Boko Haram attacks 2 Emirs, kills one

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Boko Haram attacks three Emirs, kills one •2 police escorts killed too •Northern Governors react angrily

BY NDAHI MARAMA & WOLE MOSADOMI

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HE Emir of Gwoza in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, Ahaji Idrissa Timta, was yesterday killed along with two police esc orts during an ambush by gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram. Three emirs including Timta and those of Askira, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibn Muhammed Askirama II and Uba, Alhaji Ali Ibn Ismaila Mamza II were travelling to Gombe for the burial of the Emir of Gombe Alhaji Shehu Usman Abubakar who died in a London Hospital Tuesday evening when they were attacked by the Boko Haram insurgents at about 9am along the Gombi-GarkidaBiu road.

Sources said that the Emirs of Askira and Uba escaped death by the whiskers. The policemen were trying to shield the three emirs from being killed when they were shot dead by the insurgents along the Garkida- Biu road.

Gwoza Local Government Area where late Timta hailed from is however, about 140 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the state capital while Askira /Uba also south of Maiduguri is about 160 kilometres from the state capital.

The former emir had on Sunday, April 13, decried the renewed insurgency in the area, saying it had crippled the socio-economic activities in his domain. Timta had specifically lamented then that the insurgents had been killing many people and were always blocking major highways, and appealed to security agents to intensify patrol on these roads to prevent such attacks.

Borno Government, Military confirm death The Borno State government and the Defence Headquarters yesterday confirmed that Boko Haram terrorists attacked the emirs of Gwoza, Askira and Uba who were on their way to attend the burial of the emir of Gombe adding that the emir of Gwoza was killed in the attack..

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, the government further said it was saddened by the

development.

Jidda who regretted the death, said that the late Emir was with the Emir of Askira, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibn Muhammadu Askirama and their Uba Emirate counterpart, Alhaji Ali Ibn Ismaila Mamza, in the same vehicle when they were attacked as they headed to Biu to pick the Emir of Biu so they could all drive in a convoy to Gombe State for the funeral of the late Emir of Gombe later in the day.

The Northern States Governors Forum

•Emir of Gwoza

yesterday reacted angrily to the killing of the Emir of Gwoza in Borno State, Alhaji Idrissa Timta and two policemen by suspected members of Boko Haram terrorists yesterday. The Forum also condemned attempt on the lives of Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ismaila Mamza and his Askira counterpart, Alhaji Mai Abdullahi Ibn Muhammadu Askirama by the gunmen believed to be members of Boko Haram.

Killing callous, irresponsible and war on traditional institution, Northern Governors The Northern governors described the killing not only as irresponsible,

callous and an affront on collective heritage of Nigerians but also as a war on the traditional institution in the country.

However, according to Jidda, ‘’the Emir was killed around 9am today (yesterday) following a bloody attack by some gunmen believed to be members of the Boko Haram along Tashan Alade on the way to Biu town, headquarters of Biu Local Government Area in Southern Borno State. ”The late Emir of Gwoza had visited his counterpart, the Emir of Uba yesterday and passed the night in Uba ahead of their planned trip. The two Emirs were (later) joined by the Emir of Askira. The three drove in the same vehicle with the intention of going to Biu to be joined by their counterpart in Biu. ’’Unfortunately as they were driving in convoy to Biu, they were ambushed by gun men around Tashan Alade, soon after passing Garkida. The gunmen came after the convoy, specifically targeted the vehicle conveying the three Emirs and opened fire on them.

The Emir of Gwoza was unfortunately killed by the attackers while the Emirs of Askira and Uba escaped unhurt. A policeman in the convoy was shot by the attackers but he survived the attack. ’’The late Emir was in the first class status following his recent elevation by Governor Kashim Shettima.’’

Jidda further paid glowing tribute to the late Emir saying he ‘’was indeed a great man who worked very hard to promote peace and progress in Gwoza. He was a pillar and one of the rallying points in Borno State. He visibly worked very hard in the search for

From right: Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Otedola, son of deceased his wife Nana, Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and his wife Dame Abimbola Fashola, during Funeral Mass for Sir Michael Agbolade Otedola, former governor of Lagos State, held at Immaculate Conception Church, Ibowon Epe, Lagos yesterday.

Photo: Bunmi Azeez

peace in Gwoza since the insurgency began. ’’Borno State Government is terribly shocked by this incident. The Government prays that Allah admits the late Emir into aljanna Firadaus and give the family, members of the Gwoza Emirate Council, the people of Gwoza, the state Council of Chiefs and the entire people of Borno State the fortitude to bear this very traumatic loss especially at a time the state is still dealing with equally disturbing issues related with security challenges in the state. ’’May Allah grant us accelerated and lasting peace in Borno State and rest of Nigeria.’’ Jidda stated.

However, another version of the story had it that the three people were killed in an attempt by the insurgents to abduct the three emirs.

Another source who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Saturday Vanguard that the “gunmen opened fire on the Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, carrying the emirs, killing two policemen and Timta. ‘’Some occupants of the vehicles escaped into

the bush, but re-appeared after the Emir of Gwoza’s official vehicle was torched; along with several other vehicles in the convoys.

Late Emir’s body taken to Uba

“The body of the slain Emir has been conveyed to Uba through Biu-Damboa road, as the Limankara Bridge had been bombed on April 9, 2014 by insurgents, after the border community was attacked by the terrorists who set ablaze several houses, shops and vehicles,” the sources added.

The Defence Headquarters and Northern States Governors Forum yesterday reacted angrily to the killing of the Emir of Gwoza in Borno State, Alhaji Idrissa Timta and two policemen by suspected members of Boko Haram terrorists yesterday. The Forum also condemned attempt on the lives of Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ismaila Mamza and his Askira counterpart, Alhaji Mai Abdullahi Ibn Muhammadu Askirama by the gunmen believed to be members of Boko Haram.

The Chairman of the

Bio Data of Emir of Gwoza

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HE former Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Shehu Mustapha Idrisa Timta, 72, was born in 1942 to the family of the Late Chief of Gwoza Alh. Idrisa Timta. Timta attended the Muslim Elementary School, Gwoza in 1948 and Senior Primary School Bama between 1952 and 1960. He attended the then Provincial Secondary School now Government College, Maiduguri between 1960 to 1964, before

working briefly as a teacher in Gwoza. He later proceeded to the prestigious ABU, Zaria to study Sharia Law in 1968 and later HND in the same discipline in 1972.

Timta also worked with the then North – East judiciary in various capacities as an inspector of Area Courts and rose to the rank of Principal Inspector of Area Courts before his appointment as the third chief of Gwoza in

October, 1981.

He was elevated to a second class Emir in 1987 before being promoted as a first class Emir in January, 2014,

by Governor Kashim Shettima, because of his hard work and loyalty to the government. Left to mourn him are four wives, 28 children and many brothers and sisters among who are Alhaji Haruna Idrisa Timta, the former Head of Service, Borno State, Alhaji Adamu Idrisa

Northern Governors Forum

and governor of Niger Dr. Bio Data of Emir of Gwoza Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu

Timta, a permanent secretary with the Borno State government, Alhaji Yusuf Timta, Secretary, Gwoza Local Government and Alhaji Umar Timta of the Department of Petroleum Resources, Maiduguri.

Others include Muhammad S. Timta, District Head of Hambagda, Isa Timta, Secretary of the Emirate Council, Lt. Abdulrazaq Timta of the Nigeria Army and Dr. Abubakar Timta.

said in a statement signed by his Chief press secretary, Mr. Israel Ebije that the killing was a sad d e v e l o p m e n t .

Aliyu regretted that the attack was also, coming at a time the Federal Government had concluded plans to grant the Boko Haram sect amnesty. ”We call on the leadership and entire members of the Boko Haram sect to embrace the amnesty offer promised by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Dialogue remains the best option for resolving issues.

Whatever your agitations are, bring them to the dialogue table for discussion.”

He however, asked Nigerians not to lose faith in the country’s capability to overcome its security challenges just as he called on security agencies to ensure that those behind the dastardly act are punished. ”This is indeed a sad development for us as a region and the nation at large. This is happening at a time we are all doing our very best to rescue our over 200 secondary school girls abducted by the Islamist terror group- Boko Haram, from their school in Chibok, Borno state last month. We are particularly sad and worried about these ugly developments. We are indeed sad over the killing of the Emir of Gwoza in the recent attack,” the governors added, and urged Nigerians, especially those living in areas considered flashpoints to remain calm and pursue their legitimate businesses as government would do everything possible to guarantee the safety of their lives and property.

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014

War against terrorism: Military alerts of plot accusing it of genocide T

HE Defence Headquarters has alerted the nation of a plot by interest groups not happy with the military’s onslaught against terrorists, to embark on a campaign aimed at deceiving the international community and indicting the military of committing genocide during the operations in the terrorist infested states.

DHQ however warned that, “No amount of propaganda by apologists of terror group can justify the evil acts of terrorism by attempting to cast the Nigerian military and security forces in bad light”.

Making the disclosure in a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, the Defence headquarters said, “It must be emphasized that the dastardly acts of terrorism are against all Nigerians and all peace loving people

all over the world”.

It reads, “The Defence Headquarters has been alerted of a plot by some interest groups to embark on a renewed campaign aimed at attracting i n t e r n a t i o n a l

condemnation and indictment of the Nigerian military and its operations in the Northern part of the country”.

“The campaign which is to rely heavily on doctored and falsified audio

visual materials, some of which are already trending in the social media, is to be coordinated and funded by a prominent political leader whose state is presently under the State of Emergency”.

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ELTA State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has offered condolences to the Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka, aka Sad Sam, who lost his mother, Mrs. Teshoma Amuka-Pemu, recently.

Uduaghan, in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sunny Ogefere, observed that although Mrs. AmukaPemu lived a fulfilled life, her death was still a big loss not only to the immediate family, but to the entire Delta State and Nigeria as a nation.

“I give all the glory to God who not only blessed the matriarch of the Amuka

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HE Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, has warned the controversial Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to desist from distorting the history of the Niger Delta

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HE Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, declared a temporary ceasefire with effect from yesterday (Friday) in the Niger-Delta, citing the olive branch offered

by President Goodluck Jonathan in his Democracy Day speech.

The group in a statement by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, announcing cessation of hostilities, unpredictably expressed confidence in the capability of the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, who it had derided previously to facilitate a new peace process.

Its words: “Initial discussions will be facilitated through your Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Mr Kingsley Kuku whom we will be comfortable to work with.”

SIMON EBEGBULEM, Benin City

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From right; Gov. Olusegun Mimiko, First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and Ondo State First Lady, Olukemi Mimiko during the First Lady’s visit to Ondo State on the funeral of Ondo State First Lady’s mother funeral, (Chief (Mrs) Modupe Adeniyi, yesterday.

family with the gift of life but made her a role model and a source of blessing to her immediate family, Delta State and Nigeria.

“The success story of Mr. Sam Amuka, publisher of one of the leading titles

in Nigeria, the Vanguard Newspaper, no doubt is an eloquent testimony of the nature of training and upbringing that he received from his late mother,” he said.

The governor said: “Notwithstanding the age

and life lived, whenever a loved one transits from this earth to glory, an irreparable loss and vacuum is created. I therefore share in the grief that the death of Mama Teshoma has brought on the Amuka-Pemu family.”

Ex-Governor Turaki, 2 others to appear in court for alleged fraud

BY ALIYU DANGIDA, Dutse

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ORMER Jigawa state governor, Ibrahim Saminu Turaki is heading for another trouble, as High Court sitting in Dutse has sent him a summon along with his brother, Bashir Turaki and former state House of Assembly

Speaker, Alhaji Mustapha Makama Kiyama, to appear before it over an alleged six count charges of corruption, fraud, conspiracy.

The plaintiffs are to appear before the High Court, in a suit No. JDU/ 23C/2014 instituted by the Jigawa state government, as the charges against the

accused, according to the court, include: fraudulent use of public fund, property of the state government to secure and pay interest for a private company, Gethel Nigeria limited a loan amounting to N4 billion contrary to section 97 of the penal code cap109 laws of Jigawa state 1998.

Stop insulting Jonathan, others who ended N/D militancy — Kuku warns MEND

BY SONI DANIEL, Abuja

MEND declares ceasefire in N-Delta

AIG urges Edo Govt, Assembly to prohibit CDAs

Uduaghan consoles ‘Sad Sam’ over mother’s death

BY EMMA AMAIZE, Warri

BRIEFS

struggle for its selfish interest.

In particular, Kuku, who claimed to have played a prominent role in ending the Niger Delta crisis, also warned the shadowy group not to drag the name of President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, into the mud because of its pecuniary

interest. Kuku told journalists in Abuja that he could not understand what MEND wanted to gain by trying desperately to change the history of the Niger Delta struggle and denigrate the persons of Jonathan and his wife, who also risked their lives to bring about peace in the region.

MEND at the weekend

criticised Kuku over his comments in a televised interview on Boko Haram’s insurgency in the North-East and the role of some individuals in the Niger Delta agitation prior to the Federal Government’s offer of amnesty to former militants as a way of ending the restiveness in the region.

HE Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 5, Benin, Mr Hashimu Salihu Argungun, yesterday called on the Edo State Government and the State House of Assembly to enact a law prohibiting Community Development Associations (CDA), lamenting that they are usurping the powers of state and Local Governments as regards the ownership of lands.

Argungun stated this at a workshop on Capacity Building to Enhance Efficiency and Effectiveness In Criminal Investigation/ Prosecution Within Zone 5 Command yesterday in Benin City.

According to him, “ we have discovered that most of problems we are encountering in Edo State are land issues. CDAs have taken over the role of states and Local Governments by assuming ownership of lands.”

Govt, investors tasked on youth devt

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI, Warri

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OVERNMENT, private investors and devel opment agencies in Nigeria have been urged to renew their commitment towards establishment of viable industries, projects and programmes critical for engagement of the teeming unemployed youths across the country.

The University of Benin, UNIBEN, Students Union Government, SUG, led by its speaker, Comrade Governor Ameh, made the call in Warri, Delta State, when they presented an award of excellence to Sir Kingsley Enosa Anon in recognition of his “outstanding commitment to youth engagement.”

Acknowledging his award, Sir Anon, Chairman of Ofure Magic Plus Enterprises, a petroleum marketing and contracting firm said, “I am humbled by this recognition I least expected.”

CLO slams states, local government councils over alleged poor performance

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA, Yenagoa

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HE leadership of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has slammed states and local governments across the country over what it described as their failure to deliver the dividend of democracy to the people and intolerant to the opposition.

The CLO in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Chapter, Chief Nengi James, said unlike the federal government, which is tolerant of opposition views, the reverse had been the case in most of the states and local government areas.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014 — 7

Alaafin bags peace award in US

BY BASHIR ADEFAKA

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N appreciation of his numerous contributions to peace and conflicts resolution in Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has been conferred with the Senior Advocate of Peace.

The award organised by the Peace Corps Nigeria was held penultimate weekend at the Mid-Town East one, United Nations Plaza, New York City, United States of America.

In an official citation, the organisers described the paramount ruler as “a prolific writer and thinker of formidable range, who has contributed extensively to the progress of his people both at home and in the Diaspora.”

In a release made available to Saturday Vanguard by press secretary to the Nigerian foremost traditional ruler, Prince Fehintola Adeyemi, yesterday, the award was described as having earned the monarch special place of being

one of the most prolific writers of the time, having written books, communiqués and articles on matters affecting local governments, traditions and customs, as well as issues relating to national unity and peace-relating international affairs. ”All these treatises earned the imperial majesty the award and the accolade of being a seriousminded scholar and internationally-acclaimed leader of thought, man of excellence, who should be celebrated. To mention a few of his contributions to peace in Nigeria, Alaafin, through rare

wisdom and intellectual sagacity, resolved over two decades of bloody clash between Igboho and Kisi communities, as well as boundary dispute between Igbojaiye town in the Itesiwaju Local Government Area and Ofiki town in the Atisbo Local Government Area all in Oyo State, over ownership of the mineral mining site at Budo-Are. ”He made decisive incursions into the history of these warring communities and made his summations based on historical artifacts. The crises were amicably resolved without prejudice.”

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the Alaafin’s decoration was witnessed by the Yoruba community in New York including Oyo indigenes who gave the occasion the resounding ovation it deserved.

Meanwhile, Oba Adeyemi, appreciating the honour done to him in far away United States of America, had described the award as having uninterruptedly traced the history of how Oyo Empire lasted for 600 years and “perhaps the longest Empire in recorded history due to Alaafin’s peace and conflicts resolution diplomacy.”

Navy arrests 12 stowaways in Lagos

By Evelyn Usman

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T was the end of the road for eleven Nigerians and a Ghanian who allegedly sneaked into a Spain-bound vessel, MV African Osprey, in their search for greener pasture, following their arrest by the Nigerian Navy.

The stowaways whose ages were between 12 and 26, reportedly hid inside an unused cabin in the ship said to have been laden with hazardous materials.

The suspects were identified as Boniface Douglas, a Ghanian, Mustapha Ayinla, Bernard Amadi,

Azinabor Gideon, Isaac Delight, Daniel Timothy, Justice Agburum, Anthony Oladipupo, Emma Okon, Idowu Adeyemi, Philip Israel and Holly Osatwie Recovered from them , were kegs of water which they intended to drink during the trip, snacks and cassava flakes otherwise known as garri.

The rescue of the stowaways according to the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ilesanmi Alade was carried out in conjunction with personnel of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency,NIMASA, even as he reiterated the Nigerian Navy’s drive to make the nation’s waterways safe for legitimate businesses to thrive. However, he appealed to ship owners and sea farers to ensure that thorough security checks were conducted onboard prior to departure from Harbour.”.

Explaining how they were arrested, the Commander Beecroft, Commodore Emmanuel Uwadiae, said midway into the journey the suspects who apparently inhaled the chemical substance, started banging frantically on the door of the cabin, thereby attracting the cabin crew.

He said “The Nigerian Navy took custody of 12 suspected stowaways at the Lagos anchorage. The suspects were found onboard MV African Osprey which had cast off from Tin-Can Port Apapa on May 19, 2014. Investigation revealed that they had same mission which was to illegally exit the country onboard the ship.

1m children die of malnutrition yearly

BY PETER DURU AKURDI—No fewer than one million Nigerian children, under the ages of five, suffer acute malnutrition annually and of this number, 100,000 of them reportedly die yearly from causes related to the condition in the country. The Benue State Head of the Strengthening Partnerships, Results and Innovations in Nutrition Globally (SPRING) Projects, Mrs. Ngozi Onuora made this known yesterday, at the flag off of the Benue State Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week, MNCHW, at Obarike Ito, in Obi local government area of the state. Mrs. Onuora noted that “under-nutrition is the single largest contributor to child mortality worldwide. Severe acute malnutrition accounts for one in seven child deaths globally.” She urged mothers to leverage on all programmes that were meant to improve the health condition of their children and also ensure the improved feeding of their wards in order to complement government’s efforts to tackle the problem.

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Onuesoke backs Delta on resource control, state police

BY EPHRAIM OSEJI elta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor D ship aspirant in 2007 general elections, Chief Sunny Onuesoke says he supports the Delta State government pro-

posal that Nigeria’s federating units should exercise 100 per cent right to own, explore, manage and use their natural and human resources. He also agreed with state government’s call for the creation of a state police to exist side by side with the federal police. Speaking to newsmen in Asaba, after a dinner hosted by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Onuesoke called for the abrogation of “obnoxious laws” that impeded true practice of fiscal federalism in the country, including the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

Onuesoke who is a Special Project Director in the governor’s office in Asaba, noted that all the states in the country were abundantly endowed with mineral resources and “the adoption of fiscal federalism will challenge and inspire them to pay attention in exploiting these resources to fund development at whatever pace they may choose.”

According to him, the principle of derivation should apply in such a manner that each of the federating units could receive an agreed percentage of proceeds from the resource derived from its territory, while the balance would go to what he called the Distributable Pool Account. Onuesoke suggested that the Federal Government could collect 40 percent, and 50 percent to the states, while 20 percent could go to a special fund from the DPA, adding that the proceeds from Value Added Tax (VAT) could be shared in the ratio of 40 per cent to the DPA, 50 percent to the states and 10 per cent to the special fund. On state police, he said its creation could complement the activities of the federal police to provide adequate security in the spirit of true federalism.

Kidnappers hide N1m ransom in riverbank

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SABA—A five-man kidnap gang, which abduct ed the wife of a former local government chairman in Delta State, stowed away the N1 million ransom extorted from the family in the bank of a river to blindfold the police. Saturday Vanguard gathered that the police closed in and arrested a member of the gang before the ransom collected from the former chairman could be shared.

Commissioner of Police, Delta State, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, who confirmed the arrest to Saturday Vanguard said: “The gang kidnapped one Mrs. Patience Anigala at OwaAbbi in Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state and obtained N1 million by threat from her husband after stealing N200,000 from the family on the day of the incident.”

Standard Bank clinches award over Nigerian deals

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tandard Bank Group, to which Stanbic IBTC belongs, has been awarded a number of accolades in several regional categories at The Banker

Magazine’s annual Deals of the Year Awards 2014 over som e deals sealed in 2013. Stanbic IBTC was recogized for the Best Islamic Finance Deal for Osun State, and the Best Restructure of Term Facilities for Polo Park Mall, Enugu.

These awards recognise excellence for deals completed across Africa, taking into account the various categories

for deal submissions.

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SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014

Jonathan, Obasanjo, govs pay last respect to Otedola I T was a large gathering of prominent Nigerians in Epe, Lagos on Friday, as a former Governor of Lagos State, Sir Michael Otedola, was buried at Odoragushin, his home town.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife, Patience, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo were at the burial.

Governors Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, Ibikunle Amosu of Ogun, Peter Obi (ex-gov of Anambra), Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwunmi Adeshina and Minister of State for Defence, Mr Musiliu Obanikoro, graced the burial.

Also present were former Ekiti State Governor, Chief Niyi Adebayo, Director – General of Nigeria Security and Exchange Commission, Ms Aruma Oteh, and former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

Billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote and former Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, were also at the event with some other captains of industry.

Speaking briefly during the funeral mass held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ibuwon, Jonathan described late Otedola as a man who lived a life of accomplishments.

“Late Otedola brought a characteristic level of uncompromising diligence and commitment to bear on his service to God, country and community,” he said.

He condoled with the family over the loss, praying to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

Obasanjo described Otedola as a kind-hearted man and a leader with firmness of purpose.

“History will record that when providence placed him in a position of influence and power, he touched many lives in a positive way,” he said.

Fashola said that Otedola left a footprint of excellence and service in spite of his short tenure as governor.

He said that the late governor was a model of “politics without bitterness” as he tactfully engaged and accommodated his political adversaries as governor.

Fashola said that Lagosians would forever be grateful to the deceased for his exemplary leadership.

Amosun described late Otedola as an ambassador of good values, adding that his generosity and

leadership qualities were remarkable.

“Everyone, who knows him, testifies to his disciplined lifestyle and gentle disposition,” he said.

Dangote said the former governor was an achiever

who served the people conscientiously when he was governor.

NAN reports that security was heavy at the town as hundreds of soldiers and policemen were seen in all the strategic points in the community.

From left:Mr. Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state, Alh. Aliko Dangote, President Dangote Group and Senator Ganiyu Solomon, during funeral mass for Sir Michael Agbolade Otedola, former governor of Lagos State, held at Immaculate Conception Church, Ibowon Epe, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

FG not serous in ending Boko Haram insurgency — Shehu Sani •How FG can get Chibok girls back

BY SONI DANIEL, Northern Region Editor

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ARELY 24 hours after President Goodluck Jonathan declared measures to crush insurgency in the country, civil rights activist Shehu Sani, has described the steps outlined by the Federal Government as contradictory and incapable of bringing the insurgents to the negotiation table. Sani, who is the president of the Civil Rights Congress, had been involved in two previous attempts to broker peace between the government and the insurgents, said the Federal Government had never been serious in finding a lasting solution to the rising wave of terrorism in the north. The reason, according to him, is that the Federal Government does not want to negotiate with the sect so as not to be seen to be weak and surrendering to insurgents. He told Saturday Vanguard yesterday that “it was the insincerity of the Federal Government to accept and implement the conditions previously given by the sect that had given rise to the attacks being launched by

the group, saying that if the government had accepted the agreement brokered by former President Obasanjo and himself with the sect members in Maiduguri, the problem of insurgency would not have escalated to its present deadly form.“ He disclosed that the suggestions made by his committee and headed by Ahmed Datti on how to end insurgency based on their interactions with members of the sect, were inexplicably jettisoned by the Presidency, which at the time boasted that it was on top of the situation and was determined to crush the sect. Sani also said the Chibok girls would also have been freed two weeks ago but for the last minute cancellation of negotiations by President Jonathan that the discussion should be discontinued with a negotiator, whom he introduced to the government.

The activist, who said he was however still willing to lead the way in further negotiations with the sect, however expressed doubts about the willingness of the members of the sect to come out and accept amnesty given the many roadblocks already erected by

the government against them. He pointed out that with a price tag on the head of the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau from the Nigerian Government the United States, the declaration of a state of emergency in most of the states where the sect members are and the deployment of troops to go after them, it was impossible for the members to come out and discuss with anybody. On how to free the Chibok girls, Sani asked the Federal Government to call a security conference of Northern Islamic clerics, who can hold talks with the Boko Haram leadership and guaranty the release of the girls in exchange for detained Boko Haram members.“ “The Muslim clerics should be brought into that kind of conference and the President should give them a waiver to reach out to the Boko Haram group and work out the possibility of getting these girls back. “In return, the President should take an inventory of all persons, who have been in detention on suspicion of aiding abetting or participating in this insurgency.

BRIEFS Don’t grant amnesty to Boko Haram, Lawmaker tells FG

By MARIE-THERESE NANLONG.

he Member representing Jos South/Jos in the House of Representatives, Hon. TEast

Bitrus Kaze has described as a step in the wrong direction, the reported efforts being made by the Federal Government to offer amnesty to Boko Haram terrorist sect despite its continued bombings and killings of innocent citizens.

In a statement issued in Jos yesterday, Kaze stressed that such effort, coming at a time the international community has declared to support Nigeria to stamp out terrorism, will boom e r a n g .

His words, “I do not subscribe to any form of dialogue with terrorists; we will not grow weary of making the point resoundingly clear that no country the world over has succeeded in curbing the menace that way.

“Motivated by the tension, anxiety and sense of fear permeating the nation as a result of terrorism, those who canvass this awkward idea cannot be right. This should explain exactly why the Alhaji Kabiru Turaki dialogue committee was and will continue to be a perpetual failure”.

He recalled that Boko Haram members earlier rebuffed the attempt made by President Jonathan to offer amnesty to them in April 2013 adding, “the terrorists categorically declined and instead offered amnesty to Mr. President”.

This amnesty “coming shortly after securing a reluctant approval from both Houses of the National Assembly, and when global outrage against the abduction of about 200 school girls from Chibok gingered foreign collaboration, the renewed offer of amnesty to the Boko Haram can’t be a step in the

right direction”.

Gov Nyako sacks 12 advisers

BY UMAR YUSUF

S

OURCES said that those sacked were believed to have pitched camp with the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the state in the build up to 2015 election. The latest development came barely two weeks after the governor effected a minor cabinet reshuffle in which three commissioners swapped positions.

The sacking of the appointees was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Kobis Ari Thimnu. The statement read, “The Government of Adamawa State has approved the withdrawal of the appointment of 12 political appointees with effect from May 21, 2014. Those affected include five Special Advisers, one Principal Special Assistant and six Senior Special Assistants.

NIPSS alumni urges FG to engage traditional institutions

T

HE Alumni Association of the National In stitute for Policy and Strategic Policy, AANI, Wednesday, called on the Federal Government to engage traditional institutions in its current battle against the insurgents.

President of AANI, Major General Lawrence Anebi Onoja, retd, who made the call shortly after the Executive Council meeting of the association in Abuja, noted that traditional institutions have the knack to check the nefarious activities of residents and strangers within their domains..

NCS rakes in N3.5bn in 2014

T

BY UDEME CLEMENT

HE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Oyo/ Osun Command, has realised a huge sum of N3.5 billion in the first quarter of 2014, which constitutes 57 per cent of its quarterly revenue target.

The Command also recorded a total of 399 vehicles, with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N33.4million, as against 329 vehicles, with total duty collection of N32.4million, made the same period in 2013. The current revenue collection shows an increase of N940,987.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Mr. Oteri Richard, disclosed this in a chat with Vanguard, saying that the revenue was derived directly from excise duties and vehicles.

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BOKO HARAM:

The forces against Nigeria C M Y K

BY EMMA UJAH, with our reporters

I

N his Democracy Day message, President Goodluck Jonathan ordered the military to spare nothing in wiping out terrorism that is now rocking the foundation of the country.

He had made such orders many times in the past. However, the more his directives, the more Boko Haram sect wreaked havoc on Nigerians.

Certainly, Nigeria is not yet winning the war against terror although there seems to be hope going by the promises of USA, Britain, France and some other countries to assist Nigeria in this battle the President has admitted is alien to us.

A combination of factors can be attributed to the seeming inability of the military to defeat Boko Haram as the President continuously orders. The military say they are poorly funded and that they hardly receive what is appropriated to them in annual budgets. Government says, globally, no amount of money will ever be enough for the military in times of war as the situation in Nigeria now depicts, maintaining that it is doing its best in terms of funding to ensure the battle against terror is won.

Poor funding could be a strong factor but what have the military been doing with the “little” that they have been receiving, especially with intelligence aspect of the military? Once, they announced that they planned to comb Sambisa, the den of Boko Haram. Last week, they said that they were closing in on the abducted girls of Government Secondary School, Chibok, now under captivity for more than six weeks.

