Fearful Easter

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Police arrest suspected kidnapper of two children

BY DAYO JOHNSON, Akure

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self acclaimed actor, Onyeke Micheal has been arrested by the detectives in Ondo state Police Command for an attempt to kidnap two children of the same parents in Ore area of the state.

He was paraded alongside 12 other armed robbery suspects said to be tormenting the people of the state in recent times.

This is just as armed

robbers in the early hours of yesterday unleashed terror on the students of the Osun State University, Osogbo at their different private hostels located close to the campus of the u n i v e r s i t y .

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the robbers armed with dangerous weapons stormed the private hostels of the students one after the other and dispossessed them of their belongings including laptops, mobile phones, money, beverages, wrist watches among other t h i n g s .

It was also learnt that the robbers allegedly raped some of the female students and all efforts by the male students to launch a counter attack on the robbers were unsuccessful due to the kind of ammunition the robbers

c a r r i e d .

It was learnt that some students worshiping at the All Nations Baptist Church located close to the university campus were also ransacked by the armed robbers.

The head of the church, Reverend John Ojo said the robbers chased the worshipers out of the church during a vigil, adding that majority of the students sustained injuries while running for their l i v e s .

He explained that the robbers stormed the church around 1.30am and unleashed terror on the students for close to two h o u r s .

According to him, “the students had been experiencing incessant robbery attacks since January and the management has ignored that under the guise that they are living ‘off campus’.

Two of the students that were attacked, Toyin Banjo (200 Bio Chemistry) and Ayeni Tosin (200 Electrical Engineering) said they were in the church when the robbers arrived and forced open the windows of the c h u r c h .

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mrs. Folasade Odoro who confirmed the robbery incident said the state Police Commissioner, Mr Ibrahim Maishanu had ordered full scale investigation into the i n c i d e n t .

She said the Police

Command will work assiduously to ensure the hoodlums are brought to book as soon as possible.

On the arrested kidnap suspect in Ondo State, the Ondo Commissioner of Police, Isaac Eke said the middle aged actor attempted to kidnap one Yusuf Eniola, aged three and Aisat Eniola, aged two on the 13th of this month.

He pointed out that the accused was found with the two children around Eco Bank, Ondo road, Ore and he could not explain satisfactorily how he came about them.

According to him, the timely intervention of the Police saved the suspect from being lynched by the mob. But the suspect in an interview said that he was only trying to help the children to cross the road when he was apprehended.

77 persons feared dead in herdsmen attack

BY JOHN MKOM, Jalingo

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HE Red Cross yester day said in Wukari, Taraba State that about 77 people lost their lives during the crises between some Fulani herdsmen and the indigenous people of the area few days ago.

This was even as the po-

Gunmen kill vigilante chair in Delta

BY EMMA AMAIZE, Udu

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USPECTED gunmen, yesterday, shot dead the Chairman of Udu Central vigilance group, Mr. Prosper Erhinyoja, at a beer parlour, along the Delta Steel Company, DSC, Road in Ovwian town, Udu Local Government of Delta State.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that hoodlums in Udu were not happy with the battle the deceased waged against hoodlums in the area in his bid to make the town crime-free.

One of his aides was killed not too long ago by hired killers.

An aide of Erhinyoja was killed not too long ago by hoodlums under suspicious circumtance.

National coordinator of the Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence and Centre for the Vulnerable and the Underprivilege (Centrep) , Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, in a statement, yesterday, described the act as “wicked, satanic and senseless.”

His words, “Upon inqui-

ry at the Nigeria Police Station, Ovwian, a policeman who preferred to remain anonymous informed us that the deceased was murdered in cool blood outside a beer parlour where he had gone to wind down after a hard day’s job.”

According to him, “ The murder , nevertheless, speaks volume of the precarious state of insecurity in our polity and the need for the three tiers of government to urgently tackle same head long, rather than trivialising and paying lip service to same.”

The groups called on

L-R: Junior Circuit Steward Agbowa Sagamu MCN, Lady Modupe Ayodele receiving a present from Anglican Bishop of Remo, Rt. Revd. Michael Fape to the delight of Revd. Mellor Memorial Cathedral, Very Revd. Ebenezer Olufemi Ogundumula at the 2014 Annual Diocese of Remo Methodist Church Nigeria Synod hosted by the Sabo Sagamu Circuit Sagamu Remo.

the Inspector General of Police to immediately order a crack investigation into the above murder in a bid to apprehending and bringing the culprits to book to serve as a deterrent to others. “ We note that the deceased died in the cause of getting rid of Udu and the entire state of hoodlums and miscreants.

“We, however, commiserate with the family of the deceased and the entire Udu Central vigilance group and the good people of Udu and we pray God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss,” they added

lice said that the death toll from Wukari crisis had risen to 24.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Joseph Kwaji made this known in an interview with newsmen yesterday also in Wukari. He said 34 persons were injured while 99 houses were burnt during the crisis.

District Leader of the Red Cross in the area, Saidu Aji who spoke on the issue said that about 37 people were buried as soon as they were killed while 47 others were confirmed dead at various hospitals.

Aji further said that 40 people were receiving treatment for various degrees of injuries sustained

during the mayhem, pointing out that the number of the victims were still being collated. According to him, 14 victims were taken to Kwararafa Hospital in the town while those with serious cases were taken to the Jalingo Specialist Hospital.

Traditional Ruler of Wukari, (Aku Uka), His Royal Highness Shakarau Angyu who briefed the state’s Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, yesterday, blamed the Fulani for igniting the crises.

He urged Umar to review the 24-hour curfew imposed on the town so that people could go out and buy food or attend to some of their needs outside their

Bauchi records 86 deaths, 82 auto crashes in 2014 lives, 160 others were also

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AUCHI —— Mr Yakubu Attah, Assistant Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) yesterday said that Bauchi zone RS 12 recorded 86 deaths from 82 road crashes in the first quarter of 2014.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that FRSC zone 12 comprises of Bauchi, Yobe and Borno States, with the Zonal headquarters in Bauchi.

Speaking to newsmen in Bauchi, he said that apart from those who lost their

Don’t import war to the West - APC tells VP Sambo

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HE All Progressives Congress in the State of Osun has said it rejected the war intention of the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, who declared in Abuja Wednesday, that the July 21 and August 9 elections in Ekiti and Osun will be ‘a war’ that the Peoples Democratic Party will ‘fight’ to regain the two states at all cost.

According to the APC, this is a sadistic declaration of war by a government, on its own people and it is also patent evidence that the PDP is the actual cause of the war Nigeria has been having in recent time, including that of Boko Haram.

In a statement released in Osogbo yesterday by the Party’s Director of Pub-

houses.

Umar has however, said the curfew would continue till the security agencies were satisfied with improvement in the security situation.

“In my opinion, it is not yet time to relax the curfew imposed on Wukari because the youth are still very angry.

“Even this morning, a house was burnt close to a security check point in Wukari town,” the Acting Governor said, and asked parents to call their children to order.

Umar also promised to send a delegation to the government of Benue State in a bid to find solution to the incessant clashes between the Fulani and their neighbours in Taraba State.

licity, Research and Strategy, Barr.

Kunle Oyatomi, the APC warned that the PDP should think twice before it imports war to the Western part of the country that has been the most peaceful area since the return of democracy. ’We reject this war proposal of the VP because it will spell disaster for

the country”, the APC said.

The party further cautioned that already, the Federal Government has a series of war on his hand which it has failed woefully to win. To therefore start a new war on a peaceful people in the West will be biting more than the government can chew.

injured during the period under review.

Attah, who is the Commander in charge of Jos Zone, but sent to Bauchi on special assignment during the Easter break, attributed most of the crashes to recklessness on the part of some drivers.

He therefore called for an increase in the synergy between FRSC and other security agencies like the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

“The Easter period attracts heavy traffic on highways and we are worried over the rate of deaths and injuries caused by the road crashes.

“We are faced with challenges, especially from reckless drivers, who are not listening to our advices,” he said.

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014

Fearful Easter •Parents and youths armed with bows and arrows search for abducted female students •Police commence special operations at airports, motor parks, seaports and border points to check terror attacks •IGP urges increased vigilance by citizens

BY SONI DANIEL Regional Edtor, North, KINGSLEY OMONOBI, SIMON EBEGBULEM, FAVOUR NNABUGWU & NDAHI MARAMA

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HE Inspector Gen eral of Police, IGP, Mohammed Abubakar, has ordered special security operations across the country to ensure peaceful Easter celebrations.

The operations encompass extensive counterterrorism sweeps, detailed overt and covert surveillance operations, intelligence-driven raids, arms mop-up as well as special stop and search exercise among other strategies.

Abubakar gave the

order as parents and youths armed with bows and arrows have commenced thorough search for the 99 out of the 129 girls abducted from the Government Girls’ Secondary School, GGSS, Chibok, in Borno State last Friday by members of the Boko Haram terrorists, blaming the government for not being serious about finding their children and wards.

The people took the decision to take the bull by the horns in looking for their children, following the claim by the Military that over 88 of the abducted students had been rescued.

However, the two- time former Governor of the

defunct Bendel State, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, yesterday asked security agencies in the country to go after local manufacturers of bombs and explosives as well as importers of bombs, warning that bombings by terrorists would remain unabated unless the illegal activities of the importers and manufacturers were checked.

This was even as Saturday Vanguard gathered yesterday that most travelers leaving Abuja and other northern states preferred to enter commercial vehicles along the roadside instead of doing so at the major motor parks following the bomb blast

From the left, President Goodluck Jonathan; his mother, Mama Eunice Jonathan and the Executive Secretary, Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John Kennedy Opara singing a hymn during the Good Friday service at the Aso Villa Chapel, State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida. that killed over 100 passengers at the Nyanya Bus Terminus in Abuja last Monday.

But, according to a statement by Police Headquarters in Abuja, police operatives involved in the special security exercise were drawn from the Bomb Disposal Squad, Counter-Terrorism Units, Police Mobile Force and Joint Border Patrol Units.

Other specialized branches involved are the Force Intelligence Bureau, Police Dog Section and the conventional police teams.

The police operatives would also pay special attention to motor parks, airports and seaports, border points, recreation parks, major markets and shopping malls.

“In ensuring a successful execution of this special operation, the IGP has ordered all Zonal Assistant Inspector Generals of Police, AIGs and Commissioners of Police including other Commanding Officers to ensure effective deployments of men and resources throughout the period of the operation.

“In addition, these Commanding Officers have been directed to remain on ground and personally supervise the special operation throughout the Easter holidays and beyond.

“The Police High

Command strongly advises owners of unregistered vehicles to withdraw them from the highways immediately.

“Persons and companies operating vehicles painted in police colours or bearing police insignia are also advised to withdraw them from public roads forthwith as field operatives have been directed to arrest and bring to book all such violators.

“Similarly, owners of uncompleted buildings are to keep them clear of undesirable elements and to report to the Police all unauthorized persons inhabiting such places.

“Meanwhile, the IGP has expressed his sincere appreciation to the Nigerian public for their unwavering support to the Nigeria Police and other law enforcement agencies in their resolve to make Nigeria safe and secure.

“He reassures the public that the security agencies will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the safety of all Nigerians during the holidays and thereafter,” the statement said.

PARENTS AND YOUTHS STORM SAMBISA IN SEARCH OF MISSING SCHOOL GIRLS Meanwhile, following the claim, which was later withdrawn, by the

Director of Defence Information, DDI, Major General Chris Olukolade, that the military had rescued more than 88 of the abducted girls, their parents and youths armed with bows and arrows yesterday commenced a thorough search of the missing students, blaming the government for not being serious with the issue of finding their wards and loved ones.

The communities where the female students were abducted from were said to have been infuriated by claim by the Military Spokesman, Olukolade that several of their children had been rescued.

Both the Principal of the GGSS, Mrs Asabe Kwarmbula, and the Borno State Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Inuwa Kubo, denied Olukolade’s statement, forcing the DDI to apologise over the widely publicized information.

Kwarmbula in an interview with newsmen on Thursday said, “the statement credited to the military spokesman was a blatant lie,’’ pointing out that she never spoke to the Defence Headquarters as claimed.

She noted that apart from the 30 students that

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SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19 , 2014 — 7

Fearful Easter as people are scared Continues from Page 6 escaped, none of the girls had been rescued. ”I am highly disappointed by the spokesman of the Defence Headquarters who told the media that I confirmed to him that 80 of my students who were abducted by terrorists have been rescued. From the official record I have, only 30 out of the 129 missing have been rescued as at today (Thursday).”

A Chibok community leader, one Mr. Bitrus Chibok told newsmen in Maiduguri on the telephone that parents and youths were mobilized by the community elders before they entered the bush in search of their missing daughters.

Easter Holiday: Abuja residents fear parks, stand on roadsides to travel Residents traveling out of Abuja for the Easter celebrations loathed going into motor parks to board vehicle to their various destination as they stood by the roadsides with their luggage yesterday, waving down commercial vehicles.

At Gwagwalada, Nyanya, Zuba and other satellite towns that served as exit and entry points into the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Saturday Vanguard observed a good number of travelers standing by the roadsides beckoning on moving vehicles to stop even as the city centre was deserted due to the Easter holidays.

Saturday Vanguard could count the number of vehicles on the AbujaAbaji road which was usually busy during festive period with unusual traffic gridlock, as it was almost desolate.

A traveler, who gave his name simply as Tony, said he was wary of going near the Zuba Motor Park, saying that he preferred to board smaller vehicles and pay higher than going into any crowded park.

Residents shun recreational parks as security agents mount surveillance Also, at Abuja outskirts in Nyanya, residents of the Federal Capital terri-

tory, have opted to keep clear of areas that can easily be attacked by terrorists.

Major parks and recreational rendezvous in the FCT, which are normally filled to capacity during festive periods, like Easter and Christmas celebrations, remained empty, as residents fear that they could be ambushed by terrorists.

Nonetheless, security agents took over such places in the town and mounted surveillance throughout the day in a proactive bid to ward off any attack.

Findings by Saturday Vanguard revealed that a combination of Department of State Services, DSS, operatives and their counterparts from the Police Bomb Disposal Unit were at hand in most of the parks in the city for most of the day.

They were backed by some officials of the AntiTerrorism Unit of the police, who also extended their operations to major hotels and public institutions around the FCT. Many of the DSS operatives, bomb disposal experts and ATS officials took positions at the entrance of the Millennium Park, which is at the precincts of the Presidential Villa and extends towards Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Maitama District of the city.

A DSS Van and a bomb-disposal Mercedes Benz Truck were stationed by the side of the park while some armed personnel of other security agencies kept watch over the area.

Although the presence of the security agents bolstered the confidence of revelers, it also scared away potential visitors to the park, which was the scene of a bomb attack on October 1, 2010.

At least a dozen perish in the blasts, which shook Abuja and the administration and triggered a major manhunt for the perpetrators.

Many other recreational facilities were shunned. A major children’s playground near the National Mosque Abuja and a cinema centre, witnessed very low patronage as parents were cautious in bringing their wards to recline there.

A security operative, who spoke in confidence, said they had tried to be more proactive ‘this time around’ to avoid a repeat of the October 1, 2010 episode around the Millennium Park.

“We are trying to prevent any untoward action of the

enemies of progress in the city. Cordon of many areas in the town will continue even after the Easter break,” the source explained.

But many parents had to shelve major Easter packages arranged for their children and wards, especially those that would have taken place along the troubled Nyanya-Keffi Road, which has now been taken over by security agents.

The cordon-and-search operation being carried out by the Nigerian Army in the wake of the Nyanya bombing has created another problem of its own for residents and commuters along the route.

The search has led to unavoidable long queues of vehicles that stretched several kilometres and led to the breakdown of many vehicles due to overheating.

On Thursday, the stopand-search operation by soldiers caused a major traffic gridlock on the NyanyaKeffi Road for over seven hours, leaving many commuters stranded in the process.

However, the former Governor of the defunct Bendel State, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, yesterday urged security agencies in the country to go after local manufacturers of bombs and explosives as well as importers of bombs, as a way of checking the menace.

Ogbemudia lambasted those criticizing President Goodluck Jonathan for embarking on political tours despite the bombings in Nyanya Park and the abduction of students by the terrorists pointing out that it would amount to defeat if the President remained indoors due to terrorist activities.

He said that for the war on terror to be won, the Federal Government must work with the locals in order to fish out suspects.

“From the little I know, there are three important methods of having a bomb in Nigeria. The first is through importation by those granted licence by the Federal Government to bring in explosives to do their civil engineering work. The second is through smuggling and that the Customs can take care of while the third is through local manufacturing because the materials for manufacturing them are also in the country.

“When I was in training in America, they sent us to a Chemist to buy the

L-R: Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, carrying a cross as he performs the traditional Good Friday ritual of station of the cross, his wife Judith, Rev. Father Benjamin Ogechi and Rev Father Emmanuel Ikpekha during the station of the cross mass in Government House chapel, Port Harcourt, yesterday powder; we would bring them, mix them together and ignite them either with water or something else. That was in 1962.

Now the technology has improved so the security agencies must do something. But we must also bear in mind that the Boko Haram people carrying guns may not be the manufacturers of the explosives because the type of explosives you have mostly in plastic forms, the PNT, they cannot do that, they are imported. So we must go after these importers and monitor them.

“The one we can put together are the local ones.

I think again, the appeal should go to our local people in whose homes they keep these equipment.

The local people in whose presence they make these because if you are going to make a bomb, you need accesilin, you need gas... and all these materials they buy from people. The people know who buys accesilin, who buys gas, who buys cutting torch, all the materials they use locally, they can follow them, supervise them and monitor their movements.

“Government has done everything humanly possible but the people are more in number than the people government put there to work. Government can set up a road block if some funny people are working, they can calm down when they get to the road block and walk through the road block and pick up another vehicle in front. Security men will not know but you need the people themselves to report that that vehicle coming is carrying some dangerous materials.

“In the late 50s when Nigeria was helping the Cameroun to overcome the rebellion against it, some of us were sent to the Cameroun border and we found that people were transporting ammunition using spare tyres and so when the vehicles come for inspection we will leave it to pass. But one day, we caught a woman who confessed to us that all the empty vehicles passing were the ones carrying the ammunition before we learnt our lessons.

So there is need to identify ammunition in any vehicle,” he said.

On the recent abduction of students in Borno state, he asserted: “first of all, it is an unfortunate incident.

Two, we must sympathise with the families of the students. On this issue of kidnapping, I hold the view that many people in the locality may have seen these children being marched away. They are the people who ought to give information to the security agencies, security men cannot be everywhere.

“Nigeria is over 900,000 square kilometres and we cannot have enough soldiers to do that or police or Air Force or Navy.

Therefore those who are on ground should help the police with information so that they can catch up with these people. Those children they took away they have parents, the parents may not have been present but there are people in the village who saw them being marched away, they could easily have traced them.

“So I think that the appeal must go to the local people to open their eyes

and ears and also use their communication gadgets to inform the security people. Every day the police must list telephone numbers which the public should take note of and use them to the maximum.

“People who are criticizing the President may probably be feeling like the parents of the victims that the President did not declare state of mourning or cancellation of his appointments, but that is exactly what the bombers want. If you do that, then you have already conceded victory to them. We all know that the President in his quiet moment feels so bad and he comes out strong to ensure that the people do not show any sign of defeat by leading them with a bold face. If he does not do that people will say this is a weak man; only one bombing and he has given up. So he is right with what he is doing.

“Every country has its own challenge. If you look round Africa, Europe, Latin America, you will find that there are always problems in every country and many end up stronger than they were when such problems started. Nigeria, in

my view will be a united country because this current challenge is designed to strengthen our resolve to live together.

Designed by an unknown force to ensure that we live together and to also accept and make sacrifice for the betterment of the country and the people,” Ogbemudia further said.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014—9

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM Beniny City

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ouths from Iviukha in Weppa Wanno community in Etsako East Local Government Council of Edo State are beating war drums following the death of one of their sons, Oseni Ekhameye who died as a result of injuries he sustained when people from Ikpele in Okpekpe clan attacked him while working in his farm land. One of the deceased wives, Umoru Otsemobo who incidentally hails from Okpekpe clan was not spared too as the attackers used machetes on her while she attempted to run to the farm to inform the deceased that trouble was looming. The wife is currently at the emergency ward of the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the incident which happened last Sunday was as a result of the controversy over the ownership of a farmland which Ekhameye and his peopled claimed ownership of and accused the people of Ikpele of encroaching into their land.

The unsuspecting Ekhameye was said to have hired some labourers who operate in groups in his community to work in the farmland that faithful day not knowing that death was looming. His assailants were said to have earlier ravaged his farmland, uprooting the crops he had few days earlier planted.

Saturday Vanguard learnt that his brutalised wife had gone to the village to report the incident of the destruction of their crops in the farm when she overheard the people planning to attack her husband at the farm. She immediately left the house of the community head where she went to make the report to race back to the farm to inform the husband of the planned attack. But curiously, she was followed by a prominent member of the community with three newly sharpened cutlasses.

Unknown to her, some youths have already laid siege at the farmland

How hoodlums butchered man over farmland ...community calls on Police to arrest suspects unavenged. One of the youths told Saturday Vanguard that “ what they did to this community is evil and unacceptable. That land belongs to our brother but people in that community want to use their influence in the society to take over the ancestral land of our brother who was killed. But we will not allow that, we will avenge his death to teach others lesson that you cannot come to this community and kill and go free. They killed our brother in a

,,

That land belongs to our brother but people in that community want to use their influence in the society to take over the ancestral land of our brother who was killed

and when they heard that she was on her way to the farm, they attacked the deceased and the workers he hired with cutlasses. And under the supervision of a top community leader, the hoodlums attacked the deceased and his wife with machetes. The the assailants inflicted deep cuts on his head and other parts of his body. The wife would also have been dead if she had not feigned death before rescuers rushed them to a hospital in Agenebode where her husband later died and she was transferred to UBTH. When Saturday Vanguard visited the community last wednesday, there was tension as youths in the area threatened a reprisal attack, vowing not to allow the death of their son go

dastard manner and they will pay the price" . The leaders of the community have therefore called on the Edo State Police Command and the state government to ensure justice is done.

A statement issued by the Iviukhua Progressive Union Worldwide and signed by its President General and General Secretary, High Chief Kennedy Izuagbe and Gabriel Inaede condemned the act and narrated the incident: “ On Sunday, 13th April 2014, a group of unsuspecting farmers from Iviukhua community in Weppa Wanno, Etsako East LGA of Edo state were attacked by some Ikphele people in Okpekpe clan killing one person and injuring a

number of others over a land dispute. Mr Oseni Ekhameye, the deceased, his two wives, Mr Umoru Otsemobo who is critically injured is currently receiving treatment at UBTH. Mr Atairu Otsemobo had gone to their farm on that faithful Sunday when they were attacked by some people from the nearby Ikpehele village with an active support by specially hired urchins who inflicted matchete cuts on them.

According to an eye witness, one community leader who led the attack instructed the attackers to ensure that Mr Oseni Ekhameye was not spared. He also instructed his hired murderers including his son to ensure that the second wife of the deceased who hails from the same Ikpehele village was also not spared in order to cover up their nefarious act. We the members of Iviukhua Progressive Union worldwide, the umbrella body of all Ukhua sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora are condemning this callous act in the strongest possible terms. We also want to use this opportunity to appeal to the Nigerian police force, Edo state command to ensure that they get to the root of this matter and bring all the miscreants who perpetrated this heinous crime to justice.

"Though some arrest have been made, some of the perpetrators of this dastardly act are still at large.

Notable among them are the wife and son of the masterminder of the act, who according to eye witness inflicted the matchet cuts on the late Oseni Ekhamheye. Let us recall that similar incidents have degenerated into communal clashes

in some Nigerian communities that have snowballed into unmanageable proportions but Iviukhua being a law abiding community was able to prevail on her citizens, especially the youths to prevent any reprisal attacks.

"We will like to state unequivocally that this peaceful approach by Iviukhua community must not be misconstrued for weakness. It is also important to note that Iviukhua community does not see this attack as one planned by the entire Ikpehle and Okpekpe people except if proven otherwise. Rather, we see these murderers as common enemies of both Iviukhua/Weppa Wanno people and Ikpehle/ Okpekpe people. We therefore call on both communities to close ranks and cooperate with the law enforcement agencies to get the fleeing suspects arrested so that the law can take its natural course. We also call on our peace loving Iviukhua community to remain calm and law abiding as we have utmost fate in the Nigerian police and the legal system to redress this heinous act."

The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Eguavone (DSP) confirmed the incident to Saturday Vanguard, saying that “it was a reported case of wounded persons originally but the victim eventually died while receiving treatment. The case was first reported at Agenebode Division before it was transferred to the state CID. Arrests have been made and the police will ensure that justice is done and those who are found culpable prosecuted accordingly”.

10 — SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, APRIL 19 19, 2014

BOKO HARAM:

The Fire Rages It may not just a matter of time for the entire north eastern geo-political hemisphere of Nigeria to be engulfed by a looming famine coming on heels of the activities of Boko Haram.

Saturday Vanguard in this special piece documents the economic woes of the people.

BY CHIOMA GABRIEL, LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU; NDAHI MARAMA; EBUN SESSOU & OLAYINKA AJAYI

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erhaps, no one saw it coming. No one also believed it would happen. It appeared to have taken us unawares even as it is considered very novel and alien to this clime. To many people, it is totally unAfrican.

But surprisingly, what started like a bully at the thresholds of 2009 has grown and assumed a gargantuan dimension, menacingly and uncontrollably tearing the country apart.

It has caused us injury and pain. It has brought us hunger. It has spelt and unleashed untold hardship on the people. The economy is bleeding.

It has brought division amongst us, fueling animosities amongst adherents of Islamic and Christain religions. So sad. So unfortunate. It is our common enemy.

Each time it strikes, it leaves behind scoreS of deaths that agitates the mind. Men, women and children have fallen victims. Blood has been utterly spilled. Deaths and more C M Y K

deaths have become a recurrent decimal; carnages, a daily sight on our streets.

But the government and the security agencies have not also been keeping quiet. They are fighting. Almost every substantial weapon of the Nigerian Army seems to have been moved towards its direction. The Department of the State Service, DSS, is busy with intelligence gathering.

The Police is at work too. Fortunes had equally been expended amid a state of emergency which had been extended by six months in the states considered to be hot zones. But unfortunately, the fire still rages.

Recall the previous attacks at the force headquarters, army barracks, United Nations building, ThisDay, St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madallah, Niger State, and then a plethora of others in Yobe, Adamawa and Borno States which have continued unabated. And now the Nyanyan,Abuja bomb blast attacks?

Can anyone count the number of the dead, other surviving but heavily traumatized victims? What about the last Tuesday abduction over 100 school girls in Chibok, Borno State?

What about the loss of property in these attacks? Have all these not overwhelmed us?

For how long would this trauma continue to hunt and hurt us? For how long will the bombings and the killings continue?

It appears this menace is part and parcel of the plan to destabilize Nigeria for political purposes.

All these insurgencies appear to be

politically motivated. This is because of the sophistication and the equipments used.

The popular anger, protests and antagonism as a result of the negative state of the nation in all respects and corruption in the country made it impossible for the security services to function effectively in certain respects.

As a matter of fact, famine is looming in the region and it may be just a matter of time for it to escalate and engulf the whole country. But again, we say God forbid.

Read the account of how its activities have literally shot down the economy of the north-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria with concomitant hunger and joblessness amongst the

though they were considered too extreme by many Nigerians.

But they were bent on their mission of Islamizing the country via the implementation of Sharia law across the country. In essence, they chose to start from their immediate environments in Borno and Yobe states.

And to make real their pursuits, they consciously arrogated themselves a name that defines their philosophy: Jama’atul Alhul Sunnah Lidda’wati wal jihad, meaning “people committed to the propagation of the prophet’s teachings and jihad”.

That was in 2002. But not much was heard about the Islamist religious sect until in 2009 when a discrepancy erupted between them and the law enforcement agents which culminat-

All these insurgencies are politically motivated.

This is because of the sophistication and the equipment used. They are part of the ground design to destabilize Nigeria starting from the North throughout the country people.

How it all began

The story is no longer new. Jama’atul Alhul Sunnah Lidda’watiwal jihad also known as Boko Haram, a dangerous Islamic sect is termed the principal perpetrator of these gruesome, ill acts. At first, their demands were not clear. All what was known was a group of religious fundamentalists who promulgated their beliefs even

ed in the death of the leader of the group, late Mohammad Yusuf.

Prior to the time, Mohammad Yusuf had faulted the participation of most leaders of northern states especially the governors who were full blooded Muslims in the affairs of the country.

He saw it as an illegitimate, nonIslamic venture and too secular for their “religious inclinations and preached a doctrine of withdrawal”.

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Continued from page 10 But the lid was to be let open when the group declared that “that western education is evil”, a phrase that gave the group its notorious name “Boko Haram”.

