$3M scandal: Farouk suspended

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2 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 16,

2012 — 3

‘Sanusi lacks power to issue licence for Islamic bank’

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, held that the Central Bank, CBN, Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, lacked the constitutional powers to issue license for the operation of a non interest bank under the Islamic commercial jurisprudence.

Delivering judgment in a suit that was filed by a lawyer, Mr Godwin Sunday, challenging the institutionalization of the

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Islamic banking system in the country by Sanusi, the court maintained that the action was in flagrant violation of section 10 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The court preisded over

by Justice Gabriel Kolawole noted that inline with the extant provisions of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, BOFIA, Cap B2, Laws of Nigeria, 2004, the CBN governor, ought to have secured the nod of both the National Assembly and the

Minister of Finance, before issuing license and guidelines for the operation of Islamic Bank in the country.It however declined to revoke the license earlier issued to one Jaiz Bank International Plc to operate Islamic banking in the country on the premise that the plaintiff lacked the locus-standi to institute the action.

The CBN, Sanusi, and the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, who were joined as defendants in the matter, in their

respective preliminary objections to the suit, insisted that Sanusi acted within his powers, but the court disagreed. yesterday said he would have declared the operation of Jaiz Bank International Plc as illegal and nullify the license issued to it by Sanusi, assuming the bank was joined as a party to the suit.

Consequently, the court struck out the case of the plaintiff on grounds that he was bereft of the locus standi, though it warned

that the CBN governor should “always act within the powers granted to him by the law.”

According to the judge, “a non interest bank operating under Islamic c o m m e r c i a l jurisprudence cannot be created without a clear legislative intervention by the National Assembly. The CBN governor lacks the statutory powers to establish a bank that operates under Islamic jurisprudence as a specialized financial

institution. Such bank cannot even be smuggled in under section 66 of BOFIA. “It is not a bank that can be decreed into existence by virtue of a mere guideline released by the the governor.

More so, Section 51 of the CBN act empowers the CBN board to make or alter the rules of the apex bank, not the governor.

Meanwhile, Counsel to both the AGF, Mr Aminu Sadauki, and Mr Adetola Kazim, SAN, had urged the court to dismiss the suit, contending that section 33(1b) of the CBN Act, 2007, gave Sanusi the powers to issue guideline for regulation of banking activities in Nigeria, without exclusion of Islamic commercial institutions.

Shell sells three onshore Nigerian oil blocks

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OYAL Dutch Shell’s Nigeria operation is working on selling three oil blocks in its latest move to divest some onshore assets, a spokesman said on Friday. Shell has been winding down some of its onshore operations to focus on offshore and deepwater drilling. The sales follow similar divestments over the past two years.

The Nigerian government, which is trying to increase ownership of oil blocks by local companies, has encouraged such deals.

“SPDC (Shell Petroleum Development Corporation) is working towards the potential divestment of OMLs 30, 34 and 40,” spokesman Tony Okonedo said by telephone.

He declined to comment on any negotiations or whether an offer had already been made for them.

Shell’s onshore facilities are plagued with problems such as militancy and rampant oil theft, but Okonedo insisted there was no link between this and the divestments.

“We will continue to look at opportunities to rationalise our portfolio,” he said.

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4— SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012 — 5

$3m Scandal: Reps dump Lawan as chairman of House Committees

BY EMEKA MAMAH, OKEY NDIRIBE, LUKA BINNIYAT & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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HE House of Representatives yesterday removed the embattled Chairman of its Adhoc Committee on Petroleum Subsidy Regime, Hon. Farouk Lawan and replaced him with John Eno, former Chairman of the Committee on appropriation even as it passed a vote of confidence on the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal and the leadership of the House and urged the Executive to match words with action in the implementation of its resolutions on fuel subsidy regime which exposed monumental fraud in the system.

The House also relisted Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd and Synopsis Enterprises Ltd. –which were earlier delisted by Lawanamong companies that were indicted for fraud in the disbursement of the subsidy funds.

Yesterday’s session of the House which was packed full with members began at 11am after the Speaker took his seat and said the opening prayers.

Immediately after Tambuwal completed his speech, Hon. Mohammed Bawa took the floor and read a motion paper which had earlier been circulated under Order 5, Rule 18 to contribute on the allegation of the $620,000 bribe scandal against Lawan.

Bawa’s motion mentioned the involvement of the Secretary of the Adhoc Committee Mr. Boniface Emenalo in the bribery scandal.

Bawa noted “With serious concern, the recent allegation of bribery involving the sum of $620,000 levelled against the Chairman of the Adhoc Committee on the Monitoring of Fuel Subsidy Regime (Hon. Farouk Lawan) and the Secretary (Boniface Emenalo) by Chief Femi Otedola, an oil marketer,” with the following proposed resolutions: ‘’To remove forthwith Lawan as Chairman and

Emenalo as Secretary of the Adhoc Committee; rescind the resolution of the House of Tuesday, April 24, 2012 on recommendations 29 which led to the delisting of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd and Synopsis Enterprises Ltd.; refer the bribery allegation to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges to thoroughly investigate and report back to the House within two weeks upon resumption from the current recess of the House; support and encourage the investigations already being undertaken by the relevant security antigraft agencies; urge the President and all security and anti-graft agencies to proceed with the implementation of the House’s resolutions on the fuel subsidy regime investigation report already communicated to them and mandate all relevant standing committees with jurisdictions on the petroleum sector including the Committee on Legislative Compliance to monitor and ensure full implementation of the resolutions on the fuel subsidy regime report and report back to the House; suspension of Lawan as Chairman of House Committee on Education until investigation into the allegations of bribery leveled against him is completed.’’ All these resolutions were adopted by the House.

The motion for a vote of confidence on the leadership of the House was moved by Hon. Samson Osagie, r e p r e s e n t i n g Orhiomwhon Federal Constituency in Edo state during which he elaborated on the role of the legislature in a democracy. Osagie who went down memory lane, recalled the achievements of the House and was greeted with thunderous ovation by members.

Said he: “Members of the House of Representatives would come and go but the House would always remain.”

Referring to the scandal in which Lawan was involved, he said: “If a member of the House of

Representatives had committed an offence, it is not the House that should be held responsible.The House had responded to the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government by holding an emergency session to deliberate on the issue which Nigerians had complained so much about. The House had set up an Adhoc Committee which carried out its assignment and submitted its report to this House. The House should refuse to be blackmailed. I move that a vote of confidence be passed on the leadership of the House.”

Earlier in his speech, Tambuwal had cited Order 5 (18)(2) of the Standing Rules of the House to indicate where he derived his powers to summon the emergency s e s s i o n .

He had intimated members that the object of the session was to deliberate on grave allegations of bribery brought against Lawan

by Mr. Femi Otedola, an oil marketer, in connection with the work of the Ad-Hoc Committee on the Monitoring of Fuel Subsidy Regime empanelled by the House for that purpose.

“In accordance with our Legislative Agenda we must continue to be, not only sensitive to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians but also to be proactive on all matters of urgent national importance.

When we elected to pursue the entrenchment of probity, accountability and transparency in the conduct of government business as a cardinal Legislative Agenda we advised ourselves never to expect that it will be an easy task. Accordingly I have had cause to occasionally sound a note of warning and reminder that our constitutional task is inescapably hazardous requiring total commitment, diligence, transparency; determination and sacrifice.

“The Constitution has given the parliament three broad duties which include law making, representation and oversight. It is interesting to note that of these three, it is that last

From left: Mrs Rose Rewane- Dafinone (sister) Mrs Doris Rewane-(Aunt) Mrs Evelyn Rewane Fabyam (Sister) during the Service of Songs for Ms. Ebugewa Rewane, held at Arch Bishop Vining Hall G.R.A. Ikeja yesterday Photo: Diran Oshe. function, which gives legislature the powers to conduct oversight, that has tended to cause conflict between the Legislature and the Executive and remains the most controversial.

Yet. it would have been impossible to conduct the other two functions successfully if the Constitution had not given the parliament oversight powers: the single most potent weapon that makers of the constitution put in place to check abuse by those who execute its law. ’’In full compliance with the constitutional prescription in section 62(1) and (2), the House has always ensured that all committees empanelled by it, be they Ad-Hoc or Standing, are given a clear mandate.

I find it compelling to state for the umpteenth time that the constitutional power of investigation conferred on the Legislature is for the purpose of law reform and for the exposure of corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it. In the exercise of this function there shall be no sacred cows.

“I have emphasized the constitutionality of the oversight function of the legislature because there lingers among many public officials, the notion that in holding public or investigative hearings, the Legislature is over stepping its bounds and also neglecting its other functions. Nothing can be further from the truth.

The records of our performance for the first legislative year which just ended on June 6, 2012 show that the per-

formance in the area of legislation was equally impressive.

“I wish at this point to make this pledge that the House of Representatives shall continue to act responsibly by ensuring that all investigations are instituted only when absolutely necessary.

Furthermore, we shall insist on probity and fairness on the part of our members conducting such investigations; and we shall not hesitate to sanction anyone who in the course of these investigations overreaches himself or uses the process to intimidate anyone or engages in corruption.

“The recent investigations into two Sectors, namely Oil Subsidy Regime and Capital Market were conducted in public, evidence and testimonies were freely given and taken and in the case of oil subsidy regime, monumental fraud was disclosed in the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee which has since been passed by the House and referred to the Executive for implementation by relevant agencies.

“While we consider it preposterous and hasty to dismiss the current bribery allegations, pending the outcome of ongoing investigations, including our in-house investigation just instituted, we reject in totality insinuations being orchestrated in the some media circles to the effect that the allegations have eroded the integrity of the Resolutions of the House on the report and rendered same unworthy of implementation.

“Let me reiterate that the resolutions of the House over the fuel subsidy regime remain valid despite this recent

controversy. We must as a country learn to separate institutions from individuals and we must admit that, in the present case, the alleged conduct of an individual can not negate the conclusions of the whole House. Let me also reaffirm here that we have not been compromised and we shall never compromise our stand against corruption.

The credibility of that report therefore remains inviolable and we stand by it.

“May I, therefore, urge the Executive to match words with action in the implementation of these resolutions. As just resolved by motion, relevant Committees of the House must diligently monitor the implementation of the resolution by agencies under their supervisory jurisdiction and report back to the House within reasonable time.

“The scope of our resolve for transparency in the conduct of government business include all the arms of government; all public functionaries and all persons doing business with government or operating under Acts of the Legislature. As members of parliament we enjoy no immunity and we seek none, let us therefore remind ourselves constantly that we must live above board. We offer ourselves for public scrutiny at all times in our effort to build a better Nigeria. As humans where we err and our attention is called, we shall be willing to make amends in the overall national interest.

“I call upon all of us to remain firm, resolute and committed to the execuContinues on Page 6

6— SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012

$3m Scandal: Reps dump Lawan as chairman of House Committees Continues from Page 5 tion of our constitutional mandate whatever the hazards. We must never, repeat never, be cowed or intimidated.”

Northern CAN, ACF, SOKAPU want probe report implemented The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, SOKAPU, the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, the Executive Director of Human Rights Monitor, HRM, Mr Festus Okoye and former National Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, have asked the Federal Government to implement the House of Representatives report on the fuel subsidy regime to restore the confidence of Nigerians in governance.

Northern CAN reacted to the controversies surrounding the alleged bribe scandal involving the former Chairman of the Adhoc Committee of the House of Representatives on Fuel subsidy regime, Farouk Lawan, in an interview with Saturday Vanguard in Kaduna yesterday through its Public Relations Officer, PRO, Mr. Sunday Oibe, saying that the bribery allegation should not be an excuse by the Federal Government to kill the report of the Lawal Committee.

The ACF in its reaction through its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, regretted what he described as plot by powerful oil magnets and politicians to rubbish the work of Lawan’s committee and to possibly remove the leadership of the House of Representatives.

HRM’s Executive Director, Mr Okoye in his reaction said, ‘’The House of Repre-

sentatives is within its constitutional province in insisting that the report of the Ad-hoc Committee on Subsidy regime must be implemented. They also acted within their House Rules in suspending Farouk Lawan, pending his exoneration in the unfolding saga. ’’It is not correct to profile the entire House on account of the moral failings of few individuals.

The government must act on the subsidy report if they want to be taken seriously on the fight against corruption.’’

Also, according to ACF, the $3million bribery scam involving some members of thecommitteemustbetreated separately to separate the chaff from the wheat just as SOKAPU’s National Secretary, Mr. Sunday Marshall insisted that the scandal involving Farouk Lawan should not in any way affect the integrity of his committee’s report.

Northern CAN ’’We do not want any organ of government to mess up the report of the committee based on the unfortunate allegations against the former Chairman of the Ad- hoc committee. Nigerians have a right to know what happens to the billions that were said to have gone missing in the name of subsidy on oil. Any attempt to use this bribery scandal as an excuse to rubish the oil subsidy report will not be accepted by us.

But, the greatest loser in this episode remains the National Assembly. Because from now onwards, no one would believe what it does or says.

How can a man leave his wife and children by 4am to go and collect bribe? He first denied it, then with annoying guts, later admitted that he collected the money, but kept it to later tender as exhibit.

When did Lawan become a bank to keep so much hard currency in his house?

We feel insulted. Almost every serous probe carried by the National Assembly, had always been tainted by corruption. That shows that we do not have a responsible National Assembly yet. CAN in the north is very sad about this, and we pray that our Almighty creator will rise a crop of God fearing leaders who will lead this country to benefit from the abundance that it is endowed with.

It’s a plot to kill the report and remove the leadership

of Reps - ACF The bribe scandal trailing theHonLawanFaroukprobe Committee on fuel subsidy is very disturbing. I hope it was not designed at rubbishing the image of the Legislature; to kill the reports of the probe committee on fuel subsidy as well as to prove that the legislators are rogues and corrupt.

Have it in mind that it was Senator Bukola Saraki who first raised this concern in a motion in the Senate, upon which the House of Representatives built on to set up this committee. Saraki, on his own has been hounded by security agencies over a bank transaction that had been concluded and forgotten.

You would recall there had been this impression across the nation that the oil cartel was either too powerful for government to confront, or that some government functionaries were part of the cartel. As a result, rather than overcome the managerial imperfections which marred the management of the down stream sector of the petroleum industry, government chose the path of least resistance by removing the fuel subsidy..

You may also wish to consider the fact of history that Hon Lawan had been the helmsman of the Integrity Group that sought to bring semblance of credibility in the House of Representatives which resulted in shoving off a former Speaker, a favourite of a former President. Then came the recent bomb shell from former President Obasanjo that the nation’s legislators are rogues and corrupt.

So, when you add these incidences and they way the current leaders of the House of Representatives emerged against all odds, then it is hard not to suspect high power politics in play now.

In situations like this, one would say Hon Lawan and the leadership of the House are too intelligent not to be aware of the arsenals arranged against them not only by the oil cartel, but also those opposed to its leadership. They are toiling day and night to prove their allegations against legislators. One had expected them to be more careful than allow themselves to be smeared. ’’It would be painful to imagine that the whole saga was a charade put up to cast aspersions on the whole House as well as to

Master Miless Sasegbon (Son) of the deaceased, Mr. Ebisan and Mr Bismak Rewane both brothers during the Service of Songs for Ms. Ebogewa Rewane, held at Arch Bishop Vining Hall G.R.A. Ikeja yesterday. Px Diran Oshe bring the probe reports into disrepute for the purpose of change of the leadership.

Political differences should not form the basis of bringing our democracy and its institutions into disrepute.

That would not be good commentary on our leaders.

So, while not condoning bribery nor tolerating corrupt practices in the polity, I would suggest to the investigating authorities

to be fair and just in their work with a view to separating politics from criminal acts in the interest of our democracy.

Special task force carries out one hour search on Farouk Lawan’s house, Emenalo too •Submits Interim Report to IGP •Lawan to remain with Police until the $620,000 is returned

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI, Abuja ETECTIVES from the Special Task Force, STF, investigating the $3illion bribe scandal against former House of Representatives Subsidy Probe panel Chairman, Lawan Farouk yesterday conducted a one-hour search at his Apo residence.

Also, searched was the house of the Secretary of the Committee, Hon. Boniface Emenalo, who was alleged to have collected $120,000 as part of the bribe money.

Both principal officers were Thursday detained in the cells of the Police Force Criminal Investigations Department, FCID, located in Garki, Area 10 Abuja until at exactly 1.25 pm yesterday, when Saturday Vanguard saw Hon. Lawan disembarking from a Black Murano Jeep inside Force Headquarters, accompanied by a white Police Hilux Jeep. Lawan who was putting on a white caftan was alleged to be returning with the detectives who had gone to search his residence in

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Apo Legislative Quarters at about 12 noon.

However, when Saturday Vanguard sought to know if Lawan would be granted bail yesterday, a source within the Special Task Force hinted that investigation was still on going adding, “I cannot say whether or not he would be granted bail as we are still chatting with him. So it will be premature to say whether we can release him on bail for now”.

The source said that the scope of investigation has been expanded as a result of new discoveries about other bribes, adding, “We are now talking about huge sums of money given to the probe committee and some of the oil marketers that were extorted have gone to the court to depose to affidavits to reveal everything”.

It was learnt that Farouk told the police that when he discovered that the whole plot was a set up, he collected the money and handed it over to the Chairman, House Committee on Financial Crimes and assured the STF that he

would return the money intact to the police, but the CP, Ali Amodu- led STF is not buying the argument even as the House Committee Chairman on Financial Crimes would be invited to come with the marked money allegedly given to Farouk, to buttress his statement.

Meanwhile, Saturday Vanguard gathered late yesterday that an interim report on the bribery scandal has been submitted to the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Abubakar while investigation continued.

Police sources however, disclosed that Farouk may not be released until he produces the $620,000 to the police. As at press time yesterday, Farouk was still being grilled by detectives of the STF. About $10,000 was found in his residenceWhen contacted on whether Farouk will be granted bail ‘yesterday’, the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mbah, said that it was premature to talk about bail now as detectives still have a large scope of areas to cover.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 16,

EFCC detains Sylva’s brother-in-law, seizes cocaine T HE Economic ‘and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday morning raided the Abuja residence of a brother inlaw to the former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, where it seized a bag containing substances suspected to be cocaine and subsequently took him into custody.

It was gathered the EFCC raided the house

in search of documents and evidence to nail Sylva for alleged financial crimes perpetrated during his four-year tenure as governor of oil-rich Bayelsa but stumbled into the bag of drugs.

The EFCC Spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwajaren confirmed the report.

However, the suspect reportedly denied knowledge of the substance and has

accused the EFCC of planting the substance in his residence.

The statement read, “In an apparent plot targeted at former Bayelsa State governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, men of the EFCC stormed the Abuja residence of his brotherin-law, Mr. Richie Imoh Tommy, early Friday morning.

“They conducted a thorough search of the

house, and when they found nothing incriminating, they produced a bag which they said contained c o c a i n e .

“On that basis, Mr. Tommy was arrested and has been denied access to his lawyers.

“Mr. Tommy completely denies ownership of the said bag, and wonders why even without a test or investigation, EFCC would claim to have

found cocaine in his house. Besides, it remains curious how EFCC suddenly became a drug-busting organ.

“Mr. Tommy believes that the EFCC’s assault on his residence and the allegation of a cocaineladen bag is another desperate mission targeted at his in-law, the former Bayelsa State governor, by agents of President Goodluck Jonathan.”

Suspension of Farouk Lawan laughable —Otedola

BY EMEKA MAMAH

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HAIRMAN of Zenon Oil and Gas, MR FEMI OTEDOLA yesterday reacted to the decision of the House of Representatives on his company descibing it as not only laughable but a celebration of corruption.

He said he had nothing to hide and restated that Hon Farouk Lawan allegedly demanded $3million from him ‘’because I refused to oblige him, he included the name of Zenon among those who bought forex without importing petroleum products.’’

He further said, ‘’I have stated the facts in my interview before and nothing but the facts. He did this without even asking Zenon to produce a single document of the forex transaction. ’’He clearly wanted to extort money for an offence I did not commit. That is why I went to report to the security agencies. If I had anything to hide I wouldn’t have gone to the agencies.

There is an old adage that says people who live in glass houses should not throw stones. ‘’Moreover it is not possible to purchase $232, 975,385.13 million from CBN without importing the product. The total figure is not even $232, 975,385.13 million as alleged but $372, 207, 990 million. They should go and amend the report to read $372, 207, 990 million which is the correct figure. It is not possible to purchase this volume of forex from the CBN with first class banks such as Access bank, FCMB, GTB, UBA and an international bank BNP

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Paribas which is one of the biggest and most respected banks in the world. ‘’If people at my level who have worked hard to build their businesses can be blackmailed this way all in a bid to extort money from them, I pity people that are just starting out in business in this country. In all my business dealings I have always been above board and the records are there to prove.

HE Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday, held that Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume has explanations to make regarding his alleged convivial relationship with the Boko Haram Islamic sect.

The court maintained that having perused the four-count criminal charge against the lawmaker by the Federal government, it was satisfied that he had a link with the sect, saying such nexus was enough to warrant his prosecution.

Consequently, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, declined to quash the charge against him, just as he fixed July 3 and 10 for the Federal Government to produce its witnesses. Senator Ndume who is representing Borno South Senatorial District.

ACN governorship aspirant decamps to Labour Party in Ondo ARELY few days to his party’s primaries, a governorship aspirant of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo state Chief Felix Rawa has dumped the party for the rival Labour Party (LP).

Reports has it that more aspirants irked by the plan to impose candidate are talking with the ruling party with a bid to defect after the emergence of the party c a n d i d a t e Rawa, who was the House of Representatives candidate for Ilaje/ Eseodo Federal constituency in the 2011 election, accused the leadership of the ACN of been dictatrial.

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HE Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Ogun State Chapter has been urged to make health-care delivery more effective by providing high quality service that is humane, efficient and affordable to improve human life.

The wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun who made this declaration during the formal inauguration of the Association at the Valley View Auditorium, Isale-Igbein, Abeokuta, noted that the inauguration was another call to service for female medical practitioners to contribute their quota towards the mission of rebuilding Ogun State.

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Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal (middle) Deputy Speaker Emekar Ihedioha and House Leader Adeola Mulikat shortly after emergency session on the Bribery allegation against Hon Farouk at National Assembly. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan

•Anarchy looms, judge warns FG

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BRIEFS

Amosun’s Wife Tasks Doctors on Quality Healthcare Delivery

Boko Haram sponsorship: You’ve a case to answer, Court tells Ndume

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja

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Ndume was accused of furnishing the Boko Haram sect with classified information that aided their operations in the country.

He was arrested by the State Security Service,

SSS, on November 21, 2011 and charged before the high court on December 12, sequel to his indictment by a self confessed Spokesman of the sect, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga, as one of their major sponsors.

According to the Federal Government, the offence he committed was contrary to section 7(1) (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 and punishable under Section 7(1) of the same Act.

Youths set man ablaze for butchering woman, 2 kids

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, CALANBAR RATE youths from Ikot Ansa community in Calabar Municipal Council of Cross River State penultimate week descended on one Edet Udoidung who allegedly invaded the home of a petty trader, Mrs. Glory Albert and slaughtered her and two of her children.

Udoidung whose mental disposition was yet to be established according to sources was allegedly living on hard drugs. He was accused to have

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invaded 41 Joseph Mkpang Street at Ikot Ansa at about 2 pm with a machete with which he allegedly used to butcher

Glory and her two children, Cecilia Albert, aged, 15 and Rita Albert, aged 9.

According to a source, Edet allegedly left his

house at 41 Joseph Mkpang and went into the next compound where he allegedly killed the woman and her two kids.

Traditional ruler escapes assasination

BY GODWIN OGHRE, Sapele HE Eghara-Aja of U g b o r o d o Community, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, Eghare Wellington Ojogor, and his Special Assisistant, Prince Oyebor Aderson, weekend

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escaped assassination by the whiskers. In a petition to president Goodluck Jonathan, in which the Inspector General of Police, the Chief Justice of the Federation and state commissioner of police were copied, signed by his Special Assistant, Prince Ojogor Oyibo Anderson, the royal father alleged that at

about 5pm on the 1st day of June, 2012, a gang of about 10 persons forced their way into his premises at Ugborodu Community, armed with dangerous weapons, almost killed him and his Special Assistant, but for the timely intervention of police men whom one of his children quickly contacted .

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012

17 bank staff, 8 policemen nabbed over missing N14m from bullion van •Police suspect insiders’ game — Spokesman

BY EMMA AMAIZE, REGIONAL EDITOR, SOUTH-SOUTH, Warri

total of 25 bank officials and policemen, suspected to be members of a bank robbery syndicate, were whisked from Warri to Asaba , weekend, by the police in connection with the bizarre disappearance of N14 million from a bullion van between Effurun and Ekpan in Delta State on Monday.

The bank staff, including cashiers and drivers number 17, while the policemen are eight in number. They were being detained, yesterday, at the Criminal Investigation Department, CID, of the Delta State Police Command, Asaba.

Delta state police spokesman, Charles Muka, did not give details, but simply told Saturday Vanguard, “From the circumstances surrounding the case, we suspect insiders’ game”.

“We have intensified

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our efforts, we will unravel the mystery surrounding the missing money”, he stated.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the suspects who were initially detained at the Area Commander ’s Office, Warri, were whisked, late Friday, to the Delta State Police C o m m a n d headquarters, Asaba for further investigations.

Among the bank workers arrested were tellers and drivers, who were suspected to have played a role in the vanishing of the money between the bank’s office at Effurun and its cash office at Ekpan.

It was gathered that when bank officials and policemen from Enerhen Police Station, Enerhen, who escorted the money on Monday got to the Refinery Road, Ekpan branch of the bank, it was discovered that the boxes were empty and immediately, there was commotion in the premises.

There was uneasy calm on Friday when

Saturday Vanguard visited the bank, as a concerned staff said workers were planning to protest the handling of the investigation into the incident by the police in Warri. A reliable source said the movement of the cash in question was known to the head of operations, bank manager, supervisor, cash officer and drivers, but the police in Warri declined to take some top officials at Effurun and Ekpan branches of the bank into custody on questionable grounds.

2 die, Police station razed as Hausa, Fulani clash in Ibadan either burnt or banks, filling stations in the police post, he said the

BY OLA AJAYI, Ibadan

OME violent Hausa men yesterday threw sanity to the wind as they unleashed terror on some policemen in the popular Bodija Market in Ibadan leaving two persons dead and a police post burnt.

Also, eleven vehicles, nine motorcycles were

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Tragedy: Lorry kills pregnant woman, delivers her of premature twin foetus

BY GODWIN OGHRE, Sapele T was tears, wailing and weeping on Wednesday, when the people of Oghara, in the Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, woke up to meet a sight of horror, they called a taboo in Urhobo Land, when a lorry, with no plate number, loaded to the brim with sharp sand, killed a pregnant woman, burst her belly and forced a twin foetus out of her womb. The accident also claimed the lives of two other men.

The two other men who lost their lives in the accident, are a rider of Yamaha motor cycle, popularly known as ‘’Okada”, with registration number QA737GRA, and his male passenger. Another two commuters (men) who were also hit by the lorry

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are in critical condition and have been rushed to the Delta State University Hospital Oghara, were they are currently placed on intensive treatment.

Another woman and her

The Police post at Bodija market was set ablaze yesterday by Hausa/Fulani over the detention of a Fulani that stabbed an Hausa man over a woman. Pix shows some of the suspects arrested by the police during the fracas. Photo by Dare Fasube

son escaped by the whiskers, unhurt, as they were said to have seen the killer lorry on time and jumped out of the road, skipping over the road gutter.

vandalized. The bloody clash forced thousands of marketers and traders out of the market abandoning their shops and wares.

Some butchers whose shops are close to the place left their meats on the table and ran for dear lives.

When they besieged the police post, all detainees under investigation were set free. The quick response of security men which included policemen, the security team tagged Operation burst, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, soldiers checked the escalation of the crisis.

When Saturday Vanguard got to the scene of the incident yesterday, all the stalls, shops,

the area were deserted, while the troubled spot was barricaded by fiercelooking policemen.

According to one of the officers on night duty at

Bayelsa community raises alarm over oil spill from Agip pipelines area, saying the latest

BY SAMUEL OYADHONGHA, Yenagia LDERS of Kalaba Community in Okordia clan in Yenagoa Local Government area of Bayelsa State have expressed concern over the massive oil spill from Agip pipelines in the

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Edo 2012 guber race: We know PDP is plotting, but we will outclass them —Tinubu

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, Lagos HEAD of the July 14, 2012 governorship election in Edo state, the national leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), has warned the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against rigging the forthcoming election through the much talked about ‘Federal Might’.

The National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who gave the warning Thursday night,

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during a fund raising dinner held at the Harbour Point, Victoria Island, to support Governor Adams O s h i o m h o l e second term bid, hinted of alleged plots by the PDP “god father” to rig the forthcoming polls, adding however that it will surely be resisted by the people of the state.

Among the other dignitaries at the fund raiser were Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Mrs Laoye Tomori, Deputy Governor of the

State of Osun; Chief Bisi Akande, National Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria; Chief Audu Ogbeh; Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Alhaji

genesis of the crisis was the clash between a Hausa man and a Fulani who were fighting over a commercial sex worker in Bodija.

Aliko Dangote, Chief Tom Ikimi, Prof.Julius Ihonvbere, Senator Chris Ngige, Pastor Ituah Ighodaro, Apostle Hayford Alile, Hon Abike Dabiri, among others.

incident makes it the eleventh recorded case of spillage along both sides of the Taylor creek in the area.

The fears of the elders of the community were confirmed by the Field Officers of the Environmental Rights Action and the Friends of the Earth (ERA/FoEN) with photographs taken of each of the spill sites in the area.

The immediate past chairman of Kalaba Community Development Committee, Mr. Roman Orukali, who spoke to newsmen said though efforts have been made to contact the management of Agip over the recent spillage, the latter was yet to respond.

BRIEF

St. Michael’s Catholic Church to be dedicated tomorrow HE official dedication of the multi-million naira St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Okpanam in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State will take place tomorrow 17th

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June 2012.

A statement jointly issued by the chairman of the Dedication Committee, Prince Chris Obiemenyego and the Parish Priest Very Rev. Fr. Pius Ogwuagwu said the event will begin with a

concelebrated High Mass at 10:00am to be followed with a civic reception to be chaired

by Sir Chris Ogbechie and supported by other eminent personalities.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012 — 9

Pastor, 4 others arrested for child trafficking

BY PETER Makurdi

DURU,

Pastor (names with held) and four others have been apprehended for questioning by the Benue State Police Command for child trafficking. Saturday Vanguard gathered from a reliable police source that three of the suspects were arrested in Kano while two others were nabbed in Makurdi.

According to our source, 19 year old Aladi Abbah who resides at Ugbokolo in Okpokwu local government area of Benue State, was few days ago allegedly persuaded by her female neighbour (name withheld) to sell off her 8 month- old baby in order to raise funds to better her lot. ”After intense persuasion and being a single parent, she succumbed and the both of them took the 8 month old baby to Kano where they found a buyer who paid N200,000 for the baby.

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”After selling the baby, the duo returned to Makurdi where minor disagreements ensued between the two over the sharing formula of the proceed of the sales. ”But it was not until the mother of the sold baby traveled back to the village at Ugbokolo and was confronted by her aged father who enquired about the where-about of his grand child that the truth of the matter was made public”, he said.

According to our source, on enquiring about the whereabout of their grand child, the mother informed her parents that she lost the child in Kano where she had attended a crusade.

But not impressed with her explanations, her aged parents alerted the police who apprehended her and after undergoing interrogations, she opened up and this led to the arrest of her accomplice. ”The suspects were brought to the Command Headquaters in Makurdi on the orders of the Com-

missioner of Police, Mr. Christopher Katso and after further interrogation, the duo confessed to the Police that the baby was sold to a woman in Kano. ”At this point, the Commissioner of Police directed his men to move to Kano to effect the arrest of the buyer. But surprisingly, the police got to Kano and discovered that the original buyer of the baby sold her out to another buyer who eventually sold her to a female pastor resident in Kano”, he stressed.

