SUSPENSION: DSS raids Sanusi's home

2—SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

ARY 22, 2014—3 SATURDAY VANGUARD, FEBRU FEBRUARY

4—SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014 — 5

FG assures on readiness for centenary celebration

•As Committee tours stadium, conference centre • Centenary Ground breaking holds March 1

BY HENRY UMORU, ABUJA

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HE Federal Government yes terday boasted that it was prepared to put in place a very successful Centenary anniversary celebration.

The assurance by the government is coming barely a week to the kick off of the grand finale of Nigeria’s centenary celebration.

Disclosing this yesterday, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Organization of the Nigerian Centenary Grand Finale and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Senator Bala Mohammed however expressed satisfaction with the level of readiness of the two key venues for the centenary celebration, the International Conference Centre and the Abuja National Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Centenary City Ground Breaking Ceremony will take place on Saturday, March 1 at the Centenary City off the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Road, Abuja, just as a special Church service would hold on Sunday 2 March at the National Christian Centre would cap the centenary celebrations.

Before then, on Friday, 28 February, there would be a Special Centenary Jumma’at Thanksgiving Prayer at the National Mosque, Abuja. The same day in the evening, there would be the Centenary Anniversary Presentations and Awards Dinner at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Senator Mohammed who spoke during an inspection of facilities at the two main venues of the activities lined up for the centenary grand finale, said, “From what I have seen so far, I can say so far, so good. We are on course. Concerning the National Stadium here, I can say it is over 85% ready; for the International Conference Centre, we can even hold the event there today.”

At the International Conference Centre during the inspection, workers of construction giants, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc were putting finishing touches on diverse facilities such as the African Hall, main auditorium, the executive halls, the restaurant, the conveniences and the business roundtable halls.

Also at the National Stadium, the FCTA Minister and his team inspected the concert stage construction at the main bowl, the mini state box, the VIP section, the popular side and the clinic.

Senator Mohammed was accompanied during the tour by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke, Minister of Sports, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi and the Minister of State for Works, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda.

The Centenary Committee Chair-

man and his entourage were conducted round the International Conference by officials of Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and Julius Berger.

At the National Stadium, they were shown round by the Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi who is also a member of the Organizing Committee of the Centenary Grand Finale Committee and officials of Message Wise Nigeria Limited the company constructing the concert stage at the stadium.

Highlights of the major activities for centenary grand finale celebration include the International Conference on Human Security, Peace and Development – Agenda for the 21st Century Africa slated for Thursday 27 February, 2014 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja at 10 am.

CBN briefing: From right , Acting Governor CBN Dr Sarah Alade addressing pressmen on the latest development in CBN while Deputy Governor Corporate Services, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Suleiman Barau looks on in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan

Catholic priest escapes death in Onitsha •As gunmen rain bullets on him

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO, ONITSHA

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Catholic Priest in Onitsha Archdiocese and Spiritual Director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma (a.k.a. Ebube Muonso), yesterday escaped death by whiskers when some gunmen suspected to be hired assassins

fired several gun shots at him at a close range.

The incident, according to the source, occured at about 5.30 a.m. while he was going to celebrate a morning mass for some worshippers at his Uke adoration center.

The source hinted that as he left his residence at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Parish, Odume Layout, Obosi, near the commercial city of Onitsha for the Uke adoration center, he saw a group

of boys at Peoples’ Club Bus Stop, along Limca Road, Nkpor, near Onitsha standing aloof and making calls.

The source stated that as soon as he sighted them, he suspected that they could be bad people and he increased speed of his vehicle, suspecting that they could be on his trail.

It was gathered that as he passed through Nkpor Junction, down to Umuoji to Ojoto and then to Ideani Junction where he was supposed to branch off to his Uke adoration center, he sighted

Police discover decomposed body of kidnapped ex-Super Eagles player’s father

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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EARS flowed freely yesterday when the decomposed body of 80 -year old Chief James Iloenyosi, father of ex-Super Eagles player, who played professional football in France and Turkey, Mr. Chikelu Iloenyosi, was discovered by the police at Nneyi village, Umueri in Anambra East local government area of Anambra State.

Pa Iloenyosi, who hailed from Abagana in Njikoka local government area, was kidnapped by gun men in his house three days to his 80th birthday in November last year.

Anambra State Police Commissioner, Mr. Usman Gwary, said yesterday that four suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, even as he explained that investigation into the matter was continuing.

Anambra CP said: “We are not going to say much now because we have not finished the investigation.”

The Octogenarian’s family was planning his 80th birthday celebration for 28th November, 2013, before his abduction on 25th November, 2013.

Despite the efforts of the Anambra State police command to rescue Pa Iloenyosi, there was no trace of him and since then, the family members, who parted with N1.5 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers, said they were praying and hoping that he would one day return home alive.

One of his daughters and a well known politician, Hajia Chinyere Oguguo-Agagbo, her husband, Mr. Okpoka Agagbo and other members of the family were all tears yesterday at the scene of the discovery in the bush.

Two of the suspects (names withheld), who confessed to be part of the gang that kidnapped the man said yesterday that when they collected the money and told the family to bring more, they did not know that he would die in their custody.

According to them, “when the man died, we carried the corpse

to the bush and dumped him there.”

The police and members of the family said they were able to recognize Pa Iloenyosi because of the cloth and cap he was putting on before he was kidnapped.

another group of men wearing police uniform.

As he slowed down his car and beckoned on one of them to inform him that some bad elements were trailing him, so that they would go after them, believing that the uniformed men he was talking to were genuine policemen, other gang members on the same police uniform who were hiding inside the bush, trooped out from their hideout and allegedly opened fire on him at a close range.

As they rained the bullets on him with their sophisticated arms, the source continued, he sped off and escaped from their sight, without being harmed.

However, non of the bullets aimed and fired at him could penetrate his body but rather pierced through his vehicle’s front and back windscreens and damaged some parts of the SUV which he was driving.

Clergies condemn ritual killings, sales of human parts in Nigeria

BY FESTUS AHON, Ughelli

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HE Urhobo Council of Bish ops and Elders (UCBE) has condemned the practice of ritual killings and sales of human parts in some parts of the country, describing it as barbaric and inhuman.

The group, in a statement by its Chairman, Rt. Rev Vincent Muoghereh and Secretary, Rt. Rev I.A Obie, said: “when the children are delivered, prospective customers pay for the babies and take these babies for whatever purpose for their purchase.

We have degenerated to a level

lower than animals, too bad.”

Lamenting that “baby factories are reported all over the country where young girls are camped with few boys being made to make them pregnant,” the statement noted that “the absence of true parental care and training of their wards is responsible for the human deviance which it said must be discontinued.”

UCBE expressed worry at what it described as war of words and character assassination among politicians in the country, and aspirants to abide and play by the rules of the game.

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

Suspension: DSS raids Sanusi’s home in Abuja •Documents, computer systems removed •As Court restrains Police, DSS from arresting him •APC Senators compile Jonathan’s alleged “While one may not quesconstitutional breaches

BY INNOCENT ANABA, JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, Abuja, Following the recent suspension of the Governor of Central Bank, CBN,Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Department of Security Service, DSS, yesterday raided the residence of the embattled CBN governor in Abuja.

Saturday Vanguard learnt that the security operatives stormed Sanusi’s home located in Maitama District, Abuja removing several documents and computer systems.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, yesterday restrained the police, the Department of State Services, DSS, and other security agencies from arresting or harassing the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.The court presided over by Justice Ibrahim Buba gave the order after listening to Sanusi’s exparte application brought against the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and the DSS, under fundamental r i g h t s .

Sanusi who was dressed in his usual turtle-neck suit arrived the court at about 3pm in two black Jeeps as the matter was heard in chambers.

Buba however, adjourned the substantive suit till February 28, when the other parties would have been put on notice.

Also yesterday,the All Progressives Congress,

APC, in the Senate has declared the suspension of the CBN boss by President Goodluck Jonathan as illegal and unconstitutional.

The APC Senators said that they have started compiling all the constitutional breaches and flagrant violations of the laws by President Jonathan which their lawyers were scrutinizing for appropriate and necessary action.

They (APC Senators) told the President that if he was serious with the issue of financial recklessness as the reason for firing Sanusi, the Minister of Petrole-

um Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke should also be fired for the same reason.

But some Senators including some in the opposition have said that the testimony by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke at the senate investigative hearing by the Senate Committee on Finance had exonerated the petroleum Minister from any allegations.

The APC Senators through the Minority Leader, George Akume in a statement yesterday had flayed the suspension of the CBN governor alleging that the action of President Jonathan was inimical to good governance and the rule of law.

According to the statement, “The nation has yet again been confronted with another act by the President, which is inimical to good governance and the

rule of law with the illegal suspension from office of the Governor of Central Bank, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

tion the prerogative of Mr. President to hire and fire, such actions must be guided by strict observance to laid down processes and in the overriding national int e r e s t . “ The suspension of the CBN Governor has raised more questions than it addresses the issue of good governance, accountability and the fight against corruption, especially, coming at a time

when there are unresolved issues in the petroleum industry, which is known locally and internationally as a cesspool of corruption.”

CBN will not devalue the Naira — Alade …says the bank will continue forex market intervention

BY EMMA UJA, Abuja Bureau Chief

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HE Acting Gover nor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mrs. Sarah Alade, yesterday, assured that the bank has no immediate plans to devalue the Naira but prefers to intervene in the Foreign Exchange, forex, market until stability is achieved in the value of the Naira.

She told journalists at her maiden press briefing in Abuja that the bank had enough resources to defend the local currency and would use necessary tools to achieve monetary and price stability in the country.

Her words, “I wish to assure you that the bank has the capacity to meet the demands of all forex users. Let me use this opportunity to assure all our stakeholders that the bank has no immediate plans to

Governors hold emergency meeting Monday over Sanusi’s sack

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HAIRMAN, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF and Rivers State governor, Chibuike Amaechi has summoned an emergency meeting of the governors to take a position on the suspended governor of Central Bank of Nigeria,CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

In a statement yesterday by NGF Director-

General, Asishana Okauru, the meeting though an emergency and third NGF Meeting in 2014 will be chaired by Governor Amaechi with Rivers state governor ’s lodge, Asokoro, Abuja as venue at 8pm prompt.

It will be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday suspended the apex bank

From the right: Vice President Namadi Sambo; Chairman Niger Delta Development Commission Board, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw and the Managing Directoir NDDC, Barr. Bassey Dan-Abia during a meeting the NDDC Board held with the Federal Government chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida

governor over alleged cases of impunity, incompetence, non-challance , fraud, wastefulness, and noncompliance with provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007.

The NGF meeting which has only two agenda according to the statement read, “Removal of the CBN Governor; Dwindling Revenue to States; AOB.”

devalue the currency.

Financial markets on Thursday reacted negatively to the news of the sus-

pension of controversial former CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, with the Naira fall-

ing from N162 ==$1 to as low as N170 ==$1 at the interbank market. It later bounced back to about N163.5 ==$1, following CBN’s intervention.

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014 — 7

Renewed Tiv/Fulani crisis claims 35 lives *70 year old woman, six council wards sacked *over 80,000 displaced in two days of clashes

BY PETER DURU Makurdi

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ESPITE the alarm raised early in the week by Governor Gabriel Suswam over the persistent attack on Benue villages by suspected Fulani mercenaries, 35 persons have been reportedly killed by the marauders in a fresh attack in Gwer West local government area of the state.

The marauders who sacked six council wards in the attack also killed a 70year old woman, one Tyobam at Terhule Antarctic village where she had gone to visit her daughter.

Saturday Vanguard gathered reliably that this latest attack has displaced no fewer than 80, ,000 persons

Nigerian Idol Season 4 concludes search in Calabar

BY ANOZIE EGOLE

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OLLOWING the suc cess of auditions in Benin and Port-Harcourt, it was the turn of Calabar, to be part of Etisalat sponsored music reality show, Nigerian Idol season season 4.

Director, Brands and Communications, Etisalat Nigeria, Enitan Denloye applauded the gusto with which the youths in the region came out for the auditions. “Etisalat is proud to present an international music platform that celebrates passion and nurtures talents in Nigeria. This season promises to be bigger and better, and already we have witnessed that at every audition location we have had so far.” Denloye said.

The Calabar auditions also turned out to be a place for second chances.

This was the case for Paul Enoma, a graduate of Mathematics from the University of Benin, who got a ‘No’ from the Judges during the Benin auditions. He came to Calabar having taken lessons from his previous audition to secure a spot in the next round of the competition, where he finally got the ‘yes’ he craved for.

in the affected communities.

This latest attack which lasted two days came on the heels of a similar attack early in the week, where three villages, including the ancestral home of the paramount ruler of the Tiv nation, Tse-Torkula was

sacked by the invaders in Guma local government area of the state.

According to our source, who spoke on grounds of anonymity, “our communities have been taken over and we are helpless; the last two days have witnessed unwarranted kill-

ings and destruction of property. I can tell you without mincing words that over 35 persons may have been killed in this renewed attack. ”Houses, huts farmland and economic trees have all been destroyed , people are fleeing their abode, and the most painful part of it all is that the popular MakurdiNaka road is no more safe

for commuters and motorists alike because innocent road users are daily shot on that road .” The Gwer West local government council secretary, Mr. Mark Dewua who spoke to

journalists yesterday in Makurdi, the state capital, on the renewed clashes lamented that Naka, the council headquaters was gradually being deserted.

S-Court declines to sack Kogi Gov. •As Wada , Awoniyi celebrate BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI & BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

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From left: Alhaji Sadiq Kazeem,General Manager, Calabar Free Trade Zone; Mr. Xie Shao, Chairman,Trade Delegations from the Jiangsu Economic and Information Technology Commission in the Jiangsu Province China; Cross River State Governor, Sen. Liyel Imoke; MD, Skyrun FTZ-Calabar, Mr. Wafu Qiang and his Gen. Manager. Mr. Cai Biao, during a courtesy call on the governor in his office in Calabar, yesterday.

HE Supreme Court, yes terday, declined to sack Governor Idris Wada of Kogi state from office, even as it dismissed an appeal that was lodged before it by a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Mr. Jibrin Isah Echocho.

Meanwhile, both the governor and his Deputy, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi has reacted to their victory at the Supreme Court , describing it as ‘freedom received at the highest temple of mother justice’.

The Governor who spoke

Dame Patience Jonathan lays foundation of `15-storey hostel in UNILAG

BY DAYO ADESULU & LAJU ARENYEKA

The first lady of Nigeria, Mrs. Patience Jonathan yesterday visited the University of Lagos to break grounds at the foundation laying ceremony of a 15 storey, 1,900 capacity, female hostel to be named after her. The project, which is worth about N3bn is to be

completed in 2016.

The first lady, addressing a teeming crowd at the building site said: “Today marks a milestone in the development of higher education in Nigeria. I believe this is a worthy cause, one that will alleviate the challenge of having so many students living off campus, especially considering the attending insecu-

rity in the country. Education is key to human capital development and is the basis of national development. This why we must ensure that a significant percentage of our children, especially our girls, acquire university education.”

Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Rahamon Bello said: “We are particularly delighted to

MacArthur recognises seven NGOs for creativity, effectiveness

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN

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HE MacArthur founda tion has named seven organizations in three countries as recipients of the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions.

The award, which recognises exceptional non-profits and helps ensure their long-term sustainability, provides each organisation with up to $1 million, depending on the size of its budget. ”From exposing human rights abuses in cyberspace to reducing the influence of

money in American politics, the missions of these organizations are diverse,” said MacArthur President Robert Gallucci. “They have each demonstrated outsized impact in improving the lives of people and communities.

MacArthur hopes these investments will help sustain and expand their reach.”

Among the recipients of the 2014 MacArthur award include Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative, Abuja, Nigeria which promotes and protects the rights of Nigerian women;

Campaign Legal Center, Washington, DC for its legal expertise in reducing the corrosive influence of money in politics. Others are National Housing Trust,Washington, DC, NatureServe, Arlington, VA; ProPublica, New York, The Citizen Lab, Toronto, Canada and University of Chicago Crime Lab – Chicago The Award according to the foundation, was not only in recognition of past leadership and success but also an investment in the organizations’ future.

have the first Lady in our midst today. Here at the University of Lagos, we have 40,291 students in need of accommodation, 17,934 of which are female.Despite this large number, we have available bed spaces for only about 8,500. This is excluding the students at the Distance Learning Institute. Getting more room on campus is especially important to girls, because girls are the most vulnerable in situations like this. We are most grateful to the parents forum for championing this venture. “ Representing the supervising minister for education, Sen. Nyesom Wike was the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Mark John Nwaobiala said the construction of the hostel is clear evidence that the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan to make university education in Nigeria second to none in Nigeria is well underway. “Government is fully aware of the enormous benefits that hostel life brings”.

through his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mr. Jacob Edi shortly after the court pronounced that Wada’s nomination as candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and subsequent election as Governor in 2011 were authentic and valid, said he hopes the judgement will put an end to the agitation by his opponents to put spanner in the works of his government.

Wada who extolled the virtues of the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, where truth is the essential ingredient for justice, noted that the court verdict has further enhanced the confidence of Nigerians in the judiciary as a place both the aggrieved and the aggressor can approach without let or hindrance.

Echocho, who previously emerged the gubernatorial primary election that was conducted in Kogi state by the PDP, had in his appeal, alleged that Governor Wada stole his mandate.

In his suit, Echocho, decried that his party, PDP, bypassed due process and organised a ‘kangaroo’ re-run poll where he said Governor Wada was handpicked as the flag-bearer of the party for the gubernatorial poll that held on 3 December 2011. Aside Wada, others he dragged to the apex court as respondents in the matter, included the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the PDP. It will be recalled that prior to the 12 January 2012 judgment of the Supreme Court which reversed the high court verdict that extended the tenure of five state Governors, including that of former Kogi state Governor, Mr Ibrahim Idris, PDP had declared Echocho as its gubernatorial candidate in the state.

However, sequel to the abrupt sack of the ex-Governor by the apex court, the party, decided to organize a fresh primary election, saying it would no longer rely on the outcome of its previous primary that produced Echocho.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 22, 2014

S-East PDP welcomes Jonathan to Owerri

•Says, it’s time to reclaim Imo

BY TONY EDIKE, Enugu

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HE National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, South East zone, Col Austin Akobundu (rtd) has said that the rally scheduled to hold today provide an opportunity for the reclamation of Imo State which was lost to All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA in 2011.

In a statement in Enugu, yesterday, Akobundu said that the PDP rally in Owerri and the president’s visit “are enough signs to the Rochas Okorocha’s government that the game is over for him and that his ragtag APC government should leave the stage for a people oriented party.”

The PDP chieftain welcomed President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to Imo State for the rally, which he described as unprecedented.

He recalled that Imo State which until 2011 was a PDP State “enjoyed unfettered economic and social boom under the PDP” regretting ,however ,that under Okorocha/APC government, “Imo State has suffered from economic and social anemia, resulting in the State almost becoming insolvent.”

The S-East PDP leader, therefore, asked Imolites to pitch their tents with PDP having seen the two sides of a coin and have known the better side.

He maintained that the rigorous effort to reposition the PDP in the five states of the South East and Imo State in particular had resulted in the enormous successes the party record-

ed since 2011 despite some daunting challenges from the Okorocha led administration. Col Akobundu commended the President for

his sustained infrastructural development of the South East zone, citing the Enugu –Port Harcourt express way being recon-

structed, the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu which was recently upgraded to an International Airport of high standard, the Enugu –Port Harcourt axis of Maduguri – Port Har-

court rail line now rehabilitated as well as the numerous electricity and water projects being sponsored by the Federal Government in the zone “as clear exam-

How my kidnappers used machete on me — GUO boss

BY OKON KWO EZE Onitsha

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HE Chairman of G.U.O Motors Limited, Chief G.U Okeke has told an Onitsha High Court in Anambra State, presided over

by Justice Chudi Nwankwo how his kidnappers used machetes on him during and after his abduction on August 23, 2009.

Making this clarification before the court during a re-examination by the prosecution counsel, Chris Ajugwe who appeared for him with Uju Akuneziri, Okeke declared: “The attack on my person started from All Saints’ Anglican Church Cathedral, Onitsha which is just about two poles away from this court”.

According to Okeke, “I disarmed their leader, Emeka Eze who later jumped bail and when I fell down while struggling with him, other members of the gang were slapping me at the back with their machetes, though without deep cut”. ”They also fired gun shots at my left leg on the process and when they over-powered and whisked me off to their hideout in a bush between Neni and Adazi-Enu, the second accused person, Anthony Okafor gave me a deep machete cut or should I call it a deep dagger cut on my left hand and that was the only deep cut they inflicted on me with machete or dagger”.

“In other words, they used machetes on my back which did not inflict deep cut on me, which was why I told

the police in my statement shortly after I regained my freedom that they fired me on the leg and gave me sev-

eral machete cuts on my back but the one that cut deep into my body was the one the second accused

A

Female legal practitio ner, Barrister Florence Ujinka who is married to a medical doctor, Marcel Ujinka is being investigated by the police in Calabar, the Cross River State capital for allegedly using a disused car fan belt to inflict bodily harm on her house help, Chidera Asonye Nathaniel.

The legal practitioner and her husband who reside at Parliamentary Extension/ Execltech Filling Station Calabar are said to have brought the 13-year old

Chidera from Anambra State to Calabar in 2012 to serve as their house help but the lady has since been subjecting the boy to

Sapele fiesta ends amidst jubilation

BY GODWIN OGHRE, Sapele

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MIDST wide jubi lation, Sapele fiesta, put together by a Sapele based legal practitioner, Mr Gabriel Otuedon in collaboration with Cheney and Cheney Ltd, a law firm headed by the legal practitioner has ended last weekend.

Barr. Otuedon who briefed newsmen at the rounding off of the fiesta said, it was aimed at pro-

moting peace and economic transformation in the old timber city of Sapele town and its environs and to encourage private and public investors to come and do business in the area, which he said is currently a safe place. He further said its purpose was to promote peace, social and economic stability as well as the development of the markets and infrastructure in the area. He called on investors from within and outside the country to take ad-

vantage of the peaceful nature of the area to do business more so as it is a centre of tourism and free trade; adding that everyone should join in ensuring that Sapele is built into a place of peace and improvement.

Highlights of the fiesta included cultural dances, among which is the OluOgene Omolo Cultural Group, Ethiope Primary School dance group, Okirighwre Cultural Group, Okpe Tribal Group, Edo catholic community group

torture and inhuman treatment.

A report by a Child Rights Group in Calabar, Basic Rights Counsel Initiative to

the police that led to her investigation stated “Mrs Florence Ujinka has been subjecting Chidera to inhuman and degrading treat-

ment by torturing him with an automobile fan belt and in the process inflicting him with severe wounds on his body”.

Ondo budget passed, increased by N6b

BY DAYO JOHNSON Akure

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AWMAKERS in ondo state have approved the N168 billion budget for this year even as they increased it by N6 billion.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko had on Decem-

person, Anthony Okafor gave me on my left hand while I was still in their camp”.

From left: The Very Rev. Monsignor Sylvester Osigweh, Spiritual Director, Jesus is Love and Power,Catholic Healing Ministry, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ifo, Ogun State performing the blessing and opening prayer during the Ministry’s Business Retreat; themed: Is Honest Business Transaction Achievable? at the church premises, recently. Picture Chris Onouha

Police interogate female lawyer for torturing househelp

BY EMMA UNA, Calabar

ple that the Goodluck Jonathan administration is carrying the south east along in its infrastructural and economic development efforts.”

ber 31, 2013 presented a budget estimate of N162 billion, comprising of N68. 81for recurrent expenditures and N92.312 billion for capital expenditures to the lawmakers for approval.

Yesterday approval of the budget was sequel to the deliberation of the

report of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation led by Chief Fidelis Akinwolemiwa.

The chairman of the committee said the increase in the budget was necessary in order “to accommodate some portents demands made

by the ministries, departments and parastatals.

Akinwolemiwa added that it engaged in objective comparative analysis between the previous year ’s spending in the proposals in the 2014 budget, adding that this was to avoid unrealistic budgeting.

and St Patrick Catholic Cultural Dance Group. DJ African Boy supplied music throughout the event.

Suspected hoodlums disrupt NUJ meeting in Yenagoa

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA, Yenagoa

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O fewer than 15 hood lums Thursday invaded the conference hall of the Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Yenagoa and disrupted the union’s planned emergency meeting.

But the intervention of the police prevented the situation from degenerating into bloodbath as four of the hoodlums were arrested.

The union headed by its chairman, Tariyon Akono, it was learnt had planned to discuss the Ladi Lawal NUJ awards 2014 at the emergency meeting when the hoodlums invaded the venue.

The conference was later sealed up by the police authorities in the state which invited officials and members of the union to give statement on the incident.

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014 — 9

Court sentences Arowolo to death for killing banker wife

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH & ONOZURE DANIA

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WO years after his wife, Titilayo Akolade, a banker was murdered in cold blood, Justice Latifah Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court yesterday found Akolade Arowolo guilty of killing the deceased and subsequently sentenced him to death by hanging.

Earlier before the judgment, immediately Arowolo was brought to the court room, he knelt down in payer for about a couple of minutes apparently beseeching God to sway judgment in his favour.

But in a judgment that lasted for almost three and half hours, Justice Okunnu resolved all the three issues formulated by the court in favour of the prosecution.

The trial judge held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, hence her verdict.

The court which held that though there was no other person at the scene of the incidence apart from Akolade and his late wife however concluded that all evidences given in court pointed to the fact that no other person carried out the gruesome murder of the late banker, except her husband.

The murder was committed on June 24, 2011 at No 8, Akindehinde Street, Isolo, Lagos, while he was arraigned on July 7, 2011 at Yaba Magistrate court, before his case was transfered to the High Court. At the end of the trial, 15 witnesses testified in support of the prosecution, six persons, including the parents of the convict testified in his defence.

Justice Okunnu, who formulated three issues including whether indeed the deceased was dead; whether the accused person was responsible for the killing and whether he carried out the act intentionally, resolved all the issues against the convict.

According to the court both the evidences given by all the prosecution witnesses and that of the accused person, Akolade, showed that the deceased was murdered gruesomely and that the act was carried out by the convict intentionally.

Justice Okunnu who particularly relied on the evidences of both the parents of the deceased and that of the investigative team and the pathologists, concluded there was no iota of doubt that Akolade

did murdered his wife.

Okunnu held, “ The prosecution succeeded in proving its case, the defendant is guilty and you hereby sentenced to death.”

