Nothing will stop february polls-jega

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2 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

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SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015—3

4 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

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Nothing will stop February polls—Jega *As PDM adopts Buhari as Presidential candidate

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

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ATIONAL Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, (retd) came under verbal attack, yesterday, for his call on the Independent National Electoral Commission, to shift the conduct of the 2015 polls.

Former Minister of Defence (state), Musiliu Obanikoro, former Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, spokesman of the House of Representatives were among the numerous Nigerians and bodies that condemned Dasuki’s call for election postponement.

(See more stories on page 7) As the attacks on Dasuki continued, the Chairman of the INEC, Prof Attahiru Jega yesterday assured Nigerians that there was no going back on the conduct of the elections next month.

Jega told a stakeholders meeting in Abuja that the issue of permanent voter cards distribution had been laid to rest as those who were yet to get their cards had been directed to where they could do so before the end of the month.

Jega said if Nigerians who registered to vote fail to show up and collect their PVCs, there was nothing the commission could do to force them to go and collect their cards.

While some Nigerians have genuine cases of their cards not being available there are many whose cards are at the various centres for collection.

The chairman said that there was no need to postpone the election, whose timetable was issued about a year ago without any opposition from any of the parties.

Several groups and individuals rose swiftly to denounce the Presidential adviser for what they see as a callous, self-serving and a potentially dangerous move to abort the election and throw Nigeria into avoidable crisis that can tear the nation apart.

Dasuki, seen as the most powerful leader of President Jonathan’s think-tank, went offshore to the British Chatham House and made his damning advocacy that the polls be shifted since INEC had not been able to distribute all the cards it printed for the electorate.

Although INEC said it had distributed 68.8 million

cards so far, Dasuki told the London audience that only 30 million PVCs had been made available to Nigerian voters.

This was apparently to justify his call for the poll shift. It triggered off an immediate condemnation by Nigerians.

Kano-based politician, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, descried Dasuki’s call for the poll postponement as a ploy by President Jonathan to plunge Nigeria into chaos, having seen clearly that his opponent, Gen. Buhari, was poised to win the forthcoming election.

Mohammed warned Dasuki to jettison their thoughts and allow INEC to conduct the elections as planned, as neither Jonathan nor himself would be able to predict the fall-outs of the planned poll shift.

The former House of Representatives member noted that Dasuki had not been able to marshal out any good reason to justify the poll shift, asking why he waited till the last minute to make such a malevolent demand with only three weeks to the elections.

Kicking against Dasuki’s idea, the Muslims Rights Concern, a group that promotes the interest of Muslims in Nigeria, described the call by the NSA as diversionary and unpatriotic, smacking of moral debauchery.

The group in a statement by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said it was worrisome and suspicious for a senior officer working for one of the parties in the election to suggest to INEC the postponement of the election.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Movement, the political group linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and late Shehu Musa Yar ’Adua, has thrown its weight behind the candidature of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in next month’s election.

The party at its National Executive Meeting in Abuja on Friday, noted that Buhari had what it takes to solve the myriad of challenges facing Nigeria as opposed to the current leadership of President Jonathan.

“In a communique jointly signed by its National Chairman, Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim and Secretary, Ifeanyi Igwe, PDM noted that it did not field a Presidential candidate for the poll, it was solidly behind Buhari in the poll.

The PDM said: “NEC observed that of the

available presidential candidates, two clearly stand out and the two represent a clear contrast and reference point for making a clear and informed choice.

“On the five critical issues which NEC believes constitute the nation’s top and urgent priority at this material time, namely, National Unity, Public Security, Job Creation, Fight Against Corruption and the Economy, it is the opinion of NEC that the incumbent who has been at the helm of affairs of the nation in the past six years had failed.

“In contrast, his opponent had a track record of achievement in these areas as a former Head of State and, later, Executive Chairman of Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund. NEC believes it is time for Nigerians to give

President Goodluck Jonathan flanked by the Agriculture Resources Minister, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and the Minister of State for Agriculture, Mrs. Asabe Ahmed as he acknowledged cheers from farmers during the Agricutural Exhibition tagged Agrifest 2015 at the Eagle Square, Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida him a chance. In view of the foregoing, NEC unanimously resolved to support the candidature of

General Muhammadu Buhari for President of Nigeria and called on all members and supporters of

PDM across Nigeria to vote for him in the presidential election of February 14, 2015,” the party said.

2015: UN warns against violence

By Victoria Ojeme

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HE United Nations (UN) has cautioned Nigerians and political parties’ supported to desist from act that is capable of causing violence in the forthcoming general elections.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa, Mohammed Ibn Chambas, who made the remark in an interview with journalists during his courtesy visit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Aminu Wali, in Abuja, said the world cannot afford to see Nigeria slip into a political crisis.

“The UN Secretary General has, in fact, expressed his concern that the elections here be violent-free, inclusive and credible. We believe Nigeria has the capacity to deliver elections that are not marred by violence, that are transparent and that would allow for free expression of the will of the Nigerian people. It must maintain its unity and cohesion, and be able to carry forward and undertake its leadership role “Of course, we always want to draw attention to the fact that the whole world; the eyes of the world are on Nigeria because of who Nigeria is.

Nigeria is the pre-eminent country in Africa; economically is the biggest economy, political Nigeria is both on the AU Peace and Security Council and

the UN Security Council.

These are the bodies charged with ensuring peace and security in Africa and in the world. So that is why we cannot afford to see Nigeria slip into any

political crisis.

“Therefore, all leaders have to act with a sense of responsibility; they have to appeal to their followers to understand that election is notawar.Itisaboutthechoice

of the people. So, ordinary people of the country of Nigeria, the good people of this country, should be allowed in a free and unhindered atmosphere to express their free will.

Apapa gridlock: Ambode, Agbaje differ on solution Jimi Agbaje, while reacting to the accusation laid on the

By Naomi Uzor

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos gubernatorial candidate, Mr., Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday said, the Apapa traffic gridlock was a fall out of the inefficiency of the PDP led government.

Speaking at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, private sector interactive forum with some governorship candidates in Lagos, Ambode said.

“Of all the roads that we have in Lagos, 117 of those roads are federal government roads and Apapa express is one of them, there is nothing that APC government has not done to allow businesses thrive in that axis, each time we even try to relocate the traffic congestion of these tankers and trailers, we always have a bottleneck and frustration from the federal government, beyond what you see” “We have expanded to ensure that we have additional seaports in Badagry and Lekki, to easing out the kind of challenges we face in Apapa

area, beyond that, we believe strongly also, that there are additional infrastructure that are being used as alternative to allow businesses to expand in that axis” he stated.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Lagos Gubernatorialcandidate,Mr.

PDP led government said, if we want to move forward as a country, we mustn’t begin to look at the economy of Nigeria as a big brother; we must begin to look at the Nigeria economy as a partner, rather than waiting for the federal government to do everything in Lagos.

Three dead, five injured in Lagos auto crash

By Bose Adelaja

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HREE people were feared dead while five others were injured, yesterday, in Lagos during anautocrashwhichoccurred at Ketu area of the state. The incident which occurred at 5.15am was said to have involved a 40 feet articulated truck with number plate SMK 406 XE, a Tata bus, a Volkswagen Varagon and a private car all heading towards Ikorodu area. Eye witness also said unidentified secondary school student and passengers of a commercial bus were among the casualties.

According to eye witnesses’ account, the

incident was caused by the articulated truck which suffered a break failure and hit the fully loaded Tata bus which also rammed into the Varagon bus and the private carleadingtofivepassengers of both buses to be injured whilethreeothersdiedonthe spot.

The casualties were trapped under the truck before they were eventually rescued by sympathisers.

The prompt intervention of law enforcement agents was said to have saved the situation as rescue operation commenced immediately while the affected vehicles were towed to the nearest Police station.

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

FG kicks off sale of kerosene at N50 per litre …As consumers applaud NNPC’s kero-direct scheme

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

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HE Federal Government, Friday, flagged off the sale of kerosene at the pump price of N50 per litre under the Kero-Direct–Scheme, a programme designed by NigerianNationalPetroleum Corporation,NNPC,tomake the commodity available for every household in the country.

The Group Managing DirectorofNNPC,Dr.Joseph Dawha,whilespeakingatthe programme, admitted that driving the kero-direct programme would be quite challenging but assured that with unwavering support of government, the objectives will be achieved.

According to him, “We are committed to ensuring the elimination of the kerosene “Black Market” so that Nigerian consumers can buy kerosene at the correct price of N50 per litre. We know this will be challenging, but with the unwavering support and assurances of Government through the able leadership of Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke, we are confident that the objectives of this laudable scheme will be achieved” “As you know, household kerosene is a very important commodity in every household in the country. As

a major domestic cooking fuel, kerosene has now become indispensabletovirtuallyevery Nigerian family. However, despite the importance of this commodity to Nigerians, accessing kerosene at the correct price has been a challenge over the years”.

Dawha added that “the scheme is response to the clarion yearnings of deserving Nigerian consumers of kerosene, particularly our mothers, sisters, fathers and brothers who constitute the good people of Nigeria and in

line with transformation agendaofPresidentGoodluck Jonathan; we are launching thefederalgovernment’skerodirectscheme” The GMD stated that NNPC has engaged in strategic partnership with criticalstakeholdersincluding credible non-governmental organisationstoembarkonan aggressive sensitization and monitoringoftheprogrammes to ensure to seamless and transparent distribution and sales of kerosene at the correct price at all its stations.

In her welcome address earlier, the Group Executive Director, Commercial and Investments of NNPC, Hajia Aisha Abdulrahman, has assured that effective measures are already in place to ensure that the product get to the target consumers.

Abdulrahman reiterated NNPC’s ‘continued commitment in making the kero-direct scheme a resounding success not only to reduce the hardship faced

by Nigerians, but also to once again touch lives positively’.

e-ID card will check insecurity —IBB … as 6m cards ready for distribution

By Emmanuel Elebeke

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ORMER President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, said the electronic identity card being processed by the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, would help in checking the increasing security challenges in the country.

General Bagangida made the assertion when the Director General of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC and the management team, issued him his National e-ID card

at his Minna uphill residence, Minna, Niger State.

Following the Card issuance, the former President, who was visibly impressed by the card and its applications, noted that the card will no doubt help reduce the security challenges by the present administration.

He also expressed gratitude that the card was issued to him, while he was alive and can still make use of its features, and called on every Nigerian to ensure that they enroll for the National Identification Number, NIN so they will be eligible for the Card.

“I am proud to have received the new National e-ID Card today. It makes me a proud Nigerian, and every Nigerian should make an extra effort to enrol and collect his own National Identity Card.”

“Everyone should be proud of this type of project because it confirms you as a citizen. It is definitely something to be proud of. I am proud I have this one while I am still alive, please keep it up,” he said.

Earlier in his speech, the DG of NIMC, said the Commission has entered the distribution stage and noted that about six million cards are ready for distribution.

BRIEFS Saudi King Abdullah dies, new ruler is Salman

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AUDI Arabia’s King Abdullah died early Friday and his brother Salman became king, the royal court in the world’s top oil exporter and birthplace of Islam said in a statement carried by state television.

King Salman has named his half-brother Muqrin as his crown prince and heir.

“His Highness Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and all members of the family

and the nation mourn the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who passed away at exactly 1 a.m.

Yesterday,” said the statement.

Abdullah, thought to have been born in 1923, had ruled Saudi Arabia as king since 2006, but had run the country as de facto regent for a decade after his predecessor King Fahd suffered a debilitating stroke.

BIS student wins Cambridge global awards

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STUDENT of the British International School, Lagos, Miss Eseosa Idemudia has won the p r e s t i g i o u s ‘Cambridge Top in the World” awards.

Miss Idemudia won the awards from C a m b r i d g e International Examinations in acknowledgement of her outstanding performance in the June 2014 Cambridge Examination series.

Cambridge Top in the World awards recognize the success of learners who have achieved the highest standard mark in the

world for a single subject.

Miss Idemudia has received the awards in the 2014 IGCSE Business Studies and Economics.

The Principal of the British International School, Mr. Peter Yates said that the awards recognized the talent, dedication and commitment of both learners and staff of the school.

He said the school is immensely proud of her success and believe there is much more to come in terms of her own development and other students at the British International School.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015 — 7

Outrage over Dasuki’s call for poll shift Bode George supports NSA’s call for shift *As Obanikoro kicks

By Dapo Akinrefon

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ORMER Deputy Na tional Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Olabode George yesterday threw his weight behind the call for a postponement of the February general elections.

Meanwhile, former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro kicked against Dasuki’s call for poll shift.

“I am not in support of a postponement of next month’s general elections.

INEC should rather get its act right,” he said.

Obanikoro who led a road walk in support of the Jonathan/Sambo in Alimosho local government area of Lagos State said: “we are not impressed with INEC over the distribution of PVCS which would make or mar this election.

With about 43 percent collection rate, there is still a lot of work to be done before the election.”

“We are however not in support of any postponement of this election. Rath-

er, we want INEC to put it’s house in order and ensure enough eligible Nigerians are allowed to vote .”

It will be recalled that the National Security Adviser to President Jonathan, Col Sambo Dasuki had advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to shift next month’s polls following inability of Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs).

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Lagos, George said he would support the call for a shift in the polls to enable Nigerians collect their PVCs. He said “the NSA sees things deeper than any of us. So many people have not gotten their PVCs in Lagos and they will be disenfranchised. I have not collected mine. There are logistic problems but calling for a postponement of the election does not mean it will be conducted after May 29. The NSA must ensure there is peace in the land.

If we have a breather all well and good, this will give INEC time to distribute the PVCS. I have no objection if it is done as the NSA has

It’s unacceptable — Lagos APC

By Olasnkanmi Akoni

The Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos Chapter, Mr. Joe Igbokwe condemned the statement, describing it as “unacceptable.”

According to him, “Postpone what?, any day longer than May 28, 2015 is Third term for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and it will be totally unacceptable.

Gen Ibrahim Badamosi Babaginda, IBB [retd], Gen

Sanni Abacha, {retd} and Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo could not achieve their ambition to get third term in Nigeria talk less of Jonathan.

“Please if this is a joke let us stop it. There must be elections on February 14, 2015 and no power in the tongue of any man will stop this elections “APC pity anybody who will dare to test the will of 150 million Nigerians. It is better if that pardon had not been born.”

said.”

Speaking further, he said “ I am yet to collect my PVC. INEC has said the distribution of PVCS should be decentralized to the ward level.

I don’t think they will postpone the elections later than May 29, what his (NSA) fears are, are genuine because the collection of these PVCS is important. “ He, however, appealed to Nigerians to eschew ethnic and religious bigotry saying the peace of the country was paramount.

INEC, NASS, Parties must agree before any shift of election — Sen. Ita-Enang parties and the National As- HealsosaidthatiftheconBy Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Agbakwuru

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HERE have been diver gent views over the alleged call by the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuku for a shift in date of the forthcominggeneralelections expected to commence on February 14 starting with the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Some have argued that there was no need to shift it why others had canvassed that it could be shifted from the said fixed dates but to hold within the stipulated period before the expiration of the term of office of the incumbent occupier in accordance with the Constitutional provisions and the Electoral Act. Section 25 (6) of the Electoral Acts 2010 (amended) states: ‘An election to the said office of the President shall be held on a date not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30days before the expiration of the term of office of

Right activist accuses Jonathan of working behind scene

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UMAN rights activist, Richard Akinola has described the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki’s call to postpone the February general elections as ‘dis‘disingenuous’, adding that it confirmed speculations that the president Goodluck Jonathan administration had been working behind the scenes to postpone the elections.

Akinola stated that government must be held responsible for the consequences of this threat to our democracy.

“Two governorship elections were held last year in Ekiti and Osun states and the two states did not witness up to 55

% of voter turn outs. In Ekiti state, while 1,360,455 people were registered to vote, only 360,455, representing 50.3 per cent of the registered voters, actually voted.

In Osun state, while 1,411,373 people were registered to vote, only 750,02, representing 54.17 per cent, actually voted.

“Under the current arrangements, INEC said 68,833,476 people were registered to vote but that so far, only 38,774,391, which is more than 50 per cent of registered voters.

It is quite obvious that the Jonathan government, faced with an imminent defeat at the

L- R: Mr Julius Ebhodaghe V. P. Admin. , Mrs Jomion Shogbola , Old Girl , Mrs Mercy Akin-Ajayi Principal of LASMAB, Prof. ( Mrs ) Mopelola Omoegun , Chairman Board of Governance LASMAB and Mrs Ladun Durojaiye, Old Girl during a press briefing on 60th anniversary celebration of Anglican Girls Grammar School, held in Lagos, yesterday.

polls next month, is resorting to this dangerous plan which may plunge the nation into a monumental crisis as we witnessed during the June 12 saga of 1993.

the last holder of that office’.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang who spoke to Saturday Vanguard from London said that for elections to be shifted there mustbeconsultationsamong the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the various political

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HE Conference of Ni gerian Political Parties, CNPP, yesterday took a swipe at the National Security Adviser, NSA, Colonel Sambo Dasuki over his call for the postponement of the next months general elections, describing reasons adduced by him as puer-

sideration was based on the security situation in the country, ‘’There must be consultations among the relevant stakeholders before any decision should be taken so that it will not send any bad signals before the international community. You should also know that today, Nigeria is still volatile”

Zakari Mohammed warns against consequence

By Demola Akinyemi

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POKESMAN of Fed eral House of Representatives, Honourable Zakari Mohammed representing Baruten/ Kaiama Federal Constituency has warned that shifting the dates of elections could cause chaos and anarchy in Nigeria, urging the chairman of INEC and other stakeholders not to toy with the idea.

Hon Zakari Mohammed who spoke in an interview with journalists in Ilorin Thursday night on the state of the nation described the call by Security Adviser to the president, Col Sambo Dasuki as unpatriotic, selfish and egocentric.

His words,” The idea is most unpatriotic. You cant change the rule in

CNPP derides Dasuki over call for poll shift ile, bare face lie and

By Chris Ochayi

sembly.

Although he said he was not aware of any suggestion for the election to be postponed from the initial date, ‘’for any of such thing to happen, there should be a consultation by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the National Assembly and the various affected political parties.”

dummy meant to deceive the international community.

The National Publicity of CNPP, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, while condemning the call in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, alleged the plot was designed to portray Nigeria in bad light and scuttle regime change.

the middle of the game.The issue is that we cant have a perfect election, and the expectation is that going by the rates at which the PVCs have been collected so far,its obvious that by the

end of the month, there would be remarkable improvement in the figures, even though the figures we have by now across the country is still impressive.”

...As Groups slam NSA

By Emma Amaize

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HE Centre for the Vulnerable and the Underprivileged, CENTREP, Delta State, yesterday, lambasted the National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (retd) for suggesting that next month’s elections be postponed.

Executive director of the group, Mr. Oghenjabor Ikimi, in a statement, said,

Dasuki made the call at a forum in London under the pretext that it was to allow the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, enough room to properly prepare and distribute permanent voter ’s cards, PVCs, to the electorate.

His words, “We volcanically reject the said call as a same is a ploy by the Federal Government to either rig or scuttle the said elections.”

Saraki urges Nigerians to reject any attempt to shift polls

By Demola Akinyemi

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EADER of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kwara state, Senator Bukola Saraki has urged Nigerians to reject any attempt to postpone the February election saying that the attempt to shift polls was a subtle way of avoiding defeat by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

Saraki, who is Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology spoke yesterday at a campaign rally in Fufu, head-

quarters of Ilorin South local Government area of the state.

The former governor asked Nigerians to reject the proposal made by the National Security Adviser saying it was now evident that the PDP is jittery having seen the handwriting of failure on the wall.

“I urged Nigerians and people of good to reject any attempt by any means to shift the February polls,it is now clear that the PDP jittery. It is a subtle way by the PDP to avoid defeat and it is too late now” he said.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

BRIEFS

EPZ Crisis: Jonathan appeals for calm •Seeks Iteskiri’s support on re-election bid

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday held a closed door meeting with the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II and the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor in Warri, Delta State.

Sources at the closed door meeting told Saturday Vanguard that the visit was for the President to gain Itsekiri leaders’ confidence and support on next month’s elections and appeal for calm over ethnic conflict generated by the stalemated Export Processing Zone, EPZ, sited in Ogidigben, Warri South West Area of the state.

The visit is coming days after the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, ILT, vowed to vote against him if he fails to do the groundbreaking of the $16 billion EPZ which the President reneged on last year following protest by Ijaws of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

The President on arrival had first visited Pastor Oritsejafor at his GRA, Warri residence before leaving for the Olu’s Palace in company of the CAN President and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

A participant source at the meeting told Saturday Vanguard that Jonathan profusely begged the Itsekiri monarch and his subjects to be patient while he liaises with the Petroleum Minister on a new specific day to flag off the EPZ project.

The source added that the President denied before the Itsekiri people that his call-off of the EPZ groundbreaking November 25th last year was forced by threats from protesting Gbaramatu folks.

Our source said: “President Goodluck Jonathan told the Olu of Warri that before the end of Governor Emmanuel U d u a g h a n ’ s administration he will perform the groundbreaking ceremony.

He explained thattheearlier date was put off because it was too short to consult with stakeholders.

“According to him, he does notwantasituationwherethe project will cause bloodshed betweenthepeopleofItsekiri C M Y K

and the Ijaw who have been living peacefully until the project was relocated to Ogidigben.”

Saturday Vanguard further learnt that though the President was economical in soliciting partisan support for

next month’s presidential election,hehoweverpromised a return to the Olu Palace February 4th to discuss politics and the place of Itsekiri when reflected.

ThecityofWarriandadjoining neighborhood were heavily

militarizedasaresultofthevisit As all routes leading to the palace and residence of Pastor Oritsejaforwerebarredtotraffic from morning till departure of Jonathan, resulting in serious gridlocks in all motor able detours.

VISIT: President Goodluck Jonathan (left) and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (right) welcoming Mr. President on arrival in Warri for a private visit to the Olu of Warri yesterday. Photo: Henry Unini

Campaigns: Uduaghan deplores attacks ...Says violence not acceptable in Delta

BY FESTUS AHON, Asaba

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ELTA State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has decried the spate of violent attacks being perpetrated by supportersofcandidatesagainst politicalopponentsandwarned against the menace in Delta State.

Uduaghanhandeddownthe warning on Thursday night at the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Fund Raising/ DinnerCeremonyinAsabafor the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa He threatened that his administration would not tolerate any form of violence during campaigns and elections in the state, stressing that President Goodluck Jonathan has signed a document with other presidentialcandidatestoavoid anything that would cause violencebefore,duringandafter the general elections in the country.

“Icondemntheactofviolence thathappenedatthecampaign ralliesinBurutuandPatanifew daysback.Thatisnotacceptable in Delta State. I am committed topeacefulcampaign,peaceful elections and victory that will bring in Senator Okowa as the next governor of this state,” he said. Uduaghan appealed to party leaders to curtail the excesses of their followers/

supporters,statingthatanyone caught fomenting trouble and violence in the state especially during campaigns and elections would be severely dealtwithbysecurityagencies.

He commended the PDP campaign team in the state for

thegoodworktheyhavedone and called on all party elders andfaithfultosupport theteam in order to deliver Senator Okowa in the February election, describing the party flag bearer as a marketable candidate.

Osun Election Tribunal to fix judgment soon —Tribunal Chairman

By Gbenga Olarinoye, Osogbo

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HE Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime led Osun State Election Petition Tribunal, hearing the petition challenging the victory of governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and his party, the All Progressives Congress APC at the last August 9th Governorship Election has adjourned indefinitely for judgment.

The chairman of the three-man tribunal panel, Justice Ikpejime disclosed this yesterday while ruling after the parties in the case had adopted their final written addresses.

The Peoples’ Democratic Party PDP governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore is praying the tribunal to cancel the results of the election in some polling units in 17 local government councils of the state and prayed the tribunal to declare him the lawful winner of the election.

Counsel to Omisore, Alex Izilyon, SAN, while addressing the panel said that the Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his party APC, have failed to proof their defence beyond reasonable doubt that the said election was not manipulated in favour of APC. .

He said that the petitioner’s evidences were weighty enough to declare Omisore the winner of the election.

But Governor Rauf Aregbesola urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition for lack of merit, being baseless and a waste of time.

Represented by Chief Akin Olujinmi, SAN, and Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, Charles Edohor, he submitted that the specific allegations upon which the grounds of the petition were predicated were criminal in nature, adding that the petitioners have failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.

They further submitted that the petitioners have failed to prove the liability of the first and second respondents in respect of the allegation beyond reasonable doubt as required by the law.

The specific allegations of sponsorship of air advertisement of campaign on election day, intimidation, molestation and harassment, overvoting, multiple voting and voting by proxy, lack of proper accreditation, voting by ineligible persons and disenfranchisement of eligible voters, arbitrary allocation of votes, irreconcilable entries, discrepancy and mutilation of results, lack of proper accounting of ballot papers, campaign and inducement of voters and non-stamping of Forms EC8A as well as other sundry allegation like multiple registration were not established by the petitioners.

BAGA: Chad, Nigeria set for final attack on Boko Haram

By Kingsley Omonobi

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HAD, Cameroun, Niger and Nigeria could be attacking Boko Haram the same time in a renewed effort to flush out the insurgents.

Indications to this have emerged as several battalions of Nigerian and Chadian troops, backed by armoured personnel carriers and fighter aircraft of the Nigerian Airforce, are set to commence a frontal and final attack from Maiduguri, Kawuri and Konduga, on Baga and other seized towns.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that many of the newly acquired weaponry included tanks, long range and more sophisticated rifles, night vision equipment both for artillery and tanks usage as well as aircraft. All will be employed in the attack on Boko Haram. .

The decision to launch the attack, it was learnt, followed concerns over increasing manoeuvres of the terrorists laying claim to Nigeria’s territories which international media and satellite images currently say is as large as present-day Belgium.

The Nigerian military has, therefore, finalised plans to conduct a ‘once and for all comprehensive operation’ towards the elimination of Boko Haram terrorists in the parts of North East to the boarders of neighbouring countries.

Competent sources disclosed that political authorities were alarmed by the latest video from the terror group which claimed that it had enough weapons to take on Nigeria and its neighbours.

Consequently, Nigeria and Chad have endorsed a plan to attack Boko Haram.

About two battalions from the Chadian armed

forces will launch their own attack from the Chadian side, it was gathered. And as the terrorists flee from the Nigerian onslaught, they are expected to meet their Waterloo in the hands of the Chadians.

Meanwhile, the Cameroon and Niger armed forces who have been put on the alert, will strike down the terrorists who may want to escape through Gamboru Ngala and such border towns.

It should be recalled that hundreds of Boko Haram terrorists attacked and seized part of Baga, headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) on January 3, during which hundreds were feared killed, with the international community tagging the atrocities committed as crime against humanity.

The deployment for the mission is expected to

facilitate the elimination of safe havens and escape routes of terrorists in or out of Nigeria, a source confided.

Innocent citizens living in the areas where the terrorists presently operate, Saturday Vanguard was reliably informed, are expected to temporarily vacate the area.

Contacted for confirmation, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade simply declared that the military would not relent in its efforts to restore peace to every part of the country as quickly as possible.

He however admitted that all the countries bordering Nigeria are willing to complement its efforts as terrorism has remained a menace and threat to all in the region.

SA TURD AY V anguard ARY 24 SATURD TURDA Vanguard anguard,, JANU JANUARY 24, 2015 — 9

Mark condemns attack on Jonathan, PDP Convoy

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

S

ENATE President, Senator David Mark has condemned the consistent attacks on President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign train describing the actions of the perpetrators as despicable .

Senator Mark said the attacks on the PDP was an affront on democracy and a betrayal of the peace pact entered into by the political parties and their candidates.

Speaking at the flag off of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) PDP Presidential and National Assembly campaign in Bwari area council near Abuja yesterday, the Senate President said the conduct of the supporters of opposition party was condemnable by any right thinking member of the society.

According to him, “We

C M Y K

condemn these unwarranted violent attacks on the PDP and its candidates.

They have campaigned in other parts of the country without molestation. We should be allowed to campaign freely. The opposition must stop this desperation and allow Nigerians to decide.

“This election must not be a do or die affair. The campaign is an avenue to tell the electorate what you have done and what you intend to do for them. It should not be turned to a battle field.”’

He further said, “Any democracy that stops Nige-

rians from moving round freely is not the type of democracy we want. Nigerians must be free to go to the south and to the North without hinderance.

Those who want to encourage hatred amongst Nigerians must think twice. We must allow for freedom of movement.”

PDP youths set APC office ablaze

By Suzan Edeh

B

AUCHI-Youths sus pected to be supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday set ablaze the campaign office of All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar in retaliation of the attack on President Goodluck Jonathan and vandalization of PDP billboards and posters.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the angry youths attacked and vandalized the Bauchi South Senatorial District cam-

paign office of Barrister Abubakar which is located in Kobi Street at about 2 am when people were still in bed.

Some residents of the area said: “We woke up and saw the office on fire and all the relevant things in the office had already been burnt and there was nothing we could do at that time to save the situation. We did not envisage that any reasonable person could do such a thing.”

Some of them said they saw some group of persons storm the office in

three Hilux vehicles and set the place ablaze and immediately drove out while the flame blazed for over two hours because of the documents in the office.

Family reacts over political advert using Fela’s photo

By Benjamin Njoku

T

HE Anikulapo-Kuti fam ily has frowned at a recent advertisement published in some national dailies where the picture of Afro beat King, Fela Anikulapo Kuti was used to score a political point.

Reacting to the said advertisement on behalf of the Anikulapo family, eldest daughter of the late Afrobeat legend, Yeni said, the family was not aware, and did not approve any advert using Fela’s picture.

In a statement released yesterday, Yeni maintained that the advertisement was published without the knowledge of the family.

“We do not like anybody using the history of the Anikulapo family, especially Fela and Buhari to their own advantage.

Whilst we may not support any party, we do not like any party using our father as a political tool or an instrument for their politics because Fela was apolitical.”

Fela was for good governance only. Fela was for respect for human rights which most of those masqurading as democrats today were against some years ago.

“They should desist from using Fela’s picture, image or lyrics for any political rally, whatever party it may be, whether APC, PDP, SDP, Labour, Accord or any other party we do not condone it. They should let Fela continue to rest in peace,” the statement reads.

BRIEFS Gen Ndiomu comes alive at Armed Forces Remembrance Day

By Bashir Adefaka

I

N commemoration of this year’s Armed Forces Re membrance Day, the Charles Bebeye Ndiomu Foundation, distributed scholarships to some children of the deceased in the Nigerian Armed Forces, in memory of late Major General Ndiomu.

The event which was held in Lagos, recently was aimed at immortalizing the late military top brass through alleviation of pains and sufferings of the needy.

Speaking during the occasion, Mrs Ifeoma Udom, Managing Director of Vetiva Trustees Limited, explained that the programme was aimed at giving back to the families of military personnel who lost their lives in the service of the nation, by awarding scholarships to children of such families annually.”

Otedola warns politicians against electoral violence

By Ebun Sessou

W

IFE of former Governor of Lagos state and moth er of billionaire, oil magnate and owner of Zenon Oil, Mr. Femi Otedola, Mrs. Doja Otedola has warned against violence in the forthcoming elections, saying that violence is capable of destroying lives and properties.

While endorsing the lawmaker representing Epe Constituency 2, Segun Olulade for a second term during the flag off of the lawmaker’s campaign with a health walk in Epe recently, Otedola, disclosed that only a peaceful election will make the country a better place.

She cautioned politicians that “Politics is not a do or die affair, adding that, “If you win today, that is how God wants it, if you lose, you will have another chance next time.”

Enugu PDP, APC chairmen warm up for debate

By Francis Igata

A

HEAD of next month’s general elections in Enu gu State,the ruling party,Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, and the main opposition party,All Progressives Congress,APC, have agreed to hold a public debate to educate the electorate on the programmes and polices of their parties to enable them make informed decisions during the polls.

Mr. Ben Nwoye and Mr. Ikeje Asogwa of the APC,PDP, respectively consented to the debate during a Media Forum organised by the leadership of the Correspondents Chapel,Enugu.

While reacting to questions during the event, Asogwa revealed that the party was ready for next month’s elections contrary to the advice from the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki who called for a postponement of the polls.

Group sues for prayers ahead of Feb. polls

By Francis Igata

A

coalition of faith-based Youth organisations in Enugu State has embarked on a seven-day prayer conference for the smooth conduct of next month’s general elections nationwide.

The Group said such prayer conference has become imperative following the volatile situation of affairs in different sectors of the country.

