Why Buhari is yet to appoint ministers - Presidency

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2 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

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4 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

Buhari dissolves NNPC board •NACCIMA applauds action •Says Board ran Nigeria aground

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief, Michael Eboh, Sebastine Obasi & Favour Nnabugwu

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R E S I D E N T Muhammadu Buhari, has sacked the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Barr. Danladi Kifasi, announced the sack in a statement issued by his Director of Communications, Alh. Haruna Imrana, in Abuja yesterday.

According to the statement, a letter to that effect was conveyed to members, yesterday. The dissolution of the board was with immediate effect.

The letter quoted President Buhari as thanking members of the dissolved board for their services to the nation.

The NNPC is the staterun oil company which oversees Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The last Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani

Alison-Madueke was the last Chairman of the board.

The corporation regulates the oil and gas sector, and also operates as a Joint Venture Partnership with International Oil Companies, IOCs , in the nation’s petroleum sector, on behalf of the federal government.

Sacking the NNPC board was expected especially given recent corruption scandals over alleged billions of dollars of unremitted oil revenue.

The last was the allegation by former Governor of the Central bank of Nigeria, CBN, and current Emir of Kano, Mallam Lamido Sanusi created major image problems for the NNPC and remained unresolved, even after an external audit of the corporation’s books.

Mallam Sanusi had initially alleged that NNPC failed to remit $49.8 billion oil revenue into the federation. Later the figure changed to $20 billion; then $10 billion. Former President Goodluck Jonathan administration had to launch an

independent audit into the allegations. It was carried out by PriceWaterCoopers and came out with an outstanding $1.48 billion to be paid into the Federation Account.

Last NNPC Board was constituted in 2014. It comprised Mrs. AlisonMadueke, and Group Managing Director, NNPC, Engr., Joseph Dawha.

Other members were: Abdullahi Bukar, Steven Oronsaye, Olusegun Okunnu and Daniel Wadzani.

The Group Executive Director (GED), Finance & Accounts, Bernard Otti; and GED, Corporate Services, Peter Nmadu and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance.

NACCIMA reacts The National Vice President, Oil and Gas, of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Mr. Billy Harry has applauded the

Attention Ambode: Ago people in trouble

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OR years residents of Isolo, Okota and Amuwo Odofin saw hell driving along Ago Road, their major exit. Raji Babatunde Fashola

ordered work and reprieve looked possible.

But contractors have now abandoned the work and residents and other road users can’t believe they

are part of Lagos. They now cry for the attention of the new Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode who has vowed to make Lagosians happy.

•Bad portion of Ago Palace road. Photo: Akeem Salau

•Another bad portion of Ago Palace road. Photo: Akeem Salau

dissolution, stating that the Board has ran this country down, and had over the years demonstrated a clear case of incompetence.

Reacting to the dissolution, Harry said, “they have also demonstrated that they were not out to serve Nigeria, therefore, if the Board is been dissolved it is to the advantage and betterment of Nigeria.”

He, however, advised that the new Board that would be reconstituted should comprise of tested and proven Nigerians, that will show love care and growth for the ordinary Nigerian.”

He said, “Let us be careful to ensure that whichever Board comes on board now, will have tested and proven Nigerians, that will show love care and growth for the ordinary Nigerian.

Because there is nothing that we do in this country that if the ordinary Nigerians do not benefit will have any meaning.

Because for one poor man that we have, we are creating myriads of problems, sociopolitically, economically and even spiritually.

“NNPC, today, is the coordinating centre for

the economy. That is really what it is, because our economy depends on oil and gas. If the president dissolves the Board, it is a very good thing and it should be done with the mindset to put people on Board who should serve Nigeria for the benefit of Nigerians.”

It is a welcome development — Adonri Also speaking, an economic analyst, Mr. David Adonri, who is the Chief Executive Officer of HighCap Securities, a stockbroking firm said, “It is a welcome development, especially as it is obvious that the new administration will likely dissolve all the boards of parastatals and all. I believe this one is coming at this time because it has become very necessary because of the problems in the energy sector.

“The board should have long been dissolved, especially as it has not made it possible for the country to produce refined products locally, but for the country to rely on importation. The board did not perform well.

“My own thought is that the energy sector should be completely

deregulated and sanitised and consequently, NNPC should be disbanded along with all the interest there. Just like we have in the electricity sector, such reforms should be carried out in the oil sector, such that the NNPC should be dissolved and every thing relating to commercial activities by government in the energy sector should be privatised and the industry should be fully deregulated so that what has been done in deregulated industries like the banking industry, the cement industry, electricity and the telecommunication industry could be replicated in the energy industry.”

Other stakeholders celebrate Also reacting, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Frontier Oil Limited, Mr. Dada Thomas stated that it is in the right direction.

According to him, “It is the prerogative of the federal government to appoint or dissolve the board. I assume it is done for the common good.

•Continues on Page 5

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015 — 5

How APC crisis is solidifying Buhari

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor and Levinus Nwabughiogu

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ESPITE the seeming drift in the top leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC neither President Muhammadu Buhari nor otherwise neutral top officials of the party will openly intervene normally reliable sources in the party have disclosed.

The hesitance of the president, Saturday Vanguard gathered is also coming in the light of a strong division in the National Working Committee, NWC of the party as a number of party chieftains are said to have expressed strong reservations on the official positions taken by the party.

A number of party activists also do not want the president to intervene as they believe that the crisis is weakening the hands of the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has reportedly been steadfast in sticking to the official positions taken by the party.

The drift in the party came to a head in the two chambers of the National Assembly on Thursday when the Senate shoved aside the party’s directive on the nomination of principal officers of the Senate and presented senators elected by the party’s different caucuses of the party.

The attempt by Speaker Yakubu Dogara to also do a similar thing in the House led to a free for all that inevitably put the party in bad light.

The developments nonetheless, the party on Thursday night stuck to its guns that its nominees must take office as principal officers of the National Assembly.

One reason being given for the president’s reluctance to intervene was his initial pronouncement that he belongs to everybody and belongs to nobody.

“Directly intervening would mean that the president is taking sides with one side,” a source disclosed. Even more, some associates of the president see the ensuring development as playing out positively for the president as the squab-

ble between the party and a prominent national leader on one hand against the National Assembly leaders does not do the president any harm, rather he could benefit from it as it weakens the hands of the national leader,” a source disclosed.

Meanwhile, some top party officials mediating in the crisis, Saturday Vanguard learnt, have also told the president that the crisis could be to his advantage as it is increasingly weakening the hands of Tinubu who is believed to be strongly in favour of the decisions taken by the party leadership.

With the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives out of the grip of Tinubu, the national leader of the party, associates who want to build a strong political base for the president say that the developments provide an opportunity for the president to be his own man, cut out of the image of the national leader.

President Buhari had after the election of Saraki and Dogara as Senate President and Speaker respectively said that

•President Muhammadu Buhari with other worshippers during the Jumat service prayers at the Aso Rock Central Mosque in Abuja yesterday. Photo: State House he would have preferred that the party’s decisions came to fruition, but that he would nevertheless heed the decision taken by the National Assembly.

“The president is trying to be a loyal party

man, but this crisis will turn out for his good as it destroys the power base of the national leader (Tinubu) in the National Assembly,” a source privy to the development disclosed on the condition of anonym-

ity.

Some high ranking members of the party, it was learnt, have also tried to sell that idea to the president.

Sources in Abuja also disclosed to Saturday Vanguard that Senator

President attends maiden Jumma’at prayer in Villa

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RESIDENT Mu hammadu Buhari and some Muslim faithful on Friday attended the Jumma’at prayer in the Presidential Villa main Mosque, Abuja.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.

The statement said that henceforth the President would observe most of the Jumma’at prayers at the Mosque in the Villa.

According to the statement, the President’s decision to observe the prayer in the Villa is to address “the avoidable hardships imposed on members of the public by road closures and other security measures which Presidential movements to the National Mosque necessitate“.

It said that Buhari would join the larger Muslim community for

Friday prayers at the National Mosque occasionally.

It was the first time the prayer, which was led by the Chief Imam of the Mosque, Istaz Abdulwaheed Suleiman, was con-

ducted in the Villa. Some adherents of the Islamic faith, who spoke to NAN after the 2-raka’at prayer, described the event as a welcome development.

Muhammed Labo, who participated in the prayer

session, said that attending the Jumma’at prayer in the Villa would “reduce the stress that people go through in the town during Presidential movement“ to the National mosque on Fridays.

Buhari sacks NNPC board •Continued from Page 4 overdue.

He said, “It is long overdue. It is expected. The This may be the start of board has provided no changes or reorganisations value to Nigerians. The that people are clamouring board has not lived up to for expectations. That is my “Though I need to have position. a holistic picture before I For Mr. Olisemeka comment in details, I hope Ojieh, Managing Director, it is in the right direction.

Petrocarbon Limited, it is a The just dissolved board welcome development. “I had quality people, but it think I welcome the was not allowed to function change, so long as it is in as expected. the positive direction.

“The new board to be Reliable technocrats should constituted should live be appointed. The new above board. board be made up of Also speaking, the Chief professionals who have Executive Officer of been in the industry and Crusteam Limited, an oil have track records of servicing company stated integrity. It should not be that the dissolution is long

Saraki has had attempted a back-door contact with the president since his emergence.

Speaker Dogara, however, according to a source is yet to do the same essentially because some associates of the president had almost totally destroyed him in the eyes of the president.

Meanwhile, the NWC is said to be divided on the party’s insistence that only those nominated by the party should be appointed as principal officers of the Senate and the House of Repres-entatives. “We know that they cannot go anywhere with what they are doing and we are just allowing them to go on with what they are doing,” a dissenting member of the NWC said.

flooded with politicians,” he added.

According to Presidential spokesman, Mr. Adesina, “The president has said he will clean up the oil sector.

That is the beginning of the clean up.

“You can’t possibly have the same board in place while the place is being investigated and with the intention to change the way things are being done there.

“It’s the country’s cash cow. It has a bright future.

It’s just that transparency and accountability have to be introduced into how it operates and this is the beginning of that process.” •Dr Joseph Thlama Dawah

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

Police arrest human trafficker, baby factory suspects in Imo T

HE Police on Friday said in Owerri that it has arrested a human trafficker and four baby factory suspects.

TheCommissionerofPolice in Imo, Mr Austin Evbakharbokun, told newsmen that the suspects were nabbed sequel to a report.

He gave the names of the suspects as Emmanuel Eke, the alleged human trafficker from Mbutu in Isaiala Ngwa South local government area of Abia, and 23-year-old Nkasiobi Uchenna from Nkwuegwu Umuahia also in Abia.

Other suspects included Ela David, 24, from Isoko in Delta, deaf and dump Blessing Nwabekee, and 25year-old Oluchi Victor also from Isiala Ngwa in Abia.

Evbakharbokun said the suspects were arrested following a report that Miss Ibuchi Okafor, 20, from Ihioma in Orlu local government area of Imo whose pregnancy was due for delivery absconded from her home and later returned without a baby.

Her parents, who queried the whereabouts of the baby, grew suspicious and reported the matter to the police.

Upon interrogation, the police said Okafor disclosed that she was delivered of a baby boy at the home of Mr Emmanuel Eke of Mbutu in Isiala Ngwa South local government area of Abia.

She said the man later sold the baby to an unknown buyer.

According to Evbakharbokun, his men

stormed Eke’s place and discovered other ladies believed to be producing babies for him for sale and arrested them.

In the course of investigation, he said, Eke confessed to have sold the baby delivered by Okafor at the cost of N500,000.

He said investigation was still in progress, adding that the suspects would be charged to court for trafficking of children.

When interviewed, Eke told newsmen that the child trafficking business with name Divine Mercy Maternity in Isiala Ngwa was being run by his late wife.

Okafor also confessed that she was led to Eke’s place through one of the ladies that was arrested.

She said she was given N50,000 from the proceed of the sale of the baby boy.

The commissioner, however, frowned at the

development, saying the girls now get pregnant and go to other states to deliver with ulterior motive.

He warned parents and guardians to always train their children well and ensure they know and monitor their movements to avoid such incidents.

Evbakharbokun spoke through the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Andrew Enwerem.

Impeachment: Osun Assembly wants CJ to verify Oloyede’s status

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE, Osogbo

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SUN State House of Assembly has asked the State Chief

Judge to verify the status of Justice Folahanmi Ojo who demanded a probe of Governor Rauf Aregbesola for his

Saraki appoints Okocha, Thisday Editor, Media Assistant, Onogu of Nation as CPS also appointed by Saraki as

BY HENRY UMORU

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RESIDENT of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki yesterday approved the appointment of Chuks Okocha, Thisday Politics Editor in Abuja and Environs as his Special Assistant on Print Media.

In a statement released by the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr. Ben Efeturi announcing the appointments, the Senate President has also appointed Nation Correspondent at the Senate, Sanni Onogu as his Chief Press Secretary.

Mr. Bankole Omisore was

his Special Assistant on New Media.

The appointments, said Efeturi,takeimmediateeffect.

Okocha, a former Regional Editor in the Niger Delta, holds a Masters Degree in Sustainable Environmental Management from Middlesex University in London.

Okocha comes to the job with a rich pedigree in journalism having covered the State House during the administrations of former military administrations of President Ibrahim Babangida, late Sani Abacha, and Abdulsalami Abubakar.

alleged misappropriation of the state resources.

The State House of Assembly had earlier written to the state Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo, demanding the status of the petitioner.

It will be recalled that the Speaker, Hon. Najeem Salaam in a statement sent to newsmen on Thursday had stated that the House would write the Chief Judge to verify the status of Justice Oloyede.

It was however learnt late Friday that the CJ upon receipt of the letter from the lawmakers had written another letter to Justice Oloyede to confirm if she was the author of the petition or not.

A very reliable source said Justice Oloyede will have to reply to the letter within 72 hours.

APC crisis: States chairmen ask Oyegun, NWC to check insubordination

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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TATES Chair men of All Progressives Congress have called on the National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun and the National Working Committee, NWC to checkmate insubordinations in the party.

Rising from a 2-day meeting held at Amzo Hotel in zone 6, Abuja yesterday, the chairmen said they were worried with the deepening crisis at the National Assembly, saying that the party ’s directive was not heeded by the leaders.

According to them, the party’s position on the development should be supreme.

A communique signed by the Acting Chairman of the APC chairmen Forum, Alhaji Umar Mohammed enjoined the national leadership of the party to checkmate further occurrences and ensure proper discipline of members.

Edo ALGON faults Ademokun over non payment of LG workers’ salaries

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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CHIEFTAIN of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Mrs Itohan Osahon Ogbeide, yesterday described the statement credited to the chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Edo state,Comrade Emmanuel Ademokun, who blamed the council chairmen in the state for alleged inability to pay their workers salaries as baseless and unfounded.

She described the comments as unfair since majority of Nigerians are aware of the dwindling allocation from the federation account to the Local Governments.

According to her, “ I will say that am rather disappointed about the statement credited to the NLC Chairman in Edo state, am even more surprised because this is a man that is supposed to be better informed about the happenings in the country. It is not only Edo that is affected but all the local governments in the Country because about 21 states all together have not been able to pay salaries.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015 — 7

N/Assembly crisis: How eight APC governors tried to muscle Saraki, Dogara

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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IGHT governors of the All Progressives Congress, APC were behind the showdown in the House of Representatives on Thursday, Vanguard can authoritatively reveal.

Worried by the crisis generated by the elections of Dr. Bukola Saraki and Rep. Yakubu Dogara as Senate president and the Speaker, House of Representatives respectively, the governors decided to wade into the elections of the principal officers.

The move was further to placate some powers-thatbe in the party who felt slighted by the emergence of Saraki and Dogara against party’s directive.

On Tuesday, they stormed the national secretariat of the APC apparently to make their decision known to Oyegun.

This came after they had, in a meeting, assured

president Mohmmadu Buhari that they would quell the storm in the federal legislature.

Vanguard gathered that the governors were behind the letters written to the senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Yakubu Dogara in which APC as a party was said to have submitted the list of some choice candidates for the principal positions in both chambers of the National Assembly.

The letters which had the signatures of the national chairman of APC, Chief John Oyegun preferred Senator Ahmed Lawan from north east as the Majority Leader, Senator Sola Adeyeye from south west as the Chief Whip, Senator George Akume from North central as the Deputy Majority and Senator Abu Ibrahim as the Deputy Deputy Chief Whip.

Similarly, in the House of Representatives, a letter

said to have been written by the party to Speaker Dogara also demanded the announcement of Femi Gbajabiamila from Lagos State in the South-West Zone as House Leader; Alhassan Ado Doguwa from Kano State as Deputy Leader; Mohammed Monguno from the Northeast as Chief Whip and Pally Iriase from Edo State in the South-South as Deputy Chief Whip.

In the senate, NorthEast Caucus, defied the party ’s directive and nominated Senate Ali Ndume as the Majority Leader as against Lawan just as Bala Ibn Na’alla was also nominated as deputy leader as against the candidacy of George Akume nominated by the party.

Senator Francis from Edo State, South South, was named the Deputy Chief Whip while Adeyeye who got lucky to be nominated as the Chief Whip from the south west rejected his nomination, leaving the office vacant.

Zeal Akaraiwe, CEO, Graeme Blaque Advisory, Nigeria,IretiOgbu, Managing Director, EMEA Payment & Receivables Head, Treasury & Trade Solutions, Citibank, Bola Lamidi, Financial Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc and Peter Green, Senior Euro Finance Tutor during the Euro Finance’s 5th Conference on Treasury, Risk & Cash Management in West Africa recently.

But the in House of Representatives, the officers were not named, a development that prompted the quagmire.

An investigation into the

Concerned Nigerians knock legislators on jumbo pay, wardrobe allowance

By Ishola Balogun

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ARIOUS groups under the aegis of Concerned Nigerians in the Diaspora have criticised th members of the 8 National Assembly over what it described as ‘’huge immoral wardrobe allowance.’’

The body during a press briefing in Ikeja, Thursday, noted that in spite of the change mantra of the government even under dire economic situation when most states of the federation could not afford to pay salaries of civil servants, the lawmakers have decided to continue with the unwholesome norm of ‘business as usual’.

It was reported by most dailies that members of the National Assembly would receive N8.64 billion as wardrobe allowance which amounts to N17.5 million for each of the 360 members of the House of Representatives and N21.5million for each of the 109 Senators, apart from furniture, housing and vehicle allowances.

The body led by OluAlakija, a UK-based businessman stated t “It is an obnoxious, inconsiderate, insensitive and selfish move by anyone seeking to serve the public good to move for such massive pay in the light of

poverty of the over 160 million people, where several state governments and even federal government are in deficit of payment of workers’ salaries; where the healthcare sector is in tatters and the education and unemployment of our youths have suffered decline for many decades.”

It therefore appealed to the lawmakers to lead by

example and urgently renounce and reject the allowance.

The body which is a united front for BuhariOsinbajo Diaspora Organisation, BODO-UK and Ireland; Hope Movement Worldwide; Buhari Friends Organisation Network in Diaspora (BFON) also called on the National Assembly to immediately

set in motion the process of reviewing the jumbo salaries in conformity with the current reality of the Nigerian economy.

The group also urged President Buhari to live up to his campaign promise of ensuring fiscal r e s p o n s i b i l i t y, accountability and put an end to impunity in all arms of government, including the civil service.

Ondo will be number one in Tourism — Mimiko O

NDO state Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko submitted on Friday that the state will soon assume the status of the number one Tourism Corridor in the country with its existing Tourism facilities added to the International Event Centre, otherwise known as The Dome, in Akure, the state capital almost completed.

Governor Mimiko who paid an inspection visit to the Dome construction site along Igbatoro road in company with his deputy, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo and other members of the state executive said the project will soon be completed and open for use.

He expressed satisfaction at the level of the job

so far done at the project site and its quality, assuring that the centre when completed would be a global event centre and number one event destination in Nigeria.

Governor Mimiko, expressed optimism that the event centre, which is located closely to the new Akure Shopping Mall would have positive effect on the socio-economic circumstance in the State.

According to him “the Shopping mall with Shoprite as the ancour tenant is just a stone throw from here and there is also a five-star hotel coming up in that premises.

“Down the road to Idanre, we have the worldclass mountain resort and

we have two major golf course within this axis. The Elizade golf course, Smoking Hills and the Atosin golf course, all along this corridor”.

He mentioned further that “what we are looking at is a tourism corridor like no other one in Nigeria and I have no doubt in my mind that this will have positive effect on the socioeconomic circumstance in Ondo State” he submitted.

While conducting the Governor and his team round the project site, the technical director of the project, Mr Adam Chandy, said the centre was expected to be delivered soon as it has reached about 80% completion.

matter on Friday revealed that APC’s national chairman, Oyegun was pressured by the 8 governors who brought the list of the candidates to write both Saraki and Dogara giving them the names for the positions.

A source close to Oyegun confided in Vanguard that the development angered Oyegun who later pleaded with the governors to allow them go into negotiations with the leaders of the National Assembly in the interest of peace instead of imposing candidates on them.

According to the source, Oyegun reasoned that it may not be out of place for the governors to share the offices amongst the State or zones but to attach names was unethical.

He further stated that every plea from the helpless chairman to the

governors failed to deaf ears hence the letters.

The sources added that were it not for self restraints, Oyegun would have resigned immediately afterwards.

“At that time, the chairman became helpless. He was left with no other options than to do what the governors said.

In fact, Oyegun would have resigned his chairmanship there and then because he considered that they did as unethical.

“He reminded the governors that APC stood for change, that what the party needed to do was to go into negotiation with Saraki and Dogara to prevent the case of winner-takes-all. But they insisted it must be those people. Now, you can see the outcome of their insistence”, the source said.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

B-R-I-E-F-S

Human Rights Abuse: Ihejirika replies Amnesty International

HE Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, Eastern Zone has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to improve funding for U n i v e r s i t y Demonstration Primary Schools, UDPS, stressing that the schools were under funded.

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HE leadership of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Bayelsa State yesterday raised an alarm over alleged attempts by some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Peoples Democratic Party ,PDP, to thumb print and falsify the cancelled results of some units of Ewoama Ward of Brass Constituency II of Brass Local Government area of the state.

APGA said though the people of Brass Constituency II are still angered by the upturning of the outcome of the rescheduled state House of Assembly election which its candidate, Alfred Belemote Watson emerged winner, the alleged

The Senior staff members made this call, yesterday, at University of Port Harcourt while protesting in solidarity with all the teachers and students of all the UDPSs in the zone on the plans by the University Governing Board to sack all the staff members of the University primary schools claiming they were ghost workers.

Anambra den of drug trafficking, says NDLEA •Cross section of CEOs, Guest speakers during the Retailer/Leadership conference held in Lagos recently.

The international human rights group also accused the military of killing more than 600 released prisoners. The violence against civilians it said constitutes “war crimes”.

He commended the HURIWA for the honour

done him and the Nigerian armed forces in recognition of their contributions in the war against terrorism.

For him, the worst human rights violation for the past six years were the abuses committed by the militant

sect, which was responsible for the killings, bombings, and other attacks throughout the country, resulting in numerous deaths, injuries and the widespread destruction of property.

Kidnap of GUO Motors boss: Count our clients out — Defence counsel

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

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OUNSEL to the three accused persons who are currently standing trial on charges of conspiracy and kidnapping of Chairman of GUO Motors Limited, Chief Godwin Ubaka Okeke on Sunday, August 23, 2009 at the All Saints Anglican Church Cathedral, Onitsha, Anambra state, yesterday told an Onitsha High Court I presided over by Justice Alexander Okumah that their clients were never a party to the kidnap saga.

Corporal Victor Edet, a policeman attached to Anambra State Headquarters of Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Awkuzu as at 2009 had on Thursday while testifying before the court as the fifth prosecution witness, PW5, alleged that the defendants, Kelechi Okafor, Anthony Ifeanyi Okafor and Alexander Onyinanya and others still at large had on August 23, 2009, kidnapped Okeke, shot him in his left leg and took him to an unknown destination, only to release him the next day, August 24 after

the payment of N30 million ransom by Okeke’s family.

Also displaying the weapons allegedly recovered from the suspects, before the court on Thursday, Edet noted that he was sure that the weapons belonged to the gangsters because since after the police recovered the weapons from an under ground armoury at Nando, as directed by Emeka Eze, no other bank robbery had taken place in the state, after the August 24, 2009 violent bank robbery perpetrated by this same gang that had now been smashed.

APGA raises alarm over manipulations of rescheduled Assembly results in Bayelsa

By Emem Idio, Yenagoa

By Davies Iheamnachor

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By Emmanuel Elebeke HE former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (Rtd) has again dismissed the allegation by Amnesty International (AI) that the Nigerian Military were guilty of war crime against civilian populace in the North Eastern part of the country, describing it as baseless.

Gen. Ihejirika made the position known yesterday at the occasion of National Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria Lecture and the award presentation to him by HURIWA in recognition of his contribution to the war against terrorism in Nigeria.

The theme of the lecture was: Energy and House Hold Poverty in Nigeria and Human Rights and National Security. It held in Abuja.

Ihejirika who was represented by Group Capt. Affiku Steven (Rtd) said the allegation by AI was worrisome considering the huge sacrifices being made by the Nigerian Military and other security personnel to contain the spread of Boko Haram in the country and challenged the world body to come up with substantive evidence by making their source public.

The Amnesty International had in its recent report published on Tuesday, April 7, 2015, accused the Nigerian military of carrying out abuses against civilians, as part of their fight against the Islamic extremist group, Boko Haram.

SSANU tasks Buhari to improve funding for university Staff schools

manipulation of the cancelled results within the state Government House is a crime against the people of the state.

The Chairman of APGA in

Brass Constituency II, Faso Ezekie, said investigations conducted by the party showed that results from some units in Ewoama Ward, cancelled by the returning

officer during the rescheduled Assembly election due to hijack and manipulation, is being allegedly doctored and expected to be used to declare the PDP candidate winner.

Disabled Biafran veterans cry out for help

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ISABLED Biafran soldiers who have been surviving on alms and donations by public spirited individuals have called on the governors of the seven Igbo-speaking states to urgently come to their aid.

The wounded soldiers were relocated from the dilapidated rehabilitation centre at Oji River, Enugu State to the new centre built for them by the leader of the Movement for the Actuallisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra,

MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike at Umunamu-Okwe in Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State recently.

In spite of their relocation to the new center where some decent houses were erected and some stipends paid monthly for their upkeep, the ex-Biafran soldiers lamented that the inmates and members of their families had been living under a very difficult situation.

In a statement signed by

Comrades Law Akpu and Festus Mba Onu, President and Secretary General respectively, the wounded Biafran soldiers said: “They took us from Oji River, Enugu State where we were begging for alms at the EnuguOnitsha Expressway to Umunam-Okigwe where we are today. To God be the Glory.

“Many of us died at the expressway where we had motor accidents on daily basis. We are therefore a bit now secured accident wise.”

By Vincent Ujumadu, Awka

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HE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday described Anambra State as the den of drug trafficking, expressing worry that most dangerous drugs, i n c l u d i n g methamphetamine, were produced in the state.

State Commander of the Agency, Mr. Sule Momodu, said at a ceremony to mark the 2015 United Nations Day Against Illicit Drug Abuse and Trafficking, that this year alone, 122 drug suspects were arrested in the state.

He said that of the number, 114 were men, while eight were women, adding that there was need for a concerted effort to fight the scourge.

According to him, a total of 110.624kg of illicit drug were seized during the

period under review, with cannabis sativa, popularly known as marijuana, topping with 107.26kg.

Other seizures, he said, were cocaine, (138.2 grams), heroine, (100.54grams,) liquid methamphetamine (2.615kg) and solid methamphetamine (510 grams).

The State Commander said the Agency also arraigned 22 suspects during the period, out of which eight convictions were obtained , while 28 fresh cases were filed .

He however expressed optimism that the Agency would fight drug abuse and trafficking in the state to a standstill and urged stakeholders to join hands in the war against the cankerworm.

“If the war against illicit drug use and trafficking is not won now, the scourge will take over society soonest”, he warned.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015 — 9

NDLEA arrests 3,478 drug suspects, seize over 170,000kg of narcotic drugs

By Victoria Ojeme

A

S Nigeria joined the rest of the world yesterday in celebrating this year ’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and the launch of the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) 20152019, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disclosed that between January and May 2015, the agency arrested 3,478 drug suspects and seized 170, 341.704kg of narcotic drugs.

The Chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, disclosed this during the

lecture to mark the event, with the theme: “Let’s Develop Our Lives, Our Communities, Our Identities Without Drugs” in Abuja.

“The drugs are cannabis: 167,461.826kg; cocaine: 103.848kg; heroin: 17.976kg; and psychotropic substances: 2, 619.195kg. The agency also discovered cannabis farms measuring 126.721 hectares. A total of 783 cases have so far been won in court,” he said.

Giade, who gave the monetary value of seized drugs and cannabis plant destroyed in 2014 as N542 billion, also said that the agency played a

very crucial role towards the peaceful conduct of the 2015 general elections.

According to Giade, the huge amount is mind blowing and has the capacity to derail the most credible election.

He said such proceeds could be used to either subvert the wishes of the electorate or instigate upheavals.

“We shall therefore continue to financially incapacitate and dislodge drug cartels,” he said.

The agency’s chairman said that a total of 8,826 suspects, comprising 8,332 males and 494 females were arrested or questioned during

investigation while illicit drugs seized weighed 166, 697.18kg in the year under review.

The NDLEA boss stated that a total of 4,529.15 hectares of farmland r e p r e s e n t i n g 53,719,342.32 kilogrammes of cannabis were destroyed and prevented from causing untold harm to Nigerians in 2014.

He noted that there can be no sustainable development in an atmosphere of drug trafficking and abuse.

“Drugs do not make heroes but drug addicts.

Drug trafficking does not make people successful rather it makes them prisoners,” Giade said.

N8bn: Counsel asks trial judge to disqualify self over alleged bias

By Ola Ajayi, Ibadan

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HE witness invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to testify against the staff of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and others who are standing trial for alleged stealing of over N8 billion mutilated currency notes was not allowed to stand in the witness box as one of the counsel to the second, third and fifth accused persons accused the trial judge, Justice Olayinka Faaji of a Federal High Court, Ibadan, of bias in his earlier ruling.

He alleged that the court had already found his clients guilty in its ruling on the bail application filed by the accused persons and therefore the trial judge should disqualify himself for his alleged conclusion even though the case was yet to be concluded.

The judge, had, in the ruling, said based on the weight of the evidence against the accused, the court could not grant the accused the bail applications they prayed the court to grant. But, others whose allegations were not found weighty were granted bail by the same judge.

Exactly 8:43am, the accused persons, Mr. Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Muniru, Toogun Kayode Phillip, Ajuwon Bolade and Samuel Ogbeide were brought into the court room handcuffed but the handcuffs were removed before the commencement of the trial.

After all counsel to the five accused persons had

BRIEFS Buhari should be careful of party loyalists — Gani Adams

By Ebun Sessou

L

EADER of Odua People’s Congress, Otunba Gani Adams has warned President Muhammadu Buhari to be careful of his party loyalists and bad advisers as they could influence his government negatively.

In an interview with Saturday Vanguard, Gani Adams observed that Nigerians are yearning for true change in the affairs of the nation but cautioned that any attempt by Buhari’s administration to embrace

bad advisers in his cabinet is tantamount to destroying the trust Nigerians reposed in him.

“The former President Jonathan was surrounded by bad advisers who made him lose credibility.

Buhari must not appoint ministers that he wouldn’t be able to control. The people in his cabinet should be accountable,” he said. When asked to highlight the areas of urgent need, he said, unstable policy, epileptic power outage, corruption, improper planning, high cost of governance.

PDP flays sacking of LG administrations, says APC becoming totalitarian

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

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HE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has condemned the recent sacking of Local Government Caretaker Committees in Benue state, describing it as a show of impunity and total disregard for due process.

Benue state chairman of the PDP, Dr. Agbo Emmanuel who spoke to reporters in Makurdi, the state capital, said the decision by the Governor Samuel Ortom led administration to dissolve the councils was at variance with the principles of rule of law.

According to Dr. Agbo,

“the appointment of local government caretaker committees in Benue state was backed up by necessary laws which allows them a tenure of six months.

“They were half way into the six months tenure when they were kicked out by the administration simply because they were appointed by the immediate past administration.

“All we are saying is that this All Progressives Congress, APC, government has become totalitarian and by so doing jettisoned all known principles of rule of law and due process.’’

Media Consultant lauds Gov Okowa

By Tommy Anaduaka

T

•L-r: Executive Director, Treasury and International Banking, UBA Plc, Mr. Femi Olaloku; Managing Director, First Bank Plc, Mr Olabisi Onasanya and Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Peter Amangbo, at the CEO Roundtable on Banking & Oil Industry, organised by Bloomberg and NSE in Lagos on Thursday.

announced appearances, Mr. L. O Yussuf, who stood in for Otunba Olayinka Bolanle, counsel to the first accused person had raised the issue of

jurisdiction of the court, but the court told him he did not have his motion before it and as such he could not stop the trial.

“That attitude is unbecoming of lawyers.

You don’t behave that way.

You don’t file application and you want to stop the court proceedings. I don’t have your application and so I am proceeding with the trial.”

Electricity workers threaten industrial action over arrest, detention of EEDC staff

T

HE National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, South East zone has threatened to direct workers of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC to embark on industrial action if the alleged “dehumanising and slave treatment” being meted out to the workers by the management was not stopped forthwith.

The union said no fewer than 15 senior managers and storekeepers in Onitsha Business environment of

EEDC had been arrested and now cooling their heels at Onitsha Police Area Command over allegation of “sharp practices in lowering electricity billing and metering for residents in Anambra State.”

Senior Assistant General Secretary of the union, Comrade Cyprian Ndubuisi Akoh, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting convened in Enugu by NUEE leadership to review the problems confronting its members

in the zone.

“We therefore call upon the relevant authorities including the EEDC Management to halt this management recklessness and effect the release of all those detained. Failure to do so, the union should not be blamed if our members withdraw their services,” Akoh said.

According to him, the arrests of the electricity workers was at the instance of their management on the ground that revenue has dropped in spite of their investments.

HE Delta State Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has been commended for the various political appointments he has made, describing the decision and its implementation as a clear indication of many good things to come in the present administration’s five point smart agenda of prosperity for all.

A media consultant in the state, Mr. Emma Fejokwu made the commendation while

speaking with newsmen on the recent appointments made by the governor as Commissioners and Special advisers into his cabinet.

Mr. Fejokwu described the appointments especially that of a former national legislator, Hon. Pascal Nwaoranine Adigwe as senior special adviser to the governor as a wise decision that would no doubt make meaningful contributions to the day to day governance of the state.

OML34: Community leader makes case for NPDC

A

S the controversy lingers over operating of Oil Mining Leases in Delta Sate, between Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, and joint partners, the immediate past chairman of Iwrekan Community, Mr. George Djukpan has pleaded that NPDC should be allowed to operate OML34 as it is in the best position to manage the assets.

Djukpan, who spoke yesterday in Warri, said

that “though NPDC has some issues to resolve with the host communities, NPDC should be allowed to operate the assets.”

He noted that ND Western, the joint partners and owners of 45% share in OML34, should cooperate with NPDC. Djukpan continued that NPDC being Nigerian government petroleum development company, was more appropriate to manage the country ’s assets and not private firms.

10 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

Why Buhari is yet to appoint ministers — Presidency

•Security, economy priorities for now

By Levinus Nwabughiogu, Abuja

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HOSE expecting P r e s i d e n t Mohammadu Buhari to make ministerial appointments now may be highly disappointed as this may not happen now even if it does not take a long time.

Buhari has understandably drawn his scale of preference and top amongst his priorities are stamping out insecurity and corruption in the country.

The decision of the president was the outcome of an exclusive chat with his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu yesterday.

According to Shehu, the appointments would be made but they have to tarry until the process of evolving a corruption free society has gathered momentum.

While stating that security is uppermost in the mind of the president , Shehu emphasized that Buhari was being careful in his selection so that he would have political appointees who were never implicated in corrupt practices in the past. He does not want the drive for a corruption free system to rub off negatively on anyone who would be announced as ministers in the future.

