BUDGET: Court refuses to stop impeachment moves against jonathan

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SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 — 3

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8th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors held yesterday at the Banquet Hall, Akwa-Ibom State Government House Uyo. Photos: Nwankpa Chijioke

R-L: Aremo Olusegun Osoba; Mr Ray Ekpu and Chiawolamoke Nwankwo, Editor, Sunday Punch

L-R: Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Fellow of the Guild; Prof Etannibi Alemika,Speaker and Mr Ray Echebiri, Editor-in-Chief, Businessworld

L-R :Sen Helen Esuene, Sen representing AkwaIbom North-West;Mr T.J Minti, Director of SSS,AkwaIbom/representative of the DG of the SSS and Dr Ruben Abati Media Spokesman to the Presidency

R-L: Dr Oshega Abang, Director ,News CRBC Calabar; Dame Comfort Obi and Mr Ebere Wabara, Editorial board Member, Sun Newspaper

L-R: Mrs Janet Afolabi-Mba, Editor-in-Chief, Scroll Magazines;Mr Victor Ifijeh, MD, Nation Newspaper and Mallam Rufai Ibrahim, Editor-in-Chief ,People's Daily

L-R: Barr Dele Adesina(SAN);Mallam Abdullahi Musa, Director of News, FRCN and Prof Emevwo Biakolo

Akwa Ibom guber poll: Court affirms Gov Jonathan meets Alassane, Quattara over crisis hours with his counterparts of the African Union. Mr

BY BEN AGANDE, Akpabio’s election from Cote d’Ivoire and Re- Quattara who spoke with Abuja

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja A Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, declined to nullify the January 15, 2011, re-run primary election that saw the emergence of Governor Godswill Akpabio as the standardbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last gubernatorial election in Akwa Ibom state.

Consequently, the high court presided over by Justice Abdul Kafarati, dismissed the suit that sought to unseat Akpabio on grounds that he was hand-picked to contest the election through a kangaroo process allegedly masterminded

by the erstwhile PDP National Chairman, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, at the detriment of other aspirants.

It was a chieftain of the party who equally aspired for the party ’s gubernatorial ticket, Chief Frank Okon, that took the case to court, contending that the re-run primary election was conducted in contravention to the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 and the PDP electoral guidelines.

The plaintiff had insisted that his exclusion from the re-run poll despite the fact that he was duly cleared by the party ab-initio, amounted to a flagrant violation of his fundamental rights.

He urged the court to sack Akpabio by declaring

the primary poll upon which he was elected on April 26, 2011, as null and void, as well as, to order a fresh re-run election in Akwa Ibom state.

Delivering judgment in the matter yesterday, Justice Kafarati, dismissed the suit as lacking in merit, saying the inability of the plaintiff to participate in the electoral exercise, stripped him of the locusstandi to challenge its outcome.

Relying on the decided case law in PDP vs Sylva and Lado vs CPC, Justice Kafarati emphasized that the plaintiff was neither an aspirant nor a candidate in the election, adding that the Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit since it was purely a party affair.

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HE lingering problem in Mali took centre stage yesterday as President Goodluck Jonathan met behind closed doors for

public of Benin, Alassane Quattara and Boni Yayi respectively. While Alassane Quattara is the chairman of the Economic Community of West African states, Boni Yayi is the chairman

state House correspondents noted that the unfolding development in Mali necessitated the meeting which he said was to seek President Jonathan’s support and advice on the challenges.

ESUT sacks 8 for alleged academic fraud

BY TONY EDIKE, Enugu

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IGHT staff of the Enu gu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) found to be involved in illegal admission of students have been sacked.

Six of the indicted staff including a senior lecturer were found to have been responsible for the

illegal admission of over 500 students who were expelled by ESUT authorities recently. The six staff worked in various departments of the university.

A statement by the Director, Public Relations, Mr. Osita Ugwuoti, said that one of the affected workers was discovered to be engaged in double employment in ESUT and Institute of Management,

IMT, earning salaries from both institutions.

He said that another was sacked for mutilating students’ results, sale of degree results as well as other malpractices.

The ESUT Governing Council approved the sack of the affected workers at its 126th regular meeting at the Agbani permanent campus.

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Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 — 5

FG loses bid to get $559m Halliburton bribe fine

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

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HE Federal Govern ment yesterday lost in its bid to get part of the $559 million (about N89. 44 billion) fine imposed by the US Government on Halliburton Energy Services Ltd for offering bribe to Nigerian officials in its effort to secure the Liquified Natural Gas, LNG, contract in the country.

The government through the Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS, had written to Halliburton Energy Services Nig. Ltd., in 2009, asking it to pay $167,700 being 30 percent of the $559,000 fines paid by the company to the US authority as penalty, arguing that the “bribe would have formed part of the expenses that was charged in the tax returns to FIRS,” in Nigeria.

However, not pleased with the development, Halliburton approached the Tax Appeals Tribunal, sitting in

Lagos, asking the court to stop the FIRS from imposing the tax on them.

In its judgment, the Chairman of the Tribunal, Mr. Kayode Sofola, SAN, nullified the tax, holding that both the assessment and tax were “defective as being speculative, contradictory and inconsistent with the relevant tax laws.”

The five-man tribunal, in its judgment delivered by Sofola, nullified the reply filed by FIRS while granting Halliburton Energy Services Nigeria’s appeal against the imposition of the tax.

The US government had imposed the fine on Halliburton Inc. for offering the bribe to win the LNG plant on Bonny Island, Rivers State.

In its appeal, Halliburton Energy Services Nigeria Ltd, had challenged the tax imposed on it, adding that, it did not represent Halliburton Inc. USA in Nigeria and was therefore, not involved in any bribe contrary to the belief in some

quarters, The tribunal upheld Halliburton appeal and said, “the terms of settlement and non-prosecution agreement” the Federal

Government reached with Halliburton Inc exempts it (Halliburton Inc.) from imposition of such tax.

It also held that Halliburton Inc. USA was not

“chargeable to tax in Nigeria with regard to the fine it paid to the American government in the circumstances of the case.”

According to Sofola, “for

Henry Okah begs S-African court for bail President Goodluck Jonathan flanked by President Alassan Ouatarra of Cote d'Ivoire (r) and President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic as both guests BY EMMA AMAIZE arrived for a closed door meeting at the State House, Abuja. Photo by Abay- Warri omi Adeshida, yesterday.

HEAD of his proper trial next month in South Africa, for the October 1, 2010 bombing in Nigeria, alleged Nigerian terrorist, Henry Emomotimi where the circumstances at ereke until it was certain in the suit, Justice Kola- Okah, will approach a Rehand does not permit pru- that there there was actu- wole, insisted that “the real gional Court Magistrate in dent execution of such,” ally an impeachment pro- and imminent urgency by Johannesburg on Moneven as he also implored ceeding before the legisla- which the court will inter- day, September 17, with a vene may not have been the court to ascertain if tive House.

“It will be a great disser- reached. Judicial powers fresh application for bail “upon proper reading and based on new facts. interpretation of the 1999 vice for the course of jus- must be exercised with cauOkah was seized in Constitution, as amended, tice for me to summarily sit- tion so as not to exorcise the South Africa on October 2, back and give a bench rulconstitutional powers conwhether any of its provision 2010 for the Independence specified 100 percent im- ing without giving ade- ferred on another organ of Day bombing in Nigeria quate thought to the congovernment.The court must plementation of the federand had not been granted stitutional implication of be clearly certain that the al budget of Nigeria for each fiscal year as appro- what the ruling will bring. process is on, and irrevers- bail since then. By next priated by National As- “By virtue of Section 143 ible before it can intervene. month, he would have of the 1999 Constitution, The motion ex-parte is here- spent two years in detensembly mandatory.” tion because the prosecuJoined as defendants in the powers to remove the by refused.” tion stood against his prefifth defendant (Jonathan) Justice Kolawole howevthe suit were: Speaker of the House of Representa- lie in the hands of the third er, ordered that the court vious application for bail.

Part of the new facts tives, the House of Repre- defendant (National As- processes be served on all Okah is relying on are that sembly).

The exercise of the defendants, even as he sentatives itself, the National Assembly, the Attor- legislative powers to re- adjourned the substantive the so-called evidential ney General of the Feder- move a President lie in matter sine-die, for the case- material, which the police ation and Minister of Jus- their hands. However, no file to be returned to the claimed against him are altice, and President Good- single arm of the legisla- Chief Judge of the Federal legedly not contained in ture have unilateral pow- High Court for re-assign- the police docket given to luck Jonathan.

In his ruling yesterday, ers to remove the fifth de- ment to another judge con- him and this reality was sidering that he only enter- not known to the Regionpresiding Justice Gabriel fendant (President).

Observing that the Sen- tained the matter as a vaca- al Court Magistrate and Kolawole, declined to grant High Court when he was the reliefs sought by Ok- ate was not made a party tion judge. initially refused bail.

In an affidavit deposed to by Henry Okah, he said, “I have now been furnished with a copy of the police docket which I have been advised by my legal longer than expected to be nior Advocate of Nigeria representatives contains resolved as the grey areas (SAN), Gboyega Awomolo to federation which was given expected to be cleared, prosecute the case but that all the evidential material the investigation report by would take more investiga- to make it water tight, there which the State intends to the Police about 2 months tions and time to clear, a was need to secure the vid- use in my trial. I have studago, has returned the case situation described as ‘un- eo recordings of the collec- ied the police docket and file for some grey areas to ending investigation’ by a tion of the bribe money, state categorically that exwhich has been done with hibit “N” is false and misbe cleared. Consequently, Police source. the SSS returning it to the leading with regard to varThe source noted that the there are indications that a AGF who handed same to ious issues contained office of the AGF has alquick end to the Farouk Laready given fiat to private the Police. therein”. wan bribery saga may take legal practitioner and a Se-

Budget: Court refuses to stop Reps from impeaching Jonathan

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja

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HE Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, declined request to stop the House of Representatives from commencing impeachment proceedings against President Goodluck Jonathan.

The court presided by Justice Gabriel Kolawole ruled that ‘’no single arm of government can constitute itself as an impediment to the exercise of constitutional powers by another arm of government.’’

Following moves by the lower legislative House to invoke its statutory powers and remove President Jonathan from office over his alleged lackadaisical attitude towards achieving 100 percent implementation of the 2012 budget, the National Chairman of the African Liberation Party, ALP, Dr. Emmanuel Okereke, approached the high court, asking it to stop the process.

In his ex-parte motion, Okereke who maintained that the impeachment threat was capable of heating up the polity unnecessarily, asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the House of Representatives “from harassing or further harassing the president with threats of impeachment or commenc-

ing any process of impeachment of the president for non-implementation of 100 percent of the budget.”

Okereke, specifically, urged the court to among other things, determine whether “the constitution prescribed any time frame or date in each fiscal year within which to declare the budget as non-implemented?” He argued that the September 2012 deadline issued by the House for 100 percent implementation of the budget which is three months earlier than the end of year and six months from the end of the 2012 budget / fiscal year, was a disguise to cause political turmoil. Consequently, he prayed the court to make an order, “prohibiting the President or the Executive arm of government from hurriedly executing any part of the budget when or

$620,000 SUBSIDY BRIBE SCAM:

Attorney General’s office returns casefile to police for further investigation

F

OLLOWING what Po lice sources say are a wider dimension to investigations over the $620, 000 subsidy bribery scam involving erstwhile chairman of the Subsidy Probe Panel, Hon. Lawan Farouk, the office of the Attorney General of the

the tax to be imposed on the sum in question, the law must unambiguously impose the tax on the party sought to be charged with it. The evidence shows that the fine was imposed for the bribery of Nigerian officials. What the quantum of the bribe was is not in evidence. The respondent speculates that the fine of $599m or the entire bribe would have formed part of the expenses that was charged in the tax returns to FIRS’.”

It added that the purpose of the sanction, which was a criminal penalty “is a loss imposed on the party unless there is evidence to the contrary, which there is not.”

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SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 — 7

Lack of patriotism causes corruption — Akpabio A

President Goodluck Jonathan welcomes the Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu while Vice President Namadi Sambo (2nd left); the SGF, Senator Pius Anyim (r) and the Chief of Staff to the Presisdnt, Chief Mike Oghiadome (m) watched during the meeting between the Presidency and Northern States Governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida.

KWA Ibom Gover nor, Chief Godswill Akpabio has identified lack of patriotism as a factor contributing to corruption in the society.

Chief Akpabio, who stated this Thursday at the opening of a three-day workshop of Nigeria Guild of Editors on the theme ‘’The Nigerian Editor and National Security ’’ held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom Capital, noted that corruption thrives in countries with low level of patriotism.

He stated ‘’As editors, you are the captains of the media industry and

Woman stabs spouse to death in Bayelsa

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA, Yenagoa

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HE police in Bayel sa State have arrested a 27 years old woman who allegedly stabbed her husband to death in the Azikoro suburb of Yenagoa the state capital.

The woman identified as Osas Omorege according to eyewitnesses stabbed her spouse, Chukwuma Iwu over alleged marital squabbles.

It was gathered that trouble started when the wife of the deceased suspected he was having extra marital affairs due to his alleged late night outings.

The tragic incident which threw the rustic Azikoro settlement into mourning occurred last Friday when the deceased reportedly received a phone call which the wife suspected was from one of his lovers.

The wife’s suspicion and anger over the phone call the source said, might have been fuelled by his alleged absence from home for two days.

“After returning late to his matrimonial home he received a phone call which the wife suspected was coming from his girlfriend and attempted to stop him from answering it”, the source added.

Consequently, a scuffle ensued and the deceased ordered his wife

to move out of the house with her belongings, the source further said.

Angered by the wife’s refusal to comply with his order the deceased was said to have reached for a kitchen knife ostensibly to frighten her but she was adamant.

Immediately he dropped the knife, the

wife was said to have picked the said knife and stabbed the husband on the chest.

The loud cry of the husband for help attracted neighbours who rushed to the scene and took him to the health facility in the community where he was confirmed dead.

The woman it was learnt turned in herself to the po-

lice where she is currently in detention and assisting them in their investigation into the matter.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Fidelis Odunna (DSP) confirmed the incident saying the woman voluntarily gave up herself to the police. He said she would be charged to court for murder.

your interpretations of reality become the reality for the nation. How do you interpret reality?

Take the issue of corruption and you would discover that corruption thrives in countries with low level of patriotism. If you love your country, you will not steal from it.

Clothe this country in beautiful garments, and patriotism will rise and corruption will decline. ’’To drive away darkness, you turn on the light; let us turn on the light of patriotism in our country. Lack of patriotism leads to selfishness.

Therefore, let us live not for our families and ourselves alone, or for our friends and class interest alone, let the empathy extend beyond our interest and we will make Nigeria a better and a more interesting country’’, the Governor observed.

Akpabio thanked the Guild on the theme of the eighth annual conference, saying “This is a proof that the spirit of our ancestors, who used

the vehicle of crusading journalism to win independence for us, is still in our time. It would be foolhardy for you to kill the baby, the democracy, you midwifed. ’’We know that you constitute the conscience of our nation.

When our nation had tottered in its walk to freedom, you had revived it with fearless, crusading journalism.

Now Nigeria calls again and you compatriots have risen and have come to the right place to respond to this call’’, he remarked.

The Governor charged thus: ‘’Apart from the state making laws to protect those involved in direct national security activities, the media should also be involved in patriotic gatekeeping. They should deliberately keep information they have acquired, but which could threaten national security from being published.

The common good should be prioritized above personal gain or corporate profit.”

Oruku, Umuode crisis: One killed, another shot

BY TONY EDIKE, Enugu

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HE lingering boundary dispute between Oruku and Umuode communities in Nkanu East local government area of Enugu State assumed a dangerous dimension on Thursday as a native of Oruku was reportedly shot dead while another who was shot on the chest allegedly by men in military uniform is lying critically injured at the University of

Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla.

Reports said the incident followed days of heavy shootings between the two warring factions in the protracted land dispute which had claimed several lives and property in past years.

The country home of the immediate past Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji was among the properties belonging to Umuode natives that were destroyed in one of the clashes some years ago but the house has since been rebuilt.

Sources said tension heightened in the area last week following a disagreement between some natives of the two communities which led to the pulling

down of about five houses in Umuode and one in Oruku. Although the cause of the disagreement could not be immediately ascertained, both parties were

said to have thereafter engaged in sporadic shootings within their boundary apparently to signal their readiness for another round

3 die, 15 injure in Ogun auto crash

BY DAUD OLATUNJI, Abeokuta

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HREE people died while 15 passengers sustained injury in an auto crash that occured along AbeokutaIbadan road on Friday.

The accident,according to an eye-witness, occured 3.00pm at Ikija village, at Olodo town in Odeda local government area of Ogun State.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that,the accident was caused by the driver of an Ibadan- bound 14 passengers bus with registration number Akwa XA 116TUY. It was further gathered that,in the caurse of overtaking some vehicles prompted an on-

coming Nissan Sunny Car with registration number.L AGOS SW 212KJA conveying four people to ram into a stationary truck with registration number AB 129LND,leaving three of the passengers dead on the spot.

The 14 passengers bus, Saturday Vanguard learnt fell into a ditch which made all passengers leaving all of with various injuries.

The victims were said to have been taken to hospital for an emergency treatment,while the corpses of the dead have also been deposited at a morgue.

Confirming the accident, the Commander of Traffic Compliance and E n f o r c e m e n t

Agency(TRACE) in Abeokuta Deji Dawodu ,said his men had been contacted over the ugly development, and were on their way eventually to the scene.

St Enda’s Old students meet

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AGOS State branch of St. Enda’s College (Agbarho Grammar School), Agbarho, Delta State Old Students Association will hold its monthly general meeting today at 3A, Abuja Close, Agbara Estate, Agbara, Ogun State at 3.00 p.m. Association Secretary, Mr. Sunday Orode enjoined members to attend punctually as important issues have been lined up for discussion.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15 , 2012

Rape: Court grants accused pastor bail …As church members insist on pastor’s innocence

By JOSEPH ERUNKEl, Abuja

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T was celebration ga lore Thursday night, at the Mountain Movers Fire Ministries, one of the fast rising churches in Abuja, the nation’s capital, as its worshipers converged in their numbers to give thanks to God for a bail granted their General Overseer, Apostle Basil Princewill.

Justice Husseini BabaYusuf of the FCT High Court on Thursday, granted bail to the pastor, Basil Princewill, who is being charged with alleged rape of a 14-yearold girl,a worshipper in his church.

Princewill is the General Overseer of Mountain Movers Fire Ministries International, located in Nyanya, Abuja.

He was arrested by the men of the Nigeria Police, in Nyanya following allegation by some members of his church that he

raped and molested some young female members of his church.

The judge’s order that the accused be granted bail followed the absence of the prosecutor in court.

He said the prosecutor neither filed any counteraffidavit nor was present at the hearing of the application for bail.

Before granting the bail order, the judge fumed, saying “the conclusion I am bound to draw from this is that the prosecutor does not have objection to bail being granted to the accused. The attitude of the prosecutor in this case, therefore, is blameworthy and must be condemned in strong term.

As ministers in the temple of justice, we are accountable to the public in all that we do. And so, in the discharge of our duties, it is imperative to give the impression that we are acting in the interest of justice”.

Justice Baba-Yusuf therefore granted the accused bail in the sum of

N500, 000 with one reliable surety in like sum.

“Accordingly, the accused is hereby granted bail in the sum of N500, 000 and one reliable surety in like sum,” he said, but added that the surety must be a civil servant resident within the FCT. The accused, according to the judge, would be arraigned on the next adjourned date.

The church members came out to exonerate their pastor, saying he was not somebody of unquestionable character to have engaged in what he was standing trial for in the court.

Tuk ur has brought sanity ernal democracy ukur sanity,, int internal to PDP — Jaja ... Hails him at 77

BY HENRY UMORU, Abuja

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HE national leader ship of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP yesterday said that the coming on board of its na-

Monarch blames massive flooding on Boko Haram

BY ANAYO OKOLI, Umuahia

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S MASSIVE flooding continues to devastate some parts of Nigeria, especially the Northern parts, a traditional ruler in Abia state has predicted that more massive flooding would torment the North because according to him God is very angry with the activities of the Islamic Sect, Boko Haram whose members have been killing and maiming innocent people, especially Christians.

The traditional ruler, Eze Henry Ezekwem of Emede Ibeku in Umuahia North Local Government Council, God’s anger is upon Boko Haram members who go to churches to kill Christians as well as in the mosque to kill people who worship their God. According to Ezekwem who is also the chairman of Ibeku Traditional Rulers Council, unless the Boko Haram members stop gruesome killing of innocent worshippers in churches and mosques, the wrath of God would still come in more devas-

tating way.

He attributed the massive flooding which has been killing and sacking hundreds of families which has been more in the Northern parts to God’s anger against the evils being committed by the Boko Haram members.

Ezekwem called on prominent Northern leaders to intervene by calling these hoodlums to embrace dialogue so as to escape the enraging wrath of God, warning that if they don’t change more aggressive harm awaits them.

N5,000 note: Sanusi is a bundle of contradiction — Ewherido populace saying; “I don’t

BY FESTUS AHON,Ughelli

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ENATOR represent ing Delta Central Senatorial District, Chief Pius Ewherido has berated Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Govenor, Mr Lamido Sanusi over the move to introduce the N5000

note in the country, describing him as a bundle of contradiction.

Ewherido who was chatting with newsmen in his Ewu country home, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, said the planned introduction of the N5000 note was an unpopular move with the Nigeria

Chief Emeka Anyaoku (Middle), flanked by Gov. Peter Obi(left), and Steve Sackur (right), the presenter of BBC Hardtalk at the Business Hallmark organized Town Hall Meeting at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, yesterday.

know why the CBN Governor wants to unnecessarily heat up the polity.”

Describing the move as an unnecessary affront on the economic situation of the country, he emphasized that “even within government, it is unpopular because people in the legislature are already disagreeing on it.

tional Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has brought sanity and internal democracy to the party.

In a congratulatory message to Bamanga Tukur on his birthday, the PDP deputy national Chairman, Sam Sam Jaja, the PDP while describing its National chairman as the icon of the nation’s democracy as he turns 77years, noted that he is an accomplished and successful businessman, technocrat and politician who has devoted his life

to the development of Nigeria.

Jaja noted that Alhaji Tukur as chairman of African Business Roundtable, exhibited his acquired years of business acumen to pilot the affairs of the group and its various recommendations assisted government in very many great ways in solving the country’s economic problems.

Sam Sam Jaja said, “ As governor of old Gongola state now split into Adamawa and Taraba states, Alhaji Tukur within the

three months he was in office transformed the big state and upon which subsequent governments built upon. ”Since the emergence of Alhaji Tukur as the chairman of PDP, the largest party in sub-Saharan Africa has demonstrated commitment to the principle of fair play by his introduction of 3Rs-reconciliation, reconstruction and reformation, 3Es - environment, energy and education as well as 3Ds defence, diplomacy and dialogue.’’

Ogun nurses protest death of staff

BY DAUD OLATUNJI, Abeokuta

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URSES in govern ment-owned hospitals in Ogun state yesterday cried out that,acute shortage of health workers had made some of their members become patients in hospital.

They have however threatened to commence strike action in the next three weeks if the state government failed to address what they called precarious situation as a result of shortage of nurses and other health workers in the state.

Addressing newsmen in Abeokuta yesterday,the state Chairman,National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives in Ogun, Mr. Abiodun Olakanmi in the presence of other members raised the alarm that some members

have been in sick bed for exhaustion.

He acussed Amosun’s government of being insensitive to the plight of members for his alleged

suspension of the recuitment exercise which had led to acute shortage of health workers in the state.

Lagos State judiciary begins new Legal year

BY ONYEKA OBETTA

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HE 2012/2013 Legal year for the Lagos State judiciary begins Monday 17th September.

According to the statement issued by the state judiciary, activities marking the event include simultaneous legal services at the Cathedral Church of Christ Marina and the Central Mosque, Nnamdi Azikiwe street, Lagos at 9.am on 17/9/ 2012. This will be followed by inspection of a parade of guards by the State

Chief Judge, Hon. Justice A. A Philips at the High Court Premises Lagos.

On 18/9/2012 the Chief Judge along with other senior members of the state judiciary and officials of the Nigeria Bar Association will visit both the Kirikiri Medium and Maximum prisons.

A stakeholders summit on the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2012 and the Family Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2012 will hold at the City Hall Lagos, 19th September.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 — 9

Ibori’s $15m bribe: EFCC arrests Chibuike Achigbu … More arrests to be effected

BY SONI DANIEL, Abuja

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HE Economic and Fi nancial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday made good its threat to arrest the claimants of the $15 million bribe money, which the former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, gave to the commission in 2007.

A Lagos-based businessman, Chibuike Achigbu, who claimed last week that he was the owner of the controversial money was arrested by the commission in Lagos and taken to Abuja on Friday for interrogation.

Achigbu, who is described as a player in the oil and gas industry, is reported to have made useful statement to EFCC operatives.

One source told Saturday Vanguard that the businessman had cooperated with the operatives of the commission interrogating him.

The source said, “We arrested the mastermind of the dubious effort to claim the bribe sum and our officers have been interrogating him since his arrival in Abuja.

“The man has cooperated with our operatives and made useful statement on the circumstance surrounding the dubious

attempt to claim the money in the custody of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“He may be granted Administrative bail and released from our custody if he meets the conditions attached to the bail,” the source hinted.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the operatives of the commission were on the trail of all those who played various roles in a desperate bid to reclaim the said money and that more arrests would soon be made.

Asked to confirm how many persons had been detained in connection with the offence, the source declined to comment further.

It was learnt that Achigbu had however made efforts to get off the hook of the EFCC and could be released at the weekend.

When contacted, the Acting Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the arrest of Achigbu, adding that he had made useful statement to the operatives.

Vanguard had exclusively reported on Tuesday that the Economic Crimes and Financial Commission had begun investigating the brains behind the spurious attempt to reclaim the $15 million bribe money.

The following day, the

Gov Godswill Akpabio presenting a sourvenir to Bishop Mike Okonkwo of the Redeemed Evangelical Mission after a courtesy call on the Governor. commission through Festus Keyamo, obtained a court order authorising it to arrest Chibuike Achigbu and Andy Uba in connection with the bribe sum.

A Federal High Court

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WO suspected kidnap pers were yesterday, arrested and a kidnap victim rescued by a combined

team of men of the Joint Task Force, JTF, and members of the Ughelli Vigilante group, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State.

The victim identified as Mrs Kate Okogu, Saturday

Shocker:: 32-yr old father murders son

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI, Abuja

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T was shock and disbelief at the Lugbe Police Divi sional headquarters, Abuja during the week when a 32 years old father was arrested and detained for allegedly killing his two-week old baby boy.

Police sources told Saturday Vanguard that the 32 years old tailor, Aminu Zubairu, allegedly killed his son violently during a quarrel with his wife to prove that he was the man of the house.The source alleged that on the day of quarrel, Aminu, living in Tundunwada area of Lugbe, along Airport Road, Abuja, suddenly snatched the two week old baby from his wife, out of annoyance that she was arguing with him and smashed the baby’s head on the floor of the house.

Buoyed by the court order, some senior lawyers last week approached the court and prayed it to return the money to one Chibuike Achigbu, a player in the oil and gas sector.

Former Minis Ministter arres arrestted o ovver ssttolen petroleum products ... business premises sealed

BY GODWIN ORITSE A former Minister was yesterday allegedly arrested over his involvement in the hijack of a vessel\M.T. Grace’ laden with suspected stolen pe-

2 suspected kidnappers arrested in Delta, matron rescued

BY FESTUS AHON, Ughelli

had given an interim forfeiture order of the amount to the Federal Government and gave 14 days period during which the owner of the money should come forward with evidence to claim it.

They claimed that they had the authority of the businessman to ask the court to return the sum to him.

In fact, the law firm of Adeniyi Akintola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, leading two other Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and seven other lawyers, initiated the move to get the money returned to Achigbu.

In a 30-paragraph affidavit in support of the prayers, David Alao, who claimed to have been instructed by both Adeniyi Akintola and Chibuike Achigbu, swore that the claimant was the owner of the money in question and asked the court to return same to him.

Alao also stated that Andy Uba, in whose residence the money was given to Ribadu, would be ready to attest to the ownership of the money by Achigbu.

Vanguard gathered was abducted at about 7:40 pm on Friday night after she was intercepted by the suspected kidnappers as she was about entering her residence at Amekpa area in the Ughelli metropolis.

According to a reliable source, the suspected kidnappers that came in a red mazda whisked the unsuspecting woman who is a matron in the local government Health Department away in her Toyota corolla at gun point after threatening to shoot her gateman.

Speaking to the Saturday Vanguard, Chairman of the Ughelli vigilante group, Mr Monday Owhesiri said men of the JTF and the group swung into action on Friday night after it got wind of the kidnap of Mrs Okogu.

troleum products.

Disclosing this to newsmen in Lagos, Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi said that the search for the sponsors of these pirates has led to the tracing of the stolen products to the oil and gas tank farm of the ex-minister.

Akpobolokemi who represented by NIMASA’s Executive Director in charge of maritime labour services and Cabotage Barr. Obi Nwabueze said

that the premises of the company has been sealed off pending investigation.

He said NIMASA has come to the realisation that behind the facade, there are kingpins and big men who facilitate piracy adding the agency in collaboration with other security operatives will unravel the people behind the sale, purchase and storage of the stolen products.

