PDP CONVENTION: 3,500 delegates storm Abuja

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Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

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4 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

Sunt ai’s lo ts loc k out Chief of S f, ssttall Ex co Suntai’s loyyalis alists lock Sttaf aff, Exco meeting by Acting Gov

BY SONI DANIEL and JOHN MKOM

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HE Acting Gover nor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar, lost his first battle to invalidate the dissolution of the State Executive Council by Governor Danbaba Suntai, when he failed to convene a meeting of the members scheduled for Friday morning.

The acting governor had issued a statement reversing the sack of the council and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Gavey Yawe and the Secretary to the State Government.

Suntai had on Wednesday named Timothy Gibon Kataps as the new SSG and as the new chief of Staff replacing Yawe while sacking the Exco members.

But on Thursday, Garba asked the people of the state to ignore the dissolution of the cabinet, al-

leging that it was masterminded by a cabal bent on hijacking the state and its resources.

Based on the assumption that the members of the dissolved cabinet were with him, Garba summoned a council meeting and reported at Exco Chambers of the Governor ’s Office at about 10am but did not find any other member to hold the meeting with.

After waiting for about two hours without seeing any other member of the Exco, Garba drove out from the Governor’s office, feeling a bit disappointed.

But the former Chief of Staff to Suntai,, Gavey, who reported in the Government House was barred by the governor’s loyalists from entering his office.

Gavey had made spirited effort to gain access to his office but the staff and security agents

barred him from entering the office, insisting that he had been replaced by Alhaji Aminu Jika on Wednesday by Governor Suntai.

Saturday Vanguard learnt that the aborted meeting was called by Garba to strengthen the security situation in the state before traveling to Abuja for the PDP mini convention.

Tension had been mounting in the state since Suntai returned from his medical trip on Sunday and proceeded to take over the mantle of leadership from Garba, who has been acting in the last ten months.

Sixteen members of the House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Haruna Tsokwa are opposed to the resumption of work by Suntai, claiming that he is not fit enough to do so, while the minority, led by the Majority Leader, Joseph Kunini, want him to return to work at once.

From left: Nollywood Actor, Bobby Ogoloma; Head of Marketing, Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA), Uloma Saya-Braide and Nigerian Entertainer, Basorge Tariah at the River State Stand at the Notting Hill Carnival... Monday

2015: Jonathan legible to contest for president — SESS-PG

BY GABRIEL EWEPU, Abuja

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GROUP called South-east and South-south Professionals Group (SESS-PG), yesterday said President Goodluck Jonathan was legible to contest in 2015 as president according to constitutional provisions.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Chairman, SESS-PG, Chief Ray Morphy said the constitution was clear on the eligibility of a sitting president to contest for a second tenure if he wished and all other citizens from any part of the country could equally contest for the post of the president as well.

Morphy further stated that nobody can stop somebody from the northern part of the country to equally contest in the 2015 presidential election as some groups were campaigning against the north’s participation in the presidential election, therefore called for caution of such moves.

He said; “We the Southeast and South-south Professionals Group, SESSPG, calls for peace among various stakeholders in the country ahead of the 2015 presidential and general elections. We want to warn against what it called “undue heating up of the polity” ahead of the 2015 general elections by individuals and various interest groups in the country.

“Every Nigerian so long as he is qualified by the constitution is free to run for office of the president and this includes President Goodluck Jonathan.

SESS-PG wishes to remind all that the constitution is clear on tenure and we do not see why some people are reacting negatively to the constitutional qualifi-cation of Dr Jonathan in seeking a further term in office.

“Whether he is doing well or not in office is beside the point at this point in time. His track record is left for the electorate to determine at the appropri-

ate election time but he certainly has a right to run which we at SESSPG will support and uphold.

“Just we also support the constitutional aspiration of any person of whatever region of Nigeria who believes he has something superior to offer the Nigerian people. We call on such persons to offer themselves for any high office they desire without further delay so long as they do so within INEC’s rules, and in politics, the more the number the merrier.”

Bus conductor docked over alleged rape

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25- YEAR-OLD commercial bus conductor, Segun Olawale, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court, for allegedly raping a 22- year old bartender.

The defendant, who resides at 19, Okunola Street Kadiri in Agege area of Lagos, also stole from his victim.

The defendant, who was docked before Magistrate Mrs Abimbola OshodiMakanju, is facing a two count charge of rape and stealing, preferred against him, by the Police.

The Police prosecutor Inspector Chinalu Uwadione, told the court that the defendant, committed the alleged offence on August 24, 2013 at about 12am, at

Humary area, in Oniwaya road in Agege area of Lagos.

He said that Olawale, unlawfully had sexual intercourse with one Oluwatobi Musa, without her consent.

Uwadione, said that the defendant, after having canal knowledge, with the victim, he also stole a Startime handset valued N15,000 and a cash sum of N 5,000, belonging to the victim. According to the prosecutor, the offence is punishable under section 258 and 285 of the criminal administration of Justice laws of Lagos state of Nigeria 2011.

However, the two count charge was read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty to the two count charge against him.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013 — 5

PDP convention: 3,500 delegates storm Abuja today as 75 aspirants vie for 17 positions •Eagle Square wears new look, security agents lock up Abuja •Governors in marathon meeting to decide delegates •146 polling centres available, 4 points for each state, FCT •Screening committee clears all

BY HENRY UMORU, Abuja

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BUJA: EAGLE Square, venue of the Special National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday wore a new look just as 3,500 delegates from the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) converge today at the Eagle Square to elect the party’s national officials.

Meanwhile, governors elected on the platform of PDP yesterday entered marathon meetings to shape the voting pattern of delegates from their respective states as well do the last political schemings and ensure that the zoning arrangement stands.

The 3,500 delegates will today vote for the seventy-five aspirants vying to fill the vacant seventeen positions of members of the National Working Committee (NWC) that will be voted for, following the resignation of some members due to the report credited to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that invalidated the party’s March 2012 convention.

The positions being contested at the Eagle Square venue of the PDP Congress today include those of the Deputy National Chairman which has six aspirants; Deputy National Secretary which has two aspirants; National Publicity Secretary which has eleven aspirants; National Organizing Secretary with two aspirants; Deputy National Organising Secretary with six aspirants; Deputy National Publicity Secretary with three aspirants; National Treasurer, which has two aspirants; Deputy National Treasurer withone aspirant; and National Legal Adviser parading one aspirant.

Other vacant positions are Deputy National

L-R: Olumu of Omupo, Oba Yakubu Buhari, Elese of Igbaja, Oba Ahmed Babalola Arepo III, Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed and the Elesha of Oke-Ode, Oba Abdulkadire Adelodun, during a courtesy visit to the Governor by traditional rulers from Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. seventeen aspirants for Legal Adviser which has which has six aspirants; National ex-officio.

Deputy National youth one aspirant; National As at the time of filing Woman Leader which leader, parading four this report, the Screening aspirants; Deputy has ten aspirants; DepuFinancial Committee chaired by ty National Woman lead- National the Senate Leader, SenSecretary(1aspirant); er with one aspirant; NaNational ator Ndoma Egba, was tional Youth Leader Deputy Auditor(1aspirant) and screening aspirants at

Rockview Hotel and no aspirant was yet disqualified. In the same vein, those who would want to appeal the decision of the Screening Committee if not cleared would be allowed to do so and their matter dispensed with before the commencement of voting this morning.

There is tight security at the venue of the convention with heavily armed Policemen and men of Civil Defence Corps parading the p l a c e .

At Eagle Square yesterday, there were the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Senator Bala Mohammed; the Senator representing the FCT, Senator Philip Aduda; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; former FCT Minister, Abba Gana, among others to inspect the preparation for the convention.

Speaking to Journalists on the readiness of the party to conduct the election, Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee

of the Convention Planning Committee and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, who noted that adequate preparations have been made to ensure a hitch- free Congress, said: “There are 146 voting points with same number voting at a time. This is to fasten the process of voting.

About 3,500 delegates are expected to cast their votes. Voting would be concluded on time because it commences as soon as the President arrives. It is expected to be concluded within three hours after which sorting would commence.”

Ihedioha said that all positions would be voted for to avoid the pitfall of the past where those who won by affirmation in the past have their elections flawed by the INEC, adding that all party issues would be resolved at today ’s convention. The Deputy Speaker added that seasoned administrators and other senior Nigerians who are founding fathers of the party would feature prominently in the electoral process.

Female passenger causes panic aboard Aero flight

BY LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

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ASSENGERS were yesterday thrown into confusion aboard an Aero

Contractors aircraft scheduled to take-off from Lagos to Benin as one of the female passengers started screaming on top of her voice that she was no longer travelling, thus causing

panic onboard.

The passenger’s strange behaviour is coming barely one week after a teenage boy, Daniel Ohikena caused scare at the airport when he stowed away on Arik Air plane from Benin to Lagos.

Egypt to hold fresh elections in March 2014

BY VICTORIA OJEME, Abuja

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MBASSADOR of Egypt in Nigeria , Ambassador Ashraf Salama, yesterday said, fresh elections that would usher in a post Mohammed Morsi era will hold in March 2014.

Ambassador Salama, who spoke at a media parley in Abuja , said his country currently embroiled in turmoil after the removal of Morsi is ready for a constitutional amendment that would lead to fresh democratic elections.

He also expressed concern over what he described as hasty decision taken by African

Union over the crises in Egypt.

Speaking on the new road map to democratic elections, the Egyptian envoy said, “a panel of 10 jurists have finished working on the proposed amendments to the constitution. A 50-member committee representing Egyptians from all walks of life will be formed in the next few days to discuss and review those amendments and then present them in a referendum which is due to be held after 60 days from the date of the formation of the committee.”

He added that the amendment process will pave the way for the election of a new parliament followed by presidential

elections in march next year.

The envoy also accused Muslim Brotherhood of not responding to the roadmap put in place by the interim government to return Egypt to democratic governance. ”Despite the continuous effort by the government and other regional and international mediators to convince the Muslim Brotherhood to evacuate the sit-ins peacefully and join the political process outlined by the roadmap for the good of the nation, the leadership of the Brotherhood refused to respond positively to those efforts counting on violence as its winning card to achieve political gains,”

The female passenger whose identity could not be ascertained at press time was said to have been ignored by members of cabin crew and passengers alike but her persistence led to suspicion among the passengers.

An eye-witness who confided in Saturday Vanguard said that the female passenger after boarding the flight screamed on top of her voice that she was no longer willing to travel with the plane.

The strange behaviour, however led to the delay of the Benin- bound aircraft for two hours as all the passengers were asked to disembark while the plane was screened again.

Saturday Vanguard further gathered that all the checked-in luggage were also off-loaded for proper screening by both Aero and Aviation Security, AVSEC, of the Federal Airports authority of Nigeria, FAAN. But despite the re-screening of the already checked in passengers and their luggage, nothing suspicious was found on board.

It was also learnt that the passenger was handed

over to security agents by AVSEC while the other passengers proceeded on the journey to Benin.

According to the source, “All passengers were already onboard and the pilot was preparing to take off before the woman started the strange behaviour.

“At first, no one took her seriously, but when the shouting and soliloquy continued, the passengers became apprehensive and ordered the pilot to abort the flight. ”The situation was not funny at all. In fact, the woman was speaking in a language which no one understood. But I can tell you authoritatively that all the passengers have been taken to Benin with the same aircraft and they landed in the airport safely. ”This was not the first time such an incident would be happening. In fact, it is common among first time travellers but no one knows the motive behind this act.

However, I believe the security agents will do their work and reveal what led to the strange behaviour.”

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

Seme killings: Customs tightens security, as police arrest suspects

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

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OLLOWING the killing of a senior Customs officer by a mob yesterday in retaliation to the shooting of a smuggler, the Seme Customs Command has tightened security around the border, even as the Police was alleged to have made a number of arrests in connection with the incident.

Saturady Vanguard gathered that a lot of people who went to the border with the intention of bringing in some goods were not allowed to do so.

The usually busy border post was a shadow of what it used to be as officials of the Service prevented such persons from moving freely.

Public Relations Officer

of the Command, Ernest Olottah, who spoke with Saturday Vanguard on the situation at the border, said “We are doing what we were doing, there is no unusual action. We have always taken security at the border post very seriously.”

Asked whether the deceased Customs officer has been buried, he refused to comment.

Similarly, he also refused to comment on the condition of the smuggler shot yesterday.

He noted that after the incident, the police have taken over and are involved in the investigation.

He however said that some persons have been arrested in connection with the killing of the officer.

A statement signed by

Olottah yesterday read in part, “It is worth noting that the intensification of our anti-smuggling operation which has led to the making of over 686 seizures since January 2013 has placed us on the danger of attacks like this from criminals who are being prevented from using the border for antieconomic and other nefarious activities.

“Our operatives, due to their uncompromising stance against smuggling and protecting the nation’s economy have come under series of attacks by smugglers and some unpatriotic elements who see smuggling as their right. In some cases, attempts made at disarming some of our operatives in the recent past were rebuffed,” the statement concluded.

S/West PDP faults purported alliance between Tukur, Kashamu

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HE Acting Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West, Engr.

Adedeji Doherty has denounced the report of a purported alliance between the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and a party chieftain in Ogun State, Prince

Widows programme holds in Lagos

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idows empowerment programme was held at Yaba, Lagos State recently by COFFHA. It will be recalled that the association’s initiative of the Women Empowerment Programme (WEP)was conceived out of sympathy for widows who are forced to face harsh realities due to circumstances beyond their control.

Tokens were given to the widows by this charitable women body which hoped that the women will judiciously utilize and channel them to worthy causes that will benefit their families.

COFFHA’s achievements over the years have been one of value addition to the Nigerian society especially women and children which are its areas of focus.

Buruji Kashamu.

A newspaper report alleged that the purported alliance was threatening the reconciliation of party members in the zone.

In a statement he issued yesterday, Doherty described the report as “not only false but the handiwork of some fifth columnists within the party who are afraid of election and are used to imposition.”

He said there was no way another committee could have been created because the body he heads is a creation of the court in Suit No FHC/L/CS/347/2012.

Doherty said the court forbids the party from “dissolving or disbanding the Caretaker Committee until new officers are elected from a duly organised and conducted South West Zonal Congress.

“This is the position that the national leadership of our party who are the apostles of rule of law; due process and internal democracy have decided to uphold. And we think that all well-meaning members of the party should support and commend them, and not to blackmail them,” Doherty said.

R-L: Prof. Akin Mabogunje, CFR, member; Prince Bola Ajibola, CFR, Chairman and HRH Engr. Oba M.O. Adesina FNSE, member ; at the Ogun State Elders’ Forum Plenary Session at Abeokuta yesterday.

Stop playing politics with Suntai’s health — NLC

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HE President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Abdulwaheed Omar has warned against people playing politics with the health of Gov. Danbaba Suntai of Taraba.

Omar gave the warning in an interview with newsmen in Abuja yesterday and added that those involved in the controversy in the state should act within the law in the interest of the people.

He advised that no one should stage- manage the Governor’s ability to govern the state, saying if the Governor was not inca-

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the large number of dependants on his philanthropic gestures and the family he heads as a breadwinner, many of whom have been coming around his residence to show concern for his safety in solidarity with his immediate family.

Speaking in an interview Thursday on the situation , Comrade Ejoor said, “The kidnappers have no reason to abduct the Human Rights Lawyer and philanthropist; neither is there any political reason to

the things we are hearing are very funny,” he said.

Omar said if the Governor was fit as claimed by his supporters, he should follow due process after returning to the country.

“For a Governor who returned from medical treatment abroad, one expects that the first function the Governor should have carried out is to address the people of the State.

“But the first thing we are seeing is sacking people, dissolving the cabinet and doing all sorts of things.’’

Ogun State Elders’ Forum charge Gov Ibikunle Amosun on peace

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HE Ogun State Elders’ Forum, led by Prince Bola Ajibola,

Mike Ozekhome: Associates call for do so. Chief Ozekhome unconditional release (SAN) has not deSSOCIATES of Benin based Human Rights Lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, yesterday called for his unconditional release by his abductors. The call was in response to a demand for about N150million ransom by his kidnappers.

The call was made by his Personal Assistant , Comrade Ejoor Umukoro on behalf of Chief Ozekhome’s associates and family members in Benin Thursday.

The call, they said, became necessary due to

pacitated, he should be allowed to function.

“I think we should stop playing politics with the Taraba State issue and even if we should play politics, we should make sure we don’t contravene the provisions of the constitution.

“It is provided in the constitution that in the case where a Governor is not capable, the Deputy will fill the gap pending when the Governor recovers.

“But in the case of Taraba, it is clear that some people are stagemanaging the return of the Governor and some of

clared or signified intention to vie for any elective office. All he has been doing was helping the needy selflessly and as such, does not pose any threat to anybody.”

Comrade Ejoor used himself as an example of a beneficiary of Chief Ozekhome’s kind gesture, having been transformed from a mere okada rider six years ago to his present status today, saying ,” For the sake of humanity, they should release him.’’

during its plenary session on Tuesday, August 20,2013 charged the Governor Ibikunle Amosunled government of Ogun State to work on improving peace and stability in Ogun State while focusing on the State economy, taxation, conflict resolution, role of security agencies, welfare of the elderly, education, health, state laws and poverty allevia-

tion.

The Elders’ Forum appealed to all citizens of Ogun State, residents and all stakeholders including youths to cultivate the culture of peace and lawful living in Ogun State and commends the State Commissioner of Police and security agencies in Ogun State for their dedication and commitment towards peace and stability.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013 — 7

Pregnant woman, six others killed in attacks in Plateau

BY TAYE OBATERU Jos

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Taraba National Assembly Caucus supports Acting Governor: R-L: Hon. Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Malle; Senator Abubakar Umar Tutura from Taraba Central; Chief Whip House of Representatives, Isaka Bawa and Hon Ibrahim El-sudi addressing press men, calling on Taraba Acting Governor to continue to take responsibility for Taraba State Governance at National Assembly Abuja. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

PREGNANT woman and five men were on Thursday killed by unknown gunmen at Bisichi in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Four other people were seriously injured as suspected armed robbers opened fire on their vehicle along Foron Road around 7.30 pm. while returning home from

2006 Census: Tribunal declares Lagos exercise illegal •Orders fresh census in 14 councils

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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HE National Census Tribunal sitting in Abuja, has nullified the results of the 2006 National Census in 14 local governments in Lagos State, citing illegal and inaccurate counting as reason.

The nullification came several years after the exercise was concluded.

Therefore, the tribunal ordered a fresh headcount in the constitutionally created local governments, which according to the Lagos State Government, cut across 40 Local Council Development Areas LCDAs in the state.

The State’s AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeola Ipaye and his Works and Infrastructure counterpart, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, disclosed this yesterday, at a news conference at the State

Secretariat, Alausa.

The AG, stressed that the tribunal also dismissed petitions filed on behalf of residents in five local governments, which he said, were Shomolu, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Mushin and Oshodi-Isolo. Ipaye explained that the petitions of the five local governments were rejected on the ground that the petitioners (the five local governments) did not present sufficient proof to establish their requests.

“Since the tribunal had ordered the National Population Commission (NPC) to recount the residents in the 14 local councils, the commission should immediately put machinery in motion to do the recount, because the 2006 census was illegal and did not give the accurate census figures of the State.”

He added that the official national census

results for 14 local governments (now 40 LGAs and LCDAs) in the State “have been nullified. This vindicates the resolve of the state government to base its physical and economic plans on a projected population of 17,553,924 in 2006 and over 21,000,000 currently. We now expect that the population commission will urgently announce plans for a recount as ordered by the tribunal.”

Ipaye said with the census exercise conducted by the NPC nationwide from March 21 to 27, 2006, and more particularly in the various local government areas of Lagos State, which gave the state a figure of 9,113,605, many informed commentators within and outside the state had considered this figure to be far too low.

He said a shadow survey “carried out by State officials during the exercise showed that Lagos State should have had a population of at least 17,553,924. A good number of residents from various communities within the state protested and, eventually, had petitions filed on their behalf when the Census Tribunal was established.”

He added that the 2006 Census was conducted on the basis of 20 Local Government Areas as listed in the 1999 Constitution, saying that out of these, massive complaints came out of 19 Local Government Areas, such as Agege,

Alimosho, AmuwoOdofin, Apapa, Bagadry, Epe, Eti-Osa, Ifelodun, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Mushin, Ojo, Oshodi/ Isolo, Shomolu and Surulere.

“19 separate petitions were therefore filed on behalf of aggrieved residents of these Councils at the Census Tribunal. The Tribunal sat for about 18 months and has finally passed judgments in all 19 cases between 19 and 20 June, 2013.

“In 14 of these cases, which cover at least 40 of the new Local Government Councils and Local Council Development Areas, the Census results were closely considered and declared null and void,” Ipaye explained He said the Tribunal, however, dismissed petitions filed on behalf of residents in five Local Government Councils, such as Shomolu, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Mushin and Oshodi-Isolo on the ground that sufficient proof was not presented by the petitioners.

He said government might decide to appeal the upholding of the census figures in the five Local governments after thoroughly studying the judgment of the Tribunal.

“As indicated in the decision of the tribunal, the recount was reordered in AmuwoOdofin, Agege, Ojo, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Ikeja, Eti-Osa, Alimosho, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Surulere, Epe, Badagry and Epe local government areas”.

Bukuru.

The attackers said to have been armed with sophisticated weapons, dispossessed their victims of their valuables before escaping from the scene.

Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the local government Mr. Emmanuel Loman told journalists that the travelers ran into the gunmen who shot them at close range as they got to the scene.

He said those killed which included the pregnant woman and two others were from Fan District, two were from Bwara and one from Kakpwis all in the local government and described the attack as

barbaric and a rude shock.

He said the attack came at a time peace was gradually returning to the area and urged security agencies to track down the assailants.

He confirmed another attack on Dorowa village around 1pm yesterday during which one person was killed.

Media Officer of the Special Task Force (STF) in the state, Captain Salisu Mustapha confirmed the attack saying they were armed robbers who killed six people and made away with their valuables.

He added that those injured were taken to Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for treatment.

Police Inspector, NAPEP staff, lawyer, driver win big in Glo promo

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N Inspector with the Nigeria Police , 29year old Stephen Kuti has won five million naira in the on -going Glo Recharge to Stardom Promo while Mr Kolawole Adedapo, Mrs Tayo Attah, Mr Linus Udo and Barrister Donatus Nwodoh won one million naira each.

Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony held at the Mike Adenuga Towers on yesterday, Inspector Kuti thanked Globacom for giving back to Nigerians and urged those yet to participate in the promo to do so without delay because of the authenticity and credibility of the promo.

Also speaking, 38- year old Ilorin based staff of National Poverty Eradication Programme, Kolawole Adedapo , one of the one million naira winners, said anyone who uses a Glo line will always have a tes-

timony and contribute to the development of the country as the money will not be repatriated abroad.

Another one million naira winner, Abakaliki based 54- year old Barrister Donatus Nwodoh who describes himself as a consistent Glo subscriber urged Nigerians to join him on the Glo network so that they can also enjoy a delightful experience from the great Nigerian brand.

In the same vein, a Kaduna based nurse, 46- year old Mrs Tayo Attah said, “ If you are still on other networks you do not know what you are missing. I have recharged and won, recharge, so that you can win too”.

The last one million naira winner, 37 year old tricycle rider, Linus Udo described Glo as a good, credible brand that should always be believed. “Glo has changed my life for good”.

Okada rider charged with raping minor Richard Odigie, said that

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41-year-old c o m m e r c i a l motorcyclist, Ugochukwu Nwoke, yesterday appeared before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos over alleged rape of an 11year-old girl.

Nwoke, who resides at No. 10, Obidana St., Abule-oja, Yaba, Lagos, is standing trial before Chief Magistrate S.O. Solebo on a count charge.

The prosecutor, Mr

the accused raped the minor on August 25 at 11.00a.m., at his residence.

Odigie submitted that the accused invited the girl into his apartment under the guise of sending her on an errand.

He said the accused told the minor not to tell anybody of the rape, and threatened to kill her parents if she informed anyone.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

Boko Haram has been ‘progressively weakened’ —Jonathan

BY BEN AGANDE, Abuja

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said that the measures taken by the country’s security services have ‘progressively weakened’ Boko Haram’s capacity for its terror activities in the country.

Speaking at an audience with the outgoing Representative of the Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. David Mac Rae, President Jonathan said that his administration will remain very proactive in combating terrorism and insecurity.

According to the President, although measures taken by his administration had resulted in a significant reduction in the occurrence of terrorist attacks in the country, the Federal Government will keep on

doing everything possible to further enhance security in all parts of the country.

“As a government, we are doing everything possible to improve our country on all fronts. We are consistently adapting our security architecture to deal with terrorism which has become a challenge to the whole world.

“Boko Haram is being progressively weakened but we are not resting on our oars. We will continue to do everything possible to achieve greater security for all who reside within our borders,” the President assured Mr. Mac Rae. President Jonathan said his administration will continue to do its best to correct negative perceptions about the country such as the notion of widespread insecurity and corruption.

He charged the outgoing

ambassador to assist in correcting current misconceptions about Nigeria by taking that positive message to the European Union and the rest of the world especially since he (the ambassador) said he had recently traveled to the Niger Delta and some Northern States and found people there going about their normal lives and businesses without fear.

President Jonathan commended the European Union for its past and ongoing support towards improving the

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26-YEAR OLD man, Frank Mekwunye was yesterday arraigned before Magistrate Oshodi Makanju of an Ikeja

robbery with guns, and other dangerous objects.

The suspect, was docked on a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery.

According to the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Samson Ekikere, the

2015: Jonathan legible to contest — SESS-PG

BY GABRIEL EWEPU

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GROUP called South-East and S o u t h - S o u t h Professionals Group (SESS-PG), yesterday said President Goodluck Jonathan is legible to contest in 2015 as president according to constitutional provisions.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Chairman, SESS-PG, Chief Ray Morphy said the constitution was clear on the eligibility of a sitting president to contest for a second tenure if he wishes, and all other citizens from any part of the country could equally contest for the post of the president as well.

Morphy further stated that nobody can stop somebody from the Northern part of the country from equally contesting in the 2015 presidential election as some groups were

campaigning. He called for caution against such moves.

He said; “We the SouthEast and South-South Professionals, SESS-PG, call for peace among various stakeholders in the country ahead of the 2015 presidential and general elections.

“We want to warn against what it called “undue heating up of the polity” ahead of the 2015 general elections by individuals and various interest groups in the country.

electoral process in Nigeria while assuring that Nigeria would act

to facilitate the early conclusion of a partner-

BY DAYO JOHNSON, Akure

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14-YEAR-OLD Senior Secondary School SS1 pupil

offence on July 5, 2013 at Sabo Bus stop, Ikorodu, Lagos.

He said that, while armed with guns, ropes and other dangerous weapons, the defendant and others now at large robbed one Archibong of his Toyota Corolla with Registration No. CE 73 MUS, valued at N1.5 million.

Ekikere told the court that the offense is contrary to and punishable under section 5 (b) and Punishable under section 1 (2) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. 398, Vol. XXII, Laws of the Federation 1990 as amended.

The defendant was remanded in prison custody pending DPP’s advice.

The case was adjourned to September 24, 2013

Oluwaseyi Adelegan who was the son of the National President of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, Comrade Solomon Adelegan has been murdered in cold blood by yet to be identified killers.

Oluwaseyi was said to have been murdered at his father’s residence in Aduralere quarters, Ijoka areas of Akure in the early hour on Thursday.

Report had it that the deceased was matcheted

when the killers invaded their residence and was left to die by his killers.

Saturday Vanguard learnt that the deceased on the ill-fated day was alone in the house while other siblings have all gone for holiday lesson.

Why he did not accompany others to the holiday lesson that day was not known.

The killers according to Police source matchetted him in the room, leaving him to die there but he was said to have managed to crawl from the room to the sitting room but had

Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe state has sworn - in the newly appointed Caretaker Chairmen of the 17 Local Government Areas with a strong warning that anyone

found wanting in embezzlement of public funds and selfish service will be dealt with according to Law. The Occasion which took place amidst tight security on Friday at the Wawa Hall, Government House Damaturu attracted party supporters and well-

no more strength to crawl further to the front door in order to raise alarm.

His dead body lying in the pool of his blood was met in the living room by the other siblings when they returned from the holiday lesson and they raised alarm which attracted neighbours who could not render any assistance as he was said to be stone dead.

The Police in the State have vowed to bring to book the killers of the innocent boy.

Glo/CNN African features Ghana’s Nii Quaynor

T

HE inspiring story of Ghanaian internet guru, Nii Narku Quaynor, will be featured in this weekend’s edition of African Voices, CNN International’s 30minute magazine programme sponsored by telecoms operator, Globacom.

Globacom explained in a statement that Quaynor ’s choice as special guest is in line with the philosophy of

the programme to showcase successful personalities who are shaping the African continent in different fields of endeavour.

Professor Quaynor is a scientist and engineer, and is seen by many as ‘Africa’s Father of the Internet’ because of the important role he played in the introduction and development of the internet throughout Africa.

He received a Bachelor

Gaidam reads riot act to newly appointed council chairmen

BY NDAHI MARAMA and BALA AJIYA, Damaturu

ship agreement between ECOWAS and the European Union.

I4-year-old SSS1 pupil murdered in Ondo

26-yr-old remanded in prison for armed robbery Court for alleged armed suspect committed the

BY IJEOMA NATHANIEL

Coach Cinello Gianfranco of Udinese FC (left), explaining some points to players of Uplift Football Team, currently undergoing a two-week Summer football internship at the Bruseschi Centre beside Udinese FC Stadium located in Udine, Italy. The players were discovered during UPLIFTing Under-15 Grassroot Football programme organised by the Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun in April 2013

wishers across the state.

The governor while congratulating them for their appointment said, it was done based on merit and in comformity with the powers vested in him by section4(1) of the Yobe state Local Government (amendment Law No: 8, 2013).

Gaidam noted that, his administration is committed to the plight of the people, particularly those from the grassroots, and urged the newly appointed Chairmen to work hard for improving the living condition of the electorates and development of the state.

of Engineering degree from the Thayer School of Engineering in 1973 and an M.Sc. in Computer Science from the State University of New York at StonyBrook in 1974 and a Ph.D. from the same institution in 1977.

Upon returning to Ghana from the United States in the early 1990s Professor Quaynor established some of Africa’s first internet connections and was involved in setting up some key organisations including the African Network Operators Group (AfNOG). He introduced Value Added Networks in the region through the introduction of the SWIFT, Internet and Commerce networks, and was founding chairman of AfriNIC, the African numbers registry.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013 — 9

Court voids suspension of Andy, Chris Uba, others from PDP

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja

T

HE Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, nullified the suspension of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Senator Andy Uba, from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. The court which was presided over by Justice Ahmed R. Mohammed, maintained that the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP, attempted to overreach the powers of the court when it wielded the big stick against Andy, his younger brother, Chief Chris Uba and three others, despite being aware of the pendency of a suit that was entered against the party by the plaintiffs.

