weekend observer 31 08 2013

THE WEEKEND

1 SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2013

Don’t Purchase Voter’s Card

PUBLISHED SINCE OCTOBER 6, 1990 • Vol.XI NO.3,199• SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2013 • N100.00

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POLITICS

MOMENTS OF SCRUTINY

Our BungledDemocracy

President Goodluck Jonathan (middle) Minister of State for Foreign Affairs 1, Prof. Viola Onwuliri(right) presenting a sourvenir to the outgoing representative of the delegation of EuropeanUnion (EU) to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr. Davia MAC RAE at the presidential Villa Abuja yesterday.

Weekend

Al Mustapha And The NewPolitical Opening

- INEC Warns PoliticiansTHE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warnedpoliticians against buying of voter’s cards from the electorate in orderto rig the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra.

- Page 9

LIFEThe Dilemma OfYoung Ohikhena

INEC ResidentE l e c t o r a lCommissioner (REC)in Anambra Prof.C h u k w u e m e k aOnukaogu gave thewarning whenmembers of the state’scouncil of the NigerianUnion of Journalists(NUJ), paid him a

courtesy visit.Our correspondents

reports that the warningcame amid widespreadreports that politicianswere mopping upvoters’ cards, ahead ofthe polls.

There were alsoreports that severalpoliticians had been

ferrying people fromJos and Lagos,among other states, tocome and register inAnambra during theseven-day continuousvoter registrationexercise in the state.

But Onukaogu saidthat such antics wouldnot help the parties

concerned.He said that it was a

waste of resources andtime for anyone to thinkthat the voter’s cardsbought by politicianswould be useful duringthe election, as thecards would not beused to vote.

“For anyone to thinkthat buying voterscards will win thiselection is dreaming.“Those voters cardspoliticians aremopping up will notwin election.

“Let the politicians goand marketthemselves to theelectorate.

“Let me caution theelectorate about thesepoliticians who willwant to buy their cardsbecause it will notwork. The cards willnot be used to vote.

“Selling your cardmeans you will notvote and right now weare in courtprosecuting 72 peoplefor multipleregistrations during thelast voters registration

exercise.“We have caught one

or two persons whotried to ‘double-register’ and you recallthat in 2011, we hadmany multipleregistration.

“In the entire country,we have 840,000multiple registration butAnambra State is thehighest with 93,000multiple registers.

“They should stopbuying voters cards.

“ I have worked onthe mind sets of myworkers and they can’tbe compromised eitherand our salary isregular as well as allthat we need for thegovernorship election.

“I have not visited anypolitician for thiselection and I am not

ready to do so. I won’teven partner with anypolitical party in voter’seducation.

“I can partnertraditional rulers andcommunities as well asinstitutions, not politicalparties,’’ he said.

The REC assuredthat INEC would striveto conduct a free andfair election in the state.

He said that INECwas ready to work inpartnership withmembers of the NUJ inthe state.

According to him, theelection is criticalbecause “the wholeworld is watching tosee a standard that willbe set by INEC inAnambra State.”

He said further that

EDO @ 22Socio-EconomicDevelopment OfEdo State At A

Glance- 4

Contd. on pg 4

2 SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2013THE WEEKEND

N wse CRIME

Driver Docked For Assualting Traffic Officer

Mechanic, 29 Arraigned OverAlleged Theft Of Motorcycle

Police Arraign Driver For Stealing N1m Fuel

Cab Driver, 2 Others NabbedFor Abducting Woman

Auto Mechanic Remanded In CustodyOver Alleged Armed Robbery

Wife Seeks Divorce OverAlleged Threat To LIfe

A Paskistani investor displaying his military wares in Gombe during a Trade and Industry Business Forumrecently.

motorcycle was yet to beidentified.

The offences, Ekikere said,contravened Sections 295 and297, of the Criminal Law ofLagos State, 2011.

Newsmen report that Section295 provides twenty-one yearsimprisonment for offenders.

However, the accusedpleaded not guilty to thecharges.

The Magistrate, Mrs.Abimbola Oshodi-Makanju,granted the accused bail in thesum of N50, 000 with twosureties in like sum.

The case was adjourned toSeptember 12 for mention.

facing a two-count charge ofconspiracy and assault.

The prosecutor, Cpl. FemiAdeleye, told the court thatthe accused committed theoffence on August 28 at10:00 a.m. at Akowonjo

The accused, however,pleaded not guilty to thecharges.

According to Section 285(7), if a clerk or servant stealsthe property of his employer,he is liable to imprisonment

Blackberry phones worth N80,000 and a laptop valued atN160, 000.

According to him, threepistols and 26 cartridges wererecovered from the accused.

“The accused is a supplierof arms to the various robberygangs and was caught in theact of robbery,” the prosecutorsaid.

The offences, he noted,contravened Sections 1(2),(a), 3(1) and 5 of the Robberyand Firearms (SpecialProvisions) Act, Laws of theFederation.

The case has beenadjourned to September 30 formention.

abandon.“On the day of his

convocation, he did notinform me; instead, he invitedhis relatives from the village.

“I only saw the pictureswhen I went to visit one of hisbrothers,” she said.

She complained further thatsince she married herhusband, she had been theone taking care of the familybecause he wasunemployed.

She begged the court todissolve the marriage, thatshe was no longer interestedin the relationship.

In his defence, therespondent, Solomonconfirmed that she wasunemployed, and that he wasonly using the coconut topray.

‘’I always pray to God withthe coconut that anyone—either my wife, my family orin-law— who is against myprogress, should fall downand die,” he said.

He said that it was not hiswife that trained him throughuniversity, but that she onlysupported him financially.

Solomon said that when hehad a job, he cared for hischildren, but when he lost hisjob he could no longer fendsfor the family.

He consented to thedissolution of the marriage inthat his estranged wife wasproud and unpleasant.

Tuesday at Iwo road, Ibadan.Clet Ilobanafor said the

victim, Rukayat Adebayo,had boarded a Mazda cabmarked CW 369 FST at Ojooarea of the metropolis withthe aim of alighting at IwoRoad road roundabout.

“To her dismay, the driverrefused to stop the car for herto alight at Iwo roadroundabout.

“ She raised an alarm whichattracted people nearby whohelped to rescue her,” shesaid.

The police spokespersonadded that preliminaryinvestigations revealed thatthe three suspects hadfrequently been involved inthis type of crime.

“When interrogated, theyconfessed to the crime andadded that they onlyabducted her to obtain somemoney from her and not forritual purpose,” she said.

She added that thesuspects were still indetention pending theconclusion of investigationsafter which they would faceprosecution.

Clet-Ilobanafor advisedcommuters to be vigilantwhen boarding cabs andreiterated the commitment ofthe police to curtailing crimein the state.

A 29-year-old mechanic,Kabiru Fashina, who allegedlystole a motorcycle worth N98,000 from where it was parked,has appeared before an IkejaMagistrates’ Court.

Fashina, a resident of No. 4,Dada St., Iyana Iba, Lagos, isstanding trial on a two-countcharge of conspiracy androbbery.

The prosecutor, Insp. SamsonEkikere, told the court that theaccused committed the offencesat 6.00 a.m. on August 11 atIyana Iba Junction, Lagos.

Ekikere, however, said that theowner of the unregistered

THE police have arraigned 20-year old taxi driver, BasilChiahem, before an AbujaMagistrates’ Court for allegedlystealing a woman’s ATM cardand withdrawing N84, 000 withit.

The accused person, who livesin Kado Village in Abuja, wasarraigned on charges of theft andfraud.

The police prosecutor,Inspector Phillip Appolos, saidthe accused stole the card fromMiss Blessing Chidi’s (of LifeCamp, Abuja) wallet when sheboarded his cab in May.

He said the accused left townafter withdrawing the money.

present a valid identificationat the station and they wouldissue him with a receipt afterrefuelling any of theirvehicles.

“Muhammed who wasassigned two cars by thecompany for official purposes,claimed that the bills were forrefueling the vehiclesbetween January and May.

“But the companydiscovered that one of thevehicles had been out of usefor two months and thatMuhammed didn’t haveaccess to any of the othercars he also claimed to haveused officially, “ Ighodalo said.

According to the prosecutor,the offences contravenedSections 409 and 285 (7) ofthe Criminal Law of LagosState, 2011.

A driver, John Peters, 35,has appeared before anEjigbo Magistrates’ Court inLagos, over alleged assaulton a traffic officer.

Peters, a resident ofEgbeda area of Lagos, is

THE Oyo State PoliceCommand said that it hadarrested a cab driver and twomale accomplices whoabducted a 31-year-oldfemale commuter.

The spokesperson of thecommand, DSP Olabisi Clet-Ilobanafor, said the threesuspects were arrested on

A 44-year-old mother ofthree, Mrs OmolaraAchoyamen, 44, has pleadedwith an Igando CustomaryCourt in Lagos to dissolve her14-year-old marriage, allegingthreat to her life.

Achoyamen, who is also abusinesswoman, told the courtthat her husband, SolomonAchoyamen, was alwayswaking up at 2:00 a.m. tobreak a coconut and makeincantations, mentioning hername and wishing she shoulddie.

“At 2:00 a.m. my husbandwill break a coconut and willbe shouting my name to thecoconut that I should die.

“Sometimes, he will bring outa cutlass threatening to kill me,claiming that I was responsiblefor his misfortune.

“Solomon always forced meinto love making and after heis through with me, he will spiton me, telling me that he isonly managing me, that I amnot his wife,” she said.

The petitioner described herhusband as an ingrate, sayingthat she sponsored himthrough the university with themoney she would have usedto further her own education.

“My sister always sent memoney from abroad for mystudies, but I used the moneyto train my husband becauseI already have a goodbusiness that I did not want to

The prosecutor said thepolice arrested him on August28 during investigation.

He, therefore, prayed thecourt to convict himaccordingly.

When Magistrate AbdullahiIllela asked the accused torespond to the chargesbrought against him, hepleaded not guilty to them.

Illela granted him bail in thesum of N100, 000 with twosureties in like sum, addingthat the sureties must havedefined addresses and mustbe living within the court’sjurisdiction.

He adjourned the case toSeptember 11 for hearing.

on conspiracy, armed robberyand unlawful possession offirearms.

The prosecutor, Insp.Samson Ekikere, said theaccused with others still atlarge committed the offencesat 9.30 p.m. on July 11 atOniala St., Ketu, a Lagossuburb.

He said the accused, whowas armed with a gun andsome dangerous weapons,robbed one Francis Okorie ofN77, 000 cash and a mobilephone valued at N19, 500.

Ekikere alleged that theaccused also robbed MessrsChukwu Igwe and BonifaceObi of N140, 000 cash, two

AN Ikeja Magistrates’ Courthas remanded a 26-year-oldauto mechanic, LukmanAbass, in Kirikiri Prisons,Lagos, over alleged armedrobbery.

The Magistrate, Mrs.Abimbola Oshodi-Makanju,said the accused should stayin prison pending advice fromthe State Director of PublicProsecutions (DPP).

She said: “The defendant isordered to be remanded inprison custody for a period ofnot more than 30 dayspending DPP’s advice.”

Abass, a resident of Ketu,Lagos, is standing trial on afour-count charge bordering

Taxi Driver Arraigned ForAlleged Withdrawing N84,000

With Stolen ATM Card

THE Police in Lagosarraigned a driver, AhmedMuhammed, 40, for allegedlystealing fuel worth N1, 061,676 from an Oando FillingStation.

Muhammed, who is anemployee of Premium HealthLtd. and lives at No. 3, AlhajiJomoh St., Ijegun, Ikotun, isfacing a two-count charge ofconspiracy and stealing at aTinubu Magistrates’ court,Lagos.

The prosecutor, Sgt. DanielIghodalo, told the court thatMuhammed’s employers hada pact with a filling station onAwolowo Road, Ikoyi, whichrequired it to fuel thecompany’s cars.

Ighodalo said that thedrivers of any of thecompany’s cars would

round-about.Adeleye said that the

accused and others at largeconspired to assault one OlaMartins, a member of thePeace Corps.

He told the court that theaccused stabbed Martins witha broken bottle, while he wascontrolling traffic at theAkowonjo round-about.

He said that the accusedalso used a spanner to hitMartins on his right arm andforehead, which caused him

bodily injury.Adeleye said that the

offences contravenedSections 172 and 409 of theCriminal Law of Lagos, 2011.

The accused, however,denied committing theoffence when the chargeswere read to him.

The Magistrate, Mr. P ENwaka, admitted the accusedto bail in the sum of N50, 000with two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case tillOctober 28 for mention.

for seven years.The Magistrate, Mrs. O. M.

Ajayi, granted Muhammedbail in the sum of N250, 000,with two sureties in like sum,and adjourned the case toSeptember 9 for mention.

THE WEEKEND


French To Be Part Of UTMEAs From 2014 - Minister

LG Boss CountsAchievements

Onilampese Profers Solution To NationInsecurity

We will Contest Anambra Nov 14Governorship Polls - Deregistered NAC

N wseBy ADAMA AUDU

Akoko Edo Chairman Yearns For Additional Council Areas

THE Minister of Education,Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’I, saidthat French would be part ofthe Unified TertiaryMatriculation Examination(UTME) as from 2014 forinterested candidates.

Rufa’I said this at farewellreception held in honour ofthe French Language ProjectManager, Mr. Jean-PhillipeRoy.

She said that being multi-lingual in the 21st Centurywas essential as it helpsindividuals to operate moreeffectively in the internationalcommunity.

“For Nigeria, the study ofFrench language is quite key,considering the fact that our

THE National ActionCouncil (NAC), one of theparties deregistered by theIndependent NationalElectoral Commission(INEC), said that it wouldcontest the Anambragovernorship polls scheduledfor November14.

Addressing newsmen inLagos, the party’s NationalChairman, Dr Olapade Agoro,said sale of nomination forms

the chairman of Akoko –Edo Local GovernmentCouncil Hon. JosephAkerejola who paid him athank-you visit last weekfor aiding him to victory atthe recently concludedApril, 20, 2013, LocalGovernment polls in Edostate.

Oba Ojeifo who wasflanked by his PalaceChiefs, further counselled

locality.The Council boss

lamented the MeagerFederal Revenue accruingto the Council area whichhe noted was indissonance with the largepopulation and thegeographical spread of thelocality.

Chronically, the history ofthe creation of the CouncilArea, Hon. Akerejola toldthe WEEKENDOBSERVER that while theLocal Government CouncilAreas under the old BeninDivision have since beensplit, only Akoko-Edo Still

EDO people have againbeen assured that inspiteof the meager resourcesaccruing to the Councilarea, no community willbe left undeveloped.

The Council ChairmanHon. Joseph Akerejolamade this revelationsrecently when he paid athank – you visit to the tenwards in the locality.

According to Hon.Akerejola, within the firstone hundred days inoffice, he has renovatedstaff quarters at thePrimary Health Center,Okpe; constructed a three– block of classroomsincluding the headmaster ’s office atEnekhua Primary school,Uneme – Nekhua;constructed a three –block of classrooms atAfeyeli Primary School,Ikiran-Ile and a three –block of classrooms atOdemina Primary School,Ogugu.

Others are theinstallations of new 500KVA Transformers at Ibillo;installations of 300 KVATransformers in

Somorika, and one eachat Afekhai quarters andIgarra market Road,Igarra.

The Chairman also toldthe various communitiesvisited that as a way ofboosting eletricity supplyto Igarra and environs, theCouncil has purchased a2.5 MVA Step – downtransformer while thecouncill ’s Grader andTractor which have remainmoribund have now beenrepaired by hisAdministration.

The Council boss furtherdisclosed that as a way ofboosting water supply toIbillo and environs, amotorized borehole hasbeen provided for Ibillomarket while that ofEkhuayo quarters also inIbillo is on – going.

The Chairman alsoinformed his people thatsecurity in Akoko – Edohas been beefed up whilethe Ibillo/ Ikiran – Oke axiswhich has hitherto beenthe den of armed robbersis now constantly beingchecked by the variousSecurity agencies sincehe came on board.

THE FederalGovernment has againbeen enjoined to as tomatter of urgency split thepresent Akoko-Edo LocalGovernment Area of EdoState into three as it iscurrently about the largestand oldest in the Country.

This call was made bythe Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local GovernmentCouncil Hon. J.F.Akerejola in an exclusiveinterview with theNigerian Observer in hisoffice at Igara, shortlyafter the end of the two-day thank – you visit toall the wards in the

retains the old status-quosince 1976 when it wascreated.

Akoko-Edo, Hon.Akerejola further lamented,is endowed with richmineral and humanresources and thereforecalled on Akoko- Edoindigenes resident at homeand abroad to form aunited front and ensurethat this dream is realizedsoonest.

The Council Chairmanwas optimistic that ifcreated, the socio-politicalas well as the economiclives of Akoko-Edo peoplewould be enhanced.

THE need for Nigeriansto be closer to God “whois never on holidays” inorder to overcome thecurrent security challengeshas again beenemphasized.

This piece of advice wasgiven by the Onilampeseof Lampese HRH Oba J.AOjeifo while playing host to

the Federal Government todialogue with Boko Haramsect with a view to arriving at a compromise.

The Royal father furtherenjoined Akoko – Edopeople to co-operate withHon. Akerejola and not toexpect reward saying “it isonly the Almigthy God andnot man that rewards”.

had begun in preparation forprimaries ahead of theelections.

“Our primaries arescheduled for September andthere is no going back as faras NAC is concerned,” hesaid.

Newsmen report that NACwas one of the seven politicalparties deregistered by INECin 2011after, which 28 otherswere also deregistered in

2012.On July 30, a Federal High

Court in Abuja voided thederegistration of the parties,describing it asunconstitutional.

It held that the commissionhad no powers to deregisterany political party in thecountry.

neighbouring countries areFrench-speaking.

“Apart from the EnglishLanguage, French Languageis one of the majorinternational languages, ‘’shesaid.

She said Roy came toNigeria in 2009 under the 2ndBilateral Agreement betweenNigeria and French.

The minister noted that hehad worked hard to ensurethat various components ofthe project received dueattention.

Rufa’I lauded hiscontributions to the reform ofthe UTME for 2014 in additionto the scholarships awardedto 16 teachers of French

Language to study in Francefor one month.

She said the projectmanager ’s contributions,included supply of books toschools, award of MastersDegree in French as aForeign Language and supplyof DVD and CD player to theproject office, among others.

The minister lauded thesupport of the FrenchGovernment to the NigerianFrench Language Village,Badagry, Lagos, the RegionalNetwork of French Languagecentres in Africa.

She also commended theAssociation of FrenchLanguage Teachers, andnoted the proposed handing

over of the project vehicle tothe ministry for the monitoringof the teaching and learningof the Language.

“Nigeria and France havecome a long way in theirrelationship. It is a relationshipbuilt on mutual respect,cooperation and interest.

By ADAMA AUDU

Earlier the CouncilChairman told theOnilampese that he was inhis Palace to formallythank the Royal father forensuring his victory at thelast Council polls andpromised all thecommunities in Akoko –Edo before leaving office.

Gbagyi women,from Chukun LocalG o v e r n m e n tCouncil of KadunaState, featuringtheir culture, tomark the closingceremony ofKaduna Statecultural festival(KADFEST) 2013 inKaduna yesterday.

OKPARA - I formerlyknown and addressed asMiss Otesiri Okpara nowwish to be known andaddressed as Mrs. OtesiriUkpong. All formerdocuments remain valid.Concerned authorities,Nursing and MidwiferyCouncil of Nigeria and thegeneral public should pleasetake note.

CHANGE OF NAMECHANGE OF NAMEUSUNOBUN - I formerlyknown and addressed asOsakpamwan SoccerUsunobun now wish to beknown and addressed asOsakpamwan WesleyUsunobun. All formerdocuments remain valid.Concerned authorities andthe general public shouldplease take note.

By ADAMA AUDU


best Polytechnic in Nigeria,West Africa and Africa ingeneral. Reacting to thedevelopment, Rector of theinstitution, Dr. Mrs. PhilipaIdogho expressedsatisfaction saying that theranking was a challenge toher management to workharder to justify the positionas remaining at the top wasmuch more difficult thangetting there. Dr. Mrs. Idogho alsoannounced the recentaffiliation of the Polytechnicto the United NationsAcademic Impact, UNAI. She explained that thePolytechnic satisfied theten principles of UNAI uponwhich the assessment wasbased including

LATEST ranking of WorldTertiary Institutions in July,2013 released byWebometrics, 9 ratingagency has again placedAuchi Polytechnic, Auchi,Edo State in the secondposition as best tertiaryinstitution in Nigeria,thereby retaining itssecond position. A bulletin issued by theOffice of Information andPublic Relations, RectorsOfficer of the institutionand made available tonewsmen revealed thatwhile the Polytechnicranked second amongstUniversities, it alsoretained its position as the

commitment to the UnitedNations Chapter, humanrights, educationalopportunities for all,capacity building andconflict resolution amongstothers. Dr. Mrs. Idoghoremarked that theconsistent rating of thePolytechnic with theuniversities demonstratedthe high standard ofacademic activities in theinstitution. The Rectorcongratulated the staff andstudents of the Polytechnicfor exemplary conduct andhard work that enabled apeaceful academicenvironment especially inthe past five years.

Auchi Poly: Second Best In Nigeria

THE Afenmai YouthCoalition (AYC), theumbrella body for theyouth groups in the sixlocal government councilsin Afenmai land isorganizing a 3 day summitcommencing today. The convener of thesummit, Dr. Philipugbodaga, immediateChairman, NMA, EdoState, in a statement madeavailable to the WeekendOBSERVER said, “the aimof the summit is to providea formal platform toempower Afenmai Youths

AYC Summit CommencesTodayBy DAVID ONIMISI

LAWANI to participate in Nationbuilding with a view tostrengthening theeducational, cultural,environmental, political,social and economicconditions of youths inAfenmai land.” He explained that, thecommencement of the freemedical service will bepreceded with a courtesyvisit to HRH Alhaji H.Momoh, The Otaru ofAuchi (Ikelebe III). Venue for the eventwhich commences at10am is Auchi PolytechnicAuditorium, Auchi.

Politicians Urged To Unite ForThe Good Of The Countries

By MORRISON HAYBLE

NIGERIA politiciansirrespective of partyaffiliation have beenadmonished to cometogether and work towardsthe common good of thecountry by putting behindthem political differences. A leader of the defunctAction Congress of Nigeria,A.C.N in Edo NorthSenatorial District andformer Deputy Chairman ofthe party in the state, AlhajiUsman Shagadi gave theadvice recently at the birthday anniversary celebrationof an opposition leader,Chief Kasim Ozeto in thelocality. Shagadi who stressed theneed for politicians to workin harmony, condemnedwhat he called negativeattitude of exclusion bysome because of politicaldifferences pointing out thatthere was nothing wrong ifpeople fraternized togetherand shared ideas for goodas everybody could notbelong to one political party. The APC leaderexplained that he had toreciprocate earlier visit ofthe celebrant who he noted,remained his friend despitepolitical differences andcalled on politicians toemulate the example. He observed that there

By MORRISON HAYBLE was nothing wrong in thepolitical system of the countryas politics was not a badgame in itself but picked holein the approach of some whoplay the game. His words: “The politicalsituation is good, it dependson the players. Politics is stillthe same. If wrong people

come in, they will play it roughand if the good ones come in,they will play it well” Shagadiremarked. He expressed hope that theemergence of the APC wouldright the wrongs on thepolitical scene in the countrydescribing its coming as asign of good omen.

RECONCILIATION OF NAME

I, Citizen Emmanuel Kolawole Okhakhu wish tobring for the information of the general public that Iam the same person as Emmanuel Kolawole Okhakhuand Emmanuel Jasiah as appeared in my primaryschool leaving certificate. It should be knowntherefore that I am properly known and addressed ascitizen Emmanuel Kolawole Okhakhu. All formerdocuments remain valid. Concerned authorities andthe general public should please take note.

N wse

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

RECONCILIATION OF NAMEI, IRABOR GIFT ESEOSEwish to bring for theinformation of the generalpublic that I am the sameperson as IKPEFUA GIFTESEOSE. It should be knowntherefore that I am properlyknown and addressed asIRABOR GIFT ESEOSE.All former documentsremain valid. Concernedauthorities, Olabisi OnabanjoUniversity and Ambrose AlliUniversity (AAU) shouldplease take note.

EMWINDOMWANFO – I,formerly called MISSJULIET OBAKHAVBAYEEUNICE USUNOBUNE M W I N D O M WA N F OOSARIEMEN is now knownand called MRS JULIETEUNICE AGBOOLA. Allformer documents remainvalid. Local GovernmentService Commission,concerned authorities and thegeneral public should pleasetake note.

