S-East to Jonathan - Contest in 2015

2 —SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

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SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12 , 2014 — 3

National Confab: There will be consensus on key issues — Osoba •Allays fear of the North on power devolution •Oshiomhole wants delegates to work for unity

F

ORMER Governor of Ogun State and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Segun Osoba, yesterday, said the north was afraid of devolution of power from the centre due to alleged fears that they would be short-changed in the scheme of things.

He however, assured that there was no need for any section of the country to be afraid of devolution of powers, since the present system of government in the country had failed, indicating ‘’that an alternative system is required to harness the full potentials of the country and deliver better and quality standard of living to the people.’’

Osoba said that devolution of power from the centre was the only way to get the country back on the track of progress and development.

The former governor spoke during the N850 million fund-raising dinner for the Building of Editor ’s Plaza held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja yesterday. The Federal Government donated N50 million towards the project.

This was even as President Goodluck Jonathan described the Nigerian press as one of the freest in the world.

According to him, ‘’such fear does not arise since the present system of government being practised in the country had failed the people of Nigeria.’’

He also said that there will be consensus on some key issues at the ongoing national conference contrary to popular belief, that such feat would not be achieved.

Osoba, who was giving highlights of the proceedings at the conference said, ‘’though, some groups from the North are afraid of regionalism, permutations and body movements among the delegates show that they may no longer need 75 per cent votes to agree on some key issues like devolution of power from the centre and the system of government.’’

He assured those opposed to regionalism and devolution of power that the National Conference would ensure ‘’that the present indices for revenue sharing is sustained, so that nobody would feel short-changed.’’

His words, “About 75 per cent of us in that conference know ourselves, and we are sure that there will not be the need for 75 per cent consensus to arrive at certain key decisions. I know virtually everybody in that conference, so do many others.

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’’We have done our home work. I tell you, there will be partly consensus for some key issues on devolution and some other key issues because most of us believe there must be devolution of power. Most of us have been in government before and what we ask is, why should somebody sit in Abuja and determine how primary education in Yobe, Yenogoa and, in Benin will be run and which teacher should teach the local language? ’’For us, that is an impossibility because primary school education has nothing to do with the Federal Government; primary education is cultural. ’’It is only a grass root person that can teach a child his language, culture and values. It is a waste of money for someone to be in Abuja and determine the kind of building to be done in the primary school in my village; the culture is not the same. The system of building is not also the same. ’’There must be devolution. Some people are scared of regionalism, especially our brothers from the Northern part of the country. They feel it will be used to short change the North...

“The reason why only the Lagos sea port is working and others scattered across the country are not working is because we have not provided the infrastructure. ’’When we go back to regional system, let the regions create states as much as they like; let them create as many local governments as they like. But we can continue sharing revenue based on the same indices, so that nobody in the North will be shortchanged. But it is unfair for some states to be apportioned more local governments than their peers like in the case of Lagos and Kano with 20 and 44 local governments respectively.”

While assuring on the determination of the delegates to deliver on their mandate, Osoba said, it was time for Nigerians to determine the best system of government to adopt between the parliamentary system or the system currently in use, semi presidential system to be able to move forward.

“We have to determine whether the parliamentary system or what we have now, semi presidential system which one is better.

The powers of the President are too much, we need to revisit all these. Every government, every constitution is dynamic. All these indices are what we are going to look into at the conference and I am

sure we shall come up with the consensus that all of us will be proud of.

“Some people have said the conference will fail, but I assure you that it will not fail. With your support we shall not fail Nigerians.

We will do our best to make sure that the outcome of the conference is the type that will move Nigeria forward,” he added.

Also commenting on the suggestion by some of the delegates that rapists should be castrated, Osoba said, “instead of castrating rapists, we should ban them for life from politics and all political appointments and in addition give them dishonourable awards.”

Also speaking the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, appealed to the delegates to work for the unity and progress of Nigeria, since they have no other country they can call our own. ’’My only appeal is that the delegates should work for the unity and progress of Nigeria since we do not have another country we can call our own,’’ he said and called for review of the status of some delegates calling for secession, ‘’to be certain that,’’ they do not put fire in the house to consume others.

He challenged the elder statesmen in the conference to rise up in defence of national interests by speaking for the people of Federal Republic of Nigeria, who have no other place to go.

“If indeed, as some of them have said that they have refuge aside Nigeria, to which they can run to, any such person, I believe his status should be reviewed because those of us who can not run, we want to be certain so that those who can run do not put fire in the house, such that those of us who can not run do not find ourselves being smoked inside.

“Those who have the privilege and who have had the privilege to preside over this nation at the national level, they can not be described as ethnic champions, they should speak for national audience. Let us leave ethnic things to those who have been prevailing in their domains, so that those who have responsibility beyond their domain; who have identified with our great compatriots, should speak for the people of Federal Republic of Nigeria, who have no other place to go.

“Let us recognize, that every country is dealing with its own challenges.

Some are doing more of the talks, others are doing more of the work. I hope we are able to do both. For

me, this is the best country in the world. Those who have noting to contribute can go, those of us who have to contribute can remain here. This country is far much more than some total of all of the republics that we talk about.”

In his remarks, President Goodluck Jonathan, represented by Information Minister, Labaran Maku described the Nigerian press as one of the freest in the world, saying that his administration had created the conducive atmosphere for the media to operate freely.

Jonathan then asked the Nigerian Guild of Editors to uphold the unity of the country in their editorial contents to make the country the true giant of Africa.

“I urge you to uphold the unity of this nation. One thing we must uphold is the unity of this nation.

Every African nation is looking up to Nigeria for leadership. Nigeria is a common inheritance of all Africans. We must admit that Nigeria has done so much for Africa. The unity of Africa depends on Nigeria. That is why we must not run Nigeria down.

“The Nigerian press represents the best, the freest

in the continent today. And everywhere around the continent, we are looked upon as a leader in this profession.

President Jonathan is most media friendly president since Shehu Shagari in terms of the freedom the media today have to perform their trade.

Not only has this administration supported the media but created the atmosphere for them to operate. This is because we have come up with the idea of using media to lead the freedom of our country.

Freedom of the press is part of our heritage from our freedom fighters. ’’The atmosphere is very free to the extent that even the UN coordinator Agency made a pronouncement last year that the Nigerian media are very free and sometimes freer than some advanced countries.

This is because we have come with a tradition of the media leading the course of democracy.

Before independence, throughout the military, a lot of Nigerians depended on the print media to express their views. We have to accept the way we are.

This freedom did not just come over night, it is some-

thing we have fought for, and today adds to part of what this country recognizes as a heritage everywhere around the continent. I urge us to continue deepening this freedom we have with sense of responsibility.

“We need to celebrate Nigeria because not everything is bad in Nigeria.

This country has suffered breakdown as a result of impatience of the military.

This present democracy is working much better than any military (regime) we saw. I appeal to the media to defend Nigeria by reporting it in good light in order to fire up the imagination of the people,” he said.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in his comments said that it was ‘’necessary that they (Guild of Editors) have their own secretariat. Without a secretariat, they can not run the organization properly.

We will help them to raise fund because part of it will be given out for rent instead of always going cap in hand for fund. They will have their fund to use.

Secondly, it will also give them a stable place where you can easily look for them.

4 —SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014 — 5

Ondo By-election Face-off:

Mimiko, Kuku disagree over result •LP connived with thugs to disrupt vote •Mimiko should know Ondo belongs to PDP —Kuku

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

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ITH the result of the by-elec tion into the Ilaje/Ose Odo Federal Constituency of Ondo State declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, have sharply disagreed on the outcome of the poll.

While Mimiko claims that the Labour Party won the vote and has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to announce the result, Kuku accuses LP of conniving with thugs to disrupt the vote in Arogbo Ward 2, which is a Peoples Democratic Party stronghold with about 7000 voters.

While Mimiko went to the Presidential Villa to claim victory for his party, Kuku, told journalists in his office that PDP was poised to win the vote only for LP to team up with an ex-militant youth to disrupt the distribution of election materials in places considered to be PDP stronghold so as to give the LP an edge.

But speaking with State House correspondents shortly after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Mimiko said that from the results declared by INEC, it was clear that the Labour Party won the election.

The governor said,”Because of the integrity of electoral processes in Nigeria, because of the reputation that INEC has built for itself, it’s not a perfect body but generally people believe that INEC has been getting its acts together and I think in the interest of that integrity and in the interest of the 2015 that we are all looking forward to and its integrity, I think INEC should just announce this result.

Mimiko pointed out that contrary to INEC’s claim that the election was inconclusive; the position of his party was that the election was concluded and not inconclusive.

According to the governor, election took place in 21 out of the 22 wards and results were collated at the unit, local government and constituency levels in line with the Electoral Act and the Constitution.

He said the requirement for

winning election into a legislative house was majority of lawful votes cast and his party had the majority. ”We have looked at the law. We have looked at the constitution. In the case of presidential and governorship elections, the conditions are very clear. ”Apart from having simple majority of votes cast, you need a quarter of two third of the local governments. That is, apart from the quantum, you also need spread. ”But for legislative election, the law prescribes simple majority and mind you, election took place in 21 wards out of 22. Election re-

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State (2nd left), in group picture with the newly sworn-in Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Bayelsa State, Barr. Wodu Kemesuode, during the swearing –in ceremony, at the Exco chambers, Government House, Yenagoa.

sults have been collated and we are waiting for INEC to announce the results.”

In spite of suspending the announcement of the winner of the vote, , Kuku boasted that the PDP was better placed to claim victory in the supplementary election to be called by INEC since the electorate in Arogbo Ward 2 were

strong supporters of the party.

Kuku boasted that the PDP would win the outstanding 7000 votes in Arogbo and go on to claim the seat any time INEC called for the supplementary vote since according to him, the people of Arogbo had since rejected LP and its policies in Ondo.

The presidential aide, who

claimed that he was not fighting for political relevance as claimed in some quarters, also denied having any political misunderstanding with Governor Olusegun Mimiko, but pointed out that the governor was trying desperately to decimate the PDP in Ondo State.

Lagos State vs FG: S-Court declines jurisdiction on VAT suit

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja

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HE Supreme Court, yester day, declined jurisdiction to adjudicate on a suit that was filed before it by the Lagos State government, challenging the powers of the Federal Government to assess and collect taxes on the supply of goods and services rendered within the state.

A seven-man panel of Justices of the apex court, in their unanimous judgment, dismissed the suit on the premise that the subject matter bothered on acts of a federal agency, saying in such cases, the Supreme Court, lacks the powers to invoke its original jurisdiction as it was prayed to do by the Lagos state government.

Specifically, the Lagos State Government had in the suit which was filed by its Attorney General, prayed the Supreme Court to abolish the Value Added Tax Act, which it said infringed on its power to assess and collect taxes on the supply of goods and services within its territory.

It further asked the court to declare that the VAT Act was outside the legislative competence of the National Assembly and is therefore unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

Besides, Lagos state, prayed the apex court to invoke section 22 of the Supreme Court Act, and determine all the substantive issues it raised in the suit.

However, the federal government, in a preliminary objection it filed against the suit, insisted that the apex court was bereft of the jurisdiction to entertain the matter, even as it accused Lagos state of abusing the judicial process.

FG, alleged that Lagos state had filed the same suit before different courts, as well as, sought for the same reliefs.

Meanwhile, in the lead judgment prepared by Justice M. D. Mohammed, the Supreme Court, upheld the objection by FG, describing the suit as an abuse of

court process.

The panel, held that instead of appealing previous judgments of the lower courts on the matter, the plaintiff, approached the apex court with the request that it should conduct de-novo (fresh) hearing on the case.

The apex court therefore branded the suit as “an abuse of court process in the extreme,” and struck it out, adding that the action of the plaintiff amounted to “forum shopping.”

Lagos State had in the suit, requested for a perpetual injunction restraining the federal gov-

ernment by itself, its servants or any of its agencies from continuing “to give effect to the provisions of the VAT Act to impose and collect taxes on goods and services within its territory”.

It argued that there “is abundant pronouncement from this court to the effect that the exercise of courts’ judicial powers under Sections 4 (8) and 6 of the 1999 Constitution, subjects the legislative powers of the national and state houses of assembly to the jurisdiction of the courts”.

Suspected Fulani militia invade Tiv community, kill six

BY PETER DURU, Makurdi

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ESPITE the spirited efforts of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG, Operations, Michael Zuokumor led committee to bring to an end the lingering bloody conflict between Tiv farmers/Fulani herders, suspected Fulani militia, Thursday evening invaded Governor Gabriel ‘s home town at Anyii, leaving six persons dead..

Saturday vanguard gathered that the marauders numbering over 100 also attacked Chembe, Ifer and Tse Gundu, Anawah settlement at Ukemberaga/Tswarev ward of Logo local government area.

One of the fleeing natives told Saturday Vanguard that the in-

vaders launched their attack on the affected communities from two fronts.

According to him, “they came in two groups numbering over hundred; one of the groups came through Ikapa-Tse Gundu road to attack Chembe village while the other group emerged from a far route and bursting out at Achive compound. ”At Achive, they mounted a road block along Anyiin-Wukari road shooting sporadically, forcing the people who had returned to their homes after fleeing previous attacks to scamper into the bush for safety. ”The attackers carried out the operation for several hours killing about six people without molestation despite the supposed presence of security operatives in the area.”

Corroborating the story, the Senior Special Assistant to the state Governor on Media, Chief Anawah Joseph who hails from one of the affected communities said two bodies had so far been recovered from his community.

When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Superintendent Dan Ezeala said the incident was not a Fulani attack but robbery at Chinwe community where he said two corpses were found.

According to Ezeala, the information got to the anti terrorists squad stationed in the area who stormed the affected community; “it was discovered that there was no destruction of property, which clearly indicated that it was not a Fulani attack but robbery incident.”

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

S-East PDP asks Jonathan to seek re-election in 2015 •I will never disappoint you, Jonathan tells Ndigbo

BY TONY EDIKE, Enugu

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HE leaders of the Peo ples Democratic Party, PDP, in the South East geopolitical zone, yesterday, unanimously urged President Goodluck Jonathan to re-contest for a second term in 2015 assuring him of their total support for the race.

President Jonathan responding to the request assured Nigerians and the South-easterners in particular that he would never disappoint them even though he said time was not ripe for him to declare whether to run or not.

At the well-attended Unity Rally of the PDP South East zone held at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, yesterday, various speakers including the Chairman, South East Governors Forum and Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji and other South East governors called on President Jonathan to re-contest the presidential poll in 2015.

They insisted that on no account should he reject their request for his re-election, stressing that they would not mind conscripting him if he refused to declare his intention to continue in office.

Addressing the rally, Governor Orji said that President Jonathan had performed very well to deserve a sec-

ond term in office and should heed the call by the South East to seek re-election.

He said: “If you say no, this zone will conscript you to run for 2015. You must have to contest. You have shown us that you can use power for the good of the people and the entire nation.

We in the South East have resolved to stand solidly behind you and the PDP because it is only in the PDP that the South East can find shelter.”

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State had set the ball rolling in the agitation by the South East for President Jonathan to contest when in his speech he said that the issue at stake was not whether Jonathan has performed or not but his acceptance to run for another term.

“Several meetings had been held within the party in the South East and it is our collective decision to make two requests from the president and that is, one, that Jonathan should run for a second term in office and two, that he should not disappoint the people of the South East by rejecting the call to run,” he said.

He called on Nigerians to appeal to the president to seek re-election saying it was the right thing to do at the moment.

In his response, President Jonathan who was visibly elated by the show of soli-

ROLL CALL AT THE RALLY President Goodluck Jonathan Vice President, Namadi Sambo Senate President David Mark Deputy Sen. President, Ike Ekweremadu PDP National Chairman, Adamu Muazu SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim Chief Tony Anenih Prince Engr. Arthur Eze Chief Olisa Metuh Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Chief Jim Nwobodo Senator Hope Uzodinma Hon. Emeka Ihedioha Chief Mrs Kema Chikwe Mrs Stella Oduah, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu Chief Emeka Nwogu Prof Mrs. Viola Onwuliri Chief Elias Mbam Chief Achike Udenwa Mr. Frank Nweke jnr.

Lt. Gen Onyeabor Ihejirika rtd.

Senator Ben Obi Senator Adolphus Wabara Senator Ken Nnamani Dr. Sam Egwu Senator Andy Uba Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju Governor Theodore Orji Governor Godswill Akpabio Governor Sullivan Chime Governor Martins Elechi Col. Austin Akobundu, rtd

darity and support from the people of the South East, said that PDP remains the only truly democratic party in the country, stressing that other opposition parties cannot take Nigeria to the democratic world.

“It is only PDP that has those elements of democracy. PDP doesn’t believe in dictatorship and it is the only party that people outside Nigeria can recognize as a true democratic party and we shall continue to sustain the progress we have made.”

He thanked the people of the South East for their support assuring that he would ensure that the PDP takes over the entire South Eastern states in 2015 general elections.

Other leaders of the party including the National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, Chairman Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih as well as Senate President, David Mark, expressed gratitude to the people of the South East for their steadfast support for the PDP and assured that the zone would always be carried along in the affairs of the party.

However, the rally which witnessed massive turnout of PDP members in the zone, was not without some ugly incidents as some policemen and officials of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC engaged themselves in a phys-

Honorary Special Adviser to the President on Finance, Peter Obi ( left), welcoming the President of the Senate, Rt. Hon. David Mark( right), at Akanu Ibiam International Airport yesterday

ical combat at Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium shortly before the arrival of the president and his entourage.

Also, the South East zonal publicity secretary of the party, Mr. Ali Odefa was attacked by some thugs for failing to announce the names of dignitaries from Enugu State reportedly given to him as the Master of Ceremony.

Some members of the NSCDC, who were among security operatives deployed to the stadium to ensure security during the rally, had a misunderstanding with some overzealous policemen who tried to push them out of their location in front of the VIP stand.

The disagreement quickly resulted to exchange of

blows between members of the two security agencies while men of the Department of State Services, DSS, rushed to the scene to reconcile them.

The members of the NSCDC decried what they called unnecessary intimidation from the police. “We are here to do the same job of security; so they should stop chasing us away with their guns”, one of them said while being calmed by the DSS operatives.

Shortly after this incident, the PDP South East Publicity Secretary, Mr. Odefa, who was also one of the Masters of Ceremony for the event, was rolling out names of dignitaries when about 10 young men believed to be

Governor Chime’s supporters rushed to the podium and tore his ”Isi-agu” (Lion head) cultural wear for allegedly refusing to announce properly the list of Enugu dignitaries given to him.

It took the quick intervention of security operatives to rescue him from their grip as they were dragging him around the podium in the full glare of the crowd in the stadium.

The young men who were threatening to pull down the podium, were however, overpowered by the security men who ordered them out of the stadium and they immediately walked away fuming.

Alleged N20m Fraud: Izuogu loses bid to claim N200m from EFCC

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja

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USTICE A. I. Kutigi of Abuja High Court has dismissed a suit that was filed against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, by the Managing Director of Izuogu Motors Limited, Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu, asking to be paid N200million as damages over his alleged unlawful detention. Izuogu had approached the court to stop the EFCC from arresting and investigating him over a petition that was entered against him by one Dr. Catherine Okpareke who alleged that the plaintiff defrauded her to the tune of N20 million.

However, in his suit, Izuogu, prayed the court to declare his arrest and interrogation on April 15,

2013, illegal, unlawful and a breach of his fundamental human right.

He also prayed the court to compel the EFCC to pay him N200 million as special damages and N2 million as legal fees.

In the course of trial, the EFCC applied that the suit should be dismissed for want of merit, insisting that it never did anything outside its mandate.

EFCC, told the court that the invitation extended to Izuogu, his interrogation and subsequent release was a fall-out of a petition that accused him of engaging in fraudulent acts.

“Everything that was done was within the mandate of the Commission”, EFCC lawyer, Benjamin Manji argued.

Meanwhile, in his ruling, Justice Kutigi, while dismissing the reliefs sought

by Izuogu in its entirety,

said the invitation extended to the plaintiff and his subsequent release by the EFCC did not amount to an infringement of his fundamental human rights.

The court held that going by the provision of Sections 6 of the EFCC Act, the antigraft agency, has the powers to investigate economic crimes.

Pa Shodipo dies @ 104 Pa Johnson Odetoki Shodipo is dead. He died at the ripe age of 104. He was born into the family of late Chief Sowemimo, a farmer and high chief and late Madam Fatima Bayewum Shodipo of OkeAro village of Ogun state in the year, 1914. Before his death, he worked with several federal government parastatals including, the Nigerian Marine Dockyard; Nigerian Railay Corporation and the Nigerian Postal Agency. He is survived by his wife, Mama Sabinah Obefunke, a, Sierra Leonean born and

Late Pa Odetoki Shodipo bred in Lagos state. The union was blessed with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, among them are: Mrs. Abiodun Fadipe, Mrs. Oluyemisi Adepitan , Mrs. Aderonke Gbadebo, among others.

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12 , 2014 — 7

Edo Police Command parades 33 cultists, armed robbers

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, Benin

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HE Edo State Po lice Command yesterday paraded 33 suspects allegedly involved in cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

The Edo state Police Commissioner, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo, who paraded the suspects, said the command was determined to go after criminal elements to sustain the relative peace the state was enjoying in the last few months.Two of the suspects, Thompson Oguwzi and Labaran Mohammed were arrested for alleged impersonation of Army Lieutenant and Captain respectively. They were allegedly seen in Army uniform going about from one hotel to another, claim-

ing to be army officers.

Police investigation was said to have later revealed that the two suspects were not serving army officers.

The commissioner who described the trend of cultism in the state as “disturbing” said whoever was using cultists to kill, whether businessmen or politicians would not be spared by the police. ”Killing is a very serious offence, we will not condone it. If you kill somebody, we will get

you. I am warning those sponsoring the cultists to desist”, Adebanjo stated.

He called on the people of the state to give useful information to the police and form partnership with the police for effective crime fighting, stressing that the police is friend of members of the public.

Items recovered from the suspects included seven guns, 14 Cartridges and eight rounds of live ammunition.

Over 30 killed in fresh Boko Haram attacks in Borno

BY NDAHI MARAMA, MAIDUGURI The outlawed Boko Haram sect launched attacks on troubled Borno villages and

highways, killing more than 30 people including residents, motorists and passengers. This development has left the hope of early resolution of the continued crisis in the

Dickson swears in eight new commissioners

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA, Yenegoa

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OVERNOR Seri ake Dickson of Bayelsa State yesterday swore-in eight new commissioners and announced the re-organisation of some of the ministries to reinvigorate the machinery of government to deliver on its mandate to the people of the state.

The commissioners are Barrister Kemasuode Wodu- Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice; Dr. Ayibatonye Owei,Health; Barrister Kemela Okara – Trade, Industry and Investment and Barrister Iniruo Wills-Environm e n t .

Others are Chief Martin Agbede for the newly created Ministry of Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs; Hon. Inditimi Komonibo for Science, Technology and Manpower Development; Chief Jim Ogbolo PartnerEdward for the new Ministry of Power and Hon. Ebikitin Diongoli for Sports Development.

Dickson also approved the redeployment of the former Sports Development Commissioner, Chief Mitema Obordor to the new Ministry of Local Govern-

Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar with his son Abba and his bride Mariana and her parents when they visited him at his home in Yola yesterday ahead of the conclusion of his son’s wedding ceremony in Ganye, Adamawa today.

ment Administration, while Barrister Francis Ikio heads the Ministry of Mineral Resources, which was carved out of the former Ministry of Energy.

The governor made the announcement, while swearing-in the eight newly appointed Commissioners at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House in Yenagoa.

Dickson, who announced the scrapping of the Ministry of Capital City Development, directed the transfer of the functions of the Ministry to the Capital City Development Authority, CCDA. According to him, all ongoing projects in the ministry would be handled by the Ministry of Special Projects in the GThe Ministry of Ener-

gy has also been split into the Ministries of Power and Mineral Resources, while the Ministry of Local Government was split into the Ministries of Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs and Local Government Administration.

area hanging.

The sect in the latest attacks on Thursday evening and yesterday morning invaded three towns of Borno: Dikwa (in the central); Gwoza and Kalabalge council area (both in South) as well as the deadly Maiduguri- Biu road which has remained under terrorists’ ambush almost on daily basis for the past one month.

In the attack on Government Secondary school in Dikwa located along Gulumba road, some residents of the town who fled to Maiduguri revealed to journalists that the hoodlums came to the town in

Rivers State pressure group, Rivers Mainstream Coalition has cautioned its members against using the group’s name for selfish interests.

In a release signed by the chairman of the group and its secretary, Prof Umaru O.T and Barrister James Amadi respectively, the group flayed those involved in the habit, saying

abalge in the eastern part of the troubled state.

They were said to have engaged the military in the two towns in an exchange of gunfire in an attempt to take control of the towns, a situation that led to the destruction of human lives and property worth millions of naira.

Though details of the attacks on the two towns were minimal as at the time of filing this report last night, it was gathered that there was heavy casualty in the siege where more than 15 people including security operatives were killed.

Obiano swears in 19 commissioners, 9 special advisers the 2014 appropriation bill ment and Chieftaincy Af- Nwankwo (Science and •Signs 2014 budget

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OVERNOR Willie Obiano, yesterday swore in 19 Commissioners cleared by the State House of Assembly on Thursday. Also sworn were nine Special Advisers .

He also signed into law

recently passed by the House of Asembly.

The commissioners are Mr. Anali Chude, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Mr. Anthony Onyima (Information); Architect Callistus Ilozumba (Works); Mrs. Azuka Enemuo (Local Govern-

Group flays members against impostors

A

the thick of the night and disturbed the peace of everyone, after slaughtering eight teachers.

One of them who spoke on condition of anonymity said some had to flee the town to Maiduguri.

“We could not sleep at night as all we were hearing were gunshots and we became afraid and had to sneak in the dark to Maiduguri.”

He said: “Our fear was heightened by the fact that we heard that they have attacked a boarding school and had killed eight teachers.”

Just about the time the sect attacked Dikwa, another set of the sect attacked Gwoza and Kal-

“the primary objective of Rivers Mainstream Coalition has always been to give President Goodluck Jonathan the necessary and sufficient support to achieve a smooth second term in office.The public should please note that we are not concerned with the ganging up of certain individuals to support gubernatorial candidates of their choice/

choices. We are focused on our objectives and shall not be dragged into anything outside our decided goals. “ The mainstream coalition believes that any candidate that emerges after PDP primaries shall be supported by the group and those who are going about supporting candidates are not members of the group.”

fairs); Greg Obi (Finance); Lawrence Chinwuba (Housing); Professor Solomon Chukwu (Economic planning and Budget); Ifeatu Onyejeme (Trade and Commerce); Dr. Victoria Chukwuelu (Women Affairs); Dr. Chinedu Emeka (Public Utilities, Water Resources) and Chukwuma Mbonu (Transport).

The rest are Evaristus Ubah (Environment); Stella Onuorah (Lands, Survey and Urban Development); Professor Kate Omenugha of the Mass Communication Department of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, (Education); Tony Nnachetam, who was a former Vice Chairman of NFA (Youth and Sports); Norbert Obi (Special Duties); Dr. Josephat Akabuike (Health); Nnamdi Mekoh (Agriculture) and Obi

Technology).

The Special Advisers sworn in are Alex Ejesieme (Legal); Anthonia Tabansi (Special Duties); Vivian Nwandu (MDG); Amaka Ilobi (Public Utilities); Ngozi Okonkwo (IGR); Chikaodi Anara (Security); Chidi Ibezim (Youth Empowerment) and Amaechi O. (Town Planning).

Obiano urged the appointees to abide by their oath of office, warning that he would not hesitate to remove any of them found wanting. Describing them as among the finest brains in Anambra State, the governor reminded them that the task ahead is so much requiring that everybody must work hard to ensure that the dividends of democracy were delivered to the people.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

2015: INEC begins distribution of permanent voters cards next month •Fresh voters registration on the way

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

A

S part of its prepara tion to ensure a credible general election next year, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, may commence nation-wide distribution of permanent voters cards, PVCs, next month.

This was contained in a bulletin published by the Commission yesterday.

The bulletin further disclosed that Chairman of the Commission Prof. Attahiru Jega stated this while addressing a joint interactive meeting of INEC and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Abuja last Tuesday.

The INEC boss further declared that that the exercise would take place between May and September 2014 across the nation to enable every registered voter collect his or her PVC adding that the cards would be used for the 2015 general election to check electoral fraud.

Jega further stated that the Voters Registration would also take place to

give room for those who turned 18 years to register and vote.

According to Jega: “During the voters registration exercise, those who have lost their Temporary Voter Cards (TVC) and cannot be located on the data base would also have the opportunity to have their biometrics captured and cards issued to them” Commenting on the on going restructuring exercise in the Commission, the INEC boss explained that the screening of Electoral Officers (EOs) across the country would soon be concluded and the “Commission will know those that would stay as EOs and those who will be replaced.”

Commenting on the relationship between INEC and civil society organizations, CSOs, Jega expressed concern that there was a creeping tendency among CSOs accredited for election monitoring to play to the gallery and give in to the biddings of politicians.

He noted that the unhealthy position of some of the CSOs gave room to the emergence of biased

reports.

According to him: “We have seen how some politicians have used some CSOs in their role as Election Observers and indeed now we are seeing how some politicians are using reports of CSOs as exhibits in order to push their cases in court”.

However, the INEC boss observed that “Under normal circumstances, if CSOs do their job professionally, with impartiality and non partisanship, there is no problem if their reports are used in court in order to prove if elections were done right or wrong”.

Jega assured that the Commission was still investigating such organizations and will not accredit them for future elections.

Nevertheless, the INEC Chairman appreciated the role Civil Society Organi-

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

T

HE Independent Na tional Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday condemned the refusal of 11 State governments across the country to conduct local government elections within their domain since the inception of democratic rule in 1999.

This was contained in a communique issued yesterday at the end of a two day experience-sharing conference held in Kaduna between officers of INEC and State Independence Electoral Commissions, SIECs, on best practices in election management. The communique was signed by INEC’s Director of Voter Education Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi.

INEC identified the 11 states as Abia, Bauchi and, Borno. Others were Delta, Ekiti, Imo, Kano, Katsina. Also in the list were Ondo, Osun and Oyo.

zations play in engaging citizens in the electoral process, alongside providing reports and criticisms which have helped

the Commission in discharging its duties.

Said he: “We have no doubt about the role of

CSOs in deepening democracy in our country and to ensure free fair and credible elections”.

Pastor charged for defiling two sisters A

49-year-old pastor, Friday Arthur, was yesterday charged before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly defiling two under-

LGA polls: INEC slams 11 states over failure INEC expressed dismay parties to begin extensive that due to the non-conduct of local council elections in the affected states, their local governments were under caretaker committees adding that in the case of Delta, they were under the Head of Personnel Management, contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The Commission also called for the operational and financial independence of SIECs as very important to the conduct of free, fair and credible local government elections adding that this should be constitutionally guaranteed.