Others whose suspension was lifted by the court yesterday were the factional Chairman of the party in Anambra state, Chief Ejike Oguebego, Benjamin Udeozor and Mrs Anthonia Nwankwu.

They were ab-initio axed from the party for allegedly conducting a parallel state congress last Saturday where Andy Uba was nominated as the PDP flag-bearer for the impending gubernatorial election in Anambra State.

Meantime, following refusal of the plaintiffs to appear before the NWC of the party to explain the alleged divisive roles they played, which culminated in the nomination of two flagbearers for the party in Anambra state, PDP, via a letter signed by its Acting National Secretary, Dr Charles Aderemi Akitoye, announced their suspension.

The letter which was addressed to them individually, read: “The National Working Committee, NWC at its 353rd meeting held on Wednesday, 28th August, 2013 reviewed the happenings in Anambra PDP regarding the Anambra Primary Election.

“It was noted that you organized a parallel state congress which was unauthorised by the party contrary to section 58 (1) a, b, c, f, h and j of the PDP constitution (2012 as amended).

“As a result of this, you were invited to meet with the NWC on Wednesday 28, August, 2013 for fair hearing, but you did not

appear.

“In view of the seriousness of the issues involved, you are hereby suspended from the party and the case referred to the appropriate Disciplinary Committee for further necessary action”.

However, in his ruling yesterday, Justice Mohammed, noting that PDP was duly served with a copy of an order he made on Thursday, directing it to appear before him and show cause why the court should not abort any move to suspend the plaintiffs from the party, declared the action of the party against Andy Uba and the others a nullity, “ For all intent and purpose, the 1st defendant was duly aware of the order to appear today to show cause. Does the fact that a defendant is within time to respond to a court summon give it the right to do the same act for which the court asked it to appear before it to give explanation?

“Can a party proceed to render an action before the court a mere academic exercise? Should the court watch helplessly while its authority is desecrated?

My answer is No. “ Court has a duty to safeguard its integrity at all times. The action of the 1st defendant in suspending the plaintiffs despite being aware of the pendency of this suit is a deliberate attempt to overreach this court.

“Any action which has the colouration of sanction against the plaintiffs is interference on the powers of this court.

“In line with the powers imbued on the court by section 6(6) of the 1999 constitution and Order 56 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rule, an interim order is hereby

made suspending the suspension of the plaintiffs pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice before the court. “ I further order that the motion ex-parte be served on the 1st defendant. This case is hereby adjourned

till September 5 for the 1st defendant to appear before this court to show cause and for hearing of the plaintiffs’ motion ex-parte,” the court ruled.

Counsel to the PDP, Chief Clems Ezika, earlier told the court that the party was

T

HE Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria (CSSLN) yesterday threw its weight behind the Taraba State House of Assembly in its action of ascertaining the health status of Governor Dambaba Suntai, urging the Assembly to do what was constitution-

satisfied that the party was duly served on Thursday, noting that it was one Innocent E. that signed the documents on behalf of the party at its headquarters at the Wadata House at Wuse Zone 6, Abuja.

*Mother, 2 daughters raped N50, 000 stolen

BY PETER OKUTU Abakaliki

A

rape incident allegedly involving a mother and her two daughters in Ikwo Local government of Ebonyi state was weekend reported to the State Police Command for investigation and arrest of the suspects.

It was learnt that the suspects who came at night when their victims were already asleep raped them in turns at gun point after stealing the sum of N50, 000, nine different models of handset and a Carter motorcycle from them.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the hoodlums

who were purportedly sent by a top politician in the area (name withheld) to kill the mother of two daughters and Councillor representing Ndiagu Echara Ward I in Ikwo Local government Area of Ebonyi State, Mrs. Margret Elom could do so but decided to rape them and cart away

Former Vice President,Alh.Atiku Abubakar and Gov.Lamido of Jigawa State when the Gov.visited him at his residence in Abuja.

their belongings.

Briefing newsmen at the Command Headquarters, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Sylvester Igbo who confirmed the incident insisted that only Hon. Elom’s daughters were raped when the suspects invaded the victims’ residence.

He said: “One Hon. Margret Elom, the Councillor representing Ndiagu Echara Ward I from Ikwo Local government area of Ebonyi state reported that while she was sleeping with her daughters that some hoodlums broke into their house and stole the sum of N50, 000 from her and collected one Carter motorcycle valued at N120, 000 and nine different handsets. “And in the process of robbing her of her belongings, two of her daughters were raped by the two suspects; the suspects were later identified as one Chidi Eze, 24, Sunday Nwogu, 23. Chidi has been arraigned in court on 12th August, 2013.

Opposition would have mocked me — Mimiko

BY DAYO JOHNSON Akure

G

OVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko has dedicated his victory at the Supreme Court to God who saw him through the fierce battle to ascertain his victory.

He spoke while addressing a mammoth crowd that welcome him back after the

Supreme Court dismissed the appeals of the PDP and ACN candidates in the governorship election in the state.

Dr Mimiko alongside his Deputy, Alhaji Ali Olanusi said that if the verdict had been otherwise, the opposition and detractors would have mocked him and his God. He gave praises to God

Taraba Crisis: Stand by the Constitution, Speakers’ Conference urges Taraba Assembly

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

served with a copy of the plaintiffs’ suit yesterday morning, an allegation that was immediately refuted by counsel to the plaintiifs, Mr Abe Taiwo.

Nevertheless, upon careful examination of its record, the court, said it was

ally right.

Chairman of the Conference and Speaker of Gombe State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Inuwa Garba who addressed a Press Conference in Abuja yesterday however described the political developments in the state as unnecessary and unwarranted.

He said that over-heating the polity of Taraba in the name of politics at a

time the State was in dire need of peace and development was not in the best interest of the people of the State and Nigerians at large. He said: “We have watched very keenly the political developments in Taraba State, North-East, Nigeria in the last few days and resolved that the situation calls for urgent attention and concern of every well-meaning Nigerian.”

for showing Himself strong on his behalf throughout the legal battle from the lower tribunal to the Supreme Court by shaming his detractors.

The governor said that the verdict has vindicated the victory given to him by the people of the State during the governorship election.

He appealed to both Olusola Oke and Rotimi Akeredolu of the PDP and ACN to bury their hatchet and join hands with him in moving the State to an enviable height.

He thanked the Chief Justice of Nigeria Aloma Mukhtar for resheduling the case even while the Judges are on vacation noting that if the matter had extended, the opposition parties would have read meaning to it.

Dr Mimiko promised to continue to work for the people of the state saying ” now its time for work”

In his reaction to the verdict ,Chief Oke said that the Supreme Court in its wisdom has given its judgment dismissing our Appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal.

Oke said that this final ruling marks the end of a titanic battle to challenge and invalidate the result of the election ”Though the battle is fought and decided, we need to thank the good people of this State for their endurance, fortitude, faith and perseverance throughout the period of this trial. ” We also wish to encourage them to keep the peace and walk tall through the rest of the days ahead. ”While profoundly thanking all the good people of Ondo state for their uncommon support and encouragement, we wish to remind all that the fight to enthrone democracy, justice and freedom is not an easy walk.”

10 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

*University students returning home

No headway as ASUU battles govt over extra allowances, funding

BY EMMANUEL EDUKUGHO

W

hen the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, embarked on a national strike on July 1, 2013 due to the refusal of Federal Government to implement the 2009 agreement it signed with the union which had several components, including adequate funding of education sector, Nigerians feared another long winter for their children forced to return home.

Strike by lecturers in public universities has become a normal trend every two years. The nation is accustomed to disrupted academic sessions that at times linger on for about six months.

To have an uninterrupted academic calendar in the university system is abnormal. So the strike factor is usually built into the calendar. An academic programme scheduled for three or four years, could last for seven years.

The blame for this can rightly be placed at the door step of the Federal Government, fond of breaching negotiated agreements reached with ASUU. There is the question of failed leadership, corruption, show of insincerity and lack of commitment to agreements; knowing that any breach would lead to shutting down of the universities by a frustrated union which feels government is unwilling to develop education in the country. The government is yet to understand that any refusal to honour agreement freely signed without duress tantamounts to a breach of contract, actionable in law.

Already, the public university system is in decadence in all ramifications.

Most of the over 30 Federal and 36 State universities are in bad condition.

Physical infrastructure for teaching and learning are grossly inadequate,

dilapidated and over stretched. The laboratories and workshops are obsolete, poor furnishings, poor power and water supply, outdated equipment, crowded hostels and unhygienic living conditions.

Many of the universities don’t have video conferencing facility, only a fraction have or use interactive white boards. Many are without public address systems in their lecture rooms, while none of the universities had fully automated library resources.

Apart from all these inadequacies, it has been found in a Federal Ministry of Education Report, that many of the universities are grossly understaffed, relying mainly on part-time and visiting lecturers, with several under-qualified academic staff, lacking effective

ical or on contract.

Against this sordid scenario, one can understand the struggle of ASUU to reform and transform public universities to meet with the standards obtainable in other climes.

Our leaders are not ready to embark of this transformation because they are not committed to proper and adequate funding of education of which UNESCO recommended 26% of national budget.

But Nigeria allocates less than 10% of her budget to education which is even among the lowest in Africa. Yet this nation can do better.

People in government and politicians are quick to send their children to UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Ukrain, Russia, and even nearby Ghana, Togo, Benin for university education. Because

Government people and politicians are quick to send their children to UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Ukrain, Russia, and even nearby Ghana, Togo, Benin for university education. Because of their illgotten wealth, can patronise expensive private institutions, rather than increase funding to upgrade public schools at home staff development programmes. Recently, the National Universities Commission (NUC) came out with a directive that all university lecturers must possess Ph. D degrees within a given time or lose their appointments. Only about 43% of academic staff in the university system have doctorate degrees, the remaining 57% don’t.

According to the report, there are 37,504 lecturers in public universities, but only 28,128 (about 75%) are engaged on full time basis, the rest 25% are either part-time, visiting, on sabbat-

of their ill-gotten wealth, they can patronise expensive private institutions, rather than increase funding to upgrade public schools at home.

Dr. Nasir Fagge, ASUU National President, had explained that the strike was not just to reposition the education sector, particularly the university system, but to salvage our country. He said ASUU was determined to prosecute the strike to its logical conclusion, and that the implementation of the agreement was a cardinal issue that must be accomplished by the union as this would

President Goodluck Jonathan transform the country’s university system. Government offered a paltry N100 billion for infrastructure, and N30 billion for earned allowances, a far cry from N87 billion demanded.

On accepting the offer of N30 billion and going back to class while reaching agreement on when the next installments will be paid, Fagge rejected this, saying, “We had made that mistake before whereby only the salary component of the agreement was singled out and so we can not afford to make such a mistake again. Until the whole agreement is fully implemented, we are not going to call off this strike.”

Over N500 billion is needed for infrastructure upgrade.

President Goodluck Jonathan and other eminent Nigerians had appealed to ASUU to take the N30 billion offer by government and return to classroom.

The union had demanded for N87 billion (not N92 billion) in extra allowances translated as excess work load, high carriage of students per lecturer, responsibility allowance which included supervision of academic projects for final-year students, Masters, Ph.D theses, course advice, administrative duties as heads of departments, deans of faculties, hall masters, etc.

Because of inadequate staffing, the work load had been heavy with one lecturer to 200, or even 300 students.

Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, in stating the government position had said the money – N92 billion according to her, which ASUU was demanding (but refuted by the union to

Continues on page 12

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013 — 11

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN & ADERONKE ADEYERI

I

n spite of the several negotia tions between the Federal Gov ernment and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and the subsequent release of N130 billion for infrastructural development and allowances to the striking lecturers, ASUU, said the stike would continue until the 2009 Agreement entered into by both parties is fully implemented.

With the release of the funds of which N100 billion would go for infrastructure development of the universities and N30billion for allowances of lecturers, many, especially the students who bear the brunt of the imbroglio thought that the lectureres would sheath their sword and go back to classes.

But the leadership of the Union has consistently maintained that the full implementation of the nine-point agreement it signed with the Federal government in 2009, will see them back to classes.

The leadership of the Union had wondered why government decided to dangle N30 billion as part of the allowances to placate them, thereby making it seem as if the issue was about allowances.The Union National President, Dr. Nassir Isa told newsmen recently: “When the strike started, government mischievously announced to Nigerians that ASUU strike was chiefly for the sake of money in the form of Earned Academic Allowances. Also at every meeting since the strike began, government’s team always repeat that the allowances were the major issue in contention even when the union has repeatedly said the contrary.

“Why would government dangle N30 billion as if it was a dole-out when in fact, that amount was unrelated to the agreement and the work of implementation committee? he queried.

Sixty days on without any indication for a cease fire, some parents, students and concerned Nigerians spoke to Saturday Vanguard on the issue.

Ms Temitope Ajayi, a.k.a. Mama Diaspora lent her voice to the development saying lecturers ought to have suspended the strike immediately the President waded in and ordered the release of N30billion to the striking lecturers. “The lecturers should first appreciate the President’s gesture of offering N30billion as part of the allownaces of the lecturers. They should therefore go back to classes while negotiations continue on whatever grey areas left. It is by showing that honour and respect to the President who first made an offer that whatever argument or grey areas they have can be successfully pushed forward. I sympathise with them but also, they should know that when two elephants fight, the chief victim is the grass and in this case, the students are the chief victims.

“They should also understand that the future of our children is important. We need to make sacrifices, and no sacrifice is too much to save the coming generation. These children will spend so much time in the univeristy before graduating and besides, it actually makes some of them to lose focus, because they use the stike time to do some other things instead on concentrating on their studies. Some of them become nega-

Temitope Ajayi

ing, prostitution and other vices. A country that is combating insecurity, unemployment, corruption and the rest should not walk this path.”

He advised that the federal government should implement the agreement as entered into in 2009. Abisoye chided the Federal Government saying that it displayed a high level of inconsistency and toying with education knowing that education is Comrade Omojola Abisoye the bedrock for any country to develop.

According to him, “the fund allocated for education this year is far below the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO standard and even below what was being allocated for the sector before now. The UNESCO standard is 26.6% but even if the government cannot afford this, it should be close to the figure and not as low as 8%. “‘It is in the interest of the students that the strike should be suspended. But at the same time, let’s not forget that quality education remains the bedrock of a nation. During the last ranking of tertiary schools in Africa, Nigeria was by head bridge, Onitsha, Anambra nowhere among the first hundred not State. They told those who cared to to talk of world ranking of tertiary listen that if government and the teach- schools. The reason is not far-fetched: ers failed to settle their differences, Lack of funds; embezzling of funds alwithin a one week ultimatum, they will located for the educational sector; mobilise other students across the poor salary for lecturers; etc and at the country for a showdown. Other stu- end of the day, government will comdents who were not able to join their plain that universities are producing collegues in that zone also spoke with unqualified graduates who cannot deSaturday Vanguard on the effect of the fend their certificates”. prolong strike.

He implored ASUU to be honest in The leader of the Students’ Union their dealings with the government, Governance, SUG, Olabisi Onabanjo adding that if their demands are fully University, Comrade Omojola Ayokunle met, lecturers would go to their duty Abisoye opined that the strike has had posts and face their jobs squarely. He adverse effects on students. “Since the advised that ASUU should look beyond beginning of the strike, all universities their salary and allowances and work in the federation have been grounded. towards a better educational sector in Presently, there are students that have Nigeria. been mobilized for their National Youth Also, a student of Applied Chemistry, Service Corps NYSC but that are still at Inaolaji Alabi of Ladoke Akintola Unihome. We have students that are sup- versity of Technology, LAUTECH laposed to be in the Law school by Octo- mented the intermittent break in acaber, but are yet to know their fate. Some demic programmes in government new students (jambites) cannot write owned tertiary institutions saying, their Post-Jamb exams due to the “The incessant breaks in academic sesstrike. Besides, an idle hand is the dev- sion of public universities is a major il’s workshop. Idleness encourages factor contributing to the decline of edyouths to ungodly behaviour like steal- ucation quality in Nigeria.”

ASUU Strike: Parents, Students count losses tively affected. It is not right. How can we juxtapose a situation like this with the quest for allowances.”

Reacting on the full implementation of the 2009 agreement both parties entered into, Ms Ajayi faulted the leadership of ASUU saying: “That condition in itself is faulty; how can you implement a nine-point agreement in one day. It has to be a gradual thing and that is why I said they should have suspended the strike and continue negotiation on the full implementation of the agreement.”

Students react

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Coordinator in the South-South and South-East, Comrade Chinonso Obasi, expressed worry that the students are feeling the brunt of the strike following the failure of the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to fully reconcile their differences.

Just before press time, Comrade Chinonso Obasi, took to the streets, protesting the prolong strike action, barricading the Benin-Asaba expressway

12 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

Comply with lecturers’ demands --Parents beg FG

BY FLORENCE AMAGIYA & IYABO AINA

I

T’S been two months since the Academic Staff Union of Universities embarked on a nationwide indefinite strike.

This was as a result of the inability of the Federal Government to implement some of the issues contained in a 2009 agreement it had with ASUU. Recently Saturday Vanguard spoke with parents whose children are affected as they begged the government to reach a compromise with ASUU .

Government not feeling the strike because their children are in private universities — Ohwaguono Onos

Mr. Ohwaguono Onos, a parent and a post graduate student of University of Lagos( UNILAG), who was affected by the strike has this to say.

“The ASUU strike has made my children shift focus to other things that are costing me additional funds I didn’t budget for. And parents who cannot engage their wards in these suffer distress and heart-aches because of the nuisance the students constitute at home. One thing I have learnt is that after each episode of strike, the students are no more focused even when they resume lectures because they have been out for so long. ASUU went on strike because they want the govenrment to come to their plight and help them.

“If the Senators can have sitting and sleeping allowances, then the builders of these characters should be considered; they are the lecturers. My only pain is that these ones in government are not feeling it because their own children are not in the Federal and State universities. Their children are abroad schooling, their children are in private universities. Most of the people in sensitive government positions are the owners of most private Universities which are funded by our own money. How can the strike affect the government? Our plea is for the government to listen to the masses, listen to ASUU and help them; that way they are helping us and saving the future.

Federal government should meet the demands of the lecturers —Oluranti Olushola

Mrs Oluranti Olushola, a teacher who said her son was affected by the strike pleaded that the Federal Government should help them so their children can go back to school.

“I am seriously appealing to the Federal Government, on behalf of Nigerian parents, to end the strike and make education a top priority and also save the education sector from imminent collapse.”

She noted that the government voluntarily entered into an agreement with the union in 2009 to fund universities better and meet some other demands

of the union. “The Federal Government must at all costs meet the demands of the union to save the future of our children,” she said.

Government should avoid workers’ strike —Mrs Ruquiyat Adebayo

Another teacher, Mrs Ruquiyat Adebayo disclosed that that ASUU’s demands were genuine.

She urged the government to make any sacrifice to improve the education sector.

Mrs Adebayo also advised the government to avoid workers’ strike by meeting their demands early.

“ASUU is not asking for too much. It’s demands are justified. We have the resources in this country, and we must set our priorities right. Education must come first in all our plans.

“Whatever it will take, Nigeria must improve the welfare of the University teachers,” she said.

Governmet should resolve the conflict with ASUU

—Moturayo Madandola

Mrs Moturayo Madandola whose child was affected by the strike said government should resolve the conflict with ASUU quickly to save the University system from collapse.

“The Federal Government should accede to the demands of the striking union so that our children can go back to school,” she said.

Government should be considerate —Malik Alabi

Malik Alabi, a businessman expressed his feelings with anger saying, “don’t mind those people in government , all their children are schooling abroad. How would they remember us?

They only plan to travel to Dubai for vacation, travel out of the country for medical check up, send their children to Harvard and all the good schools abroad. These people should also consider the parents who suffer to pay school fees for our children . I have two children at OAU and they are both at home doing nothing and it pains me a lot . My only plea is that Federal Gov-

ernment should help us because the parents are the ones suffering it more”.

Four -year course is running six years because of the strike--Deaconess Joy Osewengie Deaconness Mrs. Joy Osewengie, a mother of two students in the University of Benin (UNIBEN) expressed her concern saying, “The ASUU strike has turned into something else; my children are not doing anything at home.

Courses that are supposed to run for four years are now running six years and above. When will the children finish their programmes in the Universities and become very useful to their family and the society?

“The government should know that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. We should bear in mind that these ones are the future of this great nation and if they are half baked because of strike and crisis, then we may end up with a very sick nation.”

From left, Senator Pius Anyim, SFG; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Finance Minister; Prof R. Ahmed Rufai, Minister of Education; and Dr. Wogu, Labour Minister.

No headway as ASUU battles govt over extra allowances, funding Continued from page 10 be actually N87bn) was not only unrealistic, but also not within the reach of the Federal Government.

Her words at a 2-day conference of Commissioners of Finance and Accountants-General of States Ministries of Finance held in Minna, Niger State. “At present, ASUU wants the government to pay N92 billion in extra allowances when resources are not there and when we are working to integrate past increases in pensions. We need to make choices in this country as we are getting to the stage where recurrent expenditures take the bulk of our resources and people get paid but can do no work.”

Series of deadlock had characterised meetings between ASUU leaders and the Federal Government Team lead by Governor Suswam of Benue State to resolve the crisis and pave way for lecturers to return back to work.

Mr. James Bidemi, a Senior Management staff in a public university, commended the ASUU action which seemed good and appropriate, but cautioned if the dispute is not resolved, it could destroy university education in the country. He called for state of emergency on education.

“Government should meet at least 50% to 60% of ASUU

demand, and people will support government in the appeal for the strike to be called off. It’s about an agreement which government was bound to implement and also endeavour to tackle the decaying infrastructure in the university system.” A university teacher, in his reaction, wondered why the Minister of Education failed to capture these earned allowances owed to lecturers by the 2009 agreement in the 2013 budget. If they were legislators, the funds will be available.

Meanwhile, the strike is biting hard as students have been roaming the streets, lured into criminality and social vices like prostitution, drug trafficking, kidnapping and political thuggery.

Chief Joshua Nwosu, a businessman with three children in the university now at home blamed bad and insensitive leaders for the horrible condition of the education system.“The government just refused to allocate sufficient fund to education despite the abundant financial resources available. Millions of our youths are jobless, yet government is not willing to provide adequate money for educational development. Something drastic must be done to save our education from total collapse.

President Jonathan should act fast and be patriotic.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013—13

Improved power boosting businesses in Kaduna

Hike in electricity tariff (2)

BY LUKA BINNIYAT

T

Kano groaning under epileptic power supply

BY ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD, Kano

K

ano is one of the states in the federation that is

groaning under epileptic power supply .

According to statistics made available by manufacturers, the Ministry of Power was supposed to supply Kano zone that comprises Katsina , Jigawa , Kano and Niger Republic with 8 percent of the total power generation based on distribution formula, but what was being handed to the zone was just 3 percent.

The National Vice President of the Association, North West zone, Alhaji Ali Safiyanu Madugu told reporters in Kano that “discriminatory sharing of power to the state has led to the closure of 400 industries over the last 20 years with its attendant social consequence.”

Alhaji Ali Safiyanu Madugu

stated that “this culture of discrimination has robbed Kano its status as the hub of industrialists”, stressing that “property owning class no longer consider it worthy to invest here because of the rising cost of energy”.

Ali Safiyanu Madugu stressed that “this flagrant violation of power sharing policy to a city next to Lagos in terms of industrial development tend to expose a hidden agenda by those on the position of power to weaken the economic base of the commercial nerve centre of the north.”

He maintained that the likely implication of this unpopular policy would breed social unrest among army of unemployed youth, calling on respective State governors in the zone to adopt a common stand to resolve the energy crisis.

He also noted that Kano would

have done great if the 8 percent of the total allocation due to the state was properly made as it was stipulated in the power sharing policy, adding that the Ministry of Power is yet to resolve the impasse hovering around the distribution system as applicable to other zones across the country.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria therefore called on Kano State government to expedite activities on 35megawatt Tiga/ Challawa Gorge dam hydro power as alternative and checks to the current “discriminatory practices”.

From ordinary citizens of the state, there has been a mass rejection of PHCN bills in the light of power shortage. Most respondents queried why they should pay for power that is non existent.

he power situation in Kaduna has remarkably improved since July, according to a survery by Saturday Vanguard.

This has also rubbed off positively on small and medium- scale businesses in the town and environs, findings by our Kaduna Correspondent showed.

According to the Kaduna Power Supply Company, an arm of the PHCN, Kaduna received on the average, about 84 megawatts of power daily, over the 36MW it had been receiving last year.

Also, about 500 transformers of various grades have been installed in the past five months to boost distribution.

According to Mr Bulus Yashim, the Manager, New Wonder Hotel, in Kudenda, a suburb of Kaduna, there is huge relief from the development.

“I usually use about three drums of diesel every week. But now, I barely use one because the electricity situation has so much improved. Last week, we even gave good discounts to our lodging guests, since we no longer spend that much again. We get an average of about 19 to 20 hours of electricity each day. Our laundry section has bounced back and we are doing good business here. The only complaint is that the cost of power has gone up, but is far better than diesel”, he said.

Mrs. Kafayat Ahmed, who runs a hair saloon was also happy about the development.

“Three months ago, I had to buy an extra-generator to support the old one. Light was coming in half current and just for about four hours a day.

But now, I have full light for at least through out the day. In fact, because of the way light has improved, many people are coming and I had to hire two more hands. I thank God that PHCN has changed,” she said.

President Goodluck Jonathan

14—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

Why power supply in Nasarawa State remains deplorable

BY ABEL DANIEL

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HE state of power supply in Nasarawa state, particularly Lafia, the state capital is in a deplorable situation. The business manager of PHCN Lafia unit, Engr. Jona explained to Saturday Vanguard why the situation remains so.

What is the true state of power supply in Nasarawa state at the moment?

The Lafia business unit comprises of the entire Nasarawa State with the exception of Keffi Senatorial Zone while the unit covered the remaining two senatorial zones from Lafia.

Nasarawa State does not generate power. The State is supplied by 132kv line from Katampe, in Abuja. This line has what we call the transmission station in Karu supplying Karu, Nyanya Mararaba area on 23Kv/11Kv line. The same line also supplies Keffi. You have another transmission station in Keffi 132 which is stepped down to 33kv and then to 11 in Keffi and its environs.

The transmission station continues to Akwanga.

In Akwanga, we have 132/33kv. From Akwanga to

The energy is not available for us in the first place, and even if it is available, we face the problem of the voltage being unable to be transported or distributed in a single circuit 33kv line from Akwanga to Lafia Lafia and its environs the supply is 33kv. The second leg supplies Akwanga and its environs, while the third leg supplies the State Water Board which supplies water to the entire axis with the exception of Lafia and its environs.

The line between Akwnaga and Lafia, which is 33kv line, was constructed about 30 years ago. That line was constructed when Lafia was just a Local Government.

That time, there wasn't much development in Lafia, the

state capital and its environs but now have become development areas. By now this line is highly overstretched. A line was constructed 30 years ago and we are still using it after 30 years. You will agree with me that the line is really overstretched.

At the time this line was constructed, the villages along the road were not connected, but right now this same line has supplied so many villages that have grown up over time. By implication, we have what we call voltage drop. Because the more you link others to this same line either along the way or in Lafia end here extending to Doma, Awe, Keana you will no more have the 33 kv voltage initially built to convey.This explains reasons why we have serious voltage drop in Lafia and its environs. Again the distance between Akwanga and Lafia is about 55km; between Lafia and Awe is about 95km. It is the same line that supplies this area. It is also this line that supplies Doma axis and Agyaragu. These all account for the low voltage of electricity in Lafia and its environs. In fact the voltages on all these lines are very, very low.

The State Government is working towards stepping the 330kv to 133kv along Shandam road in Lafia, when completed. The last time they met with the State Governor about some weeks ago, he promised to ensure that the project is actualized and expressed readiness to accomplish it. That will be the lasting solution to the low voltage problem in this axis. By the time these two lines are actualized we can even back-feed Akwanga, Keffi and Karu from Lafia on 132kv. 330/132/33, the 33 alone will be able to supply Lafia metropolis to Awe, Obi, Keana axis comfortably. You can also radiate another 33kv to the two injectors serving Lafia town. L14 and L15 are major stations feeding Lafia metropolis, the other one is under construction now by NIPP along Makurdi Road.

How long will all it take to fix all these?

The extension of 132kv line from Akwanga to Lafia is about to commence according to the contractor. The 330kv is near completion, stepping it down to 133kv here in Lafia does not take much time. Hopefully before the end of 2014 this project will materialize with that we will be planning on how to take care of other neighbouring states.

Our objective as Power Company is to provide adequate power and to also generate revenue from the little power supply. Since I came here, people are reluctant to pay light bills. The reason some of them gave is that they don’t have full voltage and therefore cannot pay bill, while some people believe it is a national cake they must enjoy free of charge. We are doing our best to enlighten the general public on this. This has affected greatly our cash collection in the state.

Nigerians frown at the new N750 PHCN service charge

BY ANOZIE EGOLE, OLAYINKA AJAYI & BY ADERONKE ADEYERI

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he problems PHCN is causing to Nigerians have gotten to an alarming state. If you are a visitor to the country, you would not need to be told that the country is having a serious issue with power.

While majority are complaining of serious power problems, some are still saying that there is no problem and that power is being dispensed equitably. These are some of the opinions as compiled by SATURDAY VANGUARD.

The sector is epileptic —Arthur Oguezeh

The inconsistent nature of PHCN service in the country is so bad that some experts have described it to be epileptic in nature. This has been one C M Y K

of the major reasons why most industrialists are afraid to invest in the country and it is making the rate of unemployment to be very high. In my area in Ikotun,Lagos State, though they say that they are sharing the supply, we cannot still differentiate between when it is our turn and when it is not because, it is complete blackout all through. Power supply is not consistent. It is so bad.

It's not that bad here —Ogeri Ndume

We don’t really have much problem in the area where I am staying. But other parts of the State are really finding it very hard. Some areas stay for weeks and even months without power supply while others enjoy power supply. My question is, does it mean some people pay for it and others don’t or some are more important than others?

They should justify their pay—Andy Oke

I have no doubt than to believe that Power is the most corrupt sector in the country. They never make mistakes in collecting their bills and they always make mistakes in supplying consumers. Sometimes, they bring the bills even before month-end and you can stay till the end of the month without power supply. The government should tell them to account for all the funds being channeled to the sector.

They should make powersupply effective—Olajide Akingbade

I am totally against this wicked compulsory increment of monthly tariff from N500 to N750. It is daylight robbery. You can’t imagine PHCN increasing the unjust tariff four times

within the short period of introducing the prepaid meter. They should first think of how to better their services before initiating the idea of tariff increment.

They said is for a limited time—Jasper Ezeagwu

When I noticed the new charges on my bill, sincerely I was rattled because they started with N150 and later increased it to N300 and to N500.

