State of Emergency: Soldiers comb Boko Haram hideouts, kill 35

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2 — SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 18, 2013

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SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 18, 2013—3

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4 — SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 18, 2013

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SATURDAY

Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013 — 5

State of Emergency:

Soldiers comb Boko Haram hideouts, kill 35 •Destroy fuel dumps, power generators •Boko Haram kills 2 soldiers, injures 1

BY EMEKA MAMAH, KINGSLEY OMONOBI & NDAHI MARAMA

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ROOPS yesterday used jets and attack helicopters to bombard Boko Haram Islamic camps in Sambisa Game Reserve, in Borno State, which is one of their strongholds killing a number of the insurgents.

The Sambisa Camps are believed to be harbouring their training and enrolment base.

Over 3,600 military personnel comprising the Army, Navy, Police, the Department of State Security, DSS and other security agencies and men of Counter Terrorists Squad, CTS, are said to be involved in the campaign to rout the Boko Haram insurgents from their hideouts in the affected states.

Heavy weapons belonging to the insurgents including antiaircraft and anti-tank guns were destroyed by the military fighter jets even as the Nigerian Army’s artillery long range surface to air guns were also being used.

Director of Defence Information, BrigadierGeneral Chris Olukolade told Reuters that several camps had been attacked, including the game reserve in Borno state, but did not give further details.

“A number of insurgents have been killed. There are a lot of casualties. It is not just Sambisa, every camp is under attack. But we have not done the mopping up operations on the ground to determine the numbers killed,” Olukolade said, adding that, “there have been air strikes since Wednesday, and were continuing yesterday. I cannot tell you the actual number of terrorists killed, but I am optimistic we are making headway, and at the end of the operation, we will be c o m m e n d e d . ” An unconfirmed report however, said that one of the air strike jets was shot by the insurgents, ‘’but the pilots manoeuvred it successfully and landed safely at the base.’’

From left :Professor Sylvester Monye, Special Adviser to the President on Monitoring and Evaluation; Alhaji Muhammed Abubakar, Inspector General of Police and Major General Funso Owonibi, Commandant, Corps of Engineers during the tour of the rehabilitated buildings by the Army corps of Engineers at Police College, Ikeja, Lagos yesterday. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele This military offensive continued just as the Army said yesterday that its personnel in Daura, Katsina State foiled an attempt by the Boko Haram sect to overrun the ancient town by attacking and bombing government and public institutions like police stations and banks, causing mayhem and disrupting the peace of the residents of the area.

Borno and Yobe states and their environs have remained for two days without communication as all the GSM networks were cut off to enable the military accomplish their mission without hitches.

No fewer than 35 of the insurgents had so far been killed during the air strikes on their training camps.

Military Spokesman, Olukolade confirmed that jets and helicopter gunships had been used to attack several camps.

Nigerian forces are trying to regain territory controlled by increasingly well-armed Boko Haram Islamist insurgents in their north-eastern stronghold states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, which were put under a state of emergency by President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday.

At Gamboru, Ngala and Marte towns on the border with Cameroon in northern Borno, residents said that heavily armed troops and tanks arrived on Wednesday, sealing off previously unmanned border posts.

Some sources said that many innocent people, particularly those residing in the remote areas along were not aware of the operations.The Defence Headquarters in an update on the battle to dislodge Boko Haram from the Northern borders of the country, confirmed earlier reports that it destroyed some terrorists camps in Northern and Central Borno.

In a statement in the evening, Olubolade said the soldiers destroyed much of the insurgents’ weapons and logistics including vehicles, fuel dumps, containers and power generators.

The statement read, “advancing troops of Special Task Force, STF, have destroyed some terrorists camps sited in the forests of northern and central Borno. Heavy weapons including antiaircraft and anti-tank guns were also destroyed in the process.

“The casualties inflicted on the insurgents in the cause of the assault will be verified during mop up.

The Defence Headquarters is quite satisfied with the progress of the operation and the fighting spirit of participating troops. The STF has been enjoined to sustain the tempo.

“Meanwhile, border posts have all been manned by security agents to prevent escape or infiltrations by insurgents.”

Meanwhile, the Army said that in the ensuing battle that followed the foiled attack by Boko Haram to overrun Daura, lasted for four hours, it lost two soldiers, just as an officer was shot and wounded while five Boko Haram terrorists were killed and their vehicle recovered.

The Chief of Civil Military Affairs, CMA, Major General Bola Koleoso, who spoke on the issue said, “Two Boko Haram terrorists were killed during gunfire exchange while three who escaped in their vehicle, had a road traffic accident and died thus bringing the death to five.

“The distress call (over the attack), came to our

unit (35 Battalion) located in Katsina. Immediately, our troops moved into Daura to take charge of the situation. Some quantities of Improvised Explosive Devices, IED’s were recovered. Two Golf cars, 10 AK 47 riffles used by the terrorists were recovered.”

Keleoso said some of the terrorists escaped with bullet wounds and requested members of the public, to report to the nearest security agency, any person found with such wounds.

“Additionally, hospitals and clinics are also warned not to treat any cases of gunshot wounds without reporting such cases to security agencies.

We also wish to emphasize that civilians who hide Boko Haram terrorists will put themselves in danger as they will be acting against the public and national interests,” he said.

On the attack on Bama where Boko Haram terrorists attempted to overrun the Army Barracks there, Gen Koleoso said, “All of us are aware of what happened in Bama, the accusations and all.

But it has been found that Boko Haram Terrorists in fake army camouflage uniforms were actually responsible for the

burning of the houses and the killing of the civilians.

“The following day, after the incident, several civilians were treated in the multi-national JTF clinic in Baga by our medical team. Our uniforms are being used in disguise. ’’In fact, in a number of instances, these terrorists have burnt down buildings and vehicles in Maiduguri and all these dastardly acts were blamed on the soldiers of the Nigerian army just because they could not distinguish the fake uniform worn by impersonators from the well kitted and trained members of the Nigerian Army.”

On fears being expressed that the massive deployment of troops in the entire Northern flank for the operation to flush out Boko Haram in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states might affect security arrangements in other parts of the country where there are crisis, the CMA said, “Nigerians should feel free to go about their normal activities. Nigerians should feel very safe.

Our barracks and formations are still in place. It doesn’t mean that because of the emergency, then troops will not be available for other operations.”

Nigeria spends $45m on Mali peace, security

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N the ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability to Mali, the federal government of Nigeria has spent forty five million dollars as its own contribution apart from other forms of humanitarian assistance given by National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, disclosed this at an interactive session with journalists in Abuja yesterday on the outcome of the Nigeria-EU meeting in Brussels, on Nigeria-EU political dialogue, ECOWAS-EU dialogue and pledging conference in Mali. ”Nigeria pledged the sum of two million dollars in

support of agricultural development and the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.

This is additional to the five million dollars pledged by Nigeria at the AU pledging conference in Ethiopia January this y e a r .

So far Nigeria has spent forty five million dollars on the ongoing efforts to achieve peace and stability in Mali.”

Ashiru also disclosed that Nigeria welcomed the adoption by the UN security council of resolution 2100 of 2013 on Mali which would lead to the transformation of AFISMA to a UN peace keeping operation called UN Multi-Dimentional Integrtated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013

Declaration of state of emergency belated — Save Nigeria Group

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, FAVOUR NNABUGWU, CHINEDU IBEABUCHI, OKONKWO EZE AND WILLIAM JIMOH EBEGBULEM, FAVOUR NNABUGWU, CHINEDU IBEABUCHI, OKONKWO EZE AND WILLIAM JIMOH, BENIN CITY

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IXED reactions have continued to trail President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign to crush the Boko Haram insurgents which had crippled the economy of northerners in last two years and resulted in the death of over 3,000 Nigerians.

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, yesterday expressed total support for the effots by the Federal Government to flush out Boko Haram insurgents from their hideouts in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, saying that President Goodluck Jonathan took a wise step by declaring a state of emergency in the three states as a prelude to the military campaign.

NANS’ President, Yinka Gbadebo made this known yesterday, saying that this was the time the association had supported any of Jonathan’s actions.

A prominent Igbo leader, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka and the Odunanoba of Benin Kingdom, Henry Omorodion also praised Jonathan for sending soldiers to crush the in-

surgents.

Ezeonwuka described the action as a good omen, but insisted that both the state governors and political office holders in the affected states should have been removed from office for their failure to check the activities of the insurgents.

The Odunanoba of Benin Kingdom, Omorodion, also hailed the decision and asked Nigerians to pray God to give President Goodluck Jonathan the wisdom and strength to quell the rising violence in some parts of the country.

He called for an interdenominational prayers that would attract men of God from all over the world, saying “I am unreservedly committed to the success of the administration of Dr Jonathan. It is in furtherance of this that I have resolved to pursue the option of prayer as a solution to our security challenges and support for the president at this time.”

However, the Coalition to Save Nigeria, CSN, and the Coalition of Oodua Self Determina-

Haram sect.

According to COSEG, the declaration of state of emergency would not address the real challenges facing the country.

A statement by the National President of the CSN, Philip Ugbodaga, also stated that Jonathan’s response is belated and too little too late, especially coming after the massive orgy of violence of more than two years, with more than 2,000 innocent Nigerians prematurely

sent to their graves.

“We however welcome the declaration as a necessary first step in a well coordinated, focused and purposeful action plan to bring peace to a beleaguered country whose people are being condemned to a daily life of anguish, sorrow and death.”

The NANS President Gbadebo said, “for the first time, we are compelled by reality to throw our full weight behind the government

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (4th right), the author, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN (3rd left), Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Justice Pius Aderemi, CON (2nd left), Professor Ben Nwabueze (2nd left), Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro SAN (left), Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye (2nd right) and his Ogun State counterpart, Mrs. Abimbola Ibironke Akeredolu (right) during the Public Presentation of Professor Itse Sagay's Latest Book titled, ”The Enforcement of Electoral Laws and Case Law of 2007 Election Judgments at the Protea Hotel, GRA Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, May 16, 2013. tion Group, COSEG, however, described as belated and an aberration, the declaration of a state of emergency in

Bor no, Yobe and Adamawa states due to the thousands of lives of Nigerians that had been wasted by the Boko

Yoruba Unity Forum to host Southern Nigerian Peoples Confab

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HE next conference of Elders and Leaders of the Southern Nigeria People Assembly, the first to be hosted by the Yoruba Unity Forum, under the leadership of Yeye Oodua, Chief Dr. (Mrs.) HID Awolowo, is taking place from 19th May at 12 noon to 20th May, 2013, from 9.00 a.m at Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to Senator Anthony Adefuye, Coordinating Secretary, SNPA South West, the former Nigeria’s Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, will lead the South East delegation while chief Edwin K. Clark will lead the South-South delegation

and the South West delegation by Bishop Emmanuel Bolanle Gbonigi who will also preside over the conference.

Highlights of the conference discussions, will

include the state of the nation that relate especially to: *National Constitution Review by the National Assembly. *Amnesty for Boko Haram sect and the na-

tional insecurity, the way out. *Corruption and the national development. *The national centenary dialogue and re-negotiation on the basis for the national unity.

Lagos rescues four children sold for N60, 000 by parents anniversary of Governor

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSOR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS state govern ment, yesterday said it rescued no fewer than four children in the last one year sold by their parents and guardians for a minimum of N60, 000, to aid their financial needs. The state government however said

on the declaration of state-of-emergency in the three mentioned states. Even as activists, we must bear in mind that in the political system, input and output are complementary; in other words, demand and support functions are interwoven. It is therefore incumbent on the civil society and pressure groups to commend the government where it has been seen to perform creditably, with the same vigour as

that 187 cases of child abuse and domestic violence were reported and treated by the state government in the year under review.

Deputy Governor of Lagos state, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire disclosed this at the 2013 ministerial Press Briefing held in Alausa,Ikeja, to commemorate the sixth year

BabatundeFashola’s administration.

Adefulire who also doubles as the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA, said that the last one was rescued by the government six months ago, adding “the child was rescued where it was sold by her grandmother for N 300, 000.”

it condemns government for not living up to expectation.

“The declaration of emergency in these states, especially in Yobe and Borno States, was long overdue. In line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended, we were hoping that the governments of Borno and Yobe States would have, within the purview of their powers, consciously approached the Federal Government much earlier than now, to seek its intervention via the declaration of state of emergency in their states, when it was obvious to them that a more sophisticated approach was required to tackle the insecurity plaguing their states.

“The situation in these states is pathetic! Human life is no more sacrosanct than a chicken!

Day after day, scores of people get killed, maimed and women raped with impunity.

People are afraid to congregate or even move on the streets, for fear of bomb blasts and open shooting sprees by these terrorists. Those who the society should regard as miscreants, the very dregs of the society, are being considered for dialogue and even amnesty by the government.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18 , 2013 — 7

Police bust, parade baby delivery syndicate

BY UJU MBANUSI

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BABY delivery syn dicate was recently unearthed by the Police and a key suspect arrested and paraded in Lagos, alongside two other women who were believed to have paid certain sums of money respectively, to be delivered of babies.

Forty three years old Joy Ibe who lives at Ajah area of Lagos, said she has been married for 18 years without any issues, a dilemma that prompted her to run up and down seeking for fruit of the womb, until she came in contact with a Portharcourt based 50- year old woman identified as Obi George, who was noted for helping women deliver babies after paying an agreed amount of money to her.

Joy told news men how she met Obii, and what followed after that: “one of my neighbours visited Nigeria and heard about Obii, after she travelled back to the Unites States, she text me Obii’s number and asked me to contact her if I am interested. I called up Obii and told her my problems, she gave me her address to come and meet her in Port-Har-

court. When I got to PortHarcourt and met with her, she gave me some herbs which I took until it was time for me to deliver. I paid her N2, 700.000 for triplets.

The only signs I have as a pregnant woman is my swollen tommy and legs which you can see, I still see my period sometimes. I have not gone to the hospital for scan, because the instruction given to me was that the scan will not be able to identify the babies in the womb.

On the day I was arrested by the police, Obii had invited me to PortHarcourt for check-up, so she could ascertain if I am due for delivery. I went and she checked me, after that she said I was not due, that I have to wait for a little longer.

But because it was late for me to travel back to Lagos that very day, she said I should pass the night at her house, I obliged, that was when the police came and arrested us. From what I am seeing right now, I don’t believe that I am pregnant despite my swollen tommy and legs.

Another victim, a 61 years old woman identified as Cecilia Adesope who has not had issues before, told newsmen that she was

Gov. Peter Obi(left), with the Hon. Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah (right), shortly after inspecting the re-modeled Domestic Terminal of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu yesterday, which President Goodluck Jonathan will commission today before performing the groundbreaking of the new International Terminal. brought to Obii, by a woman still at large, who had told her Obii would be able to help her, she was asked to go to Portharcourt for delivery, after she paid the sum of N1,500.000. “When I got to Port-harcourt for delivery, which was after the pregnancy period, I was given something like a fish to chew, after I did, I felt like going to the toilet. When I got out of the toilet, I was asked to lie down and push with all my power, after that I

heard cries of babies. I also noticed some blood on my private part, and was given a pad to use.

I did not go to the hospital during the pregnancy period, because I was instructed not to do so, as the hospital scan will not see the babies.

How I was arrested: when I returned to Lagos with my set of twin babies, I decided to take them to the hospital for inoculation injections.

The hospital management must have suspect-

FG considering World Bank loans for roads — Onolememen

BY EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief

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ACED with paucity of funds, the federal government is considering taking loans from multilateral organizations such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank, ADB, to fast track its road development programme.

The Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen, told journalists in Abuja, yesterday, that concessionary loans from such organizations were better than taking commercial loans from Nigeria’s money and capital markets where interests remained high.

His words: “The World Bank gave us $330 mil-

lion for the rehabilitation of some roads and this went a long way in improving the quality of our roads. We are also looking at how the African Development can come in.

“We are currently looking at some roads that can be financed by the multilateral organizations.

Their facilities are better, especially the concessionary loans which have no interest but just charges of only about 0.5 per cent.

That is better than borrowing from the Nigerian banks where the interests are high. Besides, Nigerian banks can hardly give long-term loans.”

... tasks surveyors on planet development worldwide, moreso when

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ORKS Minister, Arc. Mike Onolememen has tasked surveyors at the 27 th FIG Working week of the International Surveying Congress in Abuja on addressing some of the problems besetting surveying and mapping in the country and the world at large.

He said that the conference theme, “Environment for Sustainability” was timely and appropriate, considering the level at which the role of surveyors is being recognised and appreciated

the world is facing the challenges of climate change, global warming and desertification.

He noted that surveyors in Nigeria have made very significant contributions in helping to resolve internal boundary disputes and also the UN in the implementation of International Court of Justice judgement on disputed boundary disputes such as the disputed mineral-rich Bakassi Peninsular between Nigeria and Cameroun which resulted in the peaceful and amicable resolution.

ed that I did not really give birth to the babies, because as we were waiting for the injection, the police came and arrested me.

Obii George’s story: The Port-Harcourt based 50-year old woman identified as the person that has been ‘helping women deliver children’ also gave her account of the part she played in mama Cecilia Adesope’s case: “Cecilia was brought to me by one Mrs Okoro now at large, who has been treated, she pleaded with me to help her de-

liver a set of twin babies. That all her life she has not had any children of her own, that she is desperate.

Mrs Okoro told me that we should use my apartment since her husband was around and she does not want him to know about this issue. So I agreed and the sum of N1, 500.000 was paid into my account for the job. On her due date, she travelled down to Port-Harcourt and we all went to my place. I gave her some herbs to chew after which she went to the toilet, she got out, we asked her to lie down and push with all her might while I held her hands. At a point, we used a razor blade to give her some tear so that blood will come out, and make the whole thing look real. Mrs Okoro then brought the babies, whom she had arranged from somwhere, that was when mama heard the cries of babies.

When asked how she met Mrs Okoro, Obi told newsmen that she knows Mrs Okoro very well, as both of them work together in ‘helping women deliver ’.

Obii who told newsmen she has been in this business for over a year said she could not remember the number of children she had helped women deliver.

Glo X Factor goes on air today added.

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FACTOR, the world’s number one singing reality TV show, which national operator Globacom brought to Africa for the first time in March will go on air this Saturday.

A statement from the company said highlights of the auditions held in Nigeria and Ghana will be broadcast on Saturday on African Independent Television (AIT) at 7-8 p.m., Silverbird Television (STV) at 8.30-9.30 p.m. and Wale Adenuga Production Television (WAP TV) at 4-5 p.m.

Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Ghana’s Viasat will also broadcast the programme on Sunday at 56 p.m. and 8-9 p.m. respectively, the statement

Auditions for the show have so far been held in Port Harcourt and Abuja in Nigeria as well as in Kumasi and Accra in Ghana. Lagos auditions are scheduled for the 25th and 26th of May. With the programme going on air, Globacom noted, entertainment lovers will be able to see all the exciting highlights of the battle by thousands of aspiring singers to make the final stages of the competition that will see the winner going home with a N24 million cash prize. The winner will also get a recording contract with Sony Music for the recording of an album and professional management of the winning individual or group.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013

Teenager, two others electrocuted in Makurdi

BY PETER DURU, Makurdi

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teenager and two others have been reportedly electrocuted in parts of Makurdi town after they allegedly tampered with Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, power transmission lines.

Saturday Vanguard gathered from eyewitnesses yesterday that the victims met their untimely death in the process of vandalizing PHCN cables and illegal manipulation of the lines at different points in the state capital.

According to the eyewitness, one of the victims was a secondary school teacher who in an attempt to exchange the source of electricity to his residence got himself entangled in one of the power lines. ”He was burnt and electrocuted instantly and nobody could get to him nor attempt to rescue him from the live cables because it would have been suicidal ,” he said.

Corroborating the story, the Senior Special Assistant to Benue State Governor on Public Utilities, Mr. Gadaffi Asemanya who regretted the death of the victims wondered why they infringed on the property of PHCN without due authorization. ”It is actually unfortunate that the three persons lost their lives but these unfortunate incidents should serve as warning to all persons who have made it a habit to always tamper with PHCN facilities because it is the common practice in most places today.

”You will recall that just few weeks ago, a 16 years old boy was almost roasted by PHCN high tension cables when he attempted to vandalise the lines. It took my personal intervention with the assistance of PHCN staff and security personnel to rescue him from where he was trapped. ”We cannot continue in our lawlessness; the government of the day is doing its best to ensure that it improves our living condition but unfortunately some persons have taken it

upon themselves to frustrate these efforts of government. ”How can anybody in his right senses take an adventure on PHCN power lines? It is unthinkable because its suicidal, but people are doing it for reasons best known to them; and it is rather unfortunate,” Asemanya added.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO in the state, DSP Daniel Ezeala said the command was still investigating the matter.

Vice President ARC. Mohammed Namadi Sambo having handshake with the Deputy Governor of Ogun State Prince Segun Adesegun at a meeting with relevant stakeholders on Nigeria international boundaries, held at State House, on Friday 17th May, 2013.

Court sentences ‘My Pikin’ syrup makers to 7 years imprisonment ”I hereby find the each on the offence, while accused not guilty of counts

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, convicted and setenced to seven years imprisonment, two employees of Barewa Pharmaceutical Company

Ltd, Adeyemo Abiodun and Ebele Eromosele.

The company and its employees were charged on an amended six-count charge of the production of a killer syrup, “my pikin.”

There was mild drama, midway into the judgment, as one of the

convict,s suddenly began to collapse.

Trial judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke in his judgment, convicted the accused on two counts, while he acquitted them on four counts.

The Judge accordingly sentenced the accused to seven years imprisonment

Anambra community outlaws political campaign in churches •Reduces cost of marriage church hall, but not

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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NUGWU Ukwu community in Njikoka local government area of Anambra State has outlawed political campaigns in all churches in the area, arguing that the habit of politicians addressing church congregations to canvass for votes had brought denominational dichotomy in the area.

At an assembly held at the palace of the traditional ruler of Enugwu Ukwu, Igwe Ralph Ekpeh and attended by all the village heads and leaders of though in the community, the people said they would no longer watch while things got out of hand in the area.

The law banning campaign in churches reads in part: “The practice of inviting candidates for political

offices at the local government, state or national level to address church as a campaign ground is now prohibited as this will work against the ethos of Enugwu Ukwu in religious matters.

“In the cities, no politician goes to the church to canvas for votes. All campaigns should be done at open rallies as had previously been the case.

Distribution of fliers can be allowed outside the

Traders send SOS to Amaechi over N500,000 fee for market Adding, Mrs Gloria stores the market after it was step into the matter.

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME, Port Harcourt

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RADERS at the New Layout market in Port Harcourt have appealed to Governor Chibuike Amaechi to reduce the five hundred thousand naira fee they were being asked to pay to secure their stores at the market.

While thanking the governor for rebuilding

he ordered the company to be compulsorily wound up and its assets forfeited to the Federal Government. ”The prosecution tendered several exhibits in the trial of the accused, but failed to lead evidence that the accused actually produced the adulterated drugs.

razed down by fire Mr Lucky Atukuba who spoke for the traders yesterday in Port Harcourt pleaded with the governor to prevail on the Port Harcourt city council to reduce the amount being charged for the stores to two hundred thousand naira The traders said they suffered so much loss from the inferno that engulfed market, adding that the governor should pity their situation and

“”They said we should first pay 500,000 naira to secure our shades and then later we begin to pay yearly rent. We want the governor to step into the matter because the five hundred thousand naira is too much for us. We suffered so much loss when the market was gutted by fire. The governor should intervene in the matter being handled by the Mayor of Port Harcourt”, Atukuba pleaded.

Bobmanuel said some of them being asked to come with five hundred thousand naira to secure stores were widows, adding that they sold vegetables and peppers.

“Some of us our husbands don’t have jobs. Where will we raise five hundred thousand?

Governor Amaechi should please come into this matter. Some of us even get our wares on credit after selling we pay back.

campaign speeches.

“Churches that violate this code of proper conduct should be called to order. The church, not the politician, should be held responsible for any consequences. The Igwe -in –Council and the Enugwu Ukwu Development Union, ECDU, should petition the Bishop concerned and demand a transfer of the priest who permitted such breach.

“Enugwu Ukwu is predominantly a Christian town and wishes to remain so and no effort should therefore be spared in making sure that its progress is not paralyzed by religious bigotry.”

A fine of N25000 is to be imposed on any indigene that violates the law against religious division in the area.

Also worried by the rising cost of marriage in the area, which had left many girls unmarried, the people also drastically reduced the cost of marriage and stipulated fines for those who would contravene the law.

one, two, five and six, dealing with production and adulteration of drugs, while I find them guilty of counts three and four which are conspiracy and sale of the drugs. ”The accused are hereby convicted as charged” the court held.

Shortly after allocutus by defence counsel, the first accused Adeyemo Abiodun, suddenly started shaking and gradually began to collapse.

The judge then summoned the medical doctor in charge of the Federal High Court, who after examining the accused, confirmed he was hypertensive, and his blood pressure, very high.

Justice Okeke ordered that the accused be offered a seat but however, proceeded with delivering the sentence. ”In as much as I appreciate the passionate plea of learned silk, especially considering the state of the first accused, I am however, bound by the provisions of the law. ”Having found the accused guilty on two counts, the convicts are hereby sentenced to seven years imprisonment each on the charge.

The sentences are to run concurrently. ”The company is also ordered to be wound up compulsorily, in line with the provisions of the law, and its assets forfeited to the Federal Government”, Okeke ruled.

