How Okonjo-Iweala's mum was rescued

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2—SATURDAY VANGUARD,DECEMBER 15, 2012

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Vanguard , DECEMBER 15, 2012, —3

4—SATURDAY VANGUARD,DECEMBER 15, 2012

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How Okonjo-Iweala’s mother was rescued •Between N10 m – N15 million ransom paid •Ransom dropped somewhere on notorious Benin-City bypass •Boy arrested •Professor Kamene Okonjo flown to Abuja with son, Onyema to reunite with daughter

BY EMMANUEL AMAIZE, REGIONAL EDITOR, SOUTH-SOUTH, AUSTIN OGWUDA AND FESTUS AHON

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IX days after a 10-man kid nap gang seized Professor Mabel Kamene Titi Okonjo, mother of the Minister of Finance, Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, the 82-year-old retired professor of Sociology at the University of Nigeria, UNN, Nsukka, was released, yesterday morning, by her kidnappers in Benin City, Edo State, after collecting between N10 and N15 million ransom.

Suspect arrested

A young boy, suspected to have been used by the kidnappers as a “sacrificial lamb” to lead the old woman to safety after the ransom was delivered to them on Saturday, was however arrested by security agents to help them unravel the identities of the hostage takers.

Prof Okonjo flown to Abuja

Professor Kamene Okonjo was shepherded to her Ogwashi-Uku home by security agents, who kept the information secret.

Journalists, who kept vigil at the country home of the Okonjos, waiting for her to be brought home did not know when she finally arrived as she was already inside at about 1.56 pm when the reporters noticed unusual movements in some parts of the compound.

Unlike December 9 when she was forcefully taken away, she was gently led yerterday from the house, to a vehicle which took her to the Asaba Airport, ostensibly on her way to Abuja, to reunite with her daughter, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

She was accompanied on the trip by her son, Onyema.

The chartered flight that took her to Abuja departed at about 2.29 pm even as soldiers, the Police and Customs officials prevented photographers from taking pictures of the event throughout the duration.

It was gathered that because of the tense situation at home, her husband and monarch of Ogwashi-Uku, Obi Chukwuka Okonjo Agbogidi, who travelled out 24 hours before the queen mother was abducted, was advised not to return home yet.

It was learnt that security would be beefed up in the palace as more soldiers would be deployed to the area before the return of the monarch to Ogwashi-Uku.

Jonathan, OkonjoIweala thank Uduaghan

Her elated daughter, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, reportedly called Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State to thank him for his immense support towards the release of her mother.

Saturday Vanguard also gathered President Goodluck Jonathan was alerted as soon as Prof Okonjo was released, yesterday morning. A source said President Jonathan was also happy with the news and commended the governor for a job well done.

Negotiations for Professor Okonjo’s release were carried out by her son, Prince Onyema Okonjo, who spoke various times with the kidnappers on telephone between Sunday, December 9, when she was snatched and yesterday morning.

Security agents monitored part of the negotiation with the kidnappers, but could not trace their exact location until ransom was paid.

Notorious Benin bypass

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he kidnappers planned their strategy and location in a manner that made it difficult for security agents to lay siege for them without being noticed and the negotiations for the release of the abducted woman cancelled. Moreover, the kidnappers were alleged to have sternly warned Onyeama that if security agents were conscripted into the arrangement of delivering ransom, his mother would die, and they (kidnappers) had nothing to lose.

The location was the notorious Benin City by-pass, along the Warri-Benin City – Lagos Expressway in Edo State.

Many motorists and passengers had either been dispossessed of their belongings or killed in some cases, in the past months, at this bad spot, but the police were yet to find solution to the incessant robberies on the road even as investigations have shown that some gangs of bandits hide their arms and ammunition in the forest, near the by-pass.

A source familiar with how Professor Okonjo was rescued

Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and her released mother, Prof. Kamene Okonjo told Saturday Vanguard that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan played a very big role in her release, as he provided necessary logistics and support.

Police confirm release of Prof Okonjo from Kwale

DELTA State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, yesterday, confirmed the release of Professor Kamene Okonjo.

He told reporters, “Delta State police command wishes to confirm the release of Her Majesty, Professor (Mrs) Kamene Okonjo. She was released unhurt in the early hours of today (yesterday). It could be recalled that on Sunday December 9, 2012 at about 1100 hours, unknown kidnappers kidnapped the Queen at the revered palace. The Delta State police supported by a crack team from the Inspector General of Police’s, IGP’s, Special Task Force, STF, on terrorism Abuja consciously and professionally, with due caution, swung into action bearing in mind the age of the octogenarian Professor. We collated intelligence on the activities of the hoodlums and struck at their hideouts in Asaba.”

“And in course of effecting the arrest of one of the notorious kingpins, Nwaeze Nwosa aka Bolaji, attempted to scale

the wall fence and was shot at by the team and he suffered fatal gunshot wounds. His corpse is presently deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC Asaba.

“Some recoveries were also made in the process, thus mounting pressure on the hoodlums, who eventually capitulated and hurriedly released Her Majesty. Also arrested in the course of the raid is one William Omenma”, said the CP. As at the time of this report, it was reliably gathered that the kidnapped octogenarian might be flown out of the country. An ash-coloured Golf car with registration number, Delta 697 AA and a white-coloured Toyota Mitsubishi bus with registration number Anambra KPP 64 XA, used for the kidnapping operation were recovered and parked at the State police headquarters, Asaba.

The Police Commissioner further added that the Queen mother was brought home on a motor cycle to Ogwashi-Uku palace right away from the Kwale hideout of her kidnappers where she was kept.

He however, declined to be drawn into the controversy over whether any ransom was paid or not, saying, “I cannot be involved in the issue of ransom because when you pay ransom , you are encouraging them ( kidnappers). The hostage val-

ue is where you have money to pay. Delta State Police Command will not get involved in any form of negotiations; if there was I don’t know.

“But all I am telling you is that mama is alive and I was there with her this morning.

Thank God that mama, at the end of the day, is out as I assured you people that we don’t want a situation where she would be hurt. Otherwise, if we had stormed that place (Kwale hideout), it could have been very bloody”, he stated.

When our reporters visited Ogwashi-Uku palace yesterday morning, the gate was under lock and key and people were prevented from getting into the palace.

However stern-looking armed soldiers and men of Customs were found inside the compound with low fence, even as the entire community was quiet.

Kidnappers actually started with S1 billion ransom demand

Our source said the kidnappers initially demanded for $1 billion as reported by the media despite the fact that the claim was denied by family sources and some security chiefs.

“They actually asked for the

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6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Police arrest kidnap suspect in military barracks Continues from pg 5 resignation of the Minister and mentioned the oil subsidy palaver,” it was learnt.

Reduced to N200 million, later N6 million

“But when they saw that the $1 billion would not fly, they reduced it N200 million.

“At a stage when they saw that N200 million was not forthcoming, they said they should be paid for the cars and guns, which they used in the operation which they estimated at about N6 million. However, they said the money should be tripled, meaning the ransom should be between N18 million to N20 million.

Nevertheless, the kidnappers assured that if ransom was paid without the involvement of security agents, they would release her safely and unhurt.

“They reiterated that they were aware that soldiers and the police had been directed to search for them, but said their lives were not worth the pains Prof Okonjo’s death would cause the family and the nation”, the source stated.

Finally, between N10 m – N15 million ransom paid

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ur source was not emphatic on the amount paid, but said, “Between N10 million and N15 million was paid as ransom” We gathered that it was after the kidnappers satisfied themselves that the Okonjos kept to their side of the bargain that they released the family’s matriarch yesterday morning in Benin City.

Saturday Vanguard did not know exactly how the young boy, who was asked to lead Prof Okonjo to where the family members would see her, was contracted, but the usual practice of kidnappers is to use somebody as scapegoat.

“In some cases, they would pay innocent person money and tell him to deliver a letter to their intended victim or as it is probable in this case, they would have told the young boy that the old woman was missing her way and later lured him

The palace of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku where the wife of the Obi, Prof. Kamene Okonjo was kidnapped to take her to where she would get a taxi to her place, or to where her family members were waiting for her, after which, they would call the family to look out for the woman at such a place, ” it was learnt.

Saturday Vanguard was further told yesterday, that security agents combed the Benin bypass for the kidnappers after Prof Okonjo was released, but the hostage takers had vamoosed.

“In fact, they made sure they left no trace but DSS operatives were said to be carrying out discreet investigations on the matter.”

Governor Uduaghan’s assurance comes true

Not many believed the Delta State governor, Dr Uduaghan, when he assured the Okonjo family and the people of Ogwashi-Uku, that the queen mother would be released unharmed.when he visited, 24 hours after the kidnap, During the visit, he charged the people of Ogwashi-Uku and the Okonjo royal family not to take the laws into their hands as the government was doing everything possible to rescue the abducted woman.

The governor stated that law enforcement agencies in the state

were already in the field gathering information as well as tracking down the perpetrators to ensure her safe return.

In particular, he enjoined the community leaders, vigilante groups and the entire Ogwashi-Uku community to remain calm and not to take any action that may prompt the kidnappers to act in rash manner that may be detrimental.

He stressed that only peaceful disposition as well as collaboration and cooperation with the law enforcement agents would ensure the desired objectives at that point in time.

Dr Uduaghan urged the people not to be involved in rumour mongering, as it was capable of jeopardizing the rescue efforts, explaining that only useful information would be required as the situation was delicate.

“Please do not get involved in rumour mongering and trading stories that will not help law-enforcement agents.

Only information that will help in her rescue is needed now,” he stated, pointing out that the perpetrators of the crime would be tracked down and brought to book.

His words, “I have been in touch with officers of various law enforcement agencies and

I assure you that Prof Kamene will be safely returned. The perpetrators of such a despicable crime will be brought to justice”.

Uneasy calm in Ogwashi-Uku

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he news of the re lease of the queen mother was received with reservation by the people of Ogwashi-Uku, as nobody had sighted her as at about 1.44 pm in her family house to confirm the report.

By 1.45 pm, Saturday Vanguard was told the Okonjo home at OgbeOfu quarters, OgwashiUku, where she was kidnapped, remained unusually quiet, as there was no sign that she has been released.

Deltans explode with joy, praise Uduaghan

Prominent Deltans, yesterday described the release of the Queen of Ogwashi-Uku, Prof Kamene Okonjo as an act of God and commended the State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and security operatives for their relentless efforts that ensured her release.

Among those who spoke were Mr Goodnews Agbi, Mr Newworld Sefugha and Dr Ebenezer Okorodudu.

Agbi said; “The release of Okonjo Iweala’s

mother is a great relief to the families of the Okonjos, the people of Ogwashi Uku, Delta State and indeed Nigeria.This spate of kidnapping is, however, an embarrassment to the countr y. The Boko Haram insurgency in the North is bad enough and to combine that with this high profile kidnapping taking place these days is definitely unacceptable to our people.

Investors will shun anyenvironment with high level of insecurity. While we urge the Federal Government to device more pragmatic ways to curb this menace, the State Government should also be more involved in combating this kidnapping trend as it is also making Delta unsafe haven,”he said.

The State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mr Newworld Sefugha commended Governor Uduaghan and security agents for their unrelenting efforts, which resulted in the release of the Queen mother of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom saying, “The efforts put in by our Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan shows that he is very committed to the security of the people of the State,” appealing to Deltans not to allow themselves to be driven into crime “because of the urge to cel-

ebrate Christmas in a big way.”

In his comments, a one-time Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in the State, Dr Ebenezer Okorodudu thanked God and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for the release of the mother of the Minister of Finance, Prof Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Okorodudu also thanked Deltans, particularly the people of Ogwashi-Uku for their prayers during the kidnap saga.

Police arrest kidnap suspect in military barracks

A kidnap suspect, Vincent (surname withheld), has been nabbed by the Delta State Police Command, while negotiating for ransom with the telephone of the victim, within the precinct of the Effurun Military Barracks, opposite the Spare Parts Market, Effurun, Delta State.

He was arrested by police detectives, who tracked his call to the military barracks on December 6.

Saturday Vanguard, however, gathered that some civilians live and do their business within and around the Mammy Market in the military barracks.

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SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012 — 7

Court admits fresh evidence linking Ndume to Boko Haram *Evidence shows he made 73 contacts with sect

By IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja

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USTICE Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, admitted fresh sets of evidence, showing that Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, allegedly made seventythree contacts with the Boko Haram Islamic sect.

The evidence was tendered before the court by a forensic expert with the States Security Service, SSS, Mr Aliyu Usman, who testified against the lawmaker yesterday as the third prosecution witness.

The witness, had in his examination-in-chief, maintained that the contacts took place between

October 3 and November 3, 2011, adding that most of the communication was between Ndume and the self confessed spokesman of the Boko Haram sect, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga.

It would be recalled that the high court had on October 24, admitted into evidence, two phones comprising of Nokia E-7 and Nokia 27100, which the SSS confiscated from both Senator Ndume and Konduga, shortly after they were arrested.

Trial Justice Kolawole marked the two phones as exhibits P5 and P5 (a).

Meanwhile, Konduga who willingly submitted himself to the security agency had since been convicted by an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court.

FRSC launches new commercial drivers’ licence Monday

By CHRIS OCHAYI, Abuja

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N its determination to restore the integrity of the driver’s license, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has concluded arrangements to formally flag-off a new commercial drivers’ license scheme on Monday.

The FRSC’s Public Education Officer, Jonas Agwu said in a statement yesterday in Abuja that applicants for commercial “E” class drivers license must attend government certified driving schools and conduct medical tests at any government hospital.

All applicants according to him can apply on-line and print the form at http:/

/ www.nigeriadriverslicense.org before proceeding to the one-stop-shop at States Board of Internal Revenue or Drivers’ License Centres for further payment and collection of temporary license.

Mr. Agu explained that temporary driver’s license will last for 60 days to allow for verification of owners’ data before production of permanent driver’s license with a 3 years’ duration.

The Minister of Transportation, Senator Idris Umar is expected to be special guest while the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba will be the Chairman at the flag off ceremony which will attract stakeholders in road safety and the transport sector.

However, Ndume who is answering to a 4-count criminal charge, had in his statements before the high court, maintained that the reason the sect approached him was as a result of his being a member of the Presidential Committee that was inaugurated on August 2, 2011, with a view to addressing the security challenges in the North Eastern part of the nation.

He said the first telephone exchange between him and the sect was on October 4, 2011, two months into the Committee’s work.

Five children burnt to death in Lagos fire

BY EDIRI EJOH

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RAGEDY struck Thursday night at Comfort Oboh Industrial estate , Kirikiri Town Lagos, after five children were burnt to death in a fire that engulfed a building in the area.

Report said the fire was caused by a lit candle at about 10pm. Residents of the area said the transformer had a spark which threw residents of the area into darkness.

Parents of the deceased, Mr and Mrs Ogbona Augustine who sell local gin around the area , reportedly lit the candle for their children while they were asleep and went back to their shop, locking the children inside.

It could however not be ascertained when the fire started. But report said residents of the area were attracted by smoke that was emanating from the roof of the wooden building. But an eye

Human rights lawyer offers police N.7m bribe to bail a kidnap suspect — Delta CP

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA, Asaba

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ELTA State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba said that his men have arrested a human rights lawyer for allegedly attempting to offer N.7m bribe to police so as to release a kidnap suspect.

Addressing a press conference in Asaba yesterday, the CP said “a Warri-based self acclaimed human rights activist Barrister Omo Irabor has been arrested for attempting to bribe SARS (State Anti Robbery Squad) op-

eratives to pervert the course of justice by releasing one Vincent Akpokona, male, a self confessed suspect involved in

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi after signing the condolence register, while chidren of the late foremost Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Archbishop (Emeritus) Abiodun Adetiloye, Mr. Adedoyin Adetiloye; widow, Titilayo; and son, Adeola, during a condolence visit to the country home of the late Primate, in Odo-Owa-Ekiti... yesterday.

the kidnap of one Jerry Okolowa, a company worker at Ekete Owian on 3rd December 2012.

witness said the alarm was raised by 11pm. One of the residents who spoke on condition of annonimity explained that “When it started, we all tried to rescue the children by doing all we could but to no avail. We contacted the fire service.

But they arrived late but

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EALTHCARE services yesterday resumed at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) following the suspension of a 10-day indefinite strike called by doctors under the auspices of the Association of Resident

Doctors, (LUTH-ARD) over excessive tax deduction.

Also, the doctors have asked the Joint Tax Board to promote uniformity in both the application of tax laws and in the incidence of tax on individuals throughout the country.

The Chairman, LUTHARD, Dr. Adetunji Adene-

were people inside. But nobody could go near because the fire had already engulfed the building. At a point, we did not hear the voices again.If the door had not been locked from outside, the children would have escaped.

Fraud charge: Babalakin loses bid to stop EFCC

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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FFORTS by embattled Chairman of Bi-Courtney Group, Dr Wale Babalakin, SAN, to stop Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from arresting him failed yesterday, as a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, struck out the suit he (Babalakin) brought, seeking a review of the charge filed against him before a Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja.

Trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, had granted leave to Babalakin on November 29, 2012 to apply for an order of prohibition to review the Constitutionality and the legality of the charge preferred against

Doctors resume work in LUTH

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

they could not gain access to the scene because of the tankers parked at Kirikiri. And by the time they came, it was already late”.

Another eye witness claimed there was a bang on the door and the shout of help from within. “That was when we knew there

kan who briefed the press about these development in Lagos yesterday, however said the strike was suspended in the interest of patients and because of the intervention of their parent bodies, , the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

him at the Lagos High Court.

The judge held that under Order 34 Rules 5 of the court’s Civil Procedure Rules, the plaintiff is required to depose to and file an affidavit of service of court processes on the respondents, a requirement Babalakin failed to comply with.

It relied on both the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal authorities in about 23 cases, which held that the rules of court must be obeyed.

The court noted that Babalakin’s non-compliance with the said requirement robbed the court of jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

Hope Harriman’s funeral starts next Wednesday

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HE family of late business tycoon and famous socialite, Chief Hope Harriman, the Sobaloju of Ife, who died in Maryland, Washington DC a few weeks ago after a brief illness has announced the funeral arrangement as follows; On Wednesday 19 th December, the Service of Songs starts at 4pm at the Lagos Motor Boat Club.

The body goes to Warri his home town on Thursday 20th December where another Service of Songs will hold at 4 pm at the Harriman family compound, Mewe Omadeli Close, Warri, GRA. This will be followed the next day Friday by the Funeral Service at 11 am, with interment immediately after, at the

same venue, Harriman family compound, Mewe Omadeli Close, Warri GRA. The funeral will be rounded up with an Itsekiri programme at 12 noon on Saturday 22nd December at the Harriman’s family compound in Warr i .

*Chief Hope Harriman

8— Vanguard, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Adetiloye dies at 82

BY SAM EYOBOKA

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HE second archbishop and primate Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Joseph Abiodun Adetiloye is dead. He was reported to have passed on at his home in Ekiti 10 days before his 83rd birthday.

Adetiloye is said to have died in his sleep in the early hours of yesterday.

Feelers from Ekiti said that the Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, had already paid a condolence visit to the Adetiloye’s family home in Odo Owa, to commiserate with them.

Late Adetiloye, described as an enigma of some sort, a multidimensional personality and a man of fame and great worth, entered school in 1937 and it was reported that he was always very neat in school despite the fact he had only one uniform. He decided to become an Anglican priest at a very tender age.

He passed his first school leaving certificate with distinction in 1944 and became a teacher for about six years. He hailed

•Most Rev. Adetiloye

from an economically depressed area and from a poor home. His father, a polygamist who also could prescribe herbs for treatment and cure illness, died when Abiodun was just three years of age in 1932.

Abiodun could not enjoy the privilege of formal education until he was eight years old, when he started his primary school education at Ijero-Ekiti from 1937 to 1942. He took a position teaching until 1950. Abiodun started his church ministry in 1951 when he gained admission into Melville Hall (Anglican Training College), Kudeti-Ibadan.

After his training, he was made a deacon in Lagos in 1953 and served as a curate at St. Peter ’s Anglican Church AkeAbeokuta from 1953 to 1956 when he left for England for further studies. He returned to Nigeria and was placed at Immanuel College of Theology, Ibadan during the 1961/62 academic session as a lecturer. He served until the year 1965.

Abiodun became the provost of St. James Cathedral Oke-Bola Ibadan in 1965 and got married in 1967. But his dream of a happy married life was changed eleven months later when his wife developed an ailment which defied healing until the end of his official ministry. He considers the crisis in his marital life a thorn which God gave him, to teach him to appreciate His grace. The marriage was blessed with a son (Engr.

Adeola Adetiloye).

Abiodun became the

second bishop of the Ekiti Diocese in 1970 and served until 1985 when he became the sixth Bishop of Lagos. In 1988, he became the second Archbishop and primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the position he held until his retirement from active service in December 1999.

To Abiodun, the office of a Primate is one where the public responsibilities may occasionally bring heartache. The office attracts envy, hatred and foul criticism. With the characteristics of the office of a primate, Abiodun was able to excel, and with this understanding, his efforts could be appreciated most especially in the creation of many dioceses in

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HE Oil Facility Surveillance Limited, OFSL, Warri, Delta state, facilitated by ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, has arrested a Lagos-based 10-man syndicate of oil thieves and seized a vessel, MT Lady Jay, used for oil bunkering.

General Manager, OFSL, Mr. Keston Pondi, who disclosed this at a

Oporoza, the operational headquarters of the security outfit, contracted by the Federal Government to protect oil pipelines in Delta state, said the oil bunkerers were arrested on Wednesday at Escravos, Warri South West Area of Delta State.

Also impounded, according to him, were three boats, carrying unspecified volume of illegally refined products.

The oil syndicate, Saturday Vanguard gathered is long in the illegal business and has spread

Nigeria among others.

Abiodun inherited 26 dioceses and increased it to 76 before his retirement in 1999. This

made the Archbishop of Canterbury during the 1998 Lambeth Conference declared, “the Church of Nigeria

(Anglican Communion) as the fastest growing church in the Anglican Communion worldwide.”

Extra-judicial killings: Probe allegations against security agencies, NBA tells AGF

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja

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HE Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, yesterday, urged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke Bello, SAN, to promptly investigate allegations of extrajudicial executions and torture leveled against the various branches of the security agencies, and ensure prosecution of culprits.

The legal body, which made the call at a valedictory session held at the Supreme Court yesterday in honour of late Justice Kayode Eso, equally implored the National Assembly to

OFSL operatives arrest 10 oil thieves in Delta press briefing in across the Niger Delta

BY EMMA AMAIZE and AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE,Warri

R-L: Mrs Owanari Duke,Mr Yahaya Zekeri, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa,Alhaji Ja’afaru Paki and Mrs Ada Rose Okwechime, all directors of UBA Plc, at the Bank’s Extra Ordinary General Meeting, where the shareholders authorised Commercial Banking structure for the bank in Lagos, on Thursday.

creeks were illegal bunkering thrives.

He said operatives of OFSL actually arrested a vessel and four boats, but lost one local boat when they were ambushed by oil thieves, who opened fire at them.

His words, “On December 11, 2012, a vessel named MT Lady Jay with three local boats were arrested by our field operatives at Escravos bar. but unfortunately, we lost one of the local boats to the bunkerers when they opened fire on our personnel.”

expedite action on the passage of pending criminal justice bills before the legislature, particularly, the amendment to the Terrorism Act. Besides, NBA, which spoke through its National President, Chief Okey Wali, SAN, further enjoined the National Assembly to as a matter of urgent national importance, effect amendment of Paragraph 2 of Part 11 of the Federal Character C o m m i s s i o n (Establishment, e.t.c) Act Subsidiary

Legislation which stated that “A married woman shall continue to lay claim to her state of origin for the purpose of implementation of the Federal Character Formulae at the national level.”

According to the NBA which is the umbrella body of legal practitioners in the country, “it is against equity, good conscience and natural justice to expect a woman who has been married for decades to get national appointment from her state of birth, called her

state of origin, by this Act. “Rather than the last mis-step in issuing directives to the judiciary, which we excuse, as we believe that they were motivated by the best of intentions, but apparently without information, we urge the National Assembly to amend the law, as it would be most sacrilegious to expect the Chief Justice of Nigeria, to act in breach of the law, against her oath of office to uphold the constitution and laws of the land.”

Landlords protest Amosun’s planned demolition of 300 houses in Ota

By DAUD OLATUNJI, Abeokuta

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O fewer than 300 landlords in Aro love Estate in Ota, AdoOdo local government area of Ogun State , yesterday, protested the alleged plan of the State government to demolish their houses.

The protesters armed with placards and various inscriptions such as “our land is not under acquisition’, ‘Don’t render us homeless’ and ‘please don’t treat us like slaves’ among others valued the property marked for demolition at

N2 billion.

Addressing newsmen during the protest, spokesman for the landlord in the community, Mr. Akim Soola disclosed that the land belonged to one Aro family which sold the land to them.

He said that the land which was about 24 acres was sold to the residents by Aro family,saying that, despite the fact that they have perfected their lands documentation, officials of the State government still came to the communities and marked those houses without disclosing the

reason. He said “those people just came from Abeokuta and started marking our houses without asking the residents where the local government boundary is. ”I had to go and meet one of them and asked them as a surveyor. They said they were acting on a directive.”

They said they were going to going to demolish them withing seven day ultimatum.I have never seen it in this country where you wake up one day and give somebody seven day ultimatum to leave his house orelse they will demolish the house.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15 2012 — 9

Army impostor arraigned for alleged assault on LASTMA men

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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N alleged impostor of the Nigerian Army, one Kingsley Ighalo, 37 years old, had been arraigned on a five-count charge before Magistrate Yetunde Pinhero at the Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences Magistrate Court, Alausa, Ikeja for assaulting Ayinla Adeola and Adeshina Akinwunmi, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, at Bolade area of the state while on duty.

According to reports, Ighalo, who was driving a commercial vanagon bus with registration number XV 793 SMK, allegedly obstructed the free flow of traffic by picking and dropping passengers at will on the main carriage of Abeokuta Expressway and was later intercepted by the two officers at Bolade area of

Oshodi. As at the time of arrest, the suspect was said to be wearing an army camouflage shirt.

The driver was asked to drive his bus to the LASTMA Headquarters, Oshodi with officials

escorting him. However, in order to evade arrest, the offender drove recklessly and dangerously towards the direction of the Nigerian Army Arena Shopping Complex gate and introduced himself as

an officer of the Nigerian Army and thereby requested for help.

The Edo born driver acting in collaboration with the military officers attached to the gate of the shopping complex and in

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, demonstrating how teeth and gums can be cleaned properly and regularly using a toothbrush and a toothpaste or a chewing stick during the Flag-off ceremony of Oral Hygiene Sensitisation/Awareness programme in Abeokuta...recently

•Partners Lions Club to reduce road carnage during Yuletide

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HE Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Lagos sector command, has concluded plans to embark on aggressive exercise of checking vehicles and drivers on their state of roadworthiness today, December 15, aimed at ensuring safe trips on the road especially as activities for the Yuletide celebrations pick up in the state.

This is coming even as FRSC in Alimosho Local Government Area, in collaboration with Isheri Platinum Lions Club, has launched a comprehensive campaign towards ensuring a safe motoring environment in Nigeria and Lagos in particular.

Speaking at the “Ember month” rally, with the theme: “Continuous drivers education, a key to reduction in crashes,” at Iyana Ipaja Garage, Lagos, state Sector Commander, Ezebong Akpabio,

the driver was an impostor when he could not answer some questions related to military code of conduct and thereby handed him over to the LASTMA police for further investigation.

NLC wants Plateau State House of Assembly to take action against Jang

Lagos FRSC begins massive safe motoring enforcement today

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

the process assaulted and inflicted serious head injuries on the LASTMA officers who were later released through the intervention of senior ranks of the military who also detected and confirmed that

noted that road safety is a shared responsibility because road trauma is an immensely complex problem that can not be solved by FRSC alone.

According to Akpabio, who was represented by Deputy Corp Command-

er, Adeoye Irelewuyi, Head of Operations, Lagos command, said men of the FRSC would be stationed at every 10 kilometre for 16 hours between the hours of 6 am to 10 pm daily to carry out the exercise and list-

ed the following routes as some of the roads where the exercise would be massively covered Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ijebu Ore Expressway, Apapa-Oshodi, Lagos Badagry Expressway among other.

IGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday asked the Plateau State House of Assembly, to immediately take decisive steps to return the state to normalcy, claiming that Governor Jonah Jang who had allegedly plunged the state into unprecedented crisis in the past six months had left the state for a foreign trip to Germany with his immediate family.

NLC in a statement by its Acting General Secretary, Comrade Chris Uyot, alleged that before leaving, the Governor had mobilized unemployed youths and members of the Joint Task Force, JTF, to unleash mayhem on peaceful workers who have been on strike since June over non-implementation of the N18,000 new Minimum wage.

In the statement titled “Stop Jang from leaving the country”, NLC said:

Ten university students get BATN scholarship

BY OLA AJAYI Ibadan

A

BOUT ten children of indigent Nigerians including British American Tobacco Iseyin Agronomy(BATIA) have been given scholarship awards to study in some Nigerian universities.

The scholarship scheme which started eight years ago was given to the students based on their academic performance.

According to Mr. Hugo Norman, Demand Chain General Manager, West Africa area, explained that selection of the students was a rigorous ex-

ercise.

The students who are 18 years and above were picked from Delta, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Imo States.

According to him, the candidates, after scoring 70 per cent in their various institutions were made to go through interview where ten were

finally picked.

However, to continue enjoying the scholarship, the winners must have 3.5 grade points at each level.

Ahead 2013, Group eulogises Senator Okowa

BY GAB EJUWA

A

group, under the aegis of concerned Delta Central for Okowa (CDCO) has perfected plans to sell the political ideologies of Senator Dr. Author Ifeniyi Okowa to the people of Delta State ahead 2013 general elections.

The group spokesman,

Prince Peter Ogidigho who made this disclosure at a recent gathering, said the CDCO is a composition of progressives in the state who believes in development, unity and egalitarianism. Against this backdrop, Ogidigho said that this informed the CDCO resolve to facilitate true democratic practices in

Delta Central in particular and the state in general.

Ogidigho declared that being in the 21st century as made it imperative for the group to build and devlop geninue political sprit in order to protect the nation’s nascent democracy by creating confidence in the electorates.

“Despite the lingering industrial crisis that the Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang has plunged his state into for the past six months, he has once again displayed his disdain and contempt for his people by abandoning the state for a foreign trip to Germany with his immediate family. This has confirmed our belief that he has neither respect for his people nor democratic credentials as a civilian governor as no responsible governor will leave his state in deep crisis for the comfort of a foreign land.”

“To also demonstrate his aversion for peace, he has ignored the intervention of the Minister of Labour and Productivity who has called for a meeting between the Governor and labour to mediate on the issues, confirming his love for crisis. Before leaving, the Governor has mobilized unemployed youths and members of the Joint Task Force to continue to violently attack peaceful workers who have been on strike since June and whose salaries were stopped on his orders.”

The statement added, “It is only a reckless government that will use state resources to mobilize thugs to attack residents of his state, particularly workers, who are peacefully protesting the infringement of their individual and collective rights. A man who ignored the intervention of his state house of assembly as well as senior citizens of his state on a crisis he started cannot fit into democratic governance and we urge the State House of Assembly to take decisive steps to return the state to normalcy.”

10 — SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Governor Uduaghan’s assurance comes true Continued on page 6 However, there was a twist in the arrest of the kidnap suspect, as his lawyer and human rights activist, Barrister Casely Omon-Irabor, has also been arrested for allegedly attempting to influence police investigations into the matter. A family source, however, described the allegation that the activist offered money to a police officer to free the kidnap suspect as a frame-up.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba confirmed the arrest of the kidnap suspect and lawyer to Saturday Vanguard.

A police source said the activist, who , during the week, facilitated the return of arms and ammunition by repentant exmilitants to the state government would be charged to court.

Diary of a kidnap saga

T

HE abduction of Professor Mabel Kamene Titi Okonjo, the 82-year-old mother of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is one high profile kidnap case that sent cold shivers down the spines of many.

It came like a thunderbolt to the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan in particular, security agencies and Presidency as well, given the status of the family, in the local and international communities.

The governor was among the early callers to the family and tried to raise the spirit of the people while addressing the chiefs and family members at the palace. However, it was obvious that he did not want to betray emotions.