And only four days ago they said that they had sighted the girls.

How reasonable or strategic is it for the military to be exposing their

Continues from page 10

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Vanguard , MA Y 31 MAY 31, 2014

Continues from page 9 plans or strategy? Is it not part of intelligence to keep your plans to yourself and take the enemy unawares? Could this be why the US say they would not share intelligence with the Nigerian forces?

And so the fight against Boko Haram has certainly taken much longer than the Nigerian public and the international community had anticipated. Rather than defeating the sect, the military appear to have been waging a war for which it was not fully prepared or have suffered various impediments.

Boko Haram, translated literally as “Western Education is Sin,” started as a group that is against Christianity and Western civilisation and has metamorphosed into a nightmare for Nigerians. Its original name is Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati walJihad, which in Arabic means “People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad”, some writers translate it simply as “Association of Sunnis for the Propagation of Islam and for Holy War”.

The public is asking: “Nigerian soldiers have won laurels at peace keeping missions across the world and even drove rogue coupists from thrones in Liberia and Sierra Leone where they installed civilian administrations and recently chased away extremists who were trying to overrun the Northern African country of Mali. So what is happening at home? Why can’t the military end Boko haram’s reign of terror more than five years after?

Certainly, the Nigerian military need help.

And it will be unfair to lay all the blames on them. They have their story. Government has its story. And the people also have an idea of what the problems are, from politics of the sect to poor funding of the military to corruption and even the insincerity of politicians who politicise the problem. We serve you our findings below.

Politics of Boko Haram

day bombing of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madala, near Abuja was arrested by security forces in the Borno Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.

The political angle has been elevated to the national level. President Jonathan said last Sunday that Boko Haram was meant to stop his government. It was not the first time that the PDP and its leaders were making such allegations.

When the Chibok girls Military largest were abducted on April 14, Boko Haram has a very spenders’ chart APC’s reaction was that strong footing in religious polPresident Jonathan should Algeria $5.6 billion itics, if the claims and counterSouth Africa $3.926 billion resign for failing in a priclaims of the ruling Peoples’ Egypt $3.665 billion mary duty of securing the Democratic Party, PDP, and its Morocco $3.143 billion lives of Nigerians. It was main opposition, All ProgresAngola $2.983 billion not APC’s first time of exsives Party, APC are anything Sudan $1.971 billion pressing that position.

Nigeria $1.984 billion to go by.

The “PDP Youth FronFrom the early days of the tier’, immediately took on sect, it was alleged to be an off-shoot of former governor Ali Modu Sheriff ’s politi- the APC and asked it to desist from calling cal thugs “ECOMOG” which he used for the resignation of President Jonathan. against his opponents and which helped Rather, it argued that Governor Ibrahim Shhim win a second term in 2007 in Borno ettima of Borno State, who ignored WAEC’s warning not to open the school, should be State.

It was alleged that Sheriff promised the the one to resign.

“APC should stop shedding crocodile group that he would transform Borno into a Sharia state if he won again, a promise he tears. It is no longer news that many innowas said to have failed to keep, necessitat- cent souls have gone, businesses folded and ing his Commissioner for Religious Affairs, students kidnapped by the enemies of Niand front-line member of Boko Haram to geria called Boko Haram. Their spate of killresign from the cabinet. The said commis- ing goes beyond religion. “ It is, however, curious that the last three sioner was killed in the first onslaught weeks after Boko Haram abducted SS3 stuagainst the sect in 2009.

Sheriff ’s camp denied the allegations and dents of Borno State Government Secondinsisted that the crackdown on the sect dur- ary school ready for WAEC, Borno State ing his second term was an indication that Government has been unable to tell Nigerians and the whole world, the exact number he had nothing to do with the extremists.

Many people in Borno State allege that of students that were abducted. All we keep Boko Haram has continued its deadly at- hearing is that students from 200 and above tacks owing to the backing they receive from were abducted”.

A statement by its National Coordinator, either the camp of current Governor Ibrahim Shettima or his predecessor in govern- Usman Austin Okhai stated that despite several questions surrounding this abduction, ment.

Kabiru Sokoto, who has been given life the nation would like to know how such a sentence for his role in the 2012 Christmas number of students were conveyed from the

President Goodluck Jonathan

Politics of Boko Haram

C M Y K

These unanswered questions give rise to suspicion as to whether this abduction was orchestrated by the enemy of the Federal Government or Boko Haram working with some elements that want the Federal Government to fail at all cost.”

Muhammadu Buhari

school and how many people witnessed the abduction. “Were they loaded inside buses or trucks, or were they made to trek from the school to the forest? Who did the principal contact before she voluntarily released the students? How come neither the vice principal nor other teachers even witnessed this act or followed the abducted students?

These unanswered questions give rise to suspicion as to whether this abduction was orchestrated by the enemy of the Federal Government or Boko Haram working with some elements that want the Federal Government to fail at all cost.”

Inadequate budgetary allocation Gov. Shettima has said several times that the Nigerian security forces were illequipped to win the war against Boko Haram. He first told State House Correspondents at the Villa after a meeting with PresContinues on page 11

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Why the armed forces, police are handicapped Continues from page 10 ident Jonathan. The Federal Government reacted angrily with several aides of the president accusing him of trying to destroy the morale of the Nigerian troops. But he repeated the position several times, thereafter. He said Boko Haram fighters were better equipped and better motivated.

About two weeks, ago, the authorities of the Nigerian Army raised the alarm over the negative impact of inadequate funding for military operations currently going on in the North East and other parts of the country, noting that the development needed to be addressed urgently.

Chief of Accounts and Budget, Army, Major General Abdullah Muraina cried out at the training week for Warrant Officers and Senior NCO’s in Kaduna.

His words: “Currently, budgetary allocations for the military are inadequate to meet the contemporary security challenges and also cater for the welfare of the Nigeria Army.

This calls for a review as the increasing effects of conflict in the operational environment will continue to challenge military Commanders”.

Consequently, Muraina said: “It is our humble appeal that government should evolve other means of funding and supporting military operations other than the normal budgetary allocation. Such means include but not limited to strategic cooperation and liaison with other civil industries for the production of uniforms and other equipment. A special operation fund could be included in defence budget and placed under the control of the Chief of Army Staff for immediate disbursement to the required operation areas”.

Explaining the magnitude of the problem, the CAB continued: “This year, N4.8billion was allocated for Capital projects for the Nigerian Army. Of this amount, if, because of the security challenges, the army decides to buy ballistic helmets and fragmented jackets (2 items) for 20, 000 soldiers, at a cost of $1500, it will amount to about N3billion.

Meanwhile, about nine items are needed for the soldiers”.

Why the armed forces, police are handicapped On May 14, 2014, it was one year that Nigeria’s President Jonathan declared a “state of emergency” to curb the murderous activities of the Boko Haram terrorists group

YEAR

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 C M Y K

TOTAL PERSONAL

253.749 265.624 273.813

in the North-eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

While declaring the state of emergency, President Jonathan said, “extraordinary measures” would be brought to bear against the insurgents with a view to “restoring normalcy” to the region in the shortest possible time.

Consequently, troops were given orders to carry out all necessary actions within the ambit of their rules of engagement to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists.

In the prosecution of this war against terror, a lot has occurred to indicate that all is not well for the military as it has become obvious that equipment needed, both for the Nigerian Air force and the Nigerian Army who are in the fore-front of the battle to dislodge the hoodlums, are lacking or not in sufficient quantity while the available ones are in comatose state.

Intelligence gathering mechanism which should play pivotal role in containing the terrorists has remained nothing to write home about.

Reasons for these, according to Saturday Vanguard’s investigations are not farfetched. What the Nigerian military have in stock as tools, modern military hardware, equipment needed to fight the type of terrorism we are facing are unbelievably short of the standard required.

A pilot told Saturday Vanguard that what

OVERHEAD

60.549 39.289 32.228

TOTAL RECURRENT

CAPITAL

251.536 309.783 314.299 304.913 306.042

71.828 38.253 45.436 59.251 34.290

The Army, Navy and the Police bemoan lack of equipment even as many cannot vouch for the accountability of the “little” they receive

TOTAL ALLOCATION 323.364 348.253 359.735 364.165 340.332

the Air Force need to clear the Boko Haram terrorists off their camps and level those camps were attack helicopters fitted with sand proof facilities and night vision windscreens. These helicopters would fly into and land inside Sambisa Forest without noise. From the air and with the night vision, we can see through the jungle, map out our strategies without their knowledge.

But this equipment is not there for us.

The Army, Navy and the Police bemoan lack of equipment even as many cannot vouch for the accountability of the “little” they receive. But they have a case.

Since the advent of Defence budgeting for the Army, Navy, Air force and even the Nigerian Police, there has never been a time that 100 per cent of the budgetary approvals for the services was released to them.

About 60 to 70 percent is what they get at the end of every financial year, according to them.

Again, the capital expenditure under which the procurement of this military hardware falls, is such that when converted to foreign currencies at which these hardware are sold, the money is hardly enough. That is why the military would rather embark on repairs and rehabilitation of equipment bought in the 1980’s to prosecute a terrorist battle where the insurgents are armed with equipment manufactured in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Severally, the military and Police hierarchy have complained to members of the National Assembly about these problems but nothing has happened.

Recently, Vanguard was told that CDS and Service Chiefs complained to the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, about the paucity of funds to contain the Boko Haram insurgents and her reply was that the Federal Government had released a total amount of N130.7bn to the Ministry of Defence for military operations between January and April this year.

Continues on page 12

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Vanguard , MA Y 31 MAY 31, 2014

Continues from page 11 But of the said amount, the sum of N85billion was spent on personnel cost including salaries, allowances and other emoluments not only for the fight against terrorism but also on the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air force, Ministry of Defence and Defence headquarters.

Others that benefited from the spending on personnel cost are Nigerian Defence Academy, National Defence College, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Defence Industries Corporation and Armed Forces Resettlement Centre while the balance of about N45billion which goes for capital expenditure, from where equipment and ammunition are to be procured, will also be shared by these arms of the military.

What military forces need to invade Sambisa

Military budgets elsewhere Dating back to 2009, a cursory look at the Defence spending shows that in Africa, Algeria topped the military largest spenders’ chart with $5.6 billion in 2009. South Africa was next with $3.926 billion. Egypt followed with $3.665 billion. Morocco with a population far less than that of Nigeria budgeted $3.143 billion.

Angola had $2.983 billion; Sudan $1.991 billion while Nigeria came a distant seventh with $1.984 billion.

So conservatively, the total amount budgeted for the military between 2009 and 2014 by the Federal Government is N1.9 trillion out of which only N271. 4 billion was for capital expenditure, amounting to 14.3 per cent in a world that military equipment is denominated in European currency as well as the US dollar.

In 2013 for example, N281.51 billion was allocated to the three security agencies. The Army got N130 billion, Navy N73.34 billion and Air force N78.15 billion.

However, out of the N130.01billion budgeted for the Army, only N1.85bn was allocated for purchase of defence equipment, Navy and Air Force had budgets of N409.4 million and N1.51billion respectively for the same purpose.

While stakeholders told Saturday Vanguard that these amounts for modern equipment and hardware did not portray the nation as one ready or serious about fighting terrorism or insurgency, the case of the 2014 budgetary approval for capital expenditure was even worse.

Aside the air equipment needed by the Air Force for instance, the type of armoured tanks needed by the army, artillery guns, surface to air demobilizers and other technical weaponry for battle are not available.

What military forces need to invade Sambisa Anti-landmine tanks, for instance, are needed for a land invasion of the Sambisa Forest where camps of the terrorists are scattered. Military experts say that any attempt to go in there without such mine resistant, detecting and demobilizing equipment could be suicidal.

Sources put the price of one such tanks known as the Buffalo at ($11million) N1.3billion and to be able to effectively tackC M Y K

Police College, Jos, Police College, Ikeja, Police College, Kano, Police College, Kaduna, Police College, Orji River and other training institutions. In 2010, N759 million was budgeted; in 2011, it came down to 291million; in 2012, it was N296 million.

Okonjo-Iweala’s assurances le the menace of the insurgents, a minimum of 12 of such equipment would be needed.

The challenges facing the military were recently summarized as “inadequate budgetary allocations”. And that’s how the military sees it. Others admit this but note that it also goes beyond budgetary allocations.

Military experts say that any attempt to go in there without such mine resistant, detecting and demobilizing equipment could be suicidal

On the part of the Nigeria Police, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar while rubbing minds with members of the National Assembly, recently, noted that going by the 2014 budgetary estimates, Nigeria Police may not be able to pay the salaries of their personnel in 2014 due to a shortfall of N14.4 billion in personnel cost.The IG said the budget office earmarked N279 billion for personnel cost against N293 billion required to pay the police personnel, lamenting the steady decline in budgetary allocations for overhead to the police in spite of the increasing security challenges. Explaining that the slight increase in the capital expenditure in 2013 budget was because of the injection of constituency projects, he noted that out of the N14 billion appropriated for capital expenditure in 2013, only N10.9 billion was released.

Saturday Vanguard’s investigation further showed why the quality of Police graduates from Police Training Institutions, until now that the IG stepped up the fight to upgrade them, dropped.

The budget for yearly upgrade of Police colleges and Training institutions shows that in 2009, only N700 million was allocated for

Reacting to journalists’ questions on the military budget, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said that the Jonathan administration would give every necessary support to the troops who are endangering their lives on behalf of all Nigerians.

She admitted that calling for increased funding was normal for military prosecuting a war or any special operation and that Nigeria’s case cannot be an exception, adding that military funding was being treated with dispatch.

She disclosed that the president was even funding the Boko Haram operations from his “contingency fund” to ensure money was no problem in the fight against terror.

Her words: “We are in close touch with the defence sector. I have just finished talking not long ago with the Chief of Defence Staff and others. We have to be very supportive of our men and women in uniform because they are laying down their lives for us and they are involved in a very difficult endeavour. I think the defence spending is treated expeditiously.

“I want to say that there is no military establishment that I know of in the world which is engaged in a war that always have enough. They will always need more equipment, this is a new type of war. They will always need things that will help them.

So we have to admit that. I don’t think that the Nigerian Army or Air Force is different from any other one we know of in the world.

No amount of budget can be enough. In that context, the comments you have heard may Continues on page 13

C M Y

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Invitation of foreign forces dangerous —Balarabe Musa

Alhaji Balarabe Musa

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN

N

ational Chairman, Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Alhaji Balarabe Musa, criticised the invitation of United States and British forces to assist in securing the release of the school girls abducted by Boko Haram terrorist group some weeks ago, saying: “the invitation of foreign forces is completely unnecessary, it is dangerous and unpatriotic.” .

Excerpts: Four weeks after about 200 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram,

what do you think government has failed to do in securing the release of the girls?

This is unfortunate , I sympathize with the parents of the schoolgirls. It can happen to anybody in this country because no one is safe. The government is not capable of dealing with the situation and also not capable of knowing the truth about the situation. For all these lapses, it is the President that should be held responsible because he was elected to represent the interest of Nigerians.

Secondly, he is the Chief Security Officer of the

country; thirdly, he is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and lastly, he as the executive President is in control of all the resources of the country. If such a thing happens, it is pointless blaming anybody other the president. How can you blame the security services or the Armed forces since they were appointed by the President and they are answerable to him? The recent incident proved the supreme power of the president. Immediately the new Minister of Defence was appointed and he called all the Service Officers for a meeting but they refused saying they take orders only from the President.

Will the presence of international forces secure the release of the girls?

It is a very dangerous development. The security situation as it is today is not beyond the federal government to solve, it has not reached a stage which the federal government cannot solve. Even in a civil war, government can still bring it under control. So, the invitation of foreign forces is completely unnecessary, it is dangerous and unpatriotic.

We should learn from experiences in Pakistan, Somalia, Syria where international security forces were invited and even made the matter worse. Why are we inviting them to solve the problem of Nigeria?

Former colonial masters of Nigeria had already predicted that Nigeria will break up in 2015, are we now calling them to come and concretize their prediction.

Our military forces have successfully quelled crises in some African countries.

Why have they not been able to stem the tide of terrorism in their own country?

It is basically because of the incompetence of the federal government and probably the conspiracy by some elements to bring about destabilization and disintegration of the country.

Recent attack in Gambura in Ngwoza after the abduction of schoolgirls which has attracted global condemnation shows that this Boko Haram may not be an easy nut to crack for the federal government hence the decision to invite foreign powers.

There is a lot of cover up,

we are now talking on insecurity based on the activities of Boko Haram, but that is not the only security aspect of Nigeria. Apart from Boko Haram, there are the Fulani herdsmen and farmer crisis which is wreaking more havoc than the Boko Haram,the people who live around these affected areas know this, and apart from these serial bombing of Boko Haram, the herdsmen/farmers’ crisis is a big one. So, there are three aspects of security challenges in the country. Again, Niger Delta Militants are still not satisfied; we also have the Biafra Movement,so we have three insurgent activities. Apart from the Boko Haram and their serial bombing, we are faced with other two — Niger Delta militants and the Biafra Movement. This means the whole country is immersed in insurgency and yet we cannot deal with it because of the incompetence of the federal government and probably its involvement in insurgency for political reasons.

Except somebody wants to convince me that all the three are still Boko Haram.

The objective of the three is nothing but to destabilize Nigeria using the 2015 election and also areas where they know will affect the whole country. For instance, crisis is more in the north because everybody knows that if you want to destabilize Nigeria, you start from the north as a result of the number and so many other factors.

The Corruption bug Continues from page 12 be in that context. But in terms of the budget itself the defence sector takes almost a quarter of the budget.

“This year we have disbursed to them the money they needed. We have disbursed N130.7billion of which 85.9 billion is for personnel cost. All their salaries and payments are made as at when due . There are other requirements that require extra Joint Taskforce Special Assignment and sometimes the requirements come from Mr. President’s contingent fund and we have to scramble to meet that. So we have really worked hard and we really need to be supportive of them”.

The Corruption bug Many people, including diplomats believe that the fight against the insurgency has dragged this long owing to the corruption in the system.

The harsh verdict that the Nigerian military cannot fight Boko Haram because of corruption came from far away United

Many people, including diplomats believe that the fight against the insurgency has dragged this long owing to the corruption in the system

States of America although many Nigerians have raised their voices over this problem.

The military may not be getting enough. But what happens to the “little” that they are getting?

The US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, Sarah Sewall, said that corruption is hindering Nigeria’s efforts at ending insurgency in the North-East.

Sewall, who appeared before a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, last week, alongside a Pentagon top Africa official, Amanda Dory, added that the military must overcome entrenched corruption and incompetence for it to rescue the over 200 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram on April 14.

She said that despite Nigeria’s $5.8bn security budget for 2014, “corruption prevents supplies as basic as bullets and transport vehicles from reaching the front lines of the struggle against Boko Haram.”

Sewall, according to the New York Times, also told the committee that morale was low and that desertions were common among soldiers in the 7th Army Division fighting

the insurgents.

Collaboration Although Zakari Biu was about the only publicly disgraced Police officer for helping Kabiru Sokoto to escape from police custody, it was learnt that several other top shots in various security agencies have suffered similar fates for being sympathetic to the Boko Haram cause.

It was learnt that several officers at borders who used to provide free passage for Boko Haram arms, as well as other top security men who provide counter intelligence have been variously arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.

If the war is to be won, the security agencies must cleanse themselves of Boko Haram sympathizers who frustrate the efforts of their colleagues and endangering the lives all Nigerians who have become targets of the murderers. The military will need to be well funded to purchase equipment and train their officers. And the fund so provided must be judiciously spent.

C M Y K

14 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014

WAR ON CEMENT:

FG adopts Dangote’s high standard *Other producers grumble, protest

By FRANKLIN ALLI, EBUN SESSOU & ADERONKE ADEYERI,

T

o say that the last four months have been sleepless nights for local cement producers is no exaggeration.

Dangote Cement Plc is controlling over 60 percent of the market shares with 20 million metric tonnes while other players are Lafarge Nigeria comprising Lafarge WAPCO in the South-West, Ashaka Cem in the North , Atlas Cement and Unicem in the South-East, with a total capacity of 8.5 million metric tonnes.

No sooner had the local producers under Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria rejoiced for having led the country to attain selfsufficiency in cement production after more than 50 years of Nigeria’s history, than an unknown coalition of civil society groups and professional bodies in the construction industry cut their joy short.

The coalition ignited the tension in the industry in February this year.

They decried the use of 32.5 cement grade in construction works, arguing

that it was responsible for incessant building collapse across the country. They petitioned the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, to initiate actions and standardardise cement products in the country.

They believe that nearly all the cement manufacturers and importers in the country were in the habit of taking advantage of the lax in regulation to vary their pigmentation in favour of lower quality cement which is normally used in building works.

*Dangote

In a swift reaction, members of Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, defended their products, saying the quality of their products “conforms to the highest international standards and the industry is constantly working with the regulatory authorities to ensure up-todate testing, certification of products,

and quality norms.”

The manufacturers said “experience throughout the world has shown very clearly that cement quality is not the source of building collapse. Rather, the root cause is most frequently related to poor construction practices.

The level of skill, education and awareness in the construction sector

must be improved.”

On the other hand, Dangote Cement Plc, at a press briefing in Lagos, distanced itself from the producers of 32.5, saying it is the only company in Nigeria producing 42.5 high quality cement.

In a bid to respond to market demand for higher quality, Dangote also launched 52.5N high quality Portland cement grades into the market saying it is three times superior in strength than the normal 42.5.

Devakumar Edwin, Group Managing Director/ CEO, said that with the higher grade of cement quality, the incidence of building collapse in the country could be controlled.

“For the past three months, we have test-run the new products, and it is now available in the markets. In the second half of this year, we are coming out with yet another new superior product,” he disclosed.

He explained that the Portland cement is produced in conformity with Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS 444-1-2003) and other relevant standards.

He said that in addition to the 42.5, the 52.5grade are now being produced at the company’s three plants in Ibese, Ogun state, Gboko, Benue state and Obajana in Kogi Continues on page 15

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014 — 15

Cement shipments up by 6% in US, Puerto Rico

U

SGS has released its monthly data on the shipments of cement to final customers and the production of clinker in the US from January 2013 through March 2014. Data on the imports of cement and clinker for March 2014 and the year through March were also provided.

In March 2014, total shipments of Portland and blended cement in the US and Puerto Rico stood at 6.1 million t, up by nearly 6% y/y from March 2013. Shipments for the year through March were 15.7 million t, a rise of approximately 3% y/y from the same period in 2013.

Other producers grumble, protest Continues from page 14 state, and are selling for the same amount as the lower grade 42.5N type,” he said.

J

oseph Makoju, Honorary Adviser to the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, described the introduction of the new cement grade by the company as ground breaking.

“Nigeria is now one of the best quality producers of cement in the world. No matter the sophistication of the structure, this is the best grade for any civil construction. Dangote did not create the standard. The standard has been there. We have only blazed the trail by starting its production. It is good for lead bearing columns,” he said.

Nevertheless, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) quickly reacted to the outcry by the coalition, and set up a high powered technical committee to look at the existing grades of cement in the country with a view to recommending the best grades that should be in place for the good of the country.

The technical committee, headed by Professor Innocent Onyeyili, has its members drawn from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN); the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC); Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CMAN); the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI); and representatives of the Dangote Cement Company; Ibeto Cement; and Lafarge WAPCO.

Technical Committee’s Report

S

aturday Vanguard, learnt that SON Governing Council met recently in Abuja and approved the Technical Committee’s recommendations on the new cement standards, and that the C M Y K

recommendations have been forwarded to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, for final approval.

Saturday Vanguard also learnt that the new standard for cement production in Nigeria approved by the Technical Committee is Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS 444-12003).

The new guidelines mandated manufacturers to display on the cement bag labels, the following information: CEM I 52.5R and 52.5N for use in the construction of bridges.

CEM II 42.5R, 42.5N for use in the casting of columns, beams, slabs,

If you take the bag of cement produced here to France or Germany, you will find out it is the same quality, because in Lafarge, there is tight control blocks moulding. CEM I & II 32.5R, 32.5N for plastering of buildings only.

Reacting to the development, Lafarge Nigeria kicked against banning or limiting its 32.5 cement grades to plastering by the Nigerian authorities.

“Use of 32.5 is not the cause of building collapse. Rather, the cause is very well known – unqualified workers, contractors’ greed and nonadherence to building code and concrete standard,” said Joe Hudson, Managing Director/CEO Lafarge WAPCO. Hudson emphasised that contrary to competitor’s claim, 32.5 cement grades is not responsible for building collapse in the country. “The Oriental Hotel, Lagos; the twin towers in Kuala Lumpur, and the bridge linking Malaysia, were built with 32.5 grade of cement. Also, Sephaku Cement, our largest competitor in South Africa manufacturer 32.5 grade. If 32.5 is good for the South African and

Semen Indonesia begins construction of 3m tpa cement plant

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*Joe Hudson Kenyan markets, I don’t know why they are saying it is not good for Nigeria,” he said.

“A lot of noise has been going on in the industry in recent months and we want to demystify the noise and state our clear position. The competitor is “de-marketing”our product by linking it to building collapse. It is competition rather than technical issue. They are fighting our products, whereas people know that Elephant Portland cement stands the test of time,” said Hudson.

According to him, as a multinational company, the cement produced by Lafarge in Europe and other continents is the same as that manufactured and marketed in Nigeria.

He pointed out that with 181 years of cement manufacturing and over 50 years in Nigeria, quality in Lafarge is the same across the world.

“If you take the bag of cement produced here to France or Germany, you will find out it is the same quality, because in Lafarge, there is tight control. And we send our samples to our laboratories in over 16 countries for testing. It is meant to ensure we are complying. In Nigeria, more than 90 percent of our sales are 32.5 and we are certified by SON on quarterly basis,” he said.

“We are very surprised and shocked to hear that there is a new standard when the Standards Organisation of Nigeria has not informed us about the new standard. We have been worried that the standard could be changed.

If a new standard has been approved so quickly without conscious agreement from all the stakeholders,

Continues on page 16

emen Indonesia subsidiary Semen Padang has launched construction of its 3 million tpa Indarung VI cement plant in West Sumatra. According to reports the Rp.3.35 trillion (US$279.5 million) plant is scheduled to begin operations in 2H16. The new line brings Semen Padang’s total cement production capacity to 10.5 million tpa. The company is reported to have a 45% share of the market in Sumatra and western Java.

Last week, Semen Indonesia announced plans to acquire another cement company in Vietnam, namely Ha Long Cement. The move reflects Semen Indonesia’s ambition to become the market leader in the ASEAN region by branching out regionally.

The Concrete Initiative has been officially launched

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ecently the launch of The Concrete Initiative, which aims to engage stakeholders and raise awareness of concrete’s role in the development of sustainable construction in Europe. The initiative is composed of the European Cement Association (Cembureau), the European Federation of Precast Concrete (BIBM) and the European Ready-Mixed Concrete Organisation (ERMCO).

The launch took place in Brussels, bringing together key EU stakeholders to discuss sustainable construction and the regulatory framework required to achieve Europe’s goals.

16 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014

The rich will continue to construct even if the prices increase by 1000 percent—Nwani Continues from page 15 due process was not followed because the Technical Committee met recently and even the minutes of the meeting have not been circulated.”

Olivier Lenoir, Managing Director, UniCem, noted that an investor has just invested $500 million in the company, and just when the business has just taken off, the rule of the game is changing?

The other week, the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on the composition and pigmentation of cement in the country held a three day Public Hearing on the issue.

Hon Yakubu Dogara, Chairman of the Committee, noted: “There is no gainsaying the fact that the serial incidence of building collapse in the country has become a source of anxiety. Some have blamed substandard material including cement, while others have blamed it on lack of regulatory framework.”

Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal,

r. Vincent Nwani, the Director Research and Advocacy, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also commented on the issue, saying “The current development in the cement manufacturing industry is uncalled for, and it is a huge challenge for the industry.

According to Nwani, beyond quality and availability of the products in the market, the need for cement to sell at an accommodating price level cannot be over-emphasised.

“Of course, the rich will continue to construct even if the prices increase by 1000 percent. But a lot of middle class and poor people are at the mercy of this development. Before

important to address how building materials are used in building and in construction sites.”

Forcing competitors out of business is uncalled for, said Nwani. “In this industry, there is need for competition, especially between the big and small cement manufacturing companies, if not, there will be artificial monopoly and it is not good for the economy.

Forcing other cement manufacturing companies out of business will not only reduce the cement consumption per capital, but also reduce the ability of the middle class, as well as the poor, to build their own houses. There is a report (although not confirmed) that 80 percent of Nigerians live in rented apartments, especially in the urban and sub-urban cities. In South Africa, the ratio of people who live in rented apartments is 16 percent, while it is 22 percent in Ghana.

This suggests that there is need for

now, a bag of cement was sold for N1, 650. Right now, it goes for N2, 600, N2800 and N3000. Although, Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa, the capital consumption of cement in Nigeria is 0.09 tonnes, while in South Africa, it is 14 tonnes,” Nwani said.

Regarding the relegation of 32.5 grade cement to only plastering by SON, Nwani said, “If the Federal Government has approved 32.5 grades for only plastering, it is senseless. And it is not good for the economy. The problem is not the size or quality of the cement to be used but the mixture of other materials to be used for the construction. The most important aspect is the quality of the mixture and how builders are regulated. So, for us in LCCI, it is

Nigerians to build houses on Mortgage plans. Of course, cement is not only the raw material that is used for building, which means that increase in the price of cement has technically raised the prices of other building materials.

Lawmakers at the states level also lend their voices to the issue. The Chairman Committee on Commerce and Industry, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Bisi Yusuf, is worried about the high rise in price of cement in the country.

