₦airaland Forum

To discourage continued use of fake and substandard mobile phones, the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) is being asked to compel telecommunications operators to switch off all fake and substandard mobile phones on their network


Nigeria has for a long time remained one of the biggest destinations for fake and counterfeit phone shipments. This is fuelled by the poor state of the economy which has made huge demand for cheap mobile phones and accessories more of a necessity. Counterfeit phones are copies of popular brands and models made from sub-standard materials.

However, aside the fact that the government has lost huge revenue in the form of taxes and loss of potential employment opportunities, experts have said that the trade in counterfeit phones has been leaving sour taste in the mouths of consumers and network providers. Such phones, they insist, are said to be responsible for the poor quality of service being experienced in the country.

In order to ensure that the use or sale of substandard phones is completely eradicated, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), among other concerned stakeholders have continued to mount pressure on the phone sellers. In the some cases, both NCC and SON have at different stages, stormed the shops where such phones are being sold to effect seizures and at times, arresting the dealers. Despite this, importers and sellers of these substandard phones have remained undeterred as fake phones and accessories still fl ood the Nigerian market.

In a new twist to the campaign against fake and substandard mobile phones in the country, stakeholders especially, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) believe the best way to eradicate them from circulation would be to compel the telecommunications operators to switch off all fake and substandard mobile phones from their networks. In order to achieve this, the association has called on NCC to compel the telecos to switch off the fake phones in order to render them useless. Though reliable statistics are hard to come by, it is believed that more than half of all phones in the country are fake or sub-standard.

Lanre Ajayi, ATCON President said that any device that is not type approved by the NCC should not be used on any of the network, thus, he urged NCC to fi nd a way to ensure that such devices, including phones are not allowed to work on any network in the country.

The ban is expected to affect devices that do not have an International Mobile Equipment Identity code — the 15-digit number that identifi es each mobile device and facilitates their traceability.

Findings have shown that there are technologies which allow fake phones to be switched off and barred from receiving; making calls; or carrying other network activities. The technologies bar only the phones as Subscriber Identifi cation Module (SIM) cards can still be transferred to genuine mobile phones and no data will be lost. A mobile phone is deemed fake if its IMEI number – the unique identifi er for each phone – is not recognised by an international database.

Dr. Alex Ukwuani, an ICT security expert said that fake phones have both safety and security perspectives. “A criminal can use fake mobile phone to perpetuate crime and it will be diffi cult for the security agencies to trace the culprit” he added.

In a renewed bid to protect consumers from substandard phones and other devices; NCC has warned companies still fl outing its regulation on typeapproval for all telecom devices and equipment to stop forthwith or face the consequences. NCC said that it would visit mobile phones and equipment vendors with harsh punitive measures if they fail to comply with standard regulations framework within the next two week.

The NCC has previously shut down mobile phone vendors over distribution and sale of non-type approved devices in the country. The Commission accused vendors of endangering lives of consumers with substandard mobile devices.

Tony Ojobo, Director of Public Affairs of the Commission said in media advertorials that mobile handsets and other telecommunication equipment/ devices which have not been type approved by the Commission that are being advertised for sale in some national dailies were given a “14 days pre-enforcement and warning notice” effective November 26 to ensure that all telecommunications devices are type approved” by it before they are offered for sale in the open market.

Ojobo stated that the Commission has the enforcement right to arrest and prosecute offenders. They also threaten to “confi scate devices that are not type approved.”

Last February, the Commission shut down 17 fi rms at the Lagos ‘Computer Village’ taunted as the largest ICT market in the African continent.

Idehen Efosa, head of enforcement, NCC who led a team of staffers and security personnel to the raids said the Commission began clampdown of the offending fi rms in 2011; and noted that it was an effort to rid the country of fake and substandard mobile equipment.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/operation-switch-off-fake-phones/

Following his exclusion from of the Will of the late Biafran warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu- Ojukwu, his presumed eldest son, Chief Sylvester Debe Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has revealed to Saturday Mirror that he turned down his father’s offer while writing his Will.

