service the oil and gas industry has not gotten any priority attention”.

Specifically, the zone called on the government of President Goodluck

UPDATE ON DAMATURU:

Gunmen attack Gov Gaidam in-law’s house

BY BALA AJIYA

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HE selective killing and wanton destruction of properties

in Damaturu has continued unabated.

On Thursday midnight at about 2am, Saturday Vanguard gathered that over 50

hoodlums stormed the residence of the Governor Ibrahim Gaidam’s in-law at Gwange area ward of Damaturu, Yobe state.

Mob lynch bandit for snatching wor ker s’ salar ork ers’ salaryy

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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N irate mob, week end, in Warri, Delta state, lynched a suspected bandit, who snatched workers’ salary from a staff of a private company.

Four persons were, however, hit by stray bullets in the hot chase for members of the robbery gang.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the robbery gang, which operated on a motor cycle, snatched the workers’ salary at

Enerhen Junction, Warri, but one of them was pursued to Okoro Street by a crowd.

He shot intermittently into the air to scare the

people and was shot severally with a pump action gun by a citizen, but the bullets could not penetrate because of his alleged fetish power.

An eye witness who choose to remain anonymous said, “ we heard noise around 2am as the hoodlums were shouting on top of their voice, ordering all the occupants of the house to vacate the building before they set it on fire. From my calculation, they were about 50 in number and some of them were armed. Due to the problem of network because of the attack on the GSM facilities few

days ago, most of the neighbors could not reach the security operatives for assistance.”

Damaturu, the Yobe state capital has lost all the appeals, features and allure befitting of a state due to the escalating nature of the insurgency. As at the time of filing this report, the governor was away in Kaduna as well as the in-law whose house was burnt.

Two men arraigned for allegedly attempting to dupe Ministry of N5.8m

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HE Police yesterday arraigned two men, Abianulia Ikenna and Joseph Ezejiegu, before an Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court for allegedly at-

tempting to defraud the Ministry of Aviation of N5.8 million. Police prosecutor Jonathan Udochukwu said the fraud was reported to the police by

Chioma Agbakwuru, an aide to the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah.Udochukwu said the accused on Aug. 7 conspired and hacked

New traffic law will improve quality of life, Fashola

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OVERNOR Baba tunde Fashola of Lagos State yestyerday stressed that the underlying factor in the newlyintroduced traffic law of the state was to save lives.

Fashola told media executives in his office in Ikeja that the state would strive harder to make the

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zone the normal fruits of their son being in power, such that even the East – West road which is the route for the haulage of heavy duty equipment and petroleum products

Ebele Jonathan to, as a matter of urgency, ensure the speedy completion of the East – West Warri- Port Harcourt-UyoCalabar road, which has not only become impassable but currently constitutes a death-trap; and take appropriate steps to remediate our badly damaged ecology and environment by fully implementing the report of the Technical Committee on the Niger Delta.

They also urged the Federal Government to urgently demand an extension of the October 10, 2012 deadline for the completion of the handing over of the Bakassi to the Cameroons to enable the National Assembly consider and ratify the Green Tree Agreement.

The leaders, however, resolved, “To continue to build a united, cohesive and resolute South South family.”

residents understand that the law was in their own interest, as there was need to make changes and improve on the quality of lives. “Since the law was assented to on Aug. we have been slow to enforce, but quick to pursue awareness campaigns—giving more information,

educating the people.

“Transportation determines if we get it right or wrong, as it affects all facets of our lives—be it health, family, economy, etc”, he said.

Such a way of life would also mean losing quality time to traffic, instead of being with loved ones at home, relaxing and being in good health.

into the minister ’s cell phone and transmitted a message ordering Agbakwuru to release N5.8 million to the accused.

The prosecutor said the police advised the Ministry to play along and that this led to the arrest of the accused at the premises of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, but the accused denied the allegation.

Mr Adegoke Omoloja, counsel to the accused, applied for bail for his clients, and Senior Magistrate Josephine Obannor granted the application.

She granted the bail to each of the accused in the sum of N500,000 with a surety each in like sum.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8 , 2012

olice arres o Olufemi Ogunkorode’s murder: P Police arrestt tw two

BY DAYO JOHNSON, Akure

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OLICE authorities in Ondo State have arrested two persons in connection with the gruesome murder for ritual of Olufemi Ogunkorode by his childhood friends in Erusu Akoko area of the state.

The deceased was said to have been lured to the town under the pretext that his childhood friend was burying her late mother.

His childhood friends include Chief Babatunde Olumofe, Mr. Sunday Akeju and one other popularly called Eso.Speaking with Vanguard in Akure yesterday the Image Maker of the Police Command Adeniran Aremu said that the deceased and his friends own their personal houses near each other in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.

Aremu said that a murder charge would be preferred against the suspects after the ongoing

investigation by the police.He assured that the Police Command would get to the root of the gruesome killing of the deceased for rituals by his friends. Aremu said that the dragnet of police detectives has been spread to apprehend all those involved in the killing of the deceased.

It will be recalled that no sooner than they all arrived Erusu Akoko than the suspects allegedly handed over thevictim to the traditionalists who killed the late Ogunkorode.

His corpse was reportedly dumped along a major highway and they told people that he was

killed by armed robbers and reported the case to the police at Erusu Akoko.

However, when the case was transferred to the Oke Agbe police station, the DPO was told that the deceased merely slumped and died.

Reports had it that the death of the deceased have sparked off a cold war between the people of Erusu-Akoko and Ilu Omoba Ekiti .

Notable leaders from Erusu including some traditional chiefs who visited the family of the deceased in Ilu Omoba last weekend Sunday in connection with the case were reportedly chased away by irate youths in the town.

Police grill Bayelsa lawmakers over N78m scam

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA, Yenagoa

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HE leadership of the Bayelsa State House

of Assembly yesterday said its members were grilled by the operatives of the anti-fraud department of the Nigerian Police Force over the al-

23 persons die in Auchi erosion

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, BeninCity

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HE people of Ibori, Ug balo, Ewu-Eguare, Idogalo and Oludide communities, in Auchi West Local Government Council of Edo State, have raised alarm over the devastating state of erosion in the area

which has killed over 23 persons.

They appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently come to their rescue, saying that the people of the area hardly sleep at night particularly when it is raining.

Reacting, the state Commissioner for Environment, Prince Clem Agba, point-

Fashola appoints perm secs, HODs oversee the office of the

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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OVERNOR Baba tunde Fashola of Lagos state has approved the appointment of of new acting permanent secretaries in the state’s civil service.

Mrs. Ganiyat Adeola Afun and Dr. Francis Olatunde Williams were appointed Acting Permanent Secretaries in the state Public Service.

Their appointments took effect from July 31st, 2012 and September 3rd, 2012 respectively.

Mrs. Afun was, until her appointment, the Director, Conservation and Ecology and she will

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Gov. obi (standing) flanked by Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike (right) and the DG of NOA, Dr. Mike Omeri during the flag-off of the pilot scheme of Citizens Responsibility Volunteer Scheme at Emmaus House, Awka.

Environmental Services in the Ministry of the Environment, while Dr. Williams was the Chief Medical Director of the Ebute Metta Health Centre and he is still without a portfolio .

In a circular issued yesterday by the Head of Service, Mr. Adesegun Ogunlewe, the governor also approved the appointment of Surveyor Olorunjuwon Joseph Agbenla as the acting Surveyor-General of the state with effect from 13 th June, 2012.

Similarly, the governor approved the appointmenst of Heads of some parastatals and organizations in the state.

ed out that the state government had identified 110, gully erosion sites in the state but lamented that it had been difficult for the state government alone to tackle the issue due to the funds required. Some of the communities’ leaders who spoke to newsmen include Alhaji Gaz Momoh, the Daudu of Oludide Village, Asene Mike Iyere, head of Ibori and Mallam Mutaro Ibramai of Ewu. They lamented that over twenty-three persons had so far lost their lives due to the devastating gully erosion.

leged diversion of N78million approved by the state government for the 43rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference held in South Africa from June 29 to July 8.

Saturday Vanguard learnt that the police waded into the controversy following a petition

to the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, by a civil society group, Transparency and Good Governance Coalition alleging that the Speaker, Kombowei Benson and members after receiving N78m to enable them attend the 43rd Commonwealth Parliamentary

Mixed reactions trail demolished brothel at Agboju

BY PRISCA SAM-DURU

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IXED reactions are still trailing the recent demolitions of structures along Badagry road to pave way for the ongoing World Bank assisted road construction.

Aside traders and tenants who have expressed

disappointment over the demolition of their shops and residential buildings, without provisions for alternatives, commercial sex workers operating at Agboju appear most embittered by the development. One of the sex workers who simply identified herself as Chinasa could not hide her anger

Ondo govt procures 190 laptops to enhance safe motherhood Hospital being the final

BY DAYO JOHNSON, Akure

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N a bid to strengthen its health information management system, the Ondo state government has procured 190 laptops and card readers linked with its Abiye Safe motherhood programme.

Health Commissioner, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju who said this in an interview with newsmen in Akure noted that already a com-

Association in South Africa allegedly diverted the fund.

However, the allegations and decision of the House to embark on six weeks drew the ire of the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria which described the action of lawmakers as a show of shame.

prehensive training programme had been conducted for care providers in the health facilities across the state.

Dr Adeyanju said that “ the Abiye Safe motherhood programme, initiated by the present administration to reduce maternal and infant mortality uses facilities like basic health centres, comprehensive health centres, general hospitals and the Mother and child

referral point.

According to him the laptops would be given to each of the four basic health centres in each of the 18 local government areas, two comprehensive health centres in each of the councils, 18 General Hospitals, two for the Mother and Child Hospital and each of the Monitoring and Evaluation officers of the local government areas.

against the governor Fashola led administration in Lagos state whom she said was supposed to have arranged an alternative settlement long before the structures were brought down. According to Chinasa, who spoke English fluently, “the demolition of structures which includes our own building which according to authorities was situated along the areas mapped out for the road construction have also demolished our business.

Since that event, we do not have anywhere to host our clients. In fact, they do not even know how to locate us any longer”.

Another colleague of Chinasa who gave her name as Sandra also lamented over the incidence. She threw curses at the government who could not provide jobs or empower the youths yet keeps frustrating every effort they make to survive.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 — 9

Flood sacks seven communities, pulls down 236 houses, farmlands •150,000 rendered homeless

BY PETER DURU Makurdi

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O fewer than seven communities including over 236 residential houses, farmlands and property worth millions of Naira were yesterday destroyed by flood in Otukpo local government area of Benue State following six hours of torrential rain.

Communities and villages affected by the devastation include; Otukpo-Icho, OtukpoNobi, Upu, Emichi, Amla, Odudaje and Okpomaju while no fewer than 150,000 inhabitants of the communities have also been rendered homeless.

Saturday Vanguard gathered from some of the affected persons that the flood also swept away the only bridge linking residents of Odudaje, Okpomaju, Amla and

Emichi to the Otukpo main market and the only hospital at Otukpo-Icho.

The severe flooding which has crippled business and farming activities in the affected communities also swept

away farm yields preserved in various locally constructed storage facilities in the affected c o m m u n i t i e s .

The devastation has left the affected without food nor potable water in places where they sought safe haven.

The district head of

Otukpo district, Och’Ochtukpo Odu, Chief John Eimonye who spoke to newsmen on phone yesterday expressed worry over the development which he said has rendered thousands of residents h o m e l e s s .

The paramount ruler who disclosed that no casualty

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (2nd left), flanked by the children of the deceased, Mr Bunmi Adebayo (Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT) (Left), Arch. Wole Adebayo (2nd Right), and Mrs. Oluwabukola Adebayo (Right); during the burial service for the late Adebayo at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta... yesterday

Israel begins mass deportation of Nigerians I

N what looks like a crackdown on immigrants in their country, Israel has started a massive deportation of Africans comprising mainly Nigerians in what they called ‘operation clean up’.

In the last few weeks no fewer than 50 Nigerians have been deported from the middle east country for reasons ranging from what they termed illegal stay, work permit and other flimsy excuses. Due to the recent series of offensive and racist statements made by Israeli politicians, African diplomats in Israel are afraid to walk down the street, said African

ambassadors in Israel during a meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon.

The meeting, which was attended by the ambassadors of Angola,

Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia and the Ivory Coast, was recently held in the Foreign Ministry’s offices in Jerusalem, Yedioth Ahronoth, an

Israeli newspaper reported.This was after the wife of the Ghanian ambassador was arrested

by Israeli police where she was on shopping in Tel Aviv.

BY VICTOR AHIUMLA Power Holding Company YOUNG of Nigeria, PHCN. Operating under the ORKERS in the umbrella of National nation’s Electricity Union of Electricity sector, have petitioned the Employees, NUEE, the National Council on workers argued that the Privatization, NCP, re-evaluation became seeking a re-evaluation of necessary following the Successor Companies’ bid fallout of Professor Barth for the privatisation of Nnaji’s resignation which

W

they claimed suggested that they may have been some undue influences in the overall management of the processes. In a petition to the Chairman, NCP, the workers also requested for the report of the valuation of PHCN which put the assets and liabilities of the

T

HE President General of Isoko Development Union, I.D.U, Chief Gregory Akpojene, who was kidnapped on the 24th August 2012, has been C M Y K

released by his abductors.

Speaking to newsmen at Otor-Igho, Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State moments after his release, Chief Akpojene decried that he was abducted at about 9.30pm on the fateful day to unknown destination.

He said; “although my incarceration was unfortunate and embarrassing, I used the occasion to talk to my captors on the need for them to live a more purposeful life and the reason for the abject poverty in Africa.

“I concluded by telling

them (my captors) that poverty in Nigeria is as result of laziness and lack of saving habit at all levels of government and citizenry,” appealing to Nigerian youths to stop all acts of criminality in the interest of growing the economy of the country.

Management Agency, NEMA whom he said have arrived the affected communities to assess the level of damage.

Bakassi,a big shame —kalu

F

ORMER Abia state governor Dr.Orji Uzor Kalu Thursday blamed past Nigerian leaders for donating part of the country to Cameroun.

While maintaining that the crisis would not have come up if General Yakubu Gowon had not signed the Yaounde and Marouna Accord,he frowned at Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s decision to settle for the decision of the International Court of Justice[ICJ].

Kalu said,”I am sure Gen.Gowon will be remorseful now.Bakassi was a ‘Christmas gift’ to Ahmadu Ahidjo for killing Biafra.Maybe,it did not occur to him at the time that Biafra would come back to Nigeria.However,Chief Obasanjo turned out to be the real Santa Claus when he paved way for the Camerounians to claim the Territory through the ICJ.Generosity is not one of the attributes of some of these past leaders.How they became givers of our common land continues to

PHCN workers petitions NCP, seek re-evaluation of Successor Companies’ bid

Abducted Isoko leader regains freedom, advocates for youths empowerment

BY FESTUS AHON Ughelli

has been recorded in the disaster however expressed satisfaction with the prompt response of officials of the National Emergency

corporation at N200 billion.

NUEE contended that the valuation of a company like PHCN should be transparently done with active participation of all stakeholders.

The petition by NUEE’s General Secretary, Comrade Joe Ajaero, advised that persons who were politically vulnerable should not participate in the privatisation exercise.

According to the petition, “To us it altruism that the undue influence issue might have not have been restricted to Afam Power Plant and Enugu Electricity Distribution Zone of PHCN alone, we believe the whole process had been grossly infested by the menace.

tear my insides out.”

The ex-governor wondered why Bakassi could be so shared when other Nations would go to war to defend their land and even far flung territories.

“Look at Britain.It took 24 days to subdue Argentina over the Falklands\Malvinas on June 2,1982.In that war,Prince Andrew was deeply involved, all in the bid to defend less than 2,500 Brits who constituted 97 percent of the population.Do not forget that those Islands are nowhere near the United Kingdom.

Armed police men invade home of CNPP Chairman in Benue state

BY PETER DURU Makurdi

A

RMED Police men Thursday morning invaded the Makurdi home of the Benue State Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, Mr. Baba Agan.

The uniformed security operatives who arrived the home of the outspoken opposition leader ransacked the premises for close to twenty minutes and left without removing any item from the house.

Narrating the incident to newsmen, Agan said he was away from home when the incident happened stressing that his wife, Mrs. Hembadoon Agan who was at home at the time confronted the officers who claimed that they were looking for some bad boys.

Corroborating the story, Mrs. Agan said she was at home at about 10am when the security operatives came calling.

10—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

N5,000 NOTE: (2) President Jonathan

Jonathan pushes for a show down with Nigerians •It may affect his second

term bid— Senator Ita Enang

•We shall oppose it— OPC,

Tinubu, Melaye, NBA, NLC, Others

•No going back—CBN

ginning; a new direction; a new spirit. Nigerians, I want you to start to dream again. What you see in your dreams, we can achieve together.”

With these words, President Goodluck Jonathan on his inauguration as the new Nigeria’s President on May 29, 2011 sealed a pact with Nigerians promising to turn their dreams into reality while declaring that the years of lo-

,

J

umping from one incon clusive economic and political issue to another appears to be a factor that is fast defining the Presidency of Nigeria’s Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

The latest move of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to convert the current N5, N10 and N20 notes to coins and also step the currency note to N5,000 denomination by 2013 which has already gotten the nod of the President amidst mountainous agitations by Nigerians has become one controversial issue in the life of the nation at the moment. Will the ruling class have its way as against the wish of most Nigerians? That seems to be the question Saturday Vanguard’s JOHN BULUS tries to find answers to in this special report.

“I will continue to fight for your future, because I am one of you. I will continue to fight, for improved medical care for all our citizens. I will continue to fight for all citizens to have access to first class education. I will continue to fight for electricity to be available to all our citizens. I will continue to fight for an efficient and affordable public transport system for all our people.

I will continue to fight for jobs to be created through productive partnerships. You have trusted me with your mandate and I will never, never let you down. I know your pain, because I have been there. Look beyond the hardship you have endured. See a new be-

controversial than expected.

Consequently, every step he takes meets stiff resistance from the people.

And so, one wonders if the President is actually serving the interests of Nigerians that voted him into power or that the people themselves have suddenly not seen good the policies of the man they voted into power.

President Jonathan appears to be pursuing programmes and polices that obviously don’t receive the endorsement of many Nigerians whose future he promised to secure

custs and cankerworms are over.

Even prior to the time, he had during the campaigns, as he crissed-crossed the length and breath of the country drew up similar words that may have prompted Nigerians who massively voted for him during the Presidential election. But when finally he settled in office, President Jonathan appears to be pursuing programmes and polices that obviously don’t receive the endorsement of many Nigerians whose future he promised to secure. More so, they become much more

Past events

,

Some past issues since the inception of the present administration in May, 2011 may have indicated that most moves taken by the Federal government are rather making the regime unpopular. Barely 7 months in office and at a time Nigerians expected a quick fix of the economy, President Jonathan thought it necessary to delve into heavy political matters. Thus, he canvassed for a single seven- year term for President and Governors. The issue generated unusual dusts from several quarters that when the bill fi-

nally got to the National Assembly, it was already dead on arrival. Yet, in May this year, the President also came up with the change of name of the University of Lagos to Mushood Abiola University.Till date, the controversy surrounding the development still persists in some sections of the society .

Then came the removal of oil subsidy, the biggest of all policies that attracted almost zero applause from the people. For nine days in early January, 2012, Nigerians closed shop and went on aggressive strike to protest the removal of oil subsidy that suddenly skyrocketed the pump price of petrol from N65 to N141.

To some analysts, it was not actually the call by the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC that gave vent to the strike but the pangs of poverty fuelled by anger and the time upon which the subsidy removal came. And so, there was a spontaneous rash condemnation of the decision from the people who insisted that it must be reversed.

Obviously, when it appeared that the showdown could totally cripple the economy, it then became very necessary for the Federal Government to shift grounds and peg the pump price on N97 Naira, per liter of petrol.

Similarly, President Jonathan’s advise to Nigerians to start thinking in the direction of controlling birth rate as a way of circumventing the harsh economic realities of the present age recently was yet

another issue that would have stirred up another round of controversy had it been allowed to thrive.

Current Issue Penultimate week, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi audaciously dropped a bombshell. He said that the apex bank has concluded plans to convert the existing N5, N10 and N20 notes to coins and introduce into the Nigerian market, N5,000 currency note next year. In swift response, organizations, groups, professional associations and Nigerians in their numbers condemned the plan by the CBN, citing several reasons why it must not scale through.

Nigerians React Envisaging the concomitant effects of the policy largely on Nigerians, the Senate asked the Central Bank to stay action on the planned move to introduce the note. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Currency and other Financial Institutions, Senator Bassey outrightly asked the CBN governor to put brakes on the m o v e .

He said: “I believe that a project of this nature requires parliamentary approval because there are numerous and fiscal implications on the entire economy.

Continues on page 11

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012—11

Tinubu

Continued from page 10 “This type of action is only taken where there is a major crisis and the CBN must be very careful in order not to send a wrong signal or message to households, domestic sector and even the external ones that the Nigerian currency is valueless, which I believe is definitely not, and that for every unit of value, they need to carry a large quantity of cash.

“The CBN in 2008 and 2009 came up with a proposal to redenominate the currency; that was even to take off the zeroes. This was just 2008 and 2009 and here we are in 2012 seeing a kind of policy somersault even though we understand the dynamics of the sector very well. I believe that w e have to be well briefed on this.

“Also in 2005, the CBN undertook a major currency restructuring which ran into billions of naira. Till date, a proper value has not been done to know its cost to the Nigerian taxpayers and the extent of the benefits in that 2005 coinage. I think it did not work at all because goldsmiths and blacksmiths converted the coins to molding bangles, earrings and so on.

So, we believe that the coinage works very well where there is infrastructure to take it like a half, probably like

zDipo

zFredrick

Melaye

z Com

Fasehun

It may affect his second term bid parking where you go and put it.

“We have not developed that real basic infrastructure and those coins, most of them are nowhere to be found. So, the CBN will have to prove that the policy is not a clear contradiction or at variance with its cashless society, which they are even yet to justify and whether this is the popular economic way to go.”

He further stated, “Actually, we are not really going to rely on laws perse. What we are trying to do here is what is best for the Nigerian people.

The Senate is not really against the independence of the CBN, but what we want in place is proper check and that there should be checks and balanc-

es in all these things that we do. So, I believe that at some point, we will be able to sit down together and look at the merits and demerits, but till now, we do not know anything about it and we do not know what the people stand to gain and until that is properly put through, we say everything about it must stop.”

Similarly, the House of Representatives through its Banking Committee Chairman, Chukwudi Jones said: “Unfor-

Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, reacts:

zIta

Enang

Governors’ Forum not aware The Nigerian Governors Forum is astonished that such a decision has not come up in the National Economic Council which has the Governors of the 36 states of the federation as members.

Hear Governor Gabriel Susuwan of Benue State who is a member of both Groups: “Let

I pray Mr. President should be sensitive to this and take action against the move because I am certain the plan is intended to embarrass the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

tunately, we are on vacation and we can’t take any legislative action now. But when we are able to get a few members of the committee, we can do something based on the urgency of the matter”.

The lawmaker also stressed that “Our primary concern is that the measure will not hurt the economy and will not affect the daily lives of the average Nigerian”.

Abduwahee Omar

mote a cashless society and in the same vein printing N5,000 that can make it possible for somebody to carry N10 million in his pocket, I am a bit confused about that. But I expect that this should have been addressed at the National Economic Council meeting. We have never discussed it at any point in time. I am as confused as the man in the street”.

— Senator Ita Enang

,

zBola

,

me tell you that economically, I don’t support that. I am not an economist, I don’t know what informed that but quite frankly, it means that our naira would be devalued. I don’t know how it would address the economic issues that are confronting us by printing N5, 000 notes, but like I said, I am not an economist. So, I don’t know the nuances of printing N5, 000 notes. If we are saying that we would pro-

The Nigerian Medical Association, said that the decision was borne out of sheer insensitivity by Nigeria’s leaders.

The President of the Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, told journalists in Abuja, that the insistence of the CBN governor to carry on with the widely condemned policy was among several critical national issues discussed at the just-concluded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NMA, which held in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Enabulele also told journalists that the NEC expressed great worry over the proposed introduction of the single N5,000 note, N20 and N50 coins into circulation, on account of the naira devaluation and rise in inflation, which many Nigerians and economists have continued to point out since the policy was first contemplated by Sanusi. He further charged Nigerians to join their voices in the condemnation of the decision.

The position of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, is no less of its NMA counter-part.

In a speech in Abuja at the Annual General Conference of the association which held recently, Mr. Joseph Daudu, the immediate past national Chairman of the bar said that the proposal would further devalue the naira.

“The CBN’s introduction of the N5,000 notes would devalue the naira and it is against

Continues on page 12

12—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

We shall oppose it— OPC, Tinubu, Melaye, NBA, NLC Continued from page 11

C o m r a d e Abdulwaheed Omar said in

Lagos: “Comrades, the recent proposal by the Central Bank of Nigeria is one of those policies we must be prepared to vigorously oppose. We see in the proposal a policy contradiction that completely exposes our policy makers as playing the devil’s advocate.

Most of these policies are clearly not designed by them but obviously by institutions outside our shores. Comrades, we must collectively oppose this and we must not allow the CBN continue with this clear-

zDr. Shamsheen Usman

zJoseph Daudu

ly unnecessary project. We believe the CBN should not supervise the total collapse of our economy with the introduction of a policy that has historically led to the total collapse or subjugation of the economies of some countries in Africa, Europe and South America”.

He added: “There is no genu-

,

the cashless policy being currently promoted by the bank.

The proposal by the CBN is shallow and should not be allowed to further damage the already fragile economic system”, he said.

Reacting to the development, Lagos State erstwhile governor, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu said the plan is insensitive: “The economy is on reverse, it’s a yoyo economy. This government is not serious; they don’t know what they are doing.”

In his own reaction, Ita Enang, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Business and Rules,foresees a situation where the present controversy stirred by Sanusi will truncate President Jonathan second term bid. Said he: “I pray Mr. President should be sensitive to this and take action against the move because I am certain the plan is intended to embarrass the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to make the government of Goodluck Jonathan unpopular in years to come so that people will not like to vote for him in the next election.

“I think what Sanusi is aiming at with the introduction of the plan against Nigerians is to ensure that the people will be so unhappy with the President that in the next election they would not like to vote for him. Mr. President should therefore call the CBN governor to order with immediate effect”.

The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC has vowed to stop the process.

It said: “Psychologically, for the working people, it means they work so much for little notes with introduction of N5000. This may fuel crisis of expectation for more wage increase as bigger banknotes will be chasing fewer goods.

Nigeria is better with smaller banknotes that can deliver goods and services rather than higher bills without any value”.

zChukwudi Jones

zComrade Issa Aremu

zGov Gabriel Susuwan

zBassey Oyu

about improving the value of the Nigerian currency as against others in the international market.

“The current highest bank note of N1000 was introduced in 2005. We had currency review in 2007 and 2009. It should not be customary for every CBN governor to change

Government is in place for the people and not people in place for the government. We will resist the unpalatable morsel they are trying to force down our throat

,

ine reason for the introduction of N5000 note in a country that is dwindling in production and suffocating under high inflation. While our government complains about lack of funds to reactivate infrastructures critical to economic development, the CBN is planning to spend over N40 billion to produce new denominations of our currency”.

General Secretary of the labour union Comrade Issa Aremu told newsmen in Kaduna recently that the bank should rather be more concerned

the nation’s bank notes. Incessant turning out of higher bank notes is an attempt to legitimize the devaluation of the Nigerian currency.

There is a direct relationship between higher bank notes and devaluation of the currency. The CBN should concentrate on stabilizing the value of the Naira rather than legitimizing the devaluation of the currency. CBN under Sanusi Lamido Sanusi should continue with the good work they are doing with respect to revival of manufacturing sector and

management of inflation and interest rates.

The double digit inflation rate as we currently have cannot take us out of the economic crisis”, Aremu said.

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Willy Ezeugwu, accused Sanusi and the economic team of hiding under the new currency to further devalue the naira.