Analyzing her judgment, to establish that Akolade formulated his defence out of the blues to the effect that the deceased stabbed herself to death, the Judge held: “No one else gained access into the apartment from when the defendant left on Friday to Sunday when the defendant’s brother went through the neighbours’ ceiling.

“This eliminates any outsider at the material point in time. The doctrine of last seen in law came into fore here. This means that the person last seen bears full responsibility for the death. It supports the proof already before the court. It supports the argument and adds probative value to the prosecution’s case. That shows it was the defendant who killed his wife.

“It is my finding that it is none other than the defendant himself who stabbed Omozoje to death. After eliminating all other options, I find that it was the defendant who stabbed his wife.

On whether the act was carried out intentionally, the court held: “Also the prosecution has the duty to prove that the defendant’s action was done intentionally as to desire the consequence of his action.

“I studied him and found him intelligent. He admitted that he did study logic and so he knew full well that grievous bodily harm was the consequence of his action. Her resultant death then turned to unlawful killing.

“The contradictions on what was found where and how by the prosecution witness does not remove from the offence of killing.

“His parents tried to debunk that domestic violence characterized the marriage, his mother tried to cover up his act and his father avoided questions put to him. This did not help his case.” She held.

Moment the judgment was handed down on the convict, he broke down in tears and rolling on the floor of the court, asking God to intervene in his case.

Akolade who wore a white short shirt matched with a black trousers and a shoe to match, held a bible with his chained hands, asking what becomes the future of his only child, Olamide.

Immediately after the judgment, the convict shouted “Jesus, my Lord” in court, broke into tears and started crying wondering what would happen to his daughter. He also called on his late wife to come and defend him.

Already, his lawyer, Mr. Olanrewaju Ajanaku has indicated his willingness to appeal the judgement of the court.

The court relied on the evidence of the pathologist on who killed the deceased.

She held quoting the pathologist, Professor John Obafunwa of LASUTH “On external examination I noticed fresh stab wounds caused by a sharp object. All this injuries could not have been self inflicted. Even if you were inflicting it on yourself you would have dropped the knife at some point. This is very damaging to the defendant.

“Tremendous force was used by the assailant to cause the wounds. He (Obafunwa) testified as to loads of defence wounds on the victim. The post mortem gives more details. The deceased stomach was torn open. It details wounds to the body as well as her clothing.

He (Obafunwa) ruled out the possibility of fresh wounds after death or a case of tampering with the body.”

Subsequently, the Judge lambasted the convict’s parents and other defence witnesses, stating “the parents and other witnesses are not witnesses of truth.”

Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE) recently elected new officers. L-R: Dr. Bashir Obasekola, Vice Chairman; Ambassador Hakeem Sulaiman, Nigerian Ambassador to France; Dr. George Manuwuike, Chairman and Lola Visser-Mabogunje, member NIDOE – Netherland, shortly after the election.

Pastor’s wife murdered for resisting rape

BY DAYO JOHNSON, Akure

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25-year old University drop- out identified as Jerry has murdered in cold blood the wife of a pastor, Mrs Eunice Ajayi 55years for refusing to be raped.

The suspected killer was said to have been rusticated from two institutions in the state for being a member of a secret cult.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the deceased was hacked to death on the ill fated day when she refused to be raped by the suspect who is now on the run.

The deceased husband

who rushed to the scene to save his dying wife was also matchetted by the suspect and is presently hospitalised.

Eyewitness account informed Vanguard that alleged killer visited the house of the Pastor located at Peace-land Road,along the Expressway in Akure metropolis and attempted to rape the deceased.

Jerry who has been eyeing the woman reportedly came that day with the sole purpose of having his way but the Pastor ’s wife resisted.

This according to report infuriated the suspect who reportedly brought out a machete which he used to hack

Kidnapped APC senatorial aspirant released after paying ransom of N2.5m

BY SUZAN EDEH, Bauchi

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HE APC senatorial aspirant and a former House of Representatives member, Hon Samaila Ahmed who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen at his residence at Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi state has been released.

Hon Samaila Ahmed abducted on Monday 17th February was released to his family members on Friday night after spending five days in hands of his captors.

It was learnt that the abductors demanded a ransom of N6.5m from Hon Ahmed’ family but the family finally paid a ransom of N2.5m to the abductors before the release of the former Repsmember.

When contacted, the

Public Relation Officer (PPRO) of the Bauchi State Police Command, DSP Haruna Mohammed confirmed the release but was silent on the ransom paid by the family members.

He said “the kidnapped former House of Reps member, Hon Samaila Ahmed Ilali was released by his captors in Darazo last night at about 23.30 hours and he his in stable condition. Investigation is still ongoing”.

A security source who spoke on condition of anonymity express anger over the ransom paid to the captors saying the family members of Hon Ahmed did not cooperate with security operatives.

He said “ we are not happy with the ransom paid to the criminals that kidnapped Hon Ahmed and this happen because of non-operation from his

family members and there are lot of implications about this because paying of ransom will encourage more kidnap attempt in the state”.

the deceased .

Several machete cuts were inflicted on the deceased by the furious killer.

Her distress cries and shout for help attracted the husband who rushed to the room only to meet his wife in her own pool of blood.

The husband was also attacked by the suspect while trying to save the wife from the killer.

After attacking both the wife and the husband the suspect reportedly took to his heels while attempt by some students residing in the area to apprehend him failed.

The wife of the pastor was said to have died before help could come neighbours who rushed to the scene following the shout and cries from the couple.

Contacted the Police image maker Wole Ogodo said that the suspect is still on the run and that he would soon be tracked down and prosecuted.

Three people die, 8 injured after accident on Bauchi-Maiduguri road

BY SUZAN EDEH, Bauchi

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ANGEROUS driving and over speeding were cited as part of the reason the road accident involving a Vectra Opel vehicle along Bauchi-Maiduguri Expressway killed three persons.

The eigth survivors of the crash were said to be receiving treatment at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, ATBU, while the bodies of one male and two females were put

in the mortuary.

The Bauchi state Commander of FRSC, Mr Sunday Henry Olatunji who confirmed the incident, said that commercial vectra vehicle with plate number AH 21 MSA was carrying eleven passengers.

“The Vectra Opel, coming from Maiduguri with eleven passengers was on a very high-speed.

Three passengers sat in the front seat,including the driver, four at the middle seat when four others squeezed themselves in the boot of the vehicle”.

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10 —SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

CBN’s secrets

•As FRC opens lid on financial malpractices, corruption zMonies paid to airlines that have no local flight zBanking resolution fund misused zCBN sells and makes profit from diesel zN38 billion paid to mint which turn over N29 billion zParastatals accounts with the CBN have overdrawn positions

BY OMOH GABRIEL, Business Editor

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he Financial Council audit report on the Central Bank of Nigeria which led to the suspension of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi from office accused the apex bank management of several financial practices that borders on fraud. It said that there is a provision for “Facility Management of N7.034 billion in 2012; N5.751 billion in 2011. A breakdown of these figures reveals that this is just an expense head where the leadership of the CBN dumps what ordinarily should have been accounted for as their Benefit-in-Kind for tax purposes. A closer look at the breakdown shows that it is just an expense head that is used for fraudulent activities as they have items such as “Profit from sale of Diesel” indicating that the CBN at some point operates in the downstream sector of the Petroleum industry.

“There are also breakdown such as “Currency issue Expenses” of N1.158 billion and Sundry Currency charges of N1.678 billion under “CURRENCY ISSUE EXPENSES.” As they are in 2011 so are similar expenses in 2012. These are difficult to understand.

The CBN accounts revealed it paid Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc N38.233 billion in 2011 for “Printing of Banknotes” whereas the entire Turnover of NSPM Plc Group is N29.370 billion, the report noted.

“It also therein claimed that it paid Air Charter, such as Emirate Airline N0.511 billion; Wing Airline, N0.425 billion and Associated Airline N1.025 billion to distribute currency by air nationwide. Emirate Airline does not fly local charter in Nigeria.

Wing Airline is not registered with

Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and Associated Airline does not have a billion turn-over for 2011 because upon inquiry, the management claimed that they have no financial statements and have not had any significant operations for the past two years, that will warrant preparation of financial statements.

Other areas of fraudulent activities include:

The FRC report further said “Within the “Administrative expenses” is an item they referred to as “Loan write-off.” This accounts for loans supposedly given to staff and written off thereafter. It came to a total of N3.855 billion in 2012. There is the need to review the Board approval for this loan write-off if any.

Within the “Administrative expenses” is an item they referred to as “Fixed Assets Clearing Account.”

These are properties acquired by the CBN for which it does not expect to derive future economic benefits.

These properties are written off by the CBN on a yearly basis. It came to N4.076 billion in 2012; up from N1.324 billion in 2011. This should not be mistaken for “Disposal of Fixed Assets Schedule.

The report further said “Foreign Bank accounts that have been closed off-shore were still operational in the General Ledger for over six months after they have been confirmed as closed accounts by the off-shore Banks. A thorough investigation will reveal how the balances in the now fictitious foreign accounts are treated. It also said that “There are long outstanding invoices that make up the liability account from as far back as 2005. The External Auditors have to request, in their draft management letter, the management or whoever deems it fit to carry out a thorough investigation in this area to ensure items standing in this

account are valid invoices.

According to the report: The “Know Your Customer ” policy is not properly followed by the CBN to the extent that the CBN has an unknown customer with account balance of N1.423 billion since 2008.

The CBN claimed that they are taking steps to obtain the required details regarding the address of the customer.

sundry foreign currencies without physical stock of foreign currencies in CBN Head Office account. At no point should one expect to have fictitious Naira balances without the foreign currencies to back them up.

It is important to know who is or was with the foreign currencies at the time.

According to the Financial report-

The CBN accounts revealed it paid Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc N38.233 billion in 2011 for “Printing of Banknotes” whereas the entire Turnover of NSPM Plc Group is N29.370 billion According to the report, “Real time Gross Settlement Clearing Account, that is supposed to be reconciled on a daily basis, has long standing reconciling items that could not be substantiated. The external audit revealed debit/credit balances of

ing Council “An organisation that had an additional brought forward to General Reserves Fund of a mere N16.031billion in 2012 could still go ahead to spend uncontrollably in

Continues on page 12

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014—11

Mixed reactions trail Sanusi’s suspension from office a short moment. The effect on the financial markets would be temporal if any because the interim Governor, Sarah Alade, has been in the system with him. The CBN is an institution and not a man organization. There is the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) working with the CBN to achieve monetary stability. In fact, the issue of Sanusi is more political .

He has made several comments that is not justifiable. Who is he working for. He does not know how to manage information, which is also key for managing the economy.”

Managing Director/CEO, Lambert Trust Limited, Mr. David Adonri “The suspension of Governor Sanusi can erode foreign investors’ confidence in the financial market and the economy. I think his suspension is untimely and should have been allowed to finish his tenure.” President, Nigerian Shareholders Solidarity Association of Nigeria (NSSA), Chief Timothy Adesiyan “The issue of Sanusi has been dragging for some time now. The suspension is unexpected at this moment. It is uncalled for, since he has almost finished his tenure.

President Goodluck Jonathan should have removed him long before when it was obvious. But since he did not do that he should have been patient enough and allow him to conclude his tenure and handover properly to a his successor. With the situation, as it is now, the action might affect the market, though temporary.

However, since there is ongoing

investigation against some of his action, it should be reminded that the shareholders are not happy with him, when he forcefully nationalized our three banks. The question is, are three banks doing well since they were taken over by AMCON? The answer is no. Then what is the essence of nationalizing them. We the shareholders of these banks were shortchanged and we would like the issue to be revisited and investigated because we like justice to prevail. When two elephants are fighting it is the grass that suffers.

So for the acting CBN Governor, I wish her well. She has been part of the system so there should be continuity. On the effect the action will cause is that international investors’ confidence would somehow be affected at the moment and later on would pick up once we have a substantial CBN Governor.”

National Co-ordinator, Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, PROSAN, Mr Taiwo Oderinde said “It is a welcome development and even overdue for Governor Sanusi to leave the system. The shareholders have been crying and calling on the government to sack him but in their own wisdom he was still retained. Sanusi is not loyal to the government, hence should not be there. This is a lesson to his successor. So, the successor should be a professional to the core and not a politician because that position is very critical and any taken by the Governor affect the entire economy.

Sanusi has done more harm than good for the economy. It is easy to

destroy than to repair. He does not merit the position. I don’t forsee any negative effect, afterall the financial markets is not at its best, still struggling.”

Bamidele Aturu a legal practioner said in his own

reaction that “News filtering in about the purported suspension of the Governor of the Central Bank of

Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, by the President is a desecration of the rule of law and the principle of legality in Nigeria. It is unsurpassed in its blatant illegality and immorality. The decision is symptomatic of the desperation that has gripped the presidency and its allies in the wake of the troubling allegations made by the Governor of the Bank that public officials in the NNPC are looting the country blind in the name of subsidy payments. To

Continues on page 13

Sanusi

CBN’s secrets as FRC open lid on financial malpractices, corruption Continued from page 10 2012 and in some cases even increase the expenses.

The CBN, it said, spent on promotional activities; N3.086 billion in 2012 up from N1.084 billion in 2011 even when the CBN does not have a competitor in Nigeria which may require a “fight” over brand and customer size. The figures are too high.

“Expenses on Newspapers, Books and Periodicals excluding CBN’s Publications is N1.678 billion in 2012; up from N1.670 billion in 2011.

The report further said “The CBN was gracious enough to reduce their “Legal and Professional Fees” from N20. 202 billion in 2011 to N0.460 billion in 2012. What could the CBN have had to spend N20.202 billion on in 2011? They also reduced their “sundries” unexplainable expenses from N1.197 billion in 2011 to

N0.690 billion in 2012. One is at a loss why the CBN still carry “unexplainable expenses” and of this magnitude.

“The CBN also magnanimously reduced expenses on “Ethics and Anti-Corruption” from N34 million in 2011 to N18 million in 2012. This is an area that they are supposed to strengthen their activities and unearth unethical and corrupt practices. The CBN preferred to reduce their financing by almost 50 per cent. The CBN, outside the agreed audit fee of N300 million paid to their External Auditors and which was reviewed upward in 2012 from N200 million in 2011, the CBN showed within “Administrative Expenses” that they paid the External Auditors another N140 million.

Section 6 (3c) of the CBN Act, 2007 provides that the Board of the CBN is to make recommendation to Your Excellency on the rate of remuneration to External Auditors. An investigation need to be carried out to know whether the Board secured

your approval on this review.

The leadership of the CBN also wrote-off loans to the tune of N3,856 billion in 2012. Since this was disclosed in under “Administrative expenses”, it was supposedly made to staff members.

The Council said the CBN “Non compliance with laws and relevant regulatory guidelines could lead to reputational damage for CBN. Examples are: The provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the CBN and other Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) on Banking Resolution Sinking Fund are not being complied with by the CBN. “A Board of Trustees (BOT) to manage the fund has not been put in place since it was established in 2010. (The BOT is supposed to consist of two representatives of the CBN, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, a representative of the Debt Management Office and five members of the eligible financial institu-

tions. The CBN went ahead to issue the Nigerian Treasury Bill Investment using part of the money in this banking resolution sinking fund account without the settling up and approval of the said Board of Trustees in accordance with the signed MOU. “Some parastatals deposit accounts with the CBN the report noted, have debit or overdrawn positions. This is contrary to government policy on the CBN’s management of parastatals accounts with the CBN. Amongst the MDAs listed by the CBN, with overdrawn positions to which the CBN is now accounting as loan provisioning are: Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Federal Civil Service Commission. It will be necessary to circularise these MDAs to ascertain the veracity of this claim by the CBN.

12—SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

BY OMOH GABRIEL, Business Editor and PETER EGWUATU

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ixed reactions yesterday trailed the suspension of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as CBN Governor from office.

In his reaction former Vice President Atiku Abubakar asked the suspended Governor to approach the Court to seek redress and challenge his suspension in the interest of constitutionalism and the rule of law, just as he said that President Goodluck Jonathan has no such powers to suspend the CBN governor from office.

FBN Capital

FBN capital in its note to local and international investors said “the morning’s suspension of the CBN governor, Lamido Sanusi, on the instructions of the President can be traced to a series of heated exchanges on flows into the federation account.

Indeed in early January the local newswires reported that the president had asked the governor to resign after the leaking of a letter in which Sanusi is David Adonri said to have itemised discrepancies in the finances of the state oil corporation. What next? We will assume that the suspension does not prove the trigger which derails the pursuit of a central element of the CBN’s core mandate, the attainment of exchange-rate stability.

“Sarah Alade, senior deputy governor with a solid track record in monetary policy, has been appointed acting governor. She has already restated the CBN’s commitment to its core mandate. The MPC takes its decisions on a majority vote. Sanusi was highly persuasive as chair of the committee but his views echoed those of senior policymakers. “Their policy aims are a managed exchange rate and strong currency. We are not aware of any support within officialdom for a float, or even a rate in Dangote Cement 1.9 per cent. to reflect said fair value or inflation “The NSE Banking Index lost a differentials. There are two vacanwhopping 4.5 per cent as all banks cies to be filled within the MPC, one closed in the red. This loss can be internal and the other external. primarily attributed to losses in UBA “The pressure on the exchange 7.5 per cent, FCMB 7.1 per cent and rate before this development ETI 6.2 per cent. stemmed from oil production losses The Oil and Gas followed suite and the fear that the offshore with a with 2.7 per cent loss majorly portfolio community would exit attributed to Oando 6.4 per cent and Nigeria en masse in the headwinds Eterna Oil 4.9 per cent. Lastly, the of tapering by the Federal Reserve.

Consumer Goods and Insurance Dr Alade is the acting governor until Index lost 1.8 per cent and 1.2 per a new appointment to take over in cent a piece. These losses were June on the expiry of Sanusi’s five driven by capital reversals on the year term. We do not buy into the back the CBN governor ’s suspenargument that the new person will sion by the President. be the “puppet” of the presidency.

The market breath (0.19x) buttress“In our view the presidency’s es the negative market sentiments understanding of the investment with only 9 stocks advancing as community does reach that far. Also, against 46 decliners. Top gainers for the National Assembly has to ratify the day were Oasis Insurance the appointment and has its own (8.6%), Neimeth 5.8 per cent and PZ agenda.

5.0 per cent while top losers were UBA 7.5 per cent, Vitafoam 7.4 per Stock market reacts cent and FCMB 7.1 per cent.

The Nigerian Stock Market had “reversed fortunes on the back of the Operators in capital and money CBN Governor ’s suspension as the market NSE All Share Index (ASI) sheds Managing Director/CEO, Express 147 basis points to close at Discount Asset Management 38,816.19. In the same vein, the Limited, Mr. Atiku Kafaru, in his market capitalisation shrank by reaction said “It has been long N186.6bn to close at N12.4trillion. overdue that the CBN Governor, Activity level as measured by Lamido Sanusi should have gone. volume and value surprisingly How can a man in such a position be advanced 59.4 per cent and 27.7 per running a parallel system with the cent to close at 484million units and government in place. It is not done N4.9trillion respectively. even in developed countries. It is a “All sector indices declined today good omen for Nigerian economy with the exception of the NSE and the financial markets in particuIndustrial Index advanced slightly lar. Sanusi has not been fair to the by 0.2 per cent on account of gains

Atiku Abubakar

Mixed reactions trail Sanusi’s suspension from office zSuspension of Sanusi: Go to Court, Atiku zIt is long over due operator zThere is legal question Sanusi zShare prices fall zOkonjo Iweala assures investor of continuity

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Nigerian capital market. A central bank Governor should not be a talkative, because his position is a very sensitive position. You cannot see the Governor of Bank of England talking the way Governor Sanusi talks. I think he deserves the suspension, because he has outlived his usefulness. It should be a lesson to his successor, that he or she should always be very focus on its mandate and not be involved in

have. It will also aid investors to make decision on their investment.

Definitely, the capital market and the economy had been hurt by this announcement and for as long as there is an unclear succession plan of the CBN Governor. In the intervening period, Nigerians should be ready for a rough ride with the economy.”

Dr. Austin Nwede, Economist and lecturer, Lagos Business School, Pan Atlantic University reacting said “I think the suspension of Governor Sanusi is good for the financial markets and the economy in general. I have been saying this overtime that the kind of central bank Governor that Nigeria needs should be a person of good character, professional of high repute.

I think the suspension of Governor Sanusi is good for the financial markets and the economy in general. I have been saying this overtime that the kind of central bank Governor that Nigeria needs should be a person of good character, professional of high repute politics.”

First Vice President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) Mr. Emmanuel Ohanwusi Said “The announcement of his suspension is no longer news, considering the frosty relationship arising from the alleged missing funds and the ongoing political power play. The most important thing now is to immediately appoint the successor so that financial and economic analysts can attempt a close prediction of how the economy will be-

Sanusi has been sabotaging the government that he was supposed to work with in good faith. I was in a forum where the Minister of Finance complained and lamented that the CBN Governor never consulted her on the issue of NNPC and federation account before going to the press. Then such a Governor should not be there. The earlier he goes the better for the nation. Meanwhile, the effect of his suspension would be for

Continues on page 13

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014 — 13

Mixed reactions trail Sanusi’s suspension from office the economy, there is bound to be some reactions but I just want to use this opportunity to focus on assuring market participants of the resolute attention that this government will be paying to managing this economy. Our objective remains to maintain macroeconomic stability. That has been the hallmark of this administration”.

The minister noted that the macroeconomic stability achieved so far was a product of the government’s stable economic policies and that the suspension of Mallam Sanusi would not affect their continuity, especially given the fact that the Acting CBN Governor, Mrs. Serah Alade has been directly in charge of policies at the CBN. Her words, “it is the macroeconomic stability that has enabled us to continue to transform the different sectors of the economy and that will not change. We will maintain tight fiscal policies. We expect a continuation of the tight monetary policies that has been on at the central bank.

We are confident that this will continue as the Acting Governor, Mrs. Serah Alade is the Deputy Governor, Policy, you will all recall.

So she has been part of crafting those policies that the former governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has been implementing.

Continues from page 12 the best of my knowledge, the allegation has not been coherently answered by the Corporation or by the Government. “ s far as the law goes, the purported suspension of the Governor is unwarranted. Section 11 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 clearly lists the instances when the Governor or any of his Deputies can cease to remain in office. For the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever, none of such instances includes suspension by the President. The only mention of the word ‘suspension’ is in section 11(1)(d) and that relates to the removal of the Governor when he or she is disqualified or suspended from practicing his or her profession in Nigeria. Of course, the illegal suspension of the Governor is not from a professional body and is not at all contemplated by the law.

“It should be pointed out that the only occasion the President can recommend the removal of the Governor or exercise any disciplinary control over him is under section 11(1)(f) and that recommendation must be supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate before he can be removed. Now the law is indubitably clear that the express mention of one thing is the exclusion of the other. In other words, if the law had intended that the “President exercises the power of suspension over the Governor of the Central Bank, it would have expressly stated so, particularly as the same law provides for the removal of the Governor based on his suspension from

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Aturu professional practice.”

Dr Okonjo Iweala

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he Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, however assured that the suspension of Mallam Sanusi would not adversely affect the stability of the nation’s economy as the President Goodluck Jonathan administration would continue its tight fiscal and monetary policies.

According to her, “Of course, since the news broke there have been concerns in the markets which is not unusual. When there is movement of one of the major people managing

Okonjo Iweala “With this, we will continue the policies that have brought about the fiscal and monetary stability that has been the bedrock of our economy. We hope market participants will get back to business as usual. We believe the stability of the Naira will there and we will continue to manage the situation going forward.”

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala admitted fluctuations and slight depreciation of the Naira following the break of the new of Sanusi’s removal but expressed optimism that the market should normalize after her assurances.

“There will be no change in the

policy stance of the government.

The nation’s inflation has remained at a single digit at 8 per cent: external reserves at $ 4. 1.4 billion and fiscal deficit at 1.9 per cent of the GDP and a current account surplus. The Naira has fluctuated and depreciated a bit on this news but this announcement I am making that we will continue with the tightness of policies, we expect that the Naira will stabilize”, she said.

Kano Emirate Council picks hole on Sanusi’s suspension Also, the Kano Emirate Council has condemned the suspension of Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi from the position of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor.

The Emirate council in a statement yesterday signed by Walin Kano, Alhaji Mahe Bashir said, “We viewed Mr. President action as a deliberate witch-hunt of the governor for doing his job by letting Nigerians know the alleged fraud going at the petroleum industry and to divert people’s attention from this monumental fraud”.

The statement noted that “ As the President suspended the governor without a recourse to the rule of law, we believe it was a deliberate attempt to witch-hunt him and this impunity at highest order by the Federal Government”.

The Emirate further called on the Federal Government to review the suspension of the CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi in the interest of equity, justice and fairness.

The statement noted “ Due to all the awards and commendations received by the Governor nationally and internationally which Nigerians and even the President are proud of,it is our view that the Federal Government should as a matter of urgency review this issue by following the laid down procedure in the suspension of public officers, for equity, justice and fairness.

“As a law abiding organisation, we believe that adherence to the rule of law is paramount and important to any government, more importantly a democratically elected government which preaches and ensures adherence to the rule of law”.

He said, “ democracy will never mature if we personalise governance. We need to build an institution, we need to build our democracy and commitment to public accountability is part of building an institution”.

The Emirate council member also thanked members of the National Assembly and the general public for not supporting the action.

14 — SATURDAY Vanguard , FEBRUARY 22, 2014

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re we then at war? Can we admit it at last? The proclamation that slapped a state of emergency on three States—Yobe, Adamawa and Borno —would seem to suggest that much especially from the launching of all-out hostilities on certain areas of the region.It did not appear that we were really sure of what was going on these past three to four years during which we had borne the scourge of the Boko Haram. Some of course called it “terrorism” which is, in fact, a measure of war. Others described it as “insurgency”, which is also a vibrant variant of warfare. But call it what you may, whenever a group takes up arms and uses them to harm and destroy the life and welfare of another group with the set purpose of eliminating it or subjugating it, the situation is shrugged off the insult of the demand that he should one of war.

Of course, that is an ugly change his religion. While word, a word associated with some of us wondered who horror and darkness,brutality really the guilty party was, and wickedness, and which no anyway — the men who were one with any sense of decency creating massive mayhem, or wishes to be linked with. And so the man whose position as we seem to have been fighting the leader of the victims made shy of it. Only one voice was him to bear the brunt of the raised in pertly identifying it for atrocities?

But some of those who have what it was. always held back the mighty fter one of the brazen hand of the government with attacks of the Boko Haram, their “ode to dialogue” or

*this is war

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the Senate President, David Mark, once could not help blurting out: “This is war!” His distinguished audience mostly pretended not to appreciate the gravity of his words.The situation was adopted as an inadvertent development and that tone was laid to rest. Not many other instances of the truth being allowed to show its naked face could be cited afterwards.

