Eid-el-Fitr- Presidency moves to avert attacks on Mosques, Churches

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Eid-el-Fitr celebration

Presidency mo o a ac ks on Mosques, movves tto avver ertt att attac acks Churches during Sallah •Jonathan tasks security agencies to thwart plots •Army deploys ‘special counter terrorism forces’

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI, Abuja

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ARING fears and un certainties among thousands of Muslim faithful across the country on the celebration of Eidel-Fitr and intelligence reports indicating that Mosques and other prayer grounds as well as Churches may be attacked by terrorist groups, President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the nation’s security chiefs to work around the clock during the celebrations to counter and prevent any attack.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the Chief of Army staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika has directed the General Officers Commanding the Divisions to put their men on the alert to thwart any sinister plot while the commanders of the joint task forces in the north have received same directives from the Defence Headquarters.

On his part, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar yesterday summoned an emergency meeting involving the Commissioners of Police in charge of Counter Terrorist Unit at Force headquarters; the CP in charge MOPOL, CP Joseph Mbu; the CP Federal Operations; the CP Border Patrol and the CP in charge Federal Capital territory, Adenrele Shinaba whereby specific directives were given on ensuring watertight security across the country.

Disclosing that the Presidency and the security agencies were not taking the threats by the terrorist groups lightly, the source told Saturday Vanguard that both the General Officer Commanding the 1 division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Major General Gani Wahab and the GOC 3 division, Jos, Major General Jack Nwaoga, were par-

ticularly tasked to ensure that perpetrators of any such terrorist acts, were taken out before they strike.

To this end, Saturday Vanguard gathered that the Army has deployed ‘specially trained Quick Intervention’ troops along the Kaduna-Kano Corridor while the Joint Task Force complement in Kogi state which is under his command are on red alert as the state is now assuming a notorious status for the manufacture and distribution of IEDS. General Ihejirika was said to have drummed it into the ears of the GOCs and Corp Commanders that terrorists should never be allowed the space and time to unleash any more mayhem on innocent citizens thereby trying to hold the nation to ransom. Hence, it was time for the well trained, better equipped and visionary Nigerian Army personnel to put the terrorists where they belong.

On his part, the IG yesterday sent out a signal directing all Zonal AIG’s and State Command Commissioners of Police to take adequate measures to ensure the provision of water-tight security across the country before, during and after the celebration.

“Officers and men are to be deployed to ensure that the highways are effectively covered with motorized patrol teams.

CPs are particularly mandated to personally ensure that all places of worship, recreation centres, resorts and other public places are adequately and effectively protected, to enable worshippers and the general public enjoy maximum fulfillment”, the signal said.

In addition, all Zonal AIGs and CPs have also been advised to ensure the provision of 24hr security around all government installations, facilities and other related valuable targets. The IGP warned officers who will

be deployed during the period, to ensure that they comport themselves within the confines of the law. They must be firm but polite, civil and professional in the discharge of their assigned roles, giving due regard and respect to the fundamental human rights of all Nigerians at all times.

The IG emphasized that his commitment and that of his Management Team towards reforming and repositioning the Nigeria Police Force for greater effectiveness and efficiency is irrevocable, adding that by God’s grace, the battle against crime and criminality will eventually be won.

Pix from left: ACP Dan Okoro, Area E Commander, Lagos State Commissioner of Police Mr. Umar Abubakar Manko, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, Executive Chairman Amuwo Odofin Local Government during a visit to the council boss.

On the circulation of of such messages and get 08032003913.

Meanwhile, the Inspecthreat SMS messages to the root of the matter. tor-General of Police, has Shinaba then released warning worshippers and felicitated with Nigerians three dedicated phone picnickers to stay off such places, the CP urged wor- numbers through which especially, Muslim faithshippers and picnickers to the command can be ful, on the occasion of this ignore such messages reached in case of emer- year’s Eid-el-fitr celebracoming on 20th and saying the aim was to cre- gency and when suspi- tion st ate fear and panic among cious movements of per- 21 of August, 2012. He the populace. He noted sons were discovered. specially congratulates all however that the Police They are 08061581938, Muslim faithful for a most and successful Ramadan pewill investigate the source 07057337653 riod.

Sallah shocker: IG approves mass transfer of 50, 000 police officers •over 70% are rank & file •Officers posted to insurgency states threaten to resign

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S thousands of Mus lin faithful braced up for the Sallah celebration expected to begin this weekend, about 50, 000 Police officers made up of the rank and file and a sizeable number of SPOs yesterday got a shocker when they were posted en-masse as a result of the insecurity crises facing the nation.

As a result of the postings which saw many officers including Northerners, Southerners and Easterners swapping their areas of responsibility, some officers who spoke to Saturday Vanguard complained bitterly about the transfer saying ‘they were contemplating whether to embark on the transfer or to put in their letters of resignation as their families are kicking against it.

In particular, some Police officers presently serving in the Southern parts of the country including

Northern officers from crises states like Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Bauchi and Gombe, are said to be among those trying everything humanly possible including lobbying to ensure they did not go to the states to perform security duties.

Saturday Vanguard had reported last week that following the poor performance of some Police officers in the fight against

terrorism and other security challenges facing the nation, the IG directed the Police Management team to carry out a re-organization of the force by ensuring that competent officers were deployed for security duties.

It was gathered that information regarding the mass postings started filtering to the state commands on Thursday and that as at Friday (yesterday) the names of between 5,000 to 6, 000 SPOs, Inspectors and other ranks were moved out from each state command and scattered to other commands.

Sources disclosed that officers from Edo and Delta states as well as those from Anambra state were posted to Kano, Plateau, Borno and Yobe while those transferred from the northern states were posted to states like Benue, Enugu and Abia states.

Consequently, and fearing for their lives as well as those of their families, some policemen who spoke to Saturday Vanguard on condition of anonymity have threatened to resign if the postings are not changed while others have resorted to spiritual help in order to be able to survive in those areas.

We share collectiv e des tin collective destin tinyy — Mark

...As Govs, Archbishop Martin felicitate with Muslims

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ENATE President David Mark has urged Nigerians to be their brothers’ keeper at all times because they all share a common destiny despite ethnic and religious differences.

Mark, who stated this in a goodwill message to Muslim faithful to mark this year ’s Eid-el-Fitr,

noted that peaceful co-existence among Nigerians was an ingredient for development.

The goodwill message was signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja yesterday.

He said that the security challenge facing the

nation was a wake-up call for Nigerians to live more in harmony.

“As a nation, we have passed through travails during the civil strife of the past and triumphed.

“This current security challenge is another phase in our political history. We must all unite to Continues on page 6

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18 , 2012

Ladipo market taskforce seizes 25,000 used tyres

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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HE Ladipo Market Taskforce has seized a total of 25,000 substandard tyres in a renewed enforcement to rid the market of the banned products.

The President General of the market, Mr. Ikechukwu Aimalu, disclosed this yesterday at a media briefing by the Ladipo Auto Central Executive Committee, LACEC,on the state of the market.

Aimalu stated that the mop up exercise was part of measure to ensure 100 percent compliance with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria,SON, zero tolerance on used tyres in Nigeria as well as national interest.

On July 19th, 2012, the enforcement team of SON, led by one Odumosu, stormed Ladipo Market in Mushin to enforce the Federal Government directive on zero tolerance on used tyres in the country but the market leaders appealed to the team for more cordial approach in solving the menace.

Following the appeal, SON on August 1st, 2012 staged an enlight-

enment campaign in Ladipo to sensitize traders and general public on the dangers of used tyres. The SON described used tyres as killers just like HIV/ AIDS syndrome.

According to Aimalu: “In the light of the awareness campaign, LAC EC converged, discussed and resolved to ensure 100 compliance with the SON’s directive. ”Above all,LACEC therefore, appealed to Federal government to

continue with the awareness campaign against substandard tyres in order to cultivate in Nigeria culture of rejecting substandard products and ensure that consignment at the sea ports are properly checked before leaving the ports. ”Also, the Odumosu led SON should embrace civil means in combating the menace rather than employing military and legal mactinations to achieve such.”

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (left) presenting a cheque to the Managing Director of Julius Berger Engr. Wolfgang Goetsch (right) for the construction of some major roads in the State at Government House in Yenagoa.Photo by Lucky Francis

NLC says strike commences immediately after Wednesday’s meeting with Federal Government

BY JOSEPH ARUNKE, Abuja

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HE Nigeria Labour Congress said it has concluded arrangements to call workers in the country out on industrial action as solidarity with workers of the Power holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, whoit said, were being unfairly treated by Ministry of Power over their stand that the right things be done before the planned privatisation of the PHCN by the Federal Government.

It said it had set up strike mobilisation committees across the country preparatory to the planned strike which it said, would commence immediately if there was deadlock in their meeting with the government on Wednesday, next week.

The NLC which addressed the press Friday, in Abuja, through its Acting President, Promise Adewumi and Acting General Secretary, Chris Uyot respec-

tively, on the impasse in negotiation between the workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, and the Federal Government, accused the former of being insincere in settling the dispute.

The union said the Federal government reneged on its demand that soldiers should be called off from the PHCN facilities as well as immediate payment of July salary to all PHCN workers for genuine negotiation to commence, saying it

was not ready to accept any excuse from the government if the next meeting billed for Wednesday does not address its demands immediately.

The labour body also urged the Federal Government to create the enabling environment for a meaningful dialogue just as it asked the government to call the Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji to order, saying the minister has resorted to negative

utterances against the workers. ‘’We call on the Federal Government to do the needful by creating the enabling environment for a meaningful dialogue to resolving the issues by calling the Minister of Power to order, withdrawing soldiers from PHCN offices nationwide, and setting up a high powered committee to sincerely address the legitimate concerns of the PHCN workers”, it said

Eid-el-Fitr celebration

We share collectiv e des tin collective destin tinyy Continues from page 5 end it and move forward,” the Senate President, said.

In the same vein, Governors of Borno, Edo, Ekiti, Kogi and Ogun states have urged Muslims to use the occasion of this year Eid-el-Fitr to pray for peace, progress and security of the country.

In a separate statements issued by the governors on the occasion of the Eid-el-fitri celebration, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno called on Muslims to sustain prayers for the restoration of peace in the state and other parts of Nigeria and use the spiritual rebirth gained in the holy month

of Ramadan to double their commitments to praying for Nigeria, noting that the search for peace is an endless obligation that should be shared by every individual and institution in a progressive society.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state urged Muslim faithful to abide

by Allah’s injunction in all they do, adding that Muslims should sustain the acts of worship and continue to pray the nation and her leaders for God to guide them through this difficult times.

In his Eid-el-Fitri message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, the Governor said: “Having observed strict-

ly the injunctions of Almighty Allah by self-denial through fasting and prayers and by offering Zakat to the less-privileged; and as we continue in the glorification of Allah, we should not forget His words in the Holy Quran 3:134 that ‘God loves the doers of good.”

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state while congratulating Muslim faithful in the country noted that it is only when peace reigns that Muslims and adherents of other religions can contribute meaningfully to the social and economic development of the country and its component units.

In his own message, Governor Idris Wada also

called for mutual trust amongst people irrespective of their religion inclination stressing that it is only in an atmosphere of religious tolerance that peaceful coexistence can be achieved ”We will achieve nothing in an atmosphere of insecurity, mutual distrust, crisis and violence. I enjoined all of us, irrespective of religious believe to pray to God for the peace and progress of our state.” the Governor stated.

The governor who urged the people of the state to be law abiding as they celebrate this year Sallah said he spent a lot of his time in Mecca to pray for the peace and progress of the state and the country.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012 — 7

Road construction: Dickson’s home, among 4,350 houses for demolition in Bayelsa

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA, Yenagoa

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AYELSA State gov ernment yesterday said the home of the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson is among the 4,350 houses earmarked for demolition in some parts of the state due to the ongoing massive road construction proposed for the state.

The government also presented a cheque to road contractors, Julius Berger and others for the various road projects being executed in various parts of the state.

Speaking at the Monthly Transparency Briefing of the State Government, the State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Lawrence Erudjakpor said though the numbers of houses earmarked for demolition have not been concluded and compensation paid, the issue of demolition is

part of the sacrifice expected from Bayelsans for the total infrastructural development of the state.

Erudjakpor said the home of the state governor at the Akenfa suburb of the state along the Mbiama-Yenagoa road has not been finally declared for demolition but the final analysis indicated that it may be affected.

According to him, over 4,000 houses would be demolished in the state capital, while over 350 houses would be demolished in the home town of the state governor. ”A total of 4,000 houses have been earmarked for demolition and a total sum of N515.4million to be paid as compensation.

In some areas,the state government will not pay compensation based on the fact that the sites are on the right of way of the state government. The governor’s house in Akenfa is also been looked at and if it is concluded

that it crossed the right of way of the state, it will be demolished. At Toru Orua community, we have earmarked over 350 houses for demolition and over N134million to be paid as compensation,” he said.

Earlier in his presentation of the July account of the state, the state Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah, said though there were deductions from the state accounts and loans being paid by the state,the amount avalaible to the state as savings is about N20billion.

Wamakko grants amnesty to condemned prisoners

BY ABDALLAH ELKUREBE, Sokoto

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OVERNOR Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto this Friday commuted death sentences of three people who were condemned to death for the offense of culpable

Tension in Bayelsa over claims of JTF involvement in death of chief

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA, Yenagoa

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ENSION yesterday gripped the riverside settlement of Igbomotoru in Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa State following the alleged colliding of Joint military task force gunboat with a passenger boat

leading to the death of a community chief.

Five others reportedly sustained serious injuries.

As at press time, it was gathered that the traumatized natives were still combing the bed of the river in search of the corpse of the missing man identified as Chief Patrick Eriye.

Her Excellency, Margaret Peter-Obi (left), with the Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Chinwe Nweabili (right) during the wake keep for the late Speaker’s husband, Prince Patrick Azubike Nwaebili at their Odokpe home on Thursday night.

The names of those injured were given as Solomon Eriye, Lyon Kuwa, Godknows Eriye, Timipa Ikebiri and Esquire Godgift.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the incident occurred at about 9pm Thursday when the passenger boat rammed into the JTF gunboat patrolling the area.

A Youth Leader in the community, Comrade Ibegi Alakurogha, told Saturday Vanguard that the men of the patrol team of the JTF were responsible for the incident and the death of the chief.

homicide and unconditionally pardoned thirteen others.

Announcing the decision of the Governor, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Nuhu Adamu said Wamakko acted in line with Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution.

According to him, “In line with the powers conferred on the executive governors by Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution, Governor Aliyu Wamakko has granted amnesty to the following prison in-

BY EMMA AMAIZE, Warri

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AWYERS in Delta State have called off their boycott of courts in the state because of the kidnap of a judge of the state High Court, Justice Marcel Okoh, last Tuesday.

The boycott was sus-

BY FESTUS AHON, People’s Democratic Party, PDP youth leaders of Isoko Ughelli North Local Government HE commissioner rep Area of the State told the resenting Isoko ethnic youths that the commission nationality on the board of has been able to identify the Delta State Oil Produc- three categories of youths ing Areas Development in its mandate area.

According to him, “the Commission, DESOPADEC, Mr Joseph Ogeh categories are youths who yesterday said the commis- are graduates of various sion has set machineries in higher institutions but are motion towards the empow- not employed; youths who erment of youths from oil have acquired some skills producing communities in but do not have the money the State. Ogeh who spoke to start life.

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Sule, Mamman Garba, Bashar Lawal and Wadata Muhammed.

Others are Yusuf Umar Gudan Igwai, Umar Suleiman Wurno, Bala Garba Nahoro, Salmanu Abubakar, Musa Umar and Saifullahi Sanusi.

Wamakko urged them to become better citizens in moving the society forward.Commending the Governor on behalf of the pardoned prisoners, Attahiru Yakubu thanked Governor Wamakko for the good gesture.

Judge’s kidnap: Delta lawyers call off boycott of courts

DESOPADEC set to empower Ughelli youths while playing host to the

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mates at the Sokoto Central Prison upon recommendations by the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy,” Wamakko said adding that the gesture was to commemorate the Edil Fitr.

Those whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment are Isah Bala, Aminu Shehu and Tsalha Hassan.

Those that enjoyed the unconditional pardon and were, each given N3,000 are Yusuf Umar, Attahiru Yakubu, Zayyanu Abubakar, Mustapha

pended on Thursday soon after the news of the release of Justice Okoh, who spent about eight days in the custody of his kidnappers, came to the notice of the state leadership of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA. NBA chair in Warri, Chief Gweke Akudihor, confirmed to Saturday Vanguard in Warri, Fri-

day, “We called off our action after confirming on Wednesday evening that the judge has been released”. Saturday Vanguard learnt that the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan , propelled the police and other security agencies to smoke out the kidnappers and ensure that the judge was released.

Madam Afiakurue dies at 87

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ADAM Akan Uyeh Afiakurue has died at the age of 87. She died after a brief illness at her residence in AkaiAfi Udesi in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Until her death, she was an accomplished trader and farmer. The late Madam Afiakurue was survived by children and grand children.

Burial arrangement will be announced by the family.

Madam Akan Uyeh Afiakurue

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012

Bayelsa Flag and Coat-ofArms

By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa rations of the Ijaw nation.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, in a statement issued after the signing of the bill into Law said the new law will provide a unique opportunity for government to make a clear pronouncement on the real intendment of the law as follows: “That Bayelsa State is a federating unit in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, created and recognized in the constitution with rights, powers and obligations. That all structures, organs and officials of the state operate under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That our decision to have state symbols and songs, are as a result of our belief in true federalism as a cardinal cornerstone of Nigerian nationhood and it is in exercise of our inalienable

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or the Ijaws, the fourth largest ethnic national ity in the Nigerian federation, Wednesday signing into law of the Bayelsa symbols and seal by Governor Seriake Dickson was a welcome development.

Though the decision which was taken last Monday at the 7th meeting of the Bayelsa State Executive Council has sparked fresh controversies especially with the growing voices of secession across the country and escalating violence in the North, however the majority of the people of the state did not see anything wrong with the action of Governor Seriake Dickson, who incidentally is a lawyer and former member of the House of Representatives.

Surprisingly, when most analysts had thought the state government would jettison the plan given the stormy debate it generated in some of quarters that it was a secessionist ploy, Hon. Seriake Dickson Wednesday went ahead to create a new identity, coat of arms and anthem for the state by signing the bill into Law. The bill known as the Bayelsa State Flag, Coat of Arms and Anthem Law 2012 which was among the eight bills passed by the State House of Assembly has not only awaken old passion but ignited fresh hopes for the Ijaw nation the fourth largest ethnic nationality.

Bayelsa State to the Ijaw nation whose people are scattered as minorities in Ondo, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Delta states is regarded as their ‘Jerusalem,’ hence the new state flag with four colours (white, blue, red and green) and three stars represent the hope and aspirations of the people.

A source told Saturday Vanguard, “the white colour represents purity, honour and trustfulness of the people and their quest for justice while the blue represents the abundance of waters and their inherent resources; the red colour symbolizes blood of our martyrs while the green colour signifies the rich vegetation and the stars, the hopes and aspi-

Governor Seriake Dickson from the need for the state to create a new identity for itself in the interest of tourism.

Dickson said, “This is just a question of federalism and national identity. If you go to Lagos State, the crest behind the Governor is the crest of Lagos not the Federal Republic. Unfortunately, this is the Nigeria of today. People sensationalize.

“Other states have done it long ago. Now, I want to do it and they are screaming. We want to promote tourism and if visitors come in, we will present them with a plaque and it denotes our identity. I know people will understand and you know that I am a pol-

As a federating unit I see practically nothing wrong with a people having something tangible as a unifying factor just as the Ijaws have Haaaaaaaaaan Izon, Aaaaaan Izon

done.”

The state Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Felix Tuodolo in his reaction said the Bayelsa State flag, coat of arms and anthem was in tandem with the vision of the founding fathers of the state and the administration’s stand on Ijaw mobilization and integration.

“This decision also underscores government’s belief that this state, like any other state is where the Ijaws, the fourth largest ethnic nationality, has as its home. Bayelsa is home to all Ijaws both at home and abroad. The emblem therefore, will help serve as a unifying force and rallying point for all our people. It says a lot about the preservation of our culture, our essential values as a people and as a race,” he said.

The symbol he further explained was not in any way

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rights as a federating unit.

“This is a right, which we cannot be denied of since several other states with the same rights have equally exercised.

That the decision taken by our government in this regard is also as a result of our commitment to the propagation of Ijaw culture, language, history and ideals. That this decision also creates a platform for us as a government to rally our people for positive development within the context of a united, egalitarian and democratic Nigeria.”

Commenting on the controversy generated by the law, Hon. Seriake Dickson at an interactive session with newsmen at the Government House Tuesday night said though the intention of the state was misconstrued by some politicians, such fear of secession is misplaced and the law be viewed

itician of conviction and not convenience.”

Also the President of Conference of Ethnic Nationalities of Niger Delta (CENND) Prof Kimse Okoko defended the Bayelsa State government action which he described as legitimate in a federal setting.

The immediate past President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) who lampooned the quasi federalism being practiced in the country queried, “What is wrong with the action? The state has the right to its own anthem and flag. It is long overdue and I support what the state government has

Map of Bayelsa aimed at undermining the country’s unity. He declared, “the point must be made clear that the steps taken by our government to announce the proposed launch of a state owned flag, anthem and coat of arms is not in any way different from what other states in the federation have done.

“It is common knowledge that virtually all the states in the South Western region such as Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun and Ekiti have since launched theirs. The most recent was the North Central

state of Kwara. In the South South, Cross River and Rivers States are the only two states in the region that have embraced this noble concept. In the case of Rivers, it was done since the 1970s. “ We believe that Bayelsa State, being the only state that can be considered as the home state of the Ijaw race, deserves even much more to blaze this trail than any other state in the federation, given its uniqueness. This much is true because of the emphasis we place on the propagation of the Ijaw ideals and what we stand for as a people, the Ijaw ideology. More importantly, as a government,we view the decision as critical to our development and it matches our drive to project Bayelsa State as a world class tourist destination, the frontier for eco tourism and an investment haven.”

For Alagoa Morris, a renowned environmental/human rights activist, “it is gratifying to note that this whole issue of anthem and coat of arm is in connection to a state and not individuals; a state in which the governor is not only a lawyer by profession but a former lawmaker of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and former policeman. “ We have been calling for true federalism for too long a time now and, if in a secular federating state like Nigeria we have some states having Sharia as official religion and we recently heard of Islamic banking system, what is the confusion or hullabaloo about Bayelsa coming up with its own anthem and coat? Or are we treating some sections of this country as first class citizens and others second and third class folks?

“As a federating unit, I see practically nothing wrong with a people having something tangible as a unifying factor just as the Ijaws have Haaaaaaaaaan Izon, Aaaaaan Izon. Why hasn’t the government questioned the Ijaws about Aaaaaan Izon? Besides, the fact that we also have the Isoko people as part of Bayelsa State, Izons or Ijaws should have a more unifying structure that will galvanize the people to greater heights. I am also not concerned about what others may say on the issue because people are free to differ in views. Again, like the recent declaration by Ogoni, all human beings are free to chose for themselves; even self determination.”

Another Bayelsan, John Idumange described as uncalled for the hallabaloo over Bayelsa’s adoption of her own coat of arm, flag and anthem citing the practice in the United States of America which is also a federal state.

“It only demonstrates that Bayelsa has come of age as a state within Nigerian federation”.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012 — 9

70-yr-old pastor arraigned for raping girl, 10

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE, Benin

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70 year-old pastor, Al fred Idonije has been arraigned before an Egor Magistrate Court sitting in Benin for allegedly raping a 10 year-old orphan, Hope Kabiru.

The accused said to be a pastor of an undisclosed church, was said to have allegedly had unlawful canal knowledge of Hope on 25th of June, 2012 after lur-

ing her into his room by sending her to buy noodles for him.

Narrating her ordeal to the court, the victim said the accused had raped her on three different occasions and threatened to kill her if she reported to anyone.

In her testimony before the court, the major witness, grand mother of the raped victim, Mrs. Mary Akhigbe said Hope who lives with her has neither father nor mother. She told the court that the accused

who was their neighbor usually send the girl on errand including that fateful day, adding that in the

course of searching for her, she heard some noise from the bedroom of the accused, and when she

peeped into the room through the window, she saw the victim being sexually abused by the ac-

ASUU boss brutalised as RSUST VC crisis deepens

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI, PH

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INGERING tussle over who becomes next Vice Chancellor (VC) of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt assumed violent dimension yesterday with Dr. Felix Igwe, branch Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) reportedly brutalised.

The ASUU leader who has been leading the union on a collision with the varsity’s management is said to be receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital after he was battered by assailants suspected to be security operatives at a congress of the union on the university campus.

The assault on Dr. Igwe comes four days into the ongoing strike by members of the union in resentment of the appointment of immediate past VC of the university,

Prof. Barikeme Fakae as Acting VC. Condemning the attack, human rights lawyer, Mr. Ken Atsuete, has called for investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault on the university don.

Uduaghan urged to develop Aniocha South Honourable Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen (middle) addressing the press after the inspection of the repairs works by Boroni Prono on the Third Mainland Bridge recently in Lagos

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INE months after the gruesome murderer of the governorship candidate of the Citizens Popular Party, in the April 26 general election in Delta state, Chief Ogbe Onokpite on 26 th November, 2011, wife of the deceased, Mrs. Helen Onokpite still searching for justice for her late husband.

The widow who spoke to Saturday Vanguard through phone from Canada said she was C M Y K

BY TONY NWANKWO

D 15 students paraded over illegal possession of army uniform

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE, Benin

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IFTEEN students of the Delta State University, Asaba Campus and Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-uku were yesterday paraded in Benin by the 4th Brigade Nigerian Army for allegedly being in possession of fake Army Uniforms and accoutrements.

The Brigade Public Relations Officer, Captain Roselyn Managbe while parading the suspects, disclosed that some of them have already confessed how they ac-

quired the Army uniform from a Mobile Policeman.

The Brigade spokesman also disclosed that both the police officer and the police tailor who sewed the uniform have been handed to the force authorities for further action.

She, however, warned the Public to be wary of persons in army uniform who may want to cash in on the situation to perpetrate crime.

She said the Army was disturbed over the spate of abuse of its uniform, insisting that different illegal bodies have impersonated the army to engage

in kidnapping, robbery and illegal bunkering

still surprised that nine months after the extrajudicial killing of her husband justice is yet to prevail. She blamed it on the Nigeria system of government that is not protecting her citizens.

According to her, in Canada, Europeans and even African countries, you don’t have such kind of extra-judicial killings and the suspects are still moving freely in the society without any arrest or prosecution.

Mrs. Onokpite called

on the Presidential Committee on the Re-organization of the Nigerian Police, headed by former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Parry Osayanda to look into the area of police brutality and extra-judicial killings in view of finding justice to her late husband who was killed November last year.

Younger brother of the deceased, Mr. Diemo Onokpite who also spoke on the issue blamed the delay in justice on cor-

adding that “these groups arrested are not in any way associated with the

Divine intervention saves kidnap victim from abductors

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE, Benin

F

OR an accident in volving the vehicle used by her kidnappers taking her out of the city to an unknown destination, a 26 years old woman, Annabel Erikowa who was abducted from her fa-

Nine months after, wife of slain politician seeks justice

BY GAB EJUWA

cused.

Counsel to the accused, Barrister Osa Uwagie, appealed to the court to grant his client who appeared frail, bail to enable him seek medical attention before the adjourned date.

The presiding Magistrate, Taye Omoruyi, granted the accused bail with the bond of N200, 000.00 and a surety who must be a civil servant from grade level 12, to enable him seek medical attention. Further hearing on the matter was adjourned to next week Thursday.

ruption, saying that those involved in the killing of his brother are highly placed politicians who are ready to spend any amount of money to ensure that the truth about the killing of his late brother is not unraveled. He noted that he is very sure that the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar with his drive in ensuring that all bad eggs in the police are removed and dealt with, justice for his late brother will soon unravel itself.

ther’s hotel may have become a forgotten victim of the kidnap syndicate.

She was rescued by the Police based at Iguobazuwa, Ovia South Local government area of Edo state at Ofusu where the accident occurred.

Annabel who works in her father’s resort located at Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State was abducted by four gunmen last week who forced her into their vehicle after blind folding her.

The kidnappers were heading to an unknown destination when the vehicle in which they conveyed their victim crashed around Ofosu town, along Benin-Lagos highway.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, Edo Command, Mr. Agberebi Egbuson disclosed that the Police in Iguobazuwa division on receipt of a distress call of an accident, rushed to the scene.

ELTA State gover nor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has been called upon to extend democracy dividends to Aniocha South Local Government Area. In a letter to the governor under the aegis of Aniocha South Development Union (ASDU), Lagos Branch, the people said the area lacked good roads, electricity, cottage industries, potable water among other social amenities.

A statement by Chief John Nwafor and Barrister Ilom Chukwuji, ASDU president and general secretary, respectively, the union said that since the inception of this democratic dispensation, the people of the area had so far been neglected by the government. “However, our approach here is not to apportion blames but to appeal to Your Excellency, especially now that all the political distractions in terms of election litigations have been put behind, we urge you to see how our people can benefit from your government in terms of social amenities and other dividends of democracy”, it said.

The Union implored the governor to direct relevant government agencies in the state to extend development to Aniocha South communities.

10— SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012

By John Bulus

R ecently, there were ag itations by some groups in Nigeria to gain ethnic autonomy.Amongst them are the Bakassi and Ogoni people. Events of the present time in the country have put the country on the precipice.

Saturday Vanguard’s JOHN BULUS in this special report x-rays the sit. u a t i o n “I want to assure all Nigerians that Nigeria cannot be disintegrated in any form and the present terror attacks across the country came as a thief in the night. My request for Nigerians is for us to continue in prayers while we do our best to satisfy the needs of all citizens.”

With these words, President Goodluck Jonathan who recently marked his one year in C M Y K

office reassured Nigerians on the country’s unity.

Ordinarily, these are wonderful words of assurances Nigerians from all walks of life would have loved to believe having emanated from the Commander-in-Chief himself who controls the country’s security apparatus. But unfortunately, recent events in the polity have continued to foster uncertainties, contradicting the stance of the President on issues of Nigeria’s coporate existence and cohesion.

In fact, at the last count, in the thinking of most political pundits, every factor known from history to have caused the disintegration of most countries has persistently played out in Nigeria: there is high level of insecurity; corruption is untoward; mass exodus from one part of the country to another is on the increase and regions and ethnic nationalities are threatening war. Explosive comments from supposedly Nigerian leaders have

not helped the situation eit h e r .

Hundreds of innocents are gruesomely killed by unknown attackers. Churches and Mosques are being attacked and most essentially, some parts of the country have gone a notch higher to produce for themselves symbols, anthems and seals that confer a special status and recognition on them even as others have declared a republic for themselves. With this, one is wont to ask: Is Nigeria heading for disintegration?

The Genesis:

For reasons best known to them, the Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, a US military spy group in 2006 made a disturbing prediction that Nigeria risks disintegration in 2015.