The annual exercise tagged,”Show me your glory” is the third in a series organised by the National Youth Council Nigeria,NYCN, Enugu state chapter.

While revealing the essence of the prayer conference, the Spiritual Adviser,NYCN, Enugu state chapter, Mr. Oge Nnamene noted that the excerise will prepare the moral of youths towards a peaceful polls.

Nnamene urged Youths to shun all forms of violence during and after the elections insisting that as leaders of tomorrow, Youths should not sacrifice their future on the altar of handouts from politicians.

10—SATURDAY

Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

419: The world of the

Nigerian fraudster T

By CHIOMA GABRIEL

heir modus operandi is unique. It could be that man in your neighbourhood who doesn’t seem to have any visible means of livelihood but lives big and drives the best cars. He might even have a business front but lives larger than the business that you begin to wonder if his lifestyle is strictly derived from that business you know. Or, it could be that man you see around everyday when workers and businessmen are leaving their homes in the early morning who does not go anywhere but lives like a prince in your neighbourhood.

They also come in other forms.

Suddenly, you realise that somebody is using your email account to solicit funds from your facebook friends, your colleagues or other contacts in your email.

Or maybe, you are worshipping in a church but you are not sure C M Y K

if the man on the pulpit is called by God or whether the church is just another business enterprise where people are milked dry and dumped. It happens.

Perhaps, you have been receiving text messages from unknown sources informing you of an inheritance you don’t know about being paid into your bank account and leaving a number for you to contact for details that could lead to maximizing the benefits of that inheritance and before you know it, you are duped!

It could also be a text message informing you about winning a lottery you never entered into or using things they think you are familiar with to hoodwink you!

Sometimes too, it could be a rich married woman being lured into a love web with the motive to dupe her of her resources or that of her husband via blackmail whether the love scene is real or make-

believe.

The stories and the experiences are endless. All over the world, Nigerians are dreaded due to a few bad eggs that have mastered the scam game.

Overseas, it is believed that scamming is the country’s third largest export industry, the ‘sweetheart swindle’ being the most devastating. Not only are women taken for thousands of dollars, but their families are torn apart, their hearts broken and their ability to trust damaged.

Whether they call it 419, Obtaining By Trick, OBT or Yahoo-Yahoo, it is the same story. People are using the internet to perpetrate scams that deprive many of their hard earned money, destroy businesses and make nonsense of their lives.

In the newspapers and the internet everyday, stories are read of Nigerians of all ages who wreak the life of other

Sometimes too, it could be a rich married woman being lured into a love web with the motive to dupe her of her resources or that of her husband via blackmail

Nigerians and foreigners through the advance fee fraud running into millions of Naira, Dollars, Pounds Sterling and Euros.

Scammers have developed new ways to try to convince people that their moneygrubbing cons are really genuine.

Nigerians are duped everyday through business and love scams. Foreigners are the worse victims.

On weekly, nay daily basis, new variations of the socalled Nigerian 419 scam (named for the section of the Nigerian constitution that deals with this crime) appear.

Some scammers are pretty clever but with healthy skepticism, one can still see through them.

One thing is very clear though. Every swindle is driven by a desire for easy money; it’s the one thing the swindler and the swindled have in common. Advancefee fraud is an especially durable con. In an early variation, the Spanish Prisoner Letter, which dates to the sixteenth century, scammers wrote to English gentry and pleaded for help in freeing a fictitious wealthy countryman who was imprisoned in Spain.

Today, the con usually relies on e-mail and is often called a 419 scheme, after the antifraud section of the criminal code in Nigeria, because it flourishes here.

Sometime ago, a Nigerian comedian, Nkem Owoh released a song which was the title track in a film he played a lead role. He taunted Westerners with the lyrics “I go chop your dollar.

Continues on page 11

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015—11

Advance fee fraud is still thriving

Continues from page 10 I go take your money and disappear. Four-one-nine is just a game. You are the loser and I am the winner.”

Most 419 letters and emails originate from or are traced back to Nigeria but some originate from other nations, mostly also West African nations such as Ghana, Togo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast ( Cote D’Ivoire ) etc. In most cases 419 emails from other nations, even European nations like the UK, the Netherlands, Spain etc. are also Nigerian in that the “Home Office” of the 419ers involved is Nigeria regardless of the apparent source of the contact materials. But there are occasionally some “local” copycats trying to emulate the success of the Nigerians, generally not very successfully.

EFCC In a desperate effort to contain the embarrassment of internet scammers, the Nigerian government established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Monies stolen by 419 operations are very rarely recovered from Nigeria, although the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when led

by Nuhu Ribadu and Ibrahim Lamorde made some welcome progress in that regard for several years prior to 2008.

Ribadu and Lamorde were, however, replaced by Mrs. Farida Waziri as head of the EFCC in early 2008. Under her leadership, the EFCC was not as active in counter-419 matters as it was under Ribadu and Lamorde. The performance of EFCC in the area of recovery and repatriation of 419ed C M Y K

monies had waned. Mrs. Waziri was replaced in November 2011.

Ibrahim Lamorde returned to the EFCC as Director of Operations in December 2010, and replaced Waziri as Director of the EFCC in November 2011.

Advance fee fraud is still thriving On April 16 2012, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission claimed it secured the conviction of over 288 persons due to internet fraud. The EFCC also said four fugitives were extradited to the United States while another 234 cases were still being prosecuted. Lamorde put the counterfeit financial instruments seized by the EFCC in collaboration with the Nigeria Postal Service, at $24m, £858,937 and €1,195, 218,214 respectively.

The anti-graft body boss said, “We must collaborate to, at least, survive the onslaught and then fight back from the position of strength conferred by pooled resources, shared intelligence, joint operations and other efforts such as this.”

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, also said Nigeria was leading the fight against cyber crime and other economic and financial crimes in West Africa and across the world.

Adoke said, “While we cannot deny the involvement of some Nigerians in these unwholesome practices, we vehemently reject the tendency on the part of nationals of some countries even within ECOWAS sub-region to label

Nigeria a 419 nation.

“Our law enforcement agencies have recorded giant strides in the enforcement of these laws as evidenced by the increased arrest, prosecution and conviction of internet fraud related offences recorded monthly.”

Nigeria has continued to live under the continual embarrassment of the activities of fraudsters and internet scammers.

A statement posted on the Internet by the U.S. State Department, states that 419 schemes began to proliferate in the mid-nineteen-eighties, when a collapse in oil prices caused severe economic upheaval in Nigeria. The people who are literate, English-speaking, and living with widespread government corruption—faced poverty and rising unemployment. These conditions created a culture of scammers, some of them violent.

Victims are often encouraged to travel to Nigeria or to other countries, where they fall victim to kidnapping, extortion, and, in rare cases, murder.

In the nineteen-nineties, at least fifteen foreign businessmen, including one American, were killed after being lured to Nigeria by 419 scammers according to the US State Department.

But Nigerian officials tended to blame the victims.

“There would be no 419 scam if there are no greedy, credulous and criminallyminded victims ready to reap where they did not sow,” the Nigerian Embassy in Washington was quoted to have said in a 2003 statement. The following year, Nuhu Ribadu, the then chairman of Nigeria’s

Victims are often encouraged to travel to Nigeria or to other countries, where they fall victim to kidnapping, extortion, and, in rare cases, murder

Economic & Financial Crimes Commission, noted that not one scammer was behind bars. That year also, Ribadu’s commission convicted two crime bosses who had enticed a Brazilian banker to spend two hundred and forty-two million dollars of his employer’s money on a fictitious airportdevelopment deal.

Today’s Nigerian scammers try to convince people with the “real” thing — $100 bills.

One of the most common, longest-standing Nigerian scams is the invitation to share in some ill-gotten gains. To get your hands, supposedly, on the dough, you have to either supply personal bank account details (for ID theft) or make a money-wire or credit card payment to get the money released (which, of course, doesn’t exist). To deal with the inevitable skepticism, the scammers often supply a link to a true story, usually about someone (the benefactor) being killed in a road accident.

Every week, there are scores of reports about Nigerian scams. They come in several variation which include: Hacking into Facebook accounts, then sending messages to all the listed friends claiming the account owner is in trouble and asking for cash to be wired for their rescue; collecting names and email addresses of people who leave messages on obituary site guest books and contacting them with a request for money, supposedly on behalf of the bereaved person; sending complimentary messages to bloggers and article authors (both online and in print) as a way of establishing a friendship that, sooner or later, results in a cash-call attached to a tale of woe; offering to buy your Internet domain name, then asking you to visit a site (their site) where you have to pay to have it valued; and using Microsoft Word documents as attachments. These contain details of the scam story but, because they are not in the main body of the email, they often don’t get picked up by scam detectors in your security software.

The one thing you can be sure of with Nigerian scams is that they may not be worded well, but they are big-time sneaky in the way they try to fool people.

And you can be sure Nigerian scammers will find even more new tricks to test your gullibility.

The many stories of the Nigerian Continues on page 12

12—SATURDAY

Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

Continues from page 11

con artistes In the United Kingdom, a conman who posed as a Nigerian prince in high society while masterminding massive immigration scam was jailed for seven years. The story written by Chris Greenwood and published in Daily Mail of UK told the story of the Nigerian-born fake prince, Dr Yilkyes Bala who lived the high life and was chauffeurdriven in a Bentley. But the ‘businessman’ was a criminal running an immigration racket.

Posing as a member of the Nigerian Royal family, he mingled with diplomats, captains of industry and senior police officers. Dr Yilkyes Bala was chauffeur-driven in a black Bentley and hosted sumptuous dinners at the Dorchester to mix with society’s elite. But the supposedly flourishing businessman was an ordinary scammer responsible for an ambitious immigration racket.

Investigators believe he helped more than 100 of his countrymen, including most of his extended family, to enter the UK illegally under false and stolen identities.

At the centre of the scam was a corrupt Home Office worker who sold him genuine, but improperly issued, refugee passports for £1,500 each.

Bala then used his network of security companies to give the illegal immigrants references and jobs.

They could then ‘hit the jackpot’ and obtain a National Insurance number, giving them full citizen’s rights and access to State benefits.

But the racket, which continued for up to 16 years, unravelled when the Home Office employee was caught.

Bala, 55, was sentenced to a seven year jail term from August 1st, after a jury convicted him of conspiring to breach immigration laws.

An Australian named Jill got ensnared in the 419 scam in September 2005 when she was contacted by someone pretending to be the Commissioner of Health in Nigeria, who was apparently looking for Australian companies to renovate some hospitals in Lagos. The potential profit in the deal was a cool $1 million.

Jill was already running a successful interior decorating business, she saw this as a great opportunity. She said her scam started in September 2005 when she was contacted by someone pretending to be the Commissioner of Health in Nigeria, who was apparently looking for Australian companies to renovate some hospitals in Lagos. The potential profit in the deal was a cool $1 million.

“I have been in business all my life and feel I’m fairly savvy. One of the things they tell you at a very early stage is that you won’t have to part with any money, and C M Y K

Spears sent the money like a fool, you believe them,” said Jill.

After communicating with the scammers over a long period of time, Jill began to trust her contact.

“I really believed they were my friends, how wrong was I,” she said.

The scammers cost Jill her business and then led to her marriage break up.

“In 2011, my husband and I split because I went public with my experience. He said he didn’t want me to expose him and myself to the public, but I felt I had to do it,” Jill said.

Another victim, Brian Hay, who heads up the Queensland Police’s Fraud and Corporate Crime Group, said most victims were “smart business people” who were over 45 and held professional qualifications.

“We are not talking about stupid people. It’s not because they are greedy. They saw an opportunity and got excited”.

Also in 2005, Janella Spears, an Oregon woman lost a whooping $400,000 to a Nigerian scammer. Janella Spears, a registered nurse from Sweet Home, Oregon, said she started sending money to the scammers in 2005 after she received an email promising her several million dollars from a long-lost relative. The fraudsters randomly contacted Spears over the internet, claiming they would offer her a

substantial cut of $20.5m fortune in return for the cash injection which would help move it out of the country.

For Spears, it started, as it almost always does, with an email. It promised $20 million and in this case, the money was supposedly left behind by her grandfather (J.B. Spears), with whom the family had lost contact over the years.

“So that’s what got me to believe it,” she said.

Spears didn’t know how the sender knew J.B. Spears’ name and her relationship with him, but her curiosity was peaked. It turned out to be a lot of money up front, but it started with just $100.The scammers ran Spears through the whole programme.

They said President Bush and FBI Director “Robert Muller” (their spelling) were in on the deal and needed her help. They sent official-looking documents and certificates from the Bank of Nigeria and even from the United Nations. Her payment was “guaranteed.” Then the amount she would get jumped up to $26.6 million – if she would just send $8,300.

Spears sent the money

More promises and teases of multi-millions followed, with each one dependent on her sending yet more money. Most of the missives were rife with misspellings. When Spears began

to doubt them, she got letters from the President of Nigeria, FBI Director Mueller, and President Bush. Terrorists could get the money if she did not help, Bush’s letter said. Spears continued to send funds. All the letters were fake, of course, and she continued to wipe out her husband’s retirement account, mortgaged the house and took a loan out on the family car. Both were already paid for.

For more than two years, Spears sent tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars. Everyone she knew, including law enforcement officials, her family and bank officials, told her to stop, that it was all a scam. She persisted.

An undercover investigator who worked on the case said greed helped blind Spears to the reality of the situation, which he called the worst example of the scam he’s ever seen.

He also said he has seen people become obsessed with the scam before. They are so desperate to recoup their losses with the big payout that they descend into a vicious cycle of sending money in hopes the false promises will turn out to be real.

Spears said it would take her at least three to four years to dig out of the debt she ran up in pursuit of the non-existent pot of Nigerian gold.

Continues next week

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015—13

Celebrating Peter Enahoro – the journalist icon at 80

PETER ENAHORO: THEY DON’T MAKE THEM ANYMORE

BY BISHOP MATHEW KUKAH

I

do not remember when I first stumbled on Peter Enahoro or which of his articles I read first. All I know is how awestruck I was when I first read his article in Daily Times. His way with words was astonishing. He wrote with such ease and finesse, drawing his reader from being a bystander into the centre of his intellectual arena where he held court with authority.

Sometimes, he wrote about simple things, but he often brought philosophy and deep thought into them. Sometimes he wrote about some ideas that were above my head then, but it was impossible not to read him. As a student, buying a newspaper was a rather tall order, because it was the domain of privilege and class.

It was with the coming of New African Magazine that I also matured and was in a position to ensure that I had a copy of the Magazine and could read him more often. Mr. Enahoro was always a great joy to read. One of the most memorable pieces I read in the 80s was his account of a meeting with Jerry Rawlings, “the Trial of JJ Rawlings”, a piece that clearly exposed Rawlings as acting under one influence other than normal. I learnt later from the grape vine that the piece and another one, ‘The Secrets of Rawlings rule’ cost Enahoro his rights to enter Ghana while Rawlings held sway. I also read him along with the great Mohammed Babu of blessed memory.

In 1986, I resumed at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London. One day, I was walking to the then Dhilons bookshop across the street from SOAS when I saw the Africa Now Magazine sign board, pinned to the wall, Africa Now being the second magazine after the New African edited by Mr.Enahoro, both based in London. I was quite excited and pressed the doorbell. I was allowed into the building and

went straight to the receptionist. I was not sure I would have the chance to see Mr. Enahoro face to face but I just decided to try. I was told he had stepped out but one of the magazine’s political editors Ben Asante turned up to welcome me. Ben himself has perhaps remained if not the most faithful, then by far for me, the most loyal among friends or students of Mr. Enahoro.

After many years, I did get the chance to meet with Mr. Enahoro first, I think at a Conference on the Media and Africa in Badagary in the 90s. It was a great pleasure to see the great man at last. At the Conference, I recall one memorable observation he made about foreign reporting on Africa. It was poignant and has proved the best summary of most of what one can say about how Africa is often represented by the West. He said something to this effect: What the average western journalist often does, he said, is to pin a clip of a story from Africa on his wall.

He continues to return to the same note, merely adding a few lines by way of update each time a story comes up.

That is how the West tends to report Africa, by updating these old stories. As the years have rolled by and one has gotten a bit more familiar with some these things, you realize that the old man was indeed correct in his assessment.

The need to create our own narratives belongs to us all. How we equip ourselves for this role remains the challenge.

At a time when journalism is now literally at the crossroads in Africa, one must look back at the legacy of Mr. Enahoro and succumb to the sad conclusion: they don’t make them like this anymore. Journalism in Nigeria has lost most of its rigour, allure, professionalism and finesse.

Managing the media has become more of politics and business, seeking

incentives, they have tended to neglect the media. The lack of industrial support by way of making access to equipment easier for media has made Nigerians reluctant in investing in the media. Those who are brave enough to persist in this area have had to resort to many DIY strategies to get by. This is sad for a continent that is still struggling with so many problems. It was Professor AmartyaSen who argued that an open society, one with a free media can never die from famine because its openness enables it to call for help. Many Africans started struggling to set up their private outfits before Al Jazeera. Today, the story of Al Jazeera contrasts sharply with their African counterparts. The result is that we do not have a true African prism with which the world can see us.

It is a pity that unlike their western counterparts, African journalism has not taken specialization, academic rigour as part of its mission. It is a pity that we do not have scholars making contributions to journalism and improving on the quality of debate. There are hardly journalists with specialisations in say, areas of Theology, Economics, Politics and so on beyond the elementary graduate stages. The high degrees may not necessarily be the solution, but the need to spend good morning on training and more training.

The lack of a social and economic security package has made journalism a rather hazardous exercise.

When we look back at the generation that produced the Enahoros and the great roles they played in bringing the nation to the path of independence, we must feel nostalgic but also a bit sad that journalism no longer plays the cutting edge role it ought to play in shaping politics, economics and public life.

As this great icon celebrates his 80th birthday, we thank God for the many times he made us cry in order to laugh. God bless you and may the sun rise to meet you.

•Peter Enahoro

to survive in the murky waters rather than an almost missionary zeal and sense of adventure. Yet, African leaders must think more clearly how to collaborate with the Media in a way that reinforces national development and integration. Successive governments have proved to be rather condescending, overbearing and suspicious of the media, often pitching their roles in adversarial terms.

Whereas African politicians are prepared to grant concessions to their business partners through tax concessions and other

More on page 14

14—SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

We were young, idealistic and in many ways not sufficiently experienced says Peter Enahoro

Octogenarian? How I hate the word! In fact, I dislike the thought of old age. We should come into this world born mature as in “old age”.

All the things that make old age a nuisance – rheumatism, arthritis, hip replacement, cataracts, dementia – should come to pass in the early years of life when you’re too old to want to go nightclubbing. Then asthe years progress we shouldgrow younger and stronger until arrival in the departure lounge. Middleagewould then be a time of hedonism when you cannot be judged a tearaway. As matters stand now you are advised during your prime to slow down, deny yourself pleasures, save up in preparation for old age. Then you reach old age and you discoverthat, as Dr K.O. Mbadiwe of blessed memory, who tried to reform the English language all by himself put it,”the spirit is willing but the physicability is not

able”!

You were appointed editor of the Sunday Times aged 23.

Looking back do you think you were mature enough to take on the responsibilities of a national newspaper at that early age?

Well, my employers thought so.

And it is true that I gained maturity on the job. I had older heads like Managing Director Percy Roberts, Editor of the Daily Times AlhajiBabatunde Jose and Editorial Adviser Geoffrey Taylor watching over me.

The pre-Independence Nigerian Press was robustly against foreign rule but the Daily Times group was owned by the British Daily Mirror.

How did that square with your patriotic duty to contribute to the struggle for freedom?

It is true that we were sometimes accused of being tools of imperialist masters by some politicians and a few rival colleagues. But let me say this: I grew up hearing that my maternal great-grandfather was dethroned and executed by a British hireling with a bogus title of “major” who led a band of mercenary foot soldiers to terminate Uromi’s agesold autonomy within the Benin Kingdom – more than three decades after Lagos was ceded to

,

S

till reputed to be the youngest ever to edit a national newspaper, Peter Enahoro’scourageous commentaries were known for the wit and satire. He was forced into exile but remained unbowed. In an exclusive interview with Ben Asante, long-time political analystand contributing editor of internationalpublications specialising on Africa, Peterspeaks on Nigeria and life at eighty.

the British. My grandfather was sent to prison in Calabar, and even after he was allowed back to resume his inheritance, he was again banished firstly to Benin and subsequently to Ibadan. Although he spent his last years on his throne, he was not allowed peace by the British.

My father faced ruination when, a young man, he was put on trial for sedition. He won an appeal against his conviction but in the colonial civil service that sort of thing stayed harmfully on the records so that his rise up the ladder was begrudged. My brother Tony spent his years between the age of 22 and 30 variously in prison for his anticolonial activities. Every time news came of his imprisonment the family went into sad retreat. Given these antecedents against which I grew up the charge of a tool of imperialism was quite absurd.

Yet your late brother and you did not see eye-to-eye during the time of the Abacha regime when he was forced to leave the country a second time.

Let me refer once more to the family. When Tony was serving a political jail term in the First Republic our father reluctantly took up party politics under the banner of the Midwest Democratic Front allied to the Northern People’s Congress. Our old man thought it would gain him access to the NPC overlords. He was a candidate for a seat in the Midwest House of Assembly and had the party flag fluttering in front of the house. Our youngest brother Emman thought it was politically wrong to ally with a party to which Tony was sternly opposed. He took up the cause of the Action Group Youth Association and put up its flag feet away from the MDF banner.

Some of my father’s supporters were outraged. They said he should order Emman to take down his flag.

He didnot. Don’t forget that Tony served in the Gowon administration as a senior figure, at a time that I’d fled the country. But here’s the

Then you reach old age and you discoverthat, as Dr K.O. Mbadiwe of blessed memory, who tried to reform the English language all by himself put it,”the spirit is willing but the physicability is not able”!

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surprise: every time he was in Germany or the UK both countries in which I resided, he called me and we met. On one occasion I was at a conference in Nairobi and he was leading a Nigerian delegation to a peace negotiation in Kampala. I flew in and out Uganda to spend no more than an hour with him at his request.By the way my other older brothers Eddy and Henry always called to see me as did Christian and Michael who respectively flew out to Monrovia. I was never alienated.

Did you foresee the coups d’état that led to Biafra secession and the civil war?

No, I did not.

So what was it that got you into trouble with the military?

With some in the military is how I would phrase it. Violent men who held sway in a moment of madness.

They had a grudge against the things I was writing after the fall of the First Republic.

You swore not to return to Nigeria under military rule let alone work for a military government, yet you worked for Abacha as chairman of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission.

Actually, I was appointed chairman

by General Babangida’s administration. I’d returned to Nigeria because elected civilian state Governors, state Assemblies and local governments and chairmen were in office. The return to full civilian rule seemed irreversible.

Besides, I fully endorsed the deregulation of the electronic media as well as NBC’s assignment of permanent regulator. It was a very brave innovation by the administration. It put broadcasting in Nigeria ahead of many countries. It appeared to confirm what Wole Soyinka told me on a visit to London, that Babangida “is a listening President”.

I did return later as Sole Administratorof the Daily Times of Nigeria Plcat the invitation of Abacha. The attraction was the sole purpose of resuscitating the company’s newspapers. That turned out to be nonsense. Security Adviser Gwarzo inadvertently revealed to me that the appointment was intended to Continues from page 15

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015—15

Continues from page 14

We were young, idealistic and in many ways not sufficiently experienced past the women’s covering of their modesty was straight out of the time of Adam and Eve. How would you assess the Nigerian Press today?

As should be expected, technically better than sixty years ago when I came into journalism. I thought that the Nigerian Press covered itself in glory during the Abacha regime, especially the weekly magazines. I didn’t always agree with the slants and the emphases. The weakness today is language. I’ve no idea what can be done about it.

The amalgamation that produced Nigeria is only 20 years older than you. The country recently marked its first centenary .Do you subscribe to the saying that Nigeria is a geographical expression?

Several of today’s established nations began with military conquest and thenemblazoned the nationhood in geographical expression. Our problem is that we are required to pretend that our ethnic nationalities intrude on nation-building; that they are mere tribes.In other words,communities mired in primordial cultures lacking political and organisational sophistication thatconfirm nationhood.

So what should an evolving

nation like Nigeria do in order to avoid ethnic conflicts?

I doubt that ethnic confrontations can be eradicated altogether in the foreseeable future. Expectation of that is utopian. But a true federation by which government is brought closer to the people would be a very healthy start.

Some critics say that the present system of government is too expensive. Are you advocating the creation of more states?

The rationale that guided state creation until now is a formula for “sharing the national cake” as it used to be called. If the principle had been targeted at revenue creation we would have fewer states and a different, economically more enterprising country today.

But the curse of oil has done irreparable damage. People demand states and local governments because they know that come month end they will receive their freebee from the Federal Government. The typical Nigerian businessman pays no income tax. He is an importer not an exporter or creative developer.

What is your judgment of today’s political leaders?

The Americanisation of the Constitution has brought with it our version of the profligacy that requires money, money, money.

That immoderateness filters to the bottom of the ladder. Voters expect

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give my brother Tony a political snub. The assignment was to be for one year only. It lasted 36 unfunded months instead. I was to be paid a consolidated remuneration at the end of the assignment. Abacha died. His successor promised to pay. He didnot. Then Baba Iyabo came along. The least said about his crude hostility towards my person the better.

In your memoirs titled “Then Spoke the Thunder” you admit that with hindsight you were naive in some of the things you wrote. Were you a conscious provocateurstirring things up during the build-up of one crisis after another that culminated in the young majors’ decision to intervene in politics?

The naivety to which I admit was the way I said certain things not the fact that I said them in the first place. We were young, idealistic and not sufficiently experienced. However, the impression should not be given that I was the only political commentator in the land.

What role therefore did the Press play in stoking the fires of conflict and instability, starting with the crisis in the West?

Instinctively taking on the authorities was a tradition that began in the colonial era. It was after all the main reason newspapers were founded. My generation inherited that tradition without really appreciating the implications of the constitutional changes heralding the approach of Independence. Our attitude towards the leaders was conditioned by a basic suspicionofthem and us.

And yet you were respected by the leaders – The Sardauna of Sokoto, Premier of the North, the most powerful politician in the land who was no friend of the Press famously invited you to tour his region as his guest.

President Azikiwe;the Premier of the Western RegionAkintola; and the Premier of the Eastern Region Okpara all granted you access. Was the hostility one sided?

Speaking for myself I can say I was not overtly hostile. And from their side you could say that they had to speak to the Press sometimes. The Daily Times newspapers had by far the largest and widest followings in Nigeria.

That tour of the North made memorable impression on you.

Why was that?

I was 28 years old and this was the first time I’d been anywhere in the Far North of Nigeria. For years I’d written about “we Nigerians” without the experience of how deluded that generalisation suggesting a homogenous people was. The journey from Maiduguri to Yola on a market day was especially shocking and instructive.

Why in particular?

The year was 1963. In some of the roadside markets we drove

My brother Tony spent his years between the age of 22 and 30 variously in prison for his anti-colonial activities.

Every time news came of his imprisonment the family went into sad retreat.

Given these antecedents against which I grew up the charge of a tool of imperialism was quite absurd

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or even openly demand money, and elected representatives expect to recoup the money they spent getting nominated and elected. In the final analysis we are all in it together! But as the Asian saying puts it, when the monkey was asked how he got his fleas he pointed at the other monkey!

My question really was what you make of the quality of the elected representatives.

What the political process has not succeeded in doing is make policy debates the central issue in campaigns. Platitudinous promises are made and quickly overtaken by mundane issues such as which geographical area or clan should supply a candidate. A people have the government they deserve. Why should the quality of the representatives be any different from the quality of the electorate?

How would you compare today’s politicians with those of the First Republic who won Independence?

I lived a few years directly on Herbert Macaulay Road in Yaba, the access route into Lagos from Ikeja Airport. People would wait for hours in burning sun to see the political leaders of the era driving past. I don’t know that you would see the like of that today.

What is it like living abroad as part of the Nigerian Diaspora?

I’ve been a resident in Germany, Belgium, Holland and the UK only; but. I’ve travelled the world widely. What amazes me is that there is always a Nigerian virtually everywhere I’ve been. It is in the UK that I have the longest experience. I have to say that our reputation is that we are assertive but aggressive, enterprising but not always trustworthy. The saga of “419” exacerbated that. The negative side was reflected in a South African TV sketch. “Here is the news,” read the news reader, “the Nigerian authorities have ordered all drivers to undergo psychiatric test. Those who fail the test will be sent to South Africa to become taxi drivers…” In Ghana a TV lampooning had a Ghanaian and a Nigerian reporting at the UK Home Office to have their residence permits renewed. “You are aware that you’re a month late for this?” the official says to the penitent Ghanaian who apologises politely. It’s the turn of the Nigerian who steps forward.

“You’re three months latefor this application,” the official notes drily.”Let me see,” the Nigerian says snatching back his passport.

After a while he says, “I see…” and re-presents the document. “Is that all you have to say?” asks the official? “What d’you want me to say?” the Nigerian snaps. “When you came to colonise my country did you have a visa?” Jokes apart, there are very successful Nigerians in the arts, in the academia, Civil Service, in the legal and medical professions.

What is it about Nigeria that you miss most?

My friends;golf and the atmosphere at the IBB Golf and Country Club in Abuja.

Read more on page 16

16—SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

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here is never a dull moment with Peter Enahoro. I started working with Peter in 1978, some thirty-seven years ago, when he asked me to join him in London to serve as political editor on a magazinehe was about to rebrand and edit. I was not a stranger to the Enahoro family name. We had an expression in the student community in Ghana: to ‘Enahoro’ someone arose from a story involving Tony Enahoro and S. G. Ikoku, his fellow refugee in Accra but that is another story. Also, in those days the Nigerian Sunday and Daily Times newspapers in which Peter’s name cropped up and which we were encouraged to read under Kwame Nkrumah’s fervent pan-Africanism were circulated in Accra I had befriended Peter even earlier than 1978. I arrived in Nairobi, Kenya from Ghana in 1972 following my election at a conference in Ile Ife to head the Africa regional office of the UN Youth and Student Movement (ISMUN), an ECOSOC accredited NGO. Coming from Ghana at that time and belonging to a youth movement associated with Nkrumah’s quest for leadershiptraining I was privileged to work with students and youth organizations in different parts of Africa with organizing workshops, seminars, attending OAU conferences and working with the OAU African Refugees Bureau as well as liberation activities among my assignments. In the search for an outlet to tell the story of my exciting exposure to African issues I found no better platform than the pan-African newsmagazine Africa owned by a visionary Nigerian RaphUweche and edited by a truly gifted editor Peter Enahoro. I wrote for the magazine from Nairobi and when Peter visited Kenya in 1974 he asked to see me.

Inspired by my meeting with Peter I enrolled for a full-time journalism course at the University of Nairobi while stillwriting for the magazine.

Since I started working full time with Peter there has been no haltin ourworking relationship and friendship. On a visit to Nairobi Peter and his wife Susannecame to see my new born daughter Janet. Peter surprised me with an offer of a job that required my relocating to London. But first I should pack my bags and join him to cover the OAU Summitabout to begin in Khartoum.My previous attendance of OAU Summitshad been in observer

Learning at the feet of Peter Enahoro status butPeter changed all of that. Interviewing and talking with African leaders was a new experience for me but to Peter this was something he was used to. Meeting the leaders and officials of Liberation Movementswith Peter as facilitator was a thrill.

I have always been struck by Peter’s humour which can be endless. On an earlier visit to Nairobi he asked me to arrange for a small private aircraft to take him to the common border with Uganda. Displaced persons from Idi Amin’s brutal rule were massed there in large numbers and Peter wished to see them at first hand. I arranged the aircraft but excused myself from going with him as I was writing a paper. En-route the aircraft developed a problem. The pilot had to bring it down in the bush but not before he twice flew low over a gathering of antelopes to create landing space, which meant that there may have been predators nearby. The pilot managed to bring the stricken aircraft back to Nairobi. I was at the airport to meet them thinking mission accomplished. Peter who is never without a sense of humour asked what I knew about the aircraft and what my intentions were in making him go alone on the flight!

On another occasion, we were shocked by the ugly sight of man’s inhumanity to man evidenced by the deplorable plight of thousands of displaced peoplein a war-torn Saharan area in Central Africa. Our hearts bled that there was nothing we could do to help; and so it was weep or leave. Peter took refuge in his humour.

‘Things are beginning to look better,’ he said, meaning that we hadalready stayed so longthere that our eyes were becoming accustomed to the misery.