A convenient consensus of mild reactions to the fiery situation was welcome to mask the flames, with all kinds of meetings of security officials, following other harrowing destructions of lives, and then properly rounded off by “condemnations” of the “dastardly ” acts whose “perpetrators” would be “fished out and made to face the full rigour of the law”. And then would start another woeful cycle of destruction, bombings and killings, followed by some skirmishes in which the “enemy” did not always come out second best.

Some would have made the President sue for peace under the ruse of “dialogue”, but throughout the strife this nation has had to face so far, and despite the low marks he has

•Senate President, David Mark

, C M Y K

uncomfortable at the reported release of some imprisoned members of the Boko Haram.

A case may be made for some of the womenfolk who might not be fully involved in the fighting. But women are swift conduits of information even in times of war. They are not all harmless. With regard to the men,however,we find it difficult to subscribe to such an open-ended gesture.These are warriors who are committed to a cause and, as we know, many of them are committed to the death. One would find it extremely unlikely that they would not make straight for their weapons the moment they were set free. One would imagine that it would be a celebration as they rejoined their units. In fact, there were reports that the routed elements of the Boko Harem troops were regrouping in parts of the Adamawa mountains. Recent harrowing events tend to support these reports.

W

We are at war, And this is why we would recommend that a serious look be made to bear on our Budget

been consistently awarded by many people it is, and will ever be, to his credit that he refused to be made to eat humble pie at a table with those he rightly referred to as “ghosts”. Yet other pacifists proffered a virtual capitulation ploy clothed in the dazzling hue of “amnesty”, for people who themselves declared that they did not deserve such humanitarian consideration, since forgiveness had no place where there had been no offence. They pleaded not guilty to any crime. But the President bore that humiliation just as he

is a “crime against humanity ”. No war is won with fancy gloves.

Soldiers are trained to kill by not being killed. We should not condone extreme cruelty in a situation that rides, in itself, on extreme prejudice, but that is difficult. It is therefore not very realistic to make flaring headlines out of the fact that populations are being displaced. That

,

“hymns of amnesty” may have meant well after all.

I

wonder, though, if they had lost any of their sons to a sudden, senseless murderous attack from nowhere; or witnessed the anguish of an inconsolable daughter at the vicious hands of a rapist; or the stifled cry of a child in the last throes of strangulation. This is what has been happening.

And it is war.

And let us face it. Every war

is an aspect of a war situation that can only be minimized by firm control. In the same vein, one feels left in a snit by the hypocrites in the United States whose first reaction about the present situation in Nigeria is comingled with strident warnings about “crimes against humanity.” They can be assured that we shall not attain the dizzying heights of Hiroshima and Nagasaki before this campaign is over. It has to be sharp and short.

In any case, the human rights aspects and civil rights protection of the situation had been properly taken care of by the National Assembly.

That is why one was

e are realy at war. The Joint Military Task Force has done credit to themselves and this nation, but how far have we gone in eliminating the menace of the Boko Haram from our midst?

Not until the last campaign started did many of us realise that the Boko Haram had even carved out an enclave for itself where a foreign flag had been implanted on Nigerian soil.

Of course, it was routed.The Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Reconciliation, on whose advice this decision was taken to release the captured Boko Haram forces, could hardly furnish any sensible reason for it. They may claim to know what is hidden from the rest of us, to come to an apparently cheerless initiative like that which takes little of a war situation into consideration.

T

he measure, we were assured, was in line with “Presidential magnanimity”, but who was impressed? Who could have been appreciative of such a gesture? In respect of those who even nonchalantly shuned the offer of an amnesty? This is all about human lives, about security in the community and about resultant social progress — and some people think they could flout all of that by some kind of “magnanimity”? One wonders how much input the members of the JTF, the men who put their lives on the line, were asked to offer with regard to freeing the Boko Haram

“prisoners of war ”. Though professionally isolated from political decisions, they are the actors on the terrain and a vibrant, in fact the only, arm of security here. It is not clear that they were considered for any role in the decision.

This is war. It has to be total in its operational commitment. You cannot pummel a man’s body while massaging his back. The rules of engagement already put in place are adequate and will be effective in taking care of a humane conduct of the conflict. There will always be complaint on both sides, of course, but we must trust our forces to be a disciplined body of armed men.*We cannot afford to be too mild now, for we are face-to-face with a foe that will not walk away, but must be driven— chased —away. We are no longer offending anyone by linking them to the religion under whose aegis they profess to commit these atrocities. Even the religion, Islam, openly forbids their methods of operation. It should not all be strange to us. This country witnessed the exploits of Maitatsene and brought them down. The JTF must not relent in its continued swoop on the marauders until they are squelched’.

W

e are at war. And this is why we would recommend that a serious look be made to bear on our Budget which was prepared in almost a total negligence of the seriousness of a war situation. It is hard to bear the fact, as testified to by so many responsible people over and over again, that the so-called insurgents carry “sophisticated weapons” and are “better armed” than our soldiers. That in a country that can afford, or acquire a couple of bullet-proof cars for 255 million mazumas and no one sheds a tear? Where trillions of naira leak away in stolen petroleum products and no one winces? Where billions of revenue funds miss their way to the Federation Account and only create a mild discussion as to their proper destination? We cannot arm our security forces with the best weaponry available anywhere?

We are at war. It echoes from the North to the South.

We are at war, and we are not really winning.

Time out.

ARY 22, 2014—15 SATURDAY VANGUARD, FEBRU FEBRUARY

16 — SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014 A still tongue makes a wise head --Anonymous

I

t was over two years ago that I had the closest encounter with Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. He is a man whose dress sense is always very striking. A man with a gift of the garb. He had visited Vanguard to attend our editorial conference and was drilled in a no-holds barred long encounter. He sat through the interactive session with Vanguard Editors and answered all questions, even questions that appeared rather personal.

Half-way through the encounter, he complained that the ‘seat’ was too hot and unbuttoned his suit.

He spoke so well and eloquently and left an impression of a jolly good fellow.

Since then, one had closely monitored Sanusi’s progress as an eloquent CBN governor. His utterances received national attention and occasionally became very controversial. At a stage, it became obvious he would one day talk himself into trouble.

There are people like Sanusi all the time and so this idiosyncrasy is not peculiar. There are always people who talk , who seem to think that what they have to say is as fascinating to everyone else as it is to them, and who don’t seem to understand that listening is an important part of communicating and connecting to others. There are always people who talk before they think; who don’t chew their words before spilling them.

Some people who talk a lot are not able to engage in interactive rhythm, not because they do not care but because they cannot tolerate the emotions that might emerge as they listen to another person.

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, no doubt is an ambitious man who talked himself out of favour with the government of the day and was sometimes perceived by his opponents to speak irrationally.

He is perceived to be inclined towards elevating his own self-interest above all else. But when rationality and self-interest come into head-to-head conflict, morality loses out.

And from all indications, Sanusi has seemingly talked himself out of relevance with his ogas at the top and they are not still prepared to keep listening to his pontifications. They offered his ‘head’ on a golden plata.

Men who occupy positions of Central Bank Governors the world-over are not be big talkers. They are doers.

A man of Sanusi’s stature elsewhere commands rapt attention when he speaks.

Central Bank Governors are like gods and their pronouncements are deep and weighty and those who have occupied these positions in the past commanded such great respects. They were like gods!

As a young girl, that was my perception of men like Ola Vincent, Dr Paul Ogwuma, Addulkadir Ahmed, Joseph Sanusi whenever I saw currency notes with their signatures etched on them.

But with CBN governors like C M Y K

The ‘sin’ of the tongue

•Sanusi Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, everything changed. These were two CBN governors who became highly political and talkative. In the case of Sanusi, he appeared to be the weapon of the new opposition.

So, he overtalked and appeared lacking in decorum.

Perhaps, in future, in the appointment of CBN governors, the candidates should be people who understand that silence is golden and if they must talk, it shouldn’t be from the two sides of the mouth.

But come to think of it, no man should gag another man for speaking his mind especially in a democratic environment.

The Nigerian government is not one that wants to hear knocks or condemnations. It is fixed in its way of doing things. But Sanusi as a man serving this government could not hold his ‘big mouth’. He would not stop blowing the whistle of corruption in the system and his employers were not comfortable with that. The manner he carried on became a threat to the government of the day and hence, they terminated his course.

Sanusi’s sins

For one thing, he was consistently inconsistent, speaking from the two sides of the mouth! He would say one thing today and another tomorrow and the next day, would try to re-establish his earlier position.

What really put Sanusi into trouble is the missing oil money. He had alleged that $49.8 billion oil money was missing from the account of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and in the process, was most inconsistent in his application of figures.

First, he wrote a letter to the President that the sum of $49.8 billion was missing from the public till. At reconciliation, he climbed down to $12 billion “unaccounted for”. It was at this point that the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, accepted that the actual amount unaccounted for was “only $10.8 billion”.

Now, the amount is pegged at $20billion.

intimidate him. He was called disparaging names and invectives were poured on him.

At a stage, he was described as ignorant because “CBN is a banking outfit and NNPC is a petroleum outfit and based on that, Sanusi lacks the understanding of the technicalities of the oil industry.”.

But does Sanusi require technicalities to know that money received is not remitted to the appropriate quarters?

And to prove that Sanusi is a small ‘fly’ to the powers that be, the Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan Thursday suspended him.

I can vouch that Jonathan would not know sleep for a long time over this matter and Sanusi would use everything at his disposal to fight back.

Already, there is a public outcry and criticism against Jonathan for a ‘cowardly’ act.

Sanusi, according to Presidency Spokesman, Reuben Abati was suspended for “various acts of financial recklessness and misconduct.”

He was instantly replaced by his deputy, Sarah Alade, as acting governor and Zenith Bank Plc Chief Executive Officer, Godwin Emefiele was nominated to succeed Sanusi when his term ends in June.

Cest la vie!

anusi was also accused of S leaking the letter he wrote to President Jonathan on the un-remitted $49.8 billion oil revenue to the Federation Account. The letter was allegedly leaked to former President Olusegun Obasanjo by the CBN governor. But Sanusi pleaded not guilty.

President Jonathan’s action has heightened the concern of prominent Nigerians over the implication of the misunderstanding between the Presidency and the Central Bank of Nigeria governor For a man facing an What first drew the ire of his critics was the fact that he did not cross-check his figures before spilling them to the public .

He transversed through the Presidency, to the National Assembly and to the Petroleum industry telling them his painful truth where it hurts and injures. He forgot another truth though. Blunt people are usually avoided because the truth which sets people free is the one they prefer not to hear.

To allege that $20 billion (over N3 trillion and it’s different figures at different times), being part of the proceeds from the sale of crude oil for the period January 2012July 2013, is missing is a big deal. And such an allegation should be substantiated.

Sanusi never had the opportunity to prove his allegations.

We all know that truth is very hurtful and in the case of Sanusi, he had to bear the consequences of his action.

The powers that be used all manner of mudslinging to

allegation of awarding questionable N163billion contracts and donations in 2013 without due process, Sanusi ought to have known that those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

Meanwhile, he had dismissed this allegation as an act of witch-hunting.

The initial attempt to force him to resign failed. And Sanusi had the effrontery and audacity to insist he could only be removed by two-thirds of the Senate as required by law. He even bragged that the letter was available in the presidential villa, available in the finance ministry and available in the Central Bank and wondered how he (Sanusi) could have leaked the letter, which was so widely available, to a former two-term president of Nigeria who has his people all over the place.

The CBN governor even mustered the temerity to express surprise to the president that he was the one being asked to resign instead of those

responsible for the nonremittance of the funds.

Imagine the impetus! He had the effrontery to engage a whole President in a heated conversation! His act of patriotism back-fired! How dare he have a shouting match with the President?

Eh bien! ça alors!

And so, Jonathan used his plan ‘B’. He suspended him. But should Sanusi be muscled out of office for doing his patriotic duty to his country by drawing attention to the unaccounted funds? What dangers could he have posed to the powers that be?

Il me surprend

Building tension

President Jonathan’s action has heightened the concern of prominent Nigerians over the implication of the misunderstanding between the Presidency and Sanusi.

Before the President did the needful, many influential Nigerians were already uncomfortable with the lingering crisis, the cost of such a dispute between the CBN governor the presidency and tried to intervene.

At a stage, they almost reconciled but the crisis relapsed.

History Mallam Lamido Sanusi was appointed CBN governor in 2009 in the midst of a debt crisis. He took over from Prof Chukwuma Soludo and cleaned up the banking industry from near collapse, kept interest rates at a low record in the face of calls from businesses for lower borrowing costs, and brought inflation down below 10 percent. His suspension, experts believe may undermine the independence of the bank.

Sanusi vows to fight

ut the embattled CBN governor would not just B be muscled out of office just

like that. He has vowed to give it all it takes to stamp his footprints on the sands of time. For a man known to express himself no matter whose ox is gored, he immediately granted a video interview after news of his suspension broke. In an interview with CNBC Africa, the Sanusi spoke on the issue of his suspension, saying it was long overdue. “ I am surprised it took them so long.”

On a legal question of whether the president has the authority to suspend the CBN governor, he opined it will be helpful for the courts to establish the principles. “ Even if I challenge it, I will not go back to the job. Even if I challenge it successfully, I will not go back to it. I think it will be in the interest of the institution for the courts to establish once and for all if the president has the powers to do this. If it is not challenged, the next Central Bank Governor cannot be independent with fear of being suspended by a politician. I do plan to have the courts confirm if indeed that authority exists and I will challenge it.

“It has never been my desire to hold on to a job. However, I believe if the CBN governor cannot be removed from office, then he cannot be suspended.

He can be queried, but the exercise of the arbitrary decision to remove him must be challenged,” he said.

The presidency has asked him to carry on . Tout est bien !

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014—17

BY SONI DANIEL, Regional Editor, North

M

Day Gov Dickson was tried, discharged, acquitted by his people Shakarau pointed out that the electoral promises, which Dickson made in 2012 to the people of the state would form the marking scheme for him while the United Nations definition of Good Governance would constitute the curriculum for the examination of the governor. Shekarau, who pointed out that good governance was not determined by the provision of physical facilities alone, reeled out six other areas that a leader must pay attention to if they want to earn the respect of the citizens and approval of God at the end of their stewardship.

The former governor said that apart from the physical transformation of a place, good governance also required that the government should make accountability, political stability, anticorruption measures, effective laws and control and giving voice to the people part and parcel of the administration. After assessing Dickson using the indices provided by the UN on good governance, Shakarau looked at the direction of the governor and his deputy, paused for a while and said, “Now, I am ready to pass my verdict on you and it is important that you pay serious attention to it.”

“I want to say that after assessing the governor and his administration using the six indices provided by the UN, I have found out that the governor has performed well and should be given a pass mark,” Shekarau ruled. Another round of clapping and standing ovation followed.

The former governor noted that Bayelsa State was indeed lucky to have a governor like Dickson but urged him to learn from the experience of the first two years and do more for the people and take away their challenges.

He said any state governor or political appointee who embarks on physical development without paying

attention to the welfare of the people would incur the full wrath of God. The former Kano State governor therefore scored Dickson high in the areas of respect for rule of law, siting of people-oriented projects, fiscal regulatory control and anti-corruption.

According to him, the performance of any administration will be judged by the “How” and the “Why”.

He said: “If the How and Why are not in accordance to God’s law and the peoples benefit, God’s blessing will not be with you. ”The transparency aspect of governance is in accordance with the law of God. All the judgement of God on politicians will be placed on two pillars. It will be that of why and how.

If your Why is not godly and your How is not in accordance with the dictate of God, God has no business with you.

And your end result may be hell fire.

“Therefore, having examined you on all fronts, I hereby declare that you

,,

r. Henry Seriake Dickson, lawyer and current governor of Bayelsa State has never been docked all his life. If he has ever appeared in court, it was for the sake of his clients, whose briefs he held at one time or the other as a lawyer. Dickson might have also appeared in court to defend issues pertaining to Bayelsa State when he held sway as the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

That was many years ago. He is now in charge of the oil-rich state as the governor, having been elected and sworn in as the forth democratically elected governor of the state on February 14, 2012. So, in a way, he can be described as the only Valentine’s Day governor in Nigeria because no other Nigerian governor holds such a record. Thus, on a day other Nigerians joined their counterparts to celebrate Love Day, Dickson along with his lieutenants were assembled at the Banquet Hall of the Government House Yenagoa to render account of their stewardship to the people, who elected them into office. It was like a set of students waiting to get the result of their examination at the end of the school session. Anxiety, ecstasy and some elements of surprise had been built up on the faces of the governor and his commissioners, who sat on the front row of the massive building, which had been lavishly decorated and decked in the colours and symbols of the state, which is dubbed, “The Glory of all lands”.

Speaker after speaker mounted the rostrum to say their minds about the way Dickson had run the state in the last two years as the governor listened with rapt attention to know if indeed, he had won the hearts of the people or not. Dickson, who was not ruffled at all when his Information Commissioner, Markson Fefegha, spoke glowingly about his brilliant performance in office in the last two years. He was not also moved to adjust his seat and cap as the man reeled out the series of achievements, which he had recorded in just two years.

Fefegha had described Dickson as a ‘story changer’ of Bayelsa and a man sent by God to change the development paradigm of the riverine state. Hear him, “God has endowed the state with a human blessing in the person of our dear governor to change the development paradigm of the state in just two years. We have never had it so good.

“The governor has rebuilt the confidence of the people of Bayelsa State by restoring hope, enthroning peace and providing steady development that has placed the state on a sound footing.

But shortly after Fefegha’s speech, something happened: former Kano State Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, mounted the podium and announced that as a senior citizen and long standing governor for eight years, he had the mandate of the people of the state to ‘judge’ the performance of governor Dickson and give a verdict as to whether he had performed or not.

The hall erupted in ‘carry on, carry on!

Next, Shekarau reeled out what he called marking scheme for the governor, explaining that as a teacher with many years’ experience, he was well equipped to assess the young governor and pass a damning verdict on him and his administration. At that point, governor Dickson, sat up, adjusted his seat, hat, and glasses and fixed his gaze at the podium where his assessor was standing.

new level in the country. “Your emergence as our governor is divine and you have made us proud today. If you are not distracted you will do more for Bayelsa. I urge you all to support the governor to succeed,” the politician prayed.

With a positive verdict passed on him, Dickson mounted the podium with confidence and poise and promised to do more for the state in the years ahead.

The governor said he was driving a revolution to change Bayelsa for the better so that the present and future generations would be happy with his administration.

He said: “I feel excited. It has been an exciting journey so far. Are there challenges? Yes, there are. Are we confronting those challenges? Very well so. Are we hopeful of a difference at the end of my tenure? Yes, there is.

“There is already light at the end of the tunnel because people of the state

Turning to those who say he has done so much within two years, Dickson said he took that as a compliment but added, “I plead guilty as charged because I am in a hurry to develop the state

have served your people well and that you should continue to work harder for them and the future generations of Bayelsa State.

Dickson, his Deputy, Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah and commissioners engaged in innocuous hugging, and as the hall erupted again in endless jubilation once again.

Senator Heineken Lopkpobriri, who spoke on behalf of lawmakers from the state, said that Dickson had made them proud and proved cynics wrong by the exemplary leadership and transparent administration he had championed in the last two years, taking Bayelsa to a

are already seeing the light without getting to the end of the tunnel.

Bayelsa has changed and is constantly changing because we are making a modest effort that everybody appreciates.

Turning to those who say he has done so much within two years, Dickson said he took that as a compliment but added, “I plead guilty as charged because I am in a hurry to develop the state.

The event, which was moderated by ace presenter, Frank Edoho of “Who wants to be a Millionaire” fame, who cracked several jokes to enliven the audience.

18—SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

W H E N O B A S A N J O V I S I T E D R I V E R S S TTA AT E

The politics of Obasanjo’s visit to Rivers

BY DAPO AKINREFON

F

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo, ended his two-day working visit to Riv ers State, during the week and gave a thumb up to the Rivers State governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi for the projects initiated and executed by his administration.

While some analysts expressed surprise that Obasanjo and not President Goodluck Jonathan was invited to commission projects in the state, others argue that it is the governor’s discretion to invite anyone whom he pleases to carry out such functions.

Aside this, many hold the view that Obasanjo’s visit to Rivers state have implications.

One of such implications is the laying to rest of the k-leg issue where the former President proclaimed that the Supreme Court judgement resolved the K- leg issue.

Again, the visit again established Amaechi as an emerging national leader whose developmental strides, developmental projects and numerous achievements in office places on a pedestal far above his peers.

Furthermore, the visit and the many projects commissioned by Obasanjo again shows that the attacks against the Amaechi administration by its critics are largely unfounded and mostly to score cheap political points.

Obasanjo’s arrival

The PortHarcourt International airport came alive penultimate Monday as drummers were on ground to welcome a On the second day of his visit, former president for the commissionObasanjo accompanied by the goving of projects in Rivers state. ernor was led to commission a footObasanjo’s jet, which touched down ball field located along Niger/Bende the airport at exactly 11:10 am, was street. From there, he proceeded to welcome by Governor Amaechi, his commission St Andrew’s primary wife Judith, the deputy governor, Enschool, the Professor Kelsy Harrison gineer Tele Kuru, Senator Magnus hospital, Emenike street both in Mile Abe, members of the House of Repre1 at Diobu and the Buguma fish farm sentatives, members of the state exin Asari-Toru local government area. ecutive council and traditional rulers from the state.

APC leaders absent The road leading to the airport was It was, however, a surprise that leadlined up with people especially for the ers from the All Progressives ConIkwere local government area of the gress, APC, were conspicuously abstate who waved and cheered as the sent during Obasanjo’s visit. former president left for the project The Chief Press secretary to the govcommissioning tour.

Obasanjo, accompanied by Owo born business magnate, Otunba Johnson Fasawe and other aides, was clad in brown native attire.

At the GU Ake road, which was the first project commissioned, Obasanjo said, “we have great pleasure in commissioning this road to the benefit of all those who will make use of it.”

Next to be commissioned, was the Okporo road project, which links the East/West road and Aba road situated in Obio/Akpor local government area of the state. Other road projects comernor, Mr David Iyofor explained that missioned by Chief Obasanjo were it was not deliberate that the APC, inElekahia Rumuomasi and the Ken cluding General Muhammadu Buhari Saro Wiwa roads in the state capital. (rtd), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and its inBeing a farmer himself, Obasanjo terim national chairman, Chief Bisi commended the Songhai farm initiaAkande among other chieftains, were tive situated on Bunu Tai, off Bunu left out of the scene.

Afam road in Tai local government Iyofor said the project commissionarea of the state. ing was in segments, explaining furThe first day of his visit also affordther that subsequent ones will involve ed him to commission the AmbassaAPC leaders. dor Nne Kurubo Model secondary school in Ebubu Eleme; Model Primary school in Ban-Ogoi and the Why I invited Obasanjo-Amaechi Afam power station as well as the AkThe Rivers state governor, told the pajo health centre. audience at the Ambassador Nne

Krubo Model Secondary School, Ebubu community, Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers state, that previous attempts to invite Obasanjo to the state, had proved abortive.

He appreciated the former military head of state for taking time out of his very busy schedule to come to the state saying, “let me thank you sir for accepting to come, even at my age, I will not be able to meet your schedule, you are permanently in the air. I tried to bring you last year but it was impossible, but this year, I fought extremely hard. Let me tell you what my cabinet said, they said it will repair the k- leg. I told them that I know

,,

Aside the need to bring Obasanjo to see things himself, he said the visit was another avenue to dissuade the views of critics of his administration. According to him, “ I told my cabinet that we will achieve two things: the first is to show case to baba and see whether he is convinced that we have done anything at all baba, if he is not satisfied, he will damage the k-leg further. Don’t you ever remind baba about the k-leg, but I said the only reason I am pushing baba to come here is that we share few friends most people do not know about. They said any time they try to convince baba that we are working, baba will say ‘I don’t know because I have never been there’. “ Speaking further, he said “So I said the best thing for me to do is to bring baba here, to see for himself and if you know baba very well, I am a smaller version of baba. So, if we are not doing well, baba will say it well and

he will tell me in the car that ‘Amaechi, I am not impressed’. If you give him microphone, he will say it in the open.”

Aside the need to bring Obasanjo to see things himself, he said the visit was another avenue to dissuade the views of critics of his administration. According to him, “ I told my cabinet that we will achieve two things: the first is to show case to baba and see whether he is convinced that we have done anything at all. The second is to also showcase to the public that these young politicians who are running around, that you can refer to them that they are my boys, even though I do not like having boys.”

He also appealed to the former president to criticize him where necessary and commend his administration, where appropriate.

Amaechi said “So, baba, we are grateful that you agreed to come and we think that wherever you are not impressed, tell the public. And if you are satisfied, do the same by telling the public. We believe in your leadership and we hope that the Nigeria we know, they will say things after your old age when the God we worship must have called you. We thank you for coming and we wish you God’s blessings.”

Obasanjo and the k-leg issue

When it was time for the visitor to give his remarks, Obasanjo broke protocol and did an acrobat unto the platform, as the audience applauded and watched in amazement.

In an attempt to clear the air on why he stopped Amaechi, the former president jokingly asserted

Continues on page 19

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014—19

Continues from page 18 that his (Amaechi’s) case had a k-leg.

It will be recalled that it was Obasanjo that prevented Amaechi from emerging as PDP candidate in the April 2007 general elections, a situation which led the latter to seek redress in the law courts.

The former President was quick to point out that he had no regret over his decision to stop Governor Amaechi from contesting as the governorship flag bearer of the PDP then.

He said he acted based on reports available to him then.

He said: “I believe I took a decision I believed was right. When I took it, I had no apology. I fast and pray to take decisions on important issues. When I have something that requires action, it must be taken, otherwise I am not a worthy leader. A report came on Amaechi which indicated that there were some issues and I said yes, there are some issues, going by the report.”

He said he was not happy with the court verdict which declared Amaechi winner of the election since he did not physically participate in the exercise.

He said he found the judgment awkward in the sense that, “how can a man who had not contested an election, was not voted for, be declared winner? I laugh about it, but kept quiet.”

He said the issues Amaechi had with his candidature were straightened by the judgment of the Supreme Court.

“He took it to the higher court and at the Supreme Court, he won and that was the end. As far as I am concerned, the issues have been straightened out.”

Obasanjo challenged those who are not satisfied with the apex court’s verdict to take their case to God. To strengthen the frotsy relationship between Amaechi and his predecessor, Dr Peter Odili, he appealed to Amaechi not to blame his predecessor, former Governor Peter Odili, for his failure to emerge the PDP flag bearer in the April 2007 election, saying that he (Obasanjo) should be held responsible for that action.