Anybody close to him would know that he was downcast over the kidnap.

Yet, there had been cases of high -profile kidnapping including those of a high court judge, Justice Marcel Okoh, Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof Hope Eghagha, the governor’s uncle, Pa Vincent Uduaghan, among numerous others.

DAY ONE, Sunday, December 9

At about 12.00 pm and1.00 pm, 10-armed members of a kidnap syndicate drove into the pal-

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State ( l) Prince Onyema Okonjo (c and Chief Lawrence Okolobi the Ozomah of Ogwashi-Uku , during the governor’s visit to the Okonjo’s family to console them on the kidnap ace with two low profile Golf cars. Ordinarily, such a vehicles would not raise eye brows that the occupants were people of such hue. Nevertheless, it was a calculated deception.

“They came to the gate of the palace with a Golf car while another car was packed few metres away from the gate. In a “Gestapo manner” they entred into the compound.

According to an eyewitness, “They held up the men fixing the inter-locking stones in the compound at gun point, forcing them to lie face down.”

They were said have lurked around the palace until the 82-year-old woman and her maid came down to serve soft drinks to workers who were fixing the tiles at the gate.

The witness added, “As soon as the woman came down from the main building, towards the gate, the abductors moved in, grabbed and bundled her into a waiting vehicle.

One of the gunmen had the temerity to run into the main building from where he took away her handbag before they zoomed off”.

1.30 pm As the news broke, police from Ogwashi Uku Police Divisional Headquarters, local vigilante, some palace chiefs and other sympathisers thronged the palace.

1.45 pm Reinforcement came 45

minutes later; the whole place was cordoned off.

Delta Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba and the DPO in charge of Ogwashi Uku patrol team visited to obtain first hand information and take care of the situation.

DAY 2, Monday, December 10 7.00 am As early as 7am, a detachment of soldiers from the Fourth Merchandised Brigade, Benin City, Edo State, led by its Commanding Officer, Brigadier-General Obi Umahie arrived the palace to strengthen security.

In addition, men of the Customs and plain clothes detectives also arrived the palace.

11.00 am Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, accompanied by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, Director, Department of State Security, DSS arrived and stayed beyond 12 noon. Governor Uduaghan, Commissioner of Police in the state, Director of DSS, top army officers and other senior officials of the government held a meeting at the palace to strategize on how to locate the kidnappers, while appealing to the community leaders, vigilante groups and the entire community to remain calm. Uduaghan called for useful information and cautioned against

rumour mongering that would future hamper the early release of the woman.

DAY 3, Tuesday, December 11 9.20am C onstruction of security post at the palace gate commences following identified flaws in the security of the palace 12.00 pm The Rector of Delta State Polytechnic, OgwashiUku, Dr. Edna Mogekwu came calling.

Two policemen, who were supposed to be on duty at the palace, but were inexplicably absent when the kidnappers struck were arrested and detained.

6.30pm Delta State Information Commissioner, Mr. Chike Ogeah issues a press statement, saying that some of the kidnap cases in the Delta were “politically-motivated”.

His words, “Security has always been a priority in the administration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State. Although the police are controlled by the Federal Government, Delta State has always funded the Police Command in the state, in fact, Dr. Uduaghan set up a Special Squad on kidnapping and other violent crimes with many operational vehicles and communication equipment procured for it.”

“A lot of success was recorded through this special squad. But some of the kidnappings are not always tied to demand for ransom. Some are politically motivated and they are the ones that go for kidnappings that will attract the highest media attention.

“I don’t agree with you that the political elite have not been affected by the kidnap. I think they are rather the main target.

When their loved ones are kidnapped as has been the case, the impact is on them. We have had a serving commissioner, lawmakers and family members of top public office holders kidnapped in the past.

“The causes are many and varied, but for us in Delta State, we think unemployment is a critical factor. That is why Dr. Uduaghan evolved the threepoint agenda, comprising peace and security, human capital development and infrastructural development. A common denominator of the three factors is employment generation. Using the small and micro finance scheme, we have been empowering the younger generation through various skills acquisition programmes packaged by the government”.

DAY 4, Wednesday, December 12 10.00 am Villagers still believe the Finance Minister would come despite alleged security warnings, as she

needed to be personally on ground to coordinate certain things. So, the waiting for the arrival of the Finance Minister continued 10.05 am Palace chiefs meet at the palace behind closed doors Ears remained open for possible clues on the release of the woman.

Day 5: Thursday, December 13 10.00 am Soldiers raided Ogwashi-Uku community at the end of which about 63 persons were rounded up, for questioning in connection with the kidnap 11.34 am - Delta State Secretary to the State Government SSG, Comrade Ovuzourie Macaulay holds secret meeting with GSM service providers in Asaba 12.00 pm Delta State Commissioner of Police Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba addresses a press conference in connection with the incident and stressed the need for people to be always security conscious in their homes and environment.

DAY 6, Friday, December 14 9.00 am The news of Prof Okonjo’ release on Friday morning filtered into town.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012 — 11

Fuel Subsidy: Why we approved N162bn Supplementary Budget — Senate accusation against him was that he incurred that

BY HENRY UMORU and JOSEPH ERUNKE, Abuja

T

HE senate y e s t e r d a y explained that for its security implication on the nation, it had to quickly approve President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for an additional N162 billion for subsidy.

According to the upper chamber, President Jonathan must be commended for recognising the rule of law by seeking the approval of the money for subsidy.

Speaking with Journalists in Abuja, Chairman Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang, PDP, Akwa Ibom said, “We considered that since this was the only item he requested for and since in my opinion what the President did is more of a national security imperative, because the application and availability of energy and oil in the country is not just about economy, but national security imperative question. ” The application and the availability of energy and oil in a country is not just the economic convenience of the citizens but the national security action because you should know out of frustration of commuters at a season like this when you see queues with over 300 vehicles in a line in one filling station.”

Enang who noted that the Senate raised issues with the SURE-P fund, stressed that the application and utilization of the funds have not been in the interest of the economy.

According to him, “Senate considered that yes, we suspended our rules because the rules are our own, we ought to have done it in two or three days but it was a national security question which we needed to consider and passed in an expeditious manner to make sure that it does stale. ”However we have fixed Wednesday the 19

From left Mr Oluwagbemiro Dada, Logistics Manager, Start Up Partners Africa, Mr Jaime Moreno, Chief Executive Officer and Mr Chibuzo Ohiagu, Offline Marketing Manager at a Start Up Partners Africa Team parley with the media in Lagos yesterday. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele

for the consideration and passage of the 2013 budget by the notice that has been published . ”Remember, last

year, Senator Bukola Saraki brought a motion that there was only a provision of N500 billion in the budget for subsidy

and as at August , Nigeria had spent N1.4 trillion .

”What was spent was a little over N2trillion on subsidy and part of the

expenditure without seeking appropriation of the NASS and that was correct because it was not appropriated for.”

Senator Enang who noted that the President was kind enough to address a national security question, putting into consideration the powerful influence of the oil cabal, said: “And again, the cabal have formed such a strong union that they can hold the government to ransom.

Some of them have petrol in their tank farms or ships and they refused to release their products because they are being owed.They would rather pay demurrage than bring in the

products and sell to Nigerians. ”It is therefore in the interest of Nigerians that we approved the supplementary budget of N162 billion.”

Speaking further on SURE-P, Senator Enang said, “I respect Dr. Christopher Kolade and some other individuals and the Minister of Finance

and the Coordinating Economic Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, but the application and utilization of that money has not been in the interest of the economy because I believe that what should have been done with that money, if it was for savings we made from partial withdrawal of subsidy, we would have told ourselves what we were subsidizing.”

Lagos suspends tolling on Lekki-Epe Expressway 2nd tollgate

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

L

AGOS state government, yesterday announced the suspension of the proposed introduction of toll on the Lekki-Epe Expressway second gate tolling, scheduled to commence tomorrow, December 16, 2012.

The suspension was contained in a statement made available to Saturday Vanguard yesterday ,signed by Ayo Gbeleyi, Special Adviser/DirectorGeneral, Office of PublicPrivate Part-nerships and the Acting Managing Director, LCCI, Mr. Mike Edington. It reads: “Further to the earlier announced commence-ment

of user based tolling at the 2nd Toll plaza on the Eti-Osa Lekki-Epe Expressway by midnight, December 16th, this year, the Lagos state Government and the Lekki Concession Company Limited

(LCCI), in the spirit of the season and in deference to appeals made to the Governor by wellmeaning Lagosians and the Public at large, have jointly decided to defer until further notice, the schedule commencement

of tolling at the said toll plaza.The parties will in the days ahead continue their constructive engagement towards addressing the impact of this situation within the purview of their respective contractual ob-

ligations. ”We seize this opportunity to urge motorists on the ever busy road to continue to observe all the safety regulations and continue to drive safely, giving due consideration to other road users.”

Gunmen kill 10 members of a vigilante group in Zamfara A man, who claimed group.

T

EN members of a local vigilante group in Rukudawa village in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara were ambushed and shot dead.

The Chairman of the Local Government, Abdullahi Gurbin-Baure, stated this yesterday in Zurmi.

Mr. Gurbin-Baure said

that the killers came on motorcycles through the Dumburum/Rukudawa road and attacked members of the vigilante killing all the 10 persons on duty.

The chairman said that the killers also removed the private parts of some of their victims and burnt all the motorcycles used by the members of the

He said that he had already reported the matter to the state police headquarters and to the state government.

He said the Deputy Governor of the State, Ibrahim Wakkala, attended the burial of the deceased.

he witnessed the incident, Musa Lawali, said that the gunmen apparently came with the specific purpose of killing members of the group.

He said this was because the gunmen did not attack any of the traders in the market.

Okotie faults INEC’s new Another Lawmaker shot dead in Kano reasons for deregistration

BY ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD, Kano

U

NKNOWN gunmen shot to death Danladi Isa Kademi, ANPP lawmaker representing Gaya local government in the Kano House of Assembly.

Security sources confided to Saturday Vanguard that the former ALGON Chairman was

hacked to death by yet to be identified assailants along the eastern bypass in the metropolis.

Danladi Isa Kademi’s death is coming barely a month after another lawmaker was killed by unknown gunmen in front of his guest House along Ungwa-Uku general area.

The security sources further told Saturday-

Vanguard that the late lawmaker was in company of four others at the time of the incident, adding that “it is not very clear their condition” Saturday Vanguard learnt that the entire stretch of the road has been cordoned off by JTF personnel as part of measures to nab the fleeing suspects.

F

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN

RESH Democratic Party Chairman, Rev. Chris Okotie has refuted claims by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC that one of the reasons given for his party’s delisting was that the composition of its National Executive Council, NEC, fails to meet the requirement of section 223(1)& (2) of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

In a widely published advertisement in some national dailies yesterday, INEC advanced reasons why each of the 28 parties was deregistered. In the case of FRESH, the electoral body said the party ran foul of section 223 (1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution and that it failed to win a seat in either the state or national assembly.

12—SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 15, 2012

Idowu’s mother

...Widow

...Son

Idowu’s car with bullet hole

Controver sy trails killing of Idowu in Ibadan T

HE bereaved family of Idowu Adesokan who was shot to death when some policemen in Ibadan stopped his car is earnestly pleading with the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar to help unravel the mystery surrounding the death of their benefactor and pillar of the family.

Eventhough, they have realized the fact that no investigation can make Idowu come back to life, they believe that if the killer is found and prosecuted, the soul of the deceased, would, at least, rest in peace.

Idowu,37 has succeeded in building his own apartment, he never knew that he would never live in his new house. No thanks to the killer gunshot fired by yet-to-be ascertained person. In fact, his death has generated ripples between the family and the police. His family still wonders who could have fired the shot if not the policemen who stopped his car.

While the policemen with the deceased and his friend were claiming that they were not the ones that killed Idowu, saying they just heard a gunshot from the vicinity, the family is alleging that the bullet that snuffed life out of the deceased belonged to the police. They are saying the gunshot was actually fired by one of the policemen who were behind the car.

Idowu and his close friend Biliaminu

,

BY OLA AJAYI, Ibadan

Realising what had happened, the policemen vanished into thin air and Idowu had to speed off from that point to escape another shot. The bullet pierced through his belly. He held it with his left hand until he could no longer move. He could not make it as he died before we could convey him to any hospital

,

Aliu, on that fateful day, Tuesday morning, 20 November, 2012, had left their residence in Ibadan around 6am with their Honda Accord marked MS 768 AAA. Since Idowu was working as a truck driver in Lagos, he usually came back to join his family every weekend. As he left that morning having spent the weekend with his family, he never had the inkling that he would not come back home alive.

When they were heading to Odo Ana-Arapaja area, a sudden incident that never gave idowu the chance to know his killer happened.

As they drove on, four policemen waved them down with their usual order demanding their vehicle particulars.

Biliaminu, who is the only one that can give vivid account of what led to the death of his bossom friend, told Saturday Vanguard, that “my friend wanted to leave the middle of the road to park, while trying to avoid collision with a truck. It was around 6.30 a.m

then. As he parked, two policemen moved close to us while the other two were on the other side of the road.

Then, suddenly, I just heard a gun shot and Idowu just shouted in pains.

He said he had been shot, but I couldn’t know who fired the shot between the two policemen”.

“Realising what had happened, the policemen vanished into thin air and Idowu had to speed off from that point to escape another shot. The bullet pierced through his belly. He held it with his left hand until he could no longer move. He could not make it as he died before we could convey him to any hospital”, he narrated.

Enraged by the senseless killing of their loved one, the relatives conveyed the corpse to the Agodi Government Secretariat to call the attention of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, but they were denied access into the secretariat complex by the security men at the gate.

They then moved to the Eleyele police station calling for detailed inves-

tigation into the killing.

Besides, the matter was reported at the Idi Ayunre Police station and statement made by the friend of the deceased, Biliaminu Aliu.

When the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ayandele Lanade, was asked for comments, he denied the claim that it was the policemen that killed Idowu.

He added that he was killed by a stray bullet noting that his friend who was with him told the police that he did not see the person that fired the shot. But, Biliaminu said, “It was not that I said I did not see any policeman. In fact, the statement which the police relied on was written by one of them. They only asked me to relay what happened to them. What I told them was that two policemen stopped us, while two others were on the other side of the road. While the two were about to check Idowu’s papers, we just heard a gun shot and Idowu shouted. He said he had been shot and immediately, the policemen disappeared. It was the policemen at the station that wrote what the PPRO told you and not me”.

Though, the deceased has been buried according to Islamic rites, and his aged mother and his wife already took it as their fate, other family members are saying no.

The mother is bothered about who would fend for the children of the deceased. His little daughter, Ganiyat (8), kept saying, “they shot my father. Who is going to pay my school fees again?”.

Another thing that the family of Idowu is laying claim to is why should the police pay N20,000 for the treatment of the deceased before he died.

One of them said, “It was a doctor from the UCH that was called to the Adeoyo Hospital to perform the surgery. The medical report showed that the bullet was from an AK 47 rifle. They could not ask us for money and so they said the Nigeria Police account should be debited. Why taking up such a responsibility if the police know their officer was not to blame for our brother ’s killing”.

Already, the House of Assembly has advised the family to write a letter of complaint and “We have forwarded the letter to the House.

We need compensation for the family. Everybody has got his or her own responsibility, so we want the police to own up and offer us compensation for the care of the wife and six children that Idowu left behind”, he said.

The son of the deceased, Hassan, said, his father had promised to send money for his WAEC and NECO exams to the account of Uncle Solomon, my teacher at the Immaculate Comprehensive College.I miss him greatly. He was such a caring and loving father to us. He had promised me that he would assist in publishing a collection of stories I had written, which my teacher was editing for me.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012—13

C

an you imagine being forced to share an office with your boss who brings his dog on a daily basis? Imagine further that you are made to “take care” of the dog when your boss goes out and you are sometime told that the dog is more intelligent than you? If this sounds stranger than fiction, consider being fired from work for soliciting humanitarian assistance for victims of a brutal attack.

These may real like fiction, but were the experience of a Nigerian lady working in a Nigerian-based foreign company until she was sacked some months ago. Abigail Kakiyes alleged that she was a victim of racist and gender victimization from her expatriate bosses who did not seem to like her guts and who finally found an excuse to kick her out of the company after a humanitarian gesture to victims of the at Dogon Nahawa in Plateau State where about 400 people mostly women and children were massacred sometime back. She narrated her ordeal to Saturday Vanguard amid tears: “I voluntarily returned to my homeland in 2008 after a short course in the UK with a passion and strong determination to be a posi,,tive agent of change adding value to the society. In August 2009, I was employed as secretary and the only female staff of an expartriate-owned company under the supervision of a french expatriate. It was a new project, setting up a warehouse for a Chinese client. We worked tirelessly from dusk to dawn to meet the proposed deadline. Unfortunately, there was an internal problem of fraud with one of our colleagues who threatened and demanded a huge sum from one of our contractors. Without hesitation, I intervened to prevent the illegal transaction, saving the company a loss. Shortly after that, our supervising manager was replaced with a young french expatriate (name withheld) who was less than 25 years old. He officially resumed in Kano branch on December 15, 2009 and the Kano team warmly received him with high expectations.

“In a very short time, he made the work place environment most unbearable for everyone, employing the tactics of bullying, victimization, public harassment followed by strong racist remarks evident by the following series of events: On resumption, he complained bitterly about pictures of the then President and the then State Governor which were hung

Nigerian lady alleges maltreatment by expatriate bosses, made to share office with a dog Abigail Kakiyes

,

BY TAYE OBATERU/PHILIP EKIGWE & COMFORT ALIFIA

Abigail Kakiyes alleged that she was a victim of racist and gender victimization from her expatriate bosses who did not seem to like her guts and who finally found an excuse to kick her out of the company after a humanitarian gesture to victims

,

in the branch Manager’s office by his predecessor.

“As if this was not enough, in creating new structural changes to his taste, he designated me to share same office with him (my desk facing his desk) and everyday, he would officially resume with his dog named Rambo inside the office we both

shared. I was sternly instructed to watch over his animal and to make sure it does not leave the office when he is out on an assignment. On several occasions, he made me to purchase food for himself and his dog. He severally remarked openly that the dog is far intelligent than his staff and can run the branch successfully.

“Despite my diligence, hard work and loyalty, he severally referred to me, my colleagues and Nigerians generally as “morons” calling me “silly brain” at one time and I complained.

He stated that he never makes mistakes and that the company brought him from Paris to manage Kano branch because no one is as intelligent or capable for the position. He constantly exhibited very hot temper and readily starts up fights with colleagues and even company contractors. At every opportunity or slightest error, he indiscriminately uses the “F” word to refer to Nigeria and Nigerians. We were constantly bullied and daily reminded that we would be fired at the snap of his fingers as there is high unemployment rate in Nigeria.

“He constantly embarrasses and interrupts my official and social inter-

actions with fellow colleagues. At one time, he banned me from the accountant’s office and the adjoining warehouse where my colleagues worked, instructing me to talk to myself and not to my colleagues. He also openly used the term ‘black monkeys’ at workers. In fact, a contractor once complained in writing about the use of this language at his laborers who were indigenes of Kano assigned to the warehouse.

“He also once summoned the management of the security company guarding our warehouse premises to sack with immediate effect an old man who served as a driver for fetching water in our compound. Young boys working as laborers were instantly sacked for staring his way. My French boss finally issued me a query accusing me of inability to interact among coworkers, arrogance and failure to follow even recorded direction of minutes of meeting.

I replied his cooked up query, exposing his behaviour to the management and shortly after, a team of senior Staff union members within the organization visited Kano to investigate the issue. They were too scared to enter the manager’s office which I shared because of the dog .

“Despite this, the management issued me a warning letter and subsequently instructed my transfer to the Head Office in Lagos as Customer Services Assistant Manager (Groupage Department). The Nigerian Management assigned me to Lagos while the manager was promoted to manage the group’s branches in both Kano and FCT Abuja. Very traumatized and abused, I resumed at my new designation as customer service assistant manager at Burma Road, Apapa. Lagos. There, I worked tirelessly, signing in daily to work before 6:30am.

“I had thought my trouble was over when I was transferred to Lagos, but little did I know that other challenges would rear their heads. One of the difficult challenges I faced in groupage department, was alienation by some colleagues who forcefully collected bribe from importers or agents before releasing their goods to them. It had become a habit to them and several attempts to stop this malpractice was laughed at despite bitter complaints from customers over the very outrageous local handling charges and exploitation by staff. I reported to my head and supervising manager and on March 19, this year, I was promoted, given a higher salary and a job training opportunity.

Continues on page 52

14—SATURDAY Vanguard , DECEMBER 15, 2012 “ ndrew” eventually checked out, after all. In the TV commercial which captivated the imagination of the entire nation, he looked dapper, self-assured and fully determined to quit the country of his birth where nothing worked— the electricity supply, the telephone system, the public water supply, the health system, the roads ... the lot. He had got his fill, and he was leaving for greener pastures: that was what “checking out” meant or, in other words, he was going abroad. It was the “in thing” to do at the time. Anyone who was able to do it was doing it, or trying to do it. It was considered even valiant, in some way. But the subtle message was in the fact that the country was his—ours —the only one

A

we had, and when things were rough we should not jump overboard like scared rats. The message went home but the vehicle was commendable all the same, because the presentation reflected the true frustrated feelings of the people. And “Andrew” became a hero of some sorts. That

"checks out * honour to our dead

*"andrew

also became the nickname by which Enebeli Elebuwa, who acted the role so admirably, became known. In spite of the import of the message, most people identified with his sentiments. From a highly appreciated actor of feature films, he indeed rose to become a star.

The TV commercial was produced to assure Nigerians that the insufficiencies mentioned by Andrew would “soon be a thing of the past”.

(Please pardon the cliche — we live in a world of cliches since we are compelled to repeat excuses until the words are drained of the pristine quality of their meaning).

Well, that was quite some time ago. But what has changed in the way we wished or hoped things would change?

P

erhaps the nearest thing to an ameliorated situation is our telephone system.

It was fair at the start when we adopted the technology of satellite communication and had our heads constantly bent towards one shoulder or the other, as we ceaselessly enjoyed the novel luxury of conversing over cellphone handsets. But the service has deteriorated in the grip of a force we now accept and refer to tersely as “networ/C’. It is a graphic way of describing a congestion of the circuit.·1t used to be experienced in those dark days of the land line that was in operation as “no tone”. It was most inadequate. It still could be much better these days, even with

•Enebeli out” for, though a taste of what it is like in other countries, e en within Africa, may make one wince. And yet that is on the palatable side.

On the other side, what would you have? Power? Well, you still don’t have it. Even when it was said to be improving with the former Minister in the saddle, it was unsteady and unreliable. In abject frustration, I went to look into this thing called “Inverter ” and quickly dashed out of the showroom. The costs, both purchasing and operational, were the stuff out of which cardiac arrests are made. In a modest bungalow, I now spend upwards of twenty thousand

"Andrew” became a hero of some sorts

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the more acceptable services of the satellite system” especially with regard to costs. No West African nation comes even close to Nigeria in cost, when it comes to making a telephone call. The land line that should have cost a fraction of what we are paying is now virtually non-existent.

The near-extinction ofNiTEL is a ready reference point to our lamentable standard of the management of our resources. In the meantime, the telephone companies have literally gone adrift on a spree of mindless promotions that do not have slightest impact on the quality of service provision. But maybe that is not worth “checking

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naira a month for running a 2.5 kva generator in the OkeOja area of Apapa in Lagos.

Last month, I paid out an additional three to four thousand naira to the PHCN for days without a wink of power supply. Now, that is enough to make anyone feel like “checking out” Then look over the roads.

Frankly, they are a disgrace even in some urban areas.

Some states even seem to have given up. The streets are full of “trenches” that fairly break the hearts of motorists and the rear axles of their vehicles. As for the inter-state highroads, they often leave travelers stranded for hours where they are passable, or are hardly pli-

able at all. As Chinua Achebe, the renowned author, once remarked, Nigerian highroads “are full of surprises.” That was true but perhaps not any more. One now knows what to expect— the worst, even if you dare hope for anything better.

What is perhaps the most busy road system in the country has been languishing in dismal disrepair for nearly a decade. And yet there is news of quite a pile of money already spent on it.

And talking about money, well, maybe we shouldn’t, really. But we must since that is the lifeblood of the economy. To put it in a layman’s language (which is what I am) we are now said to be shackled by the ballchain of a system that is mainly dependent on only one product— oil. So what is wrong with that? Many countries are dependent on more fragile sources of revenue and they are thriving —like Singapore which relied mostly on tourism at the start.

We know, of course, that all this talk about “diversification of the economy” is mere diversion, mere distraction.

How well have we managed the revenue from our petroleum resources? The money from our oil revenue is enough to sustain our economy, and boost our development. But it is being stolen, right before our eyes.

And the very people from whom the money is being stolen are being contrived to bear the cost of the deficit caused by what has been sto-

len from them.

We conduct “Punch-andJudy” theatricals to simulate the necessary action for putting a stop to the heinous transactions that keep depleting the proceeds from our God-given natural wealth. But we then discredit the reports that appear to come close to the facts; some of those who are appointed to find out about the thievery, were also appointed to function within the operational precincts of those who could not but be involved with the robbery.

So the appointees are positioned to hunt with hounds and run with the hare. Classical! Then at the end of it all, we do not know whether the evil called “subsidy’ is at the bottom of it all; some knowledgeable people agree that it does not even actually exist. Our President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, says it one way, and then the other: it must totally go, he says, and then it cannot really go.

We don’t know whether it’s Tuesday or snowing. And that naturally takes us into the area of corruption.

I

t is spread all over the place, of course. Nigeria is being turned into a metaphor for wholesale corruption. Corrupt practices are in all the branches of government.

They have become the taproots of the important branches of business enterprises. Rather than devise any measure that might control, if not eradicate them, we seem set on bequeathing them as a way of life to the next generation. And those coming behind us are going to be good at it, believe me, because they learn computer—fast. Which brings us to education.

Nigerians are brilliant by nature, but see the ragged nature of our educational system. To put it simply, we have allowed it to be commercialized. The successful teachers are now civil servants with the working ethics of the Nigerian public service. Unlike teachers who slaved and strove years ago to produce great minds from the classrooms, no civil servant is going to ordinarily lose much sleep over his job— after all, it is a job— these days. The vocational aspect of teaching flew out of the window when the civil service mentality stepped in. So we could not boast of one of our former universities among the best thirty in

Africa, and yet we were still building more. And so, private enterprises came to the rescue —at a price. In the meantime, so many young minds are daily streaming out to foreign universities, not just in the traditional destinations of the US and Europe, but also to various parts of Asia and even Africa. They, on their part, have really checked out, or what are we talking about? Even those who stay and qualify cannot find gainful employment anyway.

O

r shall we consider our health delivery? The dynamic Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, is scheduled to personally start off the anti-polo campaign in the state today. That should be said upfront in this manner to avoid giving the impression that little is being done in the health sector. But the running battle between the government and the medical practitioners employed in the state hospitals has reduced the value of the service available to a pitiful scale.

That is in a state where the vigour of governance even tries to make a difference. There have been industrial issues all over the states of the nation with a mammoth negative effect on our health system. And so, those who could afford it, have really been “checking out”. It used to make news, but it is now almost routine. No one need know about it, if it is successfully treated. If you are bothered by any ailment that needs special medical attention, you simply “check out” And, you know, that is what “Andrew” eventually did. May God rest the soul of Enebeli Elebuwa, the actor who depicted the pathetic ineptitude of our circumstances as a nation and opted for the total rejection of the country as the panacea for our woes. He then actually went abroad because he could find no treatment for his ailment here at home, and there he truly checked out.

I cannot but here mention the passing away of Olakunle Oyeshiku. He was buried yesterday. He lived a distinctively decent life which was much appreciated by all who knew him. An old boy of the CMS Grammar School, Lagos, he distinguished himself as a cricketer, a game he loved and wrote about under the pen-name of “Slip”. He went on to become the Secretary of the Nigerian Cricket Association, and held that position creditably to the development of the game. He was my boyhood friend and was the best man at my wedding.

But this is not all written because of my personal connection.

It is a shame that we no longer give due honour to those who have served this nation in their own peculiar way when they die.

God grant his beautiful soul eternal rest… .

Time out.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

T

his is a tale of two people close to my family who had serious car accidents in two different countries in perhaps two different eras.

Over 15 years ago, a career diplomat was on a posting in Ghana when he had a near fatal accident. His unconscious body was brought to a hospital where it was discovered that he had serious head injuries in addition to broken bones in different parts of his body.

The doctors in Ghana battled to save his life. Eventually, he was stabilised enough to be flown abroad where a slow but steady recovery took place.

Being a bright star in the service, the Ministry of External Affairs stood by him and transferred his posting to Europe so he could be near good medical care. He had to learn how to walk again, how to talk again, and how to put names to faces again. It was a long slow walk to near full recovery.

A highly cerebral individual, he recovered most of his mental, if not physical prowess,and rose to become an ambassador, the pinnacle in his chosen career.

In many ways, he was a lucky man. But what made me to tell this story today, was the way the doctors in Europe commended the work done by their Ghanaian counterparts during the ‘touch and go’ period to save his life. It was perhaps a high tribute they paid when they said even they in Europe, could not have done a better job to stabilise him.

Now, fast forward to last year in Lagos, Nigeria when a young man who had just graduated from one of the private universities and was waiting for his Youth Service call up, undertook an errand for his mother that ended in a bad accident along Ikorodu road. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and eventually found himself in Lagos State Teaching Hospital in Ikeja where it was discovered that he had fractured his hip bone along with some mainly surface injuries.

His recovery took a different route from my earlier story. While the diplomat was in a life and death situation for weeks, this young graduate was already cracking jokes in days. (I visited him in hospital and we exchanged some banters.) While the diplomat was fed liquid food for months, even after being stabilised, this young man ate choice food within days. To top it all, he had age on his side. (He is younger than the diplomat’s last child.)

So who do you think would make a fuller, more complete recovery? If your answer is what I think it is, then you are wrong.

After the discharge, it was discovered that the leg where he had the hip operation was horribly short, (about four inches) and the pain in the

hip kept increasing until it became clear to his parents that this young man might not lead a fully productive life if care was not taken. So the parents consulted with friends and elders and decided to take him to the US. Last month, the US doctors came up with scathing report. The operation in Nigeria was horribly done. The bone would have to be broken again and reset. (Even the inserted iron rod was not properly affixed). All the previous efforts – in time and money – went down the drain. More was still to come. It would cost the parents between eighty to a hundred thousand dollars to get the boy up and about. Money that the parents should not have had to spend. And in any case, money that they don’t have.

But more worrisome for our country, is the comment of the lead surgeon who said he was embarrassed and ashamed that professional colleagues any where in the world, could have done what the Nigerian doctors did on the poor boy’s leg. It was a damning assessment of a shoddy job.

Juxtapose that with what the Italian doctors said about their Ghanaian counterpart, over 15 years ago, and you have a tale of two different countries, two different sets of professionals, and two different eras.

May we remind ourselves, that LASUTH is a teaching hospital.

One that Lagos State has reportedly poured millions of tax payer’s money to upgrade and equip. May we remind ourselves that LASUTH doctors were among those who downed tools asking for higher remunerations so that they can, maybe, come to parity with the politicians who are bleeding the State.

Then there is the story of a young woman who had a caesarean operation in a private hospital only to have her intestine punctured and sewn up without informing her. It was when the pain became unbearable that she went to the UK and was told.

She’s had since had two corrective surgeries. Not unexpectedly, the doctors in the UK are incensed.

Can we be right to say that these doctors seem more interested in their pay package than in dedication to their profession and quality of work?

Or are they mere examples of the malaise of mediocrity pervading the entire country –from politicians to journalists?

I think we need to decide as a nation what we want to bequeath to the next generation – whether it is mediocrity or quality. There is no use in building hospitals and equipping them without investing in quality personnel.

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These doctors seem more interested in their pay package than in dedication to their profession and quality of work?

C M Y K

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The unchangeable changer For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed (Mal. 3:6). The only thing that is constant is God. This therefore means that all other things are subject to change. Thus, our condition is subject to change. Yes, that seemeth challenge is subject to change by the unchangeable changer.

The bible says that we are not consumed or destroyed because God changeth not. If ever there is a being that you can trust to see you through any situation, it is God Himself. He cannot fail.