It said “While currently Nigeria’s leaders are locked in a bad marriage that all dislike but dare not leave, there are possibilities that could disrupt

the precarious equilibrium in Abuja. The most important would be a junior officer coup that could destabilize the country to the extent that open warfare (may) breaks out in many places in a sustained manner. If Nigeria were to become a failed state, it could drag down a large part of the West African region. Even state failure in small countries, such as Liberia, has the effect of destabilising entire neighbourhoods. If millions were to flee a collapsed Nigeria, the surrounding countries including Ghana, would be destabilised. Further, a failed Nigeria probably could not be reconstituted for many yearsif ever-and not without massive international assistance”.

The report continued: “states with high levels of violence will not automatically be failed states; indeed, the ability of African countries to continue to muddle along, despite high levels of violence, should not be underes-

timated. For instance, 20,000 people have been killed in Nigeria while that country has maintained its democratic facade.”

In another part of the report, it was stated that “the state system in Africa is unlikely to divide into Muslim versus non-Muslim states, not least because of the split personality of many African states in this respect. It is highly unlikely, no matter other domestic developments that Nigeria will develop a distinct identity as a Muslim state, although religious conflict centred around Islam within Nigeria islikely to continue.”

That was one prediction, too many. In fact, as 2015 inches close, palpable apprehensions have become the lot of most Nigerians especially with the excruciating crises that have continued to stare the country in the face. Many Nigerians including those in the

Continues on page 11

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012—11

Continued from page 10

Alhaji Mojaheed Dokubo-Asari

Autonomy moves threaten Nigeria’s unity self determination and is quite easy for people to come out with. In this same country, we fought the civil war for almost three years for the purpose of living together. I carry a bullet in my lap, so nobody will talk to me about secession or breaking away. If you do, I will call a tailor, take my measurement, get back into khaki to go and fight even at age 71.”

But on the contrary, most analysts have posited that the country risks disintegration as against the wishful thinkings and comments of the leaders who in their (analysts) estimation have not subsumed their comments into actions, but have unfortunately engaged in verbal fisticuffs, vilifications and vituperations which have set the country on the edge.

Atiku and Lawal Spit Fire

Contrary to IBB’s position, his kinsmen and allies which included the former governor of Kaduna State, Lawal Kaita and former Vice President and Presidential aspirant, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku have

drummed it into the ears of every Nigerian that the country will not know peace should a Northerner fail to grab power in 2015. Known for his explosive comments, many people point accusing fingers at Kaita as the mastermind of the present security crises in the country owing to the state-

,

corridors of power dispel real fears as most factors predicted to be responsible for such break-up gradually play out.

But again, President Jonathan would not bulge or succumb to such speculation. He said in a recent media chat:” I don’t agree with that assertion. Nigeria will not disintegrate. This is not the first time people will come up with such idea. You must have read the book, ‘This House Has Fallen’. Nigeria may have challenges, just like other countries. I remember in 1966 when I was in primary four, when we had the first challenge in the Niger Delta, when the late Isaac Adaka Boro declared secession and the Niger Delta Republic”.

Continung, the President went down memory lane: “In 1967, we had the Biafran war.

Ojukwu declared the secession of the Biafra Republic. We had a civil war, but we are back together. So, these are major issues that affected the country.

It is not just because people are detonating bombs here or probably because there are some level of agitation in the Niger Delta which, of course, is almost under control, then we begin to predict that we would disintegrate”.

To President Jonathan, the signs or harbingers of disintegrations are not yet here as he yet said: “A country that will disintegrate, you can study the psyche of the people. During the civil war, the southeasterners were the bulk of the members of the proposed new country called Biafra. Now the Igbo have investments across the country. Go to the Southwest, go to the North. You’d see that northerners have investments even in my village; as small as my village is, Nigerians from the North, East and West have bought lands.

“People who want to disintegrate will begin to shift back into their own geo-political zones. The behaviour of Nigerians does not really show that we are going to disintegrate.

Look at us- because of ethnic diversities, we are beginning to predict that we would disintegrate but we will not disintegrate. I will not preside over a country that will disintegrate. I assure you that we will remain one united nation”.

Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB is also another Nigerian who sees no disintegration of Nigeria in sight.

Instead, the retired General said he would re-list in the Army and fight for the existence of corporate entity of the country even at 71.

Hear him: “There is always what you call the struggle for

grate if a Northerner does not become President in 2015.

Hear him: “We hear rumours all over that Jonathan is planning to contest in 2015. Well, the north is going to be prepared if the country remains one. That is, if the country remains one, we are going to fight for it. If not, everybody

People who want to disintegrate will begin to shift back into their own geo-political zones. The behaviour of Nigerians does not really show that we are going to disintegrate

ments credited to him in the build-ups of 2011 elections that Nigeria will be ungovernable for Jonathan should he become the President in 2011.

As if that was not enough, the same maverick Kaita was yet to say again recently in Katsina that Nigeria will disinte-

,

can go his way ”.

Earlier in 2010, the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, had come out openly on the 14th of December 2010 to say “Let me again send another message to the leadership of our great country, especially the political leadership that those who make peaceful change impossible, make violent change inevitable.”With these comments, one wonders what is left of Nigerian polity.

Insecurity and Boko Haram Insurgency Abubakar Atiku

Lawal Kaita

Undoubtedly, Nigerians have suffered from palpable fear and death in the last one year. Apprehen-

sion has not only enveloped the polity but many innocent people have been killed in one unfortunate incident or another via series of explosions that have bedeviled the country. Perhaps, the most daring move was the condition given to President Jonathan by Boko Haram to convert to Islam or resign as panacea for security problems. To the President, that is an untoward request from him.

But the President replied that he cannot convert to Islam or resign his office, stressing that his mandate came from a collective vote of all Nigerians across religious divide. Since then, the bombs have continued to go off. Consequently, many people, especially the Ijaw kinsmen of the President have been agitated by the audacious utterances of the Sect.

One of them is the former President of Ijaw Youth Congress, IYC and Leader, Niger Delta Volunteer Force, NDVF, Alhaji Mojaheed DokuboAsari. To Asari, the statement credited to Boko Haram was too confrontal and so, in a somewhat reply to that, the freedom fighter who is not a neophyte in arms struggle barked in a meeting he held with the youth of Niger Delta penultimate week in Abuja.

Said he: “The arrogance of Shekau and his group is unIslamic. Which President if not Goodluck will accept somebody to tell him to become a Muslim or resign? What kind of insult? Is that what the Prophet Sallalahualihiwassalam did? Become a Muslim or this…? That is an insult. You don’t push somebody beyond the point he can go. The insult is too much. Did you do it to Abacha, IBB? They are not the only ones that can kill. I don’t know why they will not listen. They are behaving like the deaf, the dumb and the blind. Death and starvation are coming to their house, yet they are showing arrogance.

Let nothing happen to Goodluck, because if anything happens to him, the world will know”.

Continuing, Asari who warned that the situation may degenerate to war said: “On the issue of security and Boko Haram, the north will lose.In this battle, the north will lose.

And I feel pain because I am a Muslim, and I know that the North will suffer. The people should think. When I engage my northern friends, I always tell them, maybe you people are not seeing the hand writing on the wall. This war, as I am talking, is not a joke, I saw it coming and the north will lose.

There will be no national

Continues on page 12

12—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012

Autonomy moves threaten Nigeria’s unity Continues frompages 11

The Ogoni flag

“The easiest way to solve the problem is to convoke a national dialogue where we will all sit down and talk. But if we continue to postpone it, we are only postponing the doomsday because as the attacks continue in the North, and if they continue to kill the Igbos, one day, one mad Igbo man will get up and say enough is enough, and he will go to Ama Hausa (Hausa Community) in Enugu, Owerri, Aba and in all the Igboland and attack and kill innocent northerners.Then, there will be reprisal this way and that way”.

Ogoni ‘Republic’ and Bakassi Community The spirit and letters of Nigerian constitution provide that there shall be no other sovereignty within the sovereignty of Nigeria. But it has appeared that this message

President Jonathan

cannot be preached in Ogoni community in Rivers State.

Barely two weeks ago, Goodluck Diigbo, factional leader of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) on Thursday August 2, 2012 declared independence for the Ogoni ethnic group in Rivers State.

,

army to execute the Biafra type of civil war, because Ijaw people in the army will leave, Igbo people in the army will leave, and everybody will form loyalty to his tribe. The Yoruba people that the north is relying on, you know their history, Ojukwu is dead. He would have told you about them. It is better for us to trade the path of peace. We can live together and create a greater nation, but there must be a dialogue”.

Asari, a blue-blooded Ijaw man like Jonathan, has never believed in the entity called Nigeria and he tells anyone who cares to listen that he is from Ijaw nation in the Niger Delta region. Nostalgically, he remembered how the British imperialists fused the people of Nigeria together against their wishes.

“Let us come to the issue that is threatening the existence and survival of every one of us.

Economically, Nigeria is at the lowest level of economic activity. Everything is comatose, why; because some people feel that by right, they have the power to rule over others. This is happening because when the British came, they introduced a divide-and-rule style of government. Those who opposed and fought them for that were punished for fighting them. When the entity called Nigeria came to be, the British did everything to support the north, and they did that very perfectly and promoted them over and above others, including the kings of Kalabari who have had diplomatic relations with other nations of the world before the British came.

The records are there for anybody that wishes to find out if what I am saying is the truth.

Independence was granted to Nigeria on the premise that the north was more populated than the south, which is strange because there is nowhere in the world, where the dry Savannah is more in population than forest wet land, nowhere. But in Nigeria,all these empirical and geographical laws were set aside and a bogus population figure was foisted on us”.

Giving his own condition on the corporate existence of Nigeria as an entity, the Niger Delta leader said Nigerian government must call for a sovereign national conference to bring all ethnic nationalities in the country to negotiate their future in Nigeria, otherwise all efforts for unity will mean postponing the doomsday.

and Cameroon over an oil-rich peninsula in the area at the International Court of Justice,

governed and who governed them.

“The urgency behind the declaration is that self-government for Ogoni is overdue in view of many important issues bordering on indigenous rights of the Ogoni people being tampered with now. The non-implementation of the

“The easiest way to solve the problem is to convoke a national dialogue where we will all sit down and talk

Advancing reasons for his action, Diigbo stated in a statement that Ogoni people’s rights had been tampered with for long, adding that the new approach would afford Ogoni people access to how they were

Ibrahim Babangida

,

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s on Ogoni is one out of many,” Diigbo explained.

It could be recalled that similar agitations for secession and self-rule by Ogoni people obviously sent most Ogoni leaders to the great beyond when nine of their activists including the famous playwright, Ken Saro-Wiwa were executed by the Federal Government on charges of ‘incitement to murder’ on November 10, 1995. Yet 17 years after their deaths, the people have not given up the struggle for secession.

Then enter the newest Bakassi Self-Determination Front (BSDF). Bakassi community became famous on the heels of legal battle between Nigeria

(ICJ). The community is located at a border town between Nigeria and Cameroon in Cross River state. Against every expectation, the place was ceded to Cameroon and since then, the people of the Community who prefer Nigerian citizenship have continued to feel short changed.

Though the Nigerian government is currently seeking a review of the 2002 judgment that conferred the ownership of the place on Cameroon, the people of the community recently opted for self rule. The declaration which was spearheaded by the Bakassi Self Determination Front (BSDF) witnessed the hoisting of the Blue, White, Red official flag with eleven stars on the blue and launching of a radio station called ‘Dayspring’.

The Commander-General of the BSDF, Ekpe Ekpenyong Oku, in his maiden broadcast, pointed out that arrangements had been concluded with some international liberation groups to assist the Bakassi natives in the battle ahead.

“We call on men of goodwill, individuals, human rights organizations and the indigenous people of Bakassi to join hands in resisting and fighting the present international conspiracy,” Oku said in anticipation of fierce opposition that the group will face from the government of Cameroon whose soldiers are believed to have started re-mobilization in the area”.

Almost in quick succession, Bayelsa, the home state of President Goodluck Jonathan within the week signed into law, a bill that gives the state a somewhat recognition. By that, the state now has its own symbol, anthem and seal.

In a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to Bayelsa State Governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, he said the decision was taken at the end of the 7th meeting of the State Executive Council held on Monday August 6, 2012 to reflect the colours and symbols of the Ijaw nation.

Other issues

Apart from terrorism and the silent drums of secession from the Niger Delta communities, there are still, a million other unattended issues that still threaten the peace and unity of Nigeria. One of them is hinged on political power and who controls the presidency of Nigeria in 2015. By every indication, it is expected to reach a crescendo by that time when the country will head for another round of elections.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012 — 13

C M Y K

14—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012 resident Goodluck Jonathan was asked to resign and become a Moslem by the irrepressible Boko Haram, while Dr. Doyin Okupe has been hired as the vocal defender of the President, though there appears to be no direct link between the two happenings. In the meantime, Nigeria did so badly at the Olympic Games in London that some people may be wondering why we sent a contingent in the first place; if we didn’t, we could hardly have done worse—we won nothing... And you can now serve a jail term for driving against a one-way street in Lagos State as a deterrent, they say, against the breaking of traffic laws in the metropolis. All that and more in a short fortnight— what a country! Let’s take a panoramic sweep across the horizon of events and see where it lands us

P

W

C M Y K

The Olympic Games comes but once every four years, but it is really a perennial undertaken. The nations that are serious about it hold themselves in preparation for it throughout the year. I am not telling you something new, and you also know that we are not among those nations. We used to be there among those who presented themselves as people to be taken serious.

That was some decades ago, when the naira was stronger than the dollar, and the pound sterling was struggling to be at par with our currency. We all know that all that is no more. e do not prepare for the Games as we used W to.

Because the

concentration is on the money that would be issued for the training of the sportsmen and women, and not on the sportsmen and women themselves; because the right people to train the sportsmen and women are no

,

Boko Haram continues to grab the headlines as the operations credited to it create havoc in their chosen area of concern at the moment. That is still in the Northern parts of the country. The members seem to enjoy what they do and believe that they are on top of the situation, a view contradicted by the security agencies in similar words. It is really not very clear who is ahead at the moment.

Several attempts at mayhem from the group have been foiled by our security agents in the past few days. The •Dr Okupe latest, at the time of writing Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, former this, is a fearsome discovery of a houseful of bombs in Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, to Kano. It was all dismantled announce his arrival on the without the loss of a human course. life. Such exploits come in These are two controversial twos and threes these days, figures who are perennially but regrettably bombs make little noise, naturally, when exposed to criticism by their antecedents. You might say happily detonated without they are ready-made for injury to anyone. “bashing” even when the So, it is not really as though effort is unproductive. What the so-called Islamic sect is can you say about el-Rufai having its way, though that that is yet to be said, or how is what its arrogant and much can a trained medical insolent demand about the practitioner who abandoned President would suggest. It his stethoscope for a mess of is not. Military action publicity, claim over a against it is now firmly religious leader who mingles established, even if it is his talk on the pulpit with his mainly more successful at a walk in civic demonstrations? preemptive stage. The direct Each to his own, eh? verbal assault on the It is the opinion of many President to the effect that that Okupe was brought in to he should resign from office or embrace Islam, could be effect the presentation of a good image for the President taken with dismay or and his wife. Rueben Abati, rejected as an affront. And Special Adviser on Media and the response to this menace Publicity to the President, will be measured would appear to have made accordingly in the days unsatisfactory returns in this ahead. The activity which the regard. Well, if the type of Ramadan celebrations vitriolic onset which Okupe generate—or do not generate —will speak in their own way has proved to be capable of delivering is what the on where this terror President needs, or requires organization actually lies in for the improvement if his its religious considerations. image, he is certainly not going to get it from Rueben hile those who have Abati. That is not his style for the stomach for it is devoid of dignity and “dialogue” still counsel that polish. He cannot see himself weak-kneed approach,” the descending to that level of security forces must scant decency, nor can the continue with their efforts of people who know him well ensuring the safety of the and respect him so much. The citizenry. With Dr. Doyin manner of the approach to Okupe now firmly in place as the issues that irk the the Special Assistant to the presidency in general, calls President on Public Affairs, there can be no one in a for the retention of a certain standard of decorum that is, better position, or with a and must be, associated with more caustic gift of utterance the President himself. That to give intransigent elements would have been a like the Boko Haram their constraining factor in the verbal comeuppance. The perception of Abati to his man, variously described in duties. His position still has a somewhat unbefitting canine cause to serve in Aso Rock, if terms, took off in fine fettle we are not to have a “cowboy” to “run interference” for presidency.

President Goodluck But so does Okupe’s Jonathan, by taking on position too. We hear that Pastor Tunde Bakare, of The Boko Haram is now desirable Latter Rain Assembly, and

of holding talks with the Federal government. Well, how about letting the specialist who advises of public affairs handle that for us? That is how much one believes in the hocus pocus of a dialogue. The terrorists are going to the table with an agenda that cannot be accepted, except they have changed it—and they are never known to have changed such an agenda before now.

It is not a personal agenda.

They want Nigeria within the Islamic fold as other nations who are bona fide members of the Ole. Would any faithful Muslim sincerely oppose that? It is not negotiable.

History scoffs at the very idea. We can therefore dialogue with all our might but “keep our powder dry”.

•el-Rufai yet. We had one or two prospects.

We had Chukwumerije in the Taekwando. He was unlucky.

But at least, he seemed to know what was going on around him. Our boxers did not. Not through their own fault. They did their best. Our female sprint relay quartet was made up of fine raw material. Two months more, or three, in the hands of a good coach and we might have had something through them. But do you remember that the coach, poor Innocent Egbunike, was really appointed much more on account of his own past performance as an athlete, not on his track record as a coach? Someone asked me if the Minister of Sports, whose name I really can’t remember, ever knew about Innocent as a quarter-miler.

I wouldn’t know if he even ever heard about Egbunike at all Do you really want me to continue writing this? I could continue all day. Maybe you don’t remember that it was what I used to do for a living.

I wrote sports for over fifty years across the various arms of the media, and on both sides of the Atlantic. It is hardly the moment to display my credentials but I would like to submit, without any show of false modesty, that I know what I am talking about. I once wrote, on this page, that Nigerian sports was going down the drain. I

The terrorists are going to the table with an agenda that cannot be accepted, except they have changed it

longer on the job; because the overseers don’t know enough about what they are supposed to be overseeing; because the pretenders have taken over the throne; because the people are less interested in the performance than in the trophy; because ... well, quite frankly. I’ve run out of ‘becauses’ I am not telling you anything that you do not know about. You pick up some athletes here and there, add them to some worn-out numbers and place them behind a flag and you’ve got a contingent, right? But you are still looking for a team, because you haven’t got one

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said that it would take us no less than two Olympiads, if we started serious work at that time, to re-assert ourselves. That was ten years ago. No one seemed to care. Two years ago, in total disgust, I stopped writing sports.

If there is anyone who really cares about sports in Nigeria and now grieves over the debacle in London, he is a hypocrite. We all saw it coming. But you couldn’t even slide a word in edgewise and be heard except you are one of their boys. Well, Awoture Eleyae is too old to be one of their boys; John Ojidoh is no longer young

enough either; neither is Jonathan Ogufere nor Peter Osugo. We can only look on and shake our heads at how what was so beautiful could have been allowed to sink so deep into the mud. Of course, it can be brought up to shine again. Britain went through its own slump in the medals market; so even did mighty America. But it cannot be done through “retreats” and such showy jamborees. They will probably be conducted by the people who are responsible for the deplorable situation, in the first place. You only need one or two good men who know who to call and what to do. They are not too easy to find these days. There are so few of them. By the way, is Samuel Osaigbovo Oghemudia not still around?

ithin a week after Governor Babatunde W Fashola of Lagos State

stepped out of his car to intercept a military officer in open contravention of the BRT law, there was a stream of vehicles flowing down Eko Bridge on the dedicated lane.

It was on a Sunday morning and traffic was quite light, but old habits —especially the despicable ones—die hard.

Lagosians will break traffic laws.

More laws are being produced, but the necessary laws are indeed in place already.

WHAT THEY NEED IS ENFORCEMENT. Making new laws is an exercise in futility since, as matters stand, they will not be duly enforced.

And higher penalties also increase the incentive to demand, and obtain, higher bribes. This redounds, of course, on the quality of the personnel engaged for traffic law enforcement. They are hardly better, in character and learning, than agberos — the transport touts which the government is now striving to expunge from our society.

One of them recently falsely accused a lady of killing his mate. And he would have made the accusation stick but for some public-spirited citizens who came to the aid of the woman. She almost stood trial for a capital offence in place of a traffic misdemeanour.

But that is in the spirit of the law of the one-way in Lagos these days which specifies a three-month sentence for an offender.

It is jurisprudentially accepted that the sublime purpose

of justice is to make the punishment fit the crime. Justice, even

blindfolded, must turn her back in shame at this.

And with kudos and commendations streaming in from all sides for the Lagos State government administration, here is where sheer hubris has landed us, Time out.

SA TURD A Y Vanguard SATURD TURDA anguard,,

S

The Babangida narrative in Nigeria’s history is one that is not ready to peter out in years to come. Even after death [May Allah Grant him many more years on earth], his image will still continue to loom larger than life. This leader of leaders’ story is woven in several anecdotal details that make it easily difficult to consummate his memoirs in just one edition of a literary inquisition.

Depending on what aspect of him one intends to write on, or deconstruct, Babangida’s story is as enthralling and interesting as the subject matter. Babangida, is a delight any day, any time no matter the aspect of his life that one is beaming his searchlight on. A leader that is imbued with the forgiving spirit, coupled with his kindness and fear of God, I feel a pain of ignorance each time I read commentaries that are easily at variance with his personality and philosophy.

At times, one is provoked beyond the rubrics of good scholarship, to puncture make-belief stories that have become his lot as his vocal critics would always have the world believe that the problems of Nigeria start and end with IBB. In all of these, I have not come across any individual that has a bad story to tell from an interaction with him. His humaneness, kindness, fear of God disposition and his calmness in the face of provocation remains a quintessential aspect of his total person.

Babangida’s worries.

Nineteen years outside the Rubicon of power, IBB’s voice still reverberates with the tempest of a born leader. His interventions in shaping the political trends and dimensions are as instructive as the intention behind his interest in seeking democratic political office. Not

A UGUST 18, 2012—15 AUGUST

Those are responsibilities for the states and the local governments, he reasoned.

IBB at 71: Salute to a great mind to mention.

•IBB

many people know that the real intention behind his participation in democratic engagements particularly in his presidential aspiration was primarily to pass a message to his military constituency that democracy has come to stay.

His involvement helped in no small measure to instill confidence in the democratic system while keeping the desperate military adventurists at bay. His latest declaration at Abuja during the graduation ceremony and 20th year anniversary of the National Defense College that military coups are no longer fashionable in the global sense further underscores his presidential leit-motif. That is why each time he puts his hat in the ring, and seeing animated audience participation, he will tacitly withdraw at the appropriate time and allow the democratic course to flow uninhibited. That is his own peculiar way of adding content to the democratic road-map in Nigeria’s march to full blown democracy.

IBB is surely worried about the declining morality in public service. Each time he makes his position known on any subject matter in full expression of his fundamental right to own an opinion and express same; critics would easily feast on him. The level of corruption and sharp practices in the country today worries IBB to the hilt. When he ventured a

parallel in the expenditure on power generation and production to the actual wastages that attended the Obasanjo era, he drew the ire of the Ota Farmer who ended up calling him unprintable names. But that did not deter him from sticking to his convictions and expressing same whenever opportunity presents itself. He would often tell me that the nucleus of creativity is here in Nigeria, but the utilization of those creative talents is often misplaced,and most times under-utilized. Perhaps one of the reasons why he still remains an issue in public discourse till date could be a function of his ability to recruit sound minds and

,

peaking for a former President of His Excellency, General Ibrahim Babangida’s status could be as Herculean and complex a task. The former leader is a behemoth of some sort and has combed the entire gamut of Nigeria’s political life in a manner that makes him the issue in Nigeria’s over 50 years of developmental discourse.

Easily understood and misunderstood, Babangida has grown to represent the positive and negative currents of Nigeria’s political adventure, with a larger than life image that is often viewed with a mythical candour.

Conscious of his place in history and the humanity of his political excursions throughout his 71 years on earth, IBB till date remains a study, a puzzle and an enigma yet to be unraveled. That is the leader’s own way of remaining his relevant self and running through the bends and curves of life’s unassailable architecture. In his typical characteristics, he indulges in anything based on his convictions and sense of patriotism.

IBB is also worried about how deep we have personalized governance.

Explaining his support for State Police for example, he reasoned that the fact that governors would exploit and abuse the initiative is not enough reason to jettison an idea whose time has come.

According to him; “a time will come when public enlightenment and orientation will make it difficult for governors to abuse and exploit such initiative. We need to be looking at the future of Nigeria, and not thinking backward. This is why I find our federal structure rather defective. Why is it difficult for States that form the component parts of our federation to enact laws that would facilitate good governance in their domain? Why the overbearing influence of the centre?” he queried.

While advocating for the proper strengthening of the Federal Police, IBB is of the opinion that complimentary laws could be enacted across the states to buffet what already exists at the Federal level. He had earlier made a case for devolution of power to the extent that the Federal Government would concentrate more of its energies on economy, defense and foreign policy, whilst allowing the states to develop based on their comparative advantages. According to him, it is not a given that states must develop at the same pace, but that given

,

Babangida, is a delight any day, any time no matter the aspect of his life that one is beaming his searchlight on

futuristic leaders into the various sectors of the economy to drive governance and public accountability.

Today, all the milestones and footprints of those brilliant interventions could be found across the country; rural infrastructure, roads, healthcare delivery system, rural empowerment, agricultural boost, media reforms, banking reforms, and several others too numerous

the right incentives and encouragement, they could exploit their Godgiven potentials to fulfill the aspirations of their people. The idea of Federal Government commissioning rural roads, rural water supply and healthcare centers has since become out of tune with the temperament of modern developmental studies.

A reporter’s delight Those who have had opportunity to interact with IBB at different levels would attest to the fact that the leader is a delight to be with at all times. His witty presentations, his wise cracks, his jokes, his ideas and his reasoning are based on sound intuition and scholarship. There is no question that IBB does not have an answer as far as it is within human comprehension. Even the June 12 episode that has become a recurring discourse has enabled him with a better understanding of how the Nigerian mind works; criticize government at the heat of sunlight, and romanticize with same at night. A lot of the actors and actresses of the June 12 episode enjoy this description generously. My forthcoming book on the man IBB will give a further insight into, and understanding of the roles which most of these modern day vocal activists played when the June 12 orchestra lasted. I have had the rare privilege of probing into his thoughts about the labyrinths of the June 12 untold stories, and on each occasion, he’s got an answer, not just an answer, but one that is scalding hot as the subject of June 12 itself. One thing you cannot ram down his throat is to think that the leader must dance to public hysteria; no way.

Not IBB. He will stick to his guns provided he gets convinced about his actions and decisions.

That is the stuff for which great leaders are made.

IBB: looking forward A lot of Nigerians would agree with me that IBB is not flippant with comments on public issues.

When he is not talking, people read meaning to it. When he chooses to talk, people still try to decipher what could be his real intention. And each time he tries to express an opinion on an issue, you often hear his itinerant critics questioning his right to own an opinion. Whatever IBB does, is considered news. Most times, very constructive with his comments which are sparingly rendered to ventilate public discourse, IBB’s understanding of the country and its people may unarguably be second to none. Apart from his deep and wide network of friends, his knowledge of the geography and history of the country is tremendous. This partly explains why he was able to assemble some of the best brains the country can boast of during his intervention in the political life of the country.

Despite all the shenanigans that are sprawling across the country today, IBB is still very hopeful that a better Nigeria is possible. His conviction about a better future is driven by his belief that no matter the challenges, Nigerians have the capacity to contend with all the manifold parallels that have become the lot of the country. With little orientation and attitudinal change, he reasoned; the country will be on its part for full utilization of her potentials for public good and not self.

At 71, it will be a good limerick to shout, happy birthday to the ultimate godfather in Nigeria politics; the leader of leaders, the friend of the masses, and a great stabilizer of all times. Happy birthday sire.

16—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012

Why we applied to UN, AU for recognition —Onwuka

By Vincent Ujumadu

S

ince the struggle for the actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra began, one personality that had been synonymous with it was Chief Ralph Uwazurike, leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB. However, another group known as the Biafra Zionist Movement, BZM, led by Mr. Ben Onwuka appears to have taken the front seat in the struggle with his recent application to the United Nations, UN, and the African Union, AU, for the recognition the Republic.

In the application dated August 6, 2012, reference: BZM/ OS/Rep of Biafra and addressed to the UN Security Council through the Secretary General, Dr. Ban Ki Moon, Onwuka sounded very optimistic that what he had done would lead to the actualization of his dream Republic. The application read: “We the people of the Republic of Biafra do hereby humbly submit our Application for Membership of the United Nations as an observer member. Our application is based on the following two grounds / factors namely: “It is now abundantly clear that the security of life and property of the Biafran people are no longer guaranteed in the entity called Nigeria.

Therefore, the People of Biafra have resolved that on 5th November 2012, we shall be redeclaring our independence and opt out of Nigeria in order that we the Biafran people can protect and guarantee the life and property of our citizens as required by International Law. “It is now also very clear that the right of the Biafran people to peacefully practice their religion and freedom of association under the United Nations Charter of Freedom of Association, is no longer safe and guaranteed in the entity called Nigeria. Therefore the people of Biafra have resolved to opt out of Nigeria on 5th November 2012, in order to guarantee and protect the Biafran people’s right to practice their religion without being killed or bombed.

“Your Excellencies, it is on the above grounds/ factors that the Biafran people seek to regain their freedom and Inde-

pendence from Nigeria on 5th November 2012.

“On behalf of the Biafran people, we thank you in advance for the consideration of our application and we look forward to hearing from you.”

Onwuka told Saturday Vanguard that with the application, the Biafra Republic would receive the recognition

it had lacked since the Republic was declared in May, 1967.

According to him, the UN would henceforth have the mandate and power to intervene, investigate and issue arrest warrant against anyone who uses violence or force to kill Biafrans in their quest for self determination as guaranteed under the UN.

He further claimed that with the development, it is against international law for Nigerian state through the president, governors, security operatives to use force to kill any Biafran either as an individual or as a group as the offender could face the UN tribunal on war crimes based at the Hague, The Netherlands.

He said further that UN would send observers to the Biafra re-declaration of independence on November 5, 2012, just as another application had been made for Biafra to be accorded the same observer status at the African Union, AU, through its secretariat at Addis Ababa.

Asked if he was doing it in collaboration with MASSOB

which had been in the forefront for the struggle since the end of the Nigerian civil war, Onwuka answered in the negative, arguing that the Republic would never be realized if the approach adopted by MASSOB is to be followed.

According to him, the issue is not something to be achieved through sensationalism, adding that the best approach would be to be in constant contact with the international body and convince them to see the need for the emergence of Biafra. He said: “We are making contact with our allies namely, USA, Israel, Canada and EU countries and their favourable disposition towards our cause is what gives us encouragement.

As it stands, Onwuka appears to be capitalizing on the fact that the MASSOB leader, Uwazurike, appears to have soft pedaled as some people feel that he is presently more comfortable with the idea of being named the successor to the late Ezeigbo Gburugburu, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

In fact, Saturday Vanguard gathered that Onwuka decided to come to the forefront in the struggle following reports that Uwazurike appears to have become comfortable with playing Nigerian politics. For instance, his stand that Biafrans would not oppose President Goodluck Jonathan in any way because he is from the Southern part of Nigeria was seen as relegating the issue of Biafra to the background.

