Justice Kayode Eso dies @ 87

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Justice Kayode Eso dies at 87

BY OUR REPORTERS

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retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice Kayode Eso, 87, is dead. He passed on at the early hours of yesterday in London.

A statement by his family which was signed by Olumide Eso, announced the death. The statement which was entitled, ‘’The Honourable Justice Kayode Eso, JSC, CON, CFR,’’ reads, ‘’With Glory to Almighty God we wish to announce the peaceful passing on of our husband, father, grandfather, and brother the Justice Kayode Eso on Friday November 16, 2012 at Hammersmith Hospital London United Kingdom.

He is survived by his wife Mrs. Helen Aina Eso, (whom he married on January 16, 1954) his children Funmilayo Eso Williams and Olumide Eso, as well as his grandchildren.’’

Born on September 18, 1925, Justice Eso practised law at all levels; in practically all the courts in Nigeria, up to the West African Court of Appeal and later the Supreme Court.

After his university education at Trinity College, Dublin between 1949 and 1953, was called to the English Bar by the English Council of Legal Education in November, 1954. He was also called to the Nigerian Bar same year.

Eso was appointed the Acting Judge of the High Court of Western Nigeria in March 1965. Thereafter, he became a Justice of the Court of Appeal Western Nigeria and then, Acting President of the Court of Appeal Western Nigeria.

He was appointed the first Chief Judge of Oyo State, January 1978 and September 18 1990, following the creation of the state before he was appointed Justice of the Supreme Court. After his retirement from the Bench, he was engaged in legal consultancy and arbitration.

According to his biography written by Professor Ade Ajayi and Yemi Akinseye-George, a senior lecturer at the department of public and international law, University of Ibadan, and formerly a fellow at Princeton University, Justice Eso start-

ed his formative years in public service.

The book also illuminates various episodes in contemporary history where Justice Eso played prominent roles, like in the Legal Department of the Civil Service put together in the 1950s for the Western Region, the functioning of the Ministry of Justice in the politically turbulent Akintola years and the controversial Western Nigera Court of Appeal.

The book has chapters on law, human rights, corruption and good governance, and international dimensions.

However, when Saturday Vanguard visited his Ikolaba residence at 11:05am yesterday, it was evident that the news of his death had not yet spread as only workers of the late jurist were seen.

They declined to make comments on the cause of his death saying all the children of the respected judge were abroad and would be in the best position to make comments.

However, Saturday Vanguard gathered that the late incorruptible judge travelled to London in August.

It was also gathered that Justice Eso usually travelled to London every year and spend three months before returning home.

His Secretary for many years, Mrs. Desola Oluwasola refused to comment on her master ’s death, saying that one of the late jurist’s daughters in- law would arrive the country yesterday evening.

Meanwhile, a condolence register has been opened at his residence.

The first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Chief Folake Solanke who was the first to sign the condolence register simply wrote “resquiescat in pace.” Chief Solanke later said she was in a state of shock.

She told Saturday Vanguard that, “this interview is very difficult for me. But, as a professional calling, I will grant it.

He was one of the best of the best on the bench. Nigeria has lost the most upright judge. He lived his life as a God-fearing man.

As a justice of the Supreme Court, he represented the golden age.

His legal knowledge was

awesome. He was always ready to help. The thought that he is no longer here is too painful to bear. He was always very vast in law and an intellectual delight to the legal profession.

Anytime you had a case before him, he would read your file and ready to engage in banter with a lawyer. He was very very cerebral” Other eminent Nigerians who reacted to the death yesterday include President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President, Namadi Sambo, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, former Judge of the World Court, Chief Bola Ajibola, Governors Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo); Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Justice Ebenenzer Adebanjo and the Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Ikeja branch, Monday Ubani.

Other Senior Advocates of Nigeria who lalso lamented Justice Eso’s exit include Chief Richard Akinjide, Sunday Olorundare, Tayo Oyetibo, Chief James Ocholli, Sabastian Hon, Segun Ajibade, Olisa Agbakoba, Professor Itse Sagay, Chief Mike Ozekhome, Lai Babatunde and Segun Ajibola. Among other eminent lawyers who reacted to Justice Eso’s death are Bamidele Aturu, Kayode Ajulo Nick Abugu and Festus Keyamo. Some of them described the death as a “great disaster to the judiciary and legal profession,’’ adding that ‘’he was one of the best judges this country has ever produced.”

Reactions: Nigeria has lost a great legal mind with Justice Eso’s death – President Jonathan President Goodluck Jonathan said he received news of the death of retired Justice Samuel Kayode Eso with sadness and a feeling of great national loss.

On behalf of himself and the Federal Government, Jonathan extended his heartfelt condolences to the Eso family, their friends, associates and the government and people of Osun State as they mourn the eminent jurist,

Late Justice Kayode Eso a courageous judge and consistent advocate for an independent judiciary, whose long and exemplary life was dedicated to the service of law and order, and the dispensation of true justice, equity and fairness to all.

He said Eso will forever be remembered as a very bold, fearless and courageous judge who contributed enormously to establishing the independence of the Nigerian judiciary, and the national effort to entrench the highest levels of professionalism, discipline and integrity in the country’s legal system.

Jonathan believes that members of the legal profession in Nigeria will always owe a debt of gratitude to the late Justice Eso for his immense legacy of learned, erudite and seminal judgments, prodigious writings and major interventions in national debates on and outside the Bench which will always be remembered for their incisiveness, thoroughness, intellectual touch and impact.

Vice President Sambo who reacted through his Special Adviser, Media, Alhaji Umar Sani said: It came to me as a rude shock for the nation to lose eminent statesmen and giants in their respective fields of jurisprudence and politics in the persons

of Dr Abubakar Olusola Saraki and Justice Kayode Eso, all in one week.

While we mourn the demise of this fine gentlemen, we take solace in the fact that the Almighty God loves them more.We pray for the repose of their souls and for their respective families, the fortitude to bear the loss.

Justice Kayode Eso was integrity personified — Atiku Atiku in a statement by his media office in Abuja yesterday extolled the extraordinary virtues of integrity of the late retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Kayode Eso. Atiku, said the late legal luminary was notable for his courage and integrity because of his role in saving the image of the judiciary from the nadir of moral eclipse. As a judicial activist, he said the late Justice Kayode Eso was always on the side of justice, regardless of whose ox was gored.

He also recalled that almost every administration in Nigeria had invited Eso to head one judicial inquiry or another because of the recognition that he was a rare man of probity.

According to Atiku, Honour counted above money in the eyes of the late Eso and even his ene-

mies must privately find themselves admiring his unique uprightness. One of the greatest desires of any man was to retire with his integrity intact and the late Eso had achieved this ambition. The late Eso deserves a special place in the pantheon of Nigeria’s judicial heroes and judges and lawyers should imbibe his virtues to make our judiciary more vibrant, unbiased and fearless.

Justice Eso’s Death Another Great Loss-Mimiko Coming few days after the death of former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lam Adesina and the strongman of Kwara politics, Dr Olusola Saraki, the Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko described the demise yesterday, of Justice Kayode Eso as another great loss to the nation and the judiciary in particular. He said Eso’s exit has robbed Nigerian legal jurisprudence of a great mind.

The governor said Justice Eso, a legal iconoclast played his part in promoting the course of justice and rule of law, doing it with passion that has no equal.

Justice Eso’s death, Mimiko submitted, is “ another death too many in this land that has con-

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Justice Kayode Eso dies Continued from Page 5 tinue to deplete the rank and file of the death of the best of men in Nigeria.”

Mimiko asked Eso’s family to take solace in the fact that their patriarch lived a life of honesty, probity, transparency and hardwork in his chosen legal career.

“You can mourn but be comforted because our fallen patriot lived a life of honesty, probity and integrity with hardwork which earned him goodwill in the comity of great men, his memories shall remain everlasting while the legal and the principles he lived for shall remain our guidance forever.”

David Mark mourns Eso: Senate President David Mark has described the death of late supreme court Justice Kayode Eso as a monumental loss to the the Judiciary and the country.

According to Mark, late Eso was one of the proponents of the legal reforms that ushered in the era of dignity and the independent of the nation’s judicial system. ”Eso left his positive footprint on the sands of time As a legal officer and jurist, Eso was a voice for the voiceless. He defended the defenseless and was there for the oppressed.He was forthright and a distinguished officer. Nobody doubted his integrity and where he stood on national issues were clearly unambiguous. He was a patriotic Nigerian”.

He urged the Osun state government and the people, especially the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that the erudite jurist left a legacy worthy of emulation.

Fayemi mourns Eso Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, expressed regret over the death of retired Supreme Court Justice, Kayode Eso, describing his passage as a “big blow to the Judiciary in particular and the nation at large.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, Fayemi described Eso as “an incomparable legal giant whose contribution to jurisprudence will remain indelible in Nigeria and Africa; an impartial, incorruptible and fearless judge who did justice to all cases before him regardless of personalities involved. He was the conscience of the nation’s ju-

diciary”, Fayemi recalled that the late judge was fothright in arriving at his decisions as a judicial officer and never allowed anybody to initimidate him.

Fayemi said Eso was a role model to upcoming lawyers and judges in commitment, dedication, industry and discipline which helped him to maintain a scandal-free career both at the Bar and on the Bench. His death has created a big void in the league of eminent Nigerian jurists whose counsel and contribution will be crucial as the nation embarks on another round of constitution amendment process.

Amaechi mourns: Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi expressed shock over the demise of Justice Kayode Eso. In a statement by his spokesman, Mr. David Iyofor, Amaechi described Justice Eso as an accomplished jurist, a rare breed of uncommon wisdom and sharp intellect who always stood on the side of the law and what is right.

He hailed Justice Eso’s enormous contributions to the growth of Nigeria’s legal and justice system through his contributions as a justice of the Supreme Court. Justice Eso was a man of uncommon virtues. His work in the apex court would not be easily forgotten. Most important to us here in Rivers State was his commitment to the Rivers State Truth and Reconciliation Commission, TRC, which he chaired, contributing to the return of peace and sanity in the state.

Tinubu mourns Eso Justice Kayode Eso’s death has left a gaping hole that can never be filled in the Nigerian judiciary, “Nigeria has lost in Justice Eso a golden heart and an irrepressible soul burning with justice, fairness and equity. He packed so many good traits: scholarship, character, modesty, boldness, honesty, integrity and candour. He was the quintessential judicial role model.

“His loss is no doubt painful. But you must rejoice in this gift to the world. Even as you grieve, you must thank God for this rare gift, who has nevertheless been called by his creator, after he had live to ripe old

age,” he told his family.

The former governor of Lagos State added that Justice Eso was one of the “classical” justices in the golden age of Nigeria’s Supreme Court.

“Our Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, once famously declared that justice was the first condition of humanity. Justice Eso was one of those that ensured through his wisdom and rigour of judicial pronouncements, that basic justice never escaped the average Nigerian, even if he served for most part under military rule.

He ensured that justice was done, even if the heavens would fall.”

Justice Eso was a patriot-guide, who by the instrumentality of the law, pointed his compatriots to the right way, and insisting on the rule of law. Justice Eso never shirked in his judicial responsibilities, even when the powers-that-be were involved.

His minority judgment over the 1979 presidential election, in which he rejected the latter day idea that two-thirds of 19 states could be anything than 13, and nullifying President-elect Shehu Shagari’s election. This development underscores his judicial engineering to achieve justice.

Eso was one of the justices that fired my administration in Lagos State to institute far-reaching judicial reforms, aimed at increasing access to justice and fastening the pace of the courts and ensuring fairness for all.

Peter Obi: Gov. Peter Obi described the death of Justice Eso as another great lost to the nation.

He said Nigerians were comforted by his contributions to the growth and development of jurisprudence as well as his many other contributions to the development of the country.

Justice Eso, Deacon of integrity takes a bow — Professor Sagay “Apart from Justice Oputa there is none like him.

He brought sound leadership, discipline into the Nigerian judicial system.

Infact, one does not know how to react to his death.

Late Justice Eso left an indelible footprints in the sands of times. His landmark judgments cannot be easily forgotten in the years to come. It was

Gov. Peter Obi (middle), flanked by the Morrocan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Youssef Amrani(right) and the Morrocan Ambassador to Nigeria , Mustapha Bowh( left)at a meeting in Abuja.

From left: Mr. Doxter Adeola, Assistant category manager, Skin cleasing, Uniliver; Mr. James Inglesby, Category manager deos and Skin care and Chris Adigwe, Manager communication channel management, during the Unilever's Press Conference on Pure as Mother. while at the Supreme Court, that he established a remarkable status all over the world; that the court remains the hope for the hopeless and a pinnacle of justice. People like him, Justice Oputa, Aniagolu, Mohammed Bello, Amaechi and Nnamani gave a ruling that the judiciary is totally independent and cannot bow to principalities of power.

This was exemplified in the case of Lagos State government versus Ojukwu. Justice Eso was able to establish then that the judiciary cannot be cowed.’ Another fearless and courageous judgment by the late legal luminary was the mystery gunman case, which was the trial of Wole Soyinka over his role in the broadcast which the government of

the defunct Western Region of Nigeria termed offensive. Justice Eso returned a verdict of not guilty on Soyinka. Shortly after the judgment he was transferred from Ibadan to Akure, then regarded as a rural station.

ACN, CPC mourn Chairman of ACN, in Osun State, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi has expressed rude shock on the death of Justice Kayode, Eso, saying his death marks the end of an era in Nigerian history.

ACN’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi, said Adebiyi further described late Eso as a disciplined judge who was committed to the course of Nigerian project, stressing that his contribution to the country’s judiciary would

remain indelible.

For the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Eso, in his life-time, showed the way in judicial courage and uprightness. He never pandered to the majority at any time to do what he felt was unsupportable with available evidence and the dictates of his conscience.

He said “With the passing of Justice Eso, a great era of judicial integrity has come to an end. It will be a very long time before Nigeria can produce the likes of justice Eso at the Bench.

Kayode Eso in many ways at the peak of his career was a legal name that guaranteed justice and incorruptibility of the Bench and a beacon of i m p e c c a b l e jurisprudence.’’

Saraki, an exemplary statesman— Ashafa

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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ENATOR Gbenga Ashafa,representing Lagos East Senatorial District, has described the late Dr Olusola Saraki as a political giant that left his footprints on the sand of time, and would be remembered for his courage and worthy contributions to nation building.

Ashafa expressed shock and sadness at the death of Saraki, in his condolence message to the bereaved family, noted that the nation had lost another political legend of his time to the cold hands of death.

The senator recalled that, Saraki, a former Senate President has brought new defination, dispensation and ideas into poli-

tics since his entry into politics several decades ago, especially in Kwara his home town. ”Saraki died at a time the nation needs the wisdom and wealth of his experience to take Nigeria out of her current challenges ‘The vacuum being created by the death of Saraki, is a big challenge to young politicians to emulate.

SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012 — 7

Osu kicks against death sentence

BY SAM EYOBOKA

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L-R Dr Tunde Elebute, chairman Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria; Pastor Dotun Ojelabi and Evangelist Elishama Ideh during a prayer tagged building an altar of praise organised by Evangelist Elishama in Lagos.

HE Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Very Rev. Msgr.

Gabriel Osu, has sent a strong appeal to the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to reconsider and spare the lives of the two prisoners awaiting execution in the state.

The two victims, Daniel Nsofor and Osayinwinde Agbomien, who have been convicted since 1996 for murder had their sentences confirmed recently,

Opposition merger talks: PDP is paranoid — ACN T

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has accused the PDP of suffering from deep paranoia over the ongoing merger talks involving key opposition parties, including the CPC, as well as other progressive forces in the country.In a statement issued in Lagos on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said there is no better indication that the PDP is deeply worried by the talks than the resort to downright lies and abuse of the opposition parties by the PDP spokesman, Olisa Metuh, in order to discredit the talks.

It said that in Mr. Metuh’s latest mudslinging, blackmail and namecalling against the opposition, he described the ACN as a ‘’one-man party’’ and the CPC as ‘’believing in violence’’.

‘’The truth of the matter is that PDP is terrified of the outcome of the merger talks. From the commencement of these talks, PDP has been having nightmares. However the truth of the matter is that these talks have the blessing of a significant chunk of the

leadership of the PDP who, for the time being, cannot come out publicly.‘’Well, Mr. Metuh, here is a message you may want to convey to your paymasters: No amount of name calling, blackmail or character assassination can stop an idea whose time has come.

‘’And if the PDP is so sure that the talks will fail, why is it even bothering to make any comments at all? We are comforted by the wise saying that anywhere you see the sign that reads “No Thoroughfare”, then it means there is a road there.

Akwa Ibom exco approves N459b for 2013 draft budget

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KWA Ibom Execu tive Council has approved 2013 draft budget amounting to N459,305,166,710.

Already, the draft would be forwarded to Akwa Ibom House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

Of the total amount, Capital Expenditure is given N340,515,000,000 or 82 per cent while Recurrent Expenditure will

gulp N118,790,166,710 representing 18 per cent.

Briefing Government House correspondents after the Exco meeting Thursday, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan said the amount showed a decrease of 12 per cent over the amount approved for this year ’s budget.

Mr. Akpan explained

that the draft is tagged: “Budget of Consolidation and Industrialisation’’, while government policy thrust would hinge on completion of on-going development projects, continued provision of basic infrastructure and security as well as implementation of the state industrialisation programme.

He noted that in the

State creation tops S-East demands at Constitution Review public hearing

BY TONY EDIKE Enugu

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HE demand for the creation of an additional state in the South East geopolitical zone dominated presentations before the public hearing on the review of constitution in the zone but with some disagreements on the composition and location of the proposed state.

The lack of consensus on the location of the state, led to a rowdy session on the second day of the public hearing as placards-carrying youths besieged the Legislative Chamber of Enugu State

with Governor Oshiomhole vowing to sign their death warrant. Already, the decision of the governor to assent to the verdict of the court has generated wide condemnation from international rights groups, religious leaders and the civil society, urging him to commute the death sentences to life imprisonment.

According to Msgr. Osu, in a release signed by the Media Relations Manager of the Directorate of Social Communications, Mr. Tony Agbugba, the use of capital punishment worldwide was becoming obsolete and unfashionable, adding that of the 194 independent states that are UN members or have UN observer status, 98 (51 per cent) have long abolished the use of capital punishment.

While kicking against the ongoing move by the Delta State House of Assembly to sign into law a bill that would enforce capital punishment for kidnappers and murders in the state, he called on all peo-

House of Assembly venue of the event, shouting down those presenting their demands for a new state.

Unlike the first day

(Thursday) when agitators for the creation of Adada State from the present Enugu State made their presentation without any dissent, those

who spoke in favour of Equity, ANIM, Orashi and Orimili yesterday were booed by the youths who attended in their large numbers.

budget, the government took cognisance of fluctuating petroleum prices in the international market, saying that the government would explore internally generated revenue to help in the implementation of the budget.

The Finance Commissioner hinted that unlike N2 billion budgeted for entrepreneurs for this year, the government has increased it to N5 billion to assist genuine entrepreneurs in the state to expand their industrial concerns. Akpan, however, thanked Labour leaders and civil servants in the state for their cooperation with the government in the implementation of budget.

Nigeria’s Osotimehin on Glo/CNN African Voices

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IGERIAN-born Ba batunde Osotimehin, the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will be the guest in this weekend’s edition of “African Voices”, CNN International’s weekly half-hour magazine programme sponsored by Globacom.

Osotimehin sits down with CNN’s correspondent

Aisha Sesay to talk about his work at the UN agency that promotes health and equal opportunity around the world. The programme will run on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and at 10.00 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. on Sunday. There will also be repeat broadcast at 10.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. on Monday and at

6.30 p.m. on Tuesday.

He talks about his long career caring for women; first as a local doctor from Ogun State and later as Nigeria’s Minister of Health. Now in charge of the UNFPA, Osotimehin is focused on gender equality and reducing poverty, helping hundreds of millions of people in developing countries

Born on 6 February, 1949, Osotimehin was appointed Executive Director of UNFPA in November, 2012, for a four year term. He assumed the position on 1 January 2011 and became the organization’s fourth Executive Director. He holds the rank of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.

ple of goodwill to prevail on the two state governments to have a re-think over the delicate matter.

Presidential chat on Sunday

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is to address the nation on Sunday on current national issues in the next edition of the Presidential Media Chat. A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati said during the Presidential Media Chat which will be broadcast live on the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), “President Jonathan will answer questions and respond to comments from a panel of reputable media practitioners on a broad range of issues that are presently in the public domain.

He said the Chat will begin at 1900 hours and all other television and radio stations in the country are advised to hook up to the network services of NTA and FRCN to transmit the programme for the benefit of their viewers and listeners.

Funeral rites for Pa Okpogho begins today

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HE burial ceremony of late Pa Gabriel Agbanagba Onoavwavwa Okpogho will hold today at his home town, Omavovwe, Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State.

A joint statement by Pastor Jacob Agbanagba and Pa Joseph Diemuodeke said the body would leave the mortuary in Ughelli for a procession through Agbarha-Otor main town at 9 am after which a validatory court session would be held in his honour at his premises by his Omavovwe and Agbarha kinsmen at 12 noon.

•Pa Okpogho

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012

Reckless driving: Court awards N3.5m damages against Bullion Van driver, Bank

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja

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FTER five years of intense legal battle, reprieve has finally come the way of Mr. Samuel Chinedu Abana who on January 17, 2007, escaped death by the whiskers after a reckless Bullion Van driver, rammed into his car, sending him and his driver into coma for several weeks.

In its judgment, the High Court of Lagos State Ikeja Division, found the Bullion Van Driver, Mr. Sunday Obiere, guilty of driving against traffic, maintaining that both the defendant and his employer, United Bank for Africa, UBA, are liable to pay the sum of N3.5million to the victim as special and general damages.

In his statement of claim dated August 21, 2007, Abana, told the court that the accident happened at a bend, thus making it

impossible for him to see the Bullion Van marked PF 2672 SPY, which he said was speeding on the one way road.

He said after his Toyota Camry car with Registration number DX 677 LSR, was hit by the Van, both himself and his driver lost consciousness and were rushed to the hospital by policemen, noting that the car was damaged beyond recognition.

Consequently, he prayed the court for “a declaration that the defendants were negligent in the course of driving their vehicle; thereby occasioning the accident” as well as, “an order for the immediate replacement of the said Toyota Camry Saloon car belonging to the claimants, destroyed by the defendants.”

Alternatively, he sought for “an order for the payment of the sum of N2million only, being the purchase price of the said Toyota. An order for the

payment of the sum of N966, 000.00 only, being special damages for inconveniences, being cost of car hire.

“An order for the payment of the sum of N430, 000 being cost of medical treatment. An order for the payment of the sum of N6, 000.00 per day, being cost of car hire from the 1st of September 2007 and until this suit is finally determined.

“General Damages in the sum of N2million and N500, 000 assessed as the cost of this suit and an order for the payment of a total claim sum of N5.9million.”

We will inject ne w blood tto o sstrengthen trengthen new our new cabinet — Oshiomhole

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, BeninCity

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OVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state, yesterday, disclosed

STF injures four gunmen in Plateau

BY TAYE OBATERU, Jos

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OUR gunmen were on Thursday shot and injured in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of

Plateau State during an exchange of fire with men of the Special Task Force, STF on patrol in the area.

The gun men were said to have opened fire on the STF team which responded and got four of them on the legs.

Subscribers push NCC to sanction operators for poor network

BY FRANKLIN ALLI

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UBCRIBERS of global system for mobile communication, weekend, enjoined the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to sanction mobile network operators who fails to improve on their services and lower their tariffs.

In a telephone survey of 758 phones users aged 18+, which was conducted by NOI/Gallup Poll, subscribers said NCC should mandate network operators to improve on their service or else sanction them.

The results which were based on Perception of Quality of Service (Best

and Worst); and what measures to be taken to deter mobile network operators from rendering poor quality service, revealed that 45 percent of respondents are using dual lines, while another 19 percent use three lines in order to circumvent the network failure that usually cripples Nigeria’s networks.

The poll further revealed that most Nigerians would rather that the mobile network operators make concerted efforts to improve their service quality than the promo offers they make to their subscribers.

Zik Day Organised by the Igbo Community in Lagos held at NIIA Lagos Pix Ogboefi Oyi Omatuma and High Chief Michael Ezetewobi . Photo: Diran Oshe

Although the circumstance leading to the exchange was not immediately clear, STF spokesman, Captain Mustapha Salisu said that the gunmen were heading to Jangidi in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State from Bauchi.

He said the gun men on sighting the STF patrol team opened fire on them but were repelled by counter fire a subsequently captured.

He said two AK 47 rifles, two rifle magazines and 24 live rounds of 7.62 mm (special) we’re recovered from the gunmen.

Salisu also diclosed that the four injured gun men have been handed over to the police in the local government for further investigations.

He advised citizens of the state to be vigilant and report suspicious people or objects to law enforcement agents for necessary action.

Unknown gunmen have been launching series of attacks on villages in Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of Plateau State leaving scores dead and valuables destroyed.

that the challenges of a second term in office are higher, therefore disclosed his resolve to inject “new blood” as he reconstitutes a new cabinet.

The Governor stated this when the newly appointed Secretary to the state Government, Prof.Julius Ihonvbere received his oath of office at Government House Benin City. The Governor also appointed the former member of the Federal House of Representatives, Barr.Patrick Obahiagbon (Igodomigodo) as his Chief of Staff, while Peter Okhiria retained his position as

Chief Press Secretary.

Speaking at the well attended ceremony, Oshiomhole noted that people may be shocked that Ihonvbere accepted the position due to his previous positions both in the country and abroad, but that it is his strong believe that the people of the state will benefit from his wealth of experience.While recalling that Ihonvbere contributed immensely to the growth of democracy in the country, Oshiomhole asserted that “ you have what it takes to bring in a new vision and reinvigorate our team, so that together we will

reposition Edo state and take it to the next level. As we walk with you to reposition Edo state and to take it to the next level, if other people do the same in other states, at the end of the day Nigeria will be a better country.

“I believe that what matters is not the level at which we serve, even as a local government chairman.

What is important is for one to have opportunity to demonstrate that a local government can be run very efficiently that is what is important. What matters is that when ever we found ourselves we give our all and God sees our heart and He blesses our thoughts.

CBD boss tasks resident on transformation of Lagos

BY MICHAEL EBOH

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PECIAL Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Central Business Districts, CBD, Mrs. Derin Disu, has called on residents to cooperate with the government in its quest for the transformation of the state.

Disu, who made this declaration at an event heralding the forthcoming celebration of the 2,000 days in office of Governor Fashola, said the desire to transform Lagos, especially areas designated as CBDs, into a 21st century business precinct has made government to embark on series of initiatives aimed at restoring san-

ity in the state. Key among the initiatives, she said, is the desire to curb the worrisome traffic congestion on Lagos Island CBD, usually occasioned by the indiscriminate loading and offloading of merchandise

from cargo containers.

This, she said, has made the state government to limit such activity to within 7pm and 7am daily, to ensure a free flow of business activities.

Ukoko Ewheya R’Urhiephron celebrates in Lagos

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KOKO Ewheya R’Urhiephron will today celebrate it’s 25th anniversary at 235/237, the former Delta State Liaison Office on Apapa Road, Ijora. Chairman of the day is Mr. Godwin A. Doghudje, father of the day is Barr. S. T. Boriokor, Mother of the day, Mrs.

Rebecca Asamaigor while Chief Host is Mr. O. M. Jeroro.

Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr. Irikefe Kegbe, National President, Mr. Grace Doghadje; Chairlady Lagos, Mrs. Victoria Kasa. All are cordially invited.

SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012 — 9

JTF arrests eight for oil theft, accuse oil firms of frustrating efforts

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI, PH

T

HE Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield (Sector 2) in Rivers State has accused oil multinationals of frustrating the force’s effort at checking continued oil theft and illegal bunkering in the operating environment.

The Sector 2 Public Relation Officer, Major Michael Etete noted this in statement yesterday in Port Harcourt following a raid by troops of the JTF against oil thieves and illegal refinery oper-

ators in the Omuma, Bille Km 45, and Elilakire all in Degema Local Government area.

The raid carried out between 14 th and 15 th November, according to Major Etete, led to the destruction of three wooden boats loaded with 55 empty drums, five speed boats, one illegal local refinery with five surface tanks for storage and one underground tank and another wooden boat loaded with illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

In the same raid, eight suspects were also de-

clared arrested and have been handed over to men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Rivers Command according to the Army

PRO. While pledging the JTF’s continued readiness to fight oil theft and illegal bunkering in the area, the body, however

lamented oil companies’ indifference to fixing illegal loading points, noting that the attitude was frustrating the task before the JTF.

Ijaws demand Toru-Ibe state

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

N

Nigerian students excel in Ghana University

BY OLA AJAYI, Ibadan

N

IGERIA’S High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Ademola Oluwaseyi, has expressed delight at the way Nigerian students are excelling in Ghana University of Technology.

According to the diplomat, Nigerian student emerged the best student for the 2010/ 2011 academic year.

This, he said, had proved the point that Nigerians have the capacity to excel anywhere they find themselves.

Based on the academic excellence of the university, the Nigerian High Commissioner said more efforts would be made at strengthening Nigeria-Ghana relationship.

He also advised all Nigerians seeking university education for their wards in Ghana to make this university their preferred choice.

He said these when a high powered delegation from the university, led by the President, Prof. Clement Dzidonu paid a courtesy call on him, in Accra recently.

The don commended the work rate of Nigerian students, their persevering spirit and dedication to their studies.

The Minister Counselor at the High Commission Hon. B.B Hamman, who is in charge of education

affairs listed some challenges Nigerian students go through in the institution.

L-r: Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs.) Alaba Lawson, Ogun State governor’s wife, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun and State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Gbenga Otenuga in the midst of the members of National Youth Service Corps during the flag-off ceremony of the 2012 NYSC Batch C Sensitisation Workshop on Skills and Entrepreneurship Development at Sagamu Stadium in Sagamu, yesterday.

150 Delta flood victims graduate in skill acquisition

BY FESTUS AHON, UGEHLLI

A

T LEAST150 graduands of the Ughelli relief camp skills acquisition centre were yesterday, presented with starter packs worth over N3m by the Delta State Government.

Wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Roli Uduaghan, while presenting the starter packs to the graduating participants during the ceremony,

noted that the items were meant to encourage the displaced persons to set up their businesses as soon as they return to their communities. Advising the recipients to make judicious use of the items which included sewing machines, hair dryers, stoves, baking equipment, beadmaking items amongst others, she enjoined the flood victims to be dedicated to the service of God. Initiator of the pro-

gramme, Miss Stella Okotete, expressed appreciation to the State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan for the steps he had so far taken to ameliorate the hardship of the flood victims.