Market survey conducted by Saturday Vanguard, showed that a bag of cement which sold for N1, 650 before, now goes for N2, 600, N2, 800, and N3000, depending on the brand.

In a telephone interview with

cover the truth,” continues Osunkeye, “the truth will always prevail. Cement consumers in Nigeria know what is good for them. The professionals in the industry know what is suitable for the different applications.”

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Market survey conducted by Saturday Vanguard, showed that a bag of cement which sold for N1, 650 before, now goes for N2, 600, N2, 800, and N3000, depending on the brand. said that the lawmakers would not relent in their effort to unraveling the causes of building collapse in the country.

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ontributing, Hon. Ayi Essien, a member of the Ad hoc committee, said Nigerians are worried about the quality of cement as well as the professional administration of the cement in construction work.

Speaking at the public hearing, Director General of SON, Dr. Joseph Ikem Odumodu, defended the agency’s restriction of 32.5 grades of cement to plastering only, saying it is to mitigate the problem of building collapse in the country.

Odumodu said Nigeria cannot afford to be a pariah state on the issue of cement quality, adding that world’s progressive countries have since stopped using the low quality 32.5MPA. He said his organisation had restricted the use of 32.5MPA low grade and will enforce compliance, adding that SON had issued a directive that 52.5R be used for bridges; 42.5Rfor casting of columns, beams, slabs and for moulding blocks; while the low grade 32.5 can only be used for plastering.

Earlier, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, Chairman Lafarge WAPCO, described the recent happenings in the industry as “a mere competition activity and an attempt to fight rough. I must be quick to add here that we do not abhor competition in Lafarge. In fact, we view competition as the only good thing for any industry and the society at large, as it brings out the best in the player, especially when it is healthy.

“No matter how hard they try to C M Y K

Eurocement and Sberbank of Russia sign cooperation agreement

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urocement and Sberbank of Russia have signed a cooperation agree ment to secure funding for the construction of new dry process cement manufacturing plants in Russia. The agreement was signed by Herman Gref, CEO and Chairman of the Board at Sberbank, and Filaret Galchev, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Eurocement, during the XVIII St Petersburg International Economic Forum.The purpose of the agreement is to secure funding for new cement manufacturing plants being built in Russia, all of which will operate using the energy-efficient and environmentally clean dry process.

Dangote pushes for implementation of new cement standards *Denies de-marketing Lafarge Nigeria

BY FRANKLIN ALLI

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ANGOTE Cement Plc has called on the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, to begin immediate implementation of the new cement standards for the industry in the country even as it denied demarketing Lafarge products.

The new guidelines mandated local manufacturers to incorporate the following information on their bag of cement: CEM I 52.5R and 52.5N for use in the construction of bridges; CEM II 42.5R, 42.5N for use in the casting of columns, beams, slabs, blocks moulding; CEM I & II 32.5R, 32.5N for plastering of buildings only.

In a position statement on the new cement standardisation in the country, Etim Ekanem, Director, Dangote Cement Plc, noted , “Before the advent of 32.5, cement manufacturers including Lafarge were doing 42.5 when they were Blue Circles in WAPCO and Lafarge in AshakaCem ,everybody was producing 42.5; I would also refer you to a paper done by the Director General of SON that every cement company has the capacity to immediately switch over to the production of 42.5.

“In view of this, in fact, we call on SON to immediately go ahead and implement the new standards; yes, it may be a bit expensive but it doesn’t take time to switch over to 42.5.

Lafarge can do it; in fact, they are already doing it; if you look at their total production, a percentage of it is 42.5,” he said.

He posited that another reason for immediate implementation of the new standards for the industry is that both Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, CMAN, and Lafarge WAPCO, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), were among the 48 key stakeholders on the Cement Technical Committee set up by SON to review the existing grades of cement in the country and to recommend the best grades that should be in place for the good of the country.

So the new standards did not just happened over night, it went through stages before the Technical Committee submitted their reports to the Governing Council of SON and it went through the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment for approval before it came out papers,” he stated.

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, MAY 31, 2014—17

he Nigerian main nationalities represented by their delegates at the on going conference took brinkmanship to a new height last week.

The North reportedly set the tone when it published its stance on thorny issues of the conference. Not only did it demand the cancellation of derivation, it questioned the underlining principle behind it and implied that it more or less ‘carried’ the nation during the early days of nationhood when oil was not our main stay. So for the North, it is pay back time. Characteristically, the South, especially the Western part of it, refuted the claims and came out with demands of its own. It wanted autonomy or nothing according to published reports. It also wanted the right to secede at any time of its choice.

The South-South and the South-East were not too far behind in the scope of their demands. The South-South insisted on resource control without which it would go back to the trenches.

In fact, it wanted a minimum of 50% of derivation. The South-East appeared softer on the trenches front—perhaps given its recent past—but also insisted vehemently on a strong federation and autonomy. They all seemed to have raised the stakes in heating up the polity with their blackmail and counter blackmail.

As I see it, shorn of rhetoric, the North wanted the status quo to remain with maybe some fine tuning. It wanted a strong centre to control the army, police, judiciary etc. It wanted a common pool where the common wealth is collected and disbursed perhaps equally irrespective of origin. The South on the other hand, wanted a greater say in its affairs including resources, state police etc.

because greed is rising. It is not necessary because we are earning less.

We earn enough, even now, to fund the critical areas of the polity if we can change the structure of governance that pampers our leaders. As a brief example, compare our presidential fleet of aircrafts with that of the most prosperous country on earth. U.S has two, we have eleven. The U.K, our colonial master, has two official cars for its PM; we have 23 and want two more.A US Senator earns the equivalent of a university professor; our Senator earns the equivalent of 20 Vice Chancellors or more! We have 42 cabinet ministers. US with a population of 500million to our 180 million has 24 cabinet ministers. Need I go on?

Simply put, we run a ‘Rankadede’ structure. A structure that deifies whoever is at the top, be he a King, an Emir, a President or a military Head of State. He dispenses favour while the rest of us pay obeisance to him. How far he goes in making the rest of us ‘happy’, how far he goes in looting the treasury depends not us, but on his personality. This I mean to be his politics, his compassion, his values. He in turn surrounds himself with rentseeking elites who do his bidding and enrich themselves in the process. How far he goes in reining them in again depends on his personality. We expect him to be rich. We expect his lieutenants to be rich.

We are expected to be satisfied with the crumbs.

That is why 80% of our resources are used to cater for only 5% of the population. That is why we have a rising number of private jets when we don’t have a national carrier.

That is why we have private castles when majority don’t have homes to go to. That is why poverty is rising; why unemployment is rising; why insecurity is rising.

We know now, that our leaders whether from North or South, whether from the progressive, conservative or military, take care of themselves first because the structure allows them. So it does not matter whether we go back to the military or the parliamentary; whether it is unitary or federal; whether it is state or regional. We have to do something about our elites and their parasitic mentality. (You notice how they are replacing themselves with their children and wives).

A friend argued the other day that an enthronement of the rule of law would solve our problems. I agree only to the extent that it would curb impunity since that is the hallmark of this structure.

On a deeper level, we have to dismantle this rent seeking, extractive structure and replace it with an inclusive structure that recognises intellect, industry and rule of law. One that puts competence ahead of tribe, religion and birth because the son of a prince is not inherently smarter than the son of a peasant if the playing field is level.

Unfortunately, it would mean economic suicide for 80% of those talking tough at the conference.

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A US Senator earns the equivalent of a university professor;our Senator earns the equivalent of 20 Vice Chancellors or more!

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t is worth bearing in mind that if regional autonomy was so perfect, we would not have had a civil war and would not have needed to bring in the present system. And to those who want the present system to continue, if it was so good, we would not have this simmering discontent that has led to the convocation of the national conference.

This goes to show that neither the unitary system (having a strong centre) nor the federal system (having a weak centre) is inherently bad on its own.

While it can be argued that one would promote competition and enterprise and the other indolence and corruption, it can also be argued that one is a sure path to quick disintegration given the strong ethnic and religious cleavages in the country. It also shows – because we have tried the two— that neither the parliamentary system nor Executive Presidency system is inherently bad.

What is wrong— I have argued this in the past and will continue to argue it until I am hoarse— is the structure of governance. All these cries of changing the system— without changing the structure— are because insecurity is rising; because poverty is rising;

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Stop making excuses

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s it not a shame that so many are limited today in life because of ex cuses? Look all around you and you will find multitudes whose destinies are not fulfilled. So many have not even tried and yet they are quick to say I can’t. Check the history of those who have failed in life or given up and you will find one thing in common amongst them. That common thing is excuse.

Know for definite that people who are fond of excuses hardly breakthrough in life. They find it difficult discovering insights. They can hardly advance or progress in any given situation.

Listen to me, no matter the form it takes, an excuse is no reason for non-performance. Let’s look at a case in the bible in Gen. 3:9-13.

“And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And He said, who told thee that thou were naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, the woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the woman, what is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, the serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.”

This text states the origin of the fall of man. When God confronted Adam about his sin Adam blamed the woman. Similarly the woman blamed the devil. Instead of both of them to take responsibility for their actions they passed the buck. They gave excuses that could not bring restoration rather resulted in them been driven away from the Garden of Eden. They lost the presence of God wherein is fullness of joy and entered into sorrow, pain and all of its associates.

Beloved, do know that no matter your excuses God always know the truth and He usually holds us responsible for our actions. Also, know that what you make excuse for, you never repent of. No one can succeed in life with excuses if they

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Talking ttough ough

don’t confront their faults. Whatever form it takes, an excuse is no reason for non-performance. Prov. 22:13 states, “the slothful man saith, there is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets”.

The lazy person will always look for excuses not to do something. They will give you uncountable reasons why the task was not done. Now in Daniel 6, a decree was signed that no one should call on the name of any other god for thirty days or else such a person would be thrown into the lions’ den. This decree would have been a perfect excuse for Daniel not to pray so that he can be alive. But to Daniel the threat of death was not strong enough to make him give excuses as to why he could not pray.

What about the three Hebrew boys, while others were bowing to strange gods they refused to bow. Not even the threat of the king to increase the heat of the furnace seven times more could make them give excuse so that they too could bow. At the end of both cases you will find out that victory was their portion at the end of the day.

Until you stop making excuses, you never rise above your present level.

Listen, no one is responsible for your present status. Stop blaming people or the family that you came from as being the cause of the hardship. So many say the reason they did not go to school was because there was no one to train them. This is not true. If you look beside you or read history very well you will find people whose cases were worse than yours but stepped out and conquered their situation. Gideon in Judges 6 was arguing with the angel that he is not a mighty man of valour because of the things he saw physically. The angel however encouraged him to go in this his might. When he arose he won the battle. You see, most failures occur with people who have the habit of making excuses.

People who are in the habit of making excuses never get entrusted with A greater responsibilities. Remember the case of the man with one K talent in Matt. 25:15 & 25-28. He gave his master excuse for not A using the one talent and ended N up losing the talent while those who utilized their talent where B given greater assignments.

I Let me close by asking you a simple question. What do you think would have become of Barrack Obama, who is now the president of the United States of AmerA ica, if he had decided not to conN test for the presidency because he is a black man and that no black N man had ever become president.

His life would have been miseraA ble and full of regrets. Thank God N he refused to make excuses.

Until you stop making excuses, you never rise above your present level

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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.

18—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014

When I first flew a plane!

They told me not to go beyond 8,000 feet to 9,000 feet but determination forced me to do otherwise, so I actually hit 11,000 feet

*21-year-old pilot recounts her first experience in the air

BY PETER DURU, MAKURDI

In this interview, Rosemary Sugh, a 21-year old graduate of Nigerian School of Aviation Technology, Zaria, tells Saturday Vanguard how she flew an aircraft from Zaria enroute Abuja, Kano and back to Zaria. Excerpts: Who are you?

My name is Rosemary Sugh. I am the fourth born of my mother from the family of five. I am from Kwande local government area. I was born on November 14, 1992, I am, therefore, 21 years old.

What prompted you to go into the aviation industry?

It was my childhood determination.

When I look up and see planes flying and making noise , I was like, God, I have to be a pilot. And it helped me in the sense that the kind of movies I watched, one of the movies was Starship Trooper. When I watched that movie I saw a women flying because.

There was a lot of discouragement from my parents and other people. They assumed that if you are a lady and you are a pilot, you may not marry, you can’t cope with marriage. So, when I saw a lady in that Starship Trooper, I was moved. I said wow, if this girl can fly, then I can fly. And I put it into prayers, despite all the obstacles and discouragement.

Okay, what did you discover when you went to the aviation school?

I found exactly what I always thought of, I found what I wanted - to get into the cockpit and get an aircraft fly into the skies.

Before getting into the aviation school, what was your educational qualification?

I went to three secondary schools; the First one was Government Day Secondary School, Uke in Gboko. The second one, I started SS 1 which was at St John’s Secondary School. I was made the assistant head girl of the school and after my exams, I failed Mathematics. I went back and registered for a re-sit of my exams at St Francis Secondary School, Ikurav-Ya, Ikyogen and I got credit passes in eight subjects, that was what helped me.

After that I also did my computer studies at Miracle Computer Centre in Kaduna State.

Have you been able to update your qualification after you left the aviation school?

That’s what am doing right now. I’m in one hundred level at the university right. I mean the Open University.

As a pilot, what will you do if you are not feeling strong?

I don’t fly, if I don’t want the organization to feel bad I will say I am not fit to fly. Because it is a rule that if a pilot is having headache, he should not fly, if a pilot is having a little fever he should not fly at all. You save yourself and the lives of others who would have flown with you if you

Rosemary Sugh

insisted to fly.

So, as a girl are you not afraid of heights, I mean high altitudes?

I’m not afraid because I remember when I started flying alone, if you are flying alone it is a strange feeling, they told me not to go beyond 8,000 feet to 9,000 feet but determination forced me to do otherwise, so I actually hit 11,000 feet.

So, you flew above 9,000?

Yes, I was maintaining 11, 000 feet because where you are going

determines the kind of altitude you maintain. So, I maintained 11, 000 feet in the sense that, you know we have tall mountains in Jos, so, if you are going there you have to be careful of the kind of altitude that you maintain otherwise you may crash into a mountain. So, I decided on my own, nobody told me because I was alone and decided to maintain 11, 000. Guess what? There were very high mountains everywhere and I discovered that the experience was wonderful.

Yes, I was alone. You must fly in that route alone to prove how competent you are. I flew from Zaria to Jos, then Kano and back to Zaria. I spent like five hours in the air because it is a small engine, it doesn’t move fast. It covers 1.5 nautical miles in one minute, so that’s what made me spend like five hours but if it is a heavy duty machines, it’s different.

How did you feel after you landed?

I felt like a complete pilot, I’ve fulfilled my dream.

So, which plane did you fly?

I have flown three planes so far and am ready to fly more. I flew TD9, that was the first one I started my training on.

The is the first plane anybody who is going to train in Zaria will start with. We call it TD9ner, in the aviation language, that is the way we communicate. . Then the next one was TD20, then the third one was a Multi Engine, B68. It’s a three-engine actually.

So, how are you relating with your friends?

Actually, every friend will feel good, some will feel jealous and some will be envious. It’s normal.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014—19

DERIVATION

We almost fought like Mike Tyson —Mantu

How North and South pulled back from the brinks at Confab

Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu was the deputy president of the Senate between 2000 and 2007 and is currently, a delegate at the National Conference from the North-Central zone. In this interview, he gives insights into the deliberations of his Committee on Devolution of Powers and how the eminent Nigerians in the committee turned mutual suspicion to camaraderie. Excerpts

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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ow would you describe your time in the ongoing conference?

So far, I can describe the conference as a huge success. Huge success in the sense that for the first time we brought people from different parts of the country with divergent views and they are being given the opportunity to speak out their minds on issues that have been very, very controversial in the nation. And as you can see when we started debating the president’s speech, everybody’s position came out very clearly because there were some people who came with a mindset that I am here to achieve this. It is either this or nothing.

Like my committee, the Devolution of Power, the committee carries most of the sensitive issues. So, there were heated moments that people almost become like Mike Tyson and the rest of them. Of course, appeals from well meaning members calmed down nerves and we brought people back to table to discuss meaningfully and so on. The good news is that in spite of all these positions, we were able to arrive at consensus or at least unanimous decisions in almost all the issues.

I believe that we need to make sacrifices.

But the most important thing, the greatest news of the century is the fact that in the course of this work, we have discovered that every state in Nigeria has not one, two or three different types of mineral resources including the oil producing states. If not that we have neglected the solid minerals sector; if we pay attention to it and develop the solid minerals sector; look at bitumen, I think we have the largest deposit in the world but it is untapped in Ondo State. And then, we are now importing bitumen for our roads.

Why? We could have sufficient for our use and then export the rest to the needy world but we are not doing that. They said that the gold in Zamfara is even better than the one in Ghana, but it remains in the ground and

I hope that government will immediately put to use, is to say that 4.5 percent of our national revenue should go into development of other resources that are not tapped yet

so on and so forth. I believe that one of the greatest decisions we took at the Devolution of Power Committee which I am very happy about and I hope that government will immediately put to use, is to say that 4.5 percent of our national revenue should go into development of other resources that are not tapped yet, so that in the next 5 years or so, every state of this federation will bring something to the table and when everybody sees everybody contributing, then, of course, the issue of looking at other people as parasites will not be there. There will be more unity, better understanding, friendliness, respect and so on.

Some people felt shortchanged with the decision not to increase the derivation percentage?

Well, I don’t know. Apart from one person that I noticed talking to the press or feeling bad about the decisions that we took, I am not aware of any member of our committee feeling bad about the decisions that we took.

What is important is that we should remember that while the people where these resources are being found came with the intention of gaining more than they currently have, there are those who came with the feeling that offshore should be totally removed.

As of now, Akwa Ibom takes the lion share from the federation account. If you remove offshore, Akwa Ibom will become like Zamfara; will become like Jigawa, because there will be nothing for them at all to share.

They don’t have even a single onshore resource. So, many people came and said look the land belongs to the state but high seas of the nation belong to the nation. So, therefore, there is no justification for any state to claim resources from the high sea and they were very, very dogged and resolute about it. Now, for us to be convinced and allow status quo to remain, it wasn’t an easy task.

So, the South-South gained tremendously.

That they were able to at least argue their way and allow onshore/offshore dichotomy to remain is a major success for the SouthSouth delegates where this oil is found.

Would you say now that the cord of unity between the south and the north has been strengthened after the work?

I can say that your observation is absolutely correct because even in my committee, I don’t know, it was not arranged, not by deliberate arrangement. But the sitting arrangement so happened that those from the north just happened to be sitting together.

What happened was that some people arrived earlier on the day of the beginning of the job. Naturally you know when you are conversing, you will sit down. So, by the time the leadership came and sat down, everybody just remained where he was sitting.

And it so happened that on the right hand side of the leadership, starting from me sitting very close to them was about 99 percent of northerners. But later on, some people on their own just decided to change their seats and mix. That was the beginning. So, to say that what started even from the sitting arrangement, people who were hostile and discriminatory to each other ended up embracing each other for a job well done, I think it is a major, major achievement.

Some of you have formed the National Unity Forum. Is this an agenda Some people are now wondering whether the conference is now skewed to the realization of the second term ambition of the President even though you spoke on issues that touch on the conference.

Thank you very much for asking this question. First and foremost, the national unity forum was actually formed immediately we were inaugurated. We discovered that so many of us are from the National Assembly and there were many of us who had interacted politically at different fora at different times. So, this special conference became a rallying point for most of us. There are people I have not seen for about 30 years and yet we were together during NRC, NPN era.

But we are being reunited courtesy of this conference. And we know that all over the world, in conferences like this, there are interest blocs; like-minded people who come together and brainstorm on the issues and see how all of them can actually go on the same direction. We are over a hundred members. We call ourselves National Unity Forum.

20—SA TURD AY 20—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014

Upland, Riverine dichotomy tears Rivers PDP

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

BAR NYESOM WIKE

PRINCE TONYE PRINCEWILL

,,

ORT HARCOURT: THIS is certainly not the best of times for the Rivers state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP. The party is torn between the upland and river-rine people regarding which area should produce the next governor of the state?

The dilemma has sown animosity among some chieftains of the party particularly with the rumoured ambition of the Supervising Minister of Education, Mr.Nyesom Wike to run for governor of the state in the next year’s general polls.

Like President Goodluck Jonathan who has not personally announced his intention to run for a second term ,his Supervising Minister of Education, Mr .Wike has also not declared publicly that he wants to run for governor.

However, in a phone-inradio programme, he said that he is qualified to be the next governor of the state.

Even if Wike has not made a public pronouncement on his political aspiration for 2015, the activities of the party’s leadership at the state level and in some local government areas have continued to polarise the party along the divide of the river-rine and the upland.

Groups like Rivers PDP Third force Movement within the party in the state led by Oprite Amachree was among those that first took on the state Chairman of the party, Mr. Felix Obua ,for allegedly saying, “Mr .Wike would emerge standard bearer of the party in the next general elections.”

The group in its statement , vowed to mobilise and see to it that the expression of the state Chairman did not come to pass.

For the group, it was the turn of the river-rine people to produce the next governor of the state. A front-line member of the party and publisher of a provincial paper, .Mr. Opunabo NkoTariah also added his voice to statements condemning move by the party leadership to concede the governorship ticket to Mr. Wike, who is also from the same Ikwerre ethnic group with governor

Even if Wike has not made a public pronouncement on his political aspiration for

2015, the activities of the party’s leadership at the state level and

in some local government areas have continued to polarise the party along the divide of the river-rine and the upland

BAR NIMI WALSON-JACK

FELIX OBUAH

Chibuike Amaechi who would have done two terms of eight years by 2015.

At the moment , a long list of chieftains of the party are aspiring to succeed governor Amaechi at the end of his tenure. They include, a former governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress, AC, Prince Tonye Princewill and the former General Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Nimi Walson-Jack.

Princewill who spoke to newsmen recently on his governorship aspiration dismissed insinuations in several quarters that the Supervising Minister, Mr .Wike had already been anointed by the presidency to succeed governor

Amaechi. Wife of President Goodluck Jonathan in media reports pledged to support Wike to become the governorship of the state.

Princewill during his media chat said that all aspirants would slug it out during the primaries of the party. He said he had set up a committee to advice him if he should run and if the body says he should no force within or outside the party would stop him Fielding questions from newsmen on a day he announced his intention to run for the governorship seat on the platform of the party, Mr Walson-Jack who was also a former Electoral Commissioner in the Rivers state Independent Electoral

Commission, RSIEC said the upland/riverine dichotomy was a political divide created by nature for the state.

According to him, it explained why the state had governors from the upland area with their deputies from the riverine and vice versa.

Mr Walson-Jack argued against zoning of the governorship seat along senatorial lines, insisting that it had never been so in the state.

According to him, in some senatorial district, you find both upland and riverine people, so rotating office along senatorial district would amount to shortchanging a section of the state if care was not taken.

A view which appeared to redefine the boundaries of upland and riverine dichotomy came from the former Chief Press secretary to governor Amaechi, Mr Blessing Wikina. According to him, any part of the state now accessed by road should no longer be labelled riverine, arguying that they were riverine in pre historic times.

He further argued that almost all parts of the state is bounded by river.

Meantime, the factional Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon Evans Bipi recently led some Okrikans to endorse the Supervising Minister of Education, Mr Wike as their governorship candidate for the next election.

“All members of the PDP of Okrika extraction, comprising Okrika and parts of Port Harcourt city local government area of Rivers state are by this statement compelling Chief Bar Ezenwo Nyesom Wike to pick the governorship form when they are out for sale and contest the governorship seat of Rivers state on the party’s ticket and he is sure to get the full backing of the Wakirike ethnic nationality”, he said during the exercise.

How the PDP manages the issue of which area between the upland and riverine dichotomy should produce the next governor of the state will largely determine the fate of the party in coming elections.

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, MAY 31, 2014—21

C M Y K

22— SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014

Langbasa is a name of of dance dance name — Triple Triple TT —

By DAMILOLA SHOLOLA

C

haizor Emmanuel (Ydee) and Micheal Nwaogbue (Miko) popularly known as Triple T are a dynamic duo known for their hit song Legge, featuring Timaya.

They have just released a new song titled Langbasa that is getting massive airplay and in the clubs.

They are currently signed to Gold Heart Productions and are working on their first album. In this exclusive interview with vanguard, they talk about their music and what people are to expect.

When did you start your music career?

I would say we started our music career back in school. That was in 2006 at Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra state.

How did you guys meet?

We met back then in school and found we could do something good together. Then, I was in a musical group while my partner was in another musical group. When we met for a show and found we have

things in common that could complement each other we decided to stay together. We have been together ever since.

Who inspired you to go into music?

Ydee: I love 2face music. His music is inspirational. I love Dbanj and Wizkid too.

Miko: Nigerian music inspired me to go into music. For me, I went into music after listening to 2Face’s African Queen. It was so inspirational that it made me see that Nigerian music could go far and then I knew you could make money through Nigerian music How would you classify your style of music?

Our style of music is Afro-hip-hop and dancehall party. We do songs that will inspire people and when you hear it, you feel it. We come out with the best.

How did the name Triple T come about?

The name Triple T stands for Two Tall Talented.

How many singles have you done so far?

We have done Legge, and there is Amaka which we did with Sean

It was a big achievement working with Timaya and we’re really grateful and we hope to do more things with other musicians

Tero. We did Legge with Timaya and now we just decided to do our own without featuring anybody. So we have Langbasa.

How was it like working with Timaya?

Ydee: Working with Timaya was a good experience.

Timaya is very talented. So working with him gives me encouragement and makes me want to work harder. To work with a big artiste like Timaya is not an easy thing. You have to summon courage and make sure that you’ve prepared yourself for the industry. So it’s a nice thing working with Timaya.

Miko: It was a dream come true because Timaya is one of the biggest musicians in Nigeria. He inspired us. Me and Ydee learnt a lot from him; like how to compose a set while recording, all those things. It was a big achievement working with Timaya and we’re really grateful and we hope to do more things with other musicians.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014 —23

BY JULIET EBIRIM

The entertainers’ views on democracy celebration

D

efined as the government of the people, by the people, and for the people, Nigerians have continued to express mixed feelings over governance as the country marks its 15th year of democracy. With the current wave of insecurity, terrorism, violence and chaos threatening people’s liberty and freedom which are all contrary to the tenets of democracy, hear what Nigerian entertainers have to say:

It is worth celebrating – Rhymzo, Reggae Artiste

I

believe it is worth celebrating because we’ve witnessed a democracy that is growing and has improved from the previous years. Lately, the freedom of speech and expression has helped a lot of people to make statements against the government of the day that would have put them in jail if it were in the past. Moreover, the military hasn’t seen the current national security crises as opportunity to take over the government. It is something to celebrate for sure.

Democracy! Are we truly free?

- Foluke Daramola, Actress Democracy means freedom. But are we truly free from oppression, tyranny, hunger, corruption, bad governance, insurgency etc. It’s as if we live in bondage in Nigeria. The poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer. There is no middle class in Nigeria and that’s why nothing works and insurgents are gradually taking over the nation.

Democracy day should be a day of sober reflection for Nigerians.

There is hope - Ruth Kadiri, Actress

O

f course, our democracy is worth celebrating. As long as there is life, there’s hope. We have a country of our own and we live in a democratic era. We can only hope that things will get better.

We are sla slavves in our o wn countr own countryy

Nigeria will get better

- Ovo’ Daniez Gabriels, Actress, Presenter

- Benita Nzeribe, Actress

W

hat’s worth celebrating? Is it the deadly game people in power now play with people’s lives, the do or die politics? Is it the Boko Haram we want to celebrate? Is it the grief and agony people are currently going through because of the selfishness of our politicians? Is it the tears we individually shed each time we hear about a bomb blast? Nothing is worth celebrating! We are now slaves in our own country. Our great nation is in shambles. The giant of Africa is falling apart, and our center can no longer hold. Our motherland is under siege. We are mourning. It is no time for celebration. It’s a time to unite, repent, fast and pray for God’s intervention. We should not let the labours of our past national heroes be in vain.

C M Y K

Despite the high rate of insecurity and other economic challenges we face every day, I still believe that Nigeria will get better. Terrorists and the security situation in the country cannot force us to neglect the values and visions of our founding fathers. We pray for God’s intervention in our nation’s democracy.

24 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014

FLORENCE AMAGIYA, 08061644307 daise4000@yahoo.com

WITH FLORENCE AMAGIYA

10 likely your way

Not a few teachers of rules for success believe that success is transferable; that one can achieve the same result by doing exactly what another successful person had done. often, many people try to become someone else they admire without knowing the prices they paid to get where they are.

In this piece, we consider 10 hurdles Genevieve and Omotola scaled to become what they are today. May be, if you do exactly what they did,you may achieve exactly what they have achieved as super stars: GENEVIEVE NNAJI * Don’t despise humble beginnings Genevieve Nnaji started her acting career as a child actor in the then popular television soap opera, Ripples, at the tender age of eight. She also featured in several commercials including Pronto beverage and Omo detergent. In 1998, at the age of 19, she made her debut in the growing Nigerian film industry with the movie, Most Wanted. As an upcoming actress trying to carve out a niche for herself, she accepted various minor roles anticipating that one big break. *Stay consistent, even when the going gets tough Genevieve's subsequent movies were Last Party, Mark of the Beast, and Ije. Ije is still considered to be one of her best epic performances till date.