“So in line with our promise to the Nigerian public, we intensified our search for the big men behind the scene and we are happy to tell you today that we have been able to trace them to a company, a major oil and

gas company.

“The products that were stolen from the activities of piracy were conveyed and stored at oil and gas company.

“As we speak we have sealed off the company and we have arrested the top management of the company.

“Investigation is on going and we believe they will be very instrumental in unraveling the continuous invasion of our waterways,” he stated..

Besides the arrest of the ex Minister, about four staff of the company are also said to be in the custody of securuty operatives in Lagos.

Unbundle PHCN for efficiency, Akpabio urges FG

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HE Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio has called for the full unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

Akpabio made the call while speaking at the village square meeting organized by the Business Hallmark newspaper in Lagos State. According to the governor ‘’the best thing that would happen to this coun-

ty is to unbundle the power sector, let us allow corporate organizations and states that have the capability and ability to go into either generation, transmission and distribution in the power sector. What has happened in the last 10 years is that the Federal Government gave out license for generation but made transmission and distribution the exclusive prerogative of

the Power Holding Company of Nigeria(PHCN) let us allow states and private companies to into the three sectors.’’

He stated further that’’ what the federal government should do as far as the issue of power is concerned is to act as regulator and if this is done, we would in no distance achieve what has so far been achieved in the telecommunication sector.

10—SATURDAY Vanguard,SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

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nvestigation by Saturday Vanguard showed that the

Give us our daily bread

At what price?

Consequent upon the sudden increase in the price of bread, CHARLES ADINGUPU writes, that the once cherished staple food is gradually disappearing from the menu of most homes as they sort for alternative breakfast

sudden change in price of bread may not unconnected to the increase in tariff for the importation of wheat and other confectionery condiments used in baking of bread in particular. A flour dealer at the popu-

and other condiments used for baking of bread. According to her, within a period of three months or so, the price of a bag of flour has changed for reasons we, the dealers cannot comprehend.

“I can’t imagine buying a loaf of family size bread for N220 as against N200. For the children to feed well, they consume two loaves of family size bread at a sitting

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he usual cool breeze that heralds dawn was conspicuously absent at Ajegunle, a suburb in Lagos. But people in the neighbourhood must resume their daily hassling and bursting which are the hallmarks of city life.

For Mrs Fidelia Nwakode, a widow, she and her four siblings begin the day with their early morning ritual prayers.

Just like other days, she woke up on this fateful day with a sign of tiredness, and one after the other, she asked the children to converge at their small parlour for prayers. After some choruses, she muttered some few sentences to the Almighty God and eventually ended the prayers with our father, five us this day, our daily bread...”

At the end of the prayer session, she opened the door and windows, and occasionally exchanges pleasantries with neighbours. She rationed the domestic shores at home and then ordered, the last child, David to buy a loaf of family size bread in any one of the stores in the vicinity.

However, some minutes afterwards, David returned home without the bread. Reason, the price of bread has suddenly been increased without formal notice. Mrs Nwakode collected the two hundred note from her child without a word. She immediately prepared yam as an alternative to the bread and tea her children were used to.

“I can’t imagine buying a loaf of family size bread for N220 as against N200. For the children to feed well, they consume two loaves of family size bread at a sitting. Things generally are not easy for me since I lost my husband in a mysterious circumstances over waste disposal in the compound. I do know that N400 can get me two tubas of yam, enough to feed my family since it’s the season,” she lamented to Saturday Vanguard.

Mrs Nwakode is not the only one who has been deprived of her daily bread following the sudden increase in price.

Madam Atinuke, a mother of three lamented that the sudden increase in the price of bread has compelled her to source for alternative food for breakfast for the children.

“My children enjoy eating bread but I can’t do otherwise.

We certainly cannot cope with the sudden hike in price. Until now, I buy at least two family size of loaves on daily basis. But I can’t do that now,” she said.

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lar Mile 12 market who gave her name simply as Mama Ifeanyi, exonerated bakers from the sudden increase in the price of bread, but blamed the change in price on the gradual but systematic increase in flour

“About three months ago, a 50kg of flour goes for N6,200.

It was later increased to N6,800. About three weeks after, it was increased again to N7,200 and today, it sells for about N8,200 and above

depending on the product and dealer. Similarly, half bag goes for half the price, it’s simple arithmetic,” she said.

Mama Ifeanyi disclosed that not only bread bakers who may suffer from the development, but also those who bake and sell cakes, chin-chin, donuts, meat pie, egg rolls and others.

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he flour dealer stated that consumers of such products may not easily notice any change in terms of price and package except those who are meticulous.

A confectionery seller, Gladys Adeleke disclosed to Saturday Vanguard that the hike in price of flour, has invariably reduced the size of her egg rolls, do-nuts and chinchin in order to make a marginal profit.

“I’m not as big as those eateries. So, I manage to make profit from the little I can afford. Sometimes, I buy only a

bucket of flour at N450 just for a day sales. In the past, a bucket of flour goes for N300, N320 but today the story is different,” she said.

Mrs Adeleke stated that besides flour, other condiments are also required for the preparation of her wares aside from kerosine or firewood.

Also, Chief Benjamin Nnamdi who runs a bakery in Lagos, stated that government lackadaisical attitude towards bakers necessitated the sharp increase in the prices of bread.

He blamed the abysmal increase on the import duty on wheat, erratic power supply, the near non-availability of gas to power generators used by bakery operators and inconsistent policies by the government as combined factors that affected the recent price in bread.

The bakery owner recalled that the federal government has been toying with the idea of producing cassava flour but lamented that the product is yet to be available, at least in large quantity before opting to increase import duty on flour.

“Nigeria is a comic country.

At one time or the other, bakers are exposed to one peculiar problem or the other. At a time, we had a grouse with the NAFDAC over the use of bromide for baking bread, and today this …...he said.

But a bread seller at the Alapere expressway,Ketu who gave his name as Olumide, said he hinted most of his regular customers over the impending increase in price before it was eventually effected.

“I sell all kinds of bread products produced by different bakers in Lagos except the popular Agege bread. The family size bread that sells for N200, now goes for N220, while those who sells theirs at N180, now sell for N200. The next size which ordinarily goes for N120, now sells for N150 and that N60 sells for N80,” he said.

Olumide who said that the sharp increase in price has affected his daily sales margin, stated that only N20 orN25 was added to the price.

“But you know in Nigeria, one kobo means a lot. Most of my customers who used to buy two loaves of bread now ask for one and those who buy one may not want to buy sometimes. Generally, my sales has dropped but not greatly though,” he said.

Reacting to the sudden increase in price of bread, Demiji, an artisan lamented that bread is no longer a food of the common man.

“Oga, bread is not a food for

Continues on Page 11

SATURDAY Vanguard,SEPTEMBER 15, 2012—11

Recently bakers embarked on a three day strike in Lagos, why did they go on strike?

It happened that government increased import duty on wheat and initially it was 5% levy and later they introduced 15% duty and 5% levy on importation of wheat, making it 20%. At that point, the 20% increase on wheat which was part of the budget this year read in January 2012 with commencement date on July this year. Since then, we have been holding meetings with FG to find solutions on this issue. All is on local cassava project, how to use to it for local baking of bread, which was initiated by Federal Government in 2004. Right now, the flour millers in order to remain in business increased the price of flour with N1,000.00, and with this increment, it is

Govt responsible for increase in bread price — Adejare difficult for bakers to cope with bakery business. Before now flour was sold N6,500.00 but now is N7,500. This situation forced bakers to jerk up the prices of their products with 20%. And we have informed the public the situation we see ourselves in the bakery industry. At the national level, we registered our complaint when we met with the Federal Government in a conference at Abuja. They told us about the price hike in flour and bread and the reason because when import duty on wheat increases, it will definitely affect the two.

With what FG resolved at that meeting, the National body saw that there was nothing they could do about it, so they through state chapters instructed bakers to increase price of bread by 20% the same margin at which wheat was increased. The order was passed in July to all the states chapters. But in Lagos, we held meetings on how to effect the hike in price and it was

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he national caretaker committee secretary, Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria, and Chairman, Mushin local government area, Evangelist J.O Adejare told Moses Nosike that the Federal Government should be held responsible on the recent increase in he price of bread. He disclosed different moves made by his members to avert the suden increase in the essential food, bread. Excerpt.

The flour millers in order to remain in business increased the price of flour with N1,000.00, and with this increment, it is difficult for bakers to cope with bakery business

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decided that it will take effect from September 1, 2012 but we decided that before we could

Adejare achieve that especially in Mushin Local Government, we had to down tools for three days which we did, and Lagos state on its own was one day because there was going to be a gathering of bakers at Ikeja Police College to sensitize our members on how to effect the new price on bread.

The N1,000 increment by millers, was it as a result of the duty increment on wheat?

They told us that the increment was the resultant effect of duty on wheat. Before the new increment, it was sold N600 and then they assured us that it will not be increased again. But at the meeting with the millers at the national level they surprised us by in-

creasing it to N1,000.00, and when we asked them reason, they said there was a drop in the American wheat market and because of rainy season which affected it, its price has to go up now because most farmers in American are now concentrating on rice, grain and other things because rainy season. So, wheat now goes for the highest bidder. They also blamed this situation on government.

So, in our last meeting with Federal Government before this price issue came up, Okonjo Iweala and Akinwunmi A Adesina, minister for Agriculture were there, and we discussed at length on this issue. We told them that we are interested to partner them on the project of using our local cassava for bread baking but advised them to suspend the 20% duty increment for now till all machineries for this project is ready. But FG said they wouldn’t suspend it because they will generate revenue from the increment to sponsor the cassava/bread project that they government had been planning for it before now, so we should bear with them, and even if it will amount to increase the price of bread and others, they should go ahead to do that.

Which country does Nigeria import wheats from?

Continues on Page 12

Bread at what price? are all of school age. Until now, they consume almost two family size loaves of bread in the morning before they go to school. But all that has changed now.

In the morning, I either boil yam or rice for them, while they take noodles to school.

They seem to enjoy it. At least, it saves me the problem of buying bread,” she said.

Mrs. Patricia Nwankwo said the breakfast of her children depends largely on the food in season.

Continued from Page 10 poor man. I cannot afford bread anymore. About two months ago, I can buy Agege bread for N50 and plate of locally prepared beans forN30, and my meal is ready. But not anymore. The least price of Agege bread is now N70 and a spoonful cooked beans is now N30, so, how can I cope?” he queries.

Similarly, Madam Alice Obamogie recalled with nostalgia how in her early childhood days, her mother would asked her to take some slice of bread to eat while waiting for the main dish to be prepared.

“In our time, we eat bread whenever we are hungry because it is ready available. We take some to school and even after school hours. But today, the story has changed. I can’t buy enough bread for my children at the price at which it is sold. We stay days without eating bread these days,” she said.

The search for alternatives

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Bread seller However, since the increase in the price of bread, most families are now beginning to search for alternative meal for breakfast.

Mrs. Uduak Uba is just one

of them. She disclosed that since the increase in price of bread, she has resorted to convince her children to accept noodles as breakfast.

“I’ve four children and they

t the moment, new yam is out, so my children take yam or rice in the morning and noodles in the afternoon. Whenever plantain becomes cheap, we feast on it as well. But my children love grains a lot. They don’t ask for bread anymore since I told them that I cannot afford it,” she said.

An auto mechanic, Akin said that though bread used to be his favourite meal but the sudden increase in price has

affected his appetite for it.

“Since the price of bread has gone up, I don’t think of buying it again. I now eat eba or amala. It sustains me for a long time before I start feeling hungry again. Besides, the bread produced these days are smaller in size. However, I but bread for my children sometimes,” he said.

Another respondent, Madam Okade said bean cake otherwise known as akara is what she prepares for her family as breakfast, particularly at weekends.“Bread is no longer food for the poor. How many loaves of bread will be enough to feed my family and at what cost? I encourage my children to akara, bean cake, moi moi and other affordable light food as noodles for breakfast,” she said.

However, a cross section of respondents enthused that there are varieties of food for Nigerians to feast as breakfast.

They generally concurred that rice remains the best staple food that can never disappear from our menu.

12—SATURDAY Vanguard,SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

By Anozie Egole

It is a normal thing—Mary Akwuba

Agric. Minister, Dr. Akinwunmi A. Adesina

Fin. Minister, Dr. Okonjo Iweala

Govt responsible for increase in bread price — Adejare Continued from Page 11 America is our main source of important even though other countries in Europe, Ukrain and others are there, but America is the largest wheat producer.

In your meeting with the FG, when did they say government will kick start the cassava/bread project?

I’m part of that discussion in Abuja as a national care-taker committee secretary of bakers, and I have been in the system since 2004 when Obasanjo was there. I attended all the meetings at national level.

And they came up with this issue cassava/bread project and we asked them how serious is the government? Again, they restated government commitment to the project that apart from the huge amount of money expected from it, the project will also revive our agricultural products. And we told them that if they want the bakers’ support, government should assist us with the provision certain equipment. Initially in the budget, they gave us 12% waver and that was not beneficial to us at the local level even though they had it in mind it is for all levels, we made it known bakers are of different categories.

We let them know that government has abandoned us over the years we have been

crying for help in the bakery industry at our levels. We also told them that the 12% waver will only affect the multi-nationals, and the Nigerian bakers will not enjoy it because we can’t even import any equipment due to the stiff conditions attached to importation.

So, when we solicited their assistance financially and in other areas that would make bakery business easy for us.

Based on that, they asked us to submit requisition order to cushion the effect of high cost of production and we did, but at the end in a list of six to seven items submitted only three items, electric ovum, mixer and chiller were granted.

Ironically they came up with Cassava/bread development fund committee in Abuja the same day. The reason for that committee according to gov-

ernment is that they are going to concentrate on local cassava to produce bread and increase import duty on wheat to 100% flat and money realised from duty will be used to fund local bakers, cassava/ bread and purchase of necessary equipment for the cassava/ bread project.

How is the effect of the increment on the local bakers?

It’s affecting the local baker seriously. That is one of the reasons we jerked up price to help us a little in production cost because most bakers are baking at lost. Many bakers have the left the business for okada riding.

The reason is that those who are producing 5-7 bags of flour every can’t even finish 2 bags in a day. How much would you gain from such production to take care of your family responsibility. The business is now worse.

Well cannot really say that the increase is affecting me so to say. Though is it not good, but we all supposed to be used to the unprepared increase in the prices of commodities in the country. One thing about Nigerians is that they enjoy increase in the prices of goods and when this happens, prices goes up, they do not wish it to come down. They continue praying that the price will continue going up. For example, since January when the subsidy strike went on and there were minor increases in the prices of some commodities like the sachet water. You will agree with me that ever since that increase in the price of sachet water, some sellers have used that as an opportunity to en rich themselves negatively. Though some people have started selling the sachet water the normal price, others still do not want to sell the normal price. So that is the problem with our country.

Talking about the increase in the price of bread. Like before, we use to buy Home fresh bread N170 and sell it at N200, but now, we buy, N190 and sell it at the rate of N220. We use to buy Value bread and others at the rate of N180 and sell N200 before but now, we buy from N195 up and sell more than N200. There are minor reductions in my customers as a result of the increase. Sometimes, some customers will come and buy bread and pay only N200 without adding the N20 which is our gain in the business. When you ask them to complete the payment, they will tell you that they do not have money and since we want to keep our customers, we allow them to go. And you see, these things are not good to business. How do you expect a business to grow without profits?

But all the same, since the price has increased, there is no going back for Nigerains.

We do not buy it as we used to buy it before —Amina Well for me, I have nothing much to say about the increase because, I want to go and sell my market. As a bread hawker, our bakers told us that there is an increase in the prices of flour that is why they will not be able to sell it to us retailers the way they use to. Before, we use to buy the smallest size at N30 and sell it at the price of N50. But now, there is no again.

Because, it is so small that many people will not want to buy it at that price.

When we asked what caused the increase, they did not say anything meaningful. Though there is increase, and we are lossing some of our customers, but the increase is not much.

The government should come to our rescue and do something.

Everything cannot be costly in this country at the same time.

It doesn’t affect me—Izunna Charles To me, the increase doesn’t affect me. I am a regular consumer of bread. So, whether there is an increase or not, it doesn’t affect me because I must buy at least, a loaf of bread.

But the government should try and do something about that. I cannot see the reason why everything is on the increase in this country. See sachet water that increased since January during the subsidy problem has not come down. Though some people have started selling it at the normal price, others still do not want to sell at the old price come down. That is the problem we have here in this country. When something goes up, it will take the special grace of God for that same product to come down.

It is embarrassing—Anthony Okon I felt so embarrassed the previous night when I went to a restaurant to take my normal bread and beans. When I make my request as usual, the response I got from my customer was embarrassing. She said, she is sorry that there is no more N50 bread and even the beans is now expensive meal. That the least bread is N70 and a plate of beans is N50 she cannot sell the bread below that price to avoid big loss.

I even persuaded her to know if there will be a change of mind but to no avail. If not for the special grace of God I would have slept with empty stomach.

SA TURD A Y Vanguard SATURD TURDA anguard,,

National honours and the pride of a nation

All millionaires and all poor

es, their currency says they are all millionaires and yet they are all so, so poor.

I couldn’t help thinking of the Zimbabwe I went to in 1980 to be part of their Independence celebrations.

A Zimbabwe that was so luscious, so beautiful, so alive. And it’s all due to inefficient, thieving leaders who cover up their ‘lootocracy’ and incompetence by printing higher and higher notes.

It reminds me of the story around Idi Amin, the Ugandan strongman in the seventies. When told by his finance cronies that the country was running out of money, he simply said ‘print more’ currency!

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ow I am no economist and I couldn’t begin to understand the economic merits for or against the proposed 5,000 Naira note. But I have been around long enough – From 20 Naira to 1,000 naira notes – to know that higher notes have simply worsened our purchasing power.

Each time we had a higher note, we needed more to buy less.

If, as an economist friend once said that economics is about ‘common sense really’ (indeed most

If the solution to printing less for more is this simple, why is it that only countries with high inflation and poor fiscal management follow that path?

professions are premised on logic and common sense) then the proposed new higher note does not make too much sense.

Last week, Mr Atedo Peterside told us dismissively that it would cost more to print the lower denominations (I think he said 47 billion Naira) and that if he had his way, he would print a N10,000 note. When asked if it would cause inflation, he quickly dismissed it as ‘Voodoo economics’ Now, if the solution to printing less for more is this simple, why is it that only countries with high inflation and poor fiscal management follow that path? Why doesn’t Britain print a five hundred pound note?

Why doesn’t the U.S. print a thousand dollar

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note?

Who, Mr.Peterside is actually practising voodoo economics? And why is higher and higher currency usually associated with higher and higher levels of poverty?

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f as Ex U.S. President Bill Clinton said of Fiscal Management that it all boils down to arithmetics, then maybe somebody should tell Mr Peterside and Mallam Sanusi – both Floreats that the figures don’t add up.

And Mr Peterside, where is that young, fiery, articulate writer of the late seventies who was usually on this side of the divide? Where is he?

I listened to his take on the fuel subsidy debate and the numbers. Like this one,it didn’t add up.

SEGUN BUCKNOR – Please get well soon

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recently heard that Mr Segun Bucknor,a prodigiously talented individual, has been ill for a while. My heart goes out to him and to all those who have been taking care of him.

He was probably one of those born ahead of his time. If he had been born in these days of entertainment boom, he would have soared to great riches.

But he was born at a time when popular music attracted a different class of people and he had a pedigree that didn’t lend itself to that class.

He must have been a bit of a rebel to have even gone into music in the first case. Born into a respectable and conservative family, he attended a respectable and conservative secondary school. (I am

told he got a scholarship at the famous Kings College Lagos on account of his high grades at the entrance examinations) We adolescents and school boys stood in awe of him as he dazzled on stage back in his early music days. I was to meet him years later, when he came to write a weekly column for the Punch Newspaper. I had many interesting rides with him in his old jalopy where all manners of discussions took place.

I was impressed by his intellect and his grasp on a lot of issues. I was also impressed by his humility. I hope he gets well soon. And if help can reach him through the readers of this column, then this piece would have served a purpose.

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e are such an interesting n a t i o n peopled by different characters and shades of individuals with no discernible compass.

We do things in very ridiculous manners and get national awards for it. Nigeria is an awardgiving-ceremony country but with less achievements both at the individual and collective levels, and often times one wonders why the ostentatious display of success without visible signs to showcase such achievements. Take a roll call of all chieftaincy title holders in Nigeria; it will be unimaginably long. Every household wants to produce a long

development of the nation. If you ask me, what was the rationale for giving an Officer of Federal Republic [OFR] to one female actress sometime ago? Was she adjudged the best in terms of contribution to that genre that has grown to become very lucrative in Nigeria? Or she was simply the friend of somebody in high places who just decided to invoke the doctrine of “printer’s devil” to include her name on what was supposed to be e x c l u s i v e l y distinguished list of achievers? Due to the shoddy manner with which the exercise was conducted, the Committee ran short of

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friend brought s o m e Zimbabwean dollars home the other day. You know, the way people bring home loose change from trips abroad. Only these notes were denominated in millions.

His answer to a young relative’s question, was that you needed between half-a-million to a million Zimbabwean dollars to buy a bunch of bananas. He also described the extreme poverty in the country especially in the rural areas, and how he and his team of Christian charity workers were planning to provide hegoats and she-goats for rural families to breed and thus escape from the gruelling poverty.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2012—13

Achievements of such an awardee must cut across ethnic sentiments

list of chiefs and high chiefs, all because we care too much about very little things of life for the self and not for the whole.

The chieftaincy list has been over saturated hence we now have high chiefs. I am told that the high chief list is also getting filled up, so people are making an upward movement to the next cadre of High-HighChief. And the trajectory goes on and on like an unbroken chain.

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hen one takes time to take a critical look at the list of those who are annually churned out as beneficiaries of the National Honours Award, one begins to wonder what the unique achievements of the awardees is. One is compelled to listen to all manners of citation; some carrying the burden of boredom, others appearing so watery that you begin to search for the unique achievement of the awardees. Yet others are essentially deserving of the recognition on account of what they have contributed to the

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certificates in the process.

Fresh graduates have also been part of the list of honourees for no justifiable achievement whatsoever.

The content and character of the National Honours Award has been reduced to a political platform where contractors and business men are given recognition for ripping off the country.

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f Nigeria is seen and known to be a deeply vulnerable and corrupt country, with mortals that are desperate to build new empires to enlist in the exclusive list of new “arrivee”, where is that cutting edge that has produced this long list of those that are said to be deserving of the national award?

What are the effects and impacts of those unique achievements on the generality of the people?

Who is inventing what?

Who is creating new dimensions to solving one problem or the other? How much of employment are we creating by the activities of these awardees? How

do you reward a man for doing his moneymaking business well?

The GCON award on Chief Mike Adenuga is a misplaced one. Here is a man who got telecomm license as the second National Carrier after the almost extinct N i g e r i a n Telecommunications [NITEL], and till date, we cannot see his landlines.

The concentration is now strictly on GSM because it fetches quick money. I would have supported the Globalcom czar if his call rates are unimaginably low and if maximization of profit is not a motivation for his businesses. Added to this is the allegation of underhand dealings of Consolidated Oil which parades Mike Adenuga as a scion. What about his Equatorial Trust Bank? What has been the performance and history of that Bank?

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he man may be a good man as many have already attested to, but there must be a unique cutting edge that qualifies him for the enviable award of Grand Commander, Order of the Niger [GCON]. I think very seriously that it is about time for us to review the criteria for dashing out these awards to individuals who are considered as having contributed to the growth and development of the country. Such criteria must take into account our peculiar history and unity in diversity. It must ignore geopolitical consideration and federal character if we are truly serious about building a united Nigeria. Achievements of such an awardee must cut across ethnic sentiments. It should be based on an idea that has therapeutic content to combat the challenges that we face as a developing nation. We should probe into the sciences, arts, sports, and technical areas; encourage inventions that could answer the many developmental questions staring at us in the face. The rendition of awards in the name of quota does not encourage merit.

14—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

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When these two institutions, the Press and sports co-operate, as they normally do, the result is usually of colossal dimensions

find myself writing sports again in spite of my vow not to ever undertake such a depressing exercise after seeing more than half a century of a joyful career gradually dissolving into sheer dismay. My main connection had been with reporting sports, during that period, and it was a pastime that totally engaged my life passion because of the way it enriched my existence from the people I met and the activities I was led to be a part of I made every effort to see if I could make an impression on the downward drift of the organization, but I soon realized that what was wrong with sports was just a splinter of the general malaise that was holding the entire nation in thrall, and I simply knew that there was very little I could do about it alone, just by writing against it. No one seemed interested in the patriotism that places your nation “all earthly things above”, in an age when everybody had become a businessman. And no one seemed to care any more for sports itself, as long as one odd medal or two could stray into the kitty at the end of an international tourney. But then came an Olympic Games with not a scrap of a metal of any kind of alloy—not even tin —and then there is an uproar “It is disastrous”, some shouted “It is shameful, “ others wailed. “How can this happen to Nigeria?” still others sob. But then you wonder where were these “patriots” when we were preparing for this failure by not sensibly preparing for good success? Everyone who could have had a say but kept quiet contributed heftily to the debacle in London, and that mostly includes Journalists among whom, happily, I cannot count myself having publicly thrown in the towel in disgust. I did nothing as I felt I would achieve nothing on my own, and no one else around cared But it would appear that some people do really desire to promote something now. I may, since I have been given the· hint that my contributions may not be unwelcome, therefore humbly submit my “two-bits”. I can only write both as a former sports administrator and a former sports reporter. And I affirm, once again, that sportswriters must bear a prodigious share of the responsibility for the problems of our sports through a dereliction of duty. This may take one or two editions. Maybe more, and you are invited to join in.

Now, when we put the product of reporting (that is, news) as a social service, and sports as a social activity side-by-side, vast areas of similarity are highlighted.

For instance, news must be reported truthfully, and sport should be conducted fairly. News must be interesting; sports is loaded with attractions. News is extended in a secondary role to education, while sports forms a basis for education. News is about everything including the press itself, but the Sports Section of any arm of the Press—newspaper, radio, or television—is where the action is perennially. The activity is conveyed in the most sophisticated and most colourful usage of any language. It also has to be very precise and most accurate: there is no synonym for 10.2 seconds; or 19.45 meters; or 3 goals to nothing.

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ut by an odd c o i n c i d e n c e , journalism and sports as professions were the areas which many people felt were meant for drop-outs years

•Peter Pan ago. But the quality and quantity of those who have shown grave concern about the London flop is enough to debate that thesis. In the same vein, the men who write sports are far from drop-outs; they have so much to choose from with regard to the dimensions of time and space in the labour market. They are men of deep “background” materials; they are also sometimes “oracles” who cast their opinions into the future with “calculated abandon.”

Among them were the world-

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he contributions of the Press to sports are of sterling quality, grand and wholesome. They include incalculable advantages through suggestions and criticisms offered to the organization of sports. The Press has also been a constant source of necessary encouragement to, and support for sportsmen and women everywhere. When the great ex-Middleweight Champion, Sugar Ray Robinson won the world title for the fourth time, he was asked why he kept coming back. He replied: “The roar of the crowd .. !”. That is sweet music to the ears of a performer, tonic to his heart, and pure elixir for his spirit.

That “roar” is re-echoed in the Press well after the cheering of the arena has died down. And in this regard, the Press performs an invaluable service to sports—that of being the abiding link between sportsmen and women, and those who roar for them.

We can go on and on. On the other hand sports fulfills its relationship with the Press.

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ournalism is a profession within the business (or industry) of publishing. Call it what you will at the end of the day, it all comes down to the old game of “profit and loss”. Put very simply, sports helps the Press very heavily on the “profit side”. But just as the press helps to sell Sport to the public, so does sports sell newspapers, and provide a

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* The Press and Sport

renowned author, Ernest Hemmingway; the great short-story writer, John O’Hara and the awardwinning newscaster, Walter Cronkite. In Nigeria, we had Horatic Agedah, a former Chairman of N.N.P.C; Peter Pan (a.k.a. Peter Enahoro) who is one of the most celebrated writers of his time; Professor Sam Akpabot, an academic, a broadcaster and popular band leader and, of course, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, one of the most eminent Nigerians of all time, whose pen created the legend of “the rare breed of achievers. That is what sports deserves. And that is what it now normally gets.

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steady source of gainful involvement for all arms of the media. So while it is true that sports depends heavily on the Press, it is evident that the Press also owes a debt of appreciation and responsibility to sport.

When these two institutions, the Press and sports co-operate, as they normally do, the result is usually of colossal dimensions.

What frequently brings them closest is the stream of patriotism that runs through the consciousness of both efforts.

In all fair circumstances, the nation comes first. For instance, the television rights of the Los Angeles Games were awarded to the American Broadcasting Company.

Every other television house had to rely only on the offerings of the ABC on any event within an arena. This is the normal practice. The TV rights of any occasion of that nature in Britain would definitely go to the British Broadcasting Corporation,

•Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe just as the Nigerian Television would secure them in Nigeria. The arrangement normally works well.

