70 killed in Borno, Plateau states ...as Boko Haram abducts 3 soldiers, kills one in Yobe

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2—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 29, 2013

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SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013 — 3

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4—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 29, 2013

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SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013 —5

Vatican official, Monsignor Nunzio Scarano, arrested in corruption plot

BY SAM EYOBOKA WITH AGENCY REPORT

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VATICAN official was arrested yesterday by Italian police for allegedly trying to bring 20 million euros ($26 million) in cash into the country from Switzerland aboard an Italian government plane, his lawyer said.

Monsignor Nunzio Scarano, already under investigation in a purported money-laundering plot involving the Vatican Bank, is accused of fraud, corruption and slander stemming from the plot, which never got off the ground, Attorney Silverio Sica told Associated Press.

It was the latest financial scandal to hit the Vatican and came just two days after Pope Francis created a commission of inquiry into the Vatican bank to get to the bottom of the problems that have plagued it for decades and contributed to damaging the Vatican’s reputation.

Sica said Scarano was a middleman in the Swiss operation. Friends had asked him to intervene with a broker to return 20

million euros they had given him to invest. Sica said Scarano persuaded the broker to return the money, and an Italian secret service agent, Giovanni Maria Zito, went to Switzerland to bring the cash back aboard an Italian government aircraft. Such a move would presumably prevent any reporting of the money coming into Italy.

The operation failed because the broker reneged on the deal, Sica said.

Zito, nevertheless, demanded his 400,000 euro commission. Scarano paid him an initial 200,000 euros by cheque, Sica said.

But in a bid to not have the second installment of the commission deposited, Scarano filed a report for a missing 200,000 cheque, even though he knew Zito had it, Sica said.

The broker and Zito also were arrested Wednesday along with Scarano, Sica said.

When asked how Scarano responded to the accusations, Sica said “I think that Don Nunzio will respond to the questions.”

It’s not the only troubles facing Scarano.

Prosecutors in the Southern city of Salerno have placed him under investigation for alleged moneylaundering stemming from his account at the Vatican’s bank, called the Institute for Religious Works, or IOR. The investigation concerns transactions Scarano, then an official at the Administration for the Patrimony of the Apostolic See,

made in 2009 in which he took 560,000 euros ($729,000) in cash out of his personal IOR bank account and carried it out of the Vatican and into Italy to help pay off a mortgage on his Salerno home.

To deposit the money into an Italian bank account and to prevent family members from finding out he had such a large chunk of cash, he asked 56 close

friends to accept 10,000 euros apiece in cash in exchange for a cheque or money transfer in the same amount, Sica said earlier this week. Scarano was then able to deposit the amounts in his Italian account.

The original money came into Scarano’s IOR account from donors who gave it to the prelate thinking they were funding a home for

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HE National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria, NARD ,yesterday suspended its 3-Day nationwide warning strike which began on Wednesday.

NARD had embarked on the strike to express its displeasure over what it described as grossly inadequate budgetary allocation for residency training and to show dissatisfaction towards unbecoming attitude of the Chief Medical

Director of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Prof George Akpede.

According to National President, Dr Ismail Lawal at a press conference in Lagos, the strike was suspended

L-R: Mrs Gbolahan Daodu, Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board {SUBEB}; Lion Samuel O.H Ekpuk , District Governor Lion District 404 Nigeria ; Dr (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule, SSG, representing Gov of Lagos State ; and Lion Lauretta Onyima , president of Lion Club and others at a commissioning of a new school building in Anthony yesterday.

Photo Shola Oyelese

following series of consultations at different fora, with the Minister of Labour, Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, and other stakeholders.

Ismail said the various discussions have led to

favourable responses and promises which he believed led to the removal of ISTH CMD. He said NARD’s resolve to ensure that residency training was adequately funded was a

T

HE joint secretariat of Citizens Advocacy Group and Project Nigeria organizers of the forthcom-

ing National Political Summit on the future of Nigeria tagged Uyo 2013, have postponed the summit earlier scheduled to commence on Monday July 1, 2013 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom

State.

Summit Head of Communications, Malam Naseer Kura, said in a statement yesterday that the summit will now hold from Monday August 26 to

Oyinlola: Ogun PDP not opposed to zonal congress

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN

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HE Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it was not opposed to the conduct of a fresh South West Zonal Congress from which a replacement for the former National Secretary of the party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, will emerge.

just one. “The Federal Government should allow hospitals fund it through the internally generated revenue (IGR) and subsidise it,” he added.

Project Nigeria postpones national summit BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

In a statement issued yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Hon. Waliu Oladipupo, the party said the clarification became necessary against the backdrop of reports that it was against the conduct of a fresh South West zonal congress.

The statement reads in part: “Our attention has been

BRIEFS Educationist, others plead for physically impaired

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Resident doctors suspend 3-day warning strike

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

the terminally ill in Salerno, Sica said. He said the donors had “enormous” wealth and could offer such donations for his charitable efforts.

drawn to reports in a section of the media that the PDP in Ogun State is opposed to the conduct of a fresh zonal congress, with the aim of beginning a process that would lead to the election of a replacement for Oyinlola.

“We wish to state that this is a misconception of a letter dated 25th June, 2013, written by our lawyer, Prince Ajibola Oluyede, on behalf

of the Engr. Adebayo Dayoled State Executive Committee of the party, to the Prof. Jerry Gana-led PDP Special Convention Planning Committee.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Ogun State chapter of the party is not opposed to the conduct of a fresh zonal congress in the South West.”

Thursday, August 29, 2013.

He said the postponement became necessary in view of upsurge of interest to participate in the summit from more political stakeholders in the country than expected, thereby creating sudden challenges in summit logistics that needed to be urgently addressed. Kura also said that the Federal Government had approached the organizers to request for more time to enable them send quality representation as “the two day summit is expected to provide a critical intervention on burning national questions and the emergency situation in the country.”

N educationist, Mrs. Aderonke Koya and other prominent citizens have called for assistance to all the physically impaired by creating conducive environments required to make life gainful, meaningful and positive, rather than pitying them..

In their remarks at the celebration of life and love for the physically impaired in Lagos State and the entire nation, they asserted that there is “ability in disability,” appealing to NGOs, corporate bodies, government agencies with milk of passion flowing in their veins, to rise to the challenge of helping to create the desired atmosphere.

Parents, guardians, students charged to identify with Child Ville Schools

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HE Principal, Child Ville Schools, Ogudu Estate, Lagos, Mr. Warren Townsend, the Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West, Methodist Church, Rt. Revd. Isaac Ayobami Olawuyi, the Artistic Director of the School, Mr. Gboyega Jerome, and the Proprietress, Lady Gbemi Smith, have charged leaders, parents and guardians to assist their children and wards to positively identify their natural talents in order to export them for global awareness.

They made the remark at the debut of the play, Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi of the Old Benin Empire by the students of the Child Ville Schools, Ogudu Estate, directed by ace actor, Gboyega Jerome with support of Mr. Yemi Sodimu, a renowned Nollywood actor.

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013

Mandelas in court, fight over burial site ...as grandsons launch social network for supporters •Ex-wife, Winnie says Mandela shows signs of improvement

BY SAM EYOBOKA

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S Nelson Mande la fights for his life in hospital, his relatives are pitched against each other in a legal battle, reportedly over where members of the family should be buried. Yesterday, 16 members of the Mandela family brought an urgent application to a regional court, ostensibly to force Mandela’s grandson Mandla to return remains of family members to a plot in the ancestral village where Mandela has said he wants to be buried.

Mandla, a local Chief in nearby Mvezo, had exhumed the remains of three of Mandela’s children in Qunu in 2011 and brought them to his village, allegedly without the consent of the rest of the family.

This was even as Africans and indeed people around the world have been praying for the recovery of antiapartheid icon and South African leader, Nelson Mandela amidst reports that he is currently on life support. The 94-year old leader who is oft considered to be the father of South Africa’s democracy has been in the hospital since June 8 due to a recurring lung infection.

His condition has been described as critical by medical officials.

Mandela’s ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandelasaid yesterday evening that the anti-apartheid icon is showing signs of improvement, but still remains “clinically unwell.”

Speaking from outside the couple’s former home in Soweto, she said that he was showing “great improvement” in his health compared to a few days ago.

“I’m not a doctor but I can say that from what he was a few days ago, there is great improvement,” Winnie added.

She also urged the media to respect boundaries and the privacy of the family, but tempered previous criticism levelled against international journalists somewhat by saying that if the family seemed bitter, it was because they were dealing with a difficult situation.

L-R: Bishop of Ifo Diocese, Rt. Revd Nathaniel Ogundipe, newly appointed Diocesan Communicator, Idowu Sowunmi and the Bishop’s wife, Mrs. Florence Motunrayo Ogundipe during the opening ceremony of the First Session of the Second Synod of the Diocese at St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Wasimi along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in Ogun State...yesterday “We just thank you for your support. We had no idea of the love out there for us in our particular situation. It is difficult to un-

derstand seeming impatience of media, (we are) appealing to you for understanding.”

The address comes as

anti-Obama protesters are said to be marching on the hospital where Mandela is being treated.

Meanwhile, to provide

Anambra 2014: Ubah joins Labour bour Party for the 2014 gov- while the secretary of the Party ernorship polls in Anambra ward, Mr Emeka Adirika isBY ENYIM ENYIM, Onitsha

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governorship as pirant and philanthropist, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah yesterday finally pitched his political tent with the La-

state.

To ensure that due process was followed in his registration as a member of the party, Ubah went to his Obiokpuno, Otolo Nnewi ward where the chairman of the ward, Mr Amobi Nkerimonye registered him

Kumuyi seeks youth empowerment for progressive Nigeria

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HE General Super intendent, Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi has said that his vision for the youth is to see that they are groomed in faith to ensure that the circumstances of life do not take them away from the Lord. “I want to see that I hold the youth in my hand to take them to great heights in life.

“I want to help equip them with the knowledge and skills required for leadership in the country and service of the Lord. I will make sure that I impact in the life of the youth across the country; that is my vision for the youth and also the country.”

Kumuyi spoke in an interview with journalists in

Lagos, ahead of the forthcoming mid-year celebration of the church with the theme, “Now Is The Time When Mountains Move” between today and tomorrow.”

The clergy said as he is getting close to depart planet earth, having served God and humanity and is eagerly looking forth to see Nigeria listed among the G8 in terms of producing leaders with great integrity and uncommon socio-economic development in the country.

“I am talking of raising up a leadership for the country as legacy before I pass on, so that this country will be among the G8 or whatsoever they call it. And I want to see a new and better country.”

sued him with the LP membership card.

Speaking at the state secretariat of the party after performing the same ceremony at Nnewi north local government chapter of the party, Ubah stated,” I thank you all my brothers. Today, I want to tell you that I have joined the Labour Party. I came into Labour Party so that we can join hands to reform Anambra state”.

Ubah said he decided to join LP after due consultations with the churches, family, elders and stakeholders in the state who endorsed his choice for the party. “ I have made consultations before deciding to join Labour Party. After the consultations, I came to the conclusion that the only party that has human beings as their symbols was only LP while others were represented by inanimate objects”.

He said his campaign organization and the members of LP would hold 14 days prayer to ask God for forgiveness that the people of Anambra had allowed a party with a cock symbol to govern the state.

an online platform for Mandela fans around the world to connect, Mandela’s grandsons, Ndaba Mandela and Kweku Mandela Amuah recently launched Mandela.is, a social network that allows the kin to honour their g r a n d f a t h e r.

In a recent interview with Farai Gundan, one of his grandsons, Ndaba Mandela said: “Conceptually, Mandela.is is about enabling people to understand that like our grandfather, Madiba, we each have the ability to achieve greatness. Technically, it is a platform that connects people with similar interests together and to causes they are passionate about. The platform also inspires people to be active in their communities and to effect change locally. Madiba comes from Qunu, a small village in South Africa. He is an ordinary African man who stood up and fought for what he believed in and this is what made him great…”

His grandson, Kweku Mandela Awuah added: “Mandela.is is an extension of what these great South Africans did for our grandfather; our social network aims to show people that they have the same seeds of greatness as Madiba and that they have the ability to effect change in their own way. Mandela.is is the vehicle that links them to organizations, people, institutions and content that they want to be involved with.”

According to them, they decided to use technology to connect people because they wanted to build a

community of people with a passion for doing good as well as build communities around different causes so that they can support and engage each other and use it to broadcast and share their causes.

Here is a screen shot of Mandela.

Visit www.mandela.is and leave a note of support for the iconic leader.

Obama visit

US President Barack Obama was due to arrive in South Africa yesterday, and had originally planned to meet with Mandela.

As the 94-year-old’s condition remains critical, however, Obama said he will be led entirely by the wishes of Mandela’s family. ”We’ll see what the situation is when we land. I do not need a photo op,” Obama said en route to the country, where he will spend three days as part of a three-nation Africa trip.

“The last thing I want to do is to be in any way obtrusive at a time when the family is concerned about Nelson Mandela’s condition.”

Mandela, who turns 95 next month, was rushed to hospital three weeks ago with a recurring lung disease. “I think that the message we’ll want to deliver is not directly to him but to his family, is simply profound gratitude for his leadership all these years,” Obama said.

Obama said he wanted to let Mandela’s family know “that the thoughts and prayers of the American people are with him and his family and his country.”

Reflections on Mandela’s extraordinary journey from prisoner to president will permeate Obama’s stay, but would not change the message of his trip.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013 — 7

70 persons killed in Borno,Plateau States

BY NDAHI MARAMA with agency report

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OS — No fewer than 70 persons including some leaders of Boko Haram were killed in both Borno and Plateau States during separate skirmishes in the last three days in the country.

Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram, also had last night reportedly killed a soldier and abducted three others during an attack on the military in Potiskum, Yobe state, a military source revealed.

Sources confirmed the incident to newsmen in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, saying that the corpse of the deceased soldier had been brought from Potiskum and deposited at a hospital morgue in Damaturu town. ’’The attack was a bad one because a soldier was killed and the terrorists kidnapped three other soldiers to an unknown destination”, he said. ’’Some of our search teams are combing within and outside the neighbour hoods of Potiskum for the missing soldiers. A helicopter gun ship had been deployed from Maiduguri to join in the search teams yesterday morning.’’

About 48 people were killed in violence in Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau since crises started Thursday, while 22 other persons including some leaders of Boko Haram were killed in Borno during a gun duel between security agents and the Boko Haram insurgents.

Special Task Force, STF, Spokesman in Jos Plateau State, Captain Salisu Mustapha, told newsmen in Jos, the capital yesterday that some invading Fulani herdsmen killed 28 persons in Magama, Bongong and Karkashi communities, while the STF killed 20 of them “in a gun duel that lasted several hours.”

Also, in Borno, the sources close to the Military Joint Task Force, JTF, told Saturday Vanguard that ”No fewer than 22 people suspected to be members of terrorists group have been killed in Mainok Village, Beneshiek Local

Government Area of Borno state in an exchange of gun fire which ensued between the terrorists and men of the JTF. Also killed were two security personnel suspected to be policemen.”

However, the STF’s Mustapha said that many other assailants sustained gunshot wounds and were arrested by the STF, without giving the specific number of those said to have been arrested.

“Some motorcycles, weapons and ammunition were also recovered,” he added.

He further said that the attackers were suspected to be Fulani herdsmen and that they withdrew toward Yamini, YelwaShendam and Agikamai villages in Shendam Local Government Area after the attack.

He, however, said the situation had been brought under control as more troops had been deployed to secure the area.

Mustapha said “STF personnel are conducting a robust patrol to guard against further attacks on innocent persons.”

He advised the people to go about their normal businesses and warned that security men would deal with anyone caught making trouble in the area.

“Individuals or groups of persons that have made themselves the enemies of the people will be treated as such because we shall fish them out and deal with them,” he warned.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Langtang South Local Government, Mr Naanman Darko, said that more than 6,000 displaced persons were taking refuge at the local g o v e r n m e n t headquarters in Mabudi.

“In fact, more people are still trooping into the secretariat following rumours that more attacks are underway,” he said.

Darko said nine injured persons were being treated at Langtang South General Hospital.

“The local government has been making arrangements to provide relief materials to the displaced persons.

“We have also reached out to the State Emergency Management

Agency and had been assured that assistance is already underway,” he added.

In Borno, among those arrested were alleged four high profile Boko Haram members including one suspected to be very close to leader of the sect, Sheikh Abubakar Shekau.

They were reportedly arrested yesterday by Vigilante Youths popularly known as ‘Civilian JTF’ in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Saturday Vanguard gathered from reliable sources that the terrorists invaded Mainok village Wednesday in an attempt to launch attacks on one of the security posts in the area but were repelled by the superior fire power of the JTF.” The source said, the terrorists laid an ambush, in readiness for the attack before the exchange of gun shots began at about 6pm in the evening. It was learnt that, during the encounter, several members of the terrorist sect were killed, while two people suspected to be security operatives also lost their lives.

The source said that the arrest of the high profile

Gov. Obi (2nd right), with Deputy Speaker, Chukwudi Orizu (1st right), Commissioner for Works, Callistus Ilozumba (1st left) presenting a cheque of 30 million Naira to Chikason Company through its Rep and an Executive Director in the Company, M r. Emma Enemuo for construction of roads around the complex. members of the sect were carried out in different locations in Maiduguri metropolis even as three of them were arrested at Galtimari ward close to Giwa Barracks by the youths who later handed them over to the JTF unit along 21 Armoured Brigade road. Two other suspects were said to have been apprehended at Kawar-Maila in Shehuri ward, one of the strongholds of Boko

Haram sect which had witnessed series of killings, bombing and destruction of houses in recent past.

The ‘Civilian JTF’ which had been assisting the Military Joint Task Force, JTF, to rid the state of terrorists, came to NNPC filling station along the Lagos Street after they had arrested one of the suspects who, they claimed to be very close to the sect leader, Shekau

and bundled him into one of their vehicles..

Speaking to newsmen on the issue at the filling station, one of the ‘Civilian JTF’ members who spoke on the condition of anonymity later said that the suspect was taken to the car wash near the Sanda Kyarimi zoo in the metropolis to show them some of his lieutenants who were hiding with their guns in the area.

Afternoon newspaper berths in Abuja T

HE preview issue of a new publication, FRESHFACTS PM, was yesterday morning presented to the public in Abuja. FRESHFACTS PM will be a daily afternoon publication which will be circulated in the Federal Capital Territory and at least a state in each geo-political

zone of the federation.

Speaking during the presentation at Abuja, the newspaper ’s publisher, Mr. Segun Abrams, told his audience that the publication will be “lighthearted, less-bulky, but highly entertaining”, and that it will fill a vacuum in the media industry, especially in the FCT.

“We don’t have a surviving afternoon or evening newspaper in the FCT, and in many parts of Nigeria. In the case of Abuja, the city is daily witnessing an astronomical growth in population. There is also a growing evening and night life in the city. After a tough day’s work, a

Obi gives N65m to Chikason Group and Agbo Edo traders of Nnewi

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EEPENING the collaboration with organisations, industrialists and men of goodwill for the ultimate benefit of the State, Gov. Peter Obi has presented a cheque of N35 million to Agbo-Edo Motor Spare Parts Dealers Association, Nnewi for construction of the major access road across the market.

Governor Obi presented the cheque during an inspection visit to the market. The Governor said the gesture was in fulfilment of his earlier promise to the traders. He commended them for

embarking on the construction of drainage system on the road and for installing transformer to boost power supply in the market. He enjoined them to work with the Nnewi North Local Government Council to achieve the desired goals, assuring them that the State Government will continue to give them necessary support and encouragement.

Governor Obi restated the resolve of his administration to use the State resources to uplift the standard of living of the people.

percentage of this population may not complain if they can lay their hands on a newspaper that will give fresh information about happenings in the country, as well as provide them with high entertainment.

FRESHFACTS PM hopes to be able to satisfy such yearnings,” Abrams said.He also disclosed that the newspaper will be truthful, fiery, and a “very balanced soft-hard.”

8 SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013

Uyo Political summit: Organisers are Jonathan’s enemies — Clark *Says he can’t sit with unpatriotic, saboteurs of democracy

BY EMEKA MAMAH and HENRY UMORU, Abuja

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ORMER Federal Commissioner for Information and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark yesterday, described those expected to gather in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State for the Uyo Political Summit political summit as saboteurs and enemies of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Eminent Nigerians including scholars, statesmen and top politicians will converge on Uyo, for the event slated to hold between July 1 and 4, 2013.

The joint organisers of the summit aimed at finding the way forward for the country are the Citizen Advocacy Group and Project Nigeria.

Those expected at the summit include former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, Professor Ben Nwabueze, Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, General T.Y. Danjuma, Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Chief Ayo Adebanjo among others.

Others expected at the summit are: Amayanabo Alfred Diete- Spiff, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, Chief Solomon Lar, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Ambassador Christopher Kolade; the Arewa Consultative Forum Chairman, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed; Mallam Adamu Ciroma, Chief Olu Falae and Alabo Graham Douglas.

Others are: the Action Congress of Nigeria National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; General Alani Akinriade, Professor Pat Utomi, the Afenifere Leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti; Chief Audu Ogbeh, Bishop Emmanuel Gbonigi, Sheik Ahmed Lemu, Senator David Dafinone, Alhaji Ishiaku Rabiu and Gen Jeremiah Useni.

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ONOUR recently came the way of Nigeria in far away USA through one of her engineering professionals in the Diaspora, Aloysius A. Attah, who was appointed the president of the Construction Division of Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE). Attah, a

the Peoples Democratic National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; Professor Itse Sagay, Olisa Agbakoba, SAN; former Inspector General

of Police, Alhaji Gambo Jimeta; the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, President, Comrade Abduwaheed Omar and Comrade Peter Esele,

...Demands N120m compensation

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

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USTICE Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos

has fixed October 16, 2013 for the commencement of trial in a N120 million copyright suit filed against popular music star, Innocent Idibia, a.k.a.

TuFace, his wife, Annie Idibia and their manager, Anthonio Anifite over photographs allegedly taken at the recent traditional wedding of the musician and his wife in Akwa Ibom State.

Abuja based photographer, Emmanuel Okolo, who is the plaintiff in the suit alongside his studio, Papilonmexy filed suit against the defendants.

He is asking for six reliefs, two of which include N100 million in general damages and N20million in exemplary damages.

At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, neither TuFace nor his wife was represented in court. Anifite who is the second defendant was however represented by his counsel, J.O Uttute.

Meanwhile, a mild drama ensued when the judge openly admonished Uttute after the latter claimed that he had filed his defence when he had not done so.

The judge warned him not

Spanish Navy ship to train NN on damage control

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SPANISH Navy Ship, MV RAYO is scheduled to arrive Nigeria today, with a view to conducting training onboard , with personnel of the Nigerian Navy on damage control.

The visit of the Spainish ship, according to the Western Naval Command Information Officer, Lieutenant Commander Jerry Omodara, would last three days

native of Aku in Igbo-Etiti Local Council of Enugu State, is a licensed professional engineer trained in both civil and industrial engineering.

Founded in 1948, IIE is the world’s largest international non-profit professional society dedicated solely to the support of the industrial and systems engineering profession.

immediate past president of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, are among those being expected at the parley.

Photographer drags TuFace,wife to court over wedding pictures

Gov Godswill Akpabio of Akwa-Ibom State (middle), condoling with the wife of his late friend, Mr Senibo Iyallah,(first right) and the son of the deceased after the wake service in Lagos during the week.

Nigerian appointed president of global body of Industrial Engineers

BY ONYEDIKA AGBEDO

Also, Senator Ken Nnamani, Chief John Nwodo, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Bishop Mathew Kukah, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife,

“The Ship will be received on arrival on 30 June, at midstream by Nigeria Navy Ship ANDONI which will escort her to berth at the Naval Base Apapa.

While in Nigeria, the

Ship Company will conduct training onboard with personnel of the Nigerian Navy on damage control. Other activities include courtesy calls by the Commanding Officer of the Ship to the Oba of Lagos, the Flag

Officers Commanding Western Naval Command and Naval Training Command. They will also have a joint press briefing and sporting activities with the Nigerian Navy ”, Omodara said.

to come to this court again if he was not prepared for the case. “You told me that you have filed your response, but looking through here, there is nothing to that effect.

And you are even smiling.

Do you think you are here to joke? Never come to this court again if you are not prepared. You don’t even know when the case was filed and you are not prepared for it,” said the judge.

Also, the plaintiff ’s counsel, Habeeb Oredola expressed worry over the defendants’ inability to appear before the court or be represented by a counsel after they were served with the writs of summon.

In the writ of summon, Okolo and his studio claimed they were contracted by TuFace’s wife through a third party, identified as Ms Chineze Anyaene to take photo shots at the traditional wedding held in Eket, Akwa Ibom state in March, 2013. The plaintiff said, he was reluctant at the beginning since the offer was coming through a third party, but later accepted after he was convinced that the offer was actually with the blessing of the first defendant.

Annie Idibia was said to have later contacted the photographer after the wedding and demanded for the printing of 10 of the high resolution pictures taken.

Delta Lawmaker hails retreat and promises dividend of democracy other before the end of this be completed. He advised the faces of Ndokwa East

BY SIMON ADEWALE THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, member representing Ndokwa East Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Friday Ossai Osanebi has promised to bring more dividends of democracy to his people.

In his speech during the retreat of the Delta State legislature held in Lagos State recently, Hon. Osanebi reiterated his promise to each political ward in Ndokwa East LGA that they will surely benefit from one project or the

political dispensation in 2015. Osanebi who chairs the House Committee on Inter-parliamentary Matters,said he has completed some of the projects under his constituency and many more are under construction and are yet to

the communities in Ndokwa East LGA where most of his constituency projects are located not to disturb contractors working in their domain but to be patient with the contractors to enable them complete the projects on time. He promised to put smile on

people as he had always done in the past. He also added that the legislative retreat has put him in shape for good governance and better representation of his people.

Foundations condole Tinubu, Fashola

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HE President, Eko Foundation, Alhaji Hakeem Danmola and the Chairman, Liberty Foundation, Dr. Olujobi Ososanya, have expressed their condolence to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and

Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola over the passing away of Alhaja (Dr.) Chief Abibatu Mogaji OFR. In a statement signed

by Aramide Tola Noibi, they described her as a very passionate, honest,

dogged market, community and religious leader, whose ultimate desire at all times was equity and justice for all.

They prayed God to grant the families and the nation the fortitude to bear her irreparable loss.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013 — 9

Police arrest Idahosa varsity student, 3 others for fraud

BY EMMA AMAIZE and EMMA ARUBI

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OLICE in Warri, Del ta State, have seized a 200-level Computer Science student of Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo state and an apprentice for electronicbanking transfer fraud.

They also arrested two women, Efe, 35 and Christabel, 30, for conspiracy, forgery and fraudulently operating a fake vehicle license business in Warri.

The two e-banking suspects, Friday and Raphael aged 21 and 20 years respectively, admitted, yesterday, that friends, who they gave their bank account numbers and ATM cards, transferred funds and withdrew it from the said accounts, but denied being part of the syndicate.

However, Area Commander, Warri, Hussaini Rabiu, who reporters in Warri said the victim, Engr. Chris Ekpekurede, received a text message purportedly from First Bank, saying his online security was still not ac-

tive, and urged him to log in to activate it.

His words, “In reaction, Ekpekurede logged in all his bank details, including his ATM pin number and no sooner he logged in these details than he got an alert from his banker, First Bank Nigeria Plc that he had transferred N4 million from his account.”

“He immediately swung into action and contacted the bank manager who tried, in cooperation with other banks to salvage part of the money. Investigation so far revealed that the fraudsters using electronic transfer, transferred the sum of N4 million from Engr. Ekpekurede’s account with First Bank to an account with UBA, operated by one Egbo Patience.

“The money was further re-transferred in piecemeal of N300,000 each to 13 other accounts with UBA (seven accounts); GTB (five accounts) and Fidelity Bank (one account). The fraudsters have withdrawn a large chunk of the money before the salvage mission was started,” he said.

ACP Rabiu said the police have information on

the fleeing members of the syndicate and were on their trail.

On the female vehicle license fraudsters, he said, “The suspects were arrested on 25th June at a shop, opposite Baptist Church, Maduku Street, Warri by a team of operatives, attached to the Monitoring Unit of the Warri Area Command.”

Items recovered from them included N230,310, nine carved stamps of Edo and Delta states Motor Licensing offices, eight empty copies of Edo state Hackney/Stage carriage license, 13 empty copies of Edo state General Motor receipts, four empty Edo state Certificates of Road Worthiness, one empty copy of proof of ownership, all suspected to be fake.

C

ORPS Marshal and Chief Executive of Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Mr. Osita Chidoka, yesterday, directed all Units and Commands nationwide to henceforth prosecute road

traffic offenders in view of the fact that the usual payments of fines have not being yielding desired result.

Mr. Chidoka, who said this at the launch of Pan Nigerian road safety campaign held in Abuja, specifically directed the Commands to ensure that mo-

OSUN 2014: No Court Order to remove REC — INEC

By LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU, Abuja

C

HAIRMAN of the In dependent Electoral Commission, INEC , Professor Attahiru Jega has said that there was no binding court order on the Commission to remove the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador Rufus Akeju before the 2014 gubernatorial election in the state.

In a refuttal by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayade Idowu yesterday in Abuja, to

a statement credited to Senator Iyiola Omisore in some national dailies, Jega said he has not acted in defiance to any court injunction by retaining Ambassador Akeju as Osun State REC. According to the statement, the case Senator Omisore referred to was appealed, stressing that there was also another ruling by Hon. Justice Babs Kuewumi on 31st May, 2012 which granted the application for stay of proceedings pending the determination of the appeal made by the Plaintiff of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Also recovered from the suspects were 29 pieces of insurance certificate cov-

er, four national driver’s licenses, and four Delta state applications for driv-

er’s licenses for different applicants with passport photographs.