According to him, should any minister after appointment be found to be corrupt or alleged to

have stolen public funds in the course of his job, the president would not hesitate to fire such a person. He would also regret that he ever appointed such a person.

Shehu appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the present administration, assuring that Buhari would make the necessary appointments in due course.

“It is about security.

That is his number one campaign agenda and he is living up to it. He has concentrated all his energy trying to put together a credible response to Boko Haram terrorists. And this has taken him to the neighboring countries.

He has met Defence Chief, the Service Chiefs almost every week. He has also taken this to G7, also to the African Union.

He has been trying to form a massive alliance, a massive response to the Boko Haram terrorists.

“Besides that, he is also restrategizing also for the economic revival of the country and the coming of foreign investments, again using the platform provided by the G7 and the United States of America. And then, you can see that he has started making moves about the recovery of the stolen billions of dollars by some Nigerians that are recoverable. So, he is actually working without making so much noise on the fulfilment of his

election promises.

“Nigerians have a choice to make. What do they want as their priority?

Is it appointment, security or even better economy or do they want a corruption free environment? That is the thing. For the president, appointment is not the key issue for him now. That is very clear from his action. The most important thing is to get the job done. And he is working.

“As it is now, is there any lacuna? Are you thinking there is any gap that is not being covered by the bureaucrats? There is nothing that is not being covered. The Permanent Secretaries are part of the meetings. No body is saying that it is not important to make political appointments.

He will make appointments.

“As he has said himself, he wants to scrutinize and make the right kind of appointment. He doesn’t want to appoint one today and make changes tomorrow. Given this war for the recovery of stolen funds, that will have implication for the people who are going to be appointed. If he appoints you today and may be in the drive, you are implicated, he will fire you”, Garba Shehu said.

It was the first time a voice from the presidency was actually explaining the delay in political appointments.

•Former Nigerian Ambassador to United Kingdom , Dr. Christopher Kolade(2nd left); Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Executive Director, The Convention Business Integrity, Mr. Soji Apampa and Chief Executive, Centre for Public Policy Alternatives, Dr Folarin Gbadebo at the 3rd Christopher Kolade's Annual Lecture in Lagos on Thursday night.

APC leaders hail Oyegun

By Henry Ovie Ebireri

S

UPPORT for the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Oyegun mounted on Friday as prominent leaders of the party lauded his leadership qualities, describing him as “the most distinguished party chairman in the country”.

They said that the National Chairman created the framework that brought about the victory of many APC candidates in the general election.

“Oyegun supervised the turn-around of the party by increasing its finances, building the operations and implementing the best ground game effort.

In a statement issued in Abuja by the Chairman of APC United Front, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa, the leaders

dismissed the view of those calling for the resignation of John Odigie-Oyegun.

“His contributions to the development of the APC, Edo State and the country are impossible to estimate.

He kicked out the long – ruling PDP. He provided Nigerians with a visionary, dedicated and peopleoriented leadership that is currently putting in place measures to liberate the nation from PDP’s rule of poverty and oppression” the statement said.

The leaders praised the national chairman for his strategic roles in the recruitment, retaining of members, campaign fund raising, internal party governance, influence in candidate selections and

...Our party will overcome this crisis — sylva

Saraki to Oyegun: Your letter was belated

By Ben Agande, Abuja

•My hands are tied

HE former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva has dismissed the leadership crisis in the National Assembly as a non issue saying that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will come out of the present crisis stronger.

Speaking with state House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, Sylva said the party will recapture Bayelsa State, any time election is conducted there.

According to him, those who think that the crisis would lead to the disintegration of the party were wrong as the party remains resilient and would emerge stronger after the present crisis.

Speaking on his trial over corruption charges, the former Governor wondered why his case is being celebrated even

By Henry Umoru

P

RESIDENT of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki has explained to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun that his letter on the position of the party with regard to the election of Principal officers of the Senate was belated, just as he admitted that his hands were tied.

In a reply to Oyegun’s letter, Senate President Saraki noted that the party’s letter came after the APC Zonal Caucuses had taken their decision to nominate candidates as Principal Officers in the Senate.

In the letter dated 25/ 6/15 with reference number NASS/ 8/SP/ APC/01/6/15 and

obtained by Saturday Vanguard, the Senate President who noted that there was no way he would have gone contrary to the senate rules and guidelines as his hands were tied, though he remained a loyal party member.

It would be recalled that the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun had on Tuesday written the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki where the names of the party ’s preferred candidates for the four positions were contained.

They are, Senate Majority Leader (North east-Senator Ahmad Lawan); Deputy Majority Leader (North central-Senator George Akume); Senate Chief Whip (South west-

Senator Olusola Adeyeye) and Deputy Chief Whip (North westSenator Abu Ibrahim).

Senator Saraki’s letter to Oyegun read in part: “ With reference to your letter No. APC/ NHDQ/01/015/05, dated 23rd 2015, in respect of the capture subject matter forwarding the names of the principal officers for the senate.

“The said letter was received after the various APC Zonal Caucuses had taken their decision to nominate candidates as Principal Officers of the Senate in line with p a r l i a m e n t a r y convention and the extant provision of the Senate standing Order 2015 as amended (Chapter VI; Rules 28, 29 & 31 refers). This was a follow up to the prior

APC Senate caucus meeting held on 23rd June, 2015.

“Accordingly, the letters transmitting the decision of the APC Senate Caucuses do not conform to the recommendation as contained in your letter under reference. (Please see annexures 1, 2, 3 attached herewith). “ Furthermore, whilst one is strongly persuaded to toe party line and act in accordance with the suggested party position, regrettably, clear provision of our extant rules and standard preliminarily convention have not given that leeway to act otherwise. Therefore, my hands are tied in the circumstances and I seek your understanding in this regard.

in the development and promulgation of party policy, The leaders who also thanked Nigerians at home and abroad for the confidence reposed on Oyegun, praised him for the pragmatic steps taken to address the problems in the party.

“Oyegun is an honest and highly effective leader.

He has built a reputation anchored on integrity over the years. He is a fountain of quality advice, i n s p i r a t i o n , encouragement and hope.

He deserves the biggest thanks for being a team player and ensuring the growth of the party” the leaders added.

T

though he did not say he should not be prosecuted if there was anything tangible found against him.

He cited that there had been many persons who had been invited quietly by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) without being publicly publicized as his own case where each time he had a case, his photographs would take over the front pages of newspapers the following day.

He said that he was not the only former governor but there were others, and wondered why the fanfare in his case.

“It is really uncalled for the way certain people are trying to celebrate my case above every other case as if mine is the singular case.”

He expressed optimism that he would get through the case, describing it as a passing phase that would certainly pass.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015—11

Desperate times as Nigerians turn to

Gambling

BY OGHENE OMONISA

T

he man looks haggard, even insane, with clothes old and dirty.

His dark skin lacks wash and hair gradually falling into dreadlocks.

He smells. His eyes are dreamy, as if he has had a wrap or two of Indian hemp (igbo). His feet are tucked into old slippers of

different colours.

He could not stand straight, swaying as though his legs could not carry his lean frame.

But the group of about fifteen circle him, as they surge forward, straining their ears for his every word. He hesitates as he sways. “Sure Banker, wetin be today numbers?” one of them asks anxiously in pidgin.

The man mutters four words,

and they all surge closer, not bothered a bit about his smell.

“You say wetin?” The question is from a woman in the group. “11, 60, single 6”, he repeats, coherent and audible enough only to those closest to him.

Quickly, the numbers are typed on phone or written on piece of paper. Those who could not catch the numbers ask others,

The man mutters four words, and they all surge closer, not bothered a bit about his smell. “You say wetin?”

The question is from a woman in the group. “11, 60, single 6”, he repeats, coherent and audible enough only to those closest to him

and those who heard repeat for the benefit of all. And every of them dashes for the closest betting shop.

The numbers are for the Nigeria Premier Lotto Game, popularly known as Baba Ijebu. It is believed to be a gambling game where players forecast on numbers that will win. But many have clearly given up on forecasting. They rely on dreamed up numbers and numbers from unusual sources like Sure Banker, whom many players in the Ojo area of Lagos believe in.

Some have won thousands of naira through his predicted numbers that he has become reliable.

From every part of Lagos and in some other parts of Nigeria, the number of gamblers has increased in recent times as more Nigerians have turned to gambling, especially Baba Ijebu and sports betting.

Though it is a trend more common among the working class and artisans, especially the playing of Baba Ijebu, every one plays these games. However, sports betting attracts mostly the upwardly mobile.

The beginning But this has not always been so. Gambling, as Nigerians knew it, was synonymous with pool betting, the old conspicuous pool, whose offices used to dot every street corner of major towns in Nigeria.

In the heyday of pool, there were also casino centres with slot machines, popularly known as kalokalo.

Pool was known to be played by middle-aged and elderly men. It was even perceived as a game for failed men, who use their little earnings to try their

Continues on page 12

12— SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

Gambling

Continues on page 11 last chance in life.

Pool betting is based on predicting the outcome of 49 top-level English associated football matches taking place in the week. Coupons are provided whereby betters tick the itemised clubs in the fixtures. Studying results of past matches, and using the strengths and weaknesses of the clubs, betters forecast clubs which might play draw, and tick their itemised numbers. Winnings are based on if those clubs eventually play draw.

Pool has two plans or packages: permutation or perming and napping. Perming is the commonly played plan, where a better selects possible numbers which might draw. He could perm (pick) 3 numbers against 4 (selected likely numbers of draws). The player could also perm 3 against 5 and so on, or perm 4 or more against

5 or more. And he wins when all the permed numbers appear among the number of draws.

The payoff is determined by the quantity of permed numbers and that of the selected numbers. The fewer the selected numbers the player perms from, and the higher the permed numbers, the higher the payoff. The total number of draws for the week also determines the payoff. If the draws are low, it attracts more amount of payoff and vice versa.

In napping, the player selects likely numbers which might draw. He only wins when all the napped (selected) numbers draw. It is common to nap three numbers. Napping is much difficult to win, but offers higher payoff.

Depending on the total number of draws for the week, perming 3 against 5 with N100 could fetch a player between N1,000 and N5,000; while

napping three numbers with N100 wins between N5,000 and N15,000.

Both perming and napping could also be played as bonanza or jackpot, where a player predicts that there will be a total of exactly ten draws for the week. If his played draws are correct, but the total number of draws for the week is less or more than ten, he loses everything. But getting his played draws right in bonanza, and the draws also being ten for the week, attracts over a hundred thousand of naira with N100 stake.

The official lowest amount to stake with in both plans is N1, but different pool companies have their own minimum rate; some N10, others N20.

Pool is not as prevalent as it used to be, being overtaken by Baba Ijebu and sports betting.

But it still commands following among its ardent players.

Pa Kareem Adegbite, a taxidriver at Palmgrove, Lagos, has been playing pool since the late 1970s. He says he has benefited a lot from pool. “I bought my first car from pool winning in 1982”, he reveals.

Now in his late 60s, he admits to having lost more to pool than he has won.

Why does he play pool? “I see pool betting as ajo. I may lose for some time, but when I win, it is in a big way, and I use the money for something really good.”

Ajo, also known as osusu, is the traditional commissionbased daily saving system where one saves a small amount of money with its operator and collects the whole money at the end of the month.

Asked why he still sticks to pool and not Baba Ijebu or

The official lowest amount to stake with in both plans is N1, but different pool companies have their own minimum rate; some N10, others N20

sports betting, Pa Adegbite confides that he has tried Baba Ijebu, but does not understand it, and says sports betting is too sophisticated for him. He prefers his old reliable pool, which he claims has been beneficial to him.

Alhaji Shafiu Olowe is a transporter at Okokomaiko, Lagos, who claims to have been playing pool for “a long time”. He plays pool to augment his lean earning, he says. Yes, he plays Baba Ijebu as well because he is out to earn money from gambling, so any form of gambling that will bring money is accepted. No, he does not forecast in both games. “People give me games (numbers). If you even give me game in this sports betting they play, I will play.”

Pool playing is engaging for some. “Í play pool to exercise my brain, studying past matches”, says Mr. Ifeanyi Anaekwe, a retired school teacher at MazaMaza, Lagos. Now in his mid 60s, he says when he was much younger, he used

Continues on page 13

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015—13

Continues on page 12 to play pool for money, but presently spends N50 on the average weekly. He admits to winning at most N1,000 some times.

Patronage is declining for pool operators. I.K. Pools on Ago Anago Street, Okokomaiko, Lagos, is an agent to God’s Time Pool Ltd, Olodi, Apapa, Lagos.

Miss Rachael Odimegwu, the booking clerk confides that she has been in the business for over two years. She reveals that patronage has been consistently reducing since then. So what could be responsible?

Baba Ijebu and sports betting”, she says. ‘That’s what everybody plays these days.’

Could this be because those gambling games favour the betters more? “Well, it can be. I don’t know”, she replies.

At Jet Williams, a pool office at Okokomaiko, along the Lagos/ Badagry Expressway, which is an agent to Liberty Pool Ltd, Ilupeju, Lagos, the manager was said to have gone out. The four bettors inside were busy discussing as they forecast. They all refused to be interviewed except one, Mr. Ben Adams.

Mr. Adams claims to have been playing pool for over ten years.

He has no plans to give up pool for another game as it is the only game he enjoys playing. He plays daily and wins on the average of twice a month. He says he sees pool as a means of raising extra money, however he confesses to having lost more than he has won.

Mrs. Remi Ajuwa, the booking clerk at Liberty Pool on Dada Street, Ojo, Lagos confirms that Baba Ijebu and sports betting have overtaken pool as the major betting games. Liberty Pool is an agent to JBL Al-Salam.

“There are four sports betting shops on this street alone”, she reveals, sitting alone and dejected in the office. “And the Baba Ijebu shops at the junction are uncountable. Nobody plays pool anymore. Since morning (on a Thursday), I’ve been alone. Not a single booking. Look at the office, there has been no staker or even forecaster since morning.”

Baba Ijebu takes over

It is evident that more Nigerians are attracted to Baba Ijebu and sports betting as the newest forms of gambling to make extra money, or even to make the “big money”, in the parlance of the new generation of Nigerians.

According to the website of Premier Lotto Limited (PLL), promoters of Baba Ijebu, the company was incorporated in 2001, and its founder and current Chief Executive Officer is Chief Kessington Adebukunola Adedibu, who is from Ijebuland in Ogun State, from which the name Baba Ijebu was coined.

But unlike pool and kalokalo of old, Baba Ijebu enjoys patronage from the young and old, male and female. So, what could be responsible for this new craze for gambling, especially Baba Ijebu?

C M Y K

Gambling

“It is a measure of the harsh economic condition”, suggests Mr. Chidi Ogoke Nwosu, a Premier Lotto-licensed agent with his shop located at LASU Gate Bus Stop, along the Lagos/Badagry Expressway, Ojo, Lagos. He continues, “So, Nigerians don’t mind risking a fraction of their earnings on gambling, with the hope that their life could be turned around with a huge win.”

“It’s greed and laziness”, insists Mr. Braimoh Ibrahim, a fresh sociology graduate of the University of Lagos. “Gambling is not a profession. If your earnings are not enough to meet your needs, you can get another job, or in the absence of that, look for other means to augment your earnings. Not gambling.”

On claims by many gamblers that if they could have a big win, they would invest the money to change their lives, while they give up gambling, Mr. Ibrahim asks rhetorically, “Who among Baba Ijebu players has won a big amount and then given up? They don’t give up. After losing so much, they sometimes win some huge amount, then squander it with the belief that they will win again. That has often been the psychology of gamblers. They can’t live within their means.

It’s a pity more Nigerians are turning to gambling.”

To Miss Sarah Efobi, a receptionist with a maritime company at Apapa, Lagos, any form of gambling is bad.

“Whether it is Baba Ijebu, pool or sports betting, it’s a bad habit.

But the worst is this Baba Ijebu of a thing. In pool and sports betting, one could forecast, using performance in past matches. But not Baba Ijebu.”

Miss Efobi confides that her mother plays it. “She will claim to have seen the numbers in a dream or that a very reliable person gave them to her. After she has lost, she will tell you ‘Ho, is it not just N20 or N50 or N100?’” Miss Efobi believes more Nigerians are taking to gambling because of easy cash. “When they hear that somebody they know has won big money, they want to play and win too.”

But is there really forecasting in Baba Ijebu, which would have made it easy to understand the game and therefore made winnings more frequent? Going by its official name, Baba Ijebu is not supposed to be based on forecasting, as a lotto game, but a complete game of chance.

When they hear that somebody they know has won big money, they want to play and win too

When Saturday Vanguard visited the company’s head office on Funsho Williams Avenue, Surulere, Lagos, its Public Relations Officer (PRO) refused to give his name let alone answer questions put to him, insisting a letter be written to the company, requesting an interview.

“Of course, there is forecasting in Baba Ijebu”, volunteers a source in the company, who does not want his name mentioned as he was not authorised to speak for the company. He explains that agents are provided with forecasting sheets, which are made available in every shop, for betters to forecast with, studying past winning numbers.

“There are people who are very good at forecasting Baba Ijebu”, he explains further. “They win all the time. These are the people who give reliable numbers to players.”

But interestingly, the source could not convincingly explain the formula used in the forecasting. He, nevertheless, admits that some players actually rely on dreamed numbers.

In Baba Ijebu, the winning numbers are five numbers in every game and on which every winning is based. The games are 24. They are Bingo, Bonanza, Club Master, Diamond, Enugu, Fair Chance, Fortune, Gold, International, Jackpot and Lucky.

Others are Lucky G, Mark II, Metro, Midweek, MSP, National, Peoples, Premier King, Royal, Super, Tota, Vag and 06.

They are only different in name as all the plans can be played in every game. Numbers are chosen from 1 to 99. Posting of numbers for the first game opens at 6am daily and closes at 9am and results come out by 10:45. The

Continues on page 14

14—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

Continues from page 13 next game closes at 12 noon and results come out by 1:45pm, and so on till the sixth game, whose results come out by 11pm.

Two games are played the same time to make six games a day. But on Sunday, the first game opens by 6am and closes by 12 noon, unlike other days, whose first game closes at 10:45am, making Sunday games a total of four as there are no two games played at the same time, unlike other days.

Baba Ijebu has five plans, which all require different number of figures to appear in the winning five numbers for the player to win. Permutation or perming is the most played plan. In it, a few numbers are chosen, and if two numbers in the chosen numbers appear among the winning five numbers, the player has won.

If a player perms two numbers, for instance, and selects five numbers (perm 2 against 5), he hopes that at least two numbers among his selected five numbers should be among the winning five numbers. With N20, he gets N200; N30 gets him N300; and with N40, he wins N400. To increase his chances of winning, a player can also increase his chosen numbers to ten (perm 2 against 10), and if at least two numbers “drop”, he also wins. But the more the chosen numbers, the less the winning price.

In 2 sure, two numbers are played, which the player is very confident or sure might be among the winning five numbers. And if this happens, the player has won. With N20, he gets N4,000; N30 gets him N7,200; and N40 wins N9,600.

The chances of winning 2 sure is very slim, compared to permutation.

3 direct is the highest-paying plan. A player chooses three numbers, which he expects to be among the five winning numbers, for him to win. N20 gets him N42,000; N30 brings N63,000; and N40 wins N84,000.

Banker is the most expensive plan. It can only be played with N450 and above. A player only needs to play one number, and when it “drops”, the player wins. But the payoff is low, compared to the staking prices.

N450 gets the player N4,800; N900 brings N9,000; and N1,350 wins N18,000.

One against others is the fifth plan, whereby the player selects a number and five others. The selected one number and another one from the other five numbers must appear among the winning five numbers for the player to win. The player can also “stand” one number against ten, but winning in one against ten has a lower price compared to one against five.

Playing with N50 in one against five and winning nets a player N1,200; N100 wins N2,400; with N200, he gets C M Y K

Gambling

N4,800; and N500 gets the player N12,000.

So, in all of these, how do Baba Ijebu gamblers determine which game or plan to play when they are given numbers or when they dream numbers?

“Easy, as every game relies on five numbers to win”, ventures a better at Ojo, who simply gave his name as Gbenga, and who relies on characters like Sure Banker for numbers. “So, it only requires a better to play the dreamed numbers and for the numbers to appear in the winning five numbers.” He explains further that if a better dreams or is given numbers, he could play any of the games.

But that certainly does not explain the specific game or plan to play.

Gbenga smiles and admits: “It’s all part of the risk involved in playing Baba Ijebu”. He explains that dreamed numbers could be played in the first game of the day, and if the numbers do not “drop”, they are played in the next, and the next till they “drop”.

Mr. Segun Agboola, a Baba Ijebu agent at Apapa, Lagos, expatiates: “Dreamed numbers are often difficult to play. The same goes for speculated numbers. You know, an accident could happen here and one of the cars comes out undamaged. Some players could just copy the car ’s plate number and speculate that since it was undamaged, its numbers could be lucky numbers. Speculated numbers like these, as well as dreamed numbers, are difficult to play as

you don’t know which game to play them in.”

According to Mr. Agboola, when forecasters bring numbers, they are specific. “Ýou could be told to play Club Master tomorrow, Tuesday (the fifth game on Tuesday). In that case, you could play more than one plan, play it 2 sure, 3 direct, perming, and with N500, you could win N500,000 and above.”

But how often do Mr. Agboola’s customers win and how much? “Ém, one, two times a week, and the winnings vary, depending on their stakes.”

But is playing Baba Ijebu really worth it? Many players interviewed said they enjoy playing the game as it has brought them some amount of money. Most of them however admitted to having lost more money than they have won.

The emergence of sports betting

Sports betting is another form of gambling which is fast gaining grounds in Nigeria, especially among the young and upwardly mobile.

It is a gambling platform which is based on major sports games like basketball, handball, baseball, golf, tennis, and including of course football. But because football is a game which enjoys strong passion in Nigeria, it has easily attracted the highest betting, and even perhaps emerged the only sports game Nigerians bet on.

Unlike pool, sports betting on football is not restricted to the English league. As well as international club and country

Sports betting is another form of gambling which is fast gaining grounds in Nigeria, especially among the young and upwardly mobile.

tournaments, sports betting covers leagues from all over the world, including of course the Nigerian Premier League, though many betters do not bet on the Nigerian league as it is perceived as predictable.

European leagues enjoy the highest patronage, from the English Premier League to the Spanish La Liga and the Italian Serie A. “This is because these are leagues which had enjoyed large following in Nigeria before the advent of sports betting”, explains Mr. Samuel Uangbaoje, a training executive with Bet9ja, one of the leading online sports betting companies in Nigeria.

“So, football-crazy Nigerians are being given the opportunity to bet on their passion.”

Sports betting has many exciting plans or packages.

Straight bet or single bet is the one commonly played by Nigerians, where a better bets by simply picking a side to win or draw. When a strong team is playing against a weak one, the outcome is easy to predict, therefore the payoff is low if one is betting that the strong side will win. Points are then given to the weak side as odd, which determines the payoff if the strong side eventually wins.

Depending on the points, N100 could win as low as N200, or even win back N100, the exact stake.

But betting that the weak side will win, definitely attracts higher payoff if the weak side eventually wins. Still depending on the points given to the strong side as odd, a N100 stake could fetch a

Continues on page 15

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015—15

Gambling Continues from page 14 few thousands.

But when both teams are of equal strength, the payoff in betting either way will be expectedly high.

Parley is an improvement on straight bet, where a better picks more than one game and predicts the winners. The more the games chosen, the higher the payoff. But all the predicted games must go accordingly for the better to win.

There is preposition, where a better could bet that a side will score up to a specific number of goals, or that both sides will score so-so number of goals, or that home or away team will win, lose or draw. One could also bet a direct winning for the home or away team, half time draw, or full time draw. Or one could bet on more goals in first half than second half and vice versa, or on first/second half draw, full time draw. Winning in preposition and other similar packages is not as frequent as winning in straight bet or even parley.

There are tens of online sports betting companies in Nigeria, the leading ones include Bet365Naija, 360Bet, SureBet247, NairaBet, Bet9ja and 1960Bet. Others are MerryBet, BetRepublicana, BetColony and LovingBet. They all offer similar plans and are strictly online, though with well-known head offices, mostly located in Lagos, and with bet shops scattered across the country. And more are springing up to meet the growing demands Though betters can bet through their phones by C M Y K

opening an online account with a bet company, and also follow live scores online, most prefer the bet shops clearly because the shops provide opportunities for them to watch the matches live and also to share ideas with fellow betters, thus the rush to bet shops. The bet shops collect commissions as agents.

So, what are the primary attractions for the online sports betting craze? Mr. Akin Lamidi, a senior officer of SureBet247 explains: “Financial benefit is one. Every gambler wants to win. Then we’re talking football here.

Nigerians love football with passion. In fact, we’re crazy about football. Sports betting provides Nigerians the platform to bet on their passion.”

He says many Nigerians knew and had been following European league football matches, especially the English Premier League, and that Nigerians all had been fans of different clubs before the advent of sports betting in the country. “It’s this same passion that has been transferred to sports betting”, he says. “Now, Nigerians don’t predict matches only for passion. They predict and earn money from doing so.”

But could this phenomenon be informed by unemployment or tough economic condition?

“No”, insists Mr. Uangbaoje of Bet9ja. “Before the coming of sports betting, Nigerians were known to have been betting in viewing centres. Then, many of them mostly bet to support their clubs. Nigerians bet due

to their passion. Though now, the scope has been broadened to include betting on one’s knowledge and understanding of teams they bet on as one cannot bet on one’s club only.”

“I don’t see sports betting being due to economic reasons”, says Mr. Lucky Osogwa, a 1960Bet agent at Orile, Lagos. “It’s investment.

Yes, many betters lose more than they win. It’s like investing in shares. If you don’t understand the workings of a company and you invest in it, when the company suffers loss, you lose. But when it profits, you profit as well.”

“Sports betting cannot be due to hard times or unemployment”, says Mr. Laola Goerge, a lawyer based in Apapa, Lagos, “because the frequency of winning is low and most of its players are of the working class and students.

I think the craze is due to their passion and desperation to earn more from gambling. Who can live on gambling?”

“I’ve a job”, says Mr. Jonathan Nwanjei, a technician at Surulere, Lagos. “Sports betting to me is simply to make more money. Sure, sometimes when I make some good predictions, I look forward to winning, even planning how I will spend the money if I win.

Who plays gamble to lose?”

Mr. Victor Kuje, a school teacher at Festac Town, Lagos says: “I play sports betting to make money. Is gambling not all about winning?”

“I play sports betting because I like football”, says Mr. Victory Oshe, an undergraduate of the Lagos State University. “But I

Baba Ijebu has clearly overtaken pool betting as a form of gambling in Nigeria as it has won over a large number of former pool players

am also out to make money, which is the essence of gambling.”

Do sports betting players really benefit from the game?

“I’ve won more than I’ve lost”, boasts Mr. Tunde Ogunlewe, a student in his mid 20s. “I’m very careful in my betting, not taking unnecessary risk. With N100, I can win N2,000 to N5,000 playing straight bet on a few matches.”

It is different for Mr. Bright Ohadiwe, a businessman in his late 30s, who admits to taking risk. “I play every day, sometimes betting on as many as 30 matches, and I also bet on goals, free kick, corners, in fact I bet generally. Yes, I’ve lost more than I’ve won. I recoup most when I win as I sometimes win as much as N200,000.”

Finnest, his stage name, is an up-coming music artiste based in Lagos. He says he plays sports betting every day, that he even has an online account. He claims he has won as much as he has lost. “No matter how many times I lose, I can’t stop playing as a winning covers previous losses”, he asserts.

Baba Ijebu has clearly overtaken pool betting as a form of gambling in Nigeria as it has won over a large number of former pool players. Now, sports betting is fast emerging as the leading gambling game.

What could be responsible for this?

“It’s not because there’s no forecasting in Baba Ijebu”, explains Mr. Lamidi, the SueBet247 senior officer. “There is. It’s just that most of its players can’t forecast it. For pool, betting is based only on 49 matches a week and on draws. But sports betting offers a variety of packages. And there are more chances of winning in sports betting than in pool and Baba Ijebu.”

In a recent News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report, “60 million Nigerians between 18 and 40 years of age spend more than N1 billion daily on sports betting.” They surely cannot be winning that much daily.

The report also reveals that “a betting company can generate up to N20 million monthly and use between N5 million and N7 million to meet winners’ obligation in terms of payment.”

Members of the emerging generation of Nigerian gamblers are obviously enthusiastic about gambling, especially due to the numerous and exciting packages which these new gambling forms provide. And these recent gamblers win sometimes, which enthrall them into assuming they are not losing out.

It certainly will take years and experience for them to realize that organized gambling, and not home or private gambling, is a commercial activity which is backed by investors and run by experts, who devise methods to ensure that players lose more than they win, to keep the gambling industry running.

16—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

and Sadn Zilan communities in the same area, a few days later.

These incidents preceded an earlier attack of May 13 on the Zangan district in which about 15 people were killed and houses razed. Reports said that about 3,000 residents fled the area then.

There had been similar attacks on Bajju communities in ZangonKataf, in Gbagyi land and parts of Kagoro chiefdom. At the last count, according to the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU), the ubiquitous gunmen said to be responsible for the attacks have launched a total of 40 campaigns of bloodletting in the area since 2011 with perhaps undetermined casualty figures and several property destroyed. But another group from the area, Concerned Realists of Southern Kaduna, led by Dr. John Danfulani, believes that a total of 614 persons may have lost their lives with 1,200 others injured and 1000 houses razed.

KILLINGS IN SOUTHERN KADUNA:

El-Rufai begins search for peace

BY AGAJU MADUGBA

A

fter several years of seemingly endless and mindless massacre of residents in a number of communities especially in the southern part of Kaduna state, Governor Nasir Elrufa’i last week announced his decision to probe the killings.

The development may further be justified because some three weeks into his administration, unidentified gunmen had in the early hours of June 18, launched murderous attacks on Katsak and Danborno villages of Jema’a and Birnin Gwari local government areas respectively, killing a total of 13 residents.

The attacks might have prompted the Governor to summon an emergency security meeting which resolved to raise the committee, headed by a former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, who incidentally hails from southern Kaduna. With a mandate to identify possible socio-political and economic factors that promote the existing conflicts in southern Kaduna state, the committee is also expected to advise government on what measures to adopt in order to halt the incessant attacks on the communities.

Southern Kaduna, the people The Kaduna population of about seven million people is one of the most heterogeneous in the country with the two main religions of Islam and Christianity predominant in the northern and southern parts of the state respectively. In southern Kaduna alone, there are reportedly well over 45 ethnic nationalities with equally different languages and varying cultures.

C M Y K

The Biblical story of the Tower of Babel apparently reflects the situation of the people of southern Kaduna who are not known to hold any consensus views on any given situation that affects the collective interest of the entire population. With the people further sub-divided into ‘indigenous’ and ‘settler’ residents, peaceful coexistence has eluded the area in recent years as those who regard themselves as the original inhabitants are engaged in never-ending conflicts with the Muslim Hausa/Fulani community there. Perhaps, the Zangon-Kataf crisis of 1992 brought the area into national limelight when a Tribunal handed a death verdict to a former Military Governor of Rivers State, Gen. Zamani Lekwot, who hails from southern Kaduna, over his alleged complicity in what later came to be regarded as the Zangon-Kataf massacre. The level of destruction of human lives and property was so enormous that the then President Ibrahim Babangida equated it with the Nigerian civil war. There have been scores of other incidents in the area since then as residents either clash over farm lands and grazing sites or over alleged infringements on certain religious matters and some other frivolous reasons.

The killing fields, harvest of death Although series of killings have taken place in recent times in Kaduna state and in the southern part of the state in particular, the March 14, 2014 attack on four communities of Manchok in Kaura local government may well be regarded as the most devastating thus far. Unsuspecting residents of Maisankwai, Tyekum, Maikakpang and Angwan Kura in Bondong district of Manchok had gone to bed that evening but just before midnight, according to

The attackers did not just stop at either shooting or inflicting machete cuts on the victims, they also went ahead to mutilate the corpses and equally set some of them on fire, along with their houses

Governor Nasir El-Rufai

survivors, unknown gunmen invaded the communities in what turned out to be coordinated attacks and slaughtered a total of the 119 villagers in their sleep, a figure which the relevant authorities confirmed.

Women and children and the aged were not spared in an operation that has defied reasoning.

The attackers did not just stop at either shooting or inflicting machete cuts on the victims, they also went ahead to mutilate the corpses and equally set some of them on fire, along with their houses. In one instance and to demonstrate the level of callousness barbarism of the act, a group of children and women had, in a desperate attempt to live, sought refuge in one of the buildings but the attackers swooped in on them and set the building ablaze, snuffing life out of 18 of them.

In January 2014, the Emir of Jere, Dr. Sa’ad Usman, husband of a former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman, escaped death by the whiskers when gunmen said to be Fulani herdsmen attacked him, inflicting matchete cuts on his head which led to his hospitalisation for over six months. The attack came barely 24 hours after reports that some 10 persons were killed in a separate incident at Bungel, Moro’a Chiefdom of Kaura local government area when persons also alleged to be herdsmen clashed with residents. Earlier in October 2013, gunmen overran a number of communities in Attakhar on the Kagoro Mountains, equally in Kaura local government and massacred some 50 residents of Mafan, Telak, Kirim, Danti.

Mayit, Zadian, Dajak, Tinga Mogwai and Dugurang. Even as the people were still counting their losses, the gunmen launched similar attacks on the Muyit

The devil’s role Even as widespread and devastating as the attacks have been, there have not been any reported instances of arrest of the perpetrators. Apparently disturbed by the development, the office of the Inspector-General of Police had, at the wake of the Manchok massacre, initiated a reconciliation committee headed by a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Michael Zuokumor.

Expectedly, the peace moves hit the rocks but as Zuokumor had noted, “the devil entered the people since 2000 and they began fighting one another using small arms in private hands, leading to wanton destruction of lives and property.” However, in virtually all the attacks, surviving residents always finger “Fulani herdsmen” as responsible. But a former Special Adviser to late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, Malam Ibrahim Bayero, who is also a Fulani community leader at the Kachia Grazing Reserve, absolves the Fulani of any blame. As Bayero told Vanguard in an interview, “that is not true and it is unfair to say that the Fulani are responsible for attacks on southern Kaduna communities.

There has never been anything like that in the history of the Fulani and the people of southern Kaduna. The southern Kaduna people should look for a solution to their problem and stop accusing the Fulani. The Fulani and the people of southern Kaduna live in the same communities and whatever happens to the southern Kaduna people also affects the Fulani. This spate of attacks started after the 2011 general elections. All stakeholders from that area should sit down and find solution to the problem.”

However, for Danfulani, the southern Kaduna conflicts may not be unconnected with what he describes as unfair treatment of the indigenous community, by successive administrations in Kaduna state. According to him, “our people are being wiped out with impunity and the casualty figures increase with every attack. Everything points to the fact that our people are being used as sacrificial lambs only good at supplying votes and nothing more. It is also proof that our right as Nigerians in need of state protection from all threats to life is not the priority of government.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015—17

majority in the Senate and in every vote it is the majority that counts. Even if Ekweremadu takes over in acting capacity, he will not be able to tell us to do what we do not want to do as a

Nigeria’s media helped to bring down Jonathan

party. What we are trying to do is to ensure that proper reconciliation takes place before the Senate work starts because if we continue in the Senate as a divided house, the programmes of the President Muhammadu Buhari government will be in serious jeopardy and subverted. We were not united in the elections but we want to be united in the way the Senate is run. We want to embrace reality and go through it to be able to appease the people who voted us into office.

—Senator Shehu Sani •Says reducing lawmakers wages will not grow Nigeria’s economy

BY AGAJU MADUGBA

P

opular human and democratic rights activist-turned politician, Comrade Shehu Sani, represents Kaduna Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking at an interactive session with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Kaduna, Sani notes that if the intra-party crisis currently rocking the APC persists, it will impact negatively on programmes of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, among other

issues.

On salaries and allowances for lawmakers I understand the outcry over our allowances, wages and salaries. I identify with all Nigerians on the belief or suggestion that all holders of public office should make sacrifices so that we can restore the economy on a good footing.

We have been elected by the people on the promise of change and we will, by the grace of the Lord, live up to their expectations. We are very much conscious of the high level of expectation on the side of our people as far as their needs and aspirations are concerned and we will do everything possible to address these expectations.

