Northern Gov's Forum is dead - Gov Suswam

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Northern Governors’ Forum is dead — Gov Suswam ...As Jang accuses opposition of hatching NGF’s crisis

BY PETER DURU, MAKURDI, TAYE OBATERU & HOPE OFOBIKE

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OVERNOR Gabriel Suswam has declared that with the high level of distrust and wrangling among Governors in the country, the northern Governors forum may have ceased to exist.

Also, his Plateau State counterpart and factional chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, Governor Jonah Jang has accused opposition parties of being the architects behind the crisis within the forum, adding that their aim was to destabilise the ruling People’s Democratic Party, (PDP).

Suswam who made this declaration yesterday while fielding questions from newsmen in Makurdi, said some governors in the north were not playing by the rules and by so doing negating the principles of honour.

He said since the governors could not trust each other and stand in unison on issues of common interest, it was no longer tenable for most members to belong to the forum.

He said, “There is no pretense about it, some of us find it hard to belong to a meeting where decisions reached are flagrantly flaunted. ”It is no longer honourable to belong to the meeting of northern Governors because we cannot pretend that we belong to a meeting, and when certain decisions are reached, members would go out and take a contrary position. ”I’ll find it difficult to sit in such a meeting, it is certainly not honourable to do such a thing and that is the position of some of us and I do not see anything wrong with that because we are not compelled to be part of the meeting. ”But I think there is need for us to talk to ourselves because it will

certainly be difficult for us to come together to discuss any issue anymore, when you know that the people will go out and do the opposite.”

While recalling reasons responsible for this development, Suswam said, “ why would 18 of us in the North unanimously reach a decision in our meeting that Governor Jang should be the next chairman of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum, which was also affirmed by the PDP Governors’ forum only for our members who endorsed that decision to turn their backs against our unanimous position; it means the house is divided against itself,” he added.

Jang says Jonathan has no preference among governors

Heaping the blame on the opposition parties, Governor Jang maintained that no matter how they try to break up the PDP, they will fail in their plot. “In reality those in opposition are trying to use NGF to break up the PDP; they are accusing us that we are taking directives from the presidency. But I am sure that they will fail in their plot.

But not all the opposition are involved in this plot because the Governor of Ondo State is also of the opposition.

Fielding questions from newsmen yesterday during what was tagged a “Midterm Media Interaction,” Jang absolved President Goodluck Jonathan of blame in the crisis, insisting that those accusing him were doing so wrongly.

“We don’t want to create a scenario that people will see Nigerian governors as irresponsible; that is why we are maintaining our calm after the election . We challenge Governor Rotimi Amaechi to show Nigerians what transpired during the four hours of the election instead of deceiving the country”.

Jang regretted that politics had been brought into a forum that was supposed to be a gather-

ing of like minds promising to continue to reach out to his colleagues to resolve the crisis.

“We are supporters of the president in running the country. He has no preference among the governors. When I was contesting, the President was outside the country, there was no consultation with him.

Neither did he call me or anybody to the best of my knowledge; so, why the accusation against Mr. President?”, he wondered.

Sacks 11,000 workers The governor also disclosed that the staff audit carried out in the

From Left, Director, Finance and Planning, CIO Office, IBM United States, Brad Gibson; Engineer Telco Sector, IBM United States, Marc Segre; Director, Smarter Solution, IBM Canada, Shelly Lowe; Lagos State Governor, Babatude Raji Fashola; IBM Lead Account Partner, UK, Rob Wilmot; and Director, IBM Marketing, United States, Matt Berry, at the IBM team’s presentation of “Smarter Transportation” solutions to the Lagos State Government yesterday. state had exposed about 11,000 ghost workers in the state civil service.

He said after series of verifications, the initial 22,000 staff strength came down to 17,000

and later to 11,000 after another exercise. He vowed that those involved would be made to face the music.

The governor who praised newsmen for

their contributions to nation building, urged them to put the interest of the country uppermost by highlighting only issues that will promote peace and development.

vie ws State of emergency: Arm Armyy re revie views cur wa curffew in Adama Adamaw

BY UMAR YUSUF

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HE 23rd Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Yola has announced the review of the curfew imposed on Adamawa state at the wake on the declaration of the state of Emergency.

A statement issued in Yola and signed by the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Fatai Oladipo Alli and made available to Saturday Vanguard, indicated that the timing of the curfew will now be from 8pm to 5am daily with effect from Thursday, the 14th of June.

The earlier timing of the curfew had been from

7pm to 6am daily.

In the statement, the Army extends its appreciation to the people for the level of co-operation received so far and advised all law abiding citi-

zens to go about their lawful businesses within the new stipulated timing of the curfew.

It equally solicited the co-operation and assistance of the people in re-

Retired soldier butchers wife over plans to marry mistress

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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HERE was pande monium in Igarra Community of Akoko – Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, yesterday morning, when a retired soldier, murdered his wife, Mrs

Onyonishoyi Ukana-Nee Akarutu, following the refusal by the deceased to allow the husband, marry his long time mistress.

Ukana, a retired Warrant Officer 2, was said to have macheted his wife at about 1am Friday morning dismembering

FG supervises 497 clean-up of oil spill sites — Minister

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

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HE Minister of Envi ronment, Hajia Hadiza Mailafia, yesterday said the Federal Government has supervised the clean-up of over 497 oil spill sites in Nigeria.

Mailafia stated this while presenting the 2013 mid-term Presidential an-

porting any suspicious movement or persons to the nearest security post.

At the commencement of the declaration of state of emergency last month, the curfew was imposed from 6pm to 6am daily.

niversary on the Ministerial platform in Abuja.

She said the ministry also remediated 430 lead poisoned homes and 4 hectares of lead poisoned industrial sites in Bagega village in Zamfara State. According to her, “achieving clean and healthy environment is the work of every Nigerian. Climate Change as

well as its impacts are real and therefore building Nigerian’s resilience to its impacts becomes imperative. Increasing the vegetation cover in the country is a must. For the nation to achieve its development, it is imperative to enforce all the environmental laws, regulations, guidelines and standards.”

her body reminiscent of a scene from a horror movie. Sources close to the family said the 18 year old son of Shakede whose name could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report also sustained several machete cuts in an attempt to rescue his mother.

His son was reported to have raised an alarm which attracted neighbours in the night when he was woken up by the shout of his mother as she was being butchered by his father.

It was gathered that the couple have been engulfed in a running battle over the man’s resolve to formally marry his age long mistress. It was learnt that the deceased had strongly objected to the plans which had always led to fight in the house.

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013

Ekweremadu seeks entrenchment of fiscal federalism •Urges Nigerians to look beyond oil money

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE Abuja

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EPUTY Senate Presi dent, Ike Ekweremadu, has called for entrenchment of what he described as, ‘true fiscal federalism’ in Nigeria, saying the present federating arrangement where the federating units depend on funds from the centre for survival was a drawback on both democracy and national development.

Ekweremadu,who observed that the development was endangering the nation’s future, called for adoption of a faster consensus building towards entrenching true fiscal federalism in Nigeria.

The Deputy Senate President,according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media,Uche Anichukwu,made the call in Asaba Friday, while delivering a keynote address at the Second Anniversary Lecture of the Fifth Assem-

bly of the Delta State House of Assembly.

He regretted that while fiscal federalism and enhanced resource control had continued to reoccur in the constitution amendment efforts since 1999, they had

always failed to garner the requisite support needed to scale through due to embedded fears.

Senator Ekweremadu, however, noted that “the fear of fiscal federalism is unfounded since every state of the federation, with-

out exception, has more than enough to be self-reliant and economically buoyant”.

He said: “We must come to terms with the fact that democracy alone is not enough to prosper a nation, unless there is a suitable

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From left, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture, Mr Sikiru Ayedun; son of late Chief MKO Abiola; Mr Mumini Abiola; wife of the Governor State of Osun, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola; Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; his Deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Special Adviver to the Governor on Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture, Mr Oladipo Soyode and others, during the Laffmatazz Comedy Show hosted by the State Government of Osun to mark the 20th anniversary of June 12, at Wocdif Centre Osogbo, the State of Osun on Wednesday.

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RESIDENT of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr Okey Wali, SAN, has stressed the need for continuing legal education for lawyers in the country.

He also said that the association was ready for the NBA-Section on Business Law, SBL, conference starting tomorrow in Lagos.

He expressed optimism and readiness to host lawyers attending the 7th NBA- SBL conference.

The 7th annual conferO

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ence of the SBL is the first conference of the Section after the expiration of its pioneer chairman and founding father, George Etomi.

In a chat with newsmen, Wali said: “This is one conference that is very close to my heart and I am passionate about it. I am set for the conference and with the information available to me, SBL is ready to do us proud.

A lot of preparations have gone into it in terms of resource persons, conference materials, security and welfare of lawyers attending it.

“The issue of continuing

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legal education is a very important aspect of my administration because that is what makes the lawyer, I am very happy this conference will greatly enrich the knowledge base of every lawyer that attends it and we will equally score the points for every lawyer that participate in it, it is indeed a must attend for

every lawyer.”

Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Dr. Gbolahan Elias, said that conference is scheduled to hold from June 16 to 19 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos and the theme of the Conference is, “The Legal Profession in an Emerging

ELTA State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday, broke his silence since the State House of Assembly passed the anti-kidnapping Bill into law which overrode his executive veto, saying that the action however never affected what he described as, “the robust relationship” between him and the House.

The governor stated this in Asaba, yesterday during a lecture to mark the second anniversary of the fifth Assembly of the Delta State House of Assembly.

Said he: “let me use this opportunity to congratulate the Delta State House of Assembly, an arm of government and I will safely

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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HERE was heavy Po lice presence on major roads in Port Harcourt yesterday as the wife of the President; Mrs Pa-

•says I’ve no case to answer

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HE Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, slated June 21 to determine whether the federal government has adduced sufficient evidence to warrant the prosecution of the alleged mastermind of the Christmas day bomb blast that killed about 44 persons and wounded 75 others at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church at Madalla, Niger State, in 2011.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola fixed the date

after the accused person and the federal government adopted written addresses yesterday.

The accused person, Kabiru Umar, a.k.a Kabiru Sokoto, had through his team of lawyers led by Mr. Hassan Lukman, maintained before the high court that he has no case to answer, insisting that the federal government failed to establish a prima-facie criminal case capable of warranting his conviction.

While praying the court to discharge and accquit him from the 2-count ter-

say that as far as Delta State is concerned, the Delta State House of Assembly has done excellently well.

“We have had very robust relationship. We have our challenges. We, the House of Assembly and the executive arm sit down and discuss. Sometimes, they are able to get some, sometimes, they will not get all that sometimes their understanding enough to know that they should not get everything, sometimes they veto (laughter) what they thought is in the interest of the State Government and of everyone in the State because at the end whichever way, it has turned out that it is the people of the State that benefit from whatever decisions they take together or individually.”

Heavy police presence in PH ahead of Patience Jonathan’s visit

Alleged Catholic Church bomber, Kabiru Sokoto, knows fate June 21

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

eralism the best promise towards harnessing the blessings of our vast territories and the diversities of our endowments and people for national development”

My relationship with lawmakers is intact — Uduaghan

BY AUSTIN OGWUDU Asaba

NBA president stresses need for continuing legal education for Nigerian lawyers

BY INNOCENT ANABA

system of political union capable of harnessing and unleashing the potentials of such a country.

“We must not jettison the wisdom of our founding fathers who saw in true fed-

rorism charge that was preferred against him by the government, contended that none of the six witnesses that testified against him, was able to establish a nexus linking him to the commission of the alleged offence.

Arguing through his lawyers, Sokoto, in his no-case-submission, further queried the propriety of allowing him to pass through the rigours of trial “in view of the fact that the prosecution has failed to tender any evidence connecting the accused to the alleged offence.”

tience Jonathan was being expected.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that Mrs Jonathan is to attend a wedding ceremony of a member of the state House of Assembly, Hon Evans Bipi, on Saturday.

Hon Bipi is among the five anti-governor Amaechi lawmakers in the state House of Assembly.

Meantime, De Norsemen Kclub of Nigeria has warned politicians in Rivers state and beyond not to drag the name of the Kclub into the political crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state.

A statement issued yesterday in Port Harcourt and signed by the De Guv ’nor, Rivers state chapter, Mr Raph Zabbey, said they were aware some persons were already parading as members of the De Norsemen Kclub and taking sides in the political crisis rocking the PDP in the state.

SATURDAY

wards N4m Subsidy protest: Cour Courtt a aw against police

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

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N Ikeja High court yesterday found the police authority and its officials guilty for shooting at protesters, during last year’s protest against subsidy removal.

The trial judge, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile who passed the judgment also ordered the police, especially the former Divisional Police Officer of Pen Cinema Police Station, Agege, Lagos, Mr. Segun Fabunmi, accused of firing shot at the protesters to pay the sum of N4 million as compensation to four protesters, who filed suit for the violation of their fundamental rights.

Their case was filed and argued by the Office of the Lagos State Office of Public Offender (OPD).

In her judgement, Justice Okikiolu-Ighile held the defendants liable for “recklessly shooting and inflicting bodily injury on the applicants.”

Apart from this, the court ordered the respondents to apologise to the applicants on two national newspapers.

The applicants are Egbuzor Samuel (24), Alimi Abubakar (41), Joy Monday (21) and Chibuzo Udo (28).

In their claim, the protesters alleged that they were shot at about 9.30am on January 9, 2012 in Yaya-Abatan Junction, Agege, Lagos, during the fuel subsidy protest. They argued that they sustained severe injuries while their friend, Adedamola Daramola, al-

legedly died instantly.

Justice Okikiolu-Ighile said that the shooting violated the applicants’ constitutional rights to freedom of movement and human dignity.

However, the court ex-

onerated the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, who was joined as a respondent.

The judge said both the first and second defendants (the Police and

Fabunmi) “wilfully and deliberately refused to participate in the proceedings,” thereby rendering all the allegations of the applicants unchallenged.

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HE Federal Govern ment has declared that it would apply modern technologies that are capable of providing best services applicable to the environmental system in order to monitor effectively the nation’s border communities with a view to curb the menace of insurgency confronting the nation.

Newly appointed Comptroller General, Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, Mr David

B-R-I-E-F-S Securities company drags bank to court over losses

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

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SECURITIES trad ing company, Treasure Capital Trusts Ltd, has filed a N5.4 billion suit against the United Bank of Africa, UBA, for alleged income it lost as a result of a mareva injunction procured and executed against it by the bank.

In a suit filed before a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, the company is demanding for the damages to assuage its

loss, as well as the enforcement of the undertakings by the bank to indemnify the respondents in damages if it turns out that the applications for mareva injunctions ought not to have been granted.In the suit, with No. LD/464/ 2013, Treasure Capital & Trusts Limited claimed that its business was completely shut down for a period of about two years owing to its inability to perform any transaction on its accounts due to the mareva injunction.

We’re still running Summer School despite emergency rule — AUN L-R: The Permanent Secretary, Establishment Office of the Head of Service Kaduna State, Dr. Adamu Kagarko with the Head of Service Kaduna State, Mr. Daniel Hayab and his Perm. Sec. Hajiya Daratu Mohammed, at the press briefing of the Head of Service to commence the 2013 Civil service Week celebration in Kaduna yesterday. Photo: OLU AJAYI.

PDP CRISIS: Appeal Court dismisses Oyinlola, Mustapha’s case

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HE Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos yesterday dismissed an appeal by former National Secretary and National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Chief Bode Mustapha respectively.

Oyinlola and Mustapha had filed a Motion on Notice at the appellate court challenging the Notice of Withdrawal filed by the party in Appeal No. CA/L/515/2012.

The PDP had earlier appealed the judgment of

Hon. Justice Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/347/2012, delivered on the 2nd of May, 2012. The judgment of the lower court, which was being challenged at the appellate court, was in respect of a suit filed on behalf of the Ogun State Executive Committee of the PDP by Engr. Adebayo Dayo and Alhaji Semiu Sodipo against the PDP and three others.

The court had in that judgment nullified the Southwest Zonal Con-

gress of the PDP, ordered the removal of Mustapha and his replacement with Alhaji Fatai Adeyanju, among others.

The PDP later filed a Notice of Withdrawal from the appeal through its counsel, G.K Gadzama.

But Oyinlola and Mustapha opposed the move and filed a Motion on Notice, asking the Court of Appeal to strike out the Notice of Withdrawal because their consent was not sought before it (the Notice of Withdrawal) was filed.

Terrorism: FG to apply modern technologies to monitor borders

BY ALICE FESTUS

Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013 — 7

Parradang who made the declaration at the CGIS parade in Abuja, said the NIS would rely on cutting edge technologies to address migration issues.

Parradang stated his intentions and vision for the immigration service and promised to appropriate best technologies that will be sustainable to suit into the challenges of Nigeria’s environment and country at large.

“Here we cannot continue doing the same

thing and expect a different result. We have to think out and think through new ideas of border patrolling to contribute to National security. We must professionally utilize the mix of vigorous and professional border patrolling and internal immigration control. We will not blindly or brutally remove irregular immigrants but it will be done after a process that is targeted, powered by intelligence, and data.

“We are at the age of appropriating the best technologies to do our job of modern migration.

We will rely on cutting edge technologies that are practicable in our environment Nigeria to transform the Nigeria Immigration Service.

These technologies must not be substandard but the best and sustainable ones well tailored to the peculiarities of our country in terms of the environment and the challenges of our country.

BY ALADE AROMASHODU

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OLLOWING reports in a section of the media, that expatriates are leaving the American University of Nigeria (AUN), because of the State of Emergency imposed on Adamawa State, the University has dismissed as inaccurate a story in two national newspapers.

According to AUN’s President, Margee Ensign, “Governor Murtala Nyako’s comments in the story are completely inaccurate. Not only are we running our regular summer school with very

high attendance, no faculty member or staff has left AUN because of the state of emergency.

“Over 4,000 people, including the Ambassadors of the United States, the European Union, Rwanda and Ireland, attended our 5th commencement ceremony on May 11th, three days before the state of emergency was announced.

We are also continuing our important development work in the community in literacy, IT and with the Adamawa Peacemakers Initiative that the University founded in January 2012.”

Garden of Love Assembly Women holds national convention

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HE National Women Convention of Garden of Love Assembly, Warri, will take place next weekend, from June 21-23, 2013, at the church premises, 7 All Saint Lane, off Okere/ Ogberikoko Rd, Effurun, Delta State.

A statement signed by chief host Bishop Philip Edward, said that this year ’s theme: “I will surely go with you” (Judges 4:9) would be handled by the guest speaker Rev. Mrs. E.S Orovwuje and other ministers.

Aniocha North PDP tasked on unity

BY TOMMY ANADUAKA

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HE leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, has been charged to consolidate on the unification of the party at both state and national levels by reaching out to aggrieved members.

A PDP leader in the area, Chief Emeka

Ohaegbunem, gave the advice on the occasion of the inauguration of the party executive in Ward Six, Issele-Uku. Chief Ohaegbunem said that if the party must ensure victory in coming elections everybody must be brought on board, urging the new executive members to reach out even to those that offended them in order to carry everybody along.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013

Boko Haram sacks 19,000 farmers in Borno

BY NDAHI MARAMA, Maiduguri

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HE Managing Director of Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA), Dr Garba Abubakar Iliya has alerted Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state on the sacking of 19, 000 farmers from their wheat and rice fields by the armed Boko Haram insurgents while harvesting 5, 000 hectres of wheat under the South Chad Irrigation Scheme (SCIP) of the Authority, leaving 3, 500 hectres of not harvested wheat destroyed and pilfered by stray animals and thieves.

Farmers’ insecurity in the Lake Chad Basin Areas and farmlands under the irrigation scheme, may also prevent the affected farmers from preparing their land for this planting season. Dr Iliya raised the alarm at the weekend at CBDA grains silos in Marte, while briefing the governor on farming and irrigation activities of the Authority and farmers insecurity posed by Boko Haram recent attacks and killings in Northern Borno.

He said that until the security of farmers was guaranteed by Lt. Col Gabriel Olufemi led Military Combat Force C, the affected farmers will not return to their wheat and rice fields. Since they were threatened and chased away by the armed militant Islamists group while harvesting their wheat and rice, some of them fled to Maiduguri, Monguno and Dikwa for safety and protection.

“The security situation of the 19, 000 farmers your Excellency, was being threatened by the recent incessant attacks and killings, until the deployment of troops to Marte and Kirenoa towns, where most of the farmers reside in the full implementation of a Joint Partnership of CBDA and Borno state government on massive wheat, rice and vegetables production in the Lake Chad Basin Areas.”

He further disclosed that because of the insecurity on the farmlands and affected farmers, a total of 3, 500 hectres of wheat were rendered not harvested, as only 1, 500 hectres or 30 per cent of

wheat were harvested.

His words: “our farmers were able to harvest 7, 000 bags of wheat from the Lake Chad Basin fields, while they took 3, 500 bags, leaving the other 3, 500 bags or 50 per cent of total harvests on the sharing formula of 50:50. What we have now in this grains silo of the Authority, is 3, 500 bags of 100 kilogrammes or 175 metric tons of stored wheat for distribution and sales to the general public at a subsidized rate of N10, 000 a bag.”

He however noted that the Authority cannot go into the

production of rice this year, because of the Boko Haram insurgency that prevented farmers from preparing their farmlands.

This was why we need total protection from the military combat force of soldiers.

Responding, Governor Shettima assured the Managing Director of farmers’ security at both their residences and farmlands, adding that with the presence of members of the Military Combat Force C, led by its commander, Lt. Col Olufemi, the target of state government, was to cultivate 10, 000 hectres of wheat by the affected farmers.

Delta State Governor Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan (right), Deputy Speaker House of Representative, Hon Emeka Ihedioha (second right), National Publicity Secretary PDP, Chief Olise Metuh (second left) and The Speaker Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), Rt Hon Vicor Ochei, during a Public Lecture marking the Second Anniversary of the Fifth Assembly at Event Centre, Asaba.

Photo; NATH ONOJAKE

Nigeria saves N254bn on cassava substitution for bread and country has also trained growth by instituting the billion through the progress baking achievements of master bakers on the 40 per cent high quality substitution of cassava flour President Goodluck application of the cassava cassava flour in bread baking HE Minister of requirements in wheat J o n a t h a n ’ s flour in bread baking.

T Agriculture and Adesina made this administration, in Abuja He said that bread.

Rural Development, Dr known at the 2013 Akinwumi Adesina, said Nigeria saved N254

Ministerial Platform, a mid-term report on the

yesterday.

According to him, the

government encouraged

had market

Two men docked for stealing N7.8m

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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35-year-old man, John Ikhana and one other, Augustine Emenim, 30, were yesterday arrainged before a Lagos Magistrate Court, sitting in Ikeja, for allegedly stealing the sum of N7.8million, belonging MDS Logistics Company.

The defendants and oth-

ers at large, who were docked before Magistrate Miss Akinde, are facing a two count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The police prosecutor Chinalu Uwadione, told the court that the defendants committed the alleged offence on April 25, 2013, at about 10am, at Oregun in Ikeja area of Lagos.

He claimed that the ac-

cused stole Nestle products worth N 7 , 8 0 0 , 0 0 0 .

Uwadione said that the crime committed is punishable under section 409 and 285 of the criminal laws of Lagos state of Nigeria 2011.

However when the charges preferred against the defendants were read to them, the defendants whose res-

idential address is at 17 Musa Adewokan street in Ojota area of Lagos and Isebo in Ibadan, respectively,pleaded not guilty to the two count charges.

Magistrate Akinde granted them bail in the sum of N 1million with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the matter to July 23, 2013, for mention.

Human Resources practitioners urged to influence the leadership was the inapositive change es Practitioners of Nigeria bility to take action when it

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HE President of Beeches Graduate School of Business, Lagos, Professor Benjamin Nwaneri has said that lack of dynamism in leadership is responsible for underdevel-

opment in both corporate and government institutions.

Delivering a paper at a seminar and induction ceremony organised by Association of Human Resourc-

for its members, Prof Nwaneri stressed that lot of companies that have failed spend so mcuh time on planning but little or no time on executing any of those plans.

He added that the gap in

IMSG to probe death of Ngor Okpala eight

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA, Owerri

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MO State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has ordered immediate investigation into the yet-to-be explained death of eight members of the Nwosu family of Umueze Nguru, Ngor Okpala local council area of the state.

Okorocha gave the directive when he paid a scheduled visit to the rural community to express his

heartfelt condolence to the two remaining members of the bereaved Nwosu family.

“Government has set up a panel that will collaborate with the police and the Directorate of State Security to unravel the circumstances behind the deaths. We are very determined to get to the roots of the matter ”, Okorocha said.

The Governor described the reported loss of lives as “a colossal loss to the

Nwosu family, Ngor Okpala loca government area and the state”, stressing that “government is concerned about the ugly incident and whatever led to their deaths”.

He expressed his administration’s heartfelt sympathy to the Nwosu family and the people of Ngor Okpala, even as he enjoined them to give the remaining members of the family all the assistance they need to survive the rude shock that befell them.

is necessary.

“The dynamics of the current political programmes are now on the retreat if compared with what went on in Obasanjo’s days, when Nigerians on a daily basis expected something new be they good or bad.

We were sure that something must happen. But today, we are only hearing stories, promises, plans that nobody is willing to execute, all with consequential hardship and increase in the cost of living,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the president of the association, Professor Julius Osemudiamen advised Human Resources Practitioners, not to see leadership as a means of amassing wealth but a means of influencing positive change in any organisation.

He said investment opportunity abound for investors to build new cassava processing plants to capture share in the growing market.

“Processing is a highly lucrative segment of the cassava value chain.

“An initial investment of approximately 30 million dollars is required to set up a plant with 75, 000 tonnes starch capacity or 50,000 tonnes sweetener capacity,” he said.

Adesina said the Federal Government was working to ensure that sufficient cassava raw materials were available for intending processors.

He pointed out that government would facilitate low interest rates for processors and also implement other financial incentives such as tax holidays and capital allowances.

The minister noted that a number of leading indigenous and global firms had indicated interest in the market for cassava starch in Nigeria.

Adesina said that the Federal Government would establish ‘Staple Crops Processing Zones’ (SCPZ) across the country as incentive to these investors.

“Government has decided to provide the necessary infrastructure such as dedicated power lines and road networks and a one-stop-shop for business set up and registration.

He said that the cassava sub-sector was expected to reach 8.5 billion dollars before the year 2020.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013 — 9

Deliver East-West road not beyond 2014, Delta, Akwa-Ibom lawmakers tell Jonathan

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA, Asaba

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EMBERS of the Delta and AkwaIbom Houses of Assembly, yesterday passed a resolution calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that he delivered the East-West road not beyond the 2014 timeline as well as commencement of the construction of a railway line linking the SouthSouth region to Lagos State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Yesterday’s joint sitting of the two Houses of Assembly of both States was part of the activities marking the second session of the Fifth Assembly of the Delta Assembly.

The two Houses also commended the President for the declaration of state of emergency in some parts of the Northern States and urged him, “not to rest in his oars until he actualizes the

provision of Section 14 (2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended”.

Also the joint sitting passed a vote of confidence on the two governors of the respective states.

The three motions read: *That the Delta State and Akwa-Ibom State Houses of Assembly in a joint sitting hereby commend His Excellency Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan and His Excellency Dr. Godswill Obot Akpabio, governors of Delta and Akwa-Ibom States respectively for the uncommon transformation and developmental strides which has engendered relative peace and security in Delta and Akwa-Ibom States of Nigeria *That this joint sitting of the Delta State House of Assembly and the AkwaIbom State Hosue of Assembly urges His Excellency Dr. Goodluck

Jonathan, President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to direct the Federal Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC and other relevant government agencies to immediately commence the construction of a railway line linking the South South region to NDDC to ensure that work commences on the proposed coastal road project from Calabar to Lagos and to use his good offices to urge all oil exploration and exploitation companies operating in the South South region including the NNPC and other stakeholders in the oil industry to as well partner with the above mentioned MDAs for the construction of the coastal road project which will serve as a catalyst for both regional integration and enhance economic activities in the South South region.

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From left: Prestine Babatunde Atanda, Prof Julius Osemudiamen, President, Association of Human Resources Practitioners of Nigeria, Godspower Ekpere, GM, Norfolk Paper & Packaging Ltd, Abu Ibrahim, Registrar of the association and Prof Benjamin Nwaneri, president, Beeches Graduate School of Business during a Seminar/Induction ceremony organised by Association of Human Resources Practitioners of Nigeria held in Ikeja recently.

SSS parades Poly student for impersonating Uduaghan

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA, Asaba

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IRECTOR of the State Security Service (SSS) in Delta State, Mrs. Florence Ikanone, yesterday paraded a 27-year-old graduate of Accountancy from Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Mr. Philip Urieh, for allegedly impersonating Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on the social networking site, facebook.

She said the suspect, a native of Uzere in Isoko South Local Government Area of the state, was recently arrested by operatives of the state command following painstaking surveillance that was mounted on him as a result of series of reports received on the subject.

According to the Director, the suspect through the facebook platform allegedly defrauded unsuspecting persons to the tune of over N5 million by opening a facebook account with the name and picture of Governor Uduaghan which he uses to deceive his clients, promising them juicy contracts and government appointments.

“The suspect’s modus operandi is that he receives messages and responds to them as if he were the executive governor. He defrauded one Felix from Agbor through the facebook account to the tune N1.2 million on the promise of making him to sponsor

beauty pageant.