Having starred in over 80 movies in Nollywood, Genevieve believes that “it is not how far, but how well things are done that is important." As a result, she became loved by many, envied by many more, and respected by all her colleagues. * Know when your fan base is growing and use it to your advantage The name, Genevieve, became a household name, and her image, the dream of every young girl. In 2002, she starred in the movie titled Sharon Stone, and consequently her fame shot beyond the shores of Nigeria to the rest of Africa and several European countries. One can say that through the buzz, Genevieve reinvented the Nigerian film Industry, introducing Nollywood to the rest of the world. Her appeals to the Kenyans, Liberians, South Africans, and Ghanaians, who avidly watch Nigerian home videos were tremendous. And as a result, she is leading the movie market into new territories today. *Do not wait for someone else to sell you; sell yourself Genevieve took extra step to project herself beyond the shores of Nigeria by launching a website way back in 2003, which arguably became the most-visited Nigerian site on the Internet. Her fame spread like wildfire. With envy, a jolly virus (3549) hit on 355 pages in two weeks! *Know when to enjoy the euphoria and the awards that come with hard work In recognition of her immense contributions to the Nigerian film industry, Genevieve bagged numerous awards, some in Dublin, London, and the United States. She won City People's 2001 Best Actress of the Year,

•Mud makeup

and in 2005, the inaugural edition of the prestigious African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

Genevieve emerged with the highest votes. She graced several billboards and television stations with her enduring smile and personality

*Know when to try your hands in other stuffs In 2004, a search for the face of Lux was embarked upon, and out of several celebrities all over Africa, Genevieve emerged with the highest votes. She graced several billboards and television programmes with her enduring smile and personality. The same year, she was contracted by a Ghanaian record label to record an album, which got immense attention locally and in several African countries. *Always remember to give back to Society; you won’t regret it With several movies to her credit and numerous fans around the world, in a bid to give back to society, Genevieve, in 2008, launched her clothing line, St. Genevieve, which donates a percentage of its proceeds to charity like orphanages. In 2009, Genevieve made history by being the first Nigerian actress to be profiled on the Oprah Winfrey Show on an episode about the most popular people around the world.

Genevieve is the highest paid and most demanded actress in Nollywood today.

Genny, as she is fondly called, was appointed the official face of make-up designing in Nigeria. She got a deal also as the face of a US and South African brand known as MUD and another endorsement by Cintron energy drink for N50 million.

*Do more business and take a souvenir home for good measure *Know when to take your stakes to the In June 2012, she was unveiled as the movers brand ambassador of Range Rover Envogue by Coscharis Motors. She was also given a white Range Rover Sport SUV Geneveive Range Rover Sport and was reportedly paid $100,000 for the deal. *Last, but not the least; raise your stakes so high that it would even blow your own mind while receiving the accolades from the president of your country himself!

Genevieve Nnaji is one of the few stars with a national award by the President of Nigeria for her hard work. She was also signed by Polo for an endorsement which is worth N50m. She was paid millions of naira for being one of the new ambassadors for Amstel Malta drink. She also recently penned an endorsement with a Telecommunications Company, Etisalat as the new brand Ambassador for Easy Flex to the tune of N100m. She recently starred in Half of a Yellow Sun, produced by Africa’s prolific writer, Chimammanda Adichie. Today, she charges nothing less than N2m for any job done in Nollywood.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014 — 25 The screen goddess lost her father in 1991 and her mother in 2012. It was indeed a sad period for our screen queen. *You can still do much more if you want to Itching to connect with her huge fan base on a more personal level, OmoSexy, as her fans call her, launched a long-awaited music career in 2005 with the release of her debut album, titled, Gba. The album featured the singles, Naija Lowa and The Things You Do To Me. Her sophomore album, Me, Myself, and Eyes brought in production from Paul Play and Del B, featuring the songs, Feel Alright ft. Harry Song and Through the Fire ft. Uche.

hurdles on to stardom

*Always know when to give back for all the blessings Omotola added philanthropy to her many functions. She needed to give back to society through her NGO project known as the Omotola Youth Empowerment Project (OYEP). The undertaking brings hundreds of youths together for the Empowerment Walk and Convention. One of the program’s projects includes the 20 Widows Makeover.

The program received a nomination for Best Charity/Cause Related Event at the Nigerian Event Awards in 2012 and continues to operate in remembrance of Omotola’s late mother.

O

MOTOLA JALADE EKEINDE

*Get busy with life till you get your big break Omotola Jalade Ekeinde started out as a model in 1994, and she was at it until destiny brought her and a friend to an audition. *Pray to be at the right place at the right time Omotola got introduced to acting by escorting a friend to an audition. She landed herself a deal in acting and did her first movie in 1995 titled Venom of Justice. Later, she was given the lead role in the movie, which set the stage for a flourishing career in the Nollywood film industry. Omotola Ekeinde got her first big role in the film Mortal Inheritance (1995) The film is regarded as one of Nigeria’s best movies ever made. Ever since then, she has not looked back and she has starred in several blockbuster movies including Games Women Play, Blood Sisters, Ije and others. *Go back and make the best of your opportunities by working on yourself After a career-defining role in Mortal Inheritance, Omotola’s portrayal won her “The Best Actress in an English Speaking Movie”award and the “Best Actress Overall” award at the 1997 THEMA (The Movie Awards). Omotola was the youngest actress in Nigeria at this time to achieve this feat. By mid 2000, Omotola had catapulted into the A-list category. Omotola was awarded ‘Best Actress in a Supporting Role’ during the African Movie Awards in 2005.

•Omotola and husband

SierraOwn Up, Pay Up campaign Delta. She has UN ambassador (World Food Programme) since

•Omotola's children

*Don’t relax, stay consistent In the late 90’s and early 2000's Omotola starred in several sequel movies, leading her to a Grand Achiever Award on behalf of the Global Excellence Recognition Awards in 2004. *At the point of accolades, if your Mr. right shows up, get married in 1996, she got married to a pilot, Captain Matthew Ekeinde, her husband of sixteen years. The couple later wedded on board a Dash 7 aircraft while flying from Lagos to Benin in 2001 with close family and friends present.

Omotola gave birth to her first daughter on the 30th of March 1997. Together, they have four children: Princess, M.J, Meriaih and Michael. Aside from being a wife, mother, and on-screen performer, Omotola has always had a passion for writing so much that she was offered a column in a Nigerian Newspaper. The now famous column titled Omotola’s Diary features writings about her life, experiences and viewpoints. Her other works include poems and co-written scripts for many of the films in which she has starred.

In 2011, Omotola was invited to attend the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, CA, in recognition of her work with Amnesty International and her song, Barren Land, which was featured in a public service announcement, addressing the Shell Oil spill in the Niger Delta. *Don’t forget that even the super men are also humans

Omotola has since in 2012 been starring in her very own reality TV-show airing on Africa’s most popular network, Africa magic TV. The show, called “Omotola: The Real me,” has become the most viewed television series in Africa as well as making her the first Nigerian to ever have a reality television show

Her activism and philanthropy continues with Save The Children UK, Enough is Enough, and Amnesty International, working for causes like the Maternal Mortality struggle in Leone and the Up and Clean for Niger remained a for the WFP 2005.

*Relax and take more of the accolades. You are getting there She marked another career high in 2012, precisely on October 27th when she was awarded The Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts BEFFTA Icon Award, an exclusive honorary award for her outstanding contributions to the global film industry. She acknowledged the recognition as an extremely special moment for her, stating, “this is the best award I have ever received on a global level.”

Rule Number Ten, but not the least: Know when to sell yourself abroad; you can do it yourself…

Omotola has since in 2012 been starring in her very own reality TV-show airing on Africa’s most popular network, Africa magic TV. The show, called “Omotola: The Real me,” has become the most viewed television series in Africa as well as making her the first Nigerian to ever have a reality television show.

And in February 2013, Omotola’s popularity was still rising when it was announced that she had passed the one million likes mark on Facebook, the world’s most visited social network site. Shortly after, it was announced that the fair complexion beauty from Ondo State was named one of TIME Magazine’s Most Influential People in the World on the 2013 TIME 100.

26— SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014

By AYO ONIKOYI, 08052201215

Bitch making money

•Tiwa Savage

More outcries over Tiwa Savage’s raunchy video

– Maheeda

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here has been so much that has been writen about the gospel singer, Caroline Sam, who calls herself Maheeda. The prostitute turned born-again Christian has said time without number that she loves sex and has it everyday, that, when she could not find the sex she wants she resorts to using various sex toys for masturbation, to get the satisfaction she desires.

Though she has claimed she doesn’t prostitute any more since she married her husband but there are some doubts as the lady later claims that “every woman should use what they have to get what they want”.

In one of her trips, Maheeda, who many thought had gone for shows abroad confessed in an interview that she did not perform but just sat around, sipping some champagne and she was paid some $3000 for her effort. “Isn’t that cool? Because they want to see that raunchy chick” she said.

Now, the Holy Chick as she calls herself has been in Holland for a while, business or pleasure, she never said, until she posted a picture of herself as the Display Picture on her Blackberry with a tag “Bitch making money”, •Maheeda flaunting some dollar bills.

M

AVIN first Lady, Tiwa Savage, hasn’t been having a quiet time lately. The singer has been under fire for raunchy display of her sensuality in the past months. First was her onstage erotic dance with a fan, which left her exposing most of her panties and laps. Now, the focus is on her new video, Wanted, where the singer was presented as being totally nude.

Though her husband and manager, Tee Billz, has replied some critics that he fully endorsed the video, that, Tiwa, “can only be the best by being like the best”, probably referring to Beyonce.

Yet most of her fans have

Lynxx

says his new crush is

Ashanti R

ich boy turned singer and rapper, Lynxx, has a lot going for him musically as he is enjoying some good things of life as a Glo ambassador, among other things. But it seems the rapper’s libido may just be getting as big as his spiralling career.

•Lynxx •Ashanti

expressed total outrage at the video.

“I like Tiwa, but costume is unnecessary I will say.

However the international picture the industry want to be portraying but we have to always remember we live in a conscious society that frowns at nudity, however the thickness of the shear outfit she wore” she a fan Another fan opined as follows “Nigerians should stop trying hard to imitate Hollywood. Our culture is beautiful. Those of us out here actually understand how important and safe our culture has kept our people, our children and that why we crave home. But Nigerians want to be Americans so bad, we are losing it! Haven’t heard thus music but I bet it ll still be sweet if she sang it with her clothes on. Sad” But after the stage saga, Tiwa Savage has replied her critics in clear terms. “You ain’t seen nothing yet”, and it doesn’t appear her husband has any qualms about it.

Not so long ago, the handsome dude expressed his mind that he has a crush on singer, Chidinma, Ekele, whom he said cuts a picture of her kind of woman. He revealed that he loves her petite, seductive figure. This confession has barely sunk in before Lynxx posted a picture of himself and Chidinma on Instagram, kissing.

Though, it was Lynxx making all the moves.

But on Wednesday, the rapper posted what must have made Chidinma gone green with envy as he posted a luscious picture of American singer, Ashanti, with a clip message “My newest crush! @ashanti #WCW #ThatBodyisRidicTho #ComeHollaAtThisAfricanPrince #Bae #Offkess

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014 — 27

By AYO ONIKOYI, 08052201215

I could let a guy touch my boobs — Harmony M

ove over Maheeda. Tiwa Savage isn’t just as gusty.

Not even Adokiye has the wild streak, the new sensational singer, Harmony is letting off to the world. Born as Emike Ekwe, Harmony, as she is called, announced her arrival on the Nigerian music scene with a single, Chocolate, which is billed for release on Monday.

A hot item as always, Harmony recently told Vanguard in an interview that she sees no problem in going nude in her video if the script says she should. She said she is a complete professional who follows her script

to the letter.

Also in a more recent chat the fair-skinned sexy lady confirmed her later assertion by adding that she could do anything that is required of her in front of the cameras, going nude or even trying deeper tricks.

“I could kiss, I could let a guy touch my boobs, I could let a guy smack my ass, I can kiss a girl, like wet kiss in a music video, but if that is what the script says” she said.

You can read her whole interview in Saturday Vanguard in next two weeks

•Harmony

I have a special feeling for

I get uneasy whenever I go shopping with my

By AINA IYABO fiancée — Dr.Sid

Skelewu — Davido

•Davido

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KN boss, David Adedeji Adeleke, better known by his stage name, Davido, recently told the world that his billionaire father never felt comfortable with his choice of pursuing music as a career because the old man felt most musicians are never-do-well.

“My dad was initially apprehensive about me doing music because many people who went into music made nothing out of it. But

when I became successful he was so happy that he let me do what I wanted do. All he wanted for me was to be successful. It didn’t matter what I wanted to do if it was swimming or athletics. He just wanted me to be successful in whatever I did.

That is really his focus “ He said.

However in a separate encounter with Showtime the Aye crooner confessed that depsite his many hit songs like Dami Duro, Skelewu, and now Aye, Skelewu has a special place in his heart. “ That’s a tough one o. From back then down to Aye I’ve loved them all. But I may just have a special feeling towards Skelewu” he said when he was asked which of his singles is the best he has done to date.

•Dr Sid and Simi Osomo

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opular Surulere crooner, Dr. Sid, graced the now famous couch of the web TV The Juice TV and the hit-maker opened up to the presenter,Toolz, about his fiancee, Simi Osomo, lamenting about her excesses and says he sometimes gets uneasy whenever they

both go for shopping.

“We’ve gone for shopping together, and I can’t stand some of her shopping habits, but you know as a man, I must be supportive, and she has opened my eyes to some of the finer things in life and I appreciate and respect that”, he said.

Dr Sid who’s real name is Sidney Esiri went public with his relationship few weeks after he posted photos of Simi on his Instagram page. He later stepped out in public with the lawyer-turned fashionista when they attended Pop singer Emma Nyra’s birthday party on July 18, 2013. Up until now, he has not been linked with any other woman as a love interest.

28 — SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, MAY 31, 2014

08111813022

AMAA 2014: The inside story!

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t was a night of glitz and celebration of the best in African film sector as the 10th edition of the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Award held last Saturday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. But besides, the low and high moments of this year’s AMAA, the star-studded event lived up to its billing as African OSCAR. Hosted by Segun Arinze; Nigerian-born British actor, LIoyd Nathaniel; and Ghana’s Nana Asokor, the event was exceptional as it was glamorous. Here is the blow-by-blow account of the events that proceeded the awards night. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Peace AniyamOsigwe resigns!

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Ibinabo, Clarion Chukwura cease fire on AMAA stage A

NOTHER interesting happening that will linger in the minds of those that graced this year’s AMAA was the deliberate attempt by the organisers to bring the two warring actresses, Ibinabo Fiberesima and Clarion Chukwura together for the first time.

Before the awards ceremony, Fiberesima who is the incumbent President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria,AGN, and veteran actress, Clarion Chukwura were seeming enemies. The two were at loggerheads for months, following the latter’s intention to run down the former’s leadership of the actors’ body.

But at this year’s AMAA, the warring actresses showed their readiness to end the feud.

Surprisingly, while Clarion Chukwura climbed the stage to receive her award as the Best Actress in Africa, Ibinabo was quick to identify with her victory. She was seen nodding her head in agreement, while Chukwura was presenting her acceptance speech to the surprise of many who have

•Clarion Chukwura

been following their face-off as reported in the media. At other time, Ibinabo was also sighted raising her hands and showing solidarity to the actress who has frequently accused her of using the platform of the guild to advance her personal interest. Chukwura could not be contacted for her reaction, but it was certain that Ibinabo has shown her readiness to make peace with the star of “Apaye.”

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•Peace Aniyam-Osigwe

FTER steering the ship of AMAA for 10 years, Peace AniyamOsigwe has stepped down as president of the academy. She announced this at this year ’s edition of the prestigious award which held last weekend, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

According to her, she wants to try her hands on other things. She sustained the AMAA brand for ten years. ‘I believe, as we celebrate 10 years of the AMAAs, that we have sown the seed to achieve his dream. The seed has germinated, however, we all have to water the plant to see that it grows and blossoms and bears bountiful fruit. This is the AMAA journey.’

‘It has been a journey of sheer determination, perseverance, staying power and faith. These characteristics

have been the driving force behind the organization of the AMAAs. In spite of the many challenges with funding and overall support that threatened to overwhelm us , the AMAAs is still standing 10 years on.’

‘I remain sincerely grateful and humbled by this journey and as I hand over the wheel to next driver of AMAA, I know in my heart that I have fought the good fight. As I exit this stage in my life, my prayers and wishes are all geared towards the realization of the African Film Fund to ensure that we can continue to tell our stories.

Ten years as the CEO of AMAA has been an important period. I need to go back to work in the creative industry and help improve on the economy of the African creative industries,” she said.

Patience Ozokwor’s midnight drama

Bayelsa: What a boring speech!

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F there was any low moment at the awards night, it was when the Director-General of Bayelsa State Tourism Board, Mrs.Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown stepped off the stage to present her welcome address to the large audience. Not only was she not audible enough, and stage frightened too, the woman showed unconcerned in respect of the fact that the event was live on television. She lacked flair and hisses followed her speech. It was so bad that it was written all over the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral(rtd)Gboribiogha John Jonah who represented Governor Seriake Dickson at the event.

Mrs. Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown, DG Bayelsa Tourism Board

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all it a midnight drama on AMAA stage, you may not be wrong.

Patience Ozokwor, popularly known as Mama G, thought she was on a movie set last Saturday as she graced the just concluded 10th edition of the AMAAs. Mid way into the awards night, Patience did the unexpected. While one-time MTN Project Fame reality show winner, Timi Dakolo was performing his celebrative song, “Great Nation”, Ozokwor like every other guest that thronged the main auditorium of the newly refurbished Gabriel Okara’s Cultural Centre, Yenagoa venue of the glamorous event was moved with the lyrics of the song.

Suddenly, out of excitement, the Iron Lady of Nollywood climbed the stage and kissed Dakolo’s hand to the bewilderment of the cheering crowd.

She did the same thing when comedian Funny Bone performed on stage. But it was Peace AniyamOsigwe’s glowing tribute to the late Amaka Igwe who was a member of AMAA Jury till her death that Ozokwor showed how emotional she could be.

Unable to control her emotions, the no-nonsense actress who stormed the event venue with her last son, cried profusely like a baby, leaving everyone wondering whether AMAA stage has turned into another movie set. In a twinkle of an eye, Ozokwor was up and about, as if nothing happened. She won the Best supporting Actress award which she dedicated to her late husband.

•Patience Ozorkwo displaying her award

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, MAY 31, 2014 — 29

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Producers, directors threaten to ban actress for exposing them

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...as she exonerates DGN, AGN and FVPMAN members

AST rising actress, Ebele Anna-Patrick who recently exposed the rot in the Asaba sector of Nollywood, where desperate actresses not only pay money to get roles in movies but also, sleep around with producers and directors just to hit the top is currently under heavy attack by the industry players.

Aggrieved by her outburst in a recent interview which she granted to HVP, producers as well as directors are said to be spitting fire and brimstone, threatening to ban the embattled actress for daring to expose the rot in the industry. At one of the meetings, where the actress was summoned by the industry players, Ebele, it was learnt, exonerated members of Directors Guild of Nigeria,DGN,as

well as Film and Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria,FVPMAN,saying that, she was not referring to them .

“I wasn’t referring to DGN members or members of other registered associations in Asaba”, she said, adding “Just like we know in every gathering there must be a Judas and that’s why it’s pertinent that actors should endeavour to work with verified movie practitioners.

While working in Asaba, I have come in contact with a lot of sincere producers and directors who dare not compromise on the standard they have set for themselves. In fact, my mentor, Nonso Ekene Okonkwo has always stressed the need for up and coming actors to strive to work with recognised guild members.”

Big Brother is back!

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•Ebele Anna-Patrick

How Jackie Appiah stole the show!

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HANAIAN actress, Jackie Appiah radiated like a morning star on the red-carpet. Dressed in body cleaving outfit, she arrived the red carpet event at about 9 pm, looking gorgeous and amazingly beautiful.

Beaming with infectious smiles, Jackie strolled from one of the red-carpet to the other, posing for shots at random, and acknowledging cheers from the crowd.

Photographers struggled to capture her good looks, which revealed all her cleavage. But Jackie wasn’t the only Ghanaian actress that dressed to kill at the event.

The likes of actress cum TV personality, Jocelyn Dumas, who was nominated in the Best Actress category but lost the award to Nigeria’s Clarion Chukwura and Lydia Forson were awesome in their different attires.

•Jackie Appiah

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HE continental reality TV show, Big Broth er Africa is back. Get ready to be dazzled when the show hits the screens in the next few months, precisely on Sunday, September 7.

Since its debut nine years ago, BBA has attracted some funny, dramatic, weird and wonderful characters that have kept viewers glued to the screens 24/7. Some housemates who have been part of this huge show have had their talents realized and have gone on to grace TV screens; newspapers and have their profiles trending on every social media site, blog and website. Season 9 will not be different. In fact, housemates and viewers alike will be pleasantly surprised at how Biggie intends to rise to this one. And in true Big Brother fashion, fans of the show and potential housemates will have to wait and see how he will turn dreams of some deserving and eager youngsters into reality and transform them into

• BBA 2013 winner, Dillish household names. Entry for this year’s edition is open to 14 countries with the only exception being Angola which will be replaced by Rwanda.

As a result of the change, participating countries this year are: Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Kenneth Okonkwo:

‘I’m no longer living in bondage’ K

ENNETH Okonkwo, popularly known as Andy in “Living in Bondage”, the movie that gave birth to Nollywood has declared that he’s no longer living under the shadow of the character he played in that pioneering movie.

The actor-turned-lawyer made this declaration while speaking at the glamorous awards night. Dressed in white outfit, Okonkwo said, “Thank God, I am no longer living in Bondage.” The film, which signalled a new dawn for the Nigerian film industry brought Okonkwo into limelight after playing the role of Andy in the movie. He is now a barrister at law as well as an actor par excellence.

•Kenneth Okonkwo

30— SARTURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014

Sexual or sensual, relevance is what matters—Kehinde Bankole

BY KEHINDE AJOSE

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hen it comes to topnotch acting and bringing a character to life, Kehinde Bankole knows her onions. The former Miss Lux who also had a stint in modeling has starred in countless soap operas, movies, and Kunle Afolayan‘s anticipated flick, October 1.

She is a damsel, too talented to be ignored, and a breath of fresh air in Nollywood. In this interview with KEHINDE AJOSE, she opens up on how she has been able to stay out of controversy; why she would love to be paired with Majid Michel; whether she can act in a soft porn movie; and other issues:

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hy did you decide to pursue a career in acting rather than music or modeling?

I decided to focus on acting at the moment because from modeling, I was not making as much money and gaining as much exposure as I would have wanted, except in the area of endorsement. Modeling wasn’t fetching me as much as I wanted. I am good at what I do, so I wanted something that will give me visibility and also fetch me good money. That’s why I decided to focus on acting. I chose acting over music in the last two years because these are two things that I am equally passionate about, and to combine the two would be very difficult, so I decided to push one forward first. When that is established, then I can focus on the other one. I didn’t want to carry everything at the same time. Hence I decided to go for acting first.

Is there really tribalism in Nollywood as some people allege?

It must have existed at some time. I

think it’s true … at a time. Now, they are realising that we are not here to promote tribes. We are here to promote arts. If it had existed before, it’s gradually being abolished. Now, the producers are looking for a lot of things beyond where you come from. I have worked with a lot of producers that are not from my tribe. If they see the talent, and one or two other ingredients to make it thick enough, they will definitely work with you.

How have you been able to stay out of controversy?

I try as much as possible to stay out of trouble by keeping my social life at minimal. I keep the all-night partying at minimal. It’s not like I do not do it once in a while, but I try as much as possible to keep it a bit low, so that I don’t get certain kind of attention. And when you don’t get that kind of attention it’s equal to being out of a lot of media trouble.

What kind of attention are you

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014—31

Why Lydia Owan can’t act nude

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ne incontrovertible issue is that budding actress, Lydia Owan, has proven that she has come to stay in the Nigerian motion picture industry, Nollywood. She has more than 20 films to her credit since she came into the industry few years ago.

The sexy actress, who is in Asaba doing what she knows best, has opened up on why she can’t act nude no matter the price attached to it. “I can go the extra mile to interpret any role in a movie, but not to the extent of going nude. I can never go nude for anything, it is against my morals. I am from a good Christian background and I don’t think my parents will be happy watching me naked in a movie just because I want to interpret a role. The much I have done on set so far was a kiss,” she said. The sexy diva who also spoke on why she has tattoos on her body said that each tattoo represents some special events in her life which she would like to keep secret.

Ebele Okaro shines with Musical Whispers

Skales signs Drey Beatz, drops Video

Kabbar’s Igun goes on video

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he 23-year-old talented singer, Skales, who recently floated his own record label, OHK Entertainment, has announced Daniel Grey Leonge, a.k.a z, as his first contract.

Beat Drey The OHK boss, Skales, also featured Drey Beatz in his new video, OBI, which was recently released. Speaking about his new I video, he said, “All I have been doing since graduated in December 2013 is work. I was super excited the first time I heard the beat for ‘OBI.’ Drey and I came up with the playful hook, reminiscing on games we played as kids. The team heard what we did, loved it, then we finished it up and here we are,” he said.

Born of an Edo mum and Cameroonian dad, Skales has continued to make good music since his first single, Must Shine, was released recently. With ‘OBI’ marking the start of a new movement, the OHK team made up of Skales, Drey Beatz and associates are committed to making positive impact on music and sound as we know it.

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p and coming singer, Kabir Ilori, a.k.a Kabbar, is finally set to drop new video of his hit single, Igun h whic was produced by Puffy T. The video, produced by South African based Nigerian, Mazi Jizzle, is coming after the release of his first single, Jaburatta which recorded wide acceptance among his fans in Nigeria and abroad.

A proof of Kabbar’s success so far could be found in the increasing demands for his performance at high profile shows, concerts and some award nominations.

The record label that signed him on contract, Kajor Family Entertainment, promised they will keep working hard to satisfy Kabbar’s fans by improving his brand. The epic video was shot in different cities in South Africa, but has its major scenes located in Johannesburg which were chosen to create quality visuals for the video soon to be premiered to the world.

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eteran producer cum actress, Ebele Okaro Onyiuke, is back with a blockbuster titled Musical Whispers. The Movie which has the role of Davis played by Kalu Ikeagwu and Chioma Akpotha as Agatha Uche, shows how love, care and affection should be given to people living with dysfunctional behaviour instead of abandonment and resentment.

The movie talks about Uche (Chioma Akpotha) who was blessed with a child (David Junior DJ) afflicted with Autism.

Agatha spends all her time as a mother trying to give her son (love) what money cannot buy. But her husband, David, is frustrated with the demands and distractions that come with DJ’s sickness. He eventually walks out on his family when he could no longer cope with the son’s psychological malady.

The likes of Chioma Akpotha, Kalu Ikeagwu,Ebele Okaro- Onyiuke, Ekpeyoung Bassey, and Victor, among others, featured in the film.

32— SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014

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34—SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, MAY 31, 2014

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he place of accessories especially shoes and bags can’t be over emphasized. Their ability to lift simple outfits still makes them relevant in every wardrobe today. Leather bags especially are great items to covet.

Morin O, the luxury leather brand’s presence was very visible at the recently held, Africa Fashion Week Nigeria which took place at the Eko Hotel and suites. She exhibited her works alongside other notable fashion designers. Her collection featured exquisite bags and other accessories in leather and exotic Skins.

The Morin O stand at the event, attracted quite an array of visitors including celebrities, fashion entrepreneurs and international business leaders who thronged the stand to savour the beautiful, well crafted bags.

Maureen Obaweya, Creative Director of Morin O, describes these classy, contemporary pieces, as “Timeless elegance”.

According to her, these bags are painstakingly crafted from real leather and skins sourced from Europe and India and produced in Nigeria to international standards.

The official launch of Morin O comes up later in July.

SARTURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014 — 35

talking about?

As a woman, there are certain tools you can use to get attention. Nudity or scantily dressing can get you attention. Showing off how pretty you are in different ways, putting your romantic life in the public glare, and a couple of other things that can eventually turn scandalous for you. So I just try as much as possible to keep those things under wrap.

How have you been able to handle stardom?

I am not where I want to be. I am still a work in progress. There is still so much I want to achieve and so much I want to do which I know will still expose me much more. The extent I have gone, I have been able to handle it by being myself as much as possible. That thin line between being oneself and what stardom can make one, I keep myself from crossing it by making sure I still have a hold on who I really am. So every time I tend to be straying, I just remember: ‘This is who I am.’ I just strive to be true to myself and that has helped me so far.

Tell us about your giant strides?

There is my performance at the London Shakespeare globe to globe festival, where we performed The Winter’s Tale in Yoruba. We also represented Nigeria through Wole Oguntokun’s production. It’s called Renegade Theatre. The next milestone is featuring in October 1

by Kunle Afolayan .I am really excited about being part of that project. He is passionate about his productions. My Lux endorsement then is also a giant stride. I love to identify with initiatives that have to do with beauty.

What is your opinion about the injection of soft porn into Nollywood movies?

Sex sells. But the question is how soft that porn is. In reality, these are factors that are very strong in human existence; religion, sex, sensual things and politics. There are some key things that drive people and these are a very important part of our lives. However, how it’s projected and how much of it is shown is what matters. I think it is part of our daily lives. Using the word porn is what I am not comfortable with. May be it’s better to say ‘sensual things.’ I would say some sensual things are okay. But whether they are soft porn as you put it, I don’t know about that. We can’t live without certain things. It can be a part of it, but nothing on the heavy side.

Have you ever acted in soft porn?

No. Would you do that?

No. I won’t.

Why? Because it’s soft porn, I wouldn’t act in a soft porn movie. But if it’s a sensual material in a movie and I know it’s relevant to telling a story I don’t have a problem with it.