Nigerian Governors’ Forum would come out stronger —Akpabio

G

O V E R N O R Godswill Akpabio has assured that the Nigerian Governors’ Forum would come out of the present fracas as a stronger and more formidable organisation to fos-

FRSC directs Units, Commands to prosecute road traffic offenders

BY CHRIS OCHAYI, Abuja

L-R: shows the immediate past president, Nigerian Women in Georgia Atlanta, USA, Mrs. Eugenia Busola George, the Board of Trustees Chairman ,Olusoye Compensatory Centre for the Physically Impaired and Sir. Fola Awobo-Pearse at the colloquium for late Mrs. Helen Olusola Caulcrick by the Wesley School for the Blind, Ajao Road, Surulere.

torists who violate use of seatbelt, overspeeding and use of phone while driving are arrested and prosecuted. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and ExxonMobil are also partnering with the FRSC to ensure the success of the Pan Nigerian road safety campaign.

According to Mr. Chidoka, Pan Nigerian road safety campaign is a total call to duty, a national reawakening based on the consciousness that road crashes don’t just happen; they are caused and could be averted.

“The campaign is a call for rejection of the crippling effects of road carnage, underdevelopment and poverty. It is a holistic campaign programme designed to address the challenges of apathy and fatalism associated with road usage in Nigeria which have continued to undermine all efforts aimed at bringing sanity to our roads.”

ter development and progress in the country.

Akpabio who stated this on Monday when he received executive members of Association of Movie Producers led by its President, Mr. Zulu Okafor at Governor ’s Office, Uyo, added that the Forum was planning to merge soon.

According to him, ‘’People think that Nigerian Governors’ Forum is divided, we are not because we know ourselves. We are His Excellencies, so we will come back in a very excellent manner than we were before because we are all committed to Nigeria. ’’It is unfortunate that what is happening is attracting much attention and people are writing

but maybe we will be able to put facts straight so that Nigerians can actually see the perspective. As leaders, our job is to ensure peace”, he said.

Governor Akpabio while advising Nollywood to guide against internal rancour, applauded the industry for restoring Nigeria’s image at the global scene, noting that before the advent of Nollywood, the story about Nigeria was all about fraud.

“You people have done so much that today, the entire world is watching Nigeria. You have changed the story of Nigeria. Before Nollywood, the story of Nigeria was all about 419. I am sorry about the piracy. That was why I applauded

what the President did when he organised a dinner for you to celebrate Nollywood at 20 and made a donation of about N3 billion to develop the industry. I find out that we should institute a prize to encourage producers, actors and actresses”, Akpabio opined.

“I pledged a token to support the President’s action. I want you people to use this small token to encourage the growth of the industry.

My meeting with you today was just to redeem that pledge because I think it was taking too much time”.

Akpabio, later presented a cheque of N50 million to the President of the association, Mr. Zik Zulu Okafor.

Lawyers carpet Junaid over Jonathan’s wife

BY HENRY UMORU, Abuja

L

AWYERS under the aegis, League of Rivers Lawyers in Abuja yesterday urged the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF to as a matter of urgency, call to order, Dr Muhammad Junaid over his comments on Dame Patience Jonathan.

The Lawyers also asked Junaid to proffer curative solutions to the ravaging activities of Boko Haram sect in the North

rather than waste his energy castigating President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday by its Chairman, Timi Briggs while reacting to the story published in a social network and credited to Dr Muhammad Junaid, however noted that he made what the lawyers termed derogatory remarks about the First Lady over what he perceives as her role in the Rivers State crises.

Briggs said, “ The

League took exception to the use of foul language to describe Nigeria’s First Lady and wondered why an educated, responsible and “an all knowing man” like Dr Junaid is now the one acting most irresponsibly like a stark illiterate. ”Rather than dissipating energy and time talking about Rivers State politics when his region is on fire and its economy broken by the activities of Boko Haram sect, Dr Junaid has remained dumb and helpless.”

10—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013

London Bridge is falling down,Falling down, falling down, London Bridge is falling down,My fair...

J

ust about every edu cated person is famil iar with the tradition al nursery rhyme "London Bridge Is Fall ing Down” which deals with the collapsing London Bridge and attempts, realistic or fanciful, to repair it. Several theories have been advanced to explain the meaning of the rhyme and identity of the “fair lady” of the refrain.

However, the meaning of the rhyme and identity of the 'fair lady' are no longer mysteries for the average Nigerian traveller on whose face the London bridge seems to have collapsed.

Rated the 6th largest oil producing nation in the world, Nigeria is also termed the “Giant of Africa” and its dense population makes it the most populous black nation in the world. But it does appear that all the appellations are nothing but self-adulation as they hold no sway whenever America and Britain decide to impose varying degrees of sanctions on the nation. Saturday Vanguard’s LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU, in this special report, samples opinions regarding the recent imposition of 3,000 Pounds Sterling Travel bonds on Nigerians by the Government of the United Kingdom.

Again, Britain has sneezed and sent shivers down the spines of Nigerians. Like in some theatrical stance, both

UK £3,000 Visa Bond

Finally, 'London Bridge is falling down’ countries have continued to demonstrate that once upon a time, they lived as mother and daughter. And so, from time to time, Britain stirs up a controversy suggestive of the fact that She “discovered”, colonized and reluctantly later gave independence to Nigeria.

Just on Monday this week, news made the rounds that the Government of the United Kingdom (UK) had plans

that, are tucked into the conglomerate of the Commonwealth Nations.

But that is an intimacy that seems to be lost on the home policy of the British Government each time the need arises. Instead, Britain always appears brutish and lashes out heavily on these countries. Such was the case when the country came up with the new travel policy during the week.

They will forfeit the £3,000 if they overstay in Britain and fail to return to their home countries by the time their visa has expired to impose 3,000 pounds as travel bonds on the citizens of six countries, among them Nigeria, Ghana, Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka, Pakistan and India. While Nigeria and Ghana are West-African countries, the rest are Asian - all bearing the tag “high risk” countries. Interestingly, the other countries were also colonized by Britain and so, with

Hear the British Home Secretary, Ms. Theresa May, who said: “This is the next step in making sure our immigration system is more selective, bringing down net migration from the hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands, while still welcoming the brightest and the best to Britain.”

She added: “In the long run,

we’re interested in a system of bonds that deters overstaying and recovers costs if a foreign national has used our public services.

"Consequently, from November, a pilot scheme which will target visitors from those countries who will have to pay the UK government a form of cash guarantee or deposit to deter immigration abuse will commence. They will forfeit the £3,000 if they overstay in Britain and fail to return to their home countries by the time their visa has expired."

Apart from security reasons which many believe prompted the charges, sources also disclosed that the Home Office of the British Government might as well be targeting countries with high volumes of visitor visa applications and what it deems to be relatively high levels of fraud and abuse.

Meanwhile, the development came as a shock even though it wasn’t the first time the British Government would be imposing stringent sanctions on the country.

Since then, a lot of concerns have been raised by Nigeri-

ans just as some democratic institutions such as the National Assembly, in stout defence of Nigerian citizens in Britain, have also threatened to reciprocate the hostile measure.

A peep into history indicates that in September 1986, the Margaret Thatcher administration decided, at the end of a cabinet meeting that in future, travelers from Nigeria, India, Ghana, Bangladesh and Pakistan would need to obtain visas in their own countries before traveling. Before the 1986 decision, nationals of all Commonwealth nations, except Sri Lanka, did not need visas to travel to the UK. Justifying the decision, Home Secretary at the time, Douglas Hurd, said: “We have to have immigration checks, and I think it is more sensible that these checks are carried out before someone sets off on a journey.”

Reacting, the opposition Labour Party described the Thatcher government decision on visa requirements for the five countries as racist. Then shadow home secretary in the Labour Party, Gerald Kaufman, said: “It is typical of this government that in future, white visitors from racialist South Africa will be able to come here without a visa while a visa will be required for parents and other family members of British citizens living and working in this country.”

But as the country heats up, many Nigerians have evaluated the measure and appear divided in their views. While some bemoaned the UK gov-

Continues on page 11

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013—11

Continues from page 10 ernment's decision, many lashed out at the Nigerian Government and the elite whom they said had not made the country any better for the people.

They were also emphatic about the dilapidated social infrastructure and poor living conditions which the government has refused to improve on.

But at the time of filing this report, there were speculations that the British government might rescind the decision - though no step in that direction had been taken.

Meanwhile, Saturday Vanguard exclusively sought the views of some Nigerians on the issue and below were the excerpts of that encounter.

Finally, 'London Bridge is falling down’

Must we go to UK? —Ambassador Leo

Okougwu, Ex-Nigerian Envoy to Romania and Bulgaria

I

f you are going to a for eign country, you prepare for it. If you are overstaying, then please, ask the host country, let them know that you are overstaying and this is the reason why you are overstaying. It is a very simple exercise. But if you are overstaying and the country doesn’t know that you are overstaying, it is wrong. If our Legislators made a law saying that this will happen if you overstay in Nigeria, you have to pay a certain amount of money, then that has to do with the sovereignty of that country.

But if you don’t want it that way, you must put certain things about other countries intoconsideration before enacting your legislations. If the British did that and looked at the circumstances in that case and then said, because of the experience we have been having, this is what we are going to do and they come up with a regulation and it is approved by their parliament and you said you are going to oppose it?

If you want to go there and they said you have to deposit 3,000 pounds and you said you don’t have it, then, don’t go. Are they forcing you to come? Must you go? Why must you go because you have money and next door, you have people suffering?

What for? Develop your own tourism industry. Look at your hospitals. Equip them.

I tell you that the people you are going to meet in UK hospitals might be Nigerian doctors. But why are they there?

It is because you are not encouraging them to come back home by having bad hospitals; by having tacitly

Briggs equipped hospitals. That’s why most of them are there.

Encourage your doctors to come home and do what they have to do.

Blame it on the leaders —Dr.

Ogbonnaya Onuoha

The decision taken by the British is born out of national security and national interest . Maybe there is national pride to stop other nationals of countries of the world from getting quick access into their country. If we have a good country, which I think we do, but the leaders are not as good in their intervention as what we have in other countries, it’s up to them to now ask the government why it is so.

Nigerian leaders should bury their heads in shame

— Annkio Briggs, Social Crusader and Human Rights Activist

A

ny government official that is arguing the demand that the British government is making should know they have every right to make that demand. If Nigeria

Umeh

Nigeria should shut its border, so that people from Niger, people from Mali, Chad or Cameroon any where do not cross into Nigeria illegally and perpetrate terrorist acts in Nigeria doesn’t like it, they should also make the same demand on the British citizens. But I think the government officials should be ashamed of themselves that they are spending time arguing over this issue. It is actually an embarrassment to all Nigerians that we are singled out in this manner and it is because of the lack of accountability and the failure of government that has made this possible. It is not your fault, it’s not the market man’s fault; it is the fault of the Senators and the members of House that are now arguing the point. You

see, you and I don’t have that luxury. The man in the community and in the market doesn’t have that luxury. It is up to you and I, the man on the street, the man in the market to make sure that our so-called politicians and the elected don’t abandon us and fly out, and how do we do it?

We do it by taking power, by having people's power and insisting that everybody must get medical care here.

That way, we will make sure that our hospitals work and our roads are good.

As a human being and as somebody who will speak up against injustice, whether in Nigeria or outside of Nigeria, I think that we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that the United Kingdom is a country and therefore like Nigeria.

And the United Kingdom is a country governed by its own rules and regulations.

The UK, like Nigeria, has the right to change its laws when it suits them against whomever they choose. The British government must have a reason why it proposes this.

But to someone who is aware, we know that people, not just Nigerians, but people seeking greener pastures travel to other countries like Europe and America. All over Europe and America, people are dying in the desert trying to get to places like Italy, Turkey and places like that.

When you look at that, you can begin to see why any country would want to make sure that only the people they permit are in their country and that when they tell you to come in for six months, or for two months, or two weeks for medical reasons or for education or whatever, when you finish that

you will go.

The fact that people have overstayed and continue to over –stay, whether we like it or not, is a strain on the country. It is an economic strain on them. It is a social strain on them in the sense that, fair enough, there was the issue of the young man who strapped a bomb to himself on his way to America. The only reason why he boarded was to blow off the plane.

This was a young man who traveled to the UK for studies, for exposure. He got exposed in the UK and also had some level of contacts while he was in Nigeria. Then recently, the young man who is a Nigerian by the fact that his parents are Nigerians but was born in the United Kingdom, tried to blow up a plane.

So I am just trying to say that if this is happening in Nigeria, what will Nigerians do?

Nigerians would be shutting their borders so that people from Niger, people from Mali, Chad or Cameroon do not cross into Nigeria illegally and perpetrate terrorist acts in Nigeria.

It is a serious punishment on Nigeria and Nigerians

—Chief Sam Nkire, National Chairman of the Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA)

I

think the leadership of this country must protect its citizens. It is a serious punishment on Nigerians and Nigeria has come a long way with Britain. Nigeria was colonized by Britain and so many Nigerians live in Britain and we haven’t been found wanting. We have always seen Britain as our second home. So it will be very sad to have that kind of imposition. If Britain wants to do that to other countries, I don’t think it is right to do it to Nigeria.

I don’t think that should happen because it is a free world. If a Briton wants to live in Nigeria, he is free to do that. If a Nigerian wants to live in Britain, it is up to him. I don’t think there should be any restriction.

People should treat others fairly and equitably.

FG must protect Nigerian citizens

…. Chief Victor Umeh, National Chairman, All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA

O

ur Government must protect Nigerian citizens. That is very terrible. It is like asking Nigerians not to come to the UK anymore.

So, I believe that our Minis

Continues on page 52

12—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013

z Gbenga Ashiru, Foreign Affairs Minister

zPrime Minister David Cameron

Slap on Nigeria's face

BY EMMANUEL EDUKUGHO

B

RITAIN’S latest planned immigration policy compelling visitors from Nige ria and five other countries to pay 3,000 pounds (about N750,000) bond before they can enter the United Kingdom has generated mixed reactions from Nigerians of varying backgrounds.

A report in the Weekly Sunday Times was quoted as stating that from November 2013, according to the Home Secretary, Theresa May, there would be a pilot scheme by the Prime Minister David Cameron administration targeting visitors from Nigeria, Pakistan, India, Ghana, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh whose citizens are deemed to pose “the most significant risk of immigration abuse.”

Visitors aged 18 and above would be forced to pay 3,000 pounds ($4,600, 3,500 euros) from November for a six-month visit visa. They will forfeit the money if they overstay in Britain after their visa has expired.

As explained by the Home Secretary, the policy is designed to show that the government is serious about cutting down immigration and abuses of the system, as Cameron wants annual net migration to fall below 100,000 by 2015.

In 2012, 296,000 people were granted sixmonth visas from India, 101,000 from Nigeria, 53,000 from Pakistan and 14,000 each from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Declared Theresa May: “In the long run, we are interested in a system of bonds that

deters over-staying and recovers costs if a foreign national has used our public services.

“This is the next step in making sure our immigration system is more selective, bringing down net migration from the hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands; while still welcoming the brightest and the best in Britain.”

In conceptualising this proposed policy, the Unit-

This is discriminatory and racial. Nigeria should not accept such prohibitive payment without retaliating. It is neo-colonialism and therefore, unacceptable. I am displeased with the proposed deposit Nigerians visiting England are forced to pay ed Kingdom might not have overlooked the possibility of retaliation or reciprocity by the countries affected. British visitors could be asked to pay bonds before they are permitted into those countries.

“This is discriminatory and racial. Nigeria should

not accept such prohibitive payment without retaliating. It is neo-colonialism and therefore, unacceptable. I am displeased with the proposed deposit Nigerians visiting England are forced to pay. This is unfair considering the historical relationship between Britain and Nigeria,” said Engineer Stephen Temitope.

He described the 3,000-pound visa bond as “a slap on Nigeria’s face.”

“It’s a strategic action and a way of tightening immigration into the United Kingdom. The British government had been worried by the influx of Nigerians into the country and the only means to check this trend is to impose severe financial punishment for people coming in. Why do they want nationals of these countries to pay so much as visa deposit?” he queried.

According to Temitope, the message being sent is clear. “They want Nigerians to stay at home and salvage their fatherland, instead of always seeking to travel abroad which may not be the best option.

There is nothing like home. Life in Britain could be terrible as well. Don’t be deceived. You will be amazed at what many Nigerians do for a living in the UK! Menial and embarrassing jobs that they cannot do here at home.”

Ms Margaret Osho, an administrative manager in an educational institution, blamed the government for the poor economy and not providing basic infrastructure, forcing people to travel out of Nigeria to seek better life.

“People, qualified and unqualified just travel abroad without any tangible thing to do. There is a careless attitude among Nigerians. We should blame

Continues on page 14

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013—13

No self-respecting govt will allow this policy —Onyeka

BY FLORENCE AMAGIYA

E

DDIE ONYEKA Esq., is the founding Partner of H A R V A R D CHAMBERS, with offices in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and the United Kingdom. He is reputed to be the pioneer and foremost immigration attorney in Nigeria. HARVARD CHAMBERS has been involved in the practice of immigration for over 15 years and has a long line of clients for whom it handles immigration appeals and applications, particularly before the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal in the UK. What is your take on the United Kingdom 3000- pound visa bond?

I want to say that over the years the entire immigration policy of the UK has been undergoing a lot of changes in such ways that even those who are abreast of the UK immigration laws and rules find it difficult to keep pace with the changes that come out all the time. Now, this proposal to charge 3000 pounds is a continuation of the process the present governOnyeka ment introduced since they assumed office. Before now there were a lot of changes and some were worse than this. My take is that it is illegal and discriminatory.

The changes are not across the board; only a few countries including Nigeria are affected. Isn’t that discriminatory?

I want to say that this policy is illegal and discriminatory to say the least. It stands in violation of the United Kingdom’s Human Right Acts of 1998. It is against the letters and spirit of Articles 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Right Act of Britain, 1998. The Human Right Act of 1998 was adopted and it provides a right not to be discriminated against on any grounds such as race, colour, language and nationality. If you bring out a visa policy that says Nigerians, Ghanaians and some other selected countries should deposit a certain amount, then it is discriminatory because what you have done is to discriminate against Nigerians and nationals of a few other countries in a visa process that doesn’t affect the other nations. And to that effect, it is clearly illegal, it is discriminatory and it is clearly against the Human Right Act of 1998.

This is not the first time in recent times that the British Government has skewed its immigration policies to operate in a discriminatory manner against Nigeria and some selected countries. For example, there is a recent requirement that a Nigerian applicant intending to settle in the UK with his spouse must either be a graduate or pass an English Language test supervised by the

British Council. If an applicant is not a Nigerian but, say, from Slovenia, Bulgaria or many other non-English speaking countries, such applicant will not be required to be a graduate or to pass any English language test.

What redress is open to Nigeria?

The Nigerian Government must

realize that this practice puts Nigeria and Nigerians on the spot and in bad light and tends to strip Nigerians of the respect, honour and integrity that are inherent in human beings. If unchallenged, it may open a floodgate for other countries to follow. We can do it on two major platforms: at the level of the Government, there must be a robust and sustained political and diplomatic opposition from the Nigerian Government. The Nigerian Government should be able to bring it as clearly as they can to the British Government that this position is not acceptable.

All options must be on the table, including applying the principle of “reciprocity”. The Nigerian Government has the right to adopt the policy of reciprocity; in which case the Nigerian Government makes it mandatory on the British people to do same when they want to visit Nigeria. There also can be a platform for a lot of media activities and at the end of the day, the Government is not able to contain and to maintain a position until we get the desired result that the nation requires.

At the individual level, it is also open for visa applicants and their sponsors in appropriate cases to challenge this policy in the appropriate tribunals and courts in the UK. It necessarily has to be in the UK courts as Nigerian courts are lacking in jurisdiction. Of course, the matter is not justiceable in any court in Nigeria. In other words, the Nigerian courts are lacking in jurisdiction to inquire into it. My office has filed cases on behalf of some Nigerian spousal visa applicants at the Immigration Tribunals in the UK challenging some of these illegal practices and it will be interesting to see how the Tribunals will resolve this matter.

How can this be done?

Of course, like l said before, the matter is not justiceable in any court in Nigeria. The Nigerian courts are lacking in jurisdiction to invoke and to inquire into it. But an applicant in appropriate cases can challenge the matter in the appropriate courts in the UK. It is possible, for instance, that the immigration laws and rules can be litigated on, but in the proper courts or tribunal. A visa applicant in Nigeria who is denied visa can, in an appropriate court, appeal the decision for refusing that visa. You don’t appeal in Nigeria; you appeal in the UK. If you make an application and they make paying of 3000 pounds bond visa fee a condition for giving you and by your failure to do so, they denied you the visa, then it means that you can challenge that denial in the tribunal in the United Kingdom. As l speak to

The Nigerian Government must realise that this practice puts Nigeria and Nigerians on the spot and in bad light and tends to strip Nigerians of the respect, honour and integrity that are inherent in human beings you, my office is handling thousands of visa applications and appeals. You are not going to file any matter in a court in Nigeria, it has to be done in the UK. You can question that policy referring to the Human Right Act of 1998. So, if you are denied visa because you are unable to deposit the visa bond fee and you feel it is discriminatory against you, then you can appeal the case via an immigration lawyer who can go for your appeal in the United Kingdom.

Nigerians take undue advantage — Nick Egbo, UK-based businessman

I

think we should be honest when it comes to issues like this.

Because Nigerians are benefiting from an act does not make it our right. The Nigerian Government should be blamed because I know that before the UK government took such an action, they would have informed the Nigerian Government on this issue.

Honestly, you are invited to see a friend who lives in a big house and you promise to stay for only three days.

After the three days, you disappeared without your host’s knowledge.

But the truth is that you didn’t leave his house. You remained in the house and ate your host’s food without his notice. He thinks you have left his house, but you are there dodging and causing him more problems.

What I am illustrating here is that Nigerians have taken advantage of the goodwill of the foreign countries, and these countries, especially the UK, spend a lot of money tracking down illegal immigrants, paying more on security personnel that do the tracking down. They also go further to pay more on healthcare. Nigerians are known to respect money more than everything.

So, if the British Government is aware of this and decides to use it against us; then we shouldn’t blame them. Let our yes be yes and our no be no. When we say that we are traveling to United Kingdom for a period of time; we should endeavour to be honest enough to return at the stipulated time. There will be other times to travel again.

Nick Egbo

14—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013

BY ADERONKE

A

ADEYERI

lhaji Olaniyi Adegbite, a Char tered tax practitioner, accoun tant and Manager, absolved Britain for taking the decision.

His words: “The British government policy on the visa bond fee wouldn’t affect someone like me because I have been travelling for God knows how long and the record is there. But it would affect Nigerians who are yet to travel. It is not funny because the UK economy is deteriorating, mainly because of overpopulation of the illegal immigrants. There is nothing there, we go there to spend our hard-earned money. I honestly think there is no big deal about the British government's new visa proposal. After all, some other countries have done so in the past. South Africa is doing it and it is an African country.

When the South African government started it, nobody challenged it. Why so much noise on this? South Africa asked applicants to pay N120,000 to N150,000 and the money is not refundable. Why as a Nigerian would you get a threemonth visa and after three months, you abscond? There are three types of visa, try and abide by the type of visa you apply for.

And as for the diplomatic relation-

Implications of proposed UK visa policy — Adegbite ship between Nigeria and the UK, that is the issue at hand. The Nigerian government should take it up amicably with the British government because of their cordial relationship. The British also do business in Nigeria; hence it is a two-sided coin. I don’t think the British government would intentionally jeopardise this cordial relationship. My only concern is that it wouldn’t affect good Nigerians seeking to travel for genuine reasons.

However, this policy will have multiple effects on everybody involved.

It would spoil the cordial relationship between the two countries. The airlines will suffer because passengers will be few, the economy in Britain will suffer because tourists will become

Olaniyi Adegbite

few and money wouldn’t be made in hotels and other places. My advice is that the two countries should come together and reach an understanding perhaps to cut down on the bond fee.

Nigeria n s should b e come honest people so that policies like this wouldn’t target them in future.

Slap on Nigeria's face Continued from page 12 ourselves and learn to stay at home.

There are great potentials and opportunities in this country waiting to be tapped. There is nothing to gain travelling to the USA, UK or Canada unless to engage in slave labour.”

She urged the Nigerian government to provide the basic necessities of life such as good housing, electricity, water, employment, good roads, quality education and security for citizens to deter them from rushing to Britain.

“To a great extent, living in Nigeria is difficult, full of anguish and pains because virtually nothing works well in our country. It is expensive to live in Nigeria despite widespread poverty. People want to escape with the slightest opportunity available.”

Margaret expressed sadness over the teeming number of Nigerians who flooded foreign embassies like Britain, France, America, Canada, trying to get visa to travel.

“As early as 7 a.m, Nigerians are already on the line waiting for interview to obtain visas to enter Britain. At the end most of them are rejected and frustrated. The government has a lot to do by creating an enabling and conducive environment for people to remain at home.”

She told Saturday Vanguard that if our economy is revived, there would be no need to travel abroad for greener pastures which no longer exist as was the case in the past.

“Our leaders are not leading by good example. Bad governance, corruption, selfishness, greed, insecurity, favouritism, ethnic sentiments are traits exhibited by our leaders that have scared many people away to other countries," she quipped.

Hassan Umaru is a banker who does not want Nigerians to blame Britain

The government should not wait till November when the proposed policy would come into effect, but begin now to tell the UK it’s going to be an eye-for-an-eye by imposing a similar visa bond on Britons coming to Nigeria for the harsh visa bond which compels visitors to part with 3,000 pounds if they happen to overstay.

“Don’t blame Britain. The British people won’t want to expose their country to unscrupulous Nigerians, miscreants, terrorists, fraudsters, and those without expertise that can contribute to the growth and development of the UK economy. Many Nigerians are in prison there. Here in Nigeria, our government is even treating us as slaves. No justice, no welfare scheme, corruption everywhere.

Nobody cares.”

He noted that foreign embassies in Nigeria are extorting the people who intend to travel abroad, asking for all kinds of consular payments and making plenty of money.

"Foreigners who enter Nigeria are not saints. Many of them commit crimes but are seldom tried and sent to jail. Some don’t even have visas because our immigration laws are soft and flexible.

“The government should not wait till November when the proposed policy would come into effect, but begin now to tell the UK it’s going to be an eye-

for-an-eye by imposing similar visa bond on Britons coming to Nigeria.

We cannot be taken for granted again, Nigeria has come of age to hit back at nations introducing hostile, discriminatory policies against us,” Hassan said.

It will be recalled that Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, while saying the UK visa bond was discriminatory and could undermine the spirit of the Commonwealth family, urged Britain to reconsider the proposed policy.

According to Ashiru, who summoned the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Pacok for clarification, “It is incompatible with the strong and cordial relations built over the years between the UK and Nigeria.”

About 180,000 Nigerians applied for the UK visa last year and over 70% of this number were granted.

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, JUNE 29, 2013—15

The Mugabe footpath; how not to develop your people

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he ailing Nelson Mandela tops a short list of personalities I wished I had interviewed during my interviewing years. This was not really such a vain wish as it might have been realised had Mandela not been in prison when I made my tour of Southern Africa. Especially since I did interview some of his cotemporaries in the struggle like Oliver Thambo (the then President of ANC), Joshua Nkomo (the ebullient father of Southern African liberation struggle), and yes, Robert Mugabe.

My interview with Mugabe was pleasant and I came away with a favourable impression. He brought out a good laugh when I told him he wasn’t who I expected and he responded by saying it was because I was expecting him to be in an army fatigue with a gun by his side.

But that was then. He has since seized to impress me. I can not reconcile the Zimbabwe I saw and the future I envisaged, with the reality of what Mugabe and his conies did to their country.

So when he said the other day that Nelson Mandela did not go far enough in dealing with the evils of apartheid, I had to laugh. Mandela’s South Africa leads the rest of Africa economically, while Mugabe’s Zimbabwe is swimming in the backwaters.

In the first place, while Madiba did not believe in the superiority of the white skin, he did not canvas the notion of the superiority of the black skin either. He breathed and espoused racial equality. More importantly, he believed that South Africans, whether white, black or in between, were all ‘sons of the soil’.

incompetence under several guises.

For the avoidance of doubt, I am talking about the pattern of ‘entitlement’, of ‘exclusivity’ and ‘privilege’, sometimes hidden under the cloak of Federal Character or ethnic balancing.

That is why you can take a young graduate from a backward state and bring him to the centre to boss people who could be his teacher. That is why you can bring a political jobber to a place that should be occupied by technocrats. That is why you can bring your wife and your son and install them in high political positions. That is why the cry of ‘it’s our turn’ is louder than the cry for merit.

We have seen — just like Mugabe— how these have promoted mediocrity, sloppiness and corruption. We have also seen, or should have, how developed countries have managed diversity in tribe, colour and race. They simply set up rules and expect compliance whether you are an immigrant or a native. They encourage talent, genuine talent, irrespective of colour.

And for as long as you bring something to the table, you will be welcome to dinner. Can we say the same of those who come to dinner in our country?

While we admire Obama and look at him as a symbol of hope for minorities all over the world, we must also admire the system that accommodated him. A system that did not shift the goal post because an unlikely, and maybe unfavourable son emerged. More importantly, a system with all its faults, that was prepared to give content a chance over colour.

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I am tired of this eight-year rule campaign that has no bearing with competence. I am also tired of the cry from the north slogan

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e also rose above the pettiness and highhandedness that most rulers —including Mugabe — have by not using the instruments of office to hound real and imaginary enemies.

The result today is that Mandela is an icon and a pride to humanity, not just to the black race.

And what is it that Mugabe would have wanted Mandela to do? He would have wanted certain strategic positions stripped from whites and handed to the blacks — deservedly or not. He would have wanted thriving farmlands, goldmines and industries taken from whites and given to blacks — again deservedly or not. He forgets, despite examples all over, that people who feel ‘entitled’, and are ‘handed things’, be it in communities, or even in families, hardly amount to anything because they have no sense of appreciation. And no matter how much is allotted them, it is just never enough.

This footpath that Mugabe had trod to the damnation and ruination of his country has become the beaten footpath of our leaders who hide their

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ack home, the race for 2015 is between those who want Jonathan to run and those who don’t. Both groups are basing their arguments on considerations outside competence and track record for a man who has been in the saddle for about four years. For example, is he entitled to another term based on his achievements on security, employment, and socio/political integration? Or other key elements that matter to the nation? Has he been a visionary leader — a leader for this century? A pan Nigerian leader? Has the system allowed him to perform? Who are the alternatives to him, and what are their antecedents? Do they possess the strength of character to work on, and correct the ills of our country? I am tired of this eight-year rule campaign that has no bearing with competence. I am also tired of the cry from the north slogan, again without any reference to competence.