It will be recalled that the said “my pikin” syrup was reported to have killed over 80 children in the country.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013 — 9

Ancient tree falls, kills over 50

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA, Owerri,

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VER 50 people are feared dead and a yet to be ascertained number were critically injured when a tall tree known as Osisi Ukwu Uko, collapsed on buildings, as well as those transacting their business in a market located under the tree.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the tragedy struck at Umudagu Mbieri, Mbaitoli local council area of Imo State late Thursday night, following a heavy down rain that was accompanied by a ferocious windstorm and thunder.

It was also gathered that most of the victims were either traders, who were selling their wares in the market, their customers, some passers-by and others who were taking shelter in the town hall and the surrounding houses.

A boy, who simply gave his name as Emeka, told Saturday Vanguard at the scene of the ugly incident that “about 50 bodies had been removed from the place”, adding that a

woman whose leg was dismembered by the fallen tree, had been taken to hospital where medical personnel were battling to save her life.

The devastating rainstorm, which started at about 6pm on the fateful day, continued through the night and spilled over to the morning hours of yesterday.

Some of the places damaged by the fallen tree included a segment the market stalls, the town hall and some private buildings located close to the tree.

No fewer than 11 more bodies, including a small girl, were dug out from under the weight of the fallen tree before Vanguard left the scene of the tragic incident yesterday, even as the youths were still digging and combing the entire place for more bodies.

Lamenting over the ugly incident, the former state chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Marcellinus Nlemigbo, whose ancestral home is a shouting distance away from the scene said, “the incident was most devastating and has thrown

the entire community into deep mourning”.

Continuing, Nlemigbo said: “The tree was a symbol of the community and no living person in our community can fully narrate the history attached to the tree. The tree had always been there until yesterday (Friday night)”.

While debunking the rumour now making the rounds that the tree had fetish attachments to it, Chief Nlemigbo however expressed unhappiness that some elders in the community had severally resisted earlier arrangements to fell the tree.

A villager that gave his name as Amarachi Obumunonye blamed the community’s elders for bluntly refusing initial plans to cut the tree.

He however recalled with grief that when some parts of the tree were

T

HE Principal of Bap tist High School, Ekinrin/Adde, in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State Mr. Ajayi Ajibulu has been accused of impregnating one of his students and trying to abort the pregnancy.

Sources from the town revealed that the girl (name withheld) was a regular caller at the Principal’s house who was a friend to her father, a retired Army officer and usually helps to deliver message from their sister who lived in Lokoja.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the secret was exposed when a friend of the girl saw a letter written by the principal given to the girl to deliver to a doctor who will help them to abort the pregnancy.

The girl was said to have been scared of undergoing the abortion which was the third time, and therefore, refused to de-

liver the letter to the doctor on time before the friend saw the letter.

The friend was said to have quickly hinted the girl’s father who raised alarm that caught the attention of the town. Irate youths of the town later ambushed the principal and led him to the palace of the king.

The King, Oba Solomon Hambolu was said to

trimmed about 20 years ago, the two individuals engaged to execute the

job died unexpected after about a week, adding that this lent credence to the

belief that the gods residing in the tree had been angered.

Kidnapped victim: I did not raise any alarm because I was in the midst of kidnappers

BY ONOZURE DANIA

A

T the resumed hear ing of the trial of the

Principal impregnates student in Kogi

BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO, Lokoja

L-R: Shows the Obiri of Aiyepe Ogun State, HRM Oba Ade Okubanjo being welcomed by a patron and the Chairman, Cathedral Building Planning Committee, Senator Anthony Adefuye to the formal dedication and opening of the new Cathedral of the United African Methodist Evangelical Church, Abule Ijesha, Lagos to the delight of the Baba Ijo and the retired Chief of General Staff, Lt-General Oladipo Diya (rtd) .

have persuaded the community not to take law into their hands but allow the palace to take action on him.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the Principal who is also a Deacon in the Church had been having crisis with some members of his staff who have been accusing him of involving in diabolic dealing.

seven kidnap suspects, who allegedly kidnapped a 28year-old man, Ayodele Olaoye, by a lady he met at Pegas Club in Opebi Lagos, the victim has told the court that he did not raise any alarm because he was in the midst of kidnappers, adding that while he was with them, he heard people’s voices.

He stated that after he escaped from the place, he went to his father’s office and just told his father’s secretary to call his father.

He said he didn’t tell his father’s secretary what happened to him, but that he just told her to call his father.

Olaoye, who was kidnapped by Esther Phillips, who conspired with six others told an Ikeja High Court yesterday, presided over by

justice Olabisi Akinlade that the third defendant told him that he had a gun with him, but that he did not see the gun while he was there.

The other suspects are Patricia Nna , Kingsley Okonwa, Osita Adigwe , Uzochukwu Ezioha, Jude Sunday and Michael Olarenwaju. During the cross examination of the victim, he said that the third defendant told him that he took his car to Mile 2 area of Lagos, along Badagry expressway.

He said that he had not seen the seventh defendant before until when he got to the police station.

He further added that it never occurred to him to ask the first defendant where they were going to because

he trusted her.

He said he has never asked her where her school was, stating that the fourth defendant entered the car through the front seat and after pushing him to the back, brought out a knife and the first defendant was still inside the car while everything was happening.

Olaoye, stated that he was invited to the police close to Ikeja and told the police what had happened to him and he was told to write a statement which he did.

He also stated that he didn’t know the exact time his father called the police but that he saw the defendant when they were caught within ten days at the police station.

JAMB clears candidates on non-biometrics verification, releases results …As UTME CBT commences from today

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

T

HE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has finally released the results of candidates whose results were initially withheld over non-biometric verification even as 91, 610 candidates will commence the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME. Computer based Test in the 7 various des-

ignated centres, CBT from today.

Registrar and Chief Executive of JAMB, Professor ‘Dibu Ojerinde, while announcing the release of the results of the paperpencil test and dualbased test conducted a forthnight ago across the nation and two foreign centres, said the CBT will take place in the country and other countries namely Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom and

South Africa.

Ojerinde who had said over 80, 419 results of the candidates were withheld for various reasons, noted that out of this figure, results of 68,309 candidates from various centres were undergoing further screening to ascertain their culpability, while results of 12,110 candidates had been withheld for possible disciplinary action Saturday Vanguard was

reliably informed that the results of candidates withheld over lack of biometric verification have been released.

Some of the candidates, who could not be verified as the biometric could not show their finger print on the day of the examination were listed by the invigilators in the affected examination centres and forwarded to JAMB head-office, Abuja, for scrutiny.

Saturday Vanguard also learnt that some other results of candidates were also withheld for further investigation of their innocence or otherwise over alleged examination malpractices, have been cleared and their results released while some other serious cases are still pending, as the Board said the exercise was a continuous process until final decision was taken on them.

10—SATURDAY

T

Vanguard, MAY 18,, 2013

he declaration of Emergency Rule in three northern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa by President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday to contain the rising tide of insurgency and terrorism in the country is perhaps one bold move the President has made since he assumed office in May, 2011. Saturday Vanguard’s LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU in this special piece analyzes the development vis-à-vis the flurry of commendations and contentions that have continued to trail it.

Jonathan’s long awaited sledge hammer finally fell on Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

These are states adjudged to be the most troubled in the North where terrorism, insurgency, rebellion, impunity and unnecessary brutal killings of innocent Nigerians and perhaps other nationals have been going on unabated in the last two years

President Goodluck Jonathan has developed a thick skin. This is quite unusual. He is certainly growing in politics by the day, obviously defusing a growing notion that he is not as clueless as he may have been dubbed in some quarters. For one, President Jonathan has been jolted in an aggressive but strategic manner to shame and tell his critics that he is in charge of the affairs of the country, leaving an impression that he can tackle the many problems of Nigeria, starting with insecurity.

On Tuesday, May 14, 2013, Jonathan’s long awaited sledge hammer finally fell on Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

These are states adjudged to be the most troubled in the North where terrorism, insurgency, rebellion, impunity and unnecessary brutal killings of innocent Nigerians and perhaps, other nationals have been

going on unabated in the last two years.

Jama’atul Alhul Sunnah Lidda’watiwal jihad also known as Boko Haram, an Islamic sect is termed the principal perpetrator of these ill acts. At first, their demands were not clear.

All what was known was a group of religious fundamentalists who promulgated their beliefs even though they were considered too extreme by many Nigerians. But they were bent on their mission of Islamizing the country via the implementation of Sharia law across the country.

In essence, they chose to start from their immediate environments in Borno and Yobe states.

To make real their pursuits, they consciously arrogated to themselves a name that defines their philosophy: Jama’atul Alhul Sunnah Lidda’wati wal jihad, meaning “people committed to the propagation of the prophet’s teachings and jihad”. That was in 2002. But not much was heard about the Islamist religious sect until in 2009 when a discrepancy erupted between them and the law enforcement agents which culminated in the death of the leader of the group, late Mohammad Yusuf.

Prior to the time, Mohammad Yusuf had faulted the participation of

Continues on page 11

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Vanguard, MAY 18,, 2013—11

Continued from page 10 most leaders of northern states especially the governors who were full blooded Muslims in the affairs of the countr y.

He saw it as an illegitimate, non-Islamic venture and considered it too secular for their religious inclinations and preached a doctrine of withdrawal.

But the lid was to be let open when the group declared that “ western education is evil”, a phrase that gave it its popular name “Boko Haram”.

Thereafter, Boko Haram began to launch an onslaught against the state.

Yet that did not define the reasons for their attacks,whether it was to avenge the death of their former leader, Yusuf or that the government institutions were fundamentally “haram”.

In the aftermath, the attacks permeated as Boko Haram carried out a number of suicide bombings and assasinations from Maiduguri to Abuja, and staged an ambitious prisonbreak in Bauchi, freeing more than seven hundred inmates in 2010.In November 2011, the group staged its most deadly attacks so far in Maiduguri as well as Yobe’s Damaturu and Potiskum, targeting churches, mosques, banks, and police stations.

At least 150 people were reported killed. These attacks elicited more international attention for the group, with condemnations from the head of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Pope, the UN Security Council, and the UN Secretary General. Bombings on Christmas Day in 2011 targeting churches and killing dozens raised fears about the possibility of another spate of religious violence between Muslims and Christians.

Of course, it almost climaxed to that as killings became the lot of Christians in the North. At a time in 2012, the killings apparently took on an ethnic dimension with fear of another civil war breaking out across the federation. But somehow, the days rolled past by without war.

Events before the Emergency Rule Proclamation Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Plateau, Taraba and Benue States, all in the North had witnessed one artificial storm or the other. Though, it may be argued that Boko Haram was responsible for every uproar in those states, what is however unarguable is that the mayhems took the stance of the dastardly acts executed by the Islamic sect and so gave the promptings that it was the Sect. But with the killings continuing unabated, the Federal Government last month thought it was time to stop the blood letting and eventually mulled amnesty for the members of Boko Haram against severe rebuttals by many Nigerians. But hardly had the Federal Government announced the plan to curb the nose-diving situation than the sect shot darts at the offer.

In reverse, the sect said it was the one to give amnesty to the Federal Government and indeed the Nigerian people.

Yet again, in its magnanimity, the Federal Government continued to toe the path of peace with the sect by inaugurating a Committee for Am-

Soldiers ... ensuring peace in the country

‘Action very necessary for restoration of peace and order —President Jonathan nesty. With this, everyone thought that the sect would cease fire and reason alongside the government. But like the proverbial stubborn fly that wants to follow the corpse to the grave, the sect turned a deaf ear and even heightened their activities making Borno State a killing field. Apart from kid-

President, Nasarawa State recently came under attack by members of a deadly militia group called Ombatse.

About 100 Police, Department of State Security, DSS, officers were reported dead in Lafia. The officers had gone to Eggon, the abode of Ombatse shrine on a rescue mission on the

The recent killing of security operatives by a cult group in Nasarawa state is particularly condemnable. I have directed that no effort or expense be spared in identifying and bringing to justice all those who had a hand in the killing of the operatives napping a nonagenarian former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Shettima Ali-Monguno and allegedly killing an Acting Chairman of Dikwa Local Government Area, Alhaji Machalla Umara on Friday, May 3, 2013, Boko Haram on May 7, barely 3 days after, launched series of coordinated attacks on Police, Army and Prison formations in Bama town, Borno State, leaving no fewer than 55 persons dead. It was gathered that the gunmen first attacked the police barracks, and set them ablaze, killing some policemen, their wives and children in the attack.

Nasarawa Massacre Even though it was not included in the emergency rule imposed by the

heels of a disturbing piece of news that the militia group was going about forcing all people of Eggon extraction in and out of Lafia to drink a particular concoction prepared from herbs, beating up and harassing anyone who failed to comply. Unfortunately, the security agents sent to dislodge the sect were mysteriously hacked to death. This forced President Jonathan who was in South Africa enroute Namibia on bilateral deals to return to the country.

Declaration of Emergency Rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States The declaration of State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States on Tuesday by President Goodluck Jonathan was seen as one brave

move by the present regime to stem the tide of insecurity in the country especially in the North-Eastern geopolitical zone. In the reckoning of many Nigerians, it was a long overdue move. But even at that, it came as a surprise to many Nigerians as many least expected it.

President Jonathan would bulge after many months of obvious dilly-dallying. But true to fact, given the compelling circumstances, it became extremely necessary to toe that line of action at least to reduce the carnage in the affected states. In his nationwide broadcast on Tuesday to announce the decision, the President himself gave reasons why it was extremely necessary to declare emergency rule.

He said: “It has become necessary for me to address you on the recent spate of terrorist activities and protracted security challenges in some parts of the country, particularly in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa,Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Plateau and most recently Bayelsa, Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa states.

These unfortunate events have led to needless loss of lives and property of many innocent Nigerians including members of our security forces.

“The recent killing of security operatives by a cult group in Nasarawa state is particularly condemnable. I have directed that no effort or expense be spared in identifying and bringing to justice all those who had a hand in the killing of the operatives.

“The activities of insurgents and terrorists have been reprehensible, causing fear among our citizens and a nearbreakdown of law and order in parts of the country, especially the North.

We have taken robust steps to unravel and address the root causes of these crises, but it would appear that there is a systematic effort by insurgents and terrorists to destabilize the Nigerian state and test our collective resolve.

“Since I returned to the country after cutting short my visit to South Af-

Continues on page 12

12—SATURDAY

Vanguard, MAY 18,, 2013

Continued from page 11 rica and aborting a planned state visit to Namibia, I have received detailed briefings from our security agencies.

These briefings indicate that what we are facing is not just militancy or criminality, but a rebellion and insurgency by terrorist groups which pose a very serious threat to national unity and territorial integrity. Already, some northern parts of Borno state have been taken over by groups whose allegiance is to different flags and ideologies.

“These terrorists and insurgents seem determined to establish control and authority over parts of our beloved nation and to progressively overwhelm the rest of the country. In many places, they have destroyed the Nigerian flag and other symbols of state authority and in their place, hoisted strange flags suggesting the exercise of alternative sovereignty.

“They have attacked government buildings and facilities. They have murdered innocent citizens and state officials. They have set houses ablaze, and taken women and children as hostages. These actions amount to a declaration of war and a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of the Nigerian state and threaten her territorial integrity. As a responsible government, we will not tolerate this.

“Previously, we adopted a multi-track approach to the resolution of this problem through actions which included persuasion, dialogue and widespread consultation with the political, religious and community leaders in the affected states.

“We exercised restraint to allow for all efforts by both state governors and well-meaning Nigerians to stop the repeated cases of mindless violence.

Yet, the insurgents and terrorists seek to prevent government from fulfilling its constitutional obligations to the people as they pursue their fanatical agenda of mayhem, mass murder, division and separatism.

“While the efforts at persuasion and dialogue will continue, let me reiterate that we have a sacred duty to ensure the security and well-being of all our people and protect the sovereign integrity of our country. Therefore, we shall, on no account, shy away from doing whatever becomes necessary to provide the fullest possible security for the citizens of this country in any part of the country they choose to reside.

“We have a duty to stand firm against those who threaten the sovereign integrity of the Nigerian state. Our will is strong, because our faith lies in the indivisibility of Nigeria.

“Following recent developments in the affected states, it has become necessary for Government to take extraordinary measures to restore normalcy.

After wide consultations, and in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the provisions of Section 305, sub-section 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, I hereby declare a State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.”

Opposition kicks Getting the inkling that a state of emergency was in the offing late last week, the two major opposition par-

‘Action very necessary for restoration of peace and order —President Jonathan

Governor Ibrahim Gaidam

Governor Kashim Shettima

These terrorists and insurgents seem determined to establish control and authority over parts of our beloved nation and to progressively overwhelm the rest of the country ties in the country, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) stoutly rose against it. In separate statements, the parties through their National Publicity Secretaries, Mr. Lai Mohammed and Mr. Rotimi Fashakin respectively said a state of emergency was not acceptable. They urged President Jonathan to resign if that was the last option “If the imposition of emergency rule on the most affected states is the only viable option left for President Jonathan to tackle the crisis, then he should step down. Imposing a state of emergency on the

states that have been mentioned, like Borno, Yobe and Nasarawa states will amount to shifting responsibility and unduly victimising the governors of those states, who have done perhaps more than the President, in dealing with the crisis, even though they are not in charge of any security apparatus,” the party said.

Similarly, CPC said “If he (Jonathan) does not have any value to add, he should quit. He should declare a state of emergency on his party, the PDP. The PDP is the problem of Nigeria.”

Their fear however was understandable because two of the states, Borno and Yobe fingered in the emergency

Governor Murtala Nyako decision are being controlled by the opposition party, All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP. On Nasarawa state, the President was smarter than his critics as he did not include the state.

Why allow the affected state governors and assemblies to continue?

President Jonathan really scored a first which has made him different from some other previous leaders of the country. Many people were surprised that he could declare a state of emergency and also allow democratic institutions to run. Many keen followers of the development said that is the point where the President shamed his critics who had thought that he will unseat the governors and the lawmakers while making the decision. According to them, Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution that gave legality to the action did not stipulate that the governors and elected lawmakers of the affected states should step aside.

Remembering that was what the former President Olusegun Obasanjo did during his regime in Ekiti and Plateau states, they said that Obasanjo erred in law.

A flurry of commendations F

rom East to South, North to West, Nigerians in their num bers have continued to commend President Jonathan for taking the audacious move. A good number of Nigerians spoke exclusive to Saturday Vanguard on the issue.

situation. It is not a political situation.

We have economic emergency. We have environmental emergency. There are different types of emergency. In this situation, it is as a result of breakdown of law and order and it means now that certain provisions of the constitution particularly Chapter 4 of the Constitution will be suspendJonathan is a true Democrat ed. That is the only section that will —— Hon.Uzo Azubuike, Chairbe affected, a situation where people’s man, Public Petitions Comfreedom of movement, freedom of asmittee, House of Representasociation, assembly and all that will tives now be curtailed because of the seUzo Azubuike curity challenge that is at hand. I What he has done is in tandem think what President Goodluck with the provision of section 305.

Jonathan has done is highly comState of Emergency does not warmendable and the way and manner he did it should rant the dismantling of democratic apparatus. Pres- ever be appreciated. It shows that he believes in deident Goodluck Jonathan has shown that he is a mocracy and that is what democracy has come to do. committed democrat. He has shown that he is not You know before now, the fear of people particularly, taking advantage of the security situation to pur- the political office holders in the declaration of state sue vendetta. What happened during President of emergency is that fear of losing their offices for sitOlusegun Obasanjo’s time was part of the experi- uation they did not create. But what President ences of emerging democracy where there was milContinues on page 13 itary hang-over. State of Emergency is a peculiar

SATURDAY

Vanguard, MAY 18,, 2013 — 13

A flurry of commendations Continued from page 12 Jonathan had done is now to sieve the chaff from the corn and bring security challenges to minimum. It is in order and I highly commend him.

Well, I don’t know where the oppostion was coming from. Even before that announcement, I remember my colleagues from the North came to my seat in the chambers and we were saying that we should move that motion to get the President to declare a state of emergency in those areas. We were not happy. The national assembly cannot feel happy that Nigerians are losing their lives in their hundreds, that our security agents have been maimed, that we now send officers to go and combat crime and they will be afraid of being killed, that inhibits their efficiency.

From what has happened, the general impression is that the militants, terrorists or whatever name you call them have shown superior fire-power.

I don’t know how else to describe it, making the people to lose confidence in the Police, Army and security agencies whereas what is happening is that these agencies are trying to observe the rule of law and ensure the safety of innocent people which is the proper thing.

But these other people took advantage of it. We are worried that so many indigenes of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Kaduna, virtually everywhere have lost their lives. So, I don’t think that the President will just fold his arms and watch lives of Nigerians being wasted in that manner. The response of the President is a step in the right direction. It is better for one to live with abridged fundamental right than to have your right in full and you die.

It is long overdue –—Chief Dan –—-Chief Nwanyanwu, National Chairman, Labour Party Yes, I support the state of emergency imposed by President Goodluck Jonathan. He has exercised his powers under section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It is long overdue.

We expected it. Before then, we had called for total state of emergency whereby the President will take full control of the administration in the states concerned. But you know he is a politician. He has consulted wisely.

He has some information we don’t have. But what is important now is that the governors in those states are no longer the Chief Security Officers in their various states. The military has taken over through the command of the Chief of Defense Staff. They have powers to stop, search, arrest, detain and take care of suspects under the rules of engagement. What is important now is that all the efforts made by the Governors’ Forum to thwart this thing have failed because it appeared that the Governors’ Forum has seen themselves as a gang . In fact, it is a gang whose main function now is to abuse the President.

The oppositions’ remark is hypocritical and pretentious. Did they give alternatives as to how to solve the problem? The answer is no. Of course, they have to talk because they want to talk and want to be seen to be opposition.

If this is opposition , then it is a useless opposition. If you are criticiz-

C M Y K

zFestus Kayemu ing, you must criticize constructively and you must proffer solution. What is the solution they have given? You cannot just oppose the state of emergency, ask the President to terminate the job of the Committee on Amnesty, then what is the alternative? That is why it is easy to lose credibility as the opposition party, that is if they have not lost it. We don’t want to lose our credibility as opposition political party. This is the best thing to do under the present circumstances and there is no alternative to it.

This is a mixture of politics and constitutionality —— Osa Director ——Osa Lawyer, Journalist Sincerely speaking, the declaration of State of Emergency is long overdue. For me, it has been a sign of weakness on the part of the President not to have done so before this time.

However, that Obasanjo appointed military administrators in Ekiti and Plateau States does not mean that is the way it is supposed to be done. Not that Section 305, Subsection 1 of the 1999 Constitution as amended clearly stated that the political heads of the states affected by the state of emergency must be removed. But I think what the President has done is

zDan Nwanyanwu to have a mixture of politics with constitutionality. He was careful that his action is not interpreted as moving against the opposition through the back door because two of those states where the state of emergency has been declared are ANPP states and of course you know that PDP has been a sledge hammer of which I don’t even exonerate them. They have been very unfair to opposition in terms of trying to scuttle their merger arrangement.

So, I think what he has done was trying to be careful not be seen as killing a fly with a sledge hammer. So, to me, it is a welcome development that the state of emergency has been declared. It is also commendable that it was not blinded by politics to remove the heads of those governments who as a matter of necessity will act as a kind of zone interacting between the government and the presidency.

A step in the right direction—— Festus Kayemo, Human Rights Lawyer The declaration of a State of Emergency by President Goodluck Jonathan in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States as a result of months of ceaseless bloodshed and carnage by insurgents is a step that has long been overdue.

The bloodletting in these states left

the President with no other option but to take this extraordinary step. This step must be appreciated in the light of the refusal of the insurgents to even dialogue with the Federal Government. The primary duty of any government is to protect lives and properties and it is only right that government should dig deep to finding a lasting solution to this ceaseless carnage.

However, there are strong caveats we must issue to government in respect of this extraordinary action: *That government must not in any way politicize this action. It is constitutionally correct that the President did not attempt to suspend the governors from office as nothing in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) gives him such a power.What Obasanjo did in the past in suspending governors through a declaration of a State of Emergency was illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

Unfortunately, none of the Governors had the mettle to challenge him in court. * That the military must be careful at all times not to trample on the fundamental rights of innocent citizens in these states, so that they do not become the scourge rather than solution. * The President must follow all the steps required in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution as amended to legitimize his action. *That the moment calm is restored, the troops must return to the barracks so as not to give the military unholy ideas about their role in our democracy. * We all owe it a duty to assist government to restore law and order in the country. It is for our overall benefit.

Bottom line Analysts in their numbers believe that the encomiums by many Nigerians can only be reciprocated by the Government if the peace which has since eluded the affected states is restored. The same expectation is also wished from so many other troubled areas in the country where acts of terror, kidnapping and criminalities exist. It is only then that Nigerians will heave a sigh of relief.

Northern elders support emergency rule—Lawal Kaita

By Ishola Balogun

T

he latest in the bloodletting that has engulfed the country in the last three years was the kill ing of over 120 policemen in Nasarawa State , a few days after the pogrom in Baga, a fishing community located in the border town,180 kilometres north of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital occured. About 185 people including women and children were massacred. From Borno to Kano, Yobe to Nasarawa down to Adamawa, Kaduna and Plateau, communal clashes are on the increase, the much desired peace is elusive as people sleep every day saying their last prayers should there be any sudden attack. The vampires, cultists, terrorists and amorphous murderers are on the loose.

