C-E-A-S-E-F-I-R-E: FG, Boko Haram agree to lay down arms

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C-E-A-S-E-F-I-R-E: FG, Boko Haram agree to lay down arms •Chibok girls may gain freedom soon •Cameroun kills 107 Boko Haram insurgents

By Emeka Mamah, Soni Daniel, Ben Agande, Emma Ujah, Kingley Omonobi, Abuja, Emman Ovuakporie, Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja & Adekunle Aliyu with agency report

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HE Nigerian Govern ment yesterday said it has reached a ceasefire deal with the Boko Haram sect to halt all confrontations with the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex issuing a directive to the service chiefs of the Army, Navy, Airforce and Inspector General of Police to comply with the ceasefire agreement in all theatres of operations.

In a telephone chat with Saturday Vanguard, Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade confirmed that the Chief of Defence Staff’s directive to service chiefs to respect the ceasefire agreement has been received at the various services headquarters.

The deal was also confirmed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe yesterday.

The Voice of America VoA had quoted President Goodluck Jonathan’s Principal Private Secretary, Ambassador Hassan Tukur as disclosing the breakthrough.

He spoke to the VoA in Saudi Arabia where the talks which were brokered by officials of Chad and Cameroon were taking place. According to the international radio, a man, Danladi Ahmadu who said that he was the SecretaryGeneral of Boko Haram, told VOA on Thursday that the Chibok girls were “in good condition and unharmed.”

The report said that Boko Haram did not elaborate on the conditions under which the girls would be freed and that authorities of Saudi Arabia were not involved in the negotiations.

Following the development, hope rose last night on the possibility of the release of the over 200 girls, who were seized from a school in Chibok, Borno State last April.

Speaking to Saturday Vanguard, Okupe pointed out that a ceasefire deal had indeed been agreed by the two parties but did not say when the girls would be released to their agonising parents, who have been looking forward to reuniting with them since April 14 this year.

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Okupe, who said the deal, was for a unilateral ceasefire by the Nigerian military and the Boko Haram insurgents, pointed out that the issues agreed upon would go through a process.

But he made it clear that in response to the agreement, the Nigerian army had stopped fighting the insurgents just as the sect had agreed to lay down their arms.

“There are some concessions that the Federal has agreed with the sect but I am not going to mention them. But we want cessation of insurgency and the safe return of the Chibok girls. We are on the path of achieving these,” Okupe said.

Asked why it took so long for the Federal Government to dialogue with the sect, the presidential aide pointed out that peace deal in any part of the world takes time and that Nigeria could not have been different.

Information had it that in another development, Nigerian officials met with Chadian Government officials as well as representatives of the Boko Haram sect in N’Djamena, Chad on Friday morning and that securing the release of the 219 Chibok girls abducted by Boko Haram was top on the agenda of the negotiations.

The cease-fire is expected to result in the release of the remaining 219 Chibok female students abducted from their school six months ago and indeed girls and women abducted from other communities in the course of the five-year deadly insurgency, said to have claimed over 12,000 lives.

THE COORDINATOR, NATIONAL INFORMATION CENTRE (NIC)/ DIRECTOR – GENERAL, NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY (NOA), MIKE OMERI, OFR yesterday released a statement AT THE NATIONAL BRIEFING CENTRE, GARKI, ABUJA. His release was titled UPDATE ON THE WAR AGAINST TERROR IN THE COUNTRY and read thus: 1.

We can confirm to you that there have been contacts between the government and representatives of Boko Haram.

2.

The discussions are essentially in relation to the general insecurity in the North East and also the

need to rescue all captives of the terrorists, including the students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok.

3.

From the discussions, they indicated their desire for and willingness to discuss and resolve all associated issues.

4.

They also assured that the school girls and all other people in their captivity are all alive and well.

5.

Already, the terrorists have announced a ceasefire in furtherance of their desire for peace. In this regard, the government of Nigeria has, in similar vein, declared a ceasefire.

6.

Finally, this is to assure Nigerians that the greater goal of this process is to ensure the return of normalcy in the land, especially in parts of the country troubled by the activities of terrorists. President Jonathan’s commitment to peace and security in Nigeria and indeed, all parts of the world has been the driving force of all engagements and measures taken since the war on terror began in the country.

Cameroun kill 107 insurgents

•Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (l) being congratulated by Niger Delta Leader, Chief Edwin Clarke while the Chairman, Organizing Committee, Prof Jerry Gana (r) watched during the 80th Birthday Lecture to honour General Gowon at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida

Meanwhile, agency reports from Yaoundé Cameroun said yesterday that Cameroun’s army killed 107 Boko Haram fighters in ferocious fighting this week in its north, in a claimed success against the Nigeria-based Islamist guerrilla group.

The “fighting of rare violence” occurred in two areas in the north on Wednesday and Thursday and also resulted in the deaths of eight soldiers, the defence ministry said in a statement read on state radio.

It was not possible to independently verify the information or the toll.

In April, dozens of Boko Haram fighters stormed the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, in the remote north-eastern village of Borno State, kidnapping around 270 girls.

Reports said 57 of them escaped.

Boko Haram leader, Sheik Abubakar Shekau

later threatened to sell the remainder as slave brides, vowing that they would not be released until Boko Haram terrorists captured by troops were freed from jail.

President Jonathan has been criticized at home and abroad for his slow response to the kidnapping and for the inability of Nigerian troops to quell the violence by the militants, seen as the biggest security threat to Africa’s top economy and leading energy producer.

The Federal Government had set up a panel on security challenges in the North-East zone, even as it resolved not to engage members of the Boko Haram sect in any form of dialogue as it was a faceless group.

President Jonathan had repeatedly given reasons for the refusal of his administration to dialogue with the insurgents saying that it was difficult to dialogue

with spirits or faceless groups whose leaders were not known.

Reactions

Members of the House of Representatives yesterday, in one voice, declared that the ceasefire by the Federal Government after negotiations with Boko Haram sect was a welcome development.

One of the lawmakers,Deputy Chairman House committee on Legislative Outreach, Rep Pally Iriase, APC, Edo said”we had warned from day one that this issue should not be treated with kid gloves and that it should not be used as a tool to score political point.

“But we thank God for this encouraging development which has led to this ceasefire, we hope it remains as the delay had led to the death of many innocent Nigerians”.

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Boko Haram: UK generals, others seek military support for Nigeria

By Clifford Ndujihe (With agency report)

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T a time Nigeria’s efforts to combat the Boko Haram insurgency are being frustrated by the United States of America and SouthAfrica,thecountrymay get ample support from the United Kingdom, if a coalition of former government ministers and generals had their way.

Pained by the continued stay in captivity of the 216 Chibok schoolgirls six months after their abduction

by Boko Haram insurgents, leading UK figures from the worlds of politics and Defence, according to a UK tabloid, The Independent, have signed a letter demanding international military assistance to Nigeria.

Specifically, they want Britain to help provide co-ordinated international military assistance to Nigeria to tackle the brutal forces of Boko Haram.

In spite of an international campaign, no diplomatic or

•Urge Commonwealth military assistance •Want Britain to co-ordinate global support military progress has been made to secure the release of the Chibok girls while Western attention has shifted to the problems of Islamic fundamentalism in Iraq and Syria where kidnapping of young girls and women has also been carried out by ISIS. In a letter to The Independent, foreign affairs experts including former Foreign Secretary, Sir Malcolm Rifkind (MP); Lord Ashdown, former leader of the Liberal Democrats; former Labour Defence Secretary, Bob Ainsworth, and two former Africa ministers, said there is a compelling moral argument for international intervention against Boko Haram.

“Boko Haram and ISIS form a key part of a growing, well-organised international terror network that poses a direct threat to UK national security. They must be stopped,” they said and called for a coordinated

Commonwealth-led military assistance programme for the Nigerian security forces in their campaign against Boko Haram, and increased international intelligence support and training for the Nigerian government and military.

Mark Simmonds, a signatory and former Africa Minister, said “there is more that needs to be done” to support Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram. “We’re not talking boots on the ground but we should be thinking about helping the Nigerian armed forces with training, procurement and with analysing intelligence.”

The letter was written as part of a campaign by Nigerian business groups, who feel international investment is being threatened by the instability in the country.

General Sir David Richards, formerly Chief of the

Defence Staff and another signatory, told The Independent that Western governments had taken their eye off the ball in Africa.

“It is no good just dealing with ISIS, we need a grand strategy that encompasses all these trouble spots.

There is a lot that the British and other Western governments and militaries can do to train and sustain indigenous forces. But military means alone will not be sufficient. It will be part of a national or international grand strategy to deal with the problems.”

Labour MP Chi Onwurah, who worked for two years in Nigeria and has a Nigerian father, reportedly said that she believed it was “important to keep the kidnapping in the public eye”. She said the Nobel peace award for Malala Yousafzai recognised the important contribution to peace of education for girls.

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014

BRIEFS

Death row inmate, Ebhos to be released after 19 years in prison

•As Federal Fire Service explains handicap in its operations

By Kingsley Omonobi, Abuja

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HE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said yesterday that it had provided relief assistance to over 3million people affected

by Boko Haram.

Also, following Federal Government decision to assuage the traumatizedChibok community since the abduction of over 276 girls of Government Secondary School, and destruction of property by the terrorists, NEMA last week Tuesday, October 7, 2014, distributed relief materials to members of the Chibok community.

This disclosure came just as the Federal Fire Service attributed its inability to meet up with challenges of fire outbreaks in the country successfully, to issues of poor funding, dilapidated equipment, and insufficient back up capacity for the agency.

By Innocent Anaba

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death row inmate, Thankgod Ebhos is to be to be released from Benin prison, Edo State after 19 years of waiting for the hang man.

His release order has been signed by Governor Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State in exercise of his power of Prerogative of Mercy as outlined under Section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution.

Mr Ebhos is one of nine prisoners whose release order was approved to commemorate Nigeria’s 54th Independence Day celebration.

Ebhos came into the limelight in June 2013 when he narrowly escaped execution alongside the famous four inmates of Benin prison after their death sentence warrants were signed by the Edo State governor, Mr Adams Oshiomhole.

Thankgod, the fifth inmate, was actually taken to the gallows but was not hanged unlike the four who did not escape the hangman’s noose.

The campaign for Thankgod’s Ebhos release began with the intervention of the international human rights organisation, Avocats Sans Frontieres France (ASF France) on the platform of their death penalty project, Saving Lives, SALI. The pro bono team of SALI lawyers forestalled further threat of execution by immediately filing for an injunction at the ECOWAS community court of justice.

In February, the ECOWAS court ruled in Thankgod’s favour by granting the injunction and ordering the Federal Government to remove his name from the death row list.

The final judgment from the same court on June 10, 2014, reiterated the order to take off Thankgod’s name from death row.

The court at that time stressed that any attempt to execute Thankgod while his appeal was still pending at the Court of Appeal would be a gross violation of his right to appeal as contained in section 6(4) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ICCPR. Thankgod was sentenced to death by a military tribunal in 1995 and has been on death row for 19 years. The Family of the released convict expressed joy at the news.

We’ve provided relief materials for 3 millions Nigerians — NEMA

12.2m Nigerians have endorsed Jonathan — TAN

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

•President Goodluck Jonathan (r) introducing the Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Aminu Wali to President John Mahama of Ghana while Governor Dickson of Bayelsa State; Finance Minister, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Deziani Alison Madueke (l) watched during a working visit of the Ghanaian leader to the President at the State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida

C-E-A-S-E-F-I-R-E •Continues from page 5 “We’ve longed for peace and the wasted lives could have been avoided if government had been assertive from day one”.

Speaking almost in the same vein, Chairman House committee on Ethics and Anti-Corruption Rep Abiodun Faleke, APC, Lagos described it as a fine development that Nigerians had fervently prayed for.

“This is what we advised them to do before. To negotiate. It is sad that after six months and loss of many lives, FG now wishes to negotiate”.

Also Deputy Chairman House committee on Sports, Rep Ayo Omidiran described it as a heart gladdening news to all Nigerians.

She said “Great news. I hope it will be sustained’.

SENATORS REACT Senator Ali Ndome representing Borno North while reacting to the agreement between the government and the Boko Haram said though he was not aware of such agreement or cease fire, what was important to him was to ensure that the abducted Chibok School girls were released and in good health.

Also reacting to what people have described as cheering news, Senator Kabir Marafa representing Zamfara Central on the platform of the All Progressives Con-

gress, APC, said that it was a welcome development as it would afford those behind Boko Haram to come out and disclose their grievances.

Senator Marafa who said that it was not a new thing for Government and the Boko Haram sect announcing that they have reached a truce, noted that President Goodluck Jonathan had for a long time been calling on the Boko Haram to embrace the path of dialogue.

Besides, Senator Marafa who is the Vice Chairman of Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources, Upstream said that the National Assembly as an institution had appealed to the sect to sheathe their swords, come out and make bare their grievances and demands as well as those behind them.

He however, said that there was no sacrifice to ensure that there was peace especially in the three troubled states of North East zone that was too in as much as it would end what he called senseless killing.

According to him, “The National Assembly as an institution has been calling them to come out and make their demands, the Presidency has been calling them to state their problems even the common people have pleaded with them to stop the senseless killings.

“Whatever thing anybody can do to bring peace is welcome. It is only when they (Boko Haram) come out to say this is what they are, this is what they want, then, you will be able to assess what they want whether they are possible to implement. It is what they say that they want that will make people assess them.“ It is a welcome development, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, member representing Etche/Omuma federal constituency I am happy a truce has been agreed on. Outside the preservation of our sover-

eign state, the primary responsibility of the federal government is to protect lives and property. Within this context, I believe that Nigeria has done well to secure a ceasefire. At least, both sides have the opportunity to engage in fruitful deliberations, have the opportunity to try and lay the foundation for lasting understanding and peace. At least, the people who reside in the background areas would heave sighs of relief. If it were for this alone, we should be happy as Nigerians.

My thinking is that we have work to do. We must build on the fragile peace we have built and put an end to what has become the greatest threat to national security.

BBOG campaign group reacts The Bring Back Our Girls, BBOG campaign group yesterday welcomed the news of a ceasefire in the troubled Northeast urging the Federal Government to use the window to ensure the release of the Chibok school girls and all others captured by the Islamist group, Boko Haram.

The leaders of the group in a joint statement said they would not give up their campaign until all Chibok girls were returned safe and alive.

The statement was endorsed by Hadiza Bala Usman, Maryam Uwais, Saudatu Mahdi and Obiageli EZekwesili.

The group said: “Local and International News Media have been agog with news that the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Boko Haram Sect have reached a cease fire, which also includes the release of the 219 abducted Chibok girls. While we await official confirmation from our President over this development, we are extremely anxious but cautiously optimistic that the abducted Chibok girls will be released swiftly or at least in a matter of days.”

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POKESMAN of the Transformation Ambassa dors of Nigeria, TAN, the group that has been campaigning for President Jonathan, Dr. Udenta Udenta, told senior journalists in Abuja on Friday, that no fewer than 12.2 million Nigerians had so far endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 Presidential election.

According to Udenta, Jonathan’s highest support base comes from the South-South with 4.1 million signatories, followed by North-West’s 2.3 million and South-West’s 1.8 million signatories.

Others, according to Udenta, are South-East, 1.6 million, North-Central, 1.2 million and North-East, 1.1 million.

NAFDAC insists on life imprisonment for fake drug dealers

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

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HE Director General, National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii has insisted that the introduction of life imprisonment as penalty for dealing in fake and counterfeit drugs would stem the illicit trade.

He insisted that unless a stiffer penalty was prescribed on counterfeiters of drugs, the fight against fake drugs in Nigeria would continue to be very tasking.

Orhii spoke at a One Day Awareness and Sensitization Workshop on Guidelines and Requirements for Intending Exporters of NAFDAC Regulated Products in the North central zone, held in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

He said he would continue to canvass stiffer penalties for those who produce fake drugs “because they are worst than armed robbers in our today’s world.”

Ekiti Govt accuses Speaker of frustrating Fayose

By Gbenga Ariyibi, Ado-Ekiti

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KITI State Government has accused the Speak er of the state House of Assembly,Hon Wale Omirin by asking members of the state House of Assembly to go on one month recess in order to frustrate the new government led by Ayo Fayose in the state.

Government equally condemned the speaker for shunning the inauguration ceremony of Mr Fayose on Thursday.

According to the statement made available to newsmen by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Information and Social Media, Mr Lere Olayinka in Ado Ekiti yesterday the arbitrary recess declared by the speaker was another way of implementing plan B of his party, All Progressive Congress.

Gov Aliyu inaugurates Caretakers Committee for 25 LGAs in Niger

By Wole Mosadomi

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OVERNOR Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu has in augurated caretaker committees for the 25 Local Government areas in the state with a pledge that they would not be starved of funds to carry out projects in their areas.

While inaugurating the caretaker committees in Minna yesterday, the Governor made it known that the elected local government Chairmen were not booted out of office but that the councils threeyears tenure had just expired.

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Vanguard , OCTOBER 18 18, 2014 — 7

BRIEFS Jonathan commissions N4.4bn Uto bridge in Delta

BY FESTUS AHON, Asaba

2015: Urhobo move to stop Delta North T

HE chances of Delta North Senatorial District to produce the next governor of Delta State appear to be dimming, according to Saturday Vanguard’’s checks.

And this is based on two emerging factors—the bickering among the politicians and leaders of Delta North and realignment of forces in Delta Central whose leaders have resolved to rally support for one candidate.

Delta North comprising Ndokwa, Oshimili, Enuani and Ika is the only zone that has never produced governor of the state since Delta State was created in 1991.

The Urhobo make up the Delta Central. They have the population advantage in Delta politics. Former Governor James Ibori hails from Delta Central. The zone also produced Olorogun Felix Ibru, the first civilian governor of the state.

The Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri make up the Delta South. Current Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan is from Delta South.

With the zoning understanding of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the leading party in the state, the sympathy for the North to produce the next governor of the state in 2015 gained grounds.

But the bickering among Delta North politicians, it was gathered, has encouraged other zones to go all out for the office of the governor, knowing that the disunity among northern politicians could throw the race open, the zoning understanding notwithstanding.

The force that the Urhobo could muster during the primaries became manifest in their action during the burial of late General Patrick Aziza last week. Their Saturday leaders, Vanguard gathered, approached Governor Uduaghan and tabled before him their resolution in an earlier meeting.

Said a source: “Urhobo leaders challenged the governor to endorse the candidature of any person from Urhobo and leave the rest for them. They assured him that such a person would win the primaries and eventually emerge governor since

From left Arc.Mike Onolememen, Minister of Works, (2nd left); Vice President Namadi Sambo, (3rd left); Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State among others during the commissioning of Utor Bridge in Delta State, yesterday. they will rally support for him. The governor was asked to choose any person and that his choice would be massively supported by all Urhobo.”

The governor, was said to have been moved by their commitment and unity but could not immediately address their request as he had said before then that “everybody should go and canvass for votes.”

Delta North lacks the unity and leadership qualities of the Urhobo and that may likely cost them the governorship ticket. Their seeming disunity and the moves

by Delta Central have reawakened the Delta

South, which before now had expressed sympathy for Delta North to produce the governor. Appraising the implications of lack of unity in Delta North, the South is said to be having a rethink about Delta North.

“They now feel that they could also support their own to have a shot at the Government House especially with the emergence of James Manager as an aspirant.”

And so while there appear to be cracks on Delta North, the Urhobo are gathering momentum.

Analysts feel that if Delta South stood behind their candidate and Delta Central do the same, the North may lose out since

the Urhobo, with 34 per cent of Delta population may have the numerical advantage. The North has 32 per cent while the South controls 32 per cent of the population. But in delegates election, the support of the government is usually crucial in swaying the votes. Delta North appears not to appreciate this as Uduaghan was said to have favoured power shift to the North before the latest moves by the Urhobo and the apparent disunity among the Delta North.

The race in Delta appears very open going by the latest developments.

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday com missioned Utor River Bridge along Asaba /Ebu/ Uromi road worth N4,435,221,121.60bn with a promise to keep faith with his transformation agenda.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Jonathan commended Inter-Bau Construction Limited which he described as “a wholly indigenous firm that has delivered the project successfully”, adding that the Federal Government would continue to encourage indigenous contractors who performed to expectation.

He said: “Such steps will further create employment for the teeming youths”.

While expressing his commitment to his transformation agenda, the President who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo and accompanied by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr Steve Oru, said the Federal Government had directed the Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen to commence the design for the dualisation of the road.

DELTA 2015: Don’t succumb to Urhobo plan, Itsekiri activist tells Jonathan

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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TSEKIRI activist, Mr Amechi Ogbonia, yesterday, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to reject alleged undemocratic approach of the Urhobo ethnic nationality in Delta State to deny Delta North (Anioma) senatorial district governorship of the state in 2015.

Ogbonia, who was reacting to the recent statements/ actions of Urhobo ethnic group regarding governorship of the state, said, “Mr. President, please neglect this undemocratic approach for it is now the turn of Delta-North to produce the next governor of the state.”

His words, “The Urhobo vote has never on its own produced governor, but has been a contributor to the making of Delta state governor. What the Urhobo should realize is that Delta is not an Urhobo state, but a home for Deltans, comprising Itsekiri, Ijaw, Isoko in Delta south, Urhobo in Central, Aniocha, Oshimili, Ika, Ndokwa in Delta North.”

He added, “Another point worth noting is that when the minorities come together, the majority becomes minority; the President needs majority vote and not

...As Akpobi assures Ethiope East on democracy dividends

Delta 2015: Support for Obuh A getting stronger A S the clock ticks to ward the primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), there are strong indications that all the major stakeholders in Delta State have finally settled for Antony Chuks Obuh, a retired Permanent Secretary in the oil-rich state.

It was learnt that barring any unforeseen circumstances, Obuh is poised to become the PDP Delta State governorship flag bearer in the 2015 governorship elections as prominent Deltans, elder statesmen and chieftains of the ruling party at both state and national levels are pitting in to ensure his success at the primaries.

The development came even as all the traditional rulers in the state will be meeting this weekend to

seal the deal which will see the technocrat succeeding Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan whose second tenure will expire next year.

A source close to Delta Government House told our reporter that about 16 other governorship aspirants from Delta North where the plum position was zoned to may have agreed in principle to throw their weight behind Obuh who is the most acceptable aspirant among them.

He told this paper that the move by the motley of aspirants was to ensure that Delta North does not lose the governorship seat to other zones who may want to cash in on the discordant tunes coming from the zone.

“The ambition of Obuh

has recently got a major boost as all the major stakeholders and aspirants in Delta North are closing ranks and gravitating towards him. He is considered the popular choice and a rallying point for all PDP aspirants in the state.

The people of Delta North have realized that they need to work together as a united house to take advantage of the governorship seat zoned to them.

“Remember, zoning is not sacrosanct and if aspirants from Delta North are not careful, other zones who are more in population may cash in on that. It is based on this fear that all the aspirants are gravitating towards Obuh who obviously is a popular choice”, he said.

CHIEFTAIN and aspirant of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Nyore Akpobi has promised the people of Ethiope East Local Government area of Delta State dividends of democracy if he was given the opportunity to represent the area at the Delta State House of Assembly in 2015. Akpobi, was speaking to newsmen recently in Ovu, Ethiope East, said that his desire to contest came from the fact that those that have represented the local government in the past have not given the people full representation, adding that his coming will effect changes in the area.

Akpobi who highlighted on some of his top priorities as education, empowerment and skill acquisition, adding that if elected he would run an open door policy where he will engage his people quarterly on interactive session on how to address some of their immediate problems at the grassroots.

Anthonia and UPYA boss Marcus tie the knot

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OMRADE Marcus Ekure, President of the Urho bo Progressive Youth Association, UPYA, would this Saturday 18th of October, be joined in holy matrimony with his heartthrob, Anothonia Okpor at the Living Faith Church, Afiesere chapter, Ughelli, Delta State. The reception follows immediately at 16, Numa Avenue, off Onosode Drive, Ekiugbo, Ughelli. Their traditional marriage on September25, 2014 was done at Isunpe Quarters, Utagba-Unor in Ndokwa West LGA where Anthonia Okpor hails from.

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Vanguard , OCTOBER 18 18, 2014

Encomiums as Tony Obuh picks Guber Nomination form T

HE National Organising Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha has said retired Civil Servants are more experienced to govern the states of the Federation just as the former Permanent Secretary in Delta State Government House, Sir Tony Obuh picked his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms at Wadata House, Abuja, Friday.

Abubakar Mustapha yesterday clarified that the party is not against retired civil servants contesting elective offices, stating “Indeed, they are most qualified because of their wealth of experience.”

He told Obuh that because of his background that he is most qualified to

contest for the office of governor of Del ta state. He said the party will provide a level playing field for all aspirants. Speaking when he obtained his Expression of Interest and nomination forms, Obuh said, “I have come to establish the first great step and my decision to serve my people in the position of a governor. I here to tell my party that I am serious about what they may have been hearing, seeing and reading in the media that Anthony Obuh is a candidate that is seriously pursuing the first class seat to serve as the governor of Delta state.

“As you may be aware, Delta is doing a programme called ‘Delta Beyond Oil’ and what the programme represents is a philosophy that wants to

diversify our economy. A philosophy that want to explore new areas for wealth generation, we want to look into new areas for industrialization, for employment, instead of concentrating on oil, Oil is a product that will finish one day, it will finish and we are preparing our economy to grow on other sectors,” he said.

On the allegation that he is been imposed by the governor, Obuh said, “ I wish that was true, indeed, I am praying and working hard that not just the governor but the entire Delta state people should endorse me and make me their candidate of choice. Nobody has come to tell me that the governor has endorsed me, sponsored me or made me his candidate.

Anenih loses N500m libel suit against Oshiomhole’s CPS, TV Station

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N Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has dismissed a N500 million libel suit instituted by the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Tony Anenih against the Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor and the Edo State Broadcasting Service (EBS).

In a judgment delivered

by Justice U.I Erameh in consolidated Suits Nos: B/ 285/2010 & B/366/2010 between Chief Tony Anenih (CFR) as Claimant and Mr Peter Okhiria (Chief Press Secretray to Edo State Governor), Edo

Broadcasting Corporation and Bendel Newspaper Company Limited who are the Defendants, the court refused the prayers of Chief Anenih who claimed that a Press release issued on behalf of the state Government in 2010 was libelous and therefore refused the prayer for N500 million damages, among others.

Chief Anenih had sued the defendants, claiming that a Press release issued on behalf of the Government by the Chief Press Secretary libeled him and sought N500 million in damages.

Justice Erameh in her judgment held that the defence of privileged ocassion availed the first defendant (Peter Okhiria, Chief Press Secretary) on the ground that he acted on the instruction of the Chief Security Officer of the State, (the Governor) to educate and inform the public on security happenings in the state and that such statement was made by the Chief Press Secretary in his official capacity as the spokesman of the government of Edo State and as such he could not be held liable for libel because statement made on privileged occasion are a defence to libel.

Obiano adopts measures to decongest roads in ‘Émber’ months

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NAMBRA State governor, Chief Willie Obiano has taken pro-active steps to ensure a free flow of traffic throughout the last quarter of the year otherwise referred to as ‘’Ember months” by initiating measures to reduce gridlocks and eliminate carnage on both the State and federal roads in Anambra State.

Governor Obiano disclosed this when the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Boboye Oyegun paid him a courtesy call at the Governor ’s Lodge, Amawbia, at the weekend.

L-R; Brig. Gen. Dominic Oneya, Chief Efe Akpofure (SAN) and Olorogun O'tega Emerhor at St. Jude Catholic Church, Effurun, during Funeral Mass yesterday for late Frances, Gen. Oneya's daughter who was murdered in Effurun, Uvwie LGA, Delta State by armed robbers last week. Photo: Akpokona Omafuaire?.

Nurses beg Okorocha to pay salary arrears

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA, Owerri

T

HE Imo State Branch of National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, has appealed to Governor Rochas Okorocha to urgently clear the five months arrears of salaries owed staff of the State Specialist Hospital, Owerri.

The State NANNM Chairman, Mrs. Augustina Nwadi Ogini, made the passionate appeal while flagging off the 2014 International Nurses Week in Owerri.

“The five months salary arrears is a pain and thorn in our flesh. We want government to liquidate these outstanding arrears, which occurred as a result of concession of the medical establishment”, Mrs. Ogini said.

The state NANNM leadership equally expressed shock that all the Schools of Nursing and Midwifery have inexplicably lost their accreditation.

“Government should, as a matter of urgency, redeem all the Schools of Nursing and Midwifery that have lost their accreditation in the state”, Ogini pleaded.

While expressing hap-

piness that the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, has been successfully contained in Nigeria, the Imo NANNM boss however pleaded that hand washing policy should be maintained by all.

Don’t deal with touts, EEDC boss warns customers establishment”, Dicker-

T

HE management of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, has advised its customers in Imo State, to deal directly with its accreditation staff instead touts.

The Managing Director of EEDC, Mr. Robert Dickerman, who gave the advice at a consumers consultative forum held in Owerri, also lamented that the establishment is only collecting about 50 percent of its expected revenue.

“We expect our customers to assist us in our bid to turn things around for the better. Please report vandalism, meter by-pass and all forms of public power theft to the

man pleaded.

While saying that EEDC cannot exist without its customers, Mr. Dickerman however expressed regret that “for now, we do not have enough power to serve all our customers”.

According to the EEDC boss, power generation started a downward decline since the 1970s, while the nation’s population kept increasing.

“EEDC takes full responsibility to right this wrong. We need capital to fix this problem. We can fix it but it will take some time. This calls for patience from our customers”, Dickerman pleaded.

Ooni charges politicians on devt of Yoruba race

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE, Osogbo

A

HEAD of the 2015 general elections, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade has tasked Politicians in Yoruba land to unite together in order to chart common front for the development of the Yoruba race. The monarch, who appealed to Politicians of

Yoruba extraction to place the interest of the race above their personal interest, stressed the need for all Yorubas to work together for the common interest of the race irrespective of their [political differences.

Oba Sijuwade who spoke at his palace in IleIfe while receiving a Governorship aspirant of the Unity Party of Nigeria

UPN in Ogun state, Prince Tunde Paseda called on Politicians to place the interest of the people above theirs.

The royal father noted that “the progress of the Yoruba nation is the progress of Nigeria and whatever will bring progress to the country must be paramount in the minds of the political leaders.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014 — 9

Book Presentation/Birthday Celebration of Bolaji Akpan Anani. Pix: Gbemiga Olamikan

2015: Niger Delta Youths write Muazu, to pick forms for Jonathan on Wednesday ...As Akwa Ibom House Leader joins guber race

BY HENRY UMORU

A

HEAD of the formal declaration of President Goodluck Jonathan for his second term bid, a group under the aegis, the Niger Delta Youth for Jonathan, yesterday submitted a letter to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, intimating him of their readiness to storm the party’s national Secretariat on Wednesday next week and pick the President’s Expression of Intetest and nomination forms.

According to the group, President Goodluck was not aware that they were coming to PDP National Secretatiat on Wednesday to pick the expression of interest form for N2 million and Nomination form for N20 million, totally N22 million.

Led by Prince Ebile Dudu, in the letter, the group said, “We the Niger Delta Youth for Jonathan and our sister groups in the five geopolitical zones, wish to appreciate your singular and collective support of the National Executive Committee of our great party, Peoples Democratic Party, towards the continuation of the Transformation Agenda of

Mr. President, 2015.

“We want to purchase the Expression of Interest form and Nomination form for Mr. President, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, at the National Headquarters of our great party, PDP on Wednesday 22nd October, 2014.”

Explaining the decision to pick the forms on behalf of the president, Mr. Benjamin Egbunike, who is the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the group, told

By Ben Agande, Abuja

P

RESIDENT of Ghana, John Mahama yesterday pledged his country’s support for Nigeria’s fight war against the Boko Haram terrorist group.

Addressing State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Jonathan, the Ghanaian President said his meeting with his Nigerian counterpart centred on bilateral issues between the two countries.

The Ghanaian leader, who is current chairman of the EconomicCommunityofWest

By Innocent Anaba Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, adjourned till November 7, ruling on a fundamental rights enforcement suit, seeking the reinstatement of impeached governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako. Trial judge, Justice Okon Abang adjourned for ruling, after hearing arguments from counsel in the suit. A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Olukoya Ogungbeje, is in the suit, challenging the legality of Nyako’s impeachment on July, 15.

