2015: Why Nigerians may face bleak year

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2015: Why Nigerians may face bleak year

By Clifford Ndujihe

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S 2015 rolls in less than 96 hours from now, Nigerians may face one of the most difficult and hardest years in recent times.

Apart from fears on what could arise from the 2015 general elections especially the presidential polls where the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has threatened to form a parallel government to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Administration, if the polls were rigged, the economic outlook does not give much cause for cheer.

Reason: the downward slide of crude oil price in the international market is expected to hit Nigeria harder next year, unless things improve. Crude oil accounts for more than 70 per cent of the country’s foreign revenue.

The prevailing free fall of crude oil price, refusal of US (Nigeria’s major oil importer) to patronise the country and discovery of oil by many countries as well as alternative energy sources are already hurting Nigeria’s finances. This accounts for why many states owe their workers two to six-month salary arrears.

Recently, the term ‘austerity measures’ crept back into Nigeria’s lexicon on account of the brewing hardship.

The last time austerity measures dominated the air waves was in the early 80s when Nigeria’s Naira lost value in quantum leaps against the US Dollar and other leading world currencies.

To worsen the situation, most of the governments at all levels will spend less than what they spent last year, S a t u r d a y Vanguard’schecks have shown.

So far, only 21 of the 36 states of the country have unveiled their 2015 budget proposals.

States like Sokoto, Oyo, Cross River, Bayelsa, Niger, Delta, Plateau, Bauchi, Osun, Ekiti, Edo and Akwa Ibom (see table) will spend less than what they spent last year.

Among the states only Lagos State has proposed to spend N489.69 billion, the exact sum it spent last year.

States that proposed to spend more in 2015, though marginally, are Ogun, Taraba, Kwara, Anambra, Katsina, Kaduna, Enugu and Adamawa.

While presenting the budgets, the governors cited dwindling collectible revenue from the Federation

Account as the main reason forscalingdownthebudgets.

They promised to improve on their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to augment the budgets. And they hope to boost their IGR through taxation among other sources, which will boil down to the citizenry and businesses paying more.

To the credit of the states, most of them have allocated more funds to capital expenditure. Only Ekiti (60.32 per cent), Ogun (56.2 per cent), Niger (52.17 per cent) and Oyo (61.17 per cent) allocated more funds to recurrent expenditure.

And given the pedigree of recurring poor budget implementation which is hardly up to 70 per cent of the total budget, Nigerians may be in for tough times in 2015.

With dwindling revenues, increased taxes (individuals and companies), a lot will be required for companies to remain afloat, avoid sacking workers and paying salaries as of when due.

Capital expenditure: FG allocates 14.6%

At the federal level, the government has proposed to spend N4.358 trillion next year as against the N4.962 expended in 2014. Presenting the budget to the National Assembly on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, the Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,saidthebudget has an aggregate revenue target of N3.602 trillion made up of oil revenue (N1.918 trillion) and non-oil revenues (N1.684 trillion).

This expenditure figure is made up of N412 billion for Statutory Transfers, N943 billion for Debt Service, N2,616 billion for Recurrent (NonDebt) and N634 billion for Capital Expenditure (inclusive of SURE-P). In other words, only N634 billion will be spent on infrastructure and provision of direly needed amenities.

To fund the budget, Okonjo-Iweala said IGR “actual receipts have continued to grow from about N182 billion in 2011 to N274 billion in 2013 and then, N328 billion as of October 2014” and decried leakages and nonremittance of funds to the treasury by some agencies.

She said President Jonathan has “subsequently issued an unequivocal directive to all revenue agencies to ensure remittance of their obligations to treasury and all relevant government bodies are now working with banks to ensure strict com-

pliance, and so we have projected IGR receipts of N450 billion for 2015”.

She continued: “In 2015, the federal government will be ramping up the Federal Inland Rev-

enue Service (FIRS)/ McKinsey initiative to contribute an extra N160 billion in tax receipts and an aggregate of about N460 billion over and above the 2014 levels in

the 2015-2017 period.”

On taxation, the minister hinted of a possible but gradual increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) as a long term measure. In the medium term, she said focus

will be on tax policy to see where opportunities lie to streamline and rationalize certain taxes and levies while looking to boost others.

From left: The All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate in Lagos state, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode; his running-mate and current Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule and the Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, during the Yoruba Tennis Club Christmas Eve Celebration at Lagos Island, recently.

APC backs Gov. Amaechi on soldiers’ right to welfare

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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LL Progressives Con gress, APC, has thrown its weight behind the comment credited to Governor of Rivers State and the Director General of the Campaign Organisation of General Muhammadu Buhari that the military has a right to good welfare packages while fighting for Nigeria.

The National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who spoke to Journalists yesterday via a telephone said while the party does not support disobedience to military laws, it was yet to see what was wrong in Amaechi’s statement.

He said: “Amaechi did not say Soldiers should Protest. What he said was that they should improve the welfare of the soldiers and soldiers have a right to welfare and proper treatment while on national assignment.

“We are fully in support of the view that soldiers welfare must be improved but that does not mean that they will not respect the regulations governing the military institution.

“You see when you enlist in the military, you are governed by the Act establishing the military and

military laws, so that is a completely different thing.

“But for us as Nigerians, we believe that the Feder-

al Government must keep its own side of the bargain so that they don’t send soldiers to the war front without ammunition and equipment.

You do not have to neglect to put in place death insurance package to at least a minimum rate of about N300,000.

Beware of the antics of APC — Mimiko Gbenga Ariyibi ,Ado Ekiti

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NDO State Gover nor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has cautioned Nigerians to be weary of the antics of All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the party was only deceiving Nigerians.

The governor, however, expressed optimism that the PDP will defeat APC in next year’s general election.

The governor noted the activities of the leaders of the APC describing them as anti democratic forces.

He said APC should convince Nigerians about their change slogan wondered whether APC wanted Nigeria to change from democracy to dictatorship.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti yesterday when he visited his Ekiti counterpart, Mr Ayo Fayose, Mimiko said Nigerians cannot risk putting their destinies on the hand of dicta-

tor again.

Mimiko, further expressed the hope that his party would win convincingly in the SouthWest.

“We want APC leaders to explain to Nigerians the change they want.

Are they saying the country should change from democracy to dictatorship?

“This is necessary because their leaders, by their actions, have not shown that they are democratic elements.

States budgets in Nbillions States Akwa Ibom Edo Ekiti Lagos Ogun Osun Bauchi Taraba Plateau Kwara Delta Anambra Katsina Kaduna Niger Enugu Bayelsa C/River Adamawa Oyo Sokoto

2014 498.5 160.1 103.8 489.69 210.28 234 133.7 83.33 225.1 115.65 450.73 159.469 106.8 198.6 104.2 93.75 374.6 180.146 97.9 188.9 125.9

2015 492 159.3 80.77 489.69 210.354 197.08 127.89 96 215.5 119.85 327.68 164.496 110 203.7 80.8 96.7 320.621 149.443 100.89 141.778 112.5

Cap 268 87.5 31.96

Rec 94.7 (19.25 %) 68.99 (44.23%) 48.72 (60.32%)

92.09 110 65.08 53.301 122.9 62.1 166.07 110.98 75 130.9 38.5 54.94 175.78 89.67 42 55.05 61.7

118.26 (56.2%) 87 (44.15%) 62.80 (49.11%) 42.653 (44.43%) 92.5 (42.93%) 46.46 (48%) 161.6 (49.3%) 53.52 (33.5%) 34 (30.91%) 72 (35.7%) 42.6 (52.17%) 41.795 (43.2%) 144.84 (46%) 59.79 (40%) 57 (56.49%) 86.72 (61.17%) 50.5 (44.89%)

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

Christmas celebration

Female sex worker, two men roast on bed as fire razes brothel

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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•Children playing Lego friends game with Faith Samson (r) at the 2014 Inspiration 92.3 FM Christmas Family Praise Jam held in Lagos, yesterday.

Fun seekers throng Suntan beach in Badagry

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HE Suntan Beach in Badagry, Lagos state, on Thursday recorded a large turnout of fun seekers, who thronged the place to celebrate Christmas.

People from Lagos and some neighbouring states started to gather at the beach as early as 10.15a.m while the presence of numerous fun seekers made petty traders do some brisk businesses at the beach.

Mr Abdul Sallah, a seller of roasted meat popularly known as Suya, told reporters that he made more than N4,500 gain before midday.

He said that he was still expecting to earn more income before the end of the day.

“I wish everyday were public holiday so that I

can make this kind of money every time.

“The turn-out is so encouraging; this means good business for me,” he said.

Mrs Tiiti Lawal, a seller of soft drinks, could not hide her joy over the profit she made.

“Business has been great today and I am glad about this because things have really been slow for the past one week.

“My drinks finished and I quickly went to the market to get more. This kind of thing happens once in a while and I am going to make good use of it,” she told NAN. Miss Abeni Oguntayo, a fun seeker, who came from Abeokuta, said that she took advantage of the holiday to seek fun at the beach.

“Due to the nature of my job, I rarely have time for myself; so I usually use holidays like this to relax and catch fun,” she said.

HREE persons including a female sex worker and her clients were Thursday midnight burnt to death as a mysterious fire razed a popular commercial sex spot near Orhowhurun Roundabout, Udu local government area, Delta state.

Properties worth millions of naira were also reportedly lost to the inferno which also gutted adjoining trading shops and residential buildings.

Cause of the incident was still in doubt when Saturday Vanguard got to the scene but speculations were rife that the fire began at about 1am, Boxing Day, from one of the rooms occupied by one of the commercial sex workers at a popular brothel in the area.

Corpses of the victims,

one young man and that of a young lady believed to be in her thirties were burnt beyond recognition, s y m p a t h i z e r s explained.

The raging fire, it was gathered, extended to other apartments and near-by buildings through electricity cables, taking out provisions, electric and pharmaceutical shops

Man drowns in Lagos on Christmas day

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RAGEDY struck on Christmas day in Lagos when, Sodiq Ojomo, working with a catering service, drowned in a swimming pool at an event centre, Saturday Vanguard learnt.

The Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Rasak Fadipe, confirmed

Tight security for Abuja Boxing Day fun seekers

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ESIDENTS of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Friday besieged recreational spots amidst tight security on Boxing Day. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many families were seen engaged in various recreation games.

At the Wonderland Amusement Park, it was a beehive of activities as parents and children were having a good time.

Mr Godwin Amodu, a manager at the park, told

NAN that patronage had been very encouraging since Christmas day.

He said the presence of security agencies at the park created confidence in the fun seekers, who visited the place in large numbers.

“Although there are security challenges in the country, the presence of security agents here encouraged more people to come,” he said.

Mrs Martha Israel , one of the fun seekers, said the holiday had given her the opportunity to celebrate

in the affected buildings.

“Corpses of the lady and most likely her male client were found on the same spot”, a witness told Saturday Vanguard after their remains were taken to an undisclosed morgue.

Victims and sympathizers were seen lamenting the unfortunate fire.

with her family.

“I believe that the best thing for me and my family is to come around here at the Wonderland Park and spend some time with them.

“We are also gathered here to thank Almighty for giving us live to witness the last month of 2014,” Israel said.

Mr Godswill Usoro, a civil servant, said members of his immediate family had always celebrated at Wonderland Park.

this while reacting to the service activities for the year.

Fadipe said that the incident occurred at No. 3/ 5, Durosinmi Etti Street, Victoria Island.

He said that the 23 year-old man was at the centre with his colleagues to entertain some guests with food.

He said that the victim allegedly jumped into the swimming pool against the advice of his supervisor.

The director said police from Maroko division came and picked the corpse and deposited at the public mortuary.

In the meantime, the director has said that the fire service responded to 1, 621 fire incidents between January and Dec. 21.

Fadipe said that 172 incidents were recorded in March, which was the highest in the period while October recorded the lowest with 94 incidents reported.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014—7

BRIEFS

APC accuses Jonathan of hypocrisy

By Emeka Mamah

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HE All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, lambasted President Goodluck Jonathan for being hypocritical by urging Nigerians not to sow the seeds of discord or hatred saying that the members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, were preaching hatred among Nigerians.

The National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who made this known in a statement in Lagos, said that Jonathan should lead by example instead of engaging in mere rhetoric, pointing out that ‘’talk becomes cheap the moment words lose their meanings.’’

Mohammed said that President Jonathan’s exhortations at a Christmas service in Abuja Thursday would have carried weight if the President had acted in such a way that his compatriots would not doubt his sincerity, wondering how the President could admonish others to avoid sowing the seeds of discord and hatred through their utterances when that was ‘’exactly the stock in trade of his political associates, supporters and spokespersons.’’

The statement further read, ‘’Everything that the President’s political associates, supporters and spokespersons have done has been geared toward creating division among Nigerians and sowing the seeds of discord and hatred, and the President is not on

•Says he should lead by example

record as having ever called them to order. ‘’Recently, Chief Edwin Clark, a die-hard supporter of the President, said glibly that if the opposition has its way it can poison or kill President Jonathan just to

take power. No statement could be more absurd and incendiary, yet the President never called him to order. ‘’Another dyed-in-thewool supporter of the President, Mujaheed Asari Dokubo, said on national

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HE 63rd annual conference, (Jalsa Salana) of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Nigeria, began yesterday at the Jamia Ahmadiyya (Ahmadiyya Missionary Training Center ) IlaroOwode road, Ilaro, Ogun state.

The three-day event themed: “Politics, Social Justice and GLobal Peace: The Dilemma of Religion will be attended by distinguished Nigerians from all walks of life and neighboring countries across West Africa.

According to the Chairman, National Publicity Committee, Qasim Akinreti, four lectures on the theme of the conference will be delivered by eminent Islamic scholars and speakers drawn from the clergy, academia, and the public sector.

The three day event will equally feature special prayers for Nigeria’s C M Y K

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

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HE Federal government said it intended to inject N1.2 trillion into the nation’s Universities for development of infrastructure and capacity building within the next three years.

President Goodluck Jonathan stated this at the 25th and 26th combined convocation of the Federal University of Technology Akure FUTA. According to him, in the last one year, government in its pursuit of transformation of the nation’s universities has released N30billion to all Federal Universities to clear arrears of the earned allowances for the various categories of staff.

With similar intention, government has also approved and disbursed N200billion special intervention for capital projects to the Universities.

Speaking through Prof Azikwe Nwalu, the President pointed out that the revitalisation of the Universities “ is in line with the Present administration’s transformation agenda.

Uduaghan preaches peace, love at Christmas

By Festus Ahon, Asaba

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Akeem Salau, Photo Journalist, Vanguard Newspaper receiving Award of Media Support towards the cause of Widows on behalf of Saturday Vanguard from Mrs Christy Godwin at the Charity 4 Widows Gruv and Award Powered by Advocacy For Widows Empowerment Foundation in Lagos recently.

Senator Adeyemi splashes N10m on Kogi students •Distributes 50 vehicles

By Boluwaji Obahopo Senator Smart Adeyemi representing Kogi West Senatorial district recently distributed N10 million as Bursary awards to 500 students of Kogi West Origin.

Adeyemi who conducted the disbursement at Iyara, Headquarter of Ijumu Local Government Area also distributed 50 vehicles

to Traditional rulers, party stalwarts and youths as part of his annual Smart Adeyemi Empowerment Scheme.

Adeyemi while distributing the item also stated that he has justified his mandate given to him by the people as their representative, “I have kept the faith and defended your mandate through the process of

Obasanjo, three S-West Govs to attend Ahmadiyya 63rd annual conference in Ilaro

By Ishola Balogun

television that there will be blood on the streets if President Jonathan is not re-elected in 2015. He also said we will not take any prisoner of war. It will be total battle, but the President never uttered a word to rebuke him.

FG to pump N1.2 trillion into varsities

2015 general election, individual aspirations in the New year.

Distinguished Islamic scholars and eminent Nigerians from all political and religious divide across Nigeria and West Africa are expected to grace the event. Special guests of honour include the former

Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, representative of African Trade Union Organisation, Accra,Ghana , top official Alhaji Hasan Sunmonu.

Governors Raji Fashola; Ibikunle Amosun and Rauf Aregbesola of Lagos, Ogun and Osun states respectively.

Law-making, oversight and representation at the upper chamber of the national Assembly. I have also been providing Basic Social Amenities, to compliment the contributions of the State Government to the development of infrastructure in Kogi West Senatorial district and indeed the entire State.

“Over the past years, the chronicle of my service to the good people of Kogi West, has spoken for itself.

My punctual, vocal and qualitative representation of our people at the floor of the Nigerian Senate; a plethora of Empowerment Programes and wealth and job creation for women and youths; community Development Services which span through Health, Education, Commerce and Sports sector; have evoked admiration from members of the public, home and abroad.

Widow’s group campaigns for early Wills *As Vanguard bags award

By Juliet Ebirim SATURDAY Vanguard has been presented with a ‘Media Partner of the Year Award’ for reporting issues affecting widows and women empowerment.

The award was presented

by Advocacy for Widows Empowerment Foundation (ADWEF) at the 2014 edition of Charity for Widows Gruv and Awards held in Ikeja, Lagos recently.

Speaking at the event, the founder of the organisation, Willie Workman-Oga, said apart from celebrating the

widows, the organisation deemed it necessary to honour the newspaper as well as other corporate organisations, and individuals who have supported the cause of widows in the society.

Workman-Oga explained that the oganisation would continue to affect the lives of widows positively and work with governments, agencies, traditional rulers and other international organizations that have passion for widows’ empowerment in order to put smiles on the faces of widows.

“Our vision is to see to the

total liberation of widows from the ugly norms of deprivation of inheritance and abuse of their human rights to a place where they are encouraged, nurtured to discover and utilize their hidden entrepreneurial skills by becoming employers of labour.”

He said the foundation will cooperate with existing NGOs to educate men on the need to write their Wills early in life and also to make their spouses their next of kin in all insurance, employment and banking documents in order to ease the accessibility of funds and benefits for use of their family.

ELTA State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the Christmas Celebration to demonstrate the virtues of peace and love that Jesus Christ personified.

Governor Uduaghan,in his goodwill message to mark the celebration, observed that Christians and all celebrating Christmas were under obligation to eschew all acts of violence that negate what Jesus Christ stands for.

“The birth of Jesus Christ as contained in the Holy Scriptures in John 3:16 was necessitated by the love of God for mankind. Since Christ is the love of God personified, everyone marking and celebrating his birth is duty bound to show love to his fellow man,” he said.

According to the governor, “Jesus Christ, is the Prince of Peace. Therefore the period should remind us on the need to live in peace among ourselves.”

Christmas: No reports of ugly incidents so far —IG

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EPORTS from across the country so far, have indicated that the Christmas has been celebrated without any ugly incidents, the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, has said.

Abba, who spoke to newsmen on Thursday at the Jabi Lake Resort after he patrolled round the FCT, expressed delight for the incident free celebration.

The I-G also confirmed that security agencies had continued to receive reports of intended attacks by insurgents, but added that the plans had been nip in the bud.

“But the police, as well as other agencies involved in law enforcement and security activities have beefed up operations to make sure that people enjoy the festivities.”

“This is to make sure that people celebrate with some sense of safety in them. I am happy that quite a number of people are relaxed, enjoying themselves.”

Fayose gives two-month ultimatum to landlords without toilets

By Gbenga Ariyibi, Ado-Ekiti

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KITI State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose has read riot act to landlords and landladies whose houses are without toilets in any part of the state to make amends or face the consequences. The governor spoke while featuring on his monthly Radio and Television programme tagged “Meet your Governor ” in Ado-Ekiti yesterday. He issued a two months ultimatum to the defaulters to provide the facility in their homes or face prosecution. The ultimatum will elapse on February 2015 “If by the end of February 2015, we still have landlords who build or live in houses without considering toilet facilities, such landlords will be apprehended and be made to face prosecution under the state environmental law.

“I also want to add that tenants who rent such faulty houses stand the risk of facing similar penalty with their landlords”, Fayose declared.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

BRIEFS

Wike, 9 PDP guber aspirants reconcile ahead of 2015 election

2015: Do-or-die approach is a threat to democracy — Obong of Calabar T HE Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, has warned that the do-or-die approach to 2015 polls by politicians constituted a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

The Efik monarch made the observation in Adiabo in Odukpani Local Government Area while interacting with some journalists.

The monarch chided the political class over what he described as a do-or-die approach to 2015 polls.

He said that he was yet to be convinced that some politicians had the interest of the country and that of ordinary Nigerians in mind from what he saw at the just concluded political party primaries.

“Their ambition and interest of many politicians seem to have overridden the interest of the people they are supposed to serve.

“The political class has now made politics a do-ordie business. To them, once you sail through, you automatically become a millionaire.

“If we can separate the political powers from the financial powers in the running of the country, Nigeria will be better for it.

“The governor, for instance, controls the state’s finances and decides what to do with it.

“All over the country, people are complaining over the just concluded party primaries. It was very shabby; it was a disgrace to the power of democra-

cy. “ They virtually handpicked their cronies and tactically locked out others.

“Our democracy has deteriorated to the level that it

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ELTA State Gover nor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has ap-

By Akpokona Omafuaire

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HE Delta State Oil Producing Development.

Commission, DESOPADEC recently commissioned projects worth millions of naira in Ijaw ethnic nationality of Delta State.

The projects were executed and commissioned by the Commissioner representing the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the DESOPADEC Board, Barr.

Kingsley Otuaro.

Rivers govt, Princewill clash over alleged sale of govt assets

By Jimitota Onoyume

INVESTITURE: The Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Special Infrastructure, Mr. Cornelius Semiteje (left) Mr. Byron Unini (right) congratulating Ezinne Maria Unini (middle) shortly after the conferment of EZINNE on her and 33 others by the Bishop of the Diocese of Asaba, Anglican Communion held at the Cathedral in Asaba yesterday. Photo: Henry Unini

APC will remove PDP in Delta —Aregbesola I N continuation of his vis its to All Progressive Congress (APC) State Governors across the country, Delta APC Governorship candidate, Olorogun

proved the payment of weigh-in allowance for staff of the State Broadcasting Service, DBS and The Pointer newspaper.

The approval effective-

2015: Egone urges support for Okowa, Jonathan

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chieftain of the rul ing Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, Chief Patrick Egone, has appealed to the people of the state to vote for Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, governorship candidate of the party in the general election.

Egone made the appeal at Ughelli and called on the Urhobo to support the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan come 2015.

The former president general of Ughelli Descendant Union, UDU,

C M Y K

N a move to strengthen the position of the Peo ples Democratic Party, PDP, to win all elections in 2015 in Rivers State, PDP Governorship Candidate, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, on Christmas Day reconciled with nine aggrieved governorship aspirants, with the aspirants declaring that they would work for the victory of the PDP in 2015.

The reconciliation took place in the presence of the Rivers State PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah, Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo and Senator George Sekibo. These leaders signed the communiqué alongside the governorship candidate and the nine aspirants.

DESOPADEC commission multimillion naira projects in Delta

O’tega Emerhor was in the State of Osun to rub minds with His Excellency, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola recently.

The duo held a crucial

Uduaghan approves Weigh-In allowance for media workers

By Festus Ahon, ASABA

is those at the corridors of power who decides who should take over political power, not on the basis of quality of service to the people.”

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also advised the Urhobo to continue to support the ruling party PDP, adding that it was wrong for them to be in opposition in the next political dispensation.

He said;” Delta is PDP state and the Urhobo cannot afford be in the opposition, that is why they should vote for PDP both in the governorship and presidential elections”.

Egone, however, assured that PDP will win the governorship election in Delta State come February, 2015.

ly meets the key demand of the three unions of the two parastatals under the State Ministry of Information who had embarked on industrial action to press for the payment of the allowance.

Earlier on Monday, December 22, 2014, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Chike Ogeah alongside the Head of Service, Mr. Patrick Origho, had met the leaders of the three unions; the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Radio, Television and Theatre Workers’ Union, RATTAWU and the National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers, NUPPPROW where they were assured of the governor’s readiness to approve the payment of the allowance.

meeting behind closed doors and later briefed newsmen on the outcome of the private visit of the party’s candidate in Delta State.

Aregbesola said: “my brother (Olorogun Emerhor) is here to see me and we discussed in details some strategies concerning the forthcoming governorship elections in Delta State.

“APC is very much interested in winning the elections there which is why all our Governors must as a matter of necessity, provide necessary advise and other legitimate assistance to enable Olorogun Emerhor conquer the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State.

The defunct Bendel State comprises of Edo and Delta States. Edo people are now enjoying substantial dividend of democracy and it is fair that Delta state should join them.

“We are worried. Governor Oshiomhole of Edo State is also worried because they are neighbours.

We, in the State of Osun, have also assured the people of Delta State and Olorogun Emerhor that their struggle is our strug-

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IVERS state government has denied allega tions by the governorship candidate of Labour party, Prince Tonye Princewill that it sold state assets to fund the All Progressive Congress, APC. Commissioner of Finance, Mr, Chamberlain Peterside said there was no truth in the allegation “This news is totally misleading and a fabrication. It is unconscionable that the source of such utter nonsense is a so called gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the Labour party – Mr Tonye Princewill. It simply beats my imagination that someone like him who has been on the corridors of power in this state who should know better, will peddle such falsehood and derogatory information relating to the public expenditure of the state.

Edo Assembly warns BEDC on N750 monthly levy

By Simon Ebegbulem

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HE Edo State House of Assembly has warned the management of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to respect the call by the state Assembly for the abolition of the N750 collected monthly as levy from electricity consumers in the state.

The BEDC had explained that the levy was for the maintenance of its facilities. But when the House Committee on Energy and Water Resources led by Michael Ohio-Ezomo met with the company, civil society groups and other stakeholders yesterday following the epileptic power supply in the state, the lawmakers recalled they had earlier abolished the levy and queried the BEDC for alleged refusal to obey the House’s resolution.

IPAC elects new chairman

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HE Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Lagos State chapter, has elected Mr.Akinola Obadia of Independent Democrats Party as the new chairman of the body, to fill the vacant position previously held by Mr.Tunde Agunbiade of the National Conscience Party, (NCP).

Obadia recently emerged as IPAC’s chairman, after an election conducted by the General Assembly of the Council at the Lagos office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,2,Birrel Street, Yaba , Lagos. 20 out of the 22 political parties Chairmen in the state were present at the by – election with Mr. Kamal Olorunoje of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP as electoral officer under the supervision of INEC Officials.

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, DECEMBER 27 27, 2014 — 9

BRIEFS

Cleric tasks Nigerians on prison reforms

2015: Umeh vows to battle PDP against multiple candidates

By Vincent Ujumadu, Awka

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HE national chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and the senatorial candidate of the party for Anambra Central, Chief Victor Umeh has vowed to take every available legal measure to stop the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from presenting multiple candidates in the 2015 general elections in the state.

This came as another political party, the Progressives Peoples Alliance, PPA, also at the weekend, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, not to allow any political party to go into the election with multiple candidates, as PDP had done in the past.

At the recently concluded party primaries in Anambra State, almost all the PDP

aspirants that participated in the primaries for the senate declared themselves winners and each of them has been campaigning for the 2015 election as candidates.

For instance, in Anambra Central, Senator Annie Okonkwo, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, Dr. Obiorah Okonkwo and Chief Sylvester Okonkwo are all claiming victories at the primaries, while in Anambra North, Mrs. Stella Oduah, Chief John Emeka and Senator Margery Okadigbo are claiming to be the rightful candidates.

Also in Anambra South, Senator Andy Uba and his younger brother, Chief Chris Uba, the self acclaimed godfather of Anambra politics, have been telling people in the zone that they were the candidates of PDP, just as Chief Chuma Nzeribe is making the same claim in Ihiala area of the zone.

Worried by the development, Umeh said weekend that the people of Anambra State would not be deceived again by PDP, warning the party to present a candidate or risk being disqualified to participate in the 2015 election in Anambra State.

Addressing reporters after being installed the

Ikemba of Aguluzoigbo, his community, Umeh recalled that PDP had gotten away with such antics in the past with many people posing as PDP candidates on Election Day and asked voters to just vote PDP as who would eventually represent the party would be sorted out after the election.

Yuletide: Prices of fuel,food items skyrocket in Enugu

By Francis Igata

A

LTHOUGH the in dustrial action embarked upon by National Union of Petroleum and N a t u r a l Gas,NUPENG,and the Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ,PENGASSAN, have been suspended, filing stations in Enugu metropolis and environs still sell

Fun seekers at the Lagos Bar Beach celebrating Christmas yesterday. Photo By Diran Oshe

petrol at N115 per litre.

Saturday Vanguard’s visit to some filling stations in the city showed that only the major marketers sell at approved pump price of N97 per litre prompting long queues at such filling stations.

The situation led to the increase in transport fares for inter and intra-city journey to about fifty percent.

At the Akanu-Ibiam International Airport, Emene,Enugu, air passengers were stranded as there were no airlines to fly passengers to their various destinations.

However, passengers were equally bewildered over the increase on air fares. Enugu-Lagos which before the yuletide cost between N18-30,000 now goes for N43,000.

Also, prices of staple food items were not left out either. A 50kg bag of rice which sold at N12,000 now sells at N14,500 while a bag of sachet water which sold at N65 now sells at N100.

By Vincent Ujumadu, Awka

T

HE Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Vale rian Okeke, has enjoined Nigerians to contribute to the ongoing reforms in the Nigerian Prisons.

The cleric made the call during a special Christmas Mass at the Catholic Prisons Chapel in Onitsha Prisons.

He said the Church would continue to assist the Nigerian Prisons Service especially Onitsha Prisons to make the prisons a true reformatory ground for the inmates.

He said: “We want Nigerian Prisons, especially Onitsha Prisons, to be exceptional and we can only achieve it when everybody in the society contributes towards the reformation of our brothers and sisters here.

“I will personally take up the demands and challenges facing these prisons and see that our people contribute to the education, skill acquisition and handicraft programmes in the prisons.”

2015: APC candidate advocates for credible election

N

IGERIANS have been charged to vote for credible and transparent leaders at the 2015 Polls.

They were also enjoined to positively and constructively assist the leaders, especially, politicians on the true essence of a responsible government, with adequate democratic dividends for all.

These remarks were made at the stakeholders meeting for “a responsible meaningful governance come 2015, organised by the Youths Corporate Vanguard in Lagos, recently.

Speaking at the occasion, the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate for the Federal House of Representatives, Ijebu Central, Ogun State, Hon. Kolapo Korede Osunsanya reiterated the need for parents, guardians and others including very responsible community and religious leaders to continue to preach love as well as to duly monitor effectively, the youths against thuggery or any other chaotic manipulations of law and order.

From left: A conference estate officer, Methodist Church Nigeria,, Bro Adeola Olufon with the past president Busy Bees, Wesley Cathedral Olowogbowo Lagos, Sis Olawumi Tandon,Guest preacher and Secretary of conference, Bishop Chibuzor Raphael Okpoko;Busy Bees President, Bro Ajibabi Andrew Thomas, the Presbyter, very Revd Sola Ala and the Conference PRO, Bro. Aramide Tola Noibi at the 2014 family Union Harvest Thanksgiving Service, Wesley Cathedral Olowogbowo, Lagos.

Police kill 2 notorious armed robbers •One arrested for car theft in Enugu

By Francis Igata

O

PERATIVES at Udi division of the Enugu State Police command in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch Group in the early hours of December 22, during routine surveillance and patrol, killed two notorious armed robbery kingpins who had been terrorizing commuters passing through Udi-Ozalla road while other members of the gang believed to have been injured by the operatives’ bullets fled with injuries.