Even as the country is enveloped in the smoke from Boko Haram terror, the bestiality of the blood thirsty cultists who ambushed three contigent of policemen in Bayelsa state as well as the plethora of extra judicial killings by security personnel in the country are sources of concern.

According to the report released by Amnesty International, Nigeria’s human rights situation has deteriorated. Hundreds of people were killed in politically motivated, communal and sectarian violence across the country. It states further that violent attacks attributed to the religious sect Boko Haram increased, killing more than 500 people with the security personel responsible for hundreds of unlawful killings, most of which remained uninvestigated. Around two thirds of all prison inmates were still awaiting trial. There were 982 people on death row. No executions were reported. Forced evictions continued throughout the country, and violence against women remained rife. More than 200 people died in clashes in Plateau State alone, in relation to long-standing tensions and land conflicts between different ethnic groups.

Reacting to the latest development, the former governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawan Kaita said the decision to impose emergency rule Borno, Yobe, Adamawa states was well thought out. “It is in order, every right thinking person will support it. All we want is peace and if this will usher in the peace, why should anyone kick against it?” he stated.

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16 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013

, J

onathan Olatunde Lawrence was a born intellectual. He was blessed with a high capacity for original thinking and the acquisition of knowledge. He was therefore outstanding in almost all his endeavours.

He found music easy where others strove to acquire the art. He was an artist who could have made painting his profession. In sports, he was the captain of his school’s tennis team, one of the best swimmers of his days, and a member of the cricket eleven. He was even a King’s Scout, when that attainment was considered an achievement of a high degree. And though he had little time for athletics in the secondary school, he made up for that by featuring prominently for Oxford University where he graduated in Nuclear Physics as the first African to ever have the qualification.

He had earlier done the Pre-medical first degree in Liverpool University, and it was at a time when the prodigious potentials of nuclear energy were being explored for various functions including medicine. So he was invited, at the instance of his professor, to join the research team of the St. Bartholomew’s Hospital for the Blind which had taken an enthusiastic role in the effort to bend the powers of nuclear energy to the aid of relief for the sightless. For two years he worked as a researcher, and he became well known to the extent that Dr. Kwameh Nkrumah, the President of Ghana, eagerly invited him to come and start a research centre in Ghana.

As Gaskiya C o l l e g e celebrates her f i f t i e t h anniversary, he is still here today. He was indeed, a visionary and a missionary

Gaskiya College at Fifty

I

t was during the •Jonathan Olatunde Lawrence interview in Ghana that it occurred to him that he might as well do just knowledge about various vacant pieces that in his own country, Nigeria. That was how real estate in Lagos, which came in good he left a brilliant future in the attempt to bring stead when he was later to search for land honour to his nation. for the establishment of Gaskiya College.

But he did not find the government of the day But before all that, he had taught in to be on the same page with him. In stead of Kwara State, and also at Imade College in returning to Britain, however, he decided to Owo, Ondo State, and gathered a lot of teach and, since there was no university that invaluable experience to develop what he had a department of Nuclear Physics, he opted wished to accomplish in education for the country. It was at City College, Lagos, however, that he eventually founded a kindred spirit — a visionary and missionary, in Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who was the proprietor of the Lagos City College.

They had a number of attributes in common. They were sportsmen, fine intellectuals, men of great resourcefulness and refined intelligence.

Dr. Azikiwe encouraged him to experiment with the tutorial system in imparting for his old school, the CMS Grammar School, knowledge to the students, and was where he taught secondary school physics. He highly impressed with the results. found himself on familiar grounds, having taught But the politician had to answer the the same subject at the Ondo Boys’ High School, call of patriotism ‘at a higher level, years earlier before going overseas. and so left City College which fell Although he was very popular with the pupils into hands of a board that at the CMSGS, the authorities at his alma mater unfortunately neither could seemed uncomfortable with his methods which appreciate what the fine points of tended to revolutionise some educational the new methods were, nor theories, especially as they pertained to selfunderstand why they were found reliance, and so he reluctantly left for King’s necessary anyway.

College, Lagos. The coast was clearer here, but the old prejudices still wore hard. At that point, t was at that point that Olatunde he recognized that he was probably ahead of his Lawrence decided to make his time. So he abandoned teaching, albeit own history. temporarily, and took to land survey albeit as a But it was still not for himself, but civil servant. He thereby acquired some useful for his country and those who

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The truth is that the word, “Gaskiya”, which is of Hausa origin and means “truth”, but had been adopted into popular usage within the Yoruba community

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represented its future. So he called the name of the institution, GASKIYA COLLEGE. Alhaji Tafawa Balewa was Prime Minister then, and the detractors reared up their heads saying the name indicated a sell-out to the Northerners who were in control of the Federal Government. But nothing could be further from the truth. Olatunde Lawrence was not just a “detribalised” Nigerian; he was never “tribalised” in the first place.

The school he attended, the community in which he grew up, even his parentage which was of mixed Yoruba and Edo components had deprived him of any affiliation to an ethnic group.

The truth is that the word, “Gaskiya”, which is of Hausa origin and means “truth”, but had been adopted into popular usage within the Yoruba community, was a word which crept into the normal speech of his father, Chief John Ojo Lawrence, who “swore” by the truth with every breath and became famous for it. It was a quality he admired in his father and naturally made both the word and its meaning a beacon in his path through life. And he enshrined firm discipline in the establishment underlying his educational concepts.

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askiya College was founded in Yaba first, as a Nigerian school; the uniform was therefore designed with a Nigerian motif Second, it was of a liberal scope which had no religious bias for its population but was inclined to Christianity, the faith of the founder. Third, it was to adopt the tutorial method of teaching, the impartation being based on exercises and assignments which gave the pupil a complete control of the assimilation of instruction and knowledge; not all the teachers even welcomed it. The school was also an institution which encouraged a healthy relationship between boys and girls with the consciousness of gender differences and respect. It

was eventually moved to the present site when its proximity to a sophisticated government institution tended to show off the pretentiousness of the educational system, which persists to this day, but is seldom openly challenged.

For instance, it happened that Gaskiya College trounced a government institution in a radio quiz — which was subsequently cancelled for no explicit reason. Of course, Gaskiya withdrew from a proposed rematch. That was the quality of the college in those days.

But the venture was not confined to Nigeria. The position of Nigeria in Africa and, in fact, the rest of the world, has always advised that the education be strongly founded on a bi-lingual philosophy —specifically, English and French. The fragile attempts made at teaching the French language were simply inadequate. It could have changed significantly over the years, had the system of Gaskiya education been allowed to flourished. It was based on sister schools in Nigeria and a French-speaking country with the inter-change of pupils over a three-year framework.

The products were truly.’ bilingual in every sense of the word, and the system achieved a remarkable degree of success. But the officials of the’ Ministry of Education stopped the granting of visa requirements which frustrated the plan. For their own reasons .

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ikewise, the idea of a private university played a major role in the thinking behind the acquisition of the college. But the idea was discouraged almost to the point of criminalizing it before it was dropped. The other forwardlooking educationists who were at the vanguard of the movement can now only shake their heads in disappointment — if they are still alive.

But Olatunde Lawrence, though no longer with us, is still lives amongst us. He gave his state a school it can be proud of, and gave that name to the street on which it is built. The school actually built the street; the founder’s name would have been given to it, but he demurred. As long as the school is alive, he was sure he would have survived the passage of time. And so, as Gaskiya College celebrates her fiftieth anniversary, he is still here today. He was indeed, a visionary and a missionary. Those who see beyond the confines of the horizon and dare to turn imaginative prospects into reality, continue to live in the inspiration they bestow on life and bequeath to generations after them. They live on and on.

Time out.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2013 — 17

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SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 18, 2013

Dear Julie, I’m very attracted to one of my close friends. He used to like me and I used to like him. The other day, I told him I still liked him and that it’d be cool if we took our friendship further. But he just said he liked me as a friend. However, many of my friends have been telling me that he likes me more than a friend and that we’d be good together. After telling him how I feel, I think that he doesn’t even want to be friends now. He is really awkward. How can I get our friendship back and break the awkwardness? How can I make sure I don’t get rejected again by someone else?

Dora, Abuja Dear Dora, Sometimes the line between ‘friend’ and ‘more than a friend’ can get fuzzy.

It sounds as though that is what you’ve been experiencing with this particular friend. Relationships are dynamic, meaning, they change and evolve over time. How they change depends on the

Is it right to fall in love with my friend? individuals in the relationship.

Kudos to you for expressing your desire to be more than friends. You took a risk in telling your friend, and that’s important because it is the only way he can know for sure how you feel and

what you want. Even though your other friends tell you he likes you, he has said he wants to be your friend. That is the information you need to pay attention to. It may not be what you want to hear, and you may feel some embar-

My friend sleeps around Aunty Julie, My friend has only been at the University for three months, and she has already had sex with several guys. She is having safe sex, so it’s not dangerous in that sense and she claims to be enjoying herself. However, it seems to me that such behaviour is unhealthy and damaging to one’s emotional state and reputation but I’m not sure how to explain to her how I feel, or articulate what is wrong with how she’s acting. Do you think what she’s doing is wrong, and if so, how should I confront her?

Jenny, Benin Dear Jenny, While it may be disconcerting for you to think of your friend having intimacy with multiple partners, it’s tricky to pinpoint exactly how this behaviour will impact your friend psychologically or socially. For some young women, casual intimacy can be associated with depression or lower selfesteem.

No-strings-attached intimacy may be more common than some people think. And while the verdict is still out on what impact casual intimacy has on young adults in general, girls and guys do seem to be affected differently by lots of mattress hopping.

Some studies show that women having the highest frequency of casual intimacy also have the highest frequency of depressive pathology, perhaps as a result of seeking external validation or male attention, or even because of an association with their sexual encounters and a strong sense of regret. However, there is no evidence to say that having casual sexual encounter causes feelings of depression, only that the two tend to be associated in some women.

When it comes to casual intimacy in the University, alcohol can play a role. There is a not-so-surprising correlation between alcohol abuse and getting it on. If your friend is consuming alcohol as foreplay to her encounters, there is room for worry. Drinking and risk-taking go hand in hand, and casual intimacy from a health perspective is already on the riskier side of the spectrum. Even if a person normally has safer sexual intimacy when C M Y K

sober, alcohol may impair sexual negotiation skills, making it harder to in-

sist that partners use condoms and/ or other safer precautions.

An important factor to consider is the sexual double standard for men and women in many societies. This double standard says that different sexual behaviours are acceptable depending on whether a person is a man or a woman.

Sexual reputations as you mentioned are a perfect example of the double standard: active, healthy female sexual desire is labeled negatively while an active, healthy male desire for sexual intimacy is not only expected, but positively encouraged.

Minding the differences between empowered, pleasure-seeking behaviour and a more harmful pattern of sexual decision-making can be difficult. Before talking with your friend, you may want to ask yourself what concerns you most: the perception that she is risking her reputation? The chance that she may be putting herself at risk for sexually transmitted infections and/ or pregnancy? The idea that she will feel regret or other negative emotions as a result of casual sex?

Once you’re clear about your own concerns, you can propose that the

two of you have a conversation about the fact that you seem to be making different sexual choices and how those choices may be impacting you positively and negatively. Re-

member to ask permission before getting started as your friend may not want to talk about it, that’s her decision.

Also, keep in mind that while you have concerns for your friend and are a good friend for expressing them to her, she may not end up sharing those concerns.

During the conversation, listen to

your friend and be ready to offer support. If she does share your concerns, you could offer to talk more about her reasons for having lots of casual sex. If she does not share your concerns, you can let her know you appreciate the chance to talk openly and will always be her friend, even if you have differing perspectives.

Casual sexual intimacy certainly comes with some risks, but sleeping around doesn’t automatically equate to low self-esteem or an intention to self-destruct. Opening lines of communication with your friend about her intentions and feelings surrounding her casual rendezvous’ should help determine whether your concerns are warranted and how to move forward.

rassment or awkwardness, much as the way he may be feeling, but at least you know.

It’s most likely not realistic to get the friendship ‘back’ to how it was before because you’ve told him you want more. However, you could work to reestablish a friendship with him, and that is potentially realistic, if you choose to take this road.

As for a guarantee that you won’t be rejected again, forget it. The more you are in the world, the more you will get both yes’s and no’s. Rejection, similar to love, anger, tension, or attraction, is another aspect of relationships and of life. By rejecting your request to be more than friends, your friend rejected the relationship you suggested. If he has also decided that he does not want to be friends, or if it’s too hard for him or for you to manage a friendship together, then it may be time to consider moving on.

How do I tell my parents I’m pregnant?

Dear Aunty Julie, I am pregnant and my ex-boyfriend is the father. He broke up with me before I found out I was pregnant. He’s going out with another girl now and acts like he doesn’t want anything to do with me or our baby! Neither my parents nor his parents know yet. How do I tell them? I don’t want to go through this as a single parent. What should I do?

Esther, Warri Hello Esther, If you have decided to keep the pregnancy, you need to tell your parents. Many parents, perhaps most, will be more supportive than you imagine.

Maybe your mum and dad, or people close to them, have gone through similar experiences. They may be upset at first, and disappointed; but, trust that they will help you decide about your next steps. However, if you are afraid, they would be so upset that they might harm you. I want to suggest that you share your situation first with a favourite teacher or friend at school, a school counselor or nurse, or a health care provider. Your exboyfriend and his parents may or may not be involved in your present or future decisions. I also suggest that as hard as it will be, that you face the inevitable, and sit down with one or both of your parents, soon.

CO C K - T A L E S Beautiful babe Three guys wanted to have a short chat with this cool dark babe. Unfortunately, she lives on the third floor and a creaky set of stairs leads to her room. To make matters worse, the father always sleeps downstairs with his old, rusty Ak47, guarding the beautiful girl against toasters.

On this fateful nite, one of these guys decided to go have a chat with her first. As the stairs started creaking, the father woke up and shouted, “who goes there?’’

“Meow’’ said the guy. Getting back downstairs a while later, he explained

to the other guys that it’s easy...’’just pretend you’re a cat’’.

The second guy went upstairs and on confrontation from the father, did a long ‘’meeeoooww’’. These first two guys are foreigners and finally, it was the turn of our Naija man. As the stairs started to creak again, the father shouted..’who goes there?’’ “It’s the cat sir’’, he replied. Needless to say, he was sent back home in a body bag.

Conversation between husband and wife Woman: Honey what are you thinking?

Man: Nothing!

Woman: I have been looking at you since morning, you were busy looking at our wedding certificate!

Man: Well, I’m just rechecking it, may be I will see the expiring date!

Hell is real A young lady came home from a date looking sad. She told her mother, “Mark proposed to me an hour ago.” ”Then why are you so sad?” her mother asked. “Because he also told he is an atheist. Mum, he doesn’t even believe there’s a hell!” Her mother replied, “Marry him anyway. Between the two of us, we’ll show him how wrong he is.”

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OVE or is it lust is so thin on the ground these days you’re encouraged to grab it when and where you find it. Which is exactly what Mope did!

She runs a thriving modest creche,and was at this lavish 40th birthday bash when she ran into Olu. “It was a lively pad,” said Mope, when she called at mine to see if she could find a solution to the problem she created for herself. “I’d gone in the company of a few friends and we were all happily nattering together when I went to replenish my drink. I was clutching a halffilled bottle of champagne when Olu, another member of our group cornered me. He’d been giving me the eye all evening but I had ignored him. He looked a bit too young for my liking. ‘Shall we go somewhere quieter?’ he now asked, taking my arm.

I followed him on my stilettos, ignoring the blister on my left heel as we plonked on two chairs near the door. “Tell me about yourself,” he said as he brushed my hand with his, pretending to balance my glass. Close to, he was a very dishy man and I became instantly drawn to him. My head started thudding loudly.

What could I tell him? That beyond my tight dress and push-up bra was a woman as young as he was? ‘My name is Mope and I’m a single mother of two’ I told him.

What if I’d put him off? I thought of my ex, his middle-age spread and bulging stomach. Why shouldn’t I taste this young flesh?

A yummy mummy and her fun-loving toyboy!

I quickly left with my friends after we’d exchanged phone numbers.

It had felt so good to be chatted once again. My divorce had hurt me badly and I’d spent many months gazing at my reflection in the mirror, believing I might not get a chance at romance again.

So when Olu called the next day wanting to know if he could take me to dinner, I jumped at the chance. “Fearing he might soon realize how old I really was, I rushed to the hairdressers’ and applied think make-up.

‘You’re really a gorgeous woman’, Olu complimented as we chatted.

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was pleased that we had a lot of things to talk about. At the end of the evening, I was in lust!

Though it took a lot of ef-

fort for me to stop him from coming into my flat, I wished I had.

“What if I’d put him off? I thought of my ex, his middle-age spread and bulging stomach. Why shouldn’t I taste this young flesh? Thankfuly, he asked to take me out again a few days later. I quickly put on my sexy clothes and sexiest undies. At the end of the

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hat was true enough. I needn’t tell him my two girls were in the university!

‘You don’t look a bit like a mother-of-two!’ he said, ‘You don’t look that much older .than me. How old are you ...

30, 32 ... ? I am 27'. I must have looked a bit uneasy because he quickly apologized, ‘sorry, I shouldn’t ask a lady her age ...’ ‘No problem,’ I told him. ‘I’m actually 35,’ I lied glibly. He raised his eyebrows but quickly told me.

‘Great body. I like my women mature’. I was relieved. He was obviously happy rather than fazed by the apparent eight year gap. But I cringed inside. Because in realty I was 42, but how could I have admitted that I was some 15 years older than he was?

“My marriage had ended after 15 turbulent years and I was trying to socialize again.

Now, here I was with this hunk who obviously hadn’t seen my dyed hair” or small age lines in the dim lighting.

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Vanguard MAY 18, 2013—19

aged body, there was Olu with all that young, hard and rippled sexiness and I wasn’t disappointed. He was a stud and I hardly slept a wink that night. I had the flat to myself and we romped all we could.

My kids were in their various universities.

From then on, we became a couple driven by lust! We shared wonderful sex like giddy teenagers and I sparkled. We confessed we loved each other but I’m now riddled with guilt. I’ll be 43 in a few weeks’ time and the girls want to come home to spend the day with me. Olu had already planned an elaborate outing for what he thought would be my 36th birthday.

So my darling madam Worldly wise, how would you dance out of this particular corner if you found yourself trapped in it?”

What a poser? But seriously what has it got to do with me? I told her she danced into a tight corner all by herself and she should be looking for ways out. But I suggested she fob her daughters off. Her birthday fell on a week day, she should tell them she was inviting a few friends

We confessed we loved each other but I’m now riddled with guilt

night, when he invited himself to the flat again, I agreed. I sat on the bed as he undressed and his lithe body was amazing. For once in years, instead of making love to a sinewy, middle-

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out of the bag; that Olu had been bunking a partner old enough to be his mother! Olu had been anxious to meet Mope’s kids. She had given him the impression they were in the boarding house not really letting on they lived on the campus!

Months later, when I ran into Mope, she was still her old self. So how did lover boy absorb the shock when she finally revealed her age? “I haven’t told him everything,” she said, “I can’t. Letting him go would be worse than salving my consciences by telling him the truth.

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the following Saturday and ask the children to join in.

If she was going to confess to anything, I told her, she owed it to herself to have a mind-blowing 43rd birthday before letting the cat

You might not believe this, but I really care about him.

He’ll eventually meet the kids of course, I can’t really hide them away from him for ever.

I know once he meets them that might be the end of us together. You’d think I was too old to get myself in such a mess but there you are. It’s really hue what they say— that there’s no fool like an old fool!” Yet what’s a few age difference amongst couples who genuinely love each other? It’s not as if you’ll be hankering after wedding bells when your man is years older than you. All you want, before it’s too late, is the feel of a young taunt and virile body, giving you a physical massage the best masseur can never match. And women have given out fortunes to get that feel. It doesn’t matter how long such an experience lasts but how well it makes you feel!

Can yyou ou tell if yyour our marriage will las t? last? re you and your spouse destined to be together forever?

You don’t need a crystal ball. Just answer there five questions set by experts, honestly... Can you let things drop? Does it grate on you that he met his ex for lunch (a year ago)? Is he still harping on about how you forgot your anniversary once?

Both of you need to be generous enough to put it behind you and move C M Y K

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Everyone has got a past: we all mess up sometimes

on. Everyone has got a past: we all mess up sometimes. Can you enjoy doing nothing together? If you can quite happily lounge around together, just enjoy-

ing the sound of silence, you work well as a couple. Do you fight right? If he’s a sulker and you’re a shouter, you could find it trickly to get to the bottom of an argument. So think about how you hammer things out and remember it is not about winning or losing— you both want the same thing.

Can you stop trying to change each other? We all try to fine-tune our partners a bit, but if you’re always offer-

ing to fix things for him, you will end up disappointed. You need to learn to accept the way your partner is or find someone you don’t need to fix! Can you share your secrets? If you’ve opened up to him about your deepest, darkest moments but he is reluctant to talk, then you may need to think twice.

It is by being open that we achieve intimacy.

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013 SMS (ONLY)

How to tell he’s losing interest

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man doesn’t think the same way a woman does, nor does he react to situations in the same way she does. Man and woman see the world in different ways and often seek different goals in life. When you think about it , it’s amazing that any relationship between the two sexes ever works out. Of course, short-term flings or “hookups” are easy, but what about relationships on deeper levels , the ones that really stand the test of time?

If you’ve found a man who loves you, and if you’re in a committed relationship, consider yourself fortunate.

Now all you have to do is to find a way to make love endure, which is much more difficult than simply finding love. It’s relatively simple to be able to get along with someone for a few months or even for a few years, but what if he starts to lose interest?

What if he starts sending you signals that it’s over?

A man might lose interest in a woman or in the relationship itself for a number of reasons.

Perhaps he feels trapped or suffocated and that he’s lost his freedom and his youth.

Maybe he’s interested in another woman or in a different lifestyle. It could be that he’s just bored with the present relationship and wants something more exciting. Sometimes, a man doesn’t even understand why he’s lost interest in a woman, so he couldn’t express his reasons even if he wanted to.

Most women have an amazing power of intuition, and they can usually tell when something is not right.

Females are much more attuned to slight nuances than men are. A woman can pick up on little changes in her man’s

daily habits, in his attitude toward her, in the words he uses, and in the words he avoids. Women are extremely observant when it comes to the happiness and well-being of their relationship.

A man might be losing interest if he begins to spend less and less time with you.

Maybe he’s working longer hours or spending more time with his friends. He might stop inviting you to go places with him that he always took you to before.

One area that’s often the first to go when he begins to lose interest is communication.

When a man loses interest in a woman, he usually stops confiding in her. He no longer “opens up” to her, sharing his hopes and dreams for the future. When the relationship was healthy, he might have called you during the work day just to say hello or to ask about your day. If he stops doing this, he’s probably losing interest. He might also stop asking for your advice and feedback as a way to distance himself from you.

Of course, sex is another important aspect of a relationship, and if the relationship is threatened by either partner, sex and other

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forms of physical communication are usually casualties. Maybe he doesn’t wish to make love as often, or it could be something as simple as his forgetting to kiss you goodbye. Maybe it’s his goodnight hug that’s missing.

Any of these warning signs can be caused by problems other his losing interest in you. They could be caused by stress at work, worrying about money, or a physical illness. If such is the case, however, the changes should be temporary and should resolve themselves when the specific problem is resolved.

If you confront him with your observation and he denies them, there might be a problem, especially if he becomes defensive. If he sincerely wishes to continue the relationship, he wants the problems to be addressed and solved as much as you do.

If your relationship is headed down the tubes and you think it’s over, don’t give up before seeking help! If your love is worth salvaging, get expert help in the form of a counsellor. If you’ll be honest and open with them, a counsellor can help you get to the bottom of what’s going on in your marriage or relationship.

lady of 30 years and above, who is a graduate, mature and employed for marriage on 0703180244 * Nkiru, 35, based in Abuja, civil servant, wants to meet a man of 40-45 who must be born-again and Igbo-speaking for a husband on 08166131427 * Morris, 30,needs a woman who is ready for a relationship on 07063014420 * Juliet, 24, graduate, from Delta State, needs a working class guy for a relationship that would lead to marriage on 08164742164

I hate my parents Ques: I am a 17- year old girl living with overly strict parents. I am not allowed to wear tank-tops, trousers, makeup or jewelry. I can’t wear weave-on or long braids or look fashionable like other young people. My parents refuse to let me pick my own clothes. The only boyfriend I ever had was in my dreams. Meanwhile, it seems like every other girl my age has a boyfriend. And sex is completely out of the question. I haven’t even had a first kiss. To make things even better, I have breakouts and I’m not allowed to use any skin care products. I am ugly, and my parents don’t care.

Please tell me what I should do!

Favour, Akure Ans: You almost scared me with the choice of words ‘hating your parents. You must realise that dating, leisure time, what you eat and what you wear are just a few of the many aspects of life that you have very little say in right now. And the small amount of your life that your parents don’t control, your school probably does. Of course, different parents have

of figuring out which rules to throw out, which ones to ease up on, and which ones to enforce, but more on this later.

The other concern you raise is about “being ugly.”

Breakouts are the pits, no question. The exact cause of acne is still not fully understood, but there are likely multiple factors. What is clear is that there are glands in the skin that become quite active during puberty as hair follicles are stimulated for the first time. Thus, pores can become clogged more easily, sometimes because of a mix of dead skin skills which is made worse when skin becomes too dry and excessive oil production.

Acne is often more of an issue for people in their teens to early 20s, but can impact people of all ages.