Chief Ralph Uwazurike

Major declaration of independent Bakassi will soon be made

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Calabar

H

ome my home o my home, when shall I see my home, when shall I see my native land, I will never forget my home! This is the song going on now as we see Abana two pools away. We shall soon send video clips of our activities for all to see. A lot had taken place quietly within last week and now. With the end of Ramadan on Sunday, most things will be clearer.

“Bakassi, land of our birth, we pledge to you, that neither silver nor gold shall dissuade us from taking you back. We did not choose the land of our birth neither did we choose our parents, Almighty placed us there, and we were uprooted in broad-day light, and hurrily so, by a President who was supposed to protect us. May God prolong his life and protect his children ! Land of our birth, we love thee, Nigeria refused to protect thee; we are already there and ‘they’ know it not, waiting for time which will soon come.” These were the words of one Ekpe Ekpenyong Oku, who claims to be the warlord and Commandant General, Bakassi Self Determination Front on the agitation for a liberated displaced Bakassi people.

The atmosphere around the ceded oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula has been tensed while residents of Day Spring which is supposedly the rightful resettlement area have been leaving the place and it is now being guarded by some militant groups championing the declaration of independent Bakassi.

Already the militant group who spoke through their Commandant General, Ekpenyong Oku, had declared last Saturday, August 11, 2012 as Gen. Sani Abacha day where all Bakassi people and men and women of goodwill offered prayers in the afternoon for the repose of his soul and the souls of officers and men who lost their lives for the sake of Bakassi.

The self acclaimed ‘freedom fighters’ had directed their members to wear black bands while the Bakassi paramount ruler, His Majesty Etim Okon Edet was directed to appear in white wrapper and shirt and offer specific prayers to his forebears at 6am, 12noon and 6 pm.

The Commandant in a statement issued last week declared that Dayspring Radio station last week started test-run transmission on 4.2MHz and 5.2MHz Continues on page 42

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2012—17

18—SATURDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 18, 2012 Dear Aunty Julie, My beau behaves as if I forced him into our relationship. He was the one that made a pass at me and after a period, I accepted. He was loving and caring but just few months into the relationship, he began to act as if I was the one that forced him into it. I am the one showing all the love while he has taken the backseat and it’s affecting me.

All the lovey-dovey we used to share has ceased to exist and my friends have even noticed that the love is one-sided and I seem to be the person showing all the love. As if that’s not just bad enough, he is not even reciprocating. We work in the same office and it is thoroughly embarrassing when people ask if we are no longer together.

Should I leave him?

Daisy, Benin Dear Daisy, Unrequited love is used when one person has strong feelings towards another that are not reciprocated. Perhaps something happened along the line that made your guy

Is it right tto o mo movve in with her?

Our lo lovve is one-sided to switch off . It is possible what he is not getting what he hoped to get from the relationship or he is disappointed that you are not what he thought you are. Most people become aware of mismatched affections after they have gone into it.

Unrequited love can be awkward no matter the situation.

In fact, it has ended many friendships because problems develop when one person wants to keep the relationship going and is making all the efforts while the other perhaps wants out but doesn’t know how to say it.

When unrequited love develops in the workplace, it can

be especially tricky. People have been known to change jobs in order to avoid this type of situation. It can often be more awkward for the person who is the subject of the affections. Although it may be nice to receive the attention at first, it can become difficult to handle and may spiral out of control.

While it is okay to consider calling off the relationship, I want to suggest that you speak with your guy first and find out what the problem is. When he opens up to you, it will help guide you on the way forward in the relationship.

Dear Julie, I have been dating this lady for about two years and she always accuses me of infidelity. We are about the same age but she is more successful and calls the shot in the relationship. By this, I mean she is the one who takes care of me most of the time. She works very late most of the time and because of that, we don’t see each other as much as we ought to. Because of that, she thinks I keep myself busy with other relationships and this accusation is very often. I’m using one of her cars and people always tell her that I use her car to carry other women which is not true. Recently, she suggested that I move in with her so that she could keep eyes on me but she lives with her siblings and I feel uncomfortable with her suggestion.

Should I move in with her?

Festus, Lagos Dear Festus,

I don’t know how you and your lady have defined your relationship and where it is leading to. I don’t know if you have decided to settle down together in future with her in marriage or if it is just friendship . That is why it is good to define relationships so you have a clear picture of where you are going.

In serious relationships, many couples skip this step and go directly from a steady relationship into marriage. I feel it is important to be with someone first and really get to know what they are like day-in and day-out and to see if this is something you are willing to deal with. There are some who say it is better not to know, and to learn after you’re married, but this is a permanent joining of two people. Both of you should know everything there is to know before dedicating your entire lifetime to each other.

My div or ce is af er divor orce afffecting m myy daught daughter Dear Julie, My eleven year-old daughter is unhappy with the fact that her father is not living with us.

My ex and I have been divorced since my daughter was a year old and as she grows, she began to ask a lot of questions about her father and the situation was made worse by the fact that her friends in school show off their fathers during school events. I have tried to play both roles and say nice things to her about her father but that doesn’t seem to be okay. Her father has remarried and she said that is not acceptable to her and she interprets it to mean that he hates her and that was why he left me.

The situation is made worse by the fact that my ex is such an uncaring father who likes to make trouble and doesn’t really give a damn about any

He Said, She Said

child. I didn’t want to tell her this about her father but she is getting miserable and bitter towards her father. Please help me.

Theresa, Abuja Dear Theresa, When a girl doesn’t have her father in her daily life, she really misses something. It’s simply not enough to have a loving mother against and good female role models in the family. Part of a girl’s psyche is created by what her father reflects back to her. A girl needs to know that a man loves her, values her, will protect her, and will be dependable for her. It takes years for this influence to sink in and develop inside a girl. And this can’t happen if her dad’s not there .Sometimes, divorce is unavoidable. Alcohol addiction, an affair, physical or mental

He said... I don’t know why you wear a bra; you’ve got nothing to put in it.

She said...You wear briefs, don’t you?

He said... Do you love me just because my father left me a fortune?

She said...Not at all honey, I would love you no matter who left you the money.

He said... Since I first laid eyes on you, I’ve wanted to make love to you in the worst way.

She said...Well, you have succeeded.

He said... You have a flat chest and need to shave, have you ever been mistaken for a man?

She said...No, have you?

He said... Why do you women always try to impress us with your looks, not with your brains?

She said...Because there is a bigger chance that a man is a moron than he is blind.

He said... Let’s go out and have some fun tonight.

She said...Okay, but if you get home before I

abuse, or a high level of family chaos could make divorce inevitable. And whenever a father has a history of being a danger to his daughter and other family members, contact and communication should definitely be limited at most.

Yet, even when the benefits of divorce outweigh the costs, girls often still lose a piece of themselves when they lose their dad.

As long as a girl has dependable daily influence from a caring father figure, she can be protected from some common problems associated with girls from a divorced family. If her divorcing dad lives nearby and can stay strongly involved with her daily life, that’s a best case scenario.

If her dad doesn’t visit often, interaction becomes very difficult. Dad becomes more like an extended relative instead

of a primary family member.

This is when the gap of influence becomes detrimental to the girl.

Girls commonly interpret divorce as personal rejection from her father. Without this clear daily influence for a father figure, she will look for other males to fill in the emptiness. She may seek the love, strength, sense of value, and protection from a sexual relationship as she grows and because she is seeking a sexual relationship out of emptiness, she is likely to make poor choices.

Even if she has a good man as a father, if he doesn’t directly influence her on a frequent and regular basis, his relative absence will outweigh his goodness as a person. She has a misguided notion that finding comfort in a sexual relationship will fill the hole left by her fa-

C O C K - T A L E S do, leave the hallway light on.

A Time of Weakness

Rosemary had been divorced for a few years and was finding life very lonely.

Finally, after much persuasion, she consented to go out on a date with Andy, a gentleman her daughter fixed her up with. Andy picked her up and they went to a very secluded spot to have a picnic.

Andy had also been divorced for quite sometime and found himself very attracted to Rosemary.

Despite her initial resistance to his advances, he finally suceeded in making love to her.

Rosemary was mortified at her lack of self-control and sobbed, “I don’t know how I’m going to face my daughter, knowing that in a time of weakness, I sinned twice!” “What do you mean, twice?” Andy asked. “We only did it once.” “Well, you’re going to do it again, aren’t you?” Rosemary asked

Ancient Chinese Torture

A young man was lost wandering in a forest, when

ther and his missing influence.

Girls tend to think that if their father isn’t around, it is because she isn’t engaging, smart, pretty, or valuable enough. A girl will emotionally cling to her boyfriend and avoid breaking off abusive relationships for fear of losing a man all over again.

Unfortunately, many girls and young women go on this fruitless search for male approval many years before they understand what they’ve been doing.

I’m not trying to shame who have been or may be going through a divorce. I’m just saying this is a part of the reality of divorce for girls. I know there are many girls and women who have gone through this heartbreak.

If your ex’s presence will not be dangerous for you and your daughter, you could let the girl contact him more often.

he came upon a small house. He knocked on the door and was greeted by an ancient Chinese man with a long, grey beard. “I’m lost,” said the man. “Can you put me up for the night?”

“Certainly,” the Chinese man said, “but on one condition. If you so much as lay a finger on my daughter, I will inflict upon you the three worst Chinese tortures known to man.”. “Ok,” said the man, thinking that the daughter must be pretty old as well, and entered the house. Before dinner, the daughter came down the stairs.

She was young, beautiful, and had a fantastic figure.

She was obviously attracted to the young man since she couldn’t keep her eyes off him during the meal.

Remembering the old man’s warning, he ignored her and went up to bed alone.

But during he night, he could bear it no longer, and sneaked into her room for a night of passion.

He was careful to keep everything quiet so the old man wouldn’t hear. Near dawn, he crept back to his room, exhausted, but happy. He woke in the morning with the feel of pressure on his chest. Opening his eyes he saw a large rock on his chest with a note on it that read, “Chi-

nese Torture 1: Large rock on chest.”

SATURDAY

Vanguard AUGUST 18, 2012—19

,

The old man was worth more to me dead than he was alive

It’s humiliating living with a drunk !

O

la, Dupe’s husband, now rich—beyond their wildest dreams, has alcohol as his albatross.

She doesn’t always know what type of rabbit he’ll pull out of his full magic hat of embarrassments. The last I witnessed was early this year when the family had a belated New Year party. As the guests left, well fed and merrily tipsy, Ola asked his house guests and a couple of us to finish things off at a night club near the house. I would rather have preferred to go home and sleep off a throbbing headache, but Dupe’s pleading eyes made me shrug and I left with the group. Ola was a bit tanked up by now.

His speech was a bit slurred but the problem with him is that he doesn’t know when he’s had enough booze.

At the night club, he wasn’t drinking his beer, he just tilted his head and drained the stuff. What was the enjoyment in that except to really get drunk? By the time we left the night club, we were all legless and I decided to sleep in one of the children’s rooms. I’d hardly put my head on the welcoming pillows when there were angry raps on my door. It was Ola. What the heck was going on?

“Someone has pinched my wallet,” he bellowed, his eyes blood-shot. Here we go again, I groaned as, meekly followed him to the living room. Martin and Fadeke, his other house guests, looked really fed up in their nighties.

They regarded Ola as if they could throttle him, but, over the years, we’ve all learnt to wait out his storms instead of challenging him.”I paid for our drinks from my wallet,” he yelled, “and now, it’s gone.

I’ve checked everywhere and I distinctly remember giving the night guard money for tomorrow’s papers from it. One of you lot must have

pinched it and no one is going anywhere until I’ve found the blasted wallet. That wallet is packed with a lot of one thousand naira notes.”

He then marched to their rooms and turned the place upside down. When he got to my room, he caught my eyes and the look of pure hatred I gave him made him quickly abandon the search. “I will

guests. He even accused me of flirting with Martin. He was already in bed, fully clothed, when he made to take his native trousers off, so he could use the toilet.

The more he struggled, the more his trouser got tangled.

I

n the end, he just rolled on the bed, wet his

enough.”

The sad fact is that an alcoholic is the worst kind of person to live with—be it male or female.

Gbemi is a silver spoon woman who’d learnt to steal alcohol from her unsuspecting well—heeled father’s cellar any “time she felt like entertaining her wild friends. In no time at all,she’d become an alcoholic. As a

,

off alcohol. After arguing vehemently she wasn’t an alcoholic, Gbemi agreed to give the treatment a go to save her marriage “After the one week,” Henry recalled, “she didn’t seem to be making much progress—she looked disorientated and I put it down to withdrawal symptoms. It was later that one of the church workers confessed she always gave them money to buy alcohol for her.

“When she was in the bathroom, I rummaged through the huge suitcase she brought with her and found a big bottle of vodka at the bottom of it. I felt really deflated. When she came out and saw me with the drink, she was defiant, accusing me of abandoning her in the middle of nowhere with some weirdos. She had enough and she wanted to leave. I felt really deflated— you couldn’t make a grown woman do what she didn’t fancy doing, could you? So,I took her home.

S

he went downhill from there. We lived in the house she inherited from her dad and whenever I criticized her drinking, she always advised I could leave if I couldn’t take her for who she was. In spite of everything, and what most people thought that I married her for her money, I really loved her. I had a well paid job and I still looked after the family I left for her.

She was a very elegant woman and booze was now destroying all that. In the end, she got tired of my nagging and threw me out.

The last I heard of her, she’d sold the house she inherited on Victoria Island to buy a middle income flat so she could have ready cash from the difference.

Your guess is as good as mine where the difference would go. You seldom win when your partner is an alcoholic. They often set themselves on a dangerous path and it’s virtually impossible to steer them off it—until they’re completely destroyed”. “

continue tomorrow morning,” he warned, staggering to his bedroom. It was almost impossible to have any semblance of a well deserved snooze as I was already fuming. The next morning, Dupe came to my room as I got ready to leave. I was also prepared to do battle if I was as much as stopped to be searched again for a miserable wallet—no matter the amount of money he claimed he stuffed in it. “I found the wallet,” Dupe told me resignedly. She looked so sad and embarrassed I didn’t know what to say. “It was wedged between a chair in our bedroom. I knew he paid for the drinks we had with his credit card but’ didn’t want to argue with him. He was spoiling for a fight as he accused me of not believing him and siding with our

trousers and was snoring in seconds! He’s done that before and what I usually do is to dump all soiled materials—including the beddings in the outside bin.

Asking the soiled stuffs to be laundered would surely give the domestics more juicy gossipy bones to gnaw at. It was when he was fast asleep that I painstakingly searched the room for the wallet and was hugely relieved to find it. I then placed it on the freshly made bed. I’d already rolled him off it and took his trousers off to get the stench of urine out of the bedroom.

He’s still fast asleep and I’ve apologised to our guests. They looked relieved in spite of their being hurt by Ola’s allegations. They couldn’t get out of the house fast

manager in a blue chip company, she always had drinks concealed in her desk’s drawers for her ‘guests’. When she met her third husband, Henry, she couldn’t function without alcohol. She’d long lost her job but, had inherited fortunes from her dead father. “The old man was worth more to me dead than he was alive,” she’d quipped as she told us details of his will.

Henry was alarmed at how clever she was at hiding her stash of alcohol. He didn’t know she drank as early as eight o’clock in the morning. She needed help and she needed it badly, he thought.

H

e belonged to an evangelical church and sought the help of his pastor. He advised Henry to bring Gbemi to the church to stay a week, at least, for constant vigil and prayers so she could be weaned

Wine could improve your fertility year. But those who regularly drank wine were almost a third less likely to wait more than a year. They stood 23 per cent less chance of waiting longer than two months before conceiving than teetotallers or beer or spirit drinkers.

Mette Juhl, of the Danish Epidemiology Science Centre who led the research said: “It shows a link between fertility and wine drinking. We don’t know exactly why wine drinkers became pregnant

,

A

glass of wine in the evening boosts a woman’s chances of getting pregnant quickly, a new study shows. Those who drink a moderate amount of red or white wine stand a better chance of conceiving within two months than women who prefer beer and spirits or do not drink at all.

Of near 30,000 women, researches found half conceived in the first two months of trying, while 15 per cent had to wait at least a

More than two glasses of wine a day—is almost certain to reduce natural fertility

quickly. It could be something in the wine, or for example, that wine drinkers have healthier diets,” he added. The

,

women in the study were asked about other factors. Wine drinkers were not significantly more likely to have a healthy body-weight or avoid smoking

than the others, suggesting these factors were not the reason they fell pregnant quicker.

Fertility expert, Peter Brindsden of the Bourn Hall Clinic, Cambridgeshire, which produced the word’s first test tube baby some 30 years ago, urged restraint “My advice is to be careful,” he said. “More than two glasses of wine a day—is almost certain to reduce natural fertility, not just among women.”

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18 18, 2012 vi and Simon had known E each other since their primary school days. But they started a relationship when they were in the University.

They dated till they were out and started to work in different organisations. Their relationship blossomed as their careers blossomed. Everybody around them knew they were in love and waited for them to announce their engagement to no avail.

The family of Evi mounted pressure on her to convince Simon to hurry their engagement but nothing happened. The truth of the matter was that Evi had been trying to convince Simon to see her family but he had been giving her all kinds of excuses . It wasn’t long when the rumour started filtering into her ears that Simon was seeing another lady and when she confronted him, he didn’t deny it.

As their relationship stands today, Evi cannot confidently say she is in a relationship with Simon and she cannot say she is not either.

Sure, you and your partner love each other, you connect well and have a rather healthy relationship but is your partner the one you should marry? Being a great boyfriend or girlfriend is different than being great spouse material. Many people assume that just because they get along great with their partners as boyfriend and girlfriend, that they will auto- should stay in the relationmatically end up married, liv- ship simply because you ing happily ever after. The soon- have been together for a long er you find this out, the better, time. The first thing you because it will really prevent a need to do is understand lot of confusion and heart ache what your goals are with later. However, even if you have your relationship. This way, been with your partner for many you will be fully aware of years, it does not mean you your expectations and stand-

Is your partner the marrying type?

ards and can then focus on your partner and see whether you two are on the boat or not.

So, how can you tell whether your partner is the marriage type? Well, the signs are very clear to read if you are just willing to see the truth and nothing but the truth, even if

it is not always what you want. The first step in seeing this truth, is throwing your blinders away and to observe all angles of your relationship- not just the wonderful parts that you want to see. If you are the type of person who would like to settle down and get married when the time is right, then you are naturally going to want a partner who will have the same dreams and goals as you when it comes to love and relationships. While this is only natural, you should not assume that just because you are involved with your partner in a serious relationship that it will end in marriage.

This is exactly why you must talk about this with your partner once your relationship reaches a comfortable enough point to talk about marriage and commitment.

Of course, there are some relationships where it is difficult to read your partner, due to mixed signals. If you feel that your partner loves you, but are not really sure whether he or she will ever actually get married to you, then the following signs are what you should look out for: * Your partner tries to change the subject or brushes you off whenever you bring up marriage. *He or she tells you that marriage is not something that he/she is too crazy about. *Tells you that he/she wants to marry you, but keeps making excuses on why you cannot marry now and keeps you waiting for a long time (years).

Is he or she really someone

that you see yourself with for the rest of your lives?If any of these apply to your relationship, then your partner is most likely not the marrying type and would probably make you wait a very long time to finally marry you, or never marry you at all. Some common excuses a partner gives as to why now is no a good time to marry are : *I am not ready yet . *We’ll get married when we have more money. *I’d like to get some other things done first . * We love each other, so what’s the rush?

The best thing to do is to observe your partner ’s behaviour around the topic of marriage and then trust your instincts. Do not rob yourself of true happiness by telling yourself that he or she will eventually come around or that you can change him/her, because this usually never works and you will only end up waiting around for a man or woman who will never give you what you truly want.

If your partner ends up not being the marrying type, then you should try and move on as soon as possible, so that you can move on and find someone who will see love the same way you do.

If you try to adapt to your partner’s non marrying ways, you may be okay for a while because of the love you feel for him or her, but you would eventually grow tired of it and would resent your partner and yourself for not accepting the truth a long time ago. Getting married is a beautiful life experience, but only if it is with a person who wants to be in it just as eagerly as you do.

I love his personality but not his looks I’d like to say that I’ve been the type of person that overlooks outward appearance . But it’s been difficult this time round . I mean it’s so bad that I can’t look him in the eyes while talking to him . He even notices and asks whether I despise him that much that I can’t bear the sight of him .

Well I really fell in love with his personality when we started communicating online.

He seems like a perfectly packaged husband , someone my family would approve of and all my mates would probably sing nothing but praise about him but then, I hadn’t really set myself up for what the meet and

greet would be like ! He was such a warm hearted guy, very jokey and caring but I couldnt help but feel a huge detachment to his physical appearance . And the feeling has only gotten worse over the past few months. To make matters worse, I believe this slight resentment is geared on his indirect desperation . He is too keen on having me as a wife and we’ve not even dated longer than a year . I’m just curious , are his intentions as pure as they look ? Is he catching this whole marriage idea because time is catching up with him.

•Ayobami, 29, graduate, self-employed,needs a Christian and caring working class man for a serious relationship that would lead to marriage on 08187315658 •Willy, civil servant, from Delta State, wants to be linked to a humble, and Godefearing lady of 30+ for a relationship that would lead to marriage on 07062290642 •John, 33, employed, slim, resident at Sapele, needs a lady from Igbo-speaking Delta as a second wife who is still at the age of child-bearing on 08062538780 •Henry, 28, fair, desires a lady for a good relationship on 08036371070 •Gabriel, 40, Oyo State indigene, needs a reliable working class Yoruba lady on 08130929764 •Yomi, 36, Msc holder, resident, in Abeokuta, AA , O+, loves to meet a female graduateswith Masters or a Char-

He is 27 , going on to 28 soon and I’m 20 years. I don’t know, something feels a little bit rushed in that aspect .

But back to my main issue with him , I’m shallow or just having sympathy and dating him to boost his ego that seems a bit shatterd from his previous relationships.

I’m just wondering whether I should just leave him to find someone that loves him fully or I’m losing out by focusing on his looks instead of his heart that seems golden ?Am I missing out on what others wish by looking at minor errors ?

Ijeoma, Onitsha

Ans: First of all, I don’t think you can be with someone that you don’t find physically attractive, you are very young and he sounds like he’s a bit too keen on marriage . If you have fallen for him, maybe it’s in more of a friendly way and not in a relationship sense? If you don’t find him attractive and feel that he’s rushing things, I personally would suggest you leave him. But get your priority right. At 27 going to 28, he is not old or too old for you at 20.

•Folake, 33, from Owo, Ondo State, based in Ilorin, Kwara State, wants a Christian Yoruba single man of 3340 for marriage on 08036659073 tered Accountant above 33 years who is employed on 08037285427 •Gentle, 22, from Delta State, wants a God- fearing girl of 18-22 from Delta , Bayelsa or Rivers , Anambra or Edo for a relationship on 07034408632

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.

•Emma, from Anambra, 34, desires a working class lady of 30-35 for a marriage-bound relationship on 07062124552 •Ovo, 29, based in Warri, needs a loving, caring irl for a relationship on 08078502849 •Itohan,female, from Benin City, 30, employed, wants a reliable man who is ready to settle down on 07033667350

36—SA TURD AY Vanguard, A UGUST 18, 2012 36—SATURD TURDA AUGUST ince the closure of the 3rd Mainland Bridge for repair works, it has been hellish going back and forth the Mainland. I try to avoid unnecessary trips to the other side or reduce them to the barest minimum. I weigh the importance of what I have to do over the bridge on a scale of preference as it always turns out to be a whole day ’s trip. Some things however need to be done to stay on the right side of the law as I am a huge advocate of that. I can then have the moral justification to complain to my heart’s content should services go awry.

Last year, I was one of the many individuals inducted as scheduled for Wednesday, this a Celebrity Special Marshal week and I also had an of the Federal Road Safety appointment at the FRSC to Corps. The ceremony was capture my image for the renewal of my driver’s license held in the capital territory of (yes,I was still on that journey Abuja and the Director, Corps if you read my article few Marshal Osita Chidoka weeks ago). This was great as performed this act and I could then kill two birds with welcomed us into the one stone. organisation. We were given I set out at a reasonable time our reflective vest, cap and for obvious reasons, namely to arm band and then saluted arrive on time but then one can as we filed back to our seats. never predict what lies ahead The idea behind this on our roads. It all seemed smooth till I got to Eko Bridge innovation is to form a to connect to Western Avenue, synergy between role models from there we crawled at snail and their admirers to drive speed all the way to Fadeyi home the information the unit Bus stop and then it eased out needs to disseminate to the a bit. I had decided to take the public with regards to road Ojodu-Berger Express so as to safety in general. The need be on the right side of the road for advocacy is quite strong. when I got closer to my Be it in the schools, motor destination. As I descended the Berger junction of the parks, hospitals, town hall Lagos-Ibadan expressway, meetings, etc. A meeting was

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info@katehenshaw.com

Local government leeches It is all well and good to pass laws but shouldn’t law makers be transparent in their dealings?

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eight men jumped out and one had a wooden plank with nails attached, ostensibly to tear my tyres should I try to drive off. No such thought even crossed my mind. With confidence, I reached into my glove compartment and produced a sheaf of licenses, papers and permits (I was in my ONGA branded jeep).

One of the men had a crest fallen look on his face but then it brightened up almost immediately “Ah madam, get one paper wey nor dey here”.

I was shocked for a brief second and with anger asked which permit was absent,”na consolidated media permit, you go follow us to our office”.

I let one of them in who then proceeded to tell me that he watched my films and even had one of my songs on his phone. I was not interested in chit chat so I ignored him while I took directions on

where their office was located.

On getting closer to the area where this local government, Ifo, I think it was called, the streets were littered with men carrying planks filled with nails, few wore vests but apart from their presence there was really no way of telling who they worked for. I got to the office and it looked nothing like a local government office.

Few men and women were gathered underneath a tree doing nothing but chatting and eating. Their faces lit up at the prospect of naira in their hands because I knew that would be the end result. I was showed the supposed permit and told it was a( 7 in 1 permit: 1)Board of Internal revenue loading and offloading permit 2)Bureau of transport road users tax 3)Ministry of commerce permit 4)Route permit/interstate/road tax warrant permit 5)Vehicle commodity emblem permit 6)heavy/light duty 7)Agric levy.

Fifteen thousand Naira less in my pocket later, consolidated emblem permit in hand for Ogun State, I

drove out of there to my meeting at the FRSC. On second thoughts, I should have “kidnapped” the man who got in my car. How do I know the money will be accounted for? What is the use of so many permits then if the one I had just obtained was a consolidated one? Do they even know the meaning of the word, consolidated? Here comes the clincher, since I did not obtain it at the beginning of the year, it would expire in December! The mind boggles at the amount of ineptitude and thievery in our local government areas. We complain to the Governor for so many things (I, inclusive) but what really is the function of the local government chairmen and who are they accountable to? My view is simply that of touts working for a kingpin who is faceless till election time, who then gets allocation for doing bugger all!

It is all well and good to pass laws but shouldn’t law makers be transparent in their dealings? A friend questioned why I let one of those men into my car, my reply was “I needed to see where all these led”. Beware, members of the public driving round in branded vehicles, we are moving targets to be regularly fleeced by these touts. The good news however is that, I left the FRSC with my temporary driver’s license.

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Forward and Backward bends and the spinal twist pointing away from the baby.

Inhale deeply and raise the body off the heels humping up the chest and throwing back the head. The elbows must be fully extended. Breathe normally once you are in the posture and retain the position for 10 seconds. Rest a bit and repeat.

The triangle

HE ability to bend for ward and backward and twist the spine laterally ensure flexibility to the spinal column and rest of the torso. This suppleness according to the advanced practitioners of yoga spells great health and youthfulness.

A very fit upper body guarantees you at boundless energy and well being and since most of our vital organs are encased there. It makes sense to devote sufficient time exercising it. There are many forward and backward bending postures in yoga. But we shall for now restrict ourselves to a variation of the triangle and the camel.

The triangle:

Technique: Stand with the feet about a yard apart. Clasp your hands at your back and turn the fingers upward while pushing the hands as high as they’ll go. Turn the trunk to the left and lower it till the forehead is resting on the left knee or your level best. Retain the posture for, say 10 seconds and repeat on the other side.

Benefits: The triangle improves the forward bending of the spinal column. It messages the abdominal increasing the digestive fire and banishing indigestion and constipation.

It helps with stretching taut, the hamstrings and strengthening of the

The Spinal Twist

,

T

Inhale deeply and raise the body off the heels humping up the chest and throwing back the head

,

shoulders.

The Camel Technique: Sit on the heels and arrange the hands next to the feet with the fingers

Benefits: The Camel instills backward flexibility to the spine. It stretches the muscles of the front of the trunk from the pelvic region to the chin. It strengthens the arms and expands the chest allowing for more intake of oxygen.

The Spinal Twist Technique: After the practise of the bending postures of the Triangle and the Camel, it’s very refreshing to perform the Spinal Twist. Sit with both legs stretched in front of you. Bend the right knee and place the right foot across the left knee.

Bring the left hand to clutch the left leg passing it on the outside of the right hand at the

The Camel waistline and turn the trunk neck and head to the right.

Breathe deeply into the lower abdomen. Retain the position for 10 or 15 seconds and repeat on the other side.

Benefits: The squeezing movements improves the circulation and stops stagnation in the vital organs ridding body of poisonous wastes and breaking down fatty tissue. It allows the spinal area to come more alive with life-force giving you added strength and mental focus.

22—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012

Mercy Aigbe: I did ‘Osas’ to connect with my root

By AYO ONIKOYI

M

ercy Aigbe is not Yoruba. In fact she has no trace of Yoruba blood in her genes. But when it comes to Yoruba films and the top names making waves these days, you can hardly count up to ten names before her name comes up. Global Leadership Awards for Excellence (GLADE) organised by a Lagos soft-sell magazine nd which held on July 22 of this year recognised her as the Best Yoruba Actress of the year 2011.

She has starred in over 50 Yoruba films and has come off as one of the most sought-after names in the Yoruba genre. By not speaking English she has won the hearts of Yoruba movie lovers by going all the way, fitting in perfectly for

both modern and traditional scenes.

In a recent chat with HVP the petite and pretty actress who is married to a hotelier, Lanre Gentry, as second wife and reportedly pregnant with second child, said she did her wave-making film “Osas” to reconnect with her Benin root and to give herself the opportunity to speak her own language. “Osas” is a comedy film and Mercy has this to say on what inspired her to the movie “ I was on the set of Papa Ajasco when I saw everybody laughing behind the camera and I thought oh, this is funny and that actually started me off to want to do a comedy film” she narrated But then comedy doesn’t come in Mercy’s bag of tricks “Then I was faced with what kind of comedy I should do, I

decided to bring in my own language. You know I am not Yoruba, I am Benin. So I decided to shoot a comedy that would take me back to my roots in Benin. I wanted a comedy where I could actually speak my language” And since the movie hit the market there hasn’t been a moment of regret for Mercy “ The movie did very well in the cinemas and it is doing very well with the DVD sales.

People are actually asking me to do a part 2 of the movie.