Back in London Peter had assembled a crop of young editorsfrom various parts of Africa, all in our twenties. We tookover Afif Ben Yedder’s New African Developmentmagazine with itsdwindling circulation, rebranded it New African magazine and shot up its circulation by several thousands.Peter’s witty commentaries and thoughtprovoking editorials made a difference. This period was the heady days of military coups and counter coups including palace coups within Africa, my own

•Peter Enahoro home country Ghana was not spared. Peter asked us to be on standby and to jump into any country where events erupted unexpectedly. I had my bags packed ready for any timehe called upon me to get on the first flight after an airport re-opened following a coup. Our mission was to dig, find and to bring out the story of ‘why the coup and the future’.

Many times Peter and I travelled together. At some airports immigration officialsroutinely held back our passports to interrogate us in a room afterwards. On one occasionI became worried and asked Peterwhat he thought was going on? He told me to relax.

Eventually the immigration officer returned our passports when we were the only ones left with him.

He whispered to us, ‘I like what you wrote about that country in your magazine. Please don’t forget us. Write the same about us, too.” What better reward and appreciation can you possibly ask for?

My greatest challenge was covering Nigeria for Peter. From the start Peter said to me that it is more difficult to cover one’s own country and that as an outsider I had no axe to grind with Nigeria.

My instructions were to ensure that the right balance was maintained in our coverage. If you think that was a challenge consider attempting to analyze the complex chessboard that is Nigeriawith your best asset Peter Enahoro insisting on remaining in exile. His presence would have made life easier covering Nigeria.

On the other hand, although he remained in exile I soon found that Peter’s nameopened doors.

I began my coverageof Nigerian politics from the years of Obasanjo’s military government through to Shagari’s administration.With the mere

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by Ben Asante, veteran political editor who worked with Peter Enahoro in London for many years

My greatest challenge was covering Nigeria for Peter. From the start Peter said to me that it is more difficult to cover one’s own country and that as an outsider I had no axe to grind with Nigeria. My instructions were to ensure that the right balance was maintained in our coverage

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mention Peter’s name even at the time of military governments Igained entry in politicaland leading business circles.Even in my own country Ghana, when our collaborator was taken into prison detention because of a report on a particularly ghastly killing of judges, Peter rang the National Security Adviser from Nairobi, late one night. This was a man who had said to us earlier that Petersaved his life with the editorial comment he wrote when he was accused of plotting against the Acheampong regime. Our friend was safely spirited out of Ghana.

Peter’s conversations with certain African Presidents and their close associates remain behind closed doors when the tape recorder is switched off. Peter and I warned AB Tolbert, the son of late President Tolbert,not to take things for granted as he sprayed the streets with money for people to chase afterhis car, as we drove with him through the streets at night in Monrovia. In Sierra Leone President Siaka Steven and after him President Momoh sat us up telling us their problems and sought our opinion. In the tiny Republic of Gambia Peter freely gave his opinion to President Jawaranot to convert his para-military police into an army.

I have taken many things from Peter. He is hard working, humble and humorous. He is both polite and stubborn in his beliefs. Even as an acknowledged master in his trade, Peter would regularly ask the people who worked with himto read over his commentarybefore going to press, to hear their opinion.

The entire editorial staff, the circulation and advertising directors and the administrative secretaries followed him en-masse from New African to found Africa Now. The influence that Peter had on some of us is why we shall always remain journalists with no option of retirement.

Happy Birthday Peter Pan.Among those readers outside Nigeria it’s Happy80thBirthday Peter Enahoro

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015—17

Pr of ile of the Icon Prof ofile Place and Date of Birth: Uromi, Edo State; 21st January, 1935 Early childhood: Owo, Ondo State Education: St. Stephens Elementary School, Akure (Ondo State) CMS Primary School, Ado-Ekiti (Ondo State) Government School, Ekpoma(Edo State) St. David’s School, Akure (Ondo State) Government School, Warri (Delta State) Government College, Ughelli (Delta State) 1948 September Set. (School Prefect; Head of School House; Captain of Football; School Colours at Cricket, Athletics and Football; Grier Cup Record Holder in Javelin in successive years 1951, 1952, 1953) Employment: a) Assistant Publicity Officer, Department (renamed Federal Ministry) of Information, 1954 b) Sub-editor, Daily Times, 1955 c) Assistant District Manager, Rediffusion Services, Ibadan, 1957 d) [i] Features Editor, Daily Times, 1958 [ii] Editor, Sunday Times, 1958* e) Editor, Daily Times, 1962 f) Daily TimesGroup Editorial Adviser, 1965** g) Editor-in-Chief, Daily Times, 1966 *The Sunday Times in those days of its glory was owned by the UK Daily Mirror Group as part of its overseas newspapers in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Singapore and Guyana. Circulated in Ghana and Cameroon it had the largest sales by any newspaper in West Africa. **Peter has written that his career in the Daily Times was saved by the Peter Pan Column that he began writing in 1959. h)Contributing Editor, Radio Deutsche Welle, Cologne, Germany, 1966-1976 i) Africa Editor, National Zeitung, Basel, Switzerland j)One of founding Editors of Africa magazine, Paris, 1970; UK, 1972 k)Editorial Director, New African magazine, London, 1978 l) Founded Africa Now, a monthly political, economic quality magazinein London, 1980*** ***Frank Barton in his authoritative book titled “The Press of Africa” (The Macmillan Press Ltd.) described Peter as “arguably Africa’s best journalist writing in the English language.” m) Pioneer Chairman Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, 1992 n) Sole Administrator, Daily Times Nigeria Plc, 1996 Author: a) How to be a Nigerian(1966) b) Yougotta Cry to Laugh (1972) c) The Complete Nigerian(1992) d) Then Spoke the Thunder (2009) Awards: Fellow, Nigerian Guild of Editors Fellow, Commonwealth Journalist Association Legend of Nigeria Media, “for selfless and outstanding contribution to the growth of the media in Nigeria” – Nigeria’s Media Green Carpet Award 20th Century Award of Achievement, “in recognition of outstanding achievements in the field of Journalism” – International Biographical Centre of Cambridge, England.

•Peter Enahoro

18—SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

BEN AGANDE

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ince the flag off the presidential Campaign by President Goodluck Jonathan in Lagos, the campaign train has been to different parts of the country to sell the Jonathan candidacy.

After covering the South Eastern part of the country which is seen as the president’s stronghold, the campaign train moved to Sokoto which is seen as the religious capital of the Islamic faith in the country.

Flagging off the north western campaign was significant in several ways. Apart from being the home of the Sultan of Sokoto, the leader of the Muslim faithful in the country, Sokoto is one of the states PDP cannot count on for the President’s re-election.

SOKOTO At the palace of the sultan of Sokoto where the president made the first point of call, the president used the opportunity to assure the people of the state and the north in general that the assumption that he hates the north was fallacious and should be ignored in totality.

According to the president, the fact that his administration decided to confront the challenge of the Almajaris by establishing the schools underscores the importance and interest he has for the people.

He told the audience at the campaign rally that if voted into office again in February, the good things that his administration is doing for the country would not only be sustained but improved upon.

But the visit of the President to the Sultan of Sokoto provided an opportunity for the foremost religious leader to tell the president, nay politicians some home truth.

According to the Sultan, rather than place emphasis on religious sentiment in the course of their campaigns, politicians should leave religion aside and concentrate on how they intend to improve the welfare of the people of the country. “ I will say never in the history of this country have we faced the kind of very serious challenges as we are facing now. The whole politicking had been turned into religion of ethnic matters and this should not be so because we see what happens across the world.

“We are worried because religion has been brought into it. We made it very clear in 2011, there was no way religion would be a part in the election campaigns or even the election itself.

“As you have seen here, I think there are more Muslims in this room than Christians and coming here now for prayers for success of your campaigns goes a long way to show that as the leader of the Muslims, I have no choice but to pray for you” he told the president.

KEBBI From Sokoto, the president moved to neighboring Kebbi where he emphasised the message that had been carried along through out his campaign so far: that his

President Goodluck Jonathan and the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido during his visit to Kano

What Jonathan told Sanusi, the Emir of Kanoliticians to •As Sultan urges po preach welfare and not religion

administration remains the best for the country.

Appealing to the sentiment of the people, President Jonathan told the people that his choice of Professor Attahiru Jega to head the Independent National Electoral Commission underlines his confidence in Jega and indeed the state as a whole.

“We appreciate the people of Kebbi State so much. We have confidence in you and that is why we are talking about elections.

“We selected a son of Kebbi State, Prof. Jega, to be the number one umpire in this country. It is because of the confidence we have in him to be an unbiased umpire”.

Although the president’s campaign rallies in Sokoto and Kebbi recorded a fair but not large crowd, what happened in Gusau, the Zamfara state capital was a pleasant surprise to the presidential team. Apart from the Mammoth crowd that welcomed the presidential team, the passion with which they expressed their acceptance of the candidacy of the president put a lie to the widely

I am here to seek your royal blessing and to reassure the people of Kano that PDP is totally committed to developing the country

held view that the president would be thoroughly defeated in the election.

KANO The campaign rally of the president in Kano provided an interesting scenario.

It would be recalled that shortly before he was crowned as the Emir of Kano following the death of Alhaji Ado Bayero, the relationship between Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the erstwhile governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and President Goodluck Jonathan had irretrievably broken down. Sanusi had accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation of failing to remit some money that had accrued to nation from the sale of Petroleum products, into the federation account.

The allegation which attracted wide publicity within and out side the country was interpreted by some persons as a veiled attack on the president. The climax of the cold war was when the president failed to congratulate Sanusi as the Emir of Kano following his emergence.

For many people, the forgoing background would present a difficult scenario to the president who had made

it a point of duty to visit prominent traditional rulers in all places that he had gone for campaign.

But to underscore the relevance of interests in the affairs of politicians, President Jonathan put aside the ugly incidence of the recent past and paid the traditional homage to Emir Sanusi in his palace.

In an ironic twist of fate, while the Emir of Kano was at the mercy of the president just some few months ago, the president was in Kano, at the palace of the emir as a favour seeker!

He told the emir: : “I am here to seek your royal blessing and to reassure the people of Kano that PDP is totally committed to developing the country”.

As if taking a cue from the ugly incidence that happened in Katsina, the president’s campaign rally in Bauchi received a less than warm welcome as security agents had a running battle with some urchins who pelted the president’s motorcade with pebbles on Thursday. The stoning of members of the VIP at the podium in Bauchi was the climax a foreboding development that needs to be nipped in the bud as quickly and swiftly as possible. It is not enough to mouth that we want a free, fair violence-free elections. We must consciously work to ensure that this is achieved.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015—19

*Olorogun O’tega Emerhor •Chief Great Ogboru

•Senator Ifeanyi Okowa

FEB POLLS:

ru o b g O r, o rh e m E , a w o Ok t a e s r e b u G a lt e D r fo le tt a b ign grounds *Remarks from campa

EMMA AMAIZE AMAIZE,, Regional Editor, South-South,, EGUFE YAFUGBORHI & THERESA UGBOBU

O

NL Y one person will NLY emerge as governor of Delta State at the February 28 governorship elections, but each of the three major governorship candidates of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, All Progressives Congress, APC, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor and Labor Party, LP, Chief Great Ogboru, believes that he is the next governor of the state.

Okowa thinks landslide

At the flag-off of his campaign in Oghara, Ethiope-West Local Government Area, which was like a coronation of sort, Senator Okowa, enamored by the massive crowd that thronged Oghara Township Stadium, venue of the rally, said his party would win with a landslide, promising to consolidate and improve on the legacies of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

It was the same feeling for the chairman of the party’s Campaign Organization and former Minister of Information, Prof Sam Oyovbaire, who after appraising the gigantic crowd, said he was satisfied that Okowa enjoys support across the three senatorial districts of the state. Chairman of the Presidential Contact Committee, South-South zone, former governor of Bayelsa state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyesiegha, was also awe-struck.

Consolidating Uduaghan’s achievements

A strengthened Okowa said, “We will ensure accelerated industrialization, He (Uduaghan) has started Warri Industrial Business Park, we will partner with the private sector to establish two other industrial parks in the other two senatorial districts of the state,” he said.

The PDP standard-bearer said Uduaghan has done well in the education and health sectors, but he would, based on legislation, introduce a free health insurance policy for Deltans.

From the era of former governor, Chief James Ibori in 1998 till date, he said the state had not fared badly in terms of road network, but he would certainly do more, while a strategic urban renewal programme would be put in place to spread development across the state.

Interacting with journalists, during the week, in Asaba, he threw more light on his plans, he said his administration would not stop the free maternal programme of Uduaghan, adding that he would emphasize technical education and complete ongoing projects just as work will be going on simultaneously on new ones.

Ur hobo ’ll vote Urhobo hobo’ll Okowa, Jonathan

The Deputy Governor, Prof Amos Utuama, had earlier assured him that the people of Delta Central senatorial district (Urhobo) would vote for him and his running mate. This is against the standing order of the apex Urhobo sociocultural group, Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, that Urhobo people would not vote for PDP because it did

not pick their own as gubernatorial candidate.

However, from the flag-off of PDP campaign till date, the party has burrowed into the Urhobo territory, galvanizing more and more support.

One of the Urhobo governorship aspirants, the former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, who played host to Okowa at his Oginibo country home, Ughelli South local government area, last weekend, said Urhobo would vote for Okowa and President Goodluck Jonathan.

Gbagi thunders against UPU

Kicking against the UPU stand on the PDP candidate, Gbagi said, “We (Urhobo leaders) will dissolve the current UPU executives and elect people who will work.

He alleged: “Some UPU members got at least three jeeps from Delta North aspirants during the PDP governorship primaries. If they collected these cars from Ochei, Olejeme and other Delta North aspirants and still were shouting that Urhobo will not support a Delta North governorship, who were they deceiving?Gbagi maintained that UPU had no moral justification to force partisan interest on Urhobo people, adding that he was already in touch with key leaders in the district on dissolution of the present leadership.

His Excellency

Okowa and other members of the PDP in the state believe that the party with its showings so far is as good as having won the governorship election in the state and he is already being addressed as His Excellency.

The PDP invited musicians and comedians, amongst them Ras Kimono, Orits Wiliki, Maleke, who are going about with them in the campaign to spice up proceedings.

Practically all the party’s

Continues on page 20

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

Continues from page 19 governorship aspirants, who lost to Okowa are campaigning for him. The man many thought would be, but who was not, Mr. Tony Obuh, Chief Godswill Obielum, Mr. Festus Okubor, Chief Clement Ofuani, Olorogun Gbagi, Dr. Esther Uduehi, Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme and former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt Hon Victor Ochei, who moved over to the Accord Party, AP, to contest the Delta North senatorial seat against PDP’s Chief Peter Nwaboshi, are all working for Okowa.

The political machinery of Governor Uduaghan has been put at the disposal of Okowa for the election. .

built with the financial resources of Deltans where their monies will be made to work for them and not them working for their money. In all of these, we will ensure total reduction of corruption and a crime free Delta.”

LP faithful hopeful

APC‘ll take over Delta- Emerhor

APC’s O’tega Emerhor, who took his flag-off to Okowa’s home base at Agbor, Ika South local government area, Wednesday, said the mission of his party was to end the 16 years misrule of the state by the PDP. He said that APC would take over the state from PDP, next month, just as the party’s presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) would floor incumbent President Jonathan.

Emerhor taunted Okowa and his party, PDP, saying for the 16 years the party has been in power, Agbor was still suffering from lack of water, bad road and erosion.

He said the PDP maladministration was not restricted to Agbor as his visit to other parts of the state had revealed grave mismanagement, adding, “We have resources that if well harnessed, Delta would be better. With the resources we have, Delta should have put poverty and unemployment behind and engaged the youths. In my first 100 days in office, I will set aside N10 billion to address the empowerment of youths, women and people in small-scale businesses.”

The APC standard bearer asserted that the reason why there was poverty in the state was that the poor people could not access money for development, saying, “We will establish access points in the local government areas and provide relevant support for development. Development will be localized; local governments will be the points to start development.”

According to him, local governments would no longer be centres of sharing monthly allocations for recurrent expenditure, but places to carry out development. Emerhor said at least 1,000,000 youths

CAMPAIGN: The People Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship flag bearer for 2015 general elections Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (left) his wife Dame Edith (middle) and the State Chairman, PDP, Edwin Uzor during PDP campaign tour to Isoko North Local Government araea, Tuesday. Photo: Henry Unini

and women would be taken off the unemployment market under the scheme.

He said the party would identify areas of needs in the respective councils, particularly the problems of lack of education and health facilities and tackle them.

platforms of different political parties, including the defunct Democratic People’s Party, DPP, is slugging it out this time around on the Labour Party, LP, pedestal.

On Thursday at the Warri Township Stadium, Warri South local government, where he flagged off his campaign, he did not speak much.

From his mium, one could decipher the saying action speaks louder than words.

Vote out PDP- Okpozo

Chairman of the Elders Council of the party in the state, Senator Francis Okpozo, who also mounted the podium, said in their days, during the time of the late Iwerebor, what mattered to politicians was the dividends of democracy they brought home to the people, but these days, politicians loot public treasury, build high rise houses and mount fences to prevent the people from coming to their homes, where they park exotic vehicles.

He urged Agbor people and the electorate in the state to reject PDP candidates at the polls and vote O’tega Emerhor, General Buhari and other APC candidates, who have come to give the state and country a new breath of life.

Vice chairman of the party in the state, Chief George Okafor, said those saying that APC was not on ground in the state would be shocked by the mass rejection of PDP in next month’s election.

He said Agbor was deliberately chosen by the party as its take-off point because the city was a melting pot of the state. Okafor was particularly delighted at the crowd that attended the rally.

The party brought an accomplished orator to titillate the multitude, which laughed and laughed as the master of ceremony delivered his grammatical missiles.

Enter Ogboru

Chief Ogboru, popularly known as the People’s General, who has contested for the governorship stool up to four times in the state on the

The political machinery of Governor Uduaghan has been put at the disposal of Okowa for the election

Ogboru is best material

The party’s Delta Central senatorial candidate, Obaise Ovie Omo-Agege, who moved over to LP after losing in the December 8 governorship primaries of the PDP to Senator Okowa, did the squealing.

He confessed how he and other PDP power shots scuttled Chief Great Ogboru’s victory in previous governorship elections in the state.

Omo-Agege asserted: “Ogboru is the best material to lead the fight for change that Delta needs at this time. Even in the past, the man has won all his elections but has been deprived. I can tell you this because I have been in the PDP. This time, we have resolved to do everything to assist him and I am confident he would emerge as governor”

UPU‘ll endorse one candidate

Debunking rumours of crisis in the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, he stated that Urhobos would endorse only one candidate that will fly the Urhobo flag in the February 28 governorship elections.

I‘ll reduce corruption, wipe out crime- Ogboru

Taking the podium at the rally, Chief Ogboru promised Deltans that if elected as governor of the state, his administration would provide three companies located at the three senatorial districts of the state.

He said: “These companies will be

Reflective of his followership in the state, the Warri Township Stadium was filled to capacity by supporters of the Delta LP governorship candidate, most of who streamed much earlier and waited for hours before Ogboru made his belated entry to thunderous cheers from the crowd of supporters.

Festus Agberia who attended from Ughelli South council area, told Saturday Vanguard, “When it comes to Ogboru, party name does not count. I am not a member of LP and being member is immaterial here. I just want Ogboru as governor. You have heard a PDP power broker, Omo-Agege say he is the best among the rest. We will vote for him again and this time our vote will count.”

Ogboru announced his arrival to the venue in a convoy of cars accompanied by the national chairman, Comrade Abdulkadir Salam, national secretary, Comrade Kayode Ajimoh, national secretary, among other officials of the party.

Impressed by the capacity attendance at the 25, 000seater stadium, the national chairman said, “Through Ogboru, Delta will get empowerment, you will be delivered from the people using money for your education for their own welfare. He will ensure that development goes to every nook and cranny of Delta state.”

Delta State Chairman of the party, Hon. Tony Ezeagwu, in his remarks, asserted, “The messiah has come to change Delta state.

We all believe that the change we have been yearning for a long time has come and the man to bring that change is Great Ovedje Ogboru.”

The national chairman, joined by other party leaders later presented flags to all the standard bearers for various positions in the coming elections.

Drift to criminality

Owing to delayed arrival of Ogboru and his entourage, many of his supporters, who stayed just to welcome him, started leaving in droves soon after he arrived. The atmosphere around the stadium took a criminal tone soon after departure of dignitaries, as hooligans attacked and dispossessed people of phones, cash and other valuables.

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, JANUARY 24, 2015—21

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must confess I didn’t hear it: I read it in one of the publications but then neither the PDP nor President Jonathan has denied it. I am referring to the statement that the President was reported to have made in one of his campaign rallies that the Nigeria of his dream is a country without prisons. This was supposed to be a sort of dig at General Buhari who had many politicians jailed for long terms under his watch.

I personally think the issue of the long jail terms has been over flogged and taken out of context. We must not forget the mood of the country at the time these sentences were handed out. We must not remember that Buhari couldn’t have packed in the middle of the road forget the excesses of the acted alone. There was the Supreme while the owner saunters into the NPN government and the Military Council that took the final nearby supermarket. You see two Akinloye champagne decisions, there were the judges that young people driving side by side scenario. The late sage handed out the jail terms, there was and having a conversation while Chief Obafemi Awolowo the press that in the main, egged ignoring the other road users who warned that the then them on, and finally, there was the are hooting impatiently behind government was public which gave tacit endorsement. them. You see the rich and the poor, spending money But I merely mentioned these lest we the educated and the illiterate drive irresponsibly and that the forget. My issue today is about a on the Lagos – Ibadan express road country was heading for President who can envision a country as if there are no traffic laws in the an economic precipice. without prisons and chooses it as his country. You see people refusing to The party responded by dream goal. They say out of the stop when a patrol team stops them. describing Chief Awolowo abundance of the heart, the mouth You see uniformed people openly as a doomsday prophet, speaks. This statement, if true, collecting egunje on the streets and went on to say that explains a lot of things. It explains a while daring you to reprimand Nigerians were not father who spares the rod; a leader them. They do all these things feeding out of the who loathes to reprimand; it explains because they get away with them dustbins after all. We must The culture of impunity is probably rising not forget that the government actually led because we have a man whose dream is to have us to an economic a country without prisons precipice which subsequently resulted in belt tightening when our a President who, even when not and they get away because there is letters of credit did not condoning crime, hates to punish no willingness to bring anybody to book. Now we know why; have dollar backing. We perpetrators of crime. must not forget the Are we then surprised at the culture punishment via prison terms seems jubilation on the streets of impunity that has grown steadily distasteful to our President. when the Shagari since our democracy took root and has The offices are even worse. White government was toppled. peaked in the last few years? Let’s collar jobs seem a license to be Many vocal Nigerians, look at a few examples of the dishonest. Almost everybody is on including prominent lawlessness that has taken over the the take and many are flaunting ones, pleaded for stiff land. You see an expensive car drive their ill-gotten wealth without any punishments for the recklessly on the wrong side of an reprisal. In any case many of the corrupt politicians. Many express road endangering himself judges give judgements in favour urged the Rawlings and other road users in the process. of the highest bidder. The press treatment which tied Behind the wheel is ‘a big man’ who which is supposed to be the watchcorrupt politicians in looks educated – he probably studied dog now seems to be watching its Ghana to the stakes and abroad- and therefore should know own pocket. Many newsrooms are shot them. We also must better. You see another expensive car now swayed by the size of the

A Nigeria Without Prisons

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he favor of God is the best thing that can happen to anyone. When you find favor with God, your life will never remain the same. A moment with the King will change your life forever. When you find favor with God and then with men, everything will just fall in place for you.

In the book of Esther 2:8-15, it was recorded that Esther found favor with the king and she was chosen out of the several maiden that came before the king. If you read from verse 9 of the same chapter, “and the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him and he speedily gave her things for purification…”. You can see that when you are favored, everything will work out fine for you. When it is your turn, favor will bring it to pass.

When God wants to favor you, He uses your very situation to glorify Himself. What do I mean by this? Before the King called for maidens to be chosen, there was a place to be filled. The reason you are going through your situation now is because God wants to favor you.

Now back to the text, Esther 2:12, the maidens went before the King one after the other, but the King did not choose anyone of them before it got to Esther ’s turn. Why, because ‘Esther ’ has been ordained to take the position. When it is your turn to get that job, to get a child, a promotion, own your house, nothing can stop it, no demon from the pit of hell can stop it.

Listen to me, the turn of Esther came, and she found favor with the king. Not even

It is your turn for God’s favour

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the extra things used by the other maidens made the king to choose them. You don’t need to sleep with the chairman/director for you to get a job or get promoted.

You don’t need to bribe anyone before you get the contract because God does not need your assistance to favor you. When your turn comes, you will get it.

The bible says, “Heaven and Earth belongs to God” (Ps. 24:1). It means that whether you’re in the North, East, West or South, with God’s favour upon your life, you can begin to possess your possession and become the king of that land. God is working behind the scene for you to be promoted, for you to get married, to get your

own children. When it is your turn to shine, nobody can stop it. When it is your turn to get married, no witch or wizard can stop you from getting married.

No matter what you are going through right now, hear me child of God, God is saying to you, now is your turn to be favored, now is your turn to get those your heart desires and nothing can stop it.

Are you comparing your life with your mates/friend’s life, in terms of achievement, listen to me, now is your turn, it is not how long you wait that matters, but the timing of God that matters. God will not because of you spoil His ‘C.V’. He is a God of integrity; He has never failed anyone, and will not fail you. Did He say he will give you a child? He will do it.

Whatever it is He says He will

‘brown envelope’ or ‘the advert’. The banks charge whatever they like and the poor customers have nowhere to go, no one to complain to. The telephone networks deduct whatever they like without any one holding them accountable.

Everywhere you turn there is impunity.

Then there is the official impunity. The other day the ruling party refused to recognise a freely elected chairman of the governor’s forum and insisted that 16 was superior to 19. It did it because it knew nothing would happen and nothing did. The Ekiti State governor took it a step further by allowing a motley crowd of four to remove the State Speaker. They appear to be getting away with it. Just as the minority in the Federal House would have gotten away with it if it had succeeded in removing its Speaker. Or if the River State Governor had not acted quickly in preventing a kangaroo impeachment. A high court judge was publicly humiliated in the same Ekiti State. Again nothing happened.

Sometimes the impunity is committed with the active involvement of law

do, He will do it and now is the time because of God’s favour.

You don’t have to leave your place of blessing. Where you are now is where God wants to bless you. He knows where and when to give it to you. Wait for Him so that you don’t miss out of God’s favor for your life. A word from God for you, it does not matter how many has gone ahead of you in that interview, marriage, own their house, when it is your turn, favor will take you ahead of them. Time and chance happen to everyone. Your chance will definitely come.

The children of Israel had been slaves for a very long time. Thus they were in captivity in the hands of their masters. Their masters hated them so much and made them to work harder than usual but when it was O S O T I time for God T U to release and set G I E them free, God said G W A R they will not N I

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. E-mail: 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.

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leave Egypt empty handed.

What did God do? God gave them favour with their masters to such an extent that whatever the Israelites asked of them the Egyptians gave to them knowing fully well that the Israelites were not coming back. Know that God is the same always.

What He did for the Israelites He will do for you.

He will make those that have risen against you in your political party, office, community, etc, to fall in love with you. Remember that the heart of kings are in His hands and like the rivers of waters He turneth it to please Himself. Just as God did to pharaoh, so shall He do to everyone that is sitting on top of your blessings. He will make them to favour you and release the blessings to you in Jesus name, amen.

God shall favour your, our great nation Nigeria and President Goodluck Jonathan.

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enforcement agencies as happened in Lagos State where a building was ransacked and computers worth millions of naira destroyed without any recourse to law. Nothing so far has happened and nothing it seems, will.

This might be because the President does not have the heart to punish any form of misdemeanour. Three years ago when the petroleum hike strikes shook its government to the roots, the President was forced to institute a couple of panels to investigate the stinking mess in the oil industry. People said nothing would come out of the probes because the people involved were those who financed the 2011 election. Many of us hoped the presidency would put a lie to the rumours by prosecuting the culprits. We are still waiting. A powerful man in the House was caught receiving bribe. Nobody in government has had the courage to prosecute. A minister was alleged to be spending funds belonging to one of the departments in her ministry recklessly. We expected sanction; she got elevated. The culture of impunity is probably rising because we have a man whose dream is to have a country without prisons.

Mr President; what we need in Nigeria are bigger and better prisons to house the many criminals in the nooks and corners of the country and some of them are your ‘bosom’ allies. People must understand that the wages of crime is a jail term. There must be deterrents to impunity. If Mr Jonathan can’t or won’t do it then somebody would have to do it.

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22—SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

– Martin Luther King, Jr.

An 18 by 24 inch picture of Martin Luther King Jr., that adorns a special position on the wall at home in Benin took an unusual fall this past Sunday; a day which ironically is set aside annually in remembrance of this great icon, who for me is the world’s greatest civil rights leader of the 20th century.

As I replaced the picture/poster (taken at UC Berkeley) this past Monday, I reflected on the place of this man in my life, throughout my stay in America, and even now in Nigeria.

In fact a week earlier, the poster was the topic of discussion between me and my sister who was visiting from Louisiana. As we reflected on good times spent in our family home in Benin I told her that the poster, which was also a fixture in my cubicle at my last work place in Vacaville, California; is intended to serve as a historical lesson for the foursome in the house in Benin, as well as a reminder for me that the civil rights work against intolerance and hatred that MLK pioneered was now experiencing serious challenges; considering the sour state of race relations.

Only last month UC Berkeley, where Dr. King made one of his last speeches (during an Anti-Vietnam war rally), was the scene of another black mark on race relations in America. It occurred when three cardboard effigies of black people were found hanging by nooses at this prestigious school that I attended between 1998 and 2000.

According to official statements, “the effigies appear to be connected to a demonstration nearby planned to coincide with a national protest against police brutality dubbed, “#blacklivesmatter.”

Well, with the spate of police brutality, racial and ethnic violence and schisms as well as hatred against black folks lately, one has to ask the question: Do Black Lives Anywhere in the World Really Matter Anymore?

Which is why the civil rights work that Dr. King started has more

Martin Luther King Jr.:

The dream lives on

significance now more than ever.

I remember becoming enamored with the work of this great man as a child during vacations in Ibadan with my late Aunty and her husband Professor and Mrs. Ette in the early 70’s. They had just returned from studies in the Atlanta area and used to proudly broadcast Dr. King’s “I have a Dream” speech to me and my cousins (including Sadie Ette, a 9/11 victim) every Sunday at their home on the University of Ibadan campus.

That speech, delivered on the steps of Washington D.C’s Lincoln

Memorial on August 28, 1963 before 250,000 marchers turned out to be the defining moment of Dr. King’s civil rights odyssey, especially his stance on affirmative action and the voting rights act.

I agreed with many of the points in Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s dissent in last year ’s Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, because it is one of the reasons that prompted me to file an EEOC claim in 2013 against my former employers in California and eventually forced me to leave a country I love because of the apathy against forensic

Well, with the spate of police brutality, racial and ethnic violence and schisms as well as hatred against black folks lately, one has to ask the question: Do Black Lives Anywhere in the World Really Matter Anymore? racial discrimination. Too many (including images of monkeys on my work computer) instances to recount here, but one that hurt so much was the sticker on the car of a Caucasian that trailed me all the way from work home one day. It read: ‘Does my flag offend you?

Call 1-800 leave America.” As an American citizen that hurt so much.

In her 58-page dissent the Top Court’s first Latina Justice wrote.

“The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to speak openly and candidly on the subject of race, and to apply the Constitution with eyes open to the unfortunate effects of centuries of racial discrimination.”

Opining this week in the New York Times, Chris Lebron, an assistant professor of AfricanAmerican studies and philosophy at Yale University, hit the bulls eye when he wrote “ I think it goes without question that not only has the idea of a post-racial America proven to be a myth, but that racial inequality remains a tragic mark on the character of this otherwise great nation — a nation founded on respect not only for what persons hope to accomplish in life but for what they are: humans owed rights, liberty and respect because of their humanity. The equal recognition of humanity has only intermittently taken hold with respect to black lives. The closeness of Emmett Till and Eric Garner attest to that.” “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness. This is the judgment.

Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?” –MLK, Jr.

Ever el’s re turn on inves tment is a re turn ssttay Everyy Hot Hotel’s return investment return

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ave you ever stayed in a hotel where what was supposed to be a pleasant experience turned nightmarish?