GARUBA - I, formerlyMISS ANN EBUNGARUBA, now wish to beknown, called and addressedas MRS ANN EBUNIDOGHO. All formerdocuments remain valid.Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi,Overcomer Nursery andPrimary School, Jattu and thegeneral public should pleasetake note.

INEC trained 320 staff, 551corps members and hired30 teachers for the votercontinuous registrationexercise.

The REC decried the lowturnout for the exercise butadmitted that ICT failedthem initially.

He said, however, thatthey later re-energised andbought over 400 generatorsand brought ICT expertsfrom Abuja to complete theassignment as anticipated.

“We had enough funds,mobility and this is the mostcomprehensive exercise wehad. It ended last Sunday.

“The next stage is displayof voters register but voterscards lost or changedenvironment should comeand apply for a duplicate oftheir voters’ card.

“This one will last till Oct.30.’’

Onukaogu said that thecommission had set up aninter-agency consultativecommittee, comprisingsecurity heads in the statefor synergy on the best wayto check insecurity duringand after the election.

In her speech, Mrs IfeomaAnumba, who led the NUJdelegation, informed INEC

Edo Ministry Dissociates FromImpestors Oil, Gas Training

Govt Urged To TackleEnvironmental ChallengesDon’t Purchase Voter’s Card

Contd. from pg 1

the Edo State Commissionerfor Special Duties, Oil andGas, Ambassador OrobosaOmo-Ojo (JP) madeavailable to WEEKENDOBSERVER in Benin Cityyesterday. “The ministry herebydissociates itself from thepurported partnership andtraining and wishes to informthe general public that neitherDubri Oil Company Limitednor the Ministry for SpecialDuties, Oil and Gas ispresently planning any suchtraining and has not directednames to be compiled forsuch purpose,” the statementdeclared. “Consequently, the generalpublic is advised to disregardsuch information and reportthe perpetrators of thiseconomic crime to thenearest security agencies orthe Ministry of Special Duties,Oil and Gas,” it concluded.

BY THOMPSONERHOMONSELE

EDO State Ministry ofSpecial Duties, Oil and Gashas dissociated itself fromany purported partnershipwith Dubri Oil CompanyLimited and trainingprogramme in Warri. The ministry makes thisprompt disclosure as it hasbeen brought to its noticethat an unscrupulous groupof people are going roundselling forms for the peopleof Ovia North East and OviaSouth West LocalGovernment Areas for thesum of N5,000.00 under theguise of a partnershipbetween them, Dubri OilCompany Limited and theministry for a trainingprogramme in Warri. This is contained in aGovernment SpecialAnnouncement signed by

advised officials of NationalEnvironmental Standard andRegulation EnforcementAgency (NESREA) to deal withviolators of environmentallaws. He said the NESREA lawsshould be implemented to theletters stressing that the non-implementation of such lawswere the cause of seriousdegradation and coastalaeration Meanwhile, Chief Bam FredMajemite political Adviser toDelta State Government andan aspirant to Delta CentralSenatorial zone has joinedvoice on the problems ofenvironmental pollution in thecoaster region of Niger/DeltaState. He said that the operation ofInternational oil countries in theriverine areas of Niger/DeltaState has affected the Life ofthe people and agriculturalproducts. According to him “if you goto our riverine areas, you willbe shocked at what you willsee. “One of the biggest problemwe have is the declension ofthe I.O.C. countries is whatthey are doing here,” hestressed. He said government at alllevels should ensure thatInternational Oil Countries(I.OC.) operating in Nigeriameet the minimumInternational Standard in orderto guarantee the safety of ourenvironment.

government should takedeliberate effort in arrestingenvironmental problemsranging from water pollution,air and gas flaring arising fromoil exploration in the Niger/Delta region. While lamenting the non –implementation of lawsrelating to environmentalissues in Nigeria, the legalpractitioner cum farmer

THE Federal and StateGovernments have beencalled upon to put in placenecessary mechanismstowards the control ofenvironmental degradation,pollution and coastal aerationin the Niger/Delta region ofNigeria. The call was made by theDirector Raymos GuanahFarms, Asaba, Barr. RaymosGuanah while speaking withthe Weekend OBSERVERon government’s effort atsolving environmentaldegradation in Nigeria. Barr. Guanah said

By ADAMS OYIBOKEthat the union came to knowhow prepared it was for thegovernorship election.

She assured thatjournalists in the state wouldpartner with INEC to ensurefree and fair polls that wouldgenerally be accepted to becredible.

Anumba said, however,that this could only bepossible “ if the journalistsare briefed on dailydevelopments.”

EDO State Governor,Comrade AdamsOshiomhole on Wednesdayin Benin City, officiallyinaugurated the NigerianSecurity and Civil DefenceCorps (NSCDC) Edo SouthArea Command Office block.

Gov Oshiomhole Inaugurates NSCDC Area CommandBY THOMPSONERHOMONSELE

The Governor,represented at the Ceremonyby the Secretary to Edo StateGovernment (SSG), Prof.

Julius Ihonvbere,commended officers and menof NSCDC over their effort atcombating crime andcriminals inspite of obviouschallenges.

While noting that the effortshave earned the NSCDC aplace in the task of securityand protection, he assuredthe Corps of governmentsupport.

In a goodwill message, EdoState Commissioner forSpecial Duties, Oil and Gas,Ambassador Orobosa Omo-Ojo (JP), recalled how he andmembers of the NSCDCintercepted oil thieves and gottheir trucks burnt pointing outthat the officers and men werereally diligent.

Besides emphasizing inter-security agency collaboration,the Commissioner alsodisclosed that NSCDC andEdo State Ministry of SpecialDuties, Oil and Gas, werealready in a working

relationship saying it wouldlead to the reduction of Oilthieves and theft.

The AssistantCommissioner of Police,Moris Yusuf, who representedEdo State PoliceCommissioner and AjayiSuru, representative of theZonal Commander of NSCDCas well as Pharmacist ChikeAlfa Ikpemoue thanked thestate government for itssupport to the corps andappealed for perimeterfencing of the NSCDC AreaCommand Office.

The Edo South AreaCommander, NSCDC ChiefSuperintendent of Corps(CSC), Esokwu CharityOluchi, expressed gratitude toall those who facilitated theactualisation of the AreaCommand’s Office andrequested for improvedworking environment andtools for a more secured andprosperous Edo State

THE WEEKEND


Our Bungled Democracy

• President Goodluck Jonathan

THE emergence ofdemocratic rule inNigeria in 1999 was awelcomed relief to alland sundry, based onthe assurance thatdemocracy is the bestform of government forthe people.

In the civilized worldor may I call it WesternDemocracies, theirpractice of democracyis almost perfect,though there are stillsome flaws associatedwith it.

On the other handNigerian democracy isno democracy at all.Most of the time wedeceive ourselvesmost painfully andlaughably that wepractice democracy.

It is in factdistressingly laughablethat we call what wepractice under a civiliangovernment since 1999as democracy.

What is obtainable inNigeria is tragic-democracy if I may usesuch a word. Nigeriademocracy since 1999to date is a flaweddemocracy, it ismimicry of democracyit is a travesty ofdemocracy, it is amockery of democracy,even as the civilisedworld silently stare atus with deep pity andsorrow considering ourcircumstances andsituation.

Their reasoningbased on the thoughtthat the worst civilianrule is better than thebest militarygovernment in Africa orin other part of theworld.

However, the reality isthat our democracy is

not much different fromthe military rule whichwe are used to inNigeria.

Most Nigerians in theirinner most mind, feelsdisdainful about thisdemocracy and wouldactually prefer militaryrule.

Our democracyreveals mostessentially that the willto power is governedand motivated byselfishness and greedand the allure ofmaterialism.

Nigeria so-calledleaders, so-calleddemocratic leaders aredespots and tyrants.They are thieves androgues whose soleambition is to amassthe nation’s wealth forthemselves and theircohorts, leaving thepeople ever soimpoverished andwretched.

Thus Nigeriandemocracy is foundedon rabid corruption andgreed; hence themasses are tied to thegrinding wheel ofp o v e r t y ,d i s e n c h a n t m e n t ,discontent anddisenfranchisement.Everywhere you go toin Nigeria today tells thetale of sorrow,resignation, tatteredpenury, arresteddevelopment, hugeunemployment, failedcritical infrastructures,restiveness, terrorism,insurgence and whathave you.

Evidently these arethe fall out of the rabbitcorruption and greedthat is rife in the nationsbody politics today.

Today, extreme

poverty aboundsacross the length andbreath of this god-forsaken nation whereher leaders have lootedher to the marrow andthe masses justcontinue to wallow intheir dens of sufferingand abandonment.

The suffering people

of Nigeria know thattheir leaders are evenricher than the so-

called nation itself.The suffering people

of Nigeria know thattheir leaders arethieves, worst thanarmed robbers andkidnappers.

The suffering peopleof Nigeria knows thattheir leaders are toogreedy, too corrupt, tooselfish, too self centredto ever do that which isrighteous in the sight ofGod and in the sight ofman.

The suffering peopleof Nigeria knows thatNigerian democracy nawayo, hence there isbackward and arrestedd e v e l o p m e n teverywhere.

The suffering peopleof Nigeria know thatNigerians want goodroads, good schools,qualitative education, afunctional healthcaredelivery but these arecurrently charade in ourso-called democracy.

The suffering peopleof Nigeria know thatthey need inexpensivelow-cost housing; theywant gainfulemployment and acountry where they canlive in peace andprosperity.

But the sufferingpeople of Nigeria alsoknow too well thatNigerian democracyhas failed themwoefully, and havebecome increasinglyweary of sustained on-going trend of bigotry

and ineptitude in thegovernance of thecountry. The sufferingpeople of Nigeria nowdesire a change, a realchange. They want truedemocracy asobtainable in thecivilized world, ademocracy that wouldcare for them. Ademocracy that wouldwipe away their tearsand heartaches.

Indeed the sufferingpeople of Nigeria areyearning for a positivechange, progressivechange, truedemocratic change,true political change.

In summing up, rightnow the Nigeria nationis at a momentousperiod in its checkardhistory, as the forces ofdarkness which hastaken over the entireland continues tounleash furtherhardship for thecitizenry. The onus ison the citizenry to taketheir destines in theirown hands rather thanrelying on failedpromises.

The Nigerian citizenryneeds a new vision ofreality to help themdeal with theirpassitivity andignorance.

The citizenry needs tobe awakened to a newconsciousness of whatdemocracy entails,even if they have tosacrifice themselves.

• Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

• Late Alhaji Musa Yar’Adua

“Our democracy reveals most essentiallythat the will to power is governed andmotivated by selfishness and greed andthe allure of materialism.”

“Thus Nigerian democracy is founded on rabid corruption and greed;hence the masses are tied to the grinding wheel of poverty,disenchantment, discontent and disenfranchisement. Everywhere yougo to in Nigeria today tells the tale of sorrow, resignation, tatteredpenury, arrested development, huge unemployment, failed criticalinfrastructures, restiveness, terrorism, insurgence and what have you.”


Jonathan: A Mice In Elephant Cage

Jonathan

By ERASMUS IKHIDE

P liticso

PRESIDENT GoodluckJonathan has madehimself a potential portstirrer in recent times.Events at the momenthave call to question Mr.Jonathan’s ability tomaster his ownpresidency. Thepresidency seemsstranded in all front like anill-equipped platoonfinding itself suddenly ona battlefield. No person ofhis status – a nation’spresident – wouldsquander the immensity ofhis power and influence ona combustible conflict ofdisputable merit as that ofRivers State political crisis.

Mr. Jonathan hasstamped his frenzied drivefor forceful domination, aclear testament to thehorror the nation is boundto face in 2015 presidencyelection. The presidency isquick to dismiss all that,calling the predictions“doomsday prophecies”.It’s only a backwardlooking and unimaginativeleader that would allowpolitical crisis to spiraldangerously to such analarming and boiling point.As he tightens the grip onGovernor Rotimi Amaechiand the crisis spreads, sodoes threat to nation’sinstability.

Even now, no action hasbeen taken to rein in thefeuding parties to peaceby the president. Withoutdoubts, there is adictatorial manual thepresidency is acting outreligiously – knowinglyand unknowingly – to

thwart our presentdemocratic wobblingenterprise and drive thenation to the precipice.This mischievous exploitfor uncanny crudity canonly lead the country inone direction: violentbloodbath and eventualdisintegration. And this isparticularly a sharp thornin the nation’s flesh.Galling enough, theawkward moment is suchthat consumes all thenation’s virtue.

The President hadovertly sided, and stillsiding with the anti-Amaechi five leprousmembers of the RiversState House of Assemblyand the 27 others whovisited mayhem on thehallow Chambers a fewweeks ago. While insistingthat Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbumust remain the PoliceCommissioner in RiversState through theInspector General ofPolice, after igniting thecrisis, the presidencycovertly sponsored one ofthe injured notorious fivefor medical treatmentabroad.

One had hoped that Mr.President would genuinelysort things out for thesquabbling legislators,rather he smashedwhatever confidence wehad that things could beput right as we watchedthe five renegadeelements left off the hook.This is reminisce of theWestern Nigeria crisis of1965 which threatened tosplit the country at its

seams.Regrettable there is no

attempt to draw a linebetween what ispermissible in ademocratic space andwhat is not, what ispossible in a civic societyand what is not and, whatis acceptable and mutuallybeneficial, politically andwhat is not. All of thisraises the question on howa president with grandambitions and shrinkinghorizons can use hisoffice. Truly, Mr. Jonathanis a student ofMachavellism, where theend justifies the means, nomatter who gets crushedalong the way. And thereason for this is clear.

Here is a piece ofheresy: The notion of“goodluck” presidencyentrusted by providenceno matter how wrongly heapplied himself to the jobor what anyone may say,however constructive, is atthe heart of the blatantimpunity playing out aspolitics across the country.This zero some game maywell consume his tauntingambition beyond 2015 andthe existence of his crisis-prone party, the PDP atthe center. From the dawnof time to now, no one orkingdom survivesarrogation ofGodheadship or invisibilityto himself in a game ofnumbers, especially in ademocracy. Perhaps thePresident must havepersuaded himself that“luck”, not merit, which hasbeen responsible for hismeteoric rise will stil llevitates and retain him inAso Rock beyond 2015.

This is where PresidentJonathan got hispermutations wrong, thereby singing his politicalNunc Dimittis! It’s thefailure of his presidency ifhe is not aware that thesand is shifting beneathhis feet and his behemothof a party, the PDP. Sincethe hot-blooded angeragainst Governor RotimiAmaechi over hisrumoured Vice-Presidential ambition, Mr.President has furtherstunted governance by theever existing ineptitude,distracted more by power

games.Now let it be said: The

electorate who gave Mr.Jonathan a Pan-Nigerianmandate, like the buildingin anticipation of the reliefof torrential rains after aseason of scorching hotHarmattan winds andbush fires have beentragically disappointed.But President Jonathanhas disappointed himselfthe more. He has undonehimself, constitutinghimself into a squalidnuisance to those whoconsidered him literateenough to lead the nationthat has never been solucky to have a Ph Dholder as her president.

President Jonathan hasreenacted hisbenefactor ’s narrowmindedness and the bitterpolitics of formerPresident OlusegunObasanjo who huntedand hounded hisperceived political foesout of existence. ThePresident, if you willrecall, sent the Code ofConduct Bureau afterSenator Bola Tinubuwhen he rejected the offermade to the ACN toparticipate in theGovernment of NationalUnity, until the Presidentwas disgraced in court.He chased Mr. DimejiBankole with the EFCCwhen he refused tosupport his nomination ofa candidate for theSpeaker of the House ofRepresentatives. RiversState Governor is underthe fervent hunt of theEFCC as much as theformer Governor andSenator, Bukola Saraki ofKwara State for givencredence to the newlyregistered APC. Thequestion is howkindergarten or boyishshould PresidentGoodluck Ebele Jonathan

get to actualise hisretention of power?

It’s disheartening, to saythe least, that instead ofarresting the burningissues that are setting thecountry on edge thefloundering President isfiddling while the nation ison fire. But his minderswouldn’t have any of such.His Special Adviser onMedia Affairs, Dr. ReubenAbati says the President ishaving sleepless nights,working tirelessly, day andnight. What is the use ofuseless hours waited onuseless egoisticgrandstanding againstperceived politicalenemies? What is the useof Presidential hourswaited by power-besottedPresident who cannotdifferentiate betweenpolitics and governance?What is the use ofsleepless nights in the lifeof a nation by a thoughtlessleader who occupies hisbrain with divisive politicsother than actualgovernance?

The Academic StaffUnion of Universities(ASUU) has been onindustrial action for theupward of two months andthe supposed leaders oftomorrow have been shotout of studies and thesleepless president seesnothing wrong with that.The ASUU strike cameafter the academic andnon-academic staff unionsin Nigerian Polytechnics,under the umbrellas ofAcademic Staff Union ofPolytechnics (ASUPS),Senior Staff Association ofNigerian Polytechnics(SSANIPS) and Non-Academic Staff Union(NASU) called off theirsafter three-month! Why theparalysis in educationsector is going on, theinsensitive governmentthat pounded her chest thatit is not broke a few weeksago, through the sameMinister of Finance and the

supervising Minister foreconomy toned that itcannot meet ASUUdemands!

If I may ask: What doesthe sleepless Presidentthink about the powergeneration output at nightwith increased dailyreduction? What thereforeis there to celebrate in apresidency under whichpower generation hasfallen to 2,500MW? Whatis there to celebrate in apresidency that has onlygiven Nigerianswidespread insecurity,u n e m p l o y m e n t ,dilapidated infrastructure,oil theft and unbridledcorruption? Of what use isthe touted sleeplessnessof a President when thepeople he sworn toprovide electricity, protectand give jobs are sleepingin the dark with one eyeclosed on emptystomaches?

That Chief Bisi Akande,the APC interim Chairmanalludes to the fact thatPresident Jonathan hasludic intent – kindergarten– to governance is not farto seek. The deadweight ofentrenched cluelessnessand on-your-faceinsolence emerged lastweek when Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister ofFinance and SupervisoryMinister for Economy toldthe striking ASUU to go tohell.

Today, it is difficult to tellwhether Goodluck Jonathan is Nigeria’s Presidentor anyone answering thename. There is nothing forany one to suggest that weare likely to emerge fromthese pages in one peacein a far more favourablelight. Everything is wrongwhen a seating Presidentsees himself as anemperor. We want apresident in both symbolicand actual status, and nota mice in an elephantcage.

“It’s only a backward looking andunimaginative leader that would allowpolitical crisis to spiral dangerously tosuch an alarming and boiling point.”

THE WEEKEND


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Al Mustapha And The New Political OpeningJonathan Al Mustapha

THE release of MajorHamza Al Mustapha, theformer Chief SecurityOfficer to the late Head ofState, General Sani Abachafrom prison has obviouslysparked varied passionateinterests and speculations.First off, is that a veryconfusing signal is beingsent by the media. To theunpredictability of manypeople, a large section ofthe media which so vilifiedhim in the past fourteenyears whilst in prison hassuddenly reversed andbecame bogusly charitablewith publicising his adoringactivities.

Ordinarily, one would thinkthat it is probably for whatlooks important to gainingpatronage for theirnewspapers but in reality,this is a stark contradictionbecause ever since theAppellate Court overturnedthe Lagos High Court deathsentence on Al Mustapha,the superior judgement didnot only take away the darkcloud that hung over hissurvival but the same mediahas introduced a newelevation to his status.

Beyond the mediasummersault, Al Mustapha’s

release by the Court nodoubt has had its fair shareof theatrics and noisycommentaries but the extraordinary and outpouringwelcome that greeted hisentrance into the ancientcommercial city of Kanoeven in the holy period ofRamadan when mostpeople were busy observingthe compulsory religiousfast certainly caught manypeople by surprise. Fromevery logical analysis, it isobvious that Al Mustapha’sdetention for about fifteenyears has served to makehim admired and now acelebrity of sorts.

While many had wished toassociate Al Mustapha’sheroic welcome in Kano toa phony event, the truthremains that his release hasinspired a massiveoutpouring of emotion ladenyouths and what happenedin his native Kano seems tohave had an infectiousimpact on other places hehas visited in the NorthernNigerian. From Damaturu toNguru, Zaria to Kaduna,Lafia to Makurdi, Abuja toBwari and many more, thefeeling has been the same.

Indeed, Al Mustapha’spresence along side withMohammed Abacha, thescion of the late GeneralSani Abacha in suchcommunities might easilyhave been mistaken for thevictorious outing of aNational football team.

What stands obvious inthe past weeks about theduo appearance of AlMustapha and MohammedAbacha is that a messageis clinically being sent whichmay not be far from freedomfrom political victimization.By and large, what thecelebration galore portrayedis that there exist manypeople in the North who fora slew of reasons believethat Al Mustapha’sincarceration for the pastfourteen years was an actof vendetta, probably alongethnic and political divide.Right or wrong, for thesesympathizers of AlMustapha, justice has beendone by the Appellate Courteven in the midst of thecontroversy that still greetsthe judgement.

Right now, there is little

doubt that Al Mustapha’svictorious home comingand wide rejoice by manypeople has not only drawnsympathy to him but hasearned him loyalty oftenassociated with victors of astrong battle. The readyguess is that presently, Al-Mustapha with hispopularity seems to be ona good run with winning thetrust of the manyeconomically and politicallydisplaced persons of theNorth. Today, almost every‘keke’ tricycle, a mostpopular means ofcommuting in a largesection of the North has asticker of Al Mustapha on it.Indeed, any objectiveanalyst and student ofpolitical history would affirmthat beyond the ongoingdrama and carnival of AlMustapha’s legal victory, itis very unlikely that suchrare fame would bedumped in the waste bin.The fear that the growingpopularity and acceptanceof Al Mustapha has thepotency to spring up a newwave of polit ical

followership is almost realespecially in the youthdominant populated North.Indeed, this calls for a deepanalysis not just because AlMustapha’s documentedvisits attracted many youthswho passionately andopenly joy but for the verysimple fact that presentturbulence in the Northdepicts the picture of apeople awaiting a newsocioeconomic and politicaldirection.

An interesting twist here isthat even though AlMustapha’s utterances maynot contain any potentialindication that he wouldembrace active politics, thecurrent popularity he enjoysfrom a large section ofnorthern youths rightlycontains sufficient hints thathe has a role in politics of theNorth especially for themiddle and low class peoplethat have expressedrejuvenated hope with hisreturn. Realistically, AlMustapha’s vibes that he isnot a politician given hisengagement in the NigerianArmy may not stand for longbecause from every logicalthinking, the Nigerian Army,his present constituency, is

unlikely to have a provisionthat would keep him inservice as most appropriate.If really anyone wants to befair-minded, then the rightassumption would be thatbefore long the public maybegin to hear a lot moreabout Al Mustapha’s newvocation.

Like it or not, fate andhistory has thrust AlMustapha into fame andresponsibility. As he standsout so conspicuously as anew hero of the northernyouths, he may as well getready for the tasks that willcome with it. Indeed, ifreally, Al Mustapha’s mindwas working well in hisprison days, the guess isthat in his random andwishful thoughts on survival,he would have reasoned onhow best to get back torelevance especially inusing his assumed status ofemerging from nothingnessas a prisoner to a herowhich is a usual trend forpolit ically victimisedpersons. In any case, themost important task beforeAl Mustapha now, would beto dig the

Continues on Pg 8

By CHUDE NWOKOLO

“Indeed, if really, Al Mustapha’s mind was working well in his prison days, theguess is that in his random and wishful thoughts on survival, he would havereasoned on how best to get back to relevance especially in using his assumedstatus of emerging from nothingness as a prisoner to a hero which is a usualtrend for politically victimised persons.”


P liticsoAl Mustapha And The...

Buhari

Tukur, PDP Chairman

many northern youths fromsocio economic and politicalmire to relevance. This iswhere Al Mustapha must beready to present solid andconvincing hope for a youthpopulation that seems to bein a web of exploitativesocio-economic and politicalsetting. How well he so doessuch, depends on the natureof tent he builds for them butthe way to go, isparticipation in politics thatwill offer his teemingsupporters hope, resourcesand proper engagement.The postulation here is thatan Al-Mustapha in politicsmay be a harbinger of hopefor many people especiallythose northern youths thatfeel betrayed, exploited andmarginalized both politicallyand economically by theexisting ruling political class.What this portends is that ifAl Mustapha properlyarticulates his popularity,many youth groups and thepeasantry class may notsearch too far to find ashelter for their aspirations.