Ogungbeje had argued that Nyako’s impeachment was a clear derogation from the due process of law, and prayed the court for an order reinstating him a governor.

Respondents in the suit are the former acting governor of Adamawa State, Mr Umaru Fintiri, Adamawa State House of Assembly, the former acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ambrose Mammadi, Justice Buba Kajama, (Chairman of the seven-member panel that investigated allegations of gross misconduct against Nyako), Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the Inspector General of Police,IG. At the resumed hearing of in the suit, yesterday, defence Counsel,

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From left, The Celebrant , Elder Bolaji Akpan Anani and AGM Brand Vanguard Media Limited, Mr Fred Odueme, held in Abuja yesterday.

Boko Haram: Ghananian President Mahama pledges support

Nyako’s reinstatement suit: Court adjourns till Nov 7 for ruling

A

Journalists at the party secretariat that Jonathan was however unaware of the group’s intention to purchase the forms, adding, “We are purchasing the forms for him and we are doing that in the spirit of demonstration that we are solidly behind the president and to also encourage him that he should not be deterred, neither should he be doubtful of the general popularity he has in this country. “

Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, argued that the third respondent in the suit (Chief Judge of Adamawa) was not served with the processes in the suit, contending that it will only be fair for the said respondent to be given an opportunity to put in his defence in the suit.

African States (ECOWAS), urged Nigerians to fully support Jonathan’s administration in the effort to crush the terrorists, pointing out that Nigeria was a strategic country in West Africa, so it’s destabilisation would deal a heavy blow to the stability of the entire region.

He therefore stressed that anyone who means well for West African region must join hands with Nigeria to ensure themenaceofinsurgencyand terrorism is contained.

The Ghanaian President commended President Jonathan and Nigerians for successfully checking the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease in the country and for her willingness and efforts to assist less successful West African countries in tackling the deadly disease.

He announced plans to convene a meeting of ECOWAS heads of state by the first week of November to discuss concerted efforts at checking further spread of Ebola which has already killed over 4,000 persons in the region in the past four months.

Mrs. Bolaji Anani , PDP National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu and the Celebrant , PDP National Financial Secretary Elder Bolaji Akpan Anani at the event.

From left, Oboh Patrick Okomiso, Mr Alex Egbona and Rt Hon Bassey Ewa

Mutiny: Army authorities place soldiers on half salary

By Kingsley Omonobi, Abuja

I

NDICATIONS have emerged that the 97 soldiers including four (4) Lieutenant Colonels, a Major and four (4) Army Captains who are currently facing trial at a General Court Martial at the AHQ Garrison headquarters at the Mogadishu Cantonment, have been placed on half salaries.

It was gathered that the decision of the Army High Command to put the soldiers on half salary which is in tandem with the terms and conditions (TACOS) of military statutes, will be in place until the trial of the soldiers whose tenure is unknown, ends.

Asked to comment on the development, a senior officer said it was not a punitive

action noting that whenever the trial ends and decisions taken, those who are freed will revert to collecting their full salaries.

Already, 59 of the soldiers From right, Abuja Vanguard Advert Manager Ethel Igboeche and Mrs. Veronica were arraigned on Wednes- Uwhube at the event. day specifically for Mutiny and Conspiracy to Mutiny having allegedly refused orders by the Commanding officer of the 111 Special Forces Battalion, to advance in an operation to recapture Delwa in Borno State from Boko Haram terrorists.

Recall that the soldiers who are divided into two groups, are facing several charges related to Mutiny, Conspiracy to Mutiny, Assault; Absence without leave (AWOL); House breaking, Conduct prejudicial to good orders, and Service discipline as well as offences relating to Ser- From left, PDP National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu , the Celebrant , PDP National vice property among oth- Financial Secretary Elder Bolaji Akpan Anani, Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and Cross River State Governor , Senator Liyel Imoke at the event. ers.

10—SATURDAY

Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014

Marked for life?

Are your tribal marks attractive or repulsive?

, zTribal marks

By CHIOMA GABRIEL

A

s incredible as it may seem, many people find tribal marks repulsive.

The first time Akinwunmi travelled to the United kingdom several years ago, he recalled how a little white girl

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approached him where he was seated at the airport and studied his face. Akinwunmi had four long horizontal lines deeply etched on his two cheeks. The girl was aged about six.

Akinwunmi was initially embarrassed at the way the girl stared at him. Her

parents were seated a few yards away and not knowing how to send her away, he decided to engage her in a conversation. Then, the girl came clean to ask about the marks on his face and he told her he fought and killed a lion.

Impressed, she ran back

to her parents shouting on top of her voice that she wanted her doll and a biro. She was shouting that she had just met a brave man who had killed a lion. The little girl drew the attention of many who shifted their gaze to Akinwunmi’s direction and wondered

It was difficult for me to get a woman to marry, I mean the kind of woman I wanted

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at him. Some of the men even nodded in admiration at his bravery and the little white girl returned, holding her doll and a biro. She lovingly caressed Akinwunmi’s face and the marks on his face before giving him her doll for his autograph.

Now visibly embarrassed, Akinwunmi held her hand and told her he didn’t fight or kill a lion but that the marks on his face were tribal marks he got as a child.

On hearing that, the little girl shifted away and screamed in horror, shouting that he was a savage. Her scream attracted airport officials who came to her rescue and found her pointing at Akinwunmi’s tribal marks as the face of a savage.

That was over thirty years ago.

Now, Akinwunmi is 57 years and happily married. He has five kids.

None of whom has tribal marks. “ I cannot subject my children to the embarrassment I suffered over the marks I have on my face. Even in my school days in Nigeria, they called me all sorts of names because of the severe tribal marks my grand parents put on my face. As a young man, I remained a virgin for a long time because the kind of ladies I wanted to date rejected me due to the marks on my face.

The greatest thing that happened to me was getting educated and qualifying to be a doctor otherwise it would have been disastrous for me.

It was difficult for me to get a woman to marry, I

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SATURDAY

Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014—11

Continues from page 10 mean the kind of woman I wanted. The ladies hated the ugly marks on my face. Even my wife till today does not like my tribal marks even though she eventually accepted to marry me. Her attraction then was travelling to live in UK with me but I guess along the line, she began to love me despite my tribal marks”. This is just one of the stories shared by people with tribal marks on their faces many of whom would not give such marks to their children.

Nowadays, tribal marks have become the dying lore of ancient days. Some of the young people who have it feel resentment towards their parents for giving them such scars in the first place.

During his tenure as Ekiti governor, Fayose banned the inscription of tribal marks in Ekiti. Women are worse off for it. A woman that has four lines each on her cheek may have it tough in getting a husband in the present time no matter how pretty she is.

There have been reports of many who resorted to plastic surgery to reduce the effect of the scars or completely remove them.

zTribal marks

Of beauty and heritage

Of beauty and heritage

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Across the major and minor tribes in Nigeria, tribal marks have become a way of identification. Such marks reveal instantly, the tribe of anybody who has such a mark.

In Yoruba land, tribal marks are an age-long practice of identification of peoples’ origin.

The marks reveal whether one is of Egba, Nupe, Ilaje and other Yoruba origin. Different tribes use these marks and designs as a form of identification, beautification and protection. These tribal marks are created using sharp instruments such as razor blades, knives or glass and in some cases, flesh is cut from the skin to create a gash, which later heals and leaves a permanent pattern on the body.

In an encounter, Alhaji Adegboye, an octogenarian who had what he described as Egba tribal marks told this writer that in the old days when there were inter-tribal wars, tribal marks were used as a source of identification.

“People who were migrating to other places had these marks given to them as a mark of identification so that whosoever came in contact with them would know instantly where they were coming from. There are tribal marks that tell you instantly that someone is an Egba man, an Ilaje person or an Ijesha man. There are also big families that have their family marks and wherever they see each other, they would recognise themselves from the marks on their faces or hidden

I don’t like the marks at all, and girls don’t look at my face twice

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elsewhere in their bodies. An individual’s tribe or family typically dictates the pattern in which tribal marks are inscribed on their faces, stomach or legs. Specific families are charged with the responsibility of creating these marks. These household names are also used to sing their praises. The skill of making these marks is passed from one generation to another.”

Alhaji Adegboye,had tribal marks not only on his face but also on parts of his body. “ In my days, they are considered beautiful. Every first son in our family must have a tribal mark. I am a first son and I was given these beautiful marks at birth. My younger ones did not have them. Our first daughter, that is my mother’s first daughter has words tattooed on her chest, arms, and legs. These words are praise words, which are complimentary phrases about the person they are inscribed on. As she grew up, she also added more tattoos on her neck and arms. My sister has on her arm , a tattoo depicting a man’s name and a heart sign on her hand. Perhaps, she must have been in love when she gave herself that mark. Other parts of her body had drawings that I couldn’t decipher. “ My grandmother also had a lot of marks. Apart from the tribal marks on her face, she had several marks all over her body that as a boy, I used to be struck by how she withstood the pains. “ Ironically, things have changed. None of my children or grandchildren has any tribal mark. I lived in London and had my children over there. I

would have loved my first son to have a tribal mark but the British doctors would not hear of it. And because my children were all British citizens, we couldn’t give them the marks at that time. When we returned home to Nigeria, my wife passed on and I married another one. But she is not Yoruba and kicked against it.

She quickly reminded me that none of my children from my first marriage had a tribal mark and for peace to reign, I obliged her. She has three children for me and they didn’t have tribal marks” Looking back, Alhaji Adegboye said his tribal marks did not pose a big challenge to him. “ The women were not crazy about me and I was not a ladies’ man. I was the serious type but when I made up my mind to settle down, I began to approach women. There was a particular lady I wanted to marry but she was a Christian.

She told me pointblank that she would not marry a Muslim especially one with tribal marks. I wooed her but it did not work and because I liked her character, I told my cousin who is a Christian about her and she married him. My cousin didn’t have any tribal marks anyway. “ That tradition is fading out now. In fact, it has faded out although I still see a few people who wear minor tribal marks. The ones I see these days are not as deep like the one in the past. The young people have also made fancy of tattoos. The entertainers and actors are using it to suit their trades. These days, young people have all manner of designs on their bodies and

they call them tattoos but they have rejected tribal marks.”

Although these marks have a long history of tradition and culture, some Nigerians believe the practice of scarification as it is called should be stopped, because they are “barbaric” or unfashionable and antiquated.

Aisha, a young lady from Benue state in her midtwenties expressed disapproval at the practice. She has tribal marks on her face and even though they were not very obvious, Aisha recalls she was made fun of as a child for the marks evenly placed on both sides of her mouth. Now, those marks are what distinguishes her as a Benue girl living in Lagos. “ People would see me and start speaking my language because they know I’m Idoma.

There was a time I was detained for committing a traffic offence but one of the policemen saw the marks on my face and spoke Idoma to me and my sisters and I responded. Being Idoma himself, he was lenient and eventually warned us against committing such an offence again and pleaded with his colleagues to let us off the hook. That was how my tribal marks saved us”.

Agatha, an Igbo girl from Anambra has two marks on both sides of her cheeks but she said she got those marks because her parents said she was ‘ogbanje’ or what the Yoruba would call ‘abiku’. She also has some scars on her back, ears and a black patch on her jaw which were given to ensure she would be rejected by her spirit friends.

But there are people who love their tribal marks.

George, an Igala from Kogi said Igala people are not many and therefore, they appreciate each other wherever they meet.

George lives in Lagos and according to him, his Igala marks are his identity anywhere he goes. “ Igala people are few and we appreciate each other.

Anywhere we hear the language spoken or see the tribal marks, we stop to ask questions. I’ve gotten favours because my people recognised me through my tribal marks.

On my side, anybody I see anywhere with the tribal marks, I stop to speak the language to the person. Our own is not too much and those who have the marks don’t complain. I think the Igala tribal mark is sexy and appealing. I’m proud of my own and my wife loves them even though she is Igbo.”

Asked if his children also have the marks, George smiled and shook his head. “ You know times are changing. My children may not understand it if they grow up and realise their contemporaries from other parts of Nigeria are not wearing tribal marks. I don’t want them to have problems in future

Continues on page 12

Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014

Continues from page 11 especially in this era when unity of Nigerians is the slogan. One thing about tribal marks is that it can further divide us and that is something we don’t need at this period in Nigeria. Outside this, I have no problem with wearing my tribal marks and I love mine because they are my heritage and are worth preserving” Olumide, an undergraduate from Ekiti state said he wouldn’t understand what made his parents give him the marks at a time when his contemporaries are no longer having them. “ Whenever I look at myself in the mirror and see those marks, I feel funny. Some of my friends call me sergeant because of the marks and some make jest of me by calling me the guy that had a fight with the tiger. I know these marks are horrible. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been embarrassed by them. I wish I could turn things around and I know that if anything could be done to alter then, I would do so when I become financially viable. I only hope it won’t affect me in the employment market when I graduate. They make me look like a bush person. I don’t like the marks at all, and girls don’t look at my face twice. No girl is dying for my love. When I approach girls, the expression on their faces are often discouraging.

Mere looking at me, people wonder at me. Outside the school, people think that I am an uneducated person. I wish I could wipe it off because relationship wise, I have lost a lot of things”.

Biola Dada, a hairdresser said she hates her face and doesn’t understand why she was given such marks.

“My mother doesn’t have them and my father is dead. All my sisters have tribal marks and my mother said it’s from my father’s family. But I tell you, it isn’t funny at all. My sisters have to lower the standard of the kind of husbands they would have loved to marry. My sister who has an OND in Mass Communication married a driver whereas she wanted to marry a journalist but the deep horizontal marks on her face hindered her from getting the man she wanted. I have finished secondary school and would want to marry a polished man but none has approached me except artisans.”

Rotimi, a building contractor jokes about the horizontal marks on his face. According to him, he has been asked many times if he was attacked by a wild cat, but he always laughed it off. Rotimi believes he has nothing to be ashamed of as the scarification or tribal marks enhance his handsomeness .

“All my siblings have tribal marks but we could not give our children because we know that what gave reason for tribal marks is no more there. The C M Y K

Tribal marks no more necessary now

zTribal mark marks were for identification during the tribal wars and slavery.”

Myth of origin

In Yoruba land, a story was told of a certain king named Sango who sent two slaves to a distant country on an important mission. In due course they returned, and he found that one slave had achieved successfully what he had been sent to do, while the other had accomplished nothing. The King therefore rewarded the first with high honours, and commanded the second to receive a hundred and twentytwo razor cuts all over his body.

That was meant to be a severe punishment, but when the scars healed, they gave to the slave a very remarkable appearance, which greatly took the fancy of the King’s wives.

Sango according to the tale therefore decided that cuts should in future be given, not as punishment, but as a sign of royalty, and he placed himself at once in the hands of the markers. However, he could only bear two cuts, and so from that day two cuts on the arm have been the sign of royalty, and various other cuts came to be the marks of different tribes.

Saturday Vanguard also learned that at a time when kingdoms were invaded and people were kidnapped, clans started marking their members

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12—SATURDAY

When I approach girls, the expression on their faces are often discouraging

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to differentiate themselves and also to be able to know where an individual belonged to, peradventure there were chances for their return home.

Slave trade later became the primary reason for the advent of tribal marks in Nigeria although it became a fashion trend over time. Studies further revealed that tribal marks became a necessity in the old days as a result of the incessant communal wars and slave trade experienced then.

“Families became separated as people were often taken away as slaves and to avoid completely losing their folk, they decided to mark their faces, hoping it would help to withhold family ties. Such marks were used by individuals to trace their source, no matter how long they might have been held captive.

But when these wars ceased, the act of marking the face did not stop, because people then realised that besides the initial purpose for tribal marks, it also beautified the face.”

In those old days, when a child was born, the proud father would want the child to be given tribal marks as a way of expressing that he was the legitimate father of the child as well as a way of identifying the child in their family lineage or ethnic group. It is believed that the best way of identifying people of same ethnic group is the similarity of their marks and in that case, they protect their interest.

This became passed down from family to family, members of the same village, identification of royal lineage and people from the same lineage. But different sets of people have similar tribal marks that differentiate them from people from a different lineage or village. Since tribal marks are used mainly to differentiate ethnic groups, they vary. There are marks on the cheeks, forehead, on the temple, under the chin and so on. There are vertical lines, horizontal, both vertical and horizontal, slanted lines on both cheeks. These marks are in patterns based on the ethnic group of their bearer and have different meanings and different names.

Tribal marks no more necessary now A Yoruba adage says that a

person with facial marks will not remain missing for too long. According to the people, such a person, if separated from his relations during war or other conflicts, would meet someone who would identify his town and even his family through his facial marks. But that was then. These days, people view those with tribal marks with a certain disdain.

Individuals and friends make jest of those who wear them.

The reasons adduced for them like inter-tribal wars and slave trade no longer exist. What many called ‘abiku’ or ‘ogbanje’ in those days in many cases have been found out to be sickle cell anemia. Most people who have marked faces would not do same to their children and those who have another opportunity would not inscribe such on their faces.

Some people without tribal marks said they would avoid friendship with those whose faces are marked if possible.

Favour Chude, a student opines that the act of marking the face is inhuman in nature and should therefore be abolished. “ Government should do something about emphasis on the tribes of people. We talk of one Nigeria now and so we do not need Igbo tribe, Yoruba tribe or Hausa tribe on the faces of one Nigeria. Tribal marks should be eradicated. I cannot marry a man with tribal marks if he is the last man on earth.

I’m not saying I hate people with tribal marks but there is a limit in associating with them.

The practice is barbaric and reminds me of the pains an individual undergoes to get them. “It puts me off when I see a young person having 14 marks on each cheek. What kind of culture would permit a baby’s face to be slashed 28 times? When a guy has such a mark, no matter how brilliant or intelligent he is, such a person often has complex and has a problem socialising. I’ve never dated a guy with tribal marks and I cannot.”

Chinonye Nwogbo has three tiny horizontal lines on each of her cheeks and she said she got them for health reasons. “ I was a sickly child and I was given the marks to stop convulsions. I don’t like them even though they were not too visible. I was lucky my husband didn’t see them as a

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SATURDAY

Nigerian leaders with tribal marks

But many notable Nigerians have tribal marks on their faces.

From the first republic to the present day, Nigeria has had

General Sani Abacha

Chief Richard Akinjide

Chief Lamidi Adedibu

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Continues from page 12 barrier to proposing marriage to me.” With the increase in the cases of HIV/AIDS and blood related infections, it is becoming deadly to use sharp objects on people especially as such objects in rural and even urban societies can enhance further transmission of the diseases. In Nigeria today, tribal marks have become a criminal offence in some states and this in a way has helped to reduce the act across different tribes in the country. Osun State during the administration of Olagunsoye Oyinlola, banned people in the state from giving facial marks or tattoo to their children. Section 24 of the law says,”No person shall tattoo or make a skin mark or cause any tattoo or skin mark to be made on a child.” Section 24 (2) of the law says, “A person who tattoos or makes a skin mark on a child commits an offence under this law and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or serve both fine and imprisonment”.

Equally, Ekiti State government under former Governor Ayo Fayose passed a Child Rights Law which forbids all forms of tattoos and tribal marks on children of the state.

Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014—13

Adegoke Adelabu

Ahmadu Bello

several leaders who wore their tribal marks like garments of honour. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo, Adegoke Adelabu, Chief Ladoke Akintola , Chief Lamidi Adedibu, General Abacha, Chief Richard Akinjide, Olusegun Obasanjo amongst others wore distinct tribal marks that stood them out in the days

they held sway. Nigeria is blessed with rich human and natural resources. Everything about Nigeria speaks out beauty.

Nigeria is a country with diverse peoples and cultures and also lovely traditions, but above all, it is a country where some people still give their children tribal marks and say it is beautiful to do so.

The issue of having tribal marks is a serious business.

A person who tattoos or makes a skin mark on a child commits an offence under this law and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or serve both fine and imprisonment

,

Chief Ladoke Akintola

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa

What the Bible says about tattoos and cutting of bodies he Bible warns against tattoos T in Leviticus 19:28 (Amplified) which says, “Ye shall not make any

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cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord.”

However, just because society approves of something does not make it right in the eyes of God. The Bible warns Christians who are considering getting one and tries to help overcome the consequences of those mistakes. Having a tattoo will not keep anyone from serving God. Some godly people have tattoos and are serving God and their tattoos do not interfere with what God is doing through them. Anything Satan tries to use for evil, God can turn and use it for good There are many dedicated and sincere Christians that have tattoos.

This is not meant to say they do not love the Lord. God not only can use them, but does use them. Tattooing, according to the Bible has witchcraft “Roots” In addition to the above verse, Scripture also warns Christians not to disfigure their bodies in following verses: “ And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them”. 1 Kings 18:28 “Ye are the sons of the LORD your God; you shall not cut yourselves,

nor make any baldness on your foreheads for the dead”.

Deuteronomy 14:1 Some people object to using Old Testament scripture as a reference to tattoos since the New Testament doesn’t speak of these things. However, in the New Testament, Christians are even called to a higher law. In the New Testament, Christians are told to glorify God in their bodies. This would include not marring their bodies with tattoos, as the principles in the Bible clearly state it is wrong to defile the bodies.

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord

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What the Koran says about tattoos and cutting of bodies Koran education is important for every Muslim irrespective of gender.

Tattoos are a growing trend in the world and most of the people question if tattoos have an

acceptance in Islam or not? As far as the matter of tattoos is concerned, tattoos are built on body through extremely hurting the body and it is forbidden in Islam to hurt your body.

According to Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen, tattooing which involves piercing with needle and which involves colours of dye are considered Haraam. It might not cause you

pain or little pain, but it means changing the creation of Allah .

In al-Saheehayn it is narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: “May Allah curse the women who do tattoos and those for whom tattoos are done, those who pluck their eyebrows and those who file their teeth for the purpose of beautification and alter the creation of Allah.” (alBukhaari, al-Libaas, 5587; Muslim, alLibaas, 5538).

From the above narration, it is clear that Allah has cursed the women or man who adopts such things in their lives.

Many scholars argue that this is one of the forms of deception and that makes it forbidden in Islam. Another school of thought argues that it is forbidden. . No matter what reason is behind it, Muslims also forbid it.

14—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014

Does any of the following sound horribly familiar? On a visit to your mother, you notice her remarks are becoming very repetitive. And when you mention your sister’s new partner, she doesn’t know who you mean, though you told her the whole story half an hour ago.

‘Does Mum have the first signs of dementia?’ you begin to wonder, only to ask the same question about yourself when you return home and have the kind of frustrating experience described by journalist Barbara Strauch. As science editor of a magazine, Strauch is a busy professional whose job requires her to keep abreast of huge amounts of information coming across her desk every day.

Yet, as she admits in her book The Secret Life Of The GrownUp Brain, she often goes down to the basement of her house to get something, only to realise that she has completely forgotten what on earth she went down there for.

After looking blankly around for a while she returns upstairs and sees the empty kitchentowel holder or other reminder of her original mission and then back down the cellar steps she has to go.

Although only 56, Strauch attributes her memory blackouts to her advancing years, and she’s far from alone in this.

Research suggests that while people in their 30s put such memory failings down to their busy lives and trying to do too many things at once, those in their 50s blame them on old age — often dubbing them ‘senior moments’.

In fact, as I revealed earlier, the memories of people in the latter age group are mostly in good shape, even if they themselves are not so sure of that. Nevertheless, a day may come when you or others notice that your cognitive skills (memory, concentration, thinking) are declining faster than average.

Doctors and psychologists refer to this as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and an upsurge of research into this condition over the past decade has suggested that it is a precursor to almost all cases of Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s is by far the most common form of dementia, accounting for 70 percent of all cases.

That compares with 15 per cent for vascular dementia (caused by inadequate blood supply) and the remaining 15 per cent for other conditions including Parkinson’s (the dying off of cells which produce the chemical messenger dopamine, vital for concentration and memory).

In Alzheimer’s, brain functions are broken down one by one; memory problems are followed by thinking and language difficulties; and finally patients can no longer speak, walk, or make contact C M Y K

Research: Part 2

How you can slow down your brain from ageing

Never suffer a ‘senior moment’ again: Ever go upstairs then forget what you went there for? Our memoryboosting series can help beat those mental blanks

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Continues from last week

And the good news is there are plenty of ways you can help keep your memory in good shape, either with small lifestyle changes or performing simple mental exercises

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with others, and they become incontinent.

Sadly, there is very little we can do at present to help halt this process — the medication available is fairly ineffective — and it is a problem that can only grow as the population ages.

While only one per cent of 60year-olds suffer from dementia,

seven per cent of 70-year-olds and around 30 per cent of 80year-olds have one form or another. In the UK, 800,000 people are estimated to be dementia sufferers, and the Alzheimer’s Society estimates that there will be more than one million people with dementia by 2021.

But it’s vital to stress that being diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment does not necessarily mean that you will go on to develop Alzheimer’s.

Continues on page 15

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014—15

Continues from page 14

you remember your times tables? If you have a piece of information you want to hold on to, repeat it several times in a row, then return to it some time later and rehearse it again. The more often you repeat this, the easier you’ll find it to retain it.

The symptoms can also be related to psychological factors such as long-term depression and stress, or physical factors including vitamin deficiency or the side-effects of medication.

For many people the problems remain stable, and one in seven actually improves so much that a diagnosis no longer applies.

And the good news is there are plenty of ways you can help keep your memory in good shape, either with small lifestyle changes or performing simple mental exercises.

Birdwatching can help your brain Remaining mentally and socially active is also essential, and the decline of mild cognitive impairment sufferers can also be slowed by what’s known as ‘cognitive training’.

This involves keeping the brain busy with exercises such as memory tests and puzzle solving, as well as teaching people strategies for remembering things.

Their effectiveness is borne out by research into people who have worked their whole lives with their brains, in professions requiring a lot of reading and reflection. This shows that they have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Working past retirement age is a good way to remain mentally active. But if this is not part of your plan, the good news is that exercising your brain in real-life situations other than C M Y K

How you can slow down your brain from ageing the workplace has also been shown to be of benefit.

Another study involved older people who became volunteer teaching assistants with preschool children. As a result, they experienced increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain which is key to memory, and their ability to perform various mental tasks improved correspondingly.

Activities such as using the computer, playing games and engaging in creative activities have also been shown to improve mental functioning. And there is evidence that, rather than just developing the particular skills required for each activity, participants increased their mental capacity across the board.

Other brain-boosting activities include learning a new language or musical instrument. Making music is very good for cognitive function in both children and adults, and a study of 70 healthy people between the ages of 60 and 83 showed that those who regularly played an instrument scored better on a variety of neuropsychological tests.

Another suggestion comes from American neuropsychologists, who propose a course in birdwatching.

This is not quite as strange as it might sound. First, your memory is trained by learning all the bird names and their physical features; and second, it is a social activity because you do it as part of a group. The physical exercise in the fresh air is a further benefit.

While all these suggestions may help slow cognitive decline in the long-term it’s unlikely that they can halt it altogether. So how should we respond if Alzheimer’s does strike?

Most Alzheimer’s patients at some point end up in a nursing home because their relatives can no longer care for them. It seems highly likely that this is bad for their brains, because it is often accompanied by a reduction in physical exercise and mental stimulation.

That needn’t be the case: many nursing homes are now providing more activities for their residents, but the problem is often lack of staff.

Family and friends could play a

greater role in involving patients in stimulating activities. But, whatever they do, the reality is that the breakdown of cognitive function in dementia is appalling to behold.

Life with Alzheimer’s can, however, still be meaningful and valuable, for patient and relatives, a point echoed by researchers at Alzheimer’s centres in the Netherlands. They have urged us to see dementia in a more positive light, saying that it is nothing more than an accumulation of phenomena associated with ageing that occur in healthy older people too, though to a lesser extent.

Top tips for a sharper memory Wear your watch upside down: It will force your brain to think out of its comfort zone as you are forced to reinterpret familiar information in an unfamiliar way.

Rehearse: As children we were often taught to memorise by repetition — can

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Active bodies make for healthy minds One thing proven to have a positive effect on cognitive impairment is exercise. We do not know exactly why being physically active helps our mental faculties, though better oxygen flow to the brain probably plays a role.

There are also indications that intensive exercise stimulates the release of chemicals that promote the healing of damaged tissue, along with the growth of brain cells and the formation of new connections between them. This is good for the gray matter generally. Indeed, it makes the brain bigger.

In one study of 120 participants, whose average age was 67, those who undertook moderate-intensity exercise for a year saw a growth of two per cent in the hippocampus, the part of the brain which is essential to storing information in the memory. It is normal in people of that age to have shrunk by 1.5 percent.

Given this, it’s perhaps not surprising that research into large numbers of people who exercise regularly has shown that it reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s by as much as 50 percent.

While it’s best to start young, even people who only began to exercise at the age of 60 can benefit, and the recommendation for people over 55 is half an hour of moderately intensive exercise on at least five days, and preferably every day, of the week.

Whether you opt for walking, cycling, swimming, or ball games, ‘moderately intensive’ means that your breathing and heart rate increase, your body temperature rises, and you work up a sweat. If you’re an older person, you have to be careful not to become too fanatical.

For some, physical impairments may prevent you from exercising. In that case, some gentle movement is better than inactivity, and this is where activities that can be done in the home, such as the Chinese art of tai chi, come into their own.

Routine: Do you lose your car keys?

Forget where you put your glasses when you went to bed? Create a routine and a system — hang a special hook for your car keys and put them on it as soon as you come in; clear a space on a bedside table or shelf to put your glasses at night. If you keep to routine it will become automatic and you will find them without having to think.

Activities such as using the computer, playing games and engaging in creative activities have also been shown to improve mental functioning

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Culled from Daily Mail

Chunk it: Breaking down information into chunks makes it easier to remember than trying to recall longer pieces or numbers. A ten-digit number 3791753482 will be easy to remember if you break it down in to 379 — 175 — 3482 Extended Acronyms: Every child is taught Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain to help remember the colours of the rainbow: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet. Use this to recall any sequence that you find difficult, such as the days you have regular appointments, or months containing family birthdays. If you take medication on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, you could remember Tablets Taken Sensibly.

Use imagination: It is so easy to forget to post a letter, even if you have it in your bag, so as you stick on the stamp imagine the plain white envelope as a huge, brightly decorated envelope that you struggle to carry to the postbox.

Imagine it is stuffed full of your favourite chocolate and it is singing your favourite song to stimulate your other senses of smell, taste and hearing.

Imagine yourself struggling to push this into the bright red postbox and the image will be so strong that you will retain it as you leave the house.

Create number shapes: Look at single digit numbers and choose a shape each one resembles. So if you need to remember a PIN or phone number, Number 8 could be a snowman, for example, and number 2 a swan. Then create a mini-story linking the shapes — for example: In the park you saw a swan (2) and a football (0) and narrowly missed being hit by a boomerang (7).

On the way home it snows and children make a snowman (8) = 2078. These picture images can be used to build up long chains of numbers.

Learn new words: Set yourself a target number of new words to learn every day. Look them up in a dictionary or online and study their pronunciation, derivation and ways in which they can be used in sentences. Expanding your vocabulary keeps your brain active and increases your ability to communicate.

Verbal fluency declines with age, so combat it on a daily basis.

Bright spark: Sit in front of a candle flame and concentrate on nothing but the flickering flame for at least five minutes. By shutting out everything but the flame, you practise closing off distractions and increase the length of time you can concentrate.

To be continued

16—SATURDAY Vanguard , OCTOBER18, 2014 mong the names that came out of the Nigerian Civil War is one that streaked out as the fiercest, or the finest—depending on your perception of military discipline. Some even described him as brutal. I perceive him as purely professional. The name is Achuziah.

He came into the Civil War from Britain where he was serving as an officer.That was where he had all the military training he knew, and he could only function with the concept of bravery, honour and discipline as it was there instilled in him. He had not lived for a long time before the war in the Eastern part of Nigeria of which he was an extraction, but had been thrilled by the call he felt in his heart to play a part, a worthwhile part, in the realization of a state called Biafra as promulgated by his kinsmen. The motivation was shorn of “politics”.

Achuzia was a warrior consumed by the passion for what he believed was for the progress of his people.

He was an unadulterated nationalist. Only the official surrender at the end of the war could have made him stop. Otherwise he was poised to continue all alone.

His nickname among his friends and foes was Hannibal.

I met him after the war, that is, when he told me about some of his exploits.