The statement reads: “The decision of the CBN, as endorsed by the so-called economic team, flies in the face of reason, especially when all the explanations and analysis that these clueless officials have so far given are reminiscent of the sing song they engaged in January during the ill-conceived removal of petrol subsidy. The assurances given at that time turned out to be false as Nigerians feared because today, we all know that the quality of life has worsened since the partial removal of subsidy while most of the supposed palliative buses have vanished into thin air.”

Also, Founder and President of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr. Fredrick Fasehun has described the insistence of the government to introduce the N5, 000 note despite people’s opposition as a u t o c r a t i c and insensitive.

The Medical Doctor said: “Government is in place for the people and not people in place for the government. We will resist the unpalatable morsel they are trying to force down our throat. We will not allow those in power at our instance to dictate undemocratic policy to us and expect us to swallow it hook, line and sinker”.

Apart from the unanimous agitations against the proposal by the associations, some Nigerians have physically staged protests to register their feelings on the issue. For instance, former Federal Lawmaker in the House of Representatives, Honourable Dino Melaye on Thursday led a group of protesters to CBN headquarters in Abuja against the issues.

Under the aegis of Anti Corruption Network, Melaye reiterated the opposition of Nigerians to the currency restructuring policy of CBN. He told Tunde Lemo, Deputy Governor of CBN who received the protesters that the introduction of a single N5000 note will result in inflation and that Nigerians are opposed to it and asked the CBN Governor, Alhaji Sanusi to listen to the views of the people on the matter.

FG’s Meal of Surprise/Defense Nigerians who had waited to get a good deal from the Federal Government upon whose approval, the CBN carries out the plan were rather flabbergasted when the federal government during the week, arising from the National Economic Management Team (NEMT) threw its weight behind the CBN governor on the action, conspicuously ignoring the cries and submissions of the Nigerian people.

The NEMT, which is headed by the President, comprises the Minister of Finance and coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala; Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the CBN Governor; Minister of National Planning Dr. Shamsudeen Usman; Director General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC); Director General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE); one representative each of governors of the South and the North as well as key private sector players.

Dr. Shamsheen Usman, the Economic and National Planning Minister said of t6he plan: “Clearly, the N5,000 note will not lead to higher inflation.

There is absolutely no link. I am an economist; I have been

Continues on page 13

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012— 13

Continued from page 12

C M Y K

No going back—CBN

zAigboje Aig-Imoukuede

He said: “It is very rare for you to have a central bank that does not look at the issue of currency management and issue new notes from time to time based on the reality of the economy. In the case of Nigeria, our economy is such that a N5000 note which is in effect a $30note is not strange. The greatest argument I have heard about is causing of inflation; the other argument is that it will cost money to introduce the new note. There is no relationship between the issuance of higher legal tender and inflation. It is unfortunate that some have misled people into thinking that it will lead into higher inflation. Every central bank by the nature of currency management will issue new notes all the time. So, printing of notes is an ongoing operation that every central bank engages in”.

Of course, the big African business mogul and a member of the Economic Team of the President Jonathan, Alhaji Aliko Dangote would have said otherwise just as his counterpart in the oil business, Femi

zSanusi

Lamido

Otedola would as well.

Dangote said: “The introduction of the N5,000 note has

,

deputy governor(Operations) of the Central Bank. During the last review of the introduction of N1000 note and the various coins, I was deeply involved; it was my responsibility at the Central Bank.

There is absolutely no link between inflation and the currency denomination. So, obviously, the discussion today was basically to endorse. Mr. President had already approved; that is the only requirement by law. The CBN is to propose and Mr. President is to approve. And since Mr. President has approved, really, what is important is to just explain. I personally had some concerns about the coins but since some discussion with the CBN governor, he has actually clarified that even the media didn’t understand.

“The coins are being introduced on an introductory basis so that if people accept them and are using them, then gradually they will withdraw the other notes but they will run concurrently with the notes. Those were my concerns, initially, because you remember during my time in the CBN, we introduced the one naira and two naira coins.

Unfortunately, they were not utilized at all. Part of that is really the value of one naira and two naira today; what can you buy? So because they are higher denomination, they may be accepted. I think even that aspect didn’t come out well in the communication and so the CBN is going to communicate to Nigerians that the coins will run concurrently with the note.

“They are like testing the waters; if they get accepted and are being utilized, only then will they take subsequent actions.”

Dr. Usman has lieutenants and supporters who see no wrong in the act. One of them is Mr. Atedo Peterside, a banker and NEMT member who argued that besides the fact that it does not add to increase in cost of printing of currency, money, being a store of value, the higher the denomination, the better it is for the economy as those who made money legally and illegally will want to keep their loot in naira rather than hard currency.

He said: “If I were the CBN governor, I will prefer to print N10, 000 notes. Last year, Nigeria spent N47billion to print these small, small notes. If we were printing bigger denominations, we will print fewer number and you make phenomenal savings. Secondly, money is a store of value, all these thieves, rogues and vagabonds running around in various states and all over the country, when they steal money, they will want to keep it outside the banking system.”

Lending his voice in support, the Access Bank Managing Director Aigboje Aig-Imoukuede described the reactions trailing the N5000 note as unfortunate.

paign on the introduction of N5000 note and the restructuring of the nation’s other currencies. Everything will not take off at the first quarter of next year. We are starting with a particular currency in the first quarter of next year; there will still be currency and coins for the denominations that will be coined like N5, N10 and N20 so that both will be operational side by side.” He added: “We want to be among the top 20 largest economy in 2020; we believe in it. What we should do is pray for Nigeria to have a financial system that can support one of the world’s largest economies. We cannot do it, if we don’t have the right framework. We want to ensure that life is made a lot easier for Nigerians and will continue to improve the system.”

Okoroafor said the report that N40 billion would be spent to

The cost of printing is not anything different from the amount they are using in printing any other note. It is the same cost”

nothing to do with inflation. I think it is even to protect the economy. The cost of printing is not anything different from the amount they are using in printing any other note. It is the same cost”.

Meanwhile, CBN’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Ugochukwu Okoroafor said CBN would instead sensitize the public on the introduction of N5,000 note into the economy.

He said: “We are about to carry out sensitization cam-

,

print the N5000 note is false, saying the cost is in the CBN annual report.

Analysts have submitted that some other reasons why the decision can’t be allowed to fly at this time included the inability of the government to better the lots of the citizenry.

They asserted that coming at a time the country’s leadership has incessantly pooh-pooed in its promise to restore the security of lives and property,

improve on the welfare of the ordinary Nigerians and provide basic social infrastructures, the government not expect that the Nigerian people will gladly accept what is clearly going to be the reserve of the rich. Again, in the light of CBN’s cashless society campaign, keen observers queried why a society that does not carry physical cash but makes transfers should suddenly concern itself with the introduction of a higher denomination.

Apart from eclipsing the opportunity posterity would have in knowing Alvan Ikoku and Murtala Mohammed, Nigerian fallen patriots whose faces appear on the N10 and N20 Naira notes respectively, another argument against the CBN’s move is that it will completely obliterate the N5, N10 and N20 notes when converted to coins and ostentatiously give rise to high cost of common goods.

For instance, they said that a sachet of (pure) water will automatically become N50 which will certainly make mockery of the Naira.

In a similar move by the same CBN under Professor Charles Soludo during ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo regime, the government assured the people that N1.00 note when converted to coins will be a tool for figure counting for infants and posterity. But today, suffice it to say, N1.00 is neither seen in circulation as such nor carried by anybody even traders.

Indeed, with this array of threats and condemnation, most analysts posit that a little less, if not more of what Nigerians experienced during the oil subsidy strike in January this year, might be in the offing should the Federal Government and CBN forge ahead with the currency devaluation exercise. But until then, Nigerians are watching with keen interests.

14—SA TURD AY Vanguard , SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 14—SATURD TURDA

A

gainst the background of the sad passing away of a “master banker”, Pa Olatunde Vincent, the furore rages on about the introduction of the 5000 naira note into our already shaky economy. The contrast between his benign era and the abrasive style of the present administration presents a picture of dismay. Old Lagos has lost one of its icons again. Apartheid is still very much with us, it would seem. Black Africans are still sufferings very much in the same way as they did under ., racist white rule, and judicial killings have come back to town again. We too are waiting for final emancipation from ourselves through the formulation of a new Constitution, in the pristine isolation of a retreat. Such absence of distraction was perhaps what Dame Patience Jonathan was in search of while her enemies put it out that she was ill. How wicked can detractors be!

Death came at the appointed time to lead Olatunde Vincent to glory. He was laid to rest two days ago after a religious service at the African Church Cathedral Bethel, in Lagos.

He had achieved the high profile of an icon in the church whose unique history is mingled with his ancestry, and where he functioned in several capacities as a worshiper and official of muscular Christianity.

But he was not only known for his rich Christian life as demonstrated by his activities in matters pertaining to church observances and rituals, but by the traits of a life of humility, discipline and honesty which made his way through life so beautiful and, in turn, beautified the faith that endued him with such a glittering existence. He put little store by prestigious titles, accommodating only prefixes like “Pa” and “Elder ” which came with the ripening of his days. He epitomised those sterling qualities associated with genuine bankers all over the world - modesty, sincerity, and dependability. He was fortunately not part of the era of arrogance, flamboyance and inordinate conceit in a profession which prided itself in its fund of trust and respectability.

Pa Olatunde Vincent was as Lagos as the Carter Bridge.

He belonged to the luminous background of the Alakijas of Customs Street, the Moores of Igbosere Road, the Akereles of Bamgbose, the Randles of Tokunboh, the Rotimi and Akintola Williamses of Idunmagbo, the Dohertys of Daddy Alaja, the Fasholas of Isalegangan, who bore names that you could conjure with in old Lagos, names of shining affluence and influence reflecting standards of high morality and propriety.

All of those high qualities resonated in every aspect of his career as a banker. He would never have been caught masquerading in traditional robes and gown along the corridors of a bank, any bank, during working hours; nor embroiled on a regular basis in a controversial policy or another with sound economists, and politicians and legislators alike. He dressed neatly without the C M Y K

•Olatunde Vincent slightest touch of exuberance and engaged only in sober deliberations around the welfare of the economy and the people whose lives it rules. That is why the measures he advocated and promoted, even after he had retired from his position as the Governor of the Central Bank, are highly appreciated and will endure for a long time, for they were formulated to benefit the industry and those who have their being in it.

But death came at last, as it would indeed come to everyone.

However, it is definitely not the end. We could not wish Olatunde Vincent to linger for ever. He lived to a grand old age, and he truly lived a fulfilled life.

But it is not the end. The flower of his being will continue to blossom in the industry which he graced for so many years with his presence, and where he will continue to be the role model for role models.

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hen that highly placed official of the Central Bank of Nigeria flippantly let it be known that all the bank needed, in whatever it liked to do with the national currency, was the consent of President Goodluck Jonathan, many commentators plunged into the pool of the discussion with the assurance, or on the supposition, that the consent was yet to be given. The instruments that prescribed that dispensation did not specify that the President’s consent depended on the approval of any person or constituted body. A friend of mine, when I pointed that out in an argument with him, mirthfully remarked, “Precisely.”

I knew what he meant immediately, but I could not imagine that arrangements for such an all-important exercise that touched the entire existence of the whole nation

could have been so casually considered without the input of the people whose lives would be so closely affected.

“Well, and you have been having your so-called input, haven’t you?” asked my friend who, by the way is a lawyer.

We surely have. We have argued against every point raised by the authorities of the CBN—the timing, the expense, the needlessness, and whathave-you. We have spoken as individuals; raised protests as civil societies; argued as experts and professionals. No less than over ninety percent of what constitutes this nation is calculated to have rejected the monstrous proposition. AND WHERE HAS IT LED US? It is to no less than details of how the horrendous arrangement will be carried out. In fact, on the face of it, it is a done deed.

It is understood that tenders are being invited for the production of the coins and the printing of the obnoxious 5000 naira currency notes. Minting and printing firms are being short listed already. In fact, it is understood that the assent of the President had already been received by the CBN before the whole thing was revealed to the public, so the huffing and puffing of the populace, including the responsible stance of the Senate, is really of no avail.

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white men were in control and met a similar fate. They would have been shot down then mostly by white men; now they were cut down by fellow black men. Almost twenty years after the rule of “apartheid” which made black men the inferior of white men, it has now been fully confirmed by that black men too can indeed do to black men what white men had the right to do to black men.

That is the measure of our freedom, or self-government, or whatever. Words! Words!

Obafemi Awolowo said it for all time —”It is not so much the system as those who operate it.”

The President of South Africa is a black man; so are almost all the members of his government.

Their immediate reaction to the massacre was to arraign a number of the miners and accuse them of the murder of their comrades. It was an old ploy under the laws of apartheid. The miners were actually arraigned before the charge was dropped.

UHURU.! The miners will have a say during the forthcoming elections, but meanwhile, they are staying out of the pits.

And so, here we are on our part still holding “ retreats” outside tenets, in order to formulate a creed. Or would it be to create a creed from which to extract tenets? Shall we then take a second view of a bank of the nation, which can humiliate the people into doing its own will at its whims and caprices? Shall we give the President himself the sceptre of unquestionable dominion of “primus non pares”? How much of the 1999 Constitution do we need to

We have raised protests as civil societies; argued as experts and professionals. No less than over ninety percent of what constitutes this nation is calculated to have rejected the monstrous proposition

And so, this is where we have arrived, fifty years after being permitted to rule ourselves.

And this is how we rule ourselves in a democracy which we thought came with the freedom of self-rule, that a group of people, not elected or approved by the people, could fashion an atrocious measure endangering our well-being, and ram it down our throats.

And what can we do about it?

Even less, it would appear, than we might have in the colonial days. If we streamed out again and headed for Freedom Park, could it really not turn bloody this time? I feel so helpless, so small, at the feet of the “banker with the bow-tie”, who seems to have such total control over my destiny.

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n South Africa, some black miners did just that - they turned out to demand more pay from the company which they had been serving, as it were, with their life-blood. And they actually paid with their blood.

They were accosted by a detachment of trigger-happy policemen who shot over thirty of them down in cold blood.

They had tried similar measures in the days when the

change our thinking on that?

That is why several honest and knowledgeable people persist in the demand for a Sovereign National Conference.

But how will that ever see the light of day when those who should facilitate it will continue to militate against it? The project must have the wholehearted support of the government of the day to come to life. And it will not. It will remove too many people in a position of power from their comfort zone. It will change structures and alter destinies, and those in power would naturally prefer the status quo, and its advantages of corruption and prejudice.

As for the single or two-term option of the executive, all the argument against the present two-term structure seems so fragile since it is based on human nature. An incumbent who would give four years of good service so he could be returned into office for another term, and use the second term to exploit and defraud the nation, would have the same, or an even better chance to abuse his office with a singleterm option. It all depends on the man and the extent of the effectiveness of the checks and balances draped around the manipulation of his service.

There are areas of a soft edge around the present Constitution, no doubt. We require a more robust federal muscle in governance, for one thing. The issues of State Police, Revenue Allocation, Security, and others can be resolved within that arrangement. Maybe we all need a retreat, anyway, to come back with renewed vigour against the problems we took away and safely brought back with us.

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change, really, and how much of ourselves do we have to change to believe in one another as a grouping of different nationalities. That is one of our major problems - a crisis of trust.

Have you ever considered why it is the desire of the people from every section of this country that the President should be elected, or selected, from among them? On the face of it, one would . naturally assume that a lot of advantages by way of development and a touch of welcome nepotism would be the reward. But experience has shown that not to be strictly the case. For instance, did those eight years produce any major “dividend of democracy” for the people of Otta and, in fact, Ogun State as a whole? Not in the least.

The fact that the man at the helm of affairs in .’ the country comes from the same area with you may make your shoulder rise a few centimetres higher than normal, confers no additional good feeling. But we would rather have it that way, wouldn’t we, because we do not trust anyone across the state line? Now, what kind of retreat is going to create a Constitution that would

few days ago, Mrs. Michelle Obama, wife of President Barak Obama of the United States, took the stage at the Convention of the Democratic Party to campaign for the re-election of her husband. Now, as you certainly are aware, she is the personification of feminine charm. Never far from the line of action, she still never appears obtrusive. Never dives in at the deep end of any topic, Does not need a super “attack dog” to guard her flanks against criticism. She appeared on that stage on a wave of applause, and left on a rising crest of approbation.

It is difficult to imagine a condition of failing health giving rise to a whirlwind of communique from the White House about this lady. Why cannot Aso Rock device ways and means of according our own First Lady such grace as is requisite to her position? Do we need more “attack dogs” to appreciate that a place like Aso Rock is, so to say, like a glass bowl?

All human beings are liable to being ill some of the time; it is not a crime. So why deny it.

Don’t those “experts” know that, in Public Relations, there are rumours you do nor try to drown even if they are untrue— in fact, sometimes because they are untrue?

Now we should all leave dear Patience alone to rest well, in her own “retreat”, and return very soon to her ever-loving compatriots.

Time out.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8 8, 2012—15

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16—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8 8, 2012

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18—SATURDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 each other that much. It’s a far distance but I manage to see her as often as possible. Lately, we’ve been talking about breaking up but the problem is we fear being lonely. Help me out .I am 30. Should we just break up?

Benjamin, Abuja

I’m both stuck and lonely Dear Julie, I’ve been in a relationship with my female partner for approximately 22 months, and it’s been going downhill since the beginning. My woman and I used to live in one city but I

got another job elsewhere and lack of communication and commitment seems to be the main problems. We can’t afford to travel to see each other and that is where most of the problems occur when we don’t see

Hello Benjamin, Those are two pretty big obstacles — lack of communication and commitment. There are some questions I need to ask however. Why are each of you so afraid to be alone and what do you mean by lack of communication? And, again, how come this lack?

Let’s start with being alone.

I find people have difficulty with aloneness when they are anxious and they have to distract themselves continuously;

and when they are not feeling good about work or their social life or perhaps , they have not developed any creative outlets or have difficulty enjoying what they are doing. It can also happen when people do not have one or two close friends they can share genuine issues and emotions with and may be experiencing unrecognized depression.

Of course, let’s not minimize the 22 months the two of you have been together. That’s a significant period of time, even if the relationship has been sliding downward for awhile.

You both may need the help of a friend, family member, teacher, spiritual advisor or, maybe, a counselor to help you grieve the end of the relationship. It doesn’t mean you can’t be friends.

But clinging to each other out of some dysfunctional fear will just block your ability to emotionally grow and fully move on with your individual lives.

Often, young adults have several unfinished emotional issues and conflicts with their families of origin. To the extent these linger, they can contribute greatly to communication difficulties. Your current partner is a catalyst for stirring up your old emotional “hot button” issues that predate her. And being unfinished emotionally with family (not that we ever fully differentiate ourselves) also correlates with being unsure of one’s self-esteem and sense of identity. This vulnerability will certainly make commitment a daunting prospect.

Breaking up with my spouse is affecting me Dear Julie, For eight years, I worked so hard trying to make my spouse happy. I turned myself inside out and backwards. Now he has walked out on me saying he wants to be a bachelor again. I feel used and abused!

He was emotionally and verbally abusive during our marriage. I also have been working hard to build my own business. So I feel doubly exhausted. I feel like I am swimming in a rough ocean with weights tied to me. I have lost all my energy, drive and optimism.

I was with this man for 12 years and married for 8. All that time, I was building my life around him. He was a very moody personality and very tough to live with. I guess I feel so burned out because I worked at the marriage so hard, and he didn’t appreciate me or anything I did. Now I am faced with needing energy and strength. Please advise me.

Onyeka, Lagos

Dear Onyeka, To be burned out is a gradual process by which a person detaches from work and other significant roles and relationships in response to excessive and prolonged stress and physical, mental and emotional strain.

The result is lowered productivity, cynicism and confusion; a feeling of being drained and having nothing more to give!”

Clearly, the answer to your opening question is yes. And your closing realization — feeling “so burned out because I worked so hard” without any appreciation also deserves confirmation. If no matter what you say or what you do, results, rewards, recognition and relief are not forthcoming, and you can’t say “NO” or won’t let go, trouble awaits.

The groundwork is being laid for apathy, callousness and despair.

So he had you and you had yourself coming and going. I’ll fairly quickly scrutinize your

honourable, culturally understandable yet, ultimately, self-defeating assumptions and intentions.

As for your ex, one can imagine his mid-life freedom protest: a compelling need to find his real self, his true passion. And he likely added insult to injury by claiming that

their kid to school, feed him breakfast in the car and at times, I even pick him and take him out.

The kids enjoy it and I enjoy it too. I get my “high” from them being together, so it is not a completely empty exchange, but I hate their cold shoulder. I am a person with my own achievements as well. I am proud of what I am and of my kids. Their cold shoulder, their inability to even

say thank you really make me mad. Samson, Lagos

Years of Romance Shortly before our 25th wedding anniversary, my husband sent 25 long-stemmed yellow roses to me at my office. A few days later, I plucked all the petals and dried them. On the night of our anniversary, I spread the petals over the bed and lay on top of them, wearing only a negligee.

As I’d hoped, I got a reaction from my husband.

When he saw me, he shouted, “Are those

timidate, to push others away, to keep you in the dark. The last thing this individual wants is to expose his true nature.

Underneath the stony silence and fiery eruptions is much long-standing rage, humiliation and emptiness. The truth is, he could be feeling worse than you. So, be strong and move on with your life.

Should I ha fair? havve this af affair?

Dear Aunty Julie, I am over nearly 40 and female. I have never done anything wrong in my life with the opposite sex. You can call me the Miss Perfect but now I want to have an affair with a married man. I am divorced and I am financially secure. I am not looking for remarriage. For sure, the man is willing and able but the problem is: I saw a picture of his wife on his desk. I looked at this picture of a woman with the saddest eyes. It was as if her soul entered mine. No, we have not been intimate as yet

except for some brief kisses.

Since I am so busy with my own work, just seeing him a little is all I need. But my conscience is bothering me terribly. Am I nuts or what?

Funmi,Akure Dear Funmi, No, I don’t think you’re nuts.

Actually, I admire your capacity to experience conflict, especially your ability to empathize with his wife. I wonder how many women entertain such thoughts? Does this situation also conjure up memories of your divorce? I suspect if you continue with this affair, your con-

Hello Samson, Let’s assume that your assessment is correct; this guy is rude.

You imply that he is a high achiever. And you also imply that his coldness has an “I’m up here and you’re down there” quality. This, of course, is obnoxious in its own right. Dealing with this individual can stir up old authority struggles or, even, old feelings of competitiveness, for example, sibling rivalry issues.

Also, one needs to be careful not

to fall into the “heaven’s reward fallacy” trap.

You are doing a good deed, thus, you deserve to be recognized and appreciated. Alas, the world is populated by a good number of self-absorbed, condescending, status- driven ego maniacs.

I’d rather use my energy assertively questioningyour antagonist’s behaviour rather than dwelling and resenting his rudeness or expecting him to have an epiphany and suddenly behave in a mature or civilized manner.

This family is rude

Aunty Julie, For the last four years, I have been tolerating this family. My kid and their kid at a very early age get along great. Believe it or not, they share chemistry. I believe that even kids can feel like that on their own terms. The big problem in my head is that this family has always given us the very cold shoulder. Can you believe that up to this date, the husband has never introduced himself to us and only recently, I have found out his first name? I drive

your nagging, faultfinding, guilt inducing and too preoccupied with your business ways,whether successful or not successful enough finally pushed him out.

Folks like your ex are often walled off from their genuine emotions and have learned to use belligerent tactics to in-

C O C K - T A L E S

potato chips?”

One and Only During a heartfelt chat with her friend about relationships, my wife sighed and said, “You know, if something happened to Lloyd, I don’t think I could ever marry again.”

Her friend nodded sympathetically. “I know what you mean,” she said. “Once is enough.”

Usual Suspicions After Adam stayed out late a few nights, Eve be-

science and values eventually will win out. So do you put the brakes on sooner or later?

You sound like you’ve evolved as a mature, independent individual. However, something is gnawing at you besides the aloneness in your busy, fairly self-sufficient life. Perhaps some anger or regret from playing the Miss Perfect role too long is surfacing. This can be especially painful when we became the compulsively and fearfully good girl at an early age.

Perhaps you’re ready to be a little outlandish. A strong attractive nearly 40-year old woman who lets her interest and libido be known will be able to attract a playmate, if not a partner.

As for just seeing your married paramour a little, I suspect that’s like being “a little pregnant.” It’s often hard having casually intimate or intimately casual sex.

And are you sure he’ll be content with “a little”? You may

have to play out the existing soap opera before you’re ready to script another. Just remember, especially in this arena, practice safe .

came suspicious. “You’re running around with another woman— admit it!” she demanded.

“What other woman?” Adam shot back. “You’re it!”

That night, Adam was fast asleep when he was awakened by Eve poking him in the chest.

“What are you doing?”

“Counting your ribs.”

Hearing loss I’d noticed that my 60-year-old father seemed to be losing his hearing, so I mentioned it to my mother.

“Things haven’t changed that much,” she said. “Only difference is, before, he didn’t listen. Now, he can’t.”

SATURDAY

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omi was busy having boozy sessions with his friends, explained my daughter. He’s never been too keen on the dogs any way.

‘Could you please pop in and see to it they are properly fed?’ She begged. I assured her I would. ‘ “Later in the evening, I popped the set of keys to their flat that I had into my bag. As I let myself in, the dogs were really restless and, if!’ d been a stranger, they would have attacked me. I knew where the dog food was. So I let myself,in through the kitchen door. I was a bit curious when I glimpsed a pair of stilettos carelessly tossed on the stairs. l resolved to scold Joke when she came back about wearing such high shoes in her condition. I picked up the

What Mother-in-Law stumbled on in the bedroom!

excuses. What did he expect I would do? Tell my daughter and break her heart? A month to the wedding? And with her expecting the rat’s child and my very first grandchild?

Eventually, I gave him my word to keep quiet. And to think that this man would soon walk our daughter down the isle and promise to honour and obey her. What is this world turning into?”When she discovered I wasn’t clucking in sympathy, she looked at me curiously. I told her that what she just witnessed happened all of the time. Some grooms-to-be have flings especially on their stag nights and these continue after they, wed.

Scarcely enough reason to shout blue murder and call off a well-planned marriage!

Quickly, I assured her that what I found really distasteful was Yomi bringing the adventurer to their bed.

They must have been really wild with passion not to give being caught a thought. And let’s face it, who would have thought my aunt would be snooping around under the guise of feeding the blasted dogs!

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have this strong feeling that Nigerian men are sex mad. This would have been understandable if they were sex starved. But with all the willing partners at their disposal, most of our men have a problem with their raging libido. A few weeks back, I went to a favourite aunt’s place to find out about the last minute preparation for her first daughter’s wedding.

Members of the family were all quite exited about this impending wedding. Not only had Joke managed to land quite an eligible guy just when we thought she might end up on the shelf, she just discovered she was pregnant at 34. An icing on the cake.

My aunt’s enthusiasm was gone when I called on her.

She looked glum and enraged. “Sit down dear,” she ordered when I asked her what the matter was. “You’re the only one I can confide in.

You know Joke is expected back any day from now?” I nodded. The happy girl had gone to Britain for a few days, not only to shop for her wedding, but to buy a few things for the expected baby.

Yomi, her husband, was all alone in the house. “A few days after she left,” my aunt continued her story, “she begged me to check on their dogs in case Yomi failed to take proper care of them.

Vanguard SEPTEMBER 8, 2012—19

Most of our men have a problem with their raging libido

dog food as I was about to leave I heard thumping noise from upstairs. Could that be burglars? With my heart in my mouth, I tiptoed up the stairs.

What if they had a gun?

Chanting a favourite psalm, i peered through the bedroom door and got the worst shock of my life. Yomi was in their bed with another woman! Frozen in the doorway, I couldn’t say a word at the site of their naked

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bodies. Yomi’s face was a mask of guilt and horror. His poor victim had her face to his chest and didn’t see me. “l rushed out of the house, hurriedly gave the dogs their food in their kennel and bolted. How i got into the car and drove all the way home is still a mystery. I was in shock and didn’t know how to handle this nightmare.

Should I tell Joke’s dad? I

knew he would go raving mad if I told him. Joke has always been his favourite child and he’d jokingly threatened to tear Yomi to pieces if he as much as hurt his ‘little girl.’ I was still dazed and disillusioned when the bell rang. Yomi stood at the doorstep, looking really contrite. ‘What can you possibly say to explain this betrayal?” I snapped at him, calling him really nasty names and wondering what my daughter was letting herself into by agreeing to marry him.