Police arrest 66 suspected robbers, kidnapper

BY ANAYO OKOLI, Umuahia HE four police com mands under Zone 9, Umuahia Abia state, said they have within the last two weeks, arrested 33 suspected armed robbers, 33 kidnappers and 12 cultists, who are presently in their custody in the various state commands.

Zone 9 is comprised of

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Vigilante group arrests two over possession of human skull

BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO, Lokoja

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HE vigilante group of Araromi community in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi state has handed over two persons caught with human skull to the police for prosecution.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the neighbours of the two persons whose name were given as Muri and Joshua became suspicious of the duo after their sudden flamboyant way of life which prompted them to launch a complaint to the head of the community.

The community head, it was gathered detailed some members of the vigilante group to monitor the movements the two friends to ascertain the truth behind the allegation of their neighbours.

Few weeks after, luck ran out of Muri and Joshua as the vigilante group followed the duo to the village burial ground where the two were nabbed while exhuming a corpse from the grave

yard.

The vigilante subsequently arrested the duo and led them to the village head where they confessed to the crime and hinted that one Prophet Samuel from the village has been buying human skulls from them for

N40,000.00 each.

The village head subsequently handed over the suspects to the police who have since resumed investigations on the matter and will soon charge the suspects to court, confirmed the state police spokesman, Ajayi Akansanmi.

Vandal electrocuted in Imo

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA, Owerri

Relations, Owerri Business Unit, Mr. Ositadinma Ugwuafor, confirmed the ugly incident.

middle aged young man, suspected to be a member of a gang whose stock in trade is to vandalize installations of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, has been electrocuted.

Saturday Vanguard investigations revealed that the late PHCN vandal, whose identity could not be ascertained at press time was electrocuted when he tried to vandalize the facilities at the Industrial Cluster, Naze, Owerri North local council area of Imo State.

When contacted on his mobile line, the PHCN Senior Manager, Public

“Our initial investigation revealed that the suspected vandal had successfully climbed up the facility and unfortunately, public power supply was restored before he could do any harm to the equipment. He was immediately electrocuted”, Ugwuafor said.

Answering another question, Mr. Ugwuafor said he only knew about the incident about 12 noon last Thursday.

At the time of going to press, the lifeless body of the vandal was still lying at the site and it was not clear if the police had been properly informed about the incident.

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L – R:Deji Sasegbon, SAN, Hon. Justice Suyi Olateru Olagbegi, Mrs. Bose Olukolu, Director, Legal Services, Lagos Internal Revenue Service and Chief Richard Oma Ahonaruogho, Chairman, Conference of Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities, at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Ayotunde Adeyoola Phillips in Lagos Thursday

Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Imo States Police Commands.

This was disclosed when new Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), in charge of the Zone, Mr. Solomon Olusegun, met with the police commissioners in the zone and other senior police officers, Thursday in Umuahia.

The zone noted that criminal activities had witnessed a significant decline in the four states.

State by state statistics of the arrests showed that Anambra state command with 30 arrested kidnappers top the list. The com-

mand also killed three kidnappers. Enugu state command arrested three suspected kidnappers.

Abia state command said it arrested 33 suspected armed robbers with four of them killed, while Enugu nabbed nine armed robbery suspects and Anambra arrested six and killed three armed robbery suspects in shootout.

The zone noted also that the war against students’ cultism also yielded good results as 40 cultists were arrested within the period. Out of this number, Enugu had the highest number of 18 arrested

cultists while Abia and Anambra recorded six each.

According to the Abia Police commissioner, Mr. Ambrose Aisabor, the arrested cultists were students of Abia State University who were nabbed at Aba during an initiation ceremony.

In his situation report, the Anambra police commissioner, Mr. Bala Nassarawa said that armed robbers have gone beyond stealing only properties of victims as they also stole a four month old baby when they attacked a family at Ozubulu, in Nnewi South Local Government Area.

Edo guber : INEC presents voters’ register to parties the Commission, even as

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE, Benin

N its bid to demon strate that it would be transparent in the conduct of the July 14, 2012 Edo state governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday in Benin said that it would make open the process of the election like receiving and distribution of all sensitive materials to accredited agents, security agencies and the media .

Edo state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Kassim Gaidam who made this pledge while presenting a soft copy of voters’ register and copies of the Electoral Act to representatives of the seven political parties taking part in the election, also disclosed that voters will cast their votes in 5,519 voting units across the state.

The Resident Commis-

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sioner further disclosed that arrangements were under way for the distribution of non-sensitive materials to all local government area offices of

he added that effort was being made to secure additional vehicles from neighbouring states, and hiring of boats to ease logistic challenges.

... As Oshiomhole leads in opinion polls

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HEAD of the July 14, 2012 governorship election in Edo state, the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (A C N), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has been tipped to win the gubernatorial election following an opinion poll organised this week by Poll Star, an Abuja based opinion and survey group.

A statement in Benin yesterday by the Executive Director of the agency, Mr. Ben Benedict Ekene indicated that Comrade Oshiomhole of the A C N scored 27 percent to lead the other seven governorship candidates vying for the election.

The poll results also announced that Major-

Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) followed with 23 percent while Chief Solomon Edebiri of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) with 17 percent, Andrew Ayamele of Labour Party, 12 percent.

Others include Paul Oyemwosa of National Conscience Party (NCP) – 10 percent and Frank Ukonga of Social Democratic Mega Party who scored 5 percent just as 5 percent of the prospective voters were undecided.

About 2 percent of the respondents said they were comfortable with the caliber of the leading three candidates in the governorship race, Ekene said.

10 — VANGUARD, SATURDAY, JUNE16, 2012

Dana crash raises concern on safety, airworthiness, compensation B

efore the crash in the densely populated Lagos suburb of Iju Ishaga penultimate Sunday June 3, Dana Air operators pride themselves in offering the highest levels of safety and service. They are not expected to say anything less than that, at least to attract the confidence and trust of airtravellers.

As regards general safety of the passengers, Dana Air affirmed thus: “Your safety and comfort will always be our priority. Our cabin crew are highly trained in all procedures and it is important that you pay attention to our pre-flight safety briefing. Always note where your nearest exits are and please read the safety information card. All request made by cabin crew in the interest of safety must be complied with.”

One can therefore imagine the anguish and fear that gripped the passengers when it became apparent that the plane will crash. All safety procedures cannot hold water at that point, flying four storey high, which was just too low before the plane with 153 passengers crashed into some houses killing all on board and some few people on the ground.

What about the aircraft itself, a Boeing MD-83 which had lost its two engines before the fatal crash! The MD83 was described as a longer range development of the basic MD 81/82 with higher weights, more powerful engines, increased fuels and hence longer range.

On powerplant Compared to earlier models, the MD-83 is equipped with slightly more powerful 21,000 ibf (93 KN) thrust Pratt and Whitney JT8D-219 as standard.

Performance The MD-83 has increased fuel capacity as standard (to 6,970 US gal) which is carried in two 565 US gallons auxiliary tanks located fore and aft of the centre section. The aircraft also has higher operating weights with MTOW increased to 160,000 1b and MLW to 139,500 lb. Typical range for C M Y K

the MD83 with 155 passengers is around 2,504 nautical miles (4,637 km).

To cope with the higher operating weights, the MD-83 incorporates strengthened landing gear, including new wheels, tyres and brakes, changes to the wing skins, front spar web and elevator spar cap and strengthened floor beams and panels to carry the auxiliary fuel tanks.

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owever, in the Iju Ishaga crash, the two engines of the plane failed before going down. This was confirmed by Dr. Harold Demuren, Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), who said that they declared mayday (distress call), adding, “the reason was that the two engines failed.” He has been suspended. It did not take too long for the air-

,

By Emmanuel Edukugho

and Rescue of the old Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) before the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) was carved out, Rev. Alfred Edukugho, now Airport Manager, Asaba, speaking with Saturday Vanguard, said safety standards are the same all over the world.

“There is no Nigerian standard.

What happened has nothing to do with Air Control officers. The aircraft itself had problem. There are people meant to carry out safety checks to ensure airworthiness. It is not about newness of the aircraft but carrying out proper checks at stipulated period.” He explained that the difference between old and new aircraft is about providing money for adequate maintenance when due.

“Air safety depends on maintenance.

The MD-83 was described as a longer range development of the basic MD 81/82 with higher weights, more powerful engines, increased fuels and hence longer range.

craft’s black boxes to be found, less than 24 hours after the crash. Both the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) were found

by Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) officials from the wreckage of the MD-83 plane.

Saturday Vanguard investigation roughly showed that the aircraft made distress call but the follow-up measures taken by the aviation regulatory agency were slow. The pilot alerted ground at 11 nautical miles till four nautical miles when it crashed. Response was slow and there were no proper infrastructure to address the challenge.

So much of political interference in the running of the aviation sector and professionals ignored. Supervisory ministry often bypass the regulatory agencies leading to overlapping functions capable of causing confusion.

Former Head of Aeronautical Search

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It’s about the maintenance culture of the airline and the supervisory/regulatory agency making sure maintenance is taking care of according to schedule. It is not possible for the NCAA to carry out checks on its own.

But if the airline decides to hide something, there is nothing the regulatory body can do,” Edukugho told Saturday Vanguard.

He said there is a technical log book which airline operators must fill in respect of every defect, no matter how small. Even a revolution of the engine, if meant to revolve once in a second, but revolves twice, it must be so stated. If outside of it by any small margin, it is incumbent on the operator to put it inside the technical log book – which is looked at to know if there are faults in the aircraft. Questions can then be asked.

“Every landing must be registered; even the tyre must be inspected ac-

cordingly after landing. A lot of airlines don’t adhere strictly to this, hence at times, the NCAA comes in to check. These are the little things that make inspection difficult.”

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he seasoned aeronautical profes sional also drew attention to Ramp random check when the regulators just enter into the plane, go round, and if satisfied, signed the log book. These things are there, depending on how honest the airline operators can be. “There is check list to go through by pilots and co-pilots. It is not something done off-head, but itemised one by one. Engine check, pressure check, done meticulously one by one especially by the pilots. These things are here, to to be read, checked and ascertained, not taken for granted at all.”

He distinguished the responsibilities between Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Airspace Management Authority (NAMA). “If a crash occurs inside the airport, it is the business of FAAN. If an accident occurs outside the airport, it is the business of NAMA.” Mr. Emmanuel Osifo, General Manager, Aircraft Worthiness and Certification, NCAA, denied there is political interference in the running of the aviation sector. According to him, no aircraft over 22 years old is allowed into this country. Those below 22 years can be imported into Nigeria.

In a radio discussion on the Dana air crash with some heads of aviation agencies, he said NCAA does not have helicopter for rescue operation.

“We don’t have helicopter. We are regulatory body. Aviation rescue is different. When accidents happen, all hands are on deck – Air force, Police, Army, FRSC, all on ground for rescue purpose, everybody participating to save lives.”

He pleaded that we wait for the close of the investigation and learn something. Aviation is global, having high safety standards.

Continues on page 11

VANGUARD, SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 2012—11

COMPENSATION:

Civil Aviation Act 2006 should be followed — Bamidele Aturu As tears from victims' families of the DANA air crash continue to flood property and human rights lawyer,Bamidele Aturu listed conditions under which they and residents as well as landlords of the crash site will be adequately compensated.He spoke with ANOZIE EGOLE

Bamidele Aturu

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an you explain the provisions of the civil aviation act 2006?

In the first place, the Civil Aviation Act 2006 covers issues relating to accidents in the air involving aircraft. But I think also that there is some confusion regarding the way the law is drafted as to whether the aviation act related only to international carriage or even local carriage. For me, I know that under the law, there are some conventions that govern carriage of people and goods by air.

In section 48 of the Civil Aviation Act 2006, stipulated that the convention that deals with the international carriage by air is also applicable in Nigeria to domestic flights. In trying to know what to pay, we will also try to look at the provisions of the conventions. Article 17 of that convention makes it clear that owners or operators of air craft are liable for any injury or death that results on board of an aircraft while embarking or disembarking.

So it makes it clear that this is a strict liability provision. In the sense that, once you can prove that there was an injury or death, the operator of the airline under this article 17 of the convention which is applicable by the virtue of declaration act of section 48 (2) is liable to pay compensation to victims or their relatives. When there is this type of problem under section 48 (3), the victim’s relatives are entitled to an advance payment of at least $30,000 within 30 days of such accident.

How would victims of Dana Air crash be compensated?

DANA crash took place on 3rd June 2012 and by 3rd of July 2012, they ought to be paid advance payment of $30,000 to each member of the affected family. As far there is an evidence to prove that somebody boarded your plane, like the ticket, the law stipulates that you pay the advance payment within one month. I think that is the reason why they are conducting a

On the other hand, the carrier cannot pay more than $100,000 except if the victim was able to prove that there was negligence on the side of the carrier

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DNA test on the victims to ascertain whether they are entitled to the payment.

The point I am making is that the airline in certain cases can also be sued by members of the family if they can prove that there was a special contract between the victim and the airline and if they can also prove that there was negligence on the part of the airline operators. On the other

hand, the carrier cannot pay more than $100,000 except if the victim was able to prove that there was negligence on the side of the carrier.

What about the family that lost all its members?

Talking about a family who lost almost all the members of the family, the next of kin takes the benefit. Under the administration of estate in law which is also applicable in Lagos State, we have those who can benefit from the compensation, like the wife or the children. If these people are no more, the brother/sister, parents, and uncle among others can now come in. The law tells us who can benefit from the compensation in such circumstance.

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ir, you said something about compensating passengers who are on board the flight, but in the case of this DANA crash, some residents who were not on board were also af-

fected, what is your opinion about that?

Yes. The victims who were not on board, with the help of a lawyer, they can make case against operator DANA. Because, under our law, there are many principles of tort that were picked which deals on how airline operates.

There is a law which stipulates that if you leave something in a place and the thing cause damage to another person, you are liable to pay strictly for the damage/damages you caused to another person without any proof of negligence. With this law, DANA operators are strictly liable to pay for the damages to the landlord of the house they crashed and also for the properties in the house. Because as at that June 3rd, the man’s house was normal until DANA in the course of doing their own business destroyed the house, so they will pay for everything if the man goes to court.

Dana crash raises concern on safety, airworthiness Continued from page 10 Engineer Nnamdi Udoh, Managing Director, Nigeria Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) said that if averting the crash is possible to know, only the analysis of the flight recorded can tell. No one can say anything about it.

In case of emergency, the airspace can be cleared to prevent being used by other planes. It was not true that the airspace was blocked at the time the plane crashed, and absolutely not correct for airspace to be closed for two hours as there are rules which guide closing and opening of airspace.

Many reasons can be attributed to why the emergency doors could not be opened for passengers to jump out.

Generally in engineering sense, there could be distortion or the doors jammed because of the impact. Had the emergency response been timely, lives can be rescued.

An eyewitness said a young white lady and another man believed to be

the pilot came out burning, pointing out that, “if the rescue team had arrived on time, some of the dead won’t have been burnt beyond recognition.”

The landing gears were already out as the plane piloted by an American was trying to get to the airport, just three minutes after the distress call.

In such situation, time is essential. In split seconds, anything can happen.

For over 20 minutes after the crash, there was no rescue other than some persons rushing to loot the burning aircraft and taking pictures of the tragic incident with mobile phones and Black Berry, circulating such horrific photos in the internet.

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r. Sam Durogboye, Public Aff a i r s Director, NCAA, explained that when calls are received, the control tower will activate fire tender to be on standby, getting set, waiting for the distressed aircraft about to land.

Immediately after the crash, the crowd surged to the site and so difficult for rescue response to get there.

NCAA has no helicopter, except a fly-

ing jet for rescue and search. It’s only Police that have helicopter to act. The need for strong inter-agency co-operation in times of emergency cannot be over-emphasised, because it’s not a one-man issue.

On whether airlines are overtaxed, he said cost recovery is what government is charging them. It’s the airline that knows if over burdened. Five per cent of ticket sales charge is added to air fare. FAAN also gets service charge.

On compensation for victims and their relations, this can only be determined after autopsy and DNA (Deoyriobonucleic Acid) test have been carried out on corpses for proper identification to enable Dana Air’s insurance company pay compensation to families of the victims.

According to Mr. Ade Ipaye, Lagos State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, with proper documentation and data, compensation due to any of the victims will not go into wrong hands. Addressing the media, he affirmed that each of the victims is entitled to compensation, add-

ing that even corpses whose families have not shown up, with the data and documentation, any time they showed up, they will collect the compensation due to them.

Scope of Compensation According to our checks, Dana Air is expected to pay over $153 million (US dollars) to families of all the 153 passengers on board the ill-fated aircraft.

Based on the revised Montreal Convention for compensation payable to families of air crash victims, Dana air is to pay $100,000 (US dollars) for each of the passengers who died in the crash.

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he Montreal Convention is a treaty of International Civil Aviation Organisatioin (ICAO) memberstates adopted in 1999 also called the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage

by Air. It protects passengers with a two-tier liability scheme and by quick recovery of proven damages without recourse to cumbersome lengthy litigation. Nigeria is a signatory to the Montreal Convention. Lloyds London is believed to be the insurance company.

12—VANGUARD, SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 2012

BY EBUN SESSOU

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alm seemed to have returned to the Lekan Ogunsola mor tuary of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja where families of the victims of the Dana Air crash converged in order to identify the remains of their loved ones.

Although, some of the corpses have been identified and released to their families, others are still battling with the identification process.

And with the completion of the autopsy investigation on Wednesday this week by the management of Lagos State Teaching Hospital which was led by a consultant pathologist, forensic medicine, and vice chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Professor John Obafunwa, and seven other pathologists, the part one of the show seemed to have come to an end.

Unfortunately, some of the relatives of the victims who haven’t been able to identify the corpses of their loved ones have continued to express dissatisfaction against the management of the hospital who they claimed to have been playing games with their corpses.

However, the family members have been given forms to fill for identification process which also included taking the passport photographs of family representatives and photocopies of their international passports.

A man who was reluctant to talk to the press said, “Please, I wouldn’t want to talk on that issue because I don’t know if the management of this hospital is trying to play games with our corpses. I don’t really know what is wrong with them”.

Efforts to make him talk more on the issue proved abortive as he wouldn’t give any chance for more interrogations.

In his moody condition, he was seated in the waiting room of the Lekan Ogunsola mortuary, waiting patiently to be given the opportunity to identify the corpse of his beloved one.

Some other families who also came to claim the bodies of their beloved ones who were involved in the ill-fated Dana plane crash wouldn’t accommodate the presence of any reporter.

The look on their faces was enough signal that they weren’t ready to accommodate any question and answer time, even a sight of any reporter was disgusting.

Anyone who is caught taking a shot would be in for more troubles as they are already bitter and are looking for the nearest available means to vet their anger.

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s much as journalists were ready to make friendship with them in a way to penetrate them and get them to talk, they wouldn’t cooperate at all.

Those who were ready to talk with reporters were skeptical on what to say. Some seemed to have lost their sense of reasoning.

Earlier this week, two families fought over a particular corpse earlier identified by one of the families who claimed that the corpse was quite identifiable last week but had now degenerated so much that they look alike.

Trouble ensued when the family of late Mr. Jones Ifekanwa, who died in

•Families cluster together in front of the pathology and Forensic department of LASUTH

Stop playing games with our corpses, families tell LASUTH the crash was told that another family who refused to disclose their identity to newsmen have also identified same corpse as their own.

In an encounter with Saturday Vanguard, one of the relatives of the victims Jenifer Enanana who was at the hospital in search of her brother said, “I am testifying just for my brother, Mr. Jones Ifekanwa. He was identified at the crash site. He wasn’t burnt. He had his identity card with him

Hon. Fafunnmi and some other documents in his pockets and he was identified with those documents. When we were there last Tuesday, it did not take them up to five minutes to get him to us. They even told us that we were very lucky so they wrote his name on the body bag he was in. When we went in there, we identified his clothes and birth marks on him and everything was okay. They told us that within 48 hours he will be released.

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ut, things didn’t work out that way. We were told that there are still some investigations including DNA to be carried out. So, getting him was delayed. So, we went back on Saturday but we found out that he was not properly taken care of, we found

out that he was getting worse. His face was peeling off, he was deteriorating and I expressed my grievances.

Luckily enough, Fashola said we should meet him on Sunday, which most of us did. The place was packed full with people. It was agreed there that all identified bodies should be released. And unknowingly, they had released six bodies without us knowing. After, they told us that, they need DNA reports to be completed before releasing the body. We got to know that six bodies have been released as at last week Friday.

“We have come to claim our body that had been identified by the chief examiner on the case, Prof. Obafunwa and confirmed by us to be him only for us to get there, the professor that claims to know what he is doing took us in again, traumatising my family members to re-identify the body that had already been identified by them and confirmed and identified by us.

“They took us in and they wrapped him up as if it was a gift pack showing just his face not his ears, head and wrapped up. And we were telling them that this is our brother whom we have identified.

He has a mark on his lips and on his fore-head is somehow, it just a unique feature of him and all that.

We cannot take that anymore because we are hearing rumours flying around that they have started selling bodies.

We heard that these big men are coming to take bodies to put in their caskets for them to throw party.

“Could you believe that another family went in and claimed the same body.

A body that has been identified by them

and confirmed by us twice, he (chief examiner) took another family to go and identify the body. The family was already devastated and the girl came out and because she wasn’t sure of the body and asked him to bring out his hands because their own person has a mark in his hands. The professor refused.

“He now came out to tell us that there was a problem on our own body that there is a contention on the body. He said because of this he will not release the body. That means they did not store the bodies properly, that means there is something fishy going on. Because we are hearing that the so called big men in Nigeria who were in that crash who has no body to present have started coming to get bodies and because of political favour and money, they have started playing pranks. That professor has started playing pranks.

You can see him shaking when he was talking. He is getting confused”.

In another development at the mortuary, an angry relative of one of the deceased attacked LASUTH officials with a cutlass but the assault was interrupted by a special squad of the Rapid Respond team of the Nigerian Police.

Victims must be well compensated —Hon. Fafunnmi

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eanwhile, Honourable member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Dayo Fafunmi, representing Ifako/Ijaye the site of the illfated crash expressed great sympathy for the affected families and those whose properties perished inthe crash.

His words: “I feel the pains of the people of Ifako/Ijaiye especially those who were directly affected by the plane Continues on page 13

VANGUARD, SATURDAY, JUNE16, 2012—13

DANA AIR CRASH

Fashola assures compensation for victims’ families

BY SIMEON NDAJI

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s the dust generated by the Dana air crash is yet to settle,the Governor of Lagos State,Babatunde Fashola has promised family members whose relations were involved in the illfated plane crash free legal aid in getting compensation from the air line.

The Governor who made this declaration during the week at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja ,assured that the office of the Public Defender will be available to handle all such legal matters free of charge for those who need the service.

“In terms of compensation,” the office of Public Defender will provide legal services that the victims’ families require without charge, and they can liaise with the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice."

Governor Fashola who said the offer was voluntary,disclosed that the head of the Legal Department

would constitute a legal team with representatives of the families so that the office would address legal issues as well as provide legal advice to those concerned.

He also disclosed that some vital decisions were taken at the meeting, and the families agreed, with the steps government have already taken and its process of investigation and identification of bodies before releasing them to the various families.

Governor Fashola said, “we have set up now a relationship team from government and who will be communicating specifically with them. “They have agreed to constitute some of their members to be representatives on the team so that we have a more coordinated approach to communication, sharing information, managing the release of the bodies that can be identified and generally working through all of the twists and turns that it will take,” Describing the process as very

Governor

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painful and tedious, Governor Fashola, however, expressed confidence that success would be achieved at the end of it all, adding that the meeting was useful in helping both the government and the families to chart a common course going forward.

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arlier, one of the bereaved fami ly members, Dr. Benjamin Iyene, pleaded with the Lagos State Government to do everything in its power to ensure that they get the

bodies of their relations, pointing out that Nigerians are very attached to their dead.

It will recalled that there was a confusion over number tag attached.But hospital source stated that the mix-up caused problems which hindered victims’ families from collecting their bodies. Also, the decision by the hospital that identified bodies cannot be released until DNA test has been concluded was not in the best interest of these families.There was also allegation of preferential treatment raised against LASUTH officials. “All the VIP bodies involved in the crash had been released and taken away by thier relatives while the hospital authorities delay others for inexplicable reason",declared a victim's family.

Earlier,Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed who doubles as the head of committee on crash issue, said after the meeting they were still handling the matter critically, and would furnish the media with further developments in due course.

Sequel to the conclusions reached by the committee over matters relating to the crash issue, the Government, he assured will not organise any mass burial of victims of the Dana air crash.

The State‘s Chief Medical Examiner and Professor of Pathology,Professor Oladapo Obafunwa, in his remarks gave an insight into the work done so far in the identification process.He also assured the families that the remains of their relations were being well preserved as,according to him, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital has the best Pathology Department in the country.

Stop playing games with our corpses, families tell LASUTH Continued from page 12 crash. We want to say that those people suffered double loss. They were not on the road, they were in their homes when plane crashed into them which led to loss of lives and properties. Essentially, the people of the area have greater challenge and the major challenge is inaccessibility of the roads around the crash site. If the roads were in good condition help might probably have come earlier and there might be reduction on the number of causalities that we experienced.

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learnt that when the plane crashed, it didn’t burst into flames immediately. Part of its wing crash landed into a two-storey building which has been brought down and at that point when there was no flame, some could have been done.

However, he lamented that the poor state of disaster response in the country today is devastating. “The lesson to be learnt is that our emergency recovery method needs to be improved upon. There was not enough firefighting devices that could assist the people before and after the explosion.

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•Families “Even NEMA was unable to do anything except for the services of Julius Berger which was employed to bring down the burnt air craft. That is to say that as a nation, we are not ready in terms of disaster management”.

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eanwhile, he said the victims should be well compensated by necessary authorities.

“Even those, whose properties would be acquired by the government

should be compensated irrespective of title because it was a system failure. The accident occurred as a result of inadequacy of some staff of the airline and the aviation ministry itself because they ought to ensure that only air-worthy aircraft are flying Nigeria air-space and since they were not there to do their duty, the system should be held responsible and ensure that adequate compensation are paid to the victims. “It was not what they bargained for.

I know that government in its own way will be demanding for C of O amongst other things regardless of what the man had suffered.

The loss of lives and properties has passed any documentary requirement or whatever they might want to use to stop him from getting his legitimate right. All the three houses affected ought to be duly and adequately compensated.

Talking about relocation, he said,

“The camp is a temporary site. Those people can never get the same comfort they enjoyed in their homes. And relief camp for someone who lived in such an environment, it will take sometimes for them to adjust.

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nd government should make the place more comfortable for them because what happened to them was an accident. I can’t blame them for not wanting to stay because they would rather prefer to stay in the neighbourhood, the homes of their friends or relatives. It is a national loss, it is a disaster that government should do everything possible to resettle and relocate them in a place that would be more befitting than where they are living now.

At least that would bring smile, although ,it cannot bring back the losses. it will soften their minds and make them feel wanted in the society. Every Nigerian should be treated with honour and respect that he or she will be willing to lay his life down for his country. It is not too much for the government to give them hope of a new life and sense of belonging.

14—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012

•Airhiavbere

•Edebiri

•Oshiomhole

Edo 2012 guber race:

Oshiomhole, Airhiavbere, Edebiri battle for royal blessings As Esan traditional rulers crown Oshiomhole Adolor of Esanland SIMON EBEGBULEM,

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eing the general overseer of the popular Benin kingdom, it is not surprising that any one who wants to govern Edo state must seek the blessings of the revered Benin monarch, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa.

Although the royal father is not a politician, his blessings and body language go a long way in swaying votes in favour of an anointed candidate. And on several occasions, he directs his chiefs to make pronouncements on his behalf and that pronouncement becomes law.

Therefore, as the July 14, 2012 governorship election in Edo state beckons, politicians particularly the governorship candidates of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Governor Adams Oshiomhole; that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gen.Charles Arhiavbere; and the candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Chief Solomon Edebiri, have been enmeshed in this battle for the royal blessing.

The PDP candidate Gen.Airhiavbere was the first to hit the palace shortly after he emerged as the candidate of the PDP. He stormed the palace with the entire Exco of the PDP in the state led by its chairman, Chief Dan Orbih and former Chief whip of the senate, Senator Rowland Owie March last month. Orbih introduced their candidate to the Oba informing him that they decided to pick one of his sons with whom they are well pleased.

He stressed that their candidate is a “son of the palace”, apparently to remind the Oba that

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BENIN CITY

After the Oba’s blessings, the entire Enigies in the Edo South endorsed Oshiomhole for a second term, just as traditional rulers in Esan and Edo North led by Otaru of Auchi, did the same

he cannot abandon one of his own, while he went on to explain why their candidate is better than Oshiomhole. ut the Oba quickly interrupted and informed Orbih not to turn his palace to a soapbox. On his part, Airhiavbere recalled how he visited the Oba immediately he disengaged from the army and what the Oba advised him to do since he is now retired. But the Oba interrupted and urged him to tell the people what he advised him when he came to inform him of his disengagement from the Army.

Airhiavbere went on to recall that the Oba advised him to take over from where his father stopped.

Airhiavbere’s father was a chief before his death. However, the Oba agreed with what he said and asked him to continue. After explaining his reasons to the palace, the Oba responded by saying “I have been watching you on TV and I will continue to watch you on TV”. That was how the visit with the Oba ended. Edebiri, the ANPP candidate also visited the palace with his followers and assured the Oba that he will do

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better than any of the candidates if voted into office. He equally received prayers from the palace chiefs after which the Oba urged them not to play politics of bitterness in order to have a peaceful election.

Then on Thursday April 19,2012, Governor Oshiomhole took his running mate Dr Pius Odubu and other party leaders to the palace. The event was like a carnival. Dressed in a white babariga, it was very obvious that the air was at peace with Oshiomhole’s visit to the Oba. A mild drama ensued when the Oba came out to meet his visitors.

The revered monarch was virtually looking for Oshiomhole, “where is he, where is he?, even though the Oshiomhole he was looking for stood before him dressed in a white babariga. he drama elicited laughter at the palace as Oshiomhole explained that he decided to put on the babariga because of the special occasion. However, Oshiomhole commenced the business of the day by thanking the Oba for his continued support for his administration the past

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three and half years, just as he used the opportunity to outline his achievements in the past three and half years. According to him, “ First is to put on record my gratitude and my appreciation to your Royal Majesty for all the support that I have enjoyed since I became governor of Edo state, just like your Majesty supported me while I was President of the NLC. It would have been impossible for me to enjoy the support of the people as much as I have enjoyed without your blessing.

"The second is to recall that in 2007, I had the privilege of coming to this palace to inform your Majesty of my decision to contest the governorship of Edo state. And I asked for your prayers and blessings and you extended same to me. After the election and the legal battle, I was sworn in as Governor November 2008. Upon assumption of office, I paid you a visit to inform you that I have been sworn in and my readiness to get on with the job. I recall your Majesty made one request that all you expect from me is to do some thing about Benin roads and the flooding problem of Benin City. Your Majesty, I had promised that those were marching orders and I promised to do that. It is now three years and about four months of being in office and your Majesty, today we have done something and we are doing something about Benin roads and the flooding problem. Just yesterday after a heavy down pour, I decided to go out to see if what we are doing is working. I went to five junctions and I found that a matter of minutes, you won't know that it rained at all. I went around Tomline, through to the

traditional ground, again every thing was okay. Your Majesty, we have made some effort and with your encouragement and support, we took some difficult decisions to demolish some buildings so that we can reclaim the moats and today the moats are being reclaimed which is helping the flooding control.

"All of these would not have been possible without the intervention of your Royal Majesty. I do remember that in my first budget, I announced that I will devote 70 per cent of the budget to work on Benin roads and erosion including the Airport Road. Though the PDP led House then manipulated the budget then but we still did what we could to make things happen.