He is too faithful to fail.

He is ever dependable, Reliable and cannot fail.

The scriptures say He is not a man that can lie, neither is He the son of man that He should repent; has He said and shall He not make it good.

You can count on Him more than anything else.

Money, friends, jobs, families, position and every other thing else shall fail you but He will never fail. So many that trusted in other things to change them or their lives have suffered shipwreck.

Some have gone from worse to worst. Someone may ask but why is it so?

The truth of it all is that none of those things are unchangeable. Look all around you, things are constantly changing by the moment. Government is changing, policies are changing, naira exchange rate is changing, fashion is changing, meals that we eat are changing, medical equipments are changing, buildings, airplanes, you name it are all changing. Have you

ever noticed that the seconds of the clock is ever changing? It has never remained in the same place longer than it is meant to be.

In the midst of all these constant changes there is a God that cannot change but changes all situations. I believe that by this message your change is coming.

Hebrews 13:8, says “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever ”.

The truth that Jesus does not change provides a sure anchor for our faith.

Therefore what He has done for one He can do for you. Whatever someone may have experienced in

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A tale of two countries

Vanguard anguard,, DECEMBER 15, 2012—15

touched His clothes and she was made whole.

The bible says “And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague”. Hear me, are you sick and the sickness is ravaging your whole life? Jesus is alive because of you and would heal you like He healed that woman of her plague”. He was the one that changed that woman’s condition and He can and will do the same for you if you ask

Money, friends, jobs, families, position and every other thing else shall fail you but He will never fai

Christ can also be your portion. He is not a respecter of persons. I pray that you encounter His unchanging nature that will change all that concerns you.

What is it that needs to be changed in your life? Is it medical, financial, spiritual or what? I announce to you that there is a God that can change it. In Mark 5:25-34, there is a case of a woman who has being suffering from the issue of blood for twelve (12) years. She had being to many doctors and many other places for solution but instead of getting any better she grew worse. All of her resources were wasted. But when she heard of Jesus, she said to herself, i f only I can but touch His clothes, I shall be whole. She went ahead and

,

Him. He cares for you and He is touched by the feelings of your infirmity. He wants you totally whole. Believe and trust Him and you would be amazed as to how He can change your life. Multitudes are testifying of how God has changed their lives.

You too can join them in experiencing the Unchanging nature of God that changes all things.

Let’s talk about the woman that was bowed with the spirit of infirmity for eighteen (18) years. She had gotten used to the condition that the devil placed her. When Jesus saw her, He said satan has no right to keep her bound and commanded her loosed from the infirmity (Luke 13:1013). Jesus changed her condition from bad to good. Again Jesus can set you free from every kind of bondage that the devil may have placed you. Turn your heart to God right now for He wants to give you a new glorious beginning by wiping away everything called sorrow in your life. He is set to change you now.

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.

16—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Wicked mother abandons baby boy in a bush

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN

W

ONDERS as the saying goes shall never cease. It is very amazing to hear cases of child abandonment especially when one considers the fact that children are precious gifts from God. A baby boy who appears to be less than 24 hours old was found abandoned in a deserted path surrounded by shrubs in Ikorodu area of Lagos state

recently.

The innocent child was welcomed to the world in this most wicked manner by an unknown mother or parents. The baby boy who was neatly wrapped was found in a bush at the early hours of Monday November 26, 2012, along Ikorodu -Itokin road, close to the popular Lucky Fibre bus-stop, Ikorodu.

According to residents, the baby wasfound atabout 7am that fateful day by passersby who were alerted by the

cries of the baby.

Sympathisers quickly rushed to the scene and saw the baby crying.

There was no written note or inscription left by the run-away mother.

According to an eye witness, the good Samaritans were afraid to carry the innocent crying baby but on the orders of the chairman of the Community Development Authority, CDA, the innocent baby was immediately taken to the nearest police station.

Saturday Vanguard learnt that the child was immediately taken to Shagamu road Police Division, Ikorodu and then to an orphanage. The D.P.O Shagamu Road Police Division, SP Benard Ediagboya, told Saturday Vanguard and anyone who crave any information about the abandoned baby should call the Lagos State Police Public Relations officer (PPRO), adding that investigation had begun on the matter.

Saturday Vanguard’s award winning story

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN

I

T was first at the 2012 edition of Celebrity Media Awards, CMA, where Saturday Vanguard shone like stars as it won the Best Weekend Newspaper of the Year, then came the prestigious Nigeria Merit Media Awards, NMMA, where Ishola Balogun of the same

desk won the 2012 Alex Ibru Prize for Investigative Reporter of the year last Saturday.

The event which was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites recognised media practitioners for their contributions to the growth of media industry in Nigeria with technocrats, captains of industries in attendance.

Presenting the award, Mr Yomi Jones, former

Saturday Vanguard Editor, Chioma Gabriel, with the CMA Best Weekend Newspaper and NMMA Best Investigative Reporter of the Year awards.

From left: Vanguard’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Victor Omoregie, Saturday Vanguard Editor, Chioma Gabriel and Ishola Balogun, the NMMA Best Investigative Reporter of the Year

Chief of Executive Officer, Nigeria Airways congratulated Balogun for working so hard to get the award.

The story had earlier fetched him the Aremo Olusegun Osoba Prize for Investigative Story which he won last year and a nomination for the Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting 2011.

The Award winning story Giving birth to seven babies in one year is a strange phenomenon that even those in the field of medicine have described inexplicable.

But Precious Donatus Ogbonna, a 37 year old Pastor/General Overseer of Holy Ghost Power Salvation Ministry, Owerri, Imo state who had been barren for

From left: Babs Alasa, a Vanguard Consultant; Advert Manager, Emeka Nwocha; Saturday Vanguard Editor, Chioma Gabriel; Ishola Balogun, the NMMA Best Investigative Reporter of the Year and Vanguard’s Assistant General Manager, Brand, Fred Odueme

From left: Saturday Vanguard Editor, Chioma Gabriel, Kayode Mathew, News Editor and Ishola Balogun, the NMMA Best Investigative Reporter of the Year. Photos

by Lamidi Morufu

twelve years of her marriage suddenly claimed she delivered seven babies in one year within a space of one month interval. More stunning was the fact that she claimed she was expecting more babies from that same conception. She declined to mention the hospital where the delivery took place and did not give a clue on how to locate the place but insisted she was ready for a DNA test to prove the veracity of her claim. Following the reports in the newspaper, Police swung into action and arrested ‘Mummy P’ as she is fondly called with the seven babies.

Vanguard Media limited immediately sponsored a DNA test on her and the seven babies and it was soon revealed that maternity was excluded in all the seven babies. In fact, the test further revealed that none of the babies had same maternity.

But where she got these babies became the nagging question as millions of Nigerians who followed the story in Saturday Vanguard newspaper posed the question.

Investigation continued and the reporter did not only get the places where she got the babies from but also squealed out how pregnancies were framed and how deliveries were arranged for some desperate women.

In far away Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Aba and Okigwe in Imo state, several unpublicised clinics which take the posture of native maternity homes where such ‘arranged deliveries’ take place were uncovered. Desperate

baby seeking habitué pay as much as N750,000 to N1million depending on the sex of the baby and N1.5million for twins; a delivery date is given pending when a baby will be arranged for the ”expectant woman”.

The challenges The reporter had to employ an observant participant method to locate the places where she got her babies including several other places where such activities thrive. Posing like a desperate customer, he requested for similar arrangement and was asked to pay the sum of N750,000 for a male child and they demanded to see his wife who would be given certain drugs before the arrival of the baby without passing through gestative period.

In one of the places, the owner of the home suspected that the reporter was gleaning information from her and secretly planned an attack, but the reporter got the move and found his way out of the area.

The reporter disguised to the orphanage in Owerri where the babies were kept to observe them a number of times.

The reporter diligently followed every move of the controversial woman even to one of the homes he had earlier uncovered as carrying out this phony deliveries for her 9th baby which climaxed at 12:15am on Sept 21 last year. For about 24 hours, the reporter kept watching ‘Mummy P’ who neither showed any sign of pregnancy nor fed the baby she got out of this arrangement. The court is yet to give judgement on the matter.

SA TUD AY SATUD TUDA

C M Y K

Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012, —17

18—SATURDAY VANGUARD,DECEMBER 15, 2012

Can stress really kill ?

Aunty Julie, I am a man of 46 years and I work very hard. I work in a government agency and I have a business of my own that I go to at the close of work. I wake up and leave home early every morning and have a busy schedule in my office. I go to my personal business afterwards where I stay till late in the night before going home.

But it all affects me and takes its toll on me. The doctor said I have stress and asked me to slow down. But I want to know, can stress really kill?

Badmus, Auchi Dear Badmus, Stress does not usually lead directly to one’s demise but long-term exposure can increase a person’s chances of developing life-threatening conditions. Stress is an influential force that can either fuel us through a public speaking engagement or make us feel sick to our stomach. One common response to stress is what scientists have called “fight or flight.” When you feel threatened, your pituary gland sends signals throughout your body to increase the amount of hormones released in your bloodstream. In response to your brain’s signal, your adre-

nal glands release cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones help to increase your strength and agility and also speed up your reaction time. In shortterm stressful situations, this process is a positive one that pushes you to work harder or avoid danger.

On the flip side, the long term effects of stress can have a negative impact on your body.

When the body releases more hormones than normal, your equilibrium is thrown off. If this process continues at a constant level, your body never gets the recovery time it needs between stressful situations. As a result of this constant stress on the body, risk factors for obesity, insomnia, digestive complaints, and depression increase. Continual and repetitive stress is related to six of the top causes of death including cirrhosis of the liver, heart disease, lung ailments, accidents, cancer, and suicide.

A few side effects of stress include: increased appetite, which can lead to weight gain ; decreased stomach acids, which slows metabolism ; increased blood pressure; stomach upset; and chest pain.

Due to increased levels of corti-

Is pulling out safe?

Dear Julie, I am a man of 34 years. I got into a serious relationship recently. My girlfriend and I have begun having sex recently.

The first few times we did, we used condoms. Lately, we haven’t.

I always pull out before I come. Is this still safe? Is it safe to reenter after this? Someone told me that if we don’t want to use a condom, we should use a spermicide. What is that? Is this safe by itself? I appreciate all that help. Thanks.

Dede, Benin Dear Dede, Let’s first clarify what you are trying to prevent: sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy, or both? In the case of STIs, the answer is a resounding NO! Pulling out, or withdrawal, is not an effective method of preventing STIs because most disease-causing micro-organisms do not depend on ejaculation for transmission. A condom will only help prevent the spread of STIs if you put it on before sex and leave it on the entire time you are having sex.

The blonde on an airplane There’s this blonde. She gets on a plane and sits in the first available seat. The flight attendant is coming around checking tickets. She looks at the blonde woman’s ticket and tells the blonde; “ma’am you can’t sit here, your ticket says coach and this is first class. Please move to the back of the plane” The blonde replies “I’m a blonde, I’m smart and have a good job. I’m not moving until the plane arrives in Jamaica” So the flight attendant, now hot under the collar at the blonde’s response, goes to anC M Y K

My vagina bleeds after intercourse

sol, stress can raise the risk for auto-immune diseases as well. It can also aggravate any auto-immune ailments that one already has by suppressing your body’s ability to react properly. Those with auto-immune diseases such as Lupus often suffer from flareups when subjected to constant stress. Stress is dependent on the individual; your personality, time-management abilities, career, and genetic makeup all affect your relationship with stress.

Inherited traits may make one person more predisposed to a negative reaction to stress than another. Personality is also a factor when dealing with stress and it may be affected by the level of stress one faced as a child. Because many character traits develop at an early age and our environment influences our growth, children who faced extreme stress are more likely to be vulnerable to stress as adults.

A healthy diet, regular sleep patterns, meditation, and exercise are all key activities that will help you manage stress effectively.

Each person is unique, one stresscoping technique may work better than others. Also, talking with someone else can sometimes help lower your stress levels; an outside opinion can often give you a new perspective on something you could not originally take a step back from. Approaching a friend or family member whom you can talk with may help diffuse stressful situations or anxiety.

If your stress levels are interfering with your day-to-day activi-

Dear Aunty Julie, I’m a 26 year old lady and got into a relationship two years. Our relationship was basically platonic. I had not had intercourse for over a year, and then recently I had intercourse and experienced vaginal bleeding. What could be the cause of this?

Engee, Lagos Dear Engee, Rest assured that many women experience vaginal bleeding associated with penetration or sexual intercourse. Most vaginal bleeding is considered normal and does not require medical treatment, especially if you’re premenopausal and have normal results on routine pap smears and pelvic exams. Not having sex in over a year could have very well played a part in the bleeding. Have you had intercourse since? If so, did you experience any bleeding? There are some common causes of post-intercourse vaginal bleeding: spotting throughout the menstrual cycle not associated with intercourse, especially when using hormonal contraceptives; friction caused by the penis or an object rubbing on the lower end of the uterus, also known as the cervix and inadequate lubrication or foreplay before penetration; normal cervical changes throughout sexual development and menopause; sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or HPV ; pregnancy; irritation of the outer or inner lips can be mistaken for bleeding from the vagina; vaginal dryness; urinary tract infections (UTIs), which can be accompanied by blood in the urine; cervical polyps, if vaginal bleeding is bright red in color and irritated and/or inflamed vaginal tissue due to excessive or vigorous penetration or vaginal trauma.

Bleeding is sometimes indicative of more serious conditions, especially for postmenopausal women. If you’re concerned about vaginal bleeding, an appointment with a gynaecologist is a good next step. Your doctor will ask you for details about the bleeding, including questions about the color and flow of blood. Next, your doctor will examine you to determine whether the bleeding is coming from your vagina, cervix, vaginal walls, inner lips, and/or urethra. This and other information helps your doctor determine or rule out other possible causes, and get appropriate diagnosis and treatment for you.

ties, making you feel ill, or keeping you up at night, it may be useful to consult a doctor.

I’ve had multiple abortions Dear Julie, My name is Adora and I’m 32 years . I’ve been into many relationships but suffered disappointments. Due to these disappointments, I have had several abortions. What are the dangers in having multiple abortions? I have had four. I really don’t want to have another one. I’m just seeking what the risks are: like chances of getting pregnant again or what is the maximum on abortions.

Adora, Abuja Dear Adora, Women who have had an abortion in a safe, sterile environment by a trained doctor usually don’t have future fertility or pre-natal complications. Also, there is no medi-

cally or legally mandated maximum number of abortions that a woman can have. This is a decision that is up to a woman and her health doctor.

Having one or more abortions carries risk of future pregnancy complications such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or birth defects for future pregnancies. Some research suggests that women who have multiple surgical abortions may be slightly more likely to have complications such as low-birth weight babies or pre-term birth.

This is not to say, however, that abortion causes adverse pregnancy outcomes. Instead, some women who have abortions may also have other life events or risk factors that predisposed them to having low-

C O C K - T A L E S other flight attendant and tells him what happened.

So he goes up to her and asks her to move to the back of the plane. She then responds, “I’m a blonde, I’m smart and have a good job. I’m not moving until the plane arrives in Jamaica”.So the two flight attendants are steaming mad and they go to the copilot and tells him what is going on. He comes back to where the blonde is sitting and leans over and whispers something in her ear.

The two flight attendants were astonished when the blonde abruptly got up from her seat and moved

birth weight babies and/or preterm births.

You mention that you want to avoid having another abortion; many women share this feeling and use birth control to avoid becoming pregnant. There are several contraception options, including birth control pills or condoms. Keep in mind that only condoms also reduce the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Some women think that having an abortion is the right choice in the event of an unwanted pregnancy, even if they have already had one or more abortions.

But is is always safer to play safe by zipping up not only to avoid pregnacy but to prevent guilt and contacting STIs.

to the back of the plane. They looked at each other and then the co-pilot and asked him what he told her.The co-pilot, feeling good about himself told them “Oh, this happened a while back with someone else. I just simply told the woman that the front half of the plane wasn’t going to Jamaica”.

The firing squad A brunette, a redhead and a blonde get captured and are placed before a firing squad.

They are about to be executed and the brunette says “Look...Hurricane” and points to her left while she gets away.The redhead girl says “Look...Tornado”, points and gets away. Finally the blonde tries to do the same thing she says “FIRE”

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

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erri Hunter is a 27year-old Briton who’s claimed to have slept with over 1,000 men yet insisted: “I’m not a slut.” She said her insatiable lust is an illness that’s driving her round the bed.

According to reports, the customer service manager needs sex up to a dozen times a day and admits her addiction is out of control.

She even trawls the internet for partners, agreeing to sleep with them no matter how ugly they turn out to be. “That’s another sad part of this problem— my desire for sex overrides any quality control issues,” she said. “It doesn’t matter to me how it happens or what they look like, and it’s a bonus if they’re wellendowed.”

Vanguard DECEMBER 15, 2012—19 making would hurt. Four months after the birth, we tried to have sex after being assured by my doctor I was properly healed and we’d be fine. There was no pain, but no enjoyment either, 1 didn’t feel aroused at all. As our child’s first birthday approached I still couldn’t enjoy sex so my doctor referred me to a menopausal clinic — not because menopausal was my problem, but because the clinic specialized in women’s suffering with loss of libido. ‘We’ve only attempted sex a few times all these years’, I confided to the specialist. ‘I don’t like myself much since giving birth. ‘I feel frumpy and tired’.

“My husband and 1 had always been soul mates, but now I could feel a gulf widening between us. 1 could see us separating if things didn’t start to improve. The specialist gave me an arousal oil called Zestra. ‘You apply it to your privates,’ she explained. ‘Once you feel sexier everything else may feel a lot better too’. So 1 went home, brandishing the oil—hoping it would work, terrified it wouldn’t. That night, my husband gently rubbed the oil on for me — and our lovemaking finished with my first orgasm since our son’s birth.

“It may have been a fluke. But lying in my husband’s arms, I knew every thing would be ok. I was right. We stopped bickering and started getting on again. Being close meant we could talk about our problems too. It was that simple. We’re happier now— and I think my husband is too.

After all, it’s better for babies if their parents get on ...”

So are you a Terri or a Zoe? Overactive libido is always hard to treat — it’s worse than being a nymphomaniac! If, like Zoe, you suddenly discover your oomph has gone, then maybe Zestra could work for you. And before you burn up my phone with texts, there is no evidence it’s available here. But if you travel to Britain or know anyone who could help, it is widely available at Superdrug outlets. You can also get it online at zestra for women.co.uk. It costs around 17 pounds, roughly N3,500. Worth every kobo if you need to use it!

Intimacy :T oo muc h or ttoo oo little :Too much little?

Ho w tto o balance yyour our se xual need How sexual

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ended up in the bedroom with married couples. Often I’ll bring some sex toys with me, or I’ll ask them to bring some along. 1 am looking for complete satisfaction.”

And despite her bed-hopping, Terri has managed to stay faithful to her current boyfriend for two months.

But she admits:”I know that my appetite will probably wreck this relationship like it had done to all the rest. Men can’t cope with my sex

like Terri, just think what it would be like making love to a woman round the clock! Pleasure soon turns to pain until you became incommunicado! On the other side of the coin is Zoe. Her sex life was fine until she had her first child at 34. “When 1 went into labour”, she said, “All my pushing couldn’t get my baby out. 1 ended up being badly cut inside by forceps, then needing emergency caesarean too.

,

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erri, who struggles to maintain a relationship because of her addiction, became a slave to love at the age of 17 when she lost her virginity. She recalled: “It was like someone had flipped a switch. From then 1 just developed an insatiable desire for sex. I’ve done it with hundreds and hundreds of men. 1don’t keep a tally because I’m not a slut—1 am just satisfying a need.

“Most people who know me think I’m really sweet and charming. I don’t smoke, 1 barely drink. I’ve never taken drugs, yet I’ve slept with over one thousand men.” And if there’s no man around, says the report, Terri slips off to satisfy herself, even if she’s at work. She added: “Other people have fag breaks, so 1 don’t feel too guilty. On a bad day, I can have up to a dozen comfort breaks.” Terri said she’s tried hypnotherapy, SAA (Sex Addiction Anonymous) and has been prescribed anti-depressants — but still can’t control her urges. Her lustful thoughts would often happen during sessions with her psychotherapist. “I was lying on the couch, telling my shrink that 1 was turned on at the thought of sleeping with him. 1 was hopping he’d jump on top of me and we’d have sex!

“I’ve been on nights out where I’ve

On a bad day, I can have up to a dozen comfort breaks

drive, I’ve ended up having sex with their mates before— 1 was just desperate for it. It’s like having dry skin: You know you shouldn’t scratch it, but when you do, it just feels good ...”

To all you men out there salivating over the prospect of landing a catch

1 was very sore afterwards.

“For weeks, 1 was in a lot of pain down below and was tired. My husband felt left out because all my attention was given to the baby. Normally, we’d have argued it out, then had fun making up in bed. But I was convinced love

How to say no without feeling guilty eep it simple: Resist the urge to over explain. Simple responses such as “Sorry, 1 can’t this time” “I’m afraid I’m busy” that day” are most effective. The more details you offer, the more there will be to argue about. The other person may try to change your mind or decide that your excuse isn’t good enough. (“You mean cleaning your closets is more important than I am?”)

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hen in doubt buy time; there’s no law saying you must always answer at that moment. Say a co-worker ask, you to head up the fund raising drive for a company — sponsored C M Y K

charity. Tell her, “let me think about it, and I’ll get back to you?

‘Then consider the best way to say no.

Expand your definition of “I have plans.” Many people feel they can’t turn down an invitation unless they have another engagement on

a rule you have about the thing being asked. For example; “sorry, but 1 have a policy about never lending my car.” Or

the calendar. But if you’ve scheduled dowtime for yourself, that is an engagement. So don’t be afraid to say “sorry, 1 have plan.”

Make it a policy: make your ‘no’ sound less personal by referring to

“I make it a rule never to date people 1 work with.” Such a response carries fewer stings because it says ‘no’ to a practice, not to an individual.

Remember that, behind every

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Many people feel they can’t turn down an invitation unless they have another engagement on the calendar

no is a yes: you’re not sure you want to work 11-hour days or baby-sit your neighbour’s kids.

But do you know what you want to do instead? Every time you say no to a less than-appealing request, you say yes to something else.

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aybe it’s one golden hour to take a bubble bath, read a good book or play with your kids.

Saying no frees you to pursue a dream— to take a class and develop your potential, or to work for a cause you believe in. The more time you can give to the things you truly care about, the more satisfying your life will feel.

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15 15, 2012 OST women are terrified of being hurt by a man or not being able to see the signs he’s a womanizer! Well ladies, I’m here to help point out eight clear warning signs he’s a womanizer! Are you looking for signs he’s a womanizer in your boyfriend? Can you not point them out? Well girls, take a look below and see if your boyfriend has any of the eight traits listed below!

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The way he picks you up

The easiest sign he’s a womanizer is the way he picks you up. The guy you deserve is someone who is sincere and humble when he talks to you. Shyness is endearing when it comes to guys because it gives a woman a since of confidence. The womanizer is the alpha male that is name dropping everyone he knows, talks about the car he drives, and says the sleaziest pick up lines you can think of such as, “I’m going to make your night, pretty lady.”

The jewelry around his neck and bright peacock clothing he has on is a major sign that you need to take off!

in the knees moment. But I want you to think of the rule, “a guy will say what he needs to say to get into your pants”. The moment the guy highlights every aspect of your appearance and personality more then five times in a conversation, it’s a top sign he is a womanizer.

Six signs that he is a womanizer ...

Never calls you after you hook up

This is one of the most common loser moves a guy can pull on a girl. They make you fall for them, and then you spend a night with them, and next thing you know, he disappears never to be heard from again. The best thing to do is stop wasting your energy thinking about it and move on. He clearly wanted one thing from you, and it’s a waste he didn’t see what he’s missing.

Social Media

His words don’t equal his actions

Girls, we have all dated that guy that makes promises he never fulfills right?

The one who tells you he likes you, wants to introduce you to his family, takes you out to all these places, but none of that really seems to come into fruition.

This is a major sign he is a womanizer. If he isn’t taking his time out for you, he either is spending it with someone else or is just not that interested. Find yourself someone who jumps at the chance to be with you!

Only wants to see you late at night

In my opinion, this is the number one

warning sign he is a womanizer. When you aren’t receiving phone calls, texts, or emails anytime before ten at night, he only has one thing on his mind. A guy who wants to be with you will make it clear to you, and by that, I mean he will ask you to go on a hike, or a lunch date, or send you a smiley face asking about your day.

A womanizer asks you where you are and if you want to “hang out”. Don’t take that text as he is interested in more than what it is. Any plan after

the sun is down that wasn’t made previously is the easiest way to tell if you are dealing with the typical womanizer.

Overly compliments you

Yes ladies, we all love to hear how funny, beautiful, and amazing we are, but we also know if a guy overly does it, then it becomes a bit sketchy. When a guy looks deep into your eyes and sincerely tells you he cares about you and that you are beautiful, it’s a weak

Some spend time on their computer to listen to music, check email, and stare at social media sites. When a guy you’re dating is friends with you online, check to see what his photos and wall looks like. If there are a bunch of girls commenting, it’s a huge red flag. When he is responding to them or asking them to hang out, its a double red flag.

This shows he really isn’t interested in you, he is just interested in hanging with the girl population.

He is a flirt

Of course we all know it is human nature for men to check out women.

The wandering eye is okay as long as it doesn’t wander away too long from you. But if you are out with a man and he is paying more attention to the other women in the room then he is to you, thats a major warning sign.

I keep getting fever with my period

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know that some women do get fevers as a part of their period, but is it normal to get high fevers? I have never had a problem with my period before, but the last two periods have had me chilled, feverish, and with a temperature of up to 102 degrees Fahrenheit, I couldn’t even go to work or anything for like a week. I don’t use tampons, and I’m not sexually active. I am in pretty good shape. Please tell me I won’t have to take a week off of my life every month from now on because of these awful fevers. Is there anything I can do?

Beebee, Lagos Feeling like a hot mess during your period is no fun. A fever is a symptom that

can be caused by a variety of illnesses.

It most commonly accompanies a viral infection, but can also be caused by numerous other things: bacteria, fungus, drugs, toxins, heat exposure, cancer, injuries to the brain, or diseases of the endocrine system. Sometimes, it is difficult to find the source of a fever, which can leave anyone feeling hot and bothered.

Have you been more stressed than usual lately? It is widely believed that stress can suppress immune function and increase susceptibility to disease.

Researchers have found that during the menstrual cycle, women are more liable to immune system related diseases during the luteal (21-23rd days) phase.

Other studies carried out in women have demonstrated that hormonal alterations

*Femi, 40, single, Yoruba, graduate, divorcee with two male children,resident in Ibadan, is searching for a serious-minded lady who is elegant and from any part of the world for a relationship that would lead to marriage on 08034019208

during different phases of the menstrual cycle affected stress response and immune system function.

Since you don’t use tampons, toxic shock syndrome,TSS, is probably not the cause of your fever. TSS is an extremely rare condition linked with tampon use. TSS symptoms include a rash that is similar to a sunburn that develops with a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, as well as headache, muscle aches, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, profound weakness, confusion, and signs of shock.

If you have been sexually active in the past, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can be a possible

culprit, which can be caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

However, STIs are only one cause of PID. It can also be caused by regular bacteria in the vagina.

During your period, bacteria can travel up the vagina and into the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing infection.

This can occur at any time during the menstrual cycle, but is more common during menstruation.

Common PID symptoms besides lower abdominal pain include fever, unusual vaginal discharge that may have a foul odour, painful intercourse, painful urination, irregular menstrual bleeding, and pain in the right upper abdomen (rare).

professional lady of above 35 years who is also single on 08164178084 •Henry, male, from Anambra, based in Abuja, graduate, fair, is searching for a lady of 23-31 who also lives and works in Abuja on 08033723650

*Uli,33, from Yala, Cross-River State,wants a wealthy •Segun, 38,businessman,graduate, resident at Ifo, lady, preferably a divorcee or a widow of 18-38 on Ogun-State, single, wants to meet a certified •Vincent,male, 32, from the South-East, 08121444610 employed, needs a •Murphy, 34, from Edo State, Christian, working class lady from Do you have reactions to our stories or have you any experience you want lives and works in Lagos, needs a Godthe South-East of 23-25 fearing tall, slim lady for a marriage-bound for relationship on relationship on 07030842596 Do you want to be linked?

08099138605 •Onyemaechi, from Ebonyi State, wants to Neither Chioma Gabriel nor Saturday Vanguard has any relationship with anybody wanting to be linked. We have no agents anywhere and charge no fees. We have no personal informameet a Godly lady of 20-30 who is employed and from Delta or Edo State for marriage on tion of people who have been linked or want to be linked and therefore, are not answerable for 08068747575

C M Y K

SATURDAY

Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012—21

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t is over 50years since Nigeria gained her independence from British colonial masters, and sometimes I have wished they never left the shores of Nigeria. Maybe if they had stayed a little longer, we would be better. No doubt the colonial masters had their selfish reasons while Nigeria was in their grip, like every other country colonised. It is the spoils that are the focus of interest not the development of the nation in question. Have we been able to do much better for our citizens since then or have those we elected to serve us continued to plunder at will as if there is no tomorrow? The amounts of money stolen from this country by different administrations are just figures to me as my mind cannot comprehend in hard cash. What then do we have to show for our independence? We are a country where every household has a generator /inverter for

info@katehenshaw.com

No respite in sight (2) electricity, borehole and water purification systems for potable water;”maiguards”/pseudo security men for protection. We are a country where our leaders do not seek medical treatment here but abroad nor send their children to school within this country. We are a country that kills its own because our roads are in such deplorable states. We are a country where our interna-

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ow many of us have really thought deeply about the words of the old anthem:“Nigeria, We hail thee, our own dear native land, though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand. Nigerians are proud to serve, our sovereign Motherland”? Does it make us lift our heads high and make a personal vow to bring to life the meaning of the words? It should. I have seen several times the pride in the eyes of other nationals, be it at sporting events or occasions where their national anthem is played and sung.

With their hands on their chests which is pushed out like that of a peacock strutting her stuff, their heads held high, they are united in spirit to bring glory and honour to a nation they are proud of. Can we truly say the same of Nigeria?

amongst themselves while the citizens look on in a helpless stance, wondering when a turnaround will come.

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t is pathetic and quite an apology that with the vast amount of human and natural resources at our disposal, we still lag very far behind in terms of everything. Yes, everything! Except you are extremely rich and on the Forbes list, you will find it hard pressed to find a common Nigerian who can

No doubt the colonial masters had their selfish reasons while Nigeria was in their grip, like every other country colonised

tional and local airports despite the latest ongoing reconstruction, look like waiting rooms. We are a country where one must have more than one mobile phone but still cannot make calls and are charged for dropped calls as tariffs continually increase. Our lawmakers are more interested in demanding for higher salaries and fighting

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state boldly that his or her basic needs have been provided for by our leaders; past and present. Floods have ravaged farmlands, homes and displaced hundreds of men, women and children; buildings collapse at the drop of a hat and countless die from insecurity in the land. According to an online publication, allAfrica, the latest report by a subsidiary of The Economist Group of London, Economist Intelligence

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verywhere you turn there are instances or situations that capture the bundle of contradictions that this great nation is. I was at the Atan Cemetery in Yaba a couple weeks ago, and even there, the resting place for the long departed did not escape our peculiar ‘Nigerianness’.

For those who have never been, a short narrow road takes you in from the gate then you make a left and you are in smack in the middle of the cemetery. It doesn’t look terribly large; I didn’t exactly go exploring (if you know what I mean); but even in that place there was ‘us’, and there was ‘them’ and the difference was very clear.

The cemetery is divided into two major parts by a narrow path that couldn’t be more than ten paces across. On the left, you have the

Nigeria is destined for greatness, like the people of Israel we just have to get through this wilderness experience and quickly too, so that we can come to the end of a ‘forty day’ journey that is taking us well over forty years

‘Nigerian’ side, haphazard, unkempt, tombstones crumbling and broken, some graves left wide open with the slabs shifted to the side almost like they were vandalised, in short downright ugly. Then to your right you have the ‘Oyinbo’ (for want of a better description) side. It was

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e as a people need to ask questions of our leaders. We have our thumb prints on ballot papers that put them there. It is not enough to grumble and pray. It is not profitable either to turn on each other. Those of us who did not “check out” have a mandate to bring Nigeria to its rightful place. Let sentiments and selfish interests not cloud our judgements. We are one nation and must remain so.