Thereafter, Boko Haram began to launch a series of onslaughts against the state but that did not define the reasons for their attacks whether it was to avenge the death of their former leader, Yusuf or that the government institutions were fundamentally “haram”.

In the aftermath, the attacks permeated as Boko Haram carried out a number of suicide bombings and assassinations from Maiduguri to Abuja, and staged an ambitious prison-break in Bauchi, freeing more than seven hundred inmates in 2010.

In November 2011, the group staged its most deadly attacks so far in Maiduguri as well as Yobe’s Damaturu and Potiskum, targeting churches, mosques, banks, and police stations.

At least 150 people were reported killed. November’s 2011’s violence garnered more international attention for the group, with condemnations from the head of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Pope, the UN Security Council, and the UN secretary general.

Bombings on Christmas Day at Madallah, Niger State in 2011 targeting churches and killing dozens raised fears about the possibility of another spate of religious violence between Muslims and Christians. And of course, it almost climaxed to that as most killings became the lot of Christians in the North.

At a time in 2012, the killings apparently took an ethnic dimension that fear of another civil war was felt across the federation. But somehow, the days rolled past by without wars.

Politically, it started as a sectional insurgency. First, in the North East, then in the North West and North Central and now in the Federal Capital.

This group seems to have its sponsors in high places. They think if the country disintegrates, they will get away with what they stole because the separate units that have been integrated will have no time to caution them about what they stole.

The problem started with the manipulation of the differences between secularism in Islam arising from the incompetence of governments since the second republic in Nigeria.

The hot zones

The group has since ramped up violent attacks on diverse government and civilian targets, including attacks on different locations in the country.

The most hit states are Adamawa,Yobe and Borno with the latter being the epicentre of the crisis.

Of particular concern are the growing sophisticated arms and weapons used by its militants in recent attacks, evidenced in seizures made by security forces in northern Nigeria.

Their activities have also eclipsed Nigeria’s longstanding security threats such as piracy, militancy, kidnappings, and armed robbery.

Vanguard , APRIL 19 19, 2014 — 11

BOKO HARAM:

How insurgency wrecked the North The preponderance nature of the porous borders in Yobe and Adamawa must be tackled to stem the influx of terrorists in the two states, including Borno which is seen as the birth place and breeding ground of the Boko Haram sect Geographically, Borno state which has an area of 61,435sq.km is the largest in the federation in terms of land mass. Located on the north eastern corner of Nigeria, the state occupies the greatest part of the Chad Basin and shares porous borders with Republic of Niger to the north, Chad to the north east and Cameroon to the east according to the Comptroller of Immigration in Borno State, Mr. Modu Musa Miringa.

In Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, the porous nature of the borders is almost tearing the states apart due to the ongoing war waged by the Boko Haram insurgents against government as well as security establishments including school children, business men/women and teachers.

The terrorist war which has so far caused the deaths of thousands of security and civilian population and the destruction of property worth billions of naira is gradually crippling the socio- economic activities in the three affected states in the north east.

Porous borders

Pundits believe that the preponder-

ance nature of the porous borders in Yobe and Adamawa must be tackled to stem the influx of terrorists in the two states, including Borno which is seen as the birth place and breeding ground of the Boko Haram sect.

Speaking on the influx of illegal immigrants into the state almost on daily basis, the governor of the state, Alhaji Kashim Shettima in an interview with newsmen recently revealed that several unmanned routes from outside into Nigeria exist from Borno axis. ”Locals in border communities believe that willing emigrants from Niger, Chad and Cameroon can venture into Nigeria through more than 10,000 unmanned routes that have no gates, police and customs or immigration officers. ”It is equally through the same unmanned borders that smugglers, peddlers, traffickers and other sundry offenders troop into Nigeria from Sudan, Central African Republic, Mali and Libya”. Shettima said. ”From Cameroon for instance, there are over 300 routes that people can get into Nigeria or out of the country with any kind of truck or load, provided they know the terrain,” said a local fisherman called Kunce Mai Zare in Kuros- Kawwa, a village in Monguno Local Government Area of the state.

He alleged that smugglers of contraband goods and those engaged in arms shipment use various means of transportation including donkeys, camels and bull-driven carts to ferry their consignment into the country without a trace.

A primary school teacher in Ashigashiya, Mr. Yusuf Usman Ngoshe who relocated to Maiduguri as a result of the crisis told our correspondent in an interview that

“there are over 50 border villages and hamlets directly linked with some settlements in Cameroon”.

Investigation also indicated that central Borno, Bama, Kala Balge and Ngala Local Government Areas have direct links with the Cameroon. Also, apart from Banki, Maksamari, Kumshe, Sigal Diba, Mokhole, Djilbe, Wulgo and Gamboru, there are dozens of settlements with hundreds of people who are more connected to the Cameroon than Nigeria.

Likewise, dozens of villages and small towns exist in the state where it is difficult to identify whether their indigenes are Nigerians, Nigerien or Chadians.

Such communities are Zaga, Fage, Bula Batube, Ngilewa, Kabbal Balram, Ngurno, Baga, Kawwa, Barwati, Bisagana, Arage, Mitile, Mallam Fatori, Kadi, Asagar, Gashagar, Foguwa and Galjiya, among others, within and across Nigeria’s borders.

According to a security source, “Boko Haram has been able to smuggle arms into Nigeria using various methods such as the use of specially crafted skin or thatched bags attached to camels, donkeys and cows where arms are concealed and moved across the borders with the aid of nomadic pastoralists or herders. Its members are known to connive with merchants involved in cross-border trade to help stuff their arms and weapons in goods that are transported via heavy trucks, trailers, and lorries. Given the huge size of the goods loaded on these vehicles, very little or no scrutiny is conducted on them by security and border officials.

“Commercial activities in the Borno trade hub are down by half, because of the campaign of violence waged by

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Continued from page 11 terrorist group Boko Haram and government efforts to curb it seem to yield no positibe result”, says Mallam Modu Koroma, a local dry fish seller in Baga Market of Maiduguri metropolis.

Anguish as the people tell their stories

Mr. Kwaji Philimon in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa state who sells provisions in the main market while describing the economic effects caused by Boko Haram said, “Business has been slow in the last one year and it is increasingly difficult to make ends meet. Sometimes, I spend the whole day in the market without making any sales because traders in neighbouring villages of Gulak, Madagali, Gwoza, Izge and other remotes areas are no longer coming in due to Boko Haram attacks. I use whatever little sales I make to feed my family. ”I am now planning to pull my five children out of private schools in Mubi and Jimeta Metropolis and put them in a government- owned school in Michika, as I cannot afford the fees”.

The decline in economic fortunes of Borno state started with the ban on the use of motorcycles in the state and other volatile council areas where over 80,000 people lost their means of livelihood. These people include okada riders, motorcycle dealers, mechanics, spare parts dealers among others.

Some Okada riders have to move to other neighbouring states where motorcycles are still in use. Some who bought the motorcycles some days before the ban on its use at the cost of N120,000 had to sell them at the cost of N30,000 to N50,000, as the motorcycles have become useless tools in the city.

Although, in its efforts to cushion the effect, the state governments of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa procured and distributed thousands of tricycles to the members of Okada riders association on hire purchase basis, these could not solve the increasing hardship on residents as transportation fares continued to bite harder by the day due to increase in fuel prices.

In Bama council area of Borno state for example, the attack on the town in which the Shehu of Bama’s palace was affected and over 500 vehicles were razed down at a motor park have left many drivers jobless. In that attack, 600 houses, 200 shops, market were burnt with property worth millions of Naira destroyed.

A local farmer in Jere council area, Mallam Abubakar Usman in an interview said, “Only God knows the cost and qantum of damage caused by the Boko Haram insurgents as people living around Sambiza forest, such as Maiduguri, Konduga, Mafa, Dikwa, Damboa, Kala-Balge among others did not farm in the last farming season because the insurgency did not allow them to do so. Even in the few communities of Ajigin, Talala, Konduga and Zabarmari that cultivated, some of their farmers did not

Ordeals of anguished victims harvest as the insurgents set them ablaze.

An economist, Dr. Maigari Inuwa said” economic activities in Borno state have dropped to its lowest ebb as a result of the protracted Boko Haram insurgency which has made it impossible for traders to move from one location to another.

“Another reason also is the inability of farmers to cultivate their crops which they sell to supplement their food crops. During the last farming season, only farmers in southern Borno were able to farm as their counterparts in the northern and Central zones were constantly subjected to attacks when they attempted go to their farms. ”A clear example is when the wheat farmers along the Chad Basin had to abandon their wheat even though the yields were good, but for fear of Boko Haram, they lost all they laboured for,” he stated.

Another business man who specialised in fruits, Mallam Abba Ibrahim Gaidam in Yobe and Borno states said, “ the situation has led the people to near starvation as they resort to eating unripe mangoes and other fruits to survive.

“Cash crop farmers like cotton, pepper

Economic activities in Borno state have dropped to its lowest ebb as a result of the protracted Boko Haram insurgency which has made it rarely impossible for traders to move from one location to another

and even vegetables have resorted to other trades like brick laying and pushing trucks where any could be found as most of the population depend on handouts from National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA ) and other government agencies to make ends meet.

“As for those border communities, even the rosy life they enjoyed has been cut off because people from neighbouring countries no more come to buy from them and life is very hard as all commercial activities have ceased to exist”.

A local farmer, Mallam Labo who came to Maiduguri Government house said, “we came to Maiduguri to report to the government that Boko Haram has taken over our farms around Konduga and its environs setting them ablaze. They have also killed 17 members of our communities and as I am speaking to you, people were also leaving the areas.”

He said most of the communities around them have not cultivated their farms in the last farming season due to the fear of insurgents, lamenting that even few of them that were able to do so have now lost the farm to the terrorists.

Also in Gwoza mountainous area, the people of Ngoshe, Kuhum, Ashigashiya, Barawa, Chinene, Gava and other villages have left their farms and fled to the neighbouring Cameroon republic for fear of their lives.

The Borno state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha who had visited different refugee camps in Cameroon and Niger republic appealed to the fleeing residents to return to their respective villages, as government will provide security to protect them and sympathized with the people over the crises.

The Deputy Governor also donated relief materials to the displaced people and assured them of govern-

ment support at any time.

Investigations by Saturday Vanguard indicate that the level of damage caused by insurgents in the state through burning of farmlands, looting and setting ablaze of food stuffs and domestic animals have a great impact on the food security of the area that if care is not taken and government does not intervene, the people of Borno will experience famine, as they did not farm in the last farming season. Even at that, the small food they have in stock were looted and burnt by Boko Haram terrorists.

A farmer, Mallam Audu Agijin who fled to Buratai village in Biu local government said he fled with his children to Buratai because the insurgents have taken over their villages and he is living at mercy of the people of Buratai where he was squatting with his friend with two wives and 10 children.

Another resident of Miringa, Abubakar Idris said a lot of people of Ajigin and Mangari have fled their areas and are now living in Miringa due to the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents in the Ajigin area and its environs.

A butcher, Mallam Shuabu Isa said he used to slaughter over 20 cows per day but now, he hardly slaughters two or three cows, as he lost all of his working capital in the insurgency.

According to him, anytime there was an attack in the abattoir or the Maiduguri Monday market, they would abandon their meat and run for their lives and when they come back a day or two later, the meat would have damaged.

He said, “ you know this our business, sometimes we have to give the meat on credit to retail meat sellers and afterwards, they would settle the credit and when they incur loss, there’s nothing you can do but to exercise patience’. I used to slaughter 20 cows but now, I hardly slaughter two. Some times, I don’t even slaughter. The economy is now biting harsh on us.”

Another butcher, John Dahode in Gamboru market said they have lost a lot of money to the insurgents as according to him, each time there was an attack on the market, they fled and left their meat only to come the next day to meet it spoilt.

A trader in Maiduguri Monday market, Alhaji Abdullahi said things are hard for them, because some times, he’d come to the market without making a sale and have to trek 15 kilometers back to his house.

He said he used to make sales worth over N10 million per day when the people of the neighboring Chad, Cameroon and Niger used come to the market, but now, they have stopped coming due to the state of insecurity in the state.

A roadside mechanic, Alhaji Hamman said he used to make N30,000 to N50,000 a day but now, there is no market especially when people are after what they would eat and not to ride a car which they considered a luxury. He added that he too has parked his car and bought a bicycle

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Things are difficult for us—indiegnes Continued from page 12 as sometimes, he spent the whole day without making N10 and had to go back home without a dime in his pocket.

Another Mechanic, Mallam Gambo Yaradua said the economy is biting hard on them as people are not coming to mechanic workshops for repairs.

“Nowadays, even if you relocate to another city, people will look at you suspiciously and nobody would patronize you no matter how good you are because of the security challenges in the country”.

A royal lamentation and plea The Emir of Gwoza in Borno state, Alhaji Idrissa Timta, last Sunday decried the renewed insurgence in the area, saying it had crippled the socio-economic activities in his domain. Gwoza is about 129 kilometres from Maiduguri, the capital.

According to the Emir, his people have witnessed increased attacks with mass killings by the insurgents in the last four months.

“The attacks have crippled both social and economic lives in the entire area, it is sad to say that my people have been blocked from going to the market by the insurgents who kill at will. Even the food crops cultivated by them in the last farming season have ended up with the Boko Haram as the harvests were seized by the insurgents making life unbearable. There is an urgent need for the security agents to intensify and change their tactics of operation to stop the mass killings in this area,” he said.

He said the insurgents had also killed many people by blocking major highways, and appealed to security agents to intensify patrol on these roads to prevent the attacks.

The Chairman of Monday Market Youth Traders Association (MMYTA) in Maiduguri, Alhaji Kashim Abdullahi Galtimari in an interview said, “The lingering Book Haram crisis has seriously affected socio-economic activities in the state as traders from neighbouring countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroon Republics no longer come to the state to carry out businesses for fear of being attacked or kidnapped by the insurgents.

Alhaji Abdullahi further stated that economic activities at the Monday Market which is the largest market in the state is at its lowest ebb as most traders find it difficult to move from one city or the other, adding that traders and innocent civilians were being murdered daily on the main roads.

He urged people to pray for peace to return to the north east, so that commercial activities will pick up, as Borno according to him is the largest trading centre in the north, apart from Kano.

An All Progressive Congress ( APC ) aspirant wishing to represent Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) of Borno State in the House of Representatives in next year’s general election, Alhaji Mohammed Bukar, also lent his voice on the matter, saying the fulfillment of campaign promises by politicians in the country is the necessary panacea that will bring Boko Haram insurgency to an end.

The aspiring lawmaker added that the sincerity of politicians and an end to the game of deception for electoral gains are also key in ending the crisis that is currently ravaging the Northeastern part of the country.

Bukar said politicians should address the growing poverty and unemployment among Borno youths, which he

The attacks have crippled both social and economic lives in the entire area, it is sad to say that my people have been blocked from going to the market by the insurgents, who kill at will “If care is not taken, my people will completely flee the area to neighbouring states and countries for safety.

In fact, sincerely speaking, my people, including the traders and other businessmen and women have been prevented from traveling to Maiduguri to buy industrial and household goods for sale to customers in my chiefdom with an estimated population of 655, 000 in 11 wards and other border communities with Cameroon. Therefore, I am pleading and will continue to plead to the military, police and other security agencies in the state to take emergency and proactive measures against the sect,” Timta lamented.

said are the real cause of the Boko Haram insurgency.

Maintaining that it was wrong for politicians to forget their campaign promises soon after their election, Bukar, popularly addressed as ‘Bungus’, also, a top official of the Bank accused Borno lawmakers of betraying the trust of their people by not keeping to the campaign promises, a situation that has made many jobless youths to resort to violence and take laws into their hands by killing innocent lives and destroying properties without any cause.

Thousands have been killed in my constituency

——Hon. Terab Hon. Abudlrahman Terab is the member representing Bama/Ngala/ Kala-Balge Federal Constituency of Borno State in the House of Representatives.

His constituency is in the theater of operations of the conflict between the Boko Haram sect and the Nigerian military. In an interview with Saturday Vanguard, he narrated the story of the hell and tales of a horrible story of insurgents’ attacks on his Bama Community and beyond.

He said: “The experience is agonizing and one that is very sad. It was never envisaged before now.

These things that our people used to see on the TV happening in some parts of the world are all of a sudden around us. Within my constituency alone, we are already rolling into thousands, only within my constituency of 3 local governments, but of course, if we are talking about the neigbouring local governments and the whole of the state, between the beginning of the crisis and now, I think we are running into hundreds of thousands.

That’s the fact of the matter. Of course, we know that everything that is being reported even in the media is not the actual figure and we do not have such proper measures that will take the proper account of casualties and those who die in the hospitals afterwards due to the same crisis. The fact of the matter is that millions of lives are being threatened now, first by hunger, second economy and third by the act of terror itself. You can see that the situation is in dire need of a drastic action.

“But beyond that, our current situation is one where schools no longer exist. Students cannot identify themselves as students. Teachers cannot identify themselves as teachers and cannot dare go to where school locations are.

“The existing structures have all been completely burnt down. And our economic activities have been brought down not just because there is sense of insecurity but because specifically, market and economic hubs have been targeted and burnt

down. Peoples’ assets have been specifically targeted and burnt down.

So, clearly, it makes people that have invested a lot over a long period of time to be helpless.

“Now, food, all of a sudden is becoming luxury because in the last two years, farming activities have dropped drastically to less than 20 percent and the major preoccupation of the entire people of that area is farming. ”Over 90% of people last year could not even farm. Those who were able to get to the farms to cultivate were not allowed to harvest at the end of the day. So, we are in the most critical stage of the crises. The issues of hospitals and other services are luxury. In any case, I think the issues of crime are no longer reported because you can’t find a standing police station that’s ready to listen to complaints and take them up. Every murder is considered a Boko Haram case. None is being investigated and none is receiving attention. So, just imagine how dire our situation is. It has come to its knees and that’s the reason why we are crying out that anything beyond this is anarchy on its own. People are losing, have lost and may never have confidence in government again. Of course, there is growing migration out of our areas to other areas, the neighboring ones and even far places.”

The economy is in doldrums— Ibrahim Mantu, former Senate Deputy President Definitely, the economy is in doldrums because the Boko Haram activities have brought everything to a halt even the infrastructures. As you know, there was the dual carriage road from Kano to Maiduguru being constructed by a Chinese company. Boko haram people slaughtered some of their workers and as a result of that, people now abandoned the project. So, that road has suffered because the insurgents are attacking the workers. That is one. Two, nothing is happening

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Vanguard , APRIL 19 19, 2014

they depend on the foods from the other parts of the country. And if they don’t go to the south, they don’t get the cash. So, you can see

Continued from page 13 economically in the north east of Nigeria because nobody in his correct senses will like to go to that part of the country and work no matter how much he likes money. So the economy is in total shambles. There is nothing happening at this point in time.

By extension, it has affected Nigeria as a nation in the sense that when people are suffering in one part of the country, they migrate to the others and now partake from the economy of that area they moved to. If your economy in Imo State, for example was good enough to take care of 100 people and now you have 200 people living on the same economy, definitely, the cost of living of everybody will now go down because they are also taking care of additional numbers.

What we are afraid of is that these Boko haram people want to have an area they will take full charge of, full control of and then launch attacks to the other parts of Nigeria. That’s why they want to take the north east and from there, continue to acquire more and more until they get to the bar beach in Lagos. That is exactly their own ambition and that is why it is not a northeastern war alone. It is not a northern problem alone. It has become a Nigerian problem. And now we must all rise in unison to fight them, to make sure that we bring them to a halt. Otherwise, we are all going to be victims.

North east economy dead-—Dr. Junaid Mohammed, Second Republic federal lawmaker For any economy to move and for any society or community to prosper, there has to to be peace and after peace, there has to be some commercial activities. People are after their own lives and we have to make sure they are not rough handled. So, clearly, for the past years,there has been no commerce in the north east and therefore, the economy in those areas is dead.

The people are scared-—Muzzammil Sani Hanga, Lawyer and national secretary for Supreme Council for Ulama of Nigeria It is quite obvious. It has affected the north. Whenever there is insurgence, whenever there is crisis, the first victim to fall is the economy.

People will be scared and actually cannot come out to business. They cannot even survive. So, I believe the economy has been affected and will continue to be affected so long as we allow this insurgence to continue. By extension, the whole country is going to be engulfed. When one arm of the country is affected, all other arms will be affected.

We are yet to get protection from government-—Alhaji Yerima Abdulahi, elder statesman and former Nigeria’s ambassador to Malaysia Honestly, it is no longer a secret.

The economy of the north is in shambles. People can’t go to where they want to at the time they want.

Not only that, even our farmers can’t

the vicious circle we are in. It is terrible.

Sani Hanga

Junaid Mohammed

Balarabe Musa

Blame govt at all levels levels—Musa go to the farm. When they go,even if they produce, Boko haram will come and take everything. Not only that, you can’t leave your house with certainty that you will come back. You are not sure. Not only that, people are being killed by the day. We were told on the radio that the army and security people are doing something about it but everyday, we hear reports to the contrary. What happened in Nyanyan, the one in Chibok, Borno State where over 100 school girls were abducted, how on earth can this kind of thing happen without being traced? It is amazing. And with this kind of situation, how can the people cope to even begin to think of their own economy? It is terrible and people are confused. They can’t go on their

economic activities. We are dumbfounded. We don’t know what next to do. Government must come in clear terms. The military must ensure that they are there. We must reassure

people that they are protected but with the present day situation in Nyanyan and Chibok, certainly, nobody will have the confidence that somebody is being protected. Unfortunately, without security, how on earth can people go on their normal economic activities? They cannot.

Obviously, it will affect the whole country. Don’t you see that the south more or less has plenty of money but they depend on the north to get foods: yam, rice, potatoes, vegetables, beans, maize, name it. All the food that people eat. Even the chicken that people slaughter, even the goats that people slaughter, a lot of cows.

Now, all these cannot be ferried as normal. They cannot because there is no peace. You take your lorry load of beans, goats and someone snatches them and leaves you high and dry if they don’t even kill you.

It is very dangerous and you can imagine what will happen in the south where they don’t farm, places like Onitsha, Lagos, Enugu,

Insurgency is aimed at disintegrating the country —-Balarabe Musa The perpetrators of the violence are organized, well equipped, probably protected and easily recruits agents, fighters, and suicide bombers because of mass poverty and unemployment of young people. There are today in Nigeria more than 20 million post-secondary graduates from colleges of education, polytechnics, universities, among others who are unemployed and from poor families and they have no hope of employment during the next five years.

Who is to be blamed?

Government at the federal, state, and local governments are to be blamed because they have the power, authority and responsibility and have failed to use them to bring about good governance. They allow disabling levels of corruption, stealing, criminal waste of public resources .

What are the contributions of the Northerners on this issue First, let us look at the contribution of Nigerian leaders before that of regional leaders. Nigeria is a federation with an executive president and a law- making National Assembly, and an independent judiciary. The military, the police, and all law enforcement agents are under direct control of the executive President.

Therefore, the role and responsibilities of all other bodies are secondary, including the powerless regional leaders which do not exist in law.

Insurgency is not caused by poverty alone. Poverty makes it only easy to recruit people for insurgency.

Insurgency itself is the work of rich, powerful groups hiding behind internal authority or foreign interests both of which have political objectives to destabilize Nigeria, starting with the Northern part of Nigeria which is considered to be strategic for effective attack.

The Nigerian internal groups that may want to destabilize Nigeria for political purpose are: firstly, those that think that insecurity, instability, poverty, and hunger can enable them massively rig the 2015 election or alternatively enable them to continue in power when there is no elected ones to handover to as required by the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Secondly, the convicted, being prosecuted and exposed thieves who think that if Nigeria disintegrates, the different countries resulting from the disintegration will not have time and peace to try them.

The external foreign agents are international imperialists which already predicted the disintegration of Nigeria and may have been conspiring with the Nigerian internal groups to effect the separation.

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, APRIL 19, 2014—15

T

omorrow is Easter Sunday. The churches, synagogues and other places of worship will be full. Many of those in the congregation tomorrow go to church only twice a year— the other day being Christmas.

Many will make it a family outing and an opportunity for the kids to show off their new Easter dresses. Many, knowing the churches will be full, will attend to network— some of the prominent members usually hold court after service— or back slap. No matter.

All of them will hear the annual good news of a risen Christ in a fallen world, of the son of God who conquered death and removed its sting, of Jesus who died for our sins so that we will not be slaves to sin anymore; of unparalleled love— an agape, sacrificial kind.

Our politicians across the religious divide are expected to cue into the Easter message. Old speeches are retrieved and freshened up, and one by one, they will deliver the same old tepid messages of brotherly love and unity— even when they are the ones tearing the country apart. We will be enjoined to eschew bitterness and the things that create division and instead imbibe the tenets of Christ by embracing love, unity and respect for other religions. Nothing inspirational is expected from the pulpit tomorrow and from the rostrum on Monday. Many of the pastors who have become politicians and the politicians who have become pastors will deliver speeches tomorrow and on Monday that they don’t believe in let alone practice what they preach, to audiences that listen but don’t hear let alone practice what they hear.

grandchildren. Commerce also picks up as many people loosen the purse strings during this period to indulge in travels, gifts and fun. For the creative and entrepreneurial, it is the time for new things as people are more receptive to new, creative ideas during this season. Easter, like Christmas, keeps reinventing itself. So the picnic sites will be busy; the resorts and hotels will be busy; even the roads will be busy.

Its Easter after all and it comes once a year.

But it is easy to see all of these— the gaiety, the glitz and glamour, the fun and parties; the popping and consumption of alcohol— and think all is well with our world. Whereas Easter, especially to the secular and the carnal, can be just a weekend fix that masks the reality of an unfulfilled and listless existence. It can also accentuate the pain and loneliness in life as the newly divorced, newly widowed and indeed all those who go to cold, lonely homes at periods like this will attest. The elderly whose children have flown the nest will feel it more during this season as neighbouring homes become fuller.

Those who are between life and death will not even realise its Easter let alone participate in the revelries of the season. Yet they abound, because death does not recognise tides or season. There are those who, due to one challenge or the other, are now left with past memories of Easter. Into this category fall those who have just moved into new towns or new environments. Or soldiers who are fighting behind enemy territories.

Or those who have been emotionally scarred. These are just a few of the many shades of Easter for the secular.

But the spiritual have to look beyond the message of the risen Christ to the events of the days before, to the pain and humiliation on the road to Golgotha. To be stripped, scorched and asked to carry your own cross, your own instrument of death, is not what anybody will wish for. Yet it happens more often than we realise, even today.

That these events— the humiliation and crucifixion — happened between the triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the triumphant resurrection, should make us pause and reflect. They are meant to teach us a thing or two about this journey of life in which pain and gain are co-travellers. As it goes, without the crucifixion there can be no resurrection. Yet, neither pain nor gain is permanent. The dizzy height of success can be followed almost immediately by the claustrophobic depth of failure. Life is about ebbs and flows. And when it sidelines us by pushing us to the bank of the river, it is for us to pause and reflect.

Easter has many shades. We can take whatever hue we want. We can choose to revel. We can choose to reflect. We can ask ourselves questions about life and our place in it. And about family and the values our children are upholding. Or where our country is heading.

HappyEaster.Makeitthebestyouhaveeverhad.

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The dizzy height of success can be followed almost immediately by the claustrophobic depth of failure

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ut anytime I wonder why we bother, I am reminded of the words of Mighty Sparrow, the legendary calypso singer when I asked him about the carnival in his native country of Trinidad and Tobago. He said: ‘My country needs the carnival more than the carnival needs my country ’. I believe Nigeria needs Easter more than Easter needs us. If anything, it comes with its relief and offers some kind of distraction from the social, economic and political problems besetting our dear country.

Lets start with the school children.

Easter represents a break from the tedium of school life. It’s a time to go home and be united with parents and loved ones, especially those in boarding schools. Workers too take a break from the monotony of work to connect with those friends and family members that daily chores have made difficult to reach. The young ones are excited by the prospect of a special Easter meal and hopefully, a new, special dress. The adolescents are excited by the opportunity to date and socialise. Their older siblings often take things a bit further with picnics, nightclubbing and parties. The elderly ones look forward to the visits from their children and C M Y K

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Realities of resurrection power

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hen God made the heavens and the earth, He made them good. There was no evil, corruption, sickness, famine, death, etc. Everything was beautiful and in abundance.

Man reigned on earth as lord because he was given dominion and authority by God. However, man lost this position when he surrendered his authority to the devil by obeying the lies of the devil and sinning against God. Thus the devil became the god of this world.

However, because the loving nature of God, He set out to redeem man back to Himself and restore back his lost glory and in the process render the devil powerless. The price to be paid was with blood. In the Old Testament, the blood of animals was used by the priest to cover the sins of men. Though this satisfied the laws of God at the time, it was not enough.

The price for sin needed to be paid once and for ever.