It was gathered that the two deceased, yet-to-be C M Y K

identified, met their waterloo as they attempted to rob a commercial bus loaded with some passengers.

Police Spokesperson, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the incident in a release to newsmen saying,”the operatives have constantly kept the road under strict surveillance because of the suspected nefarious activities of the hoodlums.

“Recovered from the robbers were one pump action gun with seven live cartridges,two daggers,one long matchet,4 Nokia phones, assorted charms and some amount of money.

“Their corpses have been deposited at the nearby hospital mortuary just as search for the fleeing members

of the gang intensified.”

In a related development,operatives of the No 3 mobile police command on stop and search duty at Ozalla point along Enugu-PortHarcourt expressway have nabbed a suspect who gave his name as one Peter Igwe of Amechi,Awkunanaw Enugu-South Local Government Area for allegedly stealing one Chevrolet express bus with registration number ENU 815 JW from where it was parked at Okpara Square axisEnugustateintheearly hours of December 20.

See more news on pg 53

10—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

•Muazu •Tukur

•Tambuwal

•President Jonathan

•Obasanjo

2014: ISSUES THAT SHAPED THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE

•IGP, Suleiman Abba

•Amaechi

•Sanusi

Oyegun Continues on page 11

•Ekiti election

•Rivers crisis

Jega Murtala Nyako

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SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014—11

By HENRY UMORU, ASST POLITICAL EDITOR

T

he year 2014, like the previous years in the life of a people has come and will go in few days.

For some, it is gone. It was an eventful year, with successes, trepidation on the political scene.

It was a year of dirty deals, tough decisions and political hiccups. It was the year President Goodluck Jonathan trod what his predecessors could not have the courage to do by putting in place the National Convention, the year of verbal attack on a sitting president by former president Olusegun Obasanjo over the state of affairs in the country.

It was the year the the two presidential candidates of the dominant political parties emerged for the 2015 Presidential election. It was the year, the insurgency in the North East continued and extended to the Federal Capital Territory.

2014 was an eventful year, but it is gone and 2015 is here, when Nigerians will go into election to elect a President, Governors, Members of the National and State Assemblies. As Nigerians and Nigeria enter the year 2015, It is obvious that most of the issues that reared their heads in 2014 will shape 2015.

As the year 2014 rounds off, HENRY UMORU attempts to xray some of the major political events that occurred which shaped and defined the political landscape of the country.

PDP NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, BAMANGA TUKUR OUT, MUAZU IN The political atmosphere was first charged in the country with the resignation of chairman of the ruling political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. The resignation of Tukur in January 15, 2014 was a carry- over from problems of 2013 and got to its anti- climax. The former Governor of Old Gongola State at the Special National Convention held in March 2012 became the PDP National Chairman.

The then embattled Bamanga Tukur had no choice, he was the last man standing and in a letter of resignation dated January 15, 2014, titled, "Resignation as the National Chairman and addressed to the National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, he said, "Pursuant to Article 45(2) of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), I hereby give notice of my resignation as the National Chairmsn with effect from Thursday, January 16, 2014.

"My resignation is in the overall interest of the party. I remain available to offer my contributions accordingly to the party, whenever it is needed. Thank you and please accept the assurances of my highest esteem always."

Tukur's problems started right from when he became the National Chairman and for irreconcilable differences during Bamanga Tukur in 2013, Governors Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto; Ahmed Abdulfatih of Kwara, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano, Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers and

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‘National Conference’ former Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa States left the PDP for the All Progressives Congress, APC. Crises in the PDP under Tukur got to a climax when the party split into two parallel NWCs, as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and six northern governors staged a walk out at the convention ground during the Special National Convention held August 2013.

Tukur's resignation opened yet another phase for the party as former Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Muazu took over January 20, 2014 from Tukur from the same North East where the position was zoned to at the 64th National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting at Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretariat of the party.

Muazu in his acceptance speech warned that "Those without work should stay off PDP secretariat, I am here to work, there is no doubt that all has not been well with our party. I will restore the lost glory of the PDP, with your total support."

NATIONAL CONFERENCE One other issue that shaped the political landscape in 2014 was the convocation of the 492 member National Conference that sat from March to August.

The very stormy, vibrant Conference with former Su-

preme Court Judge, Justice Idris Kutigi as Chairman, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi as Deputy Chairman, took place at the National Judicial Institute, NJI. Prior to the setting up of the Kutigi led National Conference, President Goodluck Jonathan had in a nationwide broadcast to mark the nation’s 53rd independence anniversary, put in place a 13-man Advisory Committee with Femi Okurounmu as Chairman and Akilu Indabawa as the secretary. It was saddled with among others, the responsibility of establishing modalities for a national conference aimed at resolving issues that currently cause serious problems in the nation's polity, just as the Committee was given the mandate to consult widely before developing the framework that will guide the proceedings of the dialogue.

After receiving reports of the Advisory Committee at the Presidential Villa, President Jonathan then announced the composition of the National Conference.

Okurounmu's committee submitted three reports with 18 volumes and over 4,000 pages to the president.

At the takeoff of the Kutigi's Conference, it was like the entire process would collapse with some delegates pushing for ethnic issues, personal and not national, it became clear that the fight was the North versus the South, series of meetings both day and nocturnal, brainstorming exercises, but with the intervention of the 50- wise men put in place, peace was restored and the Conference

achieved at least the purpose for which it was set up.

While the PDP, Labour Party, LP; the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA; Accord Party were fully represented at the Conference, the APC did not only boycott it, but rejected it completely, describing it as diversionary, alleging that the Conference was designed to prolong the president’s tenure.

At the end of Kutigi's assignment where every sector of the society, from the Elder statesmen, government functionaries, those in the business circle, the civil society, the academia, the market women, students and youth, over 600 resolutions with some dealing with issues of law, issues of policy and issues of constitutional amendments were agreed on . The Report and Annexures submitted to the President at the end of the day, was 22 volumes of approximately 10,335 (ten thousand, three hundred and thirty-five) pages.

RECOMMENDATION FOR THE CREATION OF 18 NEW STATES Part of the recommendation of the 2014 National Conference was the creation of 18 new states with three per geo-political zone).

Among them were Apa, Edu, Kainji, Katagum, Savannah, Amana, Gurara, Ghari, Etiti (South East zone), Aba, Adada, NjabaAnim, Anioma, Orashi, Ogoja, Ijebu and New Oyo. Apart from the

Continues on page 12

12—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

‘Obasanjo/ Jonathan Verbal Attack’

his former vice president, Atiku Abubakar.

ELECTIONS In 2014, there two governorship elections were held in Ekiti and Osun states respectively that many political observers and Nigerians looked up to because they formed the first true test of the popularity between the two major political parties, PDP and APC. It became a case of one victory and one defeat for the parties when during the July 21 Ekiti State Gubernatorial election, the PDP's Candidate, Chief Ayodele Fayose defeated the incumbent, Dr. Kayode Fayemi having polled 203,090 votes as against that of Fayemi's 120,433 votes. But at the end of the August 9 Osun State Gubernatorial election, the incumbent, Rauf Aregbesola of the APC defeated the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

An election was also fixed for Adamawa State following the impeachment of the then Governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako, Rtd, but the process of conducting the election was stopped by the court.

INEC's PVC AND CVR

Continues from page 11 18 proposed states, the Conference also recommended one new state for the South East to enable the zone have equal number of states with the other zones except the North West which has seven. It also recommended that states willing to merge can also do so based on certain conditions.

IMMUNITY CLAUSE The Conference also recommended that the immunity clause should be removed if the offences attract criminal charges to encourage accountability by those managing the economy.

EMERGENCE OF OYEGUN AS APC NATIONAL CHAIRMAN Following the coming on Board of the APC, former governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, was elected National Chairman, 14 th June. At the National Convention where he was elected, former minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi was a very opposition to him, but Ikimi however shunned the convention having discovered that the coast was not cleared for him. Two other aspirants for the chairmanship position and former Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Chief Sam Jaja and ex- governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipire Sylva agreed to back down.

SEASON OF CROSS CARPETING In the year 2014, cross carpeting was yet another major political issue that shaped the polity. Immediately after National Convention of APC produced produced Oyegun, Chief Ikimi who eyed the position and who played a major role during the Merger, dumped the APC and returned to his former party, the C M Y K

PDP. Also in 2014, former vicepresident, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, formally resigned from the PDP and joined the APC to work towards the actualisation of his presidential ambition.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal after his months of romance with the APC and refusal to attend the PDP National Executive Committee, NEC meetings, formally abandoned the PDP for the APC and picked the party's gubernatorial ticket for Sokoto State.

Same year, another former chieftain of the APC and former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, moved to the PDP, citing irreconcilable differences with the APC. Also former governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, left the APC for the PDP, even as former Kano State governor, Ibrahim Shekarau defected to the PDP. Soon after he completed his eight year term in office on the platform of APGA, former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, left his party for the PDP. In Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko also defected from the Labour Party (LP) and returned to the PDP. While former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel returned to the PDP, former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao- Akala joined the Labour Party when he failed to get the Oyo State Gubernatorial ticket for 2015, and same to former National Chairman of PDP, Senator Barnabas Gemade, immediate past Minister of State, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom left the PDP for the APC, just as Prince Tonye Princewill joined the Labour Party.

EMERGENCE OF

FORMER GOVERNOR OF CBN, LAMIDO SANUSI AS EMIR OF KANO In the year 2014, former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria,Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who had a rough time with President Jonathan and the Presidency over raising an alarm he raised on missing funds from the oil revenue, became the 14th Emir of Kano in spite of opposition as alleged from the presidency. Before and after he became the Emir of Kano, the atmosphere was tensed and clouded in an intense political quagmire. With the backing of Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano, Sanusi's emergence was formally announced at the ante chamber of the Kano Government House by the secretary to the state government, Rabiu Bichi, and it took immediate effect.

THE OBASANJO/ JONATHAN VERBAL ATTACK The year 2014 cannot be discussed without looking at the rift between President Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The latter made scathing remarks on the performance of his estranged godson, Jonathan which Reuben Abati, Dr. Doyin Okupe, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, among others, replied to. In a controversial manner, with court stopping him, former President Obasanjo released his memoir titled “My Watch” . In the book, the former President chronicled the period he was in office, his relationship with people as well as his uncomplimentary remarks on some prominent Nigerians, like

As Nigeria prepares for the 2015 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC commenced the distribution of the Permanent Voters Card and the Continuous Voters Registration exercises.

While the commission carried out the exercise in phases across the 36 states, it however ran into problems in some states like Edo, Lagos which led to high level criticisms especially from voters who could not replace their cards or get registered.

PRIMARIES AND MINISTERIAL LOSES This was also the year of primaries by the political parties to get their candidates for next year's election, based on the guidelines and timetable provided by INEC. While the PDP had a more intense post primaries crisis with petitions everywhere, that of the APC did not over heat the polity.

During the year under review, President Jonathan was given right of first refusal by the PDP, he was first endorsed by all the organs of the party, voted for and ratified at the Special National Convention held at Eagle Square, Abuja, in fact, he was the sole Presidential candidate.

For the APC, former head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari emerged as presidential candidate at a Convention held in Lagos. Buhari defeated governors of Kano and Imo States, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Rochas Okorocha, alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and chairman of Leadership Group, Sam Nda-Isaiah.

In getting their running mates, Jonathan immediately at the Convention ground announced that he was running with Vice president, Namadi Sambo for the election, but Buhari after six days of intrigues, manoevering, political backstabbing,

Continues on page 13

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014—13

Continues from page 12 mise, display of power by the gladiators, former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Yomi Osinbajo, finally emerged as his running mate.

For the PDP, it held some of its primaries in Abuja. While that of Borno where Gambo Lawan emerged was held at the Presidential Villa, that of Taraba which produced Ishiaku took place at Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretariat, that of Adamawa where former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu emerged took place at the Old parade ground, Area 10, Abuja, that of Yobe where Waziri Maina won took place at the PDP Presidential Campaign office, Legacy House, Abuja.

It was a minus for ministers and Special Advisers to the President who had resigned hoping to get the Governorship tickets for 2015.

Except for former Minister of State, Education and former Minister of State, Niger Delta, Nyesom Wike and Darius Ishyaku who emerged respectively as Rivers and Taraba Candidates, other ministers like Labaran Maku; Emeka Wogu, Musiliu Obanikoro; Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu; Samuel Ortom; Prof. Sylvester Monye, among others failed to get tickets.

YEAR OF GALE OF IMPEACHMENT AND NEAR MISSES With the impeachment of Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State who had dumped the PDP for the APC, there were also such moves to remove some governors in the opposition, but Governors Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa; Adams Oshiomhole of Edo; Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo also survived impeachment moves.

In Enugu State, the deputy governor, Sunday Onyebuchi was ruthlessly kicked out of office by his boss, Sullivan Chime ostensibly for rearing poultry in his residence.

The speakers of the Ebonyi and Ekiti States Houses of Assembly were impeached in circumstances linking their governors to the plot.

COURT CASES In the year under review, there were also court cases as the eligibility of President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2015 election was put to test at the courts.

Also, a federal high court in Abuja struck out a case instituted by the PDP seeking to sack five of its governors that defected to the APC. PDP national chairman, Adamu Mu’azu however survived a move to sack him from office in court, over the manner of his emergence as chairman of the party. Immediate past national chairman of the PDP, Bamanga Tukur was involved in the case filed by another PDP member.

Upon squashing of the case, Tukur was suspended by the party for engaging in that, but Tukur denied having knowledge of the suit, it was a case of medicine after death.

TEAR GAS AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY A new twist was introduced into the new nation's democracy as a case of jumping the fence by

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Lawmakers being tear-gassed as they walk to the National Assembly after Police shut the gates

Lawmakers jumping the fence at the National Assembly

‘Year of gale of Impeachment and near misses’ members of the National Assembly carry out their legislative duties took place. In fact, the National Assembly complex was thrown into a state of despondency as the police and other security agents battled unsuccessfully to stop the Speaker, House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal from entering the chamber following his cross carpeting to APC and still sticking to the position of the speaker despite the call by the PDP on him to do the needful.

Efforts by the speaker and other lawmakers to enter the complex were resisted by security forces, mainly the police, led by the Commissioner of Police, FCT, Wilson Inalegwu.

The policemen were in combat gear and fully armed. With them were hooded Department of State Service (DSS) personnel.

At the end of the day, Lawmakers removed their shoes and climbed the iron fence to make their way inside the chamber.

Teargas fumes choked the environment, drawing tears from the lawmakers’ eyes. Many were shouting and screaming and Senate President David Mark was not left out in the imbrioglio.

Not happy with the development, the lawmakers launched an impeachment battle against President Jonathan and by evening, no fewer than 130 of the 360 members in the House had signed a register to back the Jonathan-must-go move. There

were also insinuations that Senators were also out to move against the president, but the Senate Spokesperson, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe denied that there was any such move. The impeachment talk, like other ones before then, was a mere joke.

BUDGET The executive arm has always blamed the legislature as being responsible for late passage and poor implementation of successive budgets, but who should be blamed now when the 2015 budget was presented by the Executive to the National Assembly few days to their recess and with elections for February, when will the law makers look at the budget proposals critically and when will it get to the president for final approval.

INSURGENCY, CHIBOK GIRLS It would be difficult to discuss issues that shaped the political landscape in 2014, without the menace of insurgency. The insecurity in the North, particularly the North East, due to the unrelenting onslaught by members of the Boko Haram sect has remained a sore event in the nation’s political development. Perhaps it is part of the determination of the group to destabilise the country that made the Presidency, in its budget, to put security on its priority list, yet cases

of bombing offices, parks, Mosques, Schools continued unabated.

According to reports, not less than 5,000 people have lost their lives between July 2009 and June 2014 while over 650,000 persons were displaced with increase of 200,000 since May 2014.

As the year ends and the country moving into the year, 2015, one sad thing that has happened in the nation's history was the Kidnap of well over 200 students in April by members of the Boko Haram from Government Girls' Secondary school, Chibok. About seven weeks after the incident, precisely on 4th of May, President Goodluck Jonathan who spoke publicly about the kidnapping for the first time, said that the government was doing everything it could to find the missing girls and blamed parents for not supplying enough information about their missing children to the police.

Protests by bring back our girls were carried out in the sun and during the rains with no results and political colouration brought into it.

Questions that beg for answers are if these girls are still alive, it is possible that they must have been put into family way, they must have been raped and sexed by the insurgents or with cases of ladies being used to carry out bombings at the parks, Mosques, are will not sure that these girls must those school girls, we pray that they return and join their families as we enter 2015.

As we enter 2015, how far Jonathan’s government can confront this deadly group, Boko Haram, how the party will engage on issuebased campaigns, who will win the

14—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

*Top Nollywood actresses on parade

Africa’s film sector: Quality or Quantity?

By BENJAMIN NJOKU

A

s the motion picture industry continues to grow in leaps and bounds in Africa, one thing is rarely in contention. The social and economic impact the industry is making on the global landscape.

While it’s a well-known fact that before the revolution that started with the production of that pioneering Nigerian film, “Living in Bondage,” in the 1990s, African films celebrated such bizarre themes as violence, witchcraft, nudity,419, rituals, and all sorts of negative things. These themes portrayed Nigeria, and indeed, Africa in a negative light before the international community for the greater part of the late 90s and early 2000.

But today, the story is different.

The local filmmakers, have not only shifted from promoting obscenity and debauchery in the society to churning out bar-raising films that are speedily making inroads into the international film market.

Specifically, at this year’s Africa

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International Film Festival, AFRIFF, which held in Calabar, Cross River State last month, the filmmakers that attended the festival demonstrated their imitable zeal to redefine the film sector in Africa. They came to the festival with everything they got to show to the world.

From the opening film of the festival, “The Square” to the closing film, “Hard to Get”, it was unarguable that the African filmmakers are beginning to tell the African story from their own perspectives.

A case in point, was the opening film, “The Square”, an AmericanEgyptian documentary by Jehane Noujaim, which depicts the endless Egyptian revolution from its roots in Tahrir Square.

Following its sensitive storyline, the thought-provoking documentary, did not only earn a resounding ovation after its screening, but also, left the audience wondering whether it could lead to a new script on how governments should serve the often conflicting interests of its

citizens.

Having premiered in January, 2013, at the Sundance Film Festival, and released on Netflix and in exclusive locations across the United States in January, 2014, the documentary has continued to draw global attention to the political struggle in Egypt. The Oscarnominated flick, won three of the four Emmy Awards at the 66th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, in the United States. Many critics have described the documentary as “A compelling inside look at the cascading series of revolutions and counter-revolutions that have shaken Egypt since the beginning of 2011.”

Yet, the fact remains that, “The Square”, as global in its consciousness has raised serious issues that will continue to linger in the minds of those who have seen the film.

Like “The Square”, Kunle Afolayan’s “October 1”, and Lancelot Imasuen’s “Invasion 1897” equally explore the history of the people.

Particularly, “October 1” which won three awards at AFRIFF, is set in 1960, against the backdrop of

Nigeria’s independence, and is said to be of the serial killer genre.

Written by Tunde Babalola and directed by Kunle Afolayan, the film was premiered on “October 1” to commemorate the Nigeria’s 54th independence anniversary. It has mostly been commended for its production design, cinematography and its exploration of powerful themes which include tribalism, western imperialism, paedophilia, homosexuality, Nigeria’s unification,establishing a strong connection between western culture and the cause of present day Boko Haram insurgency.

“October 1’ is not just a film for entertainment, but also, informative”,said Afolayan.

Lancelot Imasuen’s “Invasion 1897” is another great movie that is currently receiving accolades from all quarters. The big-budget film, which is unique for its historical values, has become a reference point for many historians, scholars and students of African studies.

Currently being premiered in most great cities across the world, “Invasion 1897” depicts the story of the invasion of the Benin Empire by the British Forces in 1897, culminating in the looting of priceless ancient artifacts of the kingdom, including the famous commemorative head and pendant of the ivory mask representing Queen Idia, who was the mother of Esigie, the Oba of Benin who ruled from 1504 to 1550. The commemorative head presently adorns the shelf of the British Museum, while the pendant lies conspicuously at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, USA. The epic film was recently adopted

Continues on page 15

SATURDAY

Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014—15

Africa’s film sector: Quality or Quantity?

*A scene from October 1 *A scene from Invasion 1897

Continues from page 12

by Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C, to make a strong statement that African films are beginning to break new ground at the international market.

Tunde Kelani’s advocacy film, “Dazzling Mirage” aims at creating awareness on the medical disorder known as Sickle Cell, advocating against stigmatisation, as well as help people make better informed decisions. “Dazzling Mirage” is one film that explores an inspiring story of a young advertising executive, a talented beautiful lady living with sickle cell disorder. Funmiwo (played

by Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju) overcomes social stigma, prejudice and her own low self-esteem to achieve career success, marriage and motherhood.

The themes of love, denial, pain, and perseverance run through the flick, which is adapted from a novel of the same title by Yinka Egbokhare, while the screenplay was written by Ade Solanke. The seamless transition in the film directed and produced by the veteran filmmaker, is an indication of an adequate deployment of human and material resources as well as the improved production capacity of filmmakers in Nigeria. Other cinematic films, you cannot help but appreciate as proudly African include; ‘Hard to Get”, “Ojuju”, “A Mile from Home”, “Gone Too Far”, “Mother of George”, “The Land I Call Home”, “St Mary” among others.

Looking at the number of films that were screened at this year’s AFRIFF, it’s instructive to state that African filmmakers are gradually coming of age. Even though, our film industry does not attract the same level of popularity as compared to the western world, it has, however, shown significant growth and progress in recent times.

In terms of impacting on the economy, African film industry has contributed significantly to the gross domestic product of the individual nations. But in Nigeria, it’s a sorry tale that despite the huge impact the country’s films are making on the global market, the industry has C M Y K

*Tunde Kelani with the cast of Dazzling Mirage reportedly not grossed more than US$250 million per annum, churning out about 200 videos for the home video market every month.

A recent report revealed that South African film industry contributes R3.5bn to gross domestic product, creating more than 35,000 jobs, up from 4,000 in 1995. It is on record also, that the highest grossing Nigerian film so far “Ijé, The Journey” by Chineze Anyaene did not even make up to US$500, 000, at the box office.

Since the production of “Living in Bondage” in 1992, to date, industry watchers have divergent views over the actual worth of the nation’s film industry. Some have observed that no Nigerian film has made up to $2,782,275,172, the estimated amount James Cameron’s “Avatar” made at the box office, while many others opined that they made far beyond the figure.

Whereas in South Africa, Shucks Tshabalala’s “Survival Guide to 2010” set a new box office record for South African films, raking in R37.5 million (US$5.2 m), while “Spud” topped R16 million (US$2.2m), “Liefling” made over R10 million (US$1.4 m), “Bakgat” topped R5 million (US$700,000) and “Jakhalsdans” earned over R2 million (US$280,000). And the South African film industry is said to worth about R8 billion per annum.

Recently, Kenya beat Nigeria to the Oscars with “Nairobi Half Life”

by David ‘Tosh’ Gitonga. The film was selected as the Kenyan entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards, but it did not make the final shortlist.

However, despite the odds, the government has continued to show real interest in growing the industry. Last year, President Goodluck Jonathan splashed N3 billion on Nollywood to assist the sector, which has heavily been criticized for low content quality.

Also, as a way of improving quality of our local films, the Special Adviser to the President on Research, Documentation and Strategy, Mr. Oronto N. Douglas, recently renewed calls for Nigerian and African filmmakers to take up the challenge of promoting irresistible images of the society on screen.

According to him, “We need more biopics on the heroes whose exploits have impacted on our societies. We need more films focusing on pivotal episodes in our history. We need more period dramas that examine the past, and more speculative films about the future.We need greater crosspollination between the art forms.”

Lending his own voice on the matter, Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, High Chief Edem Duke urged the filmmakers to project Africa to the rest of the world in positive light, giving credence to the rich cultures and traditions of the

*Kunle Afolayan in ‘Dazzling Mirage’ continent.

“It is my belief that it is proper to acknowledge and celebrate all of you, who in you different and various roles have weaved together the story of Africa; its trial, tribulation and triumph – Its joys, its pains and the stories of warmth and generosities that is the hallmark of Africa. To weave things into stories that reposition us in the comity of nations and that which ensures that the rest of the world sees Africa truly in the light that is appropriate for us is commendable,”Duke said.

All in all, for African film industry to compete favourably with films from other continents, there is an urgent need to focus attention on fostering local productions as the quality still falls short of standard. Nigeria in particular knows better on this.

Of note is also the need to establish viable distribution channels, cinemas, as well as making the sector less dependent on government grants and the whims of foreign projects in a highly competitive environment.

This way, they can smile to the international film market. They have continued to churn out movies but it’s all about quality and not quantity.

16—SA TURD AY Vanguard , DECEMBER 27, 2014 16—SATURD TURDA

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ery seldom have I encountered such hate, backed by ill-applied quotations from the Holy Writ. In this season of goodwill to all, very rarely has such venomous abhorrence been let loose on the head of an opponent even in times of war. Mr Femi Fani-Kayode has denunciated Muhammadu Buhari, currently elected as the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the on-coming general elections, for unspecified involvement in the Boko Haram war by which a section of this country is ravaged at the moment. The connection which Mr. Fani-Kayode is able to gleefully cite is the timeworn statement repeated by all sorts of people, that the APC candidate had once stated that if he did not win in a former election, there would be a blood-bath in the country.

As it happened, he lost that election and the insurgency which was already smouldering in the country has been frequently bent into the interpretation of the statement, usually in an uncharitable manner.

Needless to say, it was an unfortunate remark to make, as Buhari has himself had cause to regret. He must admit he has honed the nails of mischief-makers, who are to be found across all territories in politics, and they will naturally scratch until they find blood.

*not in my corner *sit-tight coach

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here are those who accept the threat as an unguarded outburst of emotion out of frustration.

Others have dismissed the remark as no more than a “political statement” of no more moment than President Goodluck Jonathan’s alleged vow to seek no more than one presidential term of office.

In the heat of the hustling’s drive, politicians do make promises they cannot keep, or predictions that have no root in reality.

•Fani-Kayode discharged by Mr FaniKayode. It goes quite as deep as that. The former Honourable Minister of Aviation, and a one-time

,

Needless to say, it was an unfortunate remark to make, as Buhari has himself had cause to regret. He must admit he has honed the nails of mischief-makers, who are to be found across all territories in politics

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But then to further suggest that such a criminal character is associated with all Muslims is the height of dangerous mischief. Mr. Fani-Kayode’s advice to Professor Yemi Oshinbajo, the chosen VicePresidential candidate of General Buhari definitely came near to that. We openly submit that it would be extremely offensive, even within the normal reach of Mr. FaniKayode’s excessive standards, to go that far.

That is really the substance of the animosity

attack-dog for the man who put him there—who subsequently suffered a flurry of attack himself— seems to have it in for people of the Islamic faith.

Granted that the Boko Haram elements have proved to be Islamic fundamentalists, there is evidence in abundance that their mission goes beyond the establishment of any particular religion since they launch indiscriminate attacks on Muslims as well.

Even their avowed antagonism towards Western education is no more than a smokescreen to

further mask their fell purpose of acquiring territory and gratifying their blood-thirsty disposition. To demonise anyone with such an identity is a serious matter.

It demands proof, especially from a professional lawyer, beyond reasonable doubt.

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n his published advice to the chosen runningmate of General Buhari for the APC in the coming election, Mr Fani-Kayode could be misinterpreted as associating or identifying Muslims generally with the Boko Haram. That would be extremely offensive even by the disdainful standard of casual excessiveness that at times featured in Mr FaniKayode’s statements. It would go further to make one wonder if the ancestry of Mr.Fani-Kayode himself was in no way mingled, at a certain point, with any other religion than Christianity. It is well known that his late father, Mr.Remi Fani-Kayode, was a gentleman of avowed muscular Christianity, and that his grandfather, the late Magistrate Kayode (who did not himself bear a

compound name) was born into the religion. The suffix, Fani, however, may happily bear some association with what we are talking about.

And talking about the APC presidential running-mate, Professor Oshinbajo, he is known to be married into the family of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, of illustrious memory, whose sister, if you remember, was an Alhaja—a fact celebrated by the chief who was himelf a well-known Christian. In fact, we who write these things for your information, we hope, are happy to have cousins who are Muslims. The issue of religion used to be strictly personal until it began to be brought to bear on political leanings. But even as recently as the election which would have swept late Chief M.K.O.Abiola into office, Nigerians did not pay particular attention to religion. Now the idea of a Muslim as the running-mate of another Muslim, or a Christian as the running-mate of another Christian in the election for a top political election, has developed into the odious dimensions of an anathema.

A few friends have been asking me what the chances

of the APC are in the presidential elections. I had been thinking that they were pretty slim. I thought they were even pretty slimmer after the emergence of the VicePresidential candidate.

But I have been having second thoughts after listening to the statements of some of the PDP spokesmen. I would rather lose an election, for instance, than win one with Mr Fani-Kayode in my corner.

What is happening to our football? Okay, you caught me there; it is true I vowed not to talk about our sports administration out of frustration caused by a paucity of imaginative enterprise and woeful lack of direction resulting from the mediocrity of those who found themselves in charge, in preference to capable hands who were adroitly shouldered to the side lines. I felt it could not get worse, but it could—and it has! So permit me to protest, if only once more.

I object to a failed coach who is hanging on. A sittight coach—whoever saw the likes of that anywhere in sports? Stephen Keshi has failed, most woefully and most painfully. If he had any sense of honour, he should have resigned without any prompting after he had come a cropper. It happens all the time and, if you would pardon my bluntness, it could not have happened to a nicer guy than the “Big Boss”.

The gratuitous, unwarranted interference— yes, interference—of President Goodluck Jonathan which is said to have given muscle to Keshi’s refusal to give room for a successor to the coach adds no lustre to the president’s exertions to remain in office. I would more willingly vote for a president who allows appointed experts a free hand in the lawful discharge of their duties.

Happy New Year.

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, DECEMBER 27, 2014—17

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e have all moaned about the political landscape in the country. A landscape that breeds corruption, incompetence and mindless greed. We have all complained about the fact that we are ruled in the main, by our second eleven and the decay in health, education, energy to name but a few is an eloquent attestation to our choice of leaders. We have all moaned about the dearth of good men in governance and wished for the likes of Christopher Kolade, Aliko Mohammed, Gamaliel Onosode, Akintola Williams—men of ability and integrity— to come into people with vision who will plant a governance. But it will tree so that our grandchildren will take the miracle of enjoy a shaded future, but we allow Naaman the leper to mushy sentiments like tribe, religion bathe in the murky and geographical locations to waters of Nigerian becloud our judgment. So we settle politics and come out for those whose vision does not go clean. It will take the beyond the belly and we call it miracle of Jonah the stomach infrastructure. We settle for prophet to drop into the those, in the guise of geopolitical shark infested sea of balancing, who do not understand Nigerian politics and the real issues and we expect lasting emerge whole on the solutions. That is why the likes of Pat Utomi with the ideas they bring, other side of the bank.

What does technocrat Osibajo bring to the political table?