In conclusion, the loss of another Nollywood veteran, Enebeli Elebuwa, hit me hard. 25 years ago, he was the face of a campaign urging Nigerians not to abandon motherland to seek greener pastures elsewhere during the brain drain era. He believed in this country but sadly had to go seek health care outside of our shores where he passed on. May his soul, rest in perfect peace. My appreciation goes to the Executive Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, for his assistance. May we not look back in some years to come and say to our children in the words of a man I respect greatly and admire, Chinua Achebe, “There was a country”... .

grow beautifully on one side, the same way I was shy to describe the lovely part of the cemetery as the ‘oyinbo’ side which is basically a cop out because the truth is no ‘oyinbo’ comes there to tend the place! Upon enquiry I was informed that the ‘oyinbo’ side pre-dates a lot of the graves on ‘our’ side so how is it that they have kept it so pristine? By choice; and deliberate and sustained action.

The Nigerian paradox

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ate us, love us, one thing is for sure; you can’t ignore us! Even if all you do is to stop and marvel at some of the more bizarre and absolutely mind boggling things we get up to as Nigerians.

There is no doubt in my mind that as a nation Nigeria is destined for greatness, like the people of Israel we just have to get through this wilderness experience and quickly too, so that we can come to the end of a ‘forty day’ journey that is taking us well over forty years.

Unit(EIU), Nigeria has been rated as the “ worst place to be born in 2013”. A rare feat reserved only for very few countries in the world in the 66 years the EIU has been in this business. Nigeria ranked 80th out of 80 countries considered with a score of 4.74 out of 10, just below Kenya which scored 4.91. The study measures the parameters that provide the best environment for the safest, healthiest and most prosperous life in the coming years.

The quality-of-life index deployed in the analysis and research was calibrated around critical areas like trust in public institutions, crime and government policies. The year 2013 is just round the corner!

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that day that I discovered that Atan Cemetery holds the largest concentration of World War II era graves in Nigeria. On this side the tomb stones were precisely laid, the area spotlessly clean, even the grass was discriminatory! Now I know this last comment has no basis in logic because the grass did not on its own, decide to

hat is my point anyway! You could say we are a nation that has little regard and pays scant attention to the living so why am I talking about the dead abi? It just underscored for me the general disdain and disrespect that defines the ‘Nigerian way’ of doing things.

However, I did start out by saying that Nigeria is destined for greatness and this will be as a result of the efforts of a growing number of Nigerians who are creating pockets of excellence in whatever capacity they find themselves. And this was captured even there in the resting place for our dearly departed by the beautiful oasis created by Dehinde Harrison’s Ebony Undertakers.

A major part of the Nigerian paradox is that a lot of times, somewhere in the middle of the chaos you will find a strand of sanity.

Which hopefully like yeast will gradually begin to permeate.

22 — SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Happily Ever Engaged Long Engagements - How Long Should An Engagement Be ?

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hat altar? These days, more couples are finding longterm bliss in the prenuptial

zone.

Yemi proposed to Bola on a park bench overlooking the Lagoon. He’d prepared a speech but couldn’t utter the words, so he let the park bench episode speak for itself. Bola cried, then croaked yes. After, she speed-dialed her friends. “Have you set a date?” they asked. “Soon,” she said. “We just need to save money for the wedding.”

A year passed. By then, they had savings, but their jobs were so hectic they didn’t have time to fuss over flower arrangements, so they waited for the workflow to ebb. Two years passed. People went from asking when they’d marry to whether they’d marry. “We live together,” Bola shrugged. “So we basically feel married.”

Five years passed. They bought a house, gave birth to a daughter. Still, no wedding. By then, even they began to wonder: What was their problem?

In the latest Nicholas Stoller film, The Five-Year Engagement, Jason Segal and Emily Blunt delay their nuptials when Blunt gets an out-of-state job, then a promotion. They insist they don’t have cold feet. Nonetheless, people all but place bets on whether they’ll ever get hitched. But that’s just a movie, but the plot also reflects many real couples’ situations.

Back in the ’60s, engagements often lasted three to six months. Today, an average woman may be engaged for two, three, even five years.

It’s a far cry from the stereotype of the marriage-obsessed woman who launches into a wedding-planning frenzy as soon as she sports a diamond.

A growing number of women are lingering in the engagement phase, a phe-

nomenon that aligns with data hinting that young adults are growing more indifferent about marriage.

According to 2010 census figures, only 30 percent of people aged 18 and 34 are hitched.

It appears being unmarried no longer carries a stigma and that women don’t need marriage to boost their social or economic status anymore. Still, getting engaged is a distinct, exciting new chapter in life, a romantic milestone that can feel like a triumph for some women. And a marathon engagement is the perfect way to bask in the prenuptial glow and avoid getting bogged down in marital drudgery.

For some women, the perks of engagement are too seductive to part with. The attention from friends and family, showing off the ring, and recounting the proposal to a rapt audience go a long way. Some don’t mind prolonging the fun. In a world of Facebook and Twitter, where news drops and disappears in an endless stack of

updates, many women want to shine in the “ I’m engaged!” limelight.

Millie, 32, a graduate who has been engaged for 19 months, is an “engagement junkie”, addicted to the rush of living on the brink of wedded bliss.

“When I changed my Facebook status to ‘Engaged,’ everyone wrote on my wall and called,” she recalls. “I wanted to extend this breezy, happy period.”

And Kate, 40, a banker in Lagos has been engaged for 11 years. Even now, “I’m still excited. It’s a state of mind.

And for now, we’re committed without the hassle of marriage.”

Other long-engaged couples would happily move toward marriage faster, if only they had the cash to cover the expenses a traditional wedding includes. According to Survey,” nuptials held in costlier areas of the country cost an average of N2million-N5million while low class weddings cost betwwen N500.000-N1million. About 20 percent of young adults are delaying

ASK THE SEXPERT Ques: I am a 29-year-old man, recently married. Three months ago, I caught my wife having sex with my elder brother. I think they were having an affair before we got married. Ever since then, my interest in sex has crashed. I want a happy family.

Ans: It’s a traumatic situation, I know, and needs to be handled delicately. Are you ready to forgive and forget after she promises to be loyal to you? That is probably the only way to a happy family.

Ques: I am a 26-year old man and my partner is 21. We both want to have sex, but she fears that she’ll experience severe pain. What do we do? Is

marriage due to financial woes.

“In this economy, a fairy-tale wedding may no longer be affordable, yet the dream is hard to release,” says Tade, a 41 year old bachelor. Some couples, rather than downsizing their big day, save until they can splurge. And that can take a long time.

“I’ve been engaged for five years,” says Rita, 28, a marketing manager in Port-Harcourt. “We haven’t gotten married because I want a traditional/ church wedding and we can’t afford it yet. We could cut costs, but I don’t want to compromise on what I want.” Meanwhile, Rita and her fiancé have been living together all these years.

Jude, 43, a social-media marketing manager in Abuja has been engaged for 7 years. “I propopsed to my fiancée seven years ago and uptill now, nothing is concluded,” he says. Jude says his fiancee is so content with their status that she has a term for him. “ She says I’m her ‘boyancé, a boyfriend-fiancé.” While long engagements don’t always mean that a relationship is rocky, especially if it’s just about saving money, some couples are paralyzed by ambivalence about the future or anxiety about their compatibility, or they fear divorce.

“My mother has been married three times,” says Sasha , 41, a journalist who was engaged for seven years before she wed. “I delayed marriage because I didn’t want what my parents had. But once I realized I wasn’t making choices intrinsic to myself, I got married.”

Experts warn that over the long haul, staying in engagement limbo can undermine a relationship. One member may interpret lack of marriage as a sign that the other person isn’t really committed. And it can even prevent couples from marrying at all. There’s no data on how many couples break up due to long engagements, but there are guys who fight with their fiancées and say, ‘Why deal with this? We’re not married. I can just leave.’”

Yemi recalls that after five years of his proposal to Bola and six months after the birth of their daughter in 2010, they buried their doubts. “We headed to the registry: Bola in a red silk dress and I in a suit. After a 20second ceremony, we celebrated at a Chinese restaurant on the Island”.

While their wedding didn’t have traditional trimmings, Yemi felt elated, even foolish for waiting. Because while he’d always thought that a marathon engagement would help them seamlessly slide into marriage, what his stomach butterflies said that day was, there is no easy way in. He just had to make the leap.

sex really that painful?

Ans: Yes, it is. When the hymen splits, it pains a lot.

Learn the art of foreplay and split the hymen with the finger. It will not be that painful and will bleed only as much as a pricked finger.

Ques: My wife and I enjoy performing oral sex on each other.However, a few days ago while indulging in the act, I drank her urine by mistake.Now I am worried.What diseases may I contract? I am feeling awkward to consult a doctor over this.

Ans: It musn’t be her urine,but the lubrication that a woman secretes when excited. Such a fluid, or even urine for that matter, will not cause any harm. Haven’t you heard of urine therapy?

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012—23

Charlie Sheen donates £46,000 Music royalty rocks NYC in Sandy benefit concert to child cancer sufferer

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Stories by IYABO AINA

Charlie Sheen

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ormer Two and a Half Men star after being told about the youngster by a cop in Hermosa Beach, California, who revealed a colleague’s 10-yearold daughter named Jasmine Faulk had been diagnosed with C h i l d h o o d Rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer which forms in the soft tissue of muscles.

Sheen was so moved that he wrote a cheque

for £46,600 for the Hermosa Beach Police Association, whose members have started a fund in Jasmine’s honour.

In addition, Eddie Braun, Sheen’s stuntdouble from Scary Movie 5, also helped out by donating £15,000 . A statement on the charity ’s official Facebook.com page reads, “Big news today for the Faulk family.

Together, Eddie Braun and Charlie Sheen donated $100,000.00 to the HBPOA in support of Jasmine’s fight against cancer. All proceeds go to the Faulk family to support their daughter.

On behalf of the HBPOA, the Faulk family and those who support children fighting cancer, we thank you for your generous donation.”

Hrithik Roshan crowned sexiest humbled at the decision Asian man

Hrithik Roshan

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or the second year in a row, Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan has emerged the “sexiest Asian man in the world” in an online survey conducted by a London based weekly , as the 38-year-old actor pipped the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, John Abraham

and Ranbir Kapoor to clinch the top spot.

The star of 2012 which hit ‘A g n e e p a t h ’ beat off tough competition from around the world and won by an even bigger margin than last year as

he received votes from all over the world from continents that included Asia, Europe, Africa and South America from fans of all ages and different cultures, Even though he was the hot favourite and led right from the beginning, the win came as a major surprise to Indian cinema’s hottest pin up.

“I am extremely

of the public, also a little embarrassed as I just can’t imagine myself as sexy, I’m actually someone who’s just trying to get by with his battered, bruised and broken tools. So a big thank you to all for this dose of encouragement .Thank you Eastern Eye readers for this very sweet recognition,” said Hrithik.

He beat Pakistani singer turned actor Ali Zafar who was the surprise runner up. ‘Dabangg’ hero Salman Khan finished third and last year’s runner up Shahid Kapoor came fourth.

Bollywood newcomer Sidharth Malhotra was the highest new entry at fifth place and narrowly beat off popular TV star Kushal Tandon who was sixth.

ew Jersey shore hero Bruce Springsteen opened a benefit concert for victims of Superstorm Sandy on Wednesday by making a plea that what made his boyhood home special not be forgotten when it is rebuilt.

Music royalty from the Rolling Stones to Kanye West, including several artists with direct ties to the New York metropolitan area, gathered at Madison Square Garden for a concert being televised, streamed online and aired on radio all over Paul Mc Cartina, Kanya West and the world. Bruce Springsteen Springsteen and his E restoration after the The powerful storm left Street Band began the storm hit the area . parts of New York City show with a roar, Roger Waters played a underwater and left singing “Land of Hope set of Pink Floyd’s millions of people in and Dreams” and spacey rock, joined by several states without “Wrecking Ball.” He Eddie Vedder for heat or electricity for addressed the “Comfortably Numb.” weeks. It’s blamed for at rebuilding process Waters stuck to the music least 125 deaths, before his song “My and left the fundraising including 104 in New City of Ruins.” He noted to others. York and New Jersey, that the song was The sold out “12-12-12” and it destroyed or written about the hard concert was being damaged 305,000 times suffered by shown on 37 television housing units in New Asbury Park, N.J., stations in the United York alone. before a renaissance States and more than 200 Other concert performers over the past decade. others worldwide. And were to include Long He lauded the Jersey was to be streamed on 30 Islander Billy Joel shore as an inclusive websites, including (“New York State of area, where the rich and YouTube and Yahoo, and Mind”) and New Yorker the poor can find a played on radio stations. Alicia Keys (“Empire p l a c e .

Theaters, including 27 State of Mind”). Even “I pray that that in the New York region Liverpool’s Paul characteristic remains and dozens more McCartney has a New along the Jersey shore elsewhere, were York office, Hamptons because that’s what showing it live. More home and a wife, Nancy makes it special,” than 2 billion people Shevell, who spent a Springsteen said. were expected to have decade on the board of Comic Billy Crystal got access to the the agency that runs an immediate laugh by performance. Also more New York’s public transit taking a shot at a Long than $30 million was s y s t e m .

Island lighting company raised through ticket that drew criticism for sales alone. the slow pace of power

Lady Gaga’s little sister shines in fashion shoot

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Natali Germanotta and lady gaga

ooks like Lady Gaga’s sister was born this way, too. But Natali Germanotta, 20, doesn’t quite have the same eccentric fashion tastes as her older, famous sibling.

The fact that Natali agreed to star in this photo shoot is surprising since she’s rarely seen and

typically allows her sister to get all the attention. But she did accompany Lady Gaga down the red carpet at the CFDA Fashion Awards in June 2011.

Natali also starred in Gaga’s 2010 music video for “Telephone,” her collaboration with Beyonce. Sounds like Lady Gaga would be proud .

24—SATURDAY Vanguard DECEMBER 15, 2012

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Why you must indulge in laughter and humour

umour is infectious.

The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. When laughter is shared, it binds people together and increases happiness and intimacy.

Laughter also triggers healthy physical changes in the body.

Humour and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use“Your sense of humour is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain that your daily mood and emotional state support good health. ”Laughter is also a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh.

Humour lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert.

With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health.Laughter makes you feel good. And the good feeling that you get when you laugh remains with you even after the laughter subsides. Humor helps you keep a positive, optimistic outlook through difficult situations, disappointments, and loss.

More than just a respite from sadness and pain, laughter gives you the courage and strength to find new sources of meaning and hope. Even in the most difficult of times, a laugh—or even simply a smile—can go a long way toward making you feel better. And laughter really is contagious—just hearing laughter primes your brain and readies you to smile and join in the fun.Laughter makes you feel good. And the good feeling that you get when you laugh remains with you even after the laughter subsides. Humour helps you keep a positive, optimistic outlook through difficult situations, disappointments, and loss.

The ability to laugh, play, and have fun with others not only makes life more enjoyable but also helps you solve problems, connect with others, and be more creative. People who incorporate humor and play into

•Laughter is the best medicine

a sense of control and an opportunity to experiment with new solutions. Interacting with others in playful ways helps you retain this creative ability.

As laughter, humor, and play become an integrated part of your life, your creativity will flourish and new discoveries for playing with friends, coworkers, acquaintances, and loved ones will occur to you daily. Humour takes you to a higher place where you can view the world from a more relaxed, positive, creative, joyful, and balanced perspective.

Why Laughter is good

• Laughter relaxes the whole body.

• A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress.

•Have fun with others... their daily lives find that it renews them and all of their relationships.

Life brings challenges that can either get the best of you or become playthings for your imagination. When you “become the problem” and take yourself too seriously, it can be hard to think outside the box and find new solutions. But when you play with the problem, you can often transform it into an opportunity for creative learning.

Playing with problems seems to come naturally to children. When they are confused or afraid, they make their problems into a game, giving them

•Laughter boosts the immune system.

• Laughter decreases stress yet increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

• Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals.

•Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain. tects the heart.

•Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

•Laughter dissolves distressing emotions. You can’t feel anxious, angry, or sad when you’re laughing.

• Laughter helps you relax and recharge. It reduces stress and increases energy, enabling you to stay focused and accomplish more.

• Humour shifts perspective, allowing you to see situations in a more realistic, less threatening light.

A humorous perspective creates psychological distance, which can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Steps to take to benefit from humour and laughter

T

he social benefits of humour and laughter Humour and playful communication strengthen our relationships by triggering positive feelings and fostering emotional connection.

When we laugh with one another, a positive bond is created. This bond acts as a strong buffer against stress, disagreements, and disappointment.

section.

Laughing with others is more •Host game night with friends. powerful than laughing alone •Play with a pet.

Creating opportunities to laugh •Go to a “laughter yoga” class. include: • watching a funny movie or TV •Goof around with children.

• Do something silly. show.

• Make time for fun activities (e.g.

• Go to a comedy club. bowling, miniature golfing, karaoke).

• Read the funny pages.

• Seek out funny people.

•Share a good joke or a funny story. Relationships •Check out your bookstore’s humor Shared laughter is one of the most effective

tools for keeping relationships fresh and

exciting. All emotional sharing builds strong and lasting relationship bonds, but sharing laughter and play also adds joy, vitality, and resilience. And humour is a powerful and effective way to heal resentments, disagreements, and hurts.

Laughter unites people during difficult times.

Saturday Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012—25

•Stella Damasus

Iyanya dumps Yvonne Nelson for Emma Nyra IT no longer news that Kukere crooner, Iyanya and Yvonne Nelson have gone their separate ways. Rather, what is news is the fact that the singer has moved on with another tantalising date.

Though there were speculations that Iyanya dumped Yvonne for Tonto Dike, emerging facts point to the fact that the handsome singer actually dumped the actress for the up and coming Nigerian songstress, Emma Nyra. At the moment, they both seem to be sailing on a smooth sea.

Tongue started wagging after Iyanya and Emma Nyra were spotted together at several events. The two showbiz stars have found love in the arms of each other. And the fact that Emma Nyra is always sighted at Lekki area

N

of Lagos where Iyanya resides, further fueled the Don Jazzy and D’banj speculations that they are no doubt in a relationship.

Emma Nyra, an American based singer shot into

OLLYWOOD screen queen, Stella Damascus may be saying Í Do’ for the third time, if the news making the rounds is anything to believe.

The actress reportedly was spotted with engagement ring at the 2012 Mode Men of the Year Awards . An indication that the mother of two is set for the altar again. Damasus did not hesitate to tell anyone who cared to listen that “If it looks like it then it is. It does abi, then it is. For me to boldly wear this, I know what it would cause, so I am saying let them talk” she said.

So is it for real or it is just a stylish accessory? She finally agrees that she is wearing an engagement ring.

“Yes I am wearing an engagement ring, whether it is for fashion or for real nobody knows. It is left for you to decide whether it is for real or I am wearing it for fashion or I am simply looking for trouble”. Stella once married Jaiye Aboderin, the promising dude died mysteriously. She dated other men before she got married to Nzeribe, the wedding didn’t last six months before it got dissolved. Now, it’s another one for our delectable actress.

limelight with Iyanya’s “Your Waist” video. We also leant that the duo are in Manchester, UK for the shoot of “Everything I Do”.

Omotola's 'Real Me'on AfricaMagic

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MOTOLA JaladeEkeinde will never be tired of breaking new grounds. Just when many thought, she has taken off time from work, the sexy actress bounced back recently

with a reality show which debuted on AfricaMagic.

The highly anticipated show, "The Real Me" which was filmed on locations in Lagos, London, Ghana,Miami and Kingston, Jamaica promises to give an up close and exclusive

•Osezuah

look at Omotola's personal life as she latest movies, expands her business interests and takes on all the challenges of being a ground-breaking celebrity.

Omotola who was excited talking about the series, which hit the airwave since 6th of December said, nothing was off limits to the team filming her. "Yes, my image is omosexy but this show is for teh whole family.

It's a good content for everyone."

uah “1st z e s hi O s movie i m i l E re e i m e pr se” cau

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HE veteran entertainment point man, Elimihi Osezuah recently premiered his first ever movie, 1st Cause at Silverbird Cinemas, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The movie resolves around the rmental struggle for survival.

Speaking at the premiere, Elimihi informed that the movie tries to establish the fact that man’s problem is caused by his internal taught.

“If you can conquere your inside and keep your mind focused, you will make it in life. It is a movie of attitudinal change,” he said.

C M Y K

•Omotola

us c s a m Da Stella ies again? marr

Effy Ike in anger session on fans T

HE Nigerian born Hollywood star, Eefy Ify is really not smiling with the manner some people lampoon her on the social networking sites, thus making her react in a negative way. The once friendly relationship the actress enjoyed with her fans has now turned sour when some aggrieved fans started posting abusive messages on her walls and accusing her of feeling too big to reply their messages.

International sexy actress and model Eefy Ify Ike who recently relocated home from abroad to contribute her quota to the rapid growth of entertainment industry has charged that her life is not on Facebook, Hear her “For those that are angry because I’m not able to read and respond to all the overwhelming inbox messages I receive, I’m not idle you know! I work! I have a demanding life and so I cannot sit on facebook all day

•Ike

reading inbox. I share my thoughts with you on my wall because I care to inspire and not because I have nothing else to do. So when or if I don’t read and respond to your messages it means I don’t have the time to do so.

Now passing strictures and casting aspersions only reveal your weakness and thereby caution me to never respond to you. Yes you have clearly shown by your insolence that you are not deserving of my time and energy, messages and responding”

26—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Harvest of awards for Rita Dominic, Monalisa Chinda

Monalisa Chinda

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hile some movie stars are already getting their Christmas gifts wrapped underneath Christmas trees, some are still getting theirs on stage. For Rita Dominic and Monalisa Chinda, this is a season of awards.

Barely a week after Rita Dominic was named most stylish actress at the FAB awards in Lagos, she was yet again announced a big winner at the fourth edition of the KALASHA film and Television awards penultimate Saturday in Kenya.

The University of Port Harcourt graduate of Theatre Arts emerged Best Actress for her performance in the Kenyan film, “Shattered”.

Meanwhile, in far away Germany, Monalisa Chinda was also nnounced winner of the Adler awards and NEGA (Nollywood E-Golden) awards, respectively.

Presented to carefully selected Africans who have shown the greatest promise of contribution to human wellbeing, through the application of their intellect and knowledge towards the development of their communities, the prestigious Adler Awards was held in Bonn, Germany on December 1st, while the NEGA Awards which celebrates creative talents took place a week after.

The multi-talented actress has also been busy putting together an eccentric Christmas Dance Production to be unveiled soon.

Rita Dominic dedicated her

C M Y K

Uche Jombo takes Nollywood to Abiriba N ollywood actress and producer, Uche JomboRodriguez is set to make history again as she concludes plans to premiere her latest flick, A Mother’s Fight.

Final production of the movie which was completed sometimes last month has continued to generate massive buzz on different social media networks.

With a determination to helping widows and ease their plights by bringing to the fore their problems, trials and tribulations, the actress said that, even though so many stories and researches have been done in that line, the injustices meted out to widows in the country and the world-

over seems not to be abating as the trend seems to be on the increase.

Scheduled to premiere a day before Christmas in the bubbly town of Abiriba, Abia State, the country home of the actress; the movie is expected among other things to help bring succour to widows and draw attention to their plight while also eliciting the desired assistance to alleviate their suffering.

Speaking on the movie, Jombo-Rodriguez said “Experience, they say is the best teacher; and on this matter I can say that I have been on the receiving end.

Rita Dominic awards to God Almighty. She said , “I dedicate this award to God for his mercies, the media for their immense support, my team for their continuous sustenance, and making me believe that the sky is just a starting point. A special thanks to my Kenyan friends for voting for me and to the Kenyan Film Commission for this award .”

After a brief hiatus from the film industry, Dominic returned to the silver screen this year, and has clearly had a good year. In April, she

went home with an AMAA for Best Actress in a leading role for “Shattered”. In October, she premiered The Meeting, her first outing as coproducer. Since hitting cinemas late November, the film has been described as “one of the best movies of 2012 by critics and pundits.”

However, Rita Dominic headlines “Streets of Calabar”, another big budget film slated to premiere in Nigeria on December 21, 2012.

Uche Jumbo

ood w ly ol N in rd da an st ts se A ID EV M HO ...Dishes out N6m to winners

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nli ke the usu al No llyw ood awa rds wh ere win ner s are sented with plaques pre y onl and trophies, organisers of the annual Nigerian Integrity Film Aw ard s(H om evi da) , cha nge d the trad itio n last Sunday when they had to give out the hug e sum of N6 million to the winners of the diff ere nt cat ego ries of the awards.

At the prestigious Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, where this year ’s edition was held amid gaiety, it was a new era for the ind ust ry, as the dignitaries who graced the cer em ony com me nde d the organisers’ commitment t and resolve in using the platform to promote core national and corporate values that are the fou nda tion for nat ion al building.

Ok eke (Ch ild wel l as Ble ssin g Joh nso n’s Fra nce s Script). Each The big win ner s at the rt Sho y s Friendl Yah oo Plu s, wh ich wa smiled home s gla mo rou s nig ht inc lud ed, ner win the the in of dged the best film adju by ed duc pro s, izen of N1million.

True Cit Anti-Corruption Film category. with the sum the in won who ks Chu is Elv The aw ard , hos ted by On the short film category, category of Public Conduct eph Benjamin and Alexandra Kureáve Hul’s, To actor, Jos Film Pri ze bac ked by the son alit y, Gb em i per h airngt onve With All Our Stre Ser eau Bur t duc is Con of Cod e lag beg i, was adj udg ed the bes t film Ola ter u-O The l Tel l Wil m o tfor Wh pla B), film a (CC as under the Public Conduct Short regarded tive message on President, by Vitus Nnebue, crea , ing Die Or driv Do Not le whi ipt, Scr value change wh ich als o wo n in the and y h grit Ime inte

by Mendhie Emmanuel film s to category of Due Process Film the h rt oug Sho s thr ces won the Du e Pro for eau Bur the by d Afr ica n owe and end script award and The Poem, by Nig eri an Public Procurement(BPP) as

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012—27

I want to use my prize money to pursue my education abroad--Amarachi, winner of NGT reality show

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By Adekunle Aliyu, ESTHER ONYEGBULA & IYABO AINA

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inner of the just concluded Nigeria Got Talent reality show, eight-year old Amarachi Uyanne has already reeled out plans in respect of how she is going to spend her N10 million grand prize.

Amarachi who shrugged off a fierce challenge from top contender, Violinist Godwin Ogechukwu and eight other finalists to clinch the star prize said,apart from having a plan to use part of her prize money to help orphans and the needy in the society, she also has a strong desire to pursue her education abroad in due time.

"I want to study abroad with the money I won and also, I want to help orphans and the needy in our society," she declared shortly after she was announced the winner of the reality show which was sponsored by Airtel Nigeria.

According to her mother, Mrs. Emike Uyanne who could not believe that her daughter would eventually emerge the winner of the reality show, Amarachi was born to be a star.

"I have always known that she would become a star some day. She is teh princess in her school as well as Miss Seven Up in Edo State. So, she has always been an enterainer," she noted.

Interestingly, while the reality lasted, child stars were dominant. They took three of the top four positions.

Amarachi was not the only kid revelation at the NGT. Several others showed up but did not go beyond the auditions. Yet, a few others like 11 years-old singer, Raji Oluwayomi, Dan Samuel Okon, Crystal Core, 12 years old rapper Olayemi John Pelumi made it to the semifinals while 11 years old singer Oluwatoke Salami and the duo of Jesse and Oghomwen, both 13 and 11 respectively made the top four finalists.

Beside, these individual acts were other youngsters who enormously contributed to the success of their groups on the show. They included, Code Red, The Pebbles, C M Y K

Dabota Lawson becomes Ouch brand ambassador

Expendables, DNA, Kellyz Family Dance Group, The Lord’s Chosen and the Experiential Dancers.

Just as Amarachi’s emergence as the winner was not anticipated from the onset given her age, experience and most primarily, the array of talents participating in the reality show, same case could be made for.

However, as the show advanced, they increasingly won the support and followership of the viewing Nigerian public as they flexed

muscles with other much older contestants, most of whom were outshone.

Top of the pack was 12 years old Olayemi John Pelumi who wowed the NGT judges, live audience and the viewing public with his class of rap music that combined swag, exceptional confidence and excitement. Until he lost out to ventriloquist Dr. Bariyu Yesuf in the race for a finals slot, he was a top contender for the N10 Million Airtel

grand prize.

Pelumi may not have gone beyond the semi-finals, but he left a mark as one of the budding stars discovered on during the show.

Speaking on the performance of the youngsters on the show, Airtel’s Chief Marketing Officer, Olu Akanmu, said, it was indicative of the depth of talents in the country and the commitment of the operator to create respectable platforms for talent discovery and nurturing.

ince Dabota Lawson ended her reign as Miss Nigeria UK and delved into acting, she has had a lot of good things going for her.

Only recently, she was in Sierra Leone, where she featured in her first ever movie, “Reflection” produced by Desmond Elliot. The movie, starring big names such as Aisha Kamara, Lydia Forson and Uche Jombo was shot with a Red digital camera . Dabota, speaking on the role she played in the movie said, “It is very different from my usual public persona.”

The latest buzz is that the former beauty queen has been unveiled as one of the three young women to become brand ambassadors for Nigerian women's wear brand, Ouch.

HVP learnt that their appointment is due to the introduction of Ouch Woman clothing line. Another ambassadors is Yolanda Okereke.

Movie marketers wage war against pirates in Onitsha

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he Film,Video, Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria(FVPMAN) has declared war against pirates in Onitsha, Anambra State.

The marketers have vowed never to rest until they stamp out the menace of piracy in the commercial city.

Confirming this development when contacted

by HVP, the Chairman of the Onitsha branch of FVPMAN, Mr Godson Nwosu said, following the alarming rate at which its members are being forced out of business, no thanks to the illegal activities of the pirates, they are left with no choice than to clampdown on the enemies of their businesses.

According to him, the marketers recently carried out raids on the hide-outs of some of the pirates in Onitsha, in what they call, “operation flush out pirates” and carted away DVD worth millions of naira from the culprits. The raid, which he said led to the arrest and detention of two

Calling on other chapters of the association across the country to follow their footsteps in order to save the industry from imminent

SUVs and other freebies for DStv subscribers subscribers in its on-going

S Godson Nwosu suspects started two weeks ago. He vowed that the exercise will not stop until they have brought their illegal activities to a standstill.

“We have lost millions of naira to the pirates who have taken over our businesses. As a result, we will not stop the fight against piracy until they have flushed them out.”FVPMAN boss said.

everal brand-new Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), all-expensepaid trips to South Africa to watch the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations Tournament taking place in January, LCD television sets and many more are among the thousands of freebies that have been lined up for subscribers of DStv, by MultiChoice, Nigeria’s leading Pay Television company.

According to Mayo Okunola, GM of the DStv Brand, the prizes which are being given to DStv

DStv Mega promo seek to thank and reward customers for their loyalty to the DStv brand over the years.

“On account of the support of our customers, DStv has recorded enormous progress in Nigeria. The current promo is a token of appreciation to our customers even while we continue to avail them of unrivalled content spanning different genres from news and information to movies, drama, documentary, education and learning, music, sports and so much more, across more than 100 different channels,” said Mr. Okunola.

28 —Vanguard, SARTURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

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abatunde Omidina, alias Baba Suwe was in the news for the wrong rea

son last year following his arrest and detention by officers of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) on the assumption that he was in possession of hard drugs believed to be cocaine. For more than one month he was subjected to public humiliation and at the end of it all, the court vindicated him, and ordered that he paid the sum of N25 million for his unlawful detention. However, since the court handed down the verdict, the actor has never known peace in the hands of street beggars and Area boys popularly known as Agberos who would never stop trailing him and asking for alms. He shares his ordeal with Showtime Celebrity.

He also dismissed insinuation that he is currently shooting a film to document his NDLEA ordeal.

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI You must be a very busy man?

Yes that’s true. I just released a movie which I titled Gboju Mbe (part 2). It was released last month and we are still working very hard to release my other movies into the market.

What’s the movie all about?

