PDP moves against Obasanjo

•Goldie

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PDP moves against Obasanjo •Sacks Segun Oni, Bode Mustapha, others •Puts up a 17-Member Caretaker Committee for South West Zone •As Ishola Filani heads Committee, takes over from Oni

BY HENRY UMORU, Abuja & DAUD OLATUNJI, Abeokuta

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HE crises rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has taken another twist as the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP yesterday bowed to Court judgement, moved against former President Olusegun Obasanjo and sacked the National Auditor, Chief Bode Mustapha.

According to PDP, Mustapha who was former President Obasanjo’s person will be replaced by Alhaji Fatai Adewole Adeyanju as the dully elected National Auditor in the March 2012 congress.

Rising from its meeting in Abuja after discussing Report of the Decision of PDP NWC on Ogun State Exco & South West Zone Exco, the Alhaji Bamanga Tukur led National Working Committee, NWC also approved the removal of the former governor of Ekiti State and the National Vice Chairman, South West, Engr. Segun Oni, just as the entire Executive of the South West Zonal Executive that came on board March 2012 was nullified.

Bode Mustapha, Oni and other South West Executives were believed to have been anointed by former President Obasanjo in March last year.

The National leadership of the PDP in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, explained that as a law abiding institution, it became imperative to adhere strictly to the ruling of the Appeal Court which had sacked them.

The PDP also yesterday put in place a 17-member Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of South West Zone of the party. The Committee which has Ishola Filani as Chairman, has Chief Pegba Otemolu as Zonal Secretary; Adedeji Doherty as Organizing Secretary; Rasak Adekonla Akanni as Auditor; Bolaji Jeje as Youth Leader; Orimolade Olanrewaju as Treasurer; Olawunmi Oshinmoluke Yuba, as Woman Leader; Banji Obasanmi as Financial Secretary; Barrister Shola Oludipe, as Legal Adviser; Lawal Waheed Olatunde as Publicity Secretary; Emmanuel Oladejo as Ex-Officio; Olalekan

From right: Hon Saudat Sanni, Special Adviser to the President on House of Representatives Affairs; President, League of Immam and Alfas South West, Sheik Mustapha Ajisafe; Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji (Dr) Sa'ad Abubakar Sa'ad, during the former opening and Merit Award organised by D'awah Co-ordination Council of Nigeria (DCCN) National Headquarters, at GMT Event Centre, Osogbo yesterday.

Abubakar as Ex-Officio; Seun Adesanya, as ExOfficio; Samiu Babatunde, as Ex-Officio; Prince Tope Ademiluyi, as Ex-Officio; Tunde Olowofoyeku, as Ex-Officio and Prince Omoniyi Alo, as another Ex-Officio.

The statement read, ‘’The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party has announced the constitution of a Caretaker Committee to pilot the affairs of the South West Zone of the Party pending the conduct of the Zonal Congresses. The 17 member committee is headed by Barrister Ishola Filani as Zonal Chairman.’’

The removal of Mustapha is coming more than eight months after Justice Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court in Lagos voided his appointment as the National Auditor of the PDP on the grounds that he was not qualified for the office and against the backdrop that he was not a Chartered Accountant.

It will also be recalled that Justice Charles Archibong had ordered that the PDP, its National Chairman, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, and the then National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola to appoint Alhaji Fatai Adewole Adeyanju, being a qualified chartered accountant and nominated for the office at the state congress of the party in Ogun State.

The court further ordered the nullification of the last Southwest zonal congress of the party and ordered the party, Tukur and Oyinlola

to give access and right of participation at a fresh congress to the delegates elected by the Soremi-led executive and accept for offices zoned to the Southwest, only the nominees of the Soremi Executive.

This verdict of the court was based on a suit filed by Chief Adebayo Dayo, and Alhaji Semiu Sodipo, for themselves and on behalf of the Ogun State Executive Committee of the PDP. The suit numbered:

FHC/L/CS/347/2012 had PDP, Bamanga Tukur, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Bode Mustapha as defendants.

Metuh’s statement read, ‘’following protracted dispute on the Ogun State and South West Zonal Exco of the party, a series of suits were filed on the matter, amongst which include FHC/L/CS/1248/2011, FHC/L/CS/282/2012 and FHC/L/CS/347/2012. ‘’That Chief Bode Mustapha is removed from office as the National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party; That Alhaji Fatai Adewole Adeyanju is the validly elected National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party; ‘’That the Peoples Democratic Party is to rectify its records by deleting the name of Chief Bode Mustapha as National Auditor and replacing the same with Alhaji Fatai Adewole Adeyanju; That the South West Zonal Congress of the Peoples Democratic Party conducted in March 2012 is nullified; ‘’That the Executive Committee constituted for the PDP in Ogun State at Congresses conducted by

the Bashorun Dayo Soremi led harmonized Executive Committee for the Wards, Local Governments and in the State in March 2012 are valid Exco of the Party at the various levels in Ogun State and are entitled to their 4-years tenure (the State Exco list is attached herewith); ‘’That the PDP is to organize a fresh South West Zonal Congress at which access is to be given to delegates elected at congresses conducted by or under the supervision of the Soremi-led Ogun State Executive and accept the candidacy, for offices zoned to Ogun State, of only the persons nominated at the said congresses for the said offices. ‘’The National working Committee of the Party met on 14th February 2013 and gave careful consideration to the issues and decided that, in line with respect to the rule of law which is a cardinal principle of the present administration, the PDP as a law abiding party, will immediately comply with the said judgment. This is all the more so that same has not been set aside or reversed by any superior court.’’

..Tukur wants to destroy PDP — Obasanjo’s faction

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HE faction of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Ogun State“believed to be loyal to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on“yesterday described the step taken by the National W o r k i n g Committee,NWC,“which sacked its executive as a plan to destroy the party.“ Reacting to the press statement issued by the PDP NationalPublicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh announcing the replacement of “Obasanjo’s faction of the state executive with Kashamu’s faction ,“and the removal of Bode Mustapha as the National Auditor ,the“factional State Secretary, Dapo Adeyemi said they were yet to be“formally informed.“ Adeyemi said “the news came to us and others through verbal report,the state chapter is yet to be informed officially, but, if that is the position of the national body, it is a good signal to the growthof the party. We just heard about it some 20minutes ago, we have not heard it officially.

Whatever the national leadership deems fit, let them go ahead. If they want

to destroy the party, let them go ahead, let them continue, no problem,”the party scribe stated.

Adeyemi said that ironically, the national working committee of the party “had not contributed

a penny to the success and administration of the party, since inception.“ However, the Buruji Kashamu faction of the party in its reaction said, “the party was now

following the rule of law, with the latest development“ The factional Chairman said that with the new development,”the party was ready to regain its lost glory.”

Fresh explosion rocks Maiduguri, as CBN governor visits town •Two suspected terrorists killed

BY NDAHI MARAMA, Maiduguri

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RESH bomb explosion has greeted Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, a day when the central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi visited the town to commission an

Enterpreneurship Development initiatives in the state.

Confirming the incident in a press statement, the Spokesman of the JTF, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa said “ about 4.30pm yesterday, there was an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion by

terrorists targeted at JTF patrol vehicles at Gambaru Market General area, just about 1000 meters away from the main market on the road to Gambaru – Gala”.

The explosion/IEDs Sagir said entail acid and highly flammable substances that propagate blast and thermal effects which set houses and adjoining shops around the vicinity on fire.

Polio workers killing: NBC suspends programme on Wazobia fm, Kano

BY CALEB AYANSINA, Abuja

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HE National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, yesterday, placed suspension on the programme; Sandar Girma, on Wazobia FM in Kano for allegedly violating

Nigeria Broadcasting Code. NBC also ordered the station to suspend the participation of the presenter of the programme, Mr. Fagge in any other programme in the station until the issues are resolved.

The presenter was alleged to have incited the people through the programme

against polio immunization in Kano which led to the killing of about 9 female health workers in the state.

In a statement signed by the Commission’s Head of Public Affairs, Awwalu Salihu, NBC “explained that this is in line with the social objective of broadcasting in Nigeria.

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Benue/Ebonyi communities’ conflict: 15-year- old boy shot in the head by mercenaries

BY PETER DURU, Makurdi

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HE communal conflict between Ngwo people of Ebonyi State and the Agilas in Ado local government area of Benue state, yesterday, left a 15-year-old JSS student of Government Secondary School, GSS Agila, Edwin Aboh, battling for his life after he was shot in the head by unknown assailants.

Saturday Vanguard gathered from sources that Aboh was shot on his way to school by his attackers who were suspected to be mercenaries from Ngwo.

Our source confirmed that the student who was badly wounded and said to be in critical condition is presently receiving treatment at the Igumale General Hospital, headquarters of Ado local government council. ”All I can tell you at the moment is that he is at the intensive care unit of the Igumale General hospital and he is in a critical condition”, our source said.

Reacting to the development, the Police Area Commander in charge of Otukpo, Mr Samuel Dra-Koji who spoke with newsmen at

Otukpo on the incident urged the residents of Ado local government to form vigilante groups which he said would assist them handle security matters more effectively.

Mr Dra-Koji who regretted the incident noted that the formation of vigilante groups would enable the people identify strange faces in their community and thereby forestall such attacks.

He vowed that the Police Area Command

Polio Killings: Cour t releases journalists on bail

BY OLAYINKA AJAYI

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OLLOWING the killing of nine polio vaccinators by unidentified gun men in Kano state, the two journalists and the Director-General of Kano state Censorship Board that were alleged to have incited the killings through a Radio programme in Hausa tagged ‘Sandar Girma’ had been released on bail. Presiding Judge, Justice Ibrahim Bello in his ruling stated that having observed several

Amaechi pledges N31b Olympic sports city completion in August •To build 2,000 housing units for the poor

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE, Port Harcout

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HE Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi yesterday disclosed that the new Port Harcourt Sports City with 38,000 capacity Olympic stadium may be ready for use in the next six months.

The Governor dropped the hint while conveying the National Good Governance Tour, NGGT team round major projects of his administration in the state.

He said that the Olympic stadium, when completed with the entire Sports City estimated to cost about N34 billion will be capable of holding any international sports events of Olympic magnitude and that the new city

office in Otukpo would investigate the matter to ensure that the culprit was apprehended.

Saturday Vanguard recalls that the people of Agila and their neigbouring Ngwo community in Ebonyi state have in the past years been locked in a bloody battle over a disputed parcel of land which has claimed several lives with property worth millions of Naira also destroyed.

tagged The Greater Port Harcourt City will stretched to the new sea port also under construction to actualize his administration’s dream of a new Port Harcourt city.

According to the governor, the whole idea of developing the area is not only geared towards transforming the state but to explore the raw talents in the youth to enable them channel their energy and skills into sports in a manner that they can compete with their peers anywhere in the world.

The governor also said that the world class sport city covering over 2,500 hectares of land will have five thousand public toilets, four swimming pools, javelin court, high jump court, volley ball and lawn tennis courts.

provisions of the constitution which give automatic bail to an offence that does not exceed three years jail term, he granted the defendants a bail with payment of N100,000 each and two sureties. The sureties are to include a community leader and a head of department with the organisation where they work.

Yakubu Musa Fage, Mubarak Muhammed of Wazobia FM in Kano and Abubakar Rabo were arraigned at the Magistrate court in Kano on a seven count charge which includes criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbances, intentional insult among others. Sources revealed the defendant expressed no regret over the incident.

Meanwhile counsel to the defendants, Barrister Musa Adamu said the judgment was well delivered considering the gravity of the offence they are being charged with. At the instances of both parties, the judge adjourned the case till the 13th of March, 2013.According to the prosecutor, the journalists allegedly made comments on radio which “show that polio immunisations were an antiIslam western conspiracy to cause infertility in women.”The statement was allegedly made on Hausa Programme two days before the nine female workers administering the polio immunization vaccines were killed.

Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, distributing food items to the beneficiaries of the UPLIFTing the Needy, Food Outreach programme at Ijebu-Ode Central Mosque, Oyingbo in Ijebu-Ode

Amosun’s wife gives succour to needy people with the aim of feeding a good healthy living.

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ORE than 2,000 needy pregnant women and aged people yesterday benefited from the UPLIFTing the Needy, Food Outreach programme, a project by the Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun to reduce poverty and better the lots of the aged and pregnant women across the state.

Speaking at the official flag-off ceremony of the programme at the IjebuOde Local Government Secretariat, Ijebu-Ode, the Wife of the Governor said “the programme intends to create a food bank for the less privileged in the state

them within their locality and save them from the stress of travelling to Abeokuta, the state capital.

By this act, we are giving our needy people a good sense of belonging. We are also assuring them not to lose hope.”

Mrs. Amosun added that the aged and pregnant women deserved to be cared for and revered in the society, saying the UPLIFTing the Needy, Food Outreach programme would support families in Ogun State by ensuring that they eat balanced diet meals which would protect them from nutritional related diseases as well as help them maintain

Various food items like rice, beverages, groundnut oil, maternity kits, cash and among others were distributed to all the needy people in attendance.

The Wife of the Governor thanked all her partners, especially Mimee Noodles, May & Baker for their unflinching support and solidarity, calling on other corporate bodies and individuals to join hands with government to support the cause of the needy in the State as part of their social corporate responsibilities.

Oritsejafor calls for cooperation against Christians’ persecution law would catch up with

BY CALEB AYANSINA, Abuja

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HE President of C h r i s t i a n Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has called on the general public to speak up against persecution of Christians in the Northern part of the country, and those who are being oppressed elsewhere around the world.

Oritsejafor who made the call, when the Word

of Life family celebrates Valentine’s Day with the people, in Warri, Delta State, noted that the celebration is a way of touching the down trodden in the society.

“There are vulnerable people all over Warri and in your local communities, protect them and be their voice,” he urged.

The CAN President who prayed that those who perpetrate evil might change their ways, however, hoped that the full arm of the

anyone, who refuses to repent among them.

Oritsejafor harped on the need for parents and the society at large to, as a must to teach their children, moral and sound ethical values, and above all, the fear God. According to him, Valentine celebration is a way to touch and affect the less privileged and down trodden in the society, contrary to some people’s belief that it is a day of practising immorality.

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013 — 7

Pension Scam: Maina loses bid to vacate warrant of arrest •Jonathan orders HoS to take disciplinary action

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI & BEN AGANDE, Abuja

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MBATTLED Chairman, Pension Reform Task Team, PRTT, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, who was accused of complicity in the illegal diversion of funds meant for pensioners in the country, yesterday, lost his bid to vacate the warrant of arrest that was issued against him by the Senate just as President Jonathan ordered the Head of Service of the Federation to take disciplinary action against Maina.

Justice Adamu Bello of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, in a ruling yesterday, dismissed an ex-parte motion that was filed before him by the accused pension boss with a view to stopping the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar from arresting him.

While dismissing the motion, Justice Bello accused Maina of sabotaging the judiciary by taking an issue that is already before a court of competent jurisdiction to the public

arena.

According to the judge, “By leaking the motion ex-parte to the public, he has denied this court the discretion to grant same.

For the reasons stated among others, I hereby refuse the prayers by the applicant.”

Maina had through his counsel, Mr. M. A Magaji, SAN, approached the court with an ex-parte application to stop the police from executing the warrant of arrest issued by the Senate.

Listed as co-Defendants in the suit were: the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Senate President Federal Republic of Nigeria,the Clerk of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Senate Committee On Establishment & Public Service, the Senate Committee State & Local Govt Administration.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the Head of Service of the Federation to take immediate disciplinary action against the embattled Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, for absconding from official duty

without official Leave.

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati yesterday said the President’s directive followed the submission of the report by the Inspector General of Police on efforts being made to effect the arrest of Maina in the execution of the warrant issued by the Senate.

The Senate had asked President Jonathan to sack Maina for repeatedly refusing to appear before the Senate.

The Senate also summoned the Inspector General of Police to appear before it for failing to apprehend Alhaji Maina in accordance with the warrant of arrest issued by the Senate.

The statement by Dr Abati yesterday noted that “Following his receipt from the Inspector-General of Police of a status report on efforts by the Nigeria Police to execute the warrant issued by the Senate for the arrest of the Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Force, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina, President Goodluck

Glo/CNN African Voices feature environmentalist, Newton Jibunoh

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N line with the philosophy of the CNN African Voices sponsored by Glo to showcase successful and high-profile personalities who are shaping the African continent, the programme will this weekend feature Nigeria’s foremost environmentalist, Chief Newton Jibunoh.

A statement from the M a r k e t i n g Communications Department of Globacom said Jibunoh will be the star guest on the 30minute show on Friday at 9.30 a.m. and Saturday at 4.30 p.m., with repeat broadcasts at 10.00 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. on Sunday.

There will be further repeats at 11.30 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. on Monday and at 6.30 a.m. on Tuesday.

Chief Jibunoh is one of Nigeria’s trailblazing explorers who has witnessed extreme drought and famine on solo expeditions across the Sahara desert and has dedicated his life to curbing the scourge of poverty caused by desertification, a phenomenon where fertile

land becomes desert.

He is remembered mostly as the explorer who thrice crossed one of the world’s largest deserts.

Jibunoh undertook his first Sahara crossing as a youthful adventurer and his second journey as an environmental crusader.

He is trying to raise awareness on desertification/ environmental degradation in SubSaharan Africa.

Chief Jibunoh has been

a trailblazer for desertification and greening of the Earth for many decades. Just after his University education in the late 60s and at a time when the entire world was undergoing great socio- political and cultural changes, Jibunoh sought out challenges in which to make his own contributions towards creating a better world.

He chose the rare and daring challenge of a solo expedition of driving across the Sahara desert in 1996.

Deputy Registrar blames N-Delta unrest on illiteracy

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HE Deputy Registrar, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, FUPRE, Ugbomro, Delta State,Mrs. Evelyn Gbagi, has blamed the unrest in the Niger Delta on inadequate education for the youths, calling on government to provide quality education for the youths to permanently address restiveness in the region.

She made this call during the presentation of “Distinguished Mother of Inestimable Value in the South South region” award to her by the South South Youth Assembly, SSPA. President of the group, Comrade Oke Oyibo, said the award was in recognition of Gbagi’s leadership prowess and total commitment to youths empowerment.

Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora (left), his wife, Olaniesi and Head Administrator, Heritage Home Orphanage, Vivian Osuntokun during Mamora's presentation of cash gift to the Home as part of activities marking his 60th birthday celebration in Lagos on Thursday.

Jonathan today directed the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to immediately commence disciplinary action against Alhaji

Maina for absconding from duty. ”Section 030402 of the Federal Government’s Public Service Rules lists Ab-

sence from Duty without Leave as an act of Serious Misconduct punishable by dismissal.

Parker Drilling reaches N2.5bn settlement over Nigerian bribery charges

BY MICHAEL EBOH with Agency Report

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ARKER Drilling Company, a global contract drilling firm with presence in Nigeria has reached a $15.8 million (N2.496 billion) settlement with the United States’ Security and Exchange Commission, SEC and Department of Justice over bribery allegations in its transactions in Nigeria and Kazakhstan.

According to a statement by the company, the settlement ends a three-year investigation that found out that it had potentially made illegal payments to a government official in Kazakhstan, and used an individual agent in Nigeria in connection with some customs-related issues.

The company said it will record a $15.8 million charge to cover the settlement with the U.S. government relating to possible violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in a case that has ensnared several explorers .

The company is also projecting a fourth quarter net Earning Per Share, EPS loss of $0.03$0.05, citing slower demand for barge drilling rigs and increased competition in the rental tools market.

According to the company, its international

operations were hurt by lower rig utilization in the fourth quarter, while its U.S. operations saw weak demand for barge drilling rigs and increased competition in the rental tools business.

The company had a couple of days ago, announced that its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, CFO, W. Kirk Brassfield, would resign effective April 30.

The company said Brassfield will stay on to help identify and transition the company to his successor.

Robert Parker Jr, Executive Chairman of the company, said Brassfield joined the company in

1998.

He said, “Our organisation has benefited enormously from Kirk’s financial and business expertise over his 15-year tenure with the company. On behalf of the entire organization, we thank Kirk for his many contributions and wish him well in all his future endeavors.”

The company also got a new president and CEO last fall, when the board of directors elected Gary Rich to the position. He replaced Parker, who had taken the position on a temporary basis after former CEO David Mannon stepped down.

Great patriot, Alams Barovbe passes on ernment to the Delta

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great patriot, phi lanthropist, humanist and astute politician, Chief Alams Barovbe, has passed on at the age of 76 years.

He was in a vehicle involved in an accident on his way to Asaba, the Delta State capital on January 22, 2013 according to a statement by the head of the Barovbe family, Chief Johnson Barovbe.

Chief Alams Barovbe was first rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba but was later evacuated by the State Gov-

State Specialist Hospital, Oghara were he died on January 28.

•Alams Barovbe

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

Court strikes out case against Ogun Oba-elect

BY DAUD OLATUNJI, Abeokuta

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Secretary to the State Government, Barr Taiwo Adeoluwa (representing Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun), addressing members of Ogun Truck Owners Association and Granite Suppliers Association, during the solidarity visit of the two unions to the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta...yesterday

N Ogun State High Court sitting in Ayetoro in Yewa North local government area of Ogun State, yesterday, struck out a case against the installation of Oniboro of Iboro-elect, Prince Abayomi Salako.

The case which was filed in 2009 by one of the contenders of the throne, Alhaji Biliaminu Adebesin in a dramatic manner told the court that he was withdrawing the case.

The community had been

Meteor strike injures hundreds in central Russia

BY EMMANUEL EDEKI,

with Agency Report

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meteor crashing in Russia’s Ural mountains has injured at least 950 people, as the shockwave blew out windows and rocked buildings.

Most of those hurt, in the Chelyabinsk region where the meteor fell, suffered cuts and bruises but at least 46 remain in hospital.

A fireball streaked through the clear morning sky, followed by loud bangs.

President Vladimir Putin said he thanked God no big fragments had fallen in populated areas.

A large meteor fragment landed in a lake near Chebarkul, a town in Chelyabinsk region.

The meteor ’s dramatic passing was witnessed in Yekaterinburg, 200km (125 miles) to the north, and in Kazakhstan, to the south.

“It was quite extraordinary,” Chelyabinsk resident Polina Zolo tarevskaya told BBC News. “We saw a very bright light and then there was a kind of a track, white and yellow in the sky.”

“The explosion was so strong that some windows in our building and in the buildings that are across the road and in the city in general, the windows broke.”

Officials say a large meteor partially burned up in the lower atmosphere, resulting in fragments falling earthwards.

Thousands of rescue workers have been dispatched to the area to provide help to the injured, the emergencies ministry said.

The Chelyabinsk region, about 1,500km (930 miles) east of Moscow, is home to many factories, a nuclear power plant and the Mayak atomic waste storage and treatment centre.

One Russian politician said the event was not a meteor shower but a US weapons test, Russia’s Interfax news agency reported.

Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the leader of the ultranationalist Liberal Democratic Party, was quoted as saying: “Meteors

Appeal Court hears NDLEA N25m judgement appeal, April 28

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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HE Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, yesterday, adjourned till April 8, 2013, to hear the appeal by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, against a judgment debt of N25m ordered against it in favour of Mr Babatunde Omidina, alias Baba Suwe

in 2011.

A Lagos High Court, Ikeja, had in a judgment in the suit by Baba Suwe on November 24, 2011, ordered the agency to pay him N25m,for detaining him beyond the legal time limit on a suspicion of drug ingestion.

The lower court also ordered the agency to apologise to the actor publicly in conspicuous pages of two national

Two construction companies to dualise sections of Lokoja-Benin road

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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EDERAL government has contracted the dualisation of the four sections of Lokoja-Benin road in parts to two companies at the sum of N22.7billion just as it flagged off the project.

Though, the entire projects comprise of four sections Obajana Junction-Benin Section 1, Phase1: ObajanaOkene, Kogi State. C/NO. 6135, Benin Section II,

are falling. Those are not meteors, it is Americans testing their new weapon.”

Chelyabinsk’s health department said 985 people had sought medical treatment, including 204 children, Interfax reported. Two people in the town of Kopeysk were in a serious condition, it added.

The governor of Chelyabinsk region, Mikhail Yurevich, was quoted elsewhere as saying 950 people had been hurt, two seriously.

Phase1: and Okene-Auchi, Kogi/Edo State. C/ NO.6136 respectively, but the federal government awarded two of the sections- Obanjana-Okene and Okene-Auchi to CGC Nigeria Limited and Mothercat Nigeria Limited.

Whereas the entire four sections were initially awarded to Messrs Dantata & Sawoe construction company (Nig) Ltd, RCC Nigeria Ltd, Bullentine Construction Company

(Nig) Ltd and Gitto Construzioni Generalli (Nig) Ltd in 2006.

The Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen during the flag off yesterday said the sections of the project which were at inception hampered by funds would be completed next year. ”These projects were constrained by inadequate budgetary provision which made project to linger until the establishment of SUREP by Mr. Presdent in January 2012.

dailies.

Hearing in the appeal, could not go on yesterday, as presiding judge, Justice Chima Nweze noted that the appeal was wrongly listed for motion instead of arguments.

It will be recalled that Baba Suwe was arrested by NDLEA men at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on the October 12, 2011 on allegations of ingestion of a restricted narcotics.

He was alleged to have been detained without any evidence that he ingested any narcotic, as he did not excrete any of such substance throughout the period of his incaceration.

The lower court in its judgment, held that the detention of the actor and the ill treatment meted on him while in custody violated his constitutionallyguaranteed rights.

NDLEA in the appeal,is praying the court to set aside the judgment, on the grounds, that the award of N25m in favour of Baba Suwe was arbitrary, further arguing that the trial court wrongly assumed jurisdiction to hear the suit.

without a monarch since 2007 following the demise of the traditional ruler.

Giving her ruling after the plaintiff announced his withdrawal, Justice A.O Asenuga said she was compelled to strike out the suit following the withdrawal of the case by the plaintiff.

Counsel to the defendant,Chief. Semiu Akinbami in an interview with newsmen said the “ implication is that, the plaintiff is no longer aggreived with the first exercise that is the meaning. ”He came to court because he was aggreived,he is saying that as far as the exercise is concerned, he is no longer aggrieved with the exercise. ”In view of the fact that we are aware that they have appointed new warrant king makers, that suggests that they are going to do something else to nullify

the first one , so we are in another court to challenge the competence of the new warrant king makers. ” We are saying that, they cannot be there, there are steps,the first step must be cancelled and we must know the reason legally. ” All the three contestants must be duely informed about the cancellation.Because of the fact that we contested for an election and lost does not mean that he should be excluded. ”Meanwhile, the first excercise has not been set aside up till now, government has not said anything, they have even informed Abayomi Salako that the first exercise has been cancelled up till now, they are now saying that they have appointed new warrant king makers, that is not what the law says that should be done”.

Conductor, 23, arraigned for alleged abduction and rape

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23-year-old conductor, Hussaini Thank-God, yesterday appeared before a Jos Upper Area Court for allegedly abducting and raping a minor.

Thank-God, who resides at Fuskar-Mata village in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau, appeared before Malam Mustapha Hassan on a two-count charge of abduction and raping a 13-year-old girl.

According to police First Information Report (FIR), the accused committed the offence on Jan. 21.

The FIR said that, on Feb. 3, at about 2.30 p.m., the mother of the minor (name withheld) reported to the Laranto police station that the accused had committed the offence.

The report said that the complainant informed the police that her 13-year-old

daughter had left home to an unknown destination without her consent.

She said that her daughter was eventually traced to the house of the accused at Fuskar-Mata village, and that the accused refused to release her.

It stated that the police went to the house of the accused and arrested him for allegedly abducting the girl and having sexual intercourse with her.

The FIR said that, during police investigation, it was discovered that the accused was the one that carried the said minor to his village without the permission of her parents.

It said that the accused had committed an offence contrary to sections 271 and 273 of the Penal Code.

Enugu school board suspends 5 principals for dereliction of duty

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HE Enugu State Post Primary School Management Board (PPSMB) has suspended five school principals for laxity in their work.

The Chairman of the board, Dr Gabriel Okafor, told newsmen in Enugu yesterday that the principals failed to report for duties for two weeks.

He, however, declined to disclose the names of the affected principals and their schools.

Okafor said the suspension, which took effect from January, would last for a term.

The chairman said the affected principals would not be allowed to participate in any school activities during the period of the suspension.

“It was observed that some teachers did not like to work in rural areas and instead influence their transfers to the urban areas.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013 — 9

A/Court to hear Al-Mustapha, Shofolahan appeal on death sentence, April 29

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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HE Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, yesterday, adjourned till April 29, to hear the appeal by former Chief Security Officer to late General Sanni Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, and former Personal Assistant to late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Lateef Shofolahan, challenging the death sentence handed them by a Lagos High Court.

The lower court on January 30, 2012, convicted them on a charge of Masterminding the murder of late Mrs Kudirat Abiola.

The appellate court, yes-

terday, adjourned for hearing, after counsel to the convicts applied for the regularization of their briefs of argument.

The convicts had applied for leave to file their brief of arguments, which they served on the respondent.

Al-Mustapha and Shofolahan, were arraigned in October 1999, on a four-count charge of “conspiracy and killing of Alhaja Abiola on June 4, 1996 on the Lagos/ Ibadan expressway.

The lower court found them guilty of the offence and convicted and sentenced them to death by hanging.

Group hails PPMC over subsidised kerosene price

BY FESTUS AHON, Ughelli

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group, Concerned Deltans for Less Privileged, has commended the Managing Director of the Products and Pipeline Marketers Company, PPMC, Prince Haruna Momoh for approving two trucks of kerosene at subsidized rate for some communities ravaged by the recent flood in Delta State.

Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after a meeting with the group in Ughelli, Delta State, President of the group, Mr. Stephen Ohwokirerhuo noted that the approval paved the way for the product to be sold at N50 per litre to residents of the communities.

He disclosed that the product was made available to the people through Benuaks Services Limited, an independent marketing company, assuring that the product would get to the flood victims.

He appealed to the PPMC MD to see to the approval of more trucks of kerosene to cater for flood victims in other communities in the state, particularly those in Ughelli North and South, Patani, Bomadi, Burutu, Isoko North and South Ndokwa West and other local government areas in the state affected by the flood.

Earlier, secretary of the group, Chief Wilson Edafiadhe, emphasised on the need to make more of the

products available to the affected communities.

The appellants are contending that the death sentence handed by the lower court was unwarranted, unreasonable and a manifest miscarriage of justice, adding that the trial judge erred in law by arriving at the conclusion that they conspired to kill Alhaja Kudirat on June 4, 1996.

The appellants are further praying the court hear the appeal, set aside the judgment, and discharge them of the charges of conspiracy and murder.

They faulted the judge in the treatment of the contradictory statements of Barnabas Jabila (aka Sgt. Rogers) and Mohmamed Abdul, as well as the reliance on the testimony of Dr. Ore Falomo on the bullet extracted from Late Kudirat.

