Confab: Crisis deepens

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CONFAB: Crisis deepens as Kutigi, 50 ‘wise men’ fail to meet •Why South is against 5% allocation for North over insurgency

BY HENRY UMORU , ABUJA

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HE crisis rocking the National Conference over derivation deepened yesterday following the abortion of the meeting of the Chairman of the Conference, Justice Idris Kutigi with the group of 50 ‘wise men’ known as the Consensus Group, chairmen and deputies of the 20 standing committees.

Only 20 or about 22 per cent of the 90 delegates expected at the meeting showed up, forcing the leadership to turn the gathering into an informal one.

Consequently, a stormy session is expected on Monday when the plenary reconvenes, as southern delegates insist on their opposition to proposed allocation of five percent of federal revenue to rebuild insurgency-ravaged areas of the North because the move would increase violence in the country.

Following the deadlock and abrupt adjournment of the plenary last Thursday on account of the failure to arrive at a compromise on revenue sharing, derivation formula and insurgency fund, Kutigi had scheduled yesterday’s meeting with the ‘wise men’ for 11 am.

However, Saturday Vanguard gathered that only 20 delegates turned up for the meeting. Apparently not ready for the meeting and after some hours of waiting by the delegates, Kutigi was said to have

asked his deputy, Prof.

Bolaji Akinyemi to tell the delegates that the leadership was aware of their presence but they should brainstorm and brief the leadership later.

The move, which turned the gathering into an informal one as opposed to the expected serious meeting left the delegates confused because the leadership of the Conference called for the meeting and not the delegates.

Delegates who showed up included Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Umara Kumalia, Prof. Jubril Aminu, Gen. Geoffrey Ejiga, Fola Adeola, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Obong Victor Attah, Senator Ibrahim Ida, Alhaji Tanko Yankassai; Senator Musa Adede, Evelyn Shekarau, Comrade Issa Aremu, Mrs Bola Ogunrinade and Ledun Mitee.

Last Thursday, delegates were divided along regional lines and failed to come to a compromise on how

President Goodluck Jonathan (l) presenting PENCOM award to former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the 10th anniversary of the National Pension Commission dinner held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday. Pic: Godwin Omoigui revenue should be shared.

The plenary session ended abruptly without a final decision on critical issues of revenue sharing formula from the Federation Account and deriva-

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ORMER Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon has said Nigeria has come to stay despite the various daunting challenges confronting the country.

Gowon said this yesterday, at the 17th Wole Soyinka Annual Lecture held at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The lecture, themed, “This house must not fall; Renegotiating Nigeria’s social contract

lice, IGP Ibrahim Coomasie.

The Elders Committee through its Spokesman and delegate on the platform of Elder Statesmen Category, Prof. Ibrahim

FG committed to providing affordable houses to all Nigerians — Jonathan any society”.

BY TONY EDIKE, ENUGU

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, reiterated the commitment of his administration to provide affordable shelter for all Nigerians.

The President spoke through the Vice President, Namadi Sambo while commissioning 324

Units, Elim Housing Estate in Nike, Enugu State.

He stated that the project was an eloquent testimony on the determination of the Federal Government to provide low cost housing for all Nigerians.

According to Jonathan, “Today’s commissioning ceremony is another beautiful and verifiable pointer to the success of hous-

Nigeria will not fall — Gowon

BY DAUD OLATUNJI, ABEOKUTA

tion principle and they could not conclude voting on recommendations of the Devolution of Power Committee led by Obong Victor Attah and former Inspector- General of Po-

Gambari had on Wednesday presented the outcome of the committee’s meeting which raised the derivation from 13 per cent to 18 per cent.

It also resolved that there shall be a National Intervention Fund which shall be five per cent of the annual revenue accruing to the account of the Federal Government for the stabilization, rehabilitation and reconstruction of areas affected by terrorism and insurgency, in the first instance in the North East of Nigeria, North Central, North West and any other part of the country.

The five per cent National Intervention Fund for areas affected by terrorism and insurgency, in the first instance in the North East of Nigeria, North Central, North West sparked off protests among delegates from the South-South, SouthWest and South-East, who said it must not read the north alone but any part of the country that may be affected by terrorism and insurgency.

after 100 years of nationhood”, was organized by the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) as part of events marking the Nobel Laureate’s 80th birthday.

The elder stateman said the populace wanted a perfect condition, which according to him was not possible.

“Every nation has a problem, even the advanced countries. I am optimistic that things will take shape in this country,” he said.

“No matter what happens, I am confident that this nation will not

fall. I have a great belief and faith that the younger ones will do it better.”

ing delivery and verifiable urban development strategies of our administration”.

He further stated that the past four years had witnessed our painstaking and remarkable achievements in many sectors, stressing that “we are beginning to notice significant improvement in housing and urban development arising from the implementation of the many people-oriented projects. ”We shall not relent in our efforts to provide affordable housing for our people. Housing is very important to social and economic development of

President Jonathan commended the developer, COPEN Group, for delivering on quality and time.

Earlier, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State said apart from keying into the Federal Housing Scheme, his government was partnering with the private sector to provide quality and affordable houses for its workers.

While assuring of his readiness to continue partnering with the Federal Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development in that regards, he disclosed that “I have directed the relevant agencies of government to

expedite action on the ministry ’s request for land to provide a similar estate. ”Here in Enugu State, we have fully developed six estates and all of them are occupied. We found time to commission the Maryland Estate, which contains 384 Units, fully developed”.

The Governor, however, observed that since it could not meet the housing needs of the people alone, it had continued to partner with reputable estate developers, noting that “Elim Estate is a clear example of such partnership”.

Balmo forest raid: Troops recover weapons from underground armouries in search of hidden weap-

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HE Defence Headquar ters yesterday said that the ‘’mopping up operations in Balmo forest,’’ overrun by troops leading to the dislodgemnt of Boko Haram insurgents earlier had led to ‘’more discoveries of arms stockpiled in underground cells in the forest.’’

This was contained in a

statement entitled, ‘’Balmo Forest Operation: Troops unearth more weapons from underground armouries,’’ signed by the Director of Defence Information, DDI, Maj-Genl Chris Olukolade.

Olukolade said, ‘’Troops who have been excavating various sites in the forest

ons, have so far recovered over 10 rifles along with parts and accessories as well as more than 80 General Purpose Machine Guns, GPMG, tubes of Rocket Propelled Grenades, RPGs, and launchers, cables and wires (for making of Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs) and thousands of rounds of assorted ammunition.

’’Also recovered in the search are uniforms of security agencies including protective clothing. ‘’Meanwhile, suspects captured in the forest have been taken into custody and are volunteering information linking the(ir) activities in the forest with other terrorist activities in the country. The mopping up operation continues.’’

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SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014

It’s difficult to have uninterrupted electricity under PDP-led govt — Fashola •Assures residents on completion of Ago-Palace Way, Ijegun-Isolo Link Bridge projects

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & at the Blue Roof, Lagos Television premises.

Monsuru Olowoopejo While responding to varOVERNOR Baba- ious questions from the tunde Fashola of audience, he said electricLagos State has said the ity crisis in the country only way to get uninter- was as a result of lack of rupted electricity supply ideas and insincerity of in the country is to vote purpose on the part of the out the ruling People’s Federal Government.

“I agree that it is possiDemocratic Party, PDP from power in the forth- ble to generate electricity coming 2015 general elec- and to make sure that everybody in this country has tions.

Meantime, the governor electricity. I agree with assured residents of his you it is simple with what commitment towards im- we have done in Lagos proving the tempo of de- within the areas where we velopment in the state till are constrained showed the end of his tenure, say- that it can be done. But ing the Ago Palace Way the only way you and I road and Ijegun, Isolo- will have electricity in this Ikotun Link Bridge country is to vote out the projects would be com- PDP.” “In 16 years, hundreds pleted soon.

Fashola made the re- of billions of naira had marks yesterday at the been spent on power supcommemoration of his ply and we cannot switch 2,600 days in office at an on electricity for the enelaborate ceremony held tire country. But in seven

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years, we (Lagos State Government) have created four plants, it showed that something is missing.

Unless you vote for the All Progressives Congress, APC to change an inefficient government, it is going to be difficult to have electricity.

“They started from vision 2020-20 and I told you then that they were having nightmare, that there was no vision. They moved to seven-point agenda and now they are transforming.

“Let me also say that in the last seven years, we need to ask how many new power plants the Federal Government has commissioned because sometimes the power that is coming to Lagos at most is 1000 mega watts often times it is 600, at other times 800 mega watts.”

“I appreciate the prob-

lem of distribution of power, that was why the state government established the transformer manufacturing company, which has afforded the state government the opportunity to distribute transformers to several communities in the state,” the governor added.

Fashola lamented that the inefficiency of the central government on power forced establishing the state government transformer manufacturing company and distribute transformers, to communities in Lagos.

In the area of infrastruc-

tural development, he said the state government completed so many road projects across the state within the period, noting that 205 roads projects are at various stages of construction in the state.

On the Ago palace road,

COMMISSIONING: from left; former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Chief Benjamin Elue, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Delta State, Chief Peter Nwaboshi, Chief Solomon Ogba and the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Onwusanya during the commissioning of 25 Nissan cars for LGA Chairmen in the state by the governor in Asaba, Friday. Photo: Henry Unini

Four Osun APC leaders on and individually, for any assassination list harm that may come to

By Wale Akinola

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LL Progressives Congress (APC) has alerted security agencies in Osun State that four of its top leaders may have been listed for assassination by a rival party.

The hired killers, according to a statement

by Kunle Oyatomi, Director of Publicity, Osun, yesterday, had commenced surveillance on the four leaders.

“Very credible inside sources from the rival party itself alerted the APC that its officials took this decision at a meeting in Lagos on Thursday”, the statement said.

“We are therefore alerting Nigerians to the horrible dimension to which the rival party’s desperation for power has taken.

“The rival party in the State of Osun has gone berserk and their diabolical lust for power has become so murderous that they seem to care less about innocent lives.

“We are reliably informed that the reason the rival party has suddenly become this desperate is that in spite of everything it has done,

majority of the people of Osun and their leaders remain resolutely committed to the APC and totally opposed to its ideas.

“The APC therefore alerts Nigerians and all those who care about life and democracy that they should hold the party, its candidate and collaborators, who are the primary conspirators in this dastardly development, responsible, collectively

these APC leaders, or any chieftain and members of our party.

“Nigerians should also hold them equally responsible for whatever abduction or physical assault that may result in the death of anybody in the State of Osun in the circumstances of the senseless violence they have introduced to the electoral process and activities leading to the August 9 election and thereafter.”

Court adjourns suit challenging APC Ward congress in Lagos

By Innocent Anaba

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Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, adjourned till October 2, hearing in the suit against the All Progressives Congress, APC, challenging its just concluded Ward Congress in Lagos.

The plaintiff, Mr Bamidele Avoseh, is praying the court through his counsel, Mr Aruwayo Omoniyi, to set aside the congress, for being irregular.

He is also praying the court to declare that the refusal to submit his name as a delegate duly listed to

contest the State Delegates Congress election, was contrary to the Electoral Act. Defendants in the suit are APC, Mr Joseph Ayodeji, Mr Tayo Sanyaolu, Tunde Balogun, Chairman APC Lagos, National Chairman APC, and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Hearing in the matter could not go on due to the absence of the trial judge.

In his affidavit, the plaintiff averred that the APC guidelines bestowed on the State Congress Committee, the responsibility of displaying the names of candidates vying for party positions in Wards, Local Government, and State Congresses.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014 — 7

2015: S/South PDP, APC Govs‘ll meet on the battle field— Uduaghan

By Emma Amaize, Austin Ogwuda, Festus Ahon, Egufe Yafugborhi, Godwin Oghre, Brisibe Perez

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OVERNOR Em manuel Uduaghan of Delta State has declared that it will be love lost between Governors of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP and their All Progressives Congress,APC, counterparts in the Niger Delta, saying they would meet on the field in 2015.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Asaba on burning national and state issues, the Governor said in 2015, all the South South Governors will campaign for their various presidential candidates.

He said, “Governor Amaechi, my friend is in APC, I am in PDP. In 2015, PDP will present its Presidential candidate and APC will do same.

Based on that, we will all campaign and vote for our Presidential candidates and that is where our relationship ends.

“But I can tell you that the PDP is getting stronger. You know we now have the “Game Changer ” as national chairman. We have taken Ekiti and more States will follow. At the state level there is no shaking. Our members who left are coming back. We shall

meet on the field.”

On the forthcoming October council polls in the state, he said his party leaders will try to reduce the tension in the campaigns by streamlining the number of aspirants.

“The primaries will be held in August. I have not endorsed anybody, but I am worried where you

have 13 aspirants vying for chairmanship and only one can emerge. We should not heat up the system. We don’t want a repeat of the situation where people will start moving to other parties,” he stated.

Uduaghan further advised striking health workers to resume work, adding that frequency

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By Simon Ebegbulem

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HAIRMAN, Edo State Parliamentary Association of Nigeria, Comrade Shugaba Aliyu says his members in the state Assembly are not under threat, and there was no need for the State NLC Chairman to threaten to ask the Assembly workers to stay at home if the crisis in the Assembly persists. In a statement, Comrade Aliyu said since the lawmakers had moved their plenary to the old Assembly Chambers, normalcy had been restored and the Seargent-At-Arms, Assembly Clerks and others needed for the normal sitting of the Assembly have been working without fear of attacks.

“While we appreciate the concern of the leadership of the state branch of the Nigeria Labour Congress on the welfare of our members, we wish to state that our members no longer face any threat as they go about their normal duties at the old legislative chamber,” he said.

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S part of efforts to improve the dwindling en-

Terrorism in Nigeria : L-R, Deputy Director, Public Relations, Department of State Services, Marilyn Ogar; Col. Nwachukwu, Director -General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri and Police Public Relation Officer, Frank Mba addressing Pressmen on the activities of Government to curtail terrorism in Nigeria at National Information Centre in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

SAN: LPPC drops Keyamo, confers rank yesterday, the Chief on 17 lawyers yesterday, said it had Abuja Registrar of the Supreme

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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HE Legal Practi tioners’ Privileges Committee, LPPC,

awarded the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, to 17 legal practitioners in the country.

Briefing newsmen in

•voids sack of 148 councillors in Abia State HE Supreme Court, yesterday, dismissed a suit that sought to remove Governor Suswam of Benue State from office over an allegation that he tendered a forged West African Examination Council, WAEC, certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. It was a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Terver Kakih, that lodged the appeal before the apex court.

Kakih, in his appeal, insisted that the governor, used the said bogus certificate and obtained form CF001 from INEC in order to participate in the 2011

Edo Assembly workers dissociate selves from NLC threat

Edo signs MoU on Talent Hunt competition

Alleged certificate forgery: S-Court declines to sack Gov Suswam

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

under the current situation in the country is unhealthy and uncalled for.

He said, “I have maintained that doctors should please go back to work while we are dealing with the issues they have raised, because this period is too critical for the health sector to be shutdown.

BRIEFS

general election.

Besides, he challenged the legitimacy of the PDP primary election that produced Suswam, contending that it was not conducted in line with either the Electoral Act, the party ’s constitution or guidelines.

It was his argument that Suswam was not constitutionally qualified to contest the governorship election in the state.

Though the appellant initially lost the case at both the high and appellate courts, he took the matter before the appellate court where he also failed yesterday.

In their unanimous decision yesterday, a 5man panel of justices of

the apex court, dismissed the case as grossly lacking in merit, even as they upheld the verdicts of the two lower courts.

In the lead judgment which was delivered by Justice Suleiman Galadima, the apex court panel, held that there was “no iota of credible evidence to support the allegation of certificate forgery.”

Court who doubles as the Secretary of the LPPC, Mr. Sunday Olorundahunsi, said the rank was conferred on the 17 lawyers “as a mark of excellence”.

Olorundahunsi stressed that the committee had at the end of a general meeting it held yesterday, decided to drop five of the lawyers that were initially shortlisted for the rank.

He, however, insisted that the selection was carried out with strict adherence to the provisions of the legal practitioners’ guidelines.

Besides, he disclosed that a total of 109 lawyers across the federation had applied to be elevated to the rank, adding that whereas 23 of them were academicians, he said that three of the applicants were women.

tertainment sector in Edo State, the state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Festrut Group Limited, a multi-national firm based in Abuja to jointly organize the first Edo talent- hunt competition slated for August – November 2014.

The Special Senior Adviser on Entertainment to Comrade Governor, Honorable Rowland Igbadumhe, who signed on behalf of the state government said the audition exercises will take place in three senatorial districts at Auchi, Ekpoma and Benin City respectively.

He said registration for the show will be free for all youths so as to encourage those without the required resources to harness their skills and also encourage grassroots’ participation. Mr. Igbadumhe also disclose that plans have also been concluded to feature the overall winners in all the major events held across the country, like Ay live, Night of a thousand laughs, Rhythm Unplug and other events within the country; including some events held in Europe.

Confab: Obiora hails South East delegates, tasks President HE South East delegates to the national conference T have been commended for their tenacity and the singlemindedness with which they have conducted themselves so

far and pursued the interests of the geopolitical zone at the conference. A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, while praising the delegates, pointed out specifically “how the delegates worked to ensure that the desire of the South East zone to get another state from the conference was achieved.”

While commending the delegates, Okonkwo, who is the Political and Economic Adviser to the Archbishop of Onitsha & Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, and a former member of the Board Member of the National Metallurgical Development Centre, Jos, hailed the vision of President Goodluck Jonathan in setting up the conference as he reminded him that “the recommendations will come to nothing if not implemented.” According to Okonkwo, “the importance and historic significance of this achievement will be better appreciated when put in perspective with the various attempts in the past to get another state for the zone and address the injustice the zone continues to suffer as the only zone with five states.”

Abia 2015: Ukwa/Ngwa leaders commend Gov Orji

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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rominent political leaders from Ukwa/Ngwa area of Abia State have hailed the State governor, Chief Theodore Ahamefula Orji over his resolve to move the governorship seat of the state to Abia South Senatorial District in 2015. By this, the government would be realizing the gubernatorial of the Ukwa/Ngwa people which had eluded them since the creation of Abia State in 1991.

Orji, who at the beginning of his second term, promised to handover to an Ngwa man, declared last week, during the swearing-in of the newly appointed Transition Committee chairmen for the seventeen local government areas of the state in Umuahia, that power will move to Abia South in 2015. His words: “I am a product of rotation. If there was no rotation I may not be governor today. I must continue with rotation because power moved from Abia-North to Abia-Central, and must go to South.

“It is incumbent on me because failure to do that will be injustice to me and my party. It is fair to both God and man.”

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014

Adamawa impeachment: Nyako, deputy shun panel •As volumes of exhibits are tendered

By Umar Yusuf, Yola

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HE seven-man panel set up by the former Adamawa State Acting Chief Judge, Justice Ambrose Mammadi to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Nyako and his Deputy, Bala Ngillari commenced sitting yesterday at the Conference Hall of the Federal Secretariat, Yola, the state capital.

Nyako and his Deputy, Bala Ngillari however, refused to appear before the panel on the ground that it was illegally constituted.

The Chairman of the panel, Alhaji Buba Kaigama, who spoke at the venue, apologised for the one week delay in the commencement of sitting, following the problem of locating a venue but assured that the panel would be fair and just to all the parties involved.

Kaigama also pledged that the panel would announce its sittings through six media.

While presenting the matter before the panel, Counsel to the complainants (Adamawa State House of Assembly) Chief Duro Adeyede, SAN, submitted 23 exhibits including a video clip against Nyako and six other exhibits against Ngillari, which were all accepted by the panel.

During his cross examination by Adeyede, a witness to the House of Assembly and Chairman House Committee on Public Accounts, Mr.

Wafarniyi Theman identified all the exhibits as the true certified copies as presented by the House against the Nyako and Ngilari.

On what he wanted the the panel to do for the House, Theman asked

the members to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct brought against the two first and second citizens of the state by the House of Assembly as well as declare whether they

From L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Capital, Ms. Yewande Sadiku, Nigeria Country Director, Africa Development Bank (AFDB), Dr. Ousmane Dore and Chief Financial Officer, Rand Merchant Bank, Nigeria, Mr. William Richard at the signing ceremony of Africa Development Bank’s Naira bond issue of its N160b programme arranged by Stanbic IBTC Capital (Lead Issuing House) and Rand, Merchant Bank, Nigeria (Joint Issuing House), in Lagos.

Amosun’s action against monarch is ‘executive recklessness’— Court •Orders govt to pay Oba’s 19 months withheld salary

By Daud Olatunji, Abeokuta

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GUN State High Court, sitting in Sagamu has ordered governor Ibikunle Amosun to pay the Alakene of Ikenne, Oba Adeyinka Onakade his 19 months salaries and allowances which the government has “illegally” withheld.

Oba Onakade who was installed by the immediate-past administration in May 2011 went to the Sagamu High Court to seek

redress over the stoppage of his salary and allowance by the incumbent administration.

The immediate past administration in the State had on 2011 installed Oba Onakade as the Monarch of Ikenne to succeed late Oba Gilbert Akindoyin Awomuti.

The monarch was given the instrument of office which seals his authority as legally installed.

But on assumption of office, the present adminis-

One killed, lawmaker escapes death as land speculators clash in Ogun •several injured, 9 arrested

By Daud Olatunji, Abeokuta

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ANDEMONIUM broke out yesterday at Obada-oko community in Ewekoro local government area of Ogun state when suspected land speculators and youths engaged in a bloody clash leading over land disputes in the area.

One person was reportedly killed while several

were guilty of the charges or not.

In view of the failure of the governor and his Deputy to attend or send representations, the Chairman of the panel said he would forward the hearing notices to both of them.

persons sustained injuries.

A lawmaker representing Ewkoro state constituency in the State House of Assembly, Israel Jolaoso narrowly escaped death in the hands of the rampaging land speculators.

The development paralyzed commercial activities as the ever-busy old Abeokuta-Lagos road was blocked for several hours for those coming into Abe-

okuta and those leaving the town .

Also, the third term unified examinations in the state public schools were immediately cancelled.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that a popular land speculator and his thugs had stormed Obada-oko to execute a land judgment, but met stiff resistance from the youths of the community to a free for all.

tration in the state declared the Alakenne stool vacant.

But while the suit was pending, the government ordered the Remo Traditional Council to stop payment of salaries, allowances and other fringe benefits due to the king.

The King again went to court to challenge the decision, praying the court to determine whether it was lawful for the government to stop his salary and allowances.

The monarch also asked the court to determine whether the government had the power to infringe on his right and also whether the government’s action was legal.

Justice Elizabeth Osinuga in his ruling yesterday agreed with the plaintiff’s Counsel that the government action to stop payment of the King’s salary was illegal and therefore declared the action null and void.

Osinuga described the government’s action as “Executive recklessness” and therefore ordered the government to pay Oba Onakade all the salaries and allowances due to him for the past 19 months.

BRIEFS Six teenagers arrested for looting Savannah bank

By Onozure Dania

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IX young men were yesterday arrested by a team of anti- robbery policemen team attached to Area A Police Command, Lion Building around 8: 30 am, while they were looting properties from Savannah bank, at Broad Street, in Lagos Island.

An eye witness, who witnessed the incident told Saturday Vanguard that he observed that the arrested armed robbers were all teenagers between the ages of 18 to 20.

Some residents of the area who gathered at the crime scene identified some of the boys, saying that they had been tormenting residents of the area for a very long time.

They commended the Area Commander, Imohimi Edgal for the quick response of the policemen and the reduction of crime in the area.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the suspects whose names were Ibrahim Luka, Kunle Malik, Sheriff Lawal , Tnde Basiru, Arif Sarumi, Lukman Ojikutu and Fidelis Joshua have been carrying out the dastardly act for a long time before the policemen were alerted following a tip-off from residents.

Some of the suspects,who tried to escape by attacking the policemen with cutlasses were shot in the leg by the policemen who were led by one Sargent Mohammed Akeem.

Security expert urges military to sustain onslaught against Boko Haram

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ENOWNED Security expert Dr. Ona Ekhomu has urged the military to intensify and sustain its onslaught against Boko Haram terrorists in order to “bring back our girls” and halt the incessant killing of Nigerians.

Reacting to the successful security operation that dislodged Boko Haram terrorists from the Balmo Forest in Bauchi State recently resulting in the killing of 44 terrorists, Ekhomu said: ‘’It is obvious the military is making giant strides towards defeating the terrorists and bringing an end to extremist violence in the county”.

Dr. Ekhomu who is President of the Association of Industrial Security Operators of Nigeria (AISSON) advised military commanders and combatants to set aside sentiments while combating the insurgents. He said: “fighters are fighters from hell and do not mean us well.” He said that foreign fighters were embedded with the Nigerian terrorists and are intent on destroying Nigerian lives and assets.

Loral celebrates excellence with distinguished academic achievers club

By Esther Onyegbula

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S part of its commitment to promote and celebrate students academic achievements Loral International Secondary School, Igbesa has recognized and decorated 120 students with Gold, Silver and Bronze sash bands for their outstanding academic performances.

Speaking at the event, the School Senior Principal, Mrs. Ezinne Uzuegbunam said: “the event is to further motivate the students to aspire to the topmost academic ladder at all times. These students like other students have been working for success but in an extra-ordinary way, they went the extra mile than others to attain greater heights. It is indeed a feat conquered by steadfastness in their studies. Categorically these feats are measured in Gold, Silver and Bronze to alert students that there is always room at the top to accommodate anyone that wishes to be at the top in all areas of human endeavour.”

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard , JUL Y 12, 2014—9 JULY

HORROR

Ritual killings everywhere

In spite of civilization , more religious groups, Nigerians narrate

bizarre encounter with ritualists

BY EVELYN USMAN & EBUN SESSOU

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ooking curiously as this reporter approached her make-shift restaurant around J4 , Aketegbo community in Seme Badagry area of Lagos two weeks ago, mama Rilwan as she is popularly called, stood up from her seat, apparently thinking the stranger had come to patronize her.’ ki lefe ra?(what do you want to buy ?) she asked. But when this writer disclosed her mission, the seeming expectation on her face dropped, giving way to a sad expression of a memory she never wishes to recall. She immediately beckoned on two teenagers later discovered to be her children to take over the stand while she went inside the shop, with this reporter following with caution.

After a long silence accompanied with a long stare at this reporter, she said: “ I recognize you now. You were here in 2007 when the incident that threw my entire life upside down occurred. My son, Rilwan would have been 20 years this month (June), had he not been sent

to an early grave by my neighbor.

He was my first child and also my back bone”.

Tried as she could to control her emotion as she spoke, her strength failed her. Tears trickled down her cheeks.

All was going on well for the food vendor until September 1, 2007, when her son , Rilwan , was reported missing. Three days later, his remains were found with the throat slashed, signifying that he could have been a victim of ritual killing which was said to be common in the area.

Accusing finger was pointed at one Muyideen Salam whose shop was close to the deceased’s mother’s place. He was said to have been seen with the deceased before his disappearance. After much persuasion which took a brutal dimension, Muyideen confirmed everyone’s fears, by confessing that he killed Rilwan and used his blood for money ritual.

In an interview with Sunday Vanguard at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba , seven years ago (published October 7, 2007)the then 35 year-old

Muyideen disclosed that he was sent to get the blood of a virgin by a herbalist with which to prepare the concoction he would use to bath for nine days, after which he would become rich Muyideen gave a chilling account of how he gruesomely murdered the teenager and drained his blood, with the help of his friend, one Nuru.

Strange as this sounded, Muy-

ideen disclosed that he was sent to get the blood of a virgin by a herbalist with which to prepare the concoction he would use to bath for nine days, after which he would become rich.

But he never lived to see his devilish wish come true ,even though he succeeded in killing the teenager. This was as a result of his arrest by policemen at Seme division . He was convicted for murder.

Muyideen’s startling confession was, no doubt, a reflection of a society that is fast becoming bestial.

Killing of human beings for rituals or whatever reason, dates back to the ancient times when people used to appease the gods of the land with human blood and for the purpose of winning wars. Twins, who were considered an abomination, were killed until its abolition through Mary Slessor’s missionary works.

One would have expected that such pseudoscience should rather be imagined than witnessed in Nigeria in this 21st century, when other countries of the world are experimenting and advancing in

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Continues from page 9 technology. More baffling is the fact that some Nigerians still indulge in such superstitious process of ritual killings in spite of the escalation of religious groups across the country as well as the exposure of majority of the populace to education and Western culture.

Sadly, even some acclaimed high and mighty indulge in ritual killings. Some politicians and government officials have been accused by arrested suspects (and herbalists), alleging that they use human beings for rituals in order to sustain their affluence as well as to remain in power. Records also show that cases of ritual killings and subsequent disappearance of persons are usually on the increase whenever elections are around the corner.

In Lagos state for instance, about fifteen cases of kidnap attempts have reportedly been recorded in the last four months. One of the foiled attempts was at Ori-oke, in Ejigbo local council development area, two months ago, where a woman who kidnapped two primary school pupils was heard describing them as goods to an unknown person on the phone.