It’s a morally-induced movie with a lot of lessons. It’s about a man who got married and the wife gave birth to many children. The man then met another woman who didn’t have any child and they started dating. Fortunately for the woman, she got pregnant and had a child and they continued their relationship.

However, one thing led to another. In fact, it has a lot of moral lessons.

Your character is a comic one. Why did you choose comedy?

Comedy is my calling . I was born with it .I’m a comedian and I don’t do any other role.

It’s not because I can’t act any other role but I discovered that I’m better in comedy.

Did you decide to act comedy on your own or people urged you on ?

What happened was that I’ve been into comedy right from school. When I left school, one day on my way back from work...

Where were you working then?

I worked at Victoria Island as a Clerical Assistant. So, one day while I was returning from work, something struck my mind to set up my own group.

There were times we would stage plays and we recorded impressive turn-out of theatrical audience. So on that fateful day when that thing struck my mind to start my own and that was how I also started group, I stopped at the mar- practising with some other ket place where I bought my people. But after we started, first set of drums and other in- some people came to us and strument for the drama group. asked to know where I learnt how to act. I told them I didn’t That was how I started. learn it from anywhere. They o nobody introduced you told me that I had to register.

So since I didn’t have any into acting?

Nobody introduced me into boss, I went to the Osumare acting. All I knew was that theatre group and spent six they always had their practices months with them. After then,

The Baba Suwe story

*Beggars, Agberos are my greatest headache *Denies shooting film on his NDLEA ordeal *Why the agency has paid my N25m

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C M Y K

I was allowed to register.

So which was your first movie?

I didn’t start acting in other people’s movies. I started with producing my own movies but back then, we still used the stage because there was no film as at then.

Most people’s parents don’t support them initially. Did you also face such?

Yes I did. My parents, especially my father didn’t want me to go into acting. His reasons was because he saw acting as a beggar ’s profession, and that was because we used to act on stage and people would give us money.

So he went traditional- to the herbalist to find out what was good for me. So he was told to let me do whatever I wanted.

That was how I started.

So what were the challenges back then?

It wasn’t easy. We had financial challenges. There were times we would go on stage and wouldn’t make more than N100- N200. But the first one we did was in Amuto playing ground at Epetedo, Lagos Island. The title of the stage play was Baba Omugo and we got support from arear guys who gave us money.

So because of the financial challenges, it was very hard to pay my house rent. Even buying good clothes, shoes and being able to compete with my mates was very difficult.

So how much was your first salary when you just started?

The first money we collected was when we started acting on TV. When we first started on NTA,, we collected N650. When we went to LTV 8, we were paid N150.

Channel 7 gave us N200 per episode.

W

hy did you choose to wear that black make-up in your movies?

What happned was that when comedy just started in Nigeria, it started from the likes of Baba Sala, Baba Mero, John Bull and others, and each had his dress code. That was how I picked up my black makeup and big robe costume.

So what response did you get from people as a result of your costume?

People liked it. I even wish to go back to that same costume in my next movie.

That’s true. One noticed you don’t wear such heavy makeup nowadays. Why? I still wear make up but it’s not as heavy as I used to wear it in those days. The reason is because I noticed that the modern day people don’t fansy such heavy makeup anymore. So my col-

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012 — 29

CELEBRITY FOOTNOTES

Goldie

I

’m an achiever. I don’t analyze myself too much, whenever I try to, I get depressed. Don’t ask me why! Lol. Having said that, I know I like to listen more than I talk. I cannot stand being idle,(drives me nuts!) I’m also a free spirit

Cossy Orjiaku

•Goldie

I

leagues advised me to stop the heavy makeup.

And what did your fans say after you stopped wearing the heavy make-up?

People liked the heavy makeup character. And they usually get amazed whenever they see me without my heavy makeup. In my movies, I usually act like an illiterate old man. So I had to really look like an illiterate- that’s what brought about that dressing.

I

s it true that NDLEA hasn’t paid your N25m compensation?

Yes, it’s true. They haven’t paid me.

Why? The reason is because they went to the Appeal Court. So we are still in court.

They didn’t specify when they are going to pay?

I don’t know when they are going to pay me.

But are they saying that they won’t pay you?

They haven’t said so.

But is there any reason they haven’t paid you?

I can’t really say for now. But the Nigerian factor is not predictable. They may decide to pay or not. I don’t know what to say about that.

People are of the opinion that you like to insult your employers in the movies you act in. Why? What happens is that, whichever house I’d have to insult or talk to my employers the way I like was always the house of either my younger brother or sister or the house of the person I had authority over in terms of age in such movie. So, it’s not possible for me to insult my employer in my movies.

It’s just that comedy is about turning things upside down. Comedians are mad people. So inorder to make things funny, people don’t C M Y K

expect you to say things the normal way.

Do Area boys bother you a lot?

Right now, I’m bothered by beggars and touts. They disturb me anywhere they see me because they expect me to always give them money, and things are not as easy as it used to be. The money isn’t forthcoming again. Sometimes, I give out some money to them and they would hail me. But when I don’t give them anything, they resort to insulting me.

I thought your job brings in more money than it used to?

Not like before. Pirates don’t allow us cash in on our money.

In the past, after producing our movies, we used the profit to buy car, land, house but now, we can’t plan on the money again.

Why did you decide to live in Ikorodu instead of VGC, Abuja etc?

Most Yoruba artistes live here because it’s peaceful.

What’s your next project?

I’m working on my next movie titled From City To Village.

I

s it true that producers don’t give scripts to actors/actresses who don’t belong to their caucus?

That’s not true. As long as you are good, you’ll get invited. So also is the issue of sexual harrasment- they don’t force any lady to have sex with anybody. When a lady likes a man, she is free to date him.

But if she doesn’t like him, there’s nothing anybody can do about it.

So how do you cope with ladies. Do ladies run after you?

No they don’t run after me

because I’m ugly.

Who has been taking care of you after your wife’s death?

I’ve been lonely after my wife’s death but I have to be careful before going into another marriage. Before she died, we were best friends and we were used to each other.

So I can’t marry a lady whom my children and family don’t support. If God says I’ll get married then, I will.

So who takes care of your children?

My sisters and mother do that for me.

What about your meals.

Who cooks for you?

My younger brother ’s wife does that.

Can you be a polygamist?

No I can’t be a polygamist, I don’t like it. I have just four children and I don’t intend to have more children What if you re-marry and the woman wants children?

I don’t intend to have more children.

Learnt that you are shooting a film to document your NDLEA ordeal ?

I’m not shooting any movie in that respect. It’s not yet time because we are still in court.

If I’ll shoot any movie, it depends on the outcome of the case.

How do you relax?

Whenever I’m not on set, I like to play Ludo.

Do you drink?

No I don’t drink, I don’t smoke and I don’t like women.

Why don’t you like women?

One has to be careful because I’m no longer young.

I’ve had my fun when I was younger. So this is the time that I have to be careful.

am a hard nut to crack, but very tasty when cracked.

Am also an all round entertainer. I stay true to my passion. I’m financially and emotionally stable, am a happy, sweet, sexy and seductive sister who knows what she wants and how to get it. I have a weak spot for shopping. I take shopping to sex anytime. I love loyalty, a woman should stick to an age she likes.

•Cossy Orjiaku

Mr. Ibu’s

Food-for-thought

S

tupidity is when you don’t have a bicycle and you give your last penny to your pastor to buy a jet.......

Mumu is when you can’t pay your children’s school fees and yet have money to contribute to your church to build expensive schools which your children will never attend..

Ignorance is when you believe it when your pastor tells you not to live a worldly life, yet he enjoys all the best things in the world;the fine houses, cars, jets, babes etc, while you are waiting till you get to heaven to enjoy your own....

Idiocy is when you refuse to take your very sick child to the hospital because your pastor said you should not do so, yet that same pastor secretly travels to USA for medical attention any time he has a headache.

You are a zombie when you trek,dance and gallivant for 30 kilometers under the hot sun sweating and smelling like shit during your revival program, while your pastor is inside a full option, factory fitted air-conditioned state of the art SUV with his delectable wife driving slowly along the road.

Stop worshiping your pastors!!!

Stay focused on Jesus, the author •Mr. Ibu and finisher of your faith.And learn to study the word .

30 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15 2012

THE 2012/13 English Premier League season has been just as good as every other season that has come before it, and there’s still over half a year still to be played.

We’ve had drama, glory, spectacular goals and the controversy that we all secretly love, but for some teams and players, the season hasn’t been as wonderful.

In fact, some would rather forget the 2012/ 13 EPL season so far for the year has been nothing other than a major let down to date.

Read on to see the biggest disappointments of the EPL season so far.

Mario Balotelli

N

o player has disappointed more than Italian international Mario Balotelli, who has been nothing but a roadblock for Manchester City this season.

The devastating striker that ripped up the European Championships is nowhere to be found; an uninterested, uninvolved, uncreative attacker is all we ever see from Balotelli now, and it’s little wonder really that manager Roberto Mancini is starting to get fed up with the 22-year-old.

Don’t get me wrong, everyone loves Super Mario. An article is written every single week about the wonderful things he’s been up, simply because the guy is fascinating.

Gylfi Sigurdsson

A

fter making a €10 million transfer from Hoffenheim to Tottenham Hotspur over the summer transfer window, Gylfi Sigurdsson has failed to live up to the price tag placed upon him this season.

The Icelandic attacker was excellent on loan at Swansea City last season and was largely expected to continue that run of form with the north core of players that he has London club, but has managed around him.

Yes, there’s been injuries and just one goal and one assist from his 19 appearances yes, Cisse has had some golden throughout the Premier opportunities which he League and Europa League seemingly created out of nothing. But a miss is a miss this season.

Granted, he hasn’t been and this season, that’s really all afforded a stack of opportunities the 27-year-old has been for of late and is likely to see that Newcastle United so far. time reduced once Mousa Dembele is back and healthy, Queens but still, Sigurdsson hasn’t Park Rangers done anything to instill ut out of all the confidence in Andre Villasdisappointments across Boas to play him this season. the Premier League this season, On what we saw last year, the none have been as spectacular 23-year-old has been a major or as horrendous as that of disappointment.

Queens Park Rangers.

Biggest disappointments in EPL so far

B

Papiss Cisse

N

ewcastle United striker Papiss Cisse has been another huge letdown this season for the Magpies— particularly because we saw just what he could do at his best last year.

The Senegal international was seemingly netting goals at will and spectacular goals but has only managed two league goals this season for the Magpies, both of which have come in the past two months against relatively weak opposition.

Cisse’s poor form has seen Demba Ba take over centrally, forcing the striker out wider this season, but despite that, a player of Cisse’s class should be finding the net or creating chances for his teammates— especially with the talented C M Y K

Premier League games: 16.

Wins: Zero.

And that’s without Joey Barton at the club.

The London club have already fired Mark Hughes and replaced him with former

•Papiss Cisse

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, and while the new appointment will certainly help the Rangers over the course of the season, it already seems like their season is all but cemented in the bottom three.

There is no way QPR will avoid relegation; they will be hard-pressed to come anything other than 20th and, at the moment, would almost be satisfied with a solitary win for the year.

When your own players concede that your performances are so bad that they’re “astonishing, to tell you the truth” , you know it hasn’t been a good year.

Stephane Sessegnon

S

peaking of strikers that are nowhere near as good as they were last season, what

•Gervinho

about Sunderland attacker Stephane Sessegnon for another 2012 letdown so far?

The Benin-born striker has netted three goals from 15 appearances, but like Cisse, has only managed those goals in the past six appearances for the club, leaving a whole lot of nothing from the 28-year-old prior to his maiden goal for the year against Sunderland.

With Steven Fletcher carrying the team, Sessegnon has the opportunity to step up and help his teammate out with effective attacking, but hasn’t done so this year, forcing Fletcher to take on far too much responsibility in attack and attracting too much defensive attention.

The African star didn’t have a player like Fletcher alongside him last season, and yet he still managed to be a genuine attacking talent for Sunder-

•Pepe Reina

land.

Gervinho

L

et’s be real honest here: there have been fewer players that have caused as much frustration and anger as the animosity created every time Gervinho takes the pitch for Arsenal.

He is not a good player. He cannot dribble without losing the ball. He is not consistent enough to be a first-team player, especially not for a club that has an otherwise very strong midfield like the Gunners club currently have.

But time and time again, Gervinho will take the pitch and whilst he will net a goal every now and again to give the faintest glimmer of hope, the past month or so of football has been nothing short of underwhelming from the 25year-old.

•Gylfi Sigurdsson

Vanguard, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012 — 31

Off The Pitch

TENNIS

Victoria Azarenka:

Will She Be Able to Hold on to the No. 1 Ranking in 2013?

•Serena Williams is coming. So is Maria Sharapova.

•Victoria Azarenka

W

ILL world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka be able to hold off both of those challengers for the top spot on the WTA rankings in 2013?

All three of them were dominant at some point in 2012, perhaps none more so than Williams, who won two Grand Slam singles titles, the Olympic Gold Medal in singles and the year-end championship.

Perhaps fittingly, Williams was named the player of the year on the women’s tour after such achievements.

However, there have been few hot starts to a season in recent years like the one Azarenka had to kick off last year. After capturing the warmup tournament in Sydney, Australia, she went on to win her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

Victories in Doha and Indian Wells brought her record to 23-0 to start the year.

With records being spoken of and talks of repeating what Novak Djokovic had accomplished on the men’s side the year before, Azarenka surprisingly had her winning streak snapped in Miami by Marion Bartoli. From there, it was off to the clay courts, where she made two finals on the dirt but lost early in Rome

and at the French Open.

The French went to Sharapova and post Roland Garros, Williams began to make her move. But Azarenka made a deep run at Wimbledon and the Olympics.

The hard-court season was basically nonexistent until the U.S. Open, when she memorably served for the title against Williams. Had Azarenka won then, it would have been the perfect bookend to her Grand Slam season.

She did well, though, to rebound from that crushing loss and went on another winning streak with titles in Beijing and Linz, Austria before the year-end event.

Azarenka has always relished a challenge: Note her on-court demeanor. The fiery star faces a huge fight ahead of her in 2013 with Sharapova and Williams playing up to their Hall-of-Fame caliber.

One thing’s for sure: Azarenka will be ready to do battle to hold on to the No. 1 ranking.

GOLF •Tom Watson

Tom Watson to be named 2014 Ryder Cup Captain T

WO days from formally revealing the identity of the next U.S. Ryder Cup captain, new PGA of America president Ted Bishop hinted at a media luncheon Tuesday in New York that, “ we’ve done something a little bit different this year.”

Biggest disappointments in EPL so far Newcastle United

F

or all the success and strong achievements that Newcastle United had last season in the English Premier League, 2012 has been nothing short of a train-wreck for the club.

Their team is crumbling apart due to injuries every passing week; their attack isn’t firing in the way that it was last season and their defense doesn’t have the same consistency it had this time six months ago.

The Magpies’ side that

finished fifth last year has been quickly replaced by a Magpies side currently lagging in 14th position with just four wins from the season and five losses from their past six Premier League matches.

Pepe Reina

W

hat’s happened to Pepe Reina?

The Liverpool goalkeeper was never the greatest goalkeeper in the world, but he certainly wasn’t the worst and certainly didn’t allow cheap goals to roll through him week in and week

out, which is currently happening this season.

The 30-year-old has allowed some soft goals this year and is being outshone by Australian goalkeeper Bradley Jones— leading to transfer speculation about a possible move away from Anfield from the shot-stopper who has made a name for himself at the Merseyside club.

Given how good he once was and how strong and consistent he played last season, Reina has been one of the biggest disappointments player-wise this season.

THEO Walcott to Manchester United? Robinho back to Santos? David Beckham as an FA official?

Those scenarios lead this edition of Off The Pitch, along with the story that’s taking Europe by storm: Radamel Falcao’s future. Also, we have the latest on Falcao, as well as updates on all the big names above. Keep reading for all the details.

Atletico Madrid to Break Bank for Falcao?

A

tletico Madrid are ready to “break the bank” with a new contract offer for Colombian forward Radamel Falcao.

Falcao, 26, has reportedly drawn interest from several top European clubs, including crosstown rivals Real Madrid. According to El Mundo, Atletico will offer Falcao €7 million per year (€15 million before taxes) in the hope that he will stay.

According to the report, Falcao’s most likely destination would be Real Madrid, if he decides to leave.

Manchester United interested in Theo Walcott?

M

anchester United have joined the pursuit of Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, according to reports. Walcott, 23, joined Arsenal from Southampton in 2006 as a teenager. His current contract expires at the end of the season. Negotiations between Walcott and Arsenal have not produced a new deal.

According to news making the rounds, United would be Walcott’s desired destination if he leaves Arsenal.

FA chief eager to work with David Beckham?

F

ootball Association chairman David Bernstein says he hopes David Beckham and the FA can work together in the future .

Beckham, 37, recently played his last match for the Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS Cup final. He has yet to announce his next professional move.

A former England captain, Beckham won 115 caps for his country and played in three World Cups.

Bernstein said: “He is an asset that English football should treasure and I hope at some stage that perhaps The FA and David Beckham can get close together.”

Robinho heading back to Santos?

S

antos are in talks with AC Milan regarding a potential move for Robinho in January, according to club president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro.

Robinho, 28, started his professional career with Santos before moving to Real Madrid in 2005. He joined Milan in 2010.

“Robinho wants to return to Brazil and for him, that means returning to Santos. We have presented a written offer, though there is a difference between what the player and the club are asking for.”

Celtic player damages Celtic’s reputation by attending IRA event?

C

eltic manager Neil Lennon has told Irish forward Anthony Stokes that Stokes has “damaged the club’s reputation” by attending a memorial event for a Real IRA commander. Stokes, 24, has been out of action since August due to an ankle injury. He was recently photographed at a memorial event for Alan Ryan, who is thought to be responsible for a number of murders. Lennon said: “We spoke to him internally. I am not going to moralise to him but you cannot damage the reputation of the club. He is aware of that now. It has been dealt with internally.”

C M Y K

32 —SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012

D’Banj signs deal with Sony Records

N

igerian pop star, and Kanye West-signed artist, Dapo Oyebanji, popular known has D’banj, has signed on to global music powerhouse, Sony, in an exclusive ground-breaking pan-African strategic deal.

Speaking on the importance of the deal to Sony, its Managing Director, Sean Watson said, “Partnering with D’banj is a seminal event for us at Sony Music Entertainment Africa. We’ve always admired his talent and to be able to assist with bringing D’banj’s music to millions of fans, established and new, across the continent is an honour for us. We are very excited about being a part of it.”

The deal, however, is

described as a “Pan African, multi-album deal with Sony Music’s RCA Records. It also involves an exclusive management deal with Sony Music and strategic partner ROCKSTAR4000 for the continent.

Add to that a multi-album, worldwide exclusive contract with emerging Nigerian singer-songwriter star Kayswitch and a strategic partnership with D’banj’s Nigerian record label DB Records”.

D’Banj, who now runs DB Records, after leaving the defunct Mo-hits Records, a massively successful label in Nigeria, admitted that “partnering with the leading music company in Africa is a natural fit for me and DB

Records to ensure my music can be available to my fans across every corner of Africa and in countries where they ’ve never been able to access my music in a legitimate way, instantly as it’s released anywhere else in the world.”

D’banj is one of Nigeria’s largest musical export. One of his first endorsements earlier in his career was a $500,000 Globacom deal. Last year, he got signed on to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D music label.

Sony is home to household names such as Usher, Chris Brown, R Kelly, Alicia Keys, P!nk, Christina Aguilera, Pitbull, Britney Spears, Jamie Foxx, Justin Timberlake, Ke$ha, T-Pain and Miguel, and in Africa

Day Lagbaja invoked nostalgia at Nigerian Idol season 3 debuts Airtel Night of Influence A

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

W

hat a night it was forth night ago at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos! The high and mighty who thronged the venue for intellectual fireworks got more than they bargained for in entertainment as the organisers gleaned the Airtel Night of Influence that featured Dr Fareed Zakaria with an unforgettable show put up by Lagbaja, who invoked nostalgia among eminent guests.

It was a surprise galore as Lagbaja drew thunderous applause from the elated audience as he emerged mysteriously to mount the stage.

With his presence, the audience were full of expectations, and trust the masked one; he meandered from table to table “shaking hands” with dignitaries and their ‘mistresses.’ This masterful stagecraft got guests including former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, chairman of Airtel Nigeria, Oba Otudeko, guest speaker, Zakaria and Rajan Swaroop, Managing Director/CEO, Airtel Nigeria beaming with smiles.

A teaser of sorts, Lagbaja’s first appearance on the night was brief, leaving the audience who appeared to have missed him since his C M Y K

sojourn in the United States, joyfully joining Lagbaja in his lyrics; a move that filled the hall with melody. This only set the stage for Zakaria to mount the podium. Lagbaja and the organisers were not done yet, they had only wet the appetite of the audience.

Z

akaria rode on the joyful atmosphere created by Lagbaja with his outstanding performance that put the audience in a relaxed mood for the night to deliver his paper.

Zakaria held the audience spellbound,while speaking on “Africa’s Political Economy: The Challenge of Leadership.”

Lagbaja

As soon as Zakaria was done, Lagbaja got back on stage with his trademark dance-steps. This time, Lagbaja connected with the audience from the stage making many drop their cutleries to sing-along with the world-class entertainer.

His performance was a scholarly exposition of African roots music and jazz as the world famous artist performed for a distinguished audience, leaving many without doubt that he rehearsed specially for the great audience he was presented with knowing that such opportunities do not often present themselves.

Other prominent guests who graced the evening included, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd), former Africa Director of the World Bank and director of Bharti Airtel Oby Ezekwesili, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akinolu, Prof Pat Utomi and his wife.

Interestingly, Lagbaja who has relocated to Manhattan, New York, USA, flew into the county that evening. His music over the years has evinced strong social consciousness and concern for the issues of the day, one of the strong points that might have influenced his being chosen to perform at the occasion.

s the year is coming to an end, organizers of Nigerian Idol are concluding plans to flag-off the Season 3 of the TV reality show.

This season’s edition of the reality show will be aired on local TV stations including STV, NTA Network and AIT Network as well as on DSTV (Soundcity) and OnTV. Contestants who made it through the different auditions in the country will each have the opportunity to compete on the Idol stage.

Head, Events and Sponsorships, Etisalat Nigeria, Ms. Modupe Thani said that the time of waiting had finally come to an end as Nigerians will get to see the high points of all the auditions and witness variety of music talents throughout the show.

“Nigerians should brace themselves for a music show like never before seen. The bar has been raised this year in all

aspects of the show; from the stage, to the judges and of course the calibre of talents.

We guarantee nothing but the best in entertainment,” Thani said. “Viewers can also participate in the show by logging on to Etisalat FaceBook and Twitter pages to find out how to win various competition prizes courtesy of Etisalat,” Thani added.

This year ’s competition has on-board Afro-beat legend, Femi Kuti as part of the judges, Yinka Davies and Jeffery Daniels with Ill Rhymz as host.

The winner will have the opportunity of going home with a total sum of twenty million Naira which will be made up of 7.5 million Naira cash, 7.5 million naira record contract and brand new SUV. The first runner up will be presented with 1.5 million naira and a saloon car which will be presented by Etisalat.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Chris Aire and Duncan Mighty part ways

A

fter two years of business partnership, popular jeweller, Chris Aire and Port Harcourt based singer- tur ned-producer, Duncan Ikechukwu Wene Mighty have parted ways.

According to Aire, the partnership has done exactly what it sets out to achieve and, as a result, he’s now withdrawing to focus on his other businesses which are begging for his attention.

Speaking from his office in Abuja, Chris said, ‘This split also gives Duncan Mighty the chance to focus on his home career and continue to develop the young musicians under his tutelage. He is very talented and I wish him all the best’.

A statement by Aire’s camp said, Aire and Duncan Mighty signed a business agreement in May 2011, to further the career of the dancehall act and to form the Niger Delta Music and Art Project (NDMAP).

The purpose of the NDMAP is to develop the careers of young up coming artists from

the Niger Delta, giving them opportunities to build their career on a scale not common to find.

In this two-year period, Duncan Mighty was able to fully establish himself as an artiste outside the walls of Port Harcourt, recording and performing with international music superstar such as Shaggy and shutting down tops shows in and out of the country.

“Leveraging his connections with industry’s heavyweights worldwide, Chris was able to set Duncan up to record and perform with international music superstar like Shaggy ; Shoot and release several music videos on Duncan Mighty and enabled the inauguration of the Niger Delta Music and Art project finding several young artists who are currently being groomed to be future hit musicians like Duncan Mighty himself,”the statement reads.

Meanwhile, Duncan Mighty has not reacted to the development.

Stabbed female singer recounts ordeal NMVA gathers momentum A

n up and coming female artiste, Tiwa Banks who was allegedly stabbed last Sunday by her landlord’s youngest son, in Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos, has every reason to ‘thank her maker’ for sparing her life.

Tiwa Banks popularly called Tiwantiwa was allegedly assaulted by one, Tobi Obadina after what many described as a ‘little misunderstanding’ that happened between them.

Obadina, 23, was said to have attacked Tiwa with a bottle and consequently stabbed her with a broken tumbler.

Eye witnesses said, Obadina also stabbed Tiwa’s brother

and a neighbour who tried to intervene while he was attacking Tiwa.

According to reports, the accused ‘claimed that he intentionally attacked the singer because she wasn’t talking to him.’

Meanwhile, speaking from her hospital bed, Tiwa said, ‘I thank God I didn’t die. I never expected to end the year like this.”

Residents of the area described the culprit as ‘uneducated and arrogant’ and one who is ‘known to be causing troubles in the area.’

He has since been arrested and reprimanded at the Mosholashi Police Station.

A

Tiwa

head of next Thursday’s hosting of the prestigious Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA), organizers, Callivision Media, have reiterated their commitment towards using the event to promote the cultural heritage of the country.

In a chat with Showtime during the week, the CEO of Callivision Media, Cally Ikpe said, the theme for this year ’s award, “Preserving Culture”, was chosen as part of the organisers’ efforts at ensuring that things and attitude that are peculiar to our society are

not eroded by the invasion of western cultures as propelled by digital television and the internet.

Noting that music videos are probably the greatest vehicle that conveys our cultural values to the outside world, Cally however expressed optimism that this year ’s edition will be different from what they have done over the years in terms of organisation and general quality of the show.

Surprisingly, the show, which consistently held on Sundays since its debut about five years ago, is being scheduled to hold next Thursday at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to Cally, the development becomes necessary as “We are about exploring possibilities, believing a good show will sell any time.”

For cally, this year’s outing promises to be exciting and memorable.”Fun, and lots of fun is what I expect on the event day,” he said.

Already, Basketmouth and songstress, Tiwa Savage have been unveiled as the co-hosts of the show, which will have in attendance top shots in the Nigerian music industry.

— 33

Vector set for the “Second coming”

By IYABO AINA

S

ince the release of his debut album State of Surprise in October, 2010, Vector has grown into one of Nigeria’s most prominent rappers and wordsmiths. After seducing lovers of music across the continent with ‘Get Down’ featuring 2Face Idibia and following up with hit single ‘Angeli’ featuring 9ice, he quickly went deep into his second album, first official Singles off The Second Coming.

Top Nigerian lyricist, Vector the Viper who released a video for the song “Get Down” featuring 2 Face at the “Nigerian Music Video Awards 2011”, was nominated “Best Mainstream Hip Hop Video” among others. He is set to drop his highly anticipated sophomore album titled The Second Coming this month.

The album which will feature hot tracks as the buzzy singles ‘Born Leader ’ featuring international dancehall star Mavado and ‘We’re Made Oh’ featuring steady rising producer, Del B. With a rising profile, Vector has quickly become Nigeria’s most featured rapper because of his versatility; ability to compose rhymes that appeal both to the rap and mainstream crowds and sheer willingness to work.

Vector has decided to round up the year with his new hit track ‘’The Second Coming’’ which will soon be released this December 2012 .

According to him he said the song is the witty of his finer work showing growth from his debut.

Vector

34— Vanguard, SATURAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

What I discovered in me is better described as a commercial quality sense of humour. In other words, it can be bottled and sold.

,

The quality of comedy in me can be bottled and sold — Bishop Umoh

By FLORENCE AMAGIYA

I

me Bishop Umoh is indeed one of the funniest men from Akwa Ibom state since ‘Giringori’ of ‘New Masquerade’.

Giringori whose real name was James Iroha of blessed memory wasn’t even from Akwa Ibom state; making Bishop the funniest guy from that state and perhaps from Nigeria as a nation. Imeh Umoh, aka, Bishop derived his English name back in secondary school when he was asked to lead the assembly prayer. He led both the students and teachers in an hour prayer until the microphone was forcefully taken from him. In this interview, he talks about his late father, how he discovered comedy in him, stand-up comedy in Nigeria and his plans in another ten years.

Enjoy!

like me are prepared for the comical part l take in whatsoever movie l am doing; hence it is something they are expecting from my character.

The people that usually cannot stand me or the character I have brought to life are people who saw my movies and are just meeting me for the first time.

So, I get embarrassed everywhere l go to these days! Above all, I want to say that humour has a power of its own.

Saddest moment My saddest moment was when I lost my father; I was only twelve years old when he died.

I am from a polygamous home; my mum was the last wife of my dad and I am the first of four children. I had an amazing relationship with my dad, so it hurt when he passed on.

Comedy; childhood and my discovery Comedy must have been in me while I was growing up but I didn’t know about it until I was already in school as a child.

Meanwhile, when I noticed I had it, I took advantage of the gift and showcased my talents in churches especially when I am invited for plays.

I believe l am taking after my father who was indeed a funny person while he was alive. Although he was a lawyer by profession, he was also a comedian in every true sense of it because he was always making my mother and everyone in our home laugh. As a child, I used to wonder what was so funny about my dad; why we were always laughing at what he said and how he said it. My dad use to say that his job was to make my mother to laugh. I am having a better understanding these days because people tend to laugh at me even when I am very serious.

My flight to limelight I don’t know oh, but I have always wanted to act; acting has always being my dream. It started like I said in my younger days in school and church, but I chose comedy this time because I noticed that l have a good sense of humour. What I discovered in me is better described as a commercial quality sense of humour. In other words, it can be bottled and sold. I got discovered in the University by Emem Isong. After that, other producers started giving me calls all the way from Lagos but I didn’t take these calls serious because I was still a student who needed to stay focus on school work. Acting as a profession is a multi-tasking and time-consuming deal.

When I got through with my degree program, I was invited to Lagos by Emem Isong. Other producers saw me and the rest is history.

Meanwhile, I attended University of Uyo; studied Philos•Ime Bishop Umoh ophy, but I am speaking for a credibility l needed at that living today.

Two movies launched me time; Emem Isong invited me into the spotlight. The first one to Lagos state again and other is an indigenous movie titled producers began giving me ‘Uyai’ produced by Emem scripts and more jobs. People Isong in 2008 and an English started giving me a second movie, I cannot remember the look. Obviously, those two movtitle at the moment. But after ies were the miracles l needed these two movies gave me the and it came just in time.

,

•Ime Bishop Umoh

have done more than fifteen movies since I started.

At the moment; I have lost count of the movies I have featured in. I know that it’s funny to say this because people who have been in the industry for donkey years can still remember the movies they have done, but I am sorry that I cannot remember. But I know l

Stand –up comedy; a genre of art Stand-up comedy is another genre of art that I have full mastery of. It is my strongest point so to say. I do stand-up comedy once in a while, but l haven’t found my feet as much as I have done in the movies. I believe we are all blessed and gifted in different areas and I may not have found my feet like I have set out to do in stand-up comedy, but l am a stand-up comedian in my own right.

Life on the set with colleagues and fans My colleagues; l mean actors

My future roles, if not comedy Acting is not strictly speech delivery, it is not fluency; I speak English language fluently to an extent and my indigenous language Ibibio. But that is not the same thing as acting or entering a character. I have always known myself to perfect everything l set my hands on. I have worked on my good sense of humour and it is paying me well. It is not a bad thing when a new act is launched with a certain brand; for instance, James Bond is considered a lover guy and Mr. Bean is seen as an extreme clown. It only becomes unprofessional when the actor cannot try his hands in other roles.

I think l would try my hands in other roles in the nearest future when I am popular enough.