Of course, the skin treatment is only a part of this much larger conflict. You have a very normal, developmental need to go your own way in certain areas of your life. Your parents are used to being in control since they have the responsibility of protecting you from harm. Is it possible that they are having a difficult time adjusting their roles as you mature?

Or is there some other reasons they are so protective?

Have you tried to understand their reasons rather than just push back?

Ask your parents to set aside time to talk with you about certain rules. Do this before you make plans or before you find yourself at the clothing store. Ask for a time to talk that is not motivated by a specific upcoming event different restrictions and teens themselves have a wide range of reactions to rules. But you definitely are not alone in feeling that your parents’ rules are too strict. As a teen approaching young adulthood, you are becoming your own person but as young children, we are more dependent on the rules and structure of our parents. How else would we learn the value of everything from brushing our teeth every night to avoiding electrical sockets? So parents have the difficult task

Clashes between parents in teens may be made more intense by cultural and religious differences , for instance, if your family’s church adheres to different dress standards, gender roles, age-based expectations than the church that you are exposed to in school and generational differences , that is, your parents’ values were shaped by different times.

Do you have reactions to our stories or have you any experience you want to share with our readers?

Please e-mail,anyagafu2@gmail.com Do you want to be linked?

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

SATURDAY

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I

’ve had the honour and privilege of performing in some of the biggest productions alongside some our country’s greatest performers.

Just two weeks ago I had the rare opportunity of playing one of contemporary arts most provocative pieces “THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES” to a full house at the MUSON on my birthday no less along- side Nija’s finest! For a performing artiste, it doesn’t get better than that!

And here we are celebrating

N1000... An amazing journe y! journey!

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H! Ejo e ma binu! My sincere apologies for seeming ‘AWOL’. As is wont to happen sometimes, other aspects of my life take on gargantuan proportions and literally subsume everything else. In the last two months it’s been relentless. I’ve played so many characters (back to back) that when I’m done there’s barely enough energy left to play ‘mommy’ and everything else including “Ireti the writer” has had to take a back seat!

I must confess it’s been an amazing journey though. Not just the last several months but truth be told the last 18 years. And though it may have not seemed so at particular times, career wise I have lived a charmed life. I have an amazing body of work that cuts across stage, film, print and television. And honestly speaking, a lot of my best performances were opportunities that literally fell onto my lap.

Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013 —21

I must confess it’s been an amazing journey though. Not just the last several months but truth be told the last 18 years

another huge milestone. In the last three years I’ve had the opportunity of playing the pivotal character SHEILA ADE-WILLIAMS on Africa’s first multi-camera, multiple awards winning television series TINSEL. From not being allowed to audition in the early stages to

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emerging as a lead character in the space of two years; I can only say that the land has been green for me.

I remember when I joined the cast we were on episode two hundred and something… in a few days’ time we will be celebrating the land mark episode 1000… wow! That’s a major deal for any show anywhere in the

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f you are a woman of a certain age, better think twice before you down those plates of yam, or you may get pregnant with twins.

Did you know that a small town in Oyo State called Igbo-Ora has the highest number of twin births in the whole world? Population experts say that the small town of about 100,000 people in the south-west has the world’s highest twinning rate. In fact, on the road going into the town there’s a large stone plinth which welcomes visitors to “the land of twins”.

While recent accurate figures are basically nonexistent, a study conducted by a British gynecologist, Patrick Nylander, between 1972 and 1982 recorded on average of 45 to 50 sets of twins per 1000 live births in the south-west. A more current survey estimates a twin birth in 1 of 22 births; this rate is about 4 times higher than anywhere else in the world.

Can eating yams really give you twins?

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his is quite a remarkable phenomenon, but nobody seems to be quite sure why this town should be more twin prone than anywhere else on earth. However researchers have long speculated that it’s the diet that can help explain this statistics, specifically the daily diet of yam!!!

What?!! Yes, yams. Apparently it contains phytoestrogen, an estrogen compound that increases a woman’s Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and may induce a higher rate of ovulation. This chemical component is concentrated in the peelings from yam, and it has been linked to a hyper ovulation—the release of more than one egg, which usually leads to twin pregnancies.This theory has me completely baffled.

Obviously yam is a staple in every Nigerian home, but yam is central to Yoruba people’s diet. We eat it boiled; C M Y K

•Twins fried, roasted, pounded, and dried yam is grounded to make amala.So can yam really be attributed to the high rate of twin births in the southwest? Many scientists believe so, and women trying to conceive in western parts of the world are desperately looking for yams in order to boost their chances of having twins.

Double pregnancies occur either when a fertilized egg is implanted in the uterine wall and develops into a zygote which splits into two embryos, in which case the offspring results in “identical twins;” or when two eggs

are produced and fertilized and implanted in the uterine wall separately, in which case the offspring results in “fraternal” or “non-identical twins.”

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dentical twins are a random event that happens in about 0.3% of pregnancies throughout the globe.

Fraternal twins, on the other hand, are a different issue. Incidence rates vary from region to region and average to about 2.3% in the world.

That number is higher in the West and will probably keep rising due to the

world, more so in these parts where you have to work three times as hard to get things done,and don’t particularly possess a maintenance culture.

It hasn’t always been easy and sometimes it gets downright tedious, and about two months ago a sudden fire nearly put ‘paid to the bill’ but you know what they say…The show must go on… and like the Phoenix we have risen from the ashes. 1000 episodes… wow!

It’s like a dream. But it’s not a dream. It’s the culmination of many, many, hours of sweat, tears and sacrifice of a collective; proud of their craft and who have remained dedicated even at times when there many reasons not to.

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t is work that everyone involved in any capacity at any point in the show’s existence should be proud of. Well done to MNET, for putting their money where their mouth is, here’s hoping that other companies will take a leaf out their books. I raise my glass to my colleagues… the amazing cast and crew who daily come together and literally create “Africa magic”.

I cannot forget the amazing audience all across Africa and even further beyond who have kept faith with us through thick and thin, cheering (and sometimes booing!!) us along… there would be have been no journey without you ….

For as long as it can…. May it last… and last… and last…. advent and increasing use of fertility drugs and in vitro fertilization, both of which raise the chance of double or even multiple ovulations.

Also, the recent trend of older moms has increased the rate of multiples.As women age, their pregnancies are more likely to yield twins. Older women have the FSH hormone present in their bodies due to natural changes that come with age.

There are many different reasons why a couple might want to have twins. Some women only want to go through one pregnancy so having twins gives you a full complete family all in one shot. Some women have trouble conceiving, a twin pregnancy may likely be her only one. While some people like me are just simply fascinated by twins. If you are one of these women you might want to get a yam cookbook.

I’m no genetic scientist, but I say it’s worth a try if you really want multiples. At least consciously incorporating more yams in your diet does you no harm, and besides it’s better than some dangerous tips advocating progesterone creams, and the prescription drug clomidto conceive twins.

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bviously this is not a fool-proof way to try and have twins as nobody knows how much yam one has to eat. Also, it’s uncertain whether the effects of eating yam on a woman trying to conceive are immediate or cumulative. Most importantly, nobody has provided any specific explanation or medical evidence that could prove that yam consumption can cause multiple births.It’s pure speculation.

While eating a plate full of yams every day may be just plain silly but at least it has no real negative effects, and there is no harm in trying. You may just get lucky.

22—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY18, 2013

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hewing on ice

It’s natural and sugar free, so you might think ice is harmless.

But munching on hard, frozen cubes can chip or even crack your teeth. And if your mindless chomping irritates the soft tissue inside a tooth, regular toothaches may follow. Hot foods and cold foods may trigger quick, sharp jabs of pain or a lingering toothache. Next time you get the urge for ice, chew some sugarless gum instead.

Bedtime bottles

It’s never too early to protect teeth. Giving a baby a bedtime bottle of juice, milk, or formula, can put new teeth on a path to decay. The baby may become used to falling asleep with the bottle in his or her mouth, bathing the teeth in sugars overnight. It’s best to keep bottles out of the crib.

12 habits that ruin your teeth

Grinding teeth

Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can wear teeth down over time.

It is most often caused by stress and sleeping habits. This makes it hard to control. Avoiding hard foods during the day can reduce pain and damage from this habit. Wearing a mouth guard at night can prevent grinding while sleeping.

Cough drops

Just because cough drops are sold in the medicine aisle doesn’t mean they’re healthy.

Most are loaded with sugar. So after soothing your throat with a lozenge, be sure to brush well.

Whether the sugar comes from a cough drop or a hard candy, it •This practice can be detrimental to your reacts with the sticky plaque that coats your teeth. Then chip. Instead, keep scissors have even more acid in the bacteria in the plaque convert and bottle openers handy. form of the artificial the sugar into an acid that eats Bottom line, your teeth sweeteners. away at tooth enamel. Hello, should only be used for cavities.

Opening stuff with eating.

Soft drinks

your teeth

Opening bottle caps or plastic packaging with your teeth may be convenient, but this is one habit that makes dentists cringe.

Using your teeth as tools can cause them to crack or

This information could save your life

Drink plenty of fluids to avoid constipation

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INDING healthy food choices on the road can be an adventure.

Pack a few high-fibre snacks to help keep you regular. Good choices include whole grain crackers, dried or fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, or whole grain cereals.

Drinking an alcoholic beverage may sound heavenly, but it could add to constipation problems.

Alcohol and caffeine can cause dehydration.

If you’re prone to constipation while traveling, try to limit alcohol and drinks with

caffeine. Or, drink plenty of water when you enjoy these beverages to make sure you stay hydrated.

Drinking extra fluids may relieve your constipation. Getting enough fluids can also help prevent dehydration, which can cause constipation.

Carry a water bottle with you always and keep it filled. If you can’t get clean tap water, drink plenty of bottled spring water, fruit juice, or other noncaffeinated drinks.

Fruit juice

Fruit juice is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, but unfortunately most juices are also loaded with sugar. Some juices can have as much sugar per

,

Soft drinks can have up to 11 teaspoons of sugar per serving.

To add insult to injury, they also contain phosphoric and citric acids, which eat away at tooth enamel. Diet soft drinks let you skip the sugar, but they may

teeth

Chewing on pencils

Do you ever chew on your pencil when concentrating on work or studies? Like crunching on ice, this habit can cause teeth to chip or crack.

Sugarless gum is a better option when you feel the need to chew. It will trigger the flow of saliva, which can make teeth stronger and protect

,

Fruit juice is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, but unfortunately most juices are also loaded with sugar

serving as soda. For example, there are only 10 more grams of sugar in orange soda than in orange juice. Fruits are naturally sweet, so look for juice that has no added sugar.

You can also reduce the sugar content by diluting juice with some water.

Constant snacking

Snacking produces less saliva than a meal, leaving food bits in your teeth for hours longer.

Avoid snacking too frequently, and stick to snacks that are low in sugar and starch — for example, carrot sticks.

against enamel-eating acids.

Smoking

Cigarettes, as well as other tobacco products, can stain teeth and cause them to fall out as a result of gum disease. Tobacco can also cause cancer of the mouth, lips, and tongue. If you were looking for one more reason to quit, think of your smile.

Drinking red or white wine

The acids in wine eat away at tooth enamel,

creating rough spots that make teeth more vulnerable to staining. Red wine also contains a deep pigment called chromogen and tannins, which help the colour stick to the teeth. This combination makes it easy for the wine’s red colour to stay with you long after your glass is empty. You might think sticking to white wine would spare your teeth. But the acids still weaken the enamel, leaving the teeth porous and vulnerable to staining from other beverages, such as coffee.

Swishing with water after drinking or using toothpaste with a mild whitening agent can fight the staining effects of red and white wines.

Binge eating

Binge eating often involves excessive amounts of sweets, which can lead to tooth decay. Binging and purging (bulimia nervosa) can do even more damage to your dental health. The strong acids found in vomit can erode teeth, making them brittle and weak. These acids also cause bad breath.

Bulimia can lead to a variety of serious health problems, so be sure to talk to your doctor if you have been purging.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013—23

24 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013

Vanguard, SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2013 — 25

anozieegole@yahoo.com

Between May D and P’ Square I

T is no longer news that the good old friends, May D and P’Square who once separated, have mended their ways and are coming back with an award winning single.What now makes the news is that, there might not be any collabo after this by the group.

Publicist to the “Ile Ejo” crooner, Shehu said that though there was no specific problem between them, there is no possibility of the trio coming together for another work after this.

08116759764

I will invest more with Glo money — Lynxxx

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or subscribers on this service provider, Glo, you would agree that, the recent face to behold in most newspaper adverts is that of Lynxxx, no thanks to the just concluded ambassadorial deal which saw five talented singers as the new Glo ambassadors.

No doubt, Lynxxx is one of the forces to reckon with as far as Nigerian hip hop music is concerned. Still basking in the euphoria of the new deal he signed with the telecoms operator, the Jollof music crooner, Lynxx, has promised his teaming fans that he would invest the money realised from the deal on property, music inclusive.

Clever Jay tours with Swagga Records crew •Gloria

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ERSATILE and talented singer, Solanke Abiodun Joseph a.k.a Clever Jay, is experiencing a great leap in fame with his successful tour with the Swagga Records crew and new hit single, “sme sme” which featured, Faze. The singer whose single has been receiving constant air plays and applauds from fans on social network, said the new album will be hot to handle. The album featuring 9ice, Faze, Dami Green among others was produced by Flip Tie. According to Clever Jay, his collaboration with Swagga Records has been highly successful.

•Lynxxx

BBA to house Tonto Dikeh D

espite the controversy going around this sensational singer cum actress, Tonto Dikeh, she keeps climbing higher in her career. If this news is anything to go by, then Big Brother Africa Season 8 tagged “Stargames” is set to feature Nigerian movie idol, Tonto as Nigerian representative. The actress who has since been receiving congratulatory messages from friends is one of the faces to watch out for this season. Remember, last year’s edition featured the deceased entertainer, Goldie Susan Harvey.

Tonto who is already controversially inclined is representing her country Nigeria.

Now, the question is,what are we expecting from Tonto Dikeh? Well, let’s all wish her luck for Nigeria’s sake.

•May D C M Y K

•Tonto Dikeh

Gloria Ibru’s smoking habit!

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alk of any happening high society gig in town, and your mind will go to Gloria Ibru, one of the daughters of billionaire Olorogun Michael Ibru. She’s always on the move to party hard.

The once-upon-atime over weight mama, who has now lost some pounds, was recently spotted at a celebrity all night gig, where she threw caution to the wind and continued to do her thing.

Not minding who was watching, Gloria smoked ceaselessly and was in high spirit.

Attracted by her free lifestyle, a paparazzi in the audience made to capture her mood through the lens of his camera while she was smoking, but Gloria would not allow him to do the damage as she thundered, “Why are you taking my picture.”

She later mounted the stage and performed some evergreen numbers to the delight of the audience.

26—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013

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SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013—27

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28 — Vanguard, SARTURDAY, MAY 18, 2013

BY BIMPE ADE

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ith over 30 movies un der her belt including the critically acclaimed “The Figurine” by Kunle Afolayan and “Anchor Baby” Omoni Oboli has become one of the prominent names in Nollywood. She dishes on her career, family, success, and upcoming projects. She also speaks on the journey of Nollywood, and explains why her husband is always by her side even she’s on location.

Excerpt...

For those who may have recently started following your career, how old were you when you started acting professionally?

I was 18 years old when I started acting professionally. This was in my first year at the university when I got a role as Liz Benson’s maid in the movie, “Shame”. The movie also starred RMD. I left the industry that same year to concentrate on my studies and came back 10 years later.

Did you undergo any type of training to acquire acting skills?

I didn’t undergo any formal training, but I had many years of informal training. I have been acting since I was 3 years old, and I would always make sure that I was in every school play.

I ended up becoming the head of the drama club in my secondary school days. I also wrote many plays that we presented to the students and parents. I acted in French plays as well. Come to think of it, even though I always said that actors are born and not made, the ones who are born with it must also polish their skills, formally or informally, by constantly exercising their God-given talents to bring out the best in them.

Think back to your first audition. What was it like?

Auditions, when I first started in 1996, were real hustles. You go for the auditions with nothing more than the passion for the art and a lot of hope that you’ll be the one they wanted to pick. I didn’t go to an audition with any expectations to get the lead role or r supporting role.

I simply wanted to be in a movie, period. Thankfully, my very first audition was for the movie, ‘Not My Will’, produced by Fidelis Duker, and I got the lead role. In those days, there was no cellphone. After the auditions you all leave and come back another day to look at the board where they pasted the results of the auditions, to see those who were selected and for C M Y K

what roles. It was just like looking at JAMB results! It was fun though.

How many movies have you starred in till date?

I can’t say exactly. Maybe about 30 movies.

What makes a good movie script? And what moves you to choose your roles?

I’m a scriptwriter, and I look out for the script first, before I consider starring in any movie.

A good script for me must have; First, a good story that jumps at me; Secondly, a good plot that does not insult your intelligence; Thirdly, the character that I’m called to play must be challenging and exciting to play; Fourthly, the character must be relevant to the story such that if they took it out, the story would lose its essence.

When all these are in a script, the next thing I want to know is what the producer’s vision for the movie is, so that I may know if they’ll be able to execute the story to the extent that the audience would be entertained and grasp the plot. After all that, I’m ready to give my 110% to the project to take it further than where the producer wanted it when I was first approached.

Not to say that I only work in mega movies, but when I’m touched by a good script, even if the budget is small, I still put in my 110% to get it to greater heights. I love to add value to whatever I’m involved in.

Is there a character at all that you played that you’d like to revisit?

All the characters I’ve portrayed so far, I have given my best, but there’s always room for improvement and there’s no role that you couldn’t have done better given different circumstances. I prefer to “let sleeping dogs lie” and move on to better performances with newer characters that I will be portraying.

Do you ever think that you could have done better in any particular role?

I try not to think about that.

The shooting of a movie can be such a grueling ordeal that all you want is to put it all behind you and wait for the outcome of your performance in that movie. When it finally comes out, believe me, I’m my own worst critic and my husband doesn’t play nice when it comes to telling how my performance is. He says it as it is, but in a way as to improve the next job and he does it with a big pat on my back to congratulate me on my performances. I try to improve with each performance.

How far are you willing to go for the art?

I’m willing to push myself

very far end for the art the best way I can. I want my performances to present the most believable characters audiences the world over can relate to. I want them to get lost in the movie. I don’t want them to get distracted from the storyline of the movie because of my lackluster performance. God forbid!

But there are boundaries that shouldn’t be crossed, no matter what, ‘for the sake of the art’.

When you make me believe something without actually doing it, it’s magical, and that’s the art I would love to portray.

You don’t kill someone in a

movie so that your audience can believe the character died, can you? Neither should you sniff real cocaine, just to prove that you’re really a drug addict.

Acting is a job just as any other profession, and we must see it that way, so that what we do at work should not cross the line to reality such that it affects your life. Your job shouldn’t put you in harms way or make you cross morality lines, and it couldn’t, unless you let it.

What are your thoughts on the journey of Nollywood?

Nollywood is like a speeding

runaway train with no driver. It’s going all over the world and occupying territories but has no control from the home station where it took off from. It’s time for us to take stock and start repairing our house. When I mean us, I mean all of us as Nigerians. We need to start respecting what we have and start thinking like conquerors. Conquerors take territories so that they can build their homeland. Nollywood is one of the key sectors in Nigeria that can unlock the doors to employment and investment opportunities for our people. We have done it so far by our own devising; it’s time for us to start consciously buying or buying into Nollywood so that we can build a new source

Why my husband follows me around – Omoni Oboli

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, MAY 18, 2013 — 29

Tell me about your role in the upcoming Emma Isikaku’s movie?

It’s one of those roles I didn’t think I would be playing, ever, in any movie, but Emma came to me and challenged me to play the role of Adaku in His horror flick, ‘Grave House’. It was challenging and it was a different kind of acting that I had to bring to the table because of the film genre. The director of the movie, Ikechukwu Onyeka, was on hand to make the journey a smooth one. The DOP, The Oracle, with the director and I had worked on the set of ‘Brother’s Keeper’, and he was great to work with again on the set of ‘Grave House’.

Mike Ezuruonye played the lead role and that was my first time acting in a movie with him. We were both able to bond well enough to give the best performance for the movie, given the circumstances. Tony Monjaro and Uru Eke also gave good supporting performances to make the movie a must watch for all.

How is this role different from the others you have done in the past?

I think basically because the movie is clearly defined, produced and presented as a horror movie. Horror movie lovers will be going to watch it because they love horror movies. In the past. I have done thrillers but they were not defined as horror.

Do you identify with this character in any way?

Not really. I only had to put myself in Adaku’s position to play the role better and feel what she felt when confronted with that scenario.

Do you feel you have to fulfill the expectations of your audience?

No self-respecting actor would get into any role without the express desire to fulfill the expectations of his/ her audience, as long as those expectations are wholesome. We’re just not wired that way. It’s this desire that compels me to raise the level of my performance each time I step into any role.

Nevertheless, as I said earlier, there

are boundaries that should not be crossed.

What is something you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting out as an actress?

I don’t know, because those early experiences helped shape me into the actress I am today.

I needed to go through whatever I went through then so that I can acquire the necessary experience to build me up professionally If you could choose, name one actor you would really want to work with here in Nollywood or Hollywood, and why?

My role model is Tyler Perry and I would love to work with him. His road to success inspires me and his kinds of movies are not very far from where we are right now. His movies are drama driven and that’s where Nollywood is strong.

What has been the hardest part of your career?

Staying away from my family for long periods when on location outside the country, but that’s one of the cons of the job.

We’ve got to do what we’ve got to do.

You are married, and you have three boys. How do you manage your family life, and being a working actress?

The most important ingredient in achieving this is the grace of God. The love and support of a God-fearing man like my husband makes it even sweeter. Together, we are raising our children in the fear of God and I thank God that they are not terrible children. This is where I draw strength from to go out into the world and give my best.

It’s my backbone and the muscle I use to stand firm and hold my head high. I don’t take God or my family for granted and I

,

of income that we all can benefit from.

It’s done very well thus far to get to where we are today, but we must do more, systematically, to take it to greater heights.

The most important ingredient in achieving this is the grace of God. The love and support of a God-fearing man like my husband makes it even sweeter.

Together, we are raising our children in the fear of God and I thank God that they are not terrible children.

,

What is your favorite movie of all time?

Coming to America.

What is something embarrassing or unexpected that happened to you on a movie set?

I really don’t know. I can’t put my finger on anything. I’ll lookout for one and get back to you. I just pray that it will be a good expectation or embarrassment of blessings.

don’t take my job more seriously than my family. My mother also trained me well. I didn’t just happen into the world.

There has been a process of getting to where I am today and that process shaped me and trained me to do what I do. I wouldn’t say it’s all so easy to balance it all but God’s grace is sufficient for me.

Why does your husband go everywhere with you?

I would think that if a married woman wasn’t seen with her husband, the question, “Why aren’t you ever seen with your husband?” would be more appropriate. I can’t imagine not being with him as much as I am. We’ve always been close and always been together. Everyone who knows my husband from when we first got married till now and all his business dealings know me and him together. So, I would say, “Why shouldn’t my husband go everywhere with me?” There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be with the one you love all the time. If he’s not with me, I call him till I see him, and that’s the way love goes.

Is this your way of keeping him secure in the marriage?

I don’t need to keep him secure. How can I? He’s totally secure himself. What we do is simply because we love each other and totally enjoy our company.

Last year, you took a highly publicized trip to Jerusalem.

What was the purpose of the trip?

I went with a group of Christian women under the auspices of Awesome Treasures Foundation led by Mrs Adejumoke Adenowo. It was a spiritual retreat.

What was the experience like?

As the name of the foundation goes, I would say, simply Awesome! It’s one of those things that everyone should put on their bucket list and set a time to just experience it for themselves, but with the right company of Godly people to make it count.

What has been your proudest moment in your career?

Winning two international awards outside the continent of Africa, that was purely on merit: The Best Actress, Har-

lem International Film Festival, and Best Actress, Los Angeles Movie Awards, for the movie, ‘Anchor Baby’. The fact that I wasn’t there made it even sweeter. I felt so proud You are also a movie producer. How many movies have you produced?

I produced a movie, The Rivals, with my friend, Blessing Egbe, which went on to win the Best International Drama at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival in 2007. I’m currently in pre-production for my second movie which I would also be directing.

What else are you working on that your fans should be looking out for?

I shot a couple of movies that would be released this year and they include: ‘Blue Flames’, produced and directed by Paul Apel (Papel) due to be released soon. ‘Brother’s Keeper’, produced by Oakfil and directed by Ikechukwu Onyeka, due to be released soon at the cinemas.

The Ukrainian blockbuster movie, ‘Feathered Dreams’, which will be taken to the Cannes film festival before it hits cinemas across the world. Another blockbuster movie, ‘Render to Caesar’, due to be released later in the year in cinemas around the world. Emma Isikaku’s ‘Grave House’,which will be released later in the year and many other productions that are sure to keep my fans and audiences spellbound.

What is one thing that you would like to accomplish this year?

Raise the bar in Nollywood, so that the up and coming actors can see and strive to up their game in t h e industry.

Omoni and h u b b y , Nnamdi

C M Y K

30 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2013

Compiled Ephraim Oseji 08023542350

Tottenham launch 12m David Villa bid

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ottenham have launched an ambi tious •12 million move to sign Barcelona striker David Villa in the summer - though the switch could hinge on Champions League qualification. Villa’s representatives have told Spurs that he would be very keen to move to the north London club should they match his wage demands, with Spurs prepared to offer •130,000-a-week to land the Spain international.