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hen he burst into tears, I had to let him in. He said he really loved Joke and had no intention of hurting her. The girl he was having it off with was an ex who’d sort of seduced him.

Humph! He might as well say that to the marines! I told him to spare me details of his pathetic “

itting in church on the day of the wedding and seeing the radiance on Joke’s face, I was glad my aunt never let the dog out of the bag. Joke’s dad was also in the dark as he proudly walked his ‘baby’ down the aisle. My aunt’s face looked troubled. Earlier, she’d fretted she was still tormented by doubts. Could Yomi be trusted never to betray her daughter again?

What if Joke found out and knew her mother knew: Could she ever forgive her?

Was my aunt from another planet? I assured her that as protective as she would want to be of Joke, the poor ‘girl’ is over 30, has friends who’d gone through worse things than their husbands bunking the maid on their matrimonial beds’ and that in years to come, she would have more things to worry about than where her husband was dipping his joy stick!

The Pros t!

Prostt ate Cancer Aler Alert! ust as the breast cancer alert has become a sort of mantra for women all over the world, so should the call for the awareness of prostate cancer —a disease that’s often overlooked but affects thousands of over 50s every year.

The Prostate Gland:

According to a recent campaign against prostate cancer, it is a gland located at the base of the bladder. It produces the fluid that makes up semen. The tube that carries urine from the bladder passes through the gland.

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It’s quite usual for it to grow as a man gets older and this can cause symptoms

What can go wrong?: The prostate gland can become inflamed or infected. It’s quite usual for it to grow as a man gets older and this can cause symptoms. But many of these symptoms can be caused by cancer too and it’s important that this more sinister

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cause of problems is identified and treated early.

The symptoms:

Because the tube carrying urine from the bladder passes through the prostate gland, urine flow is often affected by the gland getting

bigger. Symptoms to watch out for are needing to urinate frequently, particularly at night, a poor urine stream and difficulty starting to pee.

Often the bladder doesn’t empty properly, so when you think you’ve finished, a small amount of urine still comes out.

Less often, men will get pain ejaculating or pain passing urine.

Diagnosis:

Many of the symptoms can be caused by a harmless enlargement of the prostate, but if you see your doctor, they will be able to examine you and do a

blood test that will help see if your problems are due to cancer. They may also suggest an ultrasound scan of the prostate gland.

Can it be treated?:

Prostate cancer can be treated and there are many options from watching and waiting for surgery and chemotherapy. The sooner cancer is discovered, the more treatment options are available. So don’t sit on your problems, visit your doctor if you’re worried. For more information, go to www.prostate-cancer.org.uk.

20—Vanguard, SARTURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

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How to forgive an affair and move on

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8 8, 2012—21 make you a failure in relation- is to find and establish the ships. What the affair does reasons for the affair and ways tell you though, is that there you can move on with your are essential issues that need lives together, with a new and to be addressed. It is normal improved affair proof relationto be angry and unable to ship. calmly discuss this with your ood communication will partner, so let him or her be the key to your road know that without getting violent or throwing them out . to recovery. So, be sure to ask Let him or her know that you the right questions, listen with are deeply hurt and angry undivided attention and underthat they chose an affair as a standing, as well as answering way to deal with the issues the questions you are asked in your relationship and you and finding suitable solutions are not ready to talk about it on how to prevent the same event in the future. just yet.

Anger, as well as other When you are ready, where do you start? It will be diffi- emotions, will arise while you and your partner attempt to make things right and better. You may blow up during discussions because your mind will re-fresh your memory of how your partner had the guts to betray you and how stupid, hurt and disrespected it made you feel.

Your partner (the affairee) may also become upset because of your non-stop attacks on him or her, especially if they confessed and genuinely apologized.

Before attempting any conversations regarding the affair, be sure that you and your partner agree to disagree and express anger. You both need to have patience for each other’s feelings, for it will take time to cult to focus on the discussion get past the emotional outbursts.

If things start getting out of if you are torturing yourself control and you find yourselves with visual thoughts of the cheating act. Make an effort no longer talking, but only to be strong and avoid the yelling and blaming instead, end unnecessary painful thoughts the conversation and give each that will in no way make you other some space. You may need feel better or get your to do this several times until you relationship back on track. can talk without such interrupYou know what goes on when tions. Take it one step at a time. two people are intimate, so After all, if you and your partner save yourself the details you have made a decision to make already know and spare things work, then there is no yourself the hurt. The focus need to rush and panic.

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osin was driving home from work when she decided to stop by a fastfood joint and pick some things to keep her kids busy while she prepared dinner. The traffic-jam at Lagos Island made her to change her route to follow another route to beat the hold-up.

But she was not prepared for what she saw at the fast-food joint. Somewhere at the corner in the busy restaurant was her husband and her best friend lost in a deep kiss. Tosin lost her balance and fell and the commotion drew the attention of other people. Her husband Femi was astounded at seeing his wife and Tosin became very sick afterwards.

The discovery of an affair will attack you with shock, anger and numbness. No matter what way you choose to react, your surroundings will look the same afterwards because you have not yet started coping with what has transpired. You find that you are suddenly lost due to being caught off guard. You never thought this would happen to you. So when it does, what should you do when this painful truth is revealed and how can you forgive it?

The first thing to do when you find out that your partner has been cheating is to allow your emotions to flow out of your body. Holding your feelings in will only make you feel worse and cause a tremendous amount of stress both physically and mentally. Once you have expressed your instant reaction, you can start thinking more slowly and rationally. You will start examining your relationship, wondering where it went wrong and if it was ever as wonderful as you claimed it to be. You will create a chain of

Once your emotions have been expressed and sorted out, it is important to remember to not give the affair more power over your life than it deserves

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questions that have not yet been answered and will start feeling farther and farther away from getting any of them answered. Everything will be sorted out with time, but first thing is first and that is getting your emotions sorted out.

Once your emotions have been expressed and sorted out, it is important to remember to not give the af-

fair more power over your life than it deserves, even though at the time being, it feels like the end of the world.

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he fact of the matter is, it is not the end of the world, but has changed your world and the way you look at it, which is understandable.

Know that your partner ’s affair has nothing to do with his or her love for you, nor does it

I’m sexually attracted to a man at work Ans: I’ll presume that you want my

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am sexually attracted to a man at w o r k and I’m married. We work together and very closely too and most times we confide in each other. We advice each other about problems at home and we are so alike that we began to talk more often about our homes and advice each other. But along the line,we got attracted to each other. The attraction is so strong but we have not consumated the relationship. What do I do?

Adaeze, Benin

opinion on whether you should continue this workplace dalliance.

Sexual attraction in the workplace is readily combustible and often hard to resist or extinguish once the fires start raging. Let me highlight a few givens: these t reats, especially when prolonged, rarely stay neat, sweet and discrete. The married partner, despite assurances to the contrary, rarely leaves his or her spouse .

Guilt eventually becomes a disruptive third party making the rendezvous increasingly conflicted. Neither lover is absolutely immune, whether married or single and the married member is often acting out his or her anger toward the spouse with an affair. Usually, it’s better to confront the problems in your

•Tony, 48, divorced, trained in the US, resident in Lagos, wants a woman aged 20-45 from any country who wants to settle down on 08064667517 •Ekene, 23, female, from Enugu,needs a cool-headed guy on 0816310753 •Casmir,male, from Lagos desires a wealthy woman who desires satisfaction on 08180990369 •Michael, 36,from Anambra, based in Abuja needs a lady aged between 34-40 for marriage on 08177420200 •Samuel,male, from Imo, needs a weathy woman for a serious relation on C M Y K

marriage, decide if you can or cannot make the marriage work and start over, sadder and wiser, in your marriage or on your own .

Two examples come to mind. The first, a year- long affair between a workingclass bank teller and a bank executive.

The teller had left her and his kids because of his emotional neglect. The two separated but did not divorce. The executive continued to live with his wife.

This relationship provided the teller a little tenderness which had been lacking much of her life. Eventually, missing the connection with his children, some improved communication with her husband, and having healed some childhood and marital wounds with the

affair, the teller and her husband

reunited. The affair ended without significant problem.

In another affair, the married partner was forgiven by his spouse but the other party would not take it. She threatened suicide if the man should leave her but the man was not ready to leave his home but on taking the second chance given by his spouse.

You are an adult and I would advise that you become aware of these two sides of the coin. Know what you are up to and the consequences so you wouldn’t blame anybody if you get hurt at the end.

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Do you have reactions to our stories or have you any experience you want to share with our readers? Please e-mail,anyagafu2@gmail.com Do you want to be linked?

Neither Chioma Gabriel nor Saturday Vanguard has any relationship with anybody wanting to be linked. We have no agents anywhere and charge no fees. We have no personal information of people who have been linked or want to be linked and therefore, are not answerable for disappointments or embarrassments some people may encounter in the process.

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22—Vanguard, SARTURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

My last telephone conversation with my husband —Amadi’s wife, Toyin BENJAMIN NJOKU & GIFT GABRIEL Almost a week after the demise of her husband, Toyin Amadi, wife of departed Vanguard Group Entertainment Editor, Mr Amadi Ogbonna is still in shock. The middle aged mother of three boys is yet to reconcile with the reality that her beloved husband is no more.

Sitting pensively in their living room, a lot of things browse through her mind at the same time.Toyin would gaze into space intermittently and at other time, tears would be seen rolling down her cheeks. Showtime finds time to share her ‘pain’ as well as engages her in a conversation that takes her down the memory lane about her love life with her departed hubby.

How did you meet your late husband?

We met in 1992, while living in the same neighbourhood in Ogba, but we got married on June 25, 1996. Before then, I had lost contact with him when I relocated to Victoria Island where I was working. But later, I ran into him again in 1995, somewhere in Ogba. I was inside a bus when he sighted me because I was sitting by the window side.

He immediately shouted out my name “Toyin….waoo…”, and at the same time, he dragged me out of the bus, lifted me up asking: “Where have you been? I’m yet to get married because of you…where have you been?.

I didn’t consider his words serious because he usually acted humorously.

He told me to pay him a visit when next I visited Ogba.

Few weeks later when I went to visit my uncle, I decided to stop at his place. Immediately he saw me, he declared that he was getting married to me in that year, but I took everything for his usual jokes. He later visited me at my place, and I took time to ask him about the women in his life.

Later on, I asked about him from a close friend who lived at Ogba and she confirmed that he had become a more serious person. After praying, three months later, I decided to give him a chance. Then he told me he wanted me to be pregnant for him before the C M Y K

wedding. Being a Christian, I objected, but eventually, I became pregnant. He spoke with my parents and we had the traditional wedding in April 1996. Three days to the chosen date of the court wedding which was June 25, 1996, I went into labour and the baby did not come until the June 25th. I explained to the doctor that I was supposed to have my traditional wedding that morning and he examined me and said I could go and come back since the baby wasn’t coming down. Barely one hour after returning from the wedding to the hospital, I

(Oh Baby). Sometimes when I’m preparing breakfast early in the morning, he would play the song, come to the kitchen, hold me and drag me to the sitting room, and we would dance and dance. Whenever he is angry or I get angry because of something he may have done, he would still come to make me laugh and forget. at the end of the day, he’ll also apologise. I miss him so much(Crying) and I will forever live to remember him.

‘

I do not know the adjective with which to qualify him. He was caring, loving and kind. He was a complete husband; a total package

’

Toyin

,

Toyin with children gave birth to Jude Ogbonnaya Amadi. We now have three children in all.

What kind of a husband was him to you?

I do not know the adjective with which to qualify him! He was caring, loving and kind.

He was a complete husband; a total package. Though he could be highly temperamental, he was everything. Both our ringtones was a particular music which he knew I loved- Jodie’s Kuchi Kuchi

...And to his children?

My husband could do anything for his children; he cared so much about them. He would say: “Even if it is only one shirt that I have, I will do everything possible for my children to achieve their dreams in life.” He was a listening father. He was good to the extent that my own father loved him so much and always sought his opinion before taking any decision. He usually refer to himself as the

first child of my father, and my father took him that way. My sisters also called him “Egbon”. He was like that even to his own family members. He loved everybody!

What would you miss most about him?

He was very caring, and only God can fill this vacuum he has left behind(Crying). Only God! He had just given his life to Christ and was already attending the workers-intraining class. Around 2am on that black Wednesday morning when we were praying together, the major point he emphasised was that God should have mercy on him and give him the strength to carry on.

I never knew that death was around the corner. Since he gave his life to Christ, he had always been saying: “I want to work for God. My life and story will touch people and will win souls for God. I want to be a pastor.” He had sought to know what the next step would be after the workers-intraining programme and I told him he would move on to the School of Discipleship, and he indicted his willingness to continue the journey.

How did you react to the news of his death?

I still want to know what actually happened to my hus-

band. He called to tell me that he was on his way home. Minutes later, my phone rang again,and I heard him screaming at the other end that he was dying and that I should pray for him. When I tried calling him back, there was no response. However, between the time he called me and when our pastor came to break the news of his demise, I’m yet to come to terms with how it all happened. I want to know what really killed my husband.

Unless I am told what really happened, my conscience will never be at rest. He called to tell me he was on his way home but now, I can’t see him anymore.

‘

He called to tell me that he was on his way home, but now, I can’t see him anymore

’

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012—23

Wande Coal’s video’, not banned

Wizkid tackles another rapper, Fresh L

– NBC

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIM

Contrary to the report that pop singer Wande Coal’s video ‘Go low’ was banned on Terrestrial TV last week , the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has come out to clear the air, stating that it did not slam any ban on the video.

A representative from the Broadcast Content and Zonal Coordination of the commission, Francisca Aiyetan who spoke to an online publication explained that the commission is concerned about editing the ‘ musical video’ before airing it on Terrestrial TV station.

‘We have no issues with the lyrics; the issue here is with

BY AYO ONIKOYI

M

an of the moment and wave-making singer, Ayodele Balogun a.k.a,Wizkid, is known for his many good characters and maybe a few not too cool ones. But none of them is ever seeing the 24-year-old superstar going over the edge and blowing up in anger as he did some days back while recating to comments made by a UK based Nigerian singer,Fresh L. Ladi Lanre, Fresh L, a guy reputed to have recorded over 300 songs with a first solo ‘Refresh’ is said to have taken a swipe at Wizkid for winning ‘Artist of the Year’ and ‘Best Album of the Year’ at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards held in New York, United

States last weekend.

In his statement, Fresh L branded the youngster “undeserving” of the awards.

Uncharacteristically, this got on the wrong side of Wizkid, a guy known for his coolheadedness, that he took to Twitter to fire at Fresh L “Fuck that nigga Fresh L, his crew, Label, management and everyone else that lied to him about his wack ass career ” and obviously refusing to be restrained he added “Sorry my people.....y’all know I’m not like this....but fuck the

Wizkid nigga still!!!...moving on..

How are you guys doing today? Who is Fresh L?***some wack nigga I just made famous with one tweet!...

Mo Cheddah hits airwaves with new single

A

Mo’Cheddah

s the heat hits all-high feverish pitch for the 2012 Channel O awards, fans of Mo’Cheddah have begun a hot campaign to make sure the diva clinches ‘Most Gifted Female Video of the Year ’ with her noholds-bare video ‘See me’ featuring Phenom.

Some observers have said there is “hardly a place to turn on social media these days without fans of the songstress knocking your senses senseless with cries for votes for her” And only some hours ago, her new single “I am Coming for you” was released and it has since taken over the airwaves, winning accolades from various quarters.

Wande Coal

the video clip and just a tiny part of it. The advice is to edit out that part before going on air., explained Francisca Aiyetan, a representative from the Broadcast Content and Zonal Coordination of the commission.

Continuing, she said, “it is important for us to be careful with kind of programmes we run on terrestrial stations because viewers at home are bound to receive the signals of these stations without soliciting for them.”

Cobham’s mother wins Supermom celebrity show

By FLORENCE AMAGIYA

A

fter thirteen weeks of voting, Gladys Asuquo, mother of the award winning singer, song writer, and producer, Cobhams Asuquo, has emerged winner of Supermom celebrity reality show.

Mrs. Asuquo, a former clerical officer in the Nigerian Army clinched the star prize of N2m after earning the highest votes by fans and followers of the ten finalists.

Fuji music star, Abass Akande Obesere’s mother, Taibat Omobonike, emerged first runner up while Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment rapper, Skales’ mother, was second runner up. They both get N1m and N500, 000 cash respectively which would also be donated to a charity of choice and an all-expense paid trip to Dubai.

Other runners up are Julius Agwu and Tony Tetuila’s mothers.

Speaking on how Mrs. Asuquo’s story was adjudged the best of the ten, Fajobi said, “our viewer’s were moved to tears by the story of how Cobhams turned his disability to a success story. On how she managed to raise him, despite the inherent challenges.”

Mrs Asuquo said, “It wasn’t easy watching Cobhams do chores around the house and run errands like my other children. But I resolved to make him independent and capable of achieving anything he sets his mind to do. I showed him where his box of clothes was and would ask him to go get his clothes after bathing him.”

She also added that as he grew up, his love for music started coming to the fore as he would beat on anything he could lay his hands on. So I encouraged him by buying him musical toys.

24—SATURDAY Vanguard,SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

SHAN GEORGE

‘I am not dating Mikel Obi’

BY EKERETE UDOH

S

han George knows she is cannon for controversies and is unapologetic about it.

Recently, she was quoted to have said that most married Nollywood actresses are not faithful to their husbands, that they keep numerous lovers. that allegation was said to have rankled a number of her colleagues who felt scandalized by such revelations.

The mother of two boys said that offensive article misrepresented her statement and was motivated by the writer ’s desire to cause unnecessary friction between her and her colleagues in the industry.

“That was such a low blow.

Why should it be my problem to know – not to talk about other people’s marriages and what they are doing or not doing? It is not my nature to make such judgment calls and most of my colleagues knew the writer of that piece was motivated by hate and not by the desire to help build the

industry and the bond of friendship that exist in Nollywood. If you had attended my premier, you would have seen that almost everyone who is somebody in the industry showed up. Would they have done so, if they thought I was a loose cannon or that I take delight in disparaging other people? No, they would never have done so! I forgive the guy who wrote that offensive piece.”

S

Mikel & Sahn George

han also used the opportunity to condemn in a strong term the recent news that circulated online that she was photograph nude. “I am really disappointed by the level of ignorance of some people in today ’s world. I mean who low can they get. I went out with some friends of mine to mark my birthday and we were all dressed in swim suit-bikinis. There was no indecent exposure – we were just having fun. The pictures are all on the net. Yet someone after seeing the pictures – went and wrote that I was photographed nude. Can you imagine that? I can’t imagine if the writer cannot recognize someone wearing a swimming trunk and a naked picture. It is very annoying. I have morals and I would never pose nude – not for a million dollars. You

know what I have come to see that in this industry: there are some people who are haters and instead of applauding your efforts, would rather take delight in painting you in colors that do not represent who you are. But I am glad that the majority of my fans worldwide know who I am.”

Recently too, a picture of Shan was posted on line where she was seen seemingly cavorting with the top Chelsea soccer star, Mikel Obi, leading to the speculation that she and Mikel wee dating. When asked, Shan was incredulous “This is really getting crazy. So I can’t even have a drink with someone – just innocently, without being linked romantically with the person? Mikel Obi is at a talented soccer player whose skills I appreciate. I am his big fan and when they won the Champions Cup last May, I was over the moon with excitement for him and his team mates. We met and had a drink in Lagos recently and that was that!

Nothing romantic happened between us. I am not dating Mikel Obi and I hope some of these traffickers of lies can go have themselves some life.”

Bayelsa govt ready to partner Nollywood ...clamours for Ijaw language movies

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

F

ILM makers, actors and actresses, particularly of Ijaw extraction have been challenged to consider the usage of Ijaw language in the production of movies in the country.

Governor Seriake Dickson gave the charge in Yenagoa while declaring open a symposium titled, “The prospects of indigenous films in Nigeria.”

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah(rtd), the governor said that the state government has made the teaching of the Ijaw C M Y K

language in primary schools mandatory in order to promote the Ijaw culture.

According to him, the aim of the symposium is to produce Bayelsans that will be proficient in the Ijaw language so that they can act Ijaw-based films effectively and professionally.

In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw Affairs, Dr Felix Tuodolo, whose ministr y organized the symposium, said that an Ijaw Film Project has been conceptualized in order to make Bayelsa State, the film making destination in Nigeria.

He also said that the symposium was initiated to

explore the different perspectives of building a profitable partnership between film makers in Nigeria and the Bayelsa State government.

Dr Tuodolo also emphasized that the film industry is a money spinning business and that government is ready to partner with Nollywood to produce Ijaw-based movies and television series.

The commissioner also recalled that in the past, previous governments of the state hosted series of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) but regrettably, the state never derived any visible benefits from the partnership.

Governor Seriake Dickson

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012—25

Yvonne Nelson, Nadia Buari settle scores in movie Benefits of Nigeria’s membership of FIAPF

P

opular Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson is due to premiere her new movie, “Single and Married” at Silverbird Cinemas, in Lagos.

The star-studded movie, starring herself alongside other most -ought-after Ghanaian entertainers, including Chris Attoh, Nadia Buari, Afro neo-soul singer Efya, hip life rapper Tiffany, Adjorlolo, Kweku Elliot, Eddie Watson, Anita Erskine and of course, Nigerian TV presenter-turned- actress, Tana Adelana was produced

by Media GH in partnership with Yvonne Nelson Productions.

The steamy movie which is directed by Pascal Amanfo was described by Yvonne Nelson as a ‘no holds barred movie is loaded with movie excitement and movie enthusiasts should brace up for a thrilling experience when the movie finally hits the big screens later this month in Nigeria and Ghana.

The actress who was also crowned the Face of Ghana Best Actress 2011/2012 at a red-carpet ceremony held at the JFK International Hilton Hotel in the United States earlier this year further hinted that the release of the movie in both countries will be preceded by a red carpet movie premiere which will be attended by who-is-who in Nollywood and Ghollywood alike, including her fans and supporters who have been waiting anxiously for the release of the movie.

According to industry watchers, ‘Single and Married” is bound to put to rest all false rumours concerning the relationship between Yvonne Nelson and her Ghanaian counterpart, Nadia Buari.

The A-list actresses who last starred together in 2009, when they featured in ‘Heart of Men’ have been rumoured to be sworn enemies. But four years after their last movie together, their collaboration in this flick is expected to clear the air on such rumours.

The captivating movie, according to an insider, is based on an everyday story that the ordinary African can relate to. It is told in a narrative form, with Anita Erskine as the narrator while Yvonne, Nadia and Chris play the lead.

C M Y K

D

Yvonne

Diamond Pictures invades Nollywood with Untamed and Spirit of the Assassin N ollywood is bound to erupt like a volcano when Diamond Pictures in collaboration with its distribution and marketing arm, Nollywood Cinemas hit the nation’s box office with two of their blockbuster movies, “Untamed’ and Spirit of the Assassin” soon.

The cinema run is coming weeks after the company ’s successful outing in South Africa, Zambia and Lesotho with four of its thrilling movies including “Inale”, “Untamed”, “Spirit of the Assassin” and “Off the Hook.”

At a press preview of the two movies during the week, in Ikoyi, the director of the movies, Andy Boyo said “ we are fully back to let Nigerians especially movie buffs, to have a feel of these two wonderful and riveting movies, which will soon hit our major cinemas nationwide.

While “Üntamed”, featuring Patience Ozorkwo, Van Vicker, Chinwe Isaac, Deborah King among other Nollywood stars explores the inglorious and vexed issue of same sex

marriage in the African society, “Spirit of the Assassin’ unravels the mysteries surrounding several high profile assassination within and outside the shores of the country. The feature is coproduced by Kingsley Esele, Bunmi Okeafor and Faith Stephen.

The highly controversial movies full of unusual romance and love scenes will definitely thrill and enthrall movie buffs when it hits cinemas across the country from October 5.

Chinwe

uring the 2011 edition of the world’s most popular international film festival – Festival de Cannes in France -, Nigeria, through the platform of the very proactive and elitist Association of Nollywood Core Producers (ANCOP), was formally admitted as the second African member-nation of the prestigious International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations (FIAPF). For starters, FIAPF is to film producing at global level what the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) is to the game of football at global level. Created in 1933, FIAPF is the only existing global trade organization dedicated to the defense and promotion of the legal, economic and creative interests of film producers throughout the world. As at today, the only other African member-nation of FIAPF is Egypt. In fact, FIAPF members are national producers’ organizations from over 30 countries across the globe: from Europe to Asia-Pacific, Africa to Latin America and North America. Other membercountries of FIAPF include but not limited to Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Indian, Iran, Japan, The Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.Advocacy and policy work is top on the list of FIAPF’s benefits to Nollywood.

This global organization actively promotes film producers’ interests through advocacy work in the main regional and international political arenas considered as top priorities by its members in terms of impact on the film production sector. At the request of its members, FIAPF also contributes to national debates in the name of the foreign film producers’ community. FIAPF is committed to the growth of the audiovisual sector worldwide, as a strategic factor in the economic and social development of countries.

In that context, FIAPF is a registered NGO of over 30 years at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) as well as the European Union institutions. In this capacity, FIAPF is involved in debates on relevant WIPO policies.

FIAPF’s action includes contributing to policy debates through position papers, public workshops, targeted information on the contribution of film and audiovisual to development, ad-hoc alliances with other organizations from the audiovisual and/or the creative industries at large.

In a nutshell, FIAPF advocacy is multi-faceted, involving interaction with all relevant decision-makers in international fora. FIAPF members receive regular reports on the political developments at WIPO as well as the European Union. FIAPF reports place special emphasis on the ways in which new legislation or regulation may impact the film production sector in specific ways. FIAPF reports and membership meetings allow Nollywood to be kept fully aware of the most recent developments in international copyright statute and how it may impact producers’ capacity to finance and commercialize films; other common challenges for the film production community worldwide such as copyright enforcement and the transition to digital distribution models are also in FIAPF’s remit. Key players could use the background provided by FIAPF as a contribution to Nollywood’s developing informed positions on legislative and regulatory developments in Nigeria. The cornerstone of FIAPF’s advocacy is its strong belief in the positive contribution made by the film industry to the economic, social and cultural development of countries. A robust Intellectual Property (IP) system is the prerequisite for the film sector to deliver its full potential as a driver for innovation, creativity and competitiveness and an engine for job creation and economic growth/sustainability.

Continues next week.

26—VANGUARD, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

By Anozie Egole 07088551416 egole.anozie@yahoo.com

Cossy tweets photos of boobs, butt Cossy

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

C

ontroversial actress, Cossy Orjiakor is at it again. The actress who keeps getting back lashes from the public due to her ‘lifestyle’, recently tweeted suggestive pictures of her boobs and butts on the social network-Twitter.

Last year, the tiny voiced actress and singer reportedly posted her naked picture online, saying “[this is] my new swimming trunk. [I] just love this pink and black no.”

However, since uploading the pictures online, comments

have not stopped flowing in from her fans, friends and foes.

The actress tweeted “make me your attendant tonight...I will gladly play my role.*winks*”, a statement which immediately went viral on the internet.

As the queen of boobs in Nigeria, Cossy may not have acted in many movies but her

name still remains fresh in the minds of some industry watchers, thanks to her m a n y controversies which she comfortably swims in.

F

ormer Nation boyz boy, Vector Iheanacho fondly called 9etwork in the music arena is back with three explosive songs entitled “Injustice, Naira, and 9etwork Party.” The songs were produced by talented producer, Easybeatz’ The eclectic afro hip-hop music artiste took a break from music for some time now to pursue a new career for himself in United Kingdom.

His distinctive brand new track is a good omen of his impressive return to the spotlight.

After dropping the songs on national radios and online a couple of weeks ago, the artiste seems to be garnering a loyal fan base. In just a month of its release-Injusticea well-penned and produced jam, has recorded thousands of downloads on the internet while it frequently enjoys ample airplay on most radio stations based on listeners’ incessant requests. The same also apply to Naira and 9etwork Party.

Injustice is a song centered on the prejudice meted out to Nigerians in the diaspora. It also preaches endurance, understanding and love.