I wish to use this opportunity to identify the need for all in positions of power to make sacrifices towards reviving the economy.

So, I am fully in support of these sacrifices that need to be made by legislators at the National Assembly and governors and state legislators. But I should also make it very clear that impoverishing the legislators or reducing their wages will not, in any way, be the magic wand that will restore the economy on a sound footing.

The people must in all respects monitor budgets and be

vigilant and all Nigerians must be an agent for the fight against corruption and that is the only way we can improve on the economy.

Our economy is in a very bad shape and it is not possible for the people in power not to set an example but cutting salaries

is not enough to address our

challenges. People should be vigilant over how budgets are implemented.

That is the most important thing. There is also the need for people to understand that an impoverished Legislature will not improve the economy as we have various ways through which we can bring back our economy in track. Number one is a cut in salaries, conserve our foreign reserves, and formulate new ways government can generate revenue other than depending on oil. Then checking oil theft and oil bunkering in the Niger Delta. All these things need to be put in proper perspective Senate leadership crisis and APC blunder Let me also use this opportunity to make comments about our party with particular reference to elected legislators at the National Assembly. It is true that our party is facing a serious post-election crisis in terms of the challenge in uniting all APC Senators.

Mistakes were made but naturally, all revolutions are always faced with postrevolution crisis. We are now facing our post-revolution crisis and by the grace of the

The collective resolve is to accept the situation and see how we can operate effectively

Media and democracy

I appreciate the role the media have played in the struggle for the restoration of democratic rule and the struggle you have continued to make between 1999 to date in ensuring that the game is

•Comrade Shehu Sani

Lord we are going to overcome it. Those from the PDP who thought that the divisions that exist within the ranks of the APC Senators

is an opportunity for them to cash in and re-establish themselves in power are making a very big mistake. Yes, we have problems within ourselves but they are being addressed and I commend the efforts of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in trying to reconcile both the Unity Forum led by Senator Lawal and the Like Minds led by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki. Such reconciliation is needed for the party to make progress. The

division within the Senators if not properly addressed poses a serious threat to the government of President Muhammadu

Buhari and his capacity to deliver.

President Buhari needs the APC Senators to be united and act with one voice for the success of the Buhari administration. The reality on the ground now is that Senator Bukola Saraki is the President of the Senate and the position of all Senators should be the position of President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC. There were flaws in the election process and unfortunately we had to share some positions with the PDP in the Senate. That was not supposed to be and I was not part of it but we must move on. When you are faced with challenges, what you do is either to run away from such challenges or you confront them. We will walk through the landmines for the realisation of the goals and manifestoes of our party.

The reconciliation process For now, reconciliation process is going on between the Unity camp and the Like Minds towards seeing how the camp of Senator Lawal

can be accommodated within the new arrangement. But the first step is accepting the fact that we got ourselves in a corner and how we live in that corner is what is of interest to all of now. So, the party has no intention of impeaching any Senator of the PDP holding any principal position. It is now how we can live with the situation in which we have found ourselves. There is always a first time in everything.

We have never had this kind of situation but it is going to be a test of our wisdom and leadership and a test of our political skill in terms of being able to wriggle out of the turbulent situation we have found ourselves. We did not envisage that it was going to happen but the divided house of the APC gave room for the PDP to exploit the situation. Even with Saraki as Senate President it could have been worse. The PDP had the power on the floor to pick the position of the Deputy Senate President because of the division within the APC but there was also an intervention by Saraki himself to ensure that we did not lose everything.

But to be candid with you, we are pained by the situation because our people voted for change and they wanted an APC leadership but there was a problem of lack of reconciliation within the APC which opened a crack for the PDP to take an advantage of the situation.

The collective resolve is to accept the situation and see how we can operate effectively. What we want to avoid is unnecessary overheating the Senate. That will be a distraction to the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

But I tell you, if Saraki is absent and Ekweremadu is there, the APC still has the

played according to the rules and you have played a role to ensure good governance and a corruptfree society and democracy based on the tenets of democracy itself. I believe all those who have found themselves in public office today are beneficiaries of the role played by the Nigerian media. From 1983 to 1999, the Nigerian media led the resistance against military dictatorship. You gave us the coverage we needed, the backing and the moral support to be able to dislodge the military out of power and restore our country to democratic rule.

When we were in prison during the military era, the Nigerian media kept the torch of freedom alive and the media have kept the flag of freedom flying.

In the last 16 years the media have become a dependable parliament for the people in the sense that they have offered the opportunity for people to express their opinions and challenge government and to also put in check the people in power to conform to the dictates and the principles of democracy.

The Nigerian media played a major role leading to the success of the APC. You informed and mobilised the people and by your information you sensitised the people. It would have been impossible for us to evict the Goodluck administration without your professional support. The eviction of Jonathan was possible because you informed and enlightened

Nigerians on the need to look at the future with hope and optimism to take the course of change. The change in Nigeria can only be of value if it brings meaning to the lives of the common people, those common people who toiled day and night and have suffered for years and those common people who came out and using their thumb prints to bring us to power.

18—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

Enugu PDP chieftain jabs Ngige over Ekweremadu •Says Ngige is desperate

for SGF position

*Paul Anikwe

The three tiers of government just shared over N400 billion oil revenue accruing to the Federation Account. It comes mainly from South-South and par tly from South partly Eas t. Wh East.

Whyy didn’t the APC go govvernment reject the re revvenue because the two zones did not vote for APC?

H

on. (Chief) Paul Anikwe, a PDP Chieftain in Enugu, was a ranking Member of the Enugu State House of Assembly for two consecutive terms, from 2003 to 2011. He is also the National Coordinator of the Enugu West People’s Forum, political pressure group. He spoke with newsmen on Senator Ekweremadu’s reemergence as the Deputy President of the Senate. Excerpts.

How did you receive the news of the reemergence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu as a Deputy President of the Senate?

It is democracy in action. It came from the blues, but he emerged a most democratic and transparent way and in accordance with the constitution.

Even the APC Senator that ran against him embraced him warmly. It was jubilation all over Enugu. We were not just rejoicing that the South East had become part of the Federal Government against all odds. We rejoiced because Ekweremadu will C M Y K

continue delivering democracy dividend to his senatorial district, Enugu State, and the South East.

Until he became Senate President, the quest for an international airport in the South East was a matter of promise and fail. Today, we can fly in out of the country from Enugu.

But former Senator Chris Ngige said the position Ekweremadu holds is Ekweremadu’s personal share and a stolen good; I read Ngige’s interview. It’s quite unfortunate. He stopped at nothing in his efforts to twist and misrepresent Senator Ekweremadu’s innocuous call on President Muhammadu Buhari to carry every part of the country along. We know why he is doing this. It is a desperate quest for the position of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). Please, let him also steal that position to the South East. He will be celebrated too.

Were you at the said airport reception?

Of course, I was there to welcome our leader. At no time did

Ekweremadu say that his emergence had taken the Igbo share in the constitution of the new Federal Government or that the APC should rather focus on the South-South alone. I have the papers here let me read to you.

Ekweremadu said: “My dear people, I would like to assure you that what we have is constitutional democracy. Nobody will deny us our rights. We will stand to be counted and nobody in the country can put us aside. We believe we are part and parcel of this country, we believe what we got is within our rights. So, we expect that APC should be able to accommodate the people of Southeast, South-South as they form their government, because don’t forget that Buhari got about 15 million votes, we have more than 150 million Nigerians. So, he is not the president of 15 million people, the rest of the people must be accommodated. In fact, that was why when we saw that it appeared that Southeast and South South were being marginalised in the scheme of things, we decided to take a shot so that our people will be part and parcel of government so that every part of Nigeria will have a sense of belonging”.

I read Ngige’s interview.

It’s quite unfortunate.

He stopped at nothing in his efforts to twist and misrepresent Senator Ekweremadu’s innocuous call on President Muhammadu Buhari to carry every part of the country along

Even if you stand this comment on its head, one does not still see how it harms the Southeast interest or Ngige’s quest for the position of the SGF. He is just behaving like a gossip who did not venture anywhere near the village market square, yet claims to know all that transpired in the market. He just wanted to incite Ndigbo against Ekweremadu so he can lead them to APC. By the way, what is wrong in Ekweremadu calling on President Buhari Administration to carry every part of the country, including the South-South, along as he formed his government?

Ekweremadu is a statesman in his own right, a Deputy President of the Senate of all Nigerians.

Besides, could he even have retained his office without the support of the South-south and the rest of Nigeria?

Don’t you think it is too early in the day to conclude that the South East is being shortchanged?

Senator Ekweremadu’s observation bothered on the inequitable distribution of substantive offices as opposed to appointive offices. Out of the first seven positions in the land, namely President, Vice President, Senate President, Deputy President of the Senate, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, the South East would have been nowhere but for the stunt pulled

by Ekweremadu and the PDP Senators and leaders. The Chief Justice of Nigeria is already from the North, likewise the Court of Appeal and Federal High Court.

Even the list of the remaining Continues on page 19

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015—19

staff. The Deputy Senate President also represents the Nigerian Legislature at the ECOWAS Parliament as Speaker.

The good thing, though, is that Ekweremadu has repeatedly stressed the readiness of the opposition to help the Buhari administration to succeed. I recall what he told us after the presidential election. He said that everybody should support Buhari to succeed because he is President of all Nigeria, not APC and that if Buhari should fail, it is the ordinary man that would suffer. So, you can see that he has a patriotic mindset and the PDP Senators do not need to entertain fears. In fact, if you look at events in the National Assembly since 1999, you would agree with me that you don’t need to be in the oppsotion party to make trouble with the executive. It is about the individual.

Continues from page 18

principal for the House of Representatives being forced down the throat of the House of Reps by the APC does not take the Southeast into account. APC Reps from our zone addressed the press on 24th June to say they were not even consulted let alone allocated anything. You don’t just exclude people like that. Even though APC didn’t do well in the two zones, the PDP did not also garner the volume of votes it used to get from both zones. You don’t just judge a goalkeeper by the number of times he was scored, but also by the number of saves.

Imposition and exclusion are the two major things causing fight in the chambers. The three tiers of government just shared over N400 billion oil revenue accruing to the Federation Account. It comes mainly from South-South and partly from South East. Why didn’t the APC government reject the revenue because the two zones did not vote for APC? Besides, the APC is in breach of federal character principle in Section 14 (3) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution as amended. Let me read it to you. It provides that the composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall, be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or other sectional group.

Are the APC stalwarts from the South Eat not to blame?

(Cuts in) Exactly part of my point. Political sagacity demanded that Senator Ngige and the others from Southeast APC negotiate and secure at least a Deputy Speakership position for one of the two APC Members of the House of Representatives from Imo State. But as you can see, not even a principal office was allocated. Yet these political Lilliputians prefer to run their mouths like broken taps, chasing after SGF and ministerial slots.

These are appointive positions, subject to sack by the President at will. So, it could have been total disaster if the PDP had not rescued something for the South East. Ngige should be grateful.

But Ngige has said the Deputy Senate President is not a useful office, that it is like a Deputy Governor, a spare tire or standby generator…

C M Y K

*Paul Anikwe

‘Ngige is desperate for SGF position’ (Cuts in) The same man said Ekweremadu’s reemergence had endangered the APC in the South East because in his words, “PDP in the Southeast will have oxygen to breathe from because they now have the highest-ranking (Igbo) person in Nigeria”.

Then he turns round to say it is a spare tyre and a useless position. But the Senate Senate Unity Forum, a splinter of APC Senators who still mistake the National Assembly of Nigeria for the National Assembly of the APC, did not even cover up Ngige’s ignorance. Protesting the reemergence of Ekweremadu, they lamented the great influence the position of the Deputy President of the Senate commands and why it should not have gone to the opposition. They said although the tradition in the Nigerian Senate concedes much power to the Senate President, it

is indeed the Deputy Senate President that directly interacts and controls the day to day activities of the Senate. They said Ekweremadu would regularly preside over the plenary session of Senate especially during those times the Senate President may be away attending to other functions; that Ekweremdu automatically becomes Chairman of Constitution Review Committee, which conducts the exercise of carrying out fundamental changes in our Supreme Law; by legislative convention, the Deputy Senate President collects and supervises the final budget documents in the preparation of the Appropriation Bill. They also said that the Deputy Senate President is statutorily the Chairman of the Governing Council of the National Institute of Legislative Studies (NILS), the institution charged with the responsibility of building capacity for lawmakers and their supporting

It is not Ekweremadu’s reemergence because APC did not give the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate to us. Two, it is also a different arm of government

But Ngige seems to see the Office differently.

Ngige is self-condradictory and incoherent. Why then is he so peeved about an inconsequential office? How is a spare tyre going to make life miserable for the Southeast APC? In fact, I think Ngige’s problem is the SGF position. Moghalu is most likely going to take the ministerial slot for Anambra. So, he is a sinking man- politically, except he gets the SGF. But the truth is that it is even the APC disregard for Southeast as shown in the distribution of substantive offices and the infighting amongst Southeast APC stalwarts for the position that are the real roadblock here. It is not Ekweremadu’s reemergence because APC did not give the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate to us. Two, it is also a different arm of government.

The PDP has gotten the position of Deputy President of Senate for the South East. The onus is squarely on Ngige/Southeast APC to secure the SGF position for Ndigbo. No excuses.

Do you see Ekweremadu lasting in office because Senator Ngige made allusion to many ways to kill a rat Of course. He is one of the most experienced lawmakers in Nigeria today. Never mind Ngige who talked about killing a rat manually, putting the rat in hot water or poisining it with Gamalin. It is good he told us his mindset towards his only kinsman occupying a substantive office in the Federal Government. Sadly, such rascally comments are what we get when men of easy political virtue who swear naked before shrines in their desperation for power are allowed to remain in political circulation. It can only happen in Nigeria.

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

ENUGU: Task before

the Economic Advisory Team LOUIS AMOKE

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here is no doubt that the recent constitution of a 15man Economic Advisory Committee by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State to assist him generate ideas on how best to tackle the adverse effects of the dwindling revenue from the Federation Account due to the drastic decline in the prices of crude oil in the global market was a right step in a right direction.

To many, this brave step taken by the governor was indeed timely and a well-thought-out strategy that will help the state to navigate through the tough economic conditions in the country.

The governor’s action became pertinent following the inability of our leaders to heed to the earlier warnings and advice from world leaders and foresighted Nigerians to look in other directions of revenue generation through the diversification of its economy.

Although most economic indicators have been relatively stable in the past two years till early this year due to viable economic growth, accommodating interest and exchange rates’ policies, benign inflation and stable oil price index, some of these variables have been unstable in the past few months due to persistent decline in oil prices.

It was on the premise of the above, that Governor Ugwuanyi, in a bid to achieve his action plans, carefully assembled a cream of notable think-tanks from all walks of life to assist him surmount the current economic crunch in the state and the nation at large.

These eminent people include the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Monsignor Prof.

Obiora Ike, who serves as Chairman of the Committee; the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu; former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji; foremost industrialist and Chairman of Innoson Group of Companies, Chief Innocent Chukwuma; and the former Economic Adviser to the President and current Director of the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Nigeria, Prof. Osita Ogbu.

Others on the advisory list are the Pro-Chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Dr. Chilo Offiah; former Aviation Minister, Amb. Fidelia Njeze; Chief Loretta Aniagolu; Dr. Chikelu Mba; Mr. Emeka Odo; Princess Ngozi Nnadozie; Mr. John Okoye; Mr. Kelvin Emeka Onah and Mr. Ikechukwu Chioke.

Even though the task before the

committee seems to be a daunting, if not an arduous one, one is compelled to make projections on what the public expects from the members with a view to pointing out possible viable areas they need to exploit to succeed.

On the need to restructure the state’s internally generated revenue , the committee is also expected to lay emphasis on investment promotion, agricultural revolution, and prudent management of government resources. This is in view of the fact the state has the economic potentials to harness and create new viable opportunities aimed at generating resources for rapid development.

For instance, Enugu, being a natural resources-endowed state has played early roles as the capital of Eastern Region of Nigeria with avalanche of mining opportunities such as coal, lime stone, clay, iron ore, and other mineral resources. It is on record that coal mining which commenced in the state in 1916 was used for National Power Supply at Oji River and Cement Production at Nkalagu, among others. The Oji River power plant which uses coal to generate power has the capacity to supply electricity to all the eastern states of the country, if revitalized. It is therefore, strongly believed that if coal mining in the state is given adequate attention through the revamping of the sector in partnership with the private sectors, the state stands a better chance of boosting its revenue for sustainable development.

Agriculture is another sector the advisory committee is expected to give the priority attention it deserves. This is achievable through massive investment in the sector to be able to produce and export foodstuffs such as palm oil, rice, cassava, pepper, pineapples etc and agro-based raw materials derived from forestry, among others.

Good enough, the governor during his campaign promised to “encourage more joint venture projects with reputable private companies for commercial large scale agriculture and agroprocessing businesses, including the revamping of Adarice farm complex for massive rice production and milling”. This will also entail total commitment to the revitalization of other state ailing agricultural establishments and farm settlements in partnership with private investors under the supervision of the Enugu Agriculture Development Programme (ENADEP).

For instance, the said Adarice farm settlement at Adani in UzoUwani Local Government Area of the state has about 5,000 hectares of land with the capacity to produce over 10, 000 tons of rice in a season, when functional. There is also

•Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State

Adapalm farm plantation at UzoUwani L.G.A which also has the capacity to produce a large volume of palm oil for revenue generation for the state, when revamped. Ugwuanyi had also promised to create massive employment and enhance the income of farmers in the state through the provision of farm extension services to small and medium scale farmers and long term concessional credit facilities in partnership with the relevant federal government agencies. The committee is expected to find out how these will work.

Under taxation, it is also on record that Enugu being one of the fastest growing commercial cities in the country due to its peaceful, convivial and secure environment, has witnessed visible proliferation of economic activities/outfits.

In this regard, the economic committee is expected to look inward and come up with a friendly tax policy that would ensure prompt and appropriate payment of taxes by commercial outfits, and equally make sure that the monies realized from the proceeds go into the coffers of the government for utmost utilization.

Another task before the Monsignor Obiora Ike ledcommittee is for it to encourage

The economic committee is expected to look inward and come up with a friendly tax policy that would ensure prompt and appropriate payment of taxes by commercial outfits, and equally make sure that the monies realized from the proceeds go into the coffers of the government for utmost utilization

the governor’s stance on limiting government expenditures on vital issues that will impact positively on the lives of the citizenry and also cut down the cost of governance to be able to save money for capital projects and actualize his laudable vision for the state.

In conclusion, one is convinced that the present economic scenario, which requires the critical need for government at all levels in the country to develop the non-oil sectors, strengthen their tax base as well as internally generated revenue, could be surmounted through these options enumerated above and the expected cherished recommendations of the 15-man Economic Advisory Committee.

It is gladdening that the governor of the State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who has dedicated himself to the service of the state has started fulfilling his promises to continue on the pathway of vision in the advancement of good governance through the provision of the basic needs of our people, wealth creation and prosecution of programmes that will guarantee the future of our children in an atmosphere of peace, love and security. He is “ready to work” and the sky remains his limit.

•Amoke, the Senior Special Assistant to the Enugu State Governor on Media, writes from Enugu.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015—21

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his blew me away especially when I noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean!

As he slid behind the wheel, Wasu said: ‘Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf’.

I said jokingly, ‘No, I’d prefer a soft drink.’ Wasu smiled and said, ‘No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and diet coke, lassi, water and orange juice.’ Almost stuttering, I said ‘I’ll take a lassi’. Handing me my drink, he said, ‘If you’d like something to read, I have ‘The Hindu’, ‘Times of India’, ‘ET’ and ‘India Today.’ As we were pulling away, Wasu handed me another laminated card, ‘These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you’d like to listen to the radio’. As if that wasn’t enough, Wasu told me he had the air conditioning on and asked

much: that he should be grateful the water was even flowing while the Ghanaian apologised profusely and promised to change the shower head.

Yet for all our talk on tourism, if we do not recognise the importance of prompt and cheerful delivery of simple chores, or like Wasu, learn to make the customer king, we are dead on arrival.

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rom my experience, the travel

The power of choice me if the temperature was comfortable for me. Then he advised me of the best route to my destination for that time of the day. He also let me know that he’d be happy to chat and tell me about some of the sights or, if I preferred, to leave me with my own thoughts. I was amazed and asked him, ‘tell me Wasu, have you always served customers like this?’

Wasu smiled into the rear mirror. ‘No, not always. In fact, it’s only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time

,

close friend sent a short piece to me through the social media last week. It is so beautiful and inspiring that I feel compelled to share.

Even if you had come across it before— these things go round fast—I don’t think it would hurt to read it again. In fact, I think it is a story we should go back to once in a while. Titled:”Ducks quack, Eagles soar”; it is the story of a taxi driver and his cab. Please read on.

‘I was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing I noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the car passenger door for me.

He handed me a laminated card and said; I’m Wasu, your driver. While I’m loading your bags in the trunk, I’d like you to read my mission statement.’

Taken aback, I read the card. It said: Wasu’s mission statement: ‘To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment.’

year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year, I’ll probably quadruple it. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone all the time or leave a message on it.’

Wasu made a choice. He decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles.

This quaint story is poignant on many levels. One level is that of attitude. Have a positive attitude to life and you will have a lot of positive things happening in your life. Another

Have a positive attitude to life and you will have a lot of positive things happening in your life

complaining like the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard about the power of choice one day. Power of choice is that you can be a duck or an eagle. If you get up in the morning expecting a bad day, you’ll rarely disappoint yourself. It’s about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly and the customers were unhappy. So I decided I’d put a few changes in one at a time. When the customers responded well I did more. My first

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level is the need to improve the quality of your life by offering quality service to your clients, customers, employers —whoever is paying your living wages.

Many of us fail at this level. The quality of service—from the waiter at a buka through the customer service officer of a big telephone company to the boss at a tourist resort—is abysmally low.

This reminds me of an article I read from one of my favourite Nigerian writers. Titled, ‘The parable of the shower head’, the writer compared the reaction of a hotel staff in Nigeria with that of Ghana to the complaint of poor flow of water from his bathroom. The Nigerian staff felt his wahala was too

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piritual commitment is what confers spiritual authority.

Spirituality is what will deliver your destiny. When you are committed to the things of God, God gets committed to your things and your things begins to obey your command. Psalm 37:4-5, says “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass”.

One of the greatest secret to spiritual commitment and command is soul winning. John 15:16, says “Ye have not chosen me; but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that Israelite did not leave Egypt empty of his spiritual commitment to God. ye should go and bring forth fruit, handed. Their years of labour He told Portiphar ’s wife who wanted and that your fruit should remain: that without pay came to a sudden end to make him fornicate with her that he cannot do this wicked thing and whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father (Exo. 3:7-8, 21; 12:36).

Favour came upon Zion when it sin against God. You cannot bring a in my name, He may give it you”.

God has commanded that you win took a stand to serve God. Psalm harvest to God and not have souls into His kingdom and ask for 102:13-15, says: Thou shalt arise, and something to show.

How aligned you are with God is anything and it will be yours. Also, have mercy on Zion: for the time to according to Gal. 4:19, you are to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. what determines His hand pray for their spiritual development, For thy servants take pleasure in her upon your life. The three stones, and favour the dust thereof. Hebrew boys refused to so that Christ is formed in them.

You commit God to the issues of your So the heathen shall fear the name bow to Nebuchadnezzar life when you commit yourself to of the Lord, and all the kings of the strange gods and servicing what is uppermost in His earth thy glory”. Until you begin to encountered the wonders heart (salvation of the souls of men). favour heaven’s agenda, you may of God that won over the The probable reason your prayer has never enjoy God’s favour well. king and the nation that Divine favour is one of the benefit also led to their promotion not been answered is because you are not obeying His command of soul of our spiritual commitment to God. (Dan. 3). Be out for God Joseph enjoyed God’s favour because winning.

God does not waste For more details, contact us at Christ Reality Church, beside Gossard time in responding to Hotel, opposite First Bank Sports Ground, Community Road, Satellite Town those that are committed or P.O.Box, 3196, Yaba Lagos. Tel: 08023062635 08168955932; 08033378769. E-mail: to soul winning and Johnson_crm@yahoo.com. Website: www.christrealityministries.org. serving Him Our account details are Pastor Johnson Omomadia, Guaranty Trust wholeheartedly. When Bank, A/C Nos. 0005171407; Christ Reality Ministries, Zenith Bank A/C 1011711622. the children of Israel in Worship with us on Sundays, 1st Service: 745am-9:15am; 2nd Service 9:15Egypt made up their 11:30am. Wednesdays Word Revelation 6pm. Counseling days Tuesdays, mind to serve God, God Thursdays and Fridays. 11am-5pm daily or by appointment. Showers of blessing heard their cry and gave every 2nd - 4th Sat. of each month, 6 a.m - 7.15 am. them favour and the

Kingdom delight

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guide who does his job cheerfully and with humour gets far more tips than the dour, gloomy faced one.

Another level is the choice we make concerning the rule of law. A lawyer can decide to promote the cause of justice or subvert it through technicalities. An accountant can decide to cover up for a thieving boss while ignoring the need for transparency and the interests of the shareholders. A motorist can decide to obey the traffic laws or flout as many as he can get away with. It is all about the power of choice. Like the choice Jonathan made to take himself out of the political equation and thus save the country from a possible implosion….Similarly, both Adesina and Madueke were highly trained and knowledgeable technocrats brought in

by President Jonathan as ministers of sensitive sectors. One made a conscious choice to make his sector better than he met it while the other made a choice in the opposite direction.

The same thing can be said about Governors who chose to build and those who chose to plunder.

At the end of the day, whatever becomes of us, whatever posterity says of us, depends on the choices we make at critical junctions and their consequences.

So make this your choice week.

Choose to smile. Choose to love.

Choose to bless. Choose to be a blessing. Choose to touch lives.

Choose to make a difference. Choose to be humble. Choose to be law abiding. Choose to be kind. Above all, choose God to be your guide. and watch God go out for you.

It is time to know God. The proof of knowledge is result. They that know their God, shall be strong and do exploits. Apply the kingdom first principles in your life. Pray kingdom prayers. Support kingdom agenda.

Win souls and live for the kingdom and your life will be a delight to multitudes.

Some people have been Christians and been in church for years without any soul attached to them. Prov.

11:30, says ….he that winneth souls is wise. It is therefore urgent that you start getting involved in the business of soul winning. Surely you will only put resources in the hands of a wise man. You must shut up the mouth of hell through prayers and effective soul winning. As you turn many to righteousness, your star begins to shine (Dan. 12:3).

22—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

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he past governments controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party, at both the federal and state levels, left a record of shame in governance. They mismanaged the financial resources available to them.

The upshot is the painful result of wages, monthly wages, not being paid in many areas. One needs to be involved to appreciate the agony of the people so blatantly denied of their due remunerations.

This is the woeful situation in almost all the states which were formerly governed by the PDP in tandem with the Federal Government, suggestive of a deliberate plan to frustrate the All Progressives Congress administrations which would take over from them. It is a tactic well known in warfare— “scorched earth policy”, it is called—when a losing side in retreat destroys all useful facilities behind them, to prevent the pursuing enemy from gaining any advantage through their usefulness.

However, there are some states where a hand-over from one political party, or even administration, did not take place, either because the former party retained control, or there were no elections at this time. None of such states, of course, should have any reason to default on any item of recurrent expenditure, least of all, the payment of wages.

One of these is Osun State, but it does.

* Common sense and just nonsense not been paid their salaries in the “golden state” of Osun. That made common sense to us and, we dare say, to every right-thinking citizen of this country.

But not so to Ogbeni Aregbesola. This is the man whose sense of fiscal management would make even a housewife gape. The monthly allocation, he said, was dwindling, but apparently without any effect on his spending, or consideration for those whose living depended on his decision. Such a decision might have been taken, for instance, on the helicopter that is supposed to be in use “for surveillance”, but whose status is questionable as to its usefulness to the state.

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rom all the noisome posturing and ballyhoo, no one would have thought that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola would have fallen into that class. Here was a state where almost every project was a celebration, a success even before it was tried out. Some of them appeared to be revolutionary indeed, like the “Opon Imo”, which should have won a UNICF award— or did it? But there was also all that dabbling in school uniforms with the religious furore that sprang from it, and not forgetting the free school lunch and

here is also the issue of an airport which is supposed to have been built in the state but which is loudly questioned in certain quarters. His alleged campaign “spraying” of dollars, and all the above, should not be associated in any way with a man who could not pay his workers.

•Senator Ben Murray-Bruce

From all the noisome posturing and ballyhoo, no one would have thought that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola would have fallen into that class

,

the politicking that spiced it.

Ogbeni, all along created the image of a man in charge, an executive who was fully in control and knew what he was doing.

However, he was not paying the salaries of his staff members, especially the teachers , some of whom might have had to be making good on the sidelines from the leftovers of the pupils’ lunch. Not for just one month or two, but for over half of a whole year he wasn’t, while he posed around pretending to be the foremost deliverer of the” dividends of democracy” in the entire nation.

But he had a reason. He was receiving a reduced allocation every month but C M Y K

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kept on spending the money thinking that the situation would improve. He saw no necessity for managing the resources that came to him, either because he was irresponsible or incapable.

He had little thought for how the workers who depended on him for the dispensation of their livelihood, were managing to survive. He has got away with it. This is his last term as a governor. But the people whom he had made to suffer such insufficiency for over a year, including physical hunger, will never forgive him. He has failed as an administrator, as a politician and as a patriot.

Ogbeni Aregbesola would not leave it at that. He has a

few words for a man who stretched out a helping hand, a patriotic hand, to lighten his burden.

Senator Ben MurrayBruce is, without a doubt, first a gentleman before he stepped into the muddy waters of politics. A refined businessman, and son of one of Nigeria’s early entrepreneurs, he took to the age-old art of exchange as duck takes to water. He has been successful in his various undertakings conducted always with fastidious transparency.

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is campaigns for the Senate seat was made to swing on the mantra, “I just want to make common sense.” And he has occupied himself, since he was elected into the upper chamber of the National Assembly, about how to really infuse real meaning into his occupancy of the office by looking for various ways to contribute to the

improvement of the dismal terrain which now fills Nigeria’s horizon.

And so, while other distinguished gentlemen are displaying the latest deadly moves in Kungfu , and taekwondo attacks on the floor of the house, he has been compiling a series of proposals that would improve the lot of the Nigerian citizen. From such an exercise emanated the idea of how he could make common sense of the ridiculous “wardrobe allowance” approved for Senators as a part of their allowances. Rather than make whining noises about it, he decided to convert it, and other hand-outs to the benefit of some deprived citizens. The recipients would include some widows in his home-state, Bayelsa, and also those who had

The reaction of the Osun State governor and his supporters is, to say the least, coarse and leaves no redemption in its expression. Hear one of them, Olusegun Aderemi, who is a self-styled civil rights activist: “Senator Ben Murray-Bruce is playing politics with the plight of Osun State workers. The half of his wardrobe allowance which he promised to give to the people is the people’s money. If he wants to give to the people, let him take the substantial fund from the proceeds of his business…..” Now, honestly, did you ever hear such nonsense?

Dr.Olusegun Aderemi simply has no excuse for such drivel, since he is supposed to be a member of the Society for Corporate Governance in Nigeria.

Whatever that is…or whichever that is, since there are quite a number of these societies for civil rights, and human rights, and women’s rights, and children’s rights. Except for those who just want to make some common sense out of this muddle.

Time out.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015—23

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hen you hear some of the cases of medi cal malpractice that have become all too rampant now you can’t but conclude that some medical doctors have become petty fraudsters.

It’s one thing to commit a mistake that falls below the standard expected of doctors or even one that borders on ‘criminal’ negligence , it is however egregious evil to engage in activities aimed primarily at defrauding patients. And tragically, in many of these cases, hapless victims must “leave it to God” “Doctors are no angels. But medicine should have no room for scoundrels.

The doctor- patient relationship is that of trust and confidence. The society , every society , expects doctors to possess angelic attributes and makes certain special demands on them as fiduciaries. The physicians’ oath commits them to exemplary professional conduct and dedication to their patients and humanity in general. Their trainings are rigorous but the job often calls on humaneness not necessarily acquired through formal education. In many societies, dignity belongs to them.

“Doctors in Nigeria were once revered. And bright kids were told from cradle that medical career would confirm their giftedness. But not any longer. The majority of our doctors are still men and women of exceptional character and intellectual endowment. Much of the blame for the deterioration in medical care must rest on the society.

Rotten apples abound but it would appear that a more systemic affliction has gripped the national health care system. Assuming what we have can be called a system. The general rot has seeped into and is consuming the medical community.

The calamity that our degenerating health sector has become is an inevitable consequence of chronic poor planning, poor funding and poor regulation.

Doctors are being bashed right , left and centre . Once, they were celebrated nobles. Are they now villains? Tales of medical horrors and inexcusably poor medical care are rife. The virulent cancer it appears is metastasizing rapidly . Are doctors mere scapegoats? Scapegoatism as remedy for a multi-faceted social issue is perhaps short sighted, emotional nonsense. Because citizens , patients, must be offered adequate protection, tangible solutions. And comprehensive restoration of the health care sector will need more than the telling tales of woes about hospitals and the lampooning of doctors.

Medical doctors are some of Nigeria’s brightest hands . And they are arguably Nigeria’s best trained professionals. And if Nigeria has suffered brain drain, the bulk of lost grey matter is her doctors. Doctors possess internationally marketable skills , so those who stay behind despite the greenness of foreign pastures should be appreciated .

But a careless doctor is a grave danger to the society. She is as dangerous as a violent criminal on the loose. So those who have chosen to stay are only useful if they are committed to the promotion of the health of the community. Fortunately , medical practice is one of the few professions where there still exists a semblance of internal regulation and where trainings still aspire to some level of international acceptance.

Generally , work ethic in Nigeria is poor and the public, regrettably, has become inured to pervasive mediocrity. So why is the public so dissatisfied with our doctors and why are reported cases of medical malpractice and outright medical fraud now rampant? Perhaps only banks and telecom companies and C M Y K

Our rickety hospitals and a health system in shambles

their likes can be sharks whose clumsiness must be accepted and paid for by consumers. I agree hospitals should be held to much higher standards.

But our expectations are often naïve. We are an overly optimistic people. We neglect things that should matter the most and yet expect a medical service delivery system that is not decrepit. When priorities border on vanity and superficiality , necessity and substance are neglected. So when we manage to build and install, we leave to disintegrate. Most public hospitals are poorly maintained and private hospitals cannot attract funding needed to be real hospitals.

The health sector despite our inordinate fantastical wishes cannot be isolated from and rendered immune to the decay that has beset the collective.

What you sow , you shall reap.

Doctors struggle to keep our teaching and reference hospitals open , but they unfortunately remain what someone recently referred to as ‘ white washed sepulchers’. The rich and powerful know the state of our hospitals, and they rarely go to them. So you have a mighty Lagos with a mighty population and a mighty but functionally moribund Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). A LUTH with rickety beds. And senior government officials live with and are comforted by the delusion that they can always get to their preferred hospitals abroad. Many times however, life and death will unfortunately depend not on the availability of an air ambulance but on how many minutes it takes to get to the nearest proper clinic. The rich , even the rich must be worried. “What happens if I slip off the stair case and sustain a serious head injury? What if I develop a sudden cardiac arrest?”

And a disenchanted society is left to throw tantrums at doctors and nurses for whom contempt rather than admiration is now reserved.

Same society so steeped in anomie that nobility and public sacrifice count for shiftlessness . A “cash and carry “society where means and morality mean nothing and the only

meaningful end is tons of money. A society in a perpetual haste to no where, and where people trample on rules effortlessly and on flowers planted with public funds with contempt. A society in need of taming.

Once , a patient brought severely critically ill died in the emergency room of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Moments after , ‘ area boys’ arrived in droves, unhindered , to visit mayhem on the medical staff in the emergency ward in Idi Araba. For the invading group of urchins, doctors and nurses were responsible for the death of the patient. Such orgies of violence are not confined to LUTH. They have been reported in many other hospitals across the country. In a place like Lagos where civility makes one vulnerable , doctors, who must be nearly always be seen as gentle , are soft targets of such savagery. Most deaths taking place in Nigerian hospitals are not caused by doctors. Doctors are not infallible and do make mistakes . But the pain of morbidity and of bereavement must make room for that understanding, the understanding that doctors are, in the main, rescuers.