Very soon I am going on location to start shooting the part 2.” enthused the beautiful actress who has since released two other movies, 'Hajia Jemila' and 'Gucci Girls' in the market after ‘Osas’. Before now she had produced two films, 'Abimbola' and 'Afe Aye'.

Mama G goes talent hunting

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ighly rated actress and one of Nollywood’s top earners, Patience Ozorkwo, popular known as Mama G is stirring things up in her hometown of Enugu. The veteran actress who is smiling to the bank on the bill of MTN as one of the giant telecom company’s most celebrated faces is sharing her bounties with aspiring stars from her constituency and only last week organised a three-day screening to sieve out true talents from the sea of wanabes who came storming

the initiative being put together by the Nollywood’s Queen Mother and her partners.

Though the idea to go hunting for fresh bloods is basically hers, she is being supported by others who have come on the train as partners. And to set the record straight the group founded an entertainment company named Dominion Entertainment Limited, simply abbreviated DEL. According to Ejiro Okurame, who was one of

Patience Ozorkwo

Nollywood stars at the threeday screening exercise that held in Enugu ”the company is meant to help develop raw talents of future entertainers who want to showcase what they have but have not been opportuned to do so due to the harassment and intimidation by some producers who take advantage of them. Its headquarters is in the coal city (Enugu) where one of Nollywood’s icon was discovered and still resides, Patience Ozorkwo aka Mama G” she said “The motto of the company is, creativity and morals. Its vision: promoting Christian values through entertainment and media. Objectives; to produce quality Nigerian movies that will instill Christian values; to correct the moral decadence in the movie industry; to provide a platform harnessing and promoting talents in the Christendom; to create job opportunities for the Nigerian citizen. Values; morality,hardwork and commitment, quality, integrity and creativity” she added Joining the DEL group in Enugu for the screening exercise which consists of Patience Ozorkwo, Pastor Ifeanyi Emmanuel, Sunny Valentine Chukwu were Ejiro Okurame,Theodore Anyanji and Uzo Amayo Philips

Mercy Aigbe

Ejiro Okurame, Nuela Njubigbo star in ‘Nneka My Queen’

By AYO ONIKOYI

A

what was happening he was framed. Nneka was forced to play along and soon had no option but to leave Emeka.

Fate however came to redress the situation when Nneka was diagnosed of a kidney infection. Prince Ubaka’s fickle love came to fore as he bolted, leaving Nneka to her fate. Emeka came back on the scene and reclaimed his ‘queen’ and as they say one thing leads to another.

maco Production is all poised to hit the market soon with their newest movie ‘ Nneka My Queen’, a movie which brings more depth to the usual story of love. The film which was shot in Asaba and directed by Ifeanyi Azodo has a strong cast including Immanuela Njubigbo, Chinyere Nwabueze, Ken Erics, Charles Okocha (Jigga), Ngozi Ezeonu and Ejiro Okurame.

The story is centred around two lovebirds, Emeka and Nneka, who were doing just fine, madly in love with each other and had the support of their parents until Prince Ubaka arrived on the scene. Now, Prince Ubaka is an unusual character, a man who has money to throw around and would go any distance to achieve anything he sets his mind on.

No sooner he made his intention known to Nneka’s mother than things began to take another turn. Immediately Nneka’s mother changed her attitude towards Emeka and openly demonstrated her preference of Prince Ubaka to Emeka for Nneka’s hand. Before Emeka knew Ejiro Okurame

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012—23

Ex Nollywood actress battles breast cancer E

X-NOLLYWOOD actress, Juliet Aguwa is due to return home from her base in America as she continues her campaign against breast cancer. The beautiful mother of two daughters who also survived the pangs of breast cancer when she was diagnosed of teh ailment stage 3c in 2008 is now preparing to storm Nigeria to continue her awareness programme for underserved Africans worldwide and the need to reach out to underprivileged African women who are undergoing the painful trauma caused by breast cancer.

Through her Courage to Dare Foundation, Juliet who appeared in several TV series and Talk Shows on NTA, Lagos, including ‘Twist Away’ and ‘Memorial Hospital’ before she migrated to the USA to further her studies, is looking forward to launch its inaugural program, an educational Breast Cancer Awareness later this month at the instance of Imo State’s First Lady, Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha.

The awareness programme

•Juliet

N

will be the first ever event of its kind in the State.

Last year, Juliet’s awareness gala event attracted over 300 participants at Lagos State

University and Lagos University Teaching Hospital and she is hoping to make an even bigger impression with her awareness programme in Imo State.

Last Flight to Abuja grosses N8m in the box office O NE of the most talked about movies currently on release across West Africa, “Last Flight to Abuja” has grossed more than N8m at the Nigerian box office, just one week after it was premiered at the Genesis Deluxe Cinema.

“Last Flight to Abuja”, written and directed by the award-winning producer of the movie, “The Mirror Boy”, Obi Emelonye, is the only African movie this year that has been able to compete at the Nigerian box office with the very best Hollywood has to offer.

The movie, according to official Nigerian cinema ratings beat major Hollywood blockbusters such as Spiderman; Think like a Man, Avengers and Madagascar and was second only to the highly rated blockbuster, Dark Knight Rises.

According to a comparative Nollywood 2012 cinema release report released this week, Last

Flight to Abuja grossed N8.35m in its first 7 days, with an attendance of 9,638 as against Phone Swap which sold N3.72m in its first week and recorded an attendance of 3,859, Married But Living Single made N2.35m and 2,602 in attendance and finally Maami which made N3.30m with 2,602 in attendance. Meanwhile Obi Emelonye’s previous movie, The Mirror Boy grossed N6.98m and recorded an attendance of 7,501 in its first week on release in Nigeria. The only movie that bettered this record was Return of Jenifa which made N10m in its first week.

The movie which is the first Nollywood film to be shot mostly on an airplane features the likes of Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Jim Iyke, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Ali Nuhu, Jide Kosoko, Olumide Bakare, Franca Brown, Uche Odoputa, Anthony Monjaro, Uru Eke, Celine Loader and a host of others.

D

ESPITE appointing an act ing Director-General for the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), in the person of Ms. Patricia Bala by the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, some stakeholders of the industry are still jostling for the board's top position.

Those who are jostling for the job, according to our findings have already submitted their credentials, and are waiting patiently for an invitation from the ministry. They include; AMAA boss, Peace Anyima-Osigwe, Madu Chikendu, Alex Eyengho and ace-film maker, Mamudu Ali-Balogun.

In a statement by Mr Yunusa Tanko, the Deputy Director and Head of Corporate Affairs of the board, in Abuja, the Minister announced the appointment of Ms Bala as the acting D-G of the regulatory agency.

It said that Maku had appointed Bala, a senior director incharge of Verification and Classification, as the acting D-G following the expiration of the 7-year tenure of the D-G, Mr Emeka Mba. “The Honourable Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, has approved the appointment of Ms Patricia Bala as the acting DG of the

Stakeholders jostle for NFVCB top position •Minister appoints acting D-G

•Emeka

NFVCB effective Aug. 7,’’ the statement said. (NAN)

Ngozi Ezeonu bags Chieftaincy title V

ETERAN actress, Ngozi Ezeonu has joined the league of Nollywood stars who have been honoured with a Chieftaincy title. The renowned script interpreter was honoured with a Chieftaincy title last Sunday, (August 12)in her hometown of Ihiteoweri, Imo state.

The light skinned actress was conferred with the title, Ada Ife, which literally means 'daughter of light' by His Royal Highness, C.F.N Ezerioha III. Some of her colleagues including, Queen Nwokoye, Emeka Amakeze, Ngozi Nkebakwa Emeka Ani and others were present to add colour to the event.

Ezeonu hit stardom with her role in the movie‘ Glamour Girls’. She was given a supporting lead role in her first movie titled ‘Nneka, The Pretty Serpent’. Her first paying job was as a hair-

•Ngozi stylist before she did a diploma course in Journalism.

The beautiful actress practiced journalism for a while before she veered into acting in 1993. As one of the respected actresses in Nollywood, Ezeonu has paid her dues in the industry and therefore, deserves the honour that her kinsmen have bestowed on her.

24—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012 alentina’s husband had al ways had a bit of a problem about her past, because she had guys before him. She always thought, well, what’s the deal, it’s not like he was a virgin. Well, after 10 years, she found out he actually was one. She was happy that he finally trusted her enough to admit it, even though she would never completly understand why he kept it a secret for so long. However, it did not change the fact that he sometimes got jealous about her time before him.

They both knew she couldn’t change that and that he was aware of her past when they got together. Most of the time, everything was all right, but sometimes it wasn’t, and then their life would turn into an emotional hell. He would hurt her feelings with little snide remarks and then just ignore her. Unfortunately, when she was in emotional pain, her whole body would hurt, so she couldn’t even function properly then, and 3 kids were not helping that either.So, what could they do to get that weird jealosy under control?

If your husband feels insecure and is afraid that the other men were better than him: remind him that those relationships were in the past, and that you are with him NOW, in the present. He is being irrational; he needs to see the difference between past and present. A psychotherapist might be able to help him overcome this, if he will agree to going to psychotherapy. You Thus let him be and let him might also try giving him so do his tasks, until he begins to much appreciation and affeclong for you and comes to you. tion as you can, in order to make him more secure. Per- That way, you will see his best haps it can help you to see his sides. If you are strong and vicious statements as his prob- happy, you will be able to take lem and not take them person- his viciousness better than if ally. He is being unreasonable. you are emotionally vulneraMany men normally swing ble. Always go your way, when between being warm and lov- he is vicious. Say “I don’t want ing and being cold and with- to hear this”. Flee to another out feelings. If your husband room, or go out shopping, or ignores you, try to keep out of anything else where your hushis way and do something on band cannot reach you.

If the problem gets severe, your own. Call a female friend, play with the kids, work, or do and pscyhotherapy does not something else which interests help, you might consider medyou. When a husband is cold icines. Anti-psychotic mediand withdrawn, he has noth- cines are sometimes effective ing to give to his partner and against irrational jealousy. is of no value to her. It is bet- Ask his doctor about this. Best ter, in such a case, to create is to discuss this with a psydistance and wait until he be- chiatrist, who knows more comes warm and available about these medicines than a family doctor (general practiagain.

V

When your man is jealous of your past When a husband is cold and withdrawn, he has nothing to give to his partner and is of no value to her

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tioner). If normal dosage does not help, his doctor may prescribe a higher than normal dosage to get the desired effect.

If the chosen SSRI medicine has side effects, his doctor may try other such medications. In particular, many such medicines may reduce sexual desire and ability to have an ejaculation. Other medicines of similar type have this side effect to a different degree. His doctor may even start with another medicine.

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Painful intercourse

In general, you make love for fun because it feels good. But it can happen that it doesn’t feel good anymore and it even hurts. The cause of the pain is often unknown and the solution for it also. Due to the pain, the person often doesn’t want to make love anymore or does make love, but with a lot a pain. This means that the desire to make love is often re-

O-Men

etween the ages of 10 and 25, swelling under one or both nipples may suggest a non-cancerous condition known as gynecomastia. Hormonal changes during adolescence can sometimes cause this condition.

Gynecomastia may last a few months or persist for years, and it’s mostly a cosmetic concern. See your doctor if breast development increases or if you are at all concerned. Gynecomastia may also occur as a result of some medica-

tions or if you are taking hormones.

Discuss this with your doctor.

What is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a benign male breast condition in which a male has one or two prominent breasts. This condition does not increase a man’s risk of developing male breast cancer. Gynecomastia is one of the symptoms of Klinefelter’s syndrome.

Symptoms of Gynecomastia A small, button-shaped lump of breast tissue can be felt under the male nipple, causing tenderness. The male

It is important to look at the problem from different points of view. There may be a biological cause. This may be a sexually transmitted disease, a vaginal infection, a disorder of the uterus or the large intestine, an infection of the vaginal mucous membrane, a snip or a tear during childbirth and insufficient lubrication of the vagina. Men may have

infections on skin anomalies to the private parts, infections of the glans and the foreskin due to fungi or bacteria, a tight foreskin, prostatitis, or a low testosterone level (hormones).

In women, vestibulit (an in-

Breast problems in men B

duced.

The pain can be present at various moments of the love play and often feels burning, cutting or stinging. This problem occurs more often in women.

There are two sorts of pain in women: superficial and deep pain. When there is superficial pain in the sexual contact, there is pain in the outer or inner labia or at the entrance to the private part.

For some women, the pain is so strong that they also experience pain at every touch in this area.

The gynaecologist can sometimes induce the pain by touching the area with a wet cotton stick. The pain then feels the same as when making love.

With deep pain, the woman has a painful feeling deeper in the abdomen when making love, sometimes described as ‘at the bladder’ or ‘at the ovaries’. The pain is often experienced as dull, stinging or pressing. However, the superficial pain occurs more often and has a physical cause less often.

Men can also have pain while making love.

An estimated 8 to 33,5 % have severe pain while making love. 10 to 20 % of the women who visit a gynaecological polyclinic have sexual pain complaints when the doctor asks about them directly.

To be able to make love without pain, there must be sufficient desire to make love and sufficient arousal. The woman must have relaxed pelvic floor muscles and there shouldn’t be any irritated body parts e.g a bladder infection, venereal diseases, insufficient lubrication of the vagina, oedema, a tight foreskin, etc.

breasts may enlarge unevenly during puberty, as hormones cause overall body changes. Gynecomastia is common during puberty, and usually disappears after a few months.

Common causes of Gynecomastia •Puberty (hormonal growth and changes during adolescence) •Estrogen exposure (female hormone present in the body and the environment) •Androgen exposure (body-building hormones) •Marijuana use

•Medication side effects Impact on a male: Gynecomastia is a benign (non-cancerous) condition. However, some men who have prominent breasts, or uneven breasts, often feel some embarassment about their body image.

This condition can also cause emotional conflict over sexual identity.

Treatment options: If male breasts are tender as a result of gynecomastia, cold compresses may be applied. Analgesics (pain relievers) may also be used.

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2012—25

Zaki’s wife files for divorce

.. .Says, I can’t take his beatings anymore S

he wore a worried look when OGBONNA AMADI, Entertainment Editor met with her at a popular eatery in Ikeja, Lagos.

As she toyed with her phones while waiting for my arrival, nothing could have exposed the turmoil going through her head.

Welcome to the world of Hadiza Zaki Azzay, as she unfolds details of her crashed relationship with her husband and popular musician, Zaki Azzay. et’s meet you My name is Hadiza Zaaki Azzay.

Is true you have packed out of your matrimonial home?

Yes. It is very true. I left home on the 17th of April because of the beatings I constantly received from my husband.

That was the eight time so far.

You left home or he kicked you out?

Yes. I left on my own accord, he never sent me packing.

The very day he beat me up, I was asleep in my Children’s room (because two months back, we’d stopped sleeping together). I felt safer there because he seldom touches me when the children are around.

At about 1:30 am on the fateful day, he came back home and called the land line for some one to come open the gate for him. The second time the phone rang, I picked up. When I answered, he

Zaki and Hadiza ... when the going was good

shouted that I should wake the children up to come open the gate for him. I woke the second born, Kuma to open the gate. When he came in, I was asleep on a mattress on the floor of the room and he started kicking me and shouting that I should have been the one to come and open the gate.

Meanwhile, I’d switched off my phone because anytime he comes back and finds new pictures or numbers on my phone, he’d either delete all of them or smash it and get me a new one.

After kicking me to his satisfaction, he went to his room. Usually when he beats me up this way, I would run away. I ran away twice last year to my fathers house with my children but he came with his uncle’s to beg. Sometime ago when I got pregnant, he asked me to abort the baby because he was not ready for more children.

•Hadiza

H

ow many children do you have?

Three and they are 7, 6 and 4 years old respectively. When we woke up in the morning, he gave the maid money to cook for the family because that was his normal routine.

The gas finished while they were still cooking, so the girl came to me and I referred her back to Zaaki.

I was dressing up my children that morning, when he sent my son to come call me. My son’s exact words were ‘’Mummy, daddy is calling you but don’t go’’. I knew deep down that he was saying the truth because if Zaaki should lock me up in his room, I’m as good as dead.

He would beat me non stop and sometimes raise the volume of the TV or start the generator to douse my cry for help.

When I didn’t go, he came to the room and asked me why I did not harken to his call. I did not respond. He saw me dressing up the children and thought I would take them away to my father’s place the same way I did last year. He took the children away that

,

L

His excuse was that, while other women were giving birth to boys I was giving birth to women. He always said people tell him my children look like my siblings and he would not be shocked to find out that it was my brother that impregnated me and not him

morning and I quickly reasoned that his next step would be to come back and beat me. So I took a few clothes and ran away. Someone introduced to ‘’Project Alert’’ and I went to the shelter. On th the 4 of June, My father told me Zaaki informed him that he is bringing back my luggages. I decided to hire a taxi to go pick my things myself.

Before then, close neighbours had called regularly to say they see my children trekking to and from school because Zaaki does not take them in his car. On my way to the house on that very day, I saw them trekking home with the

,

maid. When I stopped they happily jumped into the car.

The maid who was with them started shouting and calling me ‘’Thief ’’ alerting passers by.

She tore the dress I wore. I manged to escape with two of the kids leaving my daughter behind. Zaaki went to threaten the proprietress of the school saying we connived to kidnap his children.

He aslo went to our family doctor to try get a report that his maid suffered injuries in hand but the doctor refused saying he is a Christian and Continues on page 26

26—Vanguard, SARTURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2012

,

Continues from page 28 would not be a party to a break up a marriage. Later, he gave me a particular medical report because he was convinced Zaaki would go the extreme one day. Even the hospital where I gave birth to my last born, Zaaki has refused to pay them.

happen to me in the nearest future, I have said Zaki should be held responsible.

What if Zaaki comes back to apologize?

He has begged on several occasions in the past but this time I would never go back to go back to him. Right now, I am fighting for my right and that of my children. I’m learned and I am aware of other relating issues.

W

hat was his excuse?

His excuse was that while other women were giving birth to boys, I was giving birth to women. He always says people tell him my children look like my siblings and that he would not be shocked to find out that it was my brother that impregnated me. Whenever he starts beating me, it seems as if there is a spirit inside him.

Y

Hadiza and her children

Do you love Him? If I didn’t love Zaaki, I wouldn’t have married him.

We met when I was in school and worked part time as secretary in my father firm when I’m on holidays. My dad was an active journalist before he went into politics.

Zaaki used to patronize him and with time, we started talking on the phone. One day he told me he loved and wanted me as his wife.

Zaaki’s father gave my father his first employment. So it was like my father was returning a favour by giving me out in marriage to Zaaki.

What happened to the children on that fateful day?

Two them had entered the vehicle before the lady started shouting and calling me a thief. But the child, my daughter was still standing outside. I left with the two that were already in the car.

How did the school authorities get to hear about it, did it happen in the school premises?

No. It didn’t happen inside the school but we were not very far from the school premises. Some of the teachers came out and identified me as the kids mother but she still kept on calling me a thief.

H

ave you reported this matter to his family?

He is not in good terms with his mother, elder sister and almost all members of his family except one of his brothers who he sees once in a blue moon.

Did you try to locate his mother about this issue?

I have no idea where to look for her because she was in Makurdi then relocated to Abuja. She used to call and ask after everybody ’s well being but anytime Zaaki goes

Zaki ’s wife files for divorce through my phone and see her number, he would delete it immediately.

B

ut you sometimes went out together...

Yes we did. But I stopped going out with him because anytime we go out and any man approaches me or even says hi, we would leave the place in a hurry or he would start asking me questions about the man. He feels so insecure. The main reason why I am addressing this issue through the press is because I am scared for my life and the life of people helping me. He went to make false allegations against me to the police. I want the Inspector General to look into this matter squarely. When I went to see the police, the police officer in charge of the case threatened to detain me if I failed to produce the children. My lawyer had to sign an undertaken that we’d bring the children the next day. When Zaaki reported me to his uncle, he lied that he bought me a jeep. People who know me are aware that I trek to school most of the time.

Zaaki would sometimes disguise to come and spy on

me in school or send some of his boys. He has threatened to deal with me on several occasions.

What are you studying in school?

I’m a student of history and international relations. I’m in my final year. Right now, he has seized all my school documents. I really don’t know what Zaaki wants from me, I’m sure members of my family have not offended him in any way. If anything should

,

I am fighting for my life and that of my daughter that is still with him

ou said he asked you to abort on several occasions.

Yes he did. You can confirmed from a doctor friend of his, Dr Albert. I cannot remember the name of the hospital but I have the doctor ’s phone number. The doctor insisted that he does not do abortions and instead gave me antenatal drugs saying ‘pregnancy is a thing of joy’.

Zaaki came home that night while I was asleep and started kicking me insisting that I abort the baby. He almost forced folic acid down my throat and was hitting my stomach in the process. So I begged and asked him to give me the drugs to swallow myself then ran out of the house in just a boxer and Tshirt. He pursued and forced me into his car saying he would take me back to my fathers house. Instead he dropped me off at a lonely spot. I know no one in Lagos because Zaaki brought me here after we met in school.

But at about 1 am, he retuned to pick me up from the spot he dropped me. If you want to confirm these things , go to Gbagada and ask. Often he has beaten me several times on the streets.

Did you ever report this matter to anybody?

Yes. I reported him to my Pastor, Taiwo Odukoya and whenever we go to see him,

Zaaki would say I follow men up and down. I am fighting for my life and that of my daughter that is still with him.

Have you tried to talk one on one with him?

Yes. But every time we try, he says bad people are advising me. Whenever I gave birth, he stopped people from visiting me. He never organised naming or birthday ceremonies for my children.

When I left last year in April, on my sons birthday which is May 17, he gathered a few people in the name of a celebration just to fulfill all righteousness. Zaaki has no house of his own. All we’ve been doing is move from one rented apartment to the other.

He would lie to the media that we travelled to the United States of America. I have only been to Cotonou in my entire life. Zaaki has only been to South Africa and that was courtesy GLO with ‘’Lagbaja’’ and ‘’Daddy Showkey’’. He’s always been denied visa to America yet would lie to the media about a non existing American trip.

D

id you say he was once married?

Yes he was married but I would rather not mention the lady ’s name for security reasons. He married her in Lagos at the Ikoyi marriage registry. And married me at Ado-Odo registry in Ogun State.

I came from a Muslim home but got converted to Christianity because of Zaaki.

Right now, I’m the only Christian in my family. I went boldly to my parents and made it clear that I don’t want my children to be divided between two religions. My father accepted it as long as I was not pagan and advised me to face the religion squarely.

She abducted my kids and abandoned her matrimonial home — Zaki I

n his defense, Zaki told Showtime over the phone he had nothing to say. instead he posted this comment to our mail box.

Read on: “For now I do not want to run fowl of whatever the court ethics are. From my understanding of issues, once a matter is in court every party strives as much as possible to refrain from making comments on such

matters or anything relating to it.

I’m surprised that Project Alert or whatever they call themselves and the person who ran away from her matrimonial home months back and who came back with hefty looking thugs in a black unregistered car: beat up and injured my cousin on her way back from picking the kids from school and forcefully adopted my children; then

went to court after doing that and now run to the press and post so many statements to tarnish my image on the internet. I’m not ready to give them the opportunity for cheap publicity which is exactly what they are looking for.

A good lawyer should fight his case in court and not on the pages of newspapers. I am happy with some of the responses they are getting on the internet.

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2012—27

J. Martins acquires Rolls Royce Phantom, G-Wagon 550 A

fter a long spell of driving a modest Toyota Corolla car, trail blazing producer, songwriter and musician, J Martins, has decided to pamper himself silly with the acquisition of two eye popping and expensive wonders on wheels, a Rolls Royce Phantom and Mercedes Benz GWagon .

While the G-Wagon is on the high seas and will arrive the wharfs any moment from now, paper work for the Rolls Royce Phantom sources told Showtime is delaying its shipment to the country.

Currently in the United States of America, where he recently undertook a month summer executive media

production course in New York, J. Martins who confirmed the purchase and shipment of the G-Wagon would however not comment on the purchase of the Rolls Royce Phantom.

In a phone chat with Showtime, he revealed that he left the country on July 3, to enroll for a month’s executive media production course in America.

“You know I’m not only into singing. I do

so many other things and I’m open to expanding my horizon.

I was in South Africa a few years back to do a year course at the City ‘Versity in West Cape Town.

B

ecause of a tight production schedule, I had to shelve

the follow up course.

That is exactly why I am in New York, to update myself.”.

While in America, the Ohafia, Abia State born musician alongside his Nigerian colleagues, Ice Prince, Jesse ze Jags, 2Face, and Brymo went on a musical tour of several American cities.

J. Martins also spoke about his new works which he says is being handled by his Nigerian management team.

“They have links here in America and I am sure if there is going to be any collaboration between me and any artistes here, they are capable of taking care of things” he affirmed. .

He also disclosed that he will be embarking on an European tour with his friend Fally Ipupa but would not mention

J. Martins

s g a b e id m lo O i f Kof 3month jail term K

•9ice

9ice cchanges hanges names A

s part of efforts to reposition himself in the music industry, the Alapomeji singing pearl, 9ice has changed his names.

Formerly known as Abolore Adegbola Akande, 9ice told Showtime he is taking the new names of Alexander,Abolore, Adegbola,Alapomeji Ajifolajifaola.

Advancing reason for the name change, the Gongo Aso crooner said it was in line with his desire to please his fans who have taken a

the cities they will be visiting.

With two new videos shot in Miami and Los Angeles, J. Martins said he was not ready to be taken unawares by the lack of materials.

“I have recorded many songs and as soon as I am ready to release any, the video is ready.

I don’t want to start looking for materials when the time comes.

J.Martins is due back in country in September.

liking to the name Alapomeji.

“When I set up Alapomeji records, I didn’t reckon on my fans taking to the name.

Now that they seem to love the name, I have decided to add it to my original names’”, he told Showtime.

On his father ’s reaction to the new name, 9ice said, “Its my decision to adopt a new name and not my father ’s. I am sure he will have nothing against my wish, knowing this is show business”.

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

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

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

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

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

“He wanted to withdraw charges in favour of peace between him and the one he calls his ‘big brother’,”.

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

was damaged in the fight.

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

Like other Congolese musicians, he is known for his extravagant lifestyle and flashy outfits.

Born in 1956, he won a scholarship to do a maths degree in France.

On his return to the then-Zaire, he joined the band of musician Papa Wemba, initially as a songwriter.

He later struck out on his own and in the 1980s his soukous style gained popularity around Africa and he has won several Kora All Africa Music Awards.

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

some countries.

He sang in support of DR Congo’s President

Joseph Kabila during the 2006 election campaign, angering many of his fans in the opposition.

Olomide has battled to hold successful tours in Europe since then, as opposition supporters disrupt his concerts, the BBC’s Patrice Chitera in Kinshasa says.

•Olomide

28 —Vanguard, SARTURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2012

mantic roles you play in movies?

We have ways of doing it, most of the touchings and kissing are not real. Basically the romantic scenes are make-believe, it is in the power of the motion picture editor. When I watch my intimate movies, it is sometimes overwhelming to me how real some of them can be when I did not even do it.

How would you compare working in Nigeria and Ghana?

Nigeria is my second home and I love working here. When I am here, I’m not always in a hurry to return to Ghana.

Every actress has a unique selling point, tell us about yours?

Wow, I don’t know. There are so many traits I have that people love. Some people like my eyes, my smile. So I guess it is the people that determine my selling point.

You are a mar ried woman, you can’t run away from temptations, how much have you been able to withstand those

I’m not at loggerhead with anybody — Jackie Appiah Ghanaian actress, Jackie Appiah and other international stars were in Lagos, last Wednesday to intimate the media ahead of the commencement of the shooting of the 3D movie, “ Mystery Beads” in Nollywood.

By BENJAMIN NJOKU & SARUMI KEHINDE

* Jackie

industry. Then, I used to act in the church and in school.

So, how did you develop your talent?

A friend came to me and informed me about a talent hunt show that usually hold in different parts of the world. She advised me to be part of the show, and when I did, I emerged the first runner-up.

Unknown to me, there was someone who watched my performance all through. He told me he would like to feature me in his forthcoming TV series.

That was the beginning of my acting career.

Did you start acting before dabbling into marriage?

I was already acting before I got married. I started acting at the age of 18, so that means I hit stardom as a young adult.

I featured in the TV series titled ‘’Feasting For Love’’ but I had my break into the industry in 2004 when I featured alongside Van Vicker and Mama G in my first movie titled ‘Divine Love’.

Sometimes, your Ghanaian kinsmen refer to you as their answer to Nigeria’s Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola and so on.

How do you feel ?

I am indeed very happy that my work is being appreciated by my fans. I know that I’m not working in vain.

I have been trying as much as possible to be the best that I could be. I give everything into each role I am supposed to interpret in a movie.

I guess that made me to stand out in the industry.

Maybe, God sent me here to fulfill a mission; inform and entertain people through my talent.

And you

that come your way?

I am a God-fearing person and I thank God for

His direction and helping me to avoid so much struggles in the industry.

* Jackie

,

I

n a couple of days, you will hit the location to commence the shooting of the 3D movie, “Mystery Beads” being produced by Egor Efiok and directed by Frank Adekunle Macaulay?

I can’t wait to get on set. It’s exciting to be part of the cast of this film. When I went through the script, I immediately fell in love with the storyline.

Would you say acting has been fair to you in the past 16 years you hit the limelight?

Acting has given me more insight into the mysteries of life.

It has also given me the opportunity to meet and interact with a lot of people across the world.

Apart from making me more mature, it pays my bills and has impacted on my life positively.

Was acting what you really set out to do in life?

I wanted to become a lawyer because I came from a family of lawyers. I have the blood of lawyers running in my veins. I still would love to study law in future.

While growing up, I loved acting but I never thought I would come up this big in the

I was already acting before I got married. I started acting at the age of 18 so that means I hit stardom as a young adult.

,

would be proud to say that acting has changed your perception about life and living?

Yes of course. Acting has changed my very being and my way of living. It is not an easy task at all. The things I used to do while I was still a nobody are impossible to do now because all eyes are on me.

These days, I am mindful of what I do or say because there are a lot of young people looking up to me for direction. I cannot afford to disappoint them because I am their role model and I need to do the right thing in order to impact on them positively.

You find it difficult to look at peo-

ple straight in the eyes. Are you a shy person?

Yes, I am a very shy person but interestingly, when I find myself in front of the camera, I’m suddenly transformed. Once I hear ‘’Action’’, my shyness disappears and I become a different person.

We hear there is a war of supremacy going on between you and other leading Ghanaian actressesYvonne Nelson and Nadia Buhari. How true is this?

I don’t know why journalists prefer to write about things that are not real. I don’t have any problem with anybody. They are all my colleagues in the industry. We all come from different backgrounds and after work we return to our homes.

Once in a while, we meet and chat with one another, that does not mean we are not friends and colleagues in the showbiz industry. We are one big family and once we are on set, we tend to be committed to our works. I’m not at loggerhead with any of them.

Some actresses have had their own fair shares of the negative reports in the media. What were the prices you have paid so far?