Hull keen to sign Odemwingie

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Man Utd banking on RvP to convince Cesc

ruce is targeting outcast Odemwingie for a move to the KC Stadium this summer and is preparing an offer for the Nigerian international who can leave the Hawthorns.

Albion are keen to offload the 31 year-old after a string of rows this year, which included his highlypublicised attempts to force a January move to Queens Park Rangers.

Odemwingie has one year left on his £36,000 a week contract but Albion will not allow him to leave for less than £3 million.

Clarke, the West Bromwich Albion head coach, said: "Whoever wants him has to pay the market value. We're not a charity.

"I think his goalscoring record for West Brom is something like one in three. He can leave but only for a price that we believe to be acceptable."

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anchester United are banking on Robin van Persie to convince Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas about joining him at Old Trafford.

According to reports, United hope the presence of Van Persie at Old Trafford and the appointment of a news manager, can convince Fabregas to return to the

Madrid tracking Bobley Anderson

Anzhi to offer £12m for Sagna

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rsenal defender Bac ary Sagna is being monitored by clubs in France and Russia after failing to agree a new contract with the Gunners.

The French full-back has chosen to leave the club after rejecting a new deal from Arsenal due to his disappointment at their selling of key players Robin van Persie and Alex Song last summer.

The 30-year-old has one

Real Madrid are being linked with Ivory Coast youngster Bobley Anderson. The 22 year-old midfielder plays in Morocco with Wydad Casablanca and has been linked with Porto and Galatasaray among several European heavyweights. Anderson’s form is now attracting interest from Real and Marseille. The Ivorian is rated in the •2 million class.

QPR set to move to £150m Air Asia stadium QPR are moving closer to a new stadium. QPR’S new £150million ground is set to be called the Air Asia stadium. The airline company, run by Hoops’ owner Tony Fernandes, is already the club’s shirt sponsors.

Now they will get naming rights for the proposed 35,000-capacity venue.

A QPR insider said a formal announcement on the move is “very close.”

West Ham target Ambrosini West Ham United have been in contact with AC Milan in a bid to sign veteran midfielder Massimo Ambrosini.

The 35-year-old is out of contract next month thus bringing an end to his 18-year association with the Rossoneri and he had largely been expected to draw the curtain on his career following the end of his current deal.

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Premier League.

United are chasing the 26-year-old as they bid to strengthen their midfield next season.

Van Persie and Fabregas spent seven years together at Arsenal and it is hoped their friendship — and the fact the Dutchman won the Premier League title in his first season at United — can convince Fabregas to return to England.

year left on his current contract, and Arsenal will probably sell the former Auxerre man this summer to avoid losing him for free next year, even if it means he leaves for a knock-down price.

However, Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala are determined to beat off competition from PSG and Monaco to sign Sagna, and could offer a decent fee of £12million for his services.

I ‘ll leave the pitch if I hear racist chant—Balotelli

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C Milan striker Mario Balotelli now says he will leave the pitch if he hears racist chanting and claims he almost walked off against

Roma.

The San Siro game on Sunday was temporarily suspended because of racist abuse directed towards Balotelli and other black players by Roma fans. “I always said that if it (racism) happened in the stadium I will just do like ‘nobody says nothing and I don’t care.

“But this time I think I’ve changed my mind a little bit. If it’s going to happen one more time, then I’m going to leave the pitch because it’s so stupid.” Balotelli is not the first AC Milan player to be subjected to racist abuse this year. In January, Kevin Prince-Boateng did walk off the pitch after being racially abused during a friendly against Pro Patria.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2013 —31

Compiled Ephraim Oseji 08023542350

Nigeria needs to focus on grassroot development — Akiojano

By Ephraim Oseji

F

elix Akiojano is a former football defender from Nige ria. He played for Pedro FC in Sapele, Concord FC Abeokuta and now coach of Jaipur football club of India. In this interview with Sports Extravaganza, he revealed how he rose from grass to grace, his sojourn in India and why Nigeria needs to lay more emphasis on football academy. Excerpts “All my life, I have always known one thing, football. I can’t do without football. I started playing football in my neighborhood in Sapele and later played in Surulere and several local areas in Lagos,”—-Akiojano How did you become a coach in India?

I did some coaching course while I was still playing and also was coaching in the club academy at my leisure time, so it gave me a lot of insight about their games and what was lacking in their players. Since football is what I know how best to do, it was easier moving into coaching after playing for top club sides, and I also want to give back all what I’ve learnt. And Indians being not good in football, I felt it was the right place to start as a coach because, I discovered so many thing during my time as a player. So many of the players needed help in terms of being taught the basic technique of the game and after that, they started enjoying the game.

Here in India, every team has an academy with good facilities and pitches. Also, education and sports go side by side here. These young players must be made to understand that you can be able to combine both. When I was playing in Nigeria I knew of a young and brilliant player who should be in his early 20’s then. He went for trials in some top clubs abroad

but got injured on the knee during one of the games.

He was sent back and he treated the injury but the injury kept re-occurring that he can no longer play again at that young age. The most pathetic about the story was the fact that, he had low level of education and today he is doing casual job, it’s so bad.

What is outstanding about you compared to other coaches in India?

Being a foreigner that had played in my country for a long time, it was easier because, I have the Nigerian style of play and also know their own style of play coupled with the European style, so I was able to harness all of them together. When you look at foreign coaches like Jose Mournho, Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson, who just retired, you will see that they are able to impact positively on their players both on and off the pitch. You have to be able to be a parent figure to your players, tell them what is good for them and also techniques and tactics which are very important. You have to know the strength and weakness of all your players because, certain matches require different players.

What were some of the challenges you had?

It was not easy doing the coaching course here because, preference is given first to the Indians and also the language is a major challenge because, not all the players, staff and FA officials understand English. So, communication was not easy for me. You see these players want to learn the basics of the game, they want to improve so because of their eagerness to learn it has made it easier for me.

Secondly, as a coach, you have to take responsibility for your team, both the good and bad criticism

City target 17m Isco deal M

anchester City are aiming to complete a £17 million deal for Malaga winger Isco after moving closer to securing Manuel Pellegrini as successor to the sacked Roberto Mancini at the Etihad Stadium.

Although Malaga would not officially confirm reports in Spain that their 59-year-old coach would be free to leave the club following the last game of the season at Barcelona on June 1, it is understood that the Chilean will not be held to his contract this summer.

With Malaga facing financial difficulties, the Champions League quarter-finalists will reluctantly sanction the sale of Isco to any club that triggers the £17 million escape clause in the 21-year-old’s contract

from fans and you have to assess yourself in all areas and correct the mistakes.

The standard of the game?

The standard of football is growing, with lots of people and companies now showing interest in the development of the game here, since it’s a Cricket playing nation. Now, they are into a lot of grass root development to build the game, but its growing faster and the stadia are filled up during games.

What would you say was your toughest moment?

As a footballer who has played football all my life, it was really difficult taking the decision to finally stop playing football, when I know I am still fully fit to play.

It wasn’t a day’s decision putting a stop to what you have been doing all your life. But getting a permanent coaching job really took me away from playing completely.

Can we know your thought About Nigerian football?

With the winning of the nations cup, the country has put its name on the football map again. Head coach Stephen Keshi has really done a great job with the national team. As I said earlier, Nigeria has to look at the grassroots for players because Keshi was able to win the nations cup with local boys and again the league must be financially buoyant to attract foreign players to come and play. Do you know that here in India there are so many Nigerians playing in this league. The likes of Ranty Martins who is the leagues top scorer with 26 goals to far, Odafa Okoli with 20 goals, Chidi Edeh 18 goals, Henry Ezeh, Nurudeen Salau, Muritala Subair, Penn Orji and so many others who are top scorers in their various clubs are all Nigerians. The most interesting fact is that, every club in India has two or more Nigerian players in their team and also the pay is far far better than what they pay in Nigeria What is your football Philosophy?

Belief that with the right coaching, hard work and discipline, a player can get to the top of his career.

Monaco eyeing Dani Alves

M

onaco are keeping close tabs on Barcelona defender Dani Alves.

The French club has been linked with a number of high-profile players in the past few weeks and it appears they are also targeting the Brazilian footballer. The Principality club have already established first contacts with the player’s representatives.

Dani Alves has a contract until June 2015 at Camp Nou, but it would appear as though he is no longer considered a key member of the squad.

Alves could be interested in a lucrative proposal from Monaco, especially if the French club succeed in their attempt to sign Radamel Falcao and Carlos Tevez.

The 30-year-old has spent last five years at Camp Nou having joined the club from Sevilla, and has clocked up 160 La Liga appearances for the Catalans, scoring 12 goals in the process.

C M Y K

32— SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013

08111813025

I enjoy ofada rice with goat meat— African China

Pasta Spaghetti alla Puttanesca Prep time: 30 min Cook time: 30 min

Timothy Chinagorom Onuoha, popularly known as African China is our guest in this edition of Celebrity Tummy Talk. He talks on his eating habit as a ghetto boy.

How was your feeding habit as a ghetto boy?

The cheapest soup then was okra soup and eba or fufu. Back in Ajegunle, there was a particualr woman that was selling fufu in front of the house especially when there was no garri. She was rescuing us from hunger. We were buying fufu for the sum of 10kobo and N5. Another woman was selling soup.

But my best food then was beans (ewa aganyin) and bread. At that time, there was nothing, I couldn’t do without beans. After eating it with bread, I still eat the remaining with garri (gangere). Those were good old days.

What kind of prank did you play in those days?

There was hardly any child without

pranks. For me, pranks were part of my childhood. Whenever my elders sent me on errand to buy rice, I would eat part of the rice without touching the white and pretend as if nothing happened.

I love ofada rice with goat meat. I wouldn’t compromise that food for anything. I love ofada rice because of the way it’s prepared especially when it is prepared with locust beans (iru).

I also love pomo and assorted meat but I love goat meat best because it’s bonny. I could remember then, that we used to bargain for bone whenever we want to eat rice, so, it became part of me. I used to soak the bone and enjoy it as much I

Chef Corner

Recipes Beef (eight medium pieces) Smoked fish (Asa) two medium size Stockfish (four medium size) Snail(washed) six pieces Isam (periwinkle out of shell) one cup Ukazi leaves (shredded) two cups Ugu, 2 small bunch Smoked prawns (one cup) Dry pepper (one teaspoon) Onion (one small bulb) Cocoyam (red type) four medium size Palm oil (two spoons) Seasonings Water (two litres) Salt to taste Preparations Wash the beef and season with onion, seasonings and salt Allow to steam till juice dries up Add two cups of water, snail and stockfish; continue cooking till the stockfish is soft and the meat is cooked.

Pawpaw

weet Sensation confectionery, a quick service restaurant, QSR, brand in Nigeria has launched a new product called Jamaican Jerk chicken otherwise referred to as JJC, into the food industry.

The recipe, an import from Jamaica is a new addition to the restaurant’s food line which is occasioned by customers' demand at the instance of a research by the company.

Other products include the Suni, a goat meat chunk, known as Asun,Yanboree egg; a yam chunk topped with egg omelet and the others ; a leggy, boneless cow chunk and sukiyaki plus, original sukiyaki recipe improved to steak kidney and liver chunks in pepper soup style.

Speaking, Kemi Adewole-Ojo, AGM, Front Operation of the Restaurant, said that JJC C M Y K

P

awpaw fruit is very low in calories and contains no cholesterol. However, it is a rich source of phyto-nutrients, minerals and vitamins.

It contains soft, easily digestible flesh with a good amount of soluble dietary fiber that helps to have normal bowel movePick, wash and shred the ugu leaves ments; thereby reducing constipation.

Wash the fish thoroughly.

It is also an excellent source of VitaAdd the fish and isam into the pot and min-A. These compounds are known to add the remaining water. have antioxidant properties; help act as Peel and wash the cocoyam. protective scavengers against oxygenCut each into two pieces and add into derived free radicals and reactive oxythe pot, continue cooking until it is gen species (ROS) that play a role in cooked. aging and various disease processes.

Remove the cooked cocoyam and Consumption of natural fruits rich in pound and return to the pot as a thick- carotenes has known to protect the body ner from lung and oral cavity cancers.

Add the seasonings, pepper and palm It is also rich in many essential B-comoil. plex vitamins such as Folic acid, pyriStir thoroughly and reduce the heat doxine (vitamin B-6), riboflavin, and thiAdd the shredded ugu and ukazi amin (vitamin B-1). leaves.

These vitamins are essential in the Stir and allow to cook for six minutes. sense that body requires them from exStir and add salt to taste. ternal sources to replenish and play a Remove from burner and serve with vital role in metabolism. pounded yam or cassava fufu.

Fresh pawpaw also contains a good amount of potassium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids and helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure which is first of its kind in the Nigerian QSR is countering effects of sodium.

Pawpaw seeds are anti-inflamintroduced to meet customers demands. matory, anti-parasitic, and analIn his contribution, Head of Marketing, Sweet gesic, and they are used to treat Sensation Confectionery, Yemi Yusuf, reiterat- stomachache and ringworm ined that the product was introduced to excite fections. customers and satisfy them accordingly.

Explaining that “Sweet Sensation continues to be creative in the area of research and development to give customers more value for their money in a home-away-from-home experience”.

Also, the Executive Director, Sweet Sensation, Mr. Olatunji Kamson gave credence to the new menu offering, while noting that it will change the entire customer experience. “It is a radical move by Sweet Sensation to continue to defy the status-quo and provide a completely new taste to its loyal customers.”

Sweet Sensation launches JJC

S

could. For me, bone makes you wise.

What drink goes with your ofada rice.

Then, it was tonic water or bitter lemon. These days, I prefer it with a bottle of Hennessy or Champagne.

Do you exercise?

I go for gym classes, at least twice in a week, Saturday and Monday. But, I need to re-schedule it now because of my engagements.

Nutritional Values

Ofe Owerri

Ofe Owerri is highly nutritious vegetable soup usually flavoured with aromatic Oha and Uziza leaves

China...I love ofada rice with goat meat

Ingredients: 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 (28-ounce) can crushed or diced tomatoes 1 (2-ounce) can anchovy fillets, drained and chopped 16 green or black olives, sliced 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and drained 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves or 2 teaspoons dried basil 1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes Coarse salt and freshlyground black pepper to taste 1 packet Power Pasta spaghetti Anchovy paste may be substituted (approximately two inches squeezed from the tube will provide the equivalent taste of one anchovy fillet). More anchovy fillets may be added according to your personal taste. To purchase Anchovies and Anchovy Paste, check out What’s Cooking America’s Kitchen Store.

Preparation: In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil until hot. Add the onion and green pepper; sauté for 3 to 5 minutes or until soft. Add garlic and sauté another 30 seconds.

Add the tomatoes and anchovies; simmer an additional 10 minutes. Stir in olives, capers, basil, red pepper flakes, pepper, and salt; simmer for an additional 20 minutes. the sauce is cooking, prepare the pasta according to package directions; drain and return to pan to keep warm. Pour the sauce over the cooked Spaghetti, tossing to coat. Transfer into individual serving bowls.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Did you Know?

Muscles need carbohydrates Carbohydrates are the main, preferred source of energy for the body; they are critical nutrients for the athlete who has high-energy demands during physical activity. Stamina, power and endurance are dependent on adequate carbohydrates in the diet. Power Pasta Spaghetti is great source of Carbohydrates.

VANGUARD, SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2013—33

I learnt

team-building

from books

such as this, working with international organisations . You know these organisations have standards and they always look for what they want in any organisation they are dealing with. So, you have to be as professional as you can to win their confidence . I have not been to any team building school or what so ever. I only learnt most things from my immediate boss and from books and online. Infact there is no team building school any where in the world.

Another challenge is for people to give you the opportunity to showcase what you can offer. But once you are given that opportunity and you do your work professionally, people will always call you for jobs.

—Olugbodi

BY OLAYINKA AJAYI

F

ollowing the decadence of the organisational structure and human development in the world, Yinka Olugbodi, a prolific Human Resource Consultant and the CEO of TeamBuilding International, in this interview, speaks on how professionalism and passion for organisational development through team building training, have seen international organisations

Do you lobby to get contracts?

From the onset, when I was working in Access Bank as a procurement manager, I made my stand known as a Christian that I don’t get involved in any sharp or corrupt practices. I don’t touch what is not mine.

There are times when people call us back to give them something after offering them our impactful training and we boldly make our stand known to them.

staff travelling down to Nigeria to be trained by his organisation.

Excerpts of the interview: My background I finished from Salvation Army Primary School Surulere in 1979 and Fakunle Comprehesive High School Osogbo in 1984. I graduated from the University of Lagos,UNILAG in 1992 where I studied English Language. I also have a Masters degree in Human Resources from ESUTH Business School. I have

some professional qualifications from Lagos Business School. Basically, I am a H.R Consultant and I majored in team building which is basically part of organisational development. We also recruit and train staff for organisations.

How did you come about team building ?

I have worked in many front line organisations at senior managerial levels;like Vision Advertising, Multichoice, Global Leadership Interlink, HI TV, and Access bank. I think the inspiration came from my former boss in Multichoice who used to be the head of HR and I was assisting him. I must confess, he is more than a boss, he is my mentor.

One of his specialties is team building and I found it to be very interesting to go into. Back then, we used to do it as an inhouse training for staff. I

•Yinka Olugbodi

got the idea when I was still the H.R manager in 2003 and it stayed in the

pipeline for about five years.

In 2009, we started properly. It will be four years old this May.

What is team building about ?

Team building is an action learning and training activity which you learn through activities and games . I found out it’s a virgin area which I can easily go into. However, most people are not actually looking at that direction and it has been good.

How are you sourcing for clients?

As God would have it , it’s not that hard for us because most places I have worked before, I have had good relationship with my colleagues.

So, going back to them to train them on team build-

It may interest you to know that multi-national companies like oil companies, United Nations, USAID are among our key clients ing is not stressful. Also, what is really helping us is that, team building is a new compulsory leadership training in the country that most people are not focusing on . It may interest you to know that multi-national companies like oil companies, United Nations, USAID are among our key clients.

These white guys most

times invite us . They also travel from around the world to Nigeria to attend our training. We have done this training in Zambia, Ghana and United kingdom.

Do you have any challenges ?

The challenges have always been in pioneering an enviable organisation

What inspires you to keep moving?

The passion to build lives and team building is what keeps me moving on in my chosen career. If you wake me up in the middle of the night to do something I love , it will be team building because it comes naturally.

How do you intend to impact on the whole nation?

I do that on two platforms; one is on the spiritual angle, through church programmes and the other is on social platform. We organise monthly integrity workshops training, where we invite organisations, corporations and government

officials because most of the problems we are facing is corruption and the response has been good. We have senior managers, supervisors and top executives that attend.

This is our way of bringing social reformation to Nigeria and making sure changes start from the head.

34—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013

08111813022

Debt Allegation: Omotola’s

counsels fined for delay

T

he case of breach of contract involving a Lagos based up and coming lawyer, Mr. Keshi Elvis of Megafield Solicitors and Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, holding at Ikeja Magistrate court is due to come up on Tuesday, July 9, 2013.

HVP exclusively reported the story in September, 2012 when the claimant went to court to seek redress. It would be recalled that Mr. Elvis went to court to demand for the balance of his retainership agreement for 2010 (N150,000) and the retainership agreement for 2011 ( 200,000) as well as fee for services rendered between this period which amounted to N1,150,000.

However, in a counter affidavit from Omotola’s counsel, Festus Keyamo , and which was made available to HVP , the actress admitted owning the complainant the sum of N350,000, and not N1,150,000"as claimed.

When the case opened for hearing last March, Omotola’s counsels on behalf of Redhot Concepts Limited and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde filed preliminary objections, arguing that going by the Legal Practitioner’s Act, a legal practitioner who wants to file action for charges against a client is expected to commence same through the High Court of the state where the legal practitioner carries on his practice or where the client resides.

Their argument which relies on Section 19(1) of the Legal Practitioner’s Act was soon dismissed by the Court when the said Mr. Keshi Elvis put forward the same Act Section 16(1) which states that a legal practitioner can commence action for the recovery of his charges from any court of competent jurisdiction.

Meanwhile the court in its summation admonished Omotola’s counsels for lack of disregard for the court and thus awarded the cost of N20,000.00 against them for delaying proceeding on the matter.

However, contrary to Omotola’s initial position that she was only owning Mr. Keshi Elvis, the sum of N350,000 only. The defence counsels on behalf of the screen diva have already admitted owning N430,000 while the claimant’s position still holds at N1,150,000 with interest at 21% from 2010 till final liquidation of the money.

The matter has been adjourned to the 9th of July, 2013 for hearing.

Ex-c hild star, Benita stages comeback @ Nnenna & Friend's Children Day show S

he ruled the airwaves in 1998 with her chart-bursting motivational songs Osamudiamen, Child of God and others at the tender age of 10. She also toured a number of massive arenas which had her performing before audiences comprising several highly placed government officials; and now, Benita is staging a return to the music scene with a historic performance at this year’s Nnenna and Friends Children’s Day Show.

Also billed to perform at the upcoming event are Nigeria’s number one comedy troupe Papa Ajasco & Company; world-famous comedian Akpororo; angelic-voiced singer Linda and the multitalented N-Stars; electrifying dance groups Trace and The Commissioners; and the MCs of the day are none other than wapTV’s very own Omo Nla and Mazi Ukpaka.

Nnenna & Friends Children’s Day Show 2013, being the latest in a series of well-attended live shows by the

Nnenna & Friends Brand, has secured the support of top corporate bodies in Nigeria including Indomie Noodles, Ribena, Promise PE Gold, Toasties Bread Chips, Panda Paracetamol, McVities Happy Faces and many others who will all ensure that there are lots of gifts and prizes to go round.

The Nnenna & Friends Children’s Day Show 2013 will take place at the Theater, Iganmu Lagos on Monday, 27th May, 2013 with Two Shows (12noon – 3pm and 3pm – 6pm) and N500 as the gate fee per show. The event will be recorded and broadcast on wapTV (on StarTimes) across Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Mozambique, Central Africa Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Guinea.

Kunle Afolayan opens up Japan for African films *Screens Phone Swap in Tokyo

A

ward winning actor and movie director, Kunle Afolayan, is making another groundbreaking entry into the Asian movie market as he takes his recent works, “Figurine and Phone Swap” to Tokyo, Japan.

His foray into Tokyo is on the invitation of Cinema Africa, a nonprofit organization established in 2006, to develop understanding and appreciation of Africa in Japan through African films made by African filmmakers or producers.

The film festival billed to take place between May 18 -23, 2013, would screen Phone Swap May 17 and Figurine May 18 at the Auditorium Shibuya, Tokyo. In recognition of his immense contributions and recognition of his works, the award winning filmmaker will be hosted to a dinner by the Nigerian High Commission in Tokyo on the day the festival opens.

The organisers of the festival aimed at introducing African films by African directors, producers, for cultural exchange between Africa and Japan, has also lined up a chain of activities for Afolayan and these include a short speech as a filmmaker and curator, his perspectives on Nigerian film on the opening night and back to back interviews with major newspapers and the nation’s television station, NHK, transmitting to both domestic and global audiences.

In his reaction to the development, Afolayan said: “It is no doubt another groundbreaking opportunity to showcase and promote African cinemas to the Asian world. It will also afford many people to have a direct experience of cinemas in Africa, made by Africans, understand our stories as told by us. Africa and Africans can no longer allow their stories to be told from Hollywood’s perspectives. I hope the African and Nigerian communities in Japan would seize this opportunity to enjoy quality film and let’s celebrate a new beginning in African cinema.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013—35

08111813022

Ibinabo relives memories

of her prison diary

E

x-beauty queen, Ibinabo Fiberesima went emotional last Sunday when she relived memories of the circumstances that led to her imprisonment about four years ago for manslaughter, following the death of a medical doctor, Suraj Giwa.

She spoke last Sunday at Xovar Lounge, a celebrity hangout located in Lekki, Lagos

while being honoured by the management of the outfit as the first female president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN. The occasion afforded her the needful opportunity to address some of the burning issues that affected her life and career in the past. It was a moment of retrospection that Ibinabo was looking forward to, and she did not disappoint.

Put on the hot seat, the moderator, Segun Arinze, himself former president of AGN took the mother of three, through the tortuous journey of her life. Responding to some of the questions put across to her by the audience, Ibinabo admitted that she went through hell in the past. While her ordeal lasted, she said, she put her trust in God who saw her through. "Because I believe in God, I have been able to stand strong to become who I am today,”she said.

Ibinabo however, disclosed that she is setting up a foundation to cater for the welfare of families of accident victims.

According to her, “I do have a foundation which I’m setting up. In 2006, I had an accident and a medical doctor, Mr. Suraj Giwa died in the process. A lot of things went wrong, I was sent to jail because of the accident. It is quite painful, it’s taking me this long because I needed to find myself again. The foundation is going to be for the families of accident victims. I’m going to get people to talk to them and to heal their wounds. What I went through, I was healed by the grace of God.” The event was classy as it was attended by top notch celebrities including Julius Agwu, AY, Joseph Benjamin, Folunke Daramola, Doris Simon, Klint Da Drunk, Victor Olaiatan, Charles Novia, Fedlis Duker, Gloria Ibru among others.

National TTrroupe ttak ak es theatre akes to schools

T

he National Troupe of Nigeria is set to host the second edition of the annual dramatized storytelling competition for schools. This time, the competition will be held for schools in Lagos and Abuja. The maiden edition of the dramatized storytelling competition which is held in line with the National Troupe’s objectives of providing a platform for the discovery and showcasing of talents featured students from primary and secondary school in Lagos.