According to her, 365 participants started the programme, adding that the others were screened out because they were secondary school students who took advantage of the opportunity given to them by the

State Government to continue with their studies in the camp.

Okotete disclosed that the skills acquisition training started at Evwreni Girls Model School, adding that they had to move to the Ughelli camp after the flood took over the community.

She said the graduating participants were amongst those who took part in tailoring, hairdressing, catering, beadmaking amongst others.

PDP hails Gov Uduaghan over appointment of DESOPADEC commissioner

BY FESTUS AHON, Ugehlli

U

GHELLI North Local Government Area chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has commended the Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan for nominating Chief Chris Obiuwevbi as Commissioner in the board of the State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC representing Ughelli North and Ethiope East Local Government Areas.

The party in a state-

Citing a case in point, Etete noted that the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) inability to repair and or even clamp down on over 70 illegal loading points discovered over the past one year in Sector 2 is adversely affecting fight against oil theft due to continued use by oil thieves.

ment by its chairman, Chief Shedrack Imonieroh and two others described Chief Chris

Obiuwevbi as “resourceful, indefatigable and committed member of the party who has contribut-

ed immensely to the development and success of the party at all levels.’’

Incubator Africa to hold 2-Day programme for education stakeholders

BY DAYO ADESULU

A

DDING its weight behind revamping the education sector, Incubator Africa Limited in collaboration with EduCluster Finland have organised a 2-Day learning event to empower key decision makers in the sector on practical steps to raising stan-

dards and student performance in the Nigerian educational system.

According to the Managing Director, Mrs Alero Ayida-Otobo in a release said that the programme which is slated to hold on November 19th and 20th at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, will present, “how to create the world’s best perform-

ing schools.”

She said the benefits among others include: Learning from the best in the Finnish education sector to position your school for improved performance. Gaining valuable insights that empower participants to creatively unlock the potentials in the Nigeria education system.

OT bothered by con flicting reports emanating from the Senate on creation of more states, the Ijaws have renewed their demand for the creation of ToruIbe State, to cater for the interest of Ijaws in Delta and other South-south states, to avoid a looming political crisis in 2015.

Speaking through Adanse Felix, a Niger Delta activist and former Labour Party Candidate for Warri North constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, in 2011 general elections, they claimed that the Ijaws, were being treated like third class citizens and being victimized at any given opportunity.

According to him, “ we wish to use this medium to express our gratitude to the leadership of the National Assembly for its forthrightness and visionary leadership as it pertains to the public hearing of the review of the 1999 constitution, in a bid to produce a virile, friendly Nigerian Constitution.

The public hearing held across the 360 Federal constituencies was a farce and a charade as its outcome would hardly influence the end product of the people’s constitution.”

However, the Ijaws of Warri Federal constituency, which comprises of Egbema, Gbaramatu, Isaba and Ogbe ‘Ijoh kingdoms in our Yes vote, demanded for the creation of more states.

This is a defining moment for the Ijaws in this divide.

10—SA TURD AY 10—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard anguard,,

NO VEMBER 17, 2012 NOVEMBER

tion, lack of care and mutual suspicion and host of others.

By Chioma Gabriel, Dayo Benson, Abdulwahab Abdulah, Bartholomew Madukwe & Onozure Dania

A

R

oline was happy that after three years of courtship, she was finally getting married to her hearthrob John. The marriage was wildly celebrated with pomp and pageantry. Roline was on top of the world but her sisters-in-law never wanted her for their only brother.

Three years after the marriage, she was yet to conceive with a child and the family of her husband began to complain that they didn’t want a barren woman in the home as they wanted their only brother to perpetuate the family lineage. When they couldn’t get John to take another wife, they began to complain about Roline’s behaviour and began to plan on how to throw her out of her matrimonial home.

Then, the worst happened.

Roline lost her father in a plane crash and had to visit her family for the burial and funeral. By the time she returned to her matrimonial home after the funeral, things were no longer the same. She met her husband with his sisters and greeted them but as she made for their bedroom, the eldest sister of her husband got up and stopped her.

She explained to her that she was no longer wanted and should return to her maiden home until things were resolved. Baffled , Roline pleaded with her husband to say something before things get out of hand but her Medical Doctor husband kept mum.

Like a scene out of nollywood movie, Roline watched her sisters-in-law throw her things out through the balcony of their one-storey apartment. When all efforts to solicit for peace failed, Roline jumped down from the same balcony and landed downstairs in an unconscious state.

All efforts to save her life failed.

She died shortly after she was admitted in the hospital. Before she died, Roline managed to tell her husband that she would rather be dead than face the stigma of divorce.

Stella’s case was almost similar. An Optometrist by profession, Stella got married to a businessman who nearly loved her to death. In the 18months the marriage lasted, her husband monitored her movements both in the office and in the neighbourhood.

Any male she spoke with either in the office or on the streets was perceived by him as her lover. On her birthday, he decided they needed a quiet time alone and took her to the beach. There he tried

Yes, I do...

Do you? zHigh rate of divorce threatens marriage institution to drown her but she narrowly escaped. She was alive to tell the story of how her husband tried to use torture to make her confess to having series of affairs with other men. That was the end of the marriage.

E

dwina another victim of a failed marriage was accused of using witchcraft to dwindle her husband’s material fortune. A ‘prophet’ had revealed to her husband that his wife was a witch and was responsible for all the business failures he had been experiencing. Edwina’s husband swallowed the ‘prophecy ’ hook, line and sinker. He bundled his wife back to her maiden home and filed for divorce.

He got it and after the crash of his marriage, the’Prophet’ ended up marrying his ex wife.

The tales of broken marriages are endless. The courts are inundated with divorce petitions even as marriages are being dissolved on daily basis.

Apart from high profile divorce involving notable indi-

viduals across various professions whose marriages were contracted at various Registries known as Statutory Marriage, there are prevalent cases of the Customary Courts.

For instance, an average of 80 marriages conducted under the native law and customs were dissolved within three months this year by customary

courts in Ilorin, Kwara State.

This figure, according to investigations, is similar to what is obtainable in other parts of the country, a development which marriage counselors have attributed to lack of fear of God, intolerance, incompatibility and increased social and economic pressures on families.

Unlike marriages conducted under native law and customs which are summarily dissolved after efforts to reconcile the parties fail, marriages contracted at the registry are subject to the provisions of Matrimonial Causes Act, MCA, and they can only be dissolved by the High Court which is vested with such jurisdiction.

This explains why Customary Courts have more turnover in marriage dissolution than the High Court which is a court of record. However, the grounds of dissolution of marriages are in both instances ranging from lack of trust, infidelity, abandonment, domestic violence, lack of sexual satisfac-

ccording to Section 15 of the Matrimonial Causes Act, marriages can be dissolved on several grounds including but not limited to the following provisions:(l) A petition under this Act by a party to a marriage for a decree of dissolution of the marriage may be presented by either party to the marriage upon the ground that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.

(2) The court hearing a petition for a decree of dissolution of a marriage shall hold the marriage to have broken down irretrievably if, but only if, the petitioner satisfies the court of one or more of the following facts; (a) that the respondent has willfully and persistently refused to consummate the marriage; (b) that since the marriage the respondent has committed adultery and the petitioner find it intolerable to live with the respondent; (c) that since the marriage, the respondent has behaved in such a way that the petitioner cannot reasonably be expected to live with the respondent; (d) that the respondent has deserted the petitioner for a continuous period of at least one/year preceding the presentation of the petition;

(e) that the parties to the marriage have lived apart for a continuous period of at least two years, immediately preceding the presentation of the petition and the respondent does not object to a decree being granted; (j) that the parties to the mar-

Continues on page 11

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard anguard,,

NO VEMBER 17, 2012—11 NOVEMBER

High rat e of div or ce threat ens marriage institution rate divor orce threatens A

Continues from page 10 riage; have lived apart for a continuous period of at least three years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition; (g) that the other party to the marriage has for a period of not less than one year, failed to comply with a decree of restitution of conjugal rights made under this Act; (h) that the other party to the marriage has been absent from the petitioner for such time and in such circumstances as to provide reasonable grounds for presuming that he or she is dead.

(3) For the purpose of subsection (2)(e) and (f) of this section, the parties to a marriage shall be treated as living apart unless they are living with each other in the same household.

An array of cases of dissolved marriages, indeed show that the situation is assuming an alarming proportion.

F

or example, one of the prominent and celebrated divorce cases was that of the son of the former president Olusegun Obasanjo,Gbenga and his estranged wife, Mojisola before Justice Elfreda Williams of an Ikeja High Court two years ago.

The petition after almost a year proceedings ended the nine years old marriage.

Delivering her judgment, Justice Williams ordered the separation of the couple immediately and granted the custody of the two children of the marriage to Mojisola, Gbenga’s former wife.

Four years into their marriage, the two of them according to Gbenga in his petition had been living together like cat and mouse, until he filed a petition in court asking for the immediate dissolution of the marriage, which he said had broken down irretrievably.

Another case was that of a Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Festus Keyamo who dragged his estranged lawyer wife, Isioma Irene to court.

Keyamo got married to Isioma Irene Keyamo on May 15,2004 in Benin City. The union which produced two children only lasted for six years. Keyamo had on April 2010 instituted a divorce suit against his wife. In his petition, he claimed that the marriage had broken down irreparably. He alleged that his wife was “absolutely irresponsible, foul-mouthed, ill tempered and could not cook.”

Their divorce suit commenced on January 25, 2012, at the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, before Justice Elfreda Williams-Dawodu .

In the petition, Keyamo accused Isioma of packing out of her matrimonial home for two years. He also narrated how his wife refused to open the door of his house for him when he came back from work around 10p.m. on a particular day and he had to go back to his office to sleep.

He further alleged that on several occasions, his wife came to his office to harass him. He said in a feat of her anger ,she used a knife to deflate the four tyres of

his Toyota Jeep. His also alleged that his wife did not ask of his whereabouts until after a month when her upkeep allowance was due. In her defence, Isioma said her husband is “tight-fisted, philandering and grossly irresponsible.”

Aside agreeing with her husband for the dissolution of the marriage,she also asked the court to grant her N20 million as alimony. She said the amount is to compensate her for the trauma the break-up has caused her, particularly her failure at the Nigerian Law School examination.

lso, Nollywood stars are not left out in the misfortune of failed marriages. Some of those whose marriages had hit the rock included Eucharia Anunobi, Kate Henshaw. Sophia and her estranged film director husband, Tchidi Chikere have also gone their different ways. The list also included Stephanie Okereke who recently remarried and Monalisa Chinda.

Also in this category was another Popular Nigerian Yoruba actress, Nancy Shaibu whose marriage of 19 years to Mr Michael Shaibu also crashed.

Another case worthy of mention was the divorce petition instituted by the estranged wife of the late elder statesman, Dr. Tunji Otegbeye, Otunba Fadeke before his death.

The wife, Otunba Fadeke, among others, had sought for N10 million as damages after the marriage suffered a setback. Until his death, Dr. Otegbeye had attended the proceedings even while his health was failing.

In the same vein, prominent preacher and former presidential candidate, Rev. Chris Okotie recently announced to his congregation that his marriage to Stephanie was over. This was Rev Okotie’s second failed marriage,

having broken up with his first wife, Tina.

At the customary court level, the stories were not different, except for the personalities who are in most cases are of the lower rug of the society.

Samples:- A woman, Habiba Sulaiman of Tudun Wada Area of Kaduna, had urged a Kaduna Sharia Court to dissolve her 17year-old marriage for alleged lack of feeding allowance and impotence. The petitioner told the court that she was married to her husband, Yahaya Mohammed of the same address, for 17 years but that he started having sexual disabilities seven years ago.

In Lagos, a 33-year-old woman prayed a Grade ‘A’ Customary Court in Agege, to dissolve her 13-year-old marriage over alleged abandonment by her

husband for four years.

Another one was in Ikorodu, where the president of an Ikorodu Customary Court dissolved the 12-year-old marriage of a trader whose wife left him four years ago.

The Court President, Mrs Risikat Adesanya, dissolved the union between Ayodele Lawal and Olutosin, saying the court’s efforts to reconcile them proved abortive as the husband insisted on divorce.

In Ilorin, Kwara State, the court separated a mother of four, Aminat Rasaq from her husband, Alao.

The petitioner had claimed that she could not continue to live with her husband who she said was irresponsible.

In his ruling, the presiding judge, Mr Yusuf Abdulkareem, dissolved the marriage.

Speaking on the rate of divorce, Mr Abdulkadir IbrahimUmar, a president in one of the courts in Ilorin said that the divorce petitions were “saddening and disheartening.”

Marriage, no longer ‘till death do us part’

BY EBUN SESSOU with Agency Report

J

anet, not real name, is a banker in one of the leading banks in Nigeria. She was married to her husband last year but the marriage only survived six months before it broke up. Efforts to restore the marriage by family members proved abortive.

This year, she was engaged again to another man whom she claimed is the reason why she still lives. Unfortunately, the marriage crashed.

Janet and Debo were married for just four months before they separated. The reason for their separation was not far fetched.

Debo claimed that Janet was not tutored on how to manage her marriage. “She does not know how to communicate with her husband at home. She was not friendly”, Debo lamented.

Today, Janet has been married twice but none of the marriages was able to survive.

I had an interesting conversation recently

with a friend of mine. He categorically stated that he had no intentions of getting married.

After 30 minutes interrogation, I figured out that his problem was that he had lost all faith whatsoever in marriage as an institution because of the increasing rate of failed marriages. He pointed out instance after instance of marriages that seemed ‘perfect’ at the beginning but inadvertently ended up crumbling, with one or both parties bitter and cynical.

The divorce statistics in Nigeria are getting bleaker and bleaker by the minute and the unofficial number of failed marriages is probably even worse. Why is this so? There used to be a time in Nigeria when divorce was a foreign word. What happened? When/where/how did the change occur? Was it so subtle that we did not notice? Or did we just choose to ignore it?

Systematically, divorce has crept into the homes of most Nigerians and as a result of this, hundreds of people have suffered this problem and so many are still passing through this same.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that, one major reason for this increase in the rate of divorces in Nigeria is a change in mindset. Africans generally and Nigerians especially, tend to be very traditional and religious and as divorce was a taboo by traditional and religious standards. Many couples ‘suffered’ through their marriages to the death.

But not anymore. With science, technology and all other western influences permeating these parts, adherence to such codes of conducts are now seen as being ‘backward’ and ‘retrogressive’.

And even though some churches still have a ‘no divorce’ policy, many have relaxed the rule. In fact, many pastors (indeed, some, as big as they come), have abandoned their marriages, and yet remained on the pulpit. Some of them even remarry. The bottom line is this; hitherto, divorce was not an option but now it is. People no longer ‘enter’ marriages with the ‘till death do us part’ mindset but more with a ‘let’s see how it goes’ mindset.

And so, at the slightest provocation, one party is ready to opt out.

12—SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012

By EMMANUEL EDUKUGHO

W

ith an estimated 60 million unemployed persons representing nearly one-third of the country ’s population, human capacity development is being seriously endangered. This situation is not only making a mockery of Nigeria’s so-called vision of becoming one of the 20 leading economies in the world by the year 2020, but also threatening national security as obviously the nation seems to be sitting on a keg of gunpowder likely to explode at any time with devastating consequences.

But more astonishing is the recent disclosure by a human resource company, Employment Clinic, that the government spends N960 billion annually on artisans from abroad to work in the country.

Unfortunately, the Nigerian education system is still structured to prepare graduates for employment in an over-saturated labour market in which organisations or establishments in both public and private sectors of the national economy are cutting jobs while the concept of self employment remained a novelty.

Although the tertiary education system is only now trying to embrace entrepreneurial skills development to tackle problem of unemployment among graduates, the nation is still far from the ideal of education for employment, that is knowledge for practical action.

The present realities make this style of going to school in order to be employed after graduation no longer fashionable.

The unemployment situation is worsening with every passing day moreso as thousands of graduates are being churned out from tertiary institutions yearly to besiege those already hopelessly waiting for employment and roaming our streets searching for means of earning a living. For some years now, we have piled graduates upon graduates mortgaging the nation’s future and our children’s future for the greed, avarice and planlessness of our leaders through bad governance.

The enormity of unemployment challenge which has become a colossal one - a socio-economic affliction of great proportions can be illustrated most vividly when out of the 13,000 applications received by the Dangote Group of Companies for Graduate Executive Truck Drivers, there were six Ph.D, 704 Masters and over 8,460 Bachelor degree holders.

Most astonishing was the fact that the company only needed 100 drivers but got 13,000 applications, most of them from reputable universities.

According to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, more than 41% of Nigerian graduates are without employment after the mandatory National Youth Service Corps engagement.

The National Bureau of Statistics said over 50% of youths in Nigeria are jobless, while the World Bank puts the figure at 56%. Considering the country’s estimated population of about 167 million and 60 million jobless, these are grim figures portending danger to economic growth and development of a nation with the largest concentration of black people on earth.

Perhaps worried that the youths are at the receiving end of this unemployment scourge, President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration came up with an initiative of youth entrepreneurship in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of

Sea of heads... job seekers scramble for few job opportunities

Unemployment: Nigeria sitting on keg of gun-powder

President Jonathan Communication and Technology, Ministry of Youth development and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development called “The Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YOUWIN)”.

This will help to generate jobs by encouraging and supporting ambitious and creative enterprising young men and women to develop and implement business ideas for job creation. It is envisaged that over a 3-year period in which

Emeka Nwogu, Minister of Labour and Productivity. the second cycle will be completed in 2013 (September) between 80,000 to 320,000 new jobs will be created at cost of N10 billion.

In addition, the Federal Government said it has given over 1,000 youths who distinguished themselves after screening and training offered them in various vocations a take-off grant of about N1 billion to actualise their aspirations.

There is also Women and Youths Employment project

carried out under the subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment programme targeting employment for over 300,000 unskilled youths, women and the disabled each year.

Some experts doubt the sustainability of these initiatives and whether they can be permanent bearing in mind the failure of the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) and the Micro Finance Bank initiative launched in 2005.

Invariably, all these are mere palliatives, only trying to scratch the surface of the unemployment problem.

Government can arrange special stimulus packages to several companies and conglomerates operating in Nigeria from oil to telecom, construction and manufacturing to expand and provide employment to qualified youths.

Government should engage in specific projects with the objective of creating jobs.

Areas begging for massive investment include infrastructure like roads, electricity, housing, agriculture, railways, environmental

sanitation, bridges, water and refineries.

Others are education, health, petrochemicals, mining, excavation, as all these projects have potential to create millions of jobs.

An American scholar puts it succinctly in this way: ”One of the unwritten and unspoken commonplaces lying at the root of modern academic policy is that the various universities are competitors for the traffic of merchantable instruction in much the same fashion as rival establishments in the retail trade compete for customers.”

The school system comprising primary, secondary and tertiary is not providing patriotic, productive, self-actualising, creative thinking individuals, while at the same time, the various regulatory agencies have failed to set standards and to ensure compliance at all times.

President Obama once said that the American youth needs education that will make them possess 21st century skills like problem solving and critical thinking, entrepreneurship and creativity. This is because economic progress and educational achievement have always gone hand in hand.

It was the belief of Professor Julius Ihonvbere while delivering a Foundation Day Lecture of Lead City University, Ibadan, that Nigerian youths need even a higher level of that standard, especially in this internet age.

“Rancid educational and economic policies that pay cursory attention to unemployment, coupled with unyielding and formidable peer pressure, are combined

Continues on page 16

SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012—13

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN

T

Frustrated unemployed youths.

Unemployment:

Biggest frustration among youths tion on this issue indicated that unemployment has frustrated a number of youths and graduates into finding other means of survival no matter how menial. Kunle, a Masters degree student, University of Lagos finds himself operating the popular Okada in Lagos. He said: “I am a graduate of Geography, from Bayero University, Kano, and after my Youth service, I could get any job, I tried to help myself by taking up a teaching job in on of the private schools, but even as the salary was megre, the payment was irregular. I found out that operating Okada as business is a lot better. Seven months after starting the okada, I was able to enroll for my Masters degree at UNILAG.” Kunle maintained that the recent ban on the Okada is now taking its toll on him as he now makes less profit to meet his financial needs.

The absence of social security and paucity of basic amenities have not helped matters either.

Quite a number of industries have closed shop in Nigeria since the last five years.

C M Y K

Adedayo Oyebanji, an employer of labour in Lagos said the inability of government to fix electricity in the last ten years have resulted to many companies closing shops and hieghtening the level of unemployment. “So many companies, conglomerates, have relocat-

doing well there. Go to Ghana, some of the industries that relocated from Nigeria to Ghana are doing well. These days, the high cost of doing business is enough compelling reason for their relocation. There are very bad roads, poor electricity supply, multiple taxation, among others,” Oyebanji said.

On the argument that government is not an employer of labour; that the duty of government is to create the enabling environment that would help the private sector create jobs. Oyebanji said even in its duty of creating the right environment for the private sector to flourish, governments, at all levels, have failed in that responsibility of creating

,

he story of the Ph.D holders applying as drivers in Dangote Group of Companies, is one of the harsh realities starring us in the face as a nation. Many believe it is a mockery of our system and a barrier to our development as young, energetic men and women, in the prime of their lives are left to roam the streets in search for jobs.

It shows the economic theories those in authorities have been postulating in recent times have defied solution especially in the attempt to reduce unemplyment.

The percentage of labour force that is without job is alarming while the army of the underemployed youths is frightening. Apart from the figures released early this year by the National Bureau of Statistics, which puts unemployment rate in 2011 at 29.3 per cent, the situation has over the years grown from bad to worse.

From 2006 until 2011, the unemployment rate averaged 14.60 per cent, reaching an all time high of 23.90 per cent in December of 2011 representing about 20.3 million Nigerians who are currently jobless. The situation which was put at about 71 per cent early this year would have rocketed to over 75 per cent, throwing even some of the hitherto employed out of jobs. The matter is compounded daily as more higher institutions churn out fresh graduates to add to the already saturated labour market.

Except for the bourgeoisie, there is no Nigerian household that does not have at least one unemployed university or polytechnic graduate still searching for job. A few of those who responded to ques-

On the argument that government is not an employer of labour; that the duty of government is to create the enabling environment that would help the private sector create jobs.

,

ed to neighbouring countries with smaller markets and potentials but with friendlier business environments and they are

enabling environment.

He cited the incessant power outage, the threatening security situation, corruption in high plac-

es as well as unfriendly policies of the CBN. On the increasing trend of disinterest by job seekers in highly labourintensive works such as agriculture, factory work or creative business ideas in preference for white collar jobs, Oyebanji said these are some of the reasons for remaining in the labour market for a long time, adding that there is no clear cut direction by the leaders and politicians since many of them engage in ostentatious living to spite and oppress those who don’t have. This according to him is one of the reasons for the getrich-quick syndrome by the younger generation who apart from not getting the desired job, search for means to survive. This to a large extent had given rise to the menace of the Yahoo boys, Blackberry boys, Area boy, Boko Haram and other ethnic militias groups in the country.

This probably explains the fears of the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo who recently said in one of the dailies: “I’m afraid, and you know I am a General.

When a General says he is afraid, that means the danger ahead is real and potent; there’s absence of serious, concrete, realistic, short and long term solution to youth unemployment”. The former President made reference to doctorate degree holders who applied for jobs as drivers at the Dangote Group, saying Nigerian youths have been patient enough but feared that this patience may soon reach a breaking point.

Governments across the political spectrum must begin to refocus on human capital development in all areas of policy making. It is also time that the jinx of power outage is broken and steady supply of electricity is restored. This will engender local production and indirectly reduce drastically the scorge of unemployment.

The Nigerian youths can also help themselves by creating jobs. China is great today because 75 per cent of the civil populace are engaging in diferent kinds of production meeting the local and creating better opportunity for international trade.

14 — SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

I

couldn’t stay up to watch the reelection of President Barak Obama. Much as I wanted to, I knew from my racing heartbeat, that it wasn’t the wisest thing to do. The last debate I watched, I had spent more time watching the voter’s reaction to the comments instead of enjoying the quality of the debate. I knew then that I was, contrary to my profession, more involved than I needed to be. During the day, I had spent time getting in touch with my friends in the US and the UK. All, and I mean all, wanted Obama to win.

By 5.30am, I was roused from my sleep by ecstatic calls, telling me Obama had won. The relief that flowed through me was so strong that I wondered why. Obama in the final analysis, is an American who will always put American interests ahead of any other interest including that of Kenya, his ancestral home. His last four years neither benefited me nor my country.There are no indications that the next four will. So why am I so involved? I tried to tell myself that his policies were better and more inclusive; and that Mitt Romney was too shifty. But so what? Its still an American election.

After all, Al Gore was

Now, that is block voting. And all of us who are delirious, should ask ourselves if Obama would have won if the whites who constituted over 70% of the eligible voters, had block voted too. Our hero, reverend Luther King, admonished us to look at the content of the head (heart) and not the colour of the skin. Is that what we have done? Is that what we do? How many of us have turned on our TV sets to find a white guy and a black guy fight in a boxing contest and instinctively want the black guy to win? Same thing in a tennis tournament. These are not things to be proud of in the twenty-first century.

We must be honest and admit that, of recent, the whites have been more welcoming of content and more tolerant of colour than we have been.

Britain has been so tolerant of different cultures that its own culture has been down played. It now proudly calls itself a multicultural society.

The other day, France said it didn’t want the use of veils in schools and all hell broke loose.

Can any female go to the Middle-East and not cover her head no matter how westernised or feminist she claims to be? I think we should

to me, a better candidate than George Bush. But I lost no sleep over his loss.

I also felt that the dour Scot, Gordon Brown, was a better man to lead Britain out of its recession than the glib, handsome and empty David Cameron.

America suffered economically, and in global perception, for its choice just as Britain is suffering economically for the decision to pick Cameron. For me, a bystander, nothing spoil. So why am I so passionate about this American election? Could it have something to do with the colour of Obama’s skin?

learn to be less sensitive and more tolerant of other people and culture.

While we welcome the second coming of Obama, we must applaud the system that brought the son of an immigrant to the White House. And emulate it. In Nigeria, we are all still consumed with primordial politics of ‘it’s the turn of the North’, ‘it’s the turn of the Igbos’, ‘the Yorubas are maginalised’ etc. The kind of ancient, tribal politics that had not led us anywhere, and will never lead us anywhere.

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A country that wants to prosper must look for visionary leaders who have ‘something’ between their ears

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ater that Wednesday, I had a meeting with some veteran journalists. Those who had stayed up for the re-election, were bleary eyed from lack of sleep. But they all had this feel-good thing and they all expressed joy at the outcome of the election.

Some were so passionate that I again wondered if it would translate to anything positive for Nigeria. These were veterans who had been trained to be objective, even cynical sometimes. Yet, they couldn’t see anything wrong with Obama or anything right with Romney for that matter. And I thought, uneasily, if we were all routing for something other than the content of the head here.

Later, when the demographic analysis came on CNN, it was discovered that over 90% blacks and over 75% Hispanics voted for Obama.

C M Y K

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e should be concerned with what you bring to the dinner table and not who you represent at the dinner table. A country that wants to prosper must look for visionary leaders who have ‘something’ between their ears. Colour, tribe and gender are accidents of birth,and should have no role to play in the new world.

The American white voters the majority – chose content over colour. Can our tribal war lords rise up to this ideal? Can our journalists preach it?

The day a gifted and visionary South African white rises up with the support of the majority of black voters, to legitimately contest for— and win—that country’s highest office, will be the day Africa (and maybe the rest of the world) would have come of age.

A political iconoclast he was

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igeria has once again lost a rare political gem, such a refined man who understood the tempers and mercies of politics,who also gave more than a passing interest in nurturing it.

He was a man that cultivated his politics in a very peculiar manner and espoused the practice of generosity and good neighbourliness to sustain his array of political followers.

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asily called OLOYE by his numerous followers back in his native Ilorin, Senator Olusola Saraki was a politician that created his own panache throughout his entire political sojourn on earth.

He was very close to me and I had the rare privilege of learning a few political notes from his rich reservoir of political knowledge.

Senator Saraki has the mileage that most politicians do not have.

He was kind, generous, God-fearing, and enjoyed a popularity that was peculiar to him alone. He understood the dynamics of Nigeria politics and was able to sustain his political relevance through and through.

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ven though death is the final sting of man, it is hurting to lose such a political colossus at this time.

His death struck me with awe. It is nostalgic especially when I reflected on those good old days when we shared certain political philosophy together; the philosophy of one Nigeria, the philosophy of growth and development and the symbolic practice of being kind to fellow human being.

Senator Olusola Saraki’s philanthropy was infectious and down-to-earth. His

*Dr. Olusola Saraki

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Are blacks more fixated on colour than whites?

Vanguard VEMBER 17, 2012—15 anguard,, NO NOVEMBER

Senator Olusola Saraki’s philanthropy was infectious and down-to-earth. His love for the ordinary folks out there earned him a place in their million hearts.

He was the masses man who craved for the elimination of poverty

love for the ordinary folks out there earned him a place in their million hearts. He was the masses man who craved for the elimination of poverty.

He shared his riches and politics with many, and his ability to fit into all political groupings was what made his life very unique.

On behalf of my family, I join millions of his admirers, friends and associates in

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condoling his family over this painful loss.

May Allah in His infinite mercy grant him eternal rest in the hereafter. May He grant the family the strength and courage to bear with this hurting loss.

Adieu, Oloye until we meet to part no more.

Signed by Prince Kassim Afegbua on behalf of General Ibrahim Babangida, GCFR.

16—SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012

By PETER OSALOR

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HE words ‘ youth’ and ‘restiveness’ have become so commonly used together in the last couple of years that it seems to have taken on a life of its own. In the last decade and more there has been a proliferation of cases all over the country and indeed the world, of youth agitations which have tons of people dead and valuable infrastructure as well as personal properties lost and destroyed.

A sustained protestation embarked upon to enforce a desired outcome from a constituted authority by an organised body of youths, fits the label of youth restiveness. It is also a combination of any action or conduct that constitutes unwholesome, socially unacceptable activities engaged in by the youths in any community.

It is a phenomenon which in practice has led to a near breakdown of law and order, low productivity due to disruption of production activities, increasing crime rate, intra-ethnic hostilities, and harassment of prospective developers and other criminal tendencies. This scourge has been around for a long time and it looks as though it is defying solutions. Maybe the question that needs to be asked is what is truly responsible for this expression of dissatisfaction by the youth? Have their complaints over the years not been heard or attended to?