Some of them sounded unpleasant even as he narrated them with his little grin horror filtered through a crooked smile. One episode I remember was the incident at the start of the ill-fated attempt to recapture Port Harcourt.

Desperate in command, he gave the order to advance at one point where many of his soldiers hesitated to obey. About four of the men did more than that; they Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh boldly—foolishy—refused to obey.

Marshall Alex Badeh, conditions they considered Achuzia, still keeping his briefly hinted on it while unfavourable in their service, little smile said,”I shot explaining why some either at the war front or them on the spot.” soldiers had been courtelsewhere, against the martialled recently. The background of the Boko hough I was slightly alternative, to which he Haram confrontation. But shocked at the simple rhetorically alluded, then, theirs is not to and straightforward manner could have been to give “consider”. As men in in which he conducted the the accused soldiers some uniform, they must accept narration, I could kind of short shrift and that they are no longer in understand that it was in bury their bodies in the line for that privilege. Theirs the best traditions of the jungle. However, he is “but to do and die.” military culture which evidently rejected the It is not for the public to glorify total obedience to very thought of such a disagree or criticise either, orders. As the English poet, proposition by the way he though comments are free as Alfred Tennyson, holds forth put it, though it was guaranteed by the in “The Charge of the Light Brigade”, with soldiers “their’s not to make reply; their’s not to reason why; their’s but to do and die. “ That poem was written 140 years ago about the exploit of a British Light Calvary Brigade, but the principle is erroneously reported in Constitution. If there is a universal and eternal. You some quarters as if he had situation that this nation has don’t disobey a military actually suggested it. The to do without right now, it is order; that is military, to the mind of the a state of disagreement and insubordination. You don’t Chief of Defence Staff, rancour between the run away in the face of the followed the proper populace and the military. enemy; that is cowardice. course.

Those who are ready to You don’t shoot at your The incidence of alleged confront the military over commander; that is mutiny. inappropriate behaviour the death sentence of those If you are in the army, yours in the Nigerian Army in who were recently courtis “but to do and die. “It is recent times tends to sully marshalled should allow well-known and accepted as a record that has been that fact to influence their a sterling code of ethics. almost immaculate. These thoughts and declarations. indictments, involving On the other hand, That underpins Achuzia’s even a few senior officers commendable as the ferocious action in the Port in some cases, appear eagerness to justice by the Harcourt saga, though it linked with the Boko military authorities may be, may not be attractive to Haram phenomenon. The that fact also ought to be an many a militia high accused soldiers seemed important factor in the command. The Chief of to have reacted to extent of their actions. A Defence Staff, Air Chief

A

*military ethics *child marriage threat

T

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We need not create distractions for our own consumption. The enemy is Boko Haram

C M Y K

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rash of indiscipline in the army does credit little to the maintenance of good order within the military, and definitely removes from its prestige if is not exposed with caution by the military itself. The offending personnel indeed need not to have been quietly and summarily dealt with secretly in the forest, but their fate may not be celebrated like a victory either.

We need not create distractions for our own consumption. The enemy is Boko Haram.

We have been counting days which have now snowballed into weeks. Very soon, we may be counting years since over two hundred Nigerian girls were abducted from their school dormitory in Chibok.

And then, all would be lost.

Those who strive on in the hope that these unfortunate girls may yet be rescued are to be congratulated. They strive on against what appears to be a blank wall of officialdom. Yet, they strive on, daring to hope against hopelessness, and flaunting courage In the teeth of discouragement.

For what really is there to hope for?

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rom the corridors of great powers, the campaign has been launched. ‘Within the circle of eminent personalities, the issue has been given the floor on several occasions. The hearts of many parents have been broken like the shattered dreams they had cherished for their children. Soldiers have died and priests have prayed. But we do not appear to be nearer the solution than when the problem reared its bearded head.

We keep killing the same enemy whose profane arrogance frustrates the landscape.He seems to regard no one,not even the God in whose dishonour he lies against. Our president, who flies all over the place like a sheet of paper caught

in the wind, has now himself become too busy to speak, just to speak, with those who are now left in despair after their fruitless journey in quest of someone in his position to publicly share their passion for the return of the abducted girls.

The Boko Haram leader, who keeps getting serially killed (this page refuses to be soiled by the mention of his name) has threatened to marry off, or sell into slavery, these children whose absence puts us in a dilemma. It is calculated that it would be foolhardy to frontally attack him and his host of murderers, for they may have no qualms in taking the lives of the girls. But, at the same time, we simply cannot continue to appear to sit on our hands, ignoring the desire, and indeed the duty, to bring back our girls.

But there are people who doubt that there is much left to be achieved now.Dare we face the prospect, as a matter of fact, that we may not eventually fully recover these maidens left in the absolute power of the Boko Haram monsters? It may not fill our hearts with happiness but dismay, that many of them would have been sold into slavery, while others may have been married off. In the culture of a people who fervently practise childmarriage, it would present no questions of propriety or conscience, to give several of those girls out as unwilling brides. Each of them constitutes an expense item in the situation they now find themselves. They have to eat and their upkeep has to be met somehow. This cannot happen indefinitely even with the goodwill of benefactors—which the Boko Haram definitely is not.

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ears for the well-being of these children are really not unfounded in this regard because their captors seem to have acquired a model in the ISIL way of death. That Middle East scourge have demonstrated their low respect for human life by beheading their captives and casually forcing the women into marital bondage. Boko Haram, like a copy cat, then started decapitating their captives.

They would need no lesson in sending those girls into the horrors of forced child marriage. President Goodluck Jonathan should not hide his face from those who need him for re-assurance, even if that is little more than he can offer. God help us.

Time out.

Shif ting the paradigm Shifting

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t is no longer news that the PDP leadership has presented itself— and us by implication—with a ‘fait accompli’. It has endorsed unanimously, the candidature of the incumbent President. Now the choice is ours come 2015, to reject or accept the endorsement.

I have argued before that President Jonathan is not the worst President Nigeria has had. There have been efforts, some seedlings if you like, that could have germinated had they been planted on the right soil and given an enabling environment. But no matter.

Four years, or is it six? have sped by.

Now is the time for the achievements of those years to be highlighted and embellished by the President’s men.

Now is the time for the inadequacies of those years to be highlighted and embellished by the President’s opponents. Hopefully the next few months should be exciting as they indulge us with their mind games.

We the eligible voters should never forget that whatever they throw at each other is with us in mind. Their games, gimmicks and brickbats are meant to sway us. So this is one of the few times when we, the people, matter. We are not just statistics: we are live beings who can reject or endorse. Now, many factors should be examined in making our choice and encouraging others to align with that choice. But before you decide, ask yourself some simple questions. I have listed ten here but they are by no means exclusive. 1) Is your life better in 2014 than it was in 2010? 2) Has the country been transformed as was promised four years ago? 3) Have the campaign promises been rigorously pursued and decisively addressed? 4) Is the country a better place to live in today than in 2010? Are you a better, more fulfilled Nigerian today? 5) Is the religious/ ethnic harmony stronger or weaker in Nigeria today? 8) Can the incumbent be trusted to lead us to the next technological and industrial phase? 9) Is your future and that of your children safer with the status quo? 10) Finally, do you in fact, want a change?

If your heart tells you sincerely irrespective of religion and tribe that you are very comfortable answering the questions in the affirmative, then you should not only vote for Jonathan, you should convince as many people as possible to do so. After all, it is about you at the end of the day; your future, your wellbeing.

But if you have your doubts; if the future looks cloudy or uncertain for you then it is time to shine your eyes and look elsewhere. But where? The main opposition party is about to pick its flag bearer. As things stand, it looks to be between Atiku and Buhari. Both have occupied Aso Rock in one form or another so they are known quantities. And that, to many, is a problem because there are no surprises. I read an article the other day on the internet on the achievements of Buhari when he was Head of State and Chairman of PTF. Many also talk about his integrity and moral rectitude. Many people however, will remember several things about that period including his bias for a certain section of the country. But that is typical of many of our leaders.

What I do hold against him however is the cancellation of the Metro Line project started and financed by the

Jakande administration. It was either incompetence or it was a deliberate act to delay the growth of a particular section of the country. Either reason makes me uncomfortable.

Atiku seems to be more easily accepted in the South because of his affability. He is a politician’s politician. This means unfortunately, that things are not likely to fundamentally change in a country that needs surgical, radical changes.

If ever Nigeria needed a true transformation, it is now. Besides, I really don’t know how many people are going to be excited by the entrance of these two perpetual

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C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, OCTOBER 18, 2014 —17

We need an Obama to ignite our passion; to tell us Nigeria can still be great

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presidential aspirants. Their coming out brings a huge yawn and a disappointment in a party that claims to be progressive. The PDP Chairman said the other day that there has to be more to APC than insulting the President. I have to agree. APC has been as reactionary as PDP in the many things it has done so far. Those who desire a change are not after personnel only.

They want a change in direction and policy.

If I were a Jonathan, I would be delighted to take on a Buhari or an Atiku. Both have enormous baggage. What I would fear would be a dark horse that would genuinely shake my stronghold in religion and age group.

But can APC think outside the box and bring a young man with fire for a meaningful change in his belly, love for Nigeria in his heart and concrete plans for achieving a new Nigeria in his head? A man of the digital age who is impatient with the anachronistic ways of doing things in Nigeria. Simply put, we need an Obama to ignite our passion; to tell us Nigeria can still be great. We need a man who will stand shoulder to shoulder with the world leaders and command respect not only in erudition and intellect, but because he has taken care of the home front.

A man who will say ‘yes we can’ and we will believe him.

Does such a man exist in the North and can APC find him? And while at it, a Northern Christian that is backed by Atiku and Buhari (especially Buhari) would be a truly progressive master stroke. It would not only satisfy the quest for a Northern President, it would shake the incumbent in his strong hold and capture the interest of many southerners especially in the SouthEast. It would also, I dare say, make it possible for a man who has made his generation proud in many ways, a certain Fashola, to come to the centre. Now this is what I call a true change. It’s what I call a paradigm shift.

Vanguard, OCTOBER 18 2014

e c n e i r e p x e My dating a president

“Have you ever been embarrassed during a performance?

There are two accounts of most embarrassing moments as an artiste. First one was when I was performing with DJ Arafat and during the performance he stopped to kiss me. Second one was during a performance with Orezi. After the performance, the crowd carried me and tried to have a feel of my back side.

I was really embarrassed. A lot of people think I did a surgery on my hips but I didn’t.

A man once said he will give his life to touch my bum.

s n i t r a M a l l E —

“Which Nigerian musicians will you love to work with ?

I will love to work with Wizkid, Orezi and Runtown; they are all talented artistes.

BY KEHINDE AJOSE

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lla Martins, a top Beninoise musician and actress is undoubtedly an appealing belle whose sex appeals make a visual delight .The screen diva isn’t shy about the fact that she is well heeled in the rear and sees it as the weapon God bestowed on her. The ‘Chocolat’ sensation reveals in this chat what drives her.

How did you start music?

“I started music very young, at the age of six to be precise.

I usually sang in the bathroom then. At the age of six, I started composing my own songs

but how far I could go is dependent on the script. I can only show off my hips, not my breasts.“

“Do you think flaunting sex appeal is good for showbiz?

“Sometimes it’s important. It has helped the likes of Beyonce and Kim Karadashian. They flaunt their sex appeals and it has paid off handsomely to their careers .I flaunt my sex appeal from time to time. It’s the weapon God gave me.

•Ella Martins

Have you ever been heartbroken?

Ye s , a p r e s i d e n t broke my heart.

T h e relationship I had

Sex before marriage is good, because it helps you to know your partner.

“Did your parents support your singing while growing up?

“Not at all, my mother usually beat me in those days What kind of music do you do?

RnB, Afrobeat and rap. I am a versatile artiste.

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with the president is a long story. I fell in love with him because he was attentive and mature. In fact the relationship made me m a t u r e . I t ’s not easy dating a president. I am even working on a movie based on that experience. Since dating the president, I found it difficult to date an ordinary person.

Would you say music has been good to you and why?“ Yes, music has been good to me because it has always been my dream. It has opened many doors of opportunity for me.

Do you make money from it?

Not really, but it has made me more popular. I go for many shows and I already had my mansion before going into music.

“Who has been the major influence on your music career?

“My major influence is Rihanna; she inspires me. We have a lot in common; she has talents, beauty and also possesses delightful sex appeals.

Can you play a romantic role in a music video?

“I can play a romantic role

What is your opinion on sex before marriage?

Sex before marriage is good, because it helps you to know your partner.

Why not?

They are fragile and I keep them hidden.

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C M Y K

18 — SATURDAY

What person will you love to be trapped in a desert alone with?

That will be Bill Gates.

•Ella Martins

What role may you find difficult to play in a movie?

I cannot go nude in a movie and I won’t allow an actor touch my breast.“

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014—19

JULIET EBIRIM 08137897935

Would you take back an ex- who left you for someone else?

H

enry went through untold heartache and depression when his ex-girlfriend, Sophia, told him she didn't love him anymore and left him for another guy amidst tears and pleading. Well, that other guy eventually dumped her, and now she is calling and sending messages, pleading with Henry to take her back, even though she had ignored him when things were rosy between her and the other guy. If you were in Henry's shoes, what would you do? Take her back now that she has come crawling back or simply ignore her? Some celebrities speak:

No, except an angel comes down — Yvonne Enakena, Actress

•Shirley

It depends on some ffact act or actor orss

— Shirley Igwe, Actress/Model

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t all depends on some factors. Firstly, on the originality of the love I have for him. Secondly, his reasons for leaving me and how he left me. And lastly, the present situation. I’m going to put all these factors into consideration before taking a decision.

I’ll ttak ak akee her bac backk if — Enoh Ekpeyong, Actor

Life is all about taking decisions whether they are right or wrong. If we broke up and she was with someone else and later finds out that I’m the one she wants. Then yes, I can take her back. If she left because I was financially down and went to look for greener pastures elsewhere, if she tries to come back when things get better for me, I won’t take her back.

•Yvonne

— Oma Iyasara, Actress

To be sincere, I don’t know if I would go back until it happens to me. What if he left to learn how to appreciate me more? Or, what if he’s coming back for selfish reasons? I really don’t know how I will handle the situation until it happens to me. But I pray it never happens, because I don’t intend to eat my vomit as a human being.

I will not go back

— 2Shots, Singer

— Annette Cookey, Singer

I’m not that kind of person. I just won’t take that girl back..

F

C M Y K

t’s a straight NO! I ‘ll forgive him, but I will not go back. He left me for another woman, that means he doesn’t appreciate me. I know I deserve to have a man who will appreciate me.

I believe that if a man leaves you for another woman, he will definitely do it again.

Even if he claims to be under a spell when he dumped me, I don’t care, I won’t go back.

Except an angel comes down and tells me to take him back.

I don’t know what I’ll do

No, he’ll do it again

or me, it’s a point blank NO!. If my ex could leave me for someone else before, it’s possible that he would repeat it again. So, I will not take him back.

I

•2Shots

20 — SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014

With FLORENCE AMAGIYA 08061644307

email: daise4000@yahoo.com

The story of two ins •Sammie Okposo and Omawumi in the ndous growth rts, e m e tr d e rd ry has reco ing to repo Music indust ition. Accord n g co re d n a he Nigerian . These nt d world class empowerme te th ra u o re y a f s o te a is erforming rt are njoy doing, p videos and a e c y si e u th m t a n h a same ri w g Nige not all do the of naira doin o s d n y o e li th il h m g u id a ed ho artistes are p g has remain Diaspora. Alt in e th th e n in o d t n u a b n, , ria In this editio le may expect both in Nige p r. o o e ct p e se m ry e so ry: c as om ev music indust l e genre of musi re receiving accolades fr sp o g n a ri ey a the Nige constant: th ular brands in p o p o tw u UMI. o we bring to y tional OMAW sa n se d n a o osi Sammie Okp

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•Omawumi with school mates

•Omawumi

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ENSATIONAL singer, songwriter, and actress, Omawumi, has remained energetic and the favourite of her father since childhood.

Omawumi is from Itsekiri. She grew up in a warm, bonded polygamous family, where her father had three wives. She is the last child, but not the least of her mother's. She was arguably the most brilliant in her household and she never believed she would become a Musician of this repute. Omawumi spent her early days playing with her friends and well-wishers whenever she is not reading her books. She attended the Famous NANA College, Warri and her family house was directly

opposite the College. Omawumi was already a lead vocalist in the children’s choir by age 8.

After graduation in 2005, she moved to Port-Harcourt, Rivers State where she worked with her family law firm called O.S Megbele & Associates while studying French in Alliiance Francaise. Omawumi decided to take music to the next level when she contested for the first edition of West African Idol in 2007. She won the hearts of all with her strong sonorous voice, she became 1st Runner-up of Idols West Africa.

But being the first runner-up did not discourage her as she became the best female vocalist in no distant time. She is today the face of Mortein, where she

participated in the malaria campaign across Africa.

Omawumi missed out in this year ’s Nigerian Breweries sponsored Star Trek because of her endorsement engagement with another brand, Guinness where she signed a multi-million naira deal as face of Malta Guinness, Africa. She was unveiled recently as Konga.com ambassador.

Omawumi is also a part of the Rise with the Energy of Africa and Project Alert Society.

She recently completed and moved into her Lekki Mansion which took her a whooping N100million. Omawumi charges about N5 to N10million depending on the show, and she gets shows virtually every weekend. She charged N500, 000 per seat in her last musical concert which attracted a full house.

Omawumi was among the 19 African artistes invited for one.org agricultural campaign called Do Agric, It Pays, with one of the continent’s biggest musical collaborations ever, titled, Cocoa Na Chocolate! The single mother just recently returned from her marriage introduction which took place in Warri, Delta state.

•Sammie

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014 — 21

pirational singers S a m m i e Okposo

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n the other hand, Multiple award winning, gospel artiste, Sammie Okposo, is a product of an Urhobo father and a Calabar mother. He is one of the few gospel artiste who has had the opportunity to sell the Nigerian language in the Diaspora.

Today, he is a renown gospel artiste who has performed with international stars including the likes of the

Cece Winans and the Donne McClurkins. Sammie, from childhood, was drawn to music and became a performer in record time. He went to the extent of training his voice as well as learning to play the piano from the age of 10. In 1992, Sammie’s music career kicked off when he joined the Nigerian Movie Industry as a Sound Track Producer. Along the line, he ventured into real music production. Today, he is one of the best male vocalists in Nigeria and one

of the biggest names in gospel music genere even in the Diaspora. Okposo is known to have produced incredible, inspirational songs, soundtracks and has performed on international platforms.

It is a fact that great names like Ron Kenoly and Don Moen have visited Nigeria severally because of him.

Although he has had his own shares of scandals on women matters, it has not stopped him from growing his brand. Today, he is one of Globacom ambassadors.

Sammie Okposo is also a motivational speaker - a side of him which he displayed during the burial of his bosom friend and sister.

He is a multi-talented song-writer and singer who has helped a lot of artistes with his Hope Initiative. He is also helping upcoming artistes especially those from his geo-political zone.

According to one or two persons who has met him, the star is always willing to help and does not have any air about him. Sammie may not have gotten to his desired destination, but he is grateful for all he has, including his beautiful wife and friend. Sammie Okposo was among the few Nigerians invited to perform at the Martin Luther King Day. He is a United Nations Youth ambassador for world peace.

•Sammie &Donne McClurkins

•Omawumi •Sammie and Cece Winans

22 — SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014 KEHINDE AJOSE 08024212530

Sound Sultan talks on debut as movie producer

There is no content in the music of this generation — Gloria Ibru G

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he duo of Sound sultan and his brother Baba Dee are set to premiere their first debut movie titled Head Gone . Head Gone is a satire that chronicles the social malaise in the Nigerian society. Head Gone is the story of a bus driver conveying mentally challenged patients to an Abuja hospital.

However, he loses five of the patients after a quick stop over for refreshment. In order to cover-up for the grave mistake, the driver and his crew pick up unsuspecting commuters and deliver them to the specialist mental hospital. The story was written

by Solomon Iguanre.

The film features celebrities like Tuface, Alibaba, Afeez Oyetoro, Basketmouth, I.K Osakioduwa, Eniola Badmus, Akpororo, and a host of others. Head Gone is set to premeire this December.

Speaking to Showtime on the film, Sound Sultan explains shooting a real movie and music video.

“I am not a total alien when it comes

•Sound Sultan to movie production . I have been on several sets , done several choreographs, so it wasn’t too difficult for me to produce the film. In music we don’t need that much time to process what we do , but movies take time and that is the most challenging part of it.We had to shoot with ten megastars at the same time. We had to shift every now and then because we needed them together in one place. The concept behind the movie started from a joke and blew out of proportion and so we decided to make it a movie. It was worked on for over eight years. We are happy about it” he said.

•Gloria Ibru

loria Ibru has over the years been known to do live music as the leader of ‘Gnotes band’. The versatile musician who is also the daughter of billionaire businessman, Olorogun Michael Ibru is set to drop her debut album and reveals exclusively to Showtime what she thinks about the music of this generation In her words:”My album is done completely live and I am hoping it will encourage young musicians to do live music. I do not consider you going into a studio and putting a beat out in 15 minutes as music, that in my opinion is not music .That is computer .I am hoping that my album will influence young people to start doing music the way music is suppose to be done which is proper analogue style. One problem I have with the music of this generation is lyrics.

The lyrics that are being churned out now is either extremely dirty or nothing. There is no content in our music. Music to me is supposed to carry a message. Music is the strongest voice in life. Music is the strongest message carrier.

What messages are we as Nigerian artistes sending out? Listen to the lyrics of Sunny Okosun, Ebenezer Obey and other old generation musicians.What messages are the new age Nigerian artistes sending out? As far as I am concerned its absolutely nothing. We need to go back to our drawing board “she counsels.

My album encompasses who I truly am — Saeon

Saheed Osupa, Burna Boy shine at Ojude Oba festival •Saheed Osupa

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lobacom brought sublime excitement to this year’s Ojude Oba festival as it featured popular Fuji artiste Saheed Osupa and ace afro hip hop crooner, Burna Boy in a musical concert that closed the festival in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

The musical fiesta which also featured American-Naija female soul singer of the Sexy Nana fame, Janelia and an upcoming artiste, Fearless, pulled a massive crowd of fun-lovers from Ijebu Ode and environs. DJ Top was on the juke-box while Gbenga Adeyinka compered the occasion, embellishing it with his signature jokes.

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The show was held on the expansive grounds of Equity Hotel and Resort on Erunwon Road in Ijebu Ode. Globacom which has sponsored the post-Eid el Kabir festival for eight consecutive years said the concert meant to spice up its sponsorship of the festival, was programmed to add music, dance and comedy to the camaraderie atmosphere engendered by the festival.

“The musical fiesta is the icing on the cake of the sponsorship as it brings both the young and the young at heart together to hobnob, dance and be merry”, Mr Yomi Ogunbamowo, National Head of Business Support, Globacom said at the fiesta.

Another regular participant of the Glo musical shows , Olabisi Oretuga, who is a Sales Executive with a multinational company in Lagos noted that Globacom had displayed its commitment to the welfare of Nigerians by not only making its products and services available, but by also providing refreshing entertainment for the benefit of fun-loving Nigerian youths.

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aseline Music’s First Lady Saeon is finally out with her debut album titled presents I Am Saeon .T h e album is highlighted by the new single produced by Sarz, Dogado, which is currently enjoying radio airplay and is steadily climbing its way up music charts cross country. Omo’Badan puts a new spin on It Won’t Stop, which she calls her African Cover of the song originally performed by singer/songwriter, Sevyn Streeter featuring Chris Brown. Saeon’s serenading rendition includes her native language, Yoruba. ”I am extremely excited about this project , I Am Saeon encompasses what and who I truly am. I hope many can relate to me through this body of work.

The album is accompanied with a special artistic beauty photo set photographed by TCD.

•Saeon

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014 — 23

By AYO ONIKOYI, 08052201215

Gogowe celebrates Nigeria at 54 with new song

•Gogowe

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alented young Nigerian artiste, Gogowe has released a new single titled Stand Up Nigeria to commemorate the 54 th independence of the country.

With the infusion of different Nigerian ethnic languages in the highly infectious chorus, the song cut across all tribes and it seems there

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he hit song African Queen was 2face’s claim to fame, but the pop star sees it in a different way. In a chat with Showtime,the versatile awardwinning artiste says African Queen makes him want to break his own record.

“The thing about songs like African Queen is that they are like a set up. Anything I do now people will always compare it to African queen. That’s the problem when you have a monster hit. So the standard is already high and you have to break your own record” he said.

“I won’t say I want to be as rich as Dangote or Bill gates I want to be able to provide for my family and do whatever I want to do at any time I want to do it” he added.

can’t be a better song to celebrate the country’s 54th independence anniversary.

The new single was produced by fast-rising producer, Bvybes while ace cinematographer, Clarence Peters interpreted the song with a very entertaining video shot at Idanre Hills in Ondo State.

Speaking on the choice of the new single, Gogowe said it is time for all Nigerians to stand together and look beyond our diversities. “As we celebrate our independence anniversary, it is a clarion call for all Nigerians to unite and collectively work together to bring about the change we desire for our country. I realized the best way to send this message across to a larger number of my country people is to do a song, all of them can relate with, music without boundary. That is a result of what we have now and feedback is very encouraging” she said.

Governor Obiano visits GUS Aguleri jungle, promises to crown winner T

African queen is like a set up — 2Face

he Executive Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano, on Friday, October 10, paid a surprise visit to the contestants of Gulder Ultimate Search 11. The governor was taken round specific areas of the Aguleri jungle by Chidi Mokeme, the Anchor man of Gulder Ultimate Search 11.

The governor saw the different task areas where the contestants engaged in various gruelling challenges. He was then taken to their base camp where he met the Gulder Ultimate Search 11 warriors. The governor’s “Wee!” chant was met with an electrifying “Wah!” response from all Gulder Ultimate Search contestants. After taking a glimpse at their jungle abode, he sought to know if the contestants built their shelters themselves, and they confirmed that they did. He also asked them how they coped when it rained and the contestants replied that they are accustomed to the

•W4

•Gov Obiano with Gus contestants sometimes harsh conditions of the jungle. He wished them well and pledged to be available to crown the Ultimate Champion on Saturday, November 1.

The governor was particularly fascinated by the Place Of The Talking Drum; where the nchor sits to discuss various issues with the contestants. He said: “I’ve just been taken round the jungle and I saw the living arrangements, what they have to pass through to be able to discover the treasure. It was a very exciting sight for me. It reminds me of my Boys Scout days. I even shared some chants that we used to do during my Boys Scout days with the contestants. I will see how I can borrow some ideas here and perhaps implement it for the Anambra Youths; once in a while, we might consider them to have a feel of the jungle.

W4 drops video for new single

By OLUFEMI AJASA

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fter touring the world to research and experiment on different genres of music , Wale Adepoju, popularly known as W4 or Mr. Wonda Man has finally returned to the mainstream showbiz as he drops the video for his new single, ‘Foreign dance’ The talented Afro-pop singer will never be forgotten for his striking roles in Nigeria’s music scene from his melodic debut titled ‘Solo’, followed by the viral single hit ‘Wa Gba Kontrol’ in 2012, a song which stands him tall in the industry , the popularity of this same song was intensified after protesters improvised its title as ‘Wa gba Petrol’ for their campaign slogan, during the fuel subsidy protest in Nigeria.

W4’s new song, ‘Foreign dance’ portends huge entertainment values for listeners and has all the potentials to be on high demand as usual of the artist’s songs which are most times distinct from the regular Nigerian music, especially with his creative ability of reawakening Fela’s mantra in his own contemporary style of music delivery.

The new song, ‘Foreign dance’ which was produced by Philkeys with video shot by multiple award- winning cinematographer, Clarence Peter, highlights the personal thoughts W4 wishes to give to the world.

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24 — SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014

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HE joy of every woman is to get married, have children, and settle down with her family. And that is exactly what the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and ex-beauty queen, Ibinabo Fiberesim is experiencing at the moment.

Ibinabo is billed to walk down the aisle between 18th and 20th of December, in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. But looking forward to the Dday, she has vowed to keep her marriage no matter the circumstances.

The mother of three who was reelected as AGN President, on Thursday said, she loves her man, and would do everything to sustain their union. “I will not divorce my husband. I love him, and I know I will continue to love him because he is my friend,” Ibinabo said in chat with HVP during the week.

According to her, she was never worried that she has not been married before now despite having children out of wedlock. She is insisting that this is her first marriage ever. “I didn’t think I missed anything in life. I was contented with myself and now, I am blessed. I feel I have found a partner that is my best friend, my brother; someone I can

‘I will not divorce my husband’ relate with. Someone that understands and appreciates me. He’s someone I totally adore. I can’t wait to tie the knot in December.”

Declining to reveal the identity of her man, Ibinabo said, she’s getting married to her rich Igbo fiance whom she has known back in their days at the University of Ibadan. After several years of lost of contact, Ibinabo said, they ran into each other again and became friends. Thereafter, he proposed to me, as “I jumped at it.”

She also talked about her re-election as president of AGN. According to her, she intends to use her second tenure to consolidate on the achievements she recorded in the past two years that she piloted the affairs of the Guild.

Recounting some of the projects she executed during her first tenure, Ibinabo said she has a desire to continue with the health plan which she introduced for members of the Guild. She also promised to pay more attention to the state chapters of AGN. “ We are going to organise the interstate cultural competition immediately after our re-election into office. It’s about ethnic harmony, telling Nigerians that we are one.

It’s about dance, drama, poetry and painting. It’s something that has been in my mind. And it’s my desire to make the dream come through in my second tenure.

and award night which held recently at the SaalBau event centre, Frankfurt, Germany.

Others who were honoured at the well-attended award ceremony include popular Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwo, notable comic actor Victor Osuagwu, Publisher of High Society Magazine Charles Nwagbara and Managing Director of Richfield Technologies Limited Donald Peterson Festival director and Chief Executive Officer of Ehizoya Golden *Shaibu Entertainment Isaac Izoya explained that the award ceremony was instituted to honour distinguished off and on screen personalities who in the words of Izoya have contributed immensely to the popularity and development of the Nollywood industry. ‘’Though we may be operating from abroad, we are still conversant with what is going on he contributions of culture and in Nollywood and the award is film critic, Shaibu Husseini to the growth our own way of saying thank you and development of Nollywood film industry to all those who are helping to has been recognized by the organisers of the keep the flame of Nollywood annual Nollywood Film Festival, Germany burning and the people we are (NFFG). Shaibu, a widely travelled culture recognizing this year form part journalist was awarded the ‘Best Film of those who have helped to Journalist and Nollywood Critic Award’ by internationalize Nollywood’ the organisers of the festival at a special gala Izoya said.

•Ibinabo

Monalisa Chinda debuts in Talk Show A

Film critic, Shaibu bags award from Germany T

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•Monalisa

FTER her unsuccessful attempt at publishing, Nollywood actress cum producer, Monalisa Chinda, is stepping into a new horizon with the launch of her TV talk show dubbed You & I with Monalisa.

According to the actress, the unconventional talk show will address pressing and trending social issues in a refreshing perspective. “You & I remains a most cherished gift from God and one of my greatest contributions to this world. Highly captivating, entertaining and enriching, this suspense-filled talk show is easily the solution to most of our societal challenges,” she said.

The talk show is said to have gulped over N90 million to produce. You & I with Monalisa is targeted at millions of upwardly mobile viewers across broadcast and social media platforms globally and will debut in a few weeks time.

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014 — 25

08111813022

Nollywood gets copyright managers

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he clamour for a new dawn in the Nigerian motion picture industry finally got a nod during the week as a new collecting managmement organisation was unveiled to take the industry to the next level.

The organisation with the name, Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria is a Collective Management Organization,CMO, for the audio-visual industry.

Unveiling the new bride to the media, CEO of the body, Mr Mahmood Ali-Balogun said, the organisation will get down to work as soon as it’s licensed by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to carry out rights management on behalf of audio-visual right owners in Nigeria.

“As regards AVRS, we are a CMO hoping to manage the rights of audio visual rights owners in Nigeria. It will operate like COSON which manages the rights of musicians when it is eventually licensed by the NCC. What we do, is to manage rights for IP owners that they cannot

: e b e b A Moe’tt exchange my

‘I can le’ o r e i v o m a r body fo

ordinarily manage. You see people play audio-visual works and even copy them and use them for commercial purpose without permission.