HM King Godwin N.K Gininwa JP, OFR Gbenemene Tai Kingdom and Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers welcoming His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON, Executive Governor of Rivers State to a meeting of the First Class Traditional Rulers at the Council, flanked by HM King Edward Asimini William Dappa-Pepple III, Perekule XI, Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny and Ms Kadilo Brown, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs.

Ezu River: Water borne disease looms •As Andy Uba Foundation comes to their rescue

BY VINCENT UJUMADU, Awka

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HERE are fears that water borne disease had erupted at Ebenebe in Awka North local government area of Anambra State following

the people’s continued drawing of water from the contaminated Ezu River where several decomposing dead bodies were seen floating last month.

Ezu River is the main source of water supply for Ebenebe, as well as other

communities of Amansea, Ugbenu, Ugbene and Oba Ofemili in the same local government.

Though all the communities using Ezu as their source of water supply were warned against drawing water from Ezu after the

discovery of the dead bodies, some of them had continued to fetch water from the river because of lack of alternative source of water supply.

Traditional ruler of Ebenebe, Igwe Chris Nnaegbuna, who spoke after receiving 3000 bags of sachet water for his community from officials

Illegal importation of ammunition: 15 Russians to remain in prison custody till Feb. 19

BY NWOKOKE MICHAEL

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HE Tinubu magistrate court sitting in Lagos on Thursday ordered that,the 15 Russians who were arrested by Nigerian Navy on Oct. 2012 over an alleged illegal importation of firearms and ammunition in the country be further remanded in prison custody till Feb 19, when their bail application would be heard. The presiding magistrate said the extension is to enable the accused to be formally charged before the Lagos High Court by the Attorney General of the Federation.

The 15 accused are

Zhelyazkov Andrey, 53, Savchenko Sergrey, 36, Chichikanov Vasily, 49, Varlygin Igor, 48, Komilov Alexandr, 32, Lopatin Alexey, 38,

Baranovskly Nikolay, 50, Mishin Pavel, 31, LLia Shubov, 33, and Dmitry Bannyrn, 40.

Others were Alexander Tsarikov, 44,

kononov sergel, 44, Korotchenko Andrey, 23, Vorobev Mikhail, 40 and Stepan Oleksuik, 52.

of Andy Uba Foundation, a non governmental organization, NGO, said many people in his domain have suddenly taken ill at the same time and he suspected that it could be as a result of their continued use of the contaminated Ezu River as their source of drinking water.

He said: “Initially, the people obeyed the directive not to use the water any longer, but when they did not have alternative, they started using the water again.

Unfortunately, they are not used to boiling water before use and this could be the reason for the sudden illness of many people in this community.

Edo ACN chairman escapes death as youths storm party’s secretariat party officials.

April 20, 2013 Local

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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HE Edo State chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr Thomas Okosun, yesterday, escaped death through the whiskers yesterday, when factional angry ACN youths stormed the party’s secretariat and unleashed mayhem on the chairman and other

The chairman and other officers of the party escaped from their offices through the back door leading to Akenzua road but their vehicles were not spared, as the youths destroyed about three vehicles including the Prado jeep belonging to the chairman of the party.

It was learnt that the opposing groups who are backing different councillorship candidates ahead the

Government Council election in the state found out that the names of their councillorship candidates were substituted.

It was gathered that the youths became more infuriated when they learnt that the leadership of the party had ordered that the councillorship positions in Egor and Oredo be shared equally among the two major factional groups in the ACN, even

after the authentic councillorship candidates have emerged in their various wards in the last weekend Chairmanship and councillorship primaries of the party.

However, the opposing groups stor med the party ’s secretariat at about 3pm yesterday, engaged themselves in a physical combat, just as they descended on the party leaders within the premises.

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Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

Boko Haram: Cease-fire or ceaseless fire? Gunmen’s continuing attacks raise doubts Gunmen kill 53 Nigerians thereafter, lose 17

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, Dep Political Editor

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How cease-fire was brokered

The January 28 peace deal was brokered after a marathon meeting between some leaders of the group, which has been terrorizing some states in the North, particularly Borno since July 2009, and the Borno State Government led by Governor Kashim Shettima with other top government officials and religious leaders from the state in attendance.

Why we’re sheathing our sword – Boko Haram commander

Briefing newsmen after the marathon meeting in Maiduguri, Sheikh Abu Mohammad Abdulazeez Ibn Idris a commander of Boko Haram in-charge of North and Central Borno, said after due consultation with the leader of the sect, Shiekh Abubakar Shekau, as well as intervention and pleadings from respected individuals and groups in the state, we ‘’have all come to terms and agreed to lay down our arms.’’

The Boko Haram Commander however, insisted that, government should immediately release all their members from custody unconditionally, re-build their places of worship and compensate them among other demands.

Sheikh Abdulazeez said that, the sect observed that during the lingering insurgency, a lot of Muslim women

File photo of the Police Headquarters bomb attack in Abuja.

and children had suffered untold hardship, adding that, they also decided to lay down their arms for peace to reign in Borno and the country at large.

“I am appealing and calling on all our members through this medium to lay down their arms henceforth, till further notice,” Abdulazeez stated.

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IGHTEEN days after a faction of the Boko Haram Islamic sect announced a cease-fire following a 42-month multi-prong attack on military, police and security facilities and churches among others that claimed about 3000 lives there is still fear in the land. Continuing attacks by gunmen and counterattacks from security forces, which have led to the death of 53 Nigerians including nine policemen and a soldier, indicate that the country is still a long way from bidding terrorism good bye. This is in spite of the fact that no one has claimed responsibility for the deadly attacks affecting four states that cut across two geo-political zones of the country.

tain objective tests that would ensure that the declaration made sense.

“There are certain objective tests we think that will make sense. Let us assume that we can have a long period of about one month where no bomb explodes, where nobody is shot, nobody is beheaded, no church is bombed and where no mosque is threatened, if they can guarantee one month, then we can begin to talk. So we must take this (ceasefire) with a lot of caution. But we hope whatever that must have brought this about, will further en-

Indeed, there might be need to exercise caution after all if the series of attacks unleashed on the polity by gunmen after the cease-fire were anything to go by

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Will cease-fire lasts?

Given the devastating effect of Boko Haram’s attacks, which have crippled the economies of many northern states, recurring clashes between the group and security agents, which have claimed many lives on both sides, distrust between the government and leaders of the sect and emergence of splinter groups, the question on the lips of many observers is: will the cease-fire hold water?

FG treats sect’s ceasefire with caution

Responding to the issue, Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim, said in Abuja penultimate Tuesday that the ceasefire declared by Boko Haram would be treated with caution.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the opening of a two-day seminar on “National Security” at the Defence College, Ibrahim said there were cer-

hance our security. So, we are a bit excited about it but we are taking everything with a lot of caution,” he said.

Spokesman of the Joint Task Force, ‘Operation Restore Order ’ in Borno State, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa said, conflicts are resolved through dialogue hence the declaration of ceasefire by the sect’s leader is a welcome development.

He, however, said that the JTF would still remain in at alert and continue to maintain law and order as well as protecting lives and properties of citizens in its area of operation.

Indeed, there might be need to exercise caution after all if the series of attacks unleashed on the polity by gunmen after the cease-fire were anything to go by.

Gunmen attack, kill security personnel in Maiduguri Barely 24 hours after the Boko Haram sect announced a ceasefire, gun-

men suspected to be of the sect on Tuesday morning attacked the patrol vehicle of a private security firm, Crown Security Guards, killing its personnel, Athanasus Sabo, near the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) main entrance.

Gunmen bomb police station, kill 2 in Kano

On Wednesday, January 30 gunmen bombed a Kano police station, killing a policeman and a civilian. “We lost a policeman in the attack and the body of a civilian was also found around the police station but it is still not clear if he was among the gunmen or a resident caught in cross fire, Kano State Police Spokesman, Magaji Majia said.

He said the terrorists stormed the police station in Bunkure town, which is 40 kilometres from Kano and engaged policemen in a shoot-out after hurling explosives into the police station, which destroyed a section of the building.

Police arrest BUK student for dropping IED

The Kano State Police Command said on January 31 that its men had arrested one Mohammed Kabir, a final year student of Bayero University (BUK), Kano, for being in possession of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ASP Magaji Musa Majia, said Kabir as an indigene of Auchi in Edo State, was apprehended after he concealed in a bag of flour mixed with guinea corn peels, a remote controlled bomb and dropped it in a junction close to a popular GSM market at Farm centre in the city. A passer-by who noticed when

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Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013—11

Continues from page 10 Kabir, riding on a tricycle, dropped the lethal weapon, alerted the police.

According to the statement, “the police and the bomb disposal unit stormed the area and cordoned off the scene and discovered an IED concealed in a bag. The bomb was detonated without any injury to anybody or damage to property around. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of one Mohammed Kabir, a level 400 student of Business Administration at BUK and lives adjacent to the scene.”

Armed men kill 5 policemen in Kaduna Gunmen reportedly killed at least five policemen and a civilian in a midnight attack in Birnin Gwari, a town located over 100 kilometers m from Kaduna metropolis, Kaduna State January 31.

While some eyewitnesses said they counted about five bodies of policemen some police officers and an official in the Emir of Birnin Gwari’s palace claimed that only three police officers including a sergeant, died in the deadly attack.

Emir of Birnin Gwari, Alhaji Jibrin Mai Gwari, who reportedly disagreed with those linking the attack to Boko Haram because “no church or mosque is involved in this attack, but the Police Station and two banks were affected,” lamented that the last time he heard the kind of heavy bombardment to which his community was subjected in the wee hours of Thursday was during the Nigerian Civil War of 1967-70.

“The sound of thunderous heavy fire power is similar to that heard during the civil war as we heard heavy exchange of fire with policemen during the attack,” he said.

According to reports, the gunmen held Birnin Gwari under siege for over two hours – from around 1:30am.

The bandits also planted IEDs that exploded simultaneously in addition to sporadic gun shots.

They completely burnt the Police Station, bombed their way into First Bank, Eco Bank and Unity Bank and carted away unspecified amount of money from the strong room.

… Kill 2 policemen in Gombe

Also in Gombe State, two policemen were killed at a check point near a Round -About within Gombe metropolis in the early hours of January 31 by unknown gunmen. A stray bullet from the assailant also wounded a crippled civilian passerby.

An eye witness told Vanguard in Gombe State that the two gunmen who wore long gowns also masked their faces.

He stated that the attackers emerged from a tricycle around 6:15 am and headed straight to the policemen at the checkpoint directly opposite Gombe Line Motor Park and shot them dead.

A victim of the Maddala bombings.

Boko Haram: Police arrest BUK student for dropping IED militants and lost a soldier while destroying two Boko Haram training camps in the North-east, one in a forest and one in the Sambisa Reserve.

The officer in charge of the Sambisa Reserve, Hassan Malgwi, said gunmen believed to be Boko Haram attacked the staff camp after midnight. “Six people were killed. Many of our members of staff are still missing as the camp is now deserted,” he said.

Gunmen Kill 13 health worker in Kano

On Friday February 8, gunmen shot and killed at least nine women who were taking part in a polio vaccination drive in Kano.

The first attack Friday morning happened in Kano’s Hotoro Hayi neighborhood and saw gunmen arrive by three-wheel taxis and open fire. At least eight female vaccinators died in

that attack, witnesses said.

The second attack, in the Unguwa Uku neighborhood, saw another four people killed, witnesses said.

30 gunmen attack police station in Kano

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lso on Friday night, Police officers repelled an attack by suspected terrorists on Minjibir Divisional station, 32km east of Kano city.

The assailants, numbering over 30, stormed the station at about 8.30 pm on motorcycles and tricycles and launched an offensive on the station.

The officers on duty responded gallantly in the ensuing firefight that lasted 45 minutes, as the windscreen of parked police vehicles and windows adorning the building were shattered. Vanguard gathered that although, there were no casualties, two fleeing suspects were arrested.

Attackers kill 3 North Korean doctors in Yobe

On Saturday February 9, assailants in Potiskum, a town in Yobe State killed three North Korean doctors, beheading one of the physicians.

Gunmen kill six park rangers, February 6 Gunmen suspected to be members Boko Haram on February 6 killed at least six park rangers at in a reprisal attack after troops backed by helicopter gunships destroyed their base in a Nigerian game reserve on February 2.

Security forces last week killed 17

Wreaths for victims of UN House bomb attack 6

bombers nabbed

in Kaduna

Six suspected Boko Haram bombers, including a woman were arrested in Kaduna State on February 11 following a tip-off received in Kagoro town, near Kafanchan.

Sources said that the suspects were likely strategising on how to attack a location on Sunday in Kagoro or Kafanchan.

Gunmen kill district head in Borno

Also Suspected Boko Haram members shot and killed the District Head of Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, Abba Ahmed on February 11on his way back to his palace after performing his prayers in a mosque.

Gunmen kill 1, injure 2 in Adamawa

On Thursday gun men stormed Abubakar Atiku Way near the Shopping Complex in Jimeta, Yola in Adamawa State and killed one man and left two others seriously injured.

According to the eyewitness, prior to the attack, the yet-to-be identified victim had engaged in a phone conversation with some people and seemed to be waiting for them to show up.

But not long after the phone conversation, three men on gown stormed the scene; one of them brought out a gun from his gown and shot the victim three times at close range and killed him instantly while two others at the scene sustained gunshot injuries.

Let’s sustain peace initiative – Borno elders In spite of the latest attacks, elders and leaders of thought in Borno State said a mileage could be gained from the Boko Haram’s agreement to lay down arms if the peace process was sustained.

After a meeting in Maiduguri,

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Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

Boko Haram: Clash with the state Continues from page 11

Origin of Boko Haram Boko Haram, which figuratively means ‘Western education is sin’ was founded in 2002, in Maiduguri, by Ustaz Mohammed Yusuf. The sect opposes not only Western education, but Western culture and modern science as well.

In a 2009 BBC interview, Yusuf stated that the belief that the world is a sphere is contrary to Islam and should be rejected, along with Darwinism and the theory that rain comes from water evaporated by the sun.

In 2004 it moved to Kanamma, Yobe State, where it set up a base called “Af-

Another scene of bomb attack

ghanistan”, used to attack nearby police outposts, killing police officers. Yusuf was hostile to democracy and the secular education system, vowing that “this war that is yet to start would continue for long” if the political and educational system was not changed.

In Bauchi, the group, which includes members who come from neighbouring Chad and speak only in Arabic was reported as refusing to mix with local people.

Prior to the clashes, many Muslim leaders and at least one military official had warned the authorities about Boko Haram. Those warnings were reportedly ignored. According to Human Rights Watch, between July and December 2010, at least 85 people were killed in some 35 separate attacks in four states in northern and central Nigeria, as well as in Abuja, the nation’s

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no Elders Forum (BEF) under the leadership of Alhaji Shettima Ali Monguno expressed pleasure over the announcement of ceasefire by Boko Haram and called on the Federal Government to sustain the peace process.

The meeting which took place at the residence of Monguno had in attendance, Brigadier General (Rtd) Abba Kyari, Ambassador Gaji Galtimari, Alhaji Umar Abba Shuwa, Alhaji Ali Kidaji, Alhaji Kyari Sandabe, Imam Idain of Borno Adam Asil Ibn Alsulusiyya, Ambassador Ahmad Yusufari, Alhaji Garba Satomi, DIG (Rtd) Abdullahi Shettima, Dr. Bulama Mali Gubio, Alhaji Gambo Gubio, Alhaji Zanna Lamin Mamadi, AIG (Rtd) Mukhtar Alkali and Alhaji Ibrahim Abba Gubio.

In a speech which was read by Dr. Bulama Mali Gubio, who is a retired head of service in Borno State, the elders described the ceasefire as a long awaited gesture that should receive the support and appreciation of all peace loving people.

“Our people have suffered enough.

Enormous losses in terms of human lives, property and institutional set ups have occurred. We are therefore calling on all and sundry to encourage the peace process. We advise that cynicism and doubts should be set aside and positive attitude should be shown to encourage the sect to maintain this positive disposition.

“On the part of the Federal Government of Nigeria, we expect that they should embrace this positive opening and capitalize on it in order to open wider space for sustainable peace. The idea of whether it is a faction (that declared the ceasefire) or not should be discarded so that we can make progress. In this direction, we are calling on the government to without any delay commence the process of dialogue,” the elders said.

Clash with the state In July 2009 the Nigerian police started investigating Boko Haram, following reports that the group was arming itself. Yusuf, the leader and others were arrested and on July 30, 2009 allegations were made that Yusuf himself was killed by Nigerian security forces after being taken into custody. The development invigorated deadly clashes with Nigerian security forces and attacks on churches, public institutions and military facilities among others which led to the deaths of an estimated 3000 people, according to Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika.

offensive arresting, detaining and in many instances killing Boko Haram members and leaders.

Disturbed by the escalating violence many northern leaders and groups, including the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), urged government to dialogue with the group to end the killings.

Last November, the group gave the government conditions for ending the hostilities Acclaimed spokesman of the group, Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulazeez in a tele-conference with journalists in Maiduguri stated that if the state and the Federal Government want the group to cease-fire completely, then former Borno state governor Ali Modu Sheriff must be arrested and prosecuted according to the laws of the land. He also said that the government should compensate the group and rebuild their places of worship which were destroyed during the 2009 uprising.

He pointed out that for a dialogue to take place, it must be through the following elders: Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno; Former Head of State General Muhammadu Buhari; former Yobe State Governor, Bukar Abba Ibrahim; Ambassador Gaji Galtimari and Barr Aisha Alkali Wakil and her husband, Barr, Alkali Wakil, insisting that the dialogue must not take place in Saudi Arabia.

Abu Abdulazeez also said that the group has mandated five members who are to mediate on their behalf; they include himself (Abu Mohammed Abdulazeez), Abu Abbas, Sheikh Ibrahim Yusuf, Sheikh Sani Kontogora and Mamman Nur. Buhari later distanced himself from the group and the Federal Government said it could not negotiate with pre-conditions, thus the crisis was allowed to fester.

With the latest decision of the group to sheathe their sword, it is hoped that all stakeholders will play their required roles for normalcy to return to the country.

Boko Haram, which figuratively means ‘Western education is sin’ was founded in 2002, in Maiduguri, by Ustaz Mohammed Yusuf. The sect opposes not only Western

capital. Attacks attributed to Boko Haram in 2011 left at least 550 people dead in some 115 separate incidents. In the first nine months of 2012 alone, more than 815 people died in some 275 separate attacks in 12 northern and central states, and Abuja.

Among the litany of attacks include those of the United Nations Office, The Attacks Abuja, Police Headquarters, Abuja, the building housing ThisDay Newspapers, Sun Newspapers and Daily Trust in Abuja, St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, Deeper Life Church, Okene; Military Cantonment Jaji, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SAS) office and other numerous security facilities especially police stations.

The security agencies also went on counterA suicide bomber in Bauchi.

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SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013—13

I suffered four different ailments within six years

BY EBUN SESSOU

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ony Tamuno-Ipriye (God’s gift )Uranta, TIU as he is fondly called has his root from both the Ijaw (Opobo) and Efik (Henshaw). In this interview, he reveals how he suffered many ailments including HIV, cancer, stroke among other diseases that almost sent him to his early grave.

Growing up My growing up was interesting. The first woman my father married was an English woman, the marriage produced two boys. He married my mother after that, but both of them couldn’t speak each other’s language, so, the common language at home was English. I grew up speaking only English. But when I stayed with my mother during the war years, I could speak Efik, Yoruba and Igbo and a bit of Ijaw languages.

I had some friends from the Hausa setting but I couldn’t pick up Hausa language. Yoruba is my second language.

Challenges My mother single handedly brought me up because my father was trapped in the Biafra war. I enjoyed those years because I had some freedom of not living in Ikoyi. I lived in Surulere where the likes of Adebayos, Dangote among others were neighbours.

Lesson as a child The first lesson I learnt was integrity. To my parents, integrity had to do with honesty. Secondly, you must be willing to be yourself, speak for what is right and be courageous enough to do so. You must be able to speak up for yourself and not expect someone else to speak for you. Above all, you must have the fear of God. My parents were Anglican and Presbyterians and none of them forced the other one to join the other’s church. But the Presbyterians Scotish ethics were imparted in us. We were also thought to fear God and respect elders. There is no better place to learn respect than the Yoruba land because that was where I grew up.

Stealing then was like a forbidden tree unlike what is obtainable now. People steal, go to jail and come out provided the money is still there. We were taught that bad names had negative influence on life.

I didn’t realise that I had picked them up initially until my secondary school days. As a school prefect, I was in the school debating and basketball team and those opportunities would have exposed me to those youthful vices. I had a choice to either be a scoundrel,

drinker, smoker and do all those things that my rebellious generation was doing. But because of what had been inculcated into me as a child before I became a teenager, I could control myself and not involved in those things. But I wish I could continue that day all through my life. But I derailed a bit much later. But all those lesson still kept me on the straight course.

Regrets I did a few things in the last 20 years that I wouldn’t have done. I also did a few things of pride which many people thought I wouldn’y have done.

I got involved in the struggle to get the military out of power.

I suffered for it and I was detained severally including being placed underground for nearly six months by the Abacha regime in Ikoyi Cemetery. I also experimented some substances including alcohol and other drugs. But, now, I am a better and stronger person. I learnt the hard way that it is best to stay on the narrow way and not deviate for any reason. I regretted but in the end, God returned me to a straight and narrow path.

Relationship with half brothers My relationship with my half brothers was very cordial and strong. I have other younger half brothers and sisters and we are all one big and happy fam-

,

—Uranta

storey building. I have had two strokes consecutively, I had cancer, I was detained thrice, and I was wretchedly buried alive under the Ikoyi Cemetery but I had an epiphany of sort and Christ talked to me and my life changed. I am a member of the Royal Priesthood, therefore it is forbidden for me to take up any traditional role.

The ailments he suffered?

To shock you a little, I was diagnosed as being HIV positive.

I was not diagnosed in one centre. I had confirmatory tests from seven centres between 90s and early 2000. I lived with those ailments between 1999 to 2004 with all the symptoms of being HIV positive. I had all the physical proofs; physical and chemical symptoms.

At one time, I was the spokesperson for people living with HIV and AIDS. But today, I have been tested in those places all over again and reported negative. No preacher laid hands on me. I had an epiphany in one day and I thought I was going to die and I heard a voice; God said to me, “ÿou are going to die but you wouldn’t die hating God”. I hated God at that time. And the reason was because I couldn’t figure out why I had to suffer such ailments. I had stopped going to church for years until I woke up one day and a voice ministered to me to go to church. I didn’t know which church but I saw

I was diagnosed as being HIV positive. I was not diagnosed in one centre. I had confirmatory tests from seven centres between 90s and early 2000. I lived with those ailments between 1999 to 2004 with all the symptoms of being HIV positive

ily. In fact, my younger brother is the head of my family. It should traditionally devolve to me but I chose not to become a traditional ruler. So, I passed it on to my younger brother. One of my brothers is my local government chairman also.

My father was totally different. He was comfortable having children from many women and was at peace with them but I was not. He didn’t see anything wrong with participating in some traditional practices but I do. My faith and understanding of the word of God as Christ really resurrected me and didn’t allow me to think in that direction. I derailed and died in many ways. I could have died when I was pushed from a four-

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myself in House on the Rock. I was diagnosed in seven different centres including US Embassy centre, and I was diagnosed positive and since 2004, I have also been tested in those centres and confirmed as being negative.

His survival I had cancer of the colon which is one of those cancers that is rarely detected. Since I was freed from the incurable disease, (HIV) (arun ti o gboogun), I have become very conscious about my health.

So, I carried out what was called extensive health check at least twice a year within and outside the country. The check was done and it was detected that I had developed some pol-

stroke condition has Uranta....I Am just overcoming my d han t righ my not perfected the use of

yps (smaller vessels called tumour) in my colon and they confirmed at the National Hospital that these tumours were malignant.

I was then left with the option of undergoing surgery to remove the polyps in the hope that malignancy had not spread beyond them. I went to the American Hospital in Dubai. A surgery was carried out and it was successful. I was told that I had to spend many weeks in the National Hospital for both pre and post operation but I spent two hours in the American hospital.

I believe God healed me. I am a better and stronger person. All the gadgets that I wear now are supposed to help me in expediating physiotherapy.

Ironically, I was strucked twice with stroke. The second time, was a massive one which took place right in-front of the hospital where I was supposed to go for check-up although, I have been postponing it for weeks.

On that fateful day, there was traffic and so I decided to go to the hospital and as I was stepping out of the car, the last thing I remembered was bringing one of my foot out of the car and that was all. I had a massive stroke such that if the doctors had not intervened within five minutes, I would be dead. God made it possible for me to be right infront of the hospital. And because they knew my medical history, the second stroke was well taken care of. I had gone to countries including Sweden, Israel, India, London to step up on the treatment. I believe God chose to heal me and that is why I don’t give glory to any fake Pastor.

His whole life I cannot write a book but a set of books. Every season of my life has been related to the life of Nigeria. I grew up on Kings

drive, Ikoyi. Our next door neighbours were the Shagaris, Ojukwus, Yar’Aduas, Maitama Sules among others; people whose lives have all been written into the Nigerian experience. I was there physically in Tafawa Balewa Square when they were lowering the British flag. I am a product in a scent of the civil war. I knew how Aliko Dangote, the richest black man at the moment started his life. I knew who Folashade Alakija was and now the richest black woman of today. I was mentored initially into struggle

by Ken Saro Wiwa. I am still being mentored by Wole Soyinka.

One of my biggest inflences (Amb. Segun Olusola ) passed away not too long ago. In fact, I said during the opening ceremony at my wedding that I have three families from Ijaw (Opobo), Efik (Henshaw town) and Ogun State.

Fela had a strong influence on me. I have always loved Ebenezer Obey’s music. Looking at all these things, it is like how Nigeria has been progressing and retrogressing. So, my life is a reflection of the Nigerian reality and that awareness has come to me at this point in time.

One thing I have come to realise is that all of us have a role to play. God has designed us to be together to play a role and improve our world.

Right now, I have learnt to do everything as if it is a ministry.

My ministry is the fighting for the common goal which I believe is the reason God chose to keep me alive.

God allowed the devil to hit me with the stroke, he robbed me of many things including dancing, playing of organ, writing of music and of course, basketball. All of these, I couldn’t do because of the stroke. He robbed me of physical activities.

I love to jog, but I can’t do that.

14—SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

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f you want to start an unending argument, say something even slightly disparaging of the Pope to a Roman Catholic faithful. (And that, I confess, includes some of my loved ones.) I am very careful when I have to say anything about “Christ’s Representative on Earth” whom I actually hold in very high esteem, though my “Ave Maria” no longer swells with the passion of younger days. Yes, I was a Roman Catholic worshipper, among other things which I really have neither cause to regret, nor great joy to recall. I then found it quite comfortable to revel in what I believed to be the genuineness of the faith, though I could not help wondering why it had to be stamped with the identity of a particular nationality.

The Pope, through the centuries, has thrown off such narrow definitions of his position. He is the Pontiff of the Roman Catholic congregation world wide, but no one ever finds it necessary to make a point of it generally in any reference to His Holiness. He is just the Pope.

Through the centuries, he has been warrior, saint, potentate, but always the high priest who is to be held infallible in all that concerns his faith. Every worshipper of the Roman Catholic faith adores and is proud of the Pope, or else, has ceased to be a faithful Roman Catholic. The Pope personifies the religion in the eyes and minds of the worshippers who are loud in their distinction of the object of worship and adoration, without making any bones about the distinctive subject of their adulation. The Pope stands alone, unrivalled, incomparable, the nonpareil.

*the shoes of the fisherman

*have done with lesser things *the lady with a heart of gold

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o, how can anyone in that position resign? Retire, well, maybe — but resign? And yet, that is precisely what Pope Benedict XVI has done in an announcement that conveyed that intention earlier in the week. Apart from the shock or surprise which came naturally to millions of people, both catholic and non catholic, some clerics or catholic historians have been at pains to present it all as though it were a normal occurrence. But they still had to mention that the resignation of a Pope had occurred no more than two or three times in history, and the last one was some six centuries ago. So what are we talking about?

We are witnesses to an unusual event, and let no one disguise it. It is not shameful, nor does it in any way denigrate the person of the pontiff or the gospel that he preached. Like almost every Pope before him, (at least, among the ones we grew up to know about) he possessed a special charm of his own.

He got involved in religious issues with the Muslims as well as with the Jews, and got away with it. He was never slack to mend his fences whenever a gap was created, and it was found easy to forgive those lapses when they occurred — after all, he is the Pope. Even our own dreadful Sani Abacha put on his good manners when the Head of the Catholic Church was around, though the dictator did not appear to like it.

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ope Benedict also had to weather the storm of the anger and the anguish which rose and raged over the accusation of improper sexual behaviour among the Roman Catholic clergy, and which was accounted to have been going on for decades before he came on the scene as Pope. Sharpest cut of all was the insinuation and, in some cases, direct accusation that the higher echelons of the clergy had been aware of the crimes but condoned them.

His was indeed a heavy burden to bear in that high office, unrelieved by the eruption of a crisis within his secretarial staff. Only a superb physical condition could have stayed the course and still be able to sprinkle those gentle smiles on all occasions “to the city and to the world”.

But at long last, the weight of his

investigation. The high officials are usually “invited” initially during the course of a public hearing, which may be televised, and in peremptory tones that bespeak a rough time ahead, thus creating a feeling of serious embarrassment for the summoned official. The order to appear sometimes conveys the offensive stench of judgement before a trial.

And the presumption of guilt unfortunately resonates, in some cases, in the conduct of the appearance of the hapless official to the disgust of fair-minded people.

T

•Pope Benedict responsibilities and the strain of the exertions demanded by them would appear to have taken their toll. A close look at the Pope’s features, even on television, recently seems to reveal some telling cracks which had stayed hidden for a while. He knew he could not carry on as he would have wished. That, to me, is his reason for throwing in the towel— in a manner of speaking. Not that he would have minded going on till the final whistle, but that he cared so much more about the lapses that might occur through his inability to cope adequately with his duties.

A vestige of the power of a former potentate will still cling to him in retirement. So will strands of the former phenomenal influence. But the glamour and the glory of a pontiff will always be confined only to him who wears “the shoes of the fisherman”.

There is hardly anyone, even if he has never handled a copy of the Nigerian Constitution, who does not know that it grants the National Assembly various powers for the stringent discharge of the onerous tasks of establishing and sustaining good governance in the land, and the right to summon any citizen considered necessary to appear before •Mrs either the Senate or the House of Representatives to achieve this inestimable purpose. The legislators are rampant in the pursuit of this objective to an admirable degree and, though it would sometimes appear, somewhat beyond that.

A feeling may soon congeal among the citizenry that the honourable members concentrate so much on the efficacy of probing any issue through the interrogation of a high and responsible official involved, to the neglect of a less prickly process of

his is from where the reluctance of some invited officials finds its roots when it comes to honouring the invitation of the honourable members.

They feel humiliated and deprived of the respect to which they are entitled from the legislators. As upright citizens, until they are proved otherwise, they merit no little consideration from people who assumed the high position through the votes of the ordinary citizens.