Well, one such experience occurred at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego while attending the 2010 conference of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference.

It was four days of interesting sessions on digital journalism education and career development that attracted Journalists, PR professionals, students and educators from across the United States and Canada. After each day’s session all I looked forward to was a good night’s rest, but persistent and cranky noise from the air conditioning unit made it impossible to sleep. After the second night I had to complain to the hotel’s front desk who then sent a night

duty staff to check into my complaints.

The hotel never really explained what was responsible for this technical inconvenience, even after I sent an online feedback. But one thing I know for sure is I will never be staying at San Diego’s Grand Hyatt, even though it has one of the best views of the Harbor.

Four years later I had another hotel experience that was equally horrendous, this time in Abuja, Nigeria.

The nightmare started when Kola nut droppings from next door male guests at the hotel prompted my request to move from the room, and then the new room became an additional nightmare with two men next door arguing violently in the middle of the night, prompting my complaint to the

housekeeper.

It was indeed a strange and bizarre experience, especially when one of them, who I think was trying to flee from the other one, tried to force his way into my room thinking it was an exit.

For my own safety (having never encountered a situation like that) I had to place an emergency call to the house keeper, prompting the men to hurriedly check out. Well, that will be another hotel I won’t be using anytime soon.

And then of course how can I forget the Driskill, the iconic hotel in Austin, Texas where I stayed while attending the 2010 conference of the American Association of State Compensation Insurance Funds (AASCIF).

For those who don’t know, the

Driskill, where President Lyndon Johnson met his future wife in 1934, is one of the oldest operating and best known hotels in the USA. Its other claim to fame is the alleged supernatural activity throughout the building. But as a family member (a lawyer with the Texas Association of Schools Board) picked me up for the ride to the Bergstrom Airport (after checking out) I wondered about all the stories of haunting.

I am not a ghost-buster but after a three night stay there all the stories seemed kind of far-fetched to me.

The fact is every hotel in the world bids you goodbye with the hope that your first stay was pleasant enough for you to return.

That is the essence of good customer service.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015—23

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24 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

With FLORENCE AMAGIYA 08061644307 email: daise4000@yahoo.com

Chief Ben Amuta:

The brain behind Don Morris Y

oung Ben Amuta was just 10 years old in Primary 3 when the Civil War broke in 1967. Ben and his family which included his father, mother and a younger brother had to run for their lives, leaving behind all that they had struggled for. It was not a pleasant trip as there were no vehicles to take them to their destinations, which of course wasn’t known. So they trekked a very long distance...

Read on...

•Ben Amuta

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HIEF Ben Amuta, who goes by the nickname 'Oil Minister' is the owner of DON MORRIS red wine.

Although he was not born with a silver spoon, he has grown his brand and he is living his dream.

Today, Don Morris red wine is largely consumed by many Nigerians and many outside Nigeria. Chief Ben Amuta is also a major importer of CLASSIC red wine and some other brands of wine too numerous to mention. He has investments in oil and gas sector, he has bottle water production company and other businesses.

Chief Ben Amuta was born in PortHarcourt. He was only in primary 3 when the Nigerian Civil War broke.

He and his family which included his father, mother, and a younger brother had to run for their lives, leaving behind all that they had worked for. It was not a pleasant trip as there were no vehicles around to take them to their destinations, so they trekked long distance.

The 'Oil Minister' was so young that the only luggage he could carry was a mat. He cannot forget in a hurry an experience he had on the road to safety. His younger brother, because of his age, was carried on the shoulder of a man who walked away with him.

It was not until they got to a point where his family decided to take a rest

that they found out that the man carrying his brother had dissappeared.

His father had to leave his mum and him in other people’s care for a long period of time in search of his brother who was eventually found.

Ben Amuta and his family in the process got a vehicle to their home town Umu- Dioka in Dunukosia Local Government Area in Anambra state, where they thought the war wouldn’t get to, but not too long after reaching there, they got wind that their village may be the next to be attacked. So he and his family again left the village for Onitsha, the village was eventually bombed killing some of the people that remained and maiming others.

In Onitsha, they stayed in an abandoned property. It was a 2- room apartment. While there, his other

•Ben Amuta & wife

Ben was a highly intelligent young man but he couldn’t continue schooling because of tuition fee

siblings were born. The owners of the property returned to reclaim one of the rooms when the war ended in 1970. They had to make-do with one room. Money became an issue as this was the end of the Civil War. His father became a carpenter and his mum, a petty trader. He was advised to learn a trade as there was no money to send him to School.

Meanwhile, Chief Ben struggled to see himself through primary school by doing

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015 — 25

odd jobs and helping his mother hook her petty sales. He paid his way through Common Entrance Examination while doing that, but could only manage up to class 3. In class 3, he was advised by his parents to drop out of school, as he was needed to help raise his younger siblings in school. In fact, the parents had to choose between him and his sister; the person that would continue schooling. They chose his sister and he dropped out of school.

Although Ben was a highly intelligent young man, he couldn’t continue schooling because of tuition fee. His sister instead went further, while he went to learn a trade. He started working with his uncle in 1978. Having much ambition, he just believed he would make it.

He traveled to different places abroad using British Caledonia. With time, his uncle enabled him have his own shop. Having the desire to develop, he started attending evening schools until he left Onitsha. Today, Ben has a NECO Certificate and he is also a student of UNILAG, studying Business Administration.

Ben Amuta eventually grew his business empire until he was able to move to Lagos where he stays till date. He was nick- named the ‘Oil Minister ’ because he was the first in Lagos Island to start the importation of oil lubricant for cars. His business grew to the extent that he was able to build his own house in a choice area both in Lagos and his village.

The story behind the making of Don Morris red wine

A time came in Chief Ben Amuta’s life that he needed to make more investments and decided he wanted to invest in wine. So he travelled far to be able to source for good wine, he was told that good wine are made in South Africa. So off he went to South Africa in 1997 to search for wine, but found out his contact had moved. Over time, he wanted to get himself ready and set about making a name for his wine. He noticed the popular DON SIMON wine and loved the don title and adopted it.

Later he added Morris to the ‘Don’ which is an abbreviation of some combination of names in his family. He met another contact, travelled abroad again and partnered with contacts in foreign countries like Spain and South Africa to get good wines for marketing. He launched his first table wine known as Don Morris table wine which is non- alcoholic. After the success of the table wine, he tried his hands on the red

•Ben Amuta with DG NAFDAC

wine with better quality bottle which cannot be faked as it cannot be corked after it is uncorked.

INVESTMENTS

He is a business man whose wine bottles carry his brand name. He came up with the name of his brand, Don Morris, as a trade mark. He owns one of the largest wine shops in Lagos with branches in other states. He has multimillion naira investment in oil and gas and other businesses.

Scholarship Scheme

Chief Ben Amuta is a very religious man who is also a philanthropist. He has a successful yearly scholarship scheme for people in his community and has succeeded in sending several youths to different field of endeavours. Chief Ben has recorded more than 25 graduates from his scholarship projects from primary school level to university.

•Ben Amuta & Nollywood actor Bob Manuel Odogwu

26— SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

By KEHINDE AJOSE 08024212530

Wor king with Orlando orking Julius was big honour — Seyi Shay

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t is not every day young artistes get the chance to work with music veterans but whenever they do, it becomes something of an irresistible blend. This captures the experience for Seyi Shay when she had the privilege of doing a remix of Orlando Julius’ mega hit Ololufe with the music icon.

Seyi shay brings in an R n B feel to the song through her melodious vocals while Orlando Julius complemented with an easy-on-the-ear delivery on his saxophone. The Murda crooner later took to her instagram timeline to express her excitement.

In her words: “It was such a great honour working with this man! Thank you daddy”

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ward winning vocalist ,Wande Coal and Dancehall act Burna Boy have been unveiled as artistes to headline the Industry Nite concert set to take place in Dubai. The event which will hold on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at the Kiza Lounge in Dubai will witness music lovers and fans coming out in their numbers to experience live and undiluted entertainment from the headlining acts who will be performing together for the first time in Dubai.

Kiza Lounge which is owned by Nigerian entrepreneur, Lukman Akanbi is located in the heart of Dubai .The African styled restaurant and lounge has played host to a number of Nigerian artistes such as Davido, 2Face, Ice Prince amongst many.

Commenting on what to expect, Burna Boy said “I feel really excited to be performing on the same C M Y K

Wande Coal, Burna bo boyy to storm Dubai Indus tr Industr tryy Nite Live stage alongside my brother Wande. I think this is just about the second time we will be performing together, so it’s definitely going to be a blast, I can’t wait”!

Wande Coal on his own part has this to say: “It’s been a while since I last

visited Dubai for a performance, so am looking forward to the 29th of January when I get to perform some of my latest singles. My fans in Dubai should expect nothing short of the black diamond experience, because they’re in for a surprise”.

I am not a typical Nigerian gospel ar tist e artist tiste — Nikki Laoye

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ikki Laoye has acknowledged that she isn’t the typical Nigerian gospel artiste.

The bouncy singer cum onair-personality stated this in a chat with Showtime.

“Everyone knows by now that I am not the typical Nigerian gospel artiste and this is well within the scope of my music. I am an urban contemporary artiste, this is noticeable right from my first album, Angel 4 Life. I love to create different moods and sounds when it comes to my music and each song I release is simply a piece of me. Music is the greatest essence of my being, my greatest form of communication. I would love to share more of my thoughts and experiences in the other areas as well” she said.

Commenting on the inspiration behind her new music video African Dance she said: “African Dance is a beautiful song written and produced by my brother who is also my producer, Xblaze .This would be the second collaboration by my

brother and I. African Dance is simply a call of celebration in dance as it expresses a mash up of all the popular dance styles which have made an impact across the African music industry over the years, namely; Alanta, Galala, Makossa, Azonto and Shoki. I worked together with my brother on this song to further showcase the musical creativity that runs through our family as well as the beauty of our African dance culture while promoting unity across all tribes at the same time.”

“I totally expected the amazing feedback we have received since the song’s release in December 2014 and it blew sky-high at the release of the video on the 12th of January 2015.Everyone loves the energy and beauty of the song and I am happy that we have made such a great impact with it over a short period. The song is still growing and we are looking forward to a wider acceptance across all borders” she added.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015 —27

By AYO ONIKOYI, 08052201215

I make women say goodbye to their men - Kreystar

K

reystar may not be an household name in entertainment circles yet, but he has what it takes to give the likes of Iyanya and others a run for their money. The light-skinned economics graduate who is preparing to unveil his highly anticipated single Oganla has revealed to Showtime how Pasuma inspired the song “ I just saw the word ‘Oganla’ written on a bus with Pasuma’s picture. I was intrigued by the word, asking myself what this means. I went to the studio, met my producer and told him that I am ready to deliver a song.

He made the beat and I just started creating my own flows on the beat.”

When asked if he is considering working with Pasuma, he said: “I will love to work with Pasuma If the opportunity arises, because he is the inspiration behind the song“.

The Afro-pop artiste is not one to show any form of modesty about his charming looks. He has this to say: “I make women say goodbye to their men without even thinking about it. I am that comfortable about my looks.

Sometimes, I try to look haggard so I won’t get any female attention”

Emeka Morocco, Morgan enter ar ! enterttainment at w war

By Anozie Egole

I

•Kreystar

Skales unveils his new year gif ts gifts F

ollowing the release of two banging singles Shake Body and Give it to me last year, Skales starts the new year on a high note with the release of two hot singles- Je kan mo and I am for real which have been professed as his new year gifts to his fans.

Produced by Jay pizzle, Je kan mo is an upbeat song which is likely to be fan’s favourite. Notable for trying out his hands in several music genres, the Baseline artiste takes it a notch higher with the upbeat produced I am for real where he delivers dancehall music effortlessly. His debut album will be released in March under the Baseline imprint.

C M Y K

gbo high-life artiste, Emeka Morocco, is certainly not having the best of times with his record label, Morgan entertainment, as he has sued them N150 million for breach of contract. Music pundits and close friends to Emeka, said that trouble started when the record label stopped the release of his tribute song for late Dr Ozoemena Nsugbe, that was meant to be released later this month. Sources also said the label threatened to terminate his contract with them However, responding to the development, the new high-life king, Onyinye Osita Osadebe, has advised the artiste to withdraw the

case from the court, saying, “I am calling on Morocco Maduka to withdraw the case from the court. Morgan entertainment is a founding father of Igbo high-life music and they have done so much for us and they deserve some respect.

Manpikin drops Miracle Time

By Chris Onuoha

A

fro Hip Hop artist, Echezona Chukwudi, aka ManPikin, is sure starting 2015 on a good note as he is set to take the entertainment industry by storm with the release of his hit single ‘Miracle Time’ which has already started enjoying massive airplays barely few weeks after its release.

The Anambra state-born singer

started his journey into the entertainment world as far back as 2005 when he joined HMP Production as an actor in movie production after studying Computer Science in Lagos State University.

But he finally settled for music. He formed a trio music group called Da Diamondz in 2006 with his fellow actors in HMP production and won several awards with their first two singles Yahoozee songs before it was popularized by Olu Maintain.

By 2012, the group parted ways which inadvertently paved way for Chukwudi to pursue a solo career, which saw him signing up to Pave Music Records in 2014. The single, Miracle Time produced by Mr. Willz and mastered by Cul briz is enjoying huge air play.

“2015 is definitely going to be a great year for my career. I see myself as a unique artist in diverse places. I am an outspoken person, and an entertainer. Stage is my wife and I adore it so much,” he said.

28—SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

NOLLYWOOD:

What Muna Obiekwe would be remembered for •His many controversial roles

For most people, “life is like a flame dancing atop a candle.

While the flame burns, you’re alive; once it’s snuffed, that individual flame is gone, never to return — Stephen D. Sullivanan SINCE the sad news of his demise broke last Sunday, fans and colleagues of star actor, Muna Obiekwe, have continued to grieve over his loss, especially when they remember the actor's daring roles in movies - those that will survive for a very long time.

Muna, who has a knack for acting romantic scenes in movies was the quintessential character actor, and as such, a representative of a proudly, if sadly disappearing breed.

Until his death, the fair-skinned actor’s career suffered serious setback following the eye-sore roles he played in movies. Till date, people are still talking about the role he played in that soft-porn movie, “Dirty Secret”starring himself, Tonto Dikeh, Jibola Dabo, Geraldine Ejiogu, Ejine Okerefor, among other acts.

In the movie, Tonto Dikeh acted the role of a spoilt child, who sleeps with her father and her boyfriend. Her father, played by Jibola Dabo, was a gynandrous, who also sleeps with his daughter’s boyfriend played by Muna Obiekwe. When the movie was released, fans tongue-lashed the three major acts who played their roles like a smut movie.

As if that was not enough, Muna also featured in another sex movie, “Men in Love” where he played a gay role with Jibola Dabo. Their roles in that movie which was produced by Kingsley Okereke and directed by Moses Ebere, forced people to raise eyebrows over the personalities of Muna and Dabo.

It shocked a lot of fans to behold these two actors playing 'smooching themselves' in the movie where they allegedly had sex uncountable times, baring their butts with G-string panties they wore to the full glare of viewers,

leaving the rest of the parts better imagined.

The film was harshly criticized after it was released. Many people alleged that it was popularizing the ideas of homosexuality in Nigeria. Yet, Muna was not discouraged. As noted by critics, until now, Muna’s acting career suffered a major setback and he needed a role that would not only fetch him good money but would also keep him in the news and make him relevant again on the scene, hence his controversial gay role in the sex movie.”

The actor,who had fallen on bad times basically because he was no longer getting major roles and also the fact that he was based in Enugu, relocated to Lagos, and reportedly acquired a house after his role in the movie. His enlarging profile, however, made him to become the most sought-after actor by producers who want to make sex movies. Though his role in “Men in Love” was not as daring as the one he played in "Dirty Secret."

Notwithstanding the roles he played in the two movies which almost turned Late Obiekwe his fans against him, Muna’s work, both on and off the screen, touched millions and influenced countless people. He Africa. His range of roles proved him also played brilliant roles in other to be one of the most versatile actors in which I have seen are excellent. I respect character actors a lot and he was movies. He starred in such movies as Nollywood, one that few could match. one of them.” For Nobert Ajaegbu, According to veteran filmmaker, Zeb “Songs of Sorrow”, “Wasted Effort”, “My Best Friend”, “The Phobia”, “Scarlet Ejiro, Muna would be remembered as Muna would be remembered as one of Woman”, “Not Man Enough”, “He a character actor. “He was one of the the most respectful actors in Nollywood.

Lives In Me”, “Golden Jewels’, “Destiny best actors in Nollywood. I have not “Everybody in Nollywood is going to worked with him, but most of his movies miss him.”

Call” among others.

A prolfic character actor, and compassionate human, Muna would be remembered most for his legacy, and the joy he brought to many homes in to assist him the way she did for other n Asaba-based filmmaker, Uzo Godson ailing actors such as Chile Byran, Ifeanyi Nwosu, also opened up on the last Dike, and Prince Uche James, among conversation he had with the departed actor. others. He told me that he was not close to According to him, "Muna called me mid-last Ibinabo and more over, he doesn’t want to year requesting for a financial assistance to disclose his problem to anybody in the enable him take his daughter who is suffering industry. He also urged me to introduce from kideny related disease to the hospital. him to the Asaba based producers because But unknown to him that the actor was the he has not been getting scripts any more one that needed the money for his treatment. in Lagos.

“I was sad and shocked when I heard that he Again, I advised him to reduce his fee to died of kidney failure,” the filmamker N200,000, expecting to increase it when thundered. he starts getting jobs again. On that note, Continuing, he said, “At first, I advised him he asked me to peg his fee at N300,000, to get in touch with the National President of but I told him I wasn’t the one that would Actors Guild of Nigeria(AGN) Mrs Ibinabo fix his pay.”

Fiberesima-Egbuka who is in a better position

My last conversation with Muna — Uzo Godson Nwosu, filmamker

A

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015—29

30 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

BY KEHINDE AJOSE AND EZINNE AGWU

Adediwura Adesegha is an ebony beauty who plies her trade mostly in the Yoruba sector of Nollywood. She’s a graduate of English from Lagos State University and has been acting since 2008. She started acting pretty early.

Her friends and fans call her the Blackgold but what is most unique about her is her openness. Adediwura is so frank there isn’t a subject that has the ‘Stop’ sign to her. She spoke to Showtime Celebrity on her career, beliefs, love, sex and more.

I

s it true that you need to produce your own movie in order to be known in the Yoruba movie industry?

When you produce your own movie, it gives you the opportunity to sell and promote yourself. The number of people coming into Nollywood right now makes it tough. One has to keep pushing oneself and think of something new that can be done.

Hav boobs cares set i

Why are you called Blackgold?

That question is funny to me; you know why? In the movie industry, people do get some pet names for themselves for different reasons, some for the movies they acted or so. When I couldn’t get a pet name from a movie I acted, I decided to get myself one which is ‘Blackgold’.Whenever I grant an interview and I am asked to tell them my name, I simply tell them Blackgold. There was a soap opera I featured in which I took on the role of ‘Iya Sidi’ and people started calling me ‘Iya Sidi’, but unfortunately I had already chosen ‘Blackgold’.

What is the meaning of Blarkgold?

My pet name BLARKGOLD is the combination of my complexion and my real name. I’m a black lady and I appreciate my dark complexion a great deal.

Also, I believe the translation of my Yoruba name “Wura” which in English means ‘Gold’ is cherished. The name comes from combination of my colour and my name. Call me a ‘Blarkgold’.

Must you have a nick name before you can make a mark in the movie industry?

No, not really; It doesn’t have to be that way, but at times when you look at actors and the way the name of a role they once played defines their entire career, you just want to follow their footsteps by getting yourself one. Many call me ‘Adediwura’ and others simply call me ‘Blackgold’.

—A B

How spiritual are you?

Spirituality has nothing to do with your mode of dressing. It has to do with your heart. When you talk about being spiritual, let me just score myself fifty percent.

Are you the type that wakes up in the morning and pray?

My morning devotion is on zero level. I will rather sing. I find it difficult to pray and keep saying “Lord do this or that for me”. Singing is the way I pour my heart to God. Everybody doesn’t have to kneel down and pray. I might sit down and just look on a spot for a while and keep my thoughts connected to God. It depends on one’s way of connecting and your relationship with God. Are you the kind that goes to church regularly?

I won’t say regularly because I might be on location on Sunday or might need to attend some family functions.

Why is it that the majority of Yoruba actresses seem to prefer celestial church?

You know people love it when they tell them they have visions about themselves. I think that may be the reason they attend Celestial church. I might be wrong though. You know the Yorubas believe in the power of the spiritual. Some actresses were born into the Celestial church while some joined.

What are the challenges you C M Y K

Adesegha encountered while starting out?

It’s been an easy journey for me. I actually started out with the Evangelical Filmmakers Dramatic Association of Nigeria (EFDAN).

While I was with them, we went from one church to another to act including the Redemption Camp. I had to withdraw from the group when I changed my environment and couldn’t meet up with their meetings.

I was in my sister’s shop one day singing when a man walked in and said: “You know how to sing, I love your voice” and said: “Do you want to act?” I told him that I have been looking for the opportunity to do that.

He said he is a marketer and has a role for someone who can sing very

well because the movie has to do with music. I went for the rehearsals and got the role. I actually started with a lead role. I acted alongside Funsho Adeolu, Yomi Fash Lanso and Fathia Balogun. The movie is titled Afiwo. That was how the jobs started rolling in and I started getting known.

Were you criticised when you left the Christian arm of the movie industry?

Yes, I was criticised because some felt I let them down. As a Christian actor you are not supposed to wear earrings and all those stuff. I am here today and they are appreciating me for what I do because they haven’t seen signs of a Christian

who has disappointed.

Are you married?

I was married but I am separated from my husband. It’s been seven years now and I have a boy from the relationship.

Do you have any regrets?

I do not have regrets giving birth to my son. I won’t say I regret being in the marriage because I gave birth to my son as a result of the marriage and my son has erased all my regrets.

What if the son had come from somebody else and not from the father?

The point there is I have a son. I don’t want to know where he came from. I appreciate the fact that I have a son and I thank God for that. I don’t care whether it’s

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015 — 31 a movie with me. I won’t just flow.

What are the qualities you look out for in men?

Everybody says he has to be God fearing and hardworking. I don’t have any particular favourite quality.

I just want you to be clean. I love when a guy is totally clean.

ving my s kissed, ssed on is minor to me

proposes, God disposes. I had the plan of having two children from one man.

Do you have plans of getting married again?

Definitely, I just want to wait for my son to grow a little before going into another one in order not to be accused by him of going into another relationship immediately I left his dad.

Do you still get advances from men?

Why wouldn’t I? Am I not beautiful and sexy enough? I have many of them and I will definitely go for one someday.

comment so far. Recently, I posted a picture on Instagram. I was wearing an outfit revealing my cleavage and I captioned it: “Your opinions not needed”. If I didn’t want people to see it, I wouldn’t have posted it. I wouldn’t even wear the outfit in the first place.

Would you say being endowed has given you an edge in the industry?

Everything still boils down to what you can do, the way you interpret your scripts. We don’t use boobs to interpret scripts.

What is your definition of a sexy woman?

A sexy woman is someone that is clean. Your outlook, appearance and character contribute to what makes you sexy. For some men, they look at curves and the physical appearance, while others look at the heart. It depends on what you want to look at.

Would you allow someone to touch your boobs in a movie?

It is acting. If it has to do with touching my boobs it is acting as long as he doesn’t bring them out to suck. It depends on the message you are trying to pass across. There is no point saying it isn’t in our culture and using religious sentiments to give explanations. Why are you an actor in the first place if you couldn’t portray the true picture of something?

How about the comments you get on social media?

I have not gotten any awful

What is the limit for you?

Someone cannot have sex with me live on set. That is the highest point of it all. Kissing and caressing my boobs are still minor to me.

dediwura Blackgold

from mister A or Mister B. It could have been from any responsible man How are you coping without him?

Well! I have my family, friends and relatives who are always there anytime. I have other things I do. I sell shoes, bags, accessories and people know me for that How has he been playing the role of a father to your son?

There is a saying that ‘’ what a man can do a woman can do better’’. I stand on that and I thank God I am coping well. There is something in life I want you to look at. What if you gave birth to a child and the father dies, will you wake him to come and play his fatherly role? In any situation you find yourself, you have to be strong and stand on your feet.

Looking back, would you have wished your marriage had worked out?

No, I wouldn’t have Do you deprive your son of the right of knowing his father?

He knows his father. He has a relationship with his father. I dare not deprive him of his joy How long did it take you to get over the breakup?

As I said, I have my family, siblings and friends so I did not find it difficult .The only regret I have is that we have just one issue from the marriage. I intended to have two children for him because that has been my plan. Man

Is there any role you can’t play?

You know it’s been said that money is the root of all evils. When you think of the hugeness of the money you will be paid you might be tempted. So, I won’t say this is what I can do and this is what I cannot do.

Can you date someone in the industry?

I can never and I will not.

Do you get advances from them?

Definitely, a lot; I won’t date someone in the industry.

What are your reasons?

I see them as my colleagues. I see no reason why I should date them. I won’t be able to flow.

Imagine a director pairing someone I am in a relationship with, in

What if he is clean and doesn’t have other qualities like satisfying you in bed?

My lifestyle doesn’t revolve around any man. If you can’t satisfy me in bed, I will let you know you cannot satisfy me. We will find a way out. Is it not about making love? I will tell you this is the way I want you to do it. Give it to me this way. I am an adult. I see no reason why I should shy away from that if I really think he is clean enough for me.

What is your opinion about the use of sex toys by some women?

Its personal. If you think you need them, why can’t you get them. I sell them and they buy How has the patronage been?

It’s been huge.

Do celebrities patronise you too?

Friends, celebrities, anybody can buy. That is why I don’t broadcast when I want to sell my goods. I have my customers. A colleague did her baby shower, I took some to the venue and people were so happy they were asking me where they could get them.

Do you use it?

You don’t have to ask me if I use it.

The fact that I sell it doesn’t mean I use it. That’s personal I read somewhere that men are attracted to your boobs?

Well, that is an old story.

How true is it?

I wouldn’t deny anything you people write because you use headlines you like to sell your papers. For me, I just laugh at whatever is written about me. It is news; you give them what they want to hear or read. I don’t see any reason for me to dispute anything.

Everybody has their own selling point that they flaunt. I have a colleague who is known for her huge hips and she calls herself “Hips Don’t Lie”. Whenever she takes pictures she flaunts her hips saying “Hips Don’t Lie”.

Do you see your boobs as a selling point?

I see them as a selling point and I don’t think there is anything wrong in flaunting them How has it helped you in getting roles?

It depends on the kind of role you are being told to play. For instance, there was a particular film I was supposed to star in that involved all the ladies in the Yoruba movie industry who have big boobs. I couldn’t act in it because I was on another location.

Do you consider yourself as one of the most endowed actresses?

I will put myself in category C or may be category B. I have people who are in the category A like Ronke Oshodi Oke and Foluke daramola.

C M Y K

32—SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015 —33

34—SATURDAY

Typically

Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

male:

S

ince last week’s topic entitled: “When Your Sex Life is Boring”, a number of persons have called to ask if sex can ever be bad enough to consider ending a relationship over. Nine out of 10 times, the enquiries are from the men, and 10 times out of 10, the answer is a straight yes. Sex is not just naturally perfect and it doesn’t always end with an earth-shattering climax.

Indeed, good sex doesn’t necessarily have to be about an orgasm. It can just be an emotionally fulfilling experience between partners.

However, bedroom issues can make or break a marriage. Experts say every couple has the potential to have good sex if it is willing to put a little effort into it.

It begins with talking about these issues.

Couples need to talk about sex. But even long-term couples can struggle in the bedroom and tend to get tongue-tied when it comes to the topic. The sensitivity that surrounds talking about sex often begins and ends outside the bedroom.

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et’s talk about the man. Before you can tell your partner what you want her to do in bed, you need to know what you like. What exactly is about your sex life that bothers you? How do you tell your partner what you want or don’t want without hurting her feelings? Yet if you don’t say what you like or don’t like, you’re not going to get it unless you ask for it.

As a man, if you’re looking to go all night in bed, you’re not alone. Men are always looking to enhance their sexual performance, whether to improve existing problems or to search for new ways to keep their partner happy.

For the man, getting it up is about blood pressure.

Everything works on blood pressure. The brain sends signals to the nether regions, which causes vessels to become engorged with blood. It’s the heart that pumps that blood. Basically, what’s good for the heart is good for sexual health.

The truth is, 31 percent of men report having experienced some type of sexual dysfunction from ejaculatory problems, C M Y K

Bring the magic back into the bedroom erectile dysfunction, and inhibited desire, all can wreak havoc on relationships—but they don’t have to.

The cause of erectile dysfunction or ED can be physical. Three out of four of those with erectile dysfunction have a medical issue. It can indicate high blood pressure, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, and hardened arteries, all these conditions interfere with blood flow, making it difficult to maintain an erection. Although the occurrence of ED increases with age, it isn’t an inevitable consequence of aging. In fact, it can be treated at any age.

What exactly is about your sex life?

You want to make sure your circulatory system is working at top shape.

One of the best ways to improve your health is cardiovascular exercise.

While sex might get heart rate up, regular exercise can help sexual performance by keeping the heart in shape. Thirty minutes a day of sweatbreaking exercise— running, swimming, gardening, etc.—can do wonders to boost libido and preparation for the bedroom.

L

ook at it this way—If you want to be “hotblooded,” then improve your circulation. Physical fitness increases blood flow, which in theory can make sex more pleasurable since sexual arousal involves increased blood flow to the genital area. And that can increase desire itself—if it feels great, you tend to want to do it more.

The problem might be low libido.

Your partner is in the mood, but you aren’t. If you rarely have an interest in sex, you may be suffering from inhibited sexual desire, or low libido. A man with low libido won’t initiate sex, and will avoid his partner ’s advances.

Low libido can be caused by a number of physical, psychological, and emotional factors, from low testosterone to anxiety or poor communication.

Premature ejaculation is another possibility. This happens when you have an orgasm during sex earlier than you (or your partner) would like. It’s more common than most people think, but it has no particular medical cause.

In fact, it usually stems from psychological factors, such as anxiety and guilt.

According to Sexologist Logan Levkoff, author of the eBook How to Get Your Wife to Have Sex With You, real-life sex can almost never measure up to the passion portrayed on the

screen or in the movies. The bottom line is that sex isn’t a one-way street and sex in the real world isn’t perfect.

Paying special attention to your partner’s desires not only makes sex pleasurable, but it can also help turn you on or slow you down. Talking about this beforehand can help ease any awkwardness.

You might really love somebody and the sex is never going to be better than just OK. You have to decide whether you can live with that.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015—35

Lifestyle:

Make these life-changing health changes now health change will reduce the chances of eye strain and you will feel better in no time.

It is not easy breaking unhealthy habits or transitioning to a healthy lifestyle. But it can be done if taken one step at a time. These simple health changes are enough to completely change your life for the better and most of them are no sweat at all.

Drink more tea than coffee If you are addicted to your morning cup of coffee one health change you should make is to switch to tea. Tea is a healthier way to get that caffeine fix as it can lower blood sugar and increase metabolism. Try and keep even caffeinated tea to a minimum as it can make you jittery and nervous.

Test your BP in both arms If you are already health conscious then you may monitor your blood pressure. Doing so helps you be aware of potent heart problems. A health change to make is that you should test blood pressure in both of your arms. If there is a difference of ten points or more between your arms it could indicate a narrowing of your arteries which increases your risk of heart problems.

Eat more raw food Eat some uncooked vegetables and fruits. Fresh fruits and vegetables have more nutrients in their raw form than when cooked so you should always try to eat something raw with every meal. This health change will fill you up and leaving you feeling good.

Chew more

Add colour to your plate

Research has shown that people who spend more time chewing their food tend to eat up to 15% less and they feel just as full as their fast eating counterparts. So if you want to decrease your food intake without feeling hungry just double the number of bites you take while eating your meals. This simple health change can really affect your waist and overall health.

You may not see purple carrots around or even purple broccoli, but often the rarer the colour of the vegetable, the better it is for you. For example red cabbage has 15 times the beta-carotene of green cabbage so you’ll be less likely to see wrinkles if you take the red over the green. Pick the vegetable that has more colours, it will likely have more nutrients too.

Be social

Laugh more

Loneliness is bad for the immune system. Long term stress from loneliness and isolation can cause inflammation which can lead to illness. As long as you have one close relationship that allows you to feel connected with someone, your immune system will not be compromised. Prolonged loneliness can lead to a weakened immune system. So being social is a great health change to make.