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•Mahmood Ali-Balogun

•Moet

Helen Paul living her dreams

...opens multi-million naira Film Academy

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OMEDIENNE, radio and TV personality, Helen Paul better known as Tatafo is living her en in dreams as one of the very few wom

attained the entertainment industry who has stry. indu the of eres sph rent diffe versatility in her of ning ope the ed And this has facilitat ool, called sch s film a nair n illio ti-m mul Academy, Helen Paul Theatre and Films Lagos. a, located along College road, Ogb nin g in The aca dem y will offe rs trai Editing, Cinematography, Acting, Video entation, Dance, Photography, Basic Pres Sound ing, Costuming and Sewing, Hair Styl ign. The Engineering and Graphics Des theatre and film l tota of ld wor a is ol scho facilities productions and boasts of modern ning lear le yab that will aid easy and enjo ning of The Glo ambassador said, the ope having , true e com m drea the academy is a dhood. She nurtured the ambition from chil geared explained that the effort is alsota to the quo own her towards contributing t sector, and development of the entertainmen . eral gen education in her Ph.D Helen, who is currently running tigious pres the at s -Art atre The in me program emy has University of Lagos, said, her acad facilities been fully equipped with modern sequently that will aid easy learning and con with their s make her students rub shoulder ld.“Right wor the in re counterparts anywhe looked ays alw e hav I od, dho from chil

•Helen

oundCity VJ Laura Monyeazo Abebe popularly known as Moet Abebe who recently debuted in Nollywood after starring in Zik Zulu Okafor ’s latest soap, “Oasis” presents the picture of someone who would not easily succumb to the unholy idea of exchanging her body for a movie role.

In a recent chat with HVP, the rising actress said, inasmuch as she is not desperate to feature in movies, it would be difficult for anyone to harass her sexually. She expressed this view, following the prevailing trend in the industry where rising actresses are tempted to exchange their bodies for movie roles.

According to her, “I can’t be sexually harrassed by any producer because I am not desperate to feature in movies. I am talented enough that a producer would want me to feature in his movie. I am not going to sell myself in order to feature in someone’s movie.

I wouldn’t pose nude or sell myself in exchange for money. Personally, I am comfortable, and I am not looking forward to making quick money.”

Moet, however, described the role she played in Zik Zulu’s “Oasis” as interesting, adding, “It was completely a different type of script, production and everything. It was almost like I started learning things afresh.”

The 23-year-old entertainer returned to Nigeria in 2011, after studying Law at Manchester University, UK. Moet, an aspiring model well known for her impeccable command of English Language, has featured in a couple of music videos including Lynxxx’s ‘Alabukun’ feat Banky W, Show Dem Camp’s ‘Getting you’, Wizkid’s ‘Pakurumo’. At Soundcity, she currently hosts the ‘1 on 1’ with Moet show and covers routine events.

I will forward to a day like this –when ter bet a ld bui help will float a school that society devoid of charlatans.”

After Clem Onyeka’s demise!

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HE untimely death of a star is always a tragedy, and when it comes to a rising actor who died at a young age, it’s equally tragic. Indeed, no matter how famous you are, you are not immune from pain and sadness in life and last Tuesday’s demise of a promising actor, Clement Onyeka who was killed by a stray bullet in Asaba, Delta State is no exception. His death has left many questions unanswered regarding the fate of the three sons that the deceased left behind.

Like every father, Clem would have wished to be alive to train his children by himself. But now, he would no longer be there ’ to actualise that dream. Following his sudden demise, some of his colleagues have taken to their Facebook pages and elsewhere to pay their respects as well as express concern over the fate of his family. “ Clem at the time of his death left behind three sons; it hurts to know the pain and helplessness that his boys would be faced with. Many questions arose after the killing

Late Clement of Clem, but the striking one concerns the fate of his three sons. Truly, what happens to them now? And how do they get by each day in the absence of their sole provider? Clems’ death speaks volume of the injustice that is predominant in our land,” Mimi Orjiekwe wrote on her facebook page. According to Chioma Toplis, “It is so painful that when all his struggles were starting to pay off, his life was cut short. What a waste. I have worked with Clems, during his early days in the industry.

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26—Vanguard, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2014

anozieegole@yahoo.com

08116759764

Ebola: Carribbean Island drops Flavour H

•Flavour

ighlife singer and multiple brand ambassador, Flavour Nabania, a.k.a Flavour, has been dropped from the World Creole Music Festival,WCMF, slated to hold later this month in the Caribbean Island of Dominica following fears of deadly Ebola Virus.

Matinee gathered that the cancellation of Flavour’s contract was announced recently

by Dominica’s Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit.

According to the Prime Minister, “Until a firm grip is secured on this Ebola virus, the world has to pay special attention to region of its predominance. West Africa, as I said previously, is one such region. I have reviewed the file with respect to the contractual arrangements reached with Flavour’s band from Nigeria. To date, a total of EC$147,000 has been expended on professional fees and international travel by this group. I readily acknowledge that the law is law and contracts negotiated can at best be re-negotiated,” he said. When a call was put across to Flavour’s manager, he declined to comment on the matter.

When Coke Studio concer thed at OAU concertt ber berthed S tudents of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, were next in line to experience their favourite artistes perform live on stage during the Coke Studio season.

The concert which held last Friday saw a large turnout of music loving youths troop to the Car Park of the school’s Sports Complex to see music stars - Dammy Krane, Orezi and Reminisce. They also had the opportunity to cheer their local school artistes who put up exciting performances and got a chance to perform alongside those stars.

The concert, according to Brand Manager, Colas, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Olufemi Ashipa, is an extension of Coke Studio that delivers the music experience directly to the core demographics. “It’s about strengthening our relationship with these teens”, he

noted. Speaking on the outcome of the concert at the Ile-Ife institution, Ashipa said, “The atmosphere at OAU was tremendous. The turnout was more than we anticipated. Even the change in weather did not deter them from watching all the artistes perform. This goes to show the level of connection we established with them”, he said. The concert started with a competition to select the top three upcoming artistes from the institution to perform with the stars.

At the end, Damilola Babatunde, Olamide Oladipo and Olusola Bakare emerged winners, and had their once in a lifetime opportunity to perform with Dammy Krane, Reminisce and Orezi respectively.

•2face

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•MI

Why I wanted t o quit music — M I C

hocolate City CEO and foremost rapper, M.I Abaga, who before he dropped his new single, King James, took to twitter to announce that he was quitting music has explained the idea behind his new song.

According to him, “Chairman is a song I released last year.

A day after I released the song, a couple of changes started happening in the label. First was my brother (Jesse Jagz) wanting to leave which I didn’t know about. We discussed it and I understood where he was going with that. But his exit somewhat changed the dynamic of the label. So, I was supposed to release my album last year. But it was a good opportunity for me to re-access myself. I said, I was quitting music just to get attention from people.”

s e s r o d n e e c a e n 2f i l g n i h t o l ’s c n a m d e g g u R O

ne of Nigeria’s leading music stars, 2face Idibia has joined the list of Nigerian celebrities who have endorsed rapper, Ruggedman’s new September clothing line.

The “African Queen” crooner, who is currently on a club tour of the 2014 Hennessy Artistry alongside Wizkid was recently spotted at the Port Harcourt edition of the tour wearing one of Ruggedman’s 8Figures varsity jacket.

Ruggedman recently relaunched his September th 20 clothing line a few weeks back. And so far, Maheeda and Monalisa Chinda and now 2face have all been pictured spotting the designer wears. Ruggedman first launched his clothing line in 2011 before the relaunch last month.

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014 — 27

BY IYABO AINA

08184172548

Kim Kardashian’s butt crowned world’s best A

merican television and social media personality, Kim Kardashian’s butt has been crowned world’s best butt, as she sparked 45 percent of the total requests for bottom enhancing procedures over the last 12 months.

As a result of her emergence as world’s best butt star, almost half of all British women who inquired about improving their bottom with the help of cosmetic surgery cited Kim as their role model.

Mrs Kanye West has pushed tiny pop princess Kylie Minogue into second place in the battle of the bottoms and also piped Beyonce.

According to Longevita plastic surgeon Prof. Dr. Fuat Yuksel, who commissioned the research, said: ‘Kim has been popular among women seeking bottom augmentation or “Brazilian butt lifts” as they are more commonly known, for a few years, but in the last 12 months we’ve had a massive rise in the numbers asking for a Kim Kardashian bum.

The procedure is performed through liposuction fatty tissue being injected into the buttocks’, he added.

Alicia Keys speaks on ‘forgotten’ kidnapped Nigerian girls W ell known American R & B singer and multiple Grammy award winner, Alicia Keys, has taken it upon herself to project the fate of the 239 Chibok school girls abducted by the Islamic extremist group, Boko Haram.

Keys lamented on the unbelievable fact that the girls have stayed in the captivity of the group for more than six months.

While speaking to CNN, Keys said, “Putting the spotlight on these girls is very, very important to me and I thought that it is my job to help shine the light on what is going on and show people: this is still happening and we must not forget and it is going on for six months,” she spoke “Six months and nobody is back and the girls are just there because of the need of education and they are abducted? So that is why we must say that we are not allowing this to dissipate, no, we are going to continue to say we are not standing for this, it is not okay.”

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Akon performs in plastic bubble to avoid catching

Ebola F

ollowing the ongoing spread of world’s deadly virus Ebola, R&B star Akon, has gone extreme lengths to avoid catching the virus by using a plastic bubble during a concert in Africa.

The ‘Locked Up’ singer climbed inside the airtight blow-up during a performance in Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, on Sunday and rolled over the crowd, pushed along by the outstretched hands of 60,000 screaming concert-goers.

Lady Gaga flaunts bare

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ontroversial star Lady Gaga, who has been off and on the news lately, is back again, as the musical star recently showed off her massive claw tattoo which she says is in honour of her fans ‘Lil Monsters’.

The music diva was caught on camera as she lay down and showed off her bare butt to get the tattoo done on her.

28 — SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014

BY IYABO AINA AND JULIET EBIRIM What have you been up to lately?

I’ve been up to a lot of things. I still act, produce and direct. As a matter of fact, I have a shoot in South Africa this October and thereafter, I have a movie premier in the US and Kenya. I’ve also been involved in a lot of training; training young actors, training people who are desirous of a career in filmacting, costume designing, cinematography, film production, script writing and post production.

I put together different professionals who are on top of their game in motion picture practice and then create the environment and the platform for young people to be trained in different crafts by these professionals.

I’ve also been involved in motivational talks in churches and in other places. We are also putting together arrangement for the first Nigerian Academy of Film and Television Achievement Awards.

It’s going to be the highest award for motion picture practice in Nigeria and it is going to be held next year but we’ve already started planning for it and very soon, we will start calling for entries from film makers and television houses.

What’s the idea behind the project?

The idea behind the project is very simple. This will probably be

the first time an award is combining both film and television. It is going to be designed in such a way that it will be the one major cinematic event in motion picture practice in Nigeria and the reason is that after all these years, we need something very credible, something that is going to be well sought after, an award that people are really going to look forward to because it is going to be very credible. We have something like this in the UK and in South Africa which are being organized by different bodies and I am in touch with some of the organizers of these events. We’ve spoken over a period of time concerning this and I now see the need for us to have something like this in Nigeria. It’s going to be the main award for motion picture practice in Nigeria.

Is it going to cost you a lot to put this project together?

Yes, it is going to cost a lot of money because there will be lots of trips to be made. There is going to be a nomination event,

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Z

ack Orji is a veteran actor who has seen all the tricks in the movie industry.

Though he recently took up the cloak of a pastor, it doesn’t appear the vineyard of the Lord has taken all the tricks away from him as a consummate thespian. In this chat with him as our Showtime Celebrity, Zack, talks about the industry, the pastoral ministry, his passions and aspirations:

separately and also the award itself, both of which will take place sometime next year. It is also going to cost a lot of money in terms of putting the whole thing together, flying all the award winners to the event, and taking care of other logistics and so on. All these will involve a lot of money.

Do you have sponsors?

There are corporate bodies that have already indicated interest but we are still in the process of negotiating.

You earlier mentioned training young artistes, is it like a film academy?

It’s an academy and it’s also going to be part of the Nigerian Academy of Film and Television Achievement Awards. An academy is not just an institution that specializes in training of some sorts in different disciplines, it’s also a society that takes care of the needs of people, so this academy is also going to be involved in training people who are desirous of a career in film and

The reason there are a lot of mediocre and crappy films is because filmmakers sometimes do not look for people who can give them good scripts

,

Day a fan ‘embarrasse in USA - Zac

*Talks about his pa ministry

television by bringing together first of all, professionals who are on top of their game who can train these people and make them readily employable. It is also going to be a way of associating with government, both at the state and national levels in reducing unemployment in the country.

How has your journey in the movie industry been?

It depends, because the journey of life and career are so varied and multifaceted. My journey in the movie industry has been very eventful, informative, inspiring and has taught me a lot of things and it’s a continuous thing. I mean it’s like a journey that you keep embarking and re-embarking on, because as long as there is life it is going to be a continuous journey. It’s an industry where you never really retire.

If you had the power, what would you like to change in the industry?

The area of scripting, we still need to improve in script and in screenplays. But apart from that, the film makers themselves and producers must be ready to look for good writers and pay them well to write good scripts for them. The reason there are a lot of mediocre and crappy films is because film-makers sometimes do not look for people who can give them good scripts. If you want a good film, you should be ready to pay for it. I would like to see an improvement in that area.

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How would you compare your recent role in “Half of A Yellow Sun” with other roles you’ve played in the past?

Well, I just did a very brief appearance in the opening scene. It was just one scene where I played the role of a father to two daughters.

They are foreign actors and it was fun in the sense that I had to fly to London just to shoot that one scene.

Even though it was a Nigerian scene, they had to fly me to the studio in London to shoot the scene and I spent some days there.

Tell us about your pastoral work?

I’m an ordained pastor with Power Line Bible Church.

Was it a divine call from God or did the church just decide to ordain you?

(Laughs) If it’s not a divine call, what then is it, a diabolical call?

Actually, the church decided to ordain me, but you know before the church decides to do that, there must be a prompting by the Holy Spirit.

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014 — 29

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ed’ me ck Orji

astoral So when it came, I couldn’t say ‘no’, because you don’t say ‘no’ when God says ‘yes’.

As a pastor, how has the experience been?

I’ve been coping very well, it has taken me around, it has taken me to preach in Canada, South Africa, Liberia, Ghana, Morovia, Toronto and then all around Nigeria. I’ve been to at least three to four cities in South Africa to minister the word of God. How do you manage being an actor and a preacher?

I’m not a full-time pastor in the sense that I’m not a pastor who owns a church. I’m a member of Power Line Bible Church. The difference is that I’m a member of the pastoral council, but I still do my work.

But doesn’t it affect the kind of roles you play?

It doesn’t, it hasn’t affected the kind of roles I play, but I’m very

I know that as a producer, I have never harassed anybody. Besides, people are so desperate these days that they offer themselves

careful about the kind of roles I accept to play now, because of the long years I have put in the industry and the fact that I am very critical about any particular job that comes my way. I want to make sure that the script has been well written before I take part in it and also make sure that all the elements of production are in place.

Do you plan to set up your own church in future?

No, not right now. I have thought about it but it’s not something I intend to do. But we can’t say what God would want us to do in a few years from now, but right now it’s not in my agenda at all.

Would you mind a political appointment?

If it agrees with me, yes. We are all called to serve in different regards. You may be called to serve spiritually, you may be called to serve your country in one capacity or another, it all depends.

I have shouldered responsibilities over the years. As far back as 1978, I was the leader of a delegation of Nigerian students who were sponsored by the French embassy on a three-week holiday programme in Lome. There were about sixty students from Nigeria and I was the leader of that delegation. Right from time, I have served in one way or the other in different capacities, so it all depends. If it’s something that agrees with me; why not? In my secondary school, I was senior prefect. I was the old Anambra state school champion in shot-put and discus. I even represented the state in the national sports competition from my University. I was also the president of Estate Department Students’ Association.

As a popular actor, how do you relate with your fans?

I just try to be nice to everyone.

This job has taught me to be humble, because just a smile can make someone’s day, just a ‘hi’ and

spending few minutes to say “How are you?” can really make someone happy. I have come to take it in my stride, though sometimes it is not convenient for me, but I believe that anyone who must acknowledge somebody else must first of all humble himself to do that.

Can you recall any embarrassing moment with a female fan?

Yes, some time ago I was in Washington DC when a lady saw me in a super market and there were a lot of people there. It was unbelievable to her and she said, “Oh my God! I just watched you this morning, oh my God” She started shouting and called the attention of the entire supermarket, “Come and see, he’s an actor from my country, Nigeria. I just watched him this morning!” I begged her to stop and she paid for everything I bought in the supermarket that day.

I was also in Johannesburg sometime ago, when a lady walked up to me and just stretched out her hand. I was a bit embarrassed because she just came, looked me straight in the eyes and stretched out her hand for a handshake. I looked back at her and said, “In my country, young women do not stretch out their hands to shake older men or to shake a man”. She said, “Oh I’m very sorry, it’s just that I’ve been watching you and I can’t believe that you are in my country”. She then said “Ok, what am I supposed to do? I said “You will bend down and I will pat you on the back”. Immediately, she bent down and I patted her on the back and she just stayed like that, walking, shouting and saying, “He patted me on the back!” (Laughs)

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Can you talk briefly about your son’s musical career and why did he choose music over acting?

He has acted before. He studied media and television at the University of Bradford in England and graduated in 2012. He’s doing his youth service now. He said music is what he wants to do and I said okay, fine, no problem. He’s a grown man, right now he’s above 21years of age, so he can decide for himself what he wants to do.

What I have discovered is that any young man who has gone to the university has the right to decide his future. You can’t stop him because at the end of the day we follow our talent, skill and passion.

I advise a lot of young people I train, I tell them you must discover who you are, your calling, gifts, skills, talents and strengths. Now, he has dropped two songs and we are now planning to shoot the video and after that, we will begin to promote it on radio, television and in clubs.

What have you got to say about movie producers sexually harassing female actresses?

I don’t know. There may be some truth in it and there has to be proof. I know that as a producer, I have never harassed anybody.

Besides, people are so desperate these days that they offer themselves. Also, some of these people just want to give producers a bad name, sometimes, some of them do not measure up. They think it is by sleeping around that they would get a juicy role. It’s not necessarily by sleeping around, but by applying your strength, talent, expressing and proving yourself. I do not deny that there is sexual harassment, but it is everywhere, not just in the movie industry. The thing is that human beings are predators. When human beings are in a position where they can dole out some largess, some now exhibit their terrible characters. Some people just need to be put in a position of

authority and you will see that they are animals. That doesn’t mean we do not have genuine producers who are thoroughly looking for talents to want to use in their movies, because at the end of the day a good actor is a good actor. If you do not deliver, people will watch and they will see that this guy is not good or this girl is not good.

How would you rate the kind of movies that are produced in Nigeria these days?

There has been a lot of improvement both in terms of scripting and also in terms of treatment and production quality, but there is also a lot of plagiarism going on. We have terrific actors in Nigeria who have proved themselves as far as the acting craft is concerned

30—SATURDAY

Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014

Typically male

Man, too much booze may harm your fertility

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T shouldn’t be surprising that alcohol and fertility don’t mix.

As a young man, the more alcohol you drink, the lower your sperm count and the poorer your sperm quality are likely to be. Excessive alcohol intake is generally bad for health, particularly reproductive health.

Alcoholism is one lifestyle factor every man that is trying to father a child needs to be wary of. Several studies have shown that men who drink the most alcohol have the lowest sperm counts. One study found that a significant effect was felt in men drinking as little as five units a week. A unit was defined as a single beer, a glass of wine or about the equivalent of a shot glass of liquor.

In the study published in The Journal BMJ Open, adjustments were made for

possible factors like diet, smoking, weight, etc., which did not explain the association. The research involved more than 1,200 Danish men undergoing a required medical examination to determine whether they were fit for military service. The men were aged 18-28. They filled out questionnaires about their drinking, provided a semen sample and had their blood drawn.

Sperm concentration, total sperm count and percentage of normal sperm were all poorer among men having at least five drinks a week, compared to those drinking just one drink weekly. The amount of testosterone measured in the men’s blood, however, increased as their alcohol intake increased.

From the study, it was discovered that the drop in sperm count and quality became particularly significant among men indulging in at least 25 drinks a week. Men drinking 40

•Being intoxicated can lead to changes in hormones... or more drinks a week had a 33 percent lower sperm concentration than those consuming one to five drinks a week.

Being intoxicated can lead to changes in hormones and other chemicals in the body, including cortisol, glucose, insulin and male hormones, all of which would affect sperm quality, and, poor sperm quality can affect fertility.

A second study published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections found that drinking a lot of alcohol was linked to a higher risk of contracting Human Papillomavirus, HPV, a sexually transmitted disease.

HPV can cause head and neck cancers and penile and anal cancers in men, according to the U.S. National Cancer Institute.

The second study included more than 1,300 American men. The researchers found that those who drank the most alcohol (more than 10 grammes a day) were 13 percent

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more likely to have any HPV type and 35 percent more likely to have a cancer-related HPV type, compared to those drinking the least amount of alcohol (less than 0.1 gram per day).

Even after taking into account the number of sex partners the men had and whether they smoked— another risk factor for HPVassociated cancers—the study still found an link between alcohol consumption and HPV infection.

Past research has found that moderate alcohol consumption can reduce the body’s ability to defend against viral infections. However, as with the first study, this research was only able to find an association; it wasn’t designed to prove that alcohol definitively caused the increased risk.

Bottom line is that alcohol may have an effect on the immune system, which may increase the risk of HPV. The experts say these findings all point to the importance of limiting alcohol intake among young men. They advise that moderation is best.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014—31

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here are more than two dozen simple and delicious food substances that can help you diet. I know it It sounds too good to be true, but take it as a fact. Weight loss comes down to eating fewer calories than you burn. Certain foods can help you shed body weight; because they help you feel full longer and help curb cravings. Some even kick up your metabolism. Here is a short list of the best of them: Apples An apple a day keeps the fat cells away! A perfect grab-and-go snack, apples are loaded with pectin•\a fibre that•fs especially filling.

Butternut Squash Swap your butter cookies for butternut. This veggie is so naturally sweet, you could eat it for dessert.

Pumpkin This veggie•fs full of fibre and flavour, both of which promote fullness and digestion. It•fs also an excellent source of vitamin A and potassium.

Grapefruit Like other fruits, grapefruit is Mother•fs Nature•fs finest weightloss aid. It has fibre to prolong digestion, reduce hunger and prevent the spike in insulin levels that

•Weight loss comes down to eating fewer calories

Food that helps you lose weight

•An apple a day keeps the fat cells away

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sends you scurrying to the snack aisle•h Just half a grapefruit has nearly 100 percent of your daily vitamin C requirement, warding off energy-sapping colds.

Cranberries High in antioxidants and low in calories, cranberries pack a tart and sweet flavour that gives zing to salads, rice dishes and even breakfast cereal.

Sweet potatoes In side dishes to pies, these veggies fill you up without filling you out.

The low glycemic index of sweet potatoes can definitely help stabilise blood sugars and prevent feelings of hunger. You get lots of fibre and a sweet indulgence.

Beets With loads of fibre and flavour on the sweet side, beets stave off hunger — and satisfy your sugar cravings — with minimal calories, beets are folaterich and contain eight grams of sugar per

serving.

Dates A great alternative to candy, dates are a good source of iron and dietary fibre. Snack on them for a chewy sweet treat.

Cauliflower The best-kept secret about cauliflower is that once cooked, it can be pureed and then added to soups as a thickener.

This will allow you to cut calories while keeping a creamy texture. It can masquerade as mashed potatoes, for under 40 calories per cup! A good source of potassium, it has abundant fibre to keep the belly full.

Turnips A good source of calcium and iron, turnips add a hearty flavour to stews or roasted meats.

Though they only have 45 calories apiece, you won•ft leave the table hungry — thanks to their abundant fibre and water.

Pumpkin seeds Don•ft throw them out after you•fve carved the jack-o’-lantern! The healthy fats satisfy our snack attack without packing on the pounds.

Roasted unsalted whole pumpkin seeds are a great alternative to peanuts.

Pears Pears are a great mild alternative to a tart apple, for the same 100 calories.

Sink your teeth into a raw one, or poach them to coax out the sweetness.

Tangerines Toss them in a salad, or pair them with almonds, dates or honey for a decadent snack that•fs virtually guilt-free.

Tangerines are sweeter than oranges and easier to peel, they offer the same excellent source of vitamin C to keep away the winter sniffles. And, of course, the fibre and water provides insurance against overeating.

Broccoli Broccoli is rich in vitamins A and C and contains as much calcium as half a slice of cheese, but with none of the saturated fat. It also makes for a great veggie soup, and studies show that starting your meal with a hearty, healthy soup translates to fewer calories consumed in one sitting.

32—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014

SHOE FASHION; extravagant 10 heels and flats to lust after right now Call them impractical, obnoxious or whatever, but we call them beautiful works of arts.

Fashionistas and celebrities are lovers of game changing shoes, one that will turn heads at every step and every occasion.

This season, designers offer us embellishments of every kind, from glitters to fur and fringe.

Here are 10 gorgeous shoes to lust after right now.

C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014—33

08 116759 759 081 6759759

£11 a month to stay abstinent V

irgins in one of Af rica’s poorest countries are being offered £11 a month to abstain from sex, it has been reported.

Swaziland’s playboy King, Mswati III, has reportedly approved the benefits scheme in a bid to curb HIV across the

state. But critics claim the flamboyant ruler — who already has 15 wives—is simply trying to ensure any future brides are disease-free.

Details have to be established about how the girls will be monitored to ensure they are not having sex.

Swazi virgins usually only hit the headlines when tens of thousands of them dance topless before the king at the annual Reed Dance.

Each year the 46-year old, sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch, chooses a virgin as his new wife from the ceremony.

Last month, he selected a 19-year-old to be his 15th wife.

The programme, reportedly financed by the World Bank, will offer girls a substantial income in a country where two-thirds of the population earn less than 60p a day.

Thabsile Dlamini, a health care worker in the city of Manzini, told South African website

IOL: ‘The government will pay girls the allowances so they will have money to purchase necessities and can turn down money offered to them for sex.’

HIV transmission rates in Swaziland currently stand at 26 per cent, one of the highest in the world.

But teenagers say the money is not enough to stop them accepting gifts and money in exchange for sex. Thandi Tfwala, 17, said: ‘A girl could get R200 (£11) for just one sex act.

‘You don’t know Swazi girls. If they don’t get more money, they will keep on doing what they do now. ‘Our king will have to go to Cape Town for his brides.’

‘I want to make £40,000 for my family with benefits… ’

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or Yonn Lazer, 36, from the tiny vil lage of Argetoaia in southern Romania, life for him, his wife,Maria and their three children hasn’t been easy.

But the family’s life has taken a turn for the better af-

ter Mr Lazer who moved to London—allowing him to put a grand plan to rake in £40,000 in British benefits into action. Six months after arriving in the capital, Mr Lazer is sending home £800 each week—and says ‘England’ has ‘given me every-

thing’.

‘I know it is very, very easy to take benefit in England,’ says the 36-year-old whose last trip to the UK, prior to the relaxing of restrictions on Romanian nationals, ended in his deportation for failing to find a job. ‘She’s give me home free.

She’s give me money free.

She’s give me everything.’

The UK has become an increasingly popular destination for European Roma gypsies, with a staggering 200,000 arriving in the last decade alone.

Reasons for the influx include ostracism at home and a lack of job opportunities, as well as the ease with which migrants can access benefits in the UK. The latter is something Mr Lazer knows all too well. ‘England is one country with much money,’ he says. ‘I need maybe £40,000 for my family and I think this money I can make in one year, maybe two. ‘I want to make one good house with three rooms, one bathroom, a

fridge, plasma TV... My family is very important and I love my family. For them, I do everything.’

If he doesn’t manage to rake in enough cash, his plans will take a criminal turn. ‘If I don’t have food, I’ll go and steal,’ he admits. ‘The pocket, the paper and sometimes in the house if there is nobody, take, yeah.’

Along with claiming as much as possible, including tax credits for his children in Romania, Mr Lazer has also been working for his clan boss as a scrap metal collector.

‘I’m going to take any metal from the street because I need money,’ says Mr Lazer.

‘And if I see something, I’m going to the home. I knock

Belgium's 20-stone minister is accused of from a Rubens painting being too big and said her ‘obvious cor-

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elgium’s 20-stone minister for pub lic health is accused of being too big to be ‘credible’—but hits back saying—‘it’s what’s inside that counts’ Some politicians come under fire for being corrupt or incompetent, but Belgium’s new Minister of Public Health is the first political figure to come under fire for being too fat for the job.

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Maggie De Block— who is Belgium’s most popular politician and was once tipped as a future premier—surprised many when it was announced she would take up the role of Health Minister in the centreright coalition which has just taken office.

The 52-year-old, who weighs in at more than 20 stone, was not considered to be exactly setting a good example in a country where obesity is a growing health problem. The anti-Maggie charge was led by Tom van de Weghe, a Washington-based correspondent for Belgium’s VRT television station. In a tweet he questioned whether she would be ‘credible’ in her new post.

NOS, a top Dutch TV channel, likened her to a larger-than-life figure

pulence’ would cause ‘sniggering.’

But Ms De Block, who practised medicine as a GP for 25 years, has shrugged off the criticism.

‘I know I’m not a model but you have to see what’s inside, not the packaging,’ she said.

According to the World Health Organization data from 2008, a total of 47 per cent of the adult population in Belgium were overweight.

As Minister for Immigration in the last Belgian government she was praised for slashing the number of asylum requests by almost half, from 27,000 per year to 15,000.

She was unmoved by hunger strikes and sent in the police to end them and to ensure that expulsion orders were carried out.

Red Bull to pay anyone $10who has bought a can over the past 12 years

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ed Bull agree to pay anyone who has bought a can over the past 12 years $10 cash in class settlement for the fact that it doesn't REALLY 'give you wings' If you drank red bull in the last 12 years, and you didn't automatically grow wings, then you'll be entitled to a small piece of a hefty settlement the company has agreed to pay for false advertising.

Energy drink Red Bull GmbH settled two classaction lawsuits this week, agreeing to pay $13million because their famous slogan 'Red Bull gives you wings' isn't true.

And now anyone who bought the drink form January 1, 2002 to October 3, 2014 will be eligible to receive either a $10 cash payment of $15 in Red Bull product - no matter if you have a receipt or not.

In one of the lawsuits, a consumer who had been drinking the product for years wrote that they had experienced no increase in performance, concentration of reaction speed.

'Such deceptive conduct and practices mean that [Red Bull's] advertising and marketing is not just "puffery," but is instead deceptive and fraudulent and is therefore actionable,' the

on the door and I’m ask if there is any metal. If it’s outside, from garden I take, no I don’t ask, because it’s outside.’

‘This week, Monday, I sent £500 and today, I’m going to send more £300. It’s £800 just this week. It’s good money for my family because I know in Romania, life is heavy. If I don’t have money, I have nothing.’ Is he at all embarrassed about the amount he’s being handed? The answer is no.

‘Some people think it’s bad if you have benefit or something but I think it’s not,’ he says.

‘I think it’s very good. It’s good for me and my family. I don’t have any interest in what they think about other people.

It’s my life, my family and I think I am lucky, yeah!’ suit says.

'Even though there is a lack of genuine scientific support for a claim that Red Bull branded energy drinks provide any more benefit to a consumer than a cup of coffee, the Red Bull defendants persistently and pervasively market their product as a superior source of "energy" worthy of a premium price over a cup of coffee or other sources of caffeine,' the suit says Red Bull has agreed to change their marketing campaign, but insists their advertising was never misleading to begin with. 'Red Bull settled the lawsuit to avoid the cost and distraction of litigation. However, Red Bull maintains that its marketing and labeling have always been truthful and accurate, and denies any and all wrongdoing or liability,' the company said in a statement.

Those wishing to receive a settlement payment from the company must submit a claim form before March 2, 2015. The settlement could be approved by May with payments being sent out withing 150 days of the final approval.

34—SA TURD AY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014 34—SATURD TURDA arriage can be a minefield and needs careful navigation. Running a business with your spouse brings added risks. It is a double-edged sword. It can be so wonderful on the one hand and on the other hand it can put enormous strain on the marriage and even cripple it.