The saddest part of this evil act is that hundreds of victims of ritual murders only get mentioned as missing persons. While some manage, by sheer stroke of providence to escape the slaughters’ slab, others never live to share their ordeal with any person.

Investigation by Saturday Vanguard revealed that agents of these vampires who hide in forests and other unknown places are spread across the country, lying in wait like a hungry lion for their preys. Majority of their victims are innocent school children, poor street hawkers, commercial sex workers, stranded visitors and unsuspecting commuters.

Watch out for these black spots

I

nvestigation carried out by Saturday Vanguard showed that black spots where these agents prowl include areas like Otta, Ibafo and Mowe , all in Ogun state, Epe, Ikorodu, Shagamu Road Isheri/Olowo Ira,Cele Express along Oshodi/Apapa Expressway, Badagry axis, Ikeja, Toyota Busstop, Mile Two, Ajah,all in Lagos State; Lagos / Ibadan Express Road; Lagos/Benin by-pass in Edo State; Igwurita ,Rumuokoro in Port Harcourt, Rivers state; Ilorin/Oro Road in Kwara state; Lokoja, Abuja Highway in Kogi State and River Kaduna. Other areas are bush paths, markets, lonely environments, hotels and brothels, popular bus stopovers or terminals, and other hot spots across the country.

Modus Operandi

S

ome of these agents, most times disguise as lunatics. A typical case in mind was that Clifford Orji who was arrested under the bridge at Toyota Bus-stop along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos with human parts in 2001.He

‘Watch out for black spots’ confessed to be selling human parts to prominent Nigerians who undoubtedly used them for ritual purposes. The amazing thing about this peculiar case was the fact that Orji who later died while in Prison custody, was presumed a lunatic.

Unknown to passers-by, he only masqueraded as a mad man in order to achieve his sinister motives.

Investigations further revealed that one of their ways is to attack job seekers. They print fliers for recruitment. Some even go the extra mile to advertise for vacancies in national dailies. They then send text messages or email to applicants, informing that they have been listed for the job and will be invited for interviews. In many cases, hotels turn out to be the venues for the interviews. At this point, if the prospective applicant gets to the designated hotel, he/she will reportedly be hypnotized and thereafter taken to the slaughter’s slab which is usually in the bush or some remote places. At other times, an applicant will be informed that the venue for interview has changed on reaching the hotel, from where they will provide a vehicle, which unknown to the applicants, have been sprayed with substance that automatically puts them to sleep.

Barely four months ago, Nigerians received with shock, news of a den in Soka village, Oluyole Local Government area of Oyo state, where about 20 corpses, majority of which were declared missing by their relatives were found and 18 victims were rescued. From all

Investigations further revealed that one of their ways is to attack job seekers; they print fliers for recruitment; some even go the extra mile to advertise for vacancies in national dailies and then send text messages or email to applicants, informing that they have been listed for the job and will be invited for interviews indications, it was obvious that the den has been existing for long before it was uncovered, following a heap of victims’ clothes. One of the rescued victims was reported to have said he was kidnapped in Ogun while attending an interview.

The most celebrated ritual killing in the recent past was the notorious Otokoto saga in Owerri, Imo State where a businessman belonging to a cult was alleged to have used his apprentice for ritual. The boy’s corpse was later exhumed at the premises of Otokoto Hotel. It ex-

posed many other bizarre acts in hotels.

Female parts

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nvestigation shows that female parts are more in demand than their male counterparts. This is because of what was described as the potency of some parts like the breasts and lower private parts in money rituals and other purposes by herbalists and occult groups.

Virgins and babies on the other hand are also reportedly used by some politicians and government officials for ritual purposes as their blood is said to be used to elongate the user’s life span as well as fortify them against spiritual attacks.

Security hints at Saturday’s Vanguard’s disposal reveal that sometimes, these ‘celebrities’ employ the services of some restaurant owners, hotel operators and their trusted domestic workers to get them virgins who are subsequently murdered for ritual purposes. Majority of girls who have fallen prey to these death traps were discovered to be secondary school students as well as those in tertiary institutions as they were at the initial stage carried away by money and expensive gifts from their assailants.

A particular case in mind was that of a South-West politician alleged to have been caught by his driver with a dissected day-old baby whose blood he was drinking. The incident

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SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Continues from page 10 as reported two years ago, occurred inside a bush, while the driver was taking his boss (names withheld) to a purported function. Half way into the journey, the politician was said to have ordered his driver to pull over. He thereafter, alighted and headed for a bush with a promise to be back. Having waited without any sight of his boss, the ignorant and curious driver reportedly went in search for him,only to meet him stark naked and pouring the blood of a dissected baby into his mouth.

Barely two weeks later, the driver reportedly died under mysterious circumstance. The event that occurred before his death was related by a Pastor friend whom the deceased confided in before his demise.

The lust for money and power drives these people into ritual killings.

While some kill to achieve this unfathomable dream, others resort to digging graves and removing needed human parts for ritual purpose. Saturday Vanguard scooped that most guards at cemeteries connive with agents to sell human parts.

It was learnt that if a fresh human head is needed, an agent will contact some cemetery workers ahead.

In this case, the cemetery official will be on the look out for fresh dead bodies, preferably those of Muslims who are usually buried within 24 hours after death. Immediately the body is interred, cemetery worker will exhume the body at night, cut off the needed parts and place the body back in the grave.

Human parts for sale

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hose who patronize cemetery officials are usually herbal ists, herbal traders and even prominent Nigerians who usually use middle men. Surprisingly, human parts are sold in some markets in Nigeria. We gathered that a fresh human head could go for N60,000 and above, while a skull is sold for N20,000. Fresh legs are sold for N30,000 each while a decomposed leg is sold for N20,000.

A fresh finger is sold for N5,000 each while the decomposed is sold for 3,000. Fresh intestines are sold for N20,000 while dry ones are sold for N5000. Pieces of fresh bones are sold for N2,000 and above.

Arrests made

F

ive months ago, the Oyo State Police Command, arrested a Muslim cleric, one Alfa Gbolagade Dauda Ileanwo, in Agbaje area of Ibadan with three human skulls and charms. The suspect, according to the command, confessed that he had been in the trade for ten years. Though he claimed to be using the human parts for concoctions to assist sterile women, his accomplice, Saheed Azeez, countered the claim, stating rather that his boss was into money making rituals.

The command also arrested two

Vanguard , JUL Y 12 JULY 12, 2014—11

‘Female parts are more in demand’

other suspected ritual killers,Musa Dauda and Sango Olojo-Onile with a human head and two heel bones.

During interrogation, Dauda revealed that the human parts were removed from a grave at Ojetete village, Kisi, for money ritual.

Olojo-Onile according to the command was arrested in April with a fresh head of a woman which still had cotton wool stuck inside the ears.

Also in Epe, the lifeless body of a 68-year-old man,Ade Lekuti, earlier declared missing was discovered at Owode, near Ogombo in EtiOsa Local Government Area of Lagos State, with the head, hands and private organs cut off.

Surprisingly, the alleged killer was discovered to be his in-law, one Teju Rajimu. The suspect according to the deceased’s family, confessed to have given the missing parts to a herbalist who prepared concoction with them for him. The missing parts were reportedly pounded into powdery form and mixed with a greasy substance which was discovered in the suspect’s apartment.

Similarly, in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, a three-man gang led by one Kamaru Yusuf allegedly beheaded one Omobola Moses at Ira, a village in Oyun Local Government Area. The deceased who was a niece to one of the suspects, was reportedly lured from her parents’ abode into a bush where her head was severed. The suspects, according to report, confessed that they took the head to a 52-year-old herbalist whose name they gave as

Report said the victims were taken to the forest and butchered by killers who then removed the vital parts needed for money-making rituals.

Some prominent citizens of the state and environs were alleged to be patrons of herbalists and native doctors who perform rituals in the forest

Saliu Oyewole, for money ritual.

From the West to the East and North to the South , the story is same.

In Enugu state for instance, an evil forest suspected to be a den for killers was discovered in Igbo Eze North local government area with fresh and decomposing human parts littered all over,with vital parts of

some bodies missing.

Report said the victims were taken to the forest and butchered by killers who then removed the vital parts needed for money-making rituals. Some prominent citizens of the state and environs were alleged to be patrons of herbalists and native doctors who perform rituals in the forest.

One of the mind bugling incidents was the discovery of another horror sight at the Okija shrine in Anambra state. The shrine achieved notoriety in 2004 when it was raided by the Anambra State Police Command ,where 50 decomposing or shrunken bodies and 20 human skulls were found. The shrine was also reportedly patronised by politicians. Till date, politicians still visit Okija shrine.

It is tragic enough that some Nigerians still believe in gaining power and making money through this practice. But more worrisome and astonishing is the use of loved ones, such as one’s parents, siblings and wives for this devilish purpose.

One of such horrifying incidents occurred in Abia state, when a 26 year-old boy allegedly killed his mother for ritual. The suspect,Ebi Onu, who hailed from Igbere, Bende council area of the state, reportedly went to Nguzu Edda in Ebonyi State where he consulted a herbalist to make charms that would make him become rich. The herbalist was said to have asked Ebi to kill his mother and bring her

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Continues from page 11 private part which he said would be used to prepare concoction for him. He allegedly connived with three of his friends to lay ambush for his mother along a bush path and lured his mother into taking a walk with him along that route. On sighting them, his killer friends reportedly sprang out from their hiding and hacked Ebi’s mother to death after which they cut off her private part .

Worried by her disappearance, a search party with Ebi reportedly combed the vicinity for her without luck. Report said some of the residents said they saw the missing woman with her son and consequently Ebi was subjected to questioning and tortured by some youths until he allegedly owned up and took the youths to where he buried his mother at the bank of a river . The angry youths were said to have beaten him to death , thereby depriving him of living to see his inordinate ambition of becoming rich through ritual means.

In the same vein, residents of Bale Ilado village in Morogbo area of Lagos State were thrown into panic recently after a member of the community identified as Segun Adisa allegedly beheaded his own father for money ritual .

However, in his confessional statement to the Police, the suspect claimed that he had to strike first to prevent his father whom he claimed earlier took him to a shrine where he claimed there was an attempt to kill him for money ritual.

Again in Aba, a landlord was alleged to have killed his two children for ritual purpose. The landlord(names withheld) as gathered, dashed out of his three-storey building on Omenazu road in Aba, on sighting some policemen approaching. Policemen from the Abia state command who acted on tip off, were said to have swooped on the building and according to residents of the area , two unconscious children identified as his children were found inside one of the rooms transfixed.

Not too long ago in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory , the body of a lady was found in the boot of a Honda car with plate number AG 847 SUL belonging to an Abuja based businessman whose identity was given as Abdullai Ibrahim. The suspect was said to have been arrested by policemen on patrol while he was cleaning the blood stain on the back seat of the car.

Preliminary investigation, according to police sources, revealed that the suspect slit the deceased’s throat with a knife for alleged ritual purpose.

In Kaduna state, three youths were reported in 2007 to have lured a 17 year-old sugarcane hawker, Ibrahim Shehu, to the outskirts of a village and strangled him. They were said to have been at the verge of removing his eyes when policemen that were alerted by a farmer swooped on them. The suspects, according to the Kaduna State Police Command, confessed to have wanted to pluck out the eyes for money ritual.

Same year in Ibafo area of Ogun state, a woman who managed to escape from a kidnappers den alerted policemen led by one Charles Ogenegbe, a Deputy

‘Human parts for sale’

Superintendent of Police, who stormed the hideout , where a shrine used as slaughter for human beings was discovered.

Also same year in Benue, a 77 year-old woman identified as Adiya Omachi was murdered in her farmland at Odaleko, along Ikachi Adum road. Not done , her assailants reportedly slashed her private parts, signifying they could be ritualists.

In Niger state, three persons were arrested by the police for allegedly beheading a 10-year-old boy in Amale Village, Kaffi-koro District, Paiko local government area of the state for ritual.

The deceased as gathered, was lured by one Salleh Ibrahim who took him on his motorcycle from Amale village to meet two of his other accomplices: Usman Sarki and Dantala Doma. During interrogation, Sarki told policemen that he was contracted by one Gajere to bring the boy’s head for money ritual.

The lad’s headless body was reportedly found in Salleh’s residence while the head was found buried in a shallow grave near Erena in Shiroro local government, pending when they would take it to the herbalist.

If the startling confession of 20 year-old Agu Nwanu, who disclosed that he had so far killed twenty children for money rituals, all in his bid to ensure he does not end up like his poor father must be taken seriously, then all hands must be on deck to address this rising incident of ritual killings.

Security operatives appear to be doing their best to curb these evil and very primitive rituals. But their best appears not to be enough as the menace is on the increase going by daily reports of these killings.

Police react

W

hen the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide was contacted on the spate of ritual killings, she said about Lagos.

Again in Aba, a landlord was alleged to have killed his two children for ritual purpose. The landlord(names withheld) as gathered, dashed out of his three-storey building on Omenazu road in Aba, on sighting some policemen approaching “I will disagree with you on the issue of ritual killing being on the increase in Lagos state. There has not been any of such since my assumption. Sometime last year and about two months ago ,we paraded some suspects for being in possession of human parts. The arrests were effected by men of the Special Anti Robbery Squad and the suspects were arrested from other states.

“During interrogation, we discovered they had same modus operandi. They always go to the grave yard to exhume corpses. It’s something they commit in connivance with the security men at the cemetery.

And the buyers, comprising the native doctors and other persons will be there.

“Let me state here that the Police as security agents do not believe in mystics. We work with facts and physical evidence. So, when you

say people indulge in rituals, we do not understand that language.

What we have also recorded are cases of persons suspected to be kidnappers who were attacked by the mob. It happened at Apapa, Iyana-Ipaja , Shahsha areas . In Shahsha, a man was sighted with a little child in his car and they accused him of wanting to use the child for money ritual and a mob attacked him, without giving him room to explain himself. But for the quick intervention of the traditional ruler of the area who contacted policemen, the man would have been lynched.

“On interrogation, it was discovered that parents of the child begged him to help drop the child in school and on the way, he started crying. We invited the parents who collaborated the claim. If they had killed him, the news would have been all over the place that a ritualist was mobbed.

“Another case was of an elderly woman at Ajegunle who was seen with a day old baby. Before you knew it, people rounded her up and started beating her, claiming she wanted to use the baby for ritual.

The local government chairman contacted the police who rescued the woman who said she was the grandmother of the baby and that her daughter just gave birth but was in an unstable condition in the hospital. What we did was to invite the doctor of the hospital who collaborated her claim . The doctor said he advised the woman to take the baby home while they tried to stabilise the mother. I want to use this medium to advise Lagosians not to engage in mob actions.

“On our part, we have a lot of overt and covert policemen in strategic places in the state, considering the nature of security in the country right now. We have tried to cover up sensitive places like churches, schools, motor parks among other places and we have enough security men”

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M

uyideen Salaam, a 35 year-old apprentice at Aketegbo community in Seme, Badagry area of Lagos, gave this chilling confession of how he killed a 13 year-old boy, Rilwan Amuda, in his crave for materialism.

The Ibadan-born suspect claimed he was tempted to opt for money ritual after his wife left with their two children when feeding became an uphill task for him.

According to him: “ I was alone in the video shop club owned by my master when one of my friends named Nuru came and said he knew someone who could make us rich . He told me all that was needed was just the blood of a boy of about 15 years of age. He said all I needed to do was to get the person since he had already contacted a herbalist. In my desperation, I told him we would take Rilawan, mama elewa’s son since I had easy access to him because he usually ran errands for me and sometimes I gave him money and used closthes.

We felt it was useless to go out and get someone else since Rilawan stayed in the same area with us. I made him understand that getting someone was not the problem but taking him to the herbalist’s shrine where he would be killed.

When we told baba our constraint, he gave Nuru a ring and instructed us to just touch whoever we wanted to bring with it , that the person would follow us without hesitation.

On that fateful day, I called Rilwan and touched him with the ring . To my surprise, he became dumb and followed us to the shrine. We kept him there until it was dark .

When it was midnight and there was no one in sight, we took him away from the shrine and laid him on the ground. While Nuru slashed his throat with a knife given to us by the herbalist, I held a bowl close to his neck for the blood to pour into it.

Rilwan did not put up any resistance as promised by baba because he was hypnotized. And his memory was gone.

After we collected the blood, we gave the bowl to baba and carried Rilawan’s body far away from the shrine to avoid suspicion and dumped it on the expressway so as to give an impression that he was hit by a vehicle. We thereafter, went to bath with the blood as instructed by baba.

He performed some rituals fore us and mixed the blood with a black native soap and gave us to bath with after which he said we would become rich.

But after bathing with the substance, by the third day, we did not see any money as promised by baba.

We were as poor as we used to be .

We were so angry and decided to go to baba’s place to fight with him.

But on our way, Rilwan’s mother held me and asked me to produce his son for him. She said she was informed that he was last seen with me.

She vehemently refused to let go of my trouser even when I denied. This caused a scene and people gathered around me and started beating me.

Nuru who was with me managed to escape. Policemen from Seme division came and took me away. It was at that moment I opened up.

But Nuru who lured me into it is nowhere to be found . I am left to bear the brunt alone . If I had known, I would have continued working for my master where I was paid N1,500 every month. The most painful aspect is that I do not have a mother, father, sister or brother. I am just all alone in the world. I do not want to die even though I partook in killing somebody “, he said in an emotional laden tone.

After his arrest, policemen report-

How I killed and drained teenager’s blood for money ritual —suspect —Suspect edly took him to the herbalist shrine where the suspect showed them the bowl that was used to drain Rilwan’s blood. The herbalist identified as Soji Akodiya did not deny demanding for a human blood from Muyideen and his fleeing friend but he stated that the killing never took place in his shrine.

Out of curiosity , this reporter was forced to ask why he looked so haggard and tattered when he could make money to take care of himself.

In response,he looked at the reporter , smiled sheepishly and said, “you will not understand” Continuing he said : “ Yes, I told them what they needed for money ritual was human blood. Because money ritual is one of the greatest tasks in our line. I told them they could either use their own blood for it but I believe they never wanted to and brought that of the boy. I was not around when the boy was slaughtered . I did not even know when they brought him. He was not even killed in my shrine....”

But Muyideen interrupted saying “It is a lie. You knew when we brought him. It was even you that gave us knife and a bowl to put the blood. You even told us not to kill him in your shrine for security purpose and you were aware we were going to kill him that night”.

But the herbalist ignored the interjection and continued “ I am a herbalist who speacialise in attending to barren women. I also help people to get jobs and also give charms to

Evil men continue to chase their shadows. One thing is clear. Evil begets evil. There’s a price for every bad thing. Those who indulge in these primitive and devilish tendencies never end up well traders to sell more than their fellow traders. I collect, N50 to N500 , depending on what the oracle demands. It is then left for my clients to appreciate me. I got money ritual charm from a colleague ten years ago when all herbalists went for a meeting in Ijebu-ode . Usually, what we do at

such meeting is to help ourselves.

For instance, if I have the cure for any disease and others do not, I will give to them and vice visa.

That was how the baba gave all of us ogun owo (money ritual charm)and instructed us on how to administer to our clients . I have never used it before, this is my first time. It was even when Nuru came to me that I realised I had the charm”.

Asked why it did work for the suspect and his fleeing partner in crime, the herbalist relied “ it did not work because they did not follow my instruction. The instruction was to bathe with the prepared concoction nine days after its preparation but they used it on the third day. Had they followed the instruction, they would have noticed a total turn around in whatever they set their hands to do . Their businesses would have been lucrative . And if they leave N1000 in the bag, they would wake up to meet triple of what was there”.

Mystics. Pure mystics. It’s unbelievable the extent many go to get rich. There are the politicians who believe that charms can make them powerful and transport them into powerful positions. Even when the efficacy of these rituals is in doubt, some people still believe that rituals can change their lives for the better.

Evil men continue to chase their shadows. One thing is clear. Evil begets evil. There’s a price for every bad thing. Those who indulge in these primitive and devilish tendencies never end up well.

14—SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014

IMPRISONMENT:

How Obasanjo, Ribadu framed me up – DSP Alamieyeseigha Says former President Yar’Adua saved his life Insists that President Jonathan must be re-elected

BY SONI DANIEL, Regional Editor, North & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

H

is story evokes emotions as he told it. He sat on his sofa in his large sitting room telling it. For the first time since he was impeached in December 2005, subsequently incarcerated, freed and finally granted a state pardon by President Goodluck Jonathan on March 12, 2013, he has not told the story of his travails. But in this meeting with a Vanguard team of two last week after several unfruitful attempts in the last four months, the former governor of Bayelsa State and Governor-General of Ijaw Nation in the Niger delta, Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha, popularly called DSP opened up in a manner that will stun anyone who is familiar with his ordeals. For instance, there is this widely held impression that he returned to Nigeria

during those trying days disguised as a woman and that he embezzled billions of Naira.

But here, Alamaesigha, who is also a delegate at the on-going National Conference said all were blatant lies against him.

He fingered former President Olusegun Obasanjo as the mastermind of his dilemma.

He also, did not spare the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Malam Nuhu Ribadu. But on a more humane note, Alamaesigha said that late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was his man Friday who saved him from the pangs of death.

Excerpt: His take on the National Conference The conference has been very eventful and educative. Quite frankly, one is more appreciative of the country-Nigeria.

Clearly, what I personally observed is that we do not know this country very well. People placed in position of responsibility must take time out to go

Clearly, what I personally observed is that we do not know this country very well, people placed in position of responsibility must take time out to go round this country

round this country. They must know the geography of this country so that when people are talking about desertification, they will understand. When we are talking about gully erosion, people will understand. When we talk of environmental degradation as a result of oil exploration and exploitation, they will understand. When people say, they can’t have drinking water, they will understand because it is polluted. When peoples’ livelihood is destroyed, you will understand. When people talk about ocean surge, they will understand because when you talk about onshore/offshore, unless you ask people like us whose platforms that were once on land are right now in the deep sea. They have been eaten off by the ocean. Bayelsa state has the longest coast line, 203 kilometers open to the Atlantic, all the villages around the bank of the Atlantic Ocean, most of them have been wiped out. You hear of Kolama 1, Kolama 2.

When you hear 2, that means 1 has been wiped out. When we tell people that every two years, you

have to change the roof of your house because of acid rain, you will not appreciate. To construct one kilometer of road is about a billion Naira in the typical Niger Delta, we are not talking of political Niger Delta. This oil we are getting; the money we are sharing from this oil is in the swamps. So, it is important we educate ourselves the more.

Now, how has the conference helped in addressing these issues?

Yes, when people are educated, they have sympathy for what you are saying. So, in this country, our major problem is not understanding one another. If we understand the peculiar problems, then you can negotiate.

Give or take, we are our brothers keepers. We can collectively solve problems confronting a particular area but where you don’t know, everybody will not be arguing from the position of strength. But there is an agreement somehow. So, it is a very good opportunity.

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SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014—15

‘Former President Yar’Adua saved my life’ Continues from page 14

today?

It is national security. That bothers me because there is no way a country can develop and attract foreign investments without peace in the country.

And I feel very bad. People are running away from this country.

With our level of development, we cannot be on our own. We need people from outside to assist us. But with what is happening, you can only invest in a place where you expect a return on investment. If the risk is so high, nobody will come and invest and that is the problem.

The three northern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, in the next 20 years, they will not recover. Already, we are hearing that the rate of school dropout is already 75 percent now. Those states are finished.

Is the agreement between the north and the south as it were? do not want to divide this country along north and south. First and foremost, we are all Nigerians and we are gathered to solve Nigerian problem. The north is not a block that is problem free.

There are a lot of minorities that are suffering. They are being marginalized in terms of appointments and development.

But they are within the geographical area called the north.

I

Alamieyeseigha... have adopted but ignored to operate it properly through a suffocating military imposed unitary constitution of 1999.

I wish to remind the honorable conference that whereas the United States of America has oil and gas far more than Nigeria, its economy depends on agriculture, manufacturing, industry and technology. It is for this reason that every delegate should support the need for states to own and control their resources and pay a negotiated tax to the federal government in the spirit of fiscal federalism. I recommend a system in which the federating states will have 100 % ownership and control of their natural and other strategic resources. This principle is based on the firm belief that all states and sections of this country are abundantly endowed in mineral and non-mineral resources that should be owned and exploited by the states and communities where they are found.

Two: an interim bridging arrangement be considered whereby each federating state should start with 50 % of derivation and gradually move up in a phase and coordinated manner until the 100% bench mark is attained. The transition period should be between 5 and 10 years.

Three: During the transition years, a trust fund of 4.5 % as agreed by conference be established to develop other minerals, agriculture, industry and other commercial enterprises that will enable all states and regions of the country to

become economically strong and competitive. The 4.5 percent devoted to the trust fund shall be negotiated with the revenue distributing states in the sprit of equity, unity, fraternity and national cooperation. This is my intervention.

The committee has recommended status quo on derivation and we know why. That committee was badly constituted. Only 6 members were from the south.

The rest came from the north.

,,

His take on the derivation controversy (Fetching and reading from a script) This is my intervention on derivation at the conference. It says the Economic foundation of federalism in a multinational country like Nigeria is the enjoyment of autonomy by the federating units, that is the states, as was the practice between 1964 to 1969 in Nigeria. This practice was truncated by the military regimes for the expediency of resource needs to prosecute the Nigerian civil war and was not reversed at the end of the civil war in 1970. Instead, it was promoted to the point where the federal government was vested with total powers to expropriate and control the natural resources of the federating units.

In consequence therefore, the federal government neglected to develop and exploit the various natural resources t in all the 36 states and the federal capital territory of Nigeria.

Solid minerals ranging from gold, coal, marble, bitumen, etc, are found in commercial quantities in all the geopolitical zones. This means every state has the capacity to survive on its natural resources apart from depending on the non renewable crude oil and gas. The general misconception is that people think resource control is applicable to only oil and gas found in the Niger Delta. Thus, whenever the issue of resource ownership and control is raised in Nigeria, the generality of the people are uncomfortable and often oppose it as if the survival of this country depends on oil and gas.

Countries like Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, etc do not have minerals or solid minerals but have very robust economy. Those demanding for ownership and control of their natural resources are not greedy. These are necessary measures for the development and exploitation of the abandoned critical natural and human resources. The development will not only increase the over all wealth of Nigeria but also make for a sensible long range and carefully programmed exploitation of our oil reserves to preserve, protect and safeguard the environment from further degradation.

The entire country will benefit from it through job creation, contracts, trades, industry and social service. This is what this type of fiscal federalism has done for the United states of America whose constitution we

But we have a government and security agencies in place to solve this insecurity problem.

Would be it right to say that the present government has failed or that it inherited the problem?

Terrorism is global. Only a few countries in this world are in peace now. It just that it is new to us. And our military is not trained in that type of warfare.

We are used to conventional warfare. Your enemy is at the other side. You are on this this side. Whoever that has superior training and fire power overruns the enemy. But we are now fighting asymmetric, kinetic warfare. The enemy is within us.

So, conventional tactics cannot work and we must have a robust anti-terrorism agency. A national anti-terrorism agency has to be created.

So, in other words, this is not this administration’s making ?

No. It right now has international dimension. It is not just Nigeria. Where is the fund coming from? Where are they getting the sophisticated weapons? We have people that have created safe haven for these people to operate. When we had problems in the Niger Delta, there was no militant camp that

whereas the United States of America has oil and gas far more than Nigeria, its economy depends on agriculture, manufacturing, industry and technology. It is for this reason that every delegate should support the need for states to own and control their resources and pay a negotiated tax to the federal government in the spirit of fiscal federalism.

In which country of the world is this kind of fiscal federalism, which is like 100 percent resource ownership actively practiced now?

Every state in America is independent. In fact, Los Angeles is the fourth largest economy in the world but it is just a state.

With your experience in politics, governance and everything, what really worries you about Nigeria

I, Alamaesigha did not sleep. I went round: from Ondo State through Edo to Delta, to Bayelsa to Rivers state. There is no militant camp that I did not go to persuade them to drop their arms. It is not happening in the north. They have all ran away from their places. They are all in Abuja. So, they want Mr. President to carry a riffle and go to Chibok or Sambisa forest?

Haba!

Some school of thought has it that the development has a religious connotation. Some also believe it is political. Last week, a group of northern Christain elders gathered in Abuja and declared that enough is enough in the killing of Christians. How may you react?

To me, they are killing more Muslims than Christians. That is the way I am seeing it because any moving object that comes across them, they kill. So, I don’t subscribe to people saying it is religion.

But their leader threatens jihad omebody explained in the conference that it all started in Yobe.

There was no development, people were hungry. So these young men including Shekau came together and said look, let us come together and help ourselves. So, in the process, they reasoned that all those around them that could eat three square meals are those educated from the west. Those that have boreholes are those educated from the west. Those that have vehicles are educated from the west. So, they see them as oppressors. That was the beginning. That was why they said they don’t want western education because it is an oppressive system.

S

Is there any difference between the 2005 political reforms conference and the present one?