The Civil Society for once, must look closely at content and insist on the same. Our privileged elders must realise that Nigeria does not owe them a living.

They owe Nigeria. Nigeria must also get off the Mugabe footpath of ethnic patronage and embark on the pathway of content and merit.

God will show up

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our case is not hopeless. The num ber of years that you have been in that condition is not what matters.

The end is always more glorious. Though your beginning may be small yet your latter end shall greatly increase. The solution will show up and your enemies will be ashamed. God is not through with you yet. He is working things together for your good. It may seem as if God has forgotten you but it is not true. At the divinely appointed time He will show up.

Let us take a look at some instances in the bible of how God showed up and brought about a glorious change to the lives of people. I trust that your faith will be stirred up through this teaching. Be mightily blessed as you read and meditate on the words of the living God. In Exodus. 3:6-10, the bible says, “Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their task masters; for I know their sorrows; and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites”.

The above text shows that the children of Israel who were slaves in a strange land have been in that condition for some time and have been crying to God for their deliverance. I am sure that they may have thought that God has forsaken them.

After all God told Abraham that they will be in Egypt for four hundred years and now they have been in Egypt for four hundred and thirty years. What then? Has God forgotten them?

But when the time for their deliverance came, God appeared to Moses without the children of Israel knowing about it.

God said He had seen their afflictions and heard their cry. This means that God is aware of what they were passing through and also heard their cry (prayers). He has thus come to deliver them and take them to a flourishing land. Can you beat God? The Israelites were still in bondage and I

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yet God has already prepared a land flowing with milk and honey for them. This goes to show that your present situation will not stop God from perfecting His will and purpose in your life. After God had spoken to Moses, He sent Moses to Egypt to deliver the Israelites. God showed up and they were freed from the land of bondage. When God freed them they did not leave empty handed. They left with the precious substances of their masters. They became better than their masters. Listen to me, God will show up on your behalf.

God sometimes show up out of compassion. In Luke 7:11-16, there was a widow who lost her only son and was being taken to be buried. This widow’s hope seems to be gone for good. She may have been saying to herself that life was no longer worth living. She may have concluded that it was all over for her.

While they were on their way to bury the boy, Jesus was coming from another direction without the widow being aware.

When Jesus met them at the gate of Nain, He saw the widow and had compassion on her and said unto her, weep not. He stopped the bier; and they that bare him stood still. And He said to the dead young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak.

And He delivered him to his mother. Remember what the word of the Lord says, “For He saith unto Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Rom. 9:15). Thus, God’s compassion can make Him to show up in your life. I pray that the God of compassion will show up in every area of your life and cause you to experience Christ realities because Jesus is real. God will show up in your life and in our great nation Nigeria.

To experience the reality of Christ, you start by giving Him your life. Pray this prayer out loud. Father, I give you my life and invite your Son Jesus Christ to come into my life and be my Lord and Saviour. Fill me with your Holy Spirit.

Thank you for saving me.

Testimony: At one point in my life, everything around me crumbled. My landlord gave me quit notice. My business came to a standstill. The house I was building could not be completed. My wife had medical challenges with no money to foot the bills. I came to pastor who prayed with me B I A and encouraged me to be E G a tither. Today I am glad to say that my business has R B turned around, my wife L M A was healed supernaturally.

My building is completed I S and things are flourishing.

N J O I give God all the glory. Bro. C.I. U You can send us your N praise report and prayer requests to our contacts beN E M low. Your financial support B to enable us take the reality of Christ to the people A T O shall also be welcomed and M acknowledged.

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

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

1011711622.

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

16— SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013

OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY/AGM CONGRESS OF ADVERTISING IN NIGERIA PIX BY WUNMI AKINOLA

Gov Suswan visits Gov Suntai: looks on as Gov Suntai is eating

The opening ceremony of the 40th Anniversary/ AGM Congress of Advertising in Nigeria was held at Obasanjo Presidential Library Hall, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta, yesterday. L-R: Mrs. Bunmi Oke "FIPA", President; Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Senator Solomon Ewuga. By WUNMI AKINOLA

L-R: Senator Solomon Ewuga, Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, Mrs Bunmi Oke, President; Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Mrs Bola Thomas during the anniversary. Pix by WUNMI AKINOLA

(L-R) Wife of Benue State Governor, Mrs Suswan (2nd left), Gov Gabriel Suswan of Benue State; Gov Danbaba Suntai and his wife, Mrs Suntai during the visit

Cross section of the participants.

Cross section of the participants.

Mr. Segun Abrams, Publisher, Editor-in-Chief (m) displaying a copy of FRESHFACTS PM during its presentation in Abuja yesterday.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013 — 17

18—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 29, 2013 Dear Aunty Julie, The guy I fell in love with is in love with my best friend.

I’ve loved him for a very long time , at least six months and he started to like me. Once, actually, we almost kissed!

One day, I invited my best friend to hang out with us. We were all talking and having fun, and I thought it was very nice that we were all bonding.

But now, I think I regret it. He talks to her more than he talks to me now. He gave me hints that he was asking me out a while back, but I sort of passed up my opportunity.

He travelled recently and I’m not sure if he’s coming back . I’m not sure what to do because I’ve developed very strong feelings for this person!

I cried about him at least twice and I have sexual feelings about him. Sometimes, I even want him to be my first time when I’m ready! I am 25 and still a virgin.

This is very hard for me be-

I had first-time intercourse with my girlfriend, is there a chance of STIs?

I love a guy but he loves my friend cause I feel even more guilty when I think about it, knowing he might like my BEST FRIEND. Please help me!

Ajoke, Lagos Dear Ajoke, It can be hard when relationships and crushes don’t turn out how we want. Basically, we have no control over what people will do. They can start liking someone else more than

us.

You might be worrying over nothing. Sometimes, our imagination or a little bit of jealousy can cloud our mind.

But if your crush is liking your best friend, it’s not your fault. There is nothing you can do about it except try to stay friends with them both if that’s what you want. You may find their crush may pass quite quickly as these feelings

sometimes do.

See what happens. See it as part of life’s experience. Don’t blame yourself or them, these things just happen. There will be a whole lot of guys you like and guys who will like you in future. What is good is that you obviously have good tastes in friends and good skills at making friends with guys. Stay positive and friendly. It’s always a good start.

Why do I get itchy all over my body?

Hello Aunty Julie, I’m a regular reader of your column and I appreciate the good work you are doing.I am a male and 30 years old. Lately when I’m turned on, I get itchy all over my body.

The itch usually starts around my ankles, then goes all over my body.

When it starts, I still continue to feel turned on and sometimes I masturbate, but the enjoyment isn’t as fun as when I masturbated and didn’t get itchy. When I do finally climax, the itch just goes away.

Could you please tell me why I get itchy all over my body when turned on or masturbating?

Cy, Benin City Dear Cy, I can’t think of any obvious reason why masturbating would make you itchy, unless it’s related to contact with something you’re allergic to.

A possibility is that you’re very sensitive to some of the changes that happen in the body during sexual arousal.

Your blood vessels may be dilating, which may feel like an itch to you. Some people feel a sensation of pleasure starting at the feet and moving up their body with climaxing, but that doesn’t sound like what you’ve said.

It’s possible there is some-

It’s possible to pass on HIV during unprotected intercourse . Young people having unprotected intercourse are more at risk of bacterial STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, and often have no signs or symptoms. But if neither of you have had intercourse (anal, oral, vaginal) with another partner before, the risk of having any type of STI is low thing causing you to feel distracted and to focus on something other than your sexual pleasure. Has something happened that’s making you

Could he have ejaculated?

Anuty Julie, My guy and I were making love without a condom. He told me he was about to come so I got off so we wouldn’t make a mess. I had a feeling he already climaxed by the pulsating of his manhood when he was inside me, but I couldn’t actually feel the come.

Anyway, when I went down there, there were white rivulets around the base of his manhood, towards his testicles.

Could he have ejaculated while he was inside me? Please

• Husband: “Your birthday is coming up, so I’d like some idea of what you’d like for yourbirthday.” Wife: “I want a divorce!” Pause.

Husband: “I’m really sorry, but I hadn’t planned to spend that much.”

•A drunken man at a party went up to a strange woman and embraced her clumsily. She slapped his face. ‘I’m so sorry,’ he said, ‘I thought you were my wife.’ ‘Huh,’ said the woman, ‘You’d be a fine husband to have. Just look at you - a drunken, clumsy, disgusting C M Y K

feel uncomfortable , such as being interrupted or feeling awkward or embarrassed about it for some reason?

Try totally focusing on the

itching. Try to tune out the sensations of sexual pleasure and really feel the itch: where it is, what it feels like.

Is it on the surface of the skin or deeper? Is it like a mosquito bite or a rash?

Really feel it!

Think about the sensations and how you would describe them; where they are, what feels good and what feels better. If your mind wanders to the itch, just bring it back.

Instead of trying to wish the itch away, you will be welcoming it and getting to know it, and if it’s a psychosomatic thing, this may just take some of its power away.

help! I need answers!

Grace, Edo Dear Grace, I think you’re asking the wrong person! Your man is the best person to know if he climaxed during sexual intercourse with you. If you don’t trust him enough to get a straight answer from him, you definitely shouldn’t be having unprotected sex with him.

When you have intercourse with someone, you take risks.

One of the ways to manage those risks is to make careful decisions about when and

with whom you have intercourse. Contraception should be the responsibility of both partners. However, sometimes one person takes no responsibility.

So you must ask your man if he climaxed. Watch for your next period, and take a pregnancy test if your period is late.

If your man says yes, it’s time to have a serious discussion about trust in your relationship!

In the meantime, I strongly recommend you take serious pregnancy-control measures

C O C K - T A L E S brute.’

‘Good heavens,’ said the drunk, ‘you talk like her, too.’ * In a divorce court, a woman told the judge: “Your honour, I want to divorce my husband.” “But why ?” asked the judge. She replied, “Because he is not faithful to me.”

The judge asked, “How do you know ?” She replied,

“My lord, not a single child resembles him.”

Aunty Julie, I had first-time intercourse with my girlfriend and a couple of days ago, I had done anal sex for the first time without protection. Is HIV possible? I was wondering if there was any chance of her contracting any diseases at all.

After I read reports on HIV/ AIDS, I’m just worried about blood contamination or poisoning. I am clean as I have never had intercourse with anyone else and have never shared needles or anything like that. Please help me. Is there a chance of STIs? Victor, Warri Dear Victor, It sounds like you’re worried about having put your girlfriend at risk. You also need to think about your own health.

Blood poisoning is very rare. It’s very unlikely this would happen to your girlfriend from unprotected anal intercourse. If she has had any pain or is bleeding when going to the toilet, she should see a doctor.

It’s possible to pass on HIV during unprotected intercourse . Young people having unprotected intercourse are more at risk of bacterial STIs,

such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, and often have no signs or symptoms. But if neither of you have had intercourse (anal, oral, vaginal) with another partner before, the risk of having any type of STI is low.

Condoms are the best protection against STIs, and can also prevent unintended pregnancy. If you’re still worried about yourself or your girlfriend, get a sexual health check up at your GP or health clinic . Better still, abstain.

All the best.

rather than just the withdrawal method. As you have experienced, you are not necessarily in control of what your partner does and now, you have a lot of worry on your hands. If you’re pregnant, you will have to deal with a situation that you obviously don’t want. So, even though it can be a bit of work to get to a clinic and get started on pregnacy-control measures, it will be worth it because you won’t have to worry about getting pregnant! You should also worry about STDS and HIV/ AIDS and therefore should zip up or use condoms if you can’t.Good luck.

* A girl tells her boyfriend:After our marriage, I will let you kiss me where nobody else has kissed me.

“Where is that?” “In Hawaii.” * A woman comes to a doctor with bumps and bruising all over her body. She complains that it was her husband who beat her. The doctor is surprised: “I thought your husband was out of town.”

“So did I..” * A woman standing in front of the mirror complains to her husband: I look ugly. At least you tell me any compliment! - Your vision is perfect!

SATURDAY

Vanguard JUNE 29, 2013—19

How to cope with those D.Ps in your office

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ENSION headache? Jangled nerves? If that’s how you feel at the end of the work ing day you may be suffering from a syndrome which plagues nearly all offices — Difficult People. You know the type. It’s usually the autocratic dictator boss who barks orders, demands blind obedience and whose door is firmly closed to suggestions or queries.

But there are other DPs who can turn the working day into a nightmare. The backstabber, the tight-lip, the know-all, the fault-finder, the delayer and the downer all have their place in the modern office set-up. But what the colleagues of Difficult People don’t realise is that they are dealing with a blip in the evolutionary process.

In fact, DPs’ brains haven’t evolved since prehistoric times, says organisational psychologist Albert J. Bernstein.

The behaviour of these throwbacks costs companies money by leading to absenteeism, lateness and inefficiency— but these days, the problem of DPs is being tackled in a series of seminars worldwide.

Large companies, councils, police and health authorities have all sent delegates to find out how to handle DPs. “Between 10 and 20 per cent Of the population are Difficult “It is our source of instruc- to survive attacks by predaPeople,” says Dan Kline of tions for handling instincts and tors. “Dinosaur Brain manCareer Track, which organises emotions as old as the dinoagers are always putting out some of the seminars. “Study saurs —aggression and anger, brushfires and never findafter study in the US has in- mating, territoriality and fear, ing time for long-term plandicated that 70 or 80 per cent social hierarchy and loyalty,” ning,” says Bernstein. of problems in organisations he says. If you think this “Their arousal systems are are based on misunderstand- sounds more like a struggle for going full-time, producing ings.” Bernstein’s book: Dino- survival in the primeval forest chaos for co-workers, not to saur Brains suggests that DPs than life among the yucca mention stress-related are driven by more than mis- plants of an air-conditioned symptoms such as ulcers, understandings— he says office, you are well on the way headaches, insomnia and they are in fact, driven by the to understanding why so many maybe excessive smoking or same basic instincts which of your colleagues drive you drinking. “If you work with ruled the lives of the dino- wild. impulsive people, deal with saurs 65 million years ago.

According to Bernstein, the them gently. Tell them their “As a psychologist, I have Dinosaur Brain operates on strong points, and gently let realised that humans don’t seven rules of Lizard Logic them know their weak always act like humans,” he which ran the world of tyranpoints. “Impulsive people says, “One minute they’re nosaurus rex and still apply in tend to talk rapidly and normal, rational people, the today’s corporate jungle. To next they’re little better than deal with the reptiles in your reptiles. “Trouble comes when office he advised we follow they use the Reptile Response these seven golden rules.

— their primitive thinking patterns— instead of the raRule 1: Be Dominant - REPtional part of their brain.”

TILES love social hierarchies his apparently explains why our days can be made a misery by the powermad boss, the time-wasting office romeo and the empirebuilding rival. .. to say nothing of the whingers.

Bernstein’s theory is that two areas of the brain are continually fighting to take control.

One is the cortex, the centre of thinking and logic, which keeps us rational, organised and businesslike.

The other is a primitive hotchpotch which Bernstein dubs the Dinosaur Brain.

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and are always getting into power struggles to prove that they are the top dinosaur. “The way to deal with power-hungry lizards is simple — don’t engage them in a dominance fight,” advises Bernstein. “Let them talk louder, interrupt or sit at the commanding place at the table. Let them use their power stares. Just realise what is going on and don’t give in to them on important issues.”

Rule 2: Do It Now—The impulsive urge to do things now is a kneejerk response rooted in the instant action required

and speak from the figurative boundary line,” says Bernstein.

“Use the channels that the lizard has decreed are appropriate.

Write a memo, make a phone call, set up a meeting, whatever is the proper way to gain access to the territory. If you try to sneak in the back door, you might accomplish your immediate goal but the lizard will be more difficult to deal with: Rule 4: Get A Mate—The mating instinct is the powerful force which draws together the unlikeliest of partners in passionate office romances. “The season comes to a distant rainforest and the giant dinosaur seeks a mate. He preens, puffs and parades before the females until he finds one who is receptive. He singles her out from the herd and they begin the intricate dance of courtship. Their tiny brains shut out all thoughts except each other,” says Bernstein.

“The only thing to do is stand back and watch the earth move:’ Rule 5: Fight Back —When the dinosaurs in your office turn threatening, your instincts will tell you to fight, run or freeze.

To avoid being trampled: Stop, think, and use lizard logic. “If your Dinosaur Brain is always screaming, ‘Fight, fight, fight’, ask yourself, ‘What do I win if I compete in this situation, and is what I would win important to me? Is it important enough to risk the animosity of the person I’m competing with’,” advises Bernstein. “If you are an avoider you have to set priorities and stick to them. If there is a hard way and an easy way, take the hard way. “Recognise your internal voice trying to talk you

,

These days, the problem of DPs is being tackled in a series of seminars worldwide

make it hard for you to get a word in. If you want them to notice you, start out by speaking as loudly and quickly as they do. Then adjust your pacing to slower and softer.”

Rule 3: Defend Yourself — INFRINGE a dinosaur ’s territory and his hackles will rise instantly. He will do anything to scare off or destroy the intruder. “If someone defends their territory fiercely}hen back off

into running away. Talk back. “If you are afraid of something, force yourself to approach it. It will be scary at first but the more you practise the easier it will become. The more you say, ‘I can’t’, the more it becomes true.

Look instead for what you can do within the situation and build on that.”

Rule 6: Show Pain—DINOSAURS were very vocal about their pain, which served to warn the herd about danger or to sum-

mon aid, says Bernstein.Therefore it is wise to listen out for the roars of their modern counterparts.

The trouble is that today’s monsters are mostly the architects of their own misery ... but don’t realise it. The dinosaur never sees himself as the source of any of his troubles. Whenever something goes wrong, he has two responses — to complain or to blame other people,” says Bernstein. “When you’re surrounded by a crowd of people who are screaming, yelling and demanding some body’s head, just sit there quietly.

This response is much more thought-out and creative than simply agreeing with them. “‘Whatever someone complains about, brings up a good point. This might get the complainer to stop and think, and it’s also a good way of covering your tail.

“People who remember the . situation at a later date might see you as the only one who didn’t lose· his or her head.

You might even be considered the leader when everyone has calmed down.”

Rule 7: Keep Cool — The world is divided into two categories for dinosaurs — good and evil, says Bernstein.

“Good, of course, means people like them. Often decisions that should be made on the merits of a case are made instead on moral judgments. Trying to shift someone from their prejudices usually has the same success rate as wrestling with a tiger. All you can do is try to tame your own tendency towards unfair bias, he says. Finally, here’s how to spot the Dinosaur Brains in your office ... They give themselves away by using emotional statements rather than arguing logically.

If a colleague begins a conversation with any of the openers below you’ll know it’s Dinosaur time: “I want to tell you my REAL feelings...”

“You always... “ “You never...”

“We all feel...”

“Why wasn’t I consulted about...?”

“How come some people are allowed to...”

“I thought I was in charge...”

“In the good old days... “ File: Sat Bunmi2 – 13/06/13

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013 08052201257 anyagafu@yahoo.com

Are you in abusive relationship ?

healthy and destructive for both the partners in relationships. However, there are certain visible signs of abusive relationships.

Over-possessiveness is the most obvious sign of an abusive partner. While possessiveness is part of every relationship, in certain cases, a partner may become excessively possessive, even to the extent of obstructing the

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re you in an abusive relationship which restricts your freedom and independence?

Are you well equipped with information on how to recognize when your partner becomes abusive? The truth is, many people go ahead with such partners whose abusive behaviour they misconstrue as possessiveness, extra care or over affection. But it is, in fact, an abnormality in relationships and if not realized in time and resolved, abusive behaviour can spoil the relationship and affect the entire peaceful atmosphere of life itself. Certain people misconceive abusiveness as physical attack or dominance. But in fact, abuse can be emotional, psychological, financial sexual or physical.

Psychologists reveal that

many a time, abusive behaviour is a result of the imbalanced or unstable mentalities of the partner.

When he/ she takes control over the partner or tries to express affection excessively, it may become abusive.

Abusive relationships are un-

freedom and forgetting the dignity of his/her counterpart.

An over-possessive partner may keep track of your time and demand information regarding every movement you make.

In the modern world, every human person, male or female, may need to interact with many people and move around many places. So if the partner insists that you inform or get permission from him/her to do everything in life, then it’s a kind of abuse. They may try to cut off all your social contacts and restrict you from even meeting your friends and relatives.

If your partner blames you for every misfortune in life, then he/ she is exhibiting the classic sign of an abusive relationship. They

If the partner insists that you inform or get permission from him/her to do everything in life, then it’s a kind of abuse may always look you through the glasses of suspicion and may not let you take your own decisions. Many times, the accusation may occur because of abnormal levels of affection and the partner is afraid or doubtful of your ability to perform certain actions.

Whenever something goes wrong, he/she may assume that it is because of your inability the mistake occurred.

Having multiple affairs and being unfaithful to you in life is abusive, of course. Relationships mean mutual respect, understanding and faithfulness. In a true relationship, the partner should

be considered the one and only person in life, not just one among many. Having multiple affairs may make someone less committed/

affectionate.

In the same vein, it has been observed that abusive persons may criticize improperly with the intention of destroying the confidence of their partners.

When somebody criticizes or teases the partner for no reason before friends or strangers, then he/she is trying to implement his/her authority over the person in the most undesirable way.

This is an obvious sign of an abusive relationship.

Physical abuses like slapping, hitting, threatening are the most visible signs of an abusive relationship.

People get into relationships not to be controlled or dominated. If, rather than show love and care any partner resorts to physical threats, then the relationship should be ended.

Another kind of abuse common in relationships is sexual abuse. That should however not be the case because sex is not the aim of relationships, but only a means to attain happiness in them. The advised mode of sex is that which gives happiness and satisfaction mutually. But many people feel any sexual activity is accepted in relationships. It is even worse for women who, many a time, fall prey to the weird fantasies of male partners. The reality is, any sexual activity that is not enjoyed/accepted by both partners is abuse and should be resisted.

My periods only come once or twice a year, is that normal?

I

’m 22 and my periods only come sometimes. I’m not having sex, so I can’t be pregnant.

I started menstruating around the age of 12. But even before then, I was having discharges such that if I didn’t wear a tampon, I would be completely soaked by the end of the day. I also had a bunch of pubic hair. Like more than usual.

I would wear tampons all the time because I didn’t know anything about the diseases one could get. I started to get worried after I was told about them.

When my periods started, I would wait every month for the period to come but it never came again. Now, it only comes once or twice a year. It stays for a week and stops. I try asking people about it but I’m scared to go to the doctor. Is this normal?

Abigail, Port-Harcourt Ans: It doesn’t sound really normal to only have two periods a year. Obviously, you

already know that they are expected every month. At 22 and without regular periods, you might have reproductive problems in future.

In a normal cycle, estrogen is produced every month. Estrogen is responsible for building up the lining of your uterus so you have something to shed each month.

In a normal cycle, progesterone production increases following ovulation.

Progesterone “stabilizes” the uterine lining in preparation for a possible implantation of a new pregnancy. If you are not pregnant that month, the levels of estrogen and progesterone fall, triggering the release of the uterine lining which is your period. So, if you do not ovulate, the estrogen build up of the lining continues, but without the usual ovulation-associated progesterone.

Thus, the hormone levels don’t decline, and the lining stays up inside the uterus, that is your missed period.

If you have been several months without a period, a gynecologist may give you some progesterone in a pill form. Within 48-72 hours after stopping the progest-

erone your “progesterone blood level” will fall, triggering the release of the lining that has been building up. Alternatively, the built-up lining may begin to shed under its own weight. Either way, women report that these periods are very heavy as though several months of lining are shed.

Such flows can also be prolonged or have a stop-and-start pattern. The reason for this erratic or prolonged bleeding is this: without the progesterone, the lining does not have a clean shed-down to the base layer. Causes for not ovulating are multifold: thyroid problems, pituitary problems, ovarian cysts, physical stressors (eg sudden increases in exercise, crash dieting), emotional stressors (problems with parents or boyfriends/girlfriends, exams), increased body weight, anorexia, rotating shifts at work, and so on.

You might be scared of seeing a doctor, but it’s probably worth going to one to find out if your hormones

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are out of balance in some way. It’s unlikely to be anything serious, but it could help to have some tests. The doctor doesn’t have to examine you if you don’t want. Or you could go to see a female doctor, which may be easier for you. You can have someone you trust with you if you do need an examination. There shouldn’t be any need for them to look inside your vagina by the way.

But they may want to see what you mean by lots of pubic hair, as this could also be a sign of hormone imbalance. About your vaginal discharge, some girls do have a lot of discharge and it’s pretty inconvenient.

So, it’s probably nothing abnormal. I recommend seeing a doctor. It will help you find out if anything is wrong and if there’s anything that can be done about it, which will give you peace of mind.

This is a whole lot better than worrying all the time! All the best.

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SATURDAY

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walked into a hall dur ing the week, unaware of the event that was going on to meet with the First Lady of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, an exceptional lady who is selfless and simple. Her intelligence is something I admire so much, and she inspires me more than she could ever know. I took a seat and waited for her to finish her speech and got to learn of a lady I had never met but the crop of people in attendance gave me an idea of who this lady was and what she stood for. She had just passed on and her friends and colleagues decided to come together to remember her good works.

This was the speech the First lady read and she gave me her permission to use in my

info@katehenshaw.com article and share with you all, titled THE TASK OF A GENERATION: Sindi Medar-Gould was born in 1944. This makes her a Traditionalist, that is the generation of people (19251945), who grew up in a world torn apart by a vicious world war, critical engagements to dismantle colonial structures, leading liberation struggles, as well as fanning the embers of powerful civil rights and social movements that dared challenge racial and patriarchal power and privilege around the world.

This generation raised the Baby Boomers, a generation

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hen babies are born, there is j o y in the home and in the lives of the parents. Expectations are high and everyone prays that their child will grow up to be great and leave their mark in their generation.

Parents have mapped out a plan for the life of the child but somewhere along the line, as a child grows into adulthood, he or she decides on which course in life to follow to become asuccess. Much as a lot of people are celebrated when they die, they should also be remembered when they are alive.

Vanguard, JUNE

Lea ving yyour our mar k Leaving mark them.

Sindi Medar-Gould was a poster-girl for the two generations she saddled— the Traditionalists and the Baby Boomers. The values that the traditionalists were known for –loyalty, dedication and sacrifice, duty before pleasure, were traits that Sindi was well known for. The issues that Sindi cared about and worked hard on till she drew her last breath, were the very things that defined the next generation— The Baby Boomers— confronting

As we celebrate Sindi MedarGould, let us reflect on who we are and our future

known for bravery, fearlessness, innovation, a strong craving for social justice, and a willingness to question givens on fundamental levels. It was also a generation charged with following through on revolutions that had been envisioned by those before

,

oppression and defining alternative ways of conceptualizing power and community. This generation asked dangerous questions and also came up with outlandish answers. Every generation around the world faces its own tasks. Not everyone within that

generation is even aware of the task; talk less of knowing what to do about it. This is why so many of our communities have such severe leadership deficit.

Each generation has its own heroes and villains. Sindi knew what the task of her generation was and this is why she made the women’s movement her intellectual, professional and emotional home. The gains that we celebrate today in the women’s movement, especially here in Africa, were made possible by women like Sindi. The challenges we still face were things she constantly agonised about and pushed herself to work harder on. A true Shero and survivor, she was passionate, funny, irreverent and committed.

She learnt, taught, campaigned, advocated, trained, travelled, wrote and spoke fearlessly and ceaselessly all in order to fulfil the generational tasks assigned to her.

As we celebrate Sindi Medar-Gould, let us reflect on who we are and our

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ore than 1 billion people or 15% of the world population are living with disabilities— the world’s largest and most disadvantaged group— most of which, are in developing countries!

Around the world, persons with disabilities face physical, social, economic and attitudinal barriers that exclude them from participating fully and effectively as equal members of society, they are socially marginalized and consequently not relevant to themselves, their families and the society at large.

They are d i s p r o p o r t i o n a t e l y decades of work by the represented among the United Nations to change world’s poorest, and lack attitudes and approaches to equal access to basic disability that would ensure resources, such as the full equality and education, employment, participation of persons with healthcare, social and legal disabilities in the society. The support systems, as well as Convention is intended as a having a higher rate of human rights instrument mortality. In spite of this with an explicit, development situation, disability has remained largely invisible in the mainstream development agenda and its processes.

The disabled told to “break barriers” at 2013 International Day

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Disability has remained largely invisible in the mainstream development agenda

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arlier, the international disability movement achieved an extraordinary advance in 2006, with the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Convention follows

development framework.

The UN General Assembly emphasizes that the genuine achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other internationally agreed development goals, requires the inclusion and integration of the rights, and well-being,

dimension. However, to realize equality and participation for persons with disabilities, they must be included in all development processes and, now more importantly, in the new emerging post-2015

as well as the perspective of persons with disabilities in development efforts at national, regional and international levels.

In 2011, the Assembly decided to convene a oneday high-level meeting on

disability and development (HLMDD) at the level of Heads of State and Government, under the theme: “The way forward: a disability inclusive development agenda towards 2015 and beyond”.

The HLMDD will present a historical opportunity to mainstream disability in the global agenda towards a post -2015 development framework that would translate the international commitment for a disability-inclusive society into concrete action and real changes on the ground in the lives of persons with disabilities.

The timing of the HLMDD to be held on 23 September 2013 is strategic; taking place five years after the UN

29, 2013—21

future in history. Regardless of whatever generation we belong to— Traditionalist, Baby Boomer, Generation X (1965-1979), Millennial a.k.a Y (1989-2000)— what is the task facing your generation?

What role have you assigned yourself? Sustaining gains that have been made as we seek new ones is something we all have to work hard on as fearlessly and as tirelessly as Sindi did.

Every generation is also charged with the responsibility of correcting the mistakes of the villains who refuse to live up to expectation.