I will say I have become blessed. I give God all the glory. I didn’t know I would go this far in my acting career. I have had that favour from God. You are married and as one of the biggest actresses in Ghana, how do you cope with all the ro-

Jackie A

Appiah

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2012 — 29

Acting Acting comes comes with with aa lot lot of of cchallenges hallenges —Elvis Chucks

Elvis Chucks is indeed a seasoned actor who knows his onion. He started acting at a tender age of three and plans to quit the trade anytime soon. In this interview with FLORENCE AMAGIYA, he talks about his film and television production company, his latest movie that is about being premiered and his life generally.

Enjoy!

What would you say life has taught you?

Life taught me diligence and uprightness as well as give my best to get the best out of everything l do.

What would you say prepared you for what you are today?

I cannot say I was really prepared because I grew up acting; I started acting quite early in life. I didn’t act because of the money or the fame. I was only doing it because l loved doing it. I was a child when it all started. But l had to work on my arts when my parents found out that l was all for the screen as against their plans for me to read medicine. I went back to school to become what I am today. I studied Film and Television production abroad in South Africa, City Varsity Film and Television school, Cape Town, South Africa.

We have been seeing your face for more th an a decade now, when and how did you become an actor?

I became an actor at the age of three, and I started with productions like ‘Tales by Moonlight’ and the others. I am over a decade in the industry. I cannot say I set out to become an actor because l was pretty young when l started, but as l grew up, I eventually fell in love with it. My parents actually wanted me to study medicine, but they dropped the idea when they noticed I love doing what I was doing.

We do not always see your face on TV, why?

I do not have to take all the scripts given to me to prove that l can act. A good actor can do a few movies and still make his or her mark. I

was with RMD the other day on a set when he talked about the movies he has featured on.

According to him, he has featured in about fifteen movies, but that didn’t stop him from making his mark in the movie

world. I haven’t featured in many movies, but the few I have featured in are timeless. My feature in Super Story was shot in 2001-2002, yet, I still get recognized till date. It is not about the quantity, but the quality of your work.

What if you are opportuned to become a motivational speaker, what would your advice be?

I would advise my audience to stay focused and believe in themselves. No matter who you are or what you become in life, your belief system is what propels the change to become an outstanding person or not.

Were you born with a silver spoon?

I was born into an average home.

I wasn’t born with a silver spoon.

Did you start off your career with TV series before the big screen?

I started with all the kinds of movies! I have been in a lot in TV series, but l have also done seasoned movies. I have done movies on M-net; I did some in South Africa. I also modeled too.

What inspired the soap ‘Secrets and Scandals’?

Secrets and scandals was inspired by our everyday life. We keep secrets and when they are told; they become scandals and all that. Secret and scandal is what is happening everyday around us.

What inspired your advocacy movies?

I do not always do advocacy movies. But l have done some. I once wrote a script and l was opportuned to visit the Takwa bay, a beach in Lagos state. I ran into a little child who was running towards the beach without any form of clothing on his body. I looked around and l didn’t even see any parent and l wondered at the abuse. My cousin called my attention to it and l remembered that script. I showed the script to Joke Silva and she was so touched by the situation. That script brought about the movie Victims of the Society .

Were there challenges on the job?

Yes there have been challenges, but everything in life has its own challenge. You are on set recording and there is a problem with your equipment and you lose everything you have recorded while you don’t have a back up! That’s a challenge. There are always challenges, but the beauty of it all is when you manage to save or rescue your products and when you eventually see the end results on TV, then you forget all the stress of production.

Your fans, how do they react to you?

It is indeed wonderful when you are recognized by people who love you and your products. I get speechless when l am appreciated by my fans. It makes you feel that someone out there acknowledges your input and it is a worthwhile feeling.

What do you do when you are not in front of the camera acting?

I have established a company called Diamond Groove Pictures. It is a motion picture production company. We do TV commercials, television production, press media advertisement and cinema movies. We own productions like award winning Happy Family on NTA network, Secrets and Scandals on STV and others too numerous to mention.

We have been a strong content provider to Mnet and Africast Television in USA. You have a movie about to be premiered, tell us about it?

The movie title is ‘A wish’. It is a comedy movie that gives insight on cancer and early detection as a remedy to save lives.

Cancer is not comical why is it a comedy movie?

Yes, cancer is not comical, but the way the movie was acted and directed. It through light into the sickness known as

30 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2012

Players to watch in the Premier League this season Robin van Persie

•Yaya Toure

•Oliver Giroud

Manchester United and Arsenal have reportedly agreed on a transfer for Van Persie.

Reason to watch: If he moves, how will he fare? If he stays, what will his attitude be like?

One of the summer’s most thankless transfer sagas is that of Robin van Persie. He announced on his personal website that he would not be renewing his contract, yet he is still an Arsenal employee less than a week before the season starts.

Yaya Toure

• Lukas Podolski

• Oscar

•Fernando Torres

•Nikica Jelavic

Can he cement his status as the Premier League’s best player?

Yaya Toure is a frightening footballer. His strength, speed, awareness and technique all come together and form one monstrous frame—a frame almost no one can handle.

He was absolutely superb last season, and his absence during the African Cup of Nations was painfully evident. When he came back, he provided renewed drive and thrust to Manchester City’s midfield and for me, he might just be the best player in the EPL. Can he build on this and get even better, or has he reached his peak?

Olivier Giroud

Can he end Arsenal’s struggles in breaking down stubborn defences?

Arsenal play wonderful football, but they sometimes struggle to break down compact defensive lines.

We’ve seen it before—eight Arsenal players lingering outside the opposition penalty area, looking for the perfect through-ball to unlock a defence.

With Olivier Giroud on the

•Clint Dempsey

roster, though, this may no longer be an issue. He’s adept at immersing himself into a defensive line and dragging his team forward three or four yards.

Those yards can be crucial, and his high assist count last season for Montpellier (nine) was a result of him playing clever one-twos for his midfielders and bringing them into goalscoring positions.

Lukas Podolski

Will it be the Lukas Podolski of Euro 2012 or World Cup 2010?

There are a lot of questions surrounding Podolski. No doubt he’s a great signing, but how will Arsene Wenger utilise him?

He played most of last season at Koln as a central striker, but frequently turns out on the left wing for Germany.

You can see him working well with Olivier Giroud, and that combination could be lethal, but how compatible he is with Robin van Persie is a different proposition altogether.

Oscar

What role and position will he play? How many games will he get?

Oscar was a perplexing signing by Chelsea. He is, quite clearly, an incredibly talented individual, but the Blues’ midfield was stacked even before his arrival.

The Olympics have shown the world what he’s capable of, and Chelsea fans are very excited about his Stamford Bridge arrival.

It will be interesting to see how Roberto Di Matteo deploys him, which system he uses and how often Oscar will be able to play in his preferred role—attacking midfielder.

He should slot straight into a 4-3-3 like the Italian used last season, and a midfield trio of

• Lucas Leiva

Ramires, Frank Lampard and Oscar would be fearsome.

Fernando Torres

With Didier Drogba gone, can “El Nino” step up to the plate?

Fernando Torres’ Chelsea career had been plagued by one fact: They could always turn back to Drogba if the Spaniard wasn’t doing the business.

Drogba is gone, so Roberto Di Matteo is putting his faith in Torres and expects him to repay it with goals.

He’s made a good start, as the goal he scored in the Community Shield is reminiscent of the striker ’s finishes he used to produce at Liverpool.

He thrived when he was the main man at Anfield. He’s the main man at Stamford Bridge now, 15 goals or more are being predicted.

Nikica Jelavic

Is he a 20-goal striker?

Papiss Cisse stole the headlines last January as the best acquisition, but Nikica Jelavic was just as good, if not better.

He was less than half the price of the Senegalese forward too, as Everton took advantage

of a cash-strapped Rangers to land the Croatian.

He is a true poacher, and his record of 10 goals and one assist from 12 games is outrageously good.

Strikers who tally 20 goals per season are much-sought commodities.

Do Everton have one right here?

Clint Dempsey

Shades of Robin van Persie?

Just like Arsene Wenger, Martin Jol has a problem of his own. Clint Dempsey, arguably USA’s best player, has been dogged by transfer speculation all summer.

Rumours linking him to Arsenal were plentiful at the end of last season, while Liverpool have been widely credited with an interest.

Lucas Leiva

Sorely missed last season, can Lucas Leiva be as pivotal as Joe Allen in Brendan Rodgers’ revolution?

Lucas is a world-class defensive midfielder. Liverpool lost him to injury early last season and simply couldn’t replace him.

According to reports, he averaged a whopping 5.7 tackles and 2.8 interceptions per game.

The players brought in to replace him—Charlie Adam and Jay Spearing—were far less effective, failing to record statistics even half as proficient. In addition to the purely defensive elements, he was Liverpool’s fifth-best passer with regard to completion rate.

Welcoming Lucas back is as big as any signing they could make this summer

RAFAEL NADAL:

Withdrawal from 2012 US Open signals start of star’s decline

R

afael Nadal’s withdrawal from the 2012 US Open in New York this summer due to a nagging knee injury signals the beginning of the end for one the greatest tennis players of all-time.

ESPN.com reported on Wednesday that Nadal withdrew from the year ’s final major tournament shortly after the Spaniard.

It’s safe to say that at 26 years old, the wear and tear of Rafa’s style of play, in addition to 11 Grand Slam titles, has taken its toll on Nadal’s body, mainly his knees.

Tendon problems in Nadal’s left knee have been hampering him all season, were certainly bothering him at Wimbledon, and are now keeping him out of the US Open, which he won in 2010.

It’s incredibly difficult to see Nadal continuing his string of

success after a setback like this.

That’s why this moment signals the start of Rafa’s decline in my eyes.

His aggressive style was never meant to last long into his early 30s. What has made Rafa so great over the past few years has been the passion he plays with, as well as the physicality he brings to the game, so we can’t fault him for the consequences.

Unfortunately, knee troubles are a result of that dominating style.

He has won seven French Open championships in eight years, which speaks to the sort of demand he has placed on his knees over the course of his career. To be clear, I’m not saying that Rafa will never compete at a high level again, but rather his journey to be the No. 1 player in the world is over and that his play will decline from here.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2012 — 31

Luis Suarez

With a new contract under his belt, can Luis Suarez become the 30-goal man he threatens to be?

Luis Suarez might just be the unluckiest player in the English Premier League—it was bordering on the ridiculous how many times this man hit the woodwork last season.

If he stopped hitting the post and started hitting the back of the net, his 11 league goals last season could easily have been 22.

Liverpool struggled immensely for goals at home last season, and this was the sole reason they finished so low. Suarez is the man Brendan Rodgers will need to score the largest percentage of goals in a Liverpool shirt, and it’s time Suarez delivered

Robin Van Persie to Manchester United: Why the deal is actually good for Arsenal

Robin van Persie

Mario Balotelli

Can you think of any not to?

Whether he’s scoring, celebrating, receiving a red card or giving out money, Mario Balotelli always makes you smile. After a seriously impressive Euro 2012 campaign for Italy, Manchester City fans are desperately hoping he will carry that form into the domestic season.

• Mario Baloteli

•Luis suarez

•Rafael Nadal...

Withraws from 2012 US Open

C M Y K

T

he big news we have been wait ing for all season seems to have finally hit, as Robin van Persie is finally set to leave the Emirates for Old Trafford in a reported £24 million deal.

The move is clearly the blockbuster deal of the summer, as last year’s top scorer in the Premier League has switched alliances in favour of his old club’s league rival.

On the surface, the move is a terrible one for Arsenal. After all, van Persie had over three times as many goals as the club’s second top scorer last season, yet is about to be sold for roughly the same fee that Tottenham have continually rejected for Luka Modric.

Further, the sale looks to be yet another example of Arsenal selling their best players, following the trend established by Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas last summer when they went to Manchester City and Barcelona, respectively. In fact, it is the second consecutive season that the Gunners have sold away their captain.

So what could possibly make the deal a more understandable piece of business? What reasoning could Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal board have had when they decided to give this deal their blessing? Well, let’s play devil’s advocate for the Gunners on this one.

For starters, van Persie had made his desire to leave the club perfectly clear this summer when he indicated it in a post on his personal website last month. Hanging on to a disgruntled asset is a poor business decision, as the price is driven down the more upset they get, lessening the team’s bargaining position.

Now, business is obviously not the be-all end-all of decisions at a football club; at some point, the on-pitch interests must be as important, if not more. In this regard, it looks bleak for the Gunners. However, there are a few mitigating circumstances to consider.

For one thing, van Persie has had a well-documented history of injury troubles. Yes, he had a fantastic season last year, but that was actually the statistical outlier from his time at the Emirates.

Last season, RvP played all 38 matches in Arsenal’s Premier League

season. In all of his other seven seasons, the Dutchman didn’t break 30. In fact, van Persie barely had as many appearances as a Gunner in 2009-10 and 2010-11 combined as he did in 2011-12.

Robin may have played superbly when on the pitch, but he has had a plethora of issues forcing him off of it. If he were to have a bit lesser of a season (which is the statistical likelihood), his value would drop. Instead, the Gunners can sell him on at the peak of his value and use the money to reinvest in young talent.

Further, van Persie is by no means a spring chicken. At 29 years of age, it would not be surprising if his body begins to

break down over the next few years, especially given his past.

Perhaps Wenger and the club are using their experience with superstar Thierry Henry as a guide in this regard. In 2005-06, a 29year-old Henry was coming off a season in which he scored 33 goals in 45 appearances.

In the summer of 2007, though, Arsenal turned down two £50 million bids for the Frenchman. Instead, Henry stayed one more year, had an injury-ravaged 2006-07, and was sold for just €24 million (less than £19 million).

According to reports, “United are understood to

have agreed a £15m downpayment,” which “will rise to £24m depending on appearances.

Van Persie is expected to sign a fouryear contract worth over £200,000 a week.”

Now, at the same age, van Persie has even better numbers and a longer injury history than Henry. Sounds like selling him might make sense given this fact. Finally, there are the replacements Arsenal have already signed to replace RvP and the potential talent that United’s money could get them. This summer, Arsenal have already signed strikers Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.

LONDON OLYMPICS:

Battles we enjoyed watching T

he London Olympics was fascinating on different counts—there were many individual as well as team performances that captured the imagination of fans and historians.

There were also battles galore that made news during the Games.

Whether it was the fascinating duels between teammates Bolt and Blake on the track or similar comrades (Lochte and Phelps) in the pool, all of them made the Games memorable to watch.

The competition between Blake and Bolt was the cynosure of all eyes—there were many who thought that Bolt’s days at the top were numbered.

Blake had won the last two encounters with Bolt and the experts thought that Blake

Bolt & Blake

might sneak through ahead of the legend.

Bolt had other ideas though. He did the “double triple” as they call it by winning all the events that he had towered in Beijing Olympics. Blake was not far behind, right next to Bolt in the 100 and 200-meters race while finishing on top (alongside Bolt) in the relay. Let us watch the others who were as engrossing as that of Bolt and Blake.

Lin Dan vs.

Lee Chong Wei

Lin Dan & Lee Chong Wei

Lin Dan had beaten Lee Chong Wei in the badminton finals of the Beijing Olympics. Lee had made strides after Beijing and had recently scaled the No. 1 rankings in badminton. Lee was also the top seed but Lin Dan had other ideas. In a thrilling final, Dan defeated Lee 15-21, 21-10, 2119 to retain the Olympic gold.

32—VANGUARD, SATURDAY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 18 , 2012

“I saw opportunities when things were bad” D

r. Ona Ekhomu is a Management/Security expert, an educator, andpolicy analyst. Early in life, he had dreams of becoming a lawyer.

The law regalia and the practice of law excited him. But when he couldn’t get admitted into school in Nigeria, he went to the United States where he got his first degree in History, then to Iowa State for Masters in Political Science. He proceeded to University of Petersburg for a PhD in Policy Management. His original aspiration was to finish schooling and return to Nigeria to teach. He thought that was glamorous, but by the time he finished his PhD, he had veered into security business, rising to become an internationally renowned expert. In this interview with Ishola Balogun, he speaks on how he managed through the tough begining just as he recalls the fond memories of how he met his wife of 31 years. Enjoy it.

How he started out in life I came from a family of four but eventually became nine. Growing up was quite interesting. I remember playing a lot in the neighbourhood.

I remember how safe the society was in those days. There were no security concerns, no bomb blasts, no kidnappers and none of the things we have today in Nigeria. We had time to play. I didn’t like going to school. I remember I always cried and would be forced to go to school. I played football, chatted with friends in the evenings; we didn’t have television then but there were cinemas. There was communal living and we were living in a modes face-me-I-faceyou apartment in Port Harcourt. But I couldn’t forget being able to go out and play as a child and I still cherish that till today, because now, our children are not having real childhood anymore.

Many Nigerians because of the wrong impression they have think children should just skip their childhood and go to adulthood. You find children who are 12 and 13 going to universities.

Those days, it was not

,

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN & EBUN SESSOU

...it was so tough that

even family members asked me to keep my business ideas aside and take up an employment

,

like that. The British left us with standards but we came and took the standards away saying the end justifies the means. So, we have babies who are in secondary schools, kids in universities and that is why they don’t know why they are there because they lost their childhood. They didn’t have time to play and discover themselves, discover their talents and weaknesses. That is why when they come out of the universities, they become dysfunctional.

They cannot fit into life, they are not adults and they are not children.

Yes, we can argue that it is because of internet and technological development but technology cannot take the place of maturity in human being. It can only enhance it and make

them know things better.

But for it to be meaningful, you need time to pass.

Choosing a career While in Nigeria, I got introduced to the world of policing and security through my interaction with people. So, when I was in United States, I continued my interest in working with law enforcement agents. When I started my PhD, one of the friends I made was the former FBI/CIA agents who were looking for business opportunities in areas of alarm systems and security solutions in Africa. They were happy to know I already had links with the security agents and I was excited too. I undertook some training and identified it as a business opportunity and in

D e c e m b e r, 1980, I registered my security company.

To u g h times God has a way of shaping our destinies. I believe in predestiny. Like I said, I started out with a dream of becoming a lawyer but by the time I started schooling, •Dr. Ona Ekhomu I didn’t think about that again. After my first degree, I did not bother, I moved on. Even are palpitating now with critical and abstract because many of them thinking and many have lost their jobs, some skills, I kept asking of them don’t even know myself ‘ would I have their villages especially done better if I had read those who went there Law? But really, it was and lost ties with Africa. tough for me but I stuck They failed to know that to my game-plan. There America was once like were times that big Nigeria and because it is companies come asking a social system, it to take us over and I cleaned up. Today, as a would become an em- businessman dealing in ployee. I remember in alarm systems, I got into 1980 and 81, it was so security a garden which tough that even my is personnel-intensive, family members asked writing and publishing me to keep my business books; teaching in my ideas aside and take up own school. In less than an employment and two weeks, I will be when things get better I opening another security could l go back to my school in Abuja. I have business. To make professors from Ghana matters worse, there was attending my school. A a time when I brought my young lady flies in every family back home and week to attend my class. people asked us to go I’m touching lives and back saying the country I’m doing what I really was bad. They advised like. me to take up a job in the United States and I said Advice for the youths no because when people My advice is that focus on something, they anything you want to do, see the problem instead you have to be prepared of the opportunities. But for it. You have to study I saw the potentials and and improve yourself. opportunities. I saw the The preparation for stupidity in the system, success in life is to reacorruption, poverty and lise that Rome was not others but chose the built in a day. It was opportunities and today, rough for me at the I’m better for it. Some of beginning, there was a my contemporaries in very dry spell but for perAmerica cannot return severance, nothing home now. Their hearts would have been

achieved. Tough times don’t last but tough people do. You have to first of all perish the view that it will come easy or that there are shortcuts to it. Quick money is nothing but trouble. Like I told somebody who I met in a flight from Abuja to Lagos sometime, she asked me what I do for a living and I said I am a maiguard. She thought I was joking and I emphasised that I am an executive maiguard. As a chairman of a security company, it is the same concept, we are guarding people, it is just that we now look at it at a high level of analysis.

How he met his wife I met my wife in Benin.

I was home in 1980 when I was doing field research for my doctoral thesis. While distributing questionnaires and gathering evidences for my work, I met her.

Then, my youngest sister and her own cousin started match- making us. Eventually they spoke to me about her that she just finished school and her parents wanted her to stay in Benin for a while so that she would not get married to the wrong person.

Email: youthfulvibes@gmail.com

We all have something to give — Philip Ogenero Daferiogho

V

olunteerism is regarded by several people as a natural endowment as not many people would do things they are not asked to do. 30 years old Philip Ogenero Daferiogho believes strongly in the destiny of Nigeria and the corporate future of Africa through selfless service. Philip just returned from the United States of America having participated in the International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP). He tells Youthful Vibes his work with youths, how the programme has impacted his life positively and how he intends to pass on the knowledge acquired.

Philip Ogenero

WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH THE NIGERIAN RED CROSS I serve in the Nigerian Red Cross, as the General Secretary of the Lagos Youth Wing. From my early days in the Red Cross (1997); I believed that the Red Cross can do more, aside from her Life Saving First Aid trainings and the succour she makes available to the vulnerable and victims of war, natural and manmade disasters.

The role of the Red Cross globally is not news, everybody and every community at one time or the other has or would benefit from the very important and fundamental support of the Red Cross. However, Ithink with the prevailing situation in Nigeria, we can leverage on the great resources (human and material) that the Red Cross makes available to build a prosperous and resident community.

So as the General Secretary of the Lagos Youth wing, we had set about developing a network of civic minded leaders who would engage and transform their communities through voluntary active participation.We (the Lagos Youth Wing) have designed and implemented programmes that promote holistic Youth Development (Leadership, Economic empowerment,civic participation and volunteerism).We also advocate and articulate solution of societal concerns vis-a-viz climate change,

,

E

DUCATIONAL BACKGROUND I am a native of Ughelli South LGA in Delta State. My primary education was at Army Children School and I also attended the Saint Gregory’s College, South West, Ikoyi, Lagos. I obtained my Bachelors of Technology in Biochemistry from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State.

As per how I would transmit my experience, I must say that the task is mammoth but not insurmountable

,

HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, politics,citizenship, etc.

The objective of these programs is to increase the capacity of our members and friends of the Red Cross so that they would be Model Change Agent (MCA) where ever they are or are called to serve.

H

OW THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT HAS IMPACTED MY LIFE Yes, I was in the United States of America for the International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP). IVLP is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange programme launched in 1940. It seeks to build mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations through carefully designed short-term visits to the U.S. for current and emerging foreign leaders in government, politics, the media, education, the arts, business and other key fields.

We had a variety of thematic programmes, either individually or in groups, for up to three weeks. While in the U.S., International Visitors typically visit Washington, DC and three additional towns or cities that highlight the

tremendous diversity of the U.S.We (I and 22 other IV’s from around the globe) attended professional appointments with our American counterparts, learnt about the U.S. system of government at the national, state and local levels, visited American schools, and experienced American culture and social life.We also shared our culture and offered insight on best practices and perspectives with our American hosts.

Thanks to the American government and people for the opportunity to be part of the IVLP, because it opened my mind and also reinforced my belief in the enviable destiny of my beloved Nigeria and our dear continent.

C

ASCADING THE BENEFITS OF THE IVLP There is so much to learn and talk about, but for the sake of space, I will give a summary of my experience and how I hope to transmit it in Nigeria.

The United States may not be the perfect country that we all think it is or the enemy as some had made people believe. In the U.S, I saw a people who understood and preserve history by way of documentation through museums, parks, movies, poetry, etc.

Americans always plan for the future (are proactive)- this is evident from the airport designs and location, the housing, academic system, most of the system, structure and infrastructure are serve below the current capacity in anticipation of futuristic

Philip receiving a certificate of honorary citizens from City Council Woman MarenDeWeese of the city of Pensacola, Florida.

SA TURD A Y Vanguard, A UGUST 18, 2012—33 SATURD TURDA AUGUST development. Also what is worthy Governance and Reduce Drug of note is the ‘live for others’ Abuse. So I will reach out to lifestyle (voluntary service is a other leaders in the country, the way of live, from the aged to the IVLP alumnus community in children - everybody lives and Nigeria, the U.S Embassy and breath volunteerism. The army of Consulate and other friends of voluntary organisations are Nigeria to assist in the current organised and are in synch, national transformation process. complementing each other).

To empower and facilitate The Schools offer students the Capacity building and chance to study at their pace with strengthen the technical know so many aid to make sure the how of NGO’s and Community student succeed.That is not to say based organizations (CBO’s). that it is the utopian society, like This is imperative, because most many other society, there are flaws individuals and organisations and errors. operate at the basic skill level, As for how I would transmit my which when improved upon can experience, I must say that the task deliver a far greater dividend. is mammoth but not As a case in point, if trainings insurmountable.On a personal like Project/Programme design, level, I would assist to scale up the management, monitoring and programmes of the Lagos Red evaluation; NGO Cross Youth wing, so that we can Administration and reach out to more people and touch Management; Proposal/Grant more communities within Lagos writing, etc. If NGO’s and CBO’s and her immediate environs. I are empowered with such would also partner with other expertise, we can expect their organisation to articulate how we efficiency to increase, which will can better serve the Nigerian translate to effectively executed people in general. As we know, no project in our communities; our single individual or organisation people would be better for it. can resolve our National issues.

ERVICE TO HUMANITY But from the IVLP, I found some Young people should serve programs/solution that would help with Job Creation, with their gifts, resources, Entrepreneurship, Inspire relationship, etc. We all have Academic excellence, Cultural what we can contribute and let Preservation, Citizen Driven disappointment be the fuel for success.

S

YOUNG NIGERIANS MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

NWAOGBOH CHRISTOPHER IFEANYI (MC Krixturkar)

N

waogboh Christopher Ifeanyi (MC Krixturkar) is from Ikwuano in Umuahia of Abia State. Hestarted his education at Ladipo Primary School OkeOja and Gaskiya College, Cardoso BadiaIjora, Lagos. He received a Diploma in public Administration from UNIFECS in 2001 and a Bachelors Degree from one of Nigeria’s premier institution of higher learning (University Of Nigeria, Nsukka) where he studied Fine and Applied Arts (Graphics Major). His artistic inclination moved him from the art studio and stage acting to the sound studio as an On Air Personality with the institution’s radio outfit (91.1 Lion FM, UNN) for a period of 3 years before graduation. While the clarion call to National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) in 2008 fetched him a Certificate of Graduate Membership with the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).However, his craving for career advancement in Media and Project Management connected him to RedSTRAT Communications, owners of The Future Project and organizers of the Future Awards where he garnered some trainings. They have helped him to occupy several leadership positions.

He has also received several awards. He presently doubles as The Head of Strategy Department & Creative Director of Bravehearts Entertainment Kulture (BEK Africa), an Events and Projects Management Outfit propelled by young Nigerian Leaders in the Ajegunle where he was born, while occupying the desk of General Manager at the stable of Microres Nigeria Limited, a New Media Consulting Firm and Google Aggregator, the firm is a proud owner of What Is New (Win TV) where Christopher is a Presenter/Producer.

BASSEY BRIGHT JERRY KADUNA

B

ASSEY BRIGHT JERRY (500l Nursing Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria) is a writer and speaker. He is the founder of Youths Aflame Network International (YANI), an organization aimed towards touching lives of youths especially in the area of sex, drug and alcohol. In his own words: “We believe youths are the future of our country and so the need to make them realize the effect of youthful vices in their lives. We organize workshops, seminars and conferences for youths and teens”. This passion dates back to 2009. Bassey has written two books titled : ‘Is premarital sex and alcohol really that bad?’ And ‘Youths and teens, the future begins now’. They were both published in Nigeria, USA and Germany. Bassey’s few years experience in the Nursing profession and as a nursing student created a deep passion inside of him to raise a sex-pure generation of youths. He sees himself owning a big secretariat where youths and teens that need to be counseled, encouraged and motivated.

34—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012

EBUN SESSOU

I spend quality time to eat — Idris Kuta A

lhaji Idris Kuta, former Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry for Women Affairs and Social Development, is our guest this week. He shares the secret behind his good health and how his wife satisfies him with healthy food.

What is the secret of your youthful look?

I think my wife is in the best position to tell you. She preparers my meals and I spend quality time to eat her food. She is a mother, a sister

and a friend to me.

Looking at your busy schedule, when do you have time to eat?

Eating is not a problem to me at all. I make sure that I eat good food. Although the nature of my work hardly gives room for eating but I still carve out time to eat.

What kind of food do you eat?

Like every other Nigerian, I eat good food as far as it is African. In fact, there is need to ask my wife about the secret of her cooking.

How do you relax?

There is no time to relax because my job is demanding. But over the weekend, I go to Minna because I have to keep in touch with my base, immediate community. I'm a title holder hence I stay with them often. I’m always happy having them around me and I try to make the work less stressful for my colleagues in the office.

Your drinks?

I drink much water on a daily basis.

Today’s Menu

Alhaji Idris Kuta

Fish and Potatoes

Healthy Eating Tip Limit sugar and salt

Recipes

Get some potatoes, peeled, washed, and cut into wedges An oven-to-table baking dish that can accommodate both the fish and the potatoes in one layer Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Fresh rosemary sprigs Whole garlic cloves, peeled Fine sea salt Black pepper ground fresh from the mill Fish Tablespoons fine, dry, unflavored bread crumbs

Preparations

Turn on the oven to 400°F Place the potato wedges in the baking dish, pour 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over them, add 2 sprigs of rosemary, all the garlic cloves,

and salt, and pepper. Toss thoroughly. Put the dish in the preheated oven.

After 15 minutes, remove the dish to turn the potatoes over, then put it back in the oven. Cook until the potatoes feel tender when tested with a fork, another 10 minutes.

Remove the dish from the oven. Push the potatoes to the sides, making room in the center for the fish fillet to lie flat.

Wash the fish fillet, pat it dry with paper towels, and lay it flat in the dish, skin side down. Strip the leaves from the remaining rosemary sprigs, scatter them over the fish, add salt and pepper, and sprinkle the bread crumbs and the remaining two tablespoons olive oil over the fillet. Return the dish to the oven and bake for 14 minutes.

Let the dish settle out of the oven for three to four minutes before bringing it to the table.

If you succeed in planning your diet around fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and good fats, you may find yourself naturally cutting back on foods that can get in the way of your healthy diet that is sugar and salt.

consuming each day. Large amounts of added sugar can be hidden in foods such as bread, canned soups and vegetables, pasta sauce, margarine, instant mashed potatoes, frozen dinners, fast food, soy sauce, and ketchup. Here are some tips:

Sugar

Avoid sugary drinks.

Excessive Sugar in-take causes energy ups and downs and can add to health and weight problems. Unfortunately, reducing the amount of candy, cakes, and desserts we eat is only part of the solution. Often, you may not even be aware of the amount of sugar you’re

One 12-oz soda has about 10 teaspoons of sugar in it, more than the daily recommended limit. Try sparkling water with lemon or a splash of fruit juice.

Eat naturally sweet food such as fruit, peppers, or natural peanut butter to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Culled from help-guide

Chicken Republic now in Lagos Island As parts of efforts to satisfy its customers especially those

in Lagos Island, Chicken Republic, a restaurant has

L-R: Tunde Ogunrinde, Chief Operation Officer, Steven Francis, CEO, QSR and Susan Rotimi at the unveiling of the Chicken Republic Outlet in Marina, Lagos recently.

unveiled its new outlet at the heart of the Marina, Lagos.