One major advantage of jointly running a business with your spouse is synergy. Whereas, alone you could only achieve 50 per cent, together you can achieve 80 per cent. Another great advantage is when you are not around; the business is in safe hands.

You might not appreciate this if you have not run a small or medium-scale to reduce conflict between spouses in business. Spouses also complement the office, but the problem is even in each other’s strength and make up for the office, some wives/husbands see each other’s weaknesses in the office. “my husband/wife” not the chief One might be good in marketing executive or colleague. When you have while the other is good in accounting. such a situation, the office has become Together, they form a formidable duo. an extension of your home. You are no Another major advantage of working longer his/her superior but his/her together is that it helps in marital equal. Any attempt to assert yourself fidelity, because you are virtually as a chief executive can have ripple together all the time. So each person’s effect down to your home. If you love presence keeps temptation at bay. your marriage, you must back down and Moreover, both of you know about explore other ways of working together your finances, so where do you get or apart. Marriage is supreme and the money to finance your extramarital sacrosanct and that is a small price to affairs? pay to keep it going. Although some people say that their career or business lso, running a business with your spouse helps to build trust. Trust is a very major ingredient for a successful marriage. Couples who have successfully run jointly-owned businesses often have enormous trust in each other.

On the other hand, a major drawback of working together is that takes precedence over their marriage if the business runs into turbulent and by extension family, for most weather, both economies that make up people, including very successful the family economy are affected. I ones, family comes first. experienced it sometime ago and it Peter ’s wife joined him in his was very unpleasant. One solution is business when he got distracted with diversification, especially in a volatile other pursuits. The office was falling environment like ours. apart and his staff did not help Working together can also lead to matters. They set up six parallel conflicts in the office which, if not well companies rendering similar services managed, can spill over to the home to his company ’s - using his front. Clearly defined roles can help accommodation, energy supplies and

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Spouses in jointly-owned businesses

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other facilities. So she actually came on a rescue mission.

But first she had to learn the ropes of the business, but she was impatient.

Moreover, as expected, her presence was a stumbling block to some staff and there was resentment and latent rebellion. Peter told her to take her time and also act with a lot of guile, but that is not her style. Her style is open and direct (call a spade a spade) and it just did not work in the circumstances.

Their relationship deteriorated and spilled over to the home front.

“At the height, she accused him of taking sides with one of my female staff against her. If not that trust had

Another major advantage of working together is that it helps in marital fidelity

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been built in our marriage, it would become another matter... Over time, she learnt the ropes of the business, reason prevailed and the situation normalised. Most of the old staff also left and new ones came on board.”

Peter is one of the many people running successful businesses with their spouses. Victor ’s case is even more profound; he not only runs a business with his wife, they share the same office space. Victor is not exactly

the easiest human being to deal with and I asked him how he has been able to successfully run a business with his wife for over 20 years. He readily agrees that he is a difficult person, “but once you understand me, it is smooth sailing. Moreover, I don’t really have anything to hide.”

One area the couples I spoke with acknowledged to have failed is keeping office and home matters in watertight compartments. That was why I was pleasantly surprised while listening to a radio programme when the guest, a lady, said she and her husband have succeeded in shielding the office from house squabbles and vice versa. Please if the person is reading this column or if any other person has been able to achieve that miracle, send me an email so we can learn from your experience.

Another pitfall of working with your spouse is boredom. Normally when couples get back from work, they ask each other, “how was your day?” In this case, you already know how his/ her day was. Such couples therefore need to come up with ways to keep their marital and official relationships hot. Another major disadvantage of jointly running a business is if one of the spouses is involved in a major infraction: marital or official or anything that fundamentally breaches the other’s trust. If it is not properly managed, it can ruin both the marriage and the business.

From my personal experience, working with my wife has brought a lot of good both to the office and the home front. We have also had our difficult moments. So should spouses work together? Hmmm, yes, if they want to and it enhances their marriage.

But those whose marriages are fragile or who have fundamentally different business philosophies really need to do some soul searching before taking such a decision.

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Relieve tension,insomnia, be healthy via natural therapy The Plough

Technique: Lie on your back with the legs stretched out and hands placed along the sides.

Take in a deep breath and drawing up the knees swing back the legs while breathing out and let the toes come to rest on the floor behind your head. Keep the knees straight and stiffen up the muscles of legs. Keep the breathing normal as you retain the posture for about 10 seconds.

To come out of the posture simply bend the knees and just roll down the back and straight out the legs

flat on the floor again.

You may rest a little and repeat.

Benefits:The plough improves the elasticity of the spine. It tones the leg muscles and helps to rid constipation.

The Wheel: Technique:lie on your back and draw up the knees with the heels close to the buttocks. Bend the elbows and place the hands down by the sides of the head. Take in a deep breath and raise the whole body. Stay in the pose for 5-10 seconds.

Benefits: The Wheel strengthens the entire musculature, and it also expands the chest for more air intake which has health advantage.

Half-Plough with Chair.

Technique: Place a chair at the head half-way underneath the chair .Now swing both legs and place them atop

•The Wheel

the back-rest of the chair. Stay in the pose for about 10 seconds.

Benefits:The Half-plough exercise has a healthy impact on the spine because it makes it to be elastic which also triggers strength.The abdominal organs are massaged. The gastric fire is improved and constipation will not show up.

The Plough

Yoga Classes STARTED •The Half-Plough C M Y K

@ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

SATURDAY VANGUARD, OCTOBER 18, 2014—35

juliecoker100@yahoo.com

I’m bearing the burden of my friends Dear Aunty Julie, Good morning ma! I’m one of your readers and I appreciate what you are doing for the young people. I am a guy of 29 years and socialises a lot but my friends are taking advantage of that. I’m the peacemaker among my friends, the introverted listener. But lately, I find myself dealing with my friends and their problems more than ever. The problems drift from abuse in their homes, relationship problems and MORE! It seems like I’m

walking around with the weight of the world on my shoulders and its making me dive headfirst into depression.

Don’t get me wrong, I like being trusted and thought wise for the advice I give but sometimes, I know I’m just being used, and all I need to do is listen. But I also feel helpless towards many of the situations, example violence between guys and their girlfriends and other relationship issues. I’m a young man who can’t necessarily take on the

world!! On top of trying to help friends of mine, I’ve got my own problems too! It’s insane. My fiancee thinks the guys discussing their issues are exposing me to ideas that could negatively affect our own relationship. What do I do?

Dominic, Abuja

Dear Dominic, Someone once said that you cannot help others if you cannot help yourself. This down-to-earth advice may seem difficult to heed when a friend comes calling, however taking care of yourself is the surest way to be the best friend you can be. By venting, unloading, complaining, crying, and sharing feelings, humans are able to process emotions and relieve ourselves from some of the weight of day-to-day problems.

Clearly, you care a lot about your friends and they seem to really value your opinion, advice, and sometimes just your listening skills. However, while you’re providing your friends with a shoulder to lean on, you may also need

She’s too competitive Aunty Julie, I have been dating my girlfriend for almost four years now but one problem keeps rearing its ugly head. She has always been competitive, but it’s never been something we’ve discussed. Every time I’m wearing something trendy or something new, she will do the same thing. When we used to run in aerobics class, she would constantly try to beat my scores. I confronted her about that, but she never seems to learn. She seems to forget I’m a guy and have my pride but she copies me and competes with everything. Should I really “ waste” time talking to her about her competitiveness?

Or, is there a way to hint at it or persuade her to do something original?

Ray, Calabar,

Dear Ray, A little competition in relationships is common and healthy, as long as it’s acknowledged, mutual, and energizing to the relationship.

Friendly rivalry has the potential to inspire, encourage, and support friends to do more and be more.

Your friend’s continued unwillingness to “do her own thing,” however, even after confronting her about it, sounds frustrating, and threatening to your relationship.

Perhaps her constant competitiveness is her way of complementing your strengths in drive and ambition. Maybe, she admires you so much that she wants to mimic your every move. Or, her ability to seek out her own aspirations may be affected by low self-esteem.

Or, perhaps things are going on in her life that aren’t apparently obvious; the constant competition may be her outlet for coping with personal issues. Your relationship might already be built on a foundation of competitiveness. If this is the case, it’s possible that your friend feels compelled to be “the one” to up the ante just to keep up with you. Sometimes, what we despise or find

annoying in others is what we dislike in ourselves. You may be experiencing or expressing a clash of similar personalities and traits.

Although it may be uncomfortable and seem unfair, maybe it’s time to revisit a heart to heart with your girl Taking the time to make sure you are saying exactly what you need to, and expressing all that you need might be a good idea. Doing this is not a waste of time, since you still seem to be invested in your relationship. The purpose of saying what you need is not necessarily getting what you want, but maintaining/gaining self-respect, as well as a sincere commitment to be clear about your feelings. Besides, you can assure your friend that you are eager to listen, to help understand what makes each of you bring out the competitiveness in one another. You might try saying something along the lines that you feel honored and/or flattered that she has taken

someone to vent/cry/complain to from time to time.

You mention that sometimes you feel “used” by your friends.

Though it may be uncomfortable, saying no, especially when you feel overwhelmed, is a healthy way to set boundaries in your friendship. On occasion, turning down a front row ticket to your friend’s vent session doesn’t mean that you’re selfish or don’t care about them. It means you need some space to take care of yourself. Continuing to hear your friends out when it’s weighing you down can lead to resentment, which is no good for a healthy friendship.

The simplest solution would be to gently let your friend know when it is not a good time for you to talk and suggest another friend for them to turn to. If you find it difficult to draw the line at first, you might consider presenting an excuse, such as having homework you need to get done.

Something else to consider is the nature of your friendships, after all, a good friendship requires give and take

from both people involved. Do you feel like you can confide in your friends when you have concerns or problems? Do your friends offer to talk to you if you seem to be having a hard time or a bad day? If you haven’t already, sharing your feelings might make your friend(s) feel better knowing that s/he is able to help you, too.

While you are no doubt a great listener, the problems your friends describe : violence and depression are serious enough to require the attention of a professional.You may want to speak with other adults, pastors or priests and elderly people. What’s more, if you’re feeling like a guy who needs to de-stress, you might think about making a counseling appointment for yourself. Speaking with a professional may help you to strategise ways to avoid overloading your own plate with friends’ problems. You’re a shining example of a great friend but for now, you might consider coming down from your stead to your own aid.

such an interest in your interests, and it’s time that she take notice of and focus on herself and her unique qualities. Perhaps you can help her identify her own specialness, because sometimes it’s hard to see one’s own qualities. Affirming your friendship and

avoiding accusations might help keep her from being on the defensive.Based on your talk, you might decide to work through the problem together and maintain and cultivate your relationship, or you may choose to cut your losses and move on.

Why did she break up with me?

Dear Julie, My girlfriend of one and a half years broke up with me out of the blue. We never fought or argued. I asked her why but she wouldn’t say a word. I asked her what did I do wrong and she said “nothing.” She was my first ever girlfriend and I was planning to ask her to marry me.

I don’t understand what I did wrong. There has to be a reason. Why won’t she tell me?

Albert, Enugu

Dear Albert, Breaking up is hard to do, especially when you are the one left wondering what went wrong. This must be a tough time for you, especially considering that you were planning on proposing. It can appear challenging to start over when you thought you had your life all squared away. But start over

C O C K - T A L E S Spaghetti So much fun A wealthy man was having an affair with an Italian

woman for a few years. One night, during one of their rendezvous, she confided in him that she was pregnant.

Not wanting to ruin his reputation or his marriage, he paid her a large sum of money if she would go to Italy to have the child. If she stayed in Italy, he would also provide child support until the child turned 18. She agreed, but wondered how he would know when the baby was born. To keep it discrete, he told her to mail him a post card, and write “Spaghetti” on the back. He would then arrange for child support.

One day, about 9 months later, he came home to his confused wife. ”Honey,” she said, “ you received a very strange post card today.” ”Oh, just give it to me and I’ll explain it later,” he said. The wife obeyed, and watched as her husband read the card, turned white, and fainted.

On the card was written “Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti. Two with meatballs, one without.”

C M Y K

A suspicious husband hired a private eye to check on the movements of his wife. In addition to a written report, the husband wanted a video of his wife’s activities.

A week later, the detective returned with a film. They sat down together and proceeded to watch it.

Although the quality was less than professional, the man saw his wife meeting another man! He saw the two of them strolling arm in arm and laughing in the park. He saw them enjoying themselves at an outdoor cafe. He saw them dancing in a dimly lit nightclub.

He saw them take part in a dozen activities with utter glee. ”I just can’t believe this,” said the distraught husband. ”What’s not to believe?” the detective said. “It’s right up there on the screen!” ”I simply can’t believe my wife could be so much fun!” the husband replied.

you must! Have faith and believe in yourself — it will become easier with time.

What really matters is that you realize you did nothing wrong and that you couldn’t have prevented the break up. In order to heal, it may help to have a sense of closure. Why it ended needs to be clear to you; otherwise, you may have doubts about the relationship and yourself for a long time. Do you feel comfortable letting your exgirlfriend know that an explanation, or one reason, for breaking up with you will help you to go on with your life?

Even if it has nothing to do with you, you deserve to know at least part of the reason why. It is possible that she may not even know why she broke up with you.

Cupid at law A guy walks into a post office one day to see a middle-aged, balding man standing at the counter methodically placing “Love” stamps on bright pink envelopes with hearts all over them.

He then takes out a perfume bottle and starts spraying scent all over them.

His curiosity getting the better of him, he goes up to the balding man and asks him what he is doing. The man says “I’m sending out 1,000 Valentine cards signed, ‘Guess who?’” ”But why?” asks the man. ”I’m a divorce lawyer,” the man replies.

36—SA TURD AY 36—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, OCTOBER 18 18,, 2014

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

When your spouse suddenly becomes violent

W

E

people, male or female, have to face.”

Nuru’s text to me was disturbing. “I don’t know who I really got married to—a saint or the devil?” Intuitively, I picked him as the few readers of this column to have a chat with. “What happened to your marriage?” I asked him. “My wife, who I’d been married to

,

ILL spousal violence ever go away? Two readers sent in their views recently. One is a married mother of three and the other is a bewildered husband who’s been physically and mentally abused by his wife, “My husband and I were together for nearly ten years,” wrote Ibi, “and he was a violent man who also used cannabis, aka Indian hemp! He would attack me, and the next morning would act shocked and disgusted, claiming he couldn’t remember the incident. He’d promised it would never happen again and swear he’d stop the drink and drugs. He never did.

“But I loved him and chose to believe him every time, though eventually, the truth dawned on me. The abuse was never going to end because he was the only one who could stop it and he didn’t want to. Breaking off the marriage was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. My ex tried every trick in the book from emotional blackmail to more violence to try to get me back. But I knew if I stayed I’d have to face the mood swings and violence for the rest of my days, and I wanted more from life than that. The first time a man hits a woman is the hardest, but when they see that you haven’t left them, it becomes as much of a habit as cannabis.

Every time they feel angry or frustrated, the answer is to lash out and believe me, it only gets worse.

“I know deep down that my husband loves me and our children, but he loves cannabis more. At first I was terrified and didn’t think I’d cope on my own but thanks to friends and family who witnessed a bit of the violence, I’ve been able to pick up the pieces of my life. I’ve since retrained and have a better job. My husband (we’re not divorced yet) lives with another woman but I feel nothing but relief at getting him off my back.

I now know that there is a better life out there but you have to go and get it, it won’t come and find you. This is a fact abused

I know deep down that my husband loves me and our children, but he loves cannabis more

for almost 20 years suddenly, turned into a monster”, he said.

“It started at the beginning of 2012. She suddenly grew snappy. If I were late home she’d sulk or even swear at me.

When I asked her what the matter was, she would swat my hand away. I didn’t have a clue as to why she suddenly became abusive. After some miscarriages we’d gone on to have two beautiful sons. Even after I lost my mother, she was a pillar of strength.

,

learnt she’d been losing weight and feared she might have cancer. I took her to the doctors and thankfully, she didn’t have cancer only the onset of menopause. I was warned her behaviour could be erratic as a result, so I made a point of spoiling her, she was alright for a while until a few weeks after when she yelled at me, saying she couldn’t stand the sight of me. She said she wanted opt out of the marriage. I was shocked.

tears in her eyes, that she felt such remorse after attacking me, she’d wanted to kill herself. Speaking passionately, she told the judge: ‘I’m not a dangerous woman, nor a wicked one. I am a good mother who’s been deprived of any access to my children,’ I fumed.

What children? Our two sons are adults and were free to see her if they so wished, but she’d been nasty towards them too and they confessed they couldn’t cope with who their mother had now turned into. The judge wanted to know if there was any chance of reconciliation and I shook my head. The woman in the dock wasn’t the one I married and it would be suicidal to take her back!”

“So how are you now?” I asked Nuru. “Do you miss your wife in any way?” “I missed the woman I was married to,” he said, a bit confused, “What I need answers to is what made her change all of a sudden? It’s the not knowing that hurts.

Will she be the first woman to go through the menopause, to lose a mother-in-law or to get cancer scare? For years she was a perfect wife but it was the same perfect wife who plunged a knife into me, and I will never understand why...”

So what makes a seemingly perfect wife go round the bend without any apparent reasons? Nuru believed his ex wife had a Jekyhll and Hyde personality, with the scale tipping dangerously towards the “Hyde” attitude as she grows older. She obviously knew a wrong force had controlled her life, or she wouldn’t have made efforts to look presentable before the judge. If only she sought help. There are drugs and hormonal treatments to curb mood changes. They’re temporary measures until victims are confident enough to take control of their lives once again.

Good stress is short-term, mild, stimulating…

xperts are claiming that stress can be good for you. Research has apparently found that nerveracking situations such as making a speech or dashing to the airport, will help you stay healthy and live longer.

Stress, blamed for everything from depression to cancer is the biggest cause of long-term sickness, prompting warnings that it has become the ‘new back pain’ for office truants.

But researchers say mild-to-moderate stress increases the production of proteins that help repair body cells, including those in the brain, and enables them to work at peak capacity.

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

C M Y K

“So what got into her? There was a time I was in our bedroom watching TV when she barged inside. ‘I’m sick of your hiding in the bedroom watching football’, she roared. ‘But you always watch your favourite programmes in the sitting room’, I stammered, shaken. I tried to talk to her in her sober moments and it was then I

“Then she changed and started being nice all over again—cooking my best meals and as having an improved love life. But it didn’t last. The next time we had a row, she went into the kitchen and came at me with a knife! Blood was oozing from a wound on my arm, soaking my shirt as I scrambled to get away from her, ‘I hate you, I’m going to kill you,’ she howled. She attacked me again and I managed to get out of the house and sped off to the hospital. After I was stitched up, I couldn’t go home.

Visions of my wife’s hatefilled face flashed through my mind. Our two boys were bewildered by it all and went to stay with their uncle a few streets away. In the end I went home, bracing myself for the worst, but she’d already left with some of her things.

“I immediately changed the locks in the house and told the night guard not to let her in. I also informed the men guarding the street gates she was no longer living with me—I didn’t want a situation where I would be stabbed to death in my own house! My family insisted I divorce her and since we had a traditional marriage, I took her to the customary court. I was sure she wouldn’t attend the hearing, but she was there, her hair well groomed and she was wearing a well tailored dress. She looked like a saint. ‘Who was this stranger?’ I thought? She admitted wounding me but regretted her action. Her defense was that she had been through a string of traumatic experiences —her cancer scare and the death of my mother, Shuo! The health scare was quickly resolved and it was my mother who died—not hers!

But she claimed it was these factors that made her depressed. She then told the customary court judge, with

They say the right kind of stress can even boost our natural defences to illness such as heart disease, Alzheimer ’s and arthritis. Dr. Marios Kyriazis, medical director of British Longetivity Society, said that when we are exposed to mild stress, the cells start to break down and so a repair mechanism kicks off. This strengthens the cells and removes harmful chemicals but as it is more than is needed to repair damage, it leaves the cells stronger than they were before.

“The best way to keep the process working efficiently is to ‘exercise’ it in the same way you would exercise in the same way you would exercise muscles to keep them strong,” he

said. “This means you have to seek out stress in order for the body to keep responding to it. He told the second Anti-Aging Conference in London recently that he prescribes mild doses for frantic activity to patients such as redecorating the front room in a weekend or packing in a hurry to reach the airport in time. He also suggests people shop for a dinner party in their lunch hour and learn to set the video using the manual. He even recommends periods of food or sleep deprivation.

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

He warned, however that prolonged exposure to stress, such as long-term care for a sick relative, is unhealthy. Being stuck in a traffic jam is also bad as the person is powerless to change the situation.

The conference also heard from a Danish researcher who found that subjecting skin cells to mild stress can beat the signs of aging.

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

SATURDAY

Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014—37

YETUNDE AREBI

Re: Is polygamy really bad? (2) Hi!

True talk!

I think women themselves are quite insecure to always be in fear of another woman. The sad truth is, there would always be another woman, and the man will always have the choice to stick to his vows or not. Funny enough, there’s been a rise in marital unfaithfulness more because polygamy is frowned upon and nobody wants to be the butt of societal ridicule, than in the days of our grandparents.

Aisha Adeshina Hi, Before, I move on, I will like to first of all thank you for presenting this convoluted issue to the public so that we all could join hands together and find a possible way forward and get rid of this lingering problem once and for all.

Well, I hope I am not late in the class because C M Y K

,

The issue of polygamy needs no introduction especially in our part of the world. Though there are varied forms of polygamy, what we practice here is that arrangement which allows a man to take on, or rather, marry more than one wife. And while this practice seems no longer fashionable, due largely to cultural and religious shifts, factors against it have not been overwhelming enough to cause a radical and total change of general perception. Even many who wield the Bible (famously quoted as anti-polygamy) in one hand and step on the pulpit to castigate and condemn so-called adulterers, have hardly been doing so with clean hands. There are stories, too numerous to count, of misadventures of priests and men of God who will take a second and third look, rather than pluck out the offending eye, or cut off the offending arm or “third leg” that will cause them to “sin”. The story of Bisola and Akin resonated the debate on this topic several weeks back on this page. Bisola, after several years of struggling with the fact that her husband was not faithful to their vows finally discovered the evidence right inside her home. Akin was in fact, raising another family besides the one they have together. Threatening hell and brimstone, Bisola has been throwing all sorts of tantrums known with women with her experience. Should she sacrifice her home at the altar of her ego? If a wife can share her husband with his numerous girlfriends in silence, why should she raise dust or feel threatened if he takes another wife? Are girlfriends less dangerous than wives? Can someone out there just sincerely tell me what our headache really is about polygamy, besides religion?

I will be glad to know and educate other Nigerians with your contributions. Remember that this issue is a contemporary one, so there is no time limit. We are not ending this discussion any time soon.

My mail address remains: yetty5050@yahoo.co.uk Do have a wonderful weekend!

According to the Bible, it reveals to us that king Solomon who had many wives and concubines later regretted having them.

And that he tagged polygamy and every other life style in general as all vanities

,

I could have sent my views earlier before now, as I bought a copy of vanguard that published this issue of polygamy. Anyway, since the debate is ongoing I hope there is no problem still sending my views.

Well, in my opinion, I think polygamy is equivalent to calamity in all ramifications. It is an old fashioned practice which is supposed to have been abolished. My argument or views regarding the positive or negative impact of polygamy is largely based on experience and statistics. Because I found out recently that most of our general way of behaviour, opinions, reasoning etc are either borrowed or influenced by the culture and tradition of other countries. Not just polygamy alone including other areas of lives.

Polygamy has been widely seen to be part of our inheritance and it has in many ways plunged many families into disarray. In-fact, I don’t just know how to describe such ugly episode. To me, most of those polygamous men are mainly those who hunt for male children, especially in Igbo land.

And others can be classified as mere sex addicts or Casanovas. Now, I want you to take a holistic look at the situation of the lives of most men who got married to two or three women who end up having up to 15 or 20 children.

The question now is how do these men fair with the social and basic needs of their respective families? Have they been able to take up the responsibilities that often arise in this type of lifestyle?

The main reason why polygamy lingers on up till date is as a result of having many cheap women all around. And this is because many women were not trained or empowered to be creative in life. So, due to the fact that we do not have a level playing field many women are hopeless and helpless. They thereby fall to whoever that comes across seeking marriage. And men have no choice than to take advantage of them.

Just go round, you will definitely see that most of these so-called polygamous men often cannot even provide school fees up to secondary school level, not to talk of University for their children. To me, polygamy is a mistake, because majority of them are equivalent to hell. Many polygamists are peasants, farmers and artisans who have very little means to sustain polygamy.

All we need to do in this respect is to provide a level playing field for everybody.

I disagree with someone who said that polygamy reduces the vast numbers of women that roam the streets. And that it also serves as a unifying means by preventing possible extramarital affairs.

There, is no strategy or measure in which you can employ to get all women married or prevent extra-marital affairs. And I don’t think the Holy Bible is explicit in anything related to that notion.

According to the Bible, it reveals to us that king Solomon who had many wives and concubines later regretted having them. And that he tagged polygamy and every other life style in

general as all vanities. So, why do we chose to uphold something that had been tagged vanity and allow it to play on in our minds up till date.

Ok, since we are good in upholding what the scripture said in the past, how come and why have we not been able to replicate the benchmark set by Abraham and Elijah? I also do not agree that men can only be helpful to humanity by having many wives.

Or, that having many wives and being able to tolerate their excesses will in turn afford you with leadership experience. I think we are just being naive and primitive, especially in making some decisions. We all know a brief profile of the one of the presidents of the greatest country on the planet, Bill Clinton who managed to have one wife and one daughter.

Does Clinton have 10 wives to enable him lead a country whose only military budget is far larger than the entire Nigerian GDP? The past and present Chinese presidents, Hu jintao and Li xipin all have led and are leading the world’s most populated country, how many wives have they?

I think all we need to do right now is to go back to the drawing board and redress our mistakes. There, are many ways you can reach out to people irrespective of their gender. There are a lot of unplanned families today giving births all manner of children.

Humphrey.

Hi! Polygamy should be promoted so as to help our single ladies. And it is important to know that God did not forbid “Polygamy”. Polygamy is Biblical. There are many bible verses in respect of Polygamy, but because of time I will only make a reference to two bible verses. Let us look at what the scripture says about marrying more than one wife: ”If he takes him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.”

Exodus 21:10.

Secondly, let us look at the story of David; when David committed adultery and murder, the story of Bathsheba and Uriah her husband “ (2 Samuel 11:5-27) Now hear what God said to David; ” I gave you your master’s house and his wives and the kingdom of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more (2 Samuel 12:8) Didn’t God support polygamy by offering David more wives?

Ok, here below are the names of person’s that practiced Polygamy in the bible; Abdon, Abijah, Abraham, Ahab, Ahasuerus, Ashur, Belshazzar, Benhadad, Caleb, David, Eliphaz, Elkanah, Esau, Ezra, Gideon, Jacob, Jair, Jehoiachin, Jehoram, Jerahmeel, Joash, Moses, Nahor Rehoboam, Saul, Shaharaim Shimei, Simeon, Solomon, Terah, Zedekiah, Ziba. Almost all of them were great men of God in the bible. Thanks for this wonderful opportunity given to me to share my opinion on this topic. Ifeanyi Otuegbe

38—SA TURD AY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014 38—SATURD TURDA

Honour for 4 distinguished Ibadan gentlemen

L-R: Mr Wale Onaolapo;MD/CEO, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc;Alhaji Remi Bello,President Lagos Chambers of Commerce & Industry;Hon Abike DabiriErewa,Guest Speaker;Pastor Bayo Olugbemi,President Jericho Businessmen Club;Chief Bayo Adelabu;Dep. Gov, CBN; and Dr Adesola Adeduntan;EDi/ Chief Financial officer ; First Bank of Nigeria Plc.

Photos by Akeem Salau

L-R;Mrs Titi Onaolapo,Mr Wale Onaolapo,MDi/ CEO, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, receiving an award from Mr Bisi Onasanya MD/CEO, First Bank of Nig. Plc with Pastor Bayo Olugbemi ,President Jericho Businessmen Club And Mr Rufai Ladipo Publicity Secretary ,Jericho Businessmen Club

From Left;Mr Remi Babalola, former Minister of State For Finance;Chief Bayo Adelabu;Dep. Gov, CBN,Prof. Bashir Akande;Pastor Bayo Olugbemi, and Mr Rufai Ladipo Publicity Secretary, Jericho Businessmen Club.

Elere’s DPO gets merit award

Alhaji Gbolahan Akanbi (l), Chairman, Police Community Relation Committee (PCRC); presenting the plague of Merit Award to CSP Philip Eze, District Police Officer (DPO), Elere Divisional Police Headquarter C M Y K

INTERCONTINENTAL Hotel, Victoria Island, penultimate Friday was lit up by constellation of captains of industry, g o v e r n m e n t functionaries and other important personalities when Jerico Business Club rolled out red carpet in honour of four distinguished Ibadan indigenes who have moved to the next level in their chosen fields of human endeavours.

They are; Chief Bayo Adelabu, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria; Alhaji Remi Bello, President, Lagos Chambers of Commerce & Industry; Mr Wale Onaolapo; MD/ CEO, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc and Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, Executive Director/ Chief Financial Officer, First Bank of Nigeria.

L-R: Chief[Dr] Micheal Olawale-Cole;Immediate Past President Nigeria Institute of Management Chartered and Mr Wale Onaolapo,MD/CEO, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc.

L-R; Dr Adesola Adeduntan,EDirector/Chief Financial officer First Bank of Nigeria Plc, receiving Award from Chief Adebayo Oyero,President, Central Council Of Ibadan Indigenes and Pastor Bayo Olugbemi.

Kings’ da dayy of praise

T

he 11th edition of Kings Day of Praise Oba Karunwi 111 Evangelical Movement held penultimate Friday at Bishop Court, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The special day is set aside by some royal fathers to honour and praise the Almighty God, whom they consider the supreme king of all kings. Photos by Wumi Akinola.

L-R:Bishop Kayode Williams, Bishop J.A Akindele (JP) College of Bishops Lagos Oba Dr Dapo Tejusoso, Osile Oke Ona Egba, Arc bishop M.A Fadeyi, President College of Bishops Lagos Rev. Dr David Olufade.

L-R:Highness (Dr) Bokumo Drukan, of Bayelsa State, Oba Massa Micheal Onigbolo Benin Republic, Oba Joel Ademola Ooye of Iwoye Ketu and Oba Aderemi Mulero Omisale of Isale, Benin Republic.

L-R: Oba Fatai Akorede Akanmo, Onitori of Itori Oba M.A. Makinde, Olu of Igbein, Oba Aderohunwi Babalola, Onijale of Ijale Papa, Oba Kolawole Sowemimo, Olu of Owode Egba, Deacons Doyin Ogunbiyi and Olori Omolara Tejuoso.

District Police Officer (DPO), Elere Divisional Police Headquarter, Agege Lagos, CSP Philip Eze on the seat; Alhaji Gbolahan Akanbi, Chairman, Police Community Relation Committee (PCRC), Elere Police Station (top left); General Overseer, Mountain of Mercy, Abuja, organiser of the Award (m) L-R: Oba Dr Dapo Tejuoso with Obas from Benin Republic. and District Traffic Officer of the Station,

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014—39

Poverty or Spiritual Attack?

Story of Aniocha village disabled girl who ran to Lagos for help

BY IYABO AINA

H

er story portrays the wreck poverty could unleash on anyone who lacks the wherewithal to live a normal life. It captures the affliction called poverty. And she compounds it all when she claims that spiritual attack is also responsible for her incapacitation. And when you listen to her you may want to buy some of her words if you are one that believes in such tales of spiritual attacks in Nigeria.

“I was not born disabled. It started when I was four years old,” said Onyebi Favour in a church in Ogba where she came to seek favour from God. She is praying to walk normally again and perhaps find the resources to return to school in whatever way.

Favour is 22.

She is disabled. Her father is blind, and like her, he was not blind from birth. The mother is battling to live. In the family of nine children, none passed out of primary school. Something halts their education and their story of anguish continues.

“My growing up was terrible. I never enjoyed growing up. When I was four, I was walking one day and I felt a sharp pain on my leg. It resulted into some kind of dislocation and I couldn’t walk normally C M Y K

again. Since then my story has not changed. I cannot walk now without some help.