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here is no easy ride for any of us. There are no short cuts. Our music, fashion, dance steps, celebrities and literature and so on might differ across generations. Our technology will evolve with the speed of light, even within one generation— the first telephone I used was the ringaround. It is our constant need for us to refine, reshape and affirm our humanity in an everchanging world that will always remain the same. Do we know what our task is? Sindi knew and she spent every moment of her amazing life getting the job done. Rest in Peace Sister Sindi. I pray my dreadlocks grow as long as yours.

There you have it, lovely words spoken about Sindi Medar-Gould who certainly did leave her mark and it would have been an honour and privilege to know her.

What mark are you leaving behind? The decision is entirely yours.

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities entered into force, two years after release of the World Report on Disability and two years away from 2015 — the target date for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) — and thereafter, the commencement of the post-2015 agenda and new development priorities.

This outcome of the HLMDD will take shape in a concise, action-oriented outcome document that will provide policy guidance and help strengthen global efforts to ensure accessibility for and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and development.

It’s time to break barriers and open doors: to realize an inclusive society for all!

By 3 December 2013, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), we will have the outcome document of the HLMDD, which would provide a blueprint for action and ideal platform to launch global efforts to help realize the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in society and shape the future of development for all!

Culled from Nation’s Publication

United Enable

22—SA TURD AY 22—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013

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e all have different W reasons for starting an exercise programme.

Some of us do so for weight problems, others do for improved well-being and others yet for therapeutic reasons.

Whatever the case, starting to exercise is an attempt to rehabilitate the body. You first recognise you have a physical problem and then you map out a regimen to overcome it.

Along side physical exercises of any kind that you may be engaged in periodically, there’s the need to always bear in mind some tips that conduce to physical improvement and practise them whenever you remember to.

Cultivating a good habit doesn’t come easy. For instance, you might find yourself slouching as you sit writing or working with a computer despite your resolution to “always sit up”.

Reminding yourself to sit straight each time you find you’re bent is the only way out.

Its probably obvious by now that I place high premium on good posture.

Well, it’s just as well. If we realised the varied kinds of trouble we invite onto ourselves by not holding up the body well, we’d sooner than soon releam to hold the head, neck and back in a way that allows our internal organs not to be jostling for space and that makes us breathe into the bottom of our lungs. This singular act alone brings immeasurable improvement to the individual.

Actors and singers for instance can deliver better with their voices just from learning to hold the body in the proper posture. Learning to breathe deeper from an improved posture completes the clarity of the voice.

M o s t sendentary jobs

• Head-to-knee By self C M Y K

Rehabilitating the body are such that thos engaged in them find themselves in postures for too long a time an the body was designed for. That's why its sensible to set time aside for exercise in he name of toning up the muscles that do not come into much play in relation to your work -a-day life.

I think health is very thin the reach of everyone -much more so than most people realise.

Exercising regularly will curtail in run-away appetite, eating healthily will make the body more resistant to disease and less excitable in an ever stressful world.

Try out the following yoga exercises.

Head to knee Technique: Sit down with feet stretched in front of you and rather close together.

Now raise both hands over-head and gently ease the trunk and hand as far down as you can then return upright with hands still overhead and then go back down again. Do this for a couple more times to limber the back and hamstrings for the head to knee pose. In the final jlage of the posture you form a ring with the forever and thumb around the big toes with the forehead resting on the knees and the elbows touching the floor.

In the initial stages when it’s impossible to assume the full posture, it will do to hold as far down the legs as you can and lower the trunk as well. Stay in the position for as long as 10

seconds and eventually hit the target of two minutes in one stretch.

Lie down on your back to allow the circulation stabilise and also get in a little rest.

Benefits: The head to knees pose tones up the muscles

periods and eventual stop it completely.

It’s also a great exercise for long d i s t a n c e runners as the hamstrings are where the long-distance runner is most likely to develop muscle pulls.

The Camel Tehnique: Sit on your heels and arrange hands next to the feet with fingers pointing backwards.

Now lift yourself up and hump the chest and let the head drop.

The is the Camel, stay in the posture for some 15 counts.

Lower the body, rest a while and repeat.

•The Camel

By Amarachukwu

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Learning to breathe deeper from an improved posture completes the clarity of the voice

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of the back, the arms and the hamstrings. The effect of “doubling up” lends a gentle message to the digestive organs improving the way the body handles nourishment.

In the womenfolk, this pose is said to help painful

Benefits: The Camel, Ustrasara in Sanskrit, endows the practitioner with elasticity. The chest expansion that conies with this exercise coupled with gentle but deep breathing are most rejuvenating.

People with chest and respiratory disorders will gain help from the practice of the Camel.

Yoga Classes @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

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Vanguard, JUNE

29, 2013—23

24—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013

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ith divorce rates being what they are , tying the knot might seem more intimidating than ever. However, by understanding what marriage entails and clarifying your expectations, you can overcome your nuptial-phobia and make an informed decision on whether or not to get married.

Determine what exactly you are scared of: Most people don’t fear marriage itself but rather, its implications and potential failure. What do you think will change? What’s the worst possible scenario that’s paralyzing your views on marriage?

Address your fears: If your parents had a bad marriage, understand that every marriage is different, and just because theirs wasn’t healthy doesn’t mean yours can’t be.

If you’re worried about the marriage falling apart, make a list in your mind of what you can and will do to make the marriage work. Imagine all the scenarios that make you scared and then, imagine what you will do in that specific situation to make it better.

It can also help to re-evaluate your failed relationships.

How or where did they go wrong? Talk with your significant other about their past relationships and try to determine why those did not work out. Understanding what went wrong in the past can help you avoid the same issues this time around.

Talk it over: Ask anybody you know of in a successful marriage to tell you their secrets. Usually, it’s something like, “We overlook each other’s minor bad habits.” But

How to overcome fear of marriage most of all, express your concerns to your partner. This is the perfect opportunity to exercise the communication skills that are essential for any healthy relationship to last, and your partner should be understanding and helpful.

Ask the Sexpert I recently hooked up with a guy, we have known each other for about 6/7 weeks and there has been major flirting and sexual chemistry. Anyway, we finally hooked up. However, when he would go to penetrate, he would lose some firmness of his erection.

Why would this be? Is it because he isn’t actually attracted to me ?

I don’t think it is right to assume that his lack of firmness is an indication of his lack of attraction to you. However, there could be a number of reasons why he loses his erection.

It may be that he drank too much; he could be tired or stressed out (most likely reason); or he is used to masturbating often or already went past his masturbating quota for the day. You get the drift.

What I want to highlight is that most people, especially women, will go to ‘taking it personal’ first and foremost. However, that is the last place you should go when it comes to dynamics in the bedroom.

Decide whether you have chosen the person you want to spend the rest of your life with: Or, have they chosen you and you’re now being pressured into marriage? It might not be marriage itself that you fear, but marriage to this person.

A good nugget of wisdom to remember is that you shouldn’t marry the person you know you can live with for the rest of your life; marry the one whom you can’t imagine yourself living without.

Realize that you are not going to live in harmony

So, my first question to you is, have you talked to him about what happened? Obviously the way you approach this will be key. Because it sounds like he really likes you and I have a sneaking suspicion that he may be feeling somewhat bad too.

He probably assumes you will interpret it as lack of attraction or even that you see him as less of a man (guys have insecurities too).

Again, not taking it personally is key! When you broach the subject with him, make sure to express your feelings for him and that you would love to give it another go.

Ask him what turns him on, how he has the most pleasure sexually, what is his preferred style or position in love-making? Obviously, you get to share as well. These kinds of questions not only give you more information about how you can please him and how he can please you, but they almost always lead to conversations around what works and does not work for each person sexually.

Maybe ,even ask things like ‘what turns you off’, ‘how do you handle stress in the bedroom’, ‘what are some things that have not worked for you in the past?’

After all the fighting and breaking up and

every second of every day you are married: You are not perfect, and neither is your partner - married or not.

If you’re waiting to be with someone with whom every day is rainbows and sunshine, you’ll never settle down or get married because no one will ever be able to live up to that illusion. Marriage is hard work and it takes your whole life to complete it. Too many people get married with the expectation that if things start to get tough, they’ll just file for divorce and start all over again. Be prepared for the bumps in the road, and don’t be surprised when you come across them.

Plan your life:Sit down and iron things out before you get married. Will you have children? How many? Who will manage the money? Will both spouses work? How much will you save for retirement? Where will you live?

Who gets which responsibility? If the husband can still go out to bars with his buddies, can the wife still do the same?

These are the difficult, yet practical questions to ask before you commit yourself to somebody for the rest of your life. Don’t discover the answers the hard way when there’s already a ring on your finger. It’s better to foresee conflict and prevent it. If you have a healthy relationship, the questioning process will bring you closer.

Common issues that drive married couples apart are money, religion and children, in that order. Do your best ahead of time to make sure you’re on the same page on these issues, and you’ll go a long way to even the longterm odds.

Do some introspection about sexual exclusivity: Many people have healthy and committed relationships which include clear agreements on sexual primacy without sexual exclusivity.

Don’t let societal standards dictate what makes you and your mate happy. Many people are afraid of the prospect of lifelong sexual exclusivity.

making up and both of us having other lovers the last three years, it has taken a toll on my sex drive.

I think it has died and I don’t know how to rekindle that. It’s so heartbreaking to have this beautiful passion gone. It’s caused a lot of conflict between us because he feels unwanted and I feel guilty and the spiral continues… Please help!!!

Sounds like you two have had quite the journey over the course of your relationship. I want to acknowledge that it is a lot to hold as you try and move forward together. First thought is to get clear on what exactly died.

Is it your sex drive? Is it the passion you felt in the beginning? Is it the passion you both experienced together? Or is it something deeper like trust, connection, honesty?

Whatever it is, if it has died, then it is time to literally bury it and give it the actual attention it deserves. A lot of times, we are in such a hurry to get to what’s next that we do not honour what happened or what is present.

No need to analyze or rehash everything that happened over the last three years. What is done is done. That was in the past. Those experiences have been important in the building of your self and the kind of relationship you will have while moving forward. Acknowledging will also bring it to the present as opposed to allowing it to continue lingering or haunting the relationship in various ways.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 2013 — 25

08116759764 anozieegole@yahoo.com

How Olamide, 2Chainz, others, stole DKM concert

By ANOZIE EGOLE

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gainst the high expectations of fans and fun seekers who thronged the Conventional hall, Eko Hotel and Suites last weekend to witness the much talked about D’ Kings Men,DKM concert which was also, organised in celebration of the Koko master ’s birthday, the show was a mixture of the good, the bad and the ugly.

But thanks to Olamide, 2Chainz, Kcee and others who came to the rescue of the celebrant by awakening the spirit of the audience with their electrifying performances.

Those who graced the show alleged that the Koko master who is also, a brand ambassador to Bank of Industry did not live up to his billing as he kept on talking instead of entertaining the audience. The event which kicked off around 11.pm as

*Olamide and D’banj against 7 pm which was on the invitation card, could be said to belong to the Nigerian born rapper, Olamide who kept the fans standing and yelling for more with his music,

“First of All”. As if that was not enough, Kcee gave fans a big treat when he climbed the stage and performed his “Limpopo” song. It was as if the audience actually came to

watch Kcee, as they supported him with choruses, taking the floor to dig it out.

The highlights of the concert were performances from international acts, US rapper 2 Chainz, Congolese sexy singer Fally Ipupa, and South African musical group Mafikizolo. 2Chainz wowed the audience with his birthday song which he dedicated to D’banj to mark his birthday. The show was hosted by The Beat FM’s Toolz and comedian AY with an earlier backstage voice over from Illryhmz.

Among celebrities who graced the concert were Olamide, 2face, 2Chainz, Fela Ipupa, Dannovia and Toolz, A Y who anchored the show alongside Toolz. However, missing at the show were the likes of 2face, Wizkid Ikechukwu, Durella and DB Records’ Jsol who were initially announced to be on the line up. The concert lasted for two and half hours and was attended majorly by teens and young fans

Mercy Johnson visits ailing OJB Jezreel

Kcee thrills fans with ‘Limpopo’ K

elechi Okonkwo, a.k.a, “Kcee” is indeed one of the best things that ever happened to the Nigerian music industry in recent times.

His new hit single,”Limpopo”, which has really given him the extra edge his career needs at the moment is now the toast of every night club, DJ, beer parlour and radio station.

At a recent concert organized by one of the big shots in the industry, the talented singer held his numerous fans spellbound with “Limpopo.” When he mounted the stage, ‘shouts of Limpopo crooner ’ rent the air as the audience took to the floor to dig it out.

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*Kacee

t u o s p e t s a i v Donna f a e l l a r u t a n with

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elebrities are known for causing a stir at most red carpet events with their outfits.

At an event held on the Lagos Island recently, sexy Donnovia better known as Lady Gaga of Nigeria raised the bar with her outfit made from natural leaves. The leafy dress, which was the same one she wore in her recent video, “Gaga”, caught the attention of paparazzi and camera men when she alighted from her car.

Though the video, “Gaga” which gave the talented singer the nickname is currently having issues with the National Broadcasting Commission,NBC. But despite the ban which has not slowed her down,the sexy singer is getting ready to drop another single before the end of this month.

ollywood diva, Mercy Johnson Okojie paid a solidarity visit to ailing music producer, OJB Jezreel at his Surulere residence last Wednesday with her N15 million Lexus jeep bought for her by her hubby.

Insiders say the star actress who recently resumed work again after being away in the United States for months where she had her daughter made a generous donation to the ailing music producer.

OJB Jezreel needs N16million for an urgent kidney transplant. Since his illness was made public last week, friends and colleagues in the industry have rallied round him.

26 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013

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SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29 , 2013 — 27

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28 — Vanguard, SARTURDAY, JUNE 29, 2013

I don’t have a daughter out of wedlock — Benita Nzeribe

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

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enita Nzeribe started out as a teen star in Nollywood and later grew into adulthood long before the industry started experiencing the boom it now enjoys. Though quick to say she got into the industry by accident, the light-complexioned beau has carved a niche for herself. That is why her endorsement as Ambassador for two separate institutions is not a surprise. In this interview, she talks about her career, endorsements and refutes the rumour making the rounds that she has a lovechild.

It seems your love for acting has vanished ?

How do you mean ? I’m still and will remain an actress.

But you’ve been away from the big screen for some time now. What have you been up to ?

I was really not away . One thing about entertainment is that no one ever leaves Benita Nzeribe it . I have been around and I’m active. I do jobs that come my way but I am a very patient person and not swayed at all . I have not been away from the big screen.

I just have a different project and responsibility on my shoulders and I’m moving on by the grace of God .

What are some of those projects you’re currently handling ?

As you very well know, I am a UN Peace Ambassador and as such stand for world peace . Ambassadors work towards peace from the grassroots. Personally, I am more convinced than ever before that there should be peace in the inner mind of every human being created by God . fact that I grew from a teenager to an adult So what was growing up like for you?

Sadly, not every human being has been in Nollywood and have contributed to the Growing up was fun because I have able to discover that inner mind and ac- growth of the industry and written my disciplined parents. I went to a Convent cess the peace that is much needed for name in gold opened those doors for me school and I think that explains how I its growth and development for success . . came about my disciplined self.

World peace is still a tall order in our world Could you share with us some of So you must be swimming in money today. However, nothing is impossible now ?. those boring experiences you had while with God . I shall continue to call on Him Swimming in money? Hmm. Well, I growing? for strength and direction as I pursue this have always believed in sacrifice first beAll I can remember is that all the parawesome assignment . World peace must fore reaping, and that has worked out tying that has to do with teens was never be achieved to an impressive percentage well for me. God has been putting smiles part of my experience. But I guess, it . Secondly, as the Air Safety Ambassador on my face little by little. I must appreci- helped me to keep disciplined till date. of Nigeria which was bestowed on me by ate Him for that. But swimming in monDo you regret not being allowed to the Nigerian Airspace Management ey? Not yet. enjoy your childhood days?

Agency (NAMA), there is also a job to do I don’t feel like I missed out at all. In . The aviation sector has recorded huge achievements under this present administration . Furthermore, I will be on location in less than two weeks from now for the shoot of their international classic TV commercial, It’s a big project; I can tell you that .

Also, I am presently recording the Malta Guinness Low Sugar Game show with Emeka Enyiocha as my co- presenter .

It’s hitting the screen soon and I can tell you, it’s going to be a great show . I will be on location immediately after the NAMA TVC and thereafter, I will embark on an official trip out of the country as NAMA Ambassador .

How did you secure all these deals?

Well, let’s say that it’s God at work and the fruits of my labour as an actress On the UN Ambassadorship, I was Benita Nzeribe called upon to come and receive it. The

‘‘

My daughter? Which daughter?

Where is the daughter and from whom? This is really funny, and the first time ever I’ll be hearing a journalist ask me about a daughter. I have none for now but will definitely get one once I’m married. Don’t be in a hurry

C M Y K

fact, it’s rare to see me in a night club because I have been fashioned that way.

It’s not like I’m saying it’s wrong to party, everyone should just do whatever makes them happy.

Since you attended a Convent school, how did you come about acting?

My getting into acting was never planned. My debut role in ‘Beyond Our Dreams’ was just meant to be.

So, acting was an accidental thing for you. What were you doing before acting?

I was in school then. So, my girlfriend and I came to Lagos for holidays in my elder brother ’s house, Hon.Chuma Nzeribe. One day, we decided to just stroll around for sight seeing and we stumbled on an audition for a soap. We wanted to just see what they were up to and why so many people gathered there.

It was curiosity and one thing led to another. I was called upon to be tried because they were actually searching for that character of a female lead. I was auditioned and the rest is history.

I heard you wanted to be a Reverend Sister?

That’s not true. I just went to a Convent school because my father believed there is more discipline and a better quality of education there. I didn’t attend the school because I was aspiring to be a Reverend Sister.

So, weren’t your parents disappointed that you chose acting after the discipline and values instilled in you at the Convent school?

There was nothing to feel disappointed about. It’s a profession just like every other one. My parents are educated so they understood that I was doing my job.

I have my limits as an African woman.

What are your limits?

I can never go naked!

I overheard you calling someone ‘Daddy’ on the phone?

Ha! that was my father in the Lord, my pastor.

So, who is the lucky man?

Soon, you will find out.

Does that mean there’s a man in your life?

I’m sure you don’t expect me to have a woman in my life. Well, it’s not yet ripe to talk about that for now. But I’ll surely inform you at the right time.

How’s your daughter doing?

My daughter? Which daughter? Where is the daughter and from whom? This is really funny, and the first time ever a journalist will be asking me about a daughter. I have none for now but will definitely get one once I’m married.

Don’t be in a hurry.

But we learnt that you’re a single mother Wow!I’mnot,please. That’sdefinitelynottrue.

WhywouldIhidemybloodfromanyoneifIhad adaughter?ChildrenareblessingsfromGodso I would flaunt her to the world if I did. Relax, I will soon get there by God’s Grace. People saying that should take a chill pill and wait.

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, JUNE 29, 2013 — 29

By ANOZIE EGOLE Buchi Atuonwu is a gospel reggae legend who once combined his singing career with a lecturing job. In this interview with Showtime Celebrity , he shares his experiences as a gospel artiste and some of the challenges he has faced in the past.

Y

ou said you have been in the music industry for over 29 years. Was there any formal training before you delved into music?

I did some informal training. Training in the sense that, before I became a Christian, I was already playing reggae music and that served as a training for me. So, when I became a Christian, there arose a need for me to sing and I was already equipped with enough exposure to reggae music. I was a night club DJ at ‘Floating Buka’ in Victoria Island, Lagos, a club that was in a ship along Marina.

Then, I used to play with Ras Kimono who was a DJ there too at that time. In fact, it was he ( Ras Kimono) who invited me over to come and play there with him.

That was precisely between 1987 and 1988. Then, I was a postgraduate student at University of Lagos. Thereafter, I went for my doctorate degree in English Language in the same institution. I was also teaching in the Department.

While I was doing all that, I continued with my DJ work.

You can see, it was an odd combination. Yet, I continued until Jesus found me in 1992, when I moved over to the church from the club.

Would you say that the DJ work was borne out of passion or a source of livelihood for you?

No, it has nothing to do with pay. I was not paid then •Buchi Atuonwu for the DJ work. It was borne out of passion. I was doing it for the passion I had for reggae music.

What do you mean by ‘when you became a Christian?’ What kind of formal training did you have before going into gospel reggae muWhat would you say has sic? been the biggest challenge The informal training I you have ever had while on meant was my time as a stage?

DJ in that club and the I have relayed this story club was a reggae club. several times on how I was asked to leave the stage pubI was not a born-again licly because it was a cruChristian then. And I am sade. It was a Christian cruof the opinion that you sade and when I began to are not a Christian until play my music, the organyou are born again. izers began to complain, ‘who brought this person to Why did you choose to sing gospel this stage?’ And they told reggae?

I didn’t choose gospel muisc, gospel me to get off the stage but people were music chose me. I didn’t choose reggae enjoying my music. They didn’t seem as well; reggae did. Reggae chose me to listen to my music, they were listenwhen I was young, it appealed to me greatly and I began to listen to reggae music. I had a wonderful romance with reggae music as a child and listened mostly to Jamaican music, and that shaped my sense of music. When Terracotta, Ras Kimono and Majek were making their album and I was a DJ in the club, I had already fallen in love with reggae music. So, as you can see, reg- reggae music, you cannot totally divest gae chose me very early. And then as I its culture. You cannot totally alienate the said, gospel chose me in the sense that sound from its surrounding culture.

Jesus found me and put a message in That’s why you see most reggae artistes my mouth. My style of music is not gos- speaking Patois. Reggae was born in Afpel, there is no type of music called gos- rica but was raised in the Caribbeans. pel. Gospel is the message of the music. And so, the Jamaican and Caribbean PatBut in terms of style, you can have reg- ois came with the language of the reggae, pop, rock R n B among others. In gae music.

So, as you can see, you cannot totally terms of message, you can use your medium or style to speak of whatever move away from the language. I tried you believe. I believe in gospel, so my as much as possible to do that because I message is strictly gospel. That’s how found a need to communicate my message to my people, knowing the importhe combination came about.

Most reggae artistes we know in Ni- tance of my message and that is the reageria speak Patois. Would you say that son I have cut down the use of that lanis one of the criteria for being a reggae guage. It has a style. Most reggae artistes wear dreadlocks but I don’t wear musician?

Reggae is a culture; it has a language, dreadlocks - even when I was much history and style and when you practice younger.

I feel naked without a cap — Buchi

‘‘

I didn’t choose gospel muisc, gospel music chose me

ing to the beat. They were watching my dance steps; they were looking at the outward not the wordings.

Are you the cap wearing type?

I am a cap wearing fellow. It is something I love to do. I love the way it makes me feel. I feel naked without the cap. It is something I love doing, it brings me close to the people I want to reach. To me, what becomes of the ordinary man in the street matters and not necessarily that of the high and mighty in the society.

I feel I am the man so I dress in the way they can freely relate to me without fear. I don’t want to look different for them to confide in me. I want to dress in a way they can access me and find me approachable.

Was music on your mind while growing up?

Yes, music was on my mind but being a musician was certainly not on my mind.

I recalled that my greatest moments were the times I enjoyed this romance with music, when I would sit alone and sing to myself. I didn’t sing to entertain people. I only sang for myself most often as a child.

Were you a smoker before now and how were you able to overcome the habit?

I don’t want to give you a cheap headline. But what I know is that, to stop any habit is very difficult especially when you allow that habit to eat deep into you. The easiest way to leave a habit is to receive Christ. I walked clean away from smoking. The last time I smoked was on 30th of December 1992. I never smoked again since then.

Aside music, what else do you do for a living?

I write. I recently published a book titled, “Ceasefire,” The book is a story of campus cultism because I was involved in it. It tells the story, not to indict anybody but it tells you everything that you need to know about campus cultism.I wrote the book not with the intention of exposing anybody, but with the intention of exposing the system. The greatest tragedy about cultism is that, the members and the initiates do not really understand the meaning and implications of the system. People find themselves in trenches of war before they know what the war is all about. I also published a book called, “Behind the Songs” which is an anthology, a collection of poems and song lyrics. It also tells the inspiration behind the songs. Something inspired me to sing “It is Well” and other soul-lifting songs.

How many albums do you have so far?

I have about five audio albums and two video albums. My sixth album is due to be released soon. I just came out of the studio last month. It is titled, “Over the years”. It’s a collection of songs that I have released and reworked for today’s audience.

There are some songs I have released some 15 to 20 years ago and I know they are evergreen.

So, I need to do something on them because, some of them, I didn’t express myself the way I had wanted to. I need to rework them.

C M Y K

30 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 2013

Compiled by

Ephraim Oseji 08023542350

Arshavin returns to Zenit

Andrey Arshavin has returned to Zenit St Petersburg on a free transfer following the expiration of his c o n t r a c t w i t h Arsenal.The R u s s i a international became the Gunners r e c o r d signing when he signed for £15m in February 2009.

PSV sign Bruma from Chelsea PSV Eindhoven have completed the signing of Netherlands defender Jeffrey Bruma from Chelsea.

The Blues signed Bruma from Feyenord as a fifteen year old back in 2007, but he made only four l e a g u e appearances before being sent out on loan to Championship side Leicester City.

Carlos Tevez YYou ou can’t can’t lea leave ve for for Juventus Juventus

Milan in talks with Honda AC Milan are in talks with CSKA Moscow striker Keisuke Honda.

Honda is ready to leave CSKA this summer and has also been linked with Everton. But the Japan international has made it clear to his camp that Milan are his first choice.

Milan are keen and have made contact.

C M Y K

M

Must complete 250 hrs of community service in England

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arlos Tévez brought an end to a largely successful seven years in the Premier League by joining Juventus, but the Argentina international will still have to return to England to complete 250 hours of community ser-

vice. Tevez was given the sentence in March after pleading guilty to driving while disqualified, and by accepting his guilt he was able to avoid jail.

But it turns out that he reportedly has a “significant” number of hours

yet to be completed and he risks incurring the wrath of the British legal system if he flees the country before making amends.

Football lawyer Daniel Geey claims that Tevez has several options: “He can apply to re-

voke the order and the court has the power to impose for a substitute sentence,” Geey said, though that would presumably open Tevez up to all sorts of other possibilities – including some time behind bars.

anchester United have launched an official bid for Everton defender Leighton Baines.

David Moyes has only just begun his work at Old Trafford after taking the reins from the retired Sir Alex Ferguson, but has wasted no time in making his transfer targets clear. The Scot has also been involved in a widely known pursuit of Barcelona starlet Thiago Alcantara, whose future in Spain remains uncertain.

The £15 million bid for Baines is likely to be rejected by Everton officials, as they have made it clear in the past that they regard the left back in high regard.

Madrid to offer •60m, Coentrao for Bale

Stefano Borgonovo dies at 49 The ex-Rossoneri attacker has lost his battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and his former club have led the tributes Former AC Milan and Fiorentina striker Stefano Borgonovo has died at 49 following a long battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - bett e r known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Milan released a statement saying: "The spirit of Stefano will always be with us.

United make £15m bid for Baines

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ow that Carlo Ancelotti is installed as Real Madrid coach, the Spanish giants are set to step up their mega bid for Tottenham star Gareth Bale.

Despite signing Isco, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez still needs to bring in a “Galactico” this summer.

During Acelotti’s unveiling, Perez was told by Real Madrid fans to “bring Bale, alongside Cristiano (Ronaldo) and we will be unstoppable. To which one of Perez’s aides replied “We are on it. The president is excited to bring him (Bale) to Madrid.

Real Madrid’s first offer for Bale this summer will be 60 million euros plus Fabio Coentrao and Gonzalo Higuain.

Man City line up £25m for Pepe

M

an City have set their sights on another high profile summer signing with Etihad Stadium boss Manuel Pellegrini is readying a £25m bid for Real Madrid centreback Pepe.

Pepe found himself on the bench for the final few months of last term with Jose Mourinho opted to line-up Raphael Varane with Sergio Ramos as his first choice centre-back pair, leaving the Portuguese international to warm the subs bench

Chelsea plot £7m move for Alonso

J

OSE Mourinho is set to raid his former club Real Madrid for Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso.

The Portuguese coach is hoping that Alonso could be available for around £7 million which would represent quite a bargain considering the midfielders skill and experience.

Although new Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is a fan of Alonso a move to Chelsea looks likely, with the Spaniards contract running out next summer.

Swansea close on Bony move — agent

S

WANSEA have agreed a for Vitesse Arnhem st Wilfried Bony, according t player's agent. Bony's agent, Fr Kacou, has claimed the 24-yea is on the verge of a move t Liberty Stadium with only m details to be sorted. "Bony will Swansea," Kacou said". "For many years? We still have to out that part. Hopefully mor be clear today." Swansea believed to have agreed a fee region •12million (£10.2millio the highly-rated forward.

e

a deal triker o the rancis ar-old to the minor l go to r how work re will a are in the on) for

Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 2013 —31

Compiled by

Ephraim Oseji 08023542350

91-year-old sets weightlifting world record

Has Samuel Eto'o justified his •20m-a-year Anzhi salar y?

A 91-year-old man has set a weightlifting world record. Sy Perlis broke the record for the 90 and over age division by bench pressing 85kg at the National Bench Push-Pull Press and Dead Lift Championships in Arizona - surpassing the former title holder’s attempt by 23.5 kgs. The previous record of 61kg had remained unbroken for eight years. Perlis who took up weightlifting at age 60 and only started to compete at 86 said that the sport was good for him. "I got a lot of satisfaction out of it, and it made me feel good, and it was good for me,” he said".

Bed racing competition

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ith his con tract expiring in just 12 months, and silverware continuing to elude the Dagestan club, it is becoming harder to justify the Cameroonian’s skyhigh after-tax-wages However, billionaire Suleyman Kerimov’s acquisition of Anzhi Makhachkala in January 2011 has made attracting marquee signings to the club very much the norm, though not without significant investment on his part.