Chicken Republic has commenced a revamp exercise of its restaurants in line with its passion to deliver extraordinary dining experience to customers across Africa. This new branch follows the successful launch of Chicken Republic’s first new generation store at Ikeja mall, which haswitnessed huge numbers of customers since the day it opened.

Speaking at the event marking the take off of the exercise, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Deji Akinyanju, stated that the organization remains

optimistic about its operations and will continue to position itself for an upward growth in the industry. ‘The investments we have made in our businesses will give us a strong competitive edge in the Quick Service Restaurant, QSR sector ’ he said.

He says, “the Nigerian climate is harsh and infrastructural issues run deep. This makes renovation a necessity for any brand wanting to deliver world class standards. We are Nigerian and we are adjusting our brands and recipes to meet the tastes of local people who are fast becoming more patriotic toward Nigerian brands”.

Earlier, Mr. Steve Francis, CEO, Chicken Republic disclosed that these new generation stores are part of the company ’s aggressive revamp schedule to convert all 65 of its restaurants to the new model. He said plans are underway to roll out a number of new stores in Nigeria and Ghana.

Meanwhile, Mrs Susan Rotimi, Head of Marketing and Public Relation, said, ‘Chicken Republic offers soulful, African spiced

chicken delivered in a worldclass modern environment.

Our aim is to develop more contemporary restaurant environments that are welcoming and comfortable, she said.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18 ,2012—35

immunisations and are immune to infections that may be harmful to a pregnancy such as rubella, varicella (chicken pox) and influenza.General health and blood tests Arranged by your GP Why: Your general health is important to assess since any problems may be resolved before falling pregnant.

You may have blood tests to check for thyroid function, blood sugar levels, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and a full blood count to check your iron and folate levels. Your doctor can help you determine what checks might be right for you. During pregnancy Pregnancy is a major life event and places many demands on a woman’s body. Several different health checks may be available to you during pregnancy, including abdominal palpitations, ultrasounds, maternal serum screening test (MSS) and amniocentesis just to name a few.

Make sure to check with your doctor or gynaecologist on which tests you might need.

•Always check your current state of health with the medical expert

Health checks that keep llness away k a relationshipAlso, your doctor will get to know you and understand your health needs and concerns. By having a regular doctor or practice, your medical history stays in the one place, and is more likely to be keptup to date.What does a health check usually

,

eeping on track with your health should start with you. Establishinggood health habits as early in life as possible means that you mayenjoy a longer, healthier, happier life. And by getting the r i g h t health checks at the right time, you can work with your health careteam to make sure you find and, if possible, prevent the effects of any health problems that you might encounter throughout the different stages of your life.

What is a health check?A health check is an examination of your current state of health,usually carried out by your GP. From the moment we are born, and even before, we undergo a variety of tests to ensure we are on the righttrack to good health. As we get older, many of us become morevulnerable to illness. In order to reduce this risk, a number of health checks or screening tests are recommended for different stages of our lives.

Why is a health check important?The aim of a health check is to help find, prevent or lessen the effect of disease. It’s sort of like getting your car serviced beforeit breaks down - after all, it’s better to avoid disease altogetherthan to treat it. Although some checks can be uncomfortable, they provide your doctor or specialist with an opportunity to look at yourlifestyle, medical history and family history to find out if you’re at risk.Having a regular doctor or practice for all your health checks has several advantages.

Most importantly, you will build

cancer vaccine does not replace the need for a pap test because the vaccine does not protect you against all cancercausing types of the human papilloma virus. Because of the nature of the Pap test, you may prefer to have this done before you’re pregnant, or you may be offered a test

If the heart has to pump against a higher pressure over many years it can lead to weakness of the wall of the heart

involve? A health check will generally involve:Updating your medical history and examining your health issues Performing tests if require A follow up of any problems identifieAdvice and information on how to improve your health.

What regular health checks should we have at different life stages?There are a number of health checks recommended for different stages of life.PaptestCarriedout by:GP or gynaecologist Why: This test is recommended every two years, or more frequently for some people, to detect changes to cells in the cervix before they develop into cervical cancer. The cervical

,

in early pregnancy.

Dental checkCarried out by: Dentist or oral hygienistWhy: Poor dental health can affect not only our teeth and gums bu also lead to problems like malnutrition and infections in other parts of our bodies.

Regular annual dental checkups are therefore important.

But, X-rays are not recommended during pregnancy so having a dental check before you’re pregnant is a good idea.

Immunisations Arranged by your GP Why: When planning a pregnancy, you should know your vaccination status and immunity. A simple blood test can reveal whether you’ve had

Blood pressure Carried out at least every two y e a r s .

Why: High blood pressure has no symptoms. It’s a major risk factor for stroke, heart disease and heart failure. If the heart has to pump against a higher pressure over many years it can lead to weakness of the wall of the heart. High blood pressure can also lead to eye and kidney damage.Cholesterol and glucose levels Carried every two to five years.Why: High blood levels of cholesterol and/or glucose contribute to your risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Particularly as you reach the second half of your 30s, the effects of unhealthy behaviours such as smoking and poor diet can start to show.If you’re overweight, have polycystic ovary syndrome or have a family history of heart disease or type 2 diabetes, you should have your cholesterol and blood sugar levels checked more frequently. A total cholesterol of under 5.5 mmol/L is ideal.

Pap smears & pelvic exams Carried out by: GP Frequency: Every two years or more frequently if your doctor advisesbecause of previous abnormalities or conditions.Why: Women over the age of 18 who have ever had sex should haveregular pap tests. This test detects changes to cells in the cervix before they develop into cervical cancer. The cervical cancer vaccine does not replace the need for a pap test because the vaccine does notprotect you against all

cancer-causing types of the human papillomavirus.

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pelvic examination can detect abnormalities in the ovariesand uterus. Your early 20s is a good time to find a gynaecologist you like and stick with them.Dental check and cleaning Carried out by: Dentist or oral hygienist Frequency: Every 12 months.Why: We all know that we should floss, brush twice a day and limitsugary foods. But did you know that poor dental health can affect not only our teeth and gums but also lead to problems like malnutrition and infections in other parts of our bodies?

This is why regular preventative dental check-ups are important. See your dentist as soon as possible if you have a toothache, bleeding gums or dental trauma and make sure to book in your annual check-ups.

Skin cancer checkCarried out by: GP or dermatologist Frequency: Self check for 15 minutes every month and annually with a doctor.Why: Ninety-five per cent of skin cancers are treatable if they are detected early. Regular checks of your skin should detect any suspicious lumps or spots as early as possible and you’re more likely to notice any changes if you get to know your skin. Pay particular attention to your arms, legs, face, back, neck, shoulders and backs of your hands and see your doctor if there are any c h a n g e s .

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) screenings Ar ranged by your GP. Frequency: Depends on how sexually active you’re and whether you use condoms consistently.Why: STIs can be passed during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Some STIs can be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby or during the baby ’s birth. It’s recommended you get tested after unprotected sex with anew partner or if your partner has had other sexual partners.

And, your sexual partner should also be tested. For men who have sex with other men, it’s important that you’re hecked at least every year.Many STIs can be easily treated with antibiotics but ignoring them can cause serious health problems, such as infertility.Testes e x a m i n a t i o n Carried out by: GP and you can do regular self checks Frequency: All men should check their testicles regularly, around every four weeks. It’s particularly recommended for men who are at higher risk of testicular cancer, those who had undescended testicles at birth or are infertile.

36—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012

HAIRS T YLE OF THE WEEK HAIRST

All around colour advice Keep Your Color • It’s important to stay vigilant about your colour — without proper maintenance, colour can dull and fade. Care for your color between visits with products specifically designed to prevent damage and prolong your hair colour. For hair with no other problems, buy replenishing nutrient shampoo and colour ensuring colour care conditioner are recommended – they work together effectively to refresh hair color and reduce fading.

• Pick the Right Products • When searching for the right combination of products, look for shampoos and conditioners specially designed for color-treated hair as they provide both incredible color protection, and the customized care your hair needs, whether it be Intense Hydration, Volume, or AntiBreakage care.

• Consider Leave-In Conditioner • Even the most expertly applied color can leave hair dry and damaged, which makes conditioning essential.

Consider using a leave-in conditioner such a few days a week to protect

your color and replenish lost moisture, giving hair the shine and luster it deserves.

• Adjust the Temperature • Wash hair in lukewarm water to prevent the premature fading that hot water can cause.

• Disguising Root Grow Out • Pump Up the Volume • Create volume with a volumizing root lifter to disguise root growth. Hair that lies flat shows roots more noticeably than hair with body and movement.

• Do Your Part • Experiment with different ways of parting hair to disguise grow out.

Consider sweeping bangs to the side or creating a pouf and pinning bangs back.

• The Fix All • The most effective way to disguise root growth is to colour over it. Make an appointment with your stylist to colour again as soon as possible.

Care for oily ha ir

Do a Dry run emove excess oi ly bu by applying sham ildup and styling product from hair poo to head with scalp as usual, out water. Rub in an to d le t it set for 3 minutes lather, but it will — it w Follow with a re ork to cleanse hair by pulling ou won’t gular shampoo t debris. and conditionin • Condition Wisel g routine. y Take care not to ap work into the ends ply conditioner directly to scalp.

Instead, of hair, focusing on areas prone to and split-ends.

If you’re concer br eakage ned about oil, a thumb is to focu good rule of s conditioner ap plic where hair is ol der and dryer an ation from the ears down d still needs moi • Take it Easy sture.

Consider easy w ear, finger-styled and fuss. Too m looks without a lo uc t of muss production, which h combing and br ushing stim ulates oil can be a big prob oil. Brush lightly le when you do br m for people with excess ush, and try to from the scalp if stay away possible.

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Vanguard, SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2012—37

CAN EVERY WOMAN HAVE LONG HAIR?

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Five Ingredients That Promote Healthy Skin

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Fashion designer @tehilah

ike the end product of any recipe, your skin requires quality ingredients for the best results. What are the ingredients that will help your skin look healthy, ward off damage, and stay young?

Below, I have compiled a list of the five superstar ingredients your skin needs to look its best, as revealed by top dermatologists Alpha Hydroxy Acids Typically, healthy skin is also well buffed from exfoliation, which helps remove dead skin cells and ushers new ones to the surface. Dermatologists recommend using a form of alpha hydroxy acid because it encourages exfoliation Antioxidants Just as your body benefits from a healthy diet of colorful fruits and vegetables, your skin, not surprisingly, benefits from antioxidants, too. “You should constantly bathe your skin in antioxidants because they counter the effects of free radicals and inflammation from stress, pollution, and the sun — effects that can lead to wrinkles or disease It may seem these days as if everything is an antioxidant, but stick with proven ones such as green tea, which

contains the powerful polyphenol . The compound has been shown to protect skin from the harmful effects of UV rays when applied before sun exposure, and to correct damage and calm the skin after exposure. Green tea has also been shown to soothe sensitive skin.

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umectants Humectants draw moisture into the skin and hold it there. One in particular, hyaluronic acid, is a darling of dermatologists because of its ability to hold 1,000 times its weight in moisture.

Lipids “Lipids are an important ingredient to preserve the barrier that helps skin hold onto water,” says Leslie

Baumann, MD, a dermatologist in Miami, Florida, and author of Skin Type Solutions. “They are also necessary in cell membranes and in the substance that surrounds the cells.” Lipids, or fats, are crucial in keeping skin moisturized. Look for lipids such as ceramides or stearic acid in lotions and creams.

Occlusives Humectants do the job of drawing moisture into the skin, and occlusives help keep it there. Occlusives are used in thick ointments that seal the skin and promote the healing of cuts and burns, or that keep your skin from cracking or flaking . Classic examples of occlusives are petrolatum and lanolin, but if you’re sensitive to these ingredients, look for shea butter.

Source: xltentertainment

efinitely not! Every woman can not have long hair because not all women are blessed with the genes and even among those who may have inherited genes for great hair, not all will have the type of information they need or the time/effort/money to acquire healthy hair.

Let’s examine all possible scenarios. Some women say they once had beautiful hair but it’s not the same anymore.

Many factors may have contributed to this. If the quality of hair you have has deteriorated over the years, is it as a result of your mishandling of your hair? Or is it hereditary thinning inherited from either parent?

Always put things in perspective before you conclude.

The trick is to have HEALTHY hair; if your hair is healthy, then you can concentrate efforts at lengthening it. Healthy means hair is not dry or brittle; hair is not breaking or damaged through chemical over-use; scalp is clean and clear; hair has no split ends; hair is not limp and lifeless; scalp has no flakes, bruises, abrasions or bald patches; and hair is not overprocessed.

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o you start with healthy hair; now plan a regime of hair treatments in which you will alternate the types of treatments you administer. A week after your touch-up, have a pre-shampoo angels studio protein treatment to restore strength to hair that has been weakened and dried-out by relaxer. This treatment should stay in your hair for 20 minutes with heat applied. Rinse thoroughly with cold water and then proceed to shampoo. Use only a shampoo that is suitable for your hair and scalp; if you have no idea, you need to have a consultation to determine your hair type and determine your hair ’s characteristics.

Rinse shampoo out with cold water, and apply a liberal dose of angels studio moisturizing conditioner, [or preferably a product that contains natural oils] and

cover with a steam cap. Deepcondition hair by sitting under a hot dryer for 10 minutes; rinse out using cold water.

Do not use towels after rinsing; let water run out of the hair for a few minutes.

Squeeze excess water out, before applying leave-in conditioner to the hair while damp. Apply a thin film of angels studio scalp crème to the whole scalp area. Now you can add any other products and setting aids to set the hair.

Now, if you want longer hair, you must learn to love rollers and dryers. Most treatments work best when heat is incorporated. Heat helps to open the hair cuticles so that product can be trapped in.

Love dryers because you need to sit under one to ‘steam’ and dry your rolled hair; love rollers because hot hand-dryers and hot irons [TONGS] will finish your hair eventually. Long hair will remain elusive if you are doing a lot of direct heat!

NIGERIA’S NEXT SUPER MODEL SCREENING TO HOLD 24TH

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•Joan Okorodudu C M Y K

igeria’s Next Supermodel, the leading model search contest th in the country will hold its 6 screening on the 24th of August at the Best Western Hotel, on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Nigeria’s Next Super Model in its 6th season ha attained acceptability as the industry leader, going by the major sponsors supporting the

contest this year.

International brands like L’Oreal Paris, Mania magazine, Dark & Lovely, cosmetic giant, Maybelline New York etc.

An Elated Joan Okorodudu ,founder NNSM spoke with Femme Flair on the potentials of the show this year. Said She ‘’You know what happens in a country when L’Oreal moves

into a territory? Both young and old are made brand ambassadors and we are sure to see the same trend with Nigeria’s Next Super Model girls.

Now, the major sponsorship coming out of Mania magazine is a welcome development and we are closely waiting for the official launch of Dark &Lovely and other L’Oreal brand in Nigeria

and you can be sure to see it here in your favourite news paper.

We have had our own Miss world Agbani Derego as a global spokes person for L’Oreal and hopefully we will be seeing more girls moving in this direction.

Dimeji Ayara, the editor of Mania Magazine will be a judge at the screening and at the grand finale .

38—SA TURD AY 38—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, A UGUST 18, 2012 AUGUST

SA TURD AY V anguard, AUGUST 18, 2012—39 SATURD TURDA Vanguard,

All for the girl child

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•Elegant see through blouse

See-through sheer S

•Adaobi in sheer polka dot shirt.

•Outfit by Afro fanatic at the Africa fashion week London 2012

heer clothing is a sexy, revealing way to dress, but if you’re not careful, you can show just a little too much.

With women becoming open to experimenting with seethrough, “sheer ” has become an ever green trend. Sheer was at the top of most designer collection at the just concluded Africa Fashion week London, held at the London Spitalfields Market on 3-4 August, 2012.

•Outfit by Afro fanatic at the Africa fashion week London 2012

ROUND the world, too few girls are empowered. They are less likely than boys to complete primary or secondary schools. And, depending on where they live, girls face numerous obstacles, starting from sex exploitation early marriage and more. These issues were brought to the fore recently in Lagos, when Durosinmi Musilimot Olajumoke Girls club, held her 2012 girls talk with theme; Educating the Girl Child. The event organised

by Mrs Musilimot Durosinmi, wife of the Chairman of Ojo Local Government Area, brought together teenage school girls from all the wards that make up the Ojo LGA. Held at the Ojo town hall, the programme provided a platform to address issues such as discrimination against children and women in areas of education, health and violence. They were educated on ways of combating sex exploitation, bonded-labor and other forms child labour. While delivering her lecture, the Resource person, Mrs Funke Orenuga also spoke on the need for the girls to exhibit good behaviours and to look for profitable things to keep themselves busy this holiday season. She also enjoined parents to give equal love to their children, irrespective of their sex.

Speaking on why she initiated the girls club, Mrs Durosimi revealed that there is a need to empower young girls, because when she is educated, she is better prepared to make healthy life decisions, exercise leadership in her family and community, and develop goals for her future well-being. “I attended an event which I would say opened my eyes to see what young girls out there are going through.

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ur girls here at Badagry division were used as a reference point for some unruly attitude, so, as a mother I felt slighted and decided that I have to go back home and do something to change that perspective. So I called my husband that at this time things of this magnitude are still happening.” With support from her husband, she swung into action, called the women together, “ we went round the communities, went to shops where we saw young girls that were supposed to be in school selling and their mothers were not there. We went to hotels, saw girls who were supposed to be in school, when we asked what they were doing there, they said that was the only way the know how to take care of their family.” she said.

This, Durosinmi said informed the formation of the club, which began with a sensitization talk to each ward. She throws more light on the activities of the club. “In the club we have 4 categories; the first is the pry school level secondary, vocational and others. The fourth is meant for young girls who are off secondary school or out of secondary school and they have nothing to do, or do not have anyone assisting her. We could get her a GCE form and JAME form, help her to prepare herself and at the end, if she performs well, we could support her university career.”

Speaking on why the seminar centred more on sex education, Durosinmi revealed that because most of teenage girls were sexually abused one way or the other. The programme which is the first in the series, she says will be an annual event, and will still be ongoing even after her husband’s tenure. “I have always wanted to run my own NGO and I believe this is a platform for me to hold on to, as a way of assisting young girls in our community.

The girls were giving the opportunity to ask questions on sex and sexuality, relationship with the opposite sex and more, an interactive session, which was indeed quite revealing.

40—SA TURD AY VANGU ARD , A UGUST 18, 2012 40—SATURD TURDA VANGUARD AUGUST

GM sales in China set July record

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ENERAL Motors and its joint ventures sold a July record 199,503 vehicles in China, a 15.1 percent increase from last year’s previous high for the month. The breakdown is as follows: Shanghai GM’s sales in China rose 5.7 percent on an annual basis to a July record 97,064 units. SAIC-GMWuling’s sales reached 98,694 units, an all-time high for July and an increase of 26.6 percent year on year. FAW-GM’s sales were up 3.1 percent to 3,379 units.

Buick sales grew 4.8 percent year on year to a new July high of 52,691 units. Sales of the original Excelle family increased 18.2 percent to 21,727 units, followed by sales of the Excelle XT and GT, which increased 27.6 percent to 13,112 units. Both were records for the month.

Chevrolet sales in China dropped 2.8 percent year on year to 44,864 units. However, sales of the New Sail rose 30.1 percent on an annual basis to a July record 16,464 units, while Cruze sales increased 5.5 percent to 17,268 units, which was ever for Odyssey) and also a record for July.

Cadillac sales in July 250 lb-ft. of torque, while delivering an totaled 2,017 units, led EPA-estimated city/ by sales of the SRX highway/combined fuel luxury utility vehicle of economy of 19/28/22 1,508 units. mpg across board.

Honda makes statement with new Odyssey T

HE new Honda Od yssey no doubt is a show stopper. It reflects Honda's sense of creativity in every respect.

When Honda Motor Company recently went back to the drawing board to modify the Odyssey for the 2012 model year, it was almost certain that the automaker, more than anything else, would make the minivan a rallying point of sort for families, friends and holidaymakers who wished there is a minivan that could offer unbeatable satisfaction.

And true to this postulation, Honda did coming up with a minivan it described as a “greater way to share good times.”

Also adding that Odyssey was purposefully crafted to enhance family ties, the automaker said the vehicle’s spirited performance, luxurious comfort and effortlessly reconfigurable seating for eight makes the van a pleasurable experience for every occupant.”

So, whether enjoying an uptown evening or taking friends to the beach, the new Odyssey makes her occupants feel right at home in a somewhat sleek, smooth and distinctive way.

Mr. Deepak Daryanani, Director, Sales and Marketing, The Honda Place, exclusive distributors of Honda automobiles in Nigeria shared

this view the product presentation of the new Odyssey to local automobile media at The Avenues Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos.

He said Odyssey was completely redesigned to reassert its status as an exceptional minivan with undoubtedly luxury sensation.

And that is the impression the Odyssey conveys. A power tailgate and doors coupled with convenient opening and closing via power or remote key distinguish the Odyssey from competitions. What’s more, Odyssey ’s sporty aluminum wheels with precision detailing radiate Honda’s quality.

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his is in addition to the multi-information display, fuel economy, outside temperature, control switches on steering wheel, hands free phone as well as audio and cruise controls.

The rearview 3-mode monitor that enhances simpler parking with guide assistance is inconceivably amazing.

Some of its class-leading achievements include the highest EPA highway fuel economy rating for an eight-passenger minivan, 28 mpg and best possible safety ratings of 5-star from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Overall Vehicle Score

and Top Safety pick of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) - an achievement no other minivan has surpassed yet. Mr. Daryanani said the Odyssey though comes in five models, only the Elite version is available in the Nigerian market.

All the models he reiterated provide a unique combination of features, value and luxury with in-vehicle entertainment technology.

However changes for 2012 include the addition of select features including Bluetooth Hands-FreeLink, intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) with an 8-inch TFT screen, a 2-GB CD Li-

brary and a USB Audio Interface. An advanced 3.5-liter, 24-valve, SOHC, i-VTEC V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) provides a balanced combination of performance, fuel economy and low emissions.

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or instance, when cruising at steady speeds, two or three cylinders run dormant to save fuel without sacrificing performance.

Press the pedal and all cylinders come roaring to life so you can enjoy spirited V6 acceleration and 4-cylinder economy from innovative powerplant.

Odyssey engine produces 248hp (the most

ABC Cargo appoints COO

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ETERMINED to deliver quality service to its teeming customers, ABC Cargo Express, a division of ABC Transport Plc, has commenced a series of restructuring. This restructuring is reflected in the company’s desire to reposition and strengthen its human and material resources for operational effectiveness as well as service delivery.

To this end, the company has appointed Mr.

Kamalendu Ghosh as the Chief Operating Officer.

Ghosh, an expatriate logistic manager, has over 19 years experience in cargo logistics operations.

He has worked in leading Indian companies such as Sky Pak Couriers Ltd., Blue Dart Express Ltd., and Tatkal Cargo Ltd., to mention but a few.

Mr. Ghosh is expected to provide practical knowhow and support in the management of the expanding cargo business.

L-R: Mr Demola Ade-Ojo, Managing Director; Dr Herbert Ajayi, Chairman; Chief Michael Ade.Ojo, Founder; Mrs Deola Sagoe, Vice Chairman; Mr Abel Ajayi, Finance Director; and Mr Olu Tikolo, Marketing Director; all of Elizade Nigeria Limited cutting the company’s 40+1 Anniversary cake at her Customer Appreciation Night in Lagos.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012—41

Why we left Gen Sani Abacha behind in government in 1993 — IBB F

ORMER Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida clocked 71yrs last Friday. The cel ebration was low keyed as he chose to celebrate it with members of his immediate family with prayers in his hill top mansion, Minna, Niger State.

However, on the eve of the birthday, the General who is still radiating as ever before, spoke with Journalists on some personal and national issues.

BY WOLE MOSADOMI, Minna

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ow do you feel as you celebrate your 71st birth-

day?

All I can tell you is that I am aging gracefully and it is also an opportunity to try at all costs to think about the best way we could go forward so that we could channelize this virtue of ours towards achieving a greater country all things being equal.

Recently there were accusations and counter accusations in some quarters that the criminal activities of the Boko Haram sect could have been nipped in the bud if national and northern leaders like you have not been overtly or covertly involved?Well, I think it is a democratic society isn’t it? Those who said northern leaders are involved in the activities of the outlawed organization or that some of us are involved, they know what to do and they should do what they ought to do so as to help all of us. So I would ask them to do what needs to be done But I can understand because it is a Babangida and I have talked about that and I have said it not once not twice and even not thrice. In fact again I said it, so

forget it, somebody said it. Well I am quite comfortable that I said what needs to be said. I said that in a recent Press statement, so what else is it How do you normally feel when you are accused of being involved in anything bad in the country?

Normally, I don’t consider it as a problem. To be very honest with you because in the last twenty three years or twenty two years , since I left office it is the same sing song either by the media or by the columnists and so on . If somebody looks at me and say yes, during his time he likes corruption, now the question is, in the name of God, aren’t you capable of doing something for the last twenty two years or you just fold your arms and wait until somebody does same thing? Look, there had been a lot of governments after I have left and governments are there for the welfare of the people. Or you mean you did not have people who are capable for correcting the wrong which somebody did or you just talk about it and you are satisfied. When we talked, we offered solutions. When my Boss, OBJ {Chief Olusegun Obasanjo} and I talked we offered a solution, we offered a proposition.

Is it not laziness for somebody to sit down and say when they were there what did they do. OKay,

fine we were there but things were happening, we should not be deprived the right to make a contribution. We have Presidents who authorized Bombings of some countries. They are not castigated because they organized this and that, but I do understand that this is Nigeria. May be in the 90’s, some of us should have come in the next fifty years. Some mindful people who would sit down and discern the situation.

We look at things differently. But I come to accept that for every subject you raised in this country you have as many as one hundred and sixty millions

,

We look at things differently. But I come to accept that for every subject you raised in this country you have as many as one hundred and sixty millions opinions. And if you are hypothetical people will still not leave you alone

,

opinions. And if you are hypothetical people will still not leave you alone.

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upposing you are the President of this country at the moment what would you have done differently from what President Goodluck Jonathan is doing now that is in control as regards the issues

of internal insurgency by the Boko Haram sect?

I think you should understand that President Jonathan, Babangida, Shagari, Obasanjo, Buhari, or anybody that we ran a new or developing country.

What we are going through now, other countries went through that, but through perseverance, hard work and ability to dialogue, these countries had gone and past over their problems. So, I think I am sensible enough to know that because you are a developing country, as long as we are ready to learn from our mistakes, we will get there. I am talking about developing countries, we make mistakes. We went through a civil war and I don’t believe we will likely go again into a civil war despite the drums that has been beaten.

But I am not sure and neither am I sure that you the younger generations would like to go to war that we went through. So, we learn as the mistakes are being committed when we went to war and we are not likely going to war again.

Don’t you think the prevailing insecurity engendered by the Boko Haram sect in some parts of the country is already pushing the country beyond the limit?

I have done what we ought to do because we support the President in his efforts to bring about lasting solution to the insecurity situation which we find ourselves because we don’t have any other country to run to. So, we must support any effort that will bring about lasting peace. So, we will continue to support him in that regard.

Babangida’s Presidency ex-

pired about twenty two years ago.

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re you still considering going to Court with Chief Edwin Clark as stated in the Press statement released to the media by your Spokesman, Mr. Kazeem Afegbua, with regards to some perceived direct attacks on you by the first republic Minister on the recurring decimal of the Boko Haram bloodletting against some innocent citizens and the inabilities of yourself and other northern leaders to bring the sect under firm control?

Chief Edwin Clark is my friend and if you people like write it. He is my friend, I have known him for the last 3035 years. There is a mutual respect between me and him. So, I wouldn’t get drawn into a face off with him because I do respect him and he would not deny me as his friend. So, that is settled.

If truly you are friends, why did the two of you decide to expose your differences to the world through the media?

If I would be honest with you, I think you heightened it and when I say you, I mean the media. You were supposed to look at what is sensible and write the sensible thing and throw away the nonsense.

Don’t you think that the insecurity situation in the country is capable of affecting negatively a smooth transition from civilian to civilian rule come year 2015?

Not at all, because when I was growing up I was involved in so many things in this country which bordered on what I

Continues on page 46

42—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012

‘Separation won’t remove all our misfortunes’

By Emmanuel Edukugho

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eclaration of autonomy by aggrieved groups in Rivers and Cross River states of the federation while Bayelsa State intends having its own anthem, flag and coat of arms may be pointers to secession, suggestive of disgruntled citizenry lacking a sense of belonging with regard to the Nigerian federal arrangement.

In this interview, a social scientist, historian, political analyst, Dean, Department of Arts and Social Sciences at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Ijanikin, Lagos, Comrade Sam Akindele, traced the evolution of the Nigerian state, what brought about the spate of declarations of self-determination, how these extreme demands for self-rule can be stemmed and the Nigerian federation strengthened and consolidated.

Excerpts: What do you think these declarations of autonomy and agitations for selfgovernment and other actions that infringe on the sovereignty of the country portend for the future of our federation?

Let me start with the creation of Nigeria itself, looking at it

Sam Akindele

from the general development and leadership question. The creation of Nigeria was not through the mandate of the different people. It was the creation of the British government.

Before the amalgamation of 1914, it was as if Nigeria was seen as one. Southern Protectorate was separate from Northern Protectorate. The amalgamation of the two protectorates was as a result of European interest, the British colonial office to merge the two together for economic reasons and use a common purse for the administration of the two protectorates.

After 1914 amalgamation and the Clifford Constitution in

1922, Nigeria was being piloted with separate constitutions.

The Richards Constitution of 1946 actually institutionalised regionalism – in which autonomy was given to each region to operate as they liked. The pace of development of the three regions took cognizance of their separate uniqueness. And this was carried to independence in 1960.

How did the minorities and other groups fared at that time?

The spirit of federalism upheld within this period. The minority issue was raised then, but because each region had closer ties to different minorities within them, the protest was not as opened and as frequent as we are now hearing. Then the military came and changed everything. Military interregnum actually obliterated the idea of federalism and operated almost a unitary system in running of the nation.

Thereafter, when the Second Republic came, even though they kept harping on federal system of government,we all know that the spirit of total federalism was not in place.

Considering what you’ve been saying, is there validity or legitimacy for autonomy demands by groups as we are seeing today?

I don’t think so. I know so much is missing, but bear in mind the number of years Ni-

gerians have been together in one country, I would say that what we are experiencing now is because the right leadership is not provided, hence the clamour for separation had been much. I won’t support schism within. Separation on the long run may backfire.

In what sense would it backfire?

The plurality of nations within the country might be too many. Secondly, the aggregation of our efforts won’t be there again. Some might be too weak, some too strong. And again the question of boundary will become conflict-ridden, to the extent that what we think will be gained, might be lost to all of us. However, having said this, it is not as if one is wishing for the kind of federation we now have.

A true federalism should be evolved, for instance, fiscal federalism, regarding equitable revenue sharing formula, should be properly evolved.

Can perceived grievances of some component parts of the federation be sorted out?

If true federalism is practised, the aggrieved groups will be pacified – giving them their rightful dues, that is to say what comes to them in terms of revenue sharing and control. The federalism structure requires changes, like security and state police to take care of security of different states. I have been to all the states in the federation and therefore can identify with those crying.