In 2005 conference, I was a player as a governor. I was indirectly controlling my delegates from Niger Delta. I gave them an agenda. Go and get this for us and that was why they walked out when it became apparent that they wouldn’t get what they wanted. Now, the composition of that is different.

This one, delegates were carefully selected. In terms of spread, quality of the delegate, every region, nationality, civil society organizations selected their best. So, in terms of intellectual content, it is not lacking. Two: Mr. President did not indicate any interest. There is no no-go area. He left it open apart from the indivisibility and indissolubility of the country.

But in 2005, Obasanjo was interested. He had his foot soldiers. He wanted third term.

So, so many meanings were read into it. That was a problem.

They also came with very useful recommendations then but because of the third term agenda which he is denying even at this old age, nothing came out of it.

Talking about former President Olusegun Obasanjo, have you seen him since you left jail? Did you greet him?

Yes, I have seen him. I have pardoned him for the simple reason that Goodluck Jonathan is the president of Nigeria.

How you feel knowing that the same Obasanjo you said was behind your travail also facilitated the presidency of a

Continues on page 52

16—SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, JULY 12, 2014

The power of planned neglect

W

E have had many thrilling moments in this World Cup. We have seen extra-ordinary skills from extraordinary talents. As we salute those skills, we must also pause to appreciate the hours of devotion and discipline that have produced those inspiring achievements.

Today, I want to pay a tribute to the self-sacrificing devotions that have produced our World Cup moments.

First, let me confess that this headline teaches is the ability to discipline your is not original to me. I came across it in mind and body from distraction and a daily devotional booklet and it struck focus on one or two things that mean a chord in me; especially in these days something to you. Rafa Nadal was an accomplished footballer in his younger of multi tasking.

But before I get ahead of myself, let days but he had to give it up to me explain what the devotional meant concentrate on tennis. Ditto Michael by ‘planned neglect’. It is the ability to Schumacher who left football to focus on Formula One. Pete Sampras and deliberately ignore or neglect Wayne Rooney gave up golf and rugby everything that might detract you from respectfully in order to take their sports your goal. Taken into the secular realm, to higher levels. Jack of all trade can it is the ability— mental and physical— indeed be master of none. to hone your trade by forsaking all Apart from learning not to put too others. In other words, those light many irons in the proverbial fire, fingers of an accomplished pianist planned neglect teaches you to focus caressing the black and white keys of a your mind on the most important thing piano like soothing feathers are as a of the moment. Very few problems will result of years of painstaking practice. defy solutions if we can focus on them That stirring, haunting note from the exclusively for six to eight hours. After instrumentalist that transports you to all, no dart player covers the whole the world of the surreal would have board with one dart; just as a skilled taken years of practice to achieve. That archer concentrates on only one arrow

,

high note from a solo vocalist that draws appreciative applause is not achieved by a couple of month’s work. The surgeon that performs intricate, life-changing operations must have worked on hundreds of rats and cadavers in the laboratory. And the hours needed for this honing of skills can only be found through a planned, deliberate neglect of other things.

A surgeon once told me that fingers are very lazy and the only way you can perform quick, delicate incisions is by practicing often. Otherwise, your mind will say something and your fingers will say another thing.

at a time. Andre Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam tennis winner once said ‘if I can focus on one shot at a time, I am very difficult to beat’.

Planned neglect teaches you to forget the appreciative roar of the last shot, to ignore the racing ahead of the mind to the match point and concentrate on the very next point.

This is not to say that forsaking all others while concentrating on just one thing does not have its draw back. The world is full of prodigies who have what one might call ‘arrested growth’ in many other critical areas of their lives because of planned neglect.

One would have to look at the lives of Michael Jackson and Jennifer Capriati to illustrate the point. So, while frustration awaits many talents who allow themselves to be distracted, those who ignore the other aspects of human development can also find that the world has moved on too quickly.

Success in sports as in life is about discipline and focus

B

ut it is in the area of sports that the need to continuously hone skills through continuous practice is most pronounced. Most athletes spend about 80 per cent of their waking hours working on their trade. Mohammed Ali’s working day used to start with a run at 4am. He jogged, trudged and sparred through many inclement conditions to strengthen his mind, legs and body muscles.

Tiger Woods, the famous golfer, spends hours practising different shots from different angles; and that’s after spending time at the gym toning his muscles. He once displayed his awesome upper body strength when he hit a shot from a thick growth. When asked about it, he smiled and said ‘that is why we spend hours at the gym; to be able to hit shots like that’. The incredible shot making skills from Federer and Nadal are products of constant practice that started early in life. David Platt, a British footballer once played an incredible shot that streaked into the net. The applause was deafening; but doubters were many. It was a lucky shot, they said. His reply was ‘The more I practice these shots, the luckier I get’.

What the power of planned neglect C M Y K

,

T

he key is to find what is important in life and find a balance. In this wise, a narration from an industrialist who has had many successful ventures comes to mind. He said he always adopted the attitude of a child. A child learning to walk would get up and concentrate on the first tentative steps before sitting down with a sense of accomplishment. So this industrialist would concentrate on the first tentative steps of his company in a manner of planned neglect. But once the company was able to walk, he would sit down and come up for air before looking for another venture. He would never, take up another venture so soon after the first one.

This can be a happy medium between multi tasking which can leave you with a cluttered mind along with a cluttered desk and mono tasking which can lead to arrested growth in other areas.

Success in sports as in life is about discipline and focus. So is finding the right balance.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014—17

EKITI DECIDES

T

he immediate past Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, spoke to our correspondent, CHIDI NKWOPARA, on a number of issues, including his days in office, the scores of allegations leveled against him and his aspirations.

Please read on.

Could you cast your mind back on the recent fire incident in your private residence in Owerri?

I want to thank you immensely for your concern about my welfare, especially since the dastardly act of bombing the only house I have in Owerri. The press, particularly Vanguard, has been very fantastic in its reportage. You highlighted it. You said everything that needed to be said and you made all the appeals that needed to be made. It is most regrettable that some miscreants decided to play politics with that tragedy. I thank God almighty that I am alive today to talk to you.

I would have lost my first son and my wife, and I would have also died in that unfortunate incident.

What has it been like since you left office?

Since I left office, I decided to climb on to the balcony, to watch events. I decided to remain a little bit silent to be able to enrich my knowledge.

What have you to say about some of the things that were said about you?

When I left office, so many things were said about me and I believe God that events and time have proved me right. When I spoke to you on my last day in the office, I told you that after four years or even before four years, it is only then that people with futuristic view will begin to talk about our administration.

I left office with more than 1,000 petitions against me but today, I need to tell you that no single charge has been filed against me in any court of law in or outside Nigeria. So, all the fake accusations have been thrown into the waste paper basket.

While I was here, there was no political assassination. There was no political intimidation in Imo State.

There was no arson in Imo State. There was peace and you will agree with me that money was circulating.

In our capital city, Owerri, I was running the street

Please, forgive me, Ohakim begs Imo people *Wants to know what happened to the N26b he left in office lights with 52 dedicated generators and we were running a 24-hour economy.

It is also very surprising and a thing to thank God about that no section of Imo, no zone ever raised a single complaint or petition that they were marginalised.

Appointments were evenly distributed in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Projects and empowerments were evenly distributed.

And the controversial 10,000 jobs?

The programme was never controversial. Some people sadly made it look so. It was a carefully planned programme of government.

When we came out with the innovation of offering 10,000 jobs to our graduates, which

I left office with more than 1,000 petitions against me but today, I need to tell you that no single charge has been filed against me in any court of law in or outside Nigeria were keenly contested, nobody offered one kobo to anybody to get that job. The media was however awash at the time that it was a

fluke. And it was the propaganda of that 10,000 jobs that affected us in that election. Today, the truth is clear. No matter how you try to cover the truth, it will always manifest.

So, I want to thank you and thank God almighty that today, I am happy and healthy. I have been able to have a lot of interaction with my family, my community, my zone and my people of Imo State.

What is your message to Imo people?

I want to seize this opportunity to tell Imo people to forgive me and forgive any of my aides that fell short of any expectation. I am human. One thing that is very common to every

human being is the ability to offend people or to make mistakes. I made my own mistakes as a human being.

Like what?

I took certain decisions that I did not market very well. But because of the hunger in trying to develop our people, because of the hunger in trying to convert civil service environment to an economic environment, I over pushed our people.

When I removed the commercial motorcycle operators from the streets of Owerri, hell was let loose. It was the present Governor, Rochas Okorocha, that organised the Okada riders to institute an action against the state government in Enugu and asked them to march round the whole of Imo State to demonstrate against that beautiful project and decision we took. He did not care that I cushioned the effect of the ban by providing them with tricycles and trained many others in different trades.

It was the same Okorocha that gathered over 500 people to go and pass through the front of my house that was recently bombed. Imo people were shocked. Noise everywhere but I was not deterred.

I want to apologize to them and appeal to them. Today, many of them are happy. If you go to the General Hospital, you will hardly see anybody hanging his leg there. The ban on okada reduced accidents rate and crime in the state. Owerri is better for it today.

I want to also apologize to the street traders, who defied building regulations to erect shanties that we removed to clear the drainages and begin to come with our Clean and Green environment programme.

I want to appeal to those teachers that were affected by our certificate verification exercise. When we carried out this exercise, 499 teachers were fished out for parading fake certificates, fake school certificate, fake National Certificate in Education, and some of them rose to the position of principal!

We decided not to make it a media thing. We did not prosecute them because they were Imo citizens. We only asked them to resign and we employed 5,000 teachers, including science teachers to replace them. But unfortunately, those 499 teachers became the campaign

Continues on Page 43

18 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014

also involved in philanthropy. I studied Advertising and Marketing at the University of Greenwich, London.

As a woman, it’s always a nice thing when you get compliments from anyone. It doesn’t matter who the person is, that’s something you learn to appreciate as a woman. Why would you want to live without compliments?

I appreciate compliments.

I haven’t reached a point where I felt I didn’t want to do this anymore.

This is because in this industry, you meet so many people on a different basis everyday.There is no day like the other, so there is always a mixture of the highs and the lows especially with acting. In acting, you are always being given different roles. My acting teacher calls it just living truthfully within different characters. So it’s just something that you are grateful for.

L

ydia Nnenna Obute is an Austrian-born Nigerian model and actress, best known as the winner of the season three of Austria’s Next Topmodel in 2011.

Born to Igbo parents, Obute was born in Lower Austria. Prior to her participation on ANTM, she had some experience as a model walking for fashion designer Thang De Hoo. She’s currently in the country to make an impact on the nation’s modelling industry as well as give back to the society especially in the area of quality eduction to the young ones. She shares her mission in the country with Kehinde Ajose.

W

hile I was 15, a friend of mine invited me to be part of the Elite Model Look competition in Vienna. Then I didn’t even know how modeling works. I got some high heel shoes from someone because I didn’t have one at that time and got prepared for the show. I accompanied her to the competition, not knowing that I was going to be selected for .

Eventually, I made it to the finals.

I later emerged winner of the contest. After I won it, I didn’t have words to describe my feelings. I initially applied during season one of the competition, but I was not selected because I was too young then. So, during the second season, I was so scared and I said to myself, “You know Lydia, you are a black girl and you want to win a show like that, forget it.”

At that point, I decided to give it a shot for the third time, and see what happens. Surprisingly, I emerged victorious. It was amazing when it happened because I never thought I could be crowned Austria’s Next Top Model.On the flipside there is the personal development that comes with winning such a competition and being relevant in that industry.

L

ater, my career began to blossom and I had to meet a lot of people who necessarily didn’t like me .This made me thick-skinned. People are so quick to judge you based on your looks in that industry. If you don’t know how to be resilient about these things, they can actually frustrate you.

I got my first role in a movie in Austria. I was tricked into acting by my agency who actually set me up. They

A

asked me if I can sing and I replied that I can’t.

A few days later, they sent me a script. I actually thought the script was meant for a TV commercial. So, when I got there, after memorising my lines, they asked me to sing. But few days later, they called me and said I had got the role. I was dumbfounded and asked, “role for what?.” It was while on set that I had an idea of what I was meant to do. I had an acting coach who told me what I had to do. It was then that I realised acting is actually fun.

A

re African women living their dreams? To be honest, I see a lot of African women craving for men that are already living large. They just plan their lives into those men’s lifestyles. I was raised by a mother who is very strong and she also runs a restaurant in Vienna. The women around me are mostly strong and I think it is good for every woman to grow up around strong women who can serve as role models to other

young women.

W

hen I opted for modeling, the first question I was asked was; how about your education? That’s because I was very young. It was important for my mum that I still go to school no matter what happens. We agreed on this issue while I was growing up. My parents are always concerned about my wellbeing. They ensure that I am cool and comfortable anywhere I am. I am self-critical. I don’t think I will ever be satisfied. I just want to give my best in whatever I set my mind to do. I will just love to do as much as I can to be honest.

Aside modeling and acting, I am

s one of the most sought-after models, I would love to make an impact on the Nigerian modeling industry with the skills I have gained. I will love to work with more girls and just give all I have.

I don’t know what the future holds but it’s definitely a ‘yes!’ I will want to be part of the Nigerian movie industry. I grew up watching Nigerian movies. I would like to work with Genevieve Nnaji.

She’s my idol.

In a few weeks time, I and my team are planning to visit some schools here in Nigeria with the Back To School project that I mentioned. That will definitely be one of my greatest achievements.

I can’t wait to see the looks on the kids’ faces. Any time I come to Nigeria with my family, it’s always about family on vacation. So, this time around, I decided to come back home on my own. It’s also about giving back to society, and being more involved in the things that concern my roots. I thought the best way to do that will be working with kids. I love working with kids and I thought it will be a nice idea to go to schools and impact on the students, not just with gifts, but also with skills that will help to equip them ahead for future challenges. I find it appalling when children do not have access to education.

I

n the Austrian tradition, when kids are going back to school, they are being equipped with a pack of gifts which contain educational materials they will need in school. So, I am thinking of sharing a lot of the ‘Back To School’ bags in schools. I was told not to come to Nigeria. But each time I’m in Nigeria, I always do things with my family and usually I don’t follow my mind. This time, I decided it’s about time for me to make an impact on the entertainment industry in Nigeria.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014 —19

08137897935

Would you quit if you caught your fiance cheating a night before your wedding?

N

ancy had known Donald since she was little. They’ve been dating for five years and six months before he proposed.

Donald showered her with love. They commenced wedding preparations in earnest.

Nancy couldn’t wait to get married to Donald, the man of her dreams. At last, the wedding day arrived; they were to be married at 12.00 noon, while the reception was to hold later in the evening.

At 6.00 am that morning, Nancy nipped to Donald’s house to pick up something she forgot at his place and to see him before

•Anita Joseph

going to prepare. When she got there, she met him asleep in bed with a woman in his arms.

Nancy was shattered. She started screaming and woke them up.

The lady who was stark naked quickly picked her clothes and slipped out of the room. Nancy kept screaming hard, while Donald held her in his arms, saying he’s sorry; that he got drunk. If you were in Nancy’s shoes what would you do?

An ything can happen!

Anything — Ijeoma Imoh, Actress

I

can’t really say. I know most grooms cheat a night before their wedding, but for me to catch him red-handed?

Ha! I don’t know what will happen and I don’t pray it happens to me. I don’t want to say I’ll cancel the wedding or continue with it. But you never can tell; anything can happen. Why should I even catch him? Is catching him based on inside information or God showing me what kind of man he is. All these and more will determine my reaction.

I’ll move on

— Ezinne, Actress

I

don’t know what I would do. It depends. I may leave him or go on with the wedding. But I will be very angry. First of all, I’ll temporarily stop the wedding and move on.

•Ijeoma Imoh

I’ll go on with the wedding, but...

— Anita Joseph, Actress

T

he guy has no respect, I swear. However, I will forgive him and go on with the wedding. But I will never forget, the memory will linger on. I will be very heartbroken, but I won’t call off the wedding. Men still cheat after wedding; it’s in their nature. We have just very few men that are faithful.

•Ezinne

— Grace Johnson, Actress

I’ll cancel the wedding — Kristama, music artiste

I

T

here’s absolutely nothing I can do, because men are bound to cheat. Cheating is in their nature. Before I accepted to marry him, I knew marriage is for better for worse. It’s not a bed of roses. It’s quite unfortunate that it happened a day before my wedding. It’s shameful to mention to my friends and family. So, I’ll continue with the wedding, then we’ll talk about his mess thereafter. But it’s going to be hard for me to trust him.

I’ll forgive him, but...

•Grace Johnson

f she was caught in the act, then there is nothing much to do. It means it has been going on since we started dating. If she couldn’t stop it before the night of our wedding, that means it was meant to be revealed and she’s bound to continue with it even after our wedding. Therefore, the wedding will not hold. I’ll quickly summon my parents as well as her parents and inform them about the ugly development. I’ll also tell my close friends why the marriage will not hold again. After that, I’ll switch off my phones and go to a new environment to reorganise my life.

A lot of things would be going through my head at that time.

So, I need some new distractions. I won’t get intimate with women at that point. After cooling off for a while, my phones will come on again. However, I must be sure of what I saw, so I don’t act too fast or take a wrong decision. Confronting her will be my last option at that point. May be, later we could talk about it. I believe every disappointment creates a platform for better blessings.

•Kristama

20 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014

FLORENCE AMAGIYA, 08061644307 daise4000@yahoo.com

B

eing the first to make something work in a place where so many have tried before with little or no success is worth applauding. So it is not out of place if he is called the ‘king of comedy’ in Nigeria. The late MC and

comedian, John Chukwu (JC Class) in the 80s tried making comedy a lucrative deal but he failed and died poor.

Many saw the late comedian as a joker because he never fulfilled his dream. But when Ali Baba came on stage, he changed the history of standup comedy in Nigeria.

People began to take comedians seriously.

Today, comedians are respected because they are raking billions into their bank accounts as well as living their dreams. Now, they are rich, famous and live in opulence like their counterparts in the Western world. Behold the one who made all these possible.

ALI BABA Ali Baba is no doubt one of the biggest names and brand in the Nigerian entertainment world. He is arguably the forerunner of standup comedy in Nigeria as well as the richest comedian in Africa. Even though he has been on the scene for more than 20 years, it has not hindered his continuous relevance and outright success. Ali Baba made standup comedy a lucrative deal.

C M Y K

Ali Bab accept his father’s plan to become a lawyer as is popular among the people from his place. He landed in Lagos with less than N20 in his pocket and worked till 1998 and erected three billboards in strategic locations in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Marina with the message: Ali Baba “Being Funny Is Serious Business.”

Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere, as he was Christened, was born in Warri, Delta State, on June 24th, 1965, to a royal family in Agbarho Otor in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. He is the first son after several girls. His father is a retired soldier who served in Lagos State. He had his primary education at Ojo Primary School and Command Secondary School, both in Lagos.

His Secondary education was at Ibru College,

Agbarho-Otor and he acquired his University degree at the former Bendel State University now known as the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. Alli Baba read Religious Studies & Philosophy.

Professional career Ali Baba makes millions of naira through various corporate events. He had appeared on television shows with the likes of Patrick Doyle and Charley Boy. He also made appearances on top

radio shows. He was briefly with Dapo Adelegan of DP Lekki Limited as executive assistant in 1991.

He may not be in the main stream of comedy at the moment because he does mainly private comedy shows for the money bags, but the story of standup comedy in Nigeria would not be complete without him.

Ali Baba started standup comedy back in Ekpoma in 1987 as a student.

He moved to Lagos in 1990 after refusing to

That singular strategy gave birth to standup comedy in the country and made it one of the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria. Consequently, he became one of the richest in the continent.

Ali Baba revolutionalised comedy and made it profitable.

Endorsements Through his efforts, standup comedy received endorsements by the Nigerian people and organisers of shows.

People who wouldn’t have paid a dime before now pay millions to add crackling comedy to their events. Ali Baba became the biggest name in comedy in Africa. He gets paid millions of naira performing at government functions.

He was also given endorsement deals by reputable companies. He

ba's luxury lifestyle • Why I ride expensive trucks

I suffered and was oppressed for so long as a cab driver in my youthful days in Benin City; so this is an opportunity to get those expensive trucks I have always loved once got an endorsement deal with a multinational firm worth N100 million for two years.

Cars Ali Baba is crazy about luxurious and expensive automobiles, and he has over 10 expensive cars in his garage. His love for trucks stems from his previous experiences as a cab driver. ''I suffered and

was oppressed for so long as a cab driver in my youthful days in Benin City; so this is an opportunity to get those expensive trucks I had always loved," he says.

His trucks and cars are valued at over N300 million, including two luxurious and customised trucks worth over N45m. He also has a Mercedes E class, a Land Cruiser, an LR3 and three other glamorous Sports Utility Vans. The number plates of his authomobiles are customised from ALI BABA 1 to ALI BABA 10.

Houses The king of comedy owns choice properties in

Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and his own state, Delta State. One of his properties in Lagos is a luxury duplex in Queens Drive, Ikoyi, worth over N750 million.

Investments Married to a banker, it is not surprising that Ali Baba has investments in banking. In addition, he has a comedy school that grooms up-coming comedians. Other investments are in importation and exportation businesses, relaxation centres, fashion outlets, and events management outfit.

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22 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014 KEHINDE AJOSE 08024212530

Dbanj Presents Do Agric Petition Signatures to Bono in the business hese days, Dbanj seems to be making more hits singer, in ense Nons Me Tell t Don’ The c. musi in terrain than at the African ion Petit Agric Do the January this year, helped launch leaders to ges enga that tive initia an is Agric Do The Union Summit. cly sign publi to e artist first the was j invest more in agriculture. Dban the track, d signe an Afric other with ted bora colla He the petition. the face of agriculCocoa Na Chocolate, geared towards changing s. youth an Afric ture among petition, Dbanj After over two million Africans have signed the the petition based on him nted prese and U2 of Bono with recently met rds leading the his contribution and motivation of Africans towa a. change in Afric new found love – Dbanj also met Bill Gates recently to discuss his on: “Inspiration -New capti the with re pictu the d poste He Agriculture. esHeKnowYou?” song *BILL GATES KNOWS MY NAME* #Do

T

K c e e tu rn s k it c h e n to boardroom

W

have you hen som ethi ng wor th show ing off, you

won’t dare keep it to your self.

The Lim popo crooner, Kcee, who is fond of flau ntin g his auto mob iles , recently took to the social media to flau nt wha t his fans called a five-star kitc hen . He posted the picture on one of his social media platforms and capt ione d it: Team meeting in the kitchen with @iamharrysong @sososoberekon @skiibii, what’s in for brea kfas t? #fivestarmansion.’

No one knows what the team is mee ting One abou t. que stion that

has set tongues wagging, however, is: Why would Kcee turn his kitchen into a boardroom?

A re e h t e c a e p t u o h W it e w il l b e n o 2 f a c Idibia C M Y K

s much as the pop star, 2face Innocent Idibia, loves to sing about his African queens and true love, he also knows how to deliver when it comes to socially conscious tunes and advocate for humanitarian causes. The award winning music entrepreneur has joined forces with the Red Cross Society of Nigeria to further increase the awareness of his 2face Reach-out Foundation.

He was also officially made a

Why my songs have been more acceptable Lara George

R

enown gospel artiste, Lara George, blessed with a voice that can move mountains, recently unveiled the secret behind her hits and why most of her songs have been more acceptable: “When I started off in music even from when I was in KUSH, our message at that time was to try to sing about everything. We sang about God, love, conflict resolution, war and unity.We sang to God, we put people’s mind on the things of God. I don’t believe there is only one way to that. I don’t believe it is only when you sing praise worship to God that you can keep peoples mind on God. You can also sing other kinds of songs. For instance, you can sing about God’s point of view on relationship and every other situation we find ourselves in. When you bring your message across that way, I think it makes it a bit easier for people to accept. Perhaps that is why most of my songs have been more acceptable.”

Red Cross Ambassador recently at a press conference in Lagos. According to him: “I have worked on different music projects but the experience we shared producing Break the Silence song is special for me and my friends. Without peace, there would be no 2face or any of us here today. We may never know how many dreams that have been aborted because of conflicts and other disasters.

Peace gives us everything.”

Today we take a big step in improving the plight of internally displaced persons in Nigeria through our partnership with the Nigerian Red Cross Society. My colleagues and I have followed closely the humanitarian efforts of the Red Cross society and I must confess that we are inspired and excited at the chance to support this cause,” he reveals.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014 — 23

By AYO ONIKOYI, 08052201215

Tipsy ‘trademarks’ name

BY KEHINDEAJOSE

Y

ewande Abiodun, popularly known as Tipsy in the Nigerian music industry, has ‘trademarked’ her stage name. As a result of the usage of that same name by other artistes, she decided to put an end to it by registering the name as a trademark with the appropriate authority in Nigeria.

The registration stops all other persons from making use of the name or other names close to it for business activities relating to the entertainment industry.

According to her: “I decided to trademark my name because it is the right thing to do. It should have been done a while ago but I have done it now. There is only one Olamide, one Davido, and One Dbanj. There can only be one Tipsy in the music industry. There are two other people using the same name. Even my sister downloads their songs thinking it’s my own song. The impact it will have on my music career is that people will be able to differentiate between the real Tipsy and the other ones riding on my name to sell their music. I will advice other artistes to start trade marking their names. It’s not fair when someone works hard and someone else comes from nowhere to release their works in their own names. Trademark registration is affordable. Do it.”

Wizkid plans private yacht birthday party

By ANOZIE EGOLE

F

rom all indications, starboy, Wizkid, is leaving no stone unturned for a big birthday gig for himself. He has concluded plans for a one-in-town gig. Wizkid’s birthday is on July 17, and a source close to the Pepsi ambassador says he plans to celebrate it on a private pool party aboard a yacht in Miami on July 27. The venue for the party is no longer news.

What is news now is that the talented singer has a surprise package for a lucky fan out there. Hear him on Twitter: “My Birthday party is about to be mental! yaaaaa!!!!

A lucky Wizkid fan gets to attend my private yacht party on the 27th of July in Miami. I’ll be picking a fan at the NYC Concert on the 26th.”

The question now is: Who will that lucky fan be?

Yemi Alade tours Kenya

J

By ANOZIE EGOLE

I

f this news going viral is anything to go by, then it will be very safe to say that fast-rising singer, Yemi Alade, is seriously in search of her “Johny” as she recently took her search for ‘Johnny’ to Kenya, where she was still unable get one. The sexy artiste who has been enjoying recognition in recent times after the release of her hit single, ‘Johnny’, which is ruling the airwaves and is being massively played at clubs was in Kenya few weeks ago on a tour and from information gathered, she had a nice time in the Eastern part of the continent. The singer expressed joy for being able to take her music across borders in the continent and to the Western countries too. “The single has made me more popular. I would be returning to the country later in the year for a big concert which is going to be one of the biggest concerts in the country. I am very grateful to all who have supported my career so far and I promised to do good music,”she said.

Ebenezer Obey becomes music professor

uju maestro, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, has every reason to feel fulfilled, not only as a musician but also as academnician as Olabisi Onabanjo University has conferred on him the honour of Professor of Music and is expected to be a visiting artiste in the department of English and performing arts.

The conferment held on Monday at the Otunba Gbenga Daniel Hall, main campus of the university.

Ebenezer Obey by the honour, is expected to lecture students on music. Dignitaries present at the ceremony include the Alake of Egba land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Osile of Oke-Ona, Oba Adedapo Tejuosho, and Iyalode Alaba lawson, amongst others.

C M Y K

24 — SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, JULY 12, 2014

All hail Miss

United Nations!

N

P

r

e c i o Chikwendu

u

ollywood actress c u m

model,Precious Chikwendu who represented Nigeria at this year ’s Miss United Nations beauty pageant, was crowned one of the queens of the beauty contest during the week in Kingston, Jamaica.

Twenty five-year old Precious has been in Usain Bolt’s country with other contestants for some weeks now. She was crowned Miss UN after a keenly contested pageant with other queens

s

from all over the globe. Commenting on her victory, an excited star of Obi Emelonye’s “Onye Ozi” said, “ I’m looking forward to brighter days with this platform and Nollywood.”

Emelonye, while congratulating the new queen said, “We thank God for you, and are proud of being associated with you.” Precious who hails from Awka, Anambra State started modelling since 2006. She participated in “M Idols Fashion Show, in Calabar. In the same year, she took part in numerous fashion and runway shows, including Nigeria Television Fashion show, Catwalk for Change and Galaxy Fashion show. In 2007, she emerged first runner-up in the Prettiest Girl in Nigeria contest and also participated in the Miss Earth Nigeria contest, where she finished in the Top 10. In 2010, she contest for Miss Nigeria in Abuja. She recently dabbled into acting, working with top directors and actors in the industry. She featured in Hustler directed by Elvis Chuks, Onye Ozi by Obi Emelonye and a TV series, Secrets and Scandals as well as Ije Di. Her crown came with a cash prize of $2,500 cash.