Reminiscing how he came about the hit song, Injustice, he said: “My new song is to

reedom Hall, a platform which encourages young Nigerians to express their God-given talents either in music, drama, poetry, dance and comedy is due to relay the myriads of problems that are affecting the growth of the country on stage.

In its latest offering, the group is staging a play titled “For the Love of Country”, which vividly captures the past, present and future of our dear country with eloquence, depth and humor.

Billed to be staged at the Muson Centre, Lagos, on the 30th of September, the play is about the renewed sense of faith and the birth of a great

future for the country.

According to the organsiers, it is a revolutionary fusion of dynamic theatrical expressions by some of the country’s most extra-ordinary actors, incorporating vocals from our ever-green and new generation artistes, spanning Afrobeat, Neo-soul, alternative rock, jazz afro-reggae, hiphop, R &B and a dash of classical, all for the love of country.

Speaking ahead of the event, during the week, the projector coordinator, Olajumoke Alawode-James said the show will feature Ade Bantu, Bez, Ruby, Molara, Muson Orchestra, Eva Ezi among a

Baby boy for Tinsel’s Matilda Obaseki T

C M Y K

inform Nigerians on the hardships and injustice melted out to foreigners abroad. In UK where I currently live, I’ve experienced and seen a whole lot of injustice meted out to people. This is the message in my new track ‘Injustice.”

9network

Nigeria’s woes on stage F

Maltida

9etwork returns with injustice

he eccentric young movie executive, Angela Dede, played by Matilda Obaseki who has been replaced by the Ghanian actress, Leonora Okine, is said to have been delivered of a baby boy.

The lovers of the superb

series who have been clamour for her return back to Tinsel have all been sending congratulatory messages all over the world.

The bundle of joy and his mummy who got engaged early this year, we learnt are doing well

host of others who will grace show.

Olajumoke describes the play as “a gripping plot weaves around celebrating the courage of that indomitable Nigerian spirit which binds us together in spite of our broken past,”adding that ïts about sharing the miracle that

despite thirty months of civil war, ten bloody military coups and years of endless political turmoil, Nigeria still stands as an indivisible entity.” Ít is about the renewed sense of faith and the birth of a great future sure to rise from the ashes of our failed past and bleak present.

SATURDAY

W

as your guy raised as a traditional, sto ic, man’s man?

These reflect in the way they relate to you. There are a lot of things about men that women need to know and some of these are secrets women need to find out.It may be easier for your man to talk about feelings indirectly. Ask what he’d do during a romantic weekend. Or what he thought the first time he met you. His answers will reveal how he feels and bring you closer.

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012—27 another better than strangers do.

He likes it when you initiate sex

Secrets men want you to know

Men say “I Love You” with actions

Guys aren’t always up for sex

Some men prefer to express their feelings through actions rather than words. Your guy may say “I love you” by fixing things around the house, tidying up the yard, or even taking out the trash , anything that makes your world a better place.

Men, much to many women’s surprise, aren’t always in the mood for sex. Just like women, men are often stressed by the demands of work, family, and paying the bills. And stress is a big libido crusher. When a guy says, “not tonight,” it doesn’t mean he’s lost interest in you. He just means he doesn’t want to have sex right then.

Men take commitment seriously

Men have a reputation for being afraid to commit. But the evidence suggests men take marriage seriously. They may take longer to commit because they want to make sure they are onboard for good. In a survey of currently married men, 90% say they would marry the same woman again.

Men like pleasing their partner

He really is listening

When you’re listening to someone talk, you probably pipe in with a “yes” or “I see” every now and then. It’s your way of saying, “I’m listening.”

But some guys don’t do this.

Just because a man isn’t saying anything doesn’t mean he’s not listening. He may prefer to listen quietly and think about what you’re saying.

Shared activities form bonds

Men strengthen their love primarily through shared activities more than by sharing thoughts or feelings. For many men, activities like sports and sex make them feel closer to their partner.

Men need time for themselves

While shared activities are important, men also need time

Most guys feel as though they’re the ones who always initiate sex. But they also like to be pursued and wish their partner would take the lead more often.

Don’t be shy about letting your guy know you’re in the mood. Initiating sex some of the time may lead to a higher level of satisfaction for both of you.

for themselves. Whether your guy enjoys golf, gardening, or working out at the gym, encourage him to pursue his hobbies, while you make time for your own. When both partners have space to nurture their individuality, they have more to give to each other.

Men learn from their fathers

If you want to know how a man will act in a relationship, get to know his dad. Some say men learn about their relationship role by watching and listening to their fathers. How they are with each other and how the father relates to the mother can predict how a man will relate to his wife.

Men let go faster than women

Women tend to remember

negative experiences longer and may have lingering feelings of stress, anxiety, or sadness. In contrast, men are less likely to dwell on unpleasant events and tend to move on more quickly. So while you may still want to talk about last night’s argument, your guy may have already forgotten about it.

Men respond to appreciation

Showing appreciation for your guy can make a big difference in the way he acts.

Take parenting. Studies show that fathers are more involved in care-giving when their wives value their involvement and see them as competent.

Men think about sex ... a lot Maybe this one is no secret.

The majority of men under age 60 think about sex at least once a day, compared with only a quarter of women. And that’s not all. Men fantasize about sex nearly twice as often as women do, and their fantasies are much more varied. They also think more about casual sex than women do. But thinking is not the same as doing.

Men find sex significant

It’s a myth that most men think sex is just sex. For many, sex is a very important act between two committed people.

And just like most women, men find sexual intimacy to be most satisfying in the context of a committed relationship. One reason is that long-term partners know how to please one

Your pleasure is important to your man. But he won’t know what you want unless you tell him. Too many women feel uncomfortable talking about what they like and don’t like.

If you can tell him clearly in a way that doesn’t bruise his ego, he’ll listen. Because he knows he’ll feel good if you feel good.

Guys get performance anxiety Most men get performance anxiety on occasion, especially as they age. Your guy may worry about his physique, technique, and stamina. If you can help him learn to relax and stay focused on the pleasures of the moment, sex will become less stressful.

Men may stray when needs aren’t met

If a man doesn’t feel loved and appreciated in his relationship, he may turn elsewhere for satisfaction. For one man, that may mean burying himself in work. Another may develop a fixation on sports or video games. And some men cheat. To avoid this, partners need to work together to meet each other’s needs.

O-Men

How to talk to women respectfully A t some point you’ve proba bly said something that made a woman angry. From your standpoint, you were only being honest, honesty is good, right?

Or, you were simply trying to make a point, after all, your opinion matters, too. Or, in some cases, you were actually trying to help—isn’t it chivalrous to offer help? But unfortunately, your good intentions went awry. You pissed her off.

Conversation is tricky business.

Conversation with women can be even trickier. Why is this? As a man, you have a communication style that you’ve learned and honed over the C M Y K

years, one that works reasonably well with other men or in your everyday life.

But when you converse with a date or partner, you’re not only communicating with the other sex, you’re communicating with someone who will assign more weight to what you say. Which means it’s much easier to get into trouble.

Many men think success with women is about one’s job or income. Sure, these things are attractive to many women, but they don’t even come close to ensuring success with them. What does? How you make her FEEL. Does she feel respected and understood

when talking to you, or does she feel disregarded and talked down to?

There are many conversational ditches one can drive into when talking to a woman.

Criticizing her tastes or beliefs

Clearly, openly criticizing a woman is a good way to piss her off. You probably already know that. But there’s a subtle, indirect form of criticism that can also get you into trouble: dogging a woman’s opinion.

For example, a woman you’ve begun dating believes in astrology. You

think it’s stupid and tell her so. You’ve got be honest, right? And your problem is with astrology, not her, right?

Not quite. When you say, “Astrology is stupid,” you’re effectively telling her, “You’re stupid. and she will take it as a personal insult.

“So what’s the solution here … never state my true opinion?” you ask.

Not at all. You have every right to your opinion; the trick is how you express it.

For example, it’s okay to admit you don’t believe in astrology or don’t get her obsession with shoes. But you want to show her that you don’t judge or knock her for being different from you. Stand by your opinions, but let her have hers. She’ll love you for it.

30 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

United/Wales

Gaston Ramirez, Bologna/Uruguay

Giggs needs no introduction. He has won countless titles and cups with Manchester United in his long career. He is still one of the better players in the world, even if he is mainly used as an impact sub nowadays. His tireless running and important goals are amazing for his age. Manchester United will look to keep him going as long as possible.

He has been linked heavily with a move to Liverpool in the last few weeks and it will be interesting to see where he ends up this summer.

Ramirez is an attack-minded player with an eye for goal.

Now a full international for top side Uruguay, he is sure to be a left winger to watch for the future.

Angel Di Maria, Real Madrid/Argentina

Arda Turan, Atletico Madrid/ Turkey

Turan is one of the brightest talents to come out of Turkey for a while. After becoming a regular in the Galatasaray set up, Turan got his dream move to Atletico Madrid. He is now up there with some of the best wingers in world soccer. He is renowned for making goals for others with his incisive passing and accurate crosses.

Santi Cazorla, Malaga/Spain

Cazorla had spent most of his career at Villarreal before last summer ’s big money move to La Liga rivals Malaga. Cazorla is known as a very versatile player, being able to play on either flank.

He was back in form last season after being plagued by injury in his final days at Villarreal. He scored 9 goals in 38 appearances and was selected for Spain’s Euro 2012 title winning squad.

Gareth Bale, Tottenham Hotspur/Wales

Still only 22 years of age, we can only imagine what Bale will be like in his prime. He hit the ground running at

•Ramirez

•Turan

•Bale

•Carzola

Top World Left Wingers The art of the winger is fast becoming extinct, which makes the job of picking some of the best left wingers in the world all the more difficult.

Many of these players are now finding themselves competing all the way across the attacking threshold and back again. Here is our lowdown on the top tricky wingers to set the world on fire.

Spurs and hasn’t looked back since. His pace and crossing abilities are to be gawped at.

Tottenham have recently pushed Bale further up the field and in turn unlocked an attacking gem.

Ashley Young, Man United/England

With Aston Villa slipping

down the table, Young saw his chance to challenge himself with a high-profile £15 million move to Manchester United. He has all the perfect attributes you associate with a winger; he is fast, a dribbler with a superb cross. Young has had his critics following his poor showing with England at Euro 2012, but remains one

of the best wingers in the world right now.

C M Y K

Samir Nasri, Manchester City/ France

For most of his career, he has had to live up to being the ‘ new Zidane,’ a tag that has followed him around. Now Nasri is regularly deployed as more of a winger, a role unfamiliar to Zidane. Last season, he helped Manchester City to their first ever Premier League trophy.

If Nasri can show the unpredictable passing and movement he displayed at Arsenal, Manchester City will be looking good for another title win.

Ryan Giggs, Man

US OPEN TENNIS 2012

Andy Roddick and biggest sur

T

he 2012 U.S. Open has been full of big surpris es. Whether it be the rise of a former unknown, the extended layoff of a superstar or the inspired play of a former champion, this tournament has had plenty of big headlines to pique the interest of tennis fans worldwide. Three of the biggest surprises are discussed in the following slides, so advance forward and be sure to leave your comments on the Open’s biggest shockers thus far.

The great play of Marin Cilic

•Di Maria

The appeal of playing in the Portuguese league with Benfica proved to be enough to lure Di Maria away from his homeland of Argentina.

His performances in the Beijing Olympics for his country earned him his big money move in 2008 and he hasn’t looked back. He is skillful on the ball and has an important burst of pace to power past his man.

•Nasir

•Mata

•Ribery

Marin Cilic has been a surprising up-and-comer in this U.S. Open tournament. He has advanced to the quarterfinal round, which is impressive considering that he is seeded No. 12 in the field.

Cilic has had a solid career and uses his 6’6" frame to impose his

will on opponents. Marin has won multiple matches in 2012 and has actually been ranked as high as No. 9 in the world, so he certainly has the talent and drive to advance even further.

Cilic’s current placement in the quarterfinals matches his best finish in the major; he also surged into the quarterfinals in the 2009 U.S. Open.

However, his next match will be extremely difficult to win, as he is facing the red-hot Andy Murray, who is only a few weeks separated from winning gold at the 2012 London Olympics. Cilic will have to play the match of his life to advance beyond Murray, but he is certainly capable of pulling off the upset.

When you think of greatness in athletes, you have to think about the longevity as much as anything. Being dominant once is hard enough, but doing it over a long, sustained period of time is

A dic del ret his Op

som At tha how out

Vanguard, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 — 31

Juan Mata, Chelsea/Spain

Mata made his name with Valencia after being curiously released by Real Madrid’s second string as a young man.

He has had a fantastic year scoring in the Euro 2012 final and also helping Chelsea to Champions League glory. His vision and technical ability are second to none.

Franck Ribery, Bayern Munich/France Some would argue Ribery is the trickiest of all these wingers. Close ball control and excellent dribbling rank amongst the finest of his abilities.

After a slow start to his career, he has now established himself as arguably the best left winger in world soccer. Since announcing himself at Bayern, he has attracted admiring glances from all across Europe.

rprises thus far

Andy Rodck ...keeps laying his tirement with s great US pen play

mething only the very best can do. t times, we can get lost in the moment t we don’t take a step back to appreciate w great a player is/was/has been throught their career.

C M Y K

Manchester United: Why Wayne Rooney's injury could prove a blessing in disguise

O

ne man’s loss is another man’s gain, and Manchester United losing one of their world-class strikers to injury is one of the better things that could have happened at the start of the season.

Sounds strange, doesn’t it?

It’s almost two weeks since Wayne Rooney suffered a gashed leg in his side’s 3-2 win over Fulham, meaning the England international still has another five weeks or so left on the sidelines.

Most managers would see this as a curse to witness so early in the campaign, but fortunately for Sir Alex Ferguson, he can endure such a conundrum.

As things stand, the Red Devils have about five forwards who are in the re-

F

bly minor role.

With Rooney out of the picture, RVP was left to take up his spot as the lone striker in the 3-2 win over Southampton, while Danny Welbeck provided width.

Welbeck is a natural striker, and will be anxious to pounce on the slightest chance he has at occupying that central role himself.

The young Englishman recently put pen to paper over a four-year contract extension , showing that his intentions do indeed lie at Old Trafford, but he won’t want that time to pass without playing in the position he desires most.

Hernandez is in a similar

alistic running for first team duties.

Rooney will compete for his place alongside Robin van Persie, Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez and quite possibly Federico Macheda, who was used extensively in the club’s preseason DHL tour.

This summer, Manchester United offloaded two strikers, Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen, and replaced the pair with the more than ample talent of Van Persie along with Angelo Henriquez, who won’t challenge the first team in this campaign.

That means that the club is still playing the same balancing act with their attacking numbers as last season, striving to get results while keeping morale high amongst their ranks as they look to hand out equal playing time.

Last season proved that this just isn’t realistic with so many top-class strikers, as Berbatov was relegated to an incredi-

ormer Manchester United, and current Real Madrid superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, may make a shocking move in January away from the Bernabeau.

One of the clubs heavily linked with the Portuguese man’s signature is his former side, who have already strengthened over the summer with the additions of Shinji Kagawa and Robin van Persie to the United squad.

The rumours come amidst a comment made by Ronaldo about how he is “sad” at Madrid.

Of course, this is Cristiano we are talking about.

Being “sad” could range anywhere from having a bad piece of candy, to hating his time at the club and wanting a way out.

Chances are it’s the first of those two possibilities.

Some believe the source of Ronnie’s discontent may be as a result of the lack of support currently being shown by his Galacticos team-mates, who have apparently not spoken out favourably enough in regards to his conquest to be recognised as the best player in the world.

Ronaldo feels whilst Messi is backed up by his Barca colleagues, the players at Madrid are too concerned with themselves to show any real signs of support.

This is the typical egocentric arrogance one has come to expect from Ronaldo over the years but it’s kind of why a lot of football fans love him!

boat, and while the pair may be upset to see Wayne Rooney sit out the next few weeks, their sorrow will be short lived if they are to look out for themselves.

Shinji Kagawa’s arrival at the club makes it all the more likely that Sir Alex plays with just the one striker, making competition for places up top all that more tense.

The Japanese international occupies the hole behind the striker while the wings continue to do the job they are put there to do, and provide for the man up front.

On paper, an attack containing Robin van Persie, Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez and Federico Macheda still looks pretty fearsome.

Cristiano Ronaldo may make a shocking return to old Trafford Rivals for the alleged “transfer” include Manchester City and PSG—realistically, the only two clubs who could afford Ronaldo.

One thing is for certain: this is the second time Ronaldo has spoken out about being unhappy at Real in just three seasons.

During his time with the Red Devils, Cristiano was generally content season in and season out.

Could we be about to witness one of the most breathtaking transfers in history this winter?

It’s unlikely, but a man can dream I suppose.

32—VANGUARD, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 , 2012

Dagrin inspires me —Mojo EW kid on the Hip-hop block who simply refers to himself as Mojo, was born with the thirst for music. It was to be an ever present phenomenon in his earlier years growing up in Lagos, as well as while pursuing higher education in Europe. Rearing to go, he has set things all up to burst loose back in Lagos:I find your name rather interesting.

Where does it come from?

My name is actually Mojola and that’s where Mojo comes from. It’s not what everybody thinks it means.

What do people think it means?

The blue films and what not. “ah ha, your name is Mojo?!”

Did you arrive at that name to draw attention?

No, I was actually a kid when they started to call me Mojo. The name just got stuck. In Sweden when I was doing music I was called Mojeed by my fans.

When I came back, I reverted to Mojo again.

What is your musical philosophy?

Music is a lifestyle. For me music is almost everything. I have songs I can play when I’m down that just changes my mood.

So you just want to make people feel better?

Feel good about themselves. The things I talk about in the song, maybe they can relate to it so people know they are not the only ones going through these kind of things.

To what length would you go to do that?

Are you the sort of person that would go out of his way to do something just to touch people?

Sometimes I do it without knowing. If someone tells me they need help with something and I can’t do it at that moment and I say no; I might do it later without even knowing I am doing it. That’s just how I am as a person. As for my music, I really want it to touch people.

I make party music as well.

Who are you focusing on mostly?

Mostly, I would love to reach out to everyone; people who have gone Mojo through the kind of things I’ve gone

C M Y K

through. To put the youths on the right track with the kind of things I’ve put in the songs. To make it better.

What kind of things have you gone through?

Moving to a place like Sweden when your family is in Nigeria. You are going to school over there, things are tough so you actually have to look out for yourself in a different kind of country. It’s not like England. If it were in London or England you have friends, cousins, relations; but when you go somewhere where you are basically all alone without your family, to be able to stand firm, keep moving on and do the right thing is not easy.

Is that where your interest in music came from? o, it started from here. I’ve been doing music as long as I can remember.

What do you mean by doing music?

Playing any instruments?

No, just recording, singing, rapping, things like that. I think I started rapping from Michael Jackson (Beat It) days, before rap was allowed in our

N

houses. Most of the time, my friends in school were not allowed to listen to rap when I used to rap.

Really? You were listening to Sound of Music? e were listening to Michael Jackson or Motown. I remember- I think it was ’93, when they actually brought the decoder- Criss-cross was already on TV. When the guy came to service the decoder and tune the channels, it was MTV that was on and it was Criss-cross. This was before 2Pac, Biggie, I just fell in love with the lifestyle . I liked the way they were standing on the cars, you know.

You sound so nostalgic. If you had your way, would you have postponed your education for the music?

Since I was young, they were always telling me to put the music aside and study, because in my head music was more important all the time. My mum, my dad, kept telling me all the time to go and read my books instead of all this music. “ you can do the music later, or take a break and come back to it”.

Do you regret it?

W

,

N

Since I was young they were always telling me to put the music aside and study, because in my head music was more important all the time

Mojo

one day, “this is what I want to do”. She was not doing music. I don’t think of it like that Who are the artistes both local and international that have affected your music the most? agrin, Naeto C, MI, Fela.

Those are different musicians.

Yes. All of them have influenced me in one way or the other. Fela has influenced me because of being a Nigerian having so much to say. You have a right to say whatever you want to say. Without people like that, I wouldn’t have known that was possible.

Seriously.

Dagrin has influenced you in what way?

Being the first to do something is very influential. And the way he did it- doing what I was already doing, but in Yoruba. Saying the kind of things he was saying at that age as well. He was reminding me of Tupac, and Tupac influenced me as well.

Do you think he ought to be immortalized?

There are many seeds of him now. A lot of guys are doing what he was doing. Without him, they would not have been born. The Olamide and the other guys who are Yoruba rappers. He is like their father.

What are your fans to look forward to with regard to your work?

New and exciting music for your cars and parties. We have a bunch of songs waiting to be produced.

My producer Femi Nuga has worked with Davido.

D

,

No, I think it’s a balance. It’s very difficult to get the balance. I would actually finish school first.

Why is that?

Because there is time.

What of all your contemporaries that did not go to school and have spent the time on music, perfected their art?

There’s still time to perfect the art and still study. There are holidays when everyone just hangs around. You can perfect your talent then. School is actually very important.

Do you feel intimidated by your mom(Teni Aofiyebi); do you feel you have to prove a point or do you feel she’s done her bit, and you’ll do yours?

It was good for me, her being involved in media, so she’ll understand when I say

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012—33

To check Corruption, Nigeria must adopt Rawlings recipe —Ladipo Stella Ladipo

Career wise, how successful has it been?

I don’t have the habit of blowing my trumpet, because I strongly believe that the work you do and the activities you engage in within and outside the organization and professional bodies you belong speaks volumes. Your activities and works are your signatures that work for you even when you are not there.

My works speak for me, even in the institute of management.

From your experience as a professional management trainer, what are the keys issues that help women get to the peak of their careers?

Everything bothers around prayers, secondly humility. If a woman is humble and submissive, she will go places.

Humility can take you above

heaven. They should not be too ambitious. Let them wait for their time, and the time will surely come. We should be patient and what for our time they should be friendly and shun envy. They should be close to their boss. There is no point been proud. Let what you do speak for you. Again the background is very important we have broken homes all over Nigeria it is affect women more especially.

What are the challenges you have faced in the process of building your career?

I face the challenge of been a leader, as woman no man will ever want you to rule him, be a leader or the boss. When

their wives to respect them. I am older than many of them but still I used sir for them.

How do you feel been a recipient of the prestigious Chris Abebe medal award from the Nigerian Institute of Management?

I feel great and elated. For many years my chapter and zone recommended me for this award. As chapter and zonal chairman respectively, people saw what I was doing even at the grass root and decided to recognize me, though it didn’t come for years. But

I face the challenge of been a leader, as woman no man will ever want you to rule him, be a leader or the boss. When I was working I had several men under me and they didn’t take it easy with me

,

A

s a young woman who did you start your career?

As a young girl, I started working with National Cereals Research Institute in Niger State. From there I went for study leave without pay to Edinburgh in Scotland where I studied management at Nepal University. When I came back, I served and then went to research institute. From there I transferred my services to Horticultural Research Institute of Nigeria, in 1989. I retired five years ago from Horticultural Research Institute and set up Bluepoints management and development center in Ibadan. We train people we train staffs from private and public institutions on management. We also train coppers for Nigeria institute of Management, as one of the 63 centers that train people for the institute.

Stella Ladipo is the principal partner Bluepoint management training and development centre. She is also a council member, Nigerian Institute of Management. She recently received Chris Abebe medal award, from the Nigerian Institute of Management. The award was given to her in recognition of her meritorious contribution and significant services to the progress and growth.

After her secondary education she worked for about two years in a research institute, before traveling to the UK where she studied management at Nepal University. When she came back she did her NYSC and then went back to Netherlands to do her Post graduate diploma in Netherlands International Management School. When she came back she enrolled for MBA at the University of Ibadan. She is happily married to Dr. O. Ladipo with children.

Recently Ladipo shares with Esther Onyegbula her concern over the spate of corruption in the country, what women need to do to get to the top of their career.

,

I was working I had several men under me and they didn’t take it easy with me. I received several confrontations from them, but never respond to such. But I had strategy of handling men. Which I advice women to imbibe, they have husbands at home and if you believe and know from the bottom of your heart that your husband is your crown, you must know how to handle men outside.

The respect you have and give to your husband should also be carried to the work place because those men also have wives and they want

surprisingly it came a few weeks ago. I am pleased and happy to have this award. It is a very rare award for management achievers.

How did it all begin and as chapter and zonal chairman what projects you involved in made the chapters and zones recommend you for this award?

After I finished my MBA in 1991, I joined the Ibadan chapter in 1992 as an observer. The very day I joined the chapter as an observer I was chosen as the financial secretary. From there I was elected

as secretary, later as treasurer and vice chairman and then as the chapter chairman. I was chairman of my chapter for two years. After my tenure, I was elected zonal chairman for South-west, comprising of six states. And I was chairman for four years, I had two tenures.

As the chapter chairman I was sponsoring chapter members to conference in Abuja and Lagos, for those who cannot afford it. I embarked in management and membership drive. I was there for anybody who wanted to be a member of the Institute. As the zonal chairman I carried everybody along. We had rotational meeting, we visited all the states, made the presences of NIM felt in those state. That awaken the enthusiasm of members even “dead members” and they became active again.

What is your take on the spate of corruption in our country and what can be done to curb the menace?

We have laid too much emphasis on money; we are ruled by money and have become slaves to it. Money is a spirit, it can make one misbehave as well as destroy. Take a look at lives of those at the hems of affairs disgracing themselves and their families. Everywhere you find leaders and public office holders embezzling millions and billions of Nigerian money just to enrich themselves at the detriment of the poor masses. For goodness sake the funds that are embezzled belong to every citizen of this country not a group of individual.

What is the solution to the

corruption canker worm?

I still have that believe that what Jerry Rawlings did in Ghana when he became president is the solution to corruption in Nigeria. When he came in as president he killed all the corrupt leaders. We must introduce the Railings treatment to checkmate corruption in Nigeria. When this is done the tendency of corruption will be curbed.

Don’t you think society have encouraged the manifestation of corruption?

Once you have money to distribute, drive a big car, live in a big house, nobody wants to know the source of your fund at all. People beginning to worship you, they give them chieftaincy titles. Until we stop worshiping money Nigeria will not move forward.

Generally what has life taught you as a career woman, wife, and mother?

I still say it that life has taught me to be humble to work hard, not expecting promotion but for the passion of that particular thing I am doing.

Stella Ladipo

34—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

‘I love showing my cleavage’ — Christina Aguilera

T

• Nicki Minaj

Is Nicki Minaj a Republican?

A

S the 2012 US presidential race gets hotter, all antics are being employed by both camps in order to sway public opinion in favour of their candidates. One of such strategies is the use of popular and influential singers.

While it’s still unclear where the Nicki Minaj stands on the 2012 presidential race, a new mixtape may offer some potential clues. Or not, considering she has various rap personas.

Either way, Minaj piqued fans’ interest this week with the release of Lil Wayne’s mixtape “Dedication 4,” which features a guest appearance by Minaj and beats by

Kanye West. Minaj raps, “I’m a Republican voting for Mitt Romney, you lazy bees is fucking up the economy.”

It’s unclear whether Minaj is speaking any bit of truth in the rap, as she often blurs the lines of reality in her music. And the following lyric in the song is non-political: “Out in Miami, I be chillin’ with a zombie.” It will be recalled that in June, Minaj had tweeted, “Just give FREE health care to all. @BarackObama what can we do?”

She added, “@BarackObama I wouldn’t mind the millions they took if it was going to healthcare. Why should a poor person struggle to pay for MEDS sir?”

HE pop star Christina Aguilera has had a more curvaceous body in recent years since the birth of her son, Max ,but she insists she enjoys having a more bountiful body to work with.

Speaking about her new fuller figure, she said: “Actually, the challenge I’ve always had is being too thin, so I love that now I have a booty, and obviously I love showing my cleavage.”

Christina who had Max with her ex-husband Jordan Bratman also urged other curvaceous women to be proud of their bodies.

The 31-year-old singer who is dating production •Christina assistant Matt Rutler Agulera added “Hey, if you can work it and you can own it, that confidence is going to shine through.” As well as her singing and acting talents, Christina is also a judge on the US version of pop star search show ‘The Voice’ but she is returning to her musical roots by releasing a new album later this year.