But even relatives who won’t pay , who dump the sick on doctors and abscond , often still find moral justification to vilify conscientious health workers . If every patient presenting in emergency rooms in the country must be treated then someone has to pay for it and it can’t be the doctors.

People expect mandatory treatment for all presenting in emergency and they think somehow the physician’s oath entitles them to that. Even if that oath were that of servitude, doctors cannot meet the health challenges that only good governance and effective people oriented legislation and health insurance programmes can ameliorate. Americans have a legislation which makes that possible (EMTALA), which ensures anyone presenting in the emergency is treated . Their doctors do not pick up such bills. Without tools, without rewards, without respect, somehow doctors are yet expected to be living sacrifices? Many point to private hospitals and wonder if patients owe anything more than the fees they are charged. Hospitals are not outfits for unbridled profit making.

The truth is that competition and lack

of regulation mean that many hardworking private medical proprietors scratch to survive because sharks and quacks rule the trade.

Doctors, even those in private hospitals, are compassionate. They ask for and receive much less than their due.

“Yet some hold the contrary view that doctors have become too commercial. Some say that doctors should be “called” and that many are not “called”. Perhaps not exactly the epiphanic prompting many pastors claim but “calling” , in the sense of having an innate compelling passion to care for the sick. Others expect more, expect doctors to possess a meekness , a tendency towards abstinence , contentment and charity . But doctors are ambitious people and hospitals pay bills. Many say a doctor should not insist on his payment before treatment? And should be gentle about his demands of it afterwards? Doctors are not monks and nuns and are not sworn to poverty.

Long ago, doctors were respected here. The police would nod in respect and wave them on and perhaps kidnappers would have spared them. Not anymore, nearly every one is now wild and nothing is sacred. Doctors are harrassed by the police for stabilizing gun shot victims and molested by relatives when they insist on police report before continuing treatment.

Doctors are even derided in churches.

People walk up to the altar to give testimonies of the Lord’s mercies and they are often not done until they have eviscerated doctors. Doctors are often cast as agents of doom who peddle convoluted , jaw breaking, names of illnesses that ‘saints’ must learn not to pronounce. And some of these testimonies end with a relish in the perceived profoundness of the ignorance of doctors. “I travelled from hospital to hospital………” you know that narrative.

The tension between doctors and their patients in a community where many live below poverty line, where no effective national health insurance policy exists must be expectedly high.

Poverty means people can’t think about health until perhaps when they are manifestly ill. And because they live on the edge, they cannot get adequate medical care when stricken by infirmity until complications have set in. But there is more, doctors will tell you that those who have means would look after their cars more than they would care for their health. They pay the bills of auto mechanics promptly but will regularly owe hospitals as they jump from one to another strangulating clinics with chords of debts. And private hospital owners pine and writhe in frustration. And public hospitals get practically nothing from national and state budgets. They didn’t learn from the Ebola outbreak that good health is first line of national defence and that an epidemic could be more deadly than Boko haram . Wise people know however that good health is best economic asset.

I must confess that the general decay that has worn thin societal moral fabric is ravaging the health sector. A penchant for shoddiness fueled by the ‘get rich quick’ craze has also gripped some doctors. It is true that doctors must aspire to be different and the oath foists that on them. But how can anyone in this society which has made money its god resist the pull of mammonism?

They didn’t learn from the Ebola outbreak that good health is first line of national defence and that an epidemic could be more deadly than Boko haram

To be continued next week

24—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

30 DAYS IN OFFICE:

Is Buhari walking his talk?

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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wo things were uppermost in his mind during the electioneering campaigns: to stamp out the twin vices of insecurity and corruption and then evolve a virile economy that would create massive employment. These were his campaign promises and he was very unequivocal about them, asking Nigerians to vote for him. Eventually, they did and he won the election.

With every every gusto, he has pursued the agenda.

Sworn in on May 29, President Mohammadu Buhari set to work almost immediately afterwards in his own way. First, he visited the Niger Republic.

Then Chad Republic, the G7 meeting in Berlin, Germany, the African Union Meeting in South Africa and the Republic of Cameron. One thing informed his participation in the meetings: finding lasting solution to the menace of insecurity occasioned by the Boko haram insurgency in Nigeria.

Besides the issue of security, the Buhari C M Y K

administration has vowed to stamp out corruption. And there are signs that he had begun the fight in earnest although many say actions are yet to follow his words.

There are criticisms against the government that one month after, president Buhari is yet to get the government properly working as he is yet to appoint ministers.

It is in the light of this that Saturday Vanguard sought the views of some Nigerians on whether the government can be said to have charted a direction after its first 30 days. Read the views of some Nigerians on that.

Buhari’s government has kicked off well

— Hon. Shuibu Philips, Member House of Representatives “One of the most notable achievements of the Muhammadu Buhari Government so far is the major and apparent shift in the philosophy of Government from a culture of obstructive knee-jerk and reactionary response to

national issues.

“We now see an emerging trend of calm, calculated, methodical well-thought out and progressive response that is tailored not just to calm issues in the immediate but to apply future - conscious, people - centered and sustainable solutions.

“We are also witnessing a rebuilding of our institutions through the policy of allowing civil servants and staff of Agencies to function without political interference but with a complete and total adherence to the rules and regulations governing MDAs “It is also now beyond rhetoric that we have a president who “belongs to nobody but is for everybody.” This is so as non of the key party functionaries can boast of influencing any decision or Appointment by the President. Appointment and Decision making are now based on merit. This again is a welcome development.

“At a more specific case by case basis we can see that,

One of the most notable achievements of the Muhammadu Buhari Government so far is the major and apparent shift in the philosophy of Government from a culture of obstructive knee-jerk and reactionary response to national issues

in the area of fighting Insecurity, the president has brought together an iron cast coalition of nations within Africa and across the globe as partners in the fight against Boko Haram.

He has also secured the support, trust and backing of this countries in the fight through his diplomacy visit to Germany for G7 meeting and the neighboring countries of Chad and Niger. It should be recalled that the previous Government of GEJ failed to do this.

“The President also released the sum of 21 billion Us Dollars as part of Nigeria ‘s financial commitment to the mission of the Multinational Task Force on Boko Haram.

“The President also showed decisive leadership by insisting that Nigeria should lead the fight by not just appointing the current commandant of the MJTF but also that the Leadership should not be rotational on a short term basis but extended so as to provide

Continues on page 50

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015—25

IYABO AINA 08184172548

Stars who battled & beat drug abuse As yesterday June 26, marked International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Saturday vanguard has compiled lists of stars that battled and beat drug addiction. Read how some did it.

Slash Saul Hudson who is better known by his stage name Slash, is a British-American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the American hard rock band Guns N’ Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

As one of the most famous figures in rock, Slash also used to be one of the most prolific drug users in the music business. However, due to his 2001 congestive heart failure diagnosis and encouragement from his wife, this former Guns n’ Roses guitarist was able to give up the habit.

Eric Clapton He was so addicted to heroin that in one of his performances, Clapton passed out and had to be revived. Eventually Pete Townshend, “The Who” guitarist, convinced Clapton to give up his addiction and establish the Crossroads center for drug and alcohol treatment.

Brian Welch Brian Welch is known as one of the co-founders of the platinum selling metal band Korn, but later found himself embroiled in a world of money and drugs.

At the height of his career, he got addicted to several sub-

Slash

Samuel. L. Jackson

•Sanjay Dutt stances and vices, including alcohol, sleeping pills and Xanax. When he became a Christian in 2005, he decided to cleanse himself of these addictions.

Oprah Winfrey Known for being an inspiration to many people around the world, Oprah Winfrey once admitted that she used crack cocaine in the 80’s. Nobody knows how long the addiction lasted, but one thing is for sure: Oprah Winfrey has long moved past it.

Eminem Eminem was able to get rid of his drug addiction through the help of Elton John, a friend he met in 2001 who eventually convinced him to kick the habit.

Steven Tyler The lead singer of popular rock band Aerosmith struggled with drug use when he was in high school. In one of his interviews, he admitted that his addiction resulted in struggles in class, difficulty coping with success and poor relationships. He was convinced by his band mates to go to rehab in 1986.

Oprah Winfrey

Eric Clapton

Keith Richards addiction. In fact, he got overdosed on heroin several times and was sent to a New York rehab more than once but ended up escaping. He considered his cocaine addict role in Jungle Fever cathartic, because that was what made him realize how dangerous his habit was, consequently inspiring him to quit.

Charlie Sheen Widely remembered for his role in the sitcom Two and a Half Men, Charlie Sheen used to be a drug user as well. His addiction jeopardized the show and resulted in one of his co-actors being fired. Nevertheless, Sheen did seek help and according to sources has remained clean.

Angelina Jolie Angelina Jolie once admitted that she did about every drug possible. However, when she got engaged to Brad Pitt and had six children, the actress decided to clean up her act.

Sanjay Dutt The son of Sunil Dutt developed a teenage drug addiction after his mother passed away from cancer and in 1982, was incarcerated for five months for the illegal possession of drugs.

He was sent to a rehab center in the United States by his father in whom he was able to overcome his addiction.

Samuel. L. Jackson Samuel.L.Jackson had struggled with some serious drug

Steven Tyler

Eminem

Charlie Sheen

Ozzy Osbourne Angelina Jolie

Keith Richards Part of The Rolling Stones, Keith Richards is dubbed the “pirate junkie.” Apparently he has no regrets about his being a substance addict before. In fact, according to him, his being an addict helped him write some of his greatest hits of all time. However, he has given up all his hard drugs and currently only smokes marijuana.

Ozzy Osbourne Ozzy and his fellow band mates dealt with substance abuse during the peak of their career. However, due to the seriousness of his addiction, Osbourne was fired by his band which led him to use even more drugs. Eventually, he cleaned up his act, stopped drinking, and gave up drugs.

Britney Spears Although her struggles with alcohol and drugs have been widely publicized she went to rehab and sources say she has remained clean. It’s a good thing too since she is the mother of two.

Britney Spears

26 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

With FLORENCE AMAGIYA 08061644307 email: daise4000@yahoo.com

GORDONS:

The tale of an aspiring King of Comedy GORDONS, whose real name is Godwin Komone, has done well for himself even though he wasn’t born with a silver spoon. It can be recalled that Gordons was discovered from the popular Delta state based Gospel music comedy group known as D.C Envoy. His group exported music comedy to the campus when they got admission, even in the midst of his poverty-stricken background. And as a teenager of less than 13 years of age, the star was already a breadwinner. Gordons studied Integrated Science and graduated in 1998. Before venturing into standup comedy, he actually tried his hands in running a church in the capacity of a pastor. With his church background, it is no wonder he always adds ‘hallelujah’ to his jokes and does more gospel music when he has the opportunity. Today, Gordons is considered one of the best in the business and charges mouthwatering fees for his shows. He has a comedy show known as Gordons Comedy Clinic with its fifth editions in running. In this edition, I introduce to you, a brother, artiste, husband and father to his four beautiful children.

Enjoy!

G

ORDONS hails from the Urhobo speaking tribe of Delta state. He is the first child in a polygamous family in Warri. Young Godwin attended Ighogbadu Primary School in the heart of Warri and later attended Nana College. He stage name coined by his friends was acquired when Gordons Spark and Gordons gin came into the Nigerian market. Music discovered him in his twenties when his childhood friend, Obus Zelee, created their group. And what started way back on Karien Street, near Emiberen C M Y K

Street, Okumagba Avenue, like a joke took these young stars everywhere in Nigeria for performance.

After graduation in 1998, the ever evolving

Gordons got married while trying his hands in many things including going solo in music and becoming

Gordons and some of his friends

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015 — 27

With FLORENCE AMAGIYA 08061644307 email: daise4000@yahoo.com

the resident pastor of Rainbow Christian Assembly, Jakpa branch, also in Warri. He joined the team of Made in Warri created by Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD). While being featured on the stage of Made In Warri, he got launched on the big stage of Experience in 2006, where the big story of his life actually began.

Since then, he has grown the brand to the extent that he has been showcased in different platforms including AY Live Shows, A nite of a thousand laughs, and several others too numerous to mention. Gordons has anchored thousands of events and appeared on stages abroad where he was paid handsomely for his craft. His Gordons Comedy Clinic is among the popular CDs sold in town as he has done the fifth edition already.

Gordons and colleagues

Challenges

G

ordons tried his hands at several

One of his cars

Humility is the foundation to every success because when a person sees himself as something and acts rudely towards others, then God takes him down, but a humble man is lifted up.

C M Y K

According to him, the way up is down, meaning that if you want to get up, you would have to be down first so you can appreciate it better when you get up.

Accolades

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entertainment projects that didn’t pay off, but he persevered until his break came in 2006 at the Experience held at TBS.

Belief

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e believes that humility is the foundation to every success because when a person sees himself as something and acts rudely towards others; then God takes him down, but when he brings himself down in humility, then God would take him up in His time.

ordon has been able to take his style of comedy to the public via his comedy clinic while anchoring events and other businesses he is doing.

He single-handedly anchored ‘A Nite of a thousand laugh, the 11th and 12th editions. The star gets to be paid good money for his talent.

Today, he lives in his own house in Lagos and in Delta state. He buys himself expensive cars, wrist watches, perfumes and can afford to take care of his family.

28 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

By KEHINDE AJOSE 08024212530

Brand ambassadors songs in recent times

By TOFARATI IGE and KEHINDE AJOSE

W

hat makes a brand ambassador?

According to PR and Brand Expert, Kehinde Olaonipekun, ‘A brand ambassador should be someone who has achieved success in his or her field of human endeavour. A person chosen as a brand ambassador must be relevant and seen as an authority of sorts in whatever he does. That way, the individual can rub the goodwill he has on whatever brand he chooses to associate with. Furthermore, the brand ambassador has to continually conquer new grounds so that this will translate to positive mentions for the brand he represents.’ With the above definition, it is not surprising that corporate giants are always falling over themselves to snap up worthy entertainment ‘brides’ to help push and project their brands above the cacophony of competitors’ noise in the market-place.

In light of the foregone, we take a look at some music artistes who are brand ambassadors for top-flight companies, yet have not had hits in recent years. What value, then, are they adding?

However, we must state that this piece is not an attempt to ridicule or denigrate any brand or personality; rather, it is to echo and amplify the word on the streets. A popular artiste, Timaya recently shared the same sentiment; in his words, ‘There are some artistes that are brand ambassadors and they do not have any hit song.

LYNXX f you mention Glo ambassador, Lynxx’s name on the streets, not many people, except avid music lovers, know him. It is safe to say that he has never had a mainstream hit, though some of his songs have been mild successes. They include ‘Change your Parade,’ and ‘Fine Fine Lady’ which many argue was made relevant by his collaboration with Wizkid.

It was recently rumoured that he has been dropped by Glo, but the telecommunications giant has neither confirmed nor denied this development.

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EGO n all honesty, the last hit Ego had wasn’t even her own

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C M Y K

song. She became popular as a member of the masked one, Lagbaja’s band. Particularly when she featured on the widely successful, ‘Nothing For You,’ and ‘Wherever You Are,’ Nigerians fell in love with her sonorous voice. When she left Lagbaja’s band in 2007, many expected her to re-work the magic on her solo career, but alas, the bird refused to fly. She has recorded many songs after then, but none of them has been a certified hit. She is a Glo ambassador.

SANI DANJA Glo ambassador, Sani Danja is quite popular in the North, but for all intent and purposes, Lagos still remains the entertainment capital of Nigeria, nay Africa.

As far as the average young fan is concerned, Sani Danja is an unknown name. Much attention is paid to youths when choosing music artistes as brand ambassadors because they form the bulk of these companies’ customers, and they represent the age-bracket that can be swayed by brand ambassadors to patronise goods and services. Based on these criteria, Sani Danja definitely does not strike a chord.

NAETO C alented rapper, Naetochukwu Chikwe aka Naeto C, who is a Glo ambassador, shouldn’t have made this list, if only he was consistent.

In Nigeria, where the average fan is fickle-minded and forgets easily, an artiste has to consistently be on top of his game to maintain top of the mind awareness.

Naeto’s last real hit was ‘Tony Montana’ which was released in 2012. In today’s world, that’s almost as good as a century ago.

Some believe marriage and fatherhood are the epicentre of the dashing rapper’s world now, and music has taken a back seat. He released a track ‘Helele’ featuring fellow Glo ambassador, Flavour last year, but it wasn’t much of a hit.

Little wonder this artiste was dropped last week by MTN.

•Lynxx

•Ego

•Sani Danja

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D’PRINCE Born Charles Ezenwa Enebeli, he is Mavin honcho, Don Jazzy’s younger brother.

Initially, many concluded that the modest success he

•Bez a MTN ambassador.

D’BANJ hen the history of contemporary music is written in Nigeria, D’banj aka Ejanla (Big Fish) will definitely occupy a vantage position.

Fondly known as The Entertainer, D’banj can best be described as a magician on stage because he brings the roof down whenever he performs. However, when was the last time Banga Lee had a certified hit? Many would say it was 2011’s monster-music, ‘Oliver Twist.’

Ever since he parted ways with Don Jazzy, it is an open secret that his musical fortune has dwindled. Most of the

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•Naeto C achieved was due to his brother’s influence. But he proved critics wrong in 2012 when his songs, ‘Take Banana’ and ‘Goody Bag’ went on to

•Don Jazzy become the most popular on Mavin’s debut album, ‘Solar Plexus.’ Sadly, those are the last hits the fresh-faced fine boy has been able to deliver. He is

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015 —29

By AYO ONIKOYI, 08052201215

without hit

Nigerian musician,Lagbaja was the rave of the moment. He headlined massive shows and commanded huge performance fees. Though Lagbaja still has the magic,he is yet to recreate the success he had from songs like Nothing for you, Konko Below etc.

The mask-wearing saxophonist who recently toured the U.S.A,signed an endorsement deal with Glo in 2013.Ever since,he has been performing his brand ambassadorial duties. He recently released the visuals of his song 200 million mumu which hasn’t been able to elevate him back into the minds of his fans.

Mocheddah n 2009, Modupe Oreoluwa Oyeyemi known as Mocheddah as a young rapper and singer gained massive attention when she delivered a brilliant performance on Knight House’s track Won beri.

Her versatility and uniqueness made her a sought after artiste.

During this period,she clinched an endorsement with Soulmate and went on to win several awards.

She left the scene,parted ways with her record label and her struggle for relevance began. The Ko ma roll star teamed up with Phyno in 2014 on the song Destinambari.

Determined to create another hit song,she has followed up with songs like Tori Olorun and My time. In 2013, she was made a brand ambassador for Deal Dey.

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•Praiz

•Mocheddah

•Lagbaja

BEZ ez is not your average Nigerian artiste. His brand of music is known as Alternative Soul which caters to the taste of a select audience.

The Glo ambassador’s last major hit was ‘Stupid song’ which was released in 2011.

He can rarely be found at major concerts across the country, neither does his music rank on the charts.

who came into the limelight in nd 2008 when he emerged 2 runner up on MTN Project Fame. Armed with songs like Mercy, Oshey featuring Awilo Logomba and Rich and Famous,one would have thought the RnB crooner who sounds like John Legend was on his way to becoming the next big thing,sadly the talented singer is still looking for that hit song that will catapult him to the height he desires to be. In 2013,Praiz signed an endorsement deal with MTN,which was recently renewed.

Praiz raiz Ugbede Adejo A.k.a Praiz is a respected singer

Lagbaja nce upon a time, internationally acclaimed

songs he has released since then have tanked terribly.

He is currently a brand ambassador for Glo.

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P C M Y K

•Sasha

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Sasha emale rapper and fashion entrepreneur,Yetunde Alabi fondly called Sasha P by her fans, is one damsel who started as a rookie but has carved a niche for herself. When she shot into limelight,Nigerian music didn’t have much acceptability. In 2011,she released hit tracks like Emi le Gan ,Work It and Oya. She was once a brand ambassador for Samsung and currently an Etisalat brand ambassador. In recent times,nothing impressive has been heard about her music. She seems to be focused more on her entrepreneurial ventures these days.

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Top 15 music and videos of the week 1.Kilimanjaro -Evelle The Universal Music Group’s artiste, Evelle releases Kilimanjaro after her first song titled, I am naughty. She shows off her vocal dexterity in this new song, she describes as her first spiritual.

2.Gat your back- Harmonee featuring Cynthia Morgan and Stonebwoy Harmonee isn’t ready to stop doing music anytime soon. The sensual singer recently realized the visuals of her song Gat your back featuring Cynthia Morgan and Stonebwoy 3.Oruka -Pasuma Fuji artiste, Pasuma has finally dropped the music video of his anticipated love song titled Oruka. The video was shot in Lagos at Jhalobia Gardens and directed by cinematographer,Clarence Peters.

4. Jamb question-Simi Soulful singer,Simi after releasing her Afropop single,Jamb question has finally released the video. The visuals was shot in Ibadan and features Falz Tha Bahd Guy 5. Simati Niya- Cynthia Morgan After the success of her hit song German juice,Cynthia Morgan steps out with a new song she calls Simati Niya. In this song, she shows a subtle side of herself. The song is produced by V-tek 6. My baby-Sandra Ifudu Sandra Ifudu collaborates with producer, Dr Amir to release this love song titled My baby. In the song, Sandra says money is not pivotal in a relationship.

7. Hello- OJayy Wright The youngster and son of Nollywood actress, Bukky Wright has released the video of his song titled Hello. The music video was shot in Houston,Texas and directed by Tinsel director Alex Mouth.

8.Come back song -Six Foot Plus After a long hiatus,r apper Six Foot Plus, returns with this catchy hip-hop tune titled Come back song. The song is supposed to be his come back song,we hope he achieves that.

9. Marry you -Ice prince Panshak Zamani a.k.a Ice Prince has released the video for his song Marry You. The video was directed by Studio Space pictures.

10.Unstoppable- Bouqui Inspirational rapper, Bouqui recently unveiled her new single titled Unstoppable. The groovy rap tune is produced by Dapo Torimoro.

11 Power to win- Flavour Can you recall the GloWorld Cup 2014 anthem, Power to win?

Flavour recently released his own version of the song. The song is produced by Master Kraft.

12. Chukwudi- Joel featuring Iyanya Joel who is preparing to release his debut album has collaborated with Iyanya in a song titled Chukwudi. This might just be the song that will give him the big hit he needs.

13. Enjoy yourself- Ketchup Ketchup’s consistency is gradually making people pay attention to him. The Rozay star has officially released the video of his song Enjoy yourself. The video is directed by Tosin Igho and was shot in South Africa.

14 Spend owo- Black Gate featuring Phyno and Sarkodie Spend owo was recently released and has been getting rave reviews. Phyno and Sarkodie blend effortlessly with this budding rapper.

15 Joyful- KJV KJV is a budding Afro pop artiste who recently unveiled the video of his song titled Joyful. The video was shot by Nic Roux in South Africa. The video has a picture quality that will make viewers stay glued to their TVs

30—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

Why I’m relocating to the country — Stacy Uzuh, American trained make-up artist

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nited States-based Nigerian make up artist, and actress, Stacy Uzuh, who launched her first Cosmetics line called the Maiden Collection in Lagos recently, has been explaining why she decided to relocate to the country.

The Delta State-born beauty said she’s back in the country to add value to the Makeup industry.

As a professional makeup

artist, Stacy has been privileged to work alongside experienced and welltrained makeup artists across the globe. Even though she studied Theatre Arts at the Texas State university, her passion for enhancing and beautifying people is awesome.

“I have been very blessed to work alongside experienced and well-trained makeup artists in the industry,”she said, adding, “I have had the pleasure of experiencing customer service as well as gaining knowledgeable information on various techniques and trendsetting makeup from around the world.”

Stacy has worked in “the business”, providing friendly, timely and high quality beauty services.

“I’ve created beautiful images in so many venues, including fashion editorial looks, runway, and commercials, video, corporate, film and television. Whether you are here to secure me as your

personal Makeup Artist, sign up for a makeup class, purchase Stace Face Cosmetics for someone special, the quality and my expertise will ensure you receive exactly the service you need. I take pride and honour in satisfying my clients and making sure your needs are met.”

Stacy said, while sojourning in America, she did make up for P-sqaure, when the duo stormed there last year.

She has also done makeup for actress Juliet Ibrahim and other celebrities. Immersed in beauty and fashion, Stacy is not afraid to embrace success and challenges as she takes the local makeup industry by storm.

“I came back to the country few years ago, and met with a couple of Nollywood producers but it didn’t work

out. Seven years later, I am here again. But this time, things are taking shape, ”she narrated. Stacy, however, expressed her desire to début in Nollywood.

Kemi Adesoye leads leads Nigerian Nigerian filmmakers to Durban A

ward winning script writer, Kemi Adesoye, will be leading other Nigerian filmmakers to South Africa as they are among the 40 participants selected during the week by organizers of the prestigious th 36 Durban International Film th Festival, DIFF, for the 8 edition of Talents Durban.

The programme is being organized in cooperation with the Berlinale Talents, an initiative of the Berlin International Film Festival. Talents Durban is a fiveday development programme made up

of workshops and seminars for African filmmakers delivered by film professionals, academics, and intellectuals. The ‘Talents’, who are selected through a rigorous application process, according to the organizers, will also have the opportunity to attend screenings and events at the festival.

It’s one of the six Talents International programmes formed by Berlinale Talents in Africa and around the world including Talents Beirut in Lebanon, Talents Buenos Aires in Argentina, Talents Sarajevo

in BosniaHerzegovina, Talents Tokyo in Japan and Talents Guadalajara in Mexico.

Forty filmmakers from ten countries across the continent including South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Zambia and Cameroon, will be in attendance.

Other Nigerian filmmakers who are selected alongside Kemi include, Kassim Braimah,Isabella Akinseye, Temotope Ogun and Olawale Oluwadahunsi.

Kemi is widely known for her work in The Figurine, and Phone Swap which won her the best screenplay award at the 2013 Nollywood Movie Awards.

Stacy

Mike Ezuruonye, Uche Ogbodo in love tango?

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hat could a married woman be looking for in another marriage? Could it be for self-enrichment or love?

You will be finding the answers in this ongoing movie, Mother’s Club, starring two belligerent women who went for another marriage while keeping an existing one. This is the storyline of a new movie, which is currently being shot

in Owerri.

Produced by Ifemechukwu Ibeh, the movie is starring Mike Ezuruonye, Clarion Chukwurah, Emma Ayologu, Uche Ogbodo, Nkechi Nweje, Nancy Iheme alongside others. It’s written

by Chisom Juliet Okereke, while costumed by Andy Ike. With a very proficient production team as a support, Reginald Ebere is directing it, even as the storyline surrounds deceit, love and betrayal. With the two married women who went for another marriage for the second time, conspiracy of silence could be read between them, which makes the movie a suspense filled one.

*Mike Ezuruonye and Uche Ogbodo on set C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015 —31

I’m not in a hurry to release ‘Invasion 1897’ on DVD, says Lancelot ...as the film set the world stage on fire P roducer of the world

*Lancelot Imasuen

acclaimed epic movie, “Invasion 1897”, Lancelot Imasuen, has expressed satisfaction with the performance of the film at the international stage, declaring that he’s not in a hurry to release it on DVD. Recall that “Invasion 1897”, premiered on December 5, in the country, and subsequently across the globe.

Lancelot, who has been busy touring the world with the film, said he’s satisfied with the recognition that “Invasion 1897”has enjoyed so far at the international scene. “I feel very satisfied with the positive reaction I have has gotten so far for producing the film.

“Invasion 1897 has blessed me immensely as an individual. It has also given me global recognition beyond the shores of this country and opening

doors for greater businesses,” Lancelot said, upon returning to the country last week after touring some major cities in America for the third time with the film.

According to him, the historical movie is not only breaking new grounds at the international market but also it is leading the way for the rebranding of the Nigerian movie industry.

Sharing his excitement with HVP in his office at Surulere, the celebrated director cum producer said, “I just concluded the third round of “Invasion 1897” global tour that has taken us to about 15 different cities around the world. We are also excited that the fire is catching up and the re-branding of Nollywood has come. The appraisal for the movie has been overwhelming.

It’s not just a one-off showing

AFRIFF-Ford Foundation Scholarship: 15 students head to film school in US I

t was a moment of crowning glory for 15 scholarship recipients as they said goodbye to friends and colleagues during a send-forth party held in their honour last Saturday at the Head office of Africa International Film Festival ,AFRIFF, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Ford Foundation, in collaboration with The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), provided scholarships to them for being the best in their chosen fields of training at the 2014 AFRIFF’s Talent Development Workshops. The scholarship entitles them to attend Film School at The Montana State University in the United States of America. The list of recipients includes 12 Nigerians, two Kenyans and one Ethiopian.

“This Scholarship scheme is a one month intensive hands-on

training camp on various aspects of filmmaking with an emphasis on documentary film making.” said Prof. Paul Nwulu, Ford Foundation’s Program Officer for Advancing Public Service Media (West Africa). “There will be six days each week of classes which will include intensive field work and hands-on training,” he explained. “A trip to Hollywood in Los Angeles will crown this trip with interactions billed to happen with American film makers and a tour of certain film studios slated to take place as well.”

Founder/CEO of AFRIFF, Ms Chioma Ude, said that the skill acquisition and youth development initiative was designed to use filmmaking as an authentic vehicle for youth empowerment. Tagged, AFRIFF Talent Development Workshops, the initiative provides beginners

and intermediate courses for young people.

According to her, “We believe we can use this model for a social revolution that will change the economic horizon of the African film industry, by providing technical knowledge and skill sets to the abundant talents in our film community.” Chioma Ude noted that this training in the US is in line with the vision of

The students with CEO of AFRIFF and representative from Ford Foundation at the event.

Dj Spinall celebrates Smirnoff endorsement at Industry Nite

By Kehinde Ajose n Wednesday, June 17, 2015, social media was O abuzz with congratulatory

messages for Seye Sodamola, popularly known as Dj Spinall. The Industry Nite official Dj had just been unveiled as the first ever African Ambassador for Smirnoff. The announcement which took place at the corporate headquarters of Guinness Nigeria, was just a tip of the iceberg, as everyone was eager to see what the unveiling party would look like since it was billed to hold at Spice Route, venue for

C M Y K

Industry Nite.

It was an evening like never before for the venue witnessed an unprecedented turn out of fans, music industry executives, music lovers, celebrities, entertainers and more.

The star of the night arrived clad in an all-white assemble with black boots rocking his signature trademark African cap. No sooner had he arrived the venue, than he immediately went from table to table appreciating all those who came out to celebrate with him on the night.

Amongst guests present include 2Face Idibia,

providing growth opportunities for graduates of the festival’s training program. AFRIFF has since its first edition in 2010, provided free training and talent development opportunities for young people and aspiring film makers.”

Speaking at the event, the excited students assured their sponsors of living up their billing.

Chidinma Ekile, Ice Prince, Wande Coal, Beverly Naya, Gbemi Olateru Olagbegi, Sound Sultan, Olu Maintain, Saeon, Jahbless, Simi, Ehiz, Maria Okan, Vj Adams, Shaydee, Dj Jimmy Jatt to mention but a few.

“I say a big thank you to my family, 2face Idibia, Sound Sultan, and a number of people for believing in me from the inception, and for their unwavering support. To the fans that dance whenever I play, the media and finally to Matthew Ohio for providing the platform - Industry Nite for me to showcase my craft”, said Dj Spinall.

in these cities, but they are calling for more showing of the film.”

Lancelot said due to popular demand, Invasion 1897 will be showing again in cities like Dallas, Austin and Houston.

“Once the audience left the hall satisfied they are telling others and the demand is really very high. Like a businessman, I am not in a hurry to release the film on DVD. It’s quite thrilling and bigger opportunities are opening up for collaborations especially in a city like Austin where the first AustinNollywood Incorporated as a company has been registered resulting from this movement with great Nigerians in diaspora supporting this project where we will see the berthing of Nollywood in major cities like the state of Texas. We are looking forward to the Nollywood film festival that is going to be taking place there soon as a result of this fallout. It has been quite satisfying for me as a film maker because when I started the production of Invasion 1897, I told people that I was a making a film for global audience. I have seen the dream come through.”

According to him, the Benin Club of Houston is the brain behind this movement. He said, there is no better way to give relevance to the culture of your people than what the motion picture will do. So, you see the movie is getting so much excitement first among the Benins, Nigerians and Africans at large. The global black race are identifying with the story and relating with the story. In the month of August, we are going to be showing the movie in Chicago, in a big museum. From Chicago, we will move to Boston, which is another very important city to the Benin story. From there, we will move to Atlanta, New York, Dallas, Houston and rounding it off in California as part of the Edo National Assembly ,where the members will be holding a convention.

He said, the movie is not doing badly in terms of recouping his investment on the project.

On what his plans after the global tour of the movie, Lancelot said, he would not only release the movie globally on DVD, but also, he would release Video on Demand as well as Internet Rights.

32 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

Pe

By BENJAMIN NJOKU

This is the concluding part of our exclusive interview with the movie legend, Pete Edochie. The first part of it was published last week.

ra Ni po

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as featuring in ‘Things Fall Apart’ the first production that brought you to limelight?

Yes, it was the production that projected me. I had played other little roles on television such as Segment of Shakespeare, Every Man, Realm of Violence, Resurrection and others. But Things Fall Apart was a full blown production. Because of its popularity as a set book, it was welcomed by a lot of people.

They were not disappointed with the interpretation of the role. I feel very happy about it.

For many years now that production has not been shown on television?

It is the property of NTA and I think (I am not speaking with authority here) that some people bought the rights and decided to package and sell the production. A lot of people have the complete set of thirteen episodes. All the same, it is the property of NTA, and if the management of the television house decide that they want to run it again, all they require is sponsorship. But I know that the production is still very much in demand.

A lot of people have visited me from outside the shores of this country to ask for my help to enable them acquire the production.

But I told them that the production was the property of NTA. There was a time I was approached by some people who wanted to translate the production into French. They wanted to pay me a lot of money just for me to give my consent. But I am not used to that kind of thing. I need money but I don’t steal. If I had given it to them, nothing would have happened, but I would have stolen somebody’s property. It would have haunted me all through my life. I am a devoted Catholic. However, I directed them to the management of NTA, and I don’t know how they sealed the deal.

acting. Watching his films, do you see your blood running in his vein?

Yes, I’m not really used to watching our movies. But after some people told me that my son was doing very well I decided to watch him consciously. I think he’s doing very well.

He has a good voice and he’s a good role interpreter. Actually, while he was in the university, he majored in directing. But I told him that he ought to be in front of the camera, and not behind it. I assessed him as his father and advised him to go into acting. He did, and I don’t think he regrets it. Also, my other son, Linc, was there before Yul. He is married now and based in Abuja. Unfortunately, Linc didn’t quite make the impression that Yul made on screen. So, he decided to back out. He is more creative than Yul is, but the latter is a better role interpreter. That’s the major difference.

But if Linc has gone into directing, he would have done marvelously well because he is very creative. He chose his own path. I never compelled any of my children to do any thing.

I allowed them to follow their dreams. Yul is an actor while Adam is a Fine artist. Linc also studied Fine Art. My first son did Agriceconomics and he’s based in Port- Harcourt with his family. Yul is the person who is flying the flag now.

You bought cars for all your sons. Was it a way of appreciating them for making you proud?

I wanted to encourage them. I said to them that if you guys graduate from the university, I would buy cars for you all. That was intended to be a source of inspiration for them. And they had it at the back of their minds. As they were graduating, I was buying cars for them and I don’t regret it. Again, you graduate from the university, there is what we call peer group influence. You join your peer group, it’s a very venturesome age. They believe very much in adventure. You want to move around with them, and you see about four or five of the young men squeezing themselves into one car and getting themselves drunk while driving recklessly and killing themselves in the process. I didn’t want that to happen to any of my sons. You have your own car and you drive at your own pace. Don’t be tempted by other people. Do your own thing in your own way.

That’s why I bought cars for them and I don’t regret it.

C M Y K

•R espo •Resp esp

•Pete Edochie

•Says w

All African Games in Kenya, Nigerians were winning laurels in wrestling and the Kenyans said, they were not surprised because they came from Okonkwo’s country. And Okonkwo was a wrestler.