Their plot was to frustrate our effort. When we regained control of the House we had already started working and the jobs are going on across the state.We have the longest road in Orhionmwon Local Government, about 57 kilometer road covering over 200 communities. We are doing a road in Ovia North East and Ovia South West. We are also doing another one in Uhumnwonde and Igbanke”.

Continuing Oshiomhole reminded the Oba that “the INEC has rolled out a time table of which they have fixed election for July 14, 2012. I have had the support of the leadership and members of my party the ACN. I had the opportunity to be nominated unopposed to run again the office as governor of Edo state. have picked Odubu as my running mate. So we have come this afternoon to ask for your Majesty’s blessing, to ask for your prayer and support so that as we approach the electioneering campaign, God willing Edo people will give us a second chance, not to repeat but to advance the progress that we have already made so that we can take Edo state to the next level.

Amongst the projects that we have started in Benin Kingdom , many of them have been completed while others will be completed in the next few months. The new canal that we are dredging, the N30billion project has reached advanced stage. Our intensions are clear, we want to assure you that we believe we will do even better a second term, first because

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Continues on pages 15

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012—15

'As Esan traditional rulers crown Oshiomhole Adolor of Esanland' Continues from pages 14 we have a House of Assembly that is also committed to development. Just last week, the World Bank offered to give us support of almost 275 million dollars and Edo state is the second to attract that fund after Lagos . I give you my word that with your support Sir, we will take Edo state to the next level”.

After Oshiomhole’s speech, it was the turn of the Iyase (Prime Minister) of Benin Kingdom , Chief Sam Igbe to bless the kola nut on behalf of the Oba. As he was doing that, the Oba interrupted sharply and informed him that the prayers he is about to offer must be a special one for Oshiomhole. And the Iyase in his prayers, described Oshiomhole as God-sent to the people of the state, adding that “the Binis cannot afford to forget what you have done for us. You had a good first term and a good term deserves another. Whatever you want, you will get because the Bini people are not ungrateful people, they will return you to complete all the development projects you are doing. You have made Benin beautiful, and the Benin people will show their gratitude.” On his part, the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, said : “You want to go into battle, you will

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•Oba Erediauwa return safely. Whatever the Oba has to say, he has said so many times. Some of us have spoken on behalf of the monarch several times. he Oba speaks through the Iyase and the palace chiefs.

I was coming to the palace one day and I met a multitude of people and I asked, what is happening, they said the governorship candidate of the PDP is inside. I quickly told my driver to reverse the car, because I didn’t see the Iyase’s car and if

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By Kayode Akinmade

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n a recent rating of state governors in the country by a national daily, Governor Olusegun Mimiko was rated as being above average, a rating which immediately raises questions of awareness concerning the unparalleled development going on in Ondo State. While the ThisDay management is to be commended for its acknowledgement of some of the giant strides being recorded in Ondo State, it may be necessary to place in context, the programmes and policies of the Mimiko administration for better appreciation.

Dr Olusegun Mimiko‘s glorious coming into office three years ago was nearly dimmed by one major challenge: high maternal mortality rate, which may be a kind of understatement because Ondo, at the time, actually had the highest maternal mortality rate in the country. For many years a medical activist, exponent of community health and outreach programmes, the governor became instantly fired with a crusading zeal, declaring that, by the

I came to the palace, it would be my lot to pray for him and I didn’t want to pray for a candidate who will not pass. Adams Oshiomhole is the Benin candidate. He is the one who wants Benin City to join other modern cities in the country, so he is our candidate. Some people said the palace is playing politics. What is politics? The Oba himself is an embodiment of politics.If you have a house and you are old and your children did not come to paint the house and somebody from outside came and painted it and decorate it for you,

reiterating “Allah be with you”.

After the Oba’s blessings, the entire Enigies in the Edo South endorsed Oshiomhole for a second term, just as traditional rulers in Esan and Edo North led

by Otaru of Auchi, did the same.

However, sensing that Oshiomhole was winning the Royal battle, the PDP and its governorship candidate, Gen.Charles Airhiavbere moved to Edo Central, Anenih’s domain and he received the endorsement of Esan royal fathers. ut that endorsement was punctured few weeks later, after 23 out of 25 of the Royal fathers from that area, led by the Onogie of Opoji, Godfrey Okosun and Enogie of Ekpoma, Anthony Abumere 11, stormed the Edo state Government House and alleged that they were only invited for their normal meeting not knowing that they were lured there to endorse Airhiavbere.

Enogie Opoji asserted that “but we still refused to give him endorsement. Some of us were harassed by security agents to come and give our blessing but we refused, some who gave did that forcefully”.

However, after reiterating their support for Oshiomhole, they crowned it up by giving him a title, the Adolor of Esanland,meaning, the repairer of Esanland.

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Understanding the Ondo revolution class services at zero cost, with free ambulance service to reach needy pregnant women in remote areas, etc, which has received acknowledgment by the World Bank, which sent a team to Ondo State to understudy the programme, as setting a benchmark for maternal care on the entire African continent. To date, over 11,000 safe deliveries and over 4,000 surgeryassisted safe deliveries have been recorded through the programme.

Ondo is perhaps the only state in the country where public hospitals boast better services than private hospitals, and where treatment is not only free but is also world class, efficient, timely and courtesy-driven. Among numerous awards, the programme has led to Dr Mimiko being decorated as a fellow of the Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetrics (Nigeria), and the hospitals are used as teaching hospitals by many leading international institutions and agencies.

A unique feature of governance in Ondo State is the creation of community development agencies, a bottom-up

Ondo is perhaps the only state in the country where public hospitals boast better services than private hospitals, and where treatment is not only free

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grace of God, never again would pregnancy be a death sentence to women in Ondo State, whatever their social standing. The result is the evolvement of the Abiye (literally “safe delivery/birth) programme, involving the creation of state-of-the-art Motherand- Child hospitals providing world C M Y K

will you leave that person? Once again, we are voting for Adams Oshiomhole. s the Odionwere of Bini Kingdom, and I am speaking on behalf of the Oba, you are going to win. The Oracle has spoken. Anyone who disputes it or fights against the oracle, then let him fight on, we will wait and see the result.” The Obasogie of Benin Kingdom, Chief Eduwuiofo Ekhator-Obasogie, said what makes the palace happy is that the Governor has a long-standing relationship with the palace. According to him, “I will only add a few things to what the Esogban has said. What we are saying is that what the Governor is doing in Benin City and in Edo State , even the blind people are seeing it. We praise you sir. The Omo n’Oba has listened and heard what is happening in Edo State . Bini has 54% of the population and you are doing so much here. We are very appreciative people and we will surely stand by you and stand with you to the end.”

The Oba who crowned the visit up said, “I was very delighted while watching my Television to see the outcome of your party (ACN) primaries. We thank God for everything and may Allah be with you”.

The Oba personally escorted Oshiomhole out of the palace

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approach which, if replicated nationally, even if not on a comparable scale with the Ondo system, may yet prove to be the vital linkage between the country ’s three, largely noncohesive tiers of federal, state and local governments. Shortly upon assumption of office, the governor immediately

deployed a team of well-trained and highly skilled personnel to the various local government areas in the state to undertake community needs analysis.

Although at first resented by many of the members of their host communities arising from the lack of confidence which had gained ground, the change agents were soon to gain the confidence of the host communities. To date, over 450 communities in the state have benefited from projects requested for by themselves, working in synergy with the host communities. Thus, the disconnect between government has been removed.

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he government has, in the past three years, also initiated rapid urbanisation programmes, turning many hitherto rusty communities into centres of excellence, as a visit to many parts of the state will confirm. In particular, Akure, the state capital, now towers above any city in the country because of its sheer splendour. In addition to constructing new roads, the state government constructed state of the art bus stops. In deep appreciation of the urbanisation efforts of the state government, the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), penultimate week, decorated Dr Olusegun Mimiko with an honorary Fellowship Award., declaring that its decision was hinged on the urban renewal efforts of the Ondo State government which had transformed the state capital, Akure, into a model city.The town planners remarked that with just three and a half years in office, the Mimiko administration had been able to transform the state capital into a tourist delight, saying that the template has

already been set for other major towns in the state to assume the same status.

“Roads in the metropolis are well asphalted while major roads in the city are being expanded into four lanes even as beautiful landscaping has emerged.Apart from the many beautification projects going on at different parts of the state, a covered pedestrian bridge has been erected at the popular Oba Adesida road, thus giving the popular area a befitting look coupled with the well defined vehicular marked routes,” the town planners said. While also commending the street lights adorning the long stretch of Fiwasaye to FUTA areas as well as those erected at Ondo road and other areas in the city, the town planners noted that the architectural design of the Mega Schools scattered around the state, with the well-planned auto market and the decision of the government to relocate motor mechanics in the state to a good location with the necessary amenities to make their operation easier are all components of a well- laid out environment, were worthy of commendation.

Indeed, a core component of the urbanisation effort of the government is the utilisation of markets as tools for urbanisation. The government has built state-of-the-art neighbourhood markets boasting of a police post, crèche, fire station, among others, taking peasant women away from the scorching sun under which they had traded for years.

Akinmade is the Commissioner forInformation, Ondo State

16 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012

SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY

happens, Oshiomhole will win with a large margin. I have read PDP people boasting that they will use the President and Federal might to win. But the truth is that they don’t even have that Federal might because Jonathan cannot fool himself. And I want to appeal to President Jonathan not to give support to such illegality because that will dent his image and his good works. He should not listen to those thieves making such noise. They want to reap from where they did not sow and nobody should support such evil.

I pray they don’t push Jonathan into problem that will cause chaos in this country. But I know that Jonathan is a good son and will not listen to people who have deceived their people for too long and now want to come back to power through the back door. I don’t think Edo people want to go back to darkness, so the PDP should forget it, purge themselves and give the man the desired support for their people and not for their own selfish interest.

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enator Francis Spanner Okpozo is a second Republic senator and a former Deputy Speaker in the old Bendel State. The elder statesman from Isoko, Delta State has been calm for a while now, but he broke his silence to Saturday Vanguard in Benin City last Thursday on national issues. He warned President Jonathan not to allow sycophants derail his administration, saying that he should remain focused on the problems bedeviling the nation and not 2015 presidency.

Senator Okpozo who has also lived in Benin City since 1963, commented on the forthcoming July 14 governorship election in the state and declared that Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s developmental projects will secure him the desired victory. He warned President Goodluck Jonathan not to get himself involved in any attempt to manipulate the election in favour of his PDP in order to avoid crisis in Edo state and Nigeria in general.

Excerpts:

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2015 PRESIDENCY:

Jonathan should beware of sycophants — Okpozo * Says Buhari’s warning may start from Edo if Jonathan is not careful

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You have been very calm all these while, what is the problem? hen you see certain developments in a country, you have to examine them critically before you speak. I have the interest of this country at heart, so I have been very careful. Some people when they see things, they just talk without minding the implications of their comments. They don’t care whether they are creating an atmosphere of peace or destruction. For me, as one who have served this nation at local and national levels, I must be careful with whatever I say and what ever I say when you look at it you cannot fault it and I always stand by the truth. I have been watching what has been happening in the country and I feel bad some times.

You have lived in Edo state since 1963, what is your view on the forthcoming governorship election in the state?

I have lived in Benin City since 1963 when Midwest was created. I have been here as a public servant, I have been here as a politician. I know the terrain and being a former Deputy Speaker of old Bendel State under Prof.Alli’s government, I had good interaction with every body in Bendel State that matters. The truth is bitter but it must be told.

The previous governments in Bendel state did well to establish Midwest.

Osadebey and others did very well. They were over thrown in 1966 by the regime of Aguiyi Ironsi. Ogbemudia and others later came as military

*Okpozo

I have read PDP people boasting that they will use the President and Federal might to win. But the truth is that they don’t even have that Federal might because Jonathan can not fool himself

governors. Alli was elected democratically and he meant well for Bendel state then.

During Ogbemudia's time, he tried to build the University of Benin and put a lot of structures on ground. But the major architect for building the educational structure came from Prof.Ali. He established the Bendel state university now Ambrose Ali University.

At that time, we established the Ekiadolor College of Education, in Esan and Akoko Edo and we established one College in Igueben. From there, we moved to the now Delta state. We established the College of Education at Agbor and another one in Warri. We built two polytechnics, one at

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Ozoro and another one at Ogwashi Ukwu. We were building the Abraka University before the military took over power. And when you see the quality of roads we built in Bendel state, very solid. The NPN was jealous of us due to the resources we are using to develop our areas. In 1981, when we wanted to extend development to riverine areas, we brought a Company Edok Eter Mandilas from Greece because we know that Greece is a riverine area so that they can help us develop these areas. We carried a lot of burden then, making sure that we provided dividends of democracy to our people. I am recalling this because since

1999 it is sad that this PDP government brought suffering for the people of Edo and Delta states.

The administration of PDP in Edo state was a chaos. There was no road in Benin until Oshiomhole took over.

Oshiomhole is not only constructing roads, he is building bridges, giving free education to the people, stabilizing the institutions that he met, building good markets, good schools and others. What can you say about that man? God sent him to come and remove shame from Edo state. And I am glad that His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin and all other traditional rulers are giving him support for his second term. Oshiomhole has tried and anybody who is making noise that they will come and rig the election here will be wasting his time. Every body is backing the man and if any thing goes wrong in the election, Nigerians will now see sense in what Buhari said because the chaos and end of Nigeria may start from Edo state. So we don’t want chaos in Edo state, we want peace because a peaceful man is the Governor today. So, they must allow free and fair election here and if that

As leader from the South South, what it your take on the debate about 2015 presidency and President Goodluck Jonathan? n politics, people say what ever they like, but in order to really make politics effective, people say what is true, what they can stand for. A lot of people have come out to say Jonathan must come back while some said he must go after his first tenure.

Jonathan himself has not told Nigerians that he is contesting 2015 election. It is some sycophants around him that are saying that. Jonathan has his own mind but I want to say that advisers have been the bane of defeat of democracy. Defeat of truth, honesty is as a result of sychophants. We have three years ahead so why don’t they wait for Jonathan before they start blowing his trumpet? Nigerians should be very careful in order not to spark trouble because if this argument goes beyond this stage, it can create anarchy and nobody wants anarchy in this country.

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Insecurity nsecurity in Nigeria has always followed the political terrain since 1960. In 1960 because of interest ,the British created three regions: Western, Northern and Eastern Regions. And that created a lot of havoc for the country. The situation caused so much insecurity. So, this problem of insecurity has been there. It is not a creation of President Jonathan.

It has been so because of our differences in culture and political interest. So it is a usual habit. We had the Niger Delta militants before, those ones faded away, now we have the Boko Haram. The truth is that Nigeria is not supposed to be one country. People should be allowed to take their destiny in their hands according to their culture and religion.

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Vanguard, SARTURDAY, JUNE 16, 2012—17

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18 — SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 16, 2012 Dear Julie, Well when I first met this girl, I thought she was nice and we could be friends. And then I got to know her better and I thought she was annoying.

I still think she’s annoying .

She thinks she knows everything! It seems like she’s really nice to everyone but me.

She treats me like she’s better than me . So, I do my best to drive her crazy. I’m really good at it, too. I ask her why she doesn’t just tell me to leave her alone and she implies that she loves me. But except for her tolerance of my teasing her, she doesn’t act like she loves me. She’s always lecturing me on every little quite so flawed and worthless. mistake I make. And anytime I know it’s stupid, but I get I argue with anyone, she takes jealous of the way she treats their side. She looks happy other people. I wish she would when she talks to other peo- treat me like that. And talk ple but she rarely smiles when about me like she loves me and she talks to me. She rarely I’m not just some rash she pays attention. can’t get rid of. I promised her She makes me miserable and I was going stick around until I still want to be around her she told me to leave. She told all the time. She lectures me me about how she usually loson everything but I still tell her es friends within a year and I when I’m upset about some- felt bad and well... I always thing. She knows I cut myself keep my promises. And I can’t and apparently she thought I figure out why she doesn’t if was trying to kill myself and I’m so horrible. But if she she did absolutely nothing, makes me so frigging miseraexcept give me disaproving ble, why is she my favourite looks. But she’s the first per- person? I’d rather spend time son I sent a text to when I with her than my best friend. started thinking I want kill What is really wrong with me? myself. I told her I was going Leo, Lagos to and she just ignored me.

She acts like she’s better than Dear Leo, me ‘cause I cut myself and she You said she’s annoying doesn’t. She’s very convinc- and she makes you miserable. ing. No one can make me feel Well, sometimes we attract

I don’t have orgasms

Why do I care about someone who cares little about me? the wrong people and get in relationships with toxic people. I don’t see this ending well if you were to take this further . She’s shown you how she doesn’t care and I don’t think this is a healthy interaction. Regarding the self injury and suicidal feelings , you really should talk to a professional and this girl isn’t going to help you.

I suppose she lectures you because you listen and tolerate her behaviour. If you both get on each others nerves, its better to avoid each other. It

sounds like she does think she’s superior and she doesn’t lecture others because they wouldn’t take it.

Humans tend to want what they can’t have. Try not to worry about this person. A young woman should have a nice personality to go with her nice looks.

I’m feeling lost and alone Aunty Julie, I’ve been feeling depressed for sometime now and I have learned to manage it on my own for the most part but it has been getting a lot worse and I feel like I’m at a point where things need to change.

I’ve had the same job at a movie production outfit for two and a half years and that is where I’ve made all the friends I had. My job is one of the major sources of my current despair. It’s like high school there with the drama and of course as a shy quiet person, not many people really like me a whole lot because they’ve never really given me a chance. They assume because I’m quiet that I’m being rude or think I’m better than them. Its a really stupid judgement to make but what can you do? I had a little group of friends and things were okay for a while. One of them started dating an actor who is attached to the production outfit and at first, it was fine. We all hung out together and got along.

Then that actor that my friend was dating began to play little games with her and manipulate her and they broke up once and I told him he has to stop doing this or he’ll lose her and she wouldn’t hear it and got even more upset. So that’s when things really went downhill. It got so bad my friend chose him over me even though she knows it will never work out with them.

I tried to help her and talk to her and she didn’t really seem to care. She still doesn’t even try. Now another couple I started hanging out with C M Y K

ditched me while I was waiting for them because they wanted to hang out with my now ex friend and just decided not to say anything to me and leave me hanging. I haven’t even talked to them and I don’t think they’d care.

I’ve gotten past the part of thinking it is all me and trying to figure out what I did wrong. But it is frustrating trying to get them to realize I’m in pain and alone.

They are the only friends I have and they can’t even be honest with me. I feel even more alone because I can’t talk to my boyfriend about it. I’ve hurt him countless times and I’m trying to rebuild any modicum of trust or anything I can. I can’t complain about that because its my own damn fault. I’m lucky enough to have him at all. I live with my father, his wife and her three children and I don’t talk to any of them. I talk to my dad but its severely stunted due to my social anxiety. The rest of them I don’t care to speak to.

But I don’t think any of them understands what its like to live in a house that you barely utter one or two words out loud in a day.

Living in a place you’re supposed to call home when all you do is hide in your room is not easy. I know most of this is my fault but I’m at a loss. Things just seem to be escalating and I wish someone could help me but I fear that it is I who must help myself and I fear I may not be able to do that. Please help me to help myself.

Annie, Benin

Dear Annie, One important thing to remember is, never make important decisions when you’re very upset. Everything you wrote about is upsetting, but it will eventually pass. I understand the situation at work was you trying to support your friend, but take it from me, its better not to take sides between two people who are couples.

Dear Aunty Julie, I masturbated very often when I was young and can have multiple orgasms. Now, I’m married but when having intercourse with my husband, I cannot have orgasm without him touching my clitoris. My husband wants me to have multiple orgasms and feels inadequate otherwise. What can I do? What are the problems with female orgasm?

Imelda, Jos Dear Imelda, Some women generally do not have orgasm during intercourse, but through the stimulation of the clitoris. You have all the reasons to be happy with your sex life. Why not just enjoy it instead of trying to reach impossible goals? Men believe that women can have them but it is very unusual.

All you need with your husband is a lot of foreplay before the actual thing. If you were having multiple orgasms by stimulation of the clitoris, encourage your husband to do so with you as often as possible.

I always have premature ejaculation Aunty Julie, I’m in trouble with my marriage. I cannot satisfy my wife sexually because I have premature ejaculation. It pains me to see her frustrated after every sexual encounter and the worst of it all is that I cannot go more than one round. We have been married for six years. My friends have suggested exercise for me and I have tried that severally but I still come too quickly.

It bothers me a lot and I don’t know what to do. How can coming too quickly be treated? Is there a cure /treatment for it?

Edwin, Abuja Dear Edwin, With medicines, such as serotonergic anti-depressants or SSRIs (Seroxat, Prozac, Cipramil, Zoloft, Duloxetine, Xeristar) the ejaculation can be delayed. This medication improves the transmittal of serotonin (a substance in the body) between two nerves.

These medicines need to be taken two to three hours before the expected sexual activity. This can be experienced as a disadvantage, because it reduces the spontaneity around making love. Some people take such medicines every day, avoiding this disadvantage but increasing the risk of side effects. A medicine in this class, which is marketed especially for the treatment of premature ejaculation, has the name priligy. Good results have also been obtained with sexological treatments. This treatment is aimed at giving the man control over the ejaculation.

A part of this is to withdraw while making love to stop stimulation and thus prevent premature ejaculation. In some mild cases, use of a condom may help.

I’m not attracted to my husband Dear Julie, Almost two years ago I married my best friend. But recently, I have come to realize that it may have been one of my biggest mistakes. I have finally taken some time to look into some issues that keep coming up between us lately, and the more I learn the more unhappy I am. I have noticed in the past few months that I do not feel attracted to my husband.

I don’t feel any decrease of sexual desire anywhere else, only when I am around him. Whenever I bring this up among friends, it is always passed off as a normal part of marriage.

So I started looking deeper within myself in hopes to find a solution, or at least an explanation for this situation. To my surprise, I realized that I have never felt sexually attracted to him. All throughout our relationship, I was having intimacy with him purely out of friendship, because I care about him and like to see him happy, and not because I desired, or lusted after him. This may not sound like a problem

to most people but let me clarify, I am 27 years old. I have a very healthy appetite and I find myself really missing those feelings of passion that normal couples feel (at least once in a while, right?). My husband is a very jealous guy and would never go for the idea of involving me being anything more than polite to another man, but lately he is offended and angry that I would even pleasure myself without his participation.

We are considering counseling to try and find some sort of a happy medium, but I honestly can’t see myself ever being sexually fulfilled while staying in the boundaries of a monogamous marriage. Is our marriage doomed?

Letti, Lagos Dear Letti, You married him under false pretenses, I find that quite strange as women,unlike men,who begin a relationship both physically and emotionally. And women bring love and caring into the relationship.

Whereas men think about sexual intimacy into the relation-

ship and if a woman is real lucky. Men go on to learn about love from a woman within that bonding relationship.You don’t seem to even have a commitment,let alone any love bonding. This isn’t in any way meant as a put down, just another way of looking at your togetherness. You know the answer and so does he. And I don’t see that either of you have much going for you.

It’s not all about intimacy, you know? Many times, stuffed problems arise in guised as sexual problems.

Hopefully, you will be honest with the counselor and then be able to work on them openly. I think your spouse needs to also share and find out why the jealousy as this is not a contributor to a good marriage also. And why would you want to have sex with someone who treated you that way?

Women are more emotional about life than some men realize, and it’s more difficult to enjoy intimacy when the rest of the marriage seems insufficient.

SATURDAY

Vanguard JUNE 16, 2012—19

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“Have you completed the compilation of those figures?”, she purred when he went into her office, eyes smouldering like a school girl on heat. He was really getting fed up with this above middle-age woman, whose sexual prowess surpasses any young chick’s.

He wished he could have the nerves to tell this simpering specimen where to get off. But where would he get the nerve to? All he has was some two-beat certificate from a not-so-reputable institution in the USA and the ‘project’ madam insisted he should hang around to discuss with her was a complication of staffs travelling expenses for the quarter!

Sexual harassment—how women show better finesse bers of staff and all he could do is wait in the wings like an obedient dog waiting for his master’s favours ...’

A lot of hue and cry have always been made over men who sexually harass the supposedly weaker female sex.

It is no secret that sexual harassment is a form of bullying. It is disgusting and cowardly. And that is it! But what exactly is sexual harassment? As someone aptly

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T was the end of the day and the office was virtually deserted. The deputy chief accountant was still at his desk. A comparatively young man for the job title pinned on his office door, he jumped nervously when he heard the shrill sound of the bell. He knew whose fore-finger was on the buzzer. His immediate boss. A woman whose sexual appetite was absolutely insatiable.

It is no secret that sexual harassment is a form of bullying.

It is disgusting and cowardly

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B

ut then, he knew all that discussion lark was a ruse for the casual invitation that would follow. And it came almost immediately. “You poor thing,” madam cooed, “you must be hungry. I’ve asked Musa to get dinner ready at the guest house. The driver will take us there now then come back to pick your car...”

It’s been going on for about nine months now and Taiye, the deputy chief accountant, still smarts from the humiliation of it all.

Once in a while madam would taunt him with some younger and more goodlooking studs who are mem-

puts it: “In one kind of office (well, media offices for example) it is a routine for the staff to sit around on one another knees and flop their heads on the nearest bossom and yet nobody has the remotest inclination or ability to take it any further.

‘In another kind (say banks, for instance) everyone acts so repressed that the slightest graze of an elbow on the way though to the computer room becomes charged with sexual meaning! ithin the “ s a m e o f f i c e , tastes vary. A remark which might be met by one girl with a pleased ‘ooooh, Mr. Peters, you are a rascal!’ may be interpreted by another as just two doors down from rape.

Some deep thinkers have a simple rule-of-thumb: that flirtation is what you do with pretty women and harassment is what happens to ugly and embittered ones. I suppose if you want a rough guide, a flirt is a man who tries to make his victim glow happily beneath his flattery and stops if she doesn’t. A harasser is one who either wants to make her squirm —or almost worse, someone, who is so insensitive that he doesn’t notice how she feels at all.

“And if men are to be brought to book for sexual harassment, what about women? Some years back, a company had this female doctor on its list of consultants. A young executive went to see her and that was the beginning of very lurid sex sessions. The man was very elated at his good fortunes to start with but he went and spoilt it all by getting married. That put paid to the freedom of his flat and time. In fact, he begged off the affair.

But ‘madam’, was so bitter she plotted the downfall of her ex-lover. Luckily, he found a better job and happily resigned!

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Stress can actually help you live longer! xperts are claiming that stress can be good for you. Research has apparently found that nerveracking situations such as making a speech or dashing to the airport, will help you stay healthy and live longer. Stress, blamed for everything from depression to cancer is the biggest cause of long-term sickness, prompting warnings that it has become the ‘new back pain’ for office truants.

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ut researchers say mild-tomoderate stress increases the production of proteins that help repair body cells, including those in the brain, and enables them to work at peak capacity. Exercising this self repair mechanism can therefore help people look and feel younger.

They say the right kind of stress

can even boost our natural defences to illness such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s and arthritis. Dr. Marios Kyriazis, medical director of British Longetivity Society,

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Exercising this self repair mechanism can therefore help people look and feel younger

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said that when we are exposed to mild stress, the cells start to break down and so a repair mechanism kicks off. This strengthens the cells and removes harm-

ful chemicals but as it is more than is needed to repair damage, it leaves the cells stronger than they were before.

“The best way to keep the process working efficiently is to ‘exercise’ it in the same way you would exercise muscles to keep them strong,” he said. “This means you have to seek out stress in order for the body to keep responding to it. He told the second Anti-Aging Conference in London recently that he prescribes mild doses for frantic activity to patients such as redecorating the front room in a weekend or packing in a hurry to reach the airport in time. He also suggests people shop for a dinner party in their lunch hour and learn to set the video using the manual. He even recommends peri-

ods of food or sleep deprivation.

Good stress is short-term, mild, stimulating and gives a sense of achievement once it IS over.

He warned, however that prolonged exposure to stress, such as long-term care for a sick relative, is unhealthy.

Being stuck in a traffic jam is also bad as the person is powerless to change the situation. The conference also heard from a Danish researcher who found that subjecting skin cells to mild stress can beat the signs of aging.

Professor Suresh Rattan, of Aarhus University, discovered that when skin cells in a test tube were exposed to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature reached during a fever —they kept their shape better and were less affected by ultraviolet light.

20 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012

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ou see them everywhere.

She is a happily ‘married’ woman and her home and photo album are graced with beautiful photos of their wedding and family social functions. But the truth is, she is a married single mum . She has the wedding ring very conspicously on her finger but you cannot remember seeing her husband besides her or anywhere. The kids know that there is daddy somewhere but they don’t have sharp images of daddy anymore.

They see his photos everywhere but they could hardly remember seeing him. Sometimes, it could be that daddy has another family somewhere else or for another reason, he is living in another city.

And where he is, he could be alone or with another woman.

Another scenario is where he lives at home with a family who hardly see him. He comes home when madam and the kids are already asleep and leaves the house before they wake up the next morning. Sometimes, he is a travelling husband who junkets across cities and countries and comes home only once in a while.

Tara, 35, recalls that “ a few years ago, my husband, Tony, bought out his partner in the business they owned together. It was great news, except for one thing. He told me he would be going to work everyday and be travelling more frquently and I nodded. I understood, I was supportive. And we had it figured out. Tony would run the business and I’d take care of our three kids.

Figuring it out and then actually living it are not the same thing.

Tony would leave home at 7:30 a.m. and wouldn’t return until midnight. Mornings were a blur of getting the kids off. In the afternoons, I orchestrated homework and the evenings were spent coordinating extra lessons and other practices. For a full year, I flew completely solo, becoming more exhausted and resentful by the day. Then at dinner one evening, our youngest child asked, “Is Daddy coming over tonight?” The older two quickly corrected her by telling her that Daddy lives here with us but her words were like a punch.

“It’s like I’m divorced. I complained to my friend the next day but she disagreed, saying that if I am divorced, I’d get a break every other weekend. She had a point.With new acquaintances, I mentioned “my husband, who works a lot, not wanting them to think he was dead, in jail, or living a double life.

"Honestly, it was only through sheer determination that I survived that first year. Now, Tony gets an occasional day off. And we’ve gotten smart about how we spend our time. We manage a Monday dinner or share a laugh occasionally during office hours.

Sometimes, on Saturdays, we go for a midnight drink at a neighbourhood club. I also came up with a mantra: This is my life for now. I joined a club and started working at church. Simply being with friends lightened my load.

“It defies logic, but Tony and I C M Y K

The married single mum are happier than ever because time apart makes us appreciate time together. Is our life ideal?

Far from it. Is it the best we can do? Right now, it is. And that’s good enough for both of us”.

But what is working for Tara did not work for Beauty whose husband has been on transfer from Nigeria to the United States for three years. Beauty is a career woman and would not leave her lucrative job in an oil firm in Nigeria to join her US-based husband. The marriage was blessed with two boys and although Beauty has had time to travel occasionally

with the kids to spend vacations with her man, that was not able to save their marriage.

Beauty recalled that the last time she paid her husband a surprise visit, she was nearly murdered by a white lady who claimed her husband was her fiance and that he never mentioned to her he had a wife anywhere. Beauty narrowly escaped being brutalised by the whiskers and her husband did not make matters easier. He blamed her for not previously informing him before making the trip and offered no explanation about the lady that harrassed her.

During that trip, Beauty said slept in the guest room while her husband’s girlfriend slept with him in the Master bedroom. That experience caused two things: Beauty cut short her trip to the US and hurried home to begin processing their divorce, bring home a dozenful of experience that would ensure her husband would never get the custody of the kids.

Should I divorce my husband?

M

y husband and I have not slept together in six years and three

years ago, he walked out on me and got his own apartment in another town.

He continues to be very active in the children’s lives and supports me financially.

We tried marriage counseling and we worked through a lot of the issues that caused him to leave. We have talked over and over again about getting back together, and I want to do so but he is forever 'on the fence' about it.