The deal that brought Eto’o from Inter landed the Nerazzurria •28 million transfer fee and earned the striker a contract worth •20 million a year after tax - the most lucrative in world football. Despite that, re-

ports emerged a couple of weeks ago that Eto’o’s representatives had met Besiktas presidential candidate Serdal Adali over a move to Istanbul. The transfer appears unlikely after Adali’s failed campaign but it does pose the question whether the Turkish entrepreneur could even have come close to matching the forward’s incredible salary in comparison, Real

Norwich reject £5m for Ruddy

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Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo earns •13 million a year (before tax).

The four-time African Player of the Year has fired in goals throughout his career and his time in Dagestan has been no exception. Anzhi’s captain grabbed 21 in all competitions last campaign, with a smattering of world-class strikes amongst them. If there was any doubting Eto’o’s ability, seeing

him weave effortlessly past four AZ defenders before firing the ball across the keeper in a 50 Europa League playoff win is enough to prove that he remains a magical player.

Undoubtedly, if Anzhi are to mount a serious trophy-winning campaign next season the Cameroonian will be an essential cog - although, judging by the dip in form that followed Chris-

topher Samba’s exit from the club in January, a centre-half may be a necessary signing this summer.

However, despite the accolades Eto’o and his teammates might enjoy amid criticism of underdelivering, the real failure of the striker’s move to the Makhachkalabased club is not so much what has happened on the pitch as what is happening off it.

Bayern plotting £14m for Richards

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UROPEAN champions Bayern Mu nich are plotting a shock £14m bid to sign Micah Richards. New boss Pep Guardiola is a huge admirer of Richards and has put the Manchester City defender on his shopping list. The England full-back made just seven appearances last season following a serious knee problem. But he has re-

ose Mourinho yesterday made a £5million bid to nab Norwich keeper John Ruddy. But the Chelsea chief must double that to stand a chance of capturing him.

Mourinho’s offer for the England ace was immediately turned down. Norwich do not want to sell one of their star players, yet the Special One knows Petr Cech is his only senior keeper at Chelsea.

Ruddy, 26, has been an excellent performer for Norwich since he signed from Everton for £400,000 three years ago. And he was handed his Three Lions debut in a friendly against Italy in Switzerland 10 months ago.

turned to full fitness and Guardiola is now set to test City’s resolve with Bayern’s bid. Richards still has two years to run on his Etihad deal, but City have no plans to offer him a new contract yet and the 25-year-old knows he faces a battle to secure regular first-team football this season.

Shakhtar complete •15m Fred signing

Shakhtar Donetsk have completed the signing of Internacional starlet Fred for •15 million.

The 20-year-old midfielder has signed a five-year deal to become the club's third Brazilian signing of the summer Fred notched seven goals and seven assists in 33 appearances for the Brazilian outfit last season, was delighted to have signedfor the Ukraine giants.

“I know Shakhtar very well, they are a huge club,” he said".

Competitors in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, dust off their bed linen for the 48th annual Great Knaresborough Bed Race. The theme for the 2013 event is Myths & Legends, and entrants dress as characters from through ancient history.

Harrogate Harriers won the men’s race and the women’s winners are Ripon Runners Ladies

102-year-old celebrates birthday with tandem base

Centenarian Dorothy Custer celebrates her birthday by base-jumping off the Snake River bridge in Idaho. Custer is no stranger to extreme sports, having zip-lined across the same valley for birthday last year. Her only complaint about the basejump is that it is over too quickly.

Madrid to hijack move for Jovetic Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic has jumped to the top of Real Madrid’s transfer target list. The Montenegro international has emerged as a very strong target for new Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Jovetic has attracted plenty of interest from Arsenal and Chelsea but recent reports suggest he could be headed for the Santiago Bernabeu for around £20million.

32— SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013

Give me egusi and pounded yam

Power Pasta with TTuna una sauce and linguine

— Adedeji Doherty

Adedeji Doherty, an Engineer, businessman and politician is our guest in this edition of Celebrity Tummy Talk. He speaks on his healthy lifestyle and his favourite food.

How do you relax?

I hang out with friends. We discuss business and politics as usual. I also go to clubs and parties. I swim occasionally too and listen to music. I like to read Newspapers and literary books as well.

Your kind of drink Wine. I like red wine and some champagne. I also drink lots of water to neutralise my alcoholic intake.

Tell us your kind of food....

I like melon, “egusi”soup and pounded yam. I also

Doherty ... I like red wine and champagne

like amala and ewedu soup. But, I take vegetable salad at night.

Exercises I walk around my compound.

Juice of the day

Pineapple juice homemade Recipes Fresh pineapple Fresh ginger Water Preparations Wash pineapple thoroughly.

On a flat surface, use a sharp knife to cut off the head.

Hold pineapple upright, cut sides; don’t discard skin.

Lay pineapple on its side, cut the bottom of the pineapple; don’t discard.

With pineapple still on its side, cut into it vertically.

Using a smaller knife, cut out any bad bits and discard.

Cut pineapple meat into halves, transfer to bowl and refrigerate.

Transfer pineapple skins, two pieces of the sliced pineapple & ginger to a pot.

Add enough water to cover skins.

Boil over medium heat for 15 minutes.

Turn off heat, leave pot covered and let steep for 15 minutes.

Using a slotted spoon, remove pineapple skins from pot, drain juice into a bowl, transfer skins back to pot, set aside.

Using a small sieve positioned over the mouth of a jug/pitcher, drain juice to rid it of sediments.

Set pitcher aside.

Return to pineapple skins; still in the pot, squeeze skins & sliced pineapples as much as you can, transfer squeezed skins/ pineapple to bowl, discard.

Sieve juice from squeezed skins; discard sediments.

Add sieved juice to pitcher. You can add sugar if you wish.

Healthy Tips Why you should drink water regularly Increases energy and relieves fatigue: Since your brain is mostly water, drinking water helps you think, focus and concentrate better and be more alert.

Promotes weight loss:– Removes byproducts of fat and reduces eating .

Flushes out toxins – Gets rid of waste through sweat and urination which reduces the risk of kidney stones and urinary tract infections.

Improves skin complexion: Moisturizes your skin, keeps it fresh, soft, glowing and smooth.

Gets rid of wrinkles. It’s the best anti-aging treatment around.

Maintains regularity: Aids digestion as water is essential in food digestion and prevents constipation.

Boosts immune system: Drinking plenty of

Ingredients •4 tbsp virgin olive oil.

•3 tbsp finely chopped parsley.

•2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped.

•1 small chilli pepper, finely chopped.

•1cm/½in fresh ginger root, peeled and thinly sliced.

•450g/1lb carton or bottle passata.

•1 x 400g/14oz tin of tuna fish in oil, drained and roughly chopped.

•Salt •375g/13oz dried linguine •Freshly ground black pepper Preparation method *Heat the oil and gently fry two tablespoons of the parsley, the garlic, chilli and the ginger for a few minutes until slightly soft. Add the tomatoes and continue to cook for another few minutes. Stir in the tuna and salt. *Cook the pasta for 810 minutes or until al dente, and drain. Toss with the sauce and serve sprinkled with the remaining parsley and freshly ground pepper to taste.

Nutrition •Pasta is a good source of carbohydrates. It also contains protein. Carbohydrates help fuel your body by providing energy that is released slowly over time.

•One cup of cooked spaghetti provides about 200 calories, 40 grams of carbohydrates, less than one gram of total fat, no cholesterol and only one gram of sodium when cooked without salt.

Did you know that?

Carbohydrates like pasta provide glucose, the crucial fuel for your brain and muscles. Pasta is an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, which provide a slow release of energy. Unlike simple sugars that offer a quick, yet fleeting boost of energy, pasta helps sustain energy.

water helps fight against flu, cancer and other ailments like heart attacks.

Natural headache remedy: Helps relieve and prevent headaches which are commonly caused by dehydration.

Prevents cramps and sprains: Proper hydration helps keep joints lubricated and muscles more elastic so joint pain is less likely.

Puts you in a good mood – When the body is functioning at its best, you will feel great and be happy.

Saves money: Water is cheaper than carbonated fluid but it is the best for everybody.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013—33

08056180112

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was short of breath. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t talk. My chest was heavy. It felt like a heavy weight was pressing down on my chest. I was sweating even though the air-conditioner was on. I felt faint and fatigued.

Then the pain…oh the pain! I can’t forget that pain. It was raw, deep and intense. It was scary. It still scares me.” Such was the account of a friend who suffered an “incident” recently. She didn’t know it, but she was suffering a “petit mal” or “little death”. In common parlance she was having a heart attack. How many times have you felt similar symptoms? Never, once, twice, occasionally?

A skipped heartbeat, the feeling of fish flopping around in your chest, a racing heart rate — these are all the physical feelings of atrial fibrillation — simply put, the most common type of heart rhythm disorder.Millions of Nigerians suffer from atrial fibrillation — the type of irregular heartbeat that occurs when the upper chambers of the person’s heart (the atria) quiver out of rhythm with the lower chambers.

People can develop an abnormal heart rhythm at any age, but the risk for atrial fibrillation increases as one gets older. The number of “

“Minor” heart symptoms you should never ignore potentially dangerous heart rhythm abnormalities known as arrhythmias.

Fatigue Especially among women, unusual fatigue can occur during a heart attack as well as in the days and weeks leading up to one. And feeling tired all the time may be a symptom of heart failure. You can also feel tired or fatigued for other reasons. Wasting time is dangerous.

Nausea or lack of appetite It’s not uncommon for people to feel sick to their stomach or throw up during a heart attack.

And abdominal swelling associated with heart failure can interfere with appetite.

•Heart attacks can cause lightheadedness...

people affected by this disorder is actually expected to double.A warning sign is indication that something is amiss with your heart.

Heart disease kills more men and women than all forms of cancer combined.

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hy is heart disease so deadly?

Many people are slow to seek help when symptoms arise. Yes, someone gripped by sudden chest pain probably knows to call for help. But heart symptoms aren’t always intense or obvious, and they vary from person to person and according to gender. First episodes of atrial fibrillation may feel quite different from having a heart attack, so many people pass it off as nothing serious. But, just because the disorder lacks the chestclutching drama of a coronary, doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous.

Signals of trouble

Anxiety Heart attack can cause

Pain in other parts of the body In many heart attacks, pain begins in the chest and spreads to the shoulders, arms, elbows, back, neck, jaw, or abdomen.

But sometimes there is no chest pain — just pain in these other body areas. The pain might come and go. Men having a heart attack often feel pain in the left arm. In women, the pain is more likely to be felt in both arms, or between the shoulder blades.

Rapid or irregular pulse Doctors say that there’s nothing worrisome about an occasional skipped heartbeat.

But a rapid or irregular pulse — especially when accompanied by weakness, dizziness, or shortness of

breath — can be evidence of a heart attack, heart failure, or an arrhythmia. Left untreated, some arrhythmias can lead to stroke, heart failure, or sudden death.

Shortness of breath People who feel winded at rest or with minimal exertion might have a pulmonary condition like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). But breathlessness could also indicate a heart attack or heart failure.

Sometimes people having a heart attack don’t have chest pressure or pain but feel extremely short of breath,” It’s like they’ve just run a marathon when they haven’t even moved. During a heart attack, shortness of breath often accompanies chest discomfort, but it can also occur before or without chest discomfort.

Sweating Breaking out in a cold sweat is a common symptom of heart attack. You might just be sitting in a chair when all of a sudden you are really sweating like you had just worked out.

Swelling Heart failure can cause fluid to accumulate in the body. This can cause swelling (often in the feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen) as well as sudden weight gain and sometimes a loss of appetite.

Weakness In the days leading up to a heart attack, as well as during one, some people experience severe, unexplained weakness.

This information could save your life

Never ignore the signs intense anxiety or a fear of death.

Heart attack survivors often talk about having experienced a sense of “impending doom.”

Chest discomfort Pain in the chest is the classic symptom of heart attack, and the No. 1 symptom doctors typically look for. But not all heart attacks cause chest pain.

Heart-related chest pain is often centered under the breastbone, perhaps a little to the left of center. The pain has been likened to “an

elephant sitting on the chest,” but it can also be an uncomfortable sensation of pressure, squeezing, or fullness.

Cough Persistent coughing or wheezing can be a symptom of heart failure — a result of fluid accumulation in the lungs. In some cases, people with heart failure cough up bloody phlegm.

Dizziness Heart attacks can cause lightheadedness and loss of consciousness.

So can

I

t can be hard to make sense of heart symptoms, so never ignore possible warning signs, waiting to see if they go away, or being quick to blame them on heartburn, muscle soreness, or other less serious, noncardiac causes.

This is especially true for men and people over 65, as well as for people with other cardiac risk factors, such as high cholesterol or blood

pressure, obesity, smoking, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease. The more risk factors you have, the higher the likelihood that a symptom means something is going on with your heart.

Putting off treatment for other medical problems might not be so bad, but a serious heart problem can mean sudden death. It’s better to go in and get it evaluated than to be dead.

34 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013

Onari Duke on her Run-for-a-Cure Charity Walk Former First Lady of Cross River State, Mrs. Onari Duke is an ideal role model for all age groups. She found her passion and is using it to touch lives. With many Nigerians losing their battle to cancer and HIV, Mrs Duke believes positive changes can be made through the activities of The Child Survival and Development Organization of Nigeria, CS-DON. An initiative of the former First Lady; CS-DON is a non-governmental organization established in 2002 with the primary objective of providing support for maternal and child healthcare initiatives in the country. One of such initiatives is the establishment of the Calabar Women & Children Hospital (CWCH), Calabar, which is accredited by the National Health Insurance Scheme, among others.

Mrs Duke speaks on the Run-for-a-Cure Charity Walk which held in Lagos penultimate Saturday with participants drawn from varying sectors; including her views on life, fashion and style.

BY YEMISI SULEIMAN

W

HAT is the Run-for-a Cure 7km Charity Walk all about?

CS-DON organized the sixth Run for a Cure 7KM Charity Walk event aimed at creating awareness for breast, cervical and childhood cancer.

The RUN began at 7:30 am from The Muri Okunola Park, off Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos to the Bar Beach along Ahmadu Bello and back to Muri Okunola Park.

The participants in the RUN were drawn from different sectors including the corporate, education and entertainment Industries.

Twelve trophies were won at the race for the first second and third positions, as well as oldest and youngest participants. There were also awards for the best teams, Tshirt designs, most exciting team spirit and largest teams.

What measures did you put in place to ensure the safety of participants?

Traffic control and security were taken care of by LASTMA and the Nigeria Police force respectively. Ambulatory services were made available

with a team of medical personnel as well as certified fitness instructors.

A gynaecologist, paediatrician and an oncologist were on site and available to answer any question.

Would you say this project is a sort of continuation of what you did while you were First Lady of Cross River State?

I have continued doing everything I did while I was the First Lady. In fact, when I went to Calabar, I did what I was already doing - maybe I did more of it. So, there wasn’t anything that was totally new.

Having left Calabar, I just continued my work and it has continued to expand even though we have left office. For me, my life has been just the same; there hasn’t been much difference.

The only difference, probably, is that I don’t have any state duties now. Back then, I had to attend different functions at state level. That isn’t there anymore. I am also engaged in training activities. I run a programme for the United Nations on Entrepreneurship.

How have you been able to strike a balance between life

in office and out of office? Is there anything you miss?

I have not missed anything. When my husband left office ,my lifestyle did not change. I am not the outgoing type. I remained myself even when he was governor. Life in office was something outstanding. But you should not change your lifestyle to be what you were not before just because of something that is so short. I believe God would give me long life on earth. If people can see life-in-office in that context, then there is absolutely no reason why you won’t prepare for life out of office. It’s just a phase of life and it’s going to be over.

So what does your typical day look like now?

I don’t have a routine, except to pray. Apart from praying, maybe I spend some time to exercise, which is not regular. In essence, I don’t really have a routine.

•Mrs. Onari Duke How would you describe your style?

I just dress to be comfortable because I multi-task. When I leave my house, I dress to fit into work, meetings, church and it has to be comfortable.

What is style to me is that I’m comfortable in.

What childhood memories do you cherish?

My father loving me everyday. My dad gave me a lot of confidence. I could wake up in the morning and tell him that I don’t want to go to

school that day. If my mother was scolding me, he would say, ‘ok, let her be.’ He was a school principal, an educationist and yet he loved me that much. He would tell my mother, ‘Today, she doesn’t want to go to school. Please let her be.’

How do you take time off to relax?

We do have family holidays.

By and large, beyond the holiday, a good portion of my work is relaxation. I have not drawn a line between ‘this is work and this is not.’ I just enjoy everything I do. If I don’t want to do something, I don’t do it. If I decide to do something, I do it and have fun doing it because I feel I will get fulfilment from doing it.

What has life taught you?

It is a continuous school. You cannot say you have graduated, there is still a lot to learn.

Genevieve Nnaji with other participants at the Run for cure cancer awaerness walk

What do you consider a life of perfect happiness?

When you are in oneness with your Creator, then you have eternal joy and nothing that is happening around you bothers you; you are at peace.

When you understand who you are, you’d understand your God and how much He loves you and that is complete happiness.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 2013—35

Soyinka is my source of Inspiration — —Okusaga H

E is the young, energetic and multi-tasking MD of an enviable PR firm that bagged the Sabre Awards for African consultancy firms in 2012. He is, however, inspired by doing what he loves to do best which is Public Relations.

In order to discover himself, he delved into diverse fields ranging from banking to presentation of programmes in broadcasting and then public relations, which gave him the window of opportunity to work with the team that produced the winning campaign strategy for former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and his running mate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in 2002. In this interview with Olayinka Ajayi, he speaks on how his thirst for self discovery gave his career a boost. Excerpts.

‘‘

Town in 1980, I had to join 7th Avenue Primary School. I also attended a secondary school in FESTAC Town called FESTAC College before I moved to Federal Government College, Ugwolawo in Kogi State. On completion of my secondary school education, I got admitted into Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State in 1990 where I studied Dramatic Arts and graduated in 1995. I was the best student in my department; almost bagging a first class but some extraneous circumstances such as my being too playful robbed me of First Class. I did my National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, in Lions Bank, Broad Street, Lagos from 1995 – 1996. After that, I went for my Masters in Communication and Language Arts at the University of Ibadan in Oyo

Nobody is ever going to discover you until you discover yourself and your passion for life

My background I was privileged to have attended two different primary schools in Lagos - one is Army Children School, Mayon Barracks, Yaba Lagos in 1977 and when we moved to FESTAC

State in 1997 and came out in 1998.

Sojourn into communications I started my sojourn as an independent producer and thereafter in 2001, I moved to Minaj Broadcast International as a

senior producer/researcher before I decided to do business on my own. But things did not work out the way I wanted . So I went to work with some of my friends like Ayoola Sadare and Segun Bankole. One of the major jobs we did was handling the presidential campaign of former president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and his running mate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. We worked with Akin Osuntokun. I did a lot of copy editing. As if that was not enough, I wanted to make my mark, so I went to work in Marina International Bank. About two years after, the then Central Bank Governor, Charles Soludo, decided that there must be some form of consolidation in the banking industry which would include the raising of the capital base of banks to N25million. This brought about the forming of a merger group which I was part of. It was the Access Bank merger group which had a nine-man committee. I later joined Access Bank where I was privileged to work with Aigboje-Aig-Imoukhuede where I learnt a lot of things beyond just corporate communications. He actually wanted me to be more strategic in approach, he also wanted me to head the Investors Relations as at that time. Looking back, it’s sincerely an interesting experience being with him.

How I found myself in PR Interestingly, in Dramatic Arts, you are basically communicating effectively with a larger audience of different tribes and tongues. Also, what I studied at my Masters level was more related, because all forms of integrated marketing communications boils down to

Former President of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Bolaji Okusaga at a function.

Bolaji Okusaga, MD Quadrant Company a mediation of social reality and who does that better than a dramatist? Like I said earlier, I did my postgraduate in Communications and Language Arts which gave me the advantage that I brought to bear on the job.

I have always been an art-inclined person. During my youth service days in the bank, I was still writing poetry which showed that I did not lose my love for the arts.

How I got into Quadrant The owners of this business were actually looking out for a young, energetic and dynamic man that would paddle the company into another enviable milieu and I was fortunate to have been picked.

Sourcing for clients It is like asking how to breathe in fresh air. The truth of the matter is that I would say I am privileged to run the affairs of Quadrant. It has been very interesting. You can imagine, we are not displaying a signboard but our clients cut across West Africa. With the categories of notable clients we manage, like Etisalat, Mouka Foam, Standard Chartered, GSK, Guinness Nigeria, CNN International, Lagos Court of Arbitration, among others, I make bold to say we are one of the best Public Relations firms in West Africa. We have done a lot of projects across Ghana, Cameroon, Kenya, Mali and other key African countries. We are also in tune with best practices around the world. As part of our relentless efforts, it may interest you to know that my team won the Sabre Awards for the best African consultancy which any PR firm in West Africa had never won.

Challenges of managing clients There are obvious challenges which you cannot run away from. One of them is competition and trends. The fact remains that in 10 years from now, clients will do more online than they are doing now.

So to be in the business, you have to brace up yourself.

Inspiration My inspiration is the fact that I love doing what I do. It is something I live and breathe.

Also, one of the things that inspires me is competition; anytime I have a pitch ,it pumps my heart because I love to win and make a mark.

Philosophy of life My belief in life is when you are granted an opportunity to serve, run with it as if your life depends on it and give it your best. Go the extra mile and take risks. I never imagined ten years ago that I would get to this level in life. I see myself as a serendiptious person. One that is lucky to discover himself early in life.

What Nigerians can learn from me It is good having a role model and to pattern your life after somebody worthy of emulation.

I started life trying to be like Prof. Wole Soyinka, so I started out wanting to emulate him.

But the economic situation of Nigeria as regards remaining in the arts scared me and I decided to do my Masters degree programme in Communications and Language Arts rather than following my initial passion. At the end of the day, I discovered myself. Nobody is ever going to discover you until you discover yourself and your passion for life.

36 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013

I’m bringing bre ath of fresh air into Nigerian m usic scene ----TTom Lash

BY SIMON PETERS ABUH

T

OM Lash is an up-and-coming hip hop act who has what it takes to revolutionise the Nigerian music scene with his brand of music. His debut single,’Fire Burn’, which is due to hit the market any moment from now, is an unconventional hip hop sound with a strong message.

In this interview, Tom Lash whose real name is Tomiwa Lase Kilo talks about his music, his aspirations and plans for the future.

Tell us about your educational background I studied Petroleum and Gas Engineering at University of Lagos and graduated in 2010.

Why did you decide to go into music despite studying Petroleum and Gas Engineering?

I realised I could write and rap, so I decided to follow my dream. My heart tells me to pursue my dream and I’m chasing that dream.

The turning point was actually at the orientation camp during my NYSC. I was hanging out with a friend one evening and suddenly, I became bored. My friend was writing a song, so I told him I’m also a creative writer and a rapper. I asked if I could join him and he obliged me. Then, I did a short rap and he was amazed at my skills. He gave me some pep talk that became the turning point in my life.

But actually, I developed the passion in 2005, when I discovered I could write poems and rap.

My first attempt to make music was with a friend, the producer of the Bonafide Crew, M16 (Omasan). He produced a song for me then, but the song did not hit the market because it was not well packaged. I went through a lot of people, learning the rudiments of music before I eventually had my breakthrough. The likes of M16, Mark X and Ehimen all

contributed to what I am today.

At what stage did you realise you would be doing music professionally?

The thought actually came up in January, 2013. I wasn’t happy with the the kind of job I was doing then. I knew I have this unflinching passion and desire for entertainment.

So, I decided I was going into showbiz fully and professionally in January, this year.

Do you intend to go into music ful-

ly?

Yes, I intend to do music full time . Already, I have started since the beginning of the year. ‘Fire Burn’ is my first official single but there are other great songs I’m yet to release .

Who’s your producer?

I have worked with several producers and I am still meeting new producers. However, DESiimurl (@RUNDATRAX) produced ‘Fire Burn’ Have you done collabos with any artiste yet?

I have done one collaborative effort with a gospel rapper, GW. We worked together

on a track titled ‘The way.’

Do you think you have what it takes to survive in the Nigerian music industry?

One thing I know is that I’m bringing a breath of fresh air into the Nigerian music scene. I have my hip hop ( core rap ) and commercial rap skills which I feel would stand me out ’ in the industry. Yes, I believe I have what it takes not to get trampled upon in the Nigeri-

an music industry.

What’s your take on the Nigerian music industry?

I think the industry has grown tremendously in the last two decades. Back in those days, we couldn’t boast of international collaborations between our own contemporary artistes and their international counterparts. We started from the bottom. But look at where we are today.

We are the largest music industry in Africa and certainly, the most exportable. Our development has been nothing short of exponential.

The industry is doing exceedingly well and that’s an

extra motivation for me to delve into the entertainment sector.

What’s the next level for you?

My next move is to drop another single in a couple of weeks. I intend to storm the market with the single.

What kind of music do you play?

I do hip hop/rap. I’m not a singer even though I have the talent. I’m crazy in love with melody.

What inspires your music?

Most times, my brain inspires my music. I think about what to write and then translate it into music. However, I sometimes get inspired by things around me and other human experiences.

Tell us about the shows and tours you‘ve had so far None yet. They are in the pipeline.

Have you launched you album?

I hope to launch it next year.

Who is your biggest influence locally?

Honestly, I wouldn’t exactly call them influences; rather they are just people I admire and have a lot of respect for. Internationally, the first artiste I respect is the late Tupac Amaru Shakur. Others include, the late Notorious B.I.G, Jay – Z, Snoop Dogg, DMX, Ja Rule, Diddy, Lil wayne, Fabulous, Drake...the list is endless.

Locally, I’m in awe of the lyrical dexterity of Mode 9. I also doff my hat for Mr. Incredible (M.I), Jesse Jags, the musicality of Ice Prince, Sauce kid, Naeto C and Eldee.

What is your experience like going through the process of recording?

It’s usually fun for me. It’s never a dull moment especially because I learn new things most times. I totally enjoy recording. It’s an amazing experience.

What additional skills do you possess that would give you an edge over other rappers?

Apart from being a good rapper, I consider myself an exceptionally creative writer. I’m a great poet and in a nutshell, ‘lyricist extraordinaire.So, you can expect a lot of exemplary and enviable lyrics from me coupled with intriguing flows and deliveries.

Any messages for the up and coming acts like you?

Oh yes! Please, you guys have to stay true to your dream and hustle. Never let the ‘bad belle’ people discourage you. But most importantly, be sure the talent is actually there. Do not come into the game for the wrong reasons. The money and the fame is quite alluring but trust me, a one – hit wonder would never stand the test of time. Let your talent guide you and let your passion drive you and you shall come out tops.

What do you have to say about the menace of piracy?

Seriously, I think it’s really disheartening that some selfish individuals would choose to reap where they did not sow (at the expense of the hard-working artists).

Our counterparts in Europe and America are racking in mega bucks because the pirates are all out at sea not stealing artistic work. However, I must commend the Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON in respect of the laudable effort it is making to curb the excesses of these pirates.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013

— 37

Seun Kuti, Egypt 80 go live at the Shrine A

FTER weeks of touring Europe and promoting Afrobeat globally, Seun Anikulapo Kuti with the Egypt 80 Band will be performing live at the New Africa Shrine this evening. The live show, which will start from 10pm, will run till the early hours of tomorrow.

As usual, Seun will thrill fans with the best of his repertoire as well as perform some of his father ’s hit songs, the legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

Meanwhile, indications have emerged that Seun

might be sampling some of his recent recordings, which will form part of his upcoming album. Expect some of those political commentaries on the state of the nation. Like his late father, Seun is a known activist.

“The tour was memorable, we had time to see the cities and entertain our fans. However, my album launch is coming soon, so we are concentrating on wrapping up the production; we are still recording,” he disclosed.

According to the multi-instrumentalist, a deal is on the

table as a buildup to the album release proper.

“Each time we have a new album, we usually sign agreement without international promoters. So, this time, we are yet to seal the deal. But I can only tell you that we have offers on the table; we will surely go for the right one. You know how it works in Europe and America; big labels are always interested in signing on young artistes. So, we are still on it, and will make things public as soon as we seal the deal,” he assured.

Klause Umeh takes sibling rivalry to Glo X Factor AYO ONIKOYI

es”. A highly impressed M.I. said, “Wow! This is what the show is about. You got the X Factor ”, while Reggie Rockstone gushed: “Amazing!

Amazing grace! It is an ‘007 Yes’ for me.”

I

have a younger brother with whom I have this sibling rivalry. He auditioned in Ghana and qualified. I am here basically because he has been rubbing it in my face and boasting about it. I am motivated to achieve the same thing.”

These were the opening words of 27-year-old Klause Uche Umeh, a major highlight of Episode 6 of X Factor singing reality show broadcast last weekend. The show is sponsored by Globacom.

The Anambra State-born singer promised, before taking the stage, that he would outperform his brother. “I will put

AKA to heat up BBA eviction show

X Factor judges up a very emotive performance, a heart-rending performance that the judges will have no option than to give me 3 “ yeses”, not 2. I want 3,” he confidently declared.

And that was exactly what Klause did. He rendered Adele’s “Skyfall” so smoothly that the judges, true to his word, had no choice but to give him 3 “Yes-

Ice Prince off to BET awards ...as J. Martins joins M.I, Wande Coal for Enugu concert

C

HOCOLATE City rapper, Ice Prince Zamani will be conspicuously missing when the Star Music Trek train berths in Enugu this weekend.

That’s because the fast- rising rapper is already in the United States, where he’s attending the BET awards.

Ice Prince is up for Best International Act; Africa Category, alongside compatriot 2face Idibia, Toya Delazi–from South Africa, Donald (South Africa), R2Bees (Ghana) and Radio and Weasel from Uganda.

The rapper had already done two legs on the Star Music Trek tour- in FESTAC and Lokoja- before taking a leave

to attend the BET Awards holding today in the States.

And the organisers say he’s been replaced with J Martins for the Enugu show. Other acts billed for the concert in Enugu include: M.I, Phyno,

For Onyeka Onwenu, Klause nailed the song. “What a voice! You are truly a performer. And mine is the cherry on the top. It is a big ‘Yes’ for me,” she complimented.

Mr Raw, Wande Coal and Crystals.

Ice will be back on the Star Trek train on the 10th of August, 2013 for the grand finale.