“I phoned Amaechi not to take anything against his predecessor. Hold me responsible for whatever decision taken against you, not your predecessor,” he said.

“When you invited me, many people said I should not come. They said for security. There is nothing more dangerous than fear. At my age what should I fear even if it is death?”

Turning to the governor, he said “If I die tomorrow, send a cow for my funeral. They told me that one road named after me was cancelled by you (Amaechi). Why should I come, they asked me? If anybody named anything after me, good luck to him. I am not working for Nigerians to name roads after me. I want my name to be in the minds and heart of people of the world, not necessarily on roads. If you invite me and I didn’t come because of the road that was cancelled, then I don’t deserve to be honoured, I will be petty,” he said.

the trains will start to work and we will put our enemies to shame.”

Furthermore, he asked why the people of the state were treated in such manner saying “the people are asking what has this government done for us and when I say this government, I am talking about the government at the national level. That is the problem. I know you see the president regularly and I know you talk to the president regularly. Let me on behalf of the Rivers state people send this message across to the president through you that the following things have happened to us for just voting for Mr President. We have the syringe factory, and we signed an agreement with the federal government that it will buy 500 million syringes. The president and the Minister for Health agreed but few months after, they refused to sign. What was their reason for not signing it, they said Amaechi is fighting the president?

Am I Rivers state? My name is Amaechi and I am the governor of Rivers state. By 2015, I will no longer be the governor. If the president allows that factory to go on, today, Rivers people would have benefited from it. People are dying for using the

,,

Gala nite

The politics of Obasanjo’s visit to Rivers

Having gone round to commission projects initiated by the Amaechi administration, Obasanjo was hosted to a gala nite.

After settling down, the governor expressed his displeasure at the alleged attempt by the federal government to stifle development in the state.

He told Obasanjo that “the reason why we invited you to Rivers state is because some young boys, who by the grace of God, have been appointed to Abuja, just sit down and assume the role of God and of how they made us governor. They did not talk about corr uption. Luckily, of all criticisms against me, I am yet to see somebody who is yet to accuse us of being corrupt. What we have done is to show you how we have spent our money.

The only thing remaining for the monorail to start running is the terminal and once the terminal is roofed,

built health centers and we would have improved on the lifestyle of our people.

“Baba, water borne diseases are killing our people. Tell Mr President that I have spoken with the world bank and they have agreed to release the money. The Minister of Finance, her name is Mrs Okonjo Iweala of international repute has refused to sign a document that will enable the release money for them to begin the construction of pipe borne water for Rivers people. So many persons are dying everyday because of water-borne diseases, they do not care for the lives of people.

“I just want to pass this message to you because I know you see him regularly but I do not see him, it is nearly a year since I got to the villa to see Mr President. So, I assume that as a former president, you see him and when you go, tell him that this message is from the governor of Rivers state and the Rivers people to our dear president. He comes from the South South and Rivers state is in the South South, baba welcome.”

Obasanjo’s response

When it was time for him to respond,

All good things must have some opposition. That is what I told the governor on Monday that to thyself and to thy people, be true, do not mind what the opposition says because too many people may not know what it takes and how it takes, but when they come to know, they will say well done wrong syringes. We said let us save Nigeria by bringing a syringe factory, today our goods are at the seaports because we cannot get the president to sign the paper. That is one sin we committed for voting for Mr President.”

Appealing to the former president to intervene in the imbroglio, he said, ”Baba you see Mr President and that is why we want you to convey the message. Mr President encouraged us to buy two helicopters for surveillance, we have paid $30 million for those helicopters but for two years, they are packed in the USA and we are paying demurrage. Why are they not inside Nigeria? They have refused to allow it come in because it is for Rivers people.

We would have used it for something else. If Mr President knew he was not going to allow us to bring it in, he should have told us to use our money for something else. We would have built schools, we would have

Obasanjo disappointed the governor, the audience and members of the press present.

It was the belief of all present that a political statement would be made where Obasanjo would lampoon the federal government under the leadership of President Jonathan.

Instead, he said “I have said it earlier that I am here not to politick, I am here not to receive a message, I am here not deliver a message, I am here to see development. I am here to hear development, I am here to talk development.”

He added that “I have come with my delegates, I have heard, I have seen and I have come to declare. Seeing is believing and I what I see, I believe and what I believe, I will talk about. What we have seen in the rural areas of the state, the infrastructure is worth believing and is worth declaring.

On the basis of that I will just say this, that you should not worry about people

who do not like you as much as you will want them to like you, you should worry about your conscience and your God and the people who voted for you.”

He urged the governor not be perturbed by the criticism that would come his way but said, “If you are doing what your conscience says is right for the people of Rivers state, keep on doing it. Know that there is God who, if you do not satisfy him, has the final judgment. So, do not worry about those who cannot kill the soul, they can kill the body if they like or those who will try and pull you down, worry about God and the people you are voted to serve and your conscience.

“If people oppose you, leave them in the court of God, provided you are doing the right thing. Let us have politics with principles, love and not politics with bitterness.

All those messages you want to send me, take it and deliver them yourself.

I really thank you all for honoring me, we have been enthusiastically received, we have seen and we have been seen and it was a great day”, he said.

Commends monorail project

Having completed his two day visit to the Garden City, Journalists approached Obasanjo to get his verdict on the Amaechi administration.

Commenting on the monorail project, which has been widely criticized by opponents, he said “anything that you are doing and there is no opposition, you should take a second look at it. The Ivory tower, which is a land mark monument for the French, when it was being built, some people said the man who built it should be killed. All good things must have some opposition. That is what I told the governor on Monday that to thyself and to thy people, be true, do not mind what the opposition says because too many people may not know what it takes and how it takes, but when they come to know, they will say well done.”

Confessing his ignorance of the monorail project, he said “ I did not know there was something of that magnitude to that extent. But when I saw it, I know that the only state that can do that now with the deficit of power that we have now is PortHarcourt because the state generates over 700 mega watts and it can dedicate 20 mega watts to that mono rail. There is no other state that can do that. So, that is my own assessment.”

With the above words, Obasanjo ended his two day visit to Rivers state.

20—SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

•Peace Anyiam-Osigwe

By BENJAMIN NJOKU

T

en years ago, a dream was hatched by a woman who believes in celebrating and recognising the individual talents that abound in the continent of Africa. Then, while many were busy chasing other mundane things that would enrich their pockets, she was busy preparing a future and strategising on how to launch African film makers into the global stage. Despite the fact that the western countries refused to acknowledge that anything good could come out of the continent, she practically sacrificed her comfort in order to bring African film makers to the limelight when she established a reward body that recognises and celebrates the enormous talents in Africa.

Today, having pursued that dream vigorously and sustained it after 10 years, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe can look back with pride and beat her chest that establishing the African Movie Academy Award, AMAA, remains the best thing that ever happened to the continent. Indeed, her decision to dump the legal profession in order to give African film makers a voice in the world of film making was not a wasted effort after all.

Peace recounts that, while pursuing the AMAA dream, she was tempted severally to abandon the dream following the unavoidable frustration and other unforeseen circumstances that characterised the organisation of the event.

Specifically, she regretted that in the past 10 years, Africans have not been able to separate her from AMAA as an entity. “There were times, I decided that enough is enough. I got tired and wanted to hands off.

When you keep on pursuing a dream and people almost personalise it, it becomes frustrating. In the past 10 years, I have wanted people to separate Peace AnyiamOsigwe from AMAA. Peace is a different person while AMAA is an entity. I have a lifestyle that is totally different from AMAA. It is also frustration when you would be expecting your sponsors to release the needed funds to execute the project,”she recounted. Peace’s passion for promoting humanity didn’t start overnight. It has been with her since she was a child. Being one of those children who had a fore-knowledge of what she wanted in life, getting a degree in Law was just to satisfy her parents who insisted that must have a structured education. That is why no sooner she

I don’t mind complains because I grew up as a writer. I accept criticisms, it only makes me better and stronger, that’s a reality

bagged her Law degree than she dropped the certificate on the laps of her mother and left in pursuit of her lifetime dream in filmmaking.

Recounting her story, Peace said, “I never wanted to study Law. I’m a creative person but my mum wanted me to have a structured education. My dad suggested that I should go and study Law and I did. Anybody who knew the kind of relationship that existed between my father and I, would know that once he gave an instruction, I must obey him.

But my father knew that immediately I was done with my education, I was going to go back to what I wanted to do in life-creativity.

My mum is still with my law certificate and she can keep it because she knows I’m not going to use it.”

Peace said, apart from pursuing the AMAA dream, she’s also into so many things. “I write a lot, and I work for my late dad’s foundation. I also work with my brothers in the businesses that they do. On the other hand, I trade. I love fabrics and I sell fabrics. It’s my passion and selling fabrics is one thing I have done while I was a young girl till now. I used to run a shop in London where I sold fabrics. I make cushion covers and stuff like that. I’m a very creative

person. So, I do a lot of things with my hands; from Aromatherapy to reflexology, massage. I have different escentric things that I do. But I enjoy readings, watching films and listening to a lot of music. So, when I’m writing, I intend to listen to music. When I’m selling my fabrics, I’m having fun as well.”

Peace was like a tom boy in her family. Loved by her late father, her seven brothers misunderstood her when they think she is ‘totally mad’, because she is a creative person.

Her late father knew that his daughter was not a normal person. Just as her ageing mother would want her to always be around and take good care of her as the only daughter. But unfortunately, Peace is always on board, travelling from one African country to another , promoting what we have come to know as our own. Her father made no difference between male child and the female. He actually brought her up very tough but never took away from her that she is a girl. However, he did not keep anything concerning the family’s business, the houses, cars, etc away from her. She enjoyed equality with her brothers.

However, taking stock of the AMAA journey in the past 10 years, Peace owed the success the academy has recorded so far to her family, saying that without the support she enjoyed from her immediate family, she wouldn’t have been able to go far with the project. She

lamented lack of governments and corporate sponsorship of the project that unites African film makers. “Some years, we’ve not even been paid by certain people. We don’t come out to complain, this hasn’t been done or that hasn’t been done by the state, but if I didn’t have the family behind me, I probably wouldn’t do that for the past 10 years.”

Apart from her family, Peace specifically mentions certain persons who were instrumental to the realisation of the AMAA dream. The likes of former Governor DSP Alamieyesiegha of Bayelsa State; Oronto Douglas, who was Commissioner for Information in Bayelsa State during the maiden edition of AMAA but now Senior Special Assistant to President Jonathan; American actor Danny Glover who puts in a good word to let put people outside Nigeria know that the Nigerian security issue is not as bad as it is made to look in the international media; Tony Elumelu, former MD of UBA, and Oba Otudeko of Airtel who supported AMAA and made it an African brand.

Noting that the budget for the maiden edition of AMAA was not up to $5000, Peace said, “We spend over $5000 on tickets every year. Today, AMAA is a huge budget, it runs into millions of Dollars because we have the nomination and we have the awards night itself.”

She cited 2013, as a very difficult year for AMAA. “2013 was a very difficult year for us logistically. But interestingly, it was one of the years that we planned very well;there were a lot of issues, people claimed they were strangled and I begin to wonder how one could come into Nigeria with one way ticket. It’s not possible. How can we abandon our guests. I don’t mind complains because I grew up as a writer. I accept criticisms, it only makes me better and stronger, that’s a reality.”

When asked to describe AMAA in the past nine years, Peace compared it to one of the books detailing Nelson Mandela’s life-‘Long Walk to Freedom’. AMAA , she said, is still a walk in progress, as she has not arrived her destination.

“It is long walk for people to recognise and appreciate the talents that are in Africa.Looking back today, AMAA has set a new record as a uniting force among African film makers. Every year, film makers from across the continent look forward to attending AMAA. And the history of Nollywood cannot be complete today without the pioneering role AMAA has played in

the internationalising the industry.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014 — 21

C M Y K

22—SATURDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

Vanguard, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014 — 23

C M Y K

24 —SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

Karen Igho

Why EME, Skales parted ways !

survives!

W

BY STORIES KEHINDE AJOSE

R

aoul John Njeng-Njeng whose stage name is Skales has parted ways with Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) records.

The ‘Mukulu’ crooner’s contract with the label expired recently. But the label’s management refused to renew the contract. Banky W, the Co–founder of EME is said to have confirmed the development. Those in the know revealed that EME’s decision not to renew Skales’ contract was based on the fact that the label wasn’t getting return on investment they made on him.

The talented rapper has deleted anything that has to do with EME from his Twitter

*Skales account as well as facebook page. At the moment, he has a new management deal with M.et.al. Entertainment, an artiste and talent management company working with the likes of Dammy Krane, Kel among others.

Industry bigwigs, however, have been reacting to Skales’ exit from EME. Reacting to the development, Uduak oduok, lawyer and creator of Africa Music Law blog said, “EME confirms that they have dropped him from their label, and also have the audacity to couch it as some sort of bad investment with no real return on investment. EME has a right to do what it deems fit with its business practices including, deciding who goes and who stays. In fact, Skales is no saint and we saw that in recent times. If EME refuses to renew Skales’ contract, that is fine. EME should, however, spare us with the “profitable venture” language.”

inner of 2011 Big Brother Africa(BBA), Karen Igho who has been down with cancer related ailment for some time now, is hale and hearty again.

The Warri, Delta State-born On Air Personality traveled to the UK towards the end of last year to undergo cancer treatment, having been diagnosed of suffereing from the deadly disease.

Confirming the cheering news on her Twitter account, Karen said, “ I am so happy, I am now cancer free. Thank you all for your prayers and support. God bless you all. Thank you Lord for giving me a second chance to live. I will praise you forever.”

The controversial showbiz personality last year announced that she has been diagnosed with cancer. After she made the announcement on Twitter, Karen became invisible on the social media.

Daddy Sho wk ey stages a comebac k!

Showk wke comeback!

D

addy Showkey, the galala exponent, self-styled Ghetto Soldier and all-round master entertainer, made a spectacular comeback as he took the stage to entertain thousands of children, mothers and fathers with his golden hits including Somebody Call My Name, Dyna and Fire Fire at the Nnenna & Friends Valentine Show.

The show, which took place last Sunday, at the National Theatre, Lagos, was attended by entertainment-oriented families. as the audience was also excited to witness outstanding performances by Nnenna and the N-Stars, Papa Ajasco & Company, The Oshadipe Twins, MC Prince, Desmond Osarobe, Universal Crew, wapTV’s Omonla and an exclusive never-before-seen live performance by Superstory’s Chief Ahun.The event was attended by over 5,000 fun-seekers who all went home with numerous gifts and products. Meanwhile, preparations have already commenced for the Nnenna and Friends Easter show, coming up on Sunday, April 20, at the same venue.

*Showkey

HOTFLASHES!

*Karen

HOTFLASHES!!

Don Jazzy signs new female singer

T

*Di’Ja C M Y K

he Marvin Records Boss, Don Jazzy has finally signed a new female act to compliment Tiwa Savage’s effort in his empire.

The newly signed artiste, Hadiza Blell a.k.a Di’Ja, is a Nigerian –Sierra Leonean damsel who’s got a splendid voice. She is an emerging artiste based in Canada. Her first single ‘Rock Steady’ was nominated for the Best Urban /R and B single at the 2009 Canadian Radio Music Awards. After her official unveil, Di’ja releases her first single for the Nigerian music market titled, “Yaro.” The song is an upbeat love song with a hausa fused beat and progression. Di’ja croons about her love interest in the song and Donjazzy supports with his resplendent harmonies.

HOTFLASHES!!!

Burna Bo y’s Boy’s deadly tatt oo tattoo

I

t really does nobody any good to be obsessed with inking parts of their body. Burna Boy who has covered his body with dozens of tattoo paintings in the past, seems not to be done yet, as he recently posted pictures of another tattoo boldly imprinted on his neck. The new tattoo looks like a bird in flight, he had shared it caalling it ‘art,’ specifically saying: ‘#Artistic representation #FREEDOM‘, as he posted the photo.

*Burna

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

CeCe Winans, Sammie Okposo storm Warri

By SAM EYOBOKA

M

ultiple Grammy award winning American gospel singer, Priscilla Marie Winans Love who has won numerous awards including 10 Grammys and seven Stellars will be star attraction at an annual women convention in Warri, Delta State come March, this year.

Priscilla, known professionally as Cece Winans who has sold 16 million records across the globe will be making her first trip to the oil producing region for this year’s

*Cece Winans

Daughters of Sarah Convention at the International Gospel Centre of the Word of Life Bible Church, Warri.

According to the organiser of the Daughters of Sarah Convention and wife of the CAN president, Pastor (Mrs) Helen Oritsejafor, Cece, who is popular for such hits as ‘I promise’, ‘I surrender all’, ‘Allabaster Box’, ‘It wasn’t easy’, ‘His strength is perfect’ and ‘Comforter’, has accepted an invitation to attend the event.

She will be joined at the event scheduled for March 20-26, by Nigeria’s superstar gospel crooner, Sammie Okposo as well as Linda Etukudo, just as the church Milk and Honey Choir have intensified preparations for the programme titled; ‘Discovery to recover’.

Pastor Oritsejafor therefore, enjoined Nigerian women and their male counterparts to avail themselves of the “meat” that will be served by each of the minsters at the 7-day conference.

— 25

Waconzy lobbies Jonathan for 20 15 2015

2

015 elections is fast approaching and Waconzy is making his intentions clear about hopping on the GEJ team . He tweeted at the Presidential Spokesperson, Reuben Abati declaring his intentions.

The Niger Delta pop singer, plainly stated he should be carried along by Mr. President since he was one of those that campaigned for him in 2011 at no cost.

Waconzy also stated that he spent over N4 million supporting the president during his last campaign.

Knorr Taste Quest heads for showdown U

nilever Nigeria’s flagship cooking reality TV show tagged, Knorr Taste Quest (KTQ) is gradually drawing to the final showdown with four contestants down from the initial 14 finalists.

At stake is a first prize of N2 million cash, a Ford Eco Sport SUV and Kenwood kitchen equipment while N1 million cash and Kenwood kitchen equipment, and N500,000 cash and Kenwood kitchen equipment goes to the second and third place winner, respectively.

It was a roller coaster of a ride last week as contestants were grouped into two teams for their task and at the end Adetola Kehinde was evicted. However, this week, contestants are tasked to impress the judges by preparing

*Waconzy Knorr Taste Quest judges

five separate tasters that can be eaten in one bite in 50 minutes using these five pieces of meat; Minute Steak, Rump Steak, Prime Piece of Pork, Lamb and Goat meat.

They are expected to do so with the following ingredients; Cashew

nuts, Beet, Aubergines, Zucchini ,Carrots, Pumpkin and Ginger of which at least two of them must be featured in each taster.

After a really intense cooking time, the contestants finally presented their tasters to the judges.

Fun, as ‘Closeup Cupid Games’ sends five couples to Australia

Miss Curvy 2014 gathers momentum

A

ll is now set for the maiden edition of Miss Curvy 2014, courtesy of Thick African Fab, a modeling, fashion and entertainment company that desires to mould thick curves into Alist personalities.

The organizers of the beauty pageant billed to hold in the last week of May 2014, are already planning and mobilizing for its nationwide auditions, which kick starts in the months of March and April, respectively.

According to the boss of Thick African Fab, Choice Hinkelmann a.k.a JJ, the concept was borne out of the zeal to promote the plus size dream and give opportunities to every curve size individual to have a sense of self-confidence, as well as stature in the fashion industry.

The pageant will also support the fight against diabetes by creating awareness that will help sustain the campaign of eradicating the scourge of the deadly disease in the society.

I

*Banky W

t was an exciting evening at the Unilever sponsored, Masked Valentine Ball tagged, ‘Closeup Cupid Games’ where five young couples won a week long trip to Magnetic Island in Australia.

The five lucky couples who emerged as the final winners of the Valentine promo and drawn from across Nigeria are Nwachukwu Ikenna and Cynthia Ada Ugochukwu; Odinaka George and Bridget Iweriso; Babatunde Popoola and Olukemi Lidipe; Mudiaga Akpudje and Sosia Opuda as well as Ifeanyi Paul Onyebuchi and Okonkwo Patience.

Phase 2 bar giv e N1m tto o dancer give dancerss

I

n a bid to discover young talents, the management of Phase 2 Ba, a subsidiary of Phase Entertainment has put up a dance competition tagged, N1M Phase 2 Bar Dance Talent hunt. The competition that started since 1st of February, according to the program coordinator. Miss Dupe Oke . It will run for 40 weeks with 40 winners emerging every week. Each winner will go home with instant N20,000 cash prize.

This means that at the end of the program, the orgnisers will have given N800,000.

All winners are expected to compete for the grand finale prize of N200,000 in December 2.

C M Y K

26—SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

08111813022 resolved to severe our business relationship with her because she have shown strong disregard to the rules of professional conduct and abuse on the terms of p r o d u c t i o n contracts.”

Ajaegbu said, the ban was a “factor of mixed truth and falsehood.”

‘The issue in question has no bearing on her fee or charges as widely speculated.

It is a function of misconduct, unjust and unfair treatment of film producers. We are obviously not agitated over what Mercy is being paid because, we pay the bills. We are strongly agitated because we anticipate that professional justification ought to have been given to the contract to act or perform. We believe that the sanctity of contract ought to have been respected.

The facts as we know before are that some of our

m e m b e r s contracted Mercy at a particular scale of charge, when she collected money from higher bidders, she disregarded the contracts at lesser price and to some, she gave stringent and unprofessional conditions. We had written a letter to her in this regard about a year ago.

The letter was a private advice from our union as well as a caution. We thought it wise to first caution her in case it was an unconscious attitude. Her inconsiderate attitude of disregarding this untold hardship on producers leaves us with no option, than to severe this uncommon relationship. It is not a ban, but simply a survival strategy.

We took our time to investigate these allegations and came to the conclusion that they are not spurious. We did strong internal engagements, disagreements before arriving at the actual prove of facts relating to this issue.

Since the speculation in late October, last year, we had anticipated her to demonstrate some sort of remorse. What we see is more of blackmail and ridicule.

What is said to the world by her publicist was the tale of how we are unable to afford her charges or portray our people as envious of what she is being paid.”

Mercy Johnson’s ban:

Movie marketers break silence T

he last may not have been heard in respect of the controversy surrounding the alleged ban of the star actress, Mercy Johnson last year by the movie marketers.

It was gathered during the week that the marketers have vowed not to lift the ban until the actress has tendered a letter of apology to them through their umbrella body, Film and Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria, FVPMAN. But HVP’s findings, however, revealed that all is not well with the rank and file in the marketers’ body since they slammed the ban on the actress for being expensive.

According to a reliable source, while the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the association, Mr Nobert Ajaegbu granted an interview last year, disowing the

proposed ban of the actress, his aggrieved members who were dissatisfied with his action have refused to pay their dues to the association.

Following this development, Mr. Ajaegbu is said to have changed his position in order to give peace a chance. He told HVP that he decided to retrace his steps after he found out that Mercy Johnson actually committed all the things she was accused of. “It was a case of established indiscipline on the part of Mercy Johnson,”Ajaegbu said.

Meanwhile,in a statement made available to HVP, Ajaegbu who doubles as FVPMAN spokesman, addressed some of the salient issues surrounding Mercy’s alleged ban. According to him, “We did not ban Mercy because; we have resolved never to play ourselves god in any one’s life. We only

Mbong: Why I’m still bearing my ex-husband’s surname E

x-wife of prolific film maker and director, Jeta Amata, Mbong has been explaining why she’s still bearing her exh u s b a n d ’ s surname, “Amata.”

According to her, bearing the surname does not change anything.The beautiful actress, who recently staged a comeback to acting, after featuring in Emem Isong’s new movie, “Apaye” said, she is forever connected to her ex-husband because of the 5-year old child they had together.

Describing former husband as a ‘great friend’ , Mbong said, she was first married to her friend before a husband.

“That was why we were civil enough to know that even if the marriage didn’t work, we were still friends and that is the bedrock of whatever it is that we have. We are connected for life. We have a 5-year old child together.

Kenneth Okonkwo eyeing politics?

W

here there’s smoke, there’s fire. This, explains the new position of Kenneth Okonkwo who

ruled the silver screen in the 90s, with his role as ‘Andy ’ in that pioneering film, “Living in Bondage.” He is definitely on a

mission to conquer the legal profession.

In fact, since he was called to the bar few years ago, Andy has shown more euthusiasm taking the centrestage when it comes to disccussing national issues as well as the legal profession, than he’s spotted on movie set.

Oftentimes, the star of ‘Living in Bondage’ has appeared on a television programme, discussing national issues effortlessly. Recently, he was on AIT, on the programme, “National C o n f e r e n c e Modalites:Overcoming the Hurdles”, and Andy was at his best.

Those who watched the programme were not only shocked and amazed at the meaningful contribution he made while the programme lasted, but they were certain that the thoroughbred actor will delve into politics someday.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, FEBRU ARY 22, 2014—27 FEBRUARY

always remember was the first time I was on a camera.

What has been the inspiration in an acting career when you studied linguistics? Is it because the industry is lucrative?

No! Acting is just my passion and I am doing it because I have the love for Acting and I believe I can be the change in Nollywood.

What is your perception about the movie industry in view of some of the challenges up coming artistes face particularly from the male folks?

Well, my own opinion is you have to be good in all you do. Have faith in yourself ,wait for your time and don’t compromise regardless of who is involved believing that when it is my time nothing can stop me by the Grace of God. What would be your passion other than acting?

Nothing but acting.

What do you think about Nollywood?

Nollywood is the second largest film industry and I believe we can still do better.

•Catherine Williams

Acting is just what I love doing

—Catherine Williams (a.k.a. Cathy Williams)

I

t is no longer news that you don’t have to practise what you studied. Just as we have seen a good number of people with medical or scientific background working today in the banking industry or in industries not related to their field of study. Cathy Williams studied Linguistics but has a strong desire to build a career in the movie industry. Catherine,25, is a fast rising star in the Nollywood industry. She met with Vanguard Youthful Vibes to tell her little story.

Please tell us about your background. was born 25 years ago. Today, I am a graduate of Linguisitics from the University of Calabar and I possess a professional certificate from the Nigerian Institute of Management. I was posted to Ekiti State where I did my Youth Service with the Ekiti State House of Assembly. Ikono in AkwaIbom State is my native land.We are five of us in my family, my parents, I have a brother and a sister while I am the first daughter and the second of them. One significant thing, I will

I

What movies have you featured in?