Michael Clarke Duncan dies at 54

M

ICHAEL Clarke Duncan, the hulking, prolific character actor whose dozens of films included an Oscarnominated performance as a death row inmate in “The Green Mile” and such other box office hits as “Armageddon,” ‘’Planet of the Apes” and “Kung Fu Panda,” is dead at age 54.

He died at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he was being treated for a heart attack, said his fiancée.

Duncan a former bodyguard who turned to acting in his 30s, “suffered a myocardial infarction on July 13 and never fully recovered.

Hollywood’s reaction to Duncan’s passing was heartfelt, including from “Green Mile” co-star Tom Hanks: “I am terribly saddened at the loss of Big Mike. He was the treasure we all discovered on the set of ‘The Green Mile.’ He was magic. He was a big love of man and his passing leaves us

stunned.” extraordinary healing powers.

In the spring of 2012, Duncan’s performance Duncan had appeared in a caught on with critics and video for PETA, the animal moviegoers and he quickly rights organization, in which became a favorite in he spoke of how much better Hollywood, appearing in he felt since becoming a several films a year. He owed vegetarian three years earlier. some of his good fortune to “I cleared out my Bruce Willis, who refrigerator, about $5,000 recommended Duncan for worth of meat,” he said. “I’m “The Green Mile” after the two a lot healthier than I was appeared together in when I was eating meat.”

“Armageddon.”

Duncan had a handful of minor roles like “The Green Mile” which brought him an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor.

The 1999 film, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, starred Tom Hanks as a corrections officer at a penitentiary in the 1930s.

Duncan played John Coffey, a convicted murderer with a •Mickeal surprisingly gentle Clarke demeanor and

•Beyonce and Family

Beyonce celebrates birthday with family

B

EYONCE Knowles kept it low key on her 31st birthday, September 4. Instead of partying, the singer spent the day with her family. She was caught on camera enjoying a Mediterranean cruise on a superyacht with her husband Jay -Z and baby girl Blue Ivy. The couple enjoyed a meal on the deck. In one of the pictures, Queen Bey was seen sitting with her little girl on her lap. In some other photos, proud daddy Hov had bonding time with the baby on the helm of the yacht decorated with balloons and streamers. ”There is no-one like you in the world, of all of your mind blowing achievements that one that first comes to mind is your kindness,” Solange wrote. “Your sense of selflessness, consideration of other people’s well being and your beautiful generosity are all things that make me so proud be your sister and your friend.”

Michelle said, “Happy birthday to youuu!! I love you so very much. I am so thankful you’re in my life.”

Gwyneth, along with Chris Martin and their children, wrote, “For dear sweet BB on the occasion of her 31st birthday ... We love you so very much.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8,2012—35

, •There is no such thin

g as a harmless old tow

Many persons don’t know, but the gonorrhoea bacteria could also be transmitted from the towel to the eyes

el

,

Beware! Your bath towel could give you gonorrhoea symptoms even while the damage is being done.

Tip: Avoid rubbing your eyes and genitals with the same towel. Practice careful hygiene to avoid contagion!

Absolutely no towel sharing!

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UMAN bodies get dirty and so do bath towels.

You wash your body every day, but do you ever wash your bath towels? How often and how thoroughly do you wash your wash clothes? Do you hang your towel on a rack in the bathroom all week, or you care to spread it out in the sun? Do you ever think about what might be lurking in your dirty towels?

Do you share your towels with anyone? Come to think of it, when was the last time you changed your favourite towel— three months, six months, 12 months, or never?

There is no such thing as a harmless old towel. Even if you aired it, boiled it and disinfected it, an over-used bath towel could still wreak havoc against you!

Most towels on the market are made of 100 percent cotton.

That makes them very absorbent. After a shower, you would probably have eliminated most of the germs and dirt from your skin, but do you know that the process of rubbing your towel against your body rubs off dead skin that sticks to the moist towel? Believe it or not, your towel could be a magnet for some of the most deadly but contagious germs imaginable.

Among these are pathogens for sexually transmissible diseases such as gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis.

For sake of your good health, beware of the following contagious diseases from bath towels. All of them are treatable with antibiotics, antifungal medications and good hygiene.

But most of all, avoidance of poor

Trichomoniasis A sexually transmitted parasitic infection, Trichomonas vaginalis is a microscopic parasite and is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Most of the times, you don’t get symptoms, but they can include itching, burning, pain, irritation, painful urination, discharge, and odour. Failure to get treatment can lead to reinfection.

Tip: Change or wash your towels often as possible.

Barber’s Rash

•Your towel could be a magnet for some of the most deadly but contagious germs. towel hygiene is the best prevention.

Gonorrhoea

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a sexually transmitted infection. The causative bacteria are present in the seminal fluid of infected men or vaginal discharges of infected women and are easily spread through physical contact that may be sexual or non-sexual such as sharing of bath towels. Many persons don’t know, but the gonorrhoea bacteria could also be transmitted from the

towel to the eyes, so you do not want to be rubbing that dirty towel where it counts, do you?

Gonorrhoea is curable, but the bacteria can infect the genital tract, the mouth, and the rectum, and can also wreck havoc in a woman’s cervix, womb, birth canal, and fallopian tubes. The end result for a woman might include pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, or ectopic pregnancy. Women are particularly more at risk because they often have no

This is a skin infection in facial hair areas. It is also known as “Folliculitis”. The underlying medical cause is or Staph Infection which can be notoriously hard to treat.

It can spread to the rest of the body through use of a contaminated towel.

Tip: Don’t share your towels with someone else.

Conjunctivitis

This is the infamous contagious eye infection also known as “Pink Eye”.

Conjunctivitis is a group of diseases that cause swelling, itching, burning, and redness of the conjunctiva, the protective membrane that lines the eyelids and covers

exposed areas of the sclera, or white of the eye.

Symptoms include “pink” eye, irritated, reddened, crusting, gritty, itchy eyes, swollen eyelid, eye pain and/or discomfort, light sensitivity, yellow discharge from the eye, or your eyelids glued shut after sleep.

Tip: Don’t rub your face with the same towel used to rub your body.

Use a separate face towel and never share towels.

Impetigo Impetigo is caused by different streptococci strains. Symptoms include skin rash with pus and discharge, pimples, blisters, itching rash, dried scabs, excessive scratching, and a blistery rash that spreads.

Sometimes on your face!

Tip: Change or wash your towels often as possible.

Scabies

A common infestation of the skin with the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabei, spreads rapidly under crowded conditions where there is frequent skin-to-skin contact between people.

Symptoms are mainly rashes and itching all over the body, and infections that form in the skin from all the scratching.

Tip: As above.

Tinea General term for various fungal skin afflictions. Not only can these fungal afflictions affect your skin, but also they can infect your nails. Symptoms include ring-like raised itchy patches, blisters, scabs, and temporary scalp hair loss at site of infection.

Tip: Change or wash your towels often as possible.

Trachoma

A chronic follicular conjunctivitis that leads to scarring in the conjunctiva and cornea and it can lead to blindness. Seriously, who ever thought this could come from a towel? From red and/or watering eyes with swollen eyelids and sensitivity to red lumps on the eyelids and multiple lumps , giving you nasty eye pain, corneal scarring and dimming vision that gets progressively worse until you are totally blind. Not a joke!

Tip: Don’t rub your face with the same towel used to rub your body.

Use a separate face towel and never share towels.

Tips on towel health

Assess your current inventory of bathroom towels, bath sheets or washcloths. Hang towels in layers. If you have basic towel bars, the first strategy involves stacking towels according to size.

Begin with a bath sheet and fold a hand towel over it, ending with a washcloth. Instead of hooks, try modern towel clips for holding up towels in tight spaces.

36—SA TURD AY 36—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 upholds the view that many young people are seen as the problem rather than the solution?

Well, that is not going to be a challenge for me because I have lived in the palace as a crown prince and I know how to work with my subjects. Being young is a gift and being old too.

They both complement each other.

I have known the elders and chiefs over the years to be very level headed and cooperative.

Joseph Ewhuba (Onire), the traditional kingmaker of Agbarha-Otor kingdom, crowning the new King- HRM Okorefe 1.

Email: youthfulvibes@gmail.com are from a humble background,it helped me when growing up to mix with other young people easily in life, most of them don’t even know i was a crown prince.

Recently, we witnessed your father’s final funeral passage rite wherein you were simultaneously installed as HRM Okorefe 1 of Agbarha-otor, what has been the experience?

It has really been wonderful since the very day I got installed as the Ovie of Agbarha-Otor kingdom even though the experience has been quite tasking and demanding. I have not had enough rest for days now because people from all walks of life have been paying homage to my palace different from when I was working at the Area council commission in Abuja. It is a whole new and humbling experience.

Who choose the name Okorefe 1 and what does it mean?

I chose the name because it’s a good name and it is my grand father’s name. Hence, I believe in continuity and I don’t want it to just go down the drain. Okorefe connotes “ Ship of Wealth”.

Please tell us about your background I am 33years old, I attended Ogagaoghene Primary and Secondary school in AgbarhaOtor respectively from there I proceeded to the Delta State University, Abraka where I

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g b a r h a Otor is a nation doubly blessed by rich cultural heritage and history. By one recent reckoning, the passage of His Royal Majesty John Amrohworiemure Okorefe Ebelle 11, erstwhile Ovie (King) of the Kingdom, constituted of 26 autonomous communities and five other kingdoms which have their ancestral home in AgbarhaOtor, namely Oghara, Mosogar, Jesse, Agbarha Warri (Agbassa) and Oruarivie in Abraka, have the good fortune to reside under the genial supervision of His Royal Majesty (HRM), Richard Oghenevwogaga Ebelle , Okorefe 1 of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom. Vanguard Youthful Vibes was present at his installation as he awaits the staff of office from the State Government. In spite of his very busy schedule, he granted this interview at his palace to Saturday Youthful Vibes now that he is saddle with the responsibility of leading a people as a Royal father.

Youths are classified as the leaders of tomorrow. I believe young people are also leaders of today as leadership begins from now.

My pet project seeks to train and empower the youths

We understand that you are working on establishing a social initiative to help strengthen your leadership?

Could this inspiration be from the Crown Prince of Jordan who started a peace building initiative called Generations for Peace?

Yes that is true, the initiative you mentioned is my pet project, I feel disturbed and sad whenever I see able-bodied youths roaming about the streets; some of them are actually graduates. Yes, I intend to meet with the Crown Prince of Jordan very soon.

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our Royal majesty, how do you intend to tackle youth restiveness as a youth in ‘elders’ clothing ?

Youths are classified as the leaders of tomorrow. I believe young people are also leaders of today as leadership begins from now. My pet project seeks to train and empower the youths. I am very passionate about building peace through sports. Hence, I shall donate a cup called Okorefe1 Peace cup. A healthy competition will be

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ow did you relate with young people as a crown prince and were you able to impact them positively?

As a crown prince I never allowed it to get into my head because my parents thought us humility ,none of us the prince and princesses are proud we

Your Royal majesty, since your instalment what has changed in your life? Does this mean you no longer have a life of your own being a young king? Does it mean you will be always dressed in your royal regalia?

Almost everything about me has changed, the way I dress, talk and other activities. I have to adjust quickly knowing now that am a Royal father even though I am going to miss my jeans and T-shirts (laughs).

How do you intend to work the indigenes of your kingdom in the Diaspora in nation building?

I have a plan to encourage all indigenes of my kingdom in the Diaspora to come back home so that we can collectively strengthen our work in building our own kingdom as there is no place like home.

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thers who are not born into royalty, what advice would you give to them amidst the poverty level in Nigerian on becoming change agents?

I will encourage the youths to work on being creative and focus in achieving their dreams and aspirations. Every body cannot be a crown prince, for me it is a rare privilege given to me by the Almighty, I therefore would encourage young Nigerians to get themselves engaged in meaningful initiatives.

Victor Gotevbe and His Royal Majesty (HRM), Richard Oghenevwogaga Ebelle , Okorefe 1 of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom

How will you be able to cope with the council of elders and chiefs being a young person as a school of thought

YOUNG NIGERIANS MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

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bagged my first degree in Political Science. Thereafter, I had my Masters degree at University of Abuja, I was suppose to go for another Masters degree in Management science in the United Kingdom when the news of my fathers death got to me.

launched which will pull different youth football clubs ,especially all communities under my domain are going to contest for the cup.

OKOH CHRISTOPHER ONYEKACHUKWU PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE

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hristopher Okoh, is a native of Issele-uku, Aniocha-North LGA in Delta State advocating for development as a young change agent. He has his first degree in Physics from Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).

His advocacy for development has been with him over the years but this became very visible when he went for the one year mandatory National Youth

Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in 2010 where he volunteered to be a Development Knowledge Facilitator (DKF) with the MDGs, there he rendered selfless and humanitarian service to actualize his endeavors of touching lives. He has undoubtedly contributed immensely in achieving the objectives and goals of the MDGs project through knowledge sharing. Thereby, removing ignorance and salvaging the society through value reorientation, affecting lives morally, educationally, economically and otherwise from pupils to students, streets, health centers, markets and everywhere within his state of national service.

Christopher was outstanding and was bestowed with a medal by the Catholic Women Organisation of Annunciation Catholic Church, Awka. By the end of his service year he was honored with a commendation certificate for excellent performance by the commissioner for youths and sports shortly after that he was conferred a National Awardee with a certificate of merit on outstanding implementation of MDGs.

Some of his projects include but not limited to the MDGsCDS group in Awka to embark on an inter-governmental spelling bee competition in Awka-South LGA. He initiated skills acquisition programmes in Obunagu Community, Awka of which 12 street youths from marginalised communities between 15 – 30 years were trained on skills of their choice. He has also sensitized 25 park drivers at TRACAS park, temp site on personal hygiene, issues on HIV/AIDS and environmental education, he donated writing materials, brooms and waste baskets to Primary and Secondary Schools. He sensitized a total of 2680 students from Kenneth Dike Memorial Secondary School and Hez Dike Secondary School both in Awka on the Importance of science education and he provided a sign-post for Kenneth Dike Memorial Secondary School, Awka, which was planted at Works road/Obunagu junction.

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Neurosurgeon German refugee in Britain during the Second World War, pushed for a radical change in the way spinal cord injury patients were being treated.

He succeeded and revolutionized treatment and life chances for those with spinal injuries. He organized the first Stoke Mandeville Games which led to today’s Paralympic games.

Sir Ludwig Guttmann is the father of Paralympic Games. His vision, courage and tenacity have today, given millions of persons with disabilities all over the world an opportunity to live life to the full.

Nigerians with disabilities have taken advantage of this opportunity to prove that there are abilities in disability despite the lack of level playing field and legal frame work to protect their rights.

Nigeria has signed and ratified the United Nation’s convention on the right of persons with disabilities, but is yet to domesticate it, even when the domestication of the convention is only a stroke of the presidential pen away from becoming a reality.

Nigerians with disabilities have

What can we learn as a nation from paralympics?

Matt Stutzman,an American armless archer who won silver medal at the London 2012 Paralympic games continued to push themselves individually and collectively to the limit, training in various sports in the most difficult conditions to become world class athletes. At the ongoing London 2012 Paralympic games, Nigerian athletes with

disabilities have won 4 gold, 5 silver and 1 bronze medals, placing Nigeria at the 13 th position, on the medal table as at 3rd September 2012, half way into the games.

And I express my appreciation to Dr. Yinka Coker and others who worked so

hard to make sports for the disabled a reality in Nigeria.

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aralympics have given humanity an opportunity to push the limits of human capacity to adapt as evident in the stunning performances of disabled athletes in various

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012—37

sporting events. Imagine an athlete without hands at all, swimming faster than others with hands; an athlete without hands who plays table tennis with his mouth, beating an athlete playing with two hands. In another instance, an athlete without hands at all but plays archery with his leg, chin and shoulder, beat other athletes playing with hands.

These athletes are living life to the full.

They have risen above their disabilities, to live very productive lives.

These are persons with disabilities whose lives inspire and challenge all they come in contact with. They remind us all that no one should be written off as long as there is life. Their stunning performances are products of personal determination, indomitable spirit and will power, love and care from their families, neighbours and their governments. These are people you will never find on the street as beggars no matter what.

Did I hear someone say, this could be an instrument that can get rid of beggars with disabilities from our streets?

You are

Health in tatters?

Stand on your shoulders!

The Shoulder stand

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LADY colleague here at Vanguard complained of debility and a constant feeling of unwellness to me.

My suggestion was that she takes to a bit of exercise to improve her body.

About a week later, this lady C M Y K

called on me for exercise. Not withstanding her clothing, which were most inappropriately tight, I got her to do three Yoga postures, namely, the Head to Knee, the Cobra and the Spinal Twist.

This was on a Thursday. And 1 asked her to practise those three till we meet again.

Come the following Tuesday and my lady friend confirmed to me that she’d had a dramatic turn to her chronic case of constipation.

She was overwhelmed by the relief.

All 1 could do in response was nod in agreement. I whipped out a liltle book and pointed out to her that one of the benefits of the Spinal Twist is its cure of constipation.

Now, once the body becomes capable of ridding itself of wastes efficiently, it feels lighter and the disposition becomes livelier.

Now we shall go into the Shoulder stand, and The Spinal Twist and see how these help us improve the general health.

To come out of the posture, simply bend the knees and gently roll out the back flat down.

Relax lying down for about a half minute to allow the circulation stabilize.

Benefits: * Strengthens the nerves * Purifies the blood and promotes good circulation. * Strengthens the digestive

The Spinal Twist The Shoulder stand Technique:

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ie on your back with the feet drawn. Now, quickly raise the hack off the floor on to your shoulders while supporting the hips and back with the hands. Then gently raise both legs up. Get the trunk very close to the chin.

Breathe in slowly but deeply.

Stay in the posture between 20 and 60 seconds.

and pelvic organs and enables them to stay in place. Highly recommended for women after child birth. * Improves asthma, indigestion, constipation, painful periods ‘and seminal weakness.

Warning: Refrain from the Shoulder stand if you suffer from organic disorder of the thyroid or chronic nasal

absolutely right; Paralympics or sports can be an effective instrument to take persons with disabilities off the streets into productive sector of our economy.

Through their exploits they will become role models for the younger generation I remember those early days of our struggle to give Paralympics the recognition it deserves in Nigeria, then we had very few persons with disabilities who were into sports and thus we were forced to scout for athletes on the streets.

We were able to get some street beggars to join us, and I am proud to say that none of them ever went back to the streets as beggars. Sports give athletes powerful self esteem, confidence and courage, and these are attributes lacking among street beggars. Sports have brought out redundant men and women with disabilities from various homes and villages in Nigeria, giving them an opportunity to explore and rediscover themselves and thus become productive and independent.

catarrh. *The Spinal Twist

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itting with both legs stretched in front of you, bend the right knee, placing the right foot on the outside of the leg near the left knee. Bring the left hand to hold tight the left shin and place the right hand back with the palm lying on the left lap.

Turn the trunk, neck and head rightward and breathe in deeply but slowly. Retain the posture for 10-20 seconds and repeat on the other side and rest.

Benefits: * Improves the tone of the digestive organs. * Increases the synovial fluid of the joints improving their activity. * Removes adhesions brought on by rheumatism. * Massages the digestive system, improving the gastric tire. * Improves the bowels, liver, bladder kidney and spleen.

Yoga Classes @ 32 Ademola Adetokumbo Victoria Island Lagos 9.00am — 10.00am on Satufdays

38—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

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SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012—39 HairFinder.com, damaged hair appears rough, frizzy, dull and dry. The ability to hold color is lost. Fading occurs quickly and frequently. After a few more applications, hair simply melts away.

Effect of gel on hair ow do Hair gels work?

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Side effects of dye, colour on hair Omowunmi layer is smoothed back down in order to hold the new color in place.

These days, coloring hair is considered as trendy and funky. People use hair dye or color to either cover up the gray hair or to change the way they look. We all know that hairstyle and hair color can totally change the way we look. It is true that hair colors used today are more safe than products used earlier as today’s hair color contain special conditioners and polymers which protect the hair. But do you know the side effects of using different hair color or dye on your hair? If not have a look here Appearance Bleaching and dyeing change the appearance of hair.

Bleaching or lightening cause hair to appear lighter. Dyeing changes hair according to the formula used. Color can also be used to lighten, darken or change tonal quality. For the best appearance after coloring your hair, condition it as directed.

Science Tiny particles called color pigments determine the color of hair. Lighter hair possesses less pigment than darker hair.

The amount of color pigment you have is determined by genetics. However, you can C M Y K

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What effect does gel and dye have on hair?

Damage leaching and dyeing always cause damage.

According to "The Dr. Oz Show," hair coloring causes damage to the shingled outer layer of the hair called the cuticle layer. Once the cuticle layer of the hair has been opened, it never fully closes again. A ruffled cuticle layer causes hair to appear dull, dry and coarse. Increased drying times, color fading, frizz and breakage are all side effects of this damage. The damage associated with hair color gets worse with each subsequent application.

hair coloring causes damage to the shingled outer layer of the hair called the cuticle layer. Once the cuticle layer of the hair has been opened, it never fully closes again.

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change your color by bleaching or dyeing your hair. When you color your hair, you are essentially removing or adding color pigment depending on whether you want to go lighter or darker. “The hair's cortex layer, or middle layer, houses pigment, while the cuticle layer holds pigment in place with tiny cells that lie closely together and overlap like roof shingles. During the coloring process, the cuticle layer is opened so pigment can be removed or added. At the end of the process, the cuticle

Long-Term Color affects hair long term.

First, there is the regrowth to contend with. Naturally colored regrowth starts to appear about one week after coloring. Subsequent color applications are needed every four to six weeks to maintain color. Once colored, your hair will always be color treated unless you cut off all the hair that has been colored. The damage associated with each and every color service affects your hair until you cut it away.

Color Abuse Color abuse results in extreme damage, loss of hair texture, breakage and hair loss. Back-to back color applications and extreme bleach jobs break down the structure of hair, causing i r r e v e r s i b l e damage.“According to

Hair gels have a topical application, meaning you apply them externally on your hair and not on your scalp. They come in a gel, liquid and spray form. Hair Gels contain a plastic called PVP (which is a polymer sealer) which is needed in order to shape the hair, as desired. The polymers present in the PVP are generally dissolved in water or an alcohol solution, so that they form a clear film between each hair that helps in binding strands of hair together, helping your hair even defy gravity sometimes!

But are Hair gels Safe?

‘Hair gels cause hair loss’ is a very popular yet untrue Hair Loss Myth! The fact is that improper care is what causes hair loss and not the use of everyday products such as hair gel or mousse, hair spray etc While hair gels may not be the reason why you are going bald, they definitely can be the reason why you have dry, coarse or brittle hair. The main reason why hair gel application can be harmful to one’s hair is because of the ingredients. Hair gels generally contain a lot of chemicals that can not only damage your hair but your scalp too.

Following is a list of some of the chemicals that are generally found in Hair Gels,

Polyquaternium-11 Fragrance Tetrasodium EDTA Methylchloroisothiazolinone While the above mentioned are just a few amongst a huge list of chemicals used as ingredients in various hair gels, there is an equally huge list of side effects caused by the chemicals too! The side effects range from human immune system toxication to effects on the brain and the nervous systems along with possible effects on the sensory organs too. In fact, some of the chemicals used as ingredients in hair gels are even known as possible carcinogens, for example: Polyquaternium-11.

However clinical trials are yet to confirm it as a carcinogen.

So should I apply Hair Gels or not? iven the probable health risks posed by hair gels, should one go in for r e g u l a r application?According to Dr. Dhiraj Chintawar, Hair gels shouldn’t be used regularly, “Hair gels contribute to the wear and tear of the hair and should not be used regularly, as daily heavy usage can lead to the hair becoming brittle, rough and coarse which in turn can lead to hair loss”. Dr. Chintawar also adds that, while usage of hair gels is perfectly acceptable, one should try and keep it to a minimum.

Another thing that can cause harm to your hair is the use of alcohol in hair gels as an ingredient. Alcohol, as an ingredient is widely known for drying out hair and damaging it in the process, hence it would be a good idea to stay away from hair gels that tout alcohol as an ingredient.

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HAIRS T YLE OF THE WEEK HAIRST

40—SA TURD AY VANGU ARD , SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 40—SATURD TURDA VANGUARD

The cockpit

VWSANMMU solar car ready for challenge

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All terrain conquering Jeep Compass takes on Nigerian roads

Jeep Compass: Capability without compromise S

OME years back, the Jeep siblings were known for fuel gozzling but the story has changed with the new generation Jeeps. Chrysler’s association with Daimler AG yeilded good fruits for the American auto maker in terms of technological improvement and design.

Today, the Jeep siblings rank among the most fuel efficient SUVs in the automobile world. From the Jeep Patriot to the Compass, Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, there have been remarkable improvement in design, performance, fuel efficiency, luxury and safety features. The Jeep series simply have become the yardstick fo measuring fuel efficient sport utility vehicles as well as capable off-road vehicle.

The Compass is one of the Jeep siblings that benefitted frm the short romance between Daimler AG and Chrysler Corporation of United States. A smart looking compact sport utility vehicle, the Compass shares a lot with the Jeep Grand Cherokee in terms of design, but with smaller engine which resulted in its fuel efficiency, manouverability and agilty. Introduced into the Nigerian market barely a

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year ago by Weststar Associates which also represents Merdes Benz in Nigeria, the Compass has proved to be a capable Jeep like the Grand Cherokee in all terrains.

It offers capability without compromise with its 2.4 Dottc 16 valve engine which is paired with fourwheel system to take all terrain.

This power plant delivers 170 horsepower DIN supported by 220Nm. The engine dual variable Variable Valve Training electronicaly controls both intake and exhaust valves, helping to improve power and encourage an economic performance. This engine achieves estimated fuel efficiency of 6.4 litre/100 km extra urban cycle.

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ike the Grand Cherokee, the Compass is designed around safety. More than 30 robust safety and security features are in place in the Jeep Compass, keeping watch on the trail and on the road. A Jeep engined safety cage structure contains a front crumple zone specifically designed to absorb energy during frontal impact. You can’t imagine that your Compass comes with tyre monitor-

ing systems, heated power-exterior mirrors, electronic stability control, advanced multi-stage front and side curtain airbags.

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thers include sup plemmental seat mounted side airbags, halogen headlamps and fog lamps, hill start assist, front seat active head restraint to mention just a

few safety features.

The Compass might look compact in size, but it boosts big features like never seen in cars in its class. One of such is the Uconnect system which keeps you in touch with the people, music and devices that matter most.

Uconnect is an intuitive hub for all your media-cell phone, MP3 player, smart

phone, etc, desiged to make life easi er whenever you roam.

Luxury is a standard features in the Compass.

Apart from automatic tempreture control, the leather seats, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio and control, six-way power adjustable drivers seat, heated from seats etc, comes as standard.

ITH the move towards ‘Think Blue’, Volkswagen Group South Africa is leading the charge by supporting the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University ’s (NMMU) dream of racing a solar car in the 3rd South African Solar Challenge on 18 - 29 September 2012.

The solar car, which has been named ‘Photon’ was unveiled today, 3 September 2012 at NMMU in Port Elizabeth by Tom du Plessis, Director for Production at Volkswagen Group South Africa. ‘Photon’ will be competing against a number of international teams from countries such as Japan and Netherlands.

In May 2011, Volkswagen made a substantial financial and technical contribution towards establishment of the project, which has culminated in the VWSA-NMMU Solar Car team participating in this bi-annual event.

“Volkswagen is excited to be involved in such a unique project with the NMMU engineering students.

Hyundai enters deal with US universities to strengthen R&D

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YUNDAI Motor Group, South Korea’s biggest automotive group, signed a memorandum of understanding with two of America’s greatest research universities – University of California, Berkeley and University of California, Davis — to establish the ‘Hyundai Center of Excellence.’

The MOU ceremony launches the first collaboration project in Hyundai’s larger R&D joint research and p r o f e s s i o n a l development program, called ‘Hyundai R&D Global Frontier.’ This long-range program is

designed to strengthen Hyundai Motor Group’s fundamental R&D competency by working with the world’s leading universities and companies.

“Collaboration with top-tier partners will accelerate our technology development to go beyond the level of global premium carmakers,” said Vice Chairman Woongchul Yang, head of Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D Division. “Based on such advanced technologies, we will develop world-class vehicles that convey Hyundai’s own philosophy as well as its

distinctive emotions.”