According to the communique: “Participants at the conference also urged States that have not conducted local government elections to urgently do so without further delay.”

They also called on State governments to create enabling conditions that can allow SIECs to operate professionally and creditably; political

Chief Willie Obiano, Executive Governor of Anambra State signing the Budget Appropriation Bill at the Government House, Awka while Dr Nkem Okeke (r) Deputy Governor and Justice Peter Umeadi (l), the Chief Judge of Anambra State, watch yesterday.

civic and voter education campaigns to complement the work of SIECs and INEC.

aged sisters (names withheld) aged 10 and 11.

Arthur, a Beninoise, who resides at No. 856, Ikota Housing Estate, Lekki, Lagos, is facing a charge of defilement.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Victor Eruada, told the court that Arthur committed the offence between March 28 and April 6 at the Ikota Housing Estate, Lekki,

Lagos.

Eruada said that the pastor, had at various occasions, lured the minors into his room and defiled them.

He said that the offence violated Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 137 prescribes life imprisonment for anyone convicted of the offence of defiling a child.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victims and their female guardian were in court.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Mrs Linda Balogun, granted the pastor N500,000 bail with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till May 27 for trial.

Glo/CNN African Voices stars Ghanaian playwright James Ebo Whyte personality on this week- and 5:30 p.m. It will fur-

T

HIS weekend’s edition of African Voices, a 30minute magazine programme sponsored by Globacom on CNN International, will feature one of Africa’s literary stars, James Ebo Whyte of Ghana. The programme had last month featured Nigerian writer, Biyi Bandele-Thomas, as special guest.

African Voices is a halfhour magazine programme on CNN International and it is sponsored by West African telecommunications operator, Globacom. The programme brings to viewers successful and high-profile personalities shaping the African continent.

James Ebo Whyte is a renowned playwright who helped revive theater in his native Ghana. The writer,

popularly known as “Uncle Ebo,” is a passionate storyteller with a series of plays to his credit that keep people coming back and filling seats at theatre halls.

Viewers connected with the highly engaging

end’s edition of African Voices at 8.30 a.m. yesterday. There are repeat broadcasts at 3.30 p.m.today ; 3.30 a.m., 9:00 a.m and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. The programme also runs on Mondayat 2:30a.m.,10:30a.m.,

ther be shown on Tuesday at 5:30a.m. and on Wednesday at 8.30 a.m?

Whyte will talk about the life-changing events that have helped him become the confident writer, director, and successful producer he is today.

RIGGS set for expansion

BY ANOZIE EGOLE

P

OISED to diversify the company’s production lines with the addition of cement and industrial sac, a foremost polypropylene sack manufacturing company, RIGGS ventures, has expanded the installed production capacity of its plant.

The Managing Director/

Chief Executive officer of the company, Mr. Yomi Tokosi made this known at this year’s annual general meeting of the company held recently in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, Mr, Tokosi said that the company has increased the installed production capacity of its plant from 9million sacks to over 60milion sacks per annum. “ This expansion led to the diversi-

fication of the company’s production lines which existed prior to the expansion exercise. The company has also increased the installed production capacity of its plant from 9million sacks to over 60million sacks per annum while the staff strength has increased significantly since company recommended operations after the expansion exercise,” he said.

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014 — 9

Army retires 11 generals, 36 others

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI, Abuja

Lt. General Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika

I

•Army officers’ wives protest posting of husbands to fight Boko Haram

NDICATIONS have emerged in Abuja that about 47 officers of the Nigerian Army including eight (8) Major Generals and some Brigadier Generals have been retired by the Nigerian Army in line with the terms and conditions of service.

The retirements which flowed from the ranks of Major Generals, Brigadier Generals, Colonels and Lieutenant Colonels down to those of Captains and Majors according to military sources followed the approval of the recommendations submitted to the council by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General KTJ Minimah.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the Army Council is headed by President Goodluck Jonathan and it has as members, the Minister of Defence, Aliyu Gusau, Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Kenneth Minimah and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Alhaji Aliyu Sumaila took the decision on Wednesday.

The officers according to sources were retired based on the fact that many of them had been caught by age on rank rule.

Others were retired because they were nondeployable owing to lack of capacity among other reasons. Some were retired because they have failed promotions examination on the three occasions they got the opportunity (nonpromotability).

Others were retired having put in their papers for voluntary retirement because they have either attained the mandatory retirement age for their ranks. Some of the Major Generals who are 57 years or have completed above mandatory 35 years in service as stipulated in the civil service are affected.

Among the group of those that voluntarily retired are some officers who held positions as Principal Staff Officers, General Officers Commanding and Commandant of Army Training Institutions during the tenure of the former Chief of Army Staff,

Authorities of the Nigerian Army have set up a board of inquiry to investigate the

circumstances that led to the protest of wives of soldiers in Army barracks Enugu.

Military sources told Saturday Vanguard that the wives of soldiers of 103 battalion at Enugu sometime last week, took to the streets protesting the posting of their husbands to Maiduguri to join in the war against

insurgency.

The source revealed, that the wives numbering over 200, protested throughout the day, demanding the army authorities to bring back their husbands.

According to the source, the wives of the soldiers claimed that their husbands did not join the

army to die hence they (husbands) should be left afar from the war zone so that the wives don’t become widows and the children fatherless at such young ages.

It was gathered that, the army authorities in 82 Division Enugu, had to address the women and assured them that their husbands are safe and

alive, before nerves could be calmed.

It was gathered that the women had written series of letters to the army authorities to bring back their husbands which did not see the light of day hence they had to embark on the protest to call the attention of the authorities to their plight.

Police recover arms from illegal firearms factory in Enugu •Widow arrested

BY TONY EDIKE Enugu

O

Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, (sitting) ; Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, speaking at the Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014 at the London Book Fair held at Earls Court Expo Centre, London.

PERATIVES of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, of Enugu State Police Command, in the early hours of yesterday, raided an illegal gun

Fitch affirms Nigeria at ‘BB-’ Outlook Stable

BY OMOH GABRIEL IN WASHINGTON

F

ITCH Ratings, a UK based rating firm has re-affirmed Nigeria’s longterm foreign and local currency debt repayment default (IDR) at ‘BB-’ and ‘BB’, respectively. The Outlooks of the Nigerian economy and chances of defaulting in debt repayment they said are stable.

According to the Rating Agency report released yesterday in London, “The issued ratings on Nigeria’s senior unsecured foreign and local currency bonds have also been affirmed at ‘BB-’ and ‘BB’, respectively. The agency has also affirmed Nigeria’s Short-term foreign currency IDR at ‘B’ and Country Ceiling at ‘BB-’.

Fitch rating is coming on the heels of Nigeria’s GDP rebasing and has a mixed impact on key sovereign rating metrics, and therefore no automatic implications for Nigeria’s BB-/Stable sovereign rating. The GDP uplift affects some key rating metrics positively and some negatively. The 2013 per capita GDP rises by 89 per cent to $2,900 on Fitch’s calculations. But it remains below both the ‘BB’ and ‘B’ category peer group medians of $4,528 and $3,841, respectively.

It is also below similarly rated oil exporters Gabon (USD10,688) and Angola (USD 5,703).

Per capita GDP ranking relative to other countries is more important in our sovereign rating methodology than the absolute level. Nigeria overtakes just three Fitch-rated sovereigns Vietnam (B+), Philippines (BBB-) and Bolivia (BB-) following the uplift. The other main positive impact is on public debt indicators, which are already a rating strength and now look even stronger. 2013 debt-to-GDP drops to 11.6% from 22% and the average deficit-toGDP ratio is just 1.4% over the past three years (both calculated on a general government basis). However, Nigeria’s low non-oil fiscal revenue now looks even lower at just 3.8% of GDP (2013 Fitch estimate).

The GDP uplift puts some other key metrics in a poorer light. The 2013 current account surplus shrinks to 4.1% of GDP (and is likely to be overstated given the large errors and omissions in the balance of payments). Foreign direct investment drops to less than 1% of GDP, among the lowest in the region. Broad money - a proxy for financial market development and banking sector penetration - also declines, from

one-third of GDP to less than one-fifth of GDP. So the rebasing exercise itself has no rating impact overall. Nevertheless, the results are likely to be credit positive in the longer term as perceptions of Nigeria as an investment destination improve. The rebasing also highlights the importance of data quality, which is taken into account in the rating process.

The NBS early in the Month released the results of a major overhaul and update of Nigeria’s national accounts, including shifting the base year forward by 20 years to 2010. This allows the better capture of a number of economic sectors which have appeared over this period. This uplift raises Nigerian GDP in USD terms in 2013 to USD504bn on Fitch calculations, making it the largest economy in Africa, and the 26th-largest in the world on World Bank calculations.

“The affirmation reflects the following key rating drivers: Fitch ratings said that “The foreign exchange market and international reserves are stabilising after the shock of Central Bank (CBN) governor Sanusi’s suspension on 20 February.

Demand for foreign exchange in the official auction reverted to normal lev-

els in March and CBN intervention in the inter-bank market has fallen away. The inter-bank naira/US dollar rate has strengthened from its lows although it remains outside the upper limit of the 155 plus or minus 3% band.

“Official reserves rose in March, helped by an increase in the ECA fiscal buffer (Excess Crude Account). Although reserves have fallen appreciably over the past year, they remain in line with ‘BB’ category peer medians at a Fitch projected 4.6 months current account payments (CXP) at end 2014, although weaker than similarly rated oil exporters (Angola and Gabon).

It said that on 25 March the Monetary Policy Committee continued the gradual tightening of liquidity seen over the past year, with an increase in the private sector cash reserve requirement to 15 per cent. Inflation fell to a new low of 7.7 per cent in February, within the target range of 6-9 per cent. Fitch believes that as an institution, the CBN has been strengthened in recent years and should retain its autonomy over monetary and financial policy, notwithstanding the suspension of the former governor.

manufacturing factory at Ihuoha Amansiodo Oghe community in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state arresting a widow in whose house some arms were hidden by the manufacturer.

The widow and a mother of four, identified as Mrs. Juliet Nwachukwu, is now in police custody and assisting the operatives in their investigations, according to the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu.

The local gun manufacturer identified as Ejike Eze, was said to have relocated the guns already produced and were ready to be sold, to the house of the widow on Wednesday and disappeared from the community.

The man who must have gotten wind of the planned raid on his factory, which he had operated for several years, moved the arms to the house of the widow without telling her the reason before absconding from the community.

The police spokesman said when the SARS operatives stormed the factory yesterday, the man was nowhere to be found and following a tip off, the widow’s house was searched and the firearms hidden in one of the rooms were recovered. He said that the arms were the type used by hoodlums to attack innocent citizens.

He said that items recovered included cut-tosize double barrel and single barrel guns, his manufacturing tools and some of the manufactured cartridges.

10—SA TURD AY 10—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard , APRIL 12 12, 2014

LARGEST ECONOMY:

Irony of Numbers

Nigeria is now Africa’s largest economy and the 26th world over. True or false? Saturday Vanguard in this special report tried to get answers from Nigerians

I

t is a miracle but the reality is lost in its own incredibility.

Ordinarily, it calls for celebration, but no one would dare. That Nigeria has become the biggest economy in Africa and the 26th in the world after a recent rebasing exercise that has shot its Gross Domestic Products (GDP) to $509 billion, ahead of South Africa’s $350 billion is cheery. But that was only a paper work and politics of statistics.

With a vast array of intractable social problems such as power, poverty, illiteracy, infrastructural deficits, corruption, unemployment, insecurity, etc, it would be a herculean task to convince any Nigerian that this is so.

Meanwhile, like every other organization in Nigeria, Vanguard family was overwhelmed by the news last weekend. Consequently, Saturday Vanguard went out to harness the views of the people on the development as it affects the

common man on the street. Below were the submissions.

Act One, Scene One

F

ive O’ clock, Sunday evenings, is usually the time for our weekly editorial meetings at the Abuja Bureau of Vanguard Newspaper. But 30 minutes past the hour last Sunday, the meeting was yet to come on stream. The newsroom was full and we were all seated, waiting for the Bureau Chief, Mr. Emma Ujah to come with the briefs, reviews and previews of past and upcoming weeks’ works. Such has been the practice: a conscious in-house exercise to evaluate our individual and collective copies and then, articulate ways of improvement subsequently.

But he was stuck in his office. This was as far as some of us who had gone to his office earlier on to greet him upon our arrival for the meeting could tell. He sat glued to his computer system and was battling with freshly knitted papers before him, flipping through the pages.

Of course, he appeared too engrossed and wouldn’t welcome elongated salutations. That would distort this chain of thoughts. It was already production time and Lagos was waiting for the copy which would make news the next day.

Aside being the Bureau Chief, he also reports Business and Finance, and so covers the Federal Ministry of Finance. So, we left him alone and went back to the newsroom, patiently waiting.

Just when our patience had started wearing out, he emerged from his office.

“Gentlemen, have you all read the short email I sent to your boxes? He asked.

Swiftly, some of us reached for our BlackBerry phones, IPads and Androids. Those who had previously powered the office computers began to surf them again.

The message was simple. ”Nigeria’s nominal Gross Domestic Product, GDP, now stands at $509.9 billion, making the

nation’s economy the largest in Africa and the 26th in the world, according to the preliminary results of the rebasing exercise of the federal government. ”The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala announced this yesterday at a press conference jointly addressed with the Statistician-General, Dr. Yemi Kale, in Abuja yesterday. ”The rebasing exercise on the Nigerian economy which also saw the Per capita rising to $2, 688, covered 2010 to 2013. It came after two decades of the last exercise.

“The debased estimates indicate that the nominal GDP for Nigeria was much higher than previously estimated . In 2010 the estimate was $360. 644 billion; in 2011 it was $408.805 billion; 2012 $453.966 billion ; and in 2013 $509.970 billion.

The growth rate is driving by the services sector with it contributing about 51 per cent of the GDP. Details later,” the piece reads.

That was the news.

Captioned “Nigeria’s GDP hits

,,

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

enigmatic must have happened. We thought mutely.

Even as he rushed through a transient explanation of what rebasing and GDP meant, some of us still showed some ignorance, nay indifference on the topic. Yes, we are all Journalists with degrees, some of us, post graduate diplomas and masters degrees in Mass Communications, Literature, Linguistics etc. Also, quite a number of us have attained an age in the practice of journalism that we could not, in reality, feign ignorance of the import or total meaning of GDP and rebasing. But we somewhat, temporarily wore the garb of a lay man at the mention of Nigeria becoming the biggest economy in Africa.

And so as Journalists who report the daily glories and woes of the contemporary Nigeria, we already had our reasons for our indifference at the finger tips: infrastructural decays, abject poverty, gargantuan

With a vast array of intractable social problems such as power, poverty, illiteracy, infrastructural deficits, corruption, unemployment, insecurity etcetera, it would be a herculean task to convince any Nigerian that this is so

$510 billion, now largest in Africa, 26th in the world,” the essence of that mass reading was to enable all of us get reactions from Economists, financial experts, politicians, scholars and ordinary Nigerians.

But a couple of us were monetarily lost at the news he just broke.

“Nigeria becoming the largest economy in Africa? No, something

unemployment vis-a-vis the harvest of deaths of youths at the recent job recruitment test of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS); perennial threats of insecurity which has consumed uncountable lives in the last four years especially in the north eastern geopolitical

Continues on page 11

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard , APRIL 12 12, 2014 — 11

things like that. That is where the benefit comes from. But if you are hungry before, you will still be hungry for now. What you have in your wallet before has not changed. The only thing that can change is that those managing the economy with better data might be able to target policies and programmes that are more accurate because it is now based on accurate information as to where income lies, as to where the various sectors will contribute and so on.

Aliero

Act 1 Scene 2 What is GDP? Gross domestic product (GDP) is the market value of all officially recognized final goods and services produced within a country in a year, or other given period of time. GDP per capita is often considered an indicator of a country’s standard of living.

To a layman, rebasing the economy is simply an economic exercise aimed at producing current statistics of goods and service produced locally. In the case of Nigeria, the inclusion of Telecommunications and information services; motion pictures and sound recording; cement production; food, beverage and tobacco; construction and real estate sectors produced the infor-

LARGEST ECONOMY:

What the people think mation that jerked the country on the front row.

A belated exercise.

The rebasing exercise is obviously coming 24 years late. The last time it was done was in 1990. According to experts, countries rebase every 5 years but Nigeria’s has taken such a long time.

Analysts are of the opinion that not heeding the frequency is by itself a failure on the part of the country.

Act One Scene Three —Nigerians react It is growth without real economic development —Alhaji Adamu Aliero, ex Governor, Kebbi State

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t is good that there is an economic growth in Nigeria but at the same time, this growth has not translated into real economic development because we still have extreme poverty in the country. We still have unemployment on a very large scale and we still have over 15 million people in Nigeria that are illiterates.

They cannot read or write.

This growth we are talking about is concentrated in a very few hands. It is not growth that transcends at every stratum of the society simply because the economic policy we have adopted is largely antagonistic.

It is all about statistics —--Ray Ekpo, Journalist and former Editor of defunct Newswatch Magazine

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don’t doubt that is the biggest because when you look at the population of Nigeria, the consumption level, it is entirely possible that we may have gone past South Africa which was the leader. Because, for in-

,,

Continues from page 10 hemisphere, the almighty corruption and sundry funds wastages in some public institutions, the serpentine queues at the petrol stations, epileptic power supply, just to mention but a few. Then a flurry of thoughts engulfed us.

We thought of how to break this news to the clotheless “Danfo” bus driver and his emaciated conductor who ply the motor ways in Lagos daily for food. We thought of how to tell the young man who has traversed the streets of Abuja, Port Harcourt or Aba looking for a job after many years of graduation from the higher institution. So many things rushed through our minds that made us square up for an argument with the Bureau Chief.

But that was an assignment we needed to do. It was not in our plan to provide answers. Ours was to investigate and gather views from Nigerians. But we are still Nigerians living not in the moon.

Meanwhile, that was much we could do as some of us left for the assignment. But that was not to say that we don’t know what GDP meant.

Peterside

Ekpu

Whether Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa or not, it does not change anything immediately for the citizens. It is simply a case of correctly establishing our income

stance, if you look at the telecommunication industry, Nigeria has done very well. If you look at the music and movie industry, Nigeria is rated the second in the world after Hollywood and the enterprise called Nigeria has really developed over the last 10 years. That is why you are able to find a Nigerian being named the richest man in Africa. So, the Nigerian economy has developed. Of course the oil industry has been quite an important factor in this growth.

But it is growth without development as far as I can see. If you have growth and the people are suffering, if you have growth and you don’t have employment, full or near full employment, if you have growth and you still have the level of poverty we have here, then it is not real growth. It is just statistics as far as I am concerned. For me, the

government ought to worry about the other aspects of growth which is the reduction of poverty, the reduction of unemployment, the increase in capital development and the improvement in infrastructure. If these do not happen, then your bigness means nothing.

It doesn’t change anything—Atedo Peterside, Chairman, Stanbic IBTC Bank

W

hether Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa or not, it does not change anything immediately for the citizens. It is simply a case of correctly establishing our income.

People have confused that and imputed all kinds of motives. There is nothing to rejoice about, nothing to celebrate. All we have done is to correct the national income figures and the GDP figures that we have been compiling. Most countries are supposed to rebase every five to ten years. We have not done so for over 20 years. So, certainly our figures might be distorted and incorrect. It is almost like saying you are measuring your height with a faulty tape. All you have done now is to use the correct tape to measure your height. Or you were trying to measure your weight with a faulty scale? You have removed the faulty scale and brought a correct scale and you have established the rightful way. That’s all. There is nothing to celebrate about it. If you are poor before, you are still poor. If you are hungry before, you are still hungry.

So, I don’t understand why people are trying to impute motive and to a simple exercise of rebasing. It is simply a case of producing more accurate data. It will only help those managing the economy with better data because you know where the income lies. For instance, with better data on income, you can better assess those who are paying their cooperate income taxes and

Unemployment rate still high—Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim, National Publicity Secretary, Arewa Consultative Forum(ACF)

T

his GDP issue they are talking about is something that is more academic in the sense that they are talking about products and services on a higher scale in Nigeria. But for a common person who doesn’t understand the way the economy works, it is difficult for him to acknowledge the fact that Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa. Because a lot of things are not working. For example, power. If you talk of improved services and your power is going down, there seems to be a problem because there has to be some corresponding effect in this kind of situation. But recently, we read in the papers that our electricity generation that was 3,000 megawatts has dropped now to about 2.8 and it is going down due to so many factors. And yet, you said the economy is improving. It is very funny. Not only that.

Even our unemployment rate is so high. According to a lot of figures being bandied around, you have a lot of Nigerians, over 10 million, qualified Nigerians that are out of job and that is a very serious issue. So many things are really incomprehensible for a lay man for him to understand that the economy is really improving.

So to me, my reaction is that the government should come out with things that can convince the common man. Let there be jobs. Let’s have food. Let’s have power.

Let’s have people who are self employed, really doing something productive so that Nigerians can see just like you have in other countries like Malaysia. We see a lot of their products here and that tells me that their economy is booming.

But do we really have our products outside apart from the petroleum? Do we? We don’t. Another issue is, if you look at the economy or money critically, it is in the hands of few people. I was very shocked when I heard someone saying that Nigerians have progressed beContinues on page 12

12 — SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, APRIL 12 12, 2014

LARGEST ECONOMY : What the people think South Africa on the other hand is a vibrant middleclass striving economy

Continues from page 11 cause we have people like Dangote. We have so many big people, he mentioned.

But out of 170,000,000 people and you have less than 10,000 who are controlling the economy; to me, that is a very serious issue.

Otherwise, gradually, these 170,000,000 people will consume these 10,000 people they think have the resources.

where the extreme rich pay the right taxes as a way of not only lifting the poor out of poverty, but also making them productive citizens.

That is why while the euphoria following this announcement couldn’t be overemphasized, particularly around Nigeria’s corridors of power, especially for Nigeria to have finally beaten its hegemonic challenger in Africa, becoming largest economy in Africa isn’t different from the most populous country in Africa and the devil with the details.

That is why unless we understand that GDP rebasing has little significance beyond handing government clearer picture about the structure of the country’s economy as well as providing it with the most reliable tools in tackling the challenges facing the economy should

Nigeria is getting somewhere —-Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN)

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es, on paper, theoreti cally, it is the biggest economy. But in practice, it has not yet impacted on the people of Nigeria. There are certain indices that this world body looks at and you may discover that Nigeria is a quietly growing big elephant, humongously so that we yet have not taken note of. As time goes on, the development they are talking about will begin to manifest in terms of physical showing. We may not see them yet. But Economists, the world over do get the indices right and I think I believe them. We are getting somewhere.

We speak too much of grammar—-Hon. Zakari Mohammed, House of Representatives spokesman

N

igeria, we need to be very realistic with certain developments. For me , I think that all those indices are just things that one can just place on paper.

Rather, what is important is

Hon. Zakari

Nwuke

Enwegbara

comes to economics but in the reality, how much is an average Nigerian worth on the street? I think those are the things

that should concern us.

Going to unemployment, all of us know exactly what is

,,

Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and the 26th largest in the world, and yet to be an industrial economy has virtually all its consumables imported, including from South Africa

meeting the standard.

There is too much of grammar being spoken.

What about the living standard of the average Nigerian? All of us know that in this clime, so many people live on less than two dollars per day and if a country is in that bracket, I exactly do know what indices that are being used to propound those theories. I think we should deviate from theories and go into practicalities where the basic necessitates of life will be provided for the Nigerian people and that has been the problem over time. We speak too much of grammar when it

Ibrahim

going on. So, my own take is that all of us must look at those things that retard our economy so that rather than our youths being job seekers, they can become employers of labour because government cannot provide all the jobs in this world. And in the economy too, power is at the lowest ebb now and there is no stable economy that runs on diesel. So, for me, we should depart from all those theories and at least address the issues. How can infrastructural deficits be addressed? Security, employment, etc, should be addressed.

Translate it to food—Rep. Ogbonna Nwuke

O

f course, it is nice to hear that the nation’s GDP is registering an upward swing, with economic analysts saying the average 6.8% growth rate annually makes the Nigerian economy one of the most vibrant in the world. But the progressive rise in GDP is yet to translate to more food on the table given that many still live below poverty line.

We are still importing from South Africa-— Odilim Enwegbara, Development Economist

D

espite Nigeria’s per capita GDP rising by 89 per cent standing at as low as $2,688, ranked as number 121st in the world’s per capita GDP ranking, Nigeria remains one of the poorest countries not only in the world but also in Africa.

It has a population of 170million with $509.9billion while South Africa with 51 million has $370.3billion GDP. Just like the most populous nation with highly unproductive youthful class, Nigeria as the largest economy status in Africa also comes with all its ironies. Yes, Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and the 26th largest in the world, and yet to be an industrial economy has

virtually all its consumables imported, including from South Africa. Also, it has overtaken South Africa with mere 4,500MW against South Africa’s 43,000MW. Therefore, while South Africa’s economic competitive advantage is dependent on its high industrial and financial sectors, which are driven by the country’s world-class infrastructure, Nigeria’s economic competitive disadvantage is caused by moribund industrial and financial sectors because of equally moribund infrastructure.

In other words, whereas South Africa’s economy is dependent on internally generated revenue made possible by horizontal economic activities, Nigeria’s, being an oil rent seeking economy with externally generated revenues is vertically economic system, which grows without development.

This means that South Africa’s economy enjoys both multiplier and trickledown effects, and as a result creates jobs and reduces poverty. Nigeria’s economy on the other hand experiences mere multiplier effects without trickledown effects, making a jobless and poverty-ridden economy.

Whereas Nigeria is a nation of two economic extremes — extremely rich and extremely poor without middle-class;

the goodwill be there. That explains why there was little or nothing to celebrate by Nigeria’s millions of povertyridden and jobless citizens.

Yes, while the rebasing has confirmed that the most populous nation in Africa shouldn’t be fighting with South Africa over which of the two African countries has larger GDP; the unhidden truth remains that despite larger GDP, Nigeria’s per capita income remains a fraction of South Africa’s.

This means Nigeria’s largest GDP in Africa has to be considered along with the cost and ease of doing business.

To reverse the country’s vertical economic growth, which is dependent on externally generated revenues and multiplier effects without corresponding trickle-down effects, we have to start addressing head-on the country’s high infrastructure deficit, especially if all now agree that without world-class infrastructure there is no way Nigeria could emerge as a modern industrial economy genuinely driven by the real sector.

Bottom line No doubt, all things being equal, it is indeed a giant leap into economic greatness for Nigeria to emerge the Africa’s largest economy. But according to some analysts, this greatness can only be substantiated if it is translated to food and wealth for the citizenry. Having got the figures correctly, according to Peterside, the leadership is hereby tasked to ensure proper planning that will usher in a better tomorrow henceforth.

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014—13

Enugu mystery ‘Pool of Bethesda’ dries up zAs villagers, okada count losses

Enugu mystery pool before

Enugu mystery pool now

T

,,

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN

he only permanent thing in the world is change. Less than four months after its inundation, the Enugu mystery pool has dried up triggering major soil excavation by new visitors who had come for healing in the pool. The town itself which became a tourist destination a few months back, has had a fair share of the change as it has become a ghostly abandoned place. No people and vehicular movement were present; the motorcyclists have relocated to major towns while the plastic container’ sellers at the junction leading to the forest have abandoned the business.

The dreaded path to the forest took 20 minutes walk to the pool with heart palpitation.

When Saturday Vanguard visited the pool recently, it was found to be completely drained with trenches here and there dug by desperate visitors with a view to getting water from the soil for healing.

Saturday Vanguard had earlier visited the pool which many claimed had healing powers. Thousands of people from far and near visited the pool, dipped their bodies in the water, drank from the water, cut trees around the basin of the pool and took away sand within the precincts of the stream with the belief that it had supernatural healing powers.

The seasonally flooded pool basin now look different from the surrounding upland. Most parts of the soil have been excavated by new visitors to the stream who rather than being utterly disappointed, dig up the pool’s basin to see if they could get some water for healing.

Leaves in the pool basin are

Just as villagers and petty traders lament the slide in the profits they make on their brisk businesses, others including commercial motorcyclists noted that many of them had to relocate to the heart of the town to eke out a living compacted and had turned gray.

The soil also exhibit features of dehydration, which meant they have been dried up for a period of time. There were not even water stains on the trunks of trees which was an indication of complete level of dryness.

They explained that its inundation in the first place was not as result of heavy rainfall but natural.

Villagers who spoke to Saturday Vanguard ruled out the hot temperature as reason for its dryness, maintaining that it was natural as it was not the first time the pool will dry or be flooded.

Christopher, who lives in Umuaga, said: "It does not matter the type of weather, even in the rainy season, the pool may not be flooded but may be aided by the level of rainfall.

Why we believe the pool is mysterious is because it could spring up during the dry season and that is why it is called Oririmiri.”

A few persons Saturday Vanguard met at the stream said they have

made the place their second home not only to watch development on the pool but also to attract blessings.

They narrated that it is those few who just heard about the pool and its healing power that visit the area.

“It is those who just heard about it and usually from far places that visit because there is nobody close that has not heard about it. So, we welcome them and sell some items to the like the calendar with details about the water,” said Emeka.

Asked how the visitors felt when they discovered that the water had dried up, he stated: “they feel disappointed. That is why some of them dug up some areas to get water. Recently, some people came from the North and they had to dig up to six feet before getting water which they drank and collected in plastic containers to take home.” he stated.

Villagers, Okada count losses Just as villagers and petty traders lament the slide in the profits they make on their brisk businesses, others including commercial motorcyclists noted that many of them had to relocate to the heart of the town to eke out a living.

“We sold a lot before now because people throng the village. In fact, every part of the country must have heard about the river and that enough is a blessing for us. But you cannot compare the commercial activities then with what you have now. Not only the transport business benefited, everybody selling one thing or other other benefited,” said a petty trader in the area.

An okada who identifies himself as Dan said: “For me as an okada man, these days, I can stay there looking

Now

Before for passengers but none was forthcoming. You will not make money. Last November when it surged to January this year, we made a lot of money. I personally made over N20,000 daily then, but nobody is coming again because the water has dried and no clever okada would wait at the junction searching for passengers,” Dan said.

Asked what how he used the money, he said: “I paid my house rent and bought another okada and also set up my wife on business. It has been blessing for us and I can't wait for another opportunity. I pray the water comes up again soon,” Dan stated.

14—SA TURD AY 14—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

At the NGE Fund-Raising Dinner

The Nigerian Guild of Edit or es da und-Raising Dinner ffor or the Building of N850m Editor orss yyes estter erda dayy held a FFund-Raising Edit or buja. VVanguar anguar d’s Gbemiga Olamik an co vered the eevent vent in phot os.

Editor orss Plaza in AAbuja. anguard’s Olamikan covered photos.