Speaking to Saturday Mirror in an exclusive interview in Lagos, Debe also denied having a running battle with his father’s widow, Bianca, and other members of the family over inheritance. His words: “I don’t have any running battle with my father’s widow, Bianca.

The problem is that there are some misunderstandings which need to be put in proper light.

She is my father’s widow and there is nothing like a running battle between us. My relationship with her is still cordial. The only thing is that during my father’s burial, they were misguided by certain branches of the family. “What I am fighting for is my right and not inheritance. In a situation when I am still alive and somebody is claiming to be the first son, he needs to be corrected for future purpose and that is part of what I am trying to correct.

My duty as a first born is to put things right even if it is painful. “If any of the children was close to my father during his lifetime, I am the one because it is to me that he revealed many things.

There is no way a child will know about a Will unless it is written. With the level of my father’s education, I expect that he should have a Will. In fact, once, when my father was writing a Will, he asked me to come and sit beside him.

But I refused. He asked me why and I said, ‘I don’t know whether you are going to give me anything. Because if you are giving me anything and it now turns out when the Will goes into probate that I sat with you, it could be assumed that I influenced you to do certain things in my favour.

So, I left him and his lawyer in the parlour to continue writing the Will.”



http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/i-turned-down-my-fathers-offer-debe-ojukwu/

[b][/b]I turned down my father’s offer –Debe Ojukwu

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/i-turned-down-my-fathers-offer-debe-ojukwu/

Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in this extensive interview with Editors of National Mirror speaks on a number of issues ranging from his policies and programmes in the last two years, to the politics of the South-West, his relationship with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the role of his party in the last elections in Ondo State. He also responded to the controversies that have characterised his government lately with the public holiday granted the Muslim faithful to mark Hijra. Though acknowledged as a radical on certain issues, Aregebsola explains why his views may appear as non-conformist and why he is unapologetic about his convictions

You appear to have successfully silenced the three key political players in the state – Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Isiaka Adeleke and Iyiola Omisore. Did you set out to do that mainly by defeating them at the polls or did you deliberately set out to “deal with them”? And again in the past two years, how have you protected your territory from the onslaught of the opposition?

We see ourselves as a part of the aspiration of the Nigerian people for self actualisation in the truest sense of it, improved condition of living, for freedom and for liberty. So, my stay here in the last 24 months has afforded me an opportunity to not just be an agitator for those things I believed in, but to be leading the process that promises the actualisation of the dreams. I didn’t set out to humble or humiliate anybody. We have a duty to continue the progressive current the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo initiated. People must understand that we must revive the progressive tradition of our people which Awo represented. Awolowo re-invented government that long held tradition of our people. So what I and my other colleagues are working on is revival of that process.

So, we intend to mobilise seriously for that revival and that we did in our ethical revolution, rebranding and what have you. We are a part of humanity that has a culture, a tradition, a custom of people that are not just keen on their individual benefit, but seeking their benefit and situating that individual interest in a communal mood. That has been our approach to it. So you cannot therefore be mobilizing the people and expect anything less than what we had.

The perception of political office by the trio that you are talking about is different from ours. They never ever believed in the people as the end of political service, or office occupation. To them, the people are just pawns to be used and dumped, not the end of politics. You don’t see the people opportunistically; you see the people as the total objective of political office, not as just dispensable elements. To me there is no way, if there is a free and fair election that they can matter. There is just no way. Our views are different, our understanding of the process and the position is different, our appreciation of even the office and our role in the office are different. So, where would we therefore be competing and contesting? There is no basis for it. It is only when the electoral process is compromised that there will be an issue between us. If a transparent process is in place, they know and we know that there won’t be any competition. I went about governance with a clear mind of being one with the people, to solve whatever challenges that confront them and in the course of it, stimulate them to believe in themselves and understand our role in their course. To the glory of God, I cannot have a better support from the majority of our people. They have at all times demonstrated an unbelievable commitment to our programmes which are their programmes and our course which is their course. Under that condition, the opposition as you want us to look at them have no chance and they know that they have no chance.