“In addition, he paid N600,000 for billboards, praising the governor; N480,000 to be given to Chief of Staff; N540,000 for repairs of a Kia salon car belonging to subject; and

he was equally instructed to pay N500,000 to be given to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly to ease his screening as a commissionership candidate,” said the SSS boss.

B-R-I-E-F-S Fibi sausage roll excites families in Lagos

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APIDO Foods Limit ed, makers of fibi beef sausage roll has announced its readiness to take over the Lagos market with its brand as it brought together hundreds of people at a family forum in Lagos recently.

Tagged the fibi family forum, the occasion had in attendance several customers, distributors, retailers, representatives of regulatory bodies and newsmen, who attested to

the excitement the brand offers.

Speaking at the event, the chairman of the company, Mr. Frank Nneji, thanked stakeholders for their support since the launch of fibi beef sausage roll in October 2012 in Owerri, Imo State. He commended distributors, retailers and everyone in the distribution chain for making the brand available in homes, offices, schools and other channels of distribution.

Clark, a South-South visionary leader — Group

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HE national leader of the South South geopolitical zone, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark has been described by the South South Youth Leaders Forum (SSYLF), as a visionary leader with impeccable character that is ready to defend his people at all time.Leaders of the SSYLF who made this known in a statement signed by Ambassador Amachree

Odiedim, National Chairman and Prince Presley Iyalagha, National Mobilization Officer at Port Harcourt yesterday after a meeting in preparation for First Lady Patience Jonathan’s visit to Rivers state. They stated that Papa Clark is an unbelievably decent man who felt obliged to challenge injustice and unfairness wherever he found it.

10—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013

BY EMMANUEL EDUKUGHO

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he wave of domestic violence in all its forms sweeping across our country is dis turbing and a source of serious concern to many people. Personal safety within family framework can no longer be taken for granted.

Most victims of domestic violence are left to suffer in vain, sometimes killed, seriously injured or permanently disabled.

Ordinarily, domestic violence is that kind of violence that happens between family members in the home or during relationship between couple or would-be-couples.

Usually, response by neighbours, security agencies like police, even family members are not swift or sharp before any damage is done to either of the feuding parties, most likely the women (wives).

There is no symbolic support for the victim from the immediate environment or neighbourhood.

But the world is changing, so also should be our feelings of security. It’s not enough to say the man or husband is callous, wicked who likes to turn the woman into a punching bag. It is also helpful to ask what is it that drove him to such brutality?

There was a recent case of a young man who battered his banker-wife to death barely few months after a high society marriage in Lagos.

The sympathy of all civilised and decent people must go to the victims of these atrocities. However, these attacks could be reminder that others in several parts of this country having strained relationships with their spouses are not immuned from such acts of brutality and inhumanity.

Our people should learn to take active part in the protection of neigbours and not be complacent, claiming that they don;’t want to interfere in the private affairs of others.

Saturday Vanguard sought the views of a lawyer on the problem of domestic violence, its prevalence, nature, remedies available and causes.

Victim of battery Barrister M.O. Aminah, said that domestic violence falls within civil offence under the law of tort when you cause bodily harm to your neighbour. She explained that battered women and children are people who have been violently attacked by their husbands or fathers.

“Assault is attacking somebody in a violent way. But battery is different from assault which is about beating one’s spouse. Whether battery or assault, a victim can seek redress in both criminal and civil actions. Criminal prosecution can be taken against people who violently attack their wives. Civil action can also be instituted for damages suffered as a result of battery. But one process must finish before starting the other,” she said.

On the causes of domestic violence: The causes are several. These include high temperament of the husband or the wife as the case may be, lack of understanding between the couple, lack of tol- chological reasons also can be country. I know that cases are erance, incompatibility of the attributed. When a spouse is brought to the police stations spouses, stress from work and suffering from dementia, his almost daily. But the police or her behaviour will not be always reluctant to treat such even the daily chores of life.

Once these factors are stable. Quarrels can also cases.

They will ask the couples to present in the relationship cause fight in the home. return home and settle their On the frequency of doand in the marriage, there is differences.

Often police remestic violence: “It has betendency for friction that can gards domestic violence cascome very rampant in the lead to violent attacks. Psy-

Woes and pains of domestic violence It’s not enough to say the man or husband is callous, wicked who likes to turn the woman into a punching bag. It is also helpful to ask what is it that drove him to such brutality?

es as civil matters, and don’t want to be involved.

What about punishment for offenders?

This is quite dicey. Because the couples are seen as one.

But where there are reasonable grounds for divorce when civil actions are brought by either the wife or husband, the court may consider such grounds and grant divorce.

Most victims of domestic violence preferred judicial separation at least to save themselves from further bodily harm, injury and even death.

Others notwithstanding the danger inherent in continuing with the hostile and harmful marriage when it seemed to have completely broken down, would still want to save the union for the sake of their children.

Investigation showed that, to a large extent, our culture

does not frown against wife battering and some wives have become used to violent attacks by their husbands.

Many women have come to accept physical violence as the side effect of African marriage.

The more their husbands beat them, the more they become sexually aroused and submissive. It is only in western societies that women can walk our of marriage because of wife battery. In Africa including Nigeria where the culture of violence against women has thrived over the centuries, wives are obliged to hold to their marital vows to remain till death separates the couple. Infidelity is not tolerated and could lead to death of the woman who commits adultery especially of marriages contracted under native law and customs.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013—11

Domestic Violence

It’s assuming epidemic proportions— Effah-Chukwuma Says: one out of every five women, girls are victims of violence

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN & ADERONKE ADEYERI

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ot many know that re lationship or marriage is meant to bring out the better person in a spouse. But, the reverse is the case in our society today as many people especially married women suffer different kinds of domestic violence.

It is a paradox that a love relationship being nurtured by spouses would suddenly turn to a theater of absurdities, leading to several injuries and scattered homes.

What kind of a person resorts to domestic violence against the spouse or domestic intimate partner? What kind of a person thinks it is right to continually humiliate or talk down a life intimate partner?

Chioma Obi, 35, got married to her loving husband Daniel in Abia State but three years after, it became a an undesirable relationship. She was beaten and battered most times to coma. Chioma is currently suffering from partial blindness. The story is not different from that of Tomilola Akinrogbe, who courted her husband for four years but little did she know that the day she signed her wedding certificate was like signing her death warrant when her husband, Adewale Akinrogbe stabbed her to death after an argument ensued between the couple at their residence, Ijaiye, Ogun State.

Apart from physical battering, once a spouse is physically or emotionally abused, he or she is no longer free, no longer valued, respected or safe. What can be more violent than living under such circumstance.

When Saturday Vanguard sought the opinions of experts on the issue, they expressed worry over the dangerous trend in our society.

Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, the Executive Director, Project Alert, a non-governmental women’s rights organisation set up to promote and protect the rights of women and young girls who share his view on the issue opined that the current rate of domestic

It is a paradox that a love relationship being nurtured by spouses would suddenly turn to a theater of absurdities, leading to several injuries and scattered homes violence in Nigeria can not be established, as there has not been a national survey to that effect. However, she said that following the current trend, one in five Nigerian women is a victim of domestic violence. “As according to the 2012 Gender in Nigeria Report, one out of every five Nigerian women and girls aged 15-24 years, has been a victim of one form of violence or the other.”

She said while poverty and social economic challenges could be considered to be one of the numerous reasons for domestic violence, they are not the main reason for the act. “Domestic violence, as indeed other forms of violence against women/young girls, is a power relationship. It is more about men and boys feeling they have power and

control over women and young girls, and physically and sexually assaulting them into submission. Putting them (i.e women/girls) in their place (below men) as its often said.

This idea was corroborated

by Pa Aderibigbe Olofin, an octogenarian and sociologist based in Lagos. He stated that violent behaviour often originates from a sense of entitlement which is often supported by sexist, racist, homophobic and other discriminatory attitudes of a person, mainly the man. “Male privilege operates on an individual and societal level to maintain a situation of male dominance, where men have power over women and children.”

Olofin added that violence at homes could be as a result of avoiding important issues out of fear of angering your

partner or excessively jealous and possessive or domineering attitudes.

“When your partner control where you go or what you do, limit your access to money, phone or car; destroy your belongings or property; threatens to hurt you or kill you if you opt and of the relationship or marriage could be possible cause of domestic violence.

Effah-Chukwuma however stated that culture and religion play a major role in the continued perpetration of violence against women in general, and domestic violence in p a r t i c u l a r.

“This is because people hide under the guise of both, to justify acts of domestic violence. You here people saying things like ‘’its our culture’’; ‘’the African culture allows it’’; ‘’the Bible says a woman should be submissive, and if she is not, she should be beaten’’; ‘’a foolish woman breaks her home’’ etc. All these add up to keep women in abusive relationships, while encouraging their husbands to continue their abusive acts.”

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he expressed worry over the increase in the trend, adding that her NGO receives an average of eight cases of domestic violence per week.

“At Project Alert, we receive an average of 8 cases weekly.

In 50% of these cases, we are able to settle the matter, after several counselling sessions with both parties individually and then together. We mediate and help them arrive at a mutual agreement, especially where there has been no physical injury, on either parties. In 25% of the cases, the extended family members come in, and take over the matter, with the consent of the couple, and try to resolve the matter. In the remaining 25%, the violence and threat to life is so severe that the woman, states clearly that she does not want to go back to the marriage, for fear of dying, and as such wants a separation or divorce. Thus our first response is typically to try me-

diating,” she noted.

Effah-Chukwuma also stated that both domestic violence which includes physical battering, threat to life etc and sexual violence (rape, gang rape, incest, defilement, sexual abuse) are the two commonest forms of violence against women and young girls in Nigeria. “In fact sexual violence against children (especially little girls) is becoming very prevalent. Hardly can a day go by, without one newspaper reporting a case of defilement and incest against a young girl, some times as little as two years of age. It is in my opinion, that it is assuming epidemic proportions,” she stressed.

On how stigmatization has been affecting agencies intervention and prosecution, Effah-Chukwuma agreed that stigmatization is one of the factors that cause victims to remain silent.

“Yes, stigmatization is an issue, as it causes victims to keep silent, and not cry out for help. The greatest challenge however is the poor response from the criminal justice system (police and courts) and social service providers (hospitals, social welfare) to victims and their families/ friends. Police insensitivity to and unprofessional handling of sexual violence cases due to poor training and lack of logistics, has resulted in low reporting rates of sexual violence cases especially.”

“Lack of logistics for the police means that victims of crime have to fund the process of seeking justice, starting from providing transportation to investigating police officers, going to hospital, paying for medical tests, pay for telephone calls, etc. Very few victims can afford all these costs, and as such their cases never get prosecuted.

The courts on the other hand are also insensitive to the plights of victim, with the frequent adjournments and delays. Justice delayed it is said, is justice denied.”

“The Domestic Violence Law of Lagos state, which was enacted in May 2007, is a relatively new law that Lagosians are just getting to know about.

It requires aggressive mass sensitization and awareness creation by government, targeting the public, the police and the judiciary. My organization Project Alert, in 2008 and 2009, bought copies of the law from the Ministry of Justice, and donated to all police divisions in Lagos, during the tenure of Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo as Commissioner of Police

Continues on page 13

12—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013

Domestic Violence

BY EBUN SESSOU

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wo out of three women in Nigeria are subject to domestic violence in their homes. Domestic violence affects all social groups and consist of physical, sexual and psychological abuse. In this interview, human right activist, Dr. Joe Odumakin explains that although men also can be victims of domestic violence, in most cases women are always at the receiving end of domestic violence.

According to her, the trend of domestic violence in Nigeria is increasing on a daily basis because the religious and cultural beliefs make the woman to always submit herself to whatever prejudice she suffers in the hands of any man.

What is the rate of domestic violence in the country now?

Domestic Violence is “pervasive” in Nigeria. About 20 percent of Nigeria women experience physical, sexual and psychological violence from spouse or male relative.

The level of violence against women in Nigeria are increasing by the day with two out of every three women in certain communities experiencing violence in the family.

It is difficult to determine the extent of domestic violence in Nigeria because official statistics on violence in the home are not collected. Incident of domestic violence tend to go unreported.

How is the trend related to poverty and socio-economic challenges of the country?

There is no doubt that the high level of poverty and socio-economic challenges in the country have contributed in no small measure to the prevalence of domestic violence in Nigeria.

Economic and financial hardship, unemployment and the attendant challenges lead to frustration and emotional stress for many men and young people who afterall visit the anger on their counterparts through battering, sexual assault among others.

Also, the fear of financial insecurity has made most women embrace the culture of silence even at the face of great danger and death threats in situation of domestic violence.

To what extent have religious and cultural beliefs affected the cases of domestic violence.?

Religion and cultural beliefs continued to encourage domestic violence in Nigeria.

Domestic violence in Nigeria affects women of all communities. It involves women of

Women are forced to respect tradition at their detriment —Odumakin

all ethnic and religious groups and all socio-economic groups both in the rural and urban areas. Nigeria for instance has experienced virtually one or more types of domestic violence and culture of polygamy involving spousal abuse is particularly common in Nigeria.

All the religions practised in Nigeria encourage women to endure the atrocities of men and keep their homes. Most of the religions profess that women are “home makers” at all cost even in the wake of violence against them.

Cases of domestic violence are rampant because most of the people are encouraged to respect tradition even when it is harmful or barbaric.

How many cases of domestic violence do you receive in a week, and how many have you been able to conclude or settled?

At the Women’s Human Rights Clinic which provides

amicably between January 2011 and May, 2013.

But, about 20 cases are pending in the cases of rape and grievous injury we have three cases on-going in court.

Which of the cases is more prevalent these days between battering and rape?

The case of battering is more prevalent while rape is also on the increase. However, we receive more of battering cases (spousal abuse) than rape.

How has the issue of stigmatization been affecting your intervention and prosecution?

The issue of stigmatization is more pronounced at the intervention level and it has been a serious impediment to achieving success or plugging the gap of domestic violence in Nigeria. For instance the Nigerian Police do not respond adequately to complaint from women on domestic violence. Domestic violence is generally regarded as an issue to be settled within the family.

At the religious level, most pastors believe that women should be submissive to their husbands and therefore should endure whatever treatment they get from their husbands. Some will say, “ what God has joined together no man should put asunder.” So most times it is the women that will be at the receiving end.

Most people and institutions often dismiss issue of domestic violence, most especially when it involve women as a non-issue, so, most of the time they try to frustrate one’s effort at getting justice.

Well, the law of prohibition of violence against human persons or domestic violence law exist in Lagos State support, an average of 3 cases are received in a week.

Most of the time we adopt Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR mechanism to resolve the cases if the level of injury is not severe or if the abuser is a first offender, the abuser is taking through two weeks counseling session, and is thereafter issued a “yellow card” a kind of warning and an undertaking to stop the abuse. This is adopted in cases of spousal abuse, such as battering among others. In this instance not less than 300 cases were settled

How functional is the prohibitive law in deterring or curbing domestic violence?

Well, the law of prohibition of violence against human persons or domestic violence law exist in Lagos State and its provisions if well implemented will surely deter or reduce domestic violence.

As I speak, there is a low awareness of the law among stakeholders in Lagos State.

A lot of people are not familiar with the law and its provisions, even some lawyers.

Also the Chief Justice CJ’s

office which is bequeathed with the responsibility to implement the law will need to be alive to its role of ensuring that the law is fully implemented for example, the CJ’s office is mandated by the law to establish counseling centres in all the LGAs of Lagos State where victims can report and get support services, this is yet to be done.

But I am sure that with adequate awareness and full implementation of the prohibitive law will no doubt help in curbing incidence of domestic violence in Lagos. The Domestic Violence and Related Matters Bill is yet to be passed into law at the National level. There is need to intensify efforts at ensuring the passage of the bill at the Federal level.

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ould you blame the in stitution or individual or emotional and physiological collapse which are mostly responsible for violence at home?

There is no need to emphasize the fact that the collapse of institutions, bad governance and high level of corruption are responsible for the prevalence of domestic violence in Nigeria. Government institutions have failed to respond to the immediate needs of the people. Government at all levels have also failed in their responsibility to the people as well as ensuring the welfare of the people so we continued to experience high level of domestic violence as the people visit their frustrations on one another.

As an expert in this area, what is your advice in stopping the trend in Nigeria?

Implementation of pro-people policies and programmes that will put roof on the people’s head, food on their tables and safe movement from place to place will surely stop the trend of domestic violence in Nigeria.

Also, the enactment of the Domestic Violence and Related Matters Law at the National and State levels will also help in curbing the situation of domestic violence in the country. The Passage of the Equal Opportunities Bill at all levels will also provide equal opportunities for men and women thereby enhancing equal participation and reducing the existing gaps.

Civic education, training and re-training of the Police on issue of domestic violence and its implication on human persons is also a sure way of ending domestic violence in Nigeria.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013—13

Domestic Violence

Always blaming it on devil — Victims cry out

BY FLORENCE AMAGIYA

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he popular saying that ‘it takes two to tangle’ is indeed true, but when the tangle becomes so unpleasant and repeatedly carried out on the weaker party; then it is time to end the music or to start another tune.

The story of Madam Erikefe Omoyora, a single mother with five children elicits empathy as a victim of a kind of domestic violence. It wasn’t out of her choice neither did she choose the father of her children who was snatched away by death. Her ordeal was that the man, she later called her husband couldn’t live one day without beating her up. The beating became so regular, scary and intense to the extent that they became so notorious in the neighbourhood; being a reference point on issues bothering on domestic violence. On each occasion she got battered, she ended up in the hospital leaving her with severe injuries such as swollen eye, fractured bones, a miscarried pregnancy and much more. And every time it happened, he would blame it on the devil. And she would always forgive him.

These episodes became frequent as the years went by.

Some neighbours dared to intervened, but the beating wouldn’t stop. In fact, the more the beating, the more babies she produced for the wicked husband.

“It was like the normal story in the city; where a house would be sold and the tenants are left in the dark, but suddenly a new landlord emerges and drives everyone

on his side that day as our hosts had to break the door to gain access for my rescue.”

But like the last straw, it happened again while putting up in her friend’s house; and without regard to their predicament, her husband, like a malaise, couldn’t respect resist the urge of bashing his wife, again pounced on her like a boxer struggling for a medal. She became the punching bag and tried right inside their friend’s house. Neighbours including their host who attempted to rescue Erikefe also had a douse of the punches, leaving the host almost losing her pregnancy to the scuffle.

Angered by the development, sympathisers had to force Erikefe’s husband out of the house.

Erekefe narrated: “It is already six years since my husband left home; my last child whose pregnancy I had when he left me is already five years old. I moved out of my friend’s place after my child was born. I got the children and I a selfcontained apartment.”

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Hitting the woman hard from the house. So, my family and I were at home that fateful evening when some men came in and started throwing our belongings out; it was raining heavily. My other children were equally very young so they couldn’t do much. All they could do was to cry.”

“I had to run to a good neighbor in the area. She came to our rescue taking her SUV and her husband to help us pack our personal effects.

She was also pregnant like I was. We were forced to become tenants in my

neighbour’s small apartment and they were so nice. Before this time, my husband would beat me up and no external body dared interfere because we would be in the house fighting and he would make sure that the doors were locked. He was exceptionally wicked.”

“But he was not so fortunate this time around because we were not only squatting, but we were given just a room in the flat. So, when his usual madness started; he locked me inside the room as he usually does, but luck wasn’t

rekefe, although a single-parent, expressed happiness over what she called freedom from the bashing of a wicked husband. Even with five children to care for, the petty trader maintained that she is happier than having him around. But whether the children will continue to live without the emotional and physiological attachment of a father lives much to be desired.

In the same vein, Ngozi Ndubere, (not real names) a 26-year old young woman was another victim of domestic violence with physical and physiological consequences.

Her case was not a different from Erikefe’s. In her case, her husband couldn’t trust her with the least of men; not even with the newspaper

It’s assuming epidemic proportions — Continued from page 11

in the state. We also conducted some trainings for officers. However there is a need for a sustained public awareness campaign on the law, if it is to make impact, and help prevent acts of violence in the domestic sphere.

Presently it is not very functional, as so many people are yet to know about it, and understand how the law works.”

She advised that government at all levels should stop playing politics with the lives of women and young girls, and take seriously the issue of domestic violence and sexual violence. EffahChukwuma maintained that more and more women are suffering various

health implications and even dying from these twin problems. “Relevant agencies charged with responding and providing support services to victims, should be well trained and well equipped to do their jobs efficiently and effectively. Government, NGOs and the private sector need to partner to end all forms of violence against women and young girls,” she stated.

Shedding more light on the issue, Pa Aderibigbe Olofin, said: “Domestic violence includes assault with weapons such as knife, gun, matchet, burning or killing, pushing, throwing, kicking, slapping, grabbing, hitting, punching, beating, biting, restraining, confinement to hurt and cause emo-

vendor. Each smile from her lips or salutation lands her the beating of her life.

We gathered that neighbours and well wishers avoided her when her husband was around. Ngozi, though with naivety initially blamed it on ‘too much love’ which her husband had for her, but she knew better when the brutality became uncontrollable.

It became apparent she had to get her freedom when the aggression was duly extended to their only son.

Speaking to Saturday Vanguard, Ngozi said she had to run away from home with their only child.

“I am living in peace in another state, managing to provide the necessary care for my only son,” she said.

Also, in another development, Mama Jose in Ago area of Lagos told her story to Saturday Vanguard She described her ordeal in the hands of her husband as crazy, adding that for a marriage which survived 20 years of peaceful marriage.

She wondered that it was the least she could ever imagined that would crash her 20-year old marriage.

The middle aged woman who could not hold back tears said: My last child is nearly 20 years old. So, it is mindblowing that my husband of that long could still raise his hands to hit me to the extent that my left eye was so swollen as though I was hit with a sledge hammer. It took me three months to recuperate. It is crazy and wicked of any man to do that” But that was not all, the crisis had degenerated so much, setting father and son on war path. The victim hinted that her only son had vowed to avenge the pain inflicted on her mother. That may just be the beginning of the unending war in Mama Jose family if something is not done to avert it.

Effah-Chukwuma

tional imbalance in a person.”

“When your partner control where you go or what you do, limit your access to money, phone or car; destroy your belongings or property; threatens to hurt you or kill you if you opt and of the relationship or marriage could be possible cause of domestic violence.

According to him, other causes include, “when your partner forces you to participate in an unwanted, unsafe or degrading sexual activity; is domestic violence.

He opined that although it is most times caused by men. “It is as a result of the inequalities between men

and women, rooted in patriarchal traditions that encourage men to believe they are entitled to power and control over their partners.”

He added that alcohol and other chemical substance may contribute to violent behaviour. “A drunk or high person will be less likely to control his violent impulse at the slightest provocation by a spouse.

He advised that people should acquaint themselves with the existing prohibitive laws to seek redress.

Olofin urged spouses to take note of signs of an abusive relationship which according to him is the first step to ending it. He added that it is absurd to live in fear of the person you love.

14 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, JUNE 15, 2013—15

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found an older friend watching Af rican Magic when I called at his place. I joined him out of sheer respect and civility, although the channel is nowhere near one of my preferred channels. But as always, there is some good and some lesson in everything.

The film was essentially about two young men who left the village to try and make good in the city. In the course of their wanderings, they met

Sugar Mummies who took care of them.

They soon grew a large appetite and gradually began to dupe these women — the fingers that were feeding and clothing them. Then they wanted one big haul that would set them up for life and didn’t care if that could cripple their Sugar Mummies. They succeeded in fleecing these women and headed for the village.

They probably would have gotten

Meanwhile, the Sugar Mummies felt embittered by the money they had lost and the manner they lost it and vowed to pursue their toy boys.

Unfortunately, the lavish lifestyle of the two young men gave them away easily and they were caught. The story ended when they were being led disgraced and in handcuffs, into a waiting Police vehicle.

For me, the story depicts so much of what is happening in our society today. From the morally depraved Sugar Mummies – one of whom was in her husb a n d ’ s house – to the morally depraved village elders who now had eggs thrown on their faces, to the thieving, g r e e d y young men who would now spend time behind bars.

Except of course there probably would be a twist in real life if they still have some money left. With money in our society, they probably would settle the Police who would declare shamelessly, that they had escaped along the way, or failing that, the Magistrate who would find a technical ground to free them.

Some society.

A society where those who were supposed to investigate NEPA and fuel subsidy allocations turned out to also need investigators because they had soiled their h a n d s ; where those to administer pension funds became daylight rob-

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Thieves everywhere!

away with it if they had not taken so much from their benefactors or if they had lived wisely and invested the money in some slow yielding but long lasting venture. No. They envied the fast, flamboyant lifestyle and wanted it all. They threw parties and caroused young girls.

As it now happens everywhere in our society, the village elders saw money and threw principles and traditions to the wind. They made these young men chiefs and elders and accorded undeserved respect to them. Those who protested were loudly shouted down.

Sometimes, I think we steal just because its there to be stolen

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bers; where justice is becoming cash and carry; and where people of low character have ascended high judicial offices preferring to support rather than admonish criminals( the likes of Dr T. Elias must be turning in their graves); where high profile thieves are given Presidential pardon; where our word is no longer our bond.

A society where oil, which is supposed to be a blessing either in its crude or refined form, seems to stain everybody it touches in Nigeria. And it has touched a lot people including ministers we thought would make some difference on account of age, education and exposure but have turned out to be as bad, if not worse than their predecessors.

The conclusion seems to be inescapable that what we have as leaders – in politics, business and the civil service – are common thieves in high places.

The rot is so deep that it is now in the family system, in the religious system; even in friendly, social clubs.

Everybody is looking for somebody else to steal from.

And we wonder why PHCN can not give light; why the rail way is still in planning stages several years after; why contracts award is the most interesting duty of our executives( both in public and private); why partnerships don’t work; why businesses don’t outlive their founders; why brothers fight brothers over properties they didn’t work for. Its all for this thing called money. And what do we do with the money we maim and kill for?

Someone I know came for holidays after a long stay in Canada and was feted by his close friend. When he saw me after the outing, he exclaimed ‘ you people are mad in this country. Imagine a bottle of champagne costing 150,000 naira. You people are mad’. He repeated. I didn’t have the heart to tell him there are more expensive bottles at some clubs. I just smiled and said ‘that is part of where the stolen money goes’ Yes. We steal so we can buy exotic cars and liquor; so we can buy houses we don’t need and keep some for grandchildren who are yet to be born.

We steal, so we can celebrate anniversaries with millions of naira and give our sons and daughters away with more millions, throwing parties that don’t make sense to any rational person in a rational country. We don’t steal to impact lives or set up industries. Oh no. Instead, we steal to indulge. Sometimes, I think we steal just because its there to be stolen.

The day our leaders decide they don’t need James Ibori’s kind of wealth or Cecilia Ibru’s kind of property acquisition, that a good name is better than material acquisition; and that leadership at the end of the day, is about people and leaving a place better than you met it, is the day Nigeria will begin a positive walk into sanity and propriety.

Until then, we are just a nation of common thieves.

16—SATURDAY Vanguard , JUNE 15, 2013

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*mko and “the spirit of nigeria

from a “withdrawal” abroad, ” after President Adegunle Sonekan had refused to support his return. Abiola and Sonekan, shared the same ethnic origin and his stand was not popular.

How could he do that to an Egba man like himself? That was the question on the lips of a lot of people. But subsequent events suggested that the Interim President’s judgment might have been intended for Abiola ‘s well-being. Abacha later had Abiola arrested for treason and kept him in duress vile pending a trial that was never to come. By the time the final page of Abiola ‘s life was turned by the hand of fate, Abacha had himself ceased to be among the living.

In control then was a man who had never been anything but a soldier... an out-and-out military person. Abdulsalam Abubakar had never until then been inserted into any political or administrative position, nor had he promoted any known views about politics. His emergence at the end of a rapid chain of successions —Shagari, Buhari, Babangida, Sonekan, and then Abacha —had left the populace somewhat sober. In •Chief MKO Abiola the background was the conjures forms through the depths of theatre of the invention of a new Constitution, the abstract to the metaphysical. but the predicament of Abiola could not be kept “Spirit” is a very intricate subject. It far from the front burner. It was at a time when is sometimes confused with “soul”. Its rumours about his release were flying and being religious connotation conflicts sharply denied all around. But mainly, people pleaded for with its significance in philosophy. And his release which they felt would only be fair. so it may be held that it has to do with I got involved at that stage, actually, because I the “persona”, that is, what makes you, had discovered a vivid patriotic streak in MKO you” It is also grasped in another through my interaction with him, though I was context as “the ennobling factor” of a one of his consistent critics though, at the same particular existence. In the latter sense, time, an admirer. So, I made the contribution it is operative in the good wishes reproduced below on April 10, 1995. expressed by the Ekiti people when ne of the pet phrases of Chief MKO Abiola they say, “Ori aba ria a gbe 0”. (May used to be, “The Nigerian Spirit” .... or the head —or spirit— of our ancestors rather, “The Spirit of Nigeria”. I have to correct support you,) That must be the sense myself quickly there because an appreciation of in which MKO used the word. Only that the difference between those two phrases should usage fits it into the role of an bring us close to the meaning of the latter— that object of supplication in a genuine setting.