We ended up going to a divorce mediator and worked out a divorce agreement about two years ago, because even though we talk constantly about possibly getting back together, for him it never gets past the “let’s talk about whether we should try to get back together” stage. We even both have hired lawyers.

I never wanted the divorce and so, I don’t want to file for it, but he also has not filed. I think he is happy with things the way they are, but I am miserable living this way. I am not able to move

on to a new relationship because we are still technically married, yet we haven’t even touched each other physically in six years and haven’t lived together for three years. I think he should file for the divorce if he wants one, because I don’t want to be the one to file for a divorce I never wanted in the first place and still don’t want.

At the same time, I keep wondering why I continue to put up with it the way it as I am completely miserable the way things are now.

My husband says he also is in pain over this issue.Yet, he is the one who is causing this pain by staying away.

We have resolved all of the issues that I know of. We did have some serious issues, but both of us are good people, and I feel that our issues while serious, should not be keeping us apart any longer. He won’t end our relationship and keeps saying he wants to continue to “talk” about whether we should get back together,

*J.P. Chijioke, 28, wants a Christian lady who is employed and a Pentecostal for marriage on 08139634246. *Obazu, 23, based in Akwa-Ibom, desires to meet a good lady of 18-28 who lives in Akwa-Ibom on 08134854891. *Tony, 27, needs a presentable lady who resides in Benin on 08067205632. *Precious, 28, from Delta State, based in Lagos, wants a serious-minded man for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage on 08034879270. *S.A., 55, resident in Edo State, desires a lady of 34-40, also based in Edo or Delta States for a relationship that would lead to marriage on 07058040590. *Tybess, businessman, 30, from Auchi, resident in Warri, Delta State, needs a pretty woman for marriage on 08077622230. *Bernard, 35, based in Lagos, wants to meet an employed Christian lady of 27-31 for marriage on 07031248022. *Martins, 38, employed, Christian, fair, needs an employed woman of 28-30 for a marital relationship on 08070635409. *Aroma, male, 30, graduate, employed, desires a lovely lady of 18-29 for a serious relationship on 08169188232. *Iretiola, 29, from Osun State, Christian, educated, needs a Godly man of 31-40 on 08095611994. *Dennis, 38, Urhobo, teacher, based in Sapele, needs a government employed school teacher or nurse from Delta State aged

but he is not ready to make a decision about it until we talk more and more about it. I’m just at a loss as to what I should do. Should I file for a divorce that I don’t want, just to end all of the pain and be able to move on, or should I stay in this marriage and hope eventually he comes around?

Ans: I wouldn’t tell someone to get a divorce, because that’s a decision a person should make on his/her own, so that they never feel like they were “misled” by someone else.

However, what I will say is that you should not be miserable if you don’t have to be. But something has to change. He’s the guy you want and he’s the father of your children.

Waiting a few months for someone to come around and surrender to a relationship is understandable. Waiting for years gets trickier. It sounds to me like he’s not about to give in any time soon. At the same time is not ready to hurt you and completely end things.

25-30 for marriage on 07051023628. *Dan, 37, fair, body-builder, funny and caring desires a responsible, pretty lady for marriage on 08102515566. *Jacob, from Kogi State, based in Asaba, Delta State, needs a lady on 08062196210. *Sam, 35, from Delta State, is searching for a mature lady of 35-40 for marriage on 07061522928. *Philip, resident in Port-Harcourt, needs a God-fearing lady, aged 18-26 on 08036695996. *Stanley, male, needs a responsible relationship with a young lady on 07034813451. *Nina, 26, Christian, fun loving, wants to meet a generous guy of 30-35 on 08029979138. *Mark, 30, based in Warri, is looking for a responsible lady, aged 22-32 for a serious relationship on 08062229008. *David, 44, Christian, from Lagos, needs a lady of 30-40 years for marriage on 08122196089.

Do you have reactions to our stories or have you any experience you want to share with our readers? Please e-mail,anyagafu2@gmail.com Do you want to be linked?

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

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012—21

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info@katehenshaw.com

Our democracy,a destination yet to be reached Gambia, Kenya,etc. We used to be the country that was respected, our passport was the one to hold and our nation was the premium exporter of goods, now we have to rely on cassava bread to keep hunger away. It is ironic but hardly

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wo dates always cause me to be melancholy, N i g e r i a ’ s Independence and Democracy day. I reflect on how many years we have been in existence as a nation, and how many leaders we have had who have promised to lead us out of Egypt, and into a land flowing with milk and honey... .It is over 50 years; at the very least half of a human being’s lifetime on earth. If at this age, one is yet to chew strong meat with well formed teeth but continues to feed from a bottle then more is the pity.

Picture the scenario where a group of friends go to the same school right from nursery to university and then they all graduate and seek their fortunes in the world but there is one of them who just seems to be at the bottom of the ladder in terms of advancement and success in life; he/she is quite brilliant and was given all the opportunity to make something of his/her life but just squandered away every opportunity. The other friends had always looked up to this particular “person” and cannot seem to fathom why the ground is the preferred place of habitation.

Soon they tire and move on, recording tremendous successes in their lives, never once looking back at this under-developed friend of theirs.

This is the situation we find ourselves as a country, Nigeria, with regards to our neighbours and friends, Ghana, Togo, Cameroun,

into the background or seem to be stagnant? We have caused ourselves so much hardship, pain and unnecessary deaths all in the name of policies that do not augur well for the citizenry . A few have taken hold of this

If at this age, one is yet to chew strong meat with well formed teeth but continues to feed from a bottle then more is the pity

surprising. Majority of Nigerians are unruly and impatient.

T

he leader we seek will come from amongst us and not descend from the clouds. Going by the way we drive on our roads, circumvent whatever laws that are supposed to govern our existence, easily take each other’s lives, steal , fail to plan for our future, and simply lack respect for each other as human beings,do we then wonder why we are receding

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nation by the jugular and the majority are being choked to death. Be it strikes, subsidy removal, boko haram, Niger delta militancy, nonexistence of good hospitals, qualitative institutions of learning, non- payment of meagre minimum wage to civil servants, squandering and massive pilfering of pension funds, insecurity, corrupt and unashamed public servant-looters, appalling roads and the utter dearth of the welfare of the

masses, we have suffered them all and still are.

Government policies when put forward are meant to further the viable course of its people’s existence but when these same policies are nothing but a rope around the people’s necks then it should be a cause for concern.

A

government that despite mechanisms it has put in place to stamp out corruption sees that this monster has taken on a life of its own, should look inwards.

Solemn soul searching is needed and there is really no cause for celebration. It is imperative that we find a lasting solution to pertinent national issues. It is not a case of one political party being better than the other as all have sinned and fallen short of glory. Lack of morals, shamelessness and impunity is the order of the day. This is the reality of the Nigeria we live in today. I am doubtful of the younger generation as before their very eyes they

I

Nigerian wonder wishes of the Inspector-General of Police please.”?

Frankly speaking? They’re all stupid people. Perhaps they are to serve as a mere distraction from the current hot

,

C M Y K

N

igeria is grouped among the 20 poorest countries in the world,and the 30 th least developed country in Sub-Saharan Africa. We as a people are not doing enough to repel bad governance and corrupt leadership which have made it difficult for the country to reach its full potential. We remain gullible in the face of policies that enrich the pockets of a minority.

Those who lead us should imbibe our pledge; I pledge to Nigeria my country, to be faithful, loyal and honest, to serve Nigeria with all my strength, to defend her unity and to uphold her honour and glory, so help me God. Let us the passengers in this vehicle called Nigeria, keep an eye on the driver who will take us to our destination, Democracy.

We owe it to ourselves, our children and our children’s’ children.

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really wanted to have fun with the ongoingOtedola/Lawan saga this week. Pretty intriguing stuff this ‘mysterious case’ of the six hundred thousand dollar bribe. Everybody is sounding a little ‘off’.If this truly was a sting operation by security agencies and the money was marked as alleged by Mr Otedola, why wasn’t Honourable Farouk Lawan not arrested at the point of collection and the money retrieved by said agencies?

Then, bribery is a criminal offence no? Yet, rather than report the case immediately to the police, ‘Honourable’ informs the police that the “subject matter was referred to the relevant Committee of the House of Reps for further legislative action.” Ugh? It’s not a legislative matter; it’s a criminal offence; that’s not procedure.

Now of the three key players in this unfolding drama the police seem to be the ones who’ve kept their eye completely focused on the ball.

They just simply want to ‘ retrieve’ the money – for evidence of course! I mean, who ends a written summons to appear before a special task force looking into a serious case of fraud with “accept the best

have seen people who have committed serious crimes walk the streets freely as if nothing happened and even celebrated. What message are we sending across to the future generation? That it is okay to be an under achiever, it is ok to be dull and lack lustre, it’s ok to be greedy, it is ok not to have any ideas of your own, it is ok to be lazy because once you get into a political position, you are immune from whatever hardship plagues the ordinary man on the streets and you owe noone no explanation for your actions.

enough distraction I’m afraid.

It’s there, not quite at the back of my mind, it’s on the periphery of every thought, I can taste it on my palate, and it won’t go away. Though we

Some things just haunt you forever till justice is done; like June 12.

Nineteen years on and we still can’t live it down still can’t get past it

button issue.On a different day I would have had a ball punching holes through all their stories, but I can’t because I can’t get the Dana air crash out of my head. Their low level shenanigans are not a big

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try to pick up the pieces and carry on like we do each time, shrug it off, lay all blame and responsibility at God’s feet and carry on like it was ‘just a small bump in the road’; I suspect that this one won’t go

away….Some things just haunt you forever till justice is done; like June 12. Nineteen years on and we still can’t live it down still can’t get past it. It is an issue that has to be dealt with… a conversation that must be had,if not today; somewhere down the road.

They’re just postponing the eventual day.

Already it’s looking like they want to handle it in their usual wishy-washy manner. Are they really going to allow this one go the way of all investigations into previous air mishaps?It’s been over a week, what are the findings? Why hasn’t anyone been arrested? It is amazing how fast Nigerian officials apply ‘international standards’ when it suits them. There is an international convention of the ICAO preventing the AIB from

Already it’s looking like they want to handle it in their usual wishywashy manner. Are they really going to allow this one go the way of all investigations into previous air mishaps

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publishing information as is from a plane’s black box abi?

No wahala. I wonder what the international convention has to say about flying defective planes. I wonder what the ‘international standard’ is for penalizing such gross negligence. Did anybody remember to look that part up?

No I guess not. They should carry on. This is the one that will hook them for throat like fish bone. They should go ahead and try to bury this one deep; there are too many dead bodies; it won’t stay buried.

22— Vanguard, SARTURDAY, JUNE 16, 2012

Oshadipe twins shine in Ondo

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igeria’s multi-talented divas, the Oshadipe twins (Nelly & Nora of the popular TV Drama series “Superstory”), were spotted in Akure the Ondo State capital during the May 27 Children day celebration held at the Arcade.

The ‘Sister Sister’ acts were in the company of the Ondo State First Lady,,Mrs. Oluwakemi Mimiko were the cynosure of all eyes as they thrilled the excited Akure crowd. .The Oshadipe twins captivated their myriad fans with acapella renditions of their popular songs.

And moment after their breath taking performances, the delectable ladies told Showtime, “We’re very happy to be back in our home state to serve as a source of inspiration to the younger generation. We are proud of the first lady of our state for initiating the Maternal Pulse Foundation in advocacy for the well being of Mothers, children and families.

The Oshadipe twins are preparing to shoot a new video of their “Ojo Ibi” song from their “Destiny Calling” album which featured Yinka Ayefele.

Oshadipe twins and Ondo first Lady

Late Xty Essien celebrates with the physically challenged

BY IYABO AINA

I

t was fun all the way as the late Christy Essien Igbokwe Memorial Foundation organized their first ever show at the Nigerian Conservation Foundation Lekki, Lagos.

Put together to relive the memories of the Lady of Songs as the late musician cum actress was better known, the event was organized for the less privileged and physically challenged children in the society. .

The colourful event which featured various cultural displays, singing competitions, fashion parade, arts and crafts and different

Late Xty Essien C M Y K

kinds of games had Lean on me crooner, Bill Withers as top celebrity guest.

Speaking at the event was the Chief Operating ofiicer of the Foundation Pastor Romeo Obika, who stated that the reason they decided to organize the programme was to show love to the less privileged and physically challenged persons in the society.

Mr Romeo went further to say that the foundation which was just four months old aims at showing the society how to care for the poor and not look down on the disabled but make them happy by showing them love and making them realize that there is ability in their disability.

By doing these, according to him, “ the society will be a better place.”

Present at the event was one of the popular star actresses, Clarion Chukwurah who spoke about showing love to the children. She then went further to make a donation of fifty thousand Naira to the less privileged foundation .

Also present was a representative of the NTA’s Zonal Director , Miss Museum Tourism and Mr Waheed Saheed who represented the State Commissioner for Youths and Social Development

Akin Shuga honours MKO with a track

Kashimawo

T

he founder of Shuga band, Nigeria’s number one music band, Akinloye Tofowomo has released a tribute song in honour of the

late pillar of sport and business mogul, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO), the presumed winner of the

presidential elections on June 12, 1993.

Akin Shuga, as he is fondly called, is an admirer of the late philanthropist and encountered the late publisher of the defunct Concord Newspapers several times while he was alive, his admiration, relationship and exceptional human qualities inspired him to go to the studio and record a song which many are already touting to be a classic.

Shuga Band consists of young and talented musicians who see music more as a passion than a trade. They bridge the gap between the young and the old at parties, rendering legendary old school tunes and blending them with African flavours to everyone’s satisfaction. Their list of highly influential clients and corporate bodies is endless.

XLNS wins big at Christian talent hunt show

BY ONOZURE DANIA

A

musical group better known XLNS recently added a feather to its cap as it emerged winner of the first ever religious musical talent hunt competition in the country.

The competition, organised by Double Clock Entertainment saw musical groups from across the denominations competing for a spot in the grand finale which held last weekend in Lagos. The winner of the competition, XLNS, amongst other things got a recording

XLNS with Double Clock boss deal in addition enjoying the privilege of performing at this year’s edition of the Winners Chapel Youth Convention billed to hold in two months time.

Speaking at the event, the CEO of Double Clock Entertainment, Mr. Samuel Akinwunmi, said that the group will be joining the recording crew in June.

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, JUNE 16, 2012—23

Samklef’s manager denies claims of deportation information from. He however admits Samklef, 26, was denied entry, and sent back from Heathrow arrival but Samklef himself has refused to have a conversation with anyone on the issue.

According to the manager, ‘Samklef was once invited to the U.K for a show, but couldn’t attend due to logistics challenges on the part of the organizers. A few months

M

usic producer/ artiste, Samklef ’s manager has denied that the artiste, who was recently denied entry upon arrival in England, and subsequently deported, traveled to the U.K on a false claim. The story, published recently in a well known weekly magazine, alleged that the father of one said he’d lied to immigration officers about his reasons for traveling to the U.K, saying most Nigerian artistes do it.

The magazine wrote that they learnt He told immigration that he was on vacation and they eventually found out he came for shows without work permit. Which he positively admitted to.

However, Samklef ’s manager is now denying this. In a chat with NET, he said ‘I don’t know where they got their

later, he got another invitation and tried to travel on the visa issued him by the former company, but unknown to him, that company had reported him to immigration, accusing him of fraudulent activities, hence, he was sent back to Nigeria’.

However, he claims everything has been settled since then, and ‘all is now well’.

M.I, Jimmy Jatt rock Umuahia A

bia State rocked to the e a t of MI, Morachi, DJ Jimmy Jatt among several local talents in a Don Lulu promoted show in the capital umuahia It was a night of bliss last weekend in Umuahia for thousands of fun lovers who trooped out to bask in the excitement which has been lacking for a while in the usual sleepy town, but which the promoter did prove and promised to turn around with series of planned mega shows hitting the city and environs in the next few months.

It offered Morachi of Hapuya like that fame to make his long anticipated return on stage with his new release on Don Lulu’s Two Flame entertainment label.

M.I, Mr Incredible and Nigeria’s undisputed king of rap did not disappoint his Abia fans either as he waoed them with some of his mega hits which got them singing along and dancing. b

Samklef

Tiwa Savage, Sauce Kid thrills as Harp Rhythm unplugs Ibadan

Handsome Harry Song’s performance stole the ladies hearts, with the men wishing they were in his shoes as the crowd of adoring female fans swooned to his rhythm On the turntable, DJ Jimmy Jatt held his ground spinning popular tunes from the wheels of steel with the audience asking for more even as the show wrapped off around 4am the next day.

No fewer than 6 commissioners and several top govt officials of Abia state including captains of industry were in attendance.

They applauded the efforts of Don Lulu in responding to the call by Governor Theodore Orji to fellow Abians to team up in developing all sectors of the state economy. They called for a repeat performance in the nearest future which should earn the backing of the Abia state government.

Indeed it was a show Abians opportuned to attend, will not forget in a hurry and for a long time to come.

Sauce Kid

Tiwa Savage

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avin Records stars namely, Tiwa Salvage, D’Prince, Dr. Sid and other top stars put up a spectacular performance in Ibadan, Oyo State at the Flytime and Harp lager beer organised Rhythm Unplugged concert.

The event, Ibadan edition of the popular Rhythm unplugged concerts was held at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan where fans were treated to a C M Y K

first class entertainment by the Mavin Records Stars and others like Sauce Kid, Samklef, Chuddy K and Kcee of the former Kc Presh group.

The show also witnessed great delivery by some Ibadan City based up and coming musicians who tried to out do their older established colleagues. Indeed, Ibadan never had it so good.

For about five hours talented songstress,Tiwa Salvage, D’Prince, Sauce Kid, Samklef, W4 Chuddy K, Dr Sid, Kcee and others put up electrifying performance by going into their archives to upload hits

after hit of songs that had the audience dancing and singing all the way.

The show was not about music alone. It also included great performances by some notable Nigerian comedians.

Led by Seyi Law who was the show anchor person, the comedians show why comedy has become a very fertile ground for business as they rolled out rib cracking jokes that had the crowd screaming for more.

Apart from Seyi Law, Pencil, Memory Card and Aje Baba were on hand to add spice to the night of fun.

M.I

Jimmy Jatt

24—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012

Emotion, grief as Last Flight To Abuja premiered in London

NAFCA partners Carolina museum to boost Nollywood, Ghollywood

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t was an evening of grief as celebrities from all walks of life who gathered at Troxy Cinema in East London, last weekend , for the premiere of Obi Emelonye's “Last Flight to Abuja”,observed oneminute silence in memory of victims of the ill-fated Dana plane crash, in Lagos.

Incidentally, the movie, starring Omotola JaladeEkeinde, Jim Iyke, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Gozie Ekeha among others has its concept and inspiration deriven from the series of tragedies that rocked the nation's aviation sector in 2006.

According to the producer,ït's unfortuante that plane crashes occurred before the premiere of the movie. He however dedicated the movie to the memory of all who lost their lives in the two ill-fated crashes that involved Allied Air and Dana Air, penultimate Sunday, in Accra and Lagos.

The premiere, had in attendance the cast of the film including Omotola JaladeEkeinde, Jim Iyke, Gozie Ekeh and Ali Nuhu. Ambas-

Dr.Olatoye

A

•Jim Iyke

sador O.K. Lawal, the D e p u t y High Commissioner to the court of St James represented Nigerian government at the event.

The producer also replaced the end credits of the film with a poignant scroll of the names on the Dana Air manifest.

The high point of the pre-

•Omotola miere was the screening of the film which was described as the new benchmark in Nollywood; with the exquisite special effects and the quality of computer generated imagery ever witnessed in Nigeria's cinema.

O’jez on fire!

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hat could have be come a major disas ter was averted,Wednesday morning when the ground floor of O’jez Restaurant, located within the National Stadium premises, Surulere, Lagos was gutted by fire.

Though no life was lost, eye-witnesses said the inferno was caused by a power surge in the popular celebrity hangout. Some valuable items including plastic chairs, tables and an aquarium were damaged before the staff of O’jez noticed it and raised alarm.

An eye-witness also confirmed that the fire was however put off with the combined efforts of the restaurant’s staff, some staff of the National Sports CommisC M Y K

sion and a few athletes training in the stadium at that time, who helped minimise the intensity of the inferno, before the arrival of fire fighters from Iganmu.The fire fighters from Ilupeju were also at the Stadium to help put off the fire

which was spreading to the Chinese arm of the restaurant and other parts of the building.

HVP gathered that while staff of the restaurant did not notice the fire on time, a stranger who was around the place, noticed it and quickly alerted them.

new collaborative ef forts between the Nol lywood Film Critics (USA/NAFCA) and North Carolina Museum of Art to strengthen cooperation between the two organizations on their work on promoting African culture through films has been initiated.

HVP gathered that the collaboration will see the two organizations coming together to show commitment to providing more support to Nollywood, Gollywood and the African film industry. It will also focus on ensuring that museum members have access to African films and movie reviews appropriate for the targeted audience.

Deborah Murphy of North Carolina Museum of Art said “Collaborative efforts between the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) and the Nollywood Film Critics USA and NAFCA provide opportunities to explore the Museum’s collection of contemporary and traditional African art as it relates to themes found within West African film.

I am particularly attracted to Nollywood Film Critics USA and NAFCA because the organizations provide a definitive bridge between the United States and West Africa. Through their promotion of the rapidly evolving Nollywood and Gollywood film industries, NAFCA delivers ongoing exposure to developments in West Africa which in turn delivers educational opportunities for our members and guests. “ NAFCA President, Dr. Victor O. Olatoye said "I'm convinced taht this partnership will take our collaboration with North Carolina Museum of Art to a new level, ensuring better support to African film industry

ZAFAA ends submission of entries

A

frican film and television arts festival, ZAFAA which holds annually in the United Kingdom has closed entries for this year’s edition.

The closure was announced yesterday by the organisers of the awards after they have extended the exercise, which originally was scheduled to have ended on May 24 All entries were submitted to Ms Udeichi Franca Obianke and Jennifer Mgbeahurike at the O’jez/ZAFAA office located inside O’jez Entertainment Limited, Surulere, Prince Samuel Anwuzia, Chief Executive Officer, ZAFAA Global Awards Limited, explained why the exercise was extended in the first place.

According to him, submission of entries was extended to give film makers the opportunity to submit their works.

Meanwhile, the organisers recently signed a strategic partnership deal with O'jez

Entertainment, which ZAFAA Chief Executive said was done in a bid to make the country's operation of ZAFAA a smooth affair.

Explaining further, he added that the idea behind the partnership is to gain the confidence of the stars that made ZAFAA what it is today.

*Sam Anwuzia

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012 — 25

Sony, Cannon battle for the soul of Nollywood

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here is an intense mo tion picture camera market penetration battle currently going on between two giants, Sony and Cannon, over which products of the two companies will be more suitable and economical for shooting of Nollywood films that would conform with the international standard.

This supremacy battle came to the fore last Tuesday in Surulere, Lagos, when Sony in Nigeria, held an interactive session with key Nollywood producers, directors, camera operators, editors and other stakeholders to introduce the new Sony NEX FS 700 to the industry.

However, while the organization made concerted efforts to highlight the advantages of the new product over those of its competitors particularly its extreme slow motion function, most stakeholders at the conference showed strong preference for Cannon cameras, particularly the Cannon 5 D Mark 3, which is said to be suitable for cinemas and cheaper.

Some of the associations and guilds represented at the conference included the Association of Nollywood Core Producers (ANCOP), Association

of Movie Producers (AMP), Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Nigerian Society of Cinematographers (NSC), Nigerian Guild of Film Editors (NGFE) among others.

Notable names present were

Alex Eyengho, Chief Gab Okoye (Igwe Gabosky), Chris Ekejimbe, Zik Zulu Okafor, Mahmoud Ali-Balogun, Francis Onwuchie, Chico Ejiro, Tunde Kelani, Joe Brown, Obi Osotule, Charles Novia, Isa Abubakar and a host of others.

S

FilmHouse set to open four cinema houses

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inema business in Ni geria is about to expe rience a quantum leap as cinema specialist, Kene Mkparu, Managing Director and founder, Filmhouse has concluded plans to open four cinema houses across the country.

The selected cities are Lagos, Ibadan, Asaba and Calabar (Marina Resort cinema).

The launch of the four cinemas is a first step in the Filmhouse’s plan to establish about 25 cinema centres within a time frame of six years. The company was one of the foremost beneficiaries of the $200million intervention fund from the Bank of Industry.

According to the FilmHouse boss, the four cinema houses which will be equipped with the state-of-art facilities, including components such as C M Y K

digital 3D, iScream, café brand, soul food brand, luxury seating and surround sound.

Speaking on the new project, Mkparu said “what we created years ago was only a prelude. Filmhouse Cinemas is here to set new standards for modern cinemas in Nigeria.

Surulere, Calabar, Ibadan and Asaba will never be the same again”.

Corroborating the statement of Kene Mkparu, HR Manager of Filmhouse, Ozioma Sammie-Okposo said ‘’Filmhouse management and development teams have over 100 years of combined experience in cinema operations, design and build gained from the UK, Spain, Italy, USA and Nigeria”.

Blessing Egbe’s Two Brides and a Baby now on DVD

*Kene Mkparu

ensational actress cum International model, Blessing Effiom-Egbe whose thrilling movie, “Two Brides and a Baby”, premiered in Lagos and Atlanta, last year, has finally been released on DVD market.

The 2001 graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Calabar who left her banking job for modelling worked round the clock to ensure that the movie which paraded Nollywood stars like Stella Damasus, Kalu Ikeagwu, Blessing Egbe, Chelsea Eze, O.C Ukeje, Keira Hewatch, Okey Uzoeshi among others was a hit.

Expressing appreciation over this development, Egbe said “it has been a very wonderful journey so far, “adding ‘I want to thank movie buffs who came out en-masse to support me by going to the cinemas to the movie. I also thank the cast and crew of the movie, my director, Teco Benson and many people who encouraged me to see this movie through.”

A romantic comedy, “Two

*Blessing Brides and a Baby’ centres on relationships and marriages. It was inspired by a true life story of a couple (Kole and Keche) whose plan for a perfect, ‘happy ever after ’ wedding was shaken when the groom’s ex shows up with a carefully strategized plan at ruining their most memorable day.

The movie unfolds lots of drama as secrets and lies, which includes a baby, cautiously concealed by the groom .

26—VANGUARD, SATURDAY, JUNE 16 , 2012

New film shows how Houston’s J e n n i f e r Love Hewitt death changed Grammys mourns

* Onomeregbor

W

hen Grammy Awards producers learned of Whitney Houston’s death less than 24 hours before the live telecast, they scrapped parts of the script, added performances and puzzled over how best to honor the Grammy-winning singer who died unexpectedly at age 48.

Host LL Cool J said that addressing the Grammy audience at the Staples Center after Houston’s death was “definitely the most challenging moment I’ve faced in my career.”

He decided to open with a prayer, and producers agreed, though none could recall another network TV event that began as such.

This and other last-minute changes made to the 54th

annual Grammy Awards are chronicled in a new documentary, “A Death in the Family The Show Must Go On,” which premiered Monday at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

The screening of the 25minute documentary and 14-

minute highlight reel of past Grammy performances was also a not-so-subtle push for Emmy votes.

“We’d love to have you consider us when you vote,” said Ken Ehrlich, executive producer of the Grammys for the past 32 years. “We’ve been

nominated before and not won.”

He added that executives at CBS, which broadcasts the Grammys, suggested Ehrlich’s team produce the documentary, which can be seen on the Grammy.com website and at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.

The documentary, though it deals with show changes made after Houston’s death, isn’t a downer.

Ehrlich said that about an hour before he heard about Houston, he’d experienced a career high: Paul McCartney, who was set to close the show, asked if he might perform a Beatles medley from “Abbey Road,” and maybe it could include a guitar jam with the likes of Dave Grohl, Joe Walsh and Bruce Springsteen.

The number came together just before Houston’s death.

Ehrlich said the magic of that McCartney moment made him feel “like maybe there is a God.”

Westlife star declared bankrupt and to clear •23m debt W

estlife star Shane Filan has revealed he is ‘devastated’ to be declared bankrupt after struggling to clear a bank debt of up to •23million.

The singer, 32, insisted he

was left with no alternative after suffering huge financial losses during Ireland’s property crash. He said in a statement earlier this week I was declared bankrupt in Kingston County Court.

Kanye West’s L.A. home burglarized A

fter slamming reports Wednesday that he tweeted naked photos of girlfriend Kim Kardashian, West had another problem occur while he’s abroad.

Law enforcement sources told TMZ that West’s team called the LAPD Wednesday morning to report a burglary.

The LAPD are now investigating if anything from West’s home is missing after the break-in.

West, 34, is currently performing in England with Jay-Z as part of his European Watch the Throne Tour.

According to TMZ, the L.A. home was recently put up for sale at the same time Kardashian, 31, put her L.A. home on the market.

C M Y K

“Kim is selling her home privately,” a source close to the reality star confirmed to Us Weekly. “Kanye and Kim are thinking about moving in together.”

Earlier Wednesday morning, West gave a statement to Us through his rep about the reports he tweeted a naked photo of

Kardashian ,later to be identified as porn star Amia Miley.

His rep told Us, “In regards to this ‘story ’ that Kanye posted and then took down intimate pictures on his Twitter account: TOTALLY FALSE. Laughably so.

This phantom tweet never occurred on his account.”

“This is obviously the desperate, sad act of someone seeking to gain media exposure by exploiting Kanye’s notoriety,” West’s rep continued. “Kanye doesn’t even know this person, has never seen this picture, and hasn’t been on his Twitter account for a day.”

‘It was a very difficult decision to take, but the most responsible course of action, given the debts I owe to banks on property.

‘I have worked long and hard to try to reduce my debts, and I am devastated that it came to this conclusion.’

Filan owns a property company called Shafin with his brother Finbarr, which was involved in a number of ambitious developments in counties Sligo and Leitrim.

Last month, the company was placed in receivership after running into trouble when the economy crashed.

late mother Patricia A

merican actress, producer, television director and singer-songwriter. Jennifer Love Hewitt is grieving the loss of her mother and best friend, Patricia. The 67 year old speech language pathologist lost her battle against cancer on Tuesday, June 12, as the actress’ representative confirms to the press.

“Her family mourns her loss,” the publicist says in a statement. “She was an angel to all who knew her and they are grateful she is now in a better place. They ask for privacy at this difficult time.

No further details are being provided.”

33-year-old Jennifer flew to Monte Carlo on Monday for an appearance in a TV and film festival to promote her new TV series “The Client List”. The ex-girlfriend of Alex Beh reportedly headed back home on Tuesday before her mother passed away.

Jennifer and her mother were very close. They moved from Texas to L.A. in 1989 for her to pursue a career in show business. She starred in TV show “Kids Incorporated” in the next year, and continued to score roles in small- and big-screen projects in the following years.

Patricia was very supportive of Jennifer’s career, and found her daughter ’s role as a prostitute in the “Client List” hilarious. “She said ‘For 15 years people have been talking about your boobs.

Earlier this year, you wrote

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012—27

Sexual disorder and abuse on her. Some married men argue that they have too little intimacy or have it too seldom.

It may be that your husband wants to live a bachelor life, even though you got married. Perhaps he thought that he could quit but he was not able to do it. Only you have the power to decide what to do. Your choices are the following: 1. you convince your husband to quit.

2.you tolerate him as he is.

,

Sexual abuse is understood to mean assault and rape. This can have happened once or several times.

The offender may be a stranger or an acquaintance, man or woman, family, boy/ girlfriend, partner or anybody. Assault is to force a person to commit or allow sexual acts other than penetration by threatening to use violence or other means. Rape is to violate an opening of the body by means of threatening to use violence or other means, for example,psychological pressure inside or outside marriage.

It is hard to determine when someone has excessive sexual desire. It is often the environment of the person or the person who is limited by it.

Not much is known about the physical causes of this disorder. Possibly hormones and/ or anomalies in the brain play a role.