To know that these people are irrelevant here is so simple. A governor, Oyinlola, left office on November 26, 2010, after being in office for 90 months. Just out of office for 103 days, he could not win any local government in a senatorial election he participated in. It’s beyond me, it just can’t be Rauf. For a man who was the governor for 2,700 days and was simply out for 103 days, not to have won his own local government, it’s the height of political irrelevance. What that tells you is that this man could not even be returned as local government chairman in his native local government. That is the simple meaning. It means this man does not worth being a local government council chairman not anywhere in his native local government. Where did he win? He won only in the two wards in his home town. So what that man could be is a councillor and he can sponsor another councillor. Go and check the margin. The margin is so close. The same thing happened to Omisore. He (Omisore) won his polling unit with some paltry three votes and after that nothing. The only one among them that one could even give some recognition to in terms of capacity is Adeleke who controlled his two native local governments out of 10. He won the two local governments in his base out of 10.
Read the complete interview at : http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/weve-a-duty-to-continue-the-progressive-current-awolowo-initiated-aregbesola/

A South African investment group has purchased a minority stake in MTN Group Ltd.’s operation in Nigeria for $335 million.

Shanduka Group said in a statement Wednesday that it bought the shares from three private investors it did not name. It also did not say what percentage of the MTN operation it bought.

MTN’s Nigeria arm is the nation’s largest mobile phone carrier, with nearly 50 percent of the market.

Nigeria, home to 160 million people, has seen explosive economic growth in recent years, making it a lucrative market for mobile phone service providers.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/s-africa-group-pays-335m-for-mtn-nigeria-share/

Iyabo Ojo, a screen diva and a popular Yoruba movie actress, is still relevant in the acting world. This mother of two, whose marriage crashed some years ago, says it has been challenging raising her kids alone. She tells Adaeze Amos that she hopes to remarry when the right man comes, among other things.

What do you do when you want to unwind?

I spend more time with my kids, especially at home and sometimes if I want to go out of my shores, I visit some of my friends just to have fun and then I’m back home.

How many children do you have?

I have two children, a boy and a girl.

How do you combine motherhood with acting?

Over the years, I think I have been able to manage. It’s been good, I have been trying. It wasn’t easy initially. I mean, at the beginning but you know with time you get to adjust and it becomes very easy, especially when your kids are growing up, then they can do most things themselves. As a single parent, what are the challenges you encounter raising two kids on your own? It’s very challenging because you have to be the mother and the father at the same time. As I said, as the years go by, you overcome and it becomes usual. You have to work hard and seek God’s support because you can’t do it alone. You also must have people around you who are very supportive.

Can you reach out to single parents who could be grumbling over such responsibilities as raising their children alone?

They should have faith in God and believe that their kids are gifts from God. Whatever they invest in them, they are obviously going to reap a good fruit out of it. You know that those kids are their mansions, luxury cars, gold and diamonds. Once you invest in your kids, definitely, they would reap it one day.

What is your most striking prayer-point?

I pray every day to God to bless my kids and grant them wisdom, knowledge and for every effort I put in them not to be in vain. I also pray for good health and long life.

Do you have any hope of remarrying?

Maybe, when the man comes; no problem, I will remarry.

How did you feel when your marriage crashed some years ago?

I was down, in fact, devastated.

Whenever you are down, what do you do to derive your inspiration?

Sometimes, I watch movies, read books or share words with my loved one telling me how beautiful I am and how much he loves me. That keeps me alive, it keeps me going. Sometimes, I play with my kids and the fact that they appreciate what mummy is doing keeps my spirit alive. They also show me how much they love me.

Have you ever felt inferior or intimidated in life?

Never! Nothing has ever made me feel inferior or intimidated. Not even the fact that I’m a woman in a maledominated society as ours. I talk boldly and I don’t think that a man should be able to hush or stop me from talking. I have always said my mind in every situation I find myself. I would always fight for my right whether it is a man’s world or not. Whether you like it or not, we (women) are the ones ruling the world.