Sexy ladies cult,Crazy girls,beauties of the night,Sound of Tears,Crazy Sex,Uniben Babes,Joy of Tears,The Flatmate,Twinkling Luck(Soap-opera),Naija Laff(Short film) to mention but a few.

Who are your mentors

in the industry?

Joke Silva,Queen Nwokoye, Rita Dominic and Nse Ekpe Etim.

Acting is just my passion and I am doing it because I have the love for Acting and I believe I can be the change in Nollywood

Is your current role affecting young people positively?

Yes, because it gives you confidence about yourself and some other young people want to emulate you and see that it is good to think positive of oneself.

YOUNG NIGERIANS MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

Eseosa Angel Osayande E

seosa Angel Osayande, also known as "Angelwhite" born to a Nigerian parents in the ancient city of Milano,Italy. However, he moved back to Nigeria at the age of 4 for his primary and secondary education and later moved to the US to study. He is back home to do music full time and also returned with his musical and fashion skills. He dropped his first official single 'Sweet Poraro' and this gained wide acceptance by music lovers all over the country.

After the good reception, he dropped a 'club banging hit' which happened to be his second single titled, "Tungba".

The song is aired/played nation wide on the streets, clubs, radio, online, TV and numerous events in the country. He is also working with some A-list acts in the country and Europe which he plans to include in his album.

Angel studied Business Management at TCI College of Technology, New York; acquired a Medical Asst.

Certificate at Allen School, Queens New York city and did a certificate course on Fashion Design with IED, Milano Italy.

He also volunteers as a Nurse helper in Newyork Nursing home and can pass for an active human right activist.

What are the imminent challenges you encountered building this career?

The industry is large, as there are a lot of upcoming actors and actresses.

You can rule out the discouragement from friends; many people see Acting as a hobby and not a profession.

There is also the notion about: “if you wanna become a Star, grace my bed,” but you just have to be strong and focused.

What would be your advice to other young people who want to follow your path?

Believe in yourself. Be focused, be consistent in all you do and trust me... the Sky will be your starting point and finally above all Pray, prayer works.

•Eseosa Angel

28—SATURDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

08111813050

Fabulous life of rich Nigerian comedians

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hen comedy started gaining recognition in Nigeria in the 1980s, those on the scene then would rather prefer to lean more on the business side of Mastering a Ceremony (MC) than mainly cracking jokes. The likes of Mohammed Danjuma of blessed memory, Ali Baba, Ibokoko, Barsorge, Agoma, Alarm Blow, and a few others were those who saw it all. However, at the time when everyone thought it scornful to be addressed as a comedian but would prefer the MC tag, Ali Baba came up

courageously and creatively in the late 80s/early 90s, and subsequently changed history by pioneering stand-up comedy. He saw the immense business opportunities in the industry and took advantage of the market.

Today, the amount of money comedians charge per show surpasses the annual income of a regular banker.Many of them are even getting richer and splurging on everything from plush estates, to dream cars while some are donating to charity as well.

ALI BABA

T

he story of comedy in Nigeria will not be complete without the name, Ali Baba. Born, Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere, Ali Baba is described today as the godfather of Nigerian comedy.

He indeed, started a revolution that inspired some big names in the industry.

He started comedy business in Ekpoma in 1987. In 1990, he came to Lagos and after being rejected by his father who preferred him to become a lawyer, he made his first million. When he landed Ojota, he had only N15 with him, and in 1998, he erected three billboards in strategic locations in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Marina with the messageAli Baba-Being Funny Is

Serious Business.

That strategy turned comedy into an appealing and lucrative business.

Today, Ali Baba is not only the King of Comedy, he is rated as the richest comedian in the continent of Africa. He worths billions of naira.

Ali Baba who performs for government and the nouveau rich is also a lover of luxurious automobiles. He has over 10 customised exotic cars aside owning choice properties in Abuja, Lagos, Delta and Port-Harcourt. His interests also span across investment in the banking sector, event management, fashion, hospitality, import and export business.

JULIUS AGWU

T

he fact that Julius Agwu is one of the most sought after comedians in Nigeria today did not come on a platter of gold. From all indications, the Choba born artiste is so many things rolled into one. He is an actor, a musician, a compere and an entrepreneur.

From a humble beginning in Choba, Port-Harcourt where he began his career, Agwu is one of the very few comedians who are living large in Nigeria.

Right from his village when he began hawking, he would as a matter of habit stop by at the market square to mimic a popular drug vendor known as Uncle JB thereby attracting passers by who would laugh off

BASKETMOUTH

F

or many, Bright Okpocha popularly known as Basketmouth is rated to be the second richest comedian in the country today after Alibaba. This assertion may likely be borne out of his numerous national and international endorsement deals which includes Globacom and Virgin Atlantic.

Some even ranked him as Nigeria’s biggest comedy brand as he has been breaking into international mainstream comedy shows, earning thousands of dollars. For instance, four years ago, he was voted second Best Comedian in Africa by MNET’s Studio 53 Extra.

He has recently performed series of comedy shows in major cities in the United States of America, London, South Africa.

For the last five years, Okpocha has earned higher than any comedian in the country.

Impressively successful in his profession,

the spontaneous and talented comic act who started out as a rap artiste also had a rough road to stardom. Many people contributed to the success of Okpocha when he was coming up. In 2000, after a standing ovation performance, he had to beg an artiste, Six Foot Plus for transport fare to go home to his Railway Compound where he was staying. Earlier, in 1988, he was to be paid N10,000 to perform at a sent forth event until Tony Tetuila put in a word for him and his fee was raised to N30,000.

He was in high spirit when he got home and gave his mother N25, 000 and went to then Tejuosho Yaba market with the remaining N5,000 to buy a shirt, pants and shoes for his first big show. All that as it is often said are history as the Abia State born multimillionaire comedian rakes over N80m from his ‘African Kings of Comedy’, ‘Lord of the Ribs’ and ‘Basketmouth Uncensored’ shows.

their worries and still stop to watch him mimic different characters wherever they come across him.

As a result of his daily hawking, he became a perpetual late comer to school and for his punishment, his teacher would tell him to entertain the class before taking his seats. Even at that tender age, Agwu was also a chorister in his local church and ranked amongst the best male vocalist. Later in life, he originated what is known today as musicomedy. In 2000, his first album, Okombo which was inspired by Awilo Logomba and enjoyed nationwide and beyond, received lots of nominations. He went ahead to release another successful album, ‘My

Style’ in 2003 and ‘D’ Genius’ in 2010.

Today, the success story of Agwu fondly called the D Genius continues as he handles many A-list events in Nigeria and beyond. Agwu has taken comedy shows to different parts of the world like Atlanta, Maryland, London, among others. Foremost amongst his annual comedy shows are; Comedy Train, Crack Ya Ribs and Laff for Christ Sake.

A graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt, Agwu is the MD/CEO of Reellaif Limited, a music sand movie production company. He is also an entertainment consultant and motivational speaker. He is also a philanthropist and cruises in state of the art cars. He is happily married with two children.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 22, 2014—29

The ‘A Y’ Brand ‘AY’

A

yo Richard Makun, better known as AY, is another successful show host who is skilled in his art. The Delta State born stand-up comedian had been into showbiz for several years before his path crossed with that of his mentor, Ali Baba in 2005.

The Theatre Arts graduate of the Delta State University gained fame through impersonating Rev. Chris Okotie in his hilarious jokes. By 2006, AY was named the Best Up-Coming Comedian in Nigeria.

Before taking comedy as a career, AY once tried his hands in dry cleaning, bar tending, scavenging, and barbing. The comedian who has also featured in several home videos is well known for his live shows as well as his television programme, The AY Show. The TV show won the Best TV Comedy Show in 2008, while he was awarded a UN Peace Ambassador in 2009 after winning six different awards in 2008.

The multitalented comedian rakes in millions of naira from organising shows within and outside the country. He also has endorsement deals from multinationals worth several millions of naira.

From 2007 to 2012, AY was reported to have earned over N230 million from different shows and endorsements. In 2007, he held Lagos spellbound when the second edition of AY Live, Lagos Invasion drew a record crowd forcing him to do two shows instead of one, as planned.

He added a luxury Range Rover Sport, worth N18 million, to his fleets of cars some months ago. Like his mentor, Ali Baba, AY has huge investment in real estate, event management, Fashion outlets, and hospitality.

Recently, the multiple award-winning stand-up comedians in collaboration with Sun International, operators of the Federal Palace Hotel and Casino

I GO DIE

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hen Comedian I go Die first came into the comedy scene,his long neck and hungry look made people laugh at him whilst he told his jokes. In fact, he looked like a joker trying to earn a living and was nicknamed ‘tolotolo’neck. Today, the joke is on those who laughed at him.He is rolling in big bucks. Few years ago, he splashed a whooping N21 million on two luxury automo-

teamed up to put up the AY Comedy Club dubbed as, The AY’s Open Mic Comedy Club.

The show is a monthly comedy and variety show that entertains a distinct audience of high class.

Also, through his monthly AY’s Open Mic

biles to add to his posh wonders-on-wheels. He was on a two months Europe tour few years ago, performing in France, Holland, Germany, Spain and Belgium.

The Delta State-born humour merchant acquired N14 million worth White-Diamond Cadillac Escalade Hybrid 2012 Model (Platinum Edition) and a reported N7 million worth Range Rover Evogue. Sources close to the comedian said, he owns real estate investments, including a property in Delta and La-

gos.

Last year, he acquired a N30 million white and ash with red interior Rolls Royce Phantom,a wonder on wheels fit kings!

Aside from this, I Go Die has investments totalling into millions of naira, something he never dreamed of as a child who grew up lacking the basic things in life.

The rib-cracker who has been enjoying the best of time with his comedy in and out of the country, no doubt, is one of the best acts in the industry.

Challenge that holds every third Sunday at The National Theatre, Lagos, AY has become the ‘father’ of many upcoming and established acts. The show has discovered the likes of Seyi Law, Elenu, Emeka Smith, MC Shakara and a host of others.

Gbenga Adeyinka D 1st

G

benga Adeyinka D 1st, is a top act in the Nige rian comedy industry. He runs a television show and publishes a comedy magazine, called Laffmattaz. The multi-talented comedian, who has bagged over 40 awards and recognitions, earns million of naira from his partnership with the Nigerian Breweries, maker of Star Larger.

From the Star TV game show, to Star Trek, Star Mega Jamz, and now Star Fortune Promo, the ‘Comedian of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR)’ has earned about N200 million for the seven years business relation with the Nigerian Breweries. He owns several exotic cars and two houses each in Lagos and Ogun States

30 — SARTURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014 Since you came back to acting after years of being away, how many films have you featured in so far?

You know I have been away for five years. I returned to the country in 2012, after my studies abroad. From 2012 till date, I have featured in about eight to ten films. I travelled to America for further studies immediately after featuring in 2face’s “African Queen” video. I studied International Relations in a University in Cyprus.

Why didn’t you study Theater Arts?

A lot of people have asked this question. But I think I just wanted to study something outside of what I am used to, so that, I can broaden my mind.

Your name has become a household name in Nigeria. What would you say is the secret?

I cannot tell you what the secret is. But I am just doing what I know how to do best. I leave the rest to God. He has been the one who has lifted me up and I am very grateful to Him. Aside, acting, what else do you think you can do better?

I am solely into acting for now, trying to reach a level where I can now live and divert into so many other things. At the moment, I am trying to stablise myself in the industry having been away for a long time. I want to get used to the new Nollywood that is quite different from the one I left behind several years ago.

You said, new Nollywood? What’s new about the industry?

Before I left the country for America, there were certain set of practitioners in the industry. But today, the story has change. We now have new faces, who have genuine love for the industry.

People who have so much talents that they want to explore. It is very interesting to have such people in the industry. It more challenging now because, everybody is bringing something new in the industry. The stories are changing and they are becoming more diversified.

So, how do you intend to find your place again in the industry?

The people are not my business. I am just here to work. I just want to put heads together with whoever I come across. Give me what you have, and I bring what I have on the table.

What can you not do without as a very pretty girl?

My eye pack because I love my eyes. I always like to make my lips look good. For the accessories, I can not do without my golden wrist watch. I wear it anywhere I go every day because it gives me good luck. I like big things and that’s why I have to get a big wrist watch.

What does love mean to you?

I am a lover of love. I love to love.

I love to be emotional.Love is something that I appreciate a lot.

Trust me, I am a good lover. I love my fans, my folks, I love the people that matters to me. I love to have people around me.

What is an ideal man to you?

I don’t even know what it is any more. But I think people at different ages have different perspection in respect of what an ideal man is. He should be more intelligent than myself. I need somebody I can learn from him. He should also be able to take care of himself. That’s an ideal man for me. He should not be ugly.

Which part of you body do you think is your selling point?

I think it is my brain. Talking about the physical things that attracts men to me, it depends.

C M Y K

Don’t blame me if my clothes do not cover my boobs — Yvonne Jegede Y

vonne Jegede, one of the girls that featured in Tuface Idibia’s “African Queen” video made a stunning comeback to acting after several years of being away from the industry. Since her return two years, she has been inundated with movie scripts that have kept her very busy. In this interview, she recounts the story of her journey into Nollywood and her personal life.

By ANOZIE EGOLE tion. I was the first child.

For the first five years of my life, I have the whole attention in the world. I am so used to people coming around me. As a child, I got everything I needed.

Tell us about your evolution into Nollywood?

As a child, I never dreamed of going into acting. I loved modeling, and how paparazzis run after models. I never had acting in mind until I met Charles Novia.

When I saw him somewhere in Surulere, I was like; is this Charles Novia! And he turned around and looked at me and said, do I know you? I replied him, saying I saw you on the television yesterday . He quickly asked me if I wanted to become an actress? I replied in the affirmative. He later gave me his call card and invited me for an audition the following day. That was it. While I was still working on the set with Charles Novia, Uzodimma saw me and insisted taht he would feature me in his music video. The next day, I featured in the African queen video. That was how I started my acting career.

When the time comes, I will get married. I have never given it a thought. It’s not about thinking, it is about the right person coming my way

Some people say, it’s my eyes, others prefer my lips and my boobs. So, I do not know. When I love into the mirror, I love everything about myself.

How was your growing up like?

While growing up, I wanted to be a beauty queen. I just like getting atten-

Who are the actresses you look up to?

I love Genevieve Nnaji. I am also a fan of Omoni Oboli, and many others.

Recently you featured in the music video of Sound Sutan. Do you have passion for dancing?

Sound Sultan is a big brother. He called

SATURDAY

Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014—31

Contraception, choice and controversy A

NNA was 19 when she had an unwanted pregnancy. She decided she wanted it terminated. It was a hugely upsetting experience for her particularly because she had not really been very conscientious about contraception. And she knew it. Anna, like many other young, unmarried adults, practiced nonpenetrative sex. So when she missed a period, she went straight to her doctor to have a pregnancy test. It came back negative.

She was quite relieved.

Although she had not used any reliable contraceptive, apart from the occasional condom, Anna did not really expect it would make much difference. Apparently, it did.

W

eirdly, despite the negative pregnancy test result, she was still missing periods. She returned to her doctor, who

a child. It was a hard choice. Although she had only known for three weeks that she was pregnant, her body had known for much, much longer. A reliable contraception used timely would have saved her the agony.

Anna’s case is just a tip of the iceberg. So many women have no access to the right information regarding birth control and contraception. Lack of such correct information and hindered access to contraception are key contributors to unintended pregnancies, and in turn maternal and infant mortality become paramount.

Yet empowering women (men too) and ensuring access to contraception for all individuals is now one of the most critical development strategies

Empowering women (men too) and ensuring access to contraception for all individuals is now one of the most critical development strategies with wide-reaching benefits said there was nothing to worry about —it was probably due to hormonal changes. A short while later, Anna met a woman a few years older who had a child.

She confided that she had found out about her pregnancy too late to have an abortion. Anna was touched and went to another doctor and did another pregnancy test then. This time, the result came back positive. By then she was 22 weeks along. Every doctor she went to told her it was already too late to abort safely. The physician urged her to carry the pregnancy to term. But Anna never felt relieved.

S

he was an undergraduate and had no means of supporting

with wide-reaching benefits. All these point to one thing – an unmet need for contraceptive use. Access to contraception has become the cornerstone in efforts to reducing maternal mortality, and improving the lives of women and their families.

Even the National Population Policy and National Reproductive Health Policy, ultimately, intend to ensure that every man and woman has the opportunity to obtain and use any contraceptives of their choice “at the right place, at the right time, and at the right cost.”

Studies have shown that inadequate

contraception leads to a lot of unplanned pregnancies with the attendant follow-up complications. Health risks of using contraceptives are much less than the risks of unwanted pregnancies for almost all women.

For the individual woman, and man, or couple, the effective ability to control when and whether a

pregnancy is desired. A couple’s choice of birth control method involves factors such as how easy it is to use, safety, risks, cost, and personal considerations.

F

or anyone desirous of birth control or family planning, contraception remains the only way to go.

And there are so many different types of contraception available these days; choice is often

the only problem most people have. Whichever way you look at it, there is a suitable choice for everyone and you should be able to find the right method for you. While choosing the perfect contraception method is not as easy as it appears, the practice trial-by-error is not advisable.

Consult a family planning centre in your area. It is not just about choosing the method you like best, but ensuring that the method you are getting is the one that suits you best.

•Studies have shown that inadequate contraception leads to a lot of unplanned pregnancies .

32—SATURDAY

Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

Human Nature

Under wear under where?

D

o you wear underwear when you are in public all the time, some of the time or not at all? A mischievous lady brandishing a video camera and microphone went around throwing this question boldfaced at unsuspecting passersby recently. Some of those confronted by the unexpected question went red in the face with embarrassment as soon as the microphone was stuck in their face. Others simply hissed and walked away.

But there were a few who adopted a humorous attitude and played along.

Tell me yours and I’ll tell you mine, a young man replied. Fair enough, the lady remarked. Sometimes I wear, sometimes I don’t.

Can you guess if I’m wearing now? This response elicited laughter.

It broke the ice. Everyone relaxed.

Going Commando For some people, going commando (not wearing underwear) is unthinkable.

Responses like “What, me?

Go out without underwear?

Never, I’d die first” are common. But for the more liberated, going commando, certainly has its perks. It is comfortable, practical, and undeniably sexy.

There is a school of thought that believes wearing of underwear, underpants, undies whatever you choose to call them - may be on their way out of fashion. Latest trends indicate that the nounderwear movement or the going commando clique is fast becoming the vogue.

This is not to say it is a new trend however as there are historical records of Cleopatra and Jean Harlow going bare underneath.

Trending celebrities Quite a few celebrities have already adopted the habit of ditching their underwear.

Christina Aguilera recently talked about how much she hates wearing undies. For her, going pantyless is empowering. I like to be as free as possible at all times,

she confessed. Hollywood celebrities like Carmen Electra, Kim Kardashian, and Paris Hilton are well known for their penchant to step outdoors sans panties.

Pop stars including Britney Spears, Rihanna and Kate Perry have openly declared their love for skipping underwear even when on the stage. Notable personalities such as Orlando Bloom and John Hamm have shown that men are not left out of the I-haveditched-my-underwear movement.

Commando perks Not wearing undies is risqué; you get a naughty rush knowing you’re so exposed, explains Los Angeles clinical sexologist Ava Cadell. Removing the barrier that shields your intimate anatomy makes you

more in touch with your innate sensuality.

Drawbacks Ditching your undies has a minor risk of a rash that can result from the delicate skin down below chafing against your outer clothing. Another disadvantage is that it allows germs to have a direct path to your privates.

Going panty-free during the monthly period could make a woman more vulnerable to infections.

Hygiene General belief is that skipping underwear can

promote ventilation and cooling, keeping the nether area more comfortable. Men are often concerned about heat issues or may believe that wearing no underwear promotes fertility.

Women often believe that not wearing it reduces the risk of some infections such as yeast. However, there are conflicting reports about whether or not wearing underwear is sanitary, but as men and women were

simply brought up to believe that not wearing underwear is abnormal, they continue to do so out of habit and personal preference.

Bottom line There are many reasons to not wear underwear, but each person typically has a unique argument. The bottom line is all about personal preference. You can go commando as seldom or as often as you’d like and it’ll be your sexy secret — that is, unless you decide to share.

Diet Doctor Get on the coffee side of life

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f you are feeling guilty about how much coffee you drink, don’t. Moderate coffee consumption may actually be good for you.

Research links drinking coffee to lowered risk of serious health condition, to longevity, and to better moods.

Best source of antioxidants Coffee is a very rich

source of antioxidants that protect from a variety of diseases. Nothing else gives nearly as many as antioxidants as coffee provides. The human body is able to absorb more of the benefits from coffee. And you don’t have to buy the expensive, high-calorie, or extra sweet brands.

Fights diseases Drinking coffee correlates

with lower risks of diabetes and heart diseases, two major contributors to premature death. It could also have a protective effect against Alzheimer’s disease or delay the onset. While drinking caffeinated coffee in moderation won’t necessarily prevent Alzheimer’s, it could significantly decrease the risk or at least delay the development.

Makes you happy Coffee boosts the mood.

At least four cups per day is associated with a 10 percent lower risk of depression. Consuming 2-4 cups of coffee halves the risk of suicide. Coffee assists the body to make neurotransmitters including dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin - chemicals that help to fight depression.

Extends life Coffee is compatible with living a long happy life by elevating the mood and staving off diseases. A published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that people who drank at least three cups daily had a lower risk of death. Both regular and decaffeinated seem to have a positive effect.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014—33

Ifeyemi Morenikeji BanjoAina and Kafayat Jimoh are two Nigerian adolescents bound by providence. They are two of a kind - goodlooking, remarkably talented and enduringly ambitious. Not only are they both living with Sickle Cell Disease, they are impressively charming beauty queens. Ifeyemi, 16, is Nigeria’s first ever Miss Genotype, while Kafayat, 20, is the 1st Runner Up. As Genotype Queens, they are overcoming the challenges of living with a chronic health condition such as Sickle Cell Disease.

Diagnosis Since September 15, 2013, they have been creating knowledge and providing information among their peers about the management, prevention and control of the disorder within the populace.

Ifeyemi, who hails from Epe in Lagos State was diagnosed at a tender age, while Kafayat who hails from Abeokuta, Ogun State, got to know about her condition much later.

A former student of Fluorescent Progressive Academy, Ipaja, Ifeyemi has however, been courageously facing challenges brought on by the disorder. “When I entered for the beauty competition, I just wanted to try because there were people a lot older than me competing. I wrote an essay about myself, my culture and my life. I wrote about how I feel living with sickle cell disorder.”

Experiences Ifeyemi has been criticized and ostracized. “I have been told I would not live long.

Often I have severe crisis, sometimes I cannot walk, my stomach would be turning and I would be on admission for days. But I’m surmounting the odds.

When I was in primary school, everyone knew about my condition. The teachers didn’t dare flog me or rough handle me, but my colleagues were not happy about this. They said I was being favoured for nothing.”

As for Kafayat, she once had a raw deal with her mother.

“I had a bout of crisis and was on admission People need to know that if you are living with sickle cell disease, it does not make you less of a person.”

Regrets When she got to know I was living with Sickle Cell Disease, Ifeyemi was not happy. “There are still times I feel perhaps God is punishing me. I didn’t know much about the disorder before I became queen. But I have never blamed parents for my predicament.”

Kafayat “I’m not ashamed I’m living with sickle cell disease because it is not my

•Ifeyemi

•Kafayat

Lifeline

Ifeyemi and Kafayat: Genotype Queens

fault. If my parents knew, they wouldn’t have got married and I would have been spared the ordeal. But it has happened and I cannot change it. My mother is never happy whenever I’m in crisis, especially because I often blame her for my condition.”

Significance of Miss Genotype As queens, Ifeyemi and Kafayat are Genotype Ambassadors. “I’m the face of persons living with sickle cell disease on the platform of the Genotype Foundation, Nigeria. I’m representing all persons living with the disease in the country. I’m informing and educating the public about the prevention and control of the disease.

I’m teaching people about it so they know that it is real,” Ifeyemi stated.

For Kafayat, the position of 1st Runner up is as important as that of the queen. “We are both faces of the Genotype Foundation.

In this one year, we are helping those with sickle cell disease get free treatment in government hospitals. We are generally helping those affected. In our experience, life with sickle cell disease is very challenging.”

Ambition Ifeyemi wants to be a pharmacist. Her ultimate dream in life is to discover new drugs to make persons with sickle cell disease well.

Kafayat, on her part, wants

If my parents knew, they wouldn’t have got married and I would have been spared the ordeal. But it has happened and I cannot change it

to be a medical doctor. ”I’ve been having it in mind to be a doctor since I was 10. I love the way doctors help the sick get well.”

Message “Don’t lose hope. Don’t think you cannot succeed because of this disease. Just continue to be yourself, don’t listen to the condemnation of others, and most important of all, don’t condemn yourself.

It is like any other disorder.

We need more help from everyone, don’t abandon us or discourage us. Help us,” they urge.

Saving future generations Founder/Executive Director, Genotype Foundation, Nigeria, Mrs. Doris Gbemiloye, says the whole idea is about bringing back hope to the hopeless from sickle cell disorder.

“The Miss Genotype initiative is to see that they bring other people living with the disease and give them courage to get back to their feet. With Miss Genotype and the Genotype Foundation, we want to save the younger generation so having sickle cell disease will be out of choice and not by chance. If you know you genotype and blood group, you will be saving many generations to come.”

34—SATURDAY

P

Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

eople who indulge in sugar-heavy diets are 70 percent more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than those who shun the sweet stuff. Drinking lots of soft drinks nearly doubles the odds. Possibly, frequent, large doses of sugar are toxic to cells, causing damage that leads to cancer.

Only Uncle Ben’s Infused Rice wholesale product recalled

Sugar makes you look younger Fiction! On the contrary, too many sweets can make your skin look older than normal.

Sugar is attracted to collagen, a structural protein in the skin. Normally, collagen keeps skin elastic and supple. But when it hooks up with sugar, its structure changes and it can’t do its job properly, so you end up with a face that looks older.

Sugar causes Type 2 diabetes Fact! Type 2 diabetes (the more common kind) develops from eating too much of anything, including too much sugar. After eating the body breaks down food (sugary or otherwise) into glucose. Too much food translates into too much glucose, signaling the pancreas to crank out high doses of insulin. This causes a pile up of sugar in the bloodstream instead of reaching the cells where it belongs.

M

Fact or Fiction?

Eating lots of sugar raises cancer risk Fact!