Nkiru Sylvanus’ kidnap saga resurrects at Oriental hotel C

ould you recall two years ago, when actress Nkiru Sylvanus alongside her lead actor, Kenneth Okolie were kidnapped while shooting her film in Owerri? The stars were in the kidnapper’s den for weeks before a ransom was paid to secure their release.

That film entitled, “The Voice” is due to premiere tomorrow, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Described as a psychological thriller, there is still a mystery surrounding the shooting of the film. Coincidentally, in the movie, Kenneth kidnapped Nkiru and held her hostage until he

was able to assess the 10 million naira ransom.

On the incident, Nkiru says, “We continued with the movie as I and Kenneth learnt something from our captors which was helpful to us in our role interpretation.”

The film, written and directed by Ade Olumowe stars Betty NjokuOlumowe, Larry Briggs, Edwards Fom and Daniel Lloyd among others. Nkiru is using the film, to relaunch herself into the mainstream acting world, having been off the radar for a long time now.

NFVCB set to destroy N10m adult films

T

he National Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB, has concluded plans to destroy about two million copies of pornographic and unwholesome movies valued at N10 million.

According to the Acting Head, Corporate Affairs of the Board,Caesar Kagho, the unwholesome movies were seized within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and its environs between January and June 2014. Sixty per cent of the movies are said to contain pornographic material while 40% are either uncensored, unwholesome, or pirated copies.

The NFVCB is currently working with the Federal Ministry of Environment to get a dump site to burn the seized films.

C M Y K

•Nkiru Sylvanus

Toyin Aimakhu-Johnson’s message to hubby

I

Toyin Aimakhu

t’s been a year since actress Toyin Aimakhu and hubby, Niyi Johnson got married.

To mark their 1st year wedding anniversary, the actress who recently signed on as an ambassador for a project by J Links and Vas2Nets took to social media during the week to express her undying love to her hubby.

Read her message; “Just like yesterday, God I thank you for the journey so far, oko mi Adeniyi happy wedding anniversary and thanks for changing my negativity into positivity... and thanks for choosing me.”

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, JULY 12, 2014 — 25

Endless love as Judith Audu joins beau in Denmark!

F

ast rising actress-turned-blogger, Judith Audu is having a swell time in Denmark at the moment. She has found peace in the arms of ‘a distance hubby’, Gerald Langiri whom she has confessed her undying love for.

Audu took to her facebook page during the week to pour out her emotions.

Hear her: “I bless the day I met you and everyday I thank the Lord for blessing me with you.We have been through the toughest of times,we stood tall in the storm and came out stronger. I look at you everyday and smile because you are my pillar, you push me and encourage me even when the odds were against me. In your eyes I find strength, in your actions I learn wisdom. I’ve never seen a man face so much and remains tall. In that I learnt a lesson in life. We are a team and together, we will keep waxing stronger and stronger...I love you so much that sometimes it makes me scared of the unknown...Happy anniversary to my one and only soulmate, my amoroux, my addiction, my irreplaceable treasure. In another life, I will pick you again and again...We will turn our double celebration up! My love, my sweetheart, the only man that understands me, my precious treasure, my best friend and my husband...”

Judith Audu a n d hubby

Half of A Yellow Sun Producers announce new premiere date A fter the tussle for its release in Nigeria, “Half of A Yellow Sun”, a screen adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie’s bestselling novel,will be available in cinemas across the country from the 1st of August 2014. The film was one of the 77 movies recently approved by the National Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB. It was initially scheduled to open in Nigerian cinemas on Friday April 25, but was stopped as the Censors Board refused to issue the movie a certificate.

The Board’s Acting

Corporate Affairs Manager, Caesar Kagho in a statement said, the film is standard and rated “18”. The producers expressed happiness for the certification of the film. “Shareman Media and FilmOne Distribution, are happy to announce that the highly anticipated movie, Half of a Yellow Sun has been certified for theatrical release in Nigeria.

“The movie, starring BAFTA award-winning and Oscar-nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, BAFTA award-winning actress Thandie Newton, Anika Noni Rose, AMAA winners Genevieve Nnaji and Onyeka Onwenu, Zack Orji, and O.C. Ukeje has been opened to audiences in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and USA. Following the certification by the National Film and Video Censors Board, the movie will be available in cinemas across Nigeria from the 1st of August 2014,” the producer announced.

Uche Benjamin adds one year

B

lessed with spotless skin, and hot legs, Uche Benjamin Njiribeako is definitely on top of her game as one of the fastest rising actresses in Nollywood. She was one year older during the week and shared these words; “Wow,it’s my birthday again.Thank you Lord for adding another year to my life,it’s been you Lord...”

C M Y K

WapTV’s ‘Foodies and Spice’ gears up for new season

L

overs of tasty and healthy food are in for a joyous ride as Flour Mills Nig. Plc. has partnered with Foodies & Spice Cooking show on its new season which would be featuring 13 weeks of exciting recipes using Golden Penny Pasta.

This new season, tagged ‘Pasta Parri’ premiered on the 28th of June, and would Geenamoore feature guest appearances from several celebrities.

Recipes and clips from the show would also be posted on the interactive website where thousands of fans from all over the world compare their creations, after following the recipes, and win cartons of Golden Penny Pasta.

Foodies & Spice is the most innovative and interactive cooking show that has ever hit the Nigerian screen. It is presented in Pidgin English and hosted by Geena who has made the art of cooking so much fun and has held both TV and Online followers spellbound with her cooking, jokes, style and trademark smile.

Produced by Geenamoore and Associates and wapTV, the show airs on wapTV every Saturday and Thursday.

Yeka returns

with ‘Help’ N

igerian Idol season one winner,Yeka Onka recently released a new single called ‘Help’ which highlights the plight of underprivileged children.

Now signed on to Don Lulu’s ‘2 Flame Entertainment’, who produced the video, ‘Help’ is aimed at raising awareness and the needed consciousness in giving a helping hand to less-privileged children in our society. Interesting, Yeka is the first female artist in Africa that has an amazing ‘all girl band’.

26 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014

I can do all m of seduction sanity — Sandr we’ve pull

been a through.

How many are you in y We are three and I’m th

What were your paren when you decided to go i ling ?

Initially, my dad wasn it. At a point, he threate own me if Icontinue with ling career. But when crown as the Miss Niger bol of Talent 2012, it ch mindset.He started encou

What made him chang was it because you won t It wasn’t because of the saw the positive side of My dad shared the popu ception about entertain cheap and loose. He als going to distract me from tion. As time went on, he was even helping me in m ics. Even though I had studies were not affect decided to embrace the i

By FLORENCE AMAGIYA & JULIET EBIRIM

Sandra Bassey, former Miss Niger Delta (Symbol of Talent 2012) is a beauty to behold. Recently, she debuted in Nollywood featuring in the screen adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s bestselling novel, Half of a Yellow Sun. In this interview with Showtime Celebrity, Sandra talks about her dreams and aspirations. She also shares her experience as a beauty queen, model and an actress.

How do you maintain your skin?

C M Y K

I drink water a lot. Water is essential for the skin. I also eat lots of fruits and vegetables. I hardly use body cream, because of the chemicals used in making them which are sometimes harmful to the skin.

You recently lost your father to the cold hands of death. Could you relive the experience of life without a father ?

It’s actually the worst experience of my life.

He died in my arms. His two kidneys were damaged and we got tried looking for a donor. Fortunately, we found one, but my dad passed on ever before the Indian doctor that

was supposed to attend to him arrived the country. He was expected in the country on th the 4 of January,2014, but my dad died two nd days before his arrival( 2 of January). Words can’t express the way I feel. At times, I wish I wasn’t there watching him struggle to survive. I watched him die in my arms and I was unable to help him. It was a very terrible experience.

How have you coped with the trauma since then?

It’s not been easy, but God has been faithful. It really affected my mum so much, but

You mentioned runnin grammes simultaneously has it been for you?

It’s not easy running t programmes in the high tion. But, it was a decis on my own. My passion me to cope so far and co the fact that one of the p is on a part-time basis ( Science), so it gives me the full-time programme hasn’t been easy.

Were you fam s c h o o l ?

I was famous, I feel bad that do anything in m tution during my Miss Niger-Delta the little thi did in the people know

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, JULY 12, 2014—27

Four-time FIFA player of the year winner, Lionel Messi will tomorrow finally get the chance to play in the final of a World Cup when he leads Argentina to battle Germany in Maracana.

Argentina will play in the World Cup final for the first time since 1990, with a chance to win their third title, after previous wins in 1978 and 1986.

For the Argentines, tomorrow’s match is one that offers them the irresistible opportunity to win the greatest prize in world football on the soil of their fiercest rivals Brazil.

It also gives Messi the dream chance to finally cement his name as one of the greatest player on earth by winning a World Cup title, the one prize that has eluded him in his illustrious career.

And the Barcelona star striker has declared his resolve to battle all the way to glory against Germany.

“This is what we have been dreaming of and we are going to fight with every blood in our veins to win this cup”, said Messi.

GERMANY vs ARGENTINA

Messi ready to rumble

History beckons Germany, Argentina

W

HEN Germany step on the hallowed pitch of the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro to play Argentina in tomorrow’s final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Maracana, they will be bidding to win an historic fourth World Cup title and become the first European nation to win a World Cup in South America.

No European nation have ever won the World Cup when held in South America. But the Germans will erase that record if they conquer Argentina.

Germany’s persistence paying off in Brazil F

or years, Joachim Löw has been searching for an effortless hybrid of flair in possession and ruthless efficiency in front of goal. On Tuesday 8 July 2014, a day that will go down in World Cup history, the German national team executed that vision to perfection as they humbled host nation Brazil 7-1 in Belo Horizonte to book

their place in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final.

Die Nationalmannschaft had lost their last two semi-final encounters at major tournaments, but from the moment FC Bayern München’s Thomas Müller notched his fifth goal of the competition after just 11 minutes at the Estadio Mineirao, those lingering demons were no

more.

Although Müller’s early strike set the tone, it wasn’t until Miroslav Klose served up an effort which saw him eclipse legendary Brazilian No.9 Ronaldo as the World Cup’s all-time top scorer with 16 goals that the floodgates truly opened.

Toni Kroos netted a quickfire brace to make it 4-0, before Sami Khedira punctuated another flowing move to make it five on 29 minutes. In the space of just 240 seconds, Germany had torn the tournament favourites asunder courtesy of a performance arguably eight years in the making.

28 — SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, JULY 12, 2014

ONOCHIE ANIBEZE’S

German key players

•kroos

•Muller

Kroos:

Germany’s history at FIFA World Cup

F

or Germany’s World Cup history, FIFA considers only the teams managed by the Deutscher Fußball-Bund, comprising three different periods: Nazi Germany, West Germany and Reunified Germany. The Germany national football team are one of the most successful national teams in the FIFA World Cup, winning three tournaments and reaching four other finals.

The team were present in 18 out of the 20 tournaments, the second most frequent along with Italy, and only once did not reach the quarterfinals. Germany are one of the three most successful national teams at international competitions, having won a total of three World Cups and three European Championships. They were runners-up three times in the European Championships, four times in the World Cup, and won four 3rd places in the World Cup.

Germany’s road to the final Germany Germany USA

4 Portugal 0 2 Ghana 2 0 Germ,any 1

Second round: Germany 2

Quarterfinal: Semifinal:

Algeria 1

France 0 Germany 1 Brazil 1 Germany 7

K

•Manuel Neuer

EEPER Manuel Neuer is the undisputed No1, while many experts believe he is the real deal, equipped not only to follow in the footsteps of Oliver Kahn and Jens Lehmann, but also to develop into one of the best in the world. Full-back Philipp Lahm and schemer Bastian Schweinsteiger earned their international spurs long ago: each has reached 100 caps but is still at their peak.

The next generation appears

immensely promising too. Former Real Madrid starlet Mesut Ozil, who now laces his boots at Arsenal was just 21 when he thrilled the crowds at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and is a gifted creative player with passing ability to match the best in the world.

Up front, Thomas Muller won the adidas Golden Boot and was named Best Young Player at the 2010 finals, while youngsters Andre Schurrle, Toni Kroos and Mario Gotze keep getting better and better .

Facts and Figures

COACH: JOACHIM LOEW Best per formances in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup Switzerland 1954, Germany 1974, Italy 1990 (Winners), FIFA U-20 World Cup Australia 1981 (Winners) Former stars: Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Lothar Matthaus

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, JULY 12, 2014 — 29

Argentina’s star players W

ith the landmark achievement of claiming four consecutive FIFA Ballon d’Ors (20092012), Lionel Messi in the undisputed leader of the Argentina national team and a multiple-trophy winner with Barcelona.

Breaking all kind of goal-records, La Pulga is now looking to achieve greatness with his country after failing, somewhat surprisingly, to find the back of the net at South Africa 2010.

Supporting him will be an all-star cast featuring Gonzalo Higuain, Javier Mascherano and Angel Di Maria, all of them on top of their game with some of Europe’s leading clubs.

Facts and Figures

Messi: SABELLA: We will beat Germany

A

lejandro Sabella is confident Argentina can beat Germany and “win the World Cup”.

“Now we are in the Final, we are aware of our qualities and certain that we can win the World Cup. We’ll give our all.

“We need humility, hard work and to give 100 per cent.”

This is the Albiceleste’s first World Cup Final since 1990, when they lost to West Germany.

When asked to compare his team to Germany, Sabella pointed out that his team go into the World Cup final with “a day’s less rest” than the opposition.

Argentina’s path to the final Argentina 2 Bosnia 1 Argentina 1 Iran 0 Nigeria 2 Argentina 3 SECOND ROUND: Argentina 1 Switzerland 0 QUARTERFINAL: Argentina 1 Belgium 0 SEMIFINAL: Netherlands 0 Argentina 0 (Argentina win 4-2 on penalties)

Argentina’s FIFA World Cup history A

rgentina are one of the most successful national football teams in the world, having won 2 World Cups in 1978 and 1986.

Argentina have been runners up twice in both the 1930 World Cup and 1990 World Cup. The team were present in all but four of the World Cups, being behind only Brazil, Italy and Germany in number of appearances.

Argentina have also won the Copa América 14 times, one less than Uruguay. Moreover, Argentina have also won the Confederations Cup and the gold medal at the Olympic football tournament in 2004 and 2008. Prior to that occasion Argentina had obtained two silver medals in the 1928 and 1996 editions.

After a 4-1 win against Chile to begin their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, Argentina then stumbled against Venezuela and drew 1-1 at home to Bolivia, which raised doubts as to whether coach Alejandro Sabella, who took over after Copa America 2011, was up to the task. La Albiceleste, however, got back on track with 2-1 win over Colombia in Barranquilla, which began Argentina’s 14match unbeaten run through the remainder of qualifying, where they finished atop the South American table. Argentina tallied 35 goals while only surrendering 15 on the way to winning the preliminary competition for the third time. The rest of South America could only chase Argentina throughout the final qualifying fixtures.

30—Vanguard, SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2014

FIFA BAN: Why my heart bleeds

By PAUL BASSEY

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ast week Monday, I wrote in my column in the Vanguard Newspapers that we will be banned by FIFA. The closing paragraph was “…..Let no one be deceived that the bluff of a FIFA sanction can be called. It will paralyse football in this country, turn us into a pariah state and hit the youth of this country who will be thrown out of all football competitions until we learn to operate by the rules “ Surprisingly, there were other shades of opinion, insinuating that we will not be banned, that everything was ok. Now we know better, the workings and the the Statutes of FIFA. What about those who welcome the ban to “help us develop our football” Must we shut out our game to enable us develop? What sort of development are we talking about here where we will be barred from courses, seminars, clinics and conferences that are held globally daily to advance the sport?

How do we gain when we operate outside of FIFA regulations geared towards “……youth and development programmes to improve constantly and promote the game globally in light of unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values…”?

Just yesterday, Friday, FIFA released new pieces of teaching materials for referees. if we are banned, there is no how we can benefit therefrom.

FIFA Statutes Articles 13 and 17 say if you are not satisfied with the conduct of those running the sport, come together and send them packing. It is as simple and as straight forward as that.

On July 9, incidentally my birth date, FIFA descended on us. (Spoilt the day for me ) Part of the FIFA statement on the suspension read: “ ….The most immediate effect is that Nigeria will not be entitled to participate in the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup (5-24 August 2014) should the suspension not be lifted by 15 July 2014……” And this is where my heart bleeds.

The Falconets were on their way out of the country to tune up for the FIFA U-20 Women World Cup Canada 2014 scheduled to hold August 5-24.

To get to this stage the Peter Dedevho tutored girls beat South Africa 6-0 in Nigeria and completed the rout in Joburg 1-0. By July 15, the South Africans are expecting the call to proceed to Canada, to the detriment of our girls. God forbid.

Next week end, FIFA U17 World Cup Champions the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria are due in the Congo Democratic Republic for the U-17 CAF qualifiers to be played in Lubumbashi. If by the 15th our issue is not resolved the Golden Eaglets will be walked over.

On July 19th in Windhoek, Namibia, the draw for the 9th African Women Championship (AWC) will be held and Nigeria is one of the eight countries that has qualified. By early next week, if we do not put our house in order, Nigeria will be replaced in the draw in a competition that will serve as the continental qualifier for the FIFA Women World Cup in 2015.

And now the big one. By September 5, the Group matches to determine qualifiers for the African Nations Cup, Morocco 2015 will commence and Nigeria, defending champions may not participate.

These, depict success going forward. Aside the effort and finances expended to get to this stage, we are about to see the hopes and aspirations of a generation of youth disappear in a whiff .

These are the immediate casualties of the present FIFA suspension. The youths of this country are in for a raw deal if we do not react, and fast too.

Worse, I do not have to go back to tons of clichés as regards what football does for the psyche of Nigerians as regards unity, togetherness and oneness of mind and spirit.

For the avoidance of doubt and to the best of our knowledge, FIFA does not contest the sovereignty of any nation nor does it go into contest with the

laws and constitution of any country. For lack of a better way to put it, let it be said that . “………FIFA dey where they dey, we go join them….”

To be a member of FIFA, you are required “…to apply in writing to FIFA General Secretariat,….” and when considered, agree ….. “…..always to comply with Statutes, regulations, directives and decisions of FIFA and of Confederations and to recognize the Court of Arbitration of Sports ( CAS) “ Article 13.

FIFA does not dispute, especially in Africa, the contributions, financial contributions of government towards the development of sports, so much that FIFA and CAF recognize and will insist on Government guarantees as regards the hosting of its programmes and activities.

When it comes to elections, its statutes are clear and unambiguous. Are we saying today in 2014, that despite what happened to us in 2006 and 2010 we are claiming ignorance of the workings of FIFA? We stand accused of not advising the new Minister properly In the last one week we have been told how the Maigari board was given millions of naira and dollars to execute the FIFA World Cup. Very instructive is a letter emanating from the sports ministry dated July 2.

I want to believe that these monies were released after a budget presented by the NFF was approved.

If , after coming back from Brazil, the government is not satisfied with the way monies were spent or disbursed, it has the right to query the NFF. But how will they retire such sums and respond to queries, if they are reporting daily to the SSS and do not have access to their offices?

For the millions of naira that we are told were released and given to the NFF, the Aminu Maigari board has no option than to account for such. They should and they must.

Sports, football is my culture medium. Sports made me what I am today and I will jump at anyone who misappropriates funds meant for the development of sports.

Once again, I want to take us back to 2010. Immediately we came back from South Africa, allegations of financial impropriety were leveled against the Lulu board. A Congress was properly convened and the Lulu board voted out, after which the EFCC stepped in. FIFA did not raise an eye brow.

(Surprisingly, four years after the issue is still in court, yet to be resolved, making a lot of people believe that allegations were made just to paint them black. Here we go again.)

Ahmed Musa in Action against Bosnia

When the Government, through the Honourable Minister acted on the court injunction and appointed an Acting Secretary General to run the affairs of the NFF, we erred.

This time, where did we err?

When the Government, through the Honourable Minister acted on the court injunction and appointed an Acting Secretary General to run the affairs of the NFF, we erred.

The minister then went further to address a congress that was not properly convened. I believe the minister has been served the letter FIFA addressed to Lawrence Katken, Acting Secretary General of NFF, which said in part : “…please note FIFA does not recognize any person or organ not elected in compliance with the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) Statutes ( article 17,para2and3 of the FIFA Statutes) and therefore does not recognize any decision taken by the extraordinary General Assembly referred to in your above mentioned correspondence, and for the sake of clarity, the decisions taken at the extraordinary General Assembly are considered null and void…..”

FIFA then adviced Mr Katken. “ ….Finally we draw your attention to the fact that FIFA will now refrain from communicating with any other parties than the duly elected NFF officials which are the NFF President Mr Aminu Maigari and the NFF General Secretary Mr Musa Amadu.

We thank you for taking note of the above” How did we expect FIFA to grant audience to any delegation in which the NFF President was not part of ?

We plead, on behalf of the youths of this country and the development of the game here in Nigeria, let swords be sheathed, let football administrators come together and revert to status quo for the purpose of moving ahead to the Congress ( Supreme and legislative body of the NFF ) that has been convened for August 26.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014 — 31

manners n with nwith

ra Bassey

they love again.

are to

things I’d go through

What did fame give to you?

It has exposed me. I have lots of friends.

When I think of where I come from and where I am now, I feel humbled.

Fame has given me the chance to thank God for my life.

Do you have plans to go into other pageants?

There is a pageant I’m going for this year and it’s called The Most Beautiful Model In Nigeria. That’s my next step and by God’s grace, I hope to win the crown.

What kind of modeling do you do?

Basically, I do commercials, I don’t do runway. I might do that probably if I win the crown as the Most Beautiful in Nigeria.

ble

to

your family? he last child.

ts’ reaction into model-

’t cool with ened to dish my modelI won the Delta Symhanged his uraging me.

ge his mind; the crown? e crown. He modelling. ular misconners being o felt it was m my educae saw that it my academd fame, my ted. So, he idea.

ng two proy. How easy

two degree her instituion I made has helped oupled with programme (Computer time to run e. Though it

mous

in

but I I didn’t my instireign as a.

With ings I State, me, C M Y K

because I embarked on some State projects that boosted my ego.

Everything good has its disadvantages.

What are those things you didn’t like being a queen?

Basically, one of the challenges I had was advances from men. Men wanting to sleep with you in exchange for project sponsorship or to approve your proposals. Another challenge was in terms of friendship. I didn’t know who were my true friends. Lots of people came around me. I didn’t know who came because I was beautiful,or for my fame. I didn’t know who came genuinely, because of my personality.

I got confused at a point.

If you were asked to relive all that, what would you change?

I wouldn’t change anything, because I loved both the good and bad experiences. I learn from them and

Lots of people came around me. I didn’t know who came because I was beautiful,or for the fame and I didn’t know who came genuinely, because of my personality. I got confused at a point

What’s your dream modeling deal?

I would love to be endorsed as the face of Victoria Secrets. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t do endorsements in Nigeria. But I’ve always wanted to be the Face of Victoria Secrets.

Since you started acting, how many movies have you done?

I’ve done three movies. It was a wonderful experience on set, I had fun.I was scared on the set of Half of a Yellow Sun, acting alongside great actors. It was a positive fear, it was just too good to be true. Acting has been wonderful, I’ve heard people say so many negative things about Nollywood, but so far I’ve not experienced any.

Would you want to take your acting career to Hollywood if you have the opportunity?

That’s actually my vision, but I wouldn’t want to leave Nollywood. I would want to project Nollywood to the extent where Hollywood will come to look for Nollywood. The main reason I ventured into modelling is to have a platform..

What qualities would attract you to a man?

He should be himself, have a good heart and be God-fearing I love good-looking guys, but that’s not the main criteria. I love guys who are decent in dressing and character.

Would you mind dating someone in the movie industry?

I wouldn’t mind. Despite the popular perception and belief that Nollywood is corrupt, I still believe I can find a good person. If I find someone that suits my personality, I don’t mind giving him a chance.

Would you marry a fellow actor if you eventually meet the one you like?

For now, I don’t know. When we get to that bridge, we’ll cross it.

How far can you go in interpreting a role?

I can go very far, but I can’t act

nude.

What if the script requires that you do it to seduce someone?

You can seduce someone without going nude. Personally, I believe that one can still uphold the virtues of womanhood, even while trying to project a particular character. I can do all manner of seduction with sanity. I’ll still protect my womanhood at all costs. I could wear a bikini, but I wouldn’t go completely nude.

Can you do sexual roles?

It depends. Seduction is a spirit. A woman can be fully dressed and still seduce a man. You don’t need to go nude in order to seduce a man. Some men don’t get aroused by nudity.

You just have to be possessed with a seductive spirit at that moment. Your eyes and body language can seduce.

What are those things that bother you, that you wish you had the power to change?

There are two things that bother me. The first one is, I would really love to bring my father back to life, that’s one thing that weighs me down everyday of my life.

The second thing is, the kidnap of the Chibok girls. If I were given the opportunity to play God, I’d stop all manner of kidnappings and violence Are you hoping to delve into music like some of your colleagues?

I don’t know if I have a good voice, but I play the saxophone. It’s a second passion. If I’m going to combine music with acting, it will be with my saxophone.

Right now, I’m working on my entertainment company that is aimed at discovering, encouraging and projecting talents.

What do you hope to give back to the so-

ciety?

The only thing I can give to the society is to try and affect the lives of everyone around me. That is the essence of the company I’m about launching.

To reach out to the society and encourage talents. Putting smiles on the faces of the people make me happy.

Describe your person?

I’m a simple, industrious, ambitious and God-fearing young lady, who derives joy from making people happy at the expense of her own happiness.

What do you hope to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered as that young girl who tried her best in grooming future superstars. I want to be a hope to the hopeless.

32—SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014

BY IYABO AINA

aina.iyabo@yahoo.com

Divorced Jessica Simpson weds second husband P

opular American entertainer Jessica Simpson, who was previously married to singer Nick Lachey from 2002 to 2006, has become Mrs. Eric Johnson after tying the knot in Santa Barbara, California.

The bride wore a custom Carolina Herrera gown as she wed former football player Johnson at the San Ysidro Ranch on Saturday in front of more than 250 guests, including her sister Ashlee Simpson and her fiance Evan Ross, best friend CaCee

Cobb and her actor husband Donald Faison, and pal Jessica Alba and her partner Cash Warren.

The happy couple’s two-year-old daughter, Maxwell served as a flower girl and while their one-year-old son, Ace was given the role of ring bearer A statement issued to People.com by the newlyweds reads: “We are overwhelmed with complete happiness and love having made our eternal commitment.

“To say ‘I do’ in front of family, friends and, most importantly, our children has been the happiest moment of our lives.”

Jay-Z suffers wardrobe malfunction R

apper Jay-Z who got married to American R&B singer Beyoncé in 2008 somehow exposed what is meant to be seen by his wife alone.

According to what we gathered, the rapper suffered wardrobe malfunction at BET awards, as part of his private part was exposed while he was performing on stage.

Nicki Minaj narrowly escapes death P

opular American rapper, Onika Tanya Maraj, better known by her stage name Nicki Minaj, who won the award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist at Sunday’s BET Awards has revealed that she almost died last week during the acceptance speech, and she refused to call an emergency number.

According to the Rapper, The reason for not calling anyone was because she didn’t want the internet to get talking about her and giving her a lot of special attention which is something she doesn’t really want, as she said , she would rather sit down and die to getting big buzz online over her health.

C M Y K

•Jay-Z

Kim Kardashian covers her skirt with hand to hide underwear

A

•Kimberly Kardashian

merican television and social media personality, Kimberly Kardashian “Kim” West seems to be tired of exposing her under wear as she went for a family dinner struggling to keep her sexy wrap dress under control .

Kim kept her dark brunette locks straight for the occasion as she was spotted together with her sisters, Kourtney Kardashian and Kendall Jenner.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014—33

J. Martins

Why I took a break from music — Kel

drops Faro video Favorite Afro-pop maestro who seems to know what it takes to produce hit tracks, J. Martins, returns with the stunning video for international club hit, Faro. Impeccably shot and directed by Matt Max, Faro carries over the spirit of its audio counterpart, losing none of the vibe and energy that have made it a huge club favorite across the African continent.

With appearances from guest artist, DJ Arafat, as well as the ever-delightful Kaffy and her dance troupe, Faro excels in delighting the viewer and delivers a wonderful showcase of J. Martins.

R

EMEMBER Kel, that sensational female rapper who took the Nigerian music scene by storm when she released her debut album, The Investment in 2009, and then disappeared into thin air? Well, the talented rapper has

resurfaced. She’s concluding plans to release her comeback album before the end of this year.

Explaining why she had been missing in the music scene in recent times, Kel said she took a break in order to further her education as well as sort out pending issues with her former records label.

As she narrated: “I am working on other projects which are also entertainment-related. Although I haven’t recorded any new song lately, I am working to release a comeback album before the end of the year.