In line with this, God had to come in the form of man in the person of His Son Jesus Christ, who had no sin nature in His blood to pay the price. He had no sin in His blood by virtue of His manner of conception. To accomplish this task, Jesus had to shed His sinless blood. He had to die, buried and resurrected. This He did to reconcile man back to God. Before Jesus could get this victory for man, He had to suffer. He was arrested, tried by men that He created, was beaten, spat at, mocked, scourged, a crown of thorns was put on His head, He was nailed to the cross and crucified (Matt.

26-28). When this was happening satan thought he had won but now we know better that the devil is a liar because the bible states that “And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Col. 2:15). Thus, the devil lost his authority over you. He was stripped of every kind of power that he had by Jesus.

Let’s see now some of the truths of resurrection power. In Matt. 27:50-52, the bible says, Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And behold the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom and the earth did quake and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept

arose”. Thus, no one must remain in the pit whereon there is no water. Your dream of escape is established. It is illegal for you to remain in the grave of satan when the price for your escape has been fully paid. Whatever grave you have been shut up in, know that you are coming out today.

Eph. 1:19-20; 2:1, shows that when Jesus resurrected from the grave, He raised us up together with Him and made us to seat with Him in heavenly places.

So the mighty act of God which raised Christ from the dead also raised His body (the church). Furthermore, the very act that seated Christ also seated His body.

Christ is seated at the Father’s own right hand. Therefore, we are seated at the Father’s own right hand, which is the place of authority. Thus our position changed

by Jesus resurrection.

The mystery of resurrection is the translation of the believers from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of His dear Son, which is the kingdom of light. Where we are in heavenly places, satan is not permitted to prevail. The good news of resurrection is that you are no longer where you used to be. We live in heaven with God who dwells in the light that no man can approach unto. How then could d a r k n e s s In line with this, (satan) survive there. God had to Can the Ni- come in the form gerian Police arrest of man in the you in person of His America?

NO. They Son Jesus don’t have Christ, who had any legal right to do no sin nature in so. Their au- His blood to pay thority is only within the price Nigeria. So it is with the devil. Since you are no longer under satan’s dominion, his agent cannot arrest you where you are because they cannot get there again.

The reality of resurrection indicates that we have been conferred with the power of choice. Whatever we bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. Thus, only what we permit and not the devil will happen.

Engage the resurrection power and put an end to the false power of satan.

Begin to walk in the power of resurrection that is now available to you and the devil will not be able to lie to you. I command you to resurrect in newness of life, power, riches, health, prosperity and life more abundantly. God bless you, our great nation Nigeria and President Goodluck Jonathan.

Happy Easter.

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The many shades of Easter

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For more details, contact us at Christ Reality Church, beside Gossard Hotel, opposite First Bank Sports Ground, Community Road, Satellite Town or P.O.Box, 3196, Yaba Lagos. Tel: 08023062635 08168955932; 08033378769. Email: Johnson_crm@yahoo.com. Website: www.christrealityministries.org.

Our account details are Pastor Johnson Omomadia, Guaranty Trust Bank, A/C Nos. 0005171407; Christ Reality Ministries, Zenith Bank A/C 1011711622.

Worship with us on Sundays, 1st Service: 745am-9:15am; 2nd Service 9:1511:30am. Wednesdays Word Revelation 6pm. Counseling days Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 11am-5pm daily or by appointment. Showers of blessing every 2nd - 4th Sat. of each month, 6 a.m - 7.15 am.

16—SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014

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s a little girl, I had the privilege of watching a lot of British television series in our Black & White TV and later on, colour Televison. I loved horror movies and would always wait till late night of certain days to watch the Hammer House of Horror, a British television series.

The episodes were riddled with different kinds of horror varying from witches, werewolves, ghosts, devil worship and voodoo and sometimes, non-supernatural horror themes such as cannibalism, confinement and serial killers. I grew up believing such things were make-believe because they could never happen in real life but only on TV and in only foreign television stations of America and United Kingdom.

I also thought the horror news about bomb attacks and terrorism were meant for other countries other than Nigeria.

But I was wrong. Mais je me trompais.

Nigeria has since joined the league of ‘big boy’ countries that can be seen on TV the world over where human beings are butchered like cows, goats and fowls in the public glare. Now the whole world has seen that Nigeria too can make things happen! We are also happening people!

And trust Nigeria never to disappoint. Recently, we made international headlines again. The news spread across all cable TV stations like wild fire.

Terrorists abducted more than 100 schoolgirls in the town of Chibok in northeastern Nigeria. They dared the Nigerian military in a gun battle and herded the girls out of their beds smoothly and onto buses, and sped off.

Typiquement Nigérien.

The Nigerian military couldn’t stop the abduction but few days later, they claimed they have rescued 80 girls from the terrorists which the families of the victims and Borno government had since refuted.

Which report should we believe? Should we out of shame claim gallant victory for what we did not achieve or should we swallow our pride and acknowledge that we need help so that those who have what it takes will help in the search?

And what crime did these innocent girls commit?

What crime did anybody commit to have necessitated the onslaught of terrorists in our country?

Who would have believed when we were watching the collapse of the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in the United States that Nigeria would one day be in the news for such sinister attacks? I thought it’s only James Bond movies, ‘Hammer House of Horror’ and other mafia films that could produce such horrors but it has become a reality show of our times. More like ‘Big Brother Nigeria’. Our situation leaves nothing to C M Y K

founder, extending its

networks and having international links.

As for its most recent escapades with 100 school girls, families of the girls have accused the Nigerian military of lying. When the military claimed that nearly all the girls have been rescued, the families and Borno state government are saying that nearly all of them are still being held.

Borno government said Thursday that only 20 girls were rescued and over 80 are still missing but the military said 80 were rescued and only 20 are still missing.

The litany of terror

the imagination. We don’t need to spend money to activate our DSTVs to watch our own horror movies!

Massacre here. Bomb blasts there. Kidnap here.

Rape there. The Nigerian story of all times!

But for how long is this going to continue? Is this situation beyond solution?

Why are terrorists turning Nigeria into a synonym for fear and bloodshed?

It was not in our character as black people to shed blood in such a brutal manner. We were always our brothers’ keeper, watching each other’s back.

But something has gone wrong.

Even in our worst period in history, it was never this bad.

Alors pourquoi maintenant?

The terror attacks have intensified in an apparent show of defiance amid the nation’s military onslaught.

It appears to be targeting the destruction of the Nigerian government which appears to be tackling the matter with kid gloves while the terrorists are getting more violent and defiant.

The attacks are escalating.

The menace of Boko Haram doesn’t appear to have an end in the nearest future. We dismiss it by saying it happens in other places; that it’s a global phenomenon. But if it’s a global phenomenon, it’s definitely not a Nigerian phenomenon!

The attacks have brought divisions amongst religions, ethnic groups and governments. Politicians are feeding fat on it.

But whether we believe it or not, terror attacks appear to be the fight by northern Islamist fundamentalists against the north and even as many leaders pay lips service to peaceful co-existence and some northern leaders pretend

to abhor the violence, there is an inherent local sympathy and support for Sharia law,

which many believe is the only way to end a corrupt and inept government. The consistent attacks have created abject poverty in the northeast with many abandoning homes for safer places of abode. Economic activities have been crippled completely and suspicion reigns supreme. Military efforts appear to be failing as the terrorists appear to be winning the war and more people are questioning the competency of the joint military task force. Issues are being muddled up as rights groups accuse the Nigeria military of human rights violations in the fight

about the fire power of the

terrorists and even vowed to attack the United States.

Shekau claimed their strength and firepower are bigger than that of Nigeria as Nigeria is no longer a big deal to them. Perhaps, Shekau was talking as an al Qaeda affiliate in Nigeria. To rub it in, the terrorists have invaded Abuja, the seat of government and that feat alone defies explanation.

And they have done it first and repeated times!

Just this week, a massive explosion ripped through a bus station in Abuja, killing over 70 people. The blast had the hallmarks of a Boko Haram attack.

Boko Haram has consistently carried out attacks in the seat of government

Nigeria has since joined the league of 'big boy' countries that can be seen on TV the world over where human beings are butchered like cows, goats and fowls in the public glare for the whole world to see that Nigeria too can make things happen against the terrorists.

Not even the United States $7 million bounty on Shekau’s head could achieve anything?

Perhaps, US should increase the bounty to $70 million. Who knows, those sponsoring the terrorists might have offered much more and might have included juicier packages to the informants of the terrorists?

G

ood money that would

have been used in tackling the power sector, rebuilding our refineries, reconstructing more roads and fixing the general infrastructure is being wasted to tackle insurgency to no avail.

To show the confidence of the terrorists, Shekau had the effrontery to openly boast

without qualms.

In 2011, a suicide attack on the United Nations building in Abuja killed at least 25 people.

Indeed, this hydra-headed Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnah Lida Wa’ati Wal Jihad which became manifest in 2009 is shaking the very foundations of our nationhood. A similar threat reportedly existed in the past, the Maitatsine which broke out in 1980 but was suppressed after over three years with the capture and execution of its leader, Muhammadu MarwaMaitasine.

But in this case, the capture and execution of Muhammed Yusuf in Borno State in 2009 did not stop anything. As a matter of fact, the Boko Haram seems to wax stronger and more disas-

trous after the death of its

Why would anybody lie about issues like this? We need help as a country and that is the truth. Many things are falling apart. Or should we say the centre is still holding?

In early March, Borno closed all its 85 secondary schools and sent more than 120,000 students home after increasing attacks by the group.

But the Federal Government schools remained open for academic activities. And so, the girls of Federal Government College became victims.

Chibok community has threatened to go into the bush to search for the missing girls!

Life is getting tougher in the north.

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he fear of terrorism continues to cast a long shadow over the city and across the north.

Bombings, kidnappings and bloody assaults by Boko Haram occur on daily basis and these have deterred investment. Farming, the north’s main source of income has become history. Insecurity has forced farmers to retreat from some areas.

Traders are no longer in business.

Even before Boko Haram’s insurgency intensified nearly three years ago, the north was struggling like other cities in the South, with its own share of unreliable electricity, cheap Chinese imports, smuggling and counterfeit goods . Vast spaces on Kano’s edges have become industrial graveyards.The situation since the insurgency has become worse. In rural

areas, the picture is bleaker.

Poor education puts off investors seeking skilled labour. Whereas the literacy rate in the south is high,in the north, things are deteriorating educationally.

In future, this will affect the north drastically. Without better education, the zone will struggle to attract investment or create jobs.

This will further give room for terrorist activities.

I don’t know if Nigeria will survive this but I hope and pray she does. The impunity of the gunmen is getting more scary. Could it be that our leaders are running out of ideas on how to go about it? Is President Jonathan losing the battle against terrorism? I hope we wake up to the reality of this truth confronting us.

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014 — 17

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18—Vanguard, SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014

Cossy Orjiakor

robbed!

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ontroversial actressturned singer, Cossy Orjiakor, is in the news again. But this time around, not for the wrong reason of exposing what she is endowed with.

Rather, she was recently attacked by some hoodlums along Orile/Mile 2 road while on her way to Festac town.

According to the ‘busty’ singer, despite the fact that she rolled up her car glasses, the desperate hoodlums smashed the glasses and robbed her. “I was driving down to Festac town through Orile/ Mile 2 axis, when the hoodlums approached me. With all my glasses rolled up, they smashed the glass and dispossessed me of my belongings. I even sustained injury in my hand and two legs.

They collected my cell- phones and my perfume,” she narrated.

Tuface ge ts gets new home

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usic heavyweight,2face Idibia has added another

feather to his cap as he acquires a new mansion in Lekki, Lagos.

He recently opened the place. Matinee gathered that the property which is worth hundreds of millions of naira has five unit bedrooms,a gym, mini studio, two sitting

Banky W ales, o ther hine W,, Sk Skales, other therss sshine at Dream4 Nigeria premiere

rooms, terrace, among other personalized components.

From all ramifications, one is convinced that the Benue State- born singer is gradually delving into real estate business as he keeps acquiring property worth millions of naira in different parts of Lagos, including Festac, Ikeja and Lagos Island. He also runs a record label and entertainment

outfit called,

Hypertek entertainment.

Terr Tunes, erryy G, D’ D’T ID Cabasa in Naija Street Champ

By ESTHER ONYEGBULA EME boss, Banky W last weekend shone like a million stars at the premiere of the movie titled, “Dreams4niaja.” The short documentary which features notable Nigerian musicians such as Skales, Eldee, Banky W among others is a profiling of young Nigerians, their expectations and dreams for a better Nigeria. The video captures what the Nigerian youths expect from their leaders.

According to Banky W, “The purpose of the video is to inspire more Nigerians to believe in Nigerian dream. I charge Nigerian youths to take advantage of the technology to change their world”. He said.

The event which was compered by Adaure Achumba and Owen Gee , hosted Mr. Ray Mcnally who was responsible for the recording the of documentary as well as Banky W, who played a significant role in the documentary.

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treet children in Lagos, will take a deep breath of relief as Unmissable Incentive, organisers of the first ever street talent hunt, Naija Street Champ, has concluded plans to feature top Nigerian producers for the first edition of the show. Foremost Nigerian hip hop star cum producer, Terry G has been pencilled down to lead other producers including D-Tunes, and I.D Cabasa for the show. Naija Street Champ is an open-mic music competition that allows young people ‘free-style to a beat’ as the train tours Lagos major neighbourhoods in search of new solo singing talents who would work with renowned music producers. The 12 -week audition will be held in different parts of the state.

Dixon Olakunbi dumbfounded ...as she wins Knorr TTast ast e Quest aste

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inner of Unilever Nigeria-sponsored TV reality show tagged Knorr Taste Quest, Dixon Olakunbi was dumbfounded last Saturday when she was declared the winner of the keenly contested season 2 of the reality show. The 30 year-old Lagos based office administrator, beats other three finalists to clinch the star prize. “ I was not expecting to win the show.

“To say that I am shocked and surprised is an understatement,” said an excited Dixon after she was declared winner. “I wasn’t

p

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expecting to win. I hope that this is the beginning of good things to come; like more endorsements.

This is just the beginning. I didn’t see it coming.

I am competing against the best. It is not a case of one person does it better than all the rest.”

For her accomplishment, Dixon went home with N2 million cash prize, a Ford Eco Sport SUV courtesy of Coscharis Motors, and Kenwood kitchen equipment. She has joined the Knorr Taste Quest hall of fame that already has winner of season one, Indonesia born Eko Hotel chef, Lalu Surdiham who was also present at the grand finale.

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014 — 19

By Juliet Ebirim

How to stem the tide of terror in the nation

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he height of insecurity in the country has reached an alarming state, following the outrageous bombings in the North and recently in the country’s capital, Abuja resulting to the deaths of more than 70 people. In a chat with some celebrities, they suggested solutions on ways to deal with the scourge.

All hands must be on Govt should set up deck — Segun Arinze, Actor secre secrett sur survveillance ll hands should be on deck to fight this — Ibinabo Fiberesima, AGN Ascourge called terrorism. We need a president pragmatic solution to this. All defense he best way to

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stem the tide of the terror is through neighbour to neigbour watch. Government should institute secret surveillance to penetrate tribes and religious groups. There should be security monitor such as CCTV in major red spot areas with 24/7 recording of activities and increase welfare package for security agents in the areas. The public should be enlightened on security watch and sponsors of the terror groups should be

mechanism - mental, technical and otherwise should be deployed. If need be, seek foreign assistance. The perpetrators should be hounded and brought to justice. Security agencies should share information among themselves. Surveillance cameras should be put in all major towns, cities and villages as well as hot spots in the country. Nigerians should also be alert, sensitive and avoid clusters. Report any funny movements to security agents.

Tac kle po ty ish out the ackle povver erty ty,, ffish financier inancierss —TeeMac, Flutist

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y belief is that most of these people are being brainwashed and they are not even aware of the results of these killings. The important thing is that we have to fight against poverty in the North, because that will help to stop all these killings.

The government should put in more effort in fishing out financiers. We know that some people are putting in huge amounts of money behind the buying of bombs and guns. When we get the financiers of these acts of terrorism, then we can solve the problem.

exposed.

I don’t kno w, I’m know considering relocating — Kunle Afolayan, Actor

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don’t know how to stop the tide of terror in this nation and that is why I’m considering relocating. Please share with me when you know the answer.

Educate the masses —Belinda Effah, Actress

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ehabilitate and constantly educate the masses and ensure there is justice.

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Reduce po ty povver erty and corruption —Kehinde Bankole, Actress

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ut down on poverty which will reduce corruption, the root of most of the nation’s problems.Tighten borders and also focus on enlightening and re-orientating illiterate communities who harbour and shield terrorists.

Our leaders should love one another — Blessing Patrick, Actress

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y

deepening love and care for one another and these must start from our leaders.

If they start to love and care for each other, they will know what to do.

Nigerians should get used to it — Jesse Nazareth, Actress t’s something

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people have to get used to, because these are signs of the end time.

Nigerians should learn to stop moving freely the way rats do when cats, snakes and humans are around them. It’s time to wake up to the reality that this terror is not going to end soon, but I believe in a better and peaceful Nigeria.

20 — SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014

08111813050

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ew years after the revolution of the Nigerian motion picture industry in 1992, Nollywood has been globally recognized as one of the biggest in the world, receiving accolades from all over the world. The success of this feat will be incomplete without giving due credit to the movie directors who made it possible.

We showcase some of the biggest and famous names in directing in Nollywood.

Tunde Kelani

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ultiple-award winning Director, Tunde Kelani has always distinguished himself in the motion picture industry as an embodiment of brilliance and creativity.

Not a man of many words, TK as he is fondly called is very popular in churning blockbuster movies.

With such movies as Agogo Eewo, The Narrow Path, Ti Oluwa Nile, Kosegbe, O Le Ku, Kannakanna, Ogun Ajaye, Thunderbolt, Saworo Ide, Maami, among many others.

TK has carved a niche for himself as an accomplished cinematographer.

The resourceful and outstanding director, apart from his in-born talent, also acquired his skills abroad.

He is one director who has remained active since the 70s to date and is also very accomplished in celluloid and video.

For TK to own one of the most sophisticated movie equipments worth millions has made him not only rich but also famous.

Meet wavemaking male movie directors in Nollywood

Tade Ogidan

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espected Nollywood director, Tade Ogidan is one whose name is associated with quality and standard.

To his credit, he has groomed many thespians who are regarded as thorough bred and has contributed in no small measure in the motion picture industry.

His classics include: Dangerous Twins, Owo Blow, Aya Mi Owon, Diamond Ring, among many others. Ogidan who has several awards for his efforts and hi tech movie equipments is also reputed to pay actors handsomely.

Teco Benson

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pparently one of the best directors in Nollywood today, Teco Benson is a specialist in action flicks.

Even as he loves to be behind the scene, his award-winning movies have brought him global recognition. His uniqueness in using modern day technology stands him out among others in the industry and even in competing at international level.

Benson has maintained a strong track record in the movie industry since 1997 when his directing career began. That was after he went into script writing and editing.

Currently working on another blockbuster movie, John Zerebe, some of his hit movies include - State of Emergency, Explosion: Now or Never, The Prince, Danger Signal, Silence of the Gods, War Front, The Senator, Wasted Years, The Fake Prophet, Blood Diamonds, Mission to Nowhere, among many others.

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Chico Ejiro

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Desmond Elliot

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aving featured in over 200 movies and a number of soap operas and television shows, Desmond Elliot is currently making waves as an astute movie director in tinsel town.

In 2008, Elliot co-produced and codirected the movie Reloaded. He has upped the ante in directing with other box office hits such as Uyai, Edikan 1 &2, Bursting Out, Kiss and Tell, Reloaded, In the Cupboard Apaye, and still counting.

Elliot has indicated interest in politics as he is set to vie for a seat in the House of Representatives under Surulere constituency, Lagos.

he CEO of Grand Touch Pictures, Chico Ejiro fondly referred as Mr. Prolific is a success story as far as directing is concerned in Nollywoood. He not only directed movies but also popular television soap operas like Treasures.

With many award winning flicks to his credit, the Isoko, Delta State born die hard Arsenal FC fan has directed over 80 movies.

Drawn into video production in the 90s when cheap video production equipment became available in the country, Ejiro has been profiled by the ‘New York Times’, ‘Time Magazine’ for his outstanding efforts in Nollywood.

From the popular Ejiro movie family, Chico has such flicks as Outkast, Polygamy 2, The Final Clash, Conscience, Life in New York, Deadly Kiss 1&2, Tears in My Eyes 1&2, 100 Days in the Jungle, Change of Heart 2, Secret Affairs, London Forever, Passion of Mind, Indecent Act, A Second Time, Computer Girls, Man Snatcher, Agony of a Mother, Dangerous Babe, SetUp, Running with the Wind, among others.

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014 — 21

Kunle Afolayan

Muyiwa Ademola

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ntelligent Muyiwa was an African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) winner for the best director of the year. His overwhelming profile has continued to soar when he stamped his presence with widely acclaimed movies like Jide Jamal, Erinwo 1&2, Ogo Osupa 1&2, Ori, Obakeye 1&2, Ori and Ile among others.

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Wemimo Olu-Paul

ased in Ibadan, the capital City of Oyo State, Wemimo Paul, the Yoruba movie producer is the most sought after in the Ibadan.

The success of his jobs like Oyato, Ale Ariwo 1&2, Kodun Kopo Kope, Aye Jobele and No Rival have broken into the highly competitive Lagos market and that has made him one of the sought after Yoruba movie directors.

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on of the famous theatre and film director and producer, Adeyemi Afolayan better known as Ade Love has been active in the Nigerian film industry.

All his movies have been box office hits. In 2007, his flick, Irapada won the best indigenous movie at the 2007 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) and his box office hit The Figurine: Araromire won the best picture prize and four other major awards at the 2010 African movie academy Awards (AMAA). He has been well received at local and international film festivals.

Phone Swap premiered in France at the first edition of NollywoodWeek Paris and won the Public Choice Award.

Izu Ojukwu

Tchidi Chikere

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ith many awards in his kitty, Izu Ojukwu has won numerous awards on account of his outstanding movies.

Unarguably one of the most accomplished filmmakers, Ojukwu’s flicks which is always on point in terms of quality and standard includes, Sitanda, White Waters, Cindy’s Note, Across the Niger, Moving Train, Battle of Love, Desperadoes 1&2, Iva, Showdown, among others.

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nown as a no-nonsense director, Tchidi Chikere has registered his name among the top movie directors in the country.

Among his works are Paparazzi: Eye in the Dark, Screen Saver 1&2, Stronger than Pain, All My Life, Beloved, Dirty Diamond 1&2, Beautiful Soul, Sins of the Flesh, Speak the Word and Render to Caesar.

Abbey Lanre

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nlike many Yoruba film directors who are conservative, Abbey Lanre in recent times has proved his critics wrong and has broken into the movie industry.

He is indeed one of the wave-making directors at the moment. Since 1980 when he got into the industry, he has directed over 500 movies. Bolode O’ku, Eni Owo, Durotimi, Mojere, Eniyan Soro, Borokinni are just few of his films.

Obi Emelonye

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e was at the final stages of being enrolled as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales when he abandoned legal practice to pursue his first love: film.

Based in the UK, Emelonye is a notable award winning Nollywood filmmaker known for his outstanding movies, which includes, Mirror Boy, The Asylum, Sweet, Betrayal, Who’s Next? Lucky Joe, London Successor, Echoes of War and Good Friends.

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Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun

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e is one of the icons of the Nigerian film industry who has been there from the birth of Nollywood in the early 1990s to date.

Imasuen whose films feature unexplored aspects of the African experience including tribalism, witchcraft, crime, poverty, religion, and folk beliefs is a multiple award winning director of over 200 movies. His works include Private Sin, Enslaved, Games Men Play, Yahoo Millionaire, A Private Storm, Sister’s Love, Bent Arrows , Home in Exile, Adesuwa, among others.

Andy Amenechi

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ndy as Amenechi is simply called is reputed to be one of the hottest and busiest movie directors on the Nigerian home video scene. The six foot tall 1982 graduate of Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria trained in advertising, marketing and advanced television and film production both in Nigeria and abroad.

A long standing member of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) and the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Amenechi is the directing force behind some of the sectors enduring offerings like Rituals, Blood of the Orphan, Narrow Escape, Oracle,etc.

22 — SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014

I don’t demand respect, I command it – Beverly Osu B

By Kehinde Ajose

I didn’t do any secret wedding — Kefee

EVERLY Osu is in the news again, but this time around its on a bright note. Th e model cum video vix en just clinched deal as the new face of Ivie Hair. She recently a flaunts the promo pic tures on her Instagram page.

According to her:’Beve rly Osu, the mannequin black diamond with a , bra over, might seem benig in. Skinny but no push n don’t demand respect, but larger than life. I I command it. I don’t rea the news, I make it,’ she declares. This is the d second deal the dark skinned beauty will be clinching, as she was made the face of Pres tige Cosmetics recently .

BY SAM ANOKAM

N

igerian music star, Kefee, is back from the U.S. She returned to the country last week after about eight months away. Kefee and her husband, Teddy, traveled out last year to pursue courses in video production and directing at the Chicago Access Network TV. They graduated in March and returned as certified Video directors. They are collaborating with their different outfits—Kefee’s Branama Afrique and Teddy’s FourEleven Concepts to help out upcoming artists in developing their careers.

Speaking in Lagos, Kefee said that video production was a passion she always had and that it won’t take her away from the entertainment field.

She said she wanted to use it to encourage other artists in the music industry.

Also recently, pictures purportedly taken at Kefee’s wedding in the U.S had surfaced on the internet, but the artist distanced herself and her husband from any secret wedding in the U.S. “I didn’t do any secret wedding in the U.S. I had wedded in 2012. After my traditional wedding, I had a court wedding with my husband. The pictures that they are parading on the internet were not from any wedding. Rather they were from a scene in my video, ‘Beautiful’, which was shot last year but we eventually cut out those scenes and never released the pictures. I don’t know how they got out or the stories surrounding them,” she said.

C M Y K

Presh sings about his ‘Love’

By Kehinde Ajose

P the now defunct group Kcee Presh has

resh, a member of

finally staged a come - back. The diminutive pop star has been out of circulation for a while and his fans have a reason to smile as he debuts his new single “Olegelege”. Olegelege is a fast paced groovy high life love song where the singing sensation croons about his love interest. Presh also makes a statement with his new promo shots clad in well-fitted suits looking like a business mogul. He is

currently signed to Erik Manny Records and recently got a 2014 Prado Jeep and a 2013 Infiniti Q 56 as part of the deal. We hope the experiment of being a solo artiste works for him.

This is his first single following a multimillion naira record deal with Erik Manny Records.

Calabar Carnival Queen unveiled in Abuja

F

air and beautiful Nancy Olive Aisaghonhi, has been unveiled as the Calabar Carnival Queen 2013/2014. The stately beauty queen was on Sunday 13th April, officially unveiled to the public and development partners at a high-profile, glitzy event as the Face of Mothers Against Child Abandonment (MACA).

Speaking at the event held at the Sheraton hotel Abuja, the beauty queen urged that more individuals, groups and members of the private sector collaborate with organisations like MACA to prevent the sad occurrence of abandoned babies as well as reduce the number of street children. She however said that there was hope for street children as organisations such as MACA have taken up the fight to significantly reduce child abandonment and the growing menace of street children. Olive -Aisaghonhi expressed joy that

she and past Calabar Carnival Queens have taken the message of avoiding high risk behaviour that exposes youths to unwanted pregnancies and STIs to over 50 thousand students.

Founder of MACA and First Lady of Cross Rivers State, Mrs. Imoke described the beauty queen as the right spokesperson for her foundation as the younger generation can easily relate with her. Tagging her as role model worthy of emulation, Imoke asked her friends in the public and private sector to support the Calabar Carnival Queen in her drive to prevent youngsters from taking bad decisions that lead to cases child abandonment and unsafe abortions.

Dignitaries at the event include members of the diplomatic corps, the immediate past First Lady of Anambra state, Margaret Obi and the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Edem Duke amongst many others.

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014 — 23

Ayo Onikoyi 08052201215

How my true love for music started — D’Banj T

he Koko master, Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo, D’Banj, who is seriously putting together a grand plan to celebrate his 10th anniversary as a musician recently revealed in an interview how he discovered his love for music. The Oliver Twist crooner conceded he had never really owned up on the question, saying that being in the choir as a young boy was never really the reason he fell in love with music as it widely believed.

“My love of music came from the love of the harmonica, which is the instrument that I play. I stumbled upon the instrument when I was a teenager, because I lost my older brother and he used to play the harmonica. When I was in high school, he was in a plane crash. I came home from school and my mother told me what was recovered in his room. I walked into his room and I saw the harmonica and I picked it up. When I went back to school, I started playing it whenever I got any song in my head or any song that I liked” he disclosed.