•M.I performing at the Star Music Trek. Festac concert

S

OUTH African Hip hop sensation, AKA is set to heat up the Big Brother stage during tomorrow night’s eviction show live on AfricaMagic Entertainment and DStv channels 197 and 198.

The multiple award winner will bring his dynamic persona to the live show as Africa’s votes determine which housemates will be evicted this weekend.

With his hit single ‘Kontrol’ currently dominating South African radio charts and club single ‘Jealousy ’ charting across the continent, AKA is a fixture on the international Hip Hop scene. In 2013 alone, he’s opened for NEYO and Kanye West and performed alongside D’Banj and Kid Cudi.

Previously known as part of Hip hop group, Entity, AKA’s career has gone stratospheric since he set out on his own.

2011 Hit track ‘Victory Lap’ propelled him into the continent’s consciousness, while ‘Jealousy’ cemented his place in the African hip hop firmament and his latest album has only gone on to build his loyal following.

He’s performed in San

•AKA Francisco, California, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Jamaica and New York in the past few months – outside of a host of continental African engagements.

As if performing on the world’s biggest stages weren’t enough, AKA also dabbles into voice over recordings, event MC, music production and is affiliated with the widelyacclaimed SA music production group, IV League.

The housemates in danger of eviction are Natasha, Bolt, Pokello, Annabel , Dillish, Hakeem and Maria. The Chase is sponsored by Airtel and produced by Endemol South Africa.

38—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013

R

eigning comic actor, Hafiz Oyetoro, popularly known as Saka who is fast proving himself as an enigma in the nation’s entertainment industry, is poised to take the centre stage as Opa Williams’ A Night of Thousand Laughs’ show berths in Lagos.

Opa Williams made this disclosure through his publicist, Media Image Managers, MIM. For Opa, this year’s edition is bound to be a special one as the show which began in 1995, is marking its th 18 anniversary on October 1, in Lagos.

“At 18, a child has become an adult and as such has to evolve in character and attain self-reliance.

Against this backdrop, this year’s edition of ‘Nite of A Thousand Laughs’ will take on a different shape and size because at 18, we have attained adulthood.

We have stayed on top for 18 years as the premier comedy brand and you know staying on top is the hardest part of the game. No comedy show in Nigeria is above 13 years of age at the moment, but we have been able to sustain our dominance for 18 years,” Opa said, adding, “While we celebrate, we should also be mindful of the fact that people who troop out to watch our shows yearly deserve to get more value for their money every time they come out. So this year, we will ensure the audience members laugh a thousand times as the brand’s name implies.”

Speaking further, Opa assured that unlike the previous editions, this year’s Nite of A Thousand

Saka headlines Nite of A Thousand Laughs Laughs’ promises to be different . “It will not be about some comedians and musicians climbing the stage and entertaining the audience.”We are introducing something unique this year that will make the audience truly laugh a thousand times. But we are keeping that under the hat for now.”

With Saka making his debut at the show after the distinct roles he has played in movies, drama series, including his humorous advert campaigns for telecommunications company, Etisalat, and now, MTN, this year ’s Nite of A Thousand Laughs promises to be nothing less in terms of fun and grooving.

Omotola

debuts in Hollywood N ollywood recorded a breakthrough last Monday, when one of its stars, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, made her US TV debut as she starred in the VH1 American drama television series “Hit the Floor.”

Earlier this year, she was in

California for the shoot of the series . Starring in the fifth episode titled ‘Keep away‘ of the first season, Omotola made a five-second appearance mid-way in the drama series when she waltzed pop star Akon who also made a star guest appearance.

Omotola acted as Akon’s date for the event they attended in the show.

Akon, however, had an earlier appearance where he gave out his

diamond earpiece to charity while flirting with one of the series’ regulars -Kyle - played

by Katherine Bailess.

In her five-second appearance, Omotola was complimented for ‘looking beautiful’ by Kyle while walking down with Akon.

Even though she was granted a limited role for the show, Omotola's starring in the series further exposes the Nollywood movie landscape.

“Hit The Floor” is an American drama television series which follows Ahsha, a girl who joins the NBA cheer-leading team, the Los Angeles Devil Girls, unaware of the treacherous and tempting world that follows. The show debuted on May 27, 2013 and can be accessed on VH1, depending on your cable operator.

Destiny Child embarks on nationwide tour D

estiny Child Gospel Music Talent Hunt is launching the first ever gospel music nationwide party titled “Product of Hope” scheduled to commence from Thursday, July 4, through Sunday, July 14. Product Of Hope gospel music tour is expected to activate Christian moral consciousness and reassure believers and non-believers that there is always a testimony when the gospel is applied as a living manual.

The Tour which is billed to take place in Lagos, Ilorin, Akure, Calabar, Port-Harcourt, Makurdi and Abuja will feature the six finalists of Destiny Child Gospel Music Talent Hunt Season One. The fast-rising gospel music stars have metamorphosed into a group known as the Supreme Six. The group

consists of - Israel Funsho (winner), Femi Flame (1st runner up), Rasine Brown (2nd runner - up) and the three finalists: Shalom, King David and Frances. The Supreme Six will be performing their hit singles during the tour which begins from 4th to 14th of July, 2013. The Tour kicks off at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Main Auditorium on the 4th, after which it will move to Akure, the home town of Femi on 5th at Adegbemile cultural center in Akure. The crew will move to Ilorin which is the home town of Israel Funsho on the 6th. They will be hosted at the Opeyemi hall, Ilorin. The ancient city of Calabar, home town of Rasine, the 2nd Runner up, will play host to “Product of Hope” on the 8th at the Cultural Center Hall, before proceeding to the oil-rich treasure base of the Nation Port Harcourt on the 9th at the Legacy Hall.

Stephanie Linus-Okereke bags MAWEA award

F

or sexy actress, Stephanie Linus-Okereke who has kept a very low profile after she got married last year, it is payback time for her hard work.

The actress recently received an award at the Montage Africa Women of Excellence Awards (MAWEA) for 'Excellence in Drama and Entertainment'. The award was in recognition of her courage and commitment in producing a movie about women titled, “Dry” which highlights a topic that is largely considered a taboo-Vesico Vaginal Fistula.

“Dry” journeys into the heart-wrenching details of a culture not too many films dare to explore. The issue might seem controversial, but if it will set one girl free and open the minds of the people, and also instruct different bodies and individuals to take action, then the movie would have served its purpose.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013—39

No regrets participating in BBA I

t was the end of the chase for sexy B i g Brother housemate, Ethopia’s Betty last Sunday, after she was evicted from the reality show without clinching the prize money of $300,000.

Betty spent 28 days before exiting the house.

Meanwhile, speaking with HVP on the telephone after her eviction, Betty expressed satisfaction participating in this year ’s show.

According to her, “I had a nice time with my fellow housemates. I can say I really had a wonderful time in the house.” Adding, she said, “ I’m glad that I participated in this year’s competition.I know that I represented my country and the continent very well. I have learnt a lot of things about Africa.”

The gorgeous Ethiopian housemate was looking forward to winning the prize money. But unfortunately, she had to

become the second housemate to leave the house after her name was announced for the eviction.

Even though she did not live to make it to the 91-day stay of the reality game, Betty feels she did her best. “I did my best, I feel like I am a winner and in my mind I thought I would stay till the end but I am proud of myself for having made it this far,” she said.

Asked if she had any regrets participating in this year’s show, Betty replied, “ There is nothing to regret here because I know that I did my best while in the house.”

While in the house, Betty got involved in a sizzling relationship with Bolt from Sierra Leone who devoured her to make her the first female housemate to have done such a thing.

A translator and teacher, Betty who holds a BSc in Applied Biology says she’s returning to her country to continue with her life.

Judith Audu, actress-turned

blogger!

J

udith Audu started out as an actress. But today, she's known more for blogging than acting. Her blogspot is fast rising in popularity and seems on course to become as popular as Linda Ikeji’s highly rated blogspot.

While Ikeji benefited from her celebrity status as a model, Audu is also benefiting greatly from her celebrity status as an actress.

Apart from her first love which is acting, the Edo State-born actress says she recently developed a strong passion for blogging. Unlike Ikeji who focuses on general interest news, Judith is more about upcoming artistes and food recipes.

“I would call myself a foodie. I grew up in a house where everyone cooks. My dad was a chef; my mum is also a chef. My

BBA:‘I didn’t see my eviction coming’

B

otswana’s representative, Motamma, became an u n l u c k y victim to the BBA swapping system in the nomination process last week.

Diamonds head of house, Annabel who was up for eviction, saved herself and placed Motamma up for eviction.

Speaking about the eviction process, Motamma said it came as a surprise that she was replaced.

“It shocked me, she could not look at me. Last Friday night when we were chatting, she kept saying she does not regret her swap and that it’s nothing personal. Little did I know it was me.

“I hugged her when exiting the house, she could not look at me. It’s all a game and it could have happened to anyone.

I didn't see my eviction coming. It took me by surprise,” Motamma told HVP on the telephone.

The bubbly Botswana's housemate said she enjoyed the BBA experience.'

“It was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed myself in the house.”

“Life goes on, I had a wonderful experience. I am an opportunist going home with a smile and love to get into radio.”

Motamma is a scientific researcher, and a teacher who holds a BSc degree in Agriculture. Interestingly, she's still rolling the wheels of her education.

elder brother is an excellent cook. We bake for the fun of it at home and play with new recipes.

I grew up in a house where food was always everywhere and had neighbours that were caterers.

They taught us how to make pastry at a very tender age."

Despite her growing interest in blogging, Judith who will be a year older next week, said she is first and foremost an actress, adding, "Every other thing is secondary and comes after."

A voice-over artiste, Judith has featured in a couple of radio dramas. She is currently working on her own production. The flicks she has featured in include: Seekers, Burning spears, Tinsel, Huzzel, 4 Walls, Comfort Zone, Rush, Funtime, Life is Beautiful, Case File, House Apart and Queens Drive.

•Motam

rd a w A e m a F f o ll a H e c n e d n e p e d Enter In T

o further reward and recognise those who have contributed immensely towards the growth of the nation’s political , social and economical landscape, organizers of the prestigious Independence Hall of Fame Award have concluded plans to unveil the nominees soon.

This is coming after wide consultations and deliberations between the organizers and consultants on the project.

The executive producers of the award, Prince Rotimi

Akapo and Adegbola Onatoye, disclosed that the much anticipated event has been repackaged and re-branded to accommodate more categories.

“After consulting and networking widely, this year’s edition of the Independence Hall of Fame Award is back in the fray. This year’s outing promises to be bigger, better and more colourful with touches of international standards. Like you already know, the prestigious award centres on rewarding those that have contributed immensely to our nation’s growth politically, socially, economically and other

spheres of human endeavour,” stated princes Akapo and Onatoye.

With “A Few Good Men” as the theme of this year’s celebration, the award, according to the prime movers, will continue to reward excellence and celebrate hard work and national icons/role models.

Also commenting on the award, the project consultant and Nollywood star, Segun Arinze, appealed to well-meaning Nigerians and corporate bodies to partner with the organizers to make the event successful.

40 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013

BY IYABO AINA

Kim set to wed …As Kanye West proposes N

EW Dad, Kanye West, has finally asked Kim Kardashian to marry him just days after she gave birth to their first child. According to reports ,the Reality TV Show star has accepted his proposal and the pair are planning a wedding in Paris this September.

Though , Kanye, 36, has not yet sealed the deal with an engagement ring, he has splashed out £500,000 on a rare black and tiger-stripe diamond ring.

The rap star gave Kim, 32, the “push present” a growing phenomenon in the US to mark the occasion of the birth of daughter North.

The couple were holed up in Cedars Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills, California, for four days this week and spent more than £100,000 on medical bills and accommodation.

They have since left for a secret location to start their new life with their child.

No expense was spared on Kim’s hospital stay, in which they rented three deluxe suites costing more than £2,500 per night each. The three-bedroom, twobathroom suites came equipped with flat screen TVs, leather sofas, dining areas, marble bathrooms and personal chefs, who were on call 24/7.

Kim also made use of the suite’s beauty salon services, including daily blow dries, manicures and pedicures. And she also enlisted the help of a personal labour coach known as Doula at more than £3,000 a day.

A source said “Kanye wasted no money in making sure Kim had the best of everything while she’s in hospital.

“He has spent half a million on a ring

A

FTER two years as a runner-up, Oprah Winfrey was named the most powerful celebrity on Wednesday by Forbes, heading the six women and four men who make up the top 10.

It was the fifth time the former talk show host who runs her own TV network has headed the annual ranking of 100 celebrities.

Singer Lady Gaga came in second, followed by director/ producer Steven Spielberg and singers Beyonce and Madonna.

now than ever and they can’t wait to get married.”

T

•Schwarzenegger life, it’s equally important that I play the Terminator and end environmental problems.”

R20, founded in 2010, focuses on the role of states, regions and cities in achieving UN environmental goals.

•Chris Brown

Oprah tops Forbes ‘most powerful celebrity’ list

A

as a ‘push present’ and had it designed months ago in preparation.

“He’s even more in love with her

Chris Brown faces ‘Hit and Run’ charge

Schwarzenegger opening Algeria office for NGO R N O L D Schwarzenegger is opening an office in Algeria for his environmental initiative R20 in a bid to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions there and throughout the Mediterranean.

According to reports, Schwarzenegger, who was in Algeria for three days, signed an accord with Environment Minister Amara Benyounes to open an office of his Non-Governmental Organization in the western city of Oran.

He told reporters Algeria can help the region move toward environmental awareness.

The former California governor and film star, referring to his movie “Terminator,” said that “in real

•Kim and Kanye West

Singer and actress, Jennifer Lopez, who was No. 1 last year, dropped to 12th place.

With earnings of $77 million from June 2012 to 2013, Winfrey was not the highest earning celebrity, an honour that went to Madonna who made $125 million, but Forbes said Winfrey ’s position in Hollywood and her presence in the press, on television and in social media propelled her to the No. 1 spot.

“She still wields an enormous amount of power, which is really what we look for in our fame matrix. She is

HE Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office has filed hit and run charges against 24-year-old singer Chris Brown stemming from a May 21st incident, where Brown rearended a Mercedes with his Range Rover. He was also charged with driving without a valid license, and could face six months in jail for each of the two misdemeanor offences.

At the time of the incident, Brown allegedly refused to give his driver ’s license number and also gave the woman whose car he hit incorrect insurance information.

Responding to the information , a rep for Brown maintained that the “Fine China” singer did give the woman his correct information and that he received hers as well. Brown’s lawyer, Mark Geragos, also stated that upon hearing of the woman’s claims, Brown called her within an hour of the allegations to make sure she had the correct information, and she hung up on him.

Finally we learnt that The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office will refer the case to the District Attorney since Brown is still on probation for assaulting then-girlfriend, Rihanna, in 2009.

Brown is due to be arraigned on July 15 in Van Nuys, California, according to prosecutors.

taking this cable network and turning it around just through the sheer force of her will, her connections and her ability.”

Despite hip surgery, which forced her to cut short a tour, Lady Gaga earned $80 million in the past 12 months which, along with her army of fans and powerful social media presence, assured her second place.

“She is still a huge force in pop music. Even when she is not playing, people are talking about her and speculating about her,” Pomerantz said.

Spielberg, with earnings of $100 million in the last year, was the top man on the list, ahead of rock star Bon Jovi at No. 7, tennis champion Roger Federer and Justin Bieber, the youngest member of the list, squeezed into the top 10 at No.9.

•Oprah

SATURDAY, Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013—41

Akanni Aluko gives daughter in wedlock

T

L-R: Chief Akanni Aluko, bride's father, Dr (Mrs) Mojisola Atalabi, groom's mother, Mrs Kofowowrola Aluko, bride's mother and Tomoyeolawale Atalabi, standing in, for the groom's late father.

L-R: Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adegboyega , Alhaja Mutiat Ladoja and Mr Segun Aina.

he publisher of rested newspaper ‘Third Eye,’ Chief Akanni Aluko was a proud father of the bride penultimate Saturday when he gave the hand of his daughter, Agnes Adekemi Akanni-Aluko in a marriage to Mr Christopher Atalabi.

The couple were joined as man and wife at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ibadan before clergymen, family, friends and a host of high-profile dignitaries.

Photos by Dare Fasube

Owa Obokun of Ijesa land, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran and his Olori.

The newly wedded couple, Mr and Mrs Christopher Atalabi.

L-R: the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola and Chief Dosu Ladapo.

A mar ks 1 0 in style IYDA marks 10 Fun galore at Babs Alasa’s cchild’s hild’s naming IYD THE Ijaw Youths Development Association ceremon ceremonyy founded by Comrade Joseph Evah to correct the he Lagos home of Chief Babs Alasa was a cool spot for merriment and fun penultimate Saturday as there was so much to eat and drink. The reason for the celebration galore was none other than the naming ceremony of his new born baby.

His entire household, friends and business associates mingled freely in a convivial atmosphere that wore on until late in the night. Photos by Diran Oshe

wrong impression that Ijaw youths are only known for violence recently mark its 10th anniversary in Lagos. The occasion was attended by top Ijaw leaders and leaders from other social-cultural groups like Oodua Peoples Congress, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum and others.

L- R Mrs Chioma Dikeocha, Mr Akoboji One Ako and Chief Sam Ouna .

Commissioner of Ijaw Affairs, Bayelsa State, Dr. Felix Tuodolo leading other Ijaw leaders to cut the anniversary cake

L- R: Prince Ozo Chukwurah , Prince Oghene Egoh and Mr Olumuyiwa Johnson.

L-R:Mr. Efiye Bribena, Dr. Frederick Fasehun of OPC, Comrade Joseph Evah, Mr Guy MurrayBruce, Chairman of occasion, Chief Gilbert Benafa and Alh. Yerima Shettima of AYCF

T

Chief Babs Alasa,Vanguard Newspaper’s Consultant, and father of the baby (Carrying the baby) with wife (2ndL) and other members of his family.

L- R Mr. Joe Wlewedini, Mr Emeka Nwankwo and Mr Krapeh Stephen.

C M Y K

42—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013

Glo Divisional Director, North West, Mr Olukemi Kaka, Glo Ambassador, WAJE and Naeto C at the Slide and Bounce Concert held in Abuja over the weekend

From Abuja to Benin, Glo ‘Slide & Bounce’ Concert excites Nigerians

BY NOSA EDOKPAYI

F

rom the Thisday Dome in the Federal Capital Territory, Abu ja, the 2013 Glo ‘Slide and Bounce’ Musical Concert train involving iconic homegrown music sensations like P Square, Omawumi, Bez, Waje, Lynxx, Chee the Voice, Burna Boy, MI, Flavour and the legendary masked one, Lagbaja, will this Saturday at the Best Western Hotel, treat youths and the young at heart to delightful soulful tunes and their popular songs. Witty Okey Bakassi would also be on hand to supply rib-cracking therapeutic jokes and wise cracks. Fun lovers in Edo State and environs interested in participating should do the needful by consuming the required Globacom credits. The concert promises to be an evening to remember as it would be replete with razzmatazz and ‘infortainmen’t hitherto unexperienced in Benin City in one fell swoop.

The Glo Slide and Bounce musical concert held in Abuja excited Abuja crème de la creme, including the Minister of Tourism ,Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke. First to perform was Chee, the voice who looked resplendent in a white and black dress. Her soulful rendition of ‘Share a gift’ set the tone for the evening and the audience appreciated her. Bez mounted the stage next with his guitar and jazzed up the night with brassy rock and roll tunes tinged with local flavours. The tempo was further raised when Lynxx climbed down from the stage to party with the audience. These

The Glo Slide and Bounce musical concert held in Abuja excited Abuja crème de la creme including the Minister of Tourism ,Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke acts were interspersed with sensational tunes from the turn tables of DJ Sprint and electrifying dance steps of Jimmy.

Ebelebe crooner Burna Boy rapped in Yoruba and the audience sang along with him and his performance heralded Waje who got people dancing with a rendition of the popular tune “One naira”. Next came delectable Omawumi in a shimmering mini sil-

ver dress. With hard-to-resist highlife tunes, Omawumi got the hall dancing. Next came Naeto C who really got the party on the way with his ‘ten over ten’ song and stage performance. PSquare took the concert to its apogee with their electrifying performance and Alingo dance.The introduction of Jay Kolo who danced with them in the Unlimited commercial excited the crowd to no end. Severally, P Square sang songs to mourn their mother whom they recently lost to the cold hands of death. They gave a good account of themselves as they treated the ecstatic crowd to several of their popular songs like ‘E no easy’

and ‘Chop my money’.

Highly elated Honourable Minister of Tourism ,Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, could not hold his joy over Globacom’s contributions to the development of the Nigerian youth. In a short speech at the event, Chief Duke commended Globacom for identifying with the youth through many youth empowerment interventions, and encouraged other corporate organisations in the country to emulate the company.

He said his Ministry was in full support of Globacom youth initiatives like the Glo Soccer Academy, the X Factor as well as empowerment of iconic Nollywood stars and singers which handsomely reward excellence and hardwork.

Also speaking, Globacom’s Divisional Director, Abuja, Mr. Kemi Kaka, assured young Nigerians of many value-adding programmes and offerings that would support them to break all limits inhibiting them to be the best in their chosen field of human endeavour.

“The Slide and Bounce Tour is our thank you to the youths and a subtle campaign to encourage them to achieve their dreams by imbibing the can-do spirit which had enabled the iconic stars to break the shackles of poverty in a depressed economy like ours,” Mr. Kaka noted.

He disclosed that the ‘Slide and Bounce’ train would move to Benin this weekend and later Ibadan, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Uyo and Lagos; adding that Nigerians would get the best in home-grown entertainment from celebrated Glo Ambassadors and Legends.

The Glo Slide & Bounce Tour which is put together by the second national carrier Globacom to celebrate and excite Nigerian youths parades iconic singers. Peter and Paul of PSquare have assured youths in the Heart Beat of the nation and adjoining states of a rollicking time; while Naeto C, Waje,Omawumi, Chee the Voice, and Bez promised to make the day fun filled and one Benin City would never forget . The Glo Slide and Bounce Musical Tour which started last week in Abuja would move to Ibadan next weekend from where it would later stop at Enugu, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Uyo; while the grand finale would be held in Lagos on August 10,2013.

Keep sliding and bouncing!

Edokpayi , a public affairs commentator is based in Lagos

The Honourable Minister of Culture, Chief Edem Duke flanked by Glo Ambassador, WAJE and Glo Group Chief Operating Officer, Mr Mohamed Jameel at the Slide and Bounce Concert

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013—43

BY EBUN SESSOU

T

he number of homosexuals in Nigeria seems to be on the rise, which explains why the Na tional Assembly recently passed a bill prohibiting the act and sentencing defaulters to a 14year jail term. Little wonder some Nigerians took to the streets protesting what they termed “Anti-gay practice” and infringement of their fundamental human rights. Amongst them was 22-year old Ahmed, who dubbed members of the Senate “species who spend their precious time on irrelevant issues” in his tweet.

Ahmed says he had his first homosexual experience when he was 15 years old: “I discovered that I am more attracted to the same sex individual than the female folk. So, any government that would not allow me to exercise my fundamental rights is not a responsible government.”

At present, some homosexuals converge on a secret gay club in Lagos. A recent investigation by a BBC reporter revealed that some of the men always dress like females. They wear wigs and take a quick glance at their pocket mirrors, before adjusting their tight-fitting red dresses.

In 2006, one Reverend Rowland Macaulay set up House of Rainbow, a homosexual church, at No 36/ 38 Yakoyo street, Ojodu Berger, Lagos.His members were only men who worshiped as brethren and lovers. It would be recalled that in 2008, Saturday Vanguard reported that he was initiating new members into the gay club and at same time running the church secretly in Nigeria. He was also reported to have appeared sometime ago on Cable News Network, CNN, where he proudly talked about his gay church.

The initial reaction which greeted his exposure created doubts in the minds of Nigerians over the existence of such a church on their shores. But an uproar in the Anglican communion in Europe on gay bishops once again brought the case of Reverend Rowland to the fore.

However, when the Saturday Vanguard visited his residence at plot 145, flat 1, Jakande estate, Isolo, Lagos, his apartment was under lock and key. It was learnt that the gay pastor vacated his home when he read the story of his clandestine activities in a national newspaper. He is currently running his church in London and some other African countries including Kenya, ...No, every law must reflect the cultural South African, Uganda, among others. dimensions of the society— Adegboruwa Kunle (not real name), a gay man living in Lagos, is outraged by the proposed law: “How does a letter was delivered to officials a government think that sendof the Nigerian High Commising someone to prison would sion. change his or her sexual orienA former student activist of the tation?

OAU, Ile-Ife, Yemisi Ilesanmi, led One of Nigeria’s few openly the protest. She said a position gay human rights activists, Rashpaper on the Anti-Same Sex idi Williams, notes that the bill Marriage bill currently pending seeks to ban something which is before the Nigerian legislature already illegal and which no one had already been sent to the Niis publicly advocating. For him, gerian Legislative organ and the repealing the repressive laws in Executive. this country will go a long way.”

However, those who spoke Meanwhile, the recent Antiagainst the practice are of the Gay law might constrain some opinion that the homosexuality gay Nigerians to seek asylum in passed. countries where the practice is ac“If you’re walking on the street is not part of Nigerian culture cepted, while others will have to and he stones you, he knows the and that it is a sin against God. go underground. At the gay club, law would stand for him because A lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa, for instance, no one is allowed to the law is against you.” explained that, “Every law must take any photos despite the free Recent investigations revealed reflect the cultural dimensions of atmosphere. The fear of being that Nigerian LGBT’s in Diaspora the society that constitutes the identified as gay, lesbian, bisex- held a rally outside Nigerian primary constituency of the said ual or transgender in a country Embassy in London, UK to mark law. There is no culture or tribe where the public still turns to mob the International Day Against in Nigeria presently, that endorsjustice haunts some here. And Homophobia and Transphobia. es same sex marriage. It still rethat is a huge concern for Rich- The rally was on the theme: “We mains a cultural taboo in all ard (not his real name): “If you Are Family- Freedom to Love for climes in this country. don’t become discreet and try to all Nigerians”.

“Similarly, virtually all religions hide yourself, even the man on Speakers shared personal stories in Nigeria prohibit same sex the street will want to also act on and experiences of Homophobia, marriage. So in promulgating the the bill because it has been Biphobia and Transphobia and anti gay law, the National Assem-

Nigerian law is against our fundamental rights— Gays

The recent Anti-Gay law might constrain some gay Nigerians to seek asylum in countries where the practice is accepted

bly is only reflecting the cultural pattern of Nigeria and indeed our spiritual inclinations. It is thus a welcome idea, to prohibit same sex marriage, in Nigeria.

“Furthermore, in Nigeria presently, both the criminal law and indeed the Marriage Act, prohibit same sex marriage. Thus, the law being promulgated by the National Assembly is not the first legislation on same sex prohibition. It has been part of our existence as a nation, to abhor unnatural affections between man and man and woman and woman.

“But those who are protesting are equally exercising their rights to freedom of expression under section 39 of the 1999 Constitution. However, since both chambers of the National Assembly have now passed the Bill, the option open to the protesters is to take their grievance to court, as expected in any democratic environment, governed by the rule of law. I therefore urge the President to assent to the Bill, without further delay, as it is a reflection of the wish of the people of Nigeria.”

But Dr Abiola Akiyode opposed that the bill. She said, “I believe

the entire law on same sex violates the rights of the individual to decide freely on his or her private life, and also the right to make a choice about one’s life and what you want to do with it to be fulfilled as a human being.

“The government is a busy body in this instance; after all, they left more important issues worthy of legislation like violence against women legislation and other critical matters affecting Nigeria.

Rather, they are poke-nosing in people’s private matters. A review of the law shows that it is largely defective and poses dangers to all whether you are straight or not.”

For Joei Odumakin, “Application of the Bill as passed by the National Assembly is that its contents are at variance which certain laws that are already enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria. This is a key issue that is expected to be considered in order to avoid a situation whereby our laws may be running on parallel lines under a single system.

“They are such clauses in the Bill which are likely to become instruments in the hands of the state to victimize certain individuals or groups in the long run if critically analyzed.

44—SA TURD AY Vanguard , JUNE 29, 2013 44—SATURD TURDA

Namibians who dress like their colonial masters T

ribe clings to 19th century dress ‘to protest against the Germans who butchered them’. Anthropologists believe the dress of the Herero tribe is a fascinating subversion of their former rulers’ fashion. It harks back to how the tribe survived effort by German colonialists to wipe them from the face of the earth.

Updates

From yo-yo to all go A

ustralian weight-loss guru Ajay Rochester is making yet another effort to shift the pounds—but this time it looks like she is taking it seriously.

The former presenter of Biggest Loser admitted recently that she was ‘eating herself to death’ and has piled on 105 pounds since her show ended in 2009, but on holiday in Las Vegas she looked to be sticking to a regime of salads and plenty of exercise.

The ruins of Normandy

T

he battle-scared landscapes of Normandy in northwest France are sharply brought into focus in a series of never-before-published colour images taken in the aftermath of the D-Day landings on June 6,1944. The pictures show allied soldiers shifting through the rubble of buildings reduced to dust and entire towns destroyed by intense warfare with the Nazis. Veterans of the 1944 Normandy landings gathered earlier this month on June 6, for a day of ceremonies marking D-Day’s 69th anniversary.

C

Couple who suffered seven miscarriages and stillbirths

ouple who suffered seven miscarriages and stillbirths over 10 years final ly took home their ‘miracle baby’. Sara and Chris Sills, both 39, from Yorkshire lost seven babies over a decade. Mrs Sills was fitted with a cervical stitch to help her carry a baby. A cervical stitch or tracheloplasty involves stitching a tape around the cervix to keep it closed and prevent a baby being born too early. Baby Mabel was born three months early in April, weighing 1lb 6oz, but she is now home and doing well.