I have only stepped aside to take care of my education and to sort out pending issues with my former record label. I want to work on my music and myself physically and mentally. But I am still in touch with the Nigerian music scene. Also, I am a brand ambassador for Soulmate Industries. The truth is that only two percent of the country’s population really appreciate rap music for what it is. Being a female rapper in Nigeria puts you under so much pressure, but I won’t be switching genres when I return. I just want to release my new album as a surprise. I am not signed on to any records label •Kels because I run my own label and won’t be signing

Mo’ Abudu’s

Ebonylife celebrates

T

on any artiste for now.”

Yvonne Nelson set to launch SheRaMag

L

eggy actress,Yvonne Nelson, is really a beauty to behold.

She keeps turning heads with her sexy pictures even as she released some of them online for the soon-to-be-launched campaign for SheRagMag magazine, an interactive and thought-provoking online girls magazine that intends to rise above celebrity gossip and engage in pop culture discussion.

The sexy actress took to her

•J.Martins

Instagram to upload the picture. Interestingly, the irony of the whole story is that the Ghanaian actress is now the subject of great gossip i n her country as her fans are no longer taking things lightly with her.

They have resorted to calling her names and asking her to cover up her nudity. It was even gathered that one Ghanaian entertainment site has started a campaign to ban her from starring in their movies, saying she is slowly becoming a bad influence to young girls in the country.

he first global black entertainment and lifestyle network in Africa, Ebonylife is set to celebrate its first anniversary with a brand new African first pop-up activation titled, The studio experience. The show designed to showcase the making of some of its favorite programmes in an interactive, captivating and entertaining way, has been scheduled to hold at Tinapa in Calabar this month.

Speaking about the fourthcoming event, CEO of Ebonylife TV, Mo Abudu, said, “Last year, precisely June 30, 2013, we gathered to celebrate the birth of brilliance and excellence in global black entertainment television. We celebrated the Launch of EbonyLife TV. As we celebrate again, the first anniversary since our launch one year ago, let me express my deepest thanks and heartfelt gratitude to God and to everyone in the EbonyLife TV family,” she said.

•Mo Abudu

Contestants gear up as MDA 8 auditions begin F

•Yvonne Nelson C M Y K

OLLOWING the receipt of hundreds of thousands of entries from potential contestants, all is now set for the regional auditions of Maltina Dance All season eight (MDA 8), the popular family dance show sponsored by Maltina, the nation’s leading malt drink from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc. As the process of selecting Nigeria’s top dancing family enters a critical stage, contestants are gearing up by dusting their dancing shoes ready for action in the tough selection process.The exciting and emotional process will be kick-start-

ed with regional auditions in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The regional auditions are used as the platform to select family representatives who are expected to qualify their families before the show kicks off.

Aside Port-Harcourt, the other auditioning centres are Lagos and Abuja. A breakdown of the regional auditioning dates released by the brand shows that it will kick off in Port Harcourt at the Atrium Event Centre on July 18th - 19th; Lagos - National Theatre on July 24th- 26th and Abuja - Nicon Luxury Hotel on August 1st – 2nd. Consumers

Participants on stage who missed the opportunity of registering online would, how-

ever, have the opportunity to register at the audition venues.

34—SATURDAY

Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014

Eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV

N

o child should be born with HIV; no child should be an orphan because of HIV; no child should die due to lack of access to treatment.”

This famous 2010 quote by Ebube Sylvia Taylor, an 11-year-old Nigerian born free of HIV, speaks volumes. It was made during a meeting of world leaders in New York to share progress towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, by 2015. Today, the national plans for eliminating new HIV infections among infants and keeping their mothers alive are being entrenched. Mothers and their babies in Africa and the world at large are having greater access to optimal HIV prevention and treatment regimens based on latest guidelines.

Such is the story of Lillian Garile. Fourteen years after she got married to the love of her life, she became the proud mother of a healthy baby girl. It was a long wait but Lillian says it was worthwhile.

The 33-year-old child-minder who discovered she was living with HIV quite by accident few years back, has, however, made the best of what could be described as a bad situation.

The elder of two sisters, Lillian lost her parents at a tender age and had to look out for herself and younger sister.

During an encounter at the Witkoppen Health and Welfare Centre in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Lillian, who hails from Zimbabwe, was initially downcast about the HIV positive diagnosis. Nevertheless, the woman whose mother was of South African descent, summoned courage and battled the odds to become mother of a healthy HIVfree baby. it cost me about 22 Rands by taxi.

Lillian is one of the several “I’ve decided to stay at home and look millions of Africans struggling to after my daughter until she is at least cope with the demands of low one year old. Certainly I would love to economic status and high incigo back to looking after children again dence of HIV/AIDS among other because that is my first love—children. I challenges. was trained professionally to look after All the years she waited to have them. For now, my husband takes care of her own baby, Lillian never lost all my needs.” Before the birth of her hope. She benefited from the baby, Lillian had an ectopic pregnancy.

Safer Conception Clinic initiative “It was traumatic. I had a surgery of the Witkoppen Centre and her afterwards and the doctors told me that baby is among the first set of now I had only one Fallopian tube. But I babies to be delivered there was assured it was still enough for me to although not the first to be have all the babies I wish to have.” Five conceived. months later her wish came true when “I love children. I look after she became pregnant again. “I love this children for a living. hospital. I love the staff that I have met Even though I have just one here. I chose this because of the skills biological child of my own, I can available here especially since Ai had say I have many children because the experience with the ectopic. A I look after so many of them. I neighbour recommended this place and have been doing so for almost it’s been wonderful.” eight years,” she remarked.

Lillian is usually up by 4 am to get Witkoppen is an NGO operating herself and baby ready so as to be at the at grassroots level to provide clinic by 5am. “There is usually a long preventive and curative to deal queue and even though I get here early, with the social determinants of it’s common to find several people disease and decrease the high already waiting. We often stay for some maternal and newborn mortality time because we need to see many in the country. “I was registered healthcare providers one after the other. for antenatal at 16 weeks. I come Things like family planning and other here for post natal services care issues are taken care of. Although although. It’s a distance from the on ARVs, Lillian is not planning to have hospital to where I stay, but I more babies. “I’ve had enough. I’m choose to come here even though “

•Lillian and baby

I love children. I look after children for a living

C M Y K

satisfied with just one. She is healthy and that is all I ask for,” she noted.

Indeed, the world has an unprecedented opportunity to make new HIV infections among children become history. In 2009, 370 000 children became newly infected with HIV globally and an estimated 42 000 - 60 000 pregnant women died because of HIV. In contrast, in high-income countries the number of new HIV infections among children and maternal and child deaths due to HIV was virtually zero. In low and middleincome countries, still too few women are receiving HIV prevention and treatment services to protect themselves or their children.

In the bid to change this inequity, stopping new HIV infections among children and keeping their mothers alive is a task to be done.

There is global consensus that the world must strive towards elimination of new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keep mothers and children living with HIV alive.

Many low and middle-income countries have already moved significantly towards achieving these goals. Lillian and her baby are the evidence of this march towards “getting to Zero” strategy. It outlines a global effort to reach the “three zeros” of HIV/AIDS — zero new deaths, zero new infections, and zero discrimination.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014—35

Dental Clinic

Oral health care for diabetics

By Dr. Samuel Awosolu

D

iabetes mellitus is a disease state where there is an excess level of glucose in the blood over a long period of time.

The high blood glucose is loosely referred to as high blood sugar, as glucose is a type /class of sugar. The condition can damage many body parts including the heart, vessels eyes kidneys and literarily could affect all body organs. The incidence in the general population is rising at an alarming rate.

The resultant effect on the heart and the blood vessels can lead to cardiovascular accidents, strokes, renal and organ failures.

Infections set in, gangrene of the limbs, ulcers etc.

Whilst diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease, a lot can be done to slow down the problems or complications that could arise with regards to the oral health of the diabetic.

Diabetics tend to have a higher incidence of gum and supporting tissues problem, referred to as gingivitis and periodontitis. This does not preclude these two conditions happening to nondiabetic patients.

Plaque which is a sticky film full of germs accumulates continually on the surface of the teeth and this is the cause of oral health problems. Plaque is

pronounced as PLAK. High blood glucose levels encourages the germs in the plaque to grow, the resultant effect is a red sore

and swollen gum, this makes the gums to bleed readily most especially after brushing. This is the first sign of inflammation

of the gums, gingivitis noticed. The individual tells the dentist that I notice bleeding in the gums when they brush the teeth, yours truly has experienced a situation a lady actually was of the opinion she might soon be anaemic because she sees blood every time in her saliva when she brushes her teeth.

Diabetics have to take extra care of their oral health as there is tendency to have more gum and tooth problems more so when the blood glucose levels are poorly controlled or poor compliance with the medication. A rough guide will be to be aware that the likelihood of getting a bad case of gum disease and teeth where

Food As Medicine

A

I am your aphrodisiac

phrodisiac foods are believed to stimulate sexual desire and increase sexual performance.

Many aphrodisiac foods have suggestive properties, but the aphrodisiac effect is essentially from the presentation and eating of the food as well as from a physiological response. You probably already have many of these foods in your kitchen, so get down on it! Be sexy in your kitchen as you prepare your gourmet aphrodisiac foods. Cook with passion and you will feel passion around you. Pay attention to the presentation of the food and the ambiance of the setting. These aspects are as important as the

Aniseed Largely believed to possess sexual powers, but will sucking on the seeds increase your libido? Try it.

Almond An age-long symbol of fertility. Some women say the aroma stimulates passion in them.

Avocado Known as the “testicle tree” by the Aztecs because the fruit hanging in pairs on the tree look like male testicles, the vitamin B6-containing avocado increases male hormone production. Also contains potassium which aids in regulating the female thyroid gland.

Asparagus The phallic-looking asparagus is more suggestive than it looks. It contains vitamin E, which stimulates the sex hormones which contribute to a healthy sex life and increased sexual powers.

Bananas C M Y K

Widely considered the “ultimate” of aphrodisiac foods, bananas have a wonderful, suggestive phallic shape, and contain potassium and B vitamins which are essential for sex hormone production.

Chili peppers Capsaicin, the chemical that stimulates nerve endings and raises the pulse, is responsible for the “heat” in chili peppers. This “hot” aphrodisiac food releases endorphins, which give the body a natural high.

Chocolate Who doesn’t know the fame of chocolate as the “champion” of aphrodisiac foods? On Valentines Day, more chocolate is sold than at any other time during the year. Chocolate is said to be the food of love and is given just to say, “I love you.”

Chocolate contains a stimulant called phenylethylamine, which gives a

sense of well being and excitement similar to the natural high that endorphins give. Chocolate contains chemicals that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, and a substance related to caffeine called theobromine.

There are more antioxidants in chocolate than in red wine.

36—SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, JULY 12, 2014

Monochrome Pencil Dresses

Ezinne Chinkata

Osas Ighodaro

T

Ndidi Obioha Eku Edewor

C M Y K

Red Patent Clutch

he black and white ensemble also known as the monochrome, is a timeless classic look that transcends from one fashion season to another. This look is fast becoming a hit with many celebrities.

Worn on-and-off the red carpet by everyone from Osas Ighodalo, to Ndidi Obioha and Eku Edewor.

Each one of them has her own take on this trend.

No matter what the occasion is or what time of day you choose to

christianlou boutin farfamesh red suede platform

wear it, Monochrome always looks smart whether it is stripe, spots, or floral. See who wears the standout look. Get inspired and whip out a whip out a nice variety and you are good to go.

How to style

The monochrome look lends itself very easily to a splash of colour. Spice your choice with red accessories for standout effect or just keep it classic in the good old black or white accessory.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

L

eisure: A man with a family of eight I met recently mentioned some mind-boggling figures they spend on airline tickets and accommodation when they go on vacation, especially to the United States. Many Nigerian families cannot afford that kind of vacation. Some who can will either be reluctant or unwilling to spend that much on a holiday, especially with many needs snapping at their feet. A friend’s son wondered why “ we all can’t just go on holiday at once instead of the bits and pieces.”(The father normally travels with one or two children for each vacation while those left behind take their turn at the next vacation). And my friend snapped: “don’t you know the money we will use for such an adventure is enough to build a bungalow!” Some families opt for cheaper the increasing amount of time alternatives. Whichever way, parents devote to economic the larger family will spend activities, there is a lot less more. For those with lower time for their children. The income, the economic amount of time it takes to get circumstance is no excuse not each child ready for school on to give yourself a break once weekdays and church on in a while because that is what Sundays gives an idea of how a holiday or leisure is. When much time childcare consumes. we talk about holiday, many That is partly why the number people’s minds are fixated on of children is a main issue. travelling abroad. That is not In planning, therefore, it; your holiday can be going couples need to have the to spend time in your village. number of children they can But this too involves give quality time. If after all expenditure and the size of your family becomes a factor.

Time: In many families today, especially in urban areas, parents leave home early and come back late.

Parents need to devote the time spent on economic quality time to their children, activities to make the family especially during the prefinancially comfortable, the teen and teenage years. children do not turn out well, Parents need to guide, then “no work done” as my mentor and assist their roommate in the university, children to chart their future.

Lawrence Ogbuogebe ,used to The presence of house helps say. or nannies should not make Sacrifice:Beyond giving us shirk our parental children time, giving birth to responsibilities. These people and raising children involves are helpers, not substitutes, enor mous sacrifices. You and many of them are practically donate a chunk of inexperienced and illyour life to them and the more equipped for parenting. With

Vanguard, JUL Y 12, 2014—37 JULY policies to transform our large population from a liability to an asset. Much of the transformation that has taken place in China in the last two decades can be traced to human development and capacity building. India is on track right now in human capacity building and development, although it is still having very much work in progress, the number of poor people there is gargantuan.

Of the eight countries in the world with a population of 150 million or more people, Nigeria is the least (I mean no disrespect, but do not mention Bangladesh, monkey get grade) in many of the major indices for measuring human and physical development (life expectancy, access to good healthcare, access to education, standard of living, earning capacity, presence of basic infrastructure to enable the citizens optimise their capacities, gross domestic product, etc). Enough of this aimless politics and visionless leadership: governments at the three levels (nonexistent governance in many local governments on my mind) should roll up their sleeves and get down to real business.

As we prepare for the general elections in 2015, one of our priorities should be to ensure that people’s votes count so that we can flush out the multitude of clowns in government positions. *Governance is for serious minds not jesters whose proper place is a circus. Real development and good governance only takes root when the people’s votes count.

Before number four (2) children you have the bigger the donation. We therefore need to reflect on how much of our lives we want to donate to our children. This should have a say in the number of children we settle for.

My sister-in-law, Tolu Ewherido, sees number three as the threshold where couples need to deeply reflect upon and comprehend the financial and physical impacts before launching into “number four ”. She should know

,

Governance is for serious minds not jesters whose proper place is a circus

because she has four children and I agree with her even though I have five children.

Her view is borne out of the realization that the “fourth child moves you into another tranche of needs that you will have to meet for your family, like bigger vehicle, likely a bigger house (or more crowding to fit in) and it goes on. Even for a middle-upper class family, you and your finances will likely feel the

impact of number four and beyond”, she posits.

I am not out here to argue for small or large families. I believe it is each couple’s prerogative. What I am saying in one sentence is: plan very well to suit your circumstances. Nigeria is grappling with a lot of social and economic problems — armed robberies, youth restiveness, unemployment, rapes, kidnapping, child trafficking, cultism, etc. Much of it has been blamed on visionless political leadership and corruption, but that is only part of the story. I believe it starts from dysfunctional families who produce and foist dysfunctional and badly finished products on the larger society. Intending couples should start on a wellthought-out foundation; they should have only children they can adequately cater for, to not do so is to foist the results of their lack of control and prudence on the larger society thereby creating additional problems for everybody.

That said our governments need to come up with good

,

(Text Only)

Exercise for stress-relief

The Plough

The Plough Benefit:Stimulates the activity of the thyroid glands; of great help to those with sluggish digestion as it stimulates the peristaltic movement of the bowels. Also an effective cure for constipation.

Fingers to Toes Technique: Sit down flat on the ground; stretch your hands gently to touch the toes.

Remain still for a period of 15 to 20 seconds and repeat thereafter for two or three times.

Benefits:This exercise stretches your back muscles and enable you move freely at all times.

The shoulderstand Though the classic shoulder stand is executed without a prop, the variant under discussion here is done with

the aid of chair.

Technique: Place a chair on the practice mat at one end.

Lying on your back rather close to the chair, raise both legs and rest them on the chair forming a neat slant from feet to shoulder. Place the hands a little away from the sides.

Breathe in slowly, rhythmically and deep into the abdomen. A minute or two will do at the initial stages. Follow that up with the dead man’s pose of lying completely still on your back.

Benefits: The shoulder stand affect the thyroid gland which normalizes metabolism and the

production of heat and controls the heart rate.

Triangle Pose Technique: Stand with the feet wide apart, turn the trunk to the left and lowering it, place the palm of the left hand flat down on the outside of the left leg while raising up the right hand and straightening it at the elbow.

Breathe normally and retain the position for about 10- 10 or I5 seconds.

Benefits: The triangle stretches the leg, spine, and trunk muscles.

It promotes flexibility of the hip spine and legs. It tones the nerves of the spine and the abdominal organs. It reduces pain in the lower back and invigorates the circulation.

Triangle Pose

•The shoulderstand •Fingers

to

Toes

Yoga Classes STARTED @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

38 — SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, JUL Y 12 JULY 12,, 2014

How far should you trust your friend with your wife?

Peter was the sexier friend though, with a roughish smile and a tall physique that charmed all the girls

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mischievously, Peter led me to our guest room and it was exhilarating to finally live out all my sexual fantasies with him.

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fter more than 12 years of simmering sexual tensions, this was long over-due! ‘We probably shouldn’t have let our emotions run riot like that,’ I teased as Peter got ready to leave, a satisfied smirk on his face. ‘But I’m glad it happened,’ I told him.

He agreed but warned Seye must never find out. I assured him my husband wouldn’t —1 loved him too much to break his heart. And my marriage was too solid than the fickle one Peter had and got out of!

“That was the only time I strayed and I’ve even helped Seye work through his grief for his dad, Peter is still our good friend Only, once in a while, Peter and I will swap secret smiles and I know he too is treasuring that wild, forbidden night... To his credit, he didn’t bother to hit on me again, and I respect him for that.”

As I’ve often warned, your closest friend is the most likely culprit to lure your partner into bed.

And their secret is usually safe as long as either of them don’t want to be caught!

Your w or k problems should ssttay in the of fice wor ork office B

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said he intended to share with us both but we ended up drinking the lot alone -we were truly slushed by this time. “You know I really regret the way I treated you before,’ he blurted, I wish things had worked out differently and we had gotten married’ Was he drunk? I always fancied you,’ he continued, ‘but I was young and stupid. It was when you called you were getting married I realized the type of fool I’d been...’

“I was nonplussed. He fancied me? He leant across the sofa and pressed his lips on mine. All those feelings I’d thought were forgotten crept up as I kissed him back. We ended up making endless love on the sofa before I hurriedly asked him to leave before Seye showed up. As he was leaving, Seye rang, he would be spending the night at his mum’s to help her sort out a few details. Smiling

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HILO was very reluctant to serve at the ‘Outback’ town she was posted for her youth service. “It’s in one of those states that you know make up the country but which you never imagined you would ever visit”, she recalled. “A group of us had tried to pull strings and influence our postings and I’d been assured the furtherest I’d be posted to was Oyo State, Lagos was my first choice. So when the postings came out and I was flung into a town in the far North, I wept. My parents were angry and demanded their money back from the chap who made empty promises about getting better postings but he simply disappeared. I had no choice but to make the most of what I thought was a bad situation.

“It was during our orientation weeks that a group of us got together from time to time to hit the social circuit. Peter and Seye were members of the group and had been friends since their university years. Peter was the sexier friend though, with a roughish smile and a tall physique that charmed all “Nine years of married and decided to stay. We all the girls— including me. bliss and three kids later, went back to Lagos and I saw Yet despite our closeness, Peter finally found another a lot of Seye. From time to Peter never hit on me. good job in Lagos and time, Peter would come down Instead, we became very came down to stay alone. for the weekend and he was good friends. I was a bit He was divorced and left the first of the group to own a disappointed but what his wife and two kids car. Seye and I continued to could I do? behind. It was at this time get closer and closer. He “In the meantime, he was that Seye’s father died. wasn’t a womanizer like Peter always cheating on all his His mum really took it bad and he was eager to settle girlfriends and breaking and Seye had to constantly down. We fell in love and their hearts, I was lucky be with the family as they decided to get married Peter not to be part of his conplanned the funeral. Even was to be the best man. When quests! Towards the end of after that, Seye was always I rang to tell him, he sounded our service year though, a bit sad! How could he be, he at his mum’s to see she things changed. Peter saw was alright. One night, was the happy-go-lucky guy! me home from Seye’s with Seye staying with his We might have had a onebirthday party and we were mum yet again, Peter night fling, but he was the both drunk. dropped by for a visit. He one who pretended it never had two bottles of wine he happened. here was also that sad feeling that we would soon be going back to our various states. That EING stressed all day at must be the reason why we work is bad enough, but suddenly found ourselves when work worries start in each other’s arms; with affecting your private life, it is Peter paying me sexy time to take control, says compliments. The love experts. making that followed was If you are irritable, unsociagreat and he slept over. ble or impatient after a hard The following morning, he day, it is time to switch off and was dressed and out of the consciously move into ‘homedoor before he could make time’. Try exercise, deep further commitments. Days breathing, reading or gardenlater, I fumed as I watched ing to take your mind off work. him getting off with anIf you’re awake all night, other girl. But I calmed then exhausted all day, even down later. He was being weekends are no fun. If you himself and I really valued can’t sleep, get up and read or our friendship. watch TV. At least you’ll be “He got a very good job

If you’re neglecting your diet, health and relationship, change your habits

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relaxed. Exercise will give you more energy and make it easier to sleep.

If your friends groan any time you mention the boss, you’re obsessing about work.

If you’ve got to let off steam, allow yourself five minutes, then change the subject.

Do you seem to come down with every bug going? Instead of resorting to junk food after a hard day, try to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables instead.

The vitamin will boost your immune system, giving you more energy.

Volunteer work is incredibly satisfying and takes more

attention away from your own problems. As you make friends and help others, your work worries will seem less important.

If you’re neglecting your diet, health and relationship, change your habits.

Remember we work to live, not live to work. Your evenings and weekends are just as important as your work days.

Treat yourself to fun, relaxation and time with friends and lovers; soon stress will stay in the work place, where it belongs.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Oritsejaf or bags ‘self less ser vice’ a ward Oritsejafor ‘selfless service’ aw PROMINENT Christian leaders across the country on Thursday gathered at the Muson Centre in Lagos for the 10 th annual luncheon

L-R: Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Guest Speaker; Dr Aaron Nuhu, National President/Board Chairman, The Bible Society of Nigeria; Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, President, Christian Association of Nigeria, receiving an award from General Yakubu Gowon (rtd).

and awards of the Special Members Forum of the Bible Society of Nigeria tagged “Building for the Master’s use”.

One of the highlights of the day was the presentation of Bible Award to Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, President, Christian Association of Nigeria for ‘selfless service to God and humanity’. Here are faces at the event in pictures by Lamidi Bamidele

Vanguard, JUL Y 12, 2014—39 JULY

Sadiatu and Kris

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omrade Kris Wale Eburajolo and his beau, Sadiatu, recently consummated their union in a Holy wedlock. Both the traditional and church weddiings were held at Oghara, Delta State.

Comrade and Mrs Kris Wale Eburajolo, after the church wedding.

L-R: Rev Dare Ajiboye, Gen. Sec, BSN, Engr. David Bolade, receiving an award from Dr Aaron Nuhu of BSN.

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L-R: Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor of CAN, Bishop Matthew Kukah and Otunba Oyin Jolayemi.

Honours for Erhuvwu Club members

rhuvwu Club of Nigeria, Asaba recently honoured their distinguished members with different categories of awards at a reception which had members and their families in attendance. Those honoured include Sir Paul Evuarherhe, Head of Service, Delta State, Sir David Onokpe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Governments and Mr Joseph Edafeghwara, retired civil servant. Photos by Nath Onojake

Comrade and Mrs Kris Wale Eburajolo, at the traditional wedding.

Queens on ttour our of duty

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iss FCT Niger Delta, Tokoni Esther Atin and Miss FCT Tourism, Cynthia Adegwe Uyo were captured here during an outreach programme for their pet projects in Zhipe community in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa state.

L-R: Mr. James Omeru, presenting an Award to Mr and Mrs Joseph Edafeghwara retired civil servant, Delta State.

L-R: Hon. Justice Marshall Umukoro, Chairman of the occassion presenting an award to Sir and Lady Paul Evuarherhe, Head of Service, Delta State.

L-R: Mr.Omekeh, retired Perm-Sec, Delta State, presenting an award to Sir and Lady David Onokpe, Perm-Sec, Ministry of LGs, Delta State

L-R: Mr Abel Esievo, President, Erhuvwu Club, Asaba; Sir and Lady Paul Evuarherhe with Mrs Esievo

C M Y K

L-R: Miss FCT Niger Delta, Tokoni Esther Atin and Miss FCT Tourism, Cynthia Adegwe Uyo

40—SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014

08 116759 759 081 6759759

Man with world'largest tumour' removed from his leg

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octors have re moved what is believed to be the world’s largest tumour from a man’s leg – after it grew to more than 17 stones. Yang Jianbin, 37, from Shanxi Province, China was

But despite medical intervention, it started to grow again and a recent hospital check in Beijing revealed that the tumour had increased to an

enormous 110kg – more than 17 stone.

Chief surgeon Chen Minliang said Yang suffered from Neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that affects the normal growth and development of cell tissue. ‘We have seen neurofibromatosis patients before, but this is the biggest nerve tumour we ever saw,’ he said. Yang had said

amount an adult's body holds. But he is said to be recovering well and is expected to be discharged from hospital in Beijing later this month.

born with a dark birthmark on the right side of his lower back – and noticed it getting larger when he was nine. By the time he was 12, it had increased to the size of a fist and he had surgery to remove it.

Too bootylicious for baby!

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here most parents would be embarrassed about knocking their child to the ground, this mother is more than happy to share her booty-grinding blunder with the world. Summer Knowlden, from Utah, managed to film her derriere shaking to a beat of its own - and knocking her young daughter to the ground in the process. While gyrating and booty grinding to T.I.’s Bring Em Out, Ms Knowlden's daughter runs towards her and is knocked backwards by Ms Knowlden's gyrating rear-end.

With this happening during Ms Knowlden's warm-up for an online dance-off for mothers, it would be interesting to see what happened during the dance-off itself. After receiving positive feedback from friends and family, Ms Knowlden decided to upload the video to YouTube on Monday. In a Facebook status update on Tuesday, she said: ‘It sure makes me feel warm and fuzzy knowing I've made so many people literally laugh out loud!’ Despite not winning the competition, she has definitely achieved her goal of making people laugh out loud.

Employee returns $43,000 he finds in donated clothing

Indian girl survives after falling from roof of construction site Miraculously, the three pieces of steel missed every major organ as they forced their way through the youngster's body.

Emergency services arrived at the scene in Bihar, north east India and began the delicate task of freeing her. During the ten-hour rescue operation medics were forced to cut the steel from the building's foundation while supporting the unnamed girl, preventing the bars from moving inside her. After she was freed from the building, the girl was brought by ambulance to the Ruban Patilputra Hospital in Patna. The girl then underwent a ndian girl, 17, miraculously survives five-hour long operation to after falling from roof of construction remove the steel. Doctors said site and impaled herself on three iron rods. This is the astonishing photograph despite her ordeal the girl was of a girl who survived being impaled on recuperating at the hospital.

According the Hindustan Times three steel bars after she fell from a the girl's survival was down to construction site. fate: 'This is what Bhagya The girl, 17, was on the roof when she slipped and fell onto a steel reinforcing Destiny is all about, if its not your day to die, you wont.' bars used to strengthen concrete.

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previously that the huge tumour was so big he could only lie down or sit on bed all day. He was given two hospital beds to accommodate the 1.2m tumour, which made up two-thirds of his total body weight.

Removal surgery involved nine doctors and lasted 16 hours.

During the procedure, the patient received 5,000ml of blood, which is more than the entire

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orkers going through donated clothing at a Monroe, Michigan thrift store turned up more than $43,000 in the pockets of suits and a robe and actually returned it to its rightful owner.

Goodwill manager Tyler Gedelian said that he sometimes finds loose change clothing, but nothing like what happened Wednesday at the Monroe store.

Stuffed in envelopes in the pockets were tidy stacks of $100 bills. ‘We might find a quarter in somebody’s jeans,’ Gedelian told the Monroe Evening News. ‘But that blows my mind.’

Without even counting the enticing chunk of change, 29-year-old called police. ‘My biggest concern was getting the money back to the rightful

owner,’ he said. ‘I certainly can’t imagine losing that kind of money. I was so nervous having so much of someone else’s money.’ Police tracked down the man who donated the clothes.

The newspaper reports that person was cleaning out an elderly relative’s closet and took the clothes to Goodwill.