In that case, it would be interesting and worthwhile to know what this “Spirit of Nigeria” comprises, or what it actually stands for. There is no parallel that I have been able to think of in relation to other is, “The Spirit of Nigeria” . countries. I have no ready That is what we have dealings with. Chief Abiola referred reference to a notion that to it as though it were an object of supplication, perhaps encapsulates in a phrase like, even a lesser deity. That was in the days when he was an “The Spirit of America”. unofficial arm However, I believe that of government: the leader of economic missions; the chief something like “the stiff upper launcher at the occasions of endowment funds; or lip” would be making the same development funds; improvement funds; the fond source statement, but in a more of all manner of funds. At many functions, he would not explicit tone for England. For only donate generously, he would also support whatever the United States, I am effort it was with the prayer that “The Spirit of Nigeria” attracted by an even more would be with the project. expressive, or expensive It always had a good ring to it, but I have often wondered phrase, “The American Way of what it meant. It is easy to identify The Nigerian Spirit” Life”. with “The Nigerian Factor”. However, “The Spirit of Nigeria” What fascinates me in “The

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This conference has never given off the sweet odours of unity; it reeks rather of division and sectionalism from every pore

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American Way of Life” is Abraham Lincoln’s statement that is “dedicated to a proposition”. That proposition which I would characterize rather as a set of affirmations is enshrined in that time-honoured document of freedom, “The American Declaration of Independence.”

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed BY THEIR CREATOR (caps mine) with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness... That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed .... “ There you have the cornerstone of democracy, the fountain-head of freedom, and the basis of free enterprises. There you have the “ennobling factor” of the American principle.

“The Spirit of Nigeria” moves in a concentric orbit to that, without any doubt.

We all clamour for liberty, crave for the freedom that guarantees “the pursuit of happiness”, safeguarded by

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HIEF M.K.O. Abiola’s political career suffered the agony of a bitter irony. The architect of its magnificence was also to be its destroyer at its finest hour. Ibrahim Babangida, our former military president, is usually mentioned more as the man who annulled the election which Abiola actually won—usually described as the best and fairest in our history, a very arguable assertion — than the man who designed the platform by which it attained that height. The two-party system, which IBB promulgated with vigour and seemingly robust patriotism, was able to almost obliterate the ethnic, religious and other rabid positions that created divisions among the people up till that moment of truth.

General Sani Abacha eventually welcomed MKO back

never given off the sweet odours of unity; it reeks rather of division and sectionalism from every pore.This is not “The Spirit of Nigeria” .

We have had several opportunities to re-appraise and re-order the “ennobling factors” of our existence with no appreciable success. We have always found it convenient to blame our failures and inadequacies on the government which did not “derive its just powers from the consent of the governed”. And yet we continue to leave enough room for them to slip back into power’

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ime may be running out.. We must now begin to confront the evils of divisive factors with a common front. This is the time to discover and appreciate the proposition to which”The Spirit of Nigeria” was dedicated by its protagonist, Chief M.K.O.Abiola. And in that spirit, this is the time to set him free.

That was submitted in 1995, over 18 years ago and, of course, Abdulsalami did not release him. The unity of

We must now begin to confront the evils of divisive factors with a common front

a government that derives its “just powers from the consent of the governed.”

The revelry in Abuja, a socalled “Constitutional Conference”, that shows little regard for its own constituted authority might have been able to present a less disrespectable front if it has taken some time off its front squabbles to articulate some of these yearnings.

“The Spirit of Nigeria” is also dedicated in its own way to a proposition:that of a single political entity known as Nigeria, The Abuja gabfest has succeeded like no other agency before it to delineate the difference between the North and the South. There is now a distinct bloc of delegates from, and for, the North counterpoised against a distinct bloc of candidates from, and for the South—who in their turn distinguish themselves into a distinct bloc of delegates from the West, apart from a distinct bloc of candidates from the East. This conference has

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purpose which was evinced in the result of “Abiola’s election” began to be eroded from the inception of the “Constitutional Conference” (which I described as the “Abuja gabfest”) was Virtually stillborn. It only made the ethnic groups more aware of their differences which have continued to engender the spirit of separateness till today. It is apparent in the division among the State Governors through the forums they have created among themselves, and which is fast going down the line among their supporters — that is, the hapless people of their States, Nigerians like you and me.

I still find it rather curious that among the three principal players in the Abiola tragedy— Babangida, Abacha and Abdulsalami, the one who might have been in the leading role among them is usually hardly mentioned.

Time out.

Vanguard,

C M Y K

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013 — 17

18—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 15, 2013 Aunty Julie, I am a 30-year-old man.

There is this lady I know and I take her out a lot. I like her a lot but I don’t know how to tell her because she thinks we are going out as friends. I would like to be a little more than just friends. Also, the last time we went to the movies, she kept rubbing my elbow with hers.

Should I put my arm around her or what?

Kemi, Lagos Dear Kemi, Of course, you can wrap your arm around her. Or, you can put your hand next to hers and then gradually and gently begin to hold or intertwine her fingers with yours.

Remember to be aware of her response: Is she open to your moves? Or does she back away from you? Is she particularly resistant to your action? Or does she smile or seems to welcome your moves? Does she seem

We have too much sex but relate too little

I want to be more than just friends with her uncomfortable in any way? A lot depends on reading the signals she gives you. You can try to gauge her feelings by her looks, how she responds to what you say, etc. So, let her response to you,her body language, her facial expression, and her verbal comments help guide you on whether it’s okay to stay where

you are, to proceed further, or to stop and take away your arm or hand.

If you decide to test the waters, whatever her reaction, after the outing is over, it would be good to talk with her to help clear up any possible confusion over a potentially awkward situation.

If she seemed to enjoy the closeness, you can bring up the conversation by saying something like, “I had a really good time with you tonight, and I hope you did, too.” If she agrees, then say: “I’d really like to get together with you again soon. What do you want to do next time? I’ll give you a call so that we can make plans.”

People mistake me for gay Dear Julie, I am what you may call a nice guy. I’d say I’m rather sensitive and easy going. I don’t really like sports, race cars, or other manly things.

I’ve never had a girlfriend. I enjoy theater arts and my favourite cable station is a decorating network. You can see where I’m going. BUT I ENJOY WOMEN. I’m very attracted to them, I think about them all the time, I check out female butts a lot.

Yet everyone, especially women, seem to think I am gay. It bothers me because it makes me feel like less of a man. Additionally, how am I supposed to get this woman that I’ve been waiting for all these years, if she thinks I am gay? Please help me!!!!!

Dede, Warri Dear Dede, To be entrenched in a culture whose institutions perpetuate these rigid dichotomies and strict gender ideals, it may be extremely difficult to break the norms and be accepted for doing so.

However, the fact that you are comfortable in your personal

Gay men may like sports and cars, too, and it has nothing to do with who they’re sexually attracted to tastes, regardless of their alignment with these ideals, shows confidence which many women find extremely sexy.

Though some women may find a man’s penchant for cars and sports to be the seeds of attraction, it’s oftentimes more the content of someone’s character that truly tips the scales when it comes to love.

As you’ve experienced, if you don’t conform to a traditional male gender role, some people may label you as homosexual, “metrosexual,” “girly,” or simply just less of a man. The irony is that there is no one size fits all representation of masculinity.

Gay men may like sports and cars, too, and it has nothing to do with who they’re sexually

• A young lady visited the government matchmaker for marriage and requested— “I’m looking for a spouse. Can you please help me to find a suitable one?” The marriage officer said, “You’re requirements please.” “Well, let me see. Needs to be good looking, polite, humorous, sporty, knowledgeable, good at singing and dancing, willing to accompany me the whole day at home during my leisure hour, if I don’t go out and telling me interesting stories when I need companion for conversation and be silent when I want to rest.” The officer listened carefully and C M Y K

attracted to. “Feminine” characteristics such as caring for others, expressing emotion, and getting enjoyment out of the arts, theater, and fashion have nothing to do with anatomy but are still widely seen to be emasculate and unacceptable in males. To be fully accepted by others (at work, in relationships, etc.) men and women may feel pressure to adhere to their respective gender role rather than finding their own unique placement on the spectrum of gender identity. But why is that?

For some men, this feeling of being different, wrong, or “weird” may lead to denial of self. For example, this is often noted as one of the forces that keep homosexual or bisexual men in the closet. One of the unfortunate side effects of this is that boys who are raised to strictly adhere to these gender roles instead of developing their own sense of self-identity often exhibit more violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and unsafe sex practices. This brings up the question of whether these roles are benefitting or

hindering young men. Though for many, it may not be an issue, in your case, it seems the latter.

The fact that you are able to step outside the proverbial box in spite of this is great. But being outside the norm may be difficult and garner criticism so the trick is learning how to manage that while maintaining your self-confidence.

One way to do this is to surround yourself with people who don’t make snap judgments on your sexuality based on surface traits like your affinity for the arts. It may take time and a little extra effort but first ask yourself a few questions: Do you find this judgment to be more prevalent within certain groups of people? Could you try to shift your social circle to include people who may be less likely to assume your sexuality before getting to know you?

Perhaps you could explore clubs, organizations, or common interest groups that would allow you to not only pursue your hobbies but also give you the chance to meet women in a more personal setting.

C O C K - T A L E S replied,” I understand. You need a television.”

•A businessman was being interviewed about his life and career when the subject of his wife of 30 years came up. ”To what do you attribute the success of your marriage?” asked the interviewer. ”Well,” replied the businessman, “You know that saying ‘Behind every successful man there’s a woman?” “Yes.” “Well, behind every successful marriage, is a pre-nuptial agreement.”

•A husband visited a marriage counselor and said, “When we were first married, I would come home

Dear Aunty Julie, I’m a 25 year-old guy, average looking, and I think I have a normal personality. I met this very nice and pretty girl about a month ago.

Almost since the beginning, all she wants is to make love.

This was great in the beginning, but you and some guys out there may think I am crazy, I am starting to get worn out. I like her very much and we get along great in bed, but I want to date her just like my friends date their girlfriends, although my friends tell me they wish they had my problem. When I suggest going out, she shrugs and says that she likes to be in bed with me. Can you give me some advice about how to move the bed over to a friendship?

Tingles, Benin Hello Tingles, Balancing the needs and expectations of your partner with your own may be challenging, but open communication may go a long way to resolve relationship concerns. It sounds like you would like to nurture the relationship and give it time to grow and develop outside the bedroom. Have you spoken with her about what you want in a relationship?

Consider telling your partner that you’d like to develop a friendship, both in and out of bed. Try using “I” statements, such as “I have noticed we have been spending a lot of time inside, and I think it would be nice to get to know you better over dinner.” You may mention things you like to do , like going to the movies, taking long walks, playing chess, etc.

Additionally, try to find out what your partner’s expectations are for the relationship, and what your partner likes to do. Perhaps you may plan a date involving one of these favourite activities. Asking questions about your partner’s needs and interests may help you to determine if you will be compatible as friends.

from the office, my wife would bring my slippers and our cute little dog would run around barking. Now after ten years, it’s all-different. I come home, the dog brings the slippers and my wife runs around barking.”

“Why complain?” said the counselor, “You’re still getting the same service.”

•A woman told a marriage counselor that her husband’s complaint that he leads a dog’s life is probably well founded. “He comes in the house with muddy feet,” she said, “tracks across my clean floors, barks at nothing, growls at his food and makes himself comfortable on my best furniture.”

SATURDAY

Vanguard JUNE 15, 2013—19

Having affairs with married women is not safe!

It seems our men are just bent on living on the dangerous fast lane. As you rightly observed, it takes two to tango

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ROM time to time, I get let ters from you readers that are so interesting that I feel I ought to share them with the rest of you. A few days back, a letter simply signed “Iyabode” popped up on my e-mail and I couldn’t help chuckling to myself as I read it. She wrote: “Dear Bunmi, I am one of the regular readers of your articles in The Vanguard every Saturday, and I do not even know how fully I can express my feelings about your articles.

If I may tell you, they have really improved my lifestyle and I always make copies available to friends whenever the need arises. Bunmi, I shall be grateful if you can please help write something one of these days on: Why men of today prefer married women as girlfriends. Honestly speaking, it is a vogue in town these days. Please help emphasize on the following points: Class: This set of married women are known for their own class. Most of them are wives of rich and notorious men. These men also go out at all times with extremely younger girls, leaving their wives and kids at home, thinking that money can fix everything, forgetting about love and happiness .

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Abeokuta, was packed full of female patients who have problems. Ladies of nowadays are not ready for that kind of ego.

The reverse in fact is now the case.

Please help expatiate on this subject of married women and their lovers. And let us for once bring out fright in these our hard-hearted men.”

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fter sounding all that warning, dear Iyabode, there is precious little left of the topic for me to expatiate on. Over the years, and from time to time, I have touched on similar issues but it seems our men are just bent on living on the dangerous fast

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ex: This category of ladies are pre ferred by men because they do have wide sexual experiences and they are very safe as they don’t pester the men for marriage.

Fashion:These ladies are very fashion conscious. They are seen in designer dresses and at beauty pa-lours. They do not mind how much they spend on manicures, pedicures and professionally applied make-up all in order to look impeccably groomed. Not to talk of ridiculously expensive hair extensions.

They are also seen in various body shops where they do expensive keep fit exercises. This set of ladies have all the time in the world to look C M Y K

after themselves as a result of their rich husbands not staying at home most of the time.

Their main achievement is to dress to kill so that other men could admire them.

Conclusion: Most of these ladies do commit adultery mainly to spite their husbands who are noted for their indiscretions. They (the ladies) have all the time to have fun outside their matrimonial homes whenever their husbands are out hunting. They just believe in the saying that;

what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

Advice: Bunmi, please advise us all that inasmuch as you are not encouraging this type of attitude amongst us, men must be advised and warned to please do anything they do in the name of fun in moderation because women of today will never allow them (the men) to have their cake and eat it all. Gone are the days of our mothers when Aro Mental Hospital,

lane. As you rightly observed, it takes two to tango. The women too aren’t exactly innocent of the offence. In fact, they are the bait that keeps men always rushing to the hook. All we have to do really is cross our fingers. Who knows, the vogue; might die after the novelty wears off — I wish!

“Good men come in many packages,” a reader ’s reaction “What I have learnt in my adult years is that the father I knew and love wasn’t necessar-

ily the man my mother initially met. For example, during the early years of their marriage, my father had a slight drinking problem. But when my mother gave him the ultimatum of choosing between alcohol and his family, he chose the latter. By the time I came along, the problems was history, and I can barely recall my father even taking a drink socially.

“Now don’t get me wrong — my mother was in no way telling me to settle down in a hurry. In fact, ‘You can do that by yourself is one of her mantras. But she was quietly revealing to me how important patience and understanding are of a successful relationship. If my father was alive today, I have no doubt that my parents would still be happily married. Surely they had occasional arguments, but those never seemed to last. Their love always seemed to overcome whatever challenges they faced.

T hough the standard of living today is very difficult from what it was some 30 years ago, when my parents tied the knot, the standard for loving married should never change. I want what my parents had, and no amount of education or financial stability can guarantee that. If my soul mate happens to be a university graduate with a big salary, great. But I no longer have a check list to material things my husbandto-be must possess.

“Of course there are qualities in a husband 1 cannot compromise on. I want a Godfearing man who will always have self-respect, respect for me, and strong family values.

“I didn’t have my father around when I was growing up is a lame excuse for irresponsible, disrespectful behaviour in a relationship.

My dad never knew his biological father, and he was raised by women. This never stopped him from being a wonderful husband and father...”

—Joanne 28, Legal Practitioner.

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15 15, 2013 who hasn’t acknowledged your existence with even a brief look?

“I need to see, by her looking and smiling at me, that she wants me to approach her. If I don’t see it, I don’t approach,”says a regular reader. So next time you think he catches you looking at him, don’t look away,hold your stare for a few seconds so he knows you’re looking and that you like what you s e e .

08052201257 anyagafu@yahoo.com

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things that make women unapproachable

Grinding out on the dance floor is fun to look at and looking at strippers too but no man would take any home to meet his mama

re you dying for a guy you admire to talk to you? Sometimes, it seems like no amount of silent prayer or aggressive cleavage will get that cute stranger to take a hint and chat you up.

Could you be scaring away men before they even approach you? There could be reasons.

Men share the surprising reasons they stay away. *You look pissed Swap the pouty lips for a genuine, friendly smile and your eye candy for the night will be more likely to approach you. Majority of men agree that an unfriendly

* You’re too flirtatious

facial expression will keep them from approaching you, so flash those pearly whites at the guy you’ve been eyeing!

*You’re not locking eyes What’s harder than approaching a stranger, approaching a stranger

A chip on your shoulder is a turn-off to any guy waiting to make his approach but so is the other extreme.Men are put off when women cross the line from friendly to flirty with everyone they see.

If you're flirting with lots of guys, it turns men off.

There's nothing like a woman who is basically telling

everyone in the place that she’s open for business with anyone.

Flirting with everyone would put a man off.

Grinding out on the dance floor is fun to look at and looking at strippers too but no man would like to take any home to meet his mama.

Sure, he’ll notice you if you’re the loudest, most aggressive girl in the room but not in a good way. *You’re surrounded by friends Admit it, your awesome group of friends can be a little intimidating, especially when a strange guy approaches to hit on just one of you.

Being surrounded by more than one friend makes her less approachable because of the embarrassment of being rejected in front of more people.

Make sure you’re giving him the opportunity to approach you alone, check out the jukebox and linger for a bit, or offer to grab the next round of drinks for your friends.

I have a big problem with commitment also still phoning, visiting and

Ques: I am a 31-year old lady, and I have confidence in myself and other people see me as an outgoing, strong character and pleasing person. I have one problem and that is commitment to my relationships. I have been in five ‘commited’ relationships and the length of relationships are one year, three years, two years and four years, but after the first couple of months I got bored, became unfaithful and found a way to get out of the relationship. I have always made certain that my partners get the blame and make them feel guilty, although I know the problem is me. After I quit, I missed them and felt bad about what I have done. I then contact them but in the meantime, have a new ‘lover’. I end up in a situation of having a ‘commit-

having sex with my previous partner. I cannot carry on like this anymore. Recently, I dumped my partner only to be with someone ‘new ’ I met two weeks ago at a friends place, and I am still uncertain about going back to my previous partner. Please help!

Alicia, Abuja

Ans:You are seeing the predictability of your pattern. Each person has some deep set of patterns which comes out in relationships and love which can be limits to the depth of healthy, lasting intimacy.

The patterns I am talking about are originally developed in childhood, between the ages of two-six years mostly. They are the result of choices made by a six-year-old mind, doing the best it could to figure out how to connect to others while protecting the ed’ relationship with a man, and, self.

These choices were made long before we became verbally adept or cognitively proficient at thinking, which was mostly after the age of ten.

We all have a set of emotional patterns that operate in the attempt to self-defend us and deal with the core problems of vulnerability and connection. These patterns come up in relationships. They come up the strongest in our strongest relationships, i.e. with a romantic partner. And these patterns are, for the most part, way beyond our conscious understanding because they were developed at an earlier stage in our cognitive development.

To change a deep-seated pattern like this, you need to go deeper within yourself to the root of the pattern.

You need to make an emotional contact with the part of you that is running your life, operating at

a deeply unconscious level. You need to connect with that part of yourself and start an authentic dialogue within yourself. You need to commit to personal growth, and make it your highest priority if you want to grow beyond your pattern.

You can describe the symptoms of the pattern, the feelings of boredom, the actions you take to avoid commitment, and you have repeated the pattern often enough to know that your feelings and behaviours are predictable and somewhat automatic.

You need to develop the ability to contact that part, understand what it really wants, and deliver it from yourself ultimately so that you can evolve the pattern towards who you really want to be with in a loving relationship and who you are beyond this selflimiting pattern.

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SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

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rouble dey o!! Hmm! True to God, I find it really hard to pray for any one of these people. Going by my human mind ehn, my first inclination is to rain thunder and brimstone on these ones. How do you in all good conscience pray for these people who seem to consciously do the wrong thing and take a wrong turn at any given opportunity? How? These ones that seem to think about nothing and no one but themselves? These ones that only take and take and take some more. .?

Every new day comes with some new sob story or we’ve come to some new level of stupidity and absurdity.

Either that or some new committee or other has been caught with their hand in the cookie jar-again. Money meant for my children’s education, monies meant for our health infrastructure, money meant to be set aside for a ‘collective rainy day’ that

Mercy Lord!! (2) these ones are using to accumulate Hermes handbags by the dozen. Jesus is Lord! How... How do I pray for these ones..? Thank God for church... And more importantly His word...

Even where there is ‘progress’ check the underbelly; its more likely than not sordid. I get wahala abi?

Today in church I was reminded that it is God that appoints leaders. . .

Really?? So what was the Lord thinking when He put the shoeless schoolboy there abi??#!! Father forgive me! I did say from the get go that I am coming to this mind shift under ‘duress’ so to speak.

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ut seriously though His ways are most certainly not our ways and bless God that His thoughts are so far from ours because going by the human eye ehn. . . Jona no be choice o! Ehen! Enough said.

But; today in church I was reminded no man can receive what has not been given from on High. . Selah. Perhaps this is where we once again call to mind the peculiar circumstances that brought this present leadership to

power. Indeed they can only be described as a divine arrangement. . (plus the fact that a lot of people, to their everlasting regret *evil grin* voted based on their emotions as opposed to cold hard facts.) Then the man of the moment did seem like the most unlikely choice. That is in line with the scripture that says the Lord will use foolish things to confound the wisdom of this world. . Selah Having experienced first hand how a series of comical sometimes painful circumstances can lead to plateaus of

,

kay. . . I’m sitting here in church this Sunday morning, and I am finding myself undergoing a fundamental mind shift... It is not something I am consciously ‘willing’ to do but I find myself being lead by one fundamental truth. If I profess publicly (and in my heart) that I am a Christian, shouldn’t its tenets govern every aspect of my life public and private including my politics? Hmm. . . And if that is the case (and I try not always succeeding though, to walk my talk) then I find myself in a major quandary.

Today in church I was reminded unequivocally that I am supposed to pray for my leaders regardless of what they do or how I feel. . .

Interesting how ‘cold hard facts’ can be filtered and reduced to a simple matter of faith: what do you believe.

I’m not ignorant of what needs to be done, faith without works is dead. The good book says ‘righteousness exalts a nation’... when the people do right. .

All of us, the leaders and the lead doing what is right and what is just; being our brothers keeper wherever we find ourselves.

Besides what’s the point of cursing them? The more we curse the more confused they get, the more confused they get, the more trouble they put us in! So I’m going to pray!

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y Father in Heaven in the name of Jesus first I ask for mercy on behalf of my leaders and on behalf of we the people. We have collectively failed in obeying Your word concerning nationhood and ask that You forgive us. Lord I ask that You give my leaders wisdom, strength and courage to do right. I also pray that you grant them good health so they are fit for the vigorous task ahead. Rid them Lord of greed and avarice and

These ones that seem to think about nothing and no one but themselves

joy and often new heights of success; who am I to say that the here and now and the who’s involved are not part of His plan for this nation? What I see is the here and now and if I profess to believe in an omniscient God who knows the end from the beginning, shouldn’t I simply trust He knows what’s up and obey?

Head-to-Knee Technique: TAND straight up with the feet together. Gently low er the trunk till the forehead is touching or almost touching the knees and make a ring with your forefingers and thumbs around the big toes. Stay in the position for about 10 seconds. Return to the upright position, rest a while and repeat.

Benefits: • LENGTHENS the spine, making it supple and elastic.

Can even give a little extra “growth”.

• Mobilizes the joints.

• Invigorates the entire nervous system.

• Stretches the hamstrings and muscles of the back of the legs and the lower body.

• Stretches all the muscles on the posterior side of the body.

• Rectifies shortening of the legs resulting from fractures, and can correct inequalities in the length of the legs.

• Increases the blood supply to the brain.

Main Benefit: THE Standing Forward Bend gives a complete stretch to the entire posterior of the body, from the back of the scalp to the back of the heels. The position enables the body to take advantage of the force of gravity. If the head and neck are kept relaxed, their weight will aid the body in stretching-abit further, provided that the knees are not allowed to bend.

Common Faults • Weight of the body is on the heels.

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Yoga Classes @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

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Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013 —21

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replace that with a deep compassion for the people they have been elected to serve. On behalf of we the people I ask for a renewed mind and spirit.

Give us a spirit of obedience and a desire to do right that we may begin to share a common vision for our collective growth and advancement in Jesus mighty name I pray!

22—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013

Wake up! Your cup of coffee runs over with goodness M

y early morning cup of coffee is a life saver.

Nothing will make me give up my daily three cups of coffee – usually black, no sugar. Did I hear you say I’m addicted? You may not be wrong, but who cares?

Luckily I’m not alone. More and more people are waking up on the coffee side of life. For most coffee drinkers, particularly working class adults, it doesn’t feel like a good morning until they’ve had that first cup of coffee —or second, or third! Whether or not this is too much of a good thing, I do not know.

•The joy of sipping coffee. true for both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee. This makes that afternoon cup of coffee shop a little more enjoyable.

Magic of caffeine Why do people feel this way about coffee? Perhaps it has to do with the physiological effect described as “magic” of caffeine the body? Caffeine is the stimulant and main ingredient in coffee.

Caffeine injects adrenalin into the system to give a boost. It provides the “feel good” effect. it harmful or is it beneficial?

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Merits I know its merits – it causes heart rate to increase, pupils to dilate, and muscles to contract. Small amounts help control weight,

This information could

alleviate pain, reduce asthma symptoms by opening up airways for improved breathing, and overcome chronic fatigue.

Caffeine can benefit people at high-risk for liver disease. save your life Because caffeine is the most active ingredient in many diet pills, it increases metabolism by breaking down fat, freeing fatty acids and forcing them to be burned.

Can ttoo oo muc h much caf cafffeine cause headaches?

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affeine in coffee may actually have some beneficial effects on headaches however the exact mechanism of this action is still unclear.

Caffeine helps the body absorb analgesic medication more quickly bringing faster relief.

However, conflicting results have been found in population studies evaluating the association between high caffeine consumption and

the prevalence of headaches particularly chronic frequent headaches which is the collective form for primary headaches occurring on more than 14 days per month for at least three months.

High caffeine consumption (540mg/ day) is associated with reduced prevalence of CFH but increased prevalence of chronic infrequent headache..

How many cups per day?

Some persons I know claim they would cease to function properly without their cup of morning coffee, but reason dictates that it’s best not to have too many cups.

Too much caffeine is undesirable and no one is advised to consume more than 500 to 600 milligrams of caffeine a day. An average size cup of coffee translates to about 200 mg of caffeine.

A cup of black tea can have 120 mg of caffeine.

Noticeable side effects can occur if consumption exceeds 600 to 900 mg of caffeine a day.

Coffee and longevity An interesting question is whether or not coffee prolongs life. In a study, men who drank two to three cups of coffee daily for 13 years were discovered to have a 10 percent lower chance of dying, compared to men who didn’t drink coffee.

Interestingly, women who drank the same amount had a 13 percent decreased risk. Coffee drinkers also have a tendency to have lower risk of dying from ailments such as respiratory disease, heart disease and diabetes.

The risk of dying from cancer, however, was not lower for women who drank coffee, and was slightly higher for male coffee drinkers. The beneficial results seen in the study, however, were

he argument

hydration

Water is vital to life and accounts for approximately 60 percent of body weight. There is the need for proper hydration of the cells in the human body.Coffee is among the most widely consumed beverages and also the most frequently consumed functional food around the globe.Although caffeine in coffee is a mild diuretic, it does not lead to dehydration or to a water-electrolyte imbalance when consumed in moderate amounts (2-4 cups per day).

A daily intake of 300 mg of caffeine (approximately three regular cups of coffee) may have a mild,short-term diuretic effect similar to that of water, with no significant effect on overall fluid balance; the liquid in caffeinated beverages offsets the fluid lost through urination.

Current evidence suggests that coffee and other caffeinated beverages contribute to the body’s daily fluid requirements no differently from pure water.Drinking a variety of caffeinated beverages, including coffee, can contribute to meeting the body’s requirement for fluids; black coffee actually contains more than 95 percent water.

Scientific evidence demonstrates that moderate consumption of caffeinated beverages, including coffee, does not lead to dehydration.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013—23

W

hen a woman suffers through multiple failed re lationships, she often begins to wonder if it is her fault. She starts to question her ability to maintain a long term romance. Men do have certain needs and expectations for their partners, and some women have trouble fulfilling these needs.

Here some examples of attributes that men look for in a long-term dating situation.

Fun and adventure

While everyone likes to enjoy a few nights cuddling on the couch, it can become boring if you are doing it 365 times a year. Men, like all people, need to take on new challenges and explore their horizons. If a man begins to see his future with you as boring or predictable, he may jump ship before it gets too serious.

Confidence

Surrounding yourself with confident people bring a contagious feeling of success and happiness. They inspire you to take on new challenges and you feel good sharing each other’s latest achievements. This type of energy forms the foundation of a strong relationship.

This is why it is important to be confident in yourself when dating a new man. Prove to him that you can handle the challenges of life on your own and he will be naturally drawn to your charisma.

Weird reasons why we fall in love

What men want in a relationship

Your Smile Interested in a guy? Smile at him. He’ll instantly be attracted. Think about it: When someone smiles at you, you naturally mimic the grin,even if you don’t realize it. The reaction smile moves muscles in the face which, in turn, stimulate the nerves that produce the brain’s feelgood chemicals.

Sexual activity is an obvious need in a relationship, but love-making itself will not attract a man. It is the passion and romance that fuels the intimacy which will ultimately have him coming back for more. You can build the fires of passion by making sure that intimacy is a special moment where you connect with each other both physically and mentally. You can also add excitement to the moment by integrating new roles and environments.