The charade is brought to its most deplorable level,

however, on the occasions when an official seems to decline the invitation of the legislators. The “stinking object” then fairly hits the fan.

Fire and brimstone are spewed all over the environment. Warnings are sounded. Threats are issued.

To the errant official. To the Inspector-General of Police.

Even to the President of the Federation. Will the Senate mount a vendetta against every official for not responding to its invitation?

Will they close down this nation because one official again calls their bluff?

We need to continue our high regard for our National Assembly. But they must help us and, like men of God, “have done with lesser things”.

Through the years, I have always been able to put the St. Valentine’s Day craze in its place— out of my mind, in the void somewhere. But in recent times, the core — if one can call it that —of the message of St Valentine’s Day, has been extracted for my appreciation by the special way in which some people have directed its observance.

I suppose that love, romantic love, is the reason for this particular season from the way most of the young, and not so young, people have been carrying on. There are flashes of kissing and embracing with undertones of how ephemeral it all means. But there can be more to the celebration of love and loving actually, if one looks beyond the purely carnal and grabs the spiritual breadth of it.

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very year, Mrs Biola Adedayo, a professional pharmacist, uses the St. Valentine spirit to express her love and compassion for the widows in the Apapa-Iganmu Local Development Area, where her husband is the Chairman.

She arranges, “with a little help” from hubby, a rousing get-together for the ladies, young and old, whom death has deprived of their husbands, and supplies some Biola Adedayo appreciable feel of the “good earth” through music and joyous communication. The women look forward to it like a fresh date, though one of them confesses to missing her husband. “But in fact”, she said, “this is really like a memorial of love in honour of our departed loved ones.”

St Valentine’s Day now has retained some significance for many old lovers, and even for me too, in this manner — thanks to Mrs Biola Adedayo, the lady with a heart of gold.

Time out.

SATURDAY

Vanguard Vanguard,, FEBRUARY 16, 2013—15

Wh owing old suc Whyy is gr growing suchh a pain(2) Something good is happening (III) to be pitied. I have seen people who kneel down and can’t get up. Then the back pain. The lower back pain. The thing about muscles at this age is that they complain when you use them and they complain when you don’t use them. Nothing, it seems, can be taken for granted any more. And speaking of muscles, the stomach is another way to ‘tell’ middle age. They lose their elasticity and become distended — and ugly.

It is also around this time that people routinely discover diabetes and high blood pressure. It is the time, also, to look closely at the liver and the kidney and change your eating and drinking habits.

A

decade later, (at about 50) everybody tells you that you need to test your prostate if you are male and uterus if you are female. All of this in addition to the fact that you now read more health columns and watch more health programmes. A small palpitation of the heart makes you reach for the doctor. You wonder, not for the first time, why growing old should be such a pain.

Nothing seems immune to this invasive disease called old age. It ravages the body — and the brain too.

A joke was once told of how to recognise a 50 year old man. ‘You give him a mobile phone in one hand and his car key in the other. Then you call him and speak to him for just two minutes. By the time you drop the phone, he would have forgotten where his car key is.’

A retentive memory was one of my strengths. I used to be able to come across a quote or a profound phrase, read it twice, and never forget it.

About ten years ago, I came across a beautiful poem. I read it twice, thrice and was surprised that only disjointed bits and pieces stayed after the exercise. I also find that I recollect things I memorised in my youth more easily than things I memorised in later years. Again, you find that your attention span diminishes as your age advances making it hard to focus on anything for long without your mind wandering.

This virus has gone into intimate areas too if you get what I mean. As one wise, old man observed, ‘What you used to do all night, now takes all night to do. Or, in some cases, all night to attempt.’

Again, why is old age such a pain?

Of what use is living if you can not participate? Or as Millie Jackson puts it, ‘partake?’

This ‘aging man’— and many like him —want to be encouraged about the gains of old age; wisdom, respect etc.

Please drop a line to cheer him up.

,

Don’t let anybody deceive you.

What they actually mean is that life begins to end at 40

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he Optician was a witty, vivacious woman who cracked jokes all through. Jokes like; ‘You must feel the whole world is conspiring against you.

Why, for goodness sake, must Publishers decide to make their prints smaller? And why should NEPA keep generating weaker and weaker lights?’

She assured me however, when she was done with the examinations, that it was ‘an age thing’ and there was no reason to feel bad about it.

I then started observing people around me and I found — because I was now in those shoes — that it was almost an acid test for determining those around 40. You might be blessed with a trim body, dark hair, and well, baby face —but the eyes invariably expose you.

Another thing that is an ‘age thing’ is, for many, the increasing pain in the joints. It is, my dear, the beginning of arthritis. And genuine sufferers need C M Y K

,

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n the natural something is always happening. People are changing and situations are changing. And if you look at man, he is always planning good things for himself, his family and business empire if he has one.

Now if a man is always doing something to better his future, then how much more, our excellent God, whose thoughts towards us is of peace and not evil and to bring us to an expected glorious end (Jer. 29:11). Child of God, I want you to know that God is definitely mindful of you. Remember what the Psalmist said in Ps 8:3-4 “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visited him?”

So you see. God is concerned about you, your family, business, health, education and all that pertain to you.

The one you are mindful of is the one that you will surely do something good about. This means, if God is mindful of you He is doing something good on your case right now.

Know that God loves you dearly and wants to see you live a life of consistent triumph in every area of your life.

At times when things are happening to us and it appears as if all doors are closed and you wonder why are these things happening to you. Most times you may want to think that God has forgotten about you and is doing nothing about it. Well I have good news for you. Even if God attempts to forsake you, He cannot because that is not His nature. God may turn His face away from you because of sin but He cannot forget about you. That is why He counsels that we confess our sins

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any years ago, I won’t tell when, I attended the 40th birthday celebration of a close family member. As the symbolic champagne bottle was popped and toasts went round, the phrase ‘life begins at 40’ echoed and re-echoed.

Since I had not yet reached the magical age, I turned to an aunt who was sitting by and asked curiously, if life really began at 40.

She smiled and said ‘Muyiwa, don’t let anybody deceive you. What they actually mean is that life begins to end at 40. The first to go is your eye sight; then the joints and certain muscles in the body. Then organs too begin to need special attention.The brain, I can tell you, is also not left out of the deterioration process.’

I felt she was being unduly pessimistic. Much like saying to some one who hasn’t travelled before, that there is nothing to London except the cold, the rain, and a general absence of the sun. But she was, as I have since found out, right on almost all counts. I suppose winter — either in London or of life —is the same.

A couple of years after this party, I had gone to see a friend who was just about 40, in his office.

His secretary brought a letter to him which he held at an arm’s length to read. I joked and said he would need to decide whether to fix his eyes or extend his arm.

A few years later, the joke was on me as I found that I was pushing printed matter farther and farther away just to read. And I, who used to read with candle and torch lights, found I needed brighter and brighter lights to read. When I started borrowing reading glasses from people around me was when I decided that my eye sight was indeed failing and that I needed help.

honestly and then He will return back to us.

Young lady listen to me, you may have been jilted several times and the devil may be saying to you that you are a failure and that you can never get married. Don’t listen to the devil.

He wants you to get your focus off Christ. Remember, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. The answer you so desire is in Him. You cannot get it anywhere else.

In the bible God showed a young boy by name Joseph that he would be a prime minister. This young boy in his excitement informed his family and the devil started his work immediately. He tried to kill him but failed. Now this young boy with his dream was thrown into a pit to die. Later he was sold into slavery.

Surely at this point, people would have said that God may have changed His mind about His plan for Joseph.

While in Egypt he was again sold to someone else who do not even know his background.

Anyway, while serving his new master Potiphar faithfully, his master ’s wife wanted to sleep with him and because he refused, he was lied against and so he ended up in jail. But this time, it was the jail where the king’s prisoners were kept. While there he interpreted the dream of the king’s butler and it came to pass as he did interpret. But then the butler forgot about him but Cod did not.

Got then made Pharoah to dream a dream which no one else could interpret and then the butler remembered Joseph, who again gave the correct interpretation of the dream to Pharoah and by this Joseph was promoted to the position of Prime Minister in a strange land. For more details please read Gen. 37-41. While Joseph was going from one trial to the other, naturally, you may think that God was not there, but He was there all the time doing something good behind the scene. Are you passing through some problems in life? If the problem is not as a result of sin, then know that something good is happening and will surely manifest in the physical soonest in Jesus name.

Do you want to experience fulfillment of promises of God in your life?

The starting point is you receiving Jesus Christ in your life as Lord and Saviour, if you have not already done so. Pray this simple prayer. Father, you said that whosoever shall call on the name of Jesus, shall be saved. I call on the name Jesus. Thank you for saving me and giving me the gift of eternal life. I praise you and give you all the glory.

So you see.

God is concerned about you, your family, business, health, education and all that pertain to you

,

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: 08023062635 08168955932; 08033378769. 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, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2013 — 17

C M Y K

18—SATURDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

I became intimate before telling him I have STI Dear Julie, recently started dating a man. On the first date, we became intimate which I did not plan on happening. The day after, I told him that things moved too fast and that maybe we should get to know each other before becoming intimate again. My big

I

concern is that I have STI and have been faced with the problem of becoming intimate before sharing that I have STI. I came up with a plan on how to share this info, but it didn’t happen in this particular relationship. Now, I don’t know what to do because I am worried that I have shattered the

trust in this relationship.

Should I just walk away from it and use it as a lesson on how to approach a relationship next time or tell him?

Ifeoma, Abuja Dear Ifeoma, Plans don’t always go according to schedule. Things go farther than we think, faster than we imagined, or in ways we didn’t predict. We make mistakes and sometimes don’t do things we wished we had done, or wished we had done them differently.

You mentioned two options above, but perhaps there are others, too: walk away and don’t disclose your STI status ; walk away, but before you do, disclose your STI status ; stay and disclose your STI status and; stay and don’t disclose your STI status Now, no one said these were all ethical options. Most would

agree that it is not respectful or honest to withhold information when someone might have been infected with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or could become infected through sex.

Taking responsibility for such a mishap would include admitting the mistake, forgiving ourselves, and trying anew as best we can.

You get to decide whether or not you want to try and include this man in your future. Do you think this guy is worth working through this slightly awkward beginning? If you think the relationship could have some potential for goodness, fun, and fulfillment or whatever you are looking to get out of it, then consider trying your plan of sharing your STI status now. Even if you were planning to end it, it might be worth telling this man for two reasons: so he knows he might have been exposed, and two, so that you

have the experience of telling someone something difficult to disclose.

It is great that you’ve already got a plan to talk about your STI status because your own style and words will be the most authentic. The more comfortable you are discussing it, the more likely you are to put him at ease, although you have no control over his response or reaction.

You didn’t mention if this man used condoms with you; he has a responsibility for protecting his health, as well. Some people don’t consider this, but there is a chance he may have an STI disclosure of his own to share.

Think about what was helpful to you when you first learned about your STI diagnosis. Sharing information and resources with him may be a valuable way to educate him and reduce his anxiety , but he may need time to deal with his anxiety or fear in his own way first.

She’s older and wants to have sex with me Aunty Julie, I am 32 years old and my sexual partners have always been my own age or even a few years younger than me.

Personally, I don’t fancy the thought of going to bed with an older woman, even though my friends tell me that I would learn a lot and would enjoy the experience. What do you think? I really can’t bring myself to have intimacy with an older person.

A woman I know and admire who is five years older wants to have intimacy with me and I said no. Am I abnormal or do you think I am right? Have you ever come across this type of problem before and, if so, what have you advised the people to do?

Desmond, Lagos Dear Desmond, It sounds like your friends are trying to say that many people believe that there are advantages to a younger man dating an older woman. There are a few historic tales of older women indoctrinating younger men into the world of sexuality. Some of the stories are as ancient as the gods, whereas others are modern love stories of lust and woe.

Many believe that older women have more sexual experience, that they have a more varied sexual repertoire, and that they will appreciate a youthful admirer.

Sexual experience aside, different people are turned on by different things. One way to

find out what floats your boat is to try different things, but that’s not the only way. There are plenty of sexual activities or partners that you probably don’t need to try in order to anticipate whether or not you’d be into it.

It sounds like you know what turns you on, and what you find arousing. If it goes against your grain to be turned on by an older woman, then it makes no sense to try the experience.

What works for your friends may not work for you. After all,

Can I marry my friend?

Dear Julie, I’ve had this female friend for over five years and it’s strictly platonic. While we are pretty close, I am not interested in ruining a good relationship if she isn’t interested. The thing is that I have begun recently picturing myself married to this lady and seeing her across the breakfast table talking about our kids. I’ve never felt this way about a woman before. It has usually been more superficial. I keep meaning to tell her but I get really shy because of my fear of destroying our friendship. I think about her often. What should I do?

Nicholas, Edo Dear Nicholas, It’s great that you have met someone that you feel that strongly about. However, before you start planning your future down the road, it might be wise to find out if the feelings are mu-

Wife wanted

“A man inserted an ‘ad’ in the classifieds: ‘Wife wanted’. Next day, he received a hundred letters. They all said the same thing: ’You can have mine.’

Xmas gift

there are as many different sexual needs and desires as there are people. Most importantly, don’t participate in any sexual activity with which you are not comfortable.

There are many other ways to be sexually fulfilled that will be more palatable to your personal tastes.

If it bothers you that you are not interested in sleeping with this woman , or if you are simply introspective and curious about yourself, it may be worth spending some time

A guy bought his wife a beautiful diamond ring for Christmas. After hearing about this extravagant gift, a friend of his said, ‘I thought

tual. Although you could wait to see how things develop naturally, the most direct route would be to have a conversation about how you feel.

You are already in a good position for talking to your friend about your feelings since you are close. Friendships can often weather a conversation about these feelings, even if starting the conversation is difficult or awkward.

Before you jump into the heart-to-heart, think about what you want to say and how she may react. Do you want to tell her you’d like to date? Or that you really like her and want to see where things go? What are some different possibilities of how she might respond?

Once you’ve thought about the conversation, you could choose a time and place that won’t be awkward and will make you both comfortable. You may want to talk with a friend or

thinking about what it is about sleeping with people your age or younger that you find most appealing. What is your upper limit in terms of age? Or your lower limit? People have different reasons for their age preferences.

For example, some people prefer to only have intimacy with someone that they could see themselves connecting with outside the bedroom.

Some feel that a large age difference means being in different life stages and thus not

able to connect as deeply.

Other people find that they connect more with people older than them. Your feelings about age may be about your sexual desires, or age may have some other, perhaps deeper meaning to you.

Exploring this with a trusted confidant may be helpful or interesting to you, as well. But whatever your reasons, know there is nothing “abnormal” about having some limits about age, even if those limits are different from others around you.

another close friend prior to the conversation to figure out what you want to say, what you are hoping to hear from her, and how you will deal with her response, whether it is good or bad.

If your friend doesn’t share your feelings, how will you feel? If maintaining the friendship is your top priority, you can let her know you don’t want to lose her as a friend.

This way if the feelings are not mutual, you have made it easier for her to tell you that she wants to stay friends and you have salvaged the friendship. Of course, after a conversation of this nature, it may be a little while before the friendship gets back to “normal.”

That’s okay.

You also have the option of making a move, physically, and seeing how she responds. However, an unexpected and unwanted advance could really catch her off guard and force her to react abruptly without having the chance to consider your feelings.

Alternatively, she might welcome the physical aspect of the relationship, but without talking, it won’t be possible to know

if she’s interested in a casual physical connection or a more serious relationship. Depending on your friend’s reaction, it might be difficult for the friendship to recover.

If you feel strongly that you can’t talk to her about it, some other options are : waiting to see how things develop and hiding your feelings or ignoring your feelings for your friend and keeping yourself open to the possibility of being attracted to someone else. Although you only have eyes for your friend right now, you may meet someone else who makes you feel the same way.

To some, the idea of starting this type of conversation is scary and causes lots of anxiety. Some worry about the end of the conversation particularly the possibility of rejection. For others, the idea of holding in true feelings is scarier than the thought of being rejected. Where do you fall?

If you decide to talk to her about it, be honest about your feelings and hopes. After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

C O C K - T A L E S she wanted one of those sporty four-wheel-drive vehicles.’ ’She did,’ he replied. ‘But where the hell was I going to find a fake Jeep?’

Celebrating

An unmarried girl who worked in a busy office arrived one morning and began passing out big cigars and candy, both tied with blue ribbons. When asked what the occasion was, she proudly displayed a new

diamond solitaire ring on her third finger, left hand, and announced, ‘It’s a boy, six feet tall and 190 pounds!’

Time for the truth

After a quarrel, a wife said to her husband, ‘You know, I was a fool when I married you.’ And the husband replied, ‘Yes, dear, but I was in love and didn’t notice it.’

SATURDAY

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KE was feeling damned pleased with himself. As he parked the car, he whistled a cheerful tune, gathered the ‘treat” he’d bought for his family and trotted to his flat. Amidst squeals of welcome from his kids, he dolled out his presents;meat pies and doughnuts for the kids”, a peppered quarter chicken for his wife”, Remi” and of course, the same piece of chicken for himself too.

Remi sighed. She knew what would follow. She would be expected to fry chips to go along with the ‘treats’ so that she would spend less time on the family dinner. Her husband would then wash his chicken and chips down with a big bottle of stout and she would be expected to do the same with a small stout of her own.

The next state would be the bedroom. Naturally, Ike would have had a shower and as soon as Remi got into bed” he would pounce on her. “It is nice to feel wanted by your husband but sex should not be a routine,” Remi sighed. “Ike would deftly put out the light, reach for my nipples and kneed them in turn and expect me to be instantly aroused.But it is always irritating. I hate my nipples to be twiddled and if my husband wants sex, 1 want to be flattered by being asked.

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n days when I’m not in the mood and I tell him so, he looks so wounded that I feel guilty.Unfortunately,” I seldom initiate sex. When I do it is the same hasty preamble before he goes into the real thing. After doing it the predictable way all these years, sex with husband has become a necessary evil. I have to grimace and bear it.”

Unfortunately, a lot of men believe that as long as you can make a go of love-making for say 10 to 15 minutes non-stop, you are a super stud. Recounting a recent experience at a high powered conference where he met a married legal practitioner,” Bernard, another

Vanguard FEBRUARY 16, 2013—19

When you need help to imal se x pro our marit marital sex provve yyour

lawyer who delivered a paper said, “Don’t let me bore you with details. The chemistry was right and we both found ourselves in bed in her hotel room on her own turf so to speak. She was the most liberated woman I’d ever seen. I switched off the bed side light so that only the TV light was on and we made what I thought was beautiful love.

“You make love beautifully,”she said and I glowed only for her to crash my ego by adding “for yourself. Now make love for me.”I looked at her a bit puzzled. “You did not say a word about how beautiful you thought my body was or how tantalising you found parts of my body. Do you read the Bible often? You’ve read the Songs of Solomon and the bit about ‘How beautiful are thy breasts, like twin doves?’ If a man could be as romantic as that all those centuries back, then why are you making love mechanically? Is that how you make love to your wife?”

“Leave my wife out of this,” 1 spat at her. 1 was enraged. But she assured me she meant no harm.

She was happily married to a sexually adventurous man but their works kept them apart for long periods and she was sure her husband too took his pleasures wherever and whenever he could find them. “And he doesn’t mind the possibility of your sleeping around,” I was a bit curious but she flared up: ‘So it is alright for him and not for me?

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hat’s what all husbands want to believe. Even so, I act with discretion and I have never endangered his good name. In public, I am a loving and devoted wife. Take the two of us as being together now, for instance. It is no more than a diversion as far as 1 am concerned.

You live in Lagos, 1 am based in Benin, we might never meet again. So you’d

better make the most of this opportunity so you could go back to your wife and show her what real love-making is all about. I mean if your performance now is what you’d been offering her all your married life, I bet she must be feeling sexually frustrated by now. ‘ “I was far from feeling humiliated. I wanted to learn if she was willing to teach me.

For the remaining days of the conference, we were almost inseparable. Every time we tried anything new, I would think how my wife would feel if 1 tried it on her.

The last night of the conference, on our way to the end of conference banquet, she dragged me to one of the hotel shops and asked me to buy a present for my wife. I looked around the shop, lost.

The items were ridiculously expensive, I made to pick a nice looking inexpensive scarf but she steered me away from that and picked a bottle of perfume that cost over N8,OOO. I looked alarmed but she said I

should trust her, it would be worth it. Women like to be surprised by very feminine gifts.

Our last night was a memorable experience and as she left my room, she said I shouldn’t bother to see her in the morning as her husband would be sending a driver. So that was it. But she was worth my meeting her. To me, it was an honour.

“My wife’s eyes nearly dropped off when I gave her the present when I got back home. She thanked me with my favourite meal and when we got to the bedroom, I didn’t switch off the lights or anything of the sort. Of course, I wasn’t as crazy as to put her through all the things I’d learnt about sex from my trip, but over the next few weeks I did. In the end, she told me she was sure I had a bit on the side when I went away for the conference but that she didn’t mind. It was a small price to pay for the sexual pleasures we now enjoy. A small miracle don’t you think? What married couples should realize, however, is that erotic life of people who have been married for years is bound to be a bid humdrum.“After all,” said a “happily married” lady, “it’s been sealed off from outside influence for too long.

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ometimes it seems to me that a long-standing sexual relationship becomes like a diplomatic treaty between two hostile countries, the boundaries get fought over and marked out—no French kissing in the morning, no nudity except in semidarkness, no excessive fondling of breasts and once these terms have been laid down, it’s impossible to renegotiate them. At least, not without a violent struggle.

Happily, a lot of couples make the effort of bringing romance back to their marriage; an almost impossible feat after the trauma of raising kids and holding down jobs. But if you don’t make time for love, come retirement age when you finally have time, the magic would have been gone.

How to make yourself a better person ll the world love a winner and you can give yourself the confident air that attracts others with some simple tips from a psychotherapist. Danja Maurer of New York City offers these hints on how to win friends and influence people.

Appearance: You may be the most loveable person in the world but if your appearance is sloppy and neglected, chances are that you will go unnoticed. And if you aren’t noticed, there’s no chance people will see your other qualities. So always be neat, attractively dressed and groomed.

Get Plenty of Rest: Rest generates energy, and energy is like a magnet that attracts people.

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Don’t nag: Nagging continuously won’t win you any friends. Make your statement and let it be known, but don’t repeat it countless times. It doesn’t work for lovableness.

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people who are around them. You will be perceived as lovable in a white dress than in dark grey or dark brown one.

Smile: There is no better way to

Always be neat, attractively dressed and groomed

Wear bright upbeat colours: Red, light blue, white; pink, apricot these colours are associated with feeling good. Wearing these colours subconsciously affects the mood of both the people who wear them and the

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relate to someone than with a smile. A smile is the best way to hurdle any barrier and make someone’s day a nicer one.

Don’t argue with people you

love: In a study on how husbands perceive their wives’ face, 60 per cent of them said that their wives had nice lovable faces. But after an argument, 20 per cent fewer felt the same way.

If an argument takes place and since you’re human, one inevitably wins don’t pursue it or continue it. Tell your partner: “I’m sorry if I did anything to annoy you. I didn’t mean it that way ”.

Give support and love to people around you.

Be nice to people: Hardly anything as irresistible as thoughtfulness. If your kind words and gesture are genuine, others will find you truly lovable.

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

Love and the single girl M

ODERN love is complicated.Recent months have seen an army of unmarried women taking over magazine racks, prime time , and bookshelves.

For legions of women, living single isn’t news, it’s life. You know, eating, sleeping, working, cleaning the refrigerator — just doing it all while not being married to a man. But to others, waking up in the morning husband-free seems to be some kind of affront.

In March, Steven Johnson , fresh off his tirade against unmarried female lawyer Funke, laid into a 35-year-old female journalist, asking, “What is it with all these young, single career women?”

Steven isn’t alone in his anxiety about maritally uncommitted ladies.

What exactly is so threatening about a woman without a ring on her finger?

What’s she done to you?

Marrying by age 40 is not the

end of the world. What many don't know is that the world as we’ve known it for a very long time , one in which a woman’s value was tied to her role as a wife is ending, right in front of us.

A recent research found that barely many Nigerian female adults are married.

Only about 30 percent of 18to 29-year-olds are hitched.

It’s now standard for a woman to spend years on her own, learning, working, earning, socializing, having sex, and, yes, having babies in the manner she and she alone sees fit. To be more precise: We are living through the

invention of independent female adulthood.

Make no mistake, this is a seismic shift. After a long history during which living solo would get you labeled a pathetic spinster or, if you were lucky, a sexual iconoclast, being recognized as an independent person rather than as someone’s daughter, wife, or mother is a new, shiny kind of liberty for women, one that has unlocked all sorts of doors. About twenty years ago, most women needed their husband’s signature to open a bank account. Today, according to a recent research, many young, unmarried, childless women rake in more dough than their male counterparts. And getting ahead early is helping women do what had long seemed impossible: keep up with men financially, even if they do marry.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. By no means do women dominate men nor has that ever been the goal. Just look at the overall pay gap between men and women .

And for women, marrying later or never is not without tolls. Just ask a single mother struggling to feed her family.

But women have made swift strides, largely by establishing themselves outside of marriage which isn’t always well received by a society built on assumptions about men being on top and in charge.

It sometimes seems that

women can’t win, even a little, without someone declaring their successes a threat to men , marriage, family, and society itself. That’s not an exaggeration. We are seeing the fabric of this country fall apart, and it’s because of single mums.

That’s certainly one horrible way to put it. The more honest take is that, as women follow more varied paths, we’re all being forced to readjust our perceptions of what “normal” looks like when it comes to men, women, and families.

But here’s a surprising truth that gets lost in all the fuss: Women staying single longer is good news for of all things marriage! The divorce rate is going down, especially for people who marry later in life.

Why? Perhaps because women and men have more room to grow into their own lives before they try to fit into someone else’s. Or maybe it’s just because we all have a little more time to be choosy about whom we end up with for life.

Whatever the effect on “smug marrieds” and whatever single women receive, their growing numbers offer a crucial lesson: There are many ways to live lives full of love and meaning.

Our worth no longer hinges simply on whether we have found the right partner by a certain moment of our lives.

So don’t be scared by the advancing army of single ladies. They’re here to liberate us all.

Was I raped?

Ques: In the beginning, I told my boyfriend that I don’t want to have sex outside of marriage and he accepted that.

But then, about a week ago, I made a very big mistake and allowed him to take my clothes off completely and he entered me slightly. I know it was wrong and the following day, I told him that I didn’t feel right about it and I didn’t want us to do that again.

Unfortunately, the very next day, we were alone together, and we got a bit carried away again. But when he tried to “enter” me, I said: “I think we should stop now. Please, let’s stop now. I don’t feel right about this.” But he didn’t... he spread my legs anyway and got on top of me. And he penetrated me quite deeply. As he was doing it, I was saying, “Stop, please, I really think we should stop,” but I didn’t push him away. I didn’t physically push him or do something to make him stop.

I was quite shaken up afterwards but I didn’t know if I should be angry with him or not. We are still together and I don’t even think he thinks he did anything wrong. Did he do anything wrong? Or is what he did alright because my body wasn’t saying “no”? I didn’t fight him physically. Do you think I was raped? I’m so confused and I’ve lost all my

self-respect!

Ruth, Lagos Ans: It is never okay for someone to pressure or force another person to have sexual intimacy when s/he doesn’t want to. After an experience like the one you had, it’s understandable that you feel confused about your feelings and how you see yourself.

Sexual assault committed by someone the survivor is familiar with is sometimes referred to as acquaintance rape. A survivor is someone who has been assaulted and is actively recovering from the experience, rather than feeling victimized. Up to 95 percent of all sexual assaults are committed by acquaintances. Because assaults of this nature often involve a friend or significant other, the experiences can be especially upsetting.

You say that you didn’t physically push him away.

Maybe you are worried about possibly having given your boyfriend conflicting messages. There are many reasons, however, why a person might not physically resist or push someone away during an assault. S/he may be scared, shocked, and/or numb, since it’s difficult to comprehend that anyone would coerce someone else into having intimacy, especially when that anyone is someone whom we care for or trust. A person may also fear escalating the assault and

therefore choose to cooperate in order to reduce injury. Contrary to what people may think, someone does not have to physically fight-off a person’s advances to convey that s/he does not want to have intercourse or participate in any other sexual activity.

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

Rape is a form of sexual assault that involves unwanted penetration of a person’s mouth, vagina, and/or anus by a man or object. Rape is also having intimacy with a person who is unable to give consent because s/he’s impaired or unconscious , physically or mentally challenged, or under the age of 18 years the age .

Even when inappropriate sexual conduct can be legally defined as rape, many people do not define their experiences as such. A person may be reluctant to define her/his experience as rape for several reasons, including, but not limited to: pressure from the perpetrator to chalk the experience up to “a misunderstanding”; societal messages about gender, sexual roles, and “acceptable aggression”; and, a survivor’s discomfort with accepting that s/he has been victimized.

from any part of the country aged 18-45

on 08121444610 *John, 47, male, from Edo State, Christian, based •Ikenna, 26, tall and fair, lives in Enugu in Lagos, needs a God-fearing lady of 23-35 for a and a graduate needs a mature lady from serious relationship on 0706122055 *Don Bee, 55,divorced, self-employed, wants to to hook up with a wealthy lady of 28-37 for a se- any part of Nigeria 08068817116 •Emmanuael,36, from Akwa-Ibom, meet a financially comfortable lady of 40-60 for a rious relationshipon 08074450030 based in Lagos an employed lady who is •Fada, 33, from Calabar, wants a good woman love and business relationship that would benefit well-behaved as his the wto of us on 07056719966 wife on Do you have reactions to our stories or have you any experience you want 08109870454 • Emmy 25 years, from Lagos needs an independent and sexually active lady in •Tasha, 23, fat, beautiful, busty, from Lagos on 07014332822 Do you want to be linked?

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SATURDAY

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stubborn headed, naughty days on the field. Yup! All in all, it was a good day for Nigeria. And to boot, something really good has happened for a change that President Goodluck can actually take credit for! You

and selected players for their skill and fitness as opposed to ‘popularity’? I wonder if anyone else did anything different. I’m trying to find out if our win was a fluke or a result of due diligence.

It is said that once the

Could it be that the Lord our God has finally heeded the cries of His people?

may ask what he had to do with it; na you sabi! Success has many parents abi you know no? See me weydey talk now!

I’m told Coach Keshi(nuff respect) did the smart thing

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grace of God is upon you all things begin to work for your good. It doesn’t matter what is, anything you lay your hands upon will prosper and even your ‘mistakes’ will work to your

advantage…. Dare we believe? If in spite of our usual slipshod attitude towards things big and small, could this gift so early in the year be an indication, a sign that our time for restoration is here? Could it be that the Lord our God has finally heeded the cries of His people (who we know have never stopped praying) and an unprecedented amount of grace released to us? Is 2013 the year? When things begin to turn around for the collective regardless and in spite of ourselves; a year in which we can do ALL things and ALL things begin to work out for our good?