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So those who have built their names and reputations on hard work, integrity and competence are afraid to come near the fiery flame of Nigerian politics less they are singed. In any case, the chances of their being put in the positions of influence are less than 10%. The very nature of our politics—from the leaders to the followers—wants a Fayemi but chooses a Fayose. So why risk your hard earned integrity along with your limbs and possibly life for a cause that is likely to be a still birth? We know the people who will do our nation some good;

called leaders grant press bringing to the political interviews. table. Maybe we should Prof Yemi Osibajo, the choice of start with what he is not General Buhari and APC for the going to bring. He is not Vice Presidential ticket, is of this going to bring tons of mould. He is an intellectual who money. I believe he is bestrides the ivory tower and the comfortable financially but business world. He is a Pastor but his wealth is nowhere near does not wear his religion on his the billions that will be sleeves. He is an activist who does thrown around. He will not not mouth the usual slogan but bring a do-or-die violence feels quite strongly about the to the table. He will not plight of the under privileged and arrange for political or the down trodden. His active role assassinations eliminations. He will not contribute to chop-I-chop politics neither will he promote ethnic or religious card.

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But it will take the miracle of Naaman the leper to bathe in the murky waters of Nigerian politics and come out clean

the competences they bring, the moral and business values they bring will not be accommodated in our political space.

And yet we need these people, if only because change is inevitable, and if we don’t manage the change, it will manage us. We need these people because the drums of war and disintegration are getting louder and the current actors appear deaf. We need these people because they have the capacity to analyse and build. We need these people because they can earn our respect or just as important, the respect of the international community—no longer will we cringe when our so

He will bring values— moral and intellectual—to the table. He will analyse issues and bring ideas. He will bring the many silent Nigerians who have longed for his ilk to come to the front stage. He will bring goodwill, tons of it from both local and international sectors. He will bring integrity, transparency and rule of law to governance.

He will, contrary to what some people think, bring a refreshingly frank but independent mind to the table. Osibajo will not Many have wondered what he is sacrifice certain values for political exigencies.

as one of the founders of ‘The Concerned Professionals’ during the Babangida/Abiola election is a case in point. He is passionate about matters of integrity and transparency and is involved with many organisations that promote them. He is an ideas man and a reformer as his stint as the Attorney General of Lagos State has shown.

He is, for those who have not heard him speak, a natural orator in the mould of Barak Obama! He may be small in stature but he is a giant in intellect. Yet he is humble and deferential with a sharp sense of humour.

or I am the Lord, I F change not; therefore you sons of Jacob are not

consumed (Mal. 3:6). The only thing that is constant is God. This therefore means that all other things are subject to change. Thus, our condition is subject to change. Yes, that seemeth challenge is subject to change by the unchangeable changer. The bible says that we are not consumed or destroyed because God changeth not. If ever there is a being that you can trust to see you through any situation, it is God Himself. He cannot fail. He is too faithful to fail. He is ever dependable, Reliable and cannot fail. The scriptures say He is not a man that can lie, neither is He the son of man that He should repent; has He said and shall He not make it good. You can count on Him more than anything else.

Money, friends, jobs, families, position and every other thing else shall fail you but He will never fail.

So many that trusted in other things to change them or their lives have suffered shipwreck. Some have gone from worse to worst. Someone may ask but why is it so? The truth of it all is that none of those things are unchangeable. Look all around you, things are constantly changing by the moment. Government is changing, policies are changing, naira exchange rate is changing, fashion is changing, meals that we eat are changing, medical equipments are changing, buildings, airplanes, you name it are all changing. Have you ever noticed that the seconds of the clock is ever changing? It has never remained in the same place longer than it is

ravaging your whole life? Jesus is alive because of you and would heal you like He healed that woman of her plague”. He was the one that changed that woman’s condition and He can and will do the same for you if you ask Him. He cares for you and He is touched by the feelings of your infirmity. He wants you totally whole. Believe and trust Him and you would be amazed as to how He can change your life. Multitudes are testifying of how God has changed their lives. You too can join them in experiencing the Unchanging nature of God that changes all things.

Let’s talk about the woman that was bowed with the spirit of

God will change the situation

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meant to be.

In the midst of all these constant changes there is a God that cannot change but changes all situations. I believe that by this message your change is coming. Hebrews 13:8, says “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever”. The truth that Jesus does not change provides a sure anchor for our faith. Therefore what He has done for one He can do for you.

Whatever someone may have experienced in Christ can also be your portion. He is not a respecter of persons. I pray that you encounter His unchanging nature that will change all that concerns you.

What is it that needs to be

changed in your life? Is it medical, financial, spiritual or what? I announce to you that there is a God that can change it. In Mark 5:2534, there is a case of a woman who has being suffering from the issue of blood for twelve (12) years. She had being to many doctors and many other places for solution but instead of getting any better she grew worse. All of her resources were wasted. But when she heard of Jesus, she said to herself, i f only I can but touch His clothes, I shall be whole.

She went ahead and touched His clothes and she was made whole.

The bible says “And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague”. Hear me, are you sick and the sickness is

infirmity for eighteen (18) years. She had gotten used to the condition that the devil placed her.

When Jesus saw her, He said Satan has no right to

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

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

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

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keep her bound and commanded her loosed from the infirmity (Luke 13:10-13). Jesus changed her condition from bad to good.

Again Jesus can set you free from every kind of bondage that the devil may have placed you. Turn your heart to God right now for He wants to give you a new glorious beginning by wiping away everything called sorrow in your life. He is set to change you now. God bless you, our great nation and President Goodluck Jonathan.

Your change starts with you accepting Jesus as your Lord and saviour. Pray this simple prayer. Father, you said that whosoever shall call on the name of Jesus, shall be saved. I call on the name Jesus. Thank you for saving me and giving me the gift of eternal life. I praise you and give you all the glory.

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So we really have no excuses. Those of us who have prayed for people that are incorruptible, who can hold their own in terms of ideas and intellect, who can attract international goodwill and respect now have someone to root for.

Osibajo is as good as it gets no matter how you look at it.

Remember if we don’t manage change, it will manage us and the consequences of that can be very dire. Have a wonderful New Year celebration but do think of your children and their future and what a wrong choice in 2015 portends for them. Think also of Nigeria. We are not anywhere near where we should be.

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I personally would have wanted him paired with someone else like Kwakwanso. That would have been a vibrant pairing that would have represented a true change. But it is not to be. Although Buhari comes with his own baggage, I can see some advantages. They both frown at corruption and espouse probity and transparency. But more importantly, Buhari from antecedence and reputation, likes to delegate responsibility to trusted deputies. That would mean Osibajo would be more than a spare tyre. It would bring Osibajo’s ideas and reformative agenda to the fore. It would bring depth to policy formulation. It would also bring vibrancy to a State that is moribund. There is no doubt that if allowed, Osibajo would attract the brightest and best from all over the country.

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18—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

Akwa Ibom 2015:

Emmanuel, Umana in two-horse race

•Udom Emmanuel

•Umana Okon Umana

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

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BONG Umana Okon Umana and Mr. Udom Emmanuel have many things in common. They are from Akwa Ibom State, fair in complexion and the leading governorship candidates in the 2015 election in the state. Both are well-read, former secretary to the state government (SSG) under Governor Godswill Akpabio’s Administration and are eminently qualified to govern the state, if elected.

Both could be hurt by issues arising from the primaries that produced them, if poorly handled. Umana defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) a few days to the party’s primaries and ‘dislodged’ Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, who was favoured to pick the ticket. Akpanudoedehe was the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in 2011. He and his supporters are reportedly unhappy with the manner the APC primaries were conducted. In like manner, 22 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants protested the emergence of Emmanuel as the PDP standard bearer. They have

petitioned the party’s hierarchy to overturn the exercise and are already in court over the matter.

Arguably, that is where the similarities between Umana and Udom stopped. The next are huge differences that are expected to shape the outcome of the February 2015 governorship contest, which apart from the aspiration of Bishop Samuel Akpan, who is the candidate of the Accord Party, is panning out as a two horse race between the two SSGs. While Umana is from the Uyo Zone that has produced governors in the past and is flying the flag of the opposition APC, a party he joined about three weeks ago, Mr. Emmanuel is from the Eket Zone that is yet to produce governor and is the standard bearer of the ruling PDP that has been ruling the state since 1999.

Obong Umana is in his 50s having been born on August 20, 1959, Mr Udom Emmanuel turned 48 last July 11. Though both served as SSG, Umana left the post last year after a face-off with Governor Akpabio while Udom resigned to pursue his governorship ambition about two

months ago.

Their chances Umana and Udom have good chances of winning but only one of them will triumph at the end of the day. And this will be decided by a combination of factors.

Udom Emmanuel Regarded by his followers as a prudent, patriotic and pan Akwa Ibom technocrat, Udom’s chances are boosted by his close relations with the state government especially Governor Akpabio, who along with the state PDP endorsed him for the position.

He is from the Eket zone, which is yet to produce the governor of the state, a fact that informed the zoning of the slot in 2015 to the area by the Akwa Ibom PDP, state government and recently the National hierarchy of the PDP. Udom also has the academic and practical experience, in the estimation of his backers to continue with and take the Governor Akapbio’s uncommon transformation agenda in

the state to the next level. He was the Pioneer Manager of the Lagos Central Branch of Zenith Bank. He was also in charge of the Telecommunications Sector, Income Optimization and Financial & Strategic Planning Group of Zenith Bank PLC. He had over 17 years financial services experience and shortly before his appointment as SSG served as an Executive Director of Zenith Bank PLC. Udom holds a Bachelors degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos (1988). He bagged Master’s Degree with specialty on Corporate Governance from the Leeds Metropolitan University, United Kingdom. His responsibilities while with the Zenith Bank included NonExecutive Director, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) from 2008 and Director, Nigerian Interbank Settlement Systems (NIBBS) from 2009, Non-Executive Director, Zenith Bank, United Kingdom; Zenith Bank – Gambia; Zenith Bank – Sierra Leone; Zenith Insurance; Zenith Pensions and Custodian; Zenith Securities; Zenith Trustees and Zenith Registrars. An alumnus of, France, Columbia Business School, USA, the Wharton Business School, USA and the London Business School, he is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Fellow of the Institute of Financial Management. It is also worthy to note that with over 23 years cognate experience in financial services garnered from price water house coopers , Diamond Bank and Zenith Bank, he is authorized by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to carry out financial services in the United Kingdom. This is a great factor.

Drawback Udom’s chances may be hurt by the grievances arising from the PDP primaries where 22 other governorship aspirants are alleging foul-play and doctoring of delegates’ list. They petitioned the PDP national leadership and went to court to obtain an order stopping the submission of Udom’s name as Akwa Ibom PDP governorship candidate.

However, Udom has got the order vacated. Besides, some youth groups in the state have threatened mass defection from the ruling PDP if Udom’s nomination as the PDP candidate in the 2015 governorship race, is upturned.

Last Tuesday, about 100,000 youths met in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital and called on the PDP leadership not to tamper with the mandate freely given to Udom Emmanuel in a contest widely acknowledged and adjudged as credible, free and fair.

Speaking through their leader Mr. Moses Armstrong, the youths threatened to defect and campaign for opposition political parties in the state if the

Continues on page 19

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014 2014—19

Uduaghan’s unprecedented approach to peace initiative

BY OBARO UNUAFE

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r. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Governor of Delta State has, as one of his cardinal three point agenda, the now popular peace and security initiatives. Dr. Uduaghan believes that without peace and security no meaningful development can take place in Delta State.

To this end he devoted his time as Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG) to tackling the security challenges in the Niger Delta and the Warri crises that almost tore the State apart. As governor in 2007, he consolidated on the gains of the existing peace process by playing a pivotal role in the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme that led to the rehabilitation of exmilitants, some of whom have become pilots, engineers and first rate artisans. He also tackled the hydra headed security challenges of armed robbery and kidnappings which stared his administration in the face.

Uduaghan could have conveniently shared the Nobel peace prize with late President Umaru Yar ’Adua had they been nominated for the Stockholm Prize.

At the height of the anti-terrorism and anti-kidnapping bill by the Delta State House of Assembly which stipulated death penalty for offenders, Dr. Uduaghan stood his ground and refused to give his assent to the bill on the grounds that as a medical doctor he swore to the Hippocratic Oath and

Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan was trained to save lives and not to take them. Also, Governor Uduaghan had, during the fierce struggle by the Ijaws, to claim joint ownership of the huge site with the Itsekiris earmarked for the gas city project at Ogidigben opted for peaceful resolution of the crises. He, as an Itsekiri man refused to take sides with his kith and kin. Of course he had powers to do otherwise but he refrained from being drawn into an ethnic struggle that would label him as a sectional leader. He renamed it the Delta City Gas Project to maintain neutrality. Such is the mark

of a great leader. Many politicians may have mistaken Uduaghan’s love for peace as a sign of weakness and therefore took him for granted by stabbing him at the back several times but posterity will be kind to Dr. Uduaghan for not deploying all the powers at his disposal to get what he wanted. As a prelude to the primaries, Governor Uduaghan gave the governorship aspirants a level playing ground by allowing them to have inputs into the delegates list. In the face of widespread criticism that Dr. Uduaghan had anointed a successor he continued to maintain that he had anointed no one. True to his words, Dr. Uduaghan’s provision of a level playing ground led to the emergence of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa as the PDP Governorship flag bearer in transparent and free primaries, contrary to the speculations that he was solidly behind the governorship aspiration of Sir Tony Obuh.Even at the Governorship primaries venue at Asaba, it was reported that he was approached by some of his friends to scuttle the primaries but he declined and allowed the process to go on. Today, he is the chairman of the campaign council for Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa just as he has invited all former governorship aspirants in the state to join the campaign as one big united family. Dr. Uduaghan remains the only Governor I know who has remained unscathed by political bickering. He relinquished his senate ambition just for sake of peace and for him not to heat up the polity.

One lesson he has for all of us is that politics is not a do or die affair and that one’s personal ambition should not be driven to an inflammable or combustible level. Some people may term this as weakness but that is one endurable legacy that this gentle and peace loving politician will pass on to political scholars and historians for study.

Unuafe, a Public Affairs analyst wrote from Asaba.

Emmanuel, Umana in two-horse race Continues from page 18 mandate given to Mr. Emmanuel by over 90 per cent of the delegates is annulled.

Meanwhile, there is a disagreement among the group of aggrieved 22 governorship aspirants (G22) because of mutual suspicion concerning a strange agenda of few vocal members of the group.The Presidency reportedly stepped in to assuage the discontent created by the outcome of the PDP primaries which the 22 aspirants rejected.Following the presidency peace move, 17 members of the aggrieved group were said to have agreed to sheathe their sword and work with Udom Emmanuel rather than defect to the opposition APC.This is coming as Women group, the NkaUfonIban threatened to protest half-naked if Udom is denied the ticket.The leader of the group, Obongawan Arit Inyang disclosed this while addressing the group in an emergency meeting which took place in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State recently. The women group is

said to have about 310,000 members which cut across the state.It is to be seen if these coalition of forces and factors will see Udom through.Umana Okon UmanaUmana boasts of a rich academic and work experience. He left secondary school with a distinction and graduating as the best student of St. Patrick’s College, Calabar (1976). He won the University of Calabar Foundation Scholarship in 1980, graduating with a prestigious Second Class Upper in B.sc. in Economics. Among other qualifications, he had MBA in Finance from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State; Senior Executive Programme at London Business School (2009); Columbia Senior Executive Programme at Columbia Business School, Columbia University Graduate School of Business, New York (2002); Modernising Government at RIPA International, London (Nov. 2001) as well as Budgeting for Efficient Economic Management at National Centre for Economic Management & Administration (June, 1992).His rich career

experience began as an Industrial Attache at Champion Breweries (July to October, 1978); Research Assistant at the University of Calabar (1979) Lecturer, School of Basic Studies, Akamkpa in Cross River State (1981 to 1987); and Principal Budget Officer, Akwa Ibom State (1989), State Director of Budget and Permanent Secretary in charge of Budget Office (2000). Umana served various administrative panels of enquiry including: member, Administrative Panel of Enquiry into management of Akwa Ibom State Property & Investment Ltd; Chairman, Inter-Ministerial Committee on Direct Labour Jobs; Chairman, Inter-Ministerial Committee on Micro-Credit; Chairman, Steering Committee of Akwa Ibom State & World Bank Community-Based Urban Development Project); and Chairman, State Programme Coordinating Committee (SPCC) of United Nations Development Programme.

Politically, he was variously, Administrative Secretary of Social Democratic Party (SDP) for Ikono Local Government

Area in 1990; Supervisory Electoral Officer for Etinan Local Government Area during the 1996 Local Government zero-party elections; Akwa Ibom State Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Finance, during the second term of Governor Victor Attah (2003-2007); and Secretary to State Government (2007-2013).Umana fell out with Akpabio over allegations that the governor does not want him to become governor, a reason the APC candidate rejected the offer of managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), which Akpabio got for him.Opposed to what he deemed as Akpabio’s ploy to impose Udom as his successor, Umana has been in the league of some Akwa Ibom leaders, who are against power shift to Eket. He started the opposition in PDP but when the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) endorsed power shift to Eket he defected to the APC and won the party’s ticket.He believes that the best candidate, irrespective of his senatorial zone should be elected as governor of the state 2015. On this score, he believes he is the best and this belief will be tested in the February elections.

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

Nigerians pass verdict on 2014, speak on 2015

By Juliet Ebirim, Aderonke Adeyeri, Anozie Egole, Ezinne Agwu and Habibat Mahmud

Increase in workers’ wages – Joseph Ekwe, Civil Servant Some people still live below a dollar everyday, they find it difficult to maintain a threesquare meal and to survive everyday. I hope that our government come 2015 will endeavour to improve the lives of majority of Nigerians by increasing the minimum wage of workers.

High standard of living in 2015 - Blessing Mammah, Businesswoman Come 2015, I pray for a high standard of living for Nigerians.

Good jobs that can pay our bills.

Good roads to reduce traffic jam and accidents on our roads.

Constant power supply to grow our businesses and well built houses with affordable prices.

Our problem in 2014 is insurgency— Emeka Onyemma, Trader The major problem we have in 2014 is the Boko Haram insurgency which almost destabilized the nation. I would say that if the government should improve more on the economy and the security challenges in the country, Nigeria will be a perfect place to live. I do not have any regrets for the outgoing year but, I am expecting something better in the new year.

Our major challenge is power — Johnpaul Ejiogu, Estate Surveyor The government isn’t faring badly, but I know they can do better. The major problem we have in this country is antagonism which is basically coming from the opposition party. There is need to reorientate our people to know what they say, when they say it and where they say it. Our major challenge is power supply. The government hasn’t failed completely. We as citizens have our own part to play by doing the right thing at the right time.

2014 is a blissful year Richard Eze, Commercial Driver 2014 is a blissful year as far as the economy is concerned.

Nigeria is said to have the best economy in Africa. Also, around this time every year, we experience fuel scarcity but the present administration has been to tackle that. I only wish more can be achieved in fighting insurgency in the country.

Power sector should be revisited - Olubukola Dada, Trader 2015 can be better if the government revisits our epileptic power supply. Many

• Blessing

•Emeka

•Ifeanyi

Nigerians spend a fortune on a daily basis to buy fuel and diesel to provide electricity for their businesses. Every sector of the country needs improved power supply to survive and flourish.

Government should provide jobs for the youths come 2015 - Tokunbi Ajayi, Student The government should provide jobs for the youth to stem crime and youth restiveness in the country. They could do this by lifting the ban on employment and establishing more cottage industries to absorb job seekers.

The security network should be strengthened for the masses to move about freely and carry on with their legitimate businesses. We have in the past been compelled to contend with the issue of kidnapping, armed robbery, the Boko Haram and others. The police are on the road extorting money from motorists while criminals are having a field day in their nefarious operations. We do not want this to continue in the new year.

2014 did not meet our expectations - Mrs Chisom, Trader 2014 has not been good in any way, it didn’t meet the expectations of majority of the masses. Our Naira no longer has value. It is low compared to the dollar which has gone up. I pray that 2015 will be better and more prosperous.

•Johnpaul

•Uthman

I look forward to improved infrastructure Azuka Okubor, Lawyer Come 2015, I look forward to improved power supply, easy access to loans at minimum or zero interest rates to start up businesses. I also hope for affordable housing, mortgages

•Oyenekan

•Azuka perpetrated by Boko Haram and it was also difficult to get the voters card. I believe 2015 will be better compared to the outgoing year, all we ask for is God’s intervention.

Eradication of poverty is the only way forward - Oyenekan Titilayo Poverty in Nigeria has been a problem for more than 10 years now and nothing changed in 2014. Our living standards have remained the same, but in other parts of the world, there has been rapid improvement. Eradication of poverty is the only way forward.

2014 is violent and bloodyAugustina Nzeronbi, Teacher Ongoing violence in Nigeria has exacerbated tensions between the country ’s Muslims and Christians.

Hundreds of Christians and Muslims have died this year alone, including scores killed last Sunday in Bauchi. The year has been too bloody.

•Bukola

•Adeniyi and medical health care.

Better living standards come 2015 - Ifeanyichukwu Ezenso Personally, I do what is called planned economy so I think my standard of living remains the same. I hope that Nigerians enjoy improved standard of living, but you know people will always complain about hunger and poor sales.

I pray for God’s intervention in 2015 Chinonso Imo,Student 2014 is a good year, though there were mass killings

I hope for a peaceful election. - Funke Kehinde, Worker The year 2014 went well. In Lagos, a lot of development took place like road construction, markets and environment, making sure that everywhere is kept clean. 2015 will be better compared to 2014 and I pray for a peaceful election.

Leaders who will be agents of change come 2015 - Miss Ngozi Agwu, Student 2014 is better than 2013.

Personally I was able to achieve what I could not achieve in 2013. The negative aspect is that there were mass killing of innocent people and the kidnap of the Chibok girls by the Boko Haram sect. I believe that we will get leaders who will be agents of change, who will change every area that needs change for a better tomorrow.

Our roads are bad - Mr John, Bus driver The year didn’t fare badly, but in the area of transport we’ve been experiencing high charges. Our roads are so bad that one can stay in traffic for three hours or more. We hope that in 2015, the government will tackle this issue properly.

Employment for the youths - Adeniyi Adebayo Sherif, Architect The year hasn’t been an easy one. But by next year, I believe that things will be better especially in the area of job creation for unemployed youths so as to reduce the spate of violence, kidnapping and other atrocities being perpetrated by these youths.

Less job seekers on the streets - Uthman Mubarak Olawale, Student 2014 has been a very challenging year. Come 2015, I pray for improved living standards. Education and housing should be made affordable to Nigerians. I also hope that there will be less job seekers on the streets.

Affordable goods and services - Omokanye Abdul Olayinka, Engineer I hope for a fruitful 2015 because every year holds its challenges and achievements.

I look forward to a smooth and peaceful election. I hope that prices of goods and services will be affordable.

Prompt payment of workers’ salaries - Abdul-Azeez Kafayat, Teacher I expect a better life in 2015, especially in the area of payment of worker’s salaries.

Our government should look into the renumeration of workers and affordable housing.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014—21

By KENNY AJOSE and ANUTELLA Augustine Kelechi, popularly known as Tekno, is a fast rising artiste who has made a name for himself as an afro hip hop artiste. In this interview, he talks about his music, his aspirations and desire to be on top of his game among other things.

How did you start music?

Music is my life .I started playing musical instrument since I was a child. My dad made me attend piano classes. I can play any kind of musical instrument: Piano, base ,trumpet, name them...

What were you doing before you got signed to Made Men Records?

I got signed to different record labels . For instance, I was signed to Body Shaker records and later, to Kmoney Records.

How would you describe your kind of music?

I’m into all kinds of music including RnB, Afro beat, hip-hop. I don’t have a particular pattern.

How has Fela Anikulapo Kuti influenced your music?

I wouldn’t say Fela influenced me in one way or the other. He was the root of our music. The story of Fela should be taught in our schools as part of history.

When you talk about music in Nigeria, you should talk

about Fela. Even in death his legendary status lives.

Fela changed ‘’our ”lives entirely.

Are there traces of Afrobeat in your songs?

Yes, I’m currently working on some songs now that are literally influenced by Fela.

I also did one with Wizkid which has Fela’s style on it .

Have you encountered any embarrassing moment on stage?

That would be when I was in America for a show. I don’t think the DJ was properly trained. He was supposed to be playing my song and along the line, he started doing some stuffs with it at the same time.

While he was trying to rip the song ,it would not go down well with the intro part as it kept repeating the intro. Later, I told him to play the next track, which also didn’t end well. It was crazy but that is one of the things you have to go through as an artist.

How do you cope with your female fans and how do you draw the line?

We all need our female fans. There is no drawing of lines. It is still me being myself. I show the love when I can show it and I share it when I can. But I try my best not to be rude because they all love and respect my music. So, I try to be myself while dealing with my female fans.

•Augustine Kelechi

Have you ever regretted any collaboration?

Anything I do is worth doing so no regrets.

What are you working on currently?

Currently, I’m about shooting a video for a love song that I did while I was in New York. My next single is also ready. I’m traveling to London and I hope to shoot the video with Moe Musa and some other guys.

I’m happy.

Besides showbiz, what is that strange thing people don’t really know about you?

I don’t smoke weed and I don’t take alcohol.

How do you respond to critics from social media?

People just make negative comments that ain’t true about you.

It gets to you so badly that you want to talk back. Sometimes, you reply and you discover you just messed up, then you delete your response.

The story of Fela should be taught in our schools as part of history.

When you talk about music in Nigeria

Do you read comments on such occasions ?

Sometimes, I don’t have to. It is just there in your face. I laugh most times because it just shows that you are relevant.

If you were not doing music what would you be doing?

I would be an artist. I like drawing things.

Which female artist would you like to work with?

I will like to work with every good female artiste.

22 — SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

With FLORENCE AMAGIYA 08061644307 email: daise4000@yahoo.com

A peep into Ben Bruce business empire T

he story of Nigeria's entertainment industry would be incomplete without Ben Murray- Bruce. He is the front line Entertainer in Nigeria and West Africa. Ben Bruce single-handedly revolutionized the cinema business, he started the Silverbird Productions with a capital of N20, 000. Today, Ben Bruce has built a business empire running into several billions of Naira and he has provided platforms and employments for so many youths who are in need of it. It was on his platform that the winner of Miss World was discovered in person of Agbani Darego. Mr. Ben Murray- Bruce is the chairman of the Silverbird group. Silverbird has one of the best TV stations in Nigeria known as the Silverbird Television which provides the best entertainment money can buy. Silverbird group also has a branch of Silverbird Television in Los Angeles known as the ‘MAGIC MORNING’. In this edition, I present to you, Benedict Murray- Bruce, one of the great things to happen to Africa's entertainment. Ben Bruce is currently eyeing a Senatorial position in his state.

Read on...

•Ben Bruce & This day publisher, Nduka

E

VEN though Ben Murray- Bruce could be described as someone who grew up in a comfortable home; he had his own share of challenges as a young man.

He worked at his father ’s departmental store known as Domino like other children would do for their parents. Young Ben had so many dreams,one of them was to be a Professor of History even though he later got admission to read Marketing and Business at the University. While in the University, he incidentally fell in love with show business. He found out later in life that he was born to entertain people because of the joy he derived each time he did a show. Ben Murray- Bruce has been the biggest source of entertainment in Nigeria and West Africa since he started. In fact, he says that “his business is all about entertainment”.

Ben was born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1956, precisely on February 18th to an Ijaw mother, Margaret Murray- Bruce from Akassa and father whose name is Mullighan. As a public Servant, Ben’s father was one of the few men

•Ben Bruce who worked with the UAC. He attended Primary and Secondary School in Lagos state before he proceeded to the University of Southern Carolina to study Marketing and Business Administration.

The episode that transformed his life for the best Ben Murray- Bruce recounted the incident that transformed his life for good. According to him, he was at home one day in Los Angeles, USA while he was still a student when somebody knocked at his door. He opened his door to see a stranger he hadn’t met in his life. While they were discussing he found that the man was a teacher to so many great celebrities like Janet Jackson, Todd Bridges, Garry Coleman and as young as he was, he saw an

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014 — 23

•Silverbird Galleria opportunity in meeting these great people. So he made the man his friend and that was the best thing he did. He had the chance of meeting his new friend’s student and got contacts that later helped him bring pure entertainment from the highest place to Africa. And that was where he got his break as everyone including his father believed him from then.

While abroad, he met a teacher of music who was at that time teaching the likes of Janet Jackson and some other great names.

That was where he met Redd Fox of the Sandford and Sons’ fame, the Jeffersons and others. Ben Bruce met a lot of actors and actresses through his friend and when he was given a proposition to do a show in Nigeria, he excelled.

CHALLENGES

of several companies in Nigeria as well as in France, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Silverbird group has more than a hundred staff, it has three radio stations, Rhythm 93.7 in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt and Silverbird Television; the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria. Ben Murray- Bruce entry into the pageantry business came at a time when Miss Nigeria franchise was losing its glamour and the interest of Nigerians and its sponsor. His brainchild, Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) pageant took over the market from the Miss Nigeria. MBGN produced the likes of Omasan Buwa, Bianca Onoh and Agbani Darego. Agbani Darego became the first Nigerian and African to have won the Miss World pageant.

Silverbird group is selling out franchise of their Cinemas to allow business men buy right to building cinemas in the group’s name.

Silverbird group also has the Galleria and a Magic Morning Television in Los Angeles which Nigerians and Africans in the Diaspora watch to stay in touch with their roots.

Family Ben Murray- Bruce is married to Evelyn, an American with two boys and a girl. One of his boys called Jonathan Bruce is married and also managing one of the chains of Silverbird group.

After Ben ventured into show business by accident, his parents didn’t take it easy with him as it was assumed that he was a joker. After been caught by his father while dancing, he was asked to do something better with his life as that didn't meet the standard of his dad. Severally, his dad threatened to break his two legs if he ever caught him dancing. It went on like that until his father decided to tolerate his show business, as he didn’t ever believe he would go anywhere with it. Today, Ben Bruce’s father enjoys the attention he is getting as father of Ben.

ACCOLADES What started as a joke according to his father with mere borrowing of N20, 000 in 1980 has become a conglomerate. Today, Mr. Ben Murray Bruce has not only taken the role of a motivational speaker to Nigerian youths, but he is also a director

•Ben & his wife

•Contestants at the MBGN

•Agbani miss Nigeria

•Agbani miss world

24 — SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

By KEHINDE AJOSE 08024212530

•Niyola

•Patoranking

•The Mavin crew

By Kehinde Ajose In 2014 the Nigerian music scene witnessed a lot of groovy hit songs and stunning music videos that shaped both the fortune and terrain of the entertainment industry. These inventive works won the heart of the fans, epitomize ingenuity and unveil showmanship at its peak. We sang these songs endlessly, downloaded their videos on our phones, and danced to them whenever we hear them being played. As a special end of the year treat, we take a look at the top songs and music videos that ruled the airwaves in 2014.

Dorobucci- The Mavin crew How did a word that no one knows its exact meaning suddenly becomes a hit song?

The Mavin crew, led by the innovative Don jazzy will be able to do justice to this question. The harmonious Afro pop tune hit 1 million views on YouTube this year and has developed into a life of its own , becoming a movie titled called C M Y K

•Lil Ke

•Davido

‘Dorobucci Love’ .Even Nollywood couldn’t resist the mainstream appeal of this song.

Aye- Directed

by Clarence Peters Whether you like or hate him, Davido is a young man whose work ethic is inspiring.

When he released Aye February this year, naysayers thought its just another conventional song till it started stealing the number one spot on music countdowns. Davido created a sound that became a reference point for other Nigerian artistes. Google in it’s list of mostwatched Nigerian Music videos in Nigeria, named Davido‘s Aye Nigeria’s most watched video on YouTube for 2014.In the visuals, Davido plays the role of a peasant which is stimulating, as opposed to his silver-spoon upbringing.