The unidentified man said he had no idea there might be money hidden in them. ‘I am really proud of those people at Goodwill,’ the man said. ‘It makes me feel good there are people out there like that, especially in this day and age.’ Police arrived with no clue how much money was found and when Monroe police Officer Kris Joswiak arrived with a little plastic bag, Gedelian thought: ‘You’re gonna need a bigger bag.’

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014—41

YETUNDE AREBI

Is curbing sexual perversion achievable?

A couple of years ago, at a friend’s house in Surulere area of Lagos, a ritual took place every week end in one of the apartments.

The occupant, a guy, would bring home a lady every Friday or Saturday to spend the night. Most of them never returned after one or two visits. This is because you were bound to hear the lady either weeping profusely, shouting abuses and curses at him, or simply pleading and trying to negotiate her release all through the night.

Initially, none of the neighbours had a clue of what was going on. It was a bit funny, maybe queer.

Soon, their inquisitiveness turned to concern for the girls, especially by the women and they began whispering about it. Concern soon turned to fear of what might happen to them or their female children, should this young man turn on them. And chances were that he could eventually injure one of the girls or something worse.

However, the men considered it his private business, since everything took place in his flat and none of the girls had ever called out for help, nor returned to the house with the Police. So, it was obvious that he was not doing anything to them without their consent. Nevertheless, the women were not convinced and insisted that their men must investigate what was going on, before the guy got everyone in the compound into serious trouble.

My friend told me that at the meeting, this guy just took everything as a huge joke and laughed it off. He told them that all they were doing was having sex and the ladies always got tired before him. Or, is he not allowed to have sex with his girlfriends in his flat? And has he ever come to ask anyone about their sex life? He was correct, they all agreed. But should having sex call for all the crying and cursing? Besides, how many girls are we talking about here? You hardly see a face more than twice, at most three times.

They did not believe his story and decided to call in the landlord. According to my friend, this guy, an otherwise gentleman, good looking, well dressed and a respectful banker finally confessed to one of them, who in turn passed the words round naturally, that he does not get satisfaction from sex unless the lady weeps and begs to be released! So, once he starts, depending on how far the lady can go, he does not stop.

How does he manage? As soon as he gets the first round out of the way, he is prepared C M Y K

This guy, an otherwise gentleman, good looking, well dressed and a respectful banker finally confessed to one of them, who in turn passed the words round naturally, that he does not get satisfaction from sex unless the lady weeps and begs to be released

for the battle ahead. He does not ejaculate until the girl starts begging. Then goes on another exploration until begging turns to weeping and probably struggling, at which point, he is more than satisfied. Struggling may change things to violence and he tries as much as possible to avoid that. Is this normal or does he use aphrodisiacs to aid his endless erections? He said he has mastered the art over the years but he does sometimes chip in something when he feels the need. If he likes the girl, he offers her lubrication, otherwise, she must sort herself out! Did I hear you say wow?

We concluded that the guy was a sex pervert and even though he was not forcing the girls (technically) he could eventually become a danger to other tenants, to which most of the men did not agree with again. (Someone said they probably secretly admired

him for his boldness and freedom to embrace his sexuality and fantasy but could not publicly admit to it). However, a grand conspiracy and sustained campaign was launched by the women against him and with the help of the landlord and surrounding neighbours, the randy guy was ejected about two years later. I still sometimes wonder where he lives now, probably still doing his thing or has outgrown it.

Depending on your background and exposure, you may find this story gross, but the truth is that sexual perversion is a reality that has been with us for a long time and would probably be so, for as long as humanity continues to exist. The advent of the internet and subsequently the social media platforms brought to the fore, what hitherto was hardly ever seen or heard in the open.

Today, everywhere you turn, you are likely to spot one kinky sexual behaviour or another being performed, sadly too, without much recourse to societal norm and dictum.

Sexual perversions are conditions in which sexual excitement or orgasm is associated with acts or imagery that are considered unusual within the culture, thus they are also known as socially deviant sexual behaviours. More common in men than women, sexual perversion is considered abnormal sexual activity as they do not adopt the use of acceptable sexual fantasy, activity or objects to heighten their sexual excitement except those that bring distress or impairment to them or others. The most common sexual perversions known to man include but are not limited to: *The inability to resist an impulse for the sexual act which is sometimes referred to as sex addiction. Where a willing partner is not readily available, the person might resort to rape. *The need for sexual participation with non-consenting partner -Rape *The need for sex with under aged or under puberty individuals - Pedophile. This has been taken to an alarming proportion in our society today. Just flip through our Newspapers and you’ll begin to wonder what has taken over our men. *Sexual acts requiring the suffering or humiliation of oneself - Masochism or of one’s partner - Sadism (which our guy in the story above seems to portray) *Sexual acts involving watching others undressing or engaging in sexual activity Voyeurism. (A friend recently narrated how a colleague, while at Med School, was

caught peeping at a friend’s girlfriend from above the wall of a bath cubicle. According to him “we pried the door open and found a low life, worm like, idiot, cowering there and we beat him up.”) *A sexual act involving touching and rubbing against a non consenting person is known as Frotteurism. Many young women who commute by public transportation would probably have fallen victim of such men, especially if you have to stand in a bus. I once witnessed a scuffle between a scrawny looking man and a well endowed, curvy middle aged woman (attack and defence) in a “Molue” bus from CMS to Barracks bus stop. The lady and the man were eventually thrown out of the bus at Stadium bus stop because the lady refused to accept his apology and the pleading of other passengers on his behalf. (Trust Nigerians! sometimes, I think we can even plead for the devil) His offence? He had eventually ejaculated on the woman’s clothes after series of warning that he should keep his distance from her. *The sexual exhibitionist is one who loves to expose his/her private parts in public.

Unfortunately, I strongly doubt if this will count for an offence in another decade or so because it seems we are now all interested in outdoing one another in displaying who is better endowed in the name of being fashionable. This is not to mention the series of willful pictures in various stages of nudity that are available on the internet!

It is interesting to know that a sexual pervert may also have more than one habit, most of which take root from their childhood experiences and lifestyle. Perversions are treatable and manageable. They only require time, money and expert consultations. Unfortunately, identifying one is not an easy task unless caught in the act as in the cases cited above, while fear of stigmatisation will not allow them seek help.

So, as is my style to share this platform with our readers, please, let’s have your contributions on this issue. Don’t forget to chip in any experience you or someone you know of might have gone through.

Sexual perversion is on the rise in our society.

What do we do? Are there some socially acceptable pervert behaviours now? Remember I am available via e-mail address: yetty5050@yahoo.co.uk Do have a lovely weekend!

42—SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014

COPEM matriculates new students

Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau

Barr. Nyesom Wike

Can Shekarau clean up after Wike?

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

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hen Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau stepped into his new mandate as the Minister of Education earlier this week, he resumed into a house of ruins. He now presides over a sector notorious for having the highest number of Out-ofSchool children in the world-10.5 million and counting. He has been thrust overnight into a sector with two major subsectors grounded due to protracted strikes. He will now be responsible for the 354-day old strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, and the seven-month old lock down of teacher training institutions due to the strike embarked upon by the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU. The 58 year old former Governor of Kano state, will have to proffer solutions to an age-old crisis when about 1.2 million of the 1.7 million candidates who wrote thelast Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations, UTME, do not gain admission into tertiary institutions this year. He will be tasked with the state of security in northern schools, and the decaying infrastructure in the public school sector from the primary to the tertiary sub-sectors.

Shekarau is stepping permanently into what has for the past ten months, been the shoes of former supervising minister for education, Barr. Nyesom Wike, who has been widely criticized for driving the sector into the ground.

Stakeholders who spoke to Saturday School Life believe that Shekarau, with his vast experience in the education sector, might be able to rescue the sector from the turmoil now being handed over to him by his predecessor. The ASUP President, Dr. Chibuzor Asomugha-

He has been thrust overnight into a sector with two major subsectors grounded due to protracted strikes.

He will now be responsible for the 354 day old strike embarked upon by ASUP whose union has been on strike for most of Wike’s tenure-argued that ‘the personality of the former supervising minister played a huge role in ASUP’s recent dealings with the Federal Government’ which have consistently ended in deadlock.

Asomugha said that the new minister ‘seems to have a pedigree for studiousness and a passion for education, considering the fact that he has handled some huge responsibilities in the sector. "We are hopeful that he would have a positive disposition towards our efforts to make the sector better," he said, "we have a meeting with him this week, so we will keep our fingers crossed and see how that turns out.’ Compared to Wike, with a background in law, who until his appointment three years

ago, had not been directly involved in teaching or school administration, Shekarau has nearly two decades of experience in the education sector. He has been a classroom teacher, Principal, and Director of education.

The Vice Chairman of COEASU, Mr. Smart Olugbeko also lauded the appointment of an educationist as minister.

Olugbeko said: ‘An educationist such as Shekarau who was once in the sector understands how the sector works. From the very beginning, I had said that the appointment of a lawyer as education minister is a misnomer. A teacher, no matter how good he is, cannot become Attorney General of the Federation. For Wike, it seemed he did not even understand the basic terminologies in the sector. The political will to do the right thing seemed to be blinded by his own political ambition. Now that a new minister is on ground, we expect him to access the situation on ground, confer with other stakeholders, and proffer solutions. The constituency which he is from is education, and if he does not perform, it would be an indictment on him.’

The President of the National Association of Polytechnic Students, NAPS, Mr. Adeyemo Lukman, said that the appointment of Shekarau is the fulfillment of a long term dream by Nigerian students to see a ‘substantial minister in office.’ ‘We believe that he will have much interest in ensure lasting progress in the sector,’ he said, ‘and it seemed like Wike lacked the capacity to do that. Education in Nigeria has been on a downward spiral for years; long before either Wike or Shekarau was put at the helm of arrairs. But whether or not the newest man on the scene will be one to give the sector to rejuvenate the ailing sector, is a question that can only be answered in the future.

The College of Physical Education Mosogar, COPEM, Delta State recently matriculated 857 new students for the2014/2015 academic session. The Provost of the Institution, Mr. Moses Omayuli, advised the students to be of good behaviour, and not to breach the oath of the matriculation.

He said: “You must shun examination malpractices and membership of any secret cults within, and without the College. Such offences will attract suspension or even outright expulsion from the school.”

He also urged the students to take advantage of the large expanse of the land available in the school premises to engage in sporting activities and specialise in any sport of their choice. Adding that Delta state, which he referred to as the foremost sports interest state in the country was the major reason why the former Governor, Chief James Ibori, established the institution.

‘Our vision is to be among the best faith-based schools in Nigeria’

BY IKENNAASOMBA & BOSEDE OYELOHUNNU The Principal, Babcock University Schools, Ogba, Lagos, Gabriel Fasanu, has assured that the focus of his administration is to make the school, one of the best faith-based schools in Nigeria through provision of conducive teaching and learningenvironment.

Fasanu who made this known, while marking the school’s first anniversary and Staff Sabbath Celebration, in Lagos, said “My plan is to make Babcock University Schools, one of the best faith-based schools in the country.

One, that will rank equal with the existing big schools or even surpass them.'

While reeling his achievements, Fasanu said among other things, “our administration had within a year provided an ultra modern library and laboratory, purchase a new school bus to add to existing ones, secure licence from Lagos State Ministry of Education, increase in student population, organised a successful maiden inter-house sports, and has organised an in-house for the teachers to enhance their on-the-job productivity, even as it has paid a courtesy call on the Ologba of Ogba.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014—43

EKITI DECIDES

‘Wants to know what happened to the N26b he left in office’ Continued from Page 17 directors of Governor Rochas Okorocha, and most of them worked as members of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, ad-hoc staff.

I want to apologize to them. I may have offended them one way or the other, offended their families, offended their children, but I was doing the right thing, as I thought. Maybe, if I had known, I would have left them until after my second tenure before showing them the way out of the system.

But I was in a hurry to make sure there was law and order and there was no fraud in the system. I can go on and on.

There was also the accusation that you flogged a Catholic priest.

There was nothing in this world that they didn’t say I did. Yes, they said I flogged a Reverend Father. They said I flogged a journalist.

Every effort I made to clear myself at the time proved abortive. But today, people

there to sleep. It must be said that since the son in-law of the Governor is the Commissioner for Land, they would have fished out the documents of the alleged houses they claimed that I own and possibly recovered them the way they have been recovering supposed government properties, so that Imo people will know the truth.

But having failed woefully to do that after about three years they made that allegation, Imo people now know who the liar is. The people now know who is a straight forward somebody.

What do you have to say about failed contracts in the state?

No single contract failed while I was the Governor.

The present state administration should prove me wrong on this. There was no single road that was designed and was not supervised by engineers, both internal and external. There was no contractor that got job in Imo that did not present advance payment guarantee or performance bond. There

I left N26.8 billion in various accounts, which I handed over to m successor. Tell me the government that did so much. I could have squandered the money but everywhere today know the truth. The Reverend Father said even if he saw Ohakim on the street, he wouldn’t even recognize the man. He knew the man only in the newspapers. Yet people were saying Ohakim flogged a Reverend Father but that is now a past tense.

I want to thank Imo people for their understanding.

You are said to own several houses across the globe.

I have not forgotten how somebody went on air, on live television, to announce that I own six houses along Wetheral Road, Owerri, over 40 houses in Owerri, houses in America, Jamaica, South Africa, United Arab Emirate and other choice towns. Up till now, nobody has shown me any house. May be, if I had a house along Wetheral Road, I would have gone

was no contract that did not pass through the normal tender process. Check our cost of road per kilometer and compare it to what we have today. And I want you to take a look at every project that we undertook and see the economic value of that project. 10,000 graduate jobs and 10,000 empty halls, which one impacts more on the people? Imo people know. The economy was booming. Money was circulating. We carried everybody along, including the downtrodden.

We had programmes. We said we would offer education free to those who could not afford to pay, which was the policy of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. We didn’t say any child should stop school.

Go and see Isiekenesi to

*Ohakim.... No single contract failed while I was the governor Osina, a 23-kilometer stretch with six bridges. That road is today the best road linking Ideato North to Ideato South local government areas with Orlu. You can also see the quality of the road from Owerri up to the Okitankwo River. It has 15 years guarantee. Some of you go to the Airport through Egbu. Our promise was that by 2015, every kitchen in Imo State will have clean water and that made us to do everything humanly possible to achieve the target.

By the time we left office, the water infrastructure in Imo was 1,950, and I can show you the water infrastructure map of the state.

1,950 water schemes with 300 trained technicians servicing and manning them. Those 300 people were sacked in one day! Today, 90 percent of the water schemes have collapsed because of lack of maintenance, lack of provision in the budget and lack of additional infrastructure.

But we are having empty halls, we are having classroom blocks that cannot pass structural stress test.

Where do you go from here?

I have come back home. I have no other place to go to.

I cannot go to Owerri and sleep. I sleep in my country home, Okohia, Isiala Mbano local council area. I served

my people to the best of my ability. There will be a time for me to talk. My administration tried to build for posterity. We did no build for the mob. There is a difference between building for posterity, building for economic survival, building for economic emancipation and building for the mob or building for acclamation, packaging roads where people pass and building halls with nothing in them.

There is also the problem of building things that do not have economic value. Resources are wasted. People are dying of hunger. Time has come for all of us to say enough is enough. Any position my party says I should hold, I will be glad to lead the battle, so that we can recover this state. People are dying. Kwashiorkor has sadly resurfaced in the state.

See how filthy Owerri is now.

What necessitated your going to the Capital Market?

I went to the Capital Market to raise fund to do most important projects our administration approved.

One is the Inner Ring Road with five flyovers. The Wonder Lake project, which is Wonder Lake Resort and Conference Centre that will directly and indirectly give employment to over 2,000 citizens and the College of

Engineering of Imo State University. When we left office, we had N13.2 billion in United Bank for Africa Plc, in an interest yielding account.

Where is this money today?

Was it applied for the purpose for which it was taken? Every effort some good citizens made to persuade Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, not to give certificate of change of purpose was defied

by SEC. The certificate was given and that money was frittered away.

I left N26.8 billion in various accounts, which I handed over to my successor. Tell me the government that did that much. Tell me what they have done with the money.

I must recall, with sadness, that as soon as Okorocha was announced as governor, a non-existing office of acting governor or governor-elect issued instruction to all the banks Imo did business with.

That exercise shutdown the entire governance institution in Imo. Everybody packed away and nothing happened.

There was no money even to run the generator in Government House. We packed our things out of Government House and took the threebedroom bungalow. As soon as Rochas took office, he confiscated the building, seized all our property, drove my people away from there and converted it to Lamonde Hotel.

44—SATURDAY

Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014

BY SUZAN EDEH, Bauchi

I

f Army or Police Barracks lacked anything in the past it was not security.

The fact that security men resided there was enough to assure one of security. So there was security there especially in the Army Barracks. One could not easily gain access into the barracks without being thoroughly searched except one was a resident.

Non residents avoided the barracks and only visited when necessary.

Have times so changed that insurgents could invade an Army Barracks for more than two hours, unleash mayhem on soldiers and their families and leave unchallenged?

Although this may not be possible in many parts of the country, it happened in Borno State. The North Eastern Nigeria has its peculiar cases of attacks by Boko Haram terrorists.

“It was a midnight attack. They took everybody unaware and when they were done everybody was searching – children for their parents and soldiers for their families. Many were killed,” Mrs Sara Steven Zira recounted Thursday when we visited her in Yelwa Kakadama, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis.

She now resides there after losing her husband, Sergeant Stephen Zika, in an unbelievable attack on 202 Battalion Army Barracks, Maiduguri late last year.

Sarah has two kids to cater for, a five year old boy and a three year old girl.

“I never knew that life would turn out to be this way,” she cried.

She appeared strong during the exchange of pleasantries. But as soon as she settled to begin her pathetic story, she was fighting back tears. Just 31, the burden of ensuring her kids go to school now falls on her. She only got married six years ago. Sarah is from Dasham Bakin Kogi Village in Tafawa Balewa Local Government of Bauchi State while her late husband hailed from Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

During the brief period of her marriage to Sergeant Steven Zika, life was a bed of roses for Sarah as she had everything every woman could wish for. Zika was not a top military officer but his investment in the family was more than what money could buy, according to Sara. He was caring and very proud of his family. He gave them so much and Sara had what mattered most in life- happiness.

But life is no longer at ease for her.

Her battle is now on how to train the children. Borno State has paid each family that lost their bread winner in that attack N1m each. She has received hers and feeding the kids has gulped a big chunk of it. Sara is in search of a trade that can put food on the table for the kids. She lives in a dilapidated house.

Boko Haram struck their Barracks on December, 20, 2013. She said that it is by providence that she lives to tell her story.

“Last year, precisely on December 20, the entire family would have been wiped out,” Sara began, “but God said that the children and I will live. My

Mrs Sara Steven Zira with their kids

The night Boko Haram killed my husband and burnt our house —Sara husband was on his duty post as the Motor Transport Officer when Boko Haram launched a massive attack on the barracks. They took everybody unawares. It was past midnight, actually about 2am. I was already asleep with the kids when I heard gunshots and chanting of an Islamic slogan, saying” Allah akubar ” at the frontage of my house. So, immediately I heard that, I grabbed my little baby and backed her. I went flat on the ground because my husband told me that anytime I hear a gunshot, I should go down to the floor” “The gun men started shooting sporadically and throwing bombs at the neighbourhood. I started panicking and began to pray to God to save us.

Some few minutes past 4 am, members of the Boko Haram set my neighbour’s house on fire and I heard the kids running, saying “mummy, mummy,” but unknown to me, their mother had already been killed. I could not help them because I was so scared to come out.”

“Later, Boko Haram started saying that they were going to burn my house. They spoke in Hausa, Kanuri and English. While I was inside, they

were breaking the doors of other people. But they did not touch my own. I was thinking about what would happen to me if they broke into my house and met me there. I heard them saying that they were going to set my house on fire. I didn’t need anybody to tell me I should find a way out of the house. I escaped through one of the entrances. Shortly after I left with the kids and hid in one abandoned house my house was set ablaze.

“My last baby was asking about her father and I told her that he would soon join us. I saw the way the Boko Haram members set fire on my neighbour ’s houses. They burnt everybody ’s house, including my house. I shed tears because I could not pick even a pin from my house.

Everything burnt to ashes.

The only thing I left that house with was a phone and there was no network that very day.

“After the attack that lasted for more than three hours, everybody came out and started looking for their husbands, wives and children. Many people were killed that day. More than 21 soldiers were killed, including my husband. I will never forget that day

Sergeant Stephen Zika...set ablaze

by Boko Haram for the rest of my life.”

Sarah confirmed that the Borno state government paid all the widows who lost their husbands N1m each.

Can that start a new life for them again?

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014 — 45

FHC Chief Judge, Vanguard News Editor, others receive meritorious award

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

C

HIEF Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC); Justice Ibrahim Auta, News Editor of Vanguard Newspaper, Mr. Kayode Matthew and others, yesterday received meritorious awards.

Those who also received meritorious awards are: News Editor of Leadership Newspaper; Mr. Tony Amokhedo, News Editor of ThisDay Newspaper; Mr. Davidson Iriekpen and News Editor of The Sun Newspaper; Alhaji Sina Aiyekoti.

The awards were presented during the National Association of Judicial Correspondents, NAJUC, annual seminar/award ceremony held at Muson Centre, Lagos.

Justice John Isoho, who received the award on behalf of FHC Chief Judge, advised journalists to report adequately and ask questions whenever in doubt.

Delivering a lecture on the topic, “The Importance of ADR to the Nigerian

Justice System and the Role of the Media” the Director of Lagos MultiDoor Court House, LMDC, Mrs Caroline Etuk, noted that lawyers constitute a big challenge to Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR. She said: “ADR is not in place to supplant litigation. In ADR, it is the parties that bring out the solution, what ADR does is

to facilitate the process.

Parties now want self determination. In the past one year, ADR is also embracing mediation.

“The Multi-Door Court House concept is to give lawyers an array of option.

Lawyers are the big challenge in ADR. I always tell lawyers to ensure that they have two streams of income- ADR and litigation.”

Stressing the need for lawyers and journalists to have a workshop on ADR mechanisms, Mrs Etuk pointed out that ADR is not in place to supplant litigation. In her words: “We need mediation advocacy training for lawyers, to teach them what to do during mediation. In Africa, if you put in place for ADR, then investment begins to grow.”

Deregistration: Mark wades into Fresh/INEC crisis

S

ENATE President David Mark has waded into the dispute between the Fresh Party, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC over the deregistration of the party founded by Rev. Chris Okotie, according to a statement issued in Lagos by Ladi Ayodeji, the party’s spokesman.

INEC delisted the party along with 27 others in December 2012, for alleged failure to win at least, one seat at either the State or National Assembly. The Electoral umpire invoked the order based on the controversial Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended).

FRESH, along with Rev. Okotie, and Adefela Binutu,

contested the deregistration at the Federal High court 5, Abuja Division; with INEC, the Attorney General of the Federation, the National Assembly and the Inspector General of the Police, IG, as defendants. In a landmark judgment handed down by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, the deregistration was not only voided, the entire Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended) was ruled illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

The Senate President, in a swift response in a letter to Dr. Agbaje dated June 26, 2014, said he had referred the petition to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Constitutional Review for necessary action.

States creation:

Onuesoke slams delegates

BY EPHRAIM OSEJI

D Enugu State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime in a handshake with the Vice President, Arc.Namadi Sambo, during the commissioning ceremony of the Elim Estate, Ibagwa-Nike, Enugu State,yesterday.

Jilted by lover: 21-yr-old student commits suicide

BY EMMA UNA

F

RIENDS and family members of a 21-yearold student of Maritime Academy Oron, Effiong Otu are at a loss why he committed suicide by hanging himself on a rope in his room on Thursday morning after he was jilted by his girl friend.

Ann, a family member told Vanguard that Effiong was found hanging in his room at Diamond Hill, a few minutes after he collected a rope from neighbours who became suspicious soon after he went inside his room with the rope wondering what he wanted to use it for.

According to the source, when his mother Grace Otu, a nurse at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital left the house at about 3pm on that fateful day, the young man borrowed a rope and killed himself.

According Ann: “The 10th of July was the 10th anniversary of his father’s death in a car accident and after the anniversary and everyone had left the house including his moth-

BRIEFS

•Effiong Otu er, he went to a neighbour and borrowed a rope

which he took to his room and hung himself.”

Ann said: “The neighbours became suspicious of what he was doing in his room with the rope and decided to rush there but found the door to the room locked and before they could force the door open he had died.”

She said before he hung himself, he called one of his friends, Adu on phone

requesting him to tell his girl friend, Blessing who works with the UNICEM that she should now be happy that he has killed himself for her.

“Before his friend could rush to the house, the door had already been forced open by neighbours and Effiong’s body was hanging from the ceiling of the house”.

Aturu, dependable ally, hero of masses — Oshiomhole, Mimiko

By SIMON EBEGBULEM

G

OVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has described the late human rights lawyer, Mr Bamidele Aturu, as one of the most dependable allies of the masses.

In a condolence message, the Governor said “I received with shock the sudden death of Mr. Bamidele Aturu at his prime. Mr. Aturu was undoubtedly a consummate barrister-atlaw, and without question

one of the most dependable social activists of his generation.

“I had a close relationship with Mr. Aturu right from my days in the labour movement and later when he served as a key member of my legal team during my struggle to reclaim my mandate as Governor of Edo State in 2007.

“A man with a good heart, always impatient with the dehumanizing status quo, his was a constant striving for the attainment of a just and humane social order for

Nigeria.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has described the late Bamidele Francis Aturu as a patriot per excellence, a lodestar and a hero of the Nigerian masses.

Mimiko in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Eni Akinsola, said the late human rights lawyer showed, from his student days in Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo and all through his short but meaningful carrier in law that he looked beyond the ordinary in all things, strove harder and thought better about Nigeria and her citizens.

ELTA State People’s Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant in 2007 general election, Chief Sunny Onuesoke has condemned the recommendation of the delegates

at the National Conference for the creation 18 states to be shared equally among the six geo-political zones is wrong.

Onuesoke who condemned the decision while fielding questions from journalists in Warri, Delta State said while it was a good decision to create more states in the country, the decision to share the proposed states equally among the six geo-politi-

cal zones. Onuesoke argued that it would be wrong to create more states out of the North East and North Central parts of the country when states in that part of the country are not economically viable. According to him, “One of the major factors for state creation has to do with its economic viability which majority of the present states in the core Northern part of the country are lacking,” adding that the core North has viewed the creation of states as means of raising fund from the federal government. He, however, suggested more states should be created from Middle-Belt, the

South-East, SouthWest and Niger-Delta Regions that are economically viable.

Rivers CJ:

High court transfers matter to Appeal Court

BY DAVIES IHEAMNACHOR

T

HE Federal High Court sitting in Rivers State on Thursday transferred the suit challenging the appointment of Justice Peter Agumagu as the substantive Chief Judge of Rivers State to the Appeal Court for determination of the motion bordering on the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter.

The 5th defendant had on 8th of July brought a motion from the Appeal Court instructing the High Court to hands off the hearing of the suit pending the determina-

tion of the higher court based on the issue of the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter.

The appellant, B E L Nwofor (SAN) filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal challenging the competence of the High Court in handling the case of such magnitude without first upholding its competence.

The transfer of the suit to the Appellant Court by the trial Judge, Justice A H Nganjiwa followed a notice of appeal brought by counsel to Justice Peter Agumagu, B E L Nwofor (SAN).

46—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JULY 12, 2014

Le t’s pr omo ts and Let’s promo omotte our ar arts culture for economic de Ogbonna devvelopment——-Ogbonna

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here are many potentials in Nigeria that can help develop our economy apart from oil. Many countries of the world use what they have to grow and develop their economies. Nigeria apart from oil can grow its economy by promoting our arts and culture.

Nigerian and as a matter of fact African artworks are the best in the world. Giving it the necessary support will turn Nigeria into a tourism nation, attracting foreigners and investment which will boost our foreign exchange. More importantly, the process of collecting and producing artworks creates employment for the skilled and unskilled ones. Why don’t we reduce unemployment, insecurity in the land and grow a robust economy by creating formidable artwork galleries and museums in the Nigerian environment.

Speaking on the potentials of arts and culture as a prelude to Nigerian economic development, one of the foremost art collectors and preserver of ancient works of art globally and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Aguene Art Foundation, Chief Solomon Ogbonna, who is passionate about arts and culture ,

see a future development of Nigeria if we can develop interest in promoting arts and culture which other African countries and Europe have done.

According to him, arts and culture can develop our economy and most importantly, we need to sustain our originality.

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and others, where people go to see ancient histories represented with artworks attracts development to these countries. However, it creates employment and through art exhibitions Nigeria can develop bilateral relationship that will boost our economy. I therefore, urge government to do more and as well support art collections in the country. We need government support in art collection and preservation because it conveys a message about a people.