•Monitor your blood pressure

Walk more

Follow the 20-20-20 Rule

Designate some time for a walk. Whether outside or inside, a walk boosts metabolism. An hour’s walk a day will burn off the calories in your daily glass of wine, so you do not have to worry about that health change adding to your waistline.

The 20-20-20 rule states that every 20 minutes you should look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

If you work on a computer and you suffer from eye strain which can cause you to have headaches and feel fatigued then you should follow the 20-20-20 rule. This

A really hearty laugh can really get your moving, make you run out of breath and even make you feel like you are going to pee.

Believe it or not these are all really, really good. Laughing not only burns calories but it will significantly reduce any stress that you might be feeling. It will brighten your entire day and have you ready to face your problems with a smile rather than frown. So embrace this health change and laugh it up!

Get nutrients from food, not supplements While taking vitamins and supplements is better than nothing, you are more likely to reap the benefit of the nutrients if you get them from food rather than pills. So if you are trying to get in a specific vitamin for your health, try and get it from foods rather than just relying on vitamins. This health change may involve learning what foods have the vitamins you need but it will pay off.

Sexual Issues (SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION) DEALING WITH SEX PROBLEMS IN MARRIAGE I A GOOD marriage is best friends with passion. Without the passion, you just have a friendship. For some, being companions is sufficient. But for most, it is not. One of the major casualties of the harried pace of modern marriage is the loss of sexual intimacy. It is too steep a price to pay.

Many marriages collapse because the couples had shy away from one of the most vital issues in marriage,that is sex. You need to know that sex is what cements a marriage and keep the couples together even if they having other issues.Having the right sex will help them trust each other and overcome their challenges. Problems in the bedroom can lead to deep dissatisfaction. A marital sex problem is like a canary in a coal mine — a warning alarm that danger lies ahead.

Start with arousal patterns. Men are quick to be aroused and relatively quick to achieve orgasm. The “spike” rises sharply and drops off just as sharply. Men are especially aroused visually; brain research documents this. So looking at other women, at magazines, videos, and online pornography play a much bigger role in the sexual life of men; Women are aroused more slowly and after achieving orgasm, tend to remain at a high plateau of arousal before dropping off. These are very different physiological patterns. No wonder it is a challenge for couples to really experience mutual satisfaction. These differences must not be ignored; instead they must be incorporated into the lovemaking process.

We’l continue from here next week.

Hello Viewden, I used Xzen 1200 gotten from you some months back and I discovered it worked perfectly well for me in that it gave very strong erection without any side effects even though im a hypertensive person. Thank you so much can I have another pack? Ola Ola, thank you sovery much, Xzen 1200 has also been discovered to be safe and effective for Hypertensive and diabetic individuals just like Rhino 7, Powerzen gold and Stiff nite and yes, you are welcome to place your order anytime.

Iam a 55 year old and I have a 4 inch penis and I want to enlarge it , but im not sure what product to start with that will give a fast result that is permanent without any side effect,cos one of my friends got Vigrx plus and plump

cream from you and he got a good increase on his penis.

Can I also take the two together or what do you advise?

Etaghene Hello sir, your penis size is quite small so I must say at this point that the rate at which you’l get result will be a bit slow because your initial size is a bit small. I”ll advise you start with Penis pump , which will bring out the penis faster but temporarily and you can now combine the Penis pump with Vigrx plus and the plump cream which wil give a more permamnent result when used for about 2 to 4 months.

I got Vimax from you 3 weeks ago to correct libido loss and weak stamina and im so glad to letyou know that my urge for sex is better now and I have very good stamina for sex alongside with strong erection. Can I try Rhino 7?

I heard it enlarges the penis and also gives very strong erection even though I’m 62 years- Bayo Vimax is very potent in correcting weak erection, loss of libido and weak stamina in men and some people use it for strong erection on demand and very safe for people with health issues like the diabetics. Yes Rhino 7 is very potent in that it gives strong erection and one capsule last for seven days, it also enlarges the penis for the period of sex; so note that it doesn’t give a permanent enlargement ajd if you feel like trying out a new thing, you can go for Rhino 7.

I need some vibrators from your store that are quite cheap about 6 or 7 types. What are the ones you can suggest I take for that category? Beauty Our small vibrators that are also realistic ( i.e feels like the real skin) but are also affordable includes; Erotic beaver, Tickle your fancy, Carousel cravings, Buzzing Beaver,Buzzing baby rabbit,Vibrating mini make-up brush to mention but a few. You can visit our site for more on sextoys.

These are all we can take for this week. Adults who needs these aphrodisiacs can call 08034666358, 07059294782 or place your order at www.viewden.com. For further enquiries,send an email to us at: vieweden@yahoo.com, viewden@ymail.com. Femi Fawole (MD Viewden) SEX QUOTE - Love is an ice cream sundae, with all the marvelous coverings. Sex is the cherry on top.Jimmy Dean.

36—SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

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08 116759 759 081 6759759

Winner of Miss Bumbum 2014 goes under the knife to restore her virginity...

Brazilian model who shot to fame after winning Miss Bumbum 2014 has had surgery to return her to being a virgin so she can once again enjoy her first time with ‘someone special’.

Earlier this year, Indianara Carvalho, 22, triumphed in Brazil’s annual bottom beauty contest, which sees 27 women - one from each state - complete to prove their backside is best.

Miss Carvalho’s new look, which she hopes will garner the controversial Bumbum title ‘some respect’, will be revealed in racy new pictures set to be released on Christmas Day. The model, who says she wants to use her newly virginal status to find love, had ‘vaginal rejuvenation surgery’ which includes a hymenoplasty. The procedure, which is not available in

the UK, can be done by using surgical gel to create a new hymen that lasts a few days before dissolving or more permanently by using a flap of skin cut from the vaginal wall. Women undergoing the latter treatment must abstain from sex for at least three months after undergoing the procedure. Speaking about her surgical plans, Miss Carvalho said: ‘I wanted to undergo surgery to reconstruct my virginity before I have new photographs done.

‘I wouldn’t feel good about appearing naked if I wasn’t exactly as I came into the world if you know what I mean.

‘I think I also want to give a bit of respect and new concept to the Miss Bum Bum title by being a virgin.’

Jilted wife ‘chopped off husband’s penis TWICE with scissors after catching him cheating’

Brunei bans Christmas over fears that public celebrations of the festival could ‘lead Muslims astray’

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jilted wife has been arrested amid reports she chopped off her cheating husband’s penis twice.

According to reports in China, two-timing dad-offive Fan Lung, 32, used his wife’s phone to send lover Zhang Hung, 21, a saucy email from his marital home in Shangqiu.

But he forgot to log out of his account and his stunned wife, Feng, 30, came across the message along with several others, which sent her flying into a rage. Furious, she’s said to have grabbed a pair of scissors and stormed into their bedroom, where he was sleeping, and snipped off his manhood.

Fan was rushed to hospital, where the organ was sewn back on.

However, Feng is then reported to have sneaked back into her husband’s hospital room and cut off his penis for a second time, this time throwing it out of a window.

A hospital spokesman said: “The first we were aware of what happened C M Y K

was when someone came into the reception area to say a naked man was beating up a woman outside the hospital.

“Staff rushed out to see what was happening and found the patient with blood streaming down his legs hitting the woman.

“He was stopped and the woman was taken in for treatment, and then we discovered she had chopped his penis off again.”

Doctors and police officers combed the area outside but failed to find the man’s missing member. They believed it may have been taken by a stray dog or cat.

The hospital spokesman added: “The man had lost a lot of blood and was taken in for emergency surgery.

“He is now in a stable condition but is extremely emotionally distraught.”

Fan’s lover who arrived at the hospital said she planned to marry him as soon as she could.

She said: “It doesn’t matter that he’s lost his

fertility, he has five children already.” Fan’s wife Feng was discharged and is now under arrest for grievous bodily harm.

il-rich Brunei has banned public celebrations of Christmas for fear of Muslims being led astray, its officials announced today.

In a country that last year controversially instituted tough Islamic sharia penalties - such as the severing of limbs - a ban relating to all Christmas references was

issued following the holiday on December 25.

The tough restriction was put in place after children and adults were seen wearing clothes ‘that resemble Santa Claus’ thereby promoting a religion other than Islam.

In April, Brunei was condemned after announcing the introduction of a penal code that will eventually include penalties such as the severing of limbs and death by stoning.

The tiny state on the island of Borneo is ruled

Teenager who has been dating her father ffor or two years reveals the pair are planning to get married The woman, who biting. I’ve never been in a more and have children children. hails from the Great Lakes passionate, loving, fulfilling

young girl who is planning A her upcoming wedding may have some trouble getting

her mother to attend the ceremony - as she is marrying her father.

The unnamed 18-year-old is revealing all the details of her two year relationship with her father in an interview with Science of Us, from how they fell in love and the first time they had sex to what their plans are for the future.

And one of those plans she is very certain of - the two will have

region, reconnected with her father when she was 16, this after 12 years of estrangement.

Her parents got pregnant on Prom night, and she grew up with her mother, who the young girl claims is bipolar. Her father reached out to her on Facebook when she was in high school, and after the two met up she went to go stay with him for a week. They had sex that week, her first time, and were soon dating. ‘There’s a reason I lost my virginity to him because I’d never felt comfortable with any other man. It was insanely sensual,’ she says.

‘It lasted for about an hour and there was a lot of foreplay.

We both had orgasms. We are so similar, so it’s so easy to sexually please each other. For example, we both love neck-

situation.’ The two are not even hiding their situation, with many around them aware of what is going on between them.

‘Everyone on my mom’s side of the family sees us as father and daughter,’ she explains.

‘Those who know that he’s my dad, and that we are engaged, include my father’s parents (they can see we are happy together and they can’t wait for us to have babies they treat us just like any other couple), the woman we live with, and my best friend.’ The wedding has already been planned, and she will be telling her mother - after the two make the moved to New Jersey. ‘We plan to move to New Jersey where we can be safe under the law, since adult incest isn’t illegal there, and once I’m there I’ll tell everyone,’ she says.

by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and relies on oil and gas exports for its prosperity. Around 20 per cent of Brunei’s residents are non-Muslim, including substantial Buddhist and Christian communities.

A spokesman declined to comment directly on the Christmas ban, but referred to a December 27 statement in which the religious affairs ministry said the act of publicly marking non-Islamic rituals or festivities ‘can be seen as propagations of religions other than Islam’.

It noted in particular: ‘For example, in conjunction with Christmas celebrations, Muslim children, teenagers and adults can be seen wearing hats or clothes that resemble Santa Claus.

‘Believers of other religions that live under the rule of an Islamic country - according to Islam - may practice their religion or celebrate their religious festivities among their community, with the condition that the celebrations are not disclosed or displayed publicly to Muslims,’ the statement said.

‘Muslims should be careful not to follow celebrations such as these that are not in any way related to Islam... and could unknowingly damage the faith of Muslims.’

The statement also said that businesses that publicly displayed Christmas decorations were asked to take them down and had given their ‘full cooperation’.

SA TURD AY Vanguard, JANU ARY 24, 2015—37 SATURD TURDA JANUARY

Ode eds in style Odeyyemi’s son w weds

L-R: Chief John Agboola Odeyemi, groom's father ;Dr (Mrs) Olabo Osude, bride's mother, the couple, Mr and Mrs Akinloye Oyebanji Odeyemi; Chief (Mrs) Kofoworola Odeyemi, groom's mother and Arc Adekunle Osude, bride's father.

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o r e m o s t industrialist and Bobaselu of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Chief John Odeyemi is a man of style and panache who doesn’t treat even the most ordinary things ordinarily. So when he turned on the charm at his son’s wedding, the society heavyweights who witnessed it all were just as pleasantly pleased as they could get. The son, Akinloye Oyebanji wedded Adeola Temitope Osude, daughter of Architect Adekunle Osude at Redeemed Christian Church of God Victory Chapel Magodo GRA Phase11, Lagos. Photos by Akeem Salau

Emeka Nwaobi marks bir thda birthda thdayy

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irthday party of Engr. Emeka Nwaobi (Oji Chukwu Buru Uzo) PDP candidate for Aniocha-North constituency, Delta State House of Assembly held at his home town, IsselleUku,Delta State. It was a jolly fanfare for the celebrant and his supporters. Photos by Nath Onojake

Engr. Eemeka Nwaobi (Middle) cutting his birthday cake, supported by Peculiar Ladies of IsseleUku.

L-R:Senator Kola Bajomo with Chief John Odeyemi and Chief [Mrs] Nike Akande

The couple, Mr and Mrs Akinloye Oyebanji Odeyemi.

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L-R:Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa;Professor Wale Omole, former Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and Chief (Mrs) Ajoke Gbeleyi.

Chief and Chief (Mrs) Olusegun Osunkeye.

Engr. Emeka Nwaobi and Candy Sea. Engr.

Emeka Nwaobi dancing to the music of Otu-Ofuobi cultural group of Isselle-Uku.

Francis Inegbeneki endor sement rally in Benin endorsement

he Edo Central senatorial candidate of the APC, Chief Francis Inegbeneki, being presented to the crowd by Governor Adams Oshiomhole during the senatorial rally of the party in Irrua, Edo state. Inegbeneki also recieved the endorsement of the National Association of Edo State Students at the occassion.

L-R: Chief Francis Inegbeneki, Edo Central senatorial candidate of APC, Mrs Inegbeneki and Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

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Mrs Inegbeneki and APC women during the rally

State chairman of APC, Barr.Anselm Ojezua, National President of Edo state students, Comrade Gideon Ijie endorsing Chief Inegbeneki as their senatorial candidate while Governor Oshiomhole looks on.

38— SA TURD AY Vanguard, JANU ARY 24, 2015 SATURD TURDA JANUARY onday, January 26, is another Spouse Day, a day set aside to celebrate and honour our spouses. It is a day when we should not only tell our spouses we appreciate them, but show it. Actually we should appreciate our spouses always; this day is only meant to draw attention to the need to appreciate our spouses. I dedicate this year’s Spouse Day to some super spouses. The first group of super spouses is those who have stuck to their spouses through childlessness. The primary reason for marriage is companionship, followed by procreation. In Africa, however, having children is number one for many people, before companionship.

So childlessness is a massive burden and it just gets heavier setting out for the day. That as the marriage grows older. was before the office managed There is pressure from your to get a Multilinks line for spouse, parents-in-law, N144,000! On this day, the parents, other family members man in front of the queue was and even friends. Some loudly begging the man at the spouses cave in to the other end to leave his wife pressure and marry second alone. He was obviously and even third wives; some unemployed and a sorry marriages break up all sight. Some unemployed men together, while some wives are now houseboys in their have left their husbands, who homes. Mark you, I am not by have fertility challenges, for any means suggesting that men who can sire children. such men should watch But these super spouses have television all day instead of resisted all pressures and stuck with their spouses. God has blessed some with children after a long wait, but some are still waiting on the Lord. I celebrate you on this day. I have an overwhelming urge to put your names in helping out with domestic print, but you did it for love, chores, but some women simply demote their husbands not praise, so I refrain.

My next set of super to houseboys. Some women spouses are wives of have so shredded their unemployed men who have husbands that all their simply refused to rob it in. If confidence and self-esteem some unemployed men tell are gone. Some men have died you the trauma they go due to the mental torture. But through in the hands of their these super spouses treat their wives, you will weep. In 1997, husbands with dignity. They when telephones were still fend for the household; pay scarce commodities, I always the rents and take care of other went to NITEL, Ikeja GRA, expenses without qualms.

Lagos, to make calls before Some even buy clothes for the

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be very unromantic. Dem no see any other day?

Happy spouse day to super spouses husbands to ensure their husbands are well groomed. They do not want their husbands to look shabby or be too engrossed in their circumstances.

Please note that I am not by any means encouraging able-bodied men to stay idle and be spoon-fed by their wives. Every man who is down must ask himself what went wrong, pick himself up and soldier on. The wife should be there for him

,

Some unemployed men are now houseboys in their homes

while he is trying to get back on his feet. That is what I am saying.

Our next sets of super spouses are those nursing their spouses. Some spouses have terrible health challenges necessitated by stroke, diabetes, accidents, malfunctioning vital organs and so on. Many spouses who do not want the stress have moved on to greener pastures, but these super

spouses are living their marital vows of “for better, or worse;” “in sickness and in health.” I salute your enduring love, dedication and perseverance. Kudos, super spouses.

Our last set of super spouses is faithful wives and husbands who are temporarily living apart from their spouses. Increasingly, many Nigerian couples are living apart mainly for economic reasons and the desire to give their children better life. Many Nigerian women are living in Europe, Canada and the United States with their children, while the husbands stay back in Nigeria.

Some of these couples find new sexual partners while others continue to live their marital vow of fidelity. It takes a lot of discipline, self-control and the grace of God to stay faithful in this circumstance; that makes you super spouses.

The rest of us should strive in our little ways to super spouses.

Go ahead on this Spouse Day to give your spouses the gift of yourselves and your time. You can leave out physical gifts for Valentine Day. Talking about Valentine’s Day, the person(s) who fixed the presidential elections for February 14, must

RE-EVALUATING LIFE On January 14, at about 9:57am, I called my eldest brother, Aloysius Ewherido, to discuss sundry family issues.

By January 15, my younger brother, Emma, called to inform me that my eldest brother was not feeling fine and had been rushed to the hospital. By January 16, he called to tell me he did not make it. Just like that, he was gone. I will never see him alive again nor hear his voice.

About three weeks earlier, precisely on December27, 2014, he was playing the role of father at my youngest brother ’s wedding. The wedding also coincided with his 60th birthday. We had to shift the birthday celebration to December 28. He cut his birthday cake, surrounded by his children, siblings, nieces, nephews, friends and other well wishers. I wrote to congratulate him on his 60th birthday. Today, I write about his demise. Man! Lily in the valley; here today, gone tomorrow. This mystery called life, who can completely understand it. Meanwhile, the Bible says in all things, we should give thanks to God. So I thank God for his life; I thank God that the entire family joined him to celebrate his 60th birthday; I thank God because he got the anointing of the sick before he passed on. Adieu, big brother, Aloysius Oborakpovwonovwe Ewherido, rest in the bosom of God.

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IME and again, stories crop up everywhere as to how the deep breathing and gentle exercises of yoga have helped individuals who’d almost lost hope of recovery to regain health.

I have myself, been fixed of all kinds o f things in my body by the practice of yoga. I haven’t had an attack of angina in the past 28 years.

It’s about time everybody was made to realise that irrespective of one's condition—sick or well— the body can be given tremendous help in restoring health, and in safe-guarding it. I like to tell my colleagues at Vanguard that, that I have the singular distinction of never having walked into the clinic on the premises for even Panadol for a couple of years. And I put it down to my practice of yoga.

Below is a letter written to Indra Devi by someone who’d been introduced to yoga with her book, Forever Young, Forever Health.

St. Petersburg, Florida Dear Miss Devi,

Staying well on exercise

•The Bridge introduced me to Yoga and in particular to your wonderful book, Forever Young, Forever Healthy. “ ... I started on the 61 lemon juice plan and also the lemon and orange leaves tea (it is delicious) as outlined in your book. I am unable to do the yoga postures but another son of the same neighbourhood works with me everyday practising the movements I can make. The results have been remarkable. I am developing muscles and strength, have increased mobility; particularly in the hips and spine which have been so light. The shoulders, arms and ankles are also looser. I am now able to take full steps forward (with assistance), and since last week also backward. With the help of my friends or my parents I go swimming every other day in the Gulf, where I also exercise. I can walk although stiff-kneed, swim and float alone.

I am doing the deep breathing and following your diet— suggestion and have faith in recovering fully.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this letter.

Sincerely, Thelma L.

I became afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 17, and in a matter of months was helpless in bed with every joint of my body ankylosed. After 6 years the doctors gave me up and my This letter lends credence to the notice parents brought me to Florida. that dietary changes coupled with exercise Recently, our neighbours works wonders.

The body is totally at a handicap if it does •The Plough C M Y K

not get exercise.

The extra oxygen you get into the system, the small rise in heart rate by working the muscles improves the body, the immune system gets a boost and the body’s healing system can be easily shifted to over-drive.

Yes, if you exercise regularly, you undoubtedly develop quick recovery powers. Even wounds heal faster when we stay in good shape.

It may sound too simple to suggest to someone that their redemption could depend on learning to breathe deeper. But that could be the gospel truth.

The Bridge and The Plough are some yoga postures that can benefit the body.

The Plough Technique: Lie flat down and breathe in deeply. Then swinging both legs backwards exhale as you bring the toes to touch the floor.

Now, bring the hands also

backwards to hold the feet with the chin, pressing on the throat. Stiffen the leg muscles and stay in the position for about 30 seconds. To come out of the posture, release the hold on the feet, bend the knees, return the hands to the sides and gently lower the trunk and straighten the legs.

Benefits: This posture increases the blood supply to the spinal region, nourishing the internal organs. It helps to release tension in the upper back and shoulders.

Massaging the internal organs, it gives relief to indigestion, constipation and can lead to complete elimination of them.

To maintain a youthful body, the key is a flexible spine. And the plough promotes both flexibility and strength in the back and neck.

Caution: Don’t force yourself into doing this till you’re limber enough.

To counteract any tension that may have built up as you performed the plough posture do.

The Bridge Technique: Lie flat on your back with the arms by your sides then bend the knees with the feet flat down near to the buttocks. Raising the hips bring the hands to support the back. And then if you can, straighten the knees.

Stay at the pose between 15 to 30 seconds.

Yoga Classes @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2015—39

juliecoker100@yahoo.com

I find it difficult talking to girls Dear Julie, I haven’t really been able to talk to any girls since my breakup with my ex-wife 6 months ago. We haven’t really signed any divorce papers, so I feel very obligated to stay faithful to her even though our relationship as we know it is over and done with. Will I still have this problem even when we actually get divorced? And will I forever feel bad about making the

first move to end this relationship?

Because for the past three months I could neither sleep or concentrate on my studies. My commitment to her and my love for her was the only thing that helped my to go on with my life. Now that’s over I am totally lost. Please help me with my problem.

Magnus, Lagos Dear Magnus, Separating from a partner is one of the

most significant stressors life can throw at you, and the sometimes overwhelming feelings of guilt, distraction, and disorientation you are experiencing are so normal as to almost be expected. Knowing that these emotions are common might not seem to make them easier to handle, but it might bring some comfort to know that the process of grief and loss is indeed universal.

People cope with loss differently — some cling to feelings of remorse, guilt, and a notion that if they remain faithful to the relationship they might be able to save it. Others feel numb and closed off from themselves and others. In both cases, it can be very helpful to focus on who you are, who you want to be, goals for your future, and tangible steps you can take get there. In clarifying a new sense of yourself, it might be helpful to ask yourself reflective questions like: from what do you derive the greatest sense of satisfaction and self-esteem (apart from your relationship)? What can you do to feel make yourself feel a little better? (Exercising, dressing nicely, treating yourself to a massage or a special meal are all popular answers.) Who are the most supportive people in your life and

how can you spend more time with them? What have you learned about yourself from this experience? What have you learned from this relationship that you’d like to take with you into your next one? What new challenges can you overcome personally, professionally, or physically? Although you may feel like you’ve lost your most significant friend, it’s important not to go through this alone.

It’s hard to offer a guess as to when you might start to feel better, whether it’s when the divorce becomes official or sometime before or after that. But allowing yourself to feel how you’re feeling and to fall apart a little bit may be an essential part of recovering your sleep and study habits, and emerging back into your life in a new way. You cannot rush the grieving process.

Many people report that after letting themselves come undone, they are able to put themselves back together stronger than before. The path of healing may seem like an impossible uphill journey, but all mountains are climbed one step at a time.

Why did she break up with me?

Aunty Julie, My girlfriend just broke up with me after one year of relationship. She didn’t give me any reason. She says she has no time to give a reason. Recently, I called her every half hour, but she didn’t want to pick up the phone. She told me later that if I keep calling her, or I am around her or her place, or trying to follow her, then she would call the police and sue me. My question is: is it against the law if I am trying to get in touch with her by being at the same place as she is? Is it against the law if I wait for her in front of her door?

Obi, Port-Harcourt Dear Obi, While it may be unfortunate and hurtful that she does not want to talk with you or discuss reasons for ending the relationship, you really need to back off, stay away, and give her some space. It seems clear that your exgirlfriend doesn’t want to see you, talk to you, or have anything to do with you right now. She has been definite and clear about her wishes.

Legal definition of stalking may vary depending upon where you are. More specific examples of stalking include: following someone or showing up where you know they’ll be; giving or sending gifts, messages (written or electronic) that are unwanted; inflicting damage to someone’s property; threatening to hurt their family, friends, or pets; using technology to monitor use or track whereabouts and/or spreading rumors or sharing photos or information about them verbally, in print, or on social media or other places on the Internet.

Calling her every half hour or showing up somewhere you know she will be can be considered stalking. It is important for you to know that this is a

crime .

If you continue, it would be within your ex-girlfriend’s rights to notify the police and get an order of protection that would not allow you to have contact with her, be on her property, or come within a certain distance of her.

The order would be served to you, and once you have seen it, if you violate

discuss them with you right now. Rather than pursuing the reasons for your breakup or why your ex is not interested in talking, this may be a good time to focus on you, your feelings, and finding a way to move on.

Pursuing a calm approach that allows you to focus on the future, while giving your ex the space she requests, can only help you both in the long term.

We fight over money all the time Dear Julie, How do I get my live- in boyfriend to take care of his part of the monthly bills without sounding like I’m more worried about money than the relationship? He gives me money for some stuff, sometimes, but I have ended up taking care of most of the monthly expenses, and I’m starting to feel resentful. He makes more money than me, although I’m more financially stable. How do I address this sensitive issue?

Tutu, Abuja Hello Tutu, Money management issues are often tagged as the main source of stress among couples. At some point or another, money troubles come up in nearly every live-in and marital relationship. So, your willingness to address this before you blow your top might set you and your boyfriend off on your way to financial sanity.

First, it’s important to know what the specific financial situation is. What are the exact amounts of the monthly bills? How much money does he give you? How much do you pay? If you haven’t already done so, would you

It started John walks into his 5th floor apartment after a long day of work, he exhaustively sinks into his favorite arm chair, puts up his footrest, turns on the TV, and turns to his wife Hannah, “Honey, please get me a hard drink, I think it’s about to start.” Hannah rolls her eyes, heads to the kitchen, takes out a beer from the fridge, and brings it to John.

“Honey”, said John, two minutes later, “please get me another one quickly before it starts.”

“What the hell is wrong with you, you lazy good for nothing!” Hannah exclaimed, “Do you think I’m your personal waiter!? You plop yourself down on your easy chair and expect me to be on your beck and call!? Is that all I’m good for!?

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the terms, you could be arrested (something that won’t help your situation).

What you are describing is serious.

For the time being, and possibly forever, you’ll need to leave your exgirlfriend alone. Whatever her reasons for breaking up with you, it is clear that she is not willing to

be open to recording all the costs and payments over the course of, say… about three months? This way, you both will see the hard numbers from several months on paper.

Next, you can choose to talk with your boyfriend. Since you’re worried that he’ll feel you’re more concerned about money than the relationship, you might want to be upfront about this. For instance, you might begin by telling him how much you care about him and assuring him that your purpose for discussing this difficult topic is to get clarity on the money situation. To prepare for the meat of the talk, you might think about your wishes and goals. From your perspective, how might you two work together to sort this out? It seems like you’d like to see a more equitable split. Is this the case? What does he want? What can you both afford? What do you both want to set aside? You alluded to the fact that he makes more money than you, but you’re more financially secure. How does this matter to

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you and him as you two seek solutions?

While you work together to get your finances straightened, you might think about what money means to you both.

Yeah, money’s really just paper currency that’s exchanged for goods and services, but it can also represent other (i.e., sensitive) things for people. For instance, how do you feel about paying more for bills ?

How does your boyfriend interpret these actions? How does he feel about this?

While trying to identify these feelings, do resentment, pride, happiness, despair, worthiness, etc. pop into your minds?

What would it be like to talk with your boyfriend about these money-related feelings?

Even though you’re a bit stressed about money problems right now, there’s hope this rough period can be turned into an opportunity for growth for you, your boyfriend, and your relationship. By figuring out exactly how much comes and goes from your pockets each month, you’ll be able to identify specific areas to address.

And, by communicating openly about your financial wishes and needs, you and your boyfriend will surely continue to learn more about each other.

John sighs, and mutters under his breath, “it started….”

“Exactly the point I was trying to get at”, hollered the husband, “do you know how many times I’ve driven a car before!?

Backseat Driver A wife was sitting peacefully in her cozy armchair sewing her husband’s socks. Her husband came in to the room and glanced at what she was doing, and started badgering, “HONEY be more careful!

PLEASE WATCH WHAT YOU ARE DOING! You don’t wan’t to poke YOUR finger!

How many times do i have to tell you!

Don’t look up when your ’e sewing! There you go now slow and steady, nice even stitches. The wife puts down the needle and thread, looks up at her husband, and says, “What the hell is wrong with you? Do you know how many times I’ve sewn socks before?!

Too much speeding A police officer in a small town stopped a motorist who was speeding down Main Street. “But, officer,” the man began, “I can explain” “Just be quiet,” snapped the officer. “I’m going to let you cool your heels in jail until the chief gets back.” “But, officer, I just wanted to say” “And I said to keep quiet! You’re going to jail!” A few hours later the officer looked in on his prisoner and said, “Lucky for you that the chief ’s at his daughter’s wedding. He’ll be in a good mood when he gets back.” “Don’t count on it,” answered the fellow in the cell. “I’m the groom.”

40—SATURDAY

Vanguard, JANUARY 24 24,, 2015

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

She lost her marriage tto o the oldest con in the w orld! world!

W

hen you’re used to too much love and attention from your man, his suddenly changing into and almost passive partner could be very hard for you to bear. It happened to me; I should know.” And, that in a nutshell wraps up the reason why a seemingly good marriage headed for the rocks. Gloria, a shapely 32-year-old secretary in a firm of accountants still wears a sad look. Her constant efforts at keeping a good smile pasted on her face gives her a look as artificial as her smile. “And, it is all my fault,” she sighed. Gloria and her childhood sweetheart from the village grew up in Warri and they had known all along they would eventually get married— come what may. Their parents were very close and they’d promised one another they would rather see Gloria and Peter get married than have them marry total strangers. So, even before there was a marriage proposal, their fate was more or less sealed.

“Luckily, we were very much in love. There were other kids we could have got involved with easily, but good marriage, anyone they just didn’t matter,” said Gloria. could find me that “After my school certificate, I came irresistible. I lapped up his to Lagos and was a clerk in one of compliments and teased the ministries while Peter was him no end. Inevitably, my already at the University of Nigeria, little game turned into Nsukka. To while away the time, something serious. I now while he studied, I went to the know that if you make belief Federal Training Centre for a one- long enough, your dream year computer course. And, I got a world could turn into a reality. good job afterwards.

“Peter qualified and got a teaching “We had an office party job. Two years after, we were that fateful day and Peter married in our home town, Warri. It pleaded a headache and

I was too smug in my marriage. No woman has the right to be

,

was a grand affair. Drinks and good wishes were in abundance and the fact that we were very much in love gave the ceremony a very colourful atmosphere for us. In short, I was in the seventh heaven.”

And, according to Gloria, they both stayed in that seventh heaven for almost seven years. “In between which there were the occasional tiffs every couple go through,” continued Gloria, “ we had two boys and I couldn’t complain that married life was much of a strain. Peter was always around and it seemed he couldn’t do quite enough for me. He played the role of a good and proud father to the hilt, he spoilt the children and they were very fond of him. “I can’t quite place where things started going wrong.

ll I realised one day was that I was bored and A restless, we had a good house-

help who was a good cook.

And, Peter never stopped helping around the house, and

I had very little to do. That was why I did the one thing many foolish and bored housewives before me had done— I took a lover. I guessed all along, I wanted to see how far Peter ’s trust in my would stretch. That showed you how smug and conceited I was.

“There was this bloke in my office who never hid the fact that any time I gave the say-so, he would gladly go to bed with me.

It was like a game to me. That after two children and years of C M Y K

,

stayed with the children. I told him I would rather stay at home but he urged me to go on and enjoy myself. So, I was at the party. And, so was the man who was to contribute to the breakup of the best thing ever that made life worth living for me.