Fellow Nigerians! Let us collectively use the Super Eagles as a point of contact

Exercise and rest easy others.

Easy we must. But learning to bridle a runaway appetite is the only way out of the rut. One sure way to achieve this is simply exercising. The less active you are, the more you tend to eat. Reasonable doses of exercise, and it takes longer to feel the oppression of hunger and you also feel better as a person as the brain is said to set free a ‘feel good’ hormone when you exercise. Sure, we all want a healthy life, life that

f ess o eakn ve w de don’t o a h If we magnitu are als e such ir yet; w quality a desp ed with a power imbu n as will know

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LL the students I have come across teaching yoga have a rough and ready knowledge of diet and nutrition. So, what we usually discuss revolves around what items in the diet could be causing whatever problem a student might haveoverweight being one. One of the first words I learned in Health Science was malnourish. About 35 years ago I have made an observation: a state of physical being I call “over-nourished’.

People have come to be overweight for various reasons, a sedentary job, comfort eating for personal problems among

2013: Our year of infinite possibilities?

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H. MY. WORD!!!

The Super Eagles are actually soaring again! They pulled it off!

Frankly speaking I was expecting them back home the first week. This is one occasion where I actually relish eating my words and I am shameless enough to bask in the reflected glory of communal success. I can say this now without the fear of being lynched that I was hoping the Burkinabes would take it. Why? Theirs was such a romantic story—from a history of very little or no progress to beating some of the biggest names on the Continent to get to the finals.

And to think that they would have done battle with ‘Almighty Nigeria’ to lift it… ah! It’s the kind of material fairy tales are made of. What can I tell you? I’m a romantic; bite me.But no worries my country winning felt just as great and had its own romantic twist; 19 years?

It’s been a long time coming!

The last time I saw such hunger and determination on our sidewas during the ’94 or was it ’96 Olympics when Nigeria took the gold. The team was made up of young hungry (for glory) boys that included Sunday Oliseh.

Speaking of which, what a transformation! Insightful, articulate and concise… talk about re-inventing one’s self… a far cry from his

Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013 —21

affords us all the energy we require for living. Our instincts tell us when we neglect proper care of the body. Instead of heeding the warning, something called “human weakness”, we are told, binds us hand and foot and we just go on — down hill in health.

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f we have weakness of such magnitude don’t despair yet; we are also imbued with a quality known as will-power.

Resolve to do a ‘good act’ — like exercising! — one day at a time. In no time you will look back and be amazed at how time flies. The will to carry on is renewable on a daily basis.

You might not have a weight problem but have an energy problem. You don’t starve. But your body does not seem to avail you with the energy to cope. You load up on 2000 calories on a daily basis yet someone else on half that amount of fuel lives with

greater health and with a happier outlook to boot.

Don’t worry. The answer to overcoming sloth, laziness, lethargy from the yogi’ s standpoint is the twin practices of physical and breathing

for every aspect of our great Nation. As the Eagles have caused us to soar again in the area of sport, so shall we begin to soar again in every aspect of our co-existence.

The glory that has been restored to our nation via this singular feat will spread like yeast and permeate every aspect of our nationhood. Everything that is run down will be raised up again in the Mighty Name of Jesus! Everything that the cankerworm ate and the locust years tookaway, shall be restored back unto us a hundedfold!

To 2013…. Our year of limitless possibilities!

exercises.

A faithful practice for three months will ensure such stupendous change; you will feel it in your bones and friends and relatives can’t help but notice the difference. It has always been that way!

In as little as two weeks, it’s not unusual to hear

someone in a yoga class say, “my elimination is better,” or my breast are firming. ,

Yoga Classes @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos. 9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

22—SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

After 45 and certainly by 50, erections rise more slowly and become less firm and reliable. Sexual fantasies are no longer enough to raise one

Five key ways intimacy changes for older men What men over 45 and the women who love them need to know

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ne thing doesn’t change, older men’s and wom en’s ability to en-

joy intimacy. But with age, the ability changes. It becomes less like the Fourth of July, and more like Thanksgiving. However, even without exploding fireworks, the flames can still burn hot and bright if older men adjust to the changes aging brings, and if women involved with older men understand what’s happening to their lovers.

When does a man become sexually “older?” It varies, but usually between 45 and 50. A medically problematic lifestyle, for example, smoking, typically accelerates the changes, and a healthy lifestyle may postpone them, but even men in robust health with exemplary lifestyles experience age-related sexual changes. Depending on the man, the changes may develop gradually or surprisingly suddenly, like within six months. * Potency becomes an issue.

After 45 and certainly by 50, potency becomes more slowly and less firm and reliable.

Fantasies are no longer enough to raise one. Men need fondling, and as they grow older, often increasing amounts of more vigorous stroking. It’s disconcerting to lose firmness and suffer wilting from minor distractions . Unfortunately, many men mistake them for erectile dysfunction (ED) and become anxious that they’re nearing the end of the intimacy ropes. This makes things worse.

Anxiety constricts the arteries that carry blood into the male organ, making potency even less likely.

In addition, many medical conditions impair erections, accelerate age-related sexual changes, and contribute to ED: obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and lack of regular exer-

cise.

True ED involves inability to raise potency . If older men can still get hard solo, they don’t have ED. They have normal (annoying, perhpas infuriating) changes. The advice to older men with balky potency is to relax, breathe deeply, ask for the kind of touch that excites you, and instead of mourning what you’ve lost, focus on the pleasure you can still enjoy.

Even true ED need not limit intimacy pleasure.Men don’t need hardness to climax. At 70 and above, a man can still have wonderful intimacy.

* Premature climax may return.

Premature climax (PC) is usually considered a young man’s problem, the result of over-excitement in young bucks starting to rut. A landmark study shows that many men, about

ERT P X E S E H ASK T

one-third report it throughout their lifespan, meaning that premature climax is men’s most common, most persistent intimacy problem.

A recent scientifially rigorous survey shows that PC affects 31 percent of men in their fifties, 30 percent in their early sixties, 28 percent from 65 to 70, and 22 percent from 75 to 85.

PC has two major causes, anxiety and manhood-centered intimacy. Anxiety makes the nervous system including the nerves that trigger climaxing more excitable. Young men are often anxious about intimacy: Will she let me? How do I do this?

The reason PC sometimes returns after 50 is that age-related potency changes make men anxious: Will I get hard? Will I stay hard? What the hell is happening to me?

Phallic-centered intimacy

puts more pressure on the little guy than he can handle. Our intimacy culture is preoccupied with intercourse, which leads men of all ages to believe that sexual pleasure is located largely or only in the manhood. It isn’t. Older men, in fact, all men, should embrace leisurely, playful, whole-body touching and sensual massage, which reduces anxiety and allows arousal to spread all over the body.

This takes pressure off the male organ and reduces risk of PC. It also pleases women, whose most common complaint about men’s lovemaking is that it’s too rushed and too genital focused. * Intercourse fades from the sexual menu.

Intercourse is fundamental to reproduction, but after the reproductive years, it becomes problematic. For older men,

Ques: I am 26 and I have no interest in marrying or having children of my own. I do not want to take any responsibility that comes with all of the above.

I am only interested in masturbating while watching porn and visiting prostitutes. I would like to know your view on this.

Ans: You are the master of your fate. So do what you think is best for you. What you like though is temporary and you are bound to get tired of it. You have to be mature. In time, you will correctly decide your future course of happiness.

Ques: When I use finger on my wife or when we have intimacy, she feels like peeing the moment she is nearing climax. We have to stop every time despite ensuring that our bladders are empty before we start. Is this normal? Please advise.

Ans: Though this is not common, this does happen in a few cases. She may be suffering from a minor infection.

Ques: I am 37 years old and will get married in So please ask her to consult her gynaecologist. For two months. As advised by my friends, I undergo the time being, ask her to continue experiencing her orgasm till she reaches it even if she feels the urge to sperm count tests regularly. My values range from pee. As a precaution, keep an extra bedsheet around. 45 mn to 110 mn per mm and motility is 20 per cent minimum. Is this sufficient to have children?

potency and ED become increasingly prevalent. Meanwhile, older women develop dryness and atrophy (thinning and inflammation of the vaginal lining), which can make intercourse uncomfortable or impossible, even with lubricant.

Older couples who remain sexual typically abandon intercourse in favour of ‘outercourse’ and whole-body massage. With creative outercourse, older couples can enjoy intimacy without intercourse.

If women involved with older men want to feel filled up,outer-course and wholebody massage are good alternatives.

*Surprisingly few older men use potency drugs .

The myth is that older men pop potency pills routinely.

The truth is that few have even tried them, let alone become regular users. Researchers surveyed 3,124 older men, 40 percent of whom reported erection difficulties. Ninetysix percent could name a potency drug, but only 9 percent had ever tried one. Another group of researchers surveyed 6,291 older men, half of whom complained of erection problems. How many had tried a drug? Just 7 percent.

As older lovers take intercourse off the sexual menu, men no longer need potency, so they don’t need potency drugs.

*Men’s sexual pace becomes more like women’s.

Young men become aroused more quickly than young women, and many young women complain, “He’s all finished before I even feel aroused. But older men take longer to feel turned on . The transition to slower arousal is disconcerting for many men, but it means that the sexual discord of youth can evolve into new sexual harmony. Compared with young lovers, older couples are more sexually in synch. Couples who appreciate this can enjoy more fulfilling sex at 65 than they had at 25 even without intercourse.

Ans: Which silly friend advised you to take sperm tests? Just get married; your male hormones will look after your desire and actions. Take a sperm test only if your wife doesn’t conceive one year after the wedding.

Ques: I am 26 years old and my wife is 23.

Whenever we have anal sex , it hurts her a lot so she refuses to do it again. Will it be safe if it’s done after applying a lubricant? Is there any other way I can try having anal sex with her?

Ans: Anal sex is unsafe. It can cause serious infection to you and damage her anal region. Marriage is a partnership. So what right do you have to force your wishes on her? Don’t rock the boat of your happiness.

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013—23

How Goldie died

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Reddington hospital reacts Musicians pay tribute

BENJAMIN NJOKU & ANOZIE EGOLE Facts have continued to emerge in respect of what killed Nigeria’s music diva, Susan Oluwabimpe Harvey, popularly known as Goldie, who died last Thursday night, in Lagos.

As at yesterday, while sources close to the departed singer attributed her sudden demise to Pneumonia(an inflammatory condition of the lung-affecting primarily the microscopic air sacs known as alveoli), others alleged that she died as a result of doping complications.

Meanwhile, the management of Reddington Hospital, Victoria Island, Lagos, where Goldie gave up the ghost last Thursday night confirmed that the pop singer was clinically dead on arrival at the hospital despite efforts by its emergency responses staff to resuscitate her.

In a statement by the Corporate Affairs Manager of the hospital, Mr. Franklyn Ovbigbabon, the hospital said that the case is being handled by its Coroner ’s office to determine the cause of her death. “Following a high level of media enquiries, the Reddington Hospital confirms that at around 7.30 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013, a high profile media personality was brought to the Reddington hospital. She was clinically dead on arrival at the hospital.

Despite this, emergency responses staff made every effort to resuscitate her.”

“The case is now being handled by the Coroner’s office to determine the cause of her death. The hospital offers its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased on this untimely loss of the loved one,”Mr. Ovbigbabon said.

Goldie reportedly died few hours after she arrived from Los Angeles, United States of America, where she attended the

impact in the entertainment industry reverberated across the nation and the world stage has been eclipsed.

He noted that the works of the artiste brought joy to her fans all over the world saying that he derived consolation from the fact that although Goldie is dead, her music will remain in the hearts of her fans and admirers all over the world.The Governor urged the family of the deceased to be consoled that their daughter lived a fulfilled life and had carved a niche for herself in her chosen career. ye-witnesses said, Goldie was pronounced dead around 10:00pm, shortly after she was rushed to Reddington hospital in a red cab.

Those who reportedly were sighted at the hospital building were Kennis Music label boss, Kenny ‘Keke’ Ogungbe, his younger brother, ID Ogungbe, Denrele, former Big Brother winners, Uti Nwachukwu, Karen Igho and STV presenter Yvonne ‘Vixen’ Ekwere.

At 12:47 am, the singer ’s corpse was loaded into a black Mercedes Benz SUV with license plate HV266-EkY. The Benz along with four other cars headed to the General Hospital, Ikeja morgue.

The body arrived at the General Hospital exactly 01:20 am and was left in the SUV for 40 minutes while preparations were made.

At 02:07, the corpse was dislodged at the Lekan Ogunsola Memorial House of the Ikeja General Hospital.

Goldie, 31, until her demise was signed to Kennis Music label.

She was known for her hit song ‘You know it (Gboko lowo e) ft eLDee; but it was her participation in the Big Brother All Star that turned her into a mega star, and a household name in Africa. While she lived, she received a total of 10 awards, including Exquisite Lady of the year, Best Female Artiste award and City People Best Female Artiste of the year.

Goldie Goldie 55th Grammy Awards ceremony.

It was learnt that Goldie died in the presence of a Lagos-based entertainer, Denrele Edun.

According to reports, Goldie started complaining of a terrible headache just before she was rushed to the hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.

However, in a statement confirming her death, Kenny Ogungbe, the President of Kennis Music, said, “With a deep sense of loss, we announce the shocking death of our darling music star, Goldie Harvey.

Goldie, 31, who died on Thursday after she complained of a severe headache shortly after her arrival from the United States where she went to witness the Grammy Award.

“We consider this period a gloomy moment for us and the entire Nigerian music industry in view of the circumstance in which she passed away; the abundance of talent she exhibited in her short but eventful music career and the various opportunities her trip to the United States of America would have availed her.

She is survived by her father, step-mother, brothers and sisters. We deeply sympathise with her family and fans all over the world and very grateful to all and sundry, especially, the vibrant Nigerian media for their concern and prompt reportage.

We shall keep everybody informed as events unfold as we are devastated by the sudden loss,” Ogungbe said.

•Gov Fayemi mourns

Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has expressed shock on the death of multiple award winning pop music star.

The Governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, described the

death of the artiste as a “big blow to the global entertainment industry.”

He praised Goldie for representing Nigeria well in last year’s edition of the Big Brother Africa competition where she won millions of admirers.

Fayemi also described Goldie’s death as a great loss to Ekiti State as the late star hailed from IkoleEkiti, headquarters of Ikole Local Government Area of the state.

With Goldie’s death, Fayemi said a bright star from Ekiti whose

Musicians mour n!

It’s really a sad news — May D

I

got the news and it was so shocking to me. I hardly believed it was true. When I first received the news on Thurday’s night, I prayed that it would later turn to be false, that she is still alive. But finally, it has been confirmed that the talented singer is gone. It is a big pity.

I’m short of words— Capital FEMI

I

t is true that Goldie is dead.

I really do not want to comment on her demise now. It is a very sad news for us all and I’m really bittered. I wonder why she had to die now. Such a talent is going to waste now. It is a very big loss to all of us.

I’m still in shock —Orits Wiliki,

I

am still in shock. I am waiting to hear that it is a rumour. This is one of the things we are talking about in the industry. I refuse to believe that Goldie is no more. Such a huge talent is lost, it is sad indeed.

I couldn’t sleep last night —Raskimono

M

y brother, I dont know what is going on. It is really sad. I couldn’t sleep last night. I was thinking it was one of the rumours we see on blackberry and face-book. I kept thinking every minute yesterday hoping to be called that it is a rumour but, to no avail. Somebody that went for Grammy award, came back,a day after and just like that, she died. You know, it is really very shocking. I don’t know what to say.

24— SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

T

H

HE Esan people, last December, held a musical show tagged 2 nights of music, comedy and charity” that brought the ancient town to a stand still. In this interview,CEO, Uniglobe Group, Prince Cyrian Imobhio who organised the event speaks on the essence of the two-day event, and what the future holds for Uniglobe.

ow much in total was raised for charity at the

What brought about the idea of Uniglobe music and comedy extravaganza?

First and foremost, I give thanks to Almighty God who had given us the strength and protection to get to where we are today. To answer your question, music and comedy extravaganza is not a new phenomenon except that we decided at our own level of growth to emulate what the big boys in the business world have been doing in other parts of Nigeria like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt . The improvement or innovation we introduced to ours was to create a charity niche, which ensured that we supported the less-privileged among us.

How long did it take to put the whole event together?

For a show of such magnitude, it took us sometime to put the event together. We conceived the idea in June, last year, but we decided on the modality and venue of the show around late September. So, one can safely say, it took about two months to put the event together. But don’t forget that we had the benefit of having seasoned hands led by a well-known international music and event promoter in LAFACE to help us facilitate the project.

What role did the Onojie play in the actualization of this project?

For a long time, it has been obvious to all Uromi sons and daughters that we are blessed with a unique royal father who is very progressive in the person of his Royal Highness, Anselm Odaloighe Edenojie11, the Ojuromi of Uromi. The development and advancement of both the community and people of Uromi is uppermost in his mind. So, I didn’t have any doubt that he would support such a progressive idea and in fact, he participated personally to ensure it was a success. It is on record that he was with us during the events. This singular act, which of course, was unprecedented, left every one without a doubt that the whole community was behind the greats like Gordons, Dan the project. We all pray that our Humourous, Sir Shina Peters, Onojie lives and reigns for a Sound Sultan, Experience record number of years.

Oligbese, and Ras Kimono amongst others. hy was the event free to members of the We hear you have an public? entertainment background?

To begin with, the event was If you ask any Uromi person organized as an end-of-year that grew up in the 1970s, they fiesta to say thank you to will probably tell you that as a everyone that one way or the young boy growing up, I was other has been part of our involved in music. My brother business life in 2012. Secondly, who is still today a musician, it was also to try and get our Red Joker International, was people to buy into the habit of one of the few musicians in the charitable giving and the whole of Esanland. Even in my culture of being our brother’s early teens, I was known as one keeper. In principle, it would of the best conga players have been wrong to around. I also played drums commercialize this event and and bass guitar occasionally. We make people pay to see the used to go on tour of the then shows especially as it’s the first Bendel State; sometimes we of its kind in Esanland. We would be away for weeks. In wanted everybody to have the later years, I was involved in same opportunity to party with the disco craze that swept us - young, old, rich and poor. through the state that time.

It was also done to create that There was a time the only way special feel-good factor over the we survived was through yuletide period. I believe we winnings from dancing achieved our objectives with the competitions. My partner at the caliber of artistes that graced the time with whom I lived was two-day event namely comedy Hon. John Okoniha. We used

•Prince Cyprian Imobhio

How Uniglobe redefined Xmas in Esanland with 2 nights of music, comedy — Prince Cyprian Imobhio

,

W

I hope the project opens up a new vista in the way entertainment is seen and organized in Esanland.

,

to scout through the notice boards around Ring Road in Benin usually on Wednesdays and Thursdays noting where there would be one show or another. Central Hotel, TOC and quite a few other venues were fertile grounds where one could win sometimes.

I was also involved in organizing mobile discos.

Together with friends, we would tour the nooks and crannies of Bendel State and beyond. In

the club scene, Trans World Discotheque was where I would say I cut my teeth as a DJ. We also used to help out in places like Lisa Mona behind New Nigeria Bank, Benin City before I joined forces with big timers like Barry Bee as supporting act. In all these, what I would really have loved was to own and run my own nightclub. Of course, that was a long time ago.

What does the future hold for Uniglobe Group?

Uniglobe is an evolving concern. If you read our company’s profile and history you will see that over the few years of our existence, we have traversed all sectors of the Nigerian economy ranging from the oil sector to construction engineering, the hotel and hospitality industry, and commercial farming to mention a few. For us, we are in the process of consolidation. But if you mean what the future holds for us in the entertainment world, I will simply say watch this space.

event?

For everything that is new especially in our part of the world, I would say we did quite okay. We hope that by what we achieved others will learn to incorporate charity into social activities, be it private parties in their homes because you may never know what your donation of N1000 will do for the education of an orphan who has no one at all to assist. I felt really touched when an elderly man got up and donated N200 and a young lady donated N100, for me, this was the high point of the project, the willingness to give support no matter how small.

To answer your question, we set a huge target of N20 million but were able to raise N7, 800, 000 out of which N7, 600, 000 has been paid up. We have a pending sum of N200, 000, a pledge, which would be redeemed and paid very soon.

The sharing of the money realized goes thus: 45% amounting to N3, 420, 000 went to Catholic Chess Orphanage at Uromi. 35% amounting to N2, 660, 000 went to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church towards completion of its social and skill acquisition centre. 20% amounting to N1, 520, 000 went to Zuma Memorial Orphanage Home, Irua. It is worthy to note that they were all given their share of the money a few days after the event.

What is the general feedback from the people of Esanland on the project?

Sincerely, I hope the project opens up a new vista in the way entertainment is seen and organized in Esanland. For us, we see this project as a discharge of our social responsibility to develop our motherland. Whatever we put into it in terms of financial and human resources would have been worthwhile. The one thing that is still an issue for me is the idea that night activities and events are no longer attractive for one reason or the other. My view is that for a dynamic commercial town or urban centre like Uromi for example, development will be enhanced if commercial life goes beyond 6am to 6pm. We need to improve on our night scene and social activities because at the end of the day the income generated will help towards developing the town into a city hub, we definitely cannot leave it all to the government. I believe the improved social life of the town could also deter night marauders and reduce crime.

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013 — 25

26—SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

premieres!

Girl premieres!

Flower What celebrities wore to the event

Colour,, sstyle tyle as as Colour T

HE venue was decorat ed to look like an elegant movie palace, with red velvet curtains, carpets and sparkling chandeliers. With every guest, looking hot and ravishing in their different outfits, last Wednesday's premiere of the much-talked-about “Flower Girl”, at Silverbird Cinemas, Victoria Island, Lagos, opened a new chapter in the annals of movie premieres in Nollywood.

The glamorous event indeed had all the trappings of “class and glitz” in disguise. It unarguably raised the stake in the industry, not beacuse of the impressive turn-out of celebrities at the event, but basically, because of the quality of the movie that hit the cinemas.

Captivating in their different outfits were the cast of the movie. From Damilola Adegbite, Chris Attoh, Eku Edewor, Blossom Chukwujekwu to Bikiya Graham Douglas and •Owumi Ugbeye Patrick Doyle, it was a parade of taste, fashion and style. Tinsel star-actor, Chris Attoh wore light sky-blue blazer to the event with a black bold-tie, just as Eku Edewor decked in a sexy outfit with a glowing hair-do.

Blossom Chukwujekwu who played lead-role as Umuar, looked elegant in his black suite which he complimented with black shoes and sparkling white shirt to match. Also, singer Tiwa Savage, who recently got engaged to her manage, Tee Billz stood out as she showed off her perfect physique in a black and flowery colour dress which she teamed with diamond earrings and black high-heeled shoes. She also wore her loosely curled hair down on her shoulders.

Overwhelmed by the impressive turn-out of dignitaries,‘Flower Girl’ producer, Michelle Bello •Mrs. Makashe Awogboro expressed gratitude to everyone who made it to the event.

The highpoint of the event was screening of the lovethemed movie, shortly after cocktails. The quality audience were ushered to the gigantic cinema hall where they were held spellbound for more than 1-hour, watching the turn of events as Kemi(Damilola Adegbite) and her long-time boyfriend, Umar(Chris Attoh) play hide and seek game.

•Gbemo Ajibale, Bossom Chkwu Jelen

•Toke Makinwa

•Mrs. Elsie Adum

•Tiwa Savage

•Solafumi Oyerege

•Blossom Chukwujekwu

•Mr. Victor Olagbo with Silvia Bello

Osas Ighodaro shows off her sexy body

A

MERICAN-born-Nigerian actress, Osas Ighodaro who recently joined the cast of M-net’s produced popular soap, Tinsel as free-spirited and forthright Adanna hit the red carpet in a see through flowing black with a touch of wine colour outfit that stood her out among other celebrities in attendance. As she stormed the red-carpet, all eyes turned and fixed on her. She completed her look with a moderate hair style and designer ’s ear-ring. Osas, formerly Miss Black USA 2010, hit the Tinsel set last November.

Her joining the cast have been described by the lovers of the soap as “ a great addition.” She’s said to be passionate about her Nigerian roots, about entertainment and about making the most of every opportunity. As a model, dancer and spokesperson, Osas is a devoted campaigner for social causes.

•Osas Ighodaro

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013— 27

Fallout of Nollywood project 101

•Lancelot Imasuen debuts with Studio 113

A

BOUT two years ago, popular Nollywood director, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen set out on a mission to raise a new breed of actors and actresses that would take over the baton from the likes of Genevieve Nnaji, Omosexy, Oge Okoye, Ini Edo,Rita Dominic, Jim Iyke, Desmond Elliot and a host of other Nollywood stars through his initiative called Nollywood project 101. HVP can confirm that the respected director has successfully accomplished the task.

Imasuen, in a recent chat with HVP, disclosed that an experimental TV series better known as “Studio 113” which is a fall out of his pet project- Nollywood Project 101” has just debuted on local stations in Benin, including the Edo Broadcasting Service, AIT and ITV Independent television. Subsequently, he promised that the programme will spread to other stations across the country.

According to him, the decision to debut the TV series on local stations was informed by the need to give the budding stars the opportunity to assess themselves as well as look forward for a brighter future in the industry.

•Iyanya and BM Friday T is the week of love and Glo presents The Big ial Spec ntine Vale a with it g ratin Show is celeb show the of edition of the show. An exciting highlight r and is this week’s studio celebrity guest, kukere singe etighi master Iyanya. es with On the Vale ntin e epis ode, Iyan ya shar iration insp and viewers his journey into music so far ding inclu s issue r othe behind his music. He speaks on Glo en. wom with ip ionsh relat his big break and his in text to ce chan a have l usua as will subscribers more know to questions for the celebrity guest and get about the singer.

by MTV With celebrity news and gossip presented what know to get will ers view e, hani Step Base Vlogger, d as worl t men is true and what is false in the entertain rities celeb rite favou t she brings all the latest news abou in the Vlog segment. artistes As the Big Friday Show is not just about the ramme prog the of today but also about budding talents, ndup-a as y, Cadd , this week features new sensation ’s week this n give was He . week coming artiste of the on elf hims ote prom to ce chan the got and studio task the show after completing his task. r be After boasting on the show that he could neve he and crew the by ked pran was pranked, singer 9ice on ers view thrill will that k pran one is fell for it. This Prank yo Peoples segment.

Dr Love Also on this Valentine special episode, ’s day ntine Vale and ip ionsh retur ns with some relat love. of week the mark to way advice, an apt

I

•Lancelot

Apart from the TV series, Imasuen hinted that that the Project 101 also produced titled an “Open Heavens”, a gospeloriented based film, which is due to hit the screen soon.

The film director, two years ago set out to raise a new generation of Nollywood actors

and actresses. The scheme which was launched in Benin City has come to fruition. This achievement, however, is coming at the heel of the completion of shooting of the popular director’s latest bigbudget historic film, Nogbaisi Ovonramewn, in America.

Paul Angel set to take Nollywood by storm

E

VER since rising actress, Paul Ngozi Angel made a stunning appearance on screen, she hasn’t failed in becoming the delight of most movie-buffs.

This hardworking actress recently clinched a major role in the on-going, Abia First Lady’s movie, My Hidden Treasure” which stars Olu Jacobs, Charles Awurum, Tom Njemanze, Ed Ifeanyi Nnasor and Ijele Ozioma Ejiofor.

According to an insider, Paul Angel is doing justice to the role she is playing in the movie. She described the role “challenging”, adding “of course, the stake is high and the best is also expected from me. How would I have gotten this role without God’s talent in me? Above all, I will keep delivering until I get

Valentine’s Day special on Glo’s The Big Friday Show

•Paul Angel

it,” she said.

However, through passion, tenacity and doggedness, the pretty actress is living out her dreams as an actress. She tends to conquer Nollywood in no distant time. “In no too distance future I will be on the list of five actresses to watch in Nollywood,” she predicted.

BBA hits 1 million Facebook likes!

A

FRICAMAGIC’s Big Brother Africa has smashed records since it first launched and with its’ eighth season already in production, this week the show’s fans emphatically proved that it remains arguably the biggest and most popular television series on the continent when they helped the show to hit a milestone one million Facebook likes!

Having championed the concept of audience engagement from its very first day on air, Big Brother Africa has reached out to DStv viewers in a variety of innovative ways including the option for viewers to send messages directly to the screen of the live 24/7 broadcast, and in that way sharing their thoughts, opinions and feelings about the show directly with others watching in 47 countries.

But as social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have grown rapidly across Africa, so too has the reach of the series as fans dissect actions in the Big Brother house, anticipate twists and turns and share breaking news in what is a remarkable

display of African dialogue around a program that is both hugely entertaining and at the same time, socially informative.

“This is social engagement at its finest. At one level, it’s simply Africans gathering around a specific topic whose conversations are centralized around Big Brother. But on another level, it speaks to the continuous desire for connection that Africans have. It clearly demonstrates the growing reality of panAfricanism, the increasing sense that Africans are stronger together than separately. It’s a remarkable achievement for a show like Big Brother Africa and one that is only possible because a million people made it so,” says Biola Alabi MD for M-Net Africa.

28 —Vanguard, SARTURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2013 — 29

AGE PAGE FACEBOOK P

Ruggedman

affair with you didn’t work out I would go about painting you black. No. When I had problems with my ex husband, I sat down and wrote out all the good and the bad things he did and I found out the good far outweighed the bad.

So, he was a good guy.

B

eautiful Lola Alao is one of the most scandalised women in the movie industry. When she walked out of her marriage a few years back, the movie world shook with revelations from the ex husband who labeled her diabolical, deceitful, to mention few of the adjectives used to describe her. Recently, another scandal involving her, her colleague and friend, Bisi Ibidapo-Obe and a member of the House of Assembly, Hon. Dino Melaye rocked the movie industry. The gist has it that Lola Organised Bisi, her friend for the Honourable who refused to accept a baby born by Bisi.

In this interview with Showtime Celebrity, Lola opens up on variety of issues concerning the scandals,her career and a host of other things.

B

BY AYO ONIKOYI

when you have come this far, you get to a point when you decide acting shouldn’t be the only thing you do

Lola Alao

,

produced by me. You can ask him.

Which movie actually gave you the break into the limelight?

Sincerely, it’s been so long. I can’t really say. But I will say the Yoruba films did that, though “Magnet”, a soap I did long ago also comes to mind.

If I have to mention, I will say “Eko Wengele” and “Boya Le Mo”. “Eko Wengele” came out before “Boya Le Mo” but “Boya Lemo” was the first major Yoruba film I did. There, I acted the lead role but I believe it was “Eko Wengele” that created the buzz about me.

Which role comes to mind as the most challenging of your career?

It would be a “Eko Wengele”.

There, I acted as a mad woman and it took all the person in me to translate that role perfectly.

It wasn’t easy and it made a hit.

What are you working on right now?

I just finished a movie “She Ike mi Oluwa” and it’s coming out next month. On the 2nd of February we go on location for my next movie. My next movie is “Oko Nene”. Nene is a language from my root. You know I am an Igbira woman from Kogi State. Though, I can’t remember other movies I have produced in the past. But the very popular ones are “Oru Le” “O Se Mami”, “Ase Oluwa”, Adura Mi Gba”, and so many others.