Now it's N750. So I quickly rushed down to PHCN office in FESTAC town, before the Customer Complaint department made me realize that every month of July is higher because of the energy they purchase from their major distributors but by August, if it continues, then more questions will have to be asked because their service does not justify the amount.

Read more on page 47

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013 —15

A

couple of years ago, bank PHB, a Nigerian bank, ran some ex citing futuristic adverts. One of them was on cars that could drive themselves while holding the owners in decent conversations. It seemed far fetched but the reality is that most of these futuristic science fictions seem to catch up with us sooner than we expect. If the mind can conceive it, then science seems to be able to achieve it. I will not be at all surprised, given what cars are up to these days, if Bank PHB’s dream soon becomes a reality.

I am not a car buff by any stretch of the imagination, but I have come across some fascinating stuff about this age-old means of transportation.

I have read for example, of innovations that would make a car stop on its own rather than hit an immovable object. I have read of cars that would automatically increase traction as the road gets more and more slippery. I have read of cars that could drive on dry land and also do small stretches on water. I have read of cars that could fly a short distance in case there is a bad traffic on the way to the airport. I have read of cars that could move sideways and thus be able to pack in a very tight place.

How many of these would be developed into full commercial use is anybody’s guess.

Some of these amazing features are already with us; for example, most modern cars would now bleep if you were too close to an object. Some would help you reverse by lightening a screen that shows the back of the car. And some kind of autodrive already exists.

visual; not only inanimate, but animate. You can imagine what that would mean to all car users and the many uses to which we put our cars.

Now, next to your bedroom, which is the most private place you have? It is your car.It is the one place you feel perfectly uninhibited.

I have friends who think out knotty problems or recharge depleted batteries by going on long drives.

Thanks to this same technology, cars these days are equipped with DVD for music and films, fridges, and even compartments for food and drinks.

Y

ou can hold long conversations with anybody confident that nobody is eavesdropping. For those who live a busy and bohemian lifestyle, it can also be a changing room with shoes and shirts tucked away from prying eyes in the boot.

So for the young— and not so young— a car is a get away place (and that includes all kinds of ‘get away’). It can also be an improvised theatre for frolics and experiments. They say a dog is a man’s best friend.

I disagree. In this part of the world, it is a car.

Think of all the things a young man does with a car. Think of the first time you took your dad or uncle’s car. Where did you go? To a girl friend’s place of course. Remember the look of expectation on your face and the excitement in your voice as you offered to take her for a drive knowing what could happen in the car?

Remember your first date with a car and the privacy the car gave you on your way back from the movies or was it a party? Remember how serviceable the back seat of a car can be; or the reclining passenger seat?

Those who are old enough will remember the drive-in cinemas in Europe in the 70sand 80s. You –and your date— bought your tickets, your food and drinks and packed your car along with other cinema goers to enjoy the twinkling stars, the dark moon (preferably) and the big screen to your hearts’ delight.

There are other uses for the car of course. How many men have entered their cars ‘to clear the head’ after a quarrel with the ‘old lady’? And, if you are given to duplicity, have driven ‘in anger’ to places you are not supposed to drive to, confident that no one will tell.

Now you have a big brother that is capable of telling. What is worse, there is no knowing who it will tell it to. It is a bit worrisome to realise that ALL your activities in YOUR car can now be used in evidence against you—under the guise of protecting you.

It used to be fun to be young. But with Big Brother popping up in the most unlikely and private places and taking notes, I am not so sure anymore. In fact, I am almost glad I am out of it. Like the crooner B.B King once sang, ‘The Thrill Is Gone’

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They say a dog is a man’s best friend.I disagree. In this part of the world, it is a car

M

y first experience of Satellite Navigation (SatNav) was about a decade ago. A friend who was taking me to the Gatwick Airport in the UK switched on the SatNav. I gawked in amazement as it calculated the distance and time needed to get to the airport.Then it proceeded to tell us the route to take while constantly telling us the estimated time of arrival depending on our speed. This devise has now become so widespread that you wonder how tourists and first time travellers survived without it in the past.

Then last week, an American newspaper ran a story about a recent innovation in four wheel technology.

One that is as fascinating as it is worrisome.In these days of wikileak, phone and email surveillance, any new device that has to do with an invasion of privacy has to bother us.

It seems somebody has decided to put the equivalent of a black box in cars albeit for a noble purpose! Should a car have a fatal accident, investigators want to be able to know exactly what has happened. To be able to do that effectively, they want to be able to record not only audio, but C M Y K

,

Stop making e exxcuses Is it not a shame that so many are limited today in life because of excuses.

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 nonperformance. 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,

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 excuse 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

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 wast 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 excuse God always know the truth and He usual holds us responsible for our actions. Also, know that what you make excuse for, you never repent of. No one can hardly succeed in life with excuse if they don’t confront their faults. Whatever

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 victories 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 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 greater responsibilities. Remember the case of the man with one talent in Matt. 25:15 & 25-28. He gave his master excuse for not using the one talent and ended up losing the talent while those who utilized their talent where given greater assignments.

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 America, if he had decided not to contest for the presidency because he is a black man and that no black man had ever become president. His life would have been miserable and full of regrets. Thank God he refused to make excuses.

Hear the word of the Lord. There is greatness inside of you. Rise beyond and above mediocrity. You can make it.

Don’t allow the devil to lie to you.

Confront all your excuses and you will find out that they have no strength.

,

Big brother is taking notes

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

,

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

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

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

16 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

T

HE pages of newspapers have been rustling, in the past few days, about what is so cheaply described as the “jumbo” remuneration of our legislators. It has been reported that they each make over two million naira or more a month, with all sorts of allowances. No one seems really sure because it appears that the salaries and details of other items of remuneration paid to our law-makers are the best-kept secrets outside Fort Knox. The legislators and other benefactors of the same ilk have tended to shrug the worrisome prattle aside until Oby Ezekwesili brought it all to a head when she declared that payments in this regard have totalled about one trillion naira in the past eight years. Oby, a former Minister of Education, seemed to have tactfully left out the salaries and allowances of the cabinet in the expression of her justifiable concern for the alleged extravagance of government in the reward of high officials which she fervently complained about.

But she went on further to challenge the legislators to a public debate if they dared to dispute her indictment of their outrageous salaries and allowances. That did it.

*high cost of law-making *benedict odiase

T

he legislators at last bestirred themselves.

Yes, they welcomed a public airing of the issue, said their spokesman, but would Oby mind, first of all, to state how she disbursed the “jumbo” payments she too received while she was in the Ministry of Education? That response, of course, appeared to merely limp beside her bold deposition; it did not even question the authenticity of the figure of one trillion raised, to say nothing about denying it. And since this is all part of the passing scene in our country, it may very well die down without anything more than the brief moments of inconvenience easily suppressed by a shrug, as happens in such matters that hug the headlines and

•Oby Ezekwesili other sector. And, in some ways, they may be armed with a good defence.

As some of them have been pointing out, it is not as though they themselves allocated these rates to their positions. True enough. They couldn’t have because, though they have to approve the remuneration, the responsibility of determining the rates belongs to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, in the first place. That in fact, applies actually to holders of the highest positions in the country, including the President and his cabinet members, the Chief Justice, the Speakers of the various legislatures. And the list also includes the head of the commission himself. The

,

One should really keep an open mind until we know for sure, and a public enquiry would fit the bill

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then recede into the limbo of dead headliners.

It is clear, anyway, that the core of the achievement which the former Minister’s observations looked forward to, to wit, the adjustment of the outsize payments the legislators enjoy, would not be realized by someone merely blowing the whistle.

The distinguished senators and honourable members are very influential personalities, and though they do disagree on the floor of the house over a myriad of issues, they would naturally remain on the same page on a matter that would adversely affect their “loot” ... which is no less than several people see their enumerations as. But they feel entitled to it, no matter how little is allotted to any

approval of the National Assembly, however, stops at the point prescribed by the commission; it cannot go above it, though it may fall below it.

One would have to wait until hell freezes over, of course, before Nigerian legislators approve, or even recommend, stipends that are lower that those presented for their approval. The Chairman of the commission too, as a Nigerian, would naturally not be expected to suppress any urge to be generous in allocating a handsome level of earnings to those who would have to approve what he eventually receives. It is really not as convoluted as it appears as long as the strain of what is called “synergy”, these days, is maintained. A crude way might describe it as “mutual backscratching”.

And that, perhaps, is one of the reasons why it does not seem that anyone, beside those who are paying and those who are being paid, actually knows exactly what are the figures we are being made to believe are absolutely humongous. One should really keep an open mind until we know for sure, and a public enquiry would fit the bill.

A brace of remedies has been suggested for bringing down the payments of our lawmakers if they are indeed outrageously high.

A member of the National House of Representative taking home more than a senator in the US, for instance, would indeed make anyone raise an eyebrow. But, more to the point is also the number of the lawmakers and the amount of work they do solely for the whole year.

The populace clearly does not feel the full impact of the duties that keep them so occupied, and so a desirable consideration may be afforded the suggestion that we should cut down the number of our lawmakers, while also shortening the length of their lawmaking programme. That would naturally mean that they would then have to earn less.

With regard to the number of legislators, the Constitution raises an issue that must be addressed. It states that the House of Representatives “shall consist of three hundred and sixty members r e p r e s e n t i n g constituencies of nearly equal population as far as

possible ... “ As for the Senate it prescribes three members from each state and one from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Nothing changes that except a constitutional reform. And that comes in these circumstances through a co-ordinated movement by the people. That is what we lack in our desire for change.

The populace usually fails dismally to speak with one voice, loud and clear. 0, we are good at commending those who dare speak out, like Oby Ezekwesili. But after the kudos and all, we allow it all to fade away and nothing is changed. We are very articulate when it comes to supporting ASUU, but there is still a lot of room unfilled in the demonstrations. And so we have been witnessing the tide of the pressure ebbing fast into a pool of no direct involvement. So many causes which should spark perennial attention are left to languish, shorn of the massive support they should excite. The matter of our costly, or wasteful, maintenance of governance is itself a case in point. How many times has the issue been raised fervently, but with the proponents later backsliding into apathy after a short while?

Benedict Odiase was never awarded a national honour.

At least, no alphabets to that effect, like MFR, or OFR, or CFR, or even MON (which is considered the least in the order of hierarchy) were ever appended after his name. I had assumed that he must have been honoured long ago for his contribution to the image and glory of the nation.

He composed our National Anthem, and he performed the feat at a memorable period of the country’s history.

N

igeria never had a National Anthem of her own until we became independent over fifty years ago.

We sang the British Anthem, “God Save Our Gracious Queen” as our anthem till then. However, one of the regions - the Northern Region - had already fashioned an anthem for itself, sponsored by the Premier, Sir Ahmadu Bello. It may interest some people who took a dim view of the premier’s quality of nationalism, to know that he had insisted that the anthem

should be composed by a Nigerian. Among the entries sent in from all over the country was the winner which had a Yoruba, Fela Sowande, as its composer. Not only did the Sardauna accept it enthusiastically, he also summoned “Uncle Fela” to Kaduna to process it, and record it. The title is “0 Fatherland”, a truly beautiful piece which was magnificently arranged and performed under the baton of the maestro himself.

That was in 1957, when the Northern Region attained selfgovernment. The anthem was seldom used but was at hand when the entire country became independent and there was need for a national anthem. However, it was discarded and a new composition was demanded by the Tafawa Balewa government. That was how we got, ‘’Nigeria We Hail Thee”, composed by a Britisher but welcome all the same.

We sang the song until the coup d’etat which brought Obasanjo to power in 1976.

The harrowing events of that incident left a sombre mood on the nation, and it was felt that a transformation was needed to build up a new spirit of confidence in the people.

One of the ideas to achieve that was the introduction of a new National Anthem. Several musicians again rose to the challenge, but it was the composition of the anthem, “Arise 0 Compatriots”, which we now use that won the day.

I knew the composer, Benedict Odiase of the Nigeria Police Band, rather well. e was a trained musician H who was acquainted with the work of the masters. I

was working then in the Music Section of Radio Nigeria and, with several of my colleagues had come under the influence of Fela Sowande, who personified the grandest ideals of classical music appreciation.

We were therefore inclined to look down on so-called musicians who could hardly tell a minim from a crotchet. But Odiase, as one might put it, really knew the score. He earned our respect and our friendship. We hailed his anthem when it was accepted as the winning entry.

We were able to dissect it right then, and savour its inner core. We appreciated his deference to the military overlords who had commissioned the work, and found the martial rendition, especially the kettle-drum “intro”, tolerable. We decided that, in a more relaxed civilian environment in later years, it might assume a more andante interpretation and a wider appreciation.

Another musician of a different stripe, Fatai Rolling Dollar, passed away around the same time with Odiase. The media was full of that news almost to the total exclusion of the retired police musical director’s death. It could have been due to his self-effacing character, because he was never one for publicity. It could also be because the majority of the media men and women, these days, are of a younger crop. How many of them were around 40, 50 years ago?

But Benedict Odiase did make his mark, and above all, a very humble human being who tended to think more highly of others than himself.

He gave so much to his country.

Time out .

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013 —17

C M Y K

18—SATURDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2013

I’m concerned about genital warts

I told him my true feelings and it’s truly awkward Dear Julie, I’m very attracted to one of my close friends. He used to like me and I used to like him.

The other day, I told him I still liked him and that it’d be cool if we took our friendship further.

But he just said he liked me as a friend. However, many of my friends have been telling me that he likes me more than a friend and that we’d be good together. After telling him how I feel, I think that he doesn’t even want to be friends now, plus he is really awkward. How can I get our friendship back and break the awkwardness?

How can I make sure I don’t get rejected again by someone else?

Timi, Ibadan Dear Timi, Sometimes the line between “friend” and “more than a friend” can get fuzzy. It sounds as though that is what you’ve been experiencing with this particular friend. Relationships are dynamic, meaning, they change and evolve over time. How they change depends on the individuals in the relationship.

For example, your assumption is that when you say “like,” you mean “like” in a romantic or physical sense, rather than a platonic sense.

You mention your attraction to your friend. Have you always been attracted to him, or is this a recent development?

You say that he used to like you and you used to like him — what happened at that point? And, how did you establish that you liked each other? Did he tell you he liked you?

Did you tell him you liked him?

Or, did you figure out that you liked each other by way of another source, such as other friends? The only way to know for sure how he feels is to hear it from him.

Thanks for expressing your desire to be more than friends.

You took a risk in telling your friend, and that’s important because it is the only way he can know for sure how you feel and what you want. Even though your other friends tell you he likes you, he has said he wants to be your friend. That is the information you need to pay attention to. It may not be what you want to hear, and you may feel some embarrassment

or awkwardness, much as the way he may be feeling, but at least you know.

It’s most likely not realistic to get the friendship “back” to how it was before because you’ve told him you want more. However, you could work to re-establish a friendship with him, and that is potentially realistic, if you choose to take this road. As for a guarantee that you won’t be rejected again, forget it. The more you are in the world, the more you will get both yes’s and no’s. Rejection is similar to love, anger, tension, or attraction. It is another aspect of relationships and of life. By rejecting your request to be more than friends, your friend rejected the relationship you suggested. If he has also decided that he does not want to be friends, or if it’s too hard for him or for you to manage a friendship together, then it may be time to consider moving on.

Dear Julie, I am concerned about genital warts and other sexually transmitted infections. Although I have no visible symptoms, I would like to get checked out. Who should I go to and what tests should be performed? Also, I’ve heard that it is possible to carry the virus and not have any symptoms.

How likely is it that this will be found, and does a negative test guarantee I don’t have them? Finally, how likely is it that the virus will be transmitted if you have unprotected sex with someone with the infection?

Prince , Lagos Dear Prince, Genital warts are caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). For women, a pap smear can detect cell changes on the cervix caused by other types of HPV. However, there is no approved test for HPV in men, nor a test used specifically for the strains of HPV that cause genital warts. Instead, warts are usually diagnosed by a medical practitioner during a visual exam, when warts are actually present. Sometimes, magnification or a vinegar solution is used to identify warts that are otherwise too small to be seen.

You’re right that people can carry the types of HPV that cause genital warts without having symptoms. However, you don’t need to visit your doctor unless you or your partner notices warts. It may feel frustrating that there isn’t a test that can tell symptom-free people whether they carry the virus. Remember, though, that while people may find genital warts embarrassing and that the growths can sometimes cause discomfort, these particular strains of HPV don’t otherwise negatively affect a person’s health. The strains of HPV that cause genital warts are not the same high-risk strains that are linked to pre-cancerous growths and cervical cancer. If warts do appear, there are several different treatment options that can remove the growths.

Is she pregnant?

Aunty Julie, Goodmorning and thanks for your column. My girlfriend is approximately five days late on her menstrual cycle, and we are getting nervous. We are living in separate states, but I flew out for a weekend visit. We had sex twice while I was there and it was twenty-three or twentyfour days after her last menstruation. We did have unprotected sex, but I did not ejaculate. Is it possible that a pregnancy even occurred? The odds seem so small, yet we are still so worried. I also wonder if in a couple of weeks, it hasn’t shown up and she takes a pregnancy test and it turns out to be a pregnancy, what we will do. We will probably want to abort immediately, but we don’t know what it will cost, and if there is a possibility of having it done with neither of our families needing to know .

How risky is first trimester abortion and where can it be performed? Are we just being

paranoid or is there a real possibility here?

Sunday, Edo Dear Sunday, You and your girlfriend are obviously, and understandably, anguished about the “ what if I’m pregnant” possibility.

Your questions represent the types of concerns that typically rush through people’s minds when they encounter the chance of an unexpected pregnancy. While it’s not really possible to know whether your girlfriend is pregnant, knowing your options and discussing a plan of action with your girlfriend might help calm both of your nerves.

To gain a little certainty in an unexpected situation, the first step of your plan might be to take a pregnancy test. Pregnancy tests are available at pharmacies, and from clinics and hospitals. In either case, there’s no need for yours or her family to find out that she’s taken a test.

If your girlfriend is not pregnant, how will you feel?

Relieved? Wary of another pregnancy scare? Next time you plan to have sex, you could use condom so that you can feel more certain that you will avoid pregnancy and STIs. If your girlfriend is preg-

nant, how will you feel? It appears that you and your girlfriend have decided on terminating the pregnancy. Remember that this is a decision both of you can be involved in and agree with, however your girlfriend will make the final call.

But abortion is not legalised here in Nigeria and you can-

not cover pregnancy if she is.

While you don’t need to inform either of your families about having an abortion, it’s possible they would be an unexpected source of empathy and compassion. If you want my opinion on sex, why not formalise your relationship or zip up if you’re so scared.

How do I go about my first kiss

Dear Aunty Julie, I’ve always been a guy who has a lot of fun on dates, but performs absolutely awful when it comes to the goodnight kiss or the first kiss with a girl. I just feel it is awkward and was wondering how a woman likes a guy to go about it. Whether boldly or just asking for a kiss?

Isaiah, Abeokuta Dear Isaiah, Just as no two fingerprints are alike, there is no single way to go in for a first kiss. It is definitely important to assess the situation before you take the plunge. Thankfully, there are a few useful tips for figuring out when the moment is right.

Asking sincerely will give her a chance to say how she feels. Tell your date how you feel. Opening the communication lines can also be a great way to ask for a second date. Reading your date’s body language can help you determine if the mo-

ment is right. Positive body language may suggest that your date is interested in a smooch. Check for body language such as relaxed posture, good eye contact, leaning in while talking to you, and listening intently. Even if you ask politely and read positive body language, it’s possible that your request for a kiss may be denied. It may be best to steer clear of a kiss if your date is not very responsive, or doesn’t make eye contact with you.

Trying to kiss an unwilling kisser could potentially be embarrassing. You could also harm your chances of a second date by kissing before it’s time.

Overall, it’s best to keep your communication and body language radar on high during the duration of the date. Not every date has to end with a kiss.

Sometimes, it’s better to go on a few dates and work up to the kiss — that is, waiting until both of you feel comfortable enough. And, when you do finally kiss, relax and have fun! Kissing is not a chore , it’s something that both of you can enjoy!

C O C K - T A L E S In your dreams On the morning of her birthday, a woman told her husband, “I just dreamed that you gave me “a diamond necklace. What do you think it means?”

“Maybe you’ll find out tonight,” he said.

That evening, the man came home with a small package and gave it to his wife. She ripped off the wrapping paper and found a book titled The Meaning of Dreams.

How I met your father Studying our wedding photos, my six-yearold asked, “Did you marry Dad because he was

good-looking?” “Not really,” I replied.

“Did you marry him for his money?”

“Definitely not,” I laughed. “He didn’t have any.”

“So,” he said, “ you just felt sorry for him.”

something happened to Lloyd, I don’t think I could ever marry again.”

Her friend nodded sympathetically. “I know what you mean,” she said. “Once is enough.”

Facebook Love My ex and I had a very amicable divorce. I know this because when I wrote the Facebook status “I’m getting a divorce,” he was the first one to click Like.

For the Mrs? Even though there was a blizzard raging outside, I made it the half-mile to the bakery, where I asked the owner for six rolls.

“Your wife must like rolls,” he said.

“How do you know these are for my wife?” I asked.

“Because your mother wouldn’t send you out in weather like this.”

One and Only During a heartfelt chat with her friend about relationships, my wife sighed and said, “You know, if

SATURDAY Vanguard AUGUST 31 31,, 2013—19

D

Nothing short of prostitution!

URING my last vacation, I spent a few days with a very dear friend and noticed the occupant of the next flat to hers was new. In the past, the flat had been occupied by some noisy oriental neighbours. It was a relief to have some measure of peace and quiet. “We have peace and quiet alright,” agreed my friend, “but it’s laced with a lot of intrigue. I was instrumental to the lady moving in. Her husband, a schoolmate who’s remained a friend, found a well paid job in the USA. Instead of uprooting his wife from her civil service job to uncertain employment, they both agreed she would stay behind in London and move to a cheaper flat now their two kids share a council flat. The landlord is an old friend, so I put in a word for her.

“I work erratic hours and a few times, but I’d notice this new man from the flat slouching to the news agents down the road to buy one thing or the other. I was curious but shut my trap.

It was Angela, the girl, who confessed that the man was a boyfriend. ‘I’d known him ever since I arrived in Britain and he was an ex-boyfriend,’ she confessed. I said nothing, so she continued; “your friend expects me to pay for the flat and still help with the kids but I couldn’t manage it. Thanks to Sanni (the boy-friend) helping with before that runs out.”1 couldn’t believe the rent, 1 could keep my head Angela’s audacity in stringing three men along.’Will she get away with it? Just above financial waters.” recently, my friend phoned,excited to ’m sure she came clean as a dare give me an up-date on Angela’s reckless for me to mention this little carrying on. “Katakata don burst!” she arrangement to Ben, her husband, squealed, “Ben arrived last night!” my when next he visited. As she must ears perked up instantly. “God knows who rightly have suspected, I said informed him of Angela’s antic. But he nothing when Ben came for a week’s arrived London days ago without letting visit, only for him to dash back to on. He’d apparently been keeping ‘vigil’ the States, leaving his delicate on Angela’s flat from a discreet shop matrimonial duties to the capable across the road and had noticed Sanni’s movements.So, yesterday morning when groin of a stand-in.”

Just before 1 left, however, Labi, Sanni trudged to the news agent’s, Ben another gentleman, had called on sprinted up the stairs and rang the bell. my friend to hand over money for Angela was suspicious since Sanni had a Angela’s rent. “She told me you set of keys to the flat. She opened the door usually pay her rent to the discreetly, keeping the safety chain on. landlord: he said promptly,”I’m As soon as she saw Ben, she quickly shut leaving enough to cover a few the door.

“After knocking on the door for quite a weeks’ rent and will bring more

She showed no remorse for all the heart-aches she’s causing left, right and centre

,

I

,

while, I came out of my flat wanting to find out what was going on. Ben’s face was like thunder as he shrieked abuse at his wife and urged her to open the door. She didn’t budge.

Ben kicked the door open and there was Angela, cowering in the bedroom. When Ben threatened to beat her up, 1 reminded him not to get the police involved.

I

Threatening to do all sorts of thing to Angela if she as much as; tried to get in touch with him, he flounced out of the flat.” So where was lover-boy when all this commotion was going on? “He’d completely disappeared,” chuckled my friend. “He must have heard all the noise coming from the flat, put two and two together and taken to his heels!

T

o Angela’s credit, she’d completely hidden all trace of Sanni in the flat.

What gave the game away were some silly items she couldn’t hide fast enough, like the tell-tale condom that was still floating in the toilet bowl! One of the tenants must have phoned the landlord who didn’t find the broken door to one of the flats amusing. He threatened to report the violence to the police and Angela said he should go right ahead.

She saw no reason why she should pay

How to write that letter of condolence

C M Y K

e-mail or text message simply isn’t enough”.

She also points out that if your friend can’t face reading it straight away they

,

I

F a friend’s partner dies, it’s hard to know what to say. But saying nothing at all could give them the impression you don’t care.

So what should you do?

Writer Caroline Doughty lost her partner six years ago. Now based on her experiences, and those of others who have also been bereaved—she has written a book that aims to help. She says there are a number of good reasons for putting pen to paper to write a letter of condolence.“When someone you care about loses someone like their partner,” she explains, “an

go back to them at a later date and read them again and again. Don’t worry if you don’t write in the first week— do it anyway. Writing after

,

Receiving a letter can be a great comfort to someone who is bereaved

can wait until they feel ready. And once they have read it, they can re-read it whenever they want .

Receiving a letter can be a great comfort to someone who is bereaved, she said.

“Many people keep all the letters and cards they received in a box so they can

for a door she didn’t damage!

That woman’s nerve is really something else.”

This story had one or two loose ends that needed to be tied, so I gave my friend a week or so, then called her, “I was expecting your call,” she said, amused. What happened to Labi, the third lover in this eternal rectangle? “It is Angela.

the funeral has taken place is also fine. It’s nice for the bereaved to hear that a funeral or memorial service was appreciated by friends and relatives.”

One of Caroline’s suggestions is to use plain writing paper or if you choose to send a card, select

a blank one. She says that sending cards with messages such as: “thinking of you,” can make it look as if you didn’t know what to say. Choosing the right words can be hard, but by sticking to some simple guidelines, you can avoid saying the wrong thing. So what is the right thing to write? She suggests: “Tell your friend that you were saddened to hear about the death of their partner. Use the partner’s name, say what they meant to you—what a good friend they were, or how much fun.

was worried about...” my friend said. “I didn’t want to give her the impression that I was the one who let the cat out of the bag. But she assured me she didn’t blame me, that she suspected an ex –boyfriend and had recently confirmed she was right.” A fourth man? How insatiable is this Angela’s sexual appetite? Or is it simply that she liked walking on the edge of disaster all of the time?

“Guess who fixed the door?’

My friend asked, hardly suppressing her excitement.

“Labi! He actually wanted to know if I could put him onto a local carpenter who could do the job. I agreed, gave him a rough estimate which he promptly paid. I made a small profit out of that!

Apparently, Angela had led him to believe her husband got nasty because of her relationship with Labi! The plot definitely thickens!”

Was Ben still sleeping over? “No,” said my friend, “Labi n ow sleeps over.

Sanni had been scared off by Ben’s red-hot anger and he stayed awa y, especially after Angela had given him the impression that Ben was still around, bent o n revenge! Now, the coast is clear for Labi to come and go as he pleases!” For a woman in her early 40s to pull all these stunts shows how brazen Angela really is.

And she showed no remorse for all the heart-aches she’s causing left, right and centre .

Pretty and sophisticated, thanks to the generosity of her men, she has no qualms about using what she has to get what she wants. The husband with whom she had two children she now saw as a liability “whose love making is no longer thrilling as he had developed a limp sexual libido that needs special coaxing ... “ Instead of helping him work through his problems, she opted for replacements. “Life is short,” she told my friend.

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

When the relationship infuses into a sad feeling always, then the relationship is not beneficial for you

08052201257 anyagafu@yahoo.com

When should you leave a relationship?

R

elationship is beautiful union of two human beings for the same cause which begins when they find they are soul mates and customarily breakup when they feel the other person as the most unsuitable match he/she can ever find. It is quite funny that the revolution is derived at many a time, within a very short

span of time. At this instance, two possible questions arise; did they mistakenly conceive the partner as a soul mate? Or failed to cop up with the demands of relationship?

Whatever it be, it is always advisable to leave a relationship when somebody feels it so horrible to continue with. The most suggested reason for dropping the at-

tractions in a short time is getting into relationships without proper analysis of the partner. Many couple decides to live in relationships just considering the peripheral attraction and attachment; by the time they realize the actuality of life, they will be in a hooked up situation. Better to leave a relationship if it gives only issues and dissatisfaction. There is a right time to decide to leave an u n p r o m i s i n g relationship.

If you constantly feel that you do not receive the due respect and concern, instead get abused; then it is advised to leave the relationship and stay away from the person. The prime goal of entering into relationship is to be

more jovial and satisfied. Each of the partners should care for the other and try to maximize the comforts in a relationship.

Emotional or physical abuses are to be resisted in a relationship and one has to leave immediately if the partner goes on engaging in abusive behaviour pattern.

Modern relationships do not bind any person to suffer lifelong with a person incompatible.

Romance is the sum of all the struggles and tensions undergone in relationships. People get into relationships to enjoy the romantic presence of the partner and accomplish the human tendency of loving and being loved. If one of the partners doesn’t understand the importance of affection in relationship, it cannot go further in effective manner. You need not compromise your life for a partner who is less affectionate or rude to you. Lack of romance is the obvious sign of lack of interest. When the love meter dips down perpetually, then one has to understand it as the right time to go away from the partner.

Trust is a very delicate and must to have string that binds the partners in a relationship together. As soon as you realize broken trust in a relationship, without hesita-

tion, leave the relationship.

Mutual trust is essential in every relationship and both the partners need to adhere to the commitment. Trust is the way of expressing the love, concern and importance one feels for the other person. If any one of the partners doesn’t care for maintaining the trust in relationship, then it is always better to hold back from the relationship.When the relationship infuses into a sad feeling always, then the relationship is not beneficial for you.

Thirst for happiness is said to be the driving force behind every action in human life; so is relationships. When the relationship offers you depression, rather than joviality and peaceful life, then going ahead with the relationship is not meaningful; leave it aside as soon as possible. Analyse if the said depression is the result of your own mentality or caused by the instances in the relationship. If it is ignited by the relationship issues, then the relationship is, of course, destructive for you.

I am falling in love with a married man Ques: I’ve been messing around with this married guy for sometime now. I feel so bad but I think I’m falling in love with him. I don’t want to tell him because I’m afraid I’ll scare him away.

He’s always so nice to me and it’s not just because of sex because it doesn’t happen all that often. He has five boys with his wife, I have 2 boys. I know I’m not going to get anywhere with this.

I just don’t know what I should do and I don’t see why he keeps coming back.

There's this eatery a lot of people go to in my neighbourhood and when I’m there, I always catch him looking at me or if I don’t talk to him, he makes it to where I am. Is there any easy way to stop this, or to make it easier?