Your Gaze Your eyes can also influence a guy’s attraction through the phenomenon known as a copulatory gaze. Basically, looking into a guy’s eye for two to three seconds flips a primitive switch in his brain which makes him react to your hotness or retreat.

Trust

Looks

We would like to think our world is not so shallow to believe appearance is essential to dating, but unfortunately it is. Despite this fact, beauty is a perception that means different things to all people. What attracts some men will repel others, and for every woman

Your Posture Heels don’t just make your legs look great. They also help our bodies get into lordosis, or the spinal posture where our backs are naturally arched and our rears are tipped upward. This pose attracts dudes on a primal level because female mammals naturally crouch down and angle their butts when they’re about to mate.

Your Scent A recent study by German researchers revealed that our bodies put off a natural “scent” to help us find mates that have strong immune systems. However, women’s prvate parts also release a musky smell during that time of the month known as copulance that stimulates testosterone and sexual arousal in men.

Passion

The success of any relationship revolves around the level of trust that keeps it together. Your man needs to feel comfortable with you no matter if he is with you or away. Of course, trust is not something you can build in one day. It takes a proven track record of showing up on time, being honest, and staying faithful. Once a man believes he can count on you, then he is much more likely to work hard at the relationship.

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ccording to scientists, there’s a whole lot more that goes into at traction than looking hot and having a killer personality. In this edition, biological anthropologist Helen Fisher, PhD, scientific advisor gives us the lowdown on the science of how guys find you attractive. You’ll be surprised at what really turns men on.

The success of any relationship revolves around the level of trust that keeps it together. Your man needs to feel comfortable with you no matter if he is with you or away

who finds fault in her appearance there are a hundred men with the same insecurities. The best approach is to simply pay attention to your looks and make an effort to show off your best attributes.

Proving you care about a man’s opinion will open the door to more interaction.

These are just some of the things that men want in a relationship.

There are literally hundreds more and each man has his own unique preferences. The important thing for women is to understand the basic needs of men and make adjustments for each individual. These guidelines will help you build a long lasting relationship.

Your Teeth A new study of singles in America found that one of the biggest thing guys look for in a girl is a set of good teeth.

Your chompers subconsciously tell him a lot about you, like your age and health.

Think about it: White teeth show that you have good nutrition and personal habits; yellow teeth can be an indicator of bad health—not something a guy wants when he’s looking for a mate (whether he realizes it or not).

Your Hair Your hair, like your teeth tell a guy a lot about your health. Shiny, healthy hair is a sign of youth and fertility, subconsciously telling him that you’d be able to carry on his genes.

Ask the Sexpert I am a 49-year-old single woman and have a male friend of the same age. We wish to indulge in unprotected intercourse. What tests should we take to make sure that we are not infected with dieases?

Please visit a pathology laboratory. The staff will inform you about the tests. If you are still menstruating, it is advisable that your partner uses a condom.

I am 41 and my wife is 39. We have a 10-year-old daughter. We want another child. When my wife took the pregnancy test, the result was positive. Is this a right age to go ahead?

Do we have to take any special care?

Pregnancy should go through successfully but be monitored by a gynaecologist who needs to do some tests now.

My girlfriend and I had unprotect-

ed intercourse, after which she missed her period. I think she is pregnant. Are there any chances of abortion? Please advise us.

Ask her to visit a gynaecologist immediately. If there is pregnancy, it can be terminated medically. But if delayed, an operative procedure will have to be used. But why not have the baby?

My girlfriend is 25. During foreplay, I inserted my finger in her

private part. Later, she experienced a lot of pain in her stomach and a burning sensation . It was our first time. Is it due to vaginal skin being sensitive or were my fingers harsh? The pain and burning lasted for three-four days.

Yes, you were too harsh, as she may have split her hymen. She may have had an orgasm. If the pain continues, the foreplay may not be the cause. Use more lubrication in future.

24— VANGUARD, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

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rit Oku, team leader and founder Sonflower develop ment initiative, a registered not-for-profit organisation set up to reduce the pangs of deprivation and suffering caused by extreme poverty within a rapidly globalising and postmodern world that promotes radical individualism.

The NGO works with the most vulnerable sections of the population and the often neglected– young people, (including orphans and vulnerable children) and especially girls and women. Areas of focus include economic empowerment, capacity building, sexuality literacy, leadership development and sustainbility learning.

She is also the Creative Director at TruContact, a leading public relations and communications firm in Nigeria Oku is a Public Relations, Communications, and gender development specialist with over thirteen years of experience in Sub-Saharan Africa in employment and consultancy practice. With her wealth of experience in development project planning, strategy and implementation, she has built the capacity of different levels of audiences on gender and mainstreaming issues. She has also carried out consulting assignments for a variety of clients including national, international, public, private and non-governmental organizations.

What inspired this project?

I grew up in a home where there was no difference between boys and girls, because my father ran it like a bell always that there is nothing you can’t achieve in this life if you want to. But as I grew older and went to the world I began to notice the discrimination and differences between men and women, what they are allowed to do and not to do. That was how I developed interest in women related issue.

I started asking questions, and from my research I found out that, in every culture there were practices that were so inimical to women’s health and well being. Everybody has a right, women has as much right as men even our constitution recognizes these rights. Unfortunately when you champion this cause most people see you as a feminist.

Why did you establish this initiative?

It was established to bridge the gap where women and girls are concerned. Globally women are said to be among the poorest of the poor, they lack access to very important resources that are necessary for human well being. Although things are changing now, in terms of more women are been exposed, and educated, it is still a relatively few number.

How have you been able to do this?

Last year we had a cookery and bakery course to train women who are unemployed, those who are low income earners, single but heads of their households, the idea behind the project was to provide them skills with which they can even work in the confides of their little kitchen and be able to generate some income and take care of their children. So this year ,we are looking at expand-

ually abusing his female children, and they try to hush, hush.

Until we have laws that are favourable to the female victims rather than castigate them, then it will be difficult for victims to speak out.

What is the way out? t is a very tricky and sensi tive issue; when we have structures and people know that when I report this issue I will have all necessary support to be able to see this through. Until we begin to put value on the female person, women will still be victims of abuses.

We need to educate our girl child that no matter how close a male relative is to you, that male relative should not tell you to sit on his lap and touch in places where you don’t like.

There is a boundary to where someone can touch you no matter who that person is. Especially now when parents are not available in the homes because most of us are working parents.

It is not as if they don’t want to take care of the children, but the economic situation of the country is such that if you want to pay the basic bills like rents, food, clothing, school fees the average parent’s needs to work.

In spite of this we also need to be vigilant as mothers and as caregivers.

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Oku...Some women don’t feel they have the same value as the man ing so that we can reach out to a larger number of women.

Over the years, we have been able to discover women who have shown initiative and capacity to grow their business, so we have decided to encourage them via providing them with necessary raw materials needed. That is what we did last month.

Apart from economic empowerment, what does your NGO do to help women in terms of abuse?

Part of what we also do is addressing the mindset of women, because before you can empower anyone economically you need to first address the kind of mindset that puts that person into that kind of situation. Some women don’t feel they have the same value as the man, in terms of self esteem and self worth, which is why a lot of women who find themselves in relationships of abuse.

When a woman earns income she is less likely to remain in an abusive relationship that endangers their lives. But the

Part of what we also do is addressing the mindset of women, because before you can empower anyone economically you need to first address the kind of mindset that puts that person into that kind of situation reverse is the case when they are not economically empowered.

Don’t you think our society and culture is a contributory factor to some of these abuses?

Because our culture and the society frowns at women who separate or divorce their spouse most women tend to stay put in relationships and marriages that endanger their lives.

What is your NGO doing to address this?

What we do is help empower women to be financially independent by empowering them with skills that will help them generate income. At the moment because of some constraint, we are not working directly to provide shelter or succor to such women. But there are other NGOs that are mainly into that, helping women who are really in bad situation.

From recent reports, there has been increase in the issue of incest, what to you feel is responsible for this ugly trend?

Incest is a growing trend globally not just in Nigeria. And it is on the increase in this part of the world because people don’t report it because of the sensitive nature. We have seen several situations when a woman knows that her husband is sex-

What do you think can be done to stop this trend?

First we have to admit that it actually happens, we can’t be hushing everything, because the perpetrator is a family relative. We also need to understand that the female person is a human being that needs her integrity of her person protected.

We need to be talking about these things; you know we have a way of tabooing some topics.

Like we did to topics like HIV, till it became so rampant and then people were forced to speak out, and call a spade a spade.

Most times parents don’t know the right age to begin this discussion?

It is age appropriate information. A parent should know when a child is of a certain age the amount of information the child can handle. And gradually as the child grows up you begin to expose her to more information in accordance with her age, to protect herself.

I am an advocate for sexuality education, not just sex education, as a young girl is growing into puberty with biological changes in her features, you have to explain to her all this things and make her understand her body, basically the facts of life. Don’t allow her to go seek information of friends who are going to give her the wrong information from friends.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013 — 25

08116759764 anozieegole@yahoo.com

Show of shame as Tonto Dikeh falls on stage I

t could be described as ‘ a show of shame’ as actress, Tonto Dikeh got the biggest embarrassment of her life recently when she fell flat while performing on stage.

She was performing at Iyanya’s kukere concert in London last weekend when she lost balance and suddenly fell on the stage.

The buzz is not that she fell on stage, rather her unattractive boobs were exposed for the audience to have an additional entertainment that they didn’t pay for. Despite the embarrassment, the controversial actress is still on the move.

Meanwhile, she has since blamed her shameful fall on her dress and a slippery floor.

She took to twitter to explain her predicament; ‘So I had a Big fall on STAGE but no I waznt Hi my loubz,d long drezz & a slippery floor don’t go** #POKO#’, the actress tweeted

Ma ops Mayy D dr drops “Chapt er one” “Chapter

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efore he released his long awaited 20-track album, “Chapter one”, MAY D has shot himself to limelight with his much played track, “Ile ejo” which gained him much popularity with happening dudes in town.

The album which was launched in Abuja last month was a re-invention of the singer ’s art and a sort of a leeway into what he has in mind in the industry.

While they are planning to shoot the videos of three tracks in the album, there is also serious preparations to launch the album in Lagos where his fan base lies.

Lets watch and see what he has for the industry.

YES Magazine

holds anniversary lecture

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ll is set for the 2nd annual lecture/cocktail party of the Honours Communications Limited, pub lishers of YES International magazine, as it holds on Wednesday, June 19, at The Coliseum Events Centre, Ikeja Lagos.

Organisers have named Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman, Zinox Computers as the guest speaker while Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, former Minister of External Affairs will chair the occasion. The Secretary to Ogun State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa and former Lagos State Commissioner for The Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire are the Guests of Honour.

Ekeh, an IT guru, will be speaking on “ Running a successful Business in Nigeria, my Experience.”

According to the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of YES International Magazine, Mr. Azuh Arinze, the essence of the lecture is to impart the entrepreneurial spirit on a lot more Nigerians; reduce unemployment as well as enlighten more entrepreneurs who are already there on how to succeed better by a role model.

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Aki set for father’s burial

BY IYABO AINA

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ollywood star actor, Chinedu Ikedieze a.k.a Aki is finally ready to give his father a befitting burial. Aki during the week talked about plans to immortalize his late father. “ Yes, we hope to do so very soon. But what is paramount now is giving him a befitting burial as his remains will be interred on June 22, at Uzuakoli, Abia State. Sincerely, I will be honoured by your esteemed presence. ” Meanwhile, several of Aki’s pals and colleagues in Nollywood have been calling the actor to commiserate with him following the death of his father.

In a brief condolence message sent to Aki, actor Victor Osuagwu described the death of Aki’s father as “rude shock to him and his entire family. “ He prayed that God should grant Aki and his entire family the fortitude to bear the loss.

26—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013

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SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15 , 2013—27

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28 — Vanguard, SARTURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013 — 29

the dividend.

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The role Emeka Ike played in my marriage — Muma Gee

But how do you feel especially when you observe your kind of music isn’t the widely accepted genre?

That I don’t sing Dance-hall doesn’t mean I don’t make money from my kind of music.

So, who are your fans and how do you get shows?

The same way those who sing Hip-hop and Dance-hall have their own fan base, same way I have mine too. My fans are those who love my style of music, and I get shows just like every other Nigerian artiste.

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

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ift Uwame Eke popularly knownas Muma Gee is a reporter’s delight any day. Two years after she got married to her hubby, she bares her mind on the important role actor Emeka Ike played in her marriage.

She also talks about her childhood, her music and why she relocated to the garden city, PortHarcourt.

What has been happening to you lately?

I’ve been so busy nowadays that I hardly have time for myself. In fact, I’ve been in the studio recording my new songs. It will interest you to know that I’m working on some new songs as an addition to my MotherLand album Why is it taking you so long to drop another album?

Like I said earlier, I’ve been quite busy. Again, I believe in giving my fans the best. One needs to take one’s time because good work takes time.

But it must be worth the wait in the end.

Fans are alleging that the delay is beacuse you are married?

I won’t agree with that. But people are entitled to their opinions.

What kind of songs are you coming out with?

It’s a 12-track album but I can’t let the cat out of the bag now. The tracks I’ll mention here are the ones I have already released such as African Woman Skillashy and my latest single, Jikele.

African Woman Skillashy is all about the African woman, her beauty and how she makes herself beautiful. An African woman is therefore not to be messed up with or looked down upon because she’s feminine. Even though she’s beautiful, she’s strong and has a sense of pride.

While Jikele is a feel-good kind of song.

There are some things your fans do not know about you. What was growing up like for you?

I don’t really want to dwell much on my background. I’m from a Christian home. My parents were very strict. So, we didn’t have time for messing around or playing too much. All we did was more of domestic chores and other activities. We were also committed to our studies.

In fact, I sold Akamu and Akara. My mum used to sell Akamu and we assisted her in one way or the other. Don’t mind who I am today. That I am successful today is by the grace of God and I give God the glory. After we lost our dad, life was tough for us. My mum refused to remarry and she did everything possible to cater for me and my siblings.

Does that explain why you exude so much strength as a woman?

Yes, I guess so. I may be beautiful but I know what I want and how to go for it. My upbringing has made me stronger and given me that spirit of a hustler. My mother handed down this spirit C M Y K

to us. Apart from this, my dad was a medical personnel in the army and he had every thing going for him.

After his death, my mum went back to square one.

I can remember how she would subject us to removing corn from the cob, soak and grind them to make ends meet. Even now, it still affects me because I’m unable to sleep early.

So, that explains why you didn’t have time for guys?

I didn’t have time for all that while I was growing up. All that were in my head were serious things like studying to have a good life. I even had to struggle to help my mother out so that we could feed. So I didn’t have time for boys.

So, how did you discover your talent in music?

I joined the junior choir in my church at the age of 4. I remember, I used to present special songs at church events. Even at school, I was a member of the school choir. I also used to go for various social events on Saturdays. Not only that, as one of the most brilliant students, I used to represent my school at debates.

How did you start music professionally?

For me, I decided to go into music professionally when I started watching music divas. Then, I developed the passion to go into music. So, the desire drove me into writing my own songs. I also took time to practice and create my own unique style which finally brought me fame and recognition.

I’m not just every other artiste. Life for me goes beyond being Muma Gee. I moved as soon as it was time for me to start giving back to the society

that will impact positively on the lives of the people. While I was in Lagos, I didn’t attend all events. So, I miss nothing because I get booked for the right events within and outside Lagos and even beyond.

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of my desire to assist up and coming artistes. The Academy finally kicked off this year to the glory of God. The response has been encouraging.

Aside music, what other things do you do?

I import dry fish and Rice. I’m also into the fashion and clothing business. And since I’m an academic person, I’m also doing my second degree in Marketing

One has been wondering why you decided to relocate to Port-Harcourt?

I’m not just every other artiste. Life for me goes beyond just being Muma Gee. I moved as soon as it was time for me to start giving back to the society. And as they say, charity begins at home. For me, PH is my motherland, and that was why I titled my album MotherLand.

and juggling it with being the CEO/MD of GeeKlips Arts Academy.

Why did you choose to do a business such as rice and dry fish importation?

I won’t say the business doesn’t take part of my time but a good business woman seizes every opportunity, and that’s exactly what I’ve done.

Maybe, that’s why people think you have plans to go into politics Why should anybody think I am going into politics? Some people seem to have that notion on the internet thinking that I have gone political, especially with the title of one of my songs; Port-Harcourt Is Back. That song came about when I landed in PortHarcourt Airport for the 17th All States Sport Festival, where I did the theme song for the opening and closing ceremony. I was shocked to see everywhere lighted up, and I was happy because of the level of development in PH. So, I had no choice than to talk about my experience. As an artiste, it is my civic role to let the people know that there is a breathe of fresh air and that is why I did that song. I don’t have plans of going into politics.

What do you want to do with a second degree?

As you can see, I’m not just an artiste, I’m also into other businesses. So, Marketing will really help me be more grounded than my first degree in Theatre Arts.

So what is GeeKlips Arts Academy is all about?

It’s an academy that trains up and coming artistes professionally. We also help nurture their dreams into reality. I started the academy last year.

But don’t you think you are missing a lot by leaving Lagos for PH? I don’t think I’m missing out on anything. I’ve attended enough parties in the past. At present, I go for events where I’m paid to make an appearance

What has been the response?

It’s an impressive initiative I’ve nurtured artistes for years now. It was established out

How did you launch out?

As time went on, I met my first producer, Nelson Brown. He recorded my first album which was a sell out. And since then, I’ve grown from one level to the other.

Now that you are married, how do you cope with male admirers whenever you go out?

Shockingly, it’s not only the men but also, my female admirers who add to the pressure. But the best thing in a union is having confidence and trust in your partner. It makes life easier for a healthy co-habitation.

How do you mean female admirers adding to the pressure?

What I meant is that, as I have male fans, I also have my female fans. My female fans also want me to notice them wherever I go to. So, it’s not just the male.

Anytime, I go out I usually meet with my male and female fans. I’m always happy because they are proud of me, and they are willing to show love to me all the time.

How do you combine your domestic with your business engagements?

I have maids and house keepers that I instruct and supervise on how I want things to be done. They have been supportive. My husband is very understanding because he knows I have a lot on on my hands. So, we don’t have issues at all.

So far, how will you describe marriage?

This is private and I will appreciate if you respect my opinion.

How many kids should fans expect from you soon?

Fans don’t have a say in my private life.

They should be more concerned about my profession.

What’s that one wish you will like to make?

That I impact life positively everywhere I go.

You seem to love your husband so much?

Please, I don’t want to talk about my husband here. It’s my private life and I don’t want to talk about it.

Did your parents support you when you disclosed your intention to go into music?

Back in those days, no parent would agree initially. I met with a brick wall when I told my parents, I had a desire to go into entertainment. But I kept nurturing that dream even when they objected to it. After my first degree, I decided to come out fully and at that time, they couldn’t stop me because they were sure that it was what I wanted to do in life.

There’s this rumour that your husband is eight years younger than you. Is it true?

That is also personal.

Was it love at first sight?

No, the love grew with time. I will be honest with you; this was somebody I didn’t know. The only thing was that I had confidence in actor, Emeka Ike. He was my pal, so he could not have seen fire and tell me to put my hands into it. Emeka Ike played a very vital role in giving me confidence in this stranger. But now, I know him more than anyone else in the world. Since Emeka has a successful marriage, I thought his friend is not far from it and that was how I saw it.

The thought gave me the confidence at first to accept his proposal. So, after that stage, I didn’t fold my hands and just watch, I studied him as well and also prayed. When it comes to settling down, you do not relax. You have to pray properly until you peel your knees.

So, what was your experience like when you took your destiny into your hands?

Every good thing does not come easily. It wasn’t easy until after a while especially with the knowledge that I was coming out with a unique style that I refer to as Afrotastic music. But in no distant time, people started loving my music and I started enjoying C M Y K

C M Y K

28 — Vanguard, SARTURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013 — 29

the dividend.

,

The role Emeka Ike played in my marriage — Muma Gee

But how do you feel especially when you observe your kind of music isn’t the widely accepted genre?

That I don’t sing Dance-hall doesn’t mean I don’t make money from my kind of music.

So, who are your fans and how do you get shows?

The same way those who sing Hip-hop and Dance-hall have their own fan base, same way I have mine too. My fans are those who love my style of music, and I get shows just like every other Nigerian artiste.

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

G

ift Uwame Eke popularly knownas Muma Gee is a reporter’s delight any day. Two years after she got married to her hubby, she bares her mind on the important role actor Emeka Ike played in her marriage.

She also talks about her childhood, her music and why she relocated to the garden city, PortHarcourt.

What has been happening to you lately?

I’ve been so busy nowadays that I hardly have time for myself. In fact, I’ve been in the studio recording my new songs. It will interest you to know that I’m working on some new songs as an addition to my MotherLand album Why is it taking you so long to drop another album?

Like I said earlier, I’ve been quite busy. Again, I believe in giving my fans the best. One needs to take one’s time because good work takes time.

But it must be worth the wait in the end.

Fans are alleging that the delay is beacuse you are married?

I won’t agree with that. But people are entitled to their opinions.

What kind of songs are you coming out with?

It’s a 12-track album but I can’t let the cat out of the bag now. The tracks I’ll mention here are the ones I have already released such as African Woman Skillashy and my latest single, Jikele.

African Woman Skillashy is all about the African woman, her beauty and how she makes herself beautiful. An African woman is therefore not to be messed up with or looked down upon because she’s feminine. Even though she’s beautiful, she’s strong and has a sense of pride.

While Jikele is a feel-good kind of song.

There are some things your fans do not know about you. What was growing up like for you?

I don’t really want to dwell much on my background. I’m from a Christian home. My parents were very strict. So, we didn’t have time for messing around or playing too much. All we did was more of domestic chores and other activities. We were also committed to our studies.

In fact, I sold Akamu and Akara. My mum used to sell Akamu and we assisted her in one way or the other. Don’t mind who I am today. That I am successful today is by the grace of God and I give God the glory. After we lost our dad, life was tough for us. My mum refused to remarry and she did everything possible to cater for me and my siblings.

Does that explain why you exude so much strength as a woman?

Yes, I guess so. I may be beautiful but I know what I want and how to go for it. My upbringing has made me stronger and given me that spirit of a hustler. My mother handed down this spirit C M Y K

to us. Apart from this, my dad was a medical personnel in the army and he had every thing going for him.

After his death, my mum went back to square one.

I can remember how she would subject us to removing corn from the cob, soak and grind them to make ends meet. Even now, it still affects me because I’m unable to sleep early.

So, that explains why you didn’t have time for guys?

I didn’t have time for all that while I was growing up. All that were in my head were serious things like studying to have a good life. I even had to struggle to help my mother out so that we could feed. So I didn’t have time for boys.

So, how did you discover your talent in music?

I joined the junior choir in my church at the age of 4. I remember, I used to present special songs at church events. Even at school, I was a member of the school choir. I also used to go for various social events on Saturdays. Not only that, as one of the most brilliant students, I used to represent my school at debates.

How did you start music professionally?

For me, I decided to go into music professionally when I started watching music divas. Then, I developed the passion to go into music. So, the desire drove me into writing my own songs. I also took time to practice and create my own unique style which finally brought me fame and recognition.

I’m not just every other artiste. Life for me goes beyond being Muma Gee. I moved as soon as it was time for me to start giving back to the society

,

of my desire to assist up and coming artistes. The Academy finally kicked off this year to the glory of God. The response has been encouraging.

Aside music, what other things do you do?

I import dry fish and Rice. I’m also into the fashion and clothing business. And since I’m an academic person, I’m also doing my second degree in Marketing

One has been wondering why you decided to relocate to Port-Harcourt?

I’m not just every other artiste. Life for me goes beyond just being Muma Gee. I moved as soon as it was time for me to start giving back to the society. And as they say, charity begins at home. For me, PH is my motherland, and that was why I titled my album MotherLand.

and juggling it with being the CEO/MD of GeeKlips Arts Academy.

Why did you choose to do a business such as rice and dry fish importation?

I won’t say the business doesn’t take part of my time but a good business woman seizes every opportunity, and that’s exactly what I’ve done.

Maybe, that’s why people think you have plans to go into politics Why should anybody think I am going into politics? Some people seem to have that notion on the internet thinking that I have gone political, especially with the title of one of my songs; Port-Harcourt Is Back. That song came about when I landed in PortHarcourt Airport for the 17th All States Sport Festival, where I did the theme song for the opening and closing ceremony. I was shocked to see everywhere lighted up, and I was happy because of the level of development in PH. So, I had no choice than to talk about my experience. As an artiste, it is my civic role to let the people know that there is a breathe of fresh air and that is why I did that song. I don’t have plans of going into politics.

What do you want to do with a second degree?

As you can see, I’m not just an artiste, I’m also into other businesses. So, Marketing will really help me be more grounded than my first degree in Theatre Arts.

So what is GeeKlips Arts Academy is all about?

It’s an academy that trains up and coming artistes professionally. We also help nurture their dreams into reality. I started the academy last year.

But don’t you think you are missing a lot by leaving Lagos for PH? I don’t think I’m missing out on anything. I’ve attended enough parties in the past. At present, I go for events where I’m paid to make an appearance

What has been the response?

It’s an impressive initiative I’ve nurtured artistes for years now. It was established out

How did you launch out?

As time went on, I met my first producer, Nelson Brown. He recorded my first album which was a sell out. And since then, I’ve grown from one level to the other.

that will impact positively on the lives of the people. While I was in Lagos, I didn’t attend all events. So, I miss nothing because I get booked for the right events within and outside Lagos and even beyond.

Now that you are married, how do you cope with male admirers whenever you go out?

Shockingly, it’s not only the men but also, my female admirers who add to the pressure. But the best thing in a union is having confidence and trust in your partner. It makes life easier for a healthy co-habitation.

How do you mean female admirers adding to the pressure?

What I meant is that, as I have male fans, I also have my female fans. My female fans also want me to notice them wherever I go to. So, it’s not just the male.

Anytime, I go out I usually meet with my male and female fans. I’m always happy because they are proud of me, and they are willing to show love to me all the time.

How do you combine your domestic with your business engagements?

I have maids and house keepers that I instruct and supervise on how I want things to be done. They have been supportive. My husband is very understanding because he knows I have a lot on on my hands. So, we don’t have issues at all.

So far, how will you describe marriage?

This is private and I will appreciate if you respect my opinion.

How many kids should fans expect from you soon?

Fans don’t have a say in my private life.

They should be more concerned about my profession.

What’s that one wish you will like to make?

That I impact life positively everywhere I go.

You seem to love your husband so much?

Please, I don’t want to talk about my husband here. It’s my private life and I don’t want to talk about it.

Did your parents support you when you disclosed your intention to go into music?

Back in those days, no parent would agree initially. I met with a brick wall when I told my parents, I had a desire to go into entertainment. But I kept nurturing that dream even when they objected to it. After my first degree, I decided to come out fully and at that time, they couldn’t stop me because they were sure that it was what I wanted to do in life.

There’s this rumour that your husband is eight years younger than you. Is it true?

That is also personal.

Was it love at first sight?

No, the love grew with time. I will be honest with you; this was somebody I didn’t know. The only thing was that I had confidence in actor, Emeka Ike. He was my pal, so he could not have seen fire and tell me to put my hands into it. Emeka Ike played a very vital role in giving me confidence in this stranger. But now, I know him more than anyone else in the world. Since Emeka has a successful marriage, I thought his friend is not far from it and that was how I saw it.

The thought gave me the confidence at first to accept his proposal. So, after that stage, I didn’t fold my hands and just watch, I studied him as well and also prayed. When it comes to settling down, you do not relax. You have to pray properly until you peel your knees.

So, what was your experience like when you took your destiny into your hands?

Every good thing does not come easily. It wasn’t easy until after a while especially with the knowledge that I was coming out with a unique style that I refer to as Afrotastic music. But in no distant time, people started loving my music and I started enjoying C M Y K

C M Y K

30 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

Compiled by

Ephraim Oseji 08023542350

B

ernard Hopkins, who at 48 is the oldest world champion in boxing history, has bizarrely claimed to be an ALIEN. The American won the IBF lightheavyweight title when he defeated Tavoris Cloud in March and makes the first defence of his belt against Karo Murat on July 13 in New York.

And Hopkins insists his longevity is down to him originating from Mars: ‘I just found out a month ago, the doctor will be here before the [fight week] press conference hopefully to explain this, but I must confess that I am not human,’ he said.

‘I am an alien. No, seriously. I realise that Pluto is no longer a planet now, so I’m from Mars. I’ve definitely retired the ‘Executioner.’ You will not hear me mention the Executioner.

‘Now, I’m in this world but I’m not

Bernard Hopkins:

Am an alien from Mars

of this world. There is no aging process for me.

‘The breaking news is that I am an alien.’ Hopkins, who is a target for British fighters Carl Froch and Nathan Cleverly, insisted he will not underestimate the Germany-based

Armenian Murat.

‘When Murat’s name came up and it was agreed upon, I was like “let’s do this”,’ he added. ‘I see bigger things in my future believe it or not and he’s in the way of that. ‘I feel like I’m in my mid to early 30’s instead of my 40’s.