But with the characteristic rabid nationalism, and the ultra-conservatism which now hold America in thrall, the ABC cameras were peroccupied with hunting down U.S. participation, to the detriment of the merits of other nations. The American sportsmen and women were all out to establish the supremacy of “Uncle Sam”;

Put very simply, sports helps the Press very heavily on the “profit side”

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the American Broadcasting Company was there to proclaim it. The other nations resented it, of course. But the fact is that the American Press was in harmony with the spirit of the nation, and reflected it.

The American competitors were infused with the same spirit, and extolled it in their performance.

You may blame the spirit and the ensuing ethos; but the performance was impeccable.

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hat is the way it is. That is the way it should always be. And it should also be remembered that no other mass media organization featured the criticism against the ABC more than the American Press itself It is not always, though, that everything runs so smoothly between the gentlemen of sports and the “gentlemen of the media” who are really not so gentle, as a matter of fact. And now, in this connection, let me give you the definition of the news which I have withheld till now.

“Real news is sometimes something which someone, somewhere doesn’t want printed anywhere. “ The rest is PUBLICITY. It is always plain-sailing as long as the Press offers publicity, but when hard news rears its stubborn head, “someone, somewhere”, finds an embarrassment in what really is news.

The vile issues that enthrall sports administration today have been accommodated unprofessionally by our sportswriters because no one wants to embarrass anyone, but the hallmark of the practice of journalism is in discounting sentiments and discharging the truth while observing the dictum, “all that is fit to print.” The Sports Press has looked on while the release of necessary funds had been delayed; while training schedules had been compromised; while facilities had become obsolete; while totally inept administrators had been imposed — to say nothing of the routine “political” appointment of incompetent ministers. The press has looked. But you don’t have to agree with me.

So, say your piece. Send it here.

More, much more, later.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 — 15

16 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 — 17

18—SATURDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 Dear Aunty Julie, y name is Vivien. I’m an eighteen-year-old student and I’m done with secondary school recently and I’m hoping to enter the university in a month’s time. My boyfriend and I have been dating for nine months and I am now two months pregnant. He is aware of the situation and is very supportive. My mother, however, is very strict and set in her ways. She reinforces all the time that I must not have sex with anyone until I’m married, and she has been asking me questions about whether or not I’ve had sex with my boyfriend. I am very afraid to tell her I’m pregnant because there is no telling how mad she will get. What do I do?!?!?!?!

Vivien, Lagos

My parents found out I use contraceptives

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Dear Vivien, You’re in a difficult situation right now, and it’s unfortunate that you also have to worry about figuring out how and when to tell your mother about the pregnancy. But remember that at age eighteen, you are an adult and although your mum may not approve of your decision to have sex, or the decision you make about your pregnancy, these are officially your decisions to make. Either way, it sounds as if her opinion and support matter a great deal to you as you are still under her care.

Dear Aunty, few months ago, my boy friend and I went to get the pill. I had two extra pills in case I vomited the ones I took. Stupidly, I kept them and recently, my mum found them. She has not confronted me about them yet but I’m freaked out!! My parents are pretty conservative, so I can’t possibly tell them “Oh mum! I had sex behind your back and the condom broke!” They’d flip out! What should I tell them?

Ify, Enugu

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I’m afraid to tell my mum I’m pregnant An unexpected pregnancy may be tough to deal with, particularly when you’re aware that some family and friends will respond with anger or upset. As you probably know, you need to decide what to do about your pregnancy.

You have several options, including keeping the child. You can weigh the pros and cons of each possibility and evaluate your feelings about each, rationally or irrationally. If you decide to keep the child, do you have enough support and resources to do so? How would you and your boyfriend pay for and care for a baby now? What are your personal beliefs about single parenthood? These are some questions that you could explore together that might help clarify the options.

Explain to your mum that

you know she may be disappointed, angry, upset, but that this pregnancy is nonetheless a reality, and you’d really like her support. It’s impossible to predict how she will react; your mum may surprise you and be less angry than you expect, or she may be angry and hurt at first, and then come around.

If not, your boyfriend’s kindness may help soften the blow.

It is crucial that you get caring and guidance from those around you, even if you don’t receive it from your mother. Are there other family members who can help you and your mother deal with your pregnancy?

Whatever the case, keep in mind that sometimes life takes unexpected turns, and we can simply do our best to deal with them head-on as they arise.

Dear Ify, It sounds like your mother finding the pills was an undesired consequence of your forethought, although one that can possibly be turned into something positive — an opportunity to be open with your parents about an important aspect of your life, your sexuality.

Talking about sex with parents is rarely fun for anyone, but it could be a great chance to show your parents how mature and responsible you are about your health and your relationships. The fact that you knew what to do after a con-

dom broke, and that you were able to seek and receive the pills you needed, shows that you and your boyfriend are responsible and knowledgable.

If you’re certain your mum found the pills, then she likely already knows that you are having sex. The next step would be to choose how (or if) you’d like to broach the topic.

Parents are often just as nervous as their kids are when it comes to discussing sex. For this reason or many others, it’s possible that your mum won’t bring up her discovery at all.

If you feel there is something to be gained by sharing this fact of your life with your parents, power to you! And if you feel you don’t need to bring it up if they don’t, carry on safely! Hopefully you feel better prepared to face the option of discussing the decisions you’ve made with your parents whether they bring it up now or later, or whether you choose to do so at some point along the road.

But it is always advisable to wait and zip up when you are not ready especially to avoid sexually transmitted diseases.

How do I begin to talk with my children about sex?

Dear Julie, y three young daugh ters are aged eight, six, and four years, and I know that it is about time to begin teaching them and talking to them about sexual issues. But my mother never talked to me about such things, so I really don’t know where to begin. I do need to do it soon, though, because I was molested as a child and I don’t want my girls to go through the same thing, you know, thinking they have no one to talk to about such things. Because my mother never believed me when I told her that someone had molested me. I want my girls to be able to talk to me about anything. But I am very shy and easily embarrassed by certain issues, such as sex. How can I overcome this, and how do I start a conversation about sex

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with a six-year-old, what should or shouldn’t she know, and how can I explain things so she will understand? Same thing for the six and fouryear-olds.Thank you Julie, Mary, Lagos Dear Mary, You’re not alone, many parents feel uncomfortable talking with their children about sexuality. Some are afraid of providing too much information. Others are worried about starting this conversation too early. Still others worry that if they talk about sexuality, their children will have sex before they or the parents are ready. And some are simply wondering how they can start a conversation about sex while minimizing awkwardness for all parties. Don’t worry, you and your kids will be

Haunted from the grave An old man and woman were married for years even though they hated each other.

When they had a confrontation, screams and yelling could be heard deep into the night. A constant statement was heard by the neighbours who feared the man the most.

“When I die, I will dig my way up and out of the grave to come back and haunt you for the rest of your life!”

They believed he practiced black magic and was responsible for missing cats and dogs, and strange sounds at all hours. He was feared and he enjoyed the respect it garnished.

He died abruptly under strange circumstances and the funeral had a closed casket.

able to figure out what works best for your family together.

By taking the initiative to provide your children with information and support about sexuality issues early on, you are role modeling positive conversations and respect. The infamous “BIG TALK” of yore has transformed into an ongoing series of small talks and teachable moments. These days, parents are encouraged to begin talking with their children in early childhood, creating a dialogue with openness and trust that can continue through the pre-teen years, adolescence, and young adulthood, thereby building the foundation for them to become sexually healthy adults.

You have probably already begun the conversation without even noticing; you likely have been holding your

daughters tenderly and lovingly, providing your children with messages about appropriate touch and caring. You’ve bathed them in tubs, either washing or helping them wash their genitals, as well as teaching them about what they are, and how to wipe and wash them so as not to get infections. Perhaps you have been teaching them names for their body parts. You may have also discussed the different types of families and relationships represented by your family and friends. Sexuality is present in all of these acts and conversations.

Now that you’re planning more intentional conversations, it may be helpful to think about the messages that you want to share with them. For example, you can let each of them know that you love

C O C K - T A L E S After the burial, the wife went straight to the local bar and began to party as if there was no tomorrow.

The gaiety of her actions were becoming extreme while her neighbours approached in a group to ask these questions: Are you not afraid? Concerned?

Worried? That this man who practiced black magic and stated when he died he would dig his way up and out of the grave to come back and haunt you for the rest of your life?

The wife put down her drink and said, “Let the jerk dig. I had him buried upside down.”

Fred’s Note

Ol’ Fred had been a religious man who was in the hospital, near death. The family called their preacher to stand with them. As the preacher stood next

them and want them to know that you will always be there to support them and help them. You can also let them know about “good” touching and “bad” touching, and teach them that their body belongs to them. You can ask them the different ways they have seen you and other important people in their lives express love and respect. Of course, there will probably be talk about babies, reproduction, and the many ways families are created along the way; kids have a natural interest in knowing where they come from.

The way that you talk with your four-year-old will be different from the way that you talk with your six- and eightyear-old, but the underlying message can often be the same.

to the bed, Ol’ Fred’s condition appeared to deteriorate and he motioned frantically for something to write on.

The pastor lovingly handed him a pen and a piece of paper, and Ol’ Fred used his last bit of energy to scribble a note, then he died. The preacher thought it best not to look at the note at that time, so he placed it in his jacket pocket.

At the funeral, as he was finishing the message, he realised that he was wearing the same jacket that he was wearing when Ol’ Fred died.

He said, “You know, Ol’ Fred handed me a note just before he died. I haven’t looked at it, but knowing Fred, I’m sure there’s a word of inspiration there for us all.”

He opened the note, and read out loud, “Hey, you’re standing on my oxygen tube?”

SATURDAY Vanguard SEPTEMBER 15, 2012—19

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Back to the wife after being dumped... woman, what you see as comforting bumps, others see as spare tyres and blubber.’

of showing by example. It was then my hatred of him took a nasty turn. He might be my dad, but as far as my mum was concerned, I believed she should get rid of him. All he had ever done was destroy her confidence. And, in all honesty, he hadn’t been much of a fa-

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F most men could see into the future, beyond the passion that usually grips them at the sight of a possible affair, would they take a second wife? Wunmi, a bright young spark was in her teens when her dad started sending her to Teresa, a 21year-old she called a bag of bones. She became a regular visitor to my place whenever she wanted to watch her favourite TV programmes in peace. Her parents were always rowing, mostly over her dad’s current bit-on-the-side.

“Dad has always had a roving eye.” Wunmi had confided. “As far as I knew, he was cheating on mum when mum was even skinny and fashionable. She still is trendy, only she’s plump.” I assured her that what I saw and knew of her mother still put her way ahead in the beauty department, Wunmi just shrugged.

“Dad has always taken her for granted,” she continued with her moan. “He’d even left her a few times to pursue his latest find only for the girl to dump him for greener pastures.

“When I was in secondary school and at the boarding house, rumours abound about dad’s carrying-ons. He was a public figure and some of the pupils knew of his escapades and whispered and giggled behind my back, some told me to my face who my dad was currently going out with—often with someone else’s mum!

Things got so frustrating one time that I beat one of my tormentors to the point my mother was hauled up to the school to be told that I was uncontrollable and was suspended for a week. My mother looked so hurt and forlorn that I couldn’t tell her why I’d resorted to violence.

“To add insult to injury, my dad gave me a sharp slap when he got home from work.

Mum had told him about my behaviour, but she was alarmed at dad’s reaction. She told him off and said she was sure that whatever reasons I’d had were probably good ones.

But Mr. Goody-Goody told me nothing justified resorting to physical violence and slapped me again! He really had a way

beer belly and skinny legs and couldn’t help wondering why mum even bothered with him. She was still an attractive woman and I was sure that out there, somewhere, was a decent man who would love her for who she was. Instead, she

Not only that, the new moneybag in her life didn’t want to be a step-father

ther to us three children. Most times, he would come to the house looking like a drilling officer, and most of the evenings, he always spent away from home, sneaking in when we were all asleep.

“What do women see in him anyway? I often looked at his

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complained all the time of putting on weight and getting flabby. Whenever I snorted at her harsh criticism of herself, and told her she looked ok, she always told me: ‘It’s because you’re looking at me as your mother and not as another

Getting rid of thrush infection nylon or synthetic clothing, have diabetes or other health conditions that affects the immune system or have vaginal deodorants or bubble bathes.

Symptoms: Symptoms include burning soreness and itchiness, a thick vaginal discharge and pain having sex or urine. Men may notice a rash over the penis or a thick discharge.

Treatment: You can buy treatments for thrush at a chemist. Capsules, creams and pessaries all reduce discomfort. You can try a oneoff treatment or use creams and vaginal tablets for sev-

eral days. Ask a reputable pharmacist for advise.

Avoid scented soap and wear loose cotton clothing.

Men can use cream to settle the rash.

Recurrence: Five per cent of women will suffer repeated episodes of thrush

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en to twenty per cent of women are infected with Candida albicans, the yeast that causes the condition thrush. Some women will not know they have thrush while others will experience uncomfortable—and sometimes debilitating symptoms.

Who gets Thrush? Thrush can affect both sexes but the symptoms are worse in women. Candida is normally found on the skin in small quantities but sometimes, the yeast can grow more than usual. Any woman can get thrush but you’re more likely to suffer if you’re pregnant, take antibiotics, wear tight

“This was all dad’s fault—if he hadn’t been such a chronic womaniser, a serial shagger, mum would never have worried about things like spare tyres, she even blamed herself for dad’s roving eyes, saying maybe he wouldn’t have looked at other women, if she hadn’t been so fat!”

When next Wunmi came to my house a few years later looking as if the world had come to an end, I feared the worst. “Bag-ofbones is pregnant!” she spat, and this time, dad had installed her in a flat as a second wife and did the native wedding. Mum didn’t know until it was all over, but I was amazed at her reaction. Instead of looking hurt, she said she was going ahead with her diet. She stopped enticing dad with mouth-watering meals and concentrated on her business and her children. “ Months later, Wunmi had twin half-brothers but said as far as she was concerned, they were no blood relations of hers. Wunmi was at the university by then, and when she graduated, she landed a good job, started dating herself. “But when I look at how nice the men I meet are, I can’t help wondering if they wouldn’t turn into the monster my dad has become in future.~ I asked her to take each day as it came. That whatever bad memories she thought her mother had, there must be very good ones for her to have had three healthy children by him.

No one can predict the future.

Skirt-chasing men have become good fathers and taken to maternal responsibilities, while a partner doesn’t necessarily help. If treatment doesn’t work then it’s important to go for a sexual health check-up. Other infections can mimic the symptoms of thrush so it’s very important to rule out other causes of discharge and discomfort. If you need more information, go on-line and take a look at www.fpa.org.uk Dreams and what they

,

If treatment doesn’t work then it’s important to go for a sexual health check-up.

that may need more treatment. If you get recurrent symptoms see your doctor for advice. Treating

tellyou of your future Dreams that are baffling to you cannot only unlock the secrets of some of your life’s mys-

seemingly predictable men had turned into ogres their wives would have happily shot if they could get away with such crime.

Then it happened. Wunmi’s dad started staying home more often but she’d fled the nest by then. Whenever she phoned home, her mother filled her in on how attentive he’d suddenly become and how he was planning on both of them going on holidays instead of the separate ones they’d had for years. I smelt a rat. I made some discreet inquiries and found out that bag-of-bones had met a rich trader and jettisoned dad.

Not only that, the new moneybag in her life didn’t want to be a step-father. When I later visited my aunt and saw the boys, my heart went out to them. They looked nothing like my dad - nor their mum.

But it wasn’t in my place to say.

“My aunt confided in me that dad was hoping to talk mum into taking the twins.

To do what with them? Their mother had not only brought a rift to an otherwise happy home, she was having the time of her life with a newfound-land. Why should it be mum that was always expected to make the sacrifices? “This time though, she put her foot down.

She’d already raised all her kids and didn’t particularly relish the idea of a secondchance motherhood. The only compromising she made was that the twin could visit whenever they felt like. Afterall, it wasn’t their fault that their parents had turned out to be the butt of all jokes amongst their friends.

“I still resent the way dad handled things. He’s now older and wiser but not all that close to his older children. In his sober moments, would he wonder if his wild flings were worth the resigned man he now is? Was he the only man to have an affair that he had to marry an opportunist? Now that mum has her husband back, albeit as damaged good, what kind of relationship will they have?

teries; they can tell you what the future has in store for you.

According to Dr. Marks Stone, a psychological researcher at Much University, “Some symbols which commonly appear over and over again in your dreams, including being chased, falling, losing you teeth or being naked, are all symbolic of events which are likely to happen.

Whenever you begin to have one of the dreams occurring several times a week, a certain period in your life is closing, and another one is beginning to open up. If you have a recurrent dream that you are losing your teeth, chances are, you are about to face a very exciting turning point.

20 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 ne of our readers wrote in sometime ago and complained that she couldn’t figure out her man three years after her marriage. After conversations with her on the phone, she wrote recently and said: ‘I finally figured him out. I know what he really wants – to be nurtured in a motherly way. If I kiss his head, hold him tight and let him feel loved ,he eats it up. I guess this makes sense based on lack of love from his own mother when he was a kid.’

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This flash of insight came from a reader who has been working on her own development for some time. Feeling pushed into marriage before she was really ready, she held resentment inside and resisted the idea of loving her partner in ways that meet his needs and communicate in his love language. She came to realize she now has choices and one is to leave or stay. Having made the conscious choice to stay in her marriage, at least for now, allowed her to be more open to finding ways to make it work.

She decided if she’s going to be in this marriage, she might as well try to be happy and have the best marriage she can. As

Have you figured him/ her out?

she took responsibility for her own choices, behaviour, and attitudes, things began to improve.

She started listening to what his words and actions communicated about his needs and desires. She started to take more action, such as being willing to sit with him and cuddle in the sitting room. But when she followed her instincts and started to caress him like she would nurture a child, then the magic happened. His attitude changed, his mood brightened and he wanted to make her happy in return.

Her love language is gifts, and she is aware of how this was conditioned by her mother and family. She has learned there are many other ways to give and receive love but she still feels special when someone thinks enough of her to buy her a thoughtful gift. As it so often happens, it is hard for her husband to express love in this way because he is tight with money and it seems frivolous to spend it on things they don’t really need. To her, this feels controlling, which frustrates her and makes her feel unloved.

However, when she started

being more nurturing, he suddenly loosened the wallet and started to buy her little things to show his affection and appreciation.

What is getting in your way of meeting your partner ’s primary needs and desires?You may be thinking that it is ridiculous to treat your husband like a child but that is not the point. This reader knows her husband needs to stand on his own feet and learn to manage his own emotions and in most ways he is quite independent.

But, making the choice to love and nurture him in ways that feel good deep down while maintaining respect for her and him is a healthy expression of affection. We can’t leave our dependency needs behind until we find constructive ways to get those needs met and then grow beyond them.

The beauty of intimate relationships is that they contain the potential to help us become the best of who we are.

Is there something within you that is resisting loving your partner in ways that will help him or her be happier and healthier? Respond with patience and love to yourself and your partner and allow room for both of you to grow and mature.

My boyfriend forced me into having sex do anything wrong? Or is what he did alright because my body wasn’t saying no? I didn’t fight him physically. Do you hen we started dating, I told my think I was raped? I’m so confused and boyfriend that I don’t want to I’ve lost all my self-respect!

Tessy, Lagos have sex outside of marriage and he accepted that. But then, recently, I made Dear Tessy, a very big mistake and allowed him to take It is never okay for someone to presmy clothes off completely and enter my sure or force another person to have sex privacy slightly. I know it was wrong and when s/he doesn’t want to. After an exthe following day, I told him that I didn’t perience like the one you had, it’s unfeel right about it and I didn’t want us to do derstandable that you feel confused about that again.

Unfortunately, the very next day, we were your feelings and how you see yourself.

Sexual assault committed by someone alone together, and we got a bit carried you are familiar with is sometimes reaway again. But when he tried to enter me, I said: “I think we should stop now, let’s ferred to as acquaintance rape. Up to 95 stop . Please, let’s stop now. I don’t feel right percent of all sexual assaults are commitabout this.” But he didn’t. Rather, he spread ted by acquaintances. Because assaults my legs anyway and got on top of me. And of this nature often involve a friend or he penetrated me quite deeply. As he was significant other, the experiences can be doing it, I was saying, “Stop, please, I really especially upsetting.

Based on your description of events, think we should stop,” but I didn’t push him your boyfriend did not have your consent away. I didn’t physically PUSH him or do for his actions. Consenting to sexual acsomething to make him stop.

I was quite shaken afterwards but I didn’t tivity means that a person willingly and know if I should be angry with him or not. knowingly agrees to the behaviour.

You say that you didn’t physically push We are still together and I don’t even think he believes he did anything wrong. Did he him away. Maybe you are worried about

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possibly having given your boyfriend conflicting messages. There are many reasons, however, why a person might not physically resist or push someone away during an assault. S/he may be scared, shocked, and/or numb, since it’s difficult to comprehend that anyone would coerce someone else into having sex, especially when that anyone is someone whom we care for or trust. A person may also fear escalating the assault and therefore choose to cooperate in order to reduce injury. Contrary to what people may think, someone does not have to physically fightoff a person’s advances to convey that s/he does not want to have intercourse or participate in any other sexual act i v i t y.

Regardless, it is not your behaviour that determines whether or not this was an assault; it is your boyfriend’s.

Rape is a form of sexual assault that involves unwanted penetration of a person’s mouth, vagina, and/or anus by a penis or object. Rape is also having sex with a person who is unable to give consent because s/

he’s impaired or unconscious (i.e., drunk or drugged), physically or mentally challenged, or under the age of 18 years . In this context , your boyfriend’s actions meet the definition of what is considered rape.

You need to get medical attention after a sexual assault, to check for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy. You need to do that within 120 hours of unprotected, unanticipated intercourse to prevent pregnancy.

Also, sexual assault that involves any form of penetration may result in injuries that are not immediately apparent, so medical attention is definitely encouraged.

Dealing with a sexual assault can be hard, yet by asking for assistance and support, sorting through your emotions, and deciding on your next steps, gradually you will feel more in control and regain your selfrespect. It is your boyfriend who does not deserve your respect. Do not blame yourself.

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Neither Chioma Gabriel nor Saturday Vanguard has any relationship with anybody wanting to be from Kogi or Benue on linked. We have no agents anywhere and charge no fees. We have no personal information of people 07059435637 who have been linked or want to be linked and therefore, are not answerable for disappointments or •Joe, 26, dark, based in embarrassments some people may encounter in the process.

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SATURDAY Vanguard,SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 — 21

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J

une 3, 2012 would remain indelible in my mind and in the minds of those who lost friends and family. I boarded the Dana Air flight 993 from Lagos to Abuja which was slated to depart 12:06pm. We landed Abuja ok. I even slept on the flight because I had a long day the night before and so was quite tired. It was a quick in and out trip as I was slated to return with flight 992 back to Lagos.

Thankfully I was delayed where I went to and though at the time I was angry at being delayed but it was a great blessing in disguise. Not so for the 163 passengers who boarded the flight. All their loved ones and friends have left the memories. Life has moved on for so many people who were unaffected by the disaster. “The show must go on” as is the parlance on

in no time. It is quite disheartening to have a government that is not trusted by its own citizens. It is only when it hits close to home that swift and definite actions are taken.

info@katehenshaw.com

T

Broken wings stage.

In numerous discussions about the return of Dana air flight operations, opinions have been divided as to whether they should be allowed to continue their operations or not. Emotions still run high on the matter. I have looked at it from both sides of the coin and I want to use this medium to voice my

,

hen we lose loved ones, the pain is great. When we lose loved ones through the fault of someone else’s incompetence, the pain is deeper. We want payback and retribution.

We are inconsolable with words of comfort. We look up to the heavens and wonder why our creator would let this kind of misfortune visit us. We are at a loss at the next step to take to move on with our lives. We think of dreams unfulfilled, unresolved disagreements, plans that have suddenly hit a brick wall because they are no longer with us. We think about what could have been.

Our last moments with them, be it good or bad.

prosecutions, no sanctions, no fines, no closure. Numerous crashes have occurred in our airspace; hardly any reports released to the general public on the cause (except for that of Sosoliso which I hear has just been released). My next question is have all the bodies been released to their families?

Have compensations been fully paid?

Numerous crashes have occurred in our airspace; hardly any reports released to the general public on the cause.

thoughts on the issue. I had wanted to title this article “AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF AVIATION” but changed it . My first question is what is the conclusion of investigations carried out to ascertain the root cause of the crash? In Nigeria, things are always open ended, never closed. No

,

The Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, had on Wednesday last week announced the lifting of the suspension because of “government’s satisfaction with the airworthiness of the airline after rigorous technical, operational and financial audit of the airline”.

The Minister went on to say

that the decision taken to lift the ban was with all sense of responsibility. According to her, none of the reports at their disposal has held the airline culpable for the loss of the many lives on that fateful day and that the actual cause of the loss of the two engines may never be known! That is not a lot of help and succour to the families who are bereaved. It was not an Act of God so there must be an explanation. The families cannot just accept the word of the Minister, can they?

If it is not normal practice to ground operations of an airline whose plane was involved in an accident, then what is the routine?

Why then were their operations suspended? Was it to placate the tensions that were flaring up at the carnage at that point in time and when tempers were doused, return to status quo? What measures have been put in place to make sure that airline operators adhere strictly to best practices?

Too many questions I fear remain unanswered and like everything else in this country; it will be swept under the rug

B

New social media new social ills (2) weeks ago. In the said video, a young good looking girl was being stripped naked and attacked by a bunch of men who were going at her like a shoal of piranhas. It was a mob. They grabbed and pinched at every inch of exposed flesh–and all of it was out there. She had been stripped down to her G-string.

Some kind Samaritan had given her a wrapper which she was holding on to for dear life; a task made doubly difficult because she needed those same hands to stop the men who had frankly gone mad – there is no other term for it— from exposing the core of her being to the entire world. It was a lost battle. In the space of that three to five minutes video the wrapper went, the G-string followed, their hands were at her shoulders, under

her armpits, hands holding her at each ankle as the men spread her wide apart exposing her to the core. As if that wasn’t bad enough you had spectators who were recording it all on their phones some of them framing their shots up close and

,

eing a platform that provides one easy ac cess to unlimited information and an audience base of hitherto unimaginable numbers at the mere click of a button, it is no wonder that new social media has gained such popularity within such a short time. Indeed,there have been many success stories of people who by simply posting a fiveminute video of themselves on YouTube have achieved worldwide fame and fortune; Justin Beiber is one that readily comes to mind.

There have also been instances where new social media obviously played and unquantifiable role in determining the outcome of certain events. Remember the Arab Spring? And closer to home; I have no doubt that images of an unarmed young lady being assaulted by naval ratings captured by people on their smart phones and broadcast far and wide within minutes of its occurrence went a long way in ensuring that the vagabonds didn’t get away with their crime.

However for all its success stories new social media in the ‘wrong hands’ can be a very scary prospect. I witnessed one of it’s the most chilling fallouts recently via a video that had gone viral several

is our way, beat her, okay because there is some proverb somewhere that says a thief must be exposed, strip her naked but what part of our culture or justice system native or otherwise,prescribes that kind of punishment? Is this some new form of jungle

For that video clip to eventually get to me… Believe me; it went viral

personal,while this girl screamed and yelled with stark terror in her eyes… Her offence? She purportedly stole a phone in computer village here in Lagos ...So? if person thief no be police station demdey carry am go? Okay, because this is Africa and that

,

justice? I don’t want to turn this into a sexist argument but pray tell when male thieves are caught does the mob fiddle with his penis? Jiggle it around a bit; yank it for a couple of times for good measure?…I just blanched on the memory of a story once told

he families who lost loved ones need to be called together and given access to this supposed report that has surfaced which culminated in the lifting of the ban of operations of Dana air. The general public needs to be kept in the loop. It should not go in the way of other air crashes like those of ADC, BELLVIEW AND SOSOLISO. The Minister needs to ensure that full compensation is paid out to all families (though you can never put a price on a life lost) and bodies released to the families accordingly so they can be laid to rest. It is not enough to act on impulse and then back track on your decision with a less than weighty explanation. It is my fervent prayer that all operational checks are put in place and enforced to discourage another occurrence. When these are done, we can at least say we have done all we possibly can to reduce airline crashes in our airspace.

If someone has decided to play Ludo with the lives of those who died on June 3, 2012 then I can only wish that it happens at their doorstep next time so that they feel the pain of having lost loved ones, and only then will they sit up and take notice.

of how a thief that had a broom stick inserted into his penis when he got caught so maybe the answer to my previous questions is that yes, we are barbaric enough to do that.

Which is just plain bullshit really because if James Ibori (he’s a convicted felon, serving time, I can mention his name all I want) made an appearance in that same market they will roll out the red carpet!

Thief pass thief abi?Then again… where were all the women when all that was going on…?

The paradox is that no one realises that the real crime was the intent to rape and the assault of that utterly abused girl regardless of whether the allegations of theft were true.

The crime was further perpetuated by the invasion of her privacy by everyone who received that video clip and passed in on. For that video clip to eventually get to me…

Believe me; it went viral. I have only been able to look at it once.

That is how unspeakable the footage on that video is… and mostly then in an attempt to see if there was one face in the crowd… one face that could be traced so that somebody could be brought to book.

Unfortunately, all we see is the close up of the stark terror of a victim of man’s inhumanity to man.