Is there more to the killings and destruction than just drawing attention to the needs they want met? Are the youths trying to draw society’s attention to themselves more than the issues they appear to be confronting? These and more are the questions we would try to tackle head on today.

In Nigeria for instance, the Niger Delta region which is unarguably the bedrock of the oil industry in Nigeria permeated the news for a lengthy period of time as the youths of that region tried various means of getting government and oil companies to pay attention to their dire conditions of living and alleviate their sufferings since according to them, the resources which is building the nation is flowing from their land so by virtue of that they should also be partakers of its benefits.

This strife led to a rise in kidnapping and vandalization of oil pipelines as well as other vices that were being perpetrated. After a period of

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Finding way out of restiveness, unemployment years, the Nigerian government intervened and the Amnesty program was created to help deliver some of the promises which government had made to the youths in those areas.

The baton was soon handed over to the Eastern Nigeria.

Increase in the rate of armed robbery attacks, kidnappings

as well as unbridled thuggery became the order of the day.

Today the Northern part of Nigeria has literally erupted with unrivalled violence.

Bomb blasts, kidnaps and killings of Nigerians and others have become the prevailing trend. Despite beefing up of security in these areas, the problems still looms.

Nigeria sitting on keg of gun-powder Continued from page 12 attractions for crime for the present day youth.”

It was noted that the leaders are no longer trusted and the mill of the antisocials enlarges by the day. No wonder we have armed robbers, political thugs, kidnappers, religious/tribal fanatics, drug couriers, yahoo yahoo boys all of them designed to cut corners. And they all passed through one school or the other. Against this background, there is urgent need for massive employment in order to check youth restiveness.

A nation not interested in developing the youth (as is the case of Nigeria), will only be stranded in the earliest forms of pre-industrial and primitive stages of existence.

According to Ihonvbere, it is wicked for present day public C M Y K

office holders to insist that fresh graduates must be self employed without the enabling environment. In civilised world, it is the duty of government to ignite such a revolution in the youth.

None of the big economies which Nigeria aspires to be part, leaves her productive sectors to the vagaries of market forces just like that.

Saturday Vanguard investigation showed most graduates of higher education are still looking for jobs rather than create jobs. Only about one out of one thousand graduates of Nigerian tertiary institutions get employment. The low level of entrepreneurial zeal among graduates of higher education can be attribut-

This situation begs the questions, what is the government of the day willing to do to put a permanent end to these problems. The National Population Commission (NPC) has said the country’s population has risen from the 140,431,790 it was five years ago when the last national headcount was ed as the main reason why they are not starting their own businesses coupled with inability to access loans provided by some banks, especially bank of industry.

“In fact, the major challenge is the take-off capital or seed money required for some of these graduates in moving forward,” declared Engr. B.A. Odufuwa, Chairman, Governing Council, Lagos City Polytechnic in the 5th Convocation address.

Many eminent persons and scholars have also pointed to entrepreneurship education as a bail out from unemployment.

The Vice Chancellor, Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Prof Tolu Odugbemi affirmed that one major outstanding feature of the institution is the emphasis on entrepreneurial training and skill development for the students.

“Our students are being trained in over 20 various vocational skills aside from their normal academic pursuit to make them self-reliant, independent and job creators after their graduation,” he told this writer recently.

taken, to 167,912,561 as at October 2011.This represents an annual population growth rate of 5.6 million people.

The Ministry of Youth Development, said recently that there are 68 million unemployed youths in Nigeria.

Every year about 300,000 graduates enrol in the NYSC scheme. This is definitely not the total number of graduates but it is a pointer.

According to the Population reference Bureau, the population of youth in Nigeria is 43%.

It is a huge fallacy that violent crimes are committed because of poverty and lack of employment. For a start no where in the world not even Communist Russia does government create all the employment. A friend told me in Vicenza a month ago that the fundamental difference between Greece and Anambra State is that whereas in the former people await the government to give them a job otherwise they go on a rampage.

In Anambra the typical youths shuns low paying government job much in preference for self employment How does one explain that kidnappers being nabbed in the same Anambra do own multiple SUVs as well as numerous palatial estates that the government today is pulling down with bulldozer once they are caught.

SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012—17

18—SATURDAY VANGUARD,NOVEMBER17, 2012

He drinks a lot

How do I know if I’m o vulating? ovulating?

Dear Julie, I have been married for three years and my husband and I need a baby badly. We have been trying all this while and we are now counting my ovulation to ensure everything is done adequately. How do I know if I am actually ovulating? I have tried the Ovulation Predictor Kits for five months, and only got one positive during my first month of trying.

My cycle has also varied each month between 28 to 25 days.

How long should we try before contacting my gynaecologist?

I am 33 years old.

Emelda, Lagos Dear Emelda, Ordinarily, there are two reasons a woman ‘ll want to know when she is ovulating: she is trying to get pregnant or she is trying to avoid it.

In a normal cycle, you should be ovulating about 14 days before the start of your next period. If you are not sure how long your cycle is, start marking the days of your cycle in your diary, starting with day one on the first day of your period. Once you have established a pattern, you can more or less predict ovulation.

You might get a slight pain over your ovary at the time of ovulation. The cervical mucus changes a few days before you ovulate, making it easier for sperm to get into the uterus and to the egg that was released. The volume of your discharge will increases and it becomes almost elastic. Your temperature also rises with about half a degree.

These work just like pregnancy tests , detecting a surge

of hormones in your urine.

You start using them at the same time of day from about day twelve of your cycle or about 16 days before you think your next period will start. If two lines appear, it means that you will ovulate within the next 24 hours.

But yours is an irregular period and it is possible that you are starting to test too late . If you have a 25 day cycle, you

are ovulating on day 11! So you have to start testing from day nine .

Since you are 33 years old, you do not have to do it your way. You should go to see your gynaecologist or a fertility specialist . The later is a bit more expensive but really worth it. Many couples look-

ing for the fruit of the womb have tried it and it worked for them. So, if you and your husband can afford a fertility expert, go and see one to enhance your chances of conception. Besides, your husband also needs to undergo some tests as it is not always the woman’s fault when conception is delayed.

How do I remould my son Dear Julie, Is it possible to change my 16 year old son from being angry and negative? He does not take responsibility for his actions; he blames everyone else and tells lies that he believes.

He also shows little respect for adults when he thinks they don’t respect him. He is getting better, but I really want him to be a changed person before he graduates from high school and goes out in the world.

Anne, Lagos Dear Anne, We cannot change another human being. It is not possible. And, it is not our job to do so.

What is our responsibility, and what we can do is to continue to work on improving our own life. If we will do this, then the improvement we have agreed to in our life(and within) will see to it that whomever is around us will have the chance to make new

choices . This is the only way we can help those we love , by increasing the presence of love in our hearts. This does not mean we pretend to be different. Children see our phoniness and resent us for being hypocrites. Instead, we must embrace what we are

given to see within ourselves and in our willingness to be made new, we become a living example of God that changes us. Then, your son, or whomever it may be, has a chance to make a new choice based on seeing its real possibility.

I’m getting more anxious these days Aunty Julie, Anxiety seems to be my lot in life lately. I have a full plate of activities with children, a challenging job, and a few outside interests. I feel like I balance these and keep my priorities straight, yet still, I’m often visited by worry and anxiety. Do you have any suggestions on how I can work through this?

Imona, Calabar Dear Imona, Anxiety is one of the more difficult internal states to work with because of the way it works within us. The key is to begin realizing that the only influence any anxious state can have over us is in what it promises us we will have if we’ll do what the state tells us to do. One of the important aspects of your inner work is to begin deeply learning to recognize these individual states as they invade your psychic system, and in the beginning, if nothing else, to meet these states (especially anxiety) with what you know is true about the situation instead of listening to what the situation tells you is true about you.

I cannot control my anger Dear Aunty Julie, I am a 43 years old man. I am married and have four children. When I look at myself, it seems that my most prevalent emotion is anger. It’s always there, and I feel powerless to stop my raging thoughts. What can I do? I really am weary of my own out-of-control emotions.

It is affecting my life and marriage and on several occasions, I have vented my spleen on my wife who I feel I

Cake or bed?

don’t deserve. I feel sorry to be married to a humble lady like her and having to hurt her all the while. Can I ever get out of this?

Louis, Edo Dear Louis, You already know that your anger is destroying you. It is and it will. The fact that you are tired of losing your life to these self-harming psychic states means you are ready for a change. Here is a new way to work with what’s been work-

A husband is at home watching a football game when his wife interrupts, “honey, could you fix the light in the hallway, it’s been flickering for weeks now.” He looks at her and says angrily, “fix the lights now? Does it look like I have electrician written on my forehead? I don’t think so.”

“Fine,” then the wife asks, “ well then, could you fix the fridge door? It won’t close right,” to which he replied, “fix the fridge door? Does it look like I have fridge repairer written on my

ing you over: The next time some hostile state takes you over, either in thought as in remembering something someone did to you in the past or in an actual moment of conflict with someone standing before you, take the following inner steps as soon as you can remember yourself to do so: Start by seeing that something foreign to your true nature has imposed itself on you and taken over your life. Having done this, do

nothing else except realize that while you may be temporarily powerless to stop the lower state from possessing you, you are empowered to recognize the negative state as the intruder that it is. This awareness, this conscious, unself-justifying awareness of your true pained condition, is what it means to put an end to the problem. That’s your job.

God will do His part if you’ll do yours. Persist until you are free!

C O C K - T A L E S forehead?

I don’t think so.” “ Fine”, she says, “then you could at least fix the steps to the front door? They are about to break”. “ I’m not a carpenter and I don’t want to fix steps he says, “does it look like I have carpenter written on my forehead?” “I don’t think so” “I ‘ve had enough of you. I’m going to the pub”.

So he goes to the pub and drinks for a couple of hours. He starts to feel guilty about how he treated his wife, and decides to go home. As he walks into

Dear Julie, My husband drinks too much. The problem I have with that, aside from it being deadly to his health is his meanspirited attitude toward me after he drinks. He says negative things about me that he would not normally say while sober. The crazy thing about it is, the next day he is repentant, telling me how much he loves me and how he would be nothing without me.

How do I elevate myself above circumstances that seem to just take me on one roller coaster ride after another? How do I free myself from negativity about his abuse of me? I want to understand the truth about the power this situation has over me!

Rita, Aba Dear Rita, Nothing can grow true, strong, and healthy that lives under a shadow, save those creatures that thrive in the dark. Your soul, your heart and mind, are not meant to live in the endless shadow of fear. I cannot and would never tell someone what to do with a situation such as yours, other than to say that I would not tolerate it for longer than two heartbeats. If your description is accurate, then so is the prescription for the condition. If one doesn’t become active in helping an addict of any kind, then one is enabling that person, pure and simple. He does not know what he does to himself, or to you. That much is evident. This means he will never know, unless there is an intervention of some sort. And that is up to you to do, or not. It is what you have been unwilling to attend to that is the real problem. Truth, God, never shows us something that needs to be done without providing us with all that we need to succeed with the task, regardless of how intimidating it may seem, but you will have to prove this to yourself.

the house, he notices that the steps are already fixed.

As he enters the house , he sees the hall light is working. As he goes to get a beer, he notices the fridge door is fixed. “Honey”, he asks, “how’d all these get fixed?”.She said, “ well, when you left, I sat outside and cried. Just then, a nice young man asked me what was wrong, and I told him. He offered to do all the repairs, and all I had to do was either go to bed with him or bake a cake. He said, “so what kind of cake did you bake?” She replied, “hellooooo, do you see baker written on my forehead? I don’t think so!”

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

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HAT is your idea of a happy sex life? The answer to this simple question might be far from what you envisaged. Recently, some sex experts were asked for their top tips on how to keep the spark alive. Not one of them recommended expensive sex toys, breast implants or doing it five times a night. Instead, they talked about having fun working at your relationship and being comfortable with who you are.

“People who have truly satisfactory sex lives appreciate that everyone is different”, says a psychologist, Dr. Petra Boynton. Not all of us want to be swinging from the rafters. If you are already heaving a sigh of relief, there are more revelations.

Vanguard NO VEMBER 17, 2012—19 NOVEMBER

A happy love life isn’t as elusive as you think

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nibbled will nibble on their partner ’s ears. Pay attention to your man’s moves and you’ll get a great idea of what he wants you to do to him. If both of you don’t feel energetic about health, cuddle up and just bask in the warmth of each other.

“Don’t worry, be happy. These days, sex is just another lifestyle product and another way for people to make money by selling us things we don’t want or need. But you don’t have to live up to anyone’s expectations. A good sex life is one that makes you feel happy and comfortable, whether you’re doing it ten times a week or ten times a year. It’s quality not quantity that counts. In the meantime, build on the rapport that already exists between you and learn to laugh at your mistakes inside and outside the bedroom.

Tracey Coz, another sex experts, believes asking questions helps.

When you make love, focus on your partner’s pleasure, not your own. The better you are as a lover, the more enjoyment they ’ll get from sex and

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arole Rice, a relationship coach, advises you:”Try to think of your partner as independent from you — you’re not joined at the hip. Imagine them at work, playing sport or doing something well without you.

See them as the vital and interesting individuals they are when they’re not with you. This is far sexier than the claustrophobic familiarity that can kill attraction when all you see is the socks left on the floor and your partner-slumped on the sofa. To add more spice, try going to a restaurant or a bar separately and play-acting chatting each other up. You’ll relearn to find each other attractive and desirable this way.” ”Get along inside and outside the bedroom,” says Sue Johnson, a sex educator.” “lf your relationship is full of hostility, you won’t have a good love life. Your anger is a barrier to enjoying sex. You have to resolve conflict — don’t bottle things up. Ask him:’Can we talk about it? Solve the problem, then you’ll be able to enjoy each other. In other words, why make an enemy of a partner that’s supposed to be your greatest ally? Learn to read secret signals. Everyone has their favourite things in the bedroom, whether it’s having their ears nibbled or their feet tickled. But they ’re almost always too embarrassed. to tell. So how do you discover your partner ’s fantasies? Look at what they’re doing to you! For example, someone who loves their ears’

the more likely they are to crave it. Encourage your partner to open up and tell you what they require. Do they want more foreplay?

Are you picking the wrong time for sex?

Suggest that you bathe together or give them a massage first. Ask for feedback during sex and give them time to become aroused.

Take things slowly.

Strip naked together and take it in turns to run your hands slowly over your partner ’s body, loving it for every wrinkle, fold and flaw. As you do so, tell them what makes them sexy. Remember a time when you had great sex and talk about it.

Take five minutes a day to sit opposite your partner and silently hold hands while looking into each other ’s eyes and think only of what you love about them.”

If you’re able to give a woman orgasm, she’ll be putty in your hands

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“Hit the spot” is what Phillip Hodson, another counsellor advises. “Here’s one for the men — learn to pleasure your partner properly! If you’re able to give a woman orgasm, she’ll be putty in your hands. Make the effort to understand how her body works.

Think about subtle approaches and lead up to sex, don’t just steam in.

Increase the amount of foreplay.

Find out where her pleasure spot is and what she likes done to it. A woman’s body is like an ice-berge; ninetenths of it is below the surface!”

“Be open and honest. You need to talk about what you like and don’t like, but sex can be a sensitive subject, so give lots of compliments. If you start by telling your partner what you like and what he does well, that’s a good time to admit that you weren’t keen when your ex was too rough, say, or asked you to do things you weren’t comfortable with. Get sex issues out in the open and tackle them before they become a problem. Use your imagination.

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he brain is the biggest sexual organ, so excite the imagination. Talk about your fantasies and tell your partner what you’d like to do, even if you’re too tired to do it. Imagine yourself as a strong woman you admire when you do this. Try ‘simmering’ during the day— leave him sexy notes or send him saucy text or phone messages so he can’t wait to get home.”

These bits of expert advice are not only to help you have the best sex ever with your partner they ’re also to remind you never to take lovemaking or your partner for granted. Hang on to a good sex life if you’ve got one, and make sure it’s refreshed from time to time. If your love-life is, however, lack-lustre, the tips are pointers to what you should do to make it better.

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he greatest lift you can have is a contented love life, so work at it! Make it impossible for your partner to look for thrills outside the confines of your love-nest. If they like alfresco sex, why not indulge them!

You might even like the thrill of making love outdoors with the likelihood of some peeing Toms drooling over your activities with envy! lastly, never, never criticize your partner ’s efforts, especially when you suspect that’s the best they could do. And if your man likes talking dirty? Well, encourage him. Some women have confessed to having mind-blowing orgasms when their men talk dirty, so there!

Do you have a temperamental man on your hand? oes your man behave like a bull in the China shop from time to time? Don’t let his temper faze you more than necessary. ”Men are conditioned to express anger,” explains American psychologist, Steven Stosny, “hence your man’s proclivity to punch the computer when it crashes or fling the clicker when it won’t work (before checking the batteries)”. So how do you deal with your man’s incredible hulk habits?

Steven Stosny advises you should wait for the storm to pass: Fight the temptation to try to make your man chill when he’s in the midst of a flare up. Yelling at, or even chastising him in the moment will only make him turn on you instead of the frustration C M Y K

source. And don’t bother trying to reason with him either.

When your man is in a state of rage, he loses perspective and the ability to listen to logic. Your best bet? leave

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Be clear with your complain:-

Two things you need to know about the male species. One, they get mad and then they ’re over it,

Fight the temptation to try to make your man chill when he’s in the midst of a flare up

the room and let him rage. These attacks usually last less than half an hour. And having your say about his temper will be most effective if you wait until his anger subsides.

his eruptions are affecting you.

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and two, they don’t personalize anger that’s not directed at them and don’t understand why you would. That’s why you need to make sure that he understands how

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hen he’s regained his cool, say something like “I want you to stop screaming when things go wrong.” Says Stosny. This language works because it challenges him to stay calm in the face of frustration and triggers his desire to please you.

Of course, he may deny his hot-tempered behaviour. If he feigns ignorance, mentally catalogue the last few times he lost it, so you can cite examples.

above-average valuation of independence, or personal freedom. It not a symptom of anything. Therapists who “treat” it as a symptom are self-hugging .

They are unwittingly

When fear of intimacy begins to take its toll I

n many relationships couples are frustrated by widely diverse desires to be intimate. Typically, one partner wants to share emotions and thoughts much more often than the other. To try to help these couples, therapists have embraced the idea of a fear of intimacy.

They offer their services to encourage the couple to move toward greater intimacy.

Any work on human needs offers a very different approach to the so-called fear of intimacy. This is a conflict of values that has nothing to do with fears. It is very difficult to resolve because only greater values can motivate resolution of a value conflict. The answer is understanding of individual differences, tolerance, and compromise. It is a mistake to try to change one or both partners.

Scientifically, all fears are interrelated, and if they divide into categories, it would be the fear of death/injury, the fear of

larly acted out in our closest relationships. Very often, our current reactions, especially our overreactions are based on negative programming from our past.

Although relationships can feel like a tug of war with one of us struggling to pull closer while the other resists, engaging in the blame game is never the solution.

Too often, we build a case against the people we are involved with.

We use their flaws against them, cataloging their shortcomings in our minds until admiration slowly

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20 — SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012

It’s a painful reality that love isn’t always as easy to give and receive as we’d like to think

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anxiety, and the fear of embarrassment. In other words, there are three fundamental fears that are the psychological foundations of specific fears of this or that.

One would not want to classify avoidance of intimacy as a fear, any more than one would consider seeking intimacy as a fear of autonomy.

The “fear of intimacy” isn’t a fear but an expression of an

asserting their own values while thinking they are treating a disorder.

It’s a painful reality that love isn’t always as easy to give and receive as we’d like to think. Many people have developed defenses that make them intolerant of too much love, attention or affection.

Our personal limitations and insecurities are regu-

erodes into cynicism. When this transformation occurs, we become highly attuned to our partners’ less desirable traits. We start to filter and distort our view of them, so that they fit into the case we’ve built against them. We fail to see our partners as they really are, with strengths and with weaknesses. When we don’t see all aspects of a person, we become bent out of shape ourselves. We may act out or behave in ways of which we don’t approve.

Conversely, when we interrupt this tendency to build a case, we can focus on ourselves and act in ways that truly represent who we are and how we feel. Staying

vulnerable, open and compassionate toward our partner can make them feel safe and allow them to take a chance on being close. Being our best is the surest way to bring out the best in our relationships.

If we notice our partners pulling away at certain points, it’s helpful to explore ways we might be contributing to the problem or even provoking it.

Be open to the reality that we help create the situations we’re in. A good exercise is to look at what our partner does that we dislike the most, then think about what we do right before that. If a partner is unwilling to open up, do we do anything that might contribute to them shutting down? Do we nag? Get distracted? Do we talk down to them by trying to fix their problems or telling them what to do? Do we complain to them? Do we ever draw them out or just let them vent? We can take a powerful position in making our relationship closer by changing our own behavior. Feel your feelings, then do the right thing.

When people feel close, they react. Sometimes these reactions are positive, and sometimes they are negative.

The reasons for this are complex and have a lot to do with how we’ve learned to see ourselves and the world around us throughout our lives.

We may respond perversely to positive treatment, because it conflicts with negative ways we’re used to being seen or related to.

Our first time was disappointing I

recently had sex with my girlfriend. t was the first time for both of us. Her hymen broke and she bled a little and even cried but she said she LOVED it. I, on the other hand, felt no pain, but, at the same time, I did not have a lot of pleasure. I expected the first time to be much better, but her vagina seemed to be too relaxed and I did not feel a lot of pressure on my penis. Virgins are supposed to have tight vaginas to make sex more enjoyable. My girlfriend used to play tennis and she always does the splits and squats. Do you think that made her vaginal muscles relaxed, or is it just that she did not know how to please me? I am really frustrated and lied to her, telling her I loved it, too.

Please help me out.

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Tony, P-H Ans: Just having two people dance together for their first time takes some effort to make it feel natural and fun.

Stepped-on toes and awkward moments happen, but remember, very few things in life are perfect on the first try! First sexual intercourse experiences are often bursting with high expectations, hopes, anxieties, excitement, and fears. For some, it’s important to get “this virginity thing” over with for future, less tense sexual explorations. Often, pressure is a greater factor than pleasure, unfortunately, making many first times disappointing. Don’t be too worried , like subsequent sexual tries are likely to improve with experience, communication, and practice!

What were your expectations for your first sexual intercourse? Many factors could have shaped what you expected. Popular media, such as many movies or music, often portray first times as artistic scenes with attractive celebrities, sensual and hot, and perfectly queued music, lights, and magic. In reality, sex may be sweaty, sticky, uncomfortable, and not have that mesmerizing climax, especially on the first try.

As for the “tight vagina” situation, many rumours and media falsely portray all female virgins as having tight vaginas. Since women are all different, the tightness of the vagina, or vaginal “grip,” varies. When a woman is aroused, the vagina

relaxes to accommodate objects, like the penis. If you place your finger just inside her vagina and asks her to squeeze, you would probably feel her vaginal muscles tighten. Changing your pattern may help you learn to respond to different stimuli so that you increase your own opportunities for pleasure.

Being a good lover takes time, trust, practice, patience, and communication. Orgasms and pleasure are as much physical as they are emotional. Sexuality and intimacy involve more than gymnastics , truthfulness and authenticity also play an important part. Along these lines, telling someone that you love the sex when you don’t isn’t fair to your sex partner.

*Nelson,25, single, graduate, from Anambra State, mutually beneficial relationship on desires a fair and slim lady for a serious relationship 07086987856 on 08162240540 *Kunle, 38, from Abeokuta, single, would *Joseph, fair, based in lagos, employed,, from Abia wants a Godfearing guy of 32-35 for relationship on love to meet a certified professional State, needs a lady of 20-30 from any part of the world working class lady for courtship on 08091331303 for a serious relationship on 08050996268 08164178084 *Alex, 38, from Anambra, wants a lady of 26-34 for *Victor, from Sapele, wants a girl of 19-23 *Emeka, male, HIV on 07061829788 Do you have reactions to our stories or have you any experience you want positive, based in *Paschal , 30, handsome, graduate and Delta, graduate, aginfully employed desires a lady for employed, needs a Do you want to be linked? marriage 08035400073 lady who is HIV Neither Chioma Gabriel nor Saturday Vanguard has any relationship with anybody wanting *Ismail, 36, desires needss a busty lady for to be linked. We have no agents anywhere and charge no fees. We have no personal informa- positive,graduate and relationship on 080331590030 tion of people who have been linked or want to be linked and therefore, are not answerable for employed for marriage *Rose, 26, pretty, based in Lagos, caring, on 08186608315

C M Y K

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

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info@katehenshaw.com

Sick minds animals in the wild protect their children more fiercely than humans.

Try getting close to a lioness and her cubs or even a hen and her chicks and you would see the ferocity with which you

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hildren are innocent in every respect. They did not ask to be brought into this cruel world, they are to be cared for, sheltered and nurtured so they fulfill their purpose on this earth. Why would people with perverted and reprobate minds unleash their warped actions on innocent and trusting children and parents who are meant to protect these children are more concerned about what the society would think of them and the different positions they occupy?

My sister, lately, has been saying to me that the world is coming to an end. I believe she is not far from the truth judging by happenings in our s o c i e t y .

A few days ago, I received a picture that has been circulating the social media platforms (I am sure that a lot of us did as well) that made me heave and throw up! My mind instantly went to my daughter, and I will say it openly here that I would not be held responsible for my actions if that happened to her! My goodness!

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hat the evil minded adult male had the guts to take a picture of his evil act is reprehensible but his boldness was incomplete as the coward that he is did not reveal his identity.

A sad nation we have turned into where we have totally lost our moral compass, where the rights of children are no longer protected. We pay lip service to the truth, and do nothing to bring perpetrators to book. It grieves my heart as a parent and scares me at the same time. The

Vanguard, NO VEMBER 17, 2012—21 NOVEMBER

service gave him the access he needed to commit these crimes undetected.

Enquiries have been launched into the activities at the BBC and within the National Health Service; the police have commenced formal criminal investigations into these allegations

Most people run from pillar to post seeking the fruit of the womb, some succeed, some do not. We are accountable for the life of every child in our care, be it male or female

would be attacked.

Sexual abuse allegations involving the English DJ and BBC television presenter, Sir Jimmy Savile and under-aged teenage girls came to light last month, almost a year after his death.

His position in the broadcasting

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where over two hundred witnesses have come forward, some of whom are adults now.

This does not look like a scandal that can be swept under the rug. On the other hand, in Nigeria, we are adept at spring cleaning the evils that plague our society, from corrupt practices, massive

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hat could have been Justice Ijeoma JumboOffor’s offence that day?

Maybe… her gele was too big. Or was her entourage too large? Was she overly excited? I know! It must have been her jewellery! Yup! Bigger rocks will do it every single time! Guaranteed to bring out the ‘green monster claws, fangs et all!

Pedestrian you say? You’d be amazed at how pedestrian and petty our people can be.

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hy? He is running for office and does not want any blemish . It is no longer about the child. The culprit has ‘apologized’ and seen the error of his ways and the father wants no part of this scandal, no justice for the child. How does this child in question fare in the future?

Will she ever trust again? What is the extent of damage that has been done her? We have no therapists who can help this child heal on the inside and let her know, it is no fault of hers!

Most people run from pillar to post seeking the fruit of the womb, some succeed, some do not. We are accountable for the life of every child in our care, be it male or female.

When we abdicate that responsibility, we have no one but ourselves to blame when they do not turn out right. ”Suffer the little children to come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of God”. Children have a right to a chance in the future. Let us not wipe out our future generation today.

I think that it is only fair that one’s promotion, man or woman, be based on one’s hard work and diligence, and not who I married or where they are from. You see this business of appointing and promoting people based on their state of origin as opposed their track record and capabilities is one of the main reasons why we are still in the back waters where we permanently reside.

Unadulterated bovine excreta

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I

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he appointment of any judge is a process that commences with recommendations, shortlisting, nomination, appointment before swearing and the assumption of office. And I suppose that somewhere in between ‘shortlisting and nomination’ there will be security checks. Four stages where the powers that be could have decided that she was not fit for the post.

Why wait till the most embarrassing moment to tell her she was being cut from the list not because she had been found derelict or wanting but because some 20 odd years ago, she decided to marry a man from Abia? Like many have asked; was this famous ‘petition’ received that morning? You can’t blame the conspiracy theorists; when something makes no logical sense, then one is forced to look for reasons elsewhere.

When did they discover she was not an indigene of Abia State, a fact that did not get in the way of a 14-

fraud to child sexual abuse. No one is ever held accountable, from constituted authority to citizens who take the laws into their own hands.

We still await with bated breath the outcome of investigations into the Aluu 4 killings.

Let me give you this scenario, it is not a scene from a Nollywood movie but a true life story. An underaged female child is sexually abused, the culprit is caught and prosecuted but it is the father of the child who goes to the judge to ask that the case be dropped and even tries to bribe the judge.

If it is true that there is a clause that dictates that women in the judiciary are considered for elevation through their state of ancestry or birth as opposed to their state of marriage, then there is something fundamentally wrong

year meritorious service? And there I was thinking that at least we wait until a woman is widowed before fleecing her!

What message are you passing across to professional career women? I am good enough to be put to work but not good

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enough to reap the benefits thereof?

If it is true that there is a clause that dictates that women in the judiciary are considered for elevation through their state of ancestry or birth as opposed to their state of marriage, then there is something fundamentally wrong with it and something needs to be done quickly.

would have thought that the nomination of a Chief Justice of a State backed by a letter personally written by the State Governor backing that nomination and reiterating Justice Jumbo-Offor as the State’s nominee (who had been cleared through every stage) would be more than enough to debunk any spurious last minute petitions.

Apparently, not only does this situation make any logical sense it also has no backing in law. Refusing to swear Justice Jumbo-Offor in because she is not an indigene of a particular place is a violation of section 42 of our Constitution which prohibits discrimination arising from circumstances of birth or sex.

Unless there are other extenuating circumstances that they’re not telling, that’s where I worry for the Madam Chief Justice of Nigeria; the first female ever. It’s a major deal…an historical moment. It would be an utter shame if it were allowed to be turned into a … “See!!

You women! You don’t like yourselves!” moment.

22 — SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012

They think they are good in bed: Men are taught that confidence solves just about anything. You can be making a total mistake, but as long as you’re confident, it will turn out okay. This may explain why they are so clueless at what they are doing in bed, but they act like they know.

Getting too tipsy on a date is a turnoff: Some people turn into a completely different person when they are drunk .