“I have been meeting state governors and always in touch with the Minister for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, and we have been reasoning together to make Nigeria a country to compete in arts and culture. President Goodluck Jonathan has made a tremendous effort to ensure Nigeria’s development through this

BUSINESS GUIDE

L-R: Chairman, Board of Trustees, Aguene Art Foundation, Chief Solomon Ogbonna, HRM Eze Chukwudi Ihenetu, Eze Ndigbo Ghana, HRH, Alh. Yahaya Abubakar, CFR, ETSU, NUPPE, chairman Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers and HRH Eze John Nwosu, Eze Ndigbo, Mushin land, at the 6th edition of NUPPE traditional day.

means.”

Ogbonna in his quest to promote Nigeria’s economy through his Aguene Art Foundation, promised to contribute immensely towards making Nigeria the biggest artwork collection and preservation nation

works are worth billions of naira today.

In his 20 years of artworks collection, preservation and exhibition of exquisite and ancient works of art globally, he has won several awards nationally and internationally.

Ho ww e can def eat unemplo yment— Dr Iloh How we defeat unemployment— THE former Provost of College of Education, (Technical) Asaba, Dr. Gabriel Iloh has urged the federal government to provide uninterrupted electricity, water and adequate security of lives and property which according to him are panacea for unemployment in the country.

Speaking to Saturday Vanguard against the backdrop of Confab committee on education suggesting that unemployed graduates should be paid same allowance received by NYSC members, he stated that the idea may not be sustainable adding that corruption which has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation would allow it to thrive.

“I support the suggestion but the questions are: can it be sustained?, will the money gets to the hands of the true beneficiaries? It is practiced in the United States but I don’t know what will happen in a country like Nigeria due to the level of our cor-

ruption.”

Iloh stressed: “It is very difficult for a country to reach a 100% level of employment. Nigeria is blessed with all the resources needed to have a better and conducive environment but I think the government needs to work more on our power, water and security issues.

“I see these three as an iron triangle that can be used to fight unemployment. Once all these are achieved, I believe the problem of unemployment will be reduced drastically.”

He also opined that students in the tertiary schools should be made to undergo trainings and workshops to acquire different skills thereby making them independent after graduation, adding; “many of our leaders are not doing the right thing. Most of them are only there because of what they will gain, the government has invested so much but has less to

show in the power sector due to the level of corruption.”

Iloh also blamed the citizenry for failing to elect their leaders based on merit, adding that until the scourge of favouritism and god-fatherism are destroyed, the fight against corruption and unemployment might continue to prove difficult to fight.

“The government has failed to appoint people into their various offices based on merit and even the citizens too have failed to elect their leaders based on merit. We want people who believe they are there for service and a better Nigeria not to enrich themselves and family alone.

Favourism and god-fatherism have been the order of the day in our governance and this has to stop if we want to fight unemployment or corruption in the country. As Nigerians, we should put God first in all dealings.”

Grasscutt er farming: TTurning urning passion int o pr of it Grasscutter into prof ofit

Grasscutter farming: Turning passion into profit

Grasscutter rearinng increases your income

T

he world today is in need entrepreneurs to drive its economic potentials and entrepreneurs no doubt create jobs and job creation lifts the standard of living, usher in new technologies into society, and keep competition alive in the marketplace.

According to management of Jovana Farms, “We aim to bring agro business opportunities to the easy reach of Nigeria’s teeming population. As you will agree, we are living in an era where the rate of unemployment is on the increase. Going by the facts and statistics available, it shows that about 54% of Nigerian Youths are unemployed and less than 3% make it on their own in business today. People are not earning much with the few jobs on ground.

Millions feel swallowed up by the economy”.

Managing Director, Jovana Farms, Prince Arinze Onebunne, said, workers are working hard, but hardly making ends meet. And because of the rate of unemployment, many are working without job security. About 40 million Nigerians are unemployed, and it keeps increasing. According to him, grasscutter farming will substantially increase your income without jeopardizing what you are doing now. It is an opportunity that presents enormous financial potential. Do you keep your eyes open to making money in areas outside of your business or career? One of C M Y K

globally because African artworks which are produced with bare hands are in high demand all over the world and needs to be preserved for future generations in the same way we inherited them from our forefathers. Most of the ancient art-

the best and overlooked ways to earn more money is to develop alternative income streams by investing in grasscutter farming, he said.

Onebunne said, if you are looking for a new direction to explore business diversification and grow your level of income, direct your attention to grasscutter farming where joblessness and insufficient income will be a thing of the past, as you can make over 500 percent return on investment if you invest N60,000 on grasscutter farming. Unfortunately, Nigerians are interested in venturing into fields where thousands have already made their fortunes and thereby neglecting such lucrative opportunities in grasscutter breeding.

Speaking convincingly on the benefits derived from grasscutter rearing, Onebunne said, if you want to succeed, strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success.

Explore uncharted business paths. Grasscutter farming though is relatively new in livestock farming, is a viable commercial venture. Only few Nigerians have penetrated this lucrative market and reaping big profit with less stress. You can join the growing business of grasscutter which demand is very high with low cost of production.

“Nigeria’s academic curriculum is defective and this has led to limited teaching techniques and dearth of thinking abilities among the youths. The increasing unemployment in the country was the result of poor policy planning and

implementation of the nation’s educational system.

The standard of education in the USA and Asia were designed to test the ability of students to think independently and develop their initiatives. Knowledge and its application are deployed for the creation of entrepreneurial opportunities in developed nations and this they achieve by fashioning a school system that teaches students actualization of scientific processes for the purpose of creating wealth for individuals and collective benefit.

The educational system in such countries revolves around inspiring young minds to undertake researches that explore the sustainable usage of resources.

The rising unemployment should also be blamed on the disconnect between learning and societal needs. The Nigerian educational curriculum teaches more of theory and neglects practical. Sound education is knowledge through practical and it is sad that many people have the wrong notion of what education is all about. In the US, there is what is called ‘New Generation Standard’ which is a policy designed to aid learning and move away from the conservative approach.

Attend our nationwide seminars nearest to you and learn about grasscutter farming. Visit us at www.jovanafarms.com . Choose also the nearest venue from the advert box in this page.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard , JUL Y 12 JULY 12, 2014—47

country. Nothing will ever break this country. We have shown it in this conference and I think if nothing at all, that is a big lesson to be learnt, that even in disagreement, even in tension, even in argument, we will remain one united country and that is the most fundamental thing.”

Prof.

Uduogie Ivow

Nduese Essien

AS CONFAB ENDS, DELEGATES SPEAK

By HENRY UMORU, ASST POLITICAL EDITOR AFTER four months of deliberations, arguments, agreements and disagreements, the National Conference will end next next week. In separate chats with Saturday Vanguard, delegates shared their views on the success, achievements and failures of the confab and how to make the recommendations count.

I hope our recommendation ‘ll be implemented -Ivowi Professor Uduogie Ivowi, a delegate on the platform of the Nigerian Academy of Education, said he is very happy at the outcome of the conference because “at the beginning I wasn’t sure we are going to make success because I saw people coming here with their own selfish interest and they were arguing things in different directions. I did not see them as having enough of national interest; but as the reports are now being presented, I started seeing a move towards consensus.

“We have agreed on many issues that are really aimed at improving Nigeria. Many people will feel happy at the outcome of this conference. I am already happy with the outcome because what we have got now is more than what I was expecting.

“The person who set up the Conference was the President. he should be given the opportunity to do the impleC M Y K

mentation. I know many people will talk to him. But unfortunately, he has a lot of people around him, who I think is obstructing his transformation agenda.

“We had this problem with many of our leaders. The political will is not really there, I only hope and pray that this time around and because of the way we came in, that Mr. President will actually have the political will to implement most of our recommendations. I hope he will be able to implement those things that we see are obviously aimed at giving us unity and progress in this country.”

We’ve made progress —Nduese Chief Nduese Esiene, former Minister of Housing and Urban Development and a delegate on the platform of Elder Statesmen said the confab made some substantial progress because a number of issues have been addressed.

His words: “Like we thought, the issue of revenue sharing would be quite difficult to decide. We have been able to come to agreement and the tempers have cooled. Then you also saw how the religious issue was sorted out plus several other issues that were regarded as very contentious.

“So it is now our expectation that the recommendations of the conference will be implemented. That the government will have the political will to implement

them and make those contentious issues to be put to rest.

“Some aspects of the recommendations need to go to a referendum while others are purely policy issues that the government could just decide to implement and whatever the National Assembly has to handle should be sent to the National Assembly.

Confab shows Nigeria will not breakup --Tilly Senator Jack Tilley Gyado, who came to the Conference on the platform of Benue State, said: “I think we have achieved tremendous success in this conference. Iattended

From retired generals to retired politicians, to current politicians, to ex-ministers, ex-senate Presidents, ex this and that, all gathered together with various experiences. Some are octogenarians, they are here to write their last chapter of history to leave for Nigerians that are coming, generations yet unborn.

“We have come here amid all kind of problems, tensions and arguments. We have been able to imbibe the spirit of give and take. We quarrelled but we have not boxed ourselves in the nose.

“Wherever you have two or more people, there is bound to be argument. They must

People felt that with the way Nigeria is now, if you bring about this kind of group of people, within one week the conference would break up, the country will break and everything will break up. But this conference has shown the whole world that Nigeria is a rugged country the 1994-95 conference. I also attended the 2005 National Political Reform Conference and I am attending this national conference in 2014. So I am in a position to compare and contrast all the conferences.

“Amid insecurity, tension, political crisis and so on and so forth, the President assembled 492 top most Nigerians cutting across all strata from the old to the middle aged to the young.

see things from different points of view. But at the end of the day, you will sometimes agree to disagree and that is what we have achieved in this conference.

People felt that with the way Nigeria is now, if you bring about this kind of group of people, within one week the conference would break up, the country will break and everything will break up. But this conference has shown the whole world that Nigeria is a rugged

If implemented, our report ‘ll check graft -Dansadau Senator Saidu Musa Dansadau came to the Conference on the platform of North West Zone. He said: “We have recorded some successes. In the first place, some people felt the conference was going to be a disaster but as God would have it, we have been able to make some progress and some issues that were regarded as contentious, which people thought the conference will not be able to reach some decisions were resolved and we have been able to make appropriate recommendation to Mr. President without any rancour.

The most important thing to me, and I think to the generality of the people in this country are some salient decisions we have taken that will go a long way in fighting corruption in this country. I will give some examples, our recommendation is that hence forth anybody arraigned before the court by EFCC, ICPC and by any law enforcement agencies, is regarded as guilty, unlike the present situation where he is regarded as innocent until he is proven guilty.

Now he is regarded as guilty until he proves himself innocent.”

We handled the job responsibly —Shekarau To Mrs Hauwa Evelyn Shekarau is a delegate representing the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, the congab is a huge success.

“You will also notice that in the run off to the conference, different sectors were consulted, nominations cut across different sectors of the society. That in itself gave people a sense of belonging, a sense of responsibility, knowing that the responsibility of discussing the future of this country was bestowed on delegates. So we all came here with every sense of responsibility, with determination to really get somewhere at the end of this conference. So I would say these are motivating factors that have led us thus far.

48—SA TURD AY 48—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard , JUL Y 12 JULY 12, 2014

A

gainst the backdrop of recent cancellation of assessment test for Edo teachers and crisis in the Edo House of Assembly, the state commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion, fielded questions from a group of journalists. Excerpts: Contrary to your earlier strong position on assessment test for teachers, the administration last week jettisoned the exercise. Some people see that as a surrender and abandonment of the pursuit of qualitative education in Edo State. What is your reaction?

I think it is a gross misinterpretation of our position. Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has not abandoned the issue of quality in our teaching service. Rather, what the governor has done is to modify our remedial strategy to allay the fears of some stakeholders who, despite repeated assurances, continued to believe the competency test initiative was intended to witch-hunt or sack teachers. Rather than sack, we have advertised vacancies in the teaching service. That is to demonstrate that we in fact want to increase the work force. As a labour man, Comrade Oshiomhole will never undermine the interests of workers.

Since he assumed office, he has never sacked workers. Whereas the past PDP administrations placed embargo on employment for close to ten years, Governor Oshiomhole has created more than 30,000 new jobs since he assumed office.

The aim of the initial competency test was to ascertain those that might need help and the quantity of help needed. The Comrade governor has always been concerned about the quality of teaching in our classrooms. The leadership of the teaching service themselves had admitted that there were some misfits in the system. The point of disagreement was how such help would reach the needy. To demonstrate that the original intention was not to sack but boost the capacity of our teaching force, Comrade Oshiomhole then agreed that our intervention efforts now be in the area of training and retraining.

Rather than castigate the governor, I think he deserves to be praised as a leader who is more interested in building consensus rather embark on ego trip. What is important is to boost the capacity of our teaching force. Only a true statesman acts in the manner Oshiomhole has done.

Edo has been embroiled in a crisis lately over the clash of APC legislators and PDP legislators.

What is the way forward?

The point at issue is very simple.

It is a contest between the constituted authority at the legislative branch willing and ready to defend the law and a tiny band of misguided members who seem to assume that temporary tenancy at the house places them above the law. The immediate trigger is the refusal of four suspended members to obey court order. You will recall that an alarm was raised in May that a huge war chest had been set aside by PDP godfather in Abuja with a view to simulata secret deal. When the secret ing crisis in Edo State ahead of leaked, out of fear, four of these the 2015 elections. In their five lawmakers rushed to the warped thinking, since the court to seek protection. They people’s governor had repeatsought two reliefs from the court, edly beaten them in elections namely that the court restrain the since 2007, they felt the only State Assembly from declaring way they can have their own their seats vacant and two, that pound of flesh now is to make the state ungovernable ahead of the court should also restrain the Assembly from suspending them. the 2015 elections. The PDP The court under Justice A. M. godfather and his hirelings want to divert the debate in Edo Liman granted their first prayer namely that their seats not be politics from issues of developdeclared vacant. But on the ment to reports of violence second count, the court said the because they know that when they again knock at the doors of Edo voters in the months ahead, people would naturally be asking them to present their scorecard between 1999 and 2008. They didn’t have an answer in 2012 to the sterling testimonial Oshiomhole showcased during his reelection campaign as well as issue of suspension borders on the local council elections in house rules for which the court April 2013. has no jurisdiction.

Now, what did these antiNow, because these lawmakers democratic forces do? They were given target to woo their dangled some carrots to some remaining colleagues in APC, members of the state assembly they started pestering their to leave the ruling APC for PDP. colleagues to also decamp.

APC has always enjoyed a Because the remaining 15 comfortable majority in the members have conscience, they House. Out of 24 members, refused to be tempted. Now, in APC had 20 until recently, with its own wisdom, the house met PDP controlling 4. So, the and passed a resolution susstrategy of the PDP godfather is pending four members for gross to poach from APC with a view to diluting the control of APC in misconduct. But these four members would not submit the assembly and thereafter attempt the impeachment of the themselves to the house rules.

Rather, they brought police to people’s governor. offer them protection in forcibly So, that was how PDP’s tally rose to 9 members. Their action gaining access to the assembly in the house was supposed to be in session. It was clearly an

EDO ASSEMBLY CRISIS:

The true story

Louis Odion, Information Commissioner

*PDP Chairman read history but he is ignorant of the history of Edo legislature abominable spectacle with gunwielding policemen standing by in the hallowed chamber as the suspended four members sat tight on their seats.

As respecter of due process, rather than resort to self-help, the House leadership went to court and got an injunction restraining the four lawmakers from the precinct of the assembly complex. Now, when they were served the court papers by the bailiffs, not only did the suspended four refuse to accept

The police force is supposed to be a federal institution, not the armed wing of the ruling party. the valid documents from a competent court, they were abusing the Judge for having the temerity to issue the order. In fact, the then suspended and now impeached deputy Speaker was shown on the television raining curses on the bailiff and calling the Judge unprintable names. Ever since, these four suspended lawmakers have continued to defy the court order and enter the assembly ground from which they had been prohibited by the court, with the active support of the police who provide them cover. This show of arrogance, this display of impunity is at the heart of what you may call the logjam at the state assembly.

Now, some people have said

APC leaders and PDP leaders should put their swords in the scabbard and call their members at the assembly to settle their differences. Some people have stressed peace. Yes, we want peace, but not at the expense of justice. In fact, I heard the impeached deputy speaker saying the other day that he was ready to return as deputy speaker. But the question is: at what cost? It is convenient for the renegade lawmakers to talk about recourse to status quo ante? But that would amount to undermining the integrity and authority of the judiciary. It is toxic proposal, a dangerous suggestion to make in a democracy. The way forward is simple.

The suspended lawmakers must submit themselves to the letter of the very law they themselves made. Until the order is vacated by a superior court, it remains binding. The police force is supposed to be a federal institution, not the armed wing of the ruling party. The police should defend the law, not protect or offer cover or sanctuary to those defiling or raping the law.

But PDP claimed the renovation work being carried out at the assembly complex is an afterthought. In fact, the state chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, said there is no appropriation for the job being carried out. What is your comment?

Ordinarily, any right-thinking or decent person should not be dignifying the foul verbiage seeping from the mouth of a

Daniel Orbih with a response.

But we can overlook the cognitive limitations of a man who scraped through the university and staggered out with a terribly poor result in History now trying to pontificate or speculate on the mathematical complexities of budget-making. I am sure he never read the budget he is talking about or if he did, he finds the issues and figures articulated therein too complex to comprehend. How could you say in an entire budget there is no provision for even maintenance or renovation. You see, that is the depth of mischief and illiteracy we are dealing with in Edo today.

So, let us pardon Orbih’s ignorance. I am sure if he had been asked elementary question on say Mansa Musa of old Mali Empire or maybe the Rise and Fall of PDP in Edo State, maybe he would have offered a more sensible comment. Making noise is different from making sense. In all of this, the weighty question Orbih conveniently dodged is who is responsible for the damage to the hallowed chamber in the first place. Of course, the damage was caused when the four suspended members, aided by police and thugs, forcibly broke into the chamber. They are not ashamed that they broke into that hallowed chambers. By the way, the assembly complex we are talking about is an institution belonging to the people of Edo State, not the drinking joint of PDP’s members.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard , JUL Y 12 JULY 12, 2014—49

leader of the PDP in the state and the party will, as a matter of necessity, declare Abia South as an area that will produce the governor of Abia State in 2015.

ABIA 2015: Governorship zoned to Abia South, not Ukwa/Ngwa

On why he is backing Abia South to produce the governor even though he is from Abia Central and there Ngwa people in both zones I honour history and good policy. I was one of the people that supported zoning among the three senatorial districts in Abia State and I insist on that irrespective of the fact that I am from Abia Central.

— ADAELU

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

E

lder Emmanuel Adaelu, an industri alist and leader of the Aba State Movement, a group that is championing the agitation for the creation of Aba State, in this interview states reasons Abia South should produce Governor Theodore Orji’s successor in 2015.

His take on the recent recommendation of the National Conference that included Aba among the 18 states to be created The struggle has been a very long one; it has been on for over 40 years now. I didn’t start the struggle; rather I was one of the younger followers when it started. At the beginning of the struggle, our leaders were Dr. Jaja Nwachukwu, Dr. George Nwaigwe, Dr. Asobie, and His Royal Highness, Echendu Nwachukwu. Apart from Dr. Asobie, these leaders of ours are all dead now. Since then, we have been on the forefront of the struggle, we have never rested on our oars, we have insisted on our right for Aba to be made a state. The people of Ngwa, Asa and Ndoki have been in

unanimous agreement to pursue the creation of Aba State because an Aba State is eminently qualified by all standards to exist as a state in Nigeria. At different times, committees or conferences that have been assigned the duty of verifying the claims or agitations for state creation in Nigeria, have always cleared Aba as being qualified for a state. But unfortunately for us, the military dictatorships that created states in Nigeria trampled on our quest for Aba State. During Shehu Shagari, Aba was listed among states that were to be created and it appeared in Federal Government Gazette in 1983, yet Aba State was not created at that time. Since then, we have consistently presented the case of Aba state before successive governments. I am happy today that the National Conference has again recommended Aba among the states to be created. I am also happy that it is not only Aba; other qualified areas were also listed among the 18 states to be created. if that happens, Nigeria will become a 54-state country.

On comments that Ukwa/ Ngwa is set to produce the governor of Abia State following Governor Orji’s

support for zoning to Abia South in 2015 I want to express my sincere thanks to the governor because he is a man of his words. During his second missionary journey as governor, we gave him our total support to ensure his relection in 2011 and he promised our people that he will handover to an Ngwa man. Since then, we have

continue to bless him. He is a man of equity, and we respect him. I know that so many people have been putting pressure on him, trying to dissuade him not to do this, but he has done it right.

I am one of the early supporters of PDP and our party, the PDP, supports the policy of zoning. The former governor, Orji Uzor Kalu came from Abia North, the present

Unfortunately for us, the military dictatorships that created states in Nigeria trampled on our quest for Aba State been waiting for him to make this pronouncement, and just last week, during the inauguration of the new Transition Committee chairman of the 17 local government areas in the state, he made it emphatically clear to Abians that power will move to Abia South, and not just Ukwa/Ngwa in 2015. I am very happy and my people, both the Ngwa people in Abia Central and the Ukwa/Ngwa people in Abia South, are happy. We thank him, and God will

Governor, Chief TA Orji is from Abia Central. Therefore, it is imperative and sheer justice in compliance with the PDP policy that power moves to Abia South in 2015.

On comments that the governor’s declaration will not automatically make an Ngwa man governor in 2015 I know that. But his declaration of support for Abia South and not Ukwa/Ngwa is a major step in actualizing that.

The Governor is the head and

Is there any effort by Ukwa/ Ngwa leaders to prevail on aspirants from Ngwa areas of Abia Central to withdraw their interests?

There is nothing wrong for anybody to aspire, but at the right time, the leaders of the people will take a stand and whatever stand we take will decide what will happen.

Anybody aspiring to be governor in 2015 from Abia central or Abia north should know that it is the turn of the Abia South to produce the governor for us in 2015. Abia central cannot produce two governors in succession that is why it should go to Abia South and that is what equity demands.

Already several aspirants from Abia South have lined up for the contest, what are the Ukwa/Ngwa leaders doing to ensure a consensus?

It doesn’t matter how many people are on line, what is important is what the people will say. We know the way the aspirant we will support will emerge, and that is why most of us who are leaders are not supporting any person that comes out. We know where it will begin, the moment the governor makes pronouncement; we will give our support that is what we are going to do. We will stand against those coming from Abia North or Abia Central to take it from Abia South. We will match our words with every necessary support.

His word to Abians as we approach 2015 Let me assure our brothers in Ukwa that the moment an Ngwa man from Abia South gets the PDP ticket for governorship, the Abia South Senate seat returns to Ukwa.

For the senate in Abia Central, it’s already going to Governor TA Orji. That is my word for my people.

50—SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014

Lagos Pastor ‘implicated’ in ritual saga opens up T

he news broke, just like a thunderbolt. Mrs. Rosemary Chukwu, a mother of four, residing at 33, Omolegede street, a suburb of Ikorodu area in Lagos State, abducted a seven-year-old primary School pupil, Emmanuel Emeka, and was about taking him to a den when it was foiled . Shockingly, the suspect revealed to the bewildered crowd that gathered after she was caught that her pastor asked her to bring the boy. She mentioned the General Overseer of Holy Family Ministry a.k.a House of Mercy in the same Ikorodu, as her pastor. The pastor, identified as Ernest Chukwuemeka Nwankwo, 49, was said to be on the run and was later apprehended and handed over to the police at the State Criminal Investigations Department, Panti, Yaba, Lagos for interrogation. Crime Guard was able to corner the embattled pastor as he was leaving the confines of police cell at Panti and he gave his own account of the ugly incident.

Excerpts: INTRODUCTION “My name is Prophet Ernest Chukwuemeka Nwankwo, from Nsugbe in Anambra East L.G.A, Anambra State. I have a Ministry formerly called Jesus Divine Healing and Deliverance Ministry now called Holy Family, Happy Family Ministry. I was out of Lagos for two weeks. I came back on Tuesday, June 14, and came to my Ministry on Wednesday morning. My ministry is located at 319, Lagos road, Majudeen in Ikorodu. We carry out prayers and deliverance in the ministry.

The ministry started in 1997. We have no less than 15000 members with a spread in virtually all the major cities in Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. I started as a member of Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement before I established my own ministry. I am 49 yrs. “ I do not know how these allegations of ritual actions against me started. My ministry has existed for 17 years and we have never been associated with any bad thing or any untoward allegation. We have been doing well in carrying out God’s work since we came into existence. People troop to our ministry, we organize children’s day for over 30,000 children all over our branches every year. In Ikorodu, we normally have not less than 10,000 children during the day.

We have hosted these children since we stated and we have never had any problem for more than 10 years now. We have equally been doing well in all our activities, we have rehabilitation center where mad people are healed. Relations of such people bring them to our ministry and also stay with them until they are healed after which they will go home. We do not charge them, we feed them free. So, the ministry has been flourishing in all our branches.

“When I got to the office on Wednesday, June 15 to do some work and leave for Abuja for another programme, within 20 minutes, around 7.30am, a group of people, armed with dangerous weapons invaded our ministry, breaking down everything at sight. They also descended on our members who were over 50 in attendance for the morning worship. They were over 300 and were ferociously destroying all the properties and manhandling everybody. It was like hell was let loose on us. They were

armed to the teeth and were unrestrained in their bid to destroy everything in the ministry. They not only subjected our members to serious beating, they also took all their bags and stripped all the women and children naked. I was inside the office when they invaded the place but they later broke into my office and descended on me. We were all seriously wounded and our bodies covered with blood.

RESCUE

Surprisingly, four of the hoodlums took pity on me and rescued me from their clutches as they were hitting my head with cutlasses and dangerous weapons. They took me to Owutu police station where I made a statement. When they asked me how it started, I could not explain but simply told them that some hoodlums invaded our ministry for no just cause. It was while we were there that the people that rescued me told us that a woman claimed I sent her to kidnap somebody’s child. It was like a fairy tale to me. Before the police I asked for the identity of the woman and why she claimed I told her to kidnap somebody and they said it was for ritual purposes.

After I recovered from the shock, the policemen then advised that I should go and treat myself because I was bleeding profusely as a result of the beating. I then proceeded to the hospital for treatment only to start reading in the papers the following day a lot of other damaging stories and that I was on the run. I personally reported to the police at Owutu in Ikorodu after treating myself and also personally reported at Panti the following day on a Monday.

AT PANTI

By Thursday morning, unfounded rumours were flying every where. On Friday, while I was going to treat myself, I quickly sent my lawyer to Panti after hearing the rumours flying everywhere about me and that the case was transferred to Panti. My lawyer told them that I personally reported to the police at Owute after the incident and that I was allowed to go and treat myself. He then wrote an undertaking to produce me the next Monday and we all came to Panti that Monday straight from the General hospital Ikeja where I had an x-ray. Even one of my ribs was said to have cracked and I sustained other serious injuries.

INTERROGATION AT PANTI

I can’t remember seeing or meeting the woman before. A lot of people come to my ministry so, it will be very difficult for me to know all of them. However, the police at Panti interrogated both of us and, in fact, when they brought her before me, I could not remember seeing her in life and I told the policemen this fact. I can’t even remember whether she called me on telephone or not because I cannot say the number of people that

Pastor Chukwuemeka Nwankwo

call me on telephone for my number is open and given to people freely to help in solving their spiritual problems.

Nevertheless, the police interrogated both of us, she claimed that Holy spirit told her that I should give her N2.5 million, and that she came and told me to give her the money but I told her that I had no money, that she came back again to me and requested for the money and I then told her to go and bring a child before I will give her the money. I then asked her where we discussed this, if she has any evidence to show that she ever visited my ministry because visitors to the ministry always register their names before seeing me, or if there is any other evidence to show that we

my consultation days are announced for members of the public to come and be healed. She also claimed she called me on phone in December last year and that she came to the ministry once this year but she could not substantiate where we discussed her claims. She was thoroughly interrogated but she kept on contradicting herself as if she was either insane or under a spell. Unfortunately, her daughter she claimed I was sucking her blood with hers whom she said was 14 years was not there during the interrogation. I had hoped that she was there for us all to be able to decipher what her mother was talking about because she is old enough to speak for her self at 14. I have never had this kind

The man that was shown saying he was kidnapped and brought from Anambra State is one of the mad people undergoing treatment in my ministry discussed that kind of thing. I punctured her story because I cannot understand what concerns me with her message with her Holy spirit.

SUCKING BLOOD

She also claimed that I have been seeing her in the spirit to suck her blood and that of her daughter with two gallons since she failed to bring a child to me. She claimed that I used to stand at her door for two days, tormenting her, and that was why she had to go for the child when she was caught. I asked her where we met and discussed because I have been out of town for two weeks and how did she know that I came back. She said she was aware that I came back because I used to carry out consultations. It is well known by everybody that

of ugly experience and I pray never to have it again. I also pray that the police should endevour to get to the route of this case because I have suffered so much over a matter I do not know anything about.

KIDNAP SAGA

The man that was shown saying he was kidnapped and brought from Anambra State is one of the mad people undergoing treatment in my ministry.