What factors do you look out for before picking up a sensual role?

Whether sexual or sensual, the first question is its relevance to the story. Now, if it’s relevant and I see that I may not be able to pull it off due to certain sentiments I have, I won’t take the job. If I look at it

and see that it’s not so bad, I can take it up. If it’s relevant and the sensuality is not too much, I can take it. But in a situation whereby it’s too much and it is not relevant to the story, then such a job is not meant for me.

So have you ever been approached to shoot a sensual material?

I have been approached to shoot a sensual material in Canada and I explained my own angle of it to the director and producer. I told him what I wanted. He still hasn’t shot the movie and we are still in touch.

Over the years, I have grown to accept some things I wouldn’t have contemplated in the past. I have become a bit more flexible. Before now I wouldn’t have dared to kiss in a movie. But now I understand it could have a relevance to the scene. It was a very raw and sensual material he had – fantastic story, but extremely raw and sensual.

What is your opinion about sex for roles?

My opinion is that if anyone is willing to give sex for a role that is their business. They should go ahead and give. But it may mean they will have to continue giving sex before getting a role. Because word will go round that you gave this to get that when you get to the next production company, except you are lucky they didn’t hear. I will say it’s wrong to give sex before you get a role.

Have you ever been approached?

They do it all the time. Stylishly, they would ask you out for lunch right after you’ve just finished an audition. They’d ask you if you’d like to hang out, and when you check the timing you will understand what the person is trying to say. They won’t tell you that if you don’t come for dinner you are not going to get the role. Such proposals usually come after an audition or just before an audition. I want to believe most female actors will be getting it, or may be male and female actors will be getting it with the way things are going these days.

Who is that one actor you would love to be paired with?

That will be Majid Michel. He is good at what he does. The guy can interpret roles. He takes his time to break the work down.

What is the limit for you when it comes to fashion?

The limit for me is not being stark naked. I can only show a little at a time. I am not the type that will show off my boobs, my thighs, and my back.

I can only show off a little at a time, and there are some times I don’t want to show anything. It all depends on the occasion and what I am going for at that time.

There is this perception that Nollywood actresses don’t get married early. What is your opinion about that?

I don’t have a particular answer to that, but I think it maybe that they spent a lot of years trying to build their careers, pursuing it, and trying to put it together. We are in a hostile environment that doesn’t really provide opportunities. We don’t have studios; we don’t have agencies or agents that handle the actors. Everything has to begin from the scratch. You do everything by yourself until when you have the money to employ someone to do it for you, or you are wise enough to know how to go about it. But you start from the scratch. Secondly, it’s also possible that there may be some negative perceptions men have about Nollywood actresses which make men not to come for them as quickly as they would have gone for any other young woman who is not an artiste.

In the course of your career what advice have you been given, and who gave it?

Three people gave me three different pieces of advice, and it has been working for me .Mildred Okwo told me, “Kehinde, be visible. Come out and be seen.” Wale Adenuga, Super Story boss, keeps telling me: “Don’t wait for the opportunities the government can give you. Create whatever opportunity you can create, and if you find any, don’t waste time, take it.” And lastly, Kunle Afolayan says to me: “whatever is what doing at all is worth doing well. Pursue excellence.” Those three pieces of advice are the most important ingredients in my career.

36—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014

yemisisuleiman670@yahoo.com

STYLE

INSPIRATION;

•Pair with a crop top for Evening gigs

WHITE PANT

•Pair with a white long sleeve shirt

•Weekend look

•Wear with a colour block top and heels

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Swap out your traditional black trousers with a refreshing white pair for the ultimate outfit update. The look will have you seasonally appropriate and undoubtedly on trend.

White clothing is certainly having a trending moment right now, and there are plenty of different ways to wear white pants this season. So, work a crisp, sophisticated look in a pair of white

Dress them down for a fresh look or layer them up for a stylish take. These pants naturally look a little dressier than jeans or khakis, so they can make an everyday top look more sophisticated. You can be any shape or size and rock white pants as long as you know a few tricks for pairing your outfits.

If you’re unsure of how to make this trend work in your wardrobe, check out our pick of street style inspired ways to wear white pants below.

•Acessorise your white pants

•Pair with a crop top for Evening gigs

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CHIC

pants into your wardrobe.

•Sunday glam

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014—37

Your intellect is what counts, not gender —Otegbado

BY MOSES NOSIKE

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emi Otegbado is a woman with a man’s heart. This could be the reason why she sees no difference between men and women in terms of intellectual achievements, even though she accords them due respect. She has a character for quality and standards, and she is passionate about counseling youths on rightful career and skill development.

In this interview with Woman in her Prime, the CEO, Heartlink Group advises women to build a good career that could help their families. Excerpts: What is the role or specialty of Heartlink Group in Nigeria? eartlink is playing a lot of roles in Nigeria. We started with recruitment (HR) 10 years ago which we still do. From there, we ventured into publishing business directory and we have published four of that till date. We have published over ten thousand businesses active in Nigeria. We also do media and public relations for companies and of course, most people know that we do events and work on special projects with people – we are consultants. More to that, we develop good ideas and can turn it to fruition, add value so that parties involved can benefit from it. So, if you want to classify what we do in nutshell, I will say events, public and media relations, HR and project.

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One can see from your profile that you are passionate about creating employment for the youth and skill counseling.

What has been the achievement so far? ell, we have made some a c h i e v e ments to some extent. Unfortunately, the state of the economy has not been encouraging. But when I started recruitment, I was still a banker. So what we usually do then was to place advert on newspapers to collect a lot of vacancies, because relations, friends and many others out there kept complaining to me. They are looking for work. All the complaints were about employment. I also realised that some managing directors approached me and said, please I need workers. Do you know anybody who has skill on a particular discipline? At that point, I realised that Team A needs Team B and vice versa but they don’t know. So I said to myself, why don’t you become the middle person for both teams? So we started placing adverts with a subject: “Do you need staff?Talk to us.” We have a larger data bank. “Do you need a job?

Bring your CV. We will shortlist you for the most suitable jobs .” That was how we started. So it was serving a purpose and we became very popular and a lot of people got employed. Even in three days, if you ask us to give you professionals for some projects for some industries, we just send four for you and you select.

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Why do we have a lot of women in our society today with few achievers among

them? will not be the only person that would answer this question, but I will tell in my own opinion that it could be the economy that has held them back, or lack of confidence, or other factors. For me, I’m not held back and I have confidence. And it is difficult to make me think I’m small, hence I know if you can think of something and actualise it, your gender doesn’t matter. I have a lot of male professionals working together with me and they tell me there is no difference between me and them.

If you want us to work seven hours, I’m there. If you want us to have long meeting, I’m ready. If we set targets for ourselves, we both achieve them same way. So, it is the women that think we can’t achieve it. If you can think it, you can achieve it. I don’t see any difference. I see my male counterparts as equals. I don’t think there is any difference. When I was a banker, I worked with men and women and there was no difference. I relate very well with both parties as employer of labour and when I was an employee.

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Employers are complaining of the quality of graduates which makes recruitment difficult in Nigeria. What is your take? t has been a big challenge and I would like to contribute to the society because this challenge had almost made me give up on recruitment. For instance, if you need ten workers, you have to interview eighty or hundred people to get qualified ones and by the time you finished, you are almost fainting. The reason is simple.

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It is difficult to make me think I’m small, hence I know if you can think of something and actualise it, your gender doesn’t matter Most graduates can’t defend their certificates. It’s a big challenge in Nigeria. We need re-orientation. We have lecturers who would encourage girls not to read and meet them outside and give them marks. Such a person is not employeable. That person collected certificate he or she cannot defend. So, it’s a collective problem. We don’t have facilities or amenities on the part of government. We don’t have decent men, women and students. As a re-

sult, 85% of our graduates, especially the federal institutions, can’t defend their certificates.

Unlike when we went to school, I can still recollect and defend what I learnt in school since 1988 I finished. Today, most graduates can’t defend what they learnt and that is why we are working extra hard. I used to have a larger number of staff but I reduced because even with such large number, you still do the work yourOtegbado: self. They are just show glass. Most of them can’t write letters. Let’s forget about proposals, they have not been trained to draw proposals.

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t is a soci etal problem and it is sad. That is why most Nigerian graduates go abroad and end up washing toilets, becoming nannies because we are not fit until we go back to their own standards. We’ve all failed completely the government, the teachers because they are frustrated and are not well paid. They vent it out. The ladies have understood they can pay their way in kind to pass. Even the men also pay cash to pass. So, you can see that the country is collapsing, total failure.

When we ignore things and expect it to work out, it will backfire. If we want to change for the next generation, we can start now.

Coping with CEO challenges and home management... have taken time to master it now. I don’t have problem because sometimes I take some jobs home. It’s possible if you plan yourself well and people around you show understanding.

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Your understanding of womanhood in this part of the world... ay be I’m lucky coming from my kind of family background. I don’t see woman as a second class. In fact, we have more girls in my immediate family than boys, and the women are more aggressive than the men with all respect to

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them. This is one of the reasons I’m not happy about the recent abduction of Chibok girls. In that part of the country, they are being oppressed and incidentally I schooled in the north, old Plateau State, and most of the women there were from the South. Most males there were forced to attend school. Here, we are not oppressed. It is only a lazy woman that wouldn’t like to go to school. It is only a lazy woman that would wait for a man to bring money before she could feed. I think it is the culture there that restricts women, probably because they are given out in marriage too early. I would not be able to speak from that side even though I schooled in the North, I didn’t really mingle with their culture. Doors open for women if we are determined without selling what God has given to us. So we should keep working.

What is your take on the abduction of Chibok girls? t is the saddest thing I’m thinking of now. The situation is beyond Nigeria, even though Nigeria allowed it to get this far. If this was handled initially, those girls would not have been abducted. You don’t say you have unwanted pregnancy and you ignore it. It will keep growing and you face the pregnancy and the child. That is what I feel about the Chibok case. The Chibok case is not the problem. The Boko Harram issue ,whether political or not , has been stirring at us in the face but we ignore it believing it will go away. As it is now, we need God and other world powers to help us because it’s getting out of hands.

I

38—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014 Compiled by

Ephraim Oseji

oseji16@yahoo.com 07032769933

Liverpool agree Lambert fee Rickie Lambert is expected to undergo a medical at Liverpool on Saturday after an initial £4m fee was agreed with Southampton.

The Reds had a bid accepted for the 32-year-old and Sky Sports News understands personal terms have been agreed.

Lambert, who was born in Kirkby, was part of the youth team at Anfield before being released at 15 and is a lifelong Liverpool fan.

Gomez completes Sunderland switch Sunderland have completed the signing of Jordi Gomez on a free transfer, according to the Mirror.

The midfielder’s contract with Wigan Athletic expired at the end of last season, and he failed to agree a new contract with the club, who were knocked out of the Championship play-offs at the semi-final stage by eventual winners Queens Park Rangers.

Barca bid •38m for Aguero

Arsene Wenger has agreed a new three-year contract with Arsenal which keeps him at the club until 201.

Wenger had gone nearly nine years without winning a trophy until Arsenal won their dramatic FA Cup final against Hull on May 17.

The new deal - which has not been confirmed

by Arsenal - will take his tenure at the club to 21 years.

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ew Barcelona manager Luis En rique has reportedly pinpointed Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero as his top priority this summer. The Argentine hitman was in devastating for this season, despite being plagued by injuries and is the subject of a •38m bid from Barcelona. The 25 year old Aguero joined Manchester City in 2011 for a reported fee of •45m and it’s highly unlikely Manchester City will want to sell him at a cut price.

Aguero has already said yes to Barcelona but agreeing a fee b e tween the two clubs could be difficult.

Barca confirm interest in Koke

Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has revealed that the Catalans are keen to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke, but has acknowledged that they might face a tough task to lure the Spain international away from his current club.

The 22-year-old was one of the revelations of the 201314 season and played a key role in their La Liga title and their successful Champions League campaign, thus attracting the interest of a number of bigger clubs, including Barcelona.

Nevertheless, Koke has a contract with Atletico until the summer of 2018 and the Spanish champions will not let go of the midfielder on the cheap.

"Koke is an absolutely spectacular player," Bartomeu was quoted as saying by El Mundo Deportivo.

"He has had a great season and every club would love to have him. "But I am sure that Atletico will want to hold on to him after such a great season.

Arsenal make £9m offer for Juanfran, bid rejected Arsenal have not succeeded in their £9m offer for Atletico Madrid right-back Juanfran.

The Spanish club do not want to sell their 29-year old defender, and have therefore rejected Arsenal’s initial offer for him. Juanfran enjoyed a superb season in Spain, helping his side clinch the title, and coming agonisingly close to Champions League glory as well, losing to rivals Real Madrid in the final.

The Gunners are keen to replace their French rightback Bacary Sagna, who will move on from the club this summer, and have lined up a whole host of targets for the same.

Wenger agrees new contract

City fails with Benatia bid

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anchester City have failed with a bid for Roma centrehalf Mehdi Benatia, according to reports in Italy. Roma rejected City's bid of between £16.2million and £17.9million for Benatia. Benatia features prominently on City's summer shopping list as they seek to strengthen the heart of their defence. The Moroccan international is unsettled at Roma and is unhappy with the terms on offer from the club for a new deal.

Lampard set for MLS switch FRANK LAMPARD could be set for a stunning Stamford Bridge exit after revealing doubts over his Chelsea future. The England international shocked fans as he told reporters: "I don’t know if I’ll be at Chelsea next season." The 35-year-old's comments have sparked a transfer frenzy amongst side's desperate to land the experienced midfielder.

New York City FC are preparing a bumper deal to lure Lampard to the MLS.

Madrid hit with partial stadium closure European football's governing body has taken action against the Champions League winners following incident during the home win over Bayern Munich Uefa has ordered the partial closure of the Santiago Bernabeu for one match following racist behaviour by Real Madrid fans during the 1-0 Champions League win over Bayern Munich in April.

The Spanish giants recorded a narrow win over the Bundesliga giants that eventually set them on their way to Champions League glory, but part of their stadium will be shut down for their next home game in European competitions following incidents that took place during the game.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014—39

Newcastle set to sign Cabella

Petr Cech transfer listed

by Chelsea

Newcastle could complete the signing of Remy Cabella in the coming days after reportedly agreeing a £7million fee with Montpellier.

The French midfielder admitted earlier this month that he would be leaving the Ligue 1 side this summer and the Toon have moved quickly to snap him up ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal.

Steve Ballmer buys NBA team for $2bn Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has purchased National Basketball Association (NBA) team the Los Angeles Clippers for $2bn, according to a statement from the team’s acting owner, Shelly Sterling.

According to a report, Ballmer signed the papers sealing the deal.

Dortmund agree Immobile deal Borussia Dortmund are set to wrap up the signing of Italian striker Ciro Immobile.

The Millionaires have been in advanced talks with Juventus and Torino for several weeks now and they seem to have finally reached an agreement.

Bild has learned that BVB will pay •18.5 million in total to the two clubs, with the striker set to sign a five-year deal at Signal-Iduna Park.

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helsea manager Jose Mourinho has decided that Thibaut Courtois will be his number one goalkeeper from the start of next season - and has subsequently put Petr Cech on the transfer list. The Portuguese coach is keen to avoid a repeat scenario of what happened at his former club Real Madrid , where long-serving ‘keeper Iker Casillas was dropped to the bench in favour of Diego Lopez, causing a huge amount of

unrest at the Bernabeu. The 22-year-old was not interested in returning to Chelsea unless he was guaranteed first-team football next season with the west London outfit. And after another wonderful season, in which he played a pivotal role in helping Atletico win La Liga for the first time since 1996 and reach the Champions League final, Courtois has proved to Mourinho that he is more than ready to start for the Blues next term.

Valbuena set for Valencia switch V

alencia are in pole position to sign Marseille star Mathieu Valbuena.

Los Che will have money to spend this summer as wealthy businessman Peter Lim is set to be confirmed as the new owner and they are expected to add several high-profile footballers to their ranks.

Marseille midfielder Mathieu Valbuena is reportedly one of the players they are looking at and

there is a chance he will be moving to Mestalla this summer.

The 29-year-old has decided to

look for a new challenge after spending last eight years at Stade Velodrome, and he is likely to make a decision on his future after the 2014 World Cup. Mathieu Valbuena seems to have nailed down a regular starting berth in Didier Deschamp’s side, and no doubt he will be very motivated to impress any visiting scouts at the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.

Puyol to become Barcelona assistant sporting director next

B

arcelona have hired former captain Carles Puyol, whose playing career at his lifelong club was ended by persistent knee trouble at the end of last season, as an assistant to sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta.

'I want to thank FC Barcelona for everything they have given

me before and for this opportunity they are giving me now,' Puyol, who will take up his new position in September, said on Barca's website yesterday. 'I have always played football and I have tried to do my best and I will do the same here,' added the 36-year-old, who joined the Catalan club's academy almost 20 years ago.

FAN ZONE Are you a Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona fan and would like to meet fans, male or female from other parts of the country. Then send your name, age, where you live and the club you support to 0802354-2350. sms only.

zAmakashe Roland Junior, 35, Edo State, Chelsea fan needs a female fan as friend. 07083715771 zMarvis 20, Sapele, Manchester United need friends. 07064618017 zBenjamin, 33, Ibadan, Arsenal need both male and female friends.07032534953 zKelechi Chinyere, 25, Warri, Manchester United need friends.08036947328 zDr Peter Akpoturi, 38, PH, Chelsea need friends. 08174623206 zWayne, 20, Lagos want cool female fans as friends.08104330220 zSimon, 27, Lagos, Liverpool need friends.08153149042 zEmmanuel, 17, Chelsea, need friends.07014525585

QUIZ

winners

Christian Okafor from Fadeyi, Lagos and Paul Anthony, Igbodo, Delta State

PSG keen to cash in on Pastore Paris Saint-Germain are keen to cash in on Javier Pastore this summer and have offered the attacking midfielder to Roma, Inter and Atletico Madrid.

The Ligue 1 champions are looking to offload some fringe players in order to balance the books and comply with Uefa’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations and they are desperate to recoupe some of the •40 million they paid for the Argentine three years ago before his contract expires in 2016.

Man City closing in on Fernando signing Manchester City are confident of sealing the •14.8 million signing of Porto midfielder Fernando in the coming week.

Director of football Txiki Begiristain has been in Portugual recently to negotiate a fee for the Brazil-born star, a player the club first registered an interest in in January.And the Premier League champions believe a deal will be concluded soon, with Fernando expected to fly in to Manchester to complete his move in the coming days.

United edge closer to £12m deal for Konoplyanka Manchester United could start their rebuilding project with a swift move for FC Dnipro star Yevhen Konoplyanka. Liverpool have been long-term admirers of the Ukraine midfielder but United are the favourites to secure the 24-year-old’s signature this summer.

Konoplyanka, who helped Dnipro qualify for the Champions League with eight goals in 27 appearances last season, is well known to English fans after scoring in Ukraine’s 1-1

40—SA TURD AY 40—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, MA Y 31 MAY 31,, 2014

Can an ailing marriage be saved by a fling?!

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HY is it that incidents that are totally unplanned pushed me down on the bed become the most memorable? Some weeks back, a and my world exploded as he friend marked a landmark birthday and decided to made love to me. Wow! I push out the boat. She resides outside Lagos but had booked all discovered new things about the rooms in a posh hotel in the city she decided to have the my body as he kissed me in bash in. Quite a handful of us went from Lagos. It was the first places I wanted to be kissed time in many years that I went out of Lagos to any of the states. and showed me how to do Thanks to Joy, a good friend who had virtually bundled me into things he would like to him. a very comfortable jeep, I found myself looking forward to the It was the most therapeutic trip. fling I’ve had in years. I was When we arrived the hotel, it was as if a bit of Lagos had been on cloud nine! brought down to it as we excitedly exchanged banters with “Can you imagine that he familiar guests. At the party; I was mildly surprised to see even thanked me for making Florence, an acquaintance who’d always had her husband with his weekend? By the her at most functions. She’d watched her husband climb the morning though, the niggle ladder at the engineering firm he worked for, and they have a of guilt began to bite. When good home and three lovely I got home, my husband was kids to show for almost 16 still asleep. His snores years of marriage. rumbled through the room ”But that special zing I but this time, I wasn’t once had when he put his irritated. I might have felt arms around me has guilty at having so much fun, virtually disappeared”, but I didn’t regret a thing. she’d told me a few months joy and I left when the lift as I got home, but what would My experience with Eric felt ago. “Only my husband stopped on our floor. that make me — a Nosey too good for regret. And when seems to be under the Back to our room, Joy and Parker! I didn’t hear from my husband next made love impression that the old I agreed Florence needed a Florence until a few weeks to me, I put all the things I’d magic is there. I’ve chided breather—the quickie could later. It was at another private learnt from Eric into practice. myself I have to be grateful save her marriage or break party and she was with her He couldn’t believe his luck. for what I’ve got, but it. We all checked out bright husband, this time. She tore “Wow”, he shouted, as we whenever he noisily eats his and early the next morning. herself away as soon as she made love again and food and guzzles his way Florence had come with the decently could to let me know again,”Thanks to Eric, I have through his favourite booze, air-conditioned luxury bus “Eric is a wonderful man!” the memory of a good love revulsion simmers. Even provided by the celebrant “Really?” Without too much session to guide me in my when we make love, I have but she was now at the prompting, she filled me in lovemaking with my to imagine he is someone parking lot, with Eric on what happened at Eric’s husband. This has given my younger and slimmer...” heaving their suitcases into hotel room that fateful night. confidence and sex life a said I should forget I’m a married the boot of his car. As they “As soon as he came in, he told boost and I’m sure it’ll help told her she had to get woman and think of myself as a drove off after we’d me to forget about my in keeping my marriage a grip on her emotions. desirable woman”. I kept my exchanged pleasantries, husband”, she said, “then alive. Eric called a few times It’s not all the time you feel trap shut. When things build up Florence peeked through almost immediately, we were but he was enough of a happy with what you have to the room stage, there’s the tinted glass window of in a clinch. All that booze and gentleman to realise his but there’s a limit to how absolutely nothing you can do to Eric’s jeep and blew me a pent up frustration from services wouldn’t be needed you let resentment eat into stop it. We all stepped into the kiss! unfulfilled sex made me putty and we now have friendly a good relationship. When lift, pressed different buttons and I wanted to call her as soon in his hands. He gently chats on the phone.”

I saw her later at the birthday party, she happily found her way to the table I was. It was a table packed sort it all out. It’s like moving into a reflect the change in family life. o you feel lost and lonely now that with both male and female new house. Even if it’s been Experts agree that after years of your children have flown the nest? guests with an array of well beautifully decorated, you still want to children drawing on the walls and Are you strangely missing the piles of chilled drinks, champers change things to make it yours. leaving dirty plates under beds, many dirty washing and the blaring of music — inclusive. Florence really let However, in some cases, there may be parents are happy to have the chance or are you too busy turning a grotty herself go as she downed another reason why parents get the to make their homes their own again. . bedroom into a cosy study, where you can glass after glass of urge to decorate. You may be trying to “Children may well bully their relax in the afternoon with refreshments champagne. Eric, a rogue fill time because you’re missing the parents into letting them redecorate and a magazine!

Or are you thinking of friend who was a real children. But what if your son or their own rooms and even other parts letting part of the house for some easy ladies’ man continued to daughter wants to move back in? Will cash?

New research has revealed flirt with her and pile they be happy to sleep in the that in order to cope with the herewith compliments. She couch because their room is empty-nest syndrome, many lapped it all up. As guests now for worship? parents are giving their homes a started leaving, I told Joy “Children are likely to feel make over soon after their and Florence we should disappointed when the house youngsters move out.

Almost 30 leave too. is not their childhood home per cent start renovating within Florence sat next to me in any more,” says Hodson; “they might of the house, “ says Phillip Hodson, a two months of their children leaving, the car and showed me an feel a bit hurt and pushed out and counselling psychotherapist. “ So according to a survey carried out by hotel room key. “You should think that you couldn’t wait to be rid of parents lose part of their own Zurich Insurance, a third redecorate their have left that at the them.

Does that mean you should identities.

They have to wait a long child’s old room, while the same number reception”, I told her. “What restrain yourself from covering the time to get their house back. Then they go further and transform it into a study or if you lose it”. “It’s not my black walls in your son’s bedroom with can make it smarter.

Renovating can holiday room. Some even revamp the key”, she whispered into brighter paint?

Not really. As parents, help parents rediscover their whole house. my ears. “It’s the key to you have to get on with your own lives, identities.

So what makes people quick to reach for Eric’s room”. My eyes so you shouldn’t be sentimental. When Once a child’s bedroom is yours their paintbrushes once their kids go off to widened. So soon? “He university or set up home with friends or a again, it’s natural to want to mark your your child moves out, explain that wants me to go and wait for there will always be a room for them — partner? More than half of those who took territory. him in his room”, she but it will be the guest room.”

There’s an itch to get in there and part in the survey said they wanted to continued excitedly. “He

,

All that booze and pent up frustration from unfulfilled sex made me putty in his hands

,

I

How to cope after the kids leave home

D

Once a child’s bedroom is yours again, it’s natural to want to mark your territory

,

,

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014—41

YETUNDE AREBI

Ukwu, rave of the moment!

U

ntil a few years back, the but tocks, bum, butt, ass, fanny, booty, that two-fold mound of flesh located on the posterior of the pelvic region was not something I considered an exciting part of the human body. For me, it had very little significance apart from its statutory general functions of taking the weight of our feet once we are seated as well as the location where we pass out number two after digestion must have done justice to all that we’d consumed. Its location partly influenced my reservations about it. It houses all that is private and sacred to the human sexuality and perhaps, morality. Even now, with all my so-called acquired knowledge, exposure, experience (real and imagined), I still find it difficult to look at a naked butt, talk less of staring point blank at one.

I believe most of my reservations about the buttocks took root as a young girl growing up under the “eagle eyes” of my dear Aunt whom we all fondly called “small mummy”.

Growing up, we were not only told that the mere “touch” of a man could get you pregnant. Now, when I remember, I wonder if our brains were made of cotton back then not to have known that they were not telling us the truth. Ironically, we believed everything at that time and tried to live up to them, at least, for as far as our beliefs could take us. (I’m not about

to divulge any juicy secrets here, so don’t ask when).

Let me share some of them with you.

Fat people eat too much! Young girls with big tummies must have had abortions! Young girls with big boobs have had them touched or even sucked by guys. A wriggling, big bum is a sign that you’ve been romped by a guy as only married women’s bums could wriggle! Passing out urine with a

see a couple of wriggling butts almost everywhere you turn. It is on Television, the musical videos and movies, the internet, fashion magazines and even card core national newspapers; all have pictures of women and celebrities strutting their stuff all over while endless stories have been written about it too. The bigger the better and the craze to possess a pair has caused a few unfortunate and avoidable scandals and accidents. If you live with young people, especially teenagers and undergraduates, then you will readily understand what I am talking about. Sound City, Trace, MTV, Hip TV, MTV Base, Afro Music, etc, all reel out the same message and you might soon find your eyes popping out of their sockets if you are not too careful. If Timaya’s Ukwu and Iyanyan’s Lekwa Ukwu caused you to raise an eyebrow, then you need to see Skuki’s Silifa. The young lady in animal skin leotards caused quite a jaw dropping stare for me.

But why the fuss about buttocks?

Before now, they were hardly the most popular focal point of sexual attraction for the opposite sex, the breasts were thought to be. Which was why the breasts were called “attackers” and the buttocks “defenders”. Sexologists have traced the apparent increase in emphasis on the female buttocks as a sexual characteristic in recent times to the evolution of trouser wearing,

Let me share some of them with you. Fat people eat too much!

Young girls with big tummies must have had abortions! Young girls with big boobs have had them touched or even sucked by guys.

C M Y K

shrilling sound is a sign that you are no longer a virgin! The list goes on.

So, can you now imagine my bewilderment when I see young ladies walk past me with visibly large sized wriggling bums, some flashing them with pride, intentionally and desperately seeking the attention and approval of the opposite sex? Do I sound prudish? I hope not! But still, I find it uncomfortable and I am sure some people reading this will understand or agree with me.

These days, you are not unlikely to

indeed, the jeans, by women. The buttocks they say are now so popular that they will not be out of place to say that they may eventually surpass the breasts as the number one sexual image of the female body.

Why? Sexologists have these to say about the female fanny: *Though the buttocks are the primary sexual presentation site in primates, female humans, generally have more round and voluptuous buttocks caused by Estrogen that encourages the body to store fat in the buttocks, hips and thighs which testosterone discourages in men. The female buttocks are therefore concentrated with fat.

The more fat, the bigger. *The buttocks also give an indication of the shape and size of the pelvis which indicate reproductive capability since their development and prominence begin with the menarche and declines with age. Full buttocks are therefore a symbol of youth and fertility. *For centuries now, the buttocks have been considered an erogenous zone in Western thought and their eroticization was heteronormative due to their closeness to the female reproductive organs. *Among most of the peoples of Asia, Europe and Africa, the chief continents of the world, the large hip and buttocks of women are commonly regarded as an important feature of beauty. *Psychosexual development occurs in three stages, oral, anal and genital and that fixation in the anal stage causes anal retentiveness and a lasting focus on eroticization of the anus.

This possibly gives way for the rear entry sexual position, anal and gay sex.

Since the turn of the Millennium, songs about the female buttocks have proliferated the air on the international stage, especially in the Hip hop, R&B and the Reggae/dancehall genres and our own home grown artistes have not been found wanting. Most of these artistes, when not singing about the desire for money, are either going on about sex, the female body and it’s sexual attraction, all vividly projecting their attraction to the big, wriggling butt of a female. Women with voluptuous backsides such as Kim Kardashian, Beyonce Knoles, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, and even Serena Williams and our own dear Omotola Jalade-Ekeide have been tagged sex symbols because of what they possess.