Already, it seems a scriptis being played out even inAl Mustapha’s denials of nothaving politics as a priorityinterest. Indeed, ever sinceit was reported by the mediathat Al Mustapha announcedhis willingness to invite allyouths’ representatives fromthe 19 northern states to aconference in Abuja topreach peace, unity andprogress, the broadassumption is that AlMustapha is nurturing apolitical platform and newroute if he eventuallydecides to join active politics.

Nevertheless, contrary towhat some might thinkespecially for all of the talkin the media that AlMustapha is evil, the truth isthat all these seem to besuddenly changing becausehis pursuit for peace in thecrisis ridden North is not onlycommendable but anecessity. In fact, it is easyto imagine that the spotlighton Al Mustapha may soonturn from a controversialfreed prisoner to a peacepreacher. The right guesshere is that if Al Mustapha’snew peace measure isimplemented with success tothe extent that it breedstranquility and unity that willlessen the present hostilitiesand agitations by the manyaggrieved northern youths, itwill not be hard to figure outthat such a step will not onlyenhance the work of theNational AmnestyCommittee on Boko Haram

insurgents but also eradicatea huge liability that thepresent administration hascarried for ages.

However, no matter howhard Al Mustapha supporterspretend not to be testing themurky political water, thetruth is that their peaceefforts cannot be divorcedfrom a political strategy. Bethat as it may, the issue onground is not about whetheror not politics is embeddedin this peace motive but thepotency of such a measureproducing desirable resultfor restoration of peace inour troubled society shouldbe the focus. So, rather thanhis critics tear him down,they ought to understandthat peace and unity are twomajor ingredients that allNigerians have largeappetite for.

Besides, the fact that AlMustapha’s proposal may behighly progressive for theunity of the nation, it certainlyhas some diverse politicalimplications andconsequences. To somepeople, there is somethingvery uncomfortable andcomplex with Al Mustapha’spresence in Northernpolitics. First is that somepeople from the existingpolitical class will surely feel

displaced and irrelevant.Second, is that with thegrowing acceptance of AlMustapha by the dominantyouth population, there issure to be huge resistanceto his intimidating influenceby a few persons that havelargely benefitted from theold system. Third, is that witha strong focused youthfollowership, Al Mustapha iscertain to have the potencyof upsetting some hithertopolitical calculations andupturning existing politicalleadership structures thatwere firmly rooted andcontrolled by the oldbrigades. Indeed, this isanother red alert for somepoliticians and it will not gowithout a stiff challenge.Nevertheless, the comfort forAl Mustapha here is thateven the old brigade ofpoliticians from the North willbe hard pressed to complainabout his will ingness toassist the nation on issuesof peace because thetumultuous situation in theNorth also affects theirbusinesses and personallives. Another comfort is thatthe youths seem not readyhear is about anythingrelating to giving power backto the people that dashed

their hopes.With these assumptions, it

becomes very difficult toignore an Al Mustapha inpolitics. The derivative andconstructive opinion is thatthe judicial victory of AlMustapha especially comingin an election preparatoryperiod will remain a greatsource of concern to somepoliticians because hispresence or affiliation withany party either way, couldaffect the new direction ofvotes in the 2015 election inthe North. Specifically, withthe 2015 Presidentialelection becomingincreasingly complicatedand shaky, it is obvious thatthe two sides in thepresidential battle, the PDPand APC may seek newpartnerships to address their

present shortfalls. In thepresent situation where onthe one hand, the PDP isjuggling with dwindlingsupport from the South Westand in need of safeguardingmeasures for its votes in theNorth and on the otherhand, the new AllProgressive Congress aspresently constituted, seemsmore interested in takingpower from the PDP back tothe old brigades in the North,an agenda that is consideredmost provocative andunacceptable to theNorthern youths who

constitute the votingmajority, either way, victoryseems far from assured forany side and this is where itis likely that Al-Mustapha willbe an essential part of thenew political road map.

Indeed, Al Mustapha andhis supporters may offer apotential political opening forany side. Analytically,should a partnership emergebetween Al Mustapha’santicipated new group withthe PDP that presentlycraves for northern alliance,the likelihood is that with itsassured votes in the South-South and South Eastregions, the alliance may bea saving grace for PresidentGoodluck Jonathan becausethe hold of the CPC, apartner of APC will begrossly weakened in the

North and the coalition ofCPC with the ACN will dieeven at its incubation stage.On the other hand, shouldthe new group support theAPC, then, it may just begood bye to the 2015 dreamof Goodluck Jonathan.

However, these are mereconjectures because for atruly prosperous andpolitically vibrant Northwhich the youths crave for,analysts believe that the wayto go for Al Mustapha and hisfollowers would be to seekresources to register a newparty that will offer firm

ideology includingadvancing the interest of aunited and prosperousNorth. If this succeeds, theneven without presenting apresidential candidate in the2015 elections, the groupmay be strong enough toengage in broad andrespectable coalition whilstretaining its independence.

While, awaiting the politicaltent or any group AlMustapha and his new groupmay decide to associatewith, nothing seems certainbut it is obvious that moststrategists of various politicalparties have gone back totheir drawing board becausethe release of Al Mustapha’sis highly suggestive of adramatic shift in politicalleadership in the NorthernNigeria. For those who maywish to think Al Mustapha ashaving inadequateknowledge of politicalmaneuvering or ability todeliver on these seemingassumptions, it is best tohave a quick rethink. This isso because where AlMustapha has just come outfrom is akin to a ‘high school’that does not only offeropportunity to the willing tolearn but provides anenvironment for properthinking on broad aspects oflife including understandingthe machinations of theMachiavellian principles. Allsaid, let us not forget easilythat Al Mustapha is nostranger to politics especiallygiven his rumoured andskewed association withUNCP and GDM politicalparties in the days of lateGeneral Sani Abacha selfstyled democracy.

For now, nothing seemscrystal clear on Al Mustaphauntil the Nigerian Armydecides on his fate or hedeclares his involvement inpolitics by heeding to the callof leadership by his army ofloyalists that somewhatperceive him as a messiah.Nevertheless, in everysense of objectivity, the surebet is that the wait for AlMustapha’s arrival in politicswould not be for long. Fornow, it is wise to think thathistory will repeat itself on AlMustapha like it did to otherpeople who transformedfrom political prisoners topolitical leaders.

Continued from Pg 7

“However, no matter how hard Al Mustaphasupporters pretend not to be testing the murkypolitical water, the truth is that their peace effortscannot be divorced from a political strategy.”

THE WEEKEND


The Delimma Of YoungOhikhena

L fei

Daniel Ohekhena has beingreferred to as a stowaway inthe various news media,after he managed to escapeairport security agencies,and remained on the wheelcavity of a Lagos statebound ARIK Air flight fromBenin City. The young boyhad to endure a 45 minutesjourney at an altitude ofabove 21000 feet.

This is a dicey matter thathas many sides to the coin,depending on the way youwant to look at it. There areseveral talking points on thismatter, ranging fromsecurity, setting anantecedent, the bravery of ayoung boy, and the annoyingtrading of blames by relevantagencies.

Furthermore, it is importantto point out that theadventure taken by theyoung boy is a verydangerous one and shouldnot be thought about by anyother person. It takes fortuneand luck to survive and is nota risk worth taking; hence weshould be hardworking anddisciplined to enter the plane

www.bbc.co.uk/news/maga-zine-19562101).

Also, after the historicalrisky operation has beendone, like the normal thingwe have come to experiencein this nation, authoritieshave continued to throwblames at each other. Evenat this point in time whenthey should acceptresponsibil ity, andimplement strategies toprevent future occurrences.“We have launched aninvestigation into theincident. This is a clear caseof security breach,” YakubuDati, a spokesman for TheFederal Airports Authority ofNigeria (FAAN), told AFP. Hesaid that Arik Air should beblamed for the incident,because it had failed to actafter the boy was sighted onthe tarmac at Benin City. ButArik Air blamed security atBenin. “We are worried bythe incessant security lapsesat our airports,” said aspokesman. “We areappealing to themanagement of FAAN(Federal Airports Authority of

we still cannot boast of 24hours electricity, when it isbig deal to pay 18,000NAIRA minimum wage whilewe continue to fund a largelyexpensive executive andlegislative arm ofgovernment. The futurelooks bleak, but please giveus hope! Please,government officials shouldnot use money meant toprotect the future of theyouth to do business asusual, give us reason to stayand work, then you will seethe beauty of the Nigerianpeople. Imagine in the midstof all this, a survey still putus as one of the happiestpeople in the world, can youimagine a Nigeria whenthings are good? I know thiscannot happen in a twinkleof an eye, but please let theefforts begin.

To the youths, we are allin this together; if we cry thatour fathers have failedus...let us not allow ourchildren cry the same. Let uscollectively in Unity; create,build and develop theNigeria of our dream. Theenvironment might be

Nigeria) to immediatelyaddress the problem” (tp://www.telegraph.co.uk/”http://www.telegraph.co.uk). Justlook at how, our dirty linen isbeing washed in the public,both parties have theirmistakes, and hence allefforts should be on deck tomake sure such doesn’thappen again , rather thanmaking headlines innewspapers on theirinadequacies.

Moreover, this is comingon the heels of thecelebration of the WorldYouth Day, with the theme;Youth Migration: The wayforward. It is no news that theaverage Nigerian youth cando almost anything tosurvive, but government,parents, religious and socialinstitutions should put moreeffort in channelling thisenergy and strength into thebest of stories to talk about.I was in a seminar, where arecently graduated doctorfrom the University of Benin,told us a story of how hewent to a secondary schoolwhere the falling of rainmeant no school, teachersdid not care about thecoming to school ofstudents, absence ofadequate learningenvironment etc, yet hemade it through Medicalschool without any resit.Although, you could bring apoint from his brilliance butso many brilliant studenthave missed it; I believe itsfamily and religious influencethat moulded him into suchbeauty to behold even withhis poor educationalbackground. We haveenough stories of suchencounter, underscoring theresilience of the Nigerianspirit to survive in the midstof hardship. Hence all effortsshould be put into makingsure that these ones do notlose their life through tryingto migrate by illegal means.We cannot take away the

bravery from the child, butthat sort of energychannelled into somethingpositive will yieldunimaginable results Ibelieve. Experts opine thatthe length of light helped himsurvive; just imagine he gothis wish and the plane wasto go tu UK or America, to alarge extent, it might havebeen a different story we arereading today.

The fact that this case hasexposed a loophole in theairport security systemcannot be overemphasised.It could have been anybody,a militant or any extremistwith explosives. Hence, thesecurity agencies in ourairports should make surenothing like this happensagain. And a overhauling ofthe security systems at ourairport is not a bad idea, inthe light of the recentincrease in the matters ofinsecurity.

18,000 feet (5,500 m), hy-poxia causes...

By 22,000 feet (6,700 m)the oxygen level of the blooddrops and the person willstruggle to stayconscious. Above 33,000feet (10,000 m) their lungswould need artificial pres-sure to operate normally.The temperature could dropas low as-63 °C (-81 °F) which causes severehypothermia. Those stowa-ways who managed to notbe crushed by the retractingundercarriage or killed by thedeadly conditions wouldmost likely be unconsciouswhen the compartment doorre-opens during the ap-proach and fall down severalthousand feet to theirdeaths. David Learmount, anaviation expert of \o “FlightInternational told “BBCNews”BBC about a lot of ig-norance in this area. He sug-gested that no one would bewilling to risk such journey,having full understanding ofthis kind ofordeal. Stowaways who sur-vived usually travelled rela-

By OLUGBEMIRO OPEYEMI MICHAEL

MOST times we see thiskind of scenes in movies andread them on internationalpapers, but the issue of“stowaway” just became amatter for the ordinaryNigerian on the street to askabout. According to theWikipedia onlinee n c y c l o p e d i aA stowaway is a personwho secretly boards avehicle, such as an aircraft,bus, ship, cargo, truck ortrain, to travel without payingor being detected.Dictionary.com defines astowaway to be a personwho hides aboard a ship orairplane in order to obtainfree transportation or eludepursuers. With this in view,that is why 15 year old

through the right door andthrough the right means. Inan article on the Wikipediaonline encyclopaedia, thefollowing were gathered“Poor perimeter security ata number of airports in Africaand in other parts of theworld can make it easier forpeople to stow away onplanes. Stowaways inaircraft wheel wells facenumerous health risks, manyof which are fatal: beingmangled when the doors ofthe compartmentreopen. The landing gearcompartment is notequipped with heating,pressure or oxygen, whichare vital for survival at a highaltitude.

According to experts, at

Government at all levels,let us effectively begin totake care of our youths, thismight not be the end of thiskind of issue. So many otherNigerians have died trying toescape through the desertsinto other countries.Presently, it takes a youthwith strong believe and faithto belief that things will getbetter, when a formerlecturer is president andASUU has been on strike forabout two months, when weproduce crude oil but importpetroleum products, when

tively short distances or at alow altitude. One case isknown of a person who sur-vived an altitude of about39,000 feet (12,000 m); theyoungest known survivorwas aged nine. Almost allaircraft stowaways are male.From 1947 until September2012, there were 96 knownstowaway attempts world-wide in wheel wells of 85separate flights, which re-sulted in 73 deaths with only23 survivors.” (http://

“So many other Nigerians have died trying to escapethrough the deserts into other countries. Presently, ittakes a youth with strong belief and faith to believe thatthings will get better, when a former lecturer is presidentand ASUU has been on strike for about two months,when we produce crude oil but import petroleumproducts, when we still cannot boast of 24 hourselectricity. . .”

discouraging at times, but letus be inspired from theinside to create the outsidethat we want. Even as wehear that the DSS called themother of the boy forquestioning and that he isstill in custody, as confirmedby Bello Bakori( Director,Edo DSS). We wait to hearmore development on thematter. Yes we can do it andI know we will. Let us not putour lives in danger by riskyprocesses like this(stowaway) and other vices.God bless Nigeria.


One Strike Too ManyV ewpointi

urgent need to over haulthe already decayingeducation sector in Nigeriabecause we cannotdevelop if we as a nationdo not have a soundeducation system. The factis that there is hardly anysegment of our educationalsystem that does notrequired urgent attentionfrom the primary,secondary to the tertiaryeducation in the country.The same story of neglectabounds. But this timearound, we are tired ofpromises, so we wantactions on the part ofgovernment if we have tostill claim the long giant ofAfrica, we cannot be giantof Africa only in corruption,poor infrastructuraldevelopment and living

such agreement? It beatsones imagination thatmatters regardingeducation are handled withutmost levity by thegovernment.

Any system thatrelegates teachers’ welfareto the back ground willdefinitely produce half-baked graduates andgraduates who cannotprove their mettle in thelabour market. Why wouldany government wait untilteachers embark on strikebefore taking action? Doesit mean these strike actionsare the only language theNigerian governmentunderstands? When arewe going to get to a timewhen teachers andlecturers will no longerembark on strike beforetheir demands are met inNigeria?

It is evident that strikesare really paralyzing thealready decayed educationsystem in Nigeria as ourtertiary institution studentsare wasting their talents athome and streets whenthey suppose to bemeaningfully engaged in

ministry of education saidonly about 500.000applicants will be able toget admission into Nigeriantertiary institutions out ofabout 1.7 million applicantsthat sat for the April 2013UTME while many eligibleapplicants will be deniedadmission placement as aresult of shortage/lack ofspace and requisitefacilities in our universitiesto accommodate them.

Though I sympathizedwith the presentadministration over theASUU nationwide strike,but the question is that,was that agreement signedas a result of someonewant to win electionthereby putting the Nigeriatertiary institutions intoshamble? It would havebeen possible if thatagreement was to beimplemented since 2009so that one of the NigeriaUniversity would be amongthe best in Africa. We arein a country where so

the classrooms or school’sactivities, with the currentinsecurity situation in thecountry, some of thesestudents who are now idlecould be tempted toengage in some nefariousactivities or join criminalgang to perpetrate crimes.So the government shouldas a matter of urgency actto ensure it resolve theissue with ASUU, so thatthese students can goback to school.

One of the reasons whythe education sector hasdegenerated to this state isthat the government keepspaying lip services toissues concerningeducation without takingproactive measures toforestall a crisis.

According to 2013University Web Ranking,Obafemili AwolowoUniversity and Universityof Lagos ranked 10th and24th positions respectivelyout of top 100 Universitiesin Africa. While SouthAfrica universitiesoccupied 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th

and 9th positions, butsurprisingly a Tanzania

University was ranked 4th

position beating almightygiant of Africa to 10th and24th positions. One beginsto wonder then on whichareas are we still regardedto be giant?

I think declaring a stateof emergency in theeducation sector is longoverdue and this should bedone to forestall a totalcollapse of the sector. A lotof reforms are urgentlyneeded in the educationsector and I believe thatthe government can do thisif it is really serious inaddressing the problem inthe education sector inNigeria.

Now that ASUU haveembarked on strike overnon-implementation oftheir 2009 agreement ofN12.500 EARN allowanceand the proper founding ofUniversities in Nigeriasigned with the Federalgovernment , it is expectedthat the issues should befought to a logical

‘‘EARN’’ allowance of12.500 per month. Whileseveral attempt have beenmade on the part of ASUUto ensure the governmentimplement the agreement,these had yielded no resultover the years since 2009hence their decision toembark on an indefinitenationwide strike as a lastresort. The Nigerianeducation sector ispresently in a state of notand perennial neglect bysuccessive governmentsand one wonders how wecan attain the vision 20;2020 if education is notgiven utmost priority in thescheme of things.

The issue here is, whywould federal governmentlegally enter intoagreement and renege on


By LAMAI CASSIUSTHE essence ofeducation to the growthand development of anynation cannot be overemphasized. Education isso crucial to the economicgrowth that any nation thatgenuinely hopes todevelop must vehementlyand consistentlyappropriate a large chunkof its budget to developingits educational sector. Thisis because withouteducation, no nation wouldattain meaningfuleconomic and socio-political development.

Now when we talk of ourleaders being responsible,what we are saying is thatthey should stop paying lip-service to the educationalsector. There is no doubtthat the best legacy anyparent can give to theirchildren is quality and goodeducation, so our leadersshould realize that there is

below average standard ofour lives.

Recently, the primaryschool teachers went onstrike over non-implementation of theirTSS by the federalgovernment which almostparalyzed educationalsystem at the primaryschool level. This wasimmediately followed bythe Academic Staff Unionto polytechnics (ASUP)over non-implementationof agreement by thefederal government. As ifthis was not enough for ourchildren to bear, theAcademic Staff Union ofUniversities (ASUU)embarked on an indefinitenation-wide strike over thefailure of the federalgovernment to implementa Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MoU)signed with ASUU withrespect to paying lecturing

conclusion for once so that,in the next future , thereshould be no strike in oureducation sector and thetertiary institutions shouldbe well founded as thatwas why the Federal

many talented peopleabound and the only waythese talents can bediscover for the benefit ofthe country is throughsound qualitativeeducation for the people.

• Prof. Ruqayyattu Rufa’i

• Fagge, ASUU Chairman

“Recently, the primary school teachers went on strike overnon-implementation of their TSS by the federal governmentwhich almost paralyzed educational system at the primaryschool level. This was immediately followed by the AcademicStaff Union of polytechnics (ASUP) over non-implementationof agreement by the federal government.

THE WEEKEND


Signals From Recent Local GovernmentElection In NigeriaBy PROF. R.A. IPINYOMI

V ewpointi

Obj

RECENTLY Some Statesin Nigeria conductedelections to fill vacant postsin their respective LocalGovernment Area (LGA)Councils.

The elections were keenlycontested especially whereit involved electing theChairmen for the LGACouncils. I was in Lokoja onSaturday May 4, 2013where I monitored theelections. Kogi State

Government hadannounced the previousnight that there would be nomovement of personsthroughout the state duringthe election period, from 7am to 6 pm generally. Thiswrite up is not about the rateat which governmentannouncement was kept,whether government wasable to enact a law tobackup its announcementnor is it about the rate ofviolence before, during orafter the LGA elections.Nevertheless reports had itthat some lives were lostand a number of motoristssuffered arrest or delayincluding many intra-cities,inter-cities and inter-statescommuters, especiallyalong Itobe, Ajaokuta and atother boundary points. Wecould not measure the rateof turn out because thetemplate of registeredvoters and those who

eventually voted were notavailable to us. It is howeververy safe to state that theLGA elections suffer apathyand people’s lowexpectation attitude. Many people went abouttheir private duties and werenot expecting much fromtheir LGA elected officersand therefore the individual

contestants were seeing astrying to find a way to enrichthemselves.

This perceived attitudethat Chairmen of LGAcouncils and theircouncillors is just anothermoney making avenue forpolit icians rather thananother developmentavenue or the communitiesis a source of violencegeneration. Each faction ofthe polit ical divide wasattempting to outsmartopponent not at campaigngrounds but at theannounced results.

What is finally announcedis believed to be moreimportant than voterturnouts or even actualvotes earned. It is expectedthat actual votes earned atelections and theannounced figures wouldnot be different. When theyare different the peoplereact violently.Unfortunately the

electorates do not expecttrue figures from theirelections so there is alwaysviolence after the electionsare announced. Those whomanage our electionsshould be aware that theelectorates aresophisticated enough toknow when incumbencyfactor is over used, when

figures are over falsified,when figures are asexpected, and so on.Telling the truth always,which is my personal lifemotto, is one way to curbviolence in Nigeriaelections.

At the national level, asthe LGA elections areongoing, voices from certainquarters are still suggestingthat we prefer to shiftblames rather than facereality, to accuse othersrather than to see what weor our supporters are doingwrong. In this regard aformer VC of ABU stil lbelieves that a person likeOBJ is part of Nigeriaproblems simply becauseOBJ might not havehonoured an alleged zoningthe presidency to aparticular part of the country.This was published inSunday Punch May 5, 2013.Both OBJ and Prof AngoAbdullahi are able to handle

themselves on matters likethis.

Our concern is that if a lieis allowed to thrive for a longwhile it might eventuallylook like the fact. We shallalso claim not to know thedetails of PDP zoningagreement, not to know whoowns PDP itself and whenand where agreementswere made so that we canmove our nation forward onprinciple rather than onselfish zoning ground byany political party, groups orindividuals.

It was a bad principle forNigeria to accept thatleadership would rotate onany other principle otherthan merit or finding the bestNigerians to lead us atanytime. However suchoutbursts would allow us toanalyze and enumeratethose who are problems ofNigeria and using the LGAelections as a study case. According to what we aregetting, someone waspicked from prison to leadthe country and then askedto handover to the choice ofthose who picked him. Thatis using someone to cancelMKO election and thenusing another one to makeeverything look as if nothinghas happened. Whoever didnot agree with thisagreement is perceived partof our national problems.Someone in the calibre of(a) the Biafra handed overto him, (b) he became a fullGeneral of his country army,(c) he ruled his country as aHead of State and handedover power to electedcivilian government and (d)he was a member of manyinternational bodies was tome too big to be used in thisway. OBJ is not a zombie ora push over. In any caseNigerians are not blind andmany of the things we takefor granted are wrong. To usanyone who did notunderstand the thinking of aNigerian military leader isalso part of our problems. ABU was a greatUniversity until it is now rundown in manpower, mutualtrust and mutualcoexistence, religioustolerance and human rights.We need to study whichregime did this evil to ABUour own University.

Just like the LGA electionssome people in this countrybelieve that the art is howto share money and even atthat’ more of such

perception must come tothem and by rotation. Intoday’s thinking thePresident of any nation nowhas to be a thorough bredcommunity organizer,accountant, educationist,engineer, medical doctor,military man, analyst, and allthe others and not just afanatic in one remote area.We are yet to find an allrounded but OBJ scored inmy own score card at least50% and I published in 1999in the Punch under OBJSecond Coming. Yet at thetime I voted for Chief Falaeon my belief that we neededto move from military tocivilian rule. We had toomany military rule in thesystem before 1999 and forme to add OBJ at the timewas extending the militaryrule.

We must all do more andimprove on the level of LGAadministrations, electionsand general well being ofour nation. The pockets o-Fresistance we currentlyhave as Niger Delta, BokoHaram, OPC (at one timebut I believe OPC peopleare still alive and ready toinvade) and the others arenot our problems but signsthat things are not right.They are just the symptomsof our conditions. Theseforces of resistance arereacting to the claims ofelites like Prof Ango and therest of us who they look upto for direction. This is whyI advocate Social andJustice Reconciliation forBoko Haram provided a fewpeople are willing to comeup to claim the organization.Boko Haram Is not afraid ofJonathan or Nigeria but theAmericans and the UnitedNations who already knowthem. Nigerians are victimsof what we did not commitbut we must make truce andreconcile.