L-R: President Nigeria Guild of Editors , Femi Adesina discussing with Director, Defence Information, Major Gen. Chris Olukolade and Director of Information Nigeria Navy , Commodore Kabir Aliyu

From left, Vanguard Editor in Chief /General Manager Gbenga Adefaye discussing with former Ogun State Governor , Olusegun Osoba

From right: President of Nigerian Guild of Editors, Femi Adesina ; Chief Imikan Attah and Mr Ray Ekpu

From left: Senator Prof. Jibril Aminu, Representative of Mr President and Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku and Edo State Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole

OSUN 2014

Aregbesola deserves a second term —Onuoha

... urges Igbo and other non indigenes to support him

BY ANOZIE EGOLE

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rince (Dr) Charles Onuoha is a chief tain of All Progressives Congress in Imo State. He was also a two-time Commissioner under the leadership of Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo State. He also served the governor as the SA to MDS and is currently the Chairman, Imo State Housing Corporation. In this chat with newsmen in Lagos, this banker-turned politician lauds the achievements of the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola saying he has given Osun State a new face in terms of governance and development; the reason for which he should be re-elected to finish up the good work he started in Osun State.

Why I left banking for politics When I was in the banking industry, I was a General Manager. I rose to the peak of office in the industry. Many people have asked me why I left banking for a dirty game like politics? My answer has been that I got a call from God to go and serve the public as a leader. So when I was leaving the banking sector, I did not have any regrets and truly till tomorrow, I did not have any regrets leaving banking for politics which people always described as dirty. I always disagreed with those who used to say that Nigerian politics is dirty.

We are learning. It is a gradual process.

We joined to sanitise it.

On Govs Okorocha and Aregbesola Okorocha has a policy in Imo State which I truly understand and can analyse.Governor Aregbesola deserves a second term. You don’t change a winning team. I am not saying this because I am a member of APC. I’d known him since he was the works Commissioner in Lagos State under the then Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as governor. He has been an achiever. I am very sure nobody has surpassed his achievements in that State as Works Commissioner. Even when he was elected governor of Osun State, I knew he will perform. What he has done so far in Osun State has proved me right. Governor Aregbeshola has done wonderfully well as the governor of that state. I used to go to Osun some years back when PDP government was incharge. What Osun is today under Aregbesola is not what it used to be then.

Non-indigenes in Osun under Aregbesola The report from Igbo indigenes in Osun State is very encouraging. They are very happy living in Osun State and the governor has been so friendly with the non indigenes in that state. There has been no marginalization according to them. So,

from the bottom of my heart, even though I am not a Yoruba man, the truth must be said.

He has so developed Osun State.

He has created value in that State economically and otherwise. People can easily Onuoha visit Osun State now than before because he has put in place things and activities that can attract other people from other states to Osun State. He has also improved the traditional institution of Osun people. The traditional rulers in Osun State are happy with him according to their report on him which I used to read. He has carried the market women in the state along, making sure trade and commerce boom in the state.

APC in the state APC has come to stay. In case you don’t know, APC is the peoples party not only in Osun State but in Nigeria generally.

By the special grace of God, APC with Aregbeshola will definitely win when Osun people go to the polls. The party is very much on ground in Osun and in every state in Nigeria. Our victory in Osun

is

not

negotiable.

Your advice to Osun indigenes Actually, I am not a Yoruba manlet alone an Osun State man but the achievements of Gov. Aregbesola has really moved me to say what I am saying. If one does well, good people around him must commend him. So, I am commending Aregbesola for the good work he is doing in his state, the reason he deserves to come back. I want to tell Osun people that they have gold in Aregbesola. Can a right thinking man throw away gold and take silver? No. so let Osun people hold tight to the gold they are having. And I am using this forum to tell the non indigenes in Osun State especially the Igbos to massively support Aregbesola’s re-election bid.

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, APRIL 12, 2014—15

The politics of po ty povver erty ast Sunday, Nigeria became the L largest economy in Africa. This did not however mean that those of us who

were lucky to wake up on Monday morning suddenly found ourselves richer. It did not even mean that Nigeria whose economy is now bigger that of South Africa or Egypt, will now have its dwindling foreign reserves replenished. It was just, as I understand it, a reworking of figures and data to capture areas that had been neglected in the past 20years or so.

It is likely there might be some ego massaging and chest thumping by those who believe they have ‘grown’ the economy; especially those in the kitchen cabinet who will grasp at any straw that shows the economy is on track. The fact that it took us so long to capture dominant sectors like telecommunications, and entertainment is in itself, an indictment on the way we do things.

But let us not allow the euphoria of last Sunday to overshadow the bleak announcement of the week before that Nigeria has joined the unenviable list of the desperately poor countries of the world. That the largest economy in Africa can also be listed among the poorest countries in the world is confounding to those of us who are not economists, and puts a lie to those who say economics is largely the application of logic and common sense. It seems instead to be the application of certain data and ‘truths’ to achieve certain results.

After all, those who say Nigeria is the

largest economy in Africa have many pointers. They can point at Nollywood which is touted to be the third largest film industry in the world. They can point at our telecommunications industry which is probably the fastest growing in the world. They can point at our blossoming hospitality industry— from ushers to event planners— which is putting meals on many tables. They can point at our fashion industry which is giving expression to the ingenuity and creativity of our youths. They can of course, point at the good, old, oil and gas industry which is pumping dollars into legal and illegal pockets. Finally, they can point at the ‘fruits of our labour ’ and finger the private jets and private estates, the luxury yachts and limousines not to talk of the rising number of Nigerians in the billionaire class.

And those who think we are among the desperately poor people in the world don’t have too far to look either.

They can point at shanties that are springing up in our commercial and political capitals. They can point at poverty induced crimes like kidnapping. They can point at how a million unemployed youths risked lives and limbs last month in an attempt to secure a few of the elusive jobs. They can point at dirty, hungry kids who roam the streets because they cannot afford education. They can point at the different shades of terrorism across the country. They can point at the quality of our education. They can point at the dearth of technology, of industries, of

infrastructure.

So we are rich and poor at the same time. And this is the tragedy of the kind of politics the country has been playing since it was created. Our colonial masters created an elite class for administrative purposes and put themselves at the top of the cream. A large proportion of the populace were left to be hewers of wood, drawers of water and tillers of soil.

At independence, this elite group was replaced by the emerging politicians. Then by 1966 when the khaki boys came on board, the elite group got enlarged and diluted but the politics remained the same, only cruder; this politics of ensuring geopolitical stability by keeping the ruling class and the pretenders to the throne, happy and well fed through state funds.

Look around you. All successful and wealthy countries play inclusive politics where economic policies recognise the interests of every citizen; where the playing field in education, rule of law and entrepreneurial opportunities are level. Incentives are given to those who have the ability to create wealth and talents recognised and encouraged for those vital technological breakthroughs.

A N Y In Nigeria, our laws— A and attitudes— do not T favour enterprise and technological ability. Our A C H role models are not those N A who work hard to build Y something from the D scratch but those who loot the treasury. The rules A B A favour the rich irrespecO tive of how they become rich and bottlenecks G A B abound for those who U want to break into their E elite rank through technol- M H ogy and enterprise. Industries are sited wherever I R A the elite class wants them R with scant regard to via- N bility because they are sit- I H I

ed more to appease than to create wealth. It is this culture of appeasement, of feeding the rent seeking elite that puts our recurrent expenditure at 80% of the national budget, that makes a provision of 155billion naira as budget for less than a thousand legislators; that provides more than a billion naira to feed animals in a zoo in a country where over a hundred million of its citizens can not boast of a square meal a day.

I choose to call it the politics of poverty; and it is the politics our leaders across the divide of civilian/military, North/South have been practicing through the years. It does not matter how much we earn, or how often we rebase our GDP, if we can not remove the disincentives to enterprise, to technology, to merit and hard work, then we will always remain poor; desperately poor. The so called ‘American dream’ is predicated on a system that allows anybody to legitimately achieve their dreams in life without necessarily having a godfather. It is also, unlike ours, the politics of wealth creation.

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16—SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

O

rdinarily, I have no cause to pay serious at tention to the lyrics of some of the songs released by the young generation of Nigerians because of their tendency to be lurid.

But when Sound Sultan, real names, Olanrewaju Fasasi released his first single many years ago titled Mathematics, I was entranced by the lyrics.

The song became an instant hit. Sound Sultan tried to capture the Nigerian situation in that song which would have been more appropriate for this chorus of Nigeria’s economy being the largest in Africa. Who cares?

What difference does that make in the life of the average Nigerian. Has that put food on the table of the poor? Has it created employment for the multitude of young jobless Nigerians everywhere? Has this jagbajantis about Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product being the largest in Africa improved power supply, reresuscitated our refineries or brought the moribund government parastatals back to life?

Part of the chorus of the song says: Everybody join to solve mathematics , solve jagbajantis wey dey dabaru our continent Oyinbo say na BODMAS we go use to solve mathematics, solve jagbajantis Oya carry biro B for brotherhood, love your neighbour as you love yourself, o tan o O for objectivity, be objective in your way o D for democracy...

Olarenwaju Fasasi a.k.a Sound Sultan released his first single, Jagbajantis, in 2000 and till date, quite a number of people can still recall the lyrics, hence a classic and since then, he has managed to remain consistent and relevant enough to release album after album.

Maybe, Sound Sultan is a prophet. It was as if he understood that today we would be battling to solve the jagbajantis or mathematics called Nigeria’s new GDP. How in the world would you explain Nigeria’s new GDP in the midst of scarcity of every good thing that life has to offer Nigerians?

Nigerians are very lively people with high intelligent quotient. We have a way of explaining off every woe .

So, what’s the big deal about our GDP being the largest in Africa? What has it added to our pockets? Does the large GDP provide money for your child’s school fees or pay your rent when it is due?

As I tried to unravel this grammar of being the largest in Africa, many things came to my mind. Many young Nigerians including pregnant women who went job-hunting at Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, did not return from it alive. What difference did Nigeria having the largest GDP in Africa make in their lives?

On the front page of Vanguard newspaper of Thursday, April 10 was a picture of a young Nigerian by name Sunday Omotayo, a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Ekiti State University trying to commit suicide on Government House road,Uyo Akwa Ibom state.

The picture clearly shows that Sunday Omotayo was trendily dressed before stepping out for job-hunting. He might have borrowed the suit and the tie he wore that day and might have borrowed money for transportation but didn’t get the job. His hope of getting the job must have been high but he didn’t succeed.

In this era of agencies collecting money from jobless graduates with a promise of job offer,

The jagbajantis of Nigeria’s GDP

A Police officer here pleads with Mr Sunday Omotayo (lying down), a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Ekiti State University who attempted suicide on Government House Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State over his failure to secure a job.

Omotayo might have paid through his nose to agents to help make way for him in the employment industry. But his dreams died. And there was no hope that he would get any job soonest or repay the money he has been borrowing for transportation while job-hunting.

And who knows for how many years he has been jobless after graduating as a Mechanical Engineer and how many people were depending on him to take the mantle of responsibility in their family after getting a job?

What about the stress his parents passed through to see him through the university so that at least, if they could not leave an inheritance for him, the education they gave him would secure his future and pave way for him to take care of his siblings. He could perhaps have been trained through community efforts and those who contributed money for his education would have lost hope in the ability that the bright Sunday Omotayo would be the messiah and the role model of youths in his community. That dream is dying and the young man obviously feeling the disappointment, decided to end it all. What did our large GDP do for him and the several other Sunday Omotayos out there?

Every year, universities churn out fresh graduates who embrace freedom from the university with hope of immediate employment but these young Nigerians watch their dreams die.

Parents heave a sigh of relief each time their child graduates but who can imagine the disappointment of learning you’d continue to harbour and feed that adult child several years after?

Faulty manpower planning, economic recession, the collective bargaining process, graduate attitude to some types of jobs as well as search behaviour of employers and job seekers; use of capital intensive technology , wide rural- urban migration , formal – informal sectors differentials amongst other factors have been identified to contrib-

ute to the causes of graduate unemployment in Nigeria.

Has our large GDP made any difference and how do you explain to these unemployed young people that Nigeria has the largest economic growth in Africa?

In what economic terms would that be explained to a graduate who has been jobless for years or an artisan who has not opened his shop for months because even when he is self-employed, he is incapacitated by lack of consistent power supply?

How does this economic growth affect the lives of the graduate scavenger, bus driver, bus conductor and others?

At this juncture, shouldn’t there

quirements; promotion of enterprise culture which will induce self-reliance and creating a national environment which rewards effort and initiative; selfemployment and curriculum reengineering.

Whether we believe it or not, graduate unemployment poses the greatest risk to Nigeria’s existence. National economic growth has not tackled the scourge in any way.

Nigerians from different walks of life have been trying to explain the implication of Nigeria having the largest Gross Domestic Product, GDP, but the rest of us are asking, where is the growth?

Many are celebrating but the

Has our large GDP made any difference and how do you explain to these unemployed young people that Nigeria has the largest economy in Africa? be a review of past employment policies of the Federal Government to ascertain why government policies and programmes fail? Is it not as a result of managerial incapability, unaccountability, low quality of training , inadequate funding, policy inconsistency, poor governance and ineffective targeting of beneficiaries?

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ndeed, Nigeria’s economic growth must be made em ployment intensive and all the economic players such as the government, the private sector, workers, private individuals as well as non-governmental organisations must pursue policies and programmes that would attain this objective.

Nigeria should wake up to the fact that short and long-term measures must be taken in the promotion of informal micro and small-scale sector enterprises; promotion of entrepreneurship culture through entrepreneurship development programmes; accelerating the growth rate of the agricultural sector, linking education and training with labour market re-

truth is that we are living in bondage in the midst of plenty.

Is it that our dear country has no strategic developmental planning; that what we have adopted over the years is more or less adhocism as national development plan?

Why is it that what we flaunted as national development is usually never implemented and these plans are empty of social content. Why are we allowing religious intolerance, more than ethnicism as the greatest threat to national unity, existence and development? Why are the rich getting richer at the expense of the poor and why is graduate unemployment very much on the rise? Why is the country not having strategic alignment with the universities as trainers of skill for the industries, and also having national planning activities through which to identify the number of graduates each year by classification, by specialization, then identifying where they are likely to be channeled in terms of gainful employment?

From all ramifications, graduate unemployment seems to have exceeded 50 percent and

after idling about for years, do we expect these youths to continue to be good citizens? Are the minds of these youths nationally developed? Do they still have faith in the enterprise called Nigeria? Do they still have passion for national feeling?

Crimes of different dimensions, digital and non- digital crimes are springing up by the day and the latest is the springing up of ethnic militias. Kidnapping has become the favourite past-time of many.

This talk about Nigeria having the largest economy should be translated down to the level of the common man. The long grammar should be made simple in their terms and one of the ways of doing so is to create a state of emergency on graduate unemployment by getting every local government area to at least generate not less than 500 jobs annually, to mandate every state to generate not less than 2,000 jobs annually and the federal government to generate not less 300,000 jobs annually and begin to think of how to revive the manufacturing industries and how to begin to strengthen the creation of social opportunities to address the present dangers because if these continue unchecked, Nigeria will lose part of its greatest assets which are the youths.

It is only from the media that we read about efforts being made to create jobs for Nigerians. But these efforts hardly translate to reality . It is on record that over 83,000 unemployed Nigerian graduates have registered with the Graduate Internship Scheme of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P). The Scheme is reportedly processing the release of 1000 graduates to serve as interns at many government parastatals. Many other firms all over the country have keyed into the project and are requesting for these interns to join them.

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ccording to reports, about 1800 firms have reportedly registered with the scheme since inception, out of which 288 have been approved to make requests for interns and about 800 interns have been picked by these firms. But has this Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) addressed the scourge of unemployment?

How does $509.9bn economic growth affect the life of the ordinary Nigerian? What is the impact of this economic growth without real economic developmental impact on the ordinary man? Has this growth in the economy tackled poverty, illiteracy? How does it affect the 170million Nigerians in their different quests to excel in life?

It’s good enough that we developed over the years and that Nollywood is beyond just entertainment but contributing avidly to Nigeria’s economic growth. Nollywood ranks next to Hollywood the world over and that is cheery despite the scandals in the industry. It also feels good to know that despite the lurid lyrics being churned out by our young entertainers, that is also translating to economic growth of our GDP. But should we be talking about economic growth when things are not working?There are no improved services or quality of life and the power sector seems to have gone beyond repair. Of course, it is not doubtful that we consume a lot as a country because of our population but there are still more questions than answers. Indeed, there is no big deal about this. With Nigeria’s highly unproductive youths, largest economy appears to mock us as a nation rather cheer us.

C’est la question ici .

That is what we are talking about.

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014 — 17

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18—SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

Every part of my body is sexy to me — Joke Jigan

For the lovers of Yoruba movies, the ‘Bisola Beyonce’ star, Joke Jigan isn’t just another famous face. She’s the alluring role interpreter who goes the extra mile to make her roles believable. The light-skinned fashionista opens up on her foray into acting and how far she can go to interpret a role among other issues.

BY KEHINDE AJOSE

A

CTING has been my dream from childhood and I am so glad I am involved in it today. It’s an art I am passionate about. I strive to become better in it daily. In life, challenges are inevitable. I believe that whatever I went through is a step that got me closer to my destination.

Shooting my first movie was really very stressful. I produced it and I was also the lead actress in it. It was my first time and I went through hell. It didn’t do well, but it became a stepping stone to doing greater things. I have only been to a strip club once in my lifetime and there is nothing you see in the movie Bisola Beyonce that defines who I am .My personal life is different from my career. I am nothing compared to the girl

you saw in that movie. That is acting, I don’t know how to strip, I cannot do it to save my life.

So many doors have opened as a result of my being an actress.

It’s been by God’s grace. How far can I go to interpret a role? I just give it my best shot. One has to be good in what one does. If it’s

I don’t really feel anything when people say I am dating Femi Adebayo, because I know I am not dating him.

STAYING IN PLAY GAMES When was the last time you played a game?

Chances are it was a long time ago.Playing games helps one solves tricky problems.

Games teach patience, social interaction, negotiation, strategy, how to win and lose gracefully, mental stimulation, mental and physical confidence that keep us healthy.

Alfred Binet said good chess players have superior memory and imagination.Try out a game this weekend.

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worth doing at all, it’s worth doing well. Every part of my body is sexy to me. I can’t place a finger on which part of my body that is the sexiest.For me, I believe every part of my body is sexy.

Stop acting because of a man? You must love me and my job .I cannot stop a man from what he is doing, so I don’t believe any man should stop me from acting.

I am sorry, you must love me and my job. Acting is what I love. It’s something I derive happiness from. I am always excited when am on location.

Kim Kardashian is my style icon. I love her because she is doing what is working for her and she doesn’t really care about what people say about her. She is my kind of person.

I have been heartbroken several times. It happens, it’s a normal thing that happens to everybody. As per my greatest achievement, doors of opportunities keeps getting opened and I thank God for that.

It’s not right to sleep with someone just because you want to showcase your talents. I don’t believe in sleeping around as long as there’s a God you will get to your destination. If you can be persistent and consistent at what you do, you will surely get to the top.

I don’t really feel anything when people say I am dating Femi Adebayo, because I know I am not dating him. The relationship that we share is the type that exists between you and your senior colleagues.

My ideal man has to be faithful, hard-working, always neat, smart, God-fearing, and good looking. He should always smell nice too. If he is hard working, he will definitely make money. My definition of comfort is just enjoying life to the fullest. I do whatever makes me happy, whenever I want to do it, as long as it makes me comfortable. Sometimes I just stay at home and relax .I also love hanging out with friends.

GOING OUT VISIT A MUSEUM When it comes to museums, even though there may be quite a large portion of people out there that take museums for granted, visiting museums are of high value .Museums provide a unique interactive experience of getting up close to things we usually only read about in newspapers. Museums helps to visualize the past experiences that humanity once had to face. A visit to the museum will add spark to your weekend.

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014 — 19

By JULIET EBIRIM

Do controversies affect brand endorsements?

M

ost brands want to be associated with one top celebrity or the other.

While some celebrities are bagging mouth-watering and juicy endorsement deals, others are not. Does being involved in controversies, as is common among most celebrities, affect their chances of being endorsed as faces and ambassadors of a product or company? Some top entertainers shared their views with Saturday Vanguard on the issue.

Bad publicity isn’t benef icial tto o beneficial a brand

Contr over sy ma Contro ersy mayy enhance the publicity of the brand

Y

O

– Lara George, Singer

— Adol, Singer

rdinarily, controversies should affect a celebrity getting brand endorsements. The company or brand looking to endorse a star is always concerned about whether or not the star would be able to project the image they desire. Sometimes though, it’s also possible that the controversy may enhance the talk factor and a brand may choose to take advantage of that.

es, it does. No brand will like to associate with any controversial artiste. Bad publicity will not benefit a company or product at all.

There’s an edge in using a controversial ar tist e artist tiste

Positivity sells in branding

— Cossy Orjiakor, Actress

C

ontroversies arise when an artiste behave or does things in a way that is uncommon or do publicly what others do privately. Most brands copy themselves.

That’s why they spend heavily on advertising. The usual ‘goody goody’ artiste doesn’t dare to be different. That’s why they may never discover the edge in using a controversial figure.

— Yemi Black, Actor

E

very brand would not want to be associated with someone who has a negative name. They would want someone that can carry the product without any air or tinge of negativity.

Positivity sells.

Brands dislik e dislike bad controversies — Dee-One, Comedian

B

rand endorsements are meant to help people positively. A brand ambassador is an extension of the values of the brand. It actually depends on what controversy it is, but if it’s serious, it will affect the brand. If the scandal is too shameful, the brand would not want to be associated with it. It’s like a school can strip you of your degree.

Some brands need a little bit of contr over sy tto o sell contro ersy —IK Ogbonna, Actor

I

believe that brands would only want to associate and be tagged with a credible name that has a good reputation, anywhere and anytime .A celebrity’s name should be able to represent the standards of that brand .If controversies are not handled well, it will surely affect a celebrity as no brand would want to be linked with that person . Controversies come in different shapes , sizes and forms. Sometimes, some brands need a little bit of controversy to sell but it depends on the kind of controversy and its impact on the society.

20 — SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, APRIL 12, 2014

08111813022

Inside the world of billionaires and their toys The life of billionaires all over the world is characterized by wealth, influence and power. They not only control a large chunk of the economy of their environment, but are seen as ‘superhumans.’ Of course, they live in opulence and have servants at their beck and call to meet their needs. Here, are some Nigerian billionaires and their exotic toys.

Aliko DANGOTE

Currently the richest man in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote (GCON) who is a household name in Nigeria and beyond, is estimated to worth $25 billion.

The CEO, Dangote Group, which has interests in commodities with operations in Nigeria and several other countries in Africa including Cameroon, Togo, Benin, South Africa, Ghana and Zambia is ranked as the 23rd richest person in the world.

The Dangote Group which was established as a small trading firm in 1977, started when he borrowed N500,000 from his uncle, Sanusi Abdulkadir Dantata at the age of 21.

The graduate of Business at the Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt, has enlarged his line of businesses to cover cement manufacturing, food processing and freight. His group also dominates the sugar market in Nigeria.

Being the largest industrial group in the country, Dangote Group remains a formidable

Femi

OTEDOLA R

ated as one of the richest Nigerians, CEO of Forte Oil Plc, Femi Otedola is swimming in wealth. The Lagos State-born billionaire and son of former governor of Lagos State, Sir Michael Otedola also owns the multi-billion naira indigenous oil firm, Zenon. The firm supplies fuel to most leading industries in Nigeria.

These include Dangote Group, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Coca Cola, Nigerian Breweries, MTN, Unilever, Nestle, and Guinness, among others. He owns one of the largest oil storage facilities in the country aside his four cargoe ships.

Apart from being the biggest diesel and kerosene marketer in Nigeria today, Otedola is also the owner of Atlas Shipping Agency, Swift Insurance, FO Properties Limited, FO Transport and Seaforce Shipping Company Ltd. With so much money at his C M Y K

force in the Nigerian economy. Dangote’s business empire include, Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Flour, among others.

Dangote Group owns Salt factories and flour mills and is a major importer of rice, fish, pasta, cement and fertilizer. The company exports cotton, cashew nuts, cocoa, sesame seed and ginger to several countries. It also has major investments in real estate, banking, transport, textiles and oil and gas. The company employs over 11,000 people and is the largest industrial conglomerate in the whole of West Africa.

Dangote has diversified into telecommunications and has started building 14,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables to supply the whole of Nigeria. With a fat bank account, the world’s richest black man lives very large as he not only cruises in wonder on wheels automobiles but also, owns a multi-million yacht and a jet plane.

Ayiri EMAMI A Emami is the Chief successful businessman by all standard, Ayiri

Executive Officer of the 911 Group which consists of the 911 Entertainment (911 band and 911 Records), 911 Suites and 911 Securities. He is also the chairman of A &E Petrol and other subsidiaries, Ultimate Landmark Engineering.

The activist and philanthropist has two Rolls disposal, he also enjoys the good things of life, as he cruises in the state-of-the art yacht and powerful automobiles.

Royce phantom among other exotic cars, a super yacht on which Tuface and Annie Idibia rode to Dubai from the United States and possibly a private jet as it’s being rumoured. His sprawling

mansion in his country home, Delta State is a wonder to behold as well as his Lekki, Lagos and Abuja homes. The lavish spender known for dolling out automobiles to friends and hangers on, loves bikes of different categories.

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, APRIL 12, 2014 — 21

Aare Bolu OLUGBADE W

Tony

EZENNA N

o doubt, Chief Tony Ezenna is a billionaire. Comfortably overseeing the activities of the Orange Group Limited as its Chairman is no mean a feat for the Ikenga of Akokwa.

What stands him out as a man of style apart from the fact that he is handsome is the use of pretty ladies to brand his products. The Orange Group is an indigenous conglomerate, comprised of three subsidiary companies that cater for the marketing and manufacturing of soaps, pharmaceutical products, marketing of energy drinks and the distribution of Osram energy bulbs. Some of their products include Cannon Extra, Boska, Procold, Mixagrip, Medik-55, Delta soap, Devon, Delta Summer Cool, Delta Plus, Delta

Herbal, Passion Energy Drink, Extra Joss, among others. The former guber aspirant has placed his native Akokwa on the map of traditional and cultural festivals with the Orange Day celebrated 30th of every December.

Apart from his Rolls Royce Phantom, the billionaire businessman also boasts of a black

Bentley Flying Spur, among other exotic cars that litter his very impressive garages.

Dr. Patrick UBA

L

ike many Nigerians, Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah started with nothing but rose from apprenticeship at the age of 16 to running a very successful regional business at the age of 18. He travelled to Ghana and other African countries to expand his business and increase trade for Nigeria. At the age of 19, he made his first million naira.

He emerged a significant player in the tyre export trade from Nigeria to Ghana.

From Ghana, he expanded his business in Nigerian trade into Liberia and Sierra

Leone. Unfortunately, the war that began in Liberia affected his business, forcing him to return to Lagos. He then expanded his business, which now included the supply of auto parts to the Congo (DRC).

His company continued to grow, becoming a major importer of automotive spare parts in the DRC. He did business with large companies in South Africa, Belgium and UK. He established Capital Oil SPRL in the DRC, through which he imported oil and gas from Ibeto Petrochemical

Nigeria and supplied the biggest transporters and industrial establishments as well as governmental agencies such as the national railway.

With the help of his mentor, Cletus Ibeto, who supported his business and further tutored him on the oil and gas climate in Nigeria, he invested his growing resources from his successful business enterprises to expand his operations in Nigeria, creating Capital Oil & Gas Industries Limited and thousands of jobs to Nigerians.

The company was founded in 2001, and by 2003/2004, it had extended into haulage, transportation and petroleum products retail. One by one, he built three of the largest oil and gas depots in Nigeria and later, the fourth depot. By 2011, Capital Oil Group’s depot facility was the largest in Nigeria, with a combined capacity to berth 3-6 vessels simultaneously and 32 loading arms. The group today accounts for about 30% of daily petroleum products distribution in Nigeria, employs a work- force of over 3,000, and has caused the creation an additional 1,000 related jobs.

He owns eye popping mansions in some major cities in the country aside his Elenma mansion.

He led his company to own the largest fleet of marine vessels, barges and tug boats in Nigeria, including a large fleet of oil tankers.

In his drive to lower fuel prices for Nigerians, he has acquired land to build the first private refinery in Lagos, and has made a presentation to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and is currently awaiting approval.

He also invested in property and real estate development, telecommunication, commodities importation, financial institutions, and hospitals.

Ifeanyi is also a philanthropist. Driven by a desire to give back to society, he established the Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation, which gives students free university education, drills boreholes for communities, installs electricity transformers, repairs and constructs roads, provides free fuel to the popular “Okada” riders and bus drivers every Monday in all his filling stations.

Uba who lives in Omole Estate, Ikeja, Lagos has several landed property in highbrow areas in the country and owns powerful automobiles including Rolls Royce Phantoms aside two private jets and yachts.

hen it comes to cars, Prince Bolu AkinOlugbade,(Ph.d) the Aare Onaakakanfo of Owu Kingdom is one freak who is not only attracted to just any brand of cars, but his madly in love with Rolls Royce.

After he bought his first Rolls Royce in 1984, he so much fell in love with the British Symbol of fine taste that he acquired additional seven including two latest models Phantoms!

Though his cars come in different colours, one striking feature is that ahh the cars have similar number plates: Bolu.

Also, Olugbade has strong passion for luxury wristwatches. He is an avid collector of the most exotic pieces. Despite being born into a privileged background, the astute businessman had to struggle to get to the top of the business ladder that he currently occupies.

To build his own business empire, he took advantage of his father ’s influence as a director in a cement company and began to solicit companies who wanted cement and supplied them. In no time, he had expanded to tomato puree and rice. That was how he eventually hit his first million naira at the age of 24, which was the same year he got married. It was gathered that Prince Bolu had tried to contest for the presidency of Nigeria twice but had to step down because of the political ambitions of late MKO Abiola and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in 1992 and 2003 respectively.

Aare Bolu Olugbade

22 — SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

Tiwa savage , Toke Makinwa bag mouth watering deals!

Ikechukwu finally back with ‘Good Good Love’

By IYABO AINA RAPPER Ikechukwu came into the scene with the release of his debut album “Son of The Soil” in 2006 and released his debut album title Son of the Soil which featured break out single ‘My Name Is Ikechukwu.’ He got intercontinental notoriety bringing his label WFA and STORM records to the forefront of music in Nigeria and became the new face of hiphop and progressive Nigerian music.

But , after a long break, rapper

By IYABO AINA

T

WO of Nigeria’s top entertainers Tiwa Savage and Toke Makinwa , have just been signed as the new faces with one of the biggest food and beverage companies,Nestle Nigeria‘s stock cube brand Maggi .

A new deal is here for songstress, Tiwa Savage and OAP Toke Makinwa , as the company is yet to make an official statement. But sources have confirmed that it’s a mouth watering deal.

According to reports, the chase was between Toolz and Toke but Toolz lost out to Toke. However, both ladies are still getting along with each other.