And now that almost every young person in Nigeria wants to be glamorous, sexy and hippy, the craving to meet this new criteria knows no bounds.

The story of British born Nigerian girl, Claudia Aderotimi who died as a result of bum enhancement surgery gone wrong in America and another Nigerian University undergraduate who reportedly died after injecting fake Silicone gel into her bum are gory examples of how far some people are willing to go to acquire what they believe they need to get the attention of the opposite sex.

If you think you must join in the rush for the “ukwu”, why not simply “grow” one. I am told there are exercises and a diet course that can help. If the straight and narrow path is too tedious, there are several types and degrees of padded panties and girdles that give the illusion of shapely, big bums in the stores and market. Get yourself one. Better safe than sorry!

42—SATURDAY

Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014

By Tony UBANI

Outcry as Kate Middleton’s bare bottom goes viral A

BRIEFS London is 'the cocaine capital of Europe'

photo of Kate Middleton’s bare backside, published by a German tabloid after the British press reportedly refused it, gained traction internationally Tuesday just as a British court heard calls for the media to respect the Princess’s privacy.

As the duke and duchess walked near a helicopter during their tour of Australia last month, a gust of wind from the propellers lifted Princess Kate’s dress and a photographer was on hand to capture the moment. But, according to reports overseas, the photo was so provocative that the British press passed on it, leaving it up to the highest bidder. German gossip newspaper Bild ran the photo in its Sunday edition, with U.K. newspapers gradually starting to cover the incident using pixilated screenshots of the paper’s website — with at least one questioning why Princess Kate does not use weights in the hems of her dresses, a trick reportedly employed by the Queen.

Boy shows his father photos of his mother in bed with another man A boy was furious when he discovered that his mother was having an affair with another man.

The boy of Zimbabwe, allegedly found nude photos of his mother with another man on her cell phone.

The boy then showed the photos to his father, Dumisani Ndebele. After seeing the photos, Ndebele became furious, saying that his wife had refused him sex for almost a year.

The man attacked his wife at their home in Pumula Bulawayo. He bit her on the cheeks and ripped a piece of

her cheek out after he discovered the series of nude photos of her with another man having sex.

Keziya Ndebele denied the allegations that she was cheating on her husband. Instead, she said that her husband went crazy after he was served with divorce papers to end their 18 year marriage.

The woman, who appeared in front of judge Marylene Mtshina with bandages on her face, was granted an order of protection against her husband.

Kate Middleton’s bare backside exposed!

London is the cocaine capital of Europe with highest use of the drug of any other city on the continent.

New research published today, which analysed traces of drugs in the sewage systems of 42 cities, found that the capital had the highest cocaine use of any tested. In London 711mg of cocaine were detected in waste water per day per 1,000 people by the EU drugs monitoring agency study.

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction in Lisbon, which took population into account in its analysis, also found that the capital had among the highest consumption of ecstasy.

Close call: Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge arrive in Aukland, New Zealand

An Australian farmer who lost his organic produce licence after his fields were contaminated by a neighbour's genetically modified canola crop failed Wednesday to win his test case for losses.

In a judgment which could influence how GM crops are grown in Australia, Justice Kenneth Martin also denied an injunction to protect Steve Marsh's crops against future contamination.

Wife set to hang for marrying Christian A

C M Y K

doctor who is facing ex ecution in Sudan for marrying a Christian gave birth to a baby girl in prison on Tuesday.

Meriam Ibrahim, who has spent the past four months shackled to the floor in a disease-ridden jail, gave birth last week..

The baby was born in the hospital wing at Omdurman Federal Women’s Prison in North Khartoum and is said to be healthy.

Speaking to MailOnline, her lawyer Mohaned Mustafa Elnour said: ‘This is some good news in what has been a terrible ordeal for Meriam.

‘I am planning to visit her with her husband Daniel later today. I think they are going to call the baby Maya.’

Meriam, 27, was sentenced to death by hanging earlier this month after being found guilty of converting from Islam to Christianity and marrying a Christian man, U.S. citizen Daniel Wani, who lives in Manchester, New Hamp-

shire.

She will receive 100 lashes before she is executed - sometime in the next two years.

Before the birth, Meriam made the defiant claim that she would rather die than give up her faith. In a heartwrenching conversation with her husband during a rare prison visit, Meriam told him: ‘If they want to execute me then they should go ahead and do it because I’m not going to change my faith.’

German World Cup duo involved in car crash

A pregnant woman has been stoned to death by her own family in front of a Pakistani high court - for marrying the man she loved.

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early 20 members of the woman’s family, including her father and brothers, attacked her and her husband with batons and bricks in broad daylight.

Farzana Parveen, who was three months pregnant, was killed before a crowd of onlookers in front of the high court of Lahore, police have reported.

Police official Naseem Butt said the 25year-old had married Mohammad Iqbal, with whom she had been engaged for years against the will of her family.

Australian organic farmer loses GM test case

Her father had filed an abduction case against her husband, which the couple was contesting, her lawyer Mustafa Kharal said.

Arranged marriages are considered normal among conservative Pakistanis, who view marriage for love as a transgression.

Hundreds of women are killed every year in Muslim-majority Pakistan in so-called ‘honour killings’ carried out by husbands or relatives as a punishment for alleged adultery or other illicit sexual behavior.

German internationals Benedikt Hoewedes and Julian Draxler have been involved in a serious car accident just days before the start of the World Cup. Formula One driver Nico Rosberg was also involved in the accident which has seen two people taken to hospital. The incident occurred during a shoot for a new Mercedes advert. The two World Cup hopefuls were being driven in separate cars by Rosberg and professional touring car driver Pascal Wehrlein before the latter ’s car collided with those injured in Northern Italy.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014—43

08 116759 759 081 6759759

A

Californian woman who weighs over 650lbs and has been housebound since 2007 has finally caught her first glimpse of life outside four walls again.

Bonnie’s confinement began when her beloved mother died, after which she refused to leave the house. Paralyzed with grief when her father then died two years later, she hasn’t since left her bed and has

‘F resh air!’

‘Fresh relied entirely on her 24year-old daughter Jamesha to exist.

But in an intervention stunt pulled off by TV life coach Iyanla Vanzant, a construction crew freed her by cutting a hole through her bedroom wall, and Bonnie was wheeled out into the sunshine on a gurney, as shown in a recent episode of Own network’s Iyanla: Fix My Life.

‘Fresh air!’ exclaims

Bonnie, breaking into wrenching sobs.

‘Feel the sun, Miss Bonnie,’ returns Iyanla, prompting the overwhelmed woman to open her eyes.

Bonnie, who is wearing a new dress for the big reveal, is greeted with a rapturous applause from her collective neighbors, and tears from her daughter and full-time caretaker, Jamesha.

‘I’m sorry everybody, I’m sorry!’ Bonnie repeats,

near-hysterical.

‘No sorry!’ Iyanla enthuses.

‘Thank you. She says “Thank you” everybody.’

After an emotional bear hug with her young grandson, in which she can be heard whispering, ‘I told you I was going to take you outside’, Bonnie is ready to be taken to hospital in an ambulance for a full evaluation.

‘Step one: done!’ cheers Iyanla, clutching a box of much-needed tissues and offering Bonnie a high five.

Bonnie was admitted to the USC Hospital in California, where she was too heavy for their scales, but was estimated to weigh in at over 650lbs.

Last month, she was moved to Pasadena Meadows Nursing Center, where she underwent physical therapy and was placed on a restrictive diet.

She has so far lost about 75lbs and for the first time in five years, she was able to stand up.

Doctors say she should be walking within a month.

Nur ses dress lik light urses likee fflight attendants to boost customer satisfaction

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asten your seatbelt, t h i s woman’s going to draw some blood.

Nurses at L i a n s h u i Tr a d i t i o n a l Chinese Medicine hospital in Huaian, a city in eastern China, are now wearing flight attendant uniforms.

Imagine China reports that the new initiative is designed to glamorize the nursing profession and to help foster good bedside manners.

“If you think of all the professions of the world, which one comes to mind when you think of good customer service?” said Bu Haijuan, head of the hospitals nursing unit. “It is airline stewardesses, isn’t it?”

Uh, that wasn’t our first guess, but no matter.

“Nurses learn all sorts of technical skills at college but customer service can be

easily overlooked,” Bu said.

“But flight attendants are specifically trained to have a good attitude and manners.”

The plan has been criticized by those who think it’s demeaning for trained health professionals to wear what “is sometimes viewed as a fancy costume,” according to Imagine China. But Bu stuck by the uniforms.

“Cooks can wear white uniforms. Butchers can wear white uniforms. There is no regulation saying that nurses have to wear white,” she said. “We should think outside the box.”

Get a leg-up with these adverts?

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ore than a h u n d r e d students have responded a Chinese advertising company who wanted to hire space on girls’ legs for the day to advertise a product.

According to the advertising firm, they managed to get dozens of girls to sign up for the campaign after visiting the Zhongnan University of Economics and Law campus in the city of Wuhan in central China’s Hubei province.

In exchange for payment the girls agreed to allow the advertisers to stick an advert for sanitary towels—

including a bar code linking to a page with more information about the product— on their legs.

Spokesman Yuan Kung added: ‘They also have to agree to stand still if anybody including a man wants to use their phone to scan in the code to get more information about the product.

‘We expected that it would be difficult to find someone, but in the end we easily found more than 100 who agreed to take part.’

Xia Yu, a 19-year-old student who agreed to take part in the advertising campaign, said: ‘I don’t see anything wrong with it.

‘A small ad on my leg which brings me some money and them some advertising.

‘It’s all fine as far as I’m concerned.’

However others disagreed and several people commented after the girls with their leg advertising pictures were posted online that it was a shameless stunt and that those involved including the girls should be embarrassed about supporting such a scheme.

Disabled boy tied by his leg to bus stop

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isabled Indian boy, 9, tied by his leg to bus stop on scorching summer ’s day so his grandmother can go to work. The nine-year-old boy dressed in blue lay listlessly on the pavement in the scorching Mumbai summer afternoon, his ankle tethered with rope to a bus stop, unheeded by pedestrians strolling past.

Lakhan Kale cannot hear or speak and suffers from cerebral palsy and epilepsy, so his grandmother and carer tied him up to keep him safe while she went to work, selling toys and flower garlands on the city ’s roadsides.

‘What else can I do? He can’t talk, so how will he tell anyone if he gets lost?’ said homeless Sakhubai Kale,66, who raised Lakhan on the street by the bus stop shaded by the hanging roots of a banyan

tree. Lakhan’s father died several years ago and his mother walked out on the family, his grandmother said. A photograph of him tied up appeared in a local newspaper last week, sparking concerns among charities and the police, and he has since been taken into care at a government-run institution.

Back by the Mumbai bus stop, Ms Kale squatted on the pavement drinking chai and eating bread on the morning after bidding a tearful goodbye to her grandson. She was hopeful she would get to see him regularly once she acquired an official identity card that would allow her to visit the centre. ‘I am very happy,’ she said. ‘What else would I want other than for him to be looked after?’

44—SA TURD AY 44—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, MA Y 31 MAY 31, 2014

When Y emi Emik o ttoured oured Delta South Yemi Emiko

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ounger brother to the Olu of Warri and Senatorial aspirant to the Delta South Senatorial District, Prince Yemi Emiko, was recently in Isoko area of the State, as part of his tour of the constituency, to consult, meet with and share ideas with the leaders and good people of the area. The tour

took him to both Isoko North and South Local Government areas.

Prince Emiko (r) being received in the home of Senator Chief Spanner Okpozo, by the APC Delta State chairman, Prophet Jones Ode Erue.

Yemi Emiko, addressing the mammoth crowd that came out to receive him at Oleh.

Joyous Senator Okpozo, showing his support for Yemi Emiko.

His Majesty the Odion Ologbo of Oleh, blessing Prince Yemi Emiko.

Prince Emiko with Barr. Omasan Agbajoh, party leader from Warri South LGA.

The mammoth crowd that came out to receive Prince Yemi Emiko at Oleh.

Madam Ebohoin laid tto o rest t was a day of pomp and pageantry recently in INigerian Oke-Ora, Edo State when Victor Ebohoin of National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, buried his Late mother, Madam Gloria Ebohoin at the old town. The funeral service was held at St Paul Anglican Church followed by a grand reception for guests who had come from far and wide.

L-R: Revd. Yomi Akande, Vicar of the Church, Victor Ebohoin of NNPC and Rear Admiral S.E. Ogoigbe.

L-R: Comrade Victor Ebohoin and wife, with Dr. O.J. Ojo.

Cross section of immediate family of Late Madam Gloria Ebohoin with Rev Yomi Akande, Vicar of the Church, St Paul Anglican Church, Oke-Ora, new site

Relief for persons with disabilities in Delta State SKILL graduation

R-L: Mr.Funkakpo Fufeyin, Govt. and Community Relations Manager, SPDC of Nig. Ltd,Prof.Patrick Muoboghare, Commissioner, Basic and Secondary Education,Delta State,Mrs Betty Efekhodah, Commissioner, Women Affairs and Social Devt. and Ms Omasan Buwa, Executive Asst.to Delta State Gov on Physically Challenged Persons.

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training and

handover of starter packs to persons living

R-L: Engr.Ike Oduah, Perm-Sec, Ministry of Oil and Gas,Delta State,Ms Omasan Buwa,Mrs Betty Efekhodah,Comrade Obruchie, Chairman, Association for Persons Living with Disabilities, Delta State, and Mr.Funkakpo Fufeyin ,during presentation of Wheel Chairs.

with disabilities in Delta State took place at the Grand Hotel, Asaba. Many persons with disabilities who benefited from the training were given relief to begin another life. Photos by Nath Onojake

During presentation of cheque to beneficiaries

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

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have an exercise I always conduct in my premarriage class. I normally ask the participants if their parents are still alive. If the answer is yes, I will ask if their parents have health challenges, faulty or old cars, leaking roofs or broken walls or other problems the parents need money to solve. Normally, they also answer "yes".

Then I will ask why they are •"here preparing for a wedding that will cost huge sums of money instead of channelling the money to solve their parents'• problems".They normally look at me bemused (Recently I insisted on an answer and one of the participants told me that •"life has to move on").

Then I will add, •"You know why? It is because your parents are no longer simplistic and straightforward, your priority, that is, if they ever were. especially in a volatile and unstable But this is not really about your socioeconomic and political parents; the issue is you. The environment where changes occur treatment you are meting out to your with the rapidity of desert sand dunes parents now should give you a and a change in government policy can foretaste of what awaits you. I am not turn a comfortable person into a pauper cursing you, but you may also not be overnight. You need a lot of knowledge your children's priority. So, start and expert advice. preparing for your retirement/ old age I also advise my marriage course to save yourselves the experience your participants who are in paid parents are now going through." employment to be wary of investing in Some still do not get the message transportation, restaurants and fast because old age/retirement is food, supermarkets and other forms of something young people (some of them are in their early 20s) see as •"distant future" and so they have •"all the time in the world." But retirement planning experts advise that preparing for retirement should start from the day you start earning an income. Starting early has benefits: your little drops of water can become retailing because the owners of such a mighty ocean of wealth to float on businesses need to devote time to them by the time you retire or are old. It and they do not have such time. Even also eases pressure as you get older when the owners are around and because a sense of panic can set in systems and processes are in place to once you get into your late 40s and drive the operations, some workers early 50s and you have not set aside still circumvent the system and pilfer, anything reasonable yet, either in the steal or loot. I advise them to rather form of investments or cash in a invest in property, stocks, money retirement account. market instruments and other Retirement planning is not investments that do not require their

Parents are not priority daily attention. It is up to each investor to thoroughly educate himself and understand the sector he/she is investing in before plunging in.

The need to make personal arrangement for retirement/old age [you can call it Plan B] has even become more urgent with what we read and hear in the media. From Abuja to Oyo State, billions of naira of pension funds have been stolen by civil servants and their collaborators, so that people who spent all their lives in government hoping to fall back on

Your little drops of water can become a mighty ocean of wealth

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pension in old age can get stranded.

From military, police to civil service retirees, we have been reading about how they die in queues waiting for their pension over the years. This is no way to spend retirement or old age (The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, recently said there is a positive change. The Pension Reform Act 2004 also gives workers some hope).

Vanguard, MA Y 31, 2014—45 MAY Old age is a delicate and critical time of our lives. It is dangerous to make it another person's responsibility, whether government or children. Oh your children are not •"another person?" That is true, but do you have control over their money? Can you sign their cheques? Some of us treat our parents like everybody's property and so everybody thinks somebody is going to sort out daddy and mummy, and they end up not being sorted out because everybody ends up not doing something anybody or somebody could have done. he Bible says we should take care of our parents, but do not bank T on it. The same Bible also says thou

shall not steal, thou shall not kill, thou shall not covet and many other don'ts, but do we obey everything? If we did Nigeria will not be in a mess.

Nigeria, as it is now, is ill prepared, ill equipped and unwilling to take care of its senior citizens and what the current senior citizens are going through in the hands of this generation is what will likely befall the next set of senior citizens.

Unless urgent and genuine steps are taken to stem the tide, what our children are going to inherit is a massive mess of a country (I pray and hope Nigeria will still be intact by that time. I am for a strong and united Nigeria with strong federating units and a less powerful centre). If they manage to fix it, I get this sinking feeling that they are going to make themselves and the future generations their priority. The implication is that it is not only at the family front that many senior citizens will not be priority; even at the government level they will also not be priority. See why it is terribly important that you have a Plan B for your old age/retirement?

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The right postures that ensure fitness

upine Deep knee bend Technique: Bend your knees and sit on the heels. Bend backwards as you place your left elbow on the floor followed by the right elbow.

Move the arms forward and slowly lower your trunk till your entire back is flat on the floor with the feet on the outside of upper part sides of the legs.

Stay in the posture for five seconds and gradually increase the duration for as much as half a minute or a bit longer.

Benefits: The supine Deep knee Bend tones the gudriceps—the muscles of the front upper thighs, the knee and Angkle joints are made supple.

Upright Bent knee forward Bend Technique: Sit down with both legs extended in front. Bend the left knee upright place the hands at the back and hold a wrist with the other hand with the upright bent knee between the left hand and the side of the trunk.

Benefits: The posture tones the muscles of the legs strengthens the arms. It also gives an effective massage to

Yoga Classes @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

the abdominal organs getting rid of constipation.

Leg over knee Forward Bend Technique: Sit with both legs extended in front of you, grab hold of the left leg with both hands and bending forward place it on the back of the head and as you put the right hand on the leg and slide it as far down the leg as it will go. Retain the pose for some 5 to 15 seconds and repeat changing legs.

Benefits: The hamstrings are made flexible and the legs rendered powerfully strong.

The fish Technique: Sit on the heels and dropping on one elbow after the other arch the back and place the top of the head down on the floor. Arrange the hands as if in prayer on the chest, stay in this position from 5 to 20 seconds.

Benefits: The knee and ankle joints and the nape of the neck are favourably affected. It is a counter-pose to the shoulderstand.

46—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014

By CHINENYEH OZOR, Nsukka

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OLLOWING the uneasy calm that held Aji community in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, Enugu State, spell bound in the recent past over several killings in the community, men of the Force Headquarters, Abuja, last weekend, swooped on the community, arrested the chairman of the neighbourhood watch and two others while others allegedly fingered took to their heels.

Crime Guard gathered that the arrest of the chairman of the neighbourhood watch, Mr. Joseph Azegba, and two others identified as Jude Ali and Okwu Ugwuanyi, was in connection with a petition written by the family of Oforma Itodo who was slain four days after burying his mother and Obinna Onoja, who was equally hacked to death barely one week after Oforma was killed within the month of March, 2014.

Even before the two most recent killings, fear, anxiety and confusion enveloped the ancient kingdom of Aji community as people restricted their movement in apprehension of being killed or maimed.

The peace-loving community was thrown into confusion following the porous crime situation as the inhabitants and visitors could no longer discuss issues of common interest freely.

How Obinna was killed The middle-aged Obinna Onoja, was butchered to death on the flimsy reason that he stole an undisclosed item from the compound of a top Enugu State government official who hails

•Late Obinna Onoja

•Late Oforma Itodo

Killings in Enugu Community •IGP swings into action – arrests three suspects •Detectives hunt for fleeing suspects •Aggrieved women demand dissolution of vigilante group off his toes, tortured him severely to death before a team of policemen from Enugu State Special Anti robbery, SARS, who were earlier alerted arrived.

Before his arrest by detectives from Force headquarters, Abuja,

Investigations revealed that the assailants were alleged to have used axes and machetes to chop off his toes, tortured him severely to death before a team of policemen from Enugu State Special Anti robbery, SARS, who were earlier alerted arrived

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from the community. A competent source who pleaded anonymity intimated that , “Obinna was allegedly killed over an unestablished fact by a group that parades themselves as ‘Aji neighbourhood watch’. He was an unemployed youth who ekes out living from menial jobs, he was never known as a bad egg in the community, whatever informed his assailants to kill him was yet to be made public.

Two suspects said to have played major roles in the gruesome murder were identified as hunchback and Otiyo.

Investigations revealed that the assailants were alleged to have used axes and machetes to chop

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Chairman of the neighbourhood watch, Joseph Azegba, told Crime Guard on mobile phone that his group has been hunting for Obinna for his alleged involvement in some criminal activities in the area.

According to him, “ we apprehended Obinna along AjiOgrute road on March 21, 2014 and questioned him, after which we handed him over to the police for further interrogation.

We never tortured him to death as we only heard he has died.

We contacted the DPO, Igbo-Eze North Police Division and the Special Anti Robbery Squad Enugu but did not contact the traditional ruler of the

community. I cannot tell you what crime he committed as this is a phone talk, you may wish to meet with me for further details as we have been looking for him since November 2013,” he explained.

The killing of Oforma Itodo Another victim, Oforma Itodo an escapee of the alleged dreaded Aji neighbourhood watch led by Joseph Azegba was hacked to death four days after burying his mother. A family source that witnessed the attack on their brother told Crime Guard that the group numbering over 50 men, armed with matchets, axes and guns, invaded their compound in the early hours of March 3, 2014, accosted Oforma and bluntly refused to hear from any member of the family who pleaded with them to know what was the problem.

According to the family source, “the assailants went straight to Oforma who was carrying his little baby, forced the baby out of his hand and started hitting him without any explanation before dragging him out of the compound to an undisclosed area where they finally finished him, abandoned his lifeless body and fled. We were thrown into bewilderment, and the confusion

•MD Abubakar, IGP—Justice must be done

•Aji women protesting at the satanic invasion and killing of our brother four days after we buried our mother, we are yet to know the reason why he was killed, who are behind the killing, that was why we petitioned the Inspector General of Police to unmask the killers of our brother,” he stated.

It could be recalled that the deceased, Oforma, before his death, had allegedly petitioned the IGP over threat to his life which was forwarded to Enugu State Police Command to investigate, the matter went to court but the petitioner was allegedly charged as an accused person instead of the complainant.

Disappearance from community Luckily, the High court at Enugu allegedly discovered that the case was upturned against the complainant, discharged him and ever since then, his alleged assailants have been after him which forced him to disappear from the community.

He came back to bury his mother only to be killed four days after.

Late Oforma who was popularly known in the community as“one kind man” has been evading the alleged killer group in the name of neighbourhood watch allegedly

controlled by the top government official. Crime Guard investigation revealed that the killing of Oforma was to permanently cover up the startling confessions of a member of a rival neighbourhood watch who was earlier caught with dangerous weapons in the community. He allegedly implicated both the top government official and others over killings in the community.

Women protest It was also gathered that earlier before the police from Abuja intervened, the upsurge in crime in the erstwhile peaceloving community irked their women numbering over 1000 to stage a protest over incessant killings. They went round the community and its environs with bold placards chanting sorrowful Christian songs. They also demanded the immediate dissolution of the police assisted neighbourhood watch led by Joseph Azegba (a.k.a Wayas).

The women also complained of mismanagement and fragrant abuse of the neighbourhood watch that had been infiltrated by hoodlums and disgruntled politicians who want to use it to achieve their political goals.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014 — 47

Man beats son to death, couple arrested over death of ward

BY KINGSLEY NDIMELE AND IFUNAYA OKAFOR

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hock and disbelief could best describe the expression on the faces of residents of Omitola street in Agege area of Lagos, when Saturday Vanguard visited Thursday , to ascertain the circumstance that led to the death of a 12-year-old boy.

The guardians of the boy allegedly beat him to death just as a man in Oregun, Ikeja, was also alleged to have beaten the son to death for stealing N1,000.

The 12-year old boy who was identified as Onyedikachi Mbanozo, was reportedly brought from the village by Mr and Mrs Paul Obiefule, last year, with a promise to send him to school.

The couple reportedly kept to their promise by enrolling him in Holy Trinity Primary School, Agege,where he started from primary •Mr Obiefule one.Information gathered from discovered that residents revealed that Mbanozo was dead, Mbanozo was allegedthey hid his corpse ly often beaten at the under the bed. Sensing slightest provocation danger that all was not by his guardians. He well , curious was said to have told neighbours were said some residents that he to have asked after would leave for the Mbanozo. village when he A resident who spoke finished his primary school education. He never lived to see his dream come true. Life was snuffed out of him Tuesday,after one of the routine batterings.

Ironically , he died on a day children all over the world were being celebrated.

He was hungry and sought to eat at about on condition of ano1pm. It was to be his nymity told Saturday first meal of the day. that: “At first Vanguard His guardians , the woman told us that allegedly pounced on the boy fainted and was him in the process of rushed to the hospital. which he slumped and Later she said he had died. been discharged and Residents told was inside. When we Saturday Vanguard insisted on seeing him , during the visit that they said he was when the couple

sleeping. Some people suspected all was not well with the boy when the the couple still insisted that the boy was still sleeping the following day. It was when we insisted on seeing the boy that

she opened up, disclosing that Mbanozo was dead and that her husband had gone to get a car that would take the corpse to the village.

While we were waiting for her husband to return, he

Life was snuffed out of him Tuesday,after one of the routine batterings.

Ironically , he died on a day children all over the world were being celebrated

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called his wife on the phone and told her to pack her things out of their apartment and leave with their three children. We stopped her from packing and followed her to a beer parlour where her husband was waiting for her and contacted

the police.

Confirming the arrest, spokes person for the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide said:“ At about 2.30pm on Tuesday, the Divisional Police Officer in-charge of Pen- Cinema Division , while on patrol with his policemen, received an anonymous call that a man by name Paul Obiefule ‘m’ of No.22, Omitola Street, Agege Lagos and his wife had beaten a boy living with them named Onyedikachi Mbanozo ‘m’ aged 12years to death.

On receipt of the information police patrol vehicles moved to the scene and brought the suspects and the deceased to the station for a detailed investigation. Case is currently under investigation at Pen Cinema Division’ In a similar incident on Monday at about 4 am, one Bright whose surname was unknown and who resided at No. 6 Olarewaju Street, Oregun, Ikeja was allegedly hit with iron belt by his father for stealing N1,000. The boy was rushed to Divine Private Hospital on Lawal Street Oregun where he was confirmed dead.

The body has been deposited at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital mortuary where autopsy would be carried out.

Man arrested for allegedly killing 92yr old grandmother

By Evelyn Usman “I woke up that night, rushed to her room and started beating her with a broom . When she tried to stop me, I pushed her and she hit her head on the wall and she slumped.

The next thing I heard was that she was dead”.

These were the exact words of Ngofaka Iyo, a fisherman from Okrika in Ogu/Bolo local government area of Rivers state who allegedly killed his 92 year-old maternal grandmother .

Reason? The suspect accused his grandmother identified as Mrs Amachree , of being a witch, alleging that she had on several occasions attempted to take his life through witchcraft.

The suspect, a primary school drop-out ,lives in the same compound with his mother, siblings and grandmother. He was said to have, on several occasions explained to his mother and siblings of always having night mares.

According to his statement to the Police, Ngofaka explained that he had on several occasion been oppressed in the dream, and he usually saw grandma’s face in the dream whenever he had the experience. He also said his, one Fanny and his brother’s wifehad the same experience.

He said: “Each time I confronted her, she would plead with me to forgive her that she won’t repeat it. This has been going on for a while and I have been enduring it. But the high point of the experience was in April this year. That night, I was being stranguled in the dream . I tried to shout for help but could not. At a point I started foaming in the mouth . As life was going out of me, I saw my grand mother standing over me and saying I must die. Somehow, I managed to overcome the oppression . Immediately I regained consciousness, I rushed to her room and pointed a torch at her. To my shock she was awake! She started raining curses on me, asking why I refused to die. That was when I picked a broom and stared hitting her . She tried to take the broom from me and in the process, I pushed her and she hit her head on the wall and her ankle on an iron burglary protector. She sustained injuries on her head, hand and leg from which she bled and died”, he stated .

He lied- suspect’s sister However, Ngofaka’s account was discredited by one of the deceased’s children, Augusta Agienboye, 52. Agienboye told operatives that after the act, the suspect’s girl friend ran to her, informing her that Ngofaka had inflicted machete cuts to his grandmother.

Augusta was said to have reported the matter to the Joint Task Force,JTF station in Bolo, following which Ngofaka was apprehended and taken to the JTF check point,where he managed to escape.

But on May 14, 2014, Agienboye said she received a call at about 5pm, where the caller informed that Ngofaka had been rearrested at a diesel dump site in Bolo town b y policemen attached to Ogu/Bolo Police..