It is too unreasonable andvague to run down eachother simply because theother people’s tribal marksare different from ours orthey do not worship the waywe do. Let us move to theworld of science and thefuture where all is light andno darkness at all. I don’tknow the future of LGA andtheir elections in Nigeria.We can do a better job thanjust creating avenue to drainour common national pursefor no equivalentdevelopmental and

a c c o u n t a b i l i t yrequirements. Similarly wecan build stronger politicalalliances by accepting eachother as we are but puttingthe interest of the commonNigerians first. What pushedus to politics ought to bestronger than just zoning orthe like. Party leaders, in thecalibre of Prof Ango, arewhat the system requiresand also what we arelooking for; but they mustshow a high level ofunderstanding, toleranceand consistent interest onthe plights of the masses.Such party leaders must notbe intimidated out of a partyat the first sign that initialagreements may bebreaking down. Many of our problems arenot the persons around butour perceptions, conceptsand beliefs both aboutothers and us. At one time,we thought Nigeria was likea strong and hard ball.When such a ball is falling itshould bounce itself backand high when it eventuallyhits the ground. So weshould allow Nigeria todestroy itself until it hits theground hoping it will bounceback high. That was ourthought until a student toldus that Nigeria is not a balland it is neither strong norhard. Nigeria is a tomatoball or an egg which ifallowed hitting the hardground it would scatterbeyond repair. This is thedelicate path we are all tothread and very carefully.Zoning in an election looksreasonable on the surfaceuntil you ask the minoritygroups like those of us inKabba who are neither northor south, the people in Jos,the South—South peoplegenerally, and many peoplein Kaduna State of ProfAngo, Zamfara State, KebbiState who have beensuffering silently and forwhom the zoning palabawas not designed. Let uscollectively look for the bestset of parameters to puttogether and move ournation forward. Our joy isthat as long as we havesome Obj or some ProfAngo Abudullahi in thiscountry there is still hope. This is a time to face eachother and talk eye-ball toeye-ball. We must get thesources of our problemsright so that the solutionsarrived at could be therobust ones.


EDO STATE CHIEF EXECUTIVES SINCE 1963

•Dennis Osadebey - 1963 - 1966 • Lt. Co. David Ejoor - 1966 - 1967 • Brig.-Gen. Samuel Ogbemudia - 1967 -1975

• Comm. Husaini Abdullahi - 1976 - 1978

• Col. George A. Innih - 1975 - 1976

• Brig.-Gen. Abubakar Waziri - 1978 - 79 • Prof. Ambrose F. Alli - 1979 - 83 • Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia - 1983 - 84

• Brig.-Gen. Jeremiah Useni - 1984 - 85 • Col. John Mark Inieger - 1985 - 88 • Col. Tunde Ogbeha - 1988 - 90 • Col. John E. Yeri - 1990- 92

• Chief John Odigie-Oyegun - 1992 - 93 • Col. Mohammed A.S. Onuka - 1993 - 94 • Col. Bassey Asuquo - 1994 - 1996 • Group Capt. Baba Adamu Iyam - 1996 - 98

• Navy Capt. Anthony Onyearegbulem - 1998 - 1999 • Chief Lucky Igbinedion - 1999 - 2007 • Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor - 2007 - 2008 • Comrade Adams Oshiomhole - 2008 to date

Compiled By RICHARDOKORO-EWEKA

THE WEEKEND


Edo @ 22Celebrating AProgressive

EntityBy RICHARD OKORO-EWEKA

EDO State, the heart beatof the nation is an inland statein Western Nigeria. Its capitalis Benin City an historic cityand the cradle of blackcivilization. The state isbounded in the North andEast by Kogi state andAnambra state, in the Southby Delta stat and in the Westby Ondo state. The stateoccupies a land area of17,802km (6,873 sq mi). 1991population census put thepopulation of the state at2,159,848. Estimate (2005)put it at 3,497,502.

As we celebrate 22 years ofthe existence of the statekudos and appreciationshould be given to the Oba ofBenin, Oba Erediauwa for therole he played to ensure thatthe dream of creating Edostate became a reality today.

The move to realize the Edodream became more visibleon December 10th 1980 whenthe former Commissioner forInformation, SocialDevelopment, Youth, Sportand Culture, Mr. MagnusOdion Ugbesia (Secretary)and other members of asteering Committee that wasset up to work out proposalsfor the creation of the statehad its first meeting. It isimportant to note and placedon record that the originalrequest for the creation of Edostate was presented to theNational Assembly in Lagoson July 16th, 1981by adelegation headed by theOba of Benin, ObaErediauwa.

Bendel state where Edostate was curved out was oneof the oldest political entitiesin the history of Nigeria havingstarted as Midwestern Regionwhich was created through areferendum on August 9th

1963. From Midwest region itbecame a Midwest state fromwhere it became Bendel

state include; Edo, althoughvariations are observed fromone subsection to another.Esans speak the Esan dialet,Etsako speak the Etsakodialet. AkokoEdo peoplespeak Yoruba, Ebira,Okpameri, Uneme Ososo etc.

Due to the cosmopolitantendencies, the state has ahigh presence of residentsfrom across the country andworld. Benin City, the capitalof the state has a history ofbeing one of the foremostdestinations Europeansduring their exploration ofAfrica continent manycenturies ago. Some of theflash points of these peoplehave become a touristdestination site today earningrevenue for the state.

The state is home to everypositive minded person whowants to invest and contributehis or her own quota to thedevelopment of the societyand her inhabitant. Threereligions are practiced freely

guest.Brass casting has its origin

in Benin City in the 13th

Century and it was introducedby Igueha. Indigenous artisthave followed suit andevolved a peculiar house stylein brass casting and createdthe largest brass Industry inthe African continent. Thestate has one of the highestlooted bronze and other artsworks in the world. Many ofthese precious art works waslooted by the British forcesduring the invasion of BeninKingdom in 1897. The Oba ofBenin spear-headed renewedefforts to repatriate thesevaluable art pieces fromEurope. The Idia ivory mask,which was the official symbolof the Second World Blackand African Festival of Artsand Culture (FESTAC) 1977.

The state since 1963 is inthe part of development asevery administration thatcomes on board contributesto the economy developmentof the state. Variousindividuals have all they couldto ensure the state is in safeand good hands. DannisOsadebey, SamualOgbemudia, Ambrose Alli andAdams Oshiohmole hava allcontributed to the social,human and infrastructuraldevelopment which as todayplaces the state in an enviableheight in the nation.

without any intimidation in thestate. The religion includes;Christianity, Islam andTraditional worship.Traditional worship is as oldas the people of the statewhile Islam was introduced bythe Nupe warriors towards theend of the 19th century.Christianity reached Edostate in the 15th centurythrough the Portuguese.

Edo state is culturally activestate, she keep her culturevery relevant as such over100 festivals are celebratedannually in the state, mainlybetween March andSeptember. The celebrationcreate and offer peopleopportunities for reunion withtheir friends and familymembers apart from creatingroom for people to worshiptheir gods and purification ofthe people and the land.

The state is blessed withtourist attraction site pleasantto experience by visitors andnon visitors alike. Such touristsites includes OkomuNational Park, Emotan statueat the heart of Benin City, IseLake and River Niger beachin Agenebode in Etsako East,Ambrose Alli Square inEkpoma, River Niger beachesat IIushi, BFFM building inEwu, Ogba zoo, Okpekpemountain terrain, Somorikahills and rocks in Akoko Edo,where a government-run

tourist center at Ososo is setamong spectacular scenery.The Benin moat, woodcarvers and bronze castersoperating at Igbesanmwanand Igun streets in Benin City,the Benin Museum, the ObaPalace and its wall dated backto centuries ago and now thewater fountain developed bythe Oshiomhole’sadministration.

The state is known for herarts and crafts which hasmade the state famous allaround the world. This hasbeen in existence right fromthe time of civilization.Specialized professionalguilds or Societies were setup to promote the highestideals in the various arts.These guilds were accordedroyal patronage.

The work of arts is as oldas mankind in the state andart is a form of communicatingwith the people andpreserving the history of thepeople in art form to bepassed from one generationto the other. This sector of thestate has been greatlyexplored, especially forrecording memorable eventsin life of various communities.Some of these arts work areused by governmentfunctionaries, captain ofIndustries, CEOs and othernotable and prominentpersonalities as souvenir for

state.The sharing formular from

the federal revenue washampering the growth of stateacross the country andpolicies was also not helpingmatters in developing thealready exiting states as suchagitation for the creation ofmore state intensified.

In 1963 to 1976 I was justfour state created by Gen.Yakubu Gowon, he added 8more in 1967 to make it 12states. In 1976 Gen. MurtalaMuhammed added 7 more tomake it 19 states and Edostate came on board duringthe regime of Gen. IbrahimBabangida when he created2 more state; Edo and Deltafrom the old Bendel state, astate that was intact becamedisadvantaged in regards toaccess to federal revenue.

Edo state is occupied byEdo speaking people andDelta state is occupied by amore heterogeneous mix ofethnic groups. With thecreation of Edo state, thedream of Edo-speakingpeoples and other groups inthe territory for a separateidentity and entity and entitywas finally fulfilled.

In Nigeria, Edo state is oneof the more homogenousstate, you may want to askwhy this statement? It is clear.The cultural and linguisticaffinities that exist among thevarious groups in the statepoints to this fact.

A lot of the communities inthe state trace their roots tothe ancient Kingdom of Benin.The people in the state sharesimilar customs, burial rites,diet and traditional modes ofdressing etc. The state ismade up of three major ethnicgroups namely the Bini, Esanand Afemai. The state ismade up of 18 localgovernment council and themain languages spoken in the

• David Ejoor • Prof. Ambrose Alli

• Dr. S.O. Ogbemudia • Comrade Adams Oshiomhole

“Edo state is culturally active state, she keep her culturevery relevant as such over 100 festivals are celebratedannually in the state, mainly between March and September.The celebration create and offer people opportunities forreunion with their friends and family members apart fromcreating room for people to worship their gods andpurification of the people and the land.”


Socio-Economic Development OfEdo State At A Glance

By ODINUKAEZE NNENNA

S O C I O - e c o n o m i cdevelopment is theprocess of social andeconomic developmentin a society. This is veryvisible in Edo State. EdoState was formally in theMidwestern region ofNigeria. The midwestern region was adivision of Nigeria from1963-1976. It was acombination of thepresent Edo and DeltaStates and Benin Citywas its capital. In 1976,Bendel State wascreated. However, Edostate was created onAugust 27th 1991 byGeneral IbrahimB a b a n g i d a ’ sadministration from thethen Bendel State out ofagitations for a state oftheirs by the people ofthe state. The stateoccupies about 2.1percent of Nigeria’s totallandmass. Theeconomy of the statehas undergone growthin the last 22years.

It is one of the oilproducing states in thecountry. Back then, itwas a major producer ofcocoa and rubber inNigeria. The state hasvarious industries, andsome make use of thenatural resourceslocated in the state.These industries are theEdo state cementcompany at Okpella,sawmills, textilefactories etc. the statehas a large brewery,Bendel breweries,though it is not presentlyat its full workingcapacity.

S u c c e s s i v eadministrations, sincethe era of theMidwestern state til lnow, have strived tobring about socio-

Samuel Ogbemudiastadium wasestablished in thisadministration. GeneralOgbemudia, also builtmodel farms. AfterGeneral SamuelOgbemudia, othersuccessive militaryleaders in the state didnot give their best to thestate.

Also, Bendel state

systems. Theiradministrations weremilestones in thedevelopment of thestate.

After its establishmentin 1991, the first civiliangovernor was ChiefJohn Oyegun. In 1999,Chief Lucky NosakhareIgbinedion became thegovernor of Edo State.During his

level of progress to thestate, like theestablishment of UsenPolytechnic, College ofAgriculture (Iguoriakhi),Edo State SkillsAcquisition Centre, EhorFood Processing Plant,construction of theUpper MissionExtension, the BeninBye-pass and Edo City

thousands of jobs for itsunemployed youthsunder the YouthEmpowerment Scheme,also known as YES.Also, the informationtechnology unit has alsoprovided useful jobopportunities forgraduates.

The presentadministration, has

removed darkness fromthe major roads andstreets in Edo state, byinstalling street lights. Ithas also brought aboutthe beautification of ringroad now officiallyknown as ObaOvoranmen square.This has attractedinvestors into the state.The presentgovernment of Edo stateis doing quite well in thearea of infrastructuraldevelopments in thestate. The governmenthas repositioned thestate throughconstruction andrehabilitation of roads.Governor Oshiomholehas also rehabilitatedthe Benin airport up to afirst class standard andit has been ranked asthe 4th busiest airport inthe country. Also, thestate capital haschanged for good andhas been transformedinto a modern city.

The economy of thestate is now viable in thesense that there is roomfor local andi n t e r n a t i o n a linvestments. Theestablishments of hotelsand other institutions inthe state have providedthe government with ahuge revenuegeneration base. Thestate is greatly endowedwith great tourismpotentials which haveundoubtedly benefitedthe economy of thestate. The economy ofthe state, has witnessedtremendous growth andalso, the World Bankhas decided to partnerwith the state byassisting thegovernment withS75million.

The presentadministration can becompared to that ofProfessor Alli andGeneral Ogbemudiawho gave their best tothe state in terms ofs o c i o - e c o n o m i cdevelopment. The stateseems to have provenitself as “the heartbeat ofthe nation”.

Transport Service(ECTS). Though, mostof these industries havebeen left in ruins evenduring his administrationbut at least, it ranked thestate among otherindustrial states in thecountry.

It is obvious that thepresent government ofComrade AdamsOshiomhole, is doing itsbest to put the state onthe right path. Thegovernment has beenable to generate

economic developmentin the state.

The militaryadministration of thedefunct Midwesternregion, under theadministration ofGeneral SamuelOgbemudia, witnessedmassive development interms of constructionand rehabilitation ofroads, water supply,security, power, qualityeducation and jobcreation. It is worthy ofnote, that the famous

administration, the statewitnessed a high level ofunderdeve lopment ,corruption andmismanagement. Theeconomy of the statethen was at a standstill,his government caredless about the basicneeds of the citizens. Hedid little for the state interms of infrastructuraldevelopment. Although,his administrationbrought about some

E o @ 22dunder the leadership ofProfessor Ambrose Alliin 1981, established thefirst and only universityowned by the state andit was then known as theBendel State University.Apart from this giantstride, Professor Alli leftno stone unturned inensuring that all stateroads were adequatelyconstructed andrehabilitated and alsoprovided with drainage

“Successive administrations, since the era of theMidwestern state till now, have strived to bringabout socio-economic development in the state.”

THE WEEKEND


Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Nigeria’s Alarming Debt ProfileBy ODINUKAEZE NNENNA

I suessSOME days back, the

minister of finance,Ngozi Okonjo Iweala,announced that thecountry was in great debtand its debt profile hadrisen to N6trillion.

This high level ofindebtedness is likely toturn disastrous for thenation’s economy. Anyeconomy mainlysustained by borrowing,cannot survive. It wouldhave beenunderstandable if theseloans are effectivelyused by the governmentto bring aboutinvestment but most ofthese loans are used forunnecessary spendingand sometimes whenbudgeted ford e v e l o p m e n t a lpurposes, it is hardly feltby the masses. Nigeriaspends more onconsumption rather thanon investment.

As a result of Nigeria’shuge debt profile, thenation’s image is nowdented. The Nigeriangovernment’s attitude toborrowing from theWorld Bank, Paris clubetc has become anational stigma. In2012,the federalgovernment budgeted awhooping sum ofN560trillion for loanservicing only. With thevarious naturalresources available inthe country, it is bafflingthat Nigeria is stillindebted.

High level ofindebtedness, canmount pressure on thefederal governmentwhen it is time to payback and this may causethe government toabandon certaingovernment priorities to

its citizens.There is nothing wrong

for developing countriesto secure external loansto supplement domesticsavings in the absenceof capital. But mostdeveloping countries inAfrica especially inNigeria always borrowmore than they can payback. Most countries relyon official and evenprivate foreign financing.But this has piled upexternal debts of thesecountries and it is viewedas unsustainable. In2005, Nigeria incurredclose to S40billion debtwith overS30billion of itowed to the Paris club.

External debt hasbecome a burden inNigeria because loansare not used judiciously;therefore returns oninvestment are notsufficient to meet thedemands of the loans.External debt also has anegative impact oneconomic growth in thecountry. Some factshave shown thatNigeria’s huge externaldebt is as a result of thestructural adjustmentprogramme introducedin 1986 to put theeconomy on asustainable way torecovery.

It is quite alarming thatNigeria’s debt profile hasincreased drastically inpresident Jonathan’sadministration. Whenformer presidentOlusegun Obasanjo leftoffice in 2007, Nigeria’sexternal debt profile hadreduced with overS34billion.

Financial andeconomic experts haveargued that for thenation’s debt to reduce,

there has to be a lesserdependence on crude oilby developing the non -oil sectors to generaterevenue for thegovernment. Thegovernment should also

strive to create differentmeans of generatingrevenue.

Are these loans usedjudiciously? Everyday,there are reports offigures borrowedexternally but there arehardly anycorresponding projectsthat the loans are meantfor. Some of these debtsare not channelled intoproductive sectors of theeconomy. Some of themare used to serviceextravagant politicalspending at the country’sand its citizensdetriment. With this huge

debt, what will be thefuture of Nigeria’seconomy?

There is nothingwrong in taking loans asfinancial experts haveopined that “no economy

can exist without somelevel of indebtednessand that debt is good forthe health of theeconomy”. But theproblem with Nigeria isthat it borrows so muchbut has little to show forit. Most of these loansare embezzled and if notembezzled, they areused for projects that arenot necessary for theeconomy. It isoutrageous that thefederal governmentunder presidentJonathan borrowedN3.52billion everydaywithin a period of 2-

export import bank, ahuge share of the loanwill be used for theconstruction of a rail linein Abuja. The fingers ofNigerians are crossedand their hearts are ingreat anticipation as towhether it will be fullyutilised. Often times,there have been casesof government securingexternal debts all in thename of embarking onproject but theseprojects are abandonedhalfway and the fundsdiverted intounnecessary projects.

Also, FinanceMinister, Ngozi OkonjoIweala has lamented onthe rise in the nation’sdebt profile. She saidthat “the interest rate atwhich the federalgovernment and statesare raising debts is toohigh at 15% in the faceof having to financeexpenditure and capital”.G o v e r n m e n t ’ sexpenditure andgovernment borrowing,i n c r e a s e sunemployment in thecountry. Facts and datahave shown that any 1%increase in governmentexpenditure, increaseunemployment by0.0029%. On the otherhand, a 1%increase ingovernment borrowing,increase unemploymentby 0.0019%.

Most Nigerians are ofthe view that most of theloans end up inindividual pockets ofthose in government.

It has become atrend, for states inNigeria to go to thecapital market to borrowmoney just to test theirviability and the federalgovernment alwaysstands as a surety inobtaining these loans.

The Central Bank haswarned that “thecontinued increase in thepublic sector’s externaldebt may constitute athreat to the existing debtsustainability position ofthe country if future loansare not project tiled andself sustaining”.

yeaers.High level of

indebtedness is a signthat the nation’sresources are beingmismanaged and it hasgrave consequences forthe nation. Nigeriacontinuously borrows

money that is notneeded and is notproperly utilised. If thefederal governmentutilises these loans byinvesting properly in asector like the powersection, when powerbecomes steady, thecost of production will bereduced. Then growth,employment and alsothe economy will havegenerated the resourcesneeded to pay backthese loans.

Recently, the federalgovernment signed aUS600million dollarsloan deal with china’s

“It is outrageous that the federal governmentunder president Jonathan borrowed N3.52billionwithin a period of 2-years.”


Edo And ItsBy UTI ANIEKAN UDOH

ethnicities amongthem are the Otuo,Bini, Esan, Akoko,Igara, Ora, and Afemai.Edo State is boundedon the north and eastby Kogi state, on thewest by Ondo state,and on the south byDelta State.

This great state isknown for its unique

very much respectedand at such everythingrevolves around theOba.

The early kings inBenin were known asOgisos. The Obasucceeded them whichbegan with Oba Eweka1. Over the years,there have beencontroversies about

where the word Obaoriginated from. Somewriters claim that theword Oba is a Yorubaword which meansking. While othersinsists that the wordmust have beenderived from theoriginal name of thefirst Ogiso Obagodo(Oba- king, Godo-high), which whenbrought togethermeans ‘High King’.

Edo culture is not justabout the mode ofdressing, singing,dancing, and what theyeat. It includes thecelebrations of birthand death, theirspoken language, andnumerous festivals. Aunique culture thatevery Edo man andwoman takes pride in.An Edo man takespride in speaking andteaching his childrenEdo language. Eventhe non- Edos admirethe unique arts andcultures of Edo state.

FESTIVALS ANDCEREMONIES

In Edo State, thereare traditional festivalsthat showcase its richcultural heritage.These include; IGUEFESTIVAL- this is afestival heralding goodluck. The people of edobelieve that the luck ofthe Oba is intertwinedwith the people overwhich the monarchreigns. Since the Obais the embodiment of

fertility of the soil.UGIVIE- This is afestival for cleaningand washing of theRoyal coral beads.UGIORO- This is afestival forc o m m e m o r a t i n gaffluence. Oba Ewedo(Circa 1255 AD)introduced the

memory of the Oba’sfather. ISIOKUO- Thisis a festival in honourof Ogun (Theimplement of war)which was used for thedestruction of the man-eating monster‘OSOGAN’. At thisfestival, the Oba andhis war chiefs paradethe city in warcostumes and theILOBI people fight amock battle withpoisoned arrowsinvented by the deity‘AKE OF ISI’. AGUE-Benin traditionalfasting period. UGIE-ODODUA- a festival toc o m m e m o r a t eOdodua, but Oba

Eresoyen (1740- 1750AD) later modified themask of themasquerades to thepresent seven bronzemasks which weremodeled after themasks of Osa N’Uzala(a spiritual deity fromUzala).

Other importantfestivals celebrated inEdo State are Ekaba,Ukpe, Irua, Agiele,Adu- Ikukwua,Ebomisi, Eho,Ipihionua, Ugbele,Itakpo, Ofarhe,Emomorhe, Iko, Uzo,Ugozo/Ihiasa, Uba,Egbere, Owere,Ukpako, Oriminyam,Ohonmoimen, Itikiri,I vhamen/Ororuen,Amekpe, Oto-Uromi,Ighele and Okpuge-Oro. Themasquerades in EdoState are generallybelieved to be earthlyrepresentatives ofsome celestial gods,goddess or ancestors.Masquerades like theIgbabonelimi ofEsanland are verypopular socialentertainers whosesecrets and workingsare only known toinitiates who are swornto utmost secrecy.Some masqueradesare linked to traditionalfestivals, while othersare linked to social andritualistic backgrounds.

ARTS AND CRAFTSEdo state is well

known for its brass andivory sculpture which isfound in museumsthroughout the world.The state has manytourist centersincluding BronzeCasting Centers, theNational Museum atBenin, and the OkomuWildlife Sanctuary. Edostate also has a richheritage of artworksincluding brass casting

ceremony but theceremonial bird(Ahiamwe-oro cast inbrass) was introducedinto the ceremony byOba Esigie about 1504AD. IHIEKHU- Thisfestival is at h a n k s g i v i n gceremony to the handswhich are consideredto be creator of manythings. UGIOGUN- afestival in memory ofthe god of iron. UGIE-ERHOBA- A festival in

EDO State, ‘TheHeart Beat of theNation’; a land with aunique culture andtradition. A state thathas been the bastionand citadel of culture inNigeria; the custodianof important historicalartifacts- bronze,woodwork, terracottaand brass.

Edo marks 22 onTuesday August, 2013.The state was formedon 27 August, 1991with Benin City as itscapital, when theformer Bendel Statewas spilt into Edo andDelta State. The stateis home to several

culture which datesback to the ancientBenin kingdom.Historical evidencegives credence to thefact that Edo peoplebelieve that their kingscome from the sky ormore appropriately,from heaven or fromGod. It is a belief whichexplains why the Obais seen as theembodiment of theculture of the Edopeople. The Oba is

the Edo culture, thepeople look up to theOba for luck. It is forthis reason that theIgue festival iscelebrated. IKHURE-This is the festivalcelebrated in the firstmonth of the Beninyear in which thechildren of the reigningOba observe thefestival of ‘AMA’. Thisfestival marks the

E o @ 22d

“‘The Heart Beat of the Nation’; a land with aunique culture and tradition. A state that hasbeen the bastion and citadel of culture in Nigeria;the custodian of important historical artifacts-bronze, woodwork, terracotta and brass.”