From that unforgettable experience D’Banj has risen to become one of Africa’s leading brands in music. Since his first album ‘No Long Thing’ in 2005, he has continued to delight his fans and haters alike, hits after hits.

Etce Etcettera blasts Don Jazzy Jazzy,, D’banj, On a On wenu, Onyyek eka Onw others over Nyanya bomb blast

By Kehinde Ajose

Nigerian Idol: Behold the top 12!

P

ascal Ejikeme a.k.a Etcetera formerly signed on X3M music label known for his soft rock genre of music expressed his dissatisfaction over the Nyanya bomb blast that occurred in Abuja on the 14th of April.

According to him: ’For God’s sake, can somebody please call D’banj, Don Jazzy, Onyeka Onwenu, Duncan Mighty, Stephanie Okereke, Genevieve Nnaji, Funke Akindele, Omotola, Rita Dominic, Aki and Pawpaw, Sammy Okposo, Sunny Neji, Maleke, Okey Bakassi, Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Daddy Showkey, Richard Mofe Damijo, Kwam 1 and other entertainers that have at one time or the other been seen dining with politicians to please tell them that there has been a bomb blast in Nyanya? Can you include pictures of the mutilated bodies? Please don’t forget to tell them that most of the dead might have been lovers of your music and movies and cheered them in every concert and football matches they played both at club level and the national team.’He reveals.

C M Y K

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fter visiting 5 cities and several months of nerve-wrecking auditions and thousands of Nigerians giving their all to be on Africa’s No 1 music talent show, Nigerian Idol is officially down to the final 12 contestants.

Belting it all out for the unique opportunity to emerge as the winner of the fourth season of the show and also walk away with a series of mouth-watering prizes are 12 of Nigeria’s vocally talented youths.

One of these 12 will be crowned the 4th Nigerian Idol joining Yeka, Mercy and Moses in the league of winners and also walk away with the whooping sum of N7.5 million, a recording deal from Universal studios, a brand new SUV and numerous consolation prizes

24— SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014

Formal leather belts

Military belt

A belt as an accessory, not a necessity

By ADERONKE ADEYERI

W

earing a belt well is one of those litmus tests of fashion. This simple task when done right, confirms you as a man who understands fashion. A mismatch or other errors shows that you still need to learn about dressing well. The right belt is a fashion necessity for every man. Belts are not just for holding up trousers. A belt can add class and pizzazz to an outfit.

Belts can be easily sectioned into casual

and formal and so, certain styles are indicative of particular situations or purposes.

Your belt should have a few inches of leather to the left of the buckle once it is fastened.It should have enough to tuck under your first belt loop, or the loop on the belt if it has one, is a good rule of thumb.

You may err on the side of shortness if you need to rather than wrapping a long tail of leather around your hip a second time. Casual belts have a little more room for flexibility but an overly long tail end is always an awkward look. The casual belt is thankfully a much more versatile and variable accessory than the formal styles. You are not tied to a particular uniform, so you have more freedom in what you want to wear – what style, what size, what colour and what type you choose is pretty much endless.

All types of belts have some types of tightening clamps or buckles. While shopping for a belt, remember that flat and long buckles go well with formal apparels whereas, the big, bulky and flashy buckles are meant for party wear and casual dresses.

Brown leather belt

The ring belt C M Y K

Cool buckle belt

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014 — 25

5 New Cocktails in Town

By ANOZIE EGOLE

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ost times, having a wonderful weekend depends on the kind of drinks you take and the type of places you’d like to visit. Fun seekers will tell you that between Friday and the next working day is not enough to catch fun if you know what having fun is all about. Now that

Easter is around the corner, there are many places to hang-out. A visit to Royale Club, recently showed that, no matter the economic and security situation in the country, men still go extra mile to give themselves the treat they want. The well equipped and highly secured club, which is located at the business district of Ikeja, Lagos state, runs a day-to-day clubbing activities with assorted kinds of drink to give you the entertainment you need.

Cease and Desist

This is indeed a tangy drink.

Though it is not a very popular drink, it is one of the newest in town every lover of good drink can lay hands on. The drink simply includes lapsang-souchong tea, infused gin, ginger syrup, honey and lemon, and was the attempt to bring some of the flavors of scotch (which they don’t distill on site) to a cocktail menu dominated by vodka and gin drinks.

Bellini

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*Apple-Martini

*Long-Island-Iced-Tea

The Bellini is a peachy version of a champagne cocktail and makes a great brunch cocktail. The best part is that it only requires two ingredients, so it is very easy to mix up. The story behind the Bellini is that is was created in the 1930s or 40s at Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy by bartender Giuseppe Cipriani. It was named after a favorite painter, Giovanni Bellini. Originally, the Bellini used sparkling Italian wine and is still made that way in Italy, elsewhere it is often made with champagne. It is prepared with one third of a glass of peach puree or juice and two- thirds of chilled champagne or sparkling wine.

Mimosa

This class of cocktail is indeed, a fairly new cocktail in the market due to low percentage of people demanding for this. Not many love to take this kind of cocktail because it is not readily available when the demand arises. It has very simple ingredients. It is prepared when you: get half a glass of orange juice, tilt the glass and fill it with your champagne or sparkling wine, then give it a stir with your bar spoon or any long thing object. It is well served chilled.

26 — SARTURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014

I didn’t feel bad losing the Oscars — CHIWETEL EJIOFOR

BY SAM ANOKAM Celebrated Nigerian-British actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor was in the country last weekend for the premiere of the blockbuster movie, adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun. Showtime Celebrity cornered the ‘12 Years a Slave’ star, who played the lead character in the film as he talks about his involvement in the film, his Oscar nomination as well as his blossoming career.

H

ow do you feel playing the lead role in the film adaptation of Chimamanda’s “Half of a Yellow Sun,” especially when you have not visited home for such a long time?

I haven’t been out of the country for too long. We shot the film in Calabar about a year and six months ago. I feel really excited about starring in the film. It is one film that I am deeply passionate about.

I’ve known Biyi Bandele for about twenty years now. We talked often since I featured in a short film he made some years ago. We talked about wanting to make a film in Nigeria, trying to combine all of the possibilities and make a large scale film in the country. My mother introduced me to Chimamanda Adichie’s book in 2007, not long after it came out.

She just found it deeply affecting and very beautiful. So, it was a perfect confluence of events when Biyi Bandele told me he was adapting the novel for the screen and we started to plan how we could take the project out there. I was desperate to tell this story. I feel incredibly privileged, happy and delighted to be in a position right now to be presenting this film here in Nigeria.

After ‘Half of A Yellow Sun’ and ‘12 years a Slave’, we hear that you may be the villain in the next James Bond movie. How true is it?

In terms of the Bond thing, it is speculation at this point. You will be the first to know when I know. It’s been a remarkable time for me this year and I am part of the experience. I have been in Nigeria making this film. I am so passionate about it. It is so much a part of my own family history and heritage and very directly in terms of the war my grandfather experienced. I wanted to relate and express it in some ways. I think the projects I have been lucky to be involved with have been very meaningful to me.

In 2006, you were nominated for the BAFTA Orange star award by C M Y K

2014. You have won the award.

How did you feel losing out of the major one, the Oscars?

I felt fine. I felt like the film, 12 Years a Slave has been so wonderfully celebrated and it was really received in the spirit that has remained with many people across the world. I just felt incredible joy for the film itself, winning the Academy award; for Lupita winning the Academy award; for John Ridley winning the Academy award, for all of us who were nominated for the extraordinary moment. Also, for Steve McQueen an extraordinary film maker who makes rare, special and precious films. I felt very happy. In the end, it’s always the celebration of cinema and celebration of film. I think it is incredible in this part and extraordinary commitment from an actor. I give credit to the

It’s been a remarkable time for me this year and I am part of the experience. I have been in Nigeria making this film. I am so passionate about it. It is so much a part of my own family history and heritage and very directly in terms of the war my grandfather experienced. I wanted to relate and express it in some ways.

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Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014 — 27

When there are no toilets W

hat do you do when you are pressed and there are no toilets around? How do you cope when your bladder is full to bursting and there is nowhere to go for relief?

Searching around for a WC and finding none just when you need one most could be a traumatic experience. It would be understandable if at least there is a restroom, but it is occupied, all you would need do is wait a few minutes for it to become vacant.

Besides appropriately designated public places such as airports, major bus stations/taxi parks, shopping centers, parks, etc., public conveniences and restrooms have suddenly become scarce as gold dust.

Essentially, the problem of lack of restrooms isn’t restricted to public places. Even offices and places of business are guilty of this malady.

The other day, a friend had an appointment at a big, aestheticlooking establishment located in a choice area of Lagos. Midway through his appointment, he became pressed and requested to use the restroom. But he could not believe his ears when he was told there were no restrooms in the building.

His host instructed him pointblankly that he either withholds the pressure, or go across the road to a discreet restaurant and ask for permission to use their WC. Pressed almost to pressure point, my friend took the option of visiting the recommended restaurant. But he was in for another surprise.

As he walked through the entrance and approached the restroom, a beefy individual, asked about his mission, and patiently explained that only customers could use the toilet. It was simple. Use of the WC is free you only need to make a purchase first so as to earn the right to utilise it. My friend was beyond argument. He bought a bottle of water, only then was he allowed to utilise the WC – to urinate.

T

here is no specific requirement regarding toilets in the workplace, however it is expected that the employer must provide adequate facilities.

Generally, separate toilets need to be provided in workplaces where there are both male and female employees. The facilities must be clean and hygienic and there must be provision for hand washing. When nature beckons and there’s no restaurant, a public bar, government building, hospital, library, or department store comes in very handy.

Locating a decent public toilet can be frustrating. The

C M Y K

•Locating a decent public toilet can be frustrating...

Use of the WC is free you only need to make a purchase first so as to earn the right to utilise it. My friend was beyond argument average public convenience, though free, is usually dirty, unkempt, smelly and laden with unsightly graffiti. In some large cities, there are few public low-tech public urinals that offer just enough privacy for men to

find relief. Public conveniences are less convenient for women who, for obvious reasons, require more privacy. Often, when on the move, all a woman needs to do to get to use a private restroom is to announce that she is

pregnant.

Paying to use a public restroom is fast becoming the norm — if you can find one that is decent enough. Costs are often affordable, usually for maintenance and cleanliness. Sometimes using the toilet is free, you may only have to pay for water and toilet paper.

Of course water and toilet paper should be available, but most public WCs are hardly stockedout with this commodity.

Hence, it is not uncommon for the average person to carry pocket-size tissue packs such use.

It is no picnic to walk into a place and request to use their restroom.

Worse still, finding a decent public restroom could be a career. But it may be easy if you know

where to begin. For instance, places that serve food or drinks such as fast foot outlets, bars and restaurants have at least decent and fairly accessible “public” restroom. But their use is often controlled.

They are often strictly reserved for customers.

No restaurateur readily labels their restroom so people on the street can stop by and use at their convenience. But this obstacle can be overcome quite easily.

Quietly walk into nearly any restaurant or fast food joint, order a snack or drink, sit down a minute, then confidently and politely ask for the restroom. Just smile and say “Toilet?” You’ll be rarely turned down!

28—SATURDAY

Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014

Everyone has a bad night of sleep now and then yet a good night’s rest is important because to get all the energy required to get through today. Follow these tips to power through the day after a bad night’s rest.

Reduce caffeine affeine can help when you need an energy boost, as long as you don’t overdo it. Two cups of coffee will give you about as much alertness as you’re going to get. Drinking more than that probably won’t make you more alert, especially if you drink a lot of caffeinated beverages. When you’re sleep deprived, sleep hormones collect in the brain all day and drinking excessive amounts of caffeine isn’t going to stop that. If anything, too much caffeine can give you the jitters.

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Over-the-counter supplements Caffeine and supplements do increase attention and focus and are fine once in awhile, but in no way replace a bad night’s sleep.

If you use stay-awake supplements regularly, you might need to check with a doctor to see if you have a sleep disorder.

Energy drinks While they can serve a purpose when used appropriately, for the most part, energy drinks usually

do more harm than good.

Stick with plain black or green tea and coffee. Steer clear of all caffeine after 4 p.m. to avoid problems falling asleep at night.

Don’t rely on sugar When you’re sleep deprived, you may be tempted to reach for a candy or chocolate bar. Don’t.

Sugar will give you quick energy, but it doesn’t last, though, and you’ll just end up crashing later. Instead, stick to a balanced diet and put extra emphasis on protein-rich foods like nuts and lean meats. Avoid large meals and simple carbohydrates to avoid energy dIps. The natural sugar in fruit takes longer to digest than table sugar and won’t make your blood sugar swing as much.

Take breaks After a bad night’s sleep, your attention span may drag a little more than usual. To keep focused, take breaks throughout the day.

Go for a walk outdoors.

You’ll get sunlight along with activity. Movement stimulates alertness in the brain, and sunlight provides your body with natural cues to promote wakefulness.

When you exercise, take it easy. Keep it light or moderate, not vigorous, when you’re exhausted.

You’re much more likely to get injured if you do hard exercise when you’re fatigued. Take a brief nap, if

Sleep well tonight you have time. Napping up to 25 minutes will help recharge your body and mind. Napping longer than that will make you drowsier than you already are. For a supercharged nap, drink a cup of iced drip coffee as fast as you can then take a 25-minute nap and you’ll be good to go for at least four hours.

Simplify your day Let’s face it, you’re not at your best when you don’t sleep well. So lighten your work load as much as possible. By doing fewer things, you can still do a

quality job without stressing out. Ont overcrowd your day with activities. Focus on doing a few very well.

Avoid driving Drowsy driving is dangerous, since it can lead to accidents. Stay off the road as much as possible if you haven’t slept. Power nap before driving. When driving, don’t wear your sunglasses as sunlight may make you feel more energetic. Be particularly careful when driving in the early afternoon.

Sleep in a little

When you go to bed tonight, you might be tempted to sleep longer than normal. Moderation, again, is the key here.

Sleeping in after a bad night’s sleep is OK, but you’re trying to get your sleep schedule back on track. Sleeping in too long can make that harder, because it shifts your normal sleep pattern. If you normally get seven hours of sleep at night, aim for nine.

No matter how tired you feel, there’s no reason to sleep all day, since the most recovery sleep time you can get is 10 hours.

DIET & FITNESS

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unning as a fitness strategy begins with the right foot. Even if you are not running a marathon everything you need to get into running needs planning. It may seem intimidating, even impossible, but making running your workout routine is easily within reach. Armed with these tips — and a good pair of running shoes — you can work up to running from a minute to a mile, no problem.

Get good shoes The most important piece of equipment for all runners is their shoes.

Invest in a good pair of running shoes which encourage healthy feet. If you need more stability or extra cushioning in your shoes, or a special width, let the experts guide you to C M Y K

Run for health, run for life

a style that works for your feet and your wallet.

Get started, slowly Don’t run too fast — or far — right away. Avoid too much, too soon. It takes several weeks for the body to adjust to the demands and stresses of training. As a beginner aim to run 2-3 times a week. Include one long, slow distance run each week followed by a short recovery run the following day to get used to running on tired legs and minimize muscle soreness.

Establish a routine Running a few times a week, interspersed with cross-training and strength training is a good beginning.

Building distance slowly over time enables you make necessary physical

adaptations while minimizing injury risk.

Control your effort level When you’re first starting out, effort is more important than speed. There are four effort levels. Level one is a

light jog or even a walk. Level two is an easy, relaxed pace.

Level three is your tempo pace, fast enough to inhibit conversation, but not so fast that you cannot control your breathing. Level four is a full-

out sprint and cannot be sustained for long. Your runs should be conducted at level two.

Go outside Run outside to workout, except in the case of injury. If you’re sore, rest completely for a day to heal. Avoid inclement weather such as a thunderstorm or wet roads.

Stretch Active stretching is recommended before and after running to prepare your joints and muscles for the increased stress of running. Before you run, loosen up your muscles with big movements, like jumping jacks and rolling your arms in circles.

When you finish, stretch each major muscle group carefully, holding each stretch for about 10 seconds.

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Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014—29

By Sola Ogundipe, 08056180112, solazed@live.com underlying conditions can cause this type of hair loss by altering hormones; these include thyroid disease (both overactive and underactive thyroid) and autoimmune disease. If you suspect a medication is causing or exacerbating your hair loss, talk to your doctor about whether an alternative is available that’s less likely to have that side effect.

Dry, limp, thin-feeling hair any factors can lead to over-dry hair, including hair dyes, hair blowers, and swimming in chlorinated water. But a significant change in texture that leaves hair feeling finer, with less body, can be an indicator of an underactive thyroid, known as hypothyroidism. Some people conclude that their hair is thinning because it feels as if there’s less of it, but the thinning is due more to the texture of the hair itself becoming finer and weaker than to individual hairs falling out (though that happens too).

What to do: Report your concerns to your doctor and ask him or her to check your levels of thyroid hormone.

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Scaly or crusty patches on the scalp When a thick crust forms on the scalp, this usually indicates psoriasis, which can be distinguished from other dandruff-like skin conditions by the presence of a thickening, scab-like surface. Psoriasis is the most common of all the autoimmune diseases and occurs when the skin goes into overdrive, sending out faulty signals that speed up the turnover and growth of skin cells. Psoriasis, often occurs in concert with other autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. If you have another autoimmune disorder, it’s that much more likely you’ll develop psoriasis. Up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis develop a condition called psoriatic arthritis, which causes painful swelling of the joints.

What to do: Treatment is often a process of trial and error. Topical treatments include shampoos containing coal tar or salicylic acid.

Hydrocortisone cream works to relieve inflammation. It’s a good idea to see a dermatologist. Psoriasis puts you at increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, certain types of cancer, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and depression. So if your psoriasis becomes severe, bring it to your doctor ’s attention as part of a discussion of your overall health.

Thinning hair over the whole head It’s normal to shed approximately 100 to 150 C M Y K

Bad hair, bad health Is your hair trying to tell you something about your health? Maybe. When it comes to our hair, most of us worry most about what to do with it: how short to cut it, how to style it, whether to colour it once it begins to go grey. But our hair says a lot more about us than how closely we follow the latest styles. In fact, the health of our hair and scalp can be a major tip-off to a wide variety of health conditions.

Our hair responds to stress, both the physical stressors of disease and underlying issues. Here are red flags that tell it’s time to pay more attention to the health of your hair — and to your overall health in general.

hairs a day, the result of the body’s natural turnover. It’s when you notice considerably more hairs in your brush or on the towel after you shampoo — or when hair appears to be coming out in clumps — that it’s time for concern. One common cause: a sudden psychological or physical stressor, having a high fever from the flu or an infection.

Diabetes can also cause hair to thin or start to fall out suddenly. A number of medications also cause hair loss as a side effect.

Hormonal changes can also cause hair to thin, which is why both pregnancy and perimenopause are well known for causing hair to fall out, while polycystic ovary syndrome can cause both hair loss and overgrowth of hair,

depending on how the hormones go out of balance.

Thyroid disease, especially hypothyroidism, is one of the most common causes of hair loss.

What to do: If you have what experts call temporary hair loss — to distinguish from hereditary hair loss, which is likely to be permanent — you’ll need to discontinue the medication or treat the underlying condition that’s causing the problem. In addition, talk to your doctor about getting your blood levels of iron checked for anemia, and take iron if needed.

Overall hair loss that following traditional pattern baldness Women and men are subject to what’s formally known as androgenetic and

androgenic alopecia. It’s usually caused by a change in the pattern of the sex hormones, but diseases and other underlying conditions can cause this type of hair loss by affecting the hormones. In women, a derivative of testosterone is often the culprit, shrinking and eventually killing off hair follicles. Traditionally known as “male pattern baldness,” this type of hair loss is often hereditary and is typically permanent if not treated with medication.

Men’s hair loss nearly always follows a pattern of thinning along the hairline, at the temples, and in the back of the scalp. Some women’s hair loss also follows this pattern, but more typically women experience thinning over the entire head. Certain

Dry, brittle hair that breaks off easily When individual hairs litter your pillow in the morning, this typically indicates breakage rather than hair falling out from the follicle. Breakage is most frequently the result of hair becoming over-brittle from chemical processing or dyeing. Bleaching, straightening, and other chemical processing techniques strip the cuticle to let the chemicals in, which makes the hair shaft more fragile. However, certain health conditions also lead to brittle, fragile hair. Among them: Cushing’s syndrome, a disorder of the adrenal glands that causes excess production of the hormone cortisol. A condition called hypoparathyroidism, usually either hereditary or the result of injury to the parathyroid glands during head and neck surgery, can also cause dry, brittle hair.

Overly low levels of parathyroid hormone cause blood levels of calcium to fall and phosphorus to rise, leading to fragile dry hair, scaly skin, and more serious symptoms such as muscle cramps and even seizures. If the cause of your dry, brittle hair is an underlying health condition, you’ll likely notice additional symptoms, such as dry, flaky skin.

What to do: No matter what the cause of your dry, brittle hair, minimizing heat and chemical treatment are necessary for it to get healthy again. Deep condition your hair to restore it to health. Hair oils can help restore flexibility to the hair shaft. Look for products made with natural oils such as coconut and avocado oil, which penetrate the cuticle, rather than synthetic oils made from petrolatum, which merely coat the hair. Take fish oil supplements to renourish your hair. And minimize breakage while you sleep by replacing cotton pillowcases, which tend to catch and pull at hair, with satin pillowcases, which are smoother.

30—SATURDAY

Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014

MOTHER & CHILD

With colic, every cry is not an emergency

By CHIOMA OBINNA

D

oes she cry this much?

Since she was born she has been like this. We have tried all kinds of things.

Many people have advised me to use some drugs. Some say it is the tummy. Others say it is the navel and yet more recommend drugs and concoctions like bitter kola water.

Have you tried Gripe Water?

Yes, severally. I have used Buscopan, Pican, ‘gbomoro’ teething powder, salt water, name it. The situation has remained the same.

Another older occupant chips in. How old is she?

Mummy Bola responded: She is three weeks old. The elderly woman advises – No, you do not need all that to make her stop. All that you mentioned are unnecessary.

Rather, they could cause more harm.

Experts say such babies that engage in inconsolable crying within the first three months suffer from colic.

Colic can affect up to three out of 10 babies. A healthy newborn baby may have periods of crying. For no

apparent reason he or she cries as if in pain. The usual methods of comforting do not work very well. Baby does not want to feed, and may pull up the knees. Sometimes the abdomen (tummy) appears to rumble. The cry may sound different and more piercing than normal. He or she may appear to be settling when suddenly another bout of crying occurs. This may go on and off for several hours until he or she settles and falls asleep.

Infantile colic can be distressing to parents when the baby is inconsolable during crying episodes. Colic is often defined by the “rule of three”: crying for more than three hours per day, for more than three days per week, and for longer than three weeks in an infant who is well-fed and otherwise healthy. The cause remains unclear.

Parents are advised against administering different kinds of drugs. The usual management through use of paracetamol, ‘gbomoro’, teething powder, salt water, buscopan, gripe water etc is often unnecessary and harmful.

MASCULINE E

rectile Dysfunction, or onability to consistently attain or sustain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance occurs commonly and there may be need to get help if it lasts longer than two months or is recurring. It is a concern if the man has diabetes, heart disease or other health factors that can affect erectile function.

Is it normal?

Most males, at some point in their lives, will have difficulty getting or keeping an erection. This is normal in males of all age groups, not just older men.

Why it happens Due to the increase of available prescription medications to treat erectile dysfunction, many people believe that ED is almost always caused by a physical or C M Y K

Rather, perform complete physical examination. It is important to evaluate if the infant is correctly fed or gaining weight. Examine if there are signs and symptoms such as eczema or diarrhea.

Colic babies are usually healthy and there is no need administering drugs as many parents do. Medical assessment should rather be directed at causes of “burping, need to eat, difficulty with passing stools, arching the back, flushing, abdominal distension and leg contracture.

Some babies with colic may be intolerant to lactose which is a sugar found in milk.

Changing from ordinary baby formula to baby formula milk that is free from, or low in, lactose is an option. Once things settle down you should try the baby with ordinary formula milk again, as lactose may play a part in keeping the bowel healthy in the long term.

It is natural to try to soothe a crying baby. Holding a baby through the crying episode may help to soothe. However, a colicky baby may simply not be comforted or soothed. At

such times it is acceptable to leave a baby to cry for short periods if you are satisfied that he or she is not hungry, too cold, too hot, wet, or unwell. Remember - never shake a baby. If you need a break from the crying, or if

you feel at the end of your tether, gently place the baby in his or her cot and leave the room for around 10 minutes.

You could then do something which will help you - perhaps have a cup of tea, a snack or phone a friend.

Coping with Erectile Dysfunction

medical problem. But for most young persons who are healthy, erectile problems are usually the result of issues that are interpersonal (having to do with the relationship), situational or emotional in nature. If a man is able to get and maintain an erection during masturbation, it is unlikely that the cause of erectile problems is physical or medical.

Many factors can influence a man’s ability to get or maintain an erection. Erectile functioning is complex, and combines cognitive, behavioral, emotional, social, and physical features.

The most common causes include anxiety (work, school); stress; Fatigue; Sexual problems are often rooted in relationship problems (power, trust, intimacy).

Feelings about partner (can influence sexual response).

Depression affects sexual

desire; too much alcohol may alter sexual response, causing anxiety about attaining an erection in the future.

Other causes are medications diabetes. hormone deficiency, smoking and diet, are contributing factors.

How erections work Three steps need to take place in order for the erection

to occur, and then be maintained. First is sexual arousal.

The second step is the brain’s communication of the sexual arousal to the body’s nervous system (which activates the blood flow). Thirdly, a relaxation of the blood vessels that supply blood must occur, allowing the erection to take place. If something affects any of these three steps,

arousal, nervous system response or the vascular system response or the interplay between them, erectile dysfunction can result.

Myths Men are always capable of having sex - Feeling tired or having concerns about schoolwork or family can affect the degree of a man’s desire and sexual functioning.

Men should not attempt intercourse if they are not in the mood.

Alcohol use causes erectile problems - While it is true that consuming too much alcohol can affect a man’s ability to get an erection, this doesn’t always happen and is usually the case with high doses of alcohol. For some men, particularly young men, alcohol use can reduce anxiety and actually facilitate erections.

SARTURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014 — 31

people who are extraordinarily talented. They have made a lot of films and are incredibly aware of the professionalism involved in the highest level of Hollywood of how to do it. I’m excited to be part of bringing a slightly broader recognition of Nigerian talents. Nollywood is recognised throughout Africa and to get some of those people into European cinema is obviously very fine.

profession. I was happy to see him win as well and I was also thrilled for her film and thrilled for the diversity that was in the entire reward system. I think the diversity in film is good for business.

Did you find it very easy relating to the role you played in the film?

I played Odenigbo who is a Professor in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. At the beginning of the film, he is in a relationship with Olanna, played by Thandie Newton.

He is described variously as a revolutionary, as somebody who is focused in a way on the ideas of a kind of exposed separatist to ideology in terms of how the Igbo nation met the aggression they were faced with after independence. In the course of the conflict, he learnt a lot in terms of the cost of everything. The cost of political movement, cost of his relationship. One of the things, I loved about the film was that people were constantly learning, constantly growing and our relationship are constantly developing in the midst of conflict. It’s not that the conflict then should have overtaken every other thing that is happening and of course, that has never been the case in conflicts.

People learn about each other. They grow with each other, sometimes they fall in love with each other in the face of the wilder implications of the conflict that happen and this is a story about the beautiful book by Chimamanda Adichie with extraordinary character which is very dramatic to me.

What is your impression about the Nigerian actors?

We have a terrific cast. It didn’t surprise me because one of the reasons I wanted to work and make film in Nigeria is because I feel there are a lot of incredible talents in Nigeria that are sometimes not totally recognised internationally.

I wanted to be part of it, at least, bringing a bit more recognition to that and so, we had the likes of Genevieve, and a number of

I love Nigeria as well. Of course, the country is a major part of my heritage and my family that I adore. I never claimed to be 100 percent through and through Nigerian as much as I would like to, but the truth is that I’m both and I am also proud to be British. There is no doubt that Britain has offered me an extraordinary opportunity in my life and I wouldn’t denigrate that for a second.

Are you open to working with more producers in Nigeria?

Yes, I want to make films, harness and utilize Nigerian talents and potentials. I think there is a strong market for that overseas and that is why I was excited to make this film amongst other reasons. But I wanted to make it from here.

How Nigerian are you?

I don’t know how you measure these things. I was born in London, raised in Forest Gate, South London and brought up with friends and family who were also born in the same circumstance. I love Nigeria as well.

Of course, the country is a major part of my heritage and my family that I adore. I never claimed to be 100 percent through and through Nigerian as much as I would like to, but the truth is that I’m both and I am also proud to be British. There is no doubt that Britain has offered me an extraordinary opportunity in my life and I wouldn’t denigrate that for a second. But I am both things and I hope the internationalism of that can really contribute to something.

What’s your next project?