Fruit sugar is different from cake sugar Fiction! Sugar is the same to the body, even though fruit sugar is still better. The body treats the natural sugar

in fruit and milk the same way it treats sugar from cake and candy, breaking it down to glucose for fuel and storing the excess as fat. But sugar from fruit gets absorbed slowly, while sugar from cake and other simple sugars increases blood sugar to levels that cause arteries to age

Mother & Child

Worms, a child’s worst enemies

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

I

just got back from work when I met Dolapo at the door. Mummy, Dare and David are running temperature and they could not eat their lunch. Daddy even tried to feed them but they just couldn’t take their food. Alarmed, I rushed into the bedroom where I met the children in question shivering and looking pale.

Actually, they had not been eating their lunch in the last two weeks.

They return home with their lunch box packed they way they went with it to school. I became scared the more because a few days ago, I noticed a sudden change in their C M Y K

countenance. Once happy and energetic children, they are now irritable and refuse to eat. I quickly rushed them to a paediatrician in a nearby private hospital.

Upon examination, the doctor asked the last time I de-wormed them? I could not recall immediately. But she told me the children had intestinal worms.

I was amazed how the children could contract worms when they always eat good food.

But the doctor explained that the worms are in the children’s intestines. They could have caught it when walking around barefoot on infected soil, playing in contaminated water or eating unclean foods maybe in the school. Once these eggs hatch, the worms will

Sugar causes heart disease Fact! Consuming too much sugar raises troublesome blood fats known as triglycerides. When you eat more sugar than your body can burn, your liver repackages it into fat, then takes that fat and dumps it into your bloodstream, where it clogs up the arteries.

grow and lay more eggs in their bodies.

It is upsetting to find out your child not one but two have worm infections. However, getting rid of worms is also easy and relatively quick.

Worm infection does not always show symptoms and when it does, the symptoms may be so slight and gradual they are overlooked. The child may have a sore tummy, weight loss and may be irritable.

Other signs include loss of appetite due to pain or discomfort in the tummy, anaemia – especially with hookworms - a rash – especially hives, nausea, itching or pain around the anus, where the worms entered, trouble sleeping, because of the itchiness, constant coughs, painful and frequent urination due to urinary tract infection, blood in the stool, vomiting diarrhoea, there can be a blockage of the intestines.

Fortunately, almost all worm infections can be treated with oral medication. The doctor will prescribe medicines or de-worming treatments based on the type of worm infection your child has. Don’t buy over the counter remedies.

Ideally a child should get dewormed six months after birth, since this is when they tend to touch various things and put their hands in their mouth. If what they touch is contaminated, it can cause the worms or their eggs to enter the baby’s body and this should be repeated every six months.

ars Foodservices, USA, marketers of Uncle Ben’s Rice Products, has explained that it is voluntarily recalling Uncle Ben’s Infused Rice Product sold for wholesale distribution in response to the temporary symptoms of mild flushing and rash experienced by persons who consumed its Mexican Flavor product.

In a reaction to our last Saturday’s publication entitled “FDA Recalls Uncle Ben’s Rice” the company said the recall is limited to the United States of America because only products in the USA are affected.

While working closely with the Food and Drug Administration, FDA, to investigate the issue, it stated: “Out of an abundance of caution, we are removing all Foodservices Infused Rice products from the market.

This product should not be served or eaten. This action only relates to Uncle Ben’s Infused Rice Products, which are only sold in 5 and 25 lbs. bags. Uncle Ben’s Brand Ready to Heat, Boxed, Bag or Cup Products available in supermarkets and other retail outlets are not involved.

The statement explained that Mars Foodservices Products are manufactured separately and are sold through wholesale distribution channels.

“On February 6 we were made aware that at three Houston schools some people experienced temporary symptoms of mild flushing and rash after consuming Foodservices Infused Mexican Rice flavour product. At that time, we made the decision to remove all Foodservices Uncle Ben’s Infused Rice products from the supply chain. Our network of distributors, brokers, and sales associates immediately started notifying their customers and collecting the product.

“However, it was determined that a limited amount of Foodservices Uncle Ben’s Infused Rice Mars sold through our wholesale distribution channel is available for sale online and at some wholesale stores.

Therefore, we initiated the voluntary recall to ensure that anyone in possession of the product is aware that it should not be served or eaten, but returned to where it was purchased.”

SARTURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014 — 35 any relationship right now.

me and said, I am shooting my music video. Can you come around and give me your support. When I got there, I ended up featuring in the video. This is the third time, I would be featuring in a music video.

I featured in African Queen video, Ego and now, Sound Sutan’s video.

Does that mean you are a dancer?

I am not a dancer. I am not a video vixien. I can go and sit down and have a class cup and champagne.

That is different from dancing. I am not a dancer.

What will you say fame has robbed you of?

The good and the bad.

Good, in the sense that I can walk into anywhere and get favour ,especially in the banking hall. Sometimes, I would be standing in the quene and somebody would walk up to me and asked me how much do you want? And the person would help me to make it faster. But the ugly thing is that, you will not live your life the way you would want to.

You attacked Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson on your twitter handle last year.

What triggered off the attack?

I am not going to comment on it. Everybody took side with Yvonne Nelson, including my friends.

So, I am not going to say anything about it. The whole world was against me. I read the negative reactions of Nigerians online. I was not expecting anything less. Even my own friends who never had any encounter with Yvonne Nelson took side with her.

You have a penchant for revealing some part of your body, may be your boobs. What happened today?

Well, it depends on the clothes. I have big boobs, so, if the clothes are not big enough to cover my boobs you would not blame me for that. I am not the person who made my clothes . I just put the clothes on.

You have passion for revealing some part of your body?

It depends on my mood. If I want to expose my back, I will do that. It goes with my mood.

Is it true that you dated 2face?

I didn’t date 2face. I only featured in his “African Queen” video. I have never kissed him before.

Are you not planning to get married?

When the time comes, I will get married. I have never given it a thought. It’s not about thinking, it is about the right person coming my way. Many ladies have been thinking about settling down for years now, but Mr. right has not come their way.

You are saying that Mr. right has not come your way?

Let’s take it like that. I don’t even have

I didn’t date 2face. I only featured in his “African Queen” video. I have never kissed him before.

Why is it that most actresses do not want to get married?

How do you mean? Do you think that a lady would decide to remain single. As a woman, she still needs a man. If you do not have a man in your life, it is so bad. She can never be a happy woman.

Among the actors in the industry, who do you have crush on ?

Someone asked me this question recently. But, even if I have anybody in mind, do you think I would disclose the person to you.

It is a secret that I keep to myself. I am not going to elaborate on that.

What is your take on the same-sex law in Nigeria?

The answer to the gay law is that, we got some group of people. If you support it, you will have some people that will support you. But if you are against it, you will also, have some group of people who will also support you. So, I am sitting on the fence. I do not want to be on anybody’s bad record. But sincerely speaking, I think for the federal government to pass the bill into law, it must be a very serious matter.

Can you play the role of a lesbian in a movie?

I can play the role but depending on the script. If the script is conveying a moral lesson, yes, I can do it. So, it has to do with what message you are conveying to the people. Secondly, notwithstanding, as an actress, I should be able to play any role.

But, I will gladly play the role as long as I’m not going to kiss a fellow girl on set.

What of acting nude?

No, I cannot for no reason. I have people I am answerable to.

Have you been sexually harassed before now?

Sexual harassment in the industry have to do with what you want. If you want to be sexually harassed, you will be. I am saying that because, even when I am walking on the road, or in the banking hall, I usually get passes. But it depends on what you want. I do not think every director would want to sleep with every girl he comes across. Maybe, I am wrong but, I don’t think it is possible. I have had the experience where a produced would refused to feature me in his movie because I did not sleep with him. They might make their advances to me.

Having featured in many movies, which of them would you say challenged you most?

The more challenging movie I have done since my return is James Town by Ifeanyi Onyeabor. In the movie, I played a role that I have never done before. Most of roles have always been someone who is going to cry, or who has been abandoned and so on.

But in the movie, I played the role of a drug seller. I sold all sorts of drugs. I was meant to move about with a guitar all the time. In this guitar, I concealed all the drugs that I was selling. But when nemesis caught up with me, I got bruised. I was busy hurting myself and I enjoyed every bit of the movie.

Would you say that the role interpreted your real person?

My real person is funny and loving. I have got a very good sense of humor that my friends can’t even contend with, when I start making them laugh. But, the roles I have gotten have nothing to do with my real self.

All the roles I have played, none have really shown my real self.

36—SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

yemisisuleiman670@yahoo.com

F

Enters The Africa Fashion Week Nigeria (AfWN) 2014

OLLOWING very successful outings of the Africa fashion week London (AFWL), organisers of the yearly event have announced that they will also be hosting the first Africa Fashion Week Nigeria on May 17 & 18, 2014.

According to Ronke Ademiluyi, CEO of AFWL, the need to hold the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria was borne out of the success of the Africa Fashion Week London, and the influx of creativity from Nigerian designers presented during the past editions of AFWL, “we decided to host the Africa Fashion Week in Nigeria (AFWN) as there are still talented young and emerging designers who have not been privileged with the opportunity to showcase on an international platform,” She said.

AFWN intends to provide the opportunity of wide exposure to up & coming designers who have not been discovered, yet have a lot of creativity to show the world.

However, for creativity to grow there needs to be a platform that celebrates and supports it, hence contributing to its

Floral print denim The denim is trendy and will look smart with a white peasant top.

FLOWER POWER

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Nigeria’s Next Top Designer

t’s time to fill your wardrobe with easybreathing fabrics and clothes in bright colours.

Florals. So here are some of the best looks for you.

A Floral scarf This cotton scarf can be worn around your neck to jazz up a plain outfit..

This dress is super cute and can be worn for a banquet or party.

Wear it to work, movie or dinner date. This floral blazer will add spunk to your look.

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growth.

Ronke believes that Nigerian designers are drawing their inspiration from years of cultural fashion history and refitting it for modern-day life, creating apparel that can actually sell at home and abroad.

With preparations already in full swing for the 4th edition of Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) on August 7-9, the event is fast becoming the biggest African inspired fashion event in the UK, combining runway and fashion exhibition shows in three days of perfectly paced illuminating expos.

AFWL as a platform has hosted the creations of over 200 African and African inspired designers from across the African continent and the diaspora.

The Africa Fashion Week Nigeria is being hosted by AFWL in collaboration with Abiola Okoya of Mibod Global Resources in partnership with FADAN and Evelyn Okere of St Eve’s media and produced by Sola Oyebade of Mahogany productions.

The print on these shoes is pretty and will dress up your outfit.

frica Fashion Week London has also launched The First Reality TV Show For Designers In Nigeria (A Competition Series).

A magnificent platform for emerging designers,it is a talent hunt show, aimed at bringing together various fashion designers from across the country to showcase the richness of the Nigerian Fashion Culture and fabrics.

Hundreds of young designers turned up from different states in Nigeria for the NNTD auditions, where they were narrowed down to 21 contestants who will be going into the NNTD house.

The winner goes home with prizes including an allexpense-paid trip to showcase at AFWL 2014.

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014—37

Compiled by

Ephraim Oseji

oseji16@yahoo.com

Barcelona president denies tax fraud on Neymar deal Ar senal Arsenal plan £30m Isco bid Arsenal are reportedly considering making a £30million summer bid for Spain sensation Isco – amid reports that he has become unsettled at Real Madrid.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has previously made no secret of his interest in the play-maker, who moved to Madrid from Malaga at the end of last season.

And after reports emerged this week that he has reportedly become fed up with life at the Bernabeu.

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Spanish judge charged Barcelona with the crime on Thursday, alleging it swindled the state of 9.1 million euros (USD 12.5 million) through payments to varying companies and false contracts as part of the Neymar deal.

President Josep Bartomeu defended Barcelona's dealings in signing Neymar, saying the Spanish champion would do it all over again despite being charged with tax fraud.

A Spanish judge charged Barcelona with the crime on Thursday, alleging it swindled the state of 9.1 million euros (USD 12.5 million) through payments to varying companies and false contracts.

Bartomeu says "we did everything according to the letter of the law (...) our contract with Neymar and Santos is totally legal. The negotiations, the transactions, the contracts, everything was done legally and we would do it all again the exact same way."

The high-profile transfer saga led to Barcelona president Sandro Rosell's resignation as the true cost of the deal rose from 57.1 million euros (USD 74 million) to 86.2 million euros (USD 118 million).

Rooney agrees new Man Utd deal

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Juventus t ar ge ting arge geting Sanchez

The form of Barcelona’s Chilean attacker Alexis Sanchez has reportedly caught the eye of Serie A giants Juventus.

Sanchez was among the Barcelona players who defeated Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium in the quarter-finals of the Champions League last week.

According to reports, his performances this season have caught the eye of Juventus who are said to be interested in the attacker.

It is believed that in order to secure his signature Juventus are looking for a helping hand from Fernando Felicevich, who is currently the agent of Sanchez and Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal.

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nglish striker Wayne Rooney has agreed to a new deal with Manchester United, worth 300,000 pounds per week.

Rooney's previous contract, which would have expired in 2015, paid up to 250,000 pounds a week.

He joined the Red Devils from Everton in August 2004 and needs 42 goals to passing Bobby Charlton's record total of 249 for the club.

Rooney has played 430 games in all competitions and scored 208 goals.

The contract is yet to be formally announced.

He looked set to leave Old Trafford last summer after Sir Alex Ferguson claimed he had asked for a transfer, which Rooney denied.

Chelsea had more than one bid for him rejected but new boss David Moyes insisted he wanted to keep his former Everton player at Old Trafford.

It seems likely that the coming season will be Rooney's first out of the Champions League since coming to United a decade back.

Manchester are 11 points off the top four in the Premier League table.

Rooney has made 28 club appearances this season and scored 11 goals since his return from injury

Real Madrid discussing with Cour Courttois

Real Madrid have entered into talks with in-demand Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois about the Belgium moving to the Santiago Bernabeu next season. The brilliant shot stopper’s future at Stamford Bridge has been in doubt for some time now, with many of Europe’s top clubs are said to be lining up waiting to land Courtois this summer. However, as yet no one knows just what the west London club have planned for the young goalkeeper.

Manc hes ar ge ts Manches hestter Unitd ttar arge gets Nosa Igiebor

Real Betis midfielder Nosa Igiebor is a surprise target for Manchester United boss David Moyes. Moyes has made strengthening his midfield options this summer a priority and Nigerian Igiebor is on his radar.

Report says he plays as a holding player but can also play box to box and impressed Manchester United manager Moyes in pre-season when they played a behind-closed doors friendly at Carrington while on tour in England.

38—SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

Compiled by

Ephraim Oseji

oseji16@yahoo.com

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 ur name, age, where you live and the club u support to 0802354-2350. sms only z Vivian, 23, Abuja, C h e l s e a fan.08160212820 zNworie Emmanuel, 25 Manchester United needs male and female fans.08084187421 zUbam Emma, 28 Abuja, Chelsea fan wants female fan. 08059152001 z Cynthia Okafor,19, Chelsea.08074256929 z Cletus, 34, Onitsha, Liverpool fan wants female fan.07035917521 zStanley, 25, Anambra, Chelsea needs female fans. 08063159490 zClinton, 31, Umuahia, Aresenal needs female fans.08034310732 zTonwe John, Arsenal fan wants female fan.08102992023 z Melody, 35, Enugu, Chelsea fan wants a female fan.08068461879 z James, 30, Warri Chelsea fan wants a female Chelsea fan.

08166368578 zCyril, 40, Lagos Barca fan wants to meet a female Barca fan.08034868798 zFelix, 34, Kaduna, Arsenal fan wants a female fan.08028506810 zAustin 19, Abia, Barcelona fan wants a female fan.08146719393 z Addes, 28 Lagos Aresenal fan wants to meet a fan.08166735000

Quiz of the Week

Which Brazilian player recently played along side his son in a brazilian league match. Send ur answers to 08023542350 sms only

Balotelli: Bust-ups are par partt of lif lifee

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he AC Milan striker says that people in Italy are more accepting of his confrontational nature than the English were during his spell with Manchester City Mario Balotelli believes that people need to stop making a big deal out of his tendency to get involved in altercations on the training ground.

Ever till Evertton can sstill mak op ffour our makee ttop our,, insis ts Mar tinez insists Martinez

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oberto Martinez insists it is still "achievable" for Everton to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League. Martinez's men currently lie sixth in the table, eight points behind Liverpool who currently occupy the final Champions League berth.However, the Toffees have a game in hand over their Merseyside rivals following the recent postponement over the Goodison Park fixture against Crystal Palace.

Spur Spurss priced Gomes out of Leeds move

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ottenham have proceed Heurelho Gomes out of a loan move to Leeds United.Report says Leeds have seen negotiations over a deal for Gomes grew complicated.Tottenham are understood to have wanted various bonuses should Leeds be promoted and were looking at a potential £1million for a permanent summer deal.

Besikt as kkeen een on KKagaw agaw Besiktas agawaa urkish giants Besiktas want

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to lure out-of-favour Manchester United playmaker Shinji Kagawa away from Old Trafford at the end of the season.

The 24-year-old has not been seen in a Red Devils shirt since the Premier League champions lost to Sunderland on penalties in the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup.

Monaco could move for Chelsea misf it misfit

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onaco could be set to make a move for Chelsea striker Fernando Torres this summer. The big-spending Ligue 1 side brought in a number of high-profile names this season, and are ready to do so again as they look to close the gap on Paris Saint-Germain in the French top flight.

City set to sign Victor Valdes in the summer

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ega-rich Premier League outfit Manchester City are set to sign departing FC Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes next season. The experienced Spain international’s current contract with the La Liga champions runs out at the end of this campaign, meaning that as of July 1 2014 the shot stopper will be available to purhase on a lucrative Bosman-style free transfer.

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Didier Yves

Jose Mourinho targets Real Madrid pair helsea boss Jose Mourinho is set

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to raid former club Real Madrid for Sami Khedira and centre-back Raphael Varane to replace veteran duo John Terry and Frank Lampard. Madird are keen on holding on to Varane as they see him as the long term replacement for Sergio Ramos, but Mourinho’s relationship with the French international could be enough to force through a move.

Liverpool target: I may leave Bremen —Eljero

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iverpool target Eljero Elia has put the club on alert after admitting that he may be forced to leave Bundesliga giants Werder Bremen at the end of the season. The Dutch international has expressed his disappointment at being consistently substituted during games and admits that he may be forced to go elsewhere

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014—39

Compiled by

Ephraim Oseji

oseji16@yahoo.com

Drogba Tébily Galat asar a y

Man Utd & Ever Evertton ey eyee Colback

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anchester United and Everton could look to pounce for Sunderland's Jack Colback this summer if he declines to sign a new contract with the club.

The 24-year-old has been one of Sunderland's best players this season despite their struggles against relegation, and is seen by David Moyes and Roberto Martinez as a possible bargain signing

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idier Yves Drogba Tébily, born 1st Jan, 1970, in Cote d, plays for Galatasaray He has an estimated net worth of $20.8 million as of June 2013 according to Forbes. Drogba , In 1999, Drogba made his first team debut for Le Mans and signed his first professional contract. Halfway through the 2001–02 season, Drogba left Le Mans for a fee of £80,000 for Guingamp.

In July 2004, Drogba signed for for £24 million and scored in his third game for the club with a header against Crystal Palace.

In January 2007, Drogba was crowned the Ivorian Player of the Year, ahead of Kader Keita, Aruna Dindane, and Kolo Touré. On April 30, 2008 Drogba scored two goals in the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Liverpool, which Chelsea won 3–2 at Stamford Bridge. .

On November 29, 2009, Drogba scored a brace against London rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, the second of which a free kick from outside the box.

On May 9,2010, Drogba inspired Chelsea to win the Premier League by scoring a hat-trick in an 8–0 win over Wigan Athletic.

On December 31, 2011, Drogba scored his 150th goal for Chelsea against Aston Villa, putting him level with Peter Osgood and Roy Bentley in terms of the club’s top scorers of all time.

On February 25, 2012, Drogba scored his 99th Premier League goal for Chelsea in a 3–0 win over Bolton Wanderers.

Drogba joined Shangai club in China with a contract for $300,000 a week, after winning Champions league and finishing of his 8 year Chelsea career on high. His stint at China lasted for just 6 months as the league was hit by match fixing claims and he signed for Turkish giants Galatasary with an 18th month deal.

On January 28, 2013, Drogba agreed a 1 and a half year deal with Süper Lig team Galatasaray with a sign-on fee of •4 million plus basic wage of •4 million per season (thus •2 million in 2012–13 Süper Lig) and •15,000 per match.

City ready to break bank for Por ortto's Mangala

City are set to Nigeria international Mgoanchester above and beyond the asking price to secure the signature of FC Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala. Pellegrini was reluctant to splash out so much cash on a player with no Premier League experience, but the club will now meet Porto’s £40m valuation and even go above it in order to make sure they win the race.

Mamelodi Sundowns sign Ejike Uzoenyi

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amelodi Sundowns have confirmed the signing of Ejike Uzoenyi. Ejike joins the Brazilians from Enugu Rangers. The 24-year-old has signed a fouryear deal with the Tshwane side and he will join the club in June. Ejike says tells the club’s website: “Joining a club like Sundowns is a great deal for me because their ambitions to conquer Africa are in line with my career objectives as a player.

40—SA TURD AY 40—SATURD TURDA

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Vanguard, FEBRU ARY 22, 2014 FEBRUARY

ncreasingly, a lot of young men are entering their late 30s and early 40s and are still single.

One of the reasons for the delay, according to them, is “lack of finance.” When I ask how money constitutes a hindrance, I often get vague responses. I feel there are only two money-related criteria eligible bachelors should meet before getting married.

One, you must have a roof over your head that you can call your own, built or rented.

I do not think it is proper for a “squatter” to get married and inconvenience his benevolent host further. That is handshake going beyond the elbow.

Moreover married people, especially newlywed, need privacy.

Whether the accommodation is a single room, room and parlour, flat, wing of a duplex or detached house is secondary. Just have somewhere you can call your own.

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wo, you should have a source of livelihood. You cannot be on financial life support (financially dependent) and get married thereby increasing the burden on your benefactor with an extra mouth. That is immoral and inconsiderate.

The minimum requirement is that you should have money to feed, clothe and meet other

Budget Wedding (1) basic needs of yourself and your new wife before getting married.

Once these two criteria are met you have no business being single when there is a spouse in-waiting. I have always explained it to my marriage class participants, and I will try to do it here, how you can get married on a shoestring budget.

Budget— you should have a budget in place for your wedding and be fiscally disciplined to stick to it. A budget here will be a plan on how you intend to spend money over a period of time for your wedding. Your budget will include income and expenditure sections. Your income section will include cash at hand as well as money you are assured of getting between the time you drew your budget and your wedding day. Such assured income includes salaries and/ or income from your business based on previous projections,

rents and other investments.

Excluded are promises from the family members, friends and colleagues because such money is not yet in your possession, so you do not have control over it. You can therefore not budget on such promised fund until you are in possession of it. To get your expenditure profile all you need to do is list all the items you will spend money on and attach a figure to each one.

When you are through compare with your income segment; if they are equal or near equal sum, you have a balanced budget, but if expenditure outstrips income you have a deficit budget. In this case you need to adjust your expenditure because it is not proper to start married life on a financial deficit..

Prioritise—Earlier, I said you should list all the items you need to spend money on.

Do not just list them, list them in order of priority; that is, start with the most important

item and end with the least important item. The benefit of prioritising is that even if you run out of cash along the line, you would have taken care of the most important items. Over time in my class we have agreed that the ring is the most important item because, you must exchange rings (Some churches exchange bibles instead of rings). So imagine that you did not prioritise and just went out spending as the items came to your mind. Then a day or two to your wedding you run out of cash, yet you have not bought your rings.

Monumental chaos!

I once attended a wedding where the presiding pastor advised young ladies never to accept a “Jankara” rings from their fiancé because of the significance and symbolism of the ring. Well I agree with the pastor, but would-be couples should not use that as an excuse to delay their wedding or engage in unnecessary extravagance. So just get good rings. You can get better ones later when your finances improve.

Borrowing—Wedding is a not a business, so you should not borrow to prosecute it. You must work within available income. I am not aware of any church that collects money before solemnizing unions between husbands and wives.

Even if some churches do, it must be nominal, so there is no justifiable reason to borrow. Borrowing leads to starting your marriage on a financial deficit which is not good, as we said earlier.

Some people borrow with the hope that the money they will “spray” (this is illegal) them during the wedding reception will be used to offset the debts.

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ften they find out to their chagrin that the proceeds are far below expectations. I did a little study some time ago when “spraying” was legal and found out that spraying at weddings was like the statistical bell shaped curve.

Majority of newlywed realise between N20,000 and N50,000; a few get below N20,000 and even fewer above N50,000. Do not be deceived when you see the whole floor filled with money.

Most of them are N20 and N50 notes which come to little when counted. Now that spraying has been declared illegal, a lot of people are reluctant to spray at weddings, and will not put the money in an envelope and quietly give it to the couple. If they do, one of the reasons for spraying, which is to show off, will be defeated!

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Breaking the body in Half-Squat with Raised Hands

Yoga Classes STARTED @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays C M Y K

the floor. Raise the right leg up to hip level. Hold the head up.

Stay in this position for 20 seconds and repeat changing side. The spinal twist.

Benefit:This posture strengthens the legs and tones the buttocks. Good for the folks with wobbly burns. It instils a sense of balance.

The Spinal twist Technique: Sitting with legs stretched out in front of you, bend the left knee and place the left foot close to the right buttock.

Now bending the right knee, place the right foot on the outside of the left knee. Bring the left hand to clutch the side of the right thigh and place the right hand at the lower back with the hand resting on the left lap. Now with the head held high, twist the entire trunk, neck and head to the right. Breathe in deeply. Hold the position for a slow count to 10 or 15 second and repeat on the otherside.

Benefits: This exercise eases stress along the spinal column.

It introduces lateral flexibility to The Leg and the spine. It massages the kidHandstand neys and helps bring improvement to sluggish bowels.

Leg Raise

Half-Squat with Raised Hands Technique: Standing with the feet apart about a foot.

Bend the keens to 90 degrees and raise both hands overhead. Be sure to keep the upper stretched forward.

Retain the posture for some 10-to-15 seconds. Rest a bit and repeat once or twice more.

Benefit: The semi squat strengthens the theigh muscles for better back flow of blood to the heart. It helps troubles of the keens and benefits the posture of the practitioner The Leg and Handstand Technique: The leg and handstand is done by standing with feet together bend the upper body down till you can place the left hand on

Technique: Lie flit on your belly and arrange the hands beside the shoulders. Take in a deep breath and raise the body off the ground with just the hands and toes in contact with the ground.