Double Wahala-Oritsefemi Afro pop act, Oritsefemi has been one of the best revelations of this year- all thanks to the success of his hit single Double Wahala. From the streets to the club, the crossover appeal of this tune cannot be resisted. Inspired by the late Fela Kuti, perhaps what makes the song enticing is the freshness of the sound and the way the lyrics and the instrumentals reach the heart of the listeners.

Toh Bad - Directed by Kemi Adetiba Kemi Adetiba brings her creativity to bear in the video of Niyola’s love ballad,Toh bad.

Though the video was shot outside Nigeria, its quality, story line, camera angles, and cinematography is top notch. Toh Bad tells the story of a couple – an elusive actor boyfriend with a tolerant and ever believing partner, Niyola longing for his attention.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014 — 25

By AYO ONIKOYI, 08052201215

Tiwa Savage

esh

•Oritsefemi

•Olamide

Johnny -Yemi Alade

N

o one knows if Yemi Alade has finally found her Johnny , but the pop star has garnered loads of positive rave reviews for this melodious sound. Though Yemi Alade lost out at the Headies this year, that doesn’t take out the fact that Johnny ruled the airwaves making her one of the most sought after music divas in 2014. This highlife song produced by Selebobo is undoubtedly Yemi Alade’s biggest song ever.

Johnny video recorded over 10 million views on You tube.

Eleda mi - Olamide

O

lamide might not have come into the industry with all the clout needed, but the youngster has four albums under his belt that shows his dexterity and versatility. Eleda mi is not a typical Olamide kind of song it’s an highlife track, where the self proclaimed ‘Badoo’ makes use of his catchy sing-along hooks ,indigenous vocals, blending with his charm. It has become a must play in parties ever since.

•Yemi Alade

•Psquare

Shoki -Lil Kesh

2

014 is the year the Shoki dance became the rave among youngsters. Budding indigenous rapper, Lil Kesh took advantage of the craze and made a hit song out of it .These days it is not strange to find celebs like Funke Akindele , Kaffy trying out their Shoki dance steps.

Though, Davido recently laid claim to making Shoki a massive hit, Lil Kesh deserves to be given the kudos for creating two distinct versions of the song.

Wanted- Directed by Moe Musa

W

hen the visuals of Wanted was released, it generated a lot of media frenzy not for its cinematography , but more for Tiwa’s erotic dance moves, the sexy body suit she was clad in, and the provocative lyrics of the song. Directed by Moe Musa, the video is part of the most watched music videos on YouTube this year.

Girlie O -Patoranking featuring Tiwa savage

N

o doubts, Patoranking deserves to be crowned the surprise of the year, not just for the collaborations he did with other artistes , but for the success of his dancehall song Girlie O. His unique delivery, harmonizing with Tiwa Savage’s seductive vocals and charm makes this song a must have on music play lists.

Taste the money (Testimony) Directed by Jude Okoye

P

square has over the years gained the reputation for producing good videos. After enjoying massive airplays, Taste the money video was released generating loads of positive reviews.

The video of this song would probably make the top ten of any credible music video chart. It was shot in South Africa and directed by Jude Okoye.

The visuals captures the talented duo hosting a band of girls for a lavish house party which was brilliantly interpreted.

26—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

How P-Square, Wizkid, others thrilled audience at Rhythm Unplugged T

he much talked about Rhythm Unplugged sponsored by Pepsi which enjoyed massive media presence for weeks, held last weekend amid pomp. It lived up to its rating as the biggest entertainment event to hold in Nigeria this year.

This edition was special as it marked the 10 year anniversary of the event.

With Basketmouth and IK Osakioduwa delivering the humour, DJ Humility on the turn tables; opening acts by 2K, ElPrince, and Ruby Gyang, this year’s Rhythm Unplugged was nothing short of “a gathering of best of the bests” in the Nigerian music scene.

Attracting the best entertainers the country can boast of, the event which took place at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, was anchored by the duo of Basket Mouth and IK of the Big Brother fame. They ensured there was no dull moment while the all- night-show lasted.

Leading the way, Paul and Peter Okoye of P-Square stormed the stage and held the audience spellbound with their hit songs like “E No Easy ”, “Shekini”, and Collabo, leaving the audience yearning for more. But when

Davido mounted the stage, all the ladies in the house took to the floor, dancing to the rhythm of his “Aye.” Also, MI, Presh, Sound Sultan, Kaffy, Olu Maintain, Rugged Man, Don Jazzy and the Mavins Crew, were on hand to thrill the teeming audience.

The party wasn’t over yet until Olamide and Pyhno came on stage. Wizkid, Pepsi ambassador, sang to the ladies especially those who stood on their seats singing along with him.

Commenting on the event, an elated Head of Marketing, Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, Norden Thurston, said: “The array of stars at Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged goes to show the huge talent base in this country.

This creative gifts lie with the youths and who could better project and support the youth more than a youth brand like Pepsi which has over the years been involved with youth and talent.”

The audience, tired from dancing all night, felt there was nothing else that could separate them from their seats, but when Olamide and Phyno climbed the stage to deliver what is undoubtedly their best performances, the audience took over the singing of familiar hits like “Awon Goons Mi” and “Man of the Year”.

•Psquare

Adora, myy ssttor oryy — Bridget John Ador a, not m •Holds private screening of the film in Lagos

U

S-based Nigerian producer cum lead actress of award-winning movie, “Adora”, Bridget John, is currently in the country

*Bridget John

C M Y K

putting plans in motion to get the film running at the cinemas.

At the private screening of the film in Lagos last weekend, Bridget said, “Adora” is not a true life story. “Adora is nobody’s story. The story and screenplay by Dianne Diaz was an impeccable work of art coupled with the fact that it was interpreted and directed by an amiable, certified Hollywood Director, Austeen Eboka, and captured by a talented cinematographer, Robert Peters. This made it a blend destined for success,” she said.

Bridget, who described “Adora” as a captivating and intriguing movie, said she has a desire to premiere the film in Nigeria. “I am planning to premiere the film in Nigeria and at the same time seeking potential Nigerian distributor who will be willing to pick up the tab.”

“Adora is a captivating

•Phyno& Olamide

film. It takes you on a roller coaster ride with lots of twists and turns. It is about the life of Adora a young mother going through tribulations and just when she thought she was at the end of the tunnel the inevitable happens. A lot of people can relate to the story because it is akin to the daily challenges they go through, but whether we sink or float is up to us. There is an Adora in everyone of us,” she stated.

According to her, although the movie is considered low•Cynthia Morgan budget in the United States, it has loads of qualities and potentials. “The film will marriage, job, dignity, and be considered a low-budget freedom. However, she holds movie in the US but right now tight to her decision to face the we are entering it into festivals future and survive. John is coand award shows. Adora is the producer and plays the lead story of an immigrant woman role in the movie, which was who loses everything: her named the Best Film in the

Diaspora category at the Nollywood and African Film Critics’ Awards held in September in Beverly Hills, California."

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014 —27

‘I was shocked when IK declared Idris winner of BBA Hotshots’ N

igeria’s representative, Tayo Faniran, who emerged 2nd runner-up at the just concluded Big Brother AfricaHotshots, has opened up on this year’s show, saying that he was shocked when Idris Sultan of Tanzania was declared the winner of the reality show.

Speaking with the media at a welcome party organised in his honour by MultiChoice Nigeria, M-Net, Tayo said, “I was really shocked when IK declared Idris winner of the show. I genuinely thought I would win, or at least be declared a co-winner!

Nonetheless, I’m incredibly grateful for the unique opportunity and exposure Big Brother has given me. All I can tell Nigerians, Africa, and the rest of the world now is "watch this •Tayo Faniran

space!" The 28-year old model and latest dad in town explained that the interaction with other Africans in the Big Brother house and the exposure to the rich and diverse cultures in Africa have adequately prepared him to further pursue a career in acting, singing, or as a TV presenter.

MultiChoice General Manager, Marketing, Martin Mabutho expressed the MultiChoice’s pride in the reality show’s ability to bring Africans together. “MultiChoice, MNet, and the show ’s partners, worked hard to make this season of Big Brother Africa bigger than the last and we thank all stakeholders for their support,” he said. The reality show which began with 26 housemates successfully came to an end on Sunday, 7 December 2014.

Monalisa Chinda on relationship!

F

OR Monalisa Chinda, relationship “is a two-way affair.’ The actress, who was speaking at the just concluded Pearls International Conference, which held in Abuja enlightened participants mainly women on the importance of “Give and Take” in a relationship.

She maintained that in a relationship, both parties are relevant, just as no one can claim to be more superior than the other. “In a relationship, both parties are relevant and no one is more superior than the other. But when we’ve not dealt with our past sufficiently it can find its way into our relationship and ruin it. “Let go of anything that stops you or shuts you down and focus on being a better you. A better 'you' will naturally attract a better partner,” Monalisa said.

Lagos reverberates as AFRIMA holds to night

L

AGOS, the city of excellence is bound to reverberate this evening as the big names in the African music industry gather at the prestigious grand ballroom of Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, for the maiden edition of All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA. The awards ceremony was initially scheduled for Sunday, November 9, but had to be postponed owing to logistic reasons. During the week, the International Committee of AFRIMA named superstar, 2face and Democratic Republic of Congo’s hottest female broadcaster and music presenter, Madinga Sona Maria, as co-host of the continental event.

Speaking about the collaboration between the two popular hosts, Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mr Mike Dada, said, “The award ceremony is going to be explosive with 2Face and Madinga Sona Maria, two accomplished creative Africans, holding sway and guiding our distinguished guests and nominees through the programme. We promise to bring to Africa electrifying performances from our nominees and invited guest performers.

Then add this to the famous faces and glamour of the African icons on the first-of-itskind red carpet activity… It is going to be a spectacular show!”

On hosting 2014 AFRIMA, 2Face expressed his excitement when he said, “I am happy to be part of this history-making event.

I am delighted to host Africa, Africa is the future. I welcome Africa and the world to AFRIMA here in the beautiful city of Lagos, Nigeria. Let’s celebrate Africa together!“

Monalisa Chinda

A

•Aki

C M Y K

Aki goes on vacation

fter a long year, actor Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known as Aki has proceeded on a one month vacation starting from December 20.

This was revealed in a statement by his publicist, Media Image Maker. “Mr. Chinedu Ikedieze a.k.a Aki has shut down for the year till late January 2015. It was a rather long and successful year for the star and so, he has to take a break and go on vacation with his family.”

The statement, however, did not disclose the country where Aki is going to spend his vacation.

But speculation is rife that he’s probably heading to the United States or the Bahamas.

Aki’s last official outing this year before he proceeded on vacation was the wedding event of president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN,

Ibinabo Fiberisima, on Saturday, December 20 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He jetted out immediately after the wedding. “There is no way he would have missed the wedding of Ibinabo who he had enjoyed a robust relationship with over the years, so he built it into his rather tight schedule.”

The actor thanked his fans, producers and the corporate world he had done business with this year and above all, “I thank God for His mercies and favour because without which, we won’t be alive to witness this day.

Next year will be more successful for all of us in Jesus name. I pray Nigeria hold a successful election devoid of violence. I pray that our economy will improve next year too,” reads the statement.

2 face

28—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

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he year has witnessed many award ceremonies with divergent opinions. For every song that was a winner there was a person who felt the song just doesn’t deserve it. At least every award has its own ‘song of the year’ and in most cases two award brands hardly agree on same persons. This proves more than anything, that what may be good for the goose may not be just as good for the gander.

In view of this, we bring to you the verdicts of our panelists, drawn from various sectors of the entertainment industry. See their choices of the Top 10 Nigerian hits of 2014.

Owen Gee

Anita Joseph

Emma Nyra

By AYO ONIKOYI

Adokiye Kyrian:

A

dokiye is a popular singer of the Afropop genre. She has a number of singles like ‘Love You Better, Baby Baby among others to her credit. Her verdict: 1: Baby Answer by Runtown 2: Destinabare By Mocheda 3: Shole by Sean Tizzle 4: Onye by Waje 5: My Darling by Tiwa Savage 6: Successful by Runtown 7: Girly O. By Patoranking 8: Mr. Oreo by Iyanya 9: Toh bad by Niyola 10: Dorobucci by Mavin

Bimbo Thomas:

B

imbo Thomas is a popular Yoruba actress who became a big hit after her sterling role interpretation in Omo Ghetto, a film produced by Funke Akindele. Her official Top 10 Nigerian songs are as follow: 1. Show You the Money – Wizkid. 2,Goons Mi -Olamide 3, Skelembe : Olamide ft Don Jazzy 4,P. Square ft T.I 5, Shoki – Orezi 6,Ileke : Joel 7, Murdah : Sheyi Shay ft Patoranking 8,Dorobucci :Marvin crew 9,Sekem : Mc Galaxy 10, Aye - Davido.

Owen Gee:

O

wen Gee is a stand-up comedian who is beginning to assert his authority on the comedy scene. With his Skits and Sketches providing comic interludes on African Magic channels Owen Gee’s lots can only get better. His verdict of Nigeria’s Top 10 has no rating but they sure give us the picture we desire: Johnny -Yemi Alade, Aye - Davido, Shoki remix - Lil Kesh feat davido n olamide, Story for the Gods - olamide, Dorobucci – Mavin

Shirley Igwe

crew, Surulere - Dr Sid, Double Wahala -Oritsefemi, Pull Over - Kcee, Girlie O Patorankin

Emma Nyra:

T

exas born, Texas bred, Emma Nyra found her way into Nigerian music scene through the ground floor and easily moving on the elevator to the penthouse. She done several club bangers like Elele, For My Matter, Everything Thing I do and Ori mi Wu, to mention just a few numbers. Her verdict :1. Aye - Davido 2. DorobucciMavin 3. Dance- Tekno 4. EmergencyWizzy Pro, Skales, Patoranking 5.

Girlie O- Patoranking 6. Johnny- Yemi Alade 7. Mr. Oreo- Iyanya 8.EleleEmma Nyra ft. Davido 9.Shoki remix Lil Kesh 10. Story for the Gods Olamide

Bimbo Thomas

Good Life - Davido ft Makifizulu 10: Mr Oreo - Iyanya

Cossy Orjiakor:

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ossy is a Nollywood actress and a music star. She released her first album ‘Nutty Queen’ recently. She is a darling of the media for her unusual lifestyle. For her, only five songs made her list as she could not come up with the remaining five.M: 1, Collabo Psquare ft Don Jazzy, 2, Activating Money – Phyno. 3 Johnny -Yemi Alade..

4, Koi Koi Baby- Ransome, 5, Wetin You Get – Trista

Anita Joseph:

A

nita has made a strong name for herself in the movie industry.

Though her success in the make-believe world has not recorded same amount of success when she forayed into music, Shirley Igwe: nonetheless she remains resolute in her eautiful Shirley Igwe is a determination to conquer the two worlds Nollywood actress who has found of entertainment. Her Top 10: 1, Aye by a second vocation as a Davido, 2, Story of the Principal Protocol Gods by Olamide, 3.

Officer to Imo State Eledumare by Wizkid, 4, Governor. She was a Kiss of Life by 2Face, 5, former face of Delta In My Bed by Wizkid, 6, At least every soap as well. Her Sanko by Timaya, 7, award has its choice of Top 10 songs Golibe by Flavour. 8, in Nigeria 2014 are :1 own ‘song of Rain drops by 2Face.

Wiz kid - In Your Bed. the year’ and 2, Collardo - Runtown Nazareth in most cases ft Davido 3, Dorobucci Jesse Bako: Mavin crew 4: Girlie O two award az as she is - Patoranking ft Tiwa brands hardly called by friends Savage 5, Sekem - Mc agree on same and fans has made a Galaxy 6, Testimony – name for herself in the Psqaure 7, Banana persons movie industry. After Slyde ft Timaya 8, winning the hearts of so Shake Body – Skales 9,

B

,

Cossy Orjiakor

Saeon

,

Adokiye Kyrian

Nazareth Jesse Bako

Cincii Ezekiels

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many in ‘Girls Cot’ she went on to score big in ‘Bitter Generation’. As one of our panelists Naz rated her top 10 as thus :1.Okaka by Frank Edward 2. Pull Over

by Kcee, 3. Show me the Money by Wizkid, 4.Testimony by Psquare, 5.Sekem by Mc Galaxy, 6. Shoki by Olamide, 7.Dance by Tekno, 8.Bad Belle by MI, 9.Ileke by Joel Amadi, 10.Double Wahala by Oritsefemi.

Saeon:

O

luwaseun Oni known as Saeon hit the paydirt in 2014 with her ‘Boogie Down’ single. ‘Boogie Down’ is Saeon’s way of saying she is ready to wine and dine with the biggest names in the industry. She is one of her panelists and here is what her top 10 looks like: Boogie Down by Saeon ft Wizkid, 2. Ojuelegba by Wizkid. 3, Bad Belle by MI. 4, Awada Erekere by Saeon. 5,Run Jozi by Aka. 6. Deaf by Eva. 7. Rands ‘n’ Nairas by Emmy Gee ft AB Crazy & DJ Dimplez. 8, Shake Body by Skales. 9, Destinambari by Mo’ Cheddah. 10, Good Man.

Cincii Ezekiels:

C

ynthia Cincii Ezekiels is a top notch video model or vixen who has shot videos with nearly all the top musical stars in the country. She has been named severally as one of the top 10 video vixens in the country. Her verdict on top 10 songs of 2014 are: 1.

Baby Hello by Wande Coal. 2, Sanko by Timaya. 3, Story of the Gods by Olamide. 4, Check and Balance by Burna Boy. 5, In My Bed by Wizkid. 6, Tandimale by Davido. 7, Girl O by

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014—29

Party Season; be the stunner I

t's the party season once more and with a lot of invitations from loved once from one party or the other, the problem is how do you turn up and stand out? There are two ways to stand out, you can either stand out doing all the wrong things; being overly loud with the wrong outfit or doing all the right things and being the soul of the party.

Here are four sure ways to achieve that; 1. THE HAIR The hair is truly a woman=s crown, and so it must look right. If your hair is styled full and voluminous, and your outfit striking, then your let your jewelry be understated. Where your hair is small and dainty then ply up the jewelry and outfit.

2. THE DRESS The most important part of your total look is to make sure our outfit fits properly. Never wear outfit that is not suitable for your body type.

Determine your body time and decide if you are wearing a striking outfit, then your jewelry and makeup should be subtle.

3. THE MAKE-UP Your make-up should not be very loud, remember less is more. Choose your best feature and highlight for better effect.

4. THE ACCESSORY Accessories can make or mar an outfit. There is only one rule to accessory, If you are piling on jewelry, then let your outfit be simple. Remember only one item at a time, never the two.

30—SATURDAY

Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

Lifeline

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hy do you crave creamy, crunchy, fried dishes that cause bulging waistlines, higher cholesterol and rising blood pressure?

Because they taste good!Almost everybody claims to be in good or excellent health. Only very few admit they need to lose weight. Yet, a sizeable proportion of Nigerian and other African adults are overweight or obese. Too many people eat too much and exercise too little. And the calories consumed usually aren’t from nutritious, low-calorie, highfibre foods such as fruits and vegetables, or whole grains, or from healthy proteins such as lean meat and low-fat dairy foods. Here are some of the worst foods to avoid and their healthy substitutes.

Tip: Avoid artery-cloggers, processed foods, frosted pastries filled with sugary jam, snack bags of cookies or crackers and anything deep-fried.

Unhealthy foods to give up in 2015

Potato chips About 28 g of potato chips has 152 calories and 10 g of fat (3g saturated). If you eat just three 100g a week, in one year you’ll have consumed 23,400 calories and added about 3.1 kg to your waistline. And that’s from just a couple handfuls – which barely constitute a full and satisfying snack for most of us. Instead of chips, substitute with ice and popcorn cakes are no longer Styrofoam-like snacks.

Doughnuts White flour, vegetable shortening, white sugar… and deep-fried is a recipe for heartstopping saturated fat, trans- fat and cholesterol. An oldfashioned cake doughnut has 300 calories, 28 g of carbohydrates and

•Too many people eat too much and exercise too little

a whopping 19g of fat, including 5g saturated fat and 4 grams of trans- fat.

Only 30 percent of our calories should come from fat. That’s about 65 g in a 2,000-calorie daily diet. Keep down the carbohydrates with wholegrain bagels. Half a Pepperidge Farm multi-grain bagel has 125 calories, just 3 grams of fat and less than 4 grams of cholesterol-lowering fibre.

Sausages Whether you fry them for breakfast or boil, sausages are a health hazard. A single pork link

packs 217 calories and 19.5 g of fat. Substitute with chicken or turkey sausage. Regular chicken apple sausage has only 100 calories and 8g of fat (2.5g saturated). Or go vegetarian: Boca Italian sausage made from soy protein contains 130 calories in each 2.5-ounce serving, plus 6 grams of fat and 13 grams of lean protein.

Fried chicken I know many people will argue here, but check this out. A fried chicken breast has nearly 400 calories and 22 g of fat. What do you expect when you batter and fry chicken, skins and all? Rather than fry, go for grilled, skinless chicken breasts. Rub them with a fiery spicy seasoning and you have great flavour for 189 calories per 120 g breast.

French Fries One large order (150g) of fast-food fries from a typical commercial restaurant contains roughly 570 calories, half of which are from fat. If your restaurant order includes a large hamburger, add on 670 calories and 39g of fat. Avoid these.

Order kid-size fries instead, which have only 230 calories and 13 grams of fat.

•Sausages are a health hazard

Soft white bread A slice of white bread offers little more than 65 calories of white flour, a simple and rapidly digested carbohydrate that causes blood sugar to rise and crash, like any simple sugar. And, because it has so few nutrients, white bread leaves you feeling hungry for the fibre and vitamins your body needs. Rather than white bread, go for the same number of calories, a slice of whole-wheat bread offers nutty

•Go for whole-wheat bread...

flavour, 2g of heart-healthy fibre, protein and nutrients like selenium, magnesium and potassium. It’s the fibre that fills up your stomach so you eat less of it, too.

brand? Too much sugar is bad for your kidneys, increases belly fat, puts you at risk for heart disease and can cause cell damage. Try drinking green tea if you need caffeine or just water with a slice or two of lemon.

Microwavepopcorn You either love it or you hate it—but for those that love it, it’s time to switch to popping your own corn instead of relying on a bag of microwave popcorn.Thedangerisinthebag,notthepopcorn.

The bags contain a coating that can cause cancer and respiratory disease.

Soy sauce/salad dressing They’re loaded with sodium—which causes bloating, high blood pressure and even heart disease. Both soy sauces and salad dressings Soft drinks Regular soft drink is loaded with have a “low-sodium” option, so choose that sugar, but what about the diet instead.

Margarine Margarine is loaded with transfats that increase levels of bad cholesterol, lower good cholesterol and increase risk of heart disease. Though some margarine sticks contain “zero trans fats,” it’s always best to use olive oils or butter instead.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014—31

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hen it comes to aches, pains and other health problems, just because something seems minor doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take it seriously. In fact, new research finds that even common ailments can actually be the first warning signs of cancer. Many people aren’t paying as much attention to warning signs as they could be. For the vast majority, these warning signs will not indicate cancer.

For a few, they might, and so going to the doctor sooner could save your life. If you have at least one of these symptoms and it hasn’t gone away, go to your doctor for advice. Here are 10 symptoms to take seriously.

Lump or bumps It’s best to have any strange lumps checked out by a doctor. In a survey, 75 percent of people reported an unexplained lump. While 67 percent did contact their doctors, 77 percent didn’t think it could be a sign of something more serious.

Cough/hoarseness If you have cough that persists, it could indicate laryngeal, lung or thyroid cancer, or lymphoma. This was the most common symptom among survey participants. It is not to suggest that everyone with a cough should go to their doctor. But if you have a symptom that doesn’t go away, or is unusual, don’t be afraid to go to your doctor for advice.

•Persistent pain is your body

Change in bowel habits No less than 18 percent of people experience changes in the timing, amount, or size of their bowels. While these disruptions are usually caused by certain foods or medication, if you notice it happens regularly over time it could also be a sign of colon cancer.

Variation in bladder activity Because urinary tract infections are common in women, this symptom is often disregarded as just another UTI. But whether you’re male or female, if you notice blood in your urine, experience sudden urgency or feel pain while going, see your doctor to rule out cancers of the bladder, kidney or prostate.

Unexplained pain Persistent pain is your body’s way of signalling a problem, and that could be anything from nothing…to bone cancer or ovarian cancer. Pain from cancer typically means it has spread…a good reason to make an appointment with your physician.

A long-lasting sore throat A sore throat may be nothing, but a persistent one could point to something more severe, such as laryngeal cancer or throat cancer.

Unexplained weight loss Unexplained weight loss of 25 kg or more could be a first sign of cancer. This warning sign is common in those with pancreatic, stomach, lung, or oesophageal cancers.

Difficulty swallowing Throat constriction—while an uncommon symptom in this survey—could be a nervous or immune system issue, or a harbinger conditions including

Cancer symptoms likely to be ignored cancer in the oesophagus, stomach or throat.

Bleeding Coughing up blood can signal lung cancer; blood in the stool could be a sign of colon or rectal cancer. Women who experience unexplained vaginal bleeding should be checked for cervical or endometrial cancer.

A bloody discharge from the nipple can signal breast cancer, while blood in the urine can mean you have bladder or kidney cancers. Unusual

bleeding can occur during any phase of cancer, and warrants a visit to your doctor.

Changes in skin moles Of the 7 percent of respondents that reported a change in a mole, freckle or wart’s appearance, only 47 percent contacted their doctors. More than 88 percent didn’t think the symptom was serious, though it could be indicative of skin cancer—many of which are treatable.

•Unexplained weight loss...

32— SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

•Pascaline Alex

My le

— Pa ByDAMILOLASHOLOLA

F

air-skinned actress Pascaline

Alex is definitely one of the notable faces to look out for in the Nigerian movie industry in the coming years. She has appeared in a couple of movies including College Girls, Bleeding Tree, and Educated Housemaids, to name a few. Just this year alone, she has featured in over ten movies. In this exclusive interview, she talks about her career, movies and more: Are you working on any movie now?

Yes, I’m working on a new movie, a very huge one What is it about?

It’s about a security agent who was fighting for the citizens and I got paralysed. I (as the SSS agent) was working for the country and they shot me and paralyzed me so I had to be on a wheelchair. It’s a huge one, I won’t say it’s challenging because all roles I play are very challenging. It’s a wonderful one so you people should be expecting it soon Who is in the movie?

Mike Ezuronye, Emmanuel Ehumadu aka Totolus and so many others What has been your most successful movie so far?

I think all my movies are successful because anywhere I put my face is success. I would say College Girls, Secondary School Girls, Educated Housemaids, and Bleeding Tree, that one was a huge plus for me Which movie shot you into limelight?

The movie that brought me out is College Girls. I did it in Ghana. I worked with Martha Ankomah, Kalsoume Sinare, Christabel Ekeh and so many others; the producer was Uche Mbunabo. The movie is a wonderful one. I played a lesbian role but I’m not a lesbian. I think

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014 — 33

esbian story

ascaline Alex that because of how well I played the role; it was so good that people started saying that I was a lesbian even to the extent that people would see my picture and say “Ah, she’s a lesbian” as if they knew me. It’s just when you interpret a character so well that people forget it’s a movie and they take it into your private life. It was a wonderful movie As an actress, what can’t you do in a movie?

I don’t think I’ve seen that thing that I can’t do as far as it’s what I love doing. Whatever they tell me to do and I know it’s okay with me, I will do it. Though nobody would force you to play any role you don’t want but I’ve not seen that role yet What do you really enjoy about acting?

I enjoy everything about acting. When you’re on set, acting is like you’re in another world of your own; you’re coming to do this thing so everybody would see it, you’re doing it for the world. Acting is a wonderful thing if it’s in you and you work hard for it. Though sometimes some things could upset you but one the whole it’s largely fun.

How many movies have you done this year?

I can’t count but I think I’ve done like ten or eleven movies. I have a movie that is coming out soon, I played a girl that had acid attack, and name of the movie is No More Campus. I have some that just came out, Agege Bread Sellers, Educated Housemaids, and Ugomma Goes to School. There are also many others that are not out yet, I don’t even know their names.

Did your lesbian role that brought you limelight entail seductive and sensual scenes?

Yes, actually when I read my script and I saw the lesbian stuff, I said okay, let me give it a try because I haven’t done anything like that in my career until that moment. When the director said action, I was straight into it, taking charge as the lesbian man. I psyched myself, by telling myself “I should be the man here, I have to show that I know how to do it”. When I was doing it the director was like “Ah, Pascaline!” Everybody was like wow,

How do you calm your nerves as an actress when you want to do something challenging in a movie?

When a producer calls me and says Pascaline Alex, I would like to work with you, I’d say okay send me a script let me see. Any morning I wake up before I go on set, I watch myself in a mirror and I’ll rehearse. I’ll do my acting thing, I’ll tell myself the truth, is this reaction good for me? I’ll do different types of reactions and when I come on set, I’ll meet the director and try to know what he likes and wants. I train myself everyday in any character I’m about to do because it’s not just something you can just wake up and get into. You have to read about the act, you have to be into the character so that when people are watching the movie they’ll say “damn, she killed it”. You have to work hard, you have to investigate. I think that’s what actors do; you have to read about the character, you have to know how the character behaves.

Do you believe Nigerian culture limits our actors in expressing themselves before the cameras ?

Yes, it does so much. We, Nigerians criticise a lot. This is our career; I’ll call it a job now. It’s our career and it’s our job to make people happy, to make people cry, to make people angry, but our culture has made it so hard to do some things to get the job done. When it comes to going nude, they believe the girl is promiscuous, forgetting this thing we do is a job that must be done and that it is make-believe. It is not different from a banker trying to make their customers happy. So many stars have been affected badly by this

,

Have you ever had a crush on any actor?

I love Majid, when I look at him, I see him as the African Al Pacino in Scarface and Godfather. When he finishes acting, I’ll go to my mirror and start to mimic his hand movements and all that. I respect him, I love his acting. I like Mike Ezuruonye too.

wonderful act, it’s so real. It was a wonderful thing and I just have to always do my best as an actress

I love Majid, when I look at him, I see him as the African Al Pacino in Scarface and Godfather

,

culture thing. Some wouldn’t even go on set to kiss, giving all sorts of reasons. People must understand that this is a make-believe job where you have to get into all sorts of characters to deliver a role and make people truly enjoy the movie and believe it’s real.

There was a movie I saw you in where you shaved your hair, You want to comment on that?

That was ‘No more widows’ with Ebube Nwagbo, Angela Okorie, Chita Agwu, and so many others. The movie was so on point and it was challenging because at a point when they were shaving my hair, the lady mistakenly scratched my head and blood started dripping. It’s just the price we pay in the industry As a lady, what turns you on?

I think good life turns me on

•Pascaline Alex

34—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

Miss Bumbum

in intensive care after botched cosmetic surger y

A

model famous for a second place in Brazil’s popular Miss Bumbumcompetition is fighting for

her life in intensive care after a botched cosmetic surgery. Andressa Urach, is in a ‘serious condition’ in a hospital in the southern city

of Porto Alegre after removing gel from her thighs, which had previously been injected for cosmetic purposes.

The 27-year-old’s surgery

08 116759 759 081 6759759 wounds became infected following a second operation to drain her thighs and she is currently being sedated, her mother Marisete De Favari said.