The cousin that brought him to the ministry is Mr. Atuanya, a member of my ministry and his wife has been with him in the ministry while he was undergoing treatment. They are living witnesses and they are ready to testify to anybody that cares to know the truth.

Continues on page 51

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014—51

How I was raped by the son of my guardian

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

W

hen 12-year-old Peace(not real name)left her home town in Imo state to live with her aunt in Lagos, last December , her parents expectation was for her to get the best of education her guardian could afford.

Enthusiastic Peace was said to have bid her parents farewell, with a promise to be a good girl and at also, grow up some day to lift the burden of poverty off them.

But seven months down the lane, Peace is regretting her decision of leaving her parents watchful eyes , following her traumatized tale of how she was raped by a man she called uncle, in a house she worked as a maid, on June 20, 2014.

Upon leaving the village, Peace was said to have stayed with her aunt, one madam Ijeoma , a trader, at Oba Akran area of Ikeja , Lagos. However , in January this year, Ijeoma reportedly gave peace to a banker friend , one Maureen, who lives in a three bedroom apartment at 32 Mosalasi street in Maza-Maza area of Lagos.

Rather than enroll Peace in school, Crime Guard investigation revealed that the banker compelled Peace beyond her volition to take care of her aged mother. While Maureen went to work that fateful day, ‘uncle Kingsley’, allegedly defiled the 12 year-old girl.

Narrating her ordeal to Crime Guard, Peace said: “I was busy washing plates in the kitchen when uncle Kingsley asked me to come to his bed room to help him read out a message on his phone. Immediately I entered his room, he grabbed me and forcefully removed my pants and raped me. My scream attracted mama’s attention and she called and asked why I was crying . Before I could respond, uncle Kingsley told her not to worry, that there was no problem. When he wanted to do it again, I struggled and managed to escape and ran to a nearby church where I met a woman. I remained in the church and joined them in the vigil till the next day.

I was afraid to go home the next day .While I was sitting by the road side, the landlord of the house where I was sexually abused saw me and took me back home.

When I got home, one of Kingsley’s sisters who came to the house beat me mercilessly for running away from the house. They later called my aunt Ijeoma, who brought me from the village and informed her that I ran away from home.

They told her they were bringing me back because I was wasting food . But it was not true” Crime Guard gathered that investigation into the alleged rape began after the Lagos State Commissioner of Police , Umar Manko received a petition from the National coordinator, Network on Police Reform in

Nigeria (NOPRIN), Okechukwu Nwanguma, to investigate the act , with a view to ensuring that the alleged culprit was prosecuted in court if found culpable.

Consequently, the Divisional Police Officer incharge of Satellite was directed by the CP to look into the matter. Efforts by the police to effect the arrest of the accused, Kingsley, reportedly failed as his wife was said to have told the policemen that her husband was not home each time they called.

Victim’s aunt’s account

In an interview with the victim’s aunt , Ijeoma, a widow with three children, she said: “ “I received a call from Maureen’s family ,informing me that they were bringing back my niece because she was wasting their food and that she ran out of the house. True to their word, Maurine, brought my niece.

When she left, I started questioning my niece on why she ran away from home. To my shock, she opened up that Uncle Kinsley sexually abused her.

Upon examining her, I noticed that her private part was severely bruised and an offensive liquid smell was emitting from it. .Immediately ,I took her to Adeniyi Jones Primary healthcare centre,where the Medical Officer confirmed that she was raped. The report from the hospital confirmed that there were bruises in her virginal and they issued a referral slip to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH. “Instead of taking her to the hospital for treatment for the bruises resulting from the rape, Maurine claimed she returned my niece for wasting food. Even when I called her to ask her about the incident, she replied me with threat text messages . As if that was not enough, she also came to my house to threaten my family and accused me of attempting to exploit her family|” “ I thought Maureen was a member of my church because it was printed in our weekly bulletin that someone needed a house maid . When I met her, she pleaded that she needed a little girl who would take care of her mum since she usually goes to work early and comes back late.

Part of the bargain was for her to send the person to school. But to my shock, I discovered that my niece has been in that house since January. I also found out that she is not a member of my church .

What baffles me is how her request entered the church’s bulletin.

Anyway, all I need is justice. I am therefore pleading with the police to investigate the case thoroughly”, she said.

Lagos Pastor ‘implicated’ in ritual saga opens up Continues from page 50 This rumor against me is very painful to me because I suffered for over fourteen years to build this ministry to serve mankind. All of a sudden, and from the pit of hell, an unknown figure materialized from no where to pour odium on me and accuse me of ritual acts. In all these years, nobody has ever complained or petitioned against my activities in the ministry. Instead, people have been pouring encomiums and giving glory to God for all we have been doing for mankind. The whole thing is still like a dream and I pray I would wake up and testify that it was really a dream. My ministry operates an open door policy, we have no go areas, both visitors and members of the ministry are never restricted even up to my personal office. Why must I send her to bring a child to me when I am

happily married with children, what will I do with the child?

INCALCULABLE DAMAGE This very ugly development has affected me psychologically in a tremendous way, the emotional trauma is untold. In terms of the good will I built over the years, the name, in fact, one cannot quantify the degree of destruction done to me by this very ugly and unfounded, mischievous rumor. I have suffered and lost almost everything because the ugly news went beyond the shores of this country. People have been calling from all the parts of the world and you know that bad news travels faster than any other thing. It is very unfortunate that people believe such a story when there is nothing at all to hang it on the head of the prophet. And, when you look at the woman, you will

know that she is some how deranged and we are convinced that by the time police finish their investigation, the truth will be out.

WHY ME? What I cannot fathom is why she choose to tell all these lies against me.

She may have been sent by somebody to run me down because people in that neighborhood said they saw one mysterious SUV hovering around in the wee hours before the incident and also the mother of the victim reportedly said she saw an exotic vehicle that later picked up her children,. Police should investigate to find out who owns the vehicle and where they were taken to.

Who ever picked her children must have a link with this incident. Police should also find out whether this is the first time she is doing this kind of thing and

if it is not, how many people must have falling victims to her antics? Worse still, so far, nobody has told us where the woman is from because the way the media descended on the ministry, they left out the main ingredient of the whole matter as if they were sponsored to run down the ministry. All I know is that she cannot be doing this alone. Her sponsors should be fished out. So far, the police has been professional in their interrogation and they made us understand that investigations will take time and that the truth must surely surface.

INSIDE THE CELL Inside the cell, I detested being treated like a criminal but I took it as another message point in terms of ministration after all, Jesus went through worst tribulation in life.

52—SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014

Continues from page 15 Niger Deltan?

I have forgiven him. Everything.

I know more but I don’t want to go to the public domain yet.

When I decide to write my book, it is going to make an interesting reading because most people don’t know that man called Obasanjo. I know him.

President Jonathan was your deputy. As someone who worked very closely with you, you know him better than any other person. Do you think he has all it takes to run a complex society like Nigeria?

Let me tell you. From the beginning, our brothers from the north had a mindset that he should not rule. That is the problem. And they promised that they will make Nigeria ungovernable. That is the foundation of all the crises. And they took it to a certain level and they longer have the capacity to control it.

Which President in this country is more qualified than Goodluck Jonathan? If you sit down and catalogue what President Jonathan had done in this country within this period, no head of state, no president has done half of what Jonathan has done.

But what if tomorrow, Mr. President decides not to run, will the people of Niger Delta compel him to run?

If the north is saying that it is their turn, why can’t we also from the south demand that we have not completed our tenure?

It is beyond an individual. So, he should not even think about it. After 2019, you can say you don’t want to run. But for 2015, he must run o. We are going to carry placards.

What happens if he picks the forms, runs in the election and loses, will you still carry placards?

If Nigerians reject him, we will accept it in good faith but I know he has a pan-Nigerian mandate and he must be allowed to exercise his right and by the Grace of God, Nigerians will vote for him because in their heart of hearts, Nigerians know who Goodluck is to them.

On speculations that he has senate ambition God forbids. Me, to go back to Bayelsa state? It is impossible.

Why do you say so?

That is my personal decision.

Ah! They are all my boys. I should go and contest against my products? Alamaesigha is an institution. All the people you hear: commissioners, senators, this and that, they have all passed through me.

So, I cannot go to Bayelsa state to contest. Is it not only one and the half years that was left?

What did I forget that I want to go and do?

‘Insists that President Jonathan must be re-elected’ How did you feel when your name was mentioned for presidential pardon?

People criticized it. But It was politics. They don’t know even what happened. They don’t know and it is ignorance. So, i will forgive them.

President Jonathan did not just come out to grant me pardon. Of course, if President Jonathan did not give me pardon, who else will give me pardon in the first place?

No apology. But it all started during Yar’Adua’s time. Atiku Abubakar, Vice President; Orji Kalu, governor Abia; James Ibori, Delta; Lucky Igbenedion, Edo; and Bafarawa, Sokoto, visited me in Dubai when I was in the hospital. I have just done angiography. So I had iron in my groin. I couldn’t even walk.

When they left, Nuhu Ribadu, the former EFCC chairman went to Dubai, generated a letter purported to have come from Dubai government that I am declared persona non grata.

That I was planning to overthrow the government of Nigeria from Dubai. I was in the hospital. They now sent security men from here to go and whisk me away from Dubai and bring me to Nigeria under that condition I was. In the night when they brought me and put me in detention at 15 Awolowo road, Ikoyi, around after 12, this Lamorde that is now EFCC chairman was the Director of Operations then. He brought a

Some people don’t know why Ribadu was removed. Yar’Adua said Ganuwa, if you go to Dubai and come back, I will bath Nuhu Ribadu with cold water. Of course I went to Dubai and came back. That was the beginning of Ribadu’s problem.

,,

Will you support him if he decides to run in 2015?

Of course, I am in the forefront. Maybe you have not heard of G2G, Goodluck to Goodluck project. I am the chairman, Board of Trustees. I am midwifing it. I am driving it. He will win hands down. We are waiting for him to declare.

Alamieyeseigha...

phone to me that Mr. President wants to speak to me. I sad no I wasn’t going to speak to him.

They insisted that it is Mr. President, you must speak to him.

So, I picked the phone from him.

I said Umoru, why are you calling me? For God sake, I don’t want to talk to you. He said “Ganuwa, I am your friend o. I am now the president of Nigeria.

It is not Obasanjo again o. They will kill you o. I have more information and if you think anything will happen, nothing will happen. After two weeks, you will be forgotten.”

These were his exact words.

That your people will be the first to even send CVs for appointment and you will be forgotten.

Have you forgotten how my senior brother was killed? Shehu that was number two citizen? Do Nigerians remember Shehu again? You know it. You are a former military man. You know how my senior brother was killed. It is the family that is suffering. I cannot be president of this country and see you my friend, a title holder in my emirate, Ganuwa Katsina die....

Whatever they are asking for, give them and walk out. I am going to grant you pardon. Come and help me solve Niger Delta

problem.

“The Niger Delta problem isat the height of it. They don’t have solution. Come and help me solve it because all the militants are crying that you should be brought out. But I know how stubborn you are.

You are worse than me. I am going to send your younger brother to you to plead with you.” So, he sent Goodluck Jonathan to Lagos. I was taken to him and it was conveyed. I slept over it and my health condition was also very bad.

So, I said I accepted. Let me go and treat myself.

What did you accept?

Whatever they were going to slam against me. They now reframed their charges: failure to declare assets in EFCC form. So, they now took me to court the following morning.

This thing we are talking about was in about how many minutes. Initially, when they read the charges, I said no.

They said Chelsea hotel, that was their star charge, belongs to me. That is fallacy. It is not true. Yes, I was the governor. I saw proposal. I don’t even know the owner.

It was 2 billion Naira. I looked at our budget, we have only 1.5 billion. I said okay, let us pay the 1.5 billion. The 500 million, let us put it in the following year’s budget. So, 1.5 billion was paid remaining 500 million. I was not there to pay the 500 million but it was budgeted for. When I left, Goodluck Jonathan paid the 500 million. If it was for me, will Goodluck as governor pay for an individual asset? It is not possible. So, I said no. The Judge had to even rise for them to talk to me. I later agreed.

So, they sentenced me. They took me to Ikoyi prison.

Having served the tenure, I was now asked to go. So, I returned home. In the night, President Yar’Adua also called me again to come to Abuja. I said I would try but my health is not good. I still managed to go. He wanted to grant me pardon and appoint me Minister of Niger Delta immediately to go and solve the Niger Delta problem.

He said he would announce it immediately. I said no, sir, allow me to go back and remove the iron in my groin.

Give me three weeks. When I come back, I will be ready to do anything you want me to do.

But meanwhile, let me go back to Dubai. He said which Dubai? You were deported. He did not know that letter was cooked by Nuhu Ribadu. I said no, I was not deported by Dubai government. It was Nuhu Ribadu that generated that letter.

So, he said what? You see, some people don’t know why Ribadu was removed. Yar’Adua said Ganuwa, if you go to Dubai and come back, I will bath Nuhu Ribadu with cold water. Of course I went to Dubai and came back. That was the beginning of Ribadu’s problem. There is one big man that was also removed. I have not called his name. He was dropped because a letter passed through him. Then Yayale became secretary to the federal government. Yar’Adua now asked me to write for clemency and give it Yayale.

Before Kingibe was removed, Yar ’Adua asked me to go to him to inform JTF in the Niger Delta that I was going round and that I should be assisted.

That was when I started moving from one camp to the other. Any camp I went, there was a guard of honour.

So, why were you not appointed again because eventually they appointed another person?

Yes, you know what happened?

There was a security report again, the whole thing that created my problem with Obasanjo, that Atiku was going to nominate me as his running mate. The same story again.

They cooked it again that I was going to run with Atiku against him and my younger brother.

So, Umoru said Atiku is stronger than him and that I am stronger than my younger brother. Let’s wait till we get nomination. Bad belly! I cannot on this planet contest against my younger brother.

What do I want? So, that was what happened. And it had to because the process was on for the pardon. The pardon had to come before the appointment.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 12, 2014 — 53

54—SA TURD AY 54—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard , JUL Y 12 JULY 12, 2014

APAPA TRAFFIC HORROR: Govt set for showdown with tanker drivers, others

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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orried by the continued traf fic gridlock in and around Apapa area due to the activities of tanker drivers and operators of articulated vehicles, Lagos State Government has announced plans to enforce the necessary measures towards ensuring compliance with the state Road Traffic Law.2014.

The state government gave one week ultimatum to the oil operators to reorganise their operations by refraining from parking on the highway which had paralysed business activities along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway and Ijora-Apapa axis.

Meantime, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, has also issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to among others, evacuate all petrol tankers and other articulated vehicles along the access roads to the sea ports, and all ports operations nationwide or be shut.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State had last Sunday visited Mile 2 and Apapa environs to assess causes of continued traffic gridlock in the area with a view to finding immediate solution. Inspite of the pledge made to the governor to address the situation by the leadership of the tanker drivers’ union, members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, and drivers of articulated vehicles have refused to comply. Comrade Tayo Aboyeji, the Zonal Public Relations Officer of PTD, who met with the governor, had pleaded for time to change their ways with a pledge to free roads leading in and out of Apapa within a week. Fashola in his address with newsmen, said, “They (PTD officials) have assured me that in the next one week, things will change for the better. And we are accepting that from them. It is easier for the state to accept their commitment but if we do not see the change we expect, we know what to do on behalf of the residents. One business cannot disturb the other.”

The one week period given by tanker drivers to decongest the roads expires today, and residents, motorists were yet to experience any improvement in free flow of traffic Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, while speaking on the Apapa trafic update, Thursday, stated that total enforcement to remove any

tanker or heavy duty vehicle from the highway would commence on Monday, July 14, 2014, in accordance with the Lagos Road Traffic Law, 2014.

He explained that leaders of oil unions, at a stakeholders meeting, had agreed to make two lanes free for other road users by Monday and failure to comply with agreement would be met with stiff penalty.

Opeifa added that three parking spaces had been identified with capacity for 2,000 takers. The parks are: Bola Ahmed Tinubu Trailer Park at Orile area, Capital Oil and MRS tanker parks along Oshodi Apapa Expressway. “We have also met with Julius Berger, the contractor handling the road construction at the axis and they have agreed to fill all the bad spots as palliative measure to allow for smother flow of traffic.

“Therefore, government will not fold its arm and allow any group of people to run down its economy at the expense of the general populace. No more excuses will be entertained henceforth.”

ning foul of the law. Because, there is a regulation that states must obtain permit from the Federal Government before embarking on such venture.”

It will be recalled that, state government and PTD, had set up a special taskforce to manage traffic on black spots area along the road to allow for free flow of traffic.

Aboyeji, explained that the union had met with the Governor and Commissioner for Transportation to fashion out better ways of easing off the traffic gridlock through special taskforce which had commenced immediate work.

He absolved his members of causing the gridlock on the road, but put the blame on Julius Berger, the contractor constructing the road for slowing down the job which he said had compounded the gridlock.

He also blamed the influx of tankers on the large concentration of oil depots which made it mandatory for tankers across the states to head for Apapa to load the product. “We have over 36 oil depots along that axis and all the depots have products. As I am talking to you now all of the depots have product to dispense.

Ordinarily, the only minimum they suppose to bring to the state is hundred trucks per day but because of the current problem we only release 10 to 15 trucks, if we multiply the 15 trucks to 25 depots that is about 375 tankers and that is the tankers that lined up from Coconut to Mile- 2. “Besides this, there is a problem between TinCan 1st Gate and Coconut. Where you see container lining up to get to the ports, claiming they don’t have access to the ports, where they supposed to park has been concessioned to some private investors.

“We are also worry that

PTD reacts Aboyeji, in his reaction, said the only way out of Apapa traffic gridlock is for the union to down tools if they were forcefully removed from the road.

According to him, last minute plan by PTD to embark on strike last week was prevented following appeals from the presidency and the state government.

Aboyeji, explained: “We spent about N2 million to re-fill some of the bad portions on the road but it won’t help because we still have the problem of parking space within tank farms. “To worsen the situation, the tank farm owners who were willing to repair the degraded road as palliative measure to the on-going reconstruction are afraid of runI

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both vehicular and human movements have been greatly affected by the high presence of tankers as well as other articulated vehicles, but we are doing our best possible to solve the problem.

“On the special taskforce set up to manage traffic situation, the spokesman, explained that the men had been placed on two shifts, early in the morning, 5 am to 11 am, and evening shift, 5pm to 8 pm, considered to be peak periods.

“We have met with Julius Berger to fast track the construction of that road they promised to do it but they said they have their own challenges. We just want to appeal to the Julius Berger to fast track construction and open up the express. We have been using service lane for the past one year without any problem. They

said they can only finish the work by October this year.

We appeal to government to do the right thing.

“We also appeal to motorists and other road users to bear with us, as we promise to reduce congestion as soon as possible in Lagos.

We are still strategizing on how to further cushion the influx of tankers with the attendant gridlock. We assure that we will continue to impress discipline on our members on the need to be orderly.”

LASTMA challenge The General Manager of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Mr. Edu Babatunde, through Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Bola Ajao, absolved the agency of non performance, saying there were three fundamental problems to be solved to

save the situation.

According to Ajao, the traffic situation had been horrible as a result of the ongoing construction of the main carriageway by Julius Berger, which had narrowed down the road to one lane.

According to him, the road construction had led to traffic diversion to the service lane which was initially giving to tanker drivers and articulated vehicles to stay while to load fuel and gain access to the port, saying that this had made the traffic in the axis chaotic.

“Another problem is the recurring wide-hole under the Mile 2 Bridge. This result in traffic snarls to motorists coming from all sides either from FESTAC, Orile or Oshodi. The situation is worsen when it rains as the whole place becomes waterlogged, thereby, inhib-

Vanguard, SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2014 —55

Van Gaal gunning for Brazil AFTER deep initial scepticism, Dutch coach Louis van Gaal goes into today’s third place playoff determined to down hosts Brazil and end the World Cup on a high note.

“We are going to do everything to finish third,” he told the prematch press conference in Brasilia.

“We want to leave the World Cup unbeaten, something a Dutch side has never achieved.”

Nigerian Fans Village:

Za Entertainment calls for probe

STORIES BY JACOB AJOM

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Chiejine: Airtel Rising Stars will go places

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ORMER Nigeria in ternational, Ann Chiejine has commended Airtel Nigeria for initiating the Airtel Rising Stars football championship, which is in its fourth season in the country.

Chiejine who is coordinating the Enugu Zonal finals of ARS 4 told newsmen in Enugu yesterday that the ARS programme has been able to bring out talented youngsters from the remotest parts of Nigeria to limelight, with some of them now in the national U-17 and U-20 football teams.

“If after all the troubles of crisscrossing the entire country, we are not able to discover talents that will feature for the country at the junior and eventually the senior level, then we are not doing anything meaningful,” Chiejine said.

Messi Continues from B/P The shortlist, drawn up

by Fifa’s Technical Study Group, also includes James Rodriguez , Matt Hummels, Toni Kroos, Arjen Robben, Philipp Lahm,, Javier Mascherano, Angel Di Maria and Neymar.

The winners of the adidas Golden Ball, Silver Ball and Bronze Ball will all be announced after tomorrow’s Final between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana.

Osaze Odemwingie controls the ball close to Blaise Matuidi

Za Entertainment breached our MOU — NTDC

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HE Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Sally Mbanefo has debunked allegations of wrongdoing levelled against her person and the organisation she represents by Za Entertainment, saying the entertainment outfit breached the Memorandum of Understanding they reached for the project.

Speaking through the legal adviser of NTDC Mrs Funebi Otu-Umondak, the DG admitted they signed an MOU with Za Entertainment for the Nigeria Football Fans Village Brazil 2014 but they(NTDC) were only partners and not the initiators.

“We are very surprised by the spurious allegations Chris(chairman, Za Entertainment) is making. In the MOU we pledged our support as collaborators to the Nigerian Football Fans Village in Brazil during the World Cup. We welcomed the idea because it aligned with the ideals that set up NTDC. They, as the initiators were given enormous responsibilities according to the MOU we signed and in law you only act according to what is documented. We were to facilitate and assist in securing sponsors.

But we are yet to get a kobo for the purpose.

"The MOU states that the initiator shall get sponsors and shall drive same; construct the village in Brazil and also responsible for its maintenance. We were collaborating and they breached it so, we couldn’t fold our arms and watch things go wrong. We organised a successful Nigerian Fans Village in Brazil.

We did that to save Nigeria’s face.

“They started a job that they were not capable of.

We had a lot of faith in them because they came through the NFF.”

A Entertainment In ternational has called for a probe into the role of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation in the Nigeria Football Fans Village Brazil 2014 project The entertainment outfit which was the initiator of the project,accused the Director General of the government parastatal, Sally Mbanefo of deliberately breaching their agreement by starving them of funds which had been gathered for the project.

Speaking in Lagos, President of Za Entertainment International, Azania Chris OmoAgege said, “We are aware that the DG, NTDC has collected funds running into hundreds of millions of Naira from various corporate bodies.

“The fallout was all the parties with unpaid outstanding from agreement signed with Za Entertainment resorted to harassing our team and the DG, NTDC for which reason the DG fled to Nigeria,” he said.

The company executive is therefore calling on the DG to make funds available in order to offset the bills that run into millions of Naira.

FIFA: TAN wants quick resolution sacked the Aminu Maigari-led NFF board.

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HE Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) has called on Nigeria’s sports authorities to resolve the crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) so that the country can build on the Eagles performance at the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Nigeria crashed out of the World Cup in the second round and were subsequently banned by FIFA after a High Court in Jos

TAN’s sports coordinator, Waidi Akanni said the ban would adversely affect the game in the country and urged those in charge of sports to ensure speedy resolution of the crisis.

“The ban is coming at a wrong time. Right now, we should be thinking of how to build on the performance of Eagles in Brazil, by way of taking a look at our shortcomings and ensuring that such do not occur again”, said Akanni.

Adokiye Continues from B/P Maigari-led NFF board was duly removed by the Congress of the NFF, which according to him, was in tandem with the statutes of FIFA. “Was it not reported by the press that Congress of the body dissolved it in accordance with FIFA Approved statutes?

“Wasn’t it how Maigari himself pulled the rug from under Lulu’s feet in 2010, and how Lulu too betrayed Galadima in 2006?

“Why is Maigari now running from pillar to post and seeking for FIFA’s protection? I don’t know whether FIFA had heard from congress before if made that statement”, said Adokiye, who added that it was not in the place of FIFA to query due obedience to a court order by the Nigerian government.

“Regarding the earlier reported court order, FIFA can’t query due obedience of and compliance with an order of a court of law. After all, FIFA itself is subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, which is itself subject to the jurisdiction of the Swiss judicial system even on sport-related matters,

especially on public policy, fair hearing, and Jurisdiction. Arguably that order of court can’t be said to be ‘government interference’ on account of supremacy of the constitution, separation of powers, and rule of law!

Adokiye praised the Minister of Sports, Dr. Tamuno Danagogo for the role he has played in the issue.

“This sport minister’s respect for rule of law is exemplary and commendable. But as I slated earlier, congress had appropriately stepped in thereafter.

Government can and should demand that public funds be accounted for, otherwise the football governing body should desist from requesting for such funds. On no account should Nigeria succumb to blackmail from any source.

“If FIFA disregards lawful action and insists on suspension, so be it. As I pointed out in 2010, it could even be the needed stimulus to compel overdue restructuring of our football beginning with concluding action on setting up of CAS in Nigeria”, added Amiesimaka.

200 Ghanaian fans seek asylum in Brazil SOME 200 Ghanaians who travelled to Brazil to watch the football World Cup and have applied to stay permanently, citing religious violence at home, have no legitimate claim to asylum, Ghana said Friday.

The make-up of the group, including their religion and home region is not yet clear, but they have reportedly told Brazilian authorities that inter-religious violence between rival Muslim groups has made it unsafe to return to Ghana.

“The basis for the alleged request for the asylum is completely untrue,” Deputy Information Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu told Ghana’s independent Citi FM radio station.

Neymar Continues from B/P compatriots.

Brazilians are dreading the prospect of Argentina claiming their third world title in the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

The South American nations are sworn footballing enemies, and Argentina’s progress to the final rubbed salt into Brazilian wounds still fresh from Tuesday ’s record defeat to Germany.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JULY 12, 2014

World Cup Final (Tomorrow 8 pm)

Messi battles Muller for Golden Ball

L

IONEL Messi and Thomas Muller top the shortlist of players battling for the adidas Golden Ball, which is awarded to the 2014 World Cup’s most outstanding performer.

Continues on page 55

Today’s Third place match Brazil

vs

Netherland

9 pm

Van Gaal gunning for Brazil — P. 55 •Messi

Neymar: I want Messi to win B

RAZIL star Neymar says he is prepared to set aside the historical rivalry between South America’s two footballing heavyweights as he wants four-time world footballer of the year Lionel Messi to win the

World Cup when Argentina meet Germany in tomorrow’s final.

“Messi’s history in the sport is so important, he has won a lot of trophies and I will be cheering for him. He is a friend, he

Adokiye faults FIFA’s suspension

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

1

980 Africa Cup of Nations winner Adokye Amiesimaka has faulted FIFA’s suspension of Nigeria from all football-related activities.

Reacting to the suspension slapped on Nigeria because of government interference, Amesimaka, who was called to the bar 35 years ago, said the Aminu

Adokye

Continues on page 55

is my team-mate and I wish him luck.”

Neymar ’s support of Messi, and by

extension Argentina, is unlikely to be shared by many of his Continues on page 55

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1.Kaduna United Goalkeeper, Chituru (4) 3.Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. John (8) 7.Technical Director, Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Emmanuel (6) 9.commissioner, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Mr. Eyo (4) 10.Former Cameroun “Indomitable Lions” Striker, Marc-Vivien (3) 11.Nasarawa State Capital (5 14.Country in Africa (5) 15.France Capital City (5) 17.State in Nigeria Known as “The Power State”? (5) 18.Niger State Governor, Babangida (5) 20.Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Boma (5) 22.Function of the Nose (5) 25.Super Eagles Midfielder, Sunday (3) 26.Former Director General, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Yakubu (4) 27.L.G.A in Kano State (6) 29.Chilean Capital City (8)

30.France “Les Bleus” Leftback, Patrice (4)

DOWN 1.Lagos State Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Lateef (8) 2.L.G.A in Lagos State (3) 3.Greek Alphabet (5) 4.Bayelsa United Media Officer, George (5) 5.Super Eagles’ Striker, Obinna (6) 6.Land Measure Unit (4) 8.Botswana Currency (4) 11.Argentine Premiership Club-Side (5) 12.National President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Mr. Nasir (5) 13.Fourth Month of the Year (5) 16.Borno State Governor, Kassim (8) 19.Oyo State Capital (6) 21.L.G.A in Gombe State (4) 23.Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab (5) 24.Former Minister of Health, Prof. Eyitayo (5) 25.Solar Planet (4) 28.Female Rabbit (3)

•Van Gaal

•Scolari

200 Ghanaian fans seek asylum in Brazil — P.55 1

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SOLUTION ON PAGE 54

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