It’s been an amazing year so far for Tiwa Savage. This multi- •Tiwa Savage talented Grammy award nominee first got a taste of the big-time at 16 when she started as a background singer for George Michael. She wasted no time in building on that by lending vocals to other top musicians such as Mary.J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Blu Cantrell, among others.

Kcee goes ‘Fine face’ hunting

I

f you are on Instagram and you happen to have the Limpopo crooner, Kcee, as one of your contacts, you may just be thinking of taking him out, that is, if you are not the type that likes to be assailed with all sorts of beautiful, wanton faces.

The singer pages have been totally overtaken by display of different beautiful faces in what he calls the hunt for Miss Fine Face. Girls, who feel they are beautiful enough to be the singer’s Miss Fine Face have been sending their pictures to him.

Kcee has been having a ball, having to go through sea of beautiful faces to pick his Miss Fine Face and what does he have to offer the winner? The singer is dangling five thousand dollars •Kcee for the winner of the contest.

•Toke Makinwa Also , this soulful diva burst onto the African scene in 2010 with the strength of a gale force wind. Her chart-topping debut single, ‘Kele-Kele Love’ quickly captured the public’s imagination in a manner not quite seen before.

Eventi Cocktail Week end holds! eekend

O

rganisers of the Eventi Cocktail Weekend has announced that the event will hold tomorrow at Zen Terrace of the Intercontinental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Put together by Eventi Cocktails, one of Nigeria’s premier and exclusive cocktail outdoor catering brand, owned

by Lara Rawa, the event is an annual gathering of cocktail enthusiasts. It features networking, cocktails and liquor from world-class brands. The exclusive event is also a client schmoozing one with lots of music, dancing and popping of champagne.

Sponsored by Eventi Cocktails, Intercontinental Hotel, Patron, Pernod Ricard for Absolute Vodka, OnoBello.com, PR Uno, Passion Fruits and Cool and Naija FMs, the aim of this one of a kind event is to have different brands represented plus a fantastic display of cocktail and liquor where brands can network with event•Lanre planners and beverage lovers in a Teriba relaxed environment.

•Ikechukwu

Ikechukwu has dropped a new single titled, ‘Good Good Love’.

The new song featuring N i g e r i a n International star Nneka is a relatively slow tune- raggae beat, quite a drift from the kind of beat the singer has been known for.

Nigerian Idol set for top 12 unveiling!

W

ITH six spots filled in the Top 12 and six more to go, Africa’s biggest music talent show is gearing towards a sensational Top 12 unveil. Lisa, Elvis Jay, Jesse Ray, Nex2, Ms Oge and Xolani are the six contestants in the Top 12 so far and six spots are left to be occupied.

With the last group of 10 contestants performing over the weekend, only 3 of these acts will make it into the Top 12.

Performing love songs as well as old school melodies, the 10 contestants gave their all for an opportunity to win the heart of the judges as well as votes of fans.

“This has been the most prepared group so far,” said an impressed Dede. ‘Though we had some who didn’t meet our expectation, a good number of them deserve a pat on the back,” he added.

•Nigerian Idol contestants

24 — SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

Waistcoat a convenient image changer

By ADERONKE ADEYERI

A

man’s waistcoat is a classic garment that will always be in vogue. Slipping on a simple waistcoat is a quick and convenient image change that will often mark you out from the crowd. Dressing up in waistcoats is fun. Whether you are young and trendy, or not so young but still dashing, we love to wear different clothes when going out socializing.

It’s satisfying to express a different aspect of our personality by dressing differently.

The waistcoat is capable of transcending social situations and dress codes and yet gives you enough room to experiment with layers and remain stylish.

But many men do not know how to fix this clothing appropriately and waistcoat is to help you look more streamlined and tidy.

Make sure it has high armholes, fits snug around shoulders and torso but without there being any pulling around the buttons or the fabric at the back. Excess material just makes you look bigger than you are.Ensure you button that bad boy up. It’s supposed to make you look put together. So, why would you want it any other way? You’ll just end up looking like a child at a family wedding. However, always leave the last button undone (like a suit jacket) so it does not pull when you lift your arms up.

Try your best not to look like a waiter in your waistcoat. This can be done in three easy steps: go for seasonal materials such as tweed or corduroy during cold and cotton or whipcord during heat. This avoids that shiny polyester appearance that looks so tragic in any light. Avoid unnecessary details such as fancy lining or bizarre affectations like pocket watches. You’re a stylish gentleman, not a Steam Punk.

Lastly, pair it with items that don’t make you look like a waiter. That is, avoid anything but black trousers, unless of course it came with them as part of a suit.

C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014 — 25

By ANOZIE EGOLE

Why You Need An Irish Coffee

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egrettably, perhaps, we’ve gotten away from the breakfast/brunch cocktail. If anyone tells you that Irish Coffee is a sweet drink, scald them with your coffee.

You only need a little sugar, your Irish, your coffee, and a dollop of lightly whipped cream atop. Aside the simple way of getting this kind of cocktail, being in some exciting places like PLanet One whose hospitality is second to none can give you full

satisfaction when enjoying this kind of drink.

Aside the latest state of the art audio and visual equipment for various functions, 56 hotel rooms, two massive event halls, 500 people capacity upstairs restaurant, the spas, indoor swimming pool, gym, among other amenities, entertainment activities such as clubbing, fashion shows, musical events, concerts will constantly add spice to your moment in the hotel.

Irish Coffee T

his indeed, is a common cocktail but many people who have no idea of what a cocktail is, rarely notice this cocktail because of the way it is prepared. It is very easy to prepare.

Just fill footed mug or a mug with hot water to preheat it, then empty. Pour piping hot coffee into warmed glass until it is about 3/4 full. Add the brown sugar and stir until completely dissolved. Blend in Irish whiskey.

Top with a collar of the whipped heavy cream by pouring gently over back of spoon. Serve hot. It is made with, 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, 1 jigger Irish whiskey (1 1/2 ounces or 3 tablespoons), Heavy cream, slightly whipped.

Jack Rose A

deceptively simple looking recipe, the Jack Rose calls for applejack, lime juice, and grenadine. The way these flavours blend together is simply delicious.

Make the grenadine yourself; it’s easy and it’s quick.

Take the time and spend the money to track down Laird’s Bonded Apple Brandy for this, too. It has a rich, fresh apple flavour that’s much more satisfying than the blended applejack. It’s more flavourful than an apple vodka, but nowhere near as tasty as the bonded.

C M Y K

•Mint Julep

•Ramos Gin Fizz

•Tom Collins

26 — SARTURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

I never dated Gov Sus

By IYABO AINA

B

enue State-born music damsel, Imelda Ada Okwori, whose stage name is Imelda J has got some aces up her sleeve and she is dealing them out just as nice to the delight of her growing fans, who can’t seem to get enough of her pop style.

Based in Lagos, she has been in the industry for the past six years, making good music but just as her good music has won for her many fans, so are controversies which continue to trail her wherever she goes Recently, our reporter caught up with her and it was a dingdong session, particularly over a rumour making the rounds about the diva and another music star, Jaywon, and her relationship with the Governor of her State. Excerpts: Let’s start with the rumour making the rounds that you are in a sizzling romance with Jaywon. Is it true?

It’s not true. I am not dating Jaywon.

It was reported you had a secret wedding with him recently. How about that?

Well, that’s a very big lie. I am not married to anyone. No secret wedding. I think it will be very rude of me to get married without the consent of my family. That was not part of my upbringing, and even if I am to get married, why would I do it in secret as if I am owing anybody. Please, that is not true.

Something went wrong somewhere.

How do you mean ‘something went wrong somewhere’?

Yes. Something went wrong. The news came to me via a friend of Jaywon who called me on the telephone. I was in the church for Ash Wednesday mass at about 6 pm. He called me and when he said Jaywon just called him and told him that he heard a news about me and him being married, I was shocked.

From that moment, I went sour and I could not even concentrate again while the mass lasted. He then forwarded some blog sites to me.

After the mass, I summoned courage to open the blogs. I read the story and the picture they uploaded. It was extracted from my video. However, so many questions started running through my mind. I know my Facebook and Twitter accounts have been hacked. But this particular picture was not hacked. And there was only one C M Y K

— Imelda J

Says “No secret wedding between Jaywon and I either!” possibility left. I was attacked by armed robbers at Mile 2 on my way from Festac a week before this rumour. It is possible that my phone which was stolen during the incident got into the wrong hands.

In that phone, I have the memory card that contains all my documents for the past five to six years. It has really weighed me down. Thank God I am not the type that keep nude pictures and all that, if not the story would have been more damaging than what it is now.

Was the video that raunchy ?

The song is a love song. In the video, we were very close and we played the role of two people in true love, ready to give everything to each other. I gave all my property to him and coincidentally, he did the same and it was romance all the way for real. Maybe that question should go to my director because I don’t know how he did the magic.

Away from that, how about the Chrysler car reported to have been bought for you by him as a birthday gift?

That is very funny to me. I am sure the person who wrote the story went online for a proper research about Imelda J. Aside having those pictures in my lost cell phone, the news and the picture of my car is on major blogs. The major gift I received on my birthday was from my aunt. I bought my car shortly after my show in Abuja. This is very sad. How people think a young lady can’t buy something by herself.

Must every success of a woman be attributed to a man? All I know is that God is alive, watching us and our deeds.

He was also said to have bought you a wrist watch worth of $500.000?

Jaywon did not buy anything for me, please. Why should he do so for me, when I do not have anything to do with him, aside music. We are not

even close friends on a normal day. I don’t call him on phone. We have good and normal working relationship just like with other artistes.

Even if we were to be dating, I will not even expect such a gift from him because I think he still has a lot to put together as a young man.

H

ow did you meet him in the first place?

I have been a fan of Jaywon for long, so I decided to do a collaboration with him. I was considering doing so with someone else but I decided to settle for him because my spirit was positive on having a collaboration with him and this should be done before every other artiste. I consulted my manager and she agreed to work on it. We met

I am not dating any of them. People think they know me but they don’t. I grew up in a political background. I can equally say I am a politician and close to some politicians. I understand politics very well.

someone who introduced us to him. I must tell you it was strictly official. No strings attached.

If truly there is no chemistry between the two of you, why would your spirit chose him instead of any other artiste?

I feel connected to him musically each time I listen to the way he sings with passion. Things of the spirit cannot be understood by humans. I can’t explain that. With time I will understand why. But for now, I can’t really explain.

In a press release from Jaywon’s management published by NET online, he said he hasn’t met you before and you said the picture was from a collabo you did together; don’t you think one of you is lying?

Well, I did not read the press release. But according to my manager, she said some bloggers wrote that Jaywon denied he knows any Imelda. I lack words to qualify that.

Maybe that was his own way of reacting to a shocking news. In my case, I kept quite and decided to reason so many

SATURDAY

Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014 — 27

When eyes talk, they speak volumes W

hat do your eyes say about your health? The eyes are windows to the soul, according to an ancient proverb. The eyes are also portals through signs of certain health problems can be viewed. Many disease processes occurring in the eye are sign posts occurring in the rest of the body. The eyes are the only place in the body where a bare nerve, a bare artery, and a bare vein can be seen without doing any cutting. Common disorders like cataracts and glaucoma can be detected from the eyes. Also systemic illnesses like diabetes mellitus, heart disease, aneurysms, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and hereditary diseases can also be diagnosed. Here are 10 of the most common eye signs and what they might be saying about your health.

Bloody eye

If the eye’s transparent outer layer called the conjunctiva bursts, blood may pool on the white of the eye. Bleeding in the eye, can be caused by a blow to the eye but in rare instances, can be a sign of severe high blood pressure or a platelet disorder, which can interfere with clotting.

Bulging eyes Though prominent eyes may simply be a family trait, eyes that appear to bulge may be evidence of thyroid disease. Abnormal levels of thyroid hormone cause tissues surrounding the eye to swell, making it appear that the eye is bulging.

Different coloured eyes This condition is usually inherited. A change in colour may be due to bleeding, a foreign body in the eye, glaucoma, and inflammation in the eye or other conditions.

Droopy eyelid Can be simply a sign of aging. But in rare cases it is evidence of a brain tumour or a neuromuscular disorder that weakens muscles throughout the body.

Pupil abnormalities If one pupil is bigger than the other, or if one pupil shrinks less, or more slowly, on exposure to light, it could mean stroke, brain or optic nerve tumour, brain aneurysm, syphilis, and multiple sclerosis.

Rings on the cornea A rare hereditary disorder known as Wilson’s disease can cause copper to accumulate in various tissues, including those in the brain and liver. Without appropriate treatment, Wilson’s disease can be fatal.

•A regular comprehensive eye examination is mandatory whether or not there is a family history of eye problems.

The eyes are the only place in the body where a bare nerve, a bare artery, and a bare vein can be seen without doing any cutting Yellow eyes Diseases of the liver, including hepatitis and cirrhosis, can turn the scleras yellow. The colour is caused by the buildup of bilirubin, a compound created by the breakdown of hemoglobin, the oxygencarrying molecule inside red blood cells.

Large or cloudy eye In an infant or young child, one eye (actually the cornea) that is larger than the other may be a late sign of congenital glaucoma. A white reflex in the pupil could be the sign of a congenital cataract, intraocular tumour or a parasitic infection.

Crossed or wall-eye In children this condition is usually correctable. In rare cases, it can be due to an intraocular tumour or neurologic disorder.

Retinal defects Diabetes and high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels and nerves in the retina. This damage — which can cause blindness — can take several forms, including tiny hemorrhages, leaks of yellowish fluid, and puffy-looking whitish patches known as cotton wool spots.

Periodic eye examination Many eye problems are silent and cause no symptoms. There are often visible signs of these diseases in, on, or around the eyes long before symptoms appear. A regular comprehensive eye examination is mandatory whether or not there is a family history of eye problems. Do not wait until you experience symptoms.

28 — SATURDAY

Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

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orking with its wide network of hospitals including Lagoon Hospitals among over 1,950 hospitals in their private and public hospital networks across the Federation, foremost Health Maintenance Organisation, Hygeia Nigeria HMO Ltd. is pushing the quality and benefits of health plans to new levels with its enhanced health insurance plans.

The new packages that address specific needs of a cross spectrum of Nigerians within the so called high-end, mid-level and basic (low-end) levels have added benefits, yet pricing remain the same or below previous rates.

The plans - Hyprestige plus, HyClassic plus, HyPriority plus and HyEssential – are differentiated by varying levels of benefits giving clients and members the option of selecting plans suited to their particular healthcare needs and/or corporate ambitions.

Presenting the plans in Lagos during the week, CEO, Hygeia HMO Limited, Mr. Ramesh Kurup explained that the new products were launched based on outcome of enhancements on the company’s current products and market insights resolve to reposition and deliver valueadded products and services to consumers.

Kurup said the new health

H

eadaches are a pain, quite literally, and finding the right treatment can be an even bigger pain. Here are the most common types of headaches and their possible remedies.

Migraines Not only are they painful and debilitating, they’re associated with nausea, vomiting, vision problems and sensitivities to light and sound. Little is known about the exact cause of migraine headaches, but a variety of treatment options such as acupuncture, relaxation techniques, vitamin B12 and magnesium supplements, and Botox injections help.

Medication overuse There is a new kind of headache that is becoming increasingly more common, especially among severe headache sufferers.

They’re called Medication Overuse Headaches —also referred to as “ rebound headaches”—and involve

MANAGED HEALTHCARE

Enhanced benefits at reduced costs from Hygeia HMO plans are designed to ensure everyone can have access to quality and affordable, health

care, in line with the Federal government’s focus on Universal Health coverage.

“We have strengthened access to the HMO by the enrollees.

What we have done is to take

into consideration the entire spectrum of the market from high end to low wend of the market. With regards to the low end, a lot could not have access to surgeries beyond minor surgeries. Many also didn’t have access to ambulance services which have now been integrated into the enhanced package.”

Hygeia which claims to have captured 20-22 percent share of the market in the nation, says the products were outcomes of consumer feedback.

“It has been Hygeia HMO’s tradition to set the pace in the managed healthcare sector,” said Chairman, Hygeia HMO, Mrs. Fola Laoye. Expressing confidence that getting to 70.8 million enrollee target was realistic under the Universal Health Coverage set for 2015, she however made a case for the informal sector.

“This is the group that has to be targeted. The coverage is possible. We need to join hands across the spectrum.

We know that the majority of Nigerians are in the informal sector, and we have to bring them into the formal risk pool.

“We started doing this few years ago in Kwara State with the community health plan and we are pleased with its growth. The ingenuity of all stake holders needs to come in, and of course, the key element is the pooling effect.”

LIFELINE

What is your headache? a vicious cycle of pain. If you take medication for headaches and the medication is followed by more headaches, which are often described as “tension headaches,” taking aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen daily can cause more frequent headaches.

Sinus Whether caused by a nasty sinus infection or seasonal allergies, sinus headaches are most often felt as deep and nagging pain in the forehead, cheekbones or bridge of the nose. Sinus headaches usually intensify with sudden head movement (like bending down to pick something up off the ground), when mucus and pressure shift in your sinus cavities.

Sleep-related Staying up too late can have more consequences than a case of the yawns the next day. Lack of sleep can cause intense headaches. The best way to deal with your pounding head after a night of little sleep is to change your habits. Aim to get at least six hours of sleep a night whenever possible.

Cluster Known as one of the most painful types of headaches, cluster headaches are rare, and sufferers say they come in waves or “clusters.”

Headaches may be intermittent for weeks, even months, and are usually followed by a “ remission” period that can last months or

longer. The most common cause is low magnesium. So magnesium infusion may work in part by opening the constricted blood vessels that cause the headaches.

Stress-related Your stressed up life could

be giving you a serious headache. Consider taking steps to end these headaches entirely. Look carefully at the time when your headaches started. It is likely that there was

Continues on page 30

SATURDAY

A

s part of a healthy diet, good-for-you fats can help make your skin look great, plumpier and younger. They add fibre and can help ease inflammation. Get good fats by adding the following to your diet Fish Naturally fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, lake trout, sardines, and albacore tuna are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. These are “good” fats that help keep the heart healthy and the brain sharp. Try it baked, grilled, or poached.

Avocado Tasty avocado is good for the heart and may help with osteoarthritis symptoms, thanks to healthy fats. Avocado with other foods helps your body better absorb their nutrients.

Nuts All nuts are good for your heart. Walnuts, especially, deliver heart-healthy fats. But don’t overdo it.

Olive Oil Whether you’re cooking or dressing your salad, try olive oil. It’s high in good fat. Cook with less oil than a recipe calls

NATURE’S HEALTH

Get friendly with fats that don’t make you fat for.

Vegetables Dark green veggies like spinach, kale, and Brussels sprouts offer some omega 3s.

Because our bodies can’t make these good fats, we have to get them from food.

LE A M Y L L TYPICA

P

rostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. It’s also highly treatable if caught early. For many men, though, the standard treatments for prostate cancer, medication, radiation, and surgery often come with unwanted side effects. Because of those side effects, men tend to wonder if alternative treatments might be beneficial.

Who is at risk At the age of 50 and above, a man has a 3 in 4 chance of developing a prostate problem.

The prostate gland could become enlarged, infected or even cancerous. Prostate problems develop slowly over years, with symptoms often going unnoticed — or even ignored — until the inevitable happens. Virtually all men with circulating androgens (hormones) will develop prostate enlargement or microscopic prostate cancer if they live long enough. When prostatic tissue is scrutinized under a microscope after surgery (or at autopsy), cancer is found in 50 percent of men older than 70 and found in virtually all men over 90. But even if you’re under 50, you’re not immune. There has been tremendous increase in prostate cancer cases in the

Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014 — 29

Eggs Eggs are a great source of inexpensive protein, and a large egg has less than 5 grams of fat, most from healthy fats.

Some eggs are also enriched with extra omega-3s. To stay healthy, limit yourself to just

one egg a day.

Flaxseed As part of a healthy diet, good-for-you fats can help make your skin look great — plumper and younger. Plus, they add fiber and can help ease inflammation. Get good

Prostate problems: Reduce your risk tomatoes. People who eat diets high in tomatoes and other fruits high in lycopene have lower cancer rates, and researchers even believe lycopene may retard the growth of prostate tumours. Lycopene is found in large quantities in foods normally consumed. No side effects have been noted or precautions suggested when this “super nutrient” is eaten as part of a balanced diet.

Prevention There’s no sure way to prevent prostate cancer. But you may

under-50s over the last three decades. The problem is just getting worse.

Role of diet Diet accounts for about onethird of cancers of the prostate, large bowel, and breast.

Although cancer is influenced by hereditary and environmental factors, studies show that Japanese men and those who eat vegetarian diet have the lowest rates of prostate cancer.

One possible explanation is the low fat content of the Asian diet.

Another is that certain nutrients help reduce the cancer risk. A healthy diet rich in nutrientdense fruits and vegetables may reduce your risk of prostate

cancer.

Lycopene Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant. It’s found in abundance in some fruits and vegetables, particularly cooked

reduce your risk of prostate cancer by making healthy choices, such as exercising and eating a healthy diet. One thing you can do that may lower the risk is eat more low-fat, high-

fats by sprinkling a teaspoon of ground flaxseed on your salad or your cereal, or use it when you’re baking.

Omega-3-Fortified Foods There are many foods that have added omega-3s to make them healthier.

Enriched milk and eggs, beans, bread, and breakfast bars, for example. Get more health benefits by getting omega-3s through fortified products than from a supplement. fibre foods and foods with omega-3 fatty acids, such as soy products, like tofu and soy beans; tomatoes and foods that contain tomato sauce; vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage; fish, like salmon, albacore tuna, and sardines and walnuts and flaxseed and their oils.

Consider a low-fat diet.

Eat more plant fats than animal fats Fats from animals are most likely to be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. Animal products that contain fats include meat, lard and butter. When possible, use plant-based fats in place of animal fats. Cook with olive oil rather than butter. Sprinkle nuts or seeds on your salad rather than cheese.

Increase fruits and vegetables intake Eating more fruits and vegetables also tends to make you have less room for other foods, such as high-fat foods.

Increase the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat each day by adding an additional serving of a fruit or vegetable to each meal. Eat fruits and vegetables for snacks.

Maintain healthy weight Men with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher are considered obese. Being obese increases your risk of prostate cancer. Reduce the number of calories you eat each day and increase the amount of exercise you do.

30—SATURDAY

Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

Promotes recovery of the sick child reastfeeding provides a nutritious, easily digestible food when a sick child loses his or her appetite for other foods. Continued breastfeeding during diarrhea reduces dehydration, the severity and duration of diarrhoea, and the risk of malnutrition.

B

Provides total food security: Breastmilk is a hygienic source of food with the right amount of energy, protein, fat, vitamins, and other nutrients for infants in the first six months. It cannot be duplicated. It is the only safe and reliable source of food for infants in an emergency.

Meets all water requirements Breastmilk, is 88 percent water. Studies show that healthy, exclusively breastfed infants under 6 months old do not need additional fluids, even in countries with extremely high temperatures and low humidity. Offering water before six months of age reduces breastmilk intake, interferes with full absorption of breastmilk nutrients, and increases the risk of illness from contaminated water and feeding bottles.

Optimizes child’s physical and mental growth and development Infants fed breastmilk show higher developmental scores as toddlers and higher IQs as children than those

MOTHER & CHILD

Why your baby should not receive any supplement or water who are not fed breastmilk.

It supplies key nutrients that are critical for health, growth, and development Benefits for women Benefits maternal health

Reduces the mother’s risk of fatal postpartum hemorrhage and premenopausal breast and ovarian cancer. Frequent and exclusive breastfeeding contributes to a delay in the

What is your headache?

Continues from page 28 some key issue that was bothering you at that time, some situation that was troubling or a situation in which you felt trapped and which you couldn’t resolve.

If you find a pattern, think about what stresses are occurring on those days or at those times.

Tension Tension headaches are

the most common type of headache reported by adults.

Causes may include fatigue, hunger, exposure to caustic fumes—even your coworker’s cologne. Treatment may include acetaminophen or ibuprofen—or a combination of the two. For chronic tension headache sufferers, antidepressants help.

Oral-induced The epicenter of one of the

most common types of headaches isn’t your head, but rather your mouth or jaw, and while these headaches can be felt all day. A person’s bite, or occlusion—the way the teeth come together—can cause head and neck aches.

Treatment may include wearing a specially fitted night guard, braces, veneers—or even getting Botox injection.

Studies show that healthy, exclusively breastfed infants under 6 months old do not need additional fluids, even in countries with extremely high temperatures and low humidity return of fertility and helps protect women against anemia by conserving iron.

Bonds mother and child Provides frequent interaction between mother and infant, fostering emotional bonds, a sense of security, and stimulus to the baby’s developing brain.

Saves money Families save money that would have been spent to

treat illnesses due to contaminated and inadequate breastmilk substitutes. It eliminates dependence on costly breastmilk substitutes, feeding equipment, and fuel for preparation.

Protects the environment Breastmilk is a naturally renewable, sustainable resource that requires no fuel for preparation, packaging, shipping, or disposal.

SARTURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014 — 31

swam

•Imelda Ada Okwori

C M Y K

things. Though it got to me like a hurricane.

Meanwhile, I think NET has some cases to answer as regards the press release they did. My manager told me a whole lots of things. And those were complete misinformation, blackmail, defamation of character and all that. Just because you have the pen and you feel your pen is sharp does not guarantee you the right to write anything you feel like without proper investigation. I do not have any problem with Jaywon and the way he reacted by denying he ever knew me. When you see him, ask him if he has a twin brother that looks exactly like him and bears the same name. Or better still, maybe he has a clone that tweeted that and not him.

What is so special about you that top dignitaries in the country want to associate with you?

As you can see, this is just me. In my journey so far, I have realised that some people are jobless. And all they do is to talk what they don’t know. I am not denying the fact that I am close to some top dignitaries.

But the truth is, I am not dating any of them. People think they know me but they don’t. I grew up in a political background. I can equally say I am a politician and close to some politicians. I understand politics very well. I am a very friendly person. I have even been approached by most of my mentors to contest for some strategic positions because they know my capability of pulling weights. They believe in me. But I declined all of that, because for now, that is not my area of interest. I just want to be focused. I am not worried about what people say because they don’t know me. Just because you see me smiling to the bank does not mean it is courtesy of any political connection. I also do business. But I don’t like to show off. I am the quite type when it comes to telling people things about myself because I have issues of trust. I have been betrayed severally and lost so much, even in my career.

Besides, is it because I am a woman, if they are accusing me of such, how about 2face, Blackface, Terry G who have been to the government house severally. They are even closer to the politicians than me. Are they also dating them? So many artistes from Lagos have visited my State severally. Acts like, Desmond Elliot, Omotola, Uche Jombo, I Go Dye, Mr Ibu, J Martins and host of others have been there times without number. Are they also dating those top dignitaries. Just because I am a young lady, and I am single does not mean I am ready to mingle at any time with anyone. I have a taste when it comes to men.

And I am very hardworking. So the jobless can keep talking. To be frank with you, my State government supports and encourages the growth of entertainment.

Why the news about you is always about dating one person or the other?

You see, like I said, I am a very friendly person. I can’t change that about me. Maybe it’s one of the reasons. I am yet to discover why.

And maybe because I am human or maybe they expect me to flaunt my boyfriend or brag about having a relationship. And because they don’t see all of that, they assume and conclude on my behalf as soon as they see me getting close to any man.

T

here is even a rumour that you are dating Governor Suswam?

You see, I have already answered that in your previous question. I don’t like talking about this because I respect my State governor a lot and he believes in my dream. I have been running away from talking to the press concerning this matter. I wonder how this rumour is still spreading. I have nothing to do with him. He is more like a father figure to me, especially in politics. He does not even have any idea of how much I admire and respect some of his leadership qualities. I hardly see him and most of the time we meet, it is by coincidence. Please, I will be grateful if the press can stop asking me henceforth.

I am up to so many things. I am trying to stay focused no matter who is trying to distract me .I will be dropping my new single soon.

Both the audio and the video.

What happened between you and Yemisi Suswam when you met recently at an event?

Here you go again. What did you hear?

We learnt she ignored you at the event!

That was true. But I am not bothered How did it happened and which event was that?

That was during a performance few years ago. It was the celebration of my State governor ’s victory in the court. I wasn’t the only one who performed there. What she did was obvious, that a lot of people noticed it, even then I tried my best not to let it weighed me down, many kept calling and condemning the act. I chose to move on and gave it a blank ear because a clean conscience fears no accusation or anything. I don’t want to talk much on this. I am surprised that people are still talking about it as if it just happened. It is well oh. Abeg, I love my life oh.

What do you think made her not to respond to your greeting?

I don’t like jumping into conclusions. So I do not know. I can’t say anything concerning that again, please. If I say one thing now, someone else will misunderstand me. Just forget that matter please.

Are you presently in any relationship and how is his reaction to all these romance tales of yours?

Imelda J, from the day I made up my mind to do music professionally, I also made up my mind to face the consequences. It is a sacrifice. The road is not as easy as people think.

Just like every other average man, you don’t expect him to be happy about it. Even if he chooses to understand, I know he feels hurt sometimes.

Musically, what are you up to?

I am up to so many things. I am trying to stay focused no matter who is trying to distract me .I will be dropping my new single soon. Both the audio and the video. The title is ‘Everything I do’ featuring Jaywon.

I am also working on a follow-up singles shortly after I release the first single. My album is ready. And we did the promotional album launch in Abuja towards the end of last year. The final album will drop sometime this year but no particular date is fixed yet. I have a lot at hand for now. That reminds me. According to the press release from Jaywon’s management, I was told my management released an official statement for a publicity stunt. I want to state clearly here that I do not want to join issues with anyone.

But I demand a copy of the said ‘official press release’ they said we gave to the press. I already have my plans rolling for the release of my latest single. I don’t need a stunt to promote this song. Are they trying to say the story going on between Kennis music and Jaywon is a publicity stunt? Today they are no more together. Tomorrow, Jaywon writes Kennis to buy his right. The next thing, they deny writing a withdrawal letter. Another day, Kennis music releases a statement to ban Jaywon’s song from the media.

The next thing, Jaywon says I am still with Kennis. So, tell me who is fooling who? I see this as a major distraction but I have promised myself not to lose focus come what may . So expect so many good music and lovely videos from me this year.

I have done so many collaborations but because of these enemies at work, I will not release any of the collabo any time soon.

Any regret on having a collabo with Jaywon?

No regrets at all. He is a very gentle guy. Well composed, homely, I must say. I love the job we did together. I love everything about working with him. The support, the passion, his time and everything was unexpected. Though, I didn’t foresee all this happening at the end of the day. But I believe it will all end in praise. No pain, no gain.

This is my own fair share.

When do we see you getting marry?

You know marriage no be small pikin thing. I still be pikin oh. Just kidding. When I see someone I can happily cope with for the rest of my life. Its a spirit to soul thing. I am not in a haste. I can’t get married because others are getting married. I should get married when the time is ripe and God has the final

32—SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

08116759764 anozieegole@yahoo.com

Mo’cheddah is back with Destinambari

Dele Gold drops ‘Every Knee’ N

igeria’s talented gospel singer, Dele Agbayo, a.k.a Dele Gold has dropped a new album,“Every Knee” which is expected to hit the market soon. The Ekiti State-born singer said, his latest album is laced with annointing as he got the inspiration from God through dreams.