Miss Urach came second in the 2012 Miss Bumbum competition, which scours Brazil for the most attractive behind in the

land. Ahead of the competition, Miss Urach, who hit headlines around the world after claiming she had had an affair with footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, a claim he strenuously denied, had injected two types of ‘body fillers’, hydrogel and PMMA, into the upper legs

to fill out the thighs and lift her bottom.

In July this year the model discovered that the products were causing her leg muscles to rot, leaving her in excruciating pain.

In an interview with Brazil’s R7 website, she said: ‘The hydrogel was not absorbed by my body and started to harm me. Now I’ve discovered that the PMMA is sticking to my muscles and causing the tissue to rot.

‘That’s why I am feeling such strong pains. I’m taking morphine every four hours and antibiotics to alleviate the suffering.’

Another Miss BumBum contestant, Jessica Lopes, who shared a flat with Ms Urach, said: ‘Everyone is in a state shock.

‘Andressa and I would go to the plastic surgeon as if we were going shopping.

Sometimes we would agree to do some procedure together, we were not afraid.

We were slaves to beauty.’

Censored T

And here comes the...

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t was a semi-naked ring bearer wearing Superman underpants and roller skates who stole the show at a recent Texas wedding - not the bride.

Bobby and Shanna Lockhart from Lubbock decided to mix things up at their Willy Wonka-themed marriage ceremony last weekend and booked the elegant skater as a star guest.

Video footage from their big day shows the topless male performer, known as Quis, gliding along and handing over the rings at the alter. He appears to be lost in deep concentration as he maintains a focused gaze.

The congregation sit watching, open-mouthed.

As he reaches his destination, Quis makes a swift exit so the ceremony can

C M Y K

continue. Newlywed Shanna, who works in sales for an online real estate company, says she and her husband heard about Quis via social media and thought his eccentric nature fitted perfectly with what they wanted to do.

Sticking to the ‘ wacky’ theme, the church organ was adorned with candy-colored decorations and bags of chocolate were scattered around. The bridesmaids who wore dresses in all the colors of the rainbow - were also armed with giant edible lollipops in lieu of floral bouquets.

Meanwhile, the vicar stepped out in a colorful candy-stripe shirt and chinos.

When he’s not playing the role of ring bearer, Quis likes to perform other zany stunts

in his skimpy hero outfit.

He goes by the stage name ‘Superman Drawls’ and to date his Instagram page has attracted more than 195,000 followers. Many fans have deemed his recent performance at the Lockhart’s December 13 wedding ‘epic’ and ‘hilarious.’

Steve Conway, who was the official photographer on the day, described it as the ‘best ring delivery . . . ever!’

The Lockharts flew Quis in from Florida in a bid to make their nuptials extra special.

Footage from their ceremony shows the groom pretending to look frantically for the wedding bands.

It seems none of the groomsmen know where the rings are. But then all of a sudden ‘Superman’ rolls in to save the day. ‘You can tell as he starts to come up the aisle, that the back row is kind of shocked,’ Shanna, 33, told Fox News. ‘Then waves of laughter, then applause, then just absolute eruption. People standing up, hooping and hollering.’ Shanna and Bobby first met in 1996 as teenagers but it took more than a decade for them to finally pin down a rendezvous.

he nine-year-old who wrote to China’s president advising him to lose weight - ‘not skinny like Obama... like Putin is OK’ A nine-year-old boy has become a victim of internet censors in China after writing a letter to the country’s President telling him to lose some weight. A note written by a primary school pupil Niu Ziru appeared on social media addressed to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, outlining his idea for the country to go on a space mission to Mars. But at the end of the letter, the student decided to give some health advice, saying: ‘You could lose some weight.

You don’t have to look as skinny as Obama. Like Putin is okay!’ The note, which was done as part of a homework assignment, was never posted, but it was uploaded to Chinese sites by the child’s father, and

went viral. Users reposted the note across social media, and it eventually appeared on the sites of Zhengzhou Evening News and the state-owned Xinhua news agency. The boy’s parents and his school in Zhengzhou said they did not expect his letter to receive so much attention.

His teacher, Eileen Wang, told Sky News: ‘It was weekend homework, for his Chinese assignment. A letter [written] to anyone or anything. He is a good student. ‘At our school, students are welcomed to speak up... so they have

crazy ideas like this.’

However it seems that the Chinese authorities have failed to share the joke. The story is now missing from all news websites, while links to the stories on other websites appear to be broken or deleted.

On blogging site Weibo a search for Niu Ziru brings up no results, while search engine Baidu is also unable to find either the story or the boy.

Woman def ies cour der pr ohibiting loud sex defies courtt or order prohibiting A woman who was ordered by a British court to be quiet during coitus is making her point loud and clear: She refuses to stop screaming during sex. Caroline Cartwright, 53, of Sunderland, England is apparently so noisy with her husband of 38 years, that a British judge in 2010 ordered her to keep it down because neighbors complained. The order, known as an Anti-Social Behavior Order (ASBO), banned

Cartwright from shouting, screaming or vocalizing when getting down and dirty for a 4year period. Now she is speaking out about her carnal controversy.OnWednesday,she discussed her lusty legal problems on ASBO and Proud, a TV special on Channel 5, a British TV network.

“It’s not as if I’m having sex and think ‘Oh, I’m making too much noise. I better be quiet,’” she said in the special, according to the Sunderland Echo. The ASBO was issued after police came to the Cartwright home more than 30 times to silence the passionate couple. Cartwright also breached a noise abatement order five times, and was given suspended jail terms of eight weeks and 12 weeks for violating the ASBO, UPI.com reports. The problem was

exacerbated when the Cartwrights bought a bed with an iron headboard that banged against the wall, the paper reports. “I did not understand whypeopleaskedmetobequiet because to me it is normal. I didn’t understand where they were coming from,” she told a judge during a court appearance, according to the Daily Mail. “I have tried to minimize the situation by being intimate in the morning — not at night — to avoid disturbing sleeping neighbors. With the ASBO lifted, Cartwright will keep doing what comes naturally with her husband. “As far as I’m concerned, that’s what you should be doing. Just relax.

Go with the flow,” she said, according to the Mirror.

She’s made one concession to the neighbors: A less noisy wooden bed.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014—35

Dancing time for Catherine Gbenle @ 70 CATHERINE Ibironke Gbenle turned on her regal style when she turned the Biblical age of 70 recently. After a warm thanksgiving service at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church, GRA, Ikeja, the celebrant and family later in the day entertained friends at their residence in Parkview, Ikoyi, Lagos. There was much to savour both in sumptuous delicacies and assorted exotic drinks.

Photos by Lamidi Bamidele

L-R: Mrs Rose Obaze; Professor Moyibi Amoda and his wife, Mubo.

CFGC’s Xmas concer concertt L-R: Mrs Catherine Ibironke Gbenle and members of her immediate family.

Mrs Catherine Ibironke Gbenle, celebrant, dancing at the reception.

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he 2014 Christmas concert staged by the Foundation Choir & Orchestra of Christ Foundation Gospel Church, Lagos, took place recently in Lagos. The orchestra which gave a stirring performance on the day was put together and trained by Dr. Stephen Olusoji, senior music lecturer in the department of creative arts, University of Lagos.

L-R: Mr Jibade Adesina; Mr Kola Banmeke; Mrs Bibi Banmeke and Mrs Fehinti Odugbesan

Choristers performing at the carol

L-R: Mr Fred Dudu and Mr Goke Adediji

Compassionate visit THE Rotary Club of Ogudu G.R.A visited the Little Saints Orphanage Home Ogudu Lagos on 20th December and donated foodstuffs,toiletries, provisions,and beverages to the children.

1st and 2nd left Rotns F.R Oshodi, Assistant Governor Bala Yesufu. 2nd and 3rd from right are Assistant Governor Jide Akeredolu and Rot Betty Ojo.

L-R: Mrs Olayinka Adeniji; Mrs Modupe Albert and Olori Abiodun Ojutalayo.

Ceasar Kagho’s son weds Traditional marriage between former Miss Stephanie Onyinyechi Alozie and Mr Idhebor Crowther Kagho, son of Mr Ceasar Kagho of Censors Board held at Okomoko, Etche LGA, Rivers State

Mr and Mrs Idhebor Crowther Kagho

Dr. Stephen Olusoji on the piano.

Instrumentalists of the orchestra

36—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

BY JOSEPHINE AGBONKHESE

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t the end of each year, we all make resolves to better our lives in the coming year. Some of these resolutions, we stick to, and some, we suddenly lost enthusiasm to fulfil.

Women particularly soon neglect or perhaps forget every single resolution as they get overwhelmed by the demands of being caregivers, professionals, co-breadwinners or even breadwinners in their families. This, most times, is to the detriment of their overall health and wellbeing.

But who says 2015 cannot be different? Who says you can’t remember to care for ‘You’ by simply picking one of the following worthy resolutions, and sticking religiously with it.

Here is to a healthier you throughout 2015!

Get more sleep leep is a well-kept secret to a good health as the body repairs and regenerates during sleep. Besides, what can help you feel more energized during the day, improve your brain and mood if not a good sleep? Experts also say Calcium is added to the bones while you sleep.

While getting to bed earlier can sometimes be difficult as moms are usually the last to go to bed, avoiding food two hours before bedtime can ensure that your digestive system doesn’t keep you awake. Eliminating all light in your bedroom can also help you get a good sound sleep.

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Eat more vegetables and fruits This is a shrewd resolution anyone can make and gain from. This is because there abound hundreds of evidences linking veggie and fruit consumption to diseases prevention. Eating more of these is easier than you think.

Luckily, fruits are sold almost everywhere in Nigeria from as little as ten, twenty naira and above- by road sides, in your local community, workplaces, malls, and more. You can also make a resolve to carry an apple or some oranges and bananas in your bag each day, to promote your fruit intake.

Resolve now to promote your fibre and vitamin intake with these powerful antioxidants.

Exercise more What works for one woman doesn’t always work for everyone. Just find a form of exercise

•Get more sleep

New Year resolutions for a healthier you

•Eat more fruits

More exercise

that you love, whether running, skipping, swimming, walking, yoga, spinning or whatever your choice may be. Just force yourself to develop likeness for some form of exercise if you haven’t been a fan. You can grow this love by finding a venue you love as well.

Exercising is an indispensable way to keep your body fit throughout the year 2015.

Get a social life An active social life is one unbeatable way you can actually enhance your health in the coming year. If you have not made more social and healthy dates with friends in 2014, resolve to do so in 2015.

Home chores can be a major hindrance to this resolution but you should resolve to not let them stand in your way. This is not to say you should neglect them, no! Just learn to balance your time and do chores ahead so you do not have to worry

about them when you should feel totally relaxed during your dates.

Set yourself free Let the coming year be the year for your freedom from every toxic relationship or friendship that leaves you sad, unmotivated.

Habit, guilt, fear of the unknown, fear of failure, low self-esteem, anxiety about being alone—there are so many reasons why we stay in toxic relationships that we know, deep down, we need to get out of now.

Just learn to be more assertive and confident about why you should ditch that unhealthy relationship. You can decide to block or add the person’s number to your screened list on your cell phone as you enter 2015.

Cut down on anger, anxiety Some women get angrily too easily; even over insignificant issues! If you’re one, resolve to cut down on anger and anxiety in the coming year. Be more in

Let the coming year be the year for your freedom from every toxic relationship or friendship that leaves you sad, unmotivated.

Habit, guilt, fear of the unknown, fear of failure, low self-esteem, anxiety about being alone

control of yourself and cry less. You can play and replay your most favourite music instead of letting yourself feel downcast because experts say psychological stress can cause physical stress in your body.

When you are emotionally overwhelmed, angry or frustrated, your body releases cortisol, also known as ‘the stress hormone.’ Excessive cortisol can deplete immune functioning, resulting in your body having trouble fighting off disease. In fact, it can adversely affect every organ in your body.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014—37

Start off 2015 with a cleaner home

BY JOSEPHINE AGBONKHESE De-clutter nything you have not used for a year, you don’t like or doesn’t work should be shown the way out of your home. You can donate them to some places or give them out to those who would find them very useful.

Sweep hard-to-reach corners You of course know those hard-to-reach corners in your home. You’ve swept and mopped through the year without letting your tools kiss

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them, but this is one time you cannot resist them. Cleaning up hard-to-reach corners bring a fresh, new feel to your home. Above all, you’re sure to be ridding your home of unpleasant smells when you touch those corners.

Wash dirty clothes, clean kitchen Get those dirty curtains, bed sheets and clothes out and wash them before entering the New Year. Also clean up kitchen utensils. You can try mopping floors and ridding household appliances of dusts as well. However fagged the

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terrible traffic jam in major cities across the country has made you this season, try not to enter the New Year with dirty stuffs stuck in your home. If you’re too busy, assign or pay somebody to handle them.

Replace old stuffs You’ve de-cluttered old stuffs, remember. Now, is a great time to replace those outdated household properties with new,

modern ones. The coming of a New Year is notable for bringing great inspiration for new appliances, particularly as showrooms and online stores are giving away wonderful products with mouth-watering discounts this season.

Paint walls The most dramatic way to change a room is through new paint colours. A strategically chosen colour can transform a

room, making it appear like a total renovation has taken place. As a guide, you can take samples of dominant fabrics present in the room to the paint shop. These can be cushion, arm covers or leftover fabrics.

But in the absence of these, you can take a picture of your room with your mobile phone to show to them at the paint shop if you haven’t consulted an interior decorator.

TALKING POINT

BY ANINO AGANBI

OOKING for a tip or two on how to tackle the dating scene? There seems to be a lot of opinions when you surf the net for dating dos and don’ts. It seems everyone’s an expert on relationships and human behavior, or are they? Here, the advice is coming from actual experts who just happen to be therapists.

•Don’t convince yourself you only have one “type.”

•Do widen your definition of a compatible mate. Open yourself to the possibility that you can fall in love with someone who doesn’t perfectly meet the criteria that you believe is your ideal or particular “type.”

•Don’t be overly critical or judgmental.

•Do approach others with curiosity, kindness, and compassion. Premature dismissals of someone are a one-way ticket to overlooking a potentially great love match.

•Don’t come on too strong!

Watch yourself for behaviors that could be construed as needy, desperate, unstable, or otherwise undesirable.

•Do respect the natural progression of intimacy.

Telling a potential mate how much you really, really like them adds a lot of unnecessary pressure! Instead, gradually reveal your inner

•Jazz your space- Paints bring coziness to any room

Tackling the dating scene thoughts, feelings, and personal story starting with light and casual then progressing to deeper, more intimate self-disclosures.

•Don’t forget the traditional

rules of dating.

•Do be a gentle lady. Some rules of dating have stood the test of time. Yes, we live in a modern world in which women can pay for them-

selves and open their own door. Still, it’s nice when the man foots the bill after a dinner date. Likewise, ladies shouldn’t try to be just one of the guys.

20-year-old emerges winner of Queen Nigeria pageant

BY JOSEPHINE AGBONKHESE

•Queen Diamond Okoh Obiahu (middle) with runners-up at the grand finale of the Queen Nigeria pageant in Lagos.

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t was truly a celebration of beauty, brain and cultural appraisal at the grand finale of the Queen Nigeria beauty pageant tagged ‘Beyond Beauty’, which witnessed the emergence of 20-year-old Diamond Okoh Obiahu as Queen.

Held in Lagos, the event which was witnessed by celebrities and fans of the contestants, who converged at the venue from different parts of the country, showcased the essence of true beauty meant to be exemplified by a typical, cultured Nigerian woman.

Having had a keenly contested pageant with lots of cultural embellishments to distinguish it from many other pageants, Queen Ebonyi, Diamond Okoh Obiahu dazzled the judges from the point of screening through boot camp to the grand finale as she emerged the winner, thereby crowned as the Queen Nigeria for the 2014 edition of the pageant.

The first runner up was Queen Abia, Chidinma Oti while the second runner up was Queen Delta, Lolita Oyibo Onome.

Also, Queen Cross River, Blessing Edidiog emerged as Miss Congeniality while the

Miss Photogenic award was given to Queen Kaduna, Olive Sadiq.

As parts of the event to spice up the day, many interesting performances were featured by notable musicians, poets and dancers. The Queens also performed choreography with a blend of traditional, contemporary and classical movements.

Queen Diamond Okoh Obiahu, a Diploma in Public Administration holder who is currently studying Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, went home with a

cash prize of 1.5 million naira, a car and other consolation prizes.

The CEO of Famford Enterprise Limited, Segun Famodimu, organisers of the pageants, expressed a sense of fulfillment at the emergence of the queen.

“I feel good. It’s been serious hard work, and I bless God for the strength to follow through to the end. I want to thank my team for a job well done and the support they gave towards the success of this event. I pray next year’s edition will be bigger and better and we get more support from sponsors and partners alike,” he said.

38—SATURDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 27, 2014

juliecoker100@yahoo.com

My love for him is dimming Dear Julie, I have a boyfriend I used to love so much. But we have been having a problem for the past two years. I don’t think that I love him anymore!!! What should I do?

Aishatu, Akure

Dear Aishatu, It really must feel uncomfortable or unexpected, or both, falling out of love with a boyfriend of many years. But you need to explore your feelings regarding your boyfriend and the reasons why you may have fallen out of love with him may be a helpful first start for deciding

Am I under a curse?

Dear Julie, I have been in three marriages. I married the first time at 19 after dating the guy for four years. The marriage lasted for nine years before we divorced. Then, I married a man whose wife had died, leaving three boys without a mother. I later found out that he was an abuser and that his wife died from the intense stress of living with him. Our marriage lasted for three years. He lived with his late wife for 18. My third marriage was not out of love but to help someone acquire his American green card. He needed to be married to get that. He died soon of cancer. You would think I would give up by then. But I dated two other guys. One ended up revealing he had a two-year affair before filing for divorce and that was why he could not marry again. The other was temporarily separated from his wife.

Then I met was a co-worker who presented himself as unmarried. I found that he was married four months into the relationship and that he had two little kids. He left his wife and moved in with me.

But he decided that it was too costly to leave the marriage and so he returned.

I equate my bad choices in men

as a fact that most men are bad, especially when you’re in your 40s. I know I should have run away the minute I found the red flags. The problem is, if you are a hungry person, you might be tempted to eat food that is laced with poison.

What should an intelligent, attractive, 41-year-old professional female do to meet a compatible bachelor nowadays? I am getting of tired of wanting.

Sienne, Port-Harcourt Dear Sienne, You have an interesting relationship history but I am sure when you were younger, you were more optimistic about men. However, I am going to bet that your childhood taught you that men are bad and relationships don’t work out. You may not even recognize this as true right now, as these were most likely hidden, subconscious beliefs. Even though you were optimistic as you went out into the world to find a mate, your choices and relationship behaviour were mostly driven by these hidden beliefs, because when it comes to relationships, all of us without exception act from our hidden beliefs.

But hidden or not, our beliefs inform our brain what to select for us to see and experience.

You only got to see bad men. As you

Haunted from the grave

An old man and woman were married for years even though they hated each other.

When they had a confrontation, screams and yellings could be heard deep into the night.

A constant statement was heard by the neighbours who feared the man the most.

“When I die, I will dig my way up and out of the grave to come back and haunt you for the rest of your life!”

They believed he practiced black magic and was responsible for missing cats and dogs, and strange sounds at all hours. He was feared and enjoyed the respect it garnished.

He died abruptly under strange circumstances and the funeral had a closed casket. After the burial, the wife went straight to the local bar and began to party as if there was no tomorrow.

The gaiety of her actions were becoming extreme while her neighbours approached

what you “should” do.

On many occasions, “falling out of love” is due to withheld anger, outgrowing the other partner, changing your mind, and/or developing or acknowledging different priorities. Sometimes it has more to do with one’s self than it has to do with the other partner. Although it’s unclear whether you believe that falling out of love with your boyfriend is itself the “problem” or whether having problems with your boyfriend led you to fall out of love with him, it doesn’t hurt to be a little introspective and examine more closely what may have led you to feel (or not feel) the way that you do.

But you seem conflicted about the thought of not loving your boyfriend anymore. As such, you may want to consider asking yourself the following questions. Does the fact that you may not love your boyfriend anymore bother you? How long have you felt this way? Do the two of you have mutual respect, friendship, and trust?

Do you feel that your relationship is a caring one? Does your relationship enhance or diminish who you are? Do

Even though you were optimistic as you went out into the world to find a mate, your choices and relationship behaviour were mostly driven by these hidden beliefs, because when it comes to relationships, all of us without exception act from our hidden beliefs said, you were starving and felt that poisonous relationships are better than no relationship, so you went ahead and had bad relationships.

You ask how to meet a compatible bachelor. By compatible, I think you really mean a good guy who can finally make you happy. Actually, chances are you won’t meet him at all, until you change what your brain selects for you.

In other words, you have to start believing that there are plenty of good men out there before you can meet one.

you feel that you need some time apart? Can you picture him as a life partner? What would your ideal relationship (with or without your boyfriend) look like?

Have you discussed this issue with someone you trust, such as a friend, counselor, or therapist?

Even so, have you considered talking to your boyfriend about this? While it may not be such a comfortable conversation to have, your boyfriend may certainly appreciate your honesty and your openness with your feelings. In addition, he may be having his own feelings about the relationship as well. Open and honest communication, in any relationship, is key to expressing wants, needs, and desires.

Perhaps such a discussion would be a good opportunity to communicate what you like/don’t like about your relationship and how to improve it. Still, you may decide that taking some time apart would be a good experience for both of you, or that breaking up would be the way to go.

And not just pretending to believe it. You actually have to instill this belief deep inside you, so that it becomes stronger than your belief that all men are bad. And let’s be clear. I am not saying you have to look at men you consider “bad” and say they are “good.” You actually have to believe that there are other men out there who are wonderful, loving and looking for a great relationship, and that they have been simply invisible to you up until now. It is possible that perhaps your current beliefs are not an accurate reflection of reality. I mean, cant you judge all men based on a handful of your own experiences and a small number of famous men whose bad behaviour shows up in the media?

Next, start looking around for good men. How about men known as faithful and loving husbands? Seek out other evidence that there are good men out there, even if they are married. That will be a good start for you.

Then, be careful before deciding on the next guy so as not to end up like the rest. The truth of the matter whether you believe it or not and irrespective of your experience is that there are good men around.

C O C K - T A L E S in a group to ask these questions: Are you not afraid, concerned, worried that this man who practiced black magic and stated when he died he would dig his way up and out of the grave to come back and haunt you for the rest of your life?

The wife put down her drink and said, “Let the jerk dig. I had him buried upside down.”

The villager who lost his donkey

A villager went to the city to visit his son. He had no money so his donkey was his only transportation.

When he reached the city he went to pee at the corner at the street, but while peeing, the donkey ran away. The old villager spent all day looking for his beloved donkey, but as the night fell, he decided to find a place to rest. As he had no money, he went to a hotel where he found an open room and laid under the bed to rest. Later on that night, a couple came into the room and proceeded to make

love on the bed. The man compliments the girl and says: “In your eyes I can see the whole world” On hearing this, the villager jumps out from under the bed and says: “If you can see the whole world, can you see where my donkey is?”

Blonde mother

There are three moms. A brunette, a redhead, and a blonde. They were all talking one day and the brunette says “Oh my gosh y’all I went through my daughter ’s purse the other day to get some gum, and I found an ounce of weed. I cannot believe she smokes weed” They comfort her, and the redhead says “Yeah, well I found a fake I. D. In my daughter ’s purse.

I cannot believe she has one”. So they all comfort her.

Then the blonde says “That’s nothing. I found a condom in my daughter ’s purse. I just cannot believe she has a penis”

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, DECEMBER 27 27,, 2014—39

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

The language of a violent partner A is more violence!

rit was having a relaxed conversation with her boy friend, Jide in her bedroom when she heard some disturbing movements in her living room.

Alarmed it could be armed robbers, she shushed Jide and hurried to bolt the bedroom door. Before she could, however, the door flew open, revealing an angry man looking fit to murder!

“My heart sank and I became afraid for my life and Jide’s,” confessed Arit. For the man who just stormed her bedroom was Moses, her married lover of 10 years with whom she had a son.

Yet, when she first met Moses, her older friends were a bit skeptical about the relationship. Arit was already in her late 20s, and feared she would be left on the shelf, so she opted for second best. Over the years, she’d had her possessed by the devil. He’d chances at love, had even been sent the driver home and I engaged to a man she later became terrified, begging jolted because he wasn’t as him to slow down. At my educated as she was. Moses place, he shoved me into the was all she wanted in a man— flat then.. Wham! He only he was married with punched me so hard in the children. But, he spoilt her face that I fell on the nearest rotten, moved her into a bigger chair. ‘Cheap woman,’ he flat and helped her get a more bellowed, hitting me again secured job in a consulting and again until I made a firm. dash for the bedroom, Her fate was sealed when she intending to lock myself in. got pregnant a couple of years If the house-help heard after they met. By which time anything, she didn’t let on.

Moses’ darker side was Thank goodness my son was unfolding. “Suddenly, it fast asleep. Moses grabbed seemed anything I did was hold of my hair and the wrong,” Arit had complained. lovely expensive extensions “He was always criticising my I just put in it and yanked food, they way I ran the house me back, punching me some and the revealing clothes I wore. It was during this period that I got pregnant and tried to compromise—I wanted, a child very badly. Foolishly, I thought the child would change him.

My lovely clothes were replaced by more. Out of desperation, I the frumpy ones he favoured. After made for the front door I had our son, he became move praying he hadn’t locked it. controlling. If he could do this to “It was a relief when the me when we were not really door flew open and I dashed married, only God knew what his into the street. A few of the wife was going through. He must neighbours were around have cowed her to the extent that having drinks in front of the she dared not complain about his house, so I ran towards relationship with me. I was always them. It wasn’t the first time on my guard when I went out with they ’d noticed Moses’ him in case any man gave me violence towards me, but it unnecessary attention. Some was the first time they saw months back, at one of my family’s blood oozing out of a gash dos, I ran into a childhood friend in my cheek. The terrible and he joked about how much crush truth about what they he had on me in the past. We’d both thought was my perfect been at school together, but he now ‘marriage’ was finally out for joked it was a pity I was already all of them to see. It wasn’t taken or he would have rekindled a pleasant sight. It was ugly our relationship. We all knew it was and rotten. all talk but I was fearful of how “That was when I decided Moses would react.

I should hang on to whatever “Suddenly, Moses said it was shred of pride I had left. A about time we went and I rushed to few days later, I told him I the car with him, desperate to stop didn’t want anything to do his smouldering temper before it with him. To punish me, he erupted. When I got into the refused to send our monthly passenger seat, he roared off as if allowance and to pay the

rent when it was due. But, I have a good job and called his bluff. Anything was worth this peace of mind that I currently enjoyed. With time, I met Jide, a widower and we started going out.

“This was some six months after breaking off with Moses.

,

,

Moses was all she wanted in a man— only he was married with children

Jide was everything my ex wasn’t. He visited with presents and took me to nice restaurants. It was at dinner in a small restaurant that I sort of sensed eyes boring into my back. I turned round and it was Moses. His face was like thunder but I ignored him. He couldn’t hurt me now, or so I thought.

“Only, a few weeks after, he’d let himself into my flat with his spare key. It never occurred to me to change the lock. Jide sprang up at the intrusion. He was in his Yfront and vest. Moses sneered at him. ‘Sit down,’ he barked. Jide did as he was told. Sitting down on the bed, he spoke to Jide as if to a child: ‘Now, when you came into this bedroom, and saw that family photograph of me and my wife and son, did you think it was for show?’ Jide kept murn his

face dead-pan. Moses went on: ‘You sit down now, drinking beer from a mug. Did Arit tell you she was a beer drinker?

And if she were, would she be drinking it out of a mug?’ On and on he went until Jide had had enough. ‘Now look here..’ he cautioned. But before he got any further, Moses gave him a wack. Jide was furious. He flew at him and gave him the beating of his life. Again, I ran into the street and, this time, two of the men in the front house came with me and broke up the fight.

“Moses now looked the worse for wear and was actually subdued. Jide had almost frog marched him to the street, punching him all the time until I showed up with the men.

Moses hurried to his car, muttering he didn’t want a scandal. The coward that he was, he couldn’t handle being confronted. But he was back a few days after, wanting to see his son. I told him it was impossible. Looking at him, I hated him as passionately as I’d one loved him and he must have seen that in my eyes.

“I told him I wanted nothing to do with him ever again. As for his son, he would see the lad when he’d grown up. No man would use a child to abuse me ever again! Jide and I are an item now but I’m not rushing into anything. He understands and says there’s

What type of gits do you give?

ow that the festive period is days ahead, we need to be reminded that giving gift N is an art. Some people give them with such care, such sincerity, that even the cheapest gifts are made to look like crown jewels whilst some people are so care-free with gifts they make expensive gifts look like dirt. The gifts you give and the ways you give them reveal your personality. A foreign top psychotherapist, Dr. Prancelli explained this by saying that “a person who always gives articles of clothing is fastidious, tends to want to control others (by choosing what they wear) and is apt to be concerned with the surface of things rather than their inner nature.”

He went on further that: “The art of giving an item of apparel implies a desire to improve the recipients appearance, and that in turn shows the giver to be critical of the way that person dresses. This obsession with appearance is a dead give-away to the giver’s preoccupation with how things look rather than what they really are.” The doctor described some of the other more common type of gift givers:The adult toy giver —this sort of giver has a keen sense of humour combined with a practical mind. He takes delight in giving friends whimsical useful gifts and

prefers gifts that are both humorous and useful.

The do-it-yourself gift givers: “The person who insists on creating the gift instead of buying it betrays an unselfish and serious nature. They want the person to whom they give the gift to realize how much they are valued. “You see this in children who draw pictures or write poems to their parents to show mom and dad how much they love them by giving them something uniquely personal something made with their own little hands.

no pressure, that he’s wait as long as I needed.

We’ve talked about marriage and having children as he has only two from his first marriage.

I have no problem with that. Only, this time around, I intend to look really well before I leap...”

Isn’t it amazing how a seemingly extroverted man who pulls all the stops to make you fall in love with him suddenly turns into a snarling monster? As laid back as Kay, one of our male friends, is he wasn’t at all pleased when his son-inlaw turned out to be a spineless bully. “He beats up my daughter all of the time,” he said, “I always had a talk with him, manto-man, whenever I got to know of it, and he always looked shamefaced— apologising profusely and promising never to lay a finger on her ever again.

But he always reneged on his promise. The last straw was the day my daughter came to the house with a big bump on her forehead and a chipped tooth, sobbing at the extent of her man’s violence. I saw red.

“Asking her to stay put in the house, I got into my car and went to her place.

Her husband answered the door, looking sullen and defiant when he saw me. I completely lost it.

‘You bastard!’ I shrieked and punched him in the face. He looked startled, and before he could recover, I grabbed a foldup umbrella resting by the door and cracked it across his chest. Crazed with fury, I wacked him on the head. As he stumbled on his feet and began warding off my attack, I yelled at him: ‘Is this what you did to my daughter?

Well, are you scared now?’

Instinctively, he curled up, his head in his arms, as I wacked his back and shoulders. Every hit was for my poor battered daughter. The cheek of it!

A girl I’d trained without sparing any expense or lifting a finger at, now being pummelled by this ruffian! I started at the idiot, cowering on the ground and felt disgusted. I’d tried pleading with him, now he’d made me resort to violence. But I’d made my point-ensuring he never hurt my daughter again.