You don’t feature in many

only to marriage?

Yes now.

Most of your colleagues are marrying married men these days, would you?

Let me explain something to you; where are the single guys? They are

Lola Alao

things about me in the papers, I didn’t reply him because I don’t repay evil for evil. If I had replied him everything would have scattered and probably affect my child too. Two wrongs can never make a right.

During that time your husband

efore you take up a role what do you first consider?

The script. The impact it is going to make afterward. The message of the movie is also very important to me.

So have you ever had to reject a role because of the script?

A lot. There was one, the producer, a lady, and she is very close to me like a younger sister but when she came to me with a script, with a role for me to act as a lesbian I rejected it. I said God forbid, won’t do it. The same person asked me to take another role in another movie of hers and I did because I have no conflict with that role. The first thing that occurred to me was “what am I going to do with lesbianism”. I practice what I preach.

Do you know there have been many scandals about you?

Yes of course I know but I am not bothered. It is a price to pay for being a celebrity. Most of the scandals are untrue anyway, so they don’t bother me.

I have found love again —Lola Alao movies like most of your colleagues, why?

You know when you have come this far, you get to a point when you decide acting shouldn’t be the only thing you do. You need to do other things as well. So, I have other things I am doing. Most times I act in my friends’ movies, people that are very close to me and in my own movies.

B

etween Yoruba and English-speaking movies, which one is more challenging and pays better?

Yoruba is more challenging for me. Why? You think to speak Yoruba is easy? I am not Yoruba for God sake, I am an Igbira woman. At times when I speak Yoruba on set the whole crew burst out laughing,saying “Lola has scattered everything”. Like when I did “Oba Asa” with Saheed Balogun. Yes, that is

one of my most challenging roles yet. When it came to the part I had to say some incantations, I just couldn’t do it. The whole thing was cut and join because Saheed had to say it and I had to repeat after him.

Even at that, it was so difficult.

It was a cut and join job but people did not know because I am a professional. ...and which pays better?

Well, I think both pay very well. If I have to choose I will choose Yoruba because in Yoruba sector, you can easily produce your own film. And you should know that you make more money when you produce your own film than when you act in somebody’s film.

What’s your idea of sex generally?

I don’t understand o. I believe it is just a necessary thing in a marriage.

So, it should be confined

there and not ready to marry. If the single guys are not ready then the next available option should be taken.

I believe one should go for whatever makes one happy. If a married man is the one that will make you happy, please go for it. I know married women would be angry with me but it is the truth of the matter.

Why did you walk out of your first marriage?

Hmm, because it wasn’t working. At a point things were not going well What did that marriage teach you?

Funny enough, that guy was a nice person. Forget that he said many unpleasant things about me. He was a nice person. It was unfortunate the marriage had to end. He said those nasty things about me because he was angry and bitter at that time. I am not saying this because I still want him.

Hell no. I am very much in love in another relationship but the truth is that he was nice and I never regretted marrying him. We are still on talking terms because I have a child for him.

When he was saying all those nasty

,

,

W

hen did you start acting?

I started acting a long time ago. I started with ‘Ripples’. Then, my father was a soldier and we were living in the Barracks when one Uncle Taiwo Ibikeme, who was one of Zeb Ejiro’s production managers, came to the Barracks to see his brother, Patrick and saw me. When he saw me, he said ‘’wow, Lola, you are a very beautiful girl.

You should be an actress”. I didn’t believe him because I had always wanted to be a newscaster. I had developed an interest in the job by watching Late Tokunbo Ajayi.

I loved watching her so much I once told my mum one day I would be like her. But as fate would have it, it was Uncle Taiwo Ibikeme invited me to attend an audition and I did.

The audition was for a role in in the soap,’Ripples’ and I won the role. That was well over 20 years ago. The Director at the time was Mathias Obaegbon and I acted as Mahmoud Dara’s Secretary, Fidel. Then after ‘Ripples’, there were ‘Closet’, ‘Fortune’, and many others.

So far, would you say acting has been good to you?

Oh, it has been so wonderful.

It has taken me around the whole world. I remember the first time I travelled of this country was to receive an award. I think it was the AfroDublin Award in 2003. after that I received Afro-Hollywood award in England. Then I received another one in Austria, Spain and other parts of the world. So, acting has been really wonderful.

You started with Englishspeaking films, why did you veered into the Yoruba sector because by and large your profile now reads Yoruba actress.

Yes, I started with English. I switched to Yoruba because the Yoruba sector tends to be more accommodating.

Funny enough, the first film I produced, in 1994, was a Yoruba film, directed by Chico Ejiro and that Yoruba film “Aiye Male” was the very first film Chico Ejiro directed himself as a director. His first directed film can be said to have been

How can Nigeria send troops to help out in Mali...

And now we have s e n t another set of troops to destroy Mali.

As long as they win I know these players are only hustling for the $20,000 .

I am very much in love in another relationship but the truth is that he was nice and I never regretted marrying him

alleged that you are deceitful and diabolical... (cuts in) Let me borrow Asiwaju Bola Tinubu thought on this: “a drowning man will hold on to anything to climb”.

What do you expect from somebody that was about to lose his wife to another man? Even my Uncle said if he were in his shoes he would say worse things.

So, we can say the man was not happy you walked out on him?

Of course now and I was not happy too But why?

Let me tell you, there are times when you can’t beat them you join them. That was what happened but that guy was a nice person but I am in a relationship right now, I am very comfortable with what I have. So, don’t think I am praising him because I want to come back. No. I’m not the kind of person who, because my

,

What’s the relationship between you, Hon. Dino Melaye and your friend, Bisi Ibidapo-Obe. That was a scandal that took the movie world apart Dino is like a brother from another mother. We are very, very close until Bisi came into the picture but I don’t want to talk about it because it is like opening another closed chapter.

B

ut are you and Bisi still friends?

That question I will not answer. All I know is that I

Banky W Naija won again and I’m loving it.

But looks as if the S u p e r Eagles are not going to share the money wit us, it’s time to go back to work.

Chika Ike ?

Lola Alao don’t have anything against her.

Are you assuring your fans that you no longer have any ax to grind with Bisi?

Of course, there is nothing.

Bisi is like a younger sister to me. I don’t have anything against her. This is a free world. Anybody can sat what they want but since my conscience is clear I don’t care what is said about me. If you have respect for God, leave the rest to God. When they say evil things about you, if your conscience is clear you will conquer. Like my ex husband, he went as far as saying that if anyone has anything to do with me they would not succeed. I don’t condemn people even if they say evil things about me.

Are you considering marrying again?

Definitely, I have a man already.

You seem highly excited about this your new man?

Extremely happy. I am one of the happiest ladies on earth.

Can we get to know him?

Hell no, he is my everything.

My joy and my world. He is very caring and loves my daughter as his own. If you see them together you would think he is her biological father. Oh, I love him so much.

You remember when you were getting married to your ex, this same feeling you have for your new man was the same you had for your ex husband. Are sure this will not go the way of the old?

Didn’t I tell you my ex was a very nice person? The thing about me is that I would never condemn anybody. I thought it

was going to work out with my ex and since it didn’t work, life must go on.

What attracted you to him and what about the other side of him. Is he everything a man should be?

Yes he is. I know what you are insinuating (laughing) and I am telling you he is everything a man should be.

He satisfies my every need. A complete man. As for what attracted me to him, he is very caring though can be temperamental at times just like me but that is nothing we can’t handle.

The difference between those who merely wish and those who actually arrive is persistent, committed action. Be determined and ambitious, but not out of a desperate sense of need. Do it out of a love for the possibilities and the more boundless your vision, the more real your success becomes.

Sound Sultan

Everything you know now will eventually change, friends, t e a m , interests,life.

Its up 2u2 make it a change for the better!”

What will you call a man who dated a girl for 6 years, got her pregnant and later dumped the girl and her son?

Mike Ezuruonye

Lola Alao

Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in. “its wrong to cage your life to fearing what others would say,. if however someone is trying to add salt and pepper to your lives events, give them more so others lose taste to the news.”

28 —Vanguard, SARTURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2013 — 29

AGE PAGE FACEBOOK P

Ruggedman

affair with you didn’t work out I would go about painting you black. No. When I had problems with my ex husband, I sat down and wrote out all the good and the bad things he did and I found out the good far outweighed the bad.

So, he was a good guy.

B

eautiful Lola Alao is one of the most scandalised women in the movie industry. When she walked out of her marriage a few years back, the movie world shook with revelations from the ex husband who labeled her diabolical, deceitful, to mention few of the adjectives used to describe her. Recently, another scandal involving her, her colleague and friend, Bisi Ibidapo-Obe and a member of the House of Assembly, Hon. Dino Melaye rocked the movie industry. The gist has it that Lola Organised Bisi, her friend for the Honourable who refused to accept a baby born by Bisi.

In this interview with Showtime Celebrity, Lola opens up on variety of issues concerning the scandals,her career and a host of other things.

B

BY AYO ONIKOYI

when you have come this far, you get to a point when you decide acting shouldn’t be the only thing you do

Lola Alao

,

produced by me. You can ask him.

Which movie actually gave you the break into the limelight?

Sincerely, it’s been so long. I can’t really say. But I will say the Yoruba films did that, though “Magnet”, a soap I did long ago also comes to mind.

If I have to mention, I will say “Eko Wengele” and “Boya Le Mo”. “Eko Wengele” came out before “Boya Le Mo” but “Boya Lemo” was the first major Yoruba film I did. There, I acted the lead role but I believe it was “Eko Wengele” that created the buzz about me.

Which role comes to mind as the most challenging of your career?

It would be a “Eko Wengele”.

There, I acted as a mad woman and it took all the person in me to translate that role perfectly.

It wasn’t easy and it made a hit.

What are you working on right now?

I just finished a movie “She Ike mi Oluwa” and it’s coming out next month. On the 2nd of February we go on location for my next movie. My next movie is “Oko Nene”. Nene is a language from my root. You know I am an Igbira woman from Kogi State. Though, I can’t remember other movies I have produced in the past. But the very popular ones are “Oru Le” “O Se Mami”, “Ase Oluwa”, Adura Mi Gba”, and so many others.

You don’t feature in many

only to marriage?

Yes now.

Most of your colleagues are marrying married men these days, would you?

Let me explain something to you; where are the single guys? They are

Lola Alao

things about me in the papers, I didn’t reply him because I don’t repay evil for evil. If I had replied him everything would have scattered and probably affect my child too. Two wrongs can never make a right.

During that time your husband

efore you take up a role what do you first consider?

The script. The impact it is going to make afterward. The message of the movie is also very important to me.

So have you ever had to reject a role because of the script?

A lot. There was one, the producer, a lady, and she is very close to me like a younger sister but when she came to me with a script, with a role for me to act as a lesbian I rejected it. I said God forbid, won’t do it. The same person asked me to take another role in another movie of hers and I did because I have no conflict with that role. The first thing that occurred to me was “what am I going to do with lesbianism”. I practice what I preach.

Do you know there have been many scandals about you?

Yes of course I know but I am not bothered. It is a price to pay for being a celebrity. Most of the scandals are untrue anyway, so they don’t bother me.

I have found love again —Lola Alao movies like most of your colleagues, why?

You know when you have come this far, you get to a point when you decide acting shouldn’t be the only thing you do. You need to do other things as well. So, I have other things I am doing. Most times I act in my friends’ movies, people that are very close to me and in my own movies.

B

etween Yoruba and English-speaking movies, which one is more challenging and pays better?

Yoruba is more challenging for me. Why? You think to speak Yoruba is easy? I am not Yoruba for God sake, I am an Igbira woman. At times when I speak Yoruba on set the whole crew burst out laughing,saying “Lola has scattered everything”. Like when I did “Oba Asa” with Saheed Balogun. Yes, that is

one of my most challenging roles yet. When it came to the part I had to say some incantations, I just couldn’t do it. The whole thing was cut and join because Saheed had to say it and I had to repeat after him.

Even at that, it was so difficult.

It was a cut and join job but people did not know because I am a professional. ...and which pays better?

Well, I think both pay very well. If I have to choose I will choose Yoruba because in Yoruba sector, you can easily produce your own film. And you should know that you make more money when you produce your own film than when you act in somebody’s film.

What’s your idea of sex generally?

I don’t understand o. I believe it is just a necessary thing in a marriage.

So, it should be confined

there and not ready to marry. If the single guys are not ready then the next available option should be taken.

I believe one should go for whatever makes one happy. If a married man is the one that will make you happy, please go for it. I know married women would be angry with me but it is the truth of the matter.

Why did you walk out of your first marriage?

Hmm, because it wasn’t working. At a point things were not going well What did that marriage teach you?

Funny enough, that guy was a nice person. Forget that he said many unpleasant things about me. He was a nice person. It was unfortunate the marriage had to end. He said those nasty things about me because he was angry and bitter at that time. I am not saying this because I still want him.

Hell no. I am very much in love in another relationship but the truth is that he was nice and I never regretted marrying him. We are still on talking terms because I have a child for him.

When he was saying all those nasty

,

,

W

hen did you start acting?

I started acting a long time ago. I started with ‘Ripples’. Then, my father was a soldier and we were living in the Barracks when one Uncle Taiwo Ibikeme, who was one of Zeb Ejiro’s production managers, came to the Barracks to see his brother, Patrick and saw me. When he saw me, he said ‘’wow, Lola, you are a very beautiful girl.

You should be an actress”. I didn’t believe him because I had always wanted to be a newscaster. I had developed an interest in the job by watching Late Tokunbo Ajayi.

I loved watching her so much I once told my mum one day I would be like her. But as fate would have it, it was Uncle Taiwo Ibikeme invited me to attend an audition and I did.

The audition was for a role in in the soap,’Ripples’ and I won the role. That was well over 20 years ago. The Director at the time was Mathias Obaegbon and I acted as Mahmoud Dara’s Secretary, Fidel. Then after ‘Ripples’, there were ‘Closet’, ‘Fortune’, and many others.

So far, would you say acting has been good to you?

Oh, it has been so wonderful.

It has taken me around the whole world. I remember the first time I travelled of this country was to receive an award. I think it was the AfroDublin Award in 2003. after that I received Afro-Hollywood award in England. Then I received another one in Austria, Spain and other parts of the world. So, acting has been really wonderful.

You started with Englishspeaking films, why did you veered into the Yoruba sector because by and large your profile now reads Yoruba actress.

Yes, I started with English. I switched to Yoruba because the Yoruba sector tends to be more accommodating.

Funny enough, the first film I produced, in 1994, was a Yoruba film, directed by Chico Ejiro and that Yoruba film “Aiye Male” was the very first film Chico Ejiro directed himself as a director. His first directed film can be said to have been

How can Nigeria send troops to help out in Mali...

And now we have s e n t another set of troops to destroy Mali.

As long as they win I know these players are only hustling for the $20,000 .

I am very much in love in another relationship but the truth is that he was nice and I never regretted marrying him

alleged that you are deceitful and diabolical... (cuts in) Let me borrow Asiwaju Bola Tinubu thought on this: “a drowning man will hold on to anything to climb”.

What do you expect from somebody that was about to lose his wife to another man? Even my Uncle said if he were in his shoes he would say worse things.

So, we can say the man was not happy you walked out on him?

Of course now and I was not happy too But why?

Let me tell you, there are times when you can’t beat them you join them. That was what happened but that guy was a nice person but I am in a relationship right now, I am very comfortable with what I have. So, don’t think I am praising him because I want to come back. No. I’m not the kind of person who, because my

,

What’s the relationship between you, Hon. Dino Melaye and your friend, Bisi Ibidapo-Obe. That was a scandal that took the movie world apart Dino is like a brother from another mother. We are very, very close until Bisi came into the picture but I don’t want to talk about it because it is like opening another closed chapter.

B

ut are you and Bisi still friends?

That question I will not answer. All I know is that I

Banky W Naija won again and I’m loving it.

But looks as if the S u p e r Eagles are not going to share the money wit us, it’s time to go back to work.

Chika Ike ?

Lola Alao don’t have anything against her.

Are you assuring your fans that you no longer have any ax to grind with Bisi?

Of course, there is nothing.

Bisi is like a younger sister to me. I don’t have anything against her. This is a free world. Anybody can sat what they want but since my conscience is clear I don’t care what is said about me. If you have respect for God, leave the rest to God. When they say evil things about you, if your conscience is clear you will conquer. Like my ex husband, he went as far as saying that if anyone has anything to do with me they would not succeed. I don’t condemn people even if they say evil things about me.

Are you considering marrying again?

Definitely, I have a man already.

You seem highly excited about this your new man?

Extremely happy. I am one of the happiest ladies on earth.

Can we get to know him?

Hell no, he is my everything.

My joy and my world. He is very caring and loves my daughter as his own. If you see them together you would think he is her biological father. Oh, I love him so much.

You remember when you were getting married to your ex, this same feeling you have for your new man was the same you had for your ex husband. Are sure this will not go the way of the old?

Didn’t I tell you my ex was a very nice person? The thing about me is that I would never condemn anybody. I thought it

was going to work out with my ex and since it didn’t work, life must go on.

What attracted you to him and what about the other side of him. Is he everything a man should be?

Yes he is. I know what you are insinuating (laughing) and I am telling you he is everything a man should be.

He satisfies my every need. A complete man. As for what attracted me to him, he is very caring though can be temperamental at times just like me but that is nothing we can’t handle.

The difference between those who merely wish and those who actually arrive is persistent, committed action. Be determined and ambitious, but not out of a desperate sense of need. Do it out of a love for the possibilities and the more boundless your vision, the more real your success becomes.

Sound Sultan

Everything you know now will eventually change, friends, t e a m , interests,life.

Its up 2u2 make it a change for the better!”

What will you call a man who dated a girl for 6 years, got her pregnant and later dumped the girl and her son?

Mike Ezuruonye

Lola Alao

Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in. “its wrong to cage your life to fearing what others would say,. if however someone is trying to add salt and pepper to your lives events, give them more so others lose taste to the news.”

30 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY16, 2013

Compiled by Oseji Ephraim

Drink, drugs and money – the dangers facing kid stars

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LEX FERGUSON has highlighted the big gest dangers facing today’s young footballers — drugs, drink, sex and money.

And Manchester United’s manager also spoke candidly about his on-going battle to keep his own Old Trafford starlets away from temptation.

Ferguson is famous for nurturing young talents to the top — including the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and, more recently, Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley.

But he says he has to be constantly vigilant to keep his youngsters on the path to success, NOT self-destruction.

Ferguson revealed the problems he has encountered with some of his teenage prospects, saying: “I have built a football club with a great youth system.

“We’ve brought young players through continuously, that’s part of the success of the club. But there are certain side attractions to becoming a footballer, so there are a lot of things we have to do to help them through.

“Girlfriends will come into their lives of course, drink

can be a problem and the dangers of drugs.

“All these things that young people from 16 to 19 have to experience.

“Handling money is not easy for young people either and you sometimes see them drive up in a flash car and immediately, we do something about that.

“We also have kids from broken homes. You get a lot of that these days where their father and mother have split up and you have to deal with both sides of it.

“There is also that development of their character until you get them to understand that football is not an easy job.

“It’s a commitment. It needs to be done 100 per cent and you can’t do it part-time not at this club.

That message gets across quite well.

“Also what we do quite well is get the parents to understand how well they can trust us with their kids.

“We have that quite well in place now.”

That is hardly surprising considering Ferguson

has spent more than a quarter of a century at the helm at Old Trafford.

And his incredible kids’ conveyor belt includes stellar names like David Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville, Giggs and Scholes.

Summer Transfers: Man City to break British transfer record for £52m Cavani Etihad Stadium side is ready to splash the cash to win

Ribery was given dog’s abuse by a fan — over an abandoned mutt!

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supporter today forced his way into Bayern Munich’s training ground and accused Ribery of neglecting a pooch he gave the France star last month.

In January, the man took the dog to Bayern HQ with a note asking Ribery to take care of the canine, called Oito. And Munich were forced to call police after the fan discovered the pooch was in a shelter for abandoned animals and confronted Ribery.

Ribery

Alex Ferguson

Cavani

the race to sign Uruguayan forward at the end of this season.

Man City are reportedly ready to trigger Napoli striker, Edinson Cavani’s £52m release clause as they hope to beat other interested parties to sign the 26 year old Uruguayan.

Etihad Stadium boss Roberto Mancini is ready to re-shuffle his attack and has earmarked a move for the Serie A goal machine, despite being initially put off by the player’s pricetag.

Both PSG and Real Madrid are also taking an interest in

the former Palermo man and Man City are hoping to land the in-form striker in the knowledge that their failure to win the race to sign Robin Van Persie will almost certainly cost them their Premier League crown.

City will offset this spending with the sale of Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko, having already offloaded troubled striker Mario Balotelli to AC Milan last month. Cavani netted 33 goals in each of his first two seasons at the San Paolo and is the current top scorer in Serie A with 18 goals to his name, goals which have helped the Naples based club to mount a genuine title challenge with Walter Mazzarri’s side just five points off top of the table Juventus.

Chelsea accept deal to sign Falcao next season

S

tamford Bridge is in agreement with La Liga side that would see young keeper move in the opposite direction. Chelsea have already agreed to a deal to sign Radamel Falcao.

It is claimed by this source that a move would entail Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois moving to Atletico Madrid on a permanent deal, with the young keeper into his second season on loan at the Vicente Calderon side.

Radamel Falcao has been strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge ever since the Colombian buried a hat-trick past Chelsea in the club’s UEFA Super Cup win over the

West London side earlier this season. Atletico Madrid are well known for selling their top talents and may well struggle to keep hold of the 26 year old, even though the former FC Porto striker’s goals have led Diego Simeone’s side into second spot in La Liga. Even if the deal included Courtois, one would imagine that Chelsea would have to fork out a huge sum as part of any deal to sign Falcao.

It is entirely plausible that Chelsea would opt to use Courtois as a makeweight in any deal as they may see no need to replace current first Radamel Falcao choice keeper Petr Cech.

Gallas

Gallas unlikely to be offered new contract

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ottenham defender William Gallas looks set to leave White Hart Lane in the summer with manager Andre Villas-Boas keen to trim the number of centrebacks in the his squad.

French international Gallas, who will return from injury in Thursday night’s Europa League clash with Lyon, has yet to sign a new Tottenham deal and looks destined to be allowed to leave for free at the end of the season.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea centre-back had start the season as a number one choice of Villas-Boas, but injury and the reintegration of Michael Dawson into the first-team picture has left Gallas’ future at the club hanging by a thread.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2013 — 31

Compiled by Oseji Ephraim

Top 10 best young talents in world football 1. Jac senal) Jackk Wilshere (Ar (Arsenal)

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rsenal’s tigerish midfielder has come back from a serious injury without any fuss and is proving to be the star we all thought he would be.

He brilliantly showed the Brazilians a thing or two when dominating the midfield for England and will undoubtedly be one of the stars of the game for years to come.

2. Neymar (Santos)

O

ne of the hottest properties in world football, Neymar is being courted by all and sundry across the globe. He is a Santos player until after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but is then expected to become a Barcelona player. He could be something special playing alongside Lionel Messi.

6. Christian Eriksen (Ajax)

H

e comes with a major reputation, but Christian Eriksen deserves that thanks to his form with Ajax and Denmark. He was impressive against Manchester City in the Champions League and a bright future at one of Europe’s leading clubs beckons.

7. SStt ephan El Shaar awy Shaarawy (AC Milan)

T

he man the Italian fans refer to as The Pharaoh has become the focal point of AC Milan’s team since the sale of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Paris Saint-Germain. While the San Siro club may have struggled a little, this guy certainly hasn’t and he remains one of the best forwards in Serie A.

3. Oscar (Chelsea)

8. Lucas Moura (PSG)

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bright young Brazilian midfield er, Oscar has taken little time to adapt to life in the Premier League with Chelsea. He may be slight, but he packs plenty of ability into his short frame and will be a major figure in world football for years to come.

B

4. Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

9. Isco (Malaga)

C

helsea were the ones to grab the signature of Belgian international Eden Hazard and he has looked a special individual in his brief time at Stamford Bridge. The kick on the ball boy aside, Hazard has been nothing but impressive in the Premier League.

T

5. Mario Gotze (Borussia Dor tmund) Dortmund)

10. Raheem SStt erling (Liverpool)

M

ario Gotze has been a central fig ure in the success story of Borussia Dortmund over the last 24 months and he is now one of the biggest names in the Bundesliga. The attacking midfielder has been in the Dortmund side for three seasons but is still only 20 and it seems only a matter of time before the likes of Manchester United snap him up.

ritish fans got to his talent first hand in Brazil’s friendly with England and he looks the star that Paris Saint-Germain expect him to be. Still only 20, he has a wealth of experience playing for Sao Paulo and the winger can become a household name in Europe. For the record, he is just Lucas!

he Spanish playmaker was expect ed to become a Chelsea player in the transfer window but instead opted to sign a new deal with Malaga. That will only delay his exit and the big fish will be circling to grab the signature of this highly impressive midfielder.

L

iverpool’s talented winger may be lightweight but he is already a Premier League star having burst onto the scene this season. Expect great things from this young man in the years to come, even though he has lost his place in the first-team of late.

GOLF NEWS L ydia KKo, o, 115, 5, car ds 63 at Aus tr alian W omen’s Open cards Austr tralian Women’s

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ifteen-year- old Lydia Ko main tained her impressive form with a 10-under-par score of 63 in her opening round at the Australian Women’s Open. The New Zealander, who won her home Open at the weekend, underlined her reputation as the brightest prospect in golf at the Royal Canberra Golf Club.

Playing with world number one Yani Tseng and Michelle Wie, her round included 11 birdies and an eagle. “We had a few good conversations so that made it more enjoyable,” she said.

Korea-born Ko opened with one of three bogeys and added: “After a few birdies, I settled in and I felt pretty comfortable. I was pretty nervous when I saw the draw that I was playing with two of the big names.” Ko leads by a shot from Columbian Mariajo Uribe. In January 2012, Ko became the youngest player, male or female, to win a professional event with her victory at the New South Wales Open and was the youngest winner on the LPGA Tour when she was victorious at the Canadian Open.

Lydia Ko

32—SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

2013 Grammy awards show

By IYABO AINA

T

HE performance-heavy Grammy Awards on Sunday attracted more than 28 million viewers on CBS, marking the second-largest audience for the show since 1993.

Not surprisingly, though, this year ’s ceremony was down from 2012, which had an audience of 40 million.

The gala took place the day after Whitney Houston was found dead at the Beverly Hilton hotel.

The Recording Academy scrambled to pull a tribute together for awards ceremony, which also found Adele taking home six honors.

Adele was among the winners at the 2013 awards show in Los Angeles, along with album of the year honorees Mumford & Sons and pop-rockers fun., who scored two nods, including best new artist. The threeand-a-half-hour ceremony featured performances by

Justin Timberlake, Elton John, Carrie Underwood, Frank Ocean and others.

Also , the 55th Grammy Awards set a new social TV record for an award show with more than 18.7 million social media comments, second only

to this month’s Super Bowl XLVII. That’s a 44 percent jump from last year.

This year’s Grammy television-viewing numbers are up from 2006 and 2008 shows, which garnered about 17 million viewers each year.

•Grammy nominees

‘I want more children’ I

T seems Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z want to have a brother or sister for their daughter Blue Ivy. Beyonce Knowles wants more children.The ‘Halo’ hitmaker gave birth to her first child, Blue Ivy, in January 2012 and revealed she and husband Jay-Z would love to expand their brood.

She said “When I

was younger, there were moments where I said, ‘I’m not going to have children,’ and then there were moments when I wanted four. And now I definitely want another, but I don’t know when.”

W h i l e Beyonce and Jay-Z are

•Beyonce Knowles

two of the most famous people in the world, the couple hope their daughter will have a normal childhood.

Beyonce explained: “It’s very important to me that my daughter is able to experience life and run through sprinklers. Have slumber parties and trust and live and do all the things that any child should be able to do.”

The 31-year-old singer recently revealed Blue Ivy has started talking and the singing sensation says motherhood has been a “beautiful” moment in her life.

Also said “When I wake up in the morning, the best thing in the world is seeing her face. She’s starting to talk. It’s just such a beautiful time in my life to have a child and every day see something new and see her learn something new.”

Beyonce also praised her rapper spouse whose real name is Shawn Carter for being such a loving spouse and supporting her in everything she does. “My husband is incredible. He’s so supportive.”

Anxiety mounts over Lady Gaga’s career after hip injury Anxiety continue to mount over the blossoming career of pop singer Lady gaga, as she has been forced to cancel four concerts, following an erupting injury, she sustained recently.

The pop superstar announced on Twitter recently that she’s been diagnosed with synovitis a severe inflammation of joints.

Apologetic Gaga told fans she’d been

hiding the condition from her crew, but was left in agony and unable to walk after her show in Montreal, Canada, on Monday night.

Via a series of tweets, she wrote: “I’m so sorry. I barely know what to say. I’ve been hiding a show injury and chronic pain for some time now, over the past month it has worsened.

“I’ve been praying it would heal. I hid it from my staff, I didn’t want to disappoint my amazing fans.

“However after last night’s performance I could not walk and still can’t.

“I am completely devastated and heartsick.

“To the fans in Chicago, Detroit and Hamilton, I hope you can forgive me as it is nearly impossible for me to forgive myself right now. I would do anything for you.“I will hopefully heal as soon as possible.”

Doctors have ordered her to rest before resuming her punishing Born This Wa y Ball tour, though concerns are growing for her long-term ability to perform onstage.

Regular occurrence of synovitis can result in degeneration of the affected joint and is linked to arthritis, lupus, gout and other conditions.

Gaga has previously confessed to a history of “borderline lupus”.Fans have been voicing their worries on Twitter.

One wrote: “Most disturbing is that synovitis can be associated with lupus.

Gaga has stated in the past that she has borderline lupus. Scary.”

Another tweeted: “Synovitis is a symptom of lupus, I’m literally about to cry. I feel my chest burn•Lady Gaga ing and my heart racing.”

SATURDAY Vanguard FEBRUARY 16, 2013—33

Hair is the new drug among women and they are willing to pay a high price for dream hair

BY LOLA FAMUYIWA

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s hairdressers internationally give their clients their ‘’dream hair’’ every day, some are creating an underground market to sell hair. “American customers are typically unconcerned about the origins of extensions, other than to ask if they are hygienic.”

Out of dire financial need, parts of the body — from renewable body parts like hair to irreplaceable parts like kidneys — can be turned into commodities and circulated in a global market The New York Times examines the industry that has sprung up in Russia around selling, purchasing and exporting human hair — and especially blond hair.

The article states that “dark hair from India and China is more plentiful, but blond and other light shades are valued for their relative scarcity and because they are easier to dye to match almost any woman’s natural color.”

About 20 percent of the purchased hair is sold domestically; of the 80 percent that’s shipped abroad, the biggest market share goes to the United States.