“God gave me the title of this album in my dream. And I call it Miliki gospel because it promotes African culture. It also gives hope to Nigerians that the current economic situation in the country will be better someday.

The joblessness, violence and incessant killing of innocent Nigerians will soon be a thing of the past, at the mention of the name of Jesus,” he said. The new album has three tracks.

It’s certainly not news again that the award-winning singer, Modupe Ola a.k.a Mo’cheddah who rocked the airwaves with her hits songs few years ago went on a musical hiatus. What makes the news now is that the sensational singer is back on the music scene, and she is marking her return with the release of a hot new single titled, Destinambari featuring Phyno.

The single, which is a Bollywood styled heart-melting love rendition was produced by Cobhams Asuquo. The Osun State-born sexy singer who narrated her experience working on the single, said, “The making of the song was an amazing experience; working with Cobhams and Phyno on this track is a match made in heaven. “I am so excited and can’t wait to share it with the world”, she said. The singer ’s latest effort reminds her fans why they must continue to appreciate her music, even as she draws the listeners to the magical world of love with her soothing,

D’banj, Femi Kuti, Victoria eo Kimani, otherrss in a new vid Mo Cheddah

•D’banj

Top Nigerian music stars have joined other artistes from across the country for the video of a social awareness campaign in support of agriculture tagged, Cocoa na Chocolate. The star-studded musical video was premiered recently in Lagos. The video aims

•Victoria Kimani

at raising awareness and increasing African leaders investment in agriculture. The video, Cocoa na Chocolate was coproduced by Cobhams Asuquo and DeeVee of DB Records. It was directed by Godfather Productions and set in South Africa. The verses were written by each participating artiste, and the hook was written by D’banj, whose company, DKM Media partnered with ONE to undertake the project.

Other artistes who joined D’banj for the project include; Bufallo Souljah, Dama Do Bling, Diamond, Dontom, Fally Ipupa, Judith Sephuma, Juliani, Kunle Ayo, Vusi Nova , Liz Ogumbo, Nancy G, Rachid Taha, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Victoria Kimani and, Wax Dey.

BC

Dele Gold

BC, new kid on the block H

ip-hop artiste, Anigala Chuka popularly known as BC (Blast Champ) has hit the music scene with a new vibe ‘Boo Boo Me.’ The fast rising talent and vessel of creativity made his music debut few days ago. Being a new kid on the block, he has done fairly well to produce a song that has compelling sounds and huge potential to rule the market.

Following its release, the song has continued to dominate the airwaves in various radio stations across the country.

An undergraduate of the University of Benin, BC discovered his talent in music at a very tender age. But he decided to make a bold entry into the industry this year.

He is presently signed on to “Meshtro Entertainment” and putting plans together to shoot a musical video for ‘Boo Boo Me.’

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014—33

H

eartbreak is not selective. Heartache isn’t prejudiced. It doesn’t matter if you are male, female, gay, black, white, Asian, or even mentally challenged. All hearts break in the same way and all hearts will mend, given enough time. As human beings, we have a built-in “impatience” factor that wants the pain to be over and prevents us from waiting out the process needed to heal.

Many think that if they meet someone else soon after the breakup of a bad relationship, it will fill the void that love left.

There are ways that will help you to allow enough time to heal your broken heart and assist you back into a happier and healthier space. *Think really hard about the person you are no longer seeing: You may miss the relationship, but toward the end, did you truly appreciate the way you were treated? Ask yourself, “Is it the person I loved? Or being in a relationship that I loved?” A sense of being special to someone else fills all of us with joy, but if that person wasn’t treating you like you were someone special – what’s to miss? *Give yourself plenty of “Me” time: As they say, time will heal your wounds.

Having alone time is how the world prepares you for the next better relationship that is coming your way. *Question any bitterness about the breakup: Your partner may have been a real jerk toward the end, but ask yourself if you are really bitter towards this person or are you truly angry at yourself for participating in an unhealthy partnership? *Stop blaming yourself for not “fixing” the relationship: You might be upset with yourself for trying to fix what was wrong while your partner still walked away.

There are “takers” and there are “givers” in destructive relationships. You may be blessed with being a

a d n e m o t to w Ho t r rt a e h n e k brrooke “giver”, but not everything can be fixed and a “taker” generally does not appreciate the efforts put forth by a “giver.” *Use your alone time to heal and stretch yourself: Do things you enjoy.

Stepping out alone can be scary; however, recognize this as part of your personal growth. Try and radiate your best inner glow and project good energy when you do go out. Embrace the adventure! *Don’t find a replacement: A replacement is only going to be temporary – you ultimately want a

PERT X E S E H T ASK I’m looking for a way to spice up my sex life. Are props and toys advisable for an average couple married for eight years?

Sex toys are banned here. You could take a holiday to rediscover yourselves or you could buy a massage set and use your fantasy skills. Or simply take a holiday, and convert what you think is a chore to positive pleasure for the next 70 years.

I am a 64-year-old insulin- dependent diabetic. My sugar is always under control and I maintain a healthy lifestyle. I under went TURP in September last year and recovered well. Before surgery, whenever I masturbated, the semen used to come

relationship. You need to take the time to rebuild your emotional reservoirs. You’re really running on empty if you put yourself out there too soon. *Figure out who you are and what you want: Use this time to really get to know yourself and your wants. Write down who you are – your talents, qualities, dreams, etc. Then write down what you want from a relationship – trust, laughter, compatible interests, etc. *Find new things that interest you:This is your time to work on who you

Do things you enjoy.

Stepping out alone can be scary; however, recognize this as part of your personal growth are. If you are behaving and doing the same things as before, then you are likely to attract the same kind of relationship. Step outside the box. Try new and differ-

out on my reaching climax. Post surgery though, I get a good erection while masturbating but I see no semen on climax. Is this normal at my age after surgery?

Even without surgery, at your age and beyond, no ejaculation may occur. But intercourse can be as good as before.

I’m 27 years old. I have been suffering from gynecomastia for some time. I have scoured the Internet and found few causes for it. One of them is deficiency of testosterone. Few years ago, I was suffering from hair loss. A doctor said deficiency of testosterone can cause hair loss and many other sexual disorders. Is this true? How do I solve my testosterone problem and the

ent activities. *Learn how to be alone: If you don’t like your own company how can a partner enjoy it? Pamper yourself, fix yourself healthy meals, keep your space clean and regain your self-esteem. Every time you do something kind for yourself, it will reinforce your feelings of self-worth.

*You are not alone!

No one is singling you out, pointing fingers at the “suddenly single” person.

There are lots of single people in the world. The media and event planners focus on couples and portray our society as a couplesoriented one, but you can reject that viewpoint. Be single and be proud of it!

Your singledom is temporary.

Finally, thank God that the relationship did not work out because there will be something better for you.

Dry your eyes and cry no more. Don’t get bogged down with cynicism about love. Garner up your strength and know that the relationship you want and the person who is your true relationship equal is coming.

other complications?

Do not try to be your own doctor. Either live with the enlargement, or see a cosmetic surgeon who can correct it with surgery.

I am a 22-year-old man. My foreskin is tight and does not slip down easily. I masturbate by taking a pillow underneath my penis. I want to get a circumcision. What will the surgery cost? Is it painful?

Visit a surgeon or a urologist to decide whether you need a circumcision or not.

The procedure is simple, virtually painless and conducted under a local anaesthetic. The person can go back to work in a day or two.

The cost depends on the hospital.

34—SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014 Compiled by

Ephraim Oseji

oseji16@yahoo.com 07032769933

Zidane to replace Ranieri as Monaco coach Z

idane is viewed at Monaco as a replacement for coach Claudio Ranieri. Monaco's owner, Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, has decided to pull the plug on Ranieri owing to the players' unhappiness with the Italian coach's methods.

He has also been disappointed with the return on a huge outlay last summer, with the millions spent on Falcao, James Rodríguez and João Moutinho proving enough only to secure second place behind PSG on the club's return to the French top flight.

Ar senal ttar ar ge arge gett Isco in Arsenal swap deal for Cazorla

A

rsenal are believed to be pondering a possible swap deal involving key playmaker Santi Cazorla. Gunners sources says that the north London club is keen to lure Real Madrid young gun Isco to the Emirates Stadium this summer.

The report suggests that Arsenal could offer £20million and 29-year old Spaniard Cazorla as an opening bid for 21-year old Isco who only joined Madrid from Malaga in the summer.

Liverpool keen on Siqueira L

iverpool remain keen on Granada fullback Guilherme Siqueira. The 27-year-old left back was the subject of a failed offer from Liverpool last summer when his club Granada were willing to sell but instead he went on loan to Benfica.

Real Madrid have also spoken about the Brazilian but Granada insist no agreement has yet been reached.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL

Cour Courttois cleared ttoo play against Chelea U

efa have confirmed in a statement that Chelsea cannot enforce the clause in Thibaut Courtois's loan contract that states Atletico Madrid will have to pay a fee should the teams draw each other in the Champions League semi-final or meet in the final. The Atletico president Enrique Cerezo said that his club would not play the goalkeeper if the teams meet because they could not afford the fee, believed to be £4.5m for the two legs, but Uefa have said that the clause is "null, void and unenforceable". Uefa said helsea striker Demba Ba has admitted that in a statement: "In response he would like to join French giants Paris to media reports referring Saint-Germain at the end of the season.

The Senegalese scored the most important to the situation of Club goal of his career as his late strike saw Chelsea Atlético de Madrid goaleliminate the Saints to reach Champions keeper Thibaut Courtois, League semi-finals, but this has done nothing Uefa would like to reiterate to improve the player ’s chances of staying at its position."The integrity of Stamford Bridge.

Ba is almost certain to leave the Blues in the sporting competition is a fundamental principle for Uefa. summer in search of first team football and he

Rooney

set to miss rest of the season

Manchester United front man Wayne Rooney is set to now miss the rest of this campaign with a toe injury. The England international suffered a chipped bone in his toe in training at the Red Devils’ Carrington HQ last week, meaning that the striker was forced to miss today’s Premier League trip to Newcastle United.

Newcastle United eyes Campbell Newcastle United are interested in signing Arsenal front man Joel Campbell at the end of the season.

The Costa Rica international is currently spending a season-long loan spell with Greek champions Olympiakos, however, Campbell is still expected to return to the Emirates when his stint in Athens comes to an end this summer.

Dortmund agree Ginter deal Borussia Dortmund are wrapping up a deal to sign German defender Matthias Ginter from Freiburg.

The Millionaires have agreed an •8 million fee with their Bundesliga rivals, with the Germany international expected to sign a contract until June 2018.Ginter, 20, has been on the radar of Manchester United and Arsenal, but Borussia Dortmund were the first side to make their interest concrete.

join race for Evra Demba Ba wants PSG switch Napoli apoli are the latest high-profile side to C N have joined the chase for Manchester Nigeria international United defender Patrice Evra. The Frenchman

has now offered his services to Paris SaintGermain.

C M Y K

will be leaving Old Trafford when his contract expires in June and he is heavily linked with a move to Italian Serie A, with Inter Milan and Juventus showing interest. Napoli are also keen on securing the services of the experienced full-back in the summer transfer window. The Azzurri have signed Faouzi Ghoulam from Saint Etienne in January.

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014—35

Fiorentina eyeing

Pogba refuses to rule out move

premier league defenders

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talian club Fiorentina are believed to be in pursuit of a pair of Premier League defenders, Newcastle United's Davide Santon and Tottenham’s Younes Kaboul.

Italian full-back Santon,23, has been with the Magpies since arriving from Inter Milan in 2011, but could be lured back to his homeland according to reports.

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uventus midfielder Paul Pogba has refused to rule out a summer switch away from the club.

The French star, who has had a fine season at the Serie A giants, has attracted interest from some of the elite clubs in European football in recent time.

Monaco, Paris SaintGermain and Real Madrid, United, Chelsea, City have all been linked with the •70 million rated star.

Man Utd, Chelsea ponder bid for

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Mar tinez Martinez

anchester United and Chelsea are show ing interest in Porto striker Jackson Martinez. The Colombia striker was suspended for Porto's Europa League tie at Sevilla but United watched him in the first leg. The 27-year-old is not top of either club's list but he is an option they will consider if they don't get their priority signings.

United watched Eliaquim Mangala, Fernando and Sevilla's Alberto Moreno in the Europa League tie

Man United

Inter Milan

veteran Samuel wants to play on

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nter Milan defender Walter Samuel intends to play on next season. Samuel, 36, comes off contract in June. “I’ve had a lot of great Coaches,” Samuel told ESPN. “At the moment I still have the mentality of a player, but I definitely would like to be a Coach.“At one time I said that I wouldn’t want to but now maybe I will give it a go. I will try to take something from each one of the Coaches I have worked under. “I would like to start with youngsters to see how I get on. “I will play on for another year.

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Liverpool

iverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has been named the Barclays Manager of the Month for March, with Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard jointly winning the Player of the Month award.

It is the second time this season Rodgers has

sweep March awards won the award— he also collected it back in August. Liverpool won all five of their Premier League matches in March to put themselves firmly in the hunt for the title.

AC Milan chase Feyenoord winger

to offload 10 players

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anchester United are set to offload as many as 10 first-team players from Old Trafford at the end of the season.

The Red Devils were knocked out of the Uefa Champions League at the quarter-final stage by the holders Bayern Munich earlier in the week to end any hope that new head coach David Moyes may have had of winning a trophy in his first season in charge at the Theatre of Dreams.

And now it is expected that the likes of Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs and Anderson

will all leave the club this summer, while there are also doubts about the future in the north west next season of Alex Buttner, Nani, Ashley Young, Shinji Kagawa and Tom Cleverley.

“He (Moyes) will definitely look back on this season and realise it was a disappointment, but I fully expect there to be some signings.

It is time to show the manager that you deserve to be at this club,” said midfielder Darren Fletcher after United’s 3-1 second-leg loss in Bavaria.

FANS ZONE Are you a Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona fan and would like to meet fans, male or female from other parts of the country. Then send your name, age, where you live and the club you support to 0802354-2350. sms only.

zChioma 31, Lagos, Manchester United. 08103215138 zEmmy 24, Warri, Chelsea. 08066777761. zOmogbai, Delta, Liverpool need a male fan as friend. 08107451898 zAdebayo Muhammed, Lagos, Barcelona. 08162861672 zChigozie 20, Onitsha, Barcelona, want male and female friends.08064675245 zSydney, 21, Lagos, Chelsea. 08103470133 zEluu Peter, 18, Onitsha, Barcelona.08134105567 zDestiny, Enugu, Arsenal, want female fans as friends.07067003589 zBarr Chris, 30, Warri, Barcelona want female Barca fans as friends.07062313649

QUIZ

of the week Which two teams will qualify for the finals of the Champions League ? Send your answers to 08023542350 sms only.

Note.

The first correct prediction will receive N1,000 recharge card.

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AC Milan are keen to snap up Feyenoord winger Jean Paul Boetius this summer.

The Italian club managed by Clarence Seedorf want to use Boetius’s cousin Urby Emanuelson to convince the winger that he should move to the San Siro.

The Italian paper also state that the winger could cost around •8 million, and AC Milan are hoping to get the deal done as quickly as possible, since this fee could rise if Boetius makes Netherlands squad for the World Cup.

Mikel nears Inter switch

nter Milan are closing in on Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel.It is no secret the Nerazzurri are on the lookout for a new holding midfielder and the Nigerian appears to be high on their hit list. According to reports, Inter Milan are ready to offer more than £10 million for the highly rated footballer and are working towards luring Mikel. The Nigerian midfielder is likely to be offloaded by Chelsea in the summer, having fallen behind Matic, Ramires and David Luiz in the pecking order.

36 — SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

08111813022

CLARION CHUKWURA AGAIN!

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..Gunning for Ibinabo’s position

eeks after releasing a statement where she criticised Ibinabo Fiberisima’s activities as the incumbent president of Actors Guild of Nigeria, veteran actress Clarion Chukwurah has again taken a swipe at the leadership of the guild as she declares her intention to vie for the guild’s top position.

Chukwura said, she would rather score Ibinabo’s administration ‘zero’ because “I cannot see what it is she has achieved.”

The veteran actress, however, promised to improve on the welfare of the members if voted into office.

According to her, “I do know that Ibinabo’s tenure would end in September. I intend to run for President of AGN because it is high time veterans and hard core professionals begin to pilot the affairs of the guild. The first thing I intend to carry out, if voted into office is to bring together experienced actors who are trained lawyers like Tunji Bamishigbin, Wale Adebayo, Richard Mofe Damijo, Funke Akindele among others to sit down and look at the issue of

legislation, put together a bill that will be presented to the National Assembly. This bill will be driven to a logical conclusion till it is understood by even a lay man. For instance, everybody knows that there is the need for a single body to be representing the Screen Actors of Nigeria like the Screen Actors Guild of America. Also, I will ensure that transparent and professional conditions by which actors can be employed in this country are put in place. This, involves encouraging people who are interested in establishing casting agencies to come forth and register with the guild.” But the question on everybody’s lips now is how far can Chukwura go, in the bid to achieve her ambition?Many believe, Ibinabo’s administration has been very eventful.

Ja yw on, Nnenna Jayw ywon, set for Easter jam

Rihanna

A

Funke Akindele begins new life in Lekki home

s Easter approaches, Jaywon, the sensational Hit maker is putting finishing touches on his elaborate rehearsals as he joins forces with the celebrated Nnenna & Friends team and a diverse blend of multitalented entertainers for the big Easter jam.

According to Nnenna, “We’re really doing our very best to ensure that all guests get the top-notch family entertainment they deserve this Easter Sunday. Jaywon, Papa Ajasco & Company, N-Stars, The Oshadipe Twins, Acapella, Mc Prince, Universal Crew, Desmond Osarobe, wapTV’sOmonla are really looking forward to entertaining you all.” The expected 3,000 guests would also receive bountiful gifts and prizes. The ‘Nnenna & Friends’ Easter show holds on Sunday, April 20, at the National Theatre, Iganmu,Lagos.

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...As Kanye West, Matthew McConaughey, others get nominations

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unke Akindele has stepped up her game. Her publicist, Entertainment Media Limited disclosed during the week that the ‘Jenifa’ star has indeed joined the league of celebrities who are residing in the highbrow Lekki area of Lagos.The actress is said to have moved into her Lekki home to begin a new life after her 14 month-old marriage to her ex husband, Kehinde Oloyede crashed last year. But contrary to reports that Funke’s mysterious lover’ made it possible, her publicist insisted that nobody rented the apartment for the actress.“It will be vain to make it a media issue, just as it is condescending to claim any imaginary lover paid for the apartment”, the rep said in a statement.

Nnenna

Rihanna, Eminem tto o per perfform at MT V mo vie MTV movie awards 20 14 201

ith the “2014 MTV Movie Awards” just a few days away, MTV has announced that global superstars Eminem and Rihanna are set to take the stage for their first live performance of their smash hit, “The Monster” at the awards which will hold live at the Los Angeles’ Nokia Theater L.A, on April 14, 2014.

With one of the hottest collaborations released last year, both Eminem and Rihanna are making triumphant returns to the Movie Awards’ stage. Back in 2009, Eminem performed a medley of “We Made You/ Crack a Bottle” and then created one of the most talked about moments in Movie Awards history with Sasha Baron Cohen, while Rihanna performed one of her signature hits, “Umbrella” with Jay Z in 2007. “2014 MTV Movie Awards” rewards movie greatness in quirky categories such as Best Comedic Performance, Best Villain, Best Kiss, Best Scared-As-S**t Performance, Best Musical Moment, WTF Moment, Best On-Screen Duo, Best Fight, Best Shirtless Performance and more. Organisers say, voting for Movie of the Year will continue throughout the live broadcast of the show .This year, the “MTV Movie Awards” has the distinction of being the only Awards show to nominate cinematic legend Robert De Niro, Kanye West and Joan Rivers in the same category (Best Cameo), see Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto take on Ice Cube and Kevin Hart (Best On-Screen Duo), and put Jennifer Aniston against some of the hottest men on the planet (Zac Efron, Chris Hemsworth, Leonardo DiCaprio and Sam Claflin) for the coveted Best Shirtless Performance category.

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014 — 37

08111813022

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Jim Iyke pays tribute to late mother

ollywood actor, Jim Iyke has paid a touching tribute to his ‘beloved’ late mother, describing her as “a force of nature.”

Jim Iyke lost his mother to the cold hands of death on the 1st of April, after she suffered from an undisclosed ailment.

In a tribute, the controversial actor described his late mother as ‘a force of nature.’ He called her, “My big sis, my 1st wife, my confidante, my rock, my critique, my greatest fan and regal leader.” She was a radiant, gorgeous woman with a smile bigger than the sun, and always ready to embrace anyone for all the good and even wrong reasons.My sun is gone. The dull numbing ache in my heart will never be

pacified by any woman alive. Not my lover, sisters nor even a daughter I may one day bear.

The relationship of a mother and an only son is uniquely eternal and spiritual, transcending human comprehension. Mine with Gladys is even far strangely beyond that. They say, it’s a blessing if a son buries his mother and not the other way around. I’m not sure they’re entirely right.

They also said, one never recovers from the loss of their mother. I hope they are right! May I never recover from the memories of your celestial love, sacrifices, warmth, your contagious laughter and merciless wit.

Your enthusiasm for life and service of others was infectious. I’ll miss you each and every waking moment of my life. I know you’re in a better place now.

I’ll carry on everything you stood for, till my last days.

“You came and saw and conquered. “Adieu Gladys, from your boy Jim. “I love you till the last breathe I take.”

Lovebirds, Damilola and Chris A tt oh Att ttoh cancel wedding, expecting 1st baby?

Four ffinalists inalists battle ffor or Knorr TTast ast e Quest star prize aste

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fter several weeks of intense culinary adventure and drama on the set of Unilever Nigeria sponsored cooking reality TV show tagged ‘Knorr Taste Quest’, the stage is now set to crown the best cook in Nigeria .The final episode that would produce the winner out of the four finalists will be beamed live next weekend.

An ultimate prize of N2 million, a Ford Eco Sport SUV courtesy of Coscharis Motors, and Kenwood kitchen equipment awaits the winner of the star prize. The second place winner will smile home with the sum of N1 million cash prize and Kenwood kitchen equipment and the third place winner will be N500,000 cash prize and Kenwood kitchen equipment.

According to organizers, all 14 contestants would go home with

different Kenwood kitchen equipment.

The last four emerged out of the total of seven that went into the week’s episode. They are Wando, Olabode, Dixon and Popoola.

Head of the jury, Dr. Roberts divided the task into three segments. In the first part, the contestants were given the following ingredients: Moi moi leaves, Beans, Peppers, Tomatoes, Cheese, Onions and Avocado to make a starter in 40 minutes. The second task was the preparation of the main course with the following ingredients: Jumbo prawns, Zucchini, Plantain, Aubergines, Seedless cucumber, Sweet and potato.

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•Chris and Damilola

x-Tinsel co-stars Damilola Adegbite and Chris Attoh who are initially scheduled to tie the nuptial knot today, may have postponed the wedding. The bride-to-be, Damilola is said to be pregnant. Those in the know revealed that since Damilola started carrying Chris’s baby, she has not been herself again. A situation which has prompted the two families to postpone the big wedding. But that was after an introduction was done some weeks back. Already, tongues are wagging that Damilola’s bump has started showing. There are strong indications that the wedding will hold immediately after the actress gives birth to her baby, or the other option is a secret wedding.

Chiwetel Ejiofor arrives Nigeria for Half of a Yellow Sun premiere

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igerian born British actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor is currently in the country ahead of today’s premiere of “Half of a Yellow Sun”, holding at Genesis Deluxe cinema, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Shareman Media, the Nigerian producer, and FilmOne Distribution, the distributor of the feature film, which starred the 36-year-old BAFTA awardwinning and Academy Award-nominated actor confirmed the good news.

Chiwetel, who reportedly might be joining the cast on the set of the 24th James Bond movie billed for release in November, 2015, will be leading other cast of the block buster , including Genevieve Nnaji, Onyeka Onwenu, OC Ukeje, Tina Mba, Zack Orji, Anika Noni Rose, Joseph Mawle and John Boyega to the VIP premiere. Directed by the Nigerian playwright, Biyi Bandele, ‘Half of a Yellow

Sun‘ is a beautifully crafted adaptation of the international bestselling novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.Set in 1960s Nigeria, ‘Half of a Yellow Sun‘ is an epic love story, weaving together the lives of four people caught up in the turbulence of the Nigerian civil war. The film is set to strike a special chord with moviegoers nationwide as it hits the cinemas on April 25.

•Chiwetel

38—SATURDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 12, 2014 Aunty Julie, My boyfriend and I have been together for two years. He is perfect for me, I couldn’t ask for a better boyfriend, and we really love each other. The problem is that we have really different backgrounds socially and economically.

I have the more traditional family, parents married for 26 years and we’re blessed enough to be financially very well off. However, his family has had lots of problems financially. In addition, his father isn’t financially responsible and he cheated on his mother. Besides that, we are different ethnicity.

My parents tell me that I can’t be serious about him — they are afraid that his problems with his family will become my problems when we get married.

Also, I can’t communicate with his parents since they don’t speak English very well. Over the past few months I’ve become increasingly irritated at his family. I have expressed to him that I don’t know if we can really become serious because I don’t want to deal with his family in the future.

Am I overreacting?? I love him so much, but I feel like I can’t marry him because of his background. What should I do? Am I blowing his background out of proportion in regards to a possible future together?

Bimbo, Abeokuta Dear Bimbo, First of all, you are not overreacting! It appears that you care a lot about your partner and that your relationship holds special meaning. Unfortunately, a relationship goes beyond what two people experience inside of their love bubble. Differences in each partner’s ethnicity, socioeconomic background, religious beliefs, and family beliefs can complicate a relationship and cause both partners a lot of stress. Speaking with your partner about these touchy topics can be highly beneficial to the strength and success of your relationship. It is possible to get over cultural differences by having a mutual respect for one another’s backgrounds and trying your best to understand and incorporate your differences. Though it may feel awkward or un-

Our first time was disappointing

Should we get serious? comfortable, now could be the right time to turn up the volume on the communication.

It appears as though you have a strong relationship with your partner.

If you are contemplating a marriage with someone of a different tribe or religion, keep in mind that despite language barriers, it is possible to find some middle ground. Each family differs in

how they raise children, practice religion, spend (and save) their finances, and more. What might seem a ridiculous way to do something to you might be a sensible option for somebody else. In a loving and caring relationship, it is important to be open to compromise and to try to understand the families that you each come from as well.

It is commonly believed that a relationship between two

people often involves a rela tionship with both part-

ners’ families as well. In some cases, this entails the union of two very different families.

Family can be a great support system for many, but also cause additional strain. Even if you cannot see your in-laws in a good light, it is important to realize that your spouse might love them unconditionally. If you

know that meeting the inlaws will cause clashes between you and your partner, consider whether the relationship is strong enough to take this step, and whether the relationship is serious enough to make the potential problems worthwhile.

To alleviate any sticky situations, it can be helpful to maintain a level of tolerance for your partner’s fam-

ily out of respect for his/her feelings. The trouble with parents is that they often want

the best for their children, yet can sometimes manage to complicate everything.

Also, remember that when

parents act in an offensive way, they may believe that they are acting in the best interest of their child.

Try and communicate with your partner and agree on how you will communicate when an issue arises. Will you talk about it right away?

Will you include his parents or your parents in the discussion?

If there is a possibility of you and your partner splitting up as a result of differences in background, make sure to communicate this with your partner so that nobody is surprised when that time comes

I’m intimidated by my intelligent partner

Dear Aunty Julie, I have just entered into my first real relationship with a guy that I really like. The problem is, he’s incredibly bright. So much so that it intimidates me a little.

He doesn’t brag or make me feel unintelligent (and I know I’m not), it’s just a part of who he is.

He cares a lot about me, but I want to feel that our relationship is more than physical. I’ve always valued intelligence, and I really enjoy being with this guy, but there is an aspect of him that I’m not able to be a part of.

Thanks for your help.

Kate, Lagos

Dear Kate, Your guy may be incredibly bright, but let it be said that you are, too. Having the courage to look at your relationship in the sophisticated way you are, and seeking to understand it, takes a high level of what some people call “EQ”: emotional intelligence quotient.

The reasons why two people get

Social Security A retired gentleman went to the social security office to apply for Social Security.

The woman behind the counter asked him for his driver’s license to verify his age. He looked in his pockets and realized he had left his wallet at home. He told the woman that he was very sorry but he seemed to have left his wallet at home. “I will have to go home and come back later.” The woman says, “Unbutton your shirt.” So he opens his shirt revealing curly silver hair. She says, “That silver hair on your chest is proof enough for me” and she processed his Social Security application.

When he gets home, the man excitedly tells his wife about his experience at the social security office. She says, “You should have dropped your pants. You might have gotten disability too.”

along and make good romantic partners are as varied as humans are. Some couples share similar backgrounds, or like the same kinds of books, movies, art, or food. Others are compatible intellectually and/or emotionally, or work together on projects they find fulfilling.

Some have seen one another through hard times, some have a passionate sexual connection, and some quietly support each other despite different interests, beliefs, or goals. Most relationships go through stages, with the connection waxing and waning, evolving, and growing. Each person brings his or her own unique talents and perspectives to the activities and communication that happen in a relationship. When you think about times you spend together, what do you usually do? What do you talk about?

How do you feel? How much time do you spend talking or doing something (studying, listening to music, seeing a mov-

ie), and how much time is spent being physical or intimate? How comfortable are you with the balance between these types of activities?

Now, think about what it’s like to have a conversation with your guy. Who does most of the talking? What happens if you say something.

Does he listen and ask questions or interrupt, finish your sentences, or put down your opinions? Are you able to share your viewpoints with him or have you shied away from doing so?

It might also help to spend some time thinking about why your guy makes you feel a bit intimidated. You say he doesn’t brag or make you feel unintelligent, and that you know inside that you’re not. You also say that you know he cares about you a lot.

Could there be, or have there been, other experiences in your life that may be causing you to

doubt yourself? So often, insecurities have much more to do with how we see ourselves (ty, than with how people are actually acting toward us.

C O C K - T A L E S wanted a video of his wife’s activities. A week later, the detective returned with a film. They sat down together and proceeded to watch it. Although the quality was less than professional, the man saw his wife meeting another man! He saw the two of them strolling arm in arm and laughing in the park. He saw them enjoying themselves at an outdoor cafe.

He saw them dancing in a dimly lit nightclub. He saw them take part in a dozen activities with utter glee. ”I just can’t believe this,” said the distraught husband. ”What’s not to believe?” the detective said.

“It’s right up there on the screen!” ”I simply can’t believe my wife could be so much fun!” the husband replied.