As fate would have it, he was at the party unaccompanied, and when he realised I was alone, he jumped at the chance to dance attendance to me. And, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t flattered. Drinks were flowing unchecked… I wasn’t drunk, I was tipsy. I’m not trying to blame what happened next on anything. I knew it would happen. If I didn’t want it to, I was in a position to stop it. But since I didn’t, I rather myself. I was too smug in my marriage. No woman has the right to be.

“After the party, he offered to take me home. I didn’t object.

On the way home, he parked by a quiet spot. He tried to kiss me but I wasn’t cooperating.

Five minutes later, we were kissing and cuddling. There was a momentary ‘flash’ of Peter and the kids, but any guilt I must have felt was soon drowned in the passion that engulfed both of us. I didn’t even know when he let down the seat on my side. All I knew was that we were making love like our lives depended on it.

After our passion was spent, I was cold sober. But, I didn’t regret what happened, in fact, I wanted it to happen again.

And, it did! Several times!

Most of the times, it was in his flat, occasionally we had it in

his car. Then came what I thought was the chance I’d been waiting for — my husband was to be away for two weeks. They were the most care-free two weeks of

my life. Ben, my lover, constantly took me to his place; we went to parties together, and I felt no remorse leaving the kids at home with the house-help.

“When my husband came back, he was like a total stranger to me. When we made love, I submitted out of a sense of duty —not because I was keen. Instinctively, Peter knew something was wrong and gradually, without my noticing it immediately, he started to change he never helped around the house without throwing accusing glances at me and I was always irritated when he talked to me.

Meanwhile, Ben had been urging me to leave Peter to come and live with him. I’d toyed with the idea but I wasn’t that foolish. I even believed he loved me enough to marry me and take on the responsibility of my two kids

any time I asked him to. How stupidly naïve can one get?

“Then came the day I hurried home after leaving Ben’s flat to find Peter home early. He said he felt something was wrong with us and it was about time we talked about it. I wasn’t ready for any serious talk, so I denied anything was wrong and a few hours later, he wanted to make love. I had no alternative than to agree. While we made love, I relieved how it was with Ben earlier in the day, and without being conscious of it, I moaned, ‘Oh, Ben.’ I immediately realised what I’d done. I’d made the foolish mistake adulterers over the years had made; even before Peter stopped with a jerk and looked at me furiously. “I’m not Ben, you know, my name is Peter, or have you forgotten?”

He spat at me.

“I’d given the game away. I couldn’t even say anything in my defence because it happened so suddenly. Peter left the house but came back the following morning. He never said anything and I didn’t dare ask him. When next I saw Ben, I told him I couldn’t see him again. He agreed so easily you could almost see relief written all over his face. I felt very humiliated and for the next couple of months, didn’t know if I was coming or going. Three months later, Peter said he wanted a divorce. What could I do? Tell him that I loved him after I’d thrown all the love and care he’d showered on me and the children in his face?

Subconsciously, I saw the divorce as a sort of punishment, something I rightly deserved. The divorce was granted and I took the

younger child, Peter took the elder.

“Since there was no husband to consider, I thought Ben and I could re-capture the old magic, I told him so and he winced... Without looking me in the eye, he told me his wife was now back in the flat with their children. If I wouldn’t mind us making love in the car, he could manage seeing me occasionally. There is a saying that when you are down, you can’t possibly sink lower. How daft that is!

I sunk so low I thought I would go mad. Throughout my association with Ben, he never told me he had a wife.

When I pointed this to him, he said he didn’t think it was necessary since I couldn’t get married to two husbands.

And, to think it was this same man who urged me to come and live with him!

“Apparently, a mar ried woman to him is the most uncomplicated lay. I’d served the purpose I was meant to serve to him. My services were no longer needed. My parents didn’t know why we broke up, bless Peter. Neither did his parents. But any fool would sense I was the guilty party.

It was a blessing that they didn’t know the enormity of my guilt. I’ve tried to reshape my life, and at the moment, I am steering clear of men. I’d been so singed I would take a long time to heal. Only, whatever happens, I know I’ll never find another Peter and I’ll forever live with the knowledge that I messed up my life and separated a good family.”

Avoid stressful people this Ne wY ear New Year

urrounding yourself with energydraining people not only makes you S feel mentally exhausted, it takes a physical toll on your body too.

“Negative relationships are stressful, and this makes your body release hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol which, over and extended period of time, can depress your immune system and make you more prone to developing illness,” says Dr. Russel Roby, who specializes on how stress affects the body. Now that the new year is here, you need to make sure you surround yourself with energy-givers not energy-takers.

Follow Dr. Roby’s three-plan steps: Step 1: Pinpoint the major players: The individuals you spend most of your time with play a big role in how energetic you feel. “People who support and encourage you and don’t allow you to focus on negatives will boost your energy levels.

Others, ‘however, can siphon your energy.

You can normally tell who these people are because you’ll feel exhausted after just 20 minutes in their company. Begin by making a list of the five or 10 people with whom you have the most contact each day and jot down how each one affects your energy levels.

Step 2: Prioritise your diary. Once you’ve identified the key positive people in your life— whether it is a family member who gives you unconditional love, a colleague

who continually supports you or a friend who never fails to cheer you up—do what you can to reinforce these relationships.

Spending more quality time with these people will make you feel uplifted. Next, do things to show these people how much you appreciate them. Cook a special meal for your best friend, surprise your mum with presents or give your partner a massage.

When you give to those who energise you, it comes back in abundance.

Step 3: Dump energy-sapping enemies.

It’s essential that you take bold steps to distance yourself from energy-drainers. For example, people who put you down or chip away at your self-esteem. Once you determine who they are, ditch or limit your contact with them. If it’s someone you can’t physically distance yourself from, such as your boss or your sister, try to remove yourself emotionally. Remember, you are in control of your reactions to their behaviour.

You don’t have to be at the mercy of others.

Try to put these people’s behaviour in perspective top. Don’t take on their problems to fall into the trap of always being the person they dump their problems on.

Also discuss the situation with your positive friends to tackle the stress they cause. The result? Not only will energy enemies be less likely to emotionally exhaust you, but by taking control of the situation, you will feel empowered and energised!

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015 —41

YETUNDE AREBI

Why I will never marry!

T

he dream of every parent for their little daughter is to, one day, see her get married to a lovely young man of her dream. While women pray to be mothers to responsible, cute, obedient girls who made it to the alter with their honour and dignity intact, (or seemingly so) men long for the day they would walk their beautiful girls up the Isle, into the arms of their own men and perform the father-daughter dance. For the family of the bride, marriage means honour. It is evidence that they have successfully raised a female child who will fit into society’s role expectations of the female specie and help carry on the family blood if not the name. Mothers of the bride especially, love weddings. Next to the bride and groom, it is their day to shine before their admirers, lovers and haters combined.

They finally made it, against all odds. Their daughters will get the chance to live legitimately in the society.

Which is why the wedding day is very significant.

The bride’s mother is the cynosure of all eyes, her daughter has given her the opportunity to showcase to the world that she is a devoted mother and a persevering woman who has endured all situations and persecutions, for the sake of her children. So, her family and friends rally around to ensure that the wedding party is as successful and colourful as possible.

So, you can imagine the shock my aunt, Mrs Grillo received when Temilade, her 29 year old daughter finally told them a few weeks back that she has no intention of ever getting married. Weddings are a waste of money, while marriages are a waste of time, energy, emotions and resources, she’d declared. All she desires is to be a single parent, or at best, a second, third or even fifth wife, if possible, to an already married man! My aunt could not believe her ears. This is an abomination. Her daughter has fallen under a spell. Finally, her enemies had caught up with her through her daughter.

How would she tell the world that her first daughter, whom she had raised with much care and devotion, laboured and struggled to send to the best schools within and outside of the country, and in whom she’d dreamed to be celebrated as a woman, mother and wife, would not be fulfilling those dreams after all? Does that mean that she would not be hosting a lavish, colourful, society wedding party for Temilade after all? This is a disgrace worse than death and she would not allow it. She had married her husband, Tiwalade’s father as a young woman and has remained in the C M Y K

marriage till date, even though she cannot boldly say they had remained by each other’s sides all these years. The marriage had been humiliating and embarrassing for her and her children for as long as she could recall. Contrary to the image she tries to portray to the world, her marriage had always been anything but happy.

Despite everything, my aunt had held on to her ideals of what a marriage ought to be, a lifelong commitment to her vows, and remained and endured all the humiliations. She had hoped that her children would learn from her lifestyle and views about life, especially on marriage and desire to emulate her. But she has now realised that she was wrong. But she had no intention of giving up easily.

I’d always known Tiwalade to be a very determined, independent girl who so far had succeeded in all that she’d done. She was one of those you can say grew up too fast because of some of the things that transpired between her parents, and subsequently, the women her father brought into their home and around them, and finally, the step siblings they eventually had to accommodate into their lives. Once, she’d told me of how their father used to take them on visits to his girlfriends’ houses where they were treated like royalties.

After a Masters degree in Pharmacy, she picked up a job at one of the teaching hospitals in the country and has dedicated herself to her work and social life with a wide network of friends. She did everything young people of her age engaged in, work, make money and party as much as possible. She had inherited her mother’s old Honda car on graduation. But she had quickly bought a Toyota RAV 4 Jeep less than a year after. We were quite close until a few years back when she became integrated into the ‘Lagos Big Girls’ group.

A couple of months back, she bought herself the latest edition of the CRV Toyota Jeep. I was very happy for her as it was obvious that she’d got her acts intact. And now that she’d finally thrown this bombshell at her parents, I was not surprised. I’d seen it coming for some time now.

Still, there was need for me to speak to Tiwalade as her mother had implored.

My niece’s first response when I called her cell line to discuss her mother’s concerns threw me off guard. It was vintage Tiwalade as usual.

“I’d been expecting your call before now.

There is nothing you or anyone can tell me, my mind is made up. When I bring him home,

they can chase him out, but it will not change anything”. But she promised to come around to my place just to honour me all the same. At the end of our discussion, I did not only fail in persuading her to change her mind, but she even managed to confuse me and left me wondering if she was not right after all.

The hypocrisy and double standards of society informed her decision, she said. She has watched over the years the various experiences of her mother and other family members and even friends and have come to the conclusion that marriage is not one of the things she wants to invest in. According to her, most of the women she knows who are first wives have similar traumatic experiences in their marriages, either in the hands of their husbands or their in-laws. Her mother has had to share her father with four other women in the course of their 30 years marriage. Which does not include girlfriends. The first woman who had a child for him was fostered on her mother by her father’s family, notably his elder sister, who insisted that though her father had confessed that the affair was a mistake, the product of it was God’s gift and therefore could not be wished away. Thus, his relationship with the woman lasted about five years, producing two children before his roving eyes discovered another woman who, on realising he was an easy conduit pipe to poverty elevation, quickly pitched her tent with him. And while this angered wife number two to no end, her mother quickly saw the opportunity to recover some of her lost pride.

She gave the third woman her support even though it was obvious that she hated her guts to the heavens.

Together, they succeeded in kicking out the one in the middle but could not prevent him from taking two other women, except that he did not bring them to the family house. To temilade, that was also a problem because she had doubts that her father recognised any of his houses as his home. Anywhere he had a woman was as good as home to him and they were used to not seeing him for several days and weeks as it might please him. Her mother managed to have two more children, making four of them and went through hell raising them. Many times, she would have to pay school fees when her father promised and failed to show up. Chief in his 60s is still a lady’s man and shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.

But why does Temilade feel that this same fate would befall her? She said she has come to the conclusion that this is the fate of about 85 percent of married women in Nigeria, especially of Yoruba and Hausa origin. Ibo men exhibit more restrain and discipline when it comes to marriage. Her mother’s sister married her husband when he had nothing, according to the story they’d been told.

Not even a regular paying job and she’d fed and clothed both him and their little daughter for over two years before he secured one with an oil company and was posted to Port Harcourt. He repaid her by marrying a Calabar woman he met at his posting.

The saving grace is that the woman never relocated to Lagos even after her uncle was posted back. A cousin’s husband recently impregnated a young woman on their street. This lady’s family did not see anything wrong

in what their daughter had done but even had the guts to come into her cousin’s matrimonial home to beat her up for daring to question and warn their child. To add salt to injury, everyone blamed her for approaching the girl, after all, she did not come into her home! Temilade said almost all her friends have similar stories to tell about their parents’ betrayal and deceit to one another. She recalled that at the peak of her mother’s depression and confusion, she’d found herself at the doorsteps of spiritualists and herbalists in a bid to win back the love and attention of her husband, a man she’d met and fallen in love with way back in their university days. They all took her money and failed to return her man to her. She said several of her friends who had gotten married after graduation had abandoned their marriages.

Still, are these reasons enough to take such drastic decisions, I wondered?

Temilade insists she does not want to walk the same path as her mother and almost all the women in her life has. She has no intention of allowing any man take her on an emotional roller coaster. She wants to take her destiny in her hands. And to do that, she must be the other woman! After she left my place that evening, I was forced to conclude that this is the monster society has bred. Do have a wonderful weekend!

42—SATURDAY Vanguard, JAUNARY 24, 2015

OUR MISSION WAS TO KILL Confess Ikorodu cultists who eventually killed in a supremacy fight

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

I

korodu, a city located along the Lagos Lagoon, is again in the news following ongoing investigation by operatives of the Homicide section of the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department,SCID, on the alleged murder of one Damilare Ayodele, a resident of Itokin, Imota,by four persons who confessed to be members of the Aiye confraternity .

This is not the the first time cultists would go on rampage in the area , leaving in their trail death of members of opposition groups as well as innocent residents.

In this case, Crime Guard gathered that the bullet ridden body of Ayodele, was found along the street in Itokin community, on November 4, 2014, a tragedy that left his family devastated.

It was gathered that Ayodele was attacked by members of Aiye confraternity group while returning home penultimate Sunday and abandoned in the pool of his blood while his assailants fled.

It however, took the combined efforts of local vigilante and a team of policemen from Imota to arrest four suspected members of the cult group, a week after the incident.

In this interview with Crime Guard, the suspects; Emmanuel Eguku (23), Hoteyin Oladeji (29), Adefemi Oladega, 24; Odukoya Deji 23; and Emeka Ekunjoku, admitted to be part of those who launched an attack on Ayodele. They disclosed, to the astonishment of everybody around, that they were on a mission to send the deceased, whom they alleged belonged to a rival cult group, and his members to eternal rest.

Reason? They alleged that the cult group of the deceased, Eiye confraternity, had been terrorising Imota community for long. As if the molestation was not enough, they said that the

C M Y K

cult group ambushed their members and inflicted severe injuries on them.

Reprisal attack

•The deceased Damilare Ayodele

describing the attack on their

members as an affront, the suspects said they resorted to carry out a reprisal attack. One of the suspects, Emeka Ekunjoku, told Crime Guard that they spent over four hours in the bush to plan the reprisal attack According to him: “ We were on a mission to kill members of Eiye group, which Damilare Ayodele belonged. We took that decision because Damilare and members of his group previously attacked our members.

During the attack, we narrowly escaped being killed.

Some of us had to flee our homes for weeks. They unleashed mayhem on our community, burnt houses and also destroyed properties.

In order to deal with the issue, members of our group met in the bush around Imota community that Sunday , where we spent over four hours strategising on how to carry out the attack. We had to launch a reprisal attack otherwise they would continue to attack innocent people in the community”

I pulled the trigger

When asked who pulled the trigger that snuffed life out of Ayodele, another suspect, Emmanuel Eguku(23) , said in a low tone, “ I did” . He paused for a while,looked away from this reporter and continued: “ When we left the the meeting place, the first member of Eiye cult we met

SUSPECT ...Defemi Oladega, Odukoya Deji, Oladeji Hoteyin was Damilare Ayodele. On sighting us, he attempted to run but I shot him. We left him and went to our respective abodes. We did not know how the Police got wind of our culpability.

We would not have killed him had his members not attacked us first. Our cult group, Aiye (Black Axe) is considered the strongest around the vicinity but they dared us”, he said.

Residents lamentation

On arrival at the sleepy community, none could offer the needed explanation when approached.

An elderly woman beckoned

When we left the the meeting place, the first member of Eiye cult we met was Damilare Ayodele.

On sighting us, he attempted to run but I shot him

on this reporter and offered this explanation : “ Everybody keeps mute because you don’t know who is who. Activities of cultists in this community have made the area restive. It has become an alarming situation, as no single week passes by without a cult clash in Ikorodu. At the sight of the Police, the cultists would take to their heels. Some people have even relocated because of the incessant supremacy fight.

“As for the late Damilare Ayodele, his father was in church when someone rushed to call him that his son’s corpse was lying on the ground. You can imagine how the life of that young man was cut short. That is one out of many lives that have so far been lost in cult wars”

SATURDAY Vanguard, JAUNARY 24, 2015—43

Man, 65, attempting to transfer money from a murdered man’s account in police net

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

A

look at 65-year-old Akpan Joseph , will never pass him for a fraudster, owing to his seemingly calm disposition.

But he is currently cooling his heels at the dreaded Lagos State Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, in Ikeja.

Reason? He was reported to have gone to one of the Ilorin branches of a first generation bank,on January 7, 2015, posing as one of the account holders , who had come to transfer the sum of N1 million from his supposed account , into two separate accounts, Meanwhile, the authentic account holder, a 35 yearold business man identified as Chinedu Mba, was murdered four months earlier by unknown gunmen in his apartment in Gindiri Jos, Plateau state.

Back in the banking hall in Ilorin, Joseph was asked to sit down while the transaction was being processed. Unknown to him, the cashier who apparently suspected something was amiss, had called in the police. Joseph was reportedly arrested and later transferred to the Lion building division in Lagos.

Thereafter, he was transferred to the SARS. On further checks, the late Chinedu Mba’s phone was also discovered from Joseph.

In this interview with Crime Guard, he claimed to have been hired by a man whose name he simply gave as Benson, to make the transaction, with a promise to be given N200,000 at the end. He further stated that the said Benson also handed the decease d’s sim card to him.

Hear the Akwa-ibom state born : “ A man called Benson , whom I met about ten years ago while I was a

security man at Tin Island ports, took me to Ilorin for a business transaction.

He did not give me full details of the business transaction but he promised to give me 20% of the amount . The way he described the business made the transaction look so easy and without complications .

We travelled to Ilorin on January, 5, 2015 and lodged in Henry George hotel for two days.

Thereafter, Benson gave me a filled fund transfer form before we proceeded to Union bank where he asked me to submit the form, posing as the account holder. The filled form was an instruction to transfer N500,000 each into two separate GTB accounts with name Victoria Abikele.

But to my surprise, the cashier looked intently at me and back to the computer system before him. Before I knew it, I was arrested . And when I turned to look for Benson, he was no where to be found”

Journey to MTN to retrieve decease SIM card It was after I was arrested that I got to know that the owner of the account was murdered. I am not the killer. I was in possession of the sim because Benson went to MTN office in Ilorin to retrieve the number of late Chinedu, while I waited for him in the car. On his arrival, he handed the phone to me.

I didn’t kill the late Chinedu. I didn’t even know that he was dead.

Right now I feel very stupid for my action because I never thought I would get into this kind of trouble. I wish Benson would be arrested. He has answers to the questions at hand.

•Joseph Akpan

I strongly believe that an insider in the bank gave Benson the information that Chinedu was dead, that is why he had all the details about the deceased.

Ah! what will my family say? I told my wife in the village that I was going to Seme to buy second hand clothes. I didn’t tell her I was travelling to Illorin for a business transaction”, he said in an emotional laden tone.

On his part, the bereaved father , Mr Merclenious Mba, a native of Enugu state, described the whole scenero as a movie, wishing he would wake up to discover it was one after all.

The 57 year-old father of nine, said the family received with shock the news of the death of his son, Chinedu, on September 9, 2014, by gunmen who stormed his apartment.

“Immediately I received the news, I requested that his remains be brought home which they did and he was buried according to the traditional rites in my place.

After his burial ceremony I sent some family members to his house in Jos to bring back his properties, only to discover that he had about N6.5 million in his union bank account.

Discovered fraud We went to the bank with all necessary data and the bank agreed to transfer the funds to

But on arriving the bank with Obinna, we were made to understand that someone had been making withdrawals from my late son’s account, as a withdrawal of N1 million had been made, by one Victoria Abikele, on January 5, 2015, leaving out N5.5 million

Obinna, my younger son’s account. But on arriving the bank with Obinna, we were made to understand that someone had been making withdrawals from my late son’s account, as a withdrawal of N1 million had been made, by one Victoria Abikele, on January 5, 2015, leaving out N5.5 million.

We were advised to go to Abuja , where the person that was using my late son’s number was traced to.

From Abuja, we came to Lion Building division ,Lagos, where two men ; a father and son alleged to have been caught with my late son’s phone were brought before us! We were told that they had been impersonating Obinna and I” To ascertain the true identities of Mr Mba and his son Obinna, the Police at Lion building reportedly requested for the number of the deceased. Obinna was said to have called it out and when the number was dialled, the phone with the impostor rang.

At that point, the bereaved father who was infuriated, attempted to hit Akpan Joseph, the impostor, but he was prevented by the police.

Trying hard not to betray his emotion, Mr Mba said: “ All I want is justice. I want in-depth investigation, that would lead to those involved in the death of my son. They must be brought to book.”

44— SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard , JANU ARY 24 JANUARY 24, 2015 with Vera Samuel Anyagafu veedd41@yahoo.com

Why President Obama’s speech is less of now and more about 2016 and beyond Observation he US President, Barack Obama delivered a tough State of the Union address that appear to have offered some solace to Democrats who feared he had given up the fight.

According to agency report, Obama put forth a controversial plan to tax wealthier Americans through reforms that close loopholes in order to finance tax cuts for middle class Americans, tapping into the populist sentiment that has driven support for politicians.

Although speeches can be moving and inspiring, Democrats should not get too excited, the situation on Capitol Hill remains dire for proponents of liberal reform.

There are almost no indications that Republicans are preparing negotiating with the White House, the tax proposal will most likely get stifled in Congress, or the president will be forced to trade away the increases on the wealthy and end up simply giving tax cuts to all.

Meanwhile, Congressional Republicans have proven that they know how to employ procedural tools to obstruct the President’s progress.

Report also disclosed that the erosion of Democratic strength in Congress since 2010 has been devastating to the party and The Democratic Congress was the driving force behind President Obama’s success in his first two years.

Republicans are reportedly ready for a fight and, with control of Congress, they may likely hit back hard. President Obama’s sixth State of the Union address agency also disclosed, was mostly a punt.

T

Trailing behind is part of President Obama’s speech Tonight, after a breakthrough year for America, our economy is growing and creating jobs at the fastest pace since 1999. Our unemployment rate is now lower than it was before the financial crisis. More of our kids are graduating than ever before; more of our people are insured than ever before; we are as free from the grip of foreign oil as we’ve been in almost 30 years.

Tonight, for the first time since 9/11, our combat mission in Afghanistan is over. Six years ago, nearly 180,000 American troops served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, fewer than 15,000 remain. And we salute

the courage and sacrifice of every man and woman in this 9/11 Generation who has served to keep us safe. We are humbled and grateful for your service.

America, for all that we’ve endured; for all the grit and hard work required to come back, for all the tasks that lie ahead, know this: The shadow of crisis has passed, and the State of the Union is strong.

At this moment, with a growing economy, shrinking deficits, bustling industry, and booming energy production — we have risen from recession freer to write our own future than any other nation on Earth.

It’s now up to us to choose who we want to be over the next fifteen years, and for decades to come.

Will we accept an economy where only a few of us do spectacularly well? Or will we commit ourselves to an economy that generates rising incomes and chances for everyone who makes the effort?

Will we approach the world fearful and reactive, dragged into costly conflicts that strain our military and set back our standing? Or will we lead wisely, using all elements of our power to defeat new threats and protect our planet?

Will we allow ourselves to be sorted into factions and turned against one another — or will we recapture the sense of common purpose that has always propelled America forward?

In two weeks, I will send this

*President Obama Congress a budget filled with ideas that are practical, not partisan. And in the months ahead, I’ll crisscross the country making a case for those ideas.

So tonight, I want to focus less on a checklist of proposals, and focus more on the values at stake in the choices before us.

In fact, at every moment of economic change throughout our history, this country has taken bold action to adapt to new circumstances, and to make sure everyone gets a fair shot.

We set up worker protections, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid to protect ourselves from the harshest adversity. We gave our citizens schools and colleges, infrastructure and the internet — tools they needed to go as far as their effort will take them.

Of course, nothing helps

families make ends meet like higher wages. That’s why this Congress still needs to pass a law that makes sure a woman is paid the same as a man for doing the same work. Really. It’s 2015. It’s time. We still need to make sure employees get the overtime they’ve earned. And to everyone in this Congress who still refuses to raise the minimum wage, I say this: If you truly believe you could work full-time and support a family on less than $15,000 a year, go try it. If not, vote to give millions of the hardest-working people in America a raise.

These ideas won’t make everybody rich, or relieve every hardship. That’s not the job of government. We still need laws that strengthen rather than weaken unions, and give American workers a voice. But

things like child care and sick leave and equal pay; things like lower mortgage premiums and a higher minimum wage — these ideas will make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions of families. That is a fact. And that’s what all of us — Republicans and Democrats alike — were sent here to do.

Second, to make sure folks keep earning higher wages down the road, we have to do more to help Americans upgrade their skills.

America thrived in the 20th century because we made high school free, sent a generation of GIs to college, and trained the best workforce in the world.

But in a 21st century economy that rewards knowledge like never before, we need to do more.

Eur ope cries out o err orism Europe ovver Radical tterr errorism M

any nationals across the globe have continued to express much concerns at the rate with which radical terrorism seem to be threatening economic and democratic growth.

Recently, Belgium Prime Minister, Charles Michel expressed the need to beef up security across European countries, stressing that Belgians need to increase efforts in the fight against extremism.

As Europe remains on high alert, Charles who appears to be disturbed with recent happenings across Europe stated that, “I think that today we are trying to do our best. But it’s not enough. It’s a new threat against the democracy, against currency, against our values. And we have to fight. And I am determined to fight. I’m convinced that we have to do more against radical terrorists.”

The situation however has prompted the Belgium government to deploy

hundreds of security forces in Brussels and Antwerp for an anti-terror raid.

The Prime Minister also said that a few terrorists were planning an attack, a very tragic attack against police stations, against justice courts, against citizens on the ground in Belgium, and that is the reason the Belgian authorities deployed special forces in a portion on the ground in order to catch the terrorists.

He also said that Belgium is very vigilant for the future, and being in the heart of Europe, need to do more to beef up security.

According to report, the Belgian Prime Minister reiterated how important he believes information sharing across the intelligence community is when it comes to fighting and eradicating terrorism.

He reportedly said that, it is imperative to join hands with other European leaders, to make progress in the exchange of information and most

specifically the problematic of the information about capacities.

“It’s a very important thing to give more capacities for our intelligence services to have more information and to prevent more the radicalism and terrorism with this information,” the Prime Minister said.

He also pointed out that prisons have often become recruiting hubs for jihadists, saying that it was from that the radicalization process ultimately began for Paris attackers Amedy Coulibaly and the Kouachi brothers.

Continuing, Charles believes radicalization in prisons is also a factor in Belgium and needs to be addressed.

Charles said, “Yes, it’s true. We have a problem in our jails, in our prisons.

We see that a few people are trying to convince those with radical ideas and that’s why my government took decisions, and in the future we will isolate these guys if they are trying to convince others with radical ideas.”

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2015—45

Investing in African teenagers, easiest way to develop the region — Jacqueline Emmanuel

BY MOSES NOSIKE & BASHIR ADEFAKA

M

rs.

Jacqueline Emmanuel, Managing Director, E-Jay Prime Atlantic Limited and the President, RubyPlus Africa, a magazine that provides platform for A f r i c a n teenagers to showcase their God-given talents.

RubyPlus Africa is an initiative of EJay Prime Atlantic Limited.

In this interview, she revealed that the easiest way to eradicate poverty, reduce unemployment, and develop Jacqueline Emmanuel: Let’s empower teenagers to secure their

future

the African region is for the leaders, private and public sectors to hugely invest in African teenagers as is obtained in developed countries.

Excerpts: A lot of people are into different fields of endeavour, how did you initiate this vision?

The vision came as a result of my passion for children and love for Africa as a continent.

When I looked around and saw that there was something lacking in our environment - that

our teenagers were not given proper attention to develop their talents, I decided to come up with this initiative called RubyPlus Africa - a platform that showcases and celebrates the numerous potentials of African teenagers as well as groom African teenagers for the future. We also counsel teenagers, parents and guardians every time such need arises. I read a lot of foreign magazines and I found out that in those magazines, some of them specialize on teenagers, but here we don’t

Nationwide Housing De velopment Lott er Development Lotter eryy emplo ver 11000 000 sstt af employys oover afff he Nationwide Housing Development Lottery has kicked off in Lagos and T Abuja employing over 1000 staff to handle

its sales.

Speaking with the media recently, a director of Alum Ikaka Estates managers of the lottery, Prof Badaiki disclosed that the first of its kind lottery with plan to empower the masses of Nigeria with the opportunity of owning their own houses, said the lottery also has the endorsement of National Lottery Regulatory Commission.

Speaking further, Prof Badaiki said “we are fully mobilized to run this lottery because we are concerned with the housing problems of Nigeria. Already, we have employed over 1000 young Nigerians to kick-start the monthly draws. From today, any legally recognized entity, individuals, men and women, boys and girls can now play the housing development lottery because it is a win win lottery in which everyone is a winner eventually. We only want to support the Federal government in meeting the housing needs of teeming Nigerians. We are doing this with due consideration of the regulating authority”.

Speaking at the launch of the lottery in

Lagos, the Managing Director of the company Mrs. Elizabeth Akin Abiola described the Housing Development Lottery as a veritable means of creating wealth and easing the housing problems that stare upon Nigeria.

According to her, with only the sum of N5000, a participant stood the chance of owning a three bed-room flat while a consolation prize of one bedroom flat will also be given out at each draw.

She also said that the first draw of the lottery which is supported by many top Nigerian banks and UACN Property Development Company will come up in April 2015.

Describing how the lottery works, Consultant to the organization, Mr Ebi Odega said no cash payments are required. Payment is to the banks, online and POS system. He also warned that no one below the age of 18 years should participate.

In a brief remark, Mr Calis Ita who represented the DG of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission said the commission duly certifies the lottery as transparent because it has met all the obligations that guarantee transparency as set by the commission.

Highlight of the occasion was the purchase of the first ticket by the Chairman of the company Gen C C Iweze(Rtd).

have such in Nigeria. And even if we have any in Africa, it could be an affiliate to foreign magazines. I decided that we should have something like that in Africa – something of our own. My passion for event was also a contributory factor.

First, what are your strategies to launch this development in Africa, particularly Nigeria?

Referring to the vision of RubyPlus Africa which is to reposition Africa by securing today, the future of African teenagers through developing their potentials, there are many things to be done by RubyPlus Africa. One thing I have come to realize is that African teenagers are full of potentials - they are zealous and want to be a part of growth and development in the African environment. And because they are the future, we can’t afford to sideline them if we must develop Africa. So, one of the things we want to do is to ensure that African teenagers have a medium through which they can showcase their talents in order to inspire others and that is why we came up with a bi-monthly magazine. I think this is a better way to curb unemployment and also bring development to Africa. Another way we want to help them is through one of our projects - African Cultural Display and Arts Exhibition that will be coming up this year of which we will partner with the private and public sector to achieve this objective.

With this, we can revive our cultural values in African teenagers which they are fast loosing. The project will also involve cultural fashion contest and talent hunts that will help discover areas African teenagers are talented and help groom them. There is so much unemployment in the country today and if their talents are not well managed, we will keep having the problem of unemployment.

But when these talents are discovered early like it is done abroad, we can build on their skills while they are still young.

If after school, they are not able to find jobs, they can make good living through their existing skills.

We are their coordinator and we know them because we have the present data of Nigerian teens. We constantly interact with them to know their passions and areas of strength and we help them develop their strength and promote their skills.

Presently, how do you fund this project?

For now, it’s being funded by my husband and I but more from my husband, because he is the chairman of the company. He is passionate about this project but we still go out there to meet with private and public participants because this is a big project and we can’t do it alone. We want to make collective efforts with persons and organizations that can sponsor our programmes and teenagers. We would also like to partner with

professional trainers to subsidize the cost of trainings.

With your understanding of business climate here, do you see this project thriving? Again, at what point do you expect government to help out because primarily this is its responsibility?