Let the other person learn about you while you’re sober, before you get wasted with them. Alcohol should be introduced into the relationship slowly, but if a drink or two takes the edge off, and wine adds romance it’s fine. Just don’t push it too far.

Heavy makeup is a turnoff : Some guys appreciate a natural look as it is, and when a girl does her makeup well, the results can be magical. But the one thing that should never happen is excessive application: too much, too many colors, or if it’s just a botched attempt at a good makeup technique. Seems like as time goes by, makeup makes like the earth and erodes and changes with weathering.

There is nothing more ghastly than makeup run amuck in the morning after spending the night together.

They put pressure on themselves to get married: Women say that they feel more pressure to settle down because they can’t have children as easily past a certain age. Men don’t feel pressure in that sense, but they do fear that their appearance and their “game” will fade as they get older. It’s fun being one of the few guys in a group of friends who hasn’t yet found love, but at the same time, they wonder what is wrong with them...and they’re trying to decide if time is running out.

They want to bail the morning after a one-night stand: Do not linger in bed hung over. Men’re foul when they’re hung over, so they are sure others are too. You can’t contaminate someone’s bed with that. Do everything you can to get home and fester in your own bed.

People have things to do over the weekend. Give each other a hug, wish each other well, don’t say anything about calling, and don’t believe him when he mutters that he will call you.

Women’ll never understand their sports obsession: Some women love sports . But are they as obsessed with sports like guys are? Women know a lot about school sports where they went to school.

There is no reason women wouldn’t understand or know sports like guys do if they were as obsessed. But guys across the board are more sportsobsessed than women are.

Sex in the shower is overrated: Some men tried this, but the entire time they are trying to contort their bodies so that they could get everything inserted correctly. That “up against the wall” variation is tougher than it sounds. The entire shower apparatus is so slippery, and then you have soap all over the place. It’s a danger zone.

20men secrets keep Plus, they do their best to keep the bathroom clean, but they don’t think they’d ever want to have sex anywhere near something called “mildew.”

They do think women’re crazy sometimes, but only because it makes things easier for them: It is sometimes accepted that women were “crazy” (many older guys had insisted they were for years), it seemed to take a huge load of pressure off them. No longer were they trying to rationalize moves that women made that got them into crazy analysis cycles.

When they just throw it all out the window and dismiss it as “crazy,” it

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Men like to cuddle: Cuddling is all about mood and ambience. It’s peaceful to lie in someone’s arms in the dark with great music or even the low buzz of the TV in the background. It’s nice to hear nothing but your lover’s breath against the backdrop of the evening or early morning. Holding someone close in bed also makes you feel very secure with one another and the relationship.

They are afraid of commitment : Commitment means that they ’ve decided that the woman they ’re settling down with is perfect and there is no one else out there for them.

Commitment means they’ve found their soul mate, that they’re completely secure with themselves, and that there should be no going back. All of that is pretty heavy. The old adage “Girls mature faster than boys” comes into play here. Commitment is a sign of maturity, and it just takes some guys longer.

Confidence is key in the bedroom: A guy knows if a girl seems unsure of

Guys are happy to help out their girlfriends with emotional issues. But if the baggage becomes apparent too early in the relationship, then a guy will probably bail

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makes it easier to deal. Men don’t really think women are insane, they just say it so they can be done thinking about their antics and move on.

Leave your baggage at the door: Guys are happy to help out their girlfriends with emotional issues. But if the baggage becomes apparent too early in the relationship, then a guy will probably bail. Also, baggage causes people to put pressure on or damage a relationship, so it may be doomed from the outset.

herself in bed, it gets distracting and starts to feel awkward. The best thing to do is to act like you have some experience, and not question anything. Think back to the advice your dad once gave you and your sisters during his good mood. Just act like you are supposed to be here, and they won’t ask any questions. Sure enough, it worked.

They’re insecure about dirty talk : Once a guy has made it into bed with a girl, no way is he going to let any stupid mouth wreck things. In fact, they’ve most likely made it to this point in spite of his

mouth. There are so many incorrect things a guy could say, from weak to gross to just downright bizarre. Last thing a guy needs is to give this girl some material for a girls’ night conversation.

They get jealous because they ’re insecure: If a guy feels like he does not deserve a woman or is not good enough for her, he will become jealous easily and worried that he’s going to lose her to another guy. On the other hand, some guys admit that they have tried to make girls they’re interested in jealous on purpose before.

They hate when you try too hard to be one of the guys: It’s pretty lame that a guy and his buddies invent words and languages and then giggle over them like schoolchildren.

But what’s even lamer: when some outsider tries to use the language, without the ability to contribute.

They notice what you’re wearing: Make sure you cater what you wear to what you’re doing. Men try not to make a girl walk too much if she’s in heels. Also, girls wear pearls and a nice blouse to trashy outdoor drinking events, or heels to sporting events.

They play hard to get and theyknow it:

Sometimes, men just act like they have no chance, even though they might like a girl. Men openly flirt with other girls in front of the girls they like, and talk about how hot other girls are in front of them. Men make themselves look really picky and difficult to get to. Then, I get really tender and give all of my attention to this girl who thought she had no chance.

They check out other women (Even if they’re in relationships) Sorry, but guys notice a hot girl any time any place. Hopefully most of them don’t make it obvious, but they check out a cutie when they can.

ASK THE SEXPERT Is there anything change or increase

you can do to your sex drive?

I have been married for 12 years and used to enjoy sex with my spouse . My wife used to give excuses for not wanting sex but things have changed over the years. My sex drive seem to be decreasing while my wife is now the one asking for more sex. I have taken some aphrodiascs but nothing seem to have changed. What other thing can I do to increase my sex drive?

Willy, P-H Ans: Experts say the answer lies not so much in what your sex drive is, but whether or not it has reached its potential. While everyone’s level of desire is individual, it can also differ with each partner, and vary within a relationship, increasing or decreasing over time.

Age can also alter sex drive in men and women, and is usually linked to a decline in sex hormones.

Moreover, there are a number of emotional and physical conditions, as well as medications, including some antidepressants, that can put a damper on desire.

If a physical problem causes sex drive to plummet , such as erection difficulties in men, or painful intercourse in women and treatment is received, desire usually increases. If emotions are getting

in the way, talking to a sex therapist can help. And sometimes, sex drive will recharge on it’s own, as circumstances in your life change , such as the introduction of a new sex partner.

Can too much masturbation hurt my sex life?

I’m a man of 32 years and I’m in a relationship. But most nights, I masturbate. I don’t have any side effects afterwards but my friends think masturbation can hurt my sex life in future. I have sex with my fiancee regularly but I must confess, I enjoy climaxing through masturbation more than through sex. Do you think too much masturbation can hurt my sex life?

Anonymous Ans: As long as masturbation doesn’t comprise the whole of your sex life, and does not take precedence over intimate relationships with a partner, then no, it’s not generally believed to be harmful. That said, it’s important to look at what your masturbation activities include. Is it just a mind fantasy, or are you using pornography, internet videos or photos, or even online or telephone sex to increase your pleasure and does this upset your partner?

Also important to consider: How much of your time do masturbation activities occupy and does it keep you from other things in your life, including having sex with a partner? If so, it can be problematic in many respects.

SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012—23

Walking adds years to life, and life to years

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To stay motivated, find a walking partner, such as a family member, friend, or coworker

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alking for wellness is fast catching on in Nigeria and the rest of the world. It is now commonplace to observe individuals, couples and groups of persons taking a brisk walk usually in the mornings or evenings. Only last weekend, staff of Vanguard Media Ltd in Lagos embarked on a 10-kilometre “Walk For Life” activity.

Walking has long been recognized as one of the easiest ways to get the exercise you need to stay healthy.

Experts recommend at least 24 hours of moderate walking (such as brisk walking, brisk cycling, or yard work) a week. It’s fine to walk in blocks of 10 minutes or more throughout the day and week.

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he American Heart Association recommends 30minutes of moderate activity, but three 10-minute periods of activity are almost as beneficial to as an overall fitness as one 30-minute session. Physical activity may also help encourage you to some time outdoors. Sunlight on your skin helps your body produce vitamin D, which brings many added health benefits.Physical activity is proven to improve both mental and physical health. For instance, regular physical activity can relieve tension, anxiety, depression and anger. You may not only notice a “feel good sensation” immediately following your physical activity, but most people also note an improvement in general well-being over time during the weeks and months as physical activity becomes a part of your routine.

Walk the “walk” Walking is a form of exercise and exercise increases the flow of oxygen which directly affects the brain. Your mental acuity and memory can be improved with physical activity. Physical activity improves physical wellness, builds *Two friends enjoy leisure walk together srimmunity, enhances the immune system and decreases the risk of developing diseases bones.Regular exercise reduces coronary heart such as cancer and heart disease. disease in women by 30-40 percent, reduces risk Becoming more active can lower blood pressure by of stroke by 20 percent in moderately active as much as 4-9 mm Hg. That’s the same reduction in people and by 27 percent in highly active ones, blood pressure delivered by some anti-hypertensive establishes good heart-healthy habits in children medications. Physical activity can also boost your and counters the conditions (obesity, high blood levels of good cholesterol.Brisk walking is a form of pressure, poor cholesterol levels, poor lifestyle aerobic exercise. This is exercise that increases your habits, etc.) that lead to heart attack and stroke heart rate for an extended time. Aerobic exercise later in life and helps delay or prevent chronic helps strengthen your heart, lungs, and muscles. A illnesses and diseases associated with aging and strong heart carries more blood, along with oxygen maintains quality of life and independence and nutrients, to the rest of the body. Aerobic longer for seniors. exercise also lowers blood pressure, and can help To get the heart-healthy benefits of walking, you stay at a healthy weight. you need to walk briskly enough to increase Walking and other aerobic exercise also can your heart rate and breathing, but not so fast improve your mood and energy. Regular exercise that you can’t talk comfortably. Why walk for helps prevent and reduce symptoms of depression. wellness? Walking, like all physical activity, It helps reduce symptoms of anxiety in children and burns calories. Being active is important for teens. Walking also keeps your bones healthy. It is a staying at a healthy weight. weight-bearing activity, which means that it works Benefits the muscles and bones against gravity. This can help Moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, for reduce risk of osteoporosis and broken as little as 30 minutes a day has the proven

health benefits listed as well as improving blood circulation, which reduces the risk of heart disease, keeping weight under control, improving blood cholesterol levels, preventing and managing high blood pressure, boosting energy levels and releasing tension to manage stress.

Walking tips How can you make a walking programme part of your life? Think of walking as an easy way to burn calories and stay fit while you go about your daily routine. You can make walking an important part of your life by getting friends and family to join you and by finding new ways to put steps in your day.

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alk smart:If you’re worried about how brisk walking might affect your health, talk with your doctor before you start a walking programme.

Start with a short-term goal. You don’t have to walk all at once. You can split it up. It’s fine to walk in blocks of 10 minutes or more at a time. You might be surprised to see how many steps you take by simply doing chores and errands or by taking walking breaks during the day. There are many ways to walk more without going on a long walk. Use the stairs instead of the elevator, or park farther away from work or a shop. Instead of e-mailing or phoning a coworker or neighbor, walk over. When you meet with someone or visit with a friend, suggest taking a walk instead of staying inside. For example, walk for 5-10 minutes every day. Or increase your number of steps by 300- 500 each day. After you’ve made walking a habit, set a longer-term goal. You may want to set a goal of walking briskly for at least 30 minutes a day or work up to 10,000 steps a day. You can try to do these five days a week or more. To stay motivated, find a walking partner, such as a family member, friend, or coworker. Daily dog walks are also a great way to keep up your walking routine.

*Daily dog walks quite benefitial

24—SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012

The good, bad and sweet story of Nkiru Sylvanus

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ecently, the crying baby of Nollywood who doubles as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Nkeiru Sylvanus has been embattled.

The sultry actress who was catapulted to stardom in her epic movie ‘A Cry for Help” now seems to be in need of that help she sought for a long time ago. Known and appreciated for her emotional outbursts, making her look defenseless and vulnerable, Nkiru appears to be have fallen prey to real life tormentors this time around.

Her talent is evident in her effortless interpretation of roles assigned to her, but Nkiru Sylvanus has devised a way of always evading scandals and controversies. These twin evils which haunt successful movie stars continue to trail her like a shadow. Her first baptism of mischievous gossip sought to question her academic attainments but she was able to shake them off convincingly to the chagrin of her foes and the admiration of her fans.

Then, she got enmeshed in a romantic rumpus with one Asha, a musician who allegedly was using her name to boast his music career by posing in a friendly photograph with her and making claims of a relationship. Following Nkiru’s shrill protests, further investigations led to an apology to her by the medium that published the malicious story. As if that was not enough, another tabloid cast similar aspersions on her with an aide of the vice president.

Nkiru Sylvanus herself made efforts to explain her relationship with her boss whom she refers to as a father figure but in our own peculiar way of prejudiced denunciation, nobody seems to be paying her any attention.

Instead romantic tales keep flying around her and Rochas Okorocha, all in a bid to make

*Nkeiru Sylvanus

DS tv launc hes True DStv launches movie channel

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Stv will this month launch True Movies 1, as a welcome addition to its already impressive array of movie channels. This unique film channel is dedicated to delivering a powerful mix of remarkable true stories based on real people and actual events, 24 hours a day.

Launching on DStv Channel 138, True Movies 1 will draw from its extensive catalogue of true-tolife dramas to bring viewers a gripping schedule of weekly premieres, morning movies and themed days.

Upcoming highlights include: Tear Jerker Day a poignant selection of emotional movies, First Do No Harm, the powerful true story of a mother’s fight for her epileptic son’s right to treatment (starring multi Academy Award winning actress Meryl Streep) and the heart-wrenching Trail of Tears about two women from different backgrounds, united in their shared pain after their husbands kidnapped their children. Other highlights listed are True Crime Day – a collection of movies based on shocking real life crimes such as Death of a Cheerleader and Dangerous Child.

MultiChoice Africa’s CEO, Nico Meyer says “We are pleased to be launching True Movies 1. We are certain that the launch of the channel will provide subscribers with expanded viewing options and bring them greater entertainment variety”.

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her a recluse.

Recently, stories of the “Cry for Help”actress’ parting ways with her boss made headlines in some national dailies and online publications. The story had it that the actress had been relieved of her appointment supposedly due to persistence of the Imo state First Lady, still purporting the existence of a romantic relationship.

Obviously, being human, it was wise for Nkiru to rise to the occasion to effectively defend her name and set the records straight.

But it was not surprising that her true friends were quick to decipher the malicious objective of such stories which were mere tall tales crafted by those crouching in the shadows of Nkiru’s trail blazing successes in her career and reputation that had illuminated the movie and entertainment arena.

On her Facebook page and to some of her friends in other social networks, Nkiru Sylvanus wrote thus: “I am aware that one fake jobless blogger (names withheld) has been peddling news about me, saying , I lost my appointment with Imo State Government. For the records, I was the Lagos Liaison Officer, Senior Special Assistant on Lagos Affairs which I handed over to Lisa Asugha and I am now Senior Special Assistant Public Affairs and this happened five months ago when there was a cabinet reshuffle.

To my fans, who still love and believe in me, God will always be faithful. For those who want my downfall, sorry, I am the wrong person because I stand tall and strong”.

Evidently, the maligned actress believes that those who were after her were not aware of this development and when her absence from Lagos was noticed they jumped to their jaundiced conclusion that she must have been relieved of her appointment. Nkiru Sylvanus who debuted in Nollywood in 2001 with Romance-drama movie,"Terrible Sin" has acted in over 70 home videos.

AMAA tak es me b prise takes byy sur surprise — Peace Anyiam-Osigwe

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enultimate Sunday, organisers of the prestigious African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) scored another brilliant point when it flagged-off the screening of its 2012 winning movies at the Freedom Park, on the Lagos Island.

The project, which has already begun to add value to the cause of using films and cinemas as a vehicle to drive development in Africa, especially among youths, reiterated

e *Peace Anyiam-Osigw

the commitment of the academy towards promoting the African films and cultures across the globe.

The evening witnessed the screening of three award winning movies, “Otelo Burning”, “Alero’s Symphony” and “The Figurine” by Kunle Afolayan. In attendance were prominent entertainers including, Rita Dominic, Abiola ‘Madam Kofo’ Atanda, Michelle Dede and Sola Kosoko. Immediately after the screening, there was an exclusive evening with the founder/CEO of AMAA, Miss Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, where she reviewed the activities of the academy which was established since 2005.

According to her, the glamour and popularity of AMAA has taken her by surprise. “The AMAAs started in 2005, and as I travel more, and as I meet more people, I’m suddenly realizing, ‘Wow, I actually did do something.’

People talk about the AMAAs as an event that brings all filmmakers in Africa and from the African Diaspora together.”

“With the AMAAs, we have an award where we recognize ourselves amongst ourselves, and there’s a stimulated competition between the African countries over who’s going to win the next one. So it makes better films for us." she said

SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012—25

Mr President must see this film!

By INNOCENT ANABA

T

he nationwide protest that brought the country to a standstill, owing to government’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy early this year has been recaptured in a film titled”Fueling Poverty.”

The 20-minutes documentary, due to be premiered at Silvabird Cinema, Abuja on November 29 highlights issues over the January fuel price hike following the subsidy withdrawal and the hardship occasioned by the said policy.

Speaking at the media screening of the documentary in Abuja, producer of the captivating documentary, Mr Ishaya Bako, said “at first, we thought we would advocate the implementation of the House of Representatives report on the fuel subsidy scam, but with the alleged bribery scandal involving Farouk Lawan, we had to go back to the drawing board because the report became enmeshed in controversy.”

He noted that it was high time Nigerians rise and insist that the country’s leadership keep

their promises to the people and be accountable.

Mr Udo Ilo, acting Country Officer, Open Society Initiative for West Africa, OSIWA, who spoke on the occasion, noted that the social media, including the traditional media played major part during the antiJanuary fuel hike, adding that the electronic media did not compliment the efforts, as there were cases where anti-fuel protests were yanked off air.

He commended the role played by the print media immediately after the hike, during the protests and have continued to play to ensure that the President Goodluck Jonathan administration does the right thing to address the many issues that had arisen after the hike.

Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, in his prologue in the documentary, recalled the issues surrounding the subsidy scheme; insistence by Nigerians for accountability on the part of the leadership of the country; the issue of corruption and mis-governance among others, which he noted the film dealt with.

Empress Njamah goes emotional on facebook ‘I am misjudged by people’

C

ontroversial Nollywood actress, Empress Njamah has gone emotional to pledge her innocence regarding all the negative things that have been said and written about her in recent times.

Reacting to some of the controversies trailing her acting career recently on her facebook page, the dark-skinned, sexy-eyed actress alleged that she has over the years been wrongly judged by her critics.

According to Empress, when people who have read or heard a lot of negative things about her meet her in person, they are always shocked to discover that she is a direct opposite of what they think she is.

*Empress Njamah

“Never judge a book by its cover; I am a typical example of that. When people who have read or heard a lot of negative reports about me meet me, they are always shocked. Some will even render their apology, telling me, “Empress, I am sorry, I didn’t think you were this kind of warm,” she wrote on facebook page.

She continued, “You see with the way people painted at me especially the press, anyone who has not met me before will think I am a devil. The function of the press in society is to inform, but its role in decadent society like ours is abused by misinforming the masses in order to make money. If you believe everything you see and hear in the news, then, you can as well believe Obama is a grandmother” “I do not see myself joining any clique. I do not see myself hanging out at the theatre with others, discussing everything about nothing. If anybody needs me, if you have a job for me, just call me.”

“Our society is full of hypocrisy. Apart from the fact that acting nude is alien to our culture, there are so many things happening in our society today which are not part of our culture. The same people who would love to see you look decent are the same people who would go behind your back to criticise you.

That’s our society for you. Yes, if my society is not all that hypocritical, I will do it.”

Empress who invaded the scene in 1995, has been keeping low profile since her ugly break-up with ex-boy friend, Timaya.

HVP learnt that she’s planning to throw a one-in-town party for her friends and colleagues in the industry to mark her birthday anniversary.

Nigerians protesting against the removal of fuel subsidy

s m r o t to s d o o w y ll o N y le r a p O IP W r o f fo Geneva

F

or the first time in the history of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Geneva, Switzerland, the Nigerian film industry popularly called Nollywood will be formally discussed and presented to WIPO diplomats from different countries of the world.

President of the Association of Nollywood Core Producers (ANCOP), Comrade Alex Eyengho, will be expected to lead the discussion and presentation during the WIPO’s Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) meeting holding between November 19 to 23, 2012, in Geneva.

It would be recalled that ANCOP in collaboration with the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF), France, last October in Lagos organized an hugely successful international forum on copyright. The Forum was a unique opportunity for Nigeria’s prime creative industry to take stock of developments in copyright legislation at home and at the global stage, to discuss the need for the industry to adopt best practices in the use of intellectual property rights and to consider the importance of robust copyright legislation for the future growth of Nollywood as a sustainable business sector.

According to Eyengho in a post-event media chat, “the forum also highlighted the need for Nigeria to take the necessary steps to ratify and implement the WIPO Internet Treaties into Nigeria’s national law - the rights therein would update the Intellectual Property (IP) protection our creative companies need in order to be able to license our movies safely and securely to the emergent online platforms which are helping to extend Nollywood films’ market at home and abroad.”

ANCOP president, Alex Eyengho and FIAPF representative during their one-day copyright workshop in Lagos recently C M Y K

26 — VANGUARD, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2012

07088551416

Ex-Eagles clash with entertainment stars for World AIDS Day

(Dr Akudo Ikemba, CEO/Founder Friends Africa; Emmanuel Babayaro, ExEagles international and Friends Africa Goodwill Ambassador and Segun Arinze, Nollywood star )

C

ome December 1, a day marked globally as World AIDS Day, ex-Nigerian football stars and entertainment stars will play a novelty match aimed at drawing attention to, and identify with Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS. Jay Jay, Celestine Babayaro, Da Bull, Tijani Babaginda, West and Tony Bafo (Ghana) are some of the players confirmed to file out as Team Eagles.

Team celebrities include MI,

9ice, Segun Arinze, Gordons, Afeez Ayetoro (Saka), Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki), Osita Iheme (Pawpaw) Wande Coal, ID Cabasa, Nonso Diobi, among others.

Emmanuel Babayaro, in conjunction with Friends Africa, a non-profit organisation, is putting the event together to, according to Arinze, “move away from paying lip-service to issues of HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria.”

At a briefing on Monday in Lagos, attended by Charles

Novia, Kingsley Ogoro, Segun Arinze and Dr. Akudo Ikemba, CEO/Founder of Friends Africa, Celestine Babayaro said the only stars that will shine on the match day are those discriminated against because of their HIV status.

On the fun side, Arinze wondered what Saka would do with a football, hoping the Campos Stadium venue would be able to hold whatever the stars would be up to.

es Prince Nwadike welcom baby girl , Prince (Dr) opular gospel artiste

P

cum Nollywood actor

the moment in a joyous mood at is ike ad Nw du ine Ch bouncing baby ently delivered of a as his loving wife rec girl. du who is the ir bundle of joy, Chine Ngozim (my Before the arrival of the o Af e lik s ccessful album su er oth d hin be e ist art er s ha s be en Ve ng ea nc e an d oth ye ar of joy ), Go d of te Governor, Assistant to the Imo Sta Events. d appointed as a Special an ts Okorocha on Talen e by Equity Owelle Anayo Rochas gre de e rat honorary docto an ed ard aw o als s wa He Portharcourt, ucation and Seminary, College of Christian Ed USA. University, Burlington d for all an affiliate of Pilgrims Go nk ilation and to tha luded Now is the time for jub nc co s ha u s as Chined the marvelous work before child dedication ver seen th arrangements for a ne Winners nday 25 Nov. 2012 at ceremony slated for Su .

Chapel Orlu , Imo State

Tonto Dikeh shuns BON awards

C

ontroversial actress cum singer, Tonto Dikeh once again confirmed her reputation for surprises as she failed to show up at the Best of Nollywood awards held last Sunday, in Lagos.

Dikeh was expected to be on the performance list alongside Kennis Music act, Capital Femi, a gesture most of her fans thought would be a proper platform to further stamp her feet and prove her critics wrong that she is not only a singer but also a performer.

But lo and behold! The 27 year-old Poko queen was nowhere to be found close to the event venue. Even when ex-BBA winner, Uti Nwachukwu vowed to kiss her on stage, after they were declared winner for the Most Kiss Nigerian Movie of the Year for their role in Broken Silence , she was

conspicuously missing in action.

We learnt that her absence was not unconnected with the negative reactions that trailed her recently released songs. But you never can tell, Tonto Dikeh is full of surprises!

Azuhs’ father begin final journey at Niteshift

P

ublisher/Editor-in-Chief of YES International magazine, Azuh Arinze and his younger brother, Azuh Amatus,also Editor of Entertainment Express, have announced the date for the funeral rites of their father, Ichie Azuh Chimezie Aloysius (Onowu Ezeoma) who died last week.

According to a statement by the deceased first son, Arinze, the burial obsequies will begin with a Lagos Wake- Keep, on Friday, December 7, at the Niteshift Coliseum, Opebi, Ikeja, at 4.p.m.

It will be followed w i t h Courtesy visit

to the Igwe’s Palace in Azia on Wednesday, December 12.

Then, a Lying-in-State in his Iba, Requiem Mass and thereafter the interment which will take place at compound in Umudiokpara, Azia, Ihiala LGA of Anambra State.

Reception and entertainment of guests will also hold at the same venue.

Ichie Ezeoma, Onowu of Eti-Osa, Lagos and Onyeokwereomume of Azia, Ihiala was a devout Christian and r e v e r e d community leader. He is survived by his wife, Agbara Ichie Anna Azuh, seven children and eleven g r a n d children.

SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012—27

Adele gives birth to baby boy

I am desperate for work —Kristen Stewart

A

fter her ‘Twilight’ series has come to an end, actress Kristen Stewart says she is looking for work ‘desperately’.

The 22-year-old, who shot to fame with the vampire fantasy franchise, is hoping someone out there feels like taking a chance on her, a media report said.

“I’m kinda desperate to get a job right now. I’m itching to go back to work,” she said.

Over the last year, Stewart has managed to score a couple of high-profile roles besides the Twilight franchise.

She appeared as Marylou in the buzzed-about adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s ‘On the Road’ and as Snow White in ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’.

T

he 24-year-old singer welcomed a baby boy with her 38-year-old boyfriend Simon Konecki. A source said that Adele and camp “are all over the moon!”

In August, a photo of a very pregnant Adele landed on the cover of Life & Style Weekly.

The pregnancy was kept very hush as the singer stated on June 29th “I’m delighted to announce that Simon and I are expecting our first child together , I wanted you to hear the news direct from me, obviously we’re over the moon and very excited but please respect our privacy at this precious time.”she said .

The couple who are not yet married were reported that a private and very hush

Jack Nicholson to star in

V

‘The Judge’

eteran Hollywood star Jack Nicholson is reportedly being courted to play Robert Downey Jr ’s father in his next project, a legal drama ‘The Judge’.

Warner Bros have made an unofficial offer to the 75-year-old actor to star in the drama-comedy, being developed by Robert’s Team Downey production company, sources said.

The film will see a successful lawyer, played by Robert, returning to his hometown for his mother’s funeral only to discover his estranged father, the town’s judge, who is stricken with Alzheimer ’s disease, is the main murder suspect.

The lawyer decides to represent his father in court and in the process reconnects with the family he walked out on years before.

Nicholson, who is picky when it comes to the acting roles he takes, has only made only seven films in the last decade.

David Dobkin is rumoured to be in the frame to coproduce and direct.

Rihanna announces locations of ‘777’ tour C M Y K

Adele and Simon wedding will more than likely happen sometime around summer of 2013 or possibly sometime in the spring. And of course we will keep you posted when new details arrive!

Rihanna announces locations of ‘777’ tour

R

ch eport has it that Rihanna’s mu 7” “77 ited awa talked about and s, day 7 s, ntrie cou “7 ns mea tour which the of n spa the ding hea be will 7 shows.” show was phenomenal concert series. And the t. said to have a bold concep embark The Barbadian beauty is gearing to concert ld wor pted tem e-at efor on this never-b on City series that kicks off in Mexico w sho tive secu con November 14, followed by lin, Ber is, Par , olm ckh Sto dates in Toronto, City on London, and ending in New York al the reve November 20. The R’n’B star will in the val arri n upo specific venues to her fans different countries. ughout RiRi will be on board a special jet thro ut 150 abo of p the seven-day adventure. A grou set to are bers mem journalists and fan club ed. tion men s citie n seve join the singer in the 24the r,” Tou 777 the ut abo ted “I am so exci ing turn are year-old said in a press release. “We lly tica prac re We’ . bus this jumbo jet into our tour g, pin slee k: wee a for g living on this thin s... pres the , fans my , Me . ther toge partying, all it to be a it’s going to be a wild ride. I wanted n it’s whe k thin I rock n’ roll adventure, and e. don r eve I’ve g thin lest over it will be the coo ed. add she it,” ut abo ited I’m that exc

28 —Vanguard, SARTURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2012

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

I

t’s been a while since we last heard from you. What’s happening to your career?

I believe I don’t have to stick to just music. For that reason, I’ve been involved in other projects. Of recent, I featured in a movie where I played a major role and that took us a lot of time.

I also travelled to shoot four of my videos in the UK. I’ll be releasing those videos as a compilation in few weeks time.

I shot the video for Attitude and 3310 from my latest album, Bashorun Gaa. I also shot videos for Get Into It and Ike Kan. What are those four videos all about?

Like I said, those videos will be released as a compilation and I titled them Obawon, Ikekan, Get Into It and I Dare You. People have been asking the motive behind such songs and I told them that they’re meant for the festive period, for people who love to party.

The songs also help us to reflect upon those things that happened in our lives all through the year.

The four singles are also meant to wet the appetites of the fans for my next album coming out in March 15 next year. But before then, the Alapomeji All Star album will drop in December.

or two things about me. I want reactions from people.

So what happens if the people eventually react?

Then I will react again by speaking out my mind.

What are the concepts behind your new videos?

They are historical videos. I’ve realised that not everybody will understand what I mean by ‘Ike Kan’. So, the video explains what it means. Same applies for ‘Get into It’. The videos were directed by Musa, the same guy who directed Wizkid and Wande Coal’s latest videos. We are releasing the four videos together as a compilation CD with a concert to accompany it.

What’s the concert all about?