Are there things you couldn’t achieve because of your sex?

I don’t think so. If you work hard, you will be successful. Success has no gender coloration. It is not restricted to men alone.. Every child of God is meant to be successful; that is what I believe.

What price did you pay to get to where you are now?

I didn’t have to pay any price to get to where I am. The only price, maybe I could say I paid, was my privacy. Apart from that, nothing!

How are you coping with fame?

I’m trying to cope. As you grow older in the industry, the better you are able to handle stardom…the more experience you are to deal with situations. Initially, especially for the young ones, it may be shocking, annoying, frustrating and upsetting. But after a while, it becomes a normal part of you. It’s something you just have to cope with. You have to learn to cope with yourself, fans, the press, the society, family, and your environment. The more you cope, the better for you.

What was that scandalous story that was written about you?

I don’t want to talk about it anymore because it is a thing of the past now. If you talk about it, you start going back on it again. It’s a thing of the past.

Should I remind you about some of those scandals?

No, please, I know you heard some but don’t just go there. I wouldn’t want to talk about any of them. A lot of things have been written about me precisely which are not true. For some, I had taken offence in them. I see some as one of those things. But the bottom line is that I just try to manage. The press people are my friends but sometimes I try to keep them at an arm’s length. But there are some that are really close to me and for the fact, they consistently write about me. I just see that as doing their jobs.

What is your style?

My style is me. I create who I am. Sometimes, my mood determines my style, the way I dress and the way I look because I’m a very stylish person. I like to combine things a lot. I like to look a little bit perfect, though you can never be perfect. As long as you are stylish, I would always admire you.

What fashion trends put you off?

Colour blocking. To me, colour blocking is a fashion blunder. Blending shouting and ugly colours together to me is a blunder.

Do you have a man in your life?

I have a man in my life. He is keeping me happy. I don’t discuss my personal life. But I have a man who is keeping me happy. Of course, a pretty lady like me should have a man.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/the-price-l-paid-for-success-iyabo-ojo/

The Senate yesterday told the Inspector- General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar that he was ignorant of Nigerian laws over his claims that the prosecution of suspected members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect was being frustrated because of the absence of extant legislation against terrorism.

The Senate said that there was an anti- terrorism law duly passed by the National Assembly last year and signed by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The IGP, had during a meeting with Assistant Inspectors- General of Police, AIGs, and Commissioners of Police in the 36 state commands and the Federal Capital Territory, said that the absence of an anti-terrorism law in Nigeria had been stalling the prosecution of terror suspects.

Abubakar, while responding to a question had said: “We cannot take somebody to court unless there is an enabling law, isn’t it? And I said anti-terrorism bill has not been passed and except it is passed, we cannot be able to arraign them before a court.

“Efforts are being made to ensure that this goes through.

“It is worrisome for us; we want to take them to court so that we can equally reduce the cases and detentions we have because if prosecutions are made and suspects are sent to prison, it will serve as a deterrent to others and we are looking forward to that.”

But reacting to the IGP’s comments yesterday in Abuja, the Senate Committee Chairman on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Enyinnaya Abaribe, said that there was an enabling law against terrorism.

He expressed surprise that Abubakar could feign ignorance of an existing law that was signed by the President.

Abaribe explained that the Senate passed the Anti- Terrorism Bill into law on June 1, 2011 and forwarded it to President Jonathan on June 2.

He added that the bill was consequently assented to in the same month.

Abaribe, however, regretted that the Legal Department of the Force Headquarters failed to intimidate the police boss on the extant law against terrorism.

“The Senate was really very surprised and flabbergasted that the Inspector- General of Police would say that there is no anti-terrorism law.

“The anti-terrorism bill was passed into law on June 1, 2011 and passed to the President for assent on June 2 of the same year. I think the IGP has not been properly briefed by his legal staff.

“Even on top of that bill, the Senate went ahead to pass an amendment; we are going to make sure we send a copy to the IGP.