The competition is also being held to celebrate Nigeria’s one hundred years of existence. But specifically, the coordinator of the dramatized storytelling competition and Director of Drama of the National Troupe, Ms Josephine Igberaese says the programme is being held this year to also complement the January 18th 1980’s resolutions on storytelling adopted by the conference on folklore held under the auspices of the Centre for Nigeria cultural Studies, the Federal Ministry of Culture and UNESCO to encourage the preservation and promotion of Nigeria folklore.

Billed to hold in Lagos and Abuja in the last week of May and first week of June 2013, the competition, which is opened to primary and secondary schools in and around Lagos and Abuja will begin with the preliminaries and elimination stages.

Yvonne Nelson finds love again

G

hanaian actress Yvonne Nelson may have continued to prove to the world that only Nigerian musicians know how to decorate her heart with love.

After breaking up with Ice Prince and Iyanya in a painful way, the sexy actress has found love again in the arms of another Nigerian musician.

The buzz is that Hypertek signee, Dammy Krane had proposed love to Yvonne, after he released a track in which he totally poured his heart out to the leggy actress.

Yvonne was last mentioned in Iyanya’s ‘Your Waist’ song in which he professes his love for her waist. But unfortunately, the two lovebirds have since gone their separate ways. However, the latest man in Yvonne Nelson’s life at the moment is said to be Dammy. Reports claim that the two have known each for a while, but only started dating about five weeks ago after Dammy appeared in a movie with her.

Yvonne is denying that she’s dating the singer. According to her, the fact that Dammy mentioned her name in his song doesn’t mean they are dating. In response to popular blogger, Linda Ikeji, who broke the story, Yvonne tweeted “You really need to get your facts right sweetie....I wonder where she gets her stories from....like really?? LOL geeeeeeez blogger.”

Linda claimed that Dammy is madly in love with Yvonne, the reason he wrote a song for her called “Really Love You” which leaked last week.

Whether you believe it, or not, it’s however clear that Yvonne Nelson has soft-spot for Nigerian musicians. And this only confirm her earlier comment during an interview with this writer two years ago, when she said that “Ï love Nigerian men.”

AMP honours Oba Fredrick Obateru

By ANOZIE EGOLE

A

n atmosphere of merriment pervaded at the royal palace of his majesty, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan, the Olugbo of Ugbo-nla in Ilaje area of Ondo State last Thursday, as members of the Association of Movie Practitioners,AMP, besieged the palace to bestow honour on whom it is due.

Led by the president of the association, Mr. Zik Zulu Okafor, among the members that graced the event were Steph NoraOkereke, Dan Chris Ebie and many others. They were there to induct Oba Fredrick Obateru as the imperial patron of the industry.

Speaking at the induction ceremony, Zik Zulu Okafor said, the nomination of the Oba as a grand patron of the industry is a way of showing appreciation of the Oba’s philanthropic lifestyle.

He also added that they carefully selected the people before making them their patrons. Among the

people that were made the grand patron were the former president., Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Justice Adbullahi Umar. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo encouraged them for the selection of the Oba as their imperial leader “ we made this selection based on a personality whose life is encouraging and motivating to youths and also a respectable figure in the community. This induction here would be aired in over 40 countries in the world,” Zik said . According to Zik Zulu Okafor, Nollywood shot the first movie with about N300 but now, the story is no longer the same. The industry has employed over three million Nigerians.

In appreciation, the royal Majesty expressed his gratitude to the industry for the honour given to him as the grand patron. He gave a brief journey to fame and said that it is very hard in Nigeria to see a rich man who can trace how he/ she delved into affluence. “I have interest. I have a lot of interest in the industry. I also encourage our youths to always put their integrity first in everything they are doing,” Oba Fredrick said.

36—SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 18, 2013

The first and important aspect is the home a child comes from.

Hardly will you see a home in Nigeria where children grow up effectively

Blame govt,parents for poor raising of children — Ak ande Akande

for more women to participate in

politics.

Let’s talk about your empowerment programme One of the things that triggered my curiosity into the foundation was the fact that I see people in unpleasant conditions. I thought I could contribute my own quota to make the country a better place.

I started the empowerment programme right from my first year in the Lagos State House of Assembly. The empowerment programme had kicked off before I became a lawmaker but on a small scale. But when I came into government, I started on a large scale. The target was to focus on women, youths and students.

Today, there is annual Mathematics Motivational competition and Public Speaking for both primary and secondary schools. The programme is aimed at building confidence in students especially public speaking. It is aimed at helping children to be well coordinated in speech presentations. This initiative came while training my children on public speaking and I felt it is necessary to extend this gesture to other children too. Several children have really improved through this programme. There is empowerment programme for my constituency.

BY EBUN SESSOU

M

rs. Lola Akande is the Deputy Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly. She is representing Ikeja II constituency. She is also a former President of Ikeja Peridot Lions Club under District 404B. In this interview, she opens up on her life, empowerment programmes and how it has helped shaped her life.

What were the lessons you learnt while growing up that shaped your life?

My childhood was interesting. I grew up in a disciplined and loving environment. My father was a loving man and this made life very interesting for me. He gave us the parental care that was necessary for our upbringing. I went to school in a comfortable environment and there were no problems paying my school fee.

My father taught us to be content with what we have. He also taught us to reach out to people especially the needy.

Another opportunity I had was when I went to University of Ife which is now known as Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU. I studied Botany. I had a lasting memory and I believe that anyone who passes through such environment must be able to cope with any situation in life. I remember a scenario when I went for my MPA in University of Lagos, UNILAG. As a Public Administration Student, I studied Public Policy which involves statistics. After the examination, about half of the class failed the course. But, because of my background, I passed. My performance was outstanding. Apart from the lessons I learned in University of Ife, I was brought up in a disciplined environment from my childhood to adulthood. To that extent, I had a very good foundation. ...And children without good foundation?

It could be examined from different perspectives. The first and important aspect is the home a child comes from.

Hardly will you see a home in Nigeria where children grow up effectively.

The fact is that parents are always busy struggling to survive. Most of these parents are on the road as early as 5a.m, not because they really want to but because the economic situation in the country has forced them to be on the road. They don’t even have time to look after their children’s assignment. They are not there to guide their children.

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*Mrs Akande ... At a stage, I was frustrated but I didn’t lose hope.

Those who have the time do not deem it fit to go to their children’s school to know how they are faring. Hardly would you see parents attend their children’s ‘Open Day’ in school to know how they are faring or find out about their general behaviour.

As much as parents should be blamed for this , the government should be blamed more on this issue.

Nevertheless, there is enlightenment and educative programmes going on at the Lagos State House of Assembly by lawmakers to improve their standard of living.

Tell us how you started?

I was a teacher for seven years after which I went into private business.

While I was teaching, I decided to make an impact on the society. Those days, things were generally bad in the country. One of the issues which is still in vogue was the fact that graduates wander about without jobs. For me, there is a way to rectify the abnormalities in the system so as to be able to reach out to people and that was why I resigned and started my private business.

It was during that time that I did my MPA in University of Lagos. I knew what I wanted and I was ready for it.

I joined politics in 1996 during SDP and I contested several times but I lost.

Yet, I did not relent. I developed confidence and boldness and I believe, this has helped me in my legislative business though, I am still learning till date.

How did you feel when you contested several times and failed?

I was frustrated but I didn’t lose hope.

The fact is that people were always ready to step on one’s way but I was never discouraged. I knew what I wanted.

Despite those frustrations, I enjoy every bit of the activities and I know that nothing good comes easy. While some were struggling to battle for certain positions, others were lucky to get it at ease.

I did not give up because I know that I will win tomorrow. Life has taught me to be focused.

As a woman, was there a time you felt inferior especially contesting with the men folk?

I did not feel inferior for a second, although I experienced it. I remember when I came out during the UNCP days.

I had a flier which indicated, “the place of a woman....” I never thought of the negative interpretation. And I thought people would understand my passion or read my mind that the place of a woman is in the House of Assembly. But when people especially the women folk interpreted it, it was sad. They said, “the place of a

woman is in the kitchen”. Then, there was little enlightment on women participating in politics.

People believed that the place of a woman should be in the kitchen, taking care of the household.

At the end, I won the election through the help of the youths.

Some of the women who believed in my dream also voted for me.

Since then, several women have been coming out but there is need

Recently, 140 people were taken through different vocations including paint making, weavon making, pink oil, soap-making and I intend to empower them so as to be selfemployed and some of them have started already. I also empower widows, old people and youths. We also gave out different empowerment equipments including refrigerators, generators, coolers, crates of drinks, grinding machines, sewing machines, hair driers, computers and gas cookers. Some industries assisted us in giving out those products.

When I was in Lion’s club, my pet project was to construct library and to stock it with books in Omole Grammar School. I was able to complete the project. If I had opportunity, I would have done more.

How do you evaluate your successes?

At the end of the course, those who are trained should be able to train others. It is not enough to give people money but there are measures put in place to evaluate the successes of these people. Although some of them do not make proper use of the money they were given, those who spent their money wisely would be given a second chance.

The only challenge is that, there are limited funds earmarked for this project and because, the resources are scarce, the money must be distributed wisely. ...And your fulfilment in life?

God's intervention has helped me.

No matter how much one tries to reach out to people, unless God is on your side, you might not be able to make any impact. But, if God says Yes, nobody can say No.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013—37

Beyonce Knowles’ finally dismisses pregnancy rumour

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Kree Harrison and Candice Glover

‘American Idol’ finale, will Candice Glover or Kree Harrison win?

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By :IYABO AINA

t wasn’t country versus soul, it was soul versus soul, as Kree Harrison and Candice Glover faced off on Wednesday May 15 in the first all-female ‘’American Idol ‘’ finale in nine years.

The contestants sang three songs for one chosen by “Idol” producer Simon Fuller, one that will be their winning single and one chosen by the contestants themselves as their favorite song of the season.

Harrison was up first with her version of Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel,” and Glover followed with Adele’s “Chasing Pavements.” Randy Jackson called the round for Glover “at least she took the song and tried to make more of it,” he said but he wasn’t blown away by either performance. Both songs were “a little sleepy, if I’m being honest,” Jackson also said.

In round two, Harrison debuted her would be single, “All Cried Out. Glover’s song, “I Am Beautiful,” was more melodic, more immediately C M Y K

catchy and more uplifting and was given a grander presentation, with images of fireworks bursting behind her as she sang the song’s empowering chorus . Keith Urban, who wound up giving the round to Harrison, said both songs were “tailormade” for the contestants.

Nicki Minaj who said she felt Glover won the round said Harrison’s song made her “reach down in the gut” more than ever but thought Glover’s song spoke more to her personal journey on the show.

Harrison saved her biggest fireworks for her final performance, a revival of Patty Griffin’s “Up to the Mountain.” Backed by a full choir, she belted the song and brought the four judges to their feet. “That right there is a winning kind of performance,” Jackson told her, while Urban called the song “absolutely beautiful.”

Glover brought the house down to close the show with her version of “I Who Have Nothing’’ opening the song

atest gist gathered was that Destiny ’s Child member was recently hit with pregnancy rumor following her interview on “Good Morning America “ during which she said she would love to have another kid to keep Blue Ivy company.

Queen Bey and husband Jay-Z seems not rushing to have baby No. 2 because “it wouldn’t make sense for her right now while on tour,” according to a source , “Beyonce and Jay are planning for another baby after her tour is over .”

Speaking at the ABC breakfast show , she said “I would like more children. I think my daughter needs company at some point, when it’s supposed to happen,” adding that she enjoyed being a big sister to Solange Knowles , who’s also a singer. “I definitely love being a big sister.”

Beyonce was first rumored expecting a second child after she attended the punk-themed Met Gala in New York. She was reported hiding her pregnancy curves in a black-and-gold regal Givenchy gown accessorized with a highwaisted belt.

a cappella while enveloped in smoke before lighting up her full scorched earth vocals. “That girl can plum-flat-out sing” said Jackson, offering his final Idol critique.

After praising Glover ’s “powerhouse” vocals, Urban told her, “That song is like a planet exploding to life.”

Voting lines were set to be open for four hours following the show. As on Thursday, “Idol” will crown its first female winner since Jordin Sparks in 2007.

Beyonce

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez buying $10 million Hamptons Estate

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ust a day after news broke that her ex, Marc Anthony , dropped $2.5million on a 6,000 square foot Los Angeles area mansion, Jennifer Lopez has one-upped her former husband, making news for plunking down four times that amount for a whopper of an estate in the Hamptons.

Also the 43-year-old songstress, her much-younger beau, 24-year-old choreographer Casper Smart; and her 5-year-old twins, Max

and Emme, visited the mega property several times recently, and Lopez has finally decided to take the plunge and buy the property, which is located in Bridge hampton, New York, near Mecox Bay. The Post reports the place previously rented during a three-month summer period for a breathtaking $425,000. It was listed for sale at $9.95 million.

According to the listing, provided online by real estate website Zillow , the custom

home built nine years ago provides something that’s probably pretty important to J.Lo privacy, touting that it’s “guaranteed” thanks to a “private cul de sac.” The eight-bedroom, seven-and-ahalf bath manse spread over 8,500 square feet on three acres also features a theater, sauna, steam room pool, pool house, and two adjacent lots just perfect for building a guest house and tennis court.

The listing also includes two words the rest of us probably don’t associate with a $10 million home.

38—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013

Sunny Ade’s ex-guitarist jailed for drug trafficking

2face, Ice Prince nominated for 2013 BET awards

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

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usic sensational act, Tuface Dibia and Ice Prince have been nominated for the 2013 Black Entertainment (BET) Best International act award taking place at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on June 30.

The two Nigerian music stars were nominated alongside R2bees from Ghana, Radio and Weasel from Uganda, Donald from South Africa, and Toya Delazy from South Africa.

The award ceremony will hold June 30, as FYI, Drake leads this year’s awards with 12 nominations.

Tuface as you are aware, is no stranger to grabbing international awards. In 2011, he had shared this same award with the Koko master D’banj and Ice Prince. Although nominated in this category in 2012, lost it to Wizkid and Sarkodie.

Toya Delazy (South Africa), Donald (South Africa), R2Bees (Ghana) and Radio and Weasel (Uganda) are other African artistes also nominated in the category this year.

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*Ice-Prince and 2Face

Rebranded Addy’s video set to hit airwaves

By JAPHET ALAKAM

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t is going to be a plus for lovers of gospel music, especially the numerous fans of fast-rising gospel artiste and kid prodigy, Adline Olayinka Maham, a.k.a Addy, as the promoter has concluded plans to release the video of her debut album titled The Beginning.

The SSS1 student of Loral International Secondary School, Festac Town, who started her music career at the age of six with the Assemblies of God Church, LASU, Ojo, hit the air waves with her six- track album titled The beginning. The album which contains songs like Mama Oyoyo, Mo Le Jo, I’ll Sing Songs To You, I

nka *Adline Olayi M ah am

Adore You among others, are already enjoying air play in some radio stations in Lagos. Ever since then, the young Addy has been performing at various musical shows, radiating the aura of a star blessed with melodious voice.

Addy who turned 11 recently, was full of excitement while celebrating her birthday amidst pomp and pageantry at the studio. She disclosed that her love for gospel songs and the way artists perform on stage influenced her choice of music. Addy who is grateful to her fans for supporting her music career, promised never to disappoint them. She hinted of her plans to release more inspiring songs that will glorify God in future.

ing Sunny Ade’s ex-guitarist, Fatoke Abiodun who was unceremoniously retired from his band about six years ago, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos for drug trafficking.

The 62-year old veteran guitarist was arrested on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 with 1.575kg of cocaine while trying to board an Air France flight to Italy at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The drug was discovered in the false bottom of his luggage during the screening of passengers to Italy. He was reportedly sentenced to three years imprisonment last Monday.

Fakoke pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful exportation of cocaine.

He played for King Sunny Ade for 30 years before he was unceremoniously retired in 2007.

Meanwhile, all attempts to get reactions from Abiodun’s former band members proved abortive as Sunny Ade’s aides hitherto declined to comment on the matter.

Manny Eke drops new single

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ver green singer, Manny Eke a.k.a Chief Chef of Naija, has released a new single titled ‘Okele’ much to the delight of music lovers and fans.

The new track signals the kick-off of a novel initiative which seeks to provide food for all Nigerians. This initiative would be championed by CHEFAAD, a nongovernmental organisation responsible for soliciting and educating citizens on the need for food availability.

The self acclaimed Afro Naija singer, Manny Eke is no stranger to the Nigerian music scene having been in the industry for the past three decades.

The artiste will partner government at all levels, corporate organisations as well as private individuals to support and provide food for the less privileged in the country.

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‘Okele’ A statement by the management of the artiste reads: “our focus on the new song is not just to entertain but to pass a message that will address a vital issue in our society.

This initiative is also in line with the Golden Penny celebrity cooking competition Manny Eke won in 2006”.

He added that, “ we have always looked at how we can strategically align the cooking award to a song that will make meaning to our fans and also drive home some key messages”.

*Manny Eke

*Fatoke Abiodun

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013

Jay Z coming to Nigeria

Ghanaian twins dare Nigerian counterpart …as Glo X Factor opens in Accra

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he world’s biggest singing TV reality show, X Factor, brought to Africa for the first time by Glo took off in Accra to a flying start on Saturday at the Alisa Hotel.

Attendance exceeded expectation with over 1,000 contestants turning up for the audition, giving organizers a hectic time gleaning out the gold amongst the pool of talents available.

The highlight of the first day was the emergence of female twins, Lamberta and Lambertina Hansen, who after qualifying for the next stage declared they were ready to battle the male twins from Nigeria, the DNA Twins all the way for the $150,000 prize money.

In an interview with journalists, the duo who graduated from theAccra Polytechnic and who sing with the stage name Latino said, “We are happy to have sailed through the first day. We are very happy now because we are a step nearer the prize money. We hear there is a set of twin guys who also made it through the Abuja auditions in Nigeria. We are female twins from Ghana and with our parents, family and the whole of Ghana behind us, we wish to send the Nigerians a message that they have a fight on their hands. We will give them a good run for their money.

— 39

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

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merica’s music superstar, Shawn Carter, a.k.a, Jay Z will be storming Nigeria as part of his African tour come October, this year.

Married to Beyonce Knowles who is one of the highest earning musicians in the world, Jay Z reportedly announced his world tour last Thursday, and the tour will include performances in seven African cities, including Lagos.

The tour is expected to take off on Monday, September 9 in Poland, with performances in Accra, Lagos, Cape Town, Luanda, Durban, Johannesburg and Dar Es Salaam. His highly anticipated performance in Lagos is scheduled to hold on October 9, at Ocean View restaurant, Victoria Island.

In 2006, he and his wife, Beyonce, were hosted by the former Governor of Kwara state; Bukola Saraki, who named a street after the American rapper in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital. Jay Z was also part of the ThisDay Music festival with a host of other global music icons that stormed Lagos to be part of the event.

Why D’Prince parted ways with manager,Teebillz

BY ANOZIE EGOLE

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avin artiste, D’Prince has parted ways with his manager, Teebillz, who is also Tiwa Savage’s manager and fiance.

The two who were in the UK about two weeks ago to shoot two videos for Tiwa, reportedly ended their business relationship as soon as they returned from the UK. D’Prince made the announcement via Twitter a few days ago, noting that he is now being managed by Sunday Are who doubles as singer Omawumi’s manager.

Reports claim that D’prince parted ways with Teebillz because “Teebillz didn’t really have time to commit to managing him. He wants to concentrate on the business management of his label and leave

artiste management alone for now. He’s busy with too many projects and they decided D’Prince should move to Sunday Are”

Bolaji Rosiji rewards loyalists *Lamberta and Lambertina Hansen

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ormer PMAN president and the Executive Director of Gauranga Foundation., Bolaji Rosiji is bound to be the centre of attraction next Saturday as he plays host to a numerous celebrities who will be storming the Aquatic hall , Waterparks, Ikeja, Lagos, for the 3rd edition of the Gaurapad Empowerment Awards.

Rosiji since vacating office as PMAN president a few years ago has gone under ground. But hosting his fellow entertainers at this august gathering will however, signal his dramatic return to the social circuit.

The award ceremony, which doubles as the 1 st anniversary of the foundation, is designed to reward those individuals who have supported the foundation in small measures in achieving its set goals.

According to Rosiji, prospective

awardees will be smiling home with items ranging from fridges, television sets to getting a car gift and parcels of land.

Celebrities who are expected to grace the occasion include, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Aki and Pawpaw, veteran musician, Fatai Rolling Dollars, Jide Kosoko, Daddy Showkey, Daddy F r e s h among others.

Bolaji Rosiji

40—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013

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SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 18, 2013—41

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42 — SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 18, 2013

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SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013—43

PHOTO NEWS Governor Adams Oshiomhole conferred with a traditional title of Oshiosinua (divine redeemer) of Afemai land Traditional rulers in Edo North Senatorial district, on Saturday, May 11, conferred a traditional title of Oshiosinua (divine redeemer) of Afemai land on Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State at a well-attended ceremony held at the Auchi Polytechnic Sports complex. The Governor thereafter held a thanksgiving mass at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cathedral, Auchi. The events attracted dignitaries from all walks of life

Royal fathers in Edo North turbanning Governor Adams Oshiomhole as the Oshiosinua (divine redeemer) of Afemai land

From left: Prof Julius Ihonvbere, Secretary to State Government; Rt Hon Uyi Igbe, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly; Senator Domingo Obende and Governor Adams Oshiomhole

Bishop Gabriel Dunia blesses Governor Adams Oshiomhole at a thanksgiving mass

The Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, His Excellency Ambassador Eheneden Erediauwa, Edaiken N'Uselu and HRH Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Haliru Momoh C M Y K

Royal fathers in Edo North and Governor Adams Oshiomhole after his turbanning

The Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, His Excellency Ambassador Eheneden Erediauwa, Edaiken N'Uselu (right) and Governor Oshiomhole

Governor Oshiomhole and Senator Domingo Obende

A cross section of royal fathers at the thanksgiving mass

Governor Oshiomhole and the Ogieneni of Uzairue

Women who added spice to the ceremony

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44 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013

Regretting that bet Sir Richard Branson forced to dress as a stewardess after losing wager with Air Asia chief. He might be one of the most powerful men in the world, but Sir Richard Branson was the brunt of a thousand jokes as he donned a skirt and a full face of make-up on a flight to Malaysia. The billionaire entrepreneur swapped his boxer shorts for a pair of stockings after losing a Grand Prix bet with AirAsia chief executive Tony Fernandez two years ago. The Virgin boss —who even shaved his legs for the flight — served drinks and pledged to clean the toilets on the special flight —all while sporting the red AirAsia uniform, which included a skirt suit and crisp white shirt

Stunning hairstyles inspired by slavery Women do battle with their children’s plaits in colourful Colombian hair contest.

Brightly coloured fabrics weaved into hair during competition in Cali.

Contest showed off vibrant styles of country's Afro-Colombian population. Eye catching styles were developed during period of slavery in Colombia

SATURDAY Vanguard ,MAY 18, 2013 — 45 Vanguard,MAY

The trivialities in Oshiomhole’s age and National Award withdrawal

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s a reader of Nigerian dailies, I came across the name, Sufuyan Ojeifo, though I fell in love with him, because of his critical views on national issues and societal ills. Also, one Chief Dan Orbih’s voice has been against his state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole.

These two Nigerians recently called for the withdrawal of Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s national award of Commander of the Order of Niger (CON), and have petitioned the Inspector General of Police alleging a case of forgery or perjury.

As a Nigerian, I felt so concerned that with all the ills, corruption and threats of war... which calls for a collective effort to stemming these tides, these two persons have concentrated their attacks on the Edo State governor.It was in August last year—2012, when Vice President Alhaji Mohammed Namadi Sambo celebrated 58th and or 60th birth day.

Two dates that belly-ached me about this fine Architect’s date of birth. That very day, two versions of advertorials were published. One bore two years above the other and the latter, two years less.

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s a non conformist and antiestablishment, it was William Shakespeare’s titled that ran through my mind, “Much Ado About Nothing; a comedy about two pairs of lovers, Benedick and Beatrice, and Claudio and Hero. One engaged in a very “merry war”; showing their disdain of love, like the one exhibited by Dan Orbih’s PDP against Oshiomhole.

Still on the Shakespearian contrast, Claudio and Hero were sweet young people who are rendered practically speechless by their love for one another as in the one that now exists between Oshiomhole and Edo people.

But an attempt is made by means of

“ nothing”... gossip and rumour, through the instrumentality of a Constable in Abuja, who is a master of malapropisms, and an engineer of evil trickery and treachery.Though, I am jobless, why should I preoccupy myself with vain things and inanities?

I rather than ask for the resignation of the Vice President who incidentally is not the root cause of my present predicament but who coincidentally registered with the party that is undeniably our present albatross.

But some, like Orbih, Ojeifo and Urhogide will smart for it since Oshiomhole created a big hole in their pocket, rendered them jobless and caused them political pains. For there was never yet any among their ilk that

,

By CEPHAS OZIOTU

So reading through some of our leading national dailies on the Vice President’s birthday got me puzzled about his true age.

Some messages stated that he is celebrating his 60th while others claimed the message of 58th birthday. I agree, totally that some information about our leaders need to be accurately documented for records and posterity sake but does not determine the eligibility for a public office if a case of forgery or perjury has not been established as in Oshiomhole’s and Sambo’s.