Vice Chairman Yang, UC Berkeley College of Engineering Dean S. Shankar Sastry, and UC Davis College of Engineering Dean Enrique J. Lavernia attended the ceremony in Berkeley, California, on August 31. Hyundai is improving its R&D on an organizational level and the Hyundai R&D Global Frontier program is a key element of the effort.

Hyundai R&D is also revolutionizing its talent recruitment and p r o f e s s i o n a l development programs.

For example, the Hyundai Global Top

Talent Forum established last year changes the way applicants are interviewed and nurtured throughout their careers. Hyundai’s Research Fellow Program provides a track for outstanding senior research engineers to become executive-level research fellows in specific areas of technical expertise.

The first project of the Hyundai R&D Global Frontier Program establishes Hyundai Center of Excellence at UC Berkeley and UC Davis, world leaders in automotive engineering and technology research.

SATURDAY, Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012—41

Romeo Itima Ma. Edremoda @ 85 Captain laid to rest

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or Madam Beatrice Ajemigbitse Edremoda, clocking 85 was not only an experience to savour it is also one to be lived, enjoyed and shared with family and friends as she did last Saturday at a thanksgiving service held at First Baptist Church, Lagos to celebrate the birthday. It was a delightful day of fun and merriment. Photos

by Diran Oshe

L-R: Mr. Robinson Eyoyibo, Mr. Chris Tsek, Mr. Allinson Ayida and Mr. Godfrey Etikerentse

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ate Captain Romeo Itima, Managing Director, Global West Vessel Specialist Nigeria Limited who died after sea pirates attack was laid to rest amidst tears and wailing last weekend at his Kunukunuma Community of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Area of Delta State. Many maritime executives turned up to honour the late man and family. Photos by Akpokona Omafuaire.

From Right; Chief Joshua Fumudoh, former INC President, Chief Alfred Bubor, Gbaramatu Spokesman; Sen. Emma Difa and Chief Dennis Otuaro.

Birthday Girl@ 85-Mrs Beatrice Ajemigbitse Edremoda , Dancing L-R: Mr & Mrs Soji Abraham, Mrs Stella Omabunwa and Engr. Tuoyo Okutikpi

From Right; Comrade Paul Bebenimibo, Mr. Felix Bob-Nabena, Sen. Emma Difa and Mr. Kestin Pondi, GM, Oil Facility Surveillance Ltd.

L- R: Pastor Tim E Omabuwa, Engr. Tuoyo Okitikpi DWS. C. U. Akporhonor, Mrs Beatrice Ajemigbitse Edremoda, with Madam Deko Okitikpi

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Mr & Mrs Victor Grange,

Prayer for Calif Balogun @ 90

pecial Muslim prayer to mark the 90th Birthday of Alhaji Calif Sikirulahi Olayiwola Balogun, founder/President General, Asalatu Abadiyat Society of Nigeria held at the Society Central Mosque Abiola Way Abeokuta, during the week. Photos By Wumi Akinola

L-R: Imam Ismail lateef Chief Imam of the Society, Dr. Ishaq Yusuf Guest Lecturer, Sheik Alao Adenekan; Pres. Gen., Tijaniyat Society of Nigeria and Alhaji Ibrahim Gidado, Dep. Nat. Imam.

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Prince Bola Ajibola, Special Guest of Honour with Alhaji Calif Sikirulahi Olayiwola Balogun, celebrant

Top officials of NIMASA poses with Sen. Emma Difa (Middle).

From Left; Barr Chibuzo Obi, ED, Maritime Labour & Cabbotage Services; Mr. Haruna Jauro, ED, Finance and Admin; Mr. Felix Bob-Nabena, SA to DG NIMASA and Mrs Ndoki Oruwari-Etete, Director Cabbotage.

42—SATURDAY Vanguard,SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kingsley Omire

I was almost smoked alive —rescued Bayelsa monarch

By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

government to the kingdom on a solidarity visit and to assure the family that everything humanly possible would be done to track down the kidnappers and ensure the return of the monarch.

The Inspector General of Police Saturday Vanguard

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e never believed he would come out alive from the hands of his captors who whisked him away from the comfort of his palace at mainland Ikarama in the old Yenagoa council area. But he was dumped far away in the mangrove swamp on the Atlantic fringe of Bayelsa State.

For the ten days he sojourned in the mangrove where he not only had to contend with mosquitoes and other dangerous reptiles but was also manhandled by his captors some of whom were younger than his children, the kidnapped monarchhad no choice but to embark on prayer and fasting for divine intervention.

For a man who is not used to eating garri, he was forced to make do with this staple food if he must survive the hardship in the jungle.

However, on a lucky day, he was given biscuit and soft drink which was a luxury in the eyes of his captors playing a mind game and hoping to cash in on his frail state of health to fleece huge sum of money from his troubled family members.

This was the painful ordeal of the Ibedawoei (clan head) of Okordia clan, HRM, King Richard Seiba who was abducted penultimate Saturday by some unknown “commercial” kidnappers and for ten agonizing days. The king-

The monarch...King Richard Seiba dom was on the edge as his subjects embark on fasting and prayers on his behalf.

It was therefore not surprising that the serene settlement of Ikarama -Okordia clan in Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa State Tuesday morning came alive when news filtered in that their kidnapped monarch had been rescued.

The kidnappers of the monarch were said to have demanded N50m ransom and later reduced it to N30m on releasing the futility of their mission in a state where the new administration has discourage ransom payment for

criminality they decided to let go.

Sadly, the monarch said his captors told him categorically that he must pay $150m to buy his freedom if he must return home. He added that he was miraculousthe asked to go without achieving their aim ostensibly due to pressure from the security agencies.

His case that arouse interest of the releavant authorities as the state government had to dispatch a high powered delegation comprising the state commissioner of police, the state Director of the SSS, top government functionaries and chairman of Yenagoa local

For a man who is not used to eating garri he was forced to make do with this staple food if he must survive the hardship in the jungle, and on a lucky day he was given biscuit

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learnt, was also interested in the matter as he directed the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5, to put machineries in motion in order to ensure the rescue of the monarch and that the perpetrators are brought to book. Hence, the security agencies did not rest on their oars as they not only combed all the nooks and crannies of

the creeks but also resorted to the use of a special device to trace the location of his kidnappers, a development that believed to have exerted pressure on the hoodlums to abandon their victim.

Narrating his ordeal, the visibly tired monarch cladding winter jacket ostensibly given to him to wade off the biting cold at the Atlantic fringe, said providence played a major role in his release as he was asked to go by his captors after subjecting him to all sorts of inhuman treatment besides threatening to smoke him alive.

Although no ransom was eventually paid as claimed by the police and no arrest made, the monarch aged 73 told Saturday Vanguard that his captors requested the sum of $150m from him to spare his life since they were offered N50m to terminate his life by persons in his Kingdom they refused to disclose to him.

This was no doubt a tactical ploy by his captors to put pressure on the monarch but he refused to budge.

“They told me I must price my freedom or they would smoke me alive. They flogged me with tree branches and even used torch light to hit my head,” he lamented.

Afraid that they might kill him, the monarch added, “out of fear I told them I was willing to part with N10m for them to spare my life which they rejected insisting that I must pay $150m,” an amount he had never seen in his entire life.

“The kidnappers told me that they were offered the sum of N50m by some persons within my domain to eliminate me though they refused to disclose their identities.”

He alleged that the kidnappers told him they changed their mind on the mission to kill when they discovered he was an old man and instead chose to negotiate with him so as to set him free.

“I was compelled to embark on fasting for God to touch their heart but this angered them that my fasting was disturbing them and that I must stop,” he said adding that was taken aback on the fateful Monday when they asked him to go after ten agonizing days in captivity.

“They told me if I am lucky I will get free boat and luckily I saw a passenger boat passing but it refused to stop. A second boat came and stopped when I flagged it down and the driver agreed to help after listening to my story. He took me to Amassoma where I was rescued by the police,” the visibly tired monarch narrated.

SATURDAY Vanguard,SEPTEMBER 8, 2012—43

The father’s building during demolions

which was demolished on Wednesday, was built within few months. At the time of his arrest, he was said to be comming into his compound with three SUV cars and blaring siren. All that have ended as he is now cooling off in a police cell.

When Governor Peter Obi, who returned to Nigeria barely 24 hours earlier from Haiti where he had gone to present money collected on behalf of victims of earthquake in that country heard of the development at Ifedike’s home at Ifite Oraifite in Ekwusigo local government area, he took off again to Oraifite as he did earlier at Nkpor in Idemili North 36 year- old Osita and Nri in Anaocha Ifedike the suspect local government area where he sealed hotels and buildings suspected to be hide outs for kidnappers.

Accompanied by security operatives, he personally supervised the demolition two buildings belonging to Mr. Olisagbo Ifedike.

Recall that Obi had earlier April, 2012 and the violent attack on Amichi and Ukpor po- announced that any building lice divisions in Nnewi South used by kidnappers or belonglocal government area on 4th ing to a kidnapper would be demolished and the land conApril, 2012.”

According to CP Nasarawa, fiscated by government and some of the guns and ammuni- since Ifedike’s issue was a tion recovered at Ifedike’s proven case, bull dozers were house were those carted away stationed for work before the when the gang invaded the governor ’s arrival. The two police stations at Amichi and properties demolished were a Ukpor during which the two one -storey building with a stations were razed down by pent house and a bungalow which he built for his father. the hoodlums.

During the raid on the comThose who know Ifedike say pound, the police discovered

End of road for Anambra’s most wanted crime suspect A

NAMBRA State Com missioner of Police, Mr. Bala Nasarawa must be having a relaxed mind, at least for now, as he has in his cell, the most wanted suspected kidnapping and armed robbery kingpin in Anambra State, 36 year -old Mr. Olisagbo Ifedike. For the few months he had been in charge of the state police command, Nasarawa had had his usual fair share of the proverbial Baptisimal fire from the men of the underworld in the state.

Over the years, the CPs that had been posted to the state had the same kind of Baptism as the hoodlums would create so much tension in the state once the new man takes charge. Such actions went a long way to reminding the new CP of what to encounter in the state.

When the present CP arrived, he saw in the files, pending cases of kidnapped traditional ruler of Adazi Nnukwu, that of the traditional ruler of Ihembosi, the attack on two police stations at Amichi and Ukpor, both in Nnewi South local government area, among others.

But barely after few months of settling down in the state, there was the issue of the kidnapping of the traditional ruler of Ukpo in Dunukofia local government area, Igwe Robbert

Eze, the murder of five police policemen at Okija in Ihiala local government area, the killing of three policemen at Ozubulu and other high profile kidnapping incidents in many parts of the state.

At every available opportunity, the CP called on the people to provide his men with the necessary information that could lead to the arrest of the men of the underworld. The appeal, however, paid off ealy this week when a public spirited individual who was said to be worried about the happenings at Orafitite in Ekwusigo local government area of the state where Olisa Ifedike has been celebrating crime for years. In fact, it was said that almost every crime committed in the state had his signature as members of his gang are scattered all over the state and beyond.

Nasarawa said: “This suspect has been a most wanted armed robbery/kidnapping kingpin responsible for series of high profile kidnappings, armed robberies and murder, including the kidnap of Igwe of Ihembosi in Ekwusigo local government area in 2010 and the recent kidnap of the traditional ruler of Ukpo in Dunukofia local government area, Igwe Robbert Eze. His gang is also responsible for the killing of five policemen at Okija on 22nd June, 2012, as well as murder of three policemen at Ozubulu on 2nd

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By Vincent Ujumadu, Awka

Those who know Ifedike say he exhibits stupendous wealth and claims to be doing business in Ghana, but his actual business is kidnapping of people and collecting million of naira as ransom

he exhibits stupendous wealth and claims to be doing business in Ghana, but his actual business is kidnapping of people and collecting million of naira as ransom.

At the last count, he was said to have used the money made from kidnapping people to build hotels in Ghana, Rivers, Abia and Anambra and parades fleet of SUV cars. The mansion he built in his village

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sophisticated arms and ammunition in a plastic cover concealed underground behind the bungalow. In an armoury found in the compound were 27 AK 47 riffles, one K2 riffle, two type06 riffles, one General Purpose Machine Gun, one Rocket launcher, 17 rockets, six pump action guns, three dane guns, one Barrett pistol and 13 Rocket grenades, as well as 12,800 rounds of AK 47 live ammuni-

tion, 530 rounds of LAR ammunition, 95 rounds of GPMG live ammunition, 1000 rounds of K2 live ammunition and 143 magazines.

Apart from an underground structure in the compound suspected to be a place for keeping victims, there was also an extended building with toilet facilities behind the bungalow suspected to be a place he was using as a cell. In a small building attached to the wall near the gate was a shrine allegedly used by the father of the suspect, Mr. Patrick Ifedike, alias Ogbujingidi, who is a native doctor.

Before the demolition of the buildings, it was discovered that people of the community who were not happy with what was happening in the area, had organized a mob action and they torched the buildings, an indication that they were no longer prepared to tolerate Ifedike’s life style in the area. As one community put it, the young man was showing a bad example to other youths.

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overnor Obi said the action was in line with the law of the state which provides that any property linked to kidnap and other criminal activities would be confiscated and demolished by the state government, adding that the decision was geared towards eradicating crime and flushing out hoodlums from the state. He said further that due process of the law had been initiated to prosecute the suspect, while government would go after all his investments in the country, just as he explained that machinery had been set in motion to arrest other people involved in the crime.

According to the governor, other criminals still lurking in any part of the state should know that the game was up as his administration would not relent until the set objective was achieved and reminded traditional rulers and town union executives of their responsibility to ensure that their communities were not used as hiding place for criminals. The President General of Oraifite Improvement Union, Mr. Raphael Nwike described the decision to demolish Ifedike’s buildings under the supervision of Governor Obi as a divine intervention, lamenting that the area had been held captive for a long time by criminal elements. He believed that with what happened in his community, youths of the area would realise that all that glitters is not gold and that the best way to living a good life is to engage in genuine business.

44— SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

By John Bulus

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he country woke up dur ing the week exactly on Wednesday to be greeted with the news that Professor Barth Nnaji who had recently exuded hope of achieving an unprecedented feat in electricity

by October this year has resigned his appointment.

“We said that by October this year, Privatization will be concluded and it is a certainty”, Nnaji was quoted as saying in a recent function.

In a two-paragraph statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, in Abuja penultimate Tuesday night, President Jonathan accepted the resignation of Professor Nnaji and wished the ex-minister well in his future endeavour.

But since the news broke, tongues have been wagging on the manner of resignation.

Besides, Nigerians are divided on the exit of a man whose expertise and mien in the Power sector has remain the panacea to the challenges of elecC M Y K

tricity in the country.

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gain, Chief Chekwas Okorie said: “My own take on it is that Professor Nnaji brought value to the power Ministry. He achieved result that was unprecedented in terms of stepping power gen-

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ope was rekindled for the Power Sector when President Goodluck Jonathan appointed an electricity expert, Professor Barth Nnaji as the Minister of Power in 2011.

Barely, 13 months after, the Minister resigned his appointment in an extreme controversial circumstance.

JOHN BULUS analyzes what his exit portends for the future of Nigeria amidst the divided opinions expressed by Nigerians.

Though the Nigerian Presidency seems to be momentarily basking in the euphoria of an apparent stout move to stem the tide of corruption and inject sanity into the social system, views upheld by some Nigerians are that such moves must not be cosmetic and selective.

That was precisely the advice of Chief Chekwas Okorie, the founding National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA to President Goodluck Jonathan on the heels of the resignation of the nation’s former Power Minister, Professor Barth Nnaji.

His words: “I am saying that if the Presidency knew, to come to the campaign of propaganda, to demand for his resignation, it is all well and good, as long as the Presidency will reflect the same attitude to all those in government because we are aware of people in government that have interest all over the place, even people who are close to the President. So, it must go the entire hub if that is his own way of fighting corruption within the system. It must not be selective”.

expected to resign upon assumption of office to the public.

“And he also disqualified himself from belonging to the panel that considered the privatization process in the power sector and he was the one that disclosed to the pan-

Nigerians are divided on the exit of a man whose expertise and mien in the Power sector are to some people, the sheer panacea to the challenges of electricity in the country

eration from 2.8 mgwts to 4. 2 mw and laid the foundation that guaranteed that up to 6000 mw by December in an unprecedented progress.

“We have been in this country for donkey years and we can tell the story of power here.

Now, having said that, the manner he left office has generated mixed feelings because the issue of people having interests in companies and going into government has been provided for by the relevant laws where such people are

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el that he had interest in the past, and it was not his direct company, Geometric that bided but a company that Geometric had dealings with in the past. So, I think as a gentle man, he has done what he was supposed to do.

“The Presidency actually engaged his services based on his experience. After all, he didn’t read Electricity. He is a Professor of Robotics Engineering. But he has been involved in Electricity/Power business and successfully here

•Professor Barth Nnaji

in Nigeria, he was involved in generating electricity in Abuja and Abia and so, the Presidency knew”.

The outspoken former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Malam Nasir ElRufia said: “His resignation is a set-back for the power sector reforms.

He is one of the few ministers in GEJ’s cabinet who knows what is to be done in his area of ministerial responsibility.

The whole thing was clearly avoidable.

“There are many ministers far less competent than Barth and under whose watch massive fraud, corruption and more serious crimes have been committed. Yet, they continue to sit pretty and not asked to resign. Perhaps, there is more to this than this ethical infraction. I do not know, but if what we read is all there is, both the ex-minister and his employer could have handled it better and in a more orderly manner”.

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et the Presidency was the first to steer up the controversy. Dr. Abati who spoke on the behalf of President Jonathan didn’t immediately tell Nigerians why Nnaji resigned thereby leaving conjectures and heresies to thrive.

The least Nigerians heard was the statement credited to Professor Nnaji himself that “it is a huge conspiracy to scuttle the programme, but rather than drag the president and the programme down, I decided to tender my resignation”.

In a statement by his spokesman Ogbuagu Anikwe, Nnaji said he was happy he was leaving when the power situation was improving. The statement said, “He (Nnaji) explained that he had to voluntarily resign the office of minister to retain his integrity which has in recent days come under scurrilous attacks by powerful vested interests that were hell

Continues on page 45

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012—45

Nnaji’s Exit: Will Nigeria surmount the power empasse? sincerity, there is no problem that can not be fixed. It is insincerity that brings about corruption. Because there is corruption everywhere, it looks as if our problems are insurmountable. “ And the only condition that has to be met before we can deal with our problem is for our leaders to be sincere.

Again, it is not all about being an expert in the power sector or in the health sector that will help us in resolving our problem. As a public officer, all you need to do is to be honest. You must note that this revelation of his resignation was not because the present administration is the best we have had.

To my mind, it is not because President Goodluck Jonathan is more sincere than all other presidents we have had. No. it is not also because Professor Barth Nnaji is more honorable than other Ministers, but because of a clash of vested interests within the elites, because it is not only Professor Nnaji who is interested in buying over this thing.

“There are people who are more of political party financiers than Nnaji. That is why Professor Nnaji was asked to throw in the towel. This is my honest opinion”.

Continues frompages 44

Allegations/ Arguments:

The allegation leveled against Nnaji was that he invested interests in the acquisition of Afam Power Station via his company as against the spirit and laws of Public service. Rather than sounding plausible, the allegation has rather opened a flood of arguments. Professor Barth Nnaji’s background shows that he had hitherto his Ministerial appointment served as Special Adviser to the President on Power between 2010 and 2011.

Earlier in 2003, he successfully built a gas plant in Abuja which also stepped up electricity generation within the area.

Like el-Rufia, many analysts

President Goodluck Jonathan

El-Rufai

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Chekwas Okorie

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bent on besmirching the integrity and reputation he has painstakingly built over the years. This resignation is also to ensure that there is no spillover of these attacks to the President who is working very hard to transform the nation.”

Referring to the allegations of conflict of interest, he said, “I would like to reiterate that before I accepted to serve as minister, I resigned my directorship of all companies that I had interest in and put my shares in those companies in a blind trust; this means that I was not privy to the day-to-day business decisions of those who ran this trust. In addition, I publicly declared the participation in the privatization process of a foreign company that did business with a company that I had interest in.

This fact came to my knowledge only during the course of evaluating the consortia that were bidding for PHCN successor companies. Consequently, I also voluntarily recused myself from participating in the selection process.

These actions, I should think, are in line with the finest traditions of transparency and accountability in governance.”

Further window on his abrupt departure was to be opened thereafter by the nation’s Information Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku. He said that Professor Nnaji resigned his appointment over conflict of interest in his handling of the ongoing privatization of the power sector.

Labaran Maku

The only condition that has to be met before we can be able to deal with our problem is for our leaders to be sincere

believe that Nnaji’s exit will slow down the pace of improvement in the power sector.

In fact, since, the return of democracy in 1999 when the

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then President Olusegun Obasanjo government found it very imperative to fix the Power sector using hands like the late Bola Ige, Nnaji’s tenure, many agreed, witnessed an

appreciable, lofty improvement in the power generation.

Even Obasanjo confessed recently that he has achieved everything for Nigeria except taking power to where he had wanted it.

Dr. Lawal Oladimeji of the Department of Public Administration, Gombe State University, said: “The problem we have with power is not different form the problems we have with our education system, health sector and in fact all our aspects of our economy. And what is the problem? The problem is just one thing: Insincerity on the part of our leadership. With

is colleague, Dr. Saidu also said “The Minister is more interested in acquiring Afam Gas station. This man may be an expert but from all indications, he is an interested party in the business. The President was misled about this man’s ability just as President Obasanjo was misled because the man may have all the paper qualifications but obviously, Nnaji has shown that he is more interested in himself than fixing PHCN. That is what I am saying”.

Even though, some analysts disagree on the finesse of Nnaji, many obviously adopted it as what has helped to move Nigeria from where it was to where it is now. For instance,

Labaru Maku, the Minister of Information acknowleged the intellectual exploits of the former Power Minister.

Maku said: “We would have loved that Prof. Nnaji who has put in a lot of effort, would have been

the one to complete the process”.

46—Vanguard, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

• The house

L-O-V-E T-A-N-G-O Grandma, 68, punched to death by friend to daughter’s suitor

•Late Falilat Bakare

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RAGEDY struck on September 2,2012, after a 29-year-old boy simply called Lekan, beat a 68-year-old woman, Falilat Bakare to death at Shibiri Ekunpa Street, Ojo, Lagos. Incidentally, the suspect is a friend to the fiance of Madam Falilat’s younger daughter, Abibatu.

The circumstances that surrounded the incident was as intriguing as it

By DONALD ARJI and was bizarre.

ONWUANLI ADA Crime Guard learnt that trouble started when Kazeem, the fiance to late Madam four years before she decided Falilat’s younger daughter, to quit the relationship after reportedly called Lekan to discovering that Kazeem had accompany him to his would- impregnated another girl. be in-law’s house. Eyewitness They alleged that instead of account said Lekan, on getting letting her go, Kazeem kept to the house, met his friend threatening Abibat, even kazeem beating up Abibatu. insulting her in public It was gathered that in a bid whenever he sees her chatting to defend her daughter, with male friends. Ismalia Madam Falilat rushed to stop Bakare, the elder son to the kazeem but was prevented by Bakares said that on that Lekan with a punch on her faithful day, he was called by chest. Unexpectedly, the old one of their mother’s woman reportedly slumped neighbours to come quickly to and died. When Lekan noticed their house that some he had killed the old woman, unknown visitors had beaten he ran away but was up his mother. On getting apprehended by the there, he saw his mother lying neighborhood watch at Oke helplessly on the floor.

Afor area. ‘’When some people rushed When Crime Guard visited to my house to tell me that my the family of the deceased, they mother was beaten up by were still in shock. Members of unknown men, I rushed the family narrated the immediately to the scene and incident that led to the death saw my mother lying helplessly of their mother. One of her on the floor,thinking she fell sons who disclosed that down out of shock and pains, I Abibatu, the girl at the center sent my younger brother to buy of the controversy, had gone balm so I could massage her to Panti Police Station with with it so that she could wake their elder brother, stated that up. But, she didn’t wake up, he saw Lekan punched his we quickly rushed her to mother at the chest. “When I Muskat Hospital and there she was returning from an errand was certified dead by the my mum sent me, I saw people doctors. So, I ran to Baba Saka, gathering in front of our house. the leader of our vigilante I rushed to know the cause of group, the next day to report the gathering. On getting what has happened to my there, I saw Lekan punched my mother and he responded mum on her chest.” quickly by apprehending Lekan Other members of the family through the arrest of his father,” disclosed that Kazeem who took he lamented. to his heels when his friend, Lekan, punched Madam Falilat rime Guard further to death has been in love tangle learnt from their with their sister, Abibat, for neighbours that after Abibat

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broke the relationship with Kazeem, she had not rested because even when Abibatu meets her ex-fiance on the street, he pursues her. So in a bid to end the embarrassment, her mother, Mrs Falilat Bakare, went to see the mother of her daughter’s ex-fiance to settle the case amicably only for her to be abused. Kazeem kept on making life miserable for Abibat even when she made it clear to him that she was no more interested in the relationship.

This, according to reports, continued until the black Sunday that the mother of Abibat was allegedly punched to death by Lekan.

The leader of the vigilante group who arrested Lekan, Mr Saka narrated how he responded immediately he got the information. “I was at home when one Ismaila and some other people cried to my house to lay the complaint that one Kazeem and Lekan beat up their mother to death and they both had disappeared into thin air. So, I ordered my boys to comb the area and arrest him and if he was not seen, any closely-related person in his family should be held responsible. So, my boys searched for him but didn’t find him. They arrested the father and we took him to Ajangbadi Hausa Ilemba police and he gave us the address to the hideout of his son.

We took immediate action by going to Area k police station to make a complaint. Two officers were assigned to assist us. We got to the address and saw Lekan hiding in his sick mother ’s house. We told the sick mother

•Lekan, the killer

who is suffering from stroke what the son did. She was short of words. We arrested Lekan and took him to Oto Awori local council government and later handed him over to the Police at Ajangbadi Hausa

Ilemba division for further investigation, ” he narrated.

Crime Guard learnt that both the police and the neighborhood watch in the area are in pursuit of Kazeem who disappeared after Lekan was arrested.

MISSING VEHICLE

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n ash colored Nissan Sunny, Wagon, with registration number LL 691 KJA, engine number JNITDAYIOU0023773 and chassis number, GA16_0131908, has been declared missing by its owner, one Dr. Mrs, Iyabode Dudusola. The car which was reportedly driven away by Mrs. Dudusola’s driver Kingsley Efe Omonosa in osogbo, Osun State, recently is yet to be recovered. Members of public with any information as regard the location of the vehicle should contact the nearest police station.

SA TURD A Y Vanguard SATURD TURDA anguard,,

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hePresident’s a c c e p t a b i l i t y on face book when he was running for election has taken a downward dive. His praises have turned to curses; his acceptability has turned to rejection. The same people whom he assured of fresh air are the same people who now accuse him of polluted air.

Nothing has been thought through and through since this President came on stream two years ago. Those who enjoy the levers of government are essentially ex-militants whose credentials are partly their expertise in handling AK47 and the geopolitical zone they come from. They have been singing war songs, and it is not on record that the presidency has cautioned them.

Yet Abati wants us to believe that the President is concerned about the unity of the country. Abati should be reminded that walls have ears. Those who are in leadership position certainly have no private life. They are public persons and nothing is so secret in a manner that cannot be exposed.

The Jonathan we know (2) sensibilities by telling us what the President is and what he is not. Telling us like proselytizing monks, the crusading quality of Jonathan, does not remove from who President Jonathan i s .

For sure, we do know that President Jonathan is not a good orator. He doesn’t have to be one to impress us. He may not be a man of classical delivery of soul inspiring speeches, but he must learn to be a leader with immense vision and mission. He does not yet understand the full weight of the powers which a President wields.

He has not shown enough courage to confront some of his erring ministers including Dezieani, but trying to play save not to ruffle feathers. I do not say he does not have the power to arrest mere mortals like yours sincerely, but he deserves more than just the power to arrest. He has to show

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•President Jonathan properties in Abuja and Lagos, while we swim in abject poverty, inflation is laughing at our follies, quality of life has nosedived while the expectation of the people from the government they elected has become forlorn. Under such a dissonance, why would anyone belabour our

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find it rather “unabati” for him to feed us with the menu of ideological precepts of how many female ministers we have in government, in this jet age of ideas where the concern is essentially about how much of service delivery is handed down to the people.