Lisa, Abuja Ans: We assume that what you really want in life is happy and lasting love.

What blocks most people from ending up in a happy longterm relationship is failing to see the big picture. Instead, they only look at today, and, perhaps tomorrow.

The big picture includes who you choose, why you choose them, and the circumstances under which you get together. It includes how you feel today, tomorrow, next month, a year from now , even ten years from now.

If you cannot see where you are going in the future, heaven help you. You head off for the supermarket and end up at the city dump.

So step back from whatever immediate feelings you have about this guy today, and look at where you are going. The choices you make today determine where you end up later.If you choose to get involved with a married man, you are saying: “it is perfectly okay that a husband cheats on his wife.”

You are sanctioning this behaviour, to

him, the world and yourself. Doing this now will affect the big picture you end up in for your future.

You are probably not seeing the future part of this picture, so let’s try to open up your eyes. This big picture starts with you in the future, falling deeper in love with this guy.

It shows you, further in that future, wanting something more with this guy than being his fling away from home. What happens next? Once you want more, maybe he dumps you, and you get real hurt and become more cynical about love.

But what if he decides to leave his family, and you end up his next wife? Keep your eye on the big picture. Remember, you already drew this picture to say it is okay that a husband cheats on his wife. You are telling this guy that very thing right now, by your actions. Guess what happens next, when he goes back

out to the eatery and leaves you home? The choice is yours.

I'd suggest you make sure it’s a picture you truly want to star in.

So, you ask, is there a easy way to stop this? Yes. Next time

you talk to him, tell him to take all his sexual interest in you and put it back home with his wife, where it belongs. Tell him you realized you have made a big mistake by being flattered by his interest in you. Then simply stop interacting with him. Or stop going to the eatery. You choose.

By calling a stop to this, you will be changing your own big picture. It will say that you are a woman who is only interested in a real relationship with a man who is fully free and available to take love to its full limits and totally commit to one woman.

in Lagos, wants a lady of 20-30 for a serious relationship on 08162957677 •Joe, 36, resident in Lagos, •John, single, self-employed, from needs an industrious lady of 30Imo State, needs a working-class lady 33 on 08139629537 of 26-32 who is a Jehovah Witness for •Bunmi, female, 27, from Kogi marriage on 08050292503 , final year student, needs a •Oluwadunni, 28,average, busty, Do you have reactions to our stories or have you any experience you want caring man of 37-48 that is ready wants a responsible and caring to share with our readers? Please e-mail,chiomagabriel@vanguardngr.com to settle down on 08038754068 man of 35-50 from any tribe for a •Chux, 34, single, relationship on 08063218309 Do you want to be linked? businessman from Asaba, desires •Ebere, male, water treatment Neither Chioma Gabriel nor Saturday Vanguard has any relationship with anybody wanting a serious lady from any part, who expert, resident in Lagos, 26, is to be linked. We have no agents anywhere and charge no fees. We have no personal informais ready to settle down on tion of people who have been linked or want to be linked and therefore, are not answerable for searching for a lady of 20-26 to disappointments or embarrassments some people may encounter in the process.

08031902724 love and cherish on 08158887806 •Femi, 48, civil servant, based in Lagos, wants a God-fearing lady of 30-46 for a serious relationship on 07060981642 •Kelvin, 29,from Delta State, wants a caring ,honest and goodlooking lady for a serious relationship on 08105351941

C M Y K

•Mike, 33, graduate, from Edo,average height, needs a goodlooking and caring lady of 25-45 from any part of the country on 08121895069 •Taofik Ajibola, 31, lives and works

SATURDAY

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e all have our little passions; track and field just happens to be one of mine (especially since the folk at the Emirates Stadium seem to have lost the plot).

Probably stems from being a star athlete midway into secondary school. 60 meters, 100 meters,

From Russia with Love triple jump... anything that required a surge of speed and power was just fine by me. There was something about standing scant inches away from the starting line ... staring down the narrow, white confines of your allotted lane to the race officials poised in anticipation at the finishing area... the hush of the expectant crowd... the steely resolve of your rivals beside you who twitch and flex aggressively in a silent war of psychological intimidation ... basking in the waves of adrenalin that wash through your being as you visualize exploding through space with the wind in your face.

Feeling young, strong, invincible, indomitable ...

N

ever quite fulfilled my potential, though. Nah. Got muscle pull at the hip socket midway through the first of four events on my schedule on a fateful day.

Was leading the race ... was gonna win!

Couldn’t believe the sudden, sharp bolt of pain.Took another stride... na lie.

Crumpled to the grass as my competitors gleefully flashed by.

Was stretchered off.

,

xactly three weeks ago, I was in a state of quiet euphoria.

Why? It was the 10th of August. A date I had been awaiting all year.

Why?? For some, a birthday. A cherished wedding anniversary.

Or their flight departure date to finally ‘check out’ of the shores of this land for a hopefully better life elsewhere.

And for me? It was the opening day of the World Athletics Championships.

‘Excuse me?’ Yeah, that’s right. The World A t h l e t i c s Championships.

Admittedly not an occasion that many would equate with cause for bursting into songs of delight. But those who know me tolerate this idiosyncrasy of mine with a bemused but good-natured (I think) shrug of the shoulders.

the abrupt manner of its intrusion that day, never quite did. And in the absence of an authoritative explanation as to why the muscle pull occurred and how to guard against it in the future (e.g. warming up

But a true passion never truly dies. It just transforms into a different state

Day over. Spent the next three weeks limping about school, fielding words of sympathy from wellwishers, their soothing commiserations providing only temporary relief for a bruised ego. The physical pain eventually went. But the memory of it, especially

,

properly pre-race), the following year I simply didn’t compete. Yes, as house sports captain I marshalled the troops and gave whatever leadership and advice I could to inspire them to feats of acclaim, but the role of glorified cheerleader was always going to be a poor substitute for the thrill

Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013—21

of a warrior. And by the time I transited from secondary school to a local university system where sporting endeavours were perversely considered to be socially ‘uncool’ (the exact opposite of the American collegiate system which is the womb of that nation’s sustained athletic triumphs), all motivation to self-actualize in an area I was genuinely gifted in completely died.

My bad, though. No excuses.

B

ut a true passion never truly dies. It just transforms into a different state. Mine was to find expression in the exploits of our national athletes. Yes, I found some satisfaction in a few other sports (e.g. football, whenever the Super Eagles could muster enough fire in the belly to contend with the ferocity required for victory), but it was always the efforts of our track and field gladiators that attracted the attention most.

So starting from the 1984 Olympics, I have keenly followed every hopeful our country has presented to the world, willing them on to a glorious conquest over the formidable barriers constituted by their

W

hen in the year 2000, the then head of state Chief Olusegun Obasanjo charged Nigerian contingent to the Sydney Olympics and Paralympic games to give him at least five gold medals, as the President of Special Sports Federation of Nigeria at that time, I promised him more than five gold medals. At the end of the Olympics, the athletes managed to win two silver medals while at the end of the paralympic games, Nigerian athletes with disability hauled a total of seven gold, one silver and five bronze medals. This feat was unprecedented and has not been beaten or equaled up to date.

On our return to Nigeria, we heard that the able bodied team was not given any reception by the former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. campaign to ensure that these We felt that it was as a result of their athletes are given befitting reception woeful performance and hoped that and I will not relent until justice is since we exceeded expectations, that done. My only concern is that the we would be received, honored and more government delayed this rewarded handsomely. We waited reception, the more the value of the but there was no word from the reception is eroded. Already at least, presidency. We were worried by the silence from the presidency. There wasn’t even a word of encouragement nor appreciation from the government.

Special appeal to President Jonathan

s the president of the Federation who assured the athletes that they would be given a befitting reception by the government if they performed very well. I was gravely worried. I sort the help of the national assembly and mounted a persistent media campaign for the reception of the athletes to no avail. I was devastated because I gave my word to the athletes that if they performed well, I would ensure that they were given a befitting reception.

I have not relented from the

,

A

disqualification of the American relay team, was received, honoured and given handsome reward. I quickly called some of the members of the paralympic team to Sydney 2000 to a meeting, and we decided to request the Nigeria Paralympic Committee

Most of them are not employed and somehow they depend on the reward for sustenance

one of the athletes and a coach are dead, and forever have been denied that well deserved honour. I feel so sad about this and hope that we will not lose any other member of this contingent before the government accorded them the deserved honour and reward.

A glimmer of hope came when the Nigerian relay quartet to the Sydney 2000 Olympic games who were awarded gold medal due to the

,

President, Mr. Monday Emoghavwe, to write a letter of appeal to the Minister of sports to help us make a case to the presidency to extend the reception he accorded the Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medal quartet, to the victorious Paralympic team. He wrote the letter and took it to the Sports Minister,but nothing positive has happened.

I use this medium to appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan to accord these victorious athletes and

fellow competitors.

And every single time it was the same result, without variation.

Leading up to any major championship, performance after performance of superlative, eyecatching quality across the international athletics circuit by an endless conveyor belt of our top athletes, creating lofty expectations of that long-awaited moment when Nigeria’s national anthem would be played to the listening pleasure of a packed arena with a further one billion television viewers looking on in respectful admiration.

But with the exception of our year of jubilee at Atlanta 1996 with Chioma Ajuwa & the ‘Dream Team’, at the most crucial moment, whenever it’s make or break, now or never, do or die... alas. At the event’s conclusion, some wild-eyed fanatic from any other nation not called Nigeria embarks on a joyous victory lap around the applauding spectators even as our trounced representatives trudge off with bowed heads into the bowels of the stadium.

To be continued.

officials, a befitting r e c e p t i o n .

Consequently, continue delay or lack of interest in giving honour to whom honour is due will not help sports development in Nigeria.

These athletes worked hard to train to win a reward—which is not forthcoming. Most of

them are not employed and somehow they depend on the reward for sustenance. These athletes are amateur sports men and women who are not paid salary, so their only hope of establishing themselves in order to survive when they retire from active participation in sports, is through their rewards.

I

t has become even more expedient that these men and women with disability who defied all odds to do our nation proud at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic games are given befitting reception, given the fact that they performed exceptionally well. Their able bodied counterparts who managed to salvage one gold medal after USA was disqualified and stripped of their gold medal, have been given a befitting reception. If Mr. President is informed of this case, he probably will not hesitate to give these victorious paralympians and officials a deserved reward.

22— SATURDAY

Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

(Text Only)

Press-Up Breaking: Technique:

-U Press

p Bre

ak

L

ie on your tummy with the legs extended fully. Now place both hands next to the shoulders and with the toes on the ground. Breathe in deeply and raise the entire body off the ground. Head,

y Self ing: B

Put the body to use

Body TTwis wis wistt

buttocks and heels must be at the same level. Retain the breath with the raised trunk for a slow count to five.

Lower the body as you exhale. And inhaling and retaining the breath again raise the body up for a another count.

Lower the body down again and rest with your head on your folded arms.

Benefits: the Press-Up breathing aerates the lungs and strengthens the entire body.

Technique:

it down and spread the S legs out as much as

possible. Start by twisting your body from left to right then from right to left. Remain very still and breathe normally for seconds and then straightening up the legs.

Benefits The Body Twist stretches the spine rejuvenating the nervous system.

Yoga Classes

Bod

t: wis T y

B

on yB

ny

@ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

Leg Raise Technique:

L

ie flit on your belly and arrange the hands beside the shoulders. Take in a deep breath and raise the body off the ground with just the hands and toes in contact with the ground.

Retain the breath for a slow count to 5. Then lower the body as you breathe out.

Leg Raise: By Self

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013—23 to keep coming. There are few people who can get over heartbreak without shedding tears, so let them flow. If you bottle up your feelings, you’ll only end up making yourself feel worse later. Let everything loose and don’t hold anything back.

Talk to your friends and family That’s what they’re there for! A good friend you trust will be a good person to talk to. A parent or sibling may also be a good choice.

How to love again after being hurt I

t is a true fact, everybody gets hurt in love. The best way to overcome a heartbreak is to let your self feel again, and then distract yourself, and then accept it. The best way to find a new love after heartbreak is to not look; it will come to you.

We are here in this world to share and love in a relationships.

Not every relationship is going to work out and you might have your heart broken but it does not mean you should deprive yourself of the chance to find that other person with whom you can share your life, the life you deserve.

Unfortunately, when we get hurt in a relationship we refuse to let someone hurt us again, so some of us remain distant and unattached, they refuse to let themselves get close to any one ever again. It shouldn’t be that way. One person does not represent the whole world and there are many more wonderful people out there who’d be so much ready to give you their love without causing you any pain.

There are so many wonderful people in this world and because you were in love with a person that did not feel anything because of being too selfish or because that person never learned about honour and value of a relationship, it does not mean that you have to stop feeling again. Don’t be too attached to your past and try to live your life in the present.

When you meet another person and you fall in love, give that person 100% of yourself. If you

Focus on moving on Focus for a while on your career and family. If you help someone else out, you’ll feel good, and have a chance to take your mind off the pain. Good times are a great way to help you get over heartbreak. Keep on going with your day and focus on your work.

Keep it in perspective!

Think about the positive things in your life, and what you have left.

Think about what you can do with your future, and don’t let your loss destroy the rest of your life too.

Letting the feeling overcome you will lead you down a road that isn’t too pleasant.

don’t show the new person in your life that you are ready to be there for him/ her .

Don’t hang on to the pain, hurt and bitterness. I have been hurt too, and yes it is difficult to imagine loving again. I was afraid to get hurt again and I know how it feels, to be hurt, to have a one sided love, to know that the person you love is in love with someone else...

But I wanted to feel love, I wanted to be in love with someone and be loved back in return, and I believed I won’t know until I try. That’s why I never gave up.

I took a break and took time to heal and then it just happened. I didn’t look for that love I wanted, it just came to me.

Was I afraid to say yes? Yes, I was but I decided to try again. I accepted it even if it was going to hurt me in the end. I wanted to know what the end’s going to be like. That feeling of wanting to meet that love kept me alive, I believed that someone special was made just for me

and I knew it will come along. I was scared of getting hurt again but I had faith and believed that there are people out there who are real, people that don’t hurt and don’t like to be hurt.

That experience and heartbreak are in the past now. I feel happy and loved again and it feels so good, so different. I knew it was out there and I am so glad I found it or it found me, it does not matter, we are happy together. Don’t give up and don’t hide your feelings. Open your heart to the new love.

The important thing is recognizing that you are a wonderful person who deserves to live a happy and fulfilled life.Believe it, you can overcome feeling hurt! It may not be easy but you can achieve it and move on.

Don’t be embarrassed to cry You’ve been hurt - expect the tears

TIPS ON OVERCOMING HEARTBREAK

•If you find getting to sleep difficult, try listening to some music, or a radio play while you rest. Turn the volume down a little, but make sure you listen to the music or the story, and not to yourself.

•If your heartbreak is because of breaking up, don’t start looking again for romance straight away. You need time to heal emotionally, and you will only be left feeling even worse if you end up rejected again.

•Find ways to keep yourself occupied. Get a new hobby or activity to keep your mind from dwelling on your loss.

•If you’ve been dumped, it’s not the end of the world.

Remind yourself that no relationship is entirely perfect. It can be hard to remember that when you’re in the middle of heartbreak.

•It cannot be stressed enough that sharing the burden makes getting over heartbreak a lot easier. A friend or relative can really be what you need to cheer up.

•Try writing it down in a diary. Sometimes writing down what happened can help to put things into perspective.

•If you’re mourning, you’re not going to be the only

Rebuild your life Get engrossed in new things, and try not to look back on the past. The more you move forward, the less it will hurt. Keep yourself occupied, so you don’t have time to be upset.

Keep moving forward.

Accept it You might never quite be happy about the event that caused your heartbreak, and you might always shed a tear thinking about it, but eventually you will find that you can live without it getting in the way.

Just remember that every relationship is a learning experience, and every learning experience will positively effect your future. Time heals all wounds, especially in the case of heartbreak.

one feeling the pain. Talk with other mourners, and you can help each other out. The burden is a lot easier when you share it.

•Plan an activity with a friend or just plan a hang out to talk to him or her about it .

•Don’t let your heartbreak stop you from listening to advice. Although you may not believe it now, your friends and family probably have a better view on the matter than you do, because heartbreak makes things look a whole lot worse.

•Don’t be driven into drinking, or taking illegal substances by your heartbreak. That way, you’ll just end up destroying your own life because of one tragedy, and that’s a waste.

•Don’t push yourself onto people, as they may be forced to listen to you and they may feel that they can’t really help.

•You’re not to blame! It’s very easy to get the idea in your head that either you’re entirely to blame or that you had no part in it.

Don’t kill yourself with guilt and don’t entirely detach yourself from the situation. It’s unlikely that anyone is really a monster.

•Don’t let heartbreak drive you into doing anything dangerous.

Life will go on, and if you are contemplating ending your troubles, it’s time to urgently talk to a counselor.

Ask the Sexpert I am a 24-year-old woman.

My breast-size is 42. My husband likes to fondle them. Of late, he has been fantasising about lactation. I want to keep my husband happy.

Tell him that lactation will occur only after the baby comes. But then, it will be reserved for the newcomer.

I am 31 years old. I usually use a condom during inter-

course. But recently, I had unprotected sex with a prostitute. My manhood started bleeding after the act, and hasn’t stopped since.

When I pulled my foreskin back, I saw blood was oozing from inside.

Are there any chances of me having contracted an STD? What made you lose your resolution to use a condom on all occasions? Stop handling the situation yourself and visit an andrologist/ urologist. It is probably a simple tear at the joint between the

foreskin and penis.

I am a 24-year-old man with a strong sexual urge. I masturbate more than five times a week while watching porn on the internet. I know that masturbating this often is not good and I want to take control of this habit as I feel exhausted when I overdo it and also end up feeling low. What can I do about it?

You have the brakes in your hand.

Just stop looking at porn and make up your mind that masturbation will be enjoyed only when you are natu-

rally excited. Look elsewhere for a reason for your exhaustion — see a doctor. Start a fitness regimen.

I am a 30-year-old married man.

In the mornings, I experience a good erection, but that never happens when I want to have sex with my partner. Why does this happen?

Can any medicine cure this?

It is your mind that is working against you. Develop confidence in yourself. Stop comparing the erection in the morning and later in the day. Focus on giving her pleasure.

24—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

Knowing that he was not getting the encouragement he craved for, Johnson started encouraging Dickson instead. “ Don’t worry my brother, it shall be well. The Lord who created us and saw us through to this level will never let us down. I am very sure,” Johnson preached as if he knew a miracle was coming his way.

BY ANOZIE EGOLE

J

ohnson came back from work after a very stressful day as a sales representative in one of the new generation pharmaceutical companies in Lagos, undressed and had his shower as usual. He laid on his big foam in his room-andparlour apartment to rest before attending the evening Church service. Johnson being a Chorister in one of the new generation churches around, never played with mid-week services especially, Tuesday service. Johnson was a Marketing graduate who was pushed into a menial job after years of joblessness. He was the third in a family of six children. His aunty who trained him in the University had died and his father was not financially strong.

When he was a kid, his late Uncle, Matthew, used to be very close to him but his Uncle had not been communicating.

When his Uncle travelled to the UK where he lived and practiced his profession , he distanced himself from all the members of the family.

They even lost his contact that some of his kinsmen who were still little when he travelled, needed to see his picture before they could imagine what he looked like.

Though he was very far away and was not communicating with them as expected, his image was still fresh in their memory. So, when Johnson graduated from the University, he had high hopes of getting a job or travelling abroad for his second degree, having in mind there was an uncle who was a Medical Doctor in the UK. When he finished his compulsory National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC), he sought his Uncle’s number and gave him a call, soliciting for help to enable him go for his second degree in UK. When several attempts to get his Uncle sponsor him proved abortive, he began to look for a job in Lagos to enable him put food on his table.

He had worked for more than eight months with the hope of establishing a big Supermarket from the little savings he was making from his N60,000 a month salary. Not only was he making little savings for his business aspirations, he also had his family to take care of. He always sent money to his aged parents every three months for upkeep.

Johnson was the breadwinner of the family and as a young man with ambition, he always got discouraged whenever he considered his income and the expenses .

On one occasion, he was forced to air his mind to his very close friend and colleague in the office, Dickson.

“Hmm Dickson, I wonder how we are going to survive considering this menial income and the large expenses we incur. Last Monday,my landlord woke me to remind me of my house rent which will expire in three weeks time. And as I am talking to you now, I have not really started saving towards that. I have always believed that there is still time. I didn’t notice the days run.

It’s like days fly faster than it used to when we were in the school? “ My paddy, I wonder too”, His friend Dickson replied, “my major problem now is not even the house rent. I got a call now that my Dad is not feeling very strong in the village and that a deposit of N30,000

The inheritance needs to be made for the Doctor to commence treatment. As me and you know how our employer does, we just started the new month so I have to wait till month-end before I will think of my salary. The last salary I received was in March used to make up for my house rent. Now tell me, what should I do considering my father’s health? I am just confused. You know I just started this job about six months ago and I don’t have up to that amount in my whole savings. I have thought of borrowing from one of my friends Paul, but I realised that I am even more bouyant. The way he explained his condition to me, I was forced to give him N200 for his feeding.”

Johnson laughed at his friend and Dickson continued.

“That is the problem. A situation where you are better than the person you ran to for assistance is the worst. Well, I have about N7,000 in my account and I have concluded plans of selling my handset for N5,000 to send at least, N10,000 to my people. Now, I understand the saying, ‘uneasy lies the head that wears the crown’.

Being the first child goes with many challenges. I have pleaded with the doctor to allow me pay instalmentally. He has agreed to give me sometime to pay up while he commences the treatment on my Dad”, Dickson lamented.

Knowing that he was not getting the encouragement he craved for, Johnson started en-

couraging Dickson instead. “ Don’t worry my brother, it shall be well.

The Lord who created us and saw us through to this level will never let us down. I am very sure,” Johnson preached as if he knew a miracle was coming his way.

The ugly financial story of Johnson changed overnight when he came back from work one evening and was busy preparing for his normal midweek service. Sud-

denly, he got a transaction alert.

His account was credited with

N30million, a situation that seemed like a dream to him. In his

wildest imagination and dream, he never dreamt or thought of such a windfall. At first, he taught it was fraudsters. The next morning, he decided to go to the bank and report the ‘fraud’. But on second thoughts, he decided to wait to see if the bank would effect correction if that was to be a mistake.

But after waiting the whole day, it was as if the whole story was no longer a joke. Two days after he received the alert, he got a call from his account officer that some money had been deposited in his account from somebody living Overseas.

He hurried to his bank to find out more about the strange occurence but after being made to sign many papers, he left the bank that day with a hundred thousand naira drawn from his account. But Johnson didn’t go home straight. He went to visit Dickson to share the experience with him. He narrated the strange experience to his friend who only looked sheepishly at him.

“When was the last time you took malaria drugs,” Dickson finally asked him after hearing him out, “I am sure this is one of the signs of acute maleria.” “ This is not a laughing matter,” Johnson told Dickson and brought out a huge sum from his pocket. “ Are you sure you have not defrauded somebody,” Dickson asked him. “ I didn’t. Do I have the liver?

They said I should come to their office next Monday”, Johnson explained.

“Okay then, go and see them. But to be on the safer side, we are going together but I will hang out somewhere and wait for you for security reasons”.

On the day of appointment, they left early for the appointment.

Johnson was afraid they could ask him to return what he had earlier taken from the account and therefore did not spend a kobo out of the

money. “ My name is Johnson”, he said, shakily when he eventually got in, “you sent for me regarding the N30m paid into my account from UK?” “ You are welcomed sir. Please, sit down” That was when he knew it was no longer a joke anymore. When the Manager showed him the transaction papers and the confirmation, he kept shouting ‘unbelievable!’

The Manager gave him the number of the sender and said, “ sir, you can call this person and confirm. He was the person that sent the money to you”.

Johnson made the call immediately. “ Hello! My name is Johnson...”

“Yes Mr. Johnson, how are you?

The money is from your Uncle Dr Matthew, who died two years ago.

According to the documents he submitted to us when he was employed by our company, you were his next of kin. And he said that all his money should be sent to you no matter where you are. He also included that his landed property should be sold and all the money sent to you. So that was what we did. So good speaking with you”.

Johnson’s mouth was still hanging open when the man cut the line at the other end.

When he regained himself, he called Dickson who was waiting outside. He asked him to come inside. He shared the story with Dickson who was very happy to hear that.

Though it all seemed like a dream, Johnson knew there was still another challenge awaiting him. He had to start making arrangements for Visa to travel Overseas because he wanted the remains of his Uncle brought home for burial and if it would mean exhuming his body, so be it.

That was the greatest appreciation to show a man who passed all he laboured for to him.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2013 — 25

08116759764 anozieegole@yahoo.com

Monalisa Chinda and Nzeribe still an item?

By SAM ANOKAM

R

umours were rife last week concerning the alleged parting ways of screen goddess, Monalisa Chinda and her beau, Lanre Nzeribe. As at the time of filling in this report, neither of the two has denied or affirmed the rumour still making the rounds.

It would be recalled that after Chinda broke up with her estranged husband,Dejo Richards few years ago, she found solace in the arms of Nzeribe who many alleged have dated innumerable Nollywood actresses in the past. Lisa confirmed in one of her interviews that she has found love again.

However, it’s left for the lovebirds to set the record straight to avoid unnecessary speculation concerning what has become of their threeyear old affair.

F

Who’s after Ibinabo Fiberesima?

or sometime now, Nollywood actor, Mcsmith Ochendo has been explaining why he dragged the incumbent president of Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Ibinabo Fiberesima to court.

The dreadlock-wearing actor cum musician said, he wants the court to interpret a particular section of the constitution as it applies to the position of the president of the guild.

According to him, “ My interest in all these is that I want a guild that has respect for the rule of law and the constitution. AGN is not a private property owned by the Board of Trustees or myself.

“The court should interpret Section 4 (u) of the amended constitution of Actors Guild of Nigeria, whether it is lawful for an ex-convict to vie for any elective position.

“Was Ibinabo convicted at any point in time by any court of competent jurisdiction? If the answer is in the affirmative, which I believe it is because I have a certified copy of the true judgment delivered by the highly revered Justice Deborah Oluyemi of the Lagos High Court on February 20, 2009, then Ibinabo has no moral justification to occupy such exalted position.”

However, while hearing on the case comes up on the 18th of September, at the Federal High court, Lagos, questions are being asked today,as Ochendu alleges threat to his life regarding the case.

Gulder’s ‘Unending Search’ hits get to watch past episodes of TV screens previous seasons of the reality

R

egistration for participation in this year ’s Gulder Ultimate Search ended on Friday, August 23, 2013. As preparations advance for the regional selection phase, the ‘Ultimate’ beer is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that the 10th edition of the show remains indelibly etched in the minds of viewers.

For the first time, teeming fans of Gulder Ultimate Search will

•Uchenna Nnanna

Actress Uchenna Nnanna survives auto crash!

N

ollywood was saved from being thrown into another mourning last Thursday as actress Uchenna Nnanna survived a car accident around Lekki area of Lagos.

According to sources, she was driving home from the airport, where she went to drop her kid sister and the

early morning rain that nearly paralysed activities in Lagos last Thursday caused her tyres to slip and she had a collision with a car in front of her.

Though the actress had bruises on her body, her Kia car, HVP gathered was badly damaged.

TV programme. The programme which began airing on Saturday, August 17, will end on Sunday, September 29. Tagged ‘The Unending Search’, the documentary will take viewers down memory lane through the past nine seasons. This will afford them the opportunity of watching the jungle escapades of the past winners and other contestants that competed for fame, honour and glory on the Gulder Ultimate Search series.

26 — Vanguard, SARTURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2013

What I hate about men — Mariam Elisha

U

nlike other beauty queens who immediately disappear from the social scene after their reigns, Mariam Elisha has remained in the limelight. As former Miss Valentine, she has continued to expand her pet project in addition to other engagements. To her credit, her clothing line, Rikaoto and Urban Style magazine are fast becoming household names in Nigeria and beyond. She also has a foundation where she caters for the welfare of not less than 40 less-privileged children. In this interview, she talks about her modelling career, love life and plans for the furure.

C M Y K

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2013 — 27

By SAM ANOKAM What has been happening to you?

Nothing much, I go to work everyday and do what I’m supposed to do. I’m managing my clothing line called, Rikaoto, and my magazine called Urban Style.

What informed your decision to go into fashion and magazine publication?

I naturally love to see people dress well and wear good clothes. I realise that in Nigeria, we do not have companies that make quality clothes that people can buy at their convenience. I wanted to be that kind of person that could make such clothes people need when they have occasions or other social events to attend.

Are your services meant only for the high and mighty?

Not really. Average Nigerians can afford it. My clothes are affordable, depending on the kind of fabrics and style required. We have the ones that are meant for the high ends, and also, we have the ones for the average salary earners. It depends really on what the clients want. In other words, we have the very expensive ones and we also have the affordable ones.

Where do you source your materials from?

I buy my fabrics anywhere I find myself or sometimes, I order specifically from where I know they have the kind of fabric I need at that particular time. I don’t have to disclose where I procure my fabrics from. That’s my secret but we have good fabrics.

Do you make clothes yourself?

I know how to make clothes myself. I also have people who do them and I supervise them.

Tell us about your Urban Style magazine?

It is about fashion and style. And as a fashion crazy person, I decided to do something that would celebrate the works of the fashion designers, showcasing fashion and style in a different way.

How people

can combine clothes and other accessories. I have a partner and things are actually going on since I started the publication.

about three times in a year. Most of the time, we don’t make such events loud because we believe in not blowing our own trumpet.

How has the experience been?

It has been challenging but so far, I am coping with the stress. No work is easy as my mum would always tell me.

With all of these activities, what time do you have for yourself?

I just try to create time for myself. It is all about timing. When its time to be at Rikaoto, I will be there, and when it’s time to give attention to the Urban Style magazine, I do certainly that. I have people who work with me. I have already taught them what to do when I am not there. I can always come back for feed back. Though, it is not easy coping with the stress.

How challenging is running a clothing line as well as publishing outfit?

The challenge of becoming a fashion designer is enormous. Most of the time, there is no power supply, and we have to depend on our generating set. The tailors are not consistent. They are not ready to give you the standard for which you employed them most of the time. You always cross-check whatever they have done to ensure they have the meet the standard. When I came into fashion designing, I was thinking it was something I would cross my legs and fold my arms and probably pick up my pen and give someone instructions on what to do, and he gets it right but it isn’t so.

In fashion designing, you have to focus your mind, brain and come down to the level of the tailors for them to understand what designs you have and how to interpret the designs that you have conceptualised in your mind. Also, it’s really challenging dealing with different clients; the super rich and the middle class.

On the Urban Style magazine, it’s equally challenging, publishing a special interest magazine;getting celebrities to adorn the cover of the magazine; putting the whole thing together including the adverts for that particular edition. Then the challenges of distributing your magazines.It is an easy task.