The concert is meant to create publicity to our fans. We want to give them a taste of what we are about to release in the compilation, so they can go buy it. We believe the concert will go a long way in putting

,

After his widely publicised break up with his estranged ex- wife, Toni Payne few years ago, ‘Gongo Aso’ crooner, otherwise known as Nigerian hook man, 9ice has never ceased to be in the media for the wrong reason. One time, he was accused of having a baby out of wedlock, and at the other time,it was rumoured that he had reconciled with Payne. But in this interview, 9ice addresses some of the controversies surrounding his career. He also speaks on separation with his former manager, Dehinde Fajan among other issues. .

9ice breaks silence a ..Says Tony Payne and I are still separated •Nobody had any baby for me •My quarrel with the press it in the mouth of people.

Other Alapomeji artistes like Seriki and Alabi will be on ground to support me.

When is the concert coming up?

It will be in second week of December but no specific date yet. It will take place at Civic Center. The concert is basically for industry people and the press as well. It will

I also travelled to shoot four of my videos in the UK. I’ll be releasing those videos as a compilation in few weeks time. I shot the video for Attitude and 3310 from my latest album, Bashorun Gaa

,

Y

ou are known to make statements with your songs. Are the new singles directed towards someone?

If you’ve noticed that for a while, I’ve been quiet in the industry. It’s not over until it’s over. So, we need to keep the brand going.

Obawon is meant to let people know who is 9ice. I want to use the song to reframe my identity and privileges in the industry.

‘I Dare You’ is a phrase used by a lot of Nigerians. So, I’m daring some people to say one C M Y K

•9ice

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2012 — 29

at last be strictly by invitation.

What is the title of your oncoming album?

My tradition is to release the title of my album long before it is released because I don’t believe in secrecy. I’m releasing a double album like the last one I did. One is ‘CNN’ while the other one is titled ‘GRA’. Each is going to come with eight songs making a total number of16 songs.

The full meaning of GRA is Galvanizing Right Ahead and the other one is Cancelling Numerous Negativity (CNN).

W

hat inspired the two titles?

There has been a lot of negativity about me of late. So I’m using one to cancel all negative stories about me spread by my enemies. The other is a charge to move ahead no matter what have been said about me.

Apart from the new materials you are about to release, what are the other projects you are working on?

We are working on the Alapomeji All Star album and that will be released next year.

How many artistes do you have signed on to Alapomeji at the moment?

We have the likes of Seriki, Alabi, Kayefi and another one coming.

What’s happening with Kayefi’s album, fans are worried because they feel it should be out by now. Why the delay?

The reason why her album is being delayed is because she just got married and she’s raising her kids too. We have to be considerate about her challenges until she is fit for production.

How do you react to them?

I don’t feel bad reading negative stories about myself.

In fact, I enjoy them and long for more. The fact that people talk about me means that I exist. In fact, both negative and positive stories work well for me. It depends on how you can cope with it, live with it, get over it and move on.

Whoever is having it negative now, should expect it positive later and whoever is having it positive now, should expect it negative soon too. The most important thing is deal with it and get on with your life.

What actually went wrong between you and your former manager, Dehinde?

Something doesn’t need to go wrong before two people decide to go their separate ways. There is always a point in someone’s life that you think you need to move on.

That was what happened. I still work with him .

You haven’t reacted to the story that your Abuja based lover had a set of twins for you. Is it true?

I wish the press would verify their stories about me before publishing them. Nobody had any baby for me. That story is not true and I want to tell you that they are making it up.

Is it true that you and Tony Payne have reconciled and are back to your house at Magodo?

That story isn’t true. Tony Payne and I are still separated and not back together. That is the fact!

You recently featured in a movie titled Jejere, what was the experience like?

The truth is that I am no longer interested in featuring in anymore movie. That might be my first and the last outing.

You sit down at home, watch them and criticize them but there’re so much more to it

I wish the press would verify their stories about me before publishing them. Nobody had any baby for me.

That story is not true and I want to tell you that they are making it up

,

There is this rumour that you just joined a new record label known as Diesel Music, how true is it?

That’s not true. The owner of Diesel Music is a friend of mine. So, I was just helping him to promote his label, that’s all.

There’s been a lot of negative stories spread about you.

CELEBRITY FOOTNOTES

,

than what we see. Imagine shooting a movie for over a month and you are supposed to edit it to an hour. It’s much more difficult than we imagine.

How would you describe your experience on set?

I was there for about a week, in different locations. They shot in different cities and

•Munachi

•9ice

places. It was difficult, quite difficult and at the same time, very challenging. That is going to me my first and last movie except if I’m being offered a huge sum amount of money then, I can cancel other events for like two weeks for a movie shoot.

A

ren’t you planning to shoot your own movie before?

I was supposed to shoot my own movie but while working on ‘Jejere’ and I saw the way is being done, I decided to drop that idea for now. My intention was to shoot my own movie, which is suppose to recapture the true story of 9ice.

What is your opinion on the current state of the Nigerian music industry?

I think we are getting worst instead of getting better. What we dished out is not quality.

What we have now is quite different from the way it all started. I would say it’s better we go back to the days of Plantashun Boiz.

What do we have now?

Do we even have song now?

What we have now is the beat.

Aside that, there is no content regulation .We have been saying that we should go back to the drawing board. The first thing is to get PMAN right.

Once we get PMAN right with the artistes of this generation participating actively in PMAN activities, the body will be able to represent all the musicians and fight for our collective and individual rights.

Our way of life

B

eauty queen turned rapper, Munachi Abii writes on her facebook wall: When you’re in a relationship, everyone wants you. But when you’re single Nobody does…

The worst feeling is when you are forced to move on before your heart is ready.

I don’t trust easily. So, when I tell you that I trust you, please don’t make me regret it…

It’s funny when I say something and people think I’m talking about them. If I was I would have said it to you. Why give second chances when others are waiting for their first.

Weir d MC remembers late mother

•Weird MC

D

earest m u m , today would have been your birthday.

I misssss u sooooo much but I know you are in a better place. Your baby girl loves u sooo much. Oosa Bi iya o si...

Empress Njama

I

•Empress Njama

am very passionate about my hair and also colourful with my fingers and they are very, very long. Also I wear loud make- up, I am not a controversial person, I do what I believes is good for me.

Why because I know I am not...

C M Y K

30—Vanguard, SATURDAY , NOVEMBER 17, 2012

Nigeria’s got talent produces 2 more finalists

Koffi Olomide docked for assault K

OFFI Olomide, one of Africa’s most popular singers, has been given a three-month suspended prison sentence for assaulting his producer.

The rumba star, 56, was arrested after a fracas last Wednesday at a hotel in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Sources say the courtroom was packed to see the star, who leads the Quartier Latin band.

Olomide, this year denied charges of raping three of his dancers in France.

The altercation with his producer, Diego Lubaki, was over a debt of 3,000 euros ($3,680, £2,345), the court heard.

Mr Lubaki said he wanted to drop the charges, but the judge continued the trial.

“He wanted to withdraw charges in favour of social peace and peace between him and the one he calls his ‘big brother’,” one of his lawyers is quoted by the AFP news agency as saying.

The court convicted Olomide of assault and battery but acquitted him of malicious destruction to property, after the hotel room door was damaged in the fight.

The music he plays is known as “soukous”, which comes from the French word secouer, meaning to shake, and its dancers are renowned for their erotic moves.

Like other Congolese musicians, he is known for his extravagant lifestyle and flashy outfits. Born in 1956, he won a scholarship to do a maths degree in France. On his return to the then-Zaire, he joined the band of musician Papa Wemba, initially as a songwriter. He later struck out on his own and in the 1980s his soukous style gained popularity around Africa and he has won several Kora All Africa Music Awards.

However, his career has not been without controversy and the raunchy performances of some of his songs have been banned in some countries. He

By IYABO AINA

A

•Koffi sang in support of DR Congo’s President Joseph Kabila during the 2006 election campaign, angering many of his fans in the opposition.

Olomide has battled to hold successful tours in Europe since then, as opposition supporters reportedly disrupt his concerts.

Banky W announced as MTV VJ Search judge, releases new singles

•Banky W

By ISHOLA BALOGUN

S

ENSATIONAL singer , Banky W has concluded plans to release of his long awaited fourth album “R&BW.” This is coming just as the EME chairman has been announced as one of the judges for the forthcoming MTV Base’s new VJ. He will be helping to identify a brand new VJ who will become one

of the key faces of the music network, hosting programmes on MTV Base and on the MTV Base Block on STV. Meanwhile, Banky plans to release the two new singles, produced by Cobhams Asuquo and ‘Good good loving’ produced by Spellz for the yuletide swagger. The promo picture of the album, which is already getting the attention of fans is now available on social network.

After his last solo release ,‘The W Experience’ in 2010, the 31-year-old has spent the past two years building the EME label, nurturing the likes of Wizkid and Skales and signing more artistes (Shaydee, Niyola) to the label.

In January, Mr W announced that he would push back the release of his album until the state of the nation gets better.

In June, the EME crew released their first ever compilation album ‘Empire State of Mind.’ He was expected to deliver the very highly anticipated #R&BW album earlier this year. However, in a move that caught his numerous fans and followers by surprise, he postponed the release of his solo material to put the EME crew in the forefront.

This turned out to be a good decision for the crew, as 2012 witnessed the release of the “Empire Mates State Of Mind” album arguably Nigeria’s big-

gest and best album this year.

Fans all over the world were thrilled as EME churned out hit song after hit song from the album, with big-budget, and painstakingly produced videos to accompany them.

S the competition for Ni geria’s most talented person enters crucial stage, two more contestants have emerged for the finals billed to hold early December in Lagos.

Violinist Godwin Ogechukwu and Chuka, a rapper last weekend made it to the finals where they will have a run with eight other contestants for the N10 million grand prize. Already, ventriloquist and puppeteer, Dr. Bariyu and Impulse, an acappella group from Port Harcourt, are in the finals, thus bringing the number to four.

The two acts were unveiled at the weekend at the Nigeria’s Got Talent eviction show for the second batch of semi-finalists.

Also crowd favorite, Godwin Ogechukwu polled the highest number of votes from the viewing Nigerian public to have an automatic qualification for the finals. Hopes were high for him in the semi-finals where he, will be playing on his violin to a mix of local and foreign tunes .

In a chat with one of the contestants, Chuka confessed that “It was tough for me waiting to hear whom the judges would vote for. I had never been that tensed up in my life, my legs were shaking until I heard my name. I would have cried if I had lost to the other contestant” .

Meanwhile, nine acts are up for eviction as the semi-finals enter stage three. They include Vodavillz, a dance group from Enugu State, Asuquo Romeo, a juggler/dancer, Azuka, The Pebbles, kid sensation, Toke, magician Lion Heart, Debbie, The Expendables and drummer girl, Blessing.

asantries with 2face, Homes exchanging ple Tayo Sonuga, MD Haven , 3 Invest Limited, MD ffar and Ruth Obih, Ga n du Bio rr.

Ba by flanked ently. rchase agreement rec after signing home pu

Vanguard, SATURDAY , NOVEMBER 17, 2012 — 31

Goldie set to conquer Africa with “The Naughty Singles” C

ONTROVERSIAL singer, Oluwabimpe Susan Harvey widely known as Goldie who has come under media attack since her exit from this year’s Big Brother Africa Stargame, reality show is currently working on a project to rejuvenate her almost sleeping career in music called the Africa Invasion Album.

The 12-track album, Showtime gathered,will feature top artistes from 12 different countries across Africa. This development, is coming a week after the songstress travelled to Los Angeles where she celebrated her birthday and later went on a shopping spree with her friends there. She also got a car gift for her birthday.

Meanwhile, our source said, the pop diva is presently putting finishing touches to a compilation of tracks that will include 3 hit singles from the Africa Invasion Album tagged “the Naughty Singles.”

“The Naughty Singles” include performances with two Channel O award nominees; Uganda’s Navio in a track titled “Miliki”, Tanzania’s Hiphop sensation, A.Y in Skibobo and J Martins from Nigeria in a track titled “Give it to me“ The UN Ambassador, Showtime further learnt will

embark on a trip to South Africa later this month to shoot videos for the 3 singles, after which she will be making campaign tours with each artiste in their various home lands.

The tours, our sources said are significant to Goldie as she seeks to seize the opportunity not only to promote her work with her fellow African artistes but also, to physically identify with her numerous fans shattered across the continent.

In a matter of weeks, Goldie’s singles which will be distributed all over the continent will help to put to rest her alleged sizzling romance with her Kenyan counterpart, Prezzo. The planned released is to reciprocate the love that has been shown to her all over Africa by her fans.

According to an online poll done after the Big Brother show, Goldie was named the most popular female celebrity in Nigeria and Africa. All these has pushed her do go into the studio to reward her increasing number of fans.

Ebony Life set to excite at Xmas

By Anozie Egole

N

igeria, and indeed, Africa are in for a re ally electrifying time this Christmas as Ebony Life has announced the launch of its EbonyLife Xcite Popularity Contest taking place this Christmas. The popularitycontest is a competition designed to reward contestants who are the fastest to score the highest numbers of votes required to win the specific prizes listed for grabs just by grabbing the votes of their family, friends, fans and associates.

The African first global black media and entertainment platform is positioned to create credible media platform designed to reach millions of Nigeria and indeed, African within the ages of 18 and 30years through an unprecedented multiplicity of exciting platforms including TV, Web, Mobile, Apps and Live.

According to the Head, External Relations of EbonyLife Xcite, Mr. Jide Olaoluwa, “This contest is in staying true to our company’s promise and brand essence which is to always excite and enrich the lives of our key target. And this Christmas Season offers us the best opportunity to prove that.”

Pasuma replies rumour mongers Responding online to questions about the recent round trips she has been making to various countries, the pop diva said, “Most of the trips are for work. I am collaborating with a lot of artistes in my upcoming album. I have been trying to keep most of it on the hush, but since you asked, I can tell you that a lot of major acts from Nigeria and Around Africa will be on it. it will be a new me, what I can say is wait for it.

2face, Ali Baba to give succour to visually impaired clan

M

ULTIPLE award win ning hip hop star Tu Face Idibia and popular comedian, Ali Baba have joined forces with prolific film producer, Opa Williams in bringing succour to the visually impaired clan as arrangements have reached top gear for this year’s Williams’ charity ball tagged The Evening.

Scheduled for November 25 at the Muson Centre, Lagos, Williams through his media Company, Media Image Managers, MIM, disclosed that this year’s The Evening being done in association with the Nigerian Society for the Blind, is the “perfect Xmas gift” anyone can give to love ones.

The comedy merchant and film producer said the event will turn out to be the “biggest and most unique ‘charity’ ball in

•Tu Face 2012” as three tables in the high profile ball have been reserved for members of Nigerian Society for the Blind with over 30 per cent of proceeds being set aside for the procurement of Brail machines as well as other visual support materials for the visually impaired. “We wish we can get guard dogs too but in this part of the world, trained dogs that act as guards for visually

•Ali Baba impaired people are not popular,” Williams said.

And why is The Evening unique? The man who made comedy a money-making machine with the introduction of his premier comedy show, Nite of a Thousand Laughs 16 years ago said: “The Evening is not a concert; it is more than a concert.

‘KWAM 1 is not dating my daughter’

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UJI star, Wasiu Alabi, popularly known as Pasuma, has refuted the rumour making the rounds that he and Fuji legend, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, aka KWAM 1 are no longer on talking terms.

According to a statement by his management, rumours of a rift might have started when Pasuma dropped the ‘Arabambi’ title from his name.

Pasuma recently announced he would be dropping the moniker, adopting the new name ‘Oganla’.

‘I have my reasons for leaving Arabambi to create my own identity. Let me start by explaining the word Oganla to you. We have all been created by God and have our purpose on earth. At every point in our lives we are expected to achieve certain things and no matter how reluctant you are you will surely do according to God’s will. Oganla means [sic] boss of all bosses’, Pasuma said.

‘I remain loyal to K1 and the rumour is to create a misunderstanding between us but that will not happen because we are matured enough to handle it,’ he added he singer said he feels this is the right time to create his identity. “This is the new Pasuma and you have to accept it, the way I present it to you .I remain 100 per cent loyal to KWAM 1.

As a matter of fact Oganla is affiliated to Arabambi except that I no longer bear the name Arabambi 2 but Oganla 1”.

The Fuji crooner said his new identity is his new year resolution.

Reports had it that KWAM 1 is having a sizzling affair with Pasuma’s daughter Wasilat, which Pasuma’s manager also refuted.

•Pasuma

32—SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012

Life is good with good food—Chichi Alamu

BY KATHERINE USEH

Chichi Alamu, a female Golfer has won the Ladies Open Championship for the fifteenth time. She is our guest in this edition of Celebrity Tummy Talk as she speaks on what keeps her healthy. Excerpt

A

s a child, what was

growing up like in terms of food?

My eating habit was not a reliable one. As a child, I spent most of my time in a club. There, I was introduced to golf which occupied the best of my time. I started playing golf when I was 17 years and I am still playing at 56. ...So, what has changed in you?

My food habit hasn’t

changed because I still play golf and I still engage in some exercises. But, I am a good cook.

How often do you exercise?

I walk for five hours on a daily basis.

What kind of fruits and drinks do you take?

I take a lot of coca-cola but I make sure it is burnt off as quickly as possible through rigorous exercise. I also drink Whiskey and wine as in a while but I don’t take beer.

For fruits, I take a lot of pineapple, orange and pawpaw and vegetables. I don’t take carrots anymore because of my teeth.

How would you advise anyone on right eating culture?

Tit Bit Nigga Raw headlines Legend Real Deal Nite in Enugu

I

t was an exciting moment yesterday at the Legend “Real Deal Nite” in Enugu as Nigga Raw rocked the stage.

The event has been going around major cities across Nigeria giving revelers a wonderful time with Legend extra stout from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc. The brand revealed that Eastern singing sensation, Nigga Raw headlined the event which took place at the Brifina Garden GRA, Enugu.

Brand Manager Legend Extra stout, Funso Ayeni disclosed that Legend Extra stout is a brand in Nigeria with distinguishing qualities that set it apart from other stout brands in the market because of the full brewed process that it undergoes.

According to him, the relevance of the event is to create an atmosphere where the brand bonds with its consumers and to make them understand the essence of the brand, “ we are calling on people to follow the brand, try it and of course become loyalists.

TODAY’S MENU People should pay more attention to the food they eat especially from age 40 above. It is good to eat more vegetables and fruits. I take locust beans (iru) and greens (efo) but I don’t like meat.

Basically, I eat in moderation. At 40, people who do not take care of their health are prone to diseases including diabetes. So, eating healthy is the best.

Tell us your experiences as a Golfer Generally, golf is Masculine in nature and it is seen as “a big man game”. For me, it is a different ball game. Golf is good, it is a game that brings people together and an avenue to be connected.

PO WER PPAS AS POWER ASTTA SP AGHETTI WITH SPA SHRIMPS Recipes (for 3-4)

•Chichi Alamu

Tummy Palaver Feasting on Nut Who says groundnut doesn’t command total humility. For Peter Okoye of P-Square, this is one way to feast and stay healthy. He was recently spotted eating boiled groundnuts. Well done guy. Why feast alone? Extend this gesture to others.

YOUR FOOD& YOUR HEALTH

JAUNDICE J

aundice is a medical condition in which the skin and the w h i t e parts of the eyes become yellow.

This occurs due to an increase in the bile pigments, namely biliruin, in the blood.

The symptoms for this illness are extreme weakness, headache, and

C M Y K

fever, loss of appetite, s e v e r e constipation, a n d discoloration of the eyes, urine, skin and tongue.

But, you can overcome with a glass of tomatoes juice mixed with a pinch of salt and pepper in the morning.

Fruit of the day

G

GU AVA JUICE GUA

uava contains vitamin C, carotenoids, vitamin A, folate, potassium, fiber, calcium, and iron. Chewing it is an excellent tonic for the teeth and gums. The tender leaves when chewed stops bleeding from gums and bad breath. Guavas are cholesterol, saturated and sodium free, plus low in fat and calories. They are high in fiber. Guava contains five times more vitamin C than an orange. Guavas juice helps in improving digestion, helps cure of infection, lowers cholesterol, contains antioxidants and cleanse the blood.

Guava juice helps reduce heartburn and relieves constipation and thirst. Drinking a glass of Guava juice every day at night makes the body fresh and improves healthy digestion

250 gm Power Pasta spaghetti Half cup finely chopped onions One teaspoon minced garlic Two teaspoons olive oil 400 gm diced tomatoes 200 gm tomato paste Half cup dry white wine One teaspoon dried oregano One teaspoon dried basil Half kg frozen shelled deveined shrimp, thawed Two tablespoons chopped parsley Salt and pepper Shredded parmesan cheese

Preparation

In a large bottom pan, over high heat, bring two litres water to a boil. Add power pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender to bite, about 10 minutes.

Drain and return to pan.

Meanwhile, in a 10- to 12inch frying pan, over high heat, stir onions and garlic in olive oil until onions are limp, about five minutes.

Stir in tomatoes (with juice), tomato paste, wine, oregano, and basil. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, about five minutes.

Rinse and drain shrimp; add to sauce. Stir often just until opaque but still moist-looking in center of thickest part (cut to test), five to six minutes.

Stir sauce into cooked pasta. Divide mixture equally among three or four bowls. Sprinkle with parsley; add salt, pepper, and cheese to taste.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

W

e are made to believe from conventional wisdom that persons with disabilities are so burdened and weighed down by disability that they sit around , mope around, and bemoan their fate all day. This is far from true.

Attitudinal and architectural barrier which lead to social and economic exclusion which persons with disabilities surfer in Nigeria is far more devastating than the primary disability. Here lies the real pain of disability and not the disability itself.

Remove social and economic exclusion, disability becomes a light burden. Little wonder when persons with disabilities are together among themselves or with close friends or acquaintances, they exhibit high sense of humor and can make you laugh your head off.

Vanguard, NO VEMBER 17, 2012—33 NOVEMBER

And on a lighter note

I

t is a misconception in the first place to assume that persons with disabilities are unhappy. First and foremost, they are human beings and like everyone else are exposed to the vicissitudes of life that affects their moods. Persons with disabilities like to socialize like everybody else. We like to go to night clubs, go to parties, watch sports, play games with friends, travel locally and internationally, go on outings with family, friends and significant others, shop at supermarkets, attend weddings, attend church services etc. Disability does not deter one from expressing oneself and having fun, but social and economic exclusion do.

In my early years, as one of the pioneer disabled national wheelchair table tennis players, it was not uncommon to boast to one’s opponent that you would drill them so hard during a competition that they would fall off their wheelchair in

M

OST people think the state of their bodies stiff limbs and overweight is lacks redemption. But this is because of a lack of realisation in the body’s own ability to heal and/or restore itself to great health and well-being.

Having been involved with the studying and teaching of yoga for the past 29 years, I have had the good fortune of seeing people change from ‘downright hopeless cases to athletic and supple bodies.

Once we put the brakes on bad eating and living habits, it’s amazing how the body quickly begins to repair itself.

In yoga, the purification techniques by which the body is helped immensely to rid itself of toxins, coupled with the breathing exercises and postural work-out, the body undergoes a phenomenal change. Our muscles do not cramp or tire easily and our limbs do not creak when we attempt to sit in postures that once upon a long time was as natural as breathing.

As a teacher of yoga, one of my tasks is getting people C M Y K

P

* Cosmas doing a 'wheelie' submission to one’s supremacy!

Indeed, when you are playing, and you manage to cause your opponent to fall off his/her wheelchair, you do have a good laugh and celebrate that feat especially if that opponent is your match. There is nothing callous about this; it is part of the fun. When I started to use wheelchair, I did not know how to do wheelie. A ‘WHEELIE’ is a pronounced and sustained lift of

When I saw friends do wheelie for the first time, I thought it was taking a stroll in the park. Tilting the wheelchair is not the be-all-and-endall of executing a wheelie; you have to hold it steady, control it, move about or spin around. So one beautiful summer morning, while in UK for the World Stoke Manndeville Wheelchair games in 1987, my friends and I were strolling along paved walk way to a friend’s house in Aylesbury, we got to the end of the elevated walk way where there was no ramp which was very unusual, my friends who are veteran wheelchair users effortlessly used wheelie to go down the paved walkway, on getting to the point, having observed how they did it, I tried to do same with severe consequence. I somersaulted and hurt myself badly. I then made up my mind to learn the art when we returned to Nigeria. I fell several times before I could master the art!

And each time I fell, my friend burst out into laughter at my embarrassing falls! It was fun, the teasing did not bother me and I learnt real fast. I soon mastered the wheelie and the teasing stopped. The wheelie is not for the faint- hearted. You must have the upper body strength and strong arms to be able to execute it.

the two smaller front wheels of a wheelchair and balancing a wheelchair on only the two rear tyres.

Doing a wheelie can aid a wheelchair user’s descent on a conventional staircase unaided; descend a ramp with ease or it can make you a formidable dancer on the dance floor at a party! (See photograph of me dancing on my wheelchair) Learning to do the wheelie is really hard work.

ersons with disabilities are often known for teasing their peers.

Those of us that can manage to move about without leg braces/calipers or crutches often brag to those that cannot, calling them, ‘complete disabled’; referring to themselves as ‘partially disabled’ or ‘half disabled’.

In response, the other party usually refers to the former as ‘fake disabled’. All of this teasing is all in fun and joke. A golden rule of all this teasing is: Everything is funny, only in fun; and on a lighter note.

Put creaky limbs behind you unnatural.

Just to show you how the body can regain and maintain supple joints, these are postures that I learnt when I first started out and can still execute them. You could too. And that’s the whole point.

to have faith in their body’s ability to mend itself.

At fifty plus I can honestly say I have a better body now than when I started out all those years ago.

Once you have succeeded in refurbishing the body, so to speak, carrying on with the good works just helps you to maintain what you have achieved.

The Lotus Technique:

A

lot of people think that the rate at which their body becomes dysfunctional is natural. I disagree.

I think the rate is most unnaturally expedited. The ideal is to live long and stay healthy till the good Lord draws the final curtain.

Most yogis stay on their feef working, helping others till the very last day.

A friend recently informed me that one of my heroes, the violinist Yehudi

Menuhin died just after a concert. Who wants to spend half of eternity slowly dying. That to me, is

Sit down with both legs stretched in front of you.

Now bending the right knee place the right foot on the left thigh then bending the left knee place the left foot on the right thigh. Place one hand on the other resting them on the heels.

Keep the spine very straight and relax all m u s c l e s including those of the face.

The lotus can be maintained between a few minutes to several hours.

Benefits: The lotus banishes

stiffness in the lower limbs and tones the muscles of the thighs. A favourite posture for breathing exercises and meditation, it enhances concentration.

The Squat Technique:

With the feet about a foot apart lower the entire body by sitting on the heels on the balls of the feet. Raise both hands overhead and place the palms together. Look straight up ahead and breathe normally.

If you find it difficult to bend the knees without support, you may hold onto a door knob to help hold you up a bit and don’t let your joints take the full force of the body’s weight.

Remember, regular practice yields perfection.

Benefits: The squat restores flexibility to the ankles, knee and hip joints. It helps to straighten the spine and improve the posture.

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

34— VANGUARD, SATURAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2012

By BENJAMIN NJOKU

I

REWOLE Samuel Oni is an accomplished music producer, synthesizer and programmer who has distinguished himself in the Nigerian music terrain. He started playing musical instrument at the tender age of seven. He later graduated as an organist in his father’s church in Akure, Ondo State. Today, he has become a force to reckon with, in music Nigeria.

Why I choose to be a producer!

If what you mean is to be a singer, I also sing. But it is not professional at level. I don’t

sing like every other person is doing. I’m good at playing instruments. But my major goal is to help young talents to become great stars; to make nobody to become somebody.

That’s my first priority. Playing instruments are quite different from music production.

You have to combine them in order to produce a song worth listening to. In fact, whenever I handle an instrument, you’ll think a full music band is at work. I have mastered different instruments with their original sounds.

H

ow did I discovered Marvelous Well, I have known Marvelous for a while, he came to my studio one day to record his song which he titled Naija. When he entered my studio early this

,

M

y journey into the world of music production So far, so good, I wouldn’t say I have not experienced some challenges. But of course, by God’s grace, I have been able to pull through. I have achieved a lot in the industry, working with a lot of international and Nigerian artistes.

To the glory of God. Today I’m prospering in whatever I’m doing. I have been in music for over 25 years producing songs for artistes. I have been playing the keyboard for years. I remember the bass guitar was my first instrument, but later I started playing the keyboard.

I n s p i r a t i o n Music has been part of my upbringing. My father used to play organ while my mother was a singer in the church choir. So, music was part of us.

In fact, what actually inspired me to go into music production was the need to sanitize the industry. After listening to the songs most of our artistes play, I decided to bring out the best in their talent by producing quality music for them. I have brought sanity into the industry, now we can boast of talented artistes with good music, and we owe it to good music production.

I got trained on how to play music in our church. I learnt how to compose music and all that. But my parents were concerned about my education.

They insisted I must go to school in the first place.

•Wale Oni

Apart f r o m grooming Marvelous, I have also produced the likes of Jumoke who is coming out strongly.

Amaka is another singer I brought to the limelight. She is from the eastern part of the country, and her kind of music is what they call “Aba music.”I just finished producing J’odie’s African Woman. I derive joy in

Music has been part of my upbringing, my father used to play organ while my mother was a singer in the church choir

year(April), I looked at him for a while and inquired to know if he was signed under any label. Then, he was working with some group of musicians.

But the treatment I gave him on that day made him to show more interest in working with me. I said okay let’ s talk about it later and see how we can work together. That’s how we started. Apparently before I met Marvelous, he has been working with other people. I wouldn’t say I discovered him.

,

making stars.

Am I into hip hop It’s not as if I’m focusing on one particular genre of music .

I do anything music, though I have bias for gospel music because of my desire to work for God. Besides, I do anything that is inspirational and soulwinning. I don’t do anything that is less of qua;ity.

What set me apart from other producers I always put in my best in

whatever I’m doing. Excellent is my watchword. I am not somebody who is always in a hurry because I want to attend to other enagements. I take my time to do any job that I’m handling. For me, the detailing that I put into my work set me apart from other producers. I’m very fulfilled because music production has been my dream career. I don’t have any other business aside the music production because I have so much passion for it. And I appreciate God for what I’ve achieved so far For me, a good producer must possess a humble spirit. You also need a good sense of music, melody and rhythm. You must be listening to different kinds of music to enable you distinguish between good and bad music.

Why I am behind the scene My first priority as a producer is to make stars. I call myself a star maker. It’s just as you take the raw potentials and create them. When I mention the names of artistes that I have helped to shape their future, you will be like wow you made these people?