There are those who spend all their time trying to run other people down. But like I said, a fact is a fact. Whatever you say about me today, such comments don’t bother me. I am the only actor that BBC has flown into Nigeria to interview, and that was because of my infectious professionalism. It’s not limited to just the local media alone. When you stay with the English man and you talk to him and he listens to you, he’s impressed. And if you travel out of the country, you will be told that there is no actor in Nigeria who manipulates the English language like Pete Edochie. What can you do about it?

Nothing. It happens to be truth. Somebody called me on phone some time ago and said there are only two actors in Nigeria: Pete Edochie and others. I said, “thank you very much.”

Your beard is as old as the grey hair on your head. Will you ever shave it off for any price?

No, I wouldn’t, no matter how much you would pay me. It gives me character. I have always played a big man in my movies. If I am not a leader of a cult, I am an Igwe or a native doctor. There must be something inspiring about you. Something that frightens people, that terrifies them, intimidates them when they know that you are coming. When you cleanshave, you lose that character.

For how many years have you been growing your beard?

I started growing beard when I was 23 years.

And you have not shaved the beard since then?

It’s not necessary. I could trim it, but I will not shave my beard. I will carry it till the end of my time. I have a lot of hair on my head, and there is so much power in the hair. You read about the Bible story of Samson and Delilah. Our Lord Jesus Christ never shaved off his hair. There’s so much power in the hair.

IGBOS OWN NOLLYWOOD Recently, Wale Adenuga, producer of “Super story” and Waptv Chairman alleged that Igbos have hijacked Nollywood. Do you agree with his observation?

Comments are free but facts are sacred.

People are free to say whatever they like, but a fact is a fact. Who make up Nollywood? The Igbos. Who started Nollywood? The Igbos.

What are the films you remember most in Nollywood; ‘Living in Bondage” which was produced by an Igbo man, “Rituals”, ‘Igbodo”, Ëbuka” among others. They were all produced

by Igbo filmmakers. I featured in about 90 percent of these films. Yorubas have always done productions in Yoruba, so the circulation of their films is limited. If you travel out of the shores of this country today, people would want to talk to you about the Igbo culture. They would talk about the huge bearded man with a red cap and a walking stick. This is the man they are referring to. When our people went for

,

Among your five sons, Yul is the only one that decided to take after you in the area of

I could trim it, but I will not shave my beard. I will carry it till the end of time. I have a lot of hair on my head, and there is so much power in the hair

,

ONCE HURT BY THE SYSTEM

I started acting practically before all of them.

But I got hurt along the line. During the centenary celebration, my name was dropped. It was deliberate, conspiratorial. I saw it, and people wrote about it in the dailies and called me on phone. Even Former President Goodluck Jonathan was mad over it. Again, it happened, and I did not kill anybody for it. At the end of the day, it is the way that your audience sees you that matters. AfricaMagic organized Viewers Choice Award and the entire continent said, this bearded man desired an honour and I was given a car. I have never angled for anything. Not at all. I have won more awards than anybody else in the industry. I don’t struggle for these things. If you think I desire an award, then bring it. There is a university in Ekiti state that wants to give me an award. I keep getting invitations, but I don’t need all those awards. Three university Professors and a team at various times, volunteered to write my biography. But I told them not to worry about it.

And I have since apologized to them. I don’t see why it has to be me, and they said to me, ‘you are the most outstanding performer the country has produced over the years. I have won an award once as the best actor of the

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015 — 33

ete Edochie

person. It always happens. So, I don’t regret any part of my life at all. If there is second coming for anybody (I am talking about reincarnation), if I come back and I’m given the same opportunity, I will do everything all over again. I don’t have regrets at all.

People always mistake Rita Edochie, the actress for your wife?

In a way, she is. She’s my younger brother’s wife. Her husband is seven years younger than myself.

ates Awolowo igeria’s best olitician ever

Is it true that you have a love child?

It doesn’t make sense. I don’t need it. Why? But a young man from Kenya alleged some time ago that his mother told him you are his father and he was planning then to come to Nigeria to meet you?

Why didn’t he come to Nigeria? I have never been to Kenya before. Where did I meet his mother? I am not a wayward person. Peter (pointing at his PA) has been my Personal Assistant for over 17 years. If I were a sexually adventurous person, he wouldn’t have stayed with me for this long. But each time somebody calls me he picks up the phone. Somebody brought the story from the internet and showed it to me. One slim character like that. He looked like a cattle Rear-er. He said, “somehow I think Pete Edochie is my father.” Well! Let him come to Nigeria and meet his father. But he hasn’t embarked on the journey yet. Like I said, such things don’t bother me. I got married at 22 years. I have never involved myself in tense extra-marital affairs. It’s not necessary. We are all weak as men, but you see, if you decide to pursue a torrid extra-marital relationship, what will you be proving to people? However, I don’t involve myself in situations that will make me to compromise my integrity and that of my family.

onds tto o W ale A denuga’s comment on Nollyw ood Wale Adenuga’s Nollywood

why he will never shave the beard he has carried for 45 years

KEEPING THANKING GOD EVERYDAY I came face to face with death in 1977, when I drove my car under a trailer. It was my first car which I bought in 1975. I survived the accident.

Also, there was a time I was driving down to

Awka to visit one of my sons at the university, when I cheated death again. God spared my life and I thank Him for that. People wrote some time ago in the dailies that Pete Edochie went to Austria and died there. They said, he fell off a 50 feet height mountain in Kitzbuhel, Austria and died. I told them that they should stop announcing my obituary because my father died at 95. It’s all part of it. You are doing something, and some people appreciate you while many others don’t. But the great Zik said, “You don’t wish a fellow man death for any reason.” If anybody wishes you death, you survive that

Could you relive the experience you had in the hands of those criminals that abducted you few years ago at Nkpor, a suburb in the commercial town of Onitsha?

It’s something I don’t like talking about it.

,

continent of Africa in 2001, before all these minor awards started coming my way. The body that gave me the award was based in South Africa. I didn’t campaign for it. Later, the Censors Board introduced an award in 2003, and Pete Edochi was adjudged the Best Actor in Nollywood.

I have never involved myself in tense extra-marital affairs. It’s not necessary. We are all weak as men, but you see, if you decide to pursue a torrid extramarital relationship, what will you be proving to people?

,

Some entertainers are going into politics, are you planning to do so in future?

I don’t like politics. Politicians don’t speak the truth. Regrettably, there is no morality in politics.

It doesn’t justify it. I want people to see me for who I am. If Pete Edochie says this thing is black, it’s black, there are no two ways to it. In the next ten years, he still tells you this is black.

It gives me honour, it gives me integrity. But if tomorrow, I join politics and make a statement, people will begin to analyse it. Whereas, in the movie industry today, I am the most respected actor. All the people who are part of the movies I feature in, respect me as their father. And it gives me a lot of honour and satisfaction because I see all of them as members of my family. So, I don’t like politics. Recently, a new administration came on board in Nigeria. A lot of people have been asking me about my expectations from the new government. And my answer is very simple, ‘Nothing.’ Buhari may stand out as an incorruptible creature. But what about the people under his administration? If Nigeria can be tinkered and rebuilt after Buhari’s image, we will have a wonderful country. But when you are so stuck in-graft, so stuck in corruption, it’s not always easy to get rid of these vices in a single day. I was following the progress of the now ruling party, APC, and I told a couple of my friends that this party has no ideology. I kept wanting to hear from them, this is what we shall do and this is how we shall do it. I didn’t see or hear anything like that. The best politician this country has ever produced is Obafemi Awolowo. He may have been parochial but I love Awolowo for one thing. He would tell you I’m going to build this house, and this is what it will cost me to carry out the project. This is how I am going to raise the fund, and he went ahead and achieved it. No other politician has been able to beat the record in Nigeria.

What would you like to be remembered for?

Let it be said that, I spent my life giving joy to other people.

*Pete Edochie and son, Yul on set C M Y K

34—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

How people are paying tribute to Michael Jackson on his sixth death anniversary

By Lester Nyan

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oday, six years ago, the world bid a tearful and reluctant farewell to the man known as the King of Pop. Michael Jackson, one of the music industry’s biggest names, died of acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home on 25 June 2009.

Here’s how the world is paying tribute to him this year.

Pentatonix’s Evolution of Michael Jackson medley It is no coincidence that the Grammywinning a cappella quintet dropped this medley days before Michael Jackson’s sixth death anniversary.

Uploading the evolution-style medley as a big surprise to their fans after a long YouTube hiatus, Pentatonix delivered again, garnering an impressive three million views in less than three days.

Pentatonix p a y s tribute to the King

of Pop by covering some his greatest hits in six minutes, from Jackson 5’s “ABC” to modern day favourites like “You Are Not Alone” and “Heal the World”.

If you’re playing Michael Jackson’s songs on loop today, be sure to add this to your playlist.

Who’s Bad brings The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute to San Diego County Fair Who’s Bad is the longest-running Michael Jackson tribute band, and the only one to predate his passing.

Founded in 2004, the band has been checking out sold-out shows at the world’s most famous pavilions off their “to-do” list.

They also performed in Singapore earlier this year at the Marina Bay Sands Grand Theatre.

One Rose for Michael J. Jackson tribute at Forest Lawn One Rose for Michael J. Jackson has been an annual tribute to the late King of Pop. Every year, fans make their pilgrimage to his Los Angeles grave to pay their tributes, but some people believed that every fan around the world should be able to do the same even if they couldn’t be there personally.

They then set up a page and a Paypal account for those people to buy roses and pay their respects, with their messages curated on a memorial blog.

The purchasing of roses have closed this year, but you can still see the tributes of other members at their memorial blog.

New memorabilia from Michael Jackson’s 1988 Bad World Tour Three photos of Michael Jackson have emerged earlier this month after photographer Francis Apesteguy published them on Getty Images.

The photos show Michael Jackson performing in Paris, France, for his Bad World Tour on 27 June 1988.

Fans enjoy the memories from the Bad World Tour as it was his longest (17 months) – and some say most thrilling — tour in his career.

MJSUNIFC’s annual Remembering Michael Memories Tour The amount of dedication put into this is rather impressive. This Michael Jackson fan group organises annual tours for fans to share their memories of the singer.

The 12-hour tour starts off at a set location in Los Angeles and brings the group to Michael’s Beverly Hills home, to his Forest Lawn gravesite, and finally to the Neverland ranch once owned by him.

With these tributes still going strong six years after his demise, it goes to show how the man had changed lives forever in his career.

Rest in peace, King of Pop.

Top Ten Michael Jackson moments culled from TIME 1. As a scrawny kid from Gary, Ind., in child-sized bellbottoms and a radiant smile, Michael Jackson first stepped onto the scene at age 11 as part of the unforgettable Jackson 5.

2. The Motown group, one of the biggest pop acts of the 1970s, was made up of Jackson and his four brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine (later replaced by Randy) and Marlon. (Sisters Rebbie, La Toya and Janet did not join the group.)

3. The Jackson 5 were introduced to the public by Diana Ross on Aug. 11, 1968, in a performance at a club in Beverly Hills, Calif., and made their first television appearance at the Miss Black America Pageant in New York.

4. Their first single, “I Want You Back,” hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts by January 1970. Their next three singles all reached No. 1 as well, making the Jackson 5 the first musical act in history to achieve such a feat.

5. Michael launched a solo career in 1971 with the hit “Got to Be There,” and while he continued to perform with his brothers, it was already clear that the other Jacksons needed the precocious teenager more than he needed them. The group’s fortunes dwindled through the early 1970s, and Michael left the group after the 1984 Victory tour.

6. Jackson’s 1982 album Thriller became a worldwide sensation and established the artist as a transcendent superstar. “Jackson is the biggest thing since the Beatles,” TIME declared. Thriller sold 45 million copies, the most of any album in history until recently; at its peak, more than a million copies flew off shelves each week. When the title track’s 14-minute video — which redefined music video as an art form — aired in December 1983, MTV aired it twice an hour in response to popular demand. The next year, the album won a record eight Grammy Awards.

7. In a 1983 television special commemorating the 25th anniversary of Motown, Jackson debuted the crystalencrusted glove that would become his most recognizable wardrobe hallmark. It quickly became a sensation: so many kids wanted to imitate Jackson’s style that by 1984 a New Jersey high school had banned students from wearing a single white glove. Over the years, the singer’s gloves have routinely turned up on eBay, with one selling for $35,000 in 2006. By December 2008, as the King of Pop’s financial problems mounted, he had announced plans to put the original “Billie Jean” glove on the block in a 2,000-item auction in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Jackson canceled the auction in April 2009.)

8. A 25-year-old Jackson was filming a Pepsi commercial in Los Angeles on Jan. 27, 1984, when a pyrotechnic display exploded behind him, burning his glossy Jheri curls as he sang “Billie Jean” in front of 3,000 fans.

Jackson covered his head with a coat to put the fire out and was later hospitalized with second-degree burns on his scalp. In 2004, VH1 aired a Jackson biopic called Man in the Mirror, which included a fictionalized reenactment of the incident 9. It was a match made in tabloid heaven: Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Michael Jackson, the eccentric King of Pop, married in secret in the Dominican Republic in May 1994. The newlyweds made their first public appearance together in the U.S. at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards, and what a memorable one it was. In the end, the marriage didn’t last. Presley and Jackson would divorce two years later.

10. In December 2003, months after the airing of the Living with Michael Jackson documentary, in which Jackson held hands with a child and outlined his habit of sharing a bed with young boys, Jackson was charged with child molestation and alcohol and conspiracy charges that carried a potential sentence of nearly 20 years in prison.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015 — 35

By BENJAMIN NJOKU njokujamin@yahoo.com

A peep into Timi Dakolo's musical journey

*Timi-Dakolo

By ESTHER ONYEGBULA

S

ome things are simply impossible to forget. Timi Dakolo’s stunner of a voice is one of them. Viewers lucky enough to follow the first (and only) season of the Idols We s t Af r i c a competition back in 2007, can most certainly never forget the feelings the scruffy, dark skinned citizen with roots in Nigeria and Ghana elicited every time he was called up to perform.

That class of Idols was particularly strong, with talented superstars like Omawumi and J’odie, but Dakolo stood head and shoulders above the lot.

At the time, he lacked the total package.

His performances were a bit too stagy and awkward. But whenever he belted it out, it was instantly clear who the original Idol would be.

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As pop Idols come and go, Dakolo’s life has not exactly been a smooth ride. The promised recording contract failed to materialize and for a while he floated around in upcoming artiste limbo.

Then a random shooting incident in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers state left him wounded. The first album took a while but Beautiful Noise finally came and introduced the world to the result of his sizzling chemistry with super producer, CobhamsAsuquo.

His has been a rags to riches story.

Since then, Mr Dakolo has amassed a quietly impressive discography that includes scorchers like Heaven please (with MI) and last year ’s bubble soaked Iyawo mi. In an era of quick fixes, microwave produced hit songs- madly popular today and barely decipherable tomor row,Dakolo has been that breath

of fresh air. He has mined painful incidences from his past to produce beautiful pieces of music and remains committed to the socially conscious school of music where artistes are constantly inspired by their

Dakolo sings beautifully as usual and stretches his big, broad voice but this is one of his most restrained performances as he plays hard to stay within key and tempo

breaking loose and belting environment.

Dakolo has addressed his out are tightly regulated early struggles on his album within the song’s compact opener, Let it shine, the structure.

Tales of the migration from ongoing Niger Delta angstr u ral to urban areas in he hails from Bayelsa stateon the ballad, There’s a cry, search of the golden fleece but his piece de resistance are as immemorial as time perhaps, is his stirring vocal itself and Dakolo isn’t the r u n o n t h e f l a g w a v i n g first person to sing about working man anthem, Great nation. such U n a s h a m e d l y p a t r i o t i c , c o n d i t i o n s . E v e r y d a y, G r e a t n a t i o n b e c a m e thousands, perhaps millions h e a v i l y c o u r t e d a m o n g of people make the journey g o v e r n m e n t c i r c l e s a n d to areas that present better president J o n a t h a n opportunities than their specifically asked Dakolo to homes, with nothing but a join his entourage to the raw hunger and an iron 2014 World Economic Forum w i l l e d d e t e r m i n a t i o n t o make something out of the in Davos.

On his first single of 2015, hand dealt them by fate.

Not all of these stories end coming off Love and consequences, his much up happily but those who do teased sophomore album, continue to fuel the hope D a k o l o r e t u r n s t o h i s and perhaps, mirage that a u t o b i o g r a p h i c a l big cities are paved with b e g i n n i n g s , t h i s t i m e , gold. For Dakolo, the big zeroing in on the pre-Idol c i t y m a y h a v e b e e n era when he, as a struggling welcoming eventually, but young man with scarcely a he passed through his fair of strife and penny to his name took the s h a r e plunge and travelled the disappointment.

Wish me well may yet distance to compete at the become the thinking man’s music’s top levels.

Wish me well is vintage hustling anthem, with its Dakolo, but it also vintage inspiring story of a young Cobhams, the result of a black boy with a big voice carefully c o n t r o l l e d and not much else going for chemical reaction that has him, going on to become the been years in the making. most recognisable voice on The overall sound is hard to radio.

And this by travelling the strike down. It is pop definitely, but it is also r o a d l e s s e x p l o r e d a n d country tinged, instantly doing music that means recalling L a d y something to him and his A n t e b e l l u m ’ s A m e r i c a n audience. It is both timely Honey and bluesy, with and timeless. Timely, in that elements of negro spiritual it comes at a time where a classics, thrown in for good number of Nigerians have had to return home from measure.

It begins sombrely with their bases in South Africa haunting b a c k g r o u n d on account of xenophobic m e l o d i e s t h a t c o n t i n u e attacks caused by a spiteful throughout the duration of monarch. Back home, the t h e s o n g , b u i l d i n g t o a recently concluded elections momentous crescendo that a l s o t h r e w u p s o m e disturbing realities about stops short of happening *TonyatOkoroji the moment most expected. the fates of migrants in the Dakolo sings beautifully as big city.

But Dakolo’s powerful usual and stretches his big, broad voice but this is one song speaks to the hope and o f h i s m o s t r e s t r a i n e d humanity, possibilities and performances as he plays opportunity coexisting in hard to stay within key and t h e h u m a n b e i n g a n d tempo. Even the moments of possible only when they are allowed to thrive.

36 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

BUNS OF STEEL!

08 116759 759 081 6759759

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female steel worker from Detroit is forging her way into the world modeling thanks to her surgically-enhanced buttocks, which measure 50 inches around.

Patricia Washington, who calls herself Superwoman, is the only woman employed at the steel mill where she works four days a week, 16-hour per day. The 31-year-old is looking to use her voluptuous curves to carve a career for herself as a full-time international model and abandon her difficult life in the impoverished city.

‘I don’t want to be 45 and look up and say: “Wow, I spent all my life here and I haven’t done anything. I haven’t traveled. I haven’t experienced the world. I haven’t met different people,”’ she told Barcroft TV. ‘I see myself being on TV screens. I really really do.’ Patricia explained that she had a Brazilian butt-lift, in which she had fat taken from her stomach, back, arms and inner thighs, purified and injected into her behind. And following the procedure, it was her 38-28-50 measurements that helped get Patricia noticed at a club, giving the steel worker her first break. It is her 38-28-50 measurements that helped get Patricia noticed at a club, giving the steel worker her first break. ‘Some pictures were posted on Instagram and the next morning my followers tripled,’ she said. Patricia was then contacted by a photographer who liked her look and invited her to Miami where she shot her first photo shoot.

According to Patricia, who now has 166,000 Instagram followers, the images were published in ‘one of the top urban magazines’, and she has received offers to do shoots all around the world, including South Africa and Hong Kong. Patricia explained that she had always

wanted to be a model but had given up on her dream until this point. ‘Growing up in Detroit is pretty rough. The city is very poor. I witnessed my own mother murdered here when I was really really young,’ she recalled. ‘She was on drugs. You know, she did what she had to do to try to provide for us.’

It was Patricia’s tough childhood that gave her the strength to enter the male-dominated steel mill industry despite her naysayers’ opinions of her abilities as a woman.

Patricia, who had a professional surgeon perform her Brazilian butt-lift, loves her new ‘Coke bottle’ figure, noting: ‘I look fabulous honey.’ However, she worries about women who

are putting their lives at risk by getting the procedure done by people who are not trained medical professionals. ‘A lot of girls have died from it and that is kind of scary,’ she said.

‘I wouldn’t tell anybody to risk their lives just to look like me.’ And while she would love to find the right man and say ‘I do’, Patricia is more concerned about turning her parttime modeling work into a full-time career.

‘For the past years I’ve pretty much lived my life like a caged animal, not experiencing everything that this world has to offer [me],’ she explained. ‘So my ambition is to be free.’

• Yulin festival (dog meat) ‘Uganda’s ugliest man’ has become a father for the eighth time

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aising a glass as they gorge on dog meat, the Chinese fans of the Yulin festival ignore global fury to begin the annual feast Global outrage is having no effect on revellers at China’s notorious Yulin festival, where as many as 10,000 dogs are being skinned alive, butchered and eaten as part of the summer solstice celebration.

The dog meat festival sees thousands of dogs – many of them stolen pets – caged, battered and cooked, in the largely rural Guangxi Zhaung autonomous region.

Festival-goers are out in force as the celebrations get underway, filling the streets and restaurants and ready to tuck into dishes of dog meat.

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But activists including celebrities such as British comedian Ricky Gervais and Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen have called for an end to the festival, saying it has no cultural value and was invented simply to drum up trade.

For the past few weeks, international social media has also seen an unprecedented movement against the industry.

But supporters of the festival are fighting back, claiming that the festival has just as much cultural value as any other country’s celebrations.

Some social media users have responded to the world’s outrage by calling a ban on eating turkeys at Christmas.

One social media user said: ‘Eating dog is a tradition for some people. Like some who don’t eat pork or mutton, they won’t object to us eating pork or lamb. ‘We should have mutual respect for others.

If you don’t like to eat something then don’t eat it.’

Another said: ‘Let’s all get together and condemn the practise of eating turkeys at Christmas!’

Campaigners were forcibly dispersed by unidentified men Monday as they attempted to rally outside a government office.

About 10 animal rights activists unfurled banners outside the Yulin government headquarters, before a group of 20 men came and chased them off. It is legal to eat dogs

in China and the country has no law protecting the welfare of pets but its Ministry of Agriculture has strict rules which require every cat and dog to have an ‘inspection certificates’ before they are transported.

Because most of these animals are stolen pets or strays grabbed off the street, dog meat traders do not have the right paperwork or produce ‘fraudulent documents’ instead, HSI claims.

Some slaughterhouse owners admitted they did not have ‘quarantine certificates’ and local health inspectors never visit to check out the animals - many of whom look visibly sick.

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former cobbler who has been dubbed ‘Uganda’s Ugliest Man’ has become a father for the eighth time.

Godfrey Baguma, 47, who is believed to suffer from a rare, unknown medical condition, and his wife Kate Namanda, 30, welcomed a baby girl.

Baguma won the less-thanfavourable title in 2002, after he entered the competition to make money for his cashstrapped family. Before his marriage to Kate, Godfrey had two children with his first wife – but their marriage came to an end when he caught her cheating with another man. Describing how he wooed Kate initially, Godfrey told KFM: ‘I stayed with her four years before her people knew where she was.

I didn’t want them to see me

until we had a child because they w o u l d definitely advise her to leave me.

‘She left me when she was six months pregnant but I think she l a t e r accepted her fate because she came back two months later’.

‘I told her that I didn’t choose to look the way I do and that if she feels I am a burden, she is free to leave me’.

The couple got married in 2013, and now have six children together – after their first child was born in 2008.

Speaking of their romance, Kate said: ‘Once you find a man you think is right for you, do not listen to what other people say. Follow your heart.

Money and physical appearance should not be an issue.’ Godfrey, whose stage name is Ssebabi, now makes most of his money from public appearances, where he sings and performs stand-up comedy.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 27, 2015 — 37

NIGERIAN PREMIER LEAGUE WATCH

Only win good for Shooting at Taraba

—Ogunbote

Sunshine seek consolidation at Rangers Stories by JOHN EGBOKHAN

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ABLE-topping Sunshine Stars will tomorrow hope to consolidate on their lead when they confront Rangers International at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium in Enugu.

Fresh from their 3-0 spanking of champions Kano Pillars at the Akure Stadium last Sunday, Sunshine Stars go into the game against 11tth placed Rangers confident of doing the damage and cement their place as the top side in the country.

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Armed with 26 points from 13 matches, Sunshine Stars boast the best attack in the league, scoring 21 goals in as many matches and march into Enugu with hopes of finding the back of their opponents nets.

But the coach Kennedy Boboye side will thread carefully as they come up against a resurgent Rangers side, who last weekend ran away from Warri with all three points after pipping Wolves 10 at the Warri Township Stadium.

Pillars, Heartland yet to record a draw F

OR keen followers of the league, nothing goes without any notice. Just as it is clear that Sunshine Stars of Akure top with 26 points and Sharks of Port Harcourt are bottom with 10 miserly points from 13 games, those whose business is it to keep tabs on the goings-on in the top flight are curious that champions Kano Pillars and Heartland are the only two teams yet to draw any of their matches.

Pillars have won the league in the last three seasons and are the most decorated side in the last ten years, having won the league title four times as against Enyimba’s haul of three titles in 2005, 2007 and 2010. Pillars’ titles came in 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

In between the last ten years, three other teams have won the

top prize, with Ocean Boys of Brass landing the title in 2006, Bayelsa United of Yenagoa in 2009 and Dolphins of Port Harcourt in 2011.

So with such a rich history, it becomes puzzling to know that Pillars have yet to earn a draw so far, contributing in some way to their seventh position on the table.

And rather tellingly, the points Pillars failed to pick through draws they have traded to their rivals why have defeated them 6 times, just like Heartland, who are also yet to earn any draw but have lost six of their 13 matches played.

TOP SCORERS

Bright Ejike Chisom Chikatara Tunde Adeniji Eseosa Igbinoba Ibrahim Shaibu Ibrahim Mustapha

7 7 6 5 5 5

Though they are 10 spots behind Sunshine Stars, Rangers will be counting on their boisterous and passionate Enugu fans to ginger them to eke the three points they need to improve their fortunes in the league which enters week 14 tomorrow.

With the stakes so high for both sides, it seems that fans are in for a swell time as Sunshine seek to consolidate their lead against Rangers.

Wikki wait for Sunshine’s slip

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OR Wikki Tourist, the ongoing league has been an interesting ride so far. The reason for this is that the Bauchi-based side are the second placed side in the 20-team table. Armed with 24 points from 13 games played, Wikki are only two points behind top team Sunshine Stars, making it the best of times for the travelling Tourists, who some league observers joked would never have dreamt of being in this position before the league kicked off.

It is really a fairy tale run for Wikki and the ride may get even merrier tomorrow if leaders Sunshine Stars slip at Rangers and Wikki get a lucky victory against Ifeanyi Uba at Nnewi. But this will not be easy to get as Ifeanyi Uba, with 23 points are also inching towards the top position and a convincing home win against Wikki will shoot them to 26 points, same with Sunshine if they slip, leaving goals difference to decide the league leaders.

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v v v v v v v v v v

RESULTS

Dolphins El Kanemi Wikki Heartland Shooting Stars Nasarawa Kwara Abia Warriors Warri Wolves Sunshine

1 1 3 2 0 1 1 1 0 3

Giwa Ifeanyi Uba Sharks Sharks Enyimba Bayelsa Lobi Akwa Utd Rangers Kano Pillars

1 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0

GA 11 11 11 8 15 11 12 14 15 15 15 9 4 13 10 5 4 8 15 17

PTS 26 24 23 23 21 21 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 13 12 11 11 10

TABLE Heartland Abia Warriors Sunshine Stars Nasarawa Utd Giwa El-Kanemi Warriors

TOMORROW’S MATCHES Giwa Ifeanyi Uba Sharks Taraba Enyimba Bayelsa Utd Lobi Akwa Utd Rangers Kano Pillars

oach Gbenga Ogunbote has told his Shooting Stars wards that only a win against Taraba will be acceptable tomorrow in Jalingo.

“We need the victory badly so that we can quickly leave the ugly position we find ourselves at the moment. Every match is expected to be difficult especially against an opponent that just lost a home game to Wikki Tourists’’, Ogunbote told supersport.com.

“That is not our worry but to get ourselves prepared for the clash because whether anyone likes it or not the encounter will be played as scheduled. I think my players are fit and ready just few knocks here and there but nothing we can’t manage. We are ready for the match and I believe we won’t disappoint on match day,” said the former Sharks and Sunshine Stars coach.

El Kanemi Warriors Wikki Tourist Heartland Shooting Stars Nasarawa Kwara Utd Abia Warriors Warri Wolves Sunshine Stars Dolphins

4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm

Team Sunshine Stars Wikki Tourist Ifeanyi Uba Enyimba Heartland Giwa Kano Pillars El Kanemi Abia Warriors Nasarawa Rangers Warri Wolves Kwara Utd Akwa Utd Shooting Lobi Dolphins Taraba Bayelsa Sharks

P W 13 8 13 7 13 7 13 6 13 7 13 5 13 7 13 6 13 6 13 5 13 5 10 5 12 4 13 4 12 3 13 2 13 2 13 2 13 2 13 1

D 2 3 2 5 0 6 0 2 1 3 2 1 3 2 4 7 6 5 5 7

L 3 3 4 2 6 2 6 4 6 5 6 4 5 7 5 4 5 6 6 5

GF 21 18 18 13 19 15 15 12 14 13 14 14 11 7 9 9 11 13 7 10

GD +10 +7 +7 +5 +4 +4 +3 -2 -1 -2 -1 +5 -3 -6 -1 -6 -3 -5 -8 -7

38— SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 27, 2015

Mali, Senegal cover Flying Eagles shame at World Cup one month in New Zealand was simply unbelievable and showed the depth of those coaching our national teams.

But their second round exit from the tournament was not enough to take the shine off the tournament that lived up to its billing of throwing up exciting stars like adidas Golden Ball winner, Adama Traore of Mali.

‘This is the one’, New Zealand 2015’s official slogan had proclaimed.

And, for Serbia, it really was.

A FIFA U-20 World Cup memorable for all sorts of reasons will, for its unlikely champions, forever be remembered as a historic and heroic breakthrough success. Celebrating it as such will be fully justified, too, because this global title - the country’s first since independence - was as hard-earned as any in the competition’s history.

Serbia’s triumph was indebted to the spirit and steel of a group of players whose oft-stressed motto “one team with one heart” was tested time and again.

No-one should forget, for example, that their dramatic 2-1 final victory over Brazil, secured by Nemanja Maksimovic’s 118th-minute winner, was the fourth in which they had been taken to extra time. None of eventual winners’ knockout matches were settled within 90 minutes, in fact, with the tone having

TOP SCORERS •Viktor Kovalenko (Ukraine), •Bence Mervo (Hungary) - both 5 •Marc Stendera (Germany) •Adama Traore (Mali) •Andre Silva (Portugal) •Hany Mukhtar (Germany) - all 4 C M Y K

been set in the last 16, when they were seconds away from going out to Hungary.

Grabbing a last-gasp equaliser in that one, then winning it with ten men, had led coach Veljko Paunovic to boast of having “21 lions”. Similar subsequent triumphs over USA and Mali merely reinforced that proud conviction, with the resilience shown in their final, fairy tale win taken by the 37-year-old as the ultimate proof. As Paunovic declared after beating Brazil: “The team that wanted most to win this trophy has won it.”

Brazil thrill, Africans amaze

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o team conquers the world on character alone, though, and it would be remiss to ignore the talents of a well-balanced squad that had dogged defenders, inventive attackers and the tournament’s outstanding keeper in Predrag Rajkovic.

Nonetheless, Paunovic was the first to admit that his team had enjoyed an element of luck against “a great and an amazing team”, adding: “Brazil deserve this trophy too”.

While a record-equalling sixth U-20 title eluded the South Americans, they can

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HEY went to the World Cup as the African champions.

But when it mattered, they disappointed. That was the story of the Flying Eagles at the recently concluded FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

Tipped by pundits as one of the favourites for the title, the Flying Eagles, comprising the bulk of the world-conquering Golden Eaglets squad of 2013, were a total disappointment in New Zealand, where they crashed out in the second round. Their 1-0 loss to Germany did not tell the complete story of a team which went as the champions of the African contingent but failed to deliver the goodies when it mattered most.

With their unceremonious exit from the 24-nation tournament confirmed, it was left to west African neighbours Mali and Senegal to cover the shame of the Flying Eagles by producing some electrifying football to reach the semifinals, where they lost to eventual finalists, Brazil and Serbia. But for Mali and Senegal, Africa would have had a World Cup to quickly forget as their supposed top team, the Flying Eagles, coached by Manu Garba played what could be likened to negative football, where strikers and midfielders found contentment in passing the ball to their defenders.

For those who followed the exploits of the Golden Eaglets at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in U.A.E in 2013, what played out in the last

Their 1-0 loss to Germany did not tell the complete story of a team which went as the champions of the African contingent but failed to deliver the goodies when it mattered most.

take considerable comfort in having achieved their other key aim. Midfielder Boschilia expressed it best as “trying to restore the image of Brazilian football,” with coach Rogerio Micale - installed just weeks before the tournament making a point of returning to A Seleção’s adventurous, attacking roots. The results were often spectacular, such as in their 5-0 semi-final demolition of Senegal or the dazzling 4-2 win over Nigeria. Before succumbing to Serbia, Brazil also succeeded in setting a new tournament record, extending to 20 matches their unbeaten streak at these finals.

The previous benchmark had been set by their old rivals, Argentina, whose first-round exit was one of the big surprises of the group phase. The six-time winners and South American champions had been expected to go the distance, but their failure to win a single match was to prove one of several tales of the unexpected Down Under.

Ultimately, rather than Argentina or Germany in the last four, we had Mali and Senegal, who began the tournament as the lesser-fancied of Africa’s representatives and ended it as sensations and fan favourites.

,

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 27, 2015 — 39

TEAMS

•Argentina •Austria •Brazil •Colombia •Fiji •Germany •Ghana •Honduras •Hungary •Korea DPR •Mali •Mexico •Myanmar, •New Zealand •Nigeria •Panama •Portugal •Qatar •Senegal •Serbia •Ukraine •Uruguay •USA •Uzbekistan

Bronze medallists Mali were particularly beloved, thanks largely to their proclivity for spectacular goals, four of which came from player of the tournament Adama Traore.

Stars on show

“A

great player with a great future,” was how Traore’s coach described the adidas Golden Ball winner, and that description could yet apply to a few others on show in New Zealand. While there was no one, pre-eminent star who dominated the tournament like Maradona in

’79 or Messi in 2005, there were plenty who - with a bit of dedication and good fortune - could yet follow in the footsteps of this duo and countless other star graduates. Danilo and Sergej Milinkovic were worthy winners of the Silver and Bronze Ball, for example, and the finalists also benefited greatly from the individual talents of players such as Gabriel Jesus, Boschilia, Andrija Zivkovic and Maksimovic.

Germany’s Marc Stendera

and saved penalties

With their became unceremonious commonplace, with nine of the 18 taken exit from the during normal time 24-nation failing to find the tournament net. confirmed, it was left to west Kiwi legacy African s always at the neighbours U-20 World Cup, attention was Mali and dominated by the Senegal to stars and cover the shame emerging eventual winners. of the Flying However, even in Eagles by his moment of glory, Paunovic was able to producing acknowledge the some bigger picture and electrifying wider impact that football to the event has reach the throughout football. semifinals “This has been an

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and Angel Correa of Argentina also showed flashes of brilliance before suffering injury and early elimination respectively, while the progress of Senegal’s Sidy Sarr and the high-scoring duo of Viktor Kovalenko (Ukraine) and Bence Mervo (Hungary) will be well worth following.

New Zealand 2015 was also notable for the high standard of its goalkeeping, with Rajkovic - Serbia’s inspirational, Golden Glovewinning skipper impressing along with the likes of USA’s Zack Steffen and Bohdan Sarnavskyi of Ukraine.