40—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

YES! THIS IS NO

‘World’s bendiest woman’ entertains at Christmas Zlata has won awards and holds world records for her contortion skills

• • • •

Zlata has won awards and holds world records for her contortion skills Real name Julia, she has been contorting since she was just four years old Poses in a gold bodysuit for dramatic 2015 calender Promises her fans ‘more surprises’ for them in the coming year

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hese incredible photos reveal how world’s bendiest woman contorts herself into unbelievable shapes in her 2015 calendar.

Russian-born Zlata twists herself into the most extreme poses imaginable wearing a slinky skin-tight gold jumpsuit.

Casting shadows against the white back drop as she holds impossible positions in the dramatic shots, Zlata looks a little like an abstract modern art statue.

The bendy blonde has broken many world records for her flexibility - and demonstrates her stretchy skills in her annual calendar.

The dramatic snaps see her wrapping her legs around her head and standing on her hands to create stunning shapes.

The 28-year-old - real name Julia Guenthel - has been contorting since she was just four years old.

The 5ft 8in former gymnast now lives in Germany and trains every day to keep her muscles in shape. Zlata said: ‘I wish my fans, contortion fans and all the contortionists around the world a lovely Christmas time.

‘Stay faithful to me next year and I will have many more surprises for you.’

Culled from Daily Mail

The photos see her wrapping her legs around her head and standing on her hands to create stunning shapes

The dramatic shoot is for the 2015 version of her annual calender

Casting shadows against the white back drop as she holds impossible positions in the dramatic shots Zlata looks like an abstract modern art statue

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014—41

MAGIC, IT’S REAL

Zlata is seemingly totally un-phased by the unbelievable shapes she twists her body into

Russian-born Zlata twists herself into the most extreme poses imaginable wearing a skin-tight gold jumpsuit

The 5ft 8in former gymnast now lives in Germany and trains every day to keep her muscles in shape

The 5ft 8in former gymnast now lives in Germany and trains every day to keep her muscles in shape The 28-year-old - real name Julia Guenthel - has been contorting since she was just four years old

42—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

Jealous husband cut up all his wife’s clothes and carefully put them back in her drawers after she ended their 38 year marriage

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spurned husband slashed his wife’s tops, cut out the crotches of her bikinis and removed the zip from her boots before carefully placing them back into wardrobes and cupboards.

Philip Gamble, a father of three, decided to take his revenge after his wife of 38 years left him for another man and moved out of the Cirencester home they shared.

The disabled 59-year-old also poured bleach on the curtains, damaged the mattress and turned off the fridge freezer.

He admitted charges of burglary with intent to cause criminal damage and doing criminal damage to her clothing and was given a suspended sentence as the judge branded him a fool ‘not a villain.’

Gloucester Crown Court heard that Gamble slashed his wife’s clothes after she told him last year that she wanted a divorce and had found a new partner, The pair met when Gamble was 15 and his wife 11 and married in 1976.

At the time of the offences Mrs Gamble was warden of sheltered accommodation in Berkeley Court, Cirencester, and her husband lived there with her.

The former labourer left the property in January and the locks were changed.

But when Mrs Gamble returned and started taking her clothes out of the wardrobe she noticed they had been cut up, with her trousers slashed and the back of every one of her tops slashed from bottom to top down the back.

He caused £5,000 worth of damage to her clothing and £637 to the flat.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC sentenced him to three months in prison, suspended for a year.

He said: ‘You are a man who had never been in trouble and then when your very long marriage came to an end you couldn’t cope, for whatever reason, and you acted very sillily.

‘But you are not a villain. You were a fool at the time.’

Judge Tabor had deferred sentence after Gamble pleaded guilty at a hearing six months ago to see if he could stay out of further trouble.

Gamble said he had not offended again or been arrested or questioned.

Joe Maloney, defending, said ‘She went off with another man, leaving him with £15,000 of mutual debts to settle. He is at a very low ebb. But he certainly accepts that his 38 year marriage is now at an end.’

Gamble is still in touch with his children aged 31, 33, and 38.

Culled from the Mail

•Philip Gamble w as married ttoo his cchildhood hildhood swee thear or 38 yyear ear was sweethear theartt Jean ffor earss •But she told him she was ending 44 year relationship for another man •Gamble cut up her clothes and removed zips from her boots at her home •He slashed ttops ops and cut jeans bef ore placing them neatly bac before backk on hanger hangerss •Judge gave him three month suspended sentence for criminal damage •Said he was a ‘fool not a villain’ for crimes at his former Cirencester home

Philip Gamble, a father of three, was given a suspended sentence after he cut up all his wife’s clothes and placed them back in drawers and on hangers after she ended their 44 year relationship

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

T

he Christmas season has also become a time for solemnisation of marriages. Many couples are getting married this season. It is all so nice seeing young couples; immaculately dressed, apparently happy, feeling fulfilled, sometimes relieved, smiling into the future with great hopes and expectations. It is wonderful to be surrounded by family, friends and well wishers, but it is momentary. Shortly after the reception and the aftermath, the personal nature and the reality of marriage begin to sink in. When it is time to retire to bed, none of your friends and relatives will follow you into the bedroom, just you and your spouse. This has some significance, beyond privacy. Marriage is a twosome affair, actually a threesome, only that the third party, God, is not patient with your spouse and let him/her physical. He is the spirit of the explain his/her position. It is after he/she is marriage and dwells in the through that you should put forward your own hearts of the couple to guide and position, taking into consideration what your direct them. It also means that spouse said earlier. As my mother used to tell ordinarily only God should get us while growing up, “ you do not ask involved in your marriage both somebody ‘what are you about to say’; rather in good and in tough times. you ask ‘what did you just say’”. “Self-mastery Even when third parties—for and self-discipline are the foundation of good example, your sponsors and relationships with others.” In other words, marriage counselors – intervene (no interference, please) in your private victories should precede public marriage, the spirit of God victories. (Covey) should guide them. So Do not be scared of being you. You cannot indirectly, it is still God guiding run the long distance that marriage is by being and directing. a phony, and you will not excel by being a Hopefully, God has been part fake. When you are real, no matter how “bad”, of your union since courtship. it creates a pattern, certainty and Just continue to abide in Him understanding. However, be courageous and and even if you walk through humble to make the changes necessary to the valley of the shadow of make you a better spouse and by extension a death, you will just be fine better human being. “The most important because “ you do not walk ingredient we put into any relationship is not alone” (Mark you; I am a what we say or what we do, but who we are” gunner, with all the wahala (Covey). and heartaches, not a Liverpool Be open about the changes that must fan). inevitably arise in your marriage. Change is Marital communication one of the constant factors in marriage; should be empathic and this changes in your spouse, changes in you and involves empathic listening. As changes in your home as the years roll by Stephen Covey rightly pointed and the family size grows. It is change all the out, “most people do not listen way. with the intent to understand; Jesus preached and practiced selfless and they listen with the intent to unconditional love. Wonderful and supreme, reply. They are either speaking but I reluctantly suggest that you add or preparing to speak.” Be reciprocal love in your marriage. Let us be

Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014 —43

Some thoughts for newlyweds realistic, we are mortals, not God. We naturally want our kind gestures reciprocated, more so in marriage.

Spare some thoughts reflecting on the implications of the vows you took earlier in church. Perhaps you got carried away in the euphoria of getting married and did not pay

,

Marriage is a twosome affair, actually a threesome, only that the third party, God, is not physical

,

much attention to the enormity of the vows.

“For richer, for poorer” means that money, as vital as it is, will not play a dominant role in the happiness and success of your marriage. “In sickness and in health” means whatever the health challenges, you will stick to your spouse, provided these health issues were not there and hidden from you prior to your marriage. Such a scenario gives you the option to seek an annulment of the marriage. That is, it is assumed that the marriage never took place because it was based on falsehood.

“To love and to cherish” means that no matter the circumstances you will continue to love and cherish your spouse. “Till death do us part” simply means only death by one or both spouses can end the marriage.

When God instituted marriage, He meant

it to last a life time. A long-lasting marriage starts from the mind. If your mindset is conditioned for the long haul, it reflects in your attitude, approach and actions.

All these vows, though achievable, are tall orders. That is why ordinarily; new couples ought to be ponderous before taking marital vows.

Unfortunately, we generally take vows and oaths perfunctorily. But not to worry, God will be with you through this exciting but dodgy journey. Congratulations, guys, welcome to the real men’s club; I wish you all and all married people a happy married life.

Marriage is meant to be enjoyed, not endured. Go ahead and enjoy yours. Happy New Year in advance.

Triple celebrations for the Ewheridos

This morning, my youngest brother, Edesiri Mark Ewherido, will be joined in holy matrimony to his heartthrob, EseOghene Alexandra Erakpotobor. The wedding was delayed by a year in honour of my late brother, Senator Akpor Pius Ewherido. I thank Edesiri, his wife and her family for their understanding and patience while we struggled to come to terms with the harsh reality of the death of Bros P. I also use this opportunity to wish my eldest brother, Aloysius Ewherido, who turns 60 today, a happy birthday. May God continue to guide and protect you.

I also wish my eldest son, Oghenefego, who is a year older today, a happy birthday. Young man, remain level headed and focused and you will just be fine.

God bless you all.

(Text Only)

Breaking the body

T

•Spinal twist

•The Spinal twist

he Spinal twist

Technique: Sitting with legs stretched out in front of you, bend the left knee and place the left foot close to the right buttock. Now bending the right knee, place the right foot on the outside of the left knee. Bring the left hand to clutch the side of the right thigh and place the right hand at the lower back with the hand resting on the left lap. Now with the head held

Yoga Classes STARTED @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

C M Y K

•The plough

high, twist the entire trunk, neck and head to the right.

Breathe in deeply. Hold the position for a slow count to 10 or 15 seconds and repeat on the otherside.

Benefits: This exercise eases stress along the spinal column. It introduces lateral flexibility to the spine. It massages the kidneys and helps bring improvement to sluggish bowels.

The plough Technique:

Lie flat down and breathe in deeply. Then swing both legs backwards exhale as you bring the toes to touch the floor.

Now bring the hands also backwards to hold the feet with the chin pressing on

Leg Raise

the throat. Stiffen the leg muscles and stay in the position for about 30 seconds.Then release the hold on the feet and return the hands to the sides and gently lower the trunk and sraighten the legs.

Benefits:

This posture increases blood supply to the spinal region,nourishing the internal organs among other health benefits.

Technique: Lie flat on your belly and arrange the hands beside the shoulders.

Take in a deep breath and raise the body off the ground with just the hands and toes in contact with the ground.

Retain the breath for a slow count to 5. Then lower the body as you breathe out.

Benefits: It tones and firms up the abdominal muscles.

44—SATURDAY

Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

YETUNDE AREBI

Mystery of the waist beads and modern sexuality

B

ebedi! Owanbe! Bebedi! Owanbe! This is a short question and answer chorus sang by little children while at play. The objective of the song is to find out who, in the group, has the biggest and most beautiful backside. So, as each of the young girls step out to the middle of the circle, the leader of the game asks, Bebedi, and the others answer in the chorus, Owanmbe. The girl in the middle then shakes her backside, now called twerking, for the others to judge. Naturally, the one judged most endowed of the group wins the game. Such is the importance attached to the female bum, especially in the African continent. The female bum represents many things for the African society, just as much sentiment is attached to it. It houses the whole essence of a woman's feminism and sexuality.

The Bebedi, Jigida or Ileke idi, otherwise known as waist beads are one ornament that have fascinated me for many years. Why? I really have no definite answer. Perhaps it is because of the beautiful array of blended colours which often glistens against the rays of light when the beads sneak out of their hiding under the clothes, or just the idea that one is wearing something unusual and secrete from what everyone else is wearing.

Unfortunately, I have not found the courage to wear one yet. A childhood experience, still fresh in my mind, probably contributed to this.

As a child, I lived with my grandmother, a very loving but strict disciplinarian and daughter of a clergy who took her Christian religion very seriously. However, we lived in Sango, Ebute Metta area of Lagos where a large number of Northerners and Muslim Yorubas also lived. This gave me the opportunity to interact with and make friends with several Hausa children and fell in love with a few of them. Because their lifestyle was quite different from mine, I was really enchanted by everything about them and I became quite attached to two of them. Ruwa, who was a few years older than me lived next door to my right while Binta, my age mate lived two doors to our right. Virtually all my spare time, after school and evening lesson, was spent in Binta's company, in their dimly lit rooms with blue and yellow light bulbs and thick smelling Arabian perfumes. Binta's mother must have been the most beautiful woman I had ever seen at the time. Tall, dark, beautiful and soft spoken she was always dressed in gold and other shiny ornaments, same with Binta.

Long, drop earrings which my grandmother insisted were unsuitable for children were Binta's favourites. And she always had a string or more number of beads tied around her waist which she would let me see whenever she got a new one. I loved them and wished I could own a couple too C M Y K

but my grandmother would always say no, insisting that they were for adults. At about seven years, I did not understand why my friends could wear them and I could not. Then one day, on a visit to Binta's, her mum gifted me with a very beautiful set, similar to one of Binta's. I quickly rolled it up my waist and bounced home to show off to my grandmother.

Since she could not make one for me, well, my friends have given me one. What happened that evening formed one of the few childhood experiences I could not understand for a very long time. The beads were not only snapped off me, I received a very good beating as well and told never to go to Binta's house again. My grandmother insisted the beads were obscene, dirty and for wayward children. I did not understand what the fuss was about, but a few weeks later, Binta came to inform me that she was getting married and moving to somewhere in the North, I later learnt was Kano. The reality of what happened to Binta did not dawn on me until many years after, as a full grown adult and Journalist, but the memory of my grandmother's reaction to the beads that night has never left and is often replayed in my mind whenever I see a woman wearing one.

As I grew up, I realised my grandmother was not the only person with a misconception and bias towards the jigida. Just as I have met women who adorn them and even swear to their potential benefits, so have I met people like my grandmother who have serious aversions to them especially because of their sexual undercurrents. Waist beads have, for a very long time, been associated with female sex and sexuality. They are believed to possess great erotic appeal and the ability and power to provoke sexual desire and deep emotions from the opposite sex. Primarily, a traditional female beauty enhancer, they are worn to accentuate feminism and beauty, drawing focal attention to the hips, bum and thighs as well as their movement. (The sway of the bum as a woman walks) A woman's chastity and sexual character can be decoded by the use of beads. It is believed that the movement of the bead as she walks reveals a lot about her sexual morality, either as seductive or reserved. For young African women, wearing of bead was also a symbol of female maturity as they are worn as proof that they have begun menstruation and are ready for marriage, hence, the many gifts of beads to young brides. In fact, in some cultures, the strings of beads are used to hold up the menstruating cloth across the buttocks. Binta, at seven, was being prepared for marriage! My

grandmother knew while I was ignorant of these facts. I now understand why my grandmother broke my beautiful beads and wonder what might have happened to my beautiful and loving friend.

However, sex and sensuality are just a little of the attributes of the beads, and in these attributes perhaps, lie the controversies about the jigida.

African waist beads date as far back as early Egyptian history even though the Yorubas and Ghanaians have more robust records of being the source, users and makers of these beads. Waist beads are believed to be sources of great spiritual energy which many link with juju practice. Traditionally, charmed waist beads are worn by women to ward off negative energy from the body and to close in positive or protective energy around the body. They are especially worn by pregnant women to protect their unborn babies too. The Yorubas are also very famous for their charmed waist beads. These charms are believed to possess the powers to entice and entrap the opposite sex and even improve their sexual prowess. These attributes no doubt have helped to fuel some of the negativity some associate with waist beads.

Many years back, a very rascally male friend told me about a near death encounter he had with a girlfriend at the time. According to him, he had made advances to the girl for a quite a while before she finally agreed. The long wait had increased his sexual desire for her. To get her, he said, he had resorted to all the lies he could think of in the code book. What he discovered the day she finally came visiting shocked him to his bones. His fresh, beautiful, university undergraduate wore waist beads with several balls of wool tied around her waist. This, she said, was why she could not date any guy. Her father had put them around her when she began menstruating, warning her that it was to protect her virginity as well as deal with any guy that got access into her without his permission. She had been so scared ever since and until my friend came along, she had not been with any guy. She told him he would die if they had sex and so could only kiss and make out. For several weeks he could not get the incident out of his mind and eventually shared it with a couple of his guys. Some believed the girl and told him to call off the relationship while some others insisted it was all a gimmick, either cooked up by the girl or a father to protect her. They were sure nothing would happen to him, while one of them even vowed to date the girl should he end the relationship.

After weighing his chances for several weeks, he decided to go for it and went on to persuade and convince her of the benefits (hmm) she could enjoy from her sexual freedom, if they succeeded. They cut off the waist beads, set it aside to plunge into discovery world. It took several days for them to realise that indeed, the supposed charm was all a ruse by the lady's father! But what if it had been real, I asked. "Well, it would have been part of a young man's fool hardiness and I wouldn't be telling the story today", he'd boasted. He said they broke up not quite long after their successful exploration in the forbidden zone began. She is married with kids today too.

Yet, there is far much more to these beautiful pieces of wonder and their use have continued to spread across person and counties even to the pole and belly dancers of the West and Europe. For many women, these beads provide confidence, beauty and balance, especially in a world that daily dictates what a modern or beautiful woman ought to look like. Many testify that wearing them improves their sense of worth and self esteem, making them feel sexy and enjoy their sexuality better. The beads can also be used to improve and prolong fore play during lovemaking, a male friend of mine told me.

According to him, you will have something to run your fingers along as well as count on and since they are worn against the skin, this is another way of playing with your partner. The movement of the beads against the skin between the partners while making love also increases sensation and excitement, making sex more enjoyable, he said.

I am seriously thinking about getting one at this point. I'm just waiting to sum up enough courage.

After all, catching a glimpse of shiny waist beads sitting on a well rounded bum does provide great attraction and sexual stimulation. Who will not want to take a second look, especially if worn by a pretty lady. Not many, I am sure. Besides, I'm told it is also used to cultivate a well rounded hips and bum, which is why mothers wear them for their little baby girls. I may even start with a gold chain and good luck charms, after all, my grandmother is long dead now. God bless her soul!

Enjoy the rest of your holiday please. I wish us all a happy, peaceful and prosperous 2015.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014—45

My ordeal in the hands of policemen from Iponri division

T

he agony of Nigerians in the hands of some unscrupulous officers of the Nigerian Police seems yet to abate, as some of the officers from Iponri division, last week, embarked on harassing innocent and harmless citizens.

MY ORDEAL The officers, six of them, December 12, harassed a reporter from Vanguard Newspaper and other innocent passengers. It was only the intervention of the female DPO of Iponri Division that saved the victims from being levelled with false charges by the officers.

Recounting his experience in the hands of the law enforcement agency, the reporter, Gabriel Olawale, attached to the health desk in Vanguard, decried the manner they were maltreated. “I was forced to spend hours at the police station and by the time it was all over, I got home at midnight. This is a journey that ordinarily shouldn’t have taken more than 30 minutes from the time I left my office.”

HOW IT ALL BEGAN It all began when the reporter who was already tired of the unending gridlock along Mile 2-Oshodi express way, boarded a bus from Mile 2 to Oyingbo and Ebute Metta.

“Approaching Custain round about, passengers in the bus were engaged in different conversations when all of a sudden, as our driver was attempting to head towards Apapa road along Oyingbo, another bus at the back of ours was seen making frantic efforts to force its way through.

Since our bus was at the front and I sat very close to the window, I waved to the driver of the bus at our back to exercise patience and let us go first. However, with the help of the mirror, our driver quickly noticed that occupants of the bus in the rear were policemen so, he waited. When they eventually bye- passed us, the officer who sat in front brought out a cane and used it to beat me. Before we knew it, they surrounded our bus, corked C M Y K

their guns and threatened to shoot us.

TRAFFIC CHAOS “This resulted in long queue of cars at our back. The impatient motorists were blaring their horns but only stopped after noticing the presence of policemen. They all resigned to fate and was watching the unfolding drama that ensued between the people in our bus and “our law enforcement agents.”

“Do you know who you are dragging road with? Who among you was waving hand? Who is the driver of this bus? All of you don enter am today.”

AT IPONRI POLICE STATION “From the turn of events, it was obvious to the commuters that trouble was brewing so, they wasted little time in pleading for mercy with the hope that they would be allowed to go. However, before we knew it, the conductor was pulled down from the bus and the person sitting in the front seat was discharged. Two of the policemen quickly entered our bus and stopped the remaining passengers from disembarking. Before we knew it, we found our selves at Iponri Police Station. That was about 9pm. On getting down from the bus, one of the police men deflated the four tires of the bus and his colleague collected the particular from the driver.

They found out that the particulars of the bus were not complete and some papers had expired. They quickly told the driver that his offence could not be settled that day, he should come back the following day.

HUMILIATION AND HARRASMENT “ The next person on their torture list was me. Why did you wave your hand to a police officer to wait. Is he your mate? Are you the driver?

We will teach you a lesson?” one of the officers told me.

Aside from the fact that the recording on my phone was on, I quickly called our Crime Editor to come to my rescue.

Immediately I dropped the

•IGP, Suleiman Abba call, my phone rang and it was my Editor who dictated one number to me and asked me to call the number and explain my plight. After calling that number, one of the police officers collected my phone. He barked , “ why will you be making call in front of a police officer. You don’t have respect.” While other passengers were begging them, I distanced myself from such act knowing that I did not break any law. Initially, the consistent pleading from female commuters did not elicit any sympathy from the policemen.

SUCCOUR AT LAST “However, the story took a different dimension few minutes later when the call I made to my Crime Editor started yielding results.

While we were pleading for forgiveness for doing ‘nothing’, my Editor called and informed that the Divisional Police Officer at Iponri was desperately looking for me after he contacted her. He instructed that I should see her before leaving the station. While I was about going to see the DPO, another police Inspector, probably, he must have been detailed to intervene by the DPO, rushed to the scene and openly rebuked the policemen terrorising us. Based on this, they allowed all the passengers to go after returning our phones.

,

BY LUCKY NWANEKWU

I was forced to spend hours at the police station and by the time it was all over, I got home at midnight.

This is a journey that ordinarily shouldn’t have taken more than 30 minutes from the time I left my office

,

Entering the DPO’s office gave a different impression of the police. The courtesy and respect accorded from the the same police made me feel good even if it was momentary. The officers and men behaved differently from the ones we encounter on a daily basis.

ANGRY OFFICERS REACT After we exchanged greetings, they told me narrate what happened. It was already 10:30pm. After telling them my own side of the ugly encounter, one of the officers assured me that if they found out that they victimized us, appropriate action would be taken against them.

After the officer made some calls, he found out that those officers that arrested us were not from Iponri Division. This development elicited serious anger among the officers as they vehemently condemned the constant practise of policemen from other stations to committing various abuses in their area and ending up at Iponri station just to make their victims believe they were from there. That was what his finding tended to portray. The officer then directed that those officers that accosted us must be brought before him within fifteen minutes. One officer apologised to me. Finally, I left he station about mid night happy that I was free but wondered what could have happened if I were not a media man.

Many innocent Nigerians get brutalised and harassed by the police on daily basis. But there are also good officers in the Nigeria Police. However, there will always be a case of ONE BAD APPLE .

46—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

•Kinsley Okorie, Samuel Igwe and Mrs. Bola Akinoniwa

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

T

he Nigeria Police are currently investigating three members of a six-man armed robbery gang allegedly specialized in hijacking trucks and selling goods in Lagos and neighbouring states.

The suspects identified as: Samuel Igwe, Kingley Okorie and Mrs. Bola Akinoniwa, according to reports snatched a steely Truck Ref No. ABD35XA, containing 600 bags of rice valued N6.3 million at gun point along 3rd Mainland Bridge, Iyana Oworo, Lagos on March 25 at about 11:30pm, using two operational vehicles, a Hilux (Toyota) and a Volks Wagen vehicle, painted Lagos colour.

The empty truck was later recovered at Sango Otta Road, Ogun State several weeks later.

Crime Guard learnt that truck driver felt they were soldiers because they were allegedly dressed in Army uniform and heavily armed. The weapons were said to have been provided by one army officer.

However, the case was reported at Iyana Iworo Police Station, who began investigation.

Few months later the gang struck again, this time they hijacked a loaded truck and abducted the truck driver Orobosa Agowoye, the conductor, Sunday Omoruyi, and Cyril Friday who was escorting the goods to destination.

The victims were held hostage by the robbers at Agbara along Badagry Express road and later dumped in the bush while the vehicle was driven to one Samuel Igwe’s house in Abule Egba area but was later taken to Sango area and offloaded. The vehicle was later abandoned at Sango Otta C M Y K

How we hijacked truck load of rice worth N6.3 million — suspects Road.

The goods were allegedly sold

by Mr. Igwe to one Mrs. Bola Akinuwa, Mrs. Abosede Shittu and Akeem aka pantala pikin.

Crime guard gathered that Samuel Igwe was just released from prison custody for a similar case of armed robbery, before embarking on another crime. He is a long time receiver of stolen goods alongside with one Alfa Toareed Ayinla who is presently undergoing interrogation in connection with a case of conspiracy and armed robbery at SARS, Ikeja.

Suspects account Kinsley Okorie, 38, told his story: “ I am from Owerri, Imo State. I’m married with a child. I trade in second hand wares at Oshodi Market. I was arrested in respect of hijacking good and selling stolen goods.

We were six. Bassey aka Papa, I don’t know his real name. We

planned it at Katangwa area of Abule-Egba. Others are Hilux man, Engineer, Tony I don’t know the others. Papa told us that the arrangement was between him and the driver. We used the Engineer vehicle – Engineer drove the vehicle, Papa was in Engineer car.

Papa brought the person who wore military uniform. After that, Papa called the receiver. They told me the rice was sold for N2.7 Million Naira but they gave me only N40, 000. They brought the first money but did not give me. I know Papa in Wilma garage. He invited me for the operation.”

Samuel Igwe, also had his own narration: “ I’m 38 years, I’m from Omuma Village in Oru Local government area of Imo. I’m an electrician. I live at 18 Otta Road, Alagbado. I’m married but no child yet. I was arrested because of a trailer load of rice I bought for N2.1 Million. It belongs to one Mr. Bassey and

one Abuchi. This is my first time of buying goods from them. I know the rice was stolen but I don’t know the source. They said they used to steal it from wharf.

I connected them to the buyer and my share was N100, 000.00. It was poverty that made me to involve myself in stolen goods. I knew Bassey several years back as he used to come and lodge in a hotel in my area and he will invite me to fix electric bulb in the hotel. That was how he introduced me into the operation. He told me that he is a business man and that he has rice for sale and that I should help look for buyer. So I brought Bola. I knew Bola through the other woman. I knew her when I was buying black oil and soap.”

Mrs. Bola Akinoniwa: “ I am separated from my husband. I am 50 years. I live at No. 5 Solomon Street, Cement. I am from Abeokuta in Ogun State. I’m a trader; I deal on plastic raw materials. I was arrested because of buying stolen rice. One Bosede Shittu invited me to buy rice.

She told me she got it from customs.

I told him that I didn’t have money but I invited Akeem.

Bosede sells kitchen equipment.

She told me the rice was customs seizure. I am not aware the rice was stolen. After Akeem bought, I was given N200, 000.00 as my commission. I have returned the money to police after my arrest. I was arrested in August, released to enable me bring Akeem. But I don’t know where he lives and all his phones were switched off. It was one Akamu that introduced me to Akeem. Akamu is late now.”

Police are making efforts to get Akeem arrested. Soonest, the suspects would be charged to court.

They were arrested by a team of SARS operatives.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014—47

My husband and his wife have questions to answer

when I went to inform them about my niece’s wedding they were healthy. We were even making arrangement on how to assist the bride,without any inkling that they would never live to execute the plan”, she lamented.

— bereaved mother of brothers who died during spiritual bath

•Late abiodun and Ayinde Oniru

A

n unkind fate has befallen Mrs Ayedun Shitta-Bello, the estranged wife of Mr Kamorudeen Okokuku Oniru, who is a traditional title holder in Ibeju lekki , Lagos, following the death of her two children , Abiodun and Ayinde Oniru last Saturday during a spiritual bath in a river at Ogombo area of Ajah.

The deceased were the only children Mrs Shittu-Bello had for her former husband before they parted ways . They were reportedly taken to the New Cherubim and Seraphim church, located on 739 Ori-Oke Ibulun Ilasan street , Jakande Ajah, by their father, Mr Kamorudeen Okokuku Oniru, (the otunba made of Abijo Ibeju lekki) and their step mother, Mrs Adenike Elegushi Okokuku Oniru for ‘spiritual cleansing’ last Thursday, in the process of which the senior Pastor of the church, Pastor Samuel Olusoji suggested that they underwent a ‘spiritual bath’.

It was gathered that on the day of the spiritual bath (last Saturday) Mr Okokuku Oniru left Abiodun, Ayinde and another child of his in the care of their step -mother . The Pastor and the Onirus were said to have gone to a river in Ogombo area where the exercise was to take place . Time was 7am. But before the process started, the third child was said to have declined having a spiritual bath and left, leaving Abiodun and Ayinde behind.

Tragedy struck Moments later, news filtered into the Okokuku Oniru’s abode at 43 Iyalaje compound, Obijo, Epe expressway, that the duo of Abiodun and Ayinde drowned during the spiritual bath!

Although the circumstances surrounding the tragedy were unknown, the fleeing Pastor who was arrested four days after the incident however told the Police that he was not at the stream when the incident happened. Also arrested were a member of the church and the deceased’s step mother, Mrs Adenike ElegushiOniru . But the latter was said to have been released same day owing to the fact that she was pregnant.

My last conversation with my children During an interview with Crime Guard, the bereaved mother who no doubt has been dealt with a devastating blow, gave a blank stare at sympathizers, apparently finding it difficult to believe that her children whom she spoke with a day before the incident, were no more. She shook her head and legs intermittently and at a point heaved a sigh of grieve.

When she eventually mustered courage to speak, she stated with all sense of certainty that : “ The children I spoke with last Friday, never sounded sick. They sounded hale and hearty. I even told them that I would be coming to visit them on Sunday .

But next day, to my greatest shock, my elder brother called to inform me that my children were dead! My world came to a halt at that point. In my confused state, I rushed to my brother’s place and together, we went to my former husband’s house to find out what happened to the children I left behind.

Their father explained that they all left home since

•Okokuku Oniru (bereaved father)

Thursday last week for church and attended vigil next day (Friday). He said he left after the vigil while the children and their step- mother went for spiritual bath, only to be informed that the children had drowned”.

Suspicion arises There were however insinuations that the deceased did not drown after all, following allegation by the bereaved mother and her family that they could have been murdered.

Their assertion followed discovery which according to 42-year-old Mrs Shittu-Bello, showed that the bodies of the late Abiodun and Ayinde did not suggest they drowned.

According to the grieving mother: “ Their bodies were not bloated. My children were murdered! They did not drown. Their father and stepmother should tell the world what they know about the death of my two children.

“For instance, we gathered that when the Police went to effect the arrest of the Pastor, someone close to my former husband facilitated his escape. I would like Nigerians and the authorities to ask my husband and his wife what happened to my husband.

The last time I saw Abiodun and Ayinde face-to-face last Tuesday,

•Step mother: Mrs Adenike Okokuku Oniru

,

BY EVELYN USMAN

Even though we are not trying to dictate to the Police, we expect them to interrogate everyone associated with the process

•Bereaved mother

,

We want justice A relative of Mrs Shittu-Bello , therefore called on the Police to carry out discreet investigation on the exact cause of the death of his nephews. The relative identified as Prince Musaliu Buhari , revealed that : “ when the stomachs of my late nephews were pressed, blood was coming out of their mouths, noses and ears instead of water. The blood continued dripping from these places till the next day.