Marriage Lessons On their 40th wedding anniversary and during the banquet celebrating it, Tom was asked to give his So Much Fun A suspicious husband hired a private eye to friends a brief account of the benefits of a marriage of check on the movements of his wife. In such long duration. “Tell us Tom, just what is it you addition to a written report, the husband have learned from all those wonderful years with your

Dear Julie, I recently had sex with my girlfriend. It was the first time for both of us. Her hymen broke and she bled a little and even cried but she said she LOVED it. I, on the other hand, felt no pain, but, at the same time, I did not have a lot of pleasure. I expected the first time to be much better, but her vagina seemed to be too relaxed and I did not feel a lot of pressure on my manhood. Virgins are supposed to be tight to make sex more enjoyable. My girlfriend used exercise a lot and she always does the splits and squats. Do you think that made her vaginal muscles relaxed, or is it just that she did not know how to please me? I am really frustrated and lied to her, telling her I loved it, too. Please help me out.

David, Warri Dear David, First sexual intercourse experiences are often bursting with high expectations, hopes, anxieties, excitement, and fears. For some, it’s important to get “this virginity thing” over with for future, less tense sexual explorations. Often, pressure is a greater factor than pleasure, unfortunately, making many first times disappointing. Don’t be too worried. Activities like sports are likely to improve with experience, communication, and practice!

What were your expectations for your first sexual intercourse? Many factors could have shaped what you expected. Popular media, such as many movies or music, often portray first times as artistic scenes with attractive celebrities, sensual and hot, and perfectly queued music, lights, and magic. In reality, sex may be sweaty, sticky, uncomfortable, and not have that mesmerizing climax, especially on the first try. As for the “tight vagina” situation, many rumours and media falsely portray all female virgins as having tight vaginas. Since women are all different, the tightness of the vagina, or vaginal “grip,” varies.

wife?” Tom responds, “Well, I’ve learned that marriage is the best teacher of all. It teaches you loyalty, forbearance, meekness, self-restraint, forgiveness — and a great many other qualities you wouldn’t have needed if you’d stayed single.

Slide Under The Ta b l e A man and a woman were having dinner in a fine restaurant. Their waitress, taking another order at a table a few paces away noticed that the man was slowly sliding down his chair and under the table, with the woman acting unconcerned. The waitress watched as the man slid all the way down his chair and out of sight under the table. Still, the woman dining across from him appeared calm and unruffled, apparently unaware that her dining companion had disappeared.

After the waitress finished taking the order, she came over to the table and said to the woman, “Pardon me, ma’am, but I think your husband just slid under the table.” The woman calmly looked up at her and replied firmly, “Ohh no, my husband just walked in the door.”

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, APRIL 12 12,, 2014—39

Your parents can be as passionate as you!

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ROWN-UP offspring seldom think of their parents making love. They know they love each other and that love has given the family stability—but being passionate in their old age? Perish the thought! Pauline, a 24-yearold final year medical student recalls her recent experience when she happened on her parents not only having sex, but having a torrid one at that! According to her, “One Saturday afternoon, I brought my new boyfriend home to meet my parents. The house seemed quiet so I went to their bedroom to check if they had gone out; hoping that we’d have the apartment to ourselves.

•I opened the door, with my boyfriend close on my heels when I saw to my horror that they had beaten us to anything we could have wanted to do that day. There was my mom, bouncing up and down on dad’s lap, and he was actually ended up getting the looking really ecstatic. place to ourselves for the They were having full night!” sex! Completely freaked Marie had bragged so much out, I rushed with my about her parents bed that she boyfriend to my bedroom. dreamt one day of making A while later, after they had apparently finished their business, they came in to meet my boyfriend.

They were so embarrassed they immediately informed us that they were going to dinner and would not be back for many hours. So my boyfriend and I

love on it with her boyfriend.

“The opportunity came when my parents went out of town to attend a relation’s wedding” recalls Marie. ‘We sneaked into their room with the

,

We hid in the en-suite bathroom hoping they would just drop a few things and leave. We kept the door slightly open so we could bolt as soon as the coast was clear

,

impressive king-size bed and my boyfriend threw me down on it. We were about to let rip when I heard my parents’ voices. We hid in the en-suite bathroom hoping they would just drop a few things and leave. We kept the door slightly open so we could bolt as soon as the coast was clear. But my parents came in and began hastily undressing each other, I was numbed and prayed that—they would quickly get it over with.

They ’re old people and I reckon they wouldn’t last long. But they did! We stood transfixed for a while before discreetly exiting through the unlocked bedroom door— which thankfully was very close to the bathroom!”

“For Christmas, all children make it a duty to come home, “ said Aminat, 30. “One morning, I went with my sister to see what we could get to replace dwindle supply of foodstuffs but the local store was closed when we got there, so we went right back home.

My sister was parking the car when I opened the front door and saw the most repulsive sight I’d ever witnessed.

“My dad was lying on top of mum on the couch— her nightgown was pushed up to her shoulders and his naked butt was sticking in the air! I rushed back outside and screamed to my sister, ‘Don’t come in! We got back in the car, took off and didn’t return until late that night when we were sure they’d be asleep’ —we just couldn’t face them after what we just saw! The next day, my parents simply carried on as if nothing had happen.

How to give your boobs the right lift ne of Oprah Winfrey ‘s show once devoted a whole episode to women often wearing the wrong size bra and ruining their otherwise lovely figure. You’re probably wearing the wrong size bra if you notice any of the following problems: You see deep strap imprints on your skin when you take off a bra; your chest looks saggy under clothes; you pull up your bra straps or tighten them; you feel your bra ride up in the back; your breast spill over the cups.

For a comfortable you, the first thing to do is learn how to measure yourself properly. Even if you think you’re wearing the right size, experts suggest you take your measurements at home to be sure.

First find your band size by tightly wrapping a tape measure behind your upper back, using your underarms as an anchor, and around your sternum.

T

his is your band size. To find your cup size: Take a looser measure across the fullest part of your bust. Subtract your band size from this new measurement. Use the answer to find your cup size: 1 inch

(A): 2 inches (B); 5 inches (DD) and 6 inches (ODD). ; Are your boobs big? If you feel you’re not getting enough lift from the thin band and low-cut cups of your bra, plus there is too much space between the cup, which makes the breast say, you

,

O

fitted clothes look bumpy and the flimsy fabric doesn’t provide enough coverage. Go for bras where the centre and side panels will sit flat against your body so bra-wrinkles won’t show through your clothing.

A foam fabric that has some stretch

Go for bras with thick straps that won’t dig into the shoulders and will help support extra weight

should change the type of bra you wear.

Go for bras with thick straps that won’t dig into the shoulders and will help support extra weight. High-cut cups will also give more coverage so breasts won’t spill out of them. Finally, bend over while putting on your bra; this will keep the wire under your breasts so it doesn’t cut across the bottom of them.

If you have small breasts, baggy unstructured bras that bunch will make

,

will contour to your breast and fill out cups, even if one breast is smaller than the other. To stop showthrough, cut a small piece of nylon from an old underwear and slip into the cup of a sheer bra.

According to Hane, author of: Playtex and Just My Size, to make sure you’ve got the right fit, try these real solutions: Problem: Your bra rides up your

back.

Solution: Your straps are adjusted too sort or your bra may not be hooked tight enough. Try a smaller band size.

Problem: Your breasts spill out of the top of your bra.

Solution: Your cup size may be too small or try a bra with more coverage.

Problem: Your straps cut into your shoulders.

Solution: Try a style with cushioned straps or a bra designed for more support.

Problem: Your cup is wrinkled, not filled.

Solution: Try a smaller cup, a cup with padding or lining or a stretch cup.

Problem: Your bra does not lie flat against your body between the cups.

Solution: Try a larger cup size or a different style with more coverage.

40—SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

E

ver wonder why guys prefer to just date women rather than to settle down and commit?

Simple answer: Freedom It may seem disappointing that the guy you are interested in does not want to commit even after telling you so, but the truth is, men would rather stay single than have a woman strap them down. Men fear that they will lose their freedom, their independence and even their toys and gadgets.

If you have ever been involved in a relationship, you know that compromise is the key. Men want to keep all their stuff; from the football that their ex-girlfriend gave them, to a torn tshirt that they use to clean their cars.

What often happens, is that a new girlfriend comes along and takes over his life. She tosses out everything that he believes is valuable and now he feels that he has no say in his own life. Suddenly, the guy has a curfew and rules about whom he can hang out with. He may even be told when to take out the garbage or when to go out. These were decisions that he had control over and now he feels he has no control.

Try not to control your man unless you want to lose him to someone else or to his own single hood.

Another reason why men prefer to stay single is to continue playing the field without feeling committed to

one woman. He may care deeply for you, but is not looking to have a relationship. If you ask, “Why isn’t he ready for a relationship? … I am,” the thing to remember is, he is not you. You may be ready, but he is not.

He wants to take his time, date and

Why he prefers to remain single have sex with whomever he feels like. If you think you can push him into a relationship, then you are deceiving yourself. He may be open to dating you, but he may also be thinking, “I’ll date you until the next best thing shows up.”

Many men have priorities in their lives other than relationships and marriage just isn’t the necessity it may have been a few decades ago.

This doesn’t mean that your man never wants to marry. But he is saying that he doesn’t want to marry now, and he doesn’t know if it’s you he will marry.

Give him time and don’t push him into a direction that you may later regret.

A final reason why men prefer to stay single is that they end up with more in their pocket. Men fear that a woman will push marriage because she wants to become dependent on the man. Men sometimes don’t mind taking care of their women, but they

Many men have priorities in their lives other than relationships and marriage just isn’t the necessity it may have been a few decades ago also are not looking to be someone’s sugar daddy. The beginning of their expenses begins with “the ring.” You may feel that you need a ring on your finger that will cost him a few thousand. Next will be the cost of a home, vehicles or furniture. Soon, it

will turn to paying all the bills and other expenses.

It may sound a bit alarming, but men fear that they will be broke by the end of the relationship, especially if they have experienced a divorce in the past. Establish your own independence, but also send a message that you do need him in your life for other than security reasons. For example, don’t depend on him for the bills, but let him know that you need him to help you around the house. He will feel needed and wanted and will give you a deeper love and admiration.

Treat your man like a friend and let him know that you can communicate and spend time with him without the need of other resources. A date at home watching a movie will make him feel closer to you than a date night at the movies. You will begin to notice a significant difference in your relationship that will draw the two of you closer together.

I love my guy but I don’t want sex anymore Ques: I am 27 years old and lost my virginity few years ago to my boyfriend. Before this happened, I strongly believed that I would wait until marriage because of both personal and religious reasons. My boyfriend completely understood my morals but then pushed the limits and I didn’t stop him; not to mention we had sex before expressing our love for each other. I regretted my decision the moment it happened. I know (now) that he loves me and I love him, but I still believe that what we are doing is wrong. I hate lying and that is exactly what I am doing by being dishonest with my family and peers. He acts so hurt when we do not have sex but I don’t want to anymore.

How can I tell him that I want to put an end to our sexual relationship?

Emilia, Benin Ans: Conversations about sex can be tricky and tricky conversations with

people you care about can feel daunting. Sometimes, however, those are the most important conversations to have. Additionally, there is no need to feel ashamed. You are clearly in touch with your thoughts and feelings; a moment to feel pride rather than shame.

It sounds like you’ve been thinking a lot about your decision to have sex.

Some people feel that once they’ve started to have sex, that they have to continue. In fact, people can and do decide to stop having sex for all sorts of reasons. You are allowed to change your mind and you are allowed to define and redefine your sexual boundaries as your feelings evolve or change over time.

Talking openly and honestly with your boyfriend about how you are feeling and what you do and don’t want sexually is an important next step.

There are some ways to help get that conversation started.

You must consider your wants and

*Taofik Ajibola, 33, based in Lagos, needs a lady of 23-29 years for a serious relationship on 08162957677 *Emmanuel, 28, from Ogun State, wants to be linked with a mature busty lady of 25-28 years for a serious relationship on 07069493809 *Favour, 29, based in Abuja, wants to meet a wealthy lady in Abuja aged 25-35 on 07056461476 *Sola, 39, single mother, needs a God-fearing man of 45-60 for marriage on 08134622123 *Ben, 25, handsome, dark, needs a woman of 25-30 for a relationship on 08134814853

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whys. Why is not having sex important to you now and how do you want to share those reasons with your boyfriend? What do you want in your physical and non-physical relationship with him? Why did it feel necessary to lie to your peers and family about your relationship and how do you want to change that moving forward? You may want to write these down for future reference or to have with you during the conversation.

Try to make sure that both you and your boyfriend have the chance to share what you’re feeling and thinking when you talk. Good conversations are like well-planned traffic — there is movement in both directions, with appropriate pauses and consideration of the others. Let him know your wants and whys — try to give him context for what has shifted or changed since you first had sex. Also, sharing both your concerns and also things that you appreciate in your relationship will bring some balance

to the discussion. Try avoiding assumptions about what your boyfriend is thinking or feeling. It may also prove helpful to speak from your own experience, using “I-statements”, and allow him to share his views and input.

After you and your boyfriend both have a chance to share your opinions, consider discussing what you both want for next steps. Are you in agreement with changing the dynamic of your physical relationship? Try to be as clear about expectations and boundaries as possible. What do you each want and not want? How can you negotiate those desires if they change as you move forward? There are lots of ways to be physical, intimate, and romantic — sex and sexuality are up for creative interpretation and exploration. When you both feel understood and are on the same page, it can help keep your relationship trusting and happy.

08104221923 *Simon, 36, tall, wants a working class lady of 25-30 for a relationship that will lead to marriage on *Nduka, 38, self-employed, from Anambra State, wishes to meet a 07062291791 decent working class lady of 23-30 for a relationship that will lead to •Ogi, 39, self-employed, based in Edo, needs a lady of the Nigerian marriage on 07068304441 *Naomi, 27, pretty, is searching for a decent working class guy aged Army, not above 30 and not below the rank of a sergeant for marriage 30-35 on 08171687419 *Razak, driver, from Kwara State, based in Lagos, needs a loving lady on 08072249002 aged 35-39 for a relationship that can lead to marriage on *Victor, 35,graduate, wishes to meeta working class Do you want to be linked? graduate lady of 28Neither Chioma Gabriel nor Saturday Vanguard has any relationship with anybody wanting 34 for a marriageto 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 bound relationship on 08068193442 disappointments or embarrassments some people may encounter in the process.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

E

merald green derives its name from the gemstone emerald. As a colour, emerald green is lively and radiant. Green is a colour of elegance and beauty and it is the colour most associated with springtime and freshness in the US and Europe.

The colour of nature, plants and trees, green is believed to promote lifestyle and well being. It is also believed to be the colour associated with jealousy and envy.

Take a look at our pick of fashion items and see which one you covet.

Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014 — 41

42— SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

Chief Mrs. Ginika Tor is an inspiration to the womenfolk having passed through challenges of life to the enviable position she occupies in the society.

The beautiful woman of substance who runs Accolade Media and publishes, Accolade International magazines aside other ventures believes in women empowerment and liberation.

With numerous awards in her portfolio, Enugu born Tor, a lawyer and TV presenter who sits on the board of many companies, talks about her career, passion, love life, among other sundry issues

Ginika Tor

By ANOZIE EGOLE

W

hy did you choose to be a publisher and a TV presenter instead of being an actress?

As a child , I had flair for media especially TV and I once starred in the now rested soap opera, ‘The Cross Road’ on Muri International TV but due to pressure of starting a family, I sacrificed my ambition of becoming a renown actress and chose to build my marriage. Nevertheless, my husband is an encouraging one.

Though he never liked acting, he didn’t stop me from delving into other ventures that will make me a fulfilled woman and that is why today apart from owning a magazine of high standard, I also have a TV programme I tagged, ‘Accolade Lifestyle TV’ which will soon hit the screen. Aside having the flair, I have always looked for a medium I can use to impact lives positively. Electronic and print are the best media to use. So, when the opportunity came for me to kick-start, I started with print media which we all know is challenging but with perseverance, we are able to stand the test of time and today, we are fully set for ‘Accolade Lifestyle’ on TV. Tell us more about your magazine The publishing of Exclusive Accolade International Magazine, EAIM, kick-started in Makurdi, Benue State with a print of 40 pages of events, interviews and articles, but we realized that we had more patronage in Abuja and we decided to unveil EAIM

in an impressive ‘Yellow Ball’ dinner which played host to high profile personalities with over 12 Nollywood Stars at Sheraton Hotel and Towers Abuja and today, we are in our 19th edition with a print of 156 pages.

EAIM is designed for feature events, articles, interviews, adverts and it’s purely image making.

What challenges did you face when startingthe magazine?

I don’t acknowledge challenges because I see them as motivating ground but for those who intend to come on board as publishers, the challenges that must be expected in this business are numerous but one can always overcome them. The starting

We learnt that you were appointed the event consultant and manager for the Enugu State Fiesta by Enugu state Government. What is your achievements so far as the event consultant?

Accolade Media is the event management company for Enugu Fiesta and we have delivered impressive results so far since 2012 that we were engaged but I want you to know that it is team work. The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Ozo Joe Mmamel also put in his best to ensure that we do not fail. So, I will not want to take all the credit. There is also a woman who when we encountered difficulties, I mean Accolade and Min. of Culture and Tourism, she stepped in to ensure that everything went smoothly and that is the Chief of Staff to Enugu State Government, Hon.Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo.

I used to feel bad at the wrong attitude most women give to themselves but she is an exception. Our landmark achievement is awesome. We possess a strong pedigree in event management and consulting and that is why when we are given opportunity by any organization, we are always retained after our first encounter with them .We also sourced for fund for Kogi State carnival 2013 and even at the last minute, we were able to record good results.

As for women empowerment, it is good for government to consider having women in high positions of authority point is rough but after a while, one begins to make it especially when the contacts made during the course of publishing begin to pay off with other rewarding deals. Most people love publicity but do not like to pay for it.

What plans do you have for it in the future?

I desire to own a media empire and I can see Accolade there in the nearest future.

Apart from magazine and TV, what else do you do?

In life, even when you have businesses that yield huge income from time to time, you will survive better when you have other income avenues where cash-flow may be little but constant and that was how I added a laundry and dry-cleaning services (ACCOWASH). We also do photography and video coverage for all classes of people.

What would you say stands you out from everyone else?

My attitude and the way I carry myself with sense of humility including my mode of dressing which is native but posh and decent.

What’s your take on women empowerment and girl child education considering the house you built for your mother?

Well, it is obvious now that women now alleviate the poverty in their homes, gone are the days when the girl child is left to rot at home and not go to school but rather driven into early marriage. Parents understand better now. As for women empowerment, it is good for government to consider having women in high positions of authority. The only problem I have with that is that women don’t assist each other to grow. Once they get there, they will rather use their position to intimidate and humiliate each other instead of lifting one another. Nevertheless, we still have good women who will stop at nothing to see to women liberation. I remember meeting Senator Bent as a starter.

She attended my event then and ever since, she has always been there for not only me but other women.My first yellow ball in Abuja was also hosted by the wife of benue governor, Dcn. Yemisi Dooshima Suswam and Lolo Nneoma Rochas Okorocha is a motivator whose words of encouragement kept me on my foot at all times. The Minister for Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina is another person who will never forget one’s name because she is now a minister. Mrs. Alayingi Sylva is also one woman that carried other women along and Mrs. Tosin Dokpesi is another whose good work on helping fellow women can never be swept under the carpet. I wish every woman will learn from these women and begin to think of how to impact lives of other women who need just a little push to have their dreams come true.

The First Lady,Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan has a good vision through her project ‘Women for Change Initiative’ but can only succeed with people with the same heart and vision or she should rather start with ‘Women Attitude for Change Initiative.’

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

When Fred Udochi buried mum

I

t was a parade of highprofile dignitaries in Edo State when Fred Udoji, an executive auditor buried his mum, Late Mrs Janet Nkoyeasoa Udochi.

The roll-call of dignitaries includes Governor Adam Oshiomhole of Edo State, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, former Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-iweala, Prof. Pat Utomi, among others.

Vanguard, APRIL 12 12, 2014—43

Mary Rabiu weds Victor Fakuade The wedding ceremony between Mary Omowumi Rabiu and Victor Olubusayo Fakuade was held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Emmanuel Sanctuary, Oyo Province 2, Ashi, Bodija Ibadan, recently. Family and friends graced the occasion. Photos by Dare Fasube

From Right: Bishop Dr. Kenneth Ebolum, MD, Giant Beverages; Mr. Onyeama Okonjo, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Mrs. Njide Udochi and son of the deceased Mr. Fred Udochi.

Mr and Mrs Fakuade.

From Left: Mrs. Felicia Alemoh, Prince Gabriel Alemoh, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Udochi, MD Chevy Chase Nigeria;and Mr. Chude Okonjo.

from left: Prof. Pat Utomi, Prof. Sylvester Monye,SA to the President on Performance Monitoring; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo - Iweala, Minister of Finance and Gov Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State.

Parents of the bride; Mr Musa Rabiu, father and Deaconnes Dorcas Falayi, who represented the mother.

From left: HRM Prof. Mrs. Okonjo, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Oknojo-Iweala and Governor Adams Oshiomhole

Nigerian Institute of Journalism 4th convocation

Miss Olufunmilayo Olusegun, a graduand flanked by father, Mr Sam Olusegun,SA to Ondo State Governor on Image, 2nd right, Mr Olamide Adesanya,2nd left Mrs Adekunbi Adesanya left and Ms Funso Adesanya right

L-R:Dr. Ngozi Okonjo - Iweala, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe and Mr Ima Niboro.

Parents of the groom, Mr Olusola Fakuade and his wife, Modupe.

Members of the Love and Peace Social Club.

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44— SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

08111813025

I take my supper like a pauper —Chinyere

By ADERONKE ADEYERI

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hinyere Nwabueze has gradually become a popular face in Nollywood. The graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt joined the big screen industry in 2001 and carved a niche for herself in the movie, ‘Stolen Bible’.

She is our guest on this edition of Celebrity Tummy Talk as she reveals her passion for cooking and eating indigenous foods.

Enjoy.

What is the first thing you take every morning?

The first thing I take every morning is my green tea before breakfast. And this has become a habit over time.

What is your breakfast?

For breakfast, I eat like a queen and I cannot remember skipping breakfast for a long time now. I also take my lunch like a princess and I take my supper like a pauper to maintain my shape.

What was your first cooking experience like?

I started cooking at the age of eight being the oldest child in my family. I enjoy cooking a lot. I am sure I would have been a professional cook or caterer if I had not taken to acting as a profession.

My first cooking was awesome because I really cooked well.

Is there a particular food you cannot do without on a daily basis?

Yes, I cannot do without wheat and my vegetable soup on a daily basis. I love all swallow foods generally.

What is your favourite meal?

I am a typical African woman who cherishes African delicacies a lot. My best food is wheat and vegetable soup especially ekpangnkwukwo soup.

Considering the nature of your job, do you create time to exercise?

Well, I exercise but it is not a routine. I visit the gym when I have the time and do sit ups at location sometimes. Also, when I find myself around the pool, I engage in swimming.

What is your best fruit?

I love water melon to a fault.

How do you spend your leisure time?

I love to attend events especially when I am in Lagos. I spend time with my family and friends and also attend church programmes.

•Chinyere Nwabueze

Tumm yzone4kid&t een ummyzone4kid&t yzone4kid&teen

Ge tting kids int o Getting into

WEEKEND TREA T TREAT

kitchen

Ewa aganyin and sauce Ingredients: Red beans Salt White onion (thinly slices) Palm oil Seasoning Ground crayfish Bell pepper (tatashe) Scotch bonnet Preparation our plenty water to a pot and set on low heat. Wash the beans thoroughly with clean water and cook for about two and half hours. Add salt to taste and make sure the water drys up. For the sauce, combine the bell pepper, scotch bonnet and the half medium onion in a blender and blend to half paste. Set a medium sized pot on low heat, add the palm oil and bleach the oil for 1015mins (it might get smoky). Turn the

P

(continued from last week)

I

t is possible for children to show no interest in the activities you perform in the kitchen. The kitchen can be a fascinating place for young children if only you as a parent can lure them into it. Encouraging your kids into the kitchen will help them instill self-confidence and selfesteem. In addition, this will help him discover new fun activities he can enjoy. heat to a minimum level, then add the chopped onion and stir at interval until the onion is caramelized. This will bring out the sweetness and gives it a brown color. This will take about 30-40minutes. Pour the half-paste pepper into another pot, boil for 15minutes to remove excess water. Add to the bleached oil and fried onion, then cook for about 15minutes. Add the crayfish, salt and seasoning. Cook on medium heat for another 10minutes and your ewa aganyin sauce is ready. Enjoy.

TIT BIT Eat more indigenous ffood ood tto o sta stayy health healthyy —Donald Duke

T

he former governor of Cross Rivers State, Donald Duke has enjoined Nigerians to eat more of indigenous foods to stay healthy.

He disclosed this at opening of a new restaurant in Surulere, Lagos State.

According to him, “Nigeria is blessed with healthy foods that one should not miss even outside the country. Many Nigerians often pretend to enjoy foreign foods when they do not. Let us all embrace our local foods to stay healthy.”

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The Chief Executive Officer of the restaurant fondly called, “Commint Buka”, Mr Japhet Fayomi expressed his fulfillment .

"I thank God for the establishment of this Buka. It is something that has always been in my mind. Commint buka came into existence out of the curiosity to sell what I eat. I am not the restaurant type, and I know many Nigerians too do not find eating all these foreign foods funny. I feel I am helping humanity by setting up this buka for indigenous ’’.

Play to his weaknesses.

It sounds wicked but teaching kids how to make tea and other easy foods is a great way to help them get one culinary foot in the kitchen. There are thousands of different cookie recipes out there and chances are, you have a few of your favorites already printed out and ready to go. You probably already have their favourite cookie recipe, which is a good temptation to use as bait.

Talk to him in the process.

Talk to your child while you’re cooking with them.

One of the biggest reasons kids don’t want to just jump into the kitchen is because they’re afraid they’re going to mess up. Chatting with them helps them relax a little.

Let them choose the topic and only interject instruction as needed.

T

08 116759 759 081 6759759

Venezuelan sstudents tudents pr ot es ality bbyy prot otes estt police brut brutality posting naked pictures

housands of Venezu elans are getting naked on Twitter to protest the brutal force government loyalists and police used against student demonstrators in a violent clash last week.

The photos are a showing of solidarity with a student protestor who was widely seen in pictures being stripped of his clothes and shoved to the ground in the violent April 3 encounter between government protestors and masked loyalists.

Along with many of the

‘They say adapt or die'

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014—45 revealing photos are demanded an end to hashtags supporting the rocketing inflation and students of the Central dwindling resources.

According to BBC University of Venezuela (CUV), where the Mundo, the idea violence erupted as originated with Ricardo student marchers Cie, the VP of a marketing firm.

Cie posted a photo of himself naked along with the hashtags #MejorDesnudosQue (Better Naked Than...) a n d #DesnudosConLaUCV (Naked with the Central University of Venezuela).

He then convinced friends to do the same and within days, the hashtags had been used hundreds of thousands of times and thousands had posted their own naked photos.

The violence at CUV was part of months of unrest stemming from the effects of an unbeliveable inflation rate, which was 56.2 per cent last year.

Thirty-five have been killed in the months of clashes since February as protestors call for Nicolas Maduro’s resignation and complain about a litany of problems from rampant crime to food shortages.

The government says they are seeking a coup against Maduro.

A

t my age, I can’t adapt’: Re tired teacher, 89, ends

her life at Swiss euthanasia clinic after becoming frustrated with modern technology. A retired art teacher,Anne, has ended her life at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland after becoming increasingly disillusioned with modern life. In an interview before her death, the 89-year-old environmentalist, from Sussex, said she felt technology had taken the humanity out of social interaction.

Anne, who asked to be referred to only by her first name, also said she was worried about the damage being inflicted on the planet through overcrowding and pollution. Despite being neither terminally ill nor

seriously handicapped, the former electrician with the Royal Navy said she wanted to take her own life.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, she asked: ‘Why do so many people spend their lives sitting in front of a computer or television? ‘I have never had a television, I have only had a radio ... People are becoming more and more remote ... We are becoming robots. It is this lack of humanity.’ She added: ‘I find myself swimming against the current,

and you can’t do that. If you can’t join them, get off. They say adapt or die. At my age, I feel that I can’t adapt.’ The pensioner said she had suffered from ill-health in recent years and was worried that a further deterioration might result in her going into a nursing home. She also told how

she spent 11 days in hospital last year and feared returning there. Her case will reignite the debate about the right of people to choose when to die and the risks of them being exploited. About 200 Britons have ended their lives at Dignitas since 1998.

Last month MPs have expressed support for new legislation on assisted suicide which will be put before Parliament in months —bringing the act a step closer to becoming legal.

Argentina’s president becomes godmother of lesbian couple’s baby Chinese wif inger wifee cuts of offf three of her son’s ffinger ingerss

C

hinese wife cuts off three of her son’s fingers with a meat cleaver after her husband said she should help the boy with his homework. A Chinese woman has been arrested after she allegedly tried to lop off her son’s hand with a meat cleaver during a furious row with her husband at the family

home in Shanghai. Mingmei Sun, 34, was annoyed that her husband had not come home earlier to help the boy with his homework, leaving her to do it instead, police said. A furious row erupted that resulted in her husband Tu, 36, walking away and locking himself in the bedroom.

Frustrated and furious that her husband was ignoring her she grabbed eight-yearold Mingming, who had been crying in the corner while his parents argued, and then got a meat cleaver and pulled him into the kitchen. She then put the boy’s hand on the kitchen table and allegedly tried to chop it off. However, although she failed to do this, she still left her son in agony as she managed to slice three of his fingers off.

The boy’s screams alerted his father, who rushed out and rescued him and took him to the nearest hospital, where doctors on Tuesday were attempting to reattach the fingers.

‘Due to the father ’s quick thinking we were

rgentina’s President Cristina A Fernandez de Kirchner became the godmother of a lesbian couple’s baby girl

able to take the boy into the operating theatre where we tried to reattach the fingers.

Hopefully the boy will make a full recovery but we will not know until a few days after the operation.’ The police said that the wife has

been arrested and is currently in custody.

in a Roman Catholic ceremony on Saturday — though the Church opposes gay marriage.

Baby Umma Azul is just over 2 months old and was baptized as mothers Carina Villarroel and Soledad Ortiz, who were married last year, looked on. She’s the first child known to receive this church blessing in Argentina.

The ceremony took place in the Cathedral of Cordoba and was officiated

by Father Carlos Varas, Reuters reports.

The city is located 435 miles from the capital.

‘Father Varas told us he had been waiting for a couple like us, a gay one, and we happened to come and he accepted us,’ Villaroel told the news agency. ‘There’s really been a social change for Catholicism to have said yes to baptizing

a child from a lesbian family.’

Fernandez de Kirchner won a political battle against Pope Francis in 2010 when he was Argentina’s top church leader and the country became the first in Latin America to legalize gay marriage.