My dad took me to a traditional doctor who was treated me. After the pain subsided on one leg, it started on the other. The traditional doctor told my dad my ailment was not ordinary; that it was some kind of spiritual attack. The man kept on treating me until he died. But before he passed on he said that only God could heal me as I had been attacked. Then, there were times I felt better but suddenly I would fall and my dislocated leg would manifest again.

Favour hails from a village in Aniocha in Delta State. It was from there she ran to Lagos to squat with three of her sisters who do menial jobs. Poverty, it appears, had chased her out of the village.

Aside the traditional doctor, have Favour’s parents ever taken her to hospital?

“No, my parents are farmers and they hardly fed us.

So there was no money for my parent to take me to the hospital for treatment. That was why my father usually took me to the traditional doctor who didn’t charge much.”

Does Favour have any hope?

“I can’t go out on my own except someone holds me

and the only time I go out of the house is on Sundays when my sisters are going to church. They would help me to walk because I can’t walk on my own. Life is so miserable. I couldn’t finish school. I stopped at primary six because of my condition and also because there was no money to further. I could remember back then when I was still in school I used to be a very brilliant student.

“The only thing I think that can be done is to change the leg, but I can’t afford it. I need people’s financial support so that I can walk again. I wish to walk again like a normal human being and go back to school and fend for myself. I wish I could get help so that I can work and earn something rather than relying on others.”

How do her parents feel?

It is a very sad thing to them, because anytime they see me in this condition they usually cry because they know where I would have

Onyebi Favour... I was not born disabled

I have never had the usual spiritual attack I used to have when I was still in the village

been if I wasn’t like this. But I know that they will never leave me and that is one thing I always have at the back of my mind.

Does Favour still nurse any dreams?

I have always dreamed of becoming a lawyer or an actress, because I’m this kind of person that always want the truth and I have always wanted to be a public figure.

Her family background I am from a very poor background, and life has not been easy.

In my family, we are nine and I’m the eighth child, but among the nine of us nobody has ever gone beyond primary school as a result of financial challenges. At times my parents and some of my siblings used to farm before we could eat. At present, my Dad is blind while my mum is seriously ill.

How did she come to lagos?

Actually, my parents are in the village while two of my sisters and I moved to Lagos as a result of the spiritual attacks and to see if there is any way we can survive. But still, life has not been easy.

Has no pastor helped you?

Actually, there was this pastor who came to me and my sister saying that there was something they buried in our compound in the village and that was what caused all the problems in my family. So he asked my elder sister to give him N6,000 for him to travel to our village for liberation.

Later on I got to know that he also went to my elder sister to collect another N10,000, and until now the pastor hasn’t done anything and when we confronted him he told us that he was waiting for the Spirit of God to direct him on what to do. He has also refused to refund our money.

Has the spiritual attack stopped since Favour moved to Lagos?

Actually, I have never had the usual spiritual attack I used to have when I was still in the village. The only thing is that I don’t walk for long because I usually feel pains. But I have never had any spiritual attack like I used to while in the village.

Has she sought medical attention in Lagos?

No, because I cannot afford it.

40—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014

Life has been hell for me — Victim of alleged police brutality *As residents send S.O.S to Lagos CP

•Matthew...a victim of an alleged police brutality (Inset) another victim

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

T

hey thought I was a cat with nine lives.

The two shots that were fired at me did not kill me. One of them cocked his gun, hit it on the ground and released the shot that got me on the leg. They fled the scene, believing I was dead like my friend, ‘’Mr. Mathew Koseblinu, a victim of an alleged police brutality said.

The incident took place on August 15, 2014, at IyanaSchool Bus Stop in the outskirts of Lagos.

It was gathered that the clash which disrupted commercial activities in the area, claimed three lives while several others were injured.

One of the victims was Koseblinu ‘s bosom friend identified as Laide.

As a result of the incident, Koseblinu’s life has not been the same.

He has continued to claim that he was shot by a police C M Y K

officer attached to Iyana Isashi Police Division.

How it happened

Narrating further, Koseblinu, who was born 24 years ago, said: ‘’I go to work when I have jobs. I fix tiles in people’s houses but on that day, I had no work that was why I stayed at home. I was at home when the trouble started between policemen and commercial motorcyclists. The clash was so intense. Policemen from Isashi came and started seizing motorcycles from the riders. When the they resisted, the armed police men started shooting sporadically. When the shooting became too much, we ran away for safety.’’

“Unfortunately, my friend Laide was shot dead. This made other commercial motorcyclists to take the corpse to the police station.

While they were proceeding to the station, lamenting the death of their colleague, a team of policemen blocked

their way at Ile-Iwe Bus Stop. This time, the attack on the protesters became more fierce and the protesters had to abandon the corpse on the road and ran away.’’

In addition, he said: ‘’After Laide’s corpse was abandoned on the ground, I went to drag him out of the road.

It was in that process that I was shot by an officer attached to the division. Other officers kept shooting at the fleeing protesters. They also fired teargas. The first officer shot me twice but missed.

Then another one took the gun from that officer and shot me on the leg. Life has not been the same for me since then. I was brought to this hospital for treatment two months ago and the cost of my treatment has become a burden for my parents.’’

Bone setter’s account

Corroborating, Koseblinu’s account, Mr. Iya Orobo, who is a traditional bone setter said:“There was uproar in

the community the day he was brought here. The police and commercial motorcycle riders had a serious clash that led to the death of several people, while the lucky ones like Koseblinu, sustained injuries from gunshot. I wasn’t at the scene of the incident so, I can’t say much about it but Koseblinu was brought here by an official of the local government council.

The person deposited N10,000 and pleaded with me to commence treatment.

But I refused because his injury was as a result of gunshot. I usually distanced myself from treating customers with gunshot related injuries. The reason is because I don’t want issues with the police. I don’t want people to say that I harbor armed robbers.’’

Continuing, he said: ‘’When the Baale of his community and other notable people intervened , I began to treat him. When he was brought here, the bones were completely shattered, most people thought he had died, others said I have to amputate his leg because of the bad state of the leg, but by the grace of God, his leg is getting better.’’

Accordingly, he said: “The officers from Isashi Police Division usually come here for treatment when they have health related issues. I have treated so many of them without collecting a dime from them. I was surprised when they seized my private motorcycle. The same people that I helped when they had health issues or sustained injuries from accidents, seized my bike.’’

Tales of woe

After Laide’s corpse was abandoned on the ground, I went to drag him out of the road. It was in that process that I was shot by an officer attached to the division

“I am not the only one who has suffered in the hands of the officers, several people have lost their lives as a result of the excesses of the policemen. A few months ago, a man committed suicide by hanging himself after the policemen impounded his motorcycle.

According to reports, he had collected a loan from LAPO to purchase the motorbike which was seized by the same officers, who confiscated three previous ones. As at the time he committed suicide, his wife was heavily pregnant.’’ “Last month the policemen from same division shot dead a driver at Cele Niger Bus Stop, along Badagry Expressway.

Their activities have become worrisome. If they can do this to an indigene of the community, imagine what they have been doing to others. We are calling on the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kayode Aderanti, to investigate the activities of officers from this division and call his men to order.’’

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014—41

How I escaped from kidnapper’s den in Ogun State *Over 200 people still held hostage

By EDIRI EJOH & ABDUL-lATEEF LIGALI

A

middle-aged woman, Mrs. Patience Igho, recently narrated how she escaped from kidnapper’s den in Agbara forests at the outskirts of Ogun State.

The traumatized Igho said she could not believe what she saw inside the forest after she was drugged inside a commercial bus on her way to Boundary Market in Ajegunle, Lagos.

The distraught woman, who sells frozen fish told Crime Guard that she saw no fewer than 200 victims, who were held hostage.

Consequently, she called on the relevant security agencies to quickly intervene and rescue the helpless people.

Narrating her ugly experience, she said:“The incident happened in the early hours of the day. I left my house with N130, 000 to be deposited in the bank. I boarded a commercial bus with four women and two men already seated.I cannot rightly recall the registration number. I later found myself in Agbara forest. It was after I regained consciousness that I found myself with over 200 people. One of them told me that I was at Agbara forest.

The person told me that some of them have been there for over seven months.

Threats

“While I was still trying to ascertain where I was, our captors came and asked us to drink water from one dirty container which I refused.

They threatened to kill me if I insisted but I vehemently refused prompting them to vow that I must be the first to be sacrificed. Fortunately after the threats, they left me for another victim stating that nothing will stop them from sacrificing me. Later, they stripped all of us naked and shaved our hairs after which they placed them inside a pot.

“They also brought another set of victims into the forest at about 9:00am. I was able to know the time C M Y K

Mrs. Patience Igho

from a big wall clock that was placed before us. These new set included a young lady and a man and their hairs were already shaved. They later shaved also our private part and armpit in preparation for their ritual.’’

Another victim’s experience

“ Few hours later, I was surprised to see another victim, a woman, who said she had spent over months in captivity. She boldly commended me for not taking the water they offered me saying that if I had taken it, I would have been unconscious and accept every of their demands ,adding that she is a mother of four.

She said she was captured with her four children on their way to church on a Sunday morning. Three of her children, she said, had been slaughtered.’’

“What followed later was that they brought the boiling pot where our hairs were thrown into and tried to force us to recite some incantations.

Earlier before that, I had seen a young lady who was brought before the pot to recite such words bearing a tattoo of scorpion on her right arms but she screamed Jesus! When the man that was performing the incantation saw the tattoo on her body, he refused to perform the rites on her, saying her blood was contaminated already. At this stage, we noticed that there were different buckets for sensitive parts like head, ears, private parts, etc. they were placed on top of a slab which butchers use in killing animals. The bold woman told us that politicians and ritualists thronged to the place to buy those parts.

My Freedom “While all these were going on, I did not know that one of the ritualists was watching me. At some point when I refused to recite those words, the man who looked like their leader ordered that I should be beaten up which they did. While they were at it, I shouted severally, Jesus!

And I even called many names ascribed to God. Fortunately, on hearing my strident voice calling on the creator, their leader rushed out and ordered the boys to dispose me at the nearest Bus-Stop.’’

“The gang members threw me inside the bus and dropped me at the back of Agbara market.

Still in shock, I trekked from that market to Federal Government College, Ijanikin to beg for money from my relatives who stay in that area. It was like a nightmare but I experienced it and survived by the special grace of God. I will not wish my worst enemy to go through what I passed through because it was so traumatizing . That is why I am passionately calling on security agencies to move into action and raid all those hide outs because some people are still there helplessly waiting to be rescued.”

42—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014

O

n the death of his father, François “Papa Doc” Duvalier, when he was only 19, Jean-Claude Duvalier, “Baby Doc”, succeeded him as Haiti’s President for Life. He ruled from April 22, 1971 till 7th February, 1986, when he was forced to flee. He governed Haiti longer than his father, thanks to the untiring but rather shamefaced support of Western governments, notably the US, and of the UN financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Especially during the term of President Reagan, Baby Doc was presented as a firm anti-Communist and a bulwark against Castroism. That view, however bizarre, ensured him military and diplomatic backing. He was also given all the money he and his wife Michèle needed to maintain a prodigal style of life in one of the world’s poorest countries, and later in exile.Born in Haiti’s capital city, Port-au-Prince, in 1951, the only son and youngest of the four children of Papa Doc and his formidable wife Simone, a former nurse, he was the apple of his father’s eye and led a pampered existence. When he was six his workaholic father began a presidency which lasted for more than 13 years, bringing him supreme power which he exercised with consummate brutality. Jean-Claude was sent to the Methodist Collège Bird in Port-au-Prince, where he first met his future wife Michèle, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, Ernest Bennett, who exported coffee and cocoa and imported BMW cars. The calm of his childhood was momentarily punctured on April 26, 1963 when the car delivering him and his 14 year-old-sister Simone to school came under a fierce attack which killed the driver and two bodyguards.

Jean-Claude’s father wreaked vengeful murder on those with any connection with the assassins. The boy was transferred to the Lycèe St Louis de Gonzague, a Christian Brothers establishment where he was lethargically happy.

The family, however, was not happy. On one occasion in 1967, after the elder Duvalier had flailed at his mother, the 15-yearold pushed his father into a room ¯-)5 3)9,-ª 9:)30-7 and kept him locked up there for three hours. On November 18, 1970 the old man, feeble and failing fast, formally named the teenager his successor. The obese, knock-kneed and ponderous son who regularly went to sleep over schoolbooks – indeed any book – was initially appalled at the prospect, guessing rightly that it would be a distraction from his passions for fast cars, fast motor bikes, fast girls and loud music. He wanted his sister, Marie-Denise, to take the job, but the day after Papa Doc’s death he became the world’s youngest head of state as a requiem mass was said by Archbishop François-Wolff Ligondé to the strains of Beethoven’s Ninth and a salute of 101 cannons. The US ambassador wore lapel pins of both Duvaliers.

Tranquillised by valium, JeanClaude did not attend. For years he left the administration of the country in the hands of his mother, the grasping Simone, and her long-time lover, Luckner Cambronne, chief of the traditionalist group known as the Dinosaurs. As in Papa Doc’s time, the emasculated army yielded precedence to the Volunteers of Catholic cathedral amid celebrations National Security, the Tontons which cost $7m. Her marriage to Macoutes. From the presidential Alex Pasquet, by whom she had had court Cambronne ran a prosperous children, was conveniently business exporting five tons of blood two declared null by the Vatican at the plasma a month. Under Duvalier’s instance of the pliable Ligondé, who indulgent eye, he bought it for $5 a pint and sold it on at $35 to US firms performed the presidential nuptials. such as Dow Chemical. He also uvalier’s marriage brought traded in cadavers. about terrible family discord, Nevertheless, the President for particularly with his mother, a power Life became the people’s darling, his father’s throne who informal, friendly, always ready for a behind enjoyed the title of First Lady. She game of dominoes with his subjects. was cast aside and stripped of the Washington, too, was charmed and, title, which was given to Michèle, encouraged by a pro-Duvalier who forced Jean-Claude on to a coterie around the US Congress, slimming diet, threatening staff who increased its subsidy to him from dared provide him with food that $9.3m in 1974 to $35.5m in 1975. “they will wish they’d never been Away from the limelight the born,” according to Elizabeth Abbott, regime tortured and starved its an historian of the dynasty. In 1980, enemies to death, notably in the the country suffered a foreign capital’s Fort Dimanche. Duvalier exchange crisis which was overcome told jailers to turn one prisoner into with a $22m loan from the IMF – garbage: “Make him a vegetable,” which did not prevent $4m going to he ordered. On May 27, 1980, Jean-Claude married Michèle in the the Tontons Macoutes and $16m to

forces. In a largely illiterate country, the Church’s Radio Soleil was particularly effective.

Tardily the US government, too, came round to a hostile posture. fter much indecision on the A night of February 5th, 1986, the President for Life

Death of a corrupt Voodoo President heavily backed by USA D

the president’s personal accounts.

President Carter created some problems but these were forgotten in November 1980 when Duvalier threw a champagne party as Ronald Reagan defeated Carter at the polls. As the country sank deeper into indigence, Duvalier allowed his court even greater latitude for swindling. In 1982, for instance, his father-in-law appropriated $11m worth of crude oil supplied cheaply as aid from Mexico and sold it to the apartheid regime in South Africa.

The dictator’s fall was presaged by the visit in 1983 of Pope John Paul II. He called for change, encouraging the vacillating clergy.

The following month 860 of them signed a petition calling for the Church to concentrate on the needs of the poor majority. Seven bishops were invited to Rome, where the Pope urged them to continue. Despite bloody repression his adversaries continued to undermine the president of a state where, as the historian James Ferguson remarked, for every teacher there were 189 members of the security

decided to leave and ordered Ernest Simon, one of the palace’s houngans, or voodoo sorcerers, to lay a spell on the presidential bed so that the next occupant would die a terrible death there. The houngan called for two newborn, unbaptised children whom he could sacrifice in the ritual. The hospital charged $400 though one, a little girl, was sent back: the gods, the outraged houngan insisted, needed male blood. In the presence of Duvalier and his wife, the babies were killed after hours of incantations and the liberal use of rum and herbs.

Two days later, the US government sent a transport aircraft from its base at Guantanamo Bay which was loaded up with their cash, jewellery, silver, paintings, antiques, furs, shoes, pictures and antiques. It took off in the middle of the night for France.

There they stayed at the Hotel de l’Abbaye at Talloires on Lake Annecy until the owner went to law to dislodge them. They rented a villa near Cannes from the Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi, where they continued their life of luxury, calling in food from a nearby three-star restaurant. Money came from a bewildering number of accounts in many cities, including Barclays in London and Amro in Geneva.

But exile irked him and he took up with a succession of mistresses procured by his wife’s brothers. Michèle, famously foul-mouthed and never a devoted mother, lapsed into fretful boredom. The couple divorced by proxy in the Dominican Republic in 1989.

Michèle won custody of their children Nicolas and Anya and a monthly settlement of $7,500.

In 2002, Duvalier said it was his “firm intention” to return to Haiti “as soon as conditions allow”, a view he repeated during the removal of JeanBertrand Aristide. He was said in 2003 to be short of money and living with his mistress, Vèronique Roy in a onebedroom flat in Paris, but in 2011 he returned with Roy to a country ravaged by the recent earthquake, insisting that he wanted to help the country get back on its feet. Some suspected he wanted to get round new Swiss banking regulations designed to stop former dictators accessing ill-gotten funds.

He was arrested and charged with embezzlement and other crimes, and there was talk of his being charged with crimes against humanity, but he remained in a hotel in the mountains above Port-au-Prince, where he died of a heart attack.

Jean-Claude Duvalier, politician: born Port-au-Prince 3rd July, 1951; married Michèle Bennett (divorced 1990; one daughter, one son); died Portau-Prince 4th October 2014.

Culled from The Independent

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014—43

Harvard Experience: Another view of USA and US

Harvard University means different things to different people; of course, that is natural.

But there appears to be a consensus of opinion – sorry, the postmodern consciousness is very uncomfortable with the word “consensus.” There is a problem with agree – ability in the new affairs. There is, however, a room for “coincidence” of ideas or opinions.

In other words, for the postmodern, no two opinions are likely to be agreeable. I think I am catching the Harvard disease. Back to track, I mean there seems to be a thread that runs through

several opinions about Harvard University. That is GREATNESS. Harvard is a great institution. This institution has maintained an appreciably high level of intellectual performance since 1636. Greatness can best be defined in terms of a description of Harvard experience. I wonder if there is a spiritual link between the Institution and the name of the State in which it is located, the state of Massachusetts, of course, MASS and I mean the short form, MASS. Let me first relate the institution to MASS, in other word, either as bulk, quantity, shape/form or even corpus; Harvard University is a mass. It is huge, brawling, imposing and above all, intimidating. It stands shoulder above, no, towering higher than, very many other institutions. Other institutions tremble, merely at the sound of the name. The question now is: why is it so?

I shall address this question from just two perspectives. These views may not supply sufficient answers to the questions, but they will set the mind thinking of possibilities and help institutions that are aspiring for such an experience to brace up and move on. The first is that there is undoubtedly a controlling spirit in Harvard University. I am a Nigerian and of course one should not rule out the fact that I am going to drift into spiritual analysis. Moreover, I am interested in studies in Spiritualties, so what I mean by “spirit” may not be exactly what the ordinary reader may be thinking of.

The second is like the first, that is, that this controlling spirit rebirths or rather achieves a comprehensive

Political Notes

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

Ebola politics

Given Nigeria’s continuing failure to tackle some of the most formidable challenges to its success as a nation, the unqualified success in containing the Ebola epidemic has riveted Nigerians as to the possibility of a Nigeria renaissance.

However, as Nigeria snakes towards the peak of the four year election cycle, it is not surprising that the dreaded Ebola disease is now turning into a political issue.

At Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s formal declaration for the presidency on Wednesday, it turned into an issue when Governor Chibuke Amaechi charged the Federal Government not to take credit for the containment of Ebola.

“I hear PDP and Mr. President claiming the glory of having fought Ebola. I asked one simple question: Rivers state government spent 1,406 billion to fight Ebola, the Federal Government brought N200m just last week. If we were waiting for that N200m, Ebola would have spread round Rivers State,” the Rivers governor said at the declaration.

According to him the best the Federal Government did at the peak of the crisis was to regularly announce

harnessing of creation’s most powerful virtue, LOVE. Now, may I explain what I mean? The controlling spirit in Harvard University is the spirit of excellence. This spirit is created. It did not create the institution. However, it has become extraordinarily powerful. It falls like dew on everyone who steps into the institution.

,

H

a r v a r d University is in New England, Cambridge Massachusetts. It sits at the centre of the brawling Massachusetts Bay, undoubtedly, the very first place of settlement of the Pilgrim Fathers – the founders of the modern United States of America. Harvard University’s “next door neighbours” are Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and University of Massachusetts (UMASS). These are great institutions but everyone who has an idea of what good education should either sound or look like, proposes the Harvard experience. Harvard thus has assumed the status of a landmark in terms of assessing institutional education. Suffice it to mean that Harvard has become the idea concept of good, oh sorry, excellent education. It has created a kind of standard against which all other standards are judged. My American colleagues refer to it as the Ivy of the Ivies.

refining by the well-established canons of HARVARD, or join me and call it “the spirit of excellence.” But one important point is that this spirit of excellence extends its colonizing hands to all.

For this reason, everybody is wired towards operating at the superlative level.

While a large number, those we get to hear about excel in the positive eandeavours, there are teeming others who excel in the negative endeavours. Harvard is the seat of innovative academic output across virtually all disciplines, from Medical Sciences, through Business Studies to the Humanities and Arts. Its academy and her research output are unprecedented. Inventions and discoveries are normal day to day aspects of Harvard.

Monuments erected in different areas within the institution attest to this. It is im-

The spirit of excellence in Harvard exudes beauty and its splendor attracts and sustains all who encounter it. The natural result is the provocation of adoration

Once one makes an appearance, whether from a drive in, through the roads; or a walk in, through the underground rail, into Harvard Square, there is that unique indescribable experience that grips the consciousness of the visitor. I probably should not have said indescribable because it can be described in simple terms as … oh yes, this is Harvard!

The unusual fusion of serene demeanor and bustling temperament bushes the atmosphere to a busting point.

That is why I say it is brawling! This is part of the energy of Harvard. No wonder, Harvard University is ever bursting its seams. There are no restrictions as to who comes in; everyone is received by the large womb of Harvard. For this reason, the institution is replete with people of sundry characters and temperaments. They are all going to pass through a mandatory processing or

,

portant to note that Harvard does not only provide the atmosphere for excellence, it celebrates it. The campus appears to wear the garment of celebration all the time.

Tourists and inquisitive persons pour in all the time and members of the University community volunteer to provide help to any in need of such.

On the other hand, those who ordinarily should be regarded as “the undesirables” are also present. Professional beggars, unsolicited roadside entertainers, the mentally deranged, tramps, drifters, hobos and other vagabonds also “adorn” the ever vibrant and ebullient “Harvard Square.” One surprising issue is that they also excel in what they do.

That reminds us of the famous comment by the African American civil rights activist, Martin LutherKing Jr. that if one is a street

new incidents of the disease! Apparently putting himself above the fray the following day at the launch of the Elumelu Nigeria Empowerment Fund, ENEF to help victims of terrorism in the Northeast, Jonathan said no one could take the credit for the effort.

“There is no magic government could have used to solve that problem. No President or state governor will claim any credit. The credit should go to the ordinary Nigerians for the cooperation and their buyin,” the president said.

The success in the containment of Ebola is a telling indication that Nigeria can also combat such vices against it such as corruption, bad governance, insecurity among many others.

Buhari’s declaration and thereafter

The outpouring of support for All Progressives Congress, APC presidential aspirant, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari at his public declaration on Wednesday was in the consideration of his associates a measure of the potency of the former head of state in the presidential contest.

It was thus not surprising that one of his major rivals in the APC, Atiku Abubakar was quick to make a distinction between his own declaration and what happened at the Eagle Square where Buhari did his declaration.

sweeper, one should sweep it so well that it will be recalled that there was once a street sweeper (paraphrased). In Harvard University, the spirit of excellence nudges all towards the principle of Ralph Waldo Emerson “know thyself.”

Self-knowledge is the beginning of excellence. If one knows oneself, one should be able to challenge oneself and insist on improving on the existing standards, as perceived by one, until one reaches the peak (of one’s own abilities). For many, who are guided by the spirit of excellence, there is no limit.

The second proposed answer, which I said is like the first still remains love. Harvard and all other great and phenomenal institutions are powered by love. I know a lot of reader may begin to wonder what I mean. Of course I would do same if I were in their shoes. After all, love is too abstract, in fact, too emotional to be that prominent in an analysis that should thrive on concrete evidence. Well, I propose to reassess that. In simple terms, let me choose four dynamic components of love and attempt to use them in giving shape to my argument. These are beauty, adoration, affection and friendship.

The spirit of excellence in Harvard exudes beauty and its splendor attracts and sustains all who encounter it.

The natural result is the provocation of adoration.

For every job well done, something indescribable wells up in us and we are overwhelmed by joy. It draws us to the object of beauty with warm fondness.

This is affection and for that reason we want a rather permanent or sustainable relationship. We propose friendship. This is what any well thought out; well-presented and excellent concept does to us. We join the exponents and defenders of such concepts. We insist that standards remain and from time to time, we know that the most obvious way to identify with such great traditions is to contribute to it.

Even when we are unable to contribute, we insist that

standards do not go down.

It is as if, all other traditions can be destroyed but not the one we admire. If it is destroyed, there is no other one to fall back on. This is why great concepts like Harvard will ever remain great.

I am currently at the English Institute in Harvard. I am told that the President of the Institution has generously funded the Institute for an unbroken period of 40 years or even over. This has enabled the Institute to attract the best thinkers in Theories and Practices in Language and Media. One could only imagine what that Institute has achieved over time, in relation to new concepts and theories in Humanistic Studies. This is made possible by the deliberate funding by the College President. The beauty, splendor and excellence of Harvard result from a combination of great ideas, commensurate funding and prudent management of funds. I am sure to be supported when I say that even when anybody has great ideas that will eliminate night or turn darkness to daylight or abolish death, and does not have the commensurate funding to bring the ideas to fruition, the ideas will become “stillbirth.”

Let me dream. I have a dream that soon, one institution in this country will grow to the status of Harvard. I have a dream that funding will come in more ways that the human mind can articulate for that institution. That the four hundred billion naira, set aside in a dedicated account for all public universities in Nigeria will be a fraction of such yet to come funding for this university. I have a dream that teaching, research and community development will improve in that university with sustained Quality Enhancement Programmes (QLP). I have a dream that a valley (no, not Silicon Valley); a mountain (no, not mount Holyoke), a lagoon (no, not Charles River) will emerge with tremendous explosion and a new phase of intellectual excellence will be birthed in this country and continent.

Atiku’s declaration last month was done within a more limited space at the Shehu Musa Yar‘Adua Centre.

Associates of Atiku said the former vice-president chose not to invite party officials and the general public as Buhari did in order not to compromise the party officials who are ordinarily supposed to be non partisan in the intra-party contest.

Which way Abia?

Pity the lot of Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State.

Whereas his fellow governors from the Southeast in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP have gone out to lead the party in their states to endorse consensus candidates for the party, Ochendo Global as the governor is popularly known is yet to make up his mind on how he would go.

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has led the PDP there to endorse Rep. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi while Governor Martins Elechi of Ebonyi was in the frontline in the endorsement of Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu as the consensus candidate for the state.

Ochendo Global has remained mum. It is not as if the governor is indifferent on the way to go, but the governor is said to be finding it difficult making up his mind on who to support between two of the frontline aspirants that have come out said to be close to him. Or could the governor be aiming to play a last card?

44—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014

Ezekwesili bares it all on Chibok girls, girl-child education, and Unity schools

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

B

The abduction of the Chibok girls has greatly affected girl-child education in the North-East. What do you think can be done to avoid such a tragedy in the future, and build the trust of the people in that region to send their children back to school?

A number of parents whose children are of school age say they are afraid that what happened to these children may happen to their own children. These Chibok parents were willing to release there girls to acquire education and see what happened to them. But when the Chibok girls have been missing for more than six months and nothing tangible has been done to recover them, it gives a very bad signal. It is important that we should bring back our Chibok girls because it would send the strongest signal to everybody that you don’t have to make a choice between safety and acquiring an education.

The number one thing is to get these girls back. It will send a good signal that human life means so much to us. It tells every girl child in Nigeria that if you go school, you can be protected. And that if something happens to you, there is a government that will get you back home. Also, in terms of the location of schools, we need to ensure that the schools in those areas are situated in such a way that safety is top priority. We need to ensure that such targets like school environC M Y K

Dr. Oby Ezekwesili

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efore the tragic kidnap of the Chibok girls and her consequent unrelenting campaign to ‘Bring back our girls’, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili was already a household name in Nigeria and abroad. One of the many controversial scenarios that come to the minds of many, especially as concerns the education sector, was her proposal to transfer the management of unity schools to private hands during her time as education minister in 2006. This reform, misunderstood by many, did not see the light of the day during her 10month stint as minister. But Ezekwesili believes it could have changed the system for good. Just like the return of the Chibok girls would inspire parents and children in North-East Nigeria to believe in education again. In an interview with Saturday School Life, SSL, Ezekwesili speaks on these and more.

One of the things I have learnt in terms of policy implementation is to ensure that the reforms are communicated in a way that would enable as many people to begin to see the benefits of that reform on all sides

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ments have safety measures to protect the girl child and the boys in school and as well as their teachers. We should not make that very terrible mistake of asking people to choose between being educated or being safe and alive.

What is your take on the education sector today?

The state of the education sector is still below my expectations. The challenges that were there which we tried to resolve with the multiple initiatives and reforms that were carried on over about ten months that I was minister have still not been implemented. I mean it was almost eight years ago that I was minister and at that time,

we declared a crisis situation in education, so imagine what the situation is today. Nigerian students’ performance in the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examinations, WASSCE, gets worse every year. We must improve everything that has to do with access to relevant and quality education because then the individual who is so given the capability to function in a modern economy would not just wait for the structural change of the economy in other for job opportunities to arrive, they would become the creators of the jobs themselves.

Before, during and after your time as minister, there have been attempts to bring in new policies. The challenge has however, been with the implementation of these policies. What can be done to ensure proper policy implementation in the sector?

One of the things I have learnt in terms of policy implementation is to ensure that the reforms are communicated in a way that would enable as many people to begin to see the benefits of that reform on all sides.

When you embark on a reform, some people think there are going to be losers and as a result, they will resist that reform.

When we tried to do the reform of the unity schools in this country, many people who did not understand that that reform was intended to make unity schools quality schools kicked against it. At the time I came in, officers in the Ministry of education were just keeping aside and perhaps selling admission to unity schools to people who could afford it.

We were trying to break-loose from that bureaucracy and bring in nonprofit earning partners like the old boys and girls associations, and other non-governmental organisations to have the autonomy to manage these schools with public

money but tied to performance. If that had been implemented, we would have gone back to the days of merit where the child of the rich and poor could get access to quality education even if they do not have connections.

Most of the resources for unity schools were being badly managed, and they weren’t getting to the schools appropriately. If you are not spending education budgets effectively what you are going to get is rat holes in form of schools. When people don’t fully understand a reform, they kick against it. But if you have enough time on your hands to convey the message, then people would become champions of the reform.

You are constantly berated on social media for your efforts in the campaign to see the kidnapped Chibok girls returned safely home.

What keeps you in the struggle?

If it been thirty-five years ago when I was just about getting out of secondary school that such a thing happened to me, where would I be?

And I just look at it and I say that only God knows what these girls are going through. That is why they need a voice, whether the people speaking out for them are ten or one million; the more the better for them.

We must stand and insist that these girls are brought back, safe and alive.

We do not know who these girls are going to be. They could be the ones that would solve our problems as a nation. So why should we give up on them. The voices of these girls have been taken; therefore we must become a voice for them. And we will be a voice. It comes at a price. I have been pelted with insults, I’ve been maligned, but it doesn’t matter, because nothing any of us is going through can be compared to the plight of those girls.

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014—45

O

n Wednesday, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Udaghan will be 60. He will be glorifying God on the day as he has usually done.

Uduaghan is Vanguard's Man Of The Year. Three other newspapers bestowed on him with same award. Nigerians also voted him Sports Governor of the year.