According to the article, the hair market has existed in Russia since the 1960s, but “as more of the world’s lighthaired women have climbed the economic ladder, the search for poor blondes willing to part with their locks has become ever more difficult.” ‘’So many hair salons are falling over each other to make an extra dollar,’’ said Dr Jennifer Martinick, a hair specialist. ‘’You go to the hair expo and there’s every Tom, Dick and Harry doing hair extensions. They think it looks easy and they can get big money.’’

Decisions about buying wigs, hair extensions or weaves are situated within pervasive ideas about what ideal femininity looks like, a conception that so often has ethnic and racial undertones privileging straight, long, blond hair as more desirable than hair that’s curly, frizzy, brown or black.

But many women are paying the price for hair extensions, which can cost up to $4000.

The accessories of hair extensions are more popular now than ever thanks to celebrities such as Cheryl Cole and Naomi Campbell who are rarely seen without them.

Katie Price spent £11,000 on extensions earlier this month but it didn’t go as she expected and was forced to C M Y K

Cheryl Cole

Katie Price

Rihanna

pay another £45,000 to fix the botched job.

In the past two years the hair stylist has seen demand for hair extensions grow ‘’like crazy ’’ as more women sought instantly thicker and longer tresses by attaching human hair to their heads. ‘’It’s because of the celebrities,’’ some hairdresser believe. ‘’They change their hair so often. One minute it’s short, then it’s long, and

people can get the same look in an instant. Plus, they’re much better these days. ‘’Mr Mourad said: ‘’The technology is getting better, but there’s a lot of bad work out there … I get a lot of fixup jobs.’’

With such a high value being placed on hair, in America- underground markets are being created to sell hair by enterprising thieves.

A beauty supply store in Missouri City was robbed of $85,000 worth of hair extensions, according to the store manager the thieves used some incredible tactics to pull it off-the thieves clearly had cased this business previously.

“They knew exactly what they were after, where they’d find it and how to get to it. If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, a group of thieves is holding a whole lot more of it.”

“They’re selling it for $25 to $50 a bag. They’re selling it really cheap,” Store employees say the burglars made not one, but two trips into the store that night within an hour, stealing merchandise. And it’s not the first time the store’s owners have been hit. Woods says there have been similar thefts at the company’s two other Houston stores.

In Chicago, a beauty supply store was robbed of nearly $80,000 worth of human hair.

The owner of the store said the thieves targeted the most expensive brands which are more durable and comfortable and left behind poorer quality synthetic locks.

In Atlanta, a beauty supply store manager says three men, wearing masks and hoods, broke in through the front glass door shortly after 2 a.m. He says the three men stole 420 packs of human hair, valued at nearly $50,000. Human hair from India and Malaysia can range from $80 to $150 per bag, the manager said. The hair is used in weaves.

These occurrences in the hair industry seem to validate a statement made by the head of a trade group based in California-which describes that the process of certain women selling their hair to certain other women speaks volumes about economics.

For more questions and concerns, contact: Global Beauty Action. email:Globalbeautyaction@yahoo.com

Give yourself a professional manicure at home

Nail Cuticle Remover

A

llow yourself about an hour of time and assemble everything you need before you begin: *clean hand towel *cuticle cutter *hydrogen peroxide *cotton *polish remover *bowl of soapy water *emery board *cuticle oil *orange sticks - sometimes called cuticle sticks *nail polish * top-coat sealer Step 1: Clean off old polish with cotton pad soaked in polish remover. Take care not to push the old polish into the cuticle by starting from the base of the nail and

Nails working down to the tip.

Step 2: Be sure your nails are dry before you file them. Begin at the side with the emery board and sweep to the center. Never use a “saw-like” motion, and don’t round off the nails too much for that can cause them to break easily.

The longer you want your nails, the more “square” they should be. But always take the “square” off the corners.

Step 3: Soak your fingers in warm soapy water for 2 to 3 minutes to help clean the nails and soften the cuticles. Clean your nails with the orange stick dipped in hydrogen peroxide.

Step 4: Apply cuticle

Nails remover or oil to your cuticles. Wrap a tiny piece of cotton around the tip of the orange stick and gently work it around each nail to loosen the cuticle. This is also the time to clip away any loose cuticle. Do this gently or you may hurt yourself or cause hangnails.

Step 5: Apply a base coat.

This semi-transparent “polish” puts a smooth protective layer on the nail and is especially helpful for brittle and weak nails. Use strong brush strokes from the base of the nail to the tip.

Step 6: After the base coat is dry, apply your polish.

Thin it down if necessary with polish remover. This is one of the secrets for professional-looking nails.

Wait until each coat of

polish dries before applying the next (if it’s thin polish, it won’t take long). In applying polish, brush the color across the base of your nail first, keeping clear of the cuticle, then make two strokes along the edges of your nail from base to tip. Finally, fill in the middle with one strong stroke from the base to the tip. Never go back over wet polish or you will get ridges. If you smudge a nail, apply a little polish remover on the smudged part while the nail is still wet, then smooth it over ever so lightly with the nail polish brush.

Step 7: Apply top-coat sealer. Sealers prolong the wear of your polish, delay chipping and make your nails thicker and stronger. Let nails dry for twenty minutes.

34—VANGUARD, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 , 2013

By IYABO AINA

ade Adeyemi is the only son from the family of Professor Funmi Adeyemi, the legal adviser and Permanent Secretary at Nicon Insurance who is also an Insurance law professional. Lade got inspired by going to court with his dad even as a toddler, he fell in love with law.

He has worked with some chambers like JK. Gadzama and Co in Abuja; and top lawyers like late Idowu (SAN) and late Lateef Adegbite who was the Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

He later stopped practising for a while and moved to the UK where he had his Masters programme. He worked as a business law lecturer at Singapore and with Lagos State as the Personal Assistant to the Executive Chairman, Lagos State Public Works Corporation before going into business negotiation fully. He is married to a popular Lagos doctor, Oluwatoyin Adeyemi who is currently working under the Lagos State Ministry. Lade Adeyemi had a degree in English from the University of Lagos before proceeding to Igbenedion University where he bagged a degree in Law. He furthered his education with a Masters degree from the London University and then a professional programme at Harvard University on Negotiation. In an interview with him, he spoke on the reason he left law to establish himself in business negotiation skills.

Tell us more about Lade Adeyemi I am the only son from the family of five; my father professor Funmi Adeyemi was the legal adviser and permanent secretary at Nicon for several years; he is also an Insurance law professional. He’s been involved in insurance law for over 45 years. I started my profession going to court with him even though I was still a toddler and I fell in love with law since I already knew what the court rooms look like. My father is my role model. I have worked with several chambers in Nigeria; I was opportuned to work with JK. Gadzama Co in Abuja, I have also worked with the late Idowu (SAN). I also worked with the late Lateef Adegbite who was the Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. Later, I stopped litigation for a while and moved to the UK where I had my Masters programme and worked as a business law lecturer at Singapore. I worked with Lagos State as the personal Assistant to the Executive Chairman, Lagos State Public Works Corporation before going into business negotiation school fully. I trained over 120 magistrates from the Lagos State Judiciary on negotiation skills.

The idea of the NegotiationSchool of business I have been privileged to work in about three continents before and after I worked in Nigeria. I started in

—Ladi Adeyemi

negotiation profession after a learnership at Harvard with specialization on Negotiation at the Harvard law school. Before then, I was a practising lawyer and I still remain a lawyer but I am more of a negotiation specialist as against a litigation lawyer. I have been privileged to work in Australia, Singapore, have held different negotiation positions from government to non-governmental agencies on businesses. I have also worked in California and Chicago before returning back to Nigeria where I decided to bring home all these experiences from these diverse cultures and synchronize them with adding values to as many people in the country.

Like we all know, negotiation is an everyday skill that occurs at home,

,

L

I lef t law cour t for business negotiation skills

What we need is the right communication channel and tools and the right techniques and tactics to relate with people either of business or non business related issues and this was actually what brought about the first negotiation business school in Africa

,

place of work and it’s something we cannot do away with and from my research,I have realized over the years that Africa is not in need of being pitied, what we need is the right communication channel and tools and the right techniques and tactics to relate with people either of business or non business related issues and this was actually what brought about the first negotiation business school in Africa; the TransAtlantic Negotiation School of business and the focus is on different aspects of negotiation; as it relates to HR managers, lawyers, entrepreneurs. We have successfully done this within some couple of months and we are still in the business of adding values to Africans and

Nigerians in the areas of negotiation skills and enhancing the ability to communicate and negotiate properly.

It will be beneficial in so many ways that which I will streamline them to few one which is how it could benefit to the small and large business scales enterprise. Although government has a part to play in the country and a mundane task that jobs are created and made available but to a very large extents, Nigerians also have a part to play in the continuity. For me, sustainability and continuity have a lot to do with personal skills. In Nigeria, we do not have shortage of resources. Rather, what we have is shortage of skills and it all boils down to negotiation skills because with the right skills and techniques, you would be able to engage the client with some business terms. In essence to Nigeria, it is very important to negotiate values before negotiating finances or salaries because that gives you edge above others. I am of the school thought that indeed connection goes a long way to build business bridges but Rome wasn’t built in a day as well; it’s always good to build relationship through negotiation.

What is the motive behind LABNISA? The Lade Adeyemi Business Negotiation Improvement Scholarship for Africa is a CSR initiative of mine; my goal is to sponsor at least 250 unemployed graduates in each of the states across the federation.

So we are looking at about 9,000 professionals across Nigeria and a 100% tuition free scholarship that will be done online. LABSINA is also designed to teach and equip them with these skills such that whenever they see an opportunity, they are able to identify the opportunity and engage a discussion on negotiation with either an employer or business partners. We are also here to eradicate flight by night entrepreneurship; it is here to ensure that as many Nigerians who are still in need of job employment and building themselves with negotiation values such that whenever an opportunity opens; they are able to tap into it.

While in the USA, I have trained

over 10,000 professionals in negotiation business.

Based on statistics, 23.9% Nigerians are unemployed which means there are about 20million Nigerians without job. It is not tradition to start what I cannot finish ; I believe in starting strong and thereafter we move gradually. I have taken cognizance of the fact that not many unemployed Nigerians have an access to the internet. Our intention is to affect as many unemployed Nigerians as possible. I have done it before in my country and now I’m doing it again. You will agree with me that there are a whole lot of logistics involved and that’s the more reason why I am starting with few people and as time goes; we will definitely expand our scope of reach. Although I may not be there to lecture them physically, it will be done through cyberspace and through the effort of my team, we will affect so many Nigerians positively.

Kicking off the programme We should begin both our training and scholarship class from the first week of February, 2013.I will be going on different campaigns in several parts of the country including states that have been tagged unsecured now because we also have our strategy of doing that. In as much as there is this issue of BokoHaram; it does mean thatNigerians are members and I believe in the midst of the various inadequacies in this state, there are Nigerians who need food on their tables and seeking job opportunities. We are also covering the east, north and south through several radio and TV programmes. We will also be having various communication modems on cyberspace such as the Facebook, Twitter amongst others. Specifically, I have been involved in negotiation for the past 10 years while the Translantic Negotiation School of Business is just a year old but we are in association with the two best institutions in the world that is Harvard University Law School and MIT Sloan School of Management and both schools have been topping the chart as the top two institutions in the world for over 50years .

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013—35 Publishing Houses tell you the kind of books they will publish and so I think they affect the publication of books 99%. They have made many writers understand that they need to make money to survive, so if you want them to publish your works, you’ll need to give them the kind of works they are looking for. Many times, they simply call the shots unless you have the money to make them listen to you. However, there are some, a few, that will accept a manuscript they think is promising.

I write to encourage people; not to win award —Ronnie Uzoigwe

V

eronica Uzoigwe is a poet and writer who has worked as a Producer and Presenter for Galaxy Television as well as for various Print media houses including The Guardian, The Nigerian Tribune and The Comet Newspapers. She is a member of PEN Nigeria and was the former secretary of Women Writers of Nigeria (WRITA). In this interview with Prisca Sam-Duru, Ronnie as she is fondly called, shares her thoughts about writing in Nigeria and how women can make the most of their environment to do exploits.

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Introduction I started scribbling when I could hardly walk; writing in nursery school; serious writing in secondary school; more serious writing at university. I freelanced for The Guardian in my second year at the University of Ibadan and it was Mr. Yinka Fabowale, (who headed The Guardian office at Ibadan then,) who took an interest in one of my short stories, “Olumo Rock.”I had written that short story after a dangerous and exciting excursion a few friends and I went for, there in Abeokuta.

Some of them were to leave Nigeria for their own countries and we thought it would be fun to visit a well known tourist sight in Nigeria.

Then there were neither the railings we now see there nor the steps; it was all solid slippery rock and the climb up and back down scared the hell out of us. After he read the story, Mr. Fabowale told me about the Association of Nigerian Authors, (I did not know about ANA till then)and insisted I must attend the next meeting where he said I must read the story. After that first experience, I got interested in creative writing. I attended more meetings and sessions with Professor Femi Osofisan, Prof. Niyi Osundare, Mabel Segun, and many more renowned Nigerian writers in attendance and this did a lot to deepen my interest in creative writing. Then I took some courses on Creative writing at the university, taught by Professor Niyi Osundare, Dr. Remy Oriaku, Dr. Remi Raji.

These lecturers introduced the world

Veronica Uzoigwe: I do not think women should wait to be encouraged

Writing in Nigeria has its many challenges and one of them is that many times when I want to sit down to write, I may not have the electricity to do so. Electricity from within, and electricity from without,to light up the darkness

of creative writing to me.

I have since written some critical essays and reviews of different books in journals in addition to the books that I co-edited.

I was the Secretary, Lagos Chapter of Women Writers of Nigeria (WRITA) for two years. In those two years, we did a lot to improve on the writing skills of Nigerian Women Writers through Creative Writing Workshops (we had one in partnership with the British Council Lagos in 2005)and constructive literary criticism of members’ works during our monthly meetings.

Challenges of writing Writing in Nigeria has its many challenges and one of them is that many times when I want to sit down to write, I may not have the electricity to do so. Electricity from within, and electricity from without,to light up the darkness. Not all of us can burn gallons of diesel all night.

“Then write during the day!” you may say. That is a tall order. I have struggled to beat the traffic daily to get home by evening so I could pen down a few words but my efforts have almost always been frustrated.

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One has daily chores to do even when one gets home. I sit in traffic and at times I try to write in traffic but it is pretty difficult to keep it up for long; what with the tiredness from work and all.

Full time writer in Nigeria?

Yes, it is hard to be a full time writer in Nigeria. I’d love to do that, but right now, it is not possible. I also daresay that other women in other countries do have their own challenges. Leaving Nigeria for electricity in New York will not necessarily make one a good or better writer. One needs electricity from within that is spark(s) of inspiration more than anything else.

To be honest, different women face different challenges. Mine may not be the same that other women writers or aspiring writers encounter.

It is not possible to know what challenges other women go through because here we run the risk of over-generalising. Anyway, I am fighting to make that time; on that, I refuse to give up.

Challenges of publishing This is an over flogged issue.

Any awards?

I have not won any awards nor am I looking forward to winning any. I do not write to win awards. I write to pen down strong feelings, things I cannot, or at times do not want to hold inside of me anymore. That was what happened when I wrote “The Fire that Charred Amani.” I write to encourage people and also to share my admiration for certain people like “My Mother” (unpublished); or to show my anger albeit, in a way that at times, some may not understand completely as with “Olumo Rock.”If just one person understands what I write, I am very happy. So do you see why I will never win any award!

How can women be encouraged?

I do not think women should wait to be encouraged. Like the Spanish saying goes, “Hay que cojer el toro por los cuernos!” (“One has to take the bull by the horns”)Women need to learn to “take the bull by the horns.” We’ve come a long way since women won the right to vote about a century ago and other rights that have gone a long way to improve the lot of women in the world today. So I do not think we should keep singing the same old, stale song. I am well aware of the difficulties that some women have to go through, but so long as a woman writer has her wrist firmly attached to her hand, she is able to sit down or stand and write! In traffic, and out of it, while waiting for the food we are preparing to cook, while waiting in line for the BRT. Let us not blame all our challenges or problems on things outside of us or on others.

The challenges are there and will always be there in one form or the other. Where there is an obstacle, we need to learn to go over, under, or through it. Sometimes when we remain laid back, I get the feeling that it is a bit like those who keep hammering on the fact that the ‘colonizers’ plundered us, plundered Nigeria and stole us blind! It has been more than 50 years since the said ‘colonisers’ left and what do we have to show for it? Very very little indeed. It has taken 50 years for Nigeria to have smooth motorable roads. There is a lot of talk about the almighty electricity: this will definitely be a great help for the country at large and for poor writers for obvious reasons and so many other things that are milestones which show that a country is growing in age and in development and not stunted Inspiration?

Much of my source of inspiration is what I observe around me. Then at times ideas may come rushing into my head in such a way that I have a topic for a short story and the content. So I try to jot down the topic and idea for that particular story in just three or four sentences. Then when I have the time, I sit and write out the story.

36 — VANGUARD, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

M

ichael Ovie-Ikaka, a.k.a, Vito, officially started his music career in early 2011 recording on a Virtual DJ in his room. Then went on to hook up with a Talented producer “Olayinka “WOYE SOUNDS” Olawoye” who spotted the raw talent in him and took him under his tutelage where he began recording.

In 2012, he hooked up with the C.E.O of Brodock Music Group (BMG) who signed him under the Label. Vito has has already recorded over 70 songs.

Why are you wearing a mini mohawk?

I like it. Besides, my kind of personality wouldn’t allow me wear an outright Mohawk because Nigerians will look at me like a wayward person. So, this one is still cool. It soothes me.

As an artiste, can’t you just tint your hair so you can look more artistic?

Nah! I don’t like hair colours. Besides, I can’t just imagine me, a dark skinned guy now tinting my hair to like blond! No way!.

What about going bald?

The least I can go is for a low cut. I mean, what can actually make me go bald? Music can’t make me go bald except I

decide to go into acing tomorrow. But all that drama is mostly left for the female actresses.

How did music start for you?

I’ve always had the talent of memorizing any song and sang along. Then, I used to get my mum pissed off with the way I could sing even a new sang from A-Z. So, it all started majorly inside my cousin’s bedroom because we would download beats while I

? r i a h y m n o s r u Colo o t i V — ! y No wa

would fix in my own lyrics. So they told me it was cool and that I could sing professionally but I didn’t take it serious. After downloading like four different beats and recording like two songs, my cousin then told me the songs were too good to be ignored. That was how I met Woye, a producer. He came around and after listening to one of my songs, he liked it and said he didn’t know I was good. I got to know him through my elder brother who I always accompanied to his studio. So I told Woya I started just recently. He didn’t believe me because he said those songs didn’t sound like those of a starter. On e day, he called me to come to his studio that he’ll do a free beat for me and he’ll help air it for free. I did like three songs and that’s how my manager, Richmond Nwoku got to hear one of them. So he called me that he’d like to discuss some things with me after he returns from his traveling.

So he traveled for four months but while away, he used to send me some money to take care of myself.

When he returned, he told me

he’d like to sign me and I agreed.

How many songs have you recorded?

I have recorded over seventy songs but we have just one on air, SoFa featuring W4. I’m dropping more singles soon.

Do you think you have what it takes to compete in the market?

My style is different because I sing and rap at the same time. I do ragga stuff things. I’m quite young, I’m eighteen and the industry is for youth.

How has it been working with your manager?

It’s been nice. And he always has influence on my songs whenever I;m in the studio. But for like seventy percent of song I’ve recorded now, he hasn’t had any complain about them.

Our working relationship is good.

Any plan for other collabos?

Yes I have another one with Solid Star and it’s dropping soon. I also plan to work with Vector, Wizkid and Tiwa Savage.

You are still new and are already signed under Brodock Music. How does it feel?

I feel good, lucky and blessed to because some of my friends who’d already started going to the studio before me envy me. I feel very lucky although I know my friends are very good but they are still on the same spot.

So I feel very lucky.

If you didn’t do music, what else would you have done?

I love playing football so I would have loved to go into it professionally. I wanted to travel to Greece sometime ago but my father discouraged me because I was too young. He just wanted me to go to school. When I was a lot younger, I used to say I’d become a pilot but with these plane crashes, I’m scared.

How did you get on the Big Friday Show?

That was arranged by Ono. It was good working with Basket Mouth in choosing the finalist for the veejay search. Basketmouth told me it was great working . I was a Veejay for an hour when I had to go about on the streets of Lagos, meeting people and asked them to give a shout out to their loved ones and wish the Big Friday Show a happy new year because it was the opening show for 2013.

HAIRSTYLE OF THE WEEK

Vanguard, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2013—37

s d n i f Waje T n i e v o l g n i t c a

Between Lynxx and Theodora Mogo

his is exactly how it starts between the two artistes.

They normally start under the platform of manager and client relationship but later, the whole thing changes its statuesque.

At a red carpet in an event in Victoria Island,Lagos, the fast rising singer, Lynxx was spotted alongside his manager, Theodora Mogo in strategic spots. Both were so conscious

M

Waje

ultiple award winning songbird and philanthropist, Aituaje Iruobe a.k.a Waje, recently added the title of actress to her name.

The popular musician recently wrapped up filming of the movie ‘Tunnel’ in which she played the role of Sade alongside Femi Jacobs [Lade]. Directed by Stanley Ohikhuare. the movie also starsNse Ikpe-Etim,Patrick Doyle and comedienne Lepacious Bose. The movie tells the story of a young pastor and his wife who battle to save their daughter’s life and their troubled marriage. Waje who has always professed her love for acting, veered into acting after bit parts in stage plays most notably ‘Olorunbi’ in 2010. She is also adding finishing touches to her album which is due out late in March. The movie was co- produced by Jumoke and Nike Adenle and is due to be premiered in the second quarter of 2013.

Knorr Taste Quest: Two contestants put on probation I

t was another exciting ep isode of the Knorr Taste Quest last Sunday as the remaining ten contestants in the show got to work cooking as the struggle to Nigeria’s best in culinary matters gets tougher every week. The judges as usual did not make it any easier for the hopefuls as the ingredients for this task was as unexpected as possible. The contestants were given Pine nuts, Baby Carrots, Green Bananas, Mushrooms and Couscous, to make a starter and main course meal, and they had only 60 minutes to achieve this.

Speaking on the choice of ingredients, Executive Chef, Dr Roberts described them as simple and basic with nutritional benefits. He stated that Pine nuts are very high in vitamins and essential oil, baby car-

of each other to the extent that you have to get permission from Theodora before you could speak with Lynxx. The talented singer who just released his single, “eziokwu” where he featured, Phyno, Lynxx, Ikechukwu among others is set to make this year’s Valentine’s Day a memorable one with the release of its video.

rots, which are sweeter than normal carrots contain vitamins C, B6, A and K, Mushrooms are high in Riboflavin and Couscous which is a pasta not a grain, has the most superior vitamin content of all pastas. Also, on the green bananas, He further explained that it contains vitamins as well as a starch that helps to manage weight, good for cholesterol levels, and manages blood sugar.The guest judge for this episode was TV personality and Film director, Kemi Adetiba.

She stated that she was a “foodie”, and was going to judge for taste, great use of spices and interesting textures in the meals presented.

The moment of truth arrived when it was time for the presentation of dishes. The judges had mixed reviews on the taste and presentation of the different dishes, but they however seemed to agree on the best and worst. Saratu won the task with her dish of Mushroom and banana, and Yorkshire pudding. Kemi Adetiba, speaking for the judges described her meal as “lovely ” and well worth deserving of the Twenty Thousand Naira prize.

Eminiic drops new single

By Esther Onyegbula

P

rin ce Em anu el Adi ele has Em ini ic a.k .a, of le sing ond sec a droped d title , um alb g min hco his fort hits ch “GIRLIEZ”. The song whi the internet and the airwaves on January this year, has received a of its release and even massive downloads on the first day io airplay. If you rememtrended heavily on twitter and rad Eminiic, dropped his first ber, the young talented singer, ptation” sometimes last ever official single titled “ugly tem a huge success as it was ” year. The song “ugly temptation because of its chorus,” I became the anthem of the year wanna touch your body”. old name in the music Eminiic is fast becoming a househ ky house music, his fun industry, because of his good and to be another blockng goi sly iou new song “girliez” is obv not to bore the ears of his buster. The dude has promised s a melodious song. He fast growing fan base but assure s that will sweep them abo also assures his fans of great coll currently the video of his off their feet in no distant time, making and he assures a new song titled girliez is in the songs are available for 100 percent entertainment. The s in Nigeria. blog l down loads on leading musica

38—SATURDAY Vanguard FEBRUARY 16, 2013

N

o single food can reduce risk of cancer, but the right combination of foods could make all the difference. Look at your plate. Study your diet. The content of your plate at meal times is an important cancer fighting tool.

At meal times, strike a balance of at least two-thirds plantbased foods and no more than one-third animal protein.

Check out better and worse choices for your plate below.

Add colour to your plate Literally add colour to your plate at meal times. Fruits and vegetables are rich in cancer-fighting nutrients – red, yellow, green, purple, orange —the more the colour, the more nutrients they contain. These foods can help reach and maintain a healthy body weight. Carrying extra kilos increases the risk for multiple cancers, including colon, esophagus, and kidney cancers.

Folate Folate is an important B vitamin that may help protect against cancers of the colon, rectum, and breast. The best way to get folate is not from a pill, but by eating enough fruits, vegetables, and enriched grain products. So are orange juice, melons, and strawberries, asparagus, eggs, chicken liver, beans, sunflower seeds, and leafy green vegetables like spinach or romaine lettuce.

Minimise processed meat Cutting back on processed meats like bologna, ham, and hot dogs helps lower risk of colorectal and stomach cancers. Eating meats preserved by smoking or with salt raises exposure to agents that can potentially cause cancer.

Fight cancer with your diet

• Cancer fighters

Tomatoes Whether it’s the lycopene— the pigment that gives tomatoes their red colour — or something else isn’t clear, but eating raw tomatoes or processed tomato products such as juice, sauce, or paste increase the cancer-fighting potential.

T

ea Tea, especially green tea, is be a strong cancer fighter. In laboratory studies, green tea has slowed or prevented the development of cancer in colon, liver, breast, and prostate cells. It also had a similar effect in lung tissue and skin. Tea is associated with lower risks for bladder, stomach, and pancreatic cancers.

Grapes Grapes and grape juice, especially purple and red grapes, contain resveratrol— which has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It prevents the kind of damage that can trigger the cancer process in cells.

Limit alcohol Cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, liver, and breast are all linked with drinking alcohol.

Alcohol may also raise the risk for cancer of the colon and

•Fresh tomatoes

•Fight cancer by your plateful... rectum.

Water Water not only quenches thirst, but it protects against bladder cancer. The lower risk comes from water diluting concentrations of potential cancer-causing agents in the bladder.

Drinking more fluids causes urination more frequently.

That lessens the amount of time cazncerous agents stay in contact with the bladder lining.

Beans Beans are so good. They contain several potent

phytochemicals that slow tumour growth and prevented tumors from releasing substances that damage nearby cells.

Cabbage family Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, and kale, have components that help the body defend against colon, breast, lung, and cervix cancers.

Dark green leafy

vegetables Dark green leafy vegetables such as mustard greens, lettuce, kale, chicory, spinach, and chard have an abundance of fibre, folate, and carotenoids which help protect against cancer of the mouth, larynx, pancreas, lung, skin, and stomach.

Exotic spice Curcumin is the main ingredient in the Indian spice turmeric and a potential cancer fighter. It can suppress the transformation, proliferation, and invasion of cancerous cells for a wide array of cancers.

Cooking methods matter How you cook meat can make a difference in how big a cancer risk it poses. Frying,

grilling, and broiling meats at very high temperatures causes chemicals to form that may increase cancer risk. Other cooking methods such as stewing, braising, or steaming appear to produce fewer of those chemicals.

Pass on the sugar Sugar may not cause cancer directly. But it may displace other nutrient-rich foods that help protect against cancer. And it increases calorie counts, which contributes to overweight and obesity.

Don’t rely on supplements Getting cancer-fighting nutrients from foods like nuts, fruits, and green leafy vegetables is vastly superior to getting them from supplements. Eating a healthy diet is best.

SATURDAY, Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013—39

NIIA ffe etes Ar thur Mbanef o Arthur Mbanefo

From Left; Prof Bola Akinterinwa, DG, Nigerian,NIIA, Chief Arthur C.I Mbanefo, Odu of Onitsha, Guest of Honour, Dr Remi Desalu, Perm Sec., Lagos State Ministry of Speacial Duties, representing Gov. Fashola, Mrs Toyin Onanuga, representing Dep. Gov, Lagos State, and Mrs Abimbola Dada, Director of Library and Documentary service, NIIA

C

hief Arthur M b a n e f o , Nigeria’s former P e r m a n e n t Representative to the United Nations, ‘philanthropist by nature, accountant by profession, and Life Member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, added another feather to his cap when the University of Lagos conferred on him the Doctor of Science (D.Sc) Honoris Causa and in appreciation of his contributions to knowledge of international affairs in Nigeria the NIIA organised a cocktail and a pictorial exhibition on Tuesday in his honour.

Photos by Kehinde Gbadamosi

When Bamanga TTuk uk ur ukur visited Amaechi

R

ecently, the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi hosted the national Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who paid a twoday working visit to Rivers State. During his stay, Alhaji Tukur visited several developmental projects done by the Amaechi Administration and commended the governor for his excellent performance, describing Amaechi as the best among his peers. Alhaji Tukur was also hosted to a grand reception in Government House, Port Harcourt. Below are some of the photographs from the visit

Alhaji Bamanga Tukur being assisted by Governor Amaechi to lay the foundation stone of the Bamanga Tukur Institute of Internati

From Left; Mrs Toyin Onanuga, Dr Remi Desalu, Erelu Abiola Dosumu and Prof. Pat Utomi

From Left; Prof Bola Akinterinwa, Chief Arthur Mbanefo, Amb. Olu Adeniji and Amb. Akporode Clark

PDP National chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur making his speech at the grand reception in his honour.

L-R: Mrs Ejide Ukelonu, Ms Bridget Otobo, and Mrs Okwuchi Kassal

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Mrs Toyin Onanuga,Mrs Abimbola Dada and Ms Agatha Ude

The Biokoros and the Ejuwas unite

t was merry-merry affair when the family of late Mr David Erinyowen Biokoro of Ijakpa Mereje Okpe LGA and the Ejuwa family of Koko Warri North joined forces for the traditional wedding of their children Oghenese Patience Biokoro and Daniel Toriseju Ejuwa at Sapele Delta State

The couple; Mr and Mrs Daniel Ejuwa C M Y K

L-R: Mr Sam Ejuwa, Deacon Joseph Ejuwa, Austin Ejuwa and a relation

Governor Amaechi and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur inside the new Nne Kurubo Model Secondary School in Eleme

Gov.Amaechi and Bamanga Tukur inspecting the new Nne Kurubo Model Secondary School in Eleme

40—SATURDAY

VANGUARD ,

FEBRUARY

16,

2013

Honda Civic, CR-V pick Loyalty Awards

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ITH a record number of customers buying both the Honda Civic and the Honda CR-V last year, it’s obvious that each vehicle is attracting a steady stream of new customers as time goes by. But what’s

Porsche 911: 50 years and still waxing stronger F

OR five decades, the 911 has been the heart of the Porsche brand. Few other automobiles in the world can look back on such a long tradition and such continuity as the Porsche 911.