“We find it difficult to believe that an arm of government will claim not to be aware of a law that has been signed by the President. We actually have an anti-terrorism law signed by the President.

“We think that there is enough in our laws to prosecute terrorists. We are saying that what the IG said is not true, as there is an existing law against terrorism.”

Meanwhile, six people identified as Camerounian and Chadian nationals were yesterday killed at their residence in Abattoir Area of Kasheri/ Shokari ward in Jere Local Government Area by yet-to-be identified gunmen.

The area is a few kilometres away from Kasuwan Shanu (Cow Market) ward of Maiduguri metropolis.

Men of the Joint Task Force, JTF, had tagged the area as a black spot following series of killings and attacks that had taken place in recent times by suspected terrorists in the area.

It was gathered that the gunmen slaughtered the victims to avoid the sound of the gunshots, which would attract security agencies to the area.

The incident, our correspondent learnt, happened at about 2a.m.yesterday when the victims were still asleep.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Yuguda Abdullahi, said he heard of the incident, but the reports had not been officially communicated to his office.

“I am not sure, because an incident of that magnitude should have reached my office by now, but I have directed my second-in-command to verify and report back to me as soon as possible,” Yuguda said.

In another development, the enormity of task associated with the Office of the President may have been one of the reasons why President Goodluck Jonathan has not visited Borno State, including many states affected by terrorist activities.

Explaining this yesterday at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Abuja, the Chairman of Borno State chapter of the party, Alhaji Baba Basharu said that the President was too busy with the administration of the nation to visit some of the states ravaged by terrorist attacks.

This is even as the party said that the cause and source of the insurgency in the state is mis-governance of the All Nigeria People’s Party, ANPP, led government and the way the party under Ali Modu Sheriff managed their relationship.

According to Borno State PDP chairman, “I think you are carried away and you have forgotten that it is not only in Borno State that something happened. I am explaining this to show you why the President is not at fault if he did not go to Borno as far as we are concerned.

“The ANPP is worried that the President did not come, but we are not worried as such. If the President thinks it is important for him to visit Borno, he is welcome, but you know that there has been Kalari in Gombe, I think people have forgotten a lot of things.

There was the Sarasuka in Bauchi and Kano.

“I don’t believe this is an issue. What the preoccupation of President Jonathan is is to administer Nigeria and not to go to Maiduguri or go to Gombe to look at Kalari or to go to Bauchi to look at Sarasuka. How many people died in Sarasuka? What I am saying is that we don’t look at this thing because he did not go to Maiduguri as an issue. If the President deemed it fit to come to Maiduguri, we will be happy for it.”

Basharu said that the accusation by the Borno State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Mr. Inuwa Bwala, that PDP is responsible for the killings in the state and that nobody in the PDP from the state has been killed since the crisis began was wicked, irresponsible, baseless and a figment of the imagination of the commissioner, adding that more than 10 people belonging to PDP have been killed during the crisis.

He added that his accusation was “aimed at causing disaffection, hatred and rancour among the peace-loving people in Borno State, who are already suffering untold hardship and trauma since the crisis started as a result of their misgovernance. It is on record that the crisis precipitated out of control as a result of bad governance, which led to massive unemployment and abuse of the youths of Borno.”

“The vituperation of the commissioner is just aimed at diverting public opinion from the state government’s incompetence and maladministration and their obvious culpability in this mess,” he said, demanding that “the security operatives should immediately arrest and interrogate Bwala and get him to disclose the names of those causing mayhem in Borno State since he claims that he know those involved, be they PDP or whoever.”

The chairman said that the party has given the commissioner 14 days to retract his statement and tender unreserved apology in the press, stressing that if he fails to do so, PDP would take a legal action in a court of competent jurisdiction for libel and false accusations against him.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/boko-haram-igp-ignorant-of-nigerian-laws-senate/#comment-3400

Former Kano State Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, yesterday denied a report that he had resigned his membership of the Kano Emirate Council and dropped his Sadaunan title.