22—Vanguard, SARTURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

I don’t have any problem being Zach Orji’s son, says Leo’nel BENJAMIN NJOKU

H

AVING finished his degree program from the University of Bradford, United Kingdom where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies/ Television, Leo’nel, son of legendary Nollywood actor, Zach Orji, is now ready to pursue his dream in music.

His two hit singles, “Baby Joor and Rockstar ” are already making a remarkable impact in the music scene weeks after its production.

“I just finished shooting the video of Rockstar and its being given a fair playtime on both local and satellite TV stations across the country, same with the audio version of the two singles. Radio stations are excited with the songs and they play it religiously daily. It’s indeed a sign of some progress,” the youngster said in an interview last week.

On why he shunned acting, a turf his father made his fame and fortune, Leo’nel said “Music has always been what I wanted to do even though my dad tried to encourage me to go into acting by giving me scripts when I was much younger. I actually was to play a lead child actor role in a big movie that my dad was the lead actor, but somehow I could not bring myself to do it because

acting is not in me. Music is my life so I had to wait till after my university education to begin my career proper because that is the proper thing to do. I am now mentally and physically ready for the challenges of Nigeria ’s music industry and with God on my side, I will make my mark the way my dad made his on the acting turf.

In fact, my dream is to surpass my dad’s records in Nollywood, in the music scene.”

Was Zach Orji not disappointed in his son’s insistence on playing music instead of acting? “No, many people don’t know my dad.

They do not know that he is a perfect gentleman outside the screen who will respect

anybody’s choice in life. He is not a domineering person and that is why he is my mentor, dad, manager, motivator all rolled into one.

He respected my choice of music and he had been so supportive that even a manager being paid a million pounds a year won’t have achieved what he has achieved for me within this short period of time and I am always grateful to my dad.”

Leo’nel does not have any problem being Zach Orji’s son. “His name opens certain doors for me and I am lucky to have a dad like him but there will come a time soon when I will drop this ‘Zach Orji’s son’s’ toga because I will have to be my own man.

Yes, for now, I need him and

•Leo’nel

his name but that cannot go on forever, I will have to be just LEO’NEL’ soon. I am lucky I have a dad that has a

name, I guess most upcoming artistes are not as lucky as I am, but will that stop me from working hard and marking my

Sound Sultan celebrates 12yrs on stage

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

N

igeria’s music guru, Sound Sultan, will today roll out drums to celebrate his 12th years on stage.

The dude is celebrating the milestone this evening with friends and fans,at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event will feature 2face, Idibia, D’banj, Banky W, Tiwa Savage, Mode 9, MI, Eldee, Flavour, 9ice, Wizkid, Ice Prince, Ikechkwu,

•Sound Sultan

Fally Ipupa ‘Coming Home’ R EPUTED for her passion for promoting a high class Francophone/World music brand across the continent, the Lagos based Effrakata Entertainment is set to put some sunshine into the hearts of Lagosians as the nation celebrates her Independence Day, come September 30, 2012.

To this end, the company is staging a never before seen pre-Independence musical fiesta, tagged ‘Africa Unity Concert”, with a massive potpourri of world class acts of African descent to come together under one roof to celebrate the Freedom/Independence Day of our great nation despite all the challenges we face.

This is largely aimed at not only uniting and celebrating Nigeria but the continent as a whole through a unique African brand of music, boosting her culture and tourism potentials.

Effrakata Entertainment, which has over the years carved a niche for herself as a company that caters for the entertainment needs of the matured minds, Captains of industries and members of the Diplomatic corps and their families, was the brain behind the last outing of Salif Keita in Nigeria in 2011.

The concert is billed to take place at the prestigious Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos. It

will be a gathering of African stars as it promises to be highly entertaining.

We scooped that among artistes pencilled for the event, include the sassy, Fally Ipupa who is a singer, songwriter and the baddest Ndombolo dancer in the business.

Fally Ipupa is originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo but presently lives in Paris. He used to be a part of the band of Koffi Olomidé, Quartier Latin International, from 1999 to 2006 before embarking on a solo career. His first album was Droit chemin released in 2006, and his second album Arsenal de Belles Melodies (A2BM)

Vector among others.

It would be recalled that Sound Sultan, last month premiered his ‘Gud gal”video online. The Naija Ninja boss travelled to the United States for the video shoot and returned to the country in July.

The video was shot by cable television Vh1 staff Jannelle Abraham, with director John G serving as the D.O.P.

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012—23

Eedris Abdulkareem releases Obasanjoinspired track Stories by OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI Following the brawl which recently took place between ex-President Olusegun Obansanjo and foremost rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem, the rapper has fulfilled his promise to fans by releasing a new track titled Baba.

Baba, according to Idris, was inspired by the war of words between Obasanjo and himself , when the expresident made a reference to Idris’s Jaja Jaja.

In this new single, the LaKreem/Kennis artiste

sums up his opinion on the current state of the country.

It would be recalled that following ex-President Obasanjo’s statement during a forum organized by Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI) on Tuesday, August 28, 2012, where he said that Abdulkareem’s 2004 hit track, Jaga jaga, produced by Kennis Music, doesn’t portray Nigeria in a good light, Idris hit Twitter, where he made a reply.

He called OBJ his ‘joy therapy’, also stating that Obasanjo can’t do without him.

“It’s obvious that Obasanjo can’t do without me. I’m his joy therapy. Mr ex-president, Nigeria still dey jagajaga. In fact worst pass jagajaga”, @idris_Abdulkarm tweeted.

He also went ahead to call Obasanjo a Boko Haram member and challenged him to let Goodluck rule in peace.

“President Obasanjo if you truly love Goodluck as you claimed, why don’t you talk to your fellow Boko Haram members to let Goodluck rule in peace”.

As if not enough, Eedris still went ahead, referring to OBJ as a mugu: “Mr expresident, I heard you were talking about me in your last i n t e r v i e w , hahahahahhahah.

It’s obvious you can’t do without me. You are my mugu...”.

Following the brawl, Eedris says he is inspired and will be recording a new song titled ‘Obasanjo na my friend’.

“Watch out for my new single, Obasanjo na my friend…Obasanjo, thank you for making me a star. In fact, talk more about me. I’m inspired!!”, he tweeted.

•Eedris

Amadi’s burial plans released •as Ben Bruce offers scholarship to son

Late Amadi

BY CHARLES MGBOLU & IYABO AINA

B

URIAL arrangements for late Vanguard’s Group Entertainment Editor, Mr Ogbonna Amadi has been released by his family.

According to information made available to Showtime, a service of songs and Christian

Wakekeep will hold, on October 8, at his Ogba Lagos residence.

Amadi’s remains will be laid to rest in his home town, Okagwe, Ohafia, in Abia State on October 12.

Meanwhile, Silverbird Group Chairman, Ben Murray-Bruce has offered scholarship to Amadi’s last son, Ben, 6, who is currently in Primary school. The scholarship will take him through primary, secondary and university education. He was named after Ben Bruce, an entertainment and business mogul with whom the late Amadi had a close relationship.

For his part, Amadi’s first son, Jude got a laptop from Mr Bruce who has asked that it be used to document the late entertainment editor’s iconic life and works.

Late Amadi passed on after a bolt of asthma struck him on his way back from work on August 29.

Amadi

was rushed to a hospital but it was too late to save him.

Other funeral arrangements include a Night of Tribute, holding on October 5, in Lagos. It is powered by friends of the departed entertainment guru.

24— SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

Nollywood, Ghollywod storm America for NAFCA a former launch at the NAFCA CEO’s multi-million dollar estate at the upscale Brier Creek Country club in Raleigh, North Carolina this evening. The music will be soft, classy, the attire is formal and attendance is by invitation.

Olatoye assures that “this year’s awards will be our biggest to date with musical performances by 12 singers from across Africa including Nigeria, Ghana, Congo, Cameroon, Gabon and Angola to welcome our guests from around the world.

No one is sleeping this weekend because of the two after parties on Saturday and Sunday at the Nigerian owned Pack House Bar of Raleigh.

NAFCA is also partnering with over 130 media powerhouses to help achieve the goal of reaching over 500 million people with the good news about the growing African Cinema. We are also partnering with North Carolina Museum of Art to premier for the first time an African film on the 15th of September a day before the major awards at the famed and prestigious Carolina N Theater”.

So far we have sold over 700 tickets; all the Platinum VIP tickets are almost sold out. The African communities in the Diaspora are going gaga over NAFCA this year and a lot of shopping and celebration and the social network is on about NAFCA related conversations and news.

According to the organisers, NAFCA ‘is an award ceremony in North America for the African Movie industry worldwide and it serves as an award of merit for distinctive achievement."

•First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, governors of Imo, Lagos, Kano to attend

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orth Carolina, United States will play host to African movie stars, government officials and politicians as the second edition of the prestigious annual Nollywood and African Film Critics’ Awards (NAFCA) begins today, September 15 and its expected to end the next day, Sunday, September 16, 2012 .

Already the city is wearing a festive look as most of the guests arrived last night ahead of today’s opening of the event. .

Commenting on the awards from Raleigh North Carolina, the founder, Dr. Olatoye said, “the mood is festive, it is like Christmas in September.” Some of the guests are on ground already.

NAFCA nominated Actor, Van Vicker is already in Atlanta Georgia, in preparation for his role as the Guest Host. Also, Hostess actress, Angela Okorie has arrived USA Raleigh Durham International Airport for the event.

Already in Atlanta is Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo State. Other dignitaries from Senegal include the legendary Grammy awards winner, Youssou N’Dour who is also the Senegalese Minister of Culture and Tourism and a 10-man delegate from the Senegalese government to grace the African Oscars”.

Meanwhile, most Nollywood stars arrived last night amid warmth and applause.

HVP gathered that VIP guest will be having

Day Nadia Buari went wild in Abuja

•Nadia Buari

BY AYO ONIKOYI

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ADIA Buari, the Ghanaian mul ti-talented actress who imprinted her presence in people's hearts for her sensational role in 'Beyonce' is a drop-dead gorgeous whose beautiful façade and happy demeanour is well known.

To imagine that charming, smiling

face actress going livid with anger is almost as alien as seeing a lark busting into tears but the sexy mulatto did nearly got out of turn last week in Abuja when a cab driver reportedly played a fast one on her.

The story has it that the said cab driver, seeing that Nadia is a Johnny-just-come, tried to gyp her by inflating fares exorbitantly, not knowing that the actress, as foreign as she looks, knows her way around the capital city. An argument is said to have ensued between the two over what should be a fair fare for the journey.

“Early morning temptation-this cab driver wanted to dupe me and not so much about the money, but its just the principle and then he yelled and insulted me when I declined” Nadia later confirmed the incidence on her twitter account. “ Honest to God I felt like grappling and beating the shit out of him(if I could), because instead of him to be bucolic about it, he was rather yelling at me. Just had to keep my cool and ignore him, because in the end he wasn't worth my fury. Dear God, thank you for the spirit of stoicism, because I would have hurt him” she added.

•Angela

Joke Silva for Great Women lecture A

S the Great Women Independence Lecture 2012 is underway, seasoned actress, Joke Silva has been named among the influential women who will be speaking on issues affecting womanhood and the way forward at the event.

The actress alongside others is expected to speak on the topic: sustaining the gains of women in leadership. The conference is to hold on October 27, 2012 at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Explaining the rationale behind her choice for the lecture, Laurelsize Company, the organizers of the event said the actress was picked based on her unprecedented success in the entertainment world.

According to them, she is to be joined in the lecture by erstwhile information minister, Dora Akunyili, Dr. Keziah Awosika, Barrister Comfort Ogunye, Mrs. Adenike Graig, Chief Mrs. Laraba Shoda, Susan Eyo and many others.

The special guest of honour is Her Excellency, Chief Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, the first lady of Ekiti State.

The event is designed to celebrate Nigeria’s 52nd independence, womanhood and sustainability.

Also the brain behind the famous Great Women Award, the organizers said its major dream is to keep supporting women as they are the stronghold of our homes and the nation at large.

In time past, notable Nigerians such as Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Ogun First Lady Mrs. Amosun, Barrister Ada Akpunonu, Bukky Wright and Joke Silva were also recipients of the award.

•Joke Silva

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012—25

Kate Henshaw, Dan Foster and Koko named judges for Nigeria Got Talent show A

CE Radio Personality, Dan Foster and Nollywood A-list actress, Kate Henshaw, along with Port Harcourt-based acecomedian, Yibo Koko, have been named the three judges to steer the first ever Nigeria’s Got Talent reality TV show sponsored by leading telecoms operator, Airtel Nigeria.

In addition, Andre Blaze Henshaw, one of the youngest ‘ veterans’ of Nigerian electronic media was announced as the show’s Presenter, during a special ceremony at its corporate head office in Banana Island, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Operating Officer of Airtel, Deepak Srivastava said the company remains focused in adding value to the lives of Nigerians, reiterating that the Got Talent platform provided yet another great opportunity to empower and entertain Nigerians.

Stated Srivastava: “The choice of the three veterans who are well versed in the creative arts would further create the right excitement, fun and intrigues that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats and provide healthy discourse among family members, friends, loved ones and even colleagues in the workplaces

•Kate Henshaw

every single day till the star winner emerges in the grand finale few weeks to Christmas.

“The icing on the cake”, Srivastava, continued, “is that we have also introduced the NGT SMS Trivia that would enable Nigerians win fantastic prizes including a daily prize of N200,000, weekly prize of N1,000,000 and a grand prize of N5 million.”

Airtel Nigeria, in June, announced the sponsorship of the Nigeria’s Got Talent Television Show aimed at providing a solid platform for the nation’s youth to actualize their dreams with their talents which could lead them to fame and fortune, with a star prize of N10 Million Naira for the ultimate winner of the show.

At the recently concluded regional auditioning across the country, over 4,000 Nigerians registered for participation out of which over 40 different acts, including a 60 year old singer, emerged for the qualifying rounds.

The Nigeria Got Talent show is a concept born out of the need to promote hidden talents amongst Nigerians who aspire to earn a living via the entertainment business to unearth their hidden talents that would otherwise remain unnoticed by providing a platform for them to hone these talents and attain stardom.

•Monalisa Chinda

Seasons of good tidings for Monalisa Chinda

BY AYO ONIKOYI

G

OING by her recent spate of successes, life surely is smiling on the fairskinned actress and Glo Ambassador, Monalisa Chinda who was a year older last Thursday.

The whole Twitter was awash with greetings from fans and colleagues. The talented actress responded in kind by parting with some gifts of recharge vouchers to some of the fans who stayed hooked with her on Twitter, with fastest fingers.

Meanwhile, she will be hitting the cinema on the 26th of October, for the premiere

of a new movie ‘Torn’ where she is cast along notable names like Joseph Benjamin, Iretiola Doyle, Bimbo Manuel and a host of others. The movie is a psychological thriller directed by Moses Inwang and produced for Sneeze Films. The venue is the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Also on the up and up for the actress is her other vocation, which is writing . An impreccable source disclosed that she has completed the writing of her first book. Her foundation, Monalisa Chinda Sunshine Foundation was also recently nominated for an Humanitarian service award.

Nollywood gets boost as NFI matriculates 42 students Tonto Dikeh debuts in music, drops two singles

C

ONTROVERSIAL actress, Tonto Dikeh is leaving no stone unturn as she debuts with her dropping two singles next week.

The actress has been busy in the studio in the last few weeks recording quietly with Mr Bold who produced the songs.

The singles titled “High and Itz Over Feat”, featured Mr Snypa.

Asked to comment on the singles, the controversial actress muttered “I won’t like to talk about the singles now, rather it will be better for the work to speak for itself.

Indeed, like Omotola, Cossy Orjiakor, Shan George, Ebube Nwagbuo and a host of other Nollywood stars who have since veered into music, Tonto is setting out to showcase the other side of her talent.

•Tonto Dikeh

T

HE future of Nigeria’s motion picture industry got a boost over the weekend with the matriculation of 43 students by the National Film Institute, Jos. The matriculation, a requirement for students of tertiary institutions, was jointly conducted by the National Film Institutes Jos and the University of Jos, both in Plateau State. The National Film Institute is affiliated to the University of Jos for her Degree Programme.

Speaking at the Matriculation Ceremony, Afolabi Adesanya, Chairman Governing Council, National Film Institute, informed that NFI has been able to transform from just providing ad hoc Skills acquisition programmes to awarding Professional Diploma in Film Arts and the Bachelor of Film Arts.

With these feats and many more, Adesanya, who is also the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Film Corporation, said, NFI

has indeed met the expectations of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the founding fathers of the Institute, and the yearning of Nigeria’s motion picture practitioners, would be practitioners, in the provision of modern skills and techniques for filmmaking.

According to Adesanya, NFI prides herself in her graduate students (Alumi)who have carved niches for themselves domestically and internationally, by winning levels at ZUMA Film Festival, FESPACO, AMAA, and Durban Film Festival.

Earlier the Vice Chancellor, University of Jos, Prof Hayward Mafuyai who was represented by Professor Irene Agunloye, congratulated the students for their admittance into the Institute. He craved for optimal behavior from the students so as not to bring the image of the Institution, their parents and sponsors to disrepute. The National Film Institute was established by the Nigerian Film Corporation in 1995.

26—VANGUARD, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

By Anozie Egole 07088551416 egole.anozie@yahoo.com

Omotola in a breach of contract mess T

op actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde was absent when the case of a breach of contract filed against her by a fledgling lawyer, Keshi Elvis came up for hearing last Thursday,at the magistrate court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

Though, the case was adjourned till December 11, owing to the unavoidable absence of the Chief Magistrate, who was said to be away for a conference and is due to proceed on annual leave.

The actress was nowhere to be found around the court premises.

Keshi, who was in court for the hearing said he took a legal action against the actress following her inability to honour the contractual agreement he entered with her company since 2010.

According to the young lawyer, they had a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU), where Omotola’s company, Redhot Concepts Limited, agreed to be paying the sum of N200,000 annually as retainership to his firm, Megafield Solicitors which is payable at a maximum of two installments.

The lawyer said since the MoU

was endorsed, he has only received a cheque of N50,000 from Omotola. He has gone to court to demand for the balance of his retainership agreement for 2010 (N150,000) and the retainership agreement for 2011 ( 200,000) as well as fee for services rendered between this period which amounted to N1,150,000.

Meanwhile, in a counter affidavit from Omotola’s counsel, Festus Keyamo, the actress admitted owing the complainant the sum of N350,000, and not N1,150,000”as he claimed.

Face of Peace Africa pageant debuts I Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde

Helen Ukpabio drops 2 albums

By ANOZIE EGOLE ce singer, movie producer and Minister of God, Apostle Helen Ukpabio has added another feather to her cap with the release of two sensational albums, “Superlative Jesus”and Not They Thought.”

The singer who formally joined the music industry in 1999, after the release of her hit track “Jesus My Friend”said that her music comes as an inspiration.

Ukpabio disclosed that she draws inspiration whenever she is praying or preparing for seminar.

Unveiling the albums to the

A

press, during the week in Lagos, the Akwa- Ibom born General Overseer of Liberty Gospel Church who has four albums to her credit, said her music is used as a medium to spreading the gospel of salvation.

“When I release this album, superlative Jesus in USA, though it was not complete then, people were praising me for a wonderful job. I don’t just wake up and start writing songs. I always get the inspiration whenever I am preparing for a seminar or crusade.

In other to avoid piracy, the albums can be found in all liberty gospel church branches nationwide.”he said.

n a country where beauty pageant have become cliché, a new dawn has come as the face of Peace, Beauty Pageant debuts in Abuja.

The beauty pageant which attracts contestants between the ages of 18 and 25 years will champion the cause of global peace in Africa.

Packaged by an Abuja based media and film production outfit, Blu-Moon Imaginationz, the grand finale is billed for November 17, 2012, in Lagos.

Speaking on the pageant, Ify Concepta, the founder of the pageant and former Miss face of Hope(2010) said “Face of Peace Africa is her contribution to crises ridden African countries ; it is also an avenue to promote gender equality and empowering the girl child.”

Blu-Moon Imaginationz, she said, is committed to working closely with its customers’personality and portfolio, understand what they need and brining their dreams to reality.”

Meanwhile, unlike most beauty pageants, Ify, the winner of the contest will take home $10,000, with a brand new car, one year movie contract with Blu-Moon Imaginationz, in addition to a year beauty routine with bold and beautiful, a trip to Gambia amongst other goodies. Also, she disclosed that every contestant at the pageant will walk away with an entising price.

When musicians remember Gani Fawehinmi I

Apostle Helen Ukpabio

MissPeace

t was a moment of sober re flection last weekend when Roy Afrobeat, a pan-African musical group recalled the pleasant memories of Chief Gani Fawehinmi in a concert held in his honour.

Chief Gani Fawehinmi died on September 5, 2009.

The event featured many singers including Fatai Rolling Dollars, AK 47, E-mode among other performers. In attendance were the son of late Gani FAwehinmi, Barri Mohammed Fawehinmi, Barri Tunji Brettuh, Richard Akiola, Larende Ransom Kuti, Deju-

mo Levis and other human rights activists.

In his opening remark, the chairman of the occasion, Mohammed Gani thanked Roy Afrobeat for recognizing what his father accomplished while he lived.

Also, Dr. Tunji Brettuth narrated his encounter with Gani, describing the late human right activists as “a very courageous man who would stop at nothing to fight for the rights of the common man in the street even at expense of his own life.”

Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi

SATURDAY

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Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012—27 Give your partner some attention It has to be said that honesty is not going to be enough to fix a rocky relationship, unless you pay your partner some real attention. He or she needs to feel affirmed and important – despite the paucity of sex.

rowing numbers of people are finding their sex life suffers because they work too hard.

Find out what you can do to redress the balance.

Long hours work culture means we are seeing an increasing number of people whose sex lives are going badly because of their jobs.

They say they are not making love as often as they used to and don’t seem to have the energy for it either.

One high-powered executive said: ‘When I first moved in with my husband, we had sex almost every night. Now we only do it once a month. I think it’s because both of us are exhausted.’

The effect of long hours on sex drive Less intimacy doesn’t automatically point to a problem in the relationship. Human desire tends to ebb and flow quite a bit. Sometimes we feel really sexy and sometimes we don’t. Also, there is a natural tendency in relationships for intimacy to get less frequent as time goes by.

This is due to two things: •as the couple grow used to each other, the novelty of the relationship wears off .

•the desire for sex tends to decline with age, particularly for men.

A recent study confirms that couples tend to have less sex as they get older, especially after the age of 50.

•If you are tired, you are unlikely to have much strength left for sex - whether you are a man or a woman.

•When a job is very stressful, the effect of that stress will be to diminish the amount of energy you have for intimacy.

•You may be so stressed out, you don’t even think of intimacy for quite long periods.

The above has always been true but in recent years, we would say long hours have become commonplace and this is having a damaging effect on a lot of people’s sex lives.

It is first noticed among pa-

Work woes:

Sex difficulties in busy people If work is affecting your love life, you need to do something about it fast. Doing nothing and just hoping things will sort themselves out is folly.

What changes can I make?

Short of giving up your job, there are no instant or magical solutions. But everyone can make small changes in their lives – no matter how busy they are.

These changes need to be ones that will bring some sort of balance into your lifestyle that does not exist currently. Such changes should help your health as well as your love life. tients who work in the financial sector. Some of these people start work at six in the morning and carry on for more than 12 hours.

Often, they do not stop for lunch and many of them have a long commute at either end of the day.

So when you see a man or a woman who leaves home at 4.30am and gets back at 8.30pm, it’s not surprising that they’re likely to have trouble with their sex life.

Sexual difficulties caused by excessive work No matter what your job, excessive work can cause the following sexual difficulties: •You will have less time for sex.

•You will be tired so it may be difficult to summon up

much interest.

•You may find it more difficult to climax.

•You will find it difficult to relax in bed.

•If you’re female, you may find it hard to produce adequate lubrication pre-intercourse.

•If you’re male, you may not be able to get erections easily.

•Feelings of stress may make you less likely to give your partner sufficient romance and love play.

•You will probably opt for doing the same things during sex.

•Your partner may show disappointment or even anger towards you because of these work-induced symptoms.

Letting things continue as they are could lead to the breakdown of your love life.

Be honest with your partner The first thing you can do is to be honest with your partner.

We have had readers who have no desire for sex on weekdays. What they want during the week is a loving companion who will snuggle up to them and listen to what has happened in their day, but not demand sex.

If the busy person has never discussed this with their partner, it can cause a lot of upset and rowing because, understandably, the other person tends to feel rejected.

It may not be ideal to only have sex at the weekends or during holidays, but at least if both parties know this, there will be fewer unrealised expectations and fewer quarrels. In other words, the relationship should become more relaxed.

Think about how you talk to your partner It’s easy to take workplace language into the home, but it can be abrupt and terse. Try not to bark out instructions to your beloved.

Use the journey home from the office to unwind and to get into a softer frame of mind. Instead of working on your laptop all the way, read a book .

You need to change gear from working mode to something a little more empathetic and human if you are to have a healthy romantic life at home.

4. Don’t let work encroach on weekends and holidays If you want to maintain your love life, your partner will want to feel that you put him or her first at weekends and holidays. This means a complete change of pace.Try not to bring work home or to keep checking your emails – and switch off your mobile phone.

5. Make sex special When you do make love, try to wind down first so that you are in a more relaxed frame of mind. Partners do not want to feel that they’re being used as a substitute for quick masturbation and all you care about is a swift climax.

Partners want to feel cared for and loved, so cuddle up together first or have a romantic meal. And then spend half an hour giving your loved one a massage, or have a bath or shower together.

6. Add variety in the bedroom Try to vary your lovemaking. Very busy people tend to get into a set sexual pattern.

They find a routine that works and is fast and then use it every time.

ASK THE SEXPERT

How can I increase my sexual desire?

I

am 29 years old. I am in my second mar riage and I have had several other relationships. They all start the same way, a strong desire to be close and exciting sex. After a few months, the desire for sex starts to wane. After a year, I desire sex maybe once a week and it goes down from there. My first marriage ended after three years because my husband had an affair. I can’t say I blame him much. I don’t want my second one to go the same way. We have been married for two years now, and I am having trouble maintaining once a week sex. I have no trouble achieving orgasm once I am aroused.

How can I increase my sexual desire? Could being on the pill have an effect?

Anonymous Dear Anonymous, C M Y K

It seems that your difficulties with sex stem from your process of mate and relationship selection. In that, I think you have a tendency to become vulnerable and in need of either physical or emotional intimacy, or both and then you become involved with someone.

Once you feel that those intensified needs are met, you tend to withdraw from the relationship. Nonetheless, your first husband likely did not have an affair based on your decreased desire for intimacy. It was more likely to be a result of his own character deficits.

Several research surveys have shown that following the first 2 to 5 years of marriage, sexual intercourse decreases in frequency to about once to twice per month. So your difficulty keeping up with once a week intercourse would be expected as normal. It is less an issue of you “needing” to increase your sexual desire, and more an issue of helping your husband relax his need for once a week sex.

The real key to any effective intimate relationship is communication. The brain is the largest and most important sex organ in the body. If it is not comfortable with the pattern of intimacy, sexual arousal won’t happen. It is vital that you and your husband engage in open and honest communication about your sexual needs and desires , including the style, frequency, and duration of your sexual interactions. This may seem clinical, but it is better than the alternative mis-assumptions and resentful feelings. It seems that you are putting a great deal of pressure on yourself to ensure that he is sexually satisfied. Sexual satisfaction should be a mutual goal among partners. Sexually intimate partners need to find a balance between seeking after the gratification of their own needs and providing for the needs of their partner.

The only way that this is accomplished is through honesty with oneself and with one’s partner.

28—Vanguard, SARTURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

P

RINCESS Chineke, a former beauty queenturned-actress is like a girl next door; cool and charming. The fair complexioned actress is one of the emerging hot faces to behold in Nollywood at the moment. She’s currently living out her dreams as she grooms models in her agency, Beacon Models.

She will stop at nothing to tell you that she has a passion doing what she’s doing. In this encounter, she tells Showtime Celebrity that there is nothing wrong with kissing and smooching while on movie set.

BENJAMIN NJOKU & FLORENCE AMAGIYA My Surname-Chineke My great grandfathers had the same surname. And to be honest with you, the name has opened doors for me. I went for a job some time ago and after the interview session, the judges wanted to know my surname and I mentioned Chineke. Immediately, the job was given to me. In

fact, one of the judges told me that they gave me the job because of my surname.

My years of sojourn in the industry I have not been regular even though I came into the industry in 2003. I left instantly and returned in 2005, when I did my first soap opera titled Tarima. I was more into modeling then, and thought that acting was the same thing as modelling.

F

ollowing the horrible experience I had as a starter in the industry. I didn’t want to make a career in acting because I had the fear that it wouldn’t be rewarding. But my fear was immediately dispelled when I did my first job and got a part- payment of N18,000. As a student then, it wasn’t a bad business But then, my mum at a point insisted that I must graduate first and foremost from the university first before pursuing my dream.

So, I had to focus on my studies until I graduated in 2006. In 2007, while I was waiting for my call up letter to proceed to the National Youth Service, I accompanied a friend to a movie location,

•Princess Chineke

where I was instantly hijacked and given a role to play in that movie.