What else do you do aside your fashion outfit and your magazine?

I also have a foundation called, Save Tomorrow Today. I love charity and as an ex- beauty queen, I started a foundation during my reign and it’s still functioning till date. I love lending help to humanity whether I am a beauty queen or not. I have been able to cater for the welfare of these children under my care, and I’d visit different organisation soliciting support so I can help give them hope in life.

It’s been working out so far and we usually hold different events

You recently contested the Miss Nigeria pageant, what informed that decision?

I have always loved the name-Miss Nigeria and I feel that being Miss Nigeria will provide me the needful platform to affect more lives positively. As you know, I’m into charity and I do a lot of things to assist the poor. At the moment, I have not less than 40 children under my care. It is really pretty difficult coping with these children. I feel I need more helping hands and being Miss Nigeria will probably give me more support to smiles to the lives of

a lot.

Who’s the man in your life?

I think my relationship is personal to me. I will marry at the right time.

I pray it happens soon.

What kind of man would you love to marry?

I want to marry a God fearing man because I always dream of making heaven. I don’t care whether he’s tall , handsome or rich. As long as he has the fear of God in him, and has respect for womanhood, I will marry the person. He must take me for who I am. I’m okay with him.

How many times have you been heartbroken?

Once. I don’t want to talk about it please.

What do you hate about men?

I hate disappointments and lies.

Disappointment, not in the context of when one promises to marry a lady and later on, he didn’t keep to that promise. I mean, when I trust you as a friend and I expect you to keep to that trust and never hurt my feelings.

How has it been as a young

I love lending help to humanity whether I am a beauty queen or not... these children.

Are you going to contest again?

No, I think I’m done with pageant for now Do you have any plan to organise your own pageant?

I don’t have any plan to organise any pageant but maybe, in the future Tell us about your style?

I really do not have a specific routine but what I do is when I wake up in the morning, I ensure that I wash my face before applying anything I want to apply. If I want to apply make up, it’s probably when I’m back from work. I make sure I clean my face, using the facial removal but I don’t use any specific cream, its just normal baby oil. I use mild soap. I don’t use anything hard because my skin is very sensitive.

Your dress sense?

It depends on the occasion.

Sometimes, I like to look simple, but very dramatic. I am always very simple. When I’m not in the redcarpet mood, I love casual wears.

What kind of books do you read?

I read all kinds of books, especially, motivational books and poetic works. My favourite author is Wole Soyinka. I love his poems

entrepreneur?

I don’t believe that because I’m young, I should fold my hands and wait for my parents to do everything for me. I believe that as an individual, you have the right to to give back to society whatever you have gotten from it. You can make a difference in your life if you believe in yourself and what you want to achieve in life. I have always been a hardworking person even when I was in school. I was combining my studies with modelling. It wasn’t easy but I tried as much as possible to strike a balance. Whatever you want to be in life, you can achieve it by remaining focus and committed to your cause.

Who supported when you started this cause?

My father supported me. Initially, he didn’t give me anything, but when he saw the zeal in me, he started supporting me. I started with the little money I saved. You don’t have to have billions of Naira before you can set out to achieve your dream. There are intelligent students from poor homes who are supported by well-meaning Nigerians. Just begin with something and help will come even from unexpected quarters.

How do you describe yourself?

I am simply amazing!

C M Y K

28 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

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30 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2013

Compiled by

Ephraim Oseji 08023542350

U

UGO EHIOGU

go Ehiogu is the former Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and England defender. Since retiring from football Ehiogu has taken his first moves into coaching and is working on a part-time basis with the Tottenham U16 squad.

Ehiogu was also part of Peter Taylor’s coaching team who went to the U20 World Cup in Turkey. In his debut, Ehiogu explains where he believes English football is going wrong and how to fix it. He also explains his involvement with one of the most hotly tipped bands of 2013.

Since hanging up my boots one of my passions has been taking my first steps into elite coaching, with experiences at both club and international level – and it has been somewhat eye opening.

It is clear,looking at the results of the England teams over the summer in the Under 20 and Under 21 tournaments that there is a problem with the game in this country. One of the main issues is that England do not have a DNA which outlines how they play.This is not a new thing. I played for England at U21 and senior levels and did not know how England were supposed to play, other than to pass and move.

There was no definitive style or way of how we were going to play.

I believe what English international football needs, certainly at development level, is a Head coach to direct and steer how England teams are going to play, and then that dictates the type of players we choose to recruit.

In my role as assistant U16 coach at Tottenham There is a clear DNA outlined at the club through out the academy ages. That DNA is laid out and passed down from Tim Sherwood, Head of Football Development, John McDermott, Head of Academy, and the wonderfully experienced Chris Ramsey, who is Senior Professional Phase Coach.

The way that Tottenham teams play is clear, and all the coaches know what is expected of them. The emphasis is on technique at a very early age and the idea is to try and produce players who can progress into the first team, or go on and make a living in the game.

At international level, generally speaking, I think the players need to improve technically and apply themselves better, during training and games. This requires, adaptable forward thinking coaches. The whole English mentality

Alexandra Burke hits out at ex Jermain Defoe in new song

A

lexandra Burke has written about her split from exboyfriend Jermain Defoe in a new song. The X Factor winner ended her relationship with the Tottenham striker last year after it was alleged he cheated on her with a model.

The song — titled ‘Day Dreams’ — is taken from her EP #NewRules, to be released on September 1, ahead of her next studio album. She said: “Working on this new material has C M Y K

England do not have a DNA which outlines how they play

needs to change, so we take friendlies and tournaments as serious as the other successful countries.

England have not won a tournament game at U20 level going back 16 years, this is not a recent or new issue at this level . A plan of how you want England teams to play. Spain have a DNA, Germany have a DNA and many other countries have a DNA. England, for such a prominent nation don’t, or have stagnated and been left behind.

Players should want to go to World Cup tournaments, and friendly games without being cajoled or convinced to go.

Kaka: I want to leave Real Madrid

T

he Blancos midfield er has expressed his desire to depart from the Santiago Bernabeu.

Brazilian star Kaka has revealed he is keen to leave Real Madrid with less than a week remaining before this summer's transfer window closes.

The 31-year-old had struggled to establish himself under former Blancos coach Jose Mourinho.

Clubs have a major role in accepting this and have to be more accommodating in letting players go. Until we change some of these facets in our game, including our mentality, then international football performances and results will not get any better.

Looking at the Spanish side that won the U21 tournament They had David De Gea in goal, Manchester United’s first choice keeper. Yes, there are more experienced players in front of him, but you can’t knock the fact that a lot of other countries put a big importance on international youth football and tournaments than we do.

I was fortunate to be asked to go to the U20 World Cup as part of the England coaching team. I had never met Peter Taylor before, but had heard and seen good things.

The tournament experience helped confirm how I believe the game should be played. The atmosphere you create within the group on a tour like that is important. It can set the tone for performances on the pitch and things were spot on in that sense.

While in Turkey there were a lot of football conversations, Sir Trevor Brooking, Dan Ashworth, Peter Taylor and various scouts. For me, we need to be Brave, better technically as coaches and players, and set a way and style of playing to make players better.

If you come to watch games at Tottenham, in particular at development level you will notice how we try and play, in a certain way with a certain style.

Liverpool in ‘Secret’ talks to re-sign Torres

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iverpool are in secret talks over the possible return of Chelsea striker Fernando Torres. The 29-yearold has had an unhappy time at Stamford Bridge since his sensational £50million move from Anfield in 2011, failing to look anywhere near recapturing the form that earned him the reputation as one of the best strikers in the world in his spells with Atletico Madrid and Liverpool.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2013 —31

Compiled by

Ephraim Oseji 08023542350

Man United

make •30 million bid for Herrera M

anchester United have submitted a •30 million bid for Athletic Bilbao’s Ander Herrera according to sources. It is reported that Herrera has a release clause of •36 million in his contract and with Athletic Bilbao having no need to sell the midfielder, United would likely have to pay the full amount to start negotiations.

The 24-year-old joined Athletic Bilbao for •8.5 million from Real Zaragoza in 2011 and became an integral part of their team, showcasing his ability when they knocked United out of the Europa League in emphatic fashion in March 2012.

A defensive minded central midfielder, Herrera is a natural tackler who has good distribution and is able to take control of a game but is far from the finished product.

Eto'o shakes hands with Pini Zahavi before completing Chelsea switch

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rsenal could be set to make a surprise £18million bid in an attempt to prise Belgian starlet Romelu Lukaku away from rivals Chelsea. The 20-year-old is one of Chelsea’s most exciting young players, but he looks to be finding regular first-team football hard to come by at Stamford Bridge, with manager Jose Mourinho seemingly not prepared to play him ahead of the likes of misfiring pair Fernando Torres and Demba Ba.

C M Y K

Man United launch formal £43m bid for Ozil

M

an United are lining up a sizable bid for Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil as David Moyes looks to take advantage of any uncertainty the Spanish giants may suffer following the likely purchase of Tottenham star Gareth Bale. Sources claim a formal offer will be made for the 24 year old German international, who last weekend angrily stormed straight down the tunnel following his substitution against Granada.

The former Werder Bremen man is thought to be demanding a £200k a week deal which Man United would seemingly be able to cover and Moyes may feel that Mesut Ozil would be a very welcome first high profile signing of his Old Trafford reign.

MANCHESTER CITY appear to be leading the race to land Eliaquim Mangala after opening up talks for him according to reports in France.

A report in French paper L'Equipe claims City are prepared to pay Managala's £38m release clause. However, the defender has yet to decide upon his next even though he could quadruple his salary at the Etihad.

Juventus keen on Xabi Alonso

Samba exit Anzhi F

ormer Queens Park Rangers defender Christopher Samba has become the latest player to jump ship from the Anzhi Makhachkala debacle.

The Congolese international was one of three Anzhi players to agree a deal with Dinamo, alongside midfielder Alexei Ionov and goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov. "We had some good things going on at Anzhi," Samba told reporters. "But I think that the decision of the club to change the structure meant we went apart in terms of ambition.

Arsenal plan £18m bid for Lukaku

Man City are prepared to pay £38m Mangala fee

Juventus are reportedly interested in signing Real Madrid star Xabi Alonso.

The Bianconeri are looking to sign a replacement for midfielder Andrea Pirlo, whose contract is due to expire at the end of the current campaign, and they believe the Spaniard would revel in a deep-lying playmaker role in Turin.

AC Milan sign Alessandro Matri from Juventus

Forward Alessandro Matri has transferred from Juventus to Serie A title rival AC Milan in an unpopular move among Rossoneri fans.

The move was announced on Milan's TV station,with the transfer price reportedly 11 million euros ($14.6 million). During the Champions League playoff with PSV Eindhoven, which Milan won, a fan banner read "Matri: no thanks! A defense and midfield to strengthen, there's nothing else to think about."

32—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

BY IYABO AINA

Justin Timberlake blasts Britney Spears for cheating

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USTIN Timberlake allegedly called Britney Spears a ‘bitch’ on stage in New Orleans while introducing his hit song titled ‘Cry Me A River’, last Saturday night, the song he wrote about her after ending their three year romance in 2002.

The 32-year-old singer who married his girlfriend of four years Jessica Biel in Italy in October reportedly blasted his ex-girlfriend for cheating on him in 2002 before singing his hit ‘’Cry Me A River’’, which was written about her, on stage at pre-Super Bowl bash in New Orleans in aid of a children’s charity.

Before performing the Grammy Award-winning track, Timberlake reportedly told the crowd: “Sometimes in life, you think you found the one.

But then one day, you find out, that she is just some b***h”.

Timberlake ended his three-year romance with Britney, 31, after she allegedly cheated him with her then choreographer Wade Robson and the song is about their high profile breakup.

Timberlake was later joined on stage

by Jay-Z at the concert, which was his first full show in five years and helped to benefit the Shriners Hospitals For Children and was hosted by cable company DirectTV at the DTV Superfan Stadium.

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LEVEN people, including 2 Chainz, were arrested on Thursday after refusing to get off the bus for about nine hours following the traffic stop. The 35-yearold rapper, whose real name is Tauheed Epps, was said to have performed with Lil Wayne and T.I. in Oklahoma City, the night before the incident .

According to the affidavit, filed last Monday, the officer

Khloe Kardashian and husband Lamar separate!

R

EALITY star, Khloe Kardashian’s marriage to pro basket-baller, Lamar Odom is said to be in crisis following claims of his crack cocaine abuse.

The keeping up with the Kardashians brunette , 29, and her 33-year-old husband have apparently separated as Odom allegedly failed to kick his hardcore drug habit.

According to a source, ‘Khloée was a real trooper. She’s been living a nightmare after details emerged claiming the reality star had kicked the sportsman out of their home.

Khloe hid the details of Lamar ’s addiction from her family for almost two years, last summer hiring private investigators to document his drug-taking and ensure he stayed in rehab once she finally convinced him to attend.

But the athlete allegedly failed to complete his course and soon relapsed , leading Khloe to take drastic action by throwing him out , but neither party has as yet contacted a divorce lawyer . ’

• Justin and Britney

elling m s r fo d te s e rr a z in a h 2C our bus marijuana on tto pulled over the bus on Interstate 40 early Thursday morning because none of the rear taillights on the passenger side were working.

The officer smelled marijuana when the driver of the bus, identified as Sedric A. Brooks, opened the door,

the affidavit says, and the officer “could actually see smoke inside the bus around the door.” The officer then ordered Brooks back on the bus, the document said, after which Brooks “quickly shut the door” and said he wasn’t authorized to let the officer in.

2 Chainz and the others were charged with obstructing a police officer and were later released after paying $2000 bail. Earlier this year, 2 Chainz was acquitted of marijuana charges he faced after a traffic stop on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

•Kloe and husband

Town & Gown gigs set to storm OAU

By ANOZIE EGOLE

T

•2Chainz

•Boy Allico

HIS year’s Nigerian University Games (NUGA) is not only going to be all sports fiesta, there is also going to be a spice of music, comedy, eating and drinking.

The games, which will take place at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, Osun State later in the year, would be accompanied with a 2-week long music festival tagged; “Town & Gown Gigs”.

According to the organizers, Town and

Gown Gigs is a musical festival tied to the massive human traffic that will troop into IleIfe from across the country and neighboring towns and villages for the NUGA games.

The Director of Communication, T&GG, Bayo Bankole a.k.a Boy Alinco, said: “The 14-day musical festival, which is put together to spice up the atmosphere of friendship that will be created by the NUGA games, would feature all grades of artistes from different genres of music such as hip hop, R&B, highlife, juju, fuji, and apala among others.”

VANGUARD, SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2013—33

My source of motivation is God. I am relatively successful because I have adhered to certain principles of running medium scale business into greater heights

I was a foodstuff merchant as an undergraduate —Princess Akinbile

Beautiful and industrious Princess Uzamat Folasayo Akinbile has an exemplary story that inspires young women. Her youthful looks no doubt will make many to think she is probably a 20-year old who was born with a silver spoon. But at 40, her story tells how she rode her way to success through determination at a time when many of her mates depended on handouts from “generous” men .

BY RONKE ADEYERI Humble beginning I was not born with a silver spoon as many people believe. At a very tender age, I was exposed to the world of buying and selling. I have been in business since my secondary school days when I used to accompany my mother on business trips to various communities where she purchased foodstuffs to sell. I also helped her to sell at the shop. We were then living at Ile-Ife, Osun state. I actually started my own business after I left secondary school and continued when I got admission into the University of Ibadan(UI) where I studied Biochemistry for some time. I opened a shop called Princess Ventures at Sango area of Ibadan in Oyo State. Then, I was already an accredited agent of Procter and Gamble. I was selling some of the company’s products like biscuits and diapers.

I later left UI because I did not like Biochemistry. So, I secured another admission into University of Lagos to study Pharmacy. Even at Unilag, I was still juggling business with studies. I got another shop and continued to sell foodstuffs like rice, beans, flour, sugar, etc.

The turning point Along the line, I established a computer school and a cyber café that attracted a lot of patronage from residents. My journey to success began in the year 2000 when I was encouraged to go into oil business by one of my mentors, Alhaji Olaoluwa Adeogun which I grabbed with my two hands. With the assistance of Alhaji Adeogun, an oil magnate, I started building a fill-

ing station even before I graduated from the University. The start-up capital came from my personal savings from the foodstuff business .

Presently, I own a group of businesses, a chain of filling stations, a pharmaceutical company and also an information technology organization.

Politics was a personal sacrifice I had to render, not only to protect the interest of the people around me but to further serve them better Challenges so far Combining studies with business was not easy at all.

It affected my studies in a way. At a point, I had epyremisis for about five months when I was pregnant. I had to abandon my studies. Hence, I had an extra year and graduated in 2006. In 2007, my business experienced a terrible blow.

In October the same year, armed robbers visited one of my filling stations and carted away millions of naira. Few weeks later, another filling station located in Ajasa, near Meiran, Lagos State was also attacked. As if that was not enough, on November 12, 2007, a fire incident arising from generator explosion

Princess Uzamat Folasayo Akinbile during the discharge of fuel, rocked one of my filling stations. I lost almost all my money but I thank God that five of my employees who were victims of the incident survived.

Source of motivation The source of my motivation is God. I am relatively successful because I have adhered to certain principles of running medium scale businesses into greater heights.

The rules of running a business and making a success out of it are not cast in iron but require a deep understanding and relative financial discipline to apply those rules.

Why politics I threw my hat into politics because of the love I have for humanity. Politics was a personal sacrifice I had to render, not only to protect the inter-

est of the people around me but to further serve them better. I have been successful in business before I ventured into politics. It started in 2011 when I contested for a seat at Lagos State House of Assembly on the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. Although, I did not secure the ticket to represent the people of Alimosho Constituency 02, I was later appointed as Supervisor for Agriculture, Rural and Social Development in Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.

Projects In order to serve my people better and to complement the effort of Hon. Augustine Arogundade- led administration in Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA, I inaugurated some projects on June 22, under my pet project called “The Goodwill

Project.” The projects include a 12-feet culvert in Omoroga/Akintan, Meiran while about ten Community Development Associations were given N50,000 grants each. I also gave about 100 artisans tools under my “Tools for job initiative.”

Many residents have benefited from my charity especially in the areas of health education and free treatment for infirmed mothers and their children.

I have distributed drugs, mosquito nets and other items to empower indigent residents who do not have means of livelihood or resources to prosecute their children’s education. Presently, I am not tired of doing more because politics should be a calling to help humanity and not to actualize self-seeking goals.

34 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

Remembering Ogbonna Amadi: One year after, the wound has not healed …says Rev. Endi, Ogbonna’s younger brother

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t was with a tone of melancholy but aura of reverence that Rev. Endy Amadi, younger brother of departed Ogbonna Amadi relieved the life and times of the late Vanguard Entertainment Editor. Endi, who is President, 'Right To Live Organisation' and Project Manager, 'Rural Alert for Integrated Development Foundation', recounts that the loss remains as traumatic as it was a year ago. Pouring encomiums and eulogies on his late brother, the younger Amadi admits it’s been a year of pain and sorrow but with consolation in the Lord.

Traumatic year t has really been a trying year without Ogbonna.

Trying in the sense that he was like the pillar in the family. With his demise, the reality of his position dawned on us. His demise has not been easy with our mother.

Ogbonna was the apple of her eyes. Every morning, she wakes up, sits by his grave and cries. I also have his wife to consider. The last time she visited me here in Umuahia, it was all tears again. So, throughout this one year, one would have expected that perhaps the wounds would have healed but this was not

I

,,

We intend setting up a Foundation, one that will showcase and discover young talents no matter how long it takes.

the case. It’s just like we would turn around one day and see him scolding you and still drawing you close with such tenderness as he used to.

Recently someone called me “kid brother ” and I broke down in tears as I remembered Ogbonna used to fondly call me that. At that point, it actually dawned on me that it’s been one year since he died.

We hardly even called him by his name. He was fondly known as ‘Don Dusty.’ It's one year now and like I said, it has not been easy. It has been a year of pain, and sorrow but we are consoled in the Lord.

Memories If one begins to list what he misses about Ogbonna, it will take the whole day because he burns hot and then he goes cold. For instance, whenever he called and you were not there to pick the call, be prepared for 10 minutes of tongue-lashing and after the 10 minutes, he would slam the phone and the next minute he'd call back and in his usual tone he'd call me fondly and deliver the message. I particularly miss him calling me kid brother. But at that point he was alive, I never thought he was giving me my dues. Imagine at 48 years of age, he was calling me kid brother, but I am beginning to appreciate it now. It was his own way of giving me a sense of the fact that I was actually his younger brother.

Masterpiece bove all, I miss some of the disagreements we used to have because after those disagreements, we always came to an agreement, but right now, it does not exist anymore because he is no more. Ogbonna was a masterpiece.

He was everything rolled into one.

His job, he did very well and his relationship with the family was very cordial. So he was not one that we could just fold our hands after one year of his death and say, ‘and so what?’

We intend to hold a thanksgiving on his behalf, to thank God for keeping us together, especially his wife and our mother who were most hit by his death. Although August 29 was the day he died, we are really looking

A

forward to October 12. Right now we only intend to have a silent, family thanksgiving in his remembrance on Sunday.

Foundation We intend setting up a Foundation, one that will showcase and discover young talents no matter how long it takes. However, because I am into the Word of God now, it is going to be rooted in the Gospel. We will then use this avenue to encourage upcoming artistes. Also, whenever we start this, a greater percentage of what we will get will be used to set up a Trust

• Endi Ogbonna

Fund for his children because it has not been easy for his family and at the time he died, his wife was just about start-

ing up a business and although the business is steady now, it still needs support.

It has not been easy coping without my husband — Toyin Amadi ByANOZIE EGOLE AFTER one year of his exit, it has notbeen easy coping without my husband.

But with God by our side, we have been coping. God has really been faithful to us.

What are the things you have been missing most about him?

Everything thing about him. I mean, I miss everything about him. Like now, when I couldn’t sleep, I would start playing most of his favourite songs. I would be dancing all alone just to dance away my sorrow. It has not really been easy.

For months, I could not even sleep in our bedroom alone. Most times when I am in the bathroom bathing alone, I would be asking myself, does it mean my hubby will not come again to bath with me? So many things like that. Just few weeks ago, my children were watching TV, and suddenly, my second son just asked me, is that how daddy will go and never come back again? It took me sometime before I could answer the question. It was like, after one year, these children could not erase the memory of the tragedy.

What are other things you used to do together that you have not

• Toyin Amadi been doing now since his demise?

Like I said earlier, he was all around me.

We did almost everything together. I could remember when I wanted to start my business newly, he used to tell me, I am trying my best, I don’t want you to break down, I don’t want you to overstress yourself. But now, I have to do all those things alone. Not only that, I have doubled my struggling.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

— 35

I have crush on Rihanna — Orezi

...e xplains wh ...explains whyy he sho shott video in South Africa

Rihanna

BENJAMIN NJOKU

R

ising hip-hop star, Orezi returned from South Africa last week where he went on a nation wide tour as well as shot the video of his hit song, Rihanna.

In a chat with Showtime, Orezi narrated his experience especially how he was able to get a Rihanna look alike from Mauritius after a rigorous effort to get the American singing star, did not work out due to her loaded schedule.

According to him, “We had a wonderful time in South Africa, it

First female Nigerian Bata performer set for the top

Ibukun Bisola Ayoola

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OUNG and charming, she comes across as a damsel waiting for a break on the rump. But you are wrong! Ibukun Bisola Ayoola is the youngest and latest artiste from the stable of popular entertainment group, Atunda Entertainment, making waves in the entertainment scene with her sights trained on the height.

Her tuft is not just drumming but she does it with so much flair and dexterity that you’d think she has done this all her life whereas, it is something that she has recently taken to. She has been on it now for about six months but her stage presence and command of the intricate small bata drum pieces dangling on her neck, is compelling. She started out a couple of months ago as one of the singers and

back - up artistes for Anu, another of Atunda Entertainment emerging act on the block. “I never thought of drumming bata in my life. I came here as a back - up singer for Anu but in one of our rehearsals, Baba (referring to the founder of Atunda Entertainment) just gave me the bata drum and said ‘Ibukun you are going to be playing the drum,’ and that was how I started drumming,” she reveals.

Since then, Ibukun who bears the stage name of Olo Omidan Bata, a coinage by the founder of the group to reflect her symmetric facial look and the bata drum that has become part of her life. She wears a miniature of the drum on her neck and has never looked back since she started.

was truly a rewarding experience and a most educative for me as a very young artiste. At the end, we came out with something that the world will talk about for a long time, the video for the all time popular hit song, Rihanna,” Orezi told Showtime, in Lagos a day after his arrival from South Africa, last week.

When all efforts to get the American super diva, Rihanna to feature in the multi million Naira video did not work out, Orezi and his management team as well as his label, Sprisal Records, went online and decided to shop for a Rihanna look alike. The search finally paid off when a ‘Rihanna’ sent in her entry from Mauritius.

This young, beautiful ‘Rihanna’ named Kim was chosen above over 200 pictures.

Orezi’s management has decided to stay mum on the cost of bringing this stunning beauty down to the shoot on location in South Africa.

However, an inside source squealed that Orezi’s label paid an initial deposit of 10, 000 dollars to ‘Rihanna’s master card account while her traveling arrangement to Johannesburg, South Africa revealed a

Orezi

Business class from Mauritius, Israel - Hong Kong - South Africa (little wonder a source close to Orezi’s management said the video is worth N7.3m).

Meanwhile, Orezi smiled mischievously when asked if he had a crush on America’s Rihanna. “I like her, I like any pretty woman that has made a mark for herself. I like her and I believe she will like Orezi too when she meets him.” He also cleared the air concerning the record label he is signed on, saying “I am signed on to Sprisal Records and the deal is good.” He also explained why he chose South Africa to shoot his Rihanna video. “I have shot two videos in Nigeria before now but what I want to achieve with the Rihanna video is different.”

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

T

he entire city of Asaba, Delta State capital went agog last weekend when 23year old UNIBEN Undergraduate, Olumilua Yemi won the most coveted crown of Queen Globe Beauty Pageant 2013.

23 year old University of Benin undergraduate Olumilua Yemi from Ekiti State beat other contestants to win the 2013 Queen Globe Beauty pageant which held at the Grand Hotel in Asaba, Delta State last Saturday.

Yemi will now represent Nigeria at the Miss Globe

Queen Globe emerges !

International pageant.

According to Hon Odi Odigie,CEO of D.Sinatra Ent, “Queen Globe is committed to empowering young beauties. We are not selling a dream, we are building a future for the young ladies who are contesting in our pageant. We are confident that the new Queen Globe Beauty Pageant

which produces avenue for the country to have its representative in the following international competition which includes Miss Globe International, Miss West Africa International, World Super Model and Teen Super Model will benefit the country and move us a step closer towards building a greater Nigeria”

36—VANGUARD, SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2013

By IYABO AINA & EKPENBOR GRACE On marrying a white lady for her money That is poverty mentality.

Must it always be that way? I’m in the marriage for happiness and not for passport or money, and there was no agreement for me to relocate to the UK. If that had been one of the conditions my wife gave, I wouldn’t have married her.

If people say I married my wife for her money, she must really be a billionaire to have attracted me into the marriage. Those with such assumptions should check themselves. They are aided by poverty mentality. Does it have to be that way? Britons are too intelligent.Why should Nigerians always think this way? Ninety-five percent of Britons won’t think that way.

State of my marriage My marriage is intact and the bedrock of every relationship is communication. We talk like friends. And presently, I am in Nigeria working on a very massive movie project titled Father Moses starring Ini Edo, Desmond Elliot, Jide Kosoko, Ayo Mogaji, Hafiz Ayetoro, Keji Yusuf, Yomi Fabiyi, Hakeem Rahman, Kemi Afolabi, Arugba and so on.

I am working to get it into the cinemas though I am meant to send an invitation to my wife so she can visit me to bridge the gap. She either comes or I will eventually go to meet her.

The Movie Father Moses Father Moses is a concept that is very unique and I believe the audience will like it because the title is trying to tell us something about love, religion, power and faith, and you need to look at how they come together, though we believe in the saying that love is the first religion and with my belief, this is the first time that the audience will be seeing such a movie.

Bringing together of English and Yoruba actors like of Desmond Elliot, Ini Edo, Jide Kosoko and others I am not just starting this job and I want to believe that whatever you know how to do, you should do it well because your work will speak for you.

Apart from the fact that you should have the money and the script, you should be able to move the actors and your reputation forward. And as a producer, the actors will also speak for you and will tell if you are the type that produces good films.

I believe that is one of the reasons it was very easy to call on these artistes and they were able to give me audience. They know me as someone that can produce quality movies.

Cost of producing the movie I won’t be able to mention the exact production cost be-

cause such a movie gets to

to post production before getting to the cinema and these cost lots of money. I went through a lot shooting the movie. At a stage, I had to sell my car to raise funds to complete it. It got to the stage that I couldn’t go to the bank and I needed money so quickly. Big projects like this take sacrifice and I want every sacrifice to be ultimate for this project.

I produce movies to sustain my acting career

Premiering the movie We are trying to take it into the Cinema at the moment and after that, we will look at how acceptable it is to the audience and how long it is going to last in the cinemas across the globe before coming out with the DVD. Producing other people’s movie I have shot movies with several producers, top actors and actresses like Funke Akindele, Yinka Quadri, Ogogo and others. So, I work with other producers as well.

Making a good movie There is no basis for comparism because I want to believe Yomi Fabiyi is a different person entirely, and all I do is to ensure that within the limit of resources I have and with reasonable technical standard, I’d bring out what my fans and the audience will enjoy and give them value for their money. I don’t see myself walking in anybody’s shadow. I don’t see myself doing what others are doing, I see myself as Yomi Fabiyi and I do what I want to do. So the difference is clear.

Choosing between acting and producing Obviously I would prefer being a producer because I don’t believe in quantity, and the only way I can explain quality is when you are relatively scarce. I maintain scarcity because

If people say I married my wife for her money, she must really be a billionaire to have attracted me into the marriage .

Those with such assumptions should check themselves.

They were aided by poverty mentality

if I produce, I will also have the opportunity to feature in the movie and do whatever I want to do.

So, I use producing a movie to maintain my acting career. But if I choose acting, it could as well kill my career as a pro-

—Yomi Fabiyi

Nollywood actor and producer , Yomi Fabiyi whose marriage to a British lady became a hot issue last year is being alleged to be in the relationship for material benefits and not love , and now, the whole story seems to have taken another dimension. Y omi was nominated for awards in London as best actor and his movie, the best movie of the year 2011. He speaks with our reporter about his new movie ‘Father Moses’ , his life experience and other issues surrounding him . Enjoy ducer ; so I prefer to produce and shoot quality movies.

What next after Father Moses I am going to shoot more movies, I am going to shoot a movie titled “Mo eto Mi” and

The stranger on a lonely journey. Those two stories are ready and they are high profile storylines and cinema- standard scripts. I will be shooting that immediately after the release of the Father Moses.