•Hopkins

C

•Balotelli

Tottenham face bids from PSG for £85m Bale & £10m VillasBoas

ity officials say Wimblydon caught an estimated 200 mice, ate 7,000 sachets of food and sank more than 100 litres of milk at the club’s Carrington training base It delivered a dead mouse to Kevin Keegan and survived an encounter with Mario Balotelli but Manchester ’s most famous moggie has used all of its nine lives.

The club delivered the cat-astrophic news on their Twitter account earlier this afternoon that Wimblydon, the Manchester City cat, is dead. But if devastated

•Bale and Boas

ed to outbid Real Madrid aris Saint-Germain are prepar Gareth Bale. The French sign in the £85million battle to ham manager Andre Villaschampions are pursuing Totten d coach will help convince Boas and hope his capture as hea en to wh at PSG , Real and Bale to follow. Bal e wil l list if Tottenham decide to cash Manchester United have to say d talks with chairman Daniel in. Manager Villas-Boas is to hol assurances can be given over Levy and may yet opt to stay if his transfer budget. irman Daniel Levy would The chances that Spurs and cha er and star player are zero. It let PSG sign both his manag PSG are definitely running simply won’t happen.That said AVB could suit their needs. out of managerial options and to move to Real Madrid any ed With Carlo Ancelotti expect ing for options to replace the day now, PSG have been search Italian.

P

C M Y K

Wimblydon, the Man City moggy moggy,, dies Manchester City Cat, 1999 (est) – June 11, 2013 Blues fans are not feline good they need only look back on the joy the ginger tom has brought to the club’s Carrington base. Wimblydon arrived at the training facility around 13 years ago and was thought to have been a stray. He was initially named ‘Puss’ by the not-so-imaginative souls in the kit room. But a short time later he appeared in reception just as the Blues fitness coach Juan Carlos Osario mentioned that City were due to play ‘Wimblydon’. After the laughter at Osario’s peculiar pronunciation had

Inter reject 18m Guarin bid by Spurs

T

ottenham have had an • 18 million bid for Inter attacking midfielder Fredy Guarin rejected by the Serie A outfit. However Spurs, who are keen to add attacking options to their squad this summer, are set to continue talks over a move for the Colombian in Milan next week as they look to salvage a deal to bring him to White Hart Lane. Tottenham’s initial bid, which included performance-related add-ons, was to be paid over five years, but Inter are holding out for deal in which they receive the entire fee up front.

died down, the name was handed to the cat.

City officials say Wimblydon caught an estimated 200 mice, ate 7,000 sachets of food and sank more than 100 litres of milk. His highlights were delivering the mouse to then manager Keegan’s office and becoming the first living creature to meet firebrand Balotelli when he arrived for his first day at training. Despite emerging unscathed from that experience he succumbed to old age.

Arsenal plan £32m bid for El Shaarawy

A

•Guarin

rsene Wenger ready to launch record breaking bid to bring in Italian as ideal Robin Van Persie replacement. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been given the green light by the Gunners board to launch a £32m bi sign AC Milan starlet Stephan El Shaarawy afte emerged that the San Siro side are ready to consider fers for the highly rated Italian international.

Amid growing interest in the 20 year old Rossoneri vi president Adriano Galliani was at pains to admit that AC Milan player was ‘unsellable’ and having seen likes of Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic leave Serie A side last summer there is a great deal of specu tion that a big money offer for the young forward co prove successful.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013 —31

Compiled by

Ephraim Oseji 08023542350

Benitez to raid Barca J

avier Mascherano remains a top transfer target for new Napoli coach Benitez, it’s reported. The rumours have been going ever since Benitez took over from Walter Mazzarri at the Stadio San Paolo this summer. The reports continue in both Italy and Spain, even though Mascherano has a •100m (£85m) buy-out clause in his Barcelona contract.

It is suggested Napoli hope to tempt him into a transfer for •20m (£17m) so he can reunite with his former Liverpool manager. Benitez would also pledge to use the 29-year-old as a defensive midfielder, whereas for the past three seasons he has mainly played at centreback for the Blaugrana.

Liverpool agree £7.6m deal to sign Iago

•Mascherano

L

iverpool have confirmed they have agreed a deal with Celta Vigo for Iago Aspas to become their second summer signing.Aspas will move to Anfield for • 9m (£7.6m) once his contract has been signed. The 25-yearold, who scored 12 goals in 34 games last season, helping his boyhood club avoid relegation on the final day, underwent a medical on

M

•Thiago Alcantara

United step up interest in Thiago Chelsea confirm deal to sign Schurrle

d to er it r of-

icet no the the ulaould

C M Y K

C

helsea have reached an agreement with Bayer 04 Leverkusen for the transfer of Germany international forward Andre Schurrle. Schurrle, 22, has been a longstanding transfer target of the Blues, but Mourinho’s decision to prevent Kevin De Bruyne from joining Leverkusen in a deal for the Germany international was thought to have stymied talks between the two clubs.

anchester United have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Barcelona’s Thiago Alcantara ahead of preparing to make an offer.

The midfielder has attracted attention this summer in light of a clause in his contract reportedly dropping his buyout clause at Barca from its usual • 90m (£76.5m) rate down to • 18m (£15.3m).

A clause activated due to the player not appearing in a certain percentage of games otherwise eligible for last term, Thiago is reportedly the subject of interest from both United and their rivals Manchester City, whilst rumours last week also suggested an approach from Real Madrid.

It is United that the English media believe today are advancing through, with the Daily Mirror reporting that David Moyes’ side have approached Thiago’s camp over a possible move and had a positive response back from his father, 1994 World Cup winner Mazinho.

Moyes is described as having progressed ‘behind the scenes’ in looking to secure the Spain Under-21 regular, and an offer to both the player and his club is anticipated soon.

Iago Aspas

Merseyside this week but returned to Spain without the deal being concluded due to “bureaucratic reasons”.

A club statement said: “Liverpool have tonight agreed a deal in principle with Celta Vigo for striker Iago Aspas, subject to documentation being completed.

Barcelona puts 11 players on transfer market Barcelona has been very busy. The club is not only busy trying to fill two spots after the signing of Neymar but are seeking to find a way out for the players that Tito Vilano•Valdes va will not be counting on for next season.

Victor Valdes (31) Ibrahim Afellay (26) Oier Olazabal (23) Bojan Krkic (22) Jonathan Dos Santos (23) Gerard Deulofeu (19) Marc Bartra (22) David Villa (31) Andreu Fontas (23) Alexis Sanchez (24) Rafinha (20) Cristian Tello (21) Thiago (22)

Man United to bid for Isco and Str Strootman ootman

M

an United representatives have met with Malaga officials ahead of an imminent bid for Spanish midfielder Isco. The Premier League title holders are keen to beat local rivals Man City to the signing of the 21 year old playmaker, mindful of the fact that the starlet’s current boss, Manuel Pellegrini, is set to take over at the Etihad Stadium.

Moyes has sent scouts out to Israel to monitor Isco’s displays at the European Under 21 Championships.

Man United are said to be in advanced talks to sign PSV Eindhoven’s Kevin Strootman, who is also currently competing in the European Under 21 Championships.

•Isco

T

he Spanish champs are prepar ing an audacious £17million bid for the misfit striker £33m less than the British record transfer fee Chelsea paid Liverpool for him two years ago.

New boss Jose Mourinho wants faceto-face talks with Torres before making any decisions about the club’s highest-paid player. But with the Blues chasing £54m Napoli striker

Edinson Cavani, Torres knows his days are numbered. Now it seems a matter of how much of a hit Mourinho’s Chelsea are prepared to take on Torres, who has three years of his £9m-a-year contract to run. Torres, 29, is on international duty with Spain and not due back at Stamford Bridge for another month.

32— SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013

Power Pasta Spaghetti in Garlic Gravy with Herbs, Lemon

I enjoy cooking than music — KSB Kenny St Brown is a gospel hip-hop artiste. In this edition of celebrity Tummy Talk, she reveals her favourite food and what can take her time over music. Enjoy it.

Y

our name doesn’t depict someone from the Western region.

I belong to the ethnic group that so much believes in culture. I’m an Ijebu girl and so, it is impossible for me to talk about a native food which doesn’t belong to my culture. For the Ijebus, the original native food is Ikokore.

What was your favourite food while growing up?

I had my education up till higher institution in Ijebu-ode, Ogun State.

Apart from rice which has become the popular food, the major foods of the Yorubas are garri, amala, yam porridge (asaro), yam porridge made from water-yam (ikokore) which is my favourite. I have my regulars including beans, moi-moi, akara, custard, dodo, yam and stew, yam and egg, vegetables, efo-riro, efo-elegusi. But, there were some particular foods that are no more in vogue, for example, efo-ebolo.

I could remember that my

Grandma taught me how to prepare yam and garden egg. It’s a native food of the Ibos. She used to prepare her special eforiro in such a way that, one wouldn’t see a trace of water or palm oil. I grew up experiment all kinds of food but Ikokore was and still my special delicacy. I so much enjoy this type food that, I wouldn’t compromise it for any other food. I could eat it within a month, if the water-yam is in season.

Any pranks played to get your favourite food?

The only time I played pranks wasn’t for ikokore but okro soup. I grew up in a family that doesn’t appreciate eating okro but I had a friend who loved it with passion. And each time I visited her, she offers me okro which was a forbidden soup in my house.

And because, it was a delicious soup, I decided to cook it in the house. So, I went to the market, bought okro and got my own stove, pot and cooked the soup. So, with time, I could cook okro soup in different ways and my children love it. I could cook okro with ukwu leaf which is a native soup of the Deltans. I learnt it from my sister,

(Mrs. Tosin Dokpesi) who married a Delta man.

So, cooking has been part of your life?

I enjoy cooking from my childhood. In an environment where I grew up, girls were always in the kitchen and so, cooking became my hobby. I have five brothers and I became the cook in the house. Although I have a sister but she left home very early.

So, I chose cooking as a hobby. I enjoy cooking than music.

How often, do you exercise?

I go to the gym as well as do general aerobic. I also lift weight and do some swimming and walking. But, I dance more most of the time because of the nature of my job.

Your favourite fruit?

My favourite fruit is fresh paw-paw. I wouldn’t mind climb a tree to get a tuber of paw-paw. I love to smell nature. I might be inside the car but once I set my eyes on fresh paw-paw, I must buy it. Although,I don’t eat it all the time since it’s not a regular fruit on the stable unlike oranges, pine-apple etc. But, it is my favourite.

Today's menu

Ikokore I

t is very simple, you get a water-yam, you pill and grate it but it has to be smooth and draw, get crayfish, pepper no tomatoes, liver, meat for ijebu we add ogiri, palm oil.

Get a boiled water, drop the grated yam in the boiling water in balls after 10 minutes you add your pepper, meat,fish, crayfish,liver ,palm oil, seasoning the last thing to add is the ogiri, if the fish is strong like agbodo(bonga fish) add it in the boiling water before any other thing to soften measure your palm oil in it then you cover. If you don’t want to smell the palm oil in it then you can go for another turning, some people don’t like to cover but I do cover mine so that it can cook very well. Taste it if the salt is not enough add little salt then get a plate get your ogiri and add to it. It is accompanied with Agidi(Eko), Ijebu eat it with Cold Eba but I eat it with Agidi and my children too.

Health Tips How to have healthy kidneys

Maintain a balance of water and concentration of minerals, such as sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, in your blood Remove waste byproducts from the blood after digestion, muscle activity, and exposure to chemicals or medications Produce renin, an enzyme that helps regulate blood pressure P r o d u c e erythropoietin, which stimulates red blood cell production Produce an active form of vitamin D, needed for bone health

Ingredients: 500 grams Power Pasta spaghetti (cooked al dente).

1 pound chicken breast fillets (sliced into 1 inch chunks).

For the chicken marinade: 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped.

2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped (if using dried, use half of the amount).

Zest of 1 lemon.

Juice of ½ a lemon.

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil.

1 teaspoon coarse salt (not table salt). ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper.

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (to sauté the marinated chicken).

- Add all the marinade ingredients into the chicken and marinade for 20 minutes (if making this dish in pronto) or over night (if making this dish the next day… much better).

- Saute the marinated chicken in extra virgin olive oil until cooked (about 4-5 minutes) then set aside.

For the garlic gravy: ½ stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter.

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil.

4 large cloves garlic, finely minced.

2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour.

2 ½ cups chicken stock 1 Tablespoon fresh basil, chopped. salt and pepper to taste ¼ cup parsley, chopped (to sprinkle/finish the Power Pasta). ½ cup grated parmesan cheese.

2 cups whole cherry tomatoes.

Place sauté pan over medium heat and add butter and olive oil.

- Saute garlic until fragrant and soft.

- Add the flour and cook for a minute.

- Add chicken stock and simmer gravy until thickened then add the chopped basil.

- Season with salt and pepper.

- Add the sauteed chicken in the gravy then toss the cooked Power Pasta spaghetti into this sauce.

- Add the cherry tomatoes and finish the dish with the chopped parsley and grated parmesan cheese (serve extra on the side).

Makes 5-6 servings.

SATURDAY

A

quick contact with the story of any blind person, you may likely think of Stevie Wonders or our own Nigerian ,Cobhams being the sunshine of the musical lives of many. Julie (29) is however not a musician, but a young woman whose works drew inspiration from the first studio album by the solo project of DeerHunter, Lead vocalist, Bradford Cox., titled: Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel. The Kogi born Nigerian refused to let the world address her as disabled and determined that she would step out of her history and into a better one.

Julie tells about the music of her mind, her inner visions and battles of life. Excerpts: How I went blind On July 26, 1984, I was born into the family of Air Commodore and Mrs. Raymond Emaiku in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I was not born blind but the unfortunate incident happened when I was barely two months old. In my innocence, I screamed from my beautiful sleep and my mother immediately noticed the change in the colour of my eyes.

From then on, I battled for years though I could see faintly with one of my eyes and I could identify different colours. Things took a new dimension when the only eye I could see with posed a danger to my brain and required surgical operation to avert imminent danger. This was when my family accepted it as God’s permissible will.

Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013—33

I refused to let the world address me as disabled — Julie Lami Emaiku

Getting a University education?

Hmmm, I would say I have always been a determined child, and I knew what I wanted as my physical challenge or what people call disability is not a barrier to achieving my dreams. I started school in Gindiri School for the Blind in Plateau State. During this period, I could travel sometimes on my own back home (Jos) from school when my parents couldn’t come in time to pick me up. Thereafter, I proceeded to CMML Special

reverend fathers and other good people who stood by me through out my years in the university. Indeed, I must say God saw me through all the trials and difficulties that confronted me. Today, I am a proud graduate and I am rounding off my National Service in Akwa Ibom State.

Call to National Service I was originally posted to Sokoto State for my NYSC where I joined in the advancement of the MDGs, although this was short lived; I was redeployed to Akwa

I had my own challenges but as some people would say, I can see even though I may be blind, I looked beyond the challenges School , Iyale in Kogi State for my secondary education.

My determination provided me with the opportunity to study Special Education in University of Jos. I must confess, life in the University was very challenging but I got help from family members,

Ibom State due to personal reasons.

During my service year, I decided to carry out a project aimed at reaching out to the environmentally challenged children or children with learning disability at St. Louise’s Special School, Ikot

•Julie Lami Emaiku Ekpene, where I did my primary assignment. This turned out to be successful with the help of funds solicited from the State Government.

Ability in Disability As I earlier said, I had my own challenges but as some people would say, I can see even though I may be blind, I looked beyond the challenges. My mind’s eyes can see opportunities and I maximize them. You will seldom believe that I got a handset in school and amazingly, my ability to use the phone. If you give me your number you will be astonished as I could easily memorize it and when you call me I would know who is calling me. Also, I could do my own cooking, my laundry, sweep and even clean. There was nothing a person who is not

blind could do that I couldn’t do. For an example, when I go to my sister’s house, I helped her out with her domestic chores and I go to the market myself. I therefore would state categorically that I am not a liability to anyone and I am very smart in whatever I do. To God alone is the glory. I would advice other young people to see beyond their present circumstances. If you can see it, then you can seize it.

What the future holds I am like any other normal human being who desires to be an independent person where

by I do not have to rely on others to pay my bills or take care of my needs. It is my hope that I get a good job, have my own family and continually live a happy life.

YOUNG NIGERIANS MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

Young laureates organizes career day

Y

oung Laureates, a group of young like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds with skills and learning dedicated to serving the youth of Amuwo-Odofin Community put together a successful a Career Day programme to prepare the young people for the careers of the future as many students leave school without an idea of what kind of jobs or professions they want to pursue.

The Career Day is envisioned to be an innovative workforce development tool designed to provide secondary school students with hands-on exposure to diverse and growing careers.

The programme shed light on the choice of careers available and the appropriate steps to take in achieving career success. Motivational speakers in various fields were present to share their experience on the job and further give words of encouragement to over 350 students from various secondary schools in Amuwo odofin.

Vanguard Youthful Vibes was also present.

Muyiwa Azike, one of the executives of Young Laureates shared with Youthful Vibes that “We are on a mission to provide educational, recreational and social programmes to help the youths discover themselves and maximise their full potentials, thereby making Amuwo-Odofin community a home of leaders.”

34 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013

Group wants National Theatre named after Fatai Rolling Dollar

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rights group, Human Rights Writers’ Association Of Nigeria HURIWA, has joined other Nigerians to canvass the renaming of the National Theatre in Lagos, run by the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, after the legendary musician, Fatai Rolling Dollar, who died in a Lagos hospital last Wednesday, following a brief illness.

The group, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director Zainab Yusuf, said, the late musician brought tremendous global honour to Nigeria and remained one of the best-known ambassadors of the indigenous Nigerian music genre until his death.

Rolling Dollar, the group argued, deserves the best national recognition by the Federal Government, saying President Goodluck Jonathan, as a well-known lover of African indigenous creative arts and music should “not hesitate to take urgent measures to immortalize this great man of music”.

HURIWA recalled media reports quoting the widow of the late musician, Zainab Olagunju, as saying her husband died Wednesday morning after a week of hospitalization following his return from the United States where he was also briefly treated and discharged upon completion of a musical performance.

—Chief

“

Odobeatu,

Its very sad to hear the news of the demise of the legend Pa Fatai Rolling Dollars. The O’jez family is still in shock because Rolling Dollars was very much part of the family for over 12 years now. He had been with us from inception at Iwaya Road outlet down to National Stadium outlet.

He had been performing every Friday and every last Sunday of the month for over a decade now...its a big loss

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

F

ast rising act, Klever Jay, has inked a multi-million-naira deal with Black Wall Street, a record label based in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The deal comes with a brand new car worth N11 million, a house in upscale Asokoro District, Abuja and Black Wall Street gold chain worth N5 million.

According to Suni, CEO, Black Wall Street/Avatar, Klever Jay’s career has been transformed as a new single entitled, Omo Aye will be released by the label on June 16, 2013 while the video will also drop by the end of June.

“I see that Klever Jay has talent and we need to push that talent out for the world to appreciate. He did this on his own before. But now that we are behind him, he will do better. We have just inked a 2album three year deal with him,” Suni says.

Shot at choice locations in the United States and Nigeria, the video of the new single was directed by none other than Jeffery, the man who did the video for The Game’s hit track, My Life.

One of his most legendary and well-loved songs remains his single ‘Won Kere Si Number Wa’, which HURIWA described as having become a global brand in most social events attended by black people and even some caucasians.

The group added, “As a human rights group, with strong bias for the promotion and protection of our revered African tradition and culture, we agree with the considered assessment of most music critics around the world that the late Music Legend Mr. Fatai The Rolling Dollar had paid his dues since he began his illustrious music career in

the 1950s with Queen Mary Orchestra, Isa Jubril [the first and famous highlife musician from the conservative Northern Nigeria] who played in Ghana with the Black Beats and Ishola Willie Payne group where they established the music style of Palm wine music, in the words of the globally acclaimed music Critic Benson Idonije just as Juju Music originated from the style expertly delivered to world audience by Fatai the Rolling Dollar”.

“Fatai Rolling Dollar defied conventional science and logic of old age as he remained one of the most sought after dance hall performers and musicians in Nigeria and across the world even in his very old age.”

The remains of the octogenarian musician was laid to rest at his building site in Ikorodu area of Lagos last Thursday. He died last Wednesday at Marritol Hospital, Surulere, following a brief illness.

...as Nigerians pay more tributes We lost a legend

Klever Jay set to drop Omo Aye

for us at O’jez and a bigger loss to the Nigerian entertainment industry and the entire country in general. He was a personal friend, a father and close confidant. This was a man with his fame and age, remained very humble till his demise. I feel pained but also seek solace in the fact that he came, made his mark (despite achieving fame at his old age) and left in a blaze of glory. The industry will surely miss him”, Chief Joseph Odobeatu, Chairman of O’jez Entertainment Limited, owners of O’jez Music and chain of celebrity restaurants, said in a statement signed by his Media Company, Media Image Managers, MIM

I‘m shocked

— Senator Florence Ita- Giwa

F

ormer Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo and the political leader of the Bakassi people, Senator Florence Ita- Giwa also in her own tribute described the passing on of the late music icon, Fatai Olanrewaju Olagunju, A K A Fatai Rolling Dollars as a monumental loss.

In a statement made available to newsmen yesterday, the Senator said that the Highlife maestro was too alive to be dead adding that on every encounter inspite of his age, he appeared vibrant and agile.

Klever Jay

Ita-Giwa expressed special fondness for the deceased while praying for the repose of his soul.

The statement reads in part: “I am shocked at the news of the demise of Pa Fatai Rolling Dollars. He was too lively to be dead. He was a great man, a musical, cultural icon and an inspiration to all of us.

“I am using this medium to commiserate with his family and the entertainment industry. They have lost a precious gem” The late Fatai was admitted to the hospital few days ago with a protracted illness and gave up the ghost at the Ahmadiyya Hospital at Agbado-Ijaiye area of Lagos.

He lived to the fullest the last moment of his life and brought a lot of goodwill to the industry locally and internationally.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013

How Iy any a unveiled YYoutube outube kkuk uk ere Iyany anya ukere queen

BY ANOZIE EGOLE

T

he Akwa-Ibom state born Kukere crooner, Iyanya, has finally taken his hit single, “Kukere”, to the next level as he held the city of London to a stand still with his much talked, “Kukere concert” last weekend. Organised by Coko Bar, the concert was held at the Indigo2 arena in London to a sold out audience. Not only that the talented singer held the concert, the amazing thing was that he used one arrow to kill two birds as he unveiled a Swede as kukere youtube queen, a competition which has been on for some time now. A few hours before the event, the Concert was already the number one trend on Twitter.

The four-hour concert started at 7pm in the UK and ended at 11pm.

The singer, held the audience spell bound with his hit tracks, “Kukere, ‘Your

W

hat seems to have e c o m e a trend in the Nigerian music industry is artistes falling apart with their record labels. The last 12 months have recorded such occurrences, one of the most popular was between Wizkid b

MTN Project Fame unites artistes in concert

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Waist, Jombolo, Sexy Mama” and several others.

He was joined by supporting artistes such as , Tonto Dikeh whose appearance on the stage was one of the highlights of the event. Other acts included MMM’s Emma Nyra, LAX, DB dancers and

a dance duo from Sweden who won Iyanya’s youtube ‘Kukere Queen’ competition.

The sought after artiste also premiered ‘Jombolo’ the video via Google + Hangout on 12th June.

Between Chuddy K and SQN

BY ANOZIE EGOLE

— 35

and Banky W, the EME boss.

This time, it is between, Chuddy K and Wale Kuku of SQN. Reacting to the allegation of leaving the label illegally, the publicist to “gaga crazy” crooner,, Emmanuel Abba, said that there was a breach of contract between Chuddy K and SQN and as a result, they have to terminate the contract through their lawyer.

“The contract was signed without the consent of Chuddy K’s lawyer and the label since then, has not been keeping to the terms of the agreement. They are not paying him well, they are owing him up to four shows now. As far as I am concern, there was a breach of contract and as a result, the contract has been terminated.

Chuddy K is in South Africa now celebrating with D’Banj on his birthday,” he said.

Responding, Wale Kuku, SQN boss said that the label is not owing the singer any dime and that nobody has the right to do any business with Chuddy K except through

him.

“That’s very impossible, because we are very thorough, principled and professional. Till date, we don’t owe Chuddy K a dime, he can’t possibly confront the record label with such a statement” Wale said.

The latest gist is that Chuddy K has moved on with his own label called, “Kent records” just like Wizkid did.

hen twenty of the many products of MTN Project Fame West Africa gather in concert come June 21 and 28, in Calabar and Lagos respectively, to celebrate what is, surreptitiously, half a decade of producing super stars, emotion will be triggered towards memories of what was, what is and what can be.

Like parents who are attending the convocation ceremony of their child, there, certainly, will be memories of a shy Iyanya, teenage Chidimma, vivacious Adetoun or a crude Praiz and subtly multi-talented Kesse, in the days when they graced our national television screens to deliver fine, abridge lines of local and foreign songs. Though the five are a quarter of the total number of young aspiring music talents who have taken advantages of the technical and financial resources attached to the music reality TV show’s academy, their prominence account for the credibility of the MTN Project Fame West Africa.

Now, watching these young men and ladies share the same stage to deliver different songs from their personal albums, live, must be a testimony of what is certainly right and enviable about the platform that is so dear to Africa’s largest telecommunications company, MTN. The MTN Project Fame West Africa is a musical academy and a television reality TV show. The concept behind the academy is to train aspiring talents who have been selected from different locations in the sub-region. Under the guidance of renowned music instructors, the lucky youths are given lessons on how to use their voice, manage the stage, engage their audience, time their movements and cue into beats. At shows held at weekends of academy, the dreamful boys and girls are given opportunities to exhibit how well they have developed in the course of the week by performing to live audience of about 2000 and over 300 million watching on terrestrial or cable television networks, for thirteen weeks.

Some of the finalists at last year’s edition of the MTN Project Fame talent show

36 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013

By IYABO AINA

Sandra Bullock in talks to play Miss Hannigan in new Annie film

Robert Pattinson lands fragrance deal A

ctor Robert Pattinson has followed in the footsteps of fellow Brit JUDE LAW by becoming the face of Dior Homme fragrance.

Law signed up to promote the scent in a series of advertising campaigns in 2010, and now bosses at Christian Dior have opted to hire the Twilight star as their new ambassador.

A statement from the company reads: “The House of Dior is delighted to announce that actor Robert Pattinson is to be the new face of Dior Homme fragrance.

“He has since proven the scope of his acting talents by choosing films as varied as Remember Me by Allen Coulter, Water for Elephants by Francis Lawrence, in which he starred alongside Reese Witherspoon, or with his role as Bel Ami, the famous Maupassant character.”

S

ANDRA BULLOCK is reportedly in talks to join fellow Oscar-winner JAMIE Foxx in the new movie adaptation of beloved comic strip and hit stage musical Annie.

The Blind Side star is slated to play mean orphanage boss Miss Hannigan in the new film version of the show, which will feature 2013 Academy Awards nominee Quvenzhane Wallis in the title role.

Sources confirmed that Bullock’s deal is far from done, adding she was offered the role in March (13) but turned it down.

Carol Burnett played Miss Hannigan in the beloved 1982 movie version of Annie. Glee star Jane Lynch is currently playing the character on Broadway.

Foxx has already been cast as billionaire Benjamin Stacks, a modern incarnation of the Daddy Warbucks character, in the movie, which is being produced by Will Smith and Jay-Z. Smith’s daughter Willow was originally picked to play Annie but she bowed out of the project earlier this year (13).

FotoPlus international magazine debuts in style

Kris Humphries happy divorcing Kim K

K

ris Humphries is now a single man after he and ex-wife Kim Kardashian finalized divorce recently, the basketball player is apparently ready to start a new life , as he’s currently not seeing anyone.

“I don’t have any girlfriends right now,” he said at “Man of Steel” premiere on Monday, June 10 in New York, “I’m happy. I’ve

got a big smile on my face,” he said of life after divorce. He continued saying, “It feels great” to leave 18 months of the highly reported divorce proceedings.

Also according to Brooklyn Nets power , Kris Humphries has learned a lot from his split with the “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” star. “You can’t force a love life. I’m just focused on training and basketball,” he explained. “I think you learn something all the time,” he said of his previous love story.

“I’m just focused on me and having a good time.”

Kris and Kim got married on August 20, 2011. However, their union only lasted for 72 days as the couple announced that they called it quits on Halloween. “After careful consideration, I have decided to end my marriage. I hope everyone understands this was not an easy decision. I had hoped this marriage was forever but sometimes things don’t work out as planned,” Kim said of her separation from Kris back then. The couple reached a divorce settlement in April. Later on June 3, a judge at Los Angeles Superior Court signed the official paperwork to dissolve their marriage.

BY OLAYINKA AJAYI

I

t was a night of glitz and glamour at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, recently as the number of soft-sell magazine in the country swelled by one with the formal launch of FotoPlus International Magazine, which is being published by Mrs. Adebanke Ibrahim Alayaki.

The event also witnessed a presentation of awards to some dignitaries who graced the occasion.

Chairman of the occasion and renowned marketing communication consultant, Chief Olufalomo while in his speech described the publisher as “a trail blazer who trained under the tutelage of an enviable professional, Chief Dele Momodu of Ovation international as a photo-journalist .

According to him, Adebanke is a trend spotter that is worth emulating in the field of photo news because her works speak for itself, as she has raised the bar higher for soft-sell and photo news Journals in this part of the world to keep up their games into an enviable standard, he said”.