Senegal’s Ibrahima Sy also emerged as one of the tournament’s great personalities, coming into his own in a shootout win over the Ukrainians in which he saved three penalties. That feat enabled the effervescent Sy to equal a U-20 World Cup record, yet proved typical of a competition in which missed

amazing tournament and I congratulate all the teams and individuals involved for the great work, fair play and kindness they have shown,” he said after the final. “We must say, too, that FIFA did a great job here and have given lots of poorer countries a great opportunity to learn and to enjoy a wonderful experience.”

Those sentiments would certainly have been echoed

by Fiji, one of whose players the historic win over Honduras in this, their firstever FIFA tournament, as “the realisation of an amazing dream”. Fellow debutants Myanmar also departed with warm words for the “empowering” experience of testing themselves against the best, while Senegal - the tournament’s other firsttimers - undoubtedly made the most of their opportunity.

New ground was broken by hosts New Zealand too, with the Junior All Whites

AWARDS •adidas Golden Ball: Adama Traore (Mali) •adidas Golden Boot: Viktor Kovalenko (Ukraine) •adidas Golden Glove: Predrag Rajkovic (Serbia)

reaching the knockout phase for the first time and becoming the first OFC team to score five times in a competitive FIFA match. But while their U-20s offered cause for encouragement, this tournament’s success will be better judged on having inspired future generations of Kiwi footballers and football fans. Again, the indications bode well.

Over 8,000 children took part in FIFA Grassroots Festivals across the country before and during the tournament, and the more tangible elements of its legacy include nine FIFAstandard pitches, a futsal court, floodlights and training equipment. This, said Dave Beeche, CEO of the U-20 World Cup Local Organising Committee, amounts to “over $5 million dollars of football infrastructure and equipment to help grow and improve the standard and facilities for football”.

If such investment and encouragement presents New Zealand with an opportunity, the evidence of the past few weeks suggest that it will be grasped. The Kiwis, having been exemplary hosts of FIFA’s U17 men’s and women’s showpieces in 1999 and 2008, again excelled, with FIFA’s Director of Competitions quick to laud their efforts. “The FIFA U-20 World Cup has been run by hugely dedicated individuals, passionate and enthusiastic volunteers, and we are delighted with how well the tournament has been delivered across all seven host cities,” said Colin Smith.

Few could dispute that, and fewer still quibble with Smith’s concluding praise.

“New Zealand,” he said, “proved to be a fantastic host.”

FINAL RANKING 1. Serbia 2. Brazil 3. Mali 4. Senegal

HOST CITIES •Auckland •Christchurch •Dunedin •Hamilton •New Plymouth •Wellington •Whangarei

GOALS

154 (average of 2.96 per game) C M Y K

40 — SA TURD AY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015 SATURD TURDA

Vanguard’s Dan Gumm per es perfforms nuptial rit rites VANGUARD’s Production Editor, Daniel GummOkoro, popularly known as Dan-Gumm has performed the traditional nuptial rites required of him to make his wife his eternal partner. The traditional marriage ceremony with the former Miss Elizabeth Kwakpovwe, held recently at the Kwakpovwe Descendants Hall, Ekakpramre Community, Ughelli South Local Government, Delta State. Photos by Akpokona Omfuaire.

Mr. Daniel Gumm with a cross section of Vanguard staff; L-R:Mr. Sam Oghor, Queenette Otoka, Mr. Felix Oregbeyiwa, Mr. Jimitota Onoyume, Mr. Daniel Gumm, Production Editor, Vanguard, Mr. Sam Eyoboka, Religion Editor, Mr. Festus Ahon, and Comrade Akpokona Omafuaire.

Mr. & Mrs. Gumm, shortly after their marriage was blessed by Mr. Francis Kwakpovwe, representing the father of the bride.

Mr. Daniel Gumm and members of his family negotiating the bride’s price with the larger Kwakpovwe family.

Mr. Megbuluba Besidone flanked by Dr. & Mrs. George O. Boyo.

Godfre Godfreyy Bivbere buries mum

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anguard’s Maritime Correspondent, Godfrey Bivbere, along with his other four brothers, relations, friends and wellwishers stormed Otor-Udu, Udu Local Government Areas of Delta State for the final burial ceremony of his Late mother, Madam Maria Arife Najomo, who passed on recently.

Several associations as well as people from the community graced the occasion which was more like a celebration of a life well spent.

Mr. Daniel Gumm with a cross section of friends.

Epe Obas celebrate Ambode’s swearing-in

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pe Obas and other monarchs from neighbouring kingdoms gathered recently at the palace of Aladeshonin of Odo-Noforija in Epe, Lagos to celebrate the successful swearing-in ceremony of Mr Akintunde Ambode as the executive governor of Lagos State.

L-R: Mr & Mrs Godfrey Bivbere (l) being presented gift by executive members of Urukpe Urhobo Ladies Club, Lagos while Gen. Sec. Otor-Udu Youth Ass., Dennis Najomo, watches on

R-L: Alaun of Imore, Oba Fatai Gbadewole Onilashe of Ilashe kingdom, Oba Olanrewaju Ilemobade Aina, Oloto of Otto, Oba Odogbawojo, Oba Ayodele Kolawole Alimi, Oba Gausu Rasaki, Ovori of Ibeshe.

L-R: Alhaja Ekemode, Chief Ekemode, Chief Tunde Bakare, the Babalaje of Ijebuland, Hon. Wale Raji and First lady, Lagos State, Mrs Bolanle Ambode.

The five brothers at the burial.

L-R: Chief Tunde Ibrahim, Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja, the Aladeshonyin of Noforija Kingdom , Hon. Wale Raji, woman leader, Dolapo Oladunjoye.

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L-R: Oba Michael Gbadebo, Onakoya Orijeru of Igboye land, Alaketu of Ketu, Oadegboyega Adefowora.

Mama children and their spouses

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015 — 41

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42—SATURDAY

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Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

Lifeline:

EVEN years ago, Rajo Devi Lohan made headlines around the world by becoming the world’s oldest first-time mother, when she gave birth to a baby girl at the age of 69. She went through IVF treatment, had a difficult pregnancy and delivery, but had a successful birth and healthy baby that she describes as a gift from God. Omkari Panwar, in 2008 of India became the oldest mother in the world when she had twins at the very ripe old age of 70. Pamwar and her husband already had two adult daughters who had children of their own, but the couple were desperate to have a son.

While Rajo was the first the first aged woman to be a first time mother, Belinda Slaughter of Orlando, Florida, has been reported to be the oldest mother to give birth through IVF using her own fresh eggs. She gave birth to her first child, despite doctors giving her only a one per cent chance of conceiving.

Elizabeth Buttle made headlines when she was 60 years old and gave birth to her son, in Wales in 1997. She was one of the first older mothers to give birth, also through IVF. Patricia Rashbrook is one of Britain’s oldest mothers to give birth. She received IVF treatment in Russia, and in 2006, gave birth to her son.

In 1994 at 63, Rosanna Della Corte had another son through IVF out of grief after her 17-year old son died in a motorcycle accident. Papathiammal Subramaniam gave birth to her baby in 2004 at the age of 64, and was one of the oldest first-time mothers in India.

Adriana Iliescu became a mother in 2005 at the age of 66, while Maria del Carmen Bousada de Lara who was 130 days older than Iliescu gave birth to twins.

There are hundreds of thousands of other untold stories of older mothers becoming new mothers. All these incidents point to one thing, that the average age of women giving birth is on the rise. From Asia through Africa to the Americas and Europe , the story is the same. With increasing age, the likelihood of a woman becoming a mother remains comparatively as high as for women several years younger. To be exact, older women are becoming mothers with more regularity and certainty. Why is this so?

Stories of women over 60 giving birth following IVF pregnancies have generated debate in recent years around the world. Just how old is too old to become a parent? One thing that is certain is that the possibility of bearing children later in life is making women to realise that they have choices, even as this same possibility of conceiving so late in life, via IVF, raises ethical questions about how much choice women should have over when they have children.

There are risks associated with pregnancy known to increase with age and the number of viable foetuses per pregnancy. Concerns have also been raised about the impact of having older parents on the welfare of the child. But one unmistakable fact is that people are •Pregnancy living longer and healthier lives and to prevent access to assisted reproduction The argument is usually that delaying pregnancy and on the basis of age alone is no longer parenthood raises the likelihood of complications such acceptable. as difficulty conceiving, chromosomal anomalies, It is generally accepted in medical aging eggs, pregnancy complications and foetal circles that with careful preconception deformities amongst others. and pregnancy planning, monitoring In Nigeria for instance, fertility treatment is gaining most of the identified problems can be managed, and to some extent, reduced. acceptance more than ever. Elderly Prima Gravidas (women over 30 or 35) giving birth for the first time is In medical circles it is broadly getting more popular. In the last quarter of a century, acknowledged that the ability of a woman to conceive decreases with age. the average age of first time mothers has increased by an average of 5 to 8 years.

•Pregnancy

Older women are becoming new mothers

C M Y K

Figures by the UK fertility regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), show a 10-fold plus increase in women over 40 seeking fertility treatment using their own eggs.

Even the number of women over 40 seeking fertility treatment using donated eggs is on the increase.

For instance, globally, between 1992 and2003, fewer IVF treatment cycles were performed on women aged 40-45 compared to 2004 -2014. Latest figures show a marked increase in the number of children born following IVF generally and number of births following fertility treatment in women aged between 45 and 49. Both the number of births and the number of IVF attempts in women over 50 have increased astronomically in the same 10-year period.

This data seems to reflect the general trend of couples waiting until they are older to have their families. However, the idea is not to present the notion that because IVF is now so widely available, couples can delay their attempts to start a family.

Women may be choosing to spend more time developing relationships before settling down with a partner in their mid 30s or choosing to achieve financial independence and security before having their first child. It could also be that enjoying the freedom that a family life may potentially compromise the choice of a successful career. But then, it’s a universal fact that for mothers in their 20s, the best years for having children from a medical perspective coincides with the best years for establishing a career.

Many fertility centres do not readily give treatment to women over a certain age, citing concerns of the woman’s health and fairness to the child, but how old is too old? What price a baby at any age? Having a child later in life will always stir the emotional balance for a couple. When two people have spent a long time establishing themselves as individuals and as a couple living a full life, it can be an unexpectedly difficult transition to life as a family.

The sudden responsibility of being parents will always influence a relationship and in most cases, positively. One can always argue that a baby will alter any relationship, whatever ages the couples are and however long they have been together.

SATURDAY

Diet Doctor:

Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015—43

What you eat affects how you sleep

T

he right foods can help you get the best sleep possible. So if you knew which foods would hinder your restful slumber, wouldn’t you avoid them? Now you can learn which foods to eat, and which to steer clear of for a good night’s sleep.

Read on.

Drink milk We’ve all heard of warm milk’s magical ability to send us off to dreamland.

Do you know why it’s true?

Dairy foods contain tryptophan, which is a sleep-promoting substance.

Other foods that are high in tryptophan include nuts and seeds, bananas, honey, and eggs.

Indulge in carbs Carbohydrate-rich foods complement dairy foods by increasing the level of sleep-inducing tryptophan in the blood. So a few perfect late night snacks to get you snoozing might include a bowl of cereal and milk, yoghurt and crackers, or bread and cheese.

Have a snack before bedtime If you struggle with insomnia, a little food in your stomach may help you

sleep. But don’t use this as an open invitation to pig out.

Keep the snack small. A heavy meal will tax your digestive system, making you uncomfortable and unable to get soothing ZZZs. Avoid burger and fries As if you needed another reason to avoid high-fat foods, research shows that people who often eat highfat foods not only gain weight, they also experience a disruption of their sleep

Nice food to induce sleep cycles. A heavy meal activates digestion, which can lead to night time trips to the bathroom.

Beware of hidden caffeine It’s no surprise that an evening cup of coffee might disrupt your sleep.

Even moderate caffeine can cause sleep disturbances. But don’t forget about less obvious

caffeine sources, like chocolate, cola, tea, and decaffeinated coffee. For better sleep, cut all caffeine from your diet four to six hours before bedtime. Some over-the-counter and prescription drugs contain caffeine, too, such as pain relievers, weight loss pills, diuretics, and cold medicines. To check the label of non prescription drugs or the prescription

SEXUAL ISSUES & SOLUTIONS 8 WAYS TO COPE WHEN YOUR PARTNER'S SEX DRIVE EXCEEDS YOURS (I)

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en and women alike may feel embarrassed if the male has a lower libido than the female partner. Men may feel emasculated, and women may not feel beautiful or sexy.

It’s important for women to know that there are many reasons a man’s libido may wane. women’s drive is affected substantially by environmental factors (such as relationship, mood, age, selfesteem, body image, work issues, family issues, even weather). Similarly, men’s sex drive can be affected by stress (particularly at work),depression, substance abuse, hormone imbalance, medical issues, and aging, among other factors. If you find that you are initiating sex a lot with your partner or are feeling like his libido has dropped, here are some tips to deal with the situation: 1 - When you initiate and are successful, give plenty of positive feedback and praise to your partner - This may make him or her more likely to initiate or be interested again.

2- When you initiate and he/she turns you down, try to let it go. Accept his/her decision and maybe give him/her a kiss goodnight. Don’t argue or get upset o r aggressive with your partner. Its fine to ask if everything’s OK or if he/she wants to talk, but don’t harp on it. It’s not the right time to have a serious conversation about it.

Hello Viewden, I‘d like to know which product is best for me to use to increase

my semen quantity? Can I use Volume pills or Count boost? Chiwetalu Volume pill is the best in increasing the semen quantity. Count boost on the other hand when used alongside Fertilaid for men helps to increase the quantity and quality of sperm cells produced in the semen.

I have been using Cleanshield liquid with Oligosaccharide like you recommended some weeks back to help me as I suffer from osteoporosis and pains in my joints. This is the third week that I have been using them and I must confess that I am enjoying serious relief from these pains, but I need to know how long am to use these products for? If I stop using them, will the pains resurface again? Bayo You need to use the products for least three months so that it will correct the root of the bone problems. Some use it even for six months. How long you are to use depends on how your body is responding and how fast you are getting result.

Cleanshield with Oligosaccharide are very effective in alleviating pains in the joints, waist, back, neck and leg and they are herbal with no side effects.

Thank you so much Viewden, I used Vigrx plus with Plump cream for three months, and I have stopped cos I have gotten the desired increase in my penis.im scared that my penis size will go back to its original size because I have stopped, is this true? IJ

Vigrx plus with either plump cream or Optimale cream when used for three to six months increases the length and width of the penis. Result starts showing from the 6th to 7th week of usage. When you stop using, your penis size won’t go back to its original size; all you have to do is use one pack of Vigrx plus once in 8 months to maintain the size. Even if you do penis enlargement surgery, you have to check it up once every year.

Im a65 year old man and I’m diabetic and slightly hypertensive, my erection Is very weak and cannot even penetrate at the point of entry. Kindly prescribe active erection enhancers for me- Chief Usman Hello chief, the drugs you are using to subdue diabetes and hypertension are responsible for your very weak erection.

Some of our herbal aphrodisiacs that can help you include: Rhino 5, X-again Platinum, Plant Vigra, Rhino 7 and Libigrow to mention a few. A pill takes effect within thirty minutes after taking them. Do try each one at different times.

These are all we can take for this week.

Adults who needs any of these aphrodisiacs can call 08034666358, 07059294782 or place your order at www.viewden.com. For further enquiries, send an email to us at: v i e w e d e n @ y a h o o . c o m, viewden@ymail.com.

Kemi Fawole (MD VIEWDEN)

drug information sheet to see if your medicine interferes with sleep or can cause insomnia.

Skip the nightcap Alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, but you may experience frequent awakenings, less restful sleep, headaches, night sweats and nightmares. If you’re drinking alcohol in the evening, balance each drink with a glass of water to dilute the alcohol’s effects. For a good night’s sleep, the better bet is to avoid alcohol four to six hours before bedtime.

Beware of heavy, spicy foods Lying down with a full belly can make you uncomfortable, since the digestive system slows down when you sleep. It can also lead to heartburn, as can spicy cuisine. Make sure to finish a heavy meal at least four hours before bedtime.

Keep protein to a minimum at bedtime Protein, an essential part of our daytime fare, can be a poor choice for a bedtime snack.

Protein-rich, high-fat foods are harder to digest. So skip the fatty high-protein snack before bedtime and opt for a glass of warm milk or some sleep-friendly carbs, like crackers.

Cut the fluids by 8pm Staying hydrated throughout the day is great for your body, but curtail your fluid intake before bed. You’re sure to have interrupted sleep if you’re constantly getting up to go to the restroom.

44—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27 2015

C M Y K

SATURDAY

S

ometime ago, I listened to Ms Grace Zemaye Egbagbe, lawyer and television personality, on Metrofile, Channels Television. Her hostess asked her the secret of her youthful looks.

She responded that two reasons make women age faster: husbands and children. In other words, she looks young partly because she does not have a husband (Although she said she still nurses the hope of getting married someday if the right man comes along) and has only two children to contend with.

As a husband and father, it got me thinking. How do husbands and children contribute to fast tracking the ageing of women? Unfortunately Egbagbe did not this snake-like fish—I do not know elaborate, so let us take it from there. I do the English name; I have not seen not believe married women age faster than it in ages—called Igbene. It was single women. But I believe that husbands very cheap and of low nutritional can make wives age faster and vice versa. value. We have a saying that you However, husbands or children do not do not burn your fingers because necessarily make women age faster. There of Igbene, meaning, do not roast are many other factors at play: peace, Igbene; it is not worth burning happiness, financial state and state of mind, your fingers for. Ignore the Igbenes of your marriage. among others.

Also remember the statement of When Jesus visited Mary and Martha (Luke 40: 41 - 42); Martha complained to Stephen Covey: it is not what Jesus that Mary had left all the chores for happens to you or people’s actions her. Jesus told Martha that she worried that matter, but your reaction. You about too many things that only one thing mattered. In marriage, that one thing is peace of mind. If you have peace of mind, you have it all; without peace of mind, you can age geometrically.

And just as Jesus observed, some people might not have control over your worry about too many things. Everything is spouse’s actions, but you certainly an issue, everything is a big deal. Some do over yours. Take charge of that cry wolf where none exists. Some belong to which you have control over. the group of people one of my priests, Fr. In addition, what is the state of Tobias Nwafor, described as creators of the marriage? If the marriage is a worries, those who worry because there is happy one, then there is no nothing to worry about. Take your marriage reason for the woman to age very serious to make it work, however, do geometrically. But the issue is who not take everything that happens in your is supposed to make your marriage too serious. If you do, you will marriage a happy one, your not only age faster, you might suffer a stroke spouse? No, a happy marriage is or die of a heart attack. a product of conscious effort by “Battles” are inevitable in marriage, but both spouses. The quantum of you must choose your “battles” carefully. contribution may differ, but both Leave trivial and petty issues and stick to parties must put in something to fundamentals. While growing up, there was

What makes women age faster? make it happy. Where the husband contributes nothing, Egbagbe’s assertion may be correct, but where the wife is not satisfied with the quantum of the husband’s contribution, the problem is partly her mental creation. This is especially so if she can fill the gaps but refuses to because “it is his responsibility.”

When you prefer to worry rather than provide the solution that is within your means, the outcome is geometric ageing.

Poor finances can stress women

Ignore the Igbenes of your marriage.

,

enormously. No woman wants to be threatened by a landlord over rents; no woman wants her children kicked out of school over school fees; no woman enjoys seeing her children in tattered clothes or hungry; but worries have not solved any financial problems. Constructive thinking and planning do. When spouses pray, plan and take action, they make progress, no matter how little.

On children, every parent should attempt to shape the first 10 years of the child’s life. That is when they are most pliable and dependent on

Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015—45 the parent. Thereafter, the paradigm begins to shift; peer and other external influences gain more grounds in his/ her life. Children will definitely do dumb things at some stage, they will make mistakes, many will be rebellious, but hopefully the foundation you laid in the first 10 years and your subsequent efforts will prevail at the end. But if the situation gets beyond your control, get help, surrender it to God. That was what St. Monica, mother of the legendary St. Augustine, did to turn the tide.

When some parents worry over their children, it is sometimes selfish worries. Some worry because the children are not meeting up with their expectations of running their financial empires when they are gone.

Shouldn’t you be more concerned, not worried, about the kind of eternity that awaits you? My own take is, do your best while you are around. Once you are dead, you are gone, simple.

Some other parents worry because the children are the only retirement plan they have. When the children fall short of their expectations, they worry about the uncertain old age that awaits them, not necessarily about the children. This is why we are all encouraged to make our retirement plans during our active years Finally, God, the author of life and creator of marriage and family should get His preeminent position. God makes the impossible possible, opens ways where there is none (Exodus 14:21). He has invited all who are weary and overburdened to come to him for rest (Matthew 11: 28). Spouses should accept this simple invitation and stop aging unnecessarily. Naaman, the leprous Syrian general did and got a new-born-baby’s skin (2 Kings 5:14).

You too can avoid geometric-aging. Life is short and uncertain, get the best out of it while you have it.

,

I

am a little confused about the things I hear and things I see. We seem to be romancing with a certain demon that ensures that we remain at the level of beginning all the time. My confusion is simple: when it appears as if there is going to be a measure of advancement, then we see ourselves slipping down again and I wonder; why? I ask, is it possible for us to, at least remain, at a spot, for some time, so that we don’t really degenerate. I am only asking that we be given the grace not the move at all since if we must, we always slide ‘downward’. There was a mad man, I mean a crazy man, not really an angry man, in my home some time ago who advanced this philosophy of “ remaining where one is.” He had come to sympathize with some folks who were bereaved.

Naturally, the deceased was “lying in state” amidst serious wailing and mourning. The crazy man walked in like any other to pay his last respect. He could not help noticing the deep expressions of a sense of loss by mourners.

He, however, had a piece of advice; not for the living who mourn, but for the dead. He then addressed the dead man directly: “Mr. Man, you see all these people who are sobbing and crying, ignore them and just as you are looking unperturbed, keep going where you are headed. Do not get distracted; do not move; do not turn because should you listen to them and stand up from there, they will desert you, and you will feel denied.” This might be one more of the typical babblings of the mentally deranged; another inconsequential gibberish

The enem tr action enemyy called dis distr traction from the disturbed human mentality.

But I look at it differently. I see a lot in it and I know the truth in that seemingly meaningless expression is golden. I am interested in “distractions.” There is no serious minded individual that does not have to battle distractions. Each time one sets his goals and develops a matching determination to actualize the set goals, one needs to be ready to battle distractions. They are the principal enemy to advancement.

Most times when they come, they do not present like a major problem.

They creep into the main cycle of affairs surreptitiously and major players may not even be aware of them. President Goodluck Jonathan might not have set specific goals at the assumption of duties as the president, commander and educator in chief of the country, probably because his presidency was a child of circumstances, but he was aware of the enemy called distraction. He once insinuated that he was not going to be distracted by the deliberate efforts of the operators and promoters of insurgency, because he had a work to do. To him, neither terrorism, insurgency nor any other evil of similar magnitude, was going to deter him from discharging his duties as the custodian of the instruments of advancement of the federation. His insinuated vision was clear and he pursued it zealously. He tried to escape, rather than battle distraction.

Sooner than we all expect, history will deliver judgment on all these.

President Buhari has been greeted in office by “distractions.” This, I suppose is as expected. The uninvited guest of all successful persons must make an appearance, indeed, several appearances. His is approaching from rather unusual angle; from the domestic front. His political party is a huge one. It kicked off with the National Assembly Inauguration confusion. Mr. President refused to be distracted. He gets a high grade in that first test. But I also am not too sure that he deliberately ignored that distraction.

Could it not be that there was a greater distraction somewhere and as the Igbo will say, “when something more overwhelming than the farm confronts a person, he does not hesitate to sell even his barn.” President Buhari could not be giving attention to mere political chicanery at the local level when there are obvious threat to peace and security of a section of the country through some calculated international onslaught. He needed to (sorry, needs to) confront the Boko Haram menace. These are preliminary issues.

Well, I have no doubt that more are on the way. Let me anticipate more but what I am unable to envisage is the angles from which they will emerge. First, there will be a barrage of allegations that are far more

than what is happening now, of corruption and corrupt practices on past and present leaders. These will put pressure on the present leadership of the country as to what to do. If care is not taken, all other issues may have to suffer while all attention is given to pursuit of corruption. Those who will champion the anti corruption crusade should be watched carefully because they are likely to end up removing others they want to replace so at the end, nothing would have happened, except … another monumental act of distraction.

There is a massive act of agenda setting going on now and Mr. President has deliberately remained unmoved by all of it or so it seems. In fact we are counting minutes, hours, days and weeks and even months, right from the time election results were announced and from the moment of swearing in to the present, which is usually assumed to be tomorrow. We are in search of achievements, even though we are yet to see a road map to such. Those who cried

change are becoming impatient and those who saw no change in view are waiting to assert that they were sure the country has make a mistake. Leadership bashing is fermenting underneath and will soon start pouring out from the various breweries to quench the thirst of expectant citizens.

All these will exert undue pressure on “focus,” even though we are yet to get a grasp of such. I am still talking about distractions.

What does Mr. President do in the presence of all these?

National Assembly does not seem to be advancing; some State Assemblies and Assembly members are trying out their skills in martial arts; Permanent Secretaries are making policy statements because they do not see their bosses (But by the way, it appears beautiful without the bosses; I am sure you know who I mean: The Honourable Ministers and Ministers of State of the Federal Republic); the revelation of an “almost empty treasury” … and I wonder how empty a treasury that announced an income of over a billion dollars on the same day it claimed to be empty, could be); governors who rise against national assembly; governors who are unable to pay salaries; projects stunted … and the list is endless.

The President can at least do something; take the advice of the crazy man and like the unmovable cadaver (this is only a metaphor, Mr. President shall not die!) look toward his destination and ignore all who mourn and wail.

They are all DISTRACTIONS; they are all ENEMIES. It shall be well!

46—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 27, 2015 Aunty Julie, I think something is wrong with me and the way I feel about relationship issues. I feel disgusted about kissing because it’s slimy and not very appealing.

I have had a few boyfriends and sexual experiences but never because of love but because it’s normal.

I am yet to fall in love or even have a crush or enjoy anything sexual. I have tried the different gender but that did nothing for me either.

Also I get bored by relationships very quickly and would rather be alone than with somebody who is attracted to me. And I’m way too picky for my own good. I will dump someone who doesn’t seem smart enough or doesn’t understand my interests.

I know this makes me sound like a horrible person and maybe I am but it’s just how it is. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I’d

juliecoker100@yahoo.com

I’m not sure about my sexuality appreciate some advice and help very much.

Vivienne, Port-Harcourt

Dear Vivienne, Indeed, nothing is wrong with you or

with the way you feel. It’s really common, especially for teenagers, to want to do what’s “normal”. The problem is, there’s no such thing!

There’s no right age for someone to fall in love. Also, some people have

What should I do to be more relaxed around guys?

Dear Julie, I’m not ready to get married, have a boyfriend or have a partner, but I get crushes on men.

Usually they are temporary. I see them do or say something nasty or gross or they have habits I don’t like, like smoking or drinking. I then tell myself that they are not worth it, but I sometimes have a hard time forgetting them. I get stared at by men 30 or 40 years older than me and I don’t like it.

I’m not an outgoing sort of person. I have a job and try to be busy at all times. I’ve never been to parties or anything like that so I find it hard to talk to people. So, when I get a crush I usually tell myself that I can’t do anything other than forget it, because I’m scared about doing anything . I often think I’ll do something stupid. If ever alone with a guy I I’ve liked or still like, I just get really embarrassed and clam up.

I’m 22 and I have a lot of life before me, and I want to do positive things in my life. If by any chance me and some nice chap get close, I want to stay with them for the rest of our lives.

I know this isn’t really a question, but I want advice as to whether my ideas are good, and what I could do to be more relaxed around boys.

Nikky, Edo

Dear Nikky, Having crushes is totally normal, even if you know the person isn’t quite right for you.

Don’t pressure yourself to forget about your crushes because that will make even harder. And if you really like the guy you

shouldn’t have to forget about it!

You definitely do have a lot more options than to tell yourself you can’t do anything except forget about it.

You aren’t the only one who doesn’t know what to say when you’re around your crushes.

Talking to guys (and girls) can

more sexual desires than others.

Try your best not to put pressure on yourself to have a boyfriend, or be sexual.

It might sound corny, but when the right person comes along (guy or girl!) those sexual feelings will also develop. And quite simply, if you don’t want a relationship – don’t have one!

There’s certainly nothing wrong with that. Also, it can be a good thing to be “picky” and wanting to be with someone who shares your interests.

Some people want a boyfriend or girlfriend so badly they are willing to be with someone that isn’t suited to them. Unfortunately this can lead to some bad relationships. It sounds like you want to wait until you find someone that is smart and interesting. If you are still concerned it would be a good idea to talk to someone around you that you trust so much.

be very scary and we often worry about what to say or how to act. The most important thing though is to just be yourself. Sometimes conversations can be awkward but that’s how we learn to get better at them. And remember, if you are feeling nervous , your crush probably is too! Both guys and girls can get nervous when talking to the opposite sex. I think it’s great you want someone you really like and can be with forever. And you are right that you have years ahead of you before you need to worry too much about finding someone. But what happens if this guy comes along and you are too scared to talk to him?

The best thing you can do is practice talking to guys now and getting comfortable with it so when a great guy comes along, you can be relaxed and enjoy his company :

How do I get her attention?

Dear Aunty Julie, There’s this girl in my neighbourhood and she’s popular. The guys in the neighbourhood talk about her as if she’s the best think in this world and I love her so much but I don’t think she likes me. I think she might like someone else. We have talked a bit but I feel like I need to talk to her more.

How do I get her attention and talk to her?

Sylva, Lagos

Dear Sylva, It can be hard to get a girl’s attention, especially if she’s getting attention from lots of other guys.

Before you take things further, think about the reasons why you

Sleeping partners A man and a woman who have never met before find themselves in the same sleeping carriage of a train.

After the initial embarrassment they both go to sleep, the woman on the top bunk, the man on the lower.

In the middle of the night the woman leans over, wakes the man and says, “I”m sorry to bother you, but I”m awfully cold and I was wondering if you could possibly get me another blanket.” The man leans out and, with a glint in his eye, says, “I”ve got a better idea… just for tonight, let”s pretend we”re married.” The woman thinks for a moment. “Why not,” she giggles.. “Great,” he replies, “Get your own damn blanket!”

Bribe and groom During the wedding rehearsal, the groom approached the pastor with an unusual offer: “Look, I’ll give you $100 if you’ll change the wedding vows.

When you get to the part where I’m supposed to promise to ‘love,

It can be hard to get a girl’s attention, especially if she’s getting attention from lots of other guys.

Before you take things further, think about the reasons why you like her like her. Do you have similar interests? What qualities does she have that you like? Make sure you like her for the right reasons and not because other

C O C K - T A L E S honor and obey’ and ‘be faithful to her forever,’ I’d appreciate it if you’d just leave that out.”

He passed the minister a $100 bill and walked away satisfied. On the day of the wedding, when it came time for the groom’s vows, the pastor looked the young man in the eye and said: “Will you promise to prostrate yourself before her, obey her every command and wish, serve her breakfast in bed every morning of your life, and swear eternally before God and your lovely wife that you will not ever even look at another woman, as long as you both shall live?”

The groom gulped and looked around, and said in a tiny voice, “Yes,” then leaned toward the pastor and hissed: “I thought we had a deal.”

The pastor put a $100 bill into the groom’s hand and whispered: “She made me a better offer.”

Rewarded

guys are talking about her. If she wasn’t so popular would you still be interested? In relationships, it’s important to have things in common. Otherwise you may run out of things to talk about very quickly!

If you’re still keen, get her attention by finding something you have in common and talk with her about it. Girls (and guys) like to talk about things important to them, so talking about a hobby or interest is a good way to start. Plus girls really appreciate it when guys can have a good conversation and show interest in what they are saying. If you aren’t too sure about her interests, go with something simpler, like a a movie you saw recently.

It’s a good idea to talk to her more before deciding for sure if she likes you or not. If you find out she doesn’t, I hope you find someone else you like, who does like you.

That’s the best kind of relationship to have.

Because Dave works hard at the plant and spends most evenings bowling or playing basketball at the gym, his wife thinks he is pushing himself too hard, so for his birthday she takes him to a local strip club.

The doorman at the club greets them and says, “Hey, Dave! How ya doin?” His wife is puzzled and asks if he’s been to this club before. “Oh no,” says Dave. “He’s on my bowling team.”

When they are seated, a waitress asks Dave if he’d like his usual Budweiser. His wife is becoming uncomfortable and says, “You must come here a lot for that woman to know you drink Budweiser.” “No, honey,she’sintheLadiesBowlingLeague.Wesharelaneswiththem.”

A stripper comes over to their table and throws her arms around Dave.

“Hi, Davey,” she says, “Want your usual table dance?”

Dave’s wife, now furious, grabs her purse and storms out of the club.

Dave follows and spots her getting into a cab. Before she can slam the door, he jumps in beside her and she starts screaming at him.

The cabby turns his head and says, “Looks like you picked up a real doozie this time, Dave!”

SATURDAY Vanguard,JUNE 27, 2015 — 47

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Why you need to get your love-life back!

I

F your love-life is flagging,you’re always advised to change your partner! A bit drastic, but it could be extremely inconvenient socially but there is one thing you definitely ought to try first—that is changing the background. Many couples who have made love year after year in the same bed have discovered that their sex lives are mysteriously revitalized when they go on holiday or stay in a hotel.

Although they may attribute it to rest and ‘change in the air’, the novelty of new surroundings is probably more instrumental in this revival of libido. Yet, not all of us could afford the luxury of a good holiday or the price of a decent

nature, making love among trees, long grass or with the sound of waterfalls on the beach in your ears!

Unfortunately, there are certain hazards and you have to be wary of insect bites, stinging nettles, poison ivy and trigger-happy bush meat hunters with their dane guns, who sometimes shoot at anything that moves and only afterwards try to identify it. Sand in the works can also be very uncomfortable.

Another possible hazard of outdoor sex is discovery by the authorities—the overzealous policeman always rapping on car-locked windows or kicking at writhing

There is something very exciting about going back to nature, making love among trees, long grass or with the sound of waterfalls

,

hotel room.

The alternative is to redecorate your bedroom to create an erotic atmosphere by investing in larger beds, sexy sheets, and strategically placed mirrors. You can also try other rooms in the house that you do not usually think of as venue for sex, such as the bathroom or even the guest room!

And the light from the TV set in the living room has been known to be quite romantic, and if you choose the right kind of erotic programme, this can also enhance your love-making!

I

f you find these methods a bit daunting, then think of a spur-of-the moment atmosphere. Like the great outdoor for instance! There is something very exciting about going back to

,

bodies! Sometimes ago, two British tourists were sentenced to jail for getting carried away by making love publicly on a Greek beach.

Apparently, a crowd of several hundred spectators had gathered to watch the performance before the police arrived to spoil everybody’s fun.

Through all the ‘friendly’ encounter, argued the couple, no private citizen had deemed it fit to intervene as they might have done if the pair had been fighting, yet the court was totally unsympathetic to them!

Similarly, in Britain, when a well-known businessman was discovered having oral sex with a girl-friend on the bandstand in a public park, the court proceedings destroyed

“Many people believe that making love at night when it is dark is the decent, natural thing to do. Nothing could be further from the truth. In the animal world, sex normally occurs in the day-time, along with eating and most other kinds of activity. The night is reserved mainly for sleeping. This pattern is seen in nearly all mammals, including our nearest relatives among the primates, and there is reason to believe that it applies to humans too.

F

his marriage. In this case, the couple were charged with indecency even though it was pitch dark, the park was closed for the night, and the act was witnessed only by the constable who shone his torch on them! And in a rather more liberated precedent, the Italian courts once ruled that sexual intercourse in a car is legal if the couple are sufficiently passionate to steam up the windows.

It is common knowledge:

‘some lovers get a particular kick out of having undetected sex in public places under the very nose of unsuspecting people’, for example while sitting on a park bench or dancing at a party. This is facilitated if the couple go out wearing no pants! One young writer claims to have made love to his girlfriend on several occasions while sitting on the couch watching TV with her parents.

or example, secretion of testosterone, the hormone responsible for sex drive, rises to a peak in the morning, and falls sharply in the evening.