On the popular online resource site, Wikipedia, the Vice President age is confirmed to be 58 last year August. The questions of the day

I agree, totally that some information about our leaders need to be accurately documented for records and posterity sake

could endure the tooth ache patiently—a party that hath had losers who are won’t to commit flat burglary, as ever was committed.

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he Vice President has every reason to be one of the happiest man on earth every 2nd of August. It’s the birthday of the Nigerian number two man, and one of such days was Wednesday,August 2, 2012. So is Adams Oshiomhole on every April 4.

He was born in 1952.I had also say Hurray! to our dear Vice President however, I am truly confused about this Alhaji’s exact age but I won’t make a mountain of it.

Neither is resignation the solution to this conflicting dates of birth nor did affidavit surfaced to clear my doubts.It is the only document that can rubbish the claim in wikipedia, newspapers, birthday cakes, invitation cards and program of event.

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were: where did some of the sponsors of these messages sourced their information from? and which is the genuine age? And like one wise sponsor did; merely sent his wishes without the mention of the age of Vice President Alhaji Namadi Sambo.

Only he, can say, when his mother gave birth to him. The issue is as trivial as those of the village market square.The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON penned a beautiful advert to celebrate the Vice President at 60.

Arc. Mike Oziegbe Onolomemen, Minister of Works and Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, Minister of State for Works contradicted that of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. They both signed 58 for

the Vice President. But, tactically, and capable of falling into the controversial age brouhaha, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Representative refused to join the fray.

He merely expressed his heartfelt without stating the age or the date of birth.

And life went on....even in the midst of my unemployment that the PDP led Federal Government inflicted on me.

When you juxtapose the date of birth controversies surrounding these two public officers, you would agree with me that the onus lies on the man at the centre of it, to correct history for records purposes.

H

e had deposed to an affidavit that he was born April 4th, 1952 and equally, immediately corrected it, during the symposium organized for him by a committee of friends, as if he was reading the minds of those lurking behind to undo him.

The good people of Edo State must watch carefully, to ensuring that government is not derailed.

And that, a clear headed progressive takes the baton of state craft over from Oshiomhole because, this recent call of resignation and withdrawal of national award by the PDP raises a lot of concern. For it so falls out that what we have in Oshiomhole’s government we prize not to the worth, whiles we enjoy it, but being lack’d and lost, why then we rack the value; then we find the virtue, that possession would not show us whiles it was ours.

I am drawn into writing about Oshiomhole today in the hope that Edo people have learnt one or two things about the mystique of political leadership and true relevance from the PDP days and to Oshiomhole’s present: two attributes so inimitably and so daringly.

Oziotu is a member, Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Nigeria

Go v.Obi,Ubah and F alomo w edding Gov Falomo wedding

By OMIFE I OMIFE

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t was reported recently that there has been tension in Anambra State over the attendance of a prominent Anambra personality, Dr. Ifeanyi Uba’s sister ’s wedding at the Catholic Church of the Assumption, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Saturday, April 20.Traditional rulers, Federal and State legislators and Presidents-General of various communities in Anambra State which the State governor is not happy about.

If it is indeed true the governor is unhappy, perhaps nobody should blame him because since he was not in attendance at the wedding, it means somebody, must have told him a lie.

A situation where prominent traditional rulers, community presidents-general, legislators, women leaders, youths and students, market executives of various known commercial towns in Anambra State and members of several professional bodies as well as almost every gubernatorial aspirant in Anambra State, name them, left the State and

headed for a far away place like Lagos to attend a mere wedding of a friend’s sister may naturally give room for concern. So if the governor of a State where about 20% of the adult populace of such caliber of persons left for a weeding in a foreign land spits fire and brimstone at those who attended the wedding, perhaps nobody should blame or shout back at him. But that is if anything sinister or conspiratorial against him, his personal interest or his government transpired at the wedding;nothing of that sort happened.

If the governor is actually cross with some people who attended the Lagos event, then it must be the handiwork of gossips,seemly close to the corridors of power. In that case, our governor needs not stress his nerves over the issue except he has metamorphosed beyond the Peter Obi we know – a man who has a very small place in his heart for gossip, but is rather focused and more concerned to transform Anambra State into a socio-economic Eldorado after decades of decay; a battle he is winning as can be seen in the giant strides he has made.

But if for any reason the governor found reason to listen to and believe gossip and lies, then let him hear a true account of what actually took place at Lagos between Ifeanyi Uba and his teeming guests from Anambra and several other States of the Federation, if nothing else, to be sure nobody – traditional rulers, PGs, legislators, name them, went there and indulged in any activity that undermined his personal or political interest”.

This is a man of about 40 years who has established a very big oil industry that has given not less than ten thousand people across the country employment, most of them Anambra people. In the course of interacting with his visitors at various fora during the event, in the traditional manner of appreciating their attendance to his invitation, Dr. Ifeanyi Uba took time off to mention his gubernatorial ambition and promised to use his wealth and experience as a successful business mogul to turn Anambra State into something else from where the incumbent governor stops – how

he would employ the State’s Federal allocation and internally generated revenue from main market, Onitsha, motor spare parts Nnewi, New motors parts, Nkpor, old motor parts, mgbuka, Obosi, Awka main market, electrical stores upper Iweka, Onitsha, Nkwo Nnewi, Ekwulobia market/motor park, Ose Onitsha, Afor Nkpor, Eke Awgbu, Ogbunike building materials, Enugwu Agidi timber shed, etc for the betterment of the State by building enough industries and bringing total industrial revolution in the State, making education affordable for everybody, turning the pains and tears of widows to comfort, pleasure and cheers and many more pledges; how all the industries in the Anambra State will be supported by the government in terms of patronage, continuous power supply, tax rebate and total security; how he would gainfully engage the youths of every community in Anambra State in one way or the other in order to reduce the increasing wave of crime in the State.

•Mazi Omife I. Omife, Mbuze Mbaukwu.

46 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013

CONTROVERSY OVER KILLING OF TRADER IN LAGOS

We released bullets indiscriminately to escape—robbery suspect

By IFEANYI OKOLIE

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n less than a month, h e remains of Eze Okoro, 46-year-old trader who was found dead after a shootout between operatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, Lagos and a gang of armed robbers at IjaiyeOjokoro, will be committed to mother earth but the c o n t r o v e r s y surrounding the death still lingers.

The widow of the deceased, Ugonna Okoro had accused SARS operatives of shooting her husband on the back, killing him instantly in front of his residence. According to Mrs. Okoro, her husband met his t

untimely death few minutes after he returned home from business at about 8.00 pm on that day. She said he was relaxing outside with a friend and his pregnant wife when they were accosted by some policemen who killed her husband.

But the police who gave Crime Guard a different account of the incident explained that they had a gunfight with a gang of armed robbers who attempted to rob a branch of UBA on Osolo Way, Ajao Estate from a nearby hotel and they succeeded in arresting a member of the gang identified as Kabiru Suleiman with an Ak47 rifle.

The member of the gang who was arrested during the bloody operation threw more light into the controversial case.

Kabiru Suleiman narrated his story to Crime Guard at the State police command Headquarters, Ikeja.

He disclosed how members of his gang with another gang planned the UBA robbery. According to him, “I am 28 years old.

I started robbery in 2006 in Mushin area of Lagos State,and I was using Okada, but in

*Late Mr. Eze Okoro

*Suspect 2008, I was arrested for stealing a commercial motorcycle by the police at Area D Command and I was charged to court and remanded in prison.

During my stay in the prison, I had a friend we called Ogbologo and we were very close. He asked what brought me to the prison and I told him that it was a mere Okada theft and Ogbologo felt disappointed. He then promised to make me a big time robber. When I was about gaining my freedom, he gave me the phone number to one of his friends who he said operated with a gang that uses Ak47 rifles.

When I came out, I called the phone number and the receiver identified himself as pencil, he asked where I got his phone number and I told him. He then asked what I wanted from him, I told him that I want to join his gang. He asked if I know how to operate a rifle and I said yes, he asked if I know that the job is a no mercy job and I said yes.

He then sked me to meet him at Ifo in Ogun State for proper indoctrination.

I joined them and I met Pencil the leader of the gang, Ijebu, Saheed and AY. Our gang has three Ak47 rifles and two brownie pistols and I followed them in executing three operations in Abeokuta, Ogun State. I usually don’t follow them to

operations in Lagos State because I don’t want to be spotted by people who might know me, but on March 9, 2013, Pencil called all of us and said that there was a job for us at UBA, and we were to cooperate with other gang that has the job in executing it. Initially, I refused to take part in the operation but Pencil insisted that I must follow them because they needed more men.

I was told that the robbery would be at Ajao Estate, but on our way to the scene from Ogun State, we got information that seven members of the gang we were to assist in the operation had been ambushed and arrested by the police. We quickly turned towards Sango Ota, but before we got to tollgate, Pencil had a change of mind and said he can not leave Ogun State empty handed and return empty handed.

He then said he wanted us to operate in AbuleEgba but we will have to do that at night. At about 5pm and we had our weapons hidden in a traveling bag and we drove to a hotel close to the spot Pencil wanted us to operate. While in the hotel bar, the place was crowed and filled with customers, we bought drinks and drank until 8pm when a member of our gang received a call.

He went outside the bar to answer the call. Few

*Mrs. Eze Okoro

minutes later, he sprinted back, screaming Agbo Agbo, meaning everyone should be at alert that there was trouble. Immediately, we opened the bag and picked our weapons.

Everyone became alert and waited for the police and when they tried to enter into the bar, we shot at them and they ran back outside. All the customers and people working in the hotel started running helter skelter.

Then, we sighted an exit door at the back and Pencil ordered us to use it. He was in front and he started shelling the entire area to provide cover for escape.

Suddenly, my rifle jammed and stopped firing and the policemen swooped on me. But before that, Pencil and others fired indiscriminately as they made efforts to escape

and they did that without minding that the bullet would hit innocent people. While we were desperately firing to create an escape route, I noticed that the police were not even firing back.

Rather, they were bent on closing up on us. If they had fired back, they would have killed me before my arrest. When I saw that they had closed in on my own escape route, I surrendered and raised my two hands.

After I was arrested and hand cuffed, they searched the entire area, they brought the traveling bag we used in conveying the arms to me and they also brought the corpse of a man and asked if I knew him and I said no. Perhaps, that was how it was discovered that an innocent person had been hit by the indiscriminate firing by our leader, embarked on while trying to escape,”he stated.

SATURDAY

EDO TRADITIONAL RULERS HONOUR OSHIOMHOLE:

Why my father honoured Oshiomhole—Crown Prince Eridiauwa

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, Benin City

E

do state stood still last Satur day May 12, 2013 for Gover nor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state, when his people in Edo North senatorial district, known as the Afemai people conferred a traditional title of Oshiosimua (Divine Redeemer) on the governor.

The Auchi Sports Complex where the grand reception held was filled to the brim. It was a very remarkable and joyous occasion as the entire traditional rulers from the five local government councils from Edo North throng out to honour their son. And indeed, they have cause to celebrate for many obvious reasons. This is the first time the senatorial district will be producing a governor despite the fact that the area is blessed with very influential personalities in the persons of the Oshiomhole; the current Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadohme; former Chief of General Staff, Admiral Mike Oghiadohme; Rev.Peter Obadan; Prof.Julius Ihonvbere; Chief Dan Orbih; Inu Umoru; Johnson Arumeme (Arik Air); Raymond Dokpesi; Dr Simon Imuekheme and a host of others. Infact, the people of the area were marginalized under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The only time they tested power was during the military regime, when the late George Agbazika Innih was appointed military administrator but he rarely served up to a year before he was removed following his battle with the Binis of the Edo South senatorial district. The only time the people of Edo North were close to producing a civilian governor was in 1999, when the then military Head of State, Gen.Abdulsalami Abubakar decided to hand over powers to the civilians. The people of the area led by Admiral Akhigbe who was the Chief of General Staff then and late Alhaji Inu Umoru backed the candidature of their son, Ambassor Aziz Garuba, for governorship.

Though admiral Akhigbe was powerful at the Federal level then but the politics of the state then was under the grip of Chief Tony Anenih (Edo Central), Dr Samuel Ogbemudia (Edo South), Chief Gabriel Igbinedion (Edo South) and late Alhaji Inu Umoru (Edo North). But prior to the governorship primaries of the PDP, Anenih formed an alliance with Ogbemudia and Chief Igbinedion and they backed the candidature of the junior Igbinedion, Lucky for governorship. Even though Aziz Garuba was the popular

Prince Ehenede Erediauwa

As a Governor, just as in labour unionism, he is still in the struggle for a society where the will of the people, not godfathers, is the basis of governance candidate for the governorship, the primary was allegedly manipulated to favour Lucky Igbinedion who is from Edo South. As if that was not enough, Anenih wanted late Samson Ekhabafe as running mate to Lucky Igbinedion, while Ogbemudia wanted George Izobo a former National President of the NUJ. The incident infuriated Admiral Akhigbe who immediately ordered his loyalists then, such as Paschal Ugbome, Jarret Tenebe and others to move to the then APP. But sensing the danger that may pose to the PDP, Anenih, Igbinedion and Ogbemudia retreated on the issue of running mate and immediately backed the current Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadohme, who is a core loy-

Gov Adams Oshiomhole

alists of Admiral Akhigbe for Deputy Governor, a move made to stop Admiral Akhigbe from working against their interest.

At the end, Lucky Igbinedion won as governor, defeating the APP candidate, Lucky Imasuen.

After the eight years reign of Governor Igbinedion, the people of Edo North supported one of their sons, Prof.Julius Ihonvbere, who was the Special Adviser on Project Monitoring to then President Olusegun Obasanjo. Again, the PDP leadership led by Anenih backed Prof Osarhiemen Osunbor who is from Edo Central district like Anenih. As expected, the primaries which held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was manipulated to favour Osunbor.

That was how Edo North lost it again under the PDP. But as it seems, God answered their prayers when the AC as it was known then, became stronger in the state following the crisis that engulfed the PDP in the state and the leadership of the party. Luckily for the ACN leadership in the state, Comrade Oshiomhole had just concluded his tenure at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and was ready to join hands in confronting the PDP cabal. After the elections, Prof.Osunbor who is from Edo Central was declared winner but the Court of Appeal later reversed the decision declaring Oshiomhole as the authentic winner of the election. That was how the people of Edo North was able to

Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013 — 47

produce a governor today.

Apart from the infrastructural development Oshiomhole has put in place in his area, he uprooted Anenih’s political empire both in Edo North and other parts of the state and told his people to rely on God and not Uromi for political powers. In terms of projects, there was no meaningful project executed in Edo North before the advent of Oshiomhole but today, his administration has connected all the abandoned communities with beautiful roads.

Many of their people are now in government. He has ensured that Akoko Edo which is the largest Local Government in the area but most marginalized in terms of political position under thePDP now produced a senator. Consequently, it did not come as a surprise when the entire traditional rulers in Edo North led by the Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Haliru Momoh, Ikelebe 111, gathered people last Saturday to honour Oshiomhole. At the occasion which was chaired by the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom and Ediaken of Uselu, Ambassador Ehenede Erediauwa, the Benin Prince described Oshiomhole as the Messiah of Edo politics. Looking at what Oshiomhole has achieved in the entire states so far, that assertion made sense to the people but it made more sense to the people of Edo North who suffered marginalization in the politics of the state before the coming of Oshiomhole.

While addressing the mammoth crowd, the Crown Prince noted that the conferment of the traditional title of Oshiosimua (Divine Redeemer) on Oshiomhole is an indication that his people in Edo North, and indeed all people of Edo State appreciate him for his achievements and say they are solidly behind him to do more for the state. “ we must commend His Excellency Adams Oshiomhole for demonstrating that a free and fair election can hold in Nigeria without the attendant violence. Oshiomhole has become a shining touch bearer and flagship of democratic practice in Nigeria, showing that Nigeria can get to the promise land of a desired level of democracy.

“When I was serving as an Ambassador in Rome I heard that the Comrade had introduced taxes. I spoke to some of his critics on phone that the governor was only implementing existing tax laws, that the payment of tax was a sine qua non in developed countries. I said payment of tax was a necessity for development and that I had confidence the governor will use the tax money judiciously”.

The Crown prince who was apparently responding to the criticisms against the governor from the PDP, advice that “ when Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and his team showed up, a little bird whispered to me that God has finally answered our prayers in Edo State.

At this juncture it was apparent that the much awaited messiah has arrived.We must commend the governor for his relentless effort for combating the godfatherism syndrome in Edo politics which I hope other parts of Nigeria has drawn a lesson from.

48 — SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 18, 2013

2015:

Anenih’s agenda for Jonathan

CHIEF Anthony Anenih’s capacity for doing the political impossible is legendary. Last Sunday he got on his marks for the challenging job of selling President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

*Anenih: Seeks a new system of choosing presidential candiate home people to stand up for him.

Their endorsement of him was unwavering and that was despite mutterings of sectional patronage allegedly dispensed by the president and his inner circle.

Chief Anenih, who was recently appointed as the chairman of the Board of Trustees, BoT of the party led the charge in mounting the offensive for Mr. President.

His charge articulated in a 1,978 word speech was firm.

He called on the party faithful to rally behind party and president in the face of what he described as an unprecedented onslaught which according to him has seen opposition parties mount an orchestrated negative profile of the president.

“One major issue which has been of concern to me is the persistent negative profiling of the administration of President Jonathan. A well-oiled wheel of insidious media propaganda has been tirelessly churning out sinister information about the Jonathan Administration for the purpose of destabilizing (eventually replacing) his Government,” Anenih submitted.

Noting how some PDP members from the zone had either consciously or

,

WITH a reputation stretching back twenty years as a political enforcer, Chief Anthony Anenih was certainly in his elements last Sunday at the closed door caucus of the South-South of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Inside one of the halls of the new Government House in Asaba, Delta State were three governors, a deputy governor, a couple of senators and members of the House of Representatives and PDP chairmen all from the SouthSouth gathered for a caucus of the PDP zonal caucus.

At the last meeting of the caucus in Port-Harcourt few weeks ago, the issues of party solidarity and focus were overtaken after one of the governors in an aside, verbally volunteered one million naira to PDP state chairmen after one of the governors expressed the people’s desire for patronage.

But this time with the venue changed and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State in charge, neither comfort nor carriage was allowed to sidetrack from the burning issues affecting the party and the people.

The South-South which until recently had been regarded as a political orphan having never held the position of president or vice-president of the country, had come around in 2010 when Dr. Goodluck Jonathan emerged as president of the country after serving for two years as vice-president to Alhaji Umar Yar‘adua who passed away in midterm.

The ascension of its son into the country’s highest office and the prospect of him going for his own term in his own accord was fully resisted by the northern establishment stretching the quiet but long standing accord that had existed between the people of the Niger Delta and the core north in prior political dispensations.

With the body language of Dr. Jonathan apparently fixated on a second term, and a section of the north stoutly resisting him through verbal attacks and some through the Boko Haram insurgency, last Sunday ’s caucus meeting offered an opportunity for the president’s

*President Jonathan: Gets robust support from home

The policy which invariably would mean automatic second term for president and governors

unconsciously given heed to the act of the opposition, Anenih added: “Unfortunately, some of these political enemies have PDP members as accomplices. What the anti-Jonathan forces are doing is to create tension in a desperate bid to unsettle and disrupt the Administration.

Any of our brothers and sisters being used to play mischievous roles should be dissuaded from doing so.”

However, even more pointed was Anenih’s subtle effort in setting the tone for the debate for a change in the party’s mode of selecting its presidential and gubernatorial candidates.

Noting what he said was the rancour that normally shadows the nomination process, Chief Anenih said: “Our party primaries have, over the years, been the most serious sources of rancour and disunity in our ranks. Almost two years

,

are devoted to pre-election processes for political offices and another two in managing postprimaries/election bitterness and disunity.”

“We invest so much resources and energy fighting ourselves in the primaries that should have gone into the larger battle against our political rivals. We cannot continue this tradition of internal warfare. We must not live under the illusion that we can fight ourselves to the finish and hope that we can continue to have enough energy left to win elections.”

“We must evolve a new system of selecting our flag-bearers at the Presidential and Governorship levels that would preserve our unity and reserve our energy and resources for the greater battle for political power.

We must seriously consider this in order to avoid frictions and acrimony in the overall interest of our party and the nation.”

Though he did not out rightly

make a suggestion on a rancour free nomination process, his assertion falls in line with the increasing suggestion for the adoption of the principle of affirmation or the right of first refusal that has lately been suggested by elements sympathetic to the presidency.

Under the policy, the incumbent president and governors in the party would be given the opportunity of first rejecting a second term before a replacement would be considered. The policy which invariably would mean automatic second term for president and governors elected by the party is bound to exercise a great lot of debate and possibly heat up the polity.

It would mean good or bad, Nigerians would be stuck with a bad president and bad governors who would only vacate at their own pleasure. Mr. Anenih may have fixed so many things in the past, but fixing the automatic return of a nonperforming governor or president rings like a bad omen. The Esan High chief is remembered for his 2003 admonition that all PDP governors would return. Chief Lucky Igbinedion returned in Edo and gave birth to the Adams Oshiomhole phenomenon which has invariably sullied his national reputation in his birth place!

SATURDAY

Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013—49

Ekweremadu at 51 - a profile in grace

By Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia

G

race is the kindness that only God bestows. It is a divine blessing or an unmerited favour from the Almighty. It is the extraordinary phenomenon that enshrouds a person, making it possible to surmount various life challenges.

Further research indicates that almost all the virtues of life issue from grace.

A look at both the cardinal and the theological virtues; prudence, justice temperance, courage, faith, hope and love reveal that none of the above virtues can be possessed by a person without the special spark of God. The grace of God becomes the substance mostly sought after for a meaningful life.

To this end, a fall from grace is to lose dignity that may lead to a disgrace. It is a fall from the sacred to the profane, the edifying to the stultifying and from the sublime to the ridiculous. A fall from grace is the loss of the solemn radiance and a stripping of the divine aura.

Grace is the je ne se pas that explains the mystery behind the profound accomplishment by a few in various areas of life that present enormous challenges to others. On the other hand, while most men grope in the dark or in their shadows, only the favoured encounter self realization and attain their full potentials in life.

The grace of God is the most suitable vortex that underpins the life of His Excellency, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, CFR, the Deputy President of the Senate and the Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Ike Ekweremadu was born on May 12, 1962 into the royal family of His Royal Highness,Late Igwe Mathias Ekweremadu, the Okwaa Anekeoji 1 of Mpu, Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Lo, the birth of every child is an epiphany of hope wrapped in a canvass of diverse possibilities. As hard as parents may strive for an upward social mobility of the child, it requires the grace of God to twang the transcendental cord that excites the critical elements in the child for self awakening. Thus, while his peers at a very early age floundered, Ekweremadu flourished with a clear vision of his life mission. He pursued the vision with incandescent passion, valour, candour and honour.

For instance, Ekweremadu attended and left primary school as the teachers delight. He proceeded to St. Dominic’s Secondary school, Ugiri, Imo State and Boys Secondary School, Umueze Awkunanaw and obtained a Grade 1 in West African School Certificate. He pursued a course of study in Law at the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and earned LLB and LLM; and a BL from Nigerian Law School, Lagos. He also attended the Harvard, USA and the Oxford University for further trainings.

Only the initiated will appreciate that to achieve a sustainable success and

Ike Ekweremadu

Ike Ekweremadu is simply a colossus, purveyor of morals, the Angel of history that has been so anxiously awaited, the peoples Prometheus, jinx-breaker, visionary, reflective scholar and a soldier of democracy stability in politics requires a combination of vision, passion, courage, intellect, humility, sagacity, perseverance, godliness and character. It is the consistent application of the above set of variables that incubates grace which is the summary of virtues.

As a little known courageous young adult from a far less known community, Ekweremadu dedicated his life as a change-agent that would transform his abjectly neglected area to national limelight.

Equipped with a frontier spirit and Law degrees, he set out to restructure the psychology and consciousness of his people through the chairmanship of Mpu Town Union. And later, he was elected the Chairman of Aninri Local Government Council. His excellent performance earned him the Best Council Chairman of the year, in

1997.

Based on his stellar pedigree, he was appointed the Chief of Staff, Government House and subsequently the Secretary to the Government of Enugu State. He ennobled the two offices with remarkable skill, exceptional diligence, elegance and panache. He demonstrated an extraordinary acumen in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

In 2003, Ekweremadu was elected a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to represent Enugu West Senatorial District on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reelected in 2007, and also in 2011. A peculiar South-East enigma each election recorded less resistance than the previous one.

In the Senate, he was elected the Deputy President of the Senate in 2007 and also in 2011. He was also elected the First Deputy Speaker, ECOWAS Parliament in 2007 and Honourable Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament in 2011.

A prodigy in Parliamentary practice, Ekweremadu has several motions and bills to his credit. Furthermore, he is the Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the 1999 Constitution Review. The widely acknowledged free and fair election of 2011 owes its credibility to the Electoral Reform facilitated by the Constitution Review Committees of the National Assembly.

He is a detribalized patriot whose love, dedication, sacrifice and passion for Nigeria are legendary. A man who canvasses the centrality of morals in the dynamics of power. A classic public speaker whose incisive contributions in the Senate engender responsibility, nation building and hope.