My family background I was born into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Fabiyi. I was born and brought up in Somolu, and I am married and doing things the way I want to do it.

Relationship with other artistes?

I don’t think I have any

problem with any artiste. I am close to everybody. I have access to anybody except those I really think will be a problem to work with .

Picking the actor for role of Father Moses

I have my cast. I believe I have the best because casting is also very important when you are shooting a movie.

Wrong casting could as well cause damage to a script. So, I don’t have any problem accessing anybody. I got those I wanted and I believe they are the best for the project.

Relaxing after work To be honest with you, it’s always very difficult to plan relaxation except if I travel out because in Nigeria, all your time is being hijacked and apart from the fact that you have personal assistants, you’d still have to remember what you are going to do,

what you’d want to wear, how you’d want to get them, when you are going to make calls.

Sometimes, you drive yourself and these are not really easy but I do them.

Joining my wife after eight years I married a white lady but there is plan to relocate soon.

My career is just taking shape and it is not the best option to leave permanently except there is need for that. My home is here and also in the UK. I’m a regular visitor to the UK. I love the Britons and marrying one of them makes the marriage more interesting.

My wife is aware of my work and she supports my commitment to it. So, at the right time, it’s either my wife visits me here in Nigeria or I visit her in the UK.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013 — 37

...On Nigeria's defeat at 2013 BBA

By FLORENCE AMAGIYA

Whether you followed the programme or not, there is no doubt that the just concluded Big Brother Africa-The Chase reality TV show was a memorable one. This is not because of the fact that a female contestant won the show, but specifically, because she hails from a country that’s relatively unknown as far as the history of the Big Brother Africa is concerned. This year’s edition was full of surprises. At first, many people tipped Nigeria’s Melvin as the winner of the show. But the unexpected happened when Namibian housemate, Dillish was announced as the winner. Considering that she survived the eviction axes five times, Dillish’s winning the show has continued to generate controversy. The question on the lips of everyone is whether Nigeria was ripped off this time around. Entertainers react accordingly...

ld be u o c n o i Corrupt for... a reason h, Comedian/

Melvin’s loss is deliberate ..

Benita Akpofe, Actress

mo Bishop I Actor

I

must say that Melvin’s loss is deliberate; the fact that Nigeria has won the show three consecutive times made Africans think BBA is meant for Nigerians alone. One of the house mates even made a comment on it whilst in the house. I think the reason behind Melvin’s defeat lies in that fact.

Perhaps a decision was made to rip Nigerians off it no matter how good they are and Melvin’s loss became a reality. Those who followed Melvin’s vote online noticed his votes were high ; so it was a surprise that he didn’t win.

The money is a good reward and it’s bad that one of ours didn’t get it, but be it as it may; Melvin is still a winner whether with the money or not .

unt in ally co and if u t c a f votes nt of victory elvin e M attainm voted n allege a s c n e a i n r o n e el. th Nige , hest lev artedly wholehe tion at the hig 50 million 1 la manipu country of over y with the tr a n We are ably, one cou A viewers B u and arg opulation of B h to have g p u t o s n e e h lls hig e are w o s t the po , a s and fan im of victory victory deh s assured fact that on-poll u will cart o e y t th o n n r give hether o w s e in m ter 00k. home $3

I

I still celebrate Melvin

I’m happy that Nigeria didn’t win!

Uti Uwachukwu, Acto r

I

still celebrate Melv in even though he didn Oduah ’t win; he is a winner. Melvin ’s story is an inspirational one! Th win doesn’t make an at he didn’t because winning isn y difference to know that you ar ’t the only way e Melvin stayed up str a winner. house for ninety da ong in the ys That’s not an easy ta and more. sk there, the others we .Even while re misbehaving but he held back hi m true winning spirit. self. That’s a Th God knows the reas e Almighty on take the money hom he didn’t standard ,Melvin wae. By any s the winner.

Mimi Ubini, Actress

T

he vote was split between Melvin and Beverly; Nigerians also voted for Beverly and that spoilt Melvin’s game!

Secondly, if truth be told, Melvin didn’t entertain much compared to the other housemates, both Melvin and Dillish played safe! I am one of the few Nigerians who are happy that Nigeria didn’t win this time around. I was not impressed!

It’s controversial, not manipulated!

Christabel Egbenya, Actress

T

his season of Big Brother Africa was indeed a controversial one. But I cannot honestly say if it was just vote of Nigerians alone that would have determined Melvin’s performance; if we say Nigerians voted enough, then what happens to the remaining African countries? It is a two way thing. I am not sure if the results were manipulated by Big Brother or if Melvin’s votes weren’t enough to earn a win.

But I am indifferent about the outcome of the show.

A deliberate blow on Nigeria because...

Maureen Cyril, Actress

I

think the loss was deliberate because it wouldn’t be fair on Africa if a Nigerian wins again; Big Brother African must have intentionally given it to the person that needed it the most. Dillish was good and behaved well also in the house, but it was very obvious that she didn’t only deserve the money but also needed it more than the other house mates. She said that she was struggling to support her siblings; besides she was virtually the best behaved house mate. I think that it is fair that she was given the money.

38 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

N

igeria’s representatives in the just concluded Big Brother Africa reality TV show, Beverly Osu and Melvin Oduah were presented to the media at Protea Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos last Thursday after their trimuphant return to the country.

The two ex-housemates recounted their personal experiences in the Big Brother House. Beverly was the first to put the record straight , as she denied having sex in the House with her South African counterpart, Angelo.

She however, confirmed that her relationship with Angelo was real.

In BBA House

The experience was awesome.Though it was challenging, God really saw me through. It is something everybody should look forward to participating in. I don't believe I was cheated during the grand finale.

Housemates from West Africa were not only united but, we dominated the House.

Whoever won the show really deserved to win.

For me and Melvin, having made it to the finals, we are equally winners in our own rights. At least, we brought something home to show for our efforts.

I par ticipat ed participat ticipated in BBA tto o be myself – Melvin BBA Experience

Considering that I and Beverly were chosen to represent the country and the fact that we were in the House from the beginning to the end, made our participation in the show remarkable. There are a lot of people who don’t know anything about Big Brother. For me, I learned a lot of things while in the House.

My journey

Beverly

I’m sorry for embarrassing Nigerians — Beverly

Having sex with South Africa’s Angelo!

•Denies having sex with South Africa’s Angelo

I did not have sex in the House. I had a relationship with Angelo Collins but we did not have sex. I loved him and I still love him. I am a blunt person and very real.

People that knew me before BBA know that I don't pretend to be who I am. If it happens, you fall in love, you can't fake it. I did not have sex with Angelo. I was under the bathtube, but we never had sex. Maybe, the camera made it look so. Everybody gets naked to have their bath, so I don't think it is wrong for me to be naked when I have my bath too. There was no way. I couldn’t be different because I went for a reality show. So, I should not be judged by what people saw during the show since I didn't intentionally bring out my video for all to see. .Big brother did that.

about myself and my family. This is because if I have to be on this platform, people have to know the real me and what I have been through.

Winning strategy

On her plans for the future

I am a very blunt person. Melvin can testify to this claim because he stayed with me for ninety one days in the House. I was only talking to my fellow Housemates.

And I don’t regret anythin I said

My mum’s reaction

I was only talking to my fellow Housemates and I don’t regret anything I said about myself and my family

I’ll continue with my online reality show “Beverly Says” and I’ll complete my education. I also intend to go into acting.I’m a 200 level student of the National Open University of Nigeria, where I am studying Mass Communication.

My mum has tutored me very well.

Even if the whole world rejects me today, my mum can’t reject me. I love my mum so much. I’m her only daughter and the last child in the family. I have always been there for her, just as she has always been there for me. I will not disappoint my mum intentionally by saying she this or she's that...

I contested for 2009 Gulder Ultimate Search, and I emerged the first runner up. I contested for Mr Nigeria in 2011 and again, I finished as the first runner up. Now, I contested for Big Brother AfricaThe Chase and also finished in the third position. But I am not The Chase. I think we can also take time to look at the positive side of the show. It is not easy to participate in these major competitions and making to the finals. So, I think I should be given some credit. It is also painful when you have worked so hard to make it to the finals, only to miss winning the ultimate price.

His future plans

I’m taking my acting career to the next level.

Winning strategy

Before I was chosen to represent my country, I was regularly asked what winning strategy I would adopt while in the House. I kept repeating the same thing “I was going to be myself and nothing else. The Melvin you meet in real life was the same Melvin you watched in the Big Brother House. Nothing about me was unreal or done to make people like me or hate me. I thank Nigerians for voting for me . I will always be a proud ambassador of the country

Embarrassing Nigerians

I don’t feel happy about it because this is the first time, I represented the country in any continental competition. But the fact remains that if you didn’t go for it, you wouldn’t know how it’s in the House. I wasn’t there with my cell phone to be able to communicate with the outside world. I was just there alone. I’m sorry for embarrassing my country. I didn’t do it intentionally. My participation in the show was not to embarrass my country. I am a proud Nigerian.

On featuring in a porn production by Afrocandy

I heard about it. Thanks for the offer but no.

Melvin Oduah

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013 — 39

M-Net Movies hosts special blockbuster screenings in Nigeria

Nollywood set for showdown

M

-Net Movies which is kn own for its popular movie channe ls Multichoice’sDStv, is tak on ing the subscriber movie-experie couch to the cinemas. In nce beyond the Filmhouse Cinemas and partnership with Cinemas, M-Net Movie Silverbird s is giving away tickets to the pre-screenin released Hollywood Blo g of newly Nigeria. This means thackbuster movies in Hollywood blockbuster t before some movies are screened in Nigerian cin emas, lucky movie-lovers and their com panions will be able to see them in the first place.

The new initiative was lau country last Thursday, with nched in the movie, We’re the Millers, atthe screening of the the Filmhouse Cinemas.

According to Pierre Cloete and M-Net Movies Chan , Director: M-Net nel Movies Silver Screening aligs, “the M-Net M-Net Movies’ mission to ns perfectly with and entertaining movie exp provide exciting eriences to viewers.”

“We trust that these eve unmissable monthly calendnts will become fans of the movies,” he ad ar highlights for ded M-Net Movies Silver Screen .

DStv Subscribers on all bou ing is open to its position as the home of quets, reinforcing African movies.

...as ANCOP petitions EFCC, SFU over Akpabio’s N50m largesse

T

HE Nigerian movie industry otherwise known as Nollywood is poised for a showdown as the Association of Nollywood Core Producers,ANCOP, has petitioned EFCC and SFU over the N50 million largesse donated by Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State to support the industry.

The association is alleging massive fraud in the disbursement of the fund. It has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) to investigate the matter.

According to a copy of the petition made available to HVP, signed by the association’s President, Comrade Alex Eyengho, the group is asking the agencies

to invite the National President of the Association of Movie Producers,AMP, Zik Zulu Okafor, the National President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria, DGN, Andy Amenechi; the Secretary General of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN,Yakubu Abubakar and actress Stephanie Okereke- Linus Idahosa for obtaining the fund and disbursing it without the consent of the industry’s stakeholders.

Part of the petition dated

•Alex Eyengho

August 19, 2013 and addressed jointly to the EFCC and SFU, read thus: “On June 15, 2013, news broke out that some Nollywood stakeholders under the auspices of a non-existent ‘Guild of Nollywood Stars’ visited Governor Akpabio in his office in Uyo for the purpose of collecting the N50 million pledge to Nollywood.

“The Governor presented to the visitors a prototype post-

dated (25-06- 2013) Zenith bank cheque number 00063639 with Akwa Ibom State Government as the account name, issued in favour of Guild of Nollywood Stars. “We also gathered that the Governor, in his usual generosity, gave each of the visitors N500, 000 cash.

“Expectedly, the massive publicity given to the entire episode by the press generated heated debates. In fact, it polarised the industry till today.

“Suspecting fraud, ANCOP immediately raised the red

flag when it queried the use of a non-existent ‘Guild of Nollywood Stars’ to access the N50 million pledge, by those who visited Governor Akpabio.

“We are demanding that you immediately commence a full-blown investigation into the alleged fraudent act over the N50 million Governor Akpabio gave to Nollywood to carry out a specific task but now domiciled in the account of one of the the over 30 associations and guilds in Nollywood...Sir, anything short of this is an invitation to anarchy in Nollywood.”

Chika Ike moves on!

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIM I

A

Ini Edo, hubby’s grand reception in London exy actress,Ini Edo had a swell Ehiagwina for a night at the famous Doll S time with her hubby at Famous House club.

Doll House,in London recently. It Those who spotted the couple at the club was a grand reception to mark the fifth anniversary of their marriage.

The Nollywood actress, having been treated to a sizzling make -up session by celebrity makeup guru Princess Amayo, romantically stepped out of her central London hotel with hubby Phillip

said they had a swell time while the clubbing lasted. Ini who was so high was said to have taken to the dance floor and digged out to the admiration of everyone present.

No doubt, the actress is currently enjoying the enviable attention of her husband.

•Chika Ike

fter officially divorcing her ex- husband, Nollywood actress, Chika Ike is gradually getting her groove back.

The actress is leaving no stone unturned as she takes her fan s into her world of fashion. Just rec ently, she posted on her Instagram page, the picture of her walk-in closet which she said is still under construction. But one couldn’t help but wonder what exactly is still und er construction as the pictured clo set already has loads of fashion stu ff packed inside. In her words, she tagged one side the mini and the other the main closet, all being put together by Kiroma Lee, a top shot model and fashion icon.

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yemisisuleiman670@yahoo.com

You are what you wear

— Busayo Salahdeen B

USAYO Salahdeen , the creative director behind BIBIRE Designs is an unusual fashion designer of some sorts.

A Geologist by profession, Busayo decided to explore the unfamiliar terrains of fashion, few years after graduation.

With a very challenging start, Bibire Designs soon started making waves in the Nigerian fashion industry with their exclusive cuts and designs, churning out of the box concepts that got her female clients flaunting timeless pieces of style.

No sooner did her pieces come to the attention of the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YOUWIN) as she became one of the few designers that got their business funded by the federal government.

In this interview, Busayo speaks about her foray in the industry and openly as well as her life style.

What is Bibire as a brand known for?

Bibire Designs is a clothing company that specializes in the production of male and female clothing ranging from corporate and casual shirts to dresses, blouses, skirts, pants to polo shirts for the upwardly mobile people to create the classic priceless pieces that remains in vogue and trendy all year round.

So, what we do is be very creative and intuitive with our designs, and because we also ensure quality control in our products, they always result in higher sales.

What can you offer that other designers can’t?

As stated earlier, Bibire Designs is a clothing company: this makes it a one stop shop for internationally made quality clothes. So we really take great care in handling each arm of our products. We ensure our corporate shirts compete favorably well with international ones so our fabrics our internationally sourced for, with eye catchy colours that speak to the soul. The fit of our shirts is also one of our numerous advantages as we have put into consideration the shape and fit of Nigerians.

But all in all we also offer

wardrobe consultation and image consultant either for people who don’t know what suits them or for those who need the boost as “you are what you wear”.

What strategies do you employ to make sure your design stay in vogue?

By creating classic designs, and not just following trend ensures our designs are always in vogue. We also try to infuse classic colours like the monochrome (black and white) in our designs. Also if we were to incorporate trends in our designs, we still make sure there is the basic touch of elegance and class that make our pieces priceless.

Design

by Bibire

•Busayo Salahdeen What are some of your accomplishments as a designer?

We have been able to spread out to shores outside Nigeria, currently our shirts are being sold in the United States of America. We also have clients

Bibire monochrome

in Canada and, United Kingdom.

Do you consider yourself an artist / How long does it usually take you to construct a piece?

Most definitely, as a fashion designer one has to be creative

Monochrome dress by Bibire

and intuitive. You have to see what others would probably just shrug off. All of these are qualities of an artistic person.

As regards constructing a piece, there are so many factors determining that. One is how different we want the piece, so I would say from when design is being thought to the sketches to sourcing of fabric to testing of the fabric to sewing of the piece vary from one to three months.

What are your favorite fabrics to work with and favorite colors to work?

Favorite colours would be the monochromatic colours, which are white and black. It is classic and never goes out of fashion, you can never go wrong with them, either for the little black dress or the little white dress.

I really wouldn’t say I have a favorite fabric as I love to explore with different fabrics and love the diversity and challenges I experience with working with all sorts of fabrics but I have explored with laces, sequins and prints.

The whole essence is to bring out the best in the “bibire” woman in keeping her mind fresh with versatility.

What are some of your fashion goals?

At bibire, our goal is to become the clothing company in Nigeria that will provide quality, classy Made in Nigeria apparel s for male and female.

From corporate and casual shirts to daytime to evening dresses to polo shirts, and the objective behind this it to be and stay “ Bibirecally endowed.

If you are to pick your favorite celebrity style wardrobe, who would it be?

Internationally: Mitchelle Obama Where do you see your clothing line five year from now?

Ten years from now, we see our company as a household name in different parts of the country and in neighboring Countries in Africa and outside the African continent. And the brand will be associated with success and successful people.

KL’s natural beauty bar berths in Ikoyi Lagos K

L’s a natural beauty supply store and salon focusing on natural products, recently opened its Ikoyi outlet.

Located at Ikorodu Crescent in Dolphin Estate, the new outlet stocks herbs and oils that aid the growth and ease the maintenance of natural hair.

Within the store is also a salon that caters to the care, styling and maintenance of natural hair. ”As our collective health

consciousness and awareness has grown, so has the need for products that don’t contain harmful substances that negatively impact our bodies; and for products that don’t contain ingredients that inhibit the natural growth potential of our hair (whether relaxed, transitioning or natural)’ says Kemi Lewis the CEO of KL’s.

According to Kemi their wide range of products is created from the very best nature has to

offer - Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Organic oils and herbs. Some of the products are: KL’s Naturals, Kinky Curly Knot Today, Giovanni, Aubrey Organics, Taliah Waajid, Tresemme Naturals, Suave Naturals, Shea Moisture etc.

Speaking further on the items to be found within the store, she highlighted the variety of Carrier Oils, essential oils, growth aids, herbs and clays, that clients

will be pleased with; particularly as most of these items are dual purpose - for hair and skin.

According to Kemi Lewis whose passion for hair and beauty care over the years led to the creation of KL’s, ‘We pride ourselves on giving that extra gentle care that our natural hair fiber require - in washing, T Shirt blotting (as opposed to abrasive towel rubbing) and gentle styling.

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08056180112

Your basket full of goodness L “

ET food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”.

Hippocrates got it right from the start. Food is medicine and medicine is food. Good food is good medicine that can prevent, reverse, and even cure disease. Bad food is bad medicine that causes and encourages disease. What this means is that good food makes us healthy while bad food makes us ill. If we want to be healthy, we should eat good food. If we take away the bad food, we take away ill health.

Constipation Good food is synonymous with good health, but if you have ever had constipation, it would be easy to appreciate the essence of not just eating well, but also eating right.

Constipation is usually more a disorder of bowel function rather than a structural problem. It begins with inadequate water intake or fibre in the diet, disruption of regular diet or routine; traveling, inadequate activity or exercise or immobility, eating large amounts of dairy products and stress. Other causes are resisting the urge to have a bowel movement, overuse of laxatives (stool softeners) which, over time, weaken the bowel muscles, neurological conditions, antacid medicines containing calcium or aluminum, strong analgesics, depression, eating

•Basket full of goodness... constipation. Only a small number of patients with constipation have a more serious medical problem. If constipation is caused by colon cancer, early detection and treatment is very important. The most common tests include blood tests, barium meal and colonoscopy.

E

at right, eat well Eat a well-balanced More than just fibre Increasing the fibre in the diet with plenty of fibre. Good diet can often help sources of fibre are fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole-

•The agony of constipation What’s “normal” varies from person to person. Some people go three times a day; others, three times a week. Although having a bowel movement once a day is common, it’s fine to go a few days without one. Constipation means having fewer than three bowel

You’re considered severely constipated if you have less than one movement a week

,

disorders and pregnancy among others. In some cases, lack of good nerve and muscle function in the bowel may also be a cause of constipation.

A bowel movement a day?

It is a myth that should have a bowel movement everyday.

Are you constipated?

Consider yourself constipated if you have two or more of the following symptoms: straining during a bowel movement more than 25 percent of the time; hard stools more than 25 percent of the time; incomplete evacuation more than 25 percent of the time and two or fewer bowel movements in a week.

,

movements per week. You’re considered severely constipated if you have less than one movement a week. However going longer than three days without a bowel movement is too long and should be investigated. After three days, the stool or feces become harder and more difficult to pass.

•Constipation is usually more a disorder of bowel function constipation. But chronic constipation can signal a real problem. It can indicate a poorly functioning thyroid gland or diabetes or can be the result of Parkinson’s disease or stroke, or a side effect of medications. In rare cases, constipation can signal illnesses such as colorectal cancer or autoimmune disease.

Diagnosis Most people do not need extensive testing to diagnose

grain bread, wheat, wholegrain foods, and bran cereal. Others are beans, pasta, brown rice, popcorn, almonds, pecans and walnuts, baked potato with skin, berries, and oatmeal. Fibre and water help the colon pass stool. Drink one to two litres of water and other fluids a day. Some people may need to avoid milk, as dairy products may be constipating for them. Exercise regularly and move your bowels

whenever you feel the urge.

Don’t postpone it.

If you are constipated If you are constipated, drink two to four extra glasses of water a day (unless fluid restricted). Try warm liquids, especially in the morning. Add fruits and vegetables to your diet. If needed, use a very mild stool softener or laxative (such as Morgan’s Milk of Magnesia). Beans, wholegrain breads with added fibre, fruit and vegetables can help get you there, too. Do not use laxatives for more than two weeks without doctor ’s advice, as laxative overuse can aggravate your symptoms.

Contact your doctor if constipation is a new problem for you or there is blood in your stool or your constipation has lasted more than two weeks.

What to eat, how and when A healthy diet usually contains fresh fruits and vegetables, protein-rich legumes, fish and whole grains, olive oil, with moderate amounts of red wine. Indulging in raw or lightly cooked broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale and other vegetables is healthy because they contain chemicals that turn on the body’s natural detoxifying enzymes. Fibre speeds the passage of stool through the colon; cells have less exposure to potentially carcinogenic waste.

44—SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

Parents’ horr or as Chinese bo horror boyy, 6, has his eyes gouged out arents’ horror as Chinese boy, 6, has his eyes gouged P out after being ‘kidnapped by organ trafficker who stole both his corneas’.A six-year-old Chinese boy had

his eyes gouged out after reportedly being kidnapped by an organ trafficker. Family members found the youngster covered in blood some three to four hours after he went missing while playing outside his home.

The child’s eyes were found nearby but the corneas were missing, reports said, implying that an organ trafficker was behind the harrowing attack.

Police offered a 100,000 yuan ($16,000) reward for

information leading to the arrest of the suspect, who they said was a woman. ‘He had blood all over his face.

His eyelids were turned inside out. And inside, his eyeballs were not there,’ his father told Shanxi Television.

Its report showed the heavily-bandaged boy being taken from an operating theatre and placed in a hospital bed, writhing in agony as family members stood at his bedside weeping. The boy was drugged and ‘lost consciousness’

The bab y with tw o heads baby two n eight-month-old baby who grew a second ‘head’ A has undergone surgery to have it removed.

Doctors say the second head was a ‘parasitic twin’,

weighed almost a kilo and had brain tissue within it.

The child, known as Tofajjal, was suffering from a rare disease called encephalomeningocele, said to affect one in 40,000-45,000 babies.

He has now had the ‘head’ removed in a painstaking five-hour operation, HealthIndia.com reported.

Neuro-surgeon Sisir Das, from Kolkata’s Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, told journalists outside: ‘Tofajjal was born with a rare deformity—there was a second head maturing on top of his head. ‘I have never operated on such a big lesion. It was a very critical operation and slightest slip-up during the vital surgery might have ended the life of the baby.’ He added that even returning Tofajjal to his parents was a challenge, as they live in a very remote village.

Autistic man, 49, has spent a third of his life behind bars

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utistic man, 49, has spent a third of his life be hind bars because he cannot control his compulsion to steal trains and pretend he is a railway worker. What started as a childhood obsession with trains has led to a 49-year-old man spending nearly a third of his life in jail for habitually pretending to be a subway driver. Darius McCollum has been arrested 29 times for driving trains on the subway, steal-

ing buses and pretending to be a conductor and railway worker. ‘I’ve always loved trains, ever since I can remember. I had the whole subway map memorized by the time I was 8,’ McCollum said. McCollum, who has spent 18 years in prison, has been at Rikers Island jail since his last arrest in 2010 for stealing a Trailways bus which he used to drive, an unwitting airline crew to JFK Airport on.

Does he know what she's up to?

T

hey are self-portraits which could land any young daughter in trouble with her parents. But when your father just so happens to be a prime minister, they are all the more troublesome. These raunchy self-portraits show Stephanie Key —the 20-year-old daughter of New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key. Miss Key is studying at a prestigious Paris arts school where she has created these astonishing self-portraits. They are being used to promote a show at Paris Design Week next month. The photographs could well prove embarrassing for her father as the images show his daughter in a number of revealing poses. Her sushi picture will be used to promote her college’s exhibition at Paris Design Week, starting on September 9. She is one of only six students with work featured in the promotional material. John Key is the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, and has been the leader of the country since 2008. He had led his party to victory in both the November 2008 and the November 2011 general elections.

08116759759 before the attacker removed his eyes, state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) said on its account on Sina Weibo, China’s version of Twitter.

However, once the boy was rushed to hospital doctors discovered that his eyes had been removed.

The illicit organ trade in China has been triggered by the disparity between the 300,000 people on hospital transplant waiting lists and the fact that only 10,000 organ transplant operations are performed each year.

Police arrest mother, 26, for murder

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olice arrest mother, 26, for murder after she ‘gave birth in bathroom of busy sports bar and dumped live baby in a toilet cistern before coolly returning to watch a wrestling match in bloodstained clothes’.

Employees at Starters Pub near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, found a dead baby inside the tank of the toilet in the women’s bathroom August 17.

Police say Amanda Catherine Hein, 26, of Allentown, admitted to giving birth to a live baby and suffocating it.

She said she had known she was pregnant for months and did not tell anyone about pregnancy or going into labour.

After allegedly killing her baby, Hein smoked a cigarette and continued watching pay-per-view wrestling for an hour until she went home. She could face the death penalty, if convicted.

SATURDAY, Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013—45

UNIBEN exquisite Prof gives out daughter in style rince Tony Afejuku was cynosure of all

P

L-R: The couple and parents of the bride, Prof. and Mrs Tony Afejuku, at the traditional wedding. Prof. Afejuku and parents of the groom, Osuu Sylvester Oduko and Chief (Mrs.) Oduko.

eyes recently in Benin City when the Professor gave out his medical doctor daughter in marriage to the Odukos. The deluxe wedding was well attended and witnessed by members of the academia, political class, civil rights personages, family members, friends of the Afejukus and the Odukos from far and near.

The couple exchange the nuptial oaths at Holy Cross Cathedral followed by the reception at the Constantia Hotel, both in Benin City, Edo State.

Photos by Barnabas Uzosike

L-R:Prof. Hope Eghagha (Higher Education Commissioner, Delta State.), Prof. Afejuku and Mr. Reuben Izeze (SA to Delta State Governor)

Prince Ogedegbe (left), Head of the Afejuku family and other family members

L-R:Prof. Union Edebiri (OFR) of Uniben, Prof.

L-R:Prof. Afejuku and parents of the groom, Osuu Sam Oyovbaire (Former Federal Information Sylvester Oduko and Chief (Mrs.) Oduko.

Minister under IBB) and Prof. Austin Asagba of Uniben

Unipor w platinum Uniportt no now member of A VU AVU From left; VC Uniport – Prof. Joseph T. Ajienka, Deputy VC (Academics Uniport) Prof.

Andrew Ighofovwe Joe and Prof. Hyacinth Ibe Dike Director of Uniport’s ODL Centre.

The Perm Sec. Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. MacJohn Nwaobiala, Federal Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyah Ahmed Rufa’i, the Rector African Virtual University,(AVU) Dr. Bakary Diallo.

C M Y K

T

he University of Port Harcourt is a platinum member of the African Virtual University (AVU) – a Pan A f r i c a n Intergovernmental Organisation established in 1997 and funded by the African Development Bank (AFDB) with a mission to increase access to quality Higher Education and Training through the innovative use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

AVU has its headquarters in Kenya with a regional office in Dakar, Senegal.

The Hon. Minister, the Federal Ministry of Education, Prof.

Ruqayyah Ahmed Rufa’i signed the charter of the African Virtual University (AVU) on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, while the Rector, Dr. Bakary Diallo signed on behalf of the African Virtual University.

Parents of the bride (in middle) and Chief Yaya Pessu, (Ojomo of Warri Kingdom, chairman of wedding reception) and Mrs. Pessu.

Osa yi and K ehinde Osayi Kehinde

M

r. Kehinde Lasisi and former Miss Osayi Osar-Emokpae sealed their union in a Holy matrimony at the Foursquare Gospel Church, City of Refuge, Lakeview Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos last weekend.

Mr. Kehinde Lasisi and former Miss Osayi Osar-Emokpae

46 — SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013—47

We're committed to improving power supply —Prof Nebo

BY UCHE ANEKE

T

he Minister of Power, Profes sor Chinedu Nebo has ap plauded the successes already recorded in the power sector transformation agenda. Professor Nebo who spoke with a cross section of the Nigerian media recently in Abuja said that slow and steady progress has been recorded especially in government’s efforts to boost power supply in some parts of the country.

In a definitive tone of assurance, the Minister stated that “ we are determined to give light to Nigerians and we will surely do that”. Indeed, government’s interventions in critical projects in the generation, distribution and transmission companies have led to obvious improvement in power supply in some parts of the country as evidenced by a litany of testimonies across the country. Recently jubilation broke out in parts of Anambra State South East Nigeria, in appreciation of significant improvement in electricity. Also two weeks ago, Mr. Frank Ilogu, Manager of the White View Hotels in Akwa acknowledged the 24/7 power supply in that city. Mr. Ilogu said that his public acknowledgment was to give kudos to the federal government and to certify that the impact has brought a lot of positive changes in the hospitality industry as funds which hitherto were used for diesel purchase to power generator sets are now being used to address other needs of the sector. In another testimony, the Minister of Power revealed that a friend of his in Akwa called to inform him that generator sellers in that area are complaining that it has been bad business since the city recently began to receive 24/7 power supply. Prominent people in Kaduna state have also been writing to thank the federal government through the Power Minister for improved power supply in that State.

Statistics recently compiled by a power sector observer groups indicate that on the average, daily power supply in Akwa stands at 24 hours, Kaduna 22 hours; Enugu 20 hours, Lagos 18 to 20 hours while Abuja, Kano and other parts of the Federal Capital Territory gets 18 to 22 hours. On the whole, NOI Polls’ international indicate a 38% general improvement across the country.