The patient with a manic disorder (mood disorder) may have excessive sexual desires. Certain medicines, such as some medicines against restless legs and Parkinson’s disease, may cause excessive sexual desire. Alcohol and some narcotics, such as cocaine and amphetamin, can also have this effect.

If a person feels considerable distress because of his or her sexual desire, this can be a reason to regard the desire as excessive. This is often treated with medication.

If the person or others are distressed by this excessive desire for sex, the problem should be treated. The treatment of excessive sexual desire may be based on relation therapy, psychotherapy or medication.

In the case of mood disorders, e.g manic disorders, which can cause excessive sexual desire.The medicine lithium if often prescribed. Seroxat is also a substance which is often used and may give good results in combination with behaviour therapy.

According to evolutionary scientists, natural selection has favoured men who want to have intimacy with as many women as possible. Men with such a genetic code have bigger chances to spread their genes. On the other hand, a man knows that his own wife would be furious and heartbroken if he cheated

sex and marriage go hand in hand to a successful relationship and there are many studies to prove it.

Physical restraints like arthritis, sexual dysfunction and cardiovascular conditions can ruin the mood but many of these things can be fixed by a visit to the doctor or exploring new options. Seeking treatment from your doctor for ailments can be embarrassing but do not let it affect your relationship. Lack of sexual intimacy in marriage situations is not healthy. So, take care of any problems as soon as they arise. Most likely, your doctor has heard these problems before , so what you bring to the office is nothing new, you should not feel uncomfortable.

If medication is involved, be sure to follow your doctor ’s directions implicitly. For physical limitations that do not require medication, try new sexual techniques and explore new ideas to please your part-

enough time for love and intimacy. Having enough energy at the end of the day is another reason bedroom activity ceases. Other challenges to ones sex life are physical limitations, emotional baggage and lack of interest. The good news is that most of the problems that affect a couple’s physical connection throughsexual intimacy can be treated. Many studies have been completed and all end with the same conclusion and that is; a healthy satisfying sexual inti-

While many men do not know what is retrograde ejaculation, it can be important for men who wish to have children to become acquainted with retrograde ejaculation causes

3. you leave him.

Men, who cheat on their wives usually say that it is their wives they love, the other ones are just sexual objects. Women find it very difficult to accept. Are you sure that your husband is not talking on a cell phone when you think that he talks to himself?

Would you have married him if you had known how he is?

Fixing marital intimacy problems Marriage intimacy problems can be blamed on a variety of reasons. Life’s demands of a job, parenting and other factors weigh heavily on leaving

,

macy in marriage is good for the mental and physical aspects of the body.

Lack of sexual intimacy in marriage relationships is typically doomed unless the couple seeks help. When there is trouble in a couple’s sexual relationship, often times it is a sign that there are other problems as well. Focusing on conflicts that need resolving is a good place to start. If time is a factor, setting time aside for a date can jump start your sexual intimacy life again. The sex starved marriage can be caused by life’s responsibilities and reserving time with your spouse will get things moving in a positive direction. Love,

ner.

Daily routines of life such as children, finances and careers often get in the way and cause marriage sex problems but the good news is that most of the issues can be corrected. Those intimacy starved marriages can be fixed simply by building time in their schedules for love and intimacy. Experts say that couples, who work towards keeping the spark alive in love sex and marriage, live healthy lives free of depression and heart problems. Couples that suffer from the intimacy starved marriage have unresolved issues related to the relationship. Loss of interest in sex can be rekindled by trying different ways of reaching your spouse such as cuddling, leaving love notes in conspicuous places or meeting at a hotel for an afternoon delight. Marriage sex problems can be fixed if both partners are willing to do so.

Teach them abstinence P

arents should talk specifically to their kids about avoiding premarital sex and sexually t r a n s m i t t e d diseases (STDs). They should also teach them that their bodies should be respected, and that sexual intimacy is gift that should be cherished after marriage?

Sadly, statistics tell us that the prevalence of these diseases are staggering. STDs occur across all economic, racial, educational, social, and religious boundaries. Your kids get one message from you, and a different one from social groups which suggests that hookups are carefree fun. Unseen are the negative outcomes of sexual intimacy—e.g., diseases like herpes or genital warts that can have painful recurrences for years, or silent disease that may lead to serious consequences such as infertility.

Your kids are smart. Give them credit. But arm them with all the facts they need to make intelligent, safe

decisions about their sexual health. Trust that your teen’s unique personal upbringing and your value system provide a solid base, and that learning accurate facts about risks regarding both coital and non-coital intimacy will be complementary, not contradictory.

Abstinence is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. Birth control methods can fail but abstinence is sure. Practicing abstinence ensures that your girl won’t become pregnant because there’s no opportunity for sperm to fertilize an egg.

Abstinence protects people against STDs. Some STDs spread through oral-genital sex, anal sex, or even intimate skin-to-skin contact . So only avoiding all types of intimate contact can prevent STDs. Avoiding all types of intimate contact is complete abstinence.

Only complete and consistent abstinence can totally prevent pregnancy and protect against STDs. Because a person does not have any type of intimate sexual contact when he or she practices complete abstinence, there is no risk of passing on a sexually transmitted infection.

Consistent abstinence means that someone practices abstinence all the time. Getting intimate even once means that the person risks getting an infection.

Let them also know that abstinence does not prevent AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C infections that come from nonsexual activities like using contaminated needles for doing drugs, tattooing, or taking steroids.

28 —Vanguard, SARTURDAY, JUNE 16, 2012

F

EMI Kuti, son of the late legendary Afro-beat musician turns 50 on July 16, 2012.

In this no holds bare interview, the only Nigerian based musician ever to be nominated thrice at the Grammy opened up on the day to day challenges of sustaining the legacies left behind by his late father.

He also speaks on his relationship with women and how he was able to overcome the pains of separating from his ex-wife Funke.

Excerpts:

T C M Y K

*Femi Kuti on stage

*Femi Kuti

newspapers. Once I was called and asked where I was in France, it was rumoured that I was running around the ‘’Eiffel Tower’’ naked. I didn’t bother to call them to clear the air; I think my sister (Funke) did. Also, my crashed marriage was as a result of the same bad press. I decided to keep quiet about it for the sake of my son but they fueled it by exaggerating the story. The death of my sister would most likely be the lowest point of my life and my mother’s death too because on that day, I had to play at Okoya’s 60th birthday party. I was glad I was able to sail through but those two days were the worst days of my life.

How about the death of your father?

Not really, because my father was a celebrity. So it was more of celebration rather than a burial. The only sad thing is that he didn’t get to see his grandchildren and give them a piece of advice for their career but it was not as regretful as that of my sister.

My father lived a rather fulfilled life with 27 wives, fame and fortune. He was nothing short of the biggest star Nigeria ever had. So his death was not a regret but a celebration.

Faced with the reality of your father’s death and as the first male of the family, how did things go for

you?

His death was not something I was prepared for.

Notwithstanding, he had been grooming me for a life after him so, I wasn’t shocked. But as the days went by, the burden of the legacy that had been passed on to me dawned on me because the African tradition emphasizes on the male son to take over

,

What does fifty years mean to you; people say as a golden jubilee, it is supposed to make a man wiser?

Nothing, but I believe I’m wiser and more experienced in age and life but I’m indifferent towards it. Pertaining to celebration, some people are making it look like a glorious day because they appreciate my works, but to me, its just another day that will pass.

Regarding your career, can we talk about the high points of it?

There are so many of it. My first hit was ‘’Wonder-Wonder ’’ which won a lot of awards in Nigeria. I was the first Nigerian to win ‘’KORA Award, ‘’WorldMusic Award and some others.

I believe I was the most appreciated Nigerian at the Grammy award even though I haven’t won any yet. I have been nominated for a good number of awards too. I’ve t o u r e d extensively all around the world.

I’m definitely in ‘the fore front of Afro-beat. The period when ‘’Bang-BangBang’’ became an international hit, it opened so many doors especially to the new generations who did not know my father; they were now able to relate me and my works to him.

Even regarding sales too?

Well, I can’t really say that about sales because it has dropped for everybody. One who used to have a sale of twenty million then should be happy and grateful if he can have a sale of two million now.

How about the low points? hat would include bad press, especially from some particular National

trying to get the ‘’Shrine from the ‘’Burlington’s and when we could not get it, we immediately licensed his back-catalogue. If you remember then, a lot of his music was bootlegged because he was dead. We quickly convinced the family to give Universal Music the license because that was the only multinational

My first hit was ‘’WonderWonder’’ which won a lot of awards in Nigeria. I was the first Nigerian to win ‘’KORA Award, ‘’World-Music Award and some others

everything but luckily for me, my sister was very helpful.

What were the initial challenges?

The initial challenge was

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organization that could sue and stop the bootleggers.

They took a fast decisions so we would not loose licensing to back catalogue.

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, JUNE 16, 2012 — 29

Convincing and keeping the family together became a major challenge because a lot of people wanted to separate the family, using Seun as an excuse to cause friction. I had to keep my band, tour and music career together as well.

It wasn’t easy but I learn that nothing good comes easy in life.

Talking about your Music, how much would you say it has grown in the last five years?

I think my next album would be a dynamite. From the Grammy nominations, you can see that if I wasn’t progressing, I wouldn’t have been nominated for that award. If ‘’Bang-Bang” won the ‘World Music nomination in 2001, 2010 and 2012, it shows that it’s not the end of my career, I’m progressing and it is not just a flick. If it were to be that I had just one nomination, people would have said it was because I happened to be Fela’s son or that I featured American artistes, but it wasn’t so. I featured more of French artistes and had no American collaboration.

The performances of the French artistes on my album was done in Lagos. There was no

technological enhancement.

It was live from the studio.

That shows that people appreciate what I’m doing and it is not easy to be nominated for awards.

Femi Kuti has taken the Broadway to a different level and here, where it started, nothing much is happening but in Europe. My fear is that we would soon have a situation whereby they may not have services of the original owners of the music...

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e should understand that Afro-Beat has become a global thing; it doesn’t belong to just Nigeria anymore.

The world appreciates the fact that it is Fela’s creation and nobody runs away from that fact. So it can only keep growing. It is now going to have a new dimension and more branches.

The Afro-beat I play now is quite different from what Fela played and when my son (Made) who is being trained, makes his own album, whatever he plays is going to be different from what we both play but, he would still have the influence of his father and grandfather. As the years go

once had a problem with these critics due to the fact that Seun acted more like Fela but I refused to act like him and it took me years; that is over a decade to convince Nigerians that you don’t have to be like Fela to play Afrobeat. It was ‘Bang-Bang-Bang’ that opened their eyes to the fact that you can do something else with the Afrobeat and it has opened a whole new market that people are capitalizing on now.

You seem to have come back to where you started from, was that an experiment?

No, its all part of the going. When I did the work with most of those Hip-hop artistes in America, an opportunity came and I seized it. If another one comes by and I have to work with classical musicians, I would not hesitate. It is all part of growth and development of music What are those basic things in Afro-beat that makes it distinct from other genres of music, particularly when you do a collaboration with a

It was ‘Bang-Bang-Bang’ that opened their eyes to the fact that you can do something else with the Afro-beat and it has opened a whole new market that people are capitalizing on now

,

,

by, it is not going to be done

by Nigerians alone, other people would emerge.

I’m talking about the originators, nobody would be there to take over?

That’s not true. I’ve seen a couple of bands that play Afro-beat. I cant remember their names but I know a good number play the same.

T

may not be as known as myself and Seun but they do exist. It is just because the critics are over-critical, insisting that you must be like Fela. I C M Y K

hey

Hip-hop artiste?

First, you must remember that Hip-hop came out of Afrobeat, so there are a lot of similarities between the two and merging is not a difficult task. The difference between Afro-beat and the rest is finding melodies for your rhythm and being political and sincere with your lyrics.

Is it really compulsory?

No it’s not. ‘Bang-BangBang’ showed it is not compulsory but that should be the major factor. If you want to hear a love song, people want the sincerity of that music kept in place, so when I play ‘’Sorry-Sorry’’, people want to hear the frustrations of a young man regarding bad government.

You are looking very good, honestly, I’m quite impressed Well, thank you. I try as

*Femi Kuti much as possible not to stress myself at my age.

Notwithstanding that I’ve been through so much, I have tried to live and stay healthy in the toil surrounding my life.

How has it been keeping a band together?

I’ve had to start up a new band for over five times now because of indiscipline among my band members.

Sometimes, they refuse to understand the political message behind my music; building and maintaining the ‘’Shrine’’ also. In all these cases, if you don’t try to comport yourself, you might lose your head (laughing).

Lets talk about romance, is it dead?

No. You can see one of my beautiful girlfriends over there.

I mean ‘ wife’, not ‘girlfriend’.

I don’t have to be married to be happy and I’m not getting married again. I can actually say I’m married and I don’t necessarily have to call a Pastor to serve as a witness to it. I even consider that a low point on my integrity.

I

f I live together with a woman who has a child for me, in the African tradition, she is already my wife-that’s common sense. I can say I’m married only that it is not documented which is preferable because if we start a fight, we don’t have to go to

a court; we can settle it amicably or just walk away from the relationship. I just got off the phone with Funke before you walked in. We talk about our son and other issues like we are still married but not legally married anymore.

But why is she not here?

She does not have to be here.

She stays at her own house.

Asking as a friend now, do you sometimes miss her?

Like I said, I have no regrets and we are no longer married.

But sometimes, I miss her. I’m the kind of person that gets up and picks his life back after a problem or else, it will kill you; not physically but mentally or psychologically.

There were times we tried to come back together but it just didn’t work. There were stronger forces against our coming back and I did not have the energy to keep on pleading for understanding.

A lot of things changed but it is something nobody is bitter about now. We talk about the past but nobody accepts responsibility for the mistakes, so we just let it die down.

If she comes to you for sexual pleasure now, would you succumb?

Most likely not. (laughing) What is your perception of the talent hunt show,’Next Afro-beat Star’?

I think it would be wonderful and fantastic if it is focused.

30— Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 2012

6 s ’ d n a l g n E : 2 1 Euro 20 rtant players o p m i t s mo s e p o h e l t i t r i e h for t

•Steven Gerrard

When setting your sights on winning a competition such as Euro 2012, it’s important that your key players stand up and be counted.Your nation has to play as a team, and sacrifice their own personal glory for the greater good. So who are those men for England? Who does the fate of this glorious nation hinge upon? Who will rise up and show themselves to be the best of the best when it matters the most? Of course, there is always a strong chance that nobody will do any of the above, but here are six of the likeliest candidates for England.

•Danny Welbeck

Joe Hart

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ong has been the search for a reliable England goalkeeper.Even greats such as David Seaman blotted their copy book on occasion.

Joe Hart had an early wobble against France when he fumbled a cross under minimal pressure, but the Manchester City and England No. 1 recovered his confidence well and made a superb save from Alou Diarra’s header.

His shot stopping and decision making will be critical to anything England try to achieve

John Terry

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ontroversially selected over Rio Ferdinand, John Terry must put aside his off-the-field issues and focus on what he does best;organising the England back line.

Too much can be made of non-footballing issues, but the fact remains that Terry is in the squad and is going to play.

His no-nonsense style and excellent positional sense will have to be at their very best

Steven Gerrard

•Alex Oxlade

O

ften accused of not producing the same level of football for England as he does for Liverpool, Steven Gerrard has now been given the captains armband in a comprehensive backing by Roy Hodgson.

Gerrard’s drive, determination and ability to grab games by the scruff of the neck are key attributes that he needs to display.

When the chips are down, Gerrard is the man to ante up

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

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hen teams play well in major international tourna ments, there always seems to be a player who surprises people.

Sometimes those players have received little to no attention going into the competition, meaning that they are allowed to express themselves freely.Paul Gascoigne in Euro 1996 is such an example.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has hardly had a stellar season for Arsenal, having only just broke into Wenger’s first team plans, but now, he finds himself with the weight of a nation on his shoulders.

The Ox could make himself a hero if he performs to a level that people all predict he will one day, and he could turn out to be Roy Hodgson’s ace in the hole

Danny Welbeck

H

aving been selected as the sole striker in the absence of Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck has been given a role ahead of more senior players such as C M Y K

•Joe Hart

Jermaine Defoe and more robust players such as Andy Carroll.

His development and integration has to be quick and effective if he is to lead the line for England, and his showing against France provided a lot of hope for future performances.

Welbeck’s stand-in period for Rooney is a bold selection by Hodgson, and only Welbeck can make it pay off.

•John Terry

Wayne Rooney

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ayne Rooney will be chomping at the bit to get out of the stands and onto the football pitch for England.

His rest over the first two group games due to suspension could be a blessing in disguise for Roy Hodgson’s men—assuming England are still in the

competition when he returns to playing.

Rooney is England’s first choice striker by a long distance, and his tenacity, strength and rottweiler attitude instill fear into rival defenders.

If England even have a chance of winning this European competition, you can guarantee that Rooney will be giving blood to the cause.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 2012 — 31

RvP latest

Off The Pitch

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RSENAL’s Dutch forward Robin van Per sie remains a hot name in the rumor mill.

Today’s gossip has Juventus sending retired midfielder Pavel Nedved into Holland’s Euro 2012 camp to woo Van Persie .

According to the report, Juventus would pay Arsenal a £25 million transfer fee, with Van Persie receiving £180,000 per week in wages.

Redknapp, Di Matteo, Van Persie, Bendtner, Alves Harry Redknapp is out at Spurs, while across town, Roberto Di Matteo is making plans for his reign at Chelsea. But should the latter really make himself comfortable? The coaching carousel takes center stage today in Off The Pitch this week, but the players have their say as well.

We also have the latest on the Robin van Persie saga, Nicklas Bendtner’s Euro 2012 antics and Dani Alves’ contract situation.

Euro 2012 Day 6 Wrap:

Portugal edge 5-goal thriller, Germans flex muscles

Spurs confirm Redknapp exit

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IRST, Day 6 of Euro 2012 gave us the game of the tournament so far. Then, we saw one of its best goals.

Group B took center stage again Wednesday, and the “Group of Death” didn’t disappoint. Portugal and Denmark thrilled fans in a five-goal thriller, with Portugal coming out on top thanks to a guy not named Cristiano Ronaldo. Later, Germany and Netherlands renewed a bitter old rivalry. The stakes were high for both, but only one could claim the desired result.

All the details from yet another exciting day of Euro 2012 action are inside.

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OTTENHAM Hotspur and manag er Harry Redknapp have parted company, as the club have confirmed.

Spurs’ official website quotes chairman Daniel Levy: This is not a decision the Board and I have taken lightly. Harry arrived at the Club at a time when his experience and approach was exactly what was needed. This decision in no way detracts from the excellent work Harry has done during his time with the Club and I should like to thank him for his achievements •Harry Redknapp and contribution. Harry will always be welcome at the Lane.

The break came after the two sides reportedly failed to agree on a new contract for Redknapp.

Meanwhile it was speculated that Redknapp was let go for his failure to lead Spurs any higher than fourth place. As for a replacement, reports suggests longtime Everton manager David Moyes with a move to London.

Wigan’s Roberto Martinez, USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann and free agent Andre Villas-Boas are also mentioned. Redknapp joined Tottenham in 2008 after guiding Portsmouth to the 2008 FA Cup title.

Di Matteo targets title ROBERTO Di Matteo , confirmed this week as Chelsea’s new full-time manager, has made winning the Premier League title a primary objective of his new reign . Di Matteo, 42, took over as Chelsea’s interim manager in March after the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas.

Di Matteo, twice an FA Cup winner as a player with Chelsea, guided the Blues to Champions League and FA Cup titles. He might not want to get too comfortable, though. Former Chelsea assistant Ray Wilkins has warned Di Matteo that

B

arcelona defender Dani Alves intends to see out his current contract, according to reports . Alves, a Brazilian international, has four years remaining on his contract, but he has been linked with a move away from the Camp Nou. “I have a contract until 2016 and I intend to fulfil it,” Alves told journalists. “I’m happy in Barcelona. A lot of things get said but they are only rumours.”

•Dani Alves

After a losing debut against Germany in the Group of Death, Portugal found a lifeline through Pepe in the 24th minute against the Danes. João Moutinho played his corner kick to Denmark’s near post, where Pepe turned his glancing yet powerful header into the net from an almost impossible angle.

Moments before, the Portugal and Real Madrid defender had writhed on the pitch with an apparent injury, but Pepe didn’t seem to notice the pain while scoring.

Helder Postiga: Striker After the loss to Germany, Portugal drew deserved criticism for its unhealthy levels of dependence on Cristiano Ronaldo and for lacking a true center forward.

But Helder Postiga, the team’s center forward, proved his worth with a fine nearpost run and clever, top-corner finish in the 35th minute. It was exactly the kind of goal good center forwards score, and it gave Portugal a seemingly secure 2-0 lead.

Denmark pulled a goal back with their first genuine scoring opportunity of the match.

Defender Lars Jacobsen lobbed a pass over Portugal’s back line, and Michael KrohnDehli, the hero of the upset win over Holland headed the ball back across the face of goal with Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio advancing to meet him.

Bendtner’s Boxers D

No Barca bid for Bale

S

peaking of Barcelona, the Blaugrana have not made a bid for Tottenham Hotspur ’s 22-year-old Welsh winger Gareth Bale, according to the player’s agent. Bale’s agent calls it a “problem” that Spurs will not play in the Champions League during the upcoming season. Barcelona, however, have not submitted an offer.

C M Y K

Dani Alves to stay?

Pepe gives Portugal a lifeline

Danish comeback

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is still interested in former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola. Guardiola quit Barcelona following the most recent club season.

•Di Matteo

•Robin

enmark forward Nicklas Bendtner scored twice in his team’s 3-2 loss to Portugal on Wednesday, and after the second strike, he lifted his shirt to reveal an underwear band sponsored by Irish betting firm Paddy Power. That was apparently a no-no. According to reports, UEFA has told Bendtner to stop wearing the offending underpants. Knowing Bendtner, that probably means he’ll go commando for Denmark’s final group game against Germany. In his defense, Bendtner said he did not know he was breaking any rule.

32 — VANGUARD, SATURDAY, JUNE 16 , 2012 BENJAMIN NJOKU

A

fter sustaining a knee injury which later brought an end to his blossoming career in football, former, Enyimba star, and ex-Under 17(Eaglet) player, Emmanuel Iheabuchi Odife is bracing up for another life.

My family lost interest in football when I quit the game —Emmanuel Odife, ex-Eaglet star

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My journey into football I started playing football as a student at Metropolitan Secondary School, Onitsha in 1994. My school then produced old breed players like Chinedu, Peter Anosike, Leornard Uzoma.

I began my football career with Enyimba Football Club way back in the late 90s.

Later, I played for other club sides like Lobi Stars, Busdom FC, Port-Harcourt and Udoji United. I was also among the 1996 National Under-17 team (Eaglets). I played for Lobi Stars for three months before I joined Udoji United in 2004.

While playing for Busdom FC, Port-Harcourt, I sustained a knee injury that brought my career in football to an end. Though the injury has long healed, I still feel the pain once in a while because of the fact that it was not properly*treated.

In Eyimba Onomeregbor FC, they nicknamed me “Strong Man Yellow’’ because of my football skill.

I joined Nollywood in 2008, principally to make ends meet. I thank God today, I’m an executive producer in the industry

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Quitting football I feel bad sometimes that I’m no longer active in football because most of my friends like Uche Kalu, Onyekachi Okonkwo are doing very well in their various club sides in Europe. Uche Kalu and I, were club mates at Enyimba FC before he went international.

Each time, he runs into me in Nigeria, he never stopped wondering why I stopped playing football. But I’m the only person who understands why I terminated my football career.

movie production. Today, I have fulfilled that dream. And that’s why I’m determined to do something new and different in this industry.

Movies I have produced I have produced three movies so far titled ‘The Kings Sleepless Night’, ‘The Empty Throne’, and ‘Forgiveness of Blood’ would be out in the market very soon. The movie featured Chioma Chukwuka, Chika Anyanwu, Leo-Mezie, Annie Macaulay, Prince Nwafor, Nnosa, Onyo Micheal, Ella Daniels amongst other stars. I want the movie to be out in the market in the first week of April.

Going international I was about travelling to Turkey then, and also, Denmark. But it didn’t work out because of the knee injury I sustained. I was one of the Under-17 players under coach Mr Fani Amun. I played alongside football stars such as Babangida, Ogbonna Kalu, Haruna Mohammed and many others.

The cause of knee injury It depends on how you want to play while in the pitch. You have a duty to impress your coach in the pitch. In each match you are featuring in, one is expected to put in his best despite the fact that one is likely to sustain an injury.

After football I joined Nollywood in 2008, principally to make ends meet.

I thank God today, I’m an executive producer in the industry. I recently produced my first movie which has been released into the market last month.

My younger brother, Iyke Odife and some of my close C M Y K

My parents’ reaction after I sustained the injury They were not happy. And my siblings were not happy too. Till today, my elder and younger sisters hardly watch football matches again simply because I’m no longer playing. They are not happy that the injury terminated my career in football. I would have been making waves now like my contemporaries.

Emmanuel Iheabuchi Odife friends like Sunny Lucky Star, Kenneth Ogbuke and Emeka Igwenba introduced me into the business of film making.

They convinced me to join the industry because they were all doing very well. I fell in love with what they were doing, so I decided to join them.

I have been acquainted with the industry before I finally

made up my mind to join them.

In fact, while I was still a footballer, I was already mingling with the movie stars.

Then, I was the one that introduced my younger brother to Amaka Igwe.

She lived in the same area with me in Ikeja. I also encountered Sydney Diala because of the role he played

in ‘’Circle of Doom’’. Then, I was living in the same vicinity with most of them. As a result, I used the opportunity to introduce my younger brother to the stars who exposed him to the art of film making.

During that period, I resolved within myself that whenever I was through with football, I would venture into

My vision in Nollywood My vision is to make a difference in the industry, to create something that has never been done before. In my opinion, Nollywood and football have a lot in common, its all about entertainment and movie stars love footballers.

Emmanuel Babayaro produced a movie where he featured Martin Obafemi, Osaze and Uche Kalu.

s t i e v e i l e b t I don a man’s world

not ascend tha were like three o en but I ascend hanging on tha it. And we were of female offic trousers.

It was durin ing out parade 1996 that a DI de ai Br observed tha ita Conch of Police, Ngozi m an d Pu bl ic nt de very bright en nt ri pe eputy Su go s Po li ce C om ted on 11th La e al young but sh m fe t rs fi in po is th e RO. She was apwith Chioma PP that we were , er ic ff O ns unter Relatio co en is , th er in our legs very w re d ca r of June 2012 an r be gi nn in g, hens . he t ou ab we were wea s lk ta at io G ab ri el , sh e r fu tu re ex pe ct he d She also ob an ce en ri he r ex pe women in s. pt Excer agencies we So, we were the ou are the first female OCD and from 2003 to 2007, wear trousers an officer to assume the I worked at Force Intelligence came out in 1998, position of Police Pub- Bureau (FIB) and Special impressed.

So, I don’t feel lic Relations Officer. How Fraud Unit (SFU from 2007 this job. There is – 2012.

While I was with SFU, did this journey begin?

I’ve been in the Police I was attached to Commercial cannot compete w Force for the past twelve Fraud Unit but later, I rose this job. Vocationa years. I joined the Nige- to become the Sectional tually, I know ab ria Police in 1996 as a head of Oil and Gas Fraud Sec- and I cannot be i Cadet Inspector and tion. Well, to cut the long stoo, you don’t have attended several ry short, here I am today as a man’s job. the Lagos State Police PRO professional courses It’s not a man’s j on secondment with the Inboth within and outside Nigeria. I attend- spector General of Police so happy to be a p ed the Alcohol, To- Monitoring Unit, Force Head- and in my nex would want to be bacco and Firearms quarters. ficer because this That was really tough for a Academy, Atlanta, will give you opp United States where woman. know so many th A woman?

No way.

There is I obtained a certifiso many things. W nothing like being a woman. cate in Internationin the Investigat When you have a passion for al Post-blast Investigation in 2000. I what you are doing, there is met a lot of peop would come to yo attended a course in nothing like being a woman. problems, you’d I don’t belong to those who Psychotraumaology, cal problems and say it’s a man’s world because debriefing and diffusing course in Switzerland in there is nothing I cannot do self unveiling m 2001. I also attended a pros- today in this job. I have head- that you are not ecution course at the Nigeria ed a lot of very tough posi- You’d see an a Police Detective College, tions. In Liberia, I was the come and you s Enugu in 1999 and success- head of Finance Unit for the dealing with figur fully participated in two Unit- whole United Nations Police kind of being jack ed Nations Peace Keeping Op- Officers, everybody that was and master of all erations. I was also in UN- in the United Nations and a a man’s job. The MIK Kosovo in 2000 where police officer, I was in charge have female com I worked in various crime of the Finance Unit. I came unlike before an investigation units and back to Nigeria in 2007 after doing very well. S eventually, headed the Do- serving in different parts of okay. I’m very fit the world before being postmestic Violence Unit. ver the ye I was equally in the United ed to the Special Fraud Unit. age of the N In Nigeria, we talk about Nations Peace Keeping Oplice has retrogre Police men and you hardly eration in Liberia in 2006 do you plan to do The police is sup something that p see and like but u ly, because of few the image of the p tered. But this is n lice thing becaus talk about corrupt erywhere. In all where I was appointed the ments, you wou hear of police women.

So, head of Finance Unit of the

e d i a r B i z o g N P — DS D

Y

S

O

I have a very strong dream for this job.

I am happy to be a police officer. I will encourage my daughter to be a police officer if she agrees. Wherever I am, I have very big dreams for this job

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,

I’m in search of a perfect co —Femi Adeyin H

e is one of the most desired R & B artistes in the entertainment industry today.

But, as interesting as he seems, Femi Adeyinka, says his love for music hasn’t changed his desire to marry a good cook as wife. In this edition of Celebrity Tu m m y Talk,

he says, he is really searching for a good cook for a wife.

“I want God to bless me with a wife who knows how to cook”. Excerpt Do you have preference for food?

No, I eat all kinds of food including rice, dodo, beans, pounded yam and amala. I love good food.

How was growing up like?

I used to eat a lot. I have a very appealing appetite for food. I can eat four different meals in a day.

What kind of food would you prefer in a social gathering?

I will appreciate Jollof rice served with dodo and moimoi. And on the other hand, meat pie and scotch egg. Most importantly, I like fried snails with sauce garnished with some onions. That is why I pray everyday for a good woman who knows how to cook because I’m a good eater.

Really?

Yes. My prayer

Tit Bit

day’s Menu

a Efere

ite soup)

a traditional Nigerian recipe for a classic stew of meat with smoked fish , cray nd okro sauce. Pounded yam is used to thicken

everyday is tha give me a good c It’s God’s blessi finds a good wif she knows how I will be gratefu can give me a g Would that m good husband If God blesse wife who can go never comprom with anything e and cherish he of my life. An “The way to a m his stomach”, cook well and m in such a roman she is rest assur will be no intru near her home.

What’s your k I like soft drin sionally, I do ta And it’s good wi What type of e I just keep m musician, singin exercise but for jog, stretch and

...It’s another season for corn l

Chopped fresh chillies Uyayakpod ( tetrapleura tetraptera) Stock or water Salt to taste

Preparations Wash and cut the meat into even size pieces. Season with salt and boil for 30 minutes or until soft and tender. Add the stock, washed fish, chopped

F

or corn lovers, this season is definitely going be a time to enjoy. The rainy season is here again and it is expected that it comes with a lot of good foods and fruits into our markets. One of such blessings is the sweet corn, otherwise known as maize, the popular cereal grain that everybody loves to masticate.

Interestingly, there is so much to get from corn. It can

corn can also baked and even corn flour used which serves as for sauces.

Fresh corn is tasty. It can be starter, boiled, g becued, while when removed in soups, cassero ads.

Corn can also delicious and m ing meal whe

u can become ur dream

enze Emma-Iyamu

ze is a Life Coach, writer and a onate Motivational Speaker. ‘’Amazing as he is opularlycalled by many of his has continued to assist many towards the development and deployment of their innate nd dreams. His impact and motivation brand !” has continued to inspire and propel many e accomplishment of their dreams. He s passion for his tripartite career and his Nigeria to Youthful Vibes.