He told journalists in Kano that the report followed a misinterpretation of his letter to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, seeking permission to be excused from regular meetings of the Council to enable him carry out party assignment, having been appointed Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Contact Committee.

He said: “The information was based on rumour, I have not resigned any aspect of my appointment as the Council member.”

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/im-still-sadaunan-kano-says-shekarau/

What do you expect? When Israel kills dozens of innocent children, the US was silent. What a world

Members of the Ondo State Election Petitions Tribunal will be inaugurated today in Akure, the state capital, National Mirror has learnt.

It was gathered that the names of members of the tribunal, which are still kept in secret, will be made known during the inauguration ceremony.

Five political parties have filed petitions at the tribunal to challenge the outcome of the October 20, governorship election in the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, of the Labour Party (LP) winner of the polls.

The five political parties challenging the victory of Governor Mimiko include the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). Others are the Accord Party (AP) and the Peoples Democratic Change (PDC).
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/ondo-election-tribunal-to-be-inaugurated-today/

The Federal Government yesterday said that it was ready to meet Bi-Courtney Consortium in court over the termination of the N89.53 concession agreement for the construction of the Lagos- Ibadan Expressway.

The government had on May 8, 2009 granted Bi- Courtney the concession of the road for a period of 25 years under a Design, Build, Operate and Transfer (DBOT) scheme.

The concession was revoked on Monday by the government which immediately engaged the services of Julius Berger and RCC Nigeria to reconstruct the road

Reacting yesterday to the threat by Bi-Courtney to take legal action against the government over the decision, Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen said that the company was free to go to court, saying that government was prepared for such action.

Onolememen stated that long before the termination of the concession agreement, Bi-Courtney was informed of breaches of the agreement.

“This is a process governed by law and at every point, parties know what they are doing with regard to compliance and breaches”, he said.

Bi-Courtney had alleged that it was not officially informed before the concession agreement was terminated but Onolememen said that government does not have to invite them before terminating the agreement. “

“Government does not have to invite them before terminating the agreement, we will meet them in court, they are free to go to court,” the minister said

While announcing the termination of the concession agreement on Monday, Onolememen had said that the decision was based largely on the failure of the company to reach financial close as provided for in the agreement.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/contract-termination-fg-challenges-bi-courtney-to-go-to-court/

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, yesterday declined comment over the insinuations that President Goodluck Jonathan bought a private jet for him as a gift to mark the 40th anniversary of his call to service.

The General Overseer of the Later Rain Bible Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, also called for a bloody revolution to deal with some clerics, who have acquired expensive private jets. Oritsejafor, in a telephone interview with National Mirror, yesterday, however, said that he was not ready to glorify his critics with a reply.

National Mirror recalls that Oritsejafor joined the elite league of Nigerian clerics, who own private jets on Saturday, November 10, 2012 when his church, Word of Life Bible Church, announced a gift of a Bombardier Jet in honour of the flamboyant cleric, who marked 40th anniversary of his call to evangelism.

Jonathan was on hand at the church’s headquarters in Warri, Delta State, when the announcement of the multimillion dollar gift was made by the leaders of the church. The plane, valued at over $40million, according to reports, is a Canadian-made Bombadier Jet with US registration number N431CB.

The reports further indicated that the jet was manufactured in 1994 and hitherto owned by two individuals in the United States. It was gathered that the plane was used in New Jersey by CR BARD IN of Murry Hill, New Jersy, before it was listed for sale in July 2012.

Bakare stirred controversy over the jet when he called for a bloody revolution because some religious leaders have acquired private jets. The controversial cleric said that a bloody revolution that would consume religious leaders, who acquired private jets, would soon break out in the country and called on their congregations to challenge the clerics to explain to them where and how they raised the money to procure such expensive jets.