My next project is that I want to make a new film for Triple 9, which is directed by John Helper . We will be shooting in Atlanta, Georgia during the summer.

How were you able to manage the Nigerian accent fluently in the film?

It is not a mystery. My parents are Nigerian and Igbo. I spent a lot of time in Nigeria visiting families ever since I was a child and also, as an actor. You play with people and try to connect with those things.

Which of the Eastern states do you come from?

Enugu State.

How do you react to movies that do not portray Africans correctly?

Part of making this film is to redirect and reconstruct what I think is truthful of Africans, Nigerians, the continent and those of the diaspora. I feel it’s time to move away from films that are two-dimensional African character which don’t have any more place in the cinemas, quite frankly. I think the people need a lot of times to understand the kind of post war as in second world war situation. It’s no longer your grandfather’s Africa, it is a very diverse, different place than it was two generations ago. People have been slow sometimes to catch up with what Africa means and is and very specifically to me, it’s just a miniature Nigeria. I found it frustrating as well.

There are people who want to come here because they are aware of this kind of misconception. The African stories are remarkable with such strong narrative drives that people would be engaged with and at the same time, learn more about Africa.

•Chiwetel Ejiofor

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32—SA TURD AY 32—SATURD TURDA

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Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014—33

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hat is it about guys who are just a little apart from the mainstream that makes them so desirable? While a guy who plays by the rules often succeeds, the rules of love and attraction are frequently much different than those of climbing up the corporate ladder.

Look at a couple where he has a hint of danger and you will see many reasons why she is with him. Some of these reasons are all about him, but most of the time they are really all about her. When a woman loves a bad boy, something more than his attitude drove her there.

And usually it was already inside her.

The thrill Dating a man who stands apart from the norm is known to deliver a heightened level of excitement. Perhaps he slightly ignores you and makes you work harder for attention – the thrill of finally getting him alone and to yourself can be an overwhelming rush. Maybe he is a little confrontational with people, and perhaps gets into altercations. That can make you feel even more special when he is affectionate toward you. It all gets your adrenaline pumping and your heart racing. The badder he is, the more stimulating the intimacy becomes.

A cure for boredom A girl who has a succession of boring dates will more easily follow a guy whose very presence in her life charges things up. If she is getting out of a longterm relationship that stuck to a simple pattern, she is an unwitting foil for the charms of a guy whose whims will take her out of the traditional routine for good.

Filling the emptiness If your life has become a repetitive series of cell phone conversations, an interesting guy who stands apart from the crowd can fill the emptiness in a hurry. The downside is that your world can suddenly look mighty small when you are in the arms of a man who doesn’t operate by society’s chosen standards. When everything you represent fails to impress him, all of your values could disintegrate. For such a reassessment of one’s existence to occur in a short period of time with one guy, indicates that you are not living your own life’s potential. Your bad boy is able to enter and rock your world because there is a space

n e m o w o d y Wh ? s y o b d a b love

inside you that is open to anything.

Reflected glory Does his unconventional appearance cause people to stare at you two? Does his nonconformity have the potency of an aura? All of this attention is bouncing back onto the people closest to him. The taste of this reflected glory can be like a powerful drink or drug. You may quickly get addicted to the limelight he provides. When you walk into a room and the people react to his presence, it may become impossible for you to wander more than a few feet away from him.

Danger is an aphrodisiac If your man has his own way of doing things, it could bring about situations that are tense and dangerous. While we all have a built-in fear response,

ERT P X E S E H ASK T I am a 24-year-old man. I work in a BPO and so, I have to work in shifts. I would like to know if working in shifts affects one’s fertility.

Unlike you, the sperm factory works day and night, 365 days a year. So, your fertility is quite safe. Of course, you should take the precaution of wearing only cotton underwear and allow fresh air to reach your testicles whenever you can.

I am a 33-year-old married man. I suffer from

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being around this element can make you slightly used to extreme situations. The danger of everyday life can become a turn-on. While someone putting you in harm’s way should be something from which you need to be protected, you could grow accustomed to the danger a bad boy creates and embraces. The excitement of it all could make you feel more alive, but you might be growing blind to the actual danger you are facing more regularly. Your bad boy could be your lover, but he is not necessarily your protector.

Rebelling against family or upbringing Dating a bad boy is announcing that you make your own choices in life. The need to make such a defiant statement may be based in having a strict upbringing. A need to rebel

Dating a man who stands apart from the norm is known to deliver a heightened level of excitement

could be manifested in your relationship with a bad boy. When you embrace a taboo relationship, you are telling the world that everything up until this point in your life is worth sacrificing in order to be your own woman. In this regard, your bad boy may really be just a prop. As bad as he is, he might have a heart of gold and your using him as an assertion of your independence could carry consequences far beyond what you imagine your conser-

erectile dysfunction, because of which I have not been able to consummate my marriage. I am lucky to have an understanding wife, but we are getting frustrated with the situation. I had consulted a sexologist some time back and he had suggested a tablet (I think, Forgest) which did not work for me. I have not been able to visit him again due to various reasons. I have heard that Sildenafil is effective, but don’t know if I should take it. I don’t have any heart ailments; I am a normal healthy adult, not allergic to anything that I know of.

Please tell me what dosage I should go for.

There’s always a solution for erectile dysfunc-

vative family and friends have waiting in store for you.

Fear of real intimacy Your need for a man who lives by his own rules might be a way for you to maintain an avoidance of really confronting emotions on an intimate level.

If your bad boy is a drug user or heavy boozer, his stunted emotional development may ensure that he never delves deep into your psyche. And if he were to clean up his act, it would be grounds for you to look elsewhere, again running from a true emotional bond.

You can assure yourself of never risking intimacy when your bad boy is locked up away from you.

Trying to top your friends If you have friends who are marrying successful men, the bar might be raised quite high in your social circle. If you were dating a car mechanic and your best girlfriend is engaged to a doctor, you might look like a real loser in the eyes of a certain clique. But if you are suddenly dating a bad boy, the hierarchy is turned over. Now your girlfriends will be seen as marrying members of the drab establishment while you are living on the edge, high above them all.

tion. Don’t hesitate to consult an andrologist.

He’ll identify the cause and treat accordingly.

Forgest, however, has the same action as sildenafil.

I am 21 and my girlfriend is 18. We have been having sex for the past three years, during which she went for abortion twice. Will she be able to conceive again, because we want to have children after marriage?

Your behaviour is very immature. Surely, you should take precautions to not go through an abortion again. Frequent abortions can lead to complications; so please grow up.

34—SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014 Compiled by

Ephraim Oseji

oseji16@yahoo.com 07032769933

Man City line up £250m Messi deal

M

anchester City are said to be working on a remarkable £250million transfer deal to sign Lionel Messi from Barcelona this summer. Messi, who is enduring a frustrating season at the Nou Camp, is currently in talks with Barca over a contract extension, but negotiations have been dragging in recent days. And amid growing talk that the Argentine is considering a new challenge at the end of the season, City are said to be plotting a world-record move to bring him to English football. According to reports in Spain, City officials are putting together plans for a £250million offer, which would comfortably make Messi the most expensive footballer of all time. Messi would be handed a giant salary if he moves to the Etihad Stadium.

Liverpool

interested in Schmelzer L

iverpool are interested in signing Borussia Dortmund defender Marcel Schmelzer.

Schmelzer, 26, is being touted as a possible addition at Anfield as Brendan Rodgers looks to boost his defensive options ahead of a thrilling season to come when Liverpool will return to the Champions League.

Schmelzer is under contract at the Westfalenstadion until 2017. Schmelzer has made 25 appearances for Dortmund this season, scoring once and bagging four assists.

Napoli

Gilar dino Gilardino

Man United

close to £600m kit deal

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massive new kit deal could soften the blow of Unit ed missing out on the Champions League and boost David Moyes’ attempts to lure the biggest names to Old Trafford.

The Reds boss is planning to overhaul his squad this summer after the feeble defence of their Premier League title.United are almost certain to miss out on the Champions League and face a fight to qualify for the Europa League. That has raised concerns over their ability to attract star targets – while the loss of Champions League revenue would have an obvious impact on their finances.

But the anticipated announcement of a new kit deal – which could be worth as much as £600m – would be a major boost after such a disappointing c a m paign.

Ar senal ttoo mo ve Arsenal move for Smalling and Sebastian Jung A

keen on

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rsenal are planning a shock summer move for Manchester United defender Chris Smalling and •8.5m rated Eintracht Frankfurt defender Sebastian Jung. Arsene Wenger has begun planning for next season, despite not yet signing a new deal that has been agreed since last October, following a meeting with chief executive Ivan Gazidis at the club's training ground on Monday. Wenger has been a long-term admirer of Smalling.

apoli are considering a summer move on Genoa striker Alberto Gilardino.

The Azzurri are perfectly happy with the impact first choice striker Gonzalo Higuain has had since joining the club, but his back-up Duvan Zapata does not have the required experience to successfully deputize for the Argentine.

It is for that reason that Napoli plan to sign a highquality striker in the summer transfer window and they seem to have made Genoa’s Alberto Gilardino their number one target.The 31-year-old has been scoring goals on regular basis in Serie A.

Allegri to become next Tott enham manager ottenham

F

ORMER AC Milan boss Massimo Allegri has agreed a deal to become Tottenham boss next season, according to reports in Italy.

Allegri was sacked by Milan in January and has reportedly been living in London since that time in a bid to learn English in preparation for a Premier League job. Report claims that Daniel Levy is ready to offer the 46-year-old that opportunity by replacing Tim Sherwood at White Hart Lane.

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Tim How ar d signs Howar ard United may sign Reus anchester United may finally get the Evertton deal M chance to sign one of their prime new Ever verton goalkeeper Tim targets in Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Nigeria international E Howard has signed a Reus. The German international has been keen on a move to Old Trafford since last season, contract extension that ties him to the says his friend Mario Gotze. Gotze, who himself left Borussia Dortmund last summer to live bigger dreams at Bayern Munich, opened the lid on Reus’ secret ambitions by stating, “When I was at Borussia, Marco wanted a move to Manchester United.

This hasn’tchanged.”

Merseyside club until 2018. The 35-yearold United States international has been with the Toffees since 2006, initially moving on a loan basis from Manchester United before signing a permanent deal. Manager Roberto Martinez says he is delighted at securing the future of a player he rates as one of the best in the Premier League.

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014—35

Lerner

wants £250m to sell Aston Villa

A

ston Villa owner Randy Lerner is willing to listen to offers for the club, but he is known to want a massive £250million for Villa to recoup the near £60m he paid for the club in 2006 and the £200m he has invested. Lerner will finally sell up at the end of the season, provided his troubled club stay in the top flight. He is said to be considering offers for Villa from Russia and the United States, having fallen out of love with English football.

Man City won't consider PSG offer for Toure

Bayern Munich

chasing Easah Suliman

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ayern Munich are eyeing Aston Villa prospect Easah Suliman. The defender, 16, has captained England at Under 17 level and impressed Bayern's scouts playing in the FA Youth Cup.Suliman, who is from Hall Green in Birmingham, has been with Villa since he was eight years old and was spotted playing in a tournament at Butlins.

Hamsik

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Liver pool Liverpool

target Ochoa open to England move

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jaccio goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is open to a move to England. The Mexican icon has talked up a move to Liverpool in the past.

Ochoa said: "I am evaluating several offers from different countries. "I have been in France for three years and I like the way in which this league has evolved, but I would also want to try elsewhere.

"At the moment I have no agreements with any team and I am willing to listen to all the proposals to make the best decision possible.

ohn Terry must accept a 50 -per cent pay-cut to stay with Chelsea.

Terry's current £150,000-a-week deal expires this summer and his wages could be halved if he decides to remain at Stamford Bridge next season.

The former England centre-back is enjoying an outstanding season for the Blues, but the offer has thrown the 33-yearold’s future into doubt.

Chelsea are standing firm on their policy that outfield players over 30 are only offered one-year extensions—and on reduced terms.

T

his weekend’s English Premier league matches will go a long way to deciding how the final table pans out, but with so many twists and turns already, who knows what might happen?

Well, apparently these extremely cute Easter lambs might. Indeed, the Sussex lambs have donned football kits this week to play out five-aside matches, to work out what the results might be across the Premier League for Now TV. Here’s what they ’ve predicted:

M

anchester City won't consider any offer from PSG for Yaya Toure. The French are looking at strong midfielders who can help them dominate sides in the Champions League and are keen on City ’s free scoring talisman.

Toure admitted in January that he would like to play for PSG one day but City intend to make sure that is not for a few years yet. They are eager to make Toure, Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany remain at Eastlands as part of their own plans to dominate the Champions League next season.

FANS ZONE Are you a Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona fan and would like to meet fans, male or female from other parts of the country. Then send your name, age, where you live and the club you support to 0802354-2350. sms only.

zEniola, 17, Lagos, Manchester United.08175800707 zEmeka Emmanuel, 36, Lagos, Manchester United, want female United fans as friend.

08035701218 zAbdulgafar Aremu Babayemi, 40, Ifo, Liverpool.08059341922 zTimsey 19, Warri, Manchester United needs female friends.09034182737 zMicheal, 24, Lagos, Chelsea, needs a female friend as fan.08060491604 zJoseph, 15, Akwa Ibom, Chelsea, needs male and female friends as fan. 08085417986 zThelma Elect, 25, Chelsea.08181924746 zEric, 21, Edo, Manchester United, needs female united fans as friends.08109667587 C M Y K

J

Cu te Ea ste r lam bs pr ed ict to da y' s Pr em ier Le ag ue sc or es

Napoli listening to of or offfer erss ffor

apoli are listening to offers for Marek Hamsik.

Report says Hamsik is no longer considered 'untouchable' and will be sold this summer for the right price. The Azzurri rate their former star midfielder at •40 million. Manchester United were linked with Hamsik this week, with Naples sources suggesting an offer of •15 million plus Shinji Kagawa being considered.

Terry must take 50% pay-cut for Chelsea stay

QUIZ

of the week Which two teams will qualify for the finals of the Champions League ? Send your answers to 08023542350 sms only.

Note.

The first correct prediction will receive N1,000 recharge card.

Everton 1-0 Manchester United Liverpool 1-0 Norwich City Chelsea 1-0 Sunderland

36 — SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, APRIL 19, 2014

08111813022

Monalisa Chinda confirms breakup with her boyfriend!

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Ebiere Banner

ollywood actress, Monalisa Chinda has finally confirmed that she has parted ways with her boyfriend of two years, Lanre Nzeribe.

In a statement issued through her publicist,Mediawise Networks, on Thursday, the actress has also resigned from Monalisa Magazine, meaning that her partnership with Lanre Nzeribe has come to an end.

Monalisa cited irreconcilable professional differences as the reason for the breakup.Both parties have made joint efforts to retain their partnership over the past few months, but to no avail.

The statement said that after several discussions, they finally reached a decision that “a separation is the best course of action they could take to address the situation in the best way.”

Monalisa claimed, she has given so much time, energy and resources into the project. But, she decided to move out of the project because it was hurting her renewed ethos and she wanted to raise her standards of professionalism and focus more on projects that she loves from her heart.

“We regret to officially announce the resignation of Nollywood actress Monalisa Chinda from Monalisa

“

Anchor Baby” star, Omoni Oboli has taken her career to the next level. Recently, she went behind the camera to direct two films and according to her, she directed the films simultaneously.

An excited Omoni took to her instagram page to announce her new accomplishment. “As most of you know, I have been on set for about a month now. I have just produced and directed two movies back to back. It was gruelling, I almost cried many times. I thought it was never going to end but God has been faithful! To my amazing cast and crew, we did it! Thank you ARIK for letting us shoot on your aircraft. “

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Magazine, which also marks the end of her partnership with Mr. Lanre Nzeribe, due to irreconcilable professional differences.

Over the past few months, both parties have made concerted efforts to retain their partnership, to no avail, which led to their mutual agreement that a separation would be the best course of action.

Though she has, so far, committed so much time, energy and resources into the project, it is high time she moved on as she pursues renewed ethos to raise her standards of professionalism and focus on projects closer to her heart,” the statement reads.

Omoni Oboli turns movie director

MBGN 2013 winner debuts in Superstory

uperstory, Nigeria’s most watched TV drama, in its tradition of showcasing the best of talents will be starring Anna Ebiere Banner, MBGN 2013 winner, in a major role in its upcoming season titled “Too Blind To See”. The beauty queen’s first foray into Nollywood, would be hitting your TV screens on Thursday, April 25.

According to Wale Adenuga Jnr., Managing Director of WAP and Producer of Superstory, “Too Blind To See” is the most intriguing tale of betrayal and revenge you will ever witness. We really pushed it to the limits on this production.

The story is laced with edge-ofyour-seat suspense, twists and an overall enlightenment on inexplicable human behaviour.

The cast and crew really overstretched themselves to ensure the masterpiece story was interpreted awesomely. The series also stars other stars including Jide Kosoko, Jennifer Umar, Kelechi Udegbe, Amanda Ebeye, Jide Alabi, Lanre Hassan, Kola Olaiya, Angela Phillips,Chidex Brown, Patience Oseni, David McKenzie, Tobechi Onyeka, Melvin Obriango and Ekemini Enakere.

Monalisa

ZUMA filmfest to highlight Nigeria’s centenary achievements — NFC boss

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he Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has said that the 2014 ZUMA film festival would showcase the centenary achievements of the country’s film industry.

Dr Danjuma Dadu, Managing Director of the Corporation disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Dadu said, the festival which coincides with the nation’s centenary would celebrate 100 years of outstanding achievements, success, development and growth of the film and video industry.

According to him, the programme would present Nigerians and the international community an opportunity to review the hundred years of film production in the country.

The NFC boss further stated that the movie industry had help to project the nation’s rich cultural heritage to the world and contributed to the development of human capital.

Nigerian films are fast transmitting our cultural values and idiosyncrasies, which have had a profound impact particularly on the African continent. As Nigeria celebrates 100 years as a nation, we are also celebrating her development and endowment in natural and human resources. As a nation, Nigeria is blessed with a rich cultural heritage and diversity in arts.”

He said the event which is scheduled to hold from May 4 to 8, 2014 at Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja, would have international brainstorming sessions by stakeholders in the film industry.

Dr Dadu, NFC boss

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, APRIL 19, 2014 — 37

08111813022

Genevieve Nnaji speaks on Half of a Yellow Sun

Shan George’s new title!

...Why Etisalat endorses the film

•Genevieve

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op Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji, who’s known to have played lead roles in many block-bluster movies, does not think the role she played in the film adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie's Half of a Yellow Sun, was as challenging as her previous roles in movies.

Speaking shortly after a private screening of the film at Silverbird Cinemas, Victoria Island, Lagos, Tuesday night which was sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria, Genevieve

said, “Half of a Yellow Sun is one of the biggest films I have done so far, but definitely not the most challenging role I have played in movies. I have done a lot more challenging roles i n Nollywood.”

Narrating how she felt starring in a film that evokes old memories of the genocidal civil war in Nigeria, Genevieve who was wearing an Escada dress, Chanel yellow lambskin clutch and Christian Louboutin shoes said, it was safer for her because she played the role of a Yoruba woman, where she didn’t need to experience the horrors of the war. She, however, expressed opitimism that in future, “I’d hope we will tell a different story about the civil war. Then, I will play the role of an Igbo woman,

where I will express exactly what it meant to be an Igbo woman at that era.”

Meanwhile, explaining why Etisalat endorsed the big-budget film which starred Nigerian born British actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor alongside other top Nollywood stars, Mr. Matthew Willshere, Acting Chief Executive Office of the telecom giant said, apart from featuring two of its ambassadors, Genevieve and Hollywood actor, Hakeem KaeKazim , the film recaptures the Nigerian story. “It’s also one of the best Nigerian films at all times. That’s why we are proud to be associated with it,”Willshere said.

In the movie, the lead character, Chiwetel known as Odenigbo experienced the civil war where he had his life tied, and had to prove true love in the time of war. While the private screening lasted, the audience comprised of corporate Nigerians, politicians and movie goers gave a standing ovation to the producer of the film, Biyi Bandele for a job well done.

Vanessa Nzediegwu returns to classroom in Los Angeles?

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han George is al

ways known to be one actress with a lot of controversies trailing her life.

If it is not about dating young guys, it is about her recent foray into music. But this time around, it’s none of the two.

Rather, the fair actress has expressed concern regarding

the way and manner some people are adding unnecessary titles to their names..

She expressed her disappointment on her facebook

page, saying “One of the biggest trends now is to add titles to one’s names. Dr, Ambassador, Chief, Engineer, High Chief, Double Chief etc.. In fact, it’s so bad that those who don’t have the chance to add any of the titles to their names have settled for Evangelist or Pastor. Well, starting from this moment, I shall be addressed as Pastor Chief Ambassador Shan George.”

I ‘ll marry soon, says Liz Anjorin P

S

exy actress, Vanessa Nzediegwu who has been missing on the silver screen in recent times has jetted out of the country for good. She was in Los Angeles few years ago where she went to pursue a career in film making at Universal Studios, and now, tongues are wagging that the actress has returned to the classroom again.

But in a chat with HVP, via facebook, the soft-spoken actress-turned-visual artist disclosed that she’s working on a few projects in Los Angeles, and definitely not studying. She, however, confirmed that she has not been around for some time now. “I’m also planning to shoot a film when I return to the country. At the moment, I am doing pre-production here,”she hinted.

Vanessa describes herself as a ‘go-getter.’ She has featured in local and international movies such as MNET series (Edge of Paradise), BBC World Service trust series (Wetin Dey), “Comrade and Paranoia’, “Sins of Omission”, ‘Working for Love, “Message”, “I am not Stupid” and “Touching Love”. The Delta State born actress is also a model and TV presenter for Box Office. She also runs a foundation known as Extremely Talented Artists (ETA).

•Shan George

opular Yoruba actress, Liz Anjorin has dropped a bombshell, declaring that she will get married any moment from now.

The pretty actress who converted to Islam last year, disclosed this ahead of preparation for the launch of her new movie, “Kofo:The First Lady” as well as marking of the 2nd year anniversary of her foundation, Lizzy Anjorin Foundation, which is billed to hold on Sunday, May 11, at Anchor Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos.

According to her, “ I will marry very soon. But I will not disclose the identity of my man yet.”

•Vanessa

•Lizzy

38—SATURDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 19, 2014

He drinks a lot

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

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

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

How long should we try before contacting my gynaecologist?

I am 33 years old.

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

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

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

These work just like pregnancy tests , detecting a surge

of hormones in your urine.

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

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

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

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

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

How do I remold my son Dear Julie, Is it possible to change my 16 year old son from being angry and negative? He does not take responsibility for his actions; he blames everyone else and tells lies. He also shows little respect for adults when he thinks they don’t respect him.

He is getting better, but I really want him to be a changed person before he graduates from secondary school and goes out in the world.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cake or bed?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SATURDAY

Vanguard, APRIL 19 19,, 2014—39

Life might begins at 40, what happens at 50?!

B

Y the time you hit age 40, you must have had a few big birthdays which were simply a valid excuse for a celebration. But what happens when you hit the age of the big five- o?! “My perspective on life itself changed when I turned 50 three years ago,” said Kitan a reputable estate agent.

“I threw a party for family and friends and some of them brought champagne and choice wine. I’d woefully underestimated how much food we’d need but thanks to a few fast-food joints around, the day was not marred. But as I sat alone that evening among the debris of the party after everyone had gone home, I began to ruminate on what it actually means to be 50. All my three kids were abroad and there were no after-party talks.

“I realised it was the first big birthday where more of my life was behind me than in front of me. The menopause was becoming, bringing the curtain down on my fertility and ushering me into a greyer world of thinning hair, a thickening waist and the loss of a huge part of what it means to be a woman. The joyful chapters seemed to be behind me, not ahead —my happy childhood with parents and siblings, leaving home for university abroad and bagging my first job with an estate agent and actually owning my first car.

“Now love affairs and long relationships seemed to be a thing of the past — I had celebrated my 30th and 40th with my husband —and after we split, with loving partners. I have always been close to my parents but my dad, who hits 80 in a few months is in failing health and caring for him even with servants is now a challenge for my 74-year-old mum. It engaged and then married, and became obvious that the starting a family. Forget being at closeness we have shared the pinnacle of your career and over the 52 odd years of my earning potentials as some eager life, and for which I’m bearer job-seekers wait like eternally grateful, is in its vultures to push you off the twilight, and that one day employment line. Only, you soon, they will be gone. And have to wait until 55 or 60 before seeing my strong parents you’re pushed out the office door compromised by ageing is as —if you aren’t axed before then. sad as it is inevitable. It made me realise preparation for that ll this as you grapple with stage in my own life.” the menopause which is a Surely, there must be tons of milestone in any woman’s life. activities to look forward to in It is the end of the fertile chapter your 50s, I asked Kitan. She in her life. Friends who have shrugged: “you tend to forget been through it have warned me falling in love, getting that it heralds major changes,

,

,

A few weeks back, one of my friends confided she feared for her marriage now that the diversion of children has gone

A

from immediate symptoms such as hot flushes, insomnia, to life on the other side where libido is lost, fat gathers round the middle, hair thins and memory is impaired.

“You look in the mirror and what do you see? Face blemished by funny looking blotches and a regular discovery of new area of sag. Wrinkles abound, even in places you didn’t think they formed, like your cleavage for instance. As things are now, I look permanently tired despite

sleeping so much—I now seen to live in a world of mammograms, minor ailments, aching joint and waning energy. When I meet with friend,we jokingly grumble about being in our 50s.Many of us have children who are flying the nest for universities or jobs away from home — even abroad, leaving parents who have spent over two decades of their lives focused entirely on raising a family wondering: what now?

“A few weeks back, one of my friends confided she feared for her marriage now that the diversion of children has gone. She said her husband bored her to tears.

‘He probably feels the same way about me,’ she said sadly.

‘After 27 years of marriage, what’s left to say when you have virtually nothing in common?’ This disillusioned

Giving your confidence a boost I

n her book: How to shine in a crowd, Susan Roane gives the following strategies to help you work the room when you find yourself alone in a huge crowd, where no face looks familiar.

The entrance: There is no such thing as being “fashionably late” for a meeting.

Arrival is based on the start of the event, not making a conspicuous entrance. Take a deep breath, stand tall and walk in. If you stand in the doorway, people think you’re scared. Give the room a quick onceever. Check out the bar, the food, where most people are congregating. “One man I know who has difficulty talking to people always position himself between the door and the...Buffet”, says Susan. “Everyone has to walk by him to get to the food and he is always surrounded by people”.

First contact: Look around for people you know. If you see someone who looks even vaguely familiar, go and introduce yourself. Only two things can happen — either you’ll be right and renew an acquaintance, or you’ll meet someone new to chat to.

Use your friends: One of the main C M Y K

advantages of going to an event with a friend is that you can introduce one another around the room. You will know people he or she doesn’t and vice-verse.

Give people enough information about your friend and be positive. If neither of you know anyone, split up and start chatting until you do.

Get moving: If you are on your own and don’t recognize anyone, do not be tempted to melt into the wall. Look out for what Susan calls the “hard knuckle drinker”. They are clutching their cup or glass so tightly that their knuckles are really hard. They’re scared to death and they’re always alone. They will usually welcome your conversation because it saves them from anonymity.

Opening lines: Don’t hang around waiting to make the perfect opening gambit. Even if what you say isn’t going to bring the house down, do not lose the chance to start a conversation. The best opener may just be a smile and the word ‘Hello’, other areas for easy comment are the event, the food, the organization, the traffic, even the weather.

Avoid negative comments such as “the food looks pathetic”, because people will think you are a whiner. If you start with a question, make it relevant. “How long have you worked with the company for instance”. If you start with a statement about yourself, make sure it is positive.

Breaking In: There is a difference between including yourself in other people’s conversation and intruding. It requires boldness but sensitivity. Avoid approaching two people who look as if they are having an intense conversation, Approach groups of three or more. Position yourself across to the group. Give only facial reaction to remarks being made. When you are included, either by verbal acknowledgment or eye contact, feel free to join in.

Staying Power: Even people who make wonderful self-introduction can be caught by the next step, what to say next. The best way to build up knowledge is to read at least one newspaper a day. You don’t have to be an expert on everything but you will be well read enough to contribute to conversations.

Pay Attention: A good talker will not

necessarily be a good listener. It means more than just concentrating and responding.

friend lost her mother four years ago, and her father has Alzheimer’s. She’s gone from caring for children to caring for her poor father.”

So what does Kitan think would happen to the over 50s as their children make their own marks in the adult world?

“My friends and I sometimes talk about the twilight of our lives and what might happen to us. My friend speculated that her children would happily pay for experienced mammy-nurses and make no effort about visiting often I jokingly told her I could live with her and we can spend our days being grumpy together. Before then though, we both need to eke out working life for as long as we could.