Who is still talking about gender here? What difference has Iweala brought to the table? Under her, our domestic debt is rising in geometric proportion, government officials are buying off all choice

Did he not promise to do something meaningful to address the infrastructural decay?

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t took me a while to jump on the new social media band wagon, Facebook, bb… as I speak to you I still do not operate a twitter account.

Beyond the randomness and anonymity of it all what bothered me the most was the kind of havoc could,and often was,wreaked with a mere click of a few buttons.

And boy was there damage.

It seemed like anyone with an axe to grind could simply take their grouse to cyberspace and within minutes your dirty linen was out there for the entire world to see.

Another thing that bothered me was that the fact that any random person would have access to any, and all information I choose to put out there. For me that was a fundamental breach of privacy of global proportions.

As time went on I got over a lot of my anger and realised that in the right hands and used properly, new social media was an imperative tool to networking and staying connected to one’s constituency and growing one’s business. So grudgingly C M Y K

New social media, new social ills I opened a Facebook account and acquired a blackberry.

But even then I used it ‘circumspectly’. Only the most basic information on my profile and polite and short interactions with anyone out there in cyber space capable of ‘short’,‘polite’ interactions.

With hindsight I consider the theft of my first three blackberries a blessing; as I speak there are only 20 people on my chat line… if my phone pings; it’s definitely someone I want to hear from. As for twitter, I still don’t understand the concept of ‘following’ someone and I certainly

don’t want anyone following me!

Till this day I do not and cannot comprehend the sheer amount of personal information that people put out there. Your name, number, pin, address complete with pictures of themselves and their entire lineage for the world to see. All kinds of evil have been perpetuated in cyberspace, fraud, c h a r a c t e r impersonation, character assassination; it’s also a fantastic hiding place for all kinds of damaged and shady

characters. Stories abound of people who have fallen victim of cyber-crime and finally Nigeria marks its first major victim.

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he death of the young beautiful and industrious Cynthia shocked me to the very core of my being. Perhaps because, but for the grace of God… that could have been my daughter or anyone’s for that matter. After the shock came the anger, a lot of it directed to the dearly departed. Wasn’t Cynthia aware that the first rule of thumb in cyber-space is that nobody is who they say they are?It doesn’t matter what picture is up on your dp, it

SEPTEMBER 8, 2012—47 power to arrest challenges that have weighed us down in recent t i m e s .

When Jonathan spoke at the NBA conference about the state of roads and infrastructure and blaming critics for their lack of objectivity, I felt like being sawed apart with a blunt scalpel. How on earth would the President Speech writers contemplate such an incredulous verbal riposte to critics? Was President Jonathan not aware of the state of Nigerian roads when he was contesting for election? Did he not promise to do something meaningful to address the infrastructural d e c a y ?

The “children of anger” do not enjoy their pitiable situation, but because society has been unfair to them, they now design ways and means of making sense out of their existence. And it is such missed opportunities that Jonathan should urgently address. Even in the heart of hearts of Abati, beyond the rubrics of enjoying unsolicited patronages of power, there is nothing novel thus far to show the transformational mantra of this government.

A

ppointments of a long list of aides has become a routine, especially at a time when too much is being spent on our recurrent expenditure. Dr. Reuben Abati should deploy his ample time to think of what the President could do to address the precarious situation we now find ourselves. He should be bold enough to visit the nation’s troubled spots and inspire hope in those who have captive in their own domain by no ordinary design of their own. That is the way to go and not this long essay of telling us what “they” do not know about President Jonathan, Nigeria’s current President.

Concluded should take more than several months of chatting back and forth on the internet to lull anyone into believing you’ve just acquired a new best friend. Didn’t she know better than to come all the way to Lagos and get into a vehicle with ‘strangers’? Did shenot ever hear of the buddy system? You want to go on an adventure – go with a friend.

What a waste. What a sad and painful waste. And because she was such a beautiful looking girl, of course she was murdered twice; first her physical body and then her character. That’s another by product of new social media; the fact that any half-wit with a smart device can not only have an opinion, but can also broadcast same (no matter how asinine) to the entire world.

As to the perpetuators of the crime – according to reports Cynthia was number 6… does that mean there are five other bodies buried somewhere? – I have very little comment. Dealing in used condoms, baby placentas and stealing peoples kidneys … this is just one more sad testament to the moral and spiritual decay that is eating this nation up literally, inside out and outside in… ha! troubledey o!

48—SA TURD AY 48—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard anguard,,

SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

Boko Haram:

We are training Policemen on counter terrorism—Osayande

BY Simon Ebegbulem, Benin city

P

arry Osayande is a retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police (rtd) and currently the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

Recently, the Presidential Committee on Police Reform which he chaired submitted their report to the President, where they recommended the scrapping of the Ministry of Police Affairs. The super cop in this interview with Saturday Vanguard, spoke on their recommendations and also hinted that police officers are being trained now on counter terrorism. He also spoke on other issues.

C M Y K

zParry Osayande

never done its function according to the constitution other than to come once in three or four years to sit down and recommend the appointment of a new Inspector General of Police, then they go back to sleep,whereas they should be meeting three, four times a year to discuss how the police should be governed,discuss the police problem and discuss police finances. If there were meetings like that, this would have doused the clamour for a state police because every body will now bring their problems at the meeting. So when we talk about governance of the police, the Police Council must meet and discuss the problems of the police. If they meet, then they will be able to manage the police properly which at the moment is sustaining the unity of the country.

Why are we crying of state police? The money you will aggregate under one head to enhance the performance of the police, you now want to cut it into pieces. States cannot fund the police, we knew what

happened so many years back, how the government in power will use Local Government Police to arrest their political opponents. The truth is that in a federal set up, ideally, there should be state and Local

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Your recommendation that the Ministry of Police Affairs should be scrapped have been received with mixed feelings from some quarters, what motivated your committee’s decision on that issue?

Let me tell you, our recommendations were not based on sentiments but what is good for the nation. For instance, if you go to Gombe, they have finished the whole police institution there. Yobe was empty when I visited there. I have toured all these places but I don’t think the Minister has. If they went on tour, they would be able to know how to organize the buildings, they would know the type of vehicles they required there. Has the Minister ever been to Yenagoa or Obudu, but we have policemen in all these places?

You cannot just sit down and be awarding contracts and the Inspector General of Police does not know. So I am not against the Ministry of Police Affairs but what I said in my report is that the Police Service Commission (PSC), according to the 1999 Constitution made a trilateral arrangement for the administration of the police. One, the Police Council is made up of the President and chairman of the council, all the Governors of the Federating states as members and the IG as member. But that Council has

centralizing their police force in view of the new development in crime like terrorism, like cyber crime.

Therefore, there must be an organ that will tackle that problem. So once we are ready, we will go for State Police but for now, we are not just ready.

But the impression is that the Police Service Commission (PSC) wants to take charge of contract awards and that was the reason for recommending the scrapping of Ministry of Police Affairs?

That is rubbish. Just go and look at the recommendations.

I am telling you that there are three bodies. I only handle recruitment, discipline and promotion, that is all. That does not involve money or contracts.

Before my Commission was established, was it not you journalists that were writing about policemen complaining about promotion. Are they still crying now? Now if you are qualified for promotion, you get it without knowing any body. I have been promoting people without knowing them. Once you are due for promotion and then you do your job well, you will be promoted. Who is thinking that the Police Service Commission wants to be awarding contracts, that is nonsense. It is not a fight between the PSC

You cannot just sit down and be awarding contracts and the Inspector General of Police does not know. So I am not against the Ministry of Police Affairs

Government Police, but we are not politically mature. That is my own argument. You can see how our politicians behave even with the powers they have now. And what will happen if two states have conflict? You will see that both states will use their state police to start war. Besides, most advanced countries like America and Britain are now

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and the Ministry of Police Affairs, we are fighting for a good Force for the whole country. You did not talk when an Assistant Commissioner of Police that I promoted to Deputy Commissioner as the Chairman of the EFCC, who was working under the IG but now earns more than the IG. You think such things are normal,

he is on N1.5million while the IG is on about N700,000 and some fraction and you people will not talk.

A small boy that I promoted just because he was transferred from A to B, he is now earning more than the IG, the same thing with the SSS, all these people were part and parcel of the police. There are people who deliberately killed the police and they are trying to make the country ungovernable today. Why don’t you ask the governors why they want state police, because they want to be more powerful, to use them against their political opponents.

Don’t you see when the governorship campaign was going on in Edo state, politicians were accusing each other every day. If there was a state police, you can imagine what would have happened.

But if they allow the Police Council to operate, they can now bring their grievances there and resolve it themselves.

But why this ceaseless conflicting reports between the SSS and the police, particularly on the issue of the killing of Olaitan Oyerinde, Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s Private Secretary?

The SSS should not be heard, they should neither be seen nor be heard. They are supposed to operate clandestinely, gather information, intelligence, distill and authenticate and pass them to the appropriate authority for use. This new trend where everybody comes and arrests and also prosecutes is very bad.

Needless schism among security agencies is wrong.

If you get the information, pass it to the appropriate authority. Everybody wants to be seen. That was what caused the 9/11 tragedy in America. It is not that they did not have the information but some security agencies were hoarding the information and did not pass it to others. That is rubbish.

Once you get the information, pass it to the appropriate quarters. If it is the Army, give it to them and if it is the police, give it to them also.

SA TURD A Y Vanguard SATURD TURDA anguard,,

SEPTEMBER 8, 2012—49

Let Nigerians decide on state police—Senator Enang · Says FG should revoke oil block licenses

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With the endless security challenges facing the nation, would you say the time is ripe for establishment of state police?

I am becoming a lot more concerned. I had supported the establishment of state police partially. But as a member of the constitution review committee I will have to hear the rest of Nigerians before I will say this is how I will vote. But I am disappointed in the way the argument is going. It is going in the direction of the north against the south and that is not the aim of the discussion.

The aim of the discussion is to point out the advantages and disadvantages. During a radio programme on the viability of state police or not that I was invited to recently, somebody called in to give us the experience of Azikiwe, Sarduana and Awolowo during the campaigns in the 60s. He said that it was not easy for Sarduana to go for campaigns in the southern parts because the state police at that time did not allow people to have free campaigns. And that they at that time could not go for campaign freely in north because state police at that time constituted security problems. I must confess that these are all the ideas I never heard. I have heard more submission of retired IGs of police. These are matters that C M Y K

•Senator Ita Enang we should take as inputs in deciding whether or not to have state police. But we should also decide more whether if the Federal Government is funding the police properly.

There is also the fear that members of the public and those who will be in control of state police in the state may use the opportunity to recruit persons who may not have had the mental orientation, patriotic zeal, education and exposure to be in the state security system into the police

southern governors or any section against the other. That is the reason why I think the President should handle it.

Do you not think that state police can become better with time if introduced now?

I have not drawn conclusion. These are all matters that we would take into account in agreeing or disagreeing on state police.

But my main submission is that we should not allow it become a sectional issue. There should not be a situation where

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hairman Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Ita Enang was 50 years old on August 27. Celebrating his golden jubilee, he spoke his mind on several issues facing the nation ranging from security challenges and endless controversies on sharing modalities of oil revenues. He asked Federal Government to revoke oil blocks which has been the exclusive preserve of the north.

INALEGWU SHAIBU reports.Excerpt:

I have been more concerned than you and I want to state that Mr. President should take serious and decisive actions to nip all these in the bud.

system for peculiar political reasons. I am not drawing conclusion on the matter but these are the issues I will take into account in taking final decision. And I will have to go to my state, relate with my governor and with the people I represent. I will have to go on the hearings from other geopolitical zones. And then come back with a position or vote this way or that. What I plead now is that we should not allow the debate on whether or not we should have state police degenerate to a sectional team of Northern and

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governors from the north take a position against governors from the south. There should not be a situation where the houses of assembly in the north take a position against those of the south. There should not be an ethnic or sectional thing.

What is your reaction on coat of arm introduced in Bayelsa State?

I have been more concerned than you,and I want to state that Mr. President should take serious and decisive actions to nip all these in the bud. First, I am impressed at the actions he has taken in respect of the

Boko Haram matter.

The National Security Adviser has given indication that they are dialoguing with the group. Remember at the early stage of this I had said it was easy and better to go dialoguing and to adopt the amnesty approach to it. I had also submitted that it is necessary for us to also adopt exchange of arms for money.

So far, the President has taken that step but I believe that there is much more to be done in that direction.

The southern part of Nigeria, particularly the Niger Delta, has come with its own by declaring intent of self determination, the other ones have taken steps to say we are a federation, we can have our own coat of arms and state song. They are not saying they are not part of Nigeria yet or they will not recognize the national anthem. I have observed this perhaps from Cross River State in 2000-2007 when they had a state song. I had been disturbed about it.

But I discovered it was their own way of creating their own identity and boosting their own tourism, and a means of inculcating statism. But I believe that this should also go far enough to inculcate the love for the country. I am a lot concerned about the action of Bayelsa state.

The governor,Mr. Seriake Dickson is my friend, my colleague. We worked together in the House of Representatives. I was chairman Rules and Business and he was Chairman House

committee on Justice. I remember also that he was attorney general of that state, I think under Goodluck Jonathan as governor of Bayelsa State, and this is the state of the President. I believe that the President should not just think that this is the matter of the state.

Agreed it is a matter of the law of the state and persons who are aggrieved should go to court but coming from Bayelsa State, the state of the President, I think he should be more concerned about it.

Although the governor may have a reason for playing up the federalism in Nigeria that being a state within the federal constituency of Nigeria he can do certain things within the limits of statism without compromising the integrity of Nigeria. He may be practicing federalism at an advanced stage.

But I will call that people should be prepared to go to court either to seek to nullify it or affirm it. It is the declarations of court in this instance that will enable us practice this federalism more.

In matters of revenue allocation, there have been oil that we mining, who are the owners of the oil blocks? How many persons in the SouthSouth have oil blocks? It is the TYs, the Mai Daribes that owned the oil blocks, mostly people from the North-East and the North West. No single person from Akwa Ibom State owns an oil block.

50—SA TURD AY Vanguard,SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 50—SATURD TURDA

Jonathan and the power game

I

KEN UGBECHIE

n the last two months, President Goodluck Jonathan’s public rating has nosed up. It has all to do with the marginal but very noticeable increase in the supply of electricity to homes and offices across the nation.

It has never been this good in the last two decades. Some attribute this to former Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji. It may well be, but it owes more to the foresight of President Jonathan in appointing the right man for the job. Nnaji was clearly the right man for the job. He has walked that path both at home and overseas.

T

hose who argue that the improvement in the power sector was as a result of the rainy season should simply shut up. We have been having rainy seasons these past years, and we never got this far. But it is also instructive that those who trot out such insipid argument are the same PHCN workers and their unionists who celebrated the exit of Nnaji in a manner so despicable and for reasons so disgusting. I will not dignify the vile army of PHCN workers who

thronged the streets to celebrate the exit of a man who for once stood his ground and insisted that things should be done the right way with as much as a paragraph. They are the reason Nigeria is backward.

Television footage showed PHCN staff celebrating the resignation of Nnaji.My mouth dropped in amazement; my heart skipped a beat in utter outrage. How can any normal person(s) be happy that the man who has generated a historical 4,400

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By

hit over 9000 MW before 2015.

The circumstance that led to his resignation did not only portray him as a man of integrity, it also bolstered his image in the perception of all rational minds. He chose to adopt international best practice rather than apply the typical Nigerian formula in which case he would simply have stayed glued to his seat.

Resigning on principle is a rarity in Nigeria and this is why Nnaji would ever remain a hero. Besides, he acquitted

He is so far the only Nigerian president to have generated 4400 MW of electricity with the least budget

MW of electricity from a paltry 2800 MW at his ascension to office barely a year ago has quit his job?

Nnaji, a doctorate degree holder in industrial and systems engineering and rated as one of the very best in the world at the twilight of his resignation said he would push the power throughput to 5400 MW before the end of this year with a promise to

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himself as a bastion of professional integrity and true catalyst for the new Nigeria which President Jonathan is so passionately committed to.

Nnaji’s sin in the eyes of PHCN workers was his insistence on the privatisation of the power behemoth and his fervency in the pursuit of the general reforms in the power sector. No matter how

naked they genuflect in the sun, everybody knows that PHCN is a hatchery of corruption, a breeding mill for graft and everything that is wrong with the Nigerian project. They are in tandem with the diesel and generator cartel. It is a network of the powerful and the rich.

Anybody coming to change the status quo must be ready to take the scar. Nnaji has got his. The next power minister must be prepared to get his or her scar of war.

This is where President Jonathan must be discreet and decisive. He is so far the only Nigerian president to have generated 4400 MW of electricity with the least budget. If he gets power right before or by 2015, history would remember him kindly.

If by 2013/2014, Nigerians see a semblance of steady power supply, they are more likely to give him another mandate. So far, Jonathan has done well with his power roadmap. The challenge is for him to sustain and up his game. The matter is so critical that it does not give any room for degression and digression.

The president has lifted the hammer on the anvil of reforms in the power sector,

he must not drop it. He must carry through the privatisation of PHCN as fast as possible.

In case the president does not know this, people are already excited with this little appreciation in electricity supply. Nigerians are a grateful people. They do not require a sacrifice of the sun and moon to appreciate leadership. They appreciate Obasanjo for putting a phone in their hand. There are many aspects of him that they do not appreciate but they do not deny him credit for putting phones in their hands. They will deeply appreciate Jonathan much more if he can guarantee them regular power supply.The president is already on the right track, he should stay the course.

The artisans, the common people, the middle class and a handsome percentage of Nigerians are happy with the improvement in power delivery. They hope it gets better. The only sad people are the few Nigerians and their unscrupulous overseas partners who are profiting from our generator economy.

Ugbechieis the Editor In-Chief of Political Economist magazine

Oshiomhole; restoring the pride of Edo

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he then Bendel State where I had my sec ondary school education in the seventies as an indigene, was the best in almost all the National Sports competitions held in the country at that time. When the Joint Matriculation Examination into the nation’s universities was introduced in the seventies by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), my state had the largest percentage of the candidates that applied all over the country. Many of those who made the highest mark in the examinations were indigenes of the state. We also came first in most of the national schools debates.

In terms of industrialization, we had breweries, cement factories, textile mills and mechanized agricultural projects. In the area of infrastructure, many towns and villages in the state had electricity and pipeborne water;and because of the pride I had in my state, I refused to lay claim to another state of origin where I would have had free education and easy access to wealth and power despite

persuasions from my elder siblings. I was eventually punished for this but I doggedly remained a Bendelite.

The question that arises from here is: How did these achievements come about?

The answer lies in the good governance of the military administration of one man – Chief Samuel Ogbemudia, who was first the Administrator and later Military Governor of Midwestern(later Bendel) state from September 1967July 1975. It laid the foundation for the development of the State.

Unfortunately, subsequent military administrations destroyed the foundation the O g b e m u d i a - l e d administration laid through neglect and abandonment.

The civilian government of Professor Ambrose Alli tried to rescue the situation. It did very well especially in the area of education but it could not achieve much in other areas during its life span of four years between 1979 and 1983. When Ogbemudia came back as civilian governor in 1983, he spent only three months in government house before the military struck again. General Muhammadu

Buhari became the Head of State.

The worst era of the state was under the civilian government of Chief Lucky Igbinedion who was governor from 1999 to 2007. Instead of uplifting the state, the governor was mainly interested in looting the state’s treasury. Subsequently, Edo became a home of prostitutes and armed robbers. Most Nigerian prostitutes in Europe especially Italy are said to have come from Edo State.

P

rofessor Oserheimen Osunbor, who came after Igbinedion tried to do some

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By MACK OGBAMOSA

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), not many gave him a chance to perform well as a politician.

But he proved most of his critics wrong. He built roads, schools and constructed boreholes. He created employment for many of the citizens of Edo State.

Above all, he gave Edo people freedom from political denomination and intimidation by a clique.

Before now, anybody who tried to challenge the political hegemony of the State under the leadership of this clique was doing so at his or her own peril. A man with a small

The city of Benin was said to be ancient to the extent that it could not be modernized

restoration within the short period (May 2007 - November 2008) he was in Government House but he was being weighed down by the pressure from a political clique who did not mean well for the state. He eventually lost in court to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

The Comrade Governor came at a time of great expectations.

Even though, he had done very well as a labour leader having been a two-time

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frame but a large heart came from nowhere and uprooted the tradition. It looked like ‘abomination’ but in fact, it was freedom for most Edolites who felt that a time had come when elders should allow their children to grow up and attain maturity. Doing otherwise would have made the children to be stupid.

The city of Benin was said to be ancient to the extent that it

could not be modernized. But that line of thought has been banished. Many structural renovations are taking place in Benin. It is gradually dropping the name of ancient city.

Edo Central was said to be an area where boreholes could not be sunk. Today, there are many boreholes in the area.

In Edo North, rivers and hills were said to have made the construction of roads impossible. This theory has been defied. Many villages in the area have now been linked with roads.

I am one of those who ran away from Edo State for many years because there was nothing to look forward to.

Now, I visit Edo regularly and I am again beginning to see the sun shining brightly in Edo because of what Oshiomhole is doing in the State. I am happy to say I went home to vote in all elections.

As the comrade governor settles down for his second term, my candid advice to him is to see his landslide victory in the last election as a call to rededicate himself to work harder than he ever did in his first term. He should not relent. He should complete the projects he started and possibly embark on new ones.

Barrister Ogbamosa wrote from Lagos

SATURDAY

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— Ofuafor

tomorrow and when this is done, the country will be free of insecurity, armed robbery, economic distress and other social vices.

Hence, we run an Academy that is licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education, Delta State, Asaba to offer computers skills as a tertiary vocational institution.

Rolof Computer Academy runs certificate and diploma courses in Basic and Professional Computer Skills. We prepare students for certification courses organized by CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft and Adobe. Also in order to ensure that our students don't forget what they were taught,Rolof Computers sells notebooks, tablets, desktops, servers, digital cameras, projectors, inventors, UPS, deep cycle batteries, genuine software such as Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Windows 7 and Servers;

Norton and Kaspersky anti-virus etc. We have partnership agreements with HP, Dell, Acer, LG, Samsung, Microsoft, Intel, Western Digital, Cisco, Dlink, Kaspersky, Norton to sell their products in our showroom.

“All the products in all our outlets are genuine since they come directly from the manufacturers.

The products also come with manufacturer’s warranty which we implement to the letter.

Before we sign any partnership agreement with any manufacturing firm, we must ensure they have a service centre in Nigeria that can handle warranty issues and repair the faulty item during the period of the warranty.

You cannot find any product in our shop that the manufacturer has no service centre or support in Nigeria.

How has Rolof Computers been able to change the ugly face of IT in Nigeria?

Rolof Computers has introduced quality into IT business in Nigeria. The unsuspecting and ignorant customer has always been cheated with fake or substandard products in the past. We give value for money since we advertise publicly and on the interment.

Customers can always check the specification and the price from our website before making a buying decision.

We have set standards in the Rolof Computer Academy by offering best in class computer courses to our students. We paid for licensed computer courseware training materials from United States and Canadian companies that allow us use the material to train our students.

On the challenges The youths are illequipped from the Higher Institutions about future challenges. What they are taught in school is useless

Ne w N5000 no o inf lation — Nweze New notte will lead tto inflation

D

r. Austin Nweze is business lecturer in Lagos Business School. On the ongoing issue of the new proposed N5000 note by the Governor of Central Bank, Lamidi Sanusi, Nweze has this to say: Timing is of essence in whatever new policy or product you want to introduce. The cashless Lagos is barely taken off and the man Sanusi is already peddling another policy.

Nigeria is seriously underbanked and the focus should be in getting more than the 10% of Nigerians (these are the people who currently have any form of banking relationship) to have basic relationship or transactions with the banking system. It’s good to leapfrog but with caution. May be Sanusi want to achieve the above through the

SEPTEMBER 8, 2012—51

Our youths need IT skill for better positioning

introduction of the new N5,000 note.

This has both long and short run effect on the economy and the citizens.

The introduction of the new note will make cheaper to CBN to print and manage. Banks generally have issue with cash management, be it note or coin. But how will it compare to the whooping $40 billion proposed cost of printing the new notes. Also, these monies (including the lower denomination of coins) will be printed in a foreign country thereby creating job and improving the economy of the country where they will be printed.

Coin on the other hand hand is even more expensive to print.

The issue of security is there both for and against the new note.

Movement of cash with bullion van will be

reduced. But individuals are at risk of also losing their money to robberies.

Some experts also believe it is another form of devaluation of the currency. This will also result in inflation in the long run.

If coins should be printed I suggest that CBN should introduce coins less than N1. That way, people can expect to buy items of N1.50k instead of N5 as is currently obtained.

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osephine Ofuafor is the Sales Director, Rolof Computers. She is also engaged in training and offering technical support to empower the youths with the modern information technology needed to reposition the Nigerian youths for better results in the IT world.

Having travelled far and wide acquiring skills on modern technology. She positedthat IT development remains the only panacea to youth unemployment in Nigeria. The computer expert disclosed that already that many countries are now investing in IT technology thereby creating jobs for youths through that means. "And if Nigeria must reduce unemployment rate among the youth of this country, government must take investment in IT as a priority.

“Initially, we discovered that many Nigerian youths are still lacking behind in the IT technology and those who claimed to have acquired the knowledge cannot measure up with international standards.

So in Rolof, we decided to make it a complete package, all targets to reposition youths for greater future. We should not forget the fact that these youths are the leaders and generation of tomorrow: Therefore, if they are not informed with the technologies on ground, they may be deformed.

“They need knowledge that would sustain their

Vanguard Vanguard,,

Ofuafor: Let's develop our youths with IT skills

Nigerian youths are still lacking behind in the IT technology and those who claimed to have acquired the knowledge cannot measure up with international standards

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in the labour market.

Over 95% of the youths have no computer skills and they carry certificates that cannot fetch them jobs. Some of the graduates cannot write application for employment.

This is the beginning of the problem of the youths.

They need computer skills.

They need selfconfidence. They need entrepreneur skills. They need mentoring. They need hope. They need to be shown love. They need a bright future.

Unfortunate, many of them are in a hurry to

make it in life. Some of the youths are not interested in acquiring skills but only in collecting salary at the end of the month. That is why many of them are easily lured into crime because of the desire to make it quick in life and belong to a class in the society. Our society rewards evil and celebrates the rich irrespective of how they get their money.

The ladies are taking over most of the jobs because they are more cool headed and are ready to acquire skills than the men.

R-L: Chief Operating Officer, Flour Mills of Nigeria. Plc, Mr. Ed Jackson, Executive Director, Golden Pasta, Mr. Paul Gbedodo and Mr. Olive Cottrell, Chief Marketing Officer, Flour Mills of Nig. Plc, at the Golden Pasta and Golden Noodles customers’ forum tagged "Share Our Secret" held at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, and Towers, Abuja

52—SA TURD AY 52—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard anguard,,

SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

Alleged N358.7m debt: Okupe’s company drags Benue govt to court

BY EMMA AMAIZE

V

ALUE Trust Invest ment Limited, a company owned by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has dragged the Benue State Government to a High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State, claiming the sum of N358.7 million for work completed by the firm, but not paid for by the government.

Tongues have been wagging in the last few weeks over the contractual controversy between Okupe and the state government.

Counsel to the company, Festus Keyamo Esq. in a statement, yesterday, said, “The company in question, Value Trust Investment Ltd, has briefed us to represent it in respect of the contractual dispute”, adding, “After painstakingly perusing the documents at our disposal, we have come to the following irresistible conclusions,

shorn of politics and its brickbats:” “There was no time Dr. Doyin Okupe or any of his companies took money from the Benue State Government and “vanished into thin air” as has been portrayed in many quarters. The clear evidence of this is that, by a letter dated 23 January 2007, the Benue State Government itself wrote and acknowledged that forty percent (40%) of the work had been executed as at that date by Value Trust Investment Ltd. “It was the Benue State Government itself that breached some parts of the contract by not fulfilling its own contractual obligations, which led to delay in performing some parts of the contract. (Fuller particulars of these breaches can be gleaned from our statement of claims”, he asserted. .