My face adorned the poster and I didn’t see it as a big deal. I had done some modeling jobs in the past that showcased my face on billboards. But when I later discovered that it was a good beginning, I went for more roles. I did broadcasting in FRCN Training School, and I also did some business management courses after which I went to the New York

Film Academy. During that period, I travelled to the United Kingdom and Germany for film seminars. At the end, I realised I wanted to pitch my tent in the entertainment industry. And that was the more reason I attended the Film Academy between 2009 and early 2010. I didn’t return to the industry until last year.

Long time to hit stardom ike I said earlier, I came into the industry in 2003. But I had a problem along the line with a producer who featured me in his movie and declined to

L

pay my professional fees thereafter. I do not want to mention names. I asked him for my money and he became violent. The best way I knew I could handle the situation then was to stop acting to concentrate on my modeling career. No matter how committed one could be to something if he or she meets a brick wall, the defense is natural; retreat and walk away.

Going to the New York Academy A mentor in the industry advised me to go back to the classroom if I must be a good

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 — 29

, I love to play roles that stand me out; a role that is challenging and uncommon.

A role that will unveil my talent to the world.

,

actress. I adhered to the advice and returned to the classroom to further my sharpen my acting skills.

Facing Challenges s a young actress, the challenges are enormous. One would do a work without being paid anything. Sometimes, the producers would make empty promises that they would not fulfill. You can only endure if you are in the industry for the passion and not what you will make from it The producers will never be unkind to the established actors and actresses, the way they have been to the emerging stars. We shall all get there. And that’s where the big bucks roll in.

A

Modelling Yes! I was Miss UNIBEN during my undergraduate days at the University of Benin. I was also a runnerup during my youth service.

In the mean time, I run a modeling agency, Beacon Models. It has not been easy but we can do it. Beacon Models took off in October last year. It’s been wonderful because setting up a modeling agency is not really about the money but the passion.

Last year, I had a clash of job interest where I was in a movie set and at the same C M Y K

,

time was expected to keep a date for a modeling job in another location. You can imagine what happened at the end. So, instead of modeling, I now groom young ones.

Kissing on set It’s a make-believe as long as it lasts. Yes, it has to be real, but I wouldn’t go naked for any price. There is nothing wrong with kissing and smooching on set.

Movies I have done I have featured in many movies and soap operas such as Ladies Cult, Tarima, Papa Ajasco, Bola’s Place, Echoes, Heroes and Zeroes, Rebound (shot in USA), Cut in the Middle,Where the Heart Lies, Courtesy of Vengeance, and Prize of Stardom. Also, my recent movies include; I did Last Flight to Abuja, Lady Gaga, Greatest Betrayal, Price of Stardom, and Adure, among others. I think Adure was challenging.

My kind of roles I love to play roles that stand me out; a role that is challenging and uncommon.

A role that will unveil my talent to the world. I also love motivating roles which I think I played in last flight to Abuja.

My driving force My driving force is the

fulfillment I derive from what I’m doing for a living. I earn more income in modelling than in acting, but what is keeping me going in the industry is that feeling of fulfillment I derive at the end of every movie production. I love acting, I love watching myself on TV. Getting support from my parents Funny enough, my parents are in support of my acting career. They love what I am doing for a living. I kept my own part of the bargain by getting my B sc. before launching out. They sponsored my trip abroad to seek for more knowledge in acting.

Singing as part of me I have always been a singer, I do gospel music. But at the moment, I want to concentrate on my acting career until I am able to add music to it.

As an upcoming act,

I don’t think the established actresses are snobbish. I just think if you meet them on set when they are trying to concentrate, they would not really listen to you

have you had any experience mixing with the famous faces?

,

I don’t think the famous actresses are snobbish. I just think if you meet them on set when they are trying to concentrate, they would not really listen to you because of the work at hand. I have had such experience with Omotola, we were on a set together and she was minding her business, obviously trying to concentrate. But when we met again at the hotel we both stayed, she was friendly to me.

30 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

English Premier League:

players in red-hot 5 early-season form International week is over, and now we turn back to the English Premier League season.

Three matches into the new campaign, a number of players have already distinguished themselves.

Not coincidentally, the players who have played best tend to come from teams that are also performing well. Here are five players who have started the season in red-hot form. This is certainly not an exhaustive list, so add your selections to the comments section below.

Eden Hazard

Carlos Tevez

C

•Santo Carzorla

Santo Cazorla

helsea playmaker, Eden Hazard has been the Premier League’s best player so far.

After joining the Blues from Lille in a big-money, high-profile move over the summer, Hazard has more than lived up to the hype. He slotted into Chelsea’s squad seamlessly and has inspired the Blues’ run to three wins and a table-topping nine points.

Through just three matches, Hazard has already piled up four assists and a goal.

Defender Branislav Ivanovic has been another top performer for Chelsea, but no player has been more important than Hazard so far.

Just imagine where he and Chelseawill be at the end of the long season.

M

anchester City forward Car los Tevez suffered through a miserable 2011-12 campaign, spending most of the season on the bench after refusing to enter a Champions League match as a substitute.

After patching things up with the club and manager Roberto Mancini, Tevez has returned to Manchester City’s lineup a new man. Clearly leaner and in better shape than last season, Tevez has already scored three goals as City start the defense of their league title.

With Sergio Aguero injured, Edin Dzeko unreliable and Mario Balotelli being himself, Tevez’s return to form has been a Godsend for the champs.

S

anti Cazorla signed for Arsenal from Malaga this summer. And like Eden Hazard, he needed little time to fit in with his new teammates.

The diminutive Spanish playmaker immediately settled into a free role in Arsene Wenger’s squad. Though the Gunners did not score during their first two league matches, Cazorla’s passing, movement and vision were consistently top-class.

Then, in Arsenal’s third match, Cazorla set up Lukas Podolski’s opener and combined with Podolski for the Gunners’ second goal. As those two continue to gel, Cazorla’s influence on Arsenal should continue to increase.

Special mention also must be made for defender Thomas Vermaelen, the new Arsenal captain who has led the team to three straight clean sheets to start t h e season.

•Eden Hazard

D

•Carlos Tevez

Robin Van Persie

utch for ward Robin van P e r s i e failed to

score in his Manchester United debut, a 1-0 loss just days after RvP signed from Arsenal. Since then, he’s been almost unstoppable. Van Persie

got off the mark with a goal against Fulham. Then he hit an astounding hat trick as United came from behind late to defeat Southampton.

Wayne Routledge

A

long

with

West Bromwich Albion, Swansea City have been one of the Premier League’s most pleasant surprises early in the season.

Both teams have seven points, but while West Brom don’t have any statistical standouts,no player has recorded more than one goal or assist so far, Swansea have plenty.

•Wayne Spanish midfielder Routledge Michu has scored

four goals, and English midfielder Nathan Dyer has recorded two goals and two assists. Both of those guys have shown great form, but so has Wayne Routledge with his three assists and one goal.

The English midielder started the season with two assists in Swansea’s 5-0 rout of Queens Park Rangers. He added one more assist the following week against West Ham and scored Swansea’s first goal in the 2-2 draw against Sunderland.

•Robin van Persie

Vanguard, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 — 31

The rise of 4-2-3-1 and the trequartistas who would be king

GOLF NEWS:

T

F

ormations rise and fall in football, but there can be no doubting that we are now living

in the age of 4-2-3-1, where trequartistas are king, central wingers wreak havoc behind a main striker, and all but the two full-backs operate mostly infield. So prevalent has this setup become that even the usually backward-thinking England are employing it, with Roy Hodgson using Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard as his “double-pivot” holding midfielders and putting the crown upon Tom Cleverley’s head.

Cleverley’s club manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, is another convert, and Manchester United’s signing of Shinji Kagawa demonstrated his commitment to parting with the outdated 4-4-2 that has won the majority of the trophies in his quarter-century reign at Old Trafford.

Kagawa is a pure trequartista. He operates in the space between midfield and attack and acts as a conduit. Slight and forward-minded, it’s hard to imagine the Japanese international playing in a regulation 4-4-2 as a central midfielder.

The same could be said of Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, Tottenham’s Gylfi Sigurdsson, Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla and perhaps also Manchester City’s David Silva and Samir Nasri—all of whom have found a Premier League home for their most fashionable of foot-

Merritt is back in Boise and hoping to turn his career around

•Meritt

roy Merritt missed seven straight cuts earlier this year on the Web.com Tour.

BOISE, Idaho — Troy Merritt has not fallen off the face of the earth. He played in a charity shootout on Monday at Hillcrest Country Club, site of this week’s Albertsons Boise Open, the Web.com Tour’s first of seven straight tournaments that will put the wraps on the 2012 season. Merritt, languishing at 104th on the money list (the top 25 advance to the PGA Tour, 26-60 retain full Web.com privileges), was followed by his wife, Courtney, and their 15month-old son on Monday afternoon.

They’re in the process of buying a house in nearby Meridian, and they’re hoping that moving from Phoenix back to Idaho will change their luck.

Two years ago, Merritt, 26, was considered a potential future star. He started the 2010 season with an openinground 65 at the Sony Open, which opened eyes considering it was his first start on Tour. (He would eventually tie for 20th place at Waialae.) He ended

that year with a pressure-filled, bogey-free 67 at Disney to finish 125th on the money list, barely retaining his playing privileges for 2011. He then made birdie on the first hole of a pressure-filled, sudden-death playoff with Aaron Baddeley and Rickie Fowler to win the $1 million Kodak Challenge.

Merritt, who had won the 2009 Mexico Open before going wire-to-wire to take medalist honors at ’09 Q school, was well on his way and then he wasn’t.

“You never know what’s going to happen in this game,” Merritt said. “One week can change everything. You’ve just got to roll with it and do your best, and unfortunately for me that means trying to keep my job for next year.”

The trouble started in 2011, when Merritt made only eight cuts and $150,000 in 23 starts. Top-25 finishes: zero. That dropped him to the Web.com Tour, where he has continued to struggle this season.

He says he’s not injured, but his game has suffered extended periods of sickness, including seven straight missed cuts from March 25 to June 3.

TENNIS:

US Open Tennis 2012: Andy Murray enters

2013 as Australian Open favourite

4-2-3-1 formation balling crafts.The trend is evident across Europe, too. As Akarsh Dorma noted in Media reports, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid won titles in Germany and Spain, respectively, playing 4-2-3-1 last season, while Chelsea won the Champions League using it.

So where did 4-4-2 end and 4-2-3-1 begin?

Jonathan Wilson, believes the system was born in Spain in the early 1990s but cites the 2010 World Cup as the moment it truly took hold.

This summer’s World Cup confirmed the predominance of the 4-2-3-1, with three of the four semi-finalists (Spain, Germany, Holland) all using this system. This, of course, requires a central playmaker, and Xavi, Mesut Ozil and Wesley Sneijder were widely regarded as three of the stars of the competition.

When you consider the success of these teams— and the men in the trequartista roles—it’s easy to see why Hodgson would look to embrace 4-2-3-1 as coach of the England national team.If you can’t beat them, join them—at least that’s the theory. But formations live and die on the players and you have to exploit them. And with England bereft of a natural trequartista, Hodgson is trying to mould one out of Cleverley, while simultaneously asking two largely forward-minded central midfielders to keep guard behind him.Then there’s the key central winger positions, which were occupied by the raw Alex OxladeChamberlain and largely one-dimensional James Milner for England against Ukraine in a recent 2014 World Cup qualifier.

C M Y K

•Andy Murray

A

ndy Murray’s triumph at the U.S. Open on Monday night will make him the favourite to win the Australian Open in next year’s first Grand Slam tournament.

Murray’s first Grand Slam victory in New York, in addition to his gold medal-match victory over Roger Federer at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, will give him the confidence needed to dominate the 2013 season.

In his U.S. Open final match against Novak Djokovic, who has arguably been the best player of the last two years on the men’s tour, Murray won points that in previous Grand Slam finals he would have lost. The way he played under pressure, the way he moved on the court and the emotion he showed during the tough matches proved that Murray wasn’t going to be denied his first Grand Slam title.

If Murray had any doubt that he wouldn’t be able to beat players like Djokovic and Federer, es-

pecially when these two played well, that doubt has to be gone now. Murray has proven to himself, and the tennis world, that he’s capable of beating the best opponents when the pressure is high.

Murray normally plays very well on hard surfaces, which was proven at the U.S. Open. It’s a surface he’s comfortable on. When you look at his Grand Slam record, Murray has been far more successful at tournaments that are played on hard courts.

The only two Grand Slams in which he has been to the final multiple times are the United States and Australian Opens, both of which are played on hard courts. He has a combined record of 52-14 at these tournaments. Over the last two years, Murray hasn’t been knocked out prior to the semifinal at either tournament. Given his success on hard surfaces, and the fact that he’s now a Grand Slam champion, Murray will likely be the favourite to win the 2013 Australian Open, even if Rafael Nadal and the rest of the “Big Four” are healthy.

32 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15 15, 2012

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012—33

M r s Martha Omoekp e n Alade

We encourage young girls to be tech savvy —President WITIN In order to address the disparity between women and men folks to basic ICT services and transform women through technologically -driven programs that will help them attain self independence and fulfillment, Women in Technology in Nigeria, a non governmental organization run by Martha Omoekpen Alade has decided to make a difference.

Mrs. Alade is an Information and technology graduate of Harvard University.

She is currently the Vice President , Nigerian Swedish Chamber of Commerce , and President Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN), an organization that is dedicated to the socio-economic empowerment of the Nigerian woman, youth and child. She has a mission to provide an avenue for the advancement, transformation and development of women, youth and children through the use of technology. Recently ESTHER ONYEGBULA, spoke with this woman of purpose and she tells us about why she is focused on economically empowering women to become technologically proficient womae with better participation in the administration of the society.

How has the organization been able to do this, are there activities put in place to achieve this vision?

Apart from advocating and empowerment related policies at the National level, our activities include organizing quiz competitions, career fairs and enlightenment campaigns for secondary schools. We also create awareness to encourage young girls to be technologically savvy and provide training of young women on entrepreneurship and offer basic business skills training for rural women and promotion of their products online.

What recent activities have your association embarked on and how has it improved the lots of women and girls in the Nigerian society with ICT? Our association essentially seeks to transform women through technologically driven programs so as to encourage them to attain self independence and fulfillment. We have

embarked on diverse programs at different times. The recent ones include our Round Table Conference. At this event, WITIN addressed women especially the marginalized and exploited on how to key into global competition, rapid changes, information technology etc to improve their business so as to increase revenue brought to the home-front. Rural women were also taught basic business skills and how to promote their products online and via SMS. We also provided training on Web 2.0 to enable young women keep abreast with emerging and rapidly evolving web 2.0 all through the year. Young corps members were given the opportunity to be equipped with these tools to help them secure jobs.

The women in the grassroots are not left out as we have the Grassroots Women Empow-

,

For the purpose of our readers ,can you tell us about Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN)?

Women in Technology in Nigeria was established in May 2009 as a result of the skills gap noticed in women empowerment, to address existing problems like limited access of women to technology so as to help them increase their potentials and input towards national development and better family sustenance. There is no telling of how far they can go in terms of opportunities and achievements especially the marginalized and underserved, when women are empowered.

Our association essentially seeks to transform women through technologically driven programs so as to encourage them to attain self independence and fulfillment

,

Mrs Alade

erment through ICT (GWEIT).

This caters for women especially those living in rural and marginalized communities. It provides an opportunity to show case their products to the elitist community. GWEIT was designed to provide online presence through the creation of websites for women businesses and to create a business directory for women who have exportable products; from the peasant women to the low income earners to illiterate business women and entrepreneurs. Quite a lot of women have been empowered through this project, as their businesses were brought to limelight, their prospective clients could locate their remote businesses online, and they enjoyed in-

creased patronage from the elitist community.

What about the Career Fair, what is it all about?

The Career Fair is a program organized to visit schools and give career talk to students.

This we believe will guide their choice of career and open their minds to existing career opportunities especially in the ICT field; to support youths in becoming leaders to venture into a world of new possibilities and let their outlook be defined by personal career goals and talents. Our presence and career talk achieved significant impact in the students as they were exposed to different careers in this ICT. In the course of the career fair, some of them were worried about “Mathematics” which they perceived as obstacle in ICT, we had to allay their fears and give them strategies on studying the subject and that not all ICT courses required in depth knowledge of Mathematics.

This year, we have had two career fairs in two schools.

What do you think is responsible for the great disparity between women and men folks to basic ICT services?

In the real sense, gender issues bordering on ICT have conveyed awareness of the fact that few women have access to ICT services owing to exposure, occupation and others.

This is indeed a disadvantage. Seeming factors responsible for these comprise the following: ignorance of how resourceful ICT could be to our daily lives and activities, lack of understanding of the basics of the use of technology like computers, phones and separation of women from their immediate environment, where religious practices have

posed a barrier, judging ICT to be extremely theoretical, strictly ordered and uninteresting, and inadequate access to ICT facilities to enhance women getting familiar with its use.

How can this disparity be addressed?

To address this disparity, women should be enlightened on a regular basis on the resourcefulness of ICT. A typical example of this is how giving a woman online presence to promote patronage of her product could actually boost her income. Providing access to ICT services, through organizing technology -driven programs will help women in disadvantaged groups get exposed to these services.

Also engaging them with the use of these services at every available opportunity will make a huge difference. By tackling this disparity, the women and the society at large will benefit to the fullest.

What are the challenges repelling young girls from pursuing careers in ICT? By and large, several reasons are liable for young girls being repelled from pursuing ICT careers. Some of them include the lack of interest on the part of young ladies to take up careers in ICT, stereotyped and erroneous thoughts of ICT field being for the men folk, lack of support from female role models in the ICT field and the feeling that ICT is extremely abstract, severely structured and monotonous. These factors

have also posed a bane to the development of ICT in this part of the world.

Young ladies and girls should be encouraged to choose careers in the ICT field by mentoring them, giving them positive orientation that could help to allay their fears in every way and also showcasing female ICT models who have distinguished themselves in the field.

34—VANGUARD, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

Intelligence without character is nothing a problem. We started the project to accelerate illiteracy. At the private level, I also found out that you can’t seat back and fight government; you must also get involved to bring about a change with the little resources you have. We have been able to undertake literacy programme in my own community and right now, we have seen improvements. So, we have a strategy to accelerate literacy. It is when you have a growing number of people being able to read, it is then that other aspects of development begin to take place. But if people can’t read, they invariably become a menace to the society, internal frustration sets in. The result is what you see today as the nation bleeds. So, we focus on human infrastructure to develop the people.

Prince Nnagozie Ochi is the fifth child of HRH, Late Igwe Godwin Uchenna Ochi and Lolo Angelina Ochi in Ogugwu, Enugu State.

His approach to life is influenced greatly by his down to earth disciplinarian parents who taught him how to bring about a change in the life of others.

Haunted by this idea, after his university education, and his stint with AGIP, he opted for a training in the United states of America in character development. Today, Prince Ochi upholds this ideal as he’s currently dedicating all his energies and resources to building and celebrating goodness and greatness of the Nigerian youth. This, according to him, will translate into a better future for the country. He is our cultivated man this week.

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grew up under my parents who were educators. My father always talked about education as an investment you can make in people. He almost had a disdain for acquiring property. He would rather invest his money in the education of people in his neighbourhood. Hence, he died without any assets. Although, he was a traditional ruler. But people celebrated him when he died. For me, that was an inspiration. So, while growing up, I wanted to be my own man and do my own thing. Over the years I kept realising that I was a chip off the old block. I found out that many people don’t emphasis people’s development’ especially government. That is why government and community programmes never really worked. We can’t develop the state without developing the people. The concept of human infrastructures overtime evolved in me as something I should do. I then kept defining it until it became everything I look forward to do for the rest of my life. Now, I have been able to develop it not just at the top but also, I have been able to practise it and

undertake series of pilot tests on it.

When we talk about human infrastructure, there are three areas of it. One, for us is to be able to know at the foundational level in the modern world, what is the critical thing a human being needs to be independent. It is simply education or literacy, but people

e had a partnership with UNICEF about two years ago, we conducted a reading competency test across public schools in nine states, and the result: we could not get up to 10 per cent. We have to do something on this area. As an organisation, we are set to deal with all of these problems. The next key area is character. If you educate a person in mind and not moral, he will still be menace to the society. Intelligence without character is zero. If on the one hand we are able to combat illiteracy, the work is half done. We must ensure that it literacy comes with good character, or emotional intelligence or whatever you call it. The individual will ultimately harness his potential.

Think about a young man who is so intelligent and suddenly he finds himself in a public office, but in a one little lure of money, he soils

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BY ISHOLA BALOGUN

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A culture of character where integrity is number one, where honesty is the watchword. We are talking about trustworthiness, responsibility, respect, fairness, justice, patriotism and caring

take it for granted. Imagine an illiterate living in this 21st century. He can’t compete. Now, look at the level of illiteracy we have in this country even with the so called investment in education. People go to school but they can’t read and write. It means we have

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his hands and his career is destroyed. It is because he does not have moral backbone.

You expect people in high authority to be morally upright when

they did not build it? When the educational system was so complacent? What does a degree certificate says: that you have been found worthy in character and learning for the award of Bachelor of Science degree in whatever. But how many courses do they take in character building, in ethics or do you think it just happen? It doesn’t. So, we are churning out people who are incompetent at the level of morality.

That’s why we can’t expect anything from them. This explains why I declared that enough is enough; every young child growing up in Nigeria from now onward must be different from the adult. We must build a culture around the child.

A culture of character where integrity is number one, where honesty is the watchword. We are talking about trustworthiness, responsibility, respect, fairness, justice, patriotism and caring. These are values younger Nigerians must imbibe at an early age mostly through educational system.

The parents have lost it too because most parents don’t have time for their kids. They don’t have a clue on how to bring up a child with good character.

So, we focus on character count in schools. It is a character count school agenda programme.

The character count is an integral part of our human infrastructure development initiative. We found in some areas that you cannot compare good private schools with public schools. An average five years old in private school is already reading and writing.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15,2012—35

•Coffee keeps you alert while working

Drink coffee, it is good for you T

o drink or not to drink?

This has been the question about coffee for decades.

One reason people say you should not drink caffeine is caffeine. Another reason people say you should drink coffee is antioxidants. Caffeine and antioxidants have been a topic of keen interest for years, so much so that some people are becoming suspicious that it is a marketing strategy.

But there is no denying the trend among the general population—drinking coffee as a powerful health promoting beverage. Not only does coffee help to boost energy and clarify the mind, research has shown it to be an important source of antioxidants.

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offee is an unexpected health-giving food. A clue to coffee’s exceptional antioxidant content is found in its extreme growing environment and harvesting measures. Thought to have originated near the Horn of Africa, the coffee plant grows in some of the hottest and highest regions in the world, often times near the equator.

These severe climates force the coffee plant to create formidable antioxidants that protect it from high levels of ultraviolet r a d i a t i o n .

Research has found that medium-roasted coffee preserves the highest bioactive properties of the bean compared with dark coffee. Whether or not the coffee is caffeinated doesn’t appear to influence the

antioxidant levels.

As it turns out, coffee is the leading source of antioxidants in the American diet. Joe Vinson, a chemistry professor at theUniversity of Scranton Pennsylvania notes, “The point is, people are getting the most antioxidants from beverages, as opposed to what you might think.” His research team found that a standard adult consumes 1,299 mg of antioxidants daily from coffee compared to 294 mg from tea, the second highest contender. Bananas were next at 76 mg.

Not only is coffee a rich source of antioxidants, it also helps to alleviate other health concerns. Studies have shown that individuals who ingest one to two cups of coffee per day have less depression and anxiety than those who abstain from the beverage. Those struggling with asthma and type II diabetes also showed improvement when coffee was consumed in moderate amounts on a daily basis.

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ore and more pills and o v e r - t h e counter drugs are being supplemented with Antioxidants and presented as miracle or heal-all drugs.

The truth is, beyond the wave created by some intuitive and business-oriented marketers, and the abuse some people might make out of this: Antioxidants remain very

•Coffee is part of those lifestyle habits

••A cup coffee

useful and beneficial to the health. Antioxidants are naturally occurring chemical substances produced internally by the body or found in some food substances, thus ensuring an external supply.

They enhance the immune system and help to protect the body’s cell from damage caused by an excess of free radicals generated during normal metabolic processes and exposure to ionizing radiation, UV light and pollution, just to name a few.

A nutritionist and Fellow at

the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Dr. Batholomew Brai describes coffee as a complex mixture of biologically active compounds including carbohydrates, lipids, nitrogenous compounds, vitamins, minerals and phenolic compounds, which combines in a perfect balance to give a pleasurable and unique aroma and taste.

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rai says the interest of coffee lies in the richness and diversity of its antioxidants. He explains

that a 200 ml cup of Arabica coffee contains 70 – 200 mg chlorogenic acid whereas a 200 ml cup of Robusta coffee contains 70 – 350 mg, which would provide about 35 – 175 mg of caffeic acid.

A public health physician and lecturer at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Kemi Odukoya also states that apart from releasing the unique aroma of coffee, the roasting process is actually a key factor in enhancing the richness of coffee antioxidants. She said the antioxidant activity of commonly consumed beverages prepared per cup serving and concluded that soluble coffee had the highest antioxidant activity. Also coffee was found to be four times more effective as an antioxidant than green, black or herbal tea. Also, among most consumed fruits and beverages, coffee is one of the best sources of phenolic acids containing 97 mg/100g.

Odukoya notes that unlike common belief, adding sugar, milk or creamer and drinking regular or decaffeinated coffee does not affect the quantity or bioavailability of antioxidants in your cup. However if you prefer your daily cups, you will still enjoy the full goodness of antioxidants. Odukoya holds that if results or modern research are anything to go by, then, coffee is part of those lifestyle habits which actually partner for your good health.

But is coffee addictive? Odukoya opines that the mechanism of action of caffeine is very different from that of a drug of abuse because it does not affect the brain circuit and structure for reward, motivation or addiction.

36 — SATURDAY

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

YOUNG NIGERIANS MAKING THE DIFFERENCE ALEX KUNLE EGBEDUN LAGOS STATE

Email: youthfulvibes@gmail.com

to become a Youth Leadership Certificate Holder and trainer.

Then I started getting interested in Child Rights advocacy and soon got involved with UNICEF through my friend’s organization and subsequently my involvement with other youth groups and network.

Based on my involvement in volunteer work, I was privileged to be elected as the Chief whip of the inaugural Childrens’ Parliament which was inaugurated by President Olusegun Obasanjo at the International Conference Centre in Abuja. The most interesting part is by God’s grace I have been privileged to have wined and dined with Presidents and royalties from around the world and have participated on various projects on five continents to date, just because of one thing – Volunteerism.

•Francis Anyaegbu

We can create the change we desire —Francis Anyaegbu

A peep into his background I am clearly what you can best describe as a story of meteoric rise from grass to grace. 27 years ago, I was born into the family of Mr and Mrs V.E Anyaegbu. I am a graduate of Environmental Biology from Yaba College of Technology and I also received training on non-profit management at Northwestern University, Illinois, USA. Growing up for me was quite interesting, I moved from the beautiful ambience of Ikoyi at age four to Mushin, another environ with a totally wide contrast and that was really a defining moment of my life. This gave me a first hand experience of seeing a lot of young people with tremendous potential waste away, due to nefarious acts and influences

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eing youthful is unquestionably an asset and Nigeria has over 60 percent of its populace blessed with youths. Francis Anyaegbu (27) has over the years been selflessly impacting his generation. He is not stopping and do not intend to relent any time soon in his efforts in delivering a New Nigeria.

Francis has been a strong voice both locally and globally. At the just concluded YALDA Press Conference which he serves as head of logistics, he lets Youthful Vibes in on what inspired and motivated him to become a change agent.

Excerpt:

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rancis on world stage I am very privileged as one of the many young Nigerians making wave at the global stage and I have achieved a level of success so far. Based on all of the experiences I have garnered over the years, I have been privileged to have delivered papers and presentations in various international meetings on five continents to date.

Yes, I have just been elected to

I am clearly what you can best describe as a story of meteoric rise from grass to grace within the area. Consequently in my later years, I saw the need to provide a platform to equip, inspire and empower them to help charter a better course for their lives with my wealth of experience and exposure. This in way was also responsible for the start-up of my Youth organizationYouth Pioneers for Development over five years ago to help proffer solutions to this anomaly. Many strong memories of my childhood still comes to me, such as being the Class Prefect from J.S.S 1 through SS2 where I became the Timekeeper and finally the Senior Prefect of my set. More so, getting into the Presidential Villa (Aso Rock) before I turned 18 is also one of themany other fond memories that I still relish. I am grateful to God. Motivation for volunteer work I soon realized my passion to help out my peers with tasks and also to reach to persons in discomfort at a very tender age.

This soon spurred me to join the Nigerian Red Cross Society while in Secondary School and I soon rose through the ranks

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serve as Africa’s Representative on the UN-HABITAT Youth Advisory Board till 2014 where I am joined by my female colleague, Stella Agara from Kenya . My work is basically to represent the interests of youths from African region. In line with the mandate of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), members of the Youth Advisory Board, are expected to bring a much-needed perspective of youth to the agency’s work. Part of my work involves providing the UNHABITAT with strategies to engage young people in sustainable urban development and to support with the design and implementation of urban youth platforms and also address cross-cutting youth issues on the continent and around the world.