Saturday Vanguard didn't want Uduaghan to tell us his story, knowing that modesty would not allow him to unfold all about his personal life. We approached a man who knew him from when he ran his private clinic in Warri, a man who told us how Roli, Uduaghan, the governor's wife had a shot at politics before her husband. That man is Godwin Abigor, the Director of protocol in the Government House in Asaba. It is a story Abigor would like to tell as many times as possible. But this is the first time he is telling it. And it is his way of saying “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A TRANSFORMER AND A LOVELY FAMILY MAN.”

UDUAGHAN @ 60: from private clinic to Govt House

Read Godwin Toritseju Abigor HOW I MET DR. EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN

I have known Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan for a long time. I knew him when he was running his private clinic that was on a street off Giwa Amun Road in Warri.

That was about 1997. It was about this time that his wife, Roli, contested election for the chairmanship of Warri South Local Government under GDM. She contested against Dr. Joseph Atumara (now a commissioner in Uduaghan's government) of the DPN. I was also in the race for a counselor office under DPN. These were political parties in the military era when they made attempts to return Nigeria to democracy. But the attempts were not genuine. Utumara emerged chairman of the Local Government. Later, another chance came for democracy.

During the transition, we all became members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Chief James Ibori became governor of Delta State and Dr. Uduaghan became his commissioner for health. We became closer. There was need for us to relate on

The Uduaghan family

C M Y K

Gov Emmanuel Uduaghan regular basis. He lived in Warri and shuttled between Warri and Asaba. In 2002 when there was Local Government Election I was in the race for chairmanship of Warri South Local Government.

Just before the primaries, one of the party leaders moved to stop me from contesting. His reasons were personal. He brought his own candidate. There was crisis.

Uduaghan was already a commissioner and being from Warri South it fell on him to resolve the crisis. He did so and masterly too. He asked me to step down for the other candidate and offered me a place as his Special Assistant. His Special Assistant, SA, Dr. Chris Oghenachorvwen had just won election to represent Ugheli Udu Federal Constituency in the National Assembly and his office became vacant. Uduaghan offered me the place and asked me to step down. That was in 2002

and that was how we became closer. I want to say that it turned out to be a huge blessing. It was divine. I saw the local government chairmanship as what could launch me into serious party politics but you know that man proposes and god disposes. I took it with philosophical calmness and it has turned out to be a divine intervention for me.

After Ibori won his second term election, Uduaghan was appointed Secretary to the State Government. I continued as his SA and I continued in the same position when he became governor. I did that job until 2011 when I became Director of Protocol.

THE MAN UDUAGHAN

I can describe him in many ways. One, he is a very intelligent man. He is brilliant in many ways.

I think that God blessed him with intelligence. Two, he respects elders to a fault. It is one virtue I'm glad to have learned from him.

You will never, and I repeat, never find Uduaghan confronting an elder even when he is being victimised by the same elder. He has been bashed and accused falsely by a few elders but he would never challenge them or allow any of his aides to throw a vile at them the way other politicians would do. And in many cases, such elders ended up realising how they wronged him and retraced their steps.

Thirdly, he respects details. He is a detailed man. He wants to know the details of everything he is doing. You must spell everything out. You must brief him on the details of every project for a thorough evaluation before he can approve of it.

The fourth one is that he is a good listener. Listening, I believe, is a virtue. In Nigeria we are never

patient to listen to people and that's why we are not sensitive to people around us. Listening to people makes you understand their feelings. Uduaghan does that well and that has helped him in addressing many sensitive matters.

The fifth virtue I want to ascribe to him is that he is a consummate and brilliant administrator. His commissioners can attest to that.

Sometimes, he makes you look stupid if you lack details on an issue or project you are bringing to him. He knows virtually everything. He is a gifted man.

Sometimes, as Director of Protocol, he puts me to shame over some protocol matters. You may feel inadequate even in your area of specialty when some issues come up and you may begin to ask why he employed people in the first place.

Versatility is the word. In commerce, engineering, health, education, sports, name them, he is very versatile. He reads a lot and epitomises versatility. Being with him is good knowledge for anybody. By association and working for him, I have gained what I couldn't have acquired from any institution. He believes and serves God true to the word.

He is not a loud person. He has served Delta more than any other governor but he is not loud about it. I see him as a father of modern Delta. The results of his investment and planning in Delta will be manifesting many years after he would have gone. I see him as a general. When he was fraudulently disqualified after the screening in Porthacourt for governorship race, he kept the news from us and we continued our campaign. He is always calm in the face of crisis.

We didn't know about his disqualification and still went to Obiaruku for campaign. We went to Abuja and the disqualification was annulled and we went back to Obieruku and Agbor to complete our campaign. A general never panics. That's what I learned from that incident.

THE SPORTSMAN IN UDUAGHAN

First, he is a sportsman himself. He played tennis as a student and was once in a state camp. He still plays tennis and squash. He is a sports promoter and develops all sports. He follows sports and knows technicalities of many sports.

Sometimes, he amazes you with technical details of some sports like tennis, football, track and field, boxing etc. He invests in sports and that's why Delta is number one in sports in Nigeria.

Blessing Okagbare was almost giving up athletics after the London Olympics failure. The press and others did not help matters. But Uduaghan understands the psychology of sports and invited her to psyche her up. He gave her grants for training and engagement of a coach. We have seen the result of that. He is daily investing in sports as part of his human capital development. He knows about the physical and psychological aspects of preparing athletes and that's how he runs his administration.

Being an avid sportsman has helped him.

AS A FAMILY MAN

To Uduaghan, God comes first.

After God, his family is next. He devotes so much time to his family.

As governor he still attends Parents

Teachers Association, PTA, meetings. He visits his son during visiting days. He is a family man to the core and you can see some of these aspects in his children.

They are very respectful and Godfearing.

UDUAGHAN'S WIFE God blessed him with a prayer warrior as wife. Mrs Roli Uduaghan is a God-fearing no nonsense woman who is attracted to children. She loves them. I remember when we went for the graduation of the son. While serving food, she saw other children and invited them. She is easily excited at the sight of children. She left us and started serving the children. The passion she did that with was amazing and that's what she does with children every time. She epitomises motherhood.

CRITICS

Naturally, everybody cannot like you. If everybody likes you then something is wrong. You don't pretend about certain things. It is said that it is easier to wake a man asleep than to wake one who pretends to be asleep. Most of Uduaghan's critics are in the latter group. No matter what you do, there are people you will never please. They will never acknowledge what you are doing.

These are the Uduaghan critics.

That he is from the minority is even offensive to some people.

Some people believe that it is their birthright to govern and some of them find it offensive that somebody from the minority is governor. Uduaghan might have made some mistakes as he is human but generally, he has raised the bar in governance in Delta. Some people may not appreciate his giant strides because it not business as usual.

There are also those who have not gone to Delta but criticise from afar. There are tangible and intangible achievements. See the modern schools, the Asaba Airport, health facilities and programmes and you will appreciate the man the more.

Maternal healthcare if free, there's masters degree scholarship for all graduates with first class, there is a huge scholarship scheme in Delta.

These are some of the things people don't see. A hospital in Delta now does kidney transplant. Look at the development of infrastructure too. If we begin to name his achievements this interview will not end today.

BIRTHDAY MESSAGE

God is with him as his name, Emmanuel, testifies. I pray that God grants him long time. In spiritual sense, he is already prosperous. My prayer is for God to give us more Uduaghans.

If we have more people like him Nigeria will be a better place.

He is kind.

He is a transformer with the midas touch. The role he played in resolving the Delta crisis will remain indelible in our minds.

He is not a hardliner. He is a philanthropist, a humanist, a consummate administrator and a transparent servant leader. I will pray, as my birthday wish, that God continues to reserve with him all these virtues and add long life to them. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIR.

—Abigor spoke with

ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

46—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014

Buhari: Beyond a presidential declaration!

H

e may have run for Nigeria’s presidency in the past without success, but the massive turnout of people on the declaration of his intent to run for the same office on the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in 2015 on Wednesday may just be an indication that the former Head of Head, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari may get the shot right this time. Read the account of a seemingly historic declaration.

By Levinus Nwabughiogu The sight evoked a cacophony of joy and anger. It was completely unanticipated by many early risers who wanted a stress-free drive to their offices that morning. The day was Wednesday, and so, the week was still young.

The heavy presence of the security men ranging from police, down to soldiers, officials of Department of State security and further down to Nigerian Security and Civil Defense corps, NSCDC among others also told a story.

Meanwhile, central to these beehives was the presidential declaration of former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari who had chosen the day to go public with his presidential ambition. And so, described as the friend of the talakawas(commoners), the rich, poor, the blind, the lame, all wretched of the earth came out to either support him or catch a glimpse of what was happening. Though the sun was scorching, apparently no one felt it.

Eagle Square which was the venue of the event had been barricaded by security men.

It however peaked when the General made an entry in the arena, acknowledging cheers from an enthusiastic crowd while being driven round the place.

And you know he is a material you don’t have in the other party. If they say they have a material like this, they should show us somebody who is anticorruption like Buhari C M Y K

Flurry of Tribute Then the flurry of tribute on Buhari. From Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state to Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State.

Others included Governors Adams Oshiomhole, Edo and Tanko al-Makura of Nasarawa states.

Among senior party officials at the venue were the National Vice Chairman, Northeast, Pastor David Lawal and the National Secretary Mai Mala.

Senate Minority Leader and former governor of Benue State, Senator George Akume led the National Assembly delegation that included several senators and members of the House of Representatives. Also remarkable by their presence were the younger brother of late President Umaru Yar‘Adua, Col. Abdulaziz Yar‘Adua and a former member of the House of Representatives and immediate past board member of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Zilani Ibrahim.

Most of them had a chance to speak on the occasion.

We will fight with our life —Ameachi

Change is in the air. Do you agree? And I can tell you why I say that change is in the air. In the past when the progressives had this kind of gathering, you would not see too many Governors. Today, APC can boast of 14 Governors. There is change in the air. The governors in APC are determined to work

Gen. Muhammadu Buhari...presidential declaration

together for this change. In all our meetings, we insist that whoever emerges as the Party’s candidate, all of us will work to deliver APC. You know that our dear GMB is one of the aspirants.

And you know he is a material you don’t have in the other party. If they say they have a material like this, they should show us somebody who is anti-corruption like Buhari.

One person. So, APC provides an alternative for the country. We are tested and we will never disappoint Nigeria.

AIT just asked me a question now, what are you talking about Ebola and I said I hear PDP and Mr. President claiming the glory of having fought Ebola and I asked one simple question: Rivers State Government spent One Billion, One hundred and six million Naira to fight Ebola, but federal government brought two hundred million Niara just last week. If we had waited for N200m, Ebola would have spread round Rivers State.

I don’t know how much Lagos State spent but you know that the Governor was in charge, right? Apart from announcing the number of patients, what else did the federal government do for us? So, why did they politicise Ebola? And I have told Nigerians, see my own sanitiser, hold your own sanitizer because it is not over yet.

For us as APC, we will line up behind the party. Go back home now and get your voters cards. We will punish these people. Rivers state is not in their hands. Lagos state is not in their hands. Kano State is not in their hands. So, tell me where we are going? They are banking on using security against us. We shall teach them lesson. We will fight with our body, with our lives because there must be change this time.

And I have said it again and again, there is no aspirant in APC that is not better than the aspirants in PDP. What we must do is not only to vote for the aspirants in support, we must also take the voters card so that when we finish nominating our candidate here, we will line behind that candidate and ensure that we will vote out Jonathan.

If we see the money they are stealing, there will be light. Won’t there be light? Mr. President said to us on live television: I am the most abused president in 2012. He said by 2013, there will be so much power in Nigeria; that Nigeria will be dancing for me on the

street. Are you dancing? Do you have power?

Buhari is an asset to Nigeria and APC—Chief Audu Ogbe, former national chairman of PDP and APC chieftain Governor Ameachi, Senator Akume were discussing the crisis of the youth. We must find you jobs. We have to get you jobs. It is an oath before God Almighty, we must get you jobs.

Now, it is my burden and responsibility to tell you about this man called General Mohammed Buhari. I will be very brief but the story is long and you should know why it is Buhari.

People ask you, why him? I will tell you why.

He was born in 1941 in Katsina. He went to the military college in Zaria then went to England. He came back as a second lieutenant. And then began his career as a soldier. I did not say all the details but here is a man who has held such responsible positions that today we see he is a very solid asset to Nigeria and to this party.

They have described him in the following words: they said he was an only pebble in the beach. That was a comment by a white man who was in school with him. Another one went ahead describing Buhari as a gentleman, soft spoken soldier who persevered, preserved the ethics of the profession. He was always careful with his language. He will smile at every joke and will never do anything to rock the boat.

We are here and by the grace of God, muslims and Christians, we shall be here together. Because we believe and he does, that Almighty God is big enough to accommodate Muslims, Christians, Hindus even pagans.

God in His infinite mercy brought us together and our business is to work together for the growth of our country and the future of Nigeria.

Why Buhari? We are here because we know he is as cool as cucumber, as deep as the ocean, as quiet as a philosopher. He is not a noisy man. He is not brash. And is it because he has money? No. He saw money but did not take it. He had power but did not abuse it.

Why are we gathered? What is the mystery

Continues on page 47

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014—47

Continues from page 46 about General Buhari? Why does he turn out such a crowd each time he appears? Here is a man of unusual character and why does he want to contest now? Because there comes a time in the history of a country when extra ordinary man has to be called upon to meet extra ordinary circumstance. Nigeria is in serious trouble. Make no mistakes. There is terrorism in North East. There is corruption at a level no body has ever imagined in this country’s history and you all know. But everything is being covered in heavy propaganda. The man says elders can’t go to sleep when the house is on fire. So, he wants to come out, restore the place and move on. And I want to say that this party appreciates other contestants. We send our greetings to Atiku Abubakar. We send our greetings to Kwamkwaso. We send our greetings to Sam NdaIsaiah. Let each one of them have a chance.

We are practicing internal democracy at the finest point. And we want to say all of you who are here, we send our greetings of sympathy to the north east, to the governors there who are members of our party. May the Almighty God bring Boko Haram to an end. We send our greeting to the Chibok parents. We believe that one, they will be reunited to their children even though those children have seen a lot of trauma. We commend the Bringbackourgrils Movement led by members of this party. We thank them for their commitment to Nigeria because they remain the only living evidence that Nigeria has a conscience. We hear that the federal government wants to take them to court. Let the court room be large enough to accommodate all of us because they are doing the right thing.

Buhari not in the race for himself—Timipre Sylva, former Governor of Bayelsa State Buhari is not in this race for himself. He is in this race because of us, the younger people. We are very happy that he has decided to come out of retirement to help us stabilise this country so that you and I, the younger ones, can carry on with the development of this great nation. And people even say General Buhari is too old. To them, I will only quote the words of the former president of America, late President Ronald Regan. We are not going to make age an issue in this campaign because we do not want to be accused of taking advantage of the inexperience of our opponent. Gen. Buhari brings experience to this campaign. He brings integrity to this campaign. He brings transparency to this campaign and that is why all of us must join hands to support him to be the president for us because he is the man of the people today, he will be president of the people come February, 2015.

Senator Mamora There is a wind of change. The wind of change is blowing. Come 2015, we shall have APC government installed in Abuja. Can we go on with the insecurity in the country? Can we go on with youth unemployment in the country?

Can we go on with the subversion of the rule of law in the country? Can we go on with no power supply? Can we go on with economic degradation and deprivation? Therefore, we need that change and the time has come.

Everyone of us is involved and we have to work to achieve that success.

Senator George Akume As Governor Silva said, age is not a barrier. It is the idea that is important. Now, we have Boko Haram. No jobs. Is that what you want?

APC is a great party richly endowed with best human resources you can get anywhere in the world.

I will rescue Nigeria

Timipre Sylva

Rotimi Ameachi

Senator Mamora

We will fight with our life —Ameachi —Buhari Mounting the podium, Gen. Buhari while declaring said he would rescue the country.

Hear him: Mr Chairman, this is an occasion to celebrate our efforts and to resolve to continue until victory is won. I humbly wish to present myself before you, before all of Nigeria and before God seeking to be elected as APC’s Presidential candidate. Having appreciated that the only way to relieve Nigerians of the PDP, the main opposition parties decided to pool their strengths into one party. We have worked very hard in the last 18 months to put up structures from the polling units to wards, local governments, states and the centre.

We have tried to ensure all processes in our party formation to be transparent and credible. These structures will lead to free and fair polls. There is no point in holding elections if they are not free and fair.

Interference in the form of rigging which PDP Government has practised since 2003 is the worst form of injustice – denying people their right to express their opinions. Whether they like it or not, injustice cannot endure.

Since 1999 PDP has presided over our country’s decline. Nigeria in my experience has never been so divided, so polarized by an unthinking government hell bent on ruling and stealing forever whatever befalls the country. Mr Chairman, we in APC have resolved to stop them in their tracks and rescue Nigeria from the stranglehold of PDP. The last 16 years of PDP Government has witnessed decline in all critical sectors of life in Nigeria · There is now general insecurity in the land

was generating about 4,000 M/W of electricity. After 15 years and $20 billion spent we are generating between 3,000 – 4,000 M/W. No failure is more glaring than this.

We in APC have resolved to bring change to Nigeria. We plan to do things differently.

We plan to put priority on · Protection of lives and property. · Pursuing economic policies for shared prosperity and immediate attention on youth employment. · Quality education for development, modernity and social mobility. · Agricultural productivity for taking millions out of poverty and ensuring food security. · Reviving Industry to generate employment and “make things” not just to remain hawkers of other peoples’ goods. · Developing solid minerals exploitation which will substantially attract employment and revenue for government. · Restoring honour and integrity to public service by keeping the best and attracting the best. · Tackling corruption which has become blatant and widespread. The rest of the world looks at Nigeria as the home of corruption.

Nigeria is a country where stealing is not corruption. · Last, (but not the least or final) respecting the constitutional separation of powers between the executive, legislatures and judiciary and respecting the rights of citizens.

Mr Chairman, there, in outline, are some policy proposals about the direction APC should take when, by the grace of God, we are given the responsibility of serving Nigeria in Government.”

Quite apart from Boko Haram, there is prevalence of Armed Robbery, kidnappings and killings, cattle rustling, market and farmland arson.

These outrages have taken a new and a frightening dimension, disrupting economic and social life across whole communities.

Buhari picks nomination form

· The economy continues to deteriorate while the Government continues to announce fantastic growth figures but manufacturing is down, agriculture is down, commerce is down Simply because you sell oil and steal part of the money does not entitle you to cook up figures and announce phantom economic growth when all the major indices namely, · Employment · Manufacturing · Farming · Trading are demonstrably on the decline. · When PDP came to power in 1999 Nigeria

At the last count, there are only two presidential aspirants on the platform of APC: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Buhari.

Though the party is looking forward to conducting a primary election to eventually select its candidate, the pendulum at the moment swings in Buhari’s direction. Should he win, the implication is that he would face President Goodluck Jonathan who is seemingly going to be the candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic party, PDP. Both met in 2011 election. But Buhari lost with 12 million votes. Will this happen again in 2015? The titanic battle is just some months away.

To lend some credence to his declaration of emancipating the country, Buhari, on Friday, picked the APC presidential nomination form.

Last line:

Mounting the podium, Gen. Buhari while declaring said he would rescue the country.

Hear him: Mr Chairman, this is an occasion to celebrate our efforts and to resolve to continue until victory is won. I humbly wish to present myself before you, before all of Nigeria and before God seeking to be elected as APC’s Presidential candidate

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48—SA TURD AY 48—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard , OCTOBER 18 18, 2014

Odion...Oshiomhole will continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people

EDO VIOLENCE:

Odion accuses PDP *Vows PDP will fall again in Edo

SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY Mr Louis Odion is the Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation. In this interview with Saturday Vanguard, he gave insight on the $1billion Azura-Edo Independent Power Project which ground breaking stone was done by President Goodluck Jonathan last Friday in Edo state. He also spoke on the last Saturday invasion of the quarters of the Edo State House of Assembly and the preparedness of the Governor Adams Oshiomhole led government in the state to inflict defeat once again on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state come 2015.

Excerpts:

Our legislative quarters is barely two minutes’ drive from the police Command but while that anarchy reigned, while those thugs unleashed mayhem at the legislative quarters we were surprised that the police did not show up

Last weekend, President Goodluck Jonathan visited the state for the ground breaking ceremony of the Azura-Edo Independent Power Plant. What does the Plant bring Edo State?

As the name indicates, it is purely a joint venture between Azura and the Edo state government. I think what the project simply illustrates is the growing confidence of investors in our economy. You recall that when the Comrade governor took over in 2008, the state was in a prostrate condition, all our infrastructure were down and he realized that the only way to grow the economy was by building solid infrastructure which would attract investors. For us it is a testimony to the fact that our investment along that line is yielding fruit.

There were some skirmishes at the Benin Airport before the arrival of the President. What actually happened?

When it was announced that the ground breaking would take place on Friday, we saw it as a celebration of our modest effort to help grow the economy.

We did not see it as something to politicize. For that reason we went out to receive the President, not on a partisan basis but as the President of Nigeria and we had invited our people to be part of the celebration.

We never knew that the PDP had other motives. You recall that on that day, I don’t think the APC did any banner or leaflet whatsoever. We were quite shocked that that morning the PDP came there with thugs. In fact, they took over the entire Airport and they started molesting our people. Of course, we knew their game plan. In the last few months they have been frustrated in the sense that they had always wanted to plunge the state into chaos. You will recall that sometime in May when some of our members felt disgruntled by the outcome of the party’s congress, they opted to defect to the PDP. They thought that would offer them an opportunity to cause some destabilization in the state. With the help of their god fathers in Abuja, they embarked on procurement of lawmakers in the House of Assem-

bly with a view to securing the majority through the back door, hoping that that will enable them to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor. Of course, that has failed so far. Some of their members were suspended after due process from the Assembly. And daily, some of them gather around Ring Road and they continue to amuse themselves and their paymasters in Abuja. They do all these things to distract the government but they are increasingly frustrated because they found out that we refused to be provoked. Because the strategy was that if you don’t succeed in distracting the governor, if you don’t succeed with the impeachment gambit, then you try and create chaos in the state. And they realized that that has not paid off, so they are frustrated.

thing with the senate and House of Representatives. He failed to deliver his locality. And when you talk about Ikimi with due respect, he may have emerged as a successful architect, you may also concede to him of having emerged as National chairman of NRC at some point. But ask yourself, what process produced him? He was aided by the military to emerge. I was a reporter then, Ikimi was not the favourite candidate, he was helped by Admiral Aikhomu, his kinsman. He was there as NRC Chairman for two years before IBB removed him. He may be known outside here but when you come to his locality it is a different ball game.

And when you talk of Ize-Iyamu, he has been an influential player in this environment particularly in the last few years. Under Lucky Igbinedion government, some say he was the defacto governor because his principal then was mostly not around.

So, he, as the SSG, was the defacto governor. He was the clearing officer. And today when we look back we point at that era as a lost decade in Edo history in terms of development. He was a central figure in that office. It is a different thing when you are an SSG and you have the fortune to dispense patronage of government resources to supporters.

It is a different thing for you to be truly influential in terms of bringing votes. He has always been a perennial candidate. Shortly after Lucky Igbinedion left office, he wanted to be the PDP candidate.

That was the genesis of his quarrel with Chief Anenih because Anenih believed that the power should go to Edo Central. When Oshiomhoe came, they queued behind Oshiomhole and because Oshiomhole performed, people like him began to have the effrontery to rear their heads on the streets.

These are guys who took cover under Oshiomhole. People now began to tolerate them. And over the years, they began to have the audacity to rear their heads as leaders. I think the first time he would directly have the opportunity to test his popularity, he failed. He was defeated and when he lost out he decamped. So when you now ascribe so much weight to them, with due respect, I don’t think that is the correct reading. And I don’t think they are in any position to alter the electoral arithmetic in Edo state.

Illegal deduction of state allocations It is very very critical. At no point in our history has a country been this misgoverned.

When I say misgoverned I am speaking as a journalist of more than 25 years’ experience, at no time in our history have our finances been this mismanaged. In the last four, five years, at no time has oil sold for less than hundred dollars. For the current fiscal year, the benchmark for crude oil is 77.5 dollars meaning that you based the budget based on 77.5dollars. Meanwhile, oil has been selling at over hundred dollars meaning that now we should be having what we refer to as oil windfall. The type we had in 1973 that led to massive spending when you had the Udoji award.

Oil boom that led to the construction of the third Saturday Assembly quarter mayhem mainland bridge in Lagos, the Ajaokuta steel. But That precisely was what unravelled on Saturday. unfortunately, under PDP watch, we had oil boom They were disappointed that we did not fight back in the last six years but today we have nothing to at the Airport, then the following day they brought show for it. Increasingly the states are being thugs to attack the Assembly quarters. And what is pauperized and to add salt to the wound, they have curious is that the police were told about the divided governors Forum, the governors no longer impending attack but they did not lift a finger. On speak with one voice. They did that by promoting the contrary they reduced security formation minority over majority, so the governors can no around the legislative quarters. By the time they longer speak with one voice and they are all came in their hundreds with heavy arms, they suffering in silence. For last month for instance, we started shooting. Our legislative quarters is barely suffered more than N1billion shortfall which two minutes’ drive from the police Command but represents more than 25 per cent of what we earn while that anarchy reigned, while those thugs from Abuja. So the situation is deepening poverty unleashed mayhem at the legislative quarters we and it is simply inexplicable. We are told oil theft were surprised that the police did takes place. Then you ask yourself not show up. The police only came what ever happens to our military, after the governor had paid on the what happens to our Navy, how spot assessment of the scene. It is come you are paying billions of the part of the agenda of violence naira to former militants. Just that is being plotted in Abuja with a when we are paying billions to view to grounding the government them the incident of oil theft kept in Edo state. But we remain increasing. It has never happened. focused and Oshiomhole will Now you have a situation whereby continue to deliver the dividends of states find it difficult to meet their democracy to the people of Edo obligations. You recall that two state. weeks ago Governor Amaechi came out and publicly declare that Ikimi, Ize-Iyamu exit from the 25 billion that Rivers I believe the media some times State use to collect in past, what Oshiomhole over rate some of these people. I they received last we N12billion. speak as a journalist, not as a In Edo state we have been politician. When you talk about the fortunate because we have a so called defectors and their political weight, I governor who is prudent, we are very low profile in want to invite you to subject them to some empiriour expenditure and that is why so far we are still cal examination. When you talk about Tom Ikimi able to keep afloat. But that is not to say that we as a political heavy weight, you will ask yourself are in the position to do everything that we what did he bring to the table in the last two promised and honestly the future does not look elections? As I speak to you the Igueben Local promising. We have little or nothing to show for Government where he comes from, the House of our wealth as a nation.

Assembly there is represented by PDP, the same

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014—49

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50—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014

Mayhem: Edo PDP fishing in troubled waters

BY DAN OWEGIE

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t all started with the al leged attack on Hon Rasaq Momoh who repre sents his constituency at the Edo State House of Assembly by some yet- to- be identified persons when he scaled the fence of the Edo State Legislative Quarters at an unholy hour of the night. Expectedly, the tongue of Edo State People’s Democratic Party Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih went hay wire to accuse the Edo State Governor who was host to visiting President Goodluck Jonathan. He and his PDP equally accused the Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly of being responsible for the attack on Razaq Momoh.

Most Edo people who watched all sorts of video footages on the incident condemned the attempt by the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State to politicise the fate of the lawmaker.

Most people have continued to condemn the unwarranted dragging of the name of, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole into what he knows nothing about.

Dan Orbih in share desperation to add more pepper to injury told Edo people on live television and radio interviews that the Comrade Governor had acquired some $150million financial war chest to unleash may-

hem on PDP faithful in Edo land.

What a wicked way to cover up the internal conflict in the PDP and assassinate the character of an innocent and innocuous governor! Orbih should take a next bold step now to tell the public the source of the said $150million. The onus of proof lies on the accuser. Which bank is the money kept?

When the news of the fate of Momoh broke out, his aides and PDP gave the public an impression that Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Philip Shuaibu led fifty thugs to attack him! It was not true.

All of these media propaganda by the PDP were targeted at misinforming unsuspecting members of the public and in the same vain, curry public sentiments unduly. The PDP owned private radio station in Benin was running all sorts of funny analyses and giving false messages. The question to ask Orbih and PDP is: how can fifty people attack one man with guns, axes, knives and other dangerous weapons yet, the man is alive to tell the story?

Edo people cannot be fooled by the PDP goons who are desperate for power at all cost and the truth must be told. People must not play politics with human lives. Momoh’s aide who told the whole world that Majority Leader led over 50 people to attack

his Oga also said some masked men had invaded Momoh’s home that evening and met the wife and threatened to return for the husband. In an era of telephony, why would the wife not call the husband and tell him her experience assuming the story is anything to go by if only to stop him from coming back home that night? How can masked

Razaq Momoh was doing at the Legislators’ Quarters at about 11:00pm when he has been ejected from the place. It is curious that Momoh, a supposed “honourable” member had to jump the fence to gain entry to the quarters, because the gates had been locked. Nigerian should ask his motive that hour.

It will be recalled that as a

The tongue of Edo State People’s Democratic Party Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih went hay wire to accuse the Edo State Governor who was host to visiting President Goodluck Jonathan people who came to Momoh’s home now become 50 unmasked people led by Hon. Philip Shuaibu. The account of his aides and the spineless PDP just do not add up. They are just manufactured to cover up PDP clandestine move to eliminate those they consider threats to their agendas ahead of upcoming elections within their party.

One must strongly urge Momoh’s family and friends to look inwards.

The public should inquire what

member of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, Momoh was arrested by a team of Operation Thunderstorm in April, 2013 for unlawful possession of firearms during the local government elections in the state.

As a member of the ruling party, the governor insisted that the full weight of the law must be brought to bear on the offender and he was duly charged to court, a case which is still pending in court. If anything, Momoh’s annoyance was the refus-

al of Governor Oshiomhole to protect him from prosecution which precipitated his cross-carpeting to the PDP. It is also on record that at the beginning of the crisis at the Edo State House of Assembly the nine Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers, which include Razaq Momoh engaged the services of the two dismissed staff of the state House of Assembly Service Commission (EDHASC) as the Sergeant-at-Arms and Clerk of the assembly respectively. The nine PDP lawmakers who broke into the hallowed chambers of the assembly complex at the Ring Road to hold their sittings, hired the two dismissed staff and to pose as the Sergeant-at-Arms and Clerk of their fake assembly respectively.

The identification of the dismissed staff was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of EDHASC, Emmanuel Oronsaye, in Benin City, the state capital at the commencement of PDP mayhem in the House.

Oronsaye, gave the particulars of the dismissal letters of the officers as P.C.944/78 and P.C. 372/ 83, and said the officers were dismissed in December 20, 2010, and February 16, 2011, respectively for certificate forgery. This was long before any misunderstanding in the House. Is that the party that want to take over power in Edo State? God forbid.

Lagos 2015: The cap fits Senator Solomon

BY ENIOLA OLAKUNRI

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he major contenders for t he 2015 governors h i p race in Lagos State from the two prominent parties – APC and PDP are known to the politically astute among us. However, my take today is to stir the interest of the Lagos residents and all progressives in taking more than a passing glance at the candidature of Senator Ganiyu Olarewaju Solomon (GOS) of the APC. My summation stems from observing the man in the past three and a half decades.

GOS grew up in a household full of laughter but the passion of his father, a consummate politician, to constantly cater to the needy, opened his eyes early on to appreciate the sufferings of others.

Even though he had a privileged background, the Solomon household was open to all and sundry. There was usually a constant stream of people either coming in or going out of that one storey building located on Anipele Street, Mushin, Lagos. I saw the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in that house many times addressing groups.

I know that GOS has a gentle mien and is unassuming.

However, underneath all that visible calmness lies a brilliant mind and a steely resolve to see things through to their logical concusion. He subjects issues to critical analysis and apprais-

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al and, after coming to a decision or conclusion, he presents his position on any matter, and to anybody who cares to listen, in the most gentle manner. To me, this is wisdom on marble; literally giving vent and life to the real meaning of his name-Solomon - who has always been judged to be the

comes clear to me why our Maker stresses the need for one to be humble. Indeed GOD promotes the humble and Solomon falls into the category of the three most humble people I have ever come across..The first one was my father-in-law, the late Babatunde Ibironke(SAN) and Pastor E A Adeboye,

Solomon has donated items worth hundreds of millions to Lagosians (not limited only to his Lagos Senatorial Zone) over the years in order to put smiles on the faces of people wisest king that ever lived.