The Federal Government should find a way of assuaging them, especially those producing the resources. Is the

revenue going to them commensurate with what is taken from them, particularly for the Ogoni where there is monumental environmental crises, degradation and destruction of nature in that place? Their traditional occupation and means of livelihood had been destroyed. How do we compensate them? This is where the Federal Government comes in – build infrastructure, roads, provide electricity, water.

Send their children to school.Another thing is that their own leaders are not sincere. They cheat them. But if there is collaborative effort from government, their own leaders, I guess their problem will be properly looked at.

There should be collective sincerity of purpose.

Is Nigeria not too big to be centrally governed successfully?

Considering that USA has about 53 states and centrally governed in a federal system without chaos, then why will Nigeria be too big to be governed centrally? I think what is missing is that we don’t practise true federalism. There’s too much money in the centre.

The type of federalism as in USA is not with us in Nigeria.

The kind of leadership being provided appear not as qualitative as we have in USA. When you compare our legislature with that of America, you will see the difference. What type of laws are our legislature making? How much is spent on them? And what returns do they bring to the people? I guess, collectively, both states and federal, our leaders are selfish. Not one is exempted.

Everyone, from local government to federal is selfish.

Major declaration of independent Bakassi will soon be made Continued from page 16 shortwave band, hoisted its ‘national flag’ and further stated that “major declaration shall be made as we push forward. May God bless our people and renew their strength.”

He also said, “As the D-Day draws near, we call on all men of goodwill, individuals, human rights organizations and the indigenous people of Bakassi to join hands in resisting and fighting the present international conspiracy.

In a maiden broadcast, the Commander-General, Ekpe Ekpenyong Oku, said, “Please for the umpteenth time, we plead with our people to leave Abana now. The fight is going to be thickest and fiercest now that our brothers from Northern Nigeria have fully arrived.

Our Eastern brothers are also here. If blood would be required to set the people free, take mine. As you confronted pharaoh, do so now.”

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He warned all travelers on the sea to stay away from the area last Saturday, Auguast 11 and Sunday, August 12, 2012, it is not good to travel on the sea.

He said, “No sea movement so that you don’t have cause to regret. There shall be no movement of boats from Ikang or Marina beach to Cameroon

on these two days. Be warned.” In a statement made available to newsmen in Calabar, Oku, had revealed that arrangements have been concluded with some international liberation groups to assist the Bakassi natives in the battle ahead.

He said, “Ours will be a classical story of the elephant and

the ant. The elephant will be so harassed and will find no respite and will dash itself against a tree trunk, adding, “Throughout history, injured people have had to resort to arms in their self-defense where peaceful negotiations fail.

“Bakassi people are no exception. Our right to self-determination is imminent; some will die, but some will leave to reap from our labours,” the Commander-general stated.

It would be recalled that on July 9, 2006 in the wake of the Green Tree Agreement, a group under the aegis of Bakasssi Freedom Fighters had threatened to seek independence if Nigeria renounced sovereignty, but a few days to handing over of Bakassi to Cameroon in the government house in Calabar, Cross River State, the leader of the militant group, Comrade Tony Ene, died in a mysterious road accident along Calabar-Itu high-

way.

Ene and his group of Bakasssi Freedom Fighters had even hoisted the Bakassi flag with the rising sun as its symbol in Abana, headquarters of Bakasssi but this was repelled by the Nigerian government.

Already the BSDF had claimed that it has penetrated parts of the ceded Bakassi peninsula in their bid to get the land back. A post from the group’s Facebook wall by the Commandant General claimed they were already at Akpa Ukwak quite close to Akpankanya in the area.

Apart from the claim by the militant group that they have advanced towards some vital area of the ceded island, there have been no much military presence from the federal government within the disputed area. It was only few plain cloths security operatives that move around the area to monitor the unfolding events.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012 —43

By Ebun Sessou

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recent declaration of po litical autonomy by the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP and the Bakassi people have been generating reactions. In a live broadcast on a newly-established radio station, Voice of Ogoni, MOSOP President and Spokesman, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo, on August 2, 2012 declared political autonomy from Nigeria thus: “By this declaration of political autonomy, we, the Ogoni people, are determined to enforce the United Nations (UN) Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples, without fear or retreat.” He said that self-government within Nigeria would secure for the Ogoni people their indigenous rights, enable them to meet their needs and interests and finally end internal colonialism.

However, Nigerians have been raising eyebrows on this declaration. Some of them who spoke to Saturday Vanguard said the decision is against the unity of the country and is tantamount to splitting the country.

Nigerians speak on Ogoni, Bakassi political autonomy ...say it is a bad omen, unconstitutional ...only SNC can solve Nigerian problem

Shettima

Okorie

It’s a bad omen — Fasoranti

SNC, the only solution to Nigeria problem— Shettima

For Alhaji Yerima Shettima, President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (ACF) and

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Daudu a prominent member of the Pro National Conference (PRONACO) and a foremost fighter for the rights of the minority ethnic nationalities, the declaration shows that MOSOP and Bakassi are taking their destinies into their hands. “As a nation, the people are trying to put destinies in their hands.

They feel that Nigerian government has compromised their interests to have handed them over to the Cameroon. So, they deem it fit to have their republic. Nigeria was part of the signatory in 2007 by the United State. They have the right to do that and have their political autonomy.”

Asked what that portends for the country especially when the United States pronounced that the country might disintegrate by 2015, he said, “I see this happening but I don’t pray to experience it. The Americans have made their predictions but they are not God. But, from all indications, what we are seeing now means that we might wake up one day and see this Nigeria break up but I do not pray for that. Unless, if the government of this country chooses to disintegrate because of their

Okupe personal interest. I believe we must unite. And the only way we can address this is through Sovereign National Conference, SNC. SNC is the only solution to Nigeria’s problem in the face of all the insecurity and corruption among other vices.

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Pa Reuben Fasoranti, leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere opines that such a step only portends a bad omen for the country.

“This is a very bad thing for Nigeria which we didn’t envisage and did not support. They are taking a very serious step that can endanger the unity of this country, but we should not allow it to happen otherwise, we will not be able to contain it. It is a signature that threatens the Nigerian people”.

Asked what he thinks of the United State’s pronouncement that Nigeria might disintegrate by 2015, he said, “It is left to us to make such statement come to pass. As much as I don’t support this issue, the signs are already there. There might be total break up of Nigeria but Nigerians must ensure that such doesn’t happen. If not, it means the integration and unity is threatened.

“Nigeria is a nation that embraces unity but it seems things are going the other way round.Nevertheless, I believe Nigerians must make sure that we didn’t break up so that we can remain as a nation to command the resources of the outside world and that is where our faith lies. Nigerians need sincere unity to be together”, he said.

said, “If we must look at it holistically, the Ogoni issue is more or less on the environmental and injustice that have been shown by the military. If you study the statements carefully, you will see that they pay their loyalty to the Nigeria State.

They are asking for the recognition and what is true to them within the contest of the Nigeria State.

“Government is looking at the situation where constitution will be reviewed and where we will have some conferences and all aggrieved members and nationalities within the country can come together to that conference and demand what they want.

“The federal government especially the administration of President Jonathan will at all times promote and project the environmental rights of all the citizens including weather encroachment, oil spillage and other environmental problems. The government is alive to its responsibility”.

Asked if the United State’s pronouncement on Nigeria to disintegrate by 2015 is possible, he said, “Nigerians should not subscribe to such prediction. I don’t believe Nigeria will disintegrate. We have gone through difficult times and this country did not break up, so, the country will not break up, not for any reason.

No comment —Okorie Founding National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chekwas

There might be total break up of Nigeria but Nigerians must ensure that such doesn’t happen

“As a country, we must sit and discuss with the people. I am not an advocate of Nigeria disintegrating, I am an advocate of one nation called Nigeria and I stand by it. But, I do not think there is any country in the world that disintegrated that can do well”, he added.

The government is alive to its responsibility— Okupe Meanwhile, Doyin Okupe, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs

Okorie, in his own view might not be able to say precisely what the future unfolds. “I don’t have an opinion, not now”

There is a smoke to this fire—Odumakin Spokesman of Save Nigeria Group, Yinka Odumakin, said, “There is a smoke to this fire. The silence of the federal government is worrisome because all these things

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started coming up after the notice of impeachment by the House of Representative. What this means is that, there is more to this and this is an insult to Nigerians because it is a stage of disintegration.

“I think, there is an attempt by some people to work that prophesy of disintegration to its fulfillment and if that happens,there will be serious humanitarian crisis in Nigeria. The best way to avoid creating or curbing a genocide of this nature is for the government to call a Sovereign National Conference. The people should be told in clear terms what Nigerians want.

No nation exists without peaceful co-existence— Nd u The National Chairman, African Renaissance Party (ARP)Yahaya Ndu, also posited that, the only way to end this problem is to call a Sovereign National Conference, SNC. “The truth is either the country resolves to have a Sovereign National Conference or disintegration. The only thing that can put this country together is a national conference. No nation exists without peaceful co-existence.

But the government is not ready to face the truth. Rather, they are calling for constitutional amendment and that is why this government is wishing this country bad. National Conference is the only thing that can help Nigeria from disintegrating. And if this country disintegrates, it will be a festival of blood which nobody ever prays for. We have seen the operation of the Boko Haram and I can’t imagine that this country will disintegrate.

It’s unconstitutional — Daudu The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Chief Joseph Dauda described the action as unconstitutional.“It is unconstitutional for any part to seek to break away or act in any manner as to suggest secession. I charge President Goodluck Jonathan to denounce the secession bid of the Ogoni and any other part of the country.

“The government should take steps to denounce it. There is no constitutional provision for state flag. The government should come out to denounce it. There is no right to self-rule under the constitution.”

Adopting jingles that extol the virtues and values of the culture of that particular state is an out-

right act of secession.

44—SATURDAY Vanguard,AUGUST 18, 2012

Jonathan must be seen to be decisive else Nigeria is gone — Gen Ikpomwen Simon Ebegbulem, Benin City

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en.Don Idada Ikponmwen (Rtd) is the former Provost Marshal of the Nigeria Army. He was the lead prosecutor in the trial of the three Admirals over the Missing MT African Pride, the vessel that disappeared from Navy custody after stealing crude oil worth over N8.3billion in 2003. General Ikponmwen is also an alumnus of both the National Defence College and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS). He is on this account a thorough bread expert in Defense, Law Enforcement and Security. In this interview with Saturday Vanguard, he faulted the decision of the then President Olusegun Obasanjo to cede Bakassi Peninsular to Cameroun. With the prevailing call for secession by some groups, the Army general warned that the nation may be heading towards disintegration, citing what he described as the alleged failure by government to guarantee security and good governance to the people. He spoke on several national issues and the recent Edo state governorship election.

Excerpts: and others. In terms of intelligence, information gathering, analysis and dissemination, I can say without any fear of contradiction that these organs have not been streamlined in a way to ensure efficient gath-

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A lot of Nigerians thought the removal of Gen.Andrew Azazi will end the Boko Haram insurgence, what do you think is still the problem Sir? I know a lot of people believed that the removal of Azazi will change the security situation in the country but that cannot be so because like I have often said, the security problem in Nigeria is not just the question of who is where, it is substantially institutional.

The security organs and establishments must be seriously x-rayed with a view to making adjustments on the laws that set them up, which laws inevitably created duplications and replication of duties. All security agencies, SSS, EFCC, ICPC, they all operate as police establishments. Each one having power to investigate, each one having power to arrest, each one having power to execute. That is a gamut of confusion. Like the confusion between the police and the SSS when they paraded the alleged killers of Oshiomhole’s Principal Secretary Olaitan.

The police said they arrested four persons who are being interrogated in Benin but the SSS paraded six persons in Abuja on the same matter. That is embarrassing for us as a nation. It shows there is no coordination in intelligence gathering in this country and that is sad. And in this kind of situation, there is definite role.

Not only that I have consistently posited that an intelligent organization, starts from the NSA, Immigration, the SSS

must re-organize in order to we just must protect some organizations from undue exposure and publicity.

A situation where you have the SSS being exposed as the police does not augur well for

A situation where you have the SSS being exposed as the police does not augur well for any country’s intelligence gathering

ering of information and efficient processing of these information.

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or can we say that the highest organ in the security establishment which is the office of the NSA, has real authority or superintendence over the other security agencies. We cannot say that the office of the NSA is the head of security organizations, like his name says, he is just an Adviser. He has no executive power. The fact that he attends the National Council of State meeting does not make him an executive. I have continued to say that there is need to review the intelligence sector. The intelligence management in this country must be properly reviewed, given a firm but workable mandate so that we can say yes there is an office for intelligence like the Homeland office in the US. We just

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any country’s intelligence gathering. Why should we unduly expose SSS officials. They are supposed to work under ground, and not be seen.

Every body is busy investigating, every body is busy prosecuting. For God’s sake let us be serious as a nation. So when there is no efficient coordination of intelligence, all we get is confusion galore and the end of it is inefficiency galore.

The nation suffers, the killing continues and tension brews every day.

State of emergency I said it before that merely declaring a state of emergency in some Local Government Areas in four or five states of the Federation will have no effect. It did not really touch

Gen.Don Idada Ikponmwen (Rtd) the issue and we have since seen that rather than abate the security situation, the Boko Haram trend has continued to worsen. So, it is not declaring of a state of emergency or the removal of one or two individuals that will enhance security. We need a holistic systemic change. We need a system that will be able to ruthlessly deal with those who failed us in government, if you do not take up squarely people who fail you cannot pave way for efficiency and thoroughness. And in today’s world, it is no longer matter of rhetoric’s, it is time for action, action that will generate the confidence of the people. We need action on a day to day basis to show that this country have a government that wants to move from the present position to a position of seriousness, where not only in Nigeria but the world at large will take us seriously.

But there is this insinuation

by Chief EK Clark that some Northern leaders are behind the Boko Haram insurgency which means our security problem is politically motivated? hat is a different matter.

There is no doubt that there is a lot of power tussle in this country. There is no doubt that individuals and groups exist that are unduly constituted with acquisition of power just for the sake of the power, even when they do not have any plans on how to use that power to the benefit of the people. There are some people who on the basis of unjustifiable love for power wants to remain in control for ever. But there are also some people in this country who know that power must not be the exclusive preserve of only a group and that is why we talk about rotation of power, devolution of power and

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zoning.

These are theories to check the undue love for power. But at the same time, power must be seen to go to those who have the capacity to use it. Who have the motivation, who have the charisma, those who have the vision and the courage to use it. I do not need to go into specifics but I know that the problem of sharing power in this country has always been a very sore issue and it has continued to be so up till now.

Some people think that the Boko Haram is straight away as a result of power not being allowed to go to the North.

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ut I think that, much as I agree that certain expressions were made by some people from the North that they will make the country ungovernable if the power does not come to the North, for me I will suggest that people should guide what they say because if things turn out to be unwholesome, people are bound to link that statement with what is happening. But I think the problem with Nigeria today is more than this one said this, or that one said that.

There is a question of justice, there is a question of equitable sharing, there is a question of power devolution, there is a question of democracy not working the way it should.

There is a question of individuals who feels that it must be them all the time. There is also a question that even if the power is shared or zoned to you, do you have the right motivation to exercise that power. Nigeria is faced with a lot of problems today. Thank God that the level of awareness is increasing and we can say that Edo state leads in this crusade.

The last governorship election shows that the people are becoming increasingly aware.

And I think that if this trend is Continues on pages 45

FRESH START: Robin van Persie poses with his No 20 shirt with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson

Continued from pages 44 followed in other parts of the country, soon it will be a matter of the past that a few individuals use money, use blackmail, use deceit to garner power only to abuse it or misuse it to the detriment of the people.

I think Nigeria is at cross road, there is no question about it.

The only thing that can save this country is efficiency, thoroughness and commitment to what is good for the people and good governance. Without good governance, without efficient government, without a government at all levels that works for the benefit of the people, it will be mere wishful thinking to think that Nigeria will even stay together as one.

Gen.Don Idada Ikponmwen (Rtd)

Jonathan must be seen to be decisive else Nigeria is gone — Gen Ikpomwen pened like that. We should not turn our individual ego of any ruler at a time he was in power, to be the yardstick in deciding the fate of the people.

The lingering dispute over the sovereignty of the Falklands, the persisting stalemate over the sovereignty of the lands occupied by Israel, the continuing dispute between Eritrea and Ethiopia and even the stalemate over the retention of and treatment of the prisoners of war in the Guatamano camp in Cuba, despite the advisory opinion of the ICJ in each case, are lucid illustrations not only that nations are never in undue hurry to implement ICJ rulings without subjecting same to local imperatives but also that the interest of the subjects (the concern persons) are paramount in deciding what nations do. It is my view therefore that the hurry in reaching the Green Tree Agreement to handover Bakassi Penisula to the Cameroons two years after the ICJ declaratory ruling, without recourse to the people of Bakassi in referendum was a manifest negation of the right of the people of Bakassi to self determination. It is only in Nigeria that this kind of thing could have happened.

Having said that, when you look at the Bakassi issue, the Ogoni issue, the OPC, the MASSOB, Egbesu, it all centers on the feeling of injustice, feeling of cheating, feeling of oppression. All these are not signs of an efficient system. We must come to grip with what is evolving around the whole world. What happened in the former Soviet Union? What happened in the Balkans?

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What is your take about the confusion in Bakassi and the rising determination of some parts of the country such as the Ogoni’s to declare their own state?

The Bakassi situation to me is quite worrisome. I have no intension to review the history of Bakassi, tracing it from the secession of that part of the country to Germans by Britain as far back as 1930. Or how former Adamawa now came to become part of Nigeria and how the other part now went to the Cameroons after we achieved Independence and all the politics that inter played.

However, I can only tell you that the way that Bakassi was hurriedly ceded to Cameroun vie the green tree agreement that was signed by former President Obasanjo and former President of Cameroun Paul Biya was so terrible that it rubbished the status of man as member of a society and of a people who form part of the society. Without any form of referendum they found out that they have been ceded to Cameroun. It is true that the International Court of Justice gave a ruling which was merely declaratory that the sovereignty over Bakassi resided in the Cameroons.

But there have been so many declaratory judgments all over the world. Palestinian and Israeli matter has been on. Eretria and Ethiopia land dispute which has been on for a long time despite the ICJ judgment.

We all have respect for the ICJ but we must also consider the plight of our people who resides in that area and that ought to have given rise to the proper thing being done over the Bakassi issue such that the Bakassi people will feel that they have a government to whom their plight was considered important. I have no reservation in condemning the hurry over which Bakassi was handed over to Cameroun, I think it should not have hap-

SATURDAY Vanguard,AUGUST 18, 2012—45

py, secured and put food on their table.

This is what a government is all about. So when you have a situation where large number of people in a society feels that their interest are not taken into consideration, you cannot rule out the issue of, call it inordinate demands or are they really inordinate? Will it not be a better approach to ensure there is efficiency? Will it not be a better approach to ensure that leaders are properly chosen and emerge on the platform of the people who has the power to choose their rulers.

Will it not be better to ensure that we give better meaning to the issue of sovereignty belonging to the people as every body knows.

A situation where people are running for election, they can crawl to any home to beg for votes but the moment they are elected, they become inaccessible. I think we need to reexamine ourselves in this country. The moment we have a government that is accountable to the people, the moment the people demand their right consistently, the moment there is justice, the moment you know where to go and your problem is solved, the moment a government considers security as the primary purpose of government, then we will be able to say with all assurances that inordinate ambitions, unjustifiable demands will go.

But are you satisfied with the efforts being made by President Goodluck Jonathan to fix these problems?

I have never doubted the good intension of President Jonathan, he is a humble man, it is evident in him that he means well. Whether he has been able to put the structures that will achieve the desired goods, that will invoke the confidence of people, that will remove the fears of both the minorities and the majorities, is

If the center cannot keep every body together then the doctrine of right to self determination is bound to creep in

What happened in the Czech and Slovak?

These nations disintegrated.

If the center cannot keep every body together then the doctrine of right to self determination is bound to creep in. The Doctrine of self determination has become a world doctrine.

The world is no more governed by rhetorics. What people want is a government that will make them comfortable, hap-

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quite a different thing.

Quite unfortunately, things don’t seem to improve since his assumption of office.

Then, I think the best thing is for everybody to put his hands on deck to find solution, advise, corporate with government so that we can move forward. Some people are also worried that there is

conspiracy among Federal legislators to unseat the President.

I don’t think that unseating the President should be the focus of any legislator.

But at the same time, as a lawyer, I know that the Presidential system of government strives on checks and balances. When there is undue, unwarranted and over emphasized corporation between the arms of government that is a negation of the Presidential system. Because the hallmark of Presidential system is the fact that one arm of government act as a check on the other. The legislature must check the excesses of the executive.

The Executive must get the approval of the legislator as regards spending, you cannot declare a war with the approval of the National Assembly.

Because in this country, the constitution is supreme, the parliament is not supreme. Supremacy resides on the people.

The constitution, no matter the lapses for now remains the yardstick for which any action of government is judged. So checks and balances must be allowed. President is traveling and he is accompanied by legislators, governor is traveling and he is accompanied by Judges, those are a negation of our presidential system.

That is not to say we cannot have a unity of purpose in terms of good objectives.

Edo state governorship election Like I have always said, I am glad that Edo state has become a beckon in charting a way forward for credible elections. By and large the election was proved to be credible. We must give kudos to INEC, we must give kudos to President Jonathan, we must give kudos to the people whose awareness is growing every day.

We must give kudos to the media who monitored the process. We must give kudos to the civil societies who kept calling on the need for free and fair election. We are glad despite initial hitches which some people experienced on the day of election when materials from INEC were not getting to the polling booths in time . Despite all these, the election went well, no ballot snatching, no killing, no fighting and the result which was overwhelmingly in favour of Oshiomhole has been largely accepted by the people even though there are discordant tones from our party, the PDP, the candidate wanting to challenge the result but the party said there is no need for that. I think we should be happy that Edo state has charted a course, a direction that now constitutes a sign post for the rest of the nation.

46—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012

We are not ready for another civil war — IBB

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e want you to look back that during these years that God has been preserving your life even in difficult periods, about a particular incident that is still alive in your memory as unforgettable?

To be very honest with you, when in 1966 or about July of that year when we went through the first crisis, there was a feeling that the leadership at that time, that one part of the country that may be one part of the country does not want the other part of the country and so the best thing was and the best was to discontinue. But you know the most important lesson which I learnt as a young Officer was the fact that the relationship we had established with my colleagues when we were in the Military Academy or Nigerian Military Training College. But circumstances separated us, I was on this side of the war, while some of my colleagues were on the other side of the war. Honestly, what impressed me most was that when we met each other, we were not enemies; we still remembered our younger days when we were Cadets. It was okay, political misunderstanding brought us into this war, but you did not have a feeling that somebody have had to kill nor injured his friend. Hardly do you find a country that goes through the civil war and still remain the same and this has been about forty two years ago. The credit goes to Nigerians.

But as a leader you have to

go through certain things in life, sometimes traumatic, sometimes good. But somebody should be sitting down and assessing you how do you react to situations or how do you feel about that. But I think on the sum total, God has been most kind to me. What we had gone through in life is the challenge of leadership and we should not allow it to break this country because during bright period once anybody comes to Nigeria all he need is to pick up one of the newspapers and one would swear that in the next one week there would be war in this country. But there was no war , that means that the challenges were there but we have passed it

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ecently you and your former Boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo decided to go to the media to advice the incumbent President, what you ought to tell him in private, was it that you had been advising him as elder statesmen and your advice or warning on how to resolve the present security challenges bedeviling the country were not heeded?

The answer to that is no. We are in very good terms with President Goodluck Jonathan.

We talked to him, but it is the same Nigerians that we once led and knew very well including one of your colleagues here that said I had never talked about the Boko Haram and that I had never addressed the issue because such people had never heard me. I had been accused of not talking and what we said is that the President should take an opportunity of the Ramadan period in conjunction with every other leader both current and former leaders to do something about this country in the spirit of Ramadan we should live in peace in the spirit of the season of fasting and prayers . And we thought it is only appropriate that what we are doing is appealing to people on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

People like you would say that formerly I was quarreling with OBJ and now we are talking together. But we knew who we are and there are certain things we shared in common.

And if there is any man in the history of this country today that do not want the country to be disunited, it is OBJ, I also shared the same view. So, we have something that is bigger than all the tantrums in the newspapers and the rest of them. So, if we have a common thing which is for the common good of the country , why not .

We had been talking and we want to disabuse your minds that we did not sit idle and not doing anything about the insecurity situation in the country.

Your Son, Mohammed Babangida has declared his intention to vie for the number one seat in Niger state.

No, let me correct you, he hasn’t because I read what he said. He said he is very grateful

Gen. Ibrahim Babangida for the people of the state who considered him worthy of holding a new political office , period. He did not say he wants to be a Governor . I am very critical about this because it affects me and when big headlines stated what you have just said , I called his attention to it and his response was that I should go and read what he said . And he was quoted well.

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n other words Sir, is your son, not nursing political ambition ?

Well, political ambition for Mohammed , no he says if people consider him worthy that he could consider it an honour done to him, but it could be chairman, Local Government, it could be councellor and it could even be a Party Secretary {prolonged laughter } If you hear him very well, a political ambition is not in, I am grateful that you considered me worthy . Whether he would do it is a different ball game . But if at the end of the day my Son says he is nursing a political ambition against the next general elections , I think I would avail myself the advice that a father should give to his Son. He is a grown up man, I would lay everything on the table for him and I would have an opinion .

Can you critically assess the nascent democracy in the country as to whether they are performing very well or not?

I hate to talk about this , but I can always give you an example. Well, you operate a democracy and I did not, I was a dictator, I removed a Governor for N300, 000 but no one can remove them now for N3 billion .

Why did you leave General Sani Abacha behind when you were stepping aside as a Military President?

If you remember very well, we had an interim government, that government had a life .We drew up a Constitution for that

government . That government came into force in November 1993. And it was supposed to expire in February of 1994. We needed to make sure that government was ably supported by the Military so that they would be able to conduct an election in February of 1i994.

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Continues from page 41 will call stability of this country, from about 1963 and 1964, we were facing so many things like riots, Tiv riots, Isaac Adaka Boro insurgency and you name it including Operation Wet e.

These are all because we are a developing country, so we went through what we had to go through but in a different dimension. I participated in virtually every operations from 1964, until I left office. If we had to go through that and I believe it is a passing phase in the life of this great country. I once told some students in a Unity School that I did not have the pleasure or the Luxury of going to a School where virtually everybody is there. But your generation, you virtually have a friend in virtually everywhere. So, one looks up that one day, you would come together for the sake of this country. From, my own observation and reading, what you guys write, I want to say that you have not done enough study, you have not done enough investigation to find out the causes of all these problems, not only Boko Haram but even communal clashes, boundaries between one tribe or the other could be in Akwa Ibom state, could be in some other places, including the problems between some Fulanis and some Gwaris and so on and so forth.

Somebody should be able to tell us or to do a research of all these conflicts in parts of the country.

I think the Yorubas, who are very well known for commerce, they go there, they live there and they tried to assimilate as much as they can because of whom they are without any problem

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And we can only do that, knowing the environment in which we operated, one we respect authority. We thought then, quite rightly too that Ernest Shonekan should be supported by a strong Military so that the threat of toppling him did not arise. And they provided the stability for 82 days . That was the whole idea . And the late Abacha of course was the Chief of Defence Staff and the Minister of Defence . And we felt if anything happened , the public can be rest assured that there was somebody still there with a lot of strength and experience who would still be able to pilot when it was necessary. But whatever happened subsequently, it was a different thing altogether . You know it as much as I do . It was not the fault of the Military. hat do you think can be done to continue to entrench the territorial interest of the country in the light of the

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unfolding daunting challenges?

I think this boils down to pile up a lot of arguments. I will use our administration, what we tried to do to conquer that that thing you just talked about. I mean the territorial interests of some people it was able to boil down to one thing. At various levels of leadership and we said that the process of selecting a leader at local government level, states level, states’ houses of assembly , national assembly , presidents and so on. I think if you look at that, we tried to keep that system so that the ordinary man would check you if you want to become an elected leader because the society knows that there is something that makes you that famous face. May be the media would now have some things to say about potential presidents every time and they will bring it out if they are sure of their facts and he has to defend it . Where he could not, then he has to fall back himself . I think we did not succeed yet at the time we were trying this idea. And the problem is always there because government is always seen to be an industry that everybody who want to make it in life finds his ways there. But for the ordinary Nigerian,if you know a town called Baga somewhere in Borno state. If you ever go to Baga, today you will find Nigerians from other parts of the country living there in peace, going about their businesses and that has been going on even before independence. But our generations , we are the ones who will say no, if you have a Muslim Governor, we must have a Christian as the Deputy Governor . If you have a bush man as the governor, you must have a man from the city as the deputy governor . And this is caused by all of us sitting down here , I mean the elites . The ordinary man doesn’t know it . In 1959,when we got to politics the late Tarka brought Ibrahim Imaam from Borno state to a Constituency in Tiv land in the present day Benue state . He placed him there and the Kanuri man was elected into the House of Representatives. If you go to Onitsha, a lot of people that come from there are Nupes from Niger state. If you also go to Enugu state Umoru Altine was from Sokoto state. What did they called it in those days, chairman of the Enugu Council , he lives there, he works with them, he speaks the language and there was no problem as such. But we , all of us sitting down here have deviced a trick that if we cannot make it, we then must find a reason for getting it And if if you know that you will be a Governor only for eight years, what is your problem about causing a confusion . If you want to be, bid your time, do what is right so that the people will see you as a responsible leader.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, AUGUST18, 2012—47

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

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olice sources told Crime Guard that the hoodlums had financiers who sponsored their criminal activities,and they meet at Akala before attacking residents of Ereko, whom they branded as enemies. A top police source, who craved anonymity, told Crime Guard that after the arrest of theses suspects, efforts were made by their sponsors to get them off police net. “In fact, several politians, including a Senator made efforts to get them out. But over 20 persons had come out to identify these people as members of the gangs that attacked them Aminat Lateef’s father and those whose C M Y K

during the crisis. While narrating his involvement, Oko said: “I am the head of all the boys in Akala and they work under me; some of my boys: Oyinbo, Taye Sempe and Alowonle and some others belong to the same ethnic militia group and that lIesanmi, Wasiu aka Oloriesho, MC and others of another ethnic militia group, have guns. Ibrahim Sanni and I participated in the brutal killing of Aminat Lateef, in Fasanya Street, Fadeyi.

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•The arrested suspects

Mushin Crisis: How police are winning the war … arrest 8, recover arms, ammunition

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hen 9-year-old Aminat Lateef was murdered in December 2010, during a violent clash between factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in the Mushin area of Lagos State, her parents and siblings thought they would never get justice for her death, against the backdrop of past experiences. But the reverse is the case now, as operatives of the Federal Special AntiRobbery Squad, FSARS, following a directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, who ordered a mop-up of the entire Mushin area of violence, swooped on some factions of the NURTW who took part in the crisis in which several persons were either killed, maimed or kidnapped while many building and cars were destroyed during the clashes that lasted almost three years. Those arrested include: Lukmon Lawal, ‘’aka Oko’’,Monsuru Ibrahim, Ibrahim Sanni, Taye Fasina, Saheed Shittu, Fatai Babalola, Omotosho Akande and Lateef Akinpelu. Crime Guard gathered that Lawal, who described himself as leader of bandits and drug addict operating in the Akala area of in Mushin, and had been on the police wanted list for long, was arrested when FSARS operatives arrested three members of his gang at Awolowo Market in Mushin and recovered an AK 47 rifle and a pump action gun from them. The police, while interrogating the three suspects discovered that the AK 47 rifle was taken from a policeman who was attacked on Ikorodu Road and was badly injured by the gang.