I was part of a Policy group that produced documentation on the meaningful participation of young people in International Decision making at the London Youth Policy Symposium on the invitation of the Commonwealth Youth Programme Office, British Council, DFID and OSI in May 2011. I also helped developed a publication with the World Bank Institute on Youth and engagement with Parliamentarians as one of the Commonwealth Youth Parliamentarians having attended

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lex KunleEgbedun is a man with diverse leadership talents. With numerous titles – Entrepreneur, Publisher, Photographer, Speaker, Writer, Media contents Producer, Brand and Human capacity development expert. th Born April 24 1983, in Oshogbo to the family of Prince and Chief (Mrs.) Adebayo Egbedun of Asi Town in Odo-Otin LGA of Osun State, Nigeria. Trained as Electrical Engineer at Osun State College of Technology Esa – Oke in Osun State. But later found his passion in events photography and creative media entertainment. He is an alumnus of The Edge Business School and Daystar Leadership Academy both in Lagos, Nigeria.

Kwesi as fondly called by friends and associates as pseudonym, dropped a Banking and Insurance job at the defunct Guaranty Trust Assurance Plc, a sister company of the Guaranty Trust Bank in 2010 to pursue his dreams in events photography and infotainment.

Alex is the Vice President and Chief Executive Officer at GistAfrika International communication Limited, a service provider in entertainment Webcasting, Telemarketing and Publishing. He is the publisher of GistAfrika continental magazine and Africa’s foremost entertainment Web based channel, GistAfrika.com. Also a Founding/Principal partner at Vintage partner at Vintage Managers Inc.An events and protocol services company based in Accra, Ghana.

Kwesi is driven with a passion to see Africa fully attained her global potentials and occupied her rightful position as the World’s second largest continent and for this; he is committed to seeing young Africans discover their purpose in life, live to accomplish that purpose and make Africa and the world proud of their innovations and skills.

OJAGBAMILA YEMI

Y

emi as he is fondly called by his clients , has a glow and a vigour that belies his age.In his 20’s, Yemimi runs Dawn Photography, afirm that helps individuals to put up indelible masterpieces and everlasting memories. Every aspect of wedding photography is his passion , and this is evident in the amount of commitment and creativity he puts into his works. He holds an Ordinary National Diploma (O.N.D) in Accounting from MoshoodAbiolaPolytechnic(MAPOLY).Being an ardent learner, and always on the look out for opportunities to sharpen his craft ,Yemi has attended various photography courses from various giants in his industry like Boddylawson,Albriphotos.e.t..c. Indeed for most young Nigerians,the names of Feladurotoye, Ty bello,evokes inspiration and patrotism.Yemi calls these individuals his role models, as a result of their contributions to the society, and by extension, the Nigerian project.Yemi looks back at his early days as a wedding photographer, when he was usually paid a paltry sum of money.But today, he is fast becoming a force to reckon with-an epitome of enterprise. a Special Debate Session at the House of Lords Chambers, Houses of Parliament UK which saw young people sitting in the st hallowed chamber for the 1 time in over 100 years. I also recently th attended the 8 Commonwealth Youth Forum which was held in parallel with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth Australia in October 2011 on the invitation of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

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aid Job At the moment, I run Outbox Consulting, a small firm that provides provide tailor made consultancy services to nonprofit organization, small businesses, international development agencies and organizations working in the Development sector. This covers an array of services including new media trainings, project development and management, entrepreneurial development trainings and also my personal

speaking engagements. This also provides the much needed life line for some of my nonprofit related work with my organization.

Advice My advice to every young Nigerians out there is that we contain the critical mass of this country and our role in the development of our great nation cannot be dismissed with a wave of hand. There is a need to make conscientious effort to create that change we desire to see in our country. Though the task may be daunting and the environment not favorable but with tenacity and hard work our dreams can be achieved. I would also like to reiterate that our country would be a better a place to living if we all can shun violence and channel our energies from all forms of nefarious acts to other profitable ventures. Then we can go places.

SATURDAY

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hen the Nigerian contin gent to the Olympics came back without a single medal, Nigerians were scandalized and embarrassed while the entire world wondered once again, why the most populous black nation on earth could not win a single medal.

Personally I was humiliated. I attended a business meeting in UK shortly after the Olympics and had arduous task of having to explain over and over again, why we could not win any medal at the Olympics. I found myself even in a more difficult position when the Paralympic athletes started harvesting medals as if they were not from the same country that few weeks earlier failed to win any medal.

It was hard for me to explain why we could not win a single medal at the Olympics to other participants at the meeting which was organized by the UK Trade and Invest. Try as I did, I failed to resolve the puzzle of our abysmal performance. I told them that our poor performance was due to inadequate funding of sports occasioned by stumpy participation of the private sector in sports development. I assured them that Nigeria has in abundance, highly talented athletes but that inadequate funding was the bane of our sports development. However I could not reconcile the brilliant performance of the paralympians with the woeful performance of the Olympians. I laboured very hard to fend off questions aimed at finding out whose fault it was as I did not want to wash our dirty linen in the public.

The worst part of my ordeal was finding a diplomatic and convincing

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EARNING to start your day the proper way is one sure means to staying healthy.

What is this proper way?

It’s a combination of water, breath and physical exercise.

In the mourning when the body is in the mode of eliminating wastes of the previous day, it’s best to help it along by a good long drink of water.

This triggers off the gastro-colic reflex which will make your feet for a bowel movement.

If you practise yoga, you will be able to assist your system in throwing out waste by, say, the abdominal uplift, or isolating the rectus muscles of the abdomen.

After a thorough session of elimination and abolution the next thing to do is set up your exercise mat or rug.

It’s time to practise some breathing exercises. This, besides acrating your lungs and the rest of your body will add to your wakefulness. Swami Sivananda, the doctor/yogi admonishes a half-hour practice of deep breathing. I practice a little under half of that duration but the beneficial results are never lost on me!

In fact, I let my students take ten deep breaths till they build up enough lung-power to do more over the long haul.

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ith your breathing practices now over, it’s time to stretch, bend, and twist the body by way of tuning it up much the same way a string instrumentalist tunes his guitar or violin.

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 — 37

Nigerians with disabilities to the rescue

should tap into the outstanding performance of the paralympians to find solution to the dismal performance of the Olympians and indeed the Nigerian Nation.

I have been away from Nigeria for a couple of weeks now,and I have been so busy that I cannot find time to catch up with the vibes at home as regards the analysis of the paralympic athletes’ performance and the preparation for their reception. I hope that these heroes of our time will not be disappointed again like we were disappointed when we came back from Sydney 2000 and were not given reception nor recognition by the Government of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

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Folashade Olufumilayo celebrating her medal at London paralympics

explanation for the outstanding performance of the paralympians, in the face of the discrimination and social exclusion Nigerians with disabilities suffer, in addition to the fact that they also suffer the same poor funding and inadequate infrastructure. I had to fall back to my medical physiology background to make them understand that Nigerians with disabilities were able to outperform our none disabled compatriots because Nigerians with

disabilities realized early that sports is more than entertainment and physical fitness. We found out that it was also a potent instrument for rehabilitation, healing and helps recovery from disability. I told them that it was this knowledge among others that is the driving force behind our consistent performance.

The consensus was that whatever the reason for the poor performance of the Olympians may be, it is not beyond redemption and that Nigeria

Keep fit for your health and lunging your legs forth and drawing them back.

The movement must be continuous.

Another warm up is the Suryanamaskar, a series of stretchings and bendings designed to limber up the body.

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You start with a warm-up. Cold muscles are more likely to tear if you get into vigorous activity without first warming them up.

In the practice of yoga, you can do the rocking exercise where you sit down, bend your knees with your hands holding the back of your knees

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yoga, nothing is

carved in stone. As you go on with the practice, it doesn’t take too long before you begin to evolve your own warm up patterns.

After this initial warm-up, you follow up with postures like the Plough.

Technique: Lying flat down on the floor, raise both legs over head till the toes touch the ground. Keep the hands in the original position of lying by your side. A variant of this posture is to bring the hands to hold the feet. If you’re not flexible enough for this, it will do to have

hope that President Goodluck Jonathan will give these athletes a befitting welcome and reward them for rescuing Nigeria from the embarrassment and shame of not wining any medal at the London 2012 Olympics. He should also use the opportunity to receive the athletes that did us unprecedented proud at Sydney 2000 paralympic games.

As I write this piece, I am in the USA as a member of Nigeria’s delegation to the United Nation’s committee for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ (UNCRPD) election to support Barrister Danlami Basharu, Nigeria’s candidate for the election. I was made to understand that the government has no funds for this important mission and so those of us, who can afford it, are here without a kobo from the government. This lack of equity and fairness cannot help Mr. President’s development agenda.

However, we are not deterred. “A luta continua Victoria e certa”

your feet half way to the floor.

Benefits: The Plough helps one to overcome fatigue and renders the spine more flexible. It strengthens the small of the back also.

The Reed

Technique: Standing with the feet together and hands by your sides, take a deep breath as you raise both hands overhead. With the knees locked, bend back the trunk, dropping the head back as well. This position should also see your hands dropping backwards with the palms upturned.

Benefits: The Reed strengthens the back giving flexibility to the spine. Excess fat is also banished along the spinal column. This exercise also tones up the abdominal muscles by stretching them taut.

Double Vertical Leg Raise

Technique: Sitting with the hands behind you, draw up the knees andn raise the legs vertically. Respiration must be slow with the forehead brought to touch the knees.

Benefits: This posture massages the abdominal organs among other benefits.

Yoga Classes @ 32 Ademola Adetokumbo Victoria Island Lagos 9.00am — 10.00am on Satufdays

38—Vanguard, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

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t angel’s studio HAIR CLINIC, we do not shampoo weave-on. I took the decision for many reasons. Firstly, no matter how much you rinse out the shampoo from the weave-on, you can never get everything out.

In a country where most salons are challenged with running water, it is difficult to accept that sufficient water will be made available to rinse thoroughly.

At

WEAVE-CRAZY:

NO SHAMPOO HERE PLEASE!

•The couple, Mr and Mrs Kayode Awogboro

Gourmet treat as Lanson pops up Makashe Ibru’s wedding

By Demola Balogun

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he event had the elements of a state banquet hosted by state functionaries or diplomats.

The giant door to the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos is an historical complex unmarked by its eroding influence on the sensibilities of Nigerians was clearly the conspicuous signage for guests; with heavy presence of plainclothes security and corporate guards around the car park and entrance gate, flaunting walkie-talkie and body scanners.

Curiously, the wedding of ravishing jewel and former Miss Makashe Akeva Olivia Ibru to Prince Olukayode Federick Awogboro on Saturday August 4, 2012 advertised the Olympic-sized cricket oval of TBS to guests.

With signature delicatessen, cocktails, vintage cognac and delectable Lanson champagne pink rose, Lagos may be a rich bustling and bubbling city, but guests invited by celebrated cognac connoisseur, Olorogun Oscar C.J. Ibru, father of the bride, wanted to party discreetly and his choice of Tafawa Balewa Square was very discreet indeed.

Lanson champagne stood out on the velvet-decorated tables and in ice buckets at the heart of one of the most illustrious Nigeria’s monuments.

From the House of TEO, Lanson brand custodian in Nigeria, its Chairman/CEO, Chief Tunde Onakoya ensured that Rose Pink was evenly and lavishly served across the tables, while the bar staff led by Yussuf Adinoyi went round tables to confirm that every (discerning) guest

•Bartenders with Lanson champagne

•L-R: Dr Ebun Sonaiya, Nigel Rapp and Chief Tunde Onakoya got adequate attention. The gastronomic delight came from E. F Shaw, presided over by swash-bucking Princess Pelebo Banigo and she was equally masterful in the supply of mouth-watering cuisines and especially choice of continental Hors d’ oeuvres and consumes.

The wedding was a harvest of wide and discriminating taste as guest had a swell time over sumptuous dishes and inspiring touch of Lanson champagne treat. Amongst the guests were Chief P. Banigo, Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Olaoye Tomori, Dr. Ebun Sonaiya, Chief Tunde Onakoya, Chief Adekunle Ojora, Chief

Molade Okoya Thomas, Chief Oyekunle AlexDuduyemi, former governor of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo, Chief (Mrs) Florence ItaGiwa, Princess Abah Folawiyo and Olori Ladun Sijuwade.

Remarkably, Lanson champagne is the official drink at her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and also the official champagne toast at the Wimbledon Tennis Championship held in June.

Coincidentally, the roller coaster has moved to Nigeria with the Makashe-Olukayode Awogboro’s prestigious nuptial and the endorsement by famed wine connoisseur, Olorogun Oscar C.J. Ibru.

hairdressing school, we were taught to rinse hair for 5 continuous minutes to be sure to get rid of all traces of chemicals/ product. Now, I reckon that I would need at least the same time to be sure that the weave is clean.

Moreover without water flowing from taps, it is difficult for the stylist to target the base of the weave; the woven area is where I find product trapped in. When you take out the weave-on, you find a lot of fluff while undoing the plaits.

Above all, shampooing dislodges the weave; the threads used to attach the weave become stretched by water and all that scrubbing/moving the weave around, weakens it. I have found that the weave is never the same once it has been shampooed. I find that most women remove their weave within 8 days after shampoo because they say it is just not the same again; it lost its grip and ‘fall’.

This is why I advocate the cleaning of the lines of the scalp using cotton wool balls soaked with witch hazel solution or mentholated spirit to get rid of smells and itching.

Make sure you allow the scalp to dry after cleansing with these solutions; pile the hair on top of your head and use a hand dryer, directing the heat towards the base of the weave.

If you feel really desperate for a wash, take out your weaveon shampoo/treat your hair before fixing the weave back.

Yes, you canre-fix immediately ONLY if you are not applying any form of chemical to your hair.

Thanks for reading and writing in. angelaajetunmobi@gmail.com>

DID YOU KNOW

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hen your skin is sensitive, you should remove hair with the help of razor, electric shaver or, preferably, hair removal c r e a m .

The hair will grow back slower (after 2-3 weeks) when you use a special cream. If you decide to shave the hair, you must be aware that they will grow back stronger and quite fast, so you will have to repeat the procedure every two or three days.

After you remove the hair use a special balm to prevent skin irritation.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard anguard,,

SEPTEMBER 15, 2012—39

40 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 — 41

C M Y K

42 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 — 43

Bamanga TTuk uk ur begs all PDP def ect or o re turn tto o ffold old ukur defect ector orss tto return ***Promises

them

special

roles

*** Says ready to end problem of factionalisation in States

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA- THE National Chair man of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur yesterday pleaded with aggrieved members of the party and those who left to in the spirit of his birthday return to the fold.

He said if they do that, it will be the greatest honour that will be done to him.

Tukur who is marking his 77th birthday yest e r d a y, p r o m i s e d t h a t the PDP would make special arrangement for members who are prepared to return to the party to feel comfortable, adding that plans have been concluded to engage them in the ongoing reform.

The PDP national chairman who noted that special roles will be assigned to them, said, “For us as to be one, indivisible and indissoluble political party ruling Nigeria since 1999, it may be necessary for me to beg our members who are aggrieved and hence left the party into different strange camps to come back home. It is time to re-build Nigeria and all hands are needed to do so.

“The umbrella is big enough to accommodate all of us. So our members who left us should please come back into the party so we can resolve our differences and begin to move on as one people for one Nation Nigeria” Tukur who said that he did not accept the posi-

tion of national chairman to acquire fame or fortune, explained that he came on board to give back to Nigeria much of what the country had offered him all along to become who he is t o d a y.

The PDP National Chairman who urged members of the party and Nigerians to support President Goodluck Jonathan to succeed in his Transformation Agenda, however reiterated that the PDP would soon set machinery in motion to engage its founding fathers, elders and

stakeholders in rebuilding the party through his 12-point agenda of Reconciliation, Reformation and Re-building based on equity and justice, such that PDP would continue to remain in the saddle with spread to all parts of the federation.

On the security chall e n g e i n t h e c o u n t r y, Tukur said that the PDP has always been in league with Federal Government and security agencies in their efforts to mitigate the problem and return Nigeria to the path of p e a c e .

Obasanjo blames PDP’s failure in S/West on internal bickerings

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

F

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has attributed the present bickering among members of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the South West for the failure of the party to make any meaningful impact in the zone. Obasanjo, who is also the immediate past Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustee, BOT, therefore, urged members to sheath their sword urgently and embrace peace now, in order for the party to recapture the region from the opposition by 2015.

Obasanjo who made the remarks at the Joint Annual General Assembly of the PDP, Lagos Chapter organised by the party’s Youth and Women Vanguard held at the National Art theath-

re, Lagos, said that factions within the party caused the South West PDP to lose some states to the opposition party.

According to Obasanjo who was represented by Dr. Jide Damacio, “ the leadership of the party is not happy with ongoing

In Jos, security forces for the second time yesterday reportedly dispersed protesters at the Central Mosque by firing live ammunition into the air. The protest was said to be in connection with the USmade anti-Islam movie which ignited Muslim fury in the Middle East and Africa even as two MTN masts were bombed in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Eyewitness said two people were killed, but a military spokesperson, Captain Salihu Mustapha said there were no casualties.

The protesters had begun the protest march carrying placards denouncing the US

and moving towards the main street on Ahmadu Bello way when soldiers began firing off just as businesses in the area hurriedly closed, and several residents retreated to their homes.

Meanwhile,Kaduna State was calm yesterday, as everybody went about his/her normal business, even as text messages were earlier circulated insinuating that Muslims planned to launch a violent protest in the city.

However, the umbrella association for all Nigerian Muslims groups, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, expressed shock and consternation over the content of the controversial American produced movie—Innocence of Muslims, now causing crises in some parts of the

rancour within the South West PDP, especially Lagos state chapter.” ”Lagos state is the focal point of the party in the South West. And that is where the strength of the party comes from the South West. And we want the unity and peace to begin from

Lagos state. If we sheath our swords in Lagos state now and embrace peace and unity, other things will follow,” he said.

The former president added: “and in 2015 we will be able to capture Lagos state and other South Western states. And

this is the aim of the Central PDP.” He lamented that Lagos state is the only state in the South West of the country yet to have a PDP governor.

Obasanjo, however, said “It is time for PDP to assume the leadership of Lagos state.

FG threatens to withdraw Almajiri projects in four states •Summons contractors over progress report

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

F

EDERAL Government has threatened to withdraw the Almajiri projects earmarked for four states that are yet to allocate sites for the p r o j e c t s The affected states are Nasarawa, Taraba, Benue and Osun.

Minister of State for Education, Barr Nyesom Wike who

Two killed in Jos over anti-Islam video ... As JNI calls for restraint world

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN & LUKA BINNIYAT

From Right: Gov Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, briefing press men after a Closed Door meeting with Family of DANA Air Crash Victims while, Mr. Remi Ibirogba, commissioner for Information and Strategy and Mr. Hakeem Bello, Special Adviser to Governor on Media look on at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

but advised its followers not to cause any upheaval in the country.

In a statement in Kaduna yesterday , the JNI asked its followers to restrain themselves from reacting violently over the provocation pointing out that Prophet Mohammed himself had persevered over similar treatment in his life t i m e .

The statement read: “JNI under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, JNI, expressed its shock and consternation on the film released on you-tube, aimed at belittling our noble Prophet in a derogatory manner and smearing his dignity.

summoned all the contractors handling almajiri and library projects across the country in Abuja yesterday for a meeting to access the performance and progress of each of the projects, said the meeting was important as the two projects were key to the federal g o v e r n m e n t .

The Minister disclosed that out of the 50 Almajiri projects awarded in the Phase 1, 27 of them have been completed 100%, 13 of the projects progress range between 70 to 90 percent, 6 of the projects were still below 70% completion while the remaining fell below 50% completion.

He admitted that the contractors, though, had some challenges such as delay in allocation of sites from state government, security challenges in some states, re-allocation of sites by some state government coupled with the fuel subsidy strike that delayed work on sites to mention a few.

Some of the contractors from Maiduguri, Adamawa, Borno, Kaduna, Kwara, Benin, ondo, Sokoto, Kogi, were actively represented at the meeting and the contractors from the four states that were yet to allocate sites for onward building of Almajiri schools.

Knocks, kudos for Nigerian Media as Govs call for investigative journalism

BY UDUMA KALU

I

t was knocks and kudos yesterday for the Nigerian Media at the Guild of Editors’ Conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, even as some of speakers were of the view that editors should disclose their sources of information in view of security challenges facing the country.

The governors of Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers, Plateau, Borno and the Speaker of the House of Representative represented

by Hon. Victor Ogene gave knocks and kudos to the Nigerian Media just as the governors of the violentprone states such as Jona Jang of Platueau, Emmaneuel Uduaghan of Delta, Chubike Amechi of Rivers and Godswill Akpabio narrated their experiences in the hands of the Media.

Akpabio said that the Media was used to telling lies about his government, stating for example that, an online medium reported in USA about a kidnapping that had not taken place.

According to Akpabio, same online medium reported that the state broadcatsing service was bombed by alleged

freedom fighters when it was a dynamite that was stolen at the fishing area and used to destroy an old truck.

He further said that some people write fictitious letters to editors trying to shape their opinion in a bid to distract the government.

Akapbio said that a report in the media also said the kidnapping in Lagos was higher than that of Akwa Ibom and appealed to the editors to focus on positive stories in the society instead of negative stories .

For Jang, the Media had been a one of his major headaches, as they report false stories about his government. He, like Akpabio, also asked the media not to publish false stories. He reported how efforts to curtial insecurity were given ethnic and religious colouration in his state; like the banning of commercial motorcycles, arrest and deportation of some Fulani criminals who were not from the state but came to cause havoc with weapons. He said he had been fair to Muslims, citing the case of giving Muslim pilgrims the best treatment while in Mecca even when he was portrayed in bad light and described as not doing enough.

44—SATURDAY Vanguard,SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

T

here is need to intro duce what night life in Abuja could be. Basically, the federal capital Territory is known to be a seat of power and naturally, a city full of civil servants and politicians.It is a city characterised by the hustling and bustling of city dwellers doing all they can to eke out a living. The city used to be known for its vibrant nightlife as in the evenings, men and women were seen at bars, unwinding after a long day’s work to ease themselves of the hassles encountered in the course of the day. As the evening progressed, other forms of entertainment such as nightclubs, live bands and bars would begin to come alive. At this time, you’d see fun seekers wining and dining and shuffling their feet to the rhythm of music played by DJs and live bands.The several relaxation spots in the Federal Capital territory were always jampacked with each relaxation centre trying to outdo the other by adding something different to its services such as cocktail, comedians and dancers in a bid to endear itself to more regulars.Also, some of these

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By Chioma Gabriel

There is always this fear that something could go wrong and we always have that at the back of our mind

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hang-outs provided residents the opportunity to unwind and fraternise with pals and business partners. Indeed, life was fun in any of the city’s many gardens.

But the gaeity that characterise the city is almost gone , thanks to the current security situation in the country. Besides insecurity, the situation worsened when the Federal Capital Development Administration, FCDA, announced new measures to ensure security of lives and property within the metropolis. It stipulated that nightclubs, beer parlours and cinemas must round-off their activities by 10 p.m while public parks and other places that

admit children must call it a day at 6 p.m.

Cecilia Sunday and her family moved to Abuja recently from Port-Harcourt but unfortunately, could not get the type of fun they used to get when they were in P/H. Cecilia whose husband works in an oil firm resigned her job in P/H and withdrew her kids from school to join her husband at Abuja but unfortunately, the first outing they planned in Abuja on transfer was frustrated by a bomb blast that rocked the city at that period. “ We couldn’t go anywhere.

We were so scared that the first thing that came to our mind was to move back to P/ H but we have overcome that fear now. We go out in the anight but are not free as we ought to be. There is always this fear that something could go wrong and we always have that at the back of our mind. As it is, everyday we go out to any of these joints and come home is a miracle. But even when we go out, we don’t take everyone along. We divide ourselves and alternate . This is not how we used to do it”.

Another resident , Michael Anumba told our reporter

that it has become almost impossible to hang out in Abuja at night. “ I’m a night crawler but since the bomb blasts began, things are no longer the same “, says Michael. “It is difficult to hang out at night . Everybody enjoys the peace of the home and at the close of work, people prefer to go home instead of hanging out. There was even a time the situation was so bad that sale of alcohol was prohibited in restaurants and bars. Government said no more alcohol sales in gardens and parks, and that they must stop business at 10p.m. It was that bad that even when people are afraid, stringent laws are compounding our fears.

“ I stopped going to mammy market. I used to frequent Mogadishu Military Barracks mammy market but since that market was bombed, I have stopped going there. My friends too have stopped.

Nowadays, when we have the boldness, we hang out at other joints . There is one park at Senegal/Accra Street, Wuse Zone 5, where we go after the day’s work to share drinks with friends and colleagues.But even then, we don’t stay long.”

Since the bomb blasts began across states in Nigeria, things have generally changed for Abuja residents.

During the visit of our re-

Continues on Page 45

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012—45

Night life is waning in Abuja due to insecurity

is affected by this development. In places located close to Transcorp Hilton Hotel, there was never a dull moment as fun-lovers who patronised the place sat in colonies, enjoying snacks and drinks. The security situation never affected business that much as the road leading to the park’s gate was lined with food-vendors, mallams selling suya and others.

When the bomb blasts in FCT were still fresh, Saturday Vanguard learnt there was great fear but that fear we learnt is dying.

Memuna, a single lady living in Abuja metropolis and working in a government establishment said she still hangs out at night with her friends. “I never stopped but I’m aware some of my friends stopped hanging out. What they do now is once it is 5 pm,

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Continued from Page 44 porter to Abuja not long ago, she was compelled to visit some joints around 9-10 p.m but realised there was a poor turn-out of patrons compared to how it used to be in the past.

Operators of bars and restuarants told this reporter that things were not really bad as the blasts were no longer frequent as before. “ Things are not really as bad as it seems. Customers are coming in but what we have noticed is that people don’t stay out for too long. They come and go as others are coming in.” said the bar staff.

At a popular garden in Garki 11, our reporter observed that business was moving but not as it used to be.Customers were coming in but they were not staying for too long.

It was obvious that patronage has reduced . “ All die na die”, said Ikenna, an Igbo businessman living at Abuja. “ Something must kill man. If not sickness, then bomb blast or something else.

Some people have stayed in their homes, hale and hearty but something came and killed them. It’s very okay to hang out but one has to be careful.

“My wife used to hang out with me but not anymore.

Since the blasts,she has become fearful and she doesn’t go out once it’s 7pm. I understand her fears, but sometimes, I think she is overdoing it because bombs don’t happen everyday in Abuja. It hasn’t happened recently and we shouldn’t think bomb all the time.”

Nze Paulinus Obieze, another resident told Saturday Vanguard that he has devised another means of catching his fun. “ I don’t patronise beer parlous as to sit down and drink at the restaurants . During the week, I try and restrain myself and my wife keeps some at home. Even when there is none, I go the beer parlours, buy my drinks and take them home. I have to avoid the joints until security is restored in the country. My wife is also a good cook and so, on weekends, my friends come to the house and my wife prepares the delicacies and some other weekends, we visit another friend.Today in my house, you can get catfish peppersoup, nkwobi, isiewu and where my wife cannot prepare it, we send somebody to go and buy and bring to the house and we gather as friends to make merry. But nothing can match the fun of hanging out and that is why I pray that government do all they can to restore security in the country”.

But not everywhere in Abuja

sonally, I don’t drink alcohol but I catch fun with what I drink. Just staying out and seeing others catch fun releases stress. Listening to music from band stands eases stress”.

Despite the odds, Saturday Vanguard can reliably inform that a lot of Abuja residents have discovered some kind of addictive evening fun-time in the city and are savouring it.There are no strictly restricted areas to roll with as night enjoyment cuts across garden and parks, night clubs, eateries, hotels, brothels, among other regular hangouts.

A

lthough life in Abuja is highly expensive,the business is expanding and better ways of attracting and keeping customers are being invented. A manager of a ma-

There is high patronage of customers, demand for drinks and appeal to extend our closing time. We also have a disc jockey who provides music as part of the evening activities

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the official closing hour for workers, especially those working with the government, they head to their various homes and retire for the day with their families, while to a whole lot of others like me, it’s time to commence another round of life to unwind the day ’s stress.How long does one have to live that one has to scurry home after the day’s stress? I have to unwind because I know how my schedule in the office is. There is only one life and I have to live it well. Per-

jor restaurant at Garki 2 said they are still getting high patronage. ‘” There is high patronage of customers, demand for drinks and appeal to extend our closing time. We also have a disc jockey who provides music as part of the evening activities. It is obvious that we make good business and our customers are happy.”

Downtown Abuja also has an array of bars and restaurants.

Bars and pubs are also a part of the Abuja night life. The live

music shows are arranged and organised to entertain guests.

Some of the most notable hangouts are Safari Night Club and Lobby Bar at the Hilton Hotel and Elephant Bar and Dazzle Night Club at Sheraton Hotel. These bars offer various entertainment for high class fun seekers and their locations are well guarded.

Another major night life spot in the FCT is the popular Gimbiya street, Area 11, Wuse 2, where most of the city’s night clubs are clustered as well as the highbrow Asokoro District, where the Eden V.I.P. night club is located.

There is the Ignorbiz in Kubwa in Satelite town with a live band that performs thrice or four times a week.These red light districts are spread across the city and are guarded by security agents.