Unfortunately, producers are not celebrated in this part of the world like the artistes.

A

ny thing pre pared me for what are doing today While I was growing up, I used to play percussion. I started playing it at the tender age of four. Then, I used to listen to different genres of music. Soon, I started playing the instruments. All of these things I got used to them and before I knew it, I started doing music.

I began to reflect on those music and they are now the basic foundation of my music.

What life has taught me From my exposure, having travelled far and wide places, I think it is humility. Even the so called international artistes, humble themselves. I did not believe that highly respected international artistes could condescend to the level of mingling with people of low class. When I see the way they treat people with respect, I would be like wow.

My activities in international scene At the moment, am on the verge of getting the Universal Record to be able to export Nigerian music not only to other African countries but also, to Europe, Asia and America. It is a very large experience that am hoping to get into very soon, so that I can distribute music all over the world.

SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012—35

What are the best ways to manage and address the issue of depression in the society?

We need to talk, we need to create awareness, and we need to speak out and seek help. See the problem as it is, not saying I am fine, it is well, and God is in control. When someone is depressed you cannot wish it away, you need to seek help and seek help at the right time.

Most young persons suffer from depression —Dr Kadiri

Don’t you think the stigma associated with mental health makes people shy away from seeking professional help from a psychiatrist?

It might not necessary see a psychiatrist, you can go to a primary healthcare service provider; they will be able to do some diagnosis and ascertain if the person requires further help or not. And if a person needs further assistance, he would be referred to a specialist. When such persons are referred to us, we take it from there. Of course, I agree with you totally with the issue of stigma and discrimination as a reason why people shy away from seeking help, that is why we are preaching awareness. We need people to come out and talk about it and know that it is normal to seek help.

D

r. Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri is a mental health advocate, founder of Pinnacle Medical Services Limited and Co-Founder, Hygies Consult Nigeria LimitedOptimal Performance Consult. She is a Consultant Neuro-Psychiatrist and a Fellow of the National Post-Graduate Medical College of Physicians (FMCPsych) with over 10 years experience as a practicing Physician.

She is also a trained and certified Rational Emotive and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, Trauma Counsellor, Berard AIT and Neurofeedback Practitioner. With broad experience in psychotherapeutic techniques, she has perfected her skills whilst in private practice and whilst working for a variety of organizations. As a recognized radio and television guest Psychiatrist/Psychotherapist, she also contributes to articles in magazines and newspapers. She is a member of several professional organizations, including Nigerian Medical Association (NMA); Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN); American Psychiatric Association (APA); Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA); Society for Quality Healthcare of Nigeria (SQHN); Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN); Society of Occupational and Environmental Health Physicians of Nigeria (SOEHPON); International Society for Neurofeedback and Research (ISNR), and Employee Assistance Professional Association (EAPA).

Recently Esther Onyegbula, had a chat with her at an event held to mark the World Mental Day and she talks about the growing trend of depression in young people, factors causing depression, symptoms and solutions of depression as well as youth addiction to socio media.

What is this seminar all about?

The seminar is an event organized by pinnacle medical services, to enlighten Nigerians on what depression and its effect. We are joining the rest of the world today to celebrate the World Mental Health Day; a day set aside by the World Health Organisation to celebrate mental health related issues. And the theme for the year is Depression, a Global crisis.

What really inspired this seminar?

Depression is becoming a very

Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri...Every form of addiction is in stages common mental disorder that can have severe consequences. According to WHO, it is a significant contributor to the global burden of diseases and has no ethnic, racial, geographical or economic bias, and in 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of world disability. People need to know and understand that being physically healthy does not entirely mean that you are mentally sound. And an individual who is not mentally sound can deviate from his set goals.

Though this is my area of specialty, the event is borne out of a passion to help create awareness in this area of health that is often taken for granted.

That is why we joined the rest of the world to celebrate and educate

depression. For instance, lets take the victims of these flood disaster as a case study, some of the victims might develop the adjustment related depression, with the fact that they have to relocate from their homes to another place, some will not be able to reintegrate well into their new community, while some may develop post traumatic stress disorder.

Sometimes, it is not clear but either way, these feelings can become so bad that you need help.

To a lay man on the streets of Nigeria, what does it feel to be depressed?

The feeling of depression is longer, deeper and more unpleasant than the shorter episodes of unhappiness that

The feeling of depression is longer, deeper and more unpleasant than the shorter episodes of unhappiness that everyone experiences occasionally Nigerians on depression. In time past, depression used to be associated with the elderly, now many young persons suffer depression. And it is highly linked with suicide, although suicide which is related to depression is not that common in this part of the world

As a trained specialist, why do people get depressed?

Sometimes, there may be an obvious reason for becoming depressed, sometimes not. There is usually more than one reason and reasons vary for different people. Apart from the genetic factors that often result in depression, other environmental stressors like unemployment, violence, Boko Haram, militancy, relationship breakdown or bereavement, or even the birth of a child can cause depression. Natural disasters like the flood affecting most part of Nigeria directly or indirectly lead to

everyone experiences occasionally.

Some of the symptoms include: losing interest in life, finding it harder to make decisions, inability to cope with things that use to be manageable, feeling exhausted and difficulties getting to sleep, feeling restless and agitated, loss of appetite and weight, and in some extreme cases, such individuals start hearing voices and seeing strange things.

How would an individual know if he is depressed?

Often, people don’t realize how depressed they are because it comes on gradually. They may try to struggle, to cope with feelings of depression by being very busy. This can make them even more stressed and exhausted.

Physical pains such as headaches or sleeplessness then starts to manifest.

Sometimes, these physical signs can be the first sign of a depression.

What help and assistance are available?

There are different types of treatment available: lifestyle changes with talking treatments ,counseling, psychotherapy, biofeedback and medication. They can be accessed through health service provider.

What will happen if an individual refuses to get treatment?

Four out of every five persons with depression will get better, without help but this can take up till four to six months or longer. It still leaves one in every five people depressed and in about two years time, a small number of people with depression will eventually die by suicide.

What are the challenges?

Due to the stigma and discrimination, people don’t want to talk about it; people don’t want to seek help. My friends can easily introduce Dr. XYZ a paediatrician as their doctor but people find it overwhelming and embarrassing to introduce Dr. Kadiri, a Psychiatrist as their doctor. There was an incidence where a friend introduced me as her doctor, and immediately after realizing the gravity, she reintroduced me as her friend and not her doctor. Another challenge is that of accessibility of location. Some people don’t want to go to Yaba or other government owned facilities because they need private services like what we provide but they don’t know where or how to access private mental healthcare service provider.

Before now ,you said people can get addicted to internet, how possible?

Every form of addiction is in stages, you have to crave for it; you have to narrow down to what it really is, you have to neglect all other things in pursuit of that particular thing.

Sometimes, you have forensic issues, just as people get addicted to alcohol and drugs, so also can people get addicted to the internet especially the social media. The fact remains that it has the good and the bad sides to it.

Every minute you want interact with other on the socio media, if you are at work, you become less productive.

36—Saturday Vanguard, November 17, 2012

Parade of glamorous hair styles at night of 1000 Braids

A

S part of effort to reward its consumers, Kaneka Corporation Japan, makers of the world’s finest fibre, held the third edition of Kanekalon Night of thousand braids with the brand ambassador, Stephanie Okereke-Idahosa in attendance.

The event which was hosted at Eko Hotel and Suites, in Lagos, drew several industry leaders, stylists, and celebrities from the music and movie industry in Nigeria.

Executive Officer of Kaneka Corporation, Mr. Hidesuke Amachi, in an address said, bridging the gap between Kanekalon and consumer,s is a role Kanekalon feels proud to play as a night of a thousand braids, provide a platform not just to appreciate consumers but also to entertain them.

Anchored by comedian, Teju Babayface and famous on-air radio personality, Matse Uwatse, the glamorous event was spiced with musical acts by some of the best hands in the industry, Brymo and Flavour who got almost every guest on his her feet dancing.

The major highlight of the event included, the wonderful Kanekalon hair shows introducing new major hair products such as ‘Futura’, ‘Short & Elegant’, ‘Quick Dry Water Repellent’ and ‘new styles’ into Nigerian market. The new products are not only flame retardant but also hot water friendly.

Past winner of the braid competition, Salon De Eve, gave a good account of herself with well crafted avant garde hair styles while Ayaba put up a beautiful fashion show. In all, it was a night of fun, fashion and entertainment.

•Different hair styles at the event

Saturday Vanguard, November 17, 2012—37

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38—SA TURD AY V anguard, NO VEMBER 17, 2012 38—SATURD TURDA Vanguard, NOVEMBER

SATURDAY, Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17 2012—39

Prof. Igho’s daughter weds in Port-Harcourt

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t was a great day of joy, fun and merriment for friends, professional colleagues and relatives of Prof. Andrew Ighofovwe Joe, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) UNIPORT and his wife, Barr. Mrs Esther Omotekoro Joe, a Director in the Rivers State Ministry of Justice both from Afieke Quarters, Uvwie LGA of Delta State when they gave out their medical doctor daughter Akpevweoghene Eloho Joe in marriage to Engr. Moses Ndamati Orlu, son of Chief Philip Elemuwa Orlu and Late Mrs Christiana Kehinde Orlu of Rumu-woji, Diobu, Port Harcourt LGA of Rivers State.

The solemnization of the Holy Matrimony took place on Saturday, 27th October, 2012 at the

Installation of Magajin Rafin Jaba The installation of James Kura Garba as Magajin Rafin Jaba took place recently with fanfare and fiestalike celebration. In pictures are some of the memorable moments

Chapel of Annunciation Catholic Chaplaincy, UNIPORT. Eminent Nigerians from far and wide and relatives from home and abroad graced the fun-filled and carnival-like occasion.

The couple; Engr. Moses Ndamati and Dr. (Mrs) Akpevweoghene Eloho Orlu

Chief James Kura Garba with wife

L-R: Chief Gabby Okorare, Prof. Okpako Enahwo , former VC, DELSU, Prof. Igho Joe and his wife, Barr. (Mrs) Esther Joe and Prof.

J. A. Ajienka, Vice-Chancellor, UNIPORT L-R: bride’s dad, Prof. Ighofovwe Andrew Joe, the couple and bride’s mum, Barr. Esther Omotekoro Joe.

Chief James Kura Garba as Magajin Rafin Jaba

L-R: Chief Gabby Okorare and Prof. O. A. Ejele of UNIPORT L-R: Mrs Orlu, Engr. The couple the groom’s dad, Chief Philip Elemuwa Orlu

Donation H.R.M AVM.Lucky Ochuko Ararile Aweake 1 Ovie Of

Umaighwa-Abraka Kingdom made some donations to flood victims at St. Patrick College Camp, Asaba . The donation was made through his representatives.

Chief Anthonay Onogharigho,Chief Kesito Oweh,Chief Lucky Onakpoma,Okakuro Onoriode Sunday and Chief Iboyitete Midwest, Reps. of The King [OVIE] Presentting the Items to The Camp Commandant C M Y K

Investiture INVESTITURE of Bro. Malik Itiako -Ikpokpo by Order of the Knights of St.Mulumba, Nigeria, Asaba Subordinate Council 2nd Degree took place at St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral Catholic Church, Asaba, recently

Bro Constatine Itiako -Ikpokpo Malik and wife, Sr. Lois Perikumor

Chief James Kura Garba as Magajin Rafin Jaba on horse ride

Courtesy visit MEMBERS of Elegant Ladies Club Lagos, recently paid a courtesy visit to Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien During Courtesy in his Palace in Asaba, Delta State

Members of Elegant Ladies Club Lagos, with Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien

40 — VANGUARD, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2012

a name for myself. What I lost in terms of financial benefits, I gained through friendship .

And when I crossed into the private sector, I was able to integrate that exposure in my business.

Chief Olusola Dada, an Economist, a qualified Stock broker, attended University of Ibadan and graduated in 1970. He did his MBA at the University of Lagos in 1975. He is a native of Ayede local government of Ekiti State. He was born in Osogbo local government area of Osun State, where his parents settled. His late father, Chief Moses Dada was a carpenter, his late mother Mrs Juliana Adeoti Dada was a teacher who later became a trader when she tied the knot with her husband. His father helped in building many houses in Oshogbo. Chief Olusola Dada was born on June 6, 1941.

C M Y K

disposal to help my people.

All my cousins, nephews, nieces were always around me. We grew up together under the same roof. I grew up in an environment where I was loved by my parents’ relations. I started going to Ayede when I was in college.

And I used to go there during Christian festivals. My uncle who was my father’s younger brother was always looking forward to receiving me. I was loved by everybody including the girls and many of them always wanted me around them. So, picking up a close friend among them was not difficult. And I was always looking forward to going home. They gave me a decription which was “behold the boy from a big village”.

So, at the time I was wearing shoes, my friends were not.

So, they always admired me.

So, what happened when your parents couldn’t pay your school fees?

Ordinarily, there shouldn’t be any reason why my parents would not be able to pay my school fees but my father found it difficult because of his generosity. As a carpenter, he was busy working without having any monetary rewards for his labour. He couldn’t collect money from the people he

worked for and if he was going to collect at all, he would still under- charge them at his own detriment. Otherwise, he would have been a rich man

,

Challenges of life I found myself in a situation where my parents were unable to pay my school fees.

Although both of them loved education, their financial contraint was deep . But, I was optmistic. I tried hard to secure a scholarship into Federal Government Colleges including King’s College but I was not lucky. As well, I could’t graduate with my mates in the primary school.

Other challenges came when my parents had to integrate me into our State of origin in Ayede area of Ekiti State. I grew up in Oshogbo, Osun state. I never knew I was not from Oshogbo until 18 years when my father’s relations revealed that to me . So, intergrating me back to my hometown was a challenge. Right now, I find it difficult to speak the local dialect of Ekiti because I didn’t grow up there and my parents never spoke to me in that dialect.

Notwithstanding, I was absorbed into my parents’ hometown. As the only child, I was highly accepted and respected to the extent that I took the challenge of championing the development of Ayede especially when I was in the Federal Civil Service. I try to use every opportunity at my

no job available for graduates and so many of us picked up the teaching profession again.

I taught for another one year between 1970 and 1971. And at that time, I was planning to travel abroad for my Masters degree in 1971 because I was able to secure admission into an Amercian University. I had another opportunity at the Federal Civil Service where I was shortlisted for an interview but I forfeited the American School because I wasn’t financially bouyant.

I look younger than my age because I don’t allow anything to bother me.

and lived in his affluence. But, he was loved by his people. I liked him for his kind gestures but the truth is that life is not always like that. You must always put yourself into consideration and that is what I have learnt from him. I am always ready to assist people but not at my detriment and God has always been on my side. I look younger than my age because I don’t allow anything to bother me.

The challenges of starting your own business The money I raised as a teacher was only sufficient for me to pay my university fees for one year. So, the remaining years were difficult but God paved way for me. I got a scholarship before I finished my first year. I left the University when the civil war in Nigeria was about to come to an end in 1970. There was

,

During that time, my wife’s father had stroke which kept him in bed for ten years. She is the first child of thirteen children. That was why I decided to take up employment at the Federal Civil Service .The decision to do that was very challenging but I thank God that I made the right decision. If not, maybe I wouldn’t be a successful man in life. And I would have ended up being a University teacher. God is always on my side to make the right choice. Even in the Federal Civil Service, I made the choice of becoming an administrative officer. As an economist, I was posted to the Exchange Control Department in Ministry of Finance that was relevant to my profession.

The secret of my success came through faithfulness and hardwork such that I built

Life as a child I was born 71 years ago and I started my secondary school education in 1947, seven years after my birth. Before anyone would be admitted in the primary school then, he would be asked to put his hand across the head to touch the other side his or her ear.

But my father used his influence in the Anglican church where he served to push my course. Even though, my hand didn’t reach the other ear, I was admitted.

In those days, the first two years would be spent in the pre-school before moving to what was called standard education where the child would have to spend another six years. But I repeated a class because I was ill for some months and I couldn’t go to school and that was a major setback in my education. I had to repeat a class but that experience made me a better person. If not, I would have been an average person by now. My parents were dedicated in the works of God. They advised me to take up the teaching profession and I went to teacher ’s college. I was qualified as a trained teacher. After my degree, I taught for one year at a town called Agbowa Ikosi area of Ikorodu in Lagos State before I was employed into the Federal Service Civil where I became an Administrative Officer. As an Economist, I was posted to the Federal Ministry of Finance and that was where I started my civil service career until I rose to the position of Director.

From there, I moved to the private sector. I was appointed an Executive Director in the then, Bank PHB which has been transformed to Sterling Bank as an executive Director in Investment Banking and there, I developed interest in what I am doing today. I was trained as an authorised dealing clerk on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and in 1994, I got the license as an authorised dealer on the floor of the exchange under the name Anchoria Investment and Securities Limited which is the company I am running today.

I have traveled to all the parts of the world and there is hardly any country I have not traveled to in the course of my career.

SA TURD A Y Vanguard SATURD TURDA anguard,,

My passion for business rubbed me of education — CEO C

hief Offor Matta Onyekaba is a born entrepreneur with passion for business. He demonstrated that when he started at 15 to settle with palm kernel business when he couldn’t complete secondary school. His quest for bigger businesses forced him out of the palm kernel trade.But soon after, he ventured into supplying of granite chippings. Today, he is the CEO, Greenlight Motors Nigeria Limited, a haulage firm and an engineering construction company.

In this interview with Saturday Vanguard Business, he reveals that diligence, hard work, determination are the secret of his success story.

Excerpts: Your growing up as a business man...

Yes, I’m an indegene of Ndi Anichie Ulo, Arondizuogu. At a very tender age I developed passion for business and that was why I did not complete secondary school. Before then, I had told my elder brother that I was not interested in education. So I appealed to him to get a place where I can learn a trade preferably building materials. That was my zeal then and hence I didn’t want to complete my education even though I was able to get to Class I in the secondary school those days. I was not interested then, even though I have realised the importance of education now.

However, my elder brother wanted me to become an electrician but I opted out because I didn’t want to be an electrician, my passion is business. But in all these, my father who was well to do then, insisted I must go to school but I refused and resisted his effort. When my father discovered truly that I was not interested in education, he took me to his palm mill and introduced me to the buying and scalling of palm kernel which was his major occupation. I joined him and did it for a while and later lost interest again because palm kernel business is a seasonal one and I didn’t want that kind of business. I needed something that would keep me busy always. When my father discovered that I had lost interest in the business, he advised me to keep on with it and that the business made him rich. But my mind was made up.

However, since my father wanted me to be

useful in life, he took me to his borrow pit site where a construction company constructing the Enugu, Umuahia roads, was taking laterite for work and asked me to be marking the number of trips of laterite the company was buying. It was there I met a white man, Mr. David, working with that company, who later made me his friend and helped me to start supplying chippings.

Then I was 17 years old. He would send me on errand. Many times he had taken me to their camp to have a good time with him. That was how I built intimacy with him. One day, I asked him to assist me in the supplying business in his company.

He asked if I had money to do that, I said I don’t have the money. He said I should give him some time to think about it. Later he called me and said he can grant me credit facility on granite soil because his company is producing it and I should pay back the company after supply. That I agreed. And that was how I started supplying chippings.

I did that supply business for about one year or more when Mr David asked me to follow him to Ajaokuta on transfer but I refused because I didn’t want to live outside the East. When he left, I continued the business, supplying companies around the east with chippings.

One time, I supplied chippings to Ibeto Motors, Umuahia. After the

FHN announces an update on its oil reserve

F

irst Hydrocarbon Nigeria Limited recently announced that an independent assessment of the reserve and contingent recourse potential at the Ogini and Isoko fields has significantly increased 2P reserves and combined 2P/2C resources.

Following the completion of that assessment of the oil reserve at Ogini and Isoko, the reserve had been grossly estimated at 129.3 million barrels and gross contingent resources have been estimated at 75.7 million barrels (gross 2P+2C reserves and resources 205.0 million barrels; 92.3 million barrels net to FHN). According to sources, this represents a 218 per cent and 12 per cent increases on 2P reserves and 2P+2C volumes respectively, that were previously carried by FHN. “FHN acquired a 45% interest in the OML 26 portfolio of assets from the Shell Petroleum C M Y K

Development Company Joint Venture (SPDC) in December 2011 and raised US$280 million of syndicated debt and mezzanine finance to fund the field development and further inorganic growth. The OML 26 portfolio of assets holds two producing fields (Ogini and Isoko, with 2P oil reserves estimated at 129.3 million barrels and gross contingent resources estimated at 75.7 million barrels) and three proven but undeveloped fields (Aboh, Ovo and Ozoro, with an estimated 144 mmboe of gross contingent resources (previous operator’s estimates), as well as a further 615 mmboe of gross prospective resources on the block.

OML 26 also has gas resources of 582 bcf (2C) and 1076 bcf (prospective) according to the previous operator’s estimates.

The Nigerian Petroleum Development

Company (NPDC’), the oil and gas exploration and production subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NPDC) is the Operator of OML 26 and works closely in partnership with FHN on the re-development of the assets.

Speaking further, Chief Executive FHN, Labi Ogunbiyi, said that the increase in reserves on the Ogini and Isoko fields is a further testament to the scale of the opportunity onshore Niger Delta.

The progress we have made optimizing existing production and advancing Field Development Plans (FDPs) at Ogini and Isoko alongside our partner NPDC endorses the strength of our working relationship with our operating partner and demonstrates the potential that a public private partnership model offers for both parties.

NO VEMBER 17, 2012—41 NOVEMBER

My propelling factor...

Some propelling factors in life is hard work, commitment, diligence.

Again, I said if my father who didn’t attend school could become rich through palm kernel business and cater for all his many children, I must make it in a genuine way.

What you need to become an achiever in business...

You can become an achiever through education. Education is good, you need to study hard in order to make it through that way. But if you can’t make it in education, you have to join genuine business or learn trades that could make you successful in Onyekaba: Determination, hard work help you life, not becoming dubious because you succeed in business want to make money.

Dubious business would hunt your mind. So, if supply he asked me if I was the owner of the truck used in supplying his you don’t have the privilege of company chippings and I said no, that education, try business line. There are I hired it. He said if you have this kind other things you can do in life to put of money, you can afford to buy one or food on your table and become two trucks and use it for your business. comfortable in life. I didn’t know today I told him I didn’t have enough money that I would become Managing to buy new truck. He said he would Director of companies. Be determined sell one scrap to me so that I can go and dedicate yourself to what you want and put it on the road for business. I to achieve in life and you will get it. If bought that scrap from him irrespect of you want to be a millionaire, work its poor state. I bought it because my towards it, not by crime and you would mechanic, Chamberline advised me to become one.

Being a managing director of buy it after he saw it at Umuahia, we companies, do you think you are brought it to Okigwe, the centre of my business. And when he finished missing anything for not completing coupling it, it became an advantage to your education?

You never can tell if this is the way my supplying business, making God planned it for my destiny and if I money from both ends. When I discovered there was profit in it, I went had gone to school, may be I would not to Ibeto and bought three tippers and have been where I am today. Only God three trailers, and I started buying can tell. There are a lot of graduates more from others like Chidiebere until then and today who have got to my I got many vehicles. That was how I level, that doesn’t mean that I’m started haulage business as well. At condemning education. Some also are that time, things were better, not now in better positions. Today I’m happy. I everywhere is rough. From there, we am not all that educated but I can grew till it became companies. I’m provide my three square meals and that of my family. So, I’m not regretting. grateful to God.

Ecobank partners Western Union on internet money transfer

F

or Ecobank and Western Union, their long standing business relationship has taken an advanced stage when the two announced their collaboration for easy money service transfer through Internet Account Based Money Transfer in Kenya. This means that Ecobank customers in Kenya will now have access to the Western Union Money Transfer service via their bank accounts.

Western Union Senior Vice President, Middle East and Africa, Jean Claude Farah, said that since he joined Western Union in 1999, the regional discovery has seen the company open many new markets, and has allowed it to serve millions of people from Africa in remitting money to friends, family and loved ones.

“As a world leader in the global money transfer business, Western Union moves more than 2.4 million transactions across borders every day through a network of over half a million agent locations and across 200 countries and territories worldwide.

Be it at agent locations, via mobile payments or online through westernunion.com or even through bank accounts, one thing is for sure, we provide a fast, reliable and convenient methods of transferring money around the world to both individuals and businesses.

In addition, Group Executive Director, Domestic Bank, Patrick Akinwuntan, said, leveraging technology to take banking to the people by providing convenient, reliable and affordable financial products and services is a key part of Ecobank’s strategy, therefore we are pleased to be partnering with Western Union to be the first to offer such an innovative and convenient banking service to our customers.

“Ecobank Retail Banking intends to offer the Western Union (ABMT) service in more than 2,600 agent locations across its footpring of 31 countries in the coming months. The new electronic service launch is an extension of the two companies’ successful collaboration across Africa.

42 — SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012

Another fuel hike ‘ll collapse your govt, NLC warns Jonathan

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

N

IGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday advised President Goodluck Jonathan against further increases in the pump

price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, warning that such increases would collapse the government.

Reacting to President Jonathan’s claim that only the removal of fuel subsidy will allow for domestic refining of fuel,

NLC in a statement by its President, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, noted that President Jonathan’s claim was not only highly disturbing, but dishonest to Nigerians.

The statement contended that the January protests would

L-R: Shows the 62 set president, Govt College Ibadan Old Boys Association, Chief Kayode Rotimi-Williams, with the Chief Coordinator Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the set, Chief Yomi Idowu Adewunmi and a colleague, Ajibade Oke.

EFCC probes Enugu govt over N13.6b new secretariat General in connection with

BY TONY Enugu

EDIKE,

E

CONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has beamed its searchlight on Enugu State over alleged financial impropriety in the ongoing construction of a new state secretariat project at a whooping cost of N13.6 billion.

The investigation was prompted by a petition to the Enugu zonal office of the commission by Coordinator of Congress for

Progressive Change (CPC) in the state, Osita O k e c h u k w u .

Okechukwu visited the zonal office in Enugu on invitation by the commission, on Friday to testify on his petition against Governor Sullivan Chime and his government. He was accompanied by the state Chairman of CPC, Sunday Onoh, his lawyer, T.M. Eke and some members of his party. EFCC operatives had earlier quizzed the Enugu State Accountant

the petition by the CPC chieftain.Okechukwu’s session with EFCC yesterday which lasted for about two hours was held behind closed doors, but it was however reliably gathered from insider sources that the CPC chieftain stood by his petition that the construction of the new secretariat amounts to financial recklessness, misapplication of funds and definitely carries a baggage of corruption.

Life history of Hon. Justice Augustine Nwaneamaka Maidoh

H

E is a native of Onicha-Ugbo, Delta State. He was born on 28th August 1932 at Ibusa, Delta State, Nigeria to the family of Daniel Chiefome Maidoh a colonial court clerk and Mrs Josephine Chibuzor Maidoh (nee Ojeah) from Emokpai Family of Ishiekpe. Attended All Saints Catholic Primary School Onicha –Ugbo.

Passed out in first position in Standard Six Examination. Attended Christ the King College, Onitsha from 1945 – 1948 and passed out with Grade 1 with Exemption from London Matriculation. Trained and worked as a sanitary Inspector in Lagos from C M Y K

Hon. Justice Augustine Nwaneamaka Maidoh

1949-1951.

Worked in Enugu and Abakiliki from 1952-1958; within this period he studied at home and passed the following examinations; 1. Royal Sanitary Institute Examination in 1952. 2. Inter LL.B (London)

3. LL.B (London) Part 1 in 1955 4. LL.B (London) final in 1959.Proceeded to England in 1958 and was admitted in Inns of Court (Lincoln’s Inn) and passed the English Bar final in 1960. He was enrolled in English Bar on 12th July 1960. On 5th August 1960 he was enrolled as a Nigerian Lawyer in Lagos. He was the first resident lawyer at Agbor and practiced extensively in Agbor, Enugu, Abakiliki and Benin City from 19601976. Justice A.N Maidoh made his fortune when he was a practicing lawyer.

He was the first University Graduate and 2nd Barristerat-Law in Onicha Ugbo in 1958.

seem a child’s play compared to what might follow any attempt to deregulate the downstream sector of the oil industry, which in government language meant increases in pump price of fuel.

According to the statement, “With the wave of revelations regarding monumental corruption in the Petroleum industry it will be unimaginable to contemplate any other thing than focusing on ridding the industry of the endemic corruption that has become so pervasive in the industry.

Nigerians would love to see President Goodluck Jonathan dissipate energy on fighting corruption in the industry as he promised Nigerians. All those so far indicted in corrupt practices in the Fuel Subsidy scam have not yet been prosecuted.

More revelations on corruption keep coming out by the day. The argument proffered that domestic refining of Petroleum products is only possible under private operators cannot be defended. Our refineries

were built and operated successfully as fully public owned enterprises in the past until the industry was massively inflicted with corruption and home for corrupt government officials and their cronies, the refineries functioned well.”

“Today, the problem with the petroleum industry is largely lack of decency and political will on the part of the government to deal with those who have already been identified as having corruptly enriched themselves with funds meant for the industry. We believe Mr. President is not being honest with Nigerians about the real problems of the industry.

The same President who set up several committees to identify the crisis in the industry and who have been given detailed reports by the committees cannot validly say he is still helpless. Some of the committees, including those set up by the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives Adhoc Committee led by Hon.

Farouk Lawal identified not just the problems of the industry but specifically named individuals and companies who have diverted subsidies meant for the industry to private use. Majority of them are political associates of those in power. Indeed, the President has been seen severally hobnobbing in public with some of the key persons indicted by the reports.”

Continuing NLC said “In a decent society, all those who have been indicted by all the reports would have been facing accelerated prosecution or serving severe jail terms for committing economic crimes injurious to public interest. As at this moment, N1.7 trillion meant to subsidize the industry has been diverted by identified private individuals and companies and the government is not in any hurry to prosecute the alleged thieves. We can’t therefore understand why the President is in so much haste to inflict deeper poverty on Nigerians.’’

Mrs Abacha steals show at book launch …. Donates N5 million

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI, Abuja

F

ORMER First lady, Mrs Maryam Abacha, yesterday stole the show , at the launch of a book written by her former Military press secretary, Colonel John Adache (rtd).

Mrs Abacha, walked in suprisingly into the Sani Abacha conference Hall of the National Defence Collage, NDC, in company of her son , Mohammed and a retinue of well wishers.

At the launch of the book on ‘The Military and Public Relations; Issues Strategies and Challenges’ it commenced with the Chief launcher donating N2 million, the former First lady who is the mother of the day announced, her family’s donation of N5 million, which threw the whole hall into loud ovation.