They also confessed that their guns and others were used during violent clashes in Mushin and in cases where they were no clash; the guns were used to rob residents.

We discovered there was a misunderstanding between Taoreed Faronbi, and Joel Ajiboye but some persons, who were envious of Ajiboye, swiftly hijacked the minor feud and turned it into a bloody fracas in which several people lost their lives while properties worth millions were destroyed

brothers, sisters or relations were either killed, maimed or kidnapped also came. We decided to act the moment we got the IG’s directive to cleanup the area of these miscreants.

First, we launched a probe into what might have triggered the violence in Mushin for so long. We discovered there was a misunderstanding between a Mushin kingmaker, Taoreed Faronbi, popularly known as Baba-Alado and a former NURTW Unit Chairman, Joel Ajiboye. Some persons, who were envious of Ajiboye, swiftly turned a minor feud into a bloody fracas in which several people lost their lives while properties worth millions were destroyed.

These people went to recruit some criminals from Akala, Moshalashi and Alasalatu streets and they promised to give them all areas under Ajiboye’s control. They

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bought guns for them, bullets and other dangerous weapons and they sent them out to terrorise those they considered friends or supporters of the young man.

They succeeded in pushing the young man out of his office and they took over all the areas under his control.

But that wasn’t enough for them, then they decided to drive him out of Mushin.

Every day, these hoodlums will group themselves from all parts of Mushin and they would attack Ereko and its environs and wreak havoc. It was in one of those attacks that a 20-year-old pregnant woman was killed at Awoniyi Street at Idi-Araba and also a young man simply identified as Adedeji Adenuga, was kidnapped, killed and his dismembered body was dumped at a refuse dump at Idi-Oro Bus-Stop, on Agege Motor Road. The atrocities committed by these hoodlums were numerous

and we decided to go after them.” He narrated

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e learnt that L u k m a n Lawal and some others were heading some of the groups wreaking this havoc while Monsuru Ibrahim, aka Danglash who was one of the financiers, and went for him. We later discovered during our investigation that Danglash was an intermediary between some of the sponsors and the hoodlums. He gave them money for guns and bullets and paid their salaries. After we got this information, we went after them. Our first suspects were arrested at Awolowo Market through a tip-off and when we interrogated them they confessed that they were also armed robbers who have been terrorising Mushin.

These boys also provided the information that assisted us in apprehending others. But we won’t relent until we get others involved.”

But When Crime Guard met with the 47-year-old Lukman Lawal, aka Oko, a native of Epe in Lagos State, said he was a member of the NURTW, Fadeyi Unit, Mushin, and he joined the union seven years ago as a Unit Secretary. He confessed to the killing of Aminat and many others

loriesho and Ilesanmi gangs also took part in killing the girl and many others. I was shot in 2010 on my left leg when I and members of my gang engaged the police in a gun duel at Ajah when one Hajji White, who took us to Ajah to invade a landed property. Two members of my gang were arrested on that day. I returned to Akala and joined the fight in Mushin, when some NURTW leaders contacted my group and other ethnic militia groups headed

by Wasiu aka Oloriesho, lIesanmi, Toheeb aka Alamu and others to help them chase away Toba and his group from the park ,and after we did that they asked us to ensure that he left Mushin completely, that is what we have been working on before I was arrested.”

Meanwhile, Saheed Lateef, the father of 9-year-old Aminat, was filled with joy when he learnt that the suspected killers of his daughter had been apprehended.

He commended the police for arresting the suspects. He, however, pleaded that the court should not allow the suspects to go free.

He said: ‘’I couldn’t control my grief when I got the news of my daughter’s death. She was a young innocent girl who had done nothing wrong to anyone, but these hoodlums killed her when they invaded our area and started shooting sporadically into the air.

Aminat was outside when the shootings started. She was on an errand for her mother, but was caught in the middle of the cross-firing. My girl had hidden herself behind a car.

One of the suspects saw when she ran behind the car, he ran after her and opened fire on her. Her face was covered with bullet. When I saw her and it was so painful. I wished I was there to save her when she was being killed by those beasts. I have no business with them, why would they have to kill my daughter for no just cause. For two years, I have been searching for justice, now I feel great I will get it some day.”

48—Vanguard, SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2012

ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF TRADE UNIONISM IN NIGERIA

Policemen set to break labour protest in Lagos

Sunmonu revolutionised Labour with ‘workers charter of demands' This is the sixth edition of the serial on OWEI LAKEMFA's latest work: "One hundred years of trade unionism in Nigeria". The fifth part was published yesterday.

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So powerful was Eze that when he fell, the NLC fell with him and became history

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ZE was at the peak of his activism at this time. The then two labour centres; the Trade Union congress of Nigeria, TUCN, and the Nigeria National Federation of Labour, NNFL, set up a joint National Labour Committee, NLC, to prosecute the Iva Valley case. On May 26, 1956, the two labour centres formally merged to found the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, adopting the acronym of the Iva Valley Committee.

Michael Imoudu was elected the NLC president, F.O Coker, a.k.a. Secret Document, became the Deputy President, and Eze the General Secretary. The NLC leaders went into partisan politics and ran on the platform of the Nigerian National Democratic Party, NNDP, for the November 1950 Lagos Municipal elections in which four of them including Eze won seats.

At this time, Nduka Eze was perhaps the most powerful labour leader in the country; he was a leading nationalist, Pres-

ident General of the powerful Zikist Movement, executive member of the leading nationalist party in the country; the NCNC, member of the Lagos Municipal Council, General Secretary of the country’s only labour centre, the NLC and General Secretary of the Mercantile Workers Union which included the over 18,000 strong UAC African Workers. So powerful was Eze that when he fell, the NLC fell with him and became history.

Violent national strike What happened was that in September 1950, the UAC workers under him went on a violent national strike which shook the foundations of UNILEVER, the transnational holding company.

The workers won their demands and the employers were left brused and sucking. Three months later, Eze called another strike, this time involving all

mercantile workers including the UAC. The strike failed despite spirited attempts by the NLC to come to the rescue of its scribe and affiliate union. In the process, some affiliates left and the NLC collapsed. For the next three years there was no central labour organisation in the country.

Eze left, later read law and became one of the leading lawyers in the Nigeria of the 1970s. When the Second Republic dawned, he became the pioneer General Secretary of the Great Nigeria Peoples Party, GNPP.

SAMUEL UDO BASSEY Samuel Udo Bassey was another labour leader in the mould of Imoudu and Goodluck. He was General Secretary of trade unions like the Municipal Workers Union (now the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE); Nigeria Produce Marketing Company and the Amalgamated Associated Company. From 1963, he was scribe of the 247, 490-strong Nigeria Trade Union Congress, NTUC, and was part of the organisers who through mass pro-

tests torpedoed the neo-colonial Anglo-Nigeria Defence Pact.

The General Gowon regime seized him on February 19, 1971 and detained him along with Goodluck for fifteen months. A left-wing trade unionist who named his children after Karl Marx and Vladimir Illyich Lenin, Bassey was elected into the House of Assembly representing Eket South-West on the platform of the United Peoples Grand Alliance, UPGA. One of the leaders of the Joint Action Committee, JAC, of Trade Unions in the country, he had, with other radicals, tried to transform the 1964 general strike from an economic into a political struggle against the government.

He believed in the inevitability of strikes, saying that employers are too greedy to channel some of their profits to workers' welfare while government was no less myopic.

HAROON POPOOLA ADEBOLA Haroon Popoola Adebola whom workers affectionately called “Horse Power”a porn on Continues on page 49

Vanguard, SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2012—49

Sunmonu revolutionised Labour with ‘workers charter of demands' his initials, was the president of the largest labour centre in the 1960s, the United Labour Congress, ULC, which had over half a million members. He became a full-time unionist in 1941 and was the General Secretary of the powerful Railway, Port Transport and Clerical Staff Union for three decades.

Adebola was Treasurer of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUCN, which on May 3, 1962 transformed into ULC. He was chairman of the Joint Action Committee, JAC, which organised the 1964 general strike. Adebola was a member of the Western House of Assembly, and later the House of Chiefs having contested elections on the platform of the National Convention of Nigerian Citizens, NCNC. In comparison with Imoudu, Goodluck and Bassey, Adebola was not a radical and espoused what was characterized as the “policy of co-operation” explaining further that”.. .any trade union must cooperate with the government of each country.” He was also anti-communist and used to characterize the rival labour centre, the Nigeria Trade Union Congress and its affiliate unions as “…Communist trade unions" stressing that "Nigeria was not prepared for communism and we

ident of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, on February 28, 1978.

The four Labour centres in the country had been crushed by the military regime two years earlier and legendary labour leaders like Michael Imoudu and Wahab Omorilewa Goodluck had been banned from trade unionism.

As far as the military and many in society were concerned, the Labour Movement was finished.

So virtually nobody paid attention to the election of the 37-year old Sunmonu, an engineer in the Federal Ministry of Works. His antecedents were unknown and unlike veteran labour leaders like Haroon Popoola Adebola, Samuel Udoh Bassey, Imoudu and Goodluck, rugged leaders of the working class who rose from the ranks, Sunmonu was from the senior cadre of the Civil Service.

What better way to bury the unions than to hand them over to a government employee from the traditionally conservative civil service.

Conservative civil service Not many, therefore, took notice when the two-year old NLC under Sunmonu launched “The Workers’ Charter of Demands” in February 1980 and amongst other things, demanded the insti-

Labour leaders leading workers out on a strike action

shut down by a crippling general strike! After years of military rule, and the ascendancy of the ruling National Party of Nigeria, NPN, Nigerians came to realise that another power had risen; Labour Power!

A panicky government set the security services on the labour leaders and in an intimidating manner, they followed Sunmonu round the streets of Lagos. When Sunmonu emerged from a trade union office in Yaba and sped away, the security services gave chase, desperate not to lose him.

But unknown to them, Sunmonu remained in the office; the person the security was chasing was his identical twin brother, Hussein!

With the country completely paralysed, President Shehu Aliyu Shagari personally stepped in to negotiate with Labour. He invited the NLC leadership for direct talks at the Presidency in Dodan Barracks.

When the Labour delegation accompanied by then Secretary to Government, Alhaji Shehu Musa arrived, President Shagari stepped out to receive them, he welcomed Sunmonu only to realise that there was another Sunmonu. He blinked his eyes, not knowing who between the identical twins was the NLC president; Hassan stepped forward to identify himself.

Comrade Hassan Sunmonu...revolutionised NLC

Victory don’t believe in communist trade tutionalisation of a National Min- parade union movement”.

Adebola who became the General Secretary of the Nigeria Ports Authority Workers Union in 1977, was one of the trade unionists who desired the unity of Nigerian workers. He worked for the merger of all labour centres which was achieved with the establishment of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in 1978.

For many in my generation, Labour was synonymous with Hassan Adebayo Sunmonu who became the founding pres-

imum Wage like is done in developed countries. Then the NLC gave an ultimatum for a Minimum Wage of N300, and that Minimum Pension must not be lower than the Minimum Wage. When the strike date of May 11, 1981 arrived, not many people took the Sunmonu people serious.

That morning, the world awoke to the death of revolutionary reggae super star, Bob Marley. However, Nigerians in addition, woke up to their country having been

That was not the first time people mistook the Sunmonu twins for one another. In fact, when Hassan won the NLC presidency in 1978, the person hoisted shoulder high by his supporters in a victory parade which was splashed across the newspapers was Hussein!

The twins had done virtually the same things; attended the same schools, obtained HND, Civil Engineering from the Yaba College of Technology and were both staff at the Works Ministry;

Hassan worked in the Engineering Department, and Hussein in Planning.

When either needed to travel urgently, the other worked in both offices without their bosses being the wiser. Once, their pranks leaked, and an enraged Chief Training Engineer, Mr. M. F. Kanyi in 1962 flung Hassan from Lagos to the Zaria-Kano highway, and Hussein to the Shagamu-Ore-Benin one.

That was the first time the twins were separated for more than two weeks in their lives. Ironically, that same year, Mr. Kanyi had identical twins, and quickly made up with the Sunmonu twins.

The Sunmonu leadership within three years built the NLC into such a strong force that a bill was sponsored by Senators Ibrahim Dimis and Mahmud Waziri to split the Congress. Sunmonu led rallies against them, and even the NPN which had egged the senators on, distanced itself, and the bill died.

Breakaway faction When Sunmonu was re-elected at the NLC Kano conference, the government openly sponsored a breakaway faction of Congress called the Committee for Democratic Trade Unions, CDTU, led by his erstwhile Deputy, David Ojeli; the effort was defeated. His leadership in the NLC rebuilt the culture of collective leadership in the Labour Movement.

Sunmonu who speaks French, Italian, English, Yoruba and Fante went on in 1986 to lead African workers as the General Secretary of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity, OATUU. The Sunmonu leadership built a new secretariat for OATUU in Accra and in December 2010, completed and established the continental Kwame Nkrumah Africa Labour College, Accra with full hostel and hotel facilities.

Steeped in working class tradi-

tion, African culture, history and proverbs and an unparallel commitment, this symbol of the African worker, continues to inspire confidence in millions of people in Africa and the international labour community.

Continues tomorrow

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Continues from page 48

A panicky government set the security services on the labour leaders and in an intimidating manner, they followed Sunmonu round the streets of Lagos. When Sunmonu emerged from a trade union office in Yaba and sped away, the security services gave chase, desperate not to lose him

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50 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012

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SA TURD AY V ANGU ARD, AUGUST 18, 2012—51 SATURD TURDA VANGU ANGUARD,

Don’t let Satan stell your joy

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atan is out to steal your joy. His ministry is to steal, to kill and to destroy (Jn 10:10). He knows that if he can steal your joy, he can keep your properties. This is why he will do anything to frustrate you and everything that has to do with you. He wants you to be sorrowful so that you block the avenues to fruitfulness. The devil knows that when you are fruitful his kingdom will be more in a mess. Hence he will use whatever it takes to stop you. Do you know that the devil can use your colleague, husband, wife or friend to offend you and make you think that they are the ones who have offended you? His primary purpose is to cause you pain whilst hiding behind them.

The devil disguises and manifest in so many ways to deceive man so that man will turn around to blame God. You see satan knows that if he can succeed in deceiving you, you may doubt God and miss your blessings that will ultimately make you more sad and bitter. Bitterness can never produce fruitfulness.

Whatever you are trusting God for that is yet to manifest is not enough reason to be sorrowful.

Know that God is who He says He is and would do what He says He will do.

God cannot lie. His word is settled in heaven. If you are yet to receive the solution does not mean that God has not done it or is not going to do it. God is ever faithful. God is more concern about you receiving the blessings than you are. Instead of being sad check your life. If you are convinced that you are right with God then just hold on because God is always right on time. He is never late. Stir up your confidence in God. He won’t disappoint you.

Has God ever done something for you before?

If your answer is yes, do you think that He has changed? Mal. 3:6, says, “for I the Lord, I change not: therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed”.

God cannot change. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. What He did for you yesterday He can do much more today and tomorrow. Believe Him. He said if it was not so He would have told you so (Jn. 14:2). The devil wants you to believe that God is not worth it or trustworthy.

But then we know that the

God did not save you to leave you at the mercies of the enemy or of this world.

The fact that you are a Christian does not mean that you might not suffer things like sickness

devil is a liar. He has no truth in him. Thus he is called the father of all liars (Jn. 8:44).

You see, God did not save you to leave you at the mercies of the enemy or of this world. The fact that you are a Christian does not mean that you might not suffer things like sickness, loss of job, disappointments etc. But in all of the challenges, God has made provisions for us to overcome whatever the world can throw at you. It may be true that you may not know what tomorrow holds but if God is your God, He knows what tomorrow holds for you and knows how to bring it to pass in your life. Don’t be afraid of tomorrow because of yesterday’s mistakes or failures. God says “remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

Behold I will do a new thing now it shall spring forth, shall ye not know it?

I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” Isa. 43:18-19.

Beloved, know that your tomorrow shall be greater than where you are right now. Stop worrying.

Worrying has never solved any challenge in life rather it makes things worse.

Know of a surety that God is working things out behind the scene. Know

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also, that the glory of the latter house shall be greater than the former.

Hold on and wait for God’s end. It is always glorious.

No wonder the bible says “weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning”.

Rejoice child of God because your victory is assured in Christ. Apostle Paul, said, rejoice, again I say rejoice. Make up your mind that the devil will not rob you of your joy. Gird your loins with the truth (Word of God). Don’t allow satan to deceive you and rob you of your joy because if he succeeds, he can defeat you and rob you of your blessings. Satan’s mightiest weapon is deception. His only hope of winning is to get you to quit and rob you of your joy. The only way he can take anything from you is by deceiving you into handing it over to him.

Stop believing in his lies and start walking in the word of God that has made you an overcomer and more than conqueror.

Receive grace to remain joyful and RISE. God bless you and bless our great nation Nigeria.

Have you given your life to Jesus? If not, please pray this prayer. Father, I come to you as I am. I invite Jesus into my life to be my personal Lord and Saviour.

52 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012

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SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012 — 53

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54— SATURDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 18, 2012

Stephen Keshi’s aim of producing quality home-based players to execute his plans of qualifying the nation for the 2013 Nations Cup and 2014 World Cup may look unachievable but the coach believes that they are the future of the Eagles. In this interview with KATE OBODO, Keshi says the team will qualify for AFCON 2013,where he predicts a glorious outing. He also sheds light on why he is yet to recall Obi Mikel, Osaze Odemwingie and Yakubu Aiyegbeni to his Eagles squad. Excerpts:

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What Nigerians should expect So far, we have been working hard and trying to perfect our plans for the match. Nigerians should just expect the best because anybody who has worked so hard need t nothing but the best. That is not to say we are underrating our opponent but am sure we would succeed at the end of the day.

Challenges of managing Eagles Players are just like you and me. Every human being loves to be appreciated, respected and to be listened to.

Once you see someone as an important figure and once you have respect form him, he would definitely respect you. And if I give you all these there is no way you can insult me except you are arrogant or ignorant.

The most important thing is your approach towards the players. Just as it is written in the Bible, do unto people what you want them to do unto you. You want them to respect you and you don’t want to respect them, it would lead to a big problem and that is why you see some players behave the way they do.

Me and my players I see them as my younger brothers, I need them and they need me

and all I need to do is to respect them for who they are. It is not that I don’t yell at players, I do but not in a negative way but positive. I don’t yell at my player in front of other players or in public, neither do I belittle them. So I see my players as me, so why would I disrespect them. I don’t disrespect people but if you want • me to do that, I can do Reube n but it is not in my character, instead I would walk away.

Managing football players Football Managers have always used the beautiful game to astonishing heights, but nowadays the sport is more than kicking a ball around a pitch. If you do not carefully manage the often unconscious needs of these players,, they will burn out in a way that is damaging to themselves and unproductive for you.

You have to know your players as a person especially for you to be able to interact with them. I have some players who are ready to learn after yelling at them while for some, you take a different approach. Managers need good communication with players so that they would give the needed result.

Absence of Yakubu Ayengbeni, Osaze Odewingie, Mikel Obi and co hey are still part of the team, just that I am giving other players opportunity to prove their worth, especially the home-based players.

Talking about Osaze and the other foreign stars, in the next couple of years they could leave the national team and when we don’t have replacement for them, we would start crying for their inclusion when their time is up. I am

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•Osaze

Keshi: Eagles future is in home-based players

•Opens up on Osaze, Mikel’s snub

doing my best to ensure we have a follow- up system, after the older players must have gone.

Really, they are all in my plans but I cannot narrow

predecessor but It is not true. Because it has always been in my character right from when I started my coaching career. Home-based players

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Preparations of the players for the final AFCON qualifier against Liberia think they are very conscious about the Nation Cup qualifying match against Liberia and they are looking forward to being there come September. Some of them have been talking to me about it and some are preparing so hard for the match. All we are praying is for them not to get injuries. I pray they would equally be in good health throughout the two games.

Talking about Osaze and the other foreign stars, in the next couple of years they could leave the national team

my mind just on certain players to the detriment of others who are growing.

Why I am using homebased as my target for AFCON and World cup qualifiers Although people would think I am learning from the failure of my

,

are like the future of tomorrow, and while In Togo, Mali and other countries, I used the local players to achieve my aim and it was successful. So, using the homebased players as my target to pursue my goal for both the Nations Cup and World Cup is not new to me as it has worked for

me. And long as I have a good training programme and work without distractions,the players will grow in confidence.

In other countries, they have more of the local players than the foreign ones. You can see that the approach has been in existence and I am only trying to imbibe it into our system which is necessary especially for future purposes.

Importance of using home-based players t helps to develop the league and also give other players the opportunity to exhibit their talents and to work hard.

That was how my coaches used me when I was a player and that made them to succeed. That also brought so many players into limelight like me and other players. It is a project worth doing well for my country.. Our problem is that we are afraid of the unknown and if at the end it comes out successful, many people

I

would want to share the glory but when it goes the contrary, they will apportion blame. Everything in life is about risk, so anything I’m doing for the team, is not out of sentiments, irrespective of where the players come from. What matters to me is talent. If you can play football and you can do well for Nigeria, come and play.

If today I fail but succeeded in giving the youths, especially our local players, the opportunities to showcase their talents, I don’t mind. In fact it would be my joy other wise coaching without impact and value to move forward the player is no coaching to me. Most of my home-based players in Mali, Togo are all professional players now because I gave them the opportunity. So if we work together, it would benefit everybody.

Starting from the Nigeria Football, their parents, relatives and the fans.

SATURDAY Vanguard, August 18, 2012 — 55

VAN PERSIE: It is an honour to join Man U

R

Ebewele wants Olympians in Sports Ministry

BY IME BASSEY

F

OLLOWING Nige ria’s dismal performance at the just concluded London Olympics, former Edo State Sports Commissioner, Brown Ebewele has advised the Ministry of Sports to integrate ex-Olympians to the country’s sports hierarchy.

Ebewele, who stated this in chat with Saturday Vanguard Sports, stressed the need for an overhauling of the country’s sporting system following its continual nose-diving from 32nd position held af-

ter the Atlanta ’96 to her resent no medal position at London 2012 Games.

“The Sports Ministry should appoint the right people to manage our sports. They should give ex-Olympians the chance to run our sports and we will return back to our glory days. They know how they became what they are, and know how to replicate it.

“Look at the way Great Britain brought all their athletes from the previous Games together during the opening and closing ceremony, this shows continuity.”, said Ebewele Reflecting on the

Games, he said: “I wasn’t disappointed because I saw it coming. I said it before the Games that we were not yet ready to compete in international events. We are not serious about anything we are doing because mediocrity has eaten deep into all sectors of our culture.

“What is painful about this is that, they just came back from London telling us they are going back to the drawing board, which we all don’t know where it is. We are experiencing systemic failure that will take someone with tough mind to address,” he added.

OBIN van Persie said he had listened to “the little boy inside him” when deciding to join Manchester United.

Van Persie signed a fouryear contract with the Old Trafford outfit yesterday and is now in contention to face Everton on Monday.

“In these situations, when you have to make a hard decision in

your life, I always listen to that little boy inside me.

What does he want? That boy was screaming for Manchester United.”

He added: “Everyone knows me by now. I love football. I am quite principled in that perspective. It is always

difficult to find the perfect match but I do feel this is the perfect match for me.

“Manchester United breathes football. If you look at all the players from Manchester United, the stadium and manager, my choice was made very soon.”

IGCC Golf tourney holds

BY KATE OBODO

I

DEADLY: Van Persie was all smiles in sterday's training session

GCC comes to the limelight again as former captain and founder of evergreen initiative, Hon Daniel Omayone Mayuku is sponsoring the Evergreen Golf Tournament, a tournament designed to honour deserving Nigerians. it tees off today.

Hon Mayuku a philanthropist and lover of the Game of Golf will be honoured in the tournament in recognition of his contribution to the development of golf. The tournament is organised by his friends. The one day tournament will feature professionals playing alongside armatures.

Hon Daniel Omayone Mayuku

Premier League, La Liga take centre-stage Continues from backpage

EXCHANGE ••• Nigeria's Muizat Ajoke Odumosu (r) hands the baton to Regina George as they compete in the women's 4X400 relay final on August 11 in London. AFP PHOTO

Don’t go to Chelsea, Abigor begs Moses may kill the game of Chelsea is offering now

A

S the English Pre mier League starts today, Godwin Abigor is appealing to Eagles star, Victor Moses to remain at Wigan rather than move to big spenders, Chelsea.

Moses has been an object of controversy since Chelsea indicated interest in him. Wigan manager had advised him to stay longer at Wigan and develop more before moving to the big clubs.

But the excitement of moving to Chelsea has moved Moses more than anything the amount Chelsea have put on the table notwithstanding. ”Moving to Chelsea

Victor Moses because he may not get enough playing times to boost his game,” Abigor, the chairman of Nigeria’s Warri Wolves said, adding “Chelsea is a place better known for big players and they don’t have time to develop anybody. And with the big players Moses may find himself struggling outside the regular t e a m . ” Abigor wants Moses to spend about one or two more years at Wigan to mature into a full blown star before a move to a big club. ”When he does so he will even attract more transfer money than what

and the whole package will be good enough to even inspire him and boost his confidence on the field. Going for about eight million pounds will make him one of the small or lowly rated players in Chelsea and this could even have a psychological effect on him because he may be thinking small about himself.”

On the London Olympics, Abigor said Team Nigeria’s performance was an “embarrassment to the whole country.”.

He said it was good that a sports summit to proffer solutions to Nigeria’s problems in sports would be held.

today while a couple of games take place tomorrow and a further one on Monday, to cap an end to the first weekend of soccer made in England. Super Eagles’ stars, comprising Jon Obi Mikel of Chelsea, Osaze Odemwingie of West Brom, Victor Moses of Wigan and Victor Anichebe of Everton would be hoping to use their respective games to get into top gear for next month’s 2013 Nations Cup qualifier against Liberia.

Osaze’s West Brom welcome Liverpool to the Hawthorns with the Nigerian forward eying an improvement to the ten goals he scored in 28 Premier League appearances last term.

Since joining the Baggies in the 20102011 season, the 31 year-old former Lille of France forward, who scored 15 goals in his Premier League debut, has been depreciating in terms of goals and he hopes to turn a new page in his career In other games billed for today, Fulham host Norwich, QPRtackle Swansea, Reading welcome Stoke City, West Ham play host to Aston Villa while Tottenham travel to St James Park to play Newcastle. Tomorrow, two Nigerians are set Balloteli to clash when Wigan, parading an unsettled Victor Moses, host Chelsea, who have the impressive Jon Mikel Obi available for the game, Later, champions Manchester City begin their title defence with an home game against newly promoted Southampton.

Coach Roberto Mancni’s side have already laid down the marker for the season with their solid display in the 3-2 win over Chelsea in the Community Shield last Sunday and many would be tipping them for an encore in the 2012-

2013 season.

With the likes of Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany, Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli, Samir Nasri and Silva on top of their game, it is difficult to see how the likes of Manchester United can upstage their Manchester rivals from the top come May 2013.

O

n their part, United would have to wait till Monday to get their campaign off when they travel to face Everton at Goodison Park, a good hunting ground for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men in recent times.

And the football fever spreads to Spain, where the Spanish La Liga, acclaimed by purists, as the best league in the world, in terms of depth and quality of play, takes off with the Barcelona and Real Madrid rivalry set to continue It has always been a two-way horse race for the La Liga title and the trend is not about to stop this season as Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid attempt to successfully defend their title against a wounded Barcelona, who are without their gifted and tactical former coach, Pep Guardiola, who quit last season after their failure in the Champions League and La Liga.

How Barcelona, boasting the likes of Lionel Messi, Cesc Fagrebas and a host f other star players, would cope without Guardiola remains to be seen but for Real, who have all their stars and coach in tact, it is same of the same for the self-proclaimed Special One, whose side start their defence tomorrow against Valencia at the Santiago Bernabéu. For Barcelona, their Liga campaign starts with an home game against Real Sociedad In games billed for today, Celta Vigo host Malaga, Sevilla entertain Getafe while Real Mallorca welcome Espanyol.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 18, 2012

Premier League, La Liga take centre-stage

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

W

ITH the London Olympics well and truly over, the attention of sports fans will turn to the English Premier League, which kicks off today with Arsenal hosting Sunderland in the pick of today’s matches, without their former captain, Robin van Persie, who is now a Manchester United player.

Also today, the Spanish La Liga, which features some of the finest players comprising world player of the year, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Cesc Fabregas gets underway with Real Madrid and Barcelona battling again for the title. For EPL followers, seven matches hold Continues on page 55

•Toure

•Mikel

•Messi

VAN PERSIE: It is an honour to join Man U —Pg 55 FRESH START: Robin van Persie poses with his No 20 shirt with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson

Keshi: Eagles future is in home-based up on Osaze, players •Opens Mikel’s exclusion PG. 54

TODAY’S FIXTURES EPL Arsenal Fulham QPR Reading West Brom West Ham Newcastle

vs vs vs vs vs vs vs

Sunderland Norwich Swansea Stoke City Liverpool A Villa Tottenham

3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 5:30pm

La Liga Celta Vigo v Sevilla v Real Mallorca v

Malaga Getafe Espanyol

6pm 8pm 10pm

French Ligue 1 Lyon v Bastia v Brest v Lorient v Toulouse v Valenciennes v

Troyes Reims Evian Montpellier St. Etieme Nice

4pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm

CROSS WORD PUZZLE

Across 1 Hawaii Capital City – (8) 5 Country in Africa – (4) 7 Insect – (3 8 Board-game – (4) 10 L.G.A in Lagos State – (5) 12 Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin – (9) 15 Senegal “Tenenga Lions” Striker, Mahmadou – (5) 17 Ecuador Full-back, Frickson – (5) 18 Egypt National President, Mohamed – (5) 20 The Oba of Benin, HRH Omo N’Oba – (9) 23 State in Nigeria Known as “Coal City State”? – (5) 26 Ethnic Group in Nigeria – (4) 27 Tottenham Hotspurs Defender, Ledley – (4) 28 Snake – (3) 29 French Word For “Black” – (4) 30 Sudan National President, Omar – (8)

Down 1 Greek Goddess – (4) 2 L.G.A in Abia State – (4) 3 Swaziland Currency – (9) 4 L.G.A. In Imo State – (5) 5 England Full-back and Chelsea Defender, John – (5) 6 Super Eagles Midfielder, Stanley – (8) 11 Greek Alphabet – (3) 13 Senate Leader, Senator Victor – (9) 14 Distant – (4) 15 Number – (8) 16 Land Measurement Unit – (4) 19 Drool – (3) 21 Senegalese Capital City – (5 22 L.G.A in Kogi State – (5) 24 Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Vice President, Chief Mike – (4) 25 Heartland FC Striker, Kabiru – (4)

SOLUTION ON PAGE 51

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