My plans for the future I wouldn’t do shows in future because other comedians have done it and they have made names out of it. I would do something because it is original to me and I enjoy doing it. I do not want to be seen as a second fiddle in all that I set my hands to do. My watch word in the game that l play is to be original; so in ten years, I should have gotten to the top of my game; God helping me. I would be married, have my children and do other stuff that comes to me naturally. I would have done my own movies and all that. I have dreams of acting in the international scene with known world class faces; I wouldn’t mind going to Hollywood and meeting with the stars.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 15, 2012—35

The way I would dress for a party is different from the way I would dress going to work! The hairstyle also has to be different because the way and manner you look would really determine how people assess you

How I left bank managerial position for interior decoration —

Funmi Adeyemi

BY FEYI BANKOLE

H

er diminutive but elegant frame which could pass her for a young lady in her 20s bellies her intelligence and experience. “I spent 19 years in the banking industry before resigning as a Deputy General Manager a couple of years ago!”, she revealed as we went on talking, and this fuelled my curiosity. I was soon to find out that I was chatting with the younger sister of one of Nigeria’s most successful women entrepreneurs, Mrs Ibukun Awosika of Sokoa Chair Centre Limited. In this interview, the CEO of TCC Homes & Kitchens, an interior decoration outfit in Lagos, Mrs.Funmi Adeyemi, reveals how she left the banking industry for her first love- decoration, her involvement in the After-school Graduate Development Centre- AGDC which is currently being heavily championed by Mrs.Awosika and her life in the banking industry which she joined at age 20, amongst sundry issues.

I learnt you’re one of the Directors at AGDC… Yes. We were three that started the organisation. I was actually working in the bank at that time. I was there for 19 years until a couple of years ago. The whole idea was to give back to the Nigerian society. The three of us are graduates of Nigerian universities, but unfortunately, today’s graduates of Nigerian universities lack so many things by no fault of theirs. You would want to cry when you sit in an interview panel! You almost feel like they never went to school when you hear them talk! Recently, from one of the trainings we did for Lagos State, I sent six graduates to one of the top three banks in Nigeria, and after two weeks, the bank called me to say they were going to employ four of them! I mean, these were unemployed graduates searching endlessly for jobs hitherto! But the intelligence in them was only seen after we had tutored them! There are so many of them like that with brilliant minds, but because of the disadvantages in our educational system, some of them lack confidence, many are unable to express themselves and a lot of them do not even know what to say in an interview or what to write in a CV. The few that even get jobs lose their jobs because they know nothing about comportment and workplace ethics.

When I started my career in banking, fortunately for me, my employers put me on training for six weeks, even before I started work. But today, such op-

How has your sister’s life of success robbedoff on you as her younger sister?

We’re six children, and I’m the fifth while Mrs.Ibukun Awosika is the second. For a long time, I actually didn’t want to do business because of her. When I saw what business took out of her, I thought I wasn’t ready to give up such. She’s very strong, and I must say I’m not half as strong as she is. She’s what you’d call a super woman, and that’s the truth. She can combine ten to twenty things, and I really do not know how she does it.

Has this craze for interior decoration got something to do with your childhood?

I’ve always loved fashion; not just interior decoration. I’ve always liked to put things together, dress people up, dress things up, etc. I’m always the first person friends consult when they have to pick colours for weddings and all sorts of events.

Even before I’m asked, I would volunteer myself! While in the bank, I was always the one to be consulted when we needed to buy presents for customers.

Was venturing into an all-new terrain quite difficult since you’ve always been in the bank?

That’s the beauty of banking- you get trained so well that you’re never afraid of rejection or starting something new! When you work in the bank, you get rejected so many times when you’re looking for customers. It actually makes you resistant to ‘NO’. You learn not to give up even when people turn down your request, and it makes you more determined. That was one of the things I took away in my years in banking. I got so much training- local and abroad, got the confidence to talk to people, to sell, etc.

How did you cope with sexual harass-

*Adeyemi... I actually felt I needed to do something for myself portunities are rare! We just felt we had to do something; which was why AGDC which is chaired by one of us, Mrs.Ibukun Awosika, was set up.

You worked in the bank for 19 years, yet you look very young; at what age did you graduate from university?

(Laughs) I’m a mother of four and I graduated from the university at age 20 in 1989. But I don’t think that was too young because there are people who even graduate as early as 18, 19 years of age.

So, why did you leave the bank?

I actually felt I needed to do something for myself. I started-off in Guarantee Trust Bank-GTB and then I went to the United Bank for Africa-UBA. I however finished-up at Skye Bank where I was a Deputy General Manager.

You mean you left such a mouthwatering position for AGDC? No, I actually left the bank two years ago to set up my own business- interior decoration. AGDC is five years old, and like I said, we were three that founded it. One of us, Mrs.Detoun Ogwo, was

actually running it full-time. The only reason why I’m running it right now is because she is on study leave. Like I noted earlier, AGDC is just a give-back venture, so, we all have our own businesses.

It sounds like the business of interior decoration is more rewarding than working as a Deputy General Manager in a bank?

Interior decoration is just something I enjoy doing. Eventually, it happened that my elder sister, Mrs.Ibukun Awosika, didn’t have the time to do the home part of her office furnishing business. So, because my children were growing older and I wanted more time for myself and family, I felt encouraged to venture into interior decoration which I’ve actually always loved. People who know me would tell you they’ve always known me to have an eye for interiors. So, a lot of my friends were not surprise when I made known my intention to go into decoration. It’s something I did for people free of charge because I enjoyed doing it. I’ve always done it in church, homes, etc.

ment in your early years as a marketer?

That’s the irony of it all. I think it’s really the way you comport yourself. I did marketing for years, and frankly, maybe I was only approached once by a man for sexual affair! The way you comport yourself really matters. I was extremely polite but formal with all my customers. I was always saying ‘Yes sir’ to them all, and it got to a point where they personally noted my difference. The way I would dress for a party is different from the way I would dress going to work! The hairstyle also has to be different because the way and manner you look would really determine how people assess

you. So, when I was in the bank, I was actually very strict. There was a time I was Head of Customer Service in a bank, and I absolutely banned people using coloured weave-on! I also

banned them chewing gums because I observed that people easily forget themselves and become rude when they chew gum. Those that worked with me can attest to these.

36—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Fashion Jeweller y •Chika

I

•Ini Edo

F you are looking for a completly new stylish you then fashion jewellery is a perfect choice . They come in different shapes, colours and designs that gives that unique wow factor, to the wearer ’s outlook. There are several classy and vintage designs for different events and occasion.

The great thing about fashion jewelry is that it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg.

Fashion jewelry is meant to be fun, trendy and a great accent to your wardrobe. Shopping for these items in a fashion outlet gives you a vast array of choices to choose from.

Winners emerge at AJIF LGA cooking, and essay competition

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

I

N a conscious effort to promote activities that will impact positively on education, Women for Positive Change, a non governmental organization founded

by Alh. Shakirat Adenike Bayewu, wife of the chairman of the Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA held its third annual cooking, spelling and essay competition for students within Ajeromi Ifelodun catchments area and its environs.

The three day event which was chaired by Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola began with the spelling competition which had 20 pupils representing 10 participating schools. The top three participants in the spelling category were Okosi Jumoke from Muslim Primary School, who emerged first, Ogbonna Deborah from Subeb Model Nursery and primary school emerged second while Asuqwo Elizabeth from ST John Anglican Primary came third.

The outstanding performance of the students who participated in

this category revealed that when properly tutored children have excellent ability.

In the essay competition, of the five participating students representing five out of the ten schools invited for the competition, Miss Akkanne A. Chinyeaka from Unity Secondary School, came first, Miss Metu Margaret of Awodiora Senior secondary school came second while Miss Ekpo Eunice of Ojora memorial Senior Secondary school came third.

Each of them went away with a set of desktop computer for their school use and personal gift to encourage them to keep doing well in their studies.

For the cooking competition section, which involved preparing a three course meal for two, Express Junior Secondary School, emerged winner with 80% while Oluwa Memorial Junior Secondary School came second with 79% and Newland Junior Secondary School came third with 78%.

According to the coordinator of Women for Positive

First lady of Lagos , Dame Abimbola Fahsola presenting the gift to the 1st place winner of the cooking competion as Mrs Shakirat Bayewu (R) looks on Change, Alh. Sakirat Bayewu, the cooking competition was introduced three years ago, among senior students offering home economics who love cooking, to promote family values and encourage more students to develop interest in cooking, increase their culinary skills as well as promote mental and physical alertness through provision of adequate nutrients in our daily diet.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012—37

HAIRSTYLE OF THE WEEK

Find out what hairstyle soothes your face H

OW do I know what

shape face I have?

All you need is a mirror, Alice band and never to be used again lipstick.

1- Sit in front of the mirror and slick your hair back with the Alice band.

2- Use the lipstick to draw around your face in the mirror.

Move away from the mirror and look at the shape.

SQUARE Your fringe options: Most hair types, except curly, will be able to take a fringe that touches the eyebrows and which is longer and layered at the sides. But if your hair’s thick or frizzy, layer the fringe throughout to thin it out. A very good example is the way Victoria Beckham does a great job of disguising her square jaw: she simply sweeps fine pieces of hair just over her forehead and eyes.

• Colour you sexy: Lightening hair all around the face will soften a square face.

Avoid Long straight styles that accentuate square jawbone.

“Linear ” straight bangs or center parts. A straight bob ending at the jaw line is the wrong thing to do for your face shape. You can wear a layered bob, however it should end above or below the jaw line.

Make sure in styling that you achieve some roundness to the shape and some height at the crown or bangs, and you will be on the right track.

OVAL • Fine Hair? If you’d like it long, ask your stylist for soft layers throughout. It’s the best way to add volume - and sex appeal. If you want to go super short, you’re in luck. Your hair texture and face shape is ideal to carry off one of the catwalk’s favourite styles.

• Medium-textures hair? Try a flirty, flicky razor cut - for inspiration, A short bob longer at the sides and shorter at the back would look wonderful.

• Fringe options: If you have thick hair, you could go for a sexy short fringe or one that’s long and blunt. For fine hair, a long wispy fringe is for you.

• Colour you sexy: Ask your stylist about low lighting the hair around your face to accentuate your oval shape.

Avoid Covering up your “perfect” C M Y K

features with heavy bangs, or too forward-directed styles.

In wearing your hair style on your face, you’ll lose your face shape behind the hair. It may appear to add weight to your face.

HEART Your perfect hairstyle: Avoid top-heavy cuts, and no one will be able to resist your sweetheart sex appeal.

• Choose a style that will create volume around the bottom of your face. But whatever your hair type, don’t have your hair too long. Four inches below your shoulders is ample.

• Thick, long hair? Ask for soft layers to soften your chin area keep the layers cut as close to your jaw line as possible so that they can fall on to your face.

• Long, curly locks will look fantastic on a heart-shaped face if you keep them soft and loose.

Ask your hairdresser to cut them round so that they lightly fall on to your face then use a serum to keep them frizz-free.

• A short bob shape is a safe and sexy style. This works best on curly or wavy hair, just don’t let it grow any longer than your jaw line.

Insist on a choppy cut around your chin not a thick, blunt, bush of locks.

• Fringe options: A shorter, wispy fringe is lowkey but will look gorgeous, especially if your hair is quite thick. A blunt fringe is really dramatic and

will work well on all hair.

• Colour y o u sexy: Highlight hair above the ears to widen your face and low light above.

Avoid S hort, full styles that emphasize upper face.

Height at the crown. Severe, slicked back looks. If you are a dramatic heart shape, the short full styles with tapered necklines which emphasize the upper face will make you look top heavy.

Too much height at the crown will give the appearance of a longer and narrower chin. Just remember if you have a dramatic heart shape face, you have great cheekbones to emphasize!

ROUND Medium to long curly hair? Ask your stylist for some choppy layers through the back and the bottom of your hair to give it some shape and sex appeal. Whether your hair is long or short, if

*Claudia

it’s prone to a wave or curl, avoid at all costs ending up with a rounded ‘bubble cut’.

• Straight hair? The golden rule to remember is that round faces need a style that has longer pieces that fall onto your face to lengthen your cheeks making them look slimmer and your cheekbones more structured. Try a graduated bob cut on to the face and higher at the back.

Alternatively, a choppy shag will suit your face shape.

• Fringe options: Don’t go near a short blunt fringe - it will only emphasize a round face. On the other hand, a long wispy fringe will look great and suit fine hair. And if your hair is thicker, a longer fringe that you can sweep to the side will lengthen your face.

• Colour you sexy: Talk to y o u r stylist about l o w lights at the side of the face a n d lighter highlights at the top of the head to create t h e illusion of lustrous length.

Avoid Chin length hair with a rounded line that mirrors face’s circular shape. Center parts. Short-short crops, straight “chopped” bangs.

Fullness at side of ears. A rounded haircut ending at the chin will certainly add weight to your face shape. Because the widest part of your face is at the cheeks and ears, you need to avoid having the fullness of the cut here as it will make your face appear wider.

LONG Long, fine hair? Go shorter so hair looks thicker and your face looks wider. A cut that’s unstructured, which you can wear messy, is a time saver. If you like a more groomed look, a neat, sophisticated, one length cut will suit you and give you that edge of sleek glam.

• Thick, coarse and curly?

Lucky you - your hair is a playground and the results can only be positive.

Our favourite style is a short razor cut - edgy, sexy and full of texture. (Make sure you avoid like the plague shoulder -length and straight styles.

•Fringe options: Unfortunately in the fringe area it’s not a case of anything goes for you…Disguise a long forehead with a thick blunt-cut fringe - you’ll be surprised how feminine it makes you look.

Steer clear of a fringe if you have a small forehead - it will just emphasize the length of the rest of your face.

• Colour you sexy: Adding highlights to hair at the side of the face will make your face appear shorter, combined with keeping the forehead area darker.

Avoid To much hair length . . . your face will look even longer! Too much height lengthens your face. Center parts.

When your hair gets past your shoulders there is a good chance it is doing you more harm than good.

The models with rectangular face shapes and long hair, get by with it only because they have a “on call” hairdresser who is busy primping and teasing, setting and styling to add fullness to the hair. Since most of us don’t have this luxury, my suggestion is keep it above shoulder length.

38—SA TURD AY 38—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012

my first movie.

Art is something I was born into. I started singing at a very tender age with the church children choir. Once upon a time, we had a regular children’s day celebration where my talent was discovered from the lot.

Thereafter a group was established with my immediate elder brother. From there, we both joined the family group. By the grace of God, I have been able to feature in some shows and have performed alongside some of Nigeria’s top musicians such as Daddy Fresh, Eddy Remedy, Plantashun Boiz and KC Presh, just to mention a few. n-going Project I am the Publisher of W2 O magazine, a fashion and lifestyle magazine and we have up till date five (5) editions already rolled out. As earlier mentioned, I am working on my first movie. I want to take it seriously now.

We’ll also have an academy.

The academy will train young aspiring actors and gradually introduce them to assisting roles till they can handle major lead roles. There are still some skill acquisition and empowerment programmes we will execute in 2013.

BEING YOUNG IS A GIFT GIFT-- Make good use of your youthfulness

— Abraham chukwuemeka esua

S

ome persons are referred to as jack of all trades and master of none. This is different for the 31 years old, Abraham Chukwuemeka Esua, a.k.a. Amy, who is a bundle of talents. He can be considered a jack of all trades and master of all. Amy was originally with the Duo (KC Presh) before they came to limelight but opted out of their musical group for some personal reasons. Here is one person, who can write, sing, sketch and even illustrate and design on computer with ease as he possesses great computer graphic design skill. He is a young publisher and chief executive of a monthly celebrity and Life style Magazine.

In this brief chat with Amy, he tells us what he has been up to. Excerpt. umble beginning I was born on May 3, H 1981 into the Esua family of Akwa Ibom state . I am the last of six (6) males and one (1) female as my siblings. I grew up in a family that encouraged and stimulated creativity in children.

Thankful to my parents and to the Almighty God, I am an

artist; I sing, I draw with my pen and I used to do some cartoons for Vanguard on freelance basis, I have to my own credit some comics drawn by me. To add another feather to my ‘small’cap, I am also a Graphic Artist and a Music composer. Most recently I can say I pass for a Movie director as I am presently working on

orking with Young People W Being young is a gift. You will

agree with me that a huge chunk of Nigeria’s populace is greatly represented by young people. Hence, I am excited when working with youths as we possess great energy, great skills and passion for achieving any initiative. I have been privileged to work with several young people whom have also mentored me in some cases and some of them today are also my protégés. Today, we have a good number of them that have started their own businesses and several charities.

Advice I don’t think we should continue repeating this:

,

•Abraham Chukwuemeka

Definition of Success I think success is in the mind. It is basically semantic as people define it from different perspectives. Better put, you alone know the goals you have set for yourself for the year. If for an example, you achieved 3 out of 5. I’d say you were successful.

I want to take it seriously now.

We’ll also have an academy

,

consistency is the key word.

God is the ultimate helper.

Always have faith in God and in everything you do.

YOUNG NIGERIANS MAKING THE DIFFERENCE LAGOS STATE

ABIOLA ALOBA A

biola holds a Bachelors degree in Chemistry from the prestigious University of Lagos, but has however applied his scientific training to matters related to marketing, business development, strategy and entrepreneurship. He has worked in various capacities and industries ranging from Events & PR (TQA Global) Mobile Technology and VAS (MTech Communications) Sponsorship Marketing (Media Impact) to TV Production (AV.com/East-end).

He was involved in TV as far back as 1988 by the staff of NTA 7 and Zik Zulu Adigwe and also performed in the Nigerian festival of television Programs NIFETEP 88. As an undergraduate and for years upon graduation he became a seasoned and critically acclaimed actor and producer weaned by Theater 15 University of Lagos and Wale Adenuga.

He is a passionate believer in the Nigerian dream and has served in various consultative capacities including ground breaking and pioneering efforts such as the launch of American Football in Nigeria and Africa in 2011. He manages Nigeria’s Only Sports Fan brand Fan Jam which supported the Manchester United vs. Portsmouth football match in Abuja thus garnering global visibility. He is also the founder o f Comedy Factory Nigeria’s first fully fledged comedy brand covering electronic mobile and web offerings with a smattering of events, and is an avid football fan.

Mr. Aloba is a serial entrepreneur and has kept the traditions of innovation and pioneering inculcated into him by his late father Ebenezer Williams who pioneered several newspapers and served 4 heads of state. Ebenezer William’s scion has not gone the public route but has taken the private path and is the founder of the Open Computer Literacy Program (OCLIP) which teaches computer and language skills for free to children in underprivileged areas. His ultimate goal is to empower million of Nigerians through entrepreneurship advice and the creation of a university of entrepreneurship as he is convinced beyond doubt that the future of Nigeria lies in small businesses. Mr Aloba is currently offering social and mobile media training and empowerment windows to small businesses among other things.

OGUNYEMI BANKOLE TAIWO: A YOUTH LEADER GONE TOO SOON

D

ecember 11, 2011 Ogunyemi was featured in the Young Nigerians making the differenc http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/12/i-b e section even-a-smile-is-charity-yasmin-kure/ elieve-thatas a youth making waves of change with his commun initiative : Warri Makeover, aimed at rebr ity service We had planned to use a full story ofanding Warri.

Nigerian who was on the waiting list. How this young ever, we are left with no choice than to celebrate him post following his death caused by his invo humously ghastly motor accident along Lagos Ibadanlvement in a Expressway.

We miss this exceptional change agent who rest on December 13, 2012. Adieu brother was laid to and rest in peace!

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012—39

I don’t remember food unless, I’m idle — Jimmy Jatt

BY KATHERINE USEH

P

opular Superstar Jimi Amu, a.ka. DJ Jimmy Jatt is our guest on this edition of Celebrity Tummy Talk. In this interview, he says food is not a must for him but if he must eat, he eats to stay healthy and well.

Excerpt.

How would you describe a good food?

I am not a food person but as mush as I can eat, I eat to stay alive. I don’t eat food because it is delicious, rather, I eat healthy food nicely prepared and nourished.

What was food to you growing up?

As a child, I was not a food freak so it was not a bother if I didn’t eat. I only eat to stay alive.

So, what has changed now?

Nothing as such, although, I wish, I could change it now.

It has been compounded because of the nature of my job. Most times, I find myself in eateries, restaurants and so on. I really don’t remember

food unless I am idle.

When it comes to food what can you say?

Good food is meant to to keep people alive and stay healthy.

Your exercises...

I engage in tredmill, trekking, I go into the gym once in a while just to keep fit.

What kind of fruits and drinks do you take?

I like fruits a lot, so I take fruits including oranges, apple, grapes, banana, pineapple, and watermelon.

Right now, I am still dinning with watermelon, although, I didn’t like it as a child. I take water so much too. I also indulge in drinking champagne while socialising.

So, what is your favourite food?

Jollof rice, plantain and fish.

I enjoy the jollof rice made by the Togolese women. But in the absence of this, I still eat jollof rice prepared nicely.

How would describe healthy living?

Eat right and eat balanced meal that nourishes the body.

TIT BIT

Bama farms food set to give Nigerians healthy food this season

BY EBUN SESSOU KATHERINE USEH

&

O

ne of the interesting things to do at this Christmas season is to give your family healthy food so that they will not contract diseases.

President, Bama Farm foods, Prince Wale Oyekoya disclosed this at the unveiling of the ultra modern chicken processing plant in Lagos.

Oyekoya who is also the Chairman Agriculture unit of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce, LCCI said that for families to enjoy this festive season and stay healthy, it is important for them to eat healthy food.

According to him, as the Christmas season is approaching, many people will be shopping for different things especially food.

"Housewives should use this opportunity to give their families good food, hence the reason for Bama Farm food".

He disclosed that the existence of the ultra modern chicken processing plant is to help in giving good and steady food to Nigerians,

Chicken Prawn

alleviate the suffering of the common man on the street and create employment opprtunities among Nigerian youths.

Oyekoya who has gone far and wide to find lasting sloution to food problem, said, he is back in the country to make farming a stronger veritable means of the nation’s economy which everybody can venture into.

While calling on people to join in his drive to provide unlimited food for the masses through farming, he said, it is the only way for prople to get good and healthy food this season.

His words: “We slaughter all manner of livestock including cow, chicken, goat, shrimps, pig and fish fresh and clean for

Fish

people’s conveniences. We also have home and office delivery.

“We can conviniently clean and cut 50 pieces of chicken in less than twenty minutes. Our livestock is securely reared at our massive farm land of 150 hectares located on Lekki Epe Expressway.

“It is only agriculture that can take redundance and laziness out of the lives of Nigerian youths and make them better citizens of this

great nation."

Also, President Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry,Goddie Ibru, said the event is significant because it has to do with the development of agriculture.

He said, to sustain the growth of Nigeria, it is important to diversify, adding that, agriculture and manufacturing create employment opportunities and therefore emphasis should be put on these factors in the area of agriculture. This will help in agric-allied economy as well as in food production which can help our foreign reserves.

Otunba Femi Ogunyemi advised farmers to be focused and be independent adding that they should not be discouraged in their service to mankind.

Meanwhile, Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal who was represented

by Director of Agriculture, Dr. Olayiwole Onasanya promised farmers to partner with the private farmers to ensure adequate food supply in the State.

TODAY’S MENU

POWER PASTA WITH VEGETABLE SAUCE WITH CARROT Recipes 1 pound Power Pasta spaghetti, broken into 2-inch pieces Half kilo of Meat/ Fresh fish Seven Medium Carrot Five big fresh Tomatoes Three big Fresh pepper (Tatashe) One medium Onion One bunch of vegetable 25cl Vegetable oil One teaspoon Salt.

Preparations Wash,season and boil the meat or fish Finely slice the tomatoes and dice the carrots into cubes Wash and grate or pound the pepper and onion.

Finely slice chop the green fresh vegetables.

In a saucepan,fry add the boiled meat/ fish and allow to fry for some minutes,then add the blended carrot.

A d d salt,vegetable,stir and let simmer for two or three minutes.

Then serve with the cooked Power Pasta

C M Y K

40—SA TURD AY VANGU ARD , DECEMBER 15, 2012 40—SATURD TURDA VANGUARD

,

The base model is powered by a 2.7liter flat six-cylinder engine with 275 hp. It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, depending on the equipment, and reaches a top speed of 266 km/h

Porsche takes Cayman to next level

P

ORSCHE AG is celebrating the world premiere of the new Cayman at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The third generation of the two-seater has been completely new developed. It is lower and longer, lighter and faster, more efficient and more powerful than ever. A longer wheelbase, wider track and larger wheels enhance the driving performance of the midengine sports car to an unparalleled level in its competitive class. The new Cayman is – after the 911 Carrera and Boxster – the third sports car model line from Porsche to feature innovative lightweight body design.

The new generation is up to 30 kg lighter, depending on the

•Cayman S interior C M Y K

specific model and equipment, and consumes up to 15 per cent less fuel per 100 km than the previous model – despite higher engine and driving performance.

The new generation of the two-seat mid-engine sports car is debuting in two classic Porsche versions: the Cayman and the Cayman S. The base model is powered by a 2.7-liter flat six-cylinder engine with 275 hp. It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, depending on the equipment, and reaches a top speed of 266 km/h.

Its NEDC fuel consumption is 7.7 l/100 km when equipped with P o r s c h e Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK).

The 3.4-liter engine of

the Cayman S produces 325 hp; the best possible acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h is 4.7 seconds with appropriate features. The Cayman S can reach a top speed of 283 km/h, and its NEDC fuel consumption value is 8.0 l/100 km with PDK. Both sport coupés are equipped with the sixspeed manual transmission as standard.

The seven-speed PDK is available as an option; it enables faster acceleration and better fuel economy.

Porsche is also

upgrading the Cayman with new optional features. For example, the sport coupé is now available with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) for the first time; it controls the distance to the car ahead in traffic and vehicle speed, as well as a specially developed Burmester sound system.

Another new feature for the Cayman is the keyless Entry & Drive system, which is available as an option.

The new Cayman is more distinctive than ever. Its proportions are new, and yet it is clearly

a Porsche sport coupé; an extended wheelbase with shorter overhangs and 18- and 19-inch diameter wheels with larger rolling circumference are identifying visual characteristics of the car’s more enhanced driving performance. Its styling is marked by precise lines and razor-sharp sculpted edges. They emphasise the car’s low, extended silhouette with the windscreen shifted forward and the roof line that reaches far back.

Especially expressive and characteristic are the dynamic recesses in the

,

doors, which guide induction air into the distinctive air scoops on the rear side panels and then directly to the engine.

This offers the most prominent visualisation of the concept of a mid-engine car.

From the front end, the new Cayman is marked by its dominant cooling air inlets, which increase in size towards the sides of the car. Just as unique to the new generation of the sport coupé are the large, low rear lid made of aluminium and the rear section with its wrap-around edges.

LASUTH boss tasks Lagos govt on traffic law enforcement T HE Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Prof David Oke has urged the Lagos State government to further intensify effort on the enforcement of the state traffic law.

Prof Oke while conducting the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa round the emergency surgical ward of the hospital in honour of the United Nations World Remembrance Day

for accident victims said that the enforcement so far has resulted in significant accident reduction.

“With the enforcement of the Lagos Traffic Law, the number of accident victims has reduced significantly thereby making the hospital to focus on other accident cases,” he said.

According to him, with the reduction in traffic accidents, the state government can channel the huge sum of money

expended on families of accident victims as a result of motorcycle accident for other purposes.

Speaking during the visit, the Commissioner express surprise at the few number of patients at the emergency surgical ward of the hospital.

He reiterated the commitment of the Fashola administration at ensuring safety of all road users and enforcement of the road traffic law to the letter.

SATURDAY, Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012—41

Pulsating panache as Oshevire’s daughter weds

H

onourable Abel Oshevire showed why he is a popular man of means as he drew the presence of the top hierarchy of Delta State elites to Ogbovwa town, Ughelli, Delta State for the traditional wedding between his daughter, Oniovosa Katherine Oshevire and Oruarume Iyobo Osharechiren The Church wedding held at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Okwe followed by reception at Squash Club Government House, Asaba, Delta state. Photos by Nath Onojake

L-R: Mrs Ngozi Oshevire, Hon. Abel Oshevire, the couple, Chief Ighoyota Amori and Mr. Edward Oshevire

The couple with groom’s Family

The couple,Oniovosa Katherine Oshevire and Rume Osharechiren, cutting their wedding Cake

R-L: Hon. Abel Oshevire, bride’s dad the couple, Oniovosa and Rume Osharechiren and Mrs Ngozi Oshevire, bride’s mum.

Hon.Abel Oshevire welcoming Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, former Information Minister

Hon. Ben Igbakpa, Commissioner of Transport with Mr. Edward Oshevire While Hon. Abel Oshevire looks on.

C M Y K

L-R: Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege and Hon.Abel Oshevire

R-L: Miss Ejiro Oshevire, Mr. Abel Oshevire Jnr., Hon. Abel Oshevire, the couple and Mrs Ngozi Oshevire

42—SA TURD AY 42—SATURD TURDA

P

Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012

resident Goodluck Jonathan has by the reception and honour he bestowed on the victorious Paralympic athletes who did Nigeria proud at the just concluded London Paralympic Games, empowered these athletes.

Those of them who do not have job yet, will be able to set up a business or learn a skill that will make them become more productive and independent thus joining the taxpaying segment of our population.

One cannot help but conclude that the Jonathan Administration has not

ridden the crest of the euphoria generated by the accomplishments of these Paralympic heroes by not taking disabled sports and indeed, the welfare of over 22 million Nigerians with disabilities to the next logical level. One is tempted to ask: Where is the blue print by sports administrators to ensure that Nigerian Paralympians double or triple the number of medals they won at London 2012, at the next Paralympics in Rio, Brazil in 2016? Will these Paralympians be fit to repeat the London 2012 paralympic feats in Rio in 2016?

One would have thought that this administration would further cash in on this accomplishment to recall and sign into law the disability bill as passed and harmonized by the National assembly, that will impact positively on the lives of Nigerians with disabilities and ameliorate their sufferings. A direct consequence of this would be creation of a production line of the next generation of

T

he hope of a return to better e a l t h and fitness can be anybody’s.

All what it takes is the commitment to help oneself.

You have not exercised in years, suddenly, you look in the mirror and you find fat has assailed your body.

Your pot belly is rather tasking... adversely affecting your posture.

You look older and less energetic.

But then, you have resolved to do something about all that.

Your magic tools are going to be physical exercise for the body, breathing exercise to throw out all the stale air in the lungs and introduce sufficient oxygen to enrich the blood.

Of course, when you take up a regimen to improve the body, it must include a sensible eating habit.

Observing these points, the body is bound to respond beautifully. In as little as three months, you will be on your way to a totally new you.

The first to go will be your depression over a physique you don’t love. Your self confidence wll return as your body takes on a better shape.

You will find your power for work and play improving. Oh yes, you will find a new zest for life.

This new life will make you wonder how you managed to live at the low – energy level that you’d been used to for all those years.

The advice here is that once you get started don’t let up or you’ll find the body returning to ruination. Just as you cannot store sleep, so you can’t h

Nothing about us without us 2 Paralympic heroes. Nigeria, with a population of over 164 million, would do well to emulate the Jamaican model of athletes’ development.

Jamaica, a Caribbean Island nation with a population of 2.8 million, won gold, silver and bronze medals in the Olympic 200 meters men finals; and a total of 12 medals (4 gold, 4 silver, and 4 bronze) The Jamaican medalists: Usain Bolt,26, Johann Blake,23, and Warren Weir,23, are a clear statement of the intent by Jamaica that they will dominate the 100 & 200 meters sprints in the next 3-6 Olympic Games. With Brazil hosting the Olympics and Paralympics in 2016, one can imagine them borrowing a leaf from the Jamaicans. Brazil—with next highest population of Black people in the World after Nigeria— will probably unearth athletic talent from their abundant Black population to compete with the Jamaicans in the sprints in Rio. It is worthy of note that Nigerian Paralympians to London 2012 won all their medals from one event: Power lifting. Likewise, the Jamaican

Olympians won all their medals from Track and Field. It also seems that every Caribbean Island , with a Black population, are following the Jamaican blueprint and unearthing their own potential Olympic track and field heroes. Where, pray tell, is the Nigerian blue print for Rio 2016 Paralympics and Olympics? The time to start is now.