M

y three children are abroad and don’t want anything to do with my thriving business. So between my retirement and now, I must make a nest-egg. Like most people struggling in these cash-strapped times, I have no wish of trodding the path of any Western Union location cashing in the peanuts my children might grudgingly send.

“I know I’m not the only middle-aged woman facing financial fears and injustices.

Woman get retired earlier than men and have no hope of re-employment. So, assuming my friends and I survive the rigours of our 50s and make it to our next big one, many of us have penury to look forward to—and a pension that scarcely cover you needs — that’s if you have one!”

Surely, old age is not all doom and gloom as Kitan has painted it? “Recently,” she said, “I went to the cemetery to bid a diseased friend goodbye and I was struck, reading the headstones, how many of the new graves were for people who had died in their 50s —some of them people I remembered from my school days. So I know I should count my blessings.

Last time I grumbled to my parents about 53—1 was having one of those increasingly frequent days where I just feel old from the minute my eyes open in the morning— and mum offered a sage response:‘It’s better than the alternative, isn’t it?’

Well, come to think of it, she’s right!”

40—SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014 08052201257 anyagafu@yahoo.com

H

ow does he feel about you?

Does he like you? What are the chances of a relationship with him? Let me ask you a couple of questions: How do you feel about you? Do you like yourself? Do you have a relationship with yourself? In other words, do you enjoy spending time with yourself? If you don’t, why would anyone else want to?

I often hear those questions and yet in a lot of cases, the person asking them admits that they “need a man / woman.” They don’t feel complete without another person in their life. Neediness sabotages a budding romance because it feels like desperation. Think about the last time you were around someone who was desperate. How did you feel?

Relationships that begin in desperation rarely last and if they do, more often than not, they are not happy ones. The reason we want a partner is because we think we will feel better with someone to love in our life. However, if the basis for a relationship boils down to “this is not what I want, but it is the best I can get for now,” it is doomed from the start.

Neediness focuses attention around what you don’t have rather than

what you do have. We know that the Law of Attraction brings you more of what you focus on.

The movement from neediness to appreciation always starts the flow of abundance.

I know someone who desperately

How does he feel about you? wants a relationship. She constantly daydreams and talks daily about a man that is so obviously a player, and yet she thinks “he could change if he had the right woman.” She often speaks about how she feels about him. But she has a thing with guys. She is always attracted to “bad boys.”

How do you attract the best man or woman for you in your life? Learn to “enJOY” time spent alone. Use it as a time to refresh and grow. Dig deep and look at what went wrong in previous relationships and how those things could be corrected. Learn from your mistakes and become wiser to the signs that the wrong

prospective partner sends. Most

Keep looking and don’t focus so hard on one individual that you miss signals from someone else who could be so right for you people will tell you everything you need to know about them right from the start. Someone once told me,

“Someday you’ll find out that I’m not who you think I am.” I didn’t

My boyfriend raped me In the beginning, I told my boyfriend that I wouldn’t want to have sex outside marriage and he accepted that. But then, about a week ago, I made a very big mistake and allowed him to take my clothes off completely and enter me slightly. I know it was wrong and the following day, I told him that I didn’t feel right about it and I didn’t want us to do that again.

Unfortunately, the very next day, we were alone together, and we got a bit carried away again. But when he tried to “enter” me, I said: “I think we should stop now, let’s stop ok? Please, let’s stop now. I don’t feel right about this.” But he didn’t.

Instead,he spread my legs anyway and got on top of me. And he penetrated me quite deeply. As he was doing it, I was saying, “Stop, please, I really think we should stop,” but I didn’t push him away. I didn’t physically PUSH him or do something to make him stop.

I was quite shaken afterwards but I didn’t know if I should be angry with him or not. We are still together and I don’t even think he thinks he did anything wrong. Did he do anything wrong? Or is what he did alright because my body wasn’t saying “no”? I didn’t fight him physically. Do you think I was raped? I’m so confused and I’ve lost all my self-respect!

Ans: It is never okay for someone to pressure or force another person to have sex when she doesn’t want to. After an experience like the one you had, it’s understandable that you feel confused about your feelings and how you see yourself.

Reaching out for information and support is an important, and often difficult, next step.

Sexual assault committed by someone the survivor is familiar with is sometimes referred to as acquaintance rape. A survivor is someone who has been assaulted and is actively recovering from the

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experience, rather than feeling victimized. Up to 95 percent of all sexual assaults are committed by acquaintances. Because assaults of this nature often involve a friend or significant other, the experiences can be especially upsetting.

You say that you didn’t physically push him away. Maybe you are worried about possibly having given your boyfriend conflicting messages.

There are many reasons, however, why a person might not physically resist or push someone away during an assault. S/he may be scared, shocked, and/or numb, since it’s difficult to comprehend that anyone would coerce someone else into having sex, especially when that anyone is someone whom we care for or trust. A person may also fear escalating the assault and therefore choose to cooperate in order to reduce injury. Contrary to what people may think, someone does not have to physically fight-off a person’s advances to convey that s/ he does not want to have intercourse

believe him, and we divorced eight painful years later. Now, I believe it if someone tells me

they are not good enough for me, and I run in the opposite direction – fast!

Embrace your time as a single person. Keep looking and don’t focus so hard on one individual that you miss signals from someone else who could be so right for you. Life should be enjoyed, not agonized over. As you relax and learn to really love yourself, the energy will shift around you and you will begin to attract more suitable, potential partners into your life.

Then, with a “buffet” of wonderful people to choose from, your love life will blossom

as never before!

or participate in any other sexual activity.

Regardless, it is not your behaviour that determines whether or not this was an assault; it is your boyfriend’s.

Rape is a form of sexual assault that involves unwanted penetration of a person’s mouth, vagina, and/or anus by a penis or object. Rape is also having sex with a person who is unable to give consent because s/ he’s impaired or unconscious , physically or mentally challenged, or under the age of 18/21 years.

Even when inappropriate sexual conduct can be legally defined as rape, many people do not define their experiences as such. A person may be reluctant to define her/his experience as rape for several reasons, including, but not limited to: pressure from the perpetrator to chalk the experience up to “a misunderstanding”; societal messages about gender, sexual roles, and “acceptable aggression”; and, a survivor ’s discomfort with accepting that s/he has been victimized.

Dealing with a sexual assault can

tionship on 07086048181 *Iyke,35, single, needs a homely, responsible and educated lady who is truly ready to settle down on 08111101481 *Biddy, 39, from Lagos State, fair, good looking, entrepreneur, needs a meet a good-to-go lady for a serious relationship on 08151831681 good looking God-fearing lady on * Ismail, 37, based in Kaduna, needs a busty lady of 20-26 for mar- 07089151818 riage on 08031590030 *Uzoma, 51, employed, single, *Rotimi, 44, employed, wants a God-fearing lady for a serious rela- Igbo, resident in Lagos, wants a female graduate who is Do you want to be linked? level-headed and beNeither Chioma Gabriel nor Saturday Vanguard has any relationship with anybody wanting low, 35years for a serito be linked. We have no agents anywhere and charge no fees. We have no personal informa- ous relationship on tion of people who have been linked or want to be linked and therefore, are not answerable for 08175419686 disappointments or embarrassments some people may encounter in the process.

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, APRIL 19, 2014—41

yemisisuleiman670@yahoo.com

Go leggy in shorts S

horts are flattering alternatives to dresses and skirts, especially for weekend grooves and beach parties. However, not all shorts are created equal and neither are all legs. A big no-no is ultra short and tight hot pants. They don’t flatter •Cool glam look anyone over 18 and they are not practical or comfortable. The best way, is to keep your shorts basic and add your own style with a fun belt or a colourful top. Remember shorts are all about your legs. So, keep your legs looking smooth and terrific by creating your own at-home routine of moisturising and applying a good self-toning product.

Wear your shorts with accessories like a long-chain pendant, sandals with some sparkle, oversized sunglasses, or a block-colour bag to add some ‘pop’ All you need is little selfconfidence to pull this look through.

Jean short and matching acessories

O

rganizers of the much awaited Africa Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN) have announced big brother housemates 2013 (The Chase) Pokello Nare and Elikem Kumordzie, as ambassadors of the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria.

The event whose core aim is to provide visibility platforms for new talents and help gather international attention and awareness, is billed to hold next month, May 17 and 18. The new Ambassadors and soon-to-be couple Elikem and Pokello are fashion designers who have collection of designs that will be featured at the AFWN. The two day event will be graced by Grand patrons Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas & Senator Daisy Danjuma, and Patron Hon.Abike Dabiri, with special guests of honour, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija and Chief Opral Benson supporting the emerging designers. Fashion lovers, Media houses, celebrities, textile manufacturers, models, make-up artists, fashion photographers, retail buyers, potential designers and business of fashion people will grace the event.

The Africa Fashion Week Nigeria, which will wrap-up with a gala fashion show with veteran fashion designer, Hajia Abba

Here are ways to wear shorts fashionably this season and what to wear with shorts.

•Acessorise with necklace and bangles

Pokello and Elikem as ambassadors of Africa Fashion W eek Nigeria Week Folawiyo closing the show.

According to Ronke Ademiluyi, the organiser and founder of AFWL & AFWN, “the event is to bind emerging talents in the fashion industry, connect them to

the right people, showcase them to their customers and potential ones, unleash the creativity in them, support them, give them an opportunity and platform to grow and create awareness.”

Designers in their hundreds have already signified their intention to participate by visiting the organizers’ website.

Registration and opportunities still abound for designers and exhibitors interested in participating.

42 — SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014

BY PRISCA SAM-DURU

A

postle Busola Jegede is the Founder of Daugh ters of Destiny Interdenominational Fellowship who has, based on her passion about prayer and intercession which are in line with her divine apostolic mandate, been working assiduously to raise women as intercessors for the family and nations.

She runs a vibrant prison ministry and the rehabilitation of female ex-inmates. The Ekiti State born Chattered Accountant also mentors women through her entrepreneurial experience to help them identify business opportunities at the Destiny Academy, The Monitoring Unit and the Destiny Business Institute where skills are taught and acquired through seminars and workshops. Apostle Jegede in this interview, sheds light on the just concluded two-day international women conference, her initiatives;“Succour for Women’s Care Foundation (SWCF), etc and emphasises the need for women to become change agents. Excerpts.

Why the Conference on Women as Change agent?

Nigeria must experience change so as to bring an end to needless deaths and decadence rocking the country. It is not good enough for us to talk about it because if there is no action, then, it is like the unapplied salt and it is of no use. We need effective change which cannot take place if there is no change agent.

It must be deliberately planned and driven as well as executed and women are best designed to execute this task. I liken women as salt and light which are two change agents due to their importance and every woman must be like these two agents before we can begin to talk about changing Nigeria.

Women need to take a positive step in different capacities because until change agents apply themselves, they are not relevant. It is our time to help the men because it is our time to change the world.

So, we must arise and apply our talents to transform the world.

I believe that if women can work together, they can change Nigeria and the world because men look for power but women not only take charge, they care.

If you look at women in the Bible days, Queen Esther, Deborah, Virgin Mary etc, they all did extraordinary things for God. Also, you will discover that each time there is a great task, God raises women not men. So it is high time women rose up and make themselves available for use as change agents. But before that can If you be done, the women themselves must change and that is the reason consider the Daughters of Destiny will be launchgreat harm ing an initiative known as “A Woman social media Of Order”.

What are you likely to achieve has done so far through this initiative? on our children, you will We are blessed in Nigeria but we are not orderly people. So I have an see that things have inspiration from God to launch “A gone so bad that if it Woman Of Order” because we requires spending time seriously need to change Nigeria and put an end to bad character and now with your children; moral decadence. This programme do it and when they are will help us change life style and grown enough to be left mentality of people through women.

Every woman must have currency alone, you can resume of love, because even in the family, work rebellious husbands and children are transformed with love. There must be an application of our lives to the due to challenges. Maintain your lives of others but I warn that no vision because it is the vehicle of woman should leave her purpose change in the society.

It’s women’s time to arise and change Nigeria —Apostle Jegede

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This is about change through imparting culture into our diverse sphere of influence. We encourage strong relationship with Jesus because true change can only be inspired by the Spirit of God. Stand for the truth and be inspired so as to teach and raise a generation of godly people. Even if your child has gone the wrong way, the mother involved should not give up but be committed to getting things right again because it is the children that will make the change sustainable.

What happens to career mothers?

Women are powerful mentors and should be committed to raising Godly children instead of leaving things to chance. If you consider the great harm social media has done so far on our children, you will see that things have gone so bad that if it requires spending time now with

your children do it and when they are grown enough to be left alone, you can resume work. Women must not abandon looking after the family for their career. They should be change agents even at home because it is a worth investment. Be diligent in your calling and I believe that no woman’s career should make her lose her marriage. They should rise above limitations in order to achieve set goals and in doing this, we should not lose our relevance and our self esteem. In fact, no woman should let low esteem pull her down.

Team work is also necessary because if women form a synergy, we can put an end to violence in the country. Women must be committed to intercession and be selfless enough to bring about a better world.

What other platforms do you hope to use to achieve these goals?

Well, DOD has plans to set up a Television and Radio stations through which we can win back the youths from exposure to violence on the media.

Every available platform be it media, arts/ entertainment, can be used to take over the world and bring change to the country. Through good music and movies, the youths who have become morally bankrupt can be won over for Christ. It is not enough to keep complaining about the indecent lyrics in today’s music and movies but a simple step further of producing better ones should definitely do the magic. We cannot afford to fold our hands and watch ungodly change agents destroy our youths.

I also advise owners of schools to please stop being keen on the material reward that comes with establishing a school but leave a legacy so that even when you are gone, you will still be remembered.

Daughters of Destiny just launched a foundation known as “Succour for Women’s Care Foundation (SWCF) which was designed to transform lives and affect destinies for better by providing medical intervention, outreaches and empowering women socially and economically. SWCF will also give psychological, moral and legal support to women. To match our words with action, on the 8th of May, one of the matrons of SWCF Dr Olujoke Jones will be coming from America with high tech equipment to conduct tests such as mammogram, pap smear, HIV/ AIDS screening, cervical cancer, for indigent women as well as women groups but we are starting with women at DOD.

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Vanguard, APRIL 19, 19 2014 — 43

When Zonta Lagos met Zonta President Lateefat and Idris International he Nikkah/Engagement Ceremony between

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embers of Zonta International Club of Lagos recently held a welcome meeting with Zonta President International Foundation, Ms Lynn Mckenzie on her visit to Nigeria recently. Photos by Diran Oshe

Omoyeni Lateefat, daughter of Alhaji Yisa Yusuf Ajiboye, A Chieftain of All Progressives Party, APC in Lagos state and Mr Abiodu Idris, son of Alhaji Abdul-Mumuni Ajadi Olakanmi, a business mogul was held at the NYSC camp, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos on Saturday 12th April, 2014. Photos by Lamidi Bamidele

L- R:Zontian Motolani Akinkoye , Zontia nOmolara Smith, President Z Club 11,Zontian Anastasia Gbem, Ms Lynn Mckenzie, President, Zonta International and Zonta International Foundation, Zontiai Gloriastene T. Agboola , Governor District 18 Africa and Zontian Shade Bembatoum - Young,President Zonta International Club of Lagos 1 District 18 Area 03 .

From left; Mr and Mrs Abiodun Olakanmi, the new couple; Alhaji Abdul-Mumuni Olakanmi, groom's father and Alhaji Y Y Ajiboye, bride's father.

R- L: Zontian Shade Bembatoum - Young,President Zonta International Club of Lagos 1 District 18 Area 03, and Zontian Shade Ajasin.

L- R: Zontian (Prof ) Oyinade Elebute , Zontian Folake Solanke (SAN) and Zontian Adetutu Adeleke.

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L- R: Zontian Iyabo Bassir, Zontian Victoria Aduloju , Zontian Bawor Omiyi, Zontian Omolara Smith and Zontian Motolani Akinkoye

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embers of Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter led by its Chariman pay a visit to Hon. Suraj

L-R: Alhaji Fatai Salam, speaking with Hon. Akinpelu Aina, Speaker Suraj Adekunbi and Hon. Tola Banjo, Dep. Speaker.

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L- R Zontian Cecilia Atilade Zontian Olufunke Egunjobi Zontian Debola Sosanya and Zontian Sade Ajasin.

Cross section of officiating Imams.

From right; Alhaja Muinat Olakanmi, groom's mother; Alhaja Munirat Ajiboye, bride's mother; Alhaja Serifat Ajiboye and Alhaja Riskat Olakanmi.

Adekunbi, Speaker of House of Assembly at Oke-Mosan Abeokuta. Photos by Wumi Akinola

L-R:Alhaji Fatai Salam, Chairman, Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria,Ogun State, presenting documents on better health for all Nigerians to Hon. Barrister Akinpelu Aina, Chairman, House Committee on Health

From left; Sheikh Yusuf Daud and Colonel Salman Agboluaje

44 — SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014

Saturday TRIBUTE RAPHAEL CHUKWU UWECHUE

Pan Africanist, Diplomat and a Statesman

Raphael Chukwu Uwechue

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n the eve of the gubernato rial re-run election in Delta State in 2011, I took a week holiday and travelled with Chief Peter Azuka Monye, the former Managing Director at defunct Fortune Assurance Company Limited.

Common in our mutual relationship for the past fourteen years, we discussed the Nigerian financial market, our emerging democracy and state of the nation.

We arrived at Delta after driving for five hours; Chief Monye suggested that we pay a courtesy visit to a prominent Nigerian who played a key role during the unfortunate Nigerian civil war. We drove straight to the “African House”, the country home of Ambassador Raphael Chukwu Uwechue, the career diplomat and Pan Africanist with emotional attachment to the economic and political development of Nigeria in particular and Africa in general.

He earned the name Mr. Africa during his work life when he advocated and defended Africa at various platforms. He traversed the length and breadth of Africa in search of peace for a troubled continent. This was reinforced with his career in Cameron, Burundi and other countries in the continent. Throughout his earthly existence, Raphael Uwechue was passionate about Africa.

Raphael was Former President Olusegun Obasanjo special envoy on Conflict Resolution in Africa from 1999 to 2002. Later, he became the special Representative of Ecowas Executive Secretary in Coted Ivoire from 2002 to 2007.He devoted his life to the pursuit of conflict prevention and resolution in Africa .The high point of his career in this regard was the effective brokering of peace for the warring faction in Sierra Leone.

A man with insatiable appetite for knowledge, he had his primary education in Sokoto and his secondary education in Kaduna.

He attended the University of Ibadan where he took a degree in Modern History. He later went to the Geneva Africa Institute where he studied French and International Law. Armed with these qualifications he settled for an early career in Nigeria Foreign Service at its inception in 1960.His spoken and written English was as good as his French.

Till date, he has the singular honor of being Nigerian first diplomatic envoy to France, where he opened the Nigerian Embassy in Paris in 1966.

A man of principle and uncommon conviction based on his objective assessment of the political environment during the civil war, he pledged allegiance to the Sovereign State of Biafra when he converted the Nigerian embassy to that of Biafra and he singlehandedly propagated the case of Sovereign State Biafra to international communities. He later discovered that the case for cessation was not gaining ground while the key actors in the

He earned the name Mr. Africa during his work life when he advocated and defended Africa at various platforms. He traversed the length and breadth of Africa in search of peace for a troubled continent civil war refused to soft-pedal on their position.

The Sovereign state of Biafra according to Raphael had an option; a con-federal arrangement comprising a loose federation with a local autonomy. When the leaders of

Biafra turned down the proposal arising from various meetings and international intervention, he resigned his appointment in December 1968 and took to early retirement and settled for a quite life in literary activities and publishing. Reason being that he didn’t see the rationale for the civil war which already had severe impact on women and children on the Biafra side.

Tapping me at the shoulder with a calm smile, he mentioned in a low tune.

“Secession, which is total separation, was also equally a means if it could be secured by mutual agreement; otherwise it involved great risks and dangers for both sides. However, as long as it was not possible to secure what in my opinion was the ideal solution for our particular case-a confederal arrangement-I would support secession.” My support for separate sovereignty for Biafra, therefore,

has been all along on this important note, he added.

Shortly after Independence in Nigeria, a few ethnic nationalities and interest groups desired their own identity separate from forced colonial, political and social institutions. It became necessary for people with shared values and customs to come together for a common identity; the Anioma vision came to the fore and Raphael was at the forefront as one of the earliest statesmen who pioneered and propagated this yearning and aspiration.

This yearning peaked in 1979 and 1980 when it almost became a reality. He built the African House with a conference room that can accommodate a cabinet during meetings. He had envisaged that the proposed state would be too young to build a befitting state house for an incoming governor; he was ready to rule and administer the affairs of the state from the African House at Ogwashi Ukwu.

Unfortunately, that was not to be because the state was not created as anticipated.

Eleven years later, specifically in August 1991, Delta State was created.

Uwechue was a respected writer and an orator. He loved writing and literary activities with the same measure he appreciates healthy and intelligent political and economic discussion. Not for him, the dictum for half measures; he executed every task he took on with style and excellence.

He was appointed Editor in Chief of the Paris based International Magazine titled Africa. He was also a member of the editorial committee of the Paris Review titled Presence Afrique, he co authored a book in French ; Les assissinats polititique en Afrique.

An intelligent man of the classical school in this clime, he argued at a lecture on Nigerian Nation Builders delivered at Dan Anyiam Stadium in 200, that “every human being created by the Almighty on Earth today is simultaneously endowed with three inter-locking nationalities.The first is the ethnic nationality into which one is born; the second is nation state or country resulting from political arrangement at a point in history and third is continental nation.

Raphael Chukwu Uwechue spent the twilight of his life propagating what he did in his hey days; the difference is that he concentrated at the regional level; concentrating on driving the Pan -Igbo integration, negotiation and cultural renewal while mentoring the younger generations.

As the head of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, a leading pan Igbo organization comprising Igbo speaking nations across six states, he defended the cause, genuine yearning and aspirations of this ethnic nationality religiously.

He holds the respected traditional title of Oguluzeme Ome ife asuo ani (the man that does what pleases the community) of Ogwashi Ukwu.

Note: Augustine Isioma Iwelu, writes from Lagos.

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get messages of support from all over the world from fat people saying thank you’: 25st ‘Fat Girl Dancing’ becomes internet sensation with 2.5m views.

25st ‘Fat Girl Dancing’ becomes internet sensation with 2.5m views

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014—45 Dancer Whitney Thore army of fans and has become an online helping to spread her star— shaking her 25st message of body booty in internet acceptance. videos. The 29-year-old After a lifetime of radio producer ’s clip, A weight anxiety and Fat Girl Dancing shows eating disorders, plus-size Whitney in Whitney launched the an energetic dance No Body Shame routine. In one month Campaign to fight fat the video was viewed phobia six months ago.

2.5 million times, Since then she has winning Whitney an received messages of support from all over the world from people inspired by her selfconfidence.

Whitney, from Greenboro, North Carolina, said: ‘Six months ago I would never have gone out in public and put my body on show.

‘Becoming body positive has been the most incredible thing that’s ever happened to me. ‘I get messages of support from all over the world from fat people saying thank you.

Is this India’s most important voter?

•Poly gamous sect leader with 39 wiv es and 1 27 children •Polygamous wives 12

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olygamous sect leader with 39 wives and 127 children being courted by every politician to make sure they will receive dozens of ballots.

This man has been courted by every politician in the run up to the next round of elections in India — because he has 39 wives and 127 children.

Polygamist and sect leader Zionnghaka Chana has become the voter every politician in Mizoram State wants to know because of his influence over his 39 wives and 127 children and grandchildren. Mr Chana, who has a 100-

room home in the Baktawng village, Aizawl, told reporters: ‘We were witnessing a rush of politicians seeking votes in the last few days. ‘During every election we are much in

demand as the winning margins of politicians in this state are slim, so even 100-odd votes matter to them.’ One of Mr Chana’s wives, Rinkmini, said: ‘When we go to vote, we always

‘This isn’t fair at all’ probation, 100 hours community service, anger management classes and personal counseling. ‘You wonder every time you walk outside, you turn to your left to see if your neighbour is there spitting, yelling, screaming at you and you don’t know why,’ Prugh said.

While outside with his sign, a court probation officer kept an eye on Aviv, CBS notes. His attorney also reportedly visited him. acist man ordered to hold sign The Plain Dealer newspaper in Cleveland reports for tormenting neighbour and that the neighbour says Aviv has called Prugh’s adopted daughter an ethnic slur, spat on her and disabled children for 15 YEARS smeared faeces on the family’s wheelchair ramp. says judge is bullying him with humiliating punishment that has left him ‘destroyed’ Neighbour Mike Prugh said that 62-year-old Edmond Aviv terrorized his family for no reason over a 15-year period. Aviv pleaded no contest to a fourth-degree misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct. He was ordered to hold a sign that says: ‘I am a bully’ from 9am to 2pm Sunday. Said sentence ‘destroyed’ him and that ‘This isn’t fair at all’. Aviv was also sentenced to 15 days jail, seven months

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cast our ballots for the same candidate or party. ‘That means more than 160-odd votes are assured from one family.’ Like most voters at this election, Mr Chana said he

wanted clean government and development so that his family could prosper.

‘All we want is good governance and the wellbeing of the state instead of personal

gains for our family from the politicians,’ he said.

Mizoram is the only state voting on Friday, in the fourth of nine stages of voting in the world’s biggest election.

Mom arrested for leaving son, baby in car for one hour H

omeless single mom arrested for leaving son, 2, in car with her six-month-old baby for at least one hour while she was at a job interview.

Shanesha Taylor was called to a job interview at an insurance company in Scotsdale, Arizona about noon on Thursday last week.

She is homeless and couldn’t leave her two sons — aged two and six months— anywhere or with anyone. She allegedly locked the doors of her Dodge Durango and slightly rolled down all the windows. The sound of one of the children crying alerted a waitress, who called police. Taylor was arrested on child abuse charges. Many have commented that she is a victim of circumstance. A fundraiser effort started in her name has already

amassed almost $30,000. She remains in jail, and her children have been put in the custody of Child Protective Services.

Taylor’s arrest has

spurred an online fundraising drive to help with her legal expenses.

Scottsdale resident named Amanda Bishop has raised nearly $30,000.

The fundraising site acknowledges that Taylor made a ‘terrible mistake’ but urges compassion.

‘There are a lot of us who feel she was just a victim to what an economy like this is putting struggling families through,’ Bishop told KMGH.

Vanguard, APRIL 19 19, 2014

KORO VS LAGOS

Centralized military rule ended in 1999 — Ipaye

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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agos State Government, through the Executive Governor, Babatunde Fashola, recently, raised an alarm over attempt by the newly appointed Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro to stall various ongoing developmental projects of the state government, especially, the Lagos HOMS (Housing Scheme) initiative meant for the masses.

According to Fashola, the Ilubirin Housing Scheme, where construction of 1,188 flats is on going has been stopped by the Federal Government through the Minister for Defence claiming that the central government owns the land. “That land has been there for the last five years, the contract for reclaiming that land was issued by Lagos State Government to Julius Berger Plc, during Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s administration. In January, we awarded the contract for the construction but suddenly, the federal government realized and began to claim ownership of the land,” Fashola claimed.

“This is a threat to the Lagos state housing initiative. It is a threat to the downtrodden citizens in the state that are looking up to the state government to provide homes for them.”

With these claims, Saturday Vanguard sought the legal implications of the acts from the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye. Excerpts:

Lagos State, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye

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All Nigerians have a stake in Lagos and the development of Lagos State is largely synonymous with the development of Nigeria.

I’m sure the Federal Government would not encourage lawlessness or cut its own nose to spite its face

Lagos State redevelopment plans have been on before the FG’s latest development; why is the Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro all over the place stopping work on Lagos projects?

Unfortunately, that pattern of behavior is not new among persons of Lagos State origin who get Federal Ministerial appointment. We have seen it before, haven’t we? To make an impression in Abuja, they strongly oppose and detract the State Government’s efforts. It is a fact that Lagos has always been the best among post-independence civilian governments. Yet, it was

never under the control of the dominant party. For the opposition therefore, opportunities for mischief abound. Lagos has been the capital of Nigeria from 1914 to 1991. There was consequently a strong Federal presence in Lagos, much of which was yielded to the state government when Lagos became a state in 1967.

The Federal Government could either appreciate and encourage this precious heritage, which continues to make the largest contribution to the non-oil Gross Domestic Product,GDP of Nigeria, or seek to choke it off by the nostalgic assertion of rights that are no longer

there. Unfortunately, ministers who are overly keen to impress in Abuja would choose the latter option.

Obanikoro was quoted to have said in one of his recent remarks that the Ilubirin Housing Project and that of Ikoyi were not in conformity with Lagos state physical planning and environmental law. How true is this allegation?

I do not recall that he was appointed Federal Minister or State Commissioner for Physical Planning. I doubt what I read as his comments, so I really want to give him the benefit of the doubt. This is because I know that he knows something of the Constitution. Afterall, he was part of the government of this state before and we always had minimum standards. Under the 1999 Constitution, physical planning and urban development are State matters.