At the station his statement reportedly contradicted his earlier claim of using a broom on his grandmother. Family sources told Sunday vanguard that : “ When he realised that the law had caught up with him, he began to reconstruct his earlier statement by adding that he also threatened mama with a stick but didn’t hit her. He also added that he tried to revive the deceased after listening to the counsel of his girlfriend when he saw her in the pool of blood and took her to a treatment centre but didn’t have 5,000 Naira demanded at the centre. To ascertain his claim, operatives from the Homicide section reportedly visited the scene of the murder . But they were said to have not found the supposed killer stick . Commenting on the arrest, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police,Mr Tunde Ogunsakin, said the command would conduct a post moterm test to verify the suspect’s statement and if found culpable at the end of investigation, he would be charged to court.

Senegalese woman jailed 5 yrs for drug trafficking

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By ONOZURE DANIA Lagos Federal High Court, sitting at Ikoyi, has sentenced a 33- year-old

Senegalese woman,Kamara Oumou to five years jail term over drug trafficking.

Justice Musa Kurya, sentenced Oumou after finding her guilty of a two-count charge of drug trafficking sequel to the exhibit by NDLEA exhibit keeper, Okechukwu Mambo. The convict pleaded guilty to the charges.

He, however, ordered that the time of the sentence should run concurrently. Kamara Oumou, was arrested March last year, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

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48—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014

My life as a physically challenged student

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

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f your idea of a physically chal lenged person is someone begging on the streets think again. Rita Ofili might not be able to use her legs, but she has wheeled her way through the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions without taking any prisoners.

“My parents didn’t concern themselves with my disability. All they were concerned about was: ‘How do we make her somebody? How do we secure a future for her? How can we educate her?’

Her parents’ dilemma between showing love to their special child and giving her the independence she needed finally resulted in her beginning secondary school at age ten.

“I started quite late, but it did not really bug me. Throughout primary and secondary school, I was the only physically challenged person in my class.”

Things got a bit more complex when Rita finished her basic education. Her parents deToday, Rita is a graduate of Linguistics, cided that she would go to a boarding student at African and Asian studies. Not only is she Federal Government Girls’ College, Ibuzor in Delconsidering pursuing another degree, she ta state. is inspiring other physically challenged “When the principal of the school people to live up to first found out about my chaltheir full potential lenge,” she said, “she wasn’t sure through the EpaI want to be a role model to if she wanted to admit me into the phata Hope Founpeople all around the world, school. She felt that I would not be dation which she able to cope. But my parents told founded and curso that when they see me, her to give me a chance. She did. rently presides. She they’ll know that disability But it wasn’t easy at all. Sometimes, believes that there there would be a stampede either should be free edudoesn’t count; it’s what you because my mates were running cation for persons bring out of it that matters from seniors or a fictional bush with disabilities, baby, and I’ll be pushed out of my and that the society chair in the process. But I was able as a whole should to scale through.” treat such people with love and care. When After secondary school in 2001, Rita stayed at asked about her plans for the future, Rita home for nearly five years before gaining admislaughs and replies: sion into the higher institution.

“I know that other physically challenged “I wrote the then Unified Matriculation Examipeople can identify with me. And I want to nation, UME, about four times before I finally got be an inspiration to them. I want them to admission into school. I began at the University of look at me and say: ‘She’s just like me, if Lagos in 2006, and for the first time I was not the she can do this, so can I. I want to teach only physically challenged person in the entire them to take pride in themselves. I want to school. I saw people who had challenges worse than be a role model to people all around the mine. And I was inspired that if they could be in world, so that when they see me, they’ll school pursuing their university degree, then I know that disability doesn’t count; it’s what could do it too.” you bring out of it that matters.”

Rita Ofilia

They did not destroy property worth 100m — Caleb Parents

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

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arents of Caleb University students have said the surcharge meted out to each student for damages to the school property during the fracas two weeks ago was high as students could not have destroyed property worth N100 million. The school management sent this text message to parents earlier in the week: “CUL Parents and Students are hereby notified that school resumes Mon,June 2. Exams start Mon,June 9. Male students are to pay N100, 000 while the female would pay N50, 000 by Bank Draft into Ecobank Acct 1993000979 to offset damage to school property. Balance of Sch. Fees should be paid into Sterling Bank Acct. 0020022195. No student would be allowed into the University Premises without evidence of payment of school fees and the surcharge. A guarantor must accompany each student with a letter of undertaking to be of good behavior.”A mother, whose daughter is a student at the school told Saturday Vanguard: “The money they asked us to pay is too much.

There are at least 1400 students in that school. If they must pay this much to offset the damage, that’s at least N100 million. What did they destroy that is worth that much? A lot of students lost their property. My daughter lost her laptop, she was in the hostel when the whole thing happened. Where will I get money to buy a new laptop and then pay this surcharge?”

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014—49

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52— SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014

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SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014—53

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Vanguard , MA Y 31 MAY 31, 2014

Orphanage homes receive govt largesse

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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Okota Road, tales of woes, as residents, motorists cry for immediate govt’s intervention which definitely lead to damage on such sections of the road.

According to Mr. Ekene Johnson, a nspite of the ongoing expan resident in the area, he spends at least two sion and reconstruction of Agohours daily getting out from Ago Palace Palace Way, and Okota axis, in Isolo Way to Cele Expressway on his way to the Local Council Development Area, LCDA, office. being undertaken by Lagos State Govern“It is really unfortunate that Ago Palace ment, residents and motorists have once Way and Okota roads have been neglectagain appealed to Governor Babatunde ed for so long. The entire road is in a Fashola for his immediate intervention sorry state especially, when it rains. on the deplorable road.

“Commuters pay exorbitant fares to The people want the government to fast their various destinations. A trip that track the completion of the project as well should cost N100 has gone up to N200, as fix inner roads and some huge gullies that is 100 percent hike. With all these impeding free flow of traffic along Okota sufferings, the government has turned Road. away their eye from our plights. We are This road is an alternate route for imploring government to come to our aid motorists who prefer to avoid the usual without further delay.” traumatic traffic log jam along OshodiAlso, a motorist, Mr Akin Adeolu, Apapa Expressway, presently under slow complained that he had to change his paced reconstruction by the Federal usual short Government. It is route to a also beneficial for longer route residents around Ago junction to Cele Exall becuuase Isolo, Okota, Ejigbo, he lost his pressway, is currently in Ikotun and Jakande shock Estate especially terrible condition, which absorber those working on the twice within not only results in traffic Island. three When completed, it jam but also a great threat months to will be possible for the to human life and property inbound traffic from deplorable as far as FESTAC road.

Town, AmuwoHe lamented: “I have to drive from my Odofin, Satellite Town and Mile Two to Ago-Palace Way residence through Apata get quickly to Itire and Yaba areas in way to link Ilasa, connecting Oshodi about 30-45 minutes. This is possible Road all in attempt to avoid “pit of hell” because of the recently completed Celeas it is popularly called, along Okota Way Itire Link Bridge by the state government. to Cele Expressway. It is horrible.”

With the rainy season fully here, Ago junction to Cele Expressway, is currently Govt reacts in terrible condition, which not only According to the Commissioner for results in traffic jam but also a great Works and Infrastructure, Obafemi threat to human life and property.

Hamzat, at a media briefing recently, in Several times in the past, heavy duty the last one year a total number of 161 vehicles and tankers have broken down roads covering 147,347 kilometres had on the road forcing other motorists to use been completed, while a total of 211 only one lane, coupled with the bad state. roads are currently under reconstruction.

Petty traders have taken advantage of the “We reiterate the fact that we are not poor state of the road by hawking all sorts unmindful of the needs of several commuof wares, both edibles and non edibles. nities, which Okota is one, for high Also, majority of drains are blocked quality roads. As of today we acknowlwith waste and silted materials and edge the right of every citizen to have therefore make it difficult for water to be such access but roads are not just simple retained on asphalted surface of the roads fabrications.

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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“For a state like Lagos, the challenges of topography, the extensive built up areas that affect delivery dates, weather conditions and the several court cases that arise in the course of executing projects are realities that we contend with as we attempt to deliver our road projects.

Nevertheless, we are determined to ensure that we deliver on our mandate. “We also note the remark of phased projects being described as abandoned. Quite a number of our projects are phased such as Ago Palace Way, Ejigbo-Idimu Road among others.

“The length of some roads requires that we break them down to manageable components. This is for administrative and strategic convenience and it is in the overall best interest of the communities where the projects are located.”

Lagos State Public Works, Mr. Gbenga Akintola said: “We have tried in all cases to respond to repair needs on Lagos roads.

But this has always been within the confines of our capacity in terms of human and material resources as well as environmental factors mostly beyond our control.

“Due to the rains, we commenced palliative work in August and we have touched more than 105 roads where temporary repair measures are applicable. These portions are to be revisited for proper repairs that will last long at the end of the rains.

“It should be noted however that the introduction of interlocking paving stones method during this period will provide almost permanent respite in some repaired areas.

“We are equally aware that the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure is also intensifying effort to complete pockets of road construction projects currently at various parts of Lagos.

“However, the governor has continuously demonstrated his commitment to helping us do better by ensuring better funding for road repair activities, procurement of additional plants and equipment, investing more in human resources and putting to effective use, the Customer Service Center recently established to facilitate the feedback process between us and the public.”

agos State Government, through the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, Brigade, the Law Enforcement Unit of the state’s Ministry for the Environment, recently, donated different gift items, including rams, goats, sheep and food items, to some orpahanage homes in the state.

The benefiting homes include: Little Saints Orphanage, Abule Egba Branch and Bab-Es Salam Home, Joel Ogunaike Street, G.R.A, Ikeja.

The donations were made following the directive of the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello that confiscated consumable items including strayed livestock found constituting environmental nuisance or destroying the beautification project of the government should henceforth, be given out to

The benefiting homes include: Little Saints Orphanage, Abule Egba Branch and Bab-Es Salam Home, Joel Ogunaike Street, G.R.A, Ikeja orphanages in the state.

Mr. Tunde Olusesi, Head of Public Relations Unit of the agency, who made the donation on behalf of the KAI Administrator, Mr. Onipede, commended the management of the Homes, stressing that government gave them the gifts to encourage and support them in their service to humanity.

Receiving the gift items on behalf of the management of the Little Saint Orphanage, Mrs. Tayo Shekoni expressed gratitude to the state governor, commissioner and entire staff of the Brigade for the gesture aimed at alleviating the suffering of the less privileged in the society.

Also, Mr. Idris Mohammed, who received the items on behalf of the management of Bab-Es Salam Home also commended the state government for the kind gesture and prayed that the Almighty God will continue to bless and reward the staff of the state government abundantly.

Some of the orphanages that had earlier benefited include: Modupe Cole Memorial Home, Akoka; SOS Home, Isolo; Bethlehem Home, Ikotun; Great Faith Orphanage, Bayeku, Ikorodu, among others.

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A MEDICAL DOCTOR PAINTS A GORY PICTURE OF VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA AND WHY SHE MOVED TO JOS

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r. Laeticia Adadau heard , from her residence, as the latest bomb detonated in the once idyllic city of Jos, North Central Nigeria. A medical practitioner who lived and worked with an international organization in Abuja (name withheld) before moving to Plateau State three years ago, Dr Adadau has since lived in Jos, where she founded and runs a wellness centre and resort.

Like many Jos residents, she has watched with dismay as her beloved city continues on the freefall into an abyss of mindless violence. Displaying rare courage, she represents the honest, hardworking and upright and peaceloving citizen who believes we can win the war against terror, as well as religious and ethnic bigotry. In this short chat, she shares the pulse of the city; the fears and hopes with Morenike Taire.

Insecurity: How a lady relocated from Jos only to be killed in Abuja

Why move to Jos, of all places?

I needed to relocate to a neutral quiet place And Jos was a ‘neutral quiet place?

Jos still remains a very beautiful place with affordable standard of living compared to Abuja As a wellness expert how can people keep some psychological balance in this environment?

Not really psychological issues: there’s been relative peace until the recent bomb blasts. Life seemed to have returned to normal. The insecurity is not peculiar to Jos. Some people relocated from Jos only to meet their death in other parts of the country like Abuja. A lady relocated from Jos only to be blasted to death in the Abacha barracks bomb blast in Abuja The good thing is that we in Jos are more security conscious because of what we have gone through But how security conscious can you be,

and why do people continue to stay?

Jos is a gorgeous, lovely natural beauty with a matchless temperate weather. No one who has lived here wants to move.

There’s a lot of relocation within the town itself.

Well in Jos, in vulnerable areas like churches people are extra careful more than other towns. Most of them do not admit hand bags and cars into the premises.

Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014—55

A lot of people with links with Jos are heartbroken with developments in the last few years. Is that the case with you?

Everyone who used to know Jos will be heartbroken at the polarization of Christians and Muslims, the devastation, the insecurity. There is not much more to say.

You have had encounters with actual people affected by bombings and other violence. Can you share some experiences?

My friend lost her brother who came to school in Unijos (University of Jos). He and his friend were caught in the riot at the old terminus market. His friend escaped, but he was not found, never found. I met a young guy whose mother, a widow lost her only means of livelihood to the violence and had to relocate to Lagos, as she had family there.

My parish priest was saying Mass at Fatima Catholic Cathedral when the mob arrived. He quickly went to ring the bell to alert people of the danger. the mob set the priest house on fire, shot the priest, poured petrol on him to set him ablaze, but a lady security appeared from behind and shot at all of them. Their corpses fell on him. He was carried with the corpses to JUTH (Jos University Teaching Hospital) thinking he was dead.

There was also a bus driver and conductor that were forcefully driving passengers to the area where Muslims were killing Christians; a young passenger, risked his life by taking off his shirt and holding the driver from behind which forced the bus off the road. That was how they were saved.

What are your ideas/suggestions about restoring peace to the city?

For peace to return, first education of the populace is crucial. The next generation is growing up to believe that Muslims and Christians are mortal enemies. Also, there has to be serious commitment on security from the government. For example, hours before the last bomb blast, the police had been notified of the mysterious car, yet nothing was done to prevent the carnage.

IDUMUJE KINGDOM: When a journalist became a monarch

BY HUGO ODIOGOR

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Obi Anyasi C M Y K

he culture and historical anteced ents of Idumuje Unor Kingdom were on display as His Royal Majesty, Obi Charles Chukwunwike Anyasi, formally took the staff of office from Delta State Government on May 17, 2014.

It was a colourful event in carnival-like atmosphere. The ascendancy of Obi Anyasi 111 whose father occupied the seat for 67 years, making him one of the longest reigning monarchs in the world and in modern history before he passed on, on April 29, 2013 was legitimate.

In fact the long reign of Obi James Ikechukwu Anyasi, meant that men and women from Idumuje Uno who were born since 1949, had not witnessed coronation ceremony of any king in the sleepy town.

More significantly, was the fact that the event provided the people the opportunity to re-enact the culture of the people, extol their communal values and re-affirm their belief in the axiom that “east or west, home is the best”.

The interplay of history and culture came in a clement weather of bright sun shine which gave the visitors and indigenes of Idumuje Unor, the salubrious environment to watch and enjoy the zestful cultural

dances and masquerade displays.

fathers.

The Roll call The thrill and frills were complimented by the presence of government officials led by the Deputy Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Dr. Amos Agbe Utuama,who was accompanied by members of Delta State Executive Council and key political actors in the area. Also present were royal fathers from Delta North to show solidarity to one of their own. Notable among them were: HRM, Agbogidi Victor Chukwumalieze 1, the Obi of Onicha Ugbo, HRM, Agbogidi Henry Ezeagwuna, the Obi of Issele Uku, HRM Agbogidi Chukwuka Azuka, the Obi of Akwukwu, HRM Dr. Ezeagwu Ezeenwali, the Obi of Umunede.

Others were; HRM, Dr. Ken. Ezegbunem, the Obi of Nsukwa, HRM, Dr. Kikachukwu, the Obi of Ubulu Uno, HRM Sunday Olisewokwu, the Obi of Ogodor, HRM Edward Ofulue, the Obi of Ubulu Uku, and HRM Obi Unokaiwendi,Obi of Ubulubu.

The celebrant, Obi Charles Chukwunwike Anyasi III, was a seasoned columnist with the now rested Sunday Concord, where his genre of witty satire entitled: Concord Laff, was a delight to readers in the 1980s. It was therefore a joyful moment for his family members, friends and well-wishers to see him ascend the royal throne of his fore

The reformist agenda The reform minded monarch did not waste time in outlining his vision for his subjects, indicating that the administration of the kingdom would be based on collective action and participation of a broad section of the society.

Consequently, the Obi announced that his administration shall be committee-based as each key facet of the challenging communal life will be handled and over-sighted by special sub-committees that will be reporting to the Obi-in-Council.

Notable among the committees are the ones on palace welfare security, development of infrastructure, enumeration, education and ICT, spiritual and religious affairs.

The President of Idumuje Patriotic Union of Nigeria (IPUN), Chief Jude Onwochei could not hide his feelings as he told the guests that Idumuje Unor is a classic case of neglect as the town lacks basic amenities, ranging from health care centre, schools to, electricity, good roads to link up with its neighbouring towns like Ugbodu, Idumuje Ugboko, Onicha uku, Onicha Ugbo and Ohordua in Esan East local government area in Edo State which it share border with. His Royal Majesty Obi Charles Chukwunwike Anyasi11, has elected to adopt the Roosevelt concept of development to rescue his neglected kingdom.

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Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014

BY EMMA AMAIZE,

Regional Editor, South-South

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ORMER national chairman of the Association of Traditional Rulers of Oil Minerals Producing Communities of Nigeria, ATROMPCON, and the paramount ruler of Seimbiri Kingdom in Delta State, HRM Charles Ayemi-Botu, aka Lion of the Niger, spoke to Saturday Vanguard on the reign of terror by Boko Haram and what South-South delegates to the National Conference at Abuja must put on the table.

Excerpts.

Boko Haram has clearly gone wild, what are your thoughts on the group’s violent activities?

Well, it is a very sad commentary, the Boko Haram we are talking about now never started now, you would talk about the Maitatsine men in the early ’80s, where some religious fanatics started in Kano, Kaduna and were cutting people’s neck, maiming and doing all other things, that was the period of Shagari government. It ended but unknown to us, it has not ended.

Something that is in one’s blood, it becomes congenital and from time to time, history has cases of having a bad person in a family, that person may live and die but another will rise and continue. The Boko Haram thing in the dimension it is now is to a great extent caused by politicians. Without mincing words, in 2011, unfortunately with the death of former President Yar’Adua and with Jonathan completing his tenure and seeking to contest proper as president, hell was let loose. While the results were still being announced, his opponents in the North said that they were going to make Nigeria ungovernable; that they were going to heat up the polity if Jonathan wins. We have a very shallow memory; this is where the whole thing started again.

If you say so but Boko Haram has gone beyond merely heating up the polity over election result?

My take on Boko Haram is that if you create a masquerade, and lead it out to dance, either for alms or for festival to entertain, the masquerade knows its master’s voice as to when to end or start, but when the masquerade turns and does not listen to the master, it now turns to be a boomerang, that is the Boko Haram that we are seeing today. It was a ploy to create or to heat up the polity so as to make the governance of this country difficult. Unfortunately, the plan of using Boko Haram in doing so has now backfired by now going round within the axis which it knows best.

The US and some other countries have come on the invitation of Nigeria, are you okay with the foreign intervention?

In my own opinion, I think terrorism is a worldwide problem and no one is an expert in it. I do welcome the international community coming into it because Boko Haram has a link with Al Queda, Almagreb, ElShabab, they are working in synergy. Terrorism now has a syndicate and being sponsored by multi-millionaires giving them all what they need. Since they are working in tandem and we don’t know when it will end, the advanced countries have not been able to curb Al Queda and their splinter groups are spreading in Africa, and now in West Africa. It will also do them good, as Nigeria is a very important country to them in Africa.

As a retired soldier, what will you advice Jonathan to do in the search for the Chibok girls?

What Jonathan needs now is community policing, we need to have the local fighters from the area who understand the Sambisa forest. Can I come to a place I don’t know and achieve results? Look at Borno state governor, the man is cantankerous, the governor is saying things as if he is sponsoring them. I mentioned that there is a political dimension to this, what they are doing is C M Y K

S-South delegates should insist on 50% derivation or remain in Abuja —HRM Charles Ayemi-Botu

What Jonathan needs now is community policing, we need to have the local fighters from the area who understand the Sambisa forest

simply to heat up the polity, as if Aso Rock Villa is meant for some people, and not everybody. So for that reason when there is crisis, the country becomes ungovernable and we are now looking to the prediction of John Campbell, the American Ambassador, who in 2005 said Nigeria will break up come 2015. That was 10 years ago when Boko Haram has not been known to be visible, but political interest has set in. Some are saying the girls are in Nigeria, others say they are not in Nigeria. Chinese people were abducted in Cameroun and whisked to Nigeria, so if you are a governor of a state where this hell is let loose and the man is not cooperating, how can we be able to get them.Only Jonathan cannot do it because some people have their selfish interest to rule this country for eternity and for that reason, all what they are after is let that innocent man be pulled out of Aso Rock so that they will come back. So I am seeing that it requires us all to synergize, those in the flash point states that are having something to hide. They should all come out. Recently, you see the North resisting extension of emergency rule, you see people with animalistic instincts, in spite of the hell that has been let loose, people are being bombed daily, some people are saying they should no longer extend the emergency, do you think that these people have the sensibility of human beings, do you think that this thing really affects them, do they think it is only a particular set of people that are suffering this thing? So my feeling is that Jonathan is doing well, we now have the sympathy from politicians, military, international community and these people are not ready to assist because they want to use these girls’ issue as a kind of ransom, hold them, we will get this, that is what is going on.

I want you to talk about the goings-on at the National Confab?

I think the national confab is one of the best things that the President has done, it is something that his predecessors dreaded.

When he announced it, some people kicked against it, a set of people said no, that it was

a political agenda of the President, that he wants to use it to allay the fears of people so that he could find his way back. But now, those who initially

HRM Charles Ayemi-Botu

say they don’t want to attend have now changed their minds, after consultation that they are coming, they have come up with a sinister agenda against their opponents.

How would you assess the performance of South-South delegates so far?

Some South-East and South-West professionals are not happy the way our members are going, they appear so miffed and so dumbfounded that they cannot be able to withstand their Northern counterparts, suffice it to say that fiscal federalism has to do with equity, principle of fairness and justice.

My very solemn advice to our delegates, we have a lot of fire brands among them, we have the likes of Chief Edwin Clark, Prof Godwin Darah, they can hold their own position in the conference, they are so many.

They should stand their ground, let them not go there and come back if derivation does not increase from the present 13 per cent.

We are saying the present 13 per cent is too small and the North is slapping us on the face by saying it should be reduced to 5 per cent. We will hoot at our delegates for a shoddy job done if they play a second fiddle, the 13 per cent must go to 50 per cent, if they cannot stand on the 50 per cent, then they must have something to show for it, at least 30 per cent. So let them remain in Abuja if they cannot fight to increase the 13 per cent.

What we are saying in the South-South is that our delegates must fight to see that the 13 per cent derivation does remain stagnant because Abacha said not less than 13 per cent. They should insist on true federalism, regional autonomy, that is what the SouthWest is also saying.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2014 — 57

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Vanguard, MAY 31, 2014

Insurgency: We need military training for our youths —Jemibewon

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

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ORMER Police Affairs Minister and Mili tary Governor of defunct Western State, General David Jemibewon (rtd), has called for the creation of National Security Trust Fund to cater for the needs of troops and arms training for National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members to boost the war against terrorism and insurgency. Jemibewon, who is thoroughly disturbed by the rising waves of insecurity in the country and acerbic remarks directed at the military wondered what he would have done if he was still young and in the army. The retired general spoke to reporters at Ado-Ekiti, Wednesday, where he chaired the sensitization workshop for stakeholders in Ekiti State governorship election organized by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi. Rather than criticisms, he said the troops combating the Boko Haram insurgents need the support of all Nigerians to succeed because this is not a conventional war and instead of being rescued the over 200 abducted Chibok school girls might be killed if full force was applied.

His take on the Ekiti governorship election sensitisation workshop When something is good you build on it.

The objective of this seminar is to promote peace and harmony before, during and after the election. So, I think it’s a good idea and strategy to promote peace in our country.

On series of violence trailing the campaigns in Ekiti and how to curb it It’s unfortunate but to put a stop to it or to reduce the intensity of such unworthy actions is the reason for this workshop.

I am sure one of the objectives of this workshop is to bring all the contestants together, the stakeholders and even those of us who stay by the side to look, including the press, to dialogue and arrive at a consensus to promote peace and understanding. Let’s face facts, what is election?

Election is just a way of selecting leadership, particularly in a democratic setting and if the constitution makes provision for just one person to occupy a particular position, whether there are 10 or 20 contestants, it is one person that will get there. So, we must learn to accept the winner. However, those who lose must be convinced that the process leading to the emergence of the winner was a proper process. That is to say that the purpose of this workshop before the elections is that we can all come to a conclusion that we want peace so that whoever deviates from that decision will be held responsible.

On how he perceives the Boko Haram insurgency and what could be done to address the c h a l l e n g e I must be honest with you, what is happening in the country today is very sad. I just imagine: If I were still in the army as a young man, what would I have done? I don’t have what I may call total solution. It’s just to express a view based on your question and then also to work on the suggestions being put forward by most Nigerians. I think it’s unfortunate but we must understand that conventional war is slightly different from the situation we have today. It’s not exactly a total war because in a war, you know your opponent and your opponent knows you. Even by the uniform he wears and the weapon he carries, you will know your opponent such that when a gun is shot, from the sound, by your experience, you can almost say this is the calibre of gun that is being shot. Now, you won’t know who a member of this group is.

So, to say that our soldiers are not wellequipped and well-armed are not appropriate statements. But I can understand that many peoC M Y K

ple who do the writings or make the statements never had any form of military training and this is why in some societies they advocate compulsory military training. If everybody had gone through military processes, they will know that this is not total war and that makes it more difficult to fight.

So, I am just hoping

that solving this problem will require a combination of most of the suggestions being put forward by various Nigerians; that is that it would be solved through dialogue, negotiation and a little bit of application of force and action.

Again, we must realise that with these girls abducted in Chibok, if we apply full military force to attempt to liberate them, they would be killed.

So at the end you will ask yourself what have we achieved.

Some people are not happy with the way the military is tackling the Boko Haram insurgency, efforts to rescue the abducted Chibok school girls, the contradictory comments they make and exposing of their strategy. How do you view all of these?

I think there ought to be a central point where information must go to and where decision as to what goes out or diseminated is taken. But I know that there are competent people there that probably know better. However, what we need to do now is to encourage the military and wish them well.

I am using this opportunity to put forward a suggestion. I have sat down to look at it critically. If we all believe that what is happening is a national tradegy, something that every Nigerian should be concerned about then we ought to make an effort at the national level to support our security men. I deliberately didn’t use armed forces but security men –the Army, Navy, Airforce, Civil Defence, DSS, police, etc. During the Nigerian civil war, some people came up with the Troops Comfort Fund and it encouraged us. The fund raised was applied in many ways, providing food and other needs.

So, I advocate the setting up of Security Trust Fund. All those involved will know that the Nigerian society sympathise with them and know how this money will be used. Now, many of our troops including the police may come back with amputed legs and hands. This money can be ploughed into a central medical centre for the rehabilitation of those who would have been maimed during this crisis.

And the fund will be such that every Nigerian who believes that what we are facing now is a

Our problem as a nation is that we did not anticipate what is happening so as to get prepared for it

big tragedy for us will contribute to the fund.

This is my idea. We need a National Security Fund to assist our security men in this operation particularly if you believe that this a national problem and needs the support of everybody.

On comments that poor intelligence gathering is hurting the anti-terror war What is intelligence gathering? Intelligence gathering is simply information gathering before and during events and then you project into the future to see what is likely to happen. For example, I will expect that some people ought to be assembled somewhere to be thinking what would happen if this Boko Haram crisis comes to an end because it will still have some after effects. It is just like what we are doing in this workshop, trying to promote peace before, during and after the election.

Perhaps, our problem as a nation is that we did not anticipate what is happening so as to get prepared for it. But now that it has happened, how do we get information, analyse the information and also anticipate; when this will come to an end what should we do? This is important because even when it ends, something will come out. We ought to learn some lessons. For example, how are we going to rehabilitate those who are bereaved and what actions are we going to put in place to prevent recurrence of such attacks?

Intelligence comprises of many things. For example, those giving us headache today, it must have taken them some time to acquire t h e strength and weapons they have acquired. They live within human communities. Soldiers were not based in those areas. If these people had come to the appropriate authorities to say we are seeing some strange faces in these areas, etc, that is intelligence.

On comments that military intervention is responsible for Nigeria’s problems That sounds ridiculous to me because it is similar to the general statement that the British created the problem of Nigeria. If 54 years after independence we are still blaming British, then I feel sorry for Nigerians.

On military training for our youths It has been canvassed for in the past; it is becoming very stale now. In fact, basic military training should be introduced to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). They should be taught how to handle weapons, and through that you we will move the nation from a general level to reasonable level of general knowledge and understanding in the handling of weapons.

On fear that current security challenges could actualise the American prediction that Nigeria would breakup before 2015 They did mention it. At that time, many people were writing in newspapers insulting the source of the information instead of working towards ensuring that it didn’t happen. So, I am praying that the country doesn’t break up. The information that was brought to our knowledge many years ago, which is what I said in terms of intelligence, was the kind of information we ought to have worked with but unfortunately, we didn’t.

On whether the National Conference could halt the break-up that appears imminent I wouldn’t say our break up is imminent.