Speaking on this development, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali de-

Professor Chinedu Nebo scribed the improvement as the tip of the iceberg, assuring Nigerians that service delivery in the power sector could only improve given the attention and the energy being directed into the sector. According to him, when the ongoing critical emergency maintenance on some plants is completed, power supply will be boosted across the entire country and areas which have not started to experience long hours of power supply will begin to do so.

He applauded the efforts and the political will of President Goodluck Jonathan whom he said has since given approval for the emergency funding intervention required for the critical projects. The implication of this is obvious as dark days which characterized the sector for years will soon disappear. Small and medium scale businesses are expected to peak while economic and social activities will surely thrive on the much needed and indispensable power. But those who may not be excited by the improved service delivery are those

When the ongoing critical emergency maintenance on some plants is completed, power supply will be boosted across the entire country and areas which have not started to experience long hours of power supply will begin to do so

who are in the business of selling generator sets. Improved electricity supply in the country potentially puts this class of the country’s population out of business. When asked about the fate of the generator sellers in the country, Professor Nebo advised them to start winding up as their services may not be required in the not too distant future.

He disclosed that he stopped using a generator in his house as soon as he was appointed Minister. This he said is to enable him share the same experience with those Nigerians who experience epileptic power supply.

However he was quick to say that by the grace of God and going by the efforts of the government, many Nigerians would soon join him in jettisoning their generator sets. To arrive at the present state has not been an easy journey. This is because the Minister of Power was confronted with some critical problems on assumption of office which include, but are not limited to, inadequate funding for critical elements of the sector and zero funding of generating and distribution companies in the 2013 budget.

The zero funding was based on the assumption that the companies would be taken over by the new owners by December 2012 but this was not the case. Using his depth of knowledge and administrative competence, Prof.

Nebo quickly sought the urgent and decisive intervention of Mr. President and this has resulted in the noticeable improvement in power supply in some parts of the country. The Minister has continued to focus on improving service delivery through the implementation of the transmission emergency programme as well as the timely conclusion of the privatization process, now at its climax Today, the labour issues in the sector are being concluded with the payment of the severance package for PHCN workers. 10 DisCos and 5

GenCos have been privatized and new owners have already paid 25% of their financial commitments to government. Official records indicate that many of the new owners paid 75% balance early this week. Full takeover of the companies is therefore imminent, ushering in the much expected transitional electricity market.

Just recently, the power reform train moved on faster, as successful bidders were announced for Afam GenCo and Kaduna DisCo. Similarly, the National Council on Privatisation, a couple of days ago, prequalified 82 consortia for the sale of 10 National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) plants across the country under the federal government privatization policy for the power sector.

There is also a sustained effort to diversify the energy mix in the country through international partnership. For instance, Nigeria and China recently entered into a bilateral agreement with regard to power development.

Power China Corporation is to establish gas–fired plants to generate 20,000MW and help raise resources to build 10,000km of super grid. A Chinese firm is to build a 1,200MW coal plant and also contribute 20-25% equity for transmission lines. A Korean company is to provide 1,000MW of solar energy every year for the next 10 years. It is also on record that the 700MW Zungeru power plant project was recently flagged off by President Jonathan while the 3,050MW Mambilla project will soon be underway in line with the dogged determination exhibited by power sector Managers of recent, in reforming the industry. From the foregoing, it is clear that Nigerians are in for brighter days. What is required is a more dogged push as well as the support and goodwill of Nigerians for resultoriented efforts for the government to actualize its ambitious goal of providing stable electricity to all Nigerians.

48— Vanguard, SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2013

Controversy trails demolition of hotel in Onitsha where human heads were recovered

BY EVELYN USMAN

•Detention of arrested persons illegal— NOPRIN

O

•The hotel, being demolished

•IGP, MD Abubakar assuming a n alarming proportion, nothing whatsoever can justify any crime fighting policy or measure that is contrary to the fundamental law of the country that violates human rights, subverts due process and observance of the rule of law.. “ Among the hallmarks and cardinal principles of democracy include respect for human rights, principle compliance with the due process and observance of the rule of law . Any law enforcement or crime fighting approach that compromises or falls foul of any of these basic democratic principles, will not only be unlawful and criminal but will be counter productive.

Democracy is protected by the rule of law. The absence of it will be anarchy which is a threat to democracy.

“The prevailing situation in Anambra State, whereby the state government demolishes property of any person accused of a crime, without any judicial process or valid order of court amounts to lawlessness. It is a policy that promotes self help.

It is susceptible to abuse and creates room for the persecution or witch hunting of

•Gov. Peter Obi political opponents or personal vendetta.

Illegal arrest

“M

r. Mokwe and 13 of i s workers arrested along with him,including a Doctorate Degree student at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, who works part time in the hotel to pay for his studies have remained in detention at SARS Awkuzu till date without h

custody, we called and inquired directly from the OC SARS, CSP Nwafor on the condition of Mr. Mokwe in police custody. He only confirmed to us that Mr. Mokwe was still in their custody and alive. He however, refused to state how soon the police will charge him to court or f r e e him. Since then, we were informed, he had been unchained and his wife and counsel allowed to see him some times of the day.

The police violated Mr. Mokwe’s rights to due process and presumption of innocence by detaining him indefinitely.

Mr. Mokwe’s family insists that he was framed up by business rivals and enemies who had earlier threatened to plant incriminating objects and use the police to deal with him. They contend that the demolished

,

N August 1, 2013, an unprecedented crowd gathered in front of Upper House Hotel, 8 Market road, Onitsha , Anambra State, to witness its demolition, following the discovery of two human heads and ammunitions by operatives of the Anambra State Police Command.

Consequently, proprietor of the hotel, Mr Bonaventure Mokwe, alongside 13 of his staff were reportedly arrested.

Controversy has however begun to trail the demolition action allegedly on the directive of the Anambra State Government and the continued detention of the suspects.

Although the hotel proprietor’s wife, Mrs Nkiru Mokwe, had earlier cried foul over the demolition of her husband’s hotel, even as she had raised alarm that her husband’s life was in danger.

Throwing its weight behind Mrs Mokwe’s cry of injustice, the Network on Police Reform in Nigeria, NOPRIN, comprising 46 civil society organisations spread across the country,with the aim of promoting police accountability and respect for human rights has described the continuous detention of the suspects without trail as unconstitutional.

Taking a swipe on the state government, NOPRIN also accused operatives of the state command’s Special AntiRobbery Squad,SARS for working for the interest of politicians, rather than the Nigeria Police Force. It therefore, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar to reorganise SARS with a view to insulating them from abuse of office.

Asserting that there was more to the demolition of the hotel than the alleged discovery of human heads, NOPRIN’s Programme and Advocacy Coordinator, Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma , while briefing newsmen on the development, stated that : “ the Anambra State Government ‘s policy of extralegal demolition of properties of persons accused of crime in the state is condemnable. The state government’s rationalisation that such clearly illegal and primitive action is in line with its policy to sustain the fight against crime and criminality , is preposterous and unfounded in logic and law.

While violent crime plagues Anambra State as most other states in Nigeria and daily

Police claimed to have recovered fresh human heads dripping with blood from the hotel, what they actually displayed to the media were two dried skulls

any indication from the police as to what next step they want to take.

“Following complaints received by NOPRIN on August 4, that Mr. Mokwe was detained, chained and being tortured, with fears that he may be extra judicially killed in

,

hotel was a commercial property that was accessible to anyone who could pay for room rental and could implant human skulls there. onflicting report “The Mokwe’s family said that although the Police claimed to have recovered

C

fresh human heads dripping with blood from the hotel, what they actually displayed to the media were two dried skulls.

NOPRIN believes that if the police have credible evidence to prosecute the accused persons, they should not delay to charge and arraign them before a competent court of jurisdiction. His continued detention in SARS cell without trial is illegal, unconstitutional and condemnable. NOPRIN has already petitioned the Inspector-General of Police on this matter.

The Nigerian Constitution guarantees, among others: rights to life, liberty, fair hearing and due process. It prohibits torture,cruel, inhuman and other degrading treatment, and gives victims of human rights violations a right to seek redress in court. The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights {Ratification and Enforcement) Act, which makes the African Charter part of Nigeria’s domestic law, reinforces these human rights guarantees which are essential for effective policing.

Indicts operatives of SARS “ e have received information about an unholy alliance between the Anambra State Government and the authorities at SARS in Awkuzu whose operatives operate as if they are above the law and accountability. The use of SARS to provide security for illegal demolition of people’s property appear to underscore this unholy alliance.

SARS is under police Force Criminal Investigation Department specifically charged to combat armed robbery and other heinous crimes nationwide. But SARS in all parts of Nigeria has gained embarrassing notoriety , tainting the image of the Nigerian Police locally and internationally, and should either be scrapped or comprehensively reformed to conform to modern standards of policing or human rights compliant policing.

“SARS operatives are known for arresting people for all manner of alleged offences, torturing,and executing suspects, and detainees in their custody are secretly illtreated. They also dabble into civil disputes.

We therefore, call on Anambra State government to discharge its governance responsibilities lawfully and put a stop to all illegal, barbaric policies and actions,” Nwanguma stated.

W

Vanguard, SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012—49

Stories by ONOZURE DANIA

T

EMITOPE Oladejo,26, never envisaged that the once blossoming romance between her and her lover, Ahmed Babalola, would go sour, judging by the endearing manner at which Bablola pampered her from the onset.

But today, she is looking a shadow of her old self ,following several scars on her body allegedly inflicted on her

by Babalola.

Trouble according to her, started after she discovered that her lover was smoking Indian hemp. Out of concern ,she reportedly accosted him, only to be given the beaten of her life.

In this interview with Crime Guard, she barely managed to speak. She had bloodstained eyes and swollen face, no thanks to another round of beaten she received from her live-in-lover Babalola.

Narrating what she described as her greatest undoing , she said:“he came back home recently and I found a wrap of Indian hemp on him. I knew he smokes but never knew he was into Indian hemp. I pleaded with him to quit but he kept quiet.

Next day, I told him I was going to visit my mum that was ill. He also said he was going out but that he was not having any money on him. I told him I had N300 which I opted to share with him .

But when I went to take my

Woman battered for cautioning lover against smoking Indian hemp

•Temitope bath, he searched my bag and found N2000. He asked where I got the money from and I told him it was not mine.

At that point, he started ranting, looking for an avenue for another round of beating.

I reminded him that I was

not owing him because he usually goes out and comes in without caring to drop money for our little daughter ’s upkeep. Before I knew it, he gave a hot slap on my face and started beating me. When I attempted to shout to alert neighbours, he picked a towel and gagged me. I managed to escape . But by then, he had inflicted injuries all over my face” Asked why she had not bothered to report to her family or that of Babalola, she disclosed that they were not legally married. Also asked why she did not deem it fit to report the matter to the police, she winked, saying, “ I have on several occasions reported the incessant battering to the police. But each time, they would ask me to go home and resolve the issue with him.

He beats me at the slightest provocation, particularly when I cautioned him against smoking Indian hemp. My worry was not only his smoking attitude but the fact that each time, he comes asking me to give him money and when I refused, he would beat me up.

As if that was not enough, he threatened to beat up my mother when I ran to her place for treatment. He told her to leave

us alone that she had no right over his relationship with me”.

NGO to her rescue Determined to put a stop to the beating, she said she was refereed to the Rights and Empowerment Advocacy Initiative,from where the case was charged to court.

In a letter to the President/ Executive Director of Citizens Rights and Empowerment Advocacy Initiative,CREMA Comrade Rex Kennedy Saltlove, titled “Assistance to Intervene on Assault Case and Petition to Stop the Intimidation of My Mum and I by Mr Ahmed Babalola, Oladejo appealed for immediate steps to be taken before Babalola snuffed life out of her and her mum.

The case, has been charged to Magistrate’s Court 8,with the next hearing coming up on September 7, 2013.But relatives according to her, were trying to pacify her to settle the case out of court.

There is however, a new twist to the whole saga as Oladejo said she received a phone call few days ago, where the caller who identified himself as a policeman, requested to see her and her mum at Area ‘M’ Command, Idimu,that there was a petition of threat to life against them by Babalola.

Guard, two others remanded in prison for robbing boss

A

security man, Monday Abdul,28, and two others, were Thursday , remanded in prison by a Lagos Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ikeja, over alleged robbery, pending legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution.

The trio:Abdul,Mohammed Dungus,24and Mohammed Isah,19 faced a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery preferred against them by the police.

The Police prosecutor, Inspector Roman Unuigbe, told the court that the defendants and others at large, committed the alleged crime on August 18, 2013, at about 11pm, at Unity Avenue, Ado road in Ajah area of Lagos.

The defendants according to him, were armed with pump action guns and cutlasses and robbed one Mr Thompson Shebi, dispossessing him of his

wife’s jewelries and a box valued N1.5million, including a wrist watch , valued N1.5million.

Other items allegedly dispossessed from Shebi, were computer gadgets,one IPad phone valued at N350,000 and a cash of N500,000.

Abdul,a security guard to Shebi, allegedly connived with others to rob his boss. He was said to have informed them to strike on a day his boss was supposed to travel.

Unknown to him, his boss had postponed the journey. But the robbers reportedly stormed the building that fateful day where they reportedly operated unmolested.

The offense committed according to the prosecutor, contravened section 2 (a) and punishable under section 3 (1) of the robbery and firearms (Special Provision) Act, Cap 398, Vol XXii, laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990, as

amended.

However, when the charge was read to the defendants, they pleaded not guilty. But

their plea was not taken as Magistrate Hamzat, ordered that they should be remanded in prison custody, pending the

legal advice from DPP and the case adjourned to October 10, 2013, for mention.

… As 43yr old man docked for stealing N3.4M worth of PMS

A

43-year-old man, Segun Moses Ogungbesan,was Thursday, docked before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court, sitting in Ikeja, for allegedly stealing 33,000 liters’ of Premium Motor Spirit,PMS worth N3.4million, belonging to one Mr Ikhide Osaisebor.

The defendant, who is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing preferred against him by the police, was arraigned before Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe.

The police prosecutor,Assistant Superintendent of Police Iranus Nnamonu, told the court that the defendant and others at large committed the alleged offense on April 22, 2013, at about 12pm, at 47, Shipelu street , Apapa, Lagos.

He said that the defendant obtained 33,000 liters of PMS, under false pretence

that he was going to remit the sum of N3,420,000 to Ikhide, being proceeds from the product but never did.

According to him, the offense committed, was punishable under section 312 (b) and 278 (b), of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

But the defendant, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Magistrate Komolafe therefore, granted him bail, in the sum of N 500,000, with two sureties in like sum, who must be gainfully employed; one of who must be a blood relation and must be a tax payer with his address verified.

She, further adjourned the case to October 18, 2013, for mention, while the defendant was remanded in prison, pending when he would perfect his bail conditions.

50—Vanguard, SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2013

Our mission is to re-orient, harness talents of Nigerian youths—Ezeoyibo errence Uche Ezeoyibo, T Managing Director/CEO, Homeland International Maga-

zine, Solukorp Media Prints. In this chart with Saturday Vanguard Business, has realised the need to harness talents of Nigerian youths hence “Go- Swimming”. This swimming pool game designed to bring about re-orientation, reforms in the lives of average participants mostly youths through the services of motivational and professional speakers. Excepts: For the sake of this interview, what is “Go Swimming” all about?

Go Swimming is a multifarious organization aimed at curbing youth restiveness and as well equipping them with basic information on how to get rid of those vices bent on destroying their career and our society at large. Go Swimming is a kind of competition set up to improve and sustain sports, comedy in Nigeria and Africa. The word “Go Swimming” simply means, taking out time to either swimming in the pool or river for a pleasure – getting involved in activities happening around you, the society or a particular scenario.

Why are you introducing it now?

The reason why we are introducing Go Swimming is because we are targeting to bring the youths together with formidable information that would help them pursue their destiny. So it is not only about swimming, it is about reform. For instance, in

today’s Nigeria, many of our youths are into robbery, kidnapping, 419, yahoo yahoo, wasting time watching pornographic sites and criminality everywhere. We tend to tackle all this through this programme by inviting motivational speakers from all works of life to speak to them for a change of behaviour and for the betterment of the society. It’s an international visionary body of professionals who are divinely inspired, motivated, equipped and commissioned with a unique and special mandate to promote expertise and professionalism through career counselling. We are going to focus more on career counselling, seminars, human development, nation-building and quality education, etc.

Is the programme designed only for the youths?

This competition is open for boys and girls, youths and adults, business men and women. Everyone should develop interest in this competition and as a means of exercising themselves, catching fun and all

Nigerian Digital Agency Wild Fusion Expands tto o K en Ken enyya

W

ild Fusion, a digital mar keting agency is now pursuing its African expansion programme as it opens shop in Nairobi, Kenya.

Wild Fusion, which was founded by entrepreneur Abasiama Idaresit, manages a port-

Indomie leads the pack in Noodles segment … emerges coolest noodles brand at generation next awards

igeria’s leading N Noodles brand, Indomie Instant Noodles from

the stables of Dufil Prima Foods Plc, has once again added to its long list of laurels, by emerging as the coolest noodles brand in the country at the maiden edition of the BusinessDay Generation Next Survey Launch awards held in Lagos recently.

The award which was organized by BusinessDay in collaboration with HDI Youth Marketeers Nigeria, a youth marketing company with a specialized focus on connecting brands to their target audience within the youth segment through research and insight generation, creation and management of platform, activations and event, was aimed at recognizing and awarding the top 50 leading brands in the country across various sectors.

Also speaking during the award presentation, the Editor in Chief of BusinessDay Newspaper, Professor Onwuchekwa Jemie, further ex-

that. That is why after asking myself a question; what can I do that would make a real difference?

I discovered that thinking differently and doing things in a unique way helps one to excel.

What does it take to qualify for this competition?

From 18 years and above you are qualified to participate in the competition. Experience is not needed. It’s all about the game.

That is what we call, game in the swimming pool.

Is there room for registration before participation?

Yes. Registering for the game is a means we can generate fund for prize winners. You know in Nigeria without registration, you find it difficult to get sponsorship.

So, the only way we can get money to fund it is through registration.

The mission?

The mission is to encourage the Nigerian youths with an irresistible entrepreneurial capability for top flight, maximum productivity in careers. Again, to nurture

plained that the rationale behind the event is to distinguish and reward the leading brands in the country at the same time encourage upcoming brands, to aspire to reach a level where they would be recognized and celebrated as well.

Receiving the award on behalf of Indomie, the Public Relations Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju thanked the organizers of the event, while also commending them for their objectivity, transparency and hard work put into organizing an award of this status.

Continuing he said, “I am indeed grateful to the organizers of this event for seeing us as worthy of this award. I would also like to use this opportunity to tell our consumers that this feat would do well to spur us on as we would not relent in our efforts in ensuring that Indomie maintains its unequalled standard, in terms of quality, product delivery and magnanimity when it comes to CSR”.

folio of leading players in Nigeria’s Banking, Telco and FMCG sectors.

Speaking on the expansion, Idaresit says: “We are very excited about this opportunity offering our quality digital marketing services to brands and advertisers in Kenya, we believe through our services we empower businesses to succeed.”

Wild Fusion was Google’s first local certified adwords partner, and a digital agency to leading local and international brands. Its services include, digital marketing, digital strategy, media buying, online media sales, social and mobile marketing services Its client list includes Unilever, Diamond Bank, Vodafone and other leading blue-chip companies in Nigeria and Ghana.

Ezeoyibo: Let's contribute to youth development young people who have natural Your message to Nigerians flair for a particular dream, on Go Swimming? sports, art, etc. And moreover to Nigerians should know that promote and project the rich cul- apart from “Who Wants To Be a tural heritage of our nation, Ni- Millionaire”, “Project Fame”, geria. Youths these days need “Guilder Ultimate Search”, Big motivation to exhibit their talents. Brother Africa; Maltina Dance So, discovering and maximising etc. These projects have really their God-given talents through affected lives positively. Nigerisearch, development and em- ans need more of these like “Gopowerment would help them Swimming,” for it to go round. build legacy for future genera- That is why we are coming up tions. with this to contribute or make However, through the compe- impact in the lives of Nigerian tition, we would celebrate some youths and others. So, those who of those personalities who have would qualify should Endeavour impacted positively on the lives to participate. of others particularly youths.

YOUR MENTORS: Mr. Niyi Are you organizing it in La- Olatokumbo(MD/CEO),Philli & gos only or other states in the Moore/Metro Taxi.(2) Charles B country? of Metro FM, shearing life isOur intention is to take it to all sues. (3)Archbishop Prophet the states in Nigeria for maxi- Samson Benjamin Mustapha mum benefits. But Lagos will be (African Major Prophet), Resurthe grand finale where winners rection Praise Ministries For from other states will gather Africa.(4) Dr. Prophet Papa Frank together for prizes.

Lloyd (USA).

WAWA , seeks tto o empo wer empow young Nigerian entrepreneurs

W

est African Women As sociation (WAWA), World Express Design had concluded a two day international conference, workshop and exhibition held at ECOWAS Secretariat, Onikan, Lagos on the need to empower young Nigerian entrepreneurs for onward productivity and global competition.

Speaking on the purpose of the conference, Chief Mrs. Beatrice O. Ubeku (JP), MFR,

L-R: Igwe Sunywhite Obiaku Eze Diora Nma 111 of Ojo; His Royal Highness, Eze Dr John Nwosu, Asuwaju Ndi Igbo of Mushin Land; Chief Solomon Ogbonna,Chairman BOT AAF, at the launching of Aguene Art Foundation, Ajah, Lagos.

said, the programme is designed to contribute to other national and international efforts to empower young Nigerian entrepreneurs to compete globally in business, and create more jobs for graduates.

According to her, it is very important that together we build a better and stronger nation with good business opportunities for Nigerians, empower and create more jobs for the teaming growing population of our young people in this great country.

Ubeku said, it is for this purpose that ECOWAS did not hesitate to let go their own programme to allow us the use of this hall, adding that, it is the responsibility of all of us to contribute our individual and collective quotas for us as a people to live in unity, love, peace, and tranquility.

She advised stakeholders, all and sundry to continually think and work towards a Nigeria that our young people and the generations yet to come will proudly grow up in.

In WAWA we believe in networking Ubeku said, while she commended World Express Design programme projected

by Deborah Magbegor for her collaboration and also a member.

SATURDAY Vanguard,

AUGUST 31, 2013—51

Edo Police declare war on kidnapper s ... as 24 year-old man defiles 4 year old child By SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY

F

ollowing what could be described as the persis tent effort of kidnappers to ensure that residents of Benin City do not sleep, security agencies in the state have stepped up their efforts too to ensure that Edo state is not made a haven for kidnappers.

The trend became worrisome recently, after three primary school teachers, Mrs Patience Osadolor, Patience Oroghene and Aisha Momodu were abducted by suspected kidnappers. The suspected kidnappers later demanded the sum of N60million from the families, but later reduced the ransom fee to N7.5million. Consequently, teachers in the state embarked on protest around the streets of Benin calling for their release. They however regained their freedom last weekend. The kidnappers struck again penultimate Monday when they abducted the Vice-Chairman of Uhumnwonde Local Government Council of Edo state, Mr Walter Aiwekhoe, while on his way to office but he escaped few hours later from where he was kept in the forest. The incident was said to have happened at about 10am around Ugha, along the Benin-Auchi road.

An eyewitness stated that the suspected kidnappers blocked the Vice-Chairman’s vehicle with a jeep and ordered him out of his car. They shot sporadically before forcing him into their waiting vehicle. However, at about 1pm, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the Council, Mr Osaro Best Idahosa who earlier confirmed the incident to Saturday Vanguard said the Vice Chairman escaped from his captives at Obiaruku, in Delta State from the forest where he was kept.

According to him, “ we are celebrating here because he just called from Obiaruku in Delta state that he is presently at the police station. He said he escaped from where they kept him and ran towards the road where he met policemen.

So we are going to pick him up

from the police station in Obiaruku”.

The news of the escape doused the tension at the Council last week, as youths and policemen stormed the bush in search of the Vice-Chairman.

Saturday Vanguard learnt that shortly after the kidnap operation, the Edo state Police Commissioner Folunsho Adebanjo went into action with his men with a view to ensure that the suspects are apprehended. The Commissioner had ordered his men to comb the bushes in the area in collaboration with youths of the area.

But following his earlier resolve to flush out kidnappers and other criminals from the state, the Edo state Police Commissioner, Mr Adebanjo paraded 44 suspected kidnappers including those involved in the recent kidnap of three primary school teachers. Addressing newsmen on the breakthrough in its battle against criminals in the state, State Police Commissioner, Foluso Adebanjo expressed satisfaction over the achievement, adding that the suspects will soon be charged to court.

“We are working day and night to ensure that crime remains low. These kidnappers we have here have been going after women and children and I have warned them before to either

Members of a suspected kidnap ring and alleged kidnappers of recently released two primary school female teachers, Morrison Gajah and Edimere Pawuru, during their parade, by the Edo State Police Command penultimate Wednesday. Photo: James Azania

to us, particularly kidnappers.

We have three of those who kidnapped the three teachers and I want to use this opportunity to warn these criminals that it is either they leave the state or they repent. You cannot kidnap in Edo state and go free.

Those who kidnapped the teachers were arrested the second day and the teachers were freed. We knew they were somewhere but because we didn’t want to jeopardize the lives of the teachers, we relaxed and were monitoring them. So they were rounded up immediately the teachers were freed. Sometimes, when these things happen, we need time in order not to jeopardize the life of the victims. Any kidnapper or armed robber in Edo State will eventually be arrested. It may take us time but we will always get them”.

The Command also disclosed assortment of ammunition and firearms, including locally made and foreign guns, seized from the suspected criminals.While disclosing that about 500 suspected kidnappers are being prosecuted in the State, he vowed that any form of criminality in the State would be met with extreme force. Narrating the capture of some of the sus-

Those who kidnapped the teachers were arrested the second day and the teachers were freed. We knew they were somewhere but because we didn’t want to jeopardize the lives of the teachers, we relaxed and were monitoring them repent or reap the fruit of their labour. We only need the cooperation of the public. All of us must be security conscious for us to have a peaceful society. The people we are parading now, some of them are child defilers and that is even ungodly. And people must not be careless. Some of us leave our doors open when we go to bed and most of the perpetrators of these crimes are people close

pected kidnappers who masterminded the abduction of Patience Osadolor, Patience Oroghene and Aisha Momodu, teachers of Orhogbua Primary School, in Ekenwan community, Ovia North East Local Government Area, who were recently freed from abductors den, Adebanjo stressed the need for residents to beware of people, some of whom he said parade themselves as

community leaders.

One of the suspected kidnappers, Morrison Gajah (45), who claimed to be a community leader, confessed to purchasing the guns used in the teachers’ abduction, but denied being in the know of activities of the perpetrators. He said, “I am Chairman of Ekenwa Community CDA and over a year ago, we bought two locally made guns and one pump-action from Joseph Oteh. We were keeping them in the community, but I shuttle between there (Ekenwan) and Benin and these boys (pointing at (Edimere Pawuru), had the weapons in their custody, to commit the crime.”

P

awuru in turn denied di rect link with the teach ers’ abduction, claiming that those that carried out the act escaped from their houses on sighting the police. Among others paraded were armed robbery suspects: Onaiwu Jeffrey, Omoghia Jesuf, Ibrahim Buba, Ebose Endurance, Sunday Esosa, Imafidon Ehigie and Osaze Oshenoma from whom the Command said it recovered two locally made pistols, seven live cartridges, two hand gloves and four handsets.

Friday Sunday, a 24- year- old man was arrested for defiling a four-year-old daughter of his wife. He narrated that, “ I am from Cross River State. This small girl we are talking about is the daughter of my wife. She had her with another man before we got married. She was

staying in the village until they brought her to come and stay with us. I even opposed it because we were just starting life but she insisted. So, she brought her to the house and we have been staying together and I took her like my daughter. It was on Monday when the mother traveled to Lagos, the twin sister of my wife came to stay with us in the house and all of us were playing together.

But it was on Friday at about 12pm that I didn’t know what came over me and I fingered the small girl. I did not insert my penis into her but the devil entered inside me to finger her”.

The Police also paraded one 47 year-old Godwin Idon Ojeikhoa who confessed murdering his wife, Maris at Uzebba, Owan West local Government Council of Edo state, over alleged confiscation of his documents by the deceased. According to him, “ I actually stabbed her with a kitchen knife because I discovered that my Unity Bank Passbook and the land document I kept in the house was missing. I asked her where the papers were but she refused to answer. I asked her to return the documents but she refused. So I started beating her and in that process, I stabbed her with a knife. She started running. I pursued her and used a 2x2 plank to hit her to death. I don’t know what came over me” Also, one 18 year-old Bukola Ojo confessed how she murdered one Elvis Zaka who resided at Asese Street, off Upper Sakpoba Road. She narrated that “ Elvis has been making advances at me and said he loves me but I said I am not interested in any relationship with him. He had been bothering me for a long time but on that particular day, I was eating when he came and dipped his finger inside my soup.

I got up and started abusing him but he dragged my head and hit it on the wall. I got a machete and threw it at him so that he would leave me alone but I did not know that it gave him a deep cut in the stomach and that was how he died”.

52—SATURDAY

Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

Why I want to contest N/Assembly election — Erewa

Hon Meyiwa Jehoida Erewa (JP)

Hon Meyiwa Jehoida Erewa (JP) is a renown Charterd Surveyor and Estate Valuer in Delta State. A man of many parts, Erewa is the pioneer Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Warri South Local Government Area of the State. With an eye on the House of Representative come 2015, he speaks in this interview with Gab Ejuwa, on how to provide an all -inclusive representation for the multi-ethnic W a r r i Federal Constituency and other issues.

Excerpt

What special qualities do you think you possess that has made groups and people call on you to contest forHouse of Representatives elections come 2015 ?

Since I joined politics several years age, I have been in the vanguard of politics that will better mankind. There were three principles that made me join politics then : I cannot sit and watch some persons that are not experienced to be my leader; secondly, I cannot be here begging cap- in- hand when politics is there to enhance the economy; and thirdly, I won’t allow politics to insult my institution. By institution, I mean, myself, family, tribe and culture. There are instances where persons of substance because they are not in politics, their cars are impounded and dropped in the council until they pay huge amounts of money before it can be released but those who are in politics that are uneducated park at the centre of the road and yet their vehicles are not impounded. With all these reasons, I believe that politics will go a long way to promote my institution, release me from begging and improve the economy.

Why did you accept these calls, knowing that politics in Nigeria requires a lot of money?

I don’t believe in money politics because when I came into politics, I didn’t spend money. I believe in the quality in you, the way the peo-

ple assess and accept you. All these years, I have been in politics, I have grown to the height of my profession where I can be comfortable with myself. But sitting at home and my office will not help mankind. Many people today are in their homes and offices comfortable and yet others are suffering. Politics is not all about money. It is about service and bringing development to the people. Let me digress a little, Daudu street area where I hail from in Warri is still the way it was in 1948 . No development.