Well, it’s actually the responsibility of the government but government cannot dos everything alone. Sometimes it has to be powered by some people though it involves a lot of money. It’s not always easy in Africa unlike the western world where they invest a lot in children. In Africa, it is the other way round because children can’t afford the money we expect to work with, but if we can have a government that will be willing to support us by encouraging investors that could be asked to give back to the society through Corporate Social Responsibility, that can support some of these projects tailored towards developing our teens. Like the project we are trying do with Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, it will go a long way to make life-changing impacts on our teenagers.

Since this project of teenage development cuts across African region, how many of the African countries have you been to?

We are taking it slow and steady because for every trip we make, it involves a lot of financing. Since my husband and I are the ones funding it for now, we have been able to stretch down to Ghana where RubyPlus Magazine currently enjoys circulation. Same thing holds sway in Kenya and South Africa. For other projects, we are taking time to establish it properly in Nigeria so that African teenagers can be self-reliant and be a part of African development tomorrow. Before you can penetrate other countries you need to have a programme you are projecting, and the whole concept or vision must be laudable and something anybody would like to buy wherever you talk about it. So we are taking the cultural event as a stepping stone to getting to these places.

And these programmes will make other countries to know us. With this, our target is to get the African teenagers together with RubyPlus Africa as platform that showcases their potentials and at the end, Africa is developed What is your message to African teenagers and leaders?

My message to African teenagers and leaders is that RubyPlus Africa is a laudable vision and for us to get anywhere or have a great future, we have to begin together to secure the future of African teenagers TODAY because they are the bedrock of any nation and indeed, the African continent. Countries that have developed or want to develop will always invest in teenagers and African countries should not be an exception.

OMG, Etisalat target youth development with Nigerian Idol 5 five of leading TV reality,

R

enowned entertainment f r a n c h i s e

owners, Optima Media Group and lead sponsor, Etisalat Nigeria have unveiled the season

Nigerian Idol.

The companies announced the commencement of the new season on Wednesday at a media launch held at Mela Rossa in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Speaking at the launch, the Executive Director of Optima Media Group (OMG), Nigerian Idol franchise owners, Mrs. Ugochi Pedro noted that the reality show has established its mark as a leading talent hunt platform that is providing needed opportunities for budding music stars to be discovered and nurtured for stardom.

“For five years running, we have been on this interesting journey of changing lives and helping people achieve life dreams.

The key thing for us is to see these discovered talents become the real stars they are designed to be. We are taking this commitment to a new level this season.

Nigerians can expect many exciting moments ahead,” she said.

46—SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

I saw a man in a Jeep drive my wife away •A man tells court why he wants to end his marriage

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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agos- Richard Olisa, 46 can put up with his jobless state but could not tolerate the extra marital affairs he alleged that his wife indulges in frequently.

He has, consequently, asked a grade A customary Court sitting at Igando to dissolve his 12 year old marriage as the combination of these experiences could weigh him down.

Olisa who resides at 1 Faith Street, Ijeododo Ijegun area of Lagos told the court that he caught his wife in the act, frolicking with another man in an undisclosed hotel in Lagos.

While urging the court to quash the union with his already estranged wife, the man recalled that he first caught his better half being freighted away in a Jeep owned by a strange man, adding that on that ill fated

day, he ensured that she was aware that he saw her. He told the court that the second time was when he caught his wife in an hotel. But this time he confronted his adulterous wife and her lover boy. According to him, the lover boy who could not withstand the heat of the argument that ensued took to his heels, leaving his wife in the dark of her shame.

He said that the wife later told him that the man was only trying to assist him secure a loan to start up a business.

But infidelity was not all the trouble for Olisa.

Besides this untoward attitude of the wife, Olisa told the court that his wife has become a Tigress as she engages him frequently in a fighting bout and in the process used lethal weapons on him all in a bid to

Filephoto: Caranddriver.com exterminate him.

He said that his wife had threatened to eliminate him several times in order to take possession of his property, adding that the last time they fought, she locked him up, tore his clothes and prevented him from going out until he forced the door open.

According to him, that was the last straw that broke the Camel’s back as he was left with no option but to ask her to pack out of his house.

Cordillia Olisa, a 45 trader in her own response, denied ever having a fight or using any dangerous weapon on her husband whenever there was a fracas. She also

denied all the allegations of infidelity levelled against her by her husband She said “I have never told him that I will kill him let alone inherit his property. I did not tear his clothes and we don’t fight.”

According to her, “ whenever I ask him for the money he borrowed from me , he will start beating me and if I held his cloth he would force my hand out and in the process his clothes would tear.

“It is not true that he met me in front of an hotel but I greeted the man when he was passing by, I did not know that there was an hotel there,” she said.

Woman fights husband, tenants, neighbours, court dissolves her marriage

BY ONOZURE DANIA

L

agos- An Igando Customary Court, has dissolved the 16 years old marriage of a 46 year old Plank seller Kayode Atobagbe whose estranged wife, Bisi, 37, was accused of fighting not only himself but also neighbours. Kayode and Bisi lived at 5A Abigel Ogundana Street, Ayobo, Lagos. There, Bisi, according to Kayode, would hold parties without his consent. He owned the house and Bisi, he alleged, held court against everybody, fighting tenants and other neighbours. And when the fight was against him his manhood was always attacked. All these left Kayode a sad man. He said that the fight against tenants was so rampant that one day they reported to the police who arrested her at Igando Police Station. Her violence nature, Kayode told the court even extended to their children. He alleged that she broke the hand of their first child and also C M Y K

,

She said the reason behind the fight was that her husband was dating her brother’s wife

,

inflicted injury on the head of another child just because the child broke the chair she sits on. Kayode Atobagbe further stated that he sold the house they were living in when he couldn’t take her excesses any more, owing to the fact that she would hold parties in the house with strange people. “She had a birthday party one day and it was so rowdy that I had to leave the house for her because of the kind of people that came to the party.” According to him, after selling off the house, she refused to leave the house for the new occupants. “The next thing I saw was a letter from a lawyer, asking me to pay her the sum of N5million, from the proceeds of the house. I declined”. Bisi, who also gave evidence before the court, did not deny the fact that she and her husband had been having frequent fights. She said the reason behind the fight was that her husband was dating her brother’s wife. She also said that when she lost her father who was 102 years old he refused to give her money for Aso Ebi, the burial contributions, regretting that she had to borrow money

for the ceremony. Bisi, further stated that they never had an agreement to sell the house they were living in. Rather, she had advised him to sell the other house they had but he didn’t which prompted her not to pack out even after the sale of the house.

The Court President, Rasack IsholaAdeyeri, in his judgement said that from the evidence before the court there were irreconcilable differences and thereby dissolved the marriage. The Court ordered that Atobagbe, should pay Bisi the sum of N200,000 for her rehabilitation and also ordered that he should allow her free access to pack her remaining belongs.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015—47

NICOLE WINFIELD and TERESA CEROJANO Associated Press

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ANILA, Philippines – A crowd estimated at a record 6 million people by officials poured into Manila’s rain-soaked streets and its biggest park Sunday as Pope Francis ended his Asian pilgrimage with an appeal for Filipinos to protect their young from sin and vice so they can instead become missionaries of the faith.

The crowd estimate, which could not be independently verified, included people who attended the pope’s final Mass in Rizal Park and surrounding areas, and lined his motorcade route, said the chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Francis Tolentino.

The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said the Vatican had received the figure officially from local authorities and that it was a record, surpassing the 5 million who turned out for St. John Paul II’s final Mass in the same park in 1995.

Francis dedicated the final homily of his weeklong Asia trip, which began in Sri Lanka, to children, given that the Mass fell on an important feast day honoring the infant Jesus. His focus was a reflection of the importance that the Vatican places on Asia as the future of the church since it’s one of the few places where Catholic numbers are growing — and on the Philippines as the largest Catholic nation in the region.

“We need to see each child as a gift to be welcomed, cherished and protected,” Francis said in his homily. “And we need to care for our young people, not allowing them to be robbed of hope and condemned to a life on the streets.”

Francis made a triumphant entry into Rizal Park, riding on a popemobile based on the design of a jeepney, the modified U.S. Army World War II jeep that is a common means of public transport here. He wore the same cheap, plastic yellow rain poncho handed out to the masses during his visit to the typhoon-hit eastern city of Tacloban a day earlier.

The crowd — a sea of humanity in colorful rain ponchos spread out across the 60 hectares (148 acres) of parkland and boulevards surrounding it — erupted in shrieks of joy when he drove by, a reflection of the incredible resonance Francis’ message about caring for society’s most marginal has

That massive mass in Manila Biggest ever Christian gathering: Pope Francis dr aw draw awss 6 million people ttoo mass had in a country where about a quarter of its 100 million people lives in poverty.

“It was a blessing that we saw him.

Even if we were soaked by the rain, we feel fine,” said Emmie Toreras, 38, who was wearing a garbage bag to guard against the rain. She said she had slept in the park since Friday to score a view of the pope.

“He loves the poor and people like us,” said Toreras, whose husband, a rags vendor, stayed home to work.

Francis dedicated his four-day trip to the Philippines to the poor and marginal. He denounced the corruption that has robbed them of a dignified life, visited with street children and traveled to Tacloban to offer prayers for survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, the deadly 2013 storm that devastated one of the Philippines’ poorest regions.

Earlier Sunday, Francis drew a huge crowd to Manila’s Catholic university, where he came close to tears himself hearing two rescued street children speak of their lives growing up poor and abandoned. The pope ditched his prepared remarks and spoke off the cuff in his native Spanish to respond to 12-year-old Glyzelle Palomar, who wept as she asked Francis why children suffer so much. Palomar, a former street child rescued by a church-run foundation, told him of children who

are abandoned or neglected by their parents and end up on the streets using drugs or in prostitution.

“Why is God allowing something like this to happen, even to innocent children?”

Palomar asked through tears. “And why are there so few who are helping us?”

A visibly moved Francis said he had no answer. “Only when we are able to cry are we able to come close to responding to your question,” he said.

“Those on the margins cry. Those who have fallen by the wayside cry. Those who are discarded cry,” the pope said.

“But those who are living a life that is more or less without need, we don’t know how to cry.”

And he added: “There are some realities that you can only see through eyes that have been cleansed by tears.”

A steady rain from the same tropical storm that forced Francis to cut short his visit to Tacloban on Saturday fell on the crowd, but it didn’t seem to dampen spirits of Filipinos who streamed into the capital for his final day. In his homily, Francis urged the crowd to protect their children from sin, alcohol and gambling, saying the devil “distracts us with the promise of ephemeral pleasures, superficial pastimes.”

“Filipinos are called to be outstanding missionaries of the faith in Asia,” he said.

Bracing for huge crowds, the government put out a public service announcement warning the elderly, pregnant women and

children against coming to the event. They urged the crowd to carry their things in transparent plastic bags since they’d be easier to inspect. An appeal to use raincoats rather than umbrellas went unheeded.

Rommel Monton, a 28-year-old call center agent, said he was struck by Francis’ willingness to practice what he preaches, particularly as it concerns the poor.

“He doesn’t want to be treated as someone special. Look at his vehicles, they are not bullet-proof: He wanted them to be open so that he can feel he is close to the people,” he said. “How will you be able to protect your followers if you are not with them, if you are afraid to show yourself, to stand behind them or stand before them?”

Francis sought to stand with one Filipino family struck by tragedy during his visit: He spent 20 minutes Sunday meeting with the father of

Kristel Padasas, a volunteer with Catholic Relief Services, who died Saturday in Tacloban when scaffolding fell on her. Witnesses

said a sudden gust of wind toppled the structure, which had served as a platform for a large loudspeaker during the Mass.

The father was overwhelmed by the loss but was “consoled thinking that she had helped prepare the meeting of the people with the pope,” said Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman.

Culled from Daily Mail

48—SATURDAY

Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

20 15 elections: 201

Which Messiah will deliver education?

BY LAJU IREN

E

ver since campaigns for the 2015 elections began, education has been mentioned in bits and pieces by candidates of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and its main opposition, the All Progressives Congress, APC. However, no educational issue has been given as much attention as the ‘certificate saga’ associated with General Muhammad Buhari, the APC’s presidential candidate.

For a nation that cares so much about a 53-year old certificate, it only seems natural that education would be at the forefront of burning issues in a time like this.

Stakeholders in the sector worry that this is not the case.

“This is a matter which has bothered us sorely since the commencement of political campaigns;” said Dr. Chibuzo Asomugha, the national President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, “we have monitored the expressed programmes of the vocal candidates and we are yet to receive reassuring signals of a serious focus on the education sector. While one party is preoccupied with reeling out its perceived landmark impact on education, the other party is not even paying the subject any significant attention. It appears the parties and their candidates are more concerned with the seemingly more exigent issues of security and the economy and may not have considered education as a captive subject matter for maximum electoral capital.”

Although the vocal focus might be on security, the economy and job creation, both parties do give education a significant mention in their manifestoes. The APC in its ‘Roadmap for free, relevant quality education says that the party will: “Make the right of every Nigerian child to receive a free, relevant and quality education a reality, based on free and comprehensive primary and secondary education; Provide free tertiary education to students pursuing Science and Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM); Provide free tertiary education to education majors and stipends prior to their employment as teachers; Create incentives and dedicate special attention to the education of girls.

The party also promises to “ensure that every child attending primary school is properly nourished and ready to learn by providing a free meal a day; Invest in better equipping and staffing Teacher Training Colleges and provide financial and progression incentives to attract and retain good teachers; Revamp and C M Y K

restructure education curricula from primary to tertiary levels with a view to ensuring students acquire the right skills for employment, entrepreneurship and innovation; Prepare young adults for the jobs of the future by expanding the focus on science and technology at our colleges and universities; Improve the ability of people to gain employment in a variety of fields through greater access to technical and vocational training.

The PDP Manifesto states that “Education is an important social instrument for national unity amongst the diverse peoples of Nigeria,” and that “the party in government shall ensure that the educational system is improved upon; Ultimately provide free, functional education at all levels; Integrate into the formal education system the political education of the citizenry with emphasis on the provision of the Constitution, the state and democratic principles; Foster and expand education all levels and fields of knowledge; and encourage private and voluntary organizations to establish schools subject to compliance and adherence to existing government policies.” The ruling party plans to do these in an eighteen point strategy, which includes the promotion of pre-primary education by encouraging the establishment of private Nursery schools in such a way that every Nigerian child shall have the opportunity to start education at the nursery levels; the Provision of free and compulsory primary education; Free and compulsory junior secondary education; and Free qualitative senior secondary education” among others.

But for the National Coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign, Mr. Hassan Soweto, both manifestoes are just talk, and not enough talk at that.

He told Saturday School Life, SSL: “In my opinion, none of these candidates have paid due attention to education in their manifestoes. There has been no mention of specific policies and strategies to improve the quality of education and make it more accessible.

No one is promising 26% budgetary allocation according to UNESCO’S stipulation. No one is talking about cancelling the outrageous fee hikes across many universities. There is no talk about eradicating the commercialization of the education system. There are no plans to put the 10.5mn out of school children back in school. All we have heard is

So if we are waiting for any of these candidates to be our messiah in the education sector, it will not happen.

In the aftermath of the elections and whoever might emerge as leader, we as students, parents and workers in the education sector must continue to be united in our struggle for our rights to education

talk about transforming Nigerian education into that befitting the 21st century. Nothing concrete has been said. Even with the new universities that have been built, there is still no improvement in the admission crisis.

This is despite the fact that tertiary education is not even readily affordable. It is not a question of who wins, but the policies that anyone who wins the elections will come up with.”

This is in line with the ASUP boss’ assertion that “the trajectory of the degeneration in our education sector goes beyond the present administration, and indeed, goes beyond any single government.

A serial layering of policy confusion, weak political will, corruption, and lack of diligence has brought us to the present sorry state. In fairness to the present at the centre, funding to the sector has recorded some increase, but still not on a scale that could significantly ameliorate the deep rot that has festered in the system. We will continue to insist that for the decay to be stemmed and perhaps reversed, the political class must muster the will to set education on a strong footing. For instance, government, any government, must commit to devoting at least 26% of the nation’s annual budget to education; government must develop and pursue a developmental programme for basic and secondary education; government must set a global agenda for higher education.”

But Mr. Monsur Adeyemo, former Zonal Coordinator at the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, believes that the future of education is inextricable tied to whoever emerges as President after the 2015 elections. He said: “The present administration has not kept its promise to us with regards to education. Nothing anybody says will convince me of that fact. And as we speak, there is still crisis in the education sector. And people all over the country are clamouring for change. All the sectors are intertwined. I believe that one of the reasons why education has not been properly funded is because security has gulped a lot of money. So anyone who can handle the issue of insecurity in the country would be able to salvage money for proper funding of education.

The crux of every administration is its leadership, and the fates of the different sectors depend largely on the man at the helm of affairs.”

The National Treasurer, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Dr. Demola Aremu, also had a similar view. He told SSL: “Any good government will focus on education as a priority.

This has not been the case for the present administration. You can see it in the meagre allocations to education for the past few years.

ASUU was on strike in 2013 and entered into negotiations with the government. This same government made some commitments during those negotiations that are yet to be implemented as we speak. It was the same issue with ASUP. We definitely need a change because this present government has taken us nowhere in education.

Democracy is about giving someone a chance to prove himself, and if they do not succeed we get to change them in the next elections. I think we should give Buhari a chance. If he wins and does not succeed in rescuing the sector, then we can vote him out. One might say that Buhari himself has not spoken a lot about his plans for the sector, but the APC manifesto has a lot to say about education. Look at the states run by the APC, check out their education status, and look at the states run by the PDP and do the same. It is beyond just building universities in places you need to garner political support. How well are the existing schools being funded?”

Soweto however argues that “where the PDP has failed, the APC has also failed. The Lagos State University, for example was until recently, the most expensive government school in the country where students were paying between N150, 000 and N350,000 yearly. It took three years of struggle before this fee hike was reversed. So if we are waiting for any of these candidates to be our messiah in the education sector, it will not happen. In the aftermath of the elections and whoever might emerge as leader, we as students, parents and workers in the education sector must continue to be united in our struggle for our rights to education.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015—49

Reducing the petrol pump price from N97 to N87 per litre is a good step from Mr President

Has fuel price reduction changed anything?

Nigerians react

BY JULIET EBIRIM & ADERONKE ADEYERI

•Simeon

M

ixed reactions have continued to trail the recent announcement by the federal government on the reduction in the fuel pump price from N97 per litre to N87 per litre.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani AlisonMadueke, made the announcement in a press conference at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Sunday. Mrs. AlisonMadueke said the N10 reduction in fuel price was necessitated by the reduction in crude oil prices in the international market.

Meanwhile, Nigerian commuters are yet to feel the impact of the reduction in the cost of transportation, as they insist that the 10% reduction has not made any significant difference.

According to Semiu Adetayo, a civil servant, the decrease in fuel pump price is a political gimmick.

“Reduction in pump price at this time is of no significance to Nigerians. It has not reflected in our day C M Y K

•Adetayo

•Bola

to day activities. It is just a political gimmick by the present government to deceive us. If the government truly has the interest of the masses at heart, then the pump price should be reduced to N50.”

Also, Akaniyene Jeremiah, a businessman argued that the 10% reduction isn’t a true reflection of the global price. “Reducing the price of fuel by N10 isn’t a true reflection of the global oil price. Besides, the President deliberately waited for a few weeks to the elections before reducing the price. Nigerians aren’t fools, we understand what this is all about”.

Bola Wilberforce, a vocation trainer said the step was aimed at appeasing Nigerians. “The present administration wants to use the reduction in the price of petroleum to appease the people.

Many Nigerians are not happy with our leaders.

To many, the reduction is a campaign strategy,

•Jeremiah

•Okeowo

but I think it is only a reflection of the global reduction in the price of crude oil. At N87, the cost of transportation hasn’t changed. I think the price should be reduced to N57.

On his part, a student Ndubuisi David said the president deserves to be applauded. Hear him: “Reducing the petrol pump price from N97 to N87 per litre is a good step from Mr President. He has taken a great step towards alleviating the suffering of Nigerians. He deserves an applause, people will now buy the product at a cheaper rate, and transporters will have no ready excuse to hike fares. But at the moment, transportation costs remain the same”.

A commercial driver, Jonathan Obi noted that implementing the new price would be difficult. “I am happy about the new price.

The only problem is getting marketers to accept and implement it. In Nigeria things like these are easier said than done. It is easy to say something but it is another thing to implement it. Most petrol stations including some with NNPC logos are yet to implement the new price “. Moreover, Ogunkeye Simeon, a commuter reiterated that the reduction has made no significant difference in cost of transportation. “The Nigerian government is toying with our intelligence.

Why will the Ministry of Petroleum wait till few days to election before making the reduction? Whereas most countries of the world reduced their fuel price immediately the price of crude oil crashed. The N10 reduction has not made any difference as transport fare has not reduced at all.

Nigerians are wiser now.”

However, Joseph Okeowo a building consultant lamented that a lot of things are out of place. “The N10 reduction in fuel price has no meaning to an average Nigerian like me. I still spend the same amount on transportation. Many filling stations too have not reduced the pump. A lot seems to have gone wrong.”

50 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

C M Y K

SATURDAY

BY DR. UGOJI EGBUJO

BUHARI:

B

From parade ground to power

uhari is arguably Nigeria’s most popular politician today . He wields the largest individual political grass root followership and vote gathering prowess . On mass appeal, he is in the proximity of the highly esteemed first republic premiers who attracted fanatical loyalty from their followers . Some of his ardent followers in the north east and north west zones love him as passionately as the people of the old western region loved Awolowo. That analogy may irk some but it is a presumption supportable by the events of 2011 presidential elections.

The reasons some politicians are able to summon such passion from their followers are diverse and some are pretty mundane but they are not so important because ultimately politics is a game of numbers. Regardless of the basis of his popularity in the north , the reasons many in other places like Lagos like Buhari are unquestionably rational , objective and noble. He is reputed to possess a sense of honesty and rectitude many other politicians are destitute of.

General Olusegun Obasanjo has ruled the country longer than anyone else.

But you may not vouch for his electoral value. He commands little or no votes and that gives you another picture . Yet they are all ex military heads of state. Buhari definitely has an X factor.

He is often not given due credit for his political prowess. Many argue that he is able to achieve such a followership by embracing and promoting, to some extent, religious fundamentalism which endears him to millions of people in the north who are vulnerable to political exploitation by those who employ such religious sentiments as political tool. Buhari is so popular across many states in the north when other more zealous and advertised fundamentalists aren’t.

Senator Yerima and

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Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015—51

•His 2015 chances and why his victory will be good for PDP

his fatwa dispensing deputy come to mind. So Buhari’s popularity cannot be just about Islam. Identity politics is however part and parcel of Nigerian politics.

Buhari has occupied positions of power and privilege . His contemporaries are extremely wealthy and maintain a network of extremely rich and loyal cronies. Buhari has neither men nor network of rich friends .

And While that may be the main reason he is not

known for expensive campaigns , that is also the reason he is still running and is favoured by many. Buhari is touted by his supporters as incorruptible. To suggest that he had been hampered by finances alone in the past is to overlook his glaring lack of political astuteness.

Buhari never engages the public on topical issues, doesn’t champion any social causes, practically remains apolitical until he is approached and drafted by one group or the other to take a shot at

the presidency.

Some may read opportunism.

He has never hidden his disdain for the dirty things that happen in our politics and has managed to stay above the fray perhaps to sustain his status of incorruptibility. That is perhaps hypocritical. Does he seek to reap the fruits of the despised dirty works of others? So why wouldn’t such a frugal , spartan , inflexible, brutally frank man stay away from party politics like many others for whom party politics is pure filth? He appears to be possessed by a messianic zeal. Such a zeal may lend some internal justification to flirtation with filth if the motive is ultimately to save.

Three failed attempts at the presidency albeit on weak platforms , Buhari , now referred to as a serial loser by the PDP propaganda machine, ought to have grown weary of trying . Accusations of being desperate and blinded by ambition to the detriment of younger elements who would be formidable candidates with his support have merits. He is not alone. Many old Nigerian politicians never deliberately leave the stage to give room to youth.

On a closer assessment the party platforms he has used in the previous attempts have been so bereft of any cohesion and structure that he could well have run as an independent candidate . And that is why even those failed attempts were revealing and they showed his overwhelming personal

Continues on pg 52

52—SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

Continues from pg 51 popularity in the north.

Now surrounded by astute politicians of all shades and riding on a rugged well oiled machinery Buhari has gathered momentum and he looks every inch electable.

You crunch the numbers and vary permutations and he is in there barely 2 weeks to the vote. A Buhari victory once considered only possible is now arguably probable.

And that heightened prospect rests not just on a projection of a clean sweep of the North east and north west but on the pro Buhari trends in Kwara , Lagos , oyo, ogun . Edo is it. With Imo and Rivers now in play, many APC stalwarts are dreaming victory parties.

T

he Buhari candidacy comes with bags of votes but is fraught with complications inherent in the person and personality of the General and atrocities committed by his defunct military regime. These blemishes are perhaps elaborated by his depiction as an old , out of touch, inflexible ethnic chauvinist and religious fundamentalist who despises the rule of law and is intolerant of dissent, and somebody whose abysmal human rights record is ordinarily grave enough to banish him from leadership of any sort. This politically unflattering impression of him has gained traction amongst many in southern Nigeria.

The opposition he now leads knows Buhari’s baggage and knows that some of his apparent shortcomings would be exploited maximally by their opponents. But Buhari brings much more to the table. Buhari is almost indispensable to the unity , stability and progress of the opposition coalition . There are cogent compelling and pragmatic reasons why Buhari should lead APC at its inception , at its most vulnerable phase.

Political mergers have routinely failed in this country and even ZIk

From parade ground to his 2015 chances and Awolowo with all their political sagacity could not fashion one.

APC, many believed, would only succeed if the principal actors in the parties prioritized the nation’s need for a second national party above their individual interests. A one party rule, and that has been the fate of Nigeria, is antithetical to practice of proper democracy because democracy entails freedom to choose and there is no free choice in the absence of real alternatives. One great understated aspect of checks and balances in a democratic setting is the political vigilantism offered by political competition or rivalry of political parties. A one party state is a civilian dictatorship. In the interest of democracy and national unity PDPs domination had to be challenged or broken. The merger that became APC was a great national service Buhari had vowed not to run after three failed attempts but a major problem remained because in the absence of a towering figure everyone could defer to, the field would be open to many northern politicians and a proxy war of the main characters could still breed acrimony. The party needed a political figure that would command the respect of all and achieve needed cohesion for the party especially in the north where it must have a strong foothold.

Tinubu claims Buhari was begged to run, to lead. Buhari was the party’s most viable option - the one to whom everyone could concede defeat without mourning any loss.

He won the party ticket overwhelmingly and the party contrary to expectations and fears

came out of the presidential primaries stronger. Many had begun contemplating his second coming.

He was unknown when he came the first time. Frail, cold and taciturn but resolute and strong willed, he sent the politicians packing and packed many into prisons. It was the last day of 1983, the good old days when Christmas festivities were customarily, for my family and we enjoyed in the village. The news of the coup had injected a dose of excitement into the merry atmosphere. Radio sets blared martial music with intermittent replays of the coup speeches as adults gathered in exhilarated clusters.

When Buhari was announced as new head of state , my father looked at the faces of his brothers and found blankness. They continued with furrowed foreheads to pronounce the name ,Buhari, as if in so doing they might remember something about the man. They must have been searching their civil war mental files. He was unknown. GOCs weren’t widely known those days .

They were surprised to learn that I recognized the name. They spoke of their fears of Hausa- Fulani’s perpetual domination of the country, and this didn’t make sense to me. I was too young to understand them. I am grown now, and that worry lingers in the hearts of many Igbos.

I was a student of Airforce military school Jos then and Buhari was the GOC of 3rd Div, about 3kms from my school down the old airport road. We had all

Buhari had vowed not to run after three failed attempts but a major problem remained because in the absence of a towering figure everyone could defer to, the field would be open to many northern politicians and a proxy war of the main characters could still breed acrimony

come to know Buhari, his figure and his voice. A couple of months before the coup , day and night traffic of small military planes into our school ( old Jos airport) had increased and many times we had paused our military activities to pay compliments to the slender General who always replied our “Good evening sir!

Permission to carry on sir” with high pitched almost feminine “Carry on”. I imagined he was easy going and soft but I was wrong. Buhari has remained relatively incompletely bared till date. Late Tunde Idiagbon did all the speaking for that regime.

The regime engaged in the most radical attempts at social engineering ever in this country and left many reeling in pain.

And horror. Draconian decrees were promulgated and many heinous human rights breaches were perpetrated.. From the Dikko abduction and crating to the obnoxious decree 20 and the sacrilege of the execution Barth Owo and and 2 others to the repressive decree 4 and arrest and detention of from Nduka Irabor and Tunde Thompson to the Ekwueme mistreatment , it was a litany of rights transgressions on an unprecedented scale. He was too uncompromising, even for his fellow coupists and military colleagues and his rule , though short, left different marks on different people. His “war against indiscipline” had soldiers whip people to stay on queues and civil servants who came late to work were physically punished. His methods were crude and brutal but his interest and passion in arresting moral decay and impunity could not be questioned.

B

uhari’s negative antecedents have been regarded by many as formidable obstacle to his electability. Time heals, they say, Again, there were also some gains. For the first time Nigerians started queuing up from the banks to the bus stops. Unbelievably, Nigerians respected discipline and orderliness. All that is gone now.

Often, our leaders get away with so much. Perhaps we treat with levity lessons from history.

Others say Nigerians suffer from a debilitating collective amnesia.

But if we have made light of Buhari’s gross human rights abuses we would not forget his patriotism , discipline and forthrightness and apparent resentment for corruption. And some of the atrocities committed by that regime could be explained as fall-outs of an overzealous but patriotic attempt to arrest decadence in the society by a youthful and naïve military junta.

Keeping Alex Ekwueme in kirikiri while Shagari enjoyed a house arrest in Ikoyi was wrong but to interpret it as evidence of ethnic bias then one must ask why Umaru Dikko who was very influential in the Shagari regime suffered some of the worst forms

Continues on pg 53

SATURDAY

Continues from pg 52 of human degradation in history. He was picked off the street in London, crated and bound for the luggage compartment of a waiting Nigerian airways plane at Stansted Airport . He was a northern Muslim. Some will say , “what about the 53 suitcase?”

“And what about Uba Ahmed?”

Buhari has many questions to answer. He owes this nation a comprehensive memoir.

I

f time has done Buhari a favour, then the fortune of his new alliance with advertised pro democracy activists, APC’s progressive credentials and endorsements by many human rights activists has provided him with some further sanctification.

Allegations of Islamic fundamentalism and consequent religious intolerance leveled against Buhari have remained largely unsubstantiated with his supporters claiming that these conjectures , as they refer to them , show the extent of desperation and frustration Buhari’s growing electoral acceptability has instigated in his opponents.

All voices in northern Nigeria including the sultan of Sokoto and senior members of the Jonathan government have made call on Boko Haram similar to Buhari’s calls of tactful engagement to stop the menace of Boko Haram. Boko Haram, at the time, had not evolved into this monstrous compulsive blood seeking strain. The Jonathan administration in consonance with such widely held sentiments established a committee to approach and bargain with Boko Haram and to work out an amnesty protocol. Remember Obasanjo visited Yusuf’s family.

So Buhari’s call didn’t happen in isolation and had some wisdom at the time. Buhari has since publicly labeled the group as a bunch of “mindless bigots masquerading as Muslims” .

Repeated suggestions by members of the ruling party that Buhari has links with Boko haram have not been supported by even a shred of evidence despite Jonathan’s control of the investigative arms of the criminal justice structure.

Nigeria lacks the sort of national cohesiveness that would naturally make everyone think – nation first. The hearts of Nigerians are with their clans and tribes and religions before the country. So its all too common to hear so called statesmen speak in tones that betray these primary allegiances.

The accusation that he will Islamise Nigeria lacks basis and a ruse to beguile Southern Christians . If Buhari suffers from any major handicap it must be his age. Regardless of the arguments of his supporters, there is a reason why people generally retire at 70. Many worry about his ability to cope mentally and physically with the rigours of the office of the president of a country like Nigeria. Governor Fashola has inadvertently corroborated C M Y K

Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015—53

peg has to be square- shaped.

Mandela, out of prison, offered south Africa the leadership they most needed, a leadership that fostered unity. African countries generally have never suffered from lack of economic theorists and technocrats. No. They have always suffered from lack of leaders who have the political will to be fair and just to the ordinary people, who will place the interest of their countries above personal and group interests.