Davido, a night crawler opined that besides a place to unwind, present day night clubs afford a rendezvous for professionals to meet and interact. “ Hanging out is not only for drinks and dancing. You can discuss multi-million naira businesses at bars and restaurants. There are people who prefer the cover of darkness to socialize. Besides, night clubs, like the name suggests, operate only at night. People are supposed to work during the day and have fun or sleep at night. It does not harm the body. Rather, dancing relaxes the nerves and it is a form of exercise as well.”

A member of the national assembly who does not want his name in print told Saturady Vanguard that most political activities are conducted at night. “ A politician’s life is a night life. There is no sleep. Some of the intigues that we bring to the floor of the national assembly are hatched out at night. Committees meet at night. Most political activities are not day activities. During

the week, night life is alive in Abuja. But some of my colleagues travel at weekends and it is only then that one can experience a lull but that is not always every weekend” Saturday Vanguard also learnt that some hotels in Abuja had issues against women in their bid to stop the female sex workers from plying their trade in the FCT. It was gathered that the FCT administration sometime in the past carried out several raids at different parts of Abuja and hundreds of girls including sex workers and harmless young ladies who were seen unwinding at night, were molested and arrested.

A recent report in a national daily opined that not only were young ladies put through dehumanising situations but more than a few hundred young ladies were stripped naked, beaten, battered and left with injuries and some were hospitalised. It was also alleged that even people’s homes were invaded in a bid to fish out the sex workers. To this end, nightlife in Abuja became a big risk for young ladies who may opt to unwind or hang out after work hours.

A hotel staff who proferred anonymity revealed also that many females loiter around or within the hotels to hustle at night and because of that, even responsible ladies who want to hang out at night fear to do so.

“This idea of thinking that all ladies are whores pisses me off,” said Lydia, a civil servant. “ I have two First Degrees and two Masters and I don’t see how anyone can mistake me for a whore. I work very hard as a computer analyst and don’t see why anyone would mistake me for a prostitute even though they abound in Abuja just like any other city. Or is it because Abuja is a seat of government?

My friends and I relax as a group just as other single girls but there are a few bad eggs who are spoilers and they spoil things for us. It appears these bad eggs who go to hotels alone go there for hustling but not everybody”.

Another hotel staff who spoke to us said hotels were forced into taking some harsh policy against ladies because some girls were becoming nuisance to customers.These ladies are creating bad image to hotels and the customers were complaining of the attitude of the girls. We don’t deliberately harass women, but when a girl is not properly dressed, we ask politely what her mission is to be sure she will not be a nuisance around the hotel. This is the practice everywhere around hotels in Nigeria”.

46—SATURDAY Vanguard,SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

P

ORT HARCOURT, widely known as Gar den city is a bubbling capital city in the country. It is a place every Nigerian with taste for the good things of life want to visit and spend their vacation.

At a time, it was common gossip that the most fashionable people and beautiful women in Africa were in Port Harcourt. The emergence of Agbani Darego from the riverine speaking area of the state as the first African to clinch the coveted crown of Miss World, Most Beautiful Girl in the World, reinforced the talk that the most beautiful queens were found in this trendy city.

It is common knowledge that life is not cheap in Port Harcourt because the women like every glamour girl, are not cheap. You see some of them in their radiance and beauty at red light districts in new GRA area of Port Harcourt where you find most of the night clubs.

Before Chibuike Amaechi came on board as governor in his first term, night life was almost at a halt because miscreants and brigands who masqueraded as militants had held the state under siege. So

Girls are not cheap in Port Harcourt

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By Jimitota Onoyume

It is common knowledge that life is not cheap in Port Harcourt because the women like every glamour girl, are not cheap

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most residents and party lovers had no choice but to remain indoors after close of

work.

But when Amaechi assumed office, one of the first task he undertook was to dislodge these hoodlums from the city.

He smoked them out from their hideouts with the aid of the Joint Task Force, JTF. The few who were lucky to escape arrest and prosecution by the security body fled the town.

Night life resumed again, this time more colourful in almost all parts of the city.

In virtually all major streets you find drinking spots, with Nija jams blaring from speakers from 8pm and sometimes till dawn. It is difficult to tell which is a night club in this city because these drinking spots operate also as night clubs from 8pm, even some restaurants and car wash do too.

You spend about thrice the amount for any call girl in oth-

er states, in Port Harcourt.

This is simply because the girls are rated in a class of their own.

Most guys begin their evenings with their lady friends at the Silver bird cinema. From the movie hall, they empty into the bar where there is a live Disc Jockey, DJ, dishing out jams from his corner at the bar. Later, they move out to other night clubs in new GRA and other parts of Port Harcourt. The list of night clubs, restaurants/bars and car wash-turned night clubs is endless.

You see all manner of charming babes at these spots mostly at weekends. Guys on their part have categorised these girls. There are those they nick named 100 level ( those between 18 to 21) and these ones are the most patronised even if they ask for as much

as ten, twenty thousand to give a guy good company for a night.

The girls prefer night at hotels with guys. According to Nkechi, “night at hotels with the guys shields her from all kinds of harassment”. She said no woman for instance would walk into the room in a hotel to embarrass her for spending night with the husband.

Night life in the city has also brought brisk business for operators of popular drinking spots. At some of them, a bottle of Heineken sells as high as five hundred to eight hundred naira, sometimes even at one thousand, two hundred naira. Choice drinks like Hennessey, Black label go for as much as twenty five thousand naira at some of the spots.

These drinks are taken with ‘point and kill’ i.e. fish made into pepper soup. The customer is led to a makeshift pond in the bar or club and given the opportunity to point at any fish which will be used to prepare pepper soup for him and his guest (s). The price of the ‘point and kill’ varies from the size of the fish and the spot. Some of them could sell for four or five thousand naira.

Those into fast food business and suya are also counting their gains with the return of night life to the city. Sometimes, you see guys rush out of the clubs to have quick meals made from indomie prepared with fried eggs. Fast food operators mount their stands close to most of these busy spots.

There is also the angle of business for taxi drivers. You see them hang around these clubs and bars to take passengers home after a night full of fun. A taxi driver, Mr Bola told Saturday Vanguard that he only operated at night.

According to him, he starts working from 10 pm till 5am daily while he rests in the day time. He said he makes what he calls ‘his cool money’ at night. He said all he does is to hang around these busy night clubs and restaurants turned night clubs for patronage, adding that most of his clients were girls.

The taxi driver said some of the girls move to as much as three, four clubs in one night until they meet a guy that is ready to engage them for their ‘service’ for the night. “These girls they pay well o, Oga Journalist, “, he said.

Unlike in the past when residents of Port Harcourt lived in fear, with increased security patrol, night life has returned again, this time with much fun in Port Harcourt widely referred to as Garden city.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012— 47

Providing motorable road for Nigerians is my commitment

A

t my inaugural meet ing with key stake holders on assumption of office at the Federal Ministry of Works in July, 2011, I pointed out that the Transformation Agenda of the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Administration requires us at the Federal Ministry of Works to change those embedded organizational culture that have continued to hinder the efficient delivery of services to our fellow country men and women, by creating a new vision for the ministry.

The essence of the new vision is to bequeath to our nation, good and motorable road network. I promised that I will provide the necessary leadership and support to make that vision the new reality in the ministry.

One year after, are we on course on this new reality in the road sector? Yes. Are we better off than we were on year ago when road project sites were abandoned and travelers suffered untold hardships on our roads from Ore to Benin, Onitsha to Owerri, Gombe to Potiskum, Abuja to Lokoja,

Ibadan to Ilorin, among others? The answer is YES! Are we where we want to be? The answer is NOT YES YET! I understand the challenges we face in the road sector. I know that many Nigerians are still unhappy with the state of some of our roads. Though

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By Mike Onolememen

“Project Safe Passage” will be considered as a contingency for failed sections of road alignments

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rehabilitation and reconstruction works have been stepped up on majority of our ongoing projects and about 11 road projects such as the Vom-Manchok road (Plateau State), Yola-Numan road (Adamawa State), Gombe Bye-pass (Gombe State), Kaduna Refinery road (Kaduna State), KanoDaura-Mai Adua road (Katsina State), Aba-Owerri road (Abia State), Onitsha-Owerri

road (Anambra State) and OyoOgbomosho road (Oyo State) have been completed, too many Nigerians that do not ply these roads do not appreciate the progress we have made in the last one year. This is understandable, as Nigeria is a very big country with about 35,000 km of federal roads spread across the 36 States of the federation.

However, in furtherance of our commitment to improve federal roads network in all parts of Nigeria, we are opening a new chapter in the delivery of services on Nigerian roads, with “Project Safe Passage” on federal roads across the country.

The implication of this new initiative is to ensure that by December 2012, Nigerians will be able to experience good road corridors devoid of potholes, which will in turn promote safe motoring and passage on federal roads across the country.

The strategy for the realization of the safe passage project is to ensure that contractors engaged by the Federal Ministry of Works and FERMA take immediate steps to recover all sections of their road align-

Mike Onolememen

ments that have failed or pothole ridden as a matter of urgency, before proceeding with the normal programme of works for the contract.

In other words, “Project Safe Passage” will be considered as a contingency for failed sections of road alignments. Federal roads without subsisting contracts will be taken over by FERMA through its direct labour scheme for the implementation of “Project Safe Passage”. In order to empower contractors to be able to deliver on this project, the Federal Ministry of Works has paid all outstanding certificates on all its projects to the respective contractors.

Contractors with ongoing contracts on federal roads have since been directed to submit

their programme of works for the ‘safe passage project.’

Contractors will be held accountable to the approved programme of works.

As the contractors commence work on this important project that has Mr. President’s endorsement, Federal Government accords great importance to this ‘safe passage project’ which is expected to bestow significant safety benefits to an eagerly expectant people of this country who ply these roads daily. On our part, the Federal Ministry of Works shall provide all necessary support to make it a worthwhile venture.

Mike Onolememen, Minister of Works, writes from Abuja.

The Uniabuja Crisis: Is the end near?

By Emmanuel Aziken

O

bserving the deca dence and crises that have bedevilled the University of Abuja recently, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie said: “We are going to clean Abuja it is the flag ship of this nation. When people fly into Abuja and they want to go to the University, I am always shy to take them there, it will happen in another two years we will get to that place, that is the issue of Abuja.”

The University of Abuja is certainly not the most prestigious of the scores of federal universities in the country.

Certainly not by any standard academic or in terms of infrastructural development.

Established in 1988 the university has, however, in its short existence packed a full load of crises, totally incomparable to what may have been witnessed in many older universities.

The University of Abuja understandably drew to itself attention of being the major ter-

Prof. Julius Okojie tiary institution in the federal capital. It was as such not unusual that many of the institutional breaches that have bedevilled the Nigeria as a country have found themselves into the university.

Remarkably, the location of the university at the federal capital was able to draw the attention of many top Abuja based politicians who used their proximity to the institution to remedy or upgrade their academic qualifications.

As they came, the systemic deficiencies in the polity also came on board.

However, central to the present crisis in the university is the suspension of some major academic programmes run by the university by the federal government.

The Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Rufa’I, had on April 4, 2102 announced the suspension of medicine, veterinary medicine, engineering and agriculture from the programmes run by the university.

The announcement inevitably further degenerated the already tensed situation in the university arising from what many saw as the breaches in the lead-

ership of the institution.

Remarkably, the crisis is believed in many quarters to be a direct face off between the incumbent Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. James Adelabu and the legacy he inherited on assumption of office about three years ago. At the centre of that crisis of confidence is the allegation that the previous administration of the university headed by Prof. Nuhu Yaqoob unnecessarily widened the scope of the academic programmes leading to the present stress being faced by the present administration.

The present administration led by Adelabu in a desperate attempt to restore the academic programmes suspended as a result of lack of preparation it was learnt is now running against time to make up the requirements put forth by the regulatory bodies to ensure that the accreditation is restored.

Towards meeting the physical infrastructure requirements, the school administration has reportedly expedited action to complete a veterinary clinic for the School of Veterinary Medicine, a Medical building for the School of Medicine and an Ag-

riculture building for the School of Agric.

Human resources especially lecturers have also been engaged for the School of Engineering ahead of another visit by the regulatory bodies of the four disciplines next month.

Noting the rot in the university and how it came about during a session with newsmen last July, Prof. Okojie said: “You know what I’ve always said; the politics of the system is too much. (University of) Abuja has been a system against itself. Don’t forget, it was founded just in 1988, have you ever seen a University that has stayed in one primary school for that number of years? The first Vice-Chancellor was there for 10 years, ask.”

“The next one followed, five years; there was somebody who acted for a period of timeanother five years. These programmes you are talking of were established in 2005 (during the tenure of Prof. Yaqub) against all advice from NUC.” Noting that the Yaqub administration was urged not to start the programmes when it started them, he said:

48 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

Lagos robberies:

Slain Police Corporal had premonition of his death

•as 1yr-old baby undergoes surgery to remove bullet from skull

By EVELYN USMAN and ESTHER ONYEGBULA

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•Baby Taiwo

•Late Corporal Gift probably escaped the bell of death that was jingling . But no! He rather chosed to obey his constitutional clarion call, only to be shattered by the bullets of those he was trained to fight.

When Crime Guard visited the 39-year-old Corporal’s residence at 10, Edosa Street, Ijaniki,Thursday, sympathizers were seen discussing the tragedy that had befallen the Delta Stateborn Gift. Out of curiosity, these reporters asked after his widow, only to be told that she died about seven years ago, leaving behind their two children; a boy and a girl.

Unable to bear the burden of looking after the children who were then eight and five years respectively, Gift , resorted to taking them to his aged mother in Isoko, Delta State.

The deceased elder brother, Mr EjiroOgbor, who spoke with Crime Guard, lamented that “ If he had known, he would have remained at home. those who saw him last Saturday said they asked what he was doing at home by that time and he told them he had been sick and was instructed to go home for treatment. He siad he was supposed to resume the previous day, which was on Friday but that he called his boss to inform him he was not yet okay. He then stated that he would manage to go to work the next day being Sunday, since he had

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AGOSIANS experienced the most violent robbery operation last Sunday, after a 12-man-robbery gang in a convoy of three vehicles held the entire state hostage. The heavily armed gang in a commando-like manner, fired sporadically as they moved from one area to another, leaving in their trail the death of three policemen and several others.

Although the ‘evil day’ has come and gone. But it left in its wake anguish, vacuum hard to be filled and emotional wreckage in the hearts of many families whose loved ones were sent to their early graves.

Some of them were Christian faithfuls who were either on their way to or from their respective places of worship.

Among them was a woman around Gbagada area simply identified as Mrs Gbadebo, who was reportedly hit by a stray bullet from the robbers who fired indiscriminately as they were leaving the Bureaude-Change office, where over N200 million was reportedly carted away.

The dare-devils who threw caution to the dogs, engaged a team of policemen attached to the Rapid Response Squad in a fierce gun battle in Ikeja area, leaving three of them dead. Even in the face of death, the policemen braced up to the challenge and fought like gallant men. But unfortunately, they were overpowered by the number of the bandits.

There were however indications that one of the slain policemen, Corporal Gift Ogbor, had a premonition of the unexpected. Crime Guard gathered that the widower reported at the office that same day, after being on sick leave for a week. Even on that day, he was reportedly hesitant to go to work, as he told some of his friends that he would manage to report at work and come back early.

Perhaps, if he had listened to his intuition, he would have

He was mama’s favorite. He was always sending money to her on monthly basis for his children’s upkeep and other needs

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already taken an extra day off.

I never knew the lingering illness was a warning sign for him not to go to work that day”.

Meanwhile, back in Delta State,the news of Corporal Gift’s demise has left members of his family shattered. His mother whose age was put over 60 years, seemed to be the worst hit as she currently finds it difficult to come to terms with the rude shock of her son’s death.

A relative who spoke on condition of anonymity stated that, “ he was mama’s favorite.

He was always sending money to her on monthly basis for his children’s upkeep and other needs”, he stated, quoting the old woman as asking questions on why such fate should befall her, wishing she had died in her son’s stead.

Describing the late Gift as a

generous and caring man, his elder brother, Ejiro said, “ He touched virtually every life here. He was caring and generous in his own little way.

He never fought nor quarreled with any of his co-tenants during his stay in this compound. His death has dealt us with a heavy blow. My worry now, is my mother .

He paused for a while, bent his head and when he lifted it, it was obvious he was trying hard not to betray his emotion.

But he managed to continue, “ My major worry are the children. Who will continue from where their father stopped?. You know what? Gift was everything to them and my mother. His first child, Onorode is 15 years old while the second one, a girl, is 12 years. He had dreams of sending them to the university and refused to re-marry after his wife’s death seven years ago. Even when we urged him to re-marry, he would say he did not want any woman to deprive him of taking care of his children. He said he would only re-marry after the children would have graduated from the university, pointing out that by then, they would have been old enough to fend for themselves. He always prayed for our mother to be alive till then , so as to inculcate good morals in the children . But little did he realise he would not live to see his dreams come through”, he stated..

Crime Guard was reliably informed that the late Corporal’s children who have been rendered orphans by their father’s demise might not be able to continue their education in private school, as their was making arrangement on how to send the children’s 1st term school fees at the end of September, after he must have received his salary, only to be deprived by the bullets from men of the underworld.

1-yr-old victim of stray bullet undergoes surgery .

Meanwhile, several other persons who also sustained bullet woulds are nursing them in different hospitals.

Among them is one -year-old Taiwo Lawal, who is currently lying at the Intensive Care Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital(LUTH) Idiaraba, Lagos. Baby Taiwo was hit by the robbers stray bullet while playing outside his father ’s compound at Gbagada. The bullet as gathered, pierced through his skull.

Explaining, his father, Wasiu Lawal, said, “Immediately the incident happened, we rushed him to Gbagada General Hospital from where he was placed on oxygen and drip.

Because of the severity of the injury, he was refereed to LUTH, where a surgery was carried on him. A scan was done where it was discovered that the bullet pierced through one end of his skull to the other end but it did not exit through the other end. And it also missed his brain. We were told that had the bullet exited, he would have bled to death.

He lamented on Wednesday that the family had spent all they had on their son and appealed to well meaning Nigerians to come to their aid financially with aview to getting baby Taiwo back on his feet again.

Responding to the appeal, Telecommunication giant, MTN, donated the sum of N500,000 for the treatment of the baby Thursday, a gesture Mr Lawal described as a practical display of humanitarian service.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 — 49

By ALBERT AKPOR

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•The abandoned bundles of carpets INSET: NDLEA Chairman Amadu Giade shall continue with investigation until those behind the illegal shipment are brought to book.

Continuing, the agency image maker said though the consignment originate from Lahore, most of the

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or almost two weeks, there was growing apprehension over abandoned bundles of carpet at the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company NAHCO, a subsidiary of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria FAAN. Some officials of the aviation handling company thought it could be one of those abandoned consignments, others thought otherwise. One week on without any one claiming ownership of the goods, it was therefore agreed that operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA be invited and have it thoroughly scrutinized before its evacuation to a safer section of the shed pending the arrival of the elusive importer. In the mean time, while the consignment which reportedly originated from Lahore, Pakistan was being unfolded and consciously inspected, there was a shocking revelation that it was after all, an agent of hard drug trafficking. Six out of the twelve bundles contained powdery substance which tested positive for heroine and were carefully concealed in the carpets.

The drug which weighed 24.5kgs had its street value put at a whopping N294m.

Shocked at the strange discovery, officials of the antinarcotic agency say it was the first time ever in the history of interdiction to have hard drugs concealed in carpets.

Whereas, there is still growing speculation that the drug may have been imported into the country by a strong syndicate for onward transition to user countries, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA has announced that it was already collaborating with its international allies and beaming its searchlight on Pakistan and the neighboring Asian countries with a view to unraveling brains behind the importation of the consignment christened ‘carpet of death’NDLEA’s public affairs Director, Michelle Ofoyeju who confirmed the development said the agency would stop at nothing to crack brains behind the importation of the hard drugs into the country.

He said, ”The drug syndicate did their best concealing the drug but it was not good enough to go undetected. If drug barons will not lack concealment methods, we also will not be tired of detecting narcotics. This seizure is unique because it is the least place anyone will go to in search for narcotics. We

estimated value of the drug is 294 million naira. It is the first discovery of drug inside carpets in the country. Mr. Ofoyeju further informed that anti-narcotic operatives had to monitor the suspicious cargo for one week upon

The drug syndicate did their best concealing the drug but it was not good enough to go undetected. If drug barons will not lack concealment methods, we also will not be tired of detecting narcotics.

information contained on the airways bill were fabricated stressing, “The consignment described in the airway bill as Pakistani hand-knotted new woollen carpets originated from Lahore, Pakistan. It left Karachi Airport in an Emirate flight as unaccompanied cargo and taken to Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Shed, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. The

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arrival and thereafter, decided to conduct a search on it when it was clear that nobody would show up to claim it; adding, “ In all, there were twelve pieces of carpets but only six contained heroin. The heroin was prepared into tiny bits inside plastic hollow treads and woven in a way that makes it difficult to detect unless it is unfastened”

•Strands of handwoven threads containing the drugs

50 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

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Okada riders...banned in Bayelsa

Okada ban takes toll on

Yenagoa residents

ban, the absence of okada on the roads is already having its toll on the commuting public who hitherto rely mostly on motorcycles for township shuttling due to the dearth of taxis in the towns.

Investigation shows that before the launch of the “Restoration cabs” motorcycles dominate about seventy percent of means of transportation in the capital city and its environs,

Okada riders streets of Yenagoa, there was a strange calm as no commercial motorcyclist was seen on the road.

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aunching the new State transport scheme, in Yenagoa, Governor Seriake Dickson explained that the new transport system was not targeted to drive out of the state operators of the commercial motorcyclists but to encourage them to participate in the new scheme for the benefit and safety of the people of the state.

According to him, the newly introduced taxi system cost the state N600m and launched with 200 taxi cabs and 100 triowheel vehicle, “the present administration is working hard to develop the basic infrastructure of the state, it was imperative to provide world class transport system

alongside the proposed deep sea ports and airports.

“The new transport system is a pilot scheme and they are intended to serve as a source of empowerment for the people as well as expand the economy of the state. We will soon be procuring buses to add to the fleet of the scheme.

“I urge the beneficiaries of the scheme to be worthy ambassadors of the state as they are likely to be the first point of contact for visitors to the state as well as assist in the maintenance of security by alerting the security agents on any suspicious movements.”

Though some civil servants and other car owners have converted their vehicles to taxi so as to get a piece of the action occasioned by the

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ntil penultimate Sat urday, not many believed the streets and highways of Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital could be rid of motorcycle operators popularly known as Okada.

Though the state government had given Friday, August 31, 2012 as the deadline for Okada operators to take their bikes off the highways, it was the conclusion of many that Governor Seriake Dickson would bow to pressure like his predecessors and abandon the move at the last minute.

Saturday Vanguard learnt this position may have been reinforced by the several failed attempts by successive administrations to dislodge okada operators from operating in the capital city.

Moreover, it was discovered that about two thirds of the vehicles procured by the past administrations to revitalize its prostrate transport sector were hijacked and converted to private use with the result that in the absence of the taxis on the roads, okada became the alternative means of commuting in the capital city.

However, Governor Dickson, against all odds stood his ground and refused to buckle to pressure allegedly brought on him to discard the planned ban on okada blamed for the recent upsurge in violent crimes and several avoidable accidents some of which left their victims maimed with some other unlucky ones losing their lives.

To underscore the administration’s seriousness on the ban, the government penultimate Friday formally launched its new transport scheme, tagged “Restoration Cab,” amidst fear from residents of the state capital following the mass movement of operators of okada out of the state due to the September 1 commencement of the ban on their operations in the state.

Thousands of commercial motorcyclists were seen that Friday and early hours of last Saturday moving out of the state capital in droves to beat the expiration time of the ban.

Many also engaged in last minute businesses before the ban, while others mostly made up of indigenes of Northern states were seen with strapped bags and baggage along the exit points of the state capital.

Saturday Vanguard investigations revealed that the areas predominantly used as residence by Hausa okada operators were deserted.

Moving through major

Governor Dickson, against all odds stood his ground and refused to buckle to pressure allegedly brought on him to discard the planned ban on Okada blamed for the recent upsurge in violent crimes

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thereby rendering thousands of people stranded.

As a result, some car owners, particularly civil servants are cashing in to make brisk business as the new taxis cannot meet the demand of the commuting

public including students, civil servants and traders, many of whom now have to trek to schools, markets or places of work.

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here is now rush at the bus stops with the result that the weak especially nursing mothers are always at the receiving end as they are shoved aside by the strong to board the few available vehicles on the roads which are grossly inadequate.

A commuter, Mrs. Antonia Ebiowei with a baby strapped on her back said, “the taxis on the roads are grossly inadequate for Yenagoa town.

This is no doubt a trying period for us. I have been waiting here for more than one hour for cab but could not board any because of the mad rush.”

For Aziba Leo, a farmer, government should review the ban or deploy taxis on the Imiringi- Elebele- Sani Abacha routes to enable them convey their farm products to markets in Yenagoa given the distance they have cover in the course of accessing their farm from the major road.

“We are suffering because you can’t trek long distance into the bush to reach to our farms, not to talk of absence of taxis to help you convey your harvest to the market, hence our reliance on motorcycles,” he said.

SATURDAY Vanguard,SEPTEMBER 15, 2012—51

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he National Assembly is house of iniquity; all forms of iniquity are there; from the case of Lawan, it is obvious there is no hallowed man in the National Assembly. But there may be a few who are on the sideboard. However, we need progress in our country.

Can the President survive the chaos in the country, the antiJonathan sentiments and the move by the North to reclaim power in 2015?

The survival of Jonathan de-

himself should do his work.

The National Assembly is saying, implement the budget; the budget should be implemented. We do know that members of the National Assembly are not honest. They are looking for money to execute their constituency projects and you know that in this country most of these contracts are not well done. Where a contract of say a N100,000, the National Assembly will put it at N3 million, or N4 million.

Are you not aware? I think what the National Assembly members are currently indulging in is subterfuge; they are setting trap for Mr. President because they have discovered omission and commission.

They neither can say we are going to equity with clean hands, but the president should realize that there is divine mandate he has to execute and once the president is right, everything will go on well in the country.

Goodnews Eichie

Jonathan’s survival in power depends on him —Eichie

As the plot to impeach President Jonathan begins to wane, veteran journalist now a man of God, Goodnews Eichie aka John Africa has declared that the lawmakers are equally guilty as charged. Mr. Eichie who doubles as the national coordinator, South-South ideological forum told Gabriel Enogholase that Jonathan must insist on integrity in order to move the nation to the next level. Excerpt.

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N move by the House of Reprentatives to impeach the President: Well, there is no need to impeach the president because those agitating for his removal are equally guilty of the same offence. You see, we seemed to all be guilty of negligence towards our national development.

There is today a complete lack of vision in every segment of our society. Talk about the churches, mosque, and the government itself, we are suffering from national apostasy and denudation. We need to revampin order to think straight. There is complete visionlessness; People only talk about money and not the issue.

You can see today the structure of our country is in high rising building owned by individuals while the roads are riddled with potholes all over the country. Jonathan is not only the guilty one, but perhaps Jonathan himself has not been able to actualise the divine mandate God gave him.

Jonathan became the President not because he is the best Nigerian, but because God wanted to prove to Nigerians that he is God Almighty. That is why he picked a man from the minority of minorities, a gentle man who is not even overtly ambitious, who under normal circumstances will be struggling to be a governor or a deputy governor to become the first in the history of Nigeria. He was nominated as a deputy governor by providence. He became a governor by providence. Subsequently, he was nominated Vice President by providence and eventually emerged president.

Today, we find a situation where issues of the government are being trivialized.

Those of us who are leaders in the Niger Delta Region are pained because Jonathan is our love son. The issue of impeachment does not even arise.

If the national assembly say, okay let us go and meet the president over the issue raised against him. I mean it is an issue of going to Equity with clean hands. We must all be ready to work for the good of the country.

Any attempt by antiJonathan elements to remove Jonathan either by a coup or impeachment will be counter productive

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pends on Jonathan. God said Jonathan is the only one. God has given him leadership.

It is for Jonathan to make a good use of the power, the mandate that God has given him. God has said, give me the glory. He did not give God money for God to give him presidency. The Lord says Jonathan should model leadership by showing that he will not be corrupt, himself and his wife. too; he should integrate the country; bring Hausa/Fulani/Birom/Edo/Esan/Ibo together as one country because we have lived together for too long. There is no need for us to separate now. And to divide now will be costly. Jonathan

should avoid men of iniquity particularly those who want to tell him what he wants to hear.

Are you not sending him a signal to do what the National Assembly says he should do?

Before the election I told you that the Lord gave me a vision, has any of you be able to sit down and articulate my vision word for word. Before the Election I told you that this man is going to have an overwhelming majority and there is not going to be a run up; that he was going to win over 60%.

God revealed those things to me in a vision and the power of the president. The president

Don’t you think Jonathan created the room for corruption since he refused to publicly declare his assets?

I do not think so, if he did not declare his asset, but there are laws guiding all these things. For instance, even if a president was corrupt, he can decide to chang. It was done before in this country. When Gen. Murtala Mauhammed started his own revolution what did he do? He gave up all his personal belongings to the state. Today corruption has reached unprecedented proportion.

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oday we have around the president a few in dividuals who are desperate for positions instead of being part of the success story. The short coming of the regime did not start today. It began from the Babangida’s regime. However, Jonathan cannot run away from his mandate.