Therefore, it seems probably that our natural love-making urges are stronger when we are fresh and active in the daytime. The human shift to nocturnal sex must then be a culturally determined tendency—society prefers that we concentrate on work during the day.

True, there is an instinct in animals which motivates them to seek privacy for copulation, but the love of darkness is not a favoured solution.

keep your diabetic heart healthy, drink a glass of red wine!

A

Glass of wine a day could be good for diabetics’ hearts— particularly if they drink red. In the first study of its kind, US and Israeli researchers tracked the health of 224 diabetics over two years and found wine drinkers experienced an increase in their ‘good’ cholesterol. The patients— who all had type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity — were split into three groups depending on the drink they had with dinner each night.

One group had a small glass of red wine, another white wine and the third stuck to water. All the volunteers also had regular sessions with a dietician and

followed a Mediterranean-style diet. As well experiencing a rise in good cholesterol—which is known as HDL and is thought to help keep the blood free from arteryclogging compounds— the wine drinkers also performed better in other blood tests, especially if they drank red, the European Congress on Obesity heard.

Professor Meir Stampfer, from Harvard Medical School, and his team believe the effect on cholesterol must be due to a non-alcoholic ingredient found in red

wine but not in white. They said that ‘moderate’ intake of red wine ‘apparently decreases cardio-metabolic risk’ among type 2 diabetics—meaning it lowers their chances of heart disease or stroke. It is not clear if non-diabetics would experience the same benefits.

However, Professor Tom Sanders, of King’s College London, said that the link between higher HDL cholesterol and improved heart health was not clearcut. ‘Any potential health benefits from drinking alcohol would be outweighed by the wellknown side effects, such as weight gain,’ he said.

48 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

YETUNDE AREBI women, are regarded as failures if they take the divorce option. While adultery is frowned at by the law in the West and raises the stakes in a divorce suit in a monogamous society, adultery is an acceptable practice here and people are even encouraged to look the other way in order to stay in monogamous relationships. Who is fooling who?

5. I find it difficult to believe the saying “one man, one wife”. Rather, I believe that there is a man for every woman. All over the world and in all human society, the population of women far outnumbers the men. Who will take care of the surplus women?

Finally, let me return to my earlier stance that Nigerians are hypocrites. Often, I have come across people who when the situation concerns them would praise monogamy to high heaven, condemning the erring man or woman. As soon as a reversal of roles occurs and the culprit is their own ally, you find them in another breath, singing the praises of the beauty of the African culture. A word is enough for the wise.

Adegbenro S. Aliu.

Re: Is polygamy really bad?

Hi! A mail from the writer of the first contribution you will be reading today, jolted my memory back to my promise to publish as many responses as possible as well as keep the discourse on this topic on the front burner as a contemporary issue.

Polygamy needs no introduction, especially in our part of the world.

Though there are varied forms of polygamy, what we practice in our culture is that arrangement which allows a man to take on, or rather, marry more than one wife. And while this practice seems no longer fashionable, due largely to cultural and religious shifts, factors against it have not been overwhelming enough to cause a radical and total change of general perception. Even the Bible famously quoted as anti-polygamy has not been enough deterrent for its faithful to abide with monogamy. The story of Bisola and Akin resonated the debate on this topic mid last year on this page.

Bisola, after several years of struggling with the fact that her husband was not faithful to their vows finally discovered the evidence right inside her home.

Akin was in fact, raising another family besides the one they have together. Threatening hail and brimstone, Bisola has been throwing all sorts of tantrums known with women with her experience. I asked readers these questions among others. If a wife can share her husband with his numerous girlfriends in silence, why should she raise dust or feel threatened if he takes another wife? Are girlfriends less dangerous than wives?

Can someone out there just sincerely tell me what our headache really is about polygamy, besides religion? Should women walk out of their marriages because their husbands took other wives? The responses were amazing as well as diverse. Several of them have already been published over time, even though a long list still remains. As I have said, this topic is a contemporary issue and we will be exchanging views on it for a long time to come on this page.

So, please, the mailbox is still open to fresh contributions from readers. My mail address remains yetty5050@yahoo.co.uk and inthesunlovezone@yahoo.com Do have a wonderful weekend!

Dear Yetunde, I have read two previous editions of your column on this same important but often derided topic. Only this time, I wish to chip in my own contribution, with the hope that you will find somewhere to squeeze it in. I have always said that Nigerian are hypocrites and for as long as we remain the way we are, we will continue to go on a merrygo-round, not achieving anything. It is this same hypocrisy that has pervaded all aspects of our lives as a nation. Without bothering to take you through some of the points already mentioned by other C M Y K

contributors in support of polygamy, I will just raise a few of the issues we always fail to look at and which are actually the main crusts of the matter.

1. Both the much touted religions, Islam and Christianity are alien to our land. Those who introduced them to us do not practice them with the same doggedness that we do, neither do they place religion above the society and constitution of their land. Besides, we always fail to acknowledge the existence of other religions of the world, believing that only members of our religious groups, are entitled to enter the gates of heaven. I doubt very much that this is true.

2. Polygamy, the desire or ability or preference for multiple sex partners is a human trait. All men, and I mean, men and women, are polygamous by nature. We will desire and be attracted to more than one sex partner in our lifetime.

It is individual self discipline coupled by other factors such as societal norms, culture, tradition and religion, not forgetting social class and economic power, that will determine how we go about fulfilling this desire.

3. Monogamy is a contraption designed by the West to control their economy and social life. To ensure that monogamy is embraced by their people, they put certain things in place, such as welfare packages available to legally married women and their children. Meaning that in many countries of the West, only this category of women were entitled to social support from the state. A man or woman with more than one spouse is liable to Bigamy and can and will be prosecuted by both the law and again by the spouse.

The irony of this is that even citizens of these climes have also been able to find a way round these laws to pursue their desires. Over the years, the acceptance of single parenthood as a way of life, feminism and Human Right Laws have also helped both the state and citizens to seek compromises on all fronts. This is why you will find many men, especially those not of Western descent practice their self styled kind of polygamy and still live within the ambiance of the law. If the great West and all it has put in place cannot enforce monogamy on its citizens, is it not hypocrisy to force it on the African man whose culture it is alien to? In a society where citizens are responsible for their own welfare and survival, how easy is it to control their biological composition or their moral disposition and individual desire? A man will take as many wives as the women are willing to offer themselves or as much as his money or personality can get him.

4. Divorce is an important instrument used by the West to provide succour for those no longer interested in monogamous relationships. A man or woman who finds himself no longer in love or desirous of a partner can seek divorce and look for another. It is approved by law and society and people are not stigmatised as we have them in Nigeria.

The state recognises the sham that monogamy can become and provides a lee way for citizens to walk into freedom. Here, once a woman hooks a man into a monogamous relationship, you want to keep him chained there for life, whether both of them enjoy it or not, or are happy or not. Though divorce is available in Nigeria, it is still considered as anti-social and people, especially

Yetunde, Most people commenting here are men, so no surprises as the large chunk favour polygamy.

I want to refer to the lady respondent in the article. She said she had no problems so far that she too is allowed to have other men apart from her husband. It sounds odd, but that’s the beauty of the golden rule. Do unto others what you want them do unto you.

If a man cannot stomach a polyandrous wife, why would he think of polygamy himself?

Selfishness.

To the other respondent who copiously quoted from Bible, citing characters who were polygamous yet beloved of God, I want to say that he needs to do more research to know the consequences of their actions.

Abraham’s polygamy gave birth to the various perpetual conflicts we have in the Middle East, and by extension the world over, especially among adherents of Islam and Christianity.

David’s polygamy led to cases of incest, murder, and hatred within his family. He too paid dearly for it, though he was still beloved of God. His son, Solomon, took his own polygamy to the highest level with a combined 1,000 wives and concubines. Yes, he was the wisest and richest in his time. But the Bible says that when he became old, his strange wives lured his heart away from the Almighty God. Only God knows how he ended.

(The Qu’ran has a good account of the end of Solomon. You can check it out.)

In the New Testament, marriage issues like polygamy were better clarified by the Lord Jesus and later by some Apostles, including Paul.

God created one man and one woman. He had the power to create many women for Adam, but he chose to create one, according to the law of perfection. It’s man’s perversion that led to polygamy, polyandry, gay, etc. Marriage was designed for a man and a woman.

The fact that the world system has obliterated God in its reasoning does not validate the various perversions that bedevil the marriage institution today.

A Christian who understands God’s balanced precepts on this sensitive issue would not miss it.

Polygamy and its various forms are sins before God. Successman Dear Yetunde, Polygamy or monogamy has nothing to do with GOD. Remember Jesus’ response when the issue of a woman that married seven brothers was raised. There is no marrying or giving in marriage in heaven. Monogamy is purely a Western way of life. Even the worst atheist in the West sticks to monogamy because it is their way of life and not because he believes in God or any supreme being.

Again, male living things are naturally polygamous. No person can wish that away.

Polygamy (multiple sex partner) for men even extends one’s life span, according to a recent study.

So, this talk about polygamy being a sin is thrash.

What may be the sin there is because you have taken a vow at the altar that you would not marry another wife, i.e. be faithful to her. But then, the man only promises to love the woman till death do them part. It does not exclude loving another woman. Thank you.

Nwoke Nwanyi

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 27, 2015—49

Be sincere with youths, NGO Chief tells leaders

he Executive Director of Development and Leadership Institute, a T non-governmental organization (NGO) has called on leaders at all levels to be sincere on issues affecting youths in the country. Clement

L-R: Business Partner/Director, Tiffany Amber, Nkiru Adekoya; Founder/Artistic Director, Tiffany Amber, Folake Coker; Divisional Head, Corporate Communications, Diamond Bank Plc. Ayona Trimnell; and Aisha Ahmad, Retail Directorate, Diamond Bank Plc. at the Diamond Bank Women of Vision Press Briefing in Lagos.

ICA tasks government on sound legislation for economic development

F

or a speedy economic development with sound legislative process that would translate well on the citizens and as well cultivating Nigerian environment for foreign investment, Institute of Credit Administration has tasked the Buhari administration to form a sound policies through the legislative arm of the government. This it said at the induction exercise of new members recently in Lagos.

ICA is Nigeria’s only National Body for Credit management since 1992. It has contributed immensely to the economic well-being of Nigeria and other countries through its uncompromising standards of raising professional in credit administration.

Former ICA President, Professor Chris Onalo was of the opinion that if the present governance system of Nigeria must deliver, the economy must be put in sound footing and a structure put in place. According to him, the legislation must shy away from mere policy pronouncement, and apply realistic approaches that would touch what needed to be touched to trigger policy system that is implementable such that would bring it closer to the people.

“Government will have to do a lot of talking to be able to interpret the positions of the legislation that is geared towards establishing a strong economy and then getting all the stakeholders to comply with the position of such legislation, saying that the National Assembly has to go back to the drawing board and actually go beyond the rhetoric of few people making comments. They have to look at the knitty gritty, and ask themselves questions, do we need to review legislation that is going to govern a strong economy, and by so doing they need to alienate themselves with various institutions of expertise, organised

private sector, Chambers of Commerce and other laudable industries that have been able to put themselves together under strong regulations like the banking and insurance sectors and other such industries that are well regulated with a view to getting themselves acquainted with happenings in the industries.”

In addition, Onalo said, that is the way to lay very quiet perfection for economic growth and then appropriate legislation is produced and getting the legislation interpreted by again the typical role of professional organisations that should be able to acquaint their members with the position of the law just as it is in other parts of the world.

In the same vein, he said, why the economic has not been able to fly or the drive for development has not been able to fly in Nigeria is that policy pronouncement without bringing it into realistic atmosphere ended up producing nothing, saying that the laws are there but no effect on people and that is why the economy has been in comatose. “I think if the President’s expectation mean what they said, they really need to go back to practical approach to be able to set in motion a new economic idealogy that would deliver Nigeria into the comic of nations that are standing well in economic activities and then making Nigeria a destination for other parts of the world who are looking to invest in a safe and sound market place, who are looking to bring up certain ideal of product or services that enhances human living.

In addition to charting a new course towards building a strong economy through a legislative process, G.R.E Ozulumba (FICA) in his lecture at the induction exercise of new members to ICA on, “The

effects of maintaining best practices, standard and ethnics” advised credit managers, stakeholders to help build a strong credit system in the new g o v e r n m e n t dispensation by adhering and adopting the Central Bank’s monetary stability and sound financial system as well as Monetary Policy guidelines stipulated for industry operation.

Omotayo G.M. Ajani (FICA) also enthused that if Nigeria must develop in this new era of governance, it must implore a good credit market system that promotes production of goods and services, creation and growth of employment and labour capital, creation and growth of technology; creation and growth of value chain and other industries, integration into the global space and generation of foreign income etc.

Olaoshebikan, helmsman of the NGO made the call in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at a forum organized for youths by the body recently to air their views on development issues in the country.

Olaoshebikan who was reacting to views expressed by youths during the forum, urged leaders to engage and be sincere with the youths, in the execution of programmes in the country. He said development programmes, especially those that affect youths will have more positive impact, if leaders at all levels are sincere and engage the youths in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes.

He challenged leaders to “engage and be sincere with the youths as a matter of importance,” noting that “they can offer valuable insight into why policies fail or are ineffective.”

A highly interactive event, the forum was attended by secondary school students drawn from both public and private schools across Rivers state.

It provided the youths opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s performance in areas of governance, and policies and also to offer valuable insight into what could be done to improve on observed results.

Analyzing the nation’s score card, on targets set to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the forum, the youths were unanimous in expressing serious disappointment with Government and other stakeholders’ efforts to achieve the MDG goals that affect their lives.

They observed that, apart from Gender parity, Nigeria did not meet any of the MDG goals she set out to accomplish and that it appears other things have taken the attention of Government away from these life actualizing aspirations that make more meaning to the ordinary citizen. They therefore urged government in the new dispensation to refocus attention on achieving the targets set out in the MDGs. Olaoshebikan who spoke on the essence of the forum, said “DLI believes that the views of the children really matter. We believe that children can make meaningful contribution to the process of policy making and evaluation as they constitute over 50% of the population of Nigeria and rightfully, deserve to give policy makers a feedback on services they receive from Government and other duty bearers.

Brownsville builds ultra modern library to harness students potentials or a better informed knowledge and educational standards that would match global competitiveness, Brownsville College, Ikoyi F has set up an ultra modern science library to harness the potentials of

her students in which Nigeria is in dire need and also a gateway to national development.

The school which has a distinguished tradition of co-educational Day and Boarding education for students aged 10-17, runs both Nigerian and British curriculum to enable students unleash their God-given potentials and be confident against future challenges as this buttress the school motto, ‘lead with confidence’.

According to the Proprietress, Mrs. Alaba Kasumu, we want to promote development in Nigeria system through a quality training, learning and grooming our children that will take over leadership tomorrow with scholarship and in a subsidised manner to ensure that bright students have access to education, she said.

She said that Brownsville is established to deliver a first class education and prepare students for the future and we are particularly proud of our members of staff drawn from other international schools to give the best to your child on the go.

In addition, Kasumu said, the school strongly reflects traditional Nigerian culture and values whilst also preparing its students to live and work in a highly complex, challenging and competitive international world. We offer a perfect blend of Nigerian and British curricula, all aimed at giving our students a rich and balanced education in order to partake in examinations like WASSCE, NECO, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge Checkpoint, SAT and TOEFL. There is a provision for an inclusive collaborative learning environment that enables the students to undertake the aforementioned examinations.”

Kasumu advises parents not to miss this ample opportunity to enrol their children immediately, saying that the school is committed to continually improving its concept permeating every facet of school culture and activity.

She further stresses their aim to fully develop the whole boy or girl drawing out from each an individual’s unique talents and interests, even as she encourages parents to play their roles and not leaving everything for the teachers.

Inductees at the induction exercise of Institute of C r e d i t Administration held in L a g o s recently.

50—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

ONE MONTH AFTER: Is Buhari walking his talk?

•Phillips Continues from page 24 for long term planning.

“The President also secured a $5 million Dollars Grant from the US Government in support of the fight against insurgency.

“The relocation of the Command center to the theater of conflict in the North East as well as redeploy of soldiers on “Road Block Duties” to areas where they are more needed.

These are commendable steps.

Security is president Buhari’s number priority —Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President

“It is about security. That is his number one campaign agenda and he is living up to it. He has concentrated all his energy trying to put together a credible response to Boko haram terrorists. And this has taken him to the neighboring countries. He has met Defence Chief, the Service Chiefs almost week. He has also taken this to G7, also to the African Union. He has been trying to form a massive alliance, a massive response to the Boko haram terrorists.

“Besides that, he is also restrategizing for the economic revival of the country and the coming of foreign investment, again using the platform provided by the G7 and the United States of America. And then, you can see that he has started making moves about the recovery of the stolen billions of dollars by some Nigerians that are recoverable. So, he is actually working without making so much noise on the fulfillment of his election promises.

“Nigerians have a choice to make.

What is their priority? Is it appointment, security or even better economy or do they want a corruption free environment? That is the thing.

For the president, appointments are not the key issues for him now. That is very clear from his action. The most important thing is to get the job done.

And he is working.

“As it is now, is there any lacuna?

•Nwuke

I think this president came on board at a time of great challenges for Nigeria and in truth in under one month, he has had to grapple with an economy that is completely in shambles and a country whose national security is threatened seriously and he has had to deal with the issue of falling oil prices Are you thinking there is any gap that is not being covered by the bureaucrats? There is nothing that is not being covered. The Permanent Secretaries are part of the meetings.

No body is saying that it is not important to make political appointments. He will make appointments. As he has said himself, he wants to scrutinize the names and make the right appointments. He doesn’t want to appointment one today and make changes in tomorrow. Given this war for the recovery of stolen funds, that will have implication for the people who are going to be appointed. If he appoints you today and may be in the drive to recover money, you are implicated in the millions you have stolen, he will fire you. But it is not good that you even find such people in government. That’s why he is taking his time to make the right decisions.”

On Buhari’s decision to steer clear of the politics of National Assembly Garba Shehu said this: “Well, with the event of today(Thursday’s fracas in the House of Representatives), I don’t know whether he will continue to be silent. But I know that as of two

•Ogene nights ago(Tuesday) when he met with the governors, they were the ones who advised him to remain silent, that they would handle it.

But with what we have today, I don’t know if the governors will not advise him to come in. I don’t know.

Nigeria already working under Buhari even without political appointees—Hon. Ogbonnaya

Nwuke, member of 7th House of Representatives from Rivers States “I think this president came on board at a time of great challenges for Nigeria and in truth in under one month, he has had to grapple with an economy that is completely in shambles and a country whose national security is threatened seriously and he has had to deal with the issue of falling oil prices.

The fact that even foreign countries are lending support to the efforts of this administration to recover the money some people in Nigeria have stashed away in foreign accounts. It shows confidence in the ability of this administration to really pursue anti corruption posture.

“But above all in under one month, we are seeing the turn of the refineries which were starved many years back of crude and which were declared almost moribund and in under one month we are talking about these refineries working again. We are also under one month talking about a government that is shopping for diplomacy with its Neighbors in other to receive some form of cooperation that will see Boko haram contained. The countries are not acting independently on their own but all countries working together. And I think that that is very salutary.

“And we have spent so much money in the past on the importation of all things including commodities that can be grown at home and this has led to huge waste and it is under this

administration that the CBN is now saying that Nigeria will stop to import what they can produce. This will encourage local production.

“What really surprises me is the fact that the president is not making too much noise about it since he came to power and it shows a man who has become increasingly matured, a man who has clear understand of this mission.

“I want to believe that the names of political appointees may have been secretly forwarded to the security agencies and that the president has not announced names does not mean they are not working on them. Now, take the National Assembly for in instance which should screen those nominees. Even if the list is ready now, the National Assembly appears not to be ready to receive it because of what is going on on that platform. But I think the president is taking his time. He doesn’t want to make any mistakes. So, Nigerians should give him time.”

President Buhari has taken active steps to end insurgency in Nigeria—Hon. Victor Ogene, member of 7th House of Representatives from Anambra State.

“Many Nigerians felt that upon the inauguration on May 29, President Mohammadu Buhari would wave a magic wand and 16 years of maladministration would evaporate but as it were, some active players like us on the political scene knew that was not going to be because first you must work with facts and figures.

“The nation has an economic crisis whereby states are not able to pay even salaries. He had also met with the governors and they are determined to find solution to that. By the mere fact of his emergence, certain people who had illegally taken money out also indicated willingness to return some and he had also given his word that he would embark on a recovery process of some of these looted funds. So far, so good.”

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015 —51

(Text Only)

Deal with overweight,enliven your organs Leg Raise Technique: Sitting with the hands behind you,draw up the knees and raise the legs vertically. Respiration must be slow with the forehead brought to touch the knees.

Benefits: This posture massages the abdominal organs, improving digestion and elimination.It also enhances the power of concentration and steps up our resolution. Willpower is also increased.

The Boat Technique: Sit down with the legs extended in front of you. Raise both legs up and touch the toes with the finger tips. Stay in this position for 20 seconds. Rest and repeat.

Benefits: The boat reduces the size of the belly and improves the muscles of the back.

The Bridge Lie on your back and drawing up the knees, raise the trunk up and support the lower back with the hands.

Retain the pose for 15 to 20 seconds and repeat after a short rest.

Benefits: The Bridge favourably affects the abdomen and the thigh muscles.

•The Bridge

Yoga Classes @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

•Leg Raise

•The Boat

52—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

Our pastor he will res

– Church mem to the death in

• Gunmen suspected Guard’s disposal has it that he left the church that fateful day, informing some of his members that were with him that he was going to the bank to withdraw some money. But shortly after he left the bank his assailants came calling.

Eyewitness accounts

•Late Pastor Chukwuemeka Okpokpo

C

ommercial activities were, Monday, disrupted for the better part of the day along Oba Kayode Way, in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, following sporadic gunshots from three heavilyarmed men operating on a motorcycle. The gunshots sent fear-stricken motorists and passers-by scampering for safety.

In their desperate bid to leave the scene, motorists increased their speed limit while companies, including transport operators around the axis, hurriedly shut their

entrance gates, depriving those who attempted to take cover in their premises, from entering.

By the time the dust settled, some vehicles were reportedly discovered to have sunk into the numerous potholes covered by flood, with the drivers abandoning them at the mercy of the gunmen.

Death at noon

Shockingly, the driver of one of the vehicles was seen lying helplessly inside his bus in a pool of his blood.

He was the victim of volleys of bullets released by the gunmen. By the time curious on-lookers checked, the man was found stone

dead while reclining on his seat with head facing downwards.

On closer observation, he was discovered to be wearing a lemon-coloured reflective jacket of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, whose headquarters is located in Ijesha, not too far away from the scene of the tragedy.

The bus he drove was also discovered to be owned by the church.

Visit to bank

The victim was later identified as Pastor Chukwuemeka Augustine Okpokpo, the Lagos State Coordinator of the church.

Information at Crime

I saw a Lord’s Chosen bus slow down on reaching the bad spot and immediately the robbers got to the bus, they shot at the tyres. A man on the steering was about to come out and escape, only for one of the robbers to move close to him and shot him at close range

,

BY EVELYN USMAN

,

Eyewitnesses told Crime Guard that it was obvious that Okpokpo was the target of the gunmen. This is because they focused their attention on him while shooting. They were said to have apparently trailed him right from the bank before releasing some shots.

An eyewitness who simply gave his name as Ndubuisi said: “I had gone to the bank to deposit some money and was on my way back to Okota when the bandits started shooting. I hurriedly parked my vehicle on reaching the bad spot and ran into the bush by the median, where I laid flat, praying to God to spare my life.

“From there, I saw a Lord’s Chosen bus slow down on reaching the bad spot and immediately the robbers got to the bus, they shot at the tyres. A man on the steering was about to come out and escape, only for one of the robbers to move close to him and shot him at close range.

Thereafter, he (the gunman) opened the door and brought out a nylon containing some money. He came back to where his victim was, looked at him for some seconds and nodded his head before joining his two other colleagues on the motorbike. They made a Uturn and disappeared the same way the came.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015—53

r is not dead; surrect

Premonition

mbers react n Lagos Controversy trails killing

However, controversy has begun to trail the death of late Okpokpo, as many are of the view that the gunmen were assassins. Those close to him, however, did not rule out the fact that his killers could be close associates from the same vineyard whom they alleged may be envious of him.

Pastor Okpokpo, as gathered, reportedly incurred the envy of some of his church members, owing to his uprightness in executing projects entrusted to him. His killing, as gathered, might not be unconnected with his position as the Ministry’s Lagos State Coordinator and one of the right-hand men of the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Lazarus Mouka.

A member of the church in the ministerial cycle who did not want his name in print told Crime Guard that there was more to Okpokpo’s death than mere armed robbery operation, hinting that the deceased attained the position of the church’s state coordinator, owing to his stand against corruption and unnecessary inflation of projects.

According to him: “Pastor Chukwuemeka,” as they all called him, “ was one of the trusted hands in the church.

In fact, he wormed his way into the G.O.’s heart through honesty, hard work, dedication and commitment to the well being of the church. The first time he was given a building project of N1.2 billion to execute, he rendered account accurately and even brought the balance of money, an act

that had never been done by those who handled such projects in the past. Others would not render account and would, rather, demand for more money. Since then, our G.O. entrusted key projects to him. This created an open rivalry as most people saw him as a stumbling block to their financial uplift. He usually queried inflated projects which put those involved in a bad light.”

Another area which generated controversy was the fact that the bus with plate number EPE 101 BE that was driven by him, reportedly had no stain on it. Relatives of the deceased who saw the bus told Crime Guard that there was no sign that someone who was shot in the stomach was brought out of the bus.

•The vehicle he drove in

•Muoka...Anyone who has a hand in Pastor Chukwuemeka’s death will never see good

,

to be assassins

A visibly angry Mouka was said to have placed curses on whoever had a hand in the death of Okpokpo. He was quoted as saying: “Anyone who has a hand in Pastor Chukwuemeka’s death will never see good

,

Crime Guard gathered that Pastor Okpokpo could have had premonition of the tragedy that befell him, as he reportedly complained of tiredness and boredom before leaving his 41 Adisa Cooker abode in Iju area of the state, where he lived in a one room sublet of a threebedroom flat.

The deceased, as gathered, only returned from a crusade from one of the South-Western states last Saturday, and was actively involved in the preparation of a forthcoming crusade billed for July 4 and 5, 2015 at the church’s headquarters in Ijesha, Lagos, with the theme ‘It is God’s time’.

He was said to have coordinated the posting of bills and tying of banners for the crusade in every nook and cranny of Iju as well as other areas and complained of exhaustion.

But little did he understand the message being passed through his instincts. With a declaration of faith, he stepped out of his house and drove the missionary bus assigned to him, without the slightest inclination that he would never live to witness the success of the crusade he had put so much energy.

Journey to Europe

Crime Guard gathered that before branching into ministry, the late Okpokpo who was from a humble background, had like others, travelled to Europe in search of greener pastures.

He reportedly lived in Greece and Italy for several years, before returning to Nigeria in 2003, to attend one of his cousin’s wedding but could not return to Europe since then. It was in the process that he was introduced to the church by his eldest sister who passed on six months ago.

Pastor Chukwuemeka is not dead

Efforts to speak with the church’s spokesperson, Mr Chidi Louis, failed as he was said to be in the church when this reporter visited, Thursday. He affirmed that in a text sent to his mobile line with a reply saying: “In the service, please.”

Attempt to get the reactions of some members of the church was greeted by expression of surprise on their faces as they claimed that their Pastor was alive.

In fact, one of them, a woman with the lemoncoloured reflective jacket gazed at this

reporter, saying: “Who told you he is dead? That is how you journalists will be talking anyhow. Pastor Chukwuemeka is not dead.

He has performed miracles that were beyond human comprehension through the power of God and such a person cannot go down the grave like that. God’s power is still at work and will do the miraculous in his life.”

It was gathered that after he was shot dead, the body of Pastor Okpokpo was taken to the church clinic where it was discovered that he was shot in the stomach and the bullet pierced out from the back.

Undaunted by the bodily damage, as they put it, members of the church prayer warriors reportedly went into warfare prayer from 12.30pm to 8pm, believing firmly that he would resurrect. Although the body has been taken to the home town of the deceased in Amizi, Ikwuano Local Government Area, Umuahia, Abia State, where it was deposited in a morgue, church members are still hopeful that he would resurrect from the morgue.

When his twin sister, Evangelist Augustina Chibueze was contacted, she asserted authoritatively that her twin brother was not dead.

According to her: “He cannot die because it is not yet time for him to die. Our Pastor (Pastor Mouka) has said that nobody is permitted to die a day before God’s pre-destined time. The God of Chosen whom I serve will resurrect Chukwuemeka. That grave that rejected Jesus will also reject Chukwuemeka. He is not dead.

We are still praying. No matter how long he stays in the morgue, he will resurrect and come to testify because God of Chosen will bring him back to life,” she stated with all sense of conviction.

Mouka rains curses on killers

On his part, Pastor Mouka was said to be too devastated to speak when he met with some family members of the deceased in the church . Trying hard not to betray his emotion, Mouka was quoted as saying that he was overwhelmed by the tragedy because the deceased was close to him.

Crime Guard gathered that he later held a meeting with all Pastors where news of the death of Pastor Okpokpo was officially announced. A visibly angry Mouka was said to have placed curses on whoever had a hand in the death of Okpokpo. He was quoted as saying: “Anyone who has a hand in Pastor Chukwuemeka’s death will never see good.”

The Police on their part said, investigation had begun. Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Kenneth Nwosu said: “We have begun investigation to unravel the killers and bring them to book.”

54—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

LOCAL CONTENT LAW IMPLEMENTATION:

A Call for Retaining Oil Swap and Subsidy Removal

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President Muhammadu Buhari’s cash strapped government may have to do away with fuel subsidies in order to channel scarce resources to capital project development in Nigeria C M Y K

oth legal and oil experts have advised that the Nigerian independent oil operators should be considered first in the award of Oil and Gas contracts. Nigerian service companies should also be considered for contracts and services in line with the local content law just as they called for subsidy removal.

A legal expert Bar. Ayo Samuel noted that the “Local content Law specifies that Nigerian independent operators be given “first consideration” in the award of Oil and Gas focused contracts and Nigerian service companies be given “exclusive consideration” for contracts and services.

This is the dilemma that the government is facing. Experts say that an agreeable compromise will be a scenario where Nigerian Companies are allowed to participate, along International Oil Majors”.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s cash strapped government may have to do away with fuel subsidies in order to channel scarce resources to capital project development in Nigeria. This is in line with the views of Industry experts and Global Investment banks who agreed that a solid structured and transparent swap arrangement will ensure product availability even as NNPC refineries are operating below their plate capacity.

“Subsidies are expensive, accounting for an average of 2.5 percent of the gross domestic product from 2006-2012, according to the IMF. The government set aside N914 billion ($4.6 billion) for it in 2014. Nigeria’s national oil company the NNPC currently receives about 450,000 barrels per day for its refineries to process

for domestic crude consumption.

However Nigeria is almost wholly reliant on imports for the 40 million litres per day of gasoline it consumes, as most of the NNPCs four refineries produce at less than 20-60 percent of their name plate capacity. The NNPC has often had to engage in crude for oil (swap) and offshore processing contracts and direct importation of products to bridge about 50 percent of the supply gap.

The Managing Director and Head – Africa Macro Global Research at Standard Chartered, Razia Khan said: “Having contracts directly with the oil majors for refined product would be a big win, said Razia Khan, adding, “Ultimately, the healthiest development would be to sell the refined product to end-users at costreflective prices.

“Any savings from a fuel subsidy could increase the amount that Nigeria spends on social safety nets – so that the poorest, most vulnerable Nigerians benefit directly,” Khan said.

This view was corroborated by members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN); they stated in recent news report that the Oil Swaps is a better option for Government to end scarcity and keep off subsidy payment. The association further made a case to government for IPMAN members to partake in the Crude Oil Swap Arrangement.

While many Nigerians may believe that the Crude Swap/ OPAs was a recent arrangement under the immediate past administration, our source within the NNPC stated that Crude Swap/ Offshore Processing Arrangements have been a Federal Government initiative since 1977

in partnership with International Oil companies (IOCs). The anonymous source reiterated that “Nigerians must know that the supposed interim policy of the NNPC to bridge the gap between petroleum products demand and supply was initiated over three decades ago between 1977 and 1986 when Nigeria needed heavy crude from Venezuela to feed the Kaduna refinery. We as a nation swapped Venezuela heavy crude for Nigeria’s light crude”.

He further stated that: “the scope of crude swap was later broadened specifically because our refineries began to produce below their stipulated name plate capacity. In addition, NNPC/PPMC from late 1990s-2010, imported Petroleum Products on an Open Account backed by a PPMC Payment undertaking stating that payment will be made 45 days after imported vessels arrive, this payment timeline was never met with payment delays running to 400 days late in backlogs.

Our research findings indicated that NNPC has an outstanding debt to Importers and Bankers of close to USD 2 Billion currently standing at 7 Years late payment. Consequently, for any NNPC/ PPMC import project to receive a nod, the financing bank will need to see and verify a “Solid Bankable Security or Guarantee” in order to finance such project.

NNPC/PPMC usually rely on refineries un-utilised Crude oil barrels to fund these open account Payment Batches. However, the foregoing challenge posed a problem to 50% of fuel supply into Nigeria around 2009 and 2010. In order to close the

Continues on pg 55

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015—55

LOCAL CONTENT LAW IMPLEMENTATION: A Call for Retaining Oil Swap and Subsidy Removal

Continues on pg 54

Unfortunately, instead of applauding the doggedness of local entrepreneurs, some unscrupulous elements in Nigeria are making frantic efforts to hound and frustrate growth driven by local companies in the sector C M Y K

supply gap and avert scarcity crisis, NNPC/PPMC advertised in 2009 inviting for proposals for Offshore Processing Arrangement and other proposals to guarantee fuel supply to Nigeria. Thus crude Swap/ OPAs concept widened to include crude for refined products, which had been in practice with Oil Majors more than two decades; at the time, British Petroleum and SIR refinery of Ivory Coast were engaged to swap crude for refined products under very shadowy terms. Yet no one complained, this begs the question: why the outrage when Nigerian companies were engaged to deliver same service to the NNPC/PPMC? Perhaps it is easier to become outraged when the government of Nigeria, partners with indigenous oil and gas companies towards promoting local content laws than be dismayed by the many years of International Oil Companies (IOCs) under cutting Nigerians in disguise of service to a people. Nonetheless, the industry is witnessing increased participation of Nigerian oil and gas companies and expressed concerns on the direction the new administration may take while being optimistic that our government will deepen the gains in the oil and gas sector as a result of promoting local content development.

According to verifiable data, Nigerian companies now control over 35% of upstream business activities in Nigeria.

This significant bump from less than 10% in 2010 is as a result of passing the local content act into law; driven by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

Sadly, these local companies are faced with herculean task of dealing with various challenges associated with doing business in Nigeria. This has been recently demonstrated when perceived ANTI-LOCAL CONTENT AGENTS

conspiring with International News and Reporting Policy analyst, unleashed a media onslaught against indigenous companies participating in the Crude for Products Exchange Agreement, that is aimed to provide petroleum products to the everyday Nigerian. It is very curious to see all of these negative reports and also the exclusion of the names of Foreign and International Companies that have for many years taking part in these SWAP and Offshore Processing Contracts absent from all of these negative reportage. These Foreign companies create wealth and employment for their Countries, why can’t Nigeria do the same with its own people and companies?

Our findings indicates that the Crude Swap/OPAs arrangement entails the allocation of crude oil by NNPC for processing in a refinery, depending on the crude type and yield pattern resultant refined petroleum products mainly Gasoline and Kerosene are delivered by the contract operators into the country. The by-products not required are paid in cash to NNPC. A refining fee is paid for this refining. The Contract Operator places a “Bank Stand by Letter of Credit” before it is allowed to lift the crude, as a form of security. The SWAP is a very straight forward arrangement, which simply means you load the Crude Oil and you deliver refined petroleum products on a value to value based contract. Approximately, for a standard Nigerian cargo of 950,000+/- 5% Barrels (950kb) of Crude Oil loaded, the resultant volume for refined products (PMS and DPK which formed the subject matter of this Agreement) is 3 cargoes of 30,000mts +/- 10%.