I

t seems I cannot escape my sporting past in my anecdotes. I regret that my next illustration must draw, yet again, from this past. There is a plethora of loose ends and unfinished business by Government about disability matters in Nigeria. A friend of mine that was on the 2008 Nigerian contingent to Beijing,China Paralympics disclosed to a press conference where leaders of contingents—including Nigeria — met with the press before sporting hostilities commenced. As leaders of the Nigerian contingent filed out to take their seats beside other contingents, a startling observation was made: there were far more non disabled Nigeria officials than

A return to youthful proportions store exercise. The body will have to be toned on a daily basis.

The beautiful thing about a resolution to live a healthier life is that, all the negative habits you once had will

be dropping off of themselves.

If you smoke and drink, you will soon find that you don’t need to indulge as much as before.

In fact, it’s not surprising that a lot of people manage to quit these two terrible habits completely, after a few

months of living a healthconscious life.

The following are some postures of yoga you can use to improve the body.

The Triangle Technique; Standing with feet w i d e

apart, turn to the left as you bend the left knee. Keep the right knee locked with the whole leg in a diagonal

disabled officials. Curious glances were exchanged, with some hushed whispers and wry grins.

As questions were asked, one European journalist posed an obvious question (not his exact words) to the Nigerian contingent:“It seems that Nigeria does not have enough disabled people that their Paralympic contingent is dominated by non disabled officials”.“He further said that he thought the Olympics was for the non disabled and the Paralympics for the disabled”. The venue erupted into spontaneous laughter!This forgettable moment would not have occurred if our sports authorities had heeded the decades old mantra of the disability movement, which has been the status quo in most countries of the World— including Africa for over 15 years.

“NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US”, the mantra goes.

In recent time, the Ministry of Sports/National Sports Commission has ensured that a disabled person was put on the driver’s seat of Nigeria Paralympic Committee in the person of Mr. Monday Emoghavwe, MON, a former Paralympian with outstanding sporting career, who set and broke many world records in different weight categories in power lifting. Today,there are more disabled officials with the Nigerian Paralympic Committee than we have ever had. This is probably why the Nigeria Paralympic Committee nearly equaled the record my team set in Sydney 2000 Paralympic games. We sincerely hope that the Ministry will sustain this and make it a policy and that other ministries, departments and agencies and indeed, governments at all levels, will take a cue from this.

position to the trunk. Keep the hands over head with the palms together. The neck and head must be straight.

Maintain the posture for some 10 to 15 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

Benefit: The posture tones up the leg muscles shedding excess fat there. This exercise also helps you hold the body in a straighter posture.

The Triangle (A variant) Techique: Stand with the feet about three feet apart. Bend the right knee white keeping the left leg diagonal to the trunk. Bring the trunk lower towards the right tigh. Keep the left hand stretched out on the side of the head as you drop the right hand next to the right foot. Hold this position for 10 — 15 seconds and repeat on the other side.

Benefits: This asana or posture improves the legs like the previous Triangle. The difference being that with this pose the flanks also get a good workout eliminating excess fat there.

Standing Forward Bend Technique: Standing with feet together, fold the arms, take a deep breath and exhale as you lower the torso.

Yoga Classes @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012—43

I dr ank and womanized, but accident br ought me closer to God God—Ize Iyamu Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is the South South Vice-Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former Secretary to the Edo State Government during the tenure of Governor Lucky Igbinedion. Just yesterday, he was honoured with Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) by the Benson Idahosa University. The award was in recognition of his contribution to good governance and education. In this interview with Saturday Vanguard’s SIMON EBEGBULEM, Ize-Iyamu who also served as the Director General of the Oshiomhole Governorship Campaign Organization, disclosed why he opted to be a Pastor despite the fact that he hails from a strong traditional background owing to the fact that his father was one of the respected Chiefs in Benin Kingdom. He spoke on his life, politics and native Edo state.

Excerpts:

J

did not regain consciousness until about 12 midnight. Infact, my leaving that place was an act of God because I was stuck in the car. I could not come out, sympathisers tried without succeeding to force me. And in the midst of it all, somebody came with an axe to cut my leg. But luckily my friend was there begging that they should still try and drag me out rather than cutting my leg. They were able to drag me out but my hip was dislocated, which means I could not sit or stand.

I had to lie down. I was carried to one hospital before they took me to Igbobi hospital. It was there I realized that I just escaped death by by the whiskers.

And I was not happy with the thoughts that was going through my mind: a drunkard, a womanizer. The doctors were not sure whether I could walk again. I said God if I could walk again, I would change and come closer to you.

And I requested for a Bible and I began to read the scriptures. On the day they decided to carry me to the the-

,

How do you feel bagging this award Sir ust some months ago, I celebrat ed my 50th birthday, so I am glad. I respect the late Arch Bishop Benson Idahosa. I am quite happy that the legacy he left behind is still strong. For the university to be honoring me is actually an inspiration, it is some thing that will spur me on to do more and also be mindful that whatever we do, we must understand that people are watching us. It came as a surprise but it was a pleasant one.

You were brought up from a traditional background, your father was a Bini Chief , so how come you became a Pastor?

Yes it is true I come from a strong traditional background. My father and all my ancestors were renowned Chiefs in Benin Kingdom. But my father too was quite liberal. His traditional office did not stop him from giving his children western education and allowing them to pursue their own course in life first, I grew as a Catholic. St Joseph was quite near my family house. It was traditional for us to go there on Sundays and worship but it was strictly spiritual. I went through the university only remembering God whenever I wanted to sleep and I always asked God not to kill me . I’d wake up in the morning and say God thank you that I am alive. It was nothing more than that . On New year’s eve, I’d stroll to the church, we’d shout happy New Year and go to the nearest beer parlour. That was my life. I was not a strong Christian at all. But I actually believed in the efficacies prayers.

I think what really changed my life, was in 1995. I got married in December 1994 and by 1995, my first child was few months old. I was driving with a friend to Lagos. At the gate of my house, I had this urge to pray but I told my self that I would pray when we get to Oloku toll gate. So I postponed it and by the time we got to the toll gate, my friend and I were joking and laughing that we forgot to pray. And then we drove on.

At Ijebu Ode near Shagamu, I was driving and my friend sat by me. All of a sudden, I noticed that the car was going out of control and I didn’t know what was happening. Before I knew it, the car somersaulted and just before I blanked out, something hit me and that was you did not pray. The accident happened about 3pm and I

announced it to people, they thought I was joking. They thought the trauma of the accident had affected me. After a week or two, I would go back to my old life. But to the glory of God, from that time till now, I have been consistent. I joined the Redeem Christian Church of God, I became a member, from there to a worker. From being a worker, I became a Minister and later a parish Pastor. From there, I became an Area Pastor and then, a zonal Pastor. To the glory of God today, I am a district Pastor and I am incharge of zones. That was what led me to God. If you have not had a personal encounter with God, you’d tend to take him for granted but when you went through the type of experience I went through, you’d know that God is very real.

I was driving and my friend sat by me and all of a sudden, I noticed that the car was going out of control and I didn’t know what was happening. Before I knew it ,the car somersaulted and just before I blanked out, something just hit me and that was you did not pray

atre, the doctors have actually confessed that the chances of succeeding in that operation was 50-50, I might or might not walk again. We went to the theatre and when they put me on the bed, I felt a sharp pain and I shouted. The consultant came and they looked at the x-ray that showed that my hip was out of position, and then the Consultant said before they will perform the operation, let them do another x-ray just to know how it was.

They did it and I saw them confused and arguing among themselves. After that, the man came to me and said, look we don’t know what happened but your hips have gone back again.

He said maybe when I shouted, the hip just went back and that they didn’t need to perform any operation again.

That was when I knew that God has answered my prayers. I said well, if God answered my prayers, I must keep to the bargain and that was how I actually gave my life to God. When I

,

How have you been able to manage politics as a Christian which is regarded as dirty?

The truth of it is that for a long time, there have been quite some wrong teachings among us Christians. In the past, there was this wrong teaching about poverty, that rich men cannot make heaven only poor people will.

So a lot of Christians will shun good jobs and say no, if I take that job, I will not make heaven. But later, they realized that there was no scriptural basis at all for such belief. When Jesus talked about how hard it will be for a rich man to make heaven, he was just referring to those who carry riches above the things of God, not that rich men cannot make heaven. Rich men can make heaven if they use their wealth in a manner that will please God. Infact, your riches can actually guarantee you heaven if it is well used.

So, that was one wrong teaching then.

It is the same thing with politics. You

Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu say, ah, no, Christians should not be involved in politics but it is through politics that leaders emerge. Are you saying Christians should not be leaders and yet politics and the actions of the leaders affect our daily lives, then what are we talking about. It is true that in Nigeria, politics is seen to be very dirty.

It is so because we have allowed the wrong people to be in it. When you have bad people in politics, the system will be bad. So basically, because good and decent people do not participate in politics, that is why we are facing what we are facing.

In United States, it is not the same.They see politics as something very honorable and its the same in England. The only way things can change is if decent people come in.

Yes! politics here is dirty because we allowed it to be so. But I tell people that today, I see politics as a mission field, a place that is in darkness, a place that God is not known. And God is sending people there to go and make a difference. I tell people that I was in government for eight years and I can afford to play opposition politics. Today, I am not afraid of being arrested by the EFCC because through-out my time in government, I was conscious of the fact that I am a Christain and I cannot let God down.

So no matter what you say, you cannot say oh look at what Ize-Iyamu did. The best you can say is that he was in government, yes I was in government. But again, I have also told people that if I had not been in government, that so many people would not have gotten their pensions, so many people would not have gotten employment. So I became a voice for those who could not have had access to government.

44—SA TURD AY Vanguard , DECEMBER 15, 2012 44—SATURD TURDA ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

ODD NEWS

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Compiled Richard Okotie

Everyone stay very still, I want to break this record not smash it

W

ine expert sets world best after balancing 51 glasses on one hand.....

One wrong breath - let alone move - and there would be an awful lot of sweeping up to do. This is Philip Osenton at a hotel in Beijing as he broke the world record for the number of wine glasses held on one hand, far surpassing the previous record of 39 the 1,100lb woman who confessed to a crime she didn’t commit to protect her sister and was found innocent thanks to her weight.

Ape Family’.. ‘...oh....oh...very cool....frnds This is a bridge of friendship, when you”re sad & lonely, CROSS it I”ll wait on the other side & if u r afraid just tell I”ll cross it!! I’m your friend 4 ever.

C M Y K

Oh, mum… not in front of my friends!

T

he tender moment an elephant gives her calf a big cuddle...Give me a hug: The mother and her child were snapped tangled in each other’s trunks sharing a cuddle and showing off the love that only a mother and her child can share.

The hug was captured at an elephant orphanage in Pinnawela, Sri Lanka

Proof that women have ALWAYS loved jewellery

S

kull from 1550BC goes on display with elaborate bronze headbandFemale skeleton was discovered in Rochlitz, south of Halle, east Germany, while construction work was underway on a new rail track. The skeleton - thought to date back to between 1550 and 1250 BC - was found to be wearing an elaborate headband made of tiny bronze spirals.

SATUDAY

C M Y K

Vanguard , DECEMBER 15, 2012, —45

46— SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012

BRT: Breaking the cycle of failed

mass intra-city bus schemes

BY EMMANUEL EDUKUGHO

I

F you think you know a metro politan city when you see one, just think again. Lagos, Nigeria’s former capital now economic headquarters of the largest, most populous black nation on earth, with its ambiguous, geographical, complex socio-cultural divisions, acquatic splendour, hectic, heavily congested living, characterised by infuriating nerve wracking, chaotic intracity transport system, leaving commuters devastated at end of the day.

The fear of Lagos traffic is beginning of wisdom for both residents and visitors alike. At one time, this fear of traffic jam led to the introduction of odd and even vehicle plate numbers rotation into the city to sanitize traffic. But it worsened as people were having several cars with odd and even numbers with which they can ply the roads at will.

In this age of urbanisation where cities worldwide are experiencing population explosions and commuters moving from one place to another with precision, over 15 million people living in Lagos metropolis are still victims of deficient, horrible public mass transit system.

Before and after independence in 1960, even after military inetrvention, the public bus transport scheme was orderly, peaceful and properly organised. Those who were staying in Lagos at that time could point to Zarpas,

Benson, Oshinowo Transport services 26-seater mini buses were too expenand the LMTS (Lagos Municipal sive while cost of maintenance seemed Transport Service) which provided re- high for the operators to cope with. liable urban bus services for the resiThere were frequent mechanical dents, sometimes complemented by break down of these buses which led “Molue” buses – 911 Mercedes Benz to failure, even as many of them were trucks constructed into big buses for later abandoned. movement of people, even though not A transporter, Alhaji Ganiu Lawal, as comfortable as the LMTS, Benson buses.

As time went on, these buses were nowhere to be Gov Fashola found, reduced in number, as mini-buses-”Danfo” and others gradually came into the scene.

Then at about 1977, the Lagos State Government established Lagos State Transport Corporation (LSTC) with over 600 luxury buses operating in the Lagos metropolis. Unfortunately, LSTC failed and was closed down by former military ruler of the state, Colonel Olagunsoye attributed the failure of FUMTA initiaOyinlola. tive to mismanagement and the nonWhen Sir Michael Otedola came as challant attitude of the operators to elected civilian governor of Lagos things owned by government.

State, he introduced Jubilee Transport “Many of those who took the buses Service (JTS) which was short-lived believed the buses were their own share and suffered similar fate like LSTC. of the national cake and an avenue to In its bid to intervene and help im- enrich themselves. They never bothprove public transport in the whole ered to honour the terms of the agreecountry, the Federal Government came ment after taking possession of the with the Federal Urban Mass Transit buses,” said Lawal while speaking with Agency (FUMTA) in which some bus- Saturday Vanguard. es were distributed to private operaAfter all these failures, which adtors. But this project also failed as the versely affected public transport in Nigerian Association of Road Transport Lagos, and creating vacuum in the Owners (NARTO) complained that the

system which taxi cabs, motorcycles (Okada) tried to fill, the hardship of commuters in easily accessing public transportation as cheaply as possible became more profound.

The Lagos State government, under leadership of Governor Babatunde Fashola, looked at the situation and how to tackle the chaotic transport condition, decided to launch the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) scheme in March 2008. A few number of big, luxury buses were introduced which kept increasing ever since.

The BRT seemed viable option being explored to bring sanity and hope to commuters in their determination to reach their destination on time and safely too. Traffic jams and hold-ups which can last for several hours and make nonsense of appointments have become main features of living in Lagos. Late coming by workers is now taken for granted because of crippling traffic difficulties made more horrific by the bad roads.

For the BRT scheme to be effective and not hampered by traffic impediment, the Lagos State government had to reach out to the federal authorities to allow for some dedicated lanes and routes on federal roads for exclusive use of BRT buses. It was a long drawn consideration which later came through.

The road network in Lagos not wide enough in the first place, let alone having dedicated lanes for BRT. A major constraint is the narrow lanes be-

Continued from page 49

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012 — 47

BRT buses fast turning into Molues

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN

F

OUR years after the Bus Rapid Trans port, BRT, was launched in Lagos to ease the movement of people from one place to another, the laudable project is fast turning into nightmare as stories of pain and discomfort have continued to trail the services offered by the operators amid growing need for easy and faster means of movement in the state.

The essence of the Bus Rapid Transit system was to address the transport problems in the state, providing a reliable, easy, affordable, faster and cost-effective road transportation system within the metropolis. Many lauded the initiative.

With the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, as the regulating body, the BRT-blue buses are being run by the National Union of Road Transport Workers Cooperative in conjunction with the Lagos state government while the LAGBUS, red buses, is an asset management company owned by the state government. The two bus services run on segregated lanes provided

by L AMATA and the government.

Against the backdrop of what it intended to achieve, commuters using the transport system are constantly overloaded; amid reckless driving, bad state of bus corridors, discourteous remarks even after several hours lost in waiting for the bus. To so many Lagosians, it has become a nightmare rather than a relief from the usual pain in moving from one place to another.

The concept of the system at inception was to provide comfort, fast movement, and decency, but that original idea is now being washed away by long queues at bus terminals resulting in loss of several hours while waiting, even under the scorching sunshine, or thunderous rainfall. Only a few places have bus-shelters which barely could provide shelter when it is raining.

From the Ikorodu axis to Mile 12, down to Obalende, the story is the same. When the service was launched four years ago, Lagosians were told that the buses will leave the terminal every five minutes so that passengers would not have to wait till a bus gets filled up before they leave from one point to another. Unlike in some of the countries where this idea was taken, it was

BRT buses...queues at bus terminals hinders smooth operation

The concept of the system at inception was to provide comfort, fast movement, and decency, but that original idea is now being washed away by long queues at bus terminals resulting in loss of several hours while waiting expected to be fast, rapid and efficient. But those are the the hallmark of the Lagos BRT and LAGBUS. Besides, BRT drivers throttle past recommended speed limits, divert into all road lanes without adhering to basic traffic precautions or pay any attention to safety of other road users. A passenger commented: “these are common with drivers of those buses under Private/government initiative.

They speed without caution and they do all sorts of things while driving like talking and discussing with passengers which could cause some distraction. In other buses like the government initiative LAGBUS, they don’t do that.

The problem with those ones are that they don’t have

enough buses on the road to run their routes.” he said.

The state of the BRT corridors is also a matter for concern.

The corridors along KetuMile 12, Ketu-Ojota are in a state not befitting a rapid transport service like the BRT. Most cities that BRT is used have good road network and very broad roads to even contain the road demarcation for the BRT buses. This is not the same in Lagos because our roads are not broad yet, they were demarcated. This is one of the reasons some buses avoid the corridors though when the traffic is light and struggle with other vehicles on the regular roads.

A passenger at the Mile 12 terminal waiting for bus to convey him to his destination re-

BRT buses...can break down on the road.

marked that this was not the BRT that the government of the state promised at the inception of the transport system arguing that it has translated into another Molue put together to run on separate lane . The stated that there is proper management as “the project is running without proper management coordination and maintenance,” he said.

He added that some of the buses imported were substandard and fragile which made them suffer wear and tear easily. “after four years, we are beginning to see the the quality these buses are made off.

Aside the LAGBUS which has better quality buses like the Daewoo and Marco Polo, other ones are not durable and most often than not, you see them breaking down at the corridors and making it difficult for other buses to use the corridors at that point in time,” he said.

The traffic volume during the peak hours for example appears to be far more than what the available buses can carry, couple with the fact that it is usually in one direction. This makes it difficult for users of the BRT and LAGBUS to wait endlessly for buses to their destinations.

In fact , this to a large extent is said to be responsible for the excessive loading passengers in available buses. The bus is not meant to carry more than 76 passengers at once in the form of 40 sitting and 36 standing; but because of the long queues, commuters are encouraged to packed themselves in a bus, thereby eroding the original idea of providing comfort, convenience and safety. Most buses are seen carrying about 120 passengers from one destina-

tion to the other especially in the peak periods. The various terminal of the buses are also antithetical to the concept of the BRT in some of the advanced countries where it was copied.

Lagosians were told at the inception of the system that car parks will be provided at the terminals so that car owners can park their cars and join the BRT that travel unhindered on the reserved lanes to their destination.

When Saturday Vanguard visited the Mile 12 BRT terminal at a peak period, such facilities were not in place, in fact, a few yet-to-be loaded buses struggle for space, thereby causing traffic jam at under the Mile 12 bridge.

At the passengers waiting lounge, only a few seats were seen which can barely take a dozen of people. At the extension, passengers were seen on long cyclical queue with a few available buses on hand. The standing queue was as long as the bridge.

Why has the terminals not been made to integrate with other other transport system like ferry and rail if it was part of the original plan. The CMC/ Leventis bus station would have served that purpose if LAMATA had considered other ways of decongesting the road transport system in Lagos.

A staff of the LAMATA who prefered anonymity hinted that the authority was only saddleed with the responsibility to reguate the services of the buses and would not go outside its responsibility.

The Commissioner of Transport, Mr Kayode Opeifa could not be reached for comments. All efforts made by Saturday Vanguard to get him to speak proved abortive.

Inspite of all the shortcomings, some still adjudged the coming of the BRT services as the best thing that has happened in the state. Ayeni Oladimeji who claims he uses the BRT services often especially from the Ikorodu-Mile 12 to CMS route commented thus: “It is a brilliant idea by the state government as it helps reduce stress, the Shylock and greed of the yellowbus commercial operators, hold up on the road among others.

No matter what you say, it is still cheaper, fast compared to others. Before you know it, you are at your designated place and its reliable.”

He however took a swipe at the poor customer relation of the staff. He added that they also delay passengers at their check points, advising that the staff should be properly trained on how to relate with passengers who most times are in a hurry to catch up appointments.

48—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Lagosians deserve to live better, not ‘Okada-life’ —Opeifa, zWe’ re re-distributing the BRT buses for better service zSays ‘no cause for alarm during yuletide’

Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN, OLASUNKANMI AKONI, & CHARLES ADINGUPU On agitation against traffic law here is no public agitation against the traffic law. There is overwhelming support for it by Lagosians. Like in any society, those who are against any policy are those who kick. For your information we have document the commercial motorcycle operators signed, it was not forced on them. If you look at the last demonstration, the number of people involved tells you it was not popular. You can see the streets of Lagos, it is free from Okada. We spent about three months for advocacy and awareness, we didn’t immediately commence the implementation of the law. But because we know it has socio-economic impact on the people, we have to apply socio-economic style to the issue. But I will tell you that majority of Lagosians are satisfy with it, what people are saying is that we need to put more buses on the road. We have said that we are monitoring the situation because should we have too many buses, the Public Private Partnership initiative will be affected. It means those people running the Danfo will also be affected and that will be another socioeconomic loss and they may pull out. But what we need is the redistribution of buses even the transporters have gotten to understand where the needs are.

What we had before was that the motorcycle operators had distorted the needs and the demand equilibrium. As a result, the use of bus stops are no more valid. Now that that is no more, it means people have to find their ways to the bus-stops. So, most times you see people actually treking to the bus-stops and if they can’t find a bus, they would move to the next one. Since November, people have changed and they tend to demonstrate better understanding of the whole essence of the law and where they need to be to get a bus.

Again, people assume that when they pick a bus, it will take them to their destinations.

No, it is not like that, you pick a bus at one location and get down at another and connect to your destinations. How many bus routes will you now So, people should rather unhave in a particular station? the instances people have rederstand this. The selection of ported to us, when we asked That was what Okada deroads is 475 out of 9,100 which questions, they will tell us the stroyed and that is coming is less than 6 per cent of the Okada-man was not wearing back now. road, there are still more placan helmet.

They seem not to Police intimidation and ares. Nobody is saying you understand, if you are close to rest should not ply Ikorodu road Ikorodu road, and the law says The word is not intimidation, except two roads, nobody reyou should be 50meters away it is arrest. If an okada operastricted you in Agege and most from the Ikorodu road, the potor is on an unrestricted route of the roads in Ifako Ijaiye but lice will meet you where you and is not wearing a crash helwhy should you ply Iju road are less than 50 metres; and if met, he should be arrested, that is restricted. So, if the you are on a particular road the law does not permit you to Okada men complied initially that is restricted, say for ingo anywhere without helmet. as they complied, should we stance Ipaja road and you run The law says on the route now encouraged the disobediinto Oyewole road, and they you are allowed, you must not ent ones? No, that is why there find you around Seriki road, carry two persons, or children. is a government and there are they could arrest you because If the police are doing anypeople. Majority of the people there is no way you would be thing different from these, have agreed. We know the on Seriki road without passing then there is an issue. In all through the restricted road. number of Okada that were on

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The law says on the route you are allowed, you must not carry two persons, or children. If the police are doing anything different from these, then there is an issue

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the road, and we know the few ones who have refused to comply, should we now be propagating for the issue of minority? Yes, they may have their say but not their way over the majority. The people of Lagos should decide, do you want to live an okada life, or you want to live a BRT life?

Service and Management of BRT We don’t own the BRT buses. The NURTW owned the BRT buses, we only created the infrastructure. If the NURTW can manage BRT which is the best we have in Nigeria, why can’t they manage modern taxis? If an okada rider has N250,000, he can become the owner of a taxi car. If taxi makes more money why doesn’t he want to make more money?

And we said we would pay them the N250,000, while the cost of the vehicle is N1.85m and because they are patronised, it became N2.2m and it is their union handling it. We have only stood as guarantors.

As a government, we have put in place policies that will make them successful, why can’t an Okada operator be a Danfo driver, or a taxi driver, even the BRT. There are so many

buses parked without drivers.

We promised people safe, efficient, reliable and sustainable means of public transportation.

We did not promised them otherwise, Okada is not safe, reliable and sustainable. The governor once asked them a question: “Can you leave this as a job for your children to do?” They said no!. He asked again, do you want okada to be a legacy for the next generation, they said no!. Then let us stop it now, and move to what we can bequeath to our children.

The leadership of Okada union Those complaining are people who collect tolls from them on a daily basis. They make money from them. At the last demonstration they held at Ojuelegba, it shows the organisers have other motive because people like the Eko-eso, the leader of ANACOWA were not there. Okada have been restricted or banned in some PDP states like Bayelsa, AkwaIbom, Cross River, FCT, Abuja, Delta, Kwara, Rivers and now recently Plateau and Kano. What we have done in Lagos is not politically motivatContinues on page 49

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SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012—49

Breaking the cycle of failed mass intra-city bus schemes Continued from page 46 ing plied by BRT buses although no other vehicles are allowed to use the exclusive lanes. The recklessness of BRT drivers without regard to other road users left much to be desired, sometimes leading to fatal road accidents.

Other constraints accoding to Saturday Vanguard investigation include lack of traffic lights at points of convergence on the BRT routes to warn other vehicles intending to join the fast lane of any approaching BRT vehicle. The need for all the intersections to have traffic control lights cannot be over emphasised because accidents occur when private vehicles tend to forget that BRT bus could emerge at any time to join the dedicated lane.

Even the BRT terminals are often without illumination at night posing security threat to commuters. Although the terminals are not enough, but most times the buses are not available as at when due.

Passengers can be seen hanging around and even lining up especially during evening rush hours waiting for the buses. Long queues are formed particularly in Tafawa Balewa Square, Yaba and passengers get stranded as a result.

Even the BRT vehicles are often stranded and held

Commuters waiting on the line to board BRT buses. agonisingly by traffic jam. Our investigation showed that there are several BRT corridors already marked out across lagos metropolis, but more are still needed to be marked out. For instance, no BRT lane along Mile 2 – Badagry road. In fact, most parts of Lagos are not covered

by BRT. There is no enough penetration into the hinterland as majority of Lagos residents are yet to feel the BRT impact moreso as the government is talking about Lagos becoming

mega city like Rio, New York, London, Johannesburg, etc.

According to a reliable source, the initial projection was for BRT to carry 60,000 passsengers per day which can be surpassed if there good roads. Some BRT vehicles can be seen plying routes not meant for them particularly during serious traffic hold up.

For now the buses are not sufficient tbut it was gathered that the government is bringing in more buses.

Apart from BRT, there is La-

gos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), established by government to provide transportation, infrastructure and regulate the operations of these buses. Initial operators of the BRT scheme were National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Cooperatives. NURTW employs the BRT drivers but are trained by LAMATA. This could explain why the BRT drivers are reckless, coming from such horrible background.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) ensures control of taffic and compliance with traffic rules and regulations on the road.

LAGBUS is an asset management company of Lagos State government which also operate buses in some designated areas of Lagos like between Mile 12 and CMS. While BRT operates on dedicated lanes including LAGBUS, other buses like those painted in yellow colour are restricted to service lanes.

BRT fares are cheap and affordable to the masses but buses are insufficient. Once they take off from the terminals, BRT buses hardly stopped on the way or collect passengers along other bus stops.

Emeka Ayanwu, a commuter commended the BRT initiative which is fast and cheap but he called for a coordinated strategy of exploring water and rail transportation to “frontally tackle the traffic problem once and for all.”

“The waterways are not utilised. Government can introduce fast moving boats and ferry services and also bring high speed trains with capacity to move thousands of people per hour which will help to solve the traffic problem in Lagos,” he told Saturday Vanguard.

‘We are re-distributing BRT buses for better’ Continued from page 48 ed. We have the best public transport network in Nigeria. We have increased capacity on water ways by 300 percent. We are building a rail road system even though they say it is in federal exclusive list, we have gotten permission to do it from Okoko to Marina and we are also working hard to get the rail line working.

Reduction in rate of Okada accident victims We added over 400 buses in one day and out of that, NURTW has about 60, Trade Union Congress has about 200, plying Ajah. These are unions, and we have private sector involvement, Mutual Assurance, we have the former Molue operator in the system too. Okada has never been a mass transport system. It is a polutant and very unsafe as it causes sickness. We went to Lagos State university Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, last week, we found out that the lobby of the emergency room which was hitherto filled with extra couch bed, was free.

They revealed that Okada accounted for over 80 per cent of patients. But as at today, record shows about 60 per cent reduction. If you consider that of Igbobi and other places with this level of reduction, you will agree with me, it is a success. The question is: Is there any one who does not have an Okada victim in his family? It is all about safety and security.

More buses on the road You cannot put too many buses on that corridor

they will damage the road. That is why you see that the road goes bad more often. Again, we dont own the buses, they have already injected 50 of thoses buses but you will not notice it. On the service lane, we have the yellow buses which usually take the spill over and very soon, there is addition of that coming up on the service lane, we can’t just increase the BRT which is meant for long distance.

LAGBUS has also increased its presence on that corridors. In Abule Egba, Sango-Ota, we have increased by 20. In Lekki-Ajah, we have increased by 20, and by next week, we will be commissioning another 20. We don’t manufacture buses but we have started assembling buses here. But do we have enough buses in Lagos? You can’t really say no.

With 50,000 yellow buses at 10 each, that is 500,000 capacity; with 1000 LAGBUSES that is about an average of 400,000 people. So, it means we have close to one million at a time. Do we really move onemillion at all time.

The situation is that at rush hour when you see buses go, they tend to wait after making short trips and that is why the result is seemingly imbalance.

But the situation is better now because there are more redistribution of buses because the buses have moved to where they need them. We are extending the BRT to Ikorodu. We have extended it from Yaba to Oyingbo and we have put buses on those routes.

The NURTW have increased the buses in the corridor but the truth is that they cannot increase bey-

ound a certain limit. The next thing is that service delivery needed to improve.

We are determined to ensure that those who use the Okada for private business have access to it but not for commercial purposes except on areas we have not restricted them like Agbelekale, inside Iyana-Ipaja, inside Egbeda, they are still operating. We stay healthy if we walk to the bus-stop and take a bus rather than endangering our lives.

If you think there is traffic on Ikorodu, you can use water transportation, it is now expensive because they use petrol; we are also working on that so that they can have diesel propelled engines. It is safe. What we are saying is that the capacity to move exist without okada. The believe that you need okada to move is false. There are areas where there are no adequate public transportation, we have not restricted, but if we have, let us know and we will make amends.

BRT shelter and service delivery in OshodiApapa road Certainly, we are looking at the possibility of increasing the stop and pick system. We have used the ticketing to create more jobs. These are jobs Okada riders can take up, it is more dignifying that Okada.

There is a job opportunity there and as you know, the ticketing is not by government. It is by individuals who are making their means of livelihood through that means.

50 — SA TURD AY V ANGU ARD, DECEMBER 15, 2012 SATURD TURDA VANGU ANGUARD,

Refreshment and thrills as La Casera brings ‘Apple Story’ fun to Lagos

House, Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration to sponsor new Bill on counterfeiting C

OUNTING the losses counterfeiting has caused the country with the economy growing at a low pace, House Committee on Commerce again is collaborating with the Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration (ACC) to sponsor a new Bill that would reduce counterfeiting to the barest minimum.

In a communiqué signed after a stakeholder’s roundtable held recently in Lagos by the ACC Secretary, Ms. Uche Nwokocha stated that a committee will be inaugurated among stakeholders and relevant regulators and would meet with the House committee members to chart a way forward.

“Registrar of Trademarks, Nigerian Copyright Commission, NOTAP, Ministry of Justice is to meet in Abuja with the Chairman, House Committee on Commerce, Mr. Sylvester Ogbaga and request him to help sponsor the Bill,“ it said.

The communiqué noted that the IPCOM Bill presently before the House is the Bill to set up the lPCOM Commission only and does not include the substantive Bill dealing with trademarks, patents, designs, animals, plant varieties amongst oth-

ers.