Chief Alex Duduyemi (OFR), one of the awardees at the launch added that FotoPlus is a front-line Photo news journal that projects the abilities that lie in the publisher amongst other women. He assured Adebanke his support to make it one of the best photo Journals in Africa.

Apart of the award, the event also

Adebanke Alayaki, publisher witness fashion parade. The First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abombola Fashola was among the awardees. She was honoured for the unequal passion she has shown for the welfare of the less privileged in the society while the First Lady of Ogun State, Her excellency Mrs Olufunso Amosun, Elder Statesman, Chief Alex Duduyemi (OFR) respectively went home with philanthropist of the year award.

VANGUARD, SATURDAY,JUNE 15, 2013—37

C M Y K

38—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013

NOLLYWOOD WEDDING SAGA:

‘The actor undergoing emotional healing' N

*Solomon Akiyesi

ollywood actor, Solomon Akiyesi who was in the news for the wrong reason about two months ago when he got involved in an aborted wedding at a living Church in Lagos, has decided to bury the hatchet and allow peace to reign in his home again.

This is because, according to the actor, the healing process in respect of the damage caused by the scandal is in progress, and talking about the incident again will only amount to opening old wounds and hurting the sensibilities of the parties involved.

Solomon had attempted to get married to one UlomaAgwu in Overcomers Church, Surulere, Lagos, when Lilian, his alleged legal wife stormed the wedding venue with her family and some thugs to disrupt the ceremony, claiming that Solomon was legally married to her, and that she was pregnant for him.

The incident made headlines in major national dailies and soft-sell magazines. But the embattled Solomon reportedly blamed his action on his wife’s nagging attitude which he said, almost made him commit suicide.

Chatting with HVP, via facebook during the week, Solomon said “ The wedding incident is not something I wanna tender in public again.

The healing process is going on for all involved including myself. So, I wouldn’t want to open old wounds and hurt anybody’s sensibility now.”

On how the scandal affected his career, the embattled actor said, “My career is my career. I don’t allow personal missteps to affect whatever I’m doing. If I could be on set when the favourite person in my life, my mother died, I doubt if anything else can stop the show from going on.

This is my passion.” Solomon is currently on location in Abuja.

European film festival berths in Jos T

he new Nigerian Film Corporation boss,Dr. Danjuma Dadu has called for sustainable partnership between Nigeria and promoters of the European Film Festival, towards having Nigerian films screened on the platform of structured film weeks/festivals in European countries in the shortest possible time.

Dadu maintains that the screening of Nigerian films in European nations will not only promote the cultural ties between Nigeria and other nations of the world, but entrench the appreciation of the various cultures among the peoples of the world.

The Nigerian Film Corporation boss, in a chat during the a courtesy call on him, in Jos, the Plateau State Capital, by the Head of delegation of the European Film Festival Mrs. Belin Calvo -Uyarra, commended the European countries for mounting the film festival, and in making Jos, one of the venues/city centres for the 2013 edition of the festival. Mrs. Calvo-Uyarra was accompanied on the visit by the Cultural Attaché of the Spanish Embassy in Nigeria Eva Barta.

The National Film Institute, Jos hosted the four day film festival which ran from June 6 through 9.

Earlier in an address at the flag off of the film festival, Dadu averred that, the collaboration efforts between nations of the World and Nigeria need to improve because “Nigerian films have exhibited monumental improvement in technical and professional flair” and has become very phenomenal in promoting the C M Y K

Prezzo welcomes Huddah back in Kenya

E NFC boss, Dr. Dadu flanked by representatives of the European film fesival organisers. development of positive potentials in Nigeria, with far reaching and deep impact across the world.

Mrs. Calvo-Uyarra, who is also the Head, Political Desk of the European Union (Countries) in Nigeria

informed film enthusiasts at the opening ceremony that the European Film Festival since 2008 has served as a platform for Nigerians to experience Europe through the “ lenses “ of some of the best contemporary film producers in the world.

Eddie Murphy’s daughter reveals modeling horror stories!

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aughter of star of “Coming to America”, Eddie Murphy, Bria Murphy, recently divulged some horror stories of what she’s personally seen and experienced in the fashion world.

And unlike her, it ain’t pretty. The 23-year-old made her confessions during a segment on Good Morning America, saying “Lots of girls get addicted to drugs and anorexia, there’s a whole list of things, because it’s a lot of pressure to be perfect. I’ve heard of people eating the cotton balls with the orange juice … they dip it in the orange juice and then they eat the cotton balls to help them feel full, because the cotton’s not doing anything. It’s just dissolving. And it makes you think you’re full, but you’re not.”

x-Big Brother Africa housemate and Kenyan rapper, Prezzo was on standby to receive his on and off girlfriend, Huddah Monroe who was the first Kenyan housemate to be evicted from Big brother Africa ‘The Chase’.

Prezzo was Kenya’s representative to BBA season 7, last year. He had earlier pleaded for votes on twitter when Huddah was nominated for possible eviction and when she was finally evicted, he thanked all those who voted for her.

Prezzo waited for her at the airport with his limo and picked her up when her flight landed.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013—39

Marketers jostle for Afrocandy’s soft-porn movie

*Afrocandy

I

t is not a rumour, but reality. Some movie marketers are jostling to win the right to sell Afrocandy ’s controversial “Destructive Instinct’ movie in Nigeria.

The American based Nollywood actress cum singer confirmed this development to HVP yesterday morning when she was contacted via facebook.

“Destructive Instinct” which is currently being greeted with mixed-reactions from fans features the 41-year old mother of 2

completely nude in sexually explicit positions as she tries to make a daring impact on the industry HVP gathered that some reputable marketers are already giving Afrocandy the headache in choosing who will eventually win the right to distribute her movie in the country. The film was premiered in America recently. Those who graced the premiere said,it was well attended.

Meanwhile, it is unclear if the censors board will pass the film for sale in Nigeria.

Etisalat brings Hollywood to Nigeria ..as Hakeem Kae-Kazim headlines TVC

Desmond Elliot stakes name for new film

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

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ollywood actor, Desmond Elliot is not known to be a man who can afford to stake his name just to impress anybody.

Following the release of his latest movie, The Place, the handsomeactorhasboastedofrefunding whatever amount of money his fans may spend in the cause of either going to the cinema to see the movie or purchasing a DVD copy of it, if they found the flick wanting in any way.

Elliot madethispromisewhilespeakingwith HVP during the week.

According to him, “The Place” which is alreadyreleasedonDVD. Hewentahead to vouch for the high quality of the movie, saying he’s ready to give money back to anyone who isn’t satisfied with it’s content.

Accordingtotheactor,“ThePlace” is his biggest movie project so far. “I know this will come across as chestthumping to some people but it is not.Thismovieismybiggestproject sofarandsodifferentfromeverything I have done”, he stressed.

A comedy flick , “The place” written by comedian, Mr. Patrick explores the story of a book stolen from ‘The Place’ by an evil man. It needs to be retrieved before the evil man destroys the world.

Produced by by Uche Jombo Studios and Denziot Productions. The Place was released directly on DVD last Monday nationwide. It starred actors such as Uche Jombo, Gordons, Mr. Patrick Onyeka, Bishop Ime-Umoh, Jude Orhorha, Ruth Kadiri and Helen Pa among other stars.

C M Y K

E

tisalat Nigeria has once again lived up to its expectation of being a telecommunications company that is bold, daring and truly innovative when it took advertising to a whole new level with its new Easyflex television commercial that featured Nigerian-born Hollywood actor, Hakeem KaeKazim.

The one-minute commercial opens with the actor, who has starred in various Hollywood blockbuster movies including ‘Pirates of the Caribbean III’, ‘Xmen Origins: Wolverine’ and the Oscar nominated film ‘Hotel Rwanda’, describing the all new Etisalat Easyflex bundle in an engaging monologue complete with special sound effects and high quality imagery.

Easyflex from Etisalat is the all-in-one bundle plan that allows customers to call more, browse more and text more to any network without restrictions. The plan was developed and launched late last year based on an in-depth research of the needs, lifestyles and communication habits of the Etisalat customers.

Beverly’s unbecoming confessions!

Hakeem K a e Kazim

BBA

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ne of Nigeria’s representatives in the ongoing Big Brother The Chase, Beverly Ada Osu last week spilled some part of her dark past on air.

Upon her arrival in the house,she told her fellow housemates she was expelled from the convent.

Last week,she made two shocking revelations; that she once aborted a four-month old pregnancy and that her mother was deported from America because of drugs. The dark video vixen who dated rapper 2Shotz also said she and her friends used to extort money from men. She made the confessions in the name of gisting with housemates.

Beverly first caught viewers’ attention in the house when she was made the Head of house (HOH) and given a task memo to read to the housemates. She couldn’t read it out claiming the grammar in the memo was not comprehensive; even though she said it was a joke, she became a laughing stock on twitter for her inability to read well.

*Beverly

40 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013

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SATURDAY, Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013—41

Delux e soiree ffor or Chin onkw o @ 50 Deluxe Chinyyelu Ok Okonkw onkwo

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t is no news that Senator Annie Okonkwo walks and dines with society ’s giants. When he organised an exclusive birthday soiree for his wife, Lady Chinyelu Okonkwo who turned the golden age of 50 recently at their Ikoyi residence, society titans made up of business tycoons and government top brass came calling to share the special day with the Okonkwos.

Particularly noteworthy, was the entrance of Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi, Collins Chikeluba of GMO Group and Cosmas Maduka of Coscharis Motors. These business gurus came calling with a difference that got them not only noticed but also the toast of the Paparazzi who could not help but fanning all over them all night long.

R-L: Mrs. Nnenna Obiejesi,hubby,Dr. Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi, Mrs. Charity Maduka & her hubby,Chairman, Coscharis Motors, Mr. Cosmas Maduka,Chairman of Tetrazzini Foods, Mr. Donatus Okonkwo

The celebrant, Lady Chinyere Okonkwo and hubby, Senator Annie Okonkwo.

Collins Chikeluba and Big Chi Ngonadi

L-R: Chairman,GMO Group, Mr. Collins Chikeluba, Barr. Emeka Okafor, Chairman, Tino Electronics, Mr. Timothy Ofoezie, GMD,Obijackson Group, Dr. Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi, and wife, Mrs. Nnenna Obiejesi

Abiagait launches helathcare solution with pomp

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biagait Health Solutions Limited recently launched Bayer Contour TS Blood Glucose Monitoring device in Lagos. Produced as an

Regional Manager, Anglophone West Africa, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Frederic Lieutaud; Abiagait Healthcare Solutions Ltd, Mr. Isaac Thompson Amos; Director Chemical Evaluation and Research, NAFDAC, Mr. Momodu-Segiru Mamodu; German Consul General, Mr. Walter Von Den Driesch.

Mrs. Uduak Isaac Amos and Mr. Ubong Ubot C M Y K

easy-to-use meter which enables individuals and families to monitor their blood glucose with little assistance from healthcare provider, Contour TS Blood Glucose Monitoring device is manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Germany. Here are photos of the event.

R-L:Mr. Augustus Ibanga , CEO of Pentagon Fortunes & Trust Limited, Lagos and some Matrons from General Hospitals in Lagos

A cross section of Medical Doctors and Pharmacists at the launch.

R-L: Mr.Alex Otti, Dr. Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi and wife, Nnenna.

Ruth and Adebisi t was celebration of love between AmaefuleRuth Igustine Adaeze Anuli and Adebisi Idowu Adegoke Auwhen the lovebirds crossed the tribal lines to be united as one. Family and friends were on hand to usher them into blissful matrimony

The Couple; Mr and Mrs Adebisi Idowu Adegoke Augustine

The couple; Mr and Mrs Adebisi Idowu Adegoke Augustine with the Best man and Chief Bridesmaid

42 — Vanguard,

SATURDAY JUNE 15, 2013

Double tragedy for Imo

...as robbers raid palace few days to burial of ruler

By CHIDI NKWOPARA, Owerri

E

KITIAFOR autonomous community in Abba, Nwangele Local Government area of Imo State, is a sleepy rural area that had been very peaceful.

Their unity of purpose was and is still legendary. This explains why they remained united in their quest to attain autonomous status.

Soon after achieving their collective desire, they not only chose their traditional ruler, Eze Timothy Chikwendu Uzoka, but also started working towards the man’s coronation. They actually planned very big for the event, but nature played a fast one on them. The royal father died barely two days to his coronation. Members of his immediate family and other well placed indigenes of the community naturally returned home and started planning for the burial. While this was going on, little did they know that another tragedy was in the offing.

In the early hours of June 3, 2013, just few days to the burial, daredevil armed robbers stormed the home of the late traditional ruler and carted away priced valuables belonging to members of the family.

The first information report from the royal family revealed that about six of the armed robbers forcefully gained entry into the palace while four out of the six were armed with guns. “Six of the armed robbers gained entry into the late royal father’s home. Two out of the

•Chief Ononenyi Uzoma Traditional Prime Minister four robbers were masked,” the Traditional Prime Minister of the community, Nze Ononenyi Uzoma told Crime Guard.

A

ccording to Nze Uzoma, the robbers were able to identify the widow and actually called her by name, adding that “this lends credence to the suspicion that there must be a local content to the robbery incident.” Continuing, the TPM who now doubles as the Regent confirmed that the robbers dispossessed members of the royal family of cash and personal effects, including

•Late Eze Timothy Chikwendu • Uzoka

jewelries and the widow’s American passport. “Apart from the N400,000 cash and jewelries, the most painful aspect was the stealing of the widow’s American passport.

The late royal father’s widow, Ugoeze Ngozika Uzoka is an American-based Attorney and we are all wondering what her fate will now be,” Uzoma said.

Convinced that the robbery had “a local content”, the community immediately started holding serious meetings and sniffing around the nooks and crannies of Abba for clues that would eventually lead to the

Alleged lunatic docked for possession of firearm in Lagos ByBARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

A

23-year-old alleged lunatic, Onorode Wisdom, was, last Wednesday, brought before a Lagos High Court in Igbosere, over a count charge of illegal possession of firearm. The defendant who resides at No. 142, Queens Barracks, Apapa, was said to be mad and was not represented by any counsel.

According to the charge: “Onorode Wisdom, on April C M Y K

29, 2007 at Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island in the Lagos Judicial Division was found to be in possession of a gun with the intent to commit a felony to wit: Armed Robbery.”

State prosecutor, Mr Akin Adesomoju, subsequently urged the court to direct an investigation on the mental state of the defendant, who was brought from prison.

He informed the court that the alleged offence was contrary to Section 403 (3) of the Criminal Code Law Cap. C17, Volume 2 Laws of Lagos State 2003.

arrest of the fleeing hoodlums.

While saying that the matter has been properly reported to the police, the traditional Prime Minister however, expressed worry that as at the time of the initial interview, the police were yet to visit the scene of crime.

A source in the village said as the days rolled by, it looked like the robbery incident was going to be one of those unresolved criminal cases.

“The community elders met again, especially when they realized that the vigilant group was moribund, following the

•Igwe’s wife,Ngozi Uzoka non-payment of their monthly stipends for about one year.

A

nother solid finding of the elders was that robbers did not come in a vehicle or on a motorcycle.

They reportedly asked for the key to the family vehicle but were warned that if they made the mistake of going close to it, the installed alarm would be triggered and the entire community would be awakened.

With this warning, the robbers distanced themselves from the vehicle and threatened to kidnap the late royal father’s second son, Prince Lawrence Uzoka. It took the plea of the widow for the robbers to change

Armed robbers lay siege on

By CYRIL OZOR, Nsukka

F

•CP Enugu State, Adamu ...Time for action.

EAR has gripped residents of the predominantly food producing communities of Nkpologu, Nimbo, Ukpabi, Opanda and Adani in Uzo-Uwani L.G.A, Enugu State following the rising spate of robbery attacks on the only road that leads to these areas. Sequel to the incessant attacks — farmers, traders and business men that throng the area for their daily existence now avoid the road. The situation has adversely affected food production and distribution in the state as buyers from within and neighbouring states now avoid the area like a plague.

Following this development, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), ‘De Patriots’, has written a petition to the state police boss, Mohammed Adamu, through the Area Commander, to come to the rescue of their people who have fallen victims to the robbery attacks.

Reports said the hoodlums who are armed with dangerous weapons including automatic guns, bows and arrows waylay their victims around lonely areas of the road. Eyewitness accounts said they attack

Vanguard, SATURDAY JUNE 15, 2013

royal family ,

Three of the suspects are from Ugwuaga, Abba, while the remaining is from Ekitiafor, Abba. We recovered one singlebarrel and one doublebarrel gun that were cut to size. We also recovered six live cartridges

,

their mind.

Obviously feeling badly insulted by the incident, the Regent called a final meeting that eventually saw to the changing of members of the vigilante group. Parents and guardians were also directed to ask their children and wards to come forward with any vital information that would lead to the arrest of the fleeing criminals. The community also threatened to invoke the gods of the lands if this process failed.”

It was gathered that few days after, the suspected ring leader of the armed robbery group who was simply identified as Onyemauchechukwu, walked straight to one of the leaders of the vigilant group and admitted that he and his group committed the crime. He, however, warned that his group would kill more people if he disclosed his identity and connection with the crime to anyone. Fear, naturally gripped the vigilante boys but the elders did a few things to encourage them. This happened on a Thursday.

Police sources said by Saturday night, the gang leader did not know that he was now under serious surveillance. He came out at about 7pm to the market square to

drink and was quickly rounded up. He was taken to the police post which the community built but no policeman was there.

O

ne of the elders who spoke on grounds of anonymity said that when he was interrogated, he started rolling out the names of his colleagues in crime, stressing that his three friends were spotted in Owerri, Port Harcourt and Enugu. “Our first captive used his phone to call his colleagues and informed them that there was another operation. So, they started coming to Abba one after the other and they were picked as they came into the area. The last person returned on Sunday,” the elder recounted.

Continuing, the elder explained that all the suspects are indigenes of Abba, adding that when each of them said where they dropped their loot, people rushed there to recover such stolen items. “Three of the suspects are from Ugwuaga, Abba, while the remaining is from Ekitiafor, Abba. We recovered one single-barrel and one double-barrel gun that were cut to size.

We also recovered six live cartridges”, the elder said.

Crime Guard gathered that the widow’s jewelries, one ladies handbag and one out of the four telephone handsets stolen during the armed robbery operation was recovered. The entire community was however unanimous in appealing to the police to ensure that the robbers do not return to the area.

Speaking later, the widow described her experience as “very traumatic and an experience I do not wish even my worst enemy”.

Confirming the development to Crime Guard in a telephone interview, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mrs. Joy Elemoko, a deputy superintendent of police, paid glowing tribute to the villagers that assisted the police in arresting the fleeing robbers.

“Four suspects are now our custody over the recent armed robbery attack in late Eze Timothy Chikwendu Uzoka’s palace,” the PPRO said.

Nsukka-Nkpologu-Adani road ..attack motorists, farmers, traders, NGO raises alarm motorists and dispossessed passengers of their belongings,and Some of the victims shot or wounded with cutlasses. One of the victims, a commercial bus driver from Kogi State told Crime guard that the armed daredevils forced him to stop at a sharp bend after Obimo, a neighbouring town in Nsukka L.G.A, forced all his passengers out of the bus, stripped them naked and started beating them. “They did this to both the old and young men and women, and they were dressed like cattle rearers.

After having their fill, they mercilessly stripped us of all the valuables including cash, took the young girls amongst us inside the bush and disappeared. They shot one of the passengers who said he had no money and he

was bleeding profusely. The operation lasted for hours and nobody came to our rescue.

Rather, other motorists who noticed what was happening made u-turn and ran away. They have continued to operate on the road daily and it seems the police cannot stop them. We suspect that those perpetrating this evil are Fulani cattle rearers who have turned the thick bushes on the road into homes,”he stated.

Meanwhile, a non-profit making association of dedicated patriotic indigenes of the local government have alerted police authorities in the state of the incessant robbery attacks on the road which they said has lead to colossal loss of property, cash and human lives.

— 43

A-B-D-U-C-T-I-O-N

n o s r u o f o s r le il k t u Fish o sks police — Enugu community ta

...immortalize slain merchant Stories by CHINENYE OZOR, Nsukka

T

HE people of Ogulogu-Olo in Ezeagu Local government area, Enugu State have called on police authorities to fish out killers of one of their illustrious sons, Cajetan Osondu Nweke who met his untimely death in the hands of kidnappers after a ransom of N1million was paid. The 44year-old building merchant and his brother, Maite Onyibo, an European based referee, were abducted in May 6, 2013 at Nkwo-Olo market by yetto-be known hoodlums who later demanded N3million ransom from their family.

Family members later raised N1million which was paid to his

abductors only for the mutilated dead body of the merchant to be dumped around Ninth-Mile corner few hours later. The European returnee was beaten half dead and also dumped where he was picked and rushed to hospital.

The President-General of the town, Mr. Peter Eneruo who made the call to police authorities during the burial of the slain merchant lamented the manner he was killed and tasked law enforcement agents to bring the killers to book. He announced that the town decided to immortalize their slain son by naming the community town hall still under construction after him adding, “we want to roof the new community hall in the name of Cajetan Nweke so that he would remain ever-green in our minds. I am sorry for the hands that strangled Caje to death, they have murdered sleep and would never have sleep in their life anymore,” he stated.

In a homily during the funeral mass, the parish priest, St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Ogulogu Olo, Rev. Fr. Syracus Agu, described the late merchant as an epitome of excellence,characterized by freedom for the development of the community. “God wanted him at that material time he was killed by his abductors,so nobody should say he did not die a natural death, Caje was an engine oiled by openness and goodwill who hardly can hurt a fly, that was why we started the mass with full Rosary,” he said.

•Slain Cajetan with his son

Carpenter commits suicide in Nsukka

T

RAGEDY struck at the University town of Nsukka, Enugu State after a middle-aged carpenter allegedly hanged self at Uwani Ugwu, Nguru in Nsukka Local Government Area. The carpenter who was simply identified as Tochukwu Obodo,35,hailed from Ovoko in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area, Enugu State, allegedly hanged self in a mango tree close to his residence at Uwani, Nguru.

Crime Guard gathered that the carpenter returned from his Ovoko Community Monday morning around 11am only to allegedly hang self in the night of same Monday. It could not be ascertained whether he left a suicide note as his lifeless body was still dangling on the mango tree when Crime Guard visited the scene of the incident.

A tenant in the yard Anthony Ezema, who spoke to Crime Guard

said the deceased carpenter slept in the same bed with his younger brother, Chinweugo Obodo but he, the brother was surprised to see Tochukwu hanging on a mango tree the next morning.

“Nobody can say exactly why he allegedly hanged self but I can tell you he did not quarrel with anybody the previous day that would warrant such dastardly act,” he noted.

As at the time of this report, people were still trooping to the scene of the incident to have a glimpse of the carpenter who was well known within the area. Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ebere Amarizu told Crime Guard on phone that Police have commenced full investigations to unravel the circumstances surrounding the alleged suicide. “We have been informed of the alleged suicide of Tochukwu Obodo and Police are on top of the incident,” he said.

C M Y K

44—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013

Monkey makes medical history after having a successful liver transplant A Tibetan macaque has entered the record books after successfully undergoing a liver transplant using an organ taken from a cloned pig. The Xijing Hospital in Xi'an, China, announced that it made the successful liver transplant from the pig to a monkey on Thursday.. The transplant took place on May 28, and the macaque is now in a stable condition for the transplant to be considered a success.

He's definitely gathered some dust!

A 2,500-year-old Egyptian mummy is coming out of its coffin to undergo cleaning and restoration procedures at Massachusetts General Hospital today.

The mummy known as Padihershef has been on display at the third oldest general hospital in the United States since it received him as a gift from the city of Boston in 1823 as a medical oddity.

A conservator trained in restoring ancient artifacts will remove him from his coffin today and use cotton swabs to wipe away salt deposits from his face.

A remote village with 100 pairs of twins A remote village in northern India has baffled experts after it was revealed more than 100 pairs of twins have been born there.

Mohammedpur Umari has just 6,000 people with no proper roads, school or hospital. It could pass for any underprivileged hamlet in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state.

But researchers have found it is highly unusual because it has had more than 100 pairs of twins in last 50 years.

Residents of the village, in Dhumanganj area of Allahabad district, say this number could have passed 200 had there been a hospital in the area

Through thick and thin Recovering anorexic and morbidly obese man to wed after meeting at eating disorder clinic. Lizzie Elsburg, 24, met Chris Glasgow, 28, in eating disorder clinic. She was 6.5 stone, while Chris Glasgow was a 35 stone overeater. Couple bonded, fell in love and were engaged within a month. Lizzie is now a healthy 9st and Chris has lost 5st. Their whirlwind relationship shocked family and friends but now the couple are living near each other in Lizzie's hometown of Lorton, Virginia, and planning their future.

Mother-of-two drinks half-a-gallon of human blood a month Meet the vampire-obsessed mother-of-two who drinks half-a-gallon of live human blood a month. wilight and True Blood have made vampires the fictional theme du jour. But for one suburban mother-of-two, the blood-sucking lifestyle is a reality. Julia Caples, 45, from Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania has been drinking live human blood from willing donors for the past 30 years. The care worker, who says she is hooked on the practice, consumes around half-a-gallon of blood per month and believes that it keeps her feeling young and vigorous.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

BY EMMANUEL EDUKUGHO

T

Gov. Jonah Jang

Gov. Amaechi

he whole political land scape of this country has been blighted by the controversial election of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF). For most people who believe in freedom and democracy, the air smells a little less sweet, the sun shines a little less bright and the future is a little less hopeful.

Seeds of fear, doubt and mistrust about our democracy have been scattered far and wide from the dust of the disputed NGF election which has not settled.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State was declared winner of the NGF poll, while another faction of the NGF pronounced Plateau State’s Governor Jonah Jang winner, backed by the ruling PDP and the Goodluck Jonathan presidency. So we have two chairmen, almost co-equal.

A bulk of the Northern governors, South-West governors seemed to support Amaechi. The entire South-East governors, South-South and just a handful from the North lined up behind Jonah Jang. Both of them are from the same political party. A PDP Northern governor denounced his colleagues for betraying the party by voting for out-offavour Amaechi at the secret balloting which saw him emerged as winner.

Maverick Governor Amaechi, who in this case is behaving differently from the expected way, has remained adamant, insisting on his mandate as NGF chairman, not minding whose ox is gored.

He has been slammed with suspension by PDP, refused to be cajoled or give up the chairmanship to Jonah Jang. He is likely to be expelled and may face impeachment.

Senate Deputy President, Ike Ekweremadu, reacting on Ray Power Radio when asked about the Governors’ Forum crisis on Democracy Day edition of Fact File, said: “It is mere distraction, completely unnecessary and uncalled for,” pointing out that the NGF was not provided for in the Nigerian Constitution as amended.

While political observers are of the view that Amaechi should have acted with wisdom, character and maturity in this matter, others believed he has the right to pursue his political ambition

NGF Impasse:

Disaffection, intrigues, ambition playing out The NGF is coming to the realisation of maintaining viable and functional secretariat. Both Amaechi and Jang have commissioned their different secretariats in Abuja with fanfare. within constitutional limit.

His presidential ambition is not going down with the PDP who sees him as a spoiler, a pawn in the Northern political chess board – a region wishing to wrest power from the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan at any cost. For Amaechi, he has reached a point of no return and prepared to go the whole distance. But the question is, must he remain in PDP to actualise any presidential ambition whatsoever?

Amaechi had an option to resign from

Vanguard, JUNE 15,, 2013—45

PDP and join the opposition. Why he is fighting the PDP is best known to him.

On the other hand, some are contending that Jonah Jang, who looked like a reluctant candidate was drafted at the eleventh hour by the PDP to do the “dirty job” and protect the integrity of the party.

“Jang is a complete gentleman who did not bargain for the job, taking into cognizance, his age and poor health,” a competent source told Saturday Vanguard.

From past, aggrieved candidate in an election went to court to seek redress,s if he is ot satisfied with the result. But instead, Jang declared himself, with connivance of a faction of the governors who are pro-Jonathan, chairman of NGF. There are several governors forums/ fora in Nigeria today which was not the situation at advent of democracy.

From the original NGF to which the 36 governors belonged, now the centre cannot hold, with splinters according to party and geo-political zones. There are PDP Governors’ Forum (PDPGF), South-East Governors’ Forum (SEG-F), Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF), South-West Governors’ Forum (SWGF) and who knows if South-South Governors are also contemplating having a forum.

The positive aspects of the crisis include creating public awareness about the existence of the forum which hitherto people took for granted as not relevant to the good of the masses. The NGF is coming to the realisation of maintaining viable and functional secretariat.

Both Amaechi and Jang have commis-

sioned their different secretariats in Abuja with fanfare.

The Jonah Jang faction of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum has gone ahead to launch a new website, “expected to project and propagate the vision and mission of the NGF under Dr. Jang as a non-confrontational, fence mending, bridge-building and above all, supportive of Mr. President and other leaders in their quest to build a new Nigeria of our dreams and aspirations.”

According to Jang, “the NGF is out to strengthen the democracy we have all painstakingly nurtured overtime, serve the collective interests of all Nigerians devoid of selfish tendencies which could threatened the unity, peace, stability and progress of the nation.”

He insisted that there is no factionalisation at the NGF and the body is one and he is the chairman of NGF. President Jonathan has even publicly acknowledged and recognised Jang as NGF chairman.

For Governor Amaechi, there is no going back on his mandate freely given by his colleagues. He has also ruled out the possibility of a consensus candidate to replace him in order to resolve the dispute.