Even for Federal Government to develop its own land in Lagos, it must get State planning approval.

This position has been confirmed unequivocally by the Supreme Court.

We therefore have State agencies for dealing with such matters. Physical planning and urban

development are not matters within the purview of the PDP or the Federal Ministry of Defence, even in Abuja. If, after all these years, anyone would suggest that Lagos State Government plans to build under high tension electric cables or without regard to drainage and de-flooding requirements, I think the public can easily judge his credibility. It would be quite delusional for anyone to think Lagos State has to run to Abuja for approval before developing housing estates for its residents. If I recall correctly, centralized military rule ended in 1999.

In a democratic dispensation, is it right to deploy soldiers into civil matters even as we approach 2015 general elections?

Obviously wrong. Even during military rule, soldiers were never the local law enforcement agents. That approach signals a dangerous depth of lawlessness. It also detracts from the strength and mystique of the military. If it is not stopped immediately, it will amount to a declaration of war, especially in the impending election season. I’m sure you know wars and elections don’t mix.

Are you aware of an allegation on the existence of Federal Special Taskforce going around the state with the aim of stalling similar projects on acclaimed federal properties? If yes or no, what action is the state government going to take, is the state government planning legal action against this?

I have heard of it and I have therefore written to the Federal Attorney General and Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Both are aware of how far we had gone to ensure peaceful development in Lagos and peaceful coexistent of Federal and State agencies. I am sure that both will advise Mr. President and their colleagues about the sense in keeping that peace. All Nigerians have a stake in Lagos and the development of Lagos State is largely synonymous with the development of Nigeria.

I’m sure the Federal Government would not encourage lawlessness or cut its own nose to spite its face.

Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro

Vanguard, APRIL 19 19, 2014 — 47

OUR PAINS ARE PROLONGED

BY MY THS —Goitre patients reveal

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

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he ancient Badagry town is synonymous with the role it played in the annals of West Africa and particularly Nigeria’s history. From the era of slave trade till date, when it was put under Lagos state, the ancient town has always been relevant in the scheme of activities in the country.

Despite being a major border in the country with its natural endowments which make it a town for all, the myths amongst Badagry’s residents indicate that they are yet to do away with myth and embrace modern reality.

This was evident last Tuesday, at the flag off of the goitre intervention programme by the State Government, led by Executive Governor, Babatunde Fashola, for Badagry patients at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja.

Goitre, is an enlarged thyroid gland that causes difficulty with swallowing, strenuous or noisy breathing and even change in voice of the sufferer.

Fashola, therefore, called on residents to be conscious of keeping healthy eating and drinking habits in their own interest.

It will be recalled that a team of medical experts deployed by the state government to Badagry area of the state, had earlier commenced investigation into the causes of high prevalence of goitre in the area with a view to finding the remote and immediate causes of the neckswelling disorder.

Meanwhile, the programme, which is a state government intervention due to the high prevalence in Badagry area, where several patients were discovered, is the first phase in the series of the exercise to be carried out for patients in the state.

Fashola said that the intervention was to give patients a new lease of life while the government was working on a preventive strategy, saying “securing the lives of citizens does not only include providing security personnel with ammunitions.”

The governor while addressing the patients explained: “During our health mission programme in Badagry in December last year, our medical team noticed unusual swellings on the necks of some of the residents who had attended the programme. ”And our health officials asked me, can we investigate the problem?” I

said, why not ? Let’s find out, let’s know the problem. ”The problem was later diagnosed as goitre and I was told it could be

Mrs. Victoria Abimbola, one of the patients

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Goitre, is an enlarged thyroid gland that causes difficulty with swallowing, strenuous or noisy breathing and even change in voice of the sufferer

treated through surgical intervention. ”As for the cause, one of the things I was told is that goitre is caused by iodine deficiency but the government has started an extensive study for us to know precisely the cause. ”This is because it seems to me that it is unusual that where people eat iodized salt, you see this kind of prevalence. ”So the investigation has commenced and the results, will hopefully help us to come up with a strategy to deal with the problem.

“This is how care will be provided.

Our regular health mission t usually includes screening, antenatal care, diabetes, medical consultation, hypertension and hernia treatment, and we have now included goitre treatment and surgery as the mission moves across the state.

“We will continue this but I am not sure how the medical team can cope with the large number but the treatment will get to everyone.

“As the mission moves around, we will device means to provide treatment during the mission, we will continue this to ensure anyone with goitre gets the required treat-

ment.”

Fashola noted: “When we complete the investigation, we will come out with the solution and back it with rigorous campaign to ensure that goitre cases end in the state.”

Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris stressed that the neck-swelling disorder screening and treatment would henceforth be incorporated in the statewide health mission programmes.

He said the step was to check prevalence of the problem and widen access to treatment across the state.

Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof. Wale Oke said, “At the commencement of the exercise, 30 residents were identified to have surgery, but within few days, another 23 residents were added to the list.”

Patients lament One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Olayinka Godonuve, expressed appreciation on behalf of others to the governor for the free surgery, saying it had given her, personally, a new lease of life.

Lying on his mother’s thigh, Master Shamsideen Ibrahim, gazed in pain at the crowd sitting at the waiting section at the hospital but couldn’t express the excruciating pain he is going through.

Shamsideen, a three-year-old, couldn’t speak but his pathetic look showed a child under severe pain.

The young Shamsideen was one of the over 50 goitre patients slated to undergo surgery under the special Goitre Control Programme for residents of the state especially residents of Badagry Local Government.

Shamsideen, was dressed in a white

shirt but couldn’t button up because his goitre had swollen more than what he could bear.

Speaking on his behalf , his mother, Mrs. Suliat Ibrahim said that her son had been living with the deficiency since year 2011.

The mother said : “Initially, our belief was that it was a spell or another thing. We didn’t know it was goitre because we were told by a herbalist that a one-year-old child cannot have such deficiency. He said that it was a spell.”

Explaining how it all started, she said: “My junior sister discovered a small bulge on his neck after completing Shamsideen’s bath. She alerted me. I was confused and because I don’t know what it was, maybe it was a spell or not and he couldn’t speak yet.”

Suliat noted that since then, she consulted traditional medical experts rather than the orthodox, to seek for solution to the deficiency.

Similarly, Mrs. Victoria Abimbola, a resident of Ogun State, said: “I came from Tubee axis of Ogun state.

When it started, it was an ant bite and it begun to swell. I applied some concoction and it shrank. Two years after, it begun to swell again.”

Mrs. Mojisola Adetayo, who had been affected with the deficiency since 12 years ago, said: “I have been living with the deficiency since 1992. When I discovered it, the traditional chiefs in our community, said it was a spell and prepared some concoction for me, saying that my swollen neck was due to a spell from some witches and wizards.”

Explaining how her belief had made her travel across the country, Mojisola said “In search of cure, I travelled to Akure, Ondo State to consult an herbalist, where I spent six months. But I couldn’t get the cure. I ate all sorts of concoctions, and yet there was no solution. I left the place when I discovered that the herbalist was only interested in my money and not to proffer solution.

“Two years ago, I consulted another herbalist who demanded for N20, 000 but I begged him to collect N10, 000. After payment and he assured me that the goitre would be cured in two weeks, it didn’t,” she added.

Mojisola lamented: “I spent all my business capital while searching for the cure. Last year, I decided not to consult any trado-medical home again; because I was so broke and tired of the myth.

Another patient, Mrs. Jumoke Akano, who couldn’t hold back her joy on the state government’s intervention, said: “I am happy that those who had gone through the operation are hale and hearthy and this has helped cast away the doubt that it couldn’t be cured.

Jumoke, a 40-years-old housewife, said: “13 years ago, I was pregnant when I felt some pains on my neck.

The traditional medicine practitioner I consulted said that it was due to the pregnancy, that when I delivered the baby, the pain would subside.

“Truly, after my child’s birth, I stopped feeling any pain. A year later, I discovered that my neck begun to swell. And this was 13 years ago. Seeing the pain I was going through, my elder sister advised that I consult a herbalist, called Baba Ijebu, who can cure the goitre.

When I finally met him, he demanded N30, 000 but I paid N10, 000.

The concoction he gave me had negative effect on me. I stopped applying it. ”Years later, I consulted a doctor who after concluding his test, said it was goitre and it could be operated.

But I couldn’t complete the treatment due to financial constraints.

48 — SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014

Police, magistrate fight over discharge of kidnap suspects

BY EMMA AMAIZE,

Regional Editor, South-South

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N March 21, the presiding Magistrate, Otor-Udu Magistrate Court, Delta State, His Worship, Duku Tadafe (Mrs) erred in law when she discharged and acquitted a kidnap suspect, Mrs. Grace Obi, who was arraigned in her court with Ogbona Onu for allegedly masterminding her own kidnap and collecting N1.5 million from her husband, Mr. Jude Obi, a staff of Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR. Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, was furious over the order and took the magistrate to the cleaner. Senior Magistrate Tadafe realized her mistake and managed to get the two accused persons back to the court, March 26. However, the police prosecutor refused to re-arraign and prosecute the matter, saying his superior had asked him to back off the trial.

Left with no other option, the magistrate nullified her March 21 order, discharging and acquitting a kidnap suspect, 33-year-old Mrs. Grace Obi and Ogbona Onu. Saturday Vanguard digs into the controversy.

In a fresh order made on April 1, Senior Magistrate Tadafe, said: “I have carefully considered my order striking out and discharging the accused persons in charge No. MUD/130/2014 and discovered that it was erroneously made as I have no jurisdiction to adjudicate

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba extorted from Mr. Jude Obi with the accused, while N300,000 was used to settle the kidnap gang.

Saturday Vanguard investigation showed that Mrs. Obi and Ogbona Onu were arraigned in the court, March 21, in charge number, MUD/ 13C/2014, on a three-count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping.

The complainant and husband of the 1st accused, Mr. Jude Obi, who wrote a letter of withdrawal to the court, dated March 14, mounted the witness box, March 21, telling the court that he had forgiven his wife

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Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, was furious over the order and took the magistrate to the cleaner. Senior Magistrate Tadafe realized her mistake and managed to get the two accused persons back to the court, March 26

on the matter as it were, as it borders on kidnapping under section 13 (2) of the Anti-Kidnapping and AntiTerrorism law , No 8 of Delta State, 2013, which is outside my jurisdiction.

“Consequently, it is my order directing the Commissioner of Police and his officers to re-arrest the accused persons and re-arraign them for the said offence of kidnapping on the same charge, having set aside my order made on the 21/3/2014,” she stated.

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, had in a statement, few days after the repudiated order, said the police investigated the matter and found N1.2 million out of the N1.5 million

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and Ogbona, and did not want to prosecute the matter any further.

He said he did not want a broken home and based on his formal withdrawal of the case against the accused persons, the magistrate discharged and struck out the case.

Delta State Police Command kicked against the verdict with the Legal/ Prosecution unit in a letter by T. O.B Okey, March 26, applying to the court for the record of proceedings of March 21, ostensibly to challenge the order.

The court, however, on the same day, relying on the authorities of HRH Eze Dr. Frank Adele Eke vs.

Godfrey Chizieze Ogbonda (2006) 11-12 SC and Jonah Eguasie and another vs.Onyense Elele (2000)

FWLR, part 10 at 1967, which gives the court power to set aside its order when is done without jurisdiction since such an order amount to nullity, set aside her March 21 order.

Her words, “Also, I have considered the inability to rearraign the accused persons as my prosecutor, Cpl. Godwin Ovuefere, informed me that he has directive from his superior that brought the letter asking for record of proceedings of 21/ 3/2014 not to participate in the matter again despite the court insistence on that fateful day that he should participate.

“But he disobeyed the order of court and refused to participate in the matter because on that 26/3/ 2014, the accused persons were in court for the court to vacate its order made on the 21/3/2014 and order the accused persons to be remanded but the prosecutor frustrated the court by refusing to participate in the matter based on the alleged directive from the police officer that brought the letter from Asaba and there is no way the court can remand without the prosecutor,” she stated.

National coordinator of the Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence, FJHD, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, whose organization conducted inquiry on the matter in conjunction with the Centre for the Vulnerable and the Underprivileged, CENTREP, following Saturday Vanguard’s April 7 report said, “Our findings are that on the 24th of March, 2014, His Worship having realized the error, ordered the prosecutor, CPL Godwin Ovuefere to invite the said accused persons to court in a bid to vacate her earlier order discharging the accused persons and to re-arraign them.

“On the 26th of March, 2014, the two accused persons appeared in court in obedience to the above order, but the said prosecutor, CPL Godwin Ovuefere, declined to prosecute them on the ground that he had the orders of his superiors at the State Police Command Headquarters, Asaba not to prosecute same; thus frustrating the business of the court in respect of the said accused persons as there

was no way the court could have remanded the accused persons without the prosecutor.

“On the 1st of April, 2014, His Worship, relying on the cited authorities, had no option than to formally set aside his earlier order made on 21st of March, 2014 discharging the accused persons as his earlier order was done without jurisdiction and as such, the said order was a nullity and thereafter, His Worship ordered and directed the Commissioner of Police, Delta Police Command Headquarters and his Officers to re-arrest and rearraign the accused persons for the said offence of kidnap,” he said.

According to the group, “His Worship further directed the Assistant Chief Registrar of Court to prepare and serve the court proceedings of the day on the DPO, Ovwian Police Division and Commissioner of Police, Delta State for compliance.”

Ikimi noted, “The above order was timorously served on the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Ovwian Police Division and the Commissioner of Police, Delta State on the 3rd of April, 2014.”

He said, “Surprisingly, rather than comply with the above order, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, addressed a press conference castigating His Worship and indicting the State Judiciary.”

His words, “In the light of the foregoing, we call on the Commissioner of Police, Delta Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba to immediately carry out the order of His Worship by re-arresting and rearraigning the above duo in court, rather than grand standing in the public domain.”

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n expressing dissatisfaction over the earlier discharge and acquittal of Mrs. Obi, Aduba had said, “On March 7, 2014, a case of kidnapping of one Grace Obi ‘f ’, aged 33yrs was reported at Area Commander’s Office, Warri.

Investigation into the case revealed that the kidnapped victim, Grace Obi, actually masterminded her kidnap in a bid to extort money from her husband.” “This assertion is reenforced by the fact that out of the N1.5m paid as ransom for the release of the victim who spent three days in the custody of the phantom kidnapping gang – N1.2m was recovered from the victim herself, while N300, 000.00 was allegedly used to settle the gang for their role,” he said. His words, “The kidnapped victim and a member of the gang, who were arrested, made confessional statements, giving a graphic narration of the incident.

“After several overtures made by some highly placed citizens persuading the Command to compromise the case, the Command refused to bulge mainly on the grounds that we deemed it necessary to send a clear message across on the Command’s uncompromising stance on cases of kidnapping."

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Y

H

ouse helps are not alternate spouses. If you are getting attracted to your help, it is time for him/ her to go. You must look for an ingenious way to get your spouse's consent and send him/her away. Do not take chances. We are all human and it takes only a few seconds of madness for things to go wrong once there is fatal attraction.

Sometimes you might be seeing your help as a dirty village girl or boy, but your spouse is seeing a rough diamond (beauty) or a virile young man with youthful vigour that has deserted you

Are house helps necessar necessaryy or necessarily evil? (2) with age. These wives employing more attractive helps and these men whose jobs require frequent travels yet have young, agile men as resident domestic workers, be sure you are not endangering your marriage.

I do not believe house helps are necessary or necessarily evil; (although I concede that some, like David who beheaded his boss, are house helps from the pit of hell).

They are just disadvantaged people some of whom bear a grudge against the society and privileged people.

Showing them love and availing them some of the privileges they were hitherto deprived of can transform them into angels. Your family, especially your children, deserve one of such angels.

There is this serious matter of getting children from the village or from poor relatives to take care of your children.

How can you use an inexperienced under-aged child to bring up your

children? For me it is a loselose situation: it is neither helpful to your children nor the child-house help. It is also a form of child labour and modern day slavery.

The only way you can justify

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ou should enhance the lives of your house helps, especially since it will likely reflect in the quality of care they give your children. By the time they leave your houses, their lives should be better than before they came in. Show them love.

Do not maltreat them because your children will bear the brunt when you are not around, especially toddlers who are too young to tell you what transpired in your absence.

If you feel your house help is not worth your love or kindness, send him/her away and look for another. Being cruel to them is inexcusable and inexplicable. You might run afoul of the law and/or it will interfere with your spiritual life. You can also unnecessarily put yourself and family in harm's way. It is not worth the trouble.

Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014 —49

The minimum expected of you is to fulfil your promise. If your conscience allows you, put them in poorly-equipped schools when you can afford the fees of a good school, not necessarily the highbrow one your •'special children'• attend.

Whatever you decide to do, do not put other children's lives at a standstill for your children's. It is immoral and totally unnecessary. I always believe that there is enough room in the sky for the majestic eagle, the much maligned vulture and other birds to fly and flourish. Help to create a better Nigeria. Show love to these children and it will be bountifully returned, if not from them, then God. After all,

House helps are not alternate spouses

having such children around is if you see and treat them as your older children who are helping you to bring up their younger ones, the way we helped our parents while growing up and what our older children are doing for us— giving the younger ones their bath, helping to get them ready for school and church, feeding them, keeping an eye on them, etc. But if you treat them as employees, that is child labour.

We also hear of cases where these relatives promised to send the children to school, but once they get to their abodes, they renege on their promises.

,

aren't Christianity and Islam partly about giving and not expecting anything in return?

There is an emerging trend where some people have realised that they are not just employing a house help but somebody who is going to be deeply involved in their children's formation.

Consequently they go for welleducated caregivers—as some call them — who meet their specific criteria. I have heard of some well-healed individuals who employ foreigners and pay as much as $2000 monthly, excluding feeding and accommodation.

Why not? No expense should be spared in giving your children a solid foundation.

For Nigerian caregivers who get such opportunities, it might just be a stepping stone to getting seed money and valuable experience to start a kindergarten in the future.

Which got me thinking; we are battling massive unemployment in Nigeria and care giving is one area where there are a lot of job opportunities, but potential employers cannot get skilled labour; a case of water everywhere, yet none to drink.

Can't the government or some organisations set up skills acquisition centres to train caregivers? There are many Nigerians who will pay premium if they get quality care givers.

In addition, I think there is an image problem. Maybe there is need for rebranding which will include change of name from house help to caregiver, which is broader and more respectable. Then care giving can be standardised and professionalised with an association and executive to pilot its affairs. Who knows, may be some day they might even get charter status. As for career growth and prospects, proprietorship of kindergartens and nursing homes for the elderly are just two options. It is surely one sector that can reduce unemployment if properly packaged and harnessed.

Happy Easter.

(Text Only)

How to tone up back muscles, innards organs 1. The Locust Benefits: he practice of this Asana fenders the spine supple and elastic.

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1

It relieves back-ache or strain on the spine caused by the hard work, etc. It also tones up the muscles at the back and the intestinal organs in the abdominal region and relieves pain in the lumbar as well.

2. Raised Body Pose Technique: ie face down with the hands straight ahead of you. Keep the legs also straight behind you. Inhale deeply and raise the hands, chest, and legs off the floor. Breathe normally in this position for 5 to 7 seconds. Rest and repeat.

Benefits: The Raised Body Pose strengthens the entire

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musculature.

Practiced regularly, it enhances vitality.

on the floor. Hold the position for some 10 to 15

Benefits: The Twist Over endows the spine with suppleness and the digestive organs and kidneys get gentle but effective massage.

3. The Twist Over Technique:

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ying flat on your back with feet together and arms spread out at shoulder level, place your right foot on top of your left thigh.

Now, bring your left hand to hold your right knee and gently press the left leg down. In all of this, try to keep your back flat down

seconds and repeat on the other side.

Yoga Classes 3

STARTED @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

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Vanguard, APRIL19, 2014

ope and Possibilities Ride was primarily conceived as a tool for creating awareness to achieve the following: 1) Put issues of disabilities in the front burner of national discuss.

2) Promote polio eradication through creating awareness on the need for immunization of our children against preventable childhood diseases particularly Polio-myelitis.

3) Promote road safety through creating awareness on safe driving culture and road safety tips.

4) Promote our organization•fs plan to take our empowerment services to persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

It is also a public and international relations tool for would be sponsors and our countr y. A foreign volunteer for Hope and Possibilities Ride Marij Colruyt from Belgium feels that this ride is what Nigeria needs at this time, given the fact that in the absence of compelling positive events, negative incidences take over the attention of the media generally. She feels strongly that part of the reason why Nigeria seems to be getting unfair share of negative publicity in the international media is because, there are not much of positive events that will attract positive publicity from the international media.

Marij said that when she

What Hope and Possibilities Ride can do for Nigeria informed her children that she would be taking them to Nigeria for summer holidays, the children were very excited about the trip.

However, after a while, she noticed that the children were no longer as excited as they were when she first muted the idea. She did not know what might have dampened their moral until they were in Nigeria and the children were scared of moving around. She then realized that they had been feed with a lot of negative information about Nigeria.

However, at the end of their visit, the children went home with a lot of sweet memories of Nigeria.

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he was however very sad about the unfair negative perception about Nigeria in the international community because being a frequent visitor to Nigeria, she knows that Nigeria is

2015:

Change is inevitable for Delta

By Gab Ejuwa Ben Williams Enwose, a relatively new face in the race for Delta Governorship in this interview says a surprise change is imminent in the next political dispensation in the state.

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or a new face in Delta politics, where are you coming from?

I am Benedict Ngozi Enwose-Williams, a Prince of Ogbe-Obi in Illah Waterside, Oshimili North. I was born and bred in Ibadan. I attended Catholic primary and secondary schools which invariably led me into Mass serving and thus very close to God. From high school, I wanted to get into NDA in 1979 but my father vehemently opposed it as I am the only son of

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50 — SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

She said that in her effort to promote the ride abroad, she realized that it has been well received and a lot of people she has spoken to actually want to participate

not any less safe than most countries of Europe and America, and she wondered why there is so much negative news about Nigeria. She said that it was at this point that she realized what Hope and Possibilities Ride can do for Nigeria•fs image abroad. She said that in her effort to promote the ride abroad, she realized that it has been well received and a lot of people she has spoken to actually want to participate. She was however

my mother. So I dropped the idea. Between 1983 and1985 as a student in the University of Ibadan, I delved into campus politics and won the hall election where I became known as Social Minister instead of Commissioner. In UI, I was a member of the prestigious Class Organisation that parleyed with the Buhari/Idiagbon regime on War Against Indiscipline on campus. After graduating, I was lucky to get into the Nigerian Air Force as Physical Education Instructor in 1985. It was the beginning of another phase in my life.

While in service, I took time for further education, undertaking courses in Lagos State University; University of Lagos and Ahmadu Bello University. I was a member of the first set of MPA, LASU, M. Sc in Sports Management and Administration in UNILAG as well as the first set of Masters in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice in ABU and military courses inclusive. I was privileged to go on foreign mission in DR Congo and

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depressed when she returned to Nigeria and realized that we are still struggling with funding and she tried to help. She was astounded when she noticed that some Nigerians she spoke to about the project were not as enthusiastic as the foreigners.

I am convinced that Hope and possibilities Ride is what Nigeria needs at this time and that we can achieve so much with this project.

An everyday activity does not make news, what makes positive news are unique and rare events that seem impossible to achieve.

This is what Hope and Possibilities represent,and I cannot also rule out the fact that because there is so much stigma associated with disabilities in Nigeria, some people are bound to think that this mission cannot be accomplished. For me, negative reactions like this tend to spur me to prove the pessimists wrong by pushing harder to accomplish my goal. I want to remind us that in this country, persons with disabilities have consistently proven to find their way where able bodied persons seem to find no way.

Take sports for example, right from their first outing in international sporting event, Nigerians with disabilities won medals. They have continued to win medals ever since while none disabled athletes are not doing so well. This is not in any way to suggest that our nonedisabled athletes are to blame for their poor performances....

However since the athletes with disabilities suffer even worse neglect and still manage to excel suggest that Nigeria should pay more attention to this segment of our society. Perhaps, our saving grace may lie with giving persons with disabilities an opportunity to contribute to our national development by giving issues of disabilities the attention they deserve.

I wish to say that if drifting as we have always done has continued to land us on detestable rocks, why can•ft we change and start swimming against the current?

genuine agitation with enough conviction that there would be better dividends given the opportunity.

The politics in Delta and perhaps throughout Nigeria is still saturated with long familiar faces that have hardly moved the nation forward.

Ben Williams Enwose came back alive. I also served at the Command and Staff College, but I voluntarily retired as a Squadron Leader at the Physical Education School.

What is your impression of current political dispensation in Delta State?

Delta is the case of Nigeria where each ethic group feels marginalised or wants to be given opportunity to improve its area. Be that as it may, there is need for unity, fairness, equity, justice, and understanding amongst the ethnic groups. I don’t believe power should be begged for. It could be negotiated. There could be

How would get the needed public attention among the political class?

I feel bad that people we read about in the 60s and 70s are still walking the corridors of power instead of projecting new blood with fresh ideas.

It is an African problem underscoring greed. I expect such men to remember the way the world mourned Mandela.

It is only in this part of the continent that you witness such. We need their experience and guidance, but the world is faster than what they assume it is.

I may be a new face in politics but I have paid my dues to the nation. Ben Lion Heart is not a new name in Delta politics.

I have moved round the state and have structures all across. I belong to the generation that believes in CHANGE. I know the problem of the youths all over Nigeria. I know the problem of local farmers, teachers and civil servants in my state. With God on my side, I can fix the state.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 19, 2014 — 51 From Left: Representative of the Gov. of Kano State, SSG Kano State Eng. Rabiu Suleiman Bich, Chairman/CEO Ammasco International Limited, Alh. Mustapha Ado Mohammed and Representative of the Director General Standards Organisation of Nigeria and others. Bar. Suleiman Umaru Kawu, During the Official Presentation of NIS ISO Certificate by the SON,held in Kano state recently.

Microeconomic growth, ISO certification and growth of lubricant industr y

By Princewill Ekwujuru and Moses Nosike he role of Small Me dium Enterprises, SMEs, as catalyst for economic growth and development has been well documented in the economy, and recognised in most countries. For example, in most of the newly industrialized countries, more than 70 per cent of all the industrial enterprises belong to the SMEs, in which Nigeria is not exceptional.

Thus, the recent issuance of the International Standard Organisation, ISO certification to Ammasco International Limited, producers of Amalube HD50, Engen super 20w/50, among others has no doubt raised the profile of the company, and would definitely move others to improve on their lube, industry operators say.

The certification according to the operators will not only encourage growth in the industry, but will stir competition amongst producers, as competing brands will endeavour to upgrade their quality to attain the feat

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achieved by Ammasco.

The presentation of the NIS ISO 9001:2008 by the Director General of the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu affirmed the leading role of the company in the West Africa sub-region, this he said has secured it a place among the league of quality management system compliant companies in Nigeria and beyond.

This standard will afford the company’s product the leeway to sell in any part of the world. The new status of the company came after a tour of the company’s facility in Kano

by SON officials.

Speaking, SON DG said, “by this achievement, this company has joined the lofty class of Quality Management System certified companies in Nigeria. This is a giant stride in the pursuit of excellence to provide quality services to clients and is worthy of commendation and emulation by well meaning business community. On this note, I join other Ni-

BUSINESS GUIDE

gerians to congratulate you on this your milestone achievement.”

The SON boss further noted that any company aspiring to gain a respectable position in the market place will have to work hard to satisfy its customers’ immediate needs and as well be ready to break more grounds, adding that, “the ever changing needs and requirements in the provision of quality products and services have made it mandatory for organizations to establish and implement a robust management frame that guaranties effective performance and improvement in terms of customer satisfaction and profit.”

Odumodu reminded the company that success is a journey and not a destination. The new status should serve as a driving force as the company strives towards sustainable progress. The journey to excellence according to Odumodu “does not have an end because quality is moving target as it is defined by the ever-chang-

ing needs of the customer.

Our challenge to you today is to keep the system healthy and up to date in order to reap the benefits of the Quality Management System approach to management. This system having been certified has been placed on six-month surveillance audits to ensure continuing suitability and effectiveness of the implementation of quality management system.”

The SON boss further noted that any company aspiring to gain a respectable position in the market place will have to work hard to satisfy its customers’ immediate needs and as well be ready to break more grounds, adding that, “the ever changing needs and requirements in the provision of quality products and services have made it mandatory for organizations to establish and implement a robust management frame that guaranties effective performance and improvement in terms of customer satisfaction and profit.”

He added, “the surest way to maintain relevance remain competitive and gain more market share in the global market; and more importantly, guaranteeing customer satisfaction must be through provision of acceptable products, thus making the NIS ISO 9001:2008 standard key for achieving success in business. Achieving the ISO System Certification is a demonstration of conformity of Management System to internationally acceptable standard requirements and the ability of the company to get it right the first time.”