After he became pope last year, Francis showed more openness to gays and lesbians, famously asking, ‘Who am I to judge?’ if a gay person seeks the Lord.

46 — SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

have been exposed to the theory and practice of IRS exercise including safe handling of chemicals or insecticides and spraying equipment and maintenance of same.

“Quality assurance of equipment, insecticides and materials including personal protective wears are conducted to ascertain that they comply with international best practices. In addition, maximum residual limits (MRLs) of pesticides in food product intended for human and animal consumption are established and strictly enforced”.

Idris noted that the insecticide susceptibility tests and monitoring were conducted at the end of each round of the exercise by a group of scientists stressing that samples are taken from sprayed rooms and sent for laboratory analysis to assess the potency of the insecticides.

“In addition, continuous monthly evaluation of the residual efficacy of the insecticides used and monitoring of the mosquito behaviour are conducted. The monitoring exercise will be carried out during the actual spraying exercise and for six months afterwards”, the commissioner said.

Idris posited that the roles of the households is equally significant to the success of the IRS campaign urging residents to receive and cooperate with the spray teams when they visit by ensuring that they keep to the rules of housekeeping and preparation before and after spraying.

Govt takes battle against mosquitoes to households •12,850 homes protected so far

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recorded

alaria disease is

to be responsible for 63 percent of all clinic attendances in Nigeria as a whole and it affects mainly children under the age of five years and pregnant women. Malaria is responsible for 25 percent of infant mortality and 30 percent of all childhood deaths, 11 percent of all maternal deaths and 70.5 percent of morbidity in pregnant women.

Determined to reduce the rate of the dreaded malaria scourge amongst its residents, Lagos State Government recently, launched a pragmatic campaign through Indoor Residual Spraying, IRS against combating the spread of malaria disease via the carriers, mosquitoes.

Therefore, no fewer than 51,800 rooms in 12,850 households have so far been sprayed during the ongoing IRS, exercise in six Local Government Areas and 13 Local Council Development Areas, LGAs and LCDAs, in the state as part of the environmental control strategy of the state government’s Malaria Control Programme, The exercise, an integrated vector management programme which is aimed at combating malaria, started a month ago and is billed to end within the next eight days.

Prior to the commencement of the 40 day spraying exercise, various pre-implementation activities were planned and implemented with view to ensuring maximum cooperation, acceptance and effectiveness of the exercise.

IRS is the application of long lasting chemical insecticides on the walls and ceilings of all houses and domestic animal shelters in a given area, in order to kill adult vector mosquitoes that land and rest on surfaces of walls and ceilings. The aim is to curtail malaria transmission by reducing the life span of vector mosquitoes and reduce the density of indoor resting and indoor feeding anopheles mosquitoes which are the major means of vector transmission in Nigeria.

The exercise which commenced on Saturday, March 15, 2014 in six LGAs of Ojo, Ikorodu, Badagry, Amuwo-Odofin, Kosofe, Ibeju Lekki and their corresponding LCDAs is being run concurrently.

The key implementation activity of the exercise, involves community mobilization by the LGA social mobilization teams to inform residents about the spray days and schedule while some critical implementation and post implementation activities rest on insecticides susceptibility tests and monitoring as well as quality assurance strategy.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris during his on-site inspection of the exercise in Kosofe LGA and Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, added that the pre-implementation activities also include, geographical information system mapping exercise of structures and households to be covered in the proposed IRS sites with a view to estimating the types of spray able structures, rooms, households and total population; procurement of adequate quantities of chemicals, pumps or sprayers, spare kits and personal protective equipment for the exercise. According to Idris,

,,

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

What residents should do

“They should ensure that all food items are properly covered. In addition, households are expected to stay outside during the spraying and significantly, to observe the two hour waiting period after the spraying before members can reenter the house. Critically, walls and ceilings of sprayed houses are not to be painted within six months of spraying to prevent deactivation of the insecticides”, the Commissioner stated.

He noted that government was also taking the issue of public enlightenment seriously in the fight

Determined to reduce the rate of the dreaded malaria scourge amongst its residents, Lagos State Government recently, launched a pragmatic campaign through Indoor Residual Spraying, IRS, against combating the spread of malaria disease via the carriers, mosquitoes

“The spraymen and supervisors who are community persons recommended by the LGAs and LCDAs have been trained. This comprised a-three day training for supervisors and a 10 day version for the spraymen. These spraymen

against malaria especially in the areas of sanitation stressing also that proactive steps had been taken in the areas of urban renewals, water, drainage system and environmental upgrade as ways of combating the scourge of malaria.

A stitch in time saves nine”

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014 — 47

from the depth of the lagoon and immediately rushed them to

Ikorodu General Hospital where they were confirmed dead by the doctors that attended to the rescue mission.”

Lagos sets up 11-Man C’ttee to prevent future occurrence

BOAT MISHAPS:

Residents shun waterways transportation *as govt assures of adequate safety

I

n reference to a rider-ship survey of the Lagos State Water ways Authority, LASWA, about a year ago, over 1,800,000 people in the state travel by water monthly, up from 1.5 million recorded as at June 2012. At present, there are over 47 ferry operators currently providing services to water travelers in the state.

The Managing Director of LASWA, Mr Adeyinka Marinho, stated that the projection in the six years is still far less to the targeted number of five million every month.

According to him, 117 vessels are being operated by 47 operators on the waterways, and more are expected.

Marinho said that as the number of the rider ship survey increases, the agency is also working round the clock to expand facilities that will enhance both the user and providers of ferry services.

He disclosed that the agency on the directive of the government had commenced massive rehabilitation and reconstruction of some major jetties across the state.

Besides, LASWA had also concluded plans to begin lightening up the waterways so that commuters also travel at night adding that the move to encourage the use of the waterways as a mode of transportation was part of the on-going integrated transport system being promoted by the state government.

He however, warned both commuters and boat operators to ensure that every safety rule and regulation governing the use of the waterways is strictly adhered to as any breach would be met with equal sanction.

“LASWA has been working hard with a lot of its operators; we have increased awareness on the waterways and we have more operators and vessels,” he said.

“We have now reached a stage where we have been able to move about 1.8 million people per month, and if you look at our figures, they are still rising,” Marinho said.

The managing director said that many people were opting for the waterways to get to their destinations in good time.

,,

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

The Impact of the hit damaged the hull of the boat and resulted into a high inflow of water thereby causing the boat to sink “The movement from Lagos Island to Ikorodu takes about 25 minutes; it takes the same time to get to Ojo. So, more people are getting aware that they can get to their destinations safely and quicker by water.”

But that claims are soon becoming g a thing of the past as recent investigations revealed that patronage in waterways have reduced drastically following incessant boat mishaps with attendant deaths along the waterways in the state.

Sadly enough, the victims are mostly women and children whenever such incident happens.

It will be recalled that on March 12, 2014, a major boat accident happened, killing about 17 passengers on board along a canal on 4th Avenue, FESTAC Town, Lagos.

According to eye-witnesses, the incident happened at about 7.30 pm as one of the six survivors rushed to the FESTAC Police station to alert the police.

Local divers had to be mobilised to help with the rescue efforts.

Mr Jola Ogunlusi, President, Festival Town Residents Association (FTRA), said “Local divers had to be mobilised to lead the rescue effort.

Of the 24 passengers who were said to be on board the boat, only six were able to help themselves. We could only recover 11 bodies that day.”

The FTRA president recalled that in 2001, the state government had mobilised to the site to start work on the development of a bridge across

the canal at 4th Avenue and 13th Road on 6th Avenue, “but the project was politicised and they had to abandon the site”.

According to report, the boat was overloaded because the passengers were all rather anxious to cross the canal.

“The makeshift bridge has been built more than four times in the past, but once there is a heavy rainfall, it is usually washed away.

“People do not listen to instructions warning them to desist from using the boats or the makeshift bridge to cross the canal again.

“Both the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Council and the FTRA have consistently warned them on that. About three years ago, three persons lost their lives in a similar incident on the canal,” he said.Ogunlusi added that the FTRA would now write to the Hon. Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, and the FHA, to take urgent steps to build a bridge to link 42 Road in 4th Avenue and 13th Road of 6th Avenue. Recently too, April 2, 2014, tragedy occurred again and seven bodies, including a pregnant woman were confirmed dead while 13 people, were rescued alive when a passenger boat, Bell Marine, capsized late evening along Majidun Area, Ikorodu. According

to LASWA boss, the boat mishap happened around 5:45pm involving a passenger boat with 21passengers travelling along the 3rd Mainland –Oworonsoki axis on the way to Majidun Area of Ikorodu.“Investigations revealed that the boat which departed from the Ebute-Ero jetty of Lagos Island at about 5:30pm for the Majidun Jetty in Ikorodu hit a large object under-water in the course of the voyage .The impact of the hit damaged the hull of the boat and resulted into a high inflow of water thereby causing the boat to sink.

“The swift response of the LASWA rescue team to the scene of the mishap made it possible to rescue 13passengers alive onboard the distressed boat; the team also recovered seven trapped in the sunken vessel

Consequently, as part of measures to prevent further occurrence of avoidable boat mishaps, the state government through the Ministry of Transportation, during the week set up an 11 Man Inter– Ministerial Fact Finding Committee to ascertain and determine the immediate and remote causes of the April 2nd, 2014 boat mishap at Ikorodu and such other similar incidents in the past.

While expressing its sadness over the unfortunate boat accident which occurred in Ikorodu that claimed lives of some residents who were returning from work, government commiserated with the family members of the deceased and sympathised also with those injured.

Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, who announced the setting up of the committee, explained that it was meant to ascertain the cause(s) leading to the accident and prevent such from occurring in future.

He added that it also aimed to ascertain and determine the immediate and remote causes of recent boat mishaps to ascertain and confirm details of the accident and make recommendations as may be considered necessary to avoid a recurrence of such incidents, promote safe practices and adherence to safety standard in water transportation in the state.

The 11-Man Committee had its members drawn from the Ministry of Transportation: Mr. Olajide Tairu, the Director, Public Transportation and Commuter Service as Chairman; Mr. Sina Thorpe the Assistant Director, Press/Public Relations; Mr. Kehinde Olanipekun, Assistant Director, Finance and Administration and Mr. M Loya, Chief Works, Superintendent with representatives drawn from the Ministries of Justice, Works, and The Environment. Representatives from the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and the Lagos State Fire Service are to also serve as members of the Committee.

The state government therefore, urged interested members of the public to avail the committee with necessary information and other necessary details at their disposal that would assist the government in improving the standard of water transportation to “the Committee on Boat Mishap,” Office of the Commissioner for Transportation, Block 17, 1st floor, the Secretariat, Alausa Ikeja.

Opeifa, who later appeared before members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to explain the remote and immediate causes of boat mishaps with a view of preventing future

occurrence, however, assured residents that government have adequate infrastructure and manpower to ensure safety on waterways, hence, there was need for panic. Also, LASWA has

concluded plans to hold stakeholders’ forum with operators to chart a new course on enhancing safety of lives and property in water transportation.

Residents/Operators react

One of the regular passengers that travel on water, Mr. Abiodun Oyelusi, who often boards ferry from Ikorodu to the Island expressed his reservation for travelling henceforth on water.

According to him, the last Ikorodu boat mishap further confirms his spouse fear about travelling on waters.

48 — SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

Illegal road blocks on highways

Presidential Task Force reads riot act

By ESTHER ONYEGBULA

T

S-H-O-C-K-I-N-G

How my sister sold m pregnancy for N100,000

By DAUD OLATUNJI, Abeokuta

A

23-year-old pregnant woman, Jennifer Ogbonna, raised the emotion of people recently at Zone 2, Police Headquarters, Abeokuta, Ogun State, when she narrated how her sister tricked her into slavery and sold her off with her 7-month old pregnancy. She was then transported from Aba to

woman and her husband talking about child trafficking and I felt bad. I decided not to eat any of their food. There is one lady in that building, they call her Adeola, she would bring food for me and I would not touch it to the extent that the woman’s husband pleaded with me to eat and still I refused and said I am going back to Aba where she brought me from.

“When I said I was going to

After that, his wife took me to one shrine and asked me to swear to an oath not to go back to Aba or tell anybody what happened, that if I try to go back or tell anybody, she will make me mad; she would make me deaf and dumb

Abeokuta after a couple who allegedly specialized in buying human beings from all parts of the country paid N100,000 to her sister.

My story

•Chief Ifeanyi Iyoh

•The suspect

•The victims

,

HE Presidential Patrol Task Force Committee on Touting, NCAT, has expressed its readiness to arrest and prosecute anyone caught mounting illegal road blocks on our highways. The Committee also warned states and local government officials who were in the habit of awarding road tax contracts to do so in strict compliance with various existing tax reforms, laws and edits or face its riot acts.

The Director of Operations, Chief Ifeanyi Iyoh, who disclosed this after two days meeting in Abuja stated that “my office has been flooded with streams of complaints from transporters, drivers, traders, investors and many others on the incessant road blocks mounted by states and Local Government Revenue agents.

Based on this, we have resolved to embark on total dismantling of road blocks mounted by die-hard criminals masquerading as revenue agents. This is our last resort after several appeals made by us which has entered into deaf ears of touts and criminals.

“What we have concluded in our meeting is to catch the bull by its horn by embarking on total dismantling of all road blocks mounted by revenue agents on the nations highways, major roads and streets in Nigeria. This is a war that must be won by NCAT with the cooperation of well-meaning Nigerians.”

The NCAT boss made it clear that nobody, including states and local governments, has the right to mount road blocks, but however solicited for cooperation of other sister security agencies and stakeholders to join hands in the war against touts on our highways. He revealed that in order to reduce unemployment problem faced by youths, NCAT’s Operation Carry.

The lady who hails from Ebonyi State but lived and worked in Aba narrated her ugly experiences shortly after she was rescued by the Police.

She said: “I was brought to Abeokuta by the woman’s husband. I don’t know that they had already paid money on my head. I only got to know in Abeokuta when I overheard the

,

Aba, the man was angry and said before he would allow me to go back, I must pay back the N100,000 he paid my sister for myself and my pregnancy and the expenses he incurred so far on me. After that, his wife took me to one shrine and asked me to swear to an oath not to go back to Aba or tell anybody what happened, that if I try to go back or tell anybody, she will make me mad; she would make me deaf and dumb.

“But, I discussed my plan to escape with another victim who I met there, she is Oluchi and she said that if I try it I will

become mad, but, I insisted and I escaped. I ran away to the next street. When I ran to the street, I met some people and I narrated my experience to them. They advised me to report to the Police, that was how police got to know everything, she stated.

Division of labour

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nvestigations revealed that the notorious couple who lives in Abeokuta where they operate their illegal and nefarious business, usually travels to many parts of the country in search of their ‘commodity’. It was further gathered that the husband, identified as Ismail Yusuf, is in charge of scouting for pregnant women as he reportedly went as far as Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and other states in the Eastern part of the country. The wife, Muyiba, was saddled with the task of nurturing the pregnant women till they deliver of their babies for onward sale.

Crime Guard learnt also that Muyiba who is cooling her feet at the Police station after she was arrested was reported to had come to Abeokuta from Kwara State disguised like a herbalist and rented an apartment at Adigbe where they use as their operational base.

According to the findings, the husband, having bought their

preys (pregnant women), would charm them on the spot and take them to their operational base in Abeokuta where they would nurture the victims and their pregnancies until they give birth, which they allegedly usually sell to couples that need children or for ritual purposes.

It was also gathered that when these victims were bought, the couple would force them to swear to an oath not to escape. They would charm them so that they would not escape from them and people living around and security agencies would not have any clues of what they were doing in their den.

Suspect opens up

Recalling her journey in the human trafficking business, 38-year-old Muyiba said, “ I came to Abeokuta in January this year from Offa, Kwara State. I used to sell baby clothes before my shop got burnt during the crisis between Offa and Erin-Ile. I know how to prepare herbs for

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014 — 49

•IGP, MD Abubakar

me with 0 —Victim diabetic patients. I am a tradomedical doctor, I registered in Kwara State but not in Ogun State. I have treated three patients in Abeokuta since I have been here.”

When asked what she was doing with the pregnant women she camped in her house, Muyiba claimed that “ it was their husbands that brought them to my place, to keep them in my place. I knew them through one Joy.

Arrest

H

ow were you arrested, she said “ It all happened when I saw police on Wednesday night banging that we should open the door.

They came to arrest all of us. I thought my husband has run away because I was asleep when the police came. My husband is Ismail Yusuf, our children are in Kwara State.

The police also arrested Muyiba’s younger sister — Seun and when she was asked her role in the incident, she passed the ball to her elder sister. According to her , I was staying with her. I just graduated last year from School of Health in Ilorin, Kwara state.

I came to Abeokuta last month.

I don’t have anything to say, she (Muyinba) is the one that can say anything about it.

Raid at Akute

Two weeks ago, the operatives of Nigeria Police, Ogun State Command uncovered a baby-making factory in Akute and rescued eight pregnant women, including a 16-year-old girl, arresting the proprietor of the factory, Angela Chigoeze, and her brother-in-law, Obinna Ndunaga during the raid.

It was gathered that at the baby -making factory operational base which is located at No 9, Sebanjo Crescent, Off Fabolude Bus-Stop in Akute, a baby was often sold at N300,000 each, while the young girls were usually offered pittance after delivery and their babies taken from them and sold to unknown people. Some of the victims who were rescued included three teenage pregnant women; a-16-year-old Precious Steven, Miracle Eze and Blessing Saviour who are both 17 years old.

Also rescued were Jeremiah Gift, 25, Joy Okoro, 20, Stella Samuel, 19; Agnes Igbo, 22 and Vivian Princewill, 20.

The proprietress of the baby factory, Angela, 39, who hails from Abia state said that she started the business last year as a traditional healing home, claiming that her husband, now at large, rented the building from where the illicit business was transacted.

Angela, however, denied that the young girls were usually impregnated inside the house, adding that the pregnant women were either brought by their husbands or traced her address themselves.

Government reacts

Speaking on the incident, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development , Elizabeth Sonubi, promised that government would continue to put in place the necessary security measures that would continue to nip girl child trafficking and other crimes targeted at children and women, in the bud.

The Commissioner disclosed that two of the victims had delivered two babies - male and female at the Rehabilitation Center where the State government takes care of them.

She admonished the residents and people of the state to be vigilant and prevent such incident across the state, adding that people should report such incident promptly to the necessary quarters.

I have forgiven my rapists, abductors — female evangelist

By EVELYN USMAN

A

Lagos based female evangelist (names witheheld), recently kidnapped and gang raped by her abductors around Ogijo area of Ikorodu Lagos, left everyone speechless when she told two of her abductors arrested by the Lagos State Police command that she had forgiven them for their sins.

The traumatized evangelist who is still trying to come to terms with her nine days despicable experience in the hands of nine kidnappers, even went further to lay her hands on the arrested suspects, advising them to turn new leaves in order to make heaven at the end of their sojourn on earth.

The woman, as gathered, was abducted early this month and kept in the kidnaper’s den; an uncompleted building in Ogijo, Ikorodu, alongside other kidnapped victims, among whom was a Briton. It was gathered that her abductors tore her clothes into shreds and left her in her nude throughout her nine days stay,where they had her in turns and at any given time.

While the dehumanizing act was on, one of the kidnappers reportedly put a call through to the evangelist’s husband, demanding for N20 million ransom. But her husband reportedly dropped the sum of N2 million in an undisclosed location the fourth day but did not have his wife released to him as expected.

Escape at last On the ninth day, Crime Guard was informed that eight members of the kidnap gang drove out in two vehicles to collect a ransom of N25 million, for the release of the Briton , at Caterpillar bus-stop, Ojota, leaving one of them,(Emeka) behind, to guard their victims. Moments later, the armed kidnapper was said to had gone to the exhausted evangelist to ease his sexual urge. But he got more than what he bargained for as the exhausted woman, in what could be described as a miracle, flung him away,and he hit his head on the brick wall.

According to the woman evangelist who initially bluntly refused to speak to anyone , other than the arrested kidnappers and Police, “ I do not know where the strength came from. But as he was about penetrating... I pushed him and he hit his head on the wall and passed out. Without

caring whether I was naked or not, or whether I would be shot in the process, I rushed out of the uncompleted building shouting for help. To my surprise, I discovered that the building was even located among residential buildings.”

It was learnt that one of the curious sympathizers who gathered round her, gave her a wrapper to cover her nakedness.

Back inside the uncompleted building, the kidnapper,on regaining consciousness, reportedly scaled the fence and fled,abandoning his AK 47 riffle, apparently afraid that his escapee could have blown the lid. An irate mob stormed the building later, where the Briton was rescued and the duo taken to the Area N Command,Ijede.

Meanwhile, the rest members of the gang who had earlier gone to collect the ransom for the release of the Briton at Ojota, met their waterloo at the designated point of receipt.

Unknown to them, operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, who got wind of their escapades, intercepted them, resulting in a gun duel which forced the kidnappers to abandon their loot and escaped. One of them identified as Emeka was, however, arrested and he took the operatives to their hideout from where their victims were discovered to have been taken to Area N Command, Ijede. Police sources told Crime Guard that Emeka’s confessional statement led to the arrest of another suspected member of the gang known as Ikechukwu Ibe. In his confessional statement, Emeka exonerated him self from the gang rape,saying: “ I could not do it because she kept shouting the name Jesus! Besides, when I discovered she was married, I refused to take part. I even told my colleagues to let her be, since her husband had already paid N2 Million. It was Sam, Innocent, Ikechukwu,Ugo and the rest that raped her .

She was kept permanently naked to allow them easy access.

Sam is our leader while Ikechukwu is his deputy. Ugo is the messenger and ‘pointer ’.

What he does is to identify our victim after which we would intercept the vehicle. My job is to alight from our operational vehicle, get the victim inside before zooming off. At times, we kidnap our victims through information from their drivers,” he said.

One AK 47 and one pump action rifle were reportedly recovered by the policemen at the kidnappers den.

Okiro to launch book on crime in Enugu

T

he Chairman, Police Service Commission and former InspectorGeneral of Police, Sir, Mike Mbama Okiro, will today, in Enugu, launch two books on crime. The books: “Crime is Normal and Understanding Crime, Analysis for Intelligence, Investigation and Security” were written by Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mathias Ezema attached to the Nigeria Railway in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. The event will take place at Bridge Waters Suites, GRA Avenue, Enugu.

•Mike Okiro

50—SA TURD AY 50—SATURD TURDA

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Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

n March 27, 2014, a house help, simply identified as David, killed and beheaded his former boss, a 65-year-old retired Chief Magistrate, Olufunmilayo Timeyin, at her residence in Ogun State. Timeyin had two weeks earlier sacked David for allegedly stealing her valuables, including phones and jewelry. He was arrested for the theft and ironically it was his victim who requested that David be released.

On February 24, 2014, I came back to the office and was informed about a show of shame and cruelty that took place in the neighbourhood in my absence. A clergyman's wife beat her house help silly, biting her on the buttocks. On October 28, 2013, a 27-yearold woman, Chiamaka Nnajiofor, was sentenced to10 years imprisonment for her culpability in the death of her housekeeper, Oliver Arakwe.

What drove Nnajiofor to the extreme that landed her in this mess? These cases bring us to our topic today.

First, are house helps people you do not like but must learn to live with because you cannot really do without them (Necessary evil)? Second, can anything good come out of house helps (Necessarily evil)? The stories of house helps we hear are horrifying, intriguing and mindboggling. They range from stealing of employer's properties sometimes running into millions to stories of sex

Are house helps necessary (Necessarily)evil?(1) abuse of, and unbelievable cruelty to, the children put in their care. They also organise armed gangs to rob their employers and orchestrate the kidnapping of their employers or their employers' children.

Like a needle in a haystack, you hear a good story occasionally.

One of the tales I heard recently was about a friend's former neighbour. He said that the only way he knew his neighbour was home was when he heard the house help screaming. Any time the house was quiet, madam was not at home. This trend continued for a long time despite neighbours' plea and advice that she should either stop beating the house help or send her away.

My friend said that on one of those days when the flat was quiet; he was passing by and noticed that the entrance door was slightly ajar. He knocked but there was no response. He called the house help and the

children, still no response. Out of curiosity, he opened the door and went in. He started calling and walking around, still no response. As he was

that come when they start having children. That is actually when the need for a house help arises. If both are working class people with strict and long working hours, who will look after the children for the periods when they are not at home? The implication is that the house help is going to play a great role in their children•fs early character formation. Is he/she well equipped for the assignment?

A lot of people have a trial and error approach to hiring domestic helps; I think that is dangerous. You are not just looking for a cleaner; you are looking for somebody who is going to play a major role in

A lot of people have a trial and error approach to hiring domestic helps passing by the deep freezer, he heard a noise from within.

Luckily, it was not locked. He opened and behold the neighbour's son and daughter were in there; the house help had tucked them in for-aforever sleep and disappeared perhaps back to the neighbouring country from whence she came. For her, it was payback time; the enormity was inconsequential.

I do not believe in stereotypes, so I cannot label all house helps as evil. The issue is multifaceted. When teaching and counselling would-be couples; I always remind them of the challenges

,

your children's early formation willy-nilly. You should therefore approach it like you are choosing a spouse, because the only differences really are that the relationship is not spousal, not permanent, not covenanted and no vows are exchanged.

Before you hire a house help, first determine your needs and your expectations. Then how do you source the person? Is it through an agency, friends, relatives or some other sources?

What about background checks and guarantors? Then you need to pray and fast for God to send the right house help.I guess

we all need to do these when we are making important decisions and the choice of a house help is a fundamental decision.

Once you get somebody, you should check whether he/ she meets your needs and expectations. If he/she does, the terms of the relationship must be clearly stated and understood by all parties.

Then you should do medical exams for him/her. Some of them have contagious diseases, to which your children should not be exposed. Once all these steps are completed, the house help moves into your family's life practically. Please internalise it that he/she is a human being, not subhuman; he/she is only doing this job due to circumstances and not really by choice.

I am yet to see a house help who will not opt for a better job if given the choice. As a result of their disadvantaged background, a lot of house helps come with frustration and grudges. Do not rub it in with your attitude towards them. Deal with them as you would your own. I am not suggesting they sit at table with you during meals, but heaven will not fall if you give them good meals. Some people give their house helps food that is not fit for animals while enjoying choice food with their family which the house help participated in preparing and serving the choice food!

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014 — 51

52—SA TURD AY 52—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, APRIL 12, 2014

EDO APC WARD CONGRESS: Inside story of how Oshiomhole’s consensus gospel failed in Edo South zTension in Bini land as Odubu, Ize-Iyamu loyalists battle for the soul of APC zCancelled ward congress holds today

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY

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he much awaited ward congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state held last Tuesday in Edo state but the echoes of the congress is still giving the party members a great concern ahead the 2015 general elections in the state.

The congress was postponed last Saturday to Tuesday April 8, 2014, due to what the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Godwin Erhahon explained as the late arrival of materials and officials of the Congress committee from Abuja to the State. Besides, he said that “the leadership of the party also agreed that leaders should harmonize the list of their executives before Tuesday so as to avoid a rancorous primaries”.

The top hierarchy of the party were jittery over the congresses because it is coming at a time that is very close to 2015 general elections. There won’t be governorship election in Edo state until 2016 but those eyeing the position are preparing grounds to make their ambitions a reality.

Having considered the situation and what a crack in the party will mean for the PDP, Governor Adams Oshiomhole went around the three senatorial districts prior to the congresses, appealing to party leaders to make the exercise a family affair. He succeeded in his native Edo North senatorial district and Edo Central but met a brick wall in Edo South senatorial district known as the Benin area. In order to show leadership in the harmonization process, the governor who already was locked in a political battle with a leader of the party in his Etsako West Local Government, Alhaji Usman Shagadi conceded positions to Shagadi. They both hugged themselves and laid down their arms. The same thing happened in other local governments in the North and Central districts. The consensus in these areas made the Tuesday congress a mere formality.

But in Edo South, Oshiomhole’s gospel of consensus was shot down by the former South South Vice Chairman of the party, Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu who preferred that the candidates emerge through a pure congress.

But the governor disagreed, sensing the bloodshed that may be experienced if they are allowed to go for a full blown congress. Ize-Iyamu, the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Pius Odubu are both from Orhionmwon Local Government Council and it is no longer a secret that their governorship ambitions have factionalized the party not only in Edo South but in the entire state. The situation would have been worst if Oshiomhole has not been using different groups such as the Edo in Safe Hands led by his Commissioner for Works, Osarodion Ogie and the Edo Solidarity Movement (ESM) led by his Political Adviser, Charles Idahosa to check their excesses. Oshiomhole held series of meetings prior to the Tuesday primaries to reconcile the two groups but as usual, his Deputy Odubu will always listen to his boss but Ize-Iyamu saw it differently and disagreed with the issue of consensus, insisting it will be better for people to test their popularity at the grass root rather than embarking on consensus which

he believes is undemocratic. Having failed in his effort to ensure that they concur with the consensus, Oshiomhole had no choice than to allow them go for full blown congress in the South, but with a proviso, “there must be no violence”. The governor vowed that if anybody is killed in the process, he was going to treat whoever was involved like a murderer. The two groups signed undertakings of no violence and went to work. On the said day of the congress, there was a large turnout of party members in Edo South, including Orhionmwon where the duo came from. It was actually like a carnival as party members danced and drank, awaiting to be counted. There was presence of soldiers, mobile policemen and armed vigilante groups in Orhiomnwon monitoring the exercise.

Unfortunately, the exercise was marred with paucity of materials and lack of presence of officials from the National Secretariat and result sheets.

A leader of the party told Saturday Vanguard that “there was actually no result sheet, what we were told was to conduct the exercise and write down the results in a sheet of paper with the supervision of the INEC representative and party officials from the state.

However, at Urhonigbe North where the deputy governor of Edo state, Pius Odubu voted, there was wild jubilation by his supporters just as he described the exercise as very democratic”. Asked why they refused to harmonize like his boss pleaded, Odubu said that “everybody tried to

Gov Oshiomhole other executive members emerged in his ward but there was no result sheet to record the scores. He said,“the only unfortunate thing was that when the other people saw the massive crowd, they decided to announce the result that they have won. But we have the

, ,

But in Edo South, Oshiomhole’s gospel of consensus was shot down by the former South South Vice Chairman of the party, Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu who preferred that the candidates emerge through a pure congress. But the governor disagreed sensing the bloodshed that may be experienced if they are allowed to go for a full blown congress harmonize but it was difficult. Certain persons didn’t want that so we have to come to the field. Congresses will come, it is one ingredient of democracy. People must be allowed to choose whoever they want in whatever capacity. We are aware that one person must be the preferred one and as a party that thrives in democracy, we encourage those who participated to rally round the victor. Win, lose or draw, we remain party faithfuls. I want to commend governor, Adams Oshiomhole for providing a level playing field for those that participated in the congresses. The ward congress was peaceful, no violence of any kind was recorded and the people came out in their numbers in no mistakable terms to express their preferences for their candidates. I want to commend the governor for making the people come out to choose their preferred candidates. He should be commended for making adequate arrangement for security. We have come to the field now and the result is so loud and clear.