It has been inspiring car enthusiasts the world over since its debut as the model 901 at the IAA International Automotive Show in September 1963.

Today it is considered the quintessential sports car, the benchmark for all others. The 911 is also the central point of reference for all other Porsche series. From the Cayenne to the Panamera, every Porsche is the most sporting automobile in its catego-

ry, and each one carries a piece of the 911 philosophy.

Over 820,000 Porsche 911s have been built, making it the most successful sports car in the world. For each of its seven generations the engineers in Zuffenhausen and Weissach have reinvented it, time and time again demonstrating to the world the innovative power of the Porsche brand. Like no other vehicle, the 911 reconciles apparent contradictions such as sportiness and everyday practicality, tradition and innovation, exclusivity and social acceptance, design and functionality.

It is no wonder that each generation has written its own personal success story. Ferry Porsche best described its unique qualities: “The 911 is the only car you could drive on an African safari or at Le Mans, to the theatre or through New York City traffic.”

In addition to its classic yet unique lines, the Porsche 911 has always been distinguished by its advanced technology.

Many of the ideas and technologies that made their debut in the Porsche 911 were conceived on the race track. The 911 was committed to the performance principle from the start, and motor rac-

Santa Fe named safest in class HE Hyundai New ommended by Euro tion of Hyundai’s comTGeneration Santa Fe NCAP for their leading mitment to safety, the has been named as the safest car in its class assessed by Euro NCAP during 2012. Its scores across all test categories were best-in-class, making it one of the safest vehicles ever tested by the independent vehicle assessment organisation and the best in the ‘Large Off-Road 4x4’ segment.

Of the 36 vehicles tested during 2012, the eight top-performers in their segments have been rec-

levels of safety across a range of assessments. In the ‘adult occupant’ category, New Generation Santa Fe scored 96% with maximum points in the side barrier test. In the ‘child occupant’ category, the D-segment SUV received a score of 89%, and features such as electronic stability control contributed to the car’s score of 86% in the ‘safety assist’ category.

In a further demonstra-

New Generation Santa Fe is the brand’s first car to be equipped with an active hood. This activates if a pedestrian is hit, reducing impact forces and reducing the risk of serious injury. The result of this is a ‘pedestrian safety’ score of 71%, making the New Generation Santa Fe stand out among its rivals in this category with the nearest high score being 63%.

ing is its most important test lab.

From the very beginning it has been at home on circuits all over the world, earning a reputation as a versatile and dependable winner. Indeed, a good two thirds of Porsche’s 30,000 race victories to date were notched up by the 911.

For Porsche, the 50th anniversary of this iconic sports car is the central theme of 2013. There will be a wide variety of anniversary events, starting with the “Retro Classics” automobile show in Stuttgart in March.

The company is also sending an authentic 1967 model 911 on a world tour. Over the course of the year, this

vintage nine-eleven will travel to five continents where it will be shown in places like Pebble Beach CA, Shanghai, Goodwood UK, Paris and Australia.

As an ambassador for the Porsche brand, this vintage 911 will be in attendance at many international fairs, historical rallies and motor sport events.

The first generation 911 was built in 1963 followed by the G-Series in 1973 while third generation of the 964 classic modern was built in 1988.

This was followed by the 993 in 1993, (the last air-cooled model before the 996 in 1967 which was water-cooled). In 2004, Porsche introduced the 997 before rolling out the 991 in 2011.

•Hyundai Santa Fe 4X4

just as important is that drivers who already own Civics and CR-Vs keep coming back for more as well. As a result, the two hot-selling Honda vehicles recently earned Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards for “superior performance in owner retention.”

“Honda’s wins this year are a great example of their commitment to owner loyalty,” said Brad Smith, director of Polk’s Loyalty Management Practice. “Retaining customers in a competitive marketplace is extremely challenging and Honda’s product offerings, combined with their customer engagement strategies, have resulted in high rates of repurchase loyalty.”

In addition, Honda also was singled out for its appeal to Hispanic buyers; with recognition as the top brand in 2012 for “Hispanic Market Loyalty to Make,” Honda has now won that acclaim for two straight years—and three times overall. Of course, it certainly helps that the fun-to-drive Civic and CR-V offer some of the highest values and best fuel-economy marks in their segments, as well as strong evidence of the automaker’s commitment to continuous improvement.

“Honda has never taken owner loyalty lightly, and it’s been an honor to see so many owners return for a new Honda during the last year,” said Tom Peyton, assistant vice president of Advertising and Marketing at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Winning three awards from Polk in these hard-fought segments validates Honda’s commitment to high vehicle quality and longterm customer satisfaction.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013 — 41

HE PEOPLE of Council Chairman Implements Gov TOtughievwen com- Otughievwen munity, Ughievwen kingdom in Ughelli community refutes Uduaghan’s directive South Local Governsues by inaugurating Ejiofor who responded ment Area of Delta state purported exco

BY TOMMY the environmental Task on behalf of the have refuted a publicaANADUAKA

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HE Oshimili North council boss, Mr. Innocent Esewezie at the swearing-in ceremony of his Vice, the Secretary and other members of the Transition Committee of the council at AkwukwuIgbo,reiterated his administration’s commitment towards Governor Uduaghan’s directive on security and environmental sanitation. He said that he has since implemented the two is-

Force with the employment of 140 sanitation officers provided with various sanitation working implements as well as erection of 8 security gates at the Ibusa flash points. He promised to embark on projects that would impact positively on the people including completion of ongoing projects in the area, subject however to availability of funds. The Vice Chairman of the council, Hon. Anthony

councillors, thanked the chairman and assured that they will always remain loyal and supportive of his administration.

Those sworn in and administered with the oath of office were Mr. Anthony Ejiofor as Vice chairman. Sir Joe Ijeh as Secretary. Other members are Henry Mordi, Ejiofor Okokwu, Aniemeka Chibueze, Christopher Okakwu, Francis Oweleke and Okeleke Emeka.

tion in some national newspapers that the community has elected new executives to pilot its affairs for the next three years, saying there was no iota of truth in the said publication.

A release by Elder George Tamukara and six others stated that there was never a time all the organs of the community, including the security agencies gathered at the Otu-

Jeremi town hall to elect new executives.

“There is a lay down process of electing new executive in the constitution through the annual conference which allows the Edion-inCouncil, Ewheya, Emete, Uvwie (youths) and the security agencies to be in attendance.

The alleged new executives did not pass through these constitutional processes and as

such made the said executive to be illegal,” the release stated.

The urged on the National Security Adviser, state government, the State House of Assembly, the Nigerian Police, Militar y Joint Task Force, State Security Services and all other relevant authorities as a matter of urgency to come to the aide of the community to avoid crises.

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42 — SATURDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

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SATURDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 16, 2013 — 43

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44 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

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Vanguard, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012 — 45

being the largest, we look at land mass, people and institutions which are on ground.

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ARELY five days after the alleged gruesome murder of Nsukka-based human right crusader and politician, Christopher Ejike Onah at his Agbani Nguru Nsukka residence by unknown men in the university town of Nsukka, Enugu State, the chairman, Nsukka Local Government, Mr. Tony Okechi Ugwu bared his mind on the security situation in the town.

Excerpts: Porous Security network: I would not say that the security network in Nsukka is porous. Porous might be an overstatement. We are facing challenges in Nsukka just like any other country, the nation as a whole and the world generally. Nsukka is not really porous, you might want to recall that Nsukka being the largest local government that boarders other states and housing a premier University, UNN, there are bound to be developments and challenges.

The security agencies in Nsukka are doing their possible best, the local government also. With the help of the local government and in partnership with police, more police men were drafted to Nsukka, we have anti-police kidnap squad, anti terrorism, joint task force, the army, the civil defence and the regular police men and mobile police men, all stationed here in Nsukka. Security is a thing of all, the agencies deal on information. Nsukka local government do have the regular security meetings with security agencies to make sure the security network in Nsukka is strengthened. I would say that both the state and the Nsukka local government is working.

Nsukka is not really porous but there are bound to be challenges here and there.

New police stations created in Nsukka.

Y ou might want to know that the police at EhaAlumona has taken off. There is a D.P.O and the men are already on ground. The issues of logistics are being worked out, they need vehicles, furniture among other issues.

We are working with them to

see if we can provide them with what we can, considering a perspective of local government. I am pleading with the police authorities to make sure that they motivate them.

One thing is to establish a police station, another thing is to give them adequate motivation, the tools to work with. We are really working on that issue. The other station at Okpuje is already there, we are working with the police to see if the Okpuje police post can be upgraded to another police division. So they have taken off.

Nsukka, the largest in Enugu, population figure. ell, from the figures we have before the 2007 general election, the general census of 2009, we are having a local government that has above 300,000 registered voters.

We are just talking about registered voters.

The unfortunate thing is that the statistics in the recent calculation count was not yet out from the office of statistics .The office of statistics are still working on it. The indices I gave out was for eligible voters.

We are not counting the children, old men and women who did not register. When we talk of population, we are looking at a cosmopolitan area where you have many people coming in. We are looking where we have federal institutions. We are looking at

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a society which is growing, people are coming in, business moving, attracting many people as the case may be. When we talk of being the largest, we are not talking of

,

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Stories by CHINEYE OZOR

rime among youths, the LG approach.

It is very unfortunate and laughable that we read in the newspapers that an association calls itself kidnappers association of Nsukka. Those are metaphors, Just things to put people in good mood. We do no have such an association in Nsukka. Like I said, Nsukka being a cosmopolitan town and a town that is growing and peaceful, I believe that where business thrives is where there is peace and for business to be thriving in •Nsukka LG boss, Nsukka means Barr Tony Ugwu that there is element of peace.

When the indices of public primary schools. It might surprise you we came in, the philosophy of to know that Nsukka local this government is all about the government has total number youths. How to develop and of 134 public primary schools. empower and make them have We have many states that do future to effectively add value to the society. That has been my cardinal point since I have been here for the two years trying to ginger for them to understand that they can add value. It is very unfortunate vices are coming in, more people, civilization which also has negative vices which is a norm, but we are working very hard, praying and believing that people in Nsukka should be very vigilant because security is all encompassing.

It is about all of us. Let us be not have up 100 public primary vigilant conscious and mindful schools. Schools come with of things around us and teachers, and pupils and Nsukka would be a better activities; this is just the place. indices we are talking about.

So, when we talk about Nsukka

We are working very hard, praying and believing that people in Nsukka should be very vigilant because security is all encompassing

largest in land mass. Even if you talk of land mass, Nsukka is big. When we talk about these, we look at comparative indices because when you come to a place you look at

,

We need more policemen in Nsukka — PCRC Chairman

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HE Chairman, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Nsukka urban, Chief Anthony OzoOnwuemelie spoke on the security situation in Nsukka.

Criminal activities, kidnap, robbery etc.

Well, I cannot say that the police are not working, they are over working because the population of Nsukka is very large and creating problems. It is not what one person can handle. I can give credit to Nsukka people because the way they co-operate with police is encouraging and should be appreciated. The assistance people give to police public relations committee (PCRC) building project at Nsukka Urban shows that people have realized that security is not one man’s business.

•Chief Ozor Onwuemelie, Nsukka PCRC boss

The PCRC has been assisting the police and I am urging philanthropists, corporate bodies and individuals to offer olive

branches to the Nigeria Police Force to enable them discharge their onerous duty of protecting life and property. I would suggest that the Nigeria Police Force should organize a security awareness seminar throughout the nation, not just in Nsukka, draw speakers from the length and breath of the country and beyond to enlighten people on the merits and demerits of fortified security network. The security awareness seminar should involve PCRC, vigilante groups, neighborhood watch, the clergy, local government chairmen as stakeholders. The figures of policemen in the country particularly in the university town of Nsukka are inadequate to guarantee the expected security network. There should be sensitization so that every body would be involved in policing than leaving it entirely for uniformed men alone.

46—SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

An encounter with a sex-worker:

‘We’re supplying a much needed service’

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN & EBUN SESSOU

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ommercial sex work ers in our society have e n d u r e d the ire of various com munities where they operate.

They carry out their business in the daylight without a dint of loss of face. And for as long as they offer service to some helpless individuals, they become increasingly noticed in and around our environment.

The worry many Nigerians have over the practice is mainly the openness which the business is assuming. How can you explain a 70-year-old retired sex worker getting accolades from members who organised a bash for her?

Many landlords in Lagos would not waver to give out their apartment for rent even if they knew it would be used for the bed-for-money business. The sex-workers also, like most people would argue, have also lost sense of decency, making public what is no better than any other clandestine business. The formation of Association of Nigeria Prostitutes, ANP, a few years ago by members of this trade, attests to their resolve not only to further decimate what remains of the moral psyche of the society but also move to press for law to support their illicit trade.

Reacting to a clue that sex-workers from various parts of the state gathered recently to celebrate one of their senior members who turned 70, in Lagos, Saturday Vanguard went in search of the septuagenarian for an interview but she was said to be out of town. Sources in the area confirmed there was a birthday bash for one of the members of sex-for-money trade but debunked that the occasion was a 70th birthday bash.

With several government initiatives to halt the practice, many believe that only social reforms and provision of jobs for all can help to reduce the practice especially those sexually vulnerable in the society.

But with a test case of the FCT on its N5billion rehabilitation

initiative, it may give direction on how to deal with the menace. In an encounter with one of the sex-workers; Dorothy, in her late 20s, on duty in Ikorodu, she shared some thoughts about the business with us.

Saturday Vanguard: Oh! you look nice.

Dorothy: Thanks. Are you for

want to marry me or f.... me?

Saturday Vanguard: The job is perceived as being quite dangerous. What measures do you take to keep safe?

Dorothy: That is why we advertise here that we play safe with condom. I personally find it very safe with it. Again, as long as you don’t take unnecessary risks or yield to some

personally worried that this business is becoming accepted.

Dorothy: (laughs) I know now that you are pretending.

Saturday Vanguard: No. You see, I learnt that one retired old member of yours, a 70year-old former sex worker had a birthday recently; and members went there and even presented her a gift.

Did you attend the party?

Dorothy: No! I don’t know her, I heard about it and what is bad about that?

Saturday Vanguard: How many years have you been in this?

Dorothy: About eight years now.

Saturday Vanguard: You speak very well, are you a graduate?

Dorothy: No, I forfeited my own education for my siblings after my ND. Saturday Vanguard: training them with what you earn?

Dorothy: I don’t want to talk about that or are you are up to something?

Saturday Vanguard: (laughs) No! No, it is just that possibly, somebody might be of assistance and take you out of this.

Are you aware that government is setting aside some billions of naira to rehabilitate sex-workers in the FCT? Dorothy: Which government or they are looking for another way to steal money? Have they

I’m not selling my body any more than a politician or a leader selling his soul, killing people for money and stealing the common wealth or the judge seeling his conscience. We’re supplying a much needed service to some people in need of it. We are very informed here. me? (gesticulating) Saturday Vanguard: Yes! what is your bill?

Dorothy: Not expensive!

How do you want it? Come, let’s go in. (Going inside) Saturday Vanguard: But why don’t we agree first before....

Dorothy: Aren’t you a man?

Or you just want to ask questions?

Saturday Vanguard: No, I really don’t like how some of you behave.

Dorothy: How? Saturday Vanguard: Anyway, tell me about yourself first and I will...

Dorothy: Myself? Do you

tricks by your clients, you will be fine. Didn’t you see the inscription there?

Saturday Vanguard: Do you get some bookings from your clients?

Dorothy: I don’t take bookings from anyone, and I don’t get a positive feeling either, this is business.

Saturday Vanguard: Do you have association?

Dorothy: Yes, we have. Are you a journalist? You ask too many questions.

Saturday Vanguard: No! just want to know.

Dorothy: What for?

Saturday Vanguard: I am

helped the beggars on the streets? The other time, they talked about law to legalise same sex marriage, is prostitution not better to be legalised than gay?

Saturday Vanguard: No! But our culture do not encourage it.

Dorothy: Well, whatever people like they should say, there are kidnappers, assassins and those who do heinous things for a living, why should important service to relieve bad feelings and emotions become the topic in the society. I beg, let everybody face his own business.

Saturday Vanguard: Is this your own view or that of your entire member?

Dorothy: I am not speaking for any body, but as much as I know, no one wishes to be a professional ashewo. I feel that what I do is a legitimate service towards people who pay for their personal needs. I am not vindictive or evil like most politicians. Some of us are educated and offer a service to men who have certain needs.

Why do you think we boldly put the inscription outside that ‘We play safe with condom outside’. I don’t feel there is anything wrong with it at all.

Saturday Vanguard: Which means you are not in a hurry to quit the business?

Dorothy: Yes! Maybe after a few more years when my siblings will finish their education, I will try another business. The only drawback in this business is dealing with the stigma. There is nothing inherently bad or wrong about consensual sex whether for money, there is nothing inherently bad or wrong about money, so it’s hard to understand why there is such a stigma attached to receiving money in return for sex which satisfies a need.

Saturday Vanguard: So, you think there is nothing wrong with selling your body?

Dorothy: I’m not selling my body any more than a politician or a leader selling his soul, killing people for money and stealing the common wealth or the judge seeling his conscience.

We’re supplying a much needed service to some people in need of it. We are very informed here. Please go out if you are not ready. (angry)

Continues on page 47

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013—47

An encounter with a sex-worker:

‘It is not sufficient to declare ‘war’ on prostitutes’

Continued frompage 46 needed service to some people in need of it. We are very informed here. Please go out if you are not ready. (angry) ************************** N5bn to rehabilitate prostitutes FG, FCT get knocks Recently, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu on the floor of the House asked the Senate to consider the possibility of legalising prostitution in the country.

Ekweremadu who spoke during a debate on a motion on the scourge of human trafficking in the country said since it has become impossible to stop prostitution in the land; the Senate should consider regulating the act in the country.

According to him “ we need to regulate prostitution in this country so that if anyone wants to indulge in prostitution, the person should be registered and issued with a license. If we say we want to stop it, it would be difficult.

It is done in other countries; let us regulate it by issuing license.”

But, instead of legalising the profession as proposed by Ekweremadu, the Federal Government seems to be looking in another direction by declaring a ‘ war ‘ on Abuja call girls, a faction out of the numerous sex centres in the country.

In a related development, the government has set up two training centres for commercial sex workers as part of measures to remove them from the streets.

The training centres would be located at Bwari Area Council

and Lugbe in Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC. The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has also proposed to spend N5 billion this year to rehabilitate prostitutes and destitutes who loiter the streets of Abuja.

However, this development has been generating mixed feelings amongst Nigerians. We present their sampled opinions.

Prof Joy Ngozi Ezeilo

Maybe another conduit for funds diversion — Prof Joy Ngozi Ezeilo o Prof Joy Ngozi Ezei lo, United Nations Spe cial Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children, the N5billion is a huge allocation.

According to her, this is more than the budget of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and probably all their States counterpart put together.

She opined that, “if the said money goes to addressing inequalities that cause or lead to prostitution, destitution and vulnerabilities, then it is a budget well directed. “However, if it’s meant as I suspect to address asymptomatic manifestations of the deep rooted problems that create the difficult circumstances that force people into prostitution, then it will be allocation misdirected and misapplied. “Nevertheless,I haven’t seen the breakdown to know what specifics the money would be used for and given the unchecked corruption, I’m worried that this may be a conduit for funds diversion and eventual harassment of the already vulnerable group without doing anything substantial to address their needs and empower them to find alternative livelihood

Jacqueline-Yemi-Odiadi

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Dr. Joe Okei – Odumakin sustainability.

“We must endeavor to protect the human rights of all, treat people with dignity whether seen or called prostitutes or female sex workers.

“I hope police will not see it as invitation to harass, arrest and clamp them in detentions.

It has to be a voluntary programme and we have to allow the affected or supposed beneficiaries the opportunity to opt in or opt out.

“Again, I’m also not pleased with the lumping of prostitutes with destitutes. These women

and including men who work in the sex industry are human beings and should not be degraded because of the situation they find themselves in.

“What should be our focus is to ensure that people are not forced into prostitution and are not exploited by others, especially pimps earning a living from prostituting women and girls.

“I don’t think NAPTIP annual budget is anywhere near that 5 billion, yet they have made a difference in combating human trafficking nationally and internationally. I believe NAPTIP has the relevant expertise in the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes to ensure that set goals to empower female commercial sex workers, lift them out of poverty and exploitative situations. If this 5 billion is allocated towards the recovery programme at the rate of five hundred thousand Naira (N500, 000) per woman prostitute, then it would succeed in reaching about 10,000 persons and this can effectively result in actual empowerment of the target group.

“However, I’m not sure whether FCT did any survey or need assessment to understand the problem, the target group and what probably the institutional response to pursue.

I’m not sure of what informed this heavy budget allocation but being in a country where mix-match budget is a common occurrence, I have ceased to be shocked about these figures.

“I think concerned persons, including the media should direct their attention to its implementation and demand accountability at the end of the day,” she concluded.

What we need is social reformation— Dr. Joe Okei – Odu-

makin She also frowned at the p r o posed plan and said that, “Given what we know of Nigerian officials, most of the funds would end in private pockets.

It is the high level of official corruption that has given no other choice to those category of Nigerians than selling their bodies and going into destitution.

What we need today is social reformation that will create enabling environment where enterprise will flourish and citizens can make good choices.

Throwing money at problems will multiply them rather than solving them”.

In waging war against prostitutes, she advised that, “Nigerian Government needs to address the conditions that are making those call girls go into prostitution. If they do not provide the alternatives and they engage in prostitution, then the FG has no moral right to declare any war.”

She lamented that the FG is creating more conditions that is making our young girls to sell their bodies, adding that provision of an enabling environment for enterprise to thrive will end poverty and create more jobs.

It is not sufficient to declare ‘war’ on prostitutes —Jacqueline ‘Yemi Odiadi acqueline ‘Yemi Odiadi, J Executive Director, De velopment Support Institute (DSI) in her own opinion said: “while it is commendable that at last, the FG has come to the realization that there is a gap that needs to be filled; a non-directional or nonstrategic approach is not a step in the right direction.

“The passion to address a societal need requires a systematic and sustainable approach in the quest to deal with several issues so intricately linked to avoid this project turning out to be a white elephant project.

“A critical look at our social system will reveal that indeed a yawning gap exists which deserves a declaration of a “State of Emergency”.

“Of recent, we read of a few states taking deliberate initial steps to address some need of the socially under-served, we however lack the statistics to know the impact of what is showcased in the newspapers.

“Although we are not privy to the master plan of the FG in this rehabilitation project, we need to ask some basic questions, what role will professionals play in the rehabilitation process, professionals like Psychologists; Adult education consultants, Life Skill Trainers; Life Coaches; Counselors; Financial advisers; Health Care Givers ;etc?

“It is not sufficient to declare ‘war’ on prostitutes without equipping the ‘army of professionals’ with the required capacity training to effectively combat this social malaise which we know is fueled by other factors like unemployment, social support system and lack of educationeitherformalorinformaltomake informed choices.

“The relevant government agencies need to be overhauled, retrained and filled with well trained and adequately equipped army of personnel from field workers up to policy makers to take on this Goliath that is threatening the very existence of decent living.

“Extreme care must also be taken about the overall implementation of this program to avoid it being highjacked by those whose mission is self serving and not in the overall interest of prostitutes and destitute really in need of rehabilitation,” she said.

48—SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

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ANUARY 20 was a special day for Chief Charles Chinwendu Odedo, a member of House of Representatives representing Idemili Federal Constituency, Anambra State.

Apart from Senator Chris Ngige, Chief Odedo is the only federal lawmaker elected on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN in the South-East geo-political zone.

Having gone through rigorous legal tussles that lasted for nearly two out of the four year tenure to recover his mandate in 2008, which has been renewed last year, and given the projects he had attracted or executed in his constituency, Odedo was the toast of eminent persons who converged at a town hall meeting he held penultimate week.

Odedo, who said his plan, is to touch all the 17 communities in his constituency, said so far Ogidi, Nkpor, Ideani, Uke, Abatete, Umuoji, Abacha, Oraukwu, Eziowelle, Obosi, Nnobi, Ojoto, Alor, Nnokwa, Akwukwu, Oba and Awka-Etiti have each benefited from at least two major federal projects he attracted.

These include motorized boreholes, solar-powered street lights, construction reconstruction of decayed primary/secondary school buildings.

Though his women/youth empowerment and poverty alleviation schemes, the legislator has given out about 40 Commuter buses, sowing machines, generating sets, motor-cycles, hairdressing/salon equipment and accessories, poultry/piggery funds and other classes of vehicles.

So far, about 15 of the 17 communities have benefited from the 47 vehicles he had presented.

As part of his legislative duties, Odedo held a Town Hall meeting with his constituents two week ago during which he handed over some vehicles, scholarship scheme, a community Library and Computer centre, at Nnobi in Idemili South LGA. He also used the occasion to present three units of 18-seater buses to three private secondary schools, viz-Madonna International academy, Trinity Model School and Seat of Wisdom School, all located in Nnobi. He used the event to stress the importance of education, which he contended was the answer to idleness, unemployment, armed robbery, kidnap and general insecurity in the area.

Odedo has challenged other lawmakers – Tambuwal At the event, Speaker of the Federal House of Representative, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who was represented by Hon Chris Azubogu, said he was very proud to be associated with Odedo.

Commending Odedo for his achievements that have endeared him to his constituents, Tambuwal said other members of the Lower Chamber of the National assembly have been given a challenge to take a cue from Odedo’s commitment to service.

He is a committed lawmaker – Ngige Senator Chris Ngige appreciated the qualities of Odedo and his commitC M Y K

Day Tambuwal, Ngige, others honoured Rep Odedo We must empower our people through education

Odedo

Members of the Lower Chamber of the National assembly have been given a challenge to take a cue from Odedo’s commitment to service ment to the welfare of the people through his numerous life-enhancing projects. He said that the Senate committee on Power where he is the deputy chairman was currently working hard to step up the quality and quantity of power supply in the country as a subtle measure towards tackling joblessness, insecurity, restiveness and idleness in the country. He charged the people of the area to endeavour to build on the achievements of the lawmaker for a better society.

Traditional ruler of Nnobi community, HRH Igwe Nick Obi, Omenyili spoke in like manner and commended the lawmaker for his selfless service and industry.

Education greatest form of empowerment – Odedo

Aminu Waziri Tambuwal Arguing that education is the greatest form of empowerment, and that campaign promises should be realistic and fulfilled, Odedo, who flagged off the construction of the first set of blocks of classrooms at the Community Secondary School, Abacha in Idemili North council, said it was in fulfillment of his 2011 general election campaign promise to the community, that he would build a secondary school in the community if elected.

Decrying the high number of jobless youths roaming the streets in the state, the lawmaker bemoaned a situation where Anambra is the most expensive state to acquire education in the country.

He therefore called on the Gov Peter Obi administration to consider declaration of free education at primary and secondary levels in the state and limiting the tuition cost of university education for indigenes to N20,000.

He commended Rivers, Delta, Sokoto and Imo states for making education free in their states, noting “the heavy burden of education for you today will be the prosperity and security we will enjoy in the years to come”.

The inspiration to make the best out of youths in the area, he acknowledged, was part of what inspired him to build the library, computer and skill acquisition centres.

He therefore urged others who are richly endowed and in positions of

Chris Ngige authority to do something and “take action to save our youth in the interest of the larger society because my heart bleeds whenever I see many able-bodied youths aimlessly roaming the streets and motor parks in cities as touts today, knowing they could have been world-class sprinters, academic or footballers if only high tuition fees had not prevented them from going to school.”

SA TURD AY Vanguard , FEBRU ARY 16, 2013 — 49 SATURD TURDA FEBRUARY

Honouring the lovely bones

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he ancient ritual of the Karo Batak tribe may appear macabre, but the exhuming of skeletons of family members is a sacred and centuries-long tradition. Families of the tribe return to their ancestors' graves to honour the bones of a beloved relative, buried on the hillsides of North Sumatra, Indonesia. The Karo Batak tribe clean the skeleton before laying it in a new coffin and placing it in a specially-built skull house, known as a geritan.

Witch

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other, 20, accused of being a 'witch' and 'killing a boy with sorcery' tortured and burned alive on pile of tyres. Police turned back by lynch mob in highlands of Papua New Guinea. She had confessed to killing a boy 'with sorcery' while being tortured.

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Rocking Lions

wo lions brought rushhour traffic to a standstill in Nairobi, Kenya when they had a roll-around in the middle of the street.

It was during the morning hours commuters are on the edge of the Nairobi National Park that two young males appeared on the side of the road and strolled out in front of cars and trucks.

The African lions' antics caused tail backs as they found the busy road the perfect place to rub themselves in buffalo faeces.

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Critically-ill

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ritically-ill model, 26, received kidney from her mother... 10 years after getting same donor organ from her father.

Deborah Maddison has had kidney problems since she was 16. Received underwent first kidney transplant in 2003 when father donated to 26-year-old who also suffers from Osteoporosis and heart problems. She has pursued a successful modelling career despite her poor health.

50 — SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

Mimiko in the last four years

By John Ajayi

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Governor Olusegun Mimiko

world standard facilities, paved and painted sidewalks, duty-free lock up shops selling provisions, tastefully furnished parking areas with news cars lined up in serene order, and many more. The environment was conceptua-

,

s the Ondo State gov ernor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, clocks four years in office, his popularity has continued to soar even though he has himself not sought it.

The governor, in the last four years, has evolved a number of unparalleled strategies for combating underdevelopment and actualizing the social democratic mantra on a globally acknowledged scale. In the last four years, Mimiko has revolutionised the educational sector in Ondo State by building mega schools with no parallels in Africa, winning accolades from across the globe. At a record 50 scattered across the three senatorial districts in the state, the mega schools (with free school buses, uniforms, sandals, bags and books, alluring architecture, electro-magnetic chalk boards, the computer laboratory with 50 internet-ready computers for Type 1 schools, an imposing Senate building, encapsulated in a selfregulating internal mechanism with each of the main organs in the school conceptualised to be self-sustaining) have been hailed as Black Africa’s greatest success story in educational revolution.

The only Quality Education Assurance Agency in the country, established by the state government, is involved in maintaining standards and setting parameters in all the agencies and departments of government in the state In its bid to make Akure and other towns in the state functional, the state government evolved the mechanic village, where auto workers would operate in a state-of-the art environment.

There are 80 workshops/ bush bars, each of which can attend to four vehicles at a time, aside cars at the car wash area, the spray rooms, spare parts stores and those on relaxation. The fee paid is only N40 per day. The government also built specially designated relaxation spots for the people. The Caring Heart Neighbourhood Recreation Park, Ilula, Akure, is one such facility where, after a hard day’s work or even while on holiday, workers enjoy themselves, watching channels on DSTV, playing table tennis, volleyball, etc, and having a swell time with barbeque and any kind of drink.