If you view the area I am talking about from the air, you will see that the colonial masters did a lot in terms of infrastructure. Most of the structures there were built by the colonial masters. The road network is quite okay but the conviniences should be in line with modern trends. Most of the houses in this area have no such facilities. Those that built them are all dead and those enjoying it today cannot develop it, all they are looking for is how tenants can pay them money. The government can help by coming up with a policy and asking them to come with the survey plan of their land, then they will come into agreement, call the pay back period. Then, the government will develop the land. Thereafter, the man who owns the land will be collecting 40 percent of the rent, while government will collect 60 percent till the amount for the development would be completed. With such a policy, you will find out that we will bring a new life and development to these areas and these are the things politics only can do. It is only the government and multinational companies that can do it.

Ofcourse, the multinational companies will not do it because they are here to maximize their

profit. I believe if given the opportunity to serve at the Federal House of Representatives, I will attract government to do it because I want to be in government to protect the minority. |How do you intend to give an all inclusive representation vis-a-vis the multi-ethnic setting of the Warri Federal Constituency and your take on zoning of political position in Nigeria?

All democracies are peculiar in Nigeria, because our federal character zoning has contrib-

No politician from Warri South LGA has represented the constituency in the Federal House of Representatives while Warri South- West LGA and Warri North LGA have been there for two tenures each and we are saying that for political stability, equity, justice and fair play, 2015 is the turn of Warri South LGA

,

uted immensely to our oneness, peace and political stability. It has given a sense of belonging to all sections of the country and it is my candid opinion that it should be given legal backing by enshrining it ‘in the Nigerian constitution.“If you take the Warri Federal Constituency for example, you will find out that since 1999 when democracy came to stay permanently in Nigeria, no politician from Warri South LGA has represented the constituency in the Federal House of Representatives while Warri South- West LGA and Warri North LGA have been there for two tenures each and we are saying that for political stability, equity, justice and fair play, 2015 is the turn of Warri South LGA. I support zoning because of it’s unifying force. There is no place in Nigeria where you don’t have different ethnic groups because the constitution states that if you have lived in a place for ten years, you can vote and be voted for. We are not talking of the indigenes who can vote and be voted for. There was a time when someone from Agbor became a councilor in Warri because he was pop-

ular in his area. There was another time when an Hausa man was made a ward executive in Warri. All we are saying is that the people who you are going to serve must believe in you and they must have the confidence that you can deliver for them based on your relationship with them over the years. Like I keep saying, in every family we know who can be a treasurer.

Briefly assess Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration and Delta at 22?

Nobody will ever say the man has not done well. It is not easy to continue from where your predecessor stopped and still do more because first you will have to maintain the projects he left for you and to improve on the standard to enable the man who wants to take over from you have a platform to continue. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to a large extent engaged in mega projects which are capital intensive. We may not see the benefit of it until they are completed. When Warri was to be dualized, critics did not allow people to rest but today if you take a ride around Okere, Cemetery, Warri-Sapele and other roads, you will enjoy it because they are all well tarred. Some persons that left Warri years ago, if they return now may not know their compound because of the development .Political opportunities have transformed Warri and other towns believe Uduaghan is doing well and should be given opportunity to do more, and the opportunity to aspire to higher position for continuity purposes. A child at 22 is still growing; the level we have attained now is commendable.

I really appreciate Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for the ‘Delta Beyond Oil’ initiative. It is really improving the lot of the people because the oil servicing companies have not done well in terms of development of host communities. The Delta beyond oil initiative is gradually diverting our attention from oil and that is a sign of positive development in the future.

Do you think there is a threat to the political space in Nigeria ahead

2015 election?

I don’t think so because all over the world, nobody wants military to come to power.

You can see the reaction of civilians in countries where the military wants to take over power because they want the people to be ruled by the people. So the era of military rule is gone. Democracy will surely thrive but the only place I see that is not strong enough is the legislature. For now, I think the legislature is still growing because they have not been able to come up with fundamental laws and bill that will better the lot of the people. All the laws in operation today were put there by the executives. Up till now, we have not been able to come up with an amended constitution. We should look at policies. I know no law is easy, it is either we amend and modernize it to better the lots of the people.

The judiciary and the executive work” with the law and it is my impetus to contest for the House of Representatives. They should allow performance to take its place.

The last election in Edo state was done base on performance because Governor Adams Oshiomhole performed creditably well in his first term. We are coming to the days where performance will determine who to be voted for. Come 2015, anybody that wants to contest must have a track record and not money.

As a pioneer local government Chairman of the PDP, how would you rate 14 years of PDP rule in Delta state?

PDP is a big party; it is one of the biggest parties in Africa. One of the major tasks we have is to manage human beings. Selection

vis-a.-vis people representing the party at various positions have been a problem and in my time as the Chairman of PDP in Warri South Local Government Area, we advocated for true primaries because anything you do, if you don’t do check and balances, you’d will not grow.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, AUGUST 31,, 2013—53

bane and exquisite party that even the heavy response from the elements could not stop.

The significance of Ilashu Ezi

Dr. Chief Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, accompanied by Engr. Festus Mafiana, the Iyase of Onich Ugbo, and other members of the Ono-otu, the traditional warriors, as they arrive at the Eze Chime Palace of HRM Agbogidi, Victor Chukwumalieze1, for the conferment of the Odogwu title.

The thrills and frills of making Kachikwu the Odogwu of Onicha Ugbo

By Hugo Odiogor

F

or over forty years, the peo ple of Onicha Ugbo have not witnessed the installation of an Odogwu, the Chief War commander of their traditional society.

It was therefore with great expectation that they waited for Saturday, August 24, 2013, for the conferment of the third most powerful office on the no less deserving son of the soil, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, the Executive Vice Chairman of Exxon Mobil, Africa operation, who was selected to be the 11th Odogwu of Onicha-Ugbo.

The carnival like event which took place at the Eze Chime Palace of the Obi of Onicha Ugbo, Agbogidi Victor Chukwumalieze 1, the Obi of OnichaUgbo, was a historical recreation of culture and tradition of Onicha Ugbo people, a town which is located 46km from Asaba on the Benin – Asaba Express way in Aniocha, North local Government area of Delta State.

The indigenes of Onicha Ugbo and their guests, were witnessing the recreation of history which was last seen 46 years ago when Justice Augustine Maidoh was installed the Odogwu in 1967.

Fired by the frenzy beating of the Okanga drums, and Akpelle flutes and urged on by chants and praises from panegyrics, supporters, family members and admirers, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu was regal and impressive in his leopard-skin dress and cap, as he stood among the Ono-otu Olinzeles title holders, waiting to be ushered into the presence of the monarch Agbogidi Victor Chukwumalieze 1, by the Iyase of Onicha-Ugbo, Engineer Festus Mafiana, the second in command.

The re-enactment of war antics and battle tactics was a delight to watch. The dance steps of the Odogwu and shouts of Odogwu Akerekete, transform a soft spoken, introverted man into peace time Chief War Commander.

For some people in the crowd, the

question was: what could make an urbane, Harvard trained doctorate degree holder in Law, successful corporate player in oil and gas sector succumb to ethnic culture and traditional practices of becoming a generalissimo in a 21st century environment powered by information technology?

Culture of course defines our total existential reality especially, the interconnectivity of our social and psychological makeup and appreciation of those values to define our personality and world view.

Without culture, life becomes meaningless and chaotic at best, but more importantly, culture provides the pedestal to view and appreciate our cosmic relation between the physical and the transcendental reality, which is reflected in our food, music, dance, interpersonal relations and self esteem.

The sense of pride that we feel and share about our culture and tradition can be best appreciated by those from that cultural milieu.

So being singled out for honour, recognition and reward for one's contribution to human and infrastructural development of his society was enough to bring out the pomp and grandeur, that were on display as Dr. Ibe Kachikwu raised the ante in traditional title taking in terms of class, planning and funding. It was a class act in every sense of the word.

Not even the inclement weather and eventual failure of the rain makers to enact the African magic of holding the rain, could dampen the enthusiasm of the people, including the retinue of royal fathers from Ondo State His Royal Majesty Oba David Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi, the Olowo of Owo Kingdom, Obi Henry Ezeagwuna 1, Of Issele Uku, Obi Chukwuma Azuka of Atuma Iga, and other Royalties, business associates, political friends and foes, colleagues from Exxon Mobil, the Oduhtitled women and Olinzele chiefs from Asaba, as well as beneficiaries of Dr. Kachikwu's his philanthropy who were at the investiture ceremony.

The Ida-Nzu ceremony At exactly 2.25pm, the Ida-nzu ceremony which signified that Dr. Chief Ibe Kachikwu had become the Odogwu of Onicha-Ugbo was performed by Agbogidi, Victor Chukwumalieze 1, the Obi of Onicha Ugbo, with prayers for the new Odogwu. The monarch urged the Odogwu to use his new office to promote peace and development in Onicha-Ugbo. It was a time to pray for the new Odogwu to eschew bitterness, up hold the truth and all times, be fair and just.

The Monarch also urged the new Odogwu to continue with his philanthropic work especially in rendering assistance to women and youths, and all those who are in need.

The Traditional Carnival The occasion was not for speeches. It was an atmosphere of carnival as the Onotu chiefs and warriors, danced in

Dr Kachikwu who stayed awake all night for the Ilashu Ezi, the traditional vigil and an all night tour of the various Nze in Onicha-Ugbo, had to brave the rain that opened up as soon as he was installed. The Ilashu Ezi was the time the Odogwu visits all the leaders of the various Heads of the Nze to receive their blessings.

It was also the time to reassure them and their Nze, that as the Odogwu, he would not covet the people’s property, land, wives, etc that he will be upright and truthful uphold the ethical principles of fairness to all, protection of those in danger and ensures fair arbitration.

According to the Iyase of OnichaUgbo, the major challenge to Kachikwu's ambition to become an Odogwu was posed by the vigil that preceded the IdaNzu. According to the Iyase, upholding these principles may account for why Onicha Ugbo has always produced titles chiefs that are rewarded with longevity. The last Obi of that town was in office for half a century, the last Odogwu reigned for 45 years, the last Iyase Kanebi Ohanugo was in office for 20 years and the Ozah Chief Mosindi, who has been in office since 1987.

Physical and Spiritual contests Although Dr. Kachikwu was financially prepared for the event, he had to resolve the age long disputes that have come to characterise the Odogwu title.

Before the event, he had mobilised the people of Ishiekpe especially the Umu Nyemuah and the Ocheles, to reach a formal agreement on the process of selection.

According to Dr. Kachikwu, I hope to be the last Odogwu that will emerge from a contentious selection process.

There had been serious peace move to ensure that there was no protest or agitation from any quarter which could have threatened or derailed his elaborate preparation that he had made.

According to the Iyase, if during the Ilashu Ezi, there was a protest, from any quarter. Even from any individual and such protest was not subdued, that could have threatened the Ida Nzu ceremony, which means that he would

The re-enactment of war antics and battle tactics was a delight to watch. The dance steps of the Odogwu and shouts of Odogwu Akerekete, transform a soft spoken, introverted man into peace time Chief War Commander the arena. Canon shots and Dane guns boomed. Everybody tried to catch the action and the drama that was playing out in the Obi's palace.

But the joyous mood of the day were occasionally fouled up by overzealous security personnel who trying to fend off media practitioners and social media enthusiasts, who were out to capture the unfolding history. It was a classic mix of ancient and modern, an ur-

have been made to start the process all over. In the past, people who occupy such powerful position as the Odogwu could by challenged spiritually by medicine men, occult forces or witches who want to test the spiritual strength of the War Commander.

Such an encounter could come in form of physical impairment, sudden and mysterious ill health etc.

54 — SATURDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2013

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS FALL-OUT:

AFN looks overseas for fresh talents A

Action between Nigeria and Ivory Coast during the FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifier.

FIFA UNDER-17 WORLD CUP:

Don’t toy with your first game, Kanu tells Eaglets F

ORMER Nigeria captain, Nwankwo Kanu has urged the Golden Eaglets not to succumb to pressure and fumble with their opening game of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup against Mexico.

The Eaglets will start their campaign on October 19 against the defending champion Mexico and according to Kanu who led the team to Nigeria’s second win of the trophy in 1993 said a good start will boost the team’s confidence. “I have great confidence in

this team and I want to implore the coaches to drum it into the players’ ears that winning the first game against Mexico is very important.

“Winning that first game against Mexico will boost their confidence and I believe that will set the tone for every other thing they will do at the competition,” Kanu said. The Eaglets will face Iraq on October 22, while they play their last group match against Sweden on October 25.

Meanwhile, Nigeria Football Federation

technical committee chairman, Chris Green has stated that the Eaglets are not under pressure to win the tournament.

“We want the Golden Eaglets to do well at the World Cup, but it is not a case of winning at all cost, and that is why we are being meticulous in our approach with this current team.

“Our philosophy is that youth competitions are just developmental and we want to see a situation where our players will have more time of their playing life,” Green was quoted to have said.

THLETICS Federation of Nigeria president, Solomon Ogba said he was looking beyond the shores of Nigeria in search of young talents that will make the country proud in the future Ogba who was speaking in Lagos during the week stated that there were lots of Nigerian born junior athletes in the USA, who will be willing to represent Nigeria at international events. He noted that he had drawn up a list and will stop at nothing at convincing these kids and their parents to come to Nigeria rather that wait for a chance to appear in the colours of the USA or any other country that may want to recruit them.

“We are aiming to embark on a massive recruitment of Nigerian junior athletes abroad.

We have quit a good number who are willing to come to Nigeria.

“I have a long list we

are considering. Some of these junior athletes have even indicated their interest to come home in the near future,” Ogba said.

He added that the federation was eager to revive Nigerian athletics, most especially the male sector that has become

moribund.

“Since the exit of athletes like Uchenna Emedolu and Olusoji Fasuba we have not had quality male sprinters.

“We hope to train some of the juniors that we have on the list and others at home towards that end.” Ogba said.

More task for athletes at AFN golden league

N

IGERIAN athletes may be facing a tougher task in next season’s golden league meet as the AFN is ready to raise the bar in the only competition available for home-based Nigerian athletes to show off their prowess.

This year, there was furore after the AFN set the B standard of the world championships as the yardstick performance for athletes who wish to earn money in the golden league. But According to AFN president, Solomon

Ogba this was even too low.

“Our athletes need to work harder. What does it take to run the world’s B standard?

“We are even thinking about raising the standards. For instance if any athlete cannot run bellow 21 seconds in the men’s 200m then they don’t qualify for any prize.

“I don’t know what is really the fuss. Divine Oduduru a youth ran 21 in Ukraine and our seniors are grumbling about running the B standard?

Nigeria juniors sweep sprint medals

BY BEN EFE, Mauritius

H

ARRY Chuk wudike lived up to expectations as he was the arrow-head of Nigeria’s medal hunt in the sprints events decided at the African junior championships here in Mauritius.

Chuwudike ran 10. 54 seconds to win the men 100m dash, while Mamus Emuobonuvie won silver with 10.58 and Jonathan Permal of Mauritius placed third with 10. 65 seconds. Chukuwdike made it gold number two for Nigeria in the 4x100m relay in a race that was efficiently executed by the Nigerian quartet featuring Emuobonovie, Divine Odururu and Tega Odele.

However, in the women version of the 100m, Ese Brume and Nkem

Ezealah failed to win a medal as they finished 4th and fifth respectively in a race that was surprisingly won by South Africa’s Thebogo Mamathu with 11.98 seconds, Yuma Tamangu of Ethiopia ran 12.12, while South Africa’s Philippa Van Der Merve took the bronze medal with 12.16. She denied Brume the bronze in a photo finish for the third place. It was a medal Nigerian officials thought was already in the kitty.

But the women made up with the 4x100m gold.

Nkiruka Uwakwe practically won the race when she made a brilliant start and it was complemented by a clinical baton exchange beginning with Brume, Margaret Bolufuwa and Ezealah. South Africa was second while

Mauritius was disqualified for crossing the change over zone.

In the women 400m, Ada Benjamin won gold; her first ever since she started running in the junior category. She finished powerfully at 52.87 seconds beating her compatriot, Rita Ossai who clocked 53. 84 for the silver, while Ethiopian Sallam Tareke was third with 54.80 seconds.

In the men’s race Omezia Akerele won silver with 47.32 in the race that was won by Dennis Opio of Uganda with 46.94.

“I was here hoping to run my personal best, but that didn’t happen, it is because we ran a straight final and it was the first time we will be running after all that training we did,” said Ossai.

An unidentified Nigerian athlete (first left) in an international meet.

Why we lost women 100m gold — Emedolu

F

ORMER Nigeria sprinter and coach of the Nigeria team to the African Junior Athletics Championships, Uchenna Emedolu has said that Nigerian women surrendered the 100m gold because there wasn’t enough time to groom Ese Brume and Nkem Ezealah for the task.

He explained that athletes like Margaret Bassey and Peace Uko who were earlier picked to do job were dropped from the team for being above 20.

Brume and Ezealah seem to be in a strange land as they struggled for form in the women 100m final that

was decided yesterday.

“Brume and Ezealah weren’t well prepared for the race. We have been putting our hopes on Bassey, but she was dropped.

“We have to draft Brume who is a long jumper. If we had enough time the new girls we had would have done better. Again this was their first race in the championships, there wasn’t any heat for them to gain confidence.”

Emedolu said.

AFN technical director, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama corroborated Emedolu’s submission.

“We had to drop those who were considered over-

age. For us now, it is not about winning but grooming the athletes with potentials to do well in the future.”

•Ogba, AFN President

SATURDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2013 — 55

Afrobasket 2013 Diary:

When taxis went on strike

BY PATRICK OMORODION, Abidjan

Nwofor joins Heerenveen on loan S

UPER Eagles striker Uche Nwofor has joined Dutch side SC Heerenveen on a season-long loan from relegated rivals VVV Venlo.

The 21-year-old Nwofor, who rejected offers from Russia and Turkey, signed after a successful medical on Friday.

He scored both goals for the Super Eagles as they beat South Africa 2-0 in a friendly two weeks ago in Durban.

“I am happy. This is an opportunity to further improve my development as a player,” Nwofor told BBC Sport.

“I want to continue my football education in Holland and I believe I am at the right club. I’m excited and looking forward to working under Marco Van Basten. I believe as striker I will learn a lot from him.”

A proven goalscorer at youth level with Nigeria, Nwofor joined Venlo in September 2011 and scored 13 goals in 52 league appearances for the club.

•Nwofor

Lagos Int’l T/Tennis Classics:

Nigeria conquers Congo in doubles bles event of the first Lagos

D

ESPITE travelling from far, Congo Brazzaville’s duo of Saka Suraju and Han Xing nearly broke the heart of Nigerian fans in the mixed dou-

2nd SSL golf tourney: Uhunmwagho, Samuel emerge champs

E

ighteen-handicap per, Isaac Uhunmwagho fought off stiff challenge from other contenders to emerge overall winner of the 2nd Soft Solutions Limited (SSL) Invitational Golf Tournament.

The tournament, only in its second edition, saw over 250 golfers, made up of select professionals, ladies and gentlemen golfers as well as sponsors guests and veteran players, trade swings while it lasted.

The turnout was an im-

provement over the maiden edition, which witnessed barely 150 golfers, at the end of which Ropo Olarenwaju emerged the gentlemen’s category winner.

In this year’s edition, Uhunmwagho, an engineer with a returning net score of 68 emerged overall winner in the men’s category of the week-long tournament. Ms Bella Samuel, 16-handicapper carried the day in the ladies category, as she carded 68 net score.

SETRACO Tennis clinic hots up

T

HE one-month long Setraco/Zenith Bank junior Tennis Clinic/Tournament which holds annually in Abuja is hotting up with huge success in terms of increased number of participants and standard of play.

The aim of the Clinic/ Tournament according to the Managing Director of Setraco Nigeria Ltd, Engr.

Fayez Khalaf is to encourage students on long vacation to engage in sport. It is also meant to be an opportunity for green horns and those already involved in tennis to acquire and in-

crease their skills in a tournament experience respectively.

This will mark the fifth edition of the Clinic/Tournament which has produced the likes of Edward Christopher, Comfort Spenser, Eneh Patrick, Tswako Sadiq, Maria Oshakpemhe, Vera David, Charity Patrick, Ifeanyi Emeruwa, Mohammed Mohammed, Alamu Ahmed and Samuel Miracle. Comfort Spenser qualified to represent Nigeria in Egypt in an international Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior Championship.

International Table Tennis Classics. But their efforts failed to materialize as Nigeria’s pair of Segun Toriola and Edem Offiong turned the table against the Congolese to animate the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The Congolese players accounted for the exit of Nigerian players on their way to the final, but they met a stiff opposition when they confronted Toriola and Offiong in the final watched by officials of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) led by its president, Egypt’s Khaled El-Salhy.

To claim the title in the event, the Nigerians won 11-2, 10-12, 7-11, 12-10, 119 to the admiration of the fans.

Also in the women’s doubles, Nigeria’s duo of Offiong and Cecilia Otu-Akpan overcame Congolese pair of Xing and Onyiyechi Nwachukwu 9-11, 11-9, 116, 10-12, 11-7 to claim the laurel in the event.

I

thought it was only in Nigeria you have a strong union of road transport workers . They have a stronger one here. Coloured taxis chose Monday August 26, the first day of the working week to pull their cabs off the road.

Reason? They complained that unpainted taxis or what we call kabu kabu operators in Nigeria who don’t pay taxes or union dues have taken over business from them and therefore want the government to intervene and stop them or force them to pay union dues.

Their absence on the road caused the people hardship on Monday and Tuesday. After over a week here and cocooned at the Ibis Hotel in the Plateau area of Abidjan, I decided I must go out to look for Nigerian food to eat. The usual rice, spaghetti and chicken at Hotel Ibis had become monotonous.

To Joe Apu’s hotel in the Marcory area of Abidjan I proceeded but getting a taxi was the problem. I approached one of the motor park boys who helped me to secure a seat in one of the kabu kabu cabs who operated despite the protests.

He dropped me close to the hotel and told me it was a walking distance but I couldn’t find my way and so had to call Joe. He shouted that where I was, was still far from his hotel. A guard standing in front of an eatery helped me get another taxi to Joe’s Pergola hotel.

I was totally disappointed when I got there to find that the Nigerian food I had gone for was

not there as Joe told me.

I have to go the basketball venue, another distance away to get it. At that point I gave up hope. As I write this, I’m yet to get A Nigerian delicacy, especially the swallow, to eat.

To go back to my hotel became a problem because the taxi strike was biting real hard. A man known by the guard at the hotel offered to take me to my hotel if I cough out CFA5000 for the same trip I had paid CFA1000 earlier. I refused.

A little reprieve came when a mechanic was taking a guest’s car for

repairs and I appealed to him to take me to the nearest bus stop which he obliged. As I got there behold, there was a skeletal taxi operation as the strike had been partially lifted.

He dropped me at a place a little bit far from my hotel but because Naija man can’t get lost no matter what, I decided to walk the rest as looking for another taxi in the midst of the crisis could prove another nightmare. With the aid of landmarks I had been recording in my memory, I traced my hotel but at a cost, aching limbs.

A dose of Ivorian trikery for physio Ekundayo

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HE attached physi otherapist to the Nigerian basketball senior male team, Ekundayo Ogunkunle had a dose of over-smartness of an Ivorian shop attendant a couple of days ago.

As a coffee man, he had gone to a nearby shop unassisted to get himself a can of Nescafe coffee.

He got one quite alright but the attendant sold it for him at what seemed double the price after he did a mental calculation of the amount for the same coffee in Nigeria.

When the first one he bought got exhausted he went back to the same shop but this time accompanied by one of the hotel staff whom he gave money to help him do the purchasing while standing close.

To his shock the man sold it to his fellow Ivorian for half the price he sold to him earlier. At this point he accused the shop attendant of cheating him. Ekundayo then told the attendant that he would only add the dif-

ference from the first one he bought and the man started arguing with him. He then brought out his phone and told him he wanted to call in the police to tell them how he was cheated but the attendant quickly apologized and even offered to return the money he had paid earlier and still allow him go with the can of coffee so as to avoid trouble with the police.

The physio insisted he was going to pay the balance and gave it to him and worked out of the shop. Two lessons were learnt here. First that you could be cheated once they notice you are a foreigner who has problem with French and secondly, the people feared their police. In Nigeria, the mention of police will never create fear into an offender or law breaker who knows that once he parts with some wads of Naira notes, the police could turn the case against you the complainant.

Your daughters won’t be abused in sports, Lasisi tells parents different courses to en-

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ORMER Nigeria table tennis player, Kasali Lasisi has called on parents to allow their female children to participate more in sports and

Offiong Edem of Nigeria

dismiss the fear that they could be abused.

Lasisi made the appeal in an interview at the Lagos International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Classics at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

Lasisi, who runs a table tennis academy in Ilorin, said that many parents and guardians did not allow their girls to participate in sports due to the fear.

“I know that, with the girl-child abuse now rampant, parents are scared of allowing their female children to be coached by males.

“Coaches now undergo

lighten us on how to treat girls we are coaching. “We have been taught to behave like a coach, father and mother; if you cannot sleep with your child, it will be difficult for you to do such to a girl under your tutelage,” he said.

The ex-international urged upcoming sportsmen and women to take education serious, saying that the future would be bright for athletes who combined sports with education.

“A lot of parents have the mindset that sports will not allow their children to be focused.

There are many former players now into law and medicine,” he said.

SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2013

US Open: Federer breezes past Berlocq

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OGER Federer gave another hint that he could yet be a factor in the later stages of the US Open by brushing aside

Enyeama, Emenike return for Malawi •As Keshi lists 23 for the crunch tie

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HE Technical and Development Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has accepted a list of 23 players submitted by Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, for next weekend’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Malawi in Calabar.

Top of the list is Francebased goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who has largely captained the team this year, with goalkeeper Austin Ejide, defenders Godfrey Oboabona and Efe Ambrose, midfielders John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Ogenyi Onazi and forwards Emmanuel Emenike, Ahmed Musa and Uche Nwofor also called.

“We have accepted the list of 23 players and they will resume camping for the match in Cal-

Carlos Berlocq in the second round.

The five-time champion is seeded only seventh after a poor season and has not reached a grand slam final since winning Wimbledon last summer.

Much stiffer tests await but Federer struck the ball well in a swift 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Argentina’s Berlocq on Arthur Ashe.

His final match before the tournament was a quarter-final against Rafael Nadal in Cincinnati, which he lost in three sets but showed enough of his old magic to make the obituaries seem premature.

The pair could yet meet again at the same stage here.

Federer said: ‘For me, one match against Rafa is not going to make my season or going to make me super confident or

•Federer not. It needs to be more than that.

‘It hadn’t been actually a terrible season up until Wimbledon really, and Wimbledon was just a disappointment. I wish I could have played better, but I thought (Sergiy) Stakhovsky overall played pretty well. Let’s give him some credit, too.

‘After that, I just really hoped I could win Hamburg and Gstaad back-toback to gain confidence.

It never really happened.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: No TANGO: Chelsea defender, Gary Cahill vies for the ball with Bayern Munich midfielder Mario Goetze during the EUFA Super Cup match at the Aden Arena, Prague last night. Photo/ AFP abar as from Monday,” Barrister Chris Green, Chairman of the Technical and Development Committee, said.

The Super Eagles need only a draw in week’s clash at the U. J. Esuene Stadium to progress into the 10-team final elimination round, where two-

THE FULL LIST GOALKEEPERS: Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria) DEFENDERS: Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC, Nigeria); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); James Okwuosa (Chippa United, South Africa); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria) MIDFIELDERS: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra, Portugal); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Nnamdi Oduamadi (AC Milan, Italy); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria) FORWARDS: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Uche Nwofor (SC Heerenveen, Netherlands); Obinna Nsofor (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia)

TODAY’S MATCHES EPL Saturday, August 31 Man City v Hull City 12.45 pm Man City vs Hull City 12:45 pm Cardiff City vs Everton 3:00 pm West Ham vs Stoke City 3:00 pm Norwich City vs Southampton 3:00 pm Newcastle vs Fulham 3:00 pm Crystal Palace vs Sunderland 5:30 pm Chelsea vs Aston Villa Postponed

leg, knock out fixtures will determine Africa’s five flag-bearers at the global showpiece in Brazil next year summer.

The Flames of Malawi, who must win at a ven-

ue where the Super Eagles have never lost, to qualify for that final elimination round, are expected to arrive in Nigeria from Accra on Thursday.

E f e Ambrose rejoice with team mate

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1.L.G.A in Adamawa State (6) 4.Super Eagles Striker, Victor (5) 7.Former Nigerian Vice President, Rtd Gen. Oladipo (4) 8.Czech Republic Capital City (6) 9.Little (5) 10.Tottenham Hotspurs Winger, Gareth (4) 11.Former Speaker, House as representatives, Alh. Umar Ghali (6) 14.L.G.A in Yobe State (8) 18.Bhutanese Currency (8) 21.Austrian Capital City (6) 24.Cereal (4) 25.Country in Africa (5) 26.Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Grace (6) 27.Hebrew Alphabet (4) 28.Former Super Eagles’ Striker, Victor (5) 29.Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Joseph (6)

DOWN 1.Country in Asia (5) 2.Tanzania National President, Benjamin (5) 3.Togo “Sparrow Hawks” Striker, Emmanuel (8) 4.Lesotho Capital City (6) 5.Former Flying Eagles’ Coach, Samson (6) 6.3SC Shooting Stars, Gbolahan (6) 12.Pidgin English Word for “Please” (4) 13.He invented the Telephone, Alexander, (4) 15.Former South Africa “Bafana Bafana” Striker, Siyabonga (8) 16.Auction (4) 17.Precipitation (4) 18.L.G.A in Enugu State (6) 19.Former Imo State Governor, Chief Achike (6) 20.Former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Saminu (6) 22.Former Enugu State Governor, Okwesilieze (5) 23. Legendary Queen of Zaria (5)

fear, says Efe

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FE Ambrose has said he expects Celtic to get a good Champions League draw after a dramatic qualification to the group stage of the competition.

Celtic came back from a two-goal deficit to eliminate Kazakhstan’s Shakhtar Karagandy 3-2 on aggregate in a Champions League playoff clash on Wednesday night.

The Champions League draw held on Thursday afternoon and Nigeria defender Ambrose said Celtic would fear no foes. “I am not afraid of facing any team in the group stage.

There are no small teams. So we are ready for any opposition,” Ambrose said after their dra1

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matic qualification Nigeria international Ambrose posted a five-star performance as one of three central defenders for celtic to stage a super comeback and overturn a first leg defeat to reach the group phase of the competition as was the case last season.

“We prepared for the game like any other game and went into it with the resolve to win and go through. I never doubted whether we will go through,” said Ambrose, who sat out the first match in Kazakhstan last week. Last season, Celtic recorded a famous home win over mighty Barcelona to eventually reach the Round of 16 before they capitulated against Italian champions Juventus.

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