THE WEEKEND


of natural and stylizedsequences. Arts andcrafts in Edo state ispromoted bys p e c i a l i z e dprofessional guilds orsocieties. These guildswere accorded royalpatronage, and to thisday, some of theseguilds, like those ofwood carvers andbronze casters, are stilloperating atIgbesanmwan andIgun streets in BeninCity.

Art form was a majorform of communicationin Edo state. This arthas been used forrecording ofmemorable events inthe life of variouscommunities in EdoState. Effigies of Obas,heroes and heroineswere sculpted forposterity. Theseartworks were lootedby the British forcesduring the invasion ofBenin Kingdom in1897. Despite ObaErediauwa’s efforts torepatriate thesevarious art pieces fromEurope, the Queen Idiaivory mask, which wasthe official symbol ofthe Second WorldBlack and AfricanFestival of Arts andCulture (FESTAC), isstill lying captive in aBritish museum.

Pottery, basketmaking, cane furniture,cloth- weaving, mat-making and gold-smithing trade strivesin Edo state withquality and standardthat can be comparedwith others anywherein the world. The art ofbasket- making ispopular among theEsan ethnic group. TheUneme- Nekhua andthe South Unemepeople in Akoko- Edoand Etsako West Local

Government Areas arerenowned for theirdexterity and skills intraditional blacksmithing andceremonial swords.Gold and silver smithsare found in all majortowns in the state. TheEdos specialises in themaking of ornamental

adornments liketrinkets, bracelets,beads, bangles,chains, and earrings.

Auchi, Igarra,Somorika, and Ubiajaare major areas knownfor traditional cloth-weaving. The colorfulartistic motifs of theIgarra people havewon national andinternational acclaim.Ojah in Akoko- EdoLocal GovernmentArea is knownnationally for its finepottery. The people ofUdo in Esan SouthEast LocalGovernment Area,Uhonmora in Owan

West LocalGovernment Area,Okpekpe and Imiegbain Etsako East LocalGovernment Area arealso known for makingfine pottery.

RELIGIONIn Edo State, there

are three mainreligions practiced inthe state. Christianity,

market road andAkpakpava road inBenin City.

CUISINEEdo state has a wide

range of meals whichcan be compared interms of quality andtaste to southernstates in Nigeria. Mostof the food in Edo statecan be obtain in most

Islam, and traditionalreligion. Today, thetraditional religion isfinally giving way toChristianity and Islam.Christianity wasbrought into Edo Stateby the Portuguese inthe 15th century withthree cathedrals built inErie (Aruosa), Oba

eaten in the state ismostly the yellow garriwhich can beaccompanied withbeans, meat, fish;groundnuts etc. Non-indigenous foods likeamala, starch, peppersoup, fufu and bangasoup, have lately creptinto the local cuisine.Pepper rice is also

southern states.Pounded yam or Ebaare eaten withvegetable, melon orokra soups are cookedwith either bush meat,beef or fish. Yam andrice is eaten with othervarieties of soup andmeat or fish throughoutthe state. The Garri

common in the state.MUSIC AND DANCEEdo state is blessed

with great music anddance. The state isblessed with a largecoterie of performersthat has gainednational andinternational acclaim.Sir Victor Uwaifo leads

the pack, a greatmusician andperformer, who wastrained at Yaba Collegeof Technology and theUniversity of Benin.Others in this categoryinclude SunnyOkosun, Peter King,Felix Duke,Osayomore Josephand many others whohave flown the flag ofEdo State creditably.Itinerant traditionalperformers who aremainly hired for burial,naming ceremonies,age-grade festivalsand others abound inEdo state.

In Edo State, thedance or song hassatirical connotation.The songs and dancesthat have evolved inmany communities inthe state have socio-cultural backgrounds.Most traditional songsare accompanied byheavy beats withdances that step intune with it.

Today, the banner ofEdo State hascontinued to be hoistedon the national andinternational level. EdoState has a lot ofinteresting places tovisit, arts and crafts tosee, great meals, anda splendid culture andtradition. Benin City,the state capital isfamous for its uniquebronze, brass andivory works of artswhich are found allover the world inmuseums.

Unique CultureE o @ 22d

“Art form was a major form of communication inEdo state. This art has been used for recording ofmemorable events in the life of variouscommunities in Edo State. Effigies of Obas, heroesand heroines were sculpted for posterity.”


Developing Transportation In EdoBy EFEMWENKIEKIE OSAS KELVIN

Edo @ 22

TRANSPORTATION isa key factor in economicdevelopment. Be it air,sea or road, it is requiredfor movement of goods,personnel and service,without which there willbe economic stagnationas it is a most effectivemode of communication.

During the Mid-WestEra the mode oftransportation were the

motor vehicle, taxi cab(Morris Minor) andbicycle. Chief Osadebeywas the premier and theGovernor was JeretonMarierie. In 1966-1970when the civil war wasfought, the means oftransportation remainedthe same. Dr S.O.Ogbemudia was themilitary Governor of Mid-Western state before thestate was changed toBendel state.

The means oftransportation during theBendel Era still remainedmotor vehicles and usedto transport passengersand foods (food stuff)from villages and thecontrol of vehicles was inthe hands of ministry oftransport through thevehicle inspectors andthe Nigerian police trafficdivision and there was no

traffic light and roadsigns all the means oftransportation during theMid-West and Bendelstate Era was operatingwithout properidentification, allcommercial vehiclesoperating during theMid-West and Bendelstate Era did not havethe approved colourcode so it was difficult

then to easily identifyone used fortransportation. Duringthe time of Ogbemudia,Mid-West line came inand later changed toBendel line and againchanged to Edo line,

For so long, thetransportation system inEdo state sufferedabandonment in thehands of previousa d m i n i s t r a t i o n s ,resulting in theregrettable dilapidationof infrastructure. TheAdams Oshiomhole-ledadministration was fullyconscious of this, whenit was inaugurated inNovember, 2008 it tookbold and decisive stepsto improve the quality ofour roads whichconstituted death trapsand nightmare to themotorists and

commuters. Today, the intervention

of Government hasbecome very visible asevidenced in the massiveconstruction of roads anddrainages in Benin city,the Edo state capital andother Local GovernmentArea of the state withC o m m e n s u r a t e

preparation for aneventual acquisition ofmodern motor vehicle tocater for the masses. Thisof course, becomes aprelude to theintroduction of massTransit transportationdesigned to addressgrowing urbant r a n s p o r t a t i o nchallenges.

Government providedcounterpart fundingtowards the acquisition ofsome one hundred new

buses for intra-cityoperations and itsservice gratifying to Edocity transport servicewhich has the mandateto operate the intra-citybus service. Theprocurement of thebuses according toGovernor AdamsOshiomhole “is to ensure

the effective and easymobility of passengersand goods, reducewastage of commuter’stime and address thehorrifying bottleness atthe city centre” whenoperational, the buseswill ply all the majorroads in the Beninmetropolis thus puttingsmiles on the faces ofcommuters and it wasduring this presentadministration thatcompany buses spread

out, thus making thecitizens of Edo state totravel with the bus of theirchoice.

Apart from theintroduction of the masstransit, it is on record thatunder the OshiomholeA d m i n i s t r a t i o n ,deliberate and consciousefforts have been madeto improve the generalwell being of thetransport industry in thestate. Before the adventof the Adams AliyuO s h i o m h o l ea d m i n i s t r a t i o ncommercial vehicles inthe state especially in theBenin metropolisoperated without properidentification mark. Thishas since changed withthe enforcement of thenecessary legislationwhich makes itmandatory for allcommercial vehicles,operating in the state tobe painted with theapproved colour code ofyellow upon fire red.Needless to say that thishas not only enhancedthe identity ofcommercial vehicle in thecity, but has gone a longway in reducing crimesperpetuated by someu n s c r u p u l o u scommercial vehicleoperators. It is also to thecredit of comrade AdamsOshiomhole that somuch has be achieved intraffic control with thetraining anddevelopment of overhundred traffic controlofficer at major roadjunctions and streets inthe Benin metropolis.This is why traffic flow inBenin City is relativesmooth despite themassive roadconstruction going on inseveral parts of the city.

Motorists are nowmore conscious of goodsdriving habit and properparking due to themassive publicenlightenment carriedout by the ministry oftransport. This is inaddition to theinstallation of road signson major roads in BeninCity and it also the timeof this present GovernorAdams Oshiomhole thelong comfortable buses,Benin City transportservice (ECTS) wasprovided to the citizensof Edo State to take themto their final bus stop atthe cheaper price andthe credit card makes thebus so interesting and itwas also to the credit ofGovernor Oshiomholethat motorcycle was ban.

The emerging rapidpattern of ban on motorbikes as a means oftransportation in manycities of the federation isan indication not onlythat it is no longerfashionable, but also aglaring realization that itsnegative impact clearlyout weights whateveradvantage associatedwith it. It is an undisputedfact that many citizenshave been maimed andeven killed as a result ofr e c k l e s s n e s s ,inexperience, lack of skilland ignorance of roadstraffic law and signsespecially by commercialbikes riders.

There is no doubt thatwith the present tempo ofdevelopment which willcertainly be sustained,the transportationindustry in Edo state willin the next couple ofyears become model forother states in thefederation to emulate.

“Apart from the introduction of the mass transit,it is on record that under the OshiomholeAdministration, deliberate and conscious effortshave been made to improve the general wellbeing of the transport industry in the state.”

THE WEEKEND


Development Of Education In EdoBy PRAISE EGHWRUDJE

Edo @ 22

IN a commonsensicalway, education is definedas the medium fortransmission of knowledgeand worthwhile values froma person to another, and ittranscends generations. Inthe history of our pre-colonial existence, we weretold from folktales that ourancient people had uniqueways of documentingevents, such that they couldgo to the wall where theyinscribed some marks andtell their children or relationswhat exactly transpired onthat day. They equallydeveloped a system of oralcommunication, traditionalnorms and values whichthey pass on to theirchildren and generations.For instance, Edolanguage, mode oftraditional worship,chieftaincy and coronationrituals, Igue festival, craftmaking, bronze casting,native architecture, mode ofdressing, symbols ofroyalty, native securitysystem etc., are some ofthe cherished values thathave transcendedgenerations in BeninKingdom.

But when the colonialmasters came, theeducation which peoplerecognised was seen asnothing. According to anintelligence reports, BeninDivision shows the peopleto have been educationallybackward in terms ofattainment of educationalqualifications andemployment in the colonialservice. Benin Division wascarved out of the core areaof the Benin Kingdom afterBritish conquest of thekingdom in 1897. It wasincorporated andsubordinated into thecolonial state that had beenestablished in the Nigeriaarea.

There are different factorsthat influenced theintroduction of ColonialWestern Education intoBenin Division by thecolonial state. First, the

prejudice of the Britishagainst the Benin Kingdomas barbaric and fetishridden made the colonialstate want to pursue acivilizing mission amongthe people. In the annualreport of 1897, Benin wasrecommended for theestablishment of a school toimprove the people. Thecivilizing objective wasinitially taken very seriousby the state and educationwas seen as the instrumentfor it achievement.

Secondly, the pre-colonialBenin Kingdombureaucracy andeducational system wereunsuited to the kind of skill,training and rate ofefficiency necessary forcapitalist exploitation anddomination of the humanand material resources ofBenin Division. The colonialmasters therefore importedskilled and literatepersonnel to service thelower echelons of thecolonial administration andsending indigenous peopleout of the division fortraining.

The title holders wereurged to bring out theirchildren for schooling inCalabar. But theyreluctantly sent only threeof their numerous childrenby 1898. The Benin peopleonly sent their dependentsand slaves because of theirdistrust of the colonialofficials believed to beusing schooling in Calabaras a punitive measureagainst them.

Professor AmbroseFolorunsho Alli was theFirst Executive Governor ofBendel State now Edo/Delta states. Having wonhis governorship electionon the platform of the UnityParty of Nigeria (UPN), theparty election manifestopromised free education atall level. The main thrust ofhis four yearsadministration wasliberalization of educationalopportunities for all. Hefounded the Bendel State

University now Ambrose AlliUniversity. According tohim, ‘‘when you educate achild, you educate a nation.When you educate thebody and mind you have aneffective instrument forsocial and economicdevelopment. Education isthe platform for progress. Itis the foundation of lifeitself.’’

Between October 1979and March 1980, professorAlli administrationestablished 80 newSecondary School in thestate in addition to 187already in existence.Approval was also given forthe establishment of 338,new secondary school in allparts of the state in such away that no pupil wouldthenceforth, travel morethan five kilometres from hishome to attend a secondaryschool.

By the new dispensation,some local government inthe state with just sixsecondary schools beforehe was elected governor in1979 got as many as 16additional day secondaryschool in two years.Bomadi Local Government

Area, which had only sixsecondary schools for theperiod between 1979, gotnine secondary schoolswithin two years.

Other areas, which hadmany educationalinstitutional institutionsbefore 1979, got moresecondary school to meet100 per cent transition ofpupils from primary to

secondary schools. EthiopeLocal Government Area forexample, which had tensecondary schools before1979, got additional 25secondary schools,similarly Oredo LocalGovernment Area whichhad 16 secondary schoolsbefore 1979 had additional40 day secondary schools.Etsako Local GovernmentArea got additional 32secondary schools,Ndokwa 31, Okpepho 32,Orhionmwon 43, andUghelli 39, during the firsttwo years of Governor Alli’sadministration.

In less than three years,the number of secondaryschools in the schools in thestate rose from 187 inOctober 1, 1979. This madeit possible for every pupilwho had completed primarysix to attend secondaryschool. All these were at atime when some state inNigeria had less than 50secondary schools andprimary schools yet hadproblems with the paymentof teacher’s salaries.

Before the rulinggovernor came on board,the educational sector was

totally or almost in totalinfrastructural failure,apathy and low morale onthe part of the workforceand over concentration ofteaching staff in the urbanarea.

Governor AdamsOshiomhole in a bid tomake an impact in the livesof the people of Edo Stateacknowledged the fact thatEducation is the bedrock ofs o c i o - e c o n o m i cdevelopment of the state,

poverty reduction andwealth creation. He hastherefore started thetransformation of the statein the area of education.New schools are beingbuilt, old ones modernised,to ensure that the pupils areprotected within the schoolenvironment. Schoolchildren that used to studyunder trees and indilapidated school buildingsare now provided with deskand chairs in descentschool environment.

Currently, GovernorAdams Oshiomhole in hisstrong determination toprovide quality educationhas commenced theconstruction of schoolsacross the three senatorialDistricts in the state. Thatapart, there are lots ofdevelopments going on inthe sector, for instance,teachers were recentlyscreen for valid certificatesin order to ascertainwhether they havecapability that is requiredfor them to perform their jobwhich they were employedfor and to make sure thatbest education is given tothe school children.

The governor re-inventededucation in the state whichmade the schoolenvironment conducive forteachings and learning. Heintroduced the ‘‘TotalSchool TransformationProgramme’’ which haschanged the face of 27hitherto dilapidatedstructures in some Juniorand Senior SecondarySchools in the state with theconstruction and renovationof 511 classroom.

Parents are now happy tosend their children tonearby public schoolsinstead of having totransport their children andwards to private school indistant places (like they didin colonial days). Moreunemployed but qualifiedteachers are being offeredteaching jobs. School feesin the tertiary and juniorsecondary schools areaffordable, in someinstance, are completelywiped out.

The University of Benin,Benin City, the Ambrose AlliUniversity, Ekpoma, theIgbinedion University,Okada and BensonIdahosa University, BeninCity, the FederalPolytechnic Auchi, Auchiare among the institutionsof higher learning located inEdo State.

Edo state leads all otherstates in the south-southzone in educationalattainment in terms ofnumbers admitted toNigerian Universities in2007/2008 with a total of3,569 while Bayelsa hasonly 434. The 2010National Literacy SurveyStatistics indicate youthliteracy in Edo as 89.7%.Edo however has thelowest percentage of adultsliterate in English at 73.5%in the south-south zone.

According to an advisor tothe governor, the state waspreviously recognised asthe ‘‘Miracle Centre State’’because of the highincidence of examinationmalpractice prevalentthere, the state wasadjudged best overall inWAEC examinations in2008.

In 2012, Edo state had anincrease in the capitalexpenditure in iteducational sector from#5.6bn in 2011 to #7.7bn in2012. It is hoped that, itwould be a step in the rightdirection in support of theeducation for the state.

‘‘. . . when you educate a child, youeducate a nation. When you educatethe body and mind you have aneffective instrument for social andeconomic development.”


I Want God To Bless Me WithRight Man - Genevieve Nnaji

W eKEND ENTERTAINMENTe If You Are Not Married, Then YourAre Not A Man - Eedris Abdulkareem

Stories By EFEMWENKIEKIEOSAS KELVIN

Annie Idibia Blasted A Fan On Twitter

• Eedris Abdulkareem

• Genevieve Nnaji Oh Slip: Tony Braxton ShowsBare Booty During Performance

• Toni Braxton• Annie Idibia

How does it feel to haverised this far within ashort time?

(Smiles) I’m trying tohandle it as much as I can.It feels fulfilling. I feel I’mhaving the best of my time.I feel the Lord is with me. Ifeel I have been able tomake an impact on mypeople and I have a lot offans and I’m enjoying mylife. It feels good.

To what or whom do youown all that?

God’s gift, talent,determination, pride …

Do you believe in love atfirst sight?

I believe in infatuation atfirst sight. Love is a verystrong feeling. It does notjust come. People thinkinfatuation is being in love.They are two differentthings. You don’t knowanything yet until you get tomeet the person and youbegin to fall in love. Not justphysically, but emotionallywith the person.

Can you recollect thefirst time you fell in love?

YesTell us about it?I think we met at a show.

This was when I was insecondary school and weshared a lot of things incommon – singing. It was acase of two compatiblepeople who were so muchin love with each other and

like I said, relationshipsmust come and go. Youcan’t help everything thathappens. Some things justhappen for no reason.

Can you date a fan?I’ve never dated a fan and

I don’t know if I can. Butpeople come around to toastas per fans. But it’s a matterof nicely telling them off.There are different reasonswhy fan like or love artistes.So, it actually depends onwhy my fan loves me. Itdepends. I don’t think it isadvisable to date a fan. Thereason being that people arein love with what they seeon the screen, not the realyou.

Are you eager to getmarried?

No, no, no, the thing isjust that there comes a timein your life where

everything is going fine.And all you say to yourselfis after this, what next?After everything you haveto get married as far as youare a woman.

Why have you notfurthered youreducation?

Life is not the same foreverybody. Some peopleare so lucky, they come outof secondary school andthey go straight touniversity because theyhave the back of people andit’s easy. It lookssimple…mine wasdifferent, but I’mdetermined. Definitely, I’mgoing to go back to school.I wanted to make money,so, I will go back when I’vemade a enough. But evenwhile I’m there, I won’tstop working.

What’s the greatestcomplement that has evercome your way?

My complexion.

THE bible says ”he whofound a wife has found agood thing”, and a goodwife indeed has found acontroversial Nigerianrapper, Eedrisabdulkareem found inSekinat Abdulkareem,who he has been marriedto for 11 solid years; andsince then it has been fromone level of greatness toanother.

Most people believe thatin this presentdispensation, breakup isthe hallmark of celebritymarriages all over theworld, but Eedris andSekinat have exhibitedwhat a through role is allabout and have shownmarriage can indeed work.It’s not often you foundcouples who are driven bythe same motives,sentiments etc but for thistwo lovebirds, they’vemade it possible

Sekinat who gave upeverything for Eedris whois always in the middle ofcontroversies andrebellion here and therehas over the years been asource of joy to him. Aftera couple of years filled

with media hostility andfailed albums, the troubledartiste and wife, got causeto cheer, come December14th, as the lovebirds willbe celebrating 11 years ofbeing happily married andthe marriage is blessedwith 4 kids, 2 boys and 2girls

Eedris once revealed

why he believed so muchin the institution calledmarriage. His words:“Kenny Keke Ogungbe(my boss) made merealized that if you are notmarried, you are not a manbecause you do not haveresponsibility and I saw itas a challenge that must beconquered as a man”.

AFTER posting herrecent picture online takenwith her only daughter,Isabella, a fan (namedwithheld) wrote, “ thatmouth of hers I will kiss itone day, I promised herthat.” Actress and motherof one definitely did not

OH SLIP! Toni BraxtonShows Bare Booty DuringWardrobe Malfunction onStage

Well it happened to thebest of us! Toni Braxtonmight be in talks for beingin the legendary R and Bbooks for high unique voice.But that wasn’t what keptthe spotlight as sheperformed in New Jersey.

While putting on a greatshow for her loyal fans inNew Brunswick, the 45-yearsold singing sensation suffereda pretty bad wardrobemalfunction on stage. Tonisang her heart out as the backof her dress started to comedown undone, showing offher bare booty to the audiencewhen she turned around.Yikes! Seeing her mishap inthe spotlight for all to see, adancer eventually came up toToni on stage and gave her a

find the statement funny,as replied the fan saying,“You are a fool!!! Get offmy page sick man”

Meanwhile, therehave been responses to thetweet by the fan, whichmany condemned for

inciting Annie to gethaywire on twitter with herresponse. Some havecalled for silence as thebest way to treat suchcomments by some fans,while others believe thefire-to-fire approach isappropriate.

jacket to wear while acrewmember came behindher to tier up the dress.

Even though shecontinued to sing, the crowdjust couldn’t hold their

laughter, and neither couldToni! What a good sport! It’sgreat that Toni was able tolaugh off the situation, butwe’re sure she wants a dresswithout string next time.

THE WEEKEND


J Martins Blasts WizkidOver ‘Broke’ Fan Comment

W eKEND ENTERTAINMENTeI ’ll Keep Helping People ToParticipate In BBA - Denrele Edun

Iyanya Warns Fraudsters Against Using HisName On Facebook

Stories By EDIONHON UYITHOMPSON

• Derenle Edun

• J Martins

• Tonto Dikeh

Age Difference: Kaffy Aide’s Fires Back At Critics

I Don’t Know Iyanya Personally, TontoDikeh Blast

• Iyanya

J. MARTINS recently onHot FM 98.3 Abuja gavehis humble opinion onWizkid calling fan broke:‘I’m not taking any side,don’t mean no beef, nodisrespect and no hate butlet the truth be told’.

I don’t believe becauseyou feel you have a fewchange your didn’t have afew years ago and whichyou cannot guaranteehaving in a few years tocome then you wake upand took at those peoplewho have cheered you up,loved you, supported yourmusic, bought your CDs,prayed for you, justbecause you can lay yourhands on some phone andyou call them ‘poor’. Amnot in and will never be insupport of anyone who hassuch bad attitude.

It needs to be corrected,we own our fans the dutyof being good examplesthat’s why they hold us inhigh esteem, that’s whyyou are a role model and if

RECENTLY, therewere reports all oversocial media thatpopular dancer Kaffywas eight years olderthan her husband,Joseph Ameh, theinternational drummerwho rolls with Psquare.

One of the aids of thedance queen hasresponded the manycritics who are bashingthe couple about their

NOLLYWOOD actressand singer Tonto Dikeh wasa guest on Ebuka’s RubbingMinds program onChannels TV where shereveals more about herrelationship with Iyanya, her

POPULAR televisionpresenter, Denrele Edun,has vowed to keep onproviding assistance tofellow Nigerians who want toparticipate in the Big BrotherAfrica reality TV show in thefuture.

Known to his fans asDenrele, he said this inresponse to those whoseverely criticized him for hispresumed role in theappearance of Nigeria’scontroversial femalerepresentative in the 2013BBA show, Beverly Osu.

Denrele said Beverly’sfailure to emerge winner ofthe show, which ended onSunday and to take home the$300,000.00 star prize,would not deter her fromsucceeding in life.

Beverly was the firsthousemate to be evictedfrom the grand finale of theshow; she was followed byfellow compatriot, MelvinOduah, the Ghanaianhousemate, Elikem andZambian representative,Cleo, in quick succession.The Namibian housemate,Dillish, eventually emergedthe winner of the 2013 show.

Angered by Beverly’salleged sexual intercoursewith Angelo Colllins of southAfrica in a bath-tub, thecritics had blamed Denrelefor using his position as apresenter on Channel O toget her on the MINET-sponsored reality show.

As soon as it becameobvious that Beverly could

not win the show, someangry Nigerians launched anattack against him on twitterand other social media. Helamented that he had beentaking the heat for Beverlyand pledged to keepsupporting her in spite of thecriticism.