In Akure, the government built a driver’s airport with an arrival/departure lounge, a green area, rest rooms with

intermittently under remand without the assurance of conclusion of their trials, it might jeopardise the safety of the society, stressing that efforts must be intensified to address the situation. In tackling street trading through state of the

We found out that no state governor in Nigeria has approached the implementation of his election promises with great fervour and passion like Dr Mimiko

,

lised to redesign the mind so that the three geometries –the humans, the plants and the non-living environment— would form a balance. Again, on Monday, April 2, 2012, the governor commissioned Africa’s first court within a prison premises under the state’s Rapid Justice System programme, namely High Court Number 10, at Olokuta Prison, Akure, promising to provide the prison with a clinic that would offer basic drugs for free. Mimiko noted that if violent criminals were kept

art neighbourhood markets, the state government identified markets as a major avenue of social interaction and congregation, and even an organ of governance in any Yoruba setting, submitting that if the problems of market women were addressed, poverty in communities would be almost 25 per cent solved.

In November 2011, at a ceremony at the highbrow Holiday Inn, Kessignton, London, attended by over 40 foreign ambassadors and members of the British parliament, Mim-

iko won the Best Governor of the Year Award, courtesy of Ben TV, United Kingdom. Said the organisers: “This committee traversed the length and breadth of Nigeria for three months, conducting empirical research and on-the-spot assessment of the state incognito and it found that Dr Olusegun Mimko towers above the others.

We found out that no state governor in Nigeria has approached the implementation of his election promises with great fervour and passion like Dr Mimiko. In the education sector, no state governor in Nigeria has ever planted the kind of structure Dr Mimiko constructed for primary schools in Nigeria. You will be amazed that these beautiful, child-friendly and academics- inducing structures are not only for the public, the common people, but that they will pay no fees.”

The governor was decorated in the same month as a Honorary Fellow of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital; “Achiever of Our Time” by Radio Nigeria, Ibadan. He was named Governor of the Year 2011 by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in December 2011; given the AES Excellent Leadership Award by the Academy of Entrepreneurial Studies, at the Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi, Lagos; named Governor of the Year 2012 by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and, again, Governor of the Year 2011 by the Nigerian Tribune, among others.

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n the letter announcing Mimiko as the winner of the United Nations 2012 Habitat Scroll of Honour award, the United Nations through its Coordinator on UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour, Ana B Moreno, said the choice of the governor was the unanimous decision of an international jury.

The agency said: “Dr. Mimiko was selected among many nominees for the most coveted award in the human settlement sector.The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour is the most prestigious human settlement award in the world which aims to acknowledge initiatives which have made outstanding contributions in various fields

such as shelter provision, leadership in developing and improving the human settlements and general enhancement in overall quality of urban life.

The areas considered for the award according to the statement include, housing and slum upgrading, Urban planning and design, Urban economy, Infrastructure rehabilitation and risk reduction.

The Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Washington DC, United States, while inviting Dr Mimiko to deliver a lecture on the World Bank-endorsed Abiye model on January 16, noted that “the Abiye (Safe Motherhood) programme is winning praise as a promising model, creating incentives for expectant mothers to seek care and for health providers to deliver quality services. Abiye model is a work in progress, and the initiative’s leadership is cognizant of the challenges associated with scale-up and sustainability over time. But the programme does provide a positive preliminary model of how data collection, technology and innovation, efficient use of resources and mechanisms of accountability – backed by sustained political will – can come together in a comprehensive strategy.”

As the October 20 governorship election approached, however, the opposition stepped up its subversive agenda, mounting campaigns of calumny against the Mimiko administration: “The encircled Iroko,” “Brother today, gone tomorrow,” “Can an Iroko make a forest?”, among many others. Yet, in spite of the intense and unrelenting attacks, the governor refused to be drawn into the vulgarism which had characterised the attacks on him even by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governors, using the very idea of regional integration which he (Mimiko) himself muted as a blackmail tool.

“They boast in their godfathers but we trust in God the Father,” he declared.

On October 20, the Ondo people gave a clear mandate to the governor to pilot the affairs of the state until 2016, erupting into massive celebrations as soon as the election results were announced. However, the governor has promised to give the people of the state a double portion of the landmarks of the past four years, ruling with the fear of God. The success story has only just begun.

* John Ajayi Is a Public Analyst

SATURDAY VANGUARD,

FEBRUARY 16, 2013—51

How FG can suppor t maritime practitioners ----Tony Dania

By Bashir Adefaka

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arrister Tony Dania, is a foremost legal practitioner and maritime expert. In this interview with Saturday Vanguard Business, he gives legal points on germane issues that bother on Nigeria’s national economic development with regard to the maritime,oil and gas business challenges. Excerpts: Is Nigeria a maritime nation given the attention to this sector by successive governments and industry practitioners?

Nigeria is a maritime nation, emphatically and without an iota of doubt Nigeria is indeed a maritime nation.

The whole southern coastline of this country is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. We, the practitioners in the maritime sector of the Nigerian economy, have done our bit. But successive governments have not taken the maritime industry as serious as they are taking industries such as the oil and gas, banking, telecommunications, power to mention afew.

Successive governments have failed to do what is needful to develop and harness the vast and limitless potentials of the maritime sector, despite several efforts made by technocrats such as Chief Olisa Agbakoba and others to get government to do this.

Take the pronouncement made by former President , Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in respect of developing Nigerian maritime infrastructure through a specialised national maritime investment platforms that would encompass the establishment

of a $1 billion maritime fund and a maritime bank. All these laudable aspirations did not see the light of the day. These developments made the industry to become one where practitioners now do everything by themselves.

Banks are not supporting this industry and stakeholders are not encouraged to do so. Operators look for financial leverages to support their businesses on their own. That is why oil theft abound in the industry, when indigenous motor-tanker vessels have to look for jobs.

You have always championed the establishment of a “Cargo Society.” Is this among the developmental platforms that can accelerate the development of the Nigerian maritime industry?

Every maritime nation has a Cargo Society. This society ensures that indigenous vessels have jobs. Do you know the quantum of associated businesses and employment opportunities that come with ferrying a million barrels of crude oil? Cargo societies are organised platforms that ensure that our national branded vessels have businesses that can sustain them and operators can fill the local content quotas.

If you mention the absence of a cargo society, what of docking?. These services are practically absent in our sector. Niger-Dock is a mere name they are not carrying out docking services.

Naval Dockyard is well equipped to do docking yet they are not because of obvious reasons that should not be.

As a maritime expert, what is

your take on the discovery of oil in Lagos and what steps can be taken so that agitations associated with oil exploration and exploitations in the NigerDania: Maritime needs government supDelta will port to strive not arise in the state? What role do you expect Lagos State Government to play in This commission or committee will this direction? have as part of its mandates; to interWe should establish the fact that face and negotiate with the Federal Govcrude oil management and ernment on behalf of the state. Lagos administration belong to the Federal State cannot assume ownership, conGovernment of Nigeria. With this trol and administration of crude oil development, Lagos State will become found in its domain. The state House of one of the oil producing states in the Assembly should constitute a commitcountry. tee to make bye-laws that will guide oil I heard a commentator saying the exploration activities in the state; this state should take the lead in this de- is where state power ends according to velopment. the Constitution.

According to the Constitution, LaLagos State Government has the right gos State Government can neither to go into oil and gas business. They manage nor administer crude oil if can do this by partnering with any oil found in its domain. My profession- company of their choice and with this al and candid advice to the state gov- vehicle they can now enter into a joint ernment is to quickly establish a full venture agreement with the Federal fledge commission or a committee Government. peopled by seasoned maritime pracI heard that Capital Oil and Gas wants titioners and technocrats in relevant to partner with the state to build an fields. And their appointments should 80,000-barrel per day (BPD) refinery. be devoid of political colourations or They can do this as long as they have sectional considerations. the requisite license from the Federal Government.

Rockefeller Foundation appoints Africa Regional Officer

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r. Judith Rodin, president of The Rockefeller Foundation, has announced the appointment of Mamadou Biteye as managing director for the Foundation’s Africa Regional Office, effective April 29. From that date, Biteye will be in charge of the Foundation’s activities across Africa.

Biteye joins the Foundation’s Nairobi-based

Regional Office from Oxfam Great Britain, West Africa Regional Center, where he is currently the regional director responsible for strategic programme leadership and overall management of the West Africa region, including eight country offices.

“I am delighted to welcome Mamadou to The Rockefeller Foundation,” said Dr. Rodin. “ He

brings with him decades of experience, and expertise in the development sector in Africa, which will strengthen the Foundation’s impact as we enter our centennial year. I am thrilled to bring on new leadership in Africa that will steer our grant making and partnership into the future.

Prior to Oxfam, Mamadou was the Executive Director of the Association

Airtel Offers Nigerians Opportunity to Pre-order BlackBerry tures of the smartphone to

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eading telecommu nications service operator, Airtel Nigeria has provided Nigerians opportunity to own the latest BlackBerry Z10 smartphone by pre-ordering for the device viawww.ng.airtel.comor through its shops across the country.

The company says customers who pre-orderfor the latest BlackBerry® Z10 smartphone would be provided with the opportunity of having the device delivered to the near-

est sales point of their choice for pick up.

For N100, 000 only, Airtel customers would have the privilege of owning the latest device from BlackBerry complete with smart features that would provide them with distinctive communication experience.

Olu Akanmu, Airtel’s Chief Marketing Officer, said the company’s superior and widest 3.75G coverage across the country would complement the unique computing fea-

provide customers with a delightful internet experience irrespective of their location.

“Our partnership with BlackBerry to serve Nigerian consumers with one of the best in-class telecommunication technology product firms up Airtel’s resolve to dictate the pace of innovation and value creation in the Nigerian telecoms market in our quest to become the most loved brand in the daily lives of Nigerians”, Akanmu, added.

for the Development at the Grassroots (Senegal).

An agricultural economist by training, he has over twenty years of experience in strategic leadership, human resources management, financial management, program development and implementation, public policy analysis, advocacy and campaigning and community participatory development.

“The Rockefeller Foundation’s legacy of building resilience and fostering growth with equity, particularly through its longstanding leadership in agriculture and health across Africa, is one that I am honored to carry forward,” remarked Biteye.

“I am excited to join the Foundation’s team of innovators, and to lead an expansion of its efforts to secure livelihoods and transform cities as Africa adapts to globalization.

Through strong partnerships, we will find new ways to improve the wellbeing of millions of people from Durban to Dar es Salaam to Dakar.”

LUBCON rewards customers

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Demola Akinyemi

frican leading lu bricants oil producing company,LUBCON oil Nigeria limited based in Ilorin,Kwara State has rewarded its numerous customers across the country with several precious gifts.

The executive Director,Commercial, Mallam Fatai Woli speaking at the ceremony in Ilorin noted that the win and scratch promo was meant to reward loyal customers and distributors and also in a way to positively affect the lives of the users and customers of the company’s numerous products.

He also said that the programme was informed by the corporate responsibilities of the company which include integri-ty,transparency and responsibility.

He added that the company is being managed by a strong team of diverse and talented professionals.

Woli also said\ that,”Lubcon secures, motivates and retains the

best professionals, people with commitment and talents through attractive workplace,competitive remuneration and equal opportunities for career development.Lubcon is also gender friendly and the best place on earth to excel” He added that LUBCON,an ISO certified oil and gas company is known all over West Africa for quality products and innovative services which have led to its rapid growth in the sub region.

In their numerous remarks,the customers of the company commended the management for putting smile on their faces describing the scratch and win promotion initiative as laudable and customer friendly.

Star prizes which included bedside refrigerators,generating sets,motor\cycles,tricycles and Hyundai car were won by the numerous customers.

52 — SATURDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

SATURDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 16, 2013 — 53

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54 — SATURDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

African Youth Championships: AFN changes age for D.K Olukoya meet

Igali laments wrestling’s ouster from 2020 Olympics T

BY BEN EFE

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ORMER world and Olympics wrestling champion, Dr. Daniel Igali has joined other enthusiasts of the sport to voice their opposition to the International Olympic Committee, IOC’s decision to delete wrestling from the events of the 2020 Olympics.

Igali who won all his international accolades representing Canada stated that he was shocked by the IOC decision to axe wrestling. This is even as IOC president, Jacques Rogge assured that there is still a chance wrestling will be reinstated.

“The rationale for the exclusion at this point is unclear and immaterial. It is highly disappointing.

Wrestling is the oldest sport known to man.

Wrestling has featured in every Olympic Games since the modern Olympics in 1896. Every nation and tribe all over the world has some variant of wrestling. At every world championships I have attended and watched since the 1990’s, we regularly have over 70 nations in attendance. Over 40 na-

tions qualified for the London Olympics. About 29 different countries won medals at the London 2012 Olympics. How many other sports can boast of such stats? Wrestling is a relatively cheap sport to compete at; it’s relatively safe compared to other sports and rules regulating the sport are generally easy to understand,” Igali said.

The Bayelsa State lawmaker however, said that the final decision on the matter will be taken in September and therefore, “We will endeavour to lobby IOC members from wrestling friendly countries to vote down the proposal by IOC executive committee.”

Rogge will meet with the head of wrestling’s governing body to discuss ways the sport can fight to save its place in the 2020 Olympics.

Rogge said Wednesday he’s been contacted by Raphael Martinetti, the president of International Wrestling Federation, FILA, and was encouraged by the sport’s determination to remain in the G ames.

“We agreed we would meet at the first opportu-

nity to have discussions,” Rogge said at a news conference at the close of a twoday board meeting. “I should say FILA reacted well to this disheartening news for them.

“They vowed to adapt the sport and vowed to fight to be eventually included in the 2020 slot.”

Wrestling, which remains on the program for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, still has a chance to stay on the list for 2020 — if it manages to convince the IOC to reverse the board’s decision.

The IOC executive board will meet in May in St. Petersburg, Russia, to decide which sport or sports to propose for 2020 inclusion. The final vote will be made at the IOC general assembly in September in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Rogge said he was fully aware of the backlash to the decision against wrestling, a sport which dates back to the ancient Olympics and featured in the inaugural modern games in 1896.

“We knew even before the decision was taken whatever sport would not be included in the core program would lead to criticism from the supporters of that sport,” Rogge said.

Eagles’ victory should reinforce our unity – Ashafa

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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ENATOR Gbenga Ashafa, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, has described the victory of the Super Eagles at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations, as a pointer to more good tidings to come if Nigerians are resolute and focused in achieving greatness in all endeavours.

Ashafa, in his congratulatory message to Nigerians and members of the Super Eagles, however, noted that the victory would reinforce the spirit of unity among Nigerians.

“Soccer has always being a unifying factor for Nigerians. Irrespective of religion, ethnic background, sex, or status, football always brings us together as one good family,” he said.

The senator, who was full of praises for the senior National team, said they won the tournament through sheer determination, oneness and focus without any personal in-

HE 2013 edition of the Pastor D.K Olukoya junior championships scheduled for March 7-9, has been restricted to Under-17 by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria in view of the maiden African Youth Championships billed for Warri, Delta March 23-28.

Previously the D.K Olukoya Championships, which is in its third year were only for Under-18 athletes. But the AFN scaled down the age-limit as the the AYC is opened to only Under-17 athletes.

“We are using the D.K Olukoya as our trials. And it is only wise that we restrict it to Under-17 athletes since the African Youth Championships is for Under-17,”said AFN president, Solomon Ogba in Port Harcourt during the National Schools Sports Festival.

Sixteen athletes were picked at the Schools sports festival and they will join those that will be selected from the D.K Olukoya meet at the Yaba Colleague of Technology, Lagos. The athletes that make the final list will be camped for two weeks in readiness for the AYC. Meanwhile former Edo State commissioner for sports, Brown Ebewele has tasked the AFN to present only athletes who are truly under-17 for the AYC. He said that it was time Nigeria pay more attention to grassroots development rather than recycle athletes.

“We want to see only under-17 athletes at the AYC in Warri. We want see

LONG HAUL ... Athletes contesting for honours durng a long distance race. a crop of young athletes we can train in the next five years. “It is about time we stop this win at all cost attitude and look for young

Diack thumbs up Nigeria athletics revival efforts

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AAF president, Lamine Diack left Nigeria last weekend with hopes that Nigeria athletics will be in full bloom again and there would be a repeat of the glory days, that put Nigerian athletes in the bright spot of international athletics.

Diack was in Port Harcourt, River State to receive a honorary doctorate degree from the University of Port Harcourt. He also inspected the IAAF endorsed Port Harcourt High performance centre, which he would commission when he returns in March during the African Youth Championships to be held in Warri, Delta State.

“Diack was impressed with what he saw. He commended the efforts of the AFN president, Solomon Ogba,” said former African long jump champion Yusuf Alli.

He added that the IAAF and the AFN have signed

Ennis targets gold in Moscow

O *From left, Managing Director, DHL Express, Randy Buday, Coach Adegboye Onigbinde, Man. United Legend,Quinton Fortune and Commercial Manager, DHL Express, Chrysanthus Okereke at a cocktail organized by DHL in honour of Fortune. terest agenda.

He said: “The Super Eagles, who were not among the pre-tournament favourites, won because the coach selected the right players for the task as well as the fact that the technical crew believed that when there is determination and self-belief, there is no impossibility. ”I salute our boys and the crew for making Ni-

geria proud again after many years of disappointment in our sports sector. ”This victory has shown that, Nigeria can rise to the top in every sphere of our economy, if the right people are allowed to steer the ship of leadership. I want to encourage Nigerians not to despair but hold on to hope in the renaissance of Nigeria as a force in the comity of nations.”

LYMPIC heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis will not compete indoors during 2013 as she targets winning gold at this summer ’s World Championships.

Ennis, 27, said she returned to winter training after her gold-medal success at London 2012 undecided about whether to participate in the indoor season.

“My focus has to be attempting to win another world title and not the short-term indoor season,” she said.

The Sheffield athlete plans to open her outdoor season at Meadowbank on 8 June.

It is, however, too early to say what events Ennis

athletes to present at championships. It does matter whether they win, we want to see fresh talents,” said Ebewele in Port Harcourt.

may compete in at the Women’s League match at the Edinburgh venue.

She won gold at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin and is aiming for her second title when Russian capital Moscow hosts the event in August.

UK Athletics head coach Peter Eriksson said he was “100%” behind Ennis’s decision.

“Jess is a very mature and seasoned athlete who is focused on performing at her best in major championships,” he added.

Ennis’ long-time coach Toni Minichiello lost his UK Athletics funding in January after deciding to stay in Ennis’ home city of Sheffield rather than relocate to Loughborough.

a memorandum of understanding to make the sport popular in schools across Nigeria. This is part of the school youth programme introduced by IAAF to create awareness and discover young talents from the grassroots.

It was gathered that Diack is looking forward to coming back to Nigeria, after he was given a threat

by Ogba. Shortly after the awards ceremony, both men flew in a private jet to South Africa, where they watched the Africa Cup of Nations final between Nigeria and Burkina Faso.

This visit by Diack is a refreshing departure from a previous visit in 1997 when he was president of the Confederation of Africa Athletics. It was during the third African Junior Athletics Championships in Ibadan, Oyo State. Diack was locked out of his hotel room as then AFN board led by Tony Urhobo made a mess in organising the championships. This put Nigeria in the bad books of the CAA and the IAAF, it was former AFN president Dan Ngerem that brought Diack back to cooperative terms with Nigerian athletics.

Enis

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013 — 55

*Pistorius with late Reeva

Ezeji elated by Mba’s Nations Cup goals

BY EDDIE AKALONU

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x-international, Victor Eze ji is excited that players from the Nigerian league proved their mettle alongside their foreign-based compatriots that enabled the Super Eagles to reclaim the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

He declared Sunday Mbah as the face of the Nigerian League players going by his scoring ability in the competition.

“Sunday Mbah truly reflected the strength of our league, that it is highly competitive with abundant talents. His performance added value to what we have been clamouring for over the years that Nigerian league players should be given equal opportunity as those abroad because they are equally good and able. Mbah and Oboabona really have my commendation,”he said.

Continuing, an elated Ezeji, who emerged the FA Cup most valuable player in 2006 and 2007, said, “I am particularly happy at the goals scored

by Sunday Mbah, they were so fantastic and I cannot forget the final match goal because of the professional way he did it. That goal can be rated among the best around the world.”.

The former U-23 team player therefore urged coach Stephen Keshi to keep faith with the local players and continue to build on what have been achieved as he charged the NFF to work on the league.

“Despite the fact that the league has been without spon-

sorship, there is glaring evidence it is worth investing in.

So, the NFF, in my view, should ensure the league is

sustained on good course yearly to ensure that talents continue to grow in the country,” he stressed.

Pistorius charged, breaks down in tears B

LADE Runner turned Blade Gunner, Oscar Pistorius broke down in tears in court yesterday after being formally charged with the murder of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, but disputed the charge “in the strongest possible terms.”

Dressed in a dark suit, the Olympic and Paralympic superstar stood with head bowed in front of magistrate Desmond Nair to the hear the charge of one count of murder read out.

He then started sobbing uncontrollably, covering his face with his hands.

“Take it easy. Come take a seat,” Nair told him.

Prosecutors told the Pretoria court they would argue the shooting was pre-meditated murder, which carries a prison sentence of up to life, and he will remain detained in a police cell in the South African capital until a new bail hearing on Tuesday.

His lawyers asked that he be transferred elsewhere but their request was rejected by the judge.

The hearing was delayed for two hours as his defence lawyers objected to the scrum of

Fashola *Continued from BP

CRAFTY.... Super Eagles midfielder, Sunday Mba on his way to scoring the only goal in the Nations Cup final against Burkina Faso last Sunday in Johanesburg, South Africa.

we have employed to do the job. It is time for everyone to support Keshi or whoever is appointed as the chief coach of the team always. All the criticism against the team must stop and allow all the experts employed to do their job.

If we think that those we have employed cannot do the job, let’s set time line or change them. And I think that the practice where officials dash into the dressing room at half time while the coach is speaking with the players should stop. That is the team coach domain. The 15 minutes he has with his team must be judiciously used. And I think the NFF should stop this”, he said, as he thanked Guinness Nigeria PLC and the Rivers and Cross River states government for their support to the team.

local and international reporters packed into the courtroom.

Pistorius said nothing during the 40-minute hearing. His father, Henke, and brother, Carl, sat directly behind him in the packed courtroom, occasionally leaning forward to give him a pat on the shoulder.

Pistorius’ mother died in 2002 when he was 15 years old - a tragedy that he said drove him into pursuing a full-time sporting career.

Steenkamp was found shot dead in his plush Pretoria home in the early hours of Thursday. Police have given few details of the shooting, other than to say she died of gunshot wounds.

But South African media are reporting that Pistorius shot the 30-year-old four times through a bathroom door.

Delta *Continued from BP Europe.

The governor assured that the Asaba Stadium will be completed in six months and should be ready to host local and international matches.

Deltans thronged into the Dome, venue of the reception, to honour the Eagles. The special visitors were greatly entertained. It was a night of laughter, music and celebration of the Nations Cup heroes. In the hall were, interestingly, some of the past heroes of Nigerian football who are of Delta origin.

George Ogawon was the first university graduate to play for the Eagles. He was there and made a speech. Jossy Dombraye, Godwin Etemike, Owolu, Ebuwan Didiare were also great names who played for Nigeria about fourty years ago. Jay Kay Okocha was there too. Uduaghan wants heroes to mentor the younger ones. It is part of the culture he wants to build in Delta state and wants Keshi and Eagles of Delta origin to play a role in achieving this. The plan is to get more people into sports and also develop the industry.

Hosting the Eagles in Asaba, he said, would likely inspire some young players to stardom.

Chukwu, Ikpeba storm Heineken Champions Planet H

The Kick Off - Marketing Director Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Walter Drenth (2nd left) , former Super Eagles coach Christian Chukwu (left), Senior Brand Manger Heineken, Jacqueline van Faassen (2nd right) and former Super Eagles striker, Victor Ikpeba (right) at the Heineken Champions Planet in Victoria Island, Lagos on Wednesday.

eineken, international premium lager beer and global sponsor of the UEFA Champions League during the week returned with Heineken Champions Planet experience as the knock out stage began.

As part of its promise to provide an engaging consumer experience to UEFA Champions League followers in Nigeria, the Heineken brand has announced the sponsorship of five inventive consumers on an all-expense-paid trip to the Final in Wembley Stadium, London on May 25, 2013.

Last Wednesday in Lagos, the Marketing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Walter Drenth joined by Victor Ikpeba and Christrian Chuk-

wu, former coach of the Super Eagles also known as the “Chairman”, addressed a crowded press conference to unveil the brand’s plan for the UEFA Champions League sponsorship and the Heineken Champions Planet Experience.

According to Drenth, this season, Heineken will continue to build on the winning partnership with UEFA Champions League. “It’s now time for the exciting round of 16, we’re on the Road to the Final. The partnership between Heineken® and the UEFA Champions League is a longstanding and successful one.

The partnership continues to be an important component of

Heineken’s global sports sponsorship strategy. Heineken® and UEFA Champions League is a perfect match - the world’s most prestigious club tournament and the world’s most international premium beer.”

Last season consumers at the Heineken Champions Planet had the opportunity of interacting with a number of Nigerian football legends, the likes of Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Victor Ikpeba, Segun Odegbami, Emmanuel Amunike, Taribo West, Mutiu Adepoju and many others. This season, the Heineken Champions Planet will continue to play host to more football legends and captains of industry.

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 16, 2013

Fashola splashes N59m on Eagles *Says victory calls for soul searching

BY SOLOMON NWOKE, MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

G

OVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has said

PRESENTATION... The Super Eagles were hosted by the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola yesterday.

Seni Adetu, MD/CE Guinness Nigeria Ltd[left] and Coach Stephen Keshi (right), presenting the trophy to Gov. Fashola during the reception held at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

Delta names Asaba Stadium after Keshi, rewards Eagles

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

D

ELTA State Gover nor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan Thursday night made members of the Super Eagles proud of their Nations Cup effort when he organized a befitting reception for them and also rewarded them with money.

The players left Asaba walking taller than their heights. And prominent among them was their chief coach, Stephen Keshi who said he lost words to describe the honour bestowed on him. He said that he would, forever, thank God for creating him a Nigerian from Delta State.

This followed the actions of President Goodluck Jonathan who Tuesday rewarded the players with money and plots of land in Abuja and Dr. Uduaghan who also rewarded the players and coaches with money and also directed that a befitting

duplex be built for Keshi in Asaba. Uduaghan also named the Asaba Stadium which is still under construction after Stephen Keshi.

“I have really lost words to describe all these. I thank God for making me a Nigerian from Delta State. What can I do and how do I say thank you?

The best way to thank you is to pray for you every day of my life,” Keshi told Dr. Uduaghan who is transforming sports in Delta State.

“Sports is one of the areas we want to develop and which we hope can help sustain our economy beyond the oil time,” Uduaghan said on a day top musicians and comedians entertained at the Dome in Asaba.

Each player of the Eagles got N2.5 million and Keshi’s assistants got N4m each. Keshi himself was given N8m.

For the purposes of making Delta youths take after the Nations Cup he-

roes, Uduaghan recognised present and former Warri Wolves players in the team and gave them additional N2.5 million. He also rewarded Deltans in the team (Fegor Ogude, Elderson Echiejile and Ambrose Efe) with additional N2.5m.

Warri Wolves FC N5m for con-

tributing players to the national team. Sunday Mba, Chigozie Agbim and Azubuike Egwuekwe are all Warri Wolves players. Nosa Igiebor, Fegor Ogude and Ambrose Efe all played for Warri Wolves before they left for *Continues on Page 55

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1.Delta State Governor, Emmanuel (8) 5.Hausa Word for “Ten” (4) 7.Flamingoes (U-17) Goalkeeper, Amina (3) 8.Traditional Ruler of Ife (4) 9.Seventh Month of the Year (4) 10.The Emir of Katsina, HRM Alhaji Abdulmumuni (5) 12. Pakistani Capital City (9) 15. Synthetic Fabric (5) 17. L.G.A. in Jigawa State (5) 18.L.G.A. in Kano State (5) 20. Former Head of State of Nigeria, Rtd. Gen. Ibrahim (9) 23. Ivory Coast “Elephants” Midfielder and 2012 “Asian Footballer of the Year, Yaya (5) 26. Japanese Wrestler (4) 27.Super Eagles Striker, Ahmed (4) 28.African Antelope (3) 29.Land Measurement Unit (4) 30.Country in Africa (8)

DOWN 1.Former Minister of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Charles (4) 2.L.G.A. in Benue State (4) 3.Dutch “Eredivise” Premiership Clubside (9) 4.Nigerian Currency (5) 5.L.G.A. in Yobe State (5) 6.L.G.A. in Osun State (8) 11. Pig’s Pen (3) 13. L.G.A. in Jigawa State (9) 14.Greek Alphabet (4) 15.Town in Niger State (8) 16.Young Sheep (4) 19. Former PDP Chairman, Solomon (3) 21. Attorney-General & Minister of Justice, Mohammed (5) 22.State in Nigeria Known as “Jewel of The Savannah” (5) 24. L.G.A. in Cross River State (4) 25.Manchester United Defender, Patrice (4)

that Super Eagles victory in the recently concluded African Nations Cup in South Africa calls for soul searching as he splashed a total of N59 million on the team and the supporters club members.

Rewarding the victorious Eagles, the Lagos state governor announced a cash reward of N2.5 million for the Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi, his immediate assistance, Daniel Amokachi; N2 million, while the 4 other assistance were rewarded with N1.5 million each.

The captain of the team, Joseph Yobo got N1.5 million while other 22 players got N1 million each for their effort in the tournament. And the team got N500, 000 for each of the goals scored in the competition. The backroom staff were rewarded with N15 million just as the Nigerian Football Supporters Club were rewarded with N4.5 million.

The governor commended the team determination in the tournament and called for respects for the team coach to enable him perform his duties.

Governor Fashola decried the poor development of the game in the country as he called for inward search for the way forward.

“I have watched the lack of development in our football in pain and personal agony. So today is a day for soul searching among all footballers. This is a day we must talk to ourselves honestly; there is a victory, yes. But the question to ask is what next. We have Kenya in a few days”, he said.

He also cautioned that the team should not be carried away in the euphoria of their victory as the reigning African Champion, saying that now is the time to start even for the title defence, FIFA Confederation Cup coming up in June and the World Cup preparations.

He said, “l et us remind ourselves that the defending champion of the cup failed to make it past the first round. Now, the Confederation Cup will be coming up in few months time, it is an opportunity for the team to improve its ranking before the World Cup. And the advantage of this is that it will give the team the opportunity to be seeded and avoid strong opposition. Really, the work isn’t done yet.

It is a building block from process to process.”

Alluding to the pressure put on Keshi by the football federation, he said,“There is need for us to moderate our expectation from our team. Let us respect those *Continues on Page 55

SOLUTION on page 15

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