He never forgets his childhood friends, never looks down on anyone and he relates very well with all, not minding the fact that not all are as successful as he is. He earned the appellation. ‘Financial Wizard’, as far back as 1979 due to his readiness to always underwrite the bills of his friends,peers and people generally in need...ensuring that their problems were solved. Little did we know he would be following the steps and generous spirit of his father, Alhaji R I Solomon of blessed memory(a former Lagos State Vice Chairman of the erstwhile Unity Party of Nigeria) into murky waters of Nigerian Politics. Now it be-

the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of GOD. No wonder the three gentlemen rose to the top in their various fields.

Let me veer into another important route to shed some light on the character of the person seeking to serve (and not occupy) the highest office in Lagos due to my background as a banker.

In banking, if all elements supporting the quest of a client seeking a facility are in place but the character of the fellow is called to question, the request should be denied because banks hold depositors’ funds in trust and society expects them to do all they can to secure that trust. In the same

vein, a candidate can reel off so many reasons why he’s qualified to run for an elective office but if such a person’s character is flawed or is perceived as someone who is given to arrogance and cannot be trusted with power, his/her electability becomes a matter of conjecture.

Solomon has donated items worth hundreds of millions to Lagosians (not limited only to his Lagos Senatorial Zone) over the years in order to put smiles on the faces of people. He also instituted a financial empowerment package to aid the elderly , men, women, the youth and scholarship for indigent students.

“At one of the occasions where these items were being distributed in their thousands, he had this to say, “I am of the firm belief that the holders of political offices hold a position of trust and must therefore fulfill the people’s aspirations.

In the course of my campaigns and interactions with our people, I made promises and I am determined within the limits of my resources to fulfill them. It is pursuance of this that I have instituted various programmes aimed at empowering our people. Some of these include Youth/ Women Empowerment, Poverty Alleviation, Education, Power, Health and so on......In order to ensure that these programmes continue and outlive me, they are being carried out under the GOS (Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon) Foundation which I established years ago.”

The GOS Foundation has been active in the area of skill acquisition for youths, the art of tie and dye for women, renovation of the Juvenile Home at Alakara, provision of boreholes (dotting his constituency), repair of pedestrian bridge at Onipanu to mention a few.

I can go on and on about Solomon’s vision and ingrained candour for qualitative service to society but suffice it to say that his humanity, pedigree, political clout, exceptional charater, outstanding experience laced with humility and ‘can do’ spirit is a rarity that stands him shoulder above those jostling for the seat at Alausa with him.

One flaw I see in him is his inherent ability to trust people easily. Even when he knows he has been betrayed, he still manages to see the good in such people.

He forgives easily and harbours no grudges. He does not subscribe to the ‘ winners take all’ mentality and is always carrying people along.

Solomon is not perfect but even in his imperfection, he thrives on providing succour to the poor and the needy, a lifetime legacy of service to mankind straight from Solomonic household! * Olakunri is a Director of Oats Global Energy , a power firm based in Abuja.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, OCTOBER 18, 2014—51

Glo empo wer omorro w with empow erss leader leaderss of ttomorro omorrow Glo Mobile TTut ut or de vice utor device giant stride since it joined the telecoms competition in Nigeria has refused to relent its efforts in terms of innovation, equipping Nigerians of all categories with benefiting products, tools and job creation, empowering SMEs in the country.

Considering the fact that quality of education affects quality of leadership and economic performance, the management of Globacom Limited, has launched another innovative device, Glo Mobile Tutor, specially designed to provide instant knowledge and prepare Junior and Senior secondary students for examinations.

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Nigerian children approaching learning with mobile devices

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nnovation is a tool that brings changes and growth to every aspect of human race and if it’s embraced socially, academically, economically etc. development becomes the order of the day.

This is one of the secrets of the fast growing Asia economies trying to compete big economies of the world that started before them. China in particular is soaring higher in innovation.

Think about the state of Nitel before 1999 when Obasanjo emerged as civilian president of Nigeria how Nigerians spent all day at Nitel offices trying to fix one line or the other, settling Nitel bills and all sort of challenges that had affected business operations tremendously and as a result many businesses went underground. Kudos to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who initiated a change and brought innovation into telecommunication in this country. Today, the story has changed. Nigerians can transact more business, reach out to families, relations, friends and well-wishers at

a cheaper rates with distance not being a barrier with Glo innovations available at your doorstep. That is innovation for you.

It boosts business operations and encourages global competitiveness. Even though it carries some ripples but the benefits are more.

Again, our teenagers never knew their parents started school carrying black slates and white chalks. But as time went on, through innovation, the comfort that pen, pencil, and paper brought easily condemned the slates to the antediluvian period. I was lucky to witness the transition from slate to paper and therefore welcome the “better life”whole heartedly, as did everybody else. In the same manner, many teenagers today will find it hard to believe that their kids will go to school with Tablet PCs, the same way they found it hard to imagine their parents in school knickers bulging with chalks, and using the back of their palm to wipe their slates whenever their teacher introduced another subject.

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ack to the terrain of telecommuni-cation and also considering the needs and beauty of innovation to human race, an indigenous telecom giant, Globacom, in its

ccording to the Sales Director, Glo 1 Enterprise, Bolanle Ogundogba: “Globacom is committed to the development and education of the Nigerian child. The Glo Mobile Tutor provides instant knowledge and puts the power of education within the reach of every child in all the 774 local government areas of Nigeria.”

She explained that “Glo, having realized the relatively low literacy rate in Nigeria and Africa, due to deficits in educational infrastructure and insufficient manpower needed to impart knowledge, found the need to introduce this service with the application and contents provided by Roducate.”

“The innovation is loaded with both West African and British Curricula and has been endorsed by the relevant educational bodies such as the The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), the National Educational Research Development Council (NERDC) and Federal Ministry of Communication Technology.”

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gundogba assured Nigerians of Globacom’s continued support for education because of its belief that

good educa-tion makes a great nation and encourages parents and guardians to avail their children and wards of this laudable techno-logy with its pocket-friendly tariffs and rates.

“What we are witnessing here today is the continuation of an enduring and sustainable strategy by Globacom to support the educational system in Nigeria and Africa and to improve the academic performance of our dear children. True greatness lies in the education of all.”

“We are doing this across the continent as we build the best and biggest global telecommunication brand focused on supporting our people with a reliable platform that will enable them to reach their fullest potentials.”

“We also wish to encourage parents and guardians to avail their children and wards of this laudable technology that would enhance their

academic ability, and ultimately, an enlightened society. They can subscribe to Glo Mobile Tutor service at pocketfriendly tariffs and rates designed to give back to our valued subscribers.”

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n the same vein, Chairman, Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, Segun Raheem said, “we are phasing out paper work; this application will help our students study on the go”.

The Glo Mobile Tutor is one of the many innovations that Globacom has introduced as part of its commitment to better the lives of Nigerians. The plan is open to both new and existing subscribers.

Further more, Glo has launched an academy called Glo Academy and the Mobile tutor is part of the campaign to improve standard of education in Nigeria because we believe that good education makes a great nation.

Security at P or Por ortt Harcour por Harcourtt Air Airpor portt is water tight —Okoye

By LAWANI MIKAIRU he South-South/ T South-East regional General Manager, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mrs Ebele Okoye, has assured passengers that the Port Harcourt international airport has adequate security contrary to belief that the airport has porous security. This is coming just as she affirmed that the remodeling of the airport will be completed soon.

In a chat with some aviation reporters in her office in Port Harcourt , Okoye said the popular perception that the airport security is porous is wrong, explaining that in recent time drastic measures have been taken to ensure that lives and properties “ within this terminal are totally safeguarded.”

“At the moment we have CCTV cameras monitoring all the parts of this airport. We also have a 24 hour disguised surveillance team made of military personnel patrolling every nook and cranny of the airport,” she said.

On remodeling of the airport, she said hopes are high that both the local and international wings of the

airport will be fully completed in earnest, adding that funds have been made available to the contractor on the local wing to resume work, while work is upbeat at the international wing.

The remodeling of the airport which commenced in early 2012 has been slowed by several factors including lack of funds to the contractor, Inter-BAU Construction Limited, and the most recent cabinet reshuffle affecting the former Minister of Aviation.

“What we aim to deliver here is a one stop convenience facility never before seen in Nigeria. The airport will boast of retail outlets, offices, banks, eateries, bureau de change and hotels within the premises,” Okoye said.

She also revealed that construction of the international wing is nearing 20 per cent and should be delivered by 2016. According to her, despite its current clumsy state the airport has continued to attract more airlines and this, she explained would be the trend once facilities at the airport are fully delivered.

Nigerian health sect or needs public, priv at e sect or s’collaboration—Ok ubuo —Okubuo ubuoyyejo sector privat ate sector ors’collaboration

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anaging Director, Premium Health, th Ladi Okubuoyejo, at the 9 annual general meeting in Lagos said, for health sector to achieve desired results and receive more strengthening in the country, there is a need for public and private collaboration. This is coming on the heels of success recorded from the partnership between the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the HMOs in the provision of quality and affordable health services to Nigerians.

According to him, government need to strengthen the collaboration between

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public and private sectors. We can see example of that in the operation of the NHIS, a regulatory body partnered with the private sector in order to be able to deliver its goods and services to the Nigerian people. And this has worked very well. A lot of the HMOs are partnering with NHIS to provide health insurance cover for Nigerians,”he said.

He further added that, there is need for privatisation of the teaching hospital facilities for improved health services delivery in the country, insisting that privatising teaching hospitals will improve their services because when they privatise they will be forced to

improve their services because they will be self-sustaining. That is the kind of thing required to move the health sector forward.

In addition, Okubuoyejo said,with this you will see an improved healthcare facilities.

During discussion, he told the shareholders that the organisation has been accredited as a national HMO, saying that with this in place, opportunities are now available for it to sign agreements with all states in the federation as the Federal Government plans to roll out the

Universal Healthcare Coverage Scheme for primary school children all over the federation before the end of the year. About 24 million children are expected to be covered by this scheme.

C o m m e n t i n g , Okubuoyejo said Premium Health poised to take full advantage of the Lagos State Health Bill, which will see an industry boom in HMO requirements.

“Thus, the organisation is

preparing itself with a reenergised focus on strengthening its brand through collaborations and partnership. In partcular, our work as a multinational provider of health insurance cover and health management schemes means we are proud to announce the launch of our new clinic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which sees a continued growth in our international operation,” he concluded.

52 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2014

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Vanguard , OCTOBER 18 18, 2014—53

1,266 Lagos public schools get solar powered electricity soon — Fashola L

Wrecked ship off Nigeria's coastline

NPA embarks on removal of shipwrecks on Lagos creeks STORIES BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI Nigeria Port Authority, NPA, in Lagos has commenced immediate removal of various ship wrecks around the creeks of the state, aimed at enhancing growth of shipping operations in the State.

The removal exercise was at the instance of the Federal Government which had given NPA the approval, not only to dredge and maintain the sea ways, but also ensure that it further encourage continuous visitation of more West African Maximum, WAFMAX, vessel categories from the Mearsk Line and the Saf Marine groups.

Also, Lagos Channel Management, LCM, incharge of the exercise has intensified efforts to complete the removal of a critical wreck around the Badagry Creek.

NPA Managing Director, Malam Habib Abdullahi said the removal efforts which is presently at 70 per cent completion, according to informed sources, would enable bigger vessels the opportunity to turn, or reverse and set sail, departing Lagos, after their cargo discharge.

It was further gathered that Jonathan’s administration took the decision so as to deny the neighbouring ports, especially the Port of Cote d’Ivoire, which had surprisingly taken the west coast by a storm, in its forceful approach to emerge as the natural hub for the sub-region.

According to a source, a new set of dangerous wrecks, numbering about 19, including a barge that sank with substantial load of cement bags, were slated for removal.

Their removal, it was gathered is to consolidate the success and gains of the 24 critical wrecks earlier removed.

Speaking on the gains of the on-going wrecks removal, a maritime expert, Mr. Emmanuel Adeagbo, said he was glad on the development, saying, it was a true testimony of government’s genuine commitment to the development of shipping operations in Nigeria.

“This demonstrates the reality of the current government’s true commitment to the development and growth of shipping operations in Nigeria”, he said.

He therefore, commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his vision for the maritime sub sector.

According to International Trade Monitor, industry operators believe that if the on-going success was sustained,

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Nigeria would not only enjoy rising profile from the international community as a serious maritime country, the freight might soon also begin to decrease, with its positive multiplier effects on importer and the final consumers.

LASG on shipwrecks It will be recalled that Lagos State Government following assessment on the development said it would require about N25 billion to effectively remove over 200 abandoned ship wrecks and abandoned vessels along the state coastline and waterways.

The State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Prince Adesegun Oniru, lamented that wrecked ships, pose serious danger to navigation on the water ways as well as the health of residents because of the toxic nature arising from the decay of the wreckage.

According to him: “There are over 200 shipwrecks and abandoned vessels currently lying on the State’s coastline including lagoons,” adding that the vessels were responsible for some of the environmental issues, especially degradation of the coastlines. “There are also security concerns as these wrecks can serve as hideouts for hoodlums to carry out their nefarious activities.”

The commissioner stressed: “The removals of these shipwrecks and abandoned vessels lying on our coastline and waterways are not a small task and it will cost nothing less than N25 billion to effectively remove the wrecks from the state’s coastline,” adding that it was not the responsibility of the state government to cough out the required amount, that efforts to get the federal government to aid the protection of coastlines had yielded little or no result.

Oniru, however, revealed that government was considering a law aimed at finding and prosecuting owners of abandoned vessels on its coastline.

“Our Ministry is working with the Ministry of Justice to put legislation together. You cannot anchor a vessel out in the Atlantic and whenever there is a strong wind or surge and the anchor snaps and it’s at the mercy of the Atlantic, then they leave it there and disappear, when the legislation is put together, it would be a thing of the past.

agos is estimated to need up to 20,000 Megawatts, MW, of electricity for its over 20 million people, but only an average of 1,000 MW is delivered to the State from the national grid.

According to records, the state has 906 primary schools with 859,456 pupils as well as 360 secondary schools with 633,247 students.

The thrust of the government educational policy is the provision of qualitative education and the pursuit of academic excellence.

Therefore, as part of efforts to enhance academic excellence, the State government has concluded plans for the installation of solar power across all the public schools.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, disclosed this at the formal commissioning of the Lagos Energy Academy last Wednesday, aimed at producing energy professionals even as he inducted first batch of its students.

Speaking at the academy, situated at the State Electricity Board, Works Yard Road, GRA, Ikeja, after the commissioning Fashola said, “Solar energy installations are going to be installed in all the public schools in the State.

“Very soon you would see this installed in all our schools in Lagos, so we are taking the schools off regular generators, carbon energy.

“All public schools buildings would have solar panels on top of them, that is where the energy is going to come from and it would also have charging points for students who need to charge their IPADS. So this is a foundation for moving our schools finally to electronic and e-learning because there would be regular and uninterrupted power,” he added.”

54—SATURDAY VANGUARD, OCTOBER18, 2014

Having won the Nations Cup for the first time as a player in Tunisia 1994, Keshi captained the first Nigerian side to qualify to play at the FIFA World Cup in USA 1994, where the Eagles reached the second round, losing to Italy in dramatic fashion

KESHI: How the fate of the untouchable coach was sealed ...His hero to zero story

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

tinker the Eagles to Nations Cup glory in South Africa, after a 19-year long wait for the trophy. His exploits were HIS is not an epitaph. But it well celebrated by Nigerians, who can be called a post-motem of hailed him as a true African hero.

His stature became larger. He was the rise and fall of Stephen Keshi, the first Nigerian to lead the Super adequately rewarded for this feat, Eagles to Africa Cup of Nations landing lucrative endorsement glory, who was on Thursday deals from top national, morning, officially relieved of his continental and international duties as Super Eagles Manager brands. For his fans, he was by the Nigeria Football getting his due reward for his serving painstaking sacrifice Federation.

Appointed on Nov 2, 2011, for motherland.

Once a player for New Keshi took over the reins of power from Samson Siasia, who was Nigerian Bank, before sacked following Eagles failure to going to Ivory Coast, then qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of to Europe, Keshi was the Nations, jointly hosted by true product of the Nigerian system. He was Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Siasia was appointed Eagles a true national hero.

Having won the Nations coach on Nov 4, 2010 and was loved by fans because of his good Cup for the first time as a record when he handled the player in Tunisia 1994, Flying Eagles in 2005 and the Keshi captained the first Nigerian side to qualify to Olympic Eagles in 2008.

Siasia had everything going for play at the FIFA World him until that ill-fated match 2012 Cup in USA 1994, where AFCON qualifying match against the Eagles reached the Angola in Nigeria, which ended second round, losing to in a draw and with it ended our Italy in dramatic fashion.

So he was truly hopes of qualifying for the grounded with the tournament.

His error was that he refused to Nigerian system and invite Vincent Enyeama for the adequately profited from game because of indiscipline, it. But somehow and preferring in his place Dele somewhere along the Aiyenugba, who however failed line, he started drifting, which to repay Siasia’s belief in him by ultimately led to his ouster this conceding against the Angolans. week.

According to close watchers of That error was deemed too costly by the NFF, who terminated Nigerian football, Keshi’s seeming fall Siasia’s contract and in his place from grace started long before the World came in Keshi, who was Cup in Brazil. Some feel that his AFON mandated to qualify the Eagles exploits in South Africa got his head for the 2013 AFCON in South swollen to the point of self-destruction.

Speaking to Saturday Vanguard Africa and 2014 FIFA World Cup Sports, a member of the past Executive in Brazil.

Like a true go-getter, Keshi did Committee led by Aminu Maigari said not drop any sweat in delivering that “Keshi changed after he won the both targets, even going far to 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. He started looking down S H I N A B A A N Y I M on the NFF, telling people A G K L A R A A that he made S I R E N N D A N U S A the victory possible.

L R F O E H D G “But that is far from the N J E Z E O B A S E K I truth because O O A N K A R L the NFF also played a big I L L E L A T A I W A N role in making the team R L O E W E A E succeed. But B R E D A B I N T U B E Keshi wanted to take all the E L B I O W Z N glory. He made us to look bad P R A I A N A I R O B I in the eyes of N D A Y K H Z A the public but posterity will H A D J I I F E D O R E always judge”,

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said the source, who added that the NFF at that time was ready to sack Keshi before the World Cup in Brazil but were mindful of the backlash they would get from Nigerians, who saw the former Togo and Mali coach as a small god.

Despite poor results at the World Cup, Maigari’s board still hesitated in easing out Keshi because of the perceived interest of the Sports Minister and Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tamuno Danagogo in the retention of Keshi. Danagogo was even reported to have told the NFF to respect Keshi by giving him a new contract, thereby, seemingly ending NFF’s plot to get Keshi out. Keshi was told by Danagogo to continue coaching the Eagles, pending the time when the NFF would

conclude the paper work for his contract. It appeared that mother luck was smiling on the Ilah-born football tactician, who was reported to have said that contract offers were being dangled at him by some top African nations.

He returned to the saddle as coach in the AFCON 2015 qualifier against Congo in Calabar on September 6, with high hopes of getting the three points, to stamp his claim for a deserved bumper deal. But the script did not according to plan as Congo shocked Eagles 3-2, to the disbelief of Nigerians.

That defeat was followed by a barren draw against South Africa on September 10 in Cape Town as the red flags came out for Nigeria, in the race to qualify for next year’s AFCON. What seemed like a temporary bump soon assumed an alarming note when Sudan sensationally shocked Eagles 10 in Kkatroun last Saturday. That for many Nigerians was too much to bear, the height of the ongoing fall from grace for Keshi.

According to a source in the NFF, the present Executive Committee, headed by Amaju Pinnick was emboldened in its decision to sack Keshi after the outpouring of emotions by fans that he must go.

Another NFF insider added that the backtracking of Danagogo on his earlier position that Keshi should be given a new contract also paved the way for the latter’s easing out.

And speaking in an interview in Abuja, the Media Assistant to the Sports Minister, Patrick Omorodion said that “the Honourable Minister said that he likes Keshi on a personal level.

That is his view but since the people don’t want him again and the results are not positive, he said that the NFF was free to make their decision and go for whoever will deliver the positive results that our people want”.

And with the outpouring of bitterness by fans on Wednesday, the bubble burst for Keshi as the NFF finally wielded the big stick on the once untouchable coach.

Rising from its Executive Committee meeting held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Wednesday, 15th October, the NFF “unanimously praised the excellent contributions of the technical crew of the Senior National Team, Super Eagles, led

by Mr. Stephen Keshi, to the glorious accomplishments of the team in the past three years, and hailed Keshi, Daniel Amokachi and Ike Shorounmu as true national heroes.

“However, in the interest of Nigeria football and the desire to ensure qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals, the Committee decided to relieve them of their duties with immediate effect”.

With his exit, the journey continues for Keshi, who still stands tall amongst his Nigerian peers, in terms of accomplishments and laurels won as a player and coach.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, OCTOBER 18, 2014 But for Pinnick, who even at times,hit his right foot on the ground repeatedly in obvious reaction to missed chances, his passion for the game was truly evident in the way he remonstrated during the game against Sudan.

When Eagles took the lead in the opening minutes of the second half,

Pinnick’s drama in stadium: Panic or passion?

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

I

T was his first real national assignment after climbing to the top of football administration in Nigeria. The venue was the Abuja National Stadium. The day was October 15. The match, a 2015 AFCON qualifying fixture against Sudan, ordinarily should pass for an easy tie for the Super Eagles but the setting was different as the African champions were languishing in third position in Group A, comprising Congo and South Africa.

It was a must-win game for the Eagles, who were staring at a shock elimination from next year’s tournament. And quite rightly, Amaju Pinnick, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was in no mood for any messy game.

Aware of the passion that Nigerians attach to football, Amaju knew the consequences of not qualifying for next year’s AFCON. Fans came in their thousands to see this encounter. Their darling team, who for the record, are the defending champions of the tournament, have been stuttering since the qualifying campaign started on September 6 in Calabar.

They had lost to an unfancied Congolese side 3-2 at the U.J Esuene Stadium, much to the disbelief of fans. They followed that result up with a barren draw with South Africa some five days after in Cape Town, before suffering an unlikely 1-0 capitulation to Sudan in Khartoun last Saturday.

That game sent shock waves round Nigeria. It seemed like the god of football had deserted Nigeria.

Pinnick had inherited a huge liability and was facing fans disenchantment with the whole set up of the technical crew.

Calls for Keshi’s sack grew with loud proportions.

It was these cocktail of problems that greeted Pinnick at his first official assignment when Eagles hosted Sudan in the reverse fixture of the AFCON qualification campaign on Wednesday.

— 55

AFCON. And speaking to Saturday Vanguard Sport, Pinnick said he was simply engulfed in the match.

“Thank God that we won.

Victory was important today.

During the course of the match, I received over 300 text messages from Nigerians, who were following the action on television. Nigerians are so passionate and religious about football and we just have to do our best to make them happy”, said Pinnick.

Danagogo okays Abuja stadium renovation work

Pinnick leapt for joy to celebrate but was soon cursing his luck when Sudan equalised.

He suddenly started shouting hoarse at no one in particular, oblivious of the people around him. He was simply in a world of his own. His emotions ran riot as he was consumed with the unfolding drama. But Eagles pressed hard for the second goal and deservedly scored, as Pinnick got jumpy in celebration. He sent his •Ganagogo hands into the air and beckoned on the Director of HE Minister/Chairman Technical, Emmanuel Ikpeme of the National Sports to come for a chat, which was Commission, Dr. Tammy quickly completed in few Danagogo has expressed minutes as the latter jogged satisfaction on the level of back to his standing position. rehabilitation of stadium A miss by Emmanuel facilities in Abuja.

Emenike sent Pinnick into Dr. Danagogo made the another state of animation as remark during his inspection emotions boiled over with sighs of stadia facilities across the of ehh renting the cold night. six geo-political zones.

But when Ahmed Musa During the visit which took scored the third goal, Pinnick him round stadium facilities in flung his hands into the fading Abuja, he observed that night to enjoy the moment, after renovation work on the many panicky moments. swimming pool, hockey pitch, Though still feeling tensed, he indoor halls and the stadium was somewhat relieved that car park were progressing Eagles won to keep hopes according to schedule. alive of reaching next year ’s During the inspection, the Minister saw five (5) fire trucks that were imported for the All African Games in 2003 which had remained unused due to approved of engaging new administrative challenges and hands. The Secretary to the pledged to have them fixed Federal Government did not raise and distributed across the zones to protect stadia and any objection.

Pinnick’s board met after the assist the regular fire service match and announced changes in of the federal government. the team, asking Amadu Shuaibu, Two of the trucks have ladders the Technical Director in the NFF, to rescue victims during fire to head a consortium of coaches incidents in high rise for the remaining matches while buildings. The trucks could they commenced a search for a also be used as bridges when regular bridges collapse. foreign coach.

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•Pinnick Few moments after sauntering into the stadium decked in his ash-coloured blazer, Pinnick was confronted with chants for the sack of Keshi by agitated fans, who chorused in one unison that “all we are saying, Keshi must go”. They continued pressing home their demand for the sack of the former Togo and Mali gaffer, much to the surprise of Pinnick.

For the period the match lasted, he did not stay in one position for more than five minutes, at times, gesticulating, holding his head, clenching his fists and in another breadth, throwing his legs out.

For most part of the game, he came out of the state box to express his frustrations at chances missed by the Eagles.

Pinnick’s animations reminded one of former Flying Eagles coach, Godwin Uwua, who is remembered for his uncontrolled animations during matches.

Keshi

Continues from BP said, adding that the minister was “disappointed.”

The source said that the minister was so shocked that he wondered if they were sure of what they were saying and more players rose to speak against the coaches, saying that “this coach says one thing and the other says something different and their approach has not helped our game in many areas.”

We gathered that the minister left the meeting knowing that Keshi’s place in the team was over if the majority of the players were disillusioned about his continued stay as their head coach.

It was after this that he now told Amaju that he could meet with his board and take the decision that they deemed best for Nigeria.

But the minister had also informed Chief Pius Anyim about his finding before he

Continues from BP

Toro

to take such an option of sacking him now.

“I am not happy. The NFF are not fair to him and they are not fair to Nigerian coaches.

The most important thing is winning and he won Wednesday’s match and we still have a chance of qualifying. I don’t know what

is wrong with Nigerians.

Keshi from nowhere took Nigeria to Africa Nations Cup and won it away from home.

Also from nowhere, Keshi qualified Nigeria for the last World Cup in Brazil . We did well in getting to the second round. So I don’t understand the criteria they used in sacking him.”.

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 18, 2014

NFF not fair to Keshi — Toro

BY SOLOMON NWOKE

F

ORMER Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Sani

sacking the AFCON 2013 winning coach even after winning his first match in the 2015 Nations Cup qualifiers against Sudan in Abuja last Wednesday evening.

“The NFF and Nigerians are not fair to him. That is my candid reaction. When the going was good, everybody was hailing his achievement and today, the same people who were hailing him are the ones calling for his sack.

Is it because of the position of the Super Eagles in the AFCON 2015 qualifying race” he asked, adding, “of course, all hope is not lost yet. We can still qualify. We didn’t have Continues on Page 55

Toro has received the news of the formal disengagement of the already out of contract Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi with a rude shock saying, that Nigerians are not fair to him (Keshi) The former Bauchi State Commissioner of Sports who spoke to Sports Vanguard on phone yesterday queried the criteria used in

REVEALED: How Eagles sacked Keshi Exclusive

Today’s EPL Matches

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

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HE Amaju Pinnick Board of the Nigeria Football Federation was not comfortable with the results Stephen Keshi and the Eagles posted in the Nations Cup qualifiers before the last victory against Sudan in Abuja.

A home defeat by Congo was followed by a draw in South Africa and another defeat in Sudan before the 31victory against Sudan in Abuja placed Nigeria behind South Africa and Congo.

The Maigari board was never prepared to renew Keshi’s contract and the former Eagles captain knew about this.

The position of the Amaju board did not differ from that of Maigari, their reason being that since the last Nations Cup victory, Eagles have not lived up to their potentials, especially when holes were picked in the selection process from the World Cup in Brazil till date. The refusal of the crew to accept technical assistance was another source of concern.

Pinnick’s board wanted to announce a caretaker coach immediately after the 1-0 defeat in Sudan but forces prevailed against them. Question of sacking Keshi did not arise as he had no contract. But some top government officials told Amaju to tarry awhile.

Sports minister Tammy

Danagogo and Secretary to the Federal Government of the Federation Chief Pius Anyim were among the forces that wanted Keshi to continue his job. One other top government official in the security service also wanted Keshi to hang on to the job. Pinnick was almost helpless, although he planned to convince the authorities on why they needed to respect the opinion of the board and most football stakeholders in the country who felt that Keshi could no longer lift the team.

We can exclusively reveal today that the game changed for Keshi on Tuesday, the eve of the match against Sudan in Abuja.

Sports minister, in company of Amaju and some other officials including the chairmen of Senate and the House Sports Committees visited the Eagles to urge them to win the match. In the meeting that followed, Keshi told the minister that the team was being sabotaged. He said that he would have been doing better but for the sabotage. After listening to Keshi, the minister asked the coaches to excuse them. When they left, the minister asked the players to feel free to tell him what was wrong with the team. He expressed disappointed over their performance.

“About 85 per cent of the players said that the coaching crew was their problem,” our source

Continues on Page 55

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Tottenham 12:45pm Hull City 3pm West Ham 3pm Chelsea 3pm Aston Villa 3pm Leicester 3pm Sunderland 3pm

AWC: Falcons subdue Namibia

BY BEN EFE, Windhoek Gloria Ofuegbu curled the ball into the net to score the HE Super Falcons first goal.. Just when the were maintained their 100 Namibians recovering from the shock, percent record at the Africa Women Championship Francesca Ordega burst after beating Namibia 2-0 loose from the middle, rounded the goalkeeper yesterday.

An excellent chance for and slotted home the the Falcons to score and second goal.

Nigeria will play either calm their nerves came Ghana or South Africa in when Ngozi Akobi laid a the semi-final. pass from the right into the

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box, but Pepertua Nkwocha failed to connect. Her tame effort was collected by Namibia keeper Lydia Elxas. The game dragged on till the 35th minute when Elxas stepped out of her goal area to handle the ball. Dead ball specialist

•Keshi

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1)Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aderenle – (7) 5)Secretary to the Government of the Nigerian Federation, Senator Pius – (5) 8)Former PDP National Chairman, Solomon – (3) 9)President, Nigerian Tennis Federation (NTF), Mr. Sani – (7) 10)Alaram – (5) 11)Former Cameroun “Indomitable Lions” Midfielder, Marc-Vivien – (3) 12)Former Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Gaius – (7) 16)Former Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Fidelia – (5) 17)L.G.A in Zamfara State – (4) 19.Country in Asia – (6) 22)L.G.A in Sokoto State – (6) 25)Germany National Coach, Joachim – (4) 27)Netherlands “Eredivisie” Premiership Club – (5) 28)Executive Member, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Alhaji Mohammed – (7) 32)Former Minister of Sports, Alhaji Adamu Isa – (3) 33)Cape-Verde Capital City – (5) 34)Kenyan Capital City – (7) 35)Period of Twenty Four Hours – (3) 36)Former Morocco “Atlas Lions”

Striker, Youssef – (5) 37)L.G.A in Ondo State – (7) DOWN 1)Yoruba god – (5) 2)Ethnic Group in Nigeria – (5) 3)Ondo State Capital – (5) 4)Traditional Ruler of Oyo – (6) 5)England Premiership Club-Side – (7) 6)Warri Wolves Striker, Efe – (7) 7)Former South African President, Mr. Nelson – (7) 13)Venomous Snake – (3) 14)Mali “Eagles” Striker, Moussa – (3) 15)State in Nigeria Known as “Centre of Commerce”? - (4) 18)Fruit – (4) 19)Former Chairman, Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Tarilah – (7) 20)Country in Europe – (7) 21)Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider – (7) 23)Allow – (3) 24)Science Practical Centre – (3) 26)State in Nigeria Known as “Salt of the Nation”? (6) 29)Former Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom – (5) 30)Golder Eaglets (U-17) Goalkeeper, Francis – (5) 31)Akwa United FC Striker, Emmanuel – (5)

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