At the ECOWAS Parliament, Ekweremadu savours with deep emotional attachment that he was unanimously elected as the Speaker, hence the unprecedented unity of purpose in the Parliament. He presides over the Parliament with finesse, statesmanlike verve, diplomatic élan and consummate consensus. He embodies the aspirations of the members. For instance, he has pursued the Enhancement of the Powers of the Community Parliament; Rehabilitation of the Parliament building; provision of office accommodation to all members of the Parliament; institution of Award for Good Governance; Protocol for punishment of coup plotters in the subregion even after office; capacity building for both the Parliamentarians and staff etc. To the Parliamentarians it is a major paradigm shift.

Ekweremadu’s quality representation resonates resoundingly with his constituency. He has parlayed his cognate experience into monumental achievements in Enugu West Senatorial District and beyond.

He has transformed his constituency beyond the rust and tarnish of even the least charitable. He has converted his Senatorial District into a huge construction site with road rehabilitation and construction, rural

electrification, solar lights, water supply schemes, health care service delivery, libraries, computer centres, youth development centres etc.

In human resource and capacity building, the Ikeoha Foundation which he founded in 1997 as a council chairman, complements his constituency outreach through scholarships to indigent students, micro-credit and widowhood support schemes, adult literacy centres, quiz and Ikeoha Football Cup competitions among others.

As an Ambassador of Christ, he has strived to mainstream the youth in his community to God through the All Saints Anglican Covenant Church, Mpu. A church he built and donated to the Anglican Communion.

To his constituents, Ike Ekweremadu is simply a colossus, purveyor of morals, the Angel of history that has been so anxiously awaited, the peoples Prometheus, jinx-breaker, visionary, reflective scholar and a soldier of democracy. He is the exponent of the popular Enugu sentiment who has enlarged the Ikeoha Sanctuary to accommodate persons of diverse needs from all parts of the State.

To any unbiased observer, Ikeoha’s trajectory is a tribute to courage, service, humility, loyalty, integrity, generosity, resilience, diligence and spirituality.

Senator Ike Ekweremadu has to his credit several awards, honours and traditional titles. He was inducted as a Knight of the Order of the Good Shepherd, Diocese of Enugu (Anglican Communion); Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Africa Leadership Award; Doctor of Laws, LLD,(Honoris Causa), University of Uyo, etc. Traditionally, he has been conferred with the Ochiagha Ndigbo (Generalissimo of Igboland) by Eze Nri, the custodian of Igbo culture and tradition; the Ikeoha Ndigbo (Pride and Strength of Ndigbo) by the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, etc.

Ekweremadu holds the national honour of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).

He is happily married to Lady Nwanneka Ekweremadu and the marriage is blessed with four lovely children.

The above qualities foreground the citation for Senator Ekweremadu on the occasion of the award of a Doctor of Laws (LLD), Honoris Causa, to him by the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. According to the University orator, Prof. Effiong, Ekweremadu has demonstrated physical prowess, social renown, political mastery, friendly finesse, character comeliness, marital exemplariness, and dispositional humility.

As we solemnly mark his fifty one years on earth, we join all men and women of goodwill to wish Ikeoha many more years of fruitful service to the nation.

Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia Special Adviser (Public Affairs) to Deputy President of the Senate

50— SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 18, 2013

C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013 — 51

Outgoing FES Country Representative recounts experience •…Says there is virtual and real Nigeria THOMAS Matting is the outgoing Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, FES, Country Representative in Nigeria. After about four years stay in Nigeria where he interacted with organized labour, civil society groups, politicians among others, the 35- year old German who will be leaving Nigeria at the end of this month, spoke with Victor Ahiuma-Young, on his experience in Nigeria.

Excerpts You have been in Nigeria for about four years now, how has it been?

It has been a fantastic experience.

Certainly, not always easy and there have been few crises here and there in the last three and half years. Sometimes, it has been worrying about what will happen, whether the country will remain one or not? It is encouraging how Nigerians always put things together and manage to move on. Personally, it has been a great time and I have made many friends here. We have accomplished a lot with a wonderful team work and I have worked with wonderful staff.

Altogether, it has been a wonderful experience.

You have worked and interacted with different segments of the Nigerian society, the workers, trade unions, the ordinary people on the street, the civil society, the politicians among others. How will you describe the interaction with them?

Well, for workers, it is always natural for us because we are trade union support organization. You know our own root with German labour movement and we believe in trade unionism. So, if you work for FES, you naturally get along because it is like one big international family. It does not matter whether you are a trade unionist from Germany, Nigerian, Indonesia or whatever, you will relate automatically.

That has always been easy and it is like being at home or being part of the trade union family. Dealing with politicians here can be a little more difficult.

There is too much protocol and sometimes, there is big ego involved. But the experience has also been good. I think the advantage is that Nigeria is an open and very friendly country and foreigners are respected here. So, it is easy to get access. I feel like I have easier access than many Nigerians. And then, the experience with civil society has always been fascinating because these are people who work at the grass roots.

Often times, they do not get any benefit, they do not get any money out of it and they just do it for the community.

It is quite encouraging.

Most of your activities with organized labour are centred around capacity building; for the years you have been here, how did it go?

It went well, but there is a lot more to

Matting... I am always trying to be an ambassador for Nigeria and Nigerian people

I heard many negative stories about Nigeria.

Look, since I came, I always say it is like there are two Nigeria; the one that foreigners talk about and the real place do and the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, did not have enough time in the last two years. But, still, I think we are making progress particularly, I think we were able to engage NLC on some very topical issues like industrialization or social protection. I think the stronger NLC is, the stronger it will be and I think it is becoming more and more strategic in its thought, thinking of long term, mid term and short term programes. Still, we will support them for sometime, maybe one day; they will no longer need our support.

What were you major areas of

support to politicians and the c ivil society groups?

For the civil society groups, we also did a lot of capacity building for them because usually, the civil society groups need to spread messages or information such as budget control, they want to train people on how to exercise budget control. So, we help them to do that. For the politicians especially the legislature, that was very interesting after the election because so many new people were elected into the parliament. We worked with labour committees for example and brought members together with organized labour. Some of them after the seminar, came to me and said, I did not know you can sit with organized labour and discuss with labour leaders like that. I thought it was always shut and organizing rallies. But here we are, discussing issues of common interest and things like that. So, sometimes, you just need to bring people together to know them better. We in FES, we are seen as a little more neutral because we are foreigners and some people trust us in a way. When we invite them, they will come. That is quite an amazing experience.

In organized labour, there is problem of organizing the unorganized, the problem of casualisation, employers denying workers the right to join unions and so on. For sometimes now, organized labour appears to have abandoned these workers to their fate. Did you notice this problem ?

Absolutely, we did. On one hand, we work with Federation of Informal Workers of Nigeria, FIWON, we sup-

port them and they always try to engage NLC in their programmes and usually, NLC respond positively. Again, some of the affiliate unions of NLC are very aware of this issue while some are not aware unfortunately. For example, the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, is very much aware of the problem of informal workers and that these people need to be taken care of as well by organizing the unorganized. We have done quite a number of programmes with them on that area and we plan to continue. Also, we are so involved in the Harmattan or the Rain School, this issue of organizing the unorganized took a very big segment out of the training, a very large portion was dedicated to it. I agree that it is a huge problem and I think they need to make a decision at the high level of congress on how to deal with the issue, how to relate with FIWON on the issue, what they can offer people in the informal sector and so on. If they are able to get these informal workers behind them, they would boost Congress’ base by another millions and they can really achieve something for these workers.

What has been the most interesting aspect of your work in Nigeria?

The most interesting aspect is always the traveling. When you leave Abuja and go to one of the completely different area and experience the culture there, also what you hear is much more from the grass roots. I think it is very important that you travel, you engage with people at the grass roots and listen to them because they will always have a story to tell, whether in Osun State, in Lagos State or in Bornu State, Kano State, or wherever, in Warri, Delta State, people have their own experiences and people have their stories to tell.

Before coming to Nigeria, you must have heard one or two negative stories about Nigeria. Have you confirmed or contradicted them?

Sincerely, I heard many negative stories about Nigeria. Look, since I came, I always say it is like there are two Nigeria; the one that foreigners talk about and the real place. Before I came, I was in Ethiopia and the Ethiopians told me, oh my God, be careful, it is a very rude place, very aggressive, they will push you and they will do this and that. Yes, we know that there are problems, we know there is high corruption everywhere and it is very unpleasant. We know the job of the police is not always very fantastic, we know politicians do not often deliver on their promises, the infrastructure is bad, all these are known. Aside all these problems, you will find a very wonderful country, very friendly, very energetic, very engaging, very open and interesting, people want to meet you, they want to talk with you, they want to know about Germany, if they travel because Nigerians like to travel and so on. So, it is like a different Nigeria that some people are talking about. I am always trying to be an ambassador for Nigeria and Nigerian people. Even my replacement that is coming here in September, when she called me and said they are posting her to Nigeria, I said congratulations and I told her that she will have a wonderful

time. Michael Roll, my predecessor did the same thing. I asked him, how can he recommend Nigeria? He said come, it is great and you will enjoy it and I did.

52— SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 18, 2013

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SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 18, 2013—53

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54 — SATURDAY

Vanguard, MAY 18,, 2013

If we don’t desist, it will consume us — Gowon

BY EBUN SESSOU

P

rominent Nigerians have con tinued to condemn the increas ing rate of insecurity and killings in the country. They also frowned at loss of lives and properties in some parts of the country.

Unless, we desist, it will consume us—Gowon Elder statesman, General Yakubu Gowon, former Head of State who spoke with Saturday Vanguard, lamented that the country is degenerating to a level where lives have been devalued and unless we desist from perpetrating evil, the country might not be saved.

According to him, “It is unfortunate that insecurity has become a norm in

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Lai Mohammed the country. I do not know why Nigerians do not value the lives of other Nigerians. Life in this country is valueless and I do not know why this is happening.

“We have lost our religious beliefs, both Christian and Muslim. I cannot honestly understand why this is happening to a country like Nigeria. But, I will continue to pray and advise every concerned individual to value the life of every Nigerian in the country.

“If we do not value one another, then we will destroy ourselves and we will be out of reckoning in this world. I am sad about what is happening and I am praying to God that all those perpetrators of evil will desist from doing so, otherwise, it will consume all of us.

“It is as if our security forces cannot

Yakub Gowon deal with them but it is the people themselves that are ensuring that the country continue to face the toughest challenge of its life regarding insecurity. If everyone desists from evil, I believe we will all rejoice at the end”.

On the effect of insecurity in the country especially in the 2015 elections, he said, “the possibility of the election taking place first lies in the hands of all Nigerians. We must do our best to get everybody to desist from this evil, otherwise, there can’t be free and fair election if we are starting on this note”.

All these are indications of a failed state—Col Umar In his contribution, Col Abubakar Umar said that solving the insecurity issue in Nigeria is a collective responsibility of government and every Nigerian.

According to him, “Tackling serious insecurity challenge should not just be looked at only from the government’s perspective. All Nigerians must put hands on deck to solve this problem.

“The insecurity in the North Eastern part of Nigeria, the kidnappings in the South East, the resurgence of the militancy in the Niger Delta and of course the kidnappings in the South West. All these are indications of a country moving towards collapse or a failed state.

Coupled with that is the kind of politics going on now, the politics of intimidation, tenure for office at all cost. Politicians are not giving us any hope and this is just an indication that there might be serious crisis by 2015”, he added.

On how this problem would play out in the 2015 elections, he said, “Expectations have been raised both for the governing party and the new opposition.

These expectations are not going to be less. I can see what the situation would be if expectations are not met in 2015.

This is the reason why politicians should be careful of statements that are capable of overheating the polity. It will be wise for politicians to begin to think of how this county will survive rather than thinking of winning elections”, he continued.

On the killing of police officers in Nasarawa, he said, “It is scary that 120 policemen can be killed within a few hours. It is either that the policemen were not well-trained or they were not well-equipped to meet this kind of insurgences that are happening in the country or both.

“I believe they are not well trained and equipped which the government of this country must look into holistically. I cannot imagine how a militia group can surpass the police and ambush 120 policemen within a few hours. It is more trouble when you know that the insurgents are using charms. So, government must look at this problem especially in the Northern part of the country.

Col Umar “Apart from that, the Fulani/Tiv rift and the Bama clash had become a major threat in the country and I have not seen enough efforts being made so that these kinds of occurrences are averted.

There should be a deliberate effort by all states government especially in the North to make sure they create ways for Fulanis so as not to trespass into farmlands”, he further stated Reacting to the rift between Northern Elders and Niger Delta Militants, he said, “I do not see why the North should react to Asari Dokubo’s words. By now, people should understand the tactics employed by people like Asari Dokubo. People who are talking about war under democracy are not democrats. In fact, there is no problem between the Niger Delta and the Northerners as we should know. “It is the political opportunists that are thinking of this kind of issue and those who are looking forward to positions in the forthcoming elections. “It is totally unnecessary. I think Nigerians must love one another and they must see this country as a united entity and be working towards its stability for the good of all,not this optimistic warfare or execution that will not serve the best interest of the country. “If Nigeria should disintegrate, even the Niger Delta that has enough oil will suffer serious consequences of instability as well as the North. With this understanding, there is no point engaging in war of words.

“We should all pull back and think of a better country. If Jonathan deserves to win in the forthcoming election, then it will depend on his performances in governing this country in the last six years. I think, the politics of do or die is not in the best interest of this country”, he added.

The development is totally unacceptable and downright barbaric—Lai Mohammed Meanwhile, Alhaji Lai Mohammed National Publicity Secretary Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), said, the party has expressed its condolences to the families of the security agents who were killed by a militia group in Nasarawa state recently, calling their killing brutal and calamitous.

In his reaction, he called on the federal government to cater for the wives, children and other dependants of the slain security personnel so as to minimize the impact of their bereavement His words: “We condemn the rate at which insurgents and militia groups in the country are targeting and killing security agents, the development is totally unacceptable and downright barbaric. “I believe there is need for the authorities to declare a zero tolerance for the killing of security agents by ensuring that those who perpetrate such killings are fished out and brought to justice without delay.

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SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 18, 2013 — 55

NUGA committed to World University Games participation, by Orodele

BY EDDIE AKALONU

S

ECRETARY of Nigeria University Games Association, Bola Orodele has revealed the body was committed to flying the country’s flag at the 27th World University Games in holding from Saturday July 6 to Wednesday, July 17 in Kazan, Russia. The body had budgeted about N80 million being for camping of athletes and participation in the games. Orodele said “ we are still working hard to get the funds with which to send our team to Kazan. We have the conviction to do it as as incentive and encouragement to the students who have trained so hard in the past few weeks and are eager to showcase

their talent on world stage,” he said, adding, though NUGA lacks the funds up till now, we are pinning our hope on a timely intervention by the government, corporate bodies and well meaning Nigerians that they could still do something to assist us take part in the games.” Orodele, who also told Vanguard that NUGA has approved and prepared athletes in four sports namely table tennis, chess, athletics and judo for the games then revealed why the N80 million funding for the trip became a hot issue now “ we ran into troubled waters with funding because we were not captured in the 2013 budget, but the Council has not given up in that

we belief that student sportsmen and women hold the future for sports in the country. Take chess for instance, it is a sport mostly played by university students and those of other institutions of higher learning in Nigeria which is why we accord the sport high priority during selection of sports that would make the games.

We enjoin the government and corporate bodies to bear this in mind and render some urgent assistance so we can send our team to Kazan because money put into studentsports is an investment for the future. It is possible more athletes can be discovered for the country through participation in the world university games.

Abdullahi inaugurates new Sports Federations Boards •Charges them to source funds for their activities

T

HE Board of 22 Sports Federations were yesterday inaugurated by the Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission, NSC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi at the Abuja National Sta-

dium with a directive to them to begin to source funds for their activities as the NSC was no longer going to fund them.

Commending both the elected and appointed new Board members, the

Sports medics laud NSC

M

E D I C A L personnel who attended a three-day sports medicine course organised by National Sports Commission (NSC) in Abuja said the course was an eye-opener for them.

The participants acknowledged that it was also a big opportunity for them to be part of the event.

They noted further that sports injuries could be minimal if the right treatment was given to the athletes and by the appropriate persons.

A senior nursing superintendent, Mr. Ige Emmanuel, stated that they had received lectures on the basic principles in sports medicine.

Sports Minister... Bolaji Abdulahi “The people leading us in this have been abroad to study the course generally, and we are now having the opportunity to really understand sports medicine.

minister said that the NSC was introducing three tiers of support for the federations which will be performance based and this include support for six sports considered the country’s medal potentials in major world sports events.

Stressing that the federations will now appoint their own secretaries, the minister called on the newly inaugurated Boards to work hard to take Nigeria’s sports to the next level to justify their membership especially as they prepare for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil.

He informed the gathering at the inauguration ceremony that the Board of the Handball Federation could not be inaugurated because of a court injunction stopping it.

Responding on behalf of the new Boards, Nigeria’s International Olympics Committee (IOC) member, Engineer Habu Gumel who also returned as president of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, thanked the NSC for a hitch free election and assured the minister that members of the federations would do their best to lift their various sports.

Ogba: A long hard road to travel

A

S the dust settled on the election into the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria last Tuesday, incumbent Solomom Ogba, could only heave a sigh of relief. It was like a marathon race that left all the contestants sapped of all energy.

In the saga that unfolded in Abuja, Ogba, perhaps was the proverbial cat with nine lives. He came face to face with the reality of the unending plot by a cross section of athletics buffs to unseat him as they can no longer stomach his style of leadership. Since 2008 when he mounted the saddle at the AFN, those who felt that his ‘goit-alone’ attitude will not get athletics anywhere, have never hidden their opposition to his reign.

In 2009 there was a plot to impeach the former Delta State commissioner for sports, but he survived the plot due to his political sauvity and it was the same maneuvering that made him retain his position in the hotly contested election. Critics, home and abroad, where already getting set to celebrate his ouster and it

could have been a major upset had it happened.

However, just as Ogba had a multitude of opposition, he also had support in equal number and that was what manifested in the election in Abuja. Twice the polls were tied on 5-5 and there was no letting up by either sides. Violet Odogwu Nwajei, a former president of the federation who could have swung the vote to either side decided to make a forced absence.

She faced a crisis of choice even as she pandered more to the opposition after she was initially omitted from the list of board members as her place was taken by Maria Wophil for the slot of i n t e r n a t i o n a l representatives. OdogwuNwajei is a vice-president of the Confederations of Africa Athletics CAA. After it became apparent that the election will remain deadlocked both parties went back to the ‘war chest’. It was even taking an ethnic shape, but at the end of the day two members of the opposition jumped ship to saved the day for Ogba.

“I knew that Ogba will win. But we really

stretched him, it is clear to him now that he has to run an all encompassing board,” said a member of the board.

Ogba took the whole exercise in good faith and like a sportsman, he has extended his hand of fellowship to his opponents.

“Our board is united.

What happened was necessary for us to have a new beginning,” said the AFN president.

His army of critics for now have developed an attitude of wait and see even as his supporters and sympathizers are giving him a high five.

But the big question of how Nigerian athletics could be revived remains to be answered by the new board. Ogba did his best to get the sport going and it appears that he has to redouble his passion and prove that he was the right choice for the job.

He has been talking about plans to go back to the grassroots. This is a programme that must be pursued with all vigour, because it is plain to see that there are a lot of talents in the country. What is only needed is a sustainable programme that will churn out quality athletes.

Solomon Ogba...

Athletes aim high at Port Harcourt Golden League

T

HE second leg in the series of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria/ Solid Works Golden League will run its course in Port Harcourt today, with participating athletes aiming to meet the standards set for them by the AFN technical committee. After the

fiasco in Benin City where the athletes demanded a downward review of the standards, there seems to be a new focus by those eager to improve on their performances and starting from this morning when the all comers meet is scheduled to hold, athletics officials are

expecting a keen competition.

“We have put behind the Benin episode. This is a world championship year and we don’t need the AFN to tell us to improve before we move,” said a male sprinter yesterday.

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SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 18, 2013

FIFA U-20 World Cup: Don’t blame me if we fail — Obuh *Raises alarm over 5 dropped players

A

By BEN EFE

N

IGERIA Football Federation, NFF officials are not taking lightly, threats by their Kenyan counterparts to frustrate the Super Eagles when they arrive Nairobi for the crucial 2014 World Cup qualification match against the Harambee Stars.

During the first leg encounter in March, the Kenyan delegation accused the NFF of deliberately putting them under stressful conditions and they have threatened to do the same on June 5 when the Eagles fly into Nairobi to rescue their dwindling World Cup hopes.

“We don’t expect the Kenyans to put any obstacles on our way. But we are not taking any chances. We are in touch with the Nigerian High Commissioner and we can handle any kind of eventuality,” said Emmanuel Ikpeme, NFF assistant secretary general (technical).

He said that the NFF and the entire team are fully aware of the importance of the the game and as such the coaches are psyching up their players.

“Our players are professionals and they will be able to keep their cool no matter the psychological warfare.

“If Kenya can come here and score we will also do the same in Nairobi. This is football and anything can happen.

World Cup qualifier:

NOTHER coach of the national team, this time a youth team, may have a face off with his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF. The Flying Eagles are in

camp in Germany preparing for the U-20 FIFA World Cup next month in Turkey.

Five of John Obuh’s players were dropped without his consent. The players were on the list the

Eagles prepare for rough landing in Nairobi “As a federation, we are doing everything we need to do. And this goes for the coaches and players too. We expect nothing short of a win,”

he said.

The Eagles suffering from Nations Cup hangover rallied to rescue a point in Calabar after the Harambee Stars went

ahead. Nigeria, tied on points with Malawi, must win to have a realistic chance of reaching the 2014 World Cup. Kenya are bottom placed, a win

will give them a mathematical chance of advancing depending on the other game between third placed Namibia and Malawi on June 6.

CLIPPED... Nigeria’s Victor Moses takes on Kenyan defenders during the first leg tie of the World Cup qualifier in Calabar.

Today’s matches SPAIN Getafe v Valencia 5.00pm Granada v Osasuna 7.00pm Sevilla FC v Real Sociedad 9.00pm ITALY Sampdoria v Juventus 7.45pm GERMANY B’ Dortmund v TSG Hoffenheim 2.30pm B’ Monchengladbach v Bayern Munich 2.30pm Frankfurt v VfL Wolfsburg 2.30pm FC Augsburg v SpVgg Greuther Furth 2.30pm Hamburg SV v Bayer Leverkusen 2.30pm Hannover 96 v Fortuna Düsseldorf 2.30pm Nurnberg v Werder Bremen 2.30pm SC Freiburg v Schalke 04 2.30pm VfB Stuttgart v Mainz 2.30pm FRANCE AS Nancy Lorraine v Bastia 8.00pm Evian Thonon Gaillard v Valenciennes 8.00pm Montpellier v Lille 2.30pm Nice v Lyon 2.30pm Paris Saint-Germain v Brest 2.30pm

coach submitted for the training tour and we gathered that they were among his key players.

But officials of the federation, we gathered, dropped the players and the coach is said to be fuming over this. The players are still in Nigeria, hoping that the federation would secure visas for them to join the team in Germany.

The players are Lukman Dimiyo, Moses Awala Epele, Bobby Ikpeazu, Ozioma Joseph Maduako and Ezeugo Samson. ’’The coach is outraged that the federation could drop players on his list without informing him,’’ a source said, adding ‘’these players are among his key players.’’

The deadline to submit the team list to FIFA was yesterday but we gathered that Obuh said that he would delay submission, hoping that the federation would change their mind and process the visas for the players.

The feud between Keshi and the federation was recently settled by the sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi who asked the federation to grant Keshi’s request of retaining his coaches.

Sylvanus Okpala was sacked without his consent and Valere Houndinou was retained but only on the basis that Keshi would pay his wages.

After the meeting, the federation stuck to their position. Obuh was owed over one year wages and it took a drama that caught public attention before he was paid. Our NFF source said that Obuh so lamented over the players that he said he should not be blamed for any failure in Turkey.

CROSS WORD PUZZLE Across 1 Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Joseph – (6) 4 Country in North America – (6) 7 Former Minister of Sports, Alhaji Adamu Isa – (3) 8 Greek Goddess – (4) 9 Gombe State Governor, Danjuma – (4) 11 L.G.A in Taraba State – (3) 12 Female Rabbit – (4) 13 L.G.A in Imo State – (6) 15 Italian “Serie A” Premiership Club Side – (4) 17 L.G.A in Oyo State – (6) 20 Super Eagles Media Officer, Ben – (6) 23 Cameroun “Indomitable Lion” Striker, Samuel – (4) 25 Arsenal Manager, Arsene – (6) 27 Akwa-Ibom State Capital – (3) 28 Objective – (3) 29 State in Nigeria – (4) 30 Flying Eagles (U-20) Coach, John – (4) 31 Female Fowl – (3) 33 L.G.A in Anambra State – (6)

Down 1 Super Eagles Left-Back, Elderson – (9) 2 L.G.A in Delta State – (7) 3 Special Adviser to The President on Media Affairs, Mr. Reuben – (5) 4 Nicaraguan Currency – (7) 5 Country in Africa – (7) 6 Japan Prime Minister, Shinzo – (3) 10 Wedge – (3) 14 L.G.A in Enugu State – (3) 16 L.G.A in Osun State – (9) 18 Camerounian Capital City – (7) 19 Super Falcons Striker, Perpetua – (7) 21 Record – (3) 22 Former Yobe State Governor, Bukar Abba – (7) 24 Label – (3) 26 Former Cameroun “Indomitable Lions” Striker, Thomas – (5) 29 Traditional Ruler of Benin – (3)

SOLUTION on page 7

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