Referring to the May 24, 2013 NGF election in which he defeated Jang by 19-16 votes, he told the press in Abuja: “That is the mandate that was freely given and I will stick to that mandate.”

Extolling the virtues of democracy, he declared: “I think it is up to Nigerians to know that nothing pays more than democracy, the right to choose who you want to choose and the governors, having made their choice, we can only do one thing but stand by the choice the governors have made.”

A social critic and rights activist, Mr. Aggrey Erikowa, acknowledged the freedom of Nigerians to seek any political office in the land as long as he satisfied the criteria, conditions and requirements needed for the election.

He frowned at what he called, “meddlesomness of the presidency in NGF election.”

While condemning the inordinate ambition of Governor Amaechi to retain the NGF chairmanship; by all means, Erikowa told Saturday Vanguard that, “the emphasis should be on providing good governance and dividends of democracy to the people.”

46—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013

JUNE 12

My meetings with Annan and Anyaoku – Abiola

B

eing the full report of the meeting between Mr. Kofi Annan, then UN Secretary-General, his Commonwealth of Nations counterpart, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola during the struggle to actualise the June 12, 1993 presidential election mandate won by Chief Abiola, believed to be free, fair and most transparent, only to be annulled by the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida.

He was later arrested by the military junta of General Sani Abacha which ousted the Interim National Government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan, hurriedly put in place as General Babangida was stepping aside after 8 years as military president.

Abiola was charged with treason, detained in military confinement, tried, and later died in custody after several years of incarceration.

The meeting with Kofi Annan as recounted by Abiola himself I never met Kofi Annan before. In fact, I never knew that Boutros Ghali was no longer UN Secretary-General. Annan was sure I knew him and for the first 30 minutes, I did not know who I was talking to. In the circumstances, I had to tell him that I had no access to any media for four years and was out of date.

He got the message and then introduced himself and intimated to me the many steps he has taken for my release since 18 months in office.

Next, he told me the new head of state had agreed to release me unconditionally but Abubakar wanted an undertaking that I should not seek for my mandate. I told him at that point that, that in itself is the worst of conditions. He, the head of state, felt that any such renewed

request will only cause “confusion” as it would not have any effect.

Annan told me that nobody in the international community will recognise me on the basis of a five-year old mandate, insinuating that but for the purported annulment, I would have finished the first term covered by my election of June 12, 1993. He ended by saying that such undertaking will facilitate my release.

I interjected that my detention would have ended ages ago if I had given such undertaking.

I thanked him for his efforts on my behalf. I told him firmly that I can give no such undertaking as requested because it will be worse than useless. My declaration was made in public at a mass rally at Epetedo, Lagos, before thousands of people despite the heavy downpour of that evening. It was made in clear terms, without any ambiguity.

I then surrendered myself for arrest and was put on trial, which continued until my affidavit of October 4, 1994 showed the federal military government in a no-win situation.

Nothing on June 12 has been done “under the table” or at a “secret meeting” because June 12 is the number one public matter in our country. Even the counting of votes was done openly and in public at every one of the over 209,000 voting centres throughout the nation.

Secondly, given a “private declaration” to secure my own release will make all concerned look cheap. Such “declaration” obtained under duress will not only be worthless but unworthy of all who are involved with it. Since the issue relates to the mandate of all Nigerian people, such a private statement will amount to “shaving our people’s heads in their absence” – an

•Late Chief MKO Abiola

Annan told me that nobody in the international community will recognise me on the basis of a fiveyear old mandate, insinuating that but for the purported annulment, I would have finished the first term covered by my election of June 12, 1993 exercise in illusion.

On the issue of non-recognition because of the elapse of time, I told Annan that I do not believe it. And the case for my recognition by the London Times of last Friday (July 3,

•Kofi Annan

Emeka Anyaoku

1998) proved me right. If what Annan said were true, it would amount to a person (the federal military government) being allowed to profit from his illegal action – the purported annulment which they had no power to do with decree and four-year detention – another illegality.

My own concession on the issue of declaration in my statement to him is that I will not make any fresh declaration.

Firstly, because it will not be necessary anymore since the first one of June 11, 1994 has

served the purpose fully to keep June 12 alive. I told him that the state in which June 12 is now is such that I can now, on my release, take time to check my health locally and abroad, rebuild the cohesion of my family which has become tattered by the events of the past five years in general and the brutal assassination of my senior wife, Kudi and of course, breathe life into my business. This is because June 12 is today a major world issue, compared with the sitContinues on page 47

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15 , 2013—47

Why we voted for Uduaghan

– Ukwuani widows

By Ephraim Oseji

W

idows from Ukwuani local government area of Delta State have explained why they voted massively for Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and all other PDP candidates in the 2011 general elections.

Speaking at Umuaja during the PDP local government reconciliation meeting, Mrs. Magaret Onyolu , a community leader, who spoke on behalf of the widows, said the victory of the party in Ukwuani was because a few weeks to the election, “an illustrious son of this local government, Mr. Leonard Esegbue, was appointed as a commissioner”. According to her, this was the first time in history that an indigene of the community would be appointed in spite of it having the highest population in the local government area. “Before now, all major appointive or elective positions have always been occupied by Obiaruku and Umutu people, a situation that has surprisingly re-enacted itself again immediately after PDP won the election .

We thought that his appointment was designed to address this age long injustice, not knowing that it was for the

purpose of just achieving victory for the party”, Onyolu said.

According to her, Esegbue is the only politician in Ukwuani LGA who has severally implemented a welfare program for the widows when he served as Secretary to Local Government. “He expanded his welfare program to include the orphans when he became the vice chairman of the local government council. Immediately he was made a commissioner, he opened a welfare centre where he was addressing the problems of all manners of people from this local government. He always came to our aid whenever we were oppressed and had cause to bite our fingers in remembrance of our late husbands”, she said. Onyolu went on: “For us as a people, voting for his party PDP was a medium of showing him appreciation for what he has done for us in the past. We all witnessed the seven Uduaghan souvenirs he distributed in the state towards the party victory during the election. If not for his sake, DPP would have swept this local government area because both their governorship and deputy governorship

zGovernor Emmanuel Uduaghan candidates have parental roots from this LGA. We will not stand seeing our messiah, a serving commissioner kneeling down in an open field and begging people to vote for Uduaghan.

W

e had no option than to join him in convincing the people to vote for Uduaghan. Most of us fasted and prayed for PDP victory because of Esegbue.

“This is the only ward PDP won election in this local government area and we also gave the party the highest

number of votes. This made it possible for the party to achieve more than the constitutionally required 25 or 30 percent of total votes cast. We can also tell you that a lot of people changed their perception of PDP and voted for the party in other wards because within few days after his appointment he created a government complaint centre which was commissioned by the then Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Solomon Areyinka, where he was addressing the various problems of our people. So, to

most of us, his presence in the government enclave was innovative and the beginning of a new dawn .All the PDP candidates we voted for won their election s except the House of Assembly candidate who though won in this ward lost in the remaining nine wards that make up the local government including his ward.

Though, today he is the Transition Committee Chairman.

“For proper reconciliation to take place, they should first of all address the injustice that has been meted to the man who made us vote for them.

None of the past or even present political office holders from this local government area can boast that PDP won any election in their wards expect Esegbua, who was just a few hours in office hours in office as a commissioner before election .

The big question now is, if PDP has lost elections in all the wards in the state, like they lost in the ward of the present office holders, would they have been able to form a government to be appointing their friends and forgetting those that made it possible for the party’s victory?” Speaking in the same vein, another widow, Mrs. Angela Osai, said, “Our hopes have been dashed because we had a covenant with Esegbua. He told us to vote for President Jonathan, Governor Uduaghan and all PDP candidates, so that he will take care of us. We did just that, but today where is the benefit? We are not happy with what is happening. We know we have no power, but God is watching”.

Meetings with Annan and Anyaoku Continued frompage 46 uation four years ago when it was in a coma.

Meeting with Emeka Anyaoku he same grounds were covered, so all t he above comments were also relevant.

In fact, I believe the Federal Military Government “used” the two men to fly their kite on “declaration” which was the main issue they both said worried the FMG. Both diplomats appear to have coordinated their positions.

Chief Anyaoku made the additional point that he had

T

sought legal opinion and it was confirmed to him that the five-year lapse has killed the mandate. My answer to that is that, in the court of public opinion, legal advice is useless. Which country has ever solved her political problems by seeking legal advice? And what do the masses of our people know of “legal advice?” He also said he had met people like Shonekan. I told him that all these “big men” do not carry weight with the people and that Shonekan particularly cannot win a ward councilor election in Itoko ward in Abeokuta South local

government whee he comes from! He must not rely too much on such people!

Again, the London Times piece is enough to debunk his “legal opinion.” I asked him pointedly what made it his business to seek legal advice?

The two of them were working as agents of the Federal Military Government whether they are paid or not, beyond the free (not clear) and hotel (not clear) I won’t know!

And that is not our business either!

Anyaoku’s Response Commonwealth Secretary-

General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku issued a statement on July 16 saying that the suggestion made in some newspapers that he was invited to Nigeria by the Federal Military Government to put pressure on Chief Abiola to renounce his mandate was a “mischievous distortion.”

The purpose of his visit, he said, was to discuss recent developments with the new Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar and urge a speedy movement in Nigeria to a credible democracy, beginning with the release of Chief Abiola and all the other

detainees.

Answering a question about Abiola’s mandate at a press conference in Lagos following their meeting, Anyaoku stated: “Chief Abiola will speak for himself about his mandate when he becomes a free man.” The statement said Anyaoku had received the news of Chief Abiola’s death with great shock and deep personal sadness and rejected as utterly misleading the recent negative comments about their final meeting.

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Compiled by Emmanuel Edukugho

48—SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013

Education and human development

By SALIHU MOH. LUKMAN Continued from last week

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his situation has produced an unfortunate symmetry between poor state of public education and levels of poverty. It has also produced a reality whereby public education is underfunded, unstable and unpredictable. Capital and recurrent funding to education in the last three decades is far below UNESCO recommended 26% of national budget and total enrolment is scandalously low.

With the possible exception of South Africa, this is the situation across all Africa. In the case of Nigeria with geometric rise in government revenue mainly from crude oil, the situation is the same – weak capacity to discharge responsibility towards developing the ability of governments at all levels to meet the task of creating productive citizens. By the accounts of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria has earned N8.875 trillion between 2002 and 2006. This has shot to N8.878 trillion for 2011 alone and in 2012, N8.117 trillion. GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP) has almost trebled from $170 billion in 2000 to $451 billion in 2012.

Similarly, GDP per capita doubled from $1400 per person in 2000 to an estimated $2,800 per person in 2012.

Total expenditures on education by all Nigerian governments combined are estimated at about 3.5 percent of GDP and 15.2 percent of total government expenditure. There is also the fact that it is one thing to make budgetary allocations, but another matter entirely on what actually gets expended in the education sector.

The consequence is that the act of governance has become antithetical to knowledge. Citizens even when trained and educated remained ignorant or overtime end up experiencing brain atrophy mainly as a result of inability to use or apply knowledge. With such unfortunate scenario, rather than direct society towards controlling the environment, the environment instead conquers citizens. Thus, it can be argued that in so many respects government has become partly the problem of our contemporary world with rulers crazily accelerating modern societies to disasters of increasing magnitude.

This is unfortunately the story of Nigeria. With estimated 170 million population, combination of collapse of public education since the 1990s, poor funding, corruption and mismanagement are increasingly taking Nigeria away from civilisation.

Current state of education in the country is, to say the least, appalling.

The situation has brought about a sad reality whereby people with means end up sending their children to schools in other countries, including relatively poorer nations than Nigeria.

People with means include public servants whose main source of income is public funds that should have ordinarily been used to develop the educational sector.

The vehicle that is predominantly employed is projects so much that everything about governance today is reduced to contracts to execute

•Governor Aregbesola these projects often with little or no zero value addition. So called chief executives are today’s chief valuation officers for projects and virtually all Executive Councils at all levels of government in the country have replaced the functions of Tenders Boards. With free money from the Federation Account monthly being distributed to all tiers of governments, rulers don’t have to bother about anything called tax which should normally be a function of disposable income of citizens. Oil resource (revenue) from the Federation Account naturally guarantees resources to execute socalled projects and through them our rulers are can guarantee themselves some ‘exotic’ lifestyles.

This is the sad Nigerian story today.

It is a story that is dominant and has become cancerous producing all manner of crises across the nation.

No doubt, there are some state governments that are genuinely working hard to develop initiatives that would reverse this trend, reconnect governance with quest for knowledge aimed at solving problems faced by citizens. In some ways, it would appear that State of Osun (as they prefer to be called) best represent the category of states that are genuinely interested in addressing this problem. Why Osun? What has the state done that is different? Are they not also implementing projects that may be prone to corrupt enrichment of public officials?

On Monday, June 3, 2013, the State of Osun launched ‘Opon-Imo’, which is an e-learning project for pupils in the secondary schools. It entails giving each student in senior secondary schools, Computer Tablet (otherwise known as Opon Imo) to aid teaching and learning in all secondary

schools across the state. The Opon Imo is a self-study aid, a robust electronic device with uniform learning content for all secondary school students.

It is an Indigenous Computer Programmed Instruction (CPI) with locally produced content, designed for the Nigerian secondary education system. Presently, the project targets 150,000 students in the SSS 1 – 3 category and their teachers.

According to the state government, “the advantages of the Opon Imo are many. One is that it has an in-built feedback mechanism for monitoring students’ performance. Second, the tablet frees the student from the physical burden of backpack of books and the healthcare-costs of ‘badbacks’. In addition, it makes learning less stressful because of its handiness.

Students can take it anywhere with them and have instant knowledge and information about their school work.

“The tablet is preloaded with seventeen (17) subjects offered by students in the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (WASSCE). The subjects have been designed in forms of lesson notes, textbooks, mostly provided by Publishers and Master Teachers Inputs. A content verifier has also verified lesson notes on each subject (Masters Teachers Works).

“Besides, seven extra-curricular subjects such as Sexuality Education, Civic Education, Yoruba History, Ifa Traditional Religion, Computer Education and Entrepreneurship Education, and Twelve Thousand Yoruba Proverbs are also included.

“Also included are ten years’ past questions and answers provided by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the West African Examinations Council

(WAEC). Consequently, questions and answers in 17 ordinary level subjects have been provided. They are English Language, Mathematics, Agricultural Science, Economics, Principles of Accounts, Literature in English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Yoruba, Commerce, Further Mathematics, History, Geography, Government, IRK and CRK. “Presently, 56 e-textbooks, covering 17 subjects’ areas are preloaded in the Computer tablet – Opon-imo. In addition, seven extracurricular subjects with relevant books are preloaded, bringing the e-textbooks to 63. There are also, 51 audio tutorials embedded in the Opon-imo to further aid students through virtual study plan.”

What makes the story of Opon Imo very attractive and recommendable are not just the details of the content but the cost analysis, which was provided by the state government.

Apart from the fact that its contents can be customised to meet the needs of users, it is very affordable base on the following cost analysis: 1. WASC past questions for all subjects for a period of ten years on seventeen subjects at a conservative estimate of N1000 per subject will give a conservative figure of N2,550,000,000 (N2.55 Billion).

2. Virtual Classroom zone containing 51 audio tutorials estimated at about N5000 per session gives N38,250,000,000 (N38.25 Billion) for 150,000 students.

3. 63 e-textbooks preloaded at a conservative estimate of N1000 each comes to N63, 000 x 150, 000 = N9,450,000,000 (N9.45 Billion).

The state government sums it up with the explanation that were they “to engage in the physical purchase of hard-copies of textbooks for the 17 subjects taught in our public schools, hard-copies of 51 audio tutorials, hard-copies of JAMB & W.A.E.C past questions & answers for all subjects for a period of 10years, it would (conservatively speaking) cost a whopping sum of N50.25billion.”

State of Osun is providing each students of SSS 1 – 3 Opon Imo free based on initial rollout of 150,000 to be distributed to students and teachers.

The question at this point is what is the cost of the 150,000 Opon Imo being introduced in all public senior secondary schools in State of Osun?

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Governor of the state who conceived the whole idea while window shopping in an electronic store announced during the launching that the total cost of the e-textbooks is slightly above N200 million. One of the things that the Opon Imo project necessitated is the installation of solar panels in schools to power the devices.

At face value therefore it could be argued that with public investment of slightly above N200 million on etextbooks, the government of State of Osun under the leadership of Ogbeni Aregbesola has saved the state N8.4billion.

Lukman, a development economist and activist, writes from Abuja.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013—49

Nigerians, immigrants provide safe sanctuary for terrorist operations —Ejiofor

zBarrister Mike Ejiofor

Barrister Mike Ejiofor, FSI, PNM, is the Chairman/CEO of Apex Safety & Security Consultants Ltd. He is a retired Director of State Security Service with over 37 years' experience in Security, Intelligence and Consulting within the Security Industry. Ejiofor was part of the Federal Government Observer delegation to the Liberian Presidential Election which brought Charles Taylor to Power and served as the Chief Security Detail to Pope John Paul II during the latter's official visit to Nigeria in 1998.

In this interview with Moses Nosike, Ejiofor reveals why the country is facing a lot of security challenges. Excerpts:

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he killing of innocent Nige rians by the so-called “Gun Men” is alarming, even with the recent killing of the police in Nasarawa. Why is it happening now that Jonathan is the President and what should FG do to secure the nation?

“Gun Men” could refer to militant groups, ethnic militias, or Islamist terrorist groups such as the Boko Haram sect. Either way, it is true that there is a present security challenge confronting the country, particularly with the emergence of terrorist groups such as the Boko Haram and ANSARU. These groups did not start with this present administration. The escalation of hostilities and sophistication we might be seeing from the Boko Haram and its affiliates show you that they were an evolving process that took years to get to this point. In other words, their unchecked activities (in the past) were bound to explode at some point which happens to be now. Nigerian Security Agencies have however made significant headway in the fight against terrorism and the Federal Government has further taken more proactive measures to deny terrorists any breathing space. For example, in a recent broadcast President Goodluck Jonathan declared a State of Emergency on three states in Northern Nigeria in response to the escalation of violence and terrorist activities occasioned by the violent Islamic sect, known as Boko Haram.

It is believed that this will go a long way in addressing some of the security challenges in the country.

On the other hand, the issue of Nasarawa State is quite different and to a larger extent, an isolated incident when taking into consideration other security challenges affecting the country. Security agencies have so far officially confirmed that some police officers and men as well as operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS)were killed in the May 7 attack in Nasarawa State by members of the Ombatse cult as they were on their way to arrest their leader. The State Police Commissioner was quoted in the media as saying that the mission was in response to the frequent attacks on Churches and Mosques by the cult accused of forcing people to swear to an oath at the shrine. Investigations are still ongoing, so it is hard at this point to say what exactly happened.

Presently the IG of police has ordered an intensive manhunt for the killers of the security operatives. It is believed that when they are arrested and interrogated (especially their ring leader) much more will be revealed.

So when you take all this into consideration, you will understand that

firstly, there is a security challenge but at the same time most of our security operatives that died in all these states died as a result of trying to curtail an escalation of hostilities. If not for their sacrifices the situation would have been worse than this.

It was revealed also that “boys” are being recruited from neighbouring countries to partake in this bizarre killing going on in the country. What does that suggest to you?

The greatest security challenge facing Nigeria is the issue of terrorist acts of Boko Haram that intends to impose Islam on Nigeria. Don’t we have Christians in the North

Yes, this brings me to the issue of our porous borders. For example, during a recent debate for and against border fencing in Nigeria, a Federal Lawmaker advocated the fencing of 3,140 square kilometres of borderlines which he claimed allowed illegal immigrants access into the country through “1,497 illegal routes.

It will be recalled that about twenty illegal immigrants, suspected to be terrorists, were on the 26th of March 2013 arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Lagos State.

This arrest followed a statement by Military Service Chiefs (while addressing the Senate) that the plan by Boko Haram to bomb Lagos was real.

The suspects were reportedly hiding in a trailer filled with goods when they were intercepted by men of the State Security Services. That same month, illegal aliens suspected to be terror-

ists at Ijora area of Lagos were arrested by security operatives. The suspects, who are Malians and Chadians, were occupying a three-storey building owned by a state government. The arrest led to the recovery of arms and explosives. Earlier, the State Police Command and the State Task Force on Environmental Offences had arrested a total of 92 suspects from various parts of the state. Among the suspects were 57 Nigerians and 18 Malians, who according to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) are illegal immigrants living in Nigeria without required documents.

So, it is true that illegal immigrants have access into the country to perpetrate crime. But we must also acknowledge the fact that it is Nigerians like you and me and legal immigrants that often provide a safe sanctuary for these people to operate. That is why it is continually said that the war on terror depends more on who the community decides to cooperate with, i.e. either they choose to aid security agencies in providing valuable and timely information (intelligence gathering), or on the other hand choose to be passive and active supporters of terrorists within their midst. Notwithstanding, the building of a border fence as agitated by some is out of the question considering the enormous cost and logistics involved. Most security experts support the use of a combination of satellite imaging, enhanced border patrols, community cooperation on intelligence matters and more rigorous anti-corruption campaigns as better and more cost effective alternatives to border fencing.

Some Nigerians are of the view that why the killing is escalating especially in the North is because the President is slow to act; should he have declared a state of emergency before now?

I wouldn’t say the President is slow to act. The Nigerian society is dynamic and the President is only displaying his democratic culture by carefully studying the situation before acting.

History has proofs of countless leaders all around the world who have made hasty and rash decisions and ended up regretting it. This to some

extent is also the case in the declaration of a State of Emergency. The President had to explore all other options while the “carrot and stick” approach was used. Before the declaration of the State of Emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, the President had set up an amnesty committee on Boko Haram despite oppositions. The President therefore displays maturity before taking any action. His attribute should not be misconstrued for weakness.

FG set up a committee for Boko Haram to embrace Amnesty, was that a wise decision considering the number of families who had suffered losses without compensation?

Many factors were taken into consideration before the decision to grant amnesty, so I would not subscribe to the fact that it was unwise. Firstly, the group never solicited for amnesty. Also prominent Northerners such as Shehu Sani and Datti Ahmed who would have made a huge difference refused to serve in the committee faulting both the composition and structure of the committee, and Government’s un-seriousness in implementing Reports in the past. That aside, the ‘faceless’ nature of the sect has practically made it very difficult for any real and significant form of amnesty to take place, meaning that the sect members have refused to show a commitment to integrate fully into the Nigerian society. However, the Amnesty Committee is going ahead with its assignment. It is hoped that they might achieve results, but I personally have my doubts.

If these killings are not stopped now, do you see any sign of civil war?

Nigeria has experienced a civil war and cannot survive another civil war.

Besides, on what premise is there going to be civil war? The greatest security challenge facing Nigeria is the issue of terrorist acts of Boko Haram that intends to impose Islam on Nigeria. Don’t we have Christians in the North, so how is the war going to be fought? Nigeria cannot fight any war along religious lines. We are only passing through a phase that we must overcome.

50 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

TEARS FOR MY FRIEND MICHAEL PREST

By KEN UGBECHIE

igerians and in fact, all Africans who were at the ITU show felt proud of the miracle out of Africa which is what the Nigerian story is.

Juwah assured the audience made up of investors from the United States, Europe, Asia etcetera that the regulatory agency which he leads, the NCC, is retooling the sector in a manner that would make it an investor’s delight. He assured them of equity and transparency which he

BY DAN YODEJI

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EV Chris Okotie’s article titled, “The Fierce Urgency Of Now” which was published on the back page of the Thisday edition of May17, 2013 showed clearly how corruption and crime conflate to create the present state of siege in Nigeria. But there are other dangers now emerging: the killing of police men by many armed groups around the country. We are living on the edge of anarchy by a generation of renal youths who openly dare constituted authority.

While terrorism is the fall-out of a global jihadist agenda of a loose band of Islamists operating in different regions of the world, Al-Quaeda, the arrow head of this deadly campaign didn’t have Nigeria on its radar until Boko Haram reared its ugly head in the North Eastern part of the country in 2009. Poor handling of the crisis has put the nation in this quagmire.

According to Rev. Okotie “The current situation of the Nigerian nation has reached the stage where the divisive forces ranged against it constitute a clear and present danger to its corporate existence. The forces in question-corruption, which is the toughest enemy; terrorism, crime and Islamic fundamentalism, are well known to most Nigerians.

“What we don’t know is how the federal government intends to deal with these problems expeditiously before they get out of hand.” Although, President Goodluck Jonathan acted tough by declaring a state of emergency in three states- Yobe,

Juwah’s optimism is not misplaced

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best practices. He signed off with a solemn promise to stir up the market in 2013.

No doubt, Juwah’s homily at the global summit of telecom champions resonated with the audience. He did not only win the crowd, he also won their pocket. This is reflective in the surge in foreign direct investment (FDI) into the telecom sector between then and now.

Early last month, Juwah, took his broadband evangelism to Canada.

The event was the Nigeria-Canada Investment Conference which held in Toronto from May 2 – 3. Again, as in the ITU Dubai, Juwah was in safe company led by Vice President Namadi Sambo. The team included

governors, ministers and captains of industry. Juwah did not disappoint.

By the way, the choice of Canada was not only strategic but also a good business decision. Canada is the home of Research in Motion (RIM), makers of Blackberry phones.

Research rates Canada as one of the first countries to implement a connectivity agenda geared toward facilitating Internet access to all of its citizens. To this day, Canada remains one of the most connected nations in the world, with the highest broadband connection rate among the G7 countries. However, gaps in access to broadband remain, particularly in rural and remote communities.

According to the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) 2013 Factbook, Canadians spend more time online than anyone else in the world—an average of 45 hours a month. They also watch more online video, with an average of 300 views per month in 2011.This makes Canada an ICT-driven economy. It is therefore instructive that Nigeria has to parley with Canadian government and investors to take advantage of the new broadband frontier being opened in the country.

Without contention, Nigeria is regarded as the fastest growing mobile market in Africa and one of the fastest in the world but unlike the revolutionary growth achieved in mobile telephony, broadband

penetration has been slow and low; less than 10 per cent.

Already, Juwah’s commitment and tenacity at birthing a new broadband order has not only stirred the global community, RIM of Canada, taking advantage of the expositions of Juwah has voiced its intent to keep a strong foothold in Nigeria which its officials say has become one of the most important markets for its products globally.

Juwah assured the audience that the process to be adopted in opening up the nation’s broadband market would be transparent. And it was obvious that nobody doubted the ability of the nation’s telecom regulator to keep to its word. In the past decade plus, NCC has demonstrated to the world that it respects its core value of integrity, fairness and openness among others.

The digital mobile auction of 2001 has continued to resonate among the global telecom community as one of the most transparent auctions in the history of such exercise. he success recorded in mobile telephony deployment in Nigeria lends itself to the integrity of the processes that produced the companies playing in the sector. To date Nigeria has recorded over 116 million telephone lines, grown its telecom sector from a mere $500 million market in investment to over $25 billion and above all, has positioned telecom to become a major contributor to the GDP

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Containing the present emergencies Bornu and Adamawa states, it is quite obvious that this measure is neither new, nor far- reaching enough. The terror campaign affects other states in the north while in the south; there are still pockets of terrorist activities in the Niger Delta, despite the Amnesty that was supposed to end the lawlessness in the oil-rich region.

Mr. Jonathan’s latest strategy did not address these equally dangerous tendencies down South. One expected him to look at the big picture and take a more comprehensive action that deals with all armed opposition nationwide.

At the moment, youth rebellion is not

,

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Juwah’s broadband evangelism

said has been the hallmark of the commission.

He told the audience made up of global leaders in information communications technology (ICT) that Nigeria offers one of the best returns on investment. More profoundly, he assured the investing global community that the Nigerian telecom regulatory agency enjoys unalloyed support from the Federal Government. He defines the support to mean a recognition by government that the regulator is an independent agency which should be allowed to do its job within the confines of global

,

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t the twilight of last year, the global telecom community gathered in Dubai. The event was the ITU World Dubai under the auspices of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). A strong Nigerian delegation led by Vice President Namadi Sambo was there. It was a momentous occasion for Nigeria to make an impression and it did. Two key issues dominated discourses at the event: Broadband deployment and consumer satisfaction. The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Eugene Juwah, seized the moment to tell the Nigerian story. It was a story the ITU loves to hear. The ITU scribe, Hamadoun Toure, has always told the world that Nigeria makes him proud.

Juwah did not disappoint. He took the world through the path of Nigerian telecom. He signed off by inviting the investing community to come and invest more in Nigeria especially in the new telecom frontier he is pursuing with passion: Broadband.

Vanguard ,JUNE 15, 2013—51 anguard,JUNE

One expected him to look at the big picture and take a more comprehensive action that deals with all armed opposition nationwide

,

an isolated case that could be pinned on Boko Haram alone. Cult-related violence is now on the rise across the country. And the attack on law enforcement agents by these armed groups, are becoming as deadly as those regularly launched by the Boko Haram insurgents.

The situation is already getting out of hand. We have a proliferation of militant groups across the country

which regularly kills policemen on the line of duty. The Ombatse cult in Nassarawa state ambushed and killed about 70 policemen who were sent to arrest their Chief Priest at their Shrine, after the notorious cultist carried out a reign of terror in parts of the state capital, Lafia.