Already, CAN has cleared Oritsejafor, describing the critics of Oritsejafor as “evil minds.” But the Oritsejafor, who was contacted by National Mirror yesterday to speak on the lingering controversy over his private jet, said he was not ready to take issues with his critics. “I have no comment. I can’t be talking about such matter at this level. Please leave me alone over that matter. I can’t glorify anybody with a comment over such matter,” he said.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/news/i-wont-reply-critics-over-private-jet-oritsejafor/

Worried by the state of insecurity and other problems in Nigeria, the National Conscience Party (NCP) yesterday announced a shadow government of 10 ministries to provide the people with alternative voice to the working of government.

Addressing a world press conference in Lagos, the national chairman of of the party, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, said NCP is not comfortable with the trend in the country and that is why the party has deemed it fit to set up the 10-man shadow government.

His words: “As a political party, we have resolved to step up our struggle to win power for the Nigerian masses and release the people from perpetual bondage. We therefore announce a shadow government of 10 ministries to provide the people with alternative voice to the working of government. These 10 ministries shall take critical look at the proposed budget of 2013 as against our internal research to verify claims made by government to step up and the actual delivery of dividends of democracy to the people and what they use our collective wealth to do.”

The ministries and the shadow ministers are; Ministry of Finance (Dr. Yunusa Tanko); Ministry of Works, Labour and productivity (Comrade Ayodele Akele); Ministry of Women Affairs (Princess Funmi Adebola); Ministry of Youths and Person with Disability (Barrister Mohammed Fawehinmi); Ministry of Defence (Comrade Amitolu Shittu); Ministry of Agriculture (Comrade Suleman Mohammed); Ministry of Education (Dr. Isa A. Abdullahi); Ministry of Health (Comrade Peters Omoragbon); Ministry of Trade and Investment (Prince Goodluck Obi) and Ministry of Transport (Comrade Tochukwu Ikwesi).

The shadow government is to be headed by the NCP National Chairman, Tanko, who expressed support for the convocation of national conference in Nigeria.

“We also support the convocation of the people constituted conference involving market women, bricklayers, okada riders, youth, men and women of impeccable character to discuss on how to move this country forward.

“We are also convinced that corruption can only be eradicated when our leaders exemplify their action by being fair, equitable and just in their dealing with the people without reference to tribe, religion, sex, but based on credibility and good track record. We are ready to give the people the true government they deserve come 2015, but we demand that people be ready for that change,” he said.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/politics/ncp-announces-10-man-shadow-federal-government/

The Anglican Church has appointed its first female bishop in Africa with the elevation of a priest in the tiny nation of Swaziland.

Ellinah Wamukoya will serve as the bishop for the nation after her selection this Saturday. The 61-year-old said her focus is on bringing integrity to the church.

Wamukoya told journalists on Monday: “I am going to try to represent the mother attribute of God. A mother is a caring person but at the same time, a mother can be firm in doing whatever she is doing.”

On Tuesday, the Church of England votes on whether it will finally admit women to the ranks of bishops. Sister churches of the Anglican Communion in Australia, New Zealand and the United States already have female bishops.
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/breaking-news/africa-gets-first-female-anglican-bishop/

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State is not a true Igbo leader, it was learnt at the weekend.

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) Director of Information, Mr. Uchenna Madu, said that Governor Okorocha would have been denied the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), if the MASSOB leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, had not brought him to the late Emeka Odumegwu- Ojukwu, the then leader of the party.

He said Chief Uwazuruike presented Okorocha to Ojukwu even as Dim Ojukwu was not comfortable with him because he (Okorocha) was anti-Igbo

Madu said: “When Chief Uwazuruike brought Okorocha to the late Ojukwu, the latter did not like him because of his anti-Igbo stance.

“At that time, there was urgent need to replace the former Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim, who had brought fake treasonable charges against Chief Uwazuruike.”

He said Ojukwu would not have accepted Okorocha as the governorship candidate of APGA, but Chief Uwazuruike pleaded on his behalf.
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/news/okorocha-not-true-igbo-leader-says-massob/

The General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Engr. Babatunde Edu, yesterday said that the ban on junior officers of the organisation from arresting offenders was to instil discipline among the rank and file of the organization.