My mum is a teacher of great repute. Everywhere we lived it was a new experience with new friends and we kept changing schools. We were and still are a pretty close knit family. We have had our fair share of troubles but in all we are grateful to God.Upon our arrival in Lagos in the ‘90s, I then proceeded to the International School, Ibadan to start my secondary school education. I finished in 1997 and proceeded to

,

many parts ught by a mentor t give expression sion I would end ion. My days in y of Ibadan were discovery and discovered many myself that have be the building fe till date. These othered me and I ive attention to covered, after with many great l always consider e mentors, that I of writing. I also that I had an on to see Nigeria on that we are all also made a hat despite my ness”, I had the nk differently on nd then articulate into words and as a motivational ntrospection was od. I became an f life and a f some sort. I also at deep down, I d about people ght place, doing s and having the nd results as far e’s purpose is of these parts are started writing emails, and I was to a mail list until a blog. I kept and encouraging their passions in started to get express this. I h while I was in and working with p that up till date, work on myself to r at every one of me. Whether I am motivational r coaching, or eve that I must do y last work as I ty a duty to be e needs I come ntinuous basis. I the areas that I ate about and ed for.

created disgruntled and unhappy people who struggled through school. Then they got jobs and were still unhappy. Their true natures were being suppressed by these decisions. And so when people started to leave various ‘’beautiful jobs” to do ‘’strange jobs”, people got upset. The parties involved were on the contrary very happy people. But there are still many others who are living everyday of their lives with minimal passion. If only we had a nation where every parent and every school was focused on ensuring we had ‘’square pegs

I was bothered about people being at the right place, doing the right things and having the right things and results as far as their life’s purpose is concerned

,

theUniversity of Ibadan where I bagged a degree in Chemistry in 2004. y motivational brand M ‘JUST BE’ Sometime in the year 2003, I encountered a divine truth that altered my life forever. It was the birth of the brand ‘’JUST BE”. I believe that every human being is created and sent by the Divine to this world with specific gifts, passions, talents, personality types, experience etc that make them uniquely wired to not only be who they are meant to be, but also, this wiring causes every human being to be attracted to certain industries of life. The essence of JUST BE is that our core assignment here on earth is to locate this area of our “natural habitat” (as defined

by FelaDurotoye) and go ahead to be all that we are meant to be. The message of JUST BE is to inspire, and to work with humanity to be aligned with their essence. It cuts across all spheres of life.

For example, some years ago

daily I work hard to become better. People no longer care about their names. It is wrong.

Thirdly, I believe that political leadership at every level in this nation must truly care for the people. A few of our political leaders are doing awesome and terrific works. Sadly, many are not. Political leadership, especially in the three arms of government, is one of the most influential types of leadership as they have the capacity to make laws that can either make or mar a nation’s progress. I am glad that many young people are getting involved in politics and also more young people are sensitizing the nation via various platforms (via social media and conferences) on the need to hold political leadership accountable at every level. My greatest prayer for the young people in Nigeria today is that when they fully occupy all levels of political offices, for that is inevitable, that they will do better than their predecessors and make Nigeria a nation we can all be proud of.

Work with young people Basically, I have been and

YOUNG NIGERIANS MAKING THE DIFF ISUDU AND EMMA EDOKPA A.K.A –THE REALITI BRODAZZ them release thr JOS, PLATEAU STATE

in square holes” right from primary school, I believe that maybe, we would have been more productive as a nation. JUST BE therefore has a message for every level of life. The focus has been on the motivational angle of the brand, but it is evolving gradually and I am growing with it. hallenges encounter as a C young entrepreneur As with every young Nigerian, we only desire the simple things of life that has become seeming luxuries in our nation. First and in my estimation, the most important of our national issues is electrical power generation.

Small businesses spend a lot on generating their own power, and these costs must be passed to the consumer. We have had many promises in the past but my vision remains that we shall have a nation that generates at least 100,000 Megawatts of electricity.

It is possible. I believe it can be done. We just need to get it right.

The second issue for me is that of values. As a nation, we need to come back to having the right and proper values. How many Nigerians can recommend the

also. Every youn not just role mode that they can rea they have issues b And these issu choice of care issues, general ad more things. How I am putting pla make the impac older generat deliberately impa with positive virt will be better for young Nigerians the situation themselves, they unending and belief that thing better for them. find those positive are passionate a they find them, attention to thos the key to their leadership. Finall give themselves failure. They mus work smart. The w to a man who s where he is goin seeming obstacl their dreams! I re a book titled BECOME YOUR an artful masterpiece. In it stories of m significance. It other stories tha motivate young p their dreams challenge they m I strongly recomm young person in

os,today means different Jgroups.To things to different people and the music industry in Nigeria, the city is a major talent base that has produced the likes of M.I , Tuface, Djinee, Iceprince, Jesse jagz.In the same vein, the Realitibrodazz is also part of the emerging army of stars who reside in Jos. In a country where the young are finding it increasingly difficult to express their potentials and pursue their dreams vigorously, THE REALITI BRODAZZ, a duo of brothers are making the difference through their musical ability whilst they are becoming an inspiration to their generation. As an inspirational

they are current their debut albu odds.

In their word calling from G our wo music .H our mu people’s reality.’ T for impro them lear m u s instrumen the bass Emma as music productio the lead humanitarian a be separated fro as they use m avenue to downtrodden.R have collabora Omega cares providing fr services to pris last Decembe being a pha volunteered on trips to Ondo a states with Pro h Club 700 respec the Jos crisis R collaborated Revolution Club

Fashion show for Remi by Layide

•Layide Ojo

R

emi by Layide, an exquisite label, with outfits for today’s trendy woman, lunched herself in the fashion industry with an exclusive fashion show in Lagos recently. The collection made mostly with satin fabric, came in simple, elegant cuts with intricate embellishments, inspired by the designer’s inner simplicity.

The show which held at the Terra Kulture Victoria Island, featured three different ranges, which according to Layide Ojo, the brain behind Remi by Layide, portrays the different parts of her late mother who was her muse.

•Remi by Layide

•Remi by Layide

•Remi

•Remi by Layide

lo Jets’,

so sad that our at country has ched a stage re no one is safe ing is working. nd out guns to robbers and s. Doctors operate sake of costs d with it, even nt officials sells ted drugs meant r, fake medicines everywhere to the that some mol and flagyl d to your already tions? There is no cy response ontracts awarded d! Teachers sell on papers, people ing fake fuel? is not taken, dings will be soon, bridges apse and yet they ontinue to smile e themselves for e to navigate the y created for s! After the Dana dent, license was d Nigerians are g compensations lies, but our loved one and they are ng back! Dana e its predecessors me again using ame and start the siness all over ey would again he precious lives dren, our parents; and our brothers ould be helpless

dition, Chibuzor nt in an article, ed ‘Nigeria’s c status, Seye

Festac

I

t is enough fact that the act of satisfying ones sexual urge is truly gratifying indeed.

This urge is pressing enough to make the individual loose all sense of morals within him, although, he may choose to follow the peaceful within him, although he may choose the peaceful way to satisfying this urge. But some let the urge rule them. In this situation they let that pleasant cool wind blow them away. As a result they can easily resort to violence in order to get the pleasure and satisfaction they desire. In addition they force the opposite sex to have sexual intercourse with them.

This immoral act is given the term “rape”.

People who rape have definite characteristics, involving the abnormal reaction when they are easily stimulated or roused.

Immediately they see or come in contact with a person who may not want to partake in sexual intercourse especially

AWARENESS OF VIOLENCE, Rape the young, their libido grow into an immoral m o n s t e r manipulating the mind of the victim in such a way that it pushed him into the claws of the immoral act. This force is so strong that it can easily influence its victim into the act. Although they would have desired pleasure, their minds may not be settled the aftermath.

The individual is in a state in which he cannot control the urge to rape, thus he continues the act even at his young age. At this stage their mind are bent on doing it; they have allowed themselves to fall into dark clutches of sexual violence.

They really do not care about the well being of their ‘forced partners’ and will in turn leave them to wallow in their own problems. This has now brought a heavy

Nigeria’s economic status

By Chibuzor Ann Adaeze, Grace land College, Lagos

N

igeria was a place of joy and happiness, but it has being turned into a place of sorrow and misery. Nigeria has being known for its soil riches; it has oil in abundance, gas and agricultural products, but today where are all these free gifts of nature gone to? It is no longer used for the development of our country, but the government’s personal use. This is not right in the eyes of God and man.

‘Experience they say is the best teacher’, but in Nigeria’s case, experience is never the best. The present government should learn from past government mistakes and outcome. The people on the seats make decisions to their own satisfaction without considering the people they are leading.

Saving lives and the health care system Doctors in Nigeria are good at their jobs, yet they hardly act according to their ethics, which is to save lives first. The average hospital or doctor only knows the

sayings to wealth is health.

Hospitals are built to treat all kind of diseases. Why don’t the doctors treat these sick ones before seeking payment?

These doctors should try to see people’s economic status and treat them at such instead of billing these patients when they cannot feed in the first place. Many people have lost their lives through these unfortunate situations.

Promise and fail is the order of the day. A politician during his quest for political appointments promises heaven and earth, only for it to be thrown under the rug as soon as he enters his rest. He doesn’t keep his promises yet he is looting every penny

burden plaud in the neck of the partner. Have you ever seen anyone accused of practicing rape before? You would probably notice that they live their lives in peace. Their minds are troubled especially after they have practices the immoral act severally. Seeing them must make you now wonder how their ‘forced partners’ are bearing the consequences. The burden now falls on the head of the

The re devastati genders e they are adolescen problem n the victim This ranges from pregnancies to co world deadliest AIDS. If the for eventually conc will her parent o think about it? T there is a stron about premarital badly affect the ways that she ca into abortion or, if is too heavy by h be disturbed in h To be contin

G oodness pays!

Anonymous

G

oodness has its pay day. Please let’s learn one or two lessons from this story...

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay for his school fees and that of his family decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. So on the way to school, he found he had only one tiny dime left, and he was very hungry. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.

Instead of a meal, he asked for a glass of water. The woman thought he looked hungry, so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?””You don’t owe me anything, “she replied.”Mother has taught us, never to accept pay for a kindness.”He said.....”

Then I thank you from my heart.

Years later, that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately, he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor ’s gown, he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.

He went back to the consultation room determined

attention to the ca long struggle, the won. Dr. Kelly req business office to final bill to him fo He looked at it, t something on the the bill was sent to The woman feare it, for she was sur take the rest of he for it all. Finally s and something wr edge of the note c attention “paid fo a glass of mil cascaded her immediately remembered. Eve kindness you so bounce, it reprod

M

uprior Env. Joseph Oyedele, representing groom's father, Mrs. Annah e's mother, Matthew Oshoffa,groom, his wife, Elizabeth, Mrs. Elizaa, groom's mother and Engr. Eddy Agbahor, representing bride' fa-

embers of the Celestial Church of Christ turned on sizzling style when they congregated at the Lagos Island parish, Olowu for the marriage between their founder’s son, Matthew Omotosho Oshoffa and Elizabeth Aloko, daughter of late Rear Admiral S.O. Aloko. Several notable personalities from different walks of life also graced the event that had popular Yoruba actor, Yomi Fash-Lanso as the groom’s Best Man. Photos by Bunmi Azeez

Bride's parents; Mr and Mrs Joseph with couple; Mr and Mrs Fred Udogu

From left: Senator Ganiyu Solomon, SMSE. Jeje Adekunle and Ven. Sup. Evang. Abraham Ajose

Groom's parents (R-L) Sir Celestine couple,Mr and Mrs Fred Udogu w Joshua, Mrs Udogu and Madam Clara

From left:Mr. Oluwayomi Fashola-Lanso, Best Man and Miss Didi Agbahor, Chief Bridesmaid

Couple with Mrs Irene Unuakhalu and Chuckwebuni

Matthew Oshoffa,groom and his wife,

Mr. Raymond Esiri, Prof. Egerton and Mrs. Utuoma Uvieghara

The traditional engagement took place e Joseph Uvbiekpahor Compound Okwok friends and relations graced the glamor

Comfort Ikomi laid to rest

urial ceremony of late Mrs Comfort Ikomi, mother of a Warri based legal practitioner, Mr Jolome Ikomi recently took place at F ch, Sapele while the reception held at Sapele Athletic Club, G.R.A. Several notable legal practitioners and notable personalitie c and private sectors were on hand to commemorate with the Ikomi family.

SATURDAY Vanguard,JUNE 16, 2012—41

By Charles Adingupu

D

espite the different kinds of people who besiege the Mile 12 Market on daily basis to display their wares for reasonable profit margin, the setting has cut another image for itself. The expanse of land where the market is currently located has become a notorious abode for brothel business. Virtually, every nook and cranny could boast of a hook shop which houses ladies of pleasure with mean nomenclature from the various ethnic divides. From the popular Kosofe bus-stop to Mile 12 under bridge parades the most busy cathouses in the neighbourhood. Every street in the area is being haunted by call girls in the night.

At the foot of the pedestrian bridge is one of such call houses. The calibre of prostitutes operating in this whore house is mostly market women who engage in promiscuous sexual intercourse for money after the day’s sales. Though at noonday, there are no vestiges showing that the hotel is a notorious joint for women of the town. The compound which is presently under renovation also accommodates wooden locked-up stalls at both sides where food stuff, condiments, generating sets and components are sold. But from 8 pm in the evening, the atmosphere in the vicinity changes into a red light zone as hustlers in their flamboyant attires mill around the hotel premises canvassing for prospective C M Y K

Mile 12 fast slipping into red light district For ages the popular Mile 12 market has been known as the food basket of Lagos.

It’s so classified because it accommodates trailer loads of assorted food items from virtually all parts of Nigeria. By extension therefore, it has become a home for people of diverse culture. Fortunately, today, the market is becoming another haven for women of easy virtues clients.

The entrance of the brothel is always populated by nightwalkers of different shapes and sizes who appeared ready for the day’s business.

Esther is just one of them who patronise the hotel to complement the meagre income she rakes in from her petty trading business.

However, the following conversation ensured between Esther and this reporter.

“Hello! How do you operate here?”

D

“

o you want a short time or full time?” she asked.

“Please tell me the cost of both and let me make a decision.”

“Well, short time will cost you N500.00. Besides, you have to pay for a chalet of your choice. The ones down stairs

cost one hundred naira for an hour. It has a foam spread on bare floor but no electricity.

The others upstairs have beds, ceiling fans and a piece of wooden furniture. The rent cost N200 for an hour,” she said.

“But if I’m opting for all night, what’s the bill like?” I inquired.

“It will cost you N4,000” Esther declared with a tone of finality.

“All right”, I said, without allowing her to raise suspicion of my mission.We moved straight away to the bar at the first floor where I ordered for bottles of beer.

Esther quickly guzzled hers without waiting for the usual courtesies which accompany such first time meeting.

Again, we resumed our conversation.

“Yes! Is your name truly

Esther?,” I ask in disbelief.

“Of course yes; do you think I’m lying to you?” she said.

“Not really, but how come you’re in this dirty business yet speak good English?”

“Well, it’s just one of those things in life.”

“I’ve a feeling you’re somebody’s wife.”

“Haba! How can that be?

Though, I was once married but not anymore.”

“What happened then?” I became curious, wanting to know what prompted this woman into this God forsaken business. But the lady is too smart to be caught unaware.

“That will be a story for another day,” she said.

For a while, we drank our beer in silence until I threw another question at her.

“How many kids have you?

“Two. They attend standard schools in Warri, Delta State.”

“So you’re from Delta?”

“Yes!” “Which of the schools did you attend?”

Y

“ our questions are b e c o m ing too many,” she said.

“Well, I’ve my school certificate before I proceeded to Bida Polytechnic. But midway, I had problem, so I dropped out of school.”

“But can’t you look for some

other thing to do rather than engaging in this dangerous trade.”

“I’m a trader,” she disclosed, “but debt wrecked my business. As it is now, I will need reasonable amount of money to begin all over again. Please enough of these questions.Hope you’re not here to waste my time?”she said.

However, on that note, I gave Esther N200.00 for wasting her time. She said I can reach her at the same spot if I desire to see her again.

Exactly 10.45 pm in the evening, the brothel premises became a beehive of activities as fun seeking men thronged the vicinity to quench their sexual desire. At the topmost floor of the building, the women prostitutes are mainly from the north.

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he ear-rings worn on t h e i r noses, face marks coupled with the passable pidgin English corrupted with the Hausa accent easily gave them away. Their clients are mai suya, truck drivers and cow dealers who can easily communicate with them in the language they understand.

Continues on Page 42

42— SATURDAY Vanguard,JUNE 16, 2012 I am, I have very big dreams for this job. I don’t have any other job. This is all I have and I’m ready to go wherever I am posted to. Let me tell you, I dream to become the first female IGP. What do you have to tell women who aspire for this kind of job?

The problem we have is that most women feel that they are the weaker sex and some don’t take their jobs seriously and men take advantage of that. When men feel that you are not doing well in your job, they take advantage of that. What some women

Continued from page 33 It’s a different world in Lagos, everywhere you go, you see young unemployed people and these are security issues. What do you plan to do?

Creating more job opportunities would help take care of that and also a lot of our big men should help in generating employment. That’s the only way out because most of these people you see hanging around are graduates. It’s not fair that a youngman should graduate from the university and remains jobless. In the past, when one graduates from the university, he is a hot cake but now, it’s a different story. I have been around Lagos for sometime and I know this is a different routine from my normal routine, but I’m very confident. I will cope.

Did you grow up planning to join the Police?

No. As a matter of fact, I didn’t like the Police and never wanted to do anything with the police. But it just happened when I left secondary school and got admission into Abia State University. I was 17 years then and I was studying English at Abia State University.

But in my second year, second semester, my mother called me and said she would want me to join the Force as a Cadet Inspector. I told her I didn’t like the Police but she encouraged me.

She said she liked the police. My father tried to kick against it but my mother bought him over and today they have no regrets.

Did you abandon your academics?

Well, I went for the interview and was taken. I went for another interview in Lagos. They asked me questions and I answered. By the way, I had five As and three credits in my WAEC and they

e v e i l e b t ’ n o d I it’s a man’s world

Continued from page 41 It’s only a proportionate fraction of under sixteen girls that could be found home.

They swing their fragile waist left, right and centre to attract prospect clients.

But another lady of easy virtue who called herself Iya Bose, who claimed to be a yam seller said she only resorted to the illicit trade in order to make ends meet as a widow.

“I can’t abandon my four children because my husband is dead. By the special grace of God, I’ll see them through the university,” she said.

The Kings his is certainly not a home for Kings but an abode for pom pom girls. It’s another three storey building with a cinema house underneath adjacent to the Mile 12 bus-stop. It parades teenage girls whose age bracket lies between 15 to 21.

These girls revealed their identities easily with their costumes and make-up. They dress half nude in order to reveal the better parts of their physical structures.

Investigation showed that most of the hustlers operating here are mainly secondary school drop-outs. Joy is just

found that attractive. I went back to Abia State University and deferred my course. Before that, I had changed my mind about joining the police but after about a month, people started calling my parents to complain that I had wasted Abia State slot in the Police and my parents compelled me to come out and join the Police. abandoned my academics, deferred my admission, hoping that after the training, I would return to the university to continue my education but that was not to be. I was posted to Ekiti State for my one year attachment after two years in the Police Academy. So, I couldn’t go back.

I was in Ekiti State for one year where I underwent further training. So, when I eventually came to Lagos and joined INTERPOL, I sat for JAMB again and got admission to Lagos State Univer-

I

sity where I read English. I graduated and bagged my B.A English and that made me so happy.

Now, when you look ahead, what do you see?

I have a very strong dream for this job. I am happy to be a police officer. I will encourage my daughter to be a police officer if she agrees. Wherever

harass you sexually. Sexual harassment is in all establishments but when the men try and see that you are a strong character, a firm character, they will leave you.Really, I think more women should join the Police Force because I’m a living example of what a woman can do. They will have no regrets.

Mile 12, fast slipping into red light district the edge of Jesus Oyigbo Street in Mile 12 market. The entrance to the hotel is a narrow path like the road to a hall. But at the end of this alley reveals an open space which houses some wooden make-shift houses facing one another with a corridor.

There are other outlets leading to one vague hall or the other. In some of these halls, hoodlums have converted them as resting place.

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C M Y K

keep doing is shout sexual harassment but it’s only a woman who allows sexual harassment that is harassed. A woman should be bold, intelligent and firm. If you know what you are doing, nobody would

one of them. She claimed to be an indigene of Benue State.

By all standards, Joy could easily be passed for a charming girl as she possess all the trappings of beauty.

The girls here are residential prostitutes who have no other trade rather than engaging men to frolicking bout. All the rooms on the first floor occupied by these harlots are rugged from wall to wall with ceiling or wall fans, a 14 inch

colour television set and a sizeable CD player sitting atop a centre table.

“For short time,” Joy disclosed that the minimum charge is N500 while full time cost not less than N2,500 though, it depends on the personality. So, price varies, depending on who you’re dealing with. We pay N500 for this room every night.”

Sabo-Gida This is a shanty that lies at

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he offensive smell of marijuana, otherwise known as Indian-hemp tells more of the calibre of people patronising these whores.

A Mallam who sells cigarettes and other sundry items at the entrance of the hotel disclosed that “women of different sizes and shape are here. Some are tall, short, fat and slim. There are Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo women, so go for your choice.”

A teenage girl who gave her name simply as Fatima said

the least she could accept before sleeping with a man is seven hundred naira. Fatima who prides herself as an old timer in the trade, described prostitution as a booming business.

She confessed that a friend cajoled her into the trade.

Fatima has also introduced three other teenagers into the illicit trade.

A a security guard to the locked-up stalls in the lso, a Mallam who work as

area, told Saturday Vanguard that most of women in these brothels are mainly traders from different cities and villages.

But in the night, they change into prostitution.

“I see them (women prostitutes) during the day, but at night, they change into prostitution. They indulge in the illicit trade until they disposed of their wares before joining their respective family members from wherever they come from,” he said.

But the dirty environment under which this class of women operate needs much to be desired as the stench smell of urine oozing from from there is enough to put off any sane man.

SATURDAY

Vanguard JUNE 16, 2012—43

Abia Rubber Estate: When govt listens only to itself

By Tony Nwankwo

W

e live in weird times. 50 years ago, the progressive government of the late Dr. Michael Okpara had agriculture as the bedrock of the economic development of Eastern Nigeria. That regime, by the result of its policies, was adjudged the fastest growing economy in Africa at the time.

In accordance with that policy, the ever patriotic people of Abam, Arochukwu LGA, Abia State, volunteered a large mass of their fertile land on agreed terms with government for a rubber estate. As it was for Ameke Abam, so it was for Ndi Oji Abam. Today, while Ameke Rubber Estate is being effectively managed by the indigenes, responding to their commonwealth, the same cannot be said of Ndi Oji Abam, where government seems determined to continuously deprive the people, not only of their land, but intent on cheating them on agreed benefits. The people who gave their land freely to government for a token of promised development are now weeping on the game governments play on their commonwealth.

The presence of government has brought no meaningful development.

The road that links the community to the local government headquarters at Arochukwu has been in the drawing board for forever; there is no potable water, no medical facility from government, in fact the electricity that separates the people from stone age existence was provided by their son, the late Chief Smart Ndem Okpi. Agreements, the government of Chief T.A. Orji reached with the community on February 14, 2012, with the Secretary

rubber estate. Her intrusion is heightening tension in the area.

Observers say that if Mrs. Arugo was a plant to disrupt the success of the agreement to enable his backers continue to reap from the resources of the rubber farm, the lady and her sponsors may have to rethink their ambitions. his suspicion is fertile. A letter to Governor T.A. Orji dated June 28, 2011, demanding to discuss “what we consider gross neglect by the management of Abia Rubber Coy’s nonchallant attitude to our demands for payments of royalties, rent and agreed rubber allocations and general maintenance of the rubber fields”, was not replied.

Another letter of complaint to the governor by the community ’s development union dated May 26, 2012, lamented its inability to even have access to speak with the governor on this project that touches their very lives.

Analysts are concerned that successive governments having breached original agreements reached on siting the rubber estate in the area by not providing meaningful amenities in Ndi Oji Abam should desist in further trespassing into the land. They say that since there is nothing to show for government presence in terms of infrastructure, rather than the naked exploitation of their fertile land, government could as well leave the estate and let the people take back their land.

However, there are liberals in the community, who suggest that should government desire to continue to have a hand on the farm, they should partner with the community on agreed shareholding quota. They say, the idea of an Admin. Manager in the state

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Governor T.A. Orji to the State Government, Prof. Mkpa A. Mkpa together with the Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chief Ike Onyenweaku, at the office of the SSG on the Rubber Estate is breached.

While the community, following that agreement had gone home to harmonise their positions by collapsing the interests of their people on the management of the Rubber Farms in accordance with Abia State Gazette/Edict No. 6 Vol. 6, by putting forward the Odum Achara Farms Limited to represent the community ’s interest, a foreigner, unknown to the agreements they reached with government, one Mrs. Arugo, an Ibeku daughter and Admin.

Manager for Abia Rubber Company, seems to be deciding for government and Ndi Oji Abam on who runs an expansive rubber estate several miles away from her own community. Arugo is not only blackmailing the community, according to community sources, she also plays government on Ndi Oji Abam

A Governor’s anger over road repairs S

ince the creation of Edo State from the former Bendel State, the people of the homogenous State with common ancestral background and cultural affinity have witnessed peaceful political activities. This is reminiscence of the political campaign and exercise of franchise during the last elections between the late Professor Ambrose F. Alli and Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia in the former Bendel State, when the later defeated the former who was incumbent without any political rancours or acrimonies.

Whether it was a free and fair election was never really an issue then, but the people of the State, as it were, embraced peace and allowed the interest of the State to over-ride personal ones. I recall vividly the Bini speaking people of the State praising the courage, effrontery, and distribalised manner Chief Anthony Anenih stood by the candidature of Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia against Prof Ambrose F. Alli who was his fellow Esan man. The rest and all associated developments remain part of history.

It is also on record that, against all odds, Chief Anthony Anenih, as State Chairman of the SDP some years ago, stood by the candidature of a relatively unknown Chief John Odigie-Oyegun to clinch the gubernatorial election in Edo State. Again, the people of Edo State praised Chief Anenih for his political sagacity and maturity. In both cases, there was no political turmoil; C M Y K

,

By Musa Ahmed Umoru

there were no blood spilling, and indeed the people of Edo State, remained with a common agenda to develop the State.

Again, there was the political activity in the Third Republic where Chief Lucky Igbinedion emerged as the PDP gubernatorial flag-bearer in Edo State.

A major factor that worked for his emergence was the perceived “good works” he did as the Chairman of Oredo Local Government Council in Benin City, which truly and indeed was not much better than some of his counterparts in the State. Yet with the understanding and co-operation of key political actors of the State, he emerged and won the gubernatorial elections in 1999 to become the Executive Governor of Edo State. How that rare opportunity was utilized by Chief Lucky Igbinedion in person and for the PDP as a party in Edo State, is a story for another day.

T

,

The dogs and vipers, at it appears seem to be succeeding in entreating the Bini, Afemai and Esan speaking peoples from following a common and mutually beneficial agenda for the State

he inactions, inadequacies and wasteful regime, rather than situated at the footsteps of the former Governor, it has become an unfortunate yardstick by political proponents to portray PDP as a non-performing Government. Without begging the issues, it is pertinent to remind our people that PDP has since 1999 been ruling other

States in the South-South geopolitical zone with concrete evidences of good governance and leadership to the admiration of all. It is ironical that the same Chief Lucky Igbinedion is alleged to be the brain behind the emergence and strength of ACN in Edo State politics. Yet the people of the State seem to be ignorant of this.

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he legal processes that gave victory to the ACN gubernatorial candidate in the 2007 elections, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is known to all hence the reason to safe time, energy and space recalling them here.

On assumption of office, the Comrade Governor, without mincing words, made a bold statement to the people of Edo State that he was in office to better the life of all irrespective of their senatorial district. He offered to embrace ‘politics of inclusiveness’ hence he extended olive branch to opposition political parties to nominate persons to join and serve in his ACNled government. The romance later turned out to be a gimmick, hence it did not last.

The almost four years regime of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in Edo State, has witnessed a mixture of

rubber agency, inching to determine who runs the estate in the community is insulting and unacceptable. Infact, some say, they hear the voice of Esau and feel the hand of Jacob at the farm estate. he Ndi Oji Abam issue is a story of a people abandoned and abused by the government they trusted and gave everything, their fertile land inclusive. They now feel betrayed. A subsistence farming community gave their lands to government and have since been paying the price from deprivation, hunger, famine, having since embraced low yielding lands to cultivate. This has brought disagreements, quarrels and sometimes violent deaths as families contest for land to till, even against known neighbours.

Now that government seems incapable of effectively managing the estates and so unable to fulfill the obligations reached by the founding fathers on the project, by budding the rubber nurseries, paying salaries to staff as and when due, and paying royalties, the least it could do is to return the estate to the land owners by supporting the community’s approved Odum Achara Farms Limited.

On the other hand, government by imposing an outsider, Imoniyame Holdings Limited to manage the estate in complete disregard of the sensibilities of the people will be playing into the hands of a desperate people and their irritant youth population.

These and other youths in the Abam area currently see governments at the local, state and federal levels, as institutions not concerned about their welfare.

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Tony Nwankwo is staff of Vanguard Newspapers, Lagos.

events. They all reminded us of Aristotle’s political philosophy and the position encapsulated in “The Prince”.

While the people of Edo State were looking up to see a Government that will strengthen the unity, peaceful coexistence and even development of the homogenous people with common cultural background, the Comrade Governor opened the gates to the dogs and vipers to create ethnic consciousness and retreated them to their homes.

The dogs and vipers, at it appears seem to be succeeding in entreating the Bini, Afemai and Esan speaking peoples from following a common and mutually beneficial agenda for the State. Unfortunately this position is degenerating to politics with bitterness; distrust; acrimony and ambivalence that may be more worrisome come 2015. A leader is expected to look beyond the immediate needs, and be more conscious of the future implications of his actions, before taking any decision.

One important thing Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is unmindful about but which have remain an albatross under his leadership in Edo State, is hypocrisy among those who now take pleasure in “clapping their hands” and “raising their voices” over every step, whether for good or bad, of Comrade Governor.

Majority of his praise-singers were and remained key actors in the Chief Lucky Igbinedion eight-year reins as Governor of Edo State under the PDP. Musa Ahmed Umoru writes from Agbede, Edo State.

44— SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012

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SATURDAY Vanguard,JUNE 16, 2012—45

Why we organise twins festival — Oluwafunso twins THEY are identical twin brothers married to twin sisters and they share a lot in common. Born over four decades ago to Mr and Mrs Oluwafunso, Messrs Taiwo and Kehinde Oluwafunso, who hail from Ibadan, Oyo State, run Twin Action-Aid, an NGO specifically set up to see to the welfare of twins. In this encounter, they reveal a lot about themselves and the Panafest colloquium among other issues. Enjoy your read:

For how long have you been organising the Twins festival?

We have been organising the event since 1993. It was when one of us had an accident that God gave us the inspiration to organize a festival which is in form of a day out for all twins

BY DAPO AKINREFON

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ho are the twins?

We are Taiwo and K e h i n d e oluwafunsho and we were born about four decades ago. Our parents ensured we had a good background. Our parents are Pa and Ma Oluwafunsho from Oyo State. We attended the same primary school in Lagos; we had our secondary education at Community Grammar School Ibadan.

The only time we were separated was when one of us attended the Polytechnic Ibadan, while the other was admitted to a College of Education in Lagos. After this, we both attended the Lagos State University. Our parents encouraged us to do things in common. In all that we do, we discovered that God was taking us somewhere.

Did you at any time work in the same place, since you do things together?

We have never worked in the same establishment but we are involved in the same business.