‘It improved my love life’

J

ohn Wayne Bobbitt says he has had 70 lovers and become a porn star since his ex-wife sliced his penis off 20 years ago. John Wayne Bobbitt, 46, thought he would never be able to have sex again. Underwent 10-hour op to re-attach his severed penis which was found thrown in a field. He has since slept with 70 women, starred in porn films, plans to marry his third wife. Says his violent days are behind him as he has now found God. Bobbitt from Niagara Falls, NY, was told he would never have a working penis again. But after doctors stitched it back he has shocked all, made a full recovery, became a porn star, had two wives and now plans to marry a third time to a childhood sweetheart.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE, 29, 2013 — 45

Incredible: 53-yr-old woman gives birth to twins in Lagos … ‘God has replaced my shame with double glory’

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

I

t was boundless joy in St Ives Hospital Lagos when a 53-year-old woman, (names withheld) was recently delivered of two bouncing baby boys. Thewoman was conceived through Invitro Fertilisation (IVF), having waited for over 20 years in humiliation and agony.

IVF is a process by which an egg is fertilised by sperm outside the body. The process involves monitoring a woman’s ovulatory process, removing ovum or ova (egg or eggs) from the woman’s ovaries and letting sperm fertilise them in a fluid medium in a laboratory.

The fertilised egg (zygote) is then transferred to the patient’s uterus (womb) after three to five days of being in the incubator, with the intention of establishing a successful pregnancy.

In a chat with Saturday Vanguard in Lagos, the elated woman, who pleaded anonymity, probably for cultural reasons, described it as “20 years of tensed waiting for her marriage to produce fruits.”

The jubilant nursing mother and her husband said they were not after publicity but decided to speak to the press in order to encourage couples who are presently facing similar challenges in their marriage not to give up, adding that it is never too late for anyone.

She admitted that she has almost given up when it was obvious that menopause had set in but continued to exercise her religious faith, until according to her, God direct-

ed her to St Ives Centre, even when she was not having the required money to carry out the IVF circle. “ If one is in a marriage for two - three years, and has no child to show for it, as an African, there will be pressure, so mine was not exceptional.

Though my people respected my person, there were pressures both from within and outside. But l held on to God because I’m a strong Christian and l know He never fails. I serve a living God who is faithful despite our unfaithfulness.

“I heard about St Ives just by chance. That was in Sep-

for my past shame. God has given me double glory, my two boys. It is more than a miracle. And for the management of St Ives, l keep praying for them because they are not after one’s money, if they were, l couldn’t have registered.

“People used to call me Big Mummy, but God has given

The cost of IVF in most Nigerian hospitals, he said was relatively between N650, 000 and 1 million per circle but that it was largely dependent on individual patient tember last year. Coincidentally, l did my Masters programme at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), very close to the hospital, and l never knew this place existed. It was divine and all things work together for those that love God. “My advice to every woman wanting fruit of the womb is that they should hold on to God and l pray for them that their joy should come into manifestation soon. There is nothing impossible for God, it could be difficult with man but certainly not with God. If He can do mine at 53, it shows no case is concluded.

“For me, l see it as a reward

me a new and better name, ‘mummy twins’. l am now a fulfilled woman,” she narrated.

Her husband, who claimed to be four months older than his wife, said he knew his wife at age 12 when they were in secondary school but time and space set them apart for separate marriages where the man was fortunate to have children unlike the woman.

Fate however reunited them to become a happy family today having known each other for over 40 years.

He said the joy that the twins brought to the family had overridden their past apprehension; trauma and ago-

ny all through the years of his wife’s infertility, adding that she might have wept secretly on countless occasions.

“Today, all we are saying is thank you God. My wife had fasted and prayed and l believed that is why you see her looking like under sixteen now.

I must confess that everybody is happy,” he said.

Reacting on the feat, Chief Medical Director of St Ives Hospital, Babatunde Okewale said the hospital’s Fertility Unit adopts a success-oriented approach towards infertility, focusing on solution for infertile couples at an affordable cost rather than doing endless investigation and tests.

The cost of IVF in most Nigerian hospitals, he said, was relatively between N650, 000 and 1 million per circle and that was largely dependent on an individual patient. He noted that it was never a cheap process globally as it costs about 10, 000 dollars and above 5, 000 pounds in the United States of America and United Kingdom respectively.

Okewale pointed out that there were other procedures in medicine that were more expensive than IVF, giving kidney transplant and hip replacement that cost over N1 million as examples. He maintained that the procedure was affordable by most Nigerians.

He revealed that through IVF, about 550 babies have been delivered at his hospital which was established five

years ago. He said St Ives does a half price promo once a year, in collaboration with some Non-Governmental Organisations.

Okewale further stated that the hospital is highly specialised in treating repeated IVF failure, provides treatment for men diagnosed with sperm problems and in elderly patients with a success of about 30 percent, including the conception and delivery by a 57year-old woman.

As infertility continues on the rise worldwide, he enumerated some of the causes as urbanization, pollution, stress, chemical exposure, career orientation, late settlement in life, nonproperly treated infections, obesity and abuse of antibiotics. Urging Nigerian women to start bearing children earlier, he also noted that the success of IVF was determined by age. and the earlier the better.

Chief Medical Director of St Ives Hospital, Babatunde Okewale

46 — Vanguard,

SATURDAY JUNE 29, 2013

Angry mob blocks

I-N-V-A-S-I-O-N

...assault health officials over

By SOLA OGUNDIPE

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HERE was pandemonium at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, IdiAraba, Lagos, on Monday June 24, 2013, following a breakdown of law and order at the Federal health institution’s Accident and Emergency (A & E) ward in the outpatient’s department.

The mid-morning incident, which shattered the peaceful atmosphere, brought activities at the A & E ward and adjoining departments and units to a standstill for several minutes, after an enraged mob stormed the premises, unleashed mayhem on the hospital staff and innocent bystanders, and blocked the entrance into the ward with a wooden a coffin. Findings revealed that the incident, which was precipitated by a minor disagreement between some hospital staff and relatives of a patient earlier admitted into the ward, quickly snowballed into a heated argument that became a shouting match which almost degenerated into a full scale assault, but for the timely intervention of the Police.

Eyewitnesses said the disagreement started around 9.30 am, shortly after relatives of the unidentified male patient, who allegedly died not too long after being admitted into the A & E Ward, stormed the hospital premises to demand a death certificate and release of the deceased’s body. The mob, which was disorderly and aggressive, attempted to forcefully gain entrance into the accident ward. It threatened to unleash fire and brimstone if it’s demand was not granted. In no time, the ever busy ward was quickly shut down and services put on hold while hospital staff went into hiding.

A hospital source disclosed that the deceased, a 35-yearold unidentified man, had been rushed to the LUTH from the National Stadium, about 10 minutes drive away in Surulere, where he collapsed following a bike ride from Orile. Although the mission of the deceased at the National Stadium could not be immediately ascertained, it was however, gathered that the man was later rushed to the hospital in an unconscious state, but could not be revived till he died early Sunday morning.

“As soon as the man was confirmed dead, the relatives requested to retrieve his body, but they were informed about the requirements by the hospital to carry out postmortem on patients who die within 24 hours of admission,” the source noted.

Investigations revealed that the relatives did not take kindly to all explanations by hospital staff about the mandatory post- mortem. They flatly refused to give consent to the post- mortem, but kept up the demand for issuance of a death certificate.

attempts to explain the requirements of a Coroner case to many deceased’s’ relatives were often rebuffed.

“When a patient dies unexpectedly within 24 hours

of being admitted into the hospital, the rule is that it must be a Coroner case. A mandatory post- mortem must be performed to determine the cause of death that is to be

written on the death certificate.”

Nwawolo noted that it had become commonplace for relatives of deceased patients to be apathetic to giving consent to postmortems in the rush to

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here was heavy Police presence when Crime Guard arrived the hospital premises later on in the day.

Although calm had been restored, fierce-looking men of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad, RRS, were observed at the main gate controlling movement in and around the premises.

Detachments of policemen from Area F and the command headquarters, Ikeja, were also seen at strategic positions within the premises.

Confirming the incident, LUTH’s Spokesperson, Mrs. Hope Nwawolo, said repeated

•The angry mob, Inset: Gov Babatunde Fashola

Lagos court remands 7 suspects for murder and armed robbery

By ONOZURE DANIA

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26-year-old young man, Oluwasoji Nasiru and six others were yesterday remanded in prison custody by a Lagos Magistrate's court sitting in Ikeja over alleged attempted murder and armed robbery. The other suspects are Oluwafemi Taiwo, 22; Tajudeen Akiju, 22; Kamoru Nurudeen, 19; Abayomi Nurudeen, 19; Ibrahim Toheeb, 19 and Gantonu Senami, 22.

The defendants who were arraigned before Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe, are facing three-counts charges of conspiracy, attempted murder and armed robbery brought

against them by the police. The police prosecutor, Inspector Nnamonu Eranus told the court that the defendants and others at large, committed the alleged crime in May 29, 2013, at about 4pm.

He said the incident happened at Otto Street in Ijanikin area of Lagos, where the defendants robbed and also attempted to murder one Nnamaka Okafor. Eranus said that the defendant unlawfully shot and macheted the victim with a gun and cutlass respectively which caused him grievous harm all over his body. He also said that the defendants, armed with gun, cutlass and other dangerous weapons, robbed the victim of N63,000 and

one Black Berry torch phone valued at N45,000.

According to the prosecutor, the offence committed is punishable under section 5(2) (a) (b) of the robbery and firearms (special provisions) Act , Cap 398, Vol Xxii, laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,2003 as amended. It is also punishable under section 228 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

When the charges were read to the defendants, they pleaded not guilty, but their plea was not taken as Magistrate Komolafe ordered that they should be remanded in prison custody pending the advice from the director of public prosecution and adjourned the matter to July, 22, 2013.

Vanguard, SATURDAY JUNE 29, 2013

hospital ward with coffin postmortem

claim bodies of their loved ones for burial, even when the deceased obviously died of unknown causes.

“When relatives opt for postmortem, consent is required, it is mandatory under the Coroner Law

as an investigation, an inquiry to determine certain facts about the identity of the deceased and the events leading to death. When relatives decline, the hospital gives the option of collecting the bodies but would not issue a death certificate. Such

relatives would however have to sign our book that they opted to collect the body without the official death certificate against hospital advice to carry out a post mortem.

“In this case, the people suddenly stormed the hospital, disrupted normal services, harassed medical staff and demanded that the body of

their dead relative must be released at all cost. They even brought a coffin with which they blocked the entrance into the Accident & Emergency Ward. They would not consent to the post -mortem, yet wanted to be issued the death certificate even after they had been well informed of its importance. When matters were getting out of hand, we

— 47

had no option than to call in the Police in order to maintain the peace and also protect lives and properties. The Police responded promptly. They have always come to our aid whenever we call on them,” Nwawolo remarked Crime Guard gathered that eventually, it took the intervention of the Police, and more composed members of the deceased’s family to convince the others to accede to the requirement of the postmortem. The consent was given, the postmortem was carried out, the death certificate was issued and the body was released.

How two Chinese nationals were arrested for illegal mining in Niger State arraigned before the Federal High Court in line with the Minerals and Mining Act of 2007 which prohibits exploration and or exploration of minerals without authority. Similarly, the command also paraded four suspects who were involved in stealing PHCN and NITEL armored cables.

By WOLE MOSDAOMI, Minna

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WO Chinese national, LU Xiaoyong and Huaiming Geng have been arrested by the Department of State Service,DSS, Niger State command for their alleged involvement in illegal mining in the state. Also arrested along with them are 11 Nigerians including one Mohammed Bello who had been serving as their collaborator while 10 others were employed by the foreigners as labourers.

The Chinese, it was gathered, have been operating in the forests at Kotugba village in Jere ward of Paiokoro Local Government area of Niger State for over two years before nemesis caught up

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•The Chinese nationals with them on Friday, June 14, 2013.

Addressing journalists in his office in Minna yesterday, the state director of DSS, Dr. Larry Obiagwu, said nemesis caught up with the leader of the gang, Lu Xiaoyong as he arrived the site of the illegal

•The suspected cable thieves

mining with a 10-ton truck capacity with registration number, Kaduna XD928KA to ferry out the already excavated Gem Stones for onward exportation to China.

The Nigerian collaborator, Mohammed Bello was also arrested along with the Chinese at the site while the other Chinese National, Huaiming Geng was later apprehended along Okada road, Minna, the state capital as he was attempting to escape in a Golf Volkswagen car with registration No Plateau State AWN 71AA. “The command in its investigation has established that the two foreigners had already spent N3m in settling the local diggers engaged in excavation of the Gem Stones and have also concluded plans of illicitly developing other mining sites in the state before their arrest,” the DSS director disclosed.

Dr. Obiagwu however, revealed that the ten locallyemployed labourers have been released on bail while the two foreigners will be

lso arrested along with them are suspected buyers of the stolen cables.

The suspected cable thieves are: Makun Danlami Ibrahim alias Spaco, Chindo Umar Salihu, Abdullahi Biodun Isah and John Bassey Victor alias Etim.

Dr. Obiagwu told journalists that the cables were stolen within Minna metropolis and sold at Panteka Market also in Minna adding that the theft had caused serious damage to both PHCN and NITEL transactions in the state.

According to the director, “Our investigation showed that Makun Danlami Ibrahim is the leader of the gang and recruited others using his barbing salon in Minna as a front and point of recruitment while Bassey John was invited to join the gang from Lagos. He was responsible for the supply of a heavy duty jack for lifting of concrete slab and a hand jack which were used in drawing out underground cables.”

There was a mild drama at the director’s office when the two Chinese were about to be paraded before journalists when the leader of the gang Xiaoyong shouted and queried why they were brought out to be paraded.

48—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE, 29, 2013

Day of the Edo hangman

* One of them robbed a family, raped the wife and inserted a bottle inside her private part until she died

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY

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ast Monday June 24, 2013, Benin City resi dents woke up without knowing that a hang man was in town to snuff life out of four death row prisoners: Chima Ejiofor, Daniel Nsofor, Osarerenmwenda Aigbonkhan and Richard Igagu. Their journey to death began on 26th September 2012, when Governor Adams Oshiomhole signed the death warrants of two of the convicted criminals, Daniel Nsofor and Aigbonkhia; while former Governor Lucky Igbinedion signed that of two others. The prison where the gallows was situated is along the busy Sapele Road and while the environment may look peaceful, on that fateful day, the prison wardens and the hang man were busy organizing the execution of the convicts. No doubt, most residents had no idea that the convicts went to court that day to battle for their lives, an appeal which was unfortunately rejected by the Federal High Court. They probably took their last meal after returning from the court and met the awaiting hang man who obviously arrived the ancient city few hours before the execution to do his duty and jet out of the town.

It would be recalled that the same day Oshiomhole signed the death warrant of Nsofor and Aigbonkhia, he also granted amnesty to two prisoners condemned to death in exercise of his prerogative of mercy.The Governor pointed out that the prisoners, Monday Odu who was sentenced to death for conspiracy and murder and Calistus Ikem, sentenced for conspiracy and armed robbery were granted amnesty because they did not take the lives of their victims.The Governor also commuted to life imprisonment the death sentence of two others: Tijani Mustapha, convicted for conspiracy and armed robbery; Zubem Abduramma, convicted for conspiracy and armed robbery; while Patrick Ojiefo who was convicted for assault on a police officer while discharging his lawful duty and served 6months jail term in 1973 was granted pardon.

Speaking after granting amnesty to Odu and Ikem, Comrade Oshiomhole said: “You have been condemned to death for murder but we have exercised the prerogative of mercy to release you from prison for the offence, believ-

Oshiomhole said he approved his death sentence because after robbing his victim, a woman, of her possessions he subjected her to horrendous torture and thereafter killed her ing you have learnt your lesson. You can still be useful to society and useful to yourself. You know the law enforcement agencies are there. If you commit another offence, you know your own is finished. However, having received good reports about your conduct in prison, I believe you can still be a good.”

While addressing Monday Odu, 32, a minor when he was convicted in 1997, Oshiomhole said, “We are letting you off the hook to go and sin no more. We will find a way to find a job for you under the Edo Youth Employment Scheme. You have no reason to return to crime and that means if you do anything

again you are completely on your own”.The governor told Calistus Ikem, 52, who was convicted in 1996 to be ready to work and cope with the rigours of life as he goes back to his family in Imo State.“You stole household items which could have taken your life. The government will give you N200,000 and another N100, 000 to Monday Odu to go and start all over. I hope you will be able to make something positive out of this your present condition”.

But the National Human Rights Commission kicked against the signing of the execution warrant on the two of the prisoners by the Governor, insisting that his action

was inhuman. Oshiomhole quickly replied the Commission and Amnesty International that the convicts committed a heinous crime by killing their victims and therefore they didn’t deserve to live.

On 21 October 2012, Oshiomhole faulted the Rights groups and explained why he signed the death warrants.

“Agbomien killed his victim, dismembered his body and buried the parts in different places to avoid detection.

When the convict was taken to court, he said his offence was a mistake but the manner in which he treated the body indicated that it was a gruesome, premeditated and wicked act,” he explained.

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he Governor quoted excerpts of the Supreme Court judgment upholding Agbomien’s death sentence and according to the apex court, “the likes of Agbomien belong to Hades (hell).”

On Nsofor, Oshiomhole said he approved his death sentence because after robbing his victim, a woman, of her possessions, he subjected her to horrendous torture and thereafter killed her. According to the

Governor, “the National Human Rights Commission was wrong. They must be seen to be painstaking in matters of life and death.

They must check their facts right. The state does not exercise mercy on such persons. I decided to free those who didn’t kill to go and sin no more. However, we must send a clear message to criminals that they have no right to kill and live.”

It will be recalled also, that President Goodluck Jonathan had recently directed state governors to sign execution warrants of death row inmates, admonishing them not to shy away from same as it was part of their duties.

However, after the Monday execution took place at about 6:45pm, the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) and Amnesty International condemned the action, particularly when there was a pending suit by the condemned inmates challenging their being on death row for over 15 years.

They had also asked that their conviction be commuted to life imprisonment.

Meanwhile, civil society organizations in Edo State also urged Governor Adams Oshiomhole to halt further action in signing execution warrants on convicted prisoners, calling on the state government to join the global call for the abolition of the death penalty.

The organizations which comprised: the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Gani Fawehimi Movement for Good Governance (GFMFGG), Conference of NonGovernmental Organisations (CONGOs), Coalition of Edo Youth Organization (CEYO), SouthSouth Youth League, made the call when they met with the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Edo State, Mr Henry Idahagbon, to kick against death penalty in the state’s laws. Executive Director of the ANEEJ, Rev.David Ugolor, who disclosed that the group decided to meet with the Commissioner following the hanging of the four death row prisoners, urged the state government to support the call for the abolition of death penalty and appealed to the governor to halt further action on convicted criminals for the sake of humanity. The group however commended the state government “for improving on the criminal justice process by way of ensuring that the legal opinion from the Department for Public Prosecution will now be within 30 days which would to a large extent help speed up the administration of criminal justice in Edo State.

Continues on page 49

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE, 29, 2013 — 49

Continued from page 48 “We expressed our condolence to the families of those who were hanged and we hope that the Edo State government would stay further action in carrying out execution”.

However Saturday Vanguard spoke with the Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr.Henry Idahagbon and he explained the role of the state government in the execution.

He also gave a vivid account of how the hanged inmates butchered their victims.

Excerpts: Human Rights groups have condemned the execution of four inmates on death row.

What is your take on that as the chief law officer of the state?

It is unfortunate that the execution is being condemned by Amnesty International and other organizations. The four men executed were convicted several years ago - some of them well over fifteen years after they had exhausted their rights of Appeal in accordance with the Nigerian law. A prosecution for the offence of murder and armed robbery starts from the High Court and if the person is convicted, he has a right of Appeal.

Whether or not he has a Counsel, you must get a Counsel for him. It goes to the Court of Appeal and if that conviction is allowed, it goes to the Supreme Court. After the Supreme Court decision, there is no other court and the punishment for capital offence in Nigeria is death.

Capital offence is murder.

Another one is armed robbery.

So these men had been on death row for well over a decade. Former Governor of the state, Lucky Igbinedion, signed the death warrant of two of them but they were not executed.

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he current governor signed death warrant of two and then, three out of the four now went to the Federal High Court to claim that their being on death row for over fifteen years was an inhuman and cruel treatment that every day they wake up, they are not even sure whether they will live beyond that day.

They went to court and immediately they went to court, even after the governor had signed their execution warrant, we immediately advised the prison that they can no longer execute because there is a case in court. I understand that the Federal High Court declined their plea that Monday and it was after that prayer was declined that the prison authorities executed them.

Let me make it clear that the prison authority is a Federal agency; they are not under

Barr.Henry Idahagbon, Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice

Day of the Edo hangman the control or command of the Edo State government or the Ministry of Justice. I was not aware before they were executed; I was not there. I had cause to call the prison authorities and they confirmed to me that they had been executed. I am also informed by the prison authorities that one of the prisoners, Chima Ejiofor, had a child from a woman in Edo before he later went to his home and married another woman. He invited the child he had in Edo for Christmas and killed the child and his reason was that he did not want to have a child outside wedlock. I am also told that

Amnesty International and others are kicking against the execution?

Amnesty says there is a moratorium on execution of people in Nigeria for some time. But I reminded them that a moratorium is not law.

On Saturday, a prominent human rights lawyer, Fred Agbaje, said it would be tantamount to executive cowardice for a governor to refuse to sign execution warrant because the punishment for murder in law, like in Edo State section 319, sub Section 1 of our criminal code says if you commit the offence of murder, you shall be

The prison regulation says a Pastor or an Imam, a medical doctor are the people who are invited to witness the hanging.

I was not there Osarenmwinda Aigbokhan was convicted of murder. He killed and dismembered his victim into different parts and buried the different parts at different locations. The man awaiting execution, Thankgod Ebos, was an armed robber who went to the house of a couple, robbed them, raped the wife and pushed a bottle into the private part of the woman until she bled and died. These are the information about their offences.

But why do you think

sentenced to death. So a court of law in Nigeria does not have the discretion to impose any other punishment other than death. But the law gives the convict the right of Appeal up to the Apex court. However, when that right of Appeal is exhausted, the governor of a state is under a legal obligation to sign the execution warrant. And if the execution warrant is signed, the prison authorities are under a legal obligation to execute because the sentence

of a court of law is not a joke; it is a serious matter and must be executed. So my advice to Amnesty International is that they should direct their advocacy to the national Assembly towards amending our laws. Let the death penalty be expunged from the corpus of our laws. I, as an individual, am against capital punishment. I believe we can replace that with life imprisonment for capital offenders. But as it is today in Nigeria, it is part of our laws. And I reminded the Amnesty International people that different jurisdictions in the United States have different laws pertaining to death sentence - some states have life imprisonment, some have death sentence like in Texas. Texas has the death sentence either by lethal injection or electric chair. But death is death. We appreciate that the United Kingdom has abolished the death sentence, and we look forward to a situation where it will be abolished also in Nigeria. But until it is abolished, it is part of our laws and it will be implem ented. It is the sad

reality.

In Jurisprudence, there is a difference between what is and what ought to be. What is jurisprudential in Nigeria today is that the death sentence is part of our laws and if a man is convicted and has exhausted all his right of Appeal, then a warrant of execution will follow and physical execution is followed by the prison authority.

But three of the prisoners went on Appeal. Why was it not exhausted before they were hanged?

Immediately the Federal High Court gave judgment

declining their prayers that Monday, they filed a notice of Appeal which was served in my office at 2:05pm. And having been served on me, the law enjoins me not to take any other action towards the execution. But I explained to those who served me the paper that I don’t control the prison, that they should also ensure that they serve the prison authority because the execution is to be done by the prison authority. I was served and I am prepared to abide by the law, but I don’t know what happened. Whether they served the prison or they did not serve the prison is for the prison authority to say so.

But if they served the prison authority, there is no way the execution could have gone on because they have the right of appeal and then that Appeal must be heard. But if they lose that Appeal, then they will be executed. If they don’t lose, then they will be free men. So I don’t know whether they served the prison authority but I was served and I was prepared to comply.

Why was one of them not executed with the others?

The remaining one, Thankgod Ebos who robbed, raped and inserted a bottle into the victim’s private part, could not be executed that Monday because he was tried and convicted by an Armed Robbery and Fire Arms Tribunal in Kaduna which means it was during the military era, pre-1999. And the methodology for his execution in the judgment was by firing squad. The others were sentenced to death by normal High Courts and not tribunal by hanging.

So the prison officials had the hangman and other instrumentalities for hanging and that was why those ones were executed. So they said they don’t have instrumentality for military firing squad and that was why that person was not executed.

Are you saying that you were not notified when the hang man came?

The prison regulation says a Pastor or an Imam, a medical doctor are the people who are invited to witness the hanging. I was not there.

But do you agree with the agitation to abolish capital punishment?

Talking for myself as Henry Idahagbon, I do not believe in capital punishment. The purpose of punishment in jurisprudence is as a deterrent and evidence has clearly shown that capital punishment has not deterred people from committing crimes. Instead it has even hardened people and made the criminals ruthless because they know that if they are caught they will be killed. So I will be very happy to join the lobby of the advocacy to the National Assembly for the abolition of capital punishment from our laws in this country.

Vanguard ,JUNE 29, 2012 Vanguard,JUNE

By BABATUNDE ISIOTAN

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he negative impact of corruption on the socioeconomic development of any country is not in doubt.Corruption is a monster that renders everything in its path prostrate.It is like wildfire that consumes, leaving ruins and desolation.So,nobody must excuse corruption, or handle matters that bear the slightest affinity to it with kid’s gloves.For Nigeria to take her rightful place in the comity of nations, corruption must be fought to a standstill, and reduced to the barest minimum.

In battling corruption, however,we must be discernible enough, so that we can distinguish between real crime, which must be punished, and mere conjectures, which may end up tarring the innocent with the brush of infamy.A case in point is that of former Inspector-General of Police, Mr Sunday Ehindero, which is currently before the court.

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or over 34 years, Ehindero served in the Nigerian Police Force. He did not receive a query throughout the period.Rather, what he got were commendations and awards.So exemplary was his career, that when it was time to retire, his tenure was extended twice by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo.

A graduate of Mathematics from the University of Ibadan, Ehindero enlisted into the police in 1973, with 25 others. When he retired in 2007, he was the only one left of his 25 squad

Ehindero:Paying the price for leadership? mates.Others had either retired earlier, left the service, or were dead.

But the grace of God kept Ehindero, he became IGP, and left service with full honours.

However, Ehindero did not leave the police without his imprints on the sands of time.He is today remembered as the officer who pioneered police prosecution in superior courts. Since the establishment of the Nigeria Police in 1930, no officer had appeared in the high courts or the Court of Appeal.

Ehindero did in 1995, when he was Commissioner of Police, Legal, at Alagbon. Also in 1996, the then Attorney-General of the Federation, had requested for six lawyers from the

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50—SATURDAY

s IGP,Ehindero had sidelined some officers from investigating graft cases, because there were official complaints lodged against them.Some of those who were

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trustworthy, and whom he deployed for such cases, now hold offices as high as AIG (Assistant InspectorGeneral). But then, some of those sidelined in the past have found their ways into other sensitive positions.

So, it is now time to get their pound of flesh from Ehindero.Even more curious is the fact that the case for which the ex-IG is now standing trial is one that involves the office of the Inspector-General, and not Sunday Ehindero as a person. It is alleged that the sum of N557 million was

deposited in the IGP’s account. No kobo of it was traced to Ehindero’s personal account. But we leave the courts to adjudicate on this, as our judges are impartial arbiters.

After reading law as an external degree student of the University of London, Ehindero was called to the Bar in 1985. The first of his six books was on ‘Police and the Law in Nigeria.’ He served in various capacities as DPO Ikoyi, DPO Lion Building, DPO Apapa Police Station, AC Advance Training, Ikeja, O/C Crime Alagbon, CP PMF (Mobile), CP Legal, Alagbon, CP Plateau State, AIG Zone 4, Makurdi, AIG Zone 2, Lagos, DIG, and finally IGP. In none of these positions was his integrity compromised.

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espite his present travails, it can be submitted that Ehindero is going through the price he has to pay for leadership. He is being prosecuted six years after retirement in a case that had earlier been declared as a no-case.

The mill of justice may grind slowly, but it grinds finely. For those of us who have implicit faith in the impartiality of the judiciary, the day will come when we shall rejoice with the former IGP. The court will consign the case to where it belongs — in the dustbin of history — and we shall clink glasses, and rejoice with a man who served his country meritoriously, and who deserves every bit of peace he can get in retirement.

Isiotan writes from Abuja

Another look at Abuja’s ne w transpor new transportt policy the number of such buses to 600 by the end of this month materializes.

Also, no fewer than 200 new taxis have been procured by the FCT Administration through the SURE-P scheme for distribution to licensed private operators on hire purchase basis.

In less than three weeks, the thousands of commuters in such routes as Nyanya through AYA to Eagle Square/Wuse Market and Giri Junction through Airport Road to City Centre have quickly settled down to a

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The mill of justice may grind slowly, but it grinds finely

police to assist the ministry with failed banks cases. This the police lawyers did to the admiration of the AGF. Ehindero trained as a lawyer while serving in the police. And he proved that he knew his onions. He was the first police officer to prosecute and gain conviction of an Advanced Fee Fraud (419) suspect, who had duped a German national of 385,000 Deutsche Marks. The suspect was found guilty, and sentenced to 52 years imprisonment. The policemanturned-lawyer went further to write

By JAMES KASIEMOBI

inister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed may have redefined every aspect of the city’s development but the chaotic transport system in the nation’s capital was a major deficit. That was before Monday June 3, 2013 when the Minister who fancies the city getting into the World’s top 20 in the near future, unveiled a new transport policy for the FCT. Central to the measure was the restriction on commercial mini buses otherwise called araba or danfo, from major highways of the Capital City areas. With the eventual introduction of the policy, hundreds of such buses were restricted to feeder routes, the area councils and satellite towns. In their place, high capacity buses and taxis were introduced to ply the major entry and exit routes and highways of the city centre as well as the major roads within the metropolis. While taxis were generally exempted from the restriction, the ubiquitous tricycles (keke) transit were similarly restricted to designated Housing Estates and satellite towns.

With the new transport policy, over 300 brand new high capacity buses were deployed. Though this number is 400 short of the 700 earmarked for this purpose, it was enough to absolve the pressure that expectedly came with the mini buses withdrawal.