Again, when the incident occurred, the Police were never invited . We invited the police and insisted that an autopsy be carried on the deceased. The corpses are currently at the Mainland hospital morgue. Even though we are not trying to dictate to the Police, we expect them to interrogate everyone associated with the process”, Buhari said.

Further checks showed that after the deceased’s secondary education, their father took them out of the country, from where they were working for him. However, upon their return to Nigeria, the late Abiodun and Ayinde were said to have clamored to be on their own instead of being under their father.

In the process, Ayinde, the younger son, was said to have left the the family’s house.

Along the line, he was reportedly arrested and remanded in prison , over allegation of internet fraud. But family sources hinted that he was set up . He was however granted bail last month,while the date for the next hearing was fixed for January 12, 2015.

News making the round had it that the children could have been murdered in order to prevent them from exposing those behind the plot that sent Ayinde to jail.

Investigation ongoing-Police However, on the part of the Lagos State Police Command, it said it had begun investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of late Abiodun and Ayinde. Sources at Agombo Police division where the case was reported , hinted that two persons were currently in their custody over the incident. “ When news of the incident reached us last Saturday, we stormed the church and arrested its secretary , while the Pastor fled on sighting us. We also arrested the step-mother who was alleged to be with the deceased at the stream when tragedy struck. But she was released same day because she is pregnant. The good news is that we arrested the Pastor on Tuesday .

During interrogation, he denied being at the riverside with the deceased, stating rather that they (deceased) were swimming when they drowned. We are however awaiting the autopsy report”, sources said.

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48—SA TURD AY 48—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard , DECEMBER 27, 2014

We have billboard for brands that care for the environment —Funmilade Alade

O

Danger of gas flaring

Air-conditioned environmentalists

By OSAAMADI

A

t the United Nations

Climate Secretariat in Bonn, Germany, it is hot.

Not only because it is summer, but also because of the hundreds of computers at work. However, the 400 staff of the climate secretariat had to make do without the energy guzzling comfort of air-conditioning. It’s not that the air conditioners were switched off. “The building simply doesn’t have a/c,” says John Hay, the secretariat spokesman.

It would be stupid of anyone to think that the United Nations Climate Secretariat was not fitted with air-conditioners because UN does not have money to do so, or that the workers do not enjoy the comfort that a/c offers. The reason is that they are true environmentalists. They are aware of the scientific fact that Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a gas released into the atmosphere as air-conditioners are working, has its own quota of hole it is drilling on the ozone layer and admitting ultra-violet rays into our atmosphere. Conversely, inside the Cigar Lounge of Avenue Suites, Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, venue of the discussion on the sustainability of the Eko Atlantic City project, the central air-conditioner was

almost freezing the guests and participants. Besides the usual cool weather associated with that area due to its closeness to the Bar Beach, it had rained the previous night, so it was naturally cold without air-conditioners. Yet, the air-conditioners in the hotel and many other buildings are blasting, wasting scarce energy and pumping more CFCs into the air.

It was one journalist at the forum – a newly converted environmentalist – who pointed out the inconsistency. He took the microphone from the moderator, Mrs. Kofo Adeleke, and said, “I want to suggest that the next time we have this type of gathering, let us switch off the a/c. We all know what harm CFCs from a/c are doing to the ozone. Do we even need air-conditioners here now? The weather here is naturally cold and most of us are shivering. For me environmentalism is a religion. If we …”

“I must stop you now,” said Kofo Adeleke. She moved towards the journalist, trying to wrench the microphone from him. Obviously she did not like what the journalist was suggesting. There are many people who cannot imagine life without air-conditioner, and yet they are called environmentalists.

For a moment, the Lounge was quiet, except some chuckles of a few attendants who probably

liked the suggestion made by the journalist and saw sense in what he was saying. They were all there looking for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) document for the Eko Atlantic City in order to know whether the project was sustainable or not. But the EIA of air-conditioners and refrigerators have long been ascertained by science and they are aware of it.

So why do people who call themselves environmentalists find it difficult to adopt a lifestyle that will not hurt the environment such as blasting their a/c even when the weather is cold?

The journalist/environmentalist could not be stopped by Mrs. Adeleke. “I once read a story of

n the path of innovation in efficient use of energy in outdoor advertising is ELEV8. Seeking to be environmentally friendly in providing services and at the same time attract advertisers who wish to do business with an eco-friendly outfit, ELEV8 has mounted THE MOST ENERGY EFFICIENT BILLBOARD IN LAGOS, called THE GRID. This LED Strip Light billboard consumes only 65watts of energy, 22.5watts per square meter.

Advertising billboards use enormous amount of electricity as backlight. A typical backlit billboard of 2.5cm by 12m (30sqm) uses 66 units of 40watts florescent tubes using a total power consumption of 2,640watts (88.8watts/sqm). That’s a lot of energy. You can imagine the amount of energy bigger and more powerful electronic billboards gulp, like the one mounted at the Heritage Park, Oshodi. “We wanted to be the first to provide a billboard that not only provide exposure for advertisers but also add value to the image of their brand. For a brand to be associated with a billboard that is energy efficient sends a very positive message that the brand cares for its environment,” Funmilade Alalade, MD of ELEV8 outdoor advertising company told Vanguard.

According to the MD, the energy efficient billboard near Kings College, Lagos Island, is a pilot study and the only one of its kind. “We hope the advertiser will like what we are doing so that we can provide such billboards for them across Nigeria.”

Is this an indication that corporate bodies in Nigeria are beginning to join their counterparts overseas in seeking millage through green image? As peoples’ environmental consciousness in Nigeria and Africa improves, environmentalists hope that consumers will be more inclined to patronize goods and services of companies who care for and help the environment.

an Indian woman who took her son to Mahatma Gandhi and pleaded with him to tell her son to stop eating sugar,” the journalist continued. “The woman was sure that her son would take Gandhi’s advice because he loved Gandhi.

But Gandhi asked them to come back after two weeks. Two weeks later they returned to Gandhi. So Gandhi simply told the son to stop eating sugar; that sugar was not good for anyone.

The boy agreed. But before they left, the boy’s mother asked Gandhi, “Why didn’t you tell him so last two weeks when we first came?” Gandhi replied: “I needed two weeks to stop eating sugar myself.” The sage did not feel comfortable advising someone

else to stop eating sugar when he himself eats sugar.Sincerely, we are all guilty when it comes to environmental sins. We all have, in one way or the other, contributed to the global environmental problems today, and we all must be part of the solution. It may be difficult for us to completely abstain from lifestyles that will hurt the environment. But we can try. In the case of air-conditioners, we can actually cut down the way we use it, more so for those who claim to be environmentalists? We cannot afford to be air-conditioned environmentalists.

Nigeria burns 24 billion cubic meters of natural gas

T

he Nigerian petroleum industry burns 24 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually – a third of the annual gas consumption of the European Union.

According to World Bank, Nigeria accounts for 36% of gas flaring worldwide, which makes it one of the major contributors to global warming.

But Nigeria gave its commitment to

efforts to completely eliminate gas flaring at oil wells by the end of year 2008. By not living up to this commitment, the country is now responsible for the emission of 400 million tons of Carbon dioxide into the global atmosphere. This amount of CO2 is equal to the amount targeted at in the emission reduction program submitted under the Kyoto protocol.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014—49

OIL PRICE FALL:

Rainy days now here

BY EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief Beginning from 2003 when she was invited from her work at the Work Bank by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo to help put the Nigerian economy in shape, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala laid down a clear blue print on how to manage the nation’s oil wealth by benchmarking oil prices with a view to setting aside whatever income was earned in excess of the benchmark.

The objectives were to create a fiscal buffer on which the nation could fall in case of oil price shock as well as, create a pool of funds which could be invested in order sectors in an effort to diversify the nation’s economy.

The idea was to avoid the consequences of a crash in prices in the volatile international oil market. That was how the Excess Crude Account, ECA, was created – against protestations by state governors who insisted that the constitution did not make such provisions.

They insisted on sharing all accruals into the federation account “in line with statutory provisions” but President Obasanjo remained adamant, knowing the profligacy of the majority of the governors.

By 2006, the nation’s Excess Oil revenue savings had hit a whooping $20 billion and that was in spite of the fact that the federal government, in 2005, paid off the nation’s foreign debt to free her of the debt burden which it had suffered for several decades.

The governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum , NGF, turned into a force to determine, as it were, the fate of Nigerians with regard to whether there should be savings for the rainy day or not.

Their argument was often that “the rains are already here”; “ Why save for the rainy day when the rains are already pouring”. Others argued that they could save funds for their states and that the federal government should not do it for them. After the creation of ECA, they sometimes accused the federal authorities of withdrawing from the account without consulting the statesallegations that were always dismissed by the federal government as lacking in merit.

Ignored warnings Addressing Civil Society Organisations at a forum in Abuja, in April 2012, in the heat of the opposition of the NGF to the creation of the Nigeria Sovereign Wealth Fund, Dr Okonjo-Iweala said, ”the ECA and the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) are very important, but we have the state governors

saying no, we will only allow $1billion. In fact, we managed to get that, and now, they said it is illegal; and so, the country is not able to save in the ECA and we have left today in that account only about $3.6bn.

“Every month, because they (the governors) say it is illegal, we have been dipping hands into it (ECA). Instead of moving that money into the sovereign wealth account, it is being shared until it is almost at the bottom” she said, adding that “the argument about the legality or illegality is a moot point because we have spent almost all the money.”

She further explained that “what that means is that should the price of oil drop today, we have no cushion because $3.6bn for this economy is not enough to take us to any length of time, and that was what I told them at the governors’ forum during the National Economic Council meeting the last time.”

The governor’s forum is currently challenging the constitutionality of the Sovereign Wealth Fund in the court”.

According to her, the federal nature of Nigeria’s political setting was being exploited by some interests to make it difficult for the nation to save. She said, “The constitution says the President should manage the economy for the benefit of everybody. The decision to save is also part of the management of the economy for the benefit of the people of Nigeria. Every state can save but the Federal Government can save for all Nigerians.

“This country depends on a product that is sold internationally and whatever happens there affects us. That is why we need to have savings. Sixty per cent of our oil is sold to the US and Europe, and these countries are facing big economic problems. For instance, the US has an unemployment rate of eight per cent; Spain, 24 per cent; and India, 9.9 per cent.

“So, if 60 per cent of our oil is sold to them, then we have a problem and any country that has great volatility such as ours will always have problem, and this will lead to crisis in the economy.”

Just three weeks ago, Dr. Ngozi OkojoIweala addressed stakeholders of the nation’s capital market in Lagos where she told them that powerful state governors were responsible for dragging Nigeria into the mess of a depleted Excess Crude Revenue accruals.

According to her, a significant portion of the billions of dollars drained from the oil savings account over the past two years was distributed to powerful governors instead of being saved for a rainy day.

The Excess Crude Account (ECA) had around $9 billion in December 2012, but has faced persistent pressures by governors who demand withdrawing all they could in order to meet their expenditure needs. Accordingly, Dr Okonjo-Iweala said some of the money had been drawndown to cover revenue lost due to outages caused by oil theft and pipeline vandalism, thought to drain hundreds of thousands of barrels a day.

“Some of it (the ECA) was then legitimately used to offset revenue shortfalls arising from quantity shocks and to narrow the fiscal deficit,” she said. “But against our advice, significant portions were also used to augment monthly allocations,” to local and state authorities.

“States argued that rainy days were already at hand and in fact (the rain) was already pouring, so the money needed to be used right away,” Okonjo-Iweala said.

Request for fresh $2b drawndown As ridiculous as it would sound, last month, even when the entire savings in ECA was only $4.1 billion, the governors came with a demand that President Jonathan should draw $2 billion.

According to them with only a few months for most of them to end their terms, they wanted the money in order “to complete ongoing projects” , as well as, beef up security in their domains ahead of the February general elections. In spite of a series of warnings, most governors carried on as if the volatility

of oil prices was a fairy tale. They collect their states’ allocations every month and spend part of the money on frivolities while the people wallow in poverty and various forms of deprivation.

As incredible as it may appear, the governors take allocations for Local governments in their states, thereby depriving the third tier of government of their statutory revenue.

Even after taking what the resources that belong to the two lower tiers of government, shamefully, some governors fail to pay workers’ their monthly salaries. Unfortunately, neither the local government chairmen nor the workers in the states can call the governors to account.

They carry on like emperorsalways in Abuja, or abroad, even when they fail in their basic responsibilities. The huge corruption at the federal level makes the rape on our economy vicious.

Cutting cost of governance Dr. Okonjo-Iweala disclosed that the Integrated Personnel Payrolls Information System , IIPIS, adopted by the federal has saved N185.4 billion and weeded out 60,450 ghost workers from 359 MDAs. It’s important for the federal government to push that policy through, having been convinced that the ghost workers syndrome is real.

50 — SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

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SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014 — 51

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52—SA TURD AY 52—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard , DECEMBER 27 27, 2014 with Vera

Samuel Anyagafu

veedd41@yahoo.com

The Sony hack: Why North Korea didn’t want ‘The Interview’ released

T

he Interview’, a film produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a major Hollywood movie studio, which is believed to have depicted the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, may not be released after all.

The movie, which was planned to be released on Christmas day, may not see the day, following terrorism threat against theaters showing the film.

It is widely accepted that the hackers who are believed to be strongly backed by North Korean government, infiltrated the computer network of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and stole a huge number of confidential documents, which are now being downloaded, essentially by journalists, from filesharing networks.

While uncertainty trails real identity of hackers, Saturday Vanguard authoritatively gathered that Sony Pictures employees, late November 24, discovered that their corporate network had been hacked, and attackers got away with terabytes of private data, deleted the original copies from Sony computers, and left messages threatening to release the information if Sony did not comply with the attackers’ demands.

Saturday Vanguard gathered from observatories on ground that the hackers posted 5 Sony movies and 4 were released to filesharing networks.

Also provoking was the fact that thousands of Sony confidential documents were leaked through the file-sharing network, including private correspondence among Sony executives to salary and performance data.

Report also disclosed that the documents were password protected, and whoever is behind the hack provided said password, stressing that it’s likely only a matter of time before the information break out into the world at large.

SA TURD AY VANGU ARD SATURD TURDA VANGUARD OBSER VATION OBSERV

S

outh Korean government was furious at Sony for planning to release on Christmas day, The Interview, a comedy in which Seth Rogen and James Franco play characters attempting assassinating North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. A message claiming to be from the hackers demanded that Sony stop immediately showing the movie of terrorism which can break the regional peace and cause the War. The hackers threatened to launch 9/11-style attacks against American movie theaters that showed the film.

Theaters became nervous about the possibility that the attackers, whoever they were, would follow through on the threats, and or fears of terrorism would keep moviegoers away from the theaters.

Either way, some theaters asked Sony for permission to drop the film from their lineups, and so were several other theaters, following which Sony announced it was suspending the film’s release on December 25, 2014 altogether, citing the theaters’ pullout for their decision.

Is it ethical for journalists to report on illegally released Sony documents?

I

•North Korean leader Kim Jong for producing a movie depicting the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. However, the ripples have created some sort of confusion, as many people appear to be unsure of the allegation, which is increasingly hooking North Korea.

Although, multiple

nvestigations also revealed that North Korea is furious at Sony

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pointed out that the methods used against Sony Entertainment are similar to those used in a 2013 attack on South Korean companies last year, adding that, some security experts suspect those attacks were carried out by North Koreans operating from China.

NYPD on alert, after assassination of 2 white police officers

F

ollowing the shooting dead of 2 New-York Police officer, Rafael

Is North Korea responsible?

I

media organizations have reported that the US government has concluded that the Republic of North Korea is responsible, there are some other circumstantial evidence linking the attacks to the country.

It is also worthy of note that forensic analysis has

t was generally agreed that the attack on Sony’s network was clearly illegal and unethical.

While some people argue that by journalists reporting on the contents of Sony’s documents, they are profiting from, and maybe aiding in the hackers’ efforts to embarrass the organization, others note that once the documents have been posted online, any single news organization refusing to report on their contents may only delay the inevitable.

Moreover, much of journalism involves revealing secrets that powerful people or institutions tried to keep secret, and often involves getting sources to share information they are not authorized to share Ultimately, then, the question is less about whether to report on the documents than how much to report, but most news organizations have concluded at least some of the revelations in the Sony leak are fair game for reporters.

•Ismaaiyl Brinsley

Ramos and Wenjian Liu, the city police departments and union leaders around the country h a v e advised officers on duty to w e a r bulletproof vests and a v o i d making inflammatory posts on s o c i a l media.

T h e slayings of the 2 officers, h o w e v e r, heightened fears about the safety of l a w enforcement officials across the

US, though there is no evidence any threats are imminent.

According to agency report, “The gunman, 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley, vowed in an Instagram post to put “ wings on pigs” in retaliation for the killings of black men at the hands of white police.

Report also noted that Commissioner William Bratton of the NYPD, the largest police department in the United States, said that the two officers were “quite simply assassinated,” adding that “they were targeted for their uniform.”

Saturday Vanguard gathered that investigators are trying to determine if Brinsley had taken part in any protests over the deaths of Michael Brown and

Eric Garner, whose names he invoked in his online threat, or simply latched onto the cause for the final act in a violent rampage.

However, police nationwide have faced criticism in the wake of Garner ’s death after a chokehold by a white New York Police Department officer and Brown’s fatal shooting in Ferguson, Missouri, by a white police officer.

After the officers’ killings, a uniongenerated message warned officers to respond to every radio call with two cars, no matter what the opinion of the patrol supervisor, and also not make arrests unless absolutely necessary.

Another directive also warned officers in Newark, New Jersey, not to patrol alone and to

avoid people looking for confrontations. At the same time, a memo from an NYPD chief asked officers to limit their comments “ via all venues, including social media, to expressions of sorrow and condolence.”

In view of the aforementioned, Philadelphia Police Commissioner, Charles Ramsey urged the leaders of protests over the deaths of Garner and Brown to call for calm and not let this escalate any further.

Also in Boston, Police Commissioner William Evans was reported to have issued an alert to officers to warn them about the New York City slayings and adding that the department had issued several alerts after the decision by the Ferguson grand jury.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014—53

Funding APC: Wike, Rivers govt bicker over N30bn

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

G

OVERNORSHIP candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Rivers state, Mr Nyesom Wike has accused Governor Chibuike Amaechi of spending N30 billion on General Muhamadu Buhari rtd to emerge presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

APC with the expectation that he (Amaechi) would be made his running mate.

In a quick reaction, the state government

described the claim as false and malicious.

Commissioner of Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari challenged Wike to back his claim with facts.

“It is unbelievable that a man who wants to be the governor of this state can make such an unbelievable statement without any proof.

“We challenge him (Wike) to show proof that Governor Amaechi spent N30 billion to fund APC campaign.

“There are some things that are unbelievable. With

what President Jonathan is giving us, N30 billion is three months allocation. Is that what he (Wike) is saying that we used for

primary?

“Rivers State Government will not dignify such unintelligent talk with responses. We will

not respond to unintelligent talk; we will not react to stupid conjecturing”, she said.

Meantime, Wike who

spoke at a rally in the governor ’s local government, Ikwerre local government area said the alleged money expended on the APC by the state government was responsible for why the government could not pay salaries for December.

Genital mutilation has multiple effects on health, sexuality— Experts

S

OME health experts on Friday advised against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), saying it could have adverse effects on the female health and sexuality.

The experts told the News Agency of Nigeria

(NAN) in separate interviews in Lagos that FGM was a form of violence on the woman’s body, sexuality and psyche.

Dr Oliver Ezechi, a gynaecologist at the Nigerian Institute of

Medical Research (NIMR), defined female genital mutilation or circumcision as any cut or manipulation of female genitalia that is not for medical purpose.

He said that infertility could occur as a result of

infection contracted during female circumcision.

According to him, the act was usually done with unsterilised equipment that was used for more than one person in remote places.

“These infections can spread into the uterus and into the fallopian tube and it could block the fallopian tubes later in life, and the girl-child will find it difficult to have babies.

“With infertility caused by such infections, they can only get pregnant through In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).

“The circumcised child may even have problems of what we call ‘hidden menstruation’, and because the place is already blocked or closed, the bleeding will not flow as it should,” he said.

Ezechi said that the effects of female genital mutilation could cause pain to the women during labour and child delivery.

He said that the vagina and vulva were made of soft tissues to reduce injury during delivery, as they expand for the baby’s head to pass through.

“The scarred tissues can cause tear during child birth, with a lot of bleeding.

Some of the tears might even go into the rectum.

Edo Police foil robbery attack

By Simon Ebegbulem

T

HE Police in Edo State yesterday arrested three persons, suspected to be armed robbers, along Uwa Street, Benin City.

The trio, identified as Samson Obi, Terry Ekokota and Esther James, were arrested by the command at their hideout by detectives attached the state police command.

According the a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joseph Edoigiawerie, a “search conducted on them led to the recovery of two locally made guns, two live cartridges and some charms from the sustects.”

The suspected armed robbers were also said to have confessed that they were planning an operation before they were apprehended.

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54—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

Spots that turn nightfall In Lagos Island into daylight BENJAMIN NJOKU

P

hilips Ademola lives in the mainland. But one cool evening, he decided to stroll down to the island to catch fun with his friend.

After visiting a few nightlife spots on the highbrow Adeola Odeku Street and Awolowo Road in Ikoyi, he couldn't hold back his bewilderment as he screamed loudly "Is that what goes on here at night? He had not been going to the Island for night outings. Everything was new to him. When you are saying goodnight to your neighbours and retiring to bed after the day's toiling, it's apparently a day break for some people.

Ademola, however, is not the only Lagosian who is partially ignorant of the nightlife that has become synonymous with the big boys and girls of the island.

Like in major cities across the world, Lagos Island does not sleep at night. Nightfall on the island is awakening time for some big boys and girls who paint the town red with their state-of-the-art automobile. The city comes to life after nightfall, glowing with light cast by soaring skyscrapers, twinkling bridges and cool breeze emanating from the Alt-antic ocean.

A night out on the Lagos island reveals that virtually every nook and cranny of the city which is home to some of the big hotels in the country has a nightlife spot. From Adeola Odeku through Ademola Adetokunbo Street down to Ozumba Mbadiwe street and Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, the island becomes a different place when the sun goes down. Despite being the business district of the country, at night, the environment evokes sex and uncontrollable enjoyment galore.

Some of the patrons of the nightlife spots on the island are top businessmen, politicians, Chief Executives of some of the blue-chip companies domiciled on the island. Celebrities, expatriates, teenagers and young ladies make the best of the night life. The big boys prefer to catch fun, in handouts that operate strictly by membership.

Every major street and road on the island has suddenly become a beehive of activities every evening, especially on weekends. The ambiance helps. Taxi drivers are always on 24 hours service on the island.

At nightfall, areas like Adeola Odeku Street and its environs metamorphose into something else. The Street which houses most of the nightlife spots on the island, becomes a meeting point of sort to fun seekers. One of the popular spots, Spice Route

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located along the Street, comes alive at nightfall. The spot, which doubles as a restaurant is decorated with beautiful artwork and carvings, and at night it magically morphs into a club where island big boys and girls let loose till dawn. Not minding the cost of a bottle of beer, which is sold at N1000, while a bottle of Coke costs N500, the spot is usually bubbling with life from dusk till dawn. "We also have quite a sizable number of professionals big company executives who patronize us. They are mostly people who try to escape the terrible hold-up on the island. Some use our hangout to intermingle with old friends too,” a male staff of the spot said.

Side attractions at the spot is inevitable: sexy dressed ladies mill around the club. Away from Spice Route, Sip Bar is another nightlife spot that presents a different picture at night. The bar, which sits on top of Paris Deli Cafe/ Restaurant and located along Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island is a beautifully decorated lounge and bar. At night, the club is ridiculously crowded with fun seekers thronging the place to unwind. A bottle of beer at the club is sold as much as N1000, chapman and chops are equally expensive. Champagne sells up to N15,000 to N50,000 depending on the type.

Elis is another hot spot located on the Ikoyi axis, very close to Yoruba Tennis Club. It opens about 6.30 p.m. every day and sometimes runs through the night till early hours of the following day. The big boys of Lagos Island patronize the club. Working into the venue, the first thing that attracts your attention is the stand, the dim lights, and the spiraling metals.

From whatever part of the ground you find yourself, the encircled and wooly music envelops guests. Live bands perform every Friday night. The girls flock the place and the guys react accordingly.

B

ut at Movida, which is one of the busiest hot spots on the island, the major attraction at the club is the Ladies night out, and the players night which come up every Tuesday and Saturday. These two special days make the spot special. As early as 8pm, the place has started getting busy, but it reaches its peak after midnight. The club, after a long hiatus only just reopened its doors, is noted as one of the best and most expensive nightclubs and pickup spots on the island. This is because, the A-list club which remains a staple for

expatriates, foreigners and locals alike organizes regular hot events that gives fun seekers a feel of why Lagos Island is reputed as the entertainment capital of the country. " At Movida, foreigners have a field day. Also, on Adeola Odeku axis, is Rhapsody, which has two branches: one in the heart of Victoria Island, while the other is located in Ikeja. The spot, like others operating within the area comes alive at night for a swinging late night experience.

Other nightlife spots like Pravada which is being managed by venerable duo of Tola Odunsi and Akinkugbe, Kwid Lounge, Prive Lounge, Ember Creek, on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Über Chic Vibe, Escape, and newly opened Aramis Lounge located along Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, among others make Lagos Island different from other cities in the country.

But apart from the hot spots, there are major streets on the island that pull crowd at night. For instance, Sanusi Fafunwa Street, and Ademola Adetokunbo Street end of the road, in Victoria Island, exhibit an extremely business environment but swims into action at night. Those who are visiting the street at night for the first time may mistake it for the old Ayilara, Ojulegba, "red-light street." It has a commercial flair, and can well be described as one of the last relics of age. Yet in the middle of the night you will be sure to get a response. It is all part of the fun. Young ladies in their early twenties, mainly students, line up along the street all in seeking fun.

For them, the ever bubbling nightlife on the island presents a convenient shovel that digs them up from the monotony of brothel life. One could read the surprise on their faces as the callers show familiarity with some of their antics. This trend of acquaintance with crimson sisters, no doubt, leaves a big impression on the minds of those visiting . One could spend as much as N20,000,00 to N50,000,00 for one night stand. For the big boys, it is not much of the money, but the satisfaction and enjoyment they derive from the experience.

Our investigation, however, reveals that strip bar owners on the island rake in between N6 million and N10 million every month depending on the location and patronage.

Also, according to some of the night crawlers who spoke to Saturday Vanguard, most big boys prefer to club at night on the island because of the relative security that the club owners provide to their customers as well as their members. This is in addition to the presence of heavily armed security personnel who parade the axis from dusk till dawn.

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, DECEMBER 27, 2014—55

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56 — SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard , DECEMBER 27, 2014

OTIOTIO: An Ambassador of Christ turns 56

By Sufuyan Ojeifo met Ambassador Emmanuel Oseimiegha Otiotio in 1998 while I was Deputy Bureau Editor in the Abuja Office of Vanguard newspapers. At his instance, I attended a lunch meeting, in his house at the “E” wing of the Apo Legislators’ Quarters, which provided an opportunity to let us into his political plans and build a friendship that has, since then, flourished.

Otiotio, an official of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, was Chief Protocol Officer in the Office of the Head of State, a position he assumed in 1995. In 1998, he resigned to make a foray into the murky waters of politics; and, his aspiration was to be governor of Bayelsa State.

He was confident that he would make it.

But his quiet mien and soft voice, as he regaled us with his vision for Bayelsa State, painted a contrasting picture of a gentleman taking up the gauntlet, to confront a horde of rugged, desperate and unconscionable politicians who were all set to grab power at all cost.

At the end of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries that he reportedly won, but which victory was

I

Amb. Emmanuel Otiotio

awarded to Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, President Olusegun Obasanjo, acting in concert with the leadership of the party in the state, decided to pacify him by appointing him Nigeria’s ambassador to Japan. While in the saddle as ambassador in Tokyo, he performed creditably, helping to develop frameworks that strengthened bilateral relations between Japan and Nigeria.

He returned to the country in 2003, with his eyes sharply focused on the governorship of Bayelsa, but he did not enter into the race. Yet, he believes he is a battle axe in the hands of God to deliver and take his people people to El-Dorado. He says he is waiting for specific instruction from God on the right time to take the plunge.

Otiotio, who is 56 years old today, is not under any pressure to make a hurried decision. He does not believe the factor of age is potent enough to stymie the plan and purpose of God for his life. Ask him any question, no matter how tricky, his answer is always: “I am praying and we must continue to pray. God will guide me and He is the One who has the final say.”

Born in Nembe, Bassambiri in Nembe Local Government of Bayelsa State on December 27, 1958, Otiotio, who is happily married and has five children, attended Government Primary School, Opobo Town and State School, Bassambiri between 1966 and 1971, before proceeding to Nembe National Grammar School from 1972 to 1976.

From 1978 to 1982, he studied and obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in History from the University of Port Harcourt, and from 1985 to 1986, he obtained a Master of Science degree in Political Science from the University of Lagos. He studied at the Foreign Service Academy, Lagos, from 1987 to 1988 from where he obtained a Certificate in Diplomatic Studies.

Consequent upon graduation and his oneyear National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Otiotio was employed in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was posted to West Germany in August 1992. He was seconded from the Ministry to the International Training Institute for Peace, Lagos in 1994.

He was thereafter seconded to the Office of the Head of State as Chief Protocol Officer in January 1995.

His Emmanuel Oseimiegha Otiotio Farms and Foundation both of which he established in 2005 are up and running. And because of his influence and capacity to offer Godly advice, he was appointed Special Adviser on Political Matters to the Government of Bayelsa from August 2008 to February 2012.

A polyglot, who speaks Ijaw, Igbo, German and English, Otiotio is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. His hobbies are reading and studying the Bible, singing Christian songs, praying for leaders (any time he sees me, his admonition has always been for us to pray for Nigeria and its leader), playing golf and doing community service.

He has attended so many important courses spanning the secular and religious spheres.

He took courses at John F. Kennedy School of Government, Havard University and Lee Kwan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. In the religious sphere, he has taken a number of courses organised by the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries.

But it is quite significant, perhaps, to locate his passion for Jesus Christ in his global view. For him, Christ is the fulcrum on which creation and its totality revolve. Little wonder, therefore, that he cannot divorce Jesus Christ from all his discussions and dispositions. He is also quick to preach the crucified Christ. This is wishing my beloved Christ’s ambassador, a happy birthday.

Mr Ojeifo, journalist and publisher, sent this tribute from Abuja.

Port clearing system must be integrated for efficiency, effectiveness — Hassan Bello T

he Executive Service of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, Hassan Bello, recently spoke with Vanguard’s GODFREY BIVBERE on issues affecting the maritime industry. He spoke on the delay in the commencement of the Inland Container Depots, ICDs, role of the terminal operators, and the government agencies in port system and stressed the need for automation of port operations as solution to the many bottle neck hindering services.

It’s been months since the NSC was appointed the economic regulator of the industry, how has it been?

The NSC was mandated by the President early this year to be the regulator of the ports.

Hitherto, NSC has been the intermediary agency in the ports operations that is representing cargo interest which is the demand side of the shipping industry. We receive complains from importers and exporters, we push for positive government policies, we handle infrastructure like the Inland Container Depots, ICDs, etc. But we it became apparent that the benefits of port reforms were being threatened by lack of regulatory activities, then it became imperative for government to appoint an economic regulator.