Those who blamedDenrele for Beverly’sescapades, which they felthas portrayed Nigeriawomen as immoral, warnedhim to henceforth desist fromgetting his preferred friendsand associates on the annualreality show. One ChukyUnadulterated tweeted via@ChukyUnfazed, ‘Denrelejust respect yourself fromnow on and stop filling forms,

and henceforth let normalregular Nigerians have achance too’.

But Denrele in hisresponds on tweeter saidthat he watched the grandfinale of the show on TV inNigeria after he missed hisflight to South Africa onSaturday night, has declaredthat he will not stop helpingpeople to achieve theirdreams. He lamented that hehad been taking the heat forBeverly and pledged to keepsupporting her in spite of thecriticism. The presenterfurther said he was not angrywith those who had beencalling him names, addingthat the BBA Chase hadalready put Beverly in thelimelight.

available via Twitter. ‘I havethrough the PR Companyrepresenting me sent anofficial disclaimer on recentreport of fraud by someoneon facebook using myname’.

Please my real name onfacebook is IyanyaOnoyom Mbuk, pleasedisregard any otheraccount that ask you tosend money to them, hesaid.

The musician alsopublished the real nameand contract information ofhis manager and advisedpeople to ignore anyoneposing as him to ask formoney.

Iyanya also mentionedsome specific examples ofimposters’ actions; ‘A ladycalled my manger lastweek from Ireland saying

NIGERIAN musicianIyanya has released astatement disclaimingreports of fraud bysomeone claiming to behim on facebook.

On Monday, August 26th,2013, Iyanya has made thefollowing statement

she almost sent$50,000.00 to a fakeIyanya (imposter) for ashow. Another guy fromUyo last recently calledthat he gave someone who

claims to be Iyanya moneyfor a laptop and a phoneand hasn’t seen theperson.

Iyanya called on whoeverwas behind the illegal actsto stop and warned that ‘weshall find you’.

you know you cannot be agood role model you haveno business in music. Youdon’t know if it ’s that

person that might help youtomorrow, whoever doesthat should be checked.You have to decide whyyou are in the musicindustry. If you know youcannot be a role modelthen you have no businessbeing there.

58 tattoos that representspecific events in her life,the marijuana, Indian hemppictures, Don Jazzy beingher very first, and hersinging abilities.

She said this about Iyanya‘when I hear people say Ihave dated Iyanya before, Ifind that funny. I mean thissomeone I have only metonce or twice. I am a fan ofhis music just the same wayhe is also a fan, but if I don’teven know him personally,how do I date him? Whythey say these things, it isbecause they know I don’trespond to these things.

age differences.Her aid said ‘what is

the big deal about agethat the social media arecarrying about? Is DareArt-Alade not youngerthan his wife? Kaffy andJo love each other somuch, that’s all thatmatters not age. Thiscant pull a string fromtheir hair; so why

making a mountain outof a molehill’.

• Kaffy


The Political History Of Edo State AtA Glance

By EDIONHON UYI THOMPSON

Edo @ 22

• Comrade Adams Oshiomhole

Prof. Osunbor

• Chief Lucky Igbinedion

EDO State is one of theoldest political entities ofNigeria which has overthe years moved into agreat political greatness.The state has a lot ofpolitical history whichdates back to the Mid-

Western region fromwhen it was known asMid-Western State, afterwhich it became BendelState and now Edo State.

Edo state was created27th day of August 1991which the state capital isBenin City and the 1991census shows that2,159,848 people wherethen living/residing in thestate but the 2005 censusestimated the populationof Edo State to be3,491,502 and by allindications the populationfigure of Edo State musthave grown rapidly overthe last census carriedout in the year 2005.

Edo state is an inlandstate in western Nigeriawhere its capital is BeninCity and it is bounded inthe north and east byKogi State, in the southby Delta State and in thewest by Ondo State. Thestate which is also knownas the Heart Beat of theNation (Nigeria) cameinto existence on the 27th

day of August 1991 andthe political structure ofthe state can be tracedback to when the statewas under the Mid-Western region ofNigeria. The governorsand administrations that

have ruled the state rightfrom the Midwesternregion to when it wasknown as Bendel Stateand now Edo state is asfollows:

Chief DennisChukudebe Osadebay

who was appointed asadministrator of the newlycreated Midwesternregion on August 19th,1963 and he eventuallybecame the first premierfrom February 1964 toJanuary 15th, 1966 underthe political party platformof (NCNC). He was bornin Asaba, Delta State onJune 29th, 1911 and alawyer by profession;

Lt. Col. David AkpodeEjoor, served as a MilitaryGovernor from January1966 to August 1967 andwas the first militarygovernor of Midwesternstate. Born on January10, 1934 and his rule wascut short by the invasionand occupation ofMidwestern state byBiafia secessionist troopsin August 9th 1967.

Major Albert NwazuOkonkwo served asBiafia secessionistoccupation forceadministrator ofMidwestern state fromAugust 17th to September20th, 1967. He wasappointed anadministrator by Biafiasecessionist leaderColonel OdumegwuOjukwu when the statewas under rebeloccupation forces who

renamed the Midwesternstate to the ‘Republic ofBenin’ lasted a few hoursbefore the state wasliberated from the Biafiasecessionist force by theNigeria Federal troops inSeptember.

Brig. Gen. SamuelOsaigbovo Ogbemudia,served as administratorand lasted as the MilitaryGovernor of Midwesternstate from September1967 to July 1975. Hewas born on September17th, 1932 in Benin City

the Edo State capital andhe was appointed militaryadministrator followingthe liberation of the statefrom Biafia secessionistoccupation.

Col. George AgbazikaInnih served as MilitaryGovernor of Bendel Statefrom August 1975 toMarch 1976 and wasborn on September 25th,1939 at Agnebode, EdoState.

Commodore HusainiAbullahi who served asMilitary Governor ofBendel State from March1976 to July 1978.

Brigadier AbubakarWaziri, served as MilitaryAdministrator of BendelState from July 24th, 1978to September 30th, 1979.During the transitionalperiod of military to

civilian government,Waziri combined hisresponsibilities as militaryadministrator with thoseof Brigade Commander, 4Mechanized Army, BeninCity. He retired as a MajorGeneral.

Prof. AmbroseFolorusho Alli served asCivilian Governor fromOctober 1979 toSeptember 1983, he wasthe first executivegovernor of Bendel Stateunder the political partyplatform of UPN.

Dr. Samuel OsaigbovoOgbemudia served as aCivilian Governor ofBendel State fromOctober 1983 toDecember 1983 and wonthe gubernatorial electionin the political partyplatform of NPN.

Colonel John MarkInienger, who served asa Military Governor ofBendel State fromSeptember 1985 to July1988 and was born onApril 16th 1945.

Colonel JonathanTunde Ogbeha served asa military governor ofBendel State from 1988to 1990.

Colonel JohnEwerekumoh Yeri was amilitary governor of EdoState from 1990 to 1992.

Chief John Odigie-

Oyegun a CivilianGovernor of Edo Statefrom 1992 to 1993 andwas the first civiliangovernor of Edo State.

Colonel MohammedOnuka served as aMilitary Governor of EdoState from 1994 to 1996.

Group Capt. BabaAdamu Iyam served as aMilitary Governor of EdoState from 1996 to 1998.

Navy Captain A.I.Onyearugbulem servedas a Military Governor ofEdo State from 1998 to1999.

Chief Lucky N.Igbinedion served as aCivilian Governor of EdoState from 29th May 1999to 29th May 2007 underthe political party platformof PDP.

Prof. OserhiemenOsunbor served as aCivilian Governor of EdoState from 2007 to 2008.

Comrade Adams A.Oshiomhole is thepresent serving civiliangovernor of Edo Statewas sworn into office

November 12th 2008 afterthe Appeal Court, EdoState declared him thewinner of Edo Stategubernatorial election ofApril 2007 under thepolitical party platform ofAction Congress (AC).Prior to his election asgovernor he was thepresident of the NigeriaLabour Congress.

Edo state is comprisedof 18 local governmentareas and the localgovernment areas are

been controlled byelected chairmen whosees through the day today running of the localgovernment council andalso bring developmentalawareness to the areas.

The political structure ofthe state which is beenheaded by the governorand other elected officerswhom are well electedinto various politicaloffices and there areministries under the stategovernment which arecontrolled byc o m m i s s i o n e r sappointed by thegovernor and each of theministries also havepermanent secretariesand directors workingunder the supervision ofthe commissioners to seeto the day to day activitiesof the various ministries.The ministries under thepresent political structure/administration in EdoState lead by thecomrade governorAdams Oshiomhole are:Ministry of Urban

Development & Housing,Ministry of BasicEducation, Ministry of Oil& Gas, Ministry ofEnvironment & PublicUtilities, Ministry ofHealth, Ministry of LocalGovernment &Chieftaincy Affairs,Ministry of Youth &Sports, Ministry of Lands,Housing & Survey,Ministry of BudgetPlanning & Economic

Continues on Pg 23

THE WEEKEND


The Political History Of...Edo @ 22

Continued from Pg 22

D e v e l o p m e n t ,Ministries of HigherEducation, Transport,Women Affairs & SocialDevelopment, Justice,Special Duties, Works,Finance, Information &Orientation, Energy &Water Resources,Commerce & Industryand Ministry ofAgriculture. Thesevarious ministries oversees all the politicalstructure of Edo Statewhile all thecommissioners in theseministries report to thestate governor. Politically,Edo State is blessed inboth human and naturalresources in the sensethat the state hasproduce great men andwomen whom haveserved the state and thenation in general, some ofwhom are Chief AnthonyEnahoro who fought forthe independent ofNigeria, the presentgovernor of the stateAdams Oshiomhole whohas served the country asthe president of theNigeria LabourCongress, Chief MikeOgiadomhe who is thecurrent Chief of Staff tothe President, Chief TomIkhimhi who is currentlyone of the APC leaders,Dr. S.O. Ogbemudia whois widely regarded as thearchitect of Midwesternregion, Bendel state andnow Edo State, he is alsoa national leader of thePDP, his legacies in officeare still visible for all tosee and appreciate, Prof.Ambrose Alli of blessedmemory, must also beapplauded for the boldsteps he took to makeBendel State the numberone state in Nigeria.

Presently, the politicalstructure of Edo State isvery competitive in thesense that the variouspolitical parties in thestate are striving toproduce the nextgovernor of the state asthe current ruling partyACN now APC are doingevery thing politicallypossible to remain inpower while the numberone opposition party in

the state the PeopleDemocratic Party arealso striving to producethe next governor of thestate.

In my own view, EdoState has grownpolitically, whereby thepolitical structure hasbeing competitive overthe years and hasopened for every person

of the state to come inand participate either byvying for one electoralposition or the other. Andthe electorate also hasthe choice of electing(voting) for whom everthey wish to vote for, likebefore now when voterswill be given somestipend of money to casttheir vote for a particularperson (candidate).

Furthermore, recently,the Crown Prince ofBenin Kingdom, HRHAmbassador EhenedeErediawa described thepresent governor, AdamsOshiomhole as the

messiah of Edo Statepolitics, saying that thepeople of the state mustpray to God and theancestors to give thestate anotherOshiomhole after histenure in office; directinghis address to theopposition party the PDPin the state over theirrelentless criticism of the

Oshiomhole ledadministration. TheCrown Prince said:‘Those who doggedlywant to criticize thegovernor for this and that,among others, shouldremember that he is justhuman like every one ofus with human shortcoming’ he further saysthat the people of thestate must thereforecommend the presentpolitical terrain for thebold, resolute, resilientand principle approach inhis handling of the manyissues that haveundermined the political,

economic and socialdevelopment of the state.He also said as the BeninAdage goes, thegovernor has been thebiblical David in front ofGoliath.

The Crown Prince saidwe must also commendour indefatigablegovernor for hisrelentless effort tocombat godfatherismsyndrome in Edo Politics,which I hope other partsof the country have drawnlessons from. He spokewhen the AfemaiTraditional rulers andpeople of Afemailand inEdo North senatorialdistrict held a reception inrespect of the governor(Oshiomhole) who washonoured with the titleOshio-Osimua (meaninghe who saves from

shame) and the CrownPrince was the chairmanof the occasion.

Political governance inthe state like other partsof the country had a briefstint of democratic rule ofless than 23 months withthe civilian administrationof Chief John Odigie

Oyegun of SDP, whodefeated chief LuckyIgbinedion of the NRC atthe 1991 gubernatorialpolls. But the militaryjunta of late Gen. SaniAbacha in November1993 sacked all thedemocratic institutionsand return the country todictatorship that lasted forsix years. In that period,Edo State had its ownshare of militaryrecklessness and poorvision in governance withthe periodic posting ofmilitary officers to holdforte in states. Thestructure of governancesince 1999 has beenbenchmarked by theconstitutional demand ofpublic elections andmajority rule. Politicstherefore took centerstage in the quest for

public political offices; thiswas the legal andconstitutional foundationthat led to the emergenceof the Lucky Igbinedionled PDP candidate as theexecutive governor ofEdo State in 1999. In2007 Prof. Osunborbecame the governor of

the state and hisadministration lasted only18 months but the 18months period received alot of revenue from thefederation account morethan what the LuckyIgbinedion lastadministration receives inthe state from 2003 to2007.

The prevailing politicalpublic verdict, howeverespecially in the media, isthat the administrationfailed to meet thed e v e l o p m e n t a lexpectations of the EdoCitizens, who yearnedseriously for a new leaseof life in the state(reconstruction andrehabilitation of publicinfrastructure).

The incumbent politicaldispensation of Edo Statelead by the comradegovernor, AdamsOshiomhole, who hasbrought in a lot ofcourage, vision and driveinto political governanceand has further put thepast administrations in adimmer perspective.

Edo State has come tosee a new style and levelof political governancesince Oshiomhole cameon board, after upstagingProf. Osunbor at theCourt of Appeal. It hasbecome very clear thatpersonality, politicaldynamics and availabilityof resources, all combineto define the different eraof political governance inthe state since theMidwestern region,Bendel and now EdoState. Oshiomhole’sadministration hasopened up the threesenatorial areas in thestate with quality roadsand massive renovationof schools. He has alsoshut down the influenceof political godfathers andexpanded the tax net toimprove internalresources and attractfunds to pay contractorsexecuting projectsstatewide. The successstory has beentremendous, the feelingsof Edo people profoundand the impact on Edopolitical equation verydefinitive as the governorwas voted massivelyback into office for asecond term.

“The incumbent political dispensation of Edo Statelead by the comrade governor, Adams Oshiomhole,who has brought in a lot of courage, vision and driveinto political governance and has further put the pastadministrations in a dimmer perspective.”

• Chief Odigie Oyegun

• Dr. S.O. Ogbemudia


I suessThe Problem Of Insecurity In Nigeria

By ODINUKAEZE NNENNAINSECURITY could bedescribed as the presenceof fear and absence ofeconomic or physicalprotection for individuals,properties and countriesagainst threats like crime

and violence. The greatestproblem facing theNigerian society today isinsecurity. The state ofinsecurity in the country isbecoming worrisomeconsidering the fact thatthe rate at which innocentcitizens are attacked bycriminals, has becomealarming. No day passeswithout a Nigeriankidnapped, killed ormolested on the streets oreven in their own privateresidences.

Over the years, thefederal government hasspent massively onsecurity in the country byproviding vehicles andcommunication gadgets tothe police force and themilitary. Yet the problemstill remains without asolution. It is verydisturbing that gunmennow hit their targetsincluding police stationsand get away withoutbeing caught. Crime nolonger occur at night, thisdays, even in broad daylight, crimes arecommitted with theassailants shootingsporadically.

The country is now facedwith the worst plight ofinsecurity sinceindependence. Notenough is been done toextinguish this fire ofinsecurity. By the feeble

efforts of the government,secret service and theother security agencies, itis clear that they are bereftof ideas on how to end thiscrisis. Nigerian defenceagencies, lack thesophisticated weaponsand facilities to tackleinsecurity in the country.

Though, insecurityproblem is not alien toother countries like theUS, UK and otheradvanced countries. Butthe difference is that, theyknow how to manage thisthreats, how preparedthey are, how resourcesare deployed and howunited and patriotic theybare against threats ofinsecurity.

Boko Haram hasbecome more organisedin carrying out terror inNigeria, and governmentestablishments especiallyin the northern part of thecountry. This terror grouphas spread its networkbeyond the north easternaxis to the north centraland north western zonesof Nigeria. This sect hasmade Nigerians panicstricken and anxious

because of the boldnessin which violence isperpetuated. It was as aresult of this, that thefederal government

declared a state ofemergency in the region.This was aimed atreducing the level ofviolence in the northernpart of the country.Despite the state ofemergency rule, the sectsucceeded in carrying outsome attacks at thebeginning of the rule,killing more than 29students and a teacher inan attack on agovernment school inYobe. This was a directslap on the face of thegovernment by the BokoHaram sect, mocking theemergency rule. It is quitealarming that thepresident has himselfstated that the sponsorsand members of this secthave infiltrated hisgovernment, yet nothinghas been done to bringthem to justice. The truthis that the Boko Haraminsurgency will not endunless their sponsors andinformants arepersecuted.

Additionally, the BokoHaram insurgency wasthe reason why the 36states governors under

the Nigeria governor’sforum insisted on thecreation of state police.According to them, theyclaimed it was the onlyway insecurity could becurbed in the federation.This was kicked againstas citizens and the federalgovernment gave theopinion that if each statewas granted theautonomy to control itsstate police force withoutinterference from thefederal government, therewill be chaos.

Furthermore, thecontinuous increase inpoverty is one majorcause of insecurity in thenation. A vast number ofNigeria’s population arepoor and at such, in orderto meet their needsespecially the youths, theytake to crime. The CentralBank Governor SanusiLamido has also said thatunemployment is one ofthe major reasons forinsecurity in the country.He blamed the high levelof poverty in the countryon “the federalgovernment’s inability toprovide a social securityprogramme that wouldsolve the basic problem ofthe people as it is done inother developed

countries”. Insecurity isone of the challengesundermining everythingthat can move the countrytowards a brightereconomic, social andpolitical future. It hasgotten to the stage wherekillings and bombings of

people and properties indifferent parts of thecountry, is no longer news.Citizens of Nigeria,irrespective of status,religion, and ethnicity arenot safe.

Government shouldstrive to providesophisticated securitypersonnel and weapons inorder to tackle securitychallenges like robbery,terrorism and kidnapping.

Furthermore, securitydoes not bother only onterrorism but also robberyand kidnapping. On dailybasis, reports ofkidnappings and armedrobbery have become anorm. It is very commonin the east and also in theNiger Delta area of thecountry. No day passeswithout one hearing the

news of a kidnap. Someweeks ago, some primaryschool teachers in Edostate were kidnapped byunknown gunmen andwere later released afterpaying some amount ofmoney as ransom.Kidnap cases related to

ritual killings, are also onthe rise in Nigeria. TheAfrican InsuranceOrganisation has reportedthat “Nigeria accounts for25% of kidnap–for–ransom cases reportedworldwide”. Nigeria hasbeen described by thisorganisation as the globalcapital for kidnapping dueto its increased record ofkidnap cases in thecountry yearly.

Most Nigerians areafraid that the insecuritychallenges in the nationmay escalate in 2015.This may not be far fromthe fact that the differentethnic groups in thecountry are threateningwar if not given the chanceto contest for thepresidential elections.

The rate of bombings,kidnappings and armedrobbery over these fewyears has led to a hugeloss in resources and thisis dangerous to theeconomy. Nigeria is thesecond largest andstrongest economy inAfrica yet, if insecuritychallenges persist in thecountry, no investor willwant to invest in thecountry.

The Human RightsWatch has stated thatabout 2,800 lives werelost in 2012 in 275suspected attacks by theBoko Haram group. It alsostated that 211 policeofficers were killed.

Nigeria is no longer asafe haven, no one is safein the country and thegovernment needs to actfast to salvage thissituation. The future of thecountry is at stake ifnothing is done to bringthis situation in the countryunder control.


• Alhaji Namadi Sambo

“A vast number ofNigeria’s populationare poor and at such, inorder to meet theirneeds especially theyouths, they take tocrime.”

THE WEEKEND


By EKAIWE IGINUA OSEMWEKHA

Bicycle; A Reliable Transport Solution AfterThe Banning Of Bikes

I suessDUE to Edo State

deregulation ofmotorbike in Beninmetropolis, manycommuters are nowreverting to bicycles forcoping with thechallenges of movingfrom one place to theother.

It is advantageouslyreliable due to its abilityto meander through theheavy vehicularmovement associatedwith city centers.

In the rusticcommunities in BeninKingdom, bicycles stillplay a vital role oftransporting people tothe farms. Somefarmers do travel about90 killometreseveryday.

It also makes thetransporting ofharvested crops easierfor the individual farmer.Those less privileged topurchase this easymode of transportationvery often resort tocarrying heavy loads ontheir heads for severalkilometres.

The production ofmotor tyres in Scotlandabout 150 years agobecame a pedestal for

the invention to bicycle,motorcycles, motorvehicles and even theAeroplane, which todayis the fastest mode oftravelling.

Bicycles were firstintroduced to theancient Benin Kingdom

in the early 40’s as thefastest mode oftransportation andc o m m u n i c a t i o n spostmasters were ableto deliver letters to longdistances, which werehitherto difficult to do.Very few people couldpurchase this new modeof transportation.

In this era underreview, there were nopleasure cars,professionals likemedical doctors,lawyers and civilservants were not easyto come by, but standardsix teachers, wereeverything in the ancientBenin Kingdom whichwas bulk of thelandmark in WestAfrican sub region. Theinvasion of French andBritish imperialistconsequently pave wayto the entrenchment ofEuropean educational

ideology.Bicycle was equivalent

to the most expensivecar on our roads today.It was in the interest ofa would be owner of abicycle to undergo anorientation in a bid toacquiring basic skills of

routine maintenanceand repairs of the newlyacquired mobility. In asituation where abicycle owner had a flattyre or brake failure, hehas to be prepared forthe unexpected.

The groups of peoplewho eventually emergeas bicycle repairerswere referred to by thelocal indigenes as“macalasion”. Thesepeople wereresponsible for themaintenance andrepairs of bicycle whenthere is a flat tyre orother structural failure.So, people saw them ashighly skilled and of veryhigh potentials in thenew engineeringtechnology.

The brand name of thefavourite bicycle in theU.A.C was calledRaleigh white bicycle.So it was an

u n p r e c e d e n t e dscenario in the life of therustic community ofIyekeorionmwon whena son of the soil, a highlyrespected teacher rodea bicycle from BeninCity. A distance of more

than 100 kilometres tovisit his parents. Theovation from the crowdthat cluster around thebicycle to have aglimpse was over twohundred people. All ofthem wanted to witnessthis epic event ofmodern technology intransportation.

So, it was withundaunted optimismthat the bicycle ownerwould commend theefforts of the vigilantyouths who tied hisbicycle to an Iroko tree

in order to prevent itfrom escaping into theforest. Some of theunlookers who were notso sure if their peergroup did the right thingdecided to notify thebicycle owner of thisinitiative.

The rustic youths werehowever disappointedwhen the bicycle ownerwas very furious withthem for breaking theside mirror. One of therascals said to theteacher “you no happysay we no let youranimal escape into theforest like antelope”. Inthe argument thatensued there was aboutto be a community fightover who was right orwrong.

In Europe andAmerica, bicycles havebecome a very lucrativesource of game forparticipants in bicyclerace know as ‘Tour deFrance’. And those whowon bicycle race areacknowledged as superstars in the field ofsports.

A respondent Mr.Agheyedo who is nowabout 85 years old said.“A scenario that is stillfresh in my memory waswhen an Urhobo manwho had great passionfor bicycle riding said tohis son, “my boy, I willsoon purchase a whitebicycle in order to matchmy new status as a firstclass chief” and the sonresponded. “Sir, if youbuy this wonderfulbicycle, I will just ride itevery where non stop”.

This utterance was veryprovocative to the wouldbe owner of the bicycleand consequently struckhis son with his walkingstick and roared “do youwant to destroy mybicycle,” his soneventually collapse andwas rushed to thenearest traditionalhealer.

When the kid was fullyrevived, the Dr. thenasked the Chief. “Whathappen to your son”.And the Chief replied,“don’t mind this stupidboy, I told him I wasabout to purchase abrand new bicycle andhe said he will ride itevery where non stop”.So, I struck him on thehead for planning todestroy my bicycle. Thetraditional doctor said tothe local chief.” Youhave not even purchaseany bicycle and yet yournearly killed your son”.