The SWAP Agreement stipulates that a revolving Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) is established in favour of PPMC, before the Supplier’s vessel is cleared to load any volume of the crude oil nominated and programmed for this purpose. This in

effect guarantees that there is no exposure to PPMC for the Crude Oil lifted at any point in time during the Agreement, as this SBLC can be encashed, in the event of default.

Curiously, verifiable facts indicated that the terms on which the Federal government engaged local players where far more strenuous than the terms of engagement with the International Companies that partnered with the Federal Government. This in itself was a paradox… It is on record tha when foreigners were handling crude swap and delivering Petroleum Products on Open Account for Nigeria, our government was buying refined products at PLATTS plus $136-180/metric from these multinationals.

Government was equally required to pay interest to the multinationals on delayed receivables. Government incurred the cost of logistics and handling.

Unlike the arrangement where we have local players participating, only the principle of exchanging crude for refined product remained the same. Local companies sell at PLATTS plus $82/metric Ton. Government does not pay interest on delayed receivables.

Yet, the local players remained steadfast towards supporting the Federal Government of Nigeria on making sure that finished products are available and accessible by Nigerians without hassle.

Unfortunately, instead of applauding the doggedness of local entrepreneurs, some unscrupulous elements in Nigeria are making frantic efforts to hound and frustrate growth driven by local companies in the sector. This is our quagmire as a people. Accordingly, the implementation of the Local Content Law is one that must be encouraged. Certainly without doubt, the above well documented procedure ensures compliance and discredits the unguided and unfounded opinion of those calling a dog a bad name in order to kill it.

56—SATURDAY Vanguard,

JUNE 27, 2015

BY LAJU IREN 07017860213 ELLEJAYMEDIA@YAHOO.CO.UK

Real certificate or fake degree?

BY LAJU IREN

A

recent New York Times article on Axact, a Pakistani-based software company which made millions of dollars from its over 370 ‘University’ websites, by offering thousands of victims fake degrees in exchange for huge sums of money came as no surprise to many. The desperation to get a degree in Nigeria, and indeed in many parts of the world makes people easy prey for degree mills.

No doubt, legitimacy accompanies quite a number of online learning platforms, but the reality of fake degrees thrives more on in the online

space than anywhere else. In fact, according to the Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Professor Charles Ayo, out of 900 foreign degrees presented during a recruitment exercise by the school, only 22 were legitimate. Here are some ways to recognize fake online schools before you lose a fortune: Accreditation Palaver The National Universities Commission is the body that governs and accredits all universities in Nigeria. For Polytechnics and Innovative enterprise institutions, that authority is given to the National Board for Technical Education. These organizations have websites that are easily accessible.

Even if the school claims to be foreign, be sure that its accreditation can be traced to the country of origin, and that such a country has a closely monitored, quality education system that can vouch for the institution

The names of accredited institutions are listed on those sites. If the institution you’re considering is not accredited, that should raise a red flag. Even if the school claims to be foreign, be sure that its accreditation can be traced to the country of origin, and that such a country has a closely monitored, quality education system that can vouch for the institution.

The money talk If the admission criteria consist entirely of possession of a valid Visa or MasterCard, then it is probably a fraud. Wouldn’t such a ‘top class, ivy league’ institution want to choose the best students based on prior

performance? That definitely can’t be gauged through a debit card!

Not so instant Everything is instant in today’s digital world. Coffee, noodles, banking, travel-everythingexcept getting an education. If you’re promised automatic entry regardless of your academic history or an instant degree within a short time of your application, regardless of your status upon entry, you should run as fast as your legs can carry.

Where’s the alumni?

Another thing to watch out for is the alumni membership of the school. Not just a group of people smiling on the website.

Who can you contact personally that attended that institution?

What job has he or she obtained with such a qualification?

Nigerian student shines in International Law and Diplomacy contest

BY HUGO ODIOGOR

A

Nigerian law student, Omar Nwoko was outstanding in this year ’s international law and diplomacy competition which was won by the Dickson Poon School of Law in United Kingdom. The competition was hosted in Paris by the Université Paris X Nanterre and sponsored by international law firm Simmons and Simmons.

The Dickson Poon School of Law was invited by Université Paris X Nanterre to represent the UK in the competition which brought students from France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Brazil and Russia.

Omar Nwoko who is the son of a former federal C M Y K

law maker, Prince Nwoko,was among the five LLM students under the tutelage of Professor Jean-Marc Thouvenin. Other members of the King’s team included: Francois Doumont, Abdullah El Maghraby, Amy Liu, and Sophia Schroeder.

The international ‘Day of Crisis’ competition requires teams to respond to a series of ‘real life’ real-time events during an intense 24 hour period. In addition to winning the entire competition, the King’s team was awarded second place for the Security Council Intervention Speech which was presented by Omar Nwoko.

This year the team had to advise on a

fictional outbreak of raccoon flu originating in China and spreading to Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam. The crisis involved China using a US patent without permission, triggering a trade war. At the same time, the team was faced with a crisis in Syria, a cyber attack in India from a privately-owned weaponised satellite, and bombings in Qatar and Pakistan.

The King’s team worked non-stop for 24 hours, culminating in a mock session of the Security Council. The Jury for the competition included Mr Gian Luca Burci, Director of the Legal Department of the World Health Organization, Mr Nicola Bonucci, Director of the Legal Department of the OECD, and Ms Caroline Sitbon, Director of the Legal Department of GlaxoSmithKline.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015—57

Jimi Disu tells Channels, AIT what to present to Buhari

situation where some states cannot pay salaries, lack funds for capital projects, it does not make sense to be sponsoring religious trips.

Governor El Rufia has set a good example and other states should follow suit including Lagos state. I like to call on the governor to please save us from the hands of 5 am preachers. Now in the four corners of the walls of my house, four preachers with megaphones as early as 4:45am. This is noise pollution, they are not better Christians than I am. If they love their neighbour as they love themselves, they won’t be waking me up as early as 5am. Funny enough, most of them don’t live in that neighborhood. They come for another area to disturb one’s peace.

•Alerts Ambode on preachers, wants governors to emulate el Rufai

BY ADERONKE ADEYERI

N

ational affairs commentator, Jimi Disi was on Classic FM for his usual Front Page News analysis, a review of newspaper stories and said the following on Wednesday, June 24 edition: On President Muhammadu Buhari sending a notice to treasury looters in the Goodluck Jonathan administration. He said “We might have to use some outrageous means to get the money back. I don’t think we need to go that path where the looters will be dragging us in and out of court for the next five years.

There is a serious abuse of court process in this country over time.

And most people who commit these atrocities understand this factor in the Nigeria court. I am sure that part of the visit of the President abroad like the G7 meeting and the rest was to find other ways to get these people. The money in question is a huge sum of money.

The amount can topple a government. Getting this money could mean extra means, not violence but it has to be a tough one for them. The world is tired of corruption. People have come to realise that a lot of these corrupt practices lead forms of terrorism.

People are tired of one man having billions of stolen funds in his custody. What might likely happen is for them to be approached quietly.

Put together, these people are almost richer than the nation.

Remember, President Muhammadu Buhari was the Head of state when Umaru Dikko was put in a crate. I will be happy if will get the money back”.

Empty treasury claim A former Deputy Chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC) Dr. Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman, has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari did not give the accurate account by claiming that he inherited an ‘empty treasury’ from the immediate past administration. Jimi reacted this way: “This is not the time for things like this. The country has an Accountant General and an Audit General. May be the Buhari led administration should let the Accountant General or the Audit General and CBN issue a statement on the state of our finances. These are officials and not politicians. May be this is the time for Buhari to demand a statement

An argument between two APC senators, Kabiru Marafa and Tayo Alasoadura degenerated into a physical combat on Tuesday over who should emerge as Senate Majority Leader, his deputy, Senate Whip and his deputy

explaining the state of the country’s finances since the country does not have a Minister of finance yet. But while Buhari is going after those who have stolen these funds, the people that he also needs to put on lock are the civil servants who assisted them.

They should be punished severely to set an example.

APC senatorial fight An argument between two APC senators, Kabiru Marafa and Tayo Alasoadura degenerated into a physical combat on Tuesday over who should emerge as Senate Majority Leader, his deputy, Senate Whip and his deputy.

“It is business as usual as it had happened before. These are parents who could be called upon by school Principals over a child’s involvement in a fight. I have never heard of this in United Kingdom. It is not done any where.”

Ramadan feeding Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir el-Rufai on Tuesday said his decision to stop feeding people during the annual Ramadan was because the practice has become another means for corruption. “It has been a tradition for government to feed or claim to feed members of the public during Ramadan and El Rufia says he is not going to have any thing like that because the state is broke and he needs funds to serve the people better. He also feels that the food ends up in the belly of the rich. I also think the governor will not be sending any body to Mecca or Jerusalem, and now is the time to call on some states to stop all these. In a

On Apapa gridlock The Executive Secretary of Apapa Local Government, Mrs Cecilia Dada, yesterday, told stakeholders’ that unless prompt attention and lasting solution is found to the incessant traffic gridlock in Apapa, life will continue to be unbearable for all. Disu reacted to the news this way: “It is (Apapa gridlock) terrible and a national disgrace. It is difficult to describe and I wonder how this will be going on where you have people in authority. I experienced this jam for the first time last week. It took me four hours and I couldn’t get to where I was going to. One whole side of the express road has been blocked. I don’t know how Vanguard staff get to work. I ended up not going anywhere. Later, I had to hire a tout to take me on the wrong side of the road . Somebody has to do something about it. I don’t know how business can be transacted in that area. My cousin keeps calling me every day. He cannot bring his car out of his house. I want to challenge Channels , African Independent Television AIT and the rest to do a documentary as they did on the Police college and show it to President Buhari. You can’t see the effect with pictures.

Apapa road is a mess. I wish I could give a vivid description of my experience. The Lagos state governor should ask governor of Osun state, Mr Aregbesola to loan him his helicopter to see the place.

University vis a vis technical education It is not everybody that is cut out for university education. We should have more technical schools where skills will be enhanced. What is the point of getting an MBA and ending up in fashion school to be a designer? We need a kind of educational system that allows people develop themselves according to their talents.

58—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

This is the wife of British Prime Minister Can this happen in Africa?

While Sam Cameron’s bikini outfit has become a viral sensation, attracting praises and admiration for the 44-year-old mother of four, one can’t help but wonder if an African First Lady will be greeted with the same reaction when spotted in a similar outfit or get lambasted or it?

S

Relaxed: Bikiniclad Samantha Cameron was spotted on a public beach on the Spanish party island of Ibiza

he has spent the past few months travelling the country, sharing her husband’s punishing Election schedule.

So there’s one question everyone is asking: just how did Samantha Cameron find the time to get this beachready?

The 44-year-old showed off her slim, toned figure as she spent a few days unwinding on the Spanish party island of Ibiza.

She was spotted at the public Cala Nova Beach, an upmarket resort on the south east of the island – a place known for its unspoilt landscape, golden sands and azure seas.

Dressed in a classic black bikini – believed to be by British lingerie brand Pour Moi? – and carrying a matching clutch, she visited the beachside bar, which is open to all holidaymakers, with one of her children looking for ice cream.

As well as showing off her stylish side, Mrs Cameron also proved she is somewhat frugal. The bikini top – thought to be from the

brand’s best-selling Azure line – costs £25, while the bottoms are priced £16.

During the Election, she was seen by Tory strategists as the party’s secret weapon, with some saying she has brought the same glamour to Downing Street that Jackie Kennedy did to JFK’s White House in the early 1960s.

The photos are sure to make husband David a little wistful – far from being able ‘chillax’ himself, the Prime Minister is on a whistlestop tour of Europe in his efforts to reform the EU. Marlene Reader, 67, a retired nurse from Middlesbrough, who goes to Ibiza twice a year with her family, said: ‘We saw Sam on the beach and she definitely looked better in the flesh.

‘She looked very pretty and natural – a normal mum. She was building sandcastles with her children. But there was a security presence every few feet. They went to the little bar – we were surprised they ate at such a small place.’

Ibiza – dubbed the dance capital of the world – has

become a favourite of the Camerons, who have spent several summers there.

The trip is a well-earned break for Mrs Cameron, who has spent the past few months doing everything from cuddling babies in Lancashire to supporting social justice projects in Glasgow.

Even more fabulous four years on Natural: The photos of Samantha looking pretty and relaxed are sure to make husband David a little wistful

Most women facing their first beach break after having a new baby would reach for a sarong. But not Samantha Cameron.

During a family trip to Ibiza in May 2011 – just nine months after giving birth to her daughter Florence – the Prime Minister’s wife was proudly showing off her flat stomach and toned legs.

Then Mrs Cameron hired celebrity trainer Matt

Roberts to help her regain her pre-pregnancy figure – leading to speculation she has done the same for this year’s General Election campaign.

Four years ago, she looked fresh-faced and energetic as she lapped up the sunshine while her husband entertained the couple’s older children, Nancy and Elwen. The family were staying with friends in a private villa for the half-term break.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015—59

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any governments in the industrialised nations do not operate nationally owned oil companies but grant their publicly owned petroleum companies subsidies. The reason is that oil is of very strategic importance to a nation’s security.

These subsidies are also granted by governments not to drive companies overseas.

The fear is that home countries will become even more dependent than they already are on foreign nations for oil. For those governments their oil companies are protected via subsidies at home. The United States government for instance provides large subsidies to publicly owned oil companies a tax rate of nine percent, well below the standard 25 percent corporate rate.

Nigerians do not enjoy any public good; any security, electricity, water, mosquito spraying programme, pollution control, transportation, adequate health care, education and other public infrastructure.

As we discuss subsidy let us reminisce on how we got here; that is the essence of history for us to make progress.

About two decades of running our refineries aground led to where we are. We must diagnose the disease and its symptom for a proper medicament to be prescribed. A dangerous reptile in your house does not mean setting the building ablaze to kill the deadly reptile.

The Ahmed Joda committee report submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari recently examined the subsidy regime in Nigeria’s petroleum industry and advised the government to remove subsidy and sell the four existing refineries in our land.

One respects our experienced bureaucrat but, one believes that advice was rather hasty, and required other informed opinions on the dynamics of petroleum.

That committee bought the

TINKER WITH AHMED JODA COMMITTEE SUBSIDY RECOMMENDATION thinking of former British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair who recently asked President Buhari to remove subsidy on petroleum products in Nigeria. That unsolicited advice came from a former British leader that knows how the less privileged in his country are adequately protected with all sorts of subsidies ranging from council flats, medicare, transportation, education, immigration laws to regulate employment among others, unlike here where there is no public good.

What led to forged subsidy claims are corruption and inefficiency in the system. That we spent six billion dollars in one year (2012) on subsidy is scratching the surface. We must find out how we spent it, why we spent it and to who we spent it on, when we have four refineries that were not allowed to operate in two decades. These are the germane issues that must be investigated, killed and certified dead to allow the system work.

Some of us have been acting on momentary impulse of artificial scarcity to pull the wool over our eyes and stop subsidy.

It is the fraud we should stop. Let one reiterate again that once we refine locally, importation will stop and once importation stops, so called subsidy will naturally go. The benefits of local refining are that we have many products, more revenue, diversify the economy along vertical

Venezuela as an OPEC member like Nigeria refines and sells a litre of PMS for 2 cents (N4).

Saudi Arabia refines and sells a litre at 16 cents (N32), Kuwait 22 cents (N44), Algeria 23 cents (N46). Nigeria imports, subsidises and sells at 43.5 cents (N87) linkages, create wealth, induce savings and investments, and create employment, then growth and development. Petroleum refining is an economic stimulant that generates a multiplier effect for countries that master the key.

For now lower price of crude mean lower costs of refining. The advantage is that there are many separate markets when we refine. The one million tonnes of PMS Nigeria imports monthly will cost less to refine locally and with many byproducts from the

same process plant. Oil super majors that have diversely invested worldwide are now using downstream profits from their worldwide investments to make up for losses in their upstream divisions.

Venezuela as an OPEC member like Nigeria refines and sells a litre of PMS for 2 cents (N4). Saudi Arabia refines and sells a litre at 16 cents (N32), Kuwait 22 cents (N44), Algeria 23 cents (N46). Nigeria imports, subsidises and sells at 43.5 cents (N87). We may buy PMS for less than N40 a litre if we refine locally. All over the world there is subsidy especially for what is a natural resource in a particular country. Have we thought about why America reacts to any issue concerning petroleum in the international market? It is all about welfare and wellbeing of Americans.

Subsidy is economic benefit (such as tax allowance, or duty rebate), or financial aid (such as cash grant or soft loan), provided by government to support a desirable activity (such as exports) to keep prices of staples low, maintain the income of producers of critical or strategic products, maintain employment levels or induce investment or reduce unemployment.

After the First World War (WW1) there was a reduction in demand for American farm produce by European countries which had depended on America

for food. To maintain the farmproduct- prices to keep farming as an important component of their economy, they introduced parity which we now know a subsidy. The Weatherization Assistance Programme of President Jimmy Carter in 1977 has reduced heating bills for more than 5.5 million low income American families by 31 percent.

Subsidy anywhere is a cushion; to enhance the welfare and wellbeing of the people. We have subsidy all over the world; both in the more developed and least developed countries. In the more developed countries like the United States, UK and other EU countries, China, all have subsidies in one form or the other for her citizens. Subsidies in the United States range from tax credit to free parking, registration, special lane use or cash. Till today it is part of the American society.

When we invest in refineries and petrochemical plants that produce artificial fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, mineral spirits and other agro-chemicals to agricultural productivity, automobile industry, fashion and beauty industry, medical, among other byproducts and derivatives (up to 6000 investment opportunities), we are vertically diversifying our economy.

We are suggesting using petroleum where we have comparative advantage for higher value added activities related to natural resources industries. It is then we can create employment, have incentive to save and invest for our economy to grow and develop. We need these downstream investments now as renewable energy would become the largest source of electricity by 2030. Our government should act now as the industrialised nations are working towards the reduction of fossil fuels consumption to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Dangote to spend $250m on rice, sugarcane production in Jigawa with the Hadejia/ community health Agriculture. He said “the N43 million would be construct canals, road personals, provision of LHAJI Aliko Dangote, Komadugu agricultural principles of my needed from Jigawa networks, building of improved seeds, among Athe Chairman, cardinal development initiative administration is government for the project. markets, primary schools, Dangote Group of Companies, is to spend $250million on the production of rice and sugarcane around the Hadejia River Basin of Jigawa.

Gov. Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa said this when he received the Country Director of African Development Bank (AfDB) for Nigeria, Alhaji Usman Dore and his team who came to seek for partnership with the state in agricultural development in Dutse on Friday.

Badaru said the initiative by the Dangote Group was in line with his priority on Transformation of

agricultural transformation for human development that will make them to be self sustained.”

He thanked the AfDB team for the visit and pledged to collaborate with the bank in the development of agriculture in the state.

Earlier, the Country Director of the bank for Nigeria said the team was in Jigawa to know the priorities of the governor and to seek for partnership with him in his areas of interests.

Dore said that the bank would spend N2 billion in farming activities in Hadejia River basin, while

He explained that the money would be used to

PAN Nigeria Group, National Mandate Group has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint a party loyalist from the Northeast Zone of the country against the backdrop of the outcome of the Senate President’s

poll.

The group in an open letter signed by Otunba Doyin Adeniyi and Alhaji Ibrahim Modibbo to President Buhari asked him to consider the contribution of the zone to his emergence as the winner of the March 28

others.

The country director said AfDB was in partnership

which comprises six states of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi and Plateau.

Insurgency: More IDPs camps close in N-East

By Kingsley Omonobi, Abuja

W

ITH the successes being recorded by the military on the war on terror in the North-East, more Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) camps have been closed .

Director General of National Emergency Management Agency,

Group urges Buhari to consider N\East for SGF

A

training of agricultural extension workers,

poll.

The group however recommended Alhaji Gambo Mogaji, a former BOT Chairman of defunct ANPP and a Retired Federal Permanent Secretary as a reputable person from the North East. .

Alhaji Mohammad SaniSidi made the disclosure when he received the Executive Secretary of the newly established Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd) in his office.

“Following the successes being recorded by the Nigerian military who are prosecuting the counter insurgency operation, some IDP camps have been closed. In Adamawa State for instance the camps have been collapsed from eleven to six. It is expected that more camps in other affected areas will be collapsed or closed as soon as it is practicable” Sani-Sidi said.

“There are currently 22 camps in operation while about 1.4 million IDPs have been recorded by the government. Of this

number of IDPs, ninety percent are victims of

insurgency while majority of them are from Borno State” he added.

Plight of Pensioners: NoKs decry abandonment by PTAD

By Caleb Ayansina

N

EXT of Kins (NoKs) of the Federal Pensioners, yesterday, besieged the headquarters of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) in Abuja over what they described as lackadaisical attitude of the management of PTAD towards their plights.

But PTAD insisted that it was not the one responsible for their problem, noting that ‘NoKs are new set of pensioners’ that must be handled with care.

The protesters, who were mainly the Next of Kins of

the Federal Colleges of Education’s Pensioners across the country, alleged that PTAD and other agencies related to pension matter had turned them to ball, being passed up and down.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Olusola Arohunmolase explained that they had been verified and cleared before PTAD was created, and their money from the consolidated fund had been approved by the presidency, adding that the only thing was for the PTAD to release their schedule to Accountant General’s office for payment.

60—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

T

here are number of reasons why people migrate to other affluent countries, where they believe there are huge prospects.

Some of these migrants are compelled to leave their homeland due to poverty, war, famine, and or lack of sexual, personal or political freedom, while many others are drawn to welfare programmes and better education systems offered by more affluent countries.

Also, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, including cultural richness in countries intending migrating to, play a part in pulling migrants from the shores of respective countries.

It is notable that the development of human civilisation is a clear demonstration that we are migratory species.

Analysis of report shows that approximately half of all the world’s migrants are resident in just about a few countries in the world, where of course there are brighter prospects, in terms of better infrastructures, high income economies, enticing employment prospects and so on.

Some countries among the few are predominantly English-speaking countries, while some are located in Europe.

However, these countries appear to be among the most populous and powerful nations in the universe, hence, the reason for huge influx of immigrants.

In the world today, countries, such as United Kingdom, Canada, United States, France, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Germany and so are harboring these international migrants and their numbers are increasing by the day.

Although countries immigration policies vary, not all of these countries, however, have governmental policies which facilitate or support immigration.

Reportedly, a United Nations’ world migration report from October 2013 stated that some of these counties actively aim to decreasing levels of influx of immigrants into their countries for a better economy.

World over, there are about 232 million international immigrants, and that number is increasing by the day.

OBSERVATIONS United States of America

The US accommodates almost 20 per cent of the

MIGRATION AS HUMAN NATURE:

Life-changing risk worth taking? residents hail from abroad, and the majority flocks from Asian countries.

The oil-rich country attracts large numbers of foreign workers, though it is has been criticised for its poor conditions, report said, many laborers toil for hours on end without a break, often in extreme heat. In UAE, racism is known to be a common challenge.

Canada

•President Obama, USA

world’s migrants and it appears that many migrants to the United States of America are hugely drawn by personal freedom and welfare programmes, in addition to its infrastructural richness, huge mix of races, cultures and traditions.

Some are said to have simply joined friends and family members who have already relocated either through personal effort and or visa lottery.

The US however, has long been seen as the land of opportunity and the home of the American Dream.

Although housing about 45.8 million immigrants, the country is still recognized as the largest national economy in the world.

And with her welldeveloped infrastructure and high educational and social mobility, it is not hard to see its appeal.

Spain

With a population of about 46.7 million, Spain stands as the 2nd largest country in the European Union.

In recent years, Spain has attracted large numbers of immigrants for different purposes, and report disclosed that the country’s geographical location and easily breached borders have enabled African migrants to illegally enter the country.

Also, due to its warm weather and picturesque beaches the country appears a popular retirement and foreign-study destination.

•Chancellor Merkel, Germany

Housing about 7.8 million immigrants, and stipulated as th being the 6 largest economy in the world, the country is known for its generally high quality of life.

A survey report disclosed that the levels of migration to the UK are increasing every year, leading to the implementation of antiimmigration government policies.

According to British Prime Minister, David Cameron who said that the influx of immigrants has placed a strain on British public services, the nation is already suffering from the global economic downturn.

United Arab Emirates

With about 7.8 million immigrants, the United Arab Emirates seems to have a higher proportion of immigrants than any country in the world, excluding the Vatican City.

According to report, a staggering 83.7 per cent of its

France

Survey shows that France has well about 7.4 million immigrants, and is about the largest country in the European Union with a population of approximately 65 million.

Since the early 20th century, France has been a prime destination for migrants and it ranks very highly internationally, in terms of education, healthcare and standard of living.

According to report, France currently accepts around 200,000 legal migrants per year, as well as large numbers of asylum seekers.

Although, the government maintains a generally conservative attitude towards immigration, and has attracted criticism for its controversial decision to expel Romani people from its borders, as a member of the EU, it allows the free movement of other EU nationals to the country.

Germany

United Kingdom

United Kingdom has a population of almost 64 million, out of which 12.4 per cent are immigrants.

Canada is accommodating approximately 7.3 million immigrants and as the second-largest country in the world with a population of about 35 million, out of which th over a 5 of the total population comprises international migrants.

The country is said to have maintained an impressive education system, and a high quality of life. Also, the Canadian government upholds liberal immigration policies, which encourage huge migration to the country.

•President Hollande, France

Housing approximately 9.8 million immigrants, Germany, with about 80.5 million residents, is stipulated to be the most populous country in the European Union.

Germany, report disclosed, has the 4th largest economy

in the world in terms of GDP, excellent health care and education systems.

The country is said to also have a highly developed infrastructure, all of which make it an attractive destination for immigrants.

Russia

Russia is stipulated to be the largest country in the world and with a population of 143 million people, out of which 11.0 million are immigrants, the country is said to have one of the biggest global economies in terms of GDP. Survey revealed that due to a decrease in population in the mid-1990s, the Russian government made it easier to immigrate to the country, thereby launching a program to attract migrants from former Soviet Republics.

The country however, still seeks to increase its population, and is trying to promote the integration of ethnic groups into the society.

Pakistan heat wave deaths soar

A

record-breaking heat wave is increasing killing thousands in Pakistan with temperatures reaching 45C (113F).

Hospitals are overwhelmed trying to save the sick, just as morgues are filled to capacity with dead bodies of victims.

The scorching weather which first struck the southern Sindh province, came during the fasting month of Ramadan,and according to Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, who declared a state of emergency, after hundreds were reported dead , efforts are intensified to ensure lives are saved.

Also, the provincial Chief Minister, Qaim Ali Shah, has blamed the government for the calamity, saying that the authorities did not respond to his appeals to fix the power grid..

Meanwhile, throughout Sindh province, the local government has canceled leave for medical personnel and brought in extra help to deal with the overwhelming increase of patients.

The worst-hit area is Karachi, the country’s largest city, and according to Chairman, Pakistan National Disaster Management Agency, Gen. Asghar Nawaz, “Authorities fear the toll will only rise and morgues are running out of space.”

Sad enough, the frequent power outages from electricity grids are increasingly contributing to the morgues inability to properly maintain the temperature at the overcrowded facility.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015 — 61

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62 — SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 27, 2015

Only results will save Keshi —NFF

By John Egbokhan

O

FFICIALS of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have said that only positive results will save Stephen Keshi in his second-time spell as Super Eagles coach.

Keshi has come under scrutiny following reports linking him to the vacant Ivorian job and outburst of captain Vincent Enyeama on the suitability of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna on June 13. The Lille of France goalkeeper had said that Kaduna was not safe for the 2017 AFCON qualifying match because of the security situation in the northern part of the country.

His comments had fuelled security fears, prompting the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick to assure all that Kaduna was safe for the game. Eagles won the match 2-0 but the NFF later issued Enyeama and Keshi queries and invited both to appear before the Organising and Disciplinary committee, which the goalkeeper shunned. Keshi appeared before the NFF panel and cleared himself.

But we have gathered that some members of the NFF are not happy that Keshi has not been able to control his players. They traced this trend to the 2013 Confederations Cup when the players refused to fly to Brazil in a jet hired by FIFA. They agitated over match bonus and brought international shame to Nigeria. The next was at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where they threatened not to play France in the second round until their share of the FIFA World Cup money was given to them.

In all these, Keshi could not control the players. And now, Enyeama seems to be a problem that Keshi could not address.

Keshi appears to have lost control over his players, especially key acts like Enyeama and John Obi Mikel. Enyeama’s outburst really jolted the NFF that they had to double their security expenses. They said it would have been calamitous if Chad had acted on the statement and objected to play, fearing attacks on them during the game.

It was learnt that the statement by the former Enyimba goal-stopper caused panic in Kaduna and Governor El Rufai had to beef up security presence in the city. Sources told us that members also suspected that Enyeama preferred kwa Ibom to Kaduna.

We can however

authoritatively report that while members frowned at the conduct of Keshi in the past, they said they were determined to give the former Togo and Mali coach full support to succeed.

But they said that Keshi has to help the situation by

turning in good results that will endear him to Nigerians.

“Nobody will talk to Keshi or be harsh to him if he is winning. Results will keep him on the job and not the President as it happened before”, one NFF source source said.

TRANSFER TALK....TRANSFER TALK... TRANSFER TALK....TRANSFER TALK

Corinthians regret buying Pato C

‘Extraordinary’ offer moves Griezmann closer to Chelsea

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NTOINE Griezmann is ‘exceptional and would set the Premier League alight’, according to Spanish football expert Graham Hunter.

The Atletico Madrid star has been linked with a switch to Chelsea this summer, but the La Liga side are reluctant to let the France World Cup star leave the club.

But Hunter claims the financial situation at the Vincente Calderon could force the club to sell one of their prized assets.

“Antoine Griezmann is exceptional and would set the Premier League alight,” he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show. “He’s still young and last year he improved greatly under Diego C M Y K

Simeone.

“This is a really talent, quick and robust young footballer. The price will have to be extraordinary because neither Simone, or Atletico, want to let him go.

“Chelsea have the power to buy him though. If they go all in they have the power to take him from a club which is more than €500m in debt and trying to pay for a new stadium.

“Griezmann is not pushing to get out, but the fact remains the economic power at Chelsea is such that, if they want him, they can prise him away.

“Atletico have already sighed signed two big strikers [Luciano Vietto and Jackson Martinez] maybe they are preparing for the inevitable?”

Griezmann

orinthians President Roberto De Andrade says he’s ‘praying’ he can sell Lazio and Fiorentina target Alexandre Pato.

The former Milan man has spent the last two seasons on loan at Sao Paulo and has been linked with a return to Italy, something the Brazilian side appear open to.

“I regret buying him,” De Andrade reportedly told ESPN Brazil.

“But the failure is his own fault.

At the time no-one was against it.

Everyone knows that we’re praying day and night, hoping to sell him.”

Pato is still just 25-years-old, and despite being plagued by injury, at Milan, still scored 51 goals in 117 Serie A games.

Pato

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 27, 2015 — 63

TRANSFER TALK....TRANSFER TALK... TRANSFER TALK....TRANSFER TALK

Juve target

POGBA

replacements C

HELSEA have responded to the threat from Juventus of wanting to sign Ramires by opening talks with the Brazil international over a new contract.

Juventus have earmarked Ramires as a possible replacement for Paul Pogba, who is wanted by Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain and Manchester City.

Chelsea expressed an interest in the France international themselves, but have been scared off by his price tag, which is now in excess of £60m.

Manager Jose Mourinho is also committed to giving 19year-old Ruben Loftus-Cheek a chance to become part of the first team squad and doesn’t want to block his path by making such a major acquisition.

Pogba is expected to agree a move away from the Italian champions this summer and Juventus have been preparing for that possibility by drawing up a wish-list of

targets.

They have been admirers of Ramires for some time and were aware that he was entering the final two years of his current deal.

However, Mourinho has no intention of selling the 28-year-old and wants to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.

The Chelsea coach is a huge admirer of his versatility because he can play on the right flank as well as in central midfield.

Injuries and health issues restricted Ramires, who joined from Benfica for £18m in 2010, to 34 appearances this season.

Mourinho promised he wouldn’t be making mass changes to his squad this summer and at £60,000-a-week, Ramires is currently one of the lowest paid.

He is expected to be handed a new five-year deal that will include seeing his wages climb to around £80,000-aweek. The importance of keeping Ramires has increased with John Obi Mikel on the verge of leaving Stamford Bridge for United Arab Emirates side Al Ain.

Firmino’s ‘the player Liverpool need’ — Grobbelaar R

OBERTO Firmino could be just the player Liverpool need, according to former Reds goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar.

Liverpool have agreed a fee with Hoffenheim in the region of £29million for the 23-year-old, subject to a medical.

Firmino, capped nine times for Brazil, made 151 appearances for the Bundesliga club, scoring 47 goals, and Grobbelaar admits it could represent a good piece of business with Raheem Sterling expected to join Manchester City for £50million.

“Maybe it’s a lot of money, but Liverpool are going to get the funds from Raheem Sterling going to Manchester City - I hear he’s going for something ridiculous like £50m,” Grobbelaar told talkSPORT. “If Liverpool do get C M Y K

Firmino you are looking at half the cost for a player very similar to Sterling and at least he is scoring a lot more goals than him – he might be a signing we need.”

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers received criticism last season for some of his signings and the pressure is mounting on the Northern Irishman with Liverpool’s difficult fixture list to start the season.

But Grobbelaar explained that Rodgers should not shoulder all the blame and the Reds can recover from their start.

“You have to look at the whole aspect - it’s not only Rodgers’ decision on players but someone behind the scenes completing the deals, so you can’t blame everything on Brendan,” he added.

“The first ten games are very tough, but at least we are getting them all out of the way early. If Liverpool can get 18 points from 30, then we’ve done very well.”

Marchisio wishes Tevez good luck J

uventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio appears to confirm Carlos Tevez is leaving - ‘good luck, thanks for two fantastic years’.

The striker is believed to be on the verge of a return to Boca Juniors in his native Argentina, with reports a deal is all-but done.

“Good luck, thanks for two fantastic years,” Marchisio wrote in a Twitter message to Tevez.

“We suffered and celebrated together. A big hug, champion.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 27, 2015

Tomorrow’s Glo NPL Matches Giwa Ifeanyi Uba Sharks Taraba Enyimba Bayelsa Utd Lobi Akwa Utd Rangers Kano Pillars

v v v v v v v v v v

El Kanemi Warriors Wikki Tourist Heartland Shooting Stars Nasarawa Kwara Utd Abia Warriors Warri Wolves Sunshine Stars Dolphins

4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm

>>62

Sunshine seek consolidation at Rangers >>37

Mali, Senegal cover Flying Eagles shame at World Cup >>38,39

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1)Registrar/CEO, National Examinations Council (NECO), Professor Monday_(6) 4)Moroccan Capital City(5) 7)Former Abia State Governor, Mr. Orji Uzor_(4) 8)Country in Europe(6) 9)Brazillian Capital City(8) 10)Former Chairman, Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Nuhu_(6) 12)Chile’s First President, Manuel Blanco_(8) 16)Former Lagos State Commissioner of Information & Strategy, Mr. Opeyemi_(8) 19)Lobi Stars Goalkeeper, Terka_(5) 21)L.G.A in Lagos State(8) 22)France “Ligue 1” Club-Side(6) 23)Estonian Currency Unit(4) 24)L.G.A in Kaduna State (5) 25)Former Anambra State Governor, Chief Chukwuemeka_(6) DOWN 1)Former Kano Pillars Technical Adviser, Malik_(5)

2)Tunisia “Carthage Eagles” Midfielder, Maher_(8) 3)Lagos State Commissioner for Budget & Economic Planning, Mr. Ben_(8) 4)Country in Asia(6) 5)Former Zambia “Chipolopolos” Strike, Kalusha_(5) 6)President, Nigerian Statistical Association, Dr. Mohammed_(6) 11)Notion(4) 13)Former Cameroun “Indomitable Lions”Coach, Javier_(8) 14)Spain Striker & Juventus Forward, Fernando_(8) 15)Former Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr. Bamidele_(4) 16)3SC Shooting Stars Coach, Hakeem_(6) 17)L.G.A in Niger State(6) 20)Progeny(5)

Solution onpage page Solution on 2121

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