According to him, “As it stands today, on a pro rata basis, our client has performed far in excess of the money it received

to execute the contract.

The evidence of this is certificate number 4, which was submitted by our client to the Benue State Government and in respect of which the Benue State Government has done nothing”.

“Therefore, the money owed our client by the Benue State Government, as at today for work completed and not paid for, is the sum of N358,762,934.90 (Three Hundred and Fifty Eight Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty Two Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty Four Naira, Ninety Kobo)”, he stated

Police promote 105 officers

BY CALAB AYANSINA

ABUJA - The Police Service Commission, PSC, yesterday, approved the promotion of 105 Chief Superintendents of Police, CSP, to Assistant Commissioners

Okpe Union fixes date for bye-election

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HE Okpe Union World wide at the weekend announced the schedule for bye-elections for the President General, Secretary and Assistant Spokesperson positions that had fallen vacant.

A release by the Secretary General, Mr. Henry Ebireri, the union said the byeelections will hold on Sunday, November 25, 2012 at Okpe Union Headquarters, Obalende, Lagos. Ebireri declared that all aspiring candidates must be indigene of Okpe residing anywhere in the world but prepared to attend the union’s general meeting in

Lagos.

He, however urged branches outside Lagos to participate actively in the bye election.

“It’s important that people take part in the democratic process. Participation enhances legitimacy, which improves stability and inhibits violence. This will also help us to decide the leaders of the union.

“The new President General has an opportunity to help shape the future of ” The statement said.

The union also called on the Sapele Okpe Community leaders in court, to bury the hatchet in order to

The Rotary Club of Benin, R1 District 9140, Nigeria recently installed Rotarian Effi Usen as the 41st President in a very colourful ceremony at the Constantial Hotel, Benin City. PIX L-R Immediate Past President, Rtn. Innocent Azeke decorating the incoming President, Rtn. Effi Usen.

move the community forward. The union however maintain that the removal of the Egbejule and executive was devoid of any sentiment but rather based on alleged constitutional breaches.

of Police, ACP. This was contained in a statement issued at the end of its 29th plenary meeting in Abuja. The PSC said it considered and ratified the Inspector General of Police’s, IGP’s recommendations for the promotion of the o f f i c e r s .

However, about 300 CSP’s have been stagnating on their ranks in the last eight years as the last promotion of the set of officers was sometime in 2005, even those below them including Superintendents, SPs, Deputy Superinten-

dents and Assistant Superintendents, ASPs have higher figures of stagnating officers.

In a statement signed by Chief Information Officer of the Commission, Ferdinand Ekpe, the Chairman of PSC, Mr. Parry Osayande said those elevated “had undergone Staff College training and passed the relevant examinations.”

Osayande who stated that the promotions take immediate effect, challenged the newly promoted officers to re-double their efforts in the provision of security to

the nation, adding “that deserving officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force would always be rewarded with promotion as at and when due.”

According to him, “the Commission took farreaching decisions in its resolve at transforming, refocusing and repositioning the Force for better service delivery to the Nigerian nation.’’

“Some of the CSPs elevated include Christopher Adetokunbo Owolabi, Aliyu Adamu Alhaji, Magu Ibrahim, Arungwa Nwazue and Adeleke Adeyinka Bode.

Igbozurume sues for truce ahead 2015 election

BY TOMMY ANADUAKA

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HE leadership of Igbo zurume Association, a new socio/non political umbrella body of all Igbo speaking nation have stressed the need for love, understanding and concern for one another in the task of building a formidable and united brotherhood for a common goal.

A community leader and national President of the group, General Joseph O. G Achuzia (rtd) made the assertion at conference held in Asaba and hosted by the Delta State chapter of the body.

Brig-Gen Achuzia remarked that it was compulsory for good tidings amongst all Igbo ethnic nation so as to be able to dialogue and take firm position in the realization

of an Igbo President upon the expiration of the tenure of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

Achuzia who was recently bestowed with the award of the “Peoples Army General by Igbo youths in Enugu State to replace the late Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu who held the position while alive, enjoined the various branches of

Igbozurume drawn from all the senatorial zones of the country and in diaspora, to avail themselves of the opportunities of the various sociocultural activities of the state and work for the set objectives of the group – realising its dream of an Igbo President in 2015.

Earlier, the SouthSouth Coordinator, Chief Charles Okechukwu in

his opening remarks expressed appreciation to members especially those from northern states. Chief Okechukwu assured that the formation of Igbozurume will no doubt further strengthen the cordial existing relationship between the Igbos of the across the Niger and those of Delta/Western parts of the country.

Anambra Set to Partner NOA

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NAMBRA State is set to partner with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in its bid to champion the encouragement of the youth to engage in patriotic acts.

The Governor who made this disclosure during the flag-off of the Citizens Responsibility Volunteer Scheme at Emmaus House, Awka said

that the state had already engaged in many projects to re-direct the youth be responsible and productive, Obi, however, assured that the State would key into the present one, which he noted was in tandem with President Jonathan’s Reform Agenda.

“As part of the State’s interest in the Youth, we

are working with many organizations and are collaborating with many to chart direction for our youths,” Obi said. He also announced the Business Support Award of N250, 000 to Matthew Onuma, for judiciously utilizing the money given to him under ANSYREP programme anchored by Dr. Okey Ikechukwu.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 — 53

We sstill till ha havve something to pla or – Ofuegbu playy ffor

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aptain of the female U-20 team, Falconets Gloria Ofoegbu says the

team have not given up on the competition despite their defeat in the semi final by the USA. Ofuegbu said playing Japan in the third place match is another opportunity for them to prove their worth in the world of football.

In a chat with Saturday Vanguard sports in Japan, Ofoegbu said , “ I believe we all have learned our lessons from the defeat to the USA. We have taken some positives from the encounter rather than

sulking and wallowing in self-pity. What we can take from this tournament first and foremost, especially against Japan, is the fact that we have to treat each attack like it’s the only chance we’re going to get in the match.

“We will have to make do with the third place match which has provided us with an opportunity to finish on the podium. Third place wouldn’t be that bad at the end of the day,”said the River Angels player.

N1.4m prize money for PWF Champions Cup

A GETTING SET... The Community Games 2012 powered by Olympic Nutricima milk is scheduled to hold in Lagos later this month. The media launch to herald the Games was held during the week. From left, Mutiu Adepoju, Ex International, Mrs Yomi Ifaturoti, Director, Corporate Affairs, PZ Cussons, Mrs. Wande Oluwasegunfunmi, Head of Marketing, Nutricima Ltd, Mr. Seyi Akinwunmi, Chairman, Lagos State Football Association and Mrs. Chiaka Eluchie, Senior Brand Manager, Olympic Nutricima Ltd at the event. Photo by Sylva Eleanya.

Falconets are pride of Africa —Nnaji C

hairman of Imo State Union of Football Lovers in Japan, Chief Kennedy Fintan Nnaji has showered encomiums on the female U-20 national team, the Falconets for their brilliant performance in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, Japan 2012, despite losing 2-0 to the USA last Tuesday .

As the team confront Japan in the third place match in Tokyo, Chief Nnaji is confident that the team still have better chances against the host nation in today’s match.

He added that the only way the Edwin Okotutored side can overcome the Asian side is to be focused and be able to convert goalscoring chances.

“As far as I am concerned, the

Falconets are the pride of Africa, no matter the situation or the position they find themselves in,”said Chief Nnaji.

“From the beginning of the competition, they have been very good except for their last game

C M Y K

entry forms of N20,000 each were currently on sale and entries will close on September 20th.

Emina assured that the PWF Champions Cup tournament which is backed by the Pauline & Willson Foundation has been endorsed by the Lagos State Football Association .

Apart from the handsome prizes for the winners, Emina explained that the last sixteen teams in the competition will be given free training bips while each of the semifinalists will be given free jersies and souvenirs by the

Bronze medal match: Japanese fans speak on Falconets performance, chances S

ince the competition began, Japanese fans have been so

supportive and cheering the Falconets to win each time they played,

Soccerfest champions league kicks off Sept 23 T

he 2012 Soccerfest champions League season 5 begins September 23 at the Nigeria Institute of Sports soccer pitch, National Stadium, Lagos with Praise God Christian Chapel taking on.Christ Image Assembly in the opening match.

The second match will feature Christian Pentecostal Mission against The Redeemed Christian Church of God. Speaking at the preevent media parley which also witnessed the

against USA. But be that as it may, there is hope for the team to succeed.

Although Japan is no push over, as they are also a good side. But I would want Nigeria to win because that is my fatherland,”he said.

ttractive prizes await winners of the second PWF Champions Cup which has been slated to hold has been slated to hold in October 2012 According to the organisers, a whopping N750,000 will be won by the champions of the competition which is open to youth clubs in Lagos state.

Kemac Emina, tournament co-ordinator, told newsmen in Lagos that the first runners up will get N400,000 while the second runner up and fourth placed teams will earn N200,000 and N100,000 respectively.

He explained that

unveiling of a new logo for the competition, tournament co-ordinator, Adeolu Adeyemo said this year’s competition was being supported by Zenith Sports and called on prospective sponsors to identify with the programme which is aimed at identifying talented young footballers who could grow to become useful to themselves and the nation in future.

He said, “soccerfest vision is to ensure unity in the body of Christ and

strategically positioned for grassroots soccer development and youth empowerment in Nigeria.”

On the new logo, Adeyemo said it was aimed at promoting “sport merchandising and business through merging soccer and entertainment.”

Also speaking at the occasion, Pastor David Ahove who is a member of the board of Trustees of Soccerfest said the championship needs financial support from the corporate community.

especially, the Japanese who are married to Nigerian men or women . But playing against their national team in the third place match today would be a different ball game in terms of support.

Saturday Vanguard Sports spoke to some of the fans after the match against USA on their take against Nigeria in today’s third place match. Excerpts!

Nogami Kyohei

They are a good team and also are very physical and determined . But against us on Saturday the better side would definitely win.

And I believe at the end of the match the better side would emerge winner.

Ryo Kanai

There is no doubt that the Nigerian girls are good but football is more of the physical and it also requires much tactics. What I believe is the better side would win.

Shingo Yokoyama

The Falconets have more skillful players than the USA but Nigerian players were deficient in terms of technique. I will tell you why. USA is better coached and took better decisions. Here are some of your mistakes: Your defenders never look behind, during “in-motion” crosses to see who’s lurking behind them, hence USA’s first goal.

Falconets never shore up in the pocket of space between opponents for

an easy outlet pass, rather, you let your players waste precious energy trying to dribble out of trouble. You never made the quick easy passes. You pass in dangerous areas. You never shoot low.

Lee Harunari

They are good and physical with much discipline but then playing against Nigeria will be tough because both teams are very strong.

Chiaki Kato

So far, the Nigerian team have been brilliant in the their performance but they could not dominate their possession thus far. But then playing Japan is going to be a very tough match because both teams are very good.

54

— SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

Players under Presidential pressure Cont. from b/pg ROM the airport to their hotel the onlookers jeered the team. It was not

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unusual in sports. But in many cases, visiting teams are jeered by some and cheered by others. In the

‘War’ of two presidents as Eagles battle Lone Star

By PATRICK OMORODION

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HE 2013 Nations Cup qualifiers which hold today across the continent have been taken to a new level with presidents of Nigeria and Liberia jumping into the fray, backing their teams to qualify for the event which begins on odd number years in South Africa for the very first time.

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia began the political campaign for the country’s national football team, the Lone Star when she mobilised both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to garner support for them against the Super Eagles.

She reportedly promised to provide free tickets to Liberian fans to throng the stadium to drum support for their darling team. The support yielded some fruit in a friendly as the Lone Star downed Malawi 1-0 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia.

President JohnsonSirleaf promised that “I will offer support to encourage players to excel,” adding that the team deserve an apology

from the Liberian people because, according to her, “the team has been insulted whenever it lost a game.”

On his part, President Goodluck Jonathan, still sulking over Team Nigeria’s woeful outing at the London 2012 Olympics didn’t want to be beaten to the game, also stormed the Eagles camp during the week to cheer them up ahead today’s crucial first leg encounter in Monrovia.

The Eagles didn’t qualify for the 2012 edition co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon which incidentally marked the end of the competition in even number years and President Jonathan, who doesn’t want a repeat of the embarrassment, urged the players to put in their best to be among the teams that would be on parade in South Africa.

“Let me encourage you

UPER Eagles have assured that hostility and a poor pitch will not stop them from victory in Liberia today.

•Rangers declare selves winners •NPL hand trophy to Pillars ONFUSION yester day trailed the final day of the Nigeria Premier League as Rangers Football of Enugu claimed they emerged champions after Rangers defeating Sharkes of Port Harcourt 3-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu in the their last match of the season.

This came as the Nigeria Premier League, NPL, handed the trophy to Pillars who lost their last away match 1-2 to Sunshine Stars in Ijebu-Ode yesterday. Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime reportedly congratulated Rangers for ‘emerging’ champions of the 2011/2012 Nigeria PreC M Y K

Falconets set to grab U-20 Women’s World Cup bronze in Japan that we will do our best for you and provide all you need. I will

personally like to be in South Africa to watch the final match of the competition but for that to

be a possibility, you must qualify for the tournament,” president

Nothing can stop us against Liberia, Eagles chorus S

Confusion as Premier league ends

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journey from the airport to the hotel, the expression of aggression and hate was visible on the faces of Liberians although their football officials were friendly.

It’s a war ravaged country trying to rebuild from the adversities that have made shanties the shelter of citizens as witnessed on the

mier League which ended across the nation yesterday.

In a statement issued by the State’s Commissioner for Information, Chuks Ugwoke, Governor Chime praised the team “for your gallantry and exceptional discipline which culminated in the victory.

On behalf of the Government and people of Enugu State, I congratulate the players, officials and teeming supporters of Rangers for this great feat.”

Ugwoke said that with yesterday’s result, Rangers ended the league on 64 points, same as Kano Pillars but the Enugu side won it on superior goal difference.

Report by the NFF advance party to Monrovia revealed that the Eagles should expect a hostile reception in Liberia and that they will be playing on a very poor pitch at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium.

However, Chelsea winger Victor Moses has maintained that the bad state of the pitch will not be an excuse for the Eagles not to fly past the Lone Star.

Reports from the advance team led by technical committee chairman Chris Green

reveals that the SKD Stadium pitch is bumpy with pockets of holes capable of causing serious injuries. ”I don’t think the state of the pitch would affect our play. We just want to go play football. So, we are not concerned with the state of the pitch,” said the new Chelsea signing.

Russia-based striker Emmanuel Emenike has also assured that the jibes and tough talk by Liberia would only fire up the Eagles for the big battle this weekend.

”We have been hearing and reading the comments from the Liberian team but that is not our concern. What I want to assure Nigerians is that we will not disappoint them in Monrovia,” said the Spartak Moscow striker, who is set to play his first match under coach Stephen Keshi. ”I am personally challenged by my invitation to do more for my country. So, with the spirit in camp, I can tell you that we are battle ready for the Liberians.”

FG splashes N1.2m on Paralympians

BY BEN EFE, London

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WENTY four hours after the Paralympic heroes and heroines drew a list of what they want President Goodluck Jonathan to do for them for their superlative performance at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, the National Sports Commission, NSC has showered them with dollar rain.

An appreciative NSC Friday splashed US$7500 on each gold medalist while silver and bronze medalists each got US$5000 and US$2500 respectively for restoring the pride of Team Nigeria where two weeks earlier, their able bodied counterparts went home empty handed. It was gathered from top officials of the NSC that the dollar largesse nothwithstanding, the president was likely to

host the athletes next weekend to extend the government’s appreciation for their gallantry. In their earlier request to President Jonathan, the Paralympians had among other things demanded that equipment which will aid their performance in competitions should be provided for them while their coaches should be sent on courses to keep them abreast with the rules of the various sports.

one hour journey to town.

Raising nationalism through football will further unite the people.

They are aware of this. And going to the 2013 Nations Cup at the expense of Nigeria will be a tremendous tonic and they plan to give it their best shot. That’s why President Johnson is involved in this.

This place is not new terrain to Stephen Keshi, the Nigerian coach. He led Togo to this place in 2004 and even early this year he led Nigeria to a 2-0 victory in a friendly match to mark their Independence Day. They saw a little bit of what they will face today. They won but left the field badly bruised by the hard and harsh tackles of the opponents. Keshi has told the players it could even be worse today. He prepared the minds of all to note that aggression on and off the field is common in sports. He believes that the Eagles are in a better shape than they have ever been since he started coaching them last year.

Gabriel Ruben, the strong holding midfielder from Kano Pillars is injured and in his position may be Obiora Nwanchukwu or Nosa Igiebor. Both will likely play. Ahmed Musa is also in good shape and may, as usual play from the right side of the midfield while Ejike Ozoenyi could play from the left. The defenders will be led by Joseph Yobo, the captain who will enjoy the support of the likes of Ambrose Efe, Gabriel Itama and Egwuekwe. Ike Uche will lead the attack.

NFF President, Aminu Maigari has continued to thank President Jonathan for the morale boosting visit last Wednesday.

President Jonathan watched part of the training before addressing the players.

His government has been widely criticized for failure in many sectors including sports. After the failure at the Olympics the President is banking on football to gain some popularity. He appears under pressure to look good. But he must do good to look good.

Football could be a tool for him and the pressure is now on the players and those who run the game from the sports minister to the Nigeria Football Federation. President Johnson-Sirleaf’s actions and personal interest on the Lone Star is also mounting pressure on those who run the game here. If they lose, the fact that Nigeria is a bigger football nation will be a known elixir. It will not be so for Nigeria. The pressure is, therefore, more on them. But they hope to cope and win today.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 — 55

Keshi drops injured R ueben, declares Rueben, Uche fit for Liberia

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UPER Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi yesterday dropped injured midfielder Gabriel Reuben for today’s clash against the Lone Star in Liberia, while Ikechukwu Uche has been given the all-clear.

Kano Pillars midfielder Reuben is nursing a groin injury, which he picked up in the Federation Cup and which relapsed during training with the national team in Abuja.

Reuben, a box-to-box defensive midfielder whose transfer to Belgium was recently scuttled, has become a key player in Stephen Keshi’s team since December.

A top team official has confirmed that Reuben has been dropped for the Nations Cup qualifier in M o n r o v i a . ”Reuben was not looking too good and has now been dropped from the team,” stated the official.

The other players dropped were Reuben’s Pillars teammate Umar

Zango and Gombe United striker Sanusi Sani.

In the same vein, Keshi has confirmed that Ikechukwu Uche is fully fit for the Liberia game. ”IK is good. As you could

see he was in the training fully. He didn’t come out for the last training because he needed some extra rest. Outside of Rueben we are injury-free in this team,” he assured.

Ideye thumbs up homebased Eagles D YNAMO Kyiv forward, Brown Ideye has voiced his sentiments regarding domestically-based talent in the Nigerian squad to face Liberia in a 2013 Africa Nations Cup qualifier in Monrovia on Saturday.

Eleven players based in Nigeria have been included in the side that faces Liberia in a first leg, final round Afcon qualifier and Ideye says he is impressed by the lads.

“I have been impressed by the home players. I have been training with them and I

can tell you they are very good. For them to have been here (in the Eagles’ camp in Abuja) means they have a role to play,” Ideye told supersport.com.

Ideye also said it would be wrong for anyone to discriminate between the home lads and the Eagles’ stars based abroad as both sets of players deserve to play for the national team.

“The home boys are professionals like us based in Europe so it will be wrong to discriminate. I was once a player in the Nigeria league and I know how challenging it is.

Don’t be intimidated by Japan, Maigari charges Falconets

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STRATEGISING... Coach Stephen Keshi passing instructions through Victor Moses in a past match. Moses has declared that the bad pitch of the Samuel Doe stadium in Monrovia cannot stop Liberia from falling to the Eagles today.

RESIDENT of the the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari has reminded players of the U-20 Women national team, the Falconets on the need to be calm when they confront Japan for the bronze in today ’s third place match of the

FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup which ends today.

He also reasoned that Japan, being the host side would enjoy the support of the crowd but nevertheless urged the team not to be i n t i m i d a t e d .

Speaking over the phone

from Nigeria, Maigari praised the girls for making an impressionable statement due to their splendid run in the competition. ”Sixteen teams started this competition and only four are left of which you are part of.

Nothing can’t stop us against Liberia, Eagles chorus

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UPER Eagles have assured that hostility and a poor pitch will not stop them from victory in Liberia t o d a y .

Report by the NFF advance party to Monrovia revealed that the Eagles should expect a hostile reception in Liberia and that they will be playing on a very poor pitch at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium.

However, Chelsea winger Victor Moses has maintained that the bad state of the pitch will not be an excuse for the Eagles not to fly past the Lone Star.

Reports from the advance team led by technical committee chairman Chris Green reveals that the SKD Stadium pitch is bumpy with pockets of holes capable of causing serious injuries.

C M Y K

”I don’t think the state of the pitch would affect our play. We just want to go play football. So, we are not concerned with the state of the pitch,” said the new Chelsea signing.

Russia-based striker Emmanuel Emenike has

also assured that the jibes and tough talk by Liberia would only fire up the Eagles for the big battle this weekend We have been hearing and reading the comments from the Liberian team but that is

not our concern. What I want to assure Nigerians is that we will not disappoint them in Monrovia,” said the Spartak Moscow striker, who is set to play his first match under coach Stephen Keshi.

Caption: Falconets set to grab U-20 Women's World Cup bronze in Japan

Curtain draws for U-20 Women’s battle for bronze, S World Cup •Falcons USA, Germany tango for gold

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ALCONETS who finished as runnersup to host and champions, Germany in 2010, will have to settle for a less prominent finish this time around, despite having arrived in Japan declaring their ambition to leave with the trophy. The best the African side can now hope for is third place, providing they do not spurn as many chances

as in their recent outings, having required extra time to see off Mexico 10 in the quarter-finals before losing 2-0 to USA in the last four.

As for the hosts, they remain heartbroken not to have been able to match the feats of Japan’s senior side at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011™. The Young Nadeshiko have nonetheless made history by advancing to the

semi-finals for the first time in their history, and they will be eager to put a smile back on the faces of their supporters by taking bronze.

With one goal and a missed penalty against Norway to her name, Dzsenifer Marozsan is unlikely to end the tournament cradling the adidas Golden Boot as top scorer. Germany coach Maren Meinert will not

UPER Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama was the last player in at the team’s camp ahead of the 2013 Africa Nation’s Cup qualifier against Liberia.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv shot-stopper was given special dispensation by head coach, Stephen Keshi to attend to ‘pressing personal issues.’

Enyeama eventually stormed the camp on Wednesday and was put through special training sessions under the guidance of goalkeeping trainer and former

Shorunmu assures on Enyeama international, Ike Shorunmu.

The Super Eagles’ deputy skipper appeared to be in fine fettle as exemplified by his showings in the sessions with Shorunmu offering high praise for his ward.

“It’s just routine and we know his form and we are sure he will be ready for the game against Liberia if needed,” Shorunmu said.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

NATIONS CUP:

•President Jonathan with President Johnson-Sirleaf

Liberia vs Nigeria: Players under Presidential pressure TIME: 7.00 PM

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE, MONROVIA

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HE Eagles arrived at Monrovia yesterday morning in the heat of a campaign to revitalize the Lone Star, the national

team of Liberia.

Can a lone star survive the swarm of Eagles? 90 minutes will tell.

The campaign chief of Liberia is interestingly President Ellen Johnson who is also the Chief Patron of sports in the c o u n t r y .

Just as President Good Luck Jonathan was

visiting the Eagles during the week, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was, at the Ministry of Education here launching Lone Star Mobilisation for 2013 Nations Cup Finals. She said that the aim of the campaign was to revitalize the national football team. The President called on Liberians and retired

footballers to rally round the national team and ensure their qualification for the 2013 Nations Cup finals. She referred to their glorious days in football as when they qualified and played in the 1996 Nations Cup in South Africa and in 2002 when they played in the Mali Nations Cup finals. That same year, they narrowly missed

•Falconets celebrating a win in Japan. They play Japan this morning for the bronze.

Third-best, pretty good for us — Okon TIME: 7.30 AM

By KATE OBODO, Japan

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OACH Edwin Okon believes it is not over yet for his side, despite their 2-0 loss to USA last Tuesday to qualify for the third place match against the host nation, Japan today in Tokyo.

As the U-20 World Cup ends today with both the third place and final

matches, the Falconets will need both luck and a cool head in front of goal if they are to defeat the host and finish the tournament on a high note. For the coach, Okon, they need every strength to be the thirdbest team in the world.

“Though our dreams of glory and lifting the trophy have now been dashed, it is not over yet as we have another chance against Japan to prove our worth in the

third place,” he said.

Continuing, he said, “against USA, it was a hard fight and good match as well but, I also want to appeal to the officials of the this competition to be fair in their handling of the match,” he said.

“Like I said earlier on, it is not over yet as we have learned from the last game against USA and have also corrected the mistakes made. We began the tournament looking to

make the final at least but unfortunately we couldn’t make. However, being the third-best team in the world would be pretty good for us. So far, we have been able to work on all the departments of the team and hope for a better result against Japan,” he stressed. Nigeria would early today battle for the third place position against Japan before the two finalists, USA and Germany take to the pitch later.

World Cup qualification when they needed a home draw against Ghana to be in the World Cup. Ghana beat them. And the beneficiaries of the Ghana victory were Nigeria who had actually lost away to them and Sierra Leone, prompting the sacking of Bonfrere Jo and the

engagement of Shaibu Amodu and Stephen Keshi. Nigeria qualified but surprisingly disengaged the coaches to pave way for Chief Adegboye Onigbinde to lead Nigeria to the World Cup where they crashed out in the first round.

President Johnson-Sirleaf hopes the Lone Star will rise again. And they begin their campaign for revival with Nigeria here at 6 pm local time. It will be 7 pm Nigerian time. A victory and possible qualification, not even winning in the finals, will mean the world to them.

They hope for a surprise victory today and visit Nigeria to play a difficult game that may frustrate Eagles. They are the underdogs and a draw would mean a lot to them.

Eagles left Abuja on IRS chartered plane early yesterday morning, 45 minutes behind schedule.

It was not bad by Nigerian standard.

And it appears that the charge of President Johnson-Sirleaf is being heeled.

Continues on page 54

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1.Former Super Eagles defender, Uche (9) 5.L.G.A. in Osun State (3) 7.African Waterbuck (3) 8.Egyptian God (4) 10.Minister of Labour & Productivity, Mr. Chukwuemeka (4) 12.State in Nigeria Known as “The Heart Beat of the Nation”? (3) 13.Ogun State Governor Senator Ibikunle (6) 15.Former NFF Vice President, Fanny (4) 17.Adult Female Fowl (3) 18.Kogi State Governor, Albaji Idris (4) 20.The Oba of Lagos HRH Riwanu 23.L.G.A. in Borno State (6) 26.Flying Eagles Striker, Ezekiel (4) 28.Greek Alphabet (3) 29.Seagull (4) 31.Zambian Capital City (6) 34.Collection (3) 35.L.G.A. in Akwa-Ibom State (4) 38.Wild Pig (3) 39.Yoruba God (3) 40.The First Man to walk on the Moon, Neil (9) DOWN

1.Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter (3) 2.Italian Premiership Clubside (6) 3.MD, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chibuzor (6) 4.L.G.A. in Benue State (4) 5.Ancient Bird (4) 6.Former Ogun State Governor, Daniel (9) 9.Addition Result (3) 11.Former Minister of Health, Dr. Jerry (4) 14.Former Ekiti State Governor, Segun (3) 16.Super Falcons Winger, Cynthia (4) 19.Precipitation (3) 21.Automobile Company in Nigeria (3) 22.Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Abdulwaheed (4) 24.L.G.A. in Abia State (3) 25.Clerk of the National Assembly, Nasir (4) 26.L.G.A. in Plateau State (6) 27.Message (6) 30.Nothing (3) 32.France Striker and Everton Forward, Louis (4) 33.L.G.A. in Katsina State (4) 37.Protein Source (3)

SOLUTION ON PAGE 52

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