Even at this earlystage of transportationtechnology, armedbandits who snatchbicycles from theirvictims abound atOghara junction alongSapele Road. They doflag down bicycle ownerwith their walking sticksand say “IjeghereOkpokpor”. Before yousay Jack Robison yourbicycle will disappear.

In other to amelioratethe sufferings ofcommuters due to thederegulation ofmotorbike, Governmentshould providea l t e r n a t i v etransportations.

“. . . the Dr. then asked the Chief. “What happento your son”. And the Chief replied, “don’t mindthis stupid boy, I told him I was about to purchasea brand new bicycle and he said he will ride itevery where non stop”. So, I struck him on thehead for planning to destroy my bicycle.”


Packing For A VacationL isuree

How To Handle Your Handbag

IN the flurry of packingfor a vacation or businesstrip, it’s easy to get carriedaway and pack everythingbut the kitchen sink intoyour suitcase and carry-on. But over-packedluggage and improperlifting and carryingtechniques are commoncauses of injury to the

By ISEMHENBITA FAITH

Change the size andweight of your wallet once ina while. You may alsoconsider one wallet for yourwork and a different one forwhen you got out, as youmay need different objectsfor both.

Ensure the weight isevenly distributed in thepurse by using all thepockets.

Carrying A HandbagUse both hands to check

the weight of the handbag.Instead of always carrying

your handbag on the sameshoulder, switch sides oftenso each shoulder gets a rest.

Square your shoulders –many women have a habitof lifting the shoulder onwhich the purse is carried tokeep the straps fromslipping.

According to OntarioChiropractic Association,there are more tips ofcarrying a handbag, whichincludes:

Try to maintain good

By ISEMHENBITA FAITH

back, neck and shoulders. According to Ontario

Chiropractic Association,the good news is many ofthese injuries can be easilyprevented. The followingtips can help take the pain

out of your vacation.Choosing Your

Luggage When shopping for

new luggage, look for astudy, light, high-qualityand transportable piece.

Avoid purchasing luggagethat is too heavy or bulkywhen empty.

Choosing a bag withwheels and a handle cango a long way to lightenyour load.

A good qualitybackpack with adjustable,padded shoulder strapsand a waist strap makes

an ideal carry-on becausewhen worn properly,backpacks can evenlydistribute weight.

Packing YourLuggage

Over-packing is an

easy pitfall, but considerthat the larger and heavierthe luggage, the moresusceptible a traveler is to

neck, back and shoulderinjuries. Try to only packingwhat you absolutely need.

If possible, place itemsin a few smaller bagsinstead of one largeluggage piece.

Ensure your carry-onluggage does not weighmore than 10 to 15 percentof your body weight.

Keep the contents ofany carry-on luggage to aminimum, pack heavy

items at the bottom of thebag and make efficient useof the bag’s pockets.

Lifting And CarryingYour Luggage

Lifting your luggagecan’t always be avoided,

even if your luggage haswheels. But practicing safelifting techniques cansubstantially reduce yourrisk of injury.

Move slowly and,whenever possible, breakthe action into smallerparts. For instance, whenloading a suitcase in thetrunk of a car, try lifting it

first onto a chair or stepstool, then lifting it into thetrunk. Similarly, whenpacing luggage in anoverhead compartment,first lift it onto the top of thesweat.

When lifting yourluggage, first get close tothe load and stand withyour feet shoulder-widthapart.

Bend at the knees andlet your leg muscles, ratherthan your back, do thelifting.

Hold the load close toyour body.

Avoid twisting. Instead,turn your feet in thedirection you are headedand turn your entire bodyin that direction.

Do not carry bulkyluggage for long periods oftime. Make sure to checkheavier items whentraveling rather thancarrying them for theduration of the trip.

Try to carry light piecesin each hand rather than asingle heavy item on oneside.

If using a backpack, usebother shoulders strapsand the waist strap, andadjust them to minimizethe bag’s movement.

If using a duffel orshoulder bag, switch sidesoften to reduce strain.

SOME women carry thewhole world in theirhandbag, but a heavy bagor purse can cause painand injury to your back neckand shoulders. Overstuffedbags also cause poorposture by encouraging thecarrier to lean to one side.

According towww.chiropractic.on.ca, thegood news is pain andinjury can be easily avoidedby following a few simpletips.

Choosing A HandbagChoose a handbag that is

proportionate to your bodysize and no longer thanwhat is needed. Yourhandbag should not weighmore than 10 percent ofyour body weight.

Choose a handbag thathas several individualpockets, instead of onelarge compartment. This willhelp to distribute the weightof the contents more evenlyand keep them fromshifting.

Packing A Handbag

posture. When standing,your head, shoulders, hipsand ankles should line-up,one comfortably above the

other. If you can walk to lunch

or a meeting, lock yourpurse in your desk or locker

and carry only your cashand/or credit cards in apocket.

By following these simplestrategies, it ’s easy tolighten your load.

THE WEEKEND


Today’s DietWith

Pastor E. A. Adeboye

You Can Overcome

TO bring down abeliever, the devilfocuses on his orher weak points.Everyone has atleast oneweakness. Yet toovercome theovertures of thedevil, you mustfocus on what hefocuses on. That isif he focusing onyour weakness sothat he can bringyou down by it, youtoo should focuson how to use theword and prayer towork on it, until itbecomes yourstrong point.Do you know that

if your weakness isthat you finddifficult to resistanything in skirt,God can help youto the extent thateven when a ladyis naked beforeyou, you will not beunder anypressure to sin withher? Suchcharacter does notevolve by itself. Ittakes a carefulstudy of the wordof God, prayer anddiscipline. Are youready to turn yourweakness into yourstrong point?Satan is good at

showing peoplethings to temptthem. That heshowed yousomething doesnot mean that youhave alreadysinned. In Matthew4, he took Jesus toa height andshowed Him theglory of this world.Thereafter, he

offered to givethese to Him if onlyHe could bow tohim. Oh! Howcheap you maysay! Just oneinnocuous bowand you get allthese? What a lie!A bow to Satan ismore than anordinary bow. Thatsingle bow willsubordinate you tohim and his evilgovernment.That bow would

make you his slavefor a lifetime. Thatbow wouldseparate you from

Memorise: Nay, in all these things weare more than conquerors through himthat loved us. - Romans 8:37.Read: Matthew 4:1-11Bible in one year: 1 John 3-5

Key Point: Just as Satancan set you up to fall intosin, you too canprayerfully set upSatan’s agent to besaved. And Satan will bein sorrow.

the Lover of yoursoul and drownyou in helleternally. One wayout is to refuse tosee what the devilwants to show you.In your office as anaccount or financeofficer, Satan canshow you the loophole in theo r g a n i s a t i o n ’saccount and tellyou to exploit it andmake ‘clean’money for yourself.Don’t agree with

him. Do you knowthat, Satan agentof temptation, whois saddled with thetask of making yousin, can beconverted? Today,some ladies whocame to lure somebrothers tofornication haveended up givingtheir lives to Christ.This is why whenthe spiritual battleis getting too hot,Satan withdrawshis agents out offear of losing them.You can overcomethe devil!

The solemnization of marriage between former Miss Osato Oriakhi (A CivilServant) and Mr. Ikhide Iyamah ( A Business man) took place on Friday 30th

August, 2013 at the Oredo Local Government Council Marriage Registry inBenin City, amongst dignitaries present were Mr. and Mrs. Pius D. Iyamah(Groom’s Parents), Sir, Dr. & Dame C.A. Oriakhi (Bride’s Parents), Miss ObehiIyamah, Mr. Ogbeide Iyere, family members, relations, friends & well wishers.Picture shows the couple at the Registry. Congratulations. Photo: Sonnie E

MARY Weds DAVID

OSATO Weds IKHIDE

The Solemnization of marriage between former Miss Davies Iyobosa Mary (basedin England) and Mr. David Osafuekhoerhe Airueghiomo (A Civil Servant) tookplace on Friday 30th August, 2013 at the Oredo Local Government CouncilMarriage Registry in Benin City. Amongst those present were Rev. J.AAirueghiomo, Mr. Felix O. Isibor, Rev. E. Peter Otabor, Mrs. OsarenmwindaIyobosa, family members, relations, friends & well wishers. Picture shows thecouple at the Registry. Congratulations. Photo Sonnie E.


I suessOzekhome: Let Him Go Now

By JOHN EGBEAZIEN OSHODIAS you may know ourbrother, Mike Ozekhome,the last two decades, atleast by internationalstandards is one of themost prominent andloudest human rights voicein West Africa, Nigeria inparticular.

The reason for this isclear. With his legal voicehe has engaged in targetedattacks against poverty,inequality, joblessness andinjustice that continue tothreaten the people andtrigger behaviors like whatyou are putting him throughright now.

Ask him questions abouthis work, about hispronouncements and hisprotests, you will notice aman constantly clashingwith the government be itthe military or civilian forcauses that go far beyondpersonal gain; instead forgroups’ interest like thoseof the youths and others ina state of struggle.

Thank goodness for his

personal success but hisfight against corruption,political mismanagement,financial waste, tribaldisputes and the lack of aidfor the average Nigeriansis something we need moreof.

He is called a radicalbecause he talks andwrites aggressively againstthe exploitation of theaverage person.

There is a possibility thathe might even give you hislast penny, dance, eat,sing, cry and bleed withyou, because that is hisnature!

He will assure you thatthere will be no revengetowards you once you lethim go only because hehas constantly warned thepower-that-be that they areto be blamed for problemslike the one both of you arein right now.

I know many of you areeducated about the newsfrom the print and Internet

media, just read aboutwhat the international worldis saying about this man inthe last 20 years.

Just the other day, for thesake of the nation and the

average Nigerian, he toldthe world of a nation incrisis and about the currentdetriment of the commonpeople.

He stated, “Less than one

percent of the populace iseating the entire wealthmeant for over 156. 5million people and that iswhy Nigeria is notdeveloping. When you use85 percent of your nationalbudget on recurrentexpenditure rather than oncapital project, and most ofthe money is channeled tomassage that the egos ofpeople in power? “What isthe business of a ministermoving around in a convoyof12 to 15 cars? InAmerica, they are calledSecretaries, and they drivethemselves. “Here inNigeria, when a Senator ismoving, he goes with sirenand no fewer than 15vehicles…So you find outthat we are alwaysspending more than ourbudget and that is why weare getting to a stage,where we may be broke,the synopsis and theprognosis are that Nigeriamay be broke and when

• Ozekhome

International FeaturesWITH Washington focused

on the prospect of militaryaction in Syria as retaliationfor the apparent use ofchemical weapons by itsgovernment, whitherCongress’s more liberalmembers?

It seems the doves have adilemma. To support theirDemocratic President in thequest to right a humanitarianwrong? Or to back theinstitutional protections thatrequire congressionalapproval before a WhiteHouse can engage inanything resembling war?

“There’s a certain wing inthe Democratic Party that’spacifist that doesn’t supportthe use of force in mostinstances, except in the caseof an attack on the US,” saysBrian Katulis, a senior fellowwith the Center for AmericanProgress. “I don’t thinkthey’re going to move.”

RECOMMENDED: BriefingChemical weapons 101: Sixfacts about sarin and Syria’sstockpile

These and otherDemocrats are alsoconcerned that public opinionisn’t yet in favor of militaryintervention in Syria. Mr.Obama should not moveforward with military action,they say, without a fullcongressional review andmembers’ approval.

Spearheaded by Rep.Barbara Lee (D) of California,

54 Democratic members,many of whom made up thecoalition of those opposed tothe last Iraq war, sent a letterto the White House Thursday“expressing unequivocalcondemnation over the newsthat chemical weapons werereportedly used by thegovernment of Syria” but alsocautioning against bypassingCongress. The apparenthuman rights violations there“should not draw us into anunwise war,” they write.

“While we understand thatas Commander in Chief youhave a constitutionalobligation to protect ournational interests from directattack, Congress has theconstitutional obligation andpower to approve militaryforce, even if the UnitedStates or its direct interests(such as its embassies) havenot been attacked orthreatened with an attack.”

These lawmakers urgeObama to “seek anaffirmative decision ofCongress prior to committingany US military engagementto this complex crisis.”

Polls are an issue formembers of Congress,regardless of partyidentification, and on theSyria matter, they’re showingthe public to be war wearyfollowing years of fighting inIraq and Afghanistan.

A Reuters-Ipsos surveyreleased recently indicatedthat most Americans want

nothing to do with militaryaction in Syria – some 60percent are opposed, while 9percent are in favor. Thenumber in support ofintervention only modestlyincreases – to 25 percent –when the variable of achemical weapons attack isintroduced.

Iraq fatigue is of particularnote where Syria isconcerned. After all, theevidence presented by theadministration of PresidentGeorge W. Bush as he madehis case for war there turnedout not to be accurate.

Democrats, andRepublicans, reflecting onthe Iraq intervention, whichdragged on for years, areproving they’re once bittenand twice shy.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D) ofCalifornia, who opposed theIraq intervention andThursday signed onto Lee’sletter, wants a congressionalvote, not just a briefing. Thepresident, she says, needs tomake an appeal to Congress.It is, after all, she remindshim, the people’s house.

“Aside from the legalrequirement, there’s apolitical requirement,” shesaid Thursday afternoon inan appearance on MSNBC.“The president apparentlybelieves that some kind ofmilitary action should betaken. The American publicdoesn’t agree. So he needsto make his case. We need

to listen carefully to hisarguments to understandwhy bombing Syria would begood for America, good forthe world. What’s the endgame?”

The tensions in Syria andprospect of strikes thereseem to be drawing togetheran unlikely grouping of teaparty Republicans and moreconservative members withliberal Democrats, accordingto former Democraticcongressman Tom Perriello,who represented Virginia’sfifth congressional district inthe House from 2009-2011and now serves as presidentand CEO of the Center forAmerican Progress.

Perriello believes Obamadoes not need congressionalapproval in this case for alimited engagement in Syriabut that it helps his cause tohave “as much buy-in aspossible from the legislativebranch.”

“For those of us who careabout international normsand crimes against humanity,you’re likely to come down onthe side of intervening insome way,” Perriello says. “Ireally do think that membersof Congress from bothparties are taking veryseriously this question ofwhether this is the next Iraqor the next Rwanda.”

On the matter ofcongressional sanction of theadministration’s Syria policy,

it seems the parties aren’tthat far apart – about processat least. House Republicans,almost 100 of them, havelined up to register theirfervent plea that PresidentObama consult Congressbefore taking any militaryaction against SyrianPresident Bashar al-Assad.Another 18 Democratssigned onto that letter to theWhite House, which wascirculated by Rep. ScottRigell (R) of Virginia.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler, a NewYork Democrat who votedagainst the US invasion ofIraq during the Bush years,was one of them.

“Since there is no imminentthreat to the United States,there is no legal justificationfor bypassing theconstitutionally requiredcongressional authorization,”said Nadler, who serves onthe House JudiciaryCommittee.

“The American peopledeserve to have this decisiondebated and made in theopen with all the facts andarguments laid out for publicreview and debate, followedby a congressional vote.”

The White House is activelyengaged in courtingcongressional approval,although for now that processseems informal. In aconference call Thursdayevening, the White Houseprovided leading members of

Congress with evidence thatthe Syrian regime had carriedout chemical weaponsattacks that killed hundredsof civilians. With membersout of session until Sept. 9,Obama would have to callthem back to town for a moreformal vote.

For his own political cover,and perhaps for the good ofhis party more broadly, manymembers believe he shouldallow Congress to do its partto weigh the issues involvedin the Syria conflict. Lofgrensays Congress has beenoverly lenient in recent yearsin allowing presidents toseize too much authority overthese types of interventions.

“Congress has beencomplicit in allowing theexecutive, including this one,but not just this one, to actwithout regard to therequirements of theconstitution, and withoutregard to the War PowersAct,” she said on MSNBC. “Ithink that’s not correct. It’s notthe right course of action. Thefact that it’s happened in thepast does not mean at thisjuncture in our history that weshouldn’t go back to what thelaw and constitution requires.I think the country will bebetter off if we do.”

And, she added: “There’s abroad bipartisan consensus,way more than a majority inthe House, that says thesame thing.”

Syria Crisis: Dovish Democrats Urge Obama To Consult Congress

Nigeria is broke, there willbe trouble because it willaffect not only Nigeria butthe entire West African andAfrican regions.”

Is this the type of manthat the nation, his familyand the world will no longerhave access to because ofyou? Therefore, let him go,now!

In conclusion, be restassured that Ozekhomewill defend you personallyand negotiate with thepolice and the court toprotect your rights, as thatis the type of person younow have in your custody.May be you did not meanto get into a shoot-out withthe police who were calledby witnesses but thingshappen, and it is onlyproper that you make ityour responsibility toprotect him and releaseOzekhome now, as youand me will need his voiceagain, and again on behalfthe citizens of this country,called Nigeria.

THE WEEKEND


BoatengUndergoes

SchalkeMedical

Dortmund Looking ToMaintain Perfect Start

Madrid Content With Champions LeagueDraw

Bale’s Real Move CouldDrag On Longer - AVB

Gareth Bale in Madrid

GHANA’s midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng is set to seala move to Schalke 04 afterarriving in Gelsenkirchenyesterday morning to undergoa medical.

The news comes a big blowto Milan fans after theenforced scored a brace onTuesday to propel to thegroup stages of the UefaChampions League

Boateng was contracted tothe Rossoneri until 2015 butafter the European giantsfailed to offer him a new dealhe has left the club.

He returns to Bundesligawhere he started his careerwith Hertha Berlin before laterjoining Borussia Dortmund

The 26-year is eligible toplay for Schalke at the Groupstages of the UefaChampions League as he hasalready played for AC Milan.

Boateng played 100matches for Milan and scored17 goals after joining the clubin 2010.

REAL Madrid directorEmilio Butragueno says hisside are content followingthe Champions Leaguedraw.

The Whites have beendrawn into the same groupas Italian championsJuventus, as well asGalatasaray and FCCopenhagen and he saysButragueno says the drawcould’ve gone either way.

“It’s hard to know what tosay about this draw,” hetold reporters. “It couldhave been worse and itcould have been better. Itwill be very even.

EINTRACHT Frankfurt willbe hoping to be the firstBundesliga team to makeBorussia Dortmund droppoints when they clash onSunday afternoon at theCommerzbank Arena in aBundesliga match. Kickoff isset for 17h30 (CAT).

Dortmund, the winners oftwo Bundesliga titles in thelast three years, have startedthe season like a house onfire. They have won all threeof their opening leaguesgames of the season.

Jurgen Klopp’s menaccounted for the scalps ofAugsburg (4-0 away),Eintracht Braunschweig (2-1at home) and WerderBremen (1-0 at home).

The hard fought win overBremen was Dortmund’stoughest match of the seasonthus far. Dortmund arecurrently occupying secondplace on the standings with amaximum of nine points.They are part of four teams

that have gathered a full haulof points in their openingthree encounters of theseason.

Third and fourth placedBayer Leverkusen and Mainz05 are on the same points asDortmund. Bayern Munichare currently occupying thesummit of the standings with10 points but they haveplayed a game more. Thetreble winners could findthemselves in sixth place bythe end of the weekend.

Dortmund’s weekendopponents, Frankfurt, havehad an indifferent start to theseason. They started theseason on a horrible notewhen they were thrashed 6-1 away from home bypromoted Bundesliga sideHertha Berlin.

Their season got tougherwhen they faced Bayern thenext weekend, but showedsome fight as they eventuallywent down 1-0. Their season,however, was given a boostwhen they defeatedBraunschweig 2-0 at home inthe battle of the Eintracht’s.

Dortmund have surprisinglynot dominated this fixture inthe recent past. In their lastfive matches against eachother both sides have wontwo matches a piece with adrawn encounter squeezedin.

Last season Dortmund won3-0 at home while the matchin Frankfurt ended in athrilling 3-3 encounter.

“In Europe you can neverbe sure of anything andthink that you’re alreadythrough.

“We have two excitinggames against Juventus,our historic rivals who havegrown a lot and have a lotof quality. It will be verytough

ANDRE Villas-Boas has conceded that Gareth Bale’sproposed transfer from Tottenham to Real Madrid ‘coulddrag on for a couple of days’. window on Monday and now

Spurs’ coach has indicatedthat it may take at least acouple of days longer too.

“There is no new news,”Villas-Boas told reporters afterTottenham’s Europa Leagueplay-off win last night.

“This might drag on for acouple more days. I have nocontrol of the situation toprovide a definitive answer.”

Meanwhile, reports are thatBale’s possible presentationas a Real Madrid player couldbe delayed until mid-September, should Tottenhamextend negotiations through toMonday.

Despite the 24-year-oldhaving failed to train withSpurs through this week andreportedly struggling with afoot injury, he has beenselected in the latest Walessquad.

AS believe that because of

The proposed world recordmove for the 24-year-old hasbeen delayed this week amidreports of relations betweenthe clubs souring.

Madrid say that they hopethe deal will still be completedby the close of the transfer

this, should Bale completehis transfer to Madrid on thefinal day of the transferwindow next Monday, thenhis presentation in theSpanish capital could be

delayed until mid-September.This is because Wales boss

Chris Coleman is asking forplayers called up to thenational team to report in theday after the close of the

“We know Galatasarayfrom last season, and weknow what they’re like.They’re strong at home. Wewere given a tough time inTurkey and we know theirsupporters really get behindthem.

“Copenhagen may be theleast well-known but theyare also dangerous at theirstadium.”

Vaz Te Hands In Transfer Request26-year-old spoke of his angerat not being “appreciated” atUpton Park last season andsays he is ready to find a newclub.

“In my 10 years as aprofessional football player Ihave never submitted atransfer request nor issued astatement,” Vaz Te said in thestatement. “However, I amfrustrated at West Ham UnitedFootball Club.

“Last season I was asked tochange positions for the

benefit of the team eventhough I had just scored 24goals. The main objectivewas to finish top 10 in thePremier League and Ifollowed my instructions tothe best of my ability as theclub always comes first. Asa result even though I wasinjured for three months noother player made moreassists than me and no otherwinger scored more goalsthan me.

... It’s Tough Group - MessiTHE Catalans have been

drawn into Group H, whichhas been dubbed the groupof death as it includes formerchampions in Barca, ACMilan, Ajax Amsterdam and

Celtic.“We have a lot of even

groups. We’re going to havesome really good games,”Messi told reporters.

“We’ve already faced Milanand Celtic, and it will be thefirst time against Ajax. I thinkit will be a difficult group, likealways.

“Barca are obligated to winbecause of what this clubmeans. We’re preparingourselves even though it getsmore difficult each yearbecause our opponents getstronger.”

Barcelona last lifted thetrophy in 2011 and AC Milanlast won it in 2007 while Ajaxand Celtic won the cup in1995 and 1967, respectively.Lionel Messi

Kevin Prince Boateng

Spurs Face Anzhi In Europa League

WEST Ham striker RicardoVaz Te has handed in atransfer request, citing hisfrustration at being asked tochange positions last seasonas a motivator behind hisdecision.

Cardiff and Crystal Palaceare in the frame for thePortuguese player, with WestHam now reportedly open tooffers after Vaz Te’s publicadmission.

In a statement released toSky Sports, the disgruntled

TOTTENHAM havebeen drawn againstAnzhi Makhachkala andSwansea City will faceValencia in the EuropaLeague group stage.

Spurs — who reachedlast season’s quarter-final stage — will alsoface Sheriff Tiraspol ofMoldova and Tromso ofNorway in Group K.

Valencia and Swanseaare joined in Group A byRussia’s KubanKrasnodar and StGallen of Switzerland.

Group D contains FACup winners WiganAthletic — sincerelegated to theChampionship — alongwith Rubin Kazan,Maribor and ZulteWaregem while, inGroup H, Sevilla take on

Bundesliga sideFreigburg plus Estoriland Liberec.

Lyon, beaten by RealSociedad in theChampions Leagueplay-off, take on anotherSpanish side, RealBetis, in Group I, alongwith with Vitoria deGuimaraes and Rijeka.


Victor NamoNamed Nigeria

League StarOf The Week

ScrabbleChampionship

Opens InAbuja Sept 7

Solomon Kwambe

Champions League: Musa Tips CSKA Moscow For Group D Success

Eagles Vs Malawi: Kwambe To Replace Injured OgudeTHE Nigeria Scrabble

Federation (NSF) has saidmore than 150 players wereexpected nationwide at itstwo-day 5th Abuja Opensscheduled for September 7and September 8.