Retain the breath for a slow count to 5. Then lower the body as you breathe out.

The Spinal twist

Leg Raise

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SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014 — 41

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re you in search of a partner? Describe that partner you want to find and write it down. All of it. Finding a partner is like shopping for a home. You want to live in a structure that’s strong, durable and operates properly. Perhaps you prefer a cozy abode that’s large enough to hold you and keep all your stuff safe. Does it need to be a certain style or just basically pleasing to your eyes?

We all have that deep need to find the perfect home – that partner who accepts and loves you to your core. There are practical and aesthetic considerations, of course.

They all matter. Is this someone you want to live with and grow with? To discover new realms together? Dance and laugh? And are you waiting to meet that person to do all of these amazing things? If so, you could be waiting a lifetime.

If you aren’t already living the life you want, or trying to, you aren’t going to attract the partner you seek. Because your perfect mate may already be out there, enjoying life, and that’s where you’ll meet each other.

Certainly not on your couch or at the nail salon!

Regardless of what you want to achieve in life, the way you you live your life is the most powerful indicator of what and whom you will attract. As always, actions speak louder than words. If your goal is a loving, harmonious and carefree relationship, be that for yourself. If you want a health-conscious partner, you’ll need to be that too.

By becoming the partner you want to find, you will fall in love with you, make yourself irresistible to others, and be available in all the right places. Life is about living. Not waiting and hoping. Need a few ideas to get started?

Move your body: You know the importance of exercise in a life well lived.

Go for a long, slow walk or go bananas at the gym, but do get moving. You’ll meet people who also respect their bodies and work towards health and longevity.

Know your strengths and weaknesses: Know your shortcomings.

e h t e b o t to w o H u o y yo r e n t r rt a p want ttoo ffiind Appraise your assets. When you meet a guy, you are looking for a fit. If you like doing the family accounting, find a guy who likes maintaining the yard. You are building a team. Together, you become an actively functioning unit. The goal is a synergistic union of efforts to build a lifestyle of comforts and joy.

By knowing yourself well, on a practical no nonsense way, you can create the engine of the relationship that you want to have. If you know what parts you have, you will know what parts you will need to design the motor.

PERT X E S E H T ASK I’m a 30-year-old man and my wife is 27. Before marriage, my wife was in a relationship with a man who she is still in love with. I asked her if she wanted to have sex with him and she said yes. I’m okay with it as long as I get to be a part of it or watch. Is this advisable?

That’s very generous of you, but quite foolish.

Why share your wife with others? Ask her whether she would allow you to do the same thing.

Connect with nature: Like inner peace? Joy? That certain feeling of belonging?

Get out of the house and spend some time in nature.

It’s calling you, so take a hike. Plant a garden. Use your local park to sit and ponder; look around you.Observe people and just like them.

Laugh long, loud and often!

Yes, it’s obvious. But sometimes you need a reminder, right? Many believe that laughter brings us closer to divine energy.

You don’t need a reason; just go for it. A wise woman once

the most important factor in the success of a marriage.

By becoming the partner you want to find, you will fall in love with you, make yourself irresistible to others, and be available in all the right places said, “If it isn’t funny, keep looking. Eventually, you can find humour in any situation. And your survival may depend on it.” Ask for a mate with a healthy sense of humour. Laughter is often

I am a 27-year-old man and my wife is 25. We are trying for a baby. However, when I ejaculate inside her, the semen spills out. What should I do?

Only the best swims forward. The rest of the sperm are ejected.

Are flavoured condoms as safe as regular ones?

What is the purpose of flavours like coffee and mint?

Does coffee increase pleasure?

Flavoured condoms are made especially for oral sex; it makes the partner accept it more. It has no special effect.

I’m a father of two teenage boys. The other day, I

Be available!

A hopeful attitude, openness is the preferred lifestyle to one of frustration and anger. Which do you prefer? What defines your personality and perspective? Be open. See the good in all things.

Your mate will too.

You receive what you give. By projecting vitality, you are making a statement of style and content.

Your actions are a declaration of who you are, what you believe in and who you hope to become.

You are already there.

You are your own best asset when it comes to finding love. Your intentions inform your actions and your actions send a very clear message. So write down your daily relationship affirmation:

“This is what I want in life.

This is who I am. This is what I have to offer. I am open to every possibility. I love and I will be loved.”

walked into their room and they behaved very suspiciously. I think they were watching porn.

As a man, I know it is nothing to be worried about but my wife wants me to have a talk with the kids. What do you suggest? I want to be open with my children, but I think it might scare them?

Teens, although they don’t show it, want an adult back up. At times, it is good to make them feel that you are always there when they want you. Start a light-hearted conversation referring to the incident or anything that strikes your mind.

42—SATURDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

SATURDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 22, 2014—43

44—Vanguard, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

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SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014 — 45

Fashola orders immediate re-opening of LASU

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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OVERNOR Baba tunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday directed the re-opening of the Lagos State University, LASU, from Monday February 24, in the overriding best interest of the students.

It will be recalled that LASU authorities, early February, ordered immediate closure of the institution following violent protest by irate students over closure of school’s portal denying them of registering for the forthcoming semester examination. Several properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in the process.

Fashola, in a statement through his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, explained that the decision was sequel to the recommendation and report of the Lagos State House of Assem-

bly’s Ad-hoc Committee on the LASU crisis.

The governor also said that repairs of damaged property and facilities in the higher institution

would commence in due course. This, according to him, would be done in line with normal government processes.

Giving a breakdown of

the resumption schedule as approved by the Governor, the Special Adviser on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga, said the School will re-open on the Febru-

A

N Ikeja High Court, sit ting in Lagos has struck out a suit between two aggrieved ruling houses in Iraye-Oke, Epe Local Government Area, LGA, of Lagos State over kingship tussle.

According to the Presiding Judge, (Mrs.) A. Coker, the substantive suit was struck out upon notice of discontinuance by counsels to the claimants, Uchechukwu Ani, Esq. Taiwo kupolati and Co. The case was between claimants; Chief Rafiu Ojasanwo, on behalf of Seyin-Olu Ruling house of Iraye-Oke and defendants Chief Muniru Odutola Anwoju.

In her ruling, Coker stated: “Upon this matter coming before this Honourable court and after hearing I. O Jonathan, learned counsel for first defendant urging the court to strike out the suit upon notice of discontinuance.

“It is hereby ordered (1) that the suit be and is hereby struck out upon notice of discontinuance dated and filed on the 31st day of January 2014.

“The sum of N1000,000 was however, granted in favour of the first defendant to be paid before the claimants can take any further

registration on March 10th, 2014.

Other categories of students will resume on April 1, while the school’s portal will open for the students on the 1stand 2nd of April.

The statement advised the students to be calm and be of good conduct.

Ibusa girls acting principal gets commendation

BY TOMMY ANADUAKA

T L-R: President ,Lagos Altantic Conference of Seventh –day Adventist Church , Pastor (Dr) Jacob Umoru with President Seventh –day Adventist Church in Nigeria (western Nigeria Union Conference ,Pastor (Dr) Oyeleke Owolabi , Treasurer ,Lagos Atlantic Conference SDA , Mrs. Folasade Ogungbesan and Executive Secretary Lagos Atlantic Conference SDA Pastor Yusuf Imam, during the press conference on the activities of Centenary Celebration Seventh –day Adventist Church in Nigeria in Lagos yesterday

Lagos court strikes out Epe kingship tussle suit

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

ary 24th, with final year students while the school’s portal would re-open for two days on 24th and 25th February, 2014 for the final year students.

The final year students’ examination will start on the March 3rd, while fresh students will commence

steps in this matter.” the Judge ruled.

Meantime, in his reaction to the ruling, Alhaji Shile Shafau, the Baba Adini of Epe, (A high Chief), ap-

plauded the step taken by the two aggrieved parties, saying it would quicken the development of the area.

With the development, the high chief explained that

the ruling houses had agreed to support the candidature of Chief Muniru Odutola Anwoju, as the next Oba of Iraye-Oke elect.

HE parents/guardians of the students of Federal Government Girls College, Ibusa, Delta State, have passed a vote of implicit confidence on the Acting Principal of the school, Mrs. T.M. Abolurin for the ongoing developments in the institution.

A cross section of parents/ guardians, who spoke in an interview described the Principal as a focused and articulate administrator, who has been able to use her wealth of educational/ character moulding experience on the students.

Some of the parents remarked that since Mrs. Abolurin took over the ad-

Jonathan attends ethnic nationalities confab on fiscal federalism

BY HUGO ODIOGOR

E

FFORTS to build a concensus on fiscal federalism will take the centre stage in Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital

when apex ethnic nationalities brainstorm to formulate an agenda for the forthcoming national conference.

The apex nationalities coming together for this purpose are the Odua

People Congress, Afenifere, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Itsekiri National Congress, Middle belt Congress, Urhobo Progressive Union, who have been invited to attend the Ijaw National Congress International day which is

Obi rescues Anambra’s ageing civil service, says HOS

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

T

HE Head of Service, HOS, of Anambra State, Chief Chidi Ezeoke said yesterday in Awka that Governor Peter Obi has rescued the state’s ageing civil service with the recent recruitment of 2500 workers into the system.

Ezeoke, who was addressing the newly recruited workers at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka said his joy knew no bounds because of what Governor Obi has done for the state civ-

il service.

According to him, Obi has not only employed people massively, which was the first since the state was created, but has also provided them with the necessary tools to work with.

Describing the state civil service as born again, the HOS enjoined the newly recruited workers to observe all the rules of service and bring honour to the service at all times.

Going down memory lane, Ezeoke recalled that before Obi became governor, civil servants

in the state had no secretariat as they operated from different offices scattered round the state with unpaid arrears and gratuities running into billions of naira.

He said: “Obi has not only built a brand new secretariat for the state, but has also paid all the arrears of pensions and gratuities owed civil servants in the state. He has also conformed to global best practices by making Anambra civil servants partakers in contributory pension scheme for guaranteed future.

marking its annual celebration in Yenagoa today.

Vanguard learnt that President Goodluck Jonathan has been invited as the special guest of honour while General Alani Akinriade has been assigned to deliver a talk on the quest for fiscal federalism in Nigeria: Building approach through ethnic nationalities.

ministration of the school as Vice- Principal, a lot of infrastructural development has been put in place in the school while a robust cordial relationship now exists between both the academic and non academic staff, the parents and students of the institution.

The parents used the occasion to appeal to the Federal Ministry of Education as a way of encouragement uplift the status of the Vice Principal to the Principal grade.

Meanwhile, new executive body to pilot the affairs of the Parents/Teachers Association of the school has been elected. The peaceful election which was held at the school premises has Mr. Samuel Okonji as Chairman, Mrs. Stella Dubah, as Vice Chairman and the Principal to be represented by Mr. R.M. Kpokpo as secretary .

Also elected are Mrs Ndidi Frances as Fin. Secretary, Mr. Peter Okpe, Treasurer and Ach. Emmanuel Egbunokei as Publicity secretary. The chairman, Mr. Okonji expressed appreciation to everybody for the mature way they conducted themselves during and after the election and promised to carry everybody along in the discharge of his duties.

Oshiomhole confirms AAU VC’s appointment

By SIMON EBEGBULEM

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FTER several months of controversy over her acting capacity as Vice Chancellor of the Edo state owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Governor Adams Oshiomhole Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Prof.Cordelia Agbebaku as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the state-owned university.

Oshiomhole who dis-

closed the confirmation when he received traditional rulers from Edo Central senatorial district who were at Government House on a courtesy call, said the government’s decision was borne out of the fact that Vice Chancellor has brought stability and development to the university.

According to him, “we are confirming the Vice Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University. I believe she brought some stability to the institution.”

46—Vanguard, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

•GP Abubarkar

•Suspects arrested over the Lacasera case with recovered cartons

•Suspects arrested over the Cocoa case with recovered goods.Inset:IGP M.D. Abubakar

DIVERSION OF CONTAINERS

Police hunt for “Pastor”,other kingpins

By EMMA NNADOZIE

T

he incessant attacks perpetrated by criminals along major highways on trucks conveying goods to different parts of the country may soon be a thing of the past.

This is because police operatives attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FedSars, have swung into action with a vow to flush out all those involved in the criminal activities.

Crime Guard gathered that a new dawn in crime fighting seems to have been ushered into the unit since Deputy Commissioner of Police Chris

•Arrest suspects •Recover items Tiles worth over N10 million.

It was gathered that owners of the goods, Steenac Maritime Agencies, contracted one Tony Chukwu through a registered Customs agent, Anglobic, to transport it from Tin Can Island to Abuja. Mr. Chukwu was said to had contracted two

In most cases, they kill both drivers and conductors of the containers before hijacking them and they are said to be heavily equipped with sophisticated weapons while carrying out such operations

,

Ezike, took charge of affairs resulting in major breakthroughs in armed robbery,diversion of containers, kidnapping etc.

Recently, operatives from the unit arrested 11 suspects that reportedly hijacked a 40-footer container loaded with very expensive Metrofile Roofing

,

persons simply called Peter and Friday to execute the job.

Police sources said half way into the journey on December 23, 2013, the container was diverted to an unknown destination and owners of the goods waited endlessly for it without trace. They alerted the police to no avail,but after

efforts to trace the missing goods failed, they petitioned the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad, FedSars, AdenijiAdele, Lagos. Sources said as soon as operatives from the unit commenced investigations, they discovered that the goods were diverted and sold to people at Aradagu near Badagry, Fadeyi and IyanaIpaja areas of Lagos State.

Eleven suspects that were arrested during the operation are:Yakubu Ibrahim, Mosambu Ahmed, Nwachukwu Onyedika, Tony Chukwu, Ebere Okonkwo, Jibril Mohammed, Friday Chukwu, Sunday Aneke, Joseph Nnaji, Fred Ogbuka and Sopulu Sunday Okpara.

Seventy six cartons of the missing goods were recovered from them.

I

nterestingly, the hijack and disposal of the goods were allegedly masterminded by a notorious diversion kingpin popularly called Pastor. The said Pastor whose real names are not known was

described as “smallish in stature”.

He allegedly executes his operations with another notorious kingpin called Fine boy.

These kingpins are said to be known faces at both the Apapa Warf and Tin Can Island where they carry out their deadly operations with their criminal colleagues who simply call them Pastor and Fine boy. In most cases, they allegedly kill both drivers and conductors of the containers before hijacking them,and they are said to be heavily equipped with sophisticated weapons while carrying out such operations.

Police operatives intimated Crime Guard that the suspected kingpins were nearly arrested on different occasions but they cleverly escaped. Pastor, according to them, was sighted at Apapa Warf and when his true identity was to be blown open, he disappeared while the trap set for Fine boy in a bank nearly yielded positive results but he detected it at the last minute.It was learnt that as

soon as he smelt rat, he d i s a p p e a r e d . H o w e v e r, sources said those arrested so far are singing to the police like canary while the Police have spread their dragnets to arrest their fleeing kingpins and recover the missing truck also.

Similarly, the operatives also recovered a trailer load of 4,400 cartons of Lacasera drinks at Otubu in Agege, Lagos. Eight suspects were arrested over this incident while a total of 2,295 cartoons of the drinks have so far been recovered. Crime Guard gathered that the company had already commended the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of the unit for recovering their goods.

In the same vein, the unit also recovered 109 bags of Cocoa beans out of the 4,000 bags that were diverted at Mushin area of Lagos in December 20, 1913.

A member of the syndicate called Boluwaji Olajide was arrested and he is helping the police in rounding up other suspects.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014 —

E-X-P-O-S-E-D

Strange uniformed men invade Lagos State •extort money from motorists, motorcyclists, passersby •indulge in drugs publicly •create traffic gridlock

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arly last year, when rumours of invasion of the city of Excellence, Lagos, by the dreaded Boko Haram sect filled the air, residents of the city were rattled. There were strident cries for more security measures to be put in place to avoid the imminent menace of the terrorist sect in the city.

The awareness created by the rumour paid off few weeks later when the state police command clamped down on suspected members of the sect at some strategic areas of the state.Since then, Lagosians seem to be on their toes anytime some suspicious characters are noticed in and around the state.

The State Police Commissioner, Umaru Manko went extra miles to post both uniformed and plain-clothed operatives to strategic areas in the state including both the entry and exit points with a view to checkmating the infiltration by criminal elements and suspected terrorists. The presence of these operatives were more noticeable in and around Lagos/Ibadan Highway by Ojodu Berger axis and other strategic points in the state.

Recently, a new trend has evolved leading to suspicion that some criminal elements may have hijacked the good intentions of both the government and security agencies by creating their own security men who normally appear in different uniforms.

These strange uniformed men position themselves strategically on the highway awaiting motorists coming into the city through Lagos/Ibadan highway and other entry points.

The situation at Lagos/ Ibadan axis was made worse by the fact that a portion of the area belongs to Ogun State while Lagos controls the rest.

This has made it difficult to

ascertain where the strange uniformed men are operating from. These uninformed men assume one title or the other and openly decorate their shoulders with ranks only known to them. Just like Dolly Parton, the popular American female singer’s Coat of Many Colours, they appear differently in yellow, green white etc.

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part from the regular police and LASTMA, ask the average Lagosian, and they will tell you they don’t even know what most uniforms stand for. And depending on which part of Lagos one resides, the area determines the types of uniform personnel’s or task force you find disrupting traffic and extorting unsuspecting motorists.

A recent investigation by Crime Guard showed that there has been serious traffic gridlock along Ojodu Berger as a result of the activities of

certain uniformed men who go by the title Internal Revenue Service, IRS, in the area.

Amongst their victims were dispatch riders, educational buses, branded company vehicles, pedestrians with loads etc. According to Mr. Adebayo, a motorist within the park, “the activities of these so- called uniformed men needs to be checked. You need to see how they jump into the road just to extort money from drivers who ply this road.

Sometimes, the traffic hold-up resulting from their activities can be really frustrating. A female motorist plying Ojodu who spoke in the guise of anonymity lamented that the activities of these men is posing a great terror to both motorists and passers-by.

According to her, “these men start terrorizing motorists very early in the morning till in the evening when they close.

Can you imagine that they have a signpost with the inscription, “No stopping, No

•The uniformed men in action

•Another accosting a passersby.

standing, No waiting”, after stopping me, they are saying that I stopped in a wrong place, what is this country turning to? How do you stop

,

By ESTHER ONYEGBULA and PEACE ONYEUKWU

prevent the motorist from absconding, and when the occupant requests to know their offence, they are accused of parking wrongfully.And, because it is a narrow road, traffic begins to build preventing commuters and motorists driving down from the top of the bridge from getting down. They also accost pedestrians carrying either bags or heavy loads and ask them questions like; where they are coming from, where they are going and what they have inside their bags.

One of the uniformed men who refused to disclose his name told Crime Guard “our office is in Begger, and we are only after branded vehicles, there is a certain permit which is a government document that is issued by the local government, and our own is to check if motorists have it. If

The activities of these so- called uniformed men needs to be checked. You need to see how they jump into the road just to extort money from drivers who ply this road

me and then turn around and accuse me of stopping wrongfully?”she asked bitterly.

Mode of operation When they see an incoming vehicle approaching,these men jump into the road in a bid to stop it. Immediately the vehicle stops, one of the men put a long wood with sharp nails beneath the tires to

•One of the uniformed men defending their action.

•The long stick they use in blocking roads.

47

,

they have it, we allow them to go. But if you don’t have it, you would buy it here or at the local government. We stop private vehicles that have inscriptions of their companies written on them.”

The cost of the permit According to the same officer, “the price range of the permit differs, depending on how the motorist can negotiate. Mr A can get the permit for N6000 while Mr. B can get that same document for N2000. For those who already have the document, renewal is cheaper and less expensive. Each permit has a duration of one year after which there is need for renewal.Motorists are expected to get this permit at their local government, all we do is check if they have the permit and if they don’t, they have to purchase it where you are held.

Because the permit is homogenous, motorists can get it from any local government closer to them, which is why a motorist from Lagos State without the permit can be caught and made to purchase the permit in Ogun state,” he added.

Efforts made to confirm the development with the Police in Lagos failed as calls made to the line of the Police spokes woman, Ngozi Braide, did not go through.

48—SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

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08 116759 759 081 6759759

ow more women are seeking Brazilian butt lifts in New York than Miami, Los Angeles and Atlanta combined. The quest for the perfect posterior lies in New York.

Beating out all other American cities, the Big Apple has the highest interest in Brazilian bottom lifts — where fat from the abdomen or lower back is injected into the buttocks — according to

Bootylicious in the Big Apple!

Before

plastic-surgery referral website, RealSelf.

With women trying to emulate the ass-ets of Nicki Minaj, Beyonce and Kim Kardashion, more than 378,000 New Yorkers inquired about the procedure between November 2013 and January 2014 — more than three times as many as Los Angeles, Miami and Atlanta.

Los Angeles had the second-highest interest in the operation, with 138,227 inquiries, followed by Miami (108,341) and Atlanta (98,993).

The sudden interest in bottom lifts may be a product of these bootylicious A-listers, and how they are re-shaping the idea of beauty among New Yorkers.

‘It’s like fitness is a fashion statement. Curvy in the right places is the new sexy,’ one patient, 35, from Brooklyn told The New York Post.

The procedure has also become less of a public taboo. Mob Wives star Renee Graziano famously went under the knife, spending $30,000 on her derriere after ‘always wanting more junk in the trunk.’

Now

Lick of paint!

H

e has produced more than 1,000 artworks, including an eight-foot Da Vinci painting.But Indian artist Ani K doesn’t use a brush to create his masterpieces — he paints with his

tongue.The 35-year-old, from Kerela, licks the paint onto a canvas, before tilting and twisting his head to form different strokes.

He also uses his palate to mix colours— scooping up different shades of paint on his tongue to form new colours and tones.

His unusual hobby has seen him create a range of intricate portraits and elaborate modernist artworks, including a rendering of Le-

Man wakes up in mortuary more than 15 Female Chinese doctor who sold 7 hours after hospital pronounced him dead newborn babies may not die

M

an wakes up in mortuary more than 15 hours after hospital pronounced him dead.

Staff in a Kenyan morgue were shocked when a man who had been pronounced dead regained consciousness and began calling for help. Hospital authorities have launched an investigation into why Paul Mutora, 24, was declared dead and his body taken to a morgue for embalming. He had been rushed to the hospital in a critical condition after drinking insecticide in an apparent suicide attempt following an argument with his father. On Thursday afternoon two mortuary attendants heard noises coming from a side room and when they

found the man breathing, they ‘took to their heals screaming,’ a witness told Kenya’s Star newspaper. Mr Mutora, a married father-of-one from the town of Limuru, had been taken 30 miles to Naivasha District Hospital, 55 miles north-east of Nairobi. On Wednesday his condition deteriorated and he was pronounced dead at around 11pm and taken to the morgue.

Mr Mutora’s father and other relatives visited his body at the morgue on Thursday morning and returned home to start making arrangements for his funeral. After his shock recovery, Mr Mutora was taken back to the hospital’s male ward and medics say he is now out of danger.

F

emale Chinese doctor who stole and sold SEVEN newborn babies after telling their mothers they had died avoids death sentence. A cruel Chinese female doctor who told mothers their new-born babies had died, but had secretly sold them, has been given a suspended death sentence.

Obstetrician Zhang Shuxia, 55, was found guilty of stealing seven babies after telling their parents the newborns were sick or had died —before selling the children to traffickers for £2,255 for females and £5,240 for males.

The court in Weinan city, in Fuping county, was told that six of the babies were recovered safely by police and returned to their parents — but one was found dead in a ditch, where it had been dumped by a trafficker for unknown reasons. Evidence against Zhang showed that on one occasion she had persuaded a mother to give up her newborn female twins on the grounds that

one had died of a disease and the other had injured arms and legs.

Zhang was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, meaning that if she offends again in a similar way in that time she will be shot. But it is unlikely she will have any chance of repeating the crime because it is suggested by observers that her sentence will probably be commuted to life in prison. It is believed Zhang sold many more children than the seven she was charged with stealing.

onardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper and portraits of Jesus Christ.

Ani, who spends three to four days on each painting, said:‘I wanted to be a different kind of an artist. ‘I wanted to try art which is distinctive that is why I chose this medium, and it worked for me.’ He settled on the unusual technique six years ago after watching another artist draw with his feet — prompting him to experiment with his own style.

‘I have tried painting with my nose, my chin, my elbows and my feet,’ said Ani, who works as a teacher at Lords Public School in the south-west state.

‘I also tried drawing with both hands simultaneously, and also while riding on a moving bike.’

However, he said he wasn’t keen on passing on his talents to his students - as painting with his tongue causes a number of side effect, such as headaches and a painful jaw. ‘After painting with my tongue, i experience pain in jaws, headaches, slight loss of vision and a dip in memory power,’ he said. ‘The side effects stay for around two weeks.

‘Even though I use modern water colours which are non-toxic, the fumes and the smell still have side effects.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

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SATURDAY

Oluwaseun and Edmond blissful union

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t was joy and merrymerry all the way for the Atolagbes and the Okomes last weekend when their children, Oluwaseun Folorunsho and Emikomi Edmond sealed their love in marital bliss between, families, friends and well-wishers The traditional engagement took place at Ziggies Entertainment Centre Magodo, GRA, while the ‘White’ wedding held at Catholic Church of The Resurrection, also in Magodo. Photos by Akeem Salau

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L-R: Mr Adedapo Atolagbe, bride’s dad,Mrs Toritse Okome, groom’s mum, with the couple; Mr and Mrs Emikomi Edmond Okome ,Mr Sunny Okome, groom’s dad and Mrs Nike Atolagbe, bride’s mum.

L-R: Mrs Awokulehin Ayo,Mrs Adefuye Bolaji and Mrs Ajumobi Juliana.

L-R: Mr and Mrs Dele Odukale.

L-R: Mr Jimoh Adeoye,Christopher Ajibowo and Mr Adebisi Ajiboye

Dr and Mrs Adesola Adeduntan

Jo hec hi seal lo Joyy and Uc Uchec hechi lovve

Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014 — 57

Niger Deltans Day in Lagos SONS and daughters of Niger Delta in southwest gathered in Lagos recently to mark the Niger Delta Day. Part of the event was to honour medalists of the last National Sports Festival in disable sports.

The coordinator of the Ijaw Monitoring Group, Comrade Joseph Evah sponsored the event while encouraging unity among Niger Deltans living outside the region.

Comrade Evah welcoming elders to the event

Niger

Delta

Comrade Evah presenting gift to one of the gold medalists among the disable persons

Cross section of blind and disable persons after the presentation of gifts

UCHECHI Onuegbu, a young businessman took his sweetheart, Joy Nneoma Emmanuel to the alter as the two become one body, at Assemblies of God Church, Itire I, Surulere, Lagos.