The stakeholders also agreed that there should be strong collaborative efforts between the government, relevant regulatory agencies, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigeria Police, stakeholders and individuals respectively.

According to the communiqué, the Committee will first agree on the content of the Bill; whether to merge the Bills together or leave them as they are. The

Committee will then be guided by its chairman, Ogbaga. lt was agreed that this should be done in the first quarter of 2013 to avoid any further delays.

It was also recommended that there should be stiffer penalties in the laws for counterfeiting, including jail terms and substantial damages, creation of standing committees to deal with specific issues like prescheduling of meeting dates and times for a six month

*operates in more than 40 African countries

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energy, refreshment and fun as La Casera took its Apple Story Experiential Campaign to the popular Ojota Night Market recently.

(L-R)Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah, Chairman, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Engr. Gbenga Ajayi and Head, Licencing and Compliance, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Shola Adeyemi, at the Telecoms Executives and Regulator's Forum 2012 organised by ALTON at the Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi,Lagos.

HP Indigo 5600 provides Nigeria new digital printing innovation T was a plus in the Nigerian graphic digital printing market as MFI pro print, the distribution partner for HP in Nigeria launched a new HP Indigo 5600 digital offset printing press with reliable, innovative and sustainable world best technology, unique in its class, offering superb quality with maximum production capability. This edition of HP Indigo 5600 enjoyed in more than 40 African countries with world class remark provides the best conditions for combining high productivity and maximum flexibility that ensures seamless integration, giving a direct access to plate production at the control of the press.

According to management sources, this concept will go a long way with the Nigerian graphic market for commercial documents, print market collateral, business files and banks can explore this ample opportunity. It is a machine that can personalise document.

Conducting pressmen round its Lagos office, it was said that

IGERIA’s ever-busy commercial hub, LaN gos received a triple dose of

the newly launched printing press is pitched with a “oneshot ink” solution that would extend the Indigo market to plastic cards, graphic overlays and high-quality imaging on synthetic substrates’ market.

Regional Product Manager Pro Print, Mr.Jignesh Mehta, said that HP Indigo 5600 Digital press delivers unmatched digital offset and photo quality with high versatility and productivity.

Seamlessly switching between jobs and media types—with a new added ability to print on synthetics—the press is ideal for PSPs with a diverse job mix.

He noted that it is capable of printing well over two million colour pages or five million monochrome pages per month.

The press is the leading choice for medium volume printers, using the Enhanced Productivity Mode (EPM), it can print color jobs at a speed of 90 pages per minute. It also reaches a monochrome speed of 272 ppm.

Multiple drawers that enable continual printing, reducing operator intervention and

increasing uptime.

Its product is also aimed at the security printing industry. A new red-fluorescing invisible ink of the HP Indigo 5600 model can be used to pursue new security-printing applications, such as ID cards, tickets and high-value coupons. A white ink option has been included for markets such as greeting card and static-cling window signage production.

In addition, Managing Director, MFI, Mr. Altaf Lalani, said HP Indigo 5600 is a printing revolution that provides solution to the need of businesses in the printing industry. MFI will provide technical support for customers thereby ensuring wonderful experience in the application of the new product to their business etc. Launching the product, Sales Regional Manager Indigo & IHPS Africa, Mr. Houssine Chekkar said, “HP indigo digital press 5600 is a business-to-business solution that will open gateways for new business opportunities for our Nigerian print partners and the existing Indigo users.”

calendar period. Regulators also agreed on areas that need improvement which includes product registration and market surveillance, lack of funding, logistics, understaffing and sparse geographical distribution, which applies to almost all regulators.

“There is serious lack of support from lawyers as representatives of stakeholders, in the area of new policies being introduced at the Trademarks Registry and the proposed retreat, “it said.

Traders, visitors and passers-by were excited as they watch the Apple Story Team set up their stage and stalls with a thrilling extravaganza music, dance and lots of refreshing La Casera for the enthralled members of the public.

According to Brand Activation Manager, La Casera Apple Story Experiential Campaign, Mr. Darlington Okezie, the essence of the campaign is to bring La Casera Apple drink brand and its teeming consumers together in an intimate and fun setting where they can testify of the ways the brand enhances their lives.

“We are on the streets and cities of Nigeria to hear firsthand members of the public speak on their feelings about La Casera Apple and the cherished memories they connect with it. We are also rewarding their loyalty for making La Casera a leading carbonated soft drink brand in the country with lots of gifts like Face caps, T-shirts, Notepads and of course, tasty La Casera Apple to go round”, he explained.

And there were quite a number of consumers who told their stories readily and commended the quality and uniqueness that the brand has maintained through the years.

One very enthusiastic consumer on the scene was Mr. Duru Chizoba, a businessman who was very eager to tell his ongoing romance with La Casera Apple flavor drink.

“It is my favourite drink and my fridge is always stocked with bottles of cold, delicious La Casera for me and any

Western Union, DOAM Foundations launch ‘Read to Succeed’ project in Nigeria

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LEADING global money transfer Western Union, its Union foundation and a non-governmental organisation, Daniel Ogechi Akujobi Memorial (DOAM) Foundation, have launched in Lagos, ‘Read to Succeed’ project in three schools in the state: Ikota Primary School, Isolo Comprehensive Secondary School and Ikosi Secondary School respectively.

The initiative in collaboration with Western Union Agents: Access Bank Plc., Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. and Diamond Bank Plc. seeks to address the challenges of poorly equipped libraries and increase literacy levels in schools. It is an initiative that would also promote a reading culture and writing abilities among students, and in addition develop their computer skills.

Commenting on behalf of Western Union, Western Union Regional Vice President for North, Central and West Africa, Aida Diarra, stated that, our donation today is an illustration of how Western Union and its agents actively seek opportunities to support development and educational initiatives globally by improving the learning environments for the students in these schools.”

Programme Manager, DOAM Foundation, Clare Henshaw, further said that, “Developing reading culture will improve the nation’s human resources, thus supporting the leaders of tomorrow. This project is a demonstration of how we at DOAM Foundation are dedicated to the enhancement of education in the lives of the less privileged children.”

Over100, 000 books and 20 computers (6 computers with USB device per school) were donated as part of the project. Western Union collaborates with DOAM Foundation on joint initiatives in education to create a ‘moment of better’ in the lives of Nigerian children. This is a small part of Western Union’s “Education for Better” initiative. The programme launched earlier in the year, is a three-year commitment to help meet global education goals and provide an average of $10,000 per day for more than 1,000 days in potential Western Union Foundation grant funding for nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) working in the education space, including support for one million days of school through a new corporate cause-marketing campaign.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012—51

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BY GAB EJUWA

year after Chief Ogbe Onok-pite was gruesomely murdered by some unidentified police officers, the dust generated by his killing is yet to settle. The 38-year-old politician who identified with his native Okpe, Uvwie people was shot dead at Beeland Hotel, Orhuwhoran in Udu local government area of Delta State.

Since the politician was killed in a questionable circumstance, a plethora of criticisms have continued to trail his sudden and unpleasant demise. Despite series of petitions by the family and other human right groups to unravel the main cause of his death, investigations so far appeared to be shrouded in mystery. For this singular reason, the deceased family insisted that until his killers are brought to book, his remains would not be interred.

After Onokpite was murdered, a petiition was sent to the police IG and the DIG in charge of homicide division.

Consequently, a team of officers was raised headed by one Adamu Hassani. Unargueably, a considerable success was achieved in their investigations. But the Hassani’s team later hit a brick wall as they were unable to retrieve the file containing the matter of Chief Onokpite’s death from one Dalan Dache, and his gang who were initially assigned to investigate the case, and who, ironically in their investigations, hurriedly concluded that the late politicians was a gun-runner and was killed in a crossfire with men of the Nigerian police.

As the effort to unravel the killers continued, fresh allegations emerged that the police officers fingered as the killers were allegedly mobilised by some powerful forces in the state to eliminate the youngest governorship aspirant in the immediate past governorship election in the state. A source alleged that the real killer squad in Delta State was led by an ASP. Following this allegation, officers of the alleged Delta killer squad were summoned to Abuja for investigation.

In the process, the team allegedly pleaded guilty as charged as one of them alleged that the leader of their police team ordered him to kill Onokpite.

This confession has created more questions begging for answers since they failed to establish that Chief Onokpite was killed in a crossfire.But the said officer allegedly admitted that he shot the politician below the knee and eventually killed him at the Beeland Hotel, Orhuwhorun road in Ovwian, Delta State.

The officer also allegedly admitted that he drove the Pathfinder jeep that led the two Hilux vans to the Beeland Hotel where Onokpite was caught. This report was in tandem with the statement of oath from the prime witness, Gbenga Onasiji who dismissed the allegation that Onokpite was a gun-runner but agreed that he was the Okorokporo denied earlier driver assigned to convey confession that he was Onokpite to collect some instructed by the deceased to amount of money from the deliver two AK 47 rifles found nearest ATM before his killers on him to one Mr Collins descended on him.

Egbara.The mysterious The driver has however circumstances have all identified the police officer combined to cast doubt on who shot him below the knee, the justice system in the land. and also the man who Delta State Police blindfolded and used sharp Commissioner, Mr Mamman dagger on him.

Tsafe, now the Assistant Again, a fresh twist was Inspector General (AIG) of added to the matter when an Police Zone 2 at a press arrested suspect, Malik conference shortly after the

•Late Chief Onokpite

Twists, turns in Onokpite’s murder as fresh facts emerge

,

The driver has however identified the police officer who shot him below the knee and also the man who blindfolded and used sharp dagger on him

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dastardly incident had posited that the slain politician was gunned down while attempting to escape from the grip of the police, and that he died on the way to the hospital.

It was reported then that “at about 2.00pm on November 26, 2011, undercover operatives at Beeland Hotel, Orhunwhoro intercepted a vehicle with registration no AM 528 JRT driven by one Malik Okorokporo, 33, of 31

Abasiomo Druona compound, Alegbo, Warri.

The driver, it was also alleged, was stopped by the police patrol team at Udu, Orhunwhoro road and to their chagrin, two AK-47 rifles with Nos. 20613 and 13702, with over 60 rounds of live ammunition were found in his possession. These rifles were to be delivered to one Collins Egbara, Chairman of Agaga community who was currently on the run .

“The suspect, however, took the patrol team to Beeland Hotel to apprehend his principal, who attempted to escape upon sighting the police but was maimed. The principal eventually died on the way to the hospital,” the commissioner stated.

Amidst several conflicting reports, the younger brother to the late Chief Onokpite,

Diemo disclosed that the family’s investigations showed that the slain politician was killed unjustly by some unknown persons.

Diemo who disclosed that members of the family have finalised plans to bring the killers to book, said that until justice takes its full course, the remains of his elder brother which is still at the morgue will not be buried.

The brother stated that at the appropriate time, the family will tender a lot of evidence at their disposal to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt that their brother was a victim of chain killers masquarading as politicians in the state.

Also, counsel to the slain politician’s family, Mr Odiana Eriata said that revelations from police investigation so far showed that the killer gang of Chief Onokpite still exists in the state.

The lawyer who alleged that there had been several attempts to sweep the matter under the carpet, disclosed that their efforts had culminated to the serial murder of two other persons, British Egene and Orlando Owodo on July 17, 2012.

Eriata, however, enjoined the IGP to investigate the role of a particular Assistant Suprentendent of Police (ASP), names withheld, in the murder saga. The family lawyer also alleged that there were two persons suspected to have set up the late Onokpite and also averred that the car in which guns were planted against Onokpite belongs to one of them.

The lawyer disclosed that the two persons who set up the deceased were murdered in Bayelsa before fresh facts began to emerge on the killers of Chief Onokpite, particularly when one of the eye witnesses identified eight of the 11 policemen involved in the dastardly incident in Abuja.

IGP Abubakar

52—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012

11-yr old girl gets pregnant for five boys

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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T was a shocking story to the par ents and neighbours of an 11 year old girl and pupil of Ikorenim Primary School in Calabar, Cross River State, Ekamen Asuquo, when a pregnancy test that was conducted on her at the General Hospital, Calabar revealed that she was carrying a fourmonth pregnancy.

The mother of the primary five pupil, who resides at 2, Pipeline Road, Ikorenim had suspected pregnancy, going by the symptoms exhibited by the teenage girl, who was sick for a while as she decided to take her to the hospital after she failed to get well, despite long period of self medication.

The mother was rattled when it was discovered that the girl was pregnant after some tests.

A neighbour, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said “She has been at home for the past two months always complaining of one ailment or the other and the mother had to take her to the General Hospital after home medication could not heal her in the hope that she could be treated there.”

The neighbour said when the teen-

age girl was confronted by her mother, who allegedly sells hot drinks and illicit drugs over who was responsible for the pregnancy, she mentioned one Tony, one of the boys that patronises

her mother’s hot drinking joint.

However, the source hinted that when Tony was confronted, he said “He was the one who dated the teenage girl first but another customer, Jones

snatched her from him and when Jones was confronted, he said he had since stopped dating the girl and mentioned another person, who when also confronted, mentioned another boy and at the last count, the number was five.”

It was gathered that the mother was infuriated when her daughter confirmed that she slept with all the boys mentioned and could not actually tell who was responsible.

It was also gathered that two of the boys mentioned were tenants living in the woman’s house.

Out of annoyance, “she has since asked the two young men living in her house to quit but they are asking for time to secure another accommodation before they can vacate the house.”

When the distraught mother was asked what she was going to do with the daughter’s predicament, tears rolled down her cheek, as she said “I leave everything to God.” When the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr John Umoh, was contacted, he said the incident had not been reported to the police.

Nigerian lady alleges maltreatment by expatriate bosses, made to share office with a dog Continued from page 13 “As I prepared to commence my annual leave which was approved for the 8th of June, 2012, an idea was suddenly conceived in my heart to use my leave allowance to touch the lives of widows and orphans of Dogonahawa village of Jos, Plateau State through the giving of relief materials such as food items, cloths, detergent, etc. You will remember that they were helpless victims of a gruesome genocide in the year 2010 where men, women and children were brutally massacred at dawn. I was very excited and passionate about this cause and without a premonition of possible negative reactions, informed a few close colleagues and selected management personnel about my plan via our official e-mail.

I saw it as a platform for corporate social responsibility by the company which had been in Nigeria for over 30 years and was actively involved in community charity in its Francophone African subsidiaries but never in Nigeria where millions of dollar profit is realized weekly.

“My email contained a brief introduction of Plateau State, facts about what had happened to the Dogonahawa community in the year 2010 and a clarion call to volunteer and

help the widows and orphans of

the community. However, this did not go down well with my bosses as I was summoned by the managing director and accused of using the company ’s intranet for social networking. I was denied any opportunity to explain and the MD unreservedly hurled insults at me saying I was,dressed like a queen yet I’m a nobody. It was a Friday and I was in African attire. He said I have no brains in my head, further questioning my designation as assistant manager before ordering me out of his presence. I was later issued a query to answer within 48 hours to which I responded apologetically, explaining my true and honest intentions.

I eventually proceeded on my leave and still continued to Jos for the community project.

“On resumption after my leave, I was placed on a six weeks suspension without salary effective 26th July, 2012 - 6th September, 2012 which was contrary to the employees contract agreement. So I forwarded a letter requesting some form of explanation making reference to Article 43 Sub section B of the employee handbook which clearly stipulates a maximum of

two weeks (14 days) for cases of suspension from employment without pay or indefinite suspension as in the case of serious gross misconduct like fraud. I did not get any response to my enquiry but nonetheless, served the suspension and resumed in the early hours of 6th September, 2012. That same day, I was summoned to head office and issued a letter terminating my appointment.

I

t must be stated that the “offence” which according to management was using the intranet for a so-

cial interaction was a surprise because the same mail had always been used by a large number of colleagues for political comments, religious and other social networking and communication. There was even an internal memo warning those engaged in pornography during official hours via the same intranet, yet no disciplinary action was executed. I believe I was victimized and sacked because I suggested a community goodwill gesture to the management. I am crying out to the Federal Government, the National Assembly to look into

my case. I demand an apology from the company for victimizing and traumatizing me while working with them.”

Although attempts to get the reaction from the company to the allegations were unsuccessful as they refused to respond to enquiries from Saturday Vanguard, condemnations have trailed the treatment meted to her by the company. Chairperson of the Federation of International Female Lawyers, FIDA in Plateau State, Mrs Ladi Madaki condemned the treatment noting that the psychological effect of what she went through was better imagined.

“Imagine the trauma, the humiliation and the psychological violence of it”, she noted.

Another FIDA member, Mary Izang frowned at the racist behavior by expatriates against Nigerians in their own country, saying this should be checked. She called on the relevant agencies to investigate Abigail’s allegations, adding that she should not be allowed to suffer the denial of her rights unchecked. Saturday Vanguard learnt that the matter had been reported to some relevant agencies.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012—53

Freedom of Misinformation (Cooking the books at the Vatican)

By Bashorun JK Randle, FCA, OFR

I

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*Bashorun JK Randle, FCA, OFR

vided instantly, they will be spending Christmas in Heaven or hell.

I am tempted to join them, but I am suddenly reminded of the Biblical injunction: “Temptation, go away.”

Fortunately, help is not far away.

The voice is clearly that of the Pontiff, Pope John Paul II. The Holy Father orders the popmobile to halt and addresses the distressed Chartered Accountants: “Draw near in faith. You must nev-

,

kid you not. Being in the pres ence of The Pope is an awesome experience. The aura is truly beyond description. My first encounter with the Holy Father was in 1952 when at the insistence of my aged grandmother Maria, all the children in our household trooped to the Race Course (now known as Tafawa Balewa Square) Lagos to meet Pope Pius XII. The entire field was like a Roman Garden festooned with the faithful carrying their Bibles and rosaries. We all wore the special green uniform with white spots and stripes – thanks to the generosity of the Catholic Church and the British Colonial Government. These days, government wants us to pay for everything including what it does not provide. It was overwhelming. For days afterwards, the song “Ave Maria” which Grandma Maria took to heart immediately was on radio virtually every hour. There was only one radio station (Rediffusion) then.

At any rate, here we are in Rome sixty-years afterwards, several Popes have since gone to Heaven but the legend remains intact. As we approach Basilica of Saint Mary Mayor/Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Chapel Sforza, we are confronted with the sight of seventy people who are huddled together on a cold October afternoon.

They have disguised themselves as monks but their faces look familiar.

Alas, it turns out they are Chartered Accountants who are on hunger strike — living on bread and water on the steps of the Basilica. Their grouse is that the four largest accountancy firms have cornered 99 per cent of the market –leaving only 1 per cent for the rest. Clearly, somebody has been cooking the books!! The protesters look fiercely determined to put matters right – but no violence. Just prayers and fasting. Al Jazeera has its camera on the protesters whose gripe is that with Christmas and New Year only a matter of weeks away, they would rather pine away in Rome than return to their various countries where certain death and humiliation await them. No pension, no gratuity. The cars and golf bags have long been gone. Their homes have been re-possessed. As if that was not bad enough, hurricane Sandy has wrecked colossal damage in New York and New Jersey in the United States of America - with indigent chartered accountants as the single most affected professional group. They are the practitioners categorized as “Sole Practitioners” who toil day and night to keep body and soul together. It’s certainly a tough life with uncertainty as the staple diet.

It is self-evident that these masters of the art of debit and credit are an endangered species. There is no point in asking how long they have been fasting. If care is not taken or relief pro-

When you have attained the Biblical age of six scores and ten (70 years), remember to number your days…

,

er give up. You must see yourselves as pilgrims on a special mission. You must remain steadfast and faithful to Almighty God and the tenets as well as ethics of your chosen profession – to serve humanity with honestly and integrity. Your reward on earth may be modest but what awaits you in heav-

en are abundant blessings. You are the conscience of the nation and the custodian of public trust. To whom even only a little is given, much is expected.”

I could not but notice that the Chartered Accountants are seventy in number and each of them attained the age of seventy this year. The Holy Father has brought them joyful blessings – all is not lost.

The parting words of the Pope were: “When you have attained the Biblical age of six scores and ten (70 years), remember to number your days………..”

At the worst, Chartered Accountants should be able to count.

As the chartered accountants join the Holy Father at the Chapel Sforza, we are enthralled by its splendour and magnificence. High up on the ceiling is the masterpiece which Michelangelo painted five hundred years ago. It turns out he was an artist, sculptor philosopher and chartered accountant. He spent four years on his back painting – all for the sake of art and accountability.

BREAKING NEWS On CNN, “African Voices” has been repeating the clip showing Dr. Joseph Oni Okpaku, President and Publisher

of Third Press Publishers, Chief Mobolaji St. Mathew-Daniel, Chairman of ABB and my humble self exiting from Hotel Quirinale, Via Nazionale no. 7.

Rome.

Lo and behold, guess who turns up.

It is Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. He greeted us warmly and courteously (you do not expect anything different from an Old Boy of King’s College and Harman’s House to boot!!). Lamido saved his warmest embrace for Chief Mathew-Daniel who immediately declared: “What a wonderful co-incidence!

We are all friends of your late father, the Ciroma of Kano. If he was still alive, he would have been very proud of what you are doing for Nigeria.

Gross Domestic Product is growing by 7.4 per cent annually; exchange rate volatility has been curtailed and inflation is at a manageable 12 per cent per annum. Just a few minutes ago, I was showing Joe and JK the album of the party I hosted for you in London.

What you may not know is that when General Murtala Mohammed became the Head of State in 1975, it was your father (Ciroma of Kano) he nominated as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, but the Ministry of Finance thought he meant Mallam Adamu Ciroma, who was promptly announced as the Governor!! But for that communication error, your father would have preceeded you as Governor” What a small world. It turns out Lamido was staying with Murtala Mohammed’s family at Second Avenue, Ikoyi when he was a student at King’s College, Lagos. His father and the General were first cousins, from Kano. Till today, Lamido is very much part of the Murtala Mohammed family as his widow, Madam Ajoke would readily testify. Indeed, when the General was assassinated on Friday 13th February 1976 during the abortive Colonel Bukar Dimka coup d’état, I was with him on the previous evening and we had arranged to meet again on the following day. The General’s uncle Alhaji Aminu Wada was there too. Then Major- General T.Y Danjuma Chief of Army Staff and late Chief M.K.O. Abiola were also there. Incidentally, Murtala’s wife was out of the country when she heard the terrible news. May General Murtala Mohammed and Chief M.K.O. Abiola rest in peace.

Bashorun J.K. Randle is Chairman & Chief Executive JK Randle Professional Services Chartered Accountants “X KPMG HOUSE” 1, King Ologunkutere Street Park View Ikoyi (opposite Astoria Hotel) E-mail: jkrandleintuk@gmail.com jkrandleco@21ctl.com

54 — SATURDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Husseini faults NSC on absence coaches in sports zones

BY EDDIE AKALONU

T

ENNIS veteran, Bulus Husseini,has faulted the National Sports Commission,NSC structure for sports development in the country, saying the existence of zones without coaches was the reason sports have failed to make the desired impact at grassroots level.

Speaking in Lagos during the just concluded 18th National Sports Festival, he said “For years we have had six sports zones headed by a zonal coordinator and a sports officer. Now, I I’m made to understand that in addition, NSC has created sub-zones as part of reaching the grassroots. Still, coaches are not in the equation for

FIFA refuses to meddle into Messi/Chitalu record debate

F

IFA has refused to get involved in the debate about who holds the world record for scoring the most goals in a year.

It was widely reported that Lionel Messi’s 86th goal of 2012, which he scored on Sunday, surpassed a mark set

by Germany’s Gerd Mueller 40 years ago.

But the Zambian Football Association claimed Godfrey Chitalu had scored 107 goals for club and country in 1972.

Fifa does not keep domestic records, so “it’s not an official Fifa record”, spokesman Alex Stone told BBC Sport.

The world governing body said that, given it only maintains statistics for the international competitions it runs, it is not possible to ratify records from club football around the world.

“We don’t have a database which details every football game played in every country from around the world since day one of their formation,” Stone said.

“It’s certainly nothing to do with bias if we can confirm records from our tournaments we like doing that.

*Chitalu C M Y K

Okagbare relishes Open Sports Festival

these zones. I think coaches should be engaged and sent to work in all zones.

They (coaches) are actually the staff who should get involved in talent hunting in schools and local governments all over the country. A situation where you don’t have coaches in the zones is a sad omission in our sports policy.

Coaches, like I said should be part of all levels of sports development.

They, in my opinion, are the personnel that should dominate the sports zones.

You may not want them heading the zones but employ them as core personnel working with the professionals there to carry out any form of developing the young ones at the grassroots. Without the coaches efforts will continue to be in vain.

Husseini, who recalled that it was a

“It’s the sort of data fans and the media like to see.”

Stone confirmed that Fifa has not recognised Messi as holding the record.

“It’s a record where someone in the media obviously collected statistics from somewhere and noticed Messi was about to pass that record.”

Eko 2012: North blames insecurity for poor performance

BY OSARETIN EMUZE

N

ORTHERN states’ poor perfor mance in the just concluded 18th National Sports Festival held in Lagos has been blamed on the insecurity in the northern region for some time now.

Speaking with Saturday Vanguard sports after the festival, administrators, coaches and athletes from the northern part of the country blamed insecurity and the loss of thousands of people to the dreaded Boko Haram for the poor performances of all the states in the north.

Some of the sports administrator’s, coaches and athletes who pleaded anonymity said the fear of Boko Haram was the beginning of wisdom.

“We could not train properly for fear of being attacked by the sect that has turned northern Nigeria into a hell. The series of bombings, shooting and killings scared us stiff and so we could not muster the courage to train. We should be commended for even wining some medals,” a Borno official lamented.

A coach from Kano said they would have done better than they did but the incessant bombings, maiming and killing of innocent souls drove them from their training grounds. “We did our best but the security situations in the country should be blamed for Kano athletes’ poor performances.

We are human beings with blood flowing in our veins. We came to the festival because the south is very safe but if one of the northern States had hosted perhaps we may not have been here,” he stressed.

N

IGERIA’s leading women’s sprinter, Blessing Okagbare has lauded the decision of the National Sports Commission, NSC, to throw open the National Sports Festival from 2014 in Calabar.

She stated that an open participation will bring glamour to the fiesta.

However, she declared not every elite athlete will be keen to participate.

“For instance if this year ’s Festival was open, I couldn’t have participated.

This is because I had a hectic year and I needed the break. So I guess that is the way it will be for every other athlete,” said Okagbare.

She declared that she has put behind her the disappointment of the London 2012 Olympics and was getting ready for the challenges of 2013.

“I have started training and I hope to work harder to make amends.”

*Okagbare

Make good your promise, Adejuigbe charges NSC

A

t the close of the National Sports Festival, National Sports Commission director-general, Chief Patrick Ekeji swore to high heavens that the talents discovered at the sports fiesta will be groomed to make impact internationally.

But former national sprinter and Ondo State athletics coach, Lawrence Adejuigbe says he knows that it was all political talk and has therefore, urged Dr. Ekeji to do Nigeria a world of good and take the necessary steps that will lead to the discovery of more athletes for the country.

“We keep on hearing talks such as these. But nothing happens at the end of the day.

“It was from sports festivals such as these that we were discovered and were taken into camp and coached by quality coaches including Lee Evans.

“These coaches used to go round scouting for talents. But today, there is nothing to suggest we are ready to revive athletics.

“There are records of how these things were done in the past. But those in charge of administration do not want to follow up. If we can just look around and pick trainable talents and camp them over a long period of time, we will get the results we want at international competitions,” Adejuigbe stated.

Abia gave me only N5000, junior athlete laments H ARRY Chukwudike was part of Nigeria’s team to the IAAF world junior championships last July in Barcelona, Spain. At the Eko 2012 National Sports Festival, he was one of the race favourites, but he was well outside the medals zone in the men’s 100m.

The youngster coached by former national sprinter, Uchenna Emedolu,

*Harry (middle)

stated that his preparations for the National Sports Festival was dead even before it started as he got no support from his home state, Abia.

“Abia gave me only N5000 to prepare.

And there was nothing I could do compared to the other athletes who were well motivated by their states.

“I am appealing to the state governor to pay attention to sport. There are so many talents wasting away and it is painful that we cannot get the kind of support we need to excel,” said the young athlete.

Chukwudike won a sprint double at the last Pastor D.K Olukoya Under1 8 Championships in Lagos.

SATUDAY

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Vanguard , DECEMBER 15, 2012, —55

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Newcastle Liverpool Man Utd Norwich QPR Stoke

TODAY’S MATCHES v Man City v Aston Villa v Sunderland v Wigan v Fulham v Everton

1.45pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm

Ikhuoria blames administrators for death of boxing

By EDDIE AKALONU

F

ORMER national boxing coach and Olympian, Isaac Ikhuoria has heaped the problem bedeviling amateur boxing in the country on the doorstep of sports administrators whom he said have failed to act as at when due on matters affecting the sport.

Speaking in Lagos recently, the Olympic bronze medalist expressed sadness about the appalling state of the game this way. “It’s a sad commentary that administrators allowed the beautiful sport to die a graduated death. There were concrete measures handy to shore up the sport years back but the administrators turned blind eyes, doing nothing, hence boxing is now in a very poor state,” he said with regrets.

Ikhuoria went down memory lane recalling how boxing at the amateur level promoted the image of the country in the Olympics, Commonwealth, and the All Africa Games. “It’s a pity the sport that was the pride of the country in international sporting events has been left to die a graduated death.”

“I am putting the blame on administrators who left the sport to die through starvation of funds, non provision of training and retraining of coaches and the deliberate attitude of ensuring there were no competitions platform for boxers and their coaches to showcase their ability,”he stressed.

MISSING... Super Eagles celebrate one of their goals during a qualify matc. They are again missing from the list of African players shortlisted by CAF for the GLO-CAF Award scheduled for Accra, Ghana next month. Dr Ladipo has urged them to up their game so as to be considered for future awards.

CAF Award fall-out:

Work harder, Ladipo charges Nigerian football players N

David Izonretei made waves as an amateur boxer. Ikhuoria says amateur boxing is dead in Nigeria

IGERIAN football players in Europe and other parts of the world have been enjoined to work harder this season to ensure that they compete for the 2013 edition of the GLO-CAF Awards.

The President General of Nigerian football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo made this remark in Lagos over the weekend in view of Nigerian players missing out of the shortlisted names for the 2012 of the award holding in Ghana.

He said that “it is only hard work and dedication that can make any Nigerian player to be a strong contender of the prestigious Glo-CAF Awards.

He therefore advised Nigerian players to put in their best and ensure that they emerge among the best in their various clubs so as to ensure that they are short-listed among the top three

for GLO-CAF Awards next year.

“Let’s regenerate the good old days when our players not only dominated the list of short-listed candidates, but went ahead to

win the Awards,” he pleaded.

Dr. Ladipo also exhorted the players to work hard ahead of the 2013 African Cup of Nations and 2014 World Cup qualifiers

next year, adding that successful outings in the two competitions will boost the chances of Nigerian players in the 2013 Glo-Caf Awards.

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1.Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Attahiru (4) 3.Former House of Representatives Speaker, Hon, Oladimeji (7) 7.LGA in Kaduna State (4) 8.Manchester United Winger, Luis (4) 9.LGA in Osun State (10) 13.Former Minister of Housing, Mrs. Halimat (4) 14.Sporting Event (5) 16.Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Zonal Co-Ordinator, Mrs. Veronica (4) 18.Ethnic Group in Nigeria (4) 20.Super Eagles Striker, Victor (5) 21.Estonia Currency Unit (4) 22.LGA in Katsina State (10) 26.Lesotho Currency (4) 27.Kogi State Governor, Idris (4) 28.Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) President, Sani (7) 29.Yoruba Word for “Three” (4)

DOWN 1.First Month of the Year (7) 2.Former Osun State Governor, Olapade (10) 3.Azerbaijan Capital City (4) 4.LGA in Abia State (4) 5.LGA in Imo State (4) 6.Cameroun “Indomitable Lions” Striker, Samuel (4) 10.Former Senate President, Joseph (5) 11.Tanzania Capital City (10) 12.Former Kano State Governor, Abubakar (4) 15.Greek Alphabet (5) 17.Anambra State Capital (4) 19.State in Nigeria (7) 22.Switzerland Capital City (4) 23.Bangladesh Currency (4) 24.LGA in Sokoto State (4) 25.Hausa Word for “Water” (4)

SOLUTION on page 15

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