Farouk Baba-Inna,member, TechnicalCommittee of the federation,told newsmen in Lagos thatthe championship wouldfeature three categories.

They are the Masters, theIntermediate and the Opens.

Baba-Inna added that thechampionship, as part of thefederation’s programme forthe third quarter of the year,would enable the federationto rate the junior players tothe senior cadre.

“The two-day competition ispart of our developmentalprogrammes for the year.

“This is yet anothercompetition to ensure that thesport is properly developed toattain international standard.

NASARAWA Unitedstriker Victor Namo is thestar for Week 28 of theNigeria league after a hat-trick in a 3-0 spanking ofDolphins.

Namo was pickedahead of Warri WolvesMusa Najere, who alsonetted a treble in histeam’s 4-0 drubbing ofKaduna United, andIghodalor Osagona, whosealed victory for 3SCagainst El Kanemi afterhe came off the bench.

Namo has toldMTNFootball.com hewhishes his goals willpower bottom clubNasarawa United tosafety.

“I am happy to scorethree goals in the match. Iwas happier we won bywide margin because weneed that as goaldifference may count atthe end of the day,” Namotold MTNFootball.com

The Jos-born star, whohas scored 12 goals thisseason, has set a 20-goalmark, but his priority is theLafia club’s survival.

“I have a personal targetof getting 20 goals in theleague this season, butthat is secondary, mypriority is to help my teamescape relegation,” herevealed.

“The way we played thisgame shows our spirit ishigh and something tellsme we will escape thedrop, we just need to keepup the pace.”

SUNSHINE Stars defender Solomon Kwambe will replaceinjured Norway-based Fegor Ogude for Nigeria’s World Cupqualifier against Malawi. would have healed, but

unfortunately it hasn’t.“Sunshine Stars Solomon

Kwambe has been drafted asa replacement for Fegorahead of the Malawi game.”

The inclusion of Kwambetakes the number of home-based players in the squad forthe Malawi game to fourfollowing GodfreyOboabona’s move to Turkey.

The players from thedomestic league are goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim,Azubike Egwuekwe, SundayMba and Solomon Kwambe.

“You have all the names ofthe home-based playersalready, just add it to theinvited foreign-based with theexemption Fegor and youhave my list for the Malawigame,” Keshi said whenasked about his final squad.

Keshi selects 42 for Malawi

Keshi had earlier called upa bogus 42-man list made upof 18 Europe-based stars and24 from the home league.

That means Chelsea starsMikel Obi, Victor Moses andFrance-based goalkeeperVincent Enyeama will beavailable for this qualifier.

The Eagles training campwill open on Monday inCalabar with a sprinkling ofthe players expected to hitcamp on Tuesday night.

The squad:Goalkeepers: Vincent

Enyeama (Lille FC/FRA),Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’erSheva/ISR), Chigozie Agbim(Enugu Rangers)

Defenders: EldersonEchiejile (Sporting Braga/POR), Efe Ambrose (CelticFC/SCO), James Okwuosa(Chippa United/RSA),

Nigeria Stars Blow Hot, Cold In EuropaLeague

goal of the game turnedvilian as he missed one of thepenalties for his Albania clubto crash out 7-6 on penaltiesto Chornomorets of Bulgariaafter the game was tied at 1-1 aggregate.

Nigeria striker MichaelEneramo was in action for 29minutes as Besiktas beatTromso 2-0 to book theirplace in next round of EuropaLeague on a 3-2 aggregate.

The ex-Sivasspor strikerreplaced Hugo Almelda inthe 61st minute.

But unfortunately, Besiktasrun in the competition hasended after the Court forArbitration for Sports (CAS)upheld a year’s ban on theTurkish club for match-fixing.

Who Joins Giwa FC In NigeriaTop Flight Today?

THE final week in theNational League today willproduce the three other clubsto join Giwa FC in the Nigeriatop flight next season.

Eight clubs namely, FCTaraba, Ranchers Bees,Plateau United, DSS FC inGroup A and Abia Warriors,Crown FC, Remo Babes andGateway FC in Group B battlefor the remaining three slotsto join Giwa FC in the topflight.

Plateau United, for one, willbe counting on city rivalsGiwa, who have already wonpromotion, to do them a bigfavour by getting a result atpromotion rivals FC Taraba,while they go for broke athome against RanchersBees.

Ranchers would also needto win Jos to ensure a long-awaited return to the Nigeriantop flight.

In the same vein, there isalso fierce battle to avoid thedrop to the NationwideLeague, which is the amateurrank.

Among the troubled teamsare Adamawa United andNiger Tornadoes in Group A,while Prime FC and RisingStars FC are battling forsurvival in Group B.

NNL chairman, EmekaInyama, said the board hasput everything in place to endthe season on the high as thematches will be playedsimultaneously.

“I have no doubt in my mindthat we shall see a perfect endof the league with the logisticsdeployed to ensure a flawlesshandling of the final matchesnationwide,” Inyama stated.

The African champions leadtheir qualifying group on ninepoints from five matches andwill need only to avoid defeatagainst second-placedMalawi next week Saturday athome in Calabar to advanceto final round of qualifiers forthe 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Malawi are on seven points,while Namibia have five pointsand Kenya are bottom withthree points.

Super Eagles coachStephen Keshi specially toldMTNFootball.com Fegor isout of the Calabar clash andhe will be replaced byKwambe.

“Fegor is out rightly ruled outof the game against Malawi,”Keshi told MTNFootball.com

“We were thinking that bynow the injury which hesustained in South Africa

Azubike Egwuekwe (WarriWolves), Solomon Kwambe(Sunshine Stars), GodfreyOboabona (Rizespor/TUR)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi(Chelsea/ENG),John Ogu(Academica de Coimbra/POR), Victor Moses(Chelsea/ENG), OgenyiOnazi (SS Lazio/ITA), NnamdiOduamadi (AC Milan/ITA),Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis/SPA), Sunday Mba (EnuguRangers)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa(CSKA Moscow/RUS), BrownIdeye (Dynamo Kiev/UKR),Shola Ameobi (NewcastleUnited/ENG), EmmanuelEmenike (Fenerbahce/TUR),Obinna Nsofor (LokomotivMoscow/RUS), Uche Nwofor(VVV Venlo/NED).

AHMED Musa hastipped his Russian clubCSKA Moscow to go pasta tough ChampionsLeague group that haschampions Bayern andManchester City.

CSKA Moscow have tocontend with defending

champions BayernMunich, Manchester Cityand Czech Republic clubViktoria Plzen in a difficult-looking Group D for the twoslots in the knockout stageof the Champions League.

And their opening gameis on September 17 atBayern Munich.

However, Nigeriainternational Ahmed Musasaid the Russia doublechampions will be fired upto compete with BayernMunich and other teams inthe group to make it to theRound of 16.

“I am sure we will go pastthe group stage. I am notafraid of facing any of our

opponents, it’s football,”Musa toldMTNFootball.com

Efe Ambrose says nofear

“Every team at this stageare potential winners. Allthe teams in our grouphave an equal chance togo through.

Two seasons ago,Russian army club CSKAreached the Round of 16before they lost to RealMadrid.

The best showing by the2005 UEFA Cup winners inthis competition wasachieved in the 2009/10season, when they werebeaten in the quarterfinalsby Inter Milan.Ahmed Musa

Imoh Ezekiel was anunused substitute as hisBelgian club Standard Liegesaw off Dinamo Minsk ofBelarus 3-1.

The aggregate scoreswere 5-1.

However, Kehinde Fatai,Emmanuel Ekpo and DanielChima could not rescue theirteams from crashing out ofEuropean second-tier clubcompetition.

Fatai was in action forRomania’s Astra Giurgiu,when they drew 1-1 at homeagainst Maccabi Haifa, whodefeated them 2-0 in the firstleg.

Ekpo and Chima playedthe entire duration as Moldeof Norway lost 3-0 toRussia’s Rubin Kazan andthus bowed out on a 5-0aggregate.

IT was mixed fortunes forNigeria stars in the UEFAEuropa League on Thursdayas some saw their clubsadvance, while others werebooted out.

Brown Ideye was on targetas Dynamo Kiev beatAktobe 5-1.

The Nigeria international,who was a 46th minutesubstitute, scored his side’sfourth goal from the penaltyspot in the 52nd minute.

Dynamo Kiev thusadvanced on 8-3 aggregate.

Ex-Monaco midfielderLukman Haruna was anunused substitute for theUkrainian side.

Former Nigeria U20 starNurudeen Orelesi, who didwell for Skenderbeu Korce,providing assist for the only

THE WEEKEND


Platini Describes Current TransferSystem As Robbery, Calls For Revamp

Schweinsteiger In GermanySquad For World Cup Qualifiers

Kaka

Europe AwardFranck Ribery Hailed In Germany

Franck Ribery

Kaka WantsOut Of MadridBefore Deadline

APOEL FC Replace Banned Fenerbahce

UEFA president MichelPlatini described the currenttransfer system as ‘robbery’and said he would like to seeit revamped.

“I think transfers arerobbery,” the former Francecaptain told a mediaconference.

“Today, the player is more

a product than a player andthat irks me because there isa whole lot of people trying tomake this player make moneyin order to earn commissions,we should think about thatand try to find somethingmore healthy.

“Players are not free andthey don’t even belong toclubs, they belong to financialholdings, companies orpeople, whereas before youbelonged to the club, now it’sholding company or afinancial company or oneperson.

“I don’t think it is right. Ibelieve this is important andthis is new in the world offootball,” he added. “We arelooking into that, working onit, I agree maybe this windowis too big, too long.”

CENTRAL midfielder BastianSchweinsteiger has shaken offa minor ankle injury and beenincluded in the 24-manGermany squad namedyesterday for next month’sWorld Cup qualifiers againstAustria and the Faroe Islands.

Schweinsteiger, who neededfoot surgery at the end ofBayern Munich’s treble-winningcampaign last season, missedmost of his side’s pre-seasonpreparations and has yet to hittop form.

He also picked up an ankleinjury in Tuesday’s 1-1 leaguedraw at Freiburg but the knockturned out to be less severethan initially feared.

Coach Joachim Loew alsoincluded Bayer Leverkusenmidfielder Sidney Sam andforward Max Kruse, who werepart of a U.S. tour in May andJune.

However, Sam’s club teammate and last season’sBundesliga top scorer StefanKiessling, who already has twoleague goals in three gamesthis campaign, was once againoverlooked by Loew.

Kiessling, who last played forGermany in 2010, said thisweek he was not expecting toplay again under Loew afterbeing snubbed for years.

Loew will also be withoutinjured midfielders LukasPodolski and Ilkay Guendogan.

“We are top of our group andhave a good lead but we havenot yet qualified,” Loew toldreporters. “Our aim is clear andthat is to take the next big stepwith two wins in the twogames.”

After six rounds, Germanytop Group C on 16 points,ahead of Austria, Sweden andIreland, who are separated bygoal difference on 11 pointseach. Kazakhstan have asingle point and the FaroeIslands have lost all of theirmatches to date.

Germany host Austria inMunich on Sept. 6 followed bythe away tie against the FaroeIslands on Sept. 10.

Squad:Goalkeepers: Manuel

Neuer (Bayern Munich), ReneAdler (Hamburg SV), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hanover 96)

Defenders: JeromeBoateng (Bayern Munich),Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke04), Mats Hummels (BorussiaDortmund), Philipp Lahm(Bayern Munich), PerMertesacker (Arsenal),Marcel Schmelzer (BorussiaDortmund).

Midfielders: Lars Bender(Bayer Leverkusen), SvenBender (Borussia Dortmund),Julian Draxler 9Schalke 04),Mario Goetze (BayernMunich) Sami Khedira (RealMadrid), Toni Kroos (BayernMunich), Thomas Mueller(Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil(Real Madrid), Marco Reus(Borussia Dortmund), SidneySam (Bayer Leverkusen),Andre Schuerrle (Chelsea),Bastian Schweinsteiger(Bayern Munich).

REAL Madrid midfielderKaka has said he is lookingto agree a move away fromthe Spanish giants beforethe transfer window closeson September 2.

The Brazilian has failedto make much of animpression in the Spanishcapital since his 68 millioneuro ($89 million, £56million) move from ACMilan in June 2009 in whatwas then a world transferrecord.

It had been hoped that theappointment of his formerboss at Milan, CarloAncelotti at the Bernabeumay have been able toinspire him to rekindle hisold form, but the signing ofIsco and the imminentarrival of Gareth Bale hasinstead seen him slip furtherdown the pecking order.

“I want to leave,” he toldreporters after scoring twicein Real’s 4-0 friendly winover Deportivo la Coruna onThursday.

“I think it is the rightmoment for me and for theclub to leave in an amicablefashion.

“I have spoken withAncelotti and the club soeveryone knows. My father(and agent) is speakingnow with the club to tryand resolve the situation.

“Things are now difficult forme to get into the team andthe club know what I want.

“It is my obligation to workand continue training, butmy father is already workingto see if anything comes up.”

The 31-year-old has beenan unused substitute in bothMadrid’s first two La Ligamatches and his desire toleave is even moreimmediate given that theWorld Cup will be played inhis homeland next year.

He hasn’t been called upby Luis Felipe Scolari sinceMarch and missed out onthe Confederations Cupsuccess back in June.

THE German media greeted the UEFA Best Player inEurope award with excitement as Franck Ribery becamethe first Bundesliga player to win the accolade sinceMatthias Sammer in 1996. “Better than Messi and

Ronaldo – EuropeanFootballer Of The Year: KingFranck I,” Munich-basedAbendzeitung headlined andhailed the Franceinternational, who has been atBayern for six years.

“For him the title is theultimate dubbing. Le roi?C’est moi,” AZ wrote andcommented that theFrenchman was now one ofthe favourites to win theBallon d’Or in December.

“The crowning of the rogue,”German news magazineSpiegel headlined in alengthy tribute looking backon his career.

“Ribery is someone whothirsts for recognition. Asimple man, like he has saidso many times. On Thursdayhe stood in the rich man’sparadise Monaco, in a darksuit and tie, and thanked hisfamily. Less than twokilometres away from hisFrench home, where he neverwas adored as much as inMunich.”

German broadsheet FAZheadlined “Ribery is king ofEurope” and reminded itsreaders that not only Riberybut also four other Bundesligaplayers had been on thelonglist and finished justoutside the shortlist.

“The accolade for Ribery isthe next appreciation for thesuccessful Bundesliga year,”it said. The paper alsoacknowledged the decision ofthose voting to not judgeplayers by goals, but rather“by their general performanceand the number of trophieswon with the club”.

Football weekly kicker alsocrowned him “King Franck”

Franck RIbery pippedLionel Messi and CristianoRonaldo to UEFA’s BestPlayer in Europe Award.

There had been anexpectation in Germany thatRibery would pick up thetrophy ever since he wasnamed the only Bundesligaplayer on the shortlist. Afterthe Bayern Munich midfielderpicked up the award —beating Lionel Messi andCristiano Ronaldo to it in thevote among journalists fromacross Europe — with a shysmile, he was proudly praisedas the deserved winner of the2013 trophy.

Michel Platini

and said it was a “logical votenot only for Jupp Heynckes”,who had praised his formerplayer in a long eulogy forthe magazine.

“Over the success of thecollective you have achievedthis personal triumph,”Heynckes wrote. “You wererewarded for your unselfishattitude.”

The tabloid Bild summed itall up with the headline:“Ribery is now KaiserFranck.”

APOEL FC have replacedbanned side Fenerbahce inthe group stage of the EuropaLeague.

On Wednesday, Turkishside Fenerbahce wereremoved from the EuropaLeague and banned fromEuropean competition as partof a match-fixing case relatedto the 2011 Super Lig title.

Fenerbahce had taken partin a Champions League play-off against Arsenal, whichthey lost 5-0 on aggregate,before the Court of Arbitrationfor Sport (CAS) upheld the

club’s two-year UEFA ban.Their replacement was

decided at a UEFA draw heldyesterday morning, withCypriot side APOEL thechosen team.

Turkish club Besiktas havealso been excluded from theEuropa League after CASupheld a UEFA-imposedone-year ban from Europeancompetition for match-fixing.

The UEFA EmergencyPanel has decided toreinstate Tromso, whomBesiktas beat 3-2 onaggregate, meaning the

Norwegian outfit will be part ofFriday’s UEFA Europa Leaguegroup stage draw.

Meanwhile, the remainder ofAZ Alkmaar’s meeting withAtromitos will be played onFriday at 10.00 BST, after thesecond leg was abandoneddue to a fire breaking out at theAFAS Stadion.

Atromitos are trailing 3-2 onaggregate, with 33 minutesremaining of the tie to beplayed out versus AZ, who aredown to ten men after MarkusHenriksen was sent off in thesecond minute.


CMYK

Printed and published by Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, 24, Airport Road, P.M.B. 1334 Benin City. Telephone; Lagos: 01 4930929, Benin: 052 257492, 257531Editor: HENRY BALOGUN - (08058767088). Lagos Office: 3/4, Amode Close, Kudirat Abiola Way, By Olushosun Bus Stop, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. Abuja Office: Floor 1, Edo House, 75 Ralph

Shodeinde Street, Central Business District Abuja. Tel/Fax: 09-5237631. All correspondence to: 24 Airport Road, Benin City. E-mail: [email protected] (ISSN 0331-2674)

Weekend Sport

Victor Moses

West Brom Keen On VictorMoses

Liverpool Apologise For Distasteful Munich Tragedy Tweet

AnelkaBack ForBaggies

Eto’O Happy With PremierLeague Chance

Nani Staying At United

LIVERPOOL havebeen forced to apologiseafter its official Twitteraccount appeared tomock the 1958 Munichair disaster whichclaimed the lives of eightManchester Unitedplayers.

NEW Chelsea strikerSamuel Eto’o says he isdelighted with realizinghis dream of playing inthe Premier League aftersigning a one-year dealwith the Blues.

The 32-year-old hasstarred in Spain, Italyand most recently inRussia and he isrelishing the chance tomake his mark in one ofthe biggest leagues inEurope.

“I’ve had a couple ofopportunities to come toEngland before,including the first timeJose was here, but itdidn’t work out for onereason or another,” Eto’o

WEST Brom strikerNicolas Anelka isavailable again forSunday’s BarclaysPremier League clashwith Swansea at TheHawthorns aftermissing the last twogames while oncompassionate leave.

Anelka’s return istimely as head coachSteve Clarke iswithout Matej Vydra,who sustained ahamstring injury in the3-0 Capital One Cupwin over Newport onTuesday.

With goalkeeperBen Foster out for 12weeks with a stressfracture of a bone inhis right foot, BoazMyhill should startdespite a wrist injury.Midfielders ZoltanGera, George Thorne(both knee) andSteven Reid (knock)remain sidelined.

STEVE Clarke has confirmed that he isinterested in signing Chelsea winger Victor Moses— and expressed concern that West BromwichAlbion have not done enough in the transfermarket.

After the club’saccount asked forrecommendations forSunday’s playlist whenUnited visit Anfield, onefan suggested FrankSinatra’s “Come Fly

one of the clubs who hadconsidered signing him.

Nani’s current deal,signed in 2010, is set toexpire in the 2014,meaning United risk losinghim on a free transfer nextyear, and the Portugalinternational has been thesubject of reported interestfrom several clubs thissummer, includingMonaco, Galatasaray,Anzhi Makhachkala andJuventus.

United have made noannouncement over the

player ’s contract butJuve director generalGiuseppe Marotta toldMediaset Premium:“He’s renewed hiscontract with ManchesterUnited and we nevernegotiated for him.”

Nani was a £17 millionsigning from SportingLisbon in 2007 and hasgone on to score 40goals in 212 games forUnited.

He won their Players’Player of the Year awardin 2010-11, his bestseason at the club.

told Chelsea’s officialwebsite.

“Since that time, I havehad a career where Ihave been lucky enoughto win a lot of trophies indifferent countries, butone of my last dreams asa professional is to comeand play in England andsee if I can have thesame success as in myprevious clubs.

“I don’t see it as a finalchallenge, but to have agood time, enjoy myfootball, and havesuccess with this team.”

Click here for Eto’ojoins Chelsea on one-year deal

The Camerooninternational says he isaiming to make the bestof the 2013/14 seasonand will worry about thepossibility of extendingthe contract later.

“This is the thing thatleast preoccupies me,”he added. “It’ssomething to talk aboutlater; both sides need tobe happy but importantlythe club needs to behappy with me beforethey even ask myopinion on that.”

With Me”, Reel 2 Real’s“I Like to Move It MoveIt” and “Always LookOn The Bright Side OfLife” by Eric Idle.

The latter two songshave had their lyricsreworked to makederogatory references tothe Munich disaster.

A tweet sent from theofficial Liverpool accountreplied: “Have you beensneaking a look at thedressing room iPod?”

The tweet has sincebeen hastily deleted andan apology has followed.

A club spokespersontold the Huffington Post:“Liverpool Football Clubresponded quickly tocorrect the error ofjudgement that wasmade last night on it’sofficial Twitter account inresponding to adistasteful andinappropriate tweet.

“The club took decisiveaction and the commentwas deleted swiftly,” theyadded.

“We apologise,unreservedly, for anyoffence that was causedby this

Premier League Fixtures

Everton Quiet On Improved Bid For Baines, Fellaini

Samuel Eto’O

Nani

EVERTON wereremaining tight-lippedabout reports that theyhave rejected animproved, £36 millionbid from ManchesterUnited for MarouaneFellaini and LeightonBaines.

The Merseyside clubwere quick to brand anearlier, £28 million jointoffer for the midfielderand the left-back“derisory and insulting”and club officials wereeager on Wednesday todismiss suggestions theEngland internationalhad asked to be allowedto leave Goodison Parkfor Old Trafford.

But both the club andmanager RobertoMartinez have opted tostay silent when quizzedabout a larger offer,while the Spaniardadmitted he is comingup with a contingencyplan should he lose

players in the last fewdays of the transferwindow.

As he had done afterWednesday’s CapitalOne Cup win againstStevenage, Martinezdeflected questions inhis Thursday pressconference when askedabout a new offer fromUnited, saying: “I’m notgoing to talk about anystories and speculation.I’m not going tocomment on anythingregarding the transferwindow in terms ofcoming in or going out.”

Martinez reiteratedthat Baines had notrequested a move toUnited, now led byformer Everton managerDavid Moyes, butconceded he hasconsidered who to buyshould his prized assetsleave.

The 39-year-old isexpected to return to hisformer club Wigan withan offer for midfielderJames McCarthy andtold British dailynewspapers: “I’ve hadconversations but not ina formal way.”

The West Brom headcoach, having accepted

long ago that he could notprise Romelu Lukakuaway from StamfordBridge for a second time,has noted that Mosesmay now be available onloan following JoseMourinho’s dealings thisweek.

But he is not overlyoptimistic of securing theex-Wigan player asLiverpool, Everton andSouthampton are alsoreportedly on his trail.

“Moses is available to

come out and he’s aplayer we would beinterested in,” Clarkesaid. “But I can’t say I’mconfident in landing himor any player at themoment.

“Time is short. I’mgetting nervous and I’mconcerned we’ve left ittoo late - that we won’tget the players in toimprove the squad. Wedo need some help.Scott (Sinclair) coming inwas great as he gave theplace a lift.

“It would be nice to geta couple of others in. It’sa long way to go untilJanuary, so there will be

no other solution.“The chairman and

Richard Garlick (sportingand technical director) areworking hard to makethings fall for us but a lotof the big targets are gonenow.

“I’m a head coach - nota manager with a budget,remember. That meansthe club have the final say.I can makerecommendations but it’sdown to the club to bringin players. My job is towork with the players.

“It would be nice if theclub could help us with acouple of signings beforethe window shuts. We stillneed one or two in.”

Clarke, who has madedefender Gabriel Tamasavailable for sale, saysBoaz Myhill will start inSunday’s home gameagainst Swansea as longas he is fully fit after theinjury that kept him out inmidweek as Ben Fosterembarked on what couldbe 12 weeks out of theteam.

One man who couldcome into Albion’s thinkingas they seek experiencedcover is Aston Villa’s ShayGiven.

Clarke also said he hadno doubts that NicolasAnelka — also in line toface the Swans — wouldreturn.

NANI has agreed anew contract withManchester United,according to Juventus,

Today’s Matches Manchester City v Hull CityCardiff City v EvertonNewcastle United v FulhamNorwich City v SouthamptonWest Ham United v Stoke CityCrystal Palace v Sunderland

Tomorrow’s GamesLiverpool v Manchester UnitedWest Bromwich Albion v Swansea CityArsenal v Tottenham Hotspur

weekend observer 31 08 2013

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