Nigeria suffers from a grave security challenge posed mainly by the now seemingly intractable Boko Haram insurgency. Buhari once led a successful military onslaught against a similar insurrection by the Maitasine sect and routed them. He has the courage and capacity and political goodwill to confront the insurgency militarily and diplomatically.

The Nigerian polity has suffered a widespread decay in societal values. The country needs moral regeneration. Buhari has a reputation for moral rectitude and steadfastness. He can provide positive symbolic leadership to re engineer societal mores and enthrone a culture of order and discipline and check pervasive corruption and impunity .

From parade ground to his 2015 chances these fears when he warned Lagosians not to vote a 57 year old Jimi Agbaje as governor as he considered him too old. Old age they say comes with vulnerability to infirmity . Hilary Clinton is almost 70 and may be the next US president . That is not to suggest that we should not rather have a much younger president .

Without caution , the ruling party and their agents have engaged in all manner of unethical ploys to suggest that Buhari isn’t just too old but that he is too frail and possibly terminally ill. Suggestion of infirmity and terminal illness without verifiable evidence is political rascality of the most despicable sort. And when a governor like Fayose engages in an outrageously abominable act of suggesting in paid advertorials that a president Buhari may die in office then its evident the ruling party isn’t just capitulating they are disintegrating morally.

Buhari didn’t tender his certificates and that is a procedural

lapse. He ought to have submitted at least one relevant certificate.

The ruling party has latched on that and even claimed that Buhari had no secondary school education. It doesn’t matter to them that he progressed in the army , holding command positions and became a general and that he attended a course at US war college amongst others. It doesn’t matter to them that the constitution sought to ensure a certain level of educational exposure for political office candidates.

Watching Buharis interview on Television a few weeks ago he came across as passionate , spontaneous and mentally alert .

Many have wondered if zeal and patriotism alone are enough . And if honesty and harsh anti corruption stance are the only qualities needed to usher in good governance. Julius Nyerere possessed those qualities , didn’t amass wealth but left Tanzania poor. Clinton, during his visit to Nigeria before leaving office, emphasized the need to have not just honest leaders but capable leaders who can create platforms for individuals to maximize their potentials and for the nation to prosper.

Nigeria needs a discussion by the constituent groups to fashion out the protocols of their association and perhaps agree on a new workable constitution. The present constitution is defective and problematic. Buhari has the courage and political goodwill to commit the conservative and hesitant north to such an arrangement for the benefit of the country.

T

Capability and suitability are context specific. If the hole is square, the right

Nigeria needs a discussion by the constituent groups to fashion out the protocols of their association and perhaps agree on a new workable constitution.

he Nigerian nation needs a leader who will act as a political back bone. Many feel Buhari is a man whose time has come. If it comes he must expressly clear doubts and fears of his coming to further Hausa Fulani hegemony, he must stay away from Sharia and foster religious plurality. He must enthrone an order that rewards merit and excellence and must discourage mediocrity under any guise. He must rout Boko Haram root and branch. He must give Nigerians steady power and diversify revenue generation making us non oil dependent. It has to be jobs , jobs , jobs.

A Buhari victory will be good for the PDP because the party needs reformation and it can only do so in opposition. A reformed PDP is an asset to the nation.

If he doesn’t win, he must fortify the party, prevent decampments and help institute a virile opposition. The institution of a virile , competitive and electable opposition is perhaps as worthy as being a good president. The earlier APC wins and becomes entrenched the better for the country because the country needs at least two very strong parties even if those parties are identical in all respects except name. With competition the parties will mature and evolve differently.

Dr UGOJI EGBUJO (MBBS, LLB, LLM)

54—SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

disenchantment has set in. The people are protesting. They are seeking a way out of the quagmire.

Fortunately for the people, the PDP has presented them with a viable alternative. Those who are not close enough to the state would think that the name, Senator Abdalla Wali, sounds distant or unfamiliar. That is the PDP governorship candidate in the state. He is the man that promises to restore hope to the people of the state. He promises to bring about a change that the people will be proud of. ut Wali is not just any name. He B is a technocrat who rose to the highest levels in the corporate world

•Wamakko

•Bafarawa

In Sokoto, it’s studentteacher confrontation

By AMANZE OBI

T

he week just gone by was particularly busy for me as a political journalist. Those were the days I had to criss cross the south and north of the country in the bid to appreciate better the content and complexity of the Jonathan campaign.

It all began in Imo where Jonathan’s campaign train had stopped over last Saturday. Thereafter, I trailed the campaign train to Sokoto. All this afforded me the opportunity to have a personal feel of the campaigns.

While I was in Owerri for the president’s visit, I used a number of platforms, including radio and television, to tell the story of the Jonathan Presidency. The narratives served as an eye opener to many who, hitherto, were ignorant of the bag of luck that Goodluck is. I do not want to repeat myself here. Suffice it to say that the people of Imo State were convinced, more than ever before, on the need to continue to cruise on the victory bandwagon which the Jonathan continuity mantra represents.

After the Imo experience, I trailed the campaign train to Sokoto where I came face to face with brand new realities about the politics of the state which many are unaware of. I have witnessed a number of presidential visits to Sokoto state, beginning from the era of General Obasanjo. But the crowd of enthusiasts that filed out to receive President Jonathan four days ago made my earlier encounters look like child’s play. The rally was the second that I have witnessed in Sokoto under the Jonathan presidency. The first was when Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, the former governor of Sokoto State, was to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in February last year. It was heralded by a presidential visit.

President Jonathan was in Sokoto to receive Bafarawa and his teeming

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supporters into the PDP. I was a witness to that event.

At the reception rally last February, Bafarawa had told Jonathan not to lose sleep over Sokoto. He told the president that he and his supporters would deliver the state to the PDP in 2015. Almost a year after, the time to make good the promises have come.

Jonathan therefore had to return to Sokoto. He had come to solicit for the people’s votes to enable him return as president. He had to connect with them personally again as he did a year ago. But much more than that, it was an occasion for Bafarawa to tell the president how much support he had rallied for him since last February.

For any observer of what transpired in Sokoto this Monday, the story was a simple one to tell. The mammoth crowd told all the story. The expansive Shehu Kangiwa Square, venue of the occasion, was bursting at the seams. The sea of heads made what we have been witnessing elsewhere look like mere rehearsals.

The people of Sokoto state turned out in their large numbers as a testimony of their belief in and acceptance of the Jonathan administration. In fact, the mammoth crowd made Bafarawa’s story an easy one. The people have told the story for him with their exuberant support and displays. But he still needed to say it in his own words.

When it was time for Bafarawa to talk, he dutifully reminded Jonathan of what he (Bafarawa) said a year ago. He had told Jonathan then that Sokoto, thenceforth, belonged to PDP. That he was going to get the people of the state to vote massively for Jonathan in 2015. Bafarawa had to reiterate it again. And nobody who was part of the occasion, including the president, had cause to doubt him. Sokoto, from what we saw, is clearly on the side of Bafarawa and the PDP team at all levels of the

election.

If you are a keen follower of politics in the state, you cannot but wonder what has happened to Governor Aliyu Wamakko and his supporters. How did the governor burn out the goodwill he once had?

To address this issue, we must cast our minds back to how Wamakko found relevance in Sokoto politics in the first place. Let us recall that Wamakko was an accident on the Sokoto political landscape. The Obasanjo presidency used him in 2007 to upstage Bafarawa, the then outgoing governor, who had turned down Obasanjo’s entreaties to join the PDP. The manner of Wamakko’s emergence was bad enough. He was a product of treachery. But it was worse that the governor, on ascension to power, used his office to undermine his successor.

Bafarawa has had to live with the humiliation from Wamakko for nearly eight years now. But judgement day is fast approaching.

The politics of the last eight years has taken a toll on the development and growth of the state. Rather than embark on people-oriented programmes and projects, Wamakko chose to pursue hate and vendetta.

After eight years of shadow-boxing, the people are now asking questions. How did they come to this dangerous bend? Why and how did good governance take flight from the state? o situate the situation, the T people are now making comparisons. They have cast their

minds back to the Bafarawa era and are feeling nostalgic about it. They remember the hundreds of kilometres of roads that Bafarawa gave them. They remember the lifechanging, people-centered projects of the Bafarawa era. Those good old days are not just gone, the present offers no hope. Consequently,

The people of Sokoto state turned out in their large numbers as a testimony of their belief in and acceptance of the Jonathan administration

before the tour of duty took him to the Sokoto state civil service. He forayed into politics during the Abacha era and contested and won election to the still-born House of Representatives at the time. He was a senator of the Federal Republic between 1999 and 2003 and was the first Senate Leader at the time. He was also the first Minister of National Planning under the Obasanjo presidency. Wali’s latest public office was that of Nigeria’s envoy to the Kingdom of Morocco, a position he relinquished in October last year to stand election as governor. He is bringing this rich pedigree into the contest.

Indeed, the duo of Bafarawa and Wali pose a serious threat to the reign and rule of Wamakko and his followers. Whereas Bafarawa would tell you that there is no basis for comparison between him and Wamakko in politics, Wali sees both Wamakko and his anointed candidate, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, as junior politicians who operated “under us” before their accidental elevation. For Wali therefore, both Wamakko and Tambuwal remain political feather weights who will easily cave in when confronted with the dexterity and sagacity of the Bafarawas, and now, Walis of Sokoto state.

In fact, the story in the streets of Sokoto is that the 2015 contest is essentially between Bafarawa and Wamakko. It promises to be a show of political strength and superiority. But for Bafarawa, the election will be a no contest because, as he puts it, “Wamakko is my student.” Bafarawa does not see how a student would constitute a challenge to his teacher in the area of knowledge. Such a student-teacher equation cannot balance.

Then when you introduce Tambuwal into the mix, the people concerned simply laugh. They tell you that this Tambuwal you people talk about is not known beyond the two local government areas that he represents at the National Assembly.

They will also tell you that Tambuwal is a creation of Abuja and that his popularity, if he has one, does not go beyond Abuja. The people of Sokoto state hardly know him and cannot reckon with an unknown quantity.

Besides, Wali easily dismisses Tambuwal because, as he put it, he (Tambuwal) is operating under the shadow of Wamakko. Since the people are disenchanted with Wamakko, they also will not be properly disposed to whoever he anoints. The point being made is that Tambuwal would have fared better if he were not operating under the tutelage of Wamakko. Such is the permutation. In a matter of weeks, the supremacy contest will graduate to the realm of practicality.

SATURDAY

Armed groups are back to creeks in Niger Delta — Asuni

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME Dr Judy Asuni is the executive Director Academic Associate Peaceworks. She has been at the forefront of reforming armed youths otherwise called militants in the Niger Delta for close to a decade.

In this interview, Dr Asuni

speaks on efforts by her body to ensure a violent free election. She also expresses worries that some of the armed groups in the region have started returning to the creeks. Excerpt: What are your fears about the coming elections My fears are that we may

see even more violence than we saw in previous elections. The stakes are very high now. I have just been to Abuja, the tensions in the north, people in the north feeling it is time to get their Representatives back. People In the

Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015—55

•Asuni...

My fears are that we may see even more violence than we saw in previous elections

South South are feeling that Goodluck Jonathan should continue as President. I am afraid that the stakes are higher than before. We are working on a project with funding from Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta, PIND, on non violent elections for 2015. We have worked for more than a decade now with members of the armed groups in the Niger Delta. They killed some of the young men in political violence in the past. So we are trying to get the message home that you may be hired to harass, intimidate and steal ballot boxes by opponents but ultimately you can lose your lives in the process.

We are doing a series of videos about people who have been killed in political violence. Talking to their wives, their children, sometimes their mothers.

It is very sad, because the long time impact is huge, children growing up without any father. We interviewed a family where the child was in the womb when the father was killed.

So this child has never known the father.

In Rivers state we have had situations where APC secretariats have been reportedly bombed on two occasions, the PDP governorship candidate was also allegedly attacked during his campaign .

Do you see people coming out to vote during the elections with violence already in the air?

I hope that they will turn up for the elections. We are working on eighteen local governments areas likely prone to violence, one of them is Okirika where APC secretariat has been attacked. The other local governments are also prone to violence . One thing we are trying to do is get people to take control of the elections themselves, take control of the governance process.

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56 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

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SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2014—57

PDP presidential campaigns in Bauchi, Jigawa

APC presidential campaign in Sokoto, Katsina

President Goodluck Jonathan, Adamu Mu’azu, PDP National Chairman (behind the President); Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido (behind the Chairman), and Vice President Namadi Sambo (right), during their rally in Jigawa.

APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (ret), and his Vice, waving to the crowd.

JON ATHAN, BUHARI 2ND WEEK TTOURS: OURS: JONA

Their promises, the issues

BY CHARLES KUMOLU& GBENGA OKE

A retrospective look at the campaign pledges of the two leading presidential candidates, President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, and Gen Mohammadu Buhari ,rtd, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the past five days, showed a deluge of promises on how to move Nigeria forward. Unlike the pattern since the presidential campaigns commenced, the rhetorics were less confrontational and offensive from both parties this week.

President Goodluck Jonathan (PDP Presidential Candidate) SOKOTO: We will improve agriculture “As President, my administration established 14 new Universities, four was built in the South while 10 was built in the North, yet they keep telling you I hate the North. If truly I hate the North and I do not want the children from the North to be like me, will I take such action”.

“In the area of Agriculture, tell me of any government that has supported the North with several agricultural equipment and with billions in cash loans. If I don’t like the North, will they benefit up to 70percent of Agricultural reforms we are doing?’’

KEBBI: I’ll step up rice production President Jonathan promised that the rice revolution in Kebbi State would be stepped up to stop importation in Nigeria.

“I want to plead with Nigerians not to mind all the criticisms against me and my administration to vote for us. Our achievements so far have been seen

by Nigerians and the people of the north-west need to vote us back into power at the February 14 presidential elections. Part of our developmental plans for Kebbi is to step up the rice revolution in the state”.

ZAMFARA: We will build an airport President Jonathan promised the people of Zamfara State a befitting airport if re-elected.

“We must fix Bakolori Dam and irrigation project for our farmers. We will work with you to explore the solid minerals in the state to create jobs for the young people.

We will also improve education and that is why we created a university in Zamfara State and we will make sure we step up on agriculture. That is why we also have a silo here; about 100,000 metric tonnes capacity. We will do everything to make sure we create jobs for you; to make sure that you are educated.”

KATSINA: We built a federal university ‘’My administration was able to provide Katsina State a Federal University when it became C M Y K

embarrassing that as the cradle of western education in the country, the state could not boast of a federal university. ‘’Katsina State had produced the first female pilot among those currently being trained under the Petroleum Development Trust Fund (PTDF) and my administration has associated more with farmers more than any other in the country’s history.

“We have challenges like many other countries in the world but we are still managing because of our focus. We will get through our challenges because we are working hard and you know it.”

We have done well by building Almajiri’s schools, fighting desertification, youth unemployment among others in the state and the country in general.’’

KANO: Jonathan promises more Industries In Kano he said: “We are trying to create young business men and luckily we are in Kano, and if you talk about business, you remember people like the Aliko Dangotes, you can remember the Dantatas, the Rabius and others.

We will surely work with you to encourage small and micro medium scale enterprises to make sure young people like you grow up to the likes of Aliko Dangotes.

That is what we stand for, that is what we are working for.

“We reassure you that working with you, we will surely continue to improve commerce and industry in Kano. We will make sure young people have jobs, our women will have jobs; and that the economy of Kano will continue to grow from strength to strength.”

BAUCHI: Solid mineral development to receive priority At the Bauchi rally, he vowed to empower the youths. He said his government would focus more on the solid mineral development which is capable of providing empowerment to the youths of Bauchi State.

General Muhammadu Buhari

(APC Presidential Candidate)

KANO: I will fight insecurity “Wherever I go, I speak on three fundamental issues; insecurity, unemployment and corruption because they are the main challenges bedevilling the country. So, I am using this opportunity to call on you, particularly the youth, to make sure you obtain your voter cards to enable you vote for us to assist you. All these noise will not help matters if you fail to come out and vote for the APC during the forthcoming elections in the country, ‘’ I am appealing to you; the damage done to this country is great. The level of unemployment, level of insecurity is intolerable. The journey has begun. It will take time, it will take patience, it will take support from you to make sure that we succeed. My administration will serve the people of this country judiciously, through improved healthcare delivery system, and quality education, to enable the citizens enjoy the dividends of democracy.’’

KADUNA: Protect your votes and shun violence The rally in Kaduna was an avenue to re-echo his calls on his supporters to ensure that their votes are protected. ‘’We are calling on you, on February 14, pick your voters’ cards, vote, protect your votes, escort your votes and wait. Anywhere I go, I speak about three things that are major challenges to us as a nation since the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came to power 16 years ago ‘’If we vote APC, we are helping ourselves. We will renovate and equip our schools and employ teachers.

We will renovate our hospitals, equip them and supply them with drugs. We will rehabilitate the entire bad roads. By the grace of God, within two years into my administration, if elected, Nigerians will see a remarkable difference. We believe in democracy, and that is why in spite of the fact that we were short changed in 2003, 2007 and 20011, we did not ask anybody to go and kill or slaughter anybody, we went to the courts.’’

58 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

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SATURDAY

Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015—59 seek redress by going to another party to get my ticket so that we can slug it out on the field.

Which party is this?

The Social Democratic Party.

DELTA POLL: How I will reclaim my mandate through SDP Abigor fumes over PDP's substitution of his name with loser of Warri South Primary •Godwin Toritseju Abigor

BY DAPO AKINREFON

M

r Godwin Toritseju Abigor was a former leader of Warri South legislative arm. He contested the primary on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Warri South constituency House of Assembly seat and won and even given Certificate of Return

by INEC but his name was replaced by the national leadership of the party in Abuja.

In this interview, Abigor laments the way and manner his mandate was taken away from him by the PDP. Justifying his decision to contest the election on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), he says he has what it takes to represent Warri South 1 constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly. He also maintains that the Delta State governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa is the best among other contenders.

Excerpts: What informed your decision to leave the PDP for the SDP? I decided to leave the PDP when it became clear that the party has chosen not to take the part of democracy with the process of picking its candidate in my constituency. They violated the same principles and standards set by the party.

The party has electoral guidelines and constitution that

provide that any aspirant that gets one simple majority, in the party primaries, should be the right candidate of the party.

Since the party deviated from this simple principle and substituted my name, I decided to protect the mandate of the people because the person they chose does not enjoy the mandate of the people of Warri South Constituency. All efforts, in terms of petition, in spite of the all the documentary evidence, police report and the certificate given to me were ignored.

The certified true copy of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is with me and in spite of all that, they decided to give the ticket to somebody who came second. So, all efforts made by me to correct this injustice was thwarted by the party at the national level and the courts are on strike.

Who was given the ticket?

The person who was given the ticket of the party, Mrs Omawumi Udoh, boasted before hand that she was not relying on the grassroots appeal to get her ticket but that Abuja would always give her the ticket.

She boasted before the primary.

But did you suspect any foul play from any quarters perhaps at the state level?

No. There was no foul play because I have the result given to me by the state chairman of the party and this is the same result that was released from Abuja. As it is, they have two sets of results

and to justify what they did, they gave her another result where our scores were swapped.

In fact the question is this: how did she get the result she is parading? Where was the election held that gave her that result? Let her provide documentary evidence to that effect.

Have you petitioned the national leadership of the party?

I have and I even petitioned INEC. She is using a forged result, the police have the authentic result, let her provide documentary evidence to defend the result given to her, she does not have it. That will show you the level of desperation by this woman. She boasted that she would use both the party at the national level and the traditional institution to emerge the candidate. She has succeeded in doing that with the party in Abuja.

Rather than you leaving the PDP, why didn’t you seek legal redress at the court?

If you look at the PDP, there have been so many anomalies. If you recall, the national chairman buttressed this in his comment about it that there were so many injustices in the PDP and mine was just one of them.

I will not criticise the PDP but the fact is that since the PDP has decided to give her the ticket, I just want to prove a point that she cannot steal the mandate given to me. Also, the people at the grassroots are those that will decide who they want to give their mandate to and I know that I enjoy the massive support of the people on ground.

Since the PDP has decided to be manipulative, I decided to

I decided to leave the PDP when it became clear that the party has chosen not to take the part of democracy with the process of picking its candidate in my constituency

Having gone to the SPD, what are your plans for your constituency?

It is to give them quality representation. The present occupant of the seat was not available to represent our constituency in the house. She was not there, she was absent and if you follow the rule, she was supposed to have vacated the seat because she was absent almost throughout the mandatory time expected as a lawmaker. She could not meet up with the minimum number of sitting. She is supposed to have vacated the seat going by that rule because she was always not there when decisions were taken, when the house was sitting.

Also, she has not given quality representation to the people, she has lost touch with the people. For somebody that has served for 12 years, she does not have anything to show for it and that is why she is afraid to go to the field because she is not the peoples’ person.

She has failed the people in terms of representation, she has not raised any meaningful motion, she has not projected the aspirations of her people and she does not have the capacity to represent her people effectively. That is why there is this agitation to get her out. In the last dispensation, we almost lost the seat to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria. Because everybody struggled to give her the ticket and also the fact that Governor Emmanuel Udughan is an Itsekiri person, that gave her an edge.

Do you think you stand a chance to win the February election on the platform of the SDP? Of course. We talk about the individual driving the process. I have been a councilor three times and with that, I have been a grass root politician; I contested for the chairman of the council in 2002 but due to the crisis within that period, I had to go to the state. I have been leader of the legislative arm, I have been in touch with my people because they know me so well. I was born and brought up in Warri, they know my family and my root and I have that strong bond with my people. So, they know me as a thorough Warri man and that is a big advantage.

Also, the manifesto of the SDP share the same ideology with the PDP. In terms of ideology, we do not have a clash there.

How do you see the chances of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa?

Dr Okowa is somebody I am affiliated with for so many years. He is a man I believe that has the administrative acumen with the current governor, he is a very thorough person and he understands the feelings of the different ethnic groups in Delta State. He knows Delta state. I believe that among the candidates, he has what it takes to move Delta State forward.

He is the best man for the job because he is a thorough administrator who will continue from where the governor stops. He also has the capacity to take Delta State to greater heights. So, the choice of Okowa is the right choice, because he has what it takes to move Delta State forward.

60 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

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SATURDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2015 — 61

Eagles begin 2017 AFCON chase in June

T

HE Super Eagles will seek to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations starting from June 8-16, 2015, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed.

The African champions

West Brom eye Ameobi for Ideye W

EST Brom coach Tony Pulis is reportedly eyeing a move for former Newcastle United forward Shola Ameobi to replace record signing Brown Ideye who has failed to settle since his 10 million pounds move to the Hawthorns.

Pulis wants to bolster his forward line this January and also wants support for top striker Saido Berhaino and views The former Newcastle centre forward who is available for free after ending his contract with Turkish side Gaziantep BB as an option going by his experience in the English Premiership.

The Daily Mail reports no deal has yet been

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agreed and West Brom face competition for his services with Crystal Palace also monitoring the 33-year-old’s situation.

But Albion have presented 6ft 3in Ameobi with terms and are edging ahead. Pulis has space in his squad with Georgios Samaras set to join Al-Hilal on loan.

D

“For the first time, the host country will participate in the qualifying stages; though the matches concerned will not be computed for points, they shall count as friendlies,” the statement also read.

Meanwhile, CAF also announced that the host country for the 2017 edition will be made known during their Ordinary General Assembly in Cairo on April 8.

The Super Eagles failed to qualify from a group that had South Africa, Congo, and Sudan, and have not been defending the title they won in South Africa in 2013 in Equatorial Guinea.

Ghana pip Algeria G

THE ONE... Gyan celebrates his goal yesterday.

Siasia eyes victory against Tunisia REAM Team VI coach, Samson Siasia says they want to win their preparatory games before taking on Gabon in the 2015 All Africa Games qualifiers.

The Nigerian U23’s will take part in two sets of preparatory games be-

failed to make the 2015 edition currently going on in Equatorial Guinea, after only winning it two years ago in South Africa, but will start their quest to make the next edition starting from June.

“The draws for the groups shall be done on 8 April 2015, in Cairo, immediately after the announcement of the host country of the 2017 edition,” a statement from CAF read in part.

CAF also announced a change in the format of the qualifying series, with the host country participating in the qualifiers from the next edition.

fore starting the qualifying process for the All Africa Games.

The team have been divided in two, with one set playing two games against Tunisia in Tunis, while the other play in the Super Six tournament in Nigeria.

“We don’t just want to play these games, we want to win them because they are important to us and our preparation for the All Africa Games qualifiers.

“Winning will give the players the kind of mentality we want heading

HANA captain Asamoah Gyan struck a dramatic late winner to keep alive his side’s hopes of reaching into the qualifiers and that is exactly what we want to achieve,” Siasia said.

The Dream Team will play the first leg of their qualifiers against Gabon on February 20in Libreville, before playing the second leg in Nigeria a fortnight later.

the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.

In a game of very few chances, Gyan snatched an unlikely victory when he latched on to a long ball and angled in a drive in stoppage time.

Algeria missed the only other clear chance when Nabil Bentaleb side-footed well wide from 12 yards on 20 minutes.

The game had looked set to remain goalless until Gyan’s late strike.

62 — SATURDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2015

Nadal avoids Federer’s fate with win

R

AFA Nadal reached the fourth round of the Australian Open with a 6-1 6-0 7-5 win over Israel’s Dudi Sela on Friday, avoiding the fate that befell great rival Roger Federer who

had earlier lost to Andreas Seppi.

Third seeded Nadal had himself narrowly avoided an early exit when he took five sets and more than four hours to beat American qualifier Tim Smyczek

Oshoala: I joined Liverpool because of Suarez L

UIS Suarez may have departed Liverpool, but he continues to play a part in shaping the club’s future.

Liverpool Ladies continued strengthening their squad for the forthcoming season with the prize capture of African Women’s Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria And the 20-year-old Super Falcons forward reveals the exploits of a certain Uruguayan meant she jumped at the chance of a move to Merseyside.

“In Nigeria, I always dreamed of coming to England to play, and Liverpool are a team I have liked a lot,” says Oshoala.

“I support the men’s team and have followed the results of the women’s team.

“When I got the deal from them I was very excited.

“I supported Liverpool

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when I was younger, especially when Luis Suarez was still here.

He’s a player I have really admired.”

Oshoala arrives at Liverpool Ladies with a burgeoning reputation having packed much into a still formative career.

She was voted the most valuable player and top scored at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in helping Nigeria finish runners up, and also helped club side Rivers Angels win the league and cup double in her homeland.

Such success led Oshoala to be named both African Women’s Footballer of the Year and Youth Player of the Year for 2014, and last September she was made a Member of the Order of the Niger by Goodluck Jonathan, President of Nigeria.

Having retained their title in dramatic fashion on the final day last sea-

son, Liverpool Ladies are determined to make an impact in the forthcoming Champions League.

And that proved a lure for Oshoala, who will star for her country in this summer’s World Cup in Canada.

“Moving to Liverpool is the next step for me,” she says. “I am looking forward to the next World Cup, Nigeria haven’t qualified from the group stages in a long time and that would be an aim.

“Individually, I want to be a better player than I was in 2014.

“The dream of every player is to play in the Champions League, both men and women. That’s what makes it even more exciting to be moving to Liverpool – to have that chance.

“This season, I want to make sure I work hard and help us retain the league. It’s going to be tough because there are a lot of good teams out

there.”

While a fan of Suarez, Oshoala cites Dutch great Clarence Seedorf as her great inspiration and has even been nicknamed after the former AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder.

“I like him so much,” she says. “I like players who work hard and give everything on the pitch.

“When you see a player like that, he is an in-

spiration. I love the way Seedorf played, everything about him.

“For the same reason, I admire Luis Suarez. He is ready to give everything and do everything for his club, and I love players like that.

“I’d like to think I play like that. In the under-20 World Cup with Nigeria, I showed what I can do if I try my best.”

Egwuekwe joins Hapoel Tel Aviv

S

UPER Eagles de fender Azubuike Egwuekwe has joined Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv.

He signed with the Israeli club yesterday after having completed his medical tests.

Egwuekwe only arrived in Israel on Friday to join the Red Demons for an undisclosed fee.

“Nigerian Egwuekwe Azubuike landed in the

morning in Israel and signed after passing medical tests ,” the official website of Hapoel Tel Aviv announced with an accompanying picture of Egwuekwe in the club’s shirt.

Earlier this week, reports had suggested that the Warri Wolves captain was set to join English club West Ham United having made a trip to London.

in the second round as he battled illness, but had no problems against Sela.

The matchup, later in the evening, suited Nadal, who suffered from dehydration, an upset stomach and cramping during the marathon against Smyczek.

The 14-times grand slam winner said he had recovered well enough from the experience that he had described as one of the worst he had felt in his career.

“I was still a little bit dizzy yesterday,” Nadal said. “I think I lost lot of fluids the other night. But in general I was not very, very bad.

Mikel •Continues from BP involved in the transfer window,” Mourinho said.

“If we have to be it’s because somebody pushed us, with some offer for our player. But Chelsea moving and looking for a change? No. “Sometimes we have needs, like we had in the past transfer windows where we sold some players.

“The reality is normally nothing should happen in the next two weeks and we should go to February with the same squad.”

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2015 — 63

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SATURDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2015

Ghana pip Algeria — Pg 61

Mikel: I don’t want to leave Chelsea •Mourinho says no plans to sell

Oshoala: I joined Liverpool because of Suarez

S

UPER Eagles midfielder, John Obi Mikel has reiterated that his loyalty lies with Chelsea, amid reports linking him with a move to Juventus this coming summer.

According to information from the British press, the Nigerian midfielder is being mooted as a possible makeweight in the deal to bring Juventus’s France international Paul Pogba to Stamford Bridge in the next transfer window.

Taking a look at current events, a representative of Mikel admitted that Juventus were known to be long - term admirers of the Nigeria national teamer.

However, the player is not looking to jump ship until he’s shown the exit door by manager Jose Mourinho. ‘’Juventus have always maintained an interest in Mikel, the recent reports are ‘paper talk’,’’ Mikel’s representative told SL10.ng. ‘’I have said this before. He still has a contract with Chelsea, and he is not interested in leaving the club now..‘’At the end of this season, he will weigh up his options.

He is happy being a Chelsea player ’’ Meanwhile, Mourinho says it would take a “phenomenal� offer to sell Ger many World Cup winner Andre Schurrle in the January transfer window. “We don’t want to be

— Pg 62

*I WON’T WALK ALONE... Asisat Oshoala displays her Liverpool jersey yesterday.

Continues on page 62

Solution on page Solution on19 page 21

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1:45pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 6:30pm

0 1

Blackburn Birmingham Chelsea Man City Southampton Sunderland Tottenham Liverpool

5pm 8pm

Down 2 Gravvy – (4) 3 Mongolian Currency – (6) 4 Ondo State Governor, Mr. Olusegun – (6) 5 Tottenham Hotspurs Midfielder, Lewis – (6) 6 Africa’s Longest River – (4) 7 Former United States President, Mr. Dwight – (10) 10 Togolese President, Faure – (10) 12 Corners – (5) 15 L.G.A in Kaduna State – (5) 16 Greek Alphabet – (3) 18 Common Name for “Garri� – (3) 20 Sunshine Stars Striker, Shakibu – (6 21 Former EFCC Chairman, Mrs. Farida – (6) 22 Former South Africa “Bafana Bafana� Defender, Lucas – (6 25 L.G.A in Rivers State – (4) 27 President, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Solomon – (4)

Ghana Senegal

AFCON Mali Guinea Result 1 Algeria 1 South Africa FA Cup 4th Round v Swansea v West Brom v Bradford v Middlesbrough v Crystal Palace v Fulham v Leicester v Bolton vs vs

Across 1 Executive Director, United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Babatunde – (10) 8 Igbo Word for “Six�? – (4) 9 Hebrew Alphabet – (5) 10 Enyimba FC Striker, Sibi – (4) 11 Netherlands Premiership Club-Side – (6) 13 African Antelope – (3) 14 L.G.A in Ebonyi State – (4) 17 Former Ghana “Black Stars�

Striker, Anthony – (6) 19 Former Super Eagles Coach, Samson – (6) 21 Poland Capital City – (6) 23 Beverage – (3) 24 Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Ghali – (6) 26 Entrance – (4) 28 Former Anambra State Governor, Dr. Chris – (5) 29 He invented the Telephone, Graham – (4) 30 Chairman, House Committee on Public Affairs, Hon. Solomon – (10)

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*CHELSEA 4 LIVE... Mikel roars for Chelsea.