Speaking at the occasion, Commandant of the National Defence

Collage Rear Admiral Thomas Lokoson, said the military must continue to engage in vigorous public relations and information management activities in the interest of national security While urging the military to continue to live up to the challenge through making strides in research and scholarship, the Commandant noted that the Collage will continue to hold its place

prominently amongst its pears globally.

He added that the publication of the book was very timely as public relations practiced by most complex organizations are being given greater impetus especially with the advent of globalization enhanced by varied modes of modern communications.He added that the military cannot afford to be left behind,

Pa Chukwuma Ogbonna passes on A community leader in Amebor, Nkpologu, Uzo-Uwani L.G.A. Enugu State, Pa Chukwuma Ogbonna has died at the ripe age of 95. Activities marking his burial will commence on Friday 23 rd November, 2012, with a wake-keep at his compound in Amebor village while funeral service will take place on Saturday, 24 th November, 2012. He is survived by wives,many

Pa Chukwuma Ogbonna children, grandchildren and great grand children including a PDP stalwart in Enugu State, Hon. Laz Ogbonna.

SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012 — 43

Justice Eso, Deacon of integrity takes a bow CHARLES ADINGUPU

J

ust yesterday morning, Nigerians woke with the sad news of sudden demise of yet again another prominent son, legal luminary par excellence, Justice Kayode Eso, a respected Supreme Court judge.

The indefatigable legal icon was born on September 18, 1925 at Ilesa in Osun State His foray into the legal world began w;hen enrolled as legal science student of the Trinity College Dublin. He, however graduated with a Bachelor of Law (Honors) degree in 1953 and about three years afterward bagged a Masters degree in the same discipline.

Upon graduation, the late renowned legal icon moved to Nigeria to help refine the judiciary.

Within a short span, Justice Eso upheld the tenets of uprightness in dispensing justice and for his legal acumen, he had brushes with authorities that be.

The late Justice Eso has been described as the architect of Judicial Activism in Nigeria and an advocate of an independent judiciary. The legal luminary will be remembered for his relentless efforts in maintaining discipline and protecting the integrity of the court.

However for the likes of renowned constitutional lawyer, Professor Sagay, the death of Eso is a devastating blow to Nigerians and most importantly to the Nigerian judiciary.

Professor Sagay who described the late legal icon as a deacon of integrity, honour, justice and uprightness, said his death marks the end of a golden era in the Nigerian judiciary.

“Apart from Justice Oputa, there is none like him. He brought sound leadership, discipline into the Nigerian judicial system. Infact, one ;does not know how to react to his death,”he said.

His legal travails The late Justice Eso left an indelible footprints in the sand of times. His landmark judgments cannot be easily forgotten in years to come.

He presided over many cases that exposed him to the brushes of government authorities while he was at the Supreme Court from 1970 to 1990 or thereabout.

“It was while at the Supreme Court, he established a remarkable status all over the world, that the court remains the hope for the hopeless and a pinnacle of justice. People like him, Justice Oputa, Anyalolu, Mohammed Bello, Amaechi and Nnamani gave a ruling that the judiciary is totally independent and cannot bow to principalities of power.

This was exemplified in the case of Lagos State government versus Ojukwu. Justice Eso was able to establish then that the judiciary cannot be cowed,’’ Professor Saggay en-

thused with nostalgia.

Another fearless and courageous judgment by the late luminary was the mystery gunman case, which was a trial of Wole Soyinka over his role in broadcast which the government of the defunct Western Region of Nigeria termed offensive. Justice Eso returned a verdict of not guilty on Soyinka, and shortly after the judgment, Professor Sagay disclosed, he was transferred from Ibadan to Akure, then regarded as a rural station.

Also the celebrated case of Chief Obafemi Awolowo versus Alhaji Shehu Shagari, in 1979 will continue to occupy the first chapter of the history book of Nigeria’s jurisprudence. The Apex court in deciding the law relating to election cases had by a majority of 6-1, affirmed the election of Alhaji Shehu Shagari as duly elected president. His dissenting voice in the matter, held that at least two-third of 19 states could only be 13 ;and not 122/3.

Another Supreme Court judge, Justice Pius Aderemi tendered Justice Kayode Eso as a permanent exhibit. He also added Eso’s decisions as judge is legendary and a delight to study, full of erudite scholarships, well reasoned and replete with legal authorities. There are fine statements of law and veritable guides for all in the legal profession or concerned with law.

According to Professor Sagay, there are so many landmark judgments by the late Justice Eso that cannot be easily swept away.

Justice Eso bestrode the Nigerian judiciary like a colos-

sus and fought doggedly for the integrity and liberation of Nigerian judiciary from the grip of the power that be.

Until his sudden demise, the late legal icon authored several books, articles presented various papers at both national and international seminars.

He bagged several awards and recognitions for his stance against corruption.

He was married to Helen Aina Eso and had two children and grandchildren. While paying glowing tribute to his father, Olumide, his son, described him as a very resolute man and a wonderful father who committed his entire life to the goodness of Nigeria and people around him.

Once again, adieu to the godfather of justice and integrity.

J u s t i c e Eso...The indefatigable legal icon

400 children die of lead poisoning in Zamfara

By Emeka Mamah, with agency report

A

bout 400 children have so died and 4000 others poisoned in Zamfara State following lead poisoning epidemic which broke out in the state in 2010, according to medical officials.

An agency report said the contamination was from an artisanal gold mine in the Bagega area, in the northern part of the state.

The epidemic was noticed in 2010 following the death of 163 children, when health officials reported the lead poisoning caused by illegal gold mining in the remote villages.

But the mining has continued unabated, bringing lead dust on the bodies of miners into the

homes of thousands.

According to an agency report, Medical charity Doctors Without Borders, MSF, blamed the increasing cases of death of children in the area on the Federal Government’s failure ‘’to deliver on its promises to tackle the deadly lead poisoning epidemic’’ and called on president Goodluck Jonathan to intervene to prevent more children from d y i n g ”MSF is calling ... for the urgent intervention of the President for the immediate release of the Bagega r emediation f unds,” it said in a report on T h u r s d a y .

In May the government pledged N850 million ($5.4 million) to address the issue, although MSF said none of the ministers — mines, environment and health — scheduled to attend a conference on the poisoning showed up. ”This six-month progress report ... finds that on nearly all agreed action points, very little has materialised.The time for talk is

over: it is time to get the lead out of Bagega,” the report state d .

Government officials from the presidency and relevant ministries were not immediately available for comment.

According to the report, ‘’Nigeria has one of the world’s worst records on environmental protection, with massive oil spills in its southeastern Niger Delta region occurring frequently.

Government pledges to clean up the devastation there and stop gas flaring have been largely unmet..

MSF urged the government start a clean up and introduce facilities for safer mining pract i c e s .

Many Zamfara miners depend on it to survive in a harsh desert terrain on the threshold of the Sahara.

Because the body struggles to rid itself of metal, it accumulates in the blood. Children’s growing nervous systems can be permanently damaged by the metal.’’

C M Y K

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ODD NEWS

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Compiled Richard Okotie

’I’ve got one leg, you get one life’ M

Who ordered the sweet and sour pussies?

eet the inspirational high school soccer star who plays for Team USA (and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro aged 13).

This is the awe-inspiring moment one-legged soccer player Nico Calabria scored an epic goal for his high school team, helping secure victory.

Torture or training I

nside the brutal Chinese gymnasium where the country’s future Olympic stars are beaten into shape...

Nanning Gymnasium in Nanning, China, is one of many ruthless training camps across the country to which parents send their children to learn how to be champions. But while training techniques appear extreme to Western eyes, they do provide an insight into why China’s athletes at London 2012 seem so easily able to swim, dive, lift and shoot their way to victory.

C M Y K

Moment truck crammed with FIVE HUNDRED cats was stopped en route to restaurants in China.

The face of bravery S

oldier who lost both legs while defusing bombs is new ambassador for Poppy Appeal....

Clive Smith, 27, lost both legs while searching for bombs in Helmand, Afghanistan. Now Sapper Smith, of Cannock, Staffordshire, is facing two huge challenges: learning to walk again and helping raise millions of pounds for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

YOUNG NIGERIANS MAKING THE DIFFERENCE AJEDE RASHEEDAT OLATUNDUN

else, such was my inspiration.

The foundational years were accompanied with challenges. One just had to make every effort ahead no matter what. I recalled when we took the last paper during WAEC. That evening, we played football till dusk; because everyone knew that after that moment, we’re parting ways. But inside me, I was seriously in deep thought… “ what’s gonna be the best next step?” Thankfully, I have a Diploma in Information Technology and I am currently taking undergraduate studies in Sociology. For me, these are tools for effective change strategies.

OGUN STATE

th asheedat was born on 15 February, 1990 in Lagos state. She is very passionate, focused and committed to peak performance that bears undeniable results. She is always willing to go the extra mile in her quest for knowledge. Her activities are positively affecting many students and young people as she helps them to realize their passion. All thanks to her organization, AIESEC, a platform which has helped her to explore and discover her potentials.

She is presently working as the organizing committee President for West African Connecting Seminar as Nigeria plays host to the rest of the committees. The Seminar will take place in Ilorin, Kwara State.

R

U

•Unyime Abasi

Everyone is born a change maker — Unyime abasi

Being young is considered by some people as being problematic. However, Unyime thinks differently even as a youth development advocate that being young is a gift and it should be put into appropriate use in making the society a better place. No wonder he believes that societal ills are only a reminder to young people to take action. This week will bring to you the story of Unyime from the Niger Delta Region on efforts and initiative in bringing about a better world.

Life was just good as a child.

Of course, there is nothing to worry about than wake up, eat, dress to school, join friends and keep the fun rolling. My birth certificate shows that 27 years ago, in a sub-urban hospital in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, UnyimeAbasi was born. My Primary and Secondary education offered an opportunity to make more friends mainly due to the fact that my family had to change locations often. My last alma mater was Uyo High School, Uyo. At that early stage, I had begun to

,

F

ormative years

I was seriously in deep thought… “what’s gonna be the best next step?”

Thankfully, I have a Diploma in Information Technology and I am currently taking undergraduate studies in Sociology

,

think about what and who I would love to be in the future.

If for nothing

nyime’s work with young people I think the backbone of all is what each individual is passionate about, that is, when it comes to making something spectacular. But most importantly, my life is built about the socialization at childhood.

Severally, as a teenager, I had the privilege to have become a rugged boy and hoodlum but I really believe the socialization in my formative years played key role in the case of trying harder to avoid some “stuffs”. Thinking the other way, like trying to be a leader with exemplary life led me to join a social youth club “Leo Club”, Youth Activity of the Lions International Club when I was far below 20.

LEO stands for Leadership, Experience, Opportunity.

This launched me into the sphere of “thinking about how to always develop or create change”; kudos to Leo(now Lion) Jude Nkanta. The breaking point was in about 2007/ 08. When one day, while being online (on internet), while chatting via the yahoo instant messenger which was in vogue then, I still recall how I started my research on “ youth development”. One of the main sites that still remain in memory was Takingitglobal. Works of young people there especially young Nigerians propelled the urged I’ve always got.

That was where I first contacted Aniekan Ekah. Eventually

Vanguard, NO VEMBER 17, 2012—45 NOVEMBER

when we had one-on-one meeting, I related my proposition which led to the establishment of Young Activists Initiative Nigeria.

From indoor seminars and workshops to campaigns, the flag of youth development is flying.

H

is passion for Sustainable development Sustainable development, being a sub of youth development/development still has a broad perspective.

My focus is on encouraging youths to take bold steps and act towards achieving sustainable development, with specific areas of interest including environmental sustainability, climate change and good governance.

I have undertaken several youth-led projects for instance organizing Enough-is-Enough (EiE) RSVP Campaign, Global Youth Service Day in Nigeria, Seminar of Youth and Cybercrime, to name but a few.

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hallenges as a youth advocate On one occasion in 2009, I had planned for a workshop and set strategies with the team but it was difficult that we had to be changing venues.

I was scared and this question bothered my mind: “will participants show up?”

Eventually, (he laughs) they did. It got to a point that the guest speaker had to stay in my apartment. It is worthy of note that the fatal accident I had in January 2009, which almost cost me breathe was on returning from a youth project that fateful Saturday evening.

I am indeed grateful to God for sparing my life.

I

nternational project Any international project you have worked on or are working on?

There have been opportunities for a few of International projects carried out in-country.

The recent was coordinating as Country Outreach Coordinator, Major Group on Children and Youth (MGCY) for the Rio+20 UN Sustainable Development Conference in June 2012.

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dvice for young people Everyone is born a change maker. Our immediate community and the world at large need our contributions.

The enormous challenges and societal ills are a reminder that we – young people and adults, must accept to take responsibility and stand in the gap to create a better world.

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urrent change project My focus at the moment is ensuring effective mechanisms toward mainstreaming the concept of Millennium Development Goals and Good Governance in youth perspective. That brought about the idea of ongoing Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Campaign Project (www.mdgscampaign.blogspot.com).

On Good Governance, it has been an endeared engagement in the process of Electoral Reform since 2008 with Youth Action Initiative Africa (YAIA), National Youth Network on Nigeria Elections (NYNNE) and Youth Alliance on Constitution Review (YACOR) in the current Constitution Review process.

46—SA TURD AY 46—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard anguard,,

NO VEMBER 17, 2012 NOVEMBER

By Bashir Adefaka

T

hat the titan of Second Republic politics, Senator Abubakar Olusola Saraki, died is no longer news; neither was that of former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina, who died four days before. What is news is the emerging pointer to the fact that both chose Lagos as their last city of visit before making their final exit to the world beyond.

Saraki, though born in Ilorin to a father of Fulani extraction and an Iseyin Oyo State mother, as a boy was taken to Lagos where he grew up and when death came calling, fate also played its part as he was taken in illness to the same Lagos where he died Wednesday at the age of 79. Incidentally, the man who did not only rule Oyo State for four years but also was a secondary school teacher to the incumbent Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Alhaji Lam Adesina, had earlier had to choose Lagos as his last city of visit before taking final bow: for medical reason it could be said.

Both political titans, Muslims, are now already gone and buried according to Islamic rites. What is left behind is talk about how they played their political ball when it came to each of their courts.

Many have related the extent of discipline Alhaji Lam Adesina displayed when he was governor of Oyo State. He was not only chief executive of the state but also chief security, chief Lam Adesina and Olusola Saraki...both died in Lagos. teacher, chief of the chief accountants and all that need carry chief as prefix.

In his farewell tribute, former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, said, “Alhaji Adesina was social secretary of our Assembly Progressive Club (in the 199889 Constituent Assembly). He was so totally reliable, so completely honest and responsible and so meek, that I called him ‘the lamb of God’. I believe Oyo people cannot trace any missing kobo of their money, if any, to his hands. I am also sure that he must have served political titan describing him as Oyo, as Governor, with total great in death, said, “He was devotion. Dear friend and felone of those titans of the Seclow true progressive, fare ond Republic political class. well!”

During that period, he was the Governor Abiola Ajimobi of bridge between the North and Oyo State had, on Monday, South political elites and he during a condolence visit acwas very noted for his politicompanied by members of the cal contributions at the NaState Executive Council to the tional Assembly. He left a family of the late former Govlegacy of generosity and genuernor Lam Adesina, pledged to ine love for his people. He continue to celebrate, honour lived a life of good contentand sustain the legacy left bement and from all indications hind by the elder statesman. he kept his line of friendship At the Felele, Ibadan residence of the late former gov- Alhaji Adesina my three-in- ship such that he was chair- with his contemporaries he ernor, Goveror Ajimobi noted one. He was my teacher, my man during the wedding of grew up with in Lagos in spite that Alhaji Adesina had been uncle and my political mentor. one of my daughters. I respect of his busy schedule as an achis benefactor since 1964 and Whatever I am today in poli- him very highly. May his soul tive politician. May his soul that whatever achievement he tics, he made me,” Ajimobi rest in peace,” Ezeife said just rest in peace,” Olanrewaju as former Minister of Commu- said. had recorded in life so far had said. nications and cousin of Saraki’s Igwe Nwokedi said, “Olusola the contributions of the late bout Saraki, the childhood friend, G. K. Saraki who hailed from Ilorin ACN leader.

Garkuwan Fika, Ezeife, Animasaun, General Tajudeen once ran an airline and had ``He always said that what described him as a gentleman Olanrewaju and former Press invested a lot in the country. gladdens his heart is that he politician and friend. “He was Secretary to the Head of State He also helped to promote has political son in me (goverone of the strongest Nigerians General Olusegun Obasanjo medical association and emnor). Whatever anybody may in commerce, politics, religion and the Uthoko Na Eze ployed young medical officers say, I am the foremost political and social leadership.

Olusola Achalla, Igwe Ezeoba Alex at a time there were no jobs. son of Alhaji Lam Adesina.

Saraki was one of those who Nwokedi described the fallen And he had a very good Talking about Godliness, the turbaned me in Fika Emirate political titan as an enigma. memory, although in politics former governor lived it and General Tajudeen he had his own objectives, acted it. He was always pray- as Garkuwan Fika in 2001 and ing and fasting. I used to call we had enjoyed good relation- Olanrewaju who eulogized the nevertheless he meant well for

Tale of two eminent citizens’ death in Lagos zSaraki grew up in Lagos, died in Lagos

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Saraki, though born in Ilorin to a father of Fulani extraction and an Iseyin Oyo State mother, as a boy was taken to Lagos where he grew up and when the time of his death came calling, fate also played its part as he was taken in illness to the same Lagos where he died

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A

the country. May his soul rest in peace,” Igwe Nwokedi said.

A

nd Governor Ajimobi de scribed the passing away of the Second Republic Senate Majority Leader, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki as a colossal loss, not only to the people of Kwara but also to the entire country.

The governor, in a statement issued in Ibadan on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, said that the news of the death of the `Strongman of Kwara Politics’ came to him as a rude shock, describing it as very unfortunate. ``Dr. Saraki was a shining example of humility and philanthropy, as he shared virtually everything he had with the needy, irrespective of where they came from. Even though he never held any political office since 1983 when he left the Senate, he had endeared himself to the hearts of the Kwarans, thus becoming a rallying point in the politics of the state. Dr. Saraki left an indelible imprint in the sands of time. The vacuum created by his death will surely be difficult to fill,’’ the governor remarked.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

By OlasunkanmiAkoni

O

ld and young ones, traders, artisans in Ifako – IjayeOjokoro Federal Constituency, have been counting their blessings since the election of OtunbaYomiOgunnusi, under the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, into the Federal House of Representatives as they have been enjoying dividends of democracy through service delivery and fulfillment of electoral promise.

In the last two years Ogunnusi had not less than N45 million items At least, 100 community leaders, families, party members and 200 entrepreneurs received N75, 000 each which sums up to N15 million cash donation to empower members of the constituency.

Also last Friday, Ogunnusi who doubles as the Deputy Chairman, House of Representative Committee on Finance, made made a donation of three coaster buses to various groups which include; League of Imam and Alfas, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and five tricycles to community development associations at Ifako– IjayeOjokoro Federal Constituency, as part of his empowerment programme.

According to Ogunnusi, the initiative was in fulfillment of electoral promises and his personal contribution to the overall welfare development of the people he represents.

Transportation is one area that one can assist and in the area of borehole too which I have done before. We look at projects that are community based assistance, where members can benefit. There are five tricycles and three buses.

Ogunnusi who had before now championed the development of the various communities in the constituency, donating boreholes, vehicles to the police force to effectively police the area said; “I believe wealth is not to be accumulated and amassed for selfish interest. Almighty God placed me in whatever position I find

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NO VEMBER 17, 2012—47 NOVEMBER

Day lawmaker pours N45m empowerment largesse on communities

Otunba Yomi Ogunnusi, clad in white native presenting one of the buses to representative of CAN at Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency last week. myself to enable me assist my fellow human beings.

“My people have always been my back bone. They believe in me and I must give back to the people who have been supportive. I can ride on their back to political office and dump them.

That is not proper ”.

The lawmaker, who is also a fellow

of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, said the empowerment programme would be on a yearly basis, and urged the beneficiaries; the youths, traders, artisans, among others to use the items to improve their lives and their families.

According to him,“These vehicles are given free of charge but I assure you

that whoever, judiciously utilise his or her funds shall receive more packages.” Ogunnusi, had in the past donated vehicles, built facilities in schools, bus stops on the roads named after him by Lagos state government in recognition of his laudable projects as well as placed students on scholarships.

Of honour and award: The dilemma of a reformer

By Tunji Olaopa

I

bring the felicitations of the good people, the Government of Nigeria and its public service to this most esteemed gathering. Stepping onto this platform today raises a whole new emotion that I have never felt before in spite of the fact that the very act of mounting platforms has incidentally characterised my many years in the public service. This particular act undoubtedly, marks a watershed in my career as a civil servant. I am overwhelmed by the fact that I am counted worthy to share this hallowed space with many far more distinguished and accomplished statesmen, and mentors who have passed before me.

As this Award is for me a dimension of grace, I am therefore most grateful to the Almighty God without whom my life itself is impossible.

Getting to this point in my career owes a lot to the conviviality of the community of experts, colleagues and friends who provided the institutional space which enabled me to apply field validation to

my various ideas about reforms and institutional renewal, especially in Nigeria. It is with a mix of pride and humility therefore, that I recall our remarkable strides as a member of various African Expert Working Groups and our specific interventions in conflict ridden countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Sudan etc. I also recall our work in Namibia, South Africa, Kenya, Addis Ababa, Algeria etc, in the tireless pursuit of a strong and enabling African Public Service Charter. This also had involved our effort with the UN-ECA geared towards a systematic documentation of good, smart and best practices in Africa that would ensure that African countries are able to learn and share in institutional practice that would facilitate their development and expand the “pockets of effectiveness” in public service performance in Africa. My conviction has remained unshaken in the imperative of this approach rather than the usual methodology of leveraging mainly innovations from the OECD.

Let me also recognise the immense contributions of our professional associations and networks including the Centre Africaine de Formation et de Recheriche Administrative Pour le Development (CAFRAD), the African and Commonwealth Associations for Public Administration and Management (A(C)APAM), Institute of Administrative Science (IIAS), Public Administration Experts Panel of the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), UK Institute of management Consultants etc. for the ever-ready platforms they made available for disseminating the ideas that I had in turn pulled together over the years into my many publications.

My foray would not have been possible however, if I had not been given the opportunity by my country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and her Federal Civil Service, not only to serve but also by deploying my growing reform expertise to various desks where I got involved in the policy reviews that attended the implementation of the 1988

reform before 1995 and in the implementation of the Ayida reform up to 1999. This experience gave me an incredible entry into the Federal Ministry of Education as the Coordinator of the Education Strategy and Change Team between 1999 and 2002. I also served as the Technical Head of the Strategic Planning Team at the Management Service Office (MSO) that developed the 2003 National Public Service Reform Strategy that gave birth to the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) that has now been scaled up into what has become the National Strategy

Dr. Tunji Olaopa, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Abuja, Nigeria, gave the above as acceptance speech as awardee of the 2012 Kwame Nkrumah Africa Distinguished Public Service Order of Merit Award at a ceremony organized by the International Centre for Peace and Charity, Ghana which held on Saturday, 10th of November, 2012 in Accra, Ghana.

48—SA TURD AY 48—SATURD TURDA

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Eso's landmark case O

Transport) as a Party Interested before the Court of Appeal, asking for leave to appeal against the Ruling of the High Court and an application by Ojukwu seeking that he be “reinstated in his residence at No. 29 Queen’s Drive Ikoyi.”

The Court of Appeal went thoroughly into both prayers. One serious point brought before the Court of Appeal was that since the notice of leave to appeal was filed and served on the Lagos State Government, the Government resorted into what they termed self help and evicted Ojukwu notwithstanding the fact that his application was pending before the Court of Appeal. The Lagos State Government used “some one hundred and fifty armed men” to evict Ojukwu, even when his suit was pending in the High Court and his application was before the Court of Appeal traced the history of such forcible eviction from time of Richard II in England and dealt with the position of the law in this country. And after a thorough investigation of the law in regard to which, I would respectfully commend the learned Justice for his industry; he came to the conclusion that the right of self-help ended when the issues were turned over to the Court. The Court then ordered that Ojukwu be reinstated into the property, following the forcible ejection which the Lagos State Government termed self-help.

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JUKWU vs Governor of LagosState It would be useful to state a few facts as disclosed on the facts placed before us preceding the present application for a good understanding of this matter.

On 10th October 1985, an ex-parte application made by Emeka Ojukwu Respondent in this Court came before the High Court of Lagos State (Omotosho J) seeking interim injunction restraining the Military Governor of Lagos State, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State” and the Attorney-General Lagos State from ejecting the said Emeka Ojukwu, who hereafter will be referred to simply as Ojukwu in this Reasons for Ruling, and members of his family from No. 29 Queen’s Drive, Ikoyi, which he referred to in his application as his house. The interim order sought from the High Court was meant to operate only until there was a reasonable opportunity to have the matters in issue before the High Court dealt with. Ojukwu swore to an affidavit before the High Court that the house belonged to his father after whose death he, Ojukwu became the owner of the h o u s e .

He went on further and deposed on oath that during the period of the Civil War which lasted from 1967 to 1970, and which war he led against Nigeria, from an enclave he termed Biafra, the house remained unoccupied. After the Civil War, Ojukwu resided in the Ivory Coast and though that war ended in 1970, Ojukwu came back to Nigeria, only in 1982, after he had been granted a full pardon by the Government of the Federal Republic of N i g e r i a .

Ojukwu then said he moved to the house having paid the sum of N90,000.00 to the Lagos State Government for “expenses incurred by the said Government in keeping the house.” And that all the members of his family had been residing in the house before the present t r o u b l e .

The learned Judge granted the interim order for injunction on the grounds of his ownership of the house and impending threat to evict him.

The matter then moved to one of notice to the Lagos State. Ojukwu would appear, at that stage, to have changed f r o n t .

He now said the property belonged to Ojukwu Transport Company owned by his late father and that the N90,000.00 which he paid was paid to Agents in charge of the property for the purpose of securing a lease of the property.

The learned trial Judge refused equitable relief of injunction against the Lagos State Government on the ground that the property is an abandoned property and that Ojukwu had failed to show that he had a legal right to or interest in the property. The learned Judge also said that Ojukwu had not come to Equity with clean hands.

(Italics mine) What followed was an application by Ojukwu Transport-Limited (hereinafter referred to in this Ruling as Ojukwu

He went on further and deposed on oath that during the period of the Civil War which lasted from 1967 to 1970, and which war he led against Nigeria, from an enclave he termed Biafra, the house remained unoccupied

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Now, and this is important. The Lagos State Government refused to comply with this order of the Court of Appeal.

Or, to put it mildly, did not comply with the order. The order was made on 13th November 1985 and was in the following terms (ii) “Pending the determination of the appeal of the applicant against the said decision, against the respondents and in favour of the applicant an order of mandatory injunction restoring the applicant in his residence at No. 29, Queen’s Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, and restraining the respondents and all their officers, servants, agents, and functionaries from evicting or taking any steps to evict the applicant from his residence at No. 29

•Late Justice Kayode Eso

Queen’s Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos.”

Rather than comply with this simple but positive order, the Lagos State Government appealed on 22nd November to this Court on the ground inter alia that ”the remedy of interlocutory injunction is not available for an act which has been carried out and concluded” In this case, what the notice of appeal was in effect saying was that that has been carried out forcibly with over one hundred and fifty men in arms, even when the matter to be determined was before the Court of Appeal. Or to put ‘it in more legal form, carried out as a way to forestall the decision of the Court of Appeal against which an appeal is now being lodged to this Court.

Indeed, following the notice of appeal to this Court, the Lagos State Government applied to the Court of Appeal, the Court whose order has been forestalled, seeking an order pursuant to section 18 of the Court of Appeal Act for a stay of execution of the mandatory injunction granted to Ojukwu. On 3rd December 1985 Kolawole J.C.A. delivering the ruling of the Court of Appeal said inter alia ”If the appeal of the State Government is successful the respondent can be ejected by due process of law. In this regard Chief Williams has shown magnanimity by offering an undertaking in damages by way of rental income if the State Government is successful in its appeal.

In that regard no stay would be granted.

Learned Attorney-General contended before us that as Chief Ojukwu is a trespasser at 29 Queen’s Drive Ikoyi, the State Government is not prepared to accept any undertaking in damages in the form of rental income from him.”.....Having regard to the status of irremovability acquired by Ojukwu after the judgment of this Court, it follows that the Lagos State Government is not entitled to a stay of execution because it never

made out any special circumstances upon which to grant the stay. (See Keaves v.

Dean (1924) 1 K.B. 685 at 686). The prayer for stay of execution is therefore refused and the application is dismissed.”

In the same Court, Ademola J.C.A. in a concurring ruling, said”This Court in an earlier ruling had taken the view that it was wrong to eject the respondent by force under the doctrine of self help. It therefore seems to me that to accede to the contention of the learned Attorney-General that the status quo should be maintained is to condone what we have condemned by the judgment of this Court, earlier on. This court cannot blow hot and cold. To be considered with our earlier ruling, this application is refused and it is hereby refused with cost.” .”(Italics mine) The Lagos State Government still failed to comply with the order of the Court of Appeal. And I think it is this dreadful situation that prompted Chief F.R.A. Williams S.A.N. learned counsel for Ojukwu to file his notice of preliminary objection dated 11th December. I have already set out this notice earlier on in this Ruling.

We heard the two applications together.

Mr. Adelosoye the learned Solicitor General for the Lagos State pleaded for a restoration of the status quo ante the judgment of the High Court. He said Ojukwu had been in occupation for 10 months before the Lagos State Government got to know of his occupat i o n .

Chief Williams for his part emphasized the deliberate disobedience of the order of the Court of Appeal by the Lagos State Government and that that Government was in contempt of the Court of Appeal.

Continues on page 49

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Eso through landmark case Continued from pg 48 I think it is a very serious matter for anyone to flout a positive order of a court and proceed to taunt the Court further by seeking a remedy in a higher court while still in contempt of the lower court. It is more serious when the act of flouting the order of the court, the contempt of the court, is by the Executive. Under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1979, the Executive, the Legislative (while it lasts) and the Judiciary are equal partners in the running of a successful government. The powers granted by the Constitution to these organs by s.4 (Legislative powers) s.5 (executive powers) and s.6 (judicial powers) are classified under an omnibus umbrella known under Part 11 to the Constitution as “Powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. The organs wield those powers and one must never exist in sabotage of the other or else there is chaos. Indeed there will be no federal government. I think, for one organ, and more especially the Executive, which holds all the physical powers, to put up itself in sabotage or deliberate contempt of the other is to stage an executive subversion

of the Constitution it is to uphold. Executive lawlessness tantamount to a deliberate violation of the Constitution.