Any attempt by anti-Jonathan elements to remove Jonathan either by a coup or impeachment will be counter productive. We need dialogue, we need good government and you cannot have dialogue and good governance when you yourself you are always begging for contract. Men who love this country should not be looking for what they will get from the government; This is the only way we can avoid the journey to Kigali.

Nigeria cannot stand as one nation because a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.

52—SA TURD A Y Vanguard 52—SATURD TURDA anguard,,

SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

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If we invest in agriculture, we can easily overrun and eradicate poverty in the country

Agriculture will reduce poverty—Expert A

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experts has a d v i s e d Nigerian graduates to begin learn how to crate jobs for themselves as the problem of unemployment persists.

An animal farm expert, Prince Arinze Onebunne, in his summission at a recent talkshop observed that most Nigerians proceed to higher institutions of learning for the purpose of acquring a paper degree that will make them eligible “to secure white-collar jobs”.

According to him, this kind of dream is like one learning to become a well paid slave forever. He said that, the government is already saddled with the responsibility of providing jobs for the citizens, can no longer cope with the ever increasing job seekers.

Many have been retrenched without recourse to due processes, he said. “It is never too late for you to start your own animal farming business and become your own master and selfemployed.

“These days, we need to produce students who are

not job seekers, but who would create jobs for themselves and others so that the rate of unemployment would reduce drastically in the country. Our educational system is producing followers and most people learn to become employees not business owners. Our schools teach students to get jobs and work for someone else; our graduates learn to be good employees. Even parents encourage their children to “get a good education so that you can get a good job”. Why couldn’t they say, “get a good education so that you can own a business or become an employer.

Teach a man how to fish and he would be able to catch enough fish than depending on charity or tokenism in the guise of poverty alleviation programme or whitecollar jobs.

“Agriculture remains an untapped potential of the nation, which successive governments have not fully invested in. It is necessary to focus on agriculture where the nation has a comparative

Onebunne advantage. Onebunne said, Nigeria needs to invest more in agribusiness. All hands must be on deck to return Nigeria to sustainable

agriculture, state, local government authorities, federal and private institutions should embrace agriculture, which holds greater

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promise for our future generation than oil. He stated that, agriculture is the way forward if Nigeria must join the league of industrialised nations. It is a known fact that our people are suffering in the midst of plenty. “We have such a rich agricultural endowment in our huge arable land and massive manpower, yet our people are ravished by hunger and poverty. If we invest in agriculture, we can easily overrun and eradicate poverty in the country. It is perhaps for this reason that JOVANA FARMS is organizing nationwide training. Campaign to reach Nigerians interested in animal farming. We offer training services, farm set-up and consultancy on fish, snail, antelope and grasscutter farming. We have decided to spread our practical seminars across major cities in Nigeria. The

primary objective is to bring this golden opportunity to the door step of every Nigerian and see how we can lift as many Nigerians from poverty. We educate participants on farm construction, cages designs, handling, packaging and maintenance.

They realise at the end how supplementing feed, productivity and improved specie breeds are critical for business success.

However, the goal is to enrich livelihoods by helping small-holder farmers, processors, and other market players to raise farm animal for food and income. JOVANA FARMS have grown in size and services to meet the needs of Nigerians and also become a valuable partner in the government’s efforts to build a competitive and profitable livestock economy.

Jovana farms organises nationwide sensitisation training seminars on the practical ways of making it through small scale farming. Attend our nationwide seminars nearest to you to know more opportunities in grasscutter farming. Visit www.jovanafarm.com for more details. Choose also the nearest venue from the advert box in this page.

Western Union Foundation, UEFA Europa League unveil new education initiative The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), a leader in global payment services and new global partner of the UEFA Europa League, and the Western Union Foundation, have announced their ability to turn every successful pass in this season’s competition into funding to support one day’s education for young people around the world.

Called PASS, the initiative will be fronted by former international football star, Patrick Vieira and start during the group stage of the UEFA Europa League Season 2012/13, which kicks off on September 20 across Europe. The initiative aims to reach one million school days over the next three seasons and builds on the work the company has already done to support education globally.

Speaking, the President/ CEO, Western Union, Hikmet Ersek, said, moving money for better is at the heart of what we do, and education is one of the main reasons our customers send money”. “According to UNESCO(1), 71 million bright, hardworking students globally are not enrolled in secondary or vocational education. It’s a tremendous loss of economic and human potential, since each extra year of school can increase an individual’s potential economic opportunity.

Through PASS, we intend to harness the power of football to build awareness of this challenge as well as deliver on-the-ground support that will make a difference to young people and their communities.”

The initiative will provide teacher training and

student scholarships through nonprofit, non g o v e r n m e n t a l organizations (NGOs), with an initial focus on eleven countries – Brazil, China, Colombia, Jamaica, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Romania, Russia and Turkey.

“Where I come from, opportunities for a quality education are rare,” explained Vieira the former Caen, AC Milan, Arsenal, Juventus, Inter Milan, Manchester City FC and French international player, who was born in Senegal before moving to France at the age of eight and is currently football development executive at Manchester City FC. Vieira said, “Football was my ticket to success, but for the vast majority of young people education is the key and that allows them to

become whatever they want to be. That’s why I’m supporting this campaign.

It will benefit students, teachers and schools across the world, particularly in places that need it most, like Senegal where I was born,” he said.

In addition, UEFA events S.A, David Taylor, said, “as well as being broadcast to fans in over 200 countries, European football is the aspiration for many players around the world and last season players representing 113 different countries were involved in the UEFA Europa League.

Through Western Union’s PASS initiative, some of those players will be able to give something back to their hometown communitiesbeyondsimply the excitement and entertainment they create on the pitch.”

R_L: Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, accompanied by the Commissioner for Culture & Tourism, Ozo Joe Mmamel, Chief of Staff, Enugu State Government House, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, while receiving a cheque of forty million naira from the Group Head, Public Sector, First Bank of Nigeria PLC, Mrs. Nwanneka Okolo, in support of the 2012 Enugu State cultural fiesta, at the Government House, Enugu

SA TURD AY V ANGU ARD, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012—53 SATURD TURDA VANGU ANGUARD,

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oo many people are today being deceived that their future is hopeless and that nothing good can come out of it. They have been lied to by Satan that change is not possible.

Some believe this lie or their present situation because probably they have tried certain things for years and yet no positive change has occurred.

Thus, they have concluded that their lives can never be better.

God has sent me to you today to let you know that His thought concerning you is of peace and not of evil and to give you an expected glorious end, a future and a hope (Jer. 29:11). God did not create you with a destiny that is useless. God is a glorious God. Everything He does is wonderful. This is why I know that your life is planned with great wonders waiting to happen. Don’t believe the lie that your present status is your destiny. It is not true. It can be changed.

You can change it.

Jabez in the Bible, was given the name by his mother. Jabez means sorrow, pain, displeasure etc. jabez was not responsible for his mother’s condition at birth yet the mother gave him a name that for a season was controlling his life. He saw himself as a hopeless person. Nothing seems to work for him. His brothers were celebrated

You can change your destiny everywhere they went while he was neglected.

He was not recognized.

He was despised by all.

Everywhere he turned to, he could only see sorrow.

His life was not only complicated but also messed up. To man there was no way out for him.

He has no future and so he was not important.

One beautiful thing about this whole situation was that his case seems unbearable. One would be wondering where is God? After all Jabez did not conceive himself, why should he be made to suffer unjustly. The truth is that before any man is formed God already

knows. Remember Jer. 1:5, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations”. So you see the destiny of a man is not in the hands of any man. It is in your hands.

God never creates anyone useless. There is no uselessness in God. He is an excellent God. Thus you are an excellent person. You may not look like it right now but that is the truth. Shortly, all those that look down on you will regret it because your destiny will soon change for good. The best of God

in your life will start to show forth. I perceive a stirring up in your Spirit.

It is time to rise up.

Jabez accepted his situation until a day and time like this when he said to himself God is a good God and so my destiny cannot be hopeless but colourful. He rose and saw himself beyond been sorrowful. He saw that there is a God who changed the life of Jacob and made up his mind to call upon that same God that is the same yesterday, today and forever. The God who said call upon me and I will hear and answer you and show you great and mighty things which you

do not presently know.

Thus, in 1 Chron. 4:9_10, the Bible states, “And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested”.

From the text above, Jabez’s destiny as orchestrated by the devil through the mother was changed by him. Jabez had to rise to the reality that he was not created for pain, shame and sorrow. This applies to you today. You can change your destiny now. The God who did it for Jabez will also do it for you. First, do you really desire a change? How desperate are you? When O

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For more details, contact us at Christ Reality Church, beside Gossard Hotel, opposite First Bank Sports Ground, Community Road, Satellite Town or P.O.Box, 3196, Yaba Lagos. Tel: 07029235279, 07029235280. E-mail: Johnson_crm@yahoo.com. Website: www.christrealityministries.org.

Our account details are Pastor Johnson Omomadia, Guaranty Trust Bank, A/C Nos. 0005171407.

Worship with us on Sundays, 1st Service: 745am-9:15am; 2nd Service 9:1511:30am. Wednesdays Word Revelation 6pm. Counseling days Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 11am-5pm daily or by appointment. Showers of blessing every 2nd - 4th Sat. of each month, 6 a.m - 7.15 am.

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you are truly desperate for a change, change will become inevitable.

Call on God now from the depth of your heart.

Cry out like the Isrealites did while in Egypt and God will hear you and change your destiny. Satan has denied you your glorious destiny for too long and it’s time to put an end to it now. Pray fervently about the change you desire and your destiny will begin to shine.

Have you given your life to Jesus? If not, please pray this prayer. Father, I come to you as I am. I invite Jesus into my life to be my personal Lord and Saviour. Wash me cleanse with the blood of Jesus and empower me with the power of your Holy Spirit.

Thank you Father for saving my soul and making me your child.

Your prayer request and praise reports will be welcomed. Our contact details are below.

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Between herdsmen and local farmers

By TONY NWANKWO tle. It was reported that the herdsmen, owner of the cattle, brought his bow and arrow to lay in wait for the farm owner. As he approached, the herdsman released his arrow and killed the farmer instantly. Confronted by the villagers, the Fulani herdsman, questioned why the farmer would lay trap in the farm. Reports abound on how these herdsmen pillage farmlands, destroy crops without let. This story is replicated all over the country, particularly down south, where these herdsmen bring their animals to forage. Rather than be happy, that they are citizens in a country they can move freely from

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or too long, Hausa/Fulani herdsmen with their herds have done so much damage to local farmers even as the Nigerian nation tend to treat issues raised by their actions with levity. Even a Nigerian minister, Prof. Jubril Aminu asked and got approval from the military government of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida on nomadic education, a policy that allowed herdsmen to receive education while herding their animals far from home. Aminu is from Maiduguri, Borno State, and became a senator. All these years, this preferential treatment has tended to bolster the image and selfimportance of these cattle rearers particularly as they herd their cattle and forage on lands away from theirs.

These herdsmen are said to be the major cause of the crisis that has enveloped Plateau State, Jos and environs, in particular, resulting in the maiming and killing of residents.

They come into farmlands to graze their animals, and you challenge them to your peril. Even the problem of settlers and indigenes that has claimed many lives and loss of billions of Naira is traced to the vengeful exploits of nomads in these communities.

Recently, in Edo State, while cattle were foraging in a farmland where taps had been laid against wild animals, one of the traps caught a cat-

did these cattle destroy farmlands in the state, the herdsmen engaged women in the farms and raped them.

This, in Igboland where rape is treated as taboo and the victims stigmatized and ostracized. Agreed that this country allows people to engage in trades or occupations of their choice, the Nigerian constitution does not authorise herdsmen to wander everywhere pillaging farms, hurting farm owners and bringing famine to a hard working people. Rather than be grateful for coming south with plenty of agrarian land, these people abuse the hospitality provided by their host.

Nigerian constitution does not authorise herdsmen to wander everywhere pillaging farms

their desert drought region to luscious green pastures in the south, they tend to relive their avowed ancestral ambition of dipping the Koran into the Atlantic Ocean..

This mind set is aggravated in Igbo land where the destruction affect the lives of local farmers. It replicates the suffering and loss to those who come in contact with these strangers.

According to another report, not only

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And to rape women to boot, is sacrilegious. It will be disgraceful for a couple of herdsmen to subdue a community in their own environment.

However, to those in Igboland who complain to government or go to the police on the excesses of these herdsmen, here is a story on how a community in Abia State solved the problem and neither the Hausa/ Fulani herdsmen nor their cattle

have had the courage to return.

An eye witness account had it that one early afternoon, three years ago, a farmer confronted herdsmen and their cattle in the farm. They were doing what they did best, forage on new plants, eat up fresh cash crops and destroying the cultivated land as they moved along. The farmer returned to his village to announce that Hausa/Fulani herdsmen were in the farms and were destroying things. As they discussed, one of the villagers asked whether the herdsmen actually came with the cows. The villager who had returned from the farm, answered in the affirmative. “While the herdsmen leaned on little trees, their herds pillaged the land”, he explained.

“Then, that is good meat. I have been hungry for meat for quite sometime”, one of the villagers reasoned.

By the time they confronted the herdsmen,12 of the cattle were down, so the herdsmen and the remaining cattle ran in different directions in the bush. How the herdsmen reunited with their herds and moved on is only a story they alone can tell. While the community feasted, neither the herdsmen nor their cattle have returned.

They will not return, talkless of having to rape women in the community.

What the communities who complain refuse to appreciate is that the cattle the herdsmen are moving about are raw meat, the same specie of cows they rush to buy for their meals on market days.

54 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

Nesiama sees bright future with PH high per perfformance centre

•Folasade

Presidential lar gesse: largesse:

No gold-digger will get my dollars, says Paralympian

BY BEN EFE

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i g e r i a n Paralympians are expecting a presidential windfall today, following their victorious runs at the London 2012 Paralympics Games. No doubt with a fist full of dollars they are a target for prospective lover boys or girls.

But one Paralympian that has learnt her lesson is power-lifter, Folasade Olufunmilayo who revealed how in the past men have left her high and dry, after getting a slice of the monies that she was able to earn representing Nigeria.

“No, I wont fall for that again. In the past, guys who were dating me were only interested in my money, but I’m through with that. I am getting married, once all the celebrations of our victory at the London 2012 Games are over,” said Olufunmilayo who won silver at the Games even as she set a new world record in the 75kg category.

She disclosed that her heartthrob is also a power-lifter and so they are keeping it in the ‘family’.

“He humbly proposed to me with all good intentions. And I feel that he is the one God has given to me.

“We are very happy together and there is nothing like he ‘chopping’ my money,” said the athlete a day after she sensationally lost a gold medal that she could have easily won, but for the lack of the understanding of the

rules by Nigerian officials.

She was brimming with happiness while she spoke of her love-life.

“With him beside me there is still much more to achieve in powerlifting.

“I have put the disappointment of not winning gold and God willing, I will get myself prepared for the 2016 Olympics.”

Olufunmilayo won the hearts of the watching spectators at the London ExCel Arena with her bravado. She was leading on the first and second attempts, but the Chinese officials played a fast one by cashing on the rules to make their athlete come out first having demanded for an increase in weight to 142kg, which their athlete lifted with a wobble. Olufunmilayo stepped on the stage and lifted 142kg. It didn’t occur to her coaches that she should have

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increased her weight and since the judges permitted the Chinese lift, Nigeria lost out on the gold due to the fact that Olufunmilayo had a greater body weight than her Chinese opponents.

“I want Nigerian officials to be on the board of the international governing body of power-lifting. It is because we don’t have anybody there, that is why we are being cheated. I wasn’t the only one who was outsmarted at the London 2012 Games, we could have won up to nine gold medals.

“The government should pay more attention to Paralympics sport by providing funds for training of coaches and officials. Personally when I retire from active sports I will go into officiating and also help more disabled people to come into sports,” said the athlete.

Thieves raid paralympian’s home

olice are trying to find the perso n who burgled a New Jersey woma n’s home while she was in Londo n comp eting in the Paralympics.

The suspect stole cash and jewelry from Cheryl Leitne r ’s Toms River home. Also missing were things the three- time track and field competitor earned at the Paraly mpic Game s in Beijin g, China and Sydney, Australia.

The 29-ye ar-old quadr iplegi c would n’t specify what the objects are becau se the investigation is ongoing.

However, Leitner tells the Asbur y Park Press they are things she could pass on when she has children so they could be proud of her.

Leitner’s family left for Londo n on Augus t 27 and her mother returned on Sunday to find the home ransacked.

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thletics Federation of Nigeria technical director, Omatsheye Nesiama has predicted a turn around for Nigerian athletics as the Port Harcourt high performance centre is set to come on stream.

Nigeria failed to win a medal at the London 2012 Olympics, but according to Nesiama the next two years are crucial for development and hopefully at the next Olympics there will be no sad tales to tell of the country’s athletics.

“With the Port Harcourt High Performance centre starting soon, we are looking forward to rapid development of athletics in Nigeria.

It has been approved by the IAAF and we are only putting things together to have it take off as soon as possible.

“As you know, the centre encompasses all aspects of athletics

development.

Local and international coaches will be on hand to train our athletes,” said Nesiama, a Nigeria Navy Captain.

He submitted that the AFN is taking a two prong approach in efforts to jump start the developmental programme. This include performance based training meant for athletes who are already matured and grassroots development, which will see coaches scout for young talents that will be groomed to international standards.

“Within the next two years, we hope to see a remarkable improvement in Nigerian athletics.

Some of the athletes we took to the Olympics are under 26 and we hope to give them all the necessary support and training to get them up to world standards performers.”

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print legend Usain Bolt has hailed coach Glen Mills as the key to his r e c e n t success at the London 2012 Olympics.

The 26year-old swept both sprints to

Bolt reveals secret of success become the first athlete to win backto-back 100 metres and 200 metres titles at an Olympic Games, following his success in the Beijing Olympics four years ago.

“I want to give thanks to Glen Mills. He is the greatest person; he has been a father figure, my mentor, he’s been a coach and for me he is the person that makes me laugh,” Bolt said on Wednesday.

“He’s truly a great person overall.

He is the greatest coach ever.”

Bolt returned to the island country last Saturday with little fanfare, following the conclusion of the lucrative Diamond League campaign with the last meet in Brussels.

He went unbeaten on the international circuit and his only losses during the season came at the National Trials in Jamaica in June when he suffered two shock defeats to training partner, Yohan

Blake.

That sparked mad speculation over Bolt’s form and raised serious doubt over his ability to defend his Olympic title.

Bolt praised his “true fans” for standing by him during that testing period.

“I just have one thing to say. Never doubt a champion,” Bolt said.

“I want to thank my real, true fans.

There were a lot of doubters and a lot of people were happy that I lost (trials) and were saying a lot of things. But my true fans, my coach, my team gave me that support and were 100 per cent behind me.”

He joked: “I want everybody to continue supporting Usain Bolt, Doctor, and the Honourable.”

Bolt won the 100 metres at the London Olympics in a meet record 9.63 seconds before also re-capturing the 200 metres in a season-best time of 19.32 seconds.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012—55

Eko 2012: Egbunike, Onyali partner Team Anambra

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NAMBRA state com-missioner for youth and sports, Dr. Edozie Okay Aroh, has revealed that the duo of Innocent Egbunike and

Golf: 60 golfers storm Lagos for Heineken Nigeria Cup N

O fewer than 60 pro fessional golfers from across the country have been invited to participate in the 16th edition of the Heineken sponsored Nigeria Cup slated to tee off at the golf section of the Ikoyi club in Lagos next weekend.

The tour professionals led by Lateef Lasisi, Tayo Babalakin, Chairman of the organising committee of the event disclosed, will take to the broad fairways of Ikoyi Club on Thursday September 27 while veteran golfers will have their way the following morning.

However, activities marking the event, Babalakin added, begin with the Children clinic from September 22 as he thanked Heineken for their support over the years. He explained that the Children’s clinic would be followed closely with the Caddies competition on Monday, September 24th.

Lady golfers are expected to take turn on the course on Tuesday September 25 while a special Nigeria Cup Independence kitty will commence another phase of the competition on Wednesday, September 26th. Joining the veterans in celebration of

Nigeria @ 52, are other invited guests from across the country.

Saturday, September 29th is the grand finale while curtain would be drawn on the month long event on Sunday September 30th.

Restating the brands commitment to golf development, Corporate Affairs Manager of Nigeria Breweries, Edem Vindah said sponsoring the event is the company’s own way of giving that to the society that has been very supportive. “Heineken is a premium beer; golf is a premium sport, so naturally there is a link.

And because we are a socially responsible organ-isation, we desire to contribute to the development of the area where we operate and sponsoring this tournament therefore is one way of doing that,”he said.

He maintained that the sports ministry was fully ready to rewrite Anambra state sports history at the festival and other subsequent sports events in the country.

His words: “We have discovered in recent times that Anambra state have had dwindling and series of poor perform-ances in major sporting competitions in the country and we are not happy with it.

From left, Media and Public Affairs Manager Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Edem Vindah, the Chairman Organising Committee, Nigeria Golf Cup Ikoyi Club, Mr. Tayo Babalakin, the Brand Manager Heineken, Mrs. kehinde Kadiri and Corporate Communications Manager Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Patrick Olowokere at the briefing in Lagos to usher in the Nigeria Cup.

Terry, Ferdinand row: Premier League insists on handshake

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HE Premier League has told QPR and Chelsea it has no plans to drop the pre-match handshake before Saturday’s West London derby, with both clubs indicating they will “ respect” it.

QPR’s Anton Ferdinand has indicated he will not shake hands with Chelsea defenders John Terry or Ashley Cole.

In July, Chelsea captain Terry was acquitted of racially abusing Fer-

dinand in last year’s corresponding match.

“We’ll go ahead with it, yes.” Di Matteo said.

“We’ll respect the rules.”

“And respect the protocol that is in place from the Premier League and set a positive standard to

Paralympians call for level playing field for athletes

By EDDIE AKALONU

T

Mary Onyali and other sports professionals in the state will partner Team Anambra at the Eko 2012 National Sports Festival slated for November this year. The renowned banker turned sports admini-strator stated this while inaugurating a 13-man Main Organizing Committee (MOC) at the Government House Awka the Anambra state capital.

WO of Team Nigeria’s medalists at the just con cluded London 2012 Paralympic Games, Lucy Ejike and Loveline Obiji have called on the sports authority in the country to provide a level playing ground for all athletes representing the country henceforth.

Ejike, gold medalist in the women’s 56kg powerlifting event and Obiji, silver medalist in the women’s 82.5 kg class said in Lagos the National Sports Commission, NSC should do a rethink about the place of athletes with disability since they have remained goal-getters and good sports ambassadors for the country.

Speaking in Lagos shortly on arrival from the London Games where the contingent won 6 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze medals, Ejike enjoined the authorities to provide better environment for training, and welfare for the disabled athletes.

“We deserve better treatment. We want improved facilities and good coaches to train as well as the

kind of training tour arranged for the athletes who went for the Olympic Games. We have shown more than enough capacity to perform and win laurels for this country,”said Ejike, whose 135 kg lift in her class earned her a silver.

On her part, Obiji, whose 143kg lift in the women’s 82 kg class earned Nigeria her 4th gold medal in power lifting, expressed hopes that the authorities would take measures to end the discrimination of athletes with disability.

“We have the flare to compete and make our country proud. Despite obvious neglect, we were determined to give our best for the country. I’m so glad we dd it for the country when all hopes for medals faded with the Olympics, “ she stated. She

added that, “though we are treated shabbily, I’m not discouraged but merely disappointed. We deserve better welfare and treatment. Obviously it is strange that the Nigerian Paralympic Games ambassadors were not accorded a befitting welcome. We came home to a poor and cold reception at the National Stadium in Lagos on Tuesday.”

the millions of people watching across the world.”

Senior officials from Chelsea and QPR have been in talks to defuse the growing tension surrounding the match at Loftus Road but the Premier League has intervened to say protocol must be followed.

Although Terry was cleared in court of racial-

ly abusing Ferdinand, the former England captain still faces a separate FA charge, which he denies. That hearing is expected to begin on 24 September.

“They ’ve recovered [from minor injuries], had a couple of days [of] training and we expect them to be available,” Di Matteo said of Terry and Cole.

Air Assault Golf Club ready for tourney

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HE count down to the 1st Nigerian Oil and Gas golf tournament is on and the organisers are intensifying efforts to give golfers a memorable tournament. This much was gathered from the manager of Up Sports Promotion company, Mr Bako Emmanuel who disclosed that the Air Assault Golf Club in Port Harcourt is indeed ready as its facilities are in top shape. He was full of praises for the management committee

for the work done for the tournament which is scheduled for September 28 to 30, 2012 and jointly organised by Upsports promotion company and oil and gas trade group of Port Harcourt.

He added that Chambers of Commerce has received positive responses from participating oil and gas companies as he commended Pabod Breweries for identifying with them as one of their major sponsors.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

NATIONS CUP:

By JACOB AJOM

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hile some Nigerians are seething with anger over the 2-2 draw the Super Eagles played last weekend with the Lone Star of Liberia in Monrovia in a 2013 Africa Nations Cup qualifier, others are still expressing shock that the match ended that way.

One of those still in shock is former national team captain, Chief Segun Odegbami, MON who described as “abnormal” the mere thought that “Liberia has become a threat to Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations ambition.”

Speaking with Saturday Va n g u a r d sports at t h e unveiling of the G l o Soccer Academy i n

•Mikel

I’m still in shock over Eagles draw — Odegbami •Challenges Keshi to sit up Lagos during the week, the former international said, “I am just shocked that we have allowed things to go as bad as to this level where Liberia can be considered a threat to us. It shows that there are so many things that we are doing that are not right and we need to look into them. If we have any problem with Liberia, then we better get rid of everybody and everything we are doing.”

Odegbami challenged the Stephen Keshi-led technical crew to sit up and ensure Nigeria got the best crop of players that could bring back the country to its right of place in international football.

“I just feel people are not satisfied with what is going on right now in the national team. It is not about the home-based or the foreign-based players.

They are not just getting it right and people are agitated. We need players who are committed, who will go in there and play to win. Right now we are not just contented.”

Beat Nigeria get N22m, Liberian president tells Lone Star

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IBERIAN President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has challenged the Lone Star to beat the Super Eagles in the return leg of the 2013 Nations Cup qualifier in Calabar next month and earn $140,000 (about N22m).

Johnson-Sirleaf made the charge while presenting a cheque of $75, 000 to the ambitious Liberian team after they downed Ghana’s Black Stars during a friendly in Monrovia during the week.

Liberia need a win or a 3-3 draw to stand a realistic chance of advancing

to the South Africa 2013 African soccer fiesta and according to JohnsonSirleaf, the win over the Black Stars has given Liberians courage that the Eagles will also fall come October 13 when the two teams clash in Calabar. Liberia have only appeared twice in the Nations Cup and that was in 1996 and 2002.

“What we saw demonstrated the combination of professionalism and team spirit. We are proud of you. And if you bring the Eagles down,

we will more than double what we have given to you,” said JohnsonSirleaf who is Africa’s first female President.

The first leg decided in Monrovia ended in a 22 draw, with Eagles coach Stephen Keshi feeling more of the pressure.

However, Nigerian striker Emmanuel Emenike stated that Eagles have their destiny in their own hands and as such the Lone Star will have no hiding place.

“The 2-2 draw was not

a bad result for us in such a tough away game, though we wanted to beat them and we were on course for that but they eventually drew level,” the Spartak Moscow star said.

“We have to accept the fact that there are no minnows in football again and all the African teams want to beat Nigeria. We have the ticket in our own hands. We have assured President Jonathan of the Nations Cup ticket and we will get in Calabar,” he stressed.

•Keshi

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1.Super Eagles Assistant Coach, Sylvanus (6) 4.MD/CEO BUA Group of Companies, Isiaku (5) 7.L.G.A in Cross River State (4) 8.The Oba of Lagos, HRH Rilwanu (6) 9.Oman Currency (5) 10.Colour (4) 11.Minister of Trade & Investment, Mr. Olusegun (6) 14.Kenya’s First President, Jomo (8) 18.Australian Capital City (8) 21.Super Eagles Striker Victor (6) 24.Cameroun Indomitable Lions’ Midfielder, Alexander (4) 25.Delta State Capital (5) 26.State in Nigeria Known as “Salt of the Nation”? (6) 27.Borussia Dortmund Striker, Sebastien (4) 28.Town in Ogun State (5) 29.Anambra State Deputy

Governor, Dame Virgy (5) DOWN 1.United States President Barack (5) 2.Indian Currency Unit (5) 3.Inspector General of Police, Mr. Muhammed (8) 4.France ‘Les Bleus’ Winger and Bayern Munich Forward, Franck (6) 5.Lebanese Capital City (6) 6.Country in Africa (6) 12.Hausa Word for “Ten”? (4) 13.Senseless (4) 15.L.G.A. in Imo State (8) 16.L.G.A. in Jigawa State (4) 17.Country in Africa (4) 18.Uruguay Striker and Napoli. Centre Forward, Edinson (6) 19.L.G.A in Gombe State (6) 20.L.G.A. in Edo State (6) 22.Brand of Soft-drink (5) 23.Spain and Liverpool FC Goalkeeper, Jose (5)

SOLUTION ON PAGE 53

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