His traditional wedding took place at the family compound of late Chief Emmanuel Nwankwo of Ndi Ekpu, Agborji Abiriba in Ohafia LGA, Abia State.

The couple; Mr and Mrs Uchechi Onuegbu with groom’s men

The bride, Joy Onuegbu with bridesmaids

The couple; Mr and Mrs Uchechi Onuegbu at the traditional wedding

Vanguard ,FEBRUARY 22, 2014 Vanguard,FEBRUARY

Friends in high places

M

y late friend Sesan Ogunro, was called JB in his younger days for his love for music in general, and James Brown in particular. Another old friend, late Niran Olajoyegbe, first son of Josy Olajoyegbe, (JOFABRO) one of Nigeria’s pioneer music producers— he recorded Fela’s ‘Jeun K’oku’ in the 60s— was also a James Brown fan. He not only had all the known records of the soul maestro, his afro hair style at the time was copied from his late idol.Speaking of Fela, he was such a huge influence on many of us youths of the 60s and 70s, that I was star struck when I eventually met him in the late 70s. Another friend, well roommate, of that period, Sunday Akhionbare, was seriously into Fela and Jimi Hendrix.

And he played his limited records— we were poor students—of these two artistes whenever he could get away with it. This was also the beginning of the Motown Sounds and many of us became ardent followers of different Motown artistes.

But it is not only in music that this cult like followership exists. It is in all walks of life where you have visible, successful and charismatic personalities. And many people, till

comment made me so sick that I never wanted to listen to her music again.

It is also no exaggeration that many of us have taken to our professions because of one person’s influence or the other. I know for certain that the Sunday Times of the late 60s and early 70s greatly influenced my decision to go into journalism. I was so much into some of the high profile columnists that I fantasized about being like them — people like Ebenezer Williams, Sad Sam, Allah De, Peter Pan, Gbolabo Ogunsanwo and Haroun Adamu.

Fortunately for me, I was able to meet, and strike real life relationships with almost all of them. When Peter Enahoro came back from his self imposed 13 year exile, I was lucky to interview him for my column in Punch. I had to ask him if Peter Pan (his column) was coming back with him. His reply that Peter Pan would have to be consigned to memory lane shook me. My comment then was simply, ‘Pity. Peter Pan was one of the reasons some of us took to journalism’.

Sonala Olumhense, another Punch colleague and columnist, was to echo my sentiments in his column a week later.

Also my choice of Punch was largely influenced by the fact that it was being

today, have their walls plastered with pictures of their cult heroes. A classmate had Cassius and Clarence among the names his parents gave him. But so convinced was he that he was a Mohammed Ali lookalike that he changed his name to Cassius Clar in school and tried to do everything he thought Mohammed Ali (Cassius Clay) would do. An elder brother was called “Ol’ Blue Eyes” because of his love for Frank Sinatra

run editorially by Sam Amuka (Sad Sam). I can only be grateful that he took an interest in a young, impressionable kid and took me under his wings. (How many of us have done that to young people who look up to us in the course of our careers?).

Now that I am at the twilight of my professional life, I have also been made severally aware of the ‘many friends’ I have acquired along the way, some of whom I may never meet. These are young, and not so young— people who have emailed or passed comments in various media that my journalistic endeavours have made some impact on them. I can only hope that my excesses and misadventures have not impacted negatively.

What about you? Who are your heroes or ‘friends in high places’ and what values do they bring to your life?

Remember it is never too late to reassess the values people bring to your life. And it is never too late to change friends in high places and pick those who will inspire and re-in force your values.

And to those who occupy public places, please realize that your life is a mirror to some people— what you say and how you say it; what you do and how you do it, will make a lasting impression on some impressionable minds. Just as some people helped you to become an entertainer, a politician, a doctor, a soldier, a journalist, a policeman etc, you owe it to others to help them pick vocations that will enable them make meaningful contributions to their families and the society at large.

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But it is not only in music that this cult l i k e followership exists. It is in all walks of life

whose life style he tried to copy. I in turn, anglicized my surname after an English poet that I admired at the time.

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ecause of the intensity with which we try to cultivate these people and the intimacy that we seek from them, I want to call them friends in high places. Many of these ‘friends’ we will never meet. Many don’t even know we exist. Yet they have such profound influences on our lives and have altered life changing directions of many people. The more obsessive ones among us have studied the lives of these people so much that we know more things about them than even these stars know about themselves.

Unfortunately, what these ‘highly placed friends’ do under the exuberance of youth, or the indulgence of fame and wealth, or the influence of drinks and drugs tend to either inspire us or destroy us. Also comments made off the cuff, or on the spur of the moment, are taken to heart by us and tend to affect our emotions in ways never intended by these public friends in high places.

I will never forget for example, how I felt when a female singer I admired so much in the early 70s made a disparaging remark about blacks. Her C M Y K

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God will cchange hange yyour our st or stor oryy (2)

G

od is Almighty. God is all pow erful. God has no limits. God can turn around every situation. God is the solution to every challenge and the answer to every question. Nothing can take God by surprise.

He is the all knowing God. Nothing can be hid from Him. He is everywhere at the same time. God is the beginning and the ending. He is the Alpha and Omega. All things consist in Him. without Him man can do nothing.

All of satan’s woes and man’s tribulations ends when God is involved.

Satan has succeeded in afflicting and deceiving man and making man to believe that their case cannot be changed, reversed and that it is too late. Unfortunately he has made many to believe that they are meant to be the way they are or that God is responsible for their predicament.

I would want you to know that God is not responsible for your predicament.

He is too concerned about your well being. No wonder the scripture says, if God did not hold back His only begotten Son, what is it then that He (God) will not freely give to you. Know that

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58—SATURDAY

you are of great value to God. You cost Him His Son who willingly paid the price for your liberty. You are not meant to be the way you are.

You were created to bring glory to God and you will manifest glory.

That case that looks so hopeless is not impossible with God. It is too small for God to handle. The God who created the entire universe surely must know what to do in all situations.

You don’t need to run to any native doctor, join the occult or seek for help outside of God. That native doctor or the secret society that you turn to is all satanic agents. They cannot do you any good. They will only succeed at destroying you at the end of the day.

Please know that satan has no mercy in him and so cannot have the heart of doing good to anyone. His mission is

to steal, to kill and to destroy. However, he is not all powerful. He has been rendered powerless. No matter how he may have messed up your life, family, marriage, business, finance, ministry and career, God can still change the story for good.

In the book of job in the bible, the devil wanted to afflict job but could not because God had an hedge around job and so he came to God and accused job before God saying it is because God has blessed job so much and that is why job was following God. He went as far as saying that if God should take His hands off job that job will turn his back against God. One that that makes me to rejoice is that the devil needed God’s consent before he could get at job.

This shows that the devil is absolutely limited where God is involved.

God however gave him the permission to attack job but with limit. Thus satan went into action. He killed all of job’s children, destroyed all his properties and everything that job had. He even afflicted his body with boils. Things got so bad that the wife of job said to job that it was better for her husband (job) to curse God and die than for job to stay alive. But in all of job’s travails he still believed in God as His redeemer.

What was the final outcome. In job 42:10, God changed the story of job.

He turned around job’s captivity. God gave job better children. Blessed him with twice as much as he had before satan struck and also gave him a much more better life.

This same God who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow can also change your story. He is not a respecter of man. He is not partial. Your situation and your enemies do not have the last say. Believe the word of the

I would want you to know that God is not responsible for your predicament. He is too concerned about your well being

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Lord. That situation is temporary and is subject to change.

I decree a glorious change in all that concerns you and your enemies will fear the God that created all things. . God bless you, our great nation Nigeria and President Goodluck Jonathan.

Have you given your life to Jesus? If not, please pray this prayer. Father, I come to you as I am. I invite Jesus into my life to be my personal Lord and Saviour. Wash me cleanse with the blood of Jesus and empower me with the power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you Father for saving my soul and making me your child.

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.

O

ver the years, In domie noodles has remained an item regularly consumed in all homes across the country as evidenced by the strong 75 per cent market share the brand currently controls in the noodles market.

The success story of the brand in the Nigerian market cannot however be detached from the role mother’s play in determining what is purchased for consumption in homes as domestic gatekeepers.

With this in mind, Dufil Prima Foods, makers of the No 1 noodles brand has persistently churned out series of creative campaigns, TV commercials, adverts in tabloids, promos e.t.c which has done well to further help strengthen the bond between the brand and its numerous consumers at every given opportunity.

Having achieved this seamlessly over the years, the company decided to take it a notch higher with the re-introduction of the Indomitables characters, conceptualized several years ago to thrill, engage and most importantly reward its ever-growing customers, mostly children, whose loyalty the company says cannot be quantified. The underlining difference this time, according to the company, is that they are poised

SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014 — 59

Return of Indomitables deepens mother, child bond

Managing Director, Nutricima Limited, Mr. Mr. Suneel Vasudevan (2nd from left) with some of the trade partners of Nutricima at the launch of Nutricima Mega Cash promo in Lagos. to do even better with the revamping of the Indomita- promise that five successbles which they say, promises to give them and their ful children will get to be part of the Indomitable parents an even more enriched experience.

True to their words, Dufil Prima Foods swung into animation series on TV, action 3 months ago with a campaign that heralded plus a handful of juicy the re-launch of the Indomitables, tagged the ‘Indom- scholarships.

In the run- up to the itable Magnet’ Promo coupled with the rebranding of its popular 70gram Indomie Chicken Pack and a firm campaign, consumers were guided through hypes on radio, TV commercials, newspapers, social media and other media channels on what they could do to participate in the promo and exactly how to go about the mechanics. It was explained that, in all, there were 16 magnets of the five indomitable characters, namely: Tweeny, Swifty, Vision, Bigboy and Stretchy. Each hero strikes a different pose in three magnets and one magnet features all of them together. The kids have to collect all of them and flash the number on each to enter for the lucky draw. 5 lucky winners, the company said will get to be part of the Indomitables animation series on TV. The campaign which commenced in September peaked with a well attended raffle draw on the 18th of December, creating lots of buzz which saw kids and parents participate in the promo where many were in a hot race to gather 16 magnetic stickers for a chance to win the juicy prizes on offer.

However, the roles of mothers in this promo cannot be overemphasized as they have been reported to be an integral part of the success story of the promo due to roles they played in purchasing the promo packs and most importantly, guiding their wards to gather the potential winning magnetic stickers. A few of them who were caught up in the buzz of indomitables promo, aired their opinions

on how the excitement enveloped mothers and kids and how all parties had fun gathering the magnets.

Mrs. Morenike Olajide, mother to 12-year-old Seun Olajide, narrated the excitement the Indomitables magnet hunt created while it lasted, as she said “the restoration of the indomitable characters was indeed a very thoughtful initiative put together by the company as it did well to not only engage the kids and their parents but also inject lots of fun in homes.

“I can tell you that myself and my son, Seun, enjoyed ourselves while the promo lasted and most importantly had quality time bonding, as I always ensured to make my phone available for him to use in flashing the magnetic code. Little wonder my boy cannot do without Indomie noodles. Having said that, I really wished that he emerged as one of the five lucky winners, but it was such a wonderful engaging experience all the same”.

Another mother, a full housewife, Remi Olagunju, was also delighted to have her children participate in the promo, noting that there was never a dull moment while it lasted because “we bought indomie cartons every two weeks and ensured we checked for matching photos of the various characters, namely: Tweeny, Stretchy, Vision, Bigboy and Swifty. The fun part of it all was that flashes to the numbers on the stickers which provides immediate auto confirmation via SMS were free of charge.”

In her estimation, initiatives like this should be encouraged going forward: “I must say the makers of Dufil sure know how to engage and thrill children and their parents because both parties were also involved in the gathering of the magnetic stickers. I cannot speak for all of them, but I can tell you we all had a swell time in our quest to match the stickers. I guess they deserve to be the most preferred instant noodles indeed.” All the buzz that the promo generated eventually culminated into the raffle draw proper, where the winners were selected. On the much anticipated day of the raffle draw, journalists & TV media gathered to witness the unveiling of the eventual winners after a transparent raffle draw selection process.

The winners were: Moyosore Bamisaiye, 10year-old from Ikorodu, Lagos; Chidinma Ewuniye, 11-year-old, from Anambra; 10-yearold Oluwaseyi Olukolu from Lagos Island; Sultan Akindele - Ayobo, Ogun State and 13- year-old Chioma Ekuka who resides at Agege, Lagos.

Head of Marketing, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr.

Manpreet Singh, commenced the proceedings of the day by welcoming all and explaining the rationale behind the introduction of the Indomitable Team promo. “Over the years, customers - mostly children - have been immensely loyal to the brand with unalloyed patronage which has continually seen the company grow exceedingly. That is the reason why we will continue to evolve special ways of saying thank you to them.

“The Indomitables Team Character promo which is one out of many, expectedly witnessed instant strong-level acceptance coupled with massive buzz created among parents and their wards during the campaign,” he said.

Singh pointed out that the huge talkability it generated in states across the country speaks volumes about the huge market share that Indomiecommands in the instant noodles market.

Lending credence to Singh’s statement, Publicity Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc. Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, said “the Indomitables is another special way of rewarding Indomie’s loyal consumers, mostly children, with the relaunch of their favourite animation series and even making it much better than the previous one.

The upcoming Indomitables cartoon TV series would be shown across all states in the country and would see each of the five lucky winners feature in each episode which promises to be loaded with plenty of fun and excitement. The kids are no doubt assured of a memorable experience that would be worth their while. Also, the kids will be flown down to Lagos and treated to a fun-filled day in choice locations, after which the shooting of the cartoon series will be done”.

According to Ashiwaju, Dufil Prima Foods took its time to repackage and make the promo better because the attachment of the kids towards the brand was identified when it was first launched, adding that the revamped Indomitables would be seeing the five winners feature in the new TV animation series.

“We value our esteemed consumers, most of whom are kids. So this is a way of giving them something extra special that will not only keep them excited but also engage them during the holiday season and beyond. As part of the run-up to this campaign, ATL were judiciously exploited while fliers, posters and other BTL materials of Indomitables characters were distributed to schools across the nation so the kids could understand the mechanics in order to understand how best to go about participating in the promo,” explained Mr. Ashiwaju.

60—SATURDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

AFN seeks crack relay teams for NNPC/Shell Cup: Zonal prelims world meets … schedules national relay meet for March 14 kick off Feb 25 A T HE stage is now set for the zonal preliminaries of the 2014 edition of the NNPC/Shell Cup after the state finals were decided across the country last weekend with some stunning results, according to Shola Akinwale, Zonal Coordinator of the competition.

Akinwale disclosed during the week that “the conclusion of the state finals has paved way for the zonal preliminaries as all the state champions shall proceed to the next stage of the championship. The state champions shall be grouped into nine different cities across the country from February 25.”

The nine cities, he said, are Osogbo, Ado Ekiti, Benin, Yenagoa, Enugu, Lokoja, Keffi, Katsina and Jalingo and the quater-

finalists are expected to emerge after the series of matches.

The state champions are Akunne Oniah Memorial Secondary School, Onitsha, Government Day Secondary School, BirninKudu, Government Day Secondary School, Numan, Government Commercial Secondary School, Takum, Government Day Secondary School, Azare, Government College, Maiduguri and Anglican Secondary School, Makurdi.

Others are Community Secondary School, Abueke Ihitte in Imo state, Government Science Secondary School, Dawakin-Kudu, Kano State, St. Augustine Secondary School, Kabba, Kogi state, Ikare City Academy, Ondo state, Government Secondary

School, Kopyal Bokos, Plateau state and Kwara Football Academy Secondary School, Ilorin.

From Niger state is Government Model School, Kontagora, Dangogo Secondary School, Bangudu, Zamfara, Imam College, Kaduna, Government College, Keffi, Nasarawa state, Annunciation School, Ikere Ekiti, 2Ends Multinational Secondary School, Ikom, Cross River, Government Day Secondary School, Dange, Sokoto state, Adeola Odutola College, IjebuOde, Ogun state, Government Secondary Unity School, Malumfashi, Katsina state, Brightville College, Ibadan, Oyo state and Progress Comprehensive High School, Modakeke, Osun state.

THLETICS Federation of Nigeria technical director, Omatseye Nesiama has said that Nigeria will raise a crack team that will contest for all the relay medals at the international meets, starting from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

To this end Nesiama, a Nigeria Navy Commodore stated that the AFN will embark on a massive relay campaign starting with the national relay meet scheduled for March 14 at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode. “We want to reinforce the Relay tradition in Nigeria.

To this end, we have

established the national relay champio-nship, which will come up on the 14th of March. All States and clubs are expected to present their athletes.

“Apart from this, in all our events we will run the relays. We want to have a solid team at the end of the day for international meets.

Right now we have two teams off shore and on shore, from where we intend to get the best runners,” said the AFN technical director after last weekend’s meet in IjebuOde. He remarked that the country was on course in her preparations for the Commonwealth Games adding that 15 athletes

have met the set standard.

“But we are working to have more athletes meet the standards that we have set. This is because we are not going to Glasgow for sight seeing, but to participate and win medals.”

He remarked that the outcome of last weekend’s All Comers meet was very satisfying compared to last year when the athletes shocked the federation with their refusal to compete.

“We are satisfied with the performances of the athletes. Virtually all the top athletes were here and that shows they mean business this year,” he said.

Mighty Contest... Ogho-Oghene Egwero (centre) competes with Usain Bolt and Cameroon’s Idrissa Adam.

Egwero: Going under 10.00 is possible in 2014 S An action dring an NNPC/Shell Cup mactch. The zonal prelims begin across the country on Tuesday

2014 NOGIG: It’s about friendship and bonding, says Ogbeifun

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HAIRMAN of the Organising Committee for the 15th Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games, Louis Ogbeifun has stressed that the essence of the biennial games that begin this Sunday in Lagos is for friendship and bonding.

Speaking at a preevent press briefing in Lagos Thursday, Ogbeifun said, “it has afforded sports men and women in oil and gas industry the opportunity to come together under a convivial atmosphere to interact with one another and promote friendship through sporting competition.”

Continuing, the chairman said, “the essence of the games is not just about winning but enhancing our physical well-being and mental alertness in adherence to the industr y ’ s health, safety, environment and quality (HSEQ).” Twelve companies are participating in this year ’s edition which is being supported by telecommunication giants, Globacom.

Events are billed to hold at the Chevron Recreation Centre Gbagada, Ikoyi Club 1938 and the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos.

Events to be compet-

ed for include Tennis, Squash, Swimming, Athletics, Golf and 8 ball pool.

Other sports include Chess, Scrabble and football. The opening ceremony holds at the Chevron Centre in Gbagada on Sunday The chairman explained that adequate measures have been taken to ensure there were no cheats at the games.

“Participation is only open to bonifide members of staff of the participating companies,” he said, adding that it would be extremely difficult for any mercenary to beat the measure put in place.

PRINTER, OghoOghene Egwero believes that he still has some dreams left in track and field and he is hoping to join the world elite of 9.99 seconds runners.

Egwero who was speaking after catching his breath at the All Comers meet at Ijebu Ode last weekend observed that, he and indeed others have got a fine start to their season and with the right support, he will work hard to go under 10.00 seconds and that will be joyful to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria officials who have been wishing to see Nigerian male sprinters produce world standard performances. “ Doing a sub 10 is a priority and I know that I can do it. It is something that I have been working on over the years and I think that it is quite possible to do it this year,” said the athlete whose best time is 10.18 seconds.

He stated that his programme this year include winning the African championships in Morocco

and also register a good performance at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. “In 2010 I wasn’t fit, but this time around I am going to contest with other top athletes at the Commonwealth Games.

The AFN training programme is good but athletes need some other things to do well. Things like training grants and I am happy that they are working on this and we hope that it will be alright

Williams makes Olympics history

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OMEN 100 world champion, Lauryn Williams made history at the Winter Olympics in Sochi on Wednesday by becoming the first Olympic athletics gold medallist to win a medal at the Winter Games.

Williams, who took 4x100m gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games, has focused on the bobsleigh over the winter and made it on to the US team for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Paired with driver Elana Meyers in the two-woman bobsled, Williams held pole position overnight after setting a track record on their first slide and a

start record on their second slide. Only four other people in history have won medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympics. USA’s Eddie Eagan is the only person to have won gold at both Games, winning the light heavyweight boxing title at the 1920 Summer Games, followed by gold in the four-man bobsled at the 1932 Winter Games.

Two other women – Christa Luding and Clara Hughes – have won summer and winter Olympic medals, both specialising in cycling and speed skating. But Williams is the first US woman to achieve the feat.

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62— SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

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SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014 —63

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SATURDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

TODAY’S MATCHES Chelsea Arsenal Cardiff City Manchester City West Bromwich Albion West Ham United Crystal Palace

vs vs vs vs vs vs vs

Everton Sunderland Hull City Stoke City Fulham Southampton Man. United

1:45 pm 4:00 pm 4:00 pm 4:00 pm 4:00 pm 4:00 pm 6:30 pm

World Cup: Mikel calls for solid preparation *Says 2010 performance poor *Yearns for more trophies with Eagles

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UPER Eagles and Chelsea of England midfielder John Obi Mikel has expressed his zeal to win more trophies with the Super Eagles just like he is doing with his west London outfit.

Mikel, who only last month lost the CAF African Footballer of the Year award to Ivorian Yaya Toure is expected to feature for Nigeria when Stephen Keshi’s side battle El Tri of Mexico in an international friendly on March 5.

According to him, the Super Eagles need more warm up games to build a solid team ahead of the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil.

“My personal goal is to make sure that I am part of a very successful team. I have won

trophies with Chelsea and I want to win trophies with the national team as well,” Mikel told Brilafm.net.

“Until this happens, I won’t be satisfied with my international career. We need to prepare well, play friendly games, and try to make sure that we get a good team before the World Cup. “We had a very bad outing at the last World Cup so we hope that in 2014, we can play very well,” he concluded.

Mikel was a key member in Nigeria’s trophy-winning feat at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament held in South Africa and would be making his debut appearance at the World Cup after failing to make the 2010 tournament due to injury.

Controversy over Uzoenyi’s Sundowns 4-yr deal

*As Rangers claim ignorance

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HE Most Valuable Play er at the 2014 CHAN and 24-year-old Nigeria international, Ejike Uzoenyi is excited he has been to complete a move to South African Premier League club, Mamelodi Sundowns on a four-year contract.

The Nigeria international had earlier rejected a move to team up with Romanian club FC Vaslui that offered him a deal worth 600,000 Euro.

This is however, against the reaction of his Nigerian club, Rangers of Enugu which spoke through its media officer, Forster Chime in Enugu, insisting that it is not aware the player has joined Sundowns.

“We are just hearing of this purported move in the media.

No team has approached us for the services of Ejike Uzoenyi,” the Rangers media officer told MTNFootball.com.

“Maybe what we have now is

the antics of an agent who wants to finish with the player before coming to his club.

“We are waiting as Ejike remains our player and we have just negotiated a new contract with him and other players for the coming season.”

Speaking about the deal, Uzoenyi said he was delighted to have joined the South African outfit describing the Brazilians as a “great deal”.

“Joining a club like Sundowns is a great deal for me because their ambitions to conquer Africa are in line with my career objectives as a player,” he told the club’s official website.

“The other thing that made me join the club is that Coach Pitso had a chat with me before I joined and we had a discussion about his plans for me and I feel that I’m ready for the challenge,” he concluded.

Uzoenyi is expected to join his new teammates in June.

CELEBRATION: Mikel lifting the African Nations Cup trophy. He wants to win more laurels with the Super Eagles.

Nigeria/Mexico friendly makes history

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HE March 5 interna tional friendly match between Nigeria and Mexico at the Georgia Dome is fast selling and trending to be one of highest-attended soccer games in Atlanta’s history.

Two weeks before the March 5 kickoff, more than 40,000 tickets have been sold. Soccer United Marketing, which is organizing the game, has sold tickets to consumers from 37 different states.

More than 85 percent of the tickets for the Dome’s lower bowl have been sold.

Because games featuring MexAcross 1 Chairman, Joint Health Workers Union (JOHESU), Dr. Ayuba – (5) 4 L.G.A in Sokoto State – (7) 8 Public Relations Officer, The Nigerian Police Force, CSP Frank – (3) 9 Vehicle – (3) 10 Former Kwara State Governor, Salaudeen – (7) 13 Colour – (5) 15 L.G.A in Zamfara State – (4) 17 Greece Capital City – (6) 18 African Textile – (6) 21 Thailand Currency Unit – (6) 24 Banking Outfit in Nigeria – (6) 25 Former Minister of Labour, Lawan – (4) 27 PDP National Chairman, Adamu – (5) 29 Country in West Africa – (7) 32 Greek Alphabet – (3) 33 Vehicle – (3) 34 Country in Europe – (7) 35 Respond – (5) Down 1 World Tennis Women’s Number One Seed, Serena – (8) 2 World’s Fastest Athlete, Usain – (4)

call in much of the team that will appear in the World Cup. “Atlanta is a great city,” Herrera told Soccer United Marketing. “We’ve played there with some teams and the people have responded sensationally. The Georgia Dome is a good stadium with an important capacity.

It has a rich history, with football and the Olympics. Nigeria is going to be an extraordinary opponent for us, very similar to what we are going to face against Cameroon in the opening match of the World Cup.”

ico typically have large walk-up sales, the upcoming match could surpass the previous record of 54,229 tickets sold for last year’s Gold Cup games, which also featured Mexico. Capacity for the game is 72,000.

Next month’s game features two teams that will in play in the World Cup in Brazil this summer, so the environment in the Dome could be raucous.

Mexico, No. 21 in FIFA’s world rankings, is in a World Cup group that includes Brazil, Croatia and Cameroon. Coach Miguel Herrera is expected to

3 Former Ugandan President, Idi – (4) 4 Country in Africa – (5) 5 Benue State Governor, Gabriel – (6) 6 Against – (4) 7 Land Measurement Unit – (4) 11 Lagos State Capital – (5 12 L.G.A in Kebbi State – (6) 14 Sailor – (3) 16 Afghanistan President, Hamid – (6) 19 African Textile – (5) 20 Turkmenistan Capital City – (8) 22 Former Minister of Environment, Iyorchia – (3) 23 Equitorial Guinea’s President, Mr. Obiang – (6) 26 Colour – (5) 27 Repair – (4) 28 Former NFF Secretary-General, Fanny – (4) 30 Ethiopian Currency – (4) 31 Italian “Serie A” Club Side – (4)

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