But in any case, what we have to do is to work towards ensuring that the prediction does not work. And to ensure it doesn’t come to reality, it is the responsibility of all of us to promote peace and understanding.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 31, 2014—59

G

reg Oni is the Chief Activation Officer/ CEO, Connect 2 Consumers Limited. He is an icon in the Nigerian brand world. Oni was Director Development at Towncriers. His 16 years of working experience with multinationals in experiential marketing has put him in a good position to connect consumers to brand.

In this interview with Saturday Vanguard Business, he reveals how his company has created jobs for a lot of youths. Excerpts: Can you explain the focus and vision of your company?

Connect 2 Consumers is an experiential marketing agency. The basic thing is connecting consumers to brand and connecting the brands to consumers – creating a connection between them. Taking the brand to where the core target audience is by creating unforgettable experience. Based on our experience, our business is to bring brands to life. All over the world now, the position of brand managers has not really changed from managing brands only, but has been extended to the frontiers of being called or recognized globally as activation managers because the major thing they do is to bring brands to life. Our vision is to build our clients’ businesses through tested, proven experiential marketing techniques using Cutting-edge innovations in both conventional and unconventional tactics in modern day brands activation. You see, traditional marketing theories and practices are rapidly changing, becoming less relevant, moving forward experiential marketing is a fundamental basis for the future of marketing strategy.

How were you able to create jobs for youths in your company?

The kind of jobs and business we do is one that involves third party. In the area of creating jobs, we have engaged the youths successfully. For instance, we engage them in the area of job em-

Skill acquisition will empower youths for job creation—Oni ployment on various projects at different occasions depending on the magnitude and scope. By engaging them constructively it helps to reduce youth restiveness in the society because it is said that “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. So, in our own field of operation, we do create both temporary and permanent employment for our youths. At the same time, while we employ them to work on specific projects, they are adding value to their lives by acquiring experiences and skill that would enhance them in the future.

How do you see brand activation world today compared to five years ago when you started working with multinationals here and outside the country?

There is tremendous improvement compared to what we had then. Those days brand activation had been in existence but it has not been in the forefront, because if we go by what Ogilvy said that a time would come when all advertising agencies would become direct marketing agencies. It’s happening now because if you look at managing brand itself, it’s not managing brand alone but to

Oni: It’s time to motivate younger ones ensure that you reach your core target audience and how do you reach your core target audience? It is by creating the necessary experience and engagement. It’s like when you say, “I hear, I see, I remember and I don’t forget” it’s experience and you spread that inter-

Nigerians need animal farming to reduce poverty —Onnebuna

I

n the past decade, prices of food have skyrocketed to all-time high. In 2010-2011 alone, it pushed nearly 70 million people into extreme poverty.

The inability of African countries to invest in animal farming is responsible for millions being poor in the continent hence food scarcity.

The situation has also rendered many graduates jobless, creating insecurity and youth restiveness in Africa. Meanwhile, investing in agriculture will drive hunger and poverty in many homes.

According to animal farm consultant and Managing Director, Jovana Farms, Prince Onnebuna, providing food and employment through farming is the way forward.

One can’t fight hunger with good speeches alone as we have seen today. Nigeria should engage in massive investment in agriculture.

Onnebuna said, agriculture will reposition us gain our lost glory economically, socially and otherwise, saying food and farming are foundational to a healthy nation.

Nigeria has a good climate for farming and large areas of farmland, yet we have challenges with food security.”

“Globally, farmers are said to be kings because they make food available for the society. Food, as we know, is a basic need that man can never do without. Therefore, there’s always a steady flow of money to serious farmers. As scourge of hunger and poverty continues to rav-

age millions of people, investing in agriculture is an invariable avenue to produce enough food and ensure food security in any nation.

“Government at all levels should encourage farming by providing soft loans to grass root farmers to enable them produce surplus food in Nigeria, so as to bring about diversification of the Nigerian economy rather than expending billions of dollars annually on importation of food.”

“Livestock farming may not appear as classy as manufacturing or the financial services sector, but it holds a lot of promise. Many Nigerians moving to the urban areas in search of white-collar jobs would make more money if they decide to join few Nigerians farmers invest in agriculture in their localities. Opportunities in animal farming are enormous and it’s a profitable business ventures.

He added that grasscutter farming seems to be the cheapest to invest in. The reason for this is that in grasscutter farming you don’t need to buy feeds, like in fish, pig, and poultry farming. With N55,000 one can start grasscutter farming. This enables the beginner to purchase a family of grasscutter comprising one male and four females referred to as a colony. A colony is sold for

between N40,000 and N45,000 depending on the age, weight and species. They can be reared in cages that cost N10,000.The cages can be kept in the house, under staircase or within a kitchen space if there is no money to rent or buy a land for the business in the beginning. The good news is that one female grasscutter can produce six to nine babies at a go, four females means at least seven babies each.

This gives up to 28-babies and the females can make babies twice a year. Demand is always coming from top class hotels, beer palours, restaurants and new farmers. To further assure potential farmers, that raising grasscutter, antelope, peacock, snail, rabbit and mushroom is profitable business in Nigeria.

Grasscutter is in high demand due to its good taste, high protein content, medicinal characteristics and its appeal at various relaxation joints; more interestingly, parties’ only special guest enjoyed this because of the high price, thus the market potential is great.

Nigerians should cultivate the harbit of fighting poverty, unemployment through agriculture rather than searching for white collar jobs and government contracts. Attend our nationwide seminars nearest to you and know more opportunities in livestock farming. Visit us at www.jovanafarms.com. E-mail: jovanafarms@gmail.com for more details. Choose also the nearest venue from the advert box in this page

action. Now, it has moved on from the conservative system of managing brand to a global approach, going back to what Ogilvy said, it’s happening right now. Globally in terms of project spread for brand management, there is a global shift. Every brand manager which I prefer to call activation manager because apart from managing brands they bring brands to life. Everybody is looking out for return on investment; I need immediate result. How do I get immediate result? By creating direct marketing communication platform to reach your consumers wherever they are at the right time.

Your company is proposing an empowerment skills for secondary schools, tell us how it will work?

We discovered that many children or students have lost interest in going to school as they feel or think what do I benefit from going to school? So, we found out that secondary schools are more affected. Because of this lack of interest among them, we are coming up with a programme that says, if I go to school early and meet up with the attendance, at the end of that term I get rewarded. If you take a look around Lagos sometimes, secondary school students don’t get to school early. So the programme is a way of encour-

aging promptness among them. As I speak now plans are in top gear to work with some multinationals that have similar plans towards this direction. A lot of them have been doing a lot of activities in schools but they have not looked at this motivational aspect of it that would serve as motivation and encouragement to attend schools.

Moreso, we are going to use the print media - social media and it would be driven via activation to create the experience and engagement across those selected secondary schools from JSS1-SS3. However it is first of its kind in the country.

What do you think our youths should be engaging themselves in even outside the school curriculum to equip themselves for the future?

I can say here that time has really changed because I remember then as a young man, the basic thing back then for us was to acquire experience and how do we improve ourselves with it?

We were not looking at the immediate gratification or reward of money or fantastic office. But experience!

We were all looking out to learn new things and acquire experience and become a professional. But today, many youths are not ready to study and learn new things that would improve the quality of their lives. They are not ready to acquire skills and experience. You don’t wait for government or anybody to push or establish you. If you acquire the skills, you can be an entrepreneur and also be employer of labour in the country.

BUSINESS GUIDE

60—SA TURD AY 60—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard ,MA Y 31, 2014 anguard,MA ,MAY

, ‘Boko Haram has ridiculed our security profile’

By SIMEON NDAJI

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public analyst,Barr. Jide Ologun in an interview with Saturday Vanguard speaks on Chibok girls and Boko Haram. Excerpts: Boko Haram abducted our girls to wage war against western education. How authentic is their assertion?

Obviously from the manifestations so far, the Boko Haram campaign is against human development, and it is less relevant whether it was declared against western educatuion or not.

While there could be other political reasons behind the campaign, any group that declares to strangulate western education, has declared ‘war ’ against civilisation, development, enlightenment and all the good ventures western education represents.

Interestingly, the current Boko Haram leader has threatened to fight against democracy and Christianity. Some of us called for proactive approach to stop the

,

,

By VICTOR NDOMA-EGBA

campaign long ago, but the caution was not heeded. And that is how Boko Haram translated from a local campaign to a global evil.

Boko Haram converted some of the girls to Islam and asked for prisoners exchange. Does that not suggest this is the reason for taking away the girls?

Hostage taking is part of terrorism game. Even if the girls were abducted initially to embarrass the government, there can also be a strategic approach of using the same ransom to negotiate release of members in government custody, particularly having attracted global attention.

In addition recall there was a recent foiled attempted jailbreak in Abuja aimed a freeing Boko Haram members in custody.

Whatever the motive may be, the episode has really ridiculed our security profile .

Do you think President Goodluck Jonathan can rescue the girls from captivity as assured by Dr Doyin Okupe on CNN recently?

I am hopeful that with the help

Barr. Jide Ologun

of God and support of our foreign friends the President should be able to redeem his government image and learn to engage proactive approaches in managing national issues. Issues well managed hardly degenerate into crisis.

Having said that, we need more than rhetoric now, we need action and God will help us as we all arise to fight this global menace.

What do we do to our image now?

By delivering on promises of democratic dividends, our image can turn around. There is no nation free of challenges, though some come out stronger. We must allow justice and equity reign in our country, shun greed and corrupt

practices.

Do you think Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) which you once headed could play any role to assist Nigeria?

Over the years NIPR has consistently counselled the government and relevant stakeholders, but it is one thing to recommend, but another for the recommendation to be embraced and implemented. However with the strong representation we have at the National conference by our esteemed national president and chairman of the governing council, if the government is willing to listen and implement noble recommendations, we shall be out of the red ocean and sing new songs of victory and greatness.

TRIBUTE Gregor Gregoryy Edem Udomah: A truly good man

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regory Edem Udomah is not famous. He is not well known. And that is the pity, that one who always did something valuable and beautiful did not earn public estimation, renown or acclaim. To him there were no blinding lights of fame or public recognition.

I first met G. E. Udomah, as he was known in his circles in 1980.

He was then a middle level Lands Officer in the civil service of the old Cross River State, now Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. I was a young lawyer just back from National Youth Service and had just got my first brief to perfect a legal mortgage from the then Barclays Bank now Union Bank. He was to be my starting point in the process of perfecting the mortgage. He was the schedule officer. I confessed to him that I was familiar with the theory of mortgages but this was going to be the first time that I will be perfecting one. He was surprised at how I confidently announced my ignorance and he seemed determined to help me out of it. He did indeed, and a friendship developed.

In spite of the age difference, he was not condescending. I was at ease with him and freely discussed various issues with him. He was broad minded. He kept his eyes

•Udomah literally open, but more importantly, his mind. He was not to be stamped or stereotyped, neither did he stamp or stereotype. He remained above the prejudices of his time. Age, tribe, religion or gender were not barriers. He saw humanity, and just one humanity, bonded by love, tolerance and understanding, and the greatness in humility

and beauty of simplicity.

He had abiding faith in man’s abilities and potentials. No wonder he recognised me early in spite of me.

At the inception of the General Mohammadu Buhari administration, when Navy Capt. Edet Akpan Archibong was appointed Military Administrator of the then Cross River State, Mr. Udomah it was who recommended me to him for appointment as commissioner despite my protestations, two months short of my 27th birthday. I was neither related to him nor was I from his part of the world. He simply believed and stood by his beliefs. I was to become Commissioner for Works and Transport whose responsibilities are today covered by eight ministries, departments and agencies; in an Executive Council with only seven commissioners and in a 19-State federal structure. I had never met Capt. Archibong prior to my appointment and this clearly did not matter. He evidently trusted Mr. Udomah’s insight and judgement. The rest is history. The young man has since grown.

He never took credit for my elevation nor made any claims on me. Rather, as a civil servant, he quietly adjusted to my new position without any sense of entitlement. Even when he had to give advice, it was with dignified detachment. He kept a safe public

distance from his cousin who was now Military Administrator though they remained privately close. He did not take any advantage of his closeness, rather he was to immerse himself even more deeply in his work.

He was the essential family man, a good husband and a firm father who though proud of his children did not spoil them. He was a good man, simple,humble, and a man of honour.

As he takes his earned eternal rest in the bosom of his Maker whom he served in truth, in words and in deeds while on this mortal plane, he will be very fondly missed by many of us whose lives he so profoundly, albeit, quietly touched.

For G.E.Udomah, the words of Louisa Mary Alcott in “Little Men” will be a fitting epitaph: “simple, genuine goodness is the best capital to found the business of this life upon. It lasts when fame and money fail, and is the only riches we can take out of this world with us”.

Good man, great in your simplicity, diligent in your work, honest in your dealings, faithful to family and friends, rest in perfect peace.

Immortality is after all, the only true success, to live in the hearts of those who knew you, no matter how few.

You live forever in my heart.

Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) is the Majority Leader of the Senate

Mikel plays negative

Vanguard, SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2014 — 61

football — Nwosu

1980 African Nations Cup winner, Henry Nwosu in this interview with JOHN EGBOKHAN says that Super Eagles midfielder John Mikel Obi must change his playing style at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

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hat are your expec tations from the Af rican champions in Brazil? Do you see them doing better than they did in their previous appearances?

I do not belong to the category of people who are already saying that the team will get to the semifinal. I am a great believer in the Super Eagles ability to excel in any international tournament but I strongly believe that before we can begin to run, we must first crawl, not to talk of flying into the semifinal just like that. I am patriotic but it is important to put things into context and not start counting your chicks before they are hatched.

Even if we are so good, we cannot say for now that we are getting through or not to the quarterfinal round. But I see us doing well if the players show enough passion and discipline on the pitch.

Who in your consideration are the players who you feel will make the difference for us in Brazil?

The team is essentially a good and strong one. The players have shown that they can hold their own amongst their peers in the world. Like I said earlier, team is going to be vital for our success in Brazil but when you want to single out some players who can make the difference for us at the World Cup, then you cannot overlook Emmanuel Emenike, who I dare say will shine in Brazil.

Emenike will do very well for us, likewise Osaze Odemwingie. I also believe that Ogenyi Onazi will do very well for us. I also believe that Obinna Nsofor, if chosen by Coach Stephen Keshi, will do very well for us because he is strong, aggressive and determined.

Mikel... "does not believe a midfielder can score goals. He is not adventurous"

Surprisingly, you did not mention Mikel Obi as one of the players who can make the difference for us.

I did not mention Mikel’s name because the Chelsea player does not believe a midfielder can score goals. He is not adventurous and only adventurous and daring players can make the difference for their teams at the World Cup. Mikel likes making square passes and that cannot do us any good in

final third choice?

Generally, Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide are good goalkeepers who have earned their way to the World Cup. I do not have any fear concerning both players. Between Agbim and Akpeyi, I do not have a preference but I know the coaches will select the better one from the pair.

I am more concerned about Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran because they are the unknown teams and we we must be very careful with them.

Brazil. Mikel must stop his backward movement in Brazil or else, we will suffer from his actions. He plays negative football. He must change in Brazil. The era of playing backward has stopped and I am surprised that he has not changed.

The players I mentioned earlier are those who can win games for us at the World Cup and Mikel, unfortunately, does not fall into that category, unless he changes now.

It is always unfortunate that instead of attacking and creating chances for his teammates to score, Mikel is always giving square passes. Even if that is the pattern used by his club, when he comes to Nigeria, he must change to suit our style and quest for glory.

There is a general agreement that we are taking good goalkeepers to the World Cup, except that there are concerns surrounding the suitability of Chigozie Agbim for the tournament. Do you see Daniel Akpeyi beating Agbim to the

With about 12 days to the start of the World Cup, the talk in Nigeria has been about our match against Argentina on June 25. The focus is on Lionel Messi as people talk less of the first match against Iran on June 16 and the following one against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 21. How dangerous can this be to our World Cup aspirations?

Honestly, I am taken aback with this our over-concentration on the match against Argentina. They are not the only ones we will play in Brazil. We know Argentina as we have played them thrice at the World Cup, so they are no strangers to us.

They are our perennial opponents at the World Cup and even though they have beaten us three times, they did not get the victories on a platter of gold.

I am more concerned about Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran because they are the unknown teams and we we must be very careful with them. Unknown teams come with the surprise factor and such surprises can shock teams who take things for granted.

How do we prepare and approach our matches against Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina?

We must be very conscious of our defence because any silly mistake can be costly. In as much as we must be conscious of our defence, we must be an attacking team. World Cup is about goals and only teams who score goals get to win laurels.

What kind of World Cup do you see us having in Brazil?

World Cup is the greatest show on earth. It is where all players want to be and I hope that our boys make us proud.

Even if they do not go far, I hope they will do well for themselves and the country..

62 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2014

Our 4x400m quartet can rule the world, Nigerian coaches declare

N

IGERIAN women 4x400m quartet res cued a bronze medal for the country at the IAAF World Relay last Sunday in Nassau, Bahamas.

And that achievement in a strong field of traditional rivals like USA, Jamaica and Great Britain, has given hope to Nigerian athletics officials that with a little bit more of hard work from the athletes and those in authority, there will be a revival of athletics in Nigeria.

Sade Abughan, Patience Okon George, Omolara Omo-

tosho and Regina George lived up to expectations and they did not disappoint as they narrowly missed the silver after returning a season best time of 3.23.41 seconds, behind Jamaica’s 3.23 26. The race was won by the USA women with 3.21.73 The 4x100m women quartet, also gave it their best shot but were denied an appearance on the podium by Trinidad and Tobago who pushed them to the fourth place. Nigeria spearheaded by Blessing Okagbare returned 42.67 seconds their season best. The race was won by the USA team with 41.88 sec-

onds a championships record, they beat Jamaican without Shelly Ann-Fraser-Pryce to the second place, they finished 42.

28, while Trinidad and Tobago clocked 41.66 seconds.

“Our women 4x400m have potentials to be great. After seeing them at the Penn and Mt Sac Relays I had great hope that they will be on the podium in Bahamas.

“Even the women 4x100m did well. They were only beaten by the whiskers to the fourth

place and if not for the injuries to our men I am sure they would have done better.

“Things are looking up for our athletics. We only need to keep working hard to ensure that our athletes are up to world standards,” said Gabriel Opuana who is the eyes and ears of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria in the USA. Saudi based coach, Taiwo Ariyo said that Nigeria have always been blessed with talents and the missing link was grooming and preparations of the athletes.

“We need more coaches to be employed to further develop millions of talents we have “Let’s remember the population of Nigeria and dream about what we can accomplish if we put our act together but the continuity to this achievement is grassroots development. So we need more hands on deck,” Former AFN vice president and sprinter, Jide Josiah stated that Nigerian athletics is in upswing and there will be many surprises in the days to come.

“I know that apart from these teams that did well in Bahamas, we have some new 400m runners coming up; you will see a good field during the All Nigeria/Cross River championships in Calabar.”

Warri Relays: Holland, US, others want a feel of the action

A

s successful countries savour their wins at last weekend’s IAAF World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas, attention has now been shifted to the CAA grand prix and Warri Relays billed for June 13 at the Warri Township Stadium, Delta State.

Officials disclosed that high profile athletics nations like the USA and Holland have made known their intentions to participate in the meet. Also, African countries are not left out. But according to the meet director, Omatseye Nesiama only six countries can be accommodated as priority will be give to the Nigerian team A and B. “We are going to assign two lanes to our teams.

Only after that will we consider other nations as of now we have Holland, clubs from the USA, Ghana, Cote’d Ivoire, and Cameroon.

“We are working to ensure that everything goes on well for the participating teams,” said Navy Commodore Nesiama.

Lagos International beach marathon rolls off preparations

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BRING BACK OUR MEDAL... Nigeria women 4x400m bronze winning team at the IAAF World Relay, (from right) Shade Abugan, Patience Okon, Omolara Omotosho and Regina George showing solidarity for the missing girls of Chibok, Borno State.

Okagbare, Adekoya rev engines for Eugene Diamond League N igerian duo, Blessing Okagbare and Kemi Adekoya are set to make improvements on their points haul in the Diamond League chase as they take to the field to contest with their respective rivals today at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, USA. Okagbare fresh from the World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas will face rival Shelly-Ann FraserPryce in the 200m where Okagbare tops the log with four points. At the last Diamond League meet in Shanghai, China the Nigerian sprint queen ran 22. 36 seconds. If she beats Fraser-Pryce today, she will remain in contention for the top

prize. Yesterday, she did women long jump.

Adekoya is leading the log in the women 400m hurdles. She is expected to improve on her 54.59 world leading time; she did at the Doha meet. Athletics Federation of Nigeria officials could only wish that they have this woman on their list of elite athletes. She wears the colours of Bahrain, where renowned Nigerian coach John Obeya is working.

Kenya’s world 800m recordholder, David Rudisha is making a return today following knee injury problems as he lines up as part of a high-class field including world indoor and

outdoor champion Mohammed Aman of Ethiopia and Botswana’s Olympic silver medalist Nijel Amos. Olympic fourthplacer Duane Solomon of the US is also entered, as is his fellow Olympic finalist Andrew Osagie of Britain.

World 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop is set to star in the final event of the programme, the Bowerman Mile, while the 5000m field includes Ethiopia’s Yenew Alamirew, his compatriot, the world silver medalist Hagos Gebrhiwet, and USA’s Bernard Lagat. Britain’s double world and Olympic champion Mo Farah is the honorary starter for the race.

COOL RUNNING… Nigerian born athlete, Kemi Adekoya making a name in the Diamond League.

rganizers of the annual international beach marathon in Lagos have set in motion preparations for the 2014 edition.

According to technical coordinator of the race, Emmem Ikhabome-Osagie members of the public are invited to participate in the marathon open to all ages.

The event usually held on October 1 to commemorate the Nigerian independence anniversary, is meant to promote peace and unity and also raise awareness on the ocean surge along the Nigerian coast lines.

“Preparations are on and Invitation is open to Nigerians and foreigners of all ages. This is the third edition of the race and of course we are hoping to make it more interesting to all runners,” said Mrs. Ikhabome-Osagie a former sprinter and also an executive member of the Nigeria athletics technical officials NATO.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2014 — 63

Condoms for Brazil

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Yobo: I’ve nothing to prove Continues from Backpage to prove as he pushes for a place in the team to the World Cup in Brazil.

Speaking after playing in the 2-2 draw with Scotland in London, Yobo said he was happy to return to the field for the African champions as they finalise preparations for the World Cup in Brazil.

Reacting to a question that he belonged to the past and would not be able to keep up with the past pace in Brazil, Yobo said “no, I don’t have anything to prove to nobody. Critics are always going to be critics. I don’t owe anybody anything. I’ve only said one thing and that is that I thank my bosses for believing in me, for believing that

I can still do this and this is very important for me.

“I played until the second phase of the season until I got injured. I only need to prove something to myself. I have nothing to prove to them. This is my career and I know what I need to do to be at the top.

“I’m just thankful to the coach for believing in me, and I’m going to reciprocate that by what I do on the training pitch and on the Match Day to help this team.

“But for people out there, I have nothing to prove to them.

I respect everyone’s opinion but at this moment, I just want to concentrate on this team that I left after the Nations Cup. When the time is right, I will respond to everyone”.

Nnachetta attracts support for Anambra

BY VINCENT UJUMADU, Awka

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HE South African –based Su per Sports television is boosting football development in Anambra State with the donation of 1000 balls to the state as an honour to Governor Willie Obiano for appointing one of Nigeria’s most successful sports administrators, Chief Tony Nnacheta as the state commissioner for youths and sports.

Elated Nnacheta, who disclosed this to newsmen in Awka said Super Sports has also agreed to train Anambra youths aged eight – 13 years at the Rogeny Stadium, Oba as part of the programme to catch young talented footballers.

Expressing gratitude to the South African outfit for the gesture, Nnacheta directed the 21 local government areas in the state to nominate 20 pupils each made up of 10 from primary

schools and 10 from secondary schools for the training that would commence immediately.

The commissioner also said that as part of sports development in the state, Governor Obiano has directed that all sports men and women of Anambra State origin working for other states would be brought back, no matter what it would cost the state government.

Nnacheta said: “Many athletes from this state are working in other states and we are determined to bring them back.

If they are on contracts, we will work it out with the states involved so that they can relocate to Anambra. “ We know that some of them left out of frustration, but this administration is prepared to correct whatever problems that existed in the past. Similarly, our coaches employed in other states, as well as those that had retired, will be encouraged to come back home.”

Keshi Continues from Backpage Speaking after the team had their first training at the Philadelphia Eagles Stadium in Philadelphia, Keshi said he was thrilled by the level of tactical and technical depth displayed by the players but noted there was need to be cautious.

“Yes, I have an idea of those who will go with us to Brazil but we will still wait till the last

minute before we announce the list”, he was quoted as saying by Team’s Media Officer Ben Alaiya.

Keshi said he was delaying naming the list so as to have a second look at those who are not measuring up.

Asked when is the last minute for him to make public his list, Keshi responded “June 2 is the date we are looking at”.

resident-General, of the Nigerian Football Supporters’ Club, Rauf Ladipo has said that the United Nations Agency for the prevention of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (UNAIDS) would be paying lip service to the fight against the scourge if attempts are not made to provide at least 65 million units of condoms to football supporters from around the globe that would converge in Brazil for the 2014 World Cup. Speaking with Saturday Vanguard Sports,, Dr. Ladipo maintained that his arrival at that figure was based on the estimated daily use of over two million condoms by football lovers from around the world.

According to him, “we have just expressed our commitment to Protect the Goal that is threatening humanity by the HIV/AIDS scourge and if we really want to prevent the spread of the virus in Brazil, we have to go all out to do what is required.

“The World Cup is a gathering of a high percentage of sexually active adults and there is nothing that would be as good as a total prevention of the transmission of the disease from those living positively to those who are not yet carrying the virus.''

•Yobo

Osaze regrets missing 2013 Afcon •Sets Ghana’s benchmark for Eagles N

IGERIA striker Peter Odemwingie is taking heart from Ghana’s exploits four years ago ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. With Argentina, BosniaHerzegovina and Iran waiting in Group F, Odemwingie wants Nigeria to try to emulate Ghana’s quarter-final effort in South Africa.

“I look at Ghana in the last World Cup and they almost got to the semi-final and if you look at the names of the players, they’re not any better than our team we have today,” Odemwingie told The Guardian.

“They succeeded with their work ethic, with their determination, and Asamoah Gyan was in good form. So hopefully we can better our previous outings.

“In the past few years my only regret is that, as I’ve become a better player, I probably would have got more goals for myself and the country but I missed out a bit. I’ve missed a year and a half, missed out on the (Africa Nations) Cup they won, unfortunately.

“I wish I was part of that squad because I’ve played in four Africa Nations and got three bronze medals, never a gold.

But I can’t look back. This is another opportunity for me.”

Osaze contests for the ball with a Scot.

Burial plans out for Pa Itemuagbor

F

OREMOST sports marketer Mike Itemuagbor has announced the burial plans for his father late Chief Pius Itemuagbor.

According to the marketer of the Nigeria Football Federation, activities for the burial ceremony will be flagged off with a vigil mass on June 6 at the late Chief Pius Itemuagbor’s residence in Okpekpe, Auchi, Edo State.

He noted that a requiem mass for the deceased holds on June 7at the St Mary of God Catholic Church in Okpekp while the interment follows immediately at his residence. Reception holds afterward.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 31, 2014

Keshi: I have my list in my head C

OACH Stephen Keshi has said that he has an idea of the players who will make the final 23 man list that Nigeria will be parading at the World Cup in Brazil.

Hr however insisted that he will still wait till the last minute before making it public.

Continues on page 63

Saturday Interview

>> PAGE 61

•Henry Nwosu

Yobo: I’ve nothing to prove S

UPER Eagles captain Jo seph Yobo has said winning a 100 cap for Nigeria was not his priority and that he has nothing

Continues on page 63

Osaze regrets missing 2013 Afcon — P. 63

CROSS WORD PUZZLE Across 1 Chairman, National Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab – (10) 7 L.G.A in Adamawa State – (4) 8 Country in Africa – (7) 11 Wales Striker and Real Madrid Forward, Gareth – (4) 13 President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed – (4) 15 State in Nigeria Known as “The Centre of Excellence”? – (5) 18 Igbo Word for “Tortoise” – (3) 19 Colour – (3) 20 Faucet – (3) 21 Adamawa State Governor, Murtala – (5) 22 Kano Pillars Midfielder, Rabiu – (3) 23 African Deciduous Tree – (3) 24 Barrel – (3) 25 L.G.A in Kogi State – (5) 28 Country in Asia – (4) 30 Challenge – (4) 32 Country in Europe – (7) 34 State in Nigeria Known as “The Confluence State” – (4) 25 Manchester City Coach, Manuel

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Down 2 L.G.A in Abia State – (4) 3 Director-General, National Bureau of Statistics, Dr. Yemi – (4) 4 Vietnamese Currency Unit – (3) 5 Stationery Stores FC Coach, Fatai – (4) 6 Gabonese Capital City – (10) 9 Ocean – (3) 10 Number – (3) 11 Algeria National President, Abdelaziz – (10) 12 African River – (7) 14 Nicaraguan Capital City – (7) 15 Kenya Interior Minister, Joseph Ole – (5) 16 L.G.A in Bauchi State – (5) 17 England Premiership Club-Side – (5) 26 Former Japan Prime Minister, Ndoto – (3) 27 Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Mr. Ekpo – (3) 29 Sea Vessel – (4) 31 Precipitation – (4) 33 Solidify – (4)

8 11

9

10

12

13 15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24 25

28

14

26

27

29 32

30

31

33

34 35

SOLUTION on page 17

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