We embark on the same project.

Tell us the story of how you meet your spouses?

It was by divine arrangement, through our NGO, Twins Action-Aid international. During one of our annual programmes, a day set aside to celebrate the

Messrs Taiwo and Kehinde Oluwafunso international twins day in Nigeria.

They were among the six delegates from Kwara State and when they arrived for registration, Kehinde was the one who first saw them and quickly called me to tell me about them but I wasn’t interested because I was busy preparing for the next day.

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remember that he kept disturbing me for us to go and see them at the hotel where they were lodged but I was put off and told him to forget it, saying we would see them the following day at the festival ground.

It was all divinely arranged.

They are quiet, gentle and they comported themselves well all through the programme. After the

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Being identical, do people find it difficult to differentiate the both of you?

Of course, this is one special aspect of our lives. Atimes, we find it difficult to differentiate ourselves. We are identical and this has opened doors for us. We have also ensured that we positively affect the lives of those around us because of our upbringing. One thing that has been working for us is our identical features.

in the country.

People have been misinformed about twins; there have been misinformation about twins and in the mismanagement in the handling of twins. That was what informed our decision to organize the Twins Festival.

We got married on the same day in the same church, at the same hour and a twin reverend preached on our wedding day at Immanuel Baptist Church in Ilorin, Kwara state.

The bridal train at our wedding, were identical twins.

In fact, there were many twins who attended our wedding.

We give glory to God.

We got married on the same day in the same church, at the same hour and a twin reverend preached on our wedding day at Immanuel Baptist Church in Ilorin, Kwara state

programme, we went around the hotels to thank all the participants for coming and when we got to their hotel, Kehinde said we should use the opportunity to express our feelings to them, that his inner spirit is nudging him that they are the ones.

We had planned that I would speak to the female Kehinde while Kehinde would speak to the female Taiwo, making it a cross proposition.

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hat is Panafest all about?

Panafest is a Pan-African festival. Panafest has been able to bring people from all walks of life to converge in Ghana to discuss issues that are pertinent to the continent of Africa. There is a need to arise and give a wake up to Africans and those in the Diaspora to put heads and see to the development of Africa.

It is about commitment to improving Africa.

Panafest will be 20 years old because it is hosted every two years. Before the event is held in Ghana, we host a prePanafest event here in Nigeria which is a colloquium and arts exhibition where we will have the Vice President of Ghana, Dr John Ghaman as our guest speaker. We are also going to have the governor of Osun state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as our keynote speaker.

The former SecretaryGeneral of the Common Wealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and former governor of Lagos state Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu among other guests will be present at this year’s event.

We want to show case Nigeria’s rich culture. We are aiming at exploring our tourism sector to fetch revenue for Nigeria aside the oil we already have.

46—SATURDAY Vanguard,JUNE 16, 2012

BY TAYE OBATERU

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ust when residents of Jos were beginning to thank God for the seeming success in preventing another attack by the Boko Haram sect on churches in the Plateau State capital, the sigh of relief was again truncated last Sunday as there was another suicide bomb attack, this time at the Christ Chosen Church of God, along Rukuba Road. Notwithstanding the blast, however, many residents believe there is still cause to glorify God as contrary to what was expected, the fatality was minimal. Initial reports said only the suicide bomber was killed in the church while others numbering over 50 had varying degrees of injuries. However, there were reports of reprisal killings numbering about seven in different parts of the state capital after the blast.

Last Sunday seemed another peaceful day until the blast.

With the sun shining brightly after the rain of the previous night in some parts, many worshippers thronged their various churches for the usual services. The tight security which followed initial bomb attacks on two churches in the city were still in place as vehicles were subjected to serious search by stern-looking security men.

Unknown to many, danger was again around the corner. Determined to beat the heavy security presence within the vicinity, the attackers targeted churches along Rukuba Road which though densely populated, may not have the kind of heavy security barricades in most other churches. At least so the planners must have thought.

We thought the end had come

—victims of Church blast

he was returning from where he went to buy provisions when he noticed a car drive at top speed into the church premises. He later found himself in hospital.

He appealed for government’s assistance for victims of the blast.

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rom the accounts of eye witnesses, the suicide bomber made for the Christ Chosen Church of God when he found it difficult to access the bigger churches around which were initial targets. Learning from previous experience, most churches have mounted iron barricades some distance away from their churches to frustrate any plan to crash into them and cause devastation if such barricades were close to the church.

It was speculated that the suicide bomber having been frustrated by his inability to drive close to the targeted churches and conscious that time was running out, made for the church which was close by and rammed into one of the pillars of the building at top speed.

The impact cut the suicide bomber into two spilling his entire bowels on the ground and brought down the church building. “We thought the end had come because many were trapped in the collapsed church as fire began to spread”, a church member who preferred anonymity said.

explosion did not spare other residents of the area close by.

Many were either injured or had the window glasses of their abodes, car windshields and other property damaged by the impact. Twentynine year old Randy Odey who sustained injury on the leg said

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The bombing generated angry reaction from youths who took over the streets and venting their anger on perceived enemies, smashing cars and rough handling people. Journalists were not spared the anger as some of them got battered by the irate crowd.

A member of the church who simply identified himself as Emeka and who is on admission at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital and (BUTH) told Saturday Vanguard that their service was still on when they noticed a car drive into the premises at top speed shortly after which there was an explosion adding, “the church building collapsed on people, there was fire everywhere.” Although

there were initial speculations that many people were buried in the rubbles of the collapsed church, it turned out that they mostly sustained injuries such as fractures and wounds.

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rancisca Peter, a housewife who had burns all over her body as a result of the blast said the church building did not only come down on them, but they got engulfed by the fire that followed the explosion. In a rare demonstration of motherly love, she, on the hospital bed, despite her pains, kept lamenting about the wellbeing of her six-year old only daughter who she said was at the children’s section of the church when it collapsed. The

eacting to the latest blast, the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) warned the Boko Haram Sect which claimed responsibility for the attack to stop targeting churches and Christians in the interest of peace.

The Chairman, Reverend Philip Dafes at a press briefing described the latest bombing as regrettable and unacceptable warning that while Christians favoured the use of dialogue to resolve issues, constant attacks on innocent Christians should stop.

According to him, “The activities of these dare devil people who pride themselves in causing havoc by inflicting pains, sorrows and sadness on innocent Christians call for urgent attention from the appropriate authority to permanently put an end to these dastardly acts.The church is gradually losing count of number of lives lost, number of Christians (women and men)

with permanent disabilities, number of women turned widows, number of children made orphans, number of churches, properties and business premises destroyed by the various attacks and also relationship and business opportunities that eluded us because of the ridiculous attacks”.

Dafes alleged that it had become obvious that Christians and churches in the Northern part of the country were being targeted by a coordinated team of terrorists out to islamize the nation and called on government not to negotiate with them.

H

e also urged govern ment to compensate all victims of Boko Haram attacks as many have either been rendered homeless or incapacitated by injuries suffered.

At as Thursday, many of the about 50 people who were rushed to various hospitals for treatment had been treated and discharged while those who had complicated cases like fractures and burns were still recuperating. Some of their friends and relations who were on hand when Saturday Vanguard visited one of the hospitals openly wondered why innocent people were being continually killed and maimed through suicide bombing and why it was difficult for government to curtail the menace of the Boko Haram sect. “You are not safe in your house, on the road you are under constant threat of one attack or the other and even churches which were seen as sanctuaries have turned into targets of blood spillers. Who will protect us if government cannot”, a visitor to one of those hospitalized was heard lamenting. Many around agreed with him.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012—47

Why I attempted suicide ---Battery charger

BY EBUN SESSOU

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o Ademola Ibirogba, 32, life is full of mysteries. The story of his life started when he had to drop out of school because there was no financial support from his family side. That was in 1993. In 1995, he became an apprentice and learnt battery charging. In 2001, he became a boss and set up his own battery charging business. Although the business was little, he was content with it. And everything was going on well because the business paved way for him to be able to take care of his parents and siblings. He was enjoying his business and hoping that one day, he would become a dealer in battery manufacturing.

And as God would have it, he got married to his lovely wife and the marriage produced two lovely children, a boy and a girl.

Then, he became a driver and the ugly side of life visited his household and since then, life has been unfair to him and his family.

In 2009, Ademola was involved in a fire accident while saving the life of his boss’s child. He was almost consumed by the fire. He visited several hospitals having susta ined severe injuries. And

when he was finally admitted at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, he spent eight months without being at-

tended to.

But fortune smiled on him when the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola visited LASUTH, and gave the directive that he should be attended to without paying any money.

Unfortunately, the instruction only lasted for a while. The authority of the hospital couldn’t continue to obey orders without Ademola paying his bills. So, the treatment stopped halfway and since then, his life has moved from bad to worse.

soled myself. Even though I was going through severe pains, I didn’t allow that to pull me down.

I decided to pick up the pieces of my life. I started my business back and after a while, it grew. And just at a time to start enjoying the fruits of my labour, another ugly scenario set in. It was on a Wednesday morning, I was in my shop when robbers stormed and made away

with all the goods I had.

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he sad story was that I just stocked my shop with new goods. A good Samaritan who believed I was going through hard times decided to be giving the goods to me on credit and

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nd just last month, he was at the verge of taking his own life when sympathisers rescued him from his suicide mission.

In this encounter, Ademola told Saturday Vanguard about his suicide mission and how people came to his rescue.

I was discharged from LASUTH without proper medical attention. Since then, I have been living in pain and anguish. I sought for medical attention elsewhere just to be on my feet again but all my efforts proved abortive. There was no money to pay for my medical bills and so, I was thrown out again. “Even though, I was supposed to undergo surgery, there

Ademola Ibirogba was no money to carry out the operation. At that juncture, I con-

that after I’d made sales, I could make some returns. He gave me the goods on Tuesday and the following day, robbers attacked me and took away all the goods.

When I couldn’t continue with the trauma that I’ve suffered from the attack, I felt it was better to die.

“Then, on Thursday, I called my wife, although she wasn’t at home. But I made some calls to her and pleaded with her to take care of my children.I thought there was no hope for me again especially when there was nobody to help me. And the only business that I trusted has been wrecked by robbers. My wife was out on an invitation to attend her friend’s naming ceremony when I called her and told her to take

care of my children. Afterwards, I dropped the call and switched off my phone. The truth is that since thieves burgled my shop and made away with all my goods, I have been unconscious. I have been borrowing money for survival. I can no longer take care of my family again. And I have just made a part-payment of the goods given to me by the good Samaritan.

Unfortunately, the following day, thieves burgled my shop. And when I thought of the chances of survival, it was next to nothing.

First, my being alive is a burden to my family.

“So, I tried the narrow escape of committing suicide. I hanged myself in my room. But the next

thing I saw was a crowd that gathered around me in the hospital. I was told by sympathisers who took me to Igando General Hospital that I was fifteen minutes dead. But the intervention of my wife and neighbours around rescued me.

He is therefore calling on Nigerians to come to his aid so that he can pick up the pieces of his life again.

His account name is Ademola Ibirogba, while his account number is 1028047995, a savings account in Intercontinental Bank.

And his telephone number is 08023286812.

The Crane, The Spinal Twist and the Headstand

THE Headstand C M Y K

The Spinal Twist Technique: Sit down with both legs outstretched in front of you. Bending the left knee, place the left heel close to the right buttock.

Also bend the right knee, place the right foot on the ouitside of the left thigh close to the left knee. Bring the left hand to clutch the right thigh with the inside of the elbow on the right knee Pass the right arm at the back, placing the hand on the left lap close to the waistline.

Look over the right shoulder turning the whole trunk rightward.

Benefits: The Spinal Twist helps give flexibility to the spine. Excess fat about the waist is reduced and the digestive system is improved. It brings relief to constipation.

THE Headstand Technique: Get on your knees and interlacing the fingers, place the hands on the floor in front. Lean forward and support the back of the head with the interlaced fingers. With the help of the feet, raise the hips up in the air Now, lift the knee until stillness is obtained standing on the

head. Straighten the legs rather slowly until the whole body is in a straight line from head down to feet up.

Benefits: The Headstand favourably affects the pituitary gland dubbed the master gland because it regulates the activities of all the others. Although no larger than a green pea – the pituitary is nonetheless of great importance to our well – being. There are as many as twelve various hormones reputed to be manufactured inside it. There is one hormone of the pituitary that raises blood pressure, another that makes some muscles contract, one that inhibits the kidneys from producing urine, one that stimulates the kidneys to make more urine, then there is a whole group of hormones that regulate the other endocrine gland of the body e.g., the Adrenal and gerund or sex glands.

Apart from the aforementioned, the Headstand is also said to nourish the brain and maitain mental health.

Squat on the hunches with the feet close together. Let the soles and heels rest on the floor. Raise the buttocks up and move the trunk forward.

Breathing out, wrap the arms

around the bent legs and place the palms on the floor.

Bend the elbows and raise the Heels from the floor, move the trunk a bit more forward and rest the chin on the back of the upper arms close to the armpits. Stretch the arms straight

The Spinal Twist and balance the whole body on the hands.

Benefits: The crane strengthens the arms.

And with the contracting of the abdomen, the organs there are massaged and toned.

Yoga Classes @ 32 Ademola Adetokumbo Victoria Island Lagos 9.00am — 10.00am on Satufdays

48 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 2012

By CHINENYE OZOR, Nsukka

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nxiety and confusion has enveloped Igga Community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government area of Enugu state following the alleged killing of a teenager by a combined patrol team of Umueje Vigilante group and some armed soldiers in the area.

The deceased who was simply identified as Onyibo Obiora was allegedly killed by the security operatives while he was asleep in front of his residence when the armed soldiers and some members of Umueje vigilante group besieged the community on routine security patrol of the area. Crime Guard gathered that Iggah Community in Enugu State has a boundary with Umueje community in Anambra State while the army patrol team from Anambra State allegedly invaded Igga where the said Obiora was shot dead. Investigations showed that no tangible reason was given on why the deceased was allegedly shot dead by the operatives who entered the community with a Hilux van belonging to an oil construction company, Niger Cat. Igga community is endowed with natural oil deposits which has been explored over the years for mining but there has been a simmering disagreement between Enugu and Anambra states over the ownership of the land where the oil deposits was discovered. Amidst the controversy, reports said Anambra State Government allegedly granted license to Orient Oil Company to prospect and exploit the oil deposits in the area.

Crime Guard learnt that the combined patrol team of the army and vigilante group may have been on mission, patrolling the oil well when a trigger-happy officer allegedly shot and killed Obiora in front of his residence.

A relation to the deceased, Anselem Onyibo told Crime Guard that it was unbelievable that some one could be shot dead without committing any offence. He noted that Obiora was sleeping in front of their house when he suddenly heard loud sound and foot prints. He reportedly jumped up from sleep and started running and was allegedly gunned down for no reason.

Contacted for comment on mobile phone, the Chairman of Uzo-Uwani local government area, Cornel Onwubuya told Crime Guard that news of the alleged killing of the youth was surprising to him, and a source of worry to Uzo-Uwnai L.G.A. He noted that he had forwarded a complaint to Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime over the killing stressing that he had earlier met with the Chief Security Officer of Orient company who promised to dialogue with the local government council but he never showed up till the time of the killing.

“As I speak with you, I have not seen the CSO who had promised to dialogue with us”, he explained.

Also commenting on the incident, the regent of Igga community, Prince Herbert Ukuta said he was yet to know exactly why the deceased was allegedly killed by the combined patrol team of army and Umueje vigilante group stressing that the General Officer

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Murder at dawn in Enugu As security operatives kill teenager in Igga Community Soldiers/vigilante trade blames

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*Prince Herbert Ukuta — regent of Igga Community

He noted that Obiora was sleeping in front of their house when he suddenly heard loud sound and foot prints.

He reportedly jumped up from sleep and started running and was allegedly gunned down for no reason

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Commanding the army in Enugu State has been contacted while Uzo-Uwani police division took the corpse and deposited it at a mortuary in Adani

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rince Ukuta said that Igga is a peace-loving community that will not take laws into their hands and called for detailed investigation to unravel the

circumstances surrounding the alleged killing of Obiora Onyibo.

He also assured members of his community that Gov. Sullivan Chime is greatly concern,and will not relent in

*The slain teenager, Onyibo seeing that justice was done.

Efforts made to speak with the police public relations officer in Enugu State, Ebere Amarizu proved abortive as he did not confirm the incident.

Police arrest We didn’t know it’s an offense — Suspects You’ll know at the court —POLICE

By ALBERT AKPOR

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wo brothers sent detectives at tached to X-squad, Lagos State Police Command reeling with laughter recently when, they confessed that they were unaware of the criminal implications of forging documents and car plate numbers. However, the police was on hand to quickly remind them that ignorance was not an excuse to breach the law and that their

professed ignorance or otherwise would be determined in the court.

Oriyomi Odutagbe, 41, and Yinka Odutagbe, 20, were recently rounded up after a raid at their PWD office, Ikeja, Lagos, following a tip-off that the two brothers were into forgery. Reports said the two brothers could clone anything under the sun for paltry sum of money and they enjoyed high patronage from gullible Nigerians. At the end of the raid, detectives were shocked at what they

Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 2012 — 49

How Police ASP killed ex-militant in Edo

another car belonging to the murdered Adiomamedo and his friend.

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….Family petitions CP

By GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE, Benin

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H E N M r. D e s t i n y Adiomamedo,30, and an exmilitant went to an eatery joint, “Mama Cool Restaurant”, situated at 22, Ist Ivbiore Street, off Wire Road ,BeninCity along with his friends to eat on the January 4, 2012, little did he know it was going to be his last day on earth. He was allegedly killed by some men of the Nigeria Police Force from the Anti-kidnapping section at the Edo state Command led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). They were said to have stormed the restaurant while the late Adiomamedo and his friends were waiting in the queue to be served.

The family of the late Adiomamedo represented by one Mr. Emwanta in a letter through their counsel, Mr. Edward Yalaju, titled: “Unlawful, Killing and Indiscriminate Murder of Mr. Destiny Adiomamedo addressed to the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olayinka Balogun, said the Police on arrival at the restaurant, “ordered the owner, one Mrs Charity Omoregie to show them where her customers were eating and on getting to where the said Mr. Destiny Adiomamedo, his friends and one Moses were waiting to be served food, the policemen ordered everybody present to lie down. They reportedly searched them and nothing incriminating was found on them, and other persons in the restaurant.

The counsel said that his client further informed him that the owner of the restaurant was quoted to have said that there was a mild drama and pandemonium when the police ordered the Destiny Adiomamedo to lie down, but he refused and was

going towards his car when suddenly, the ASP shot him twice at the back and he died.

“Shortly, other policemen were quarreling with the ASP for shooting Adiomamedo. There was a hot exchange of words between them.

The ASP alleged that Adiomamedo is on police wanted list, but there was disagreement in that allegation amongst the policemen.” The Lawyer further said the police later took away the corpse and arrested his friend, Moses who is presently being detained at the anti-kidnapping section of the Edo State Police Command. He disclosed that two days later, some policemen came back to the restaurant to remove the two cars, a Mercedes Benz and

two brothers for fraud saw in the make-shift office; about 700 metres from the Police Command headquarters.

Items recovered from the suspects included; 364 pieces of forged Federal Government vehicle proof of ownership certificates, 88 pieces of Lagos State licensing payment card also known as auto-reg; and 27 pieces of Federal Government of Nigeria certificate of road worthiness.

Others includes; 200 pieces of the Ogun State vehicle license, 400 pieces of Federal Capital Territory Abuja vehicle licence, 100 pieces of the Ogun State road traffic regulation Hackney carriage

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*CP, Edo State, Olayinka Balogun... we will address the issue

license and one Lagos State MOT seal.

The two brothers who insisted that they were not informed of the criminal implications of their nefarious activities however, blamed their involvement in crime on the harsh economic reality.

First to speak was Oriyomi, the eldest: “I use to print sign-age for people but the business was not lucrative and I could not fend for myself. So one day, I met a guy called Adamu, he was the one who introduced me to the business of making fake documents, I normally hang around the Shogunle vehicle licensing office where I called out to people that are coming to do documents to

Surprisingly, after two days of the unlawful killing, the police arrested the owner of the restaurant and were demanding for the sum of N500,000 for bail

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patronize me.

I usually tell them I can help get the document faster and cheaper so they will trust me and then I will get the fake documents for them.”

Continuing, he said, “You know people do not want to wait and they do not want to pay so much for their job, so what I normally do is to persuade them to patronize me with a token and before you know it, their documents are ready. Except you are an expert, you may never know that what I give is fake. For example, the auto-reg is worth like N1, 500 but we can sell the fake ones for N200; we usually sell our fake documents between N200 and N250 as the case may be whereas the official amount can be as much as N1,500”.

ccording to him, “Our client informed us that immediately the ASP carried out the murder, there was confusion and buck-passing by the police officers accusing each other over the gruesome murder of Adiomamedo whom they took to the Military Hospital Mortuary, BeninCity.

“That our client further informed us that at the point of arrest of the said Mr. Destiny Adiomamedo, there was exchange of words between the ASP and him, suggesting malice and vendetta for this unlawful and indiscriminate killing of an innocent citizen who was unarmed. Witnesses abound apart from the owner of the restaurant and they can testify to this heinous act without trial of the deceased in the hands of men of the anti- kidnapping section of the Nigeria Police.”

The Lawyer further alleged that, “Surprisingly, after two days of the unlawful killing, the police arrested the owner of the restaurant and were demanding for the sum of N500,000 for bail.

She made a statement to the police and gave a vivid account of this gory incident but was bailed immediately following the intervention of the Commissioner of police , but surprisingly, these same officers before releasing her,collected the sum of N400,0000. We demand for a full investigation immediately.We therefore passionately plead with you to call for the case file to preserve her statement because in any modern society, there are ways of dealing with any person who is alleged to be a criminal, extrajudicial killing has no place in moder n society, and killing of anybody outside the law is unacceptable”.

Saying that the late Destiny Adiomamedo has a right to life as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, he noted that nothing in the said Constitution justifies extra-judicial killing of any person no matter the offense he may have committed.

The family therefore pleaded with the Commissioner of Police to wade into the matter of the disregard for life, unravel and bring to book the officers who shot the young man dead,and other officers of the anti– kidnapping section of the state police command involved in the killing.

Besides, the family of the deceased is urgently requesting for a coroner inquest to be made in order to obtain the autopsy and investigation report of the murder of the innocent citizen who is presumed innocent until proved guilty, just as they added that this extra-judicial killing should not be swept under the carpet.

When contacted, Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olayinka Balogun said he was not the Commissioner in charge of the state when the incident occurred. He, however, promised to step up investigation into the issue.

C M Y K

50 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012

Animal farming is the easiest way of gaining employment, generate steady income----Expert OOD and farming are foundational to a healthy Nation, Nigeria has a good climate condition for farming and large areas of farmland, yet it has a problem with employment generation and food security through agriculture. Globally, farmers are said to be kings because they make food available for the society. Food, as we know, is a basic need that man can never do without. Therefore, there’s always a steady flow of money to serious farmers. As the scourge of unemployment and poverty continue to ravage millions of Nigerians, a farmer, Prince Arinze Onebunne Managing Consultant/CEO Jovana Farms, has affirmed that livestock farming is an invariable avenue to create sustainable jobs and ensure food security in the country.

According to him, Nigerians, especially the teeming youths, retirees, job seekers, etc can make a lot of money and produce the needed nutrients from snail, pig, fish, antelope and grassscutter farming.

Prince Onebunne, who is involved in animal farming, training services, farm set-up, technical support and consultancy, called on government at all levels to encourage animal farming by

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providing soft loans to grass root farmers to produce surplus food in Nigeria; so as to bring about the diversification of the Nigerian economy rather than expending billions of dollars annually in importation of food.

He said that, micro, small and medium scale agricultural enterprises would be drivers for achieving the goal of Nigeria beyond Oil. Onebunne who started animal farming many years ago, has grown the business to generate healthy profit. According to him, his success in animal farming is hinged on technical strategies, sound veterinary and animal husbandry research and use of affordable production methods that are suited to micro, smallscale producers. The experience he gained has been made available to entrepreneurs and potential farmers through his nationwide agro-awareness creation and sensitization seminars and workshops.

He said that livestock farming may not appear as classy as manufacturing or being in the financial services sector, but it holds a lot of promise. Many Nigerians moving to the urban areas in search of scarce whitecollar jobs would make money if they join the little group of wise Nigerians investing in animal

farming in their localities.

Opportunities in grasscutter farming However, livestock farming is a profitable business but amongst them, grasscutter seems to be the easiest and cheapest to invest in, the reason being that in grasscutter farming, you don’t need to buy feed like you do in fish farming, pig farming and poultry farming, he said.

“With N50,000 one can start grasscutter farming business.

This enables the beginner to purchase a family of grasscutter comprising one male and four females referred to as a colony. A colony is sold for between N35,000 and N45,000 depending on the age, weight and specie.

They can be reared in cages which cost N5,000. For him, grasscutter farming is probably the easiest way for people to become involved in agriculture.

Grasscutter can be reared at home. The cages can be kept in the house, compound, under staircase or within a kitchen space if there is no money to rent or buy a land for the business. Grasscutter feed on grass”.

The good thing, according to him, is that one female grasscutter can give five to eight litters (babies) at a go. He witnessed 12 at once in his farm, four female

means at least five litters (babies) each. This gives up to 20 litters at the end of the day. One can buy young grasscutter breeding stock at four months and rear them for another four months, they will start making babies when they are eight months old. If one does not have enough space to expand, the best option is to sell the babies to potential farmers.

He said there are demand always coming from hotels, eateries, beer palours and restaurants. As a result of high demand for grasscutter, his company launched nationwide seminars to get more Nigerians involved in the business.

Pig farming Pig farming is also profitable.

The business requires patience.

Anyone who wishes to go into pig farming must have passion for the business. Feeding pigs takes a period of 5 to 7 months before they mature for selling. You need to start with the weaners and they go for about N4,000. Those who don’t have good knowledge of the business can end up feeding their pigs for 10 months and get just 50kg. But if you really understand the nitty-gritty of pig farming, at seven months after weaning, you can get 75kg to 90kg. Pigs are sold according to their weight. If a pig weighs 90kg that means it will be sold for N22,500 at the rate of N250 per kilogramme, one can get between 12 to 18 piglets from sow at a go.

Reformed NAIP sues for individual improved skills

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onsidering its sensitive position in the Nigerian healthcare and with the reforms that have taken place in the association since the present administration came on board, the Nigerian Association of Industrial Pharmacists (NAIP) which opts to change the name, in its 3rd Bi-monthly General Meeting/Lecture held recently in Lagos, has tasked members to keep improving on their skills if they must deliver in their profession and sing a success story.

However, in confronting few challenges that would pose hindrance to membership development, the association has procured a housing estate scheme designed to build hope in the system and keep our young pharmacists focused on their job.

According to the National Chairman, Dr. Lolu Ojo, a business academy to build the necessary skills, competence and knowledge that will give our members the competitive edge and make them more productive has been designed. And this will help in build-

ing a vibrant society that will be the voice of the industry, he said.

Dr. Ojo said that the association is not lacking recognition as it has won for itself, PSN’s group dynamics trophy and others for excellent performance.

In this year’s first motivational lecture titled: “Charting the course: A story of success” Dr. Ojo said, NAIP aimed at repositioning and re-orienting members to remain focused before they can achieve their goals even in the midst of unfavourable economic environment in the country.

Guest speaker, Dr. Obiora Chukwuka, took time to x-ray the secret behind his success as the Executive Chairman, Greenlife Pharmaceuticals Ltd. In his admonition to all and sundry, he insisted that initiative,

focus, creativity, hardwork and ability to plan ahead would make you excel as an individual or corporate organisation where others fail. He also narrated those things that can cause a business to fail even with enough capital.

Chairman of this occasion, Prof Fola Tayo who is rich in knowledge, honour, integrity and also one of the mentors of the Pharmacy profession in Nigeria shared with stakeholders necessary ingredients that would make the industry soar in every aspect of its operation.

Some members while reacting to the business of the day, said there is need for merger with sister bodies to better the position of pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria for better achievement and professionalism.

Aviation sector needs more than banking, insurance rescue — Enahoro, NVMA boss

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN hile waiting for the outcome of the W investigation into the recent ill-fated plane crash, the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association has said that the aviation industry requires not only a reform but one that is farther in dept than the sanity that was brought into the banking and insurance industries in the recent past.

This view was made known to Vanguard by the National President of the association, Dr. Gani Enahoro yesterday.

Dr Enahoro who joined other Nigerians in condoling the families of those who lost their dear ones in the fatal accident said the regC M Y K

ulatory bodies equally deserve a thorough auditing to ensure that international standards are not compromised. “There cannot be domestication in Nigeria of what has been settled and regarded as unacceptable safety standards all over the world. The impunity with which airlines across the nation delay and cancel flights has always been questionable and create suspicion of a compromised industry regulatory system,” he stated.

Dr Enahoro said that accidents do not just happen, adding that people are known to conceal

signs of defects on the altar of greed and corruption, even at the risk of multiple deaths of others and in a few cases themselves.

He insisted that the promised “thorough” investigation that has been widely advertised should not spare anyone who is directly or remotely connected to the fatal crash, to serve as a deterrent to others of their likes.

He advised the media to equally give attention and prominence to the innocent non-passengers who lost their lives in the quietness of their homes when the plane crashed on them.

SATURDAY VANGUARD , JUNE 16, 2012—51

Bentley tries SUV segment ENTLEY, the renowned luxury car maker has joined the ranks of world Sport Utility Vehicle makers. The revered luxury car maker is joining the likes of Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche to give its customers an SUV with the powerful Bentley barge. The new SUV is development work is on- expected to be slightly going for the marine longer than the Range Rover and would surely module.

The NIA boss said the win Bentley more project will be formally followers.

The Bentley SUV is launched on Tuesday June 26, 2012 in Lagos, expected to be powered adding that critical by 600 brakehorse stakeholders such as power turbo engine NPF, FRSC, NCRIB, as which will be the most well as National Union of powerful engine fitted to SUV. It's Road Transport Workers an (NURTW) are expected transmission will be an eight-speed gearbox. to witness the event.

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NIID to reduce fraud in vehicles insurance HE proposed Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID) will reduce incidences of fraudulent insurance transactions and policies, especially for motor and marine policies.

Chairman Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr. Olusola Ladipo Ajayi, who disclosed this in Lagos, said that the scheme will serve as a vehicle for easy identification of genuine insurance documents by relevant authorized persons.

“Some of the benefits of the NIID system include monitoring and authenticating insurance transactions documents, reducing incidences of

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fraudulent insurance fraudulent insurance transactions and policies most especially for motor and marine policies” he said.

He added that the scheme would also reduce red tape and corruption by integrating with the vehicle registration system of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Police and other relevant government agencies.

According the Chairman, the association presently has over 500, 000 vehicle insurance policies on the database with a daily average upload of 2000 records.

“The National Insurance Commission

(NAICOM) and other stakeholders such as the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Federal Raod Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) have all signified sufficient interest in ensuring the acceptance of the system as the industry ’s database”

He said that presently, policy holders whose vehicle insurance details have been uploaded can check their motor insurance policy status via SMS and the internet.

Ajayi said that currently mobile handsets are being configured for LEAs for on-the-spot check of insurance validity of vehicles on the roads, adding that

Lagos moves to end Ikorodu traffick H

A V I N G successfully tackled the undiscriminating parking of trucks along

Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, the Lagos State government has vowed to put an end to the traffic problem in

Stakeholders laud Nigerian Auto Market Guide UTO Industry stakeholders have lauded the maiden edition of the Nigerian Auto Market Guide.

The publication which is due for public presentation at the Muson Centre on July 26, 2012 is a handbook on the Nigerian auto industry.

While the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology, Hon. Biodun Akinlade, described it as a very useful material which will go a long way in guiding all interested in the Nigeria auto market,

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saying even schools and institutes offering transport studies will find the publication a useful guide, the National Executive Secretary, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Nigeria, Mr. Francis Ehiguese, said “It is a welcome development and should be encouraged,” adding “ Any step that will lead to directing people to make the right choice is good.”