When the Executive is the Military Government which blends both the Executive and the Legislative together and which permits the Judiciary to co-exist with it in the administration of the country, then it is more serious than imagi n e d .

By virtue of the Constitution (Suspension Modification) Decree 1984 No. 1 a good number of the provisions of the Constitution were suspended.

Indeed, what was left was what had been permitted by the Federal Military Government to exist. All the provisions relating to the Judiciary were saved. Section 6 of the Constitution, the most important provision, in so far as the institution known as the Judiciary is concerned, which vests in courts the judicial powers of the Federation was left extant. The Military Government had the power and still has to put an end to the existence of that provision, It has not done so, and that must have been advisedly for it does intend that the rule of law should pervade. It is the clearest indication against rule by Tyranny, by sheer force of arms against

•Late Justice Kayode Eso a presumption subjecting the nation to the rule of might as against rule of right.

That being the case, it behoves of every organ of the Military Government to make it clear at all times, albeit as the presumption is always that of rule by might of the military, to assume a perennial onus of demonstrating a rebuttal of this o n u s .

With the contempt of the Court of Appeal by the Applicants still subsisting, it would he inequitable for this Court to give

a consideration to the application of the Applicants. Let the Lagos State Government purge itself of this serious contempt, of this apparent violation of the Constitution even as amended by Decree No. 1 of 1984 before coming to seek the favour of the Court.

Another very important matter emanating from the act of the applicants. They have no right to take the matter into their own hands once the court was seised of it. The essence of rule of law is that it should never

operate under the rule of force or fear. To use force to effect an act and while under the marshall of that force, seek the court’s equity, is an attempt to infuse timidity into court and operate a sabotage of the cherished rule of law. It must never be.

It is for these reasons that I dismissed the application of the applicants- The Military Governor of Lagos State, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State and the Attorney-General Lagos State on 11th December 1985 and so be it.

The glorious exit of an Urhobo Monarch, Agbon Kingdom

By Samuel Akpobome Orovwuje

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hamberlin Oyibocha Orovwuje, a scion of the Orovwuje dynasty of Okpara Inland, His Royal Highness, Ogurime- Rime, Okpara 1, and King (Ovie) of Agbon Kingdom (The Agbon Kingdom is made of sub clan of Okpara, Kokori, Eku, Ovu, Igun, Orhuakpor) in Ethiope East Local Government of Delta State. He joined his ancestors in June 2012 at the age of 77. He ascended the throne in 1958 as a student of the famous Saint Thomas College, Ibusa at the age of 23.

The Monarch until his transition to glory was the longest reigning monarch in Urhoboland and indeed Delta State. He was on the throne for 54 years. It is on record that his kingdom was the most peaceful which is a clear testimony of his democratic and purposeful leadership.

His leadership traits were seen beyond the traditionalpolitical institution through his appointment to Government

Late King of Agbon Kingdom establishments as a Board member of the Nigerian Coal Corporation, Enugu, Eastern Nigeria and the Chairman Bendel Hospitals Management Board by Brigadier Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia. He also served as a non Executive Director for many years with the defunct Bendel Glass Company Limitedd Ughelli, Nigeria.

The late Ovie was exposed early in life to political and parliamentary governance with his appointment as a member of the Western Regional House of Chiefs and by extension with the creation of the Mid – West region. He served as a pioneer member of the MidWestern House of Chiefs. At the larger community level, he was the Chairman Ukoko Ivie

Urhobo (Committee of Urhobo Kings) and a member of the Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON) and also Chairman Delta State Traditional Rulers Council.

In local government administration, his contributions to western Urhobo council through his constant dialogue with the then residents were also worthy of note particularly in the area of rural electrification. It is on good account that the Ovie influenced the Bendel Rural Electrification to his kingdom and he was also instrumental to the citing of the local government at Isiokolo.

My first real encounter with the Ovie was at the age of 10 when my father (Late Chief Esiemua Orovwuje) asked me to live with him preparatory to my secondary school then. My memory of the Ovie is that he was a disciplinarian and highly principled man with a large heart that accommodated all shades of opinions particularly from his chiefs and subjects alike. When the

history of the Urhoboland and indeed Nigeria in the last 60 years is written, a greater part of our fortune in justice, tolerance, peace and patriotism were shaped by this unassuming man but a great leader of his people. Drawing inspiration from the late American President, Thomas Jefferson who once said, I have no ambition to govern men.. it is a painful and thankless office could be true of the life and time of Ogurime- Rime, Okpara 1 who chose to serve humanity not office. In one of my personal engagement with him, he told me that he was publicity shy. Indeed, he did not need the press to govern his people .Rather, he chose the paths of honour, equity and fairness in his administration.

His passing to glory will indeed create new challenges in local administration and chieftaincy matters in Agbon kingdom in particular and Delta State in general.

By Samuel Orovwuje, Founder, Humanitarian Care for Displaced Persons, Lagos

50— Vanguard, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2012

By IFEANYI OKOLIE

W

HEN the management of Blueprint Business Technology, an ICT solution company, secured the service of Victor Sunday as an automobile engineer some years back, it didn’t occur to them that he was up to something more sinister than they could ever imagine. The 34-year-old man, in connivance with his wife, Eno, and a friend, Idom Essong, staged and kidnapped one of the company’s directors simply identified as Adebayo, squeezing a ransom of N36 million from his family.

The money which was shared between Sunday and his wife and others that took part in the operation, afforded him two automobiles, a jeep and a bus, while part of it was spent on a building project.

While this was going on, Sunday didn’t quit working for the ICT company, he held on to his position, going about his duties as if nothing happened. But some of his colleagues at the office who noticed a sudden change,an expensive life style got suspicious, and alerted the management who brought in the police from the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, and they arrested him and his wife.

Crime Guard gathered that during interrogation, Sunday confessed to taking part in the kidnap of his boss. He told his interrogators that he was the gang’s contact man in the company and that he supplied them with all the information they needed in carrying out the operation. A police source at FSARS who took part in the investigation intimated Crime Guard that Sunday also disclosed the names of all other suspects who took part in the kidnapping including his friend, Essong. “After their arrest, we charged the case to court and Sunday and his wife were remanded in prison custody.

The case was referred to the Department of Public Prosecution, DPP, for advice.

But while we were waiting for the DPP’s advice, we got information that Sunday and his wife were granted bail by a State High Court without our knowledge. The court didn’t serve us any notice to appear before it during the bail hearing in order to conform to the due process of law. We couldn’t do any thing because the bail was from a competent court that has jurisdiction over such case,” the source lamented.

C-A-U-G-H-T I-N T-H-E A-C-T

Lagos couple that head kidnap gang

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owever, Crime Guard learnt that few days after they regained their freedom, Sunday and his wife parked out of their Oremeji, Oshodi residence and moved to Matogun road, Lambe, Ogun State, where they ventured into full time kidnapping using their new apartment as a hideout.

Meanwhile, a prison inmate with Sunday at the Ikoyi Prison where he was remanded assisted him in forming a new gang. The inmate identified as Emma gave him the phone number of one Joseph who provided him with a gun and he also recruited two persons identified as Chief and Daniel. The new gang went on a search for victims, and they stormed Ago-Okota

•We turned kidnapping into family biz — Husband •As a loving wife, I could not stop him — Wife area in Lagos State where they kidnapped a man they saw with a flashy car in front of a gate. They took the man to their hideout, chained him and contacted his relatives demanding a ransom of N50million, but they ran out of luck as the middle-aged man managed to remove the chains from his legs and escaped from the hideout. Sensing trouble, Sunday, his wife and other members of the

gang took to their heels because they expected that policemen will storm their residence.

A police source at the state Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, who took part in the manhunt for the suspects also told Crime Guard that; “Shortly after their victim was kidnapped, the family contacted the police who kept tab on the kidnappers.

Luckily, he was able to untie

the leg chain and escaped.

We then kept tab on the house but we did not move in. Hoping that the police or the family was not ready to pursue the case, the suspect returned to their hideout and we arrested them.”

W

hen Crime Guard interviewed the suspects, Sunday and his wife, they said they secured their bail after paying N500,000 to a lawyer who

contacted them at the prison.

They also said they went back to kidnapping because they could not find a good job to secure a living and all efforts to progress in life failed. In his words; “ I am a mechanic and for years, I have struggled to make progress. Last year, my friend, Idom Essong visited my office and suggested that I should help him select anyone that can be kidnapped in my office.

He told me that it was one easiest thing to do, and I agreed and pointed at one of the senior

Vanguard, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2012—51

managers who I knew can afford to pay a huge ransom. I gave them all the details they needed to execute the plan.

“They collected N36million from the family and gave me N1million as my share of the deal. I quickly bought a bus and a jeep. I continued working in that office until the day police came and arrested me.I don’t know how they got the information. I was arrested by Federal SARS and later, charged to court with my wife as my accomplice. I was remanded in Ikoyi for 8 months before I was released.”

N

arrating how he was released, Sunday said he was introduced to a lawyer whom he identified as Ajanaku. “I paid him N500,000 and he filed a motion for bail and I was granted bail. He asked me to go home as he would call me if there is any need to come to court. Till date, he has not called me. Shortly after my release, I decided to relocate to a new place since the whole world knew that I was arrested for kidnapping. I relocated to 42, Matoku Lambee in Ogun state . It became difficult for me to make a living so, I decided to start a family business since we have a house.

I called a friend that I met in the prison, Emma who had contact on where to get arms. He linked me up to one Joseph who promised to get a gun on the condition that he would be involved in the deal. I later contacted my friends called Chief and Daniel.

“Three weeks ago, we arranged to lurk around Okota . Luckily, at about 10pm, we saw a man in a flashy car driving home. We immediately followed him and as soon as he drove in, we went after him and over powered him. Still with his car, we drove to my apartment at Ogun State. To ensure that he does not recognize where he was, we blindfolded him. At home, we chained him in one of the rooms and contacted his family. We demanded for N50million. We went to bed and

,

I paid my lawyer N500,000 and he filed a motion for bail and I was granted bail

,

IGP’s team storms Anambra to investigate Nkpor/Ogidi bloody land dispute

By DONALD ARJI

T

HE Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has dispatched a crack team of policemen from the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad ,SARS, in Abuja to Anambra State to take the full inventory of all the properties damaged during the October 1, 2012 bloody land dispute between Umusiome village, Nkpor and their neighbouring Oramadike village, Ogidi all in Idemili North Local Government area of the state.

The crack team, led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police, arrived the disputed land yesterday, in company of some policemen from Ogidi Division and went round the vast area during which they took the names of all those whose houses were either burnt or demolished by unknown gunmen suspected to be working for the opposition group.

Conducting them round the war-torn land, a community leader and Chairman of Abor Akuzor kindred of Umusiome village, Nkpor, Chief Okechukwu Nwaforagu said that after shooting and killing two police men and a woman on the fateful day, the gunmen allegedly ignited some explosives to demolish his own five-star hotel which was at a roofing stage.

Nwaforagu further took the police team to other houses which were suspected to have been equally damaged by the gunmen. The police team also went to Crown Hospital, Nkpor-Uno to confirm that the corpse of one Mrs. Ogechukwu Uga who was allegedly shot dead by the gunmen, was still lying at the hospital mortuary.

At the hospital, the Medical Director, Dr.

Emegoakor who confirmed that Mrs. Uga’s remains was still lying at the mortuary told the bereaved husband, Monday and the police team to arrange for a post-mortem examination of the body before the corpse could be released for burial.

The two slain policemen were said to be on patrol in the disputed Abor Akuzor kindred land when gunmen invaded the area and shot them dead. The killing of the policemen came on the heels of a similar killing of a middle-aged woman, Mrs Ogechukwu Uga, the previous week by the same gunmen who attacked the same village and destroyed a five-star hotel still under construction, belonging to Chief Nwaforagu and other buildings in the area.

According to sourcees, the hoodlums were alleged to have used explosives suspected to be dynamite to destroy the five-star hotel and several other completed and uncompleted buildings in the land. The Abor Akuzor kindred has been enmeshed in a fatal land dispute with their neighbouring Oramadike villag,e Ogidi, in the recent times, leading to loss of lives and destruction of properties which resulted in constant police and military patrol in the area.

Monday morning attack of Abor Akuzor was the third of its kind since May this year, and in all, the hotel which is at the roofing stage was pulled down alongside other properties like generator, bundles of zinc, water tanks, borehole and building materials. These ugly developments prompted the IGP to dispatch the team of investigators to come down to the disputed land for an on-the-spot assessment of the extent of damages done the the area.

was shocked to find the room empty in the morning. We immediately ran away because it was obvious that police would soon storm the area. Two weeks later when I discovered that no one had come to raid the house, I came back with my wife to pick my things and the police arrested us.

The wife Eno,25, speaks

E

no said life had been hard ever since they got married. One day her husband came back and told her of his plan and she vehemently kicked against it. “He convinced me that it would be safe, so as a loving wife, I gave him my blessing. Luckily, at the end of everything, he was paid N1m and he gave some to me to start a shop. He continued his job till one day police arrested us. They said I was an accomplice. Luckily, 8 months later, we were granted bail. He still went back to the same business and convinced me that it was now a family business. As a loving wife I could not stop my husband. On the day of the kidnap, I warned him severally. When I discovered that they were asleep, I opened the door and went back. I did that because I wanted to help the man escape from that place.

I thank God that he did,”she stated.

Comptroller General of Immigration, Mrs. Rose Chinyere Ugoma (4th right) flanked by Deputy Comptroller General of Immigration (L-R) , Abubakar Khali Kuso, Samuel Eluwe, Mrs. Olufunke Davies –Jones , and Freeman Mologe , after the signing of performance band by the head of NIS Directors in Abuja recently.

52 — SATURDAY VANGUARD, NOVEMBER 17, 2012

Eko 2012: Lagos eyes

volleyball, cycling gold

By OSARETIN EMUZE

L

AGOS State coaches, Suraju Onatuga and Joseph Izibili for Volleyball and Cycling respectively are optimistic they will beat other States to the volleyball and cycling gold in the 18th National Sports Festival holding in Lagos between November 27 and December 9, 2012.

Speaking with Saturday Vanguard sports from their training ground at the Yaba College of Technology and Epe respectively,

the veteran coaches disclosed that they have been in camp for the past two months teaching the athletes the basic rudiments of volleyball and cycling.

Coach Onatuga who has won volleyball laurels both as a player and a coach in the National Sports Festival and the All Africa Games, said he is happy to be back to the sport he loves so much. ”I have lived all my life in volleyball. I was not surprised when the commissioner for sports Enitan Oshodi asked me to lead the volleyball

event to the Sports Festival on my return from the United States of America. The players are doing well and with my wealth of experience, I will mold them into a winning side. By the grace of God, Lagos will wrestle the male and female gold in the festival,” he said.

The former national volleyball coach however, lamented the death of Volleyball in the country, stressing, “It is sad that volleyball is dead in this country.

When I returned from my coaching job in the United States, I found out that the foundation of volleyball has been destroyed. Nigeria has no volleyball teams that can compete in Africa again, all the structures have been destroyed by the sit-tight leaders of the federation,” the former head coach of Lagos state said.

No winner for Wuraola golf’s Toyota Camry

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HE 9th edition of Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo golf tournament ended with no winner good enough to take home the star prize of Toyota Camry car.

Sponsor of the competition played at Ikeja Golf Club, Toyota Nigeria Limited dangled the Toyota Camry at any golfer that can play a hole-in-one game, but none of the 130 golfers that took part in the tourney was able to attain this feat.

“It is so sad that nobody has been able to win this car since the championship began nine years ago. No golfer has been able to play to the highest standard to win the car, I hope some will win the car in the next edition,” said Chief Michael Ade Ojo, chairman of Toyota Nigeria Limited, who sponsored the tournament in honour of his late wife, Chief (Mrs.) Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo, an ardent golfer

in her lifetime.

Chief Ade Ojo, however, commended the standard and organisation of this year’s competition, saying that he was overwhelmed with the quality of players that took part in the tourney and the packaging of the grand finale ceremony. “I’m so glad that our golfers displayed high sense of professionalism in the competition. I want to say that the next edition will be better and bigger,” he said.

Gbenga Ayodele scored 67 nett to win the men’s event of the competition, while Veronica Chaka Awatai with 96 gross won the ladies event.

To the new champion, Ayodele, his target from the beginning of the tournament, was to win the star prize of Toyota Camry.

Don’t let Williams sisters’ visit be in vain – Yesufu

By JOHN EGBOKHAN

A

MEMBER of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Bala Yesufu has said that the recent visit of the celebrated Williams sisters, Venus and Serena can mark a turnaround for Nigerian tennis if stakeholders and sponsors pull their resources together for the good of players.

Speaking on sidelines of the exhibition match between the two sisters at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club in Onikan, which Venus won, Yesufu, who is the Public Affairs Manager (North) of Nigerian Breweries PLC, said it was possible for Nigeria to produce quality tennis stars if the enabling environment was in provided Yesufu, whose reputation for stating

things the way they are is not in doubt, urged authorities not to allow the objectives that made the Williams sisters to come to Nigeria to die a natural death, like other projects held in the past.

Noting that visit of the sisters, who between them have won 22 Grand Slam titles, was inspiring, Yesufu, who was once the project coordinator nowrested Heineken tennis Futures I and II, said that g o v e r n m e n t ’ s indifference to other sports, was the major reason why sports development was lagging behind in the country.

According to Yesufu, “we are happy to have received them and it is also inspirational for our youths. It will rekindle people’s interest in tennis and also bring up interest in some people who have seen them, like the kids who took part in the tennis

clinic and those who watched them in the exhibition match.

“We feel very satisfied, impressed and we believe that if the sisters can visit again, it will assist us to develop tennis. But I hope that this project would be sustained to ensure that players become better players.

•Serena

We must have eight top sprinters in 2016, says Onyali F

ORMER African sprint champion, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi has tasked the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN and its coaches to buckle up and produce at least eight world sprinters if the country were to make any impact at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Onyali was speaking against the background of over reliance on one athlete to carry the expectations of the entire country.

She stated that the authorities know exactly what to do and they should go ahead and begin to work rather than beating about the bush. “We need to start looking for younger athletes to groom now. By 2016 we should be boasting of eight good athletes who are running neck and neck rather than rely on one athlete.

“In my time we had complete rivalry.

Though much of the expectation was on me, but there were others who were equally as good as I was,” Onyali stated.

She however, stressed that the party was not over for the likes of Blessing Okagbare, declaring that Okagbare who bore the burden of expectations at the London 2012 Olympics for Nigeria could still bounce back and make a statement at the Rio Games.

“Okagbre is still a baby in track and field.

She started out late and if she keeps a tight training schedule, she could be back in top form in 2016.”

However, she noted that distractions of getting married could make or mar the

•Uhunoma Osazuwa athlete.“If Okagbare decides to get married and her husband is not supportive then we have lost her,” Onyali said.

Ennis targets 7k barrier at Moscow ‘worlds’ Olympic heptathlon champion, Jessica Ennis has set her sights set on breaking the 7,000 points barrier.

At 26 Ennis has already got her hands on most major titles, with just Commonwealth Games gold eluding her so far after she finished top of the pile this summer at London 2012.

In winning the Olympic title, Ennis broke the British record as she amassed 6,955 points, putting her fifth on the world all-time list.

American Jackie Joyner-Kersee holds the world record with 7,291, with Carolina Kluft of Sweden (7,032) and Russian Larisa Turchinskaya (7,007) the only other competitors ever to break 7,000.

But Ennis believes next year’s World Championships in Moscow could be the perfect setting to add her name to that exclusive list.

“Your motivation levels are very different (after the Olympics),” she said.

“It’s just getting back into it and looking forward to the next championship.

“The World Championships are going to be the main focus for next year, preparing and being where I need to be.

“I’m still 26, I’ve got time to achieve a bit

more, and it’s about resetting your goals.

“Now the Olympic thing has been achieved, that’s a great position to be in, but now I have to

look forward to trying to get my title back at the Worlds next year and looking forward to 7,000 points, just setting yourself new goals.”

AFN gears up for African youths

A

THLETICS Federation of Nigeria, AFN has lined up two tune up competitions to prepare its team for the maiden African Youth Championships tentatively scheduled for March 2013 in Warri.

The competitions include the Procter and Gamble meet and the All Nigeria Primary and Secondary School Championships from where the team for the African Youth Championships will be selected.

According to the AFN technical director, Omatseye Nesiama details of these events are still being worked out, adding that the dates will be revealed in the 2013 calendar of activities for the Federation.

The Procter and Gamble championships was earlier scheduled for this month, but the federation and the sponsors could not finalise details.

“We didn’t want to hold competition just for the fun of it. There were details to be sorted out and we are in talks with Procter and Gamble to have the competition come on stream.” said the Nesiama, a Navy Captain.

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SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012 — 53

54 — SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012

SATURDAY VANGUARD, NOVEMBER 17, 2012 — 55

AFCON 2013: Keshi should concentrate on Eagles defence – Shofoluwe F

ORMER Super Ea gles defender, Yisa Shofoluwe has stated that a solid defence line is key to Super Eagles enjoying a successful outing at the 2013 Afcon.

Shofoluwe reacted on the 3-1 win by Super Eagles over Venezuela’s La Vinotinto in Miami, Flor-

SHOVE.... Super Eagles Obafemi Martins (right) fights for the ball with Venezuela’s Agnel Flores during the friendly at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida, last Wednesday. Eagles won 3-1but former defender Yisa Shofoluwe has said coach Stephen Keshi should do something about the team’s defence which he says is still suspect. Photo: Getty Images

•Shofoluwe

EKO 2012: LOC launches Miss Eko 2012 Pageant

By JACOB AJOM

T

HE Marketing subcommittee of the Local Organising Committee for the 18th National Sports Festival, Thursday flagged off a beauty pageant, Miss Eko 2012, as part of activities ushering in the festival which kicks off November 27 in Lagos.

Speaking at the media briefing at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Chairman of the Marketing Committee, Chief Molade OkoyaThomas said, “the beauty competition will form part of activities to mark the unity of the country as and showcase the different cultures of

our peoples because it is open to every girl of Nigerian origin that meets the conditions. “ He praised corporate bodies that identified

with the programme and appealed to young girls to identfy with the programme.

Speaking at the event, Tunde Lawrenson of X-

be physically and mentally fit. They must have sports attribute s they would go through healthy tasks and everyday activities.

Imoke flags off Obudu race C

ROSS River state Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke will flag off the 8th edition of the Obudu international mountain race today at the Obudu Ranch resort in Obudu,Cross River state.

According to William Archibong,chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the race, this year ’s race which

… As Australian High Commissioner joins race

will witness the staging of the fourth edition of the African Nations Mountain Running Championships for both men and women.

“The Governor will flag off the race at the mountain resort in Obudu and he will be assisted by Bruno Gozzelino, the president of the world mountain running association and Chief Solomon Ogba, president of the Athletic

T

HE Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ian Mconville is among the top 100 mountain runners that would battle for prizess today (Saturday) in the 4th Obudu mountain race tagged African Mountain Running Championship.

President of the Local Organizing Committee Mr. Williams Archibong, who disclosed this yesterday at the Obudu Ranch Resort venue for the championship said the 2012 race would feature top one hundred athletes to test run the new race course.

Archibong described this year’s edition as “very difficult and challenging and the winner of this year’s race would be a worthy winner”.

Federation of Nigeria”, Archibong said.

Meanwhile the LOC has revealed an unchanged prize money outlay for this year ’s edition.Two years ago the total prize money for the 6th edition of the race was increased by over $35,000 by the organisers following the introduction of the women’s version of the African Nations Mountain Running Championship.

•Liyel Imoke

MultiChoice supports Martial Arts

By JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, Calabar

C M Y K

Media informed that Miss Eko 2012 Beauty Pageant was not going to produce “the usual everyday beauty queen.

“The contestants have to

ida on Thursday, according to supersport.com.

He expressed happiness with the team’s win but acknowledged that the backline should give head coach, Stephen Keshi and his assistants “cause for concern.”

“It’s a good result for the team I must say. But I’m sure the coaches including Stephen Keshi will be looking at what the team failed to do right. For instance, the defence should give the coaches real cause for concern as they prepare for the Nations Cup next year.

“Attack-wise I think the team is very rich and even the coaches have options. The concentration should be on the defence now because we have just about two months or so to the Nations Cup. And if you want to win a major competition like the Nations Cup you must be solid from the back up to the front. And I believe the coaches will really work on that area,” said Shofoluwe, known as the Dean of Defence during his playing days.

Shofoluwe also pointed out that Keshi remains on the right path of building a team for the Africa Cup of Nations by handing debuts to Shola Ameobi, Bright Dike and Solomon Kwambe.

“There’s nothing in giving new players the chance to play in friendly matches. They are called friendly matches and they are meant to help the coaches correct errors in the team and bring in players that can fit their plans. So there’s nothing wrong in trying out new players,” remarked the former Nigerian defender.

T

•Bruno Gozzelino

HE General Manager of Multi Choice Nigeria, Felix Awogu has stressed the usefulness of combat sports in the lives of individuals and families and urged Nigerians to be conscious of the security needs of their environment.

Awogu said his organisation was ready

to assist Nigerians become aware of their potentials in the art of self-defence and their security.

Speaking at the media briefing on the Multichoice introduction of Black Belt channel, Awogu said lovers of combat sports in Nigeria have a lot to look forward to as Blackbelt tv was

dedicated to airing sports like Taekwondo, Karate, Boxing, Kick-boxing, kungfu among others.

Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe said his company was delighted at the introduction of Black Belt TV which will serve a large community of martial arts practitioners in Nigeria.

SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 17, 2012

Uche laments Falcons’ showing in E. Guinea

By BEN EFE

F

•Victor Moses

ORMER Falcons coach, Eucharia Uche has expressed regrets over the outing of the national women team at the African Women Championships concluded last weekend in Equatorial Guinea with the Falcons coming home empty handed.

Uche was at the helms when the Falcons regained the trophy in 2010, after they were beaten to third place in 2008 with coach Josy Lad in charge. Uche then led the team to the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany where they won their first-ever World Cup match, 1-0 against Canada. However, Uche failed to secure qualification for the 2011 All Africa Games in Mozambique and the London 2012 Olympics and her contract was not renewed by the Nigeria Football Federation. Kadiri Ikhana took her place and it turned out to be a bad experiment.

“It was sad that we have to go out the way we did. It shows that other African countries have caught up with us and we must be making the right decision to stay at the top,” said the coach.

Before she was shown the way out, Uche had implored the NFF to let her continue with her work with the Falcons on the premise that she had learned valued lessons that will help the team recover, but she was ignored as the NFF wanted a foreign coach, but settled for Ikhana when that plan failed to materialise.

Looking back at the team’s performance at Equatorial Guinea, Uche said: “Only God knows what could have happened if I were in charge. But I’m sure we could have settled for something better.”

•Odemwingie

PREMIERSHIP:

Eagles at ‘war’ as Mikel, Moses battle Odemwingie E

MOTIONS will run high today, as Chelsea clash with West Brom in a Premier League match at The Hawthorns.

Nigerian players John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses and Osaze Peter Odemwingie who were not part of the Super Eagles international friendly last Wednesday will be aiming to perform and thrill their Nigerian fans, while on the other hand, the two coaches Roberto Di Matteo and Steve Clarke are desperate to impress. Di Matteo was coach at West Brom, while Clarke played for Chelsea and was assistant to Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant.

After dropping points at home to Manchester United and Liverpool, Chelsea are out to take all full points with the aim of regaining the top position lost to United after falling controversially 3-2 to

Manchester and drawing 1-1 with Liverpool.

A win for Chelsea will see them close the gap on United, while West Brom will be a point behind Chelsea if they win and possibly be in Champions League spot if Everton lose or draw at Reading.

But Chelsea are undefeated away from west London and should be in a no foul mood.

Ashley Cole is back and will definitely keep Odemwingie who scored a brace in West Brom’s win against Wigan Athletic.

The Blues have won 18 of their last 21 games with West Brom. However, Chelsea suffered a bitter loss on March 3 at the Stamford Bridge and that led to the sacking of Andre Villas Boas and promotion for Di Matteo who then successfully led Chelsea to the FA Cup title, its first-ever Champions League crown and qualification for this

Today’s matches

season’s European tournament. “Robbie has done very well. He is still quite young but he drove the Chelsea team on.

“So all my praise goes to him, but we are looking to beat him,”said West Brom midfielder, Youssouf Mulumbu.

Arsenal v Tottenham 1.45pm Liverpool v Wigan 4pm Man City v Aston Villa 4pm Newcastle v Swansea 4pm QPR v Southampton 4pm Reading v Everton 4pm West Brom v Chelsea 4pm Norwich v Man Utd 6.30pm

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1.Super Eagles Midfielder, Nosa (7) 5.Niger State Capital (5) 8.State in Nigeria (3) 9.Traditional ruler of Auchi (5) 10.Former Anambra State Governor, Dr. Chris (5) 11.Respond (5) 12.President, Trade Union Congress, Mr. Peter (5) 15.LGA in Kaduna State (5) 17.Igbo Word for Community (5) 19.Number (6) 20.LGA in Jigawa State (6) 22.Traditional Ruler of Benin (3) 24.Egyptian National President, Mohammad, (5) 27.State in Nigeria Known as “Coal City State”? (5) 30.Former Benue State Governor, John (5) 31.Colour (5) 33.Fulham FC Coach, Martin (3) 34.Delta State Capital (5) 35.Edo State Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Brown (7)

DOWN 1.Cross River State Governor, Liyel (5) 2.LGA in Ondo State (5) 3.LGA in Katsina State (5) 4.Saudi Arabia Capital City (6) 5.Italian Prime Minister, Mario (5) 6.Nigerian Currency (5) 7.Former Oyo State Governor, Lamidi (7) 13.Watersport (3) 14.England Division 2 Premiership Clubside (5) 16.Country in Africa (5) 17.State in Nigeria Known as “Pacesetter State”? (3) 18.LGA in Abia State (3) 19.Country in Africa (7) 21.Carpet (3) 23. Insect (3) 25.Liverpool FC Goalkeeper, Jose (5) 26.Lagos State Capital (5) 27.Bird (5) 28.Kano Pillars Striker, Mannir (5) 29.Former Super Eagles’ Defender, Ifeanyi (5)

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