You can see the crowd celebrating and do you know why? Because from the results, we have won in the entire 11 wards. This is not the noise they make in Benin, this is practical politics in play”.

Reacting in his ward 5 ,Ugboko Niro said they voted and a chairman and

INEC woman, the police and the representative of the party. So, we asked them to count and they have the records. This same thing happened in all the wards and the other side said they have won and for me, it is funny.

But I hope the party will address the abnormality. If we are talking democracy in the party, we must show that we can do that internally,” he stated.

At Ikpoba Okhai, the exercise was also peaceful. A party leader in the area attributed the delay in the arrival of materials to the harmonization of positions across the wards in the state. “I can rightly tell you that most ward executives of the party have been harmonized by the party.This was achieved after series of meetings involving the party chieftains and the Governor of the state.This issue of harmonization became necessary to avoid rancour or crisis in the party”.

Following what was regarded as victory for the Odubu group in Edo South, loyalists of Ize-Iyamu stormed the NUJ Press conference to call for the cancellation of the exercise. The protesters led by the Eson of Benin Kingdom, Chief Amos Osunbor warned that they may seek an alternative party if the exercise was not cancelled.

But the party in a swift response, through its Publicity Secretary, Godwin Erhahon,declared that the

party is ready to entertain genuine complaints but it would not succumb to blackmail when the aggrieved members are threatening to pull out from the party.However, the protesters including Nosa Adams, Mrs Evelyn Igbafe and three members of the state House of Assembly, called for the dissolution of the committee sent from Abuja to handle the congress, asserting that “the committee members became invisible, no committee members were seen even when we were asked to send names. And due the absence of the congress committee members, no material was on ground to record the results.

“As if the whole exercise was designed to fail, they sponsored violence, armed thugs beat up and unleashed mayhem on fellow party members. So, we called for the immediate cancellation of the purported congress and dissolution of the committee incharge of the exercise” Chief Osunbor declared.

Erhahon asserted that, “it is too early for any member of the party to begin to threaten. Congresses were held yesterday, if there are complaints, such could only be received today. So, it is too early for people to threaten. So if anybody is threatening that he is pulling out, you will know that even before the congress he or she has made up his mind to pull out because it is too early. On our part, the party is following due process in receiving and considering appeals and where there are good cases, it will be addressed and reviewed but we shall not succumb to blackmail”.

Worried by the protest, Oshiomhole summoned a meeting of all the leaders of the Edo South Wednesday night and it lasted till about 1am. After reviewing the situation, he faulted the process and reiterated the need to adhere strictly to democratic tenets in order to avoid crisis in the party. He therefore ordered that a fresh congress should holds today Saturday 12th April.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, AAPRIL 12, 2014—53

By Princewill Ekwujuru & Moses Nosike

O

n the Nigerian business landscape, consumers have woken up to the concept of choice.

Consequently, businesses are confronted with the straight choice to innovate or sink.

An interesting case study is Nigeria’s telecommunications industry which in the last 11 years has grown their subscriber base to over 100 million active lines.

For example, Etisalat is the last entrant into the telecommunications industry, but interestingly is the fastest growing. What is the secret?

One of the indispensable ingredients of a sustainable business is the ability to do things differently. This works well if the business consistently puts the consumer’s needs first.

Lending credence to this, the Business Segment Director at Etisalat Nigeria, Lucas Dada, said ‘We believe that the only way we could make a difference in the market having joined Nigeria’s telecoms industry as the last entrant, was by nothing, but innovation. We define innovation as passionately going the extra mile by increasing the notch of value added to customers and raising the bar of quality of service.’

‘There are four major pillars that govern everything we do at Etisalat. One of them is Customer Service, next is Quality of Network, there is Operational Efficiency and very important is Innovation. These pillars

Age of inno innovvation and economic gr owth of ttelecomm elecomm growth indus tr industr tryy are very difficult to copy.

When you are truly innovative, others find it difficult to imitate you. For us, the focus is meeting the needs of our customers.

That is what sets us apart in this market. A big thank you to our subscribers, who joined, stayed and spread the word about our service since 2008. They are the ones who truly know all our milestones spurred by innovation.’

Dada explained.

Little wonder awards and commendations have trailed the network every year. ‘You only have to experience our data services to know how high Etisalat has gone in terms of quality and value delivery. Customers testify to this and even the Nigerian Communications Commission recognizes this. Meanwhile, we have an eye on the group that account for over 50 percent of employment available to most of our subscribers – the entrepreneurs. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria boasts over 17 million small and medium scale enterprises, SMEs. We support them by consistently creating

products and services that help their businesses thrive.’ He said.

A quick example, according to Dada is the EasyBusiness, a Close User Group (CUG) for business owners which enables them to spend less on contacting employees and suppliers. In the CUG, the business owners can register up to 100 employees, call as many customers as they want with no restrictions and even send free SMS. ‘At Etisalat, we believe SME is the bedrock of leading economies and it is our duty to contribute our quota to the economy by nurturing emerging business owners. This is why we invest in nurturing these start-ups by creating platforms where we let them in on the relevance of innovation and how to inculcate the innovative DNA,’ Dada enthused.

One of such platforms is the Competitive Strategy Master Class, held in Lagos in February and organised

by BusinessDay Media Limited, with the theme ‘Creating a Competitive Advantage through Innovation’. The Business

Segment Director revealed that the Etisalat subsidised the cost of the lecture by 50 percent for its subscribers, as a way of encouraging participation by small and medium scale entrepreneurs.

n pursuit of consistence and standard practice, I the Chartered Institute of

Logistics and Transport, (CILT) has presented accreditation certificate to Multimix Academy, for its quality training in Logistics, Transport and Supply Chain Management in Nigeria, even as the institute advocates for Logistics Commission as the way forward for the industry.

In his address during the presentation, Vice President, (West) Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim A. Jibril, FCILT, said, as it was in year 2010, when the certificate for your accreditation as a training provider for the institute’s courses was handed over to you, we are here-again to present to you, the current certificate for your reaccreditation. The essence

now the community has been in fears.

Ordinary days if you come here for the council of chiefs meeting, you will meet a full house but now, it is only few of us who are bold enough to come out. It is so because of the crisis. But the man of God has assured us that after April 19 crusade there will be peace and the community would start experiencing development. So it is a thing of joy that God will liberate Kokori land and good enough the Bishop has a good knowledge of the wealth of Kokori, as he has indicated, Kokori is endowed with so many natural resources. We have one of the best crude oil in the world.

Surprisingly, we have not got anything either from the state or federal government or from our businessmen.”

Retired South South Captain, Chief John Irikefe said, “we thank Bishop Felix and the sponsor of this programme for the gathering of peace and gift items brought to us in Kokori village. He came here for peace and development and to pray for youth empowerment in the land of Kokori.”

Chairman PFA, Kokori Chapter, Mr Steph Okaribor, said, “I’m very impressed with what has happened here today about the ministration of Bishop Felix and I found that he is Second right, Bishop Felix Onomereghor and other chiefs and members of the a real prophet of God.” Kokori land, during the empowerment in their land.

Speaking further on the

C M Y K

the community has not benefited from it in terms of youth employment, community development, etc. after much exploration. This according to them is one of the causes that triggered the recent crisis that claimed lives in Kokori land. “Our youths need empowerment so we call upon government to do something about Kokori youths to avoid further crisis and killings.

Responding to the gifts, Secretary General, Kokori Community, Chief Pleasure Ogbe said, “I’m very happy that Bishop Dr. Felix Onomeregbor was directed to come to Kokori community both for physical and spiritual empowerment and peace and unity. We also commend the sponsor of this programme, Chief Agbonifo. Before

exactly the same thing, business owners and managers have to step back, look at a problem differently by asking questions differently, day in and day out. ‘It is really about exposing ourselves to more viewpoints, more perspectives, more data, more information and being able to hopefully get an answer that would really solve it. Not in a superficial way, but in a fundamental way.’ He said.

The professor, whose newest book is titled ‘The Innovators DNA: Mastering the Five Skills of Disruptive Innovators,” further shared what he had learned about innovation: ‘It is simply doing the work to getting a new idea that creates value.

Multimix Academ Academyy receives CIL CILTT re-accreditation, advocates system integration

Cler gy gbonif oundation empower KKok ok ori community Clergy gy,, AAgbonif gbonifoo ffoundation okori T he Bishop of Prophetic Voice World Outreach and Ambassador of Peace, Unity and Development Commission with Nigerian Peace Federation under the United Nations, Dr. Felix Onomeregbor and Chief Godpower O. Agbonifo, (JP) founder, Agbonifor Foundation and Chairman, Joma Frozen Food Products and Group of Companies have recently empowered Kokori community with free feeding, towels and other items as a sign of preaching peace, unity and development to the community that lost some of its people to recent communal crisis as a result of youth’s restiveness – unemployment and lack of empowerment among youths there.

According to the elders of the land, Kokori community is endowed with one of the best crude oil in the world but

In the same vein, lead speaker at the Master Class and renowned professor of innovation and leadership at INSEAD in France, Hal Gregersen, said that gaining a competitive advantage requires the modest skill of being a child again.

‘Children love to ask questions. The questions pave the way to discovering what makes something happen differently. They have time to observe and badger you with questions to simply know ‘why’. This is how little children find out how to solve what they consider problems.’

Gregersen said.

According to him, to make the leap to standing out among the thousands of companies that do

of this symbolic activity is in line with the global slogan of the Institute, ‘Stronger Together’, which shows that with our training providers being accredited and performing their role effectively, the Institute will come out stronger with all its supporting institutions.

“We attribute this milestone to our growing memberships level as well as the impressive leap in the number of our training providers in which you are in the top list. We are therefore formally presenting to you the certificate for the re-accreditation of your institution, the Multimix Academy. We are glad to report here that your institution has been consistent in recording a high pass rate in our examinations and wish to congratulate you accordingly.

Speaking further on the employment opportunities that abound in the industry, Jibril, said, there are many areas of logistics and transport that are yet to be tapped and other windows it can open with regards to employment. At least with the proposed railway bill that federal ministry of

transport are working on, already the federal executive council through the ministry of transport are pushing through. These are areas that will be open for direct investment and of course you would agree with me that with investment in transport sector there will be employment opportunities for our youths.

Programme Director, Multimix Academy, Mr. Obiora Madu, while addressing media men in his office said, it’s a welcome development, the fact that there is accreditation and re-accreditation, means that there are things they were doing well. Just as you would hear them say we actually stand out as one of their best training institutions in terms of standard, pass rate, quality of questions, marking and everything being done on time.

For us that is our core value. However, there are so many employment government could create if they can create logistics commission instead of transport commission government is thinking of.

humanitarian mission to Kokori land, Bishop Felix Onomeregbor, said, the scripture commanded us to go into the world and preach the gospel to all creatures and also as an ambassador of peace,with Nigerian Peace Federation under United Nations we want peace and not only development in rural communities like Kokori. And for peace to reign in any affected area, there must be a dialogue, there must be something the people are looking for, but until the source of the problem is discovered peace cannot reign.

“So when I saw the massive killing that took place in Kokori, I sensed something is wrong. Even though I don’t call those boys militants but revolutionaries. They should remove that name militants.

Because if the Ijaws did not revolt, Federal Government would not have heard about Ijaw nation. A lot of oil companies are exploring Ijaw land under Niger Delta for many years since

the amalgamation. Since that time the oil producing states have been suffering until our boys cried out before Federal Government granted them amnesty. So these boys saw what belongs to them and they feel oppressed, so they cried out and fought for their rights.

So Kokori is a community in Urhobo that has the best oil in African. But the people see that there is no development in the community, so their youths took to arms. If government can listen to the people and pay attention to the community by providing them with the necessary empowerment, peace will reign. Government should do the physical empowerment and leave the spiritual aspect for God. I’m here to pray because God directed me here.

“However, the problem of Kokori is not the government, elders or Kelvin. The devil has been ruling the community for many decades with the native Igbe dance that began in Kokori land and spread all over Africa.

54—SATURDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 12, 2014

NNPC/Shell Cup enters q-finals stage

Maurice Greene can’t help Nigeria — Olympians

An action during an NNPC/Shell Cup match. Quarter finals for the 2014 edition holds today and tomorrow in four centres across the country.

T

HE quarter finals of the NNPC/Shell Cup will hold in four cities across the country today and tomorrow with all the matches being played from 4:00pm each day, the National Co-ordinator of the competition, Shola Akinwale has said.

At the Sagamu stadium, BrightVille College, Ibadan that shown so brightly during the zonal preliminaries at Osogbo center by clinching the sole quarter final ticket will lock horns with Randolph Comprehensive College, Port Harcourt, another very enterprising team in the Championship. Spectators will surely be treated to scintillating soccer display from these young talents going by their performances at the zonal preliminaries.

Also, at the Stella Maris College play-

ground in Port Harcourt, the struggle for semi finals ticket is between St. Thomas Basic Secondary School, Benin, Anglican Secondary School, Makurdi and Etinan Community Secondary School, Uyo. It would be recalled that St. Thomas Basic Secondary School were the overall champions of the competition in 2003. They would be aiming for a repeat performance once again.

The Bako Kotangora Stadium, Minna will host quarter final matches between Government Secondary School, Kopyal Bokos, Plateau State, Government Day Secondary School, Gandu, Gombe State and Dangogo Secondary School, Bungudu, Zamfara State. Only one school will emerge for the semi finals. Of all the three, only Plateau State have not gone past the

quarter finals in the history of the championship. Although with different school, Zamfara state lost to Edo in the 2003 final while, Gombe state have won the NNPC/Shell Cup Trophy in 2006 through Government Science Technical College.

Meanwhile, the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna is also battle ready for the on-onslaught between Government Model School, Kotangora, Niger State and Government Day S e c o n d a r y School,Dange, Sokoto State.

The two semi final matches of the championship is scheduled to hold on Friday, April 25th at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos while the third place and final matches will hold on Sunday, April 27th at the same venue.

Abesan Football Devt honours Yaba Tech Rector, others

T

HE Rector of the Yaba College of Technology Dr. Mrs. Kudirat Ladipo tops the list of awardees that will be conferred with Patron Award by the Abesan Football Development at this year ’s Final billed for may 18 oct at Yabatech Mainbowl.

A release signed by the Co-ordinator of the Abesan Football Development, Tayo Adeyemo said the award is in recongnition of the her immense support for Nigerian youths through sports.

Adeyemo reveled that

Mrs. Ladipo had on numerous occasions supported the association by donating match balls, jerseys and trophies He noted that the decision to honour the recipients was taken at the last executive meeting of the body Other recipients are Victor Udokhai, Godson Uti, Dare Esan, Afolabi Gambari, Patrick Omorodion, Tana Aiyejina, Adeyinka Adedipe, Emmanuel Njoku, Effiong Nyong and the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Gorvenor on Grassroot Sports,

Prince Wale Oladunjoye The new Patrons will join the likes of Mrs. Clementina Doregos, Ejiro Omonode,Dare Faneye, Bayo Olugbemi, Kunle Soremekun, Sunday Akintoye, Cajethan Ekejuiba and Isaac Kole whose conferment as Patron was done in July 2013 at the Agege stadium during the final of the 2013 edition.

There will also be awards for organisations that have supported the Abesan Cup such as CWAY, Tasty Time and more.

•Solomon Ogba... AFN president

A

THLETICS Feder ation of Nigeria, AFN on Thursday announced the appointment of US track star, Maurice Greene to coordinate its relay teams to the IAAF World Relays, African Championships and the Commonwealth Games this year. Nice as the move seems to be, Sydney 2000 Olympics 4x400m gold medalists Clement Chuwkwu and Enefiok Udo-Obong have expressed doubts if Greene with no coaching records can make any difference.

Greene stated in his letter of acceptance that he is eager to work with Team Nigeria, but according to Udo-Obong who was writing on his blog

sportswithenee.com, the appointment is just a waste.

“He was the best sprinter in the world...yes... But what is his pedigree in coaching? Who has he worked with to justify his selection? As a motivator, yes I would have supported, but not if being paid with resources that could have trained our athletes and coaches back home, organize competitions and give some aid to our long suffering and neglected home based athletes.

“We have had Nigerian coaches that coached world champions....we have produced world beating relay teams..all with Nigerian coaches..why does it have

to be any different now?

How much is he being paid? What’s the role of those coaches taken from here?

Speaking on the issue, Chukwu stated that in all the Olympics medals Nigeria won, there wasn’t any foreign help, and the funds that will be used to finance the Greene adventure could be put to better use.

“Green is not going to make any difference. The last I checked Nigeria did fine in the relays without foreign consultation.

“My question is why now? Money spent in this undertaking can be used to do better things back home,” Chukwu surmised.

But renowned coach, Taiwo Ariyo sees it differently. He said Nigerian athletics enthusiasts should duel on the positive side.

“Maurice Greene is a great name and figure to be associated with Nigerian sports. If we do the right thing It doesn’t take much time to see the result. I am in support of big name athletes and coaches being invited to Nigeria, it is good for our athletics “But personally I think we should concentrate more on developing the vast talents we have in Nigeria. Even if you bring the best of the bests to just coordinate, They can only coordinate what they meet on ground,” said the coach popularly known as Mr. T.

Golden League: AFN put athletes to test in Abuja THLETICS Feder- golden league will expose dish out good performancA ation of Nigeria, the readiness of the senior es. Most especially when AFN’s technical officials and junior athletes to com- they are going for the are expecting athletes who benefited from its conditioning camp in Abuja, to ‘down load’ some heart warming performances today as the AFN/Solid Works Golden League series begin in Abuja.

Senior athletes like Ogho-Oghene Egwero and Obinna Metu who still have some dreams left in their athletics career are eager to prove that they could still be the plank on which Nigeria can build on at the World Relays in Bahamas, the African Championships in Morocco and the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the three major events of the season.

AFN technical committee boss, Omatseye Nesiama, hinted that the Abuja

pete in the major meets of the year.

“We intend to use this competition to assess the current state of our athletes especially in the junior and senior categories.

In the event that a junior athlete would be competing in the throws, the applicable implements according to their class would be used and results indicated accordingly,” Navy Commodore Nesiama stated.

Former sprinter, Uchenna Emedolu who has been working with Metu in Enugu backed the athletes to produce good performances as they have put up the requisite training to do so.

“We are hopeful that they should be able to

world relays.

“From what I have seen of them, let’s be hopeful.

Even Obinna Metu has been doing well in training, he is running on Saturday with the rest. We can expect that all the athletes will do some good times.”

Some of the events on the Golden League schedule include the men and women 100m, 400m, men triple jump, men high jump, women long jump, men and women shot put, women 400m hurdles, 1500m and the 4x100 and 4x400m relays.

Other legs of the Golden League has been proposed for Ilorin, Akure, Kaduna and Benin City.

M

EMBER of 1980 African Nations Cup winning squad, Adokiye Amiesimaka has lauded ex-international, Paul Okoku over his plan to launch a charity-based foundation for less-privileged and talented sports kids in Nigeria

SATURDAY VANGUARD,APRIL 12, 2014 — 55

Amiesimaka lauds Okoku over Foundation

Sports Devt: Danagogo calls for private collaboration N

IGERIA’S Sports Min-ister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Tamuno Danagogo has called on all well meaning Nigerians, Multi-national organisations and private companies to collaborate with the government in the development of sports through the window of sports sponsorship.

The Minister made this call Thursday in his Abuja National Stadium office when a delegation from Global Telecommunication led by the Group Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Mohammed Jameel paid him a courtesy call.

Whilst lauding the giant steps of Globacom in the sponsorship of football in the country, Dr. Danagogo noted that Globacom has regularly contributed to enrich the social development of the entire citizenry because sports is a veritable tool to be employed to engage more people from across the entire social and demographic spectrum.

He used the occasion to canvass for support from other private organiza-

the company.

Earlier in his remarks, the Group Chief Operating Officer Mohammed Jameel had stated that global com had made Football sponsorship their second business in Nigeria hence it will continue to be in the forefront in football sponsorship.

He stated that “as an integral part on the NSC, globalcom is aware that football runs through the veins of Nigerians and in

•Danagogo tions noting that the current trend worldwide was for private organizations to collaborate with the government to develop sports as government cannot do it alone.

According to him, sport offers a ready-made and flexible platform that can be adapted to a wide variety of objectives by companies seeking to develop successful Corporate Social Responsibility.

The Minister further urged Globacom to continue in its stride to take sports to the next level pledging that the NSC will be evolving strategies that will promote a greater collaboration with

order to identify with Nigerians we decided to go into football sponsorship and this we have been doing since 2003”.

He pledged the company’s continued loyalty to the goals and aspirations of the National Sports Commission. To this end, he revealed that the company would soon unveil a blue print aimed at garnering support for the national team even as they prepare for the World Cup in Brazil.

next week.

The Greater Tomorrow Foundation, an initiative of Okoku, will be officially launched on April 17 at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja, with society and sports top-shots comprising the DirectorGeneral of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, former Sports Minister and current President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Sani Ndanusa and the First Lady of Katsina State Hajia Hachima Ibrahim Shema expected to grace the high-profile event.

The highlight of the day’s event will be the fund-raising for the

2014 Commonwealth Games: NSC aims to surpass Delhi 2010 performance

G

BENGA Elegbel eye, the DirectorGeneral of the National Sports Commission (NSC), has said that the commission’s focus for the 2014 Commonwealth Games is for Team Nigeria to surpass its 2010 Games’ performance.

Elegbeleye told newsmen during the week in Abuja that the commission was preparing its athletes adequately to meet the target of improving on the 11 gold medals won in 2010.

“For the 2014 Commonwealth Games, I am not going to say we will win a particular number of medals.

“But all I will say is that while we won 11 gold medals at New Delhi in India in 2010, we won’t go below that or just achieve same this time around. Rather, we want to surpass that in Glasgow.

“Our target is to go beyond what we won in New Delhi. That is success. We must improve on our previous performance and not be on the same level or go below,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that reports that the 2014 Commonwealth Games will be held from July 23 to Aug. 3 at Glasgow in Scotland.

Elegbeleye said the country ’s athletes in para-powerlifting, boxing, weightlifting, table tennis and wrestling have been participating in various internation-

A Nigerian boxer (left) during a bout with an opponent in a championship. Elegbeleye says Team Nigeria will better their 2010 outing in Glasgow this year.

“We are not just leaval competitions to help ing our athletes for the p r e p a r e t h e m a d e - Games, without preparquately for the Games. ing them. We believe in The NSC director- competition, the more general said prepara- you compete with othtions were ongoing to ers outside your enviensure that athletes ac- ronment, the more you quired the necessary have the confidence to exposure international- go out for international ly before the Games. competition,” he said.

charity, where dignitaries are expected to donate to help less-privileged children in our society.

And speaking ahead of the event, Amiesimaka told SaturdayVanguard Sports that he was in support of any project that is charity-based.

“I am in support of any project like the one that Paul Okoku is trying to bring to Nigeria. For me, any project that is charity-based, especially for kids who are gifted in sports and other fields, should be encouraged by all.

“I congratulate for this noble initiative and wish him all the best and hope that the foundation will help change the lives of these less-privileged and talented sports kids in our society”, added the former Attorney-General of Rivers State.

He however challenged Okoku to ensure that the foundation was properly managed by credible hands, so that the original purpose behind its launching would not be defeated.

“The challenge for me is that the foundation must be managed by credible hands because it is a good cause and it deserves to succeed. But for it succeed, the people managing it must ensure that they stick to the original aim of the founder.

“If it is properly managed, then it will be selfsustaining and that is the challenge for Okoku because it does not matter who it is coming from, the bottom-line is that no matter who is initiating it, if it is not properly tun with credible hands, then it will not be selfsustaining”, added Amiesimaka.

Izilein begs NFF for unpaid bonuses W

ITH the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF agreeing it was owing its coaches, past and present, former Super Falcons coach, Godwin Izilein has appealed to the football house not to forget that he is being owed some money after serving the country since 2006.

According to Izilein, the NFF refused to pay him and his two assistants, Mrs Lizzy Ogiemwonyi and Ann Agumanu-Chiejina following the Super Falcons protest of non payment of their allowances after the 2006 Africa Women Championships which they won in South Africa.

“When the girls refused

they will not return to Nigeria after the competition, I was mandated to go and talk to them to calm down, that they will be paid once they get back to Nigeria but they refused. I had to go on my knees to beg these girls who were young enough to be my daughters, ”Izilein disclosed.

“Ironically, the players said the money they were agitating for was not owed them during my time as coach but before I came. I pleaded with them but they refused. We stayed back in South Africa after the competition for about a week and I was able to monitor these girls to ensure they never went out of camp to mess around,” he stressed.

The former Golden Eaglets coach said that Chief Ayo Omidiran who is now a lawmaker in the House of Representatives was the leader of delegation and could testify to what he is saying but said that she has not done anything about his plight since then.

“The NFF is owing me and my assistants a total of $28,750 of match bonus, my own is $12,000 out of it. When the Federal Government rewarded them with N1 million for winning the trophy, my reward was supposed to be N2 million because the NFF said I was to get 100% of whatever money the players received,” Izilein disclosed.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 12, 2014

Yobo not fit for Eagles squad, Laloko declares V

ETERAN coach and former Ni geria Football Federation technical director, Kashimawo Laloko said yesterday that coach Stephen Keshi will be making a mistake if he includes Joseph Yobo into his plans

for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He argued that the Super Eagles captain who played a cameo role at the 2013 Nations Cup success in South Africa and has not played for the Eagles since then, has passed his prime and he was only angling to go to Brazil 2014 and make the record of being the Nigerian player with the most attended world cup. “ I don’t see what a person like Yobo is coming to do other than to create record; he wants to say he has been to the World Cup three, four times.

“That is the reason; otherwise you look at his ability, his performance, his age, his technical preparation; we have younger players who can play in that position better than he.

“At the end of the day Keshi has the final decision. What we should guard against is the pressure of the press and others who are influencing him to begin to force players on him.

“But I am sure that Keshi being a good player himself must know what he requires to get a good team,” Laloko said.

Champions League: Bayern, Chelsea battle Madrid

H SQUEEZING... Nigeria and Norwich City Joseph Yobo defends against Togolese Emmanuel Adebayor during a Premier League match between Norwich City and Tottenham.

World Cup: Kigha, FIFA/CAF Instructor decries Eagles’ poor preparation •Says Keshi, NFF not sincere over Okpala

BY EDDIE AKALONU

N

IGERIA’S CAF/FIFA referees Fitness Instructor, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Felix Kigha, has observed that rather than focus on the World Cup in Brazil, Nigeria’s preparation is not only far behind but has been enmeshed in controversies.

Speaking with Saturday Vanguard sports in Owerri, Kigha said the development does not give the Super Eagles any chance of winning the cup in Bra-

zil as have been expressed in certain quarters.

“I have to be honest with you some people say we can win the cup in Brazil but I don’t think so because though we have players who can rise up to the occasion any day, our attitude will hinder us. We are not even close to being ready for the World Cup. To that extent we have no chance of even getting close to the final because our football is still bonded in controversies such as team list.

TODAY’S MATCHES Crystal Palace Fulham S’hampton Stoke City Sunderland West Brom

v v v v v v

Aston Villa Norwhich Cardiff Newcastle Everton Tottenham

3.07 pm 3.07 pm 3.07 pm 3.07 pm 3.07 pm 3.07 pm

FA Cup S/Final Wigan

v

Arsenal

5.07 pm

These have taken the football administrators very far away from the objective of guiding the technical crew in getting a team fully ready for the World Cup,” said the retired player and referee.

To illustrate his point, Kigha, a member of the Anambra State Football Association said “It is no surprise that the NFF have rather been busy making plans on the issue of a succession plan, that is holding an election congress. If by now Keshi and the NFF have not agreed on the team, it means it’s business as usual in which pressure will come from everywhere for Keshi to include player A or B by powerful forces.”

“Now there is so much argument about who should make the list. Whether Osaze Odemwingie, Ike Uche or some others should be included for the world Cup or not. I think these are irrelevant issues in the lead up to the World Cup. My advice is that Keshi should respect the opinion of stakeholders and elders in the business over the issue of players,”he stressed.

Making reference to the case of Sylvanus Okpala, ACP Kigha simply said “both Keshi and the NFF have not been sincere and transparent about the matter. On one hand, Keshi has not given reasons why he wants Okpala back in the team. He should be specific on what he wants Okpala to do in the team in the event of his return. On the other hand, the NFF must inform Nigerians why they don’t want Okpala back in the team. Look, it is a public matter that requires giving the public right information.”

OLDERS Bayern Munich and ninetimes winners Real Madrid will face each other in the Champions League semifinals,whilesurprise Spanish league leaders Atletico Madrid, the only one of the last four not to have won the title, will be up against Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea - the 2012 winners.

Real Madrid and Atletico will both be at home in the first legs taking place on April 22 and April 23.

Bayern are looking to become the first team to win the Champions League in its present form back-to-back.

While Real are seeking to end a long wait to continue their collection having last won it in 2002.

Chelsea are in the semi-finals for the seventh time in 11 seasons

Across 1 Former Enugu Rangers Coach, Daniel – (6) 4 Ghanaian Currency Unit – (6) 7 Super Eagles Midfielder, John – (3) 8 Dolphins FC Media Officer, China – (6) 9 Former Oyo State Governor, Rasheed – (6) 11 Brazillian Currency – (4 12 Benin Republic National President, Mr. Boni – (4) 14 L.G.A in Akwa-Ibom State – (4) 16 State in Nigeria Known as “Home of Solid Minerals”? – (8) 20 Botswana Capital City – (8) 23 Dolphins FC Goalkeeper, Owazuoke – (4) 26 Amphibian – (4 27 Belgium Premiership club-side – (4) 29 League Management Committee (LMC) Chairman, Nduka – (6 30 L.G.A in Ogun State – (6) 31 French Word for “Name”? – (3) 32 L.G.A in Imo State – (6)

33 Kano Pillars Left-back Nazifi – (6) Down 1 Sunshine Stars Forward, Shakibu – (6) 2 Golden Eaglets (U-17) Striker, Musa – (6) 3 Chelsea FC Coach, Jose – (8) 4 Botswana Currency – (4) 5 L.G.A in Rivers State – (6) 6 Super Eagles Media Officer, Ben – (6) 10 Former Kaduna State Governor, Ibrahim – (4) 13 L.G.A in Gombe State – (4) 15 Venomous Snake – (3) 17 Borno State Governor, Kassim – (8) 18 Hausa Word for “Water”? – (4) 19 Connection – (3) 20 Zodiac Sign – (6) 21 Former Nigerian President, Muhammadu – (6) 22 L.G.A in Kano State – (4) 24 Former Kenyan Prime Minister, Mr. Faila – (6) 25 Super Falcons Goalkeeper, Tochukwu – (6) 28 Seagull – (4)

SOLUTION on page 15

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