The function of the economic regulator is to be a coordinator of various varied interest in the port. Before that time, everybody was doing their business without a coordinator, without a supervisor and in port operations you need synergy, you need unison, you need a level playing field and you need somebody to coordinate the activities because they are all related.

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Hassan Bello

Has the introduction of private sector in port operations yielded the desire result?

Government thinking in privatising the port was that private sector injection funds into port operations will bring efficiency and competitiveness. This we have archived to a large extent, especially in sea side operations and there are indicators to show that (turnaround time for ships).

Before, it took a long time for ships to come in but now it is shorter. Even the tonnage we have presently shows increase efficiency. However, it is the land side operation that is becoming a little bit difficult, affecting the efficiency of our port, in the sense that we have cumbersome clearing procedures. We have near primitive procedures, so many stops, some many papers, so many documents. This has resulted in a huge dwell time for cargoes from the port while the port is supposed to be a transit port for cargoes and that will not make our ports competitive because we should never forget that we are in competition with our neighboring ports. When people find neighbouring ports clearing process simple or

simplified, they will rather take their cargo there. So what we are trying to do is to make sure that the cost and the ease of doing business in Nigerian ports are up to the standard.

We monitor the efficiency of all the parties; we try to streamline their processes and procedures to modernise them. What we are doing is putting in place short, medium and long term solutions.

The long term solution is the introduction of automation, technology into the port clearance system. We must be automated and modern, which means nobody has to go physically to the port, you sit down in the comfort of your office and do whatever you have to do.

Nigeria has the competitive edge and means, Nigeria could be the hub for trade for the region because this is a function of efficiency.

Sir, you said earlier that the Council is working towards achieving streamless clearing process at the port through etransaction, how soon should operators/Nigerians expect this?

It is not really how soon but a process, not the end product. One has to be careful when setting up a regulatory framework because it must be solid, it must be well thought out, and it must be a permanent solution. You will agree with me that the position of the port, the contribution of the maritime industry into the Nigerian economy is very important. In other countries, it is revenue from port that makes

up about 80 percent but here it is oil. What we are saying is that with a well coordinated port and with the support of government, NSC should be able to turn that round.

Are Nigerians involved in the privatization process of port operations?

Nigerians are participating, some terminals are owned by Nigerians that compete favorably with other terminals.

But of course you need an overall policy to make sure that Nigerians are participating in this business.

The local content act, just as you know, reserves certain aspects for Nigerian entrepreneurs and I think if this is followed, you will see more participation of Nigerians. If we do that, Nigerians will be empowered to have ships, to carry our own oil and this will also have effect on our banking, financial and insurance institutions. So you can imagine the ripple effect on employment, industries and so many others.

Is the Council doing anything as regards the dominance of shipping activities by foreigners?

This is receiving attention. The Indigenous ship owners Association and many other maritime operators have advocated for a change in that direction and I think the government will review that.

You see, in this capacity, we don’t handle freight. It is the atmosphere you create, the more competition you create, the more you open room for people to go and compete, and I think that sometimes, it is not good to be too protective. Even though we could be more catholic than the pope sometimes, but I think the more you compete, the more Nigerians will come.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard , DECEMBER 27, 2014—57

NEWS

University of Nigeria, Nsukka

SHOCKER:

Nigerian University where students defecate in the open zTwo citadels and their testimonies DR UGOJI EBUJO

W

idespread anomie prevalent in Nigeria, occasioned by a virtual dilapidation of the societal ethical and moral framework, has literally squelched any social appetite for comparative sociological analysis of any segment of the Nigerian society and a corresponding segment of any foreign country even if that country is Somalia . Any such study invariably ends as an exercise in rendition of woes, lamentations and pity. Our country once mighty have fallen and is falling. The decay is systemic and deepseated and widespread . Our political system is heavily infected by corruption and the educational system is strangulated by poor funding. But our education suffers from much more.

Teachers groan and moan, deride politicians and claim moral indignation but they are equally culpable for the rot that has beset us.

The university of Ghana and the University of Nigeria have so much in common besides being named after their respective countries. They were both conceived during the colonial era and they have main campuses located on hills, Legon and Nsukka . Both have very large student population of between 35000 and 38000. They have regional reputations and have produced high quality graduates who have played great roles in their societies.

A brief stay in each university last year afforded me an opportunity to reflect on the two societies through those institutions .

In Legon, it was an experience of efficiency, culture and aesthetics. All buildings were painted and all were white and all had red

roofs and all windows black.

Flowers and hedges were manicured and trees added beauty to the environment. Order was evident and everything showed agelessness because the new and the old abided by a laid down code.

The library was quaint but noiseless, lacked modern books but had good ambience. The hostels showed they have not lacked care and the newer ones were quite modern. But whether old or new , modern or ancient the colour codes were maintained and all the roofs were red. The Guest house was sparsely furnished but functional and had good landscaping .

Order and serenity were evident.

The internet wifi system was good. Nsukka was a different experience. A multitude of Uncompleted projects littered everywhere, grasses had Turned to bushes and hedges were untrammeled, free and wild. Many buildings were pale, washed and battered.

Hostels were in shambles .The Enugu campus that houses faculties of Law and Medicine has no pipe borne water. The state of the toilet facilities in Enugu campus can only be imagined. A chat with some female students of that campus revealed that students have buckets for defecating.

They defecate in the open, along the toilet corridor,many at a time, facing themselves, into buckets and hurl the

They defecate in the open, along the toilet corridor,many at a time, facing themselves, into buckets and hurl the contents afterward into the toilet Bowls, leaving trails of feces for the cleaners who come when they wish to effect as much cleaning as they can

contents afterward into the toilet Bowls, leaving trails of feces for the cleaners who come when they wish to effect as much cleaning as they can. The buckets are subsequently rinsed with scarce water ,which they have to buy , and kept in the rooms until when again needed. Those who cannot stand the bucket idea defecate into polythene bags and fling them onto a heap behind the hostels.

That heap has survived generations . Its pathetic. An Alumni exists but the atrocity has persisted. The Vice chancellors residence is state of the art, new. The vice chancellor has managed to ensconce himself in five star comfort while students are dehumanized . Dont ask me who is being groomed there.

Perhaps pit toilets , since they cannot have water, may actually restore some dignity. Its that bad. Students learning early how to be wild.

The school’s internet network system functions so abysmally slowly that I could not use it . Lecturers and students can hardly do meaningful online researches in that remote location. A senior lecturer told me she sends articles to foreign journals using her blackberry phone.

That is the story of Nigeria . And ironically the school’s motto reads: To restore the dignity of man. Ghanas 2015 budget is 50 percent donor funded, Nigeria

University of Ghana

is rich and lives on her own money. Legon is to a great extent insulated from political and local administrative

changes because Legon has a tradition. A tradition that all must follow. That entrenched tradition is the institution. So while projects in Legon are completed before others are started, and buildings are repainted yearly, Nsukka is a picture of haphazardness and planlessness. An environment of order and good tradition will culture , nurture and instill order and virtue in young minds but if you sow disorder , you will reap disorder.

Often Nigerian academics sneer at the politicians claiming they are superficial, flimsy, selfish, shortsighted and wasteful. But Nsukka indicts Our academics.And Its not just about funding.

And Nsukka is not alone ,other public universities are perhaps worse. Nsukka is a reflection of our society .University of Ghana indicts all of us. And we shamelessly now troop there in droves in search of better tertiary education for our children.

Dr Ugoji Ebujo, MBBS, LLB, LLm (Medical Doctor and Criminology

58—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

‘Uduaghan first instructed me to work for Okowa’

Michael Diden

BY FESTUS AHON

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hief Michael Diden hails from Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State. He was a former Senior Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, one time Chairman of Warri North Local Government Area and immediate past Commissioner representing Itsekiri Nationality in the DESOPADEC. Today, he is the PDP House of Assembly flagbearer in Warri North constituency for the 2015 general elections. Excerpts: What is your take on the just concluded PDP Guber primary election in Delta?

The election has come and come gone; it was very peaceful, free and fair. Unlike other states, the outcome of the election has further strengthened the unity of the party in the State.

You can see all those that contested the election are united behind Senator Ifeanyi Okowa who won the election. This is a testimony of the fact that all the aspirants were satisfied with the conduct of the election and have accepted the result in the spirits of sportsmanship.

As a PDP faithful, did you get instruction to work with any of the governorship aspirants?

Yes! My governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan instructed me at the beginning to work with Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. Later I got a counter instruction and I said the ‘masquerade does not speak twice; so I followed the first instruction to the letter and thank God my Principal, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa won.

But as politicians, we have collapsed all the structures into one.

You can see the composition of the campaign council; it includes all the governorship aspirants. So we are

now working as one family and very optimistic that the PDP will sweep the polls in 2015.

Do you think Nigeria has done well after several years of democratic experience?

It is regrettable that Nigeria’s democracy, which is fashioned after America’s presidential system, has not quite taken root because of obvious factors. Since, independence on October 1, 1 1960, Nigeria has had an unstable polity characterized by long years of military leadership.

Between 1, 1960 and May 29, 1999 Nigeria had different military administrations: General Aguiyi Ironsi (January 1966July1966), Genera Yakubu Gowon (July 1966-February 1975), General Murtala Mohammed (February 1975-February 1976), General Olusegun Obasanjo (February1976-October 1979).

General Mohammadu Buhari (December 1983- August 1985), General Ibrahim Babangida (August 1985-August 1993), General Sani Abacha (August 1993-June 1998), General Abdulsalam Abubakar (June 1998May 1999).

What this simply means is that democracy is still in its infancy in the country.

The problems of democracy in Nigeria cannot be limited to just the factors above, but could take their bearing from all of them.

Nonetheless, the central impediment to the growth of democracy in Nigeria is the inability of the system to adapt to our local environment. Right from independence, Nigeria has had two brands of democratic system- the parliament system and the presidential system. Nigeria has had experiment with numerous constitutions. The first

was the independence constitution of 1960, which was swiftly suspended as soon as the military struck on January 15, 1966.

Since then, it has become fashionable for a new constitution to emerge each time there is a change of government. The 1999 constitution, which the late Genera Sani Abacha designed, was eventually promulgated into law by General Abdulsalami Abubakar who succeeded him.

Due to the hastiness with which it was produced, the constitution was thought by many Nigerians to have hindered our polity. For instance, some critics of the constitution argued that it should have made provisions for the complex nature of our society.

Sir, what would you say was responsible for the situation?

Though, some elites have argued that Lord Frederick Lugard without the consent of Nigerians merged the North and the South for convenience of the British government, it is sad to state that since then, progressive retrogression and continuous injustice have been the lot of the majority of the citizenry.

The British colonization brought together three vast and culturally distinctive regions – North, Southeast and Southwest and at least 250 different language groups, more than any other African country.

Nigeria inherited the Britishstyle of parliamentary system, with Dr. Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe (first Nigerian media mogul) as the first governorgeneral and from 1963, President, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa of the NPC as the Prime Minister, exercising executive power and Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo as the opposition leader. The

Northern, Western and Eastern Regions constituted the country’s tripartite structure, until the MidWestern Region was created in1963.

The last twenty years in Nigeria have witnessed a multiplicity of tensions, crises and conflicts. The decade of unparalleled difficulties in Nigeria has, to some extent, brought the feeling of nervous, gloom, anxiety, worry, pressure, intimidation and very dangerous condition in the relationship between the people and the various governments, particularly between 1993 and 1998.

The cancellation of the June 12 presidential election, won by the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and which was considered by the international observers as well as Nigeria, the freest and fairest election not only in Nigeria but in Africa. This same election was cancelled by the Babangida junta without giving the masses any clearcut reason in his broadcast on June 23, 1993 for the cancellation of an election which cost Nigeria a whopping N40 billion.

The annulment by the Babangida junta brought in an unprecedented political unrest, ethnic crises and ideological conflict, which eventually brought in the African celebrated dictator, General Sani Abacha to power in 1993 between 1993 and 1998, Nigeria experienced the worse years of multiple assassination, bombing of innocent people and properties, explosion, indiscriminate murder, daylight robberies, killings, arsons, unrest, unjust detention, harassments and armed conflicts.

It is no longer strange to watch on our television, listen over our radio and read in our newspapers and magazines the incessant political clashes and fracas in all the Houses of Assembly, Representatives and the Senate. Tables, chairs and documents are thrown at each other in the Legislative Houses.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 27, 2014 —59

Enyeama:

It’s my time to shine Continues from BP Super Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama has expressed excitement after he made the final shortlist for the 2014 CAF African player of the year.

The Lille of France goalkeeper has been named alongside Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang of Borussia Dortmund and Gabon, and current holder, Yaya Toure of Manchester City and Ivory Coast.

And the 32-year old has told SL10.ng of his delight at making the final shortlist of the prestigious award.

“I feel so proud and honoured to have been nominated for this award. To be the best in Africa is not easy and I am excited that I have been shortlisted,” he told SL10.ng.

Enyeama was voted for by coaches of the national teams affiliated to CAF for the award ceremony which will hold in January in Lagos and the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner has once again expressed gratitude to all those who voted for him.

“I have to say a very big thank you to all those who voted for me,

it’s a big honour for me, my family and my country. It feel it is my time to shine.”

The former Heartland goalkeeper has been in inspired form for both club and country in this calendar year and has been instrumental in their relative success.

The only dent however, is his failure to qualify with Nigeria for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Rooney and Falcao celebrate yesterday’s 3-1 win against Newcastle.

•Vincent Enyeama

Ideye vows to prove doubters wrong

•Kadiri Ikhana

Continues from BP delays coupled with injury problems blighted his first four months in England.

But the 26-year-old, who started the club’s last two league games, says he wants to

Champions League:

It won’t be easy for Enyimba —Ikhana E

nyimba coach Kadiri Ikhana said there are no longer any weak teams in the CAF Champions League, suggesting that preliminary round opponents Buffles du Borgou are not to be trifled with under any circumstances.

Ikhana, who was the brains behind Enyimba’s Nigerian Premier League title success last season, said that his team needed to prepare adequately for the fixture, adding that the right results would be produced if they do just that.

“That’s a fantastic pairing, as I’ve always believed that there is no more small team in the round leather game,” Ikhana told the Vanguard on Friday.

“The side (Buffles) are certain to field 11 players, same as ours when football hostilities commence,” added Ikhana. Enyimba have conquered Africa twice before - in 2003 and again in 2004 - and there are strong indications that the Nigerian giants will be a force to be reckoned with again next season.

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reward those fans who stood by him during his challenging spell in the stands.

“It was a tough start but right now I’m happy to be in the first team plans,” Ideye told BBC Sport.

“It’s the worst feeling to be mentally ready and unable to play due to injury, but that’s football.

“Now that I get the chance to make a contribution, it would also be nice to reward those fans who stood by me, the manager and my teammates.”

Ideye has managed just one goal for the club. It came in the League Cup win against Hull City in September - but the player injured himself in the process.

Having put the injury problems and early criticism behind him and with manager Alan Irvine backing him to break his Premier

result I would do the same for him by doing what I know how to do best - score goals.

“There is nothing worse for a player with more to give than being denied the opportunity to give it, now that I get the chance, I have to take it.”

Chelsea 2 good for West Ham Continues from BP •Ideye League duck - the Super Eagle is eager to prove he is no flop.

“I expect people to talk because of the money involved in the transfer but that should not deter me from doing my job as a professional,” he added.

“I’ve been given a big chance by a manager who believes in me.

He’s always prepared to back me and as a

offered more in the second, but their hopes were snuffed out by Costa’s drilled finish just after the hour.

Gary Cahill thumped a shot straight at Adrian and the seemingly inevitable Chelsea opener arrived after Eden Hazard almost wriggled his way in on goal.

James Collins’ last-ditch tackle had denied the Belgian on that occasion, but from the resulting corner the defender lost Terry, who was free to poke in as Costa flicked on.

The Blues did not let up and Costa punted over when well placed before Branislav Ivanovic appealed in vain for a penalty as he went down under Andy Carroll’s challenge.

60— SATURDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 27, 2014

BEST PICTURES OF 2014

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n our special review of the outgoing year, we present to you, our esteemed readers, some breathtaking pictures from our precious vault, which we hope will give you a special feeling as you look back at a remarkable year in the world of sports.

COMMONWEALTH GAMES...Kenya’s Denis Okoth lands a punch on England’s Samuel Maxwell during their men’s Light Welterweight boxing fight at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, July 27, 2014. Photos: REUTERS

AGONY.....Ifeoma Nwoye of Nigeria is carried away by her coach after she lost her women’s freestyle 55kg wrestling semi-final to Brittanee Laverdure of Canada at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, July 31, 2014.

REAL HISTPRY.......Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with team mate Alvaro Morata (L) after scoring a penalty against Atletico Madrid during their Champions League final soccer match at the Luz Stadium in Lisbon, May 24, 2014.

WORLD CHAMPS.....Germany’s players lift the World Cup trophy as they celebrate their 2014 World Cup final win against Argentina at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, July 13, 2014.

HISTORIC......Gold medallist Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria poses with her Women’s 100m gold at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games on July 29, 2014.

Okagbare also won the 200m gold.

OSCAR TRIAL....Oscar Pistorius sits in the dock ahead of the second day of the trial of the Olympic and Paralympic track star at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, South Africa, March 4, 2014.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 27, 2014 — 61

2014 in focus:

Top footballers of world football

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s the year winds to a close, we rank the top footballers who made headlines in world football in 2014.

Cristiano Ronaldo

•Cristiano Ronaldo

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robably the best compliment of all is that he has beaten one of the giants of his sport into second place. Lionel Messi has taken the art of attacking football to its highest level, to the point at which it is perfectly legitimate to compare his achievement to Diego Maradona’s. Yet Cristiano Ronaldo has caught, and maybe overtaken, him as the most destructive force in world football. Ronaldo doesn’t just take on opposition defences, he bludgeons them. He could score the kind of goal that George Best used to score. But then again, he could score the kind of goal that Nat Lofthouse used to score.

And he could score the kind of goal that the other Ronaldo used to score. It’s a blur of speed, gelled hair and fluorescent boots and perhaps the greatest part of it all is that this is a workaholic’s career. For all his natural skill and athleticism, it gets overlooked sometimes that Ronaldo is utterly devoted to his craft.

He is coming up for 30, but just try to find the first sign of decline when he is greedily accumulating goals at the prodigious rate we have seen over the past year.

Ronaldo is the former Manchester United star who was clapped off by an Anfield crowd this season. It is known as authentic greatness.

N

euer has politely rebuffed the idea that he has revolutionised goalkeeping, pointing at the influence of Jens Lehmann and Edwin van der Sar. But there is little doubt that the 28-yearold has set a new benchmark by adapting with particular brilliance to the modern demands on the position. His confidence, skill and pace allow him to come out of his area and effectively give his teams a 12th player on the pitch; Neuer is both No1 and last defender, an additional

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•Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi A

•Neuer

t the time of writing Lionel Messi had played 50 games for Barcelona in 2014 and scored 48 goals. He had hit the post 11 times, too, so that figure could be even higher, and he had provided 19 assists. He ends the year having just become the all-time leading scorer in La Liga and the all-time leading scorer in European competition. And that’s just for his club: he also took Argentina to the World Cup final. And yet most people have concluded that this was a bad year for Messi, which perhaps it was. It was certainly disappointing for his club, runners-up to Atlético Madrid in the league, Real Madrid in the cup and beaten by Atlético i n the Champions League quarter-finals. The statistics really just hammer home the absurdly high standards Messi had set. It was a difficult season off the pitch as well as on it, with injury and tax issues, while Messi’s relationship with some on the board has been strained. Meanwhile his team fades too. In a way, maybe the surprise is that he played as well as he did, albeit still not well enough to top this chart. For some Messi is the best player of all time, but not the best player in the world in 2014: Messi slips off the top of the Guardian list for the first time. Only nine of our 73 judges ranked him as the world’s best player in 2014.

Manuel Neuer safety barrier behind the high line and an extra outlet for passes to break the opposition pressing. “Only Franz Beckenbauer was a better sweeper,” said Germany’s goalkeeping coach, Andreas Köpke, after Neuer had run six kilometres and touched the ball 21 times outside his own box in the last-16 match against Algeria at the World Cup, during which he also saved 85% of all shots on goal. His game can look flash to the uninitiated but Neuer, who has studied the

movement of handball and ice hockey goalkeepers for inspiration, says he is simply doing what is best for his sides. “Goalkeepers can’t do their own thing and wait to make a great save on the line anymore,” he has said. “They are team players. Behind everything is the fundamental question: What does the team need?”

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62—SATURDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 27, 2014

•Muller

•Robben

Continues from pg61 ARJEN ROBBEN There has often been a resistance to the charm of Arjen Robben in the past, a sense that his almost selfparodying fondness for hitting the deck has undermined his appeal, but he is finally winning acceptance from the wider public. A rare case of a winger who appears to be getting better and more consistent with age, the level the Dutchman reached for club and country this year has seen him rise 10 places on this list and although Robben has just missed out on a place on the podium, it is heartening to see recognition of his talent. Life would be easier if he stayed on his feet a bit more but even his detractors would have to admit that few things are more exhilarating than Robben on the run, snaking inside from the right and bending a shot into the far corner with his left foot. He can be selfish, but the brilliance of Robben is such that his intentions are often predictable and yet defences still cannot stop him.

Robben was exceptional for Bayern Munich as they won the Bundesliga and a leader for Holland on their way to finishing third in Brazil. His performance when Holland destroyed Spain 5-1 was one for the ages.

THOMAS MÜLLER “I don’t think there are many [opposition] players in the world who understand his runs and ideas,” Bastian Schweinsteiger recently said of Thomas Müller ’s unorthodox playing style. With his spindly legs and sloppy attire – socks pulled C M Y K

•Suarez

•Neymar

Top footballers of halfway down, singlet peaking out above his backside – the Bayern Munich and Germany forward does a very good job at masking his predatory prowess. “There are others who are better in the air, better with their right, better with their left,” he has admitted. His deliberate freekick stumble against Algeria didn’t quite work out but he still scored five goals for the Nationalmannschaft in Brazil to double his tally in final tournaments. Still only 25, he is on course to outscore both his namesake Gerd Müller (14 goals in the World Cup) and the current record-holder Miroslav Klose (16). Müller has moaned that “muscles don’t grow” on him but also credited that deficit for forcing him to be more proficient above the neckline, to explore spaces others don’t even begin to see. “My legs have helped me,” he told Süddeutsche Zeitung. “If you can’t just count on your physical attributes, you have to switch on your brain and make certain runs to avoid getting tackled.”

LUIS SUÁREZ A typical year in the career of one of football’s most instinctive, divisive, brilliant and troubled talents. The striker inspired Liverpool to the cusp of their first league title for 24 years, his 31 league goals, audacious skill and relentless movement integral to the breathtaking form of Brendan Rodgers’ team.

Suárez swept up England’s individual honours, being named PFA and FWA Player of the Year despite claims that everyone had it in for him, with an apparent new-found maturity behind his elevation into the game’s elite. Liverpool’s title challenge ended in tears but the World Cup offered another chance to alter his reputation. Recovering from a knee ligament injury to score twice against England was a fairytale for Uruguay’s talismanic forward, but five days later he blew it, or bit it, by sinking his teeth into Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini. His World Cup was over in disgrace. Fifa hit Suárez with a fourmonth ban from all football-related activity and a nine-match international suspension but the record punishment did not deter Barcelona from signing the striker for £75m in July. He has made a slow start at the Camp Nou but left behind a gaping hole at Anfield.

NEYMAR Brazil’s wobbly World Cup train derailed even before the dramatic Germany game. Until Juan Zuñiga’s challenge literally broke Neymar’s back, the striker had carried the host country on his young shoulders. Despite almost unbearable pressure to be Brazil’s hero, he scored two goals in the opening game against Croatia after the host nation had fallen behind and were struggling to find their rhythm. There were another two goals in the

last group game against Cameroon before the win on penalties against Chile and then that fateful game against Colombia in Fortaleza. With 42 goals, Neymar is already the fifthhighest scorer in the history of the Seleção and with seven more will pip a certain Zico for fourth place. His record for Barcelona is not bad either: in his first 18 matches for the Blaugrana in 2014-15 Neymar scored 14 goals, three of them in the Champions League. It did help that from his first day in Catalonia Neymar did not try to upstage Lionel Messi, instead happily assuming second-fiddle duties. Getting more adapted to the rigours of European football will only make Neymar more dangerous, and all of a sudden the possibility of having to do without Messi is not completely unthinkable for Barcelona fans.

GARETH BALE After an injury-plagued start to his career as Real Madrid’s €100m record signing, Bale showed no sign of wilting under the burden of his price tag. He began 2014 in fine style and finished his first season in Spain with 22 goals, including one solo effort in the Copa del Rey final that was as breathtaking as it was lung-bursting. He also became the first Welshman to score in a Champions League final, during Real’s extra-time victory over Atlético. Bale has started this season as he finished the last, while speculation that his presence at the Bernabéu might pose a threat to the ego of Cristiano Ronaldo has proved to be without foundation. Indeed, the pair seem to have hit it off – “He

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SATURDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 27, 2014—63

•Lahm

•Bale

•Aguero

•Costa

f world football On the international front, Bale’s nationality precluded him from strutting his stuff on the World Cup stage, but thanks to his influence Wales are entertaining realistic hopes of reaching the finals of Euro 2016.

•Kroos

understands me, I understand him and he produces fantastic passes,” enthused the Portuguese, “I love him.” Bale speaks equally highly of his team-mate. “I think I’m improving all the time and trying to get to the level that Cristiano’s at,” he said. “It gives me that platform to aim for and keeps me improving and hopefully one day I can get there.”

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PHILIPP LAHM The Germany and Bayern stalwart successfully filled in as a deep-lying playmaker for Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger at the start of the World Cup, bringing rhythm as well as defensive stability to midfield. Joachim Löw switched him back to his customary right-back role from the quarter-final against France onwards, and the 31-year-old went on to lead his side to a fourth World Cup triumph, shedding a few tears at the final whistle at the Maracanã. Has there ever been a captain who has played two different positions so successfully in a major tournament? “A footballing robot,” the former Mainz coach Thomas Tuchel called him; Pep Guardiola praised him as “the most intelligent player I’ve ever worked with”. Lahm retired from the national team after lifting the trophy. Guardiola has had him playing in yet another role this season, as an inside-right midfielder with a licence to go forward. Lahm duly scored two goals in the league before suffering a broken ankle in training in November. “We cannot play badly any more,” he

said. “That’s mostly due to the manager, and the variety we now have in our game.” In other words: Bayern have now become a side in his image.

SERGIO AGÜERO Sergio Agüero scored 19 goals in his first 21 appearances in a season that - injury permitting - is shaping to be the finest of his Manchester City career. For a man pivotal in both City’s Premier League title triumphs this is some achievement, and points to how Agüero has again elevated his game to a new level. Manuel Pellegrini, Samir Nasri and a host of other City players bill him as marginally a class down from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and, considering the form the 26year-old had consistently showed before he was sidelined by a knee injury in early December, it is difficult to argue with that view. The hope now is that Agüero can recover soon and instantly return to the player who – when Pellegrini’s side had a prolonged wobble – kept City in the Premier League title chase and the Champions League almost single-handedly.

Who can forget that nerveless hat-trick against Bayern? Agüero featured in five of Argentina’s games as they reached the World Cup final but was not quite able to reproduce his club form on the biggest stage of all. He started the final on the

bench but came on at half-time for Ezequiel Lavezzi but was unable to prevent Germany taking the prize.

TONI KROOS During the World Cup Johan Cruyff described Kroos’s play as “nearly perfect”. Statistically that view was backed up as Kroos was ranked top of all the players in Brazil last summer (earning a mark of 9.79 out of 10) on metrics based on passing, tackles, ground covered and goals.

Real Madrid were delighted to have procured the services of such a refined modern midfielder from Bayern. His classy technique is welded onto his physical fitness – the feat of featuring in 90 games for club and country in the last 18 months was based on a programme of looking after himself extremely well. Kroos had a superb 2014.

DIEGO COSTA A brute of a forward whose nomadic career through Portuguese and Spanish football finally found fulfilment last season at Atlético Madrid. His 35-goal tally took Diego Simeone’s fine team to the Primera Liga title and a Champions League final, where he was hamstrung and unable to contribute. Fitness issues then went on to hamper his impact for his adopted country, Spain, at the World Cup but, as a £32m Chelsea player, he then scored seven times in his first four Premier League fixtures.

The focal point of José Mourinho’s side, he boasts the physical presence and aggression to thrive in English football, and looks set to do exactly that.

Source: guardian.co.uk

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 27, 2014

Chelsea 2 good for West Ham

CAF 2014 Player Award

Enyeama:

It’s my time to shine 59

Ideye vows to prove doubters wrong

S

uper Eagles forward Brown Ideye is determined to show he is worth every penny of the club-record fee West Bromwich Albion paid for him now that he’s enjoying regular football at the West Midlands club.

Ideye became Albion’s record £10 million signing in July when he joined from Dynamo Kiev but has endured a tough start to life at the Hawthorns.

He is yet to score in the Premier League and visa

Continues on page 59

•Ideye

CROSS WORD PUZZLE Across 1 England Right-Back and West Ham United Defender, Carl – (9) 5 Beard of Barley – (3) 7 BankNotes – (3) 8 L.G.A in Niger State – (7) 10 Country in Africa – (7) 11 L.G.A in Borno State – (7) 13 Precipitation – (4) 15 Kenya “Harambee Stars” Striker, Kepha – (6) 18 L.G.A in rivers State – (6) 20 Former Brazil “Samba Stars” Attacking Midfielder, Ricaro – (4) 22 L.G.A in Kebbi State – (7) 24 Greek Alphabet – (7) 25 Former Gombe United Chairman, John – (7) 27 Record – (3) 28 Employ – (3) 29 Mongolian Capital City – (4,5) Down 1 Plateau State Capital – (3) 2 Middlesbrough FC

Coach, Aitor – (7) 3 Slovenian Currency Unit – (6) 4 Super Eagles Midfielder, Obiorah – (7) 5 MD/CEO, Standard Chartered Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Bola – (7) 6 Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Benjamin – (9) 9 Farm Animal – (3) 11 Former Minister of Internal Affairs, Senator Ike – (9) 12 China is Located in this Continent – (4) 14 Deputy Director, State Security Service, Mrs. Marilyn – (4) 16 Alarms – (6) 17 Town in Enugu State – (7) 19 L.G.A in Jigawa State – (7) 21 L.G.A in Katsina State – (6) 23 Deity – (3) 26 Atmosphere – (3)

L

eaders Chelsea tightened their grip on the Premier League’s top spot with a commanding victory over West Ham. The Blues had already come close through Oscar and Gary Cahill when John Terry turned in Diego Costa’s header from close range.

After a tame first half, West Ham Continues on page 59

EPL RESULTS Arsenal 2 QPR 1 Chelsea 2 West Ham 0 Burnley 0 Liverpool 1 Crystal Palace 1 Stoke 3 Leicester 1 Tottenham 1 Man U 3 Newcastle 1 Swansea 1 Aston Villa 0 West Brom 1 Man City 3 Tomorrow’s Matches Tottenham v Man Utd 1pm Southampton v Chelsea 3:05pm Aston Villa v Sunderland 4pm Hull v Leicester 4pm Man City v Burnley 4pm QPR v Crystal Palace 4pm Stoke v West Brom 4pm West Ham v Arsenal 4pm Newcastle v Everton 5:15pm

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