There are several unknown, well armed cult groups across the country, beside the visible ethnic militias like MEND, OPC and Boko Haram. Until the police massacre little was known about the Ombatse cult group, and it was unthinkable that its members could boldly carry out that kind of attack on a contingent of police men who were in the thick of operations.

In a country that is already underpoliced, the loss of officers and men in surprise attacks witnessed lately in Bayelsa, Baga and Nassarawa is a luxury we can ill-afford. While the cost of human life cannot be quantified in monetary terms, the nation spends huge sums of money in training members of the armed services.

They need to be protected against the growing ranks of violent militias that now have access to sophisticated weapons which they are using to raid Police stations, army depots and other military formations. Moreover because of the possession of arms; these violent groups now confront security personnel in direct combat, sometimes inflicting heavy causalities on our service men.

Now, in the wake of these attacks on our security forces, questions are being asked about the operational

capabilities of our police force on one hand, and the inflow of arms into the country, on the other. According to a report about 70percent of light weapons and ammunition in circulation in West Africa are in Nigeria.

These illegal weapons pass through our porous borders under the watch of the Customs and other border security agencies. The Federal government should as a matter of urgency, conduct intermittent nation-wide, house to house search for illegal arms and ammunitions, and task our border agencies on securing our borders.

There are disturbing reports of criminal elements that get their weapons from members of the armed forces, including the police. Proof of this is that some of the weapons captured in raids of hideouts of criminals were actually sourced from military depots and police armoury. Our service men must know that anytime they hire or sell weapons to criminals they invariable sentence their colleagues to premature deaths.

And it may be their turn one day.

In fact, police collaboration with armed gangs corroborates this maxim from the great American President Abraham Lincoln who said: “If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher.” In closing, the governing elites must heed Rev Okotie’s warning: “Terrorist activities always flourish in environments where there is economic disequilibrium and mismanagement of national resources by corrupt ruling elite.”

Ayodeji writes from Lagos

52—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 15, 2013

FG earns $45m from fish e xpor 12, sa ys expor xportt in 20 201 says A gric Minist er Minister A BUJA – The Federal Gov ernment has earned 45 million dollars from the export of fish in 2012, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said.

Adesina, who said this on Friday at the 2013 Ministerial Platform in Abuja, noted that the country exported 3, 967 tonnes of fish in 2012.

“Nigeria spends 97 billion naira every year importing fish; and that doesn’t make sense. With all the water we have, the lakes, the creeks, everything we have, we should not be importing fish.

“We are moving fingerling production to 1.25 billion fingerlings, we are doing fish feeds,400, 000 metric tonnes of fish feeds, table size feeds, 250, 000 metric tonnes and when you talk about value addition, 100,000 metric tonnes of value addition.

“We have established two

fish feed mills in Ibadan and in Ogun State. We have 62 fish farmers that have fish farm estates with 62 businesses.

“We have two large scale fish processing plants in Jebba in Kwara and in Baga in Borno states.

“As a country, we exported 3, 967, 000 metric tonnes of fish last year that earned 45 million dollars.”

He said that the Federal Government had mapped out strategies to increase fish production in the country this year.

Adesina said that the measures were aimed at achieving the goals of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA).

According to him, the country is endowed with the potentials for massive fish production, and will maximize such potentials

to boost export of the commodity.

Adesina said that the initiatives, under the Growth Ehancement Support (GES) Scheme, were being put in place to avail fish farmers the opportunity to expand the sub- sector.

He said the Federal Government would launch the distribution of fish farm imputs in the 2013 GES. “In terms of the GES, we have been doing for seeds and for fertiliser, Mr President directed that this year, we should begin GES for fish.

“And so this year, we are launching massive efforts for fisher boats, for fish feeds, for fingerlings, outdoor motor boards and every other thing.

“For the first time, fishermen will get support straight from the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

Osun in mo o become movves tto agricultural/economic hub

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SUN State Govern ment is partnering with Martin Luther University, Halle/Salle, Germany on food production. This partnership came to the fore recently when Osun State Deputy Governor; Mrs. Titi Laoye- Tomori reciprocated the visit of Prof. Wyczek and of his team of soil experts to the State earlier in the year.

In a related development, Mrs. Titi Laoye Tomori told another audience made up of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Dr. Waldbaum and the Director, International Rela-

Nigeria to produce high-energy food from sorghum

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HE Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development says it is collaborating with the private sector to produce high-energy food that would reduce malnutrition and create foreign investment opportunities in the country.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said this at the 2013 Ministerial Platform in Abuja.

According to Adesina, the high-energy food, which will be produced from the combination of maize, sorghum and soybeans, will be sold to World Food Programme (WFP).

“98 per cent of all the high-energy foods used by the World Food Programme are imported by Asia into Africa but what we need

to do is to take maize, sorghum and soya; mix them together into high energy foods.

“Nigeria, by the way, we are the largest producer of sorghum and we want be the largest processor of sorghum in the world, so we decided to focus on sorghum.

“If you look in the north-west and northeast of Nigeria, you will find out that we have the highest level of malnutri-

tion in those areas.

“Those areas are also the highest producers of sorghum in the country.

They account for 80 per cent of the production of sorghum.

“We are working with the private sector to take the sorghum and process it into the high-energy foods. We have already secured contract with WFP to buy the high-energy foods from Nigeria.”

“How ttoo reduce unemplo yment thr ough unemployment through Gr asscutt er ffarming” arming” Grasscutt asscutter HE rising unemploy ment rate in Nigeria can T be curtailed if unemployed

Nigerians are willing to go back to farming, which was the country’s mainstay prior to discovery of oil in 1956 at Oloibiri, Bayelsa State.

With more Nigerians becoming unemployed and a few with steady employment, many can earn income with little investment into Grasscutter farming with a small or big space provided in their home.

The Managing Consultant /CEO, JOVANA FARMS, Prince Arinze Onebunne, advised government to create an enabling environment for job seekers to venture into grasscutter business that requires little capital, as this is one of the solutions to unemployment in Nigeria, since government cannot provide all the jobs needed to serve Nigerians. “This would help our unemployed graduates roaming the streets in search of scarce white-collar jobs. It’s regretable that these youths don’t know they could make millions through animal farming”.

Speaking more on his years of experience and skill development in animal farming especially

Onebunne grasscutter, he says he can identify the right species, right wards, and group them according to their species and compile their data.

Interestingly, he said, going into grasscutter farming does not require millions of naira since one can start with N50,000, or more depending on the scale you want to start with.”

Also known as ‘bush meat’, grasscutter is the second biggest wild rodent after the porcupine in Africa.

According to

Anebunne, “about 80,000 tons of grasscutter meat is consumed annually, but only 0.2 % is provided by d o m e s t i c a t e d grasscutters. Its meat is highly favoured and preferred in West Africa due to its high protein, low fat and cholesterol content”.

He said, hopefully Nigerian job seekers can succeed and overcome the challenges of poverty and food insecurity through micro, small and medium scale grasscutter production. But, first, we must empower our people with the right resources and skills then they’ll be able to create a brighter future for themselves and the country. It’s profitable and that is why we consult for those who want to gain knowledge and practice grasscutter business”. In the same vein, JOVANA FARMS organizes a series of seminars and workshops throughout Nigeria so as to enable those interested in engaging in the business to acquire the required skills”.

“Counting the benefits, Onebunne said, return on grasscutter investment is high and fast as people now appreciate the monetary and nutritional

values associated with grasscutters and many are showing interest in it”. “Also patronage is equally very high as we have constant demands from eateries, beer palours, hotels, etc.

“As a result of the high demand for grasscutter, Jovana Farms is giving out their grasscutter breeders at a subsidized rate to those who want to start grasscutter farming immediately.

He said grasscutters are the easiest, cheapest and fastest minilivestock to rear because one female grasscutter can give birth to 6 to 10 litters (babies) at ago.”When they are stocked at four months, they start having babies at nine months, which can be either fattened and sold or re-stocked.”

Onebunne listed the major challenges to include difficulty in getting the right breeding stock and technicalities in breeding them, which he has already overcome.”

“There is need for adequate training so that one understands the techniques before venturing into the business,he said.

tions Mr. Michael Deckart that ”Osun is purely an agrarian society and was interested in massive food production to feed its people and also turn the State to an Agricultural/Economic hub for the Southwestern states in Nigeria.

In the area of partnership the State Deputy Governor elaborated specifically the basis for the partnership “Osun would like to partner with the Ministry of Agriculture via the Martin Luther University to perform soil testing to determine the soil types of the State for different agricultural products”.

The Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye Tomori mentioned that the Aregbesola’s government realizes that good nutrition and large production of food crops will lead to a reduction in the social problems and also increase wealth for its citizenry”.

She said that Osun State is ensuring economic value chain through its programs as they all impact on all facets of the econo-

my and through them the Government ensures continuous injection of money into the economy The Deputy Governor also mentioned that the State of Osun is interested in the conversion of waste resources to fertilizer In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Dr. Waldbaum said that when the Germans went to Osun State,Nigeria they saw evidence of the government working for the people and his country is highly impressed.

He, however, was of the view that students should be trained in two batches of 20 each and they will spend four weeks in Eden and two months practical with the farmers on the farms.

He also confirmed that Agreement with Institute for International and Tropical Agriculture(IITA) is being facilitated by his Ministry while two Scientists from Halle are being prepared for soil mapping and analysis of designated farm settlements in Osun State.

BUSINESS GUIDE

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE, 15, 2013—53

going from one church to another. And since the incident, I had gone to seven different churches but all efforts were to no avail.

“After a while, my husband advised that I should take her to University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and there I was told that her eyes were already damaged and it will be removed.

“The doctor said, an operation will be carried out on the girl but I do not know the cost of the operation. I was scared because I did not want my baby’s eyes to be removed, so I left.

“Although, the doctor said removing the eyes will help save the life of the baby but I do not agree that her eyes should be removed.

“Before taking her to University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, I had gone to Guinness hospital, Onitsha where I was given some drugs. But, there was no changes. I was then given a letter to go to Nnewi for laboratory test.

“Unfortunately, we are financially incapacitated so, I could not go for the laboratory test as quickly as possible as prescribed. But, when we finally went, it was also discovered that she is having cancer of the eye.

Agony of a 21-month old baby losing both eyes

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•Needs N100,000 for surgery

BY EBUN SESSOU

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hen baby Favour Adam-Umoh was born 21 months ago into the Family of Mr. and Mrs. Blessing Adams, Favour appeared normal as a growing baby and there was nothing unpleasant about her health, particularly her eyes to raise any suspicion that something was remarkably wrong with her sight. But six months later, the signs began to manifest.

The state of her health then may have spured her parents to name her Favour - a gift bestowed as a token of goodwill, kind regard, love by God. But, today, Favour is struck with a strange eye disease which medical doctors at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, confirmed to be congenital glaucoma.

Presently, Favour with bulging of the right eye which is now affecting the left eye, further medical examination revealed that the baby has cancer of the eye.

According to her doctors, if there is no urgent medical intervention, poor Favour will lose her both eyes.

Baby Favour...needs help

I went to TB Joshua’s church on Wednesday and waited patiently for me to be called upon but all expectations failed The parents have been going from pillar to post, looking for solution but all efforts to help baby Favour have proved abortive.

All the way from Onitsha, her mother, Blessing Adam came to Lagos recently in search of a miracle that could

help transform the condition of her baby girl.

The 28-year-old mother was advised to seek further solution in a faith based institution by a friend. So, she went to the TB Joshua’s Synagogue church of all nations in Lagos.

According to her, “I went to TB Joshua’s church on Wednesday and waited patiently for me to be called upon but all expectations failed.

“Unfortunately, it was not the time for cancer patients.

So, I left and went back the following day. Again, my baby’s name was not called. So, I felt bad and left because I did not want my baby to die.

“I was in a bus when a good Samaritan man saw the condition of the baby and advised that I should go to Vanguard that I must surely get help.

“I am a petty trader and my husband drives a hired Keke Marwa. We both live in Onitsha but we are a native of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.

“I did not know anywhere in Lagos but with the help of the man, I was able to locate Vanguard premises”, she added.

Narrating the sorry tales of her baby’s health, she said, “Favour started scratching her eyes when she was six months old.

“At first, I never envisaged it was a serious issue. So, I did not take her to the hospital immediately, but took her to nearby Chemist shop and the man advised that, I should apply eye drops and give her some Vitamin C syrup which I did.

“Unfortunately, there was no changes in her as the day goes by, so, I stopped the eye drops and the drug. Then, I sought help elsewhere. I then started going from one church to another just to get help.

“A pastor told me that it was a spiritual problem and that it can only be tackled with prayers. So, I started

ince, the incident, the baby has been passing through severe pain. She cannot sleep at night. I only carry her on my back everyday and night. She cries so much such that she hardly sleep at night. Her siblings, a boy and a girl are presently at Onitsha”, she lamented.

Asked, if there was any history of eye problem in her family, she said, “My mother-in-law has eye problem.

My husband told me it was witchcraft that caused her eye problem.

When Saturday Vanguard contacted Namdi Azikwe University Teaching hospital on the issue, Professor Onyekwe who is in charge of the case, disclosed to this reporter that an ‘Filteration surgeryof the eye’ will have to be carried out urgently to stop the enlargement of the cancer.

He stated that the surgery which will take place at Guiness Eye centre, Nnewi, Anambra state will cost the sum of N100,000.

Right now, the mother is calling on well meaning Nigerians to help baby Favour stay alive. Her account name is: Ini Adam-Umoh, account number: 2044779539 UBA. Her mother, Blessing Adam can be reached on 07083188829 and 07033996463.

54— SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 15, 2013

Taekwondo federation initiates athletes’ insurance scheme

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IGERIA Taekwondo Federation (NTF) has announced a pioneering reform - the National Membership and Insurance License (NMIL) to ensure that athletes are well catered for during and after representing the country.

President of NTF, George Ashiru, said the scheme would require all athletes competing at the national events to have an annually renewable license, which contains medical insurance, while the exercise would also extend to all coaches/ instructors as well as referees.

“The Athlete, Coach, and Referee Licencing scheme is international best practice which the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) introduced globally a few years ago.

At the national level we have added the compulsory insurance

due to the imperative of protection against injuries and related medical emergencies in the course of partaking in national events. It gives both the NTF and the players and their families peace of mind that they have taken steps to protect their own welfare. It will be renewable annually,” Ashiru said.

He listed the benefits of the scheme as keeping an official data of all active players, instructors and referees in taekwondo as well as providing professional development for each category of members.

He added that the exercise would help to establish a code of conduct to protect the sport from abuse while it will protect the public from unscrupulous persons masquerading as coaches and instructors. However, the

federation also announced its corporate restructuring with the various departments that will assist the executive board in running the federation for the next four years.

The departments are executive board, president, secretariat, secretary general, technical department, coaching and referee directorate, games, international, collegiate, research and development, media, Dan promotion, women and youth development, marketing and finance while the ad hoc departments are protocol and welfare.

Ashiru said qualified individuals would be engaged to take charge of each department with the aim to reposition the sport and attract corporate bodies and individuals.

Give amateur league players a chance, Francis tells Keshi

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UPER Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has been commended by a local player, Andrew Francis for opening the door of the Super eagles to some homebased players who have gone ahead to prove their mettle with the senior national team.

Francis, a left-full back with Bride FC of Lagos said Keshi’s believe in the home-based players was a welcome develop-ment but advised the Deltaborn tactician to extend his gestures to other rungs of local players in the country.

“We are happy that Keshi has given homebased players an

opportunity to fight for places in the Super Eagles. We are however, calling him to go a step further by going beyond he Premier League to watch the Professional and Amateur ranks of our league because there are equally talented players there,” Francis opined.

Francis who said he joined Bridge FC of Lagos in the 2010/2011 season told Saturday Vanguard sports that his dream was to play for any of the big clubs in Europe like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Stressing that, “with determination and hard work I’ll get there.”

The Delta-born 22 year old defender said that he doesn’t want to player for any of the junior national teams but for the Super Eagles, adding, “I’m not scared of any of the big names in the Super Eagles because I know I’m talented and if given the opportunity I will prove myself.”

The player who disclosed that he started his real football career outside this shores with Dragon FC of Benin Republic in 2005 before joining NPA of Lagos on loan in 2007, said his role model in Nigeria is former Super Eagles defender, Ben Iroha.

Don’t put pressure on Okagbare in Russia, coach tells Nigerians

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IGERIAN-born Saudi athletics head coach, Taiwo Ariyo has predicted a good outing for Blessing Okagbare at the World Championships in Moscow, Russia, but he has asked the country’s athletics buffs not to put pressure on the fast rising sprint star.

Okagbare has been enjoying a good form ahead of the Championships which will be her third appearance in a blossoming career. In two IAAF Diamond League meets, Okagbare did impressive wind assisted 10.75 secs in the 100m and 7.14m in the long jump, her traditional event.

“She should be able to get her first world championships medal but Nigerians should let her be, they shouldn’t expect

sport, you will feel sad for Nigeria to be talking about one person when we have opportunity to do the right thing and have 10 Okagbares,” said the coach who is currently with his athletes preparing for the World Championships in Baden, Germany.

•Okagbare

All Nigeria/Cross River Championships: Top athletes tread with caution

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ITH a few days left for the All Nigeria/ Cross River Championships, top Nigerian athletes are keeping a tight rein on their schedule in a bid to come up with a big performance.

In Calabar, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, will select the athletes who will represent the country at the 2013 World Championships billed for August in Moscow,

Russia. Some of the athletes gave a hint of what to expect yesterday at the CAA sanctioned Grand Prix in Warri, Delta State and it was clear that some of them still have a lot of work to do.

According to long jumper, Stanley Gbagbeke, this was the time for every athlete who is keen to recording a good performance to be prudent, in order to avoid injuries ahead of a major meet.

Nigerian youths eager to run in Ukraine

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•Francis (right) outpaces an opponent during a game

too much from her,” said coach Ariyo.

“It is not easy placing all your hopes on one athlete in a country of 160 million people. Okagbare is another blessing to Nigeria but who is with her to fight the battle.

If you understand this

IGERIAN athletes who shone at the maiden African Youth Athletics Championships held in Warri, Delta State are eagerly looking forward to running and winning at the 8th IAAF World Youth Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine scheduled for July 10-14.

The AYAC was the first time some of these athletes were tasting competition at the international level and the accolades that followed, particularly the Naira rain by President Goodluck Jonathan, seem to be spurring on the youngsters who have

been in camp in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“From what we saw in Warri, we have youths who are hungry to compete. And no doubt they are capable of doing the country proud in Ukraine,” said coach Isaac Ikhabome Osagie.

“They have been in camp for a long time now.

I expect them to come up with good performances.

I will be glad if the AFN can monitor this group of athletes very well, keep them together, give them training grants and from time to time, take them out for competitions. These athletes represent the future,” he stressed.

“Sometimes, one might have injury at training and that will definitely slow one down. It will take a twice-a-day training for another two weeks to be back at the previous level.

So every athlete, including myself, is just waiting for the trials. The Warri Grand Prix is a good measuring ground,” said the athlete.

The AFN released the standards for selection for the World Championships on Friday. And no doubt the athletes will keep themselves in top condition to make these required performances.

The male sprinters must beat 10.10 seconds in the 100m and 20.20 in the 200m. The women will chase 11.10 and the 22.60 in the 100m and 200m respectively while the quarter-milers have 45.20 seconds for the men and 51.00 for the women. In the long jump a tough task was handed the men, they must achieve 8.25m, while the women have 6.85m.

Tosin Oke and the others have 17.25m to contend with, while the women have 14.80m. The Nigeria relay teams, in the 4x100m have 38.50 seconds for the men and 44.00secs for the women, while the 4x400m squads will target 2.59.00 for the men and 3.28.00 for the women.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 15, 2013—55

Women basketball: Dolphins battle First Deepwater for the crown

BY EDDIE AKALONU

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HE stage is set today for the grand finale of the 9 th Zenith Bank NBBF female basketball

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IFA SecretaryGeneralJérômeValcke has urged fans who have bought tickets for the FIFA Confederations Cup to collect them before the day of the game.

His plea was made at a media briefing held at Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Palace Hotel which followed a meeting of the FIFA Organising Committee for the FIFA Confederations Cup. The briefing reviewed the meeting and also provided a technical update on the preparations for the tournament, just two days before the opening match between Brazil and Japan.

Present at the briefing were FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, Brazil’s Minister of Sport Aldo Rebelo, Acting Chairman of the Organising Committee of the FIFA Confederations Cup Jacques Anouma, President of the Local Organising Committee Jose Maria Marin, the FIFA Secretary G e n e r a l Valcke a n d the CEO of the Local Organising Committee Ricardo Trade.

Also speaking, FIFA President Joseph Blatter said, “This year is the FIFA Confederations Cup, the festival of champions; it’s not a dress rehearsal for the World Cup. It’s giving the organisers the chance to have two tournaments one year after another.

Also, FIFA are holding a Football For Hope in Belo Horizonte between 26 and 29 June as part of our legacy programme. During this time,

Confed Cup:

league play-offs at the National Stadium in Lagos. The battle for supremacy draws two Lagos teams, reigning champions, First Deepwater, who are seeking a fourth straight

FIFA orders fans to collect their tickets

•Samson John of Islanders (right) trying to dribble Louis Edem of Union Bank, during the 2013 DStv Basketball League held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Union Bank won by 84-76. On Saturday 4-5-2013, PHOTO; Kehinde Gbasdamosi there will be an important date: the 26 June. If you go back ten years, we sadly had the tragic death of a footballer on the field of play, Marc-Vivien Foe. We will commemorate

him and also reflect on what has changed in those ten years in terms of prevention and in dealing with sudden heart attacks.

Defibrillators have been distributed to all of our

member associations – and we hope that every stadium in the world will have one in the future.

In this competition we will have a new technical approach – it will be the first time that FIFA will

use goal-line technology to help referees [in an competition for national teams]. The referees are happy that they have the security to know if a goal has definitely been scored.”

MTN Football: Foreign coaches rate Nigerian kids high F OREIGN coaches p r e p a - r i n g Nigerian youths for the third edition of the MTN Football Scholar, have given a thumbsup for the kids currently being screened for the

programme.

The Programme Coordinator, Tom Demaio, said the youths that made the list this year are very talented.

“This year, we got a lot of good kids and we

hope to get a lot of placements for them. We are sacrificing to give them the basic techniques and understanding of different playing formations in order to

National SWAN delegates vote new officers today

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HE delegate conference of the National body of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria SWAN, holds today with election of new members top on the agenda.

Delegates for the conference arrived Lagos yesterday with contestants campaigning all through

the night to woo voters to their side.

Apart from the position of National president held by Saidu Abubakar who is unopposed, the other major position being contested for is the Deputy National president for which Saturday Vanguard man, Patrick Omorodion is a

strong contender. Candidates for the Secretary General position are incumbent, Andrew Abah and Olawale Lawanson Alabi while Babs Oyetoro who is the incumbent deputy secretary general is being challenged by Ben Osewmwengie.

make a good show before the U.S coaches.

But they are very talented individually,” he stated.

He said the boys are smart academically, but added that some have gaps in schooling.

“However, we are working with them to overcome that and that is one of the challenges as well,”he noted, adding that the schools and the American Embassy are very much involved in the programme.

“The embassy has seized the opportunity to help Nigerians achieve their dreams, so

they are very excited about what we are doing as well,” he said.

The Project Head and Consultants to the programme, Kikelomo Atanda-Owo of Perculiar People Management (PPM), said the foreign coaches are very impressed with the talents they met on ground. “It’s a good thing that most of them are fighting over the kids, so it means that we must have gotten good kids from all the cities that we went to. We went to Enugu, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Akure, Benin and finalised in Lagos,” she added.

title and Dolphins, who are inkling to have a first taste of the title.

Dolphins became strong contenders for the title after beating perpetual finalist and former champions, First Bank 72-64 to break the monotonous final which always featured First Bank and First Deepwater.

On the other hand, Deepwater had no problem beating hardfighting Sunshine Angels 80-46 in the first semi-finals and announced their resolve to grab a fourth straight title.

It may not be out of place to predict an easy win for First Deepwater over Dolphin, afterall the Oil and Gas ladies have maintained an unbeaten run this season besides setting a 100% record performance in the past three years.

However, with such challenging opportunity on their hands to make history, Dolphins no doubt will fight to finish given their above average performance in all three legs of the league, Abuja, Asaba and

Shekarau backs Sardauna Babes FC to Serbia

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I G E R I A Nationwide League side, Sardauna Babes Football Club of Kano will participate in the forthcoming international youth championship billed for Serbia.

The 25-man contingent, made up of 18 players and seven officials, will depart for Serbia on August 29, 2013 to participate in the two-week tournament for selected youth clubs across the globe with the support of former Kano State governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and his friends.

The club’s General Manager, Kabiru Ali Mazado disclosed during the week that the club is prepared for the tourney which is expected to expose their players into the international market, adding that the sum of N10million is expected to be expended by the club for all logistics.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 15, 2013

2020 Olympics: Igali positive on wrestling’s reinstatement

BY SOLOMON NWOKE

N

EWLY elected President of the Nigeria Amateur Wrestling Federation

(NAWF), Dr Daniel Igali has pledged to use his good offices and contacts to reach out to most of the sub Saharan African International

CELEBRATION... Members of the Super Eagles celebrating a goal during a match.

NFF president, Aminu Maigari has told them to emulate other African players who support their federations in times of financially crisis.

Bonus row: Emulate Weah, Eto’O, angry Maigari tells Eagles E

MBITTERED president of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari has berated the Super Eagles players for rejecting a lash in their match bonus at a time the federation is battling to keep afloat over its lean resources.

The players refused the slash of their winning bonus from $10,000 to $5,000 and bonus foa draw from $5,000 to $2,500 after they forced the Brave Warriors of Namibia to a 11 draw last Wednesday in Windhoek.

The players argued that they were paid $10,000 for every win before the 2013 Afcon and wondered why the amount would be

reduced even with their latest accolade of African champions.

In explaining why the players should understand the plight of the NFF, Maigari urged them to imitate their fellow players from other countries who take it upon themselves to bail out their home federations in times of financial crises.

In an interveiw with supersport.com, the NFF president said, “We want these players to think about their fellow Africans like George Weah and Samuel Eto’o Fils who have severally used their finances and assisted their federations when cash was tight,” adding that, “It is an honour to play for the

CONFEDERATIONS CUP Brazil Mexico Spain

v

Today’s match Japan

4 p.m.

Tomorrow’s matches v Italy 4 p.m v Uruguay 11 p.m.

national team.”

Still wondering why the players should reject their slashed bonus and refused to embark on the trip to Brazil, Maigari argued that, “In Africa, no national federation pay as well as we do and the least we expect from the players is

appreciation of what we do for them. Before each game, we ensure their return tickets are taken care of and they all travel via business class.”

Meanwhile the s triking Super Eagles players reportedly agreed to travel to Brazil for the 2013 Fifa

CROSS WORD PUZZLE Across 1 Lagos State Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Kayode – (6) 4 L.G.A in Cross River State – (6) 7 Japanese Currency — (3) 8 Imo State Deputy Governor, Jude – (6) 10 Ethnic Group in Nigeria – (6) 12 Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim – (9) 13 Former PDP National Chairman, Ahmadu – (3) 15 CBN’s Director of Currency Operations, Muhammad – (3) 17 Taraba State Capital – (7) 18 Venomous Snake – (3) 20 Flamingoes (U-17) Goalkeeper, Amina – (3) 22 Sweden Capital City – (9) 23 Uruguay Striker and Liverpool FC Forward, Luis – (6) 25 Former Nigerian Star Actress,s Liz – (6) 26 Yoruba god – (3)

27 Country in Africa – (6) 28 France “Ligue One” Club Side – (6) Down 1 L.G.A in Abia State – (6) 2 Flying Eagles (U-20) Striker, Edafe – (6) 3 Yoruba word for “Happiness” – (3) 4 Former Ekiti State Governor, Olusegun – (3) 5 Monkey – (6) 9 L.G.A in Rivers State – (6) 11 Former Anambra State Governor, Theophilus – (9) 14 Zodiac Sign – (3) 16 Record – (3) 18 Guinea Bissau Capital City – (6) 19 Eritrea’s Capital City – (6) 20 Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle 21 Solar Planet – (6) 24 Bangladesh National President, Khaled – (3) 25 Lever – (3)

Confederations Cup after calling off their strike following an intervention by the Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi The minister’s special assistant Julius Ogunro, confirmed that the dispute has been settled after his boss improved on the bonus of the players.

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Olympic Committee, IOC members to rally support in their determination to ensure the reinstatement of wrestling in the Olympics with the 2020 Games as their target.

Dr Igali, a former wrestler and 2000 Sydney Olympic Gold medalist was one of the five people selected by the International Wrestling Federation, IWF to make presentations to the IOC on the need to re-instate wrestling in the Olympics.

Igali went alongside the International Wrestling Federation President Nenad Lalovic from Serbia, Jim Scherr from the USA, Carol Hunyh from China/ Canada, and a lady from France Expressing delight that the IOC presentation went well, the former world champion said eight sports made presentations to the IOC executive board with the aim of being shortlisted as one of the three sports for a final vote on September I, in Johannesburg.

“I was one of the five people around the world in the wrestling family that were selected by the International Wrestling Federation to make the presentations to the IOC. We were in St Petersburg for three days for rehearsals before the event proper on the 29th of May. All five of us made presentations to the IOC and wrestling passed on the first ballot. While Softball/Baseball and squash were shortlisted for final consideration in September in Buenos Aires”, he enthused.

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