In his remarks, the Board chairman of the company, Alhaji Mustapha Ado Mohammed, revealed that Ammasco International Limited in its five years in operation has achieved impressive results both in terms of sales and quality of goods and service delivery. Giving thanks to God for the huge successes recorded by the company so far, Alhaji Mohammed stated that Ammasco International remain the first oil and gas company in north-

ern Nigeria to have made unbeatable achievements in the sector, noting that, “our resolve to get ourselves through the rigorous path to certification was viewed by some as an unusual courage, considering the age of the company and the challenges involved, the road to QMS certification began in the year 2009 when we presented all our lubricants and specialty products for MANCAP certification, with this success, we rededicated ourselves and focus the system towards joining the elite club of ISO certified companies.”

Ammasco’s products he said are confirmed safe, reliable and of good quality.

Besides, ISO’s endorsement also provided strategic tools that would enable increasing productivity in Ammasco’s stable of products and services. The chairman affirmed that Ammasco is also well positioned to access new markets, with greater opportunities to penetrate other African countries as it aspires to compete in free and fair global trade.

Lives k: PPot ot entials of Gr asscutt er expor Livesttoc ock: otentials Grasscutt asscutter exportt

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igerian non-oil exports are still sig nificantly below potential. The gradual decline over the last 49 years is especially saddening when we look at past data for example in 1961. We supplied 43 per cent of the global shelled groundnuts; today it is almost zero per cent. US, Asia and Argentina now have universal dominance of the groundnut market. Also, in 1961, we exported 19 per cent of the world’s cocoa but have been rapidly overtaken by Ivory Coast and Palm oil and Shea-butter is another great example. Nigeria produces one of the purest forms in the world, and yet we are not relevant, almost non-existent, exporter in the global market. This is sad given the fact that any nation that imports virtually everything will not survive in the long run.

Speaking on his experience as an expert in animal farming, and the Managing Director, Jovana Farms, Prince Arinze Onebunne, said, the business of producing, processing, exporting, transporting, financing and servicing grasscutter products should give employment to many people. Rearing of grasscutter for local consumption will decrease importation of frozen meat, chicken, fish and turkey into the country and increase export which will enhance the economic potential. It will firm up the Naira, improve GDP, reduce inflation and create more jobs for Nigerians. In addition to these facts, grasscutter is free from cultural and religious taboos. This makes it a universal favourite, breaking all barriers, religion, creed, culture, ethnicity, age grouping, colour etc.

He further said that the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in a recent study observed that over 950 million people are starving everyday and this situation affords the investor the opportunity of raising grasscutter for international trade.

Grasscutter meat can be exported and used

in many forms, sold in top class international hotels and in preparing different delicacies such as barbecue, canned meat, sausages, meat pies, peper-soup, suya etc.

Onebunne said, the demand for grasscutter meat is very high within the international market like Italy, Germany, Canada, the UK, France, the USA, especially where you have large concentration of Africans, black people. Many people now prefer grasscutter meat because it is white and healthier than cow meat which is red. Again, the thought that Nigeria cannot export grasscutter products have been debunked, he said. Even though such ventures currently enjoyed special export license, but now that homestead grasscuter farming is gathering momentum, it is a matter of time production will reach a level whereby cross border markets and transnational grasscutter export from Nigeria will by precision start to happen in a large scale. Entrepreneurs have the ability to explore this initiative and I am very much convinced that the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) will show real interest in such venture. Exportable grasscutters could be live, smoked, canned, salted, frozen and dried etc”.

Onebunne agreed that the business of grasscutter farming in Nigeria is growing at a feverish pitch attracting farmers who are considering it either as a complimentary business proportion or as a main and sustainable

revenue stream. But either proposition has potentials to earn decent returns. This could be taken to be a fair confirmation of the position that, run professionally, grasscutter farming may well be a key wealth creation engagement to consider in the country. Local and international demand for the tasty meat is ever increasing as the people become more health conscious by avoiding the consumption of red meat. The main reason grasscutter is now being preferred by some farmers for rearing purpose is because it is easy to house and you don’t buy food for them like you do in poultry, fish and pig farming. They are very prolific animal that is they can produce many babies. In this category, they are next to pigs and rabbits.

You can get started, without the costly items the so-called experts say you should have. With N45,000-N50,000 one can kick-off with one-male and four-females depending on the age, weight and specie. They can be reared in wooden cage which costs N7,000 to N10,000, therefore with N60,000 one is already in a profitable business.

Jovana farms organizes nationwide sensitization training seminars on the practical ways of making it through smallscalefarming.Attendournationwide seminars nearest to you to know moreopportunitiesingrasscutterfarming. Visit us at www.jovanafarm.com , E-mail: jovanafarms@gmail.com for more details. Choose also the nearest venuefromtheadvertboxinthispage.

52 — SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014

How to reposition electricity management services in the power sector

BY UCHE ANEKE

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lot of activities are ongoing in the power sector to reposition the Electricity Management Services Limited (EMSL) in order for the company to play its unique and crucial role in facilitating safe and qualitative power supply to Nigerians. EMSL which is a government owned, independent and technicallybased company has been mandated to ensure safety and quality of services in the value chain of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

Contrary to speculations that EMSL is being established as a parallel regulatory body to National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), EMSL is established by government to carry out technical inspection, testing and certification of all electrical equipment/materials used in the industry and all electrical installations along the power supply value chain. These functions were hitherto being performed by the Electrical Inspectorate Services (EIS) of the Federal Ministry of Power for over 50 years before transferring its functions, the 15 Zonal Offices, Engineers/Technical staff, materials and equipment to EMSL. NERC remains the only regulator in the Nigerian power sector, while EMSL, with core technical competence and expertise is established to enforce and ensure compliance with technical standards, inspection, testing and certification of plants, materials, equipment, networks etc in the NESI. During inauguration, the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, tasked the management team of EMSL led by Engr. Peter Ewesor, to reposition EMSL into a technically and financially efficient, sustainable and commercially viable company stating that “It must be able, after today to provide the needed technical services to drive, support and sustain the emerging private sectorled electricity industry in Nigeria” Rising quickly to its

ENGINEER PETER EWESOR; MD/CEO OF ELECTRICITY MANAGMENT SERVICES

challenges, the management team at a recent 2-day retreat in Abuja with theme “Building a Solid Team for the Enforcement of Technical Standards, Specifications and Regulations in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry” resolved to respond quickly to the need for sustenance and improvement of power supply and service delivery.

At the same time, the team also resolved to ensure

statements to guide EMSL’s future operations. The vision portrays EMSL to be “an efficient world class technical services provider in ensuring quality, standardization, safety and competence required for the competitive electricity market”. While the mission statement is “to ensure safety of lives and properties by deploying well motivated workforce and appropriate technology to provide efficient services for

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The importance of EMSL cannot be overemphasized in view of its central role in providing professional and technical services in the power sector

quality and standardization of materials, equipment and machines used for electricity generation, transmission and distribution networks in Nigeria.

To ensure that these services are achieved the management team, during its retreat, was able to craft welldefined vision and mission

energy accountability, safe and sustainable Nigerian electricity market.”

In view of envisaged postprivatization challenges in the area of enforcement of technical standards to ensure quality service, standardization of power equipment/materials and metering equipment for

proper energy accountability and stable networks along the value chain, the Minister of Power approved the takeover of the function of technical inspection, testing and certification of all categories of electrical installations by EMSL from the Electrical Inspectorate Services (EIS) division of the Ministry of Power. In this regard, the 15 Zonal Offices of EIS have been transferred to EMSL. By this action, EMSL has inherited all the test equipment instruments, materials and logistics as well as the technical manpower (engineers, technical officers and technicians) for carrying out technical inspection, testing and certification activities previously undertaken by the EIS Department.

Already EMSL is utilizing existing state-of-the-art facilities for executing these ascribed functions. There are Meter Test Stations (MTSs) at Oshodi, Port Harcourt and Kaduna, and Engineering and Chemical laboratories at Ijora, Lagos. These MTSs are well-positioned with

equipment to test, calibrate and certify all electrical meters and instruments for quality and reliability before they are deployed as specified by the NERC metering code to ensure proper energy accountability. In this regard, there are increased activities in all MTSs; over 10,000 meters have been tested in the last 3 months.

Also in the same period, some meters found to be defective have been rejected. Zonal field inspection engineers have discovered undersized conductors, substandard conductors and cables, underrated feeder pillars, etc. during their normal technical inspections, testing and certification. The contractors/owners of such premises (installation, networks systems) have been made to change such, and replace them with good quality ones before such installations are approved for use.

In a move to enforce standards on the manufacturers of fake or substandard electricity materials, EMSL has begun the inspection and monitoring of electricity materials manufacturing plants in Nigeria, starting with manufacturers of electric poles and meters.

Speaking in Abuja recently, during an inspection visit to some of the electricity poles manufacturing companies, the EMSL’s Managing Director, Engr. Ewesor, explained that the essence was to avoid situations where electric poles collapse as soon as they have been commissioned for use, thereby cutting off power supply and posing danger to lives. According to Ewesor, “we have lost many workmen in the course of duty due to snapped poles; these are what we are trying to prevent”. There are also a number of collaborations to strengthen EMSL which include activities with the Standard Organization of Nigeria, (SON) to enforce standards and safety in the power sector.

Obviously the importance of EMSL cannot be overemphasized in view of its central role in providing professional and technical services in the power sector.

Concerted efforts should therefore be made by the Government and the EMSL management to ensure that its mandate is achieved

Uche Aneke, General Manager Public Affairs Electricity Management Services Abuja 08033481569

SATURDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2014 — 53

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54 — SATURDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 19, 2014

Beam your search light on us, Ogba foresees revival of relays Hilbrow FC star tells Amuneke fortunes A A

BY OJIEVA EHIOSUN

Nigeria- born South Africa-based Hilbrow Police FC star Uche Nwankwo, has charged the Golden Eaglets Head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke to extend his search for quality and result-oriented players for the new Golden Eaglet to Nigerian young stars playing out side the shores of this country if he hopes to surpass the records of his predecessor.

The 16 year-old who plays under coach Tshabalala Madibo with 12 goals to his credit from 21 games in the South African League, told our reporter exclusively that he has got what it takes to wear the Nigerian colours especially playing for the junior national side According to him: “I’m very happy that I left the shores of Nigeria in chase of a greener pasture, though you cannot compare our football to that of South Africa, in terms of competitiveness, over here the thing is that they have a lot of respect for Nigerian players, and they like having us in their team

when they discover that such a player is good.

And you know too well that in Nigeria before you are given a chance to prove your stuff, you must have one godfather or the other or be ready to oil people’s palm.

Over here is not like that, it is your skill that speaks for you,” he said.

On why he thinks he has answer to coach Emmanuel Amuneke’s problems when it comes to having tough strikers that can score good goals, the Hilbrow Police FC star said: “By all standards, I have everything that it takes to wear the national shirt of the any of the junior national teams. I joined this team early this season, and I have played 21 games for them and scored 12 goals. I will be very happy to lace my boot for my country, it is my duty to salvage my country. I left Nigeria because I discovered that most players who make it big playing for Nigeria got their invitation while plying their professional trade abroad. Nigeria is blessed with array of football talents across the country, it is the duty of

our coaches to search for them. Nigeria are the current defending World champions in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, so for us to maintain that top position, there is a need for the coaches saddled with the responsibility of raising a formidable squad, that can stand the test of time, to have good players that can make Nigerians smile again. I honestly believe that if things are done well and the right players selected, we can still rule the world in FIFA cadet championship at all levels. Right here in South Africa, we have many Nigeria young stars that are doing very well in their various clubs against the backdrop that most Nigeria boys in South Africa are into drugs. For me I’m working very hard to earn a living through football, and my dream is to captain the Super Eagles.

Just give me five more years Nigeria will see another Nwankwo Kanu.

So I want to appeal to the Golden Eaglet coach to look towards our own side, many of us want to play for our country Nigeria if given the opportunity,” he added.

Abesan Estate hosts Olympian, Chukwumerije

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S part of efforts to popularize taekwondo as well as to take the sport to the grassroots, three-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije will be hosted to a oneday workshop with kids by a club in Abesan Estate in Ipaja Area of Lagos.

The event holds on Saturday April 19 at the Abesan High School. Kids across Lagos are expected to be part of the exercise hosted by the Fitness and Kickers Taekwondo Academy.

According to the Chief instructor of the Academy, Lucky Ogumelen, the visit by one of Africa’s finest taekwondists would surely inspire kids in the area to aim high in the sport and their academics.

“For us, hosting Chika Chukwumerije is indeed a privilege which I know will indeed benefit the athletes. We are grateful that

S Nigeria relay teams step out for the 2014 season today at the Mt SAC relays Championships in Walnut, California USA, Athletics Federation of Nigeria president, Solomon Ogba is hopeful that Nigerian sprinters will re-enact the relay glory days.

Since the Barcelona 1992 Olympics where Nigeria won two medals, a silver and a bronze by the •Dashing Experience... Nigeria’s Damola Osayomi men and women 4x100m and Gloria Asumnu (right) in action. quartets respectively, the country has always eked ria this year, the country’s tune up the athletes. We out medals at the Olym- athletes will be able to are going to use the pics, World Champion- judge themselves and championship to watch ships and the Common- propel their efforts for sub- and see the weakness our wealth Games, until re- sequent competitions in athletes have and work on them before the Pen Recently when those efforts the current calendar.

“For Nigeria to partici- lays which will hold next dried up.

It is against this back- pate at the Mt Sac Relays week in Philadelphia,” ground that the AFN had is not to go and win but to Ogba said. listed its teams into several relays events to spruce up the athletes for the season’s events and beyond. Maurice Greene was even hired to motivate total of US$147, and 3000m steeplechase the athletes, starting from 400 (about N23.9m) for men and 400m hurthe meet today in Mt SAC. prize money is at stake at dles and 5000m for wom“We have the athletes this year’s Warri Relays en. and I have confidence that Athletics Federation of and CAA Grand Prix billed they can do better than for June 13, 2014 at the Nigeria technical director, they are doing. This is Warri Township Stadium. Navy Commodore Omatbecause they were in the The event tagged seye Nesiama, who is also final of the Olympics, “Speed of the baton inspi- the meet director, said world championships and ration for the next gener- entry for the meet will the world indoor. ation” will feature men close on May 14, 2014 “These are no little and women 100 and 400m adding that the meet will achievements. All they in the premium events, be open to countries who need is an extra push and while the classic events are wishing to improve that is what we are doing will see the men compet- their rankings in the reby getting the athletes ing in the triple and long lay events. into various relay meets.

Nesiama said that each jumps as the women conI am certain that we will test for honours in the participating country re-establish our relays tra100m hurdles and long would be responsible for dition at the world level. jump. There is also the their local transportation, Ogba noted that, the Mt promotional events that accommodation and feedSAC relays being the first include the 4x100m, ing of two athletes and major international cham4x400m, 400m hurdles maximum of two officials. pionship for Team Nige-

Delta splashes N23m on Warri relays

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CAS slams Jamaican anti-doping officials

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•Chukwumerije to be honoured by Abesan Estate in Ipaja the Beijing Olympics medalist has accepted to be our guest and we are hoping that kids in the area will turnout with their parents and guardians to be part of the event, which is a once in a lifetime experi-

ence,” he said.

For Chukwumerije, the event is part of his vision to inspire the future athletes, which is also one of the objectives of Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF).

HE Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has blasted Jamaican antidoping officials for the mishandling of a drug test by sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown that led to a successful appeal of the three-time Olympic gold medallist’s two year ban.

In a scathing 58-page report explaining the decision to uphold Campbell-Brown’s appeal, a CAS panel cited errors in the collection and handling of the sprinter ’s urine sample last year that could have resulted in its contamination, calling into question the entire Jamaican anti-doping operation.

“In this case, the evi-

dence before the panel establishes that the JAAA (Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association) has persistently failed to comply with the mandatory partial testing,” said CAS. “That systematic and knowing failure, for which no reasonable explanation has been advanced, is deplorable and gives rise to the most serious concerns about the overall integrity of the JAAA’s anti-doping processes, as exemplified in this case by the flaws in JADCO’s (Jamaica AntiDoping Commission) sample collection and its documentation.”

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), while concurring mistakes were made in Campbell-

Brown’s case that were fundamental to the integrity of the testing process, said it was confident the errors would not be repeated.

“WADA responded to past concerns in Jamaica by initiating a partnership with the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) to mentor and assist JADCO in developing their anti-doping programs,” the global agency said in a statement to Reuters.

“As a result, WADA is confident that such mistakes will not be repeated again.”

Jamaica’s anti-doping efforts underwent a major overhaul in late 2013, a year in which eight Jamaicans failed doping tests.

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SATURDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 19, 2014 — 55

World Cup 2014: Eagles, will fall flat, says Bosnia coach

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HILE Nigeria and Iran football of ficials are thinking about winning their opening game of the 2014 World Cup on June

16, Bosnia-Hezergovina coach Safeg Susic has different views of who qualifies from the group F, he has tipped his country and Argentina to go through.

“We will play the way we have always played because it would be wrong to change our approach now, although we are aware that our style may be a tactical gamble,” Susic told the national team’s official website.

“When you have players like (Miralem) Pjanic, (Zvjezdan) Misimovic, (Edin) Dzeko and (Vedad)Ibisevic, it would be unfair to the game itself and the fans not to unleash all that talent.”

The coach says they will not change their attacking approach during June’s

world showpiece.

“It would be unfair to the game and above all to the fans if we were to constrain such talents,”Susic said.

“After all, we are playing to score more goals than our opponents and so far it has paid off.”

Susic said that Argentina are definitely the favourates in the group and should progress. “Argentina is by far the best team in our group and they should finish first.

“Our target is to join them in the next round.

“I think our chances are very realistic, because at this moment, both Nigeria and Iran are not better teams than us.

“I fully expect that we pass into the second round,” he added.

Iheanacho, Nwakali rue Man City’s slump in EPL

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•Supporters club members singing and drumming during a match.

Sports, tool for national unity, rebranding — Danagogo T

HE Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Tamuno Danagogo has identified sports as a veritable tool for re-branding Nigeria’s image, boost national unity, serve as a bridge builder as well as foster peaceful co-existence in the country.

The Minister made this assertion, Thursday when he received in audience a delegation of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club led by its President-General Dr. Rafiu Oladipo.

According to him, “whenever there is a national or international sporting event, Nigerians forget their religion, ethnicity, gender, age, cultural divide and unite as one to support a common goal because sports redefines what we really are or stand for; a peace loving nation”.

The Minister noted that “without the presence of the indefatigable supporters club to spur and motivate the players to victory, the national players would be like orphans without a virile base or support.

He consequently urged them to continue to maintain the zeal and energy that would galvanize the spirit of excellence in our national teams.

Dr. Danagogo said that Nigeria was blessed at

this time to have a President who is truly interested in sports development and pledged the government support to ensure that Nigeria attain a semifinal target.

Earlier in his remarks, the President-General of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Oladipo said the club was at the NSC to congratulate the Minister on his well deserved appointment as well as to formally welcome him to “the seat that houses the cradle of unity in Nigeria”

saying that “it is only when the National Sports Commission takes to the field that Nigerians come together in unity irrespective of tribe and tongue”.

Dr. Rafiu further stated that the NSC is the only government institution or establishment that inspires other countries of the world to think positively of the nation’s image.

Dr. Oladipo said that the supporters club will not relent in its efforts to continue to motivate our players and to this end he revealed that sometimes

members even have to fast and pray for days for the success of our national teams.

T

all but sound the death knell on City’s title charge this season and the two Nigerian youngsters have expressed sadness at the situation.

“I have to feel bad (at the recent bad results) because it’s my team. I however know that if the league title is destined to be won by Man City, we will certainly win it,” Iheanacho said.

Nwakali also spoke about City’s recent poor run of results, noting that he had been confident all along that the title was headed to the Etihad Stadium.

Kigigha promises better welfare for indigent ex-sportsmen •Calls on All Stars to join hands

BY EDDIE AKALONU

I

NTERIM chairman of All Stars International Football Club Owerri, Assistant Commis-

NFF charges Falcons on 2014 AWC HE Nigeria Football Federation, NFF has challenged the Super Falcons not to rest on their oars as they prepare for the African Women Championship qualifiers The football body urged the nation’s senior women side to put in their best towards qualifying for this year ’s African Women Championship to be staged in Namibia.

Falcons tutored by Edwin Okon are currently in camp for an international friendly against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon before playing the Rwanda female national team for the AWC which also serves as qualifiers for the 2015 Fifa Women’s World Cup. “I have been mandated by the Federation to address you on the need for all hands to be on deck towards achieving the task of qualifying for the AWC to be hosted in Namibia,” Sanusi

WO members of the Manchester City youth team, Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali, have expressed sadness at the recent slump of the Citizens in the Barclays English Premier League.

Iheanacho and Nwakali both impressed with Nigeria’s under-17s at the 2013 Fifa World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and were duly snapped up by City.

A 2-3 defeat at Liverpool was followed by a 2-2 draw at home to Sunderland to

Mohammed, NFF’s Director of Competition told the players after Wednesday’s training.

“We have a very Herculean task ahead of us,only three teams will qualify to represent Africa at the next FIFA women senior world in Canada.

“Countries like South Africa, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Ghana and other upcoming countries are not lying low to see that they too qualify for the World Cup. “ I know it is the dream of every player to represent her country at the World Cup, so if you want to see yourself qualify and play at the world stage you must be responsive and attentive to whatever you are told to do by your coaches,” he concluded.

The Super Falcons crashed out of the group stage of the 2011 edition hosted by Germany after losing to the hosts and France despite defeating Canada 1-0 in the last group game.

sioner of Police, Felix Kigigha, has called on members to join hands to chart a new beginning for all, just as he has promised he would initiate programmes to ensure welfare of indigent ex- sportsmen to make life better for them.

ACP Kigigha who thanked members for reposing confidence in him, identified three former Enugu Rangers and Green Eagles forward, 83 year old Shedrack, as a pillar who needed to be consulted on issues in the same manner that his welfare will be looked into in old age.

Speaking further, he also promised to ensure that the club-house is completed in due course and that the club can begin to honour matches at home and away.

ACP Kigigha, a CAF/ FIFA Referees fitness Insstructor, member of the Anambra State Football

•Kigigha Association told the members he would not do the job alone, hence he co-opted three members to work with him.

They include Sylvester Oparanozie, the former Iwuanyanwu Nationale mid-field player and ex ACB FC and Flying Eagles defence ace. He then called on members in possession of clubs property of any sort to return them as soon as possible.

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SATURDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 19, 2014

Title race: Pellegrini believes Liverpool, Chelsea’ll drop points

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is expecting his team to return to form at home to West Bromwich Albion on Monday.

Pellegrini had Samir Nasri’s late strike to thank for snatching a 2-2 draw against struggling Sunderland on Wednesday, a result that left City trailing leaders Liverpool by six points.

City have a game in hand on their title rivals, however, and the former Real Madrid boss is confident his side can overturn the deficit with five games remaining as the pressure increases on Liverpool and second-placed Chelsea.

“I am absolutely sure that the teams will drop more points also, it can be Liverpool, Chelsea, the same way we drop points the last game,” Pellegrini told reporters on Friday.

“We have to play another 15 AFN which said they were broke are wasting the little re- points. We will try to win the sources they have on retired most amount of points and at foreign athletes when they the end of the season we will could channel the resources see which team wins the title.”

While Brendan Rodgers’s ”to improve our local coaching Liverpool have hit a superb run talents.” of form at a crucial period, “Even if they are raising the winning their 10 last league money from their private sources, they should not ridi- matches, City are limping cule Nigeria and Nigeria’s towards the finish having won pedigree and depreciate our once in their last four games.

City’s chances of reclaiming local coaching talent who are amongst the best in the world the title they won in 2012 have but lack the same support, been hampered by injuries to encouragement and resources crucial members of their squad they are now giving to foreign- and Pellegrini confirmed that midfielders David Silva (ankle), ers.

“The handwork to discover Jesus Navas (ankle) and Yaya the new Seun Ogunkoyas, Toure were unlikely to feature Chioma Ajunwas, Yussuf Alis, against West Brom.

“We continue with the same Mary Onyalis, Falilat situation with Yaya Toure, David Ogunkoyas, etc., will have to Silva and Jesus Navas. The be done with our local coachthree of them are injured at the es in our various schools and across the 774 local govern- moment,” Pellegrini added.

“Yaya is improving but it is a ments areas of Nigeria with muscle injury so it is difficult for adequate funding, resources him to be fit so soon.” and support,“he affirmed.

ANCHESTER City manager Manuel Pellegrini is “absolutely sure” that Liverpool and Chelsea will drop points in the Premier League title run-in and he

Ngerem faults AFN on Maurice Greene’s appointment *Says there are better local coaches here

By PATRICK OMORODION

F

ORMER president of the Athletics Federa tion of Nigeria, AFN, Mr. Dan Ngerem has described the appointment of former US world champion, Maurice Greene to coach the country’s relay teams as misplacement of priority because he is not an experienced coach.

Reacting to the appointment in an email to Saturday Vanguard sports, Ngerem said that from his google search, Greene has been more of a TV personality than a coach since he retired, adding, “It is only last year that he has volunteered as a coach in a US University, so I still do not understand and/or appreciate why he should coach Nigerian Team.”

He disclosed that in his hey days, Nigerian track star, Seun Ogunkoya was a much talented athlete than Greene and the American’s manager attested to this fact in 2002 in Edmonton, Canada when he (Ngerem) approached him to ask him why Greene did better than Ogunkoya despite the Nigerian’s talent.

“The people that accompanied me to that 2002 meeting in Edmonton, Canada with Maurice Greene’s Manager are still alive and they are two great sports personalities in Africa; Nigeria’s Mike Itemuagbor and Senegalese Papa Diack (son of the IAAF President) who graciously arranged the meeting with Maurice Green’s Manager.

“He (Greene’s manager) told me in simple terms that Nigeria was not serious and professional enough in relation to their planning, strategy, organisation, management, well-being and welfare of their athletes – period,” the former AFN boss said.

“If not for the way Nigeria does things, Ogunkoya was better than Greene, Ato Boldon, etc. and Seun was brought

•Dan Ngerem

•Maurice Greene

up in Ekiti by Coach Akinyemi of blessed memory and coached by Nigerian coaches to world class status.”

Recalling that Nigeria just got back her Sydney Olympics gold medal in the 4x400 relay after the US team were disqualified for a “drug tainted win”, Ngerem reminded the AFN that “the Sydney 2000

winning team was coached entirely by Nigerian coaches” and therefore “this latest appointment (of Greene) to coach our relay team is absurd and cannot stand the scrutiny of logic and balance of equities (as it ) will make us a laughing stock in the sporting fraternity.”

He wondered why the same

ACROSS

DOWN 1.Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu (9) 2.Germany National Coach, Joachim (4) 3.Country in Africa (4) 4.Cote D’Ivoire “Elephants” fullback, Saka, (5) 5.Austrian Capital City (6) 6.Anambra State Government, Mr. Peter (3) 9.Greek Alphabet (3) 11.Adult Male Sheep (3) 13.World’s Greatest Boxer, Mohammed (3) 16.L.G.A in F.C.T, Abuja (5) 18.First Man on Earth (4) 19.Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu (9) 21.L.G.A in Yobe State (4) 22.Assistance (3) 23.Marry (3) 26.Large Deer (3) 30.Insect (3) 31.Nasarawa State Capital (5) 32.State in Nigeria (3) 35.Major Ethnic Group in Nigeria (4) 36.Former Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Joseph (4) 37.Water Sport (3)

1.West Bromwich Albion Coach, Pepe (3) 3.Uruguayan Capital City (9) 7.Traditional Ruler of Benin (3) 8.L.G.A in Kaduna State (4) 10.Former Cross River State Governor, Mr. Clement (4) 12.Country in Asia (6) 13.Hebrew Alphabet (3) 15.Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo (3) 17.Nasarawa United Striker, Victor (4) 20.Bulgarian Capital City (5) 23.Banknotes (3) 24.L.G.A in Ekiti State (5) 25.Young of a Goat (3) 27.Devil (5) 29.L.G.A in Akwa Ibom State (4) 31.False Information (3) 33.Vegetable (3) 34.African Waterbuck (6) 37.Samoan Currency Unit (4) 38.Amphibian (4) 39.Vehicle (3) 40.Flying Eagles (U-17) Midfielder, Kelechi (9) 41.Akwa Ibom State Capital (3)

TODAY’S MATCHES Tottenham Aston Villa Cardiff Newcastle West Ham Chelsea

v v v v v v

Fulham S’hampton Stoke City Swansea Crystal Sunderland

12.45 pm 3 pm 3 pm 3 pm 3 pm 5.30 pm

SOLUTION on page 15

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