According to the Marketing Director, Elizade Motors and Chairman, Auto Sector of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry,

Mr. Olu Tikolo, said “The Nigeria Auto Market Guide is long overdue because the Nigeria auto industry lacked publication of this kind that will help those outside the industry know those serious players in the business.”

Managing Director, BKG Exhibitions, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, described The Nigeria Auto Market Guide as a missing link for the auto industry, saying “Now that it has been found, I think the industry should laud and appreciate it and the editors who have painstakingly researched

the sector.”

Speaking at the media launch of the maiden edition of the Nigeria Auto Market Guide on Monday, Managing Editor, Mr. Frank Kintum, said the book is an indispensable compendium which profiles, among others, the main auto distributing companies in the country; some of the brains behind the auto industry in Nigeria, as well as the profiles of some government officials who are connected to the auto industry; and the agencies connected with road transportation.

Ikorodu. To this end the state government has directed all commercial bus operating within Ikorodu and its environs especially those loading and discharging p a s s e n g e r s indiscriminately at the roundabout in the town to stop the act and move to the designated bus garage at Sabo or face the wrath of the law.

General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said this during a meeting jointly organised by the Agency and the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and other special Offences for the two recognised Unions in the State - the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) at the Task

Force Office, Alausa, Ikeja.

He said that commercial bus operators were also fond of flouting traffic rules and regulations as they always drive in direction prohibited by the law and turning the nooks and crannies of Ikorodu into parks rather than use the dedicated parks allocated to them.

Edu said the directive became necessary in order to curb the excesses of the commercial drivers and street urchins who have narrowed the road to suit their undesirable acts, thereby causing traffic and posing a serious security threat to the people. He warned that LASTMA officials would not hesitate to impound any vehicle found to have contravened the directive.

52 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012

Boko Haram is a very strange development to the nice people of the North – Suswan The Governor of Benue State, Barr. Gabriel Suswan has denounced the spade of bombings, assasinations and sundry violence attributed to the Islamic millitant sect, Boko Haram in the North, saying it was a very strange development to the nice people of Northern Nigeria. Suswan who spoke to some reporters in Kaduna after the last meeting of the Nothern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), said the Forum was doing much about the problem, and called for the collaboration of all stakholders Excerps:

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hat has your government been doing as regard the consistent Tiv/ Fulani clashes in Benue state?

We have been doing a lot to see to the end of farmers and Fulani clashes. Myself and the governor of Nasarawa state have formed a committee that has recommended far reaching decisions. We hope to take that report this month. Beyond that, we have formed more committees along the border areas between Benue and Nasarawa states. The local chiefs and the local government chairmen of affected areas are members.

The Governor of Nasarawa state has done the same. He has also formed community committees within Nasarawa state who are monitoring and proffering solutions to the two sides. I have also formed a committee within the Fulani leadership in Benue and some communities in Benue.

You will observe that there has been less of such clashes within the past one month or so.

But there is an angle to it that is a more disturbing. It is no longer an issue of Fulani herdsmen clashing with farmers. There is an element of criminality introduced into it. There are these criminals who would go and rustle Fulani cows. They may come from anywhere. But, the Fulani does not know who steal his cows. The thieves may not be Tivs. All he wants is his cows back. So, there is an element of criminality in it. Otherwise, as relate to farmers and Fulani herdsmen, we have substantially addressed the issue. By the grace of God, we shall soon all put that to rest.

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have also invited the Sultan of Sokoto to come to Benue on the 25th of this month (May) to perform a function and to sit down with the leaders of the Fulani and the leader of the Muslims here

for us to forge a way forward.

They will listen to him, because they respect him. I have done that before. The Governor of Nasarawa state and I have been doing quit a lot on this.

Many people are of the view that the NSGF is a mere political meeting to take tea and exchange phone numbers, because the bombings and killings have continued unabated. What is your take on that?

You know, at all times, it is better to be talking even if you are not discussing serious issues; but when you talk and interact among yourselves, you bring down tension. Despite the fact that people might choose to describe it as a meeting where we take tea and exchange banters, that alone indicates some sense of unity amongst us. In addition, it equally commands respect amongst followership, to mean that at least a crucial problem is bringing us together.

You know some people do not want anything good to come out of this country and

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BY: LUKA BINNIYAT

Gov. Gabriel Suswan have taken a very farreaching decision on how to address the problem.

However, you will agree with me that, what is happening now is an emerging phenomenon in the north that is very different and totally unknown to us. You see, prior to this ugly situation, if you are looking for the most peaceful region with very humble and law-abiding people in the civil service, private work and

However, today, it is here with us. Therefore, it is a new phenomenon and because of that, we are all joining hands to learn how we can jointly tackle it. You know, it is like you are living in a house that you have never experienced flooding. Then one day, suddenly your home is over flooded and is being washed away. You cannot say you planned against that flood.

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You know some people do not want anything good to come out of this country and as such, they criticize every good intension

as such, they criticize every good intension.

Yes, frankly, we meet as northern Governors and address very serious issues. If we were not talking, maybe the situation would have been worse than what we have now.

We take decisions and we make sure that at the individual and state levels, we follow it up. Like at the meeting of today, we have discussed seriously amongst ourselves as it relates to the security situation in the country and we

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politically, it was in the north that you got them. However, I do not think such is the situation now, and we must look at what has gone wrong to know why we moved from one extreme to the other extreme because these are two extremes.

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rom being extremely nice and tolerant people to having elements that bomb and kill at wlll, heavy criminals engaged in all sort of atrocities is completely strange to us.

ou have to look for ways to go around it before halting it. It's just like what we are confronted with. It just happened so fast. All of these things just happened within the last six months. In addition, it does not necessarily mean whether you are at the level of leadership or followership, this is taking us by surprise.

Therefore, every day, we are trying to find a solution to it.

If you look at terrorists from across the world, especially in places like Afghanistan, they articulate what their issues are.

But these people (Boko Haram) are not saying anything and that present a very difficult situation for the leadership, so it is not just about leadership as Northern Governors.

We are doing our best at our own level, but we can’t even see the people who are doing this, they are not ready to come to the table for discussion, so

what do you do? We have to go into intelligence gathering and, in intelligence gathering, it is the people that provide the necessary information to security agents.

What role should Notherners play?

We are calling on the support of all Northerners to help us by providing information. Now, look at our sad situation about investment - Kano is gone, Kaduna is gone, Jos is gone. These are the three most vibrant cities in the entire north. All of them are gone! Nobody wants to live in Kaduna; nobody wants to go to Kano and trade, who will go on holiday to Jos now?

Nobody!

So we have a very serious situation that affects us all, it is not about leadership failure.

Let’s not be pushing it on leadership. Yes, leadership has a large chunk of the responsibilities, but we need to come together and see it as our collective problem and not a leadership problem.

The only way to confront the security situation in the region is through intelligence gathering, which depends largely on the cooperation of the people to provide credible information to security agents since those behind the bombings are not spirits, but live among the people.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 16, 2012—53

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Things to do: lthough swollen prostate may w a r r a n t prolonged natural remedies, successful and effective treatment hinges mainly on purifying or detoxifying the blood and enhancing the functions of the liver.

These may be achieved through wholesome living: * Drinking up to 10 glasses of water daily– this helps to reduce congestion, the spread of infections, improves the functions of the prostate gland. * Occasional fasting exclusively on fruits and vegetables juices, e.g: – Carrot and spinach or cucumber juices.

– Diluted lemon or lime with pure honey.

Water melon, pawpaw or red grape fruit juice.

Tomato juice, red guava juice, wheat grass juice.

Onions juice (small quantity at a time).

Cabbage juice (common cabbage), fluted pumpkins juice, parsley.

Wheat grass juice, cranberry juice, etc. * During the fasting which may be 3–7days, warm water, highly diluted Aloe vera gel enema may be carefully administered to help decongest the colon and also the prostate gland. * After the fasting therapy, normal and

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he place of praise is the place for supernatural encounters for God is fearful in praises. Exo. 15:11, says “who is like unto thee, o Lord, amongst the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” There is no god like Jehovah. He inhabits the praises of His people. When you begin to praise God, He becomes fearful to your enemies through His manifestation. Whatever God inhabits He glorifies.

You cannot praise God and not see wonders in your life. Give Him consistent quality praise and see Him manifesting uncommon victories in your life. Know that praise is God’s meal and this is the only thing He takes from us. Give Him His food and He will bless you beyond your imagination. He has never failed and will never fail.

In Ps 34:1-5, the bible says, “I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord……O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together……… They looked unto Him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed”.

This text says that God’s praise should continually be in our mouth because those who commit to praising God continually

Praise your way to victory or all the time shall not be ashamed. The bible says in Isa. 61:7, for every shame in your life, God will give you double honour. As you commit to praising God, every kind of shame in and around your life and all your concerns shall come to an end. Trust God’s word.

He is who He says He is and would do what He says He would do. He is more than able for His words are forever settled.

While we were praising God in one of our monthly praise and power vigil which holds third last Friday of each month 10pm till dawn, the word of God came forth that a chapter has just been

Listen to me. No matter the strength of your enemies you can defeat them and encounter victory through praise.

The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but they are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Know that the battle is not yours but the Lord’s. God has never lost any battle or war. He is the greatest strategist. He knows the location of all your enemies. He knows their strength and plans. No wonder He sits in heaven and laughs at our enemies for He knows their end. It is time for you to turn your fears to

closed in our lives and that a new, better and glorious chapter has just been opened. Not quite two weeks after, a brother who has been working as an elephant but eating as an ant encountered a supernatural open door.

Today his story has changed. God has given him victory. There are many more testimonies that have been coming in from people just as a result of their constant praises to God. It works wonders. This brother’s shame has been wiped out for life. The reason I say this is because the blessings of the Lord maketh rich and added no sorrow to it.

For more details, contact us at Christ Reality Church, beside Gossard Hotel, opposite First Bank Sports Ground, Community Road, Satellite Town or P.O.Box, 3196, Yaba Lagos. Tel: 07029235279, 07029235280. E-mail: Johnson_crm@yahoo.com. Website: www.christrealityministries.org.

Our account details are Pastor Johnson Omomadia, Guaranty Trust Bank, A/C Nos. 0005171407.

Worship with us on Sundays, 1st Service: 745am-9:15am; 2nd Service 9:1511:30am. Wednesdays Word Revelation 6pm. Counseling days Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 11am-5pm daily or by appointment. Showers of blessing every 2nd - 4th Sat. of each month, 6 a.m - 7.15 am.

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More on herbal remedies for swollen prostate (II) wholesome eating commences: Eating plenty of fruits and vegetable especially red fruits like water melon, papaya, red grape fruit, red guava, tomatoes, red bell pepper. These are the richest sources of Lycopene which has been found to be very useful in maintaining prostate health and preventing the cancerous degeneration of the gland.

Eating plenty of onions, garlic, liver, oysters, shell fish, eggs, cashew nuts, etc. this are good sources of zinc which promotes prostate health.

Eating pumpkin seeds and water melon seeds, sesame seeds (roasted), whole grains, soya beans.

Plenty of salad using virgin coconut for salad dressing.

organs (testis and ovaries), prostate gland, colon, kidney, legs and feet, etc. This root chakra vibrates in Red colour When the flow of energy to this chakra is blocked or when it is not balanced, diseases of these organs manifest,

Red pepper, onions and tomatoes stew.

In energy medicine it is assumed that the root chakra located at the tail bone base of the spine governs and gives energy that maintains the health and the balanced activities of the sexual and reproductive Z

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Give Him consistent quality praise and see Him manifesting uncommon victories in your life

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praise. The result will amaze you and you will become a wonder to people.

King Jehoshaphat, caught the revelation and applied this weapon that gave his people an uncommon victory. It says in 2 Chronicles 20, that three nations came against Jehoshaphat to battle. The strength of the enemies was so strong that fear came upon the people and they ran to God. Thereafter, king Jehoshaphat raised up singers to go ahead of the army and the people singing “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endureth for ever”. As soon as they began to sing, God arose on their behalf and stepped in and set ambushments against their enemies who killed one another leaving behind the spoils of war, which the children of Isreal spent three days gathering for it was so much. They did not lift a single finger neither did the armies fight the enemies. All the children of Isreal did was to sing

praises unto the Lord and their victory manifested.

Whatever the enemy is contending with that is your inheritance, know that as you praise God, He will step in and force your enemies into defeat.

He has done it before and He will do it again. Don’t try to reason out how He will do it. Just do it regularly with quality.

Your story shall surely change. Stop fighting, quarrelling and backbiting people that are against you. Turn it over to God through quality consistent praise and see how fearful God can be in praises.

Remember that God will not share His glory with anyone. Start praising Him now. God bless you and bless our great country Nigeria.

Have you given your life to Jesus? If not, please pray this prayer. Father, I come to you as I am. I invite Jesus into my life to be my personal Lord and Saviour. Wash me cleanse with the blood of Jesus and empower me with the power of your Holy Spirit.

which diseases include prostatitis, sexual malfunctions, etc. These malfunctions are usually corrected by restoring the colour imbalance in the chakra.

One of the ways of achieving this is to place the patient on RED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, PROTEINOUS FOODS, etc., e.g.tomatoes, red pepper, red apple, red guava, red grape fruits, water melon, papaya.

These are good sources of lycopene and other powerful antioxidants and other powerful antioxidant like Quercetin, vitamin A, etc., that promote the health of the prostate and repair the damaged cells that can degenerate into cancerous growths in the prostate.

Other foods that are good for the prostate and reproductive and sexual organs include: The root vegetables such as garlic, onions, carrot, beet root, ginger, turmeric, radishes, sweet potatoes, mango, pineapple, citrus fruits, (orange, tangerine), strawberry.

Others are sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, cashew nuts, coconut, soya beans and its products, pure honey, red wine, zobo (sorrel drinks) etc., SUPPLEMENTS Most practitioners usu-

ally supplement the patient’s diets with the following supplements: Antioxidants: – Vitamins A, E, C, beta–carotene, B5 (Pantothenic acid) – Selenium, zinc, calcium and magnesium.

– Lycopene.

– Omega 3 fish oil.

– Bee pollen (flower pollen).

– Bee pollen/ Ginseng/ Royal gel.

These supplements are believed to boost the immune system generally.

Other helpful home remedies includes: *Apple cider vinegar mix with blackstrap molasses. *Cabbage juice (common cabbage). *Cayenne powder in milk. *Ginger/Garlic/Black pepper/ Cayenne. *A mix of Ugu (fluted pumpkin leaves) juice with milk – for weak erection. *Apple cider vinegar – 2 spoons –4 Water spoons Mixture Lemon juice –½ spoons Baking soda –¼ spoons *Chewing the roasted seeds of sesame seeds help in nourishing prostate gland. *50 to 60gm of ground pumpkins seeds in a glass of diluted milk.

54 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012

Pillars’ spokesman goes spiritual for league crown

BY IME BASSEY

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EDIA Officer of Kano Pillars, Malikawa Guru has affirmed that Kano Pillars will reproduce its 2008 feat by winning the league this season.

He made this known to Inside Out Premier League after his side drew 1-1 with Niger Tornadoes at the Mamman Kantagora Stadium in Minna, stressing that the last time the Kano based side won the league, they drew Niger Tornadoes with same score line towards the end of the season.

“The fact is that the last time we won the league in 2008, we drew here in Minna against Niger Tornadoes, so I want to believe that we are on the part way to replicate that feat this season,” Guru said.

On the team’s game

against Sharks of Port Harcourt next Wednesday, the Kano State born spokesman said that the team will return back to Kano with a 1-2 away win.

“We are going to Port Harcourt to what we did in 2008. I am sure we will leave the stadium with the needed three points.

We will win 1-2,” Guru assured.

I'm not under pressure to deliver – ABS T/A

BY KATE OBODO

Technical Adviser of Abubakar Bukola Saraki, ABS Football Club of Ilorin, Dogo Suleiman has said he is not under pressure to deliver results to the management.

Suleiman was promoted to the position of Technical Adviser of the team, having acted as the caretaker coach since the removal of Erasmus Onuh.

ABS has only managed one win and a draw since Dogo resumed in his new position.

He told Inside Out Premier League that, “I recorded my first win as

the technical adviser against Wikki but I was very disappointed with the draw at home against Heartland last Thursday.

I am not under pressure from the management because they have always supported my programmes.

“I am a young coach and I am only putting myself under the heat because I want to write my name among achievers in the history of the league. I will do my best alongside my technical crew to proffer solutions to the team's poor outings,” Suleiman said.

LYMPIC 4x100m bronze medalist, Uchenna Emedolu has written off the chances of Nigeria's men's relay teams qualifying for the London 2012 Olympics.

Emedolu, was speaking against the background of dwindling performances by the male sprinters who have consistently failed to make Olympic A standard performances just as Nigeria is yet to hit the top 16 qualifiers for the Games with roughly a month left.

“It will take a miracle for us to make the final cut. This is because our sprinters have not been up to the scratch,” said the 2003 All Africa Games 200m champion.

He blamed officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria for the stalled growth of male sprinters in the country.

“The federation is not helping matters by favouring a few athletes.

There are many talented male sprinters in this country, but the people at the AFN are not interested in looking at them.

“There is need for a change of attitude by

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Emedolu writes off Nigerian relay teams

•Metu those in affairs otherwise we will continue to have our athletics going down,” he said.

The Nigerian men's quartet have up till July to improve on their

timing if they are to win a spot on the top 16 list.

The men's 4x100m's best time so far is 39.30 seconds while that of the men 4x400m is 3.06.74 seconds.

Ijirigho happy with turn out at south-south meet ROSS River State grassroots sports development consultant, Bruce Ijirigho has expressed satisfaction with the out come of this year's South-South A t h l e t i c s Championships, which ended in Calabar on Thursday.

Dr. Ijirigho, a former Nigerian 400m champion stated that there has been remarkable improvements in the performances of the athletes, adding that these youngsters will continue to undergo specialised training to bring out their best in the sport.

“This year's championships was a lot better than what we had last year. And if not for the grand prix in Warri we could have had a record entry.

“There were noticeable improvements in our junior athletes and we expect some of our senior athletes to do well at the All Nigeria, CRS championships next week,” said Dr. Ijirigho.

The South-South championships is part of

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FIGHT-TO-FINISH: Olabisi Samuel of 3SC being challenged by an ABS player during a league game.

Adepoju satisfied with 3SC performance, eyes continental ticket

By KATE OBODO ANAGER of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, Mutiu Adepoju has expressed delight over the team’s recent position on the league table.

Adepoju believes that the Oluyole Warriors would finish among the top three at the end of the season in order to grab a continental ticket.

“I'm happy with the recent development of my team and if we

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continue like this, our continental dream will be realised. But then, we need to work harder towards achieving it. We started the season on a low note.

“To boost the performance of the team, we had to sign-up more players during the mid-season transfer window which improved the quality of the team. I am charging my players to look ahead of the challenges in the remaining matches and prove to our rivals that they are the real stars,” Adepoju told Inside Out Premier League.

the training programme meant to test the prowess of the athletes discovered from the local governments of the state.

And Cross River athletes continue to dominate the

event. It is the hope of the Cross River sports officials to extend their dominance to the national level at the 2014 National Sports festival.

Amiesimaka buries mum today

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HAIRMAN of the planning committee for the Nigerian Court of Arbitration for Sports, Barr.

Adokiye Amiesimaka will today roll out the drums for the burial of his beloved mother, Mrs Abigail Odieipiribo Amiesimaka.

The deceased, who hailed from Owolo Umuanu in Awolomebiri Okirika in Rivers State, is to be buried in her residence at 14C Tank Road, ATC, Okirika Island after a funeral service at 12 noon at St Peter’s Cathedral, Okirika Island Born on May 7, 1934, she married Mr S.T.L Amiesimaka at 15 years. They had eight children, with seven surviving them. Barr. Adokiye was their fourth child and first son.

According to a statement issued by the 1980 Nations Cup winner and former Attorney General of Rivers State, the deceased was the backbone and rallying point of the family, a dutiful, loving and dedicated mother, who wholeheartedly supported their late dad to ensure that the children received quality education.

“She also encouraged me to simultaneously engage academics and sports. Widely travelled, competent in several languages and popularly acclaimed to be exceedingly generous, accommodating, broadminded and tolerant, probably explains why we the children are married from different parts of Nigeria and Europe. My siblings and I thank God for the privilege of being able to have her as mother”, informed Amiesimaka.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 16, 2012 — 55

Go for early goals, Izilein charges Eagles

By KATE OBODO

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ormer Eaglets’ coach Godwin Izilien has urged the Super Eagles to go for early goals against the Wasp of Rwanda in the reverse fixture of the 2013 Nations Cup qualifier at the U.J. Esuene Staduim in Calabar today.

The former Falcons coach who expressed happiness with Stephen Keshi’s rebuilding process said the only way the Eagles could disarm the Rwandese is to score as many goals as possible.

“Honestly speaking, I’m delighted with the recent moves in the national team,” Izilien said in a phone interview, adding, “ I really want the team to qualify without much struggling. Rwanda shouldn’t pose a problem for us but the rash reality is that there are no minnows in football any more.

It will also do the team a whole lot of good if they utilise the chances that come their way.

Reacting on the late goal conceded by goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama in Saturday’s

2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Malawi, the former Falcons coach said, “ I think they should put that behind them and see how they can improve in Saturday ’s game. I think Enyeama made a mistake and has learned from it therefore, they need to be focused and determination is the key.”

He urged Nigerians to support the team rather than criticise them.

“When you talk about the greatest critics in the whole world, Nigerians are number one. That we drew in Malawi is an opportunity for the players to make amends in Saturday’s (today) game. If we had lost that game, hell would have been let loose.

“I know Nigerians are still sulking from the late draw but then this is a fairly new team and I think Keshi is on the right track,”Izilein said.

A win would ensure Nigeria moves to the next round of the 2013 Nations Cup qualifying stage.

Rwanda: Okonkwo faults NFF’s ultimatum to Keshi

By IME BASSEY

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eteran coach, Emma Tette Okonkwo has expressed sadness over the ultimatum given to Super Eagles gaffer, Stephen Keshi by the NFF to beat Rwanda or get the boot.

The former Falconets coach stated that the ultimatum of ‘lose and be sacked’ against the Wasps of Rwanda should have been articulated in his contract before now and not when the tie is now a decider, adding that if this had been done, Keshi would have approached the rebuilding process differently.

“The fact is that we don’t have standards. They (NFF) employed him and now halfway, they are saying if he doesn’t win, he faces the exit door. They should have told him from the beginning and he would have known his fate,” Coach Okonkwo said.

The former coach of the defunct Niger Dock Football Club said that the Eagles have improved massively since Keshi took over.

“I saw the game against Namibia and I discovered that the team have improved greatly compared to where

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(Samson) Siasia left off. I know the team will win the game to douse all the fears in the heart of Nigerians,” he added.

An action during a match at the finals of the Gulder 5-A-side football competition at the National Stadium Gymnasium in Lagos.

New NGF board promises to fast track golf development

By KATE OBODO

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new sixteen-man board of the Nigeria Golf Federation, NGF was during the week in Lagos unveiled at the Ikoyi Club 1938 by Otunba Olusola Adekanola, Chairman of the Consolidated Management Consultants Limited.

The board members who were introduced to the Nigerian press at the golf section of the club include Chief Sam Iredia, the Federation’s President, Otunba Olusola Adekanola, 1st Vice President, Alh. (Dr.) Mohammed Indimi, 2nd Vice President, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Gen. C.K. Emein (rtd), Sir Lucky Omoluwa, Brig. Gen. Musa Sheu (rtd), Dr. Gaius Obaseki, Sir. Yomi Williams, Legal, Mr. Frank Igbene, Rules, Mr. Dominic Andrew, Rules, Mrs. Farida Wada, Youth

Development, Ms. Emen Ekong, Youth Development, Mr. Pius Anakali, Media, Tony Nkeze, Secretariat and Remi Olukoya, the board’s coordinator.

Speaking further at the media unveiling, Adekanola said the dream of the federation is to create awareness and attract support from corporate organisations and individuals in the interest of the game.

While urging Nigerians to join in the celebration of the new dawn in golf, he disclosed that that the Nigeria Tourism D e v e l o p m e n t Corporation,NTDC, has also shown its readiness to support the federation in realising its dreams.

Top on the card of the NGF programme, Adekanola explained, is the creating of awareness of the game at the

primary and secondary school levels, construction of driving ranges and building of golf academies in the six geo-political zones of the country.

President of the federation, Sam Iredia who also spoke at the unveiling reeled out some other areas that the board will focus on.

The high point of Iredia’s speech was on the readiness of the board to revive the Nigeria Open, attract famous golfers like Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Rory McIlroy to Nigeria, saying bringing such will encourage men and women to take to the game while also attracting corporate support.

The federation’s flagship tournament, the President Cup, Iredia said, will be made much bigger while plans to host the maiden Governor ’s cup is also in the pipeline..

Kaduna, Benue book places in IEI Hockey finals

By IME BASSEY

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he third edition of this year’s International Energy Insurance (IEI) Hockey National League Savannah Conference ended over the weekend at the hockey pitch of the Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna with host Kaduna and Kano State teams qualifying for the Premier League finals in Abuja later in the year.

Kano set the ball rolling by defeating Benue 1-0 in the opening game of the male event but lost their second match 2-1 to Kaduna. Kaduna on the other hand were beaten 1-0 by Benue to leave all the teams with three points apiece. Kano and Kaduna however qualified over Benue with superior goals.

Benue female team however made the state proud by winning the female event

ahead of Kaduna. They defeated Kaduna 1-0 in the opening game of the event to claim one of the tickets to the Abuja finals.

The Savannah Conference experience was described by tournament director, Salisu

Jabbo as exemplary.

“We had a great tournament and fans came from Kano, Bauchi and Benue States to cheer their players. The standard was also high, especially in the male event where all the teams gave a good account of themselves,” he said.

The following teams have booked their places in the grand finale, 2011 winners, Yobe Desert Warriors, runnersup, Niger Flickers, Union Bank, Plateau Flickers, Police Machine, Bayelsa flickers and Imo Heartlands.

AAU honours golf promoter, Okpere HE man who founded the UBTH Golf course, Professor Eugene Okpere, was recently honoured by the Ambrose Ali University for his great service to the society, especially higher institutions of learning.

Okpere, while serving as the Chief Medical Director of the UBTH, did the impossible when he transformed a lavish forest which usually harboured criminals and cultists into a full blown 18-hole golf course at a time he was not even playing the game.

Okpere’s logic at the time was

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clear enough. He simply worked out a Maths which suggested that the money he was spending to maintain a notorious forest, and still keep criminals off the huge land space outweighed what he would spend if he was to transform the forest into a golf course.

He opted for the course. Today the UBTH course ranks among international ‘tournament’ rated’ courses in Nigeria. The club today has over 500 members, mostly doctors, in its fold.

Expectedly, the club is set to give back to their founder. And to ensure this, a full tournament involving close to 100 golfers from Edo and Delta states will hold today at the lush UBTH course. The tourney is in celebration of Okpere’s newest honour from a University. ”This is kind of members”, Okpere said. “I do things to help the society. And if the society remembers such gesture, it’s indeed heart-warming”.

SATURDAY Vanguard, June 16, 2012

Eagles’ll will triumph against Rwanda, Erico assures •Kick-off time 4pm

BY PHILIPS ADEFIOYE

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SEE WHAT I MEAN … Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi passing instructions to striker, Victor Moses during the World Cup qualifier against Namibia in Calabar. Today at the same stadium, the Eagles battle Rwanda in a decider for the next round of the 2013 Africa Nations Cup. Photo by Sylva Eleanya

ormer Super Eagles assistant coach, Joe Erico has urged the Super Eagles to improve on their game when they file out against the Wasps of Rwanda in the return leg of the 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar today.

Erico told Saturday Vanguard Sports in an exclusive interview in Lagos that the 1-1 draw against the Flames of Malawi in Blantyre was a sign of improvement on the team’s part.

He hinted that if the players could play the way they played against Namibia in Calabar and Malawi in Blantyre, the Eagles would excel beyond expectation, adding that when a coach is building a new team, there is always an ups and downs situation.

“If our guys should play the way they did against Namibia and Malawi, really we are going to excel. We need the victory which I believe we are going to get on Saturday (today) against the Wasps of Rwanda in Calabar.

“We should stop saying that we manage to draw against Malawi, I will not

subscribe to that. We created a lot of chances in our previous matches but we missed them and that is what the game is all about.

I will not subscribe to a situation whereby people will say we managed to win or draw. This is a team that Keshi is trying to mold into a solid team. The present Eagles are not all about connection but merit,” Erico said.

The Former Nigerian goalkeeper who pleaded on behalf of Vincent

Today’s matches Czech Rep. v Greece v

Poland Russia

- 7.45 p.m.

- 7.45 p.m.

CROSS WORD PUZZLE Across 1 L.G.A in Bauchi State – (4) 3 Desert in Africa – (8) 7 Warri Wolves FC Defender, Sunday – (3) 8 Cameroun Striker and Inter-Milan Forward, Samuel – (4) 9 Italy “Azzuris” Striker, Luca – (4) 10 L.G.A in Enugu State – (5) 12 Former Super Eagles Coach, Lars – (9) 16 The Emir of Katsina, HRM Alhaji Abdulmumuni – (5) 19 Former Minister of Science & Technology, Professor Turner – (5) 20 Muslim Holy Book – (5) 22 Manchester United Fullback, Rio – (9) 25 Cote D’Ivore “Elephants” Defender, Kolo – (5) 27 France “Ligue 1” Premiership Clubside – (4) 28 Brazillian Currency – (4) 30 Ivory Coast National President, Mr. Alassane – (8) 31 Former Cross River State Governor, Clement – (4) Down 1

Ikhana assures Nigerians on Falcons

Enyeama urged Nigerians to overlook his mistake that denied the country the maximum three points against the Flames of Malawi in Blantyre last Saturday.

“Mistakes are bound to happen, it is not his wish to allow the ball in, but all the same he has seen and will correct his mistakes that denied Nigeria the maximum points a g a i n s t Malawi”,Erico stressed.

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1 World Bank President, Robert – (8) 2 Cross River State Governor, Liyel – (5) 3 Ethnic Group in Nigeria – (5) 4 He designed the Nigerian Flag, Taiwo – (9) 5 State in Nigeria – (4) 6 Former Delta State Governor, Mr. Felix – (4) 11 CBN’s Head of Currency Operations, Muhammad – (3) 13 L.G.A in Benue State – (4) 14 Sweden Prime Minister, Fredrick – (9) 15 French Word for “Love” – (5) 17 Yoruba Word for “Three” – (4) 18 Indian Capital City – (8) 21 State in Nigeria Known as “Pacesetter State”? – (3) 23 L.G.A in Katsina State – (5) 24 Medical Attendant – (5) 25 Country in Africa – (4) 26 L.G.A in Abia State – (4)

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By KATE OBODO

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uper Falcons coach, Kadiri Ikhana has assured Nigerians that his girls will have a convincing victory over the Mighty Warriors of Zimbabwe in the second leg of the Africa Women’s Championship qualifier holding

today at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

The Falcons defeated the Zimbabweans 20 in Harare a couple of weeks ago and Ikhana told Saturday Vanguard sports that his wards would wrap up victory in this reverse fixture.

“We are battle ready for Zimbabwe and also ready to finish what we started in

Harare last month.

I’m sure my girls won’t disappoint.

We have been able to work on all areas of the team and I hope they would showcase their worth and come out with a good result,” he said.

Meanwhile, Former Falcons coach Joseph Ladipo, a.k.a Jossy Lad is also

confident about the girls’ performance in today ’s tie against the Zimbabweans.

“I don’t have any doubt about the team because I know they are capable.

I’m optimistic they would do well but they should not u n d e r r a t e Zimbabwe,” the former Shooting Stars coach warned.

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Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) EDITOR: CHIOMA GABRIEL. All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

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