The few hiccups obsewrved in the past two weeks are expected to ease when the FCTA’s promise to increase

six books while in service.

Ironically, Ehindero is now being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), over alleged misdeeds committed while in office.And curiously, when the former IG was invited to the ICPC office, and he asked for a copy of the petition against him, none could be produced. However,there is a buzz in police circles about the case.

interchanges on Kubwa axis, Yar’Adua Expressway and Nyanya, where they feed the high capacity buses with passengers going to the city centre.

The 350 buses to ply the city have been distributed to meet the volume of commuters in the various axes.

For instance, Nyanya has 80 buses while Kubwa has 60. A bus is scheduled to depart the Nyanya, Zuba and Kubwa terminus every 3 minutes while in low traffic areas like Gudu District the buses take off every

The advantages of the new policy include reduction of time wasted in traffic, affordable and reliable mass transit and enhanced comfort for passengers

comfortable transportation. Same goes for those that come in from Zuba Junction through ONEX (Outer Northern Expressway) to City Centre and Ring Road One connecting Wuse Market and Eagle Square. Other routes which have since bid farewell to mini buses are Gudu Market Junction through Ahmadu Bello Way to Gwarimpa, Herbert Macaulay to Utako/Jabi and Shehu Shagari Way through Federal Secretariat to Ring Road 1 Junction. At each of these routes the FCT Administration has provided service terminals at the beginning, end and intermediate locations mainly for high capacity buses and taxis.The mini-buses now terminate their operations at various

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10 minutes. Transport fares have also dropped by about 40 percent, with commuters paying fares as low as N50 for a drop while the highest fare is N150 for the farthest distances of Gwagwalada, Kuje and Zuba.

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irst introduced on January 14 2013, the policy was later suspended to allow for proper consultation with relevant stakeholders and to create adequate awareness among the residents.

From what has been seen these past two weeks, the panel headed by Engr Ozodinobi, did not only receive the endorsement from all relevant stakeholders in the transportation

business, it instilled confidence in the citizenry as well. Some of these stakeholders, like the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Self Employed Commercial Drivers Association (SECDA), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), FCT Chapter and civil society organizations, agree that it was in the best interest of the Federal Capital City and the majority of its residents.

The advantages of the new policy include reduction of time wasted in traffic, affordable and reliable mass transit and enhanced comfort for passengers. Others include reduction of the effects of environmental pollution via emission from vehicles, enhanced safety of passengers and better control of security of drivers and passengers via biometric capturing which paves way for easy identification of transport operators and companies.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the policy is its conformity with the city’s transportation master plan and the fact that it was designed to create wealth and employment opportunity for professional drivers in the FCT. It also opens a vista of opportunity for entrepreneurs who are interested in venturing into mass transit business.

Expectations are high too that transport related crimes and criminalities in the capital city will be minimised while a new driving culture and attitudinal change will be built over time.

Kasiemobi writes from Abuja

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 29, 2013—51

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resident Goodluck Jonathan’s gigantic steps to improve agriculture in the country are getting a boost with the recent establishment of an Agricultural International Market in Enugu State. The market, which is a sole venture from a reputable industrial outfit based in Lagos, Eugene-Rose, will surely break the barriers to the growth of commerce and industry in the Southeastern part of Nigeria. Coming at a time when clarion calls for such ventures by the enterprising criminal deals.

New stride and business-inclined men We have started investand women from that part of the country have fallen on deaf ing at home, trying to enears, the new International courage people, especialmarket will surely fill the gap ly Igbos, to look inwards. created by negligence or If you look around now, I abandonment. Chief Executive can say in our society, mostOfficer of Eugene-Rose, Chief ly in the Eastern region, Eugene Ngozichukwuka we have been witnessing Ibeaham, spoke exhaustively cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and other on the project. Excerpts: Background: I started man- criminal acts which are inufacturing in 1994 after a stint imical to the development in buying and selling in La- of any society. The once gos. During that time, I ven- applauded economic tured into producing nylon, prowess of the people from before I started processing the East has gone down water and toilet roll. Those while criminality has taken were the two major things I was over. We all know that producing then. But because kidnapping is a curse and of the competitive nature of it is anathema for any sotoilet roll, we had to leave it ciety to be known for that. and faced water both in sachet It is just like dealing in and in bottle. After that, we slave trade in those days went into estate development. and we are all witnesses That is what we have been to the curse it brought to the perpetrators. So, after doing till date.

Secret of success in business thinking about all these I have tried as much as pos- ugly developments, I sible not to engage in any decided to engage in shoddy deal while doing my meaningful ventures that business. I always ensure that will, to a large extent, what we do is legal, no checkmate the rising spate maneuvrings and no faking. of these crimes in our area.

We go for the best in quality. God has given us that comPeople should avoid using oth- mercial ability to progress er people’s wealth or ingenu- in this country. In the ity to make money. We all know North, God gave them that God comes first if you want very fertile land; they culto achieve success, but we tivate any type of crop all must endeavour to avoid the year round. In the east, temptation to get involved in what we have is com-

Opening the fr ontier frontier ontierss of International business in the east merce, we know how to trade. Even when an Igbo man packs sand, he will sell it. So, we have to start on that line of market. In realization of this fact, we decided to build a very big international market in the east.

The name is Agric. International Market. It is situated along Enugu- Onitsha Express way, Ugwu- Oba -Aniocha-Oji River in Enugu State. The land is very big.

The plot we are using now is more than a hundred and fifty acres. It is located in a very large expanse of land and we anticipate that in future, it may even extend to Chief Eugene Ngozichukwuka Ibeaham Ninth-Mile. The good thing is that we have enough land for any kind of expansion and development. We are calling all Igbo sons and daughters at home and abroad to come, because as the saying goes, “one man doesn’t stay in the bush”. So, we are calling on every one, both male and female investors, to join us. For now, the market has kicked off with my personal financial commitment, but I expect all that have the good interest of the peoAgric. International Market, Enugu ple of the Southeast at heart to come and invest there. From what we are vestors. You know in the east, we have able to own the structures after completing seeing now, it will turn out to be the hadsuchmarketsbuttheyfailedtoflour- theirpayments. widest and prosperous investment in ish or develop well. However, we conSponsors the East of the Niger in future. The vinced investors by telling them the difTo be frank with you, up till this moment I ference in our own which is that normal first block was laid in 2012, around Febam talking, no government has asked us ruary. We are about one year plus businesswillkick-startwithoutdelayand how we are doing or what we are doing now and if you go to the market, you thatwewillnotwaitforthecompletionof there. Only the Local Government Chairwill see a lot of structures on ground; theentirestructuresbeforeswinginginto man came to see what we are doing and he blocks of shops, hotels, security posts action. Our style is that if it is one shop commended us. We are planning to meet and other things. People are even com- we build, we start from there. If it’s two, them because we have just completed the ing in, trading in a small capacity as we progress. We are not going to wait securitypost insidethemarketwhichwillbe they can, and I believe that more peo- untileverywhereandeverybankcomes opened soon. We want to hand it over to the over before we can start it. Big markets ple will be coming. army for now. This will show you the type of like Alaba in Lagos started that way. IniHow it all started... efforts we have made towards securing the Before we entered into the business, tially, people thought it was a fraudulent market. So far, I have been sponsoring the venture but when they saw structures we advertized, shared and distributed project single-handedly. It is very difficult to fliers, callingoninterestedpeopletocome; rising up in the market and activities say the exact amount of money we have put we sold our forms for N10,000.00 and all booming, they now realized that we are into the project so far , but I can tell you it is that. The initial problem we had was serious. We equally assured investors quite enormous. skepticism on the part of would-be in- thattheycanpaygraduallyuntiltheyare

Nigeria ideal ffor or ffore ore ys Igw e orexx trading, sa says Igwe when creating forex account with them.

Brokers also have their own requirements which was difficult to provide. But today, it is no longer like that. These days, you can fund your account easily within ten minutes, a process that used to take a week before you achieve results. Likewise, you can make withdrawals in less than 24 hours because the system has made it easy by providing you a withdrawal card that once you have registered for training or you have funded John Igwe your account up to hundred dollars, you can he partnership between Mr. Oyeleke also fund your account through our office Toye of Cyber Konsult Ltd and its or bank.

What are the techniques of forex trading foreign partner, Mr. Ildar Nailevich, gave birth to InstaForex in Nigeria, a forex and how does the forex benefit industry trading company aimed at enlightening players?

We have two methods of forex trading Nigerians on the techniques and success of forex trading and ameliorating major which include, technical and fundamental challenges confronting industry players trading. The technical trading is that sysin Nigeria. Mr. John Igwe of InstaForex tem of trading that is based on the trading speaks to Saturday Vanguard Business chart where you have various indicators on the rudiments of trading forex, the which you can use to trade in the market; while fundamental trading has to do with environment etc. Excerpts: InstaForex trading, what value is it the economic reports, factors that affect the economy of a country. And we understood adding to forex trading in Nigeria?

InstaForex, as the name goes, is a that no matter how developed an economy trading forex company that is established could be, such economy has one challenge in Nigeria for the success of its players or the other. Such policy or currency variation and to add value to the Nigerian economy. provides an opportunity for traders to make Again, InstaForex in Nigeria has reduced money. So, these changes that occur from a lot of challenges associated with forex time to time are called fundamental trading trading almost to nothing. For instance, in forex market; while those that focus on when we started it in 2006, we had several the chart are called technical trading. In challenges in terms of funding our technical we have indicators as mentioned accounts because brokers are not earlier, the moving average, RSI, Pivot Point indigenous but foreigners and for that, you etc. And some people trade on a pure chart, need to send money to countries where using the candle stick pattern to trade. That they are located. Also, it was difficult to is what we call one of Price action trading approach banks because of stiff conditions system.

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On the benefits of forex trading, it has made players in this industry look like micro economists, especially the fundamental trading because through studies they have been able to understand forex trading as they can now predict or forecast what may likely happen in any given economy because they follow the trend either through the media or web pages.

How does InstaForex handle training?

We provide training for interested persons (in fact training is the major forex business we do here), because one needs training for understanding before you can trade on forex.

Reason is that, generally, for businesses you don’t have a good knowledge of, you are advised to undergo training before you can succeed. However, we package series of trainings for a better understanding of the forex market for beginners as we teach them basic things about forex. We also train people on advance courses on forex. These courses, no doubt, should position them to be disciplined while trading forex as they develop their own trading system that could help them succeed. In addition to that, they need what is called money management skill.

One should understand here that the market is not a get-quick-rich approach, it’s not gambling, but you need to run it like a business, set up long-term goals for your achievement. If your aim and approach is to invest today and reap tomorrow, you would get your fingers burnt as many did.

How conducive is Nigerian business environment for forex trading?

Some people would tell you that Nigeria is not conducive, but personally I say yes. I have come across articles where even the whites have testified that the best place for

forex trading is West Africa and Nigeria is there. The reason is that major active time of trading falls in our day time; 7 am – 5 pm. This particular period is the best time anybody can trade.

We have four sections in the market, basically three; the Asian, London and New York sections. The most active sections of this market are London and New York. These sections fall on the time when Nigerians are awake, actively working. So other countries that want to trade at that particular time need to remain awake to follow the market.

Therefore, the Nigerian environment is very conducive for forex trading .

What are the challenges of trading forex?

The major challenges of trading forex is understanding the techniques and developing interest to follow a particular trading method. Secondly, the challenge of power supply. Power supply is very essential in almost every business enterprise, especially in trading forex.

In Nigeria there is no constant power supply that enables people trade all the time. You need to make provision for that in order to trade normally. Access to internet is another challenge, because it is difficult to trade forex without the use of internet. A particular internet might be working or service provider on the other side and it might not work here.

But with the introduction of universal model you can swap your sim card. We achieve this through the service of mainly four internet providers in Nigeria: MTN, Airtel, Glo, Etisalat etc.

If one can get all or some of these, forex trading will be easy.

52—SA TURD AY Vanguard , JUNE 29, 2013 52—SATURD TURDA

TRIBUTE

“Lo! Some we loved, the loveliest and best That Time and Fate of all their Vintage prest; Have drank their Cup a Round or two before And one by one crept silently to Rest…”

Sayonara, Fatai!

O dabo n’iyen o! them!I beg don’t forget to let James Brown and Michael Jackson know that we will soon join them to learn the intricacies of the new dance steps they have invented over there!

Fatai, o dabo o! Sun reomoluabi!

And Fatai, as you went your way deeper into the world of the ancestors, do not forget to convey our gratitude‘and undying respect to the Afrikan heroes of times past...

Say to Dinga and to Diabe Cisse and to Sundiata Keita and to Sonni Ali Ber that they live on in our hearts!

Say to Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and to Patrice Lumumba and to Reuben Um Nyobe and to Felix Moumie and to Amilcar Cabral and to Edouardo Mondlane and to Samora Machel and to Steve Biko and to Johnny Makatini and to Chris Hannithat their sacrifices were not in vain...

Edward Fitzgerald (Translated from the Persian poet Omar Khayyam)

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Fatai, we weep not for you, even though you departed without ever having boasted of owning the kind of worldly riches that present day Nigerians pin their illusory hopes on... You were never in a position to assign oil wells to yourself or to acquire bank or telephone company shares by manipulating public funds for personal advantage…

In any case, you would never ever have been tempted to steal public funds, even if anyone could have gotten you to sit still in an airconditioned office for eight hours a day on each working day, half choked to death by a cloth

•Fatai Olagunju! Nobody ever thought of giving you any part of the 40 million naira largesse...

By OLA BALOGUN rope baptized ‘tie’wound tightly round your neck!...

Poor Fatai Olagunju! Nobody ever thought of giving you any part of the 40 million naira largesse they say is a fitting reward for clueless karaoke hip hop wannabe overhyped apprentice mumu‘moosicians’ whom they claim to have appointed rubbish Ambassadors of nothingness...

Take heart Fatai! Nobody ever gave a brass farthing either to Baby Face Paul or to E.C. Arinze or to Zeal Onyia or to Fela Anikulapo-Kutiorto Johnny Haastrup or to Bala Miller or to Segun Bucknor...

Goodluck then to the karaoke crowd and to their witless sponsors! Let them continue to

,

hen I learnt that my good friend and fellow entertainer Fatai Rolling Dollar (aka ‘the youngest old man in Nigeria’) had downed his final cup with gusto and slipped out silently into the night without a backward glance, I was not in the least saddened!

On the contrary, I cheered lustily and rejoiced heartily for Fatai, for he went out with his head held high, singing and dancing as he went….

As the cognoscenti are well aware, it is the fondest wish of every entertainer to bow out gracefully at the end of every show, leaving the audience pinning for more…

This time there will be no encores:Fatai is already on his way, leaping from star to star, with his beloved guitar firmly strapped to his back, beard thrust forward into the interplanetary winds, eyes gleaming with humorous mischief, gravelly voice belting out one last time :”Won keresi number yen!”…

Sayonara Fatai! O d’igba o!

Tell Miriam Makeba that we will soon be there with all of them!

pollute the air with the cacophonic accumulation of repetitive noises they insist on calling music!

WHO CARES? Fatai Rolling Dollar has vaulted over the sun and the moon, and is already navigating smoothly through the stars and the planets on his way to the largest concert hall of all to perform in a show that will last for the rest of eternity...

Fatai my brother, if there be an abode out there where musicians and entertainers congregate for celestial after hours jam sessions,

Finally, London ‘Bridge is falling down’ Continued from page 11 try of Foreign Affairs with our Government will be able to liaise with the British Government and get that policy rescinded.

You canot restrict people from exercising their freedom of choice of places where they can get treatments if they can afford those treatments. But the important thing is that the pressure is on the Government of Nigeria to make our medical facilities excellent so that people can go to hospitals here, get treated and then go home without wanting to go abroad. If our medical facilities are functional and good enough, there will be no need for anybody to travel out of the country.

It shows the

failure of Nigerian Government —Dr. Oladimeji

Lawal, Public Administration, Gombe State University

It is a wake-up call for the country that we should build our nation. We should understand the fact that there is no place in the world that can never be a home. What the UK government attempted to do is a demonstration of a serious country that is concerned about the influx of people into its territory, that is concerned about the wellbeing of its people and its infrastructure. So, it is not a reason why Nigeria should be crazy about the UK asking you to come with 3,000 pounds and all of that. I mean, there is no big deal about

it. It is not a must that you should travel out of the country. It is not a must that you go and stay in another man’s land. Discover your own, make it attractive and people will be looking forward to staying with us, working and living with us if we have a comfortable environment. What they have simply told us is that we cannot continue to rely on them and then we should look inwards, develop our society, make our society comfortable for people to stay, work and live. So, there is no justification for the cry. It is their country and they have made a policy as regards how they want to run their country, the kind of people they want to admit into their territory and how long they want you to stay. In terms of International Relations, it is a demonstration of a serious, focused country. So, if we think we are very responsible as a

,

do throw a hearty salute on behalf of the rest of us to all our colleagues and friends who have preceded us into the afterlife once you land over there in rainbow land!

Fatai, greet Fela AnikulapoKuti for us o!Shout out to Abamiedaomoiyaaje: “Everybody say yehyeh!”

Greet Ravi Shankar and Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday and Charlie Parker and Benny More and DuroLadipo and Rex Lawson and Stephen Osita Osadebe wellwello!

Tell Miriam Makeba that we will soon be there with all of country, whether we go in there or not, it doesn’t matter. This is even time to reciprocate what the UK has done by saying that the British national will have some millions of Naira before coming into Nigeria to know whether we are the ones that will feel the effect or them. The reactions of some Nigerians to this development these few days practically demonstrates that our governments at all levels are not serious of building a society where we find comfort and live peacefully.

It is insult on Nigerian people

—--Comrade Yinka Odumakin, Human Rights Activist It is a gratuitous insult on the people of Nigeria by the dwindled British Empire. If after all the years of colonizing Nigeria the Brits think they have not milked us

Fatai, proclaim proudly to our heroes that the descendants of Jaja of Opobo and of U-Chaka Zulu stand tall and continue to fare forward with unbowed heads in spite of all the traitors and rogues and nincompoops and IMF stooges that call themselves Ministers and Governors and Senators and Presidents in present day Africa...

Fatai my brother, tell our heroes that many hands remain lifted to carry on with the struggle, and that victory will inevitably come to the peoples of Afrika!

Fatai Olagunju ore mi atata,ibik’ibit’oba de, k’osha ma so kiri wipe:awonoloriburuku o le da awaomoAfrikaduro:WON KERE SI NUMBER YEN! Fatai Olagunju, eniyanrere, eniyanatata, eniyant’emi, eniyanpataki, eleregidi to fi’wajokinihun!

Mo yo fun e, moyo fun’ra mi!

Fatai Rolling Dollar tiwa!

Sun re! O d’igba o....

•Dr. Ola Balogun is a film maker and musician. enough, the Nigerian Government should bare its teeth against British interests in Nigeria. When Abacha stopped British Airways from flying to Nigeria, London had to beg.

Bottom-line:

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hether or not Britain reverses the decision, one thing the move has succeeded in doing is telling the Nigerian government and the elite who junket to the UK and similar places on a whim that the time to develop local infrastructure is long over due.

A country that got her independence 53 years ago, in the reckoning of many Nigerians, ought to have made itself the envy of the world. Once again, the President Goodluck Jonathan administration has been challenged to live up to its mandate.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013 — 53

C M Y K

54—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 29, 2013

C M Y K

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 29, 2013—55

500 Cyclists for Delta tourney

BY OSARETIN EMUZE

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HE Cycling Federation of Nigeria,CFN, has written to all the states of the federation to start preparations for the Delta state sponsored national cycling tournament holding in Asaba in September.

A member of the board and the technical director

of the federation, Mohammed Bashir told Saturday Vanguard sports that the National Championship which is open to both male and female cyclists will hold in September in Asaba courtesy of the sports loving governor of Delta state, Dr. Emmanuel U d u a g h a n .

He said over 500 cyclists from across the country will

take part in the seven day extravaganza.

“For the first time in the history of cycling in Nigeria, Delta state will play host to all the approved events of the International Cycling Union (UCI),” adding that “the cyclists will participate in road race, time trials, ( individual, and team) team pursuits, 1, 2 and 4 kilometres events,”.

Iwoha: Princess of Cross River athletics O

RDINARILY, she should have been running wild in the streets of Ikom, but here she was this cool evening, soaking up the moment at the U. J. Eusene Stadium in Calabar, nursing great athletics dreams. Nkiru Iwoha is the kid every athletics enthusiast in Cross River State wants to see perform and she has quite a lot to reveal.

Iwoha, is one of the kids thrown up by the Cross River grassroots development programme

and from all reckoning, the 13-year-old sensation is on her way to big time in athletics. She is in good hands and also has the attention of the state governor, Liyel Imoke, who is backing her and others who have seen the athletics light.

Iwoha has dominated kids in her age category for three years running in the 400m, 800m and 1500m. She had also competed with her seniors and won. She admitted that her preferred events are the middle distances

A bunch of cyclists during a competition

Continued from B/P probably knew what to do in theory but it wasn’t second nature to them. We saw the difference between a country that grooms it’s professionals from around the true age of 12 and another that lives on raw endowment, potential and crash programmes, still neglecting to do the needful. In our so called Under 21 team, for instance, I personally know about three players over 30 years old. Can’t we see what we are doing to ourselves?”

Adokiye is sad that in spite of our potentials Nigeria cannot develop a system that can produce world beaters. He sees the problems all over the board. It is against this background that after evaluation of the performance of the Eagles in the Confederation Cup he concluded that “the problem is beyond Keshi.” It cuts across board. The administration of the game, the coaching problem, the lack of youth d e v e l o p m e n t programmes and even the Nigerian fans.

Coaches at the senior national team, according to Adokiye, would have C M Y K

Adokiye less work to do if players passed through good coaching from the youth level to the senior level.

And he maintains that they must be young players who, if they are 15, for example, will still be playing football for the next 15 to 20 years. But in Nigeria, a player shines at the Under 17 level and after a few years, old age catches up with him and he disappears.

At the Africa Under 17 Championship in Morocco, FIFA dropped some players including three Nigerians for being over the allowed age.

Adokiye is scandalised that such a thing happened and nothing happened about it, nobdoy was sanctioned.

“That is enough for the FA to resign in some decent places,” Adokiye says. “But we carried on as if nothing happened.

So who will put a stop to this destruction that we are doing to ourselves?”

He fumed: “Nigerians should not take my word for it but browse the internet and check the background of virtually European professionals or

South American footballers. As long as we neglect to groom our players from their true early teens, our senior team may not perform at its best no matter the effort put in them.”

Adokiye is not also happy with fans. He feels that their attitude does not encourage purposeful play.

“If a Nigerian team is winning a match by a lone goal or two, the fans will start their eeh! Eeh!! cheering and the players are contented and begin to play to the gallery. This is not professional at all.

Where you can score 10 goals, go ahead and score them even if they are for record purposes.”

So, in the estimation of Adokiye, it is not only the players and coaches that make up the game but also the administrators, the media and the fans.

All the components of a good football culture have problems in Nigeria. This way, the sport may not grow beyond the present amateur and backward status that Nigeria currently wears. It is beyond what Keshi or any other coach can do at the senior level.

Nkiru Iwoha shooting for the stars...

and already she has an icon she’s hoping to emulate as she tackles the next four years, which are crucial to her development.

“I wanted to run away when we first started. The training was very hard, but now I am used to it and I want to go to the Olympics when I grow up.

“I have heard of Maria Mutola and my coach promised to play me her vidoes so that I can learn from her.

“People tell me that I am talented and I am working very hard to reach the top of athletics. Right now, I feel so happy running every time we are called for the competitions. I am happy seeing my school and my local government win all the time,” said the youngster.

Her best time in 400m is 57.00, while in the 800m she does 2.19.20.

Coordinator of the grassroots programme, Dr. Bruce Ijirigho disclosed that he has personally taken over the up-keep of Iwoha just to ensure that she does not derail.

“She is a very talented kid and I call her my little monster. At her age, she is returning incredible times, she is a natural athlete and with the way she is going, we might have an internationally recognized athlete. She lives with me now and everyday I am monitoring her progress,” said Ijirigho.

AFN shops for internationally recognized secretary A THLETICS Federation of Nigeria, AFN president, Solomon Ogba has declared that the soon to be vacant post of Secretary-General of the federation will be filled only by a competent and internationally recognized individual.

This is coming at the heels of directives by the Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi that all sporting federations’ secretaries under the payroll of the civil service must return to their areas of primary assignment. Their places

will be taken over by Nigerians whom the concerned Federations deem qualified for the job.

It was learnt that the incumbent, Maria Wophil, has been ruled out of the job even as she has shown interest to continue, due to her affiliation with the world athletics ruling body IAAF as a committee member.

However, Ogba stated that the job will be opened to every Nigerian to apply.

“But we don’t want a unanimous secretary. We want someone who, when mentioned at the CAA and IAAF level, his or her name

will ring a bell. That person also should be able to meet up with our aspiration in the new AFN we want to build,”he stated.

He added that the Federation for now has rested the issue of employing a head coach since there was no fund to back up such venture.

“We cannot afford to get a head coach. We don’t have money, what we are hoping to get is a performance director, which the federation has agreed to pay the bills,”he stressed.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 29, 2013

Maigari ‘knocks’Keshi over Confederations Cup *Vows to vet Eagles’ list

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UPER Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has received a thumbs down from the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF

president, Aminu Maigari for presenting a ‘ weak’ team at the FIFA Confederation Cup, which ends tomorrow in

Our problems are beyond Keshi – Adokiye

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

A

D O K I Y E Amiesimaka would not blame the Confederations Cup failure on the technical crew of the Super Eagles.

The former international, a highly respected voice in sports, would like Nigerians to appreciate the importance of youth development. He says it is only when Nigerians do so and find out how poor Nigeria were in this area that they can begin to identify the source of problems denying Nigeria results in senior international assignments.

Adokiye has repeatedly said that Nigeria are architects of their failures by not only fielding over aged players in youth competitions but also entirely lacking a standard youth development programme.

“I will tell you a story,” he begins in a long chat that analysed and appraised the Eagles’ performance at the Confederations Cup before the African champions headed home.

“When we won the Nations Cup in 1980, Nigerians celebrated our victory wildly. It was the first time that we were winning the cup. They saw us as a superb team but that our team was not that fantastic. Some of the characteristics of that team still exist in the teams we have had in recent times.

And I’m talking about individual brilliance. When Otto Gloria became our coach just about a year before the Nations Cup he found out that we were

•Mikel Obi, was outstanding at the Confederations Cup lacking many things. He didn’t see the coordination, the flair, the understanding that a team built from youth level would have had. And this was because we had no youth development policy or programme. You met senior players in senior team and you found out that they lacked some basics what would you do?

Gloria made it clear that there was no magic that he could do and that the best was to manage the players, review or study how opponents play and come out with the tactics he felt would win the matches. As

U-20 World Cup TODAY’S MATCHES Uzbekistan Croatia Iraq Egypt

v v v v

Uruguay New Zealand Chile England

4 4 7 7

1 1

Mexico Paraguay

4 1

RESULTS Mali Greece

p.m p.m p.m. p.m.

far as Otto Gloria was concerned we had missed some real coaching and the best he could do was to harness and build us into a winning team in a way possible. And in such situations, individual brilliance would always

have a big role. It did and we won although we also showed some good team work. However, we could have been much better if we had some kind of transition from youth level to the time we became senior players.

We lacked it then and our

teams are still lacking it now because of what we are doing to ourselves.”

Shortly after Spain had beaten Nigeria 3-0, Adokiye had reacted this way: I appreciate our players’ efforts. They

Continues on page 54

Brazil.

Nigeria made an early exit after losing to Uruguay and Spain.

Maigari who was speaking during a chat on Africa Soccer show on Supersports stated that Keshi missed the point when he opted to select relatively inexperienced players even as other countries brought their best players.

“The Confederations Cup is a big tournament and that’s why the other teams brought their best players.

Spain brought their best players, but we did not.

Why would you bring a local player to play Spain at such a big stage? This is unacceptable. We have experienced players that were not selected and this is where we have to step in.

‘The coach doesn’t have the sole responsibility on squad selection. We all have to contribute. This team belongs to 165 million people.

Selections should affect all these people so we cannot continue to let this happen because we need to compete well with others,” Maigari said.

However, Keshi has since taken responsibility for the poor outing in Brazil.

“I’m the coach and I can honestly listen to constructive ideas on how we can improve as a team. But no-one has come to tell me who to pick or not to select. If the team fails the coach is responsible.

“As the coach, it’s my decision and responsibility. For now, the local players have earned the rights to be in the team.”

CROSS WORD PUZZLE Across 1 Former Flying Eagles (U20) Striker, Odion – (6) 4 L.G.A in Katsina State – (5) 7 Hausa Word for “Ten”? – (4) 8 Former Lagos State Governor, Ahmed Bola – (6) 9 Burkina Faso “Stallions” Striker, Prejuce – (8) 10 Statement – (6) 12 Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun – (8) 16 Second Month of The Year – (8) 19 Akwa-Ibom State Commissioner for Health – (6) 21 Insect – (8) 22 L.G.A in Imo State – 6) 23 Entrance – (4) 24 Attorney-General & Minister of Justice, Mohammed, Bello – (5) 25 Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dame Virginia – (6)

Down 1 Italian “Serie A” Club-Side – (5) 2 Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed – (8) 3 Former Nigerian Athlete, Falilat – (8) 4 Renowned Nigerian Actor, Olu – (6) 5 Germany Capital City – (6) 6 Former Imo State Deputy Governor, Jude – (6) 11 Sea-Gull – (4) 13 L.G.A in Osun State – 8) 14 L.G.A in Bauchi State – (8) 15 Sixth Month of The Year – (4) 16 Radical Lawyer & Human Rights Activist, Mr. Femi – (6) 17 General Overseer, Foursquare Gospel Church of Nigeria, Rev. Wilson – (6) 18 Former Super Eagles Skipper, Nduka – (6) 20 Former Cameroon “Indomitable Lions” Striker and Winner of the Year 2000 African Footballer Awards, Patrick – (5)

SOLUTION on page 15

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