The LASTMA boss, who was worried by the complaints of motorists in the state about the unethical conduct of some officers, said that 38 officers have been dismissed for various acts of misconduct, adding that some are currently being prosecuted in courts for collecting bribes and other unethical conducts.

His words: “Over 50 of them have just appeared before an administrative panel on issues of dereliction of duty, absent without leave and extortion while scores are slated for appearance before Personal Management Board (Discipline) before the month ends.

“Therefore, to instil discipline in LASTMA, 38 officers have just been dismissed for various acts of misconduct; some are currently being prosecuted for collecting bribes.”

To flush out bad eggs in the organisation, Edu added; “The Provost Marshal Department of LASTMA has been reorganised with the appointment of a new head, the deployment of additional staff and the provision of new logistics has been made to carry out effective monitoring of staff on duty.”

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/news/why-we-banned-junior-lastma-officials-from-arresting-offenders/

Wait a minute! Have you seen Halima Abubakar lately? The Nollywood diva who has carved a niche for herself in the makebelief world? You may not recognise her at a quick glance? She now wears a skin cut. Yours sincerely met her at City People’s 16 years’ anniversary which took place Sunday, last week at Anchor Event Centre, Agidingbi.

Guess what? She looked stunning in her razor- skin-cut, honestly. Little wonder, she never minced words when she told Sunday Mirror recently that she could switch her looks. When asked why she opted for a skin cut at this time when assorted weaves are the rave of the moment, her answer was straight to the point. “This is how I want to look this season. This is my own look of the season. Or don’t I look stunning?” She asked

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/features/halima-abubakars-desert-skin-cut/

President Goodluck Jonathan has asked Nigerians to send him questions ahead of Sunday night’s presidential media chat.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the president said he would take such questions in the course of the chat from 7p.m-9p.m.

The full text reads, “President Goodluck Jonathan will in the course of the Presidential Media Chat today, Sunday, November 18, 2012 respond to questions from members of the public. Members of the public who have particular issues they would like President Jonathan to address are invited to send their questions via twitter to @mediachatng or via SMS to +2347026076865.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/breaking-news/send-me-questions-via-sms-twitter-jonathan-tells-nigerians-2/

At least four people have died in riots that erupted in Ibi town, Taraba State after a Muslim was killed at an illegal checkpoint.

Local government chairman, Isiaku Adamu, said rioters burned houses and shops Sunday in Ibi, which is about 140 miles (230 kilometers) from the Taraba State capital of Jalingo.

He said Christians had put up the checkpoint to stop Muslims from nearing their church during the Sunday service as a response to church attacks in other parts of the country.

A Taraba State government spokesman, Emmanuel Bello ,said Sunday that authorities have sent troops to the area.

A spate of church attacks largely blamed on a radical Islamist sect known as Boko Haram have exacerbated religious tensions in Nigeria.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/breaking-news/four-killed-in-religoius-riots-in-taraba/

Mercy Aigbe is a celebrity of the Yoruba movie genre. She tells Adaeze Amos in this interview about her career as an actress, marriage and plans to build her brand. She says her husband pampers her like a baby, adding that this does not stop her from taking her marriage to God to keep it stable.

How have you been combining the home front and your acting career?

It hasn’t been easy to actually strike a balance between being a wife, a mother and a full-time career woman. They are different roles and you will actually want to balance the three because you don’t want anyone to suffer. Things have been a lot easier for me because I have a very understanding husband. He makes my job easier. I have domestic staff who help me whenever I’m on location. I also have my mom who supports me. How do you rate entertainment industry now? We honestly are not doing badly because we have really improved in terms of technical know-how and story lines. We are not doing badly but I know we can do better and I believe that with time, we are going to get there. The only problem that we are faced with is piracy. Piracy kills creativity. When you want to put your money in a movie as a producer, you a c t u a l ly want to get it back but if there is no conducive environment for you to be able to get your money back, you won’t want to put your money that would not reap profit. If you have a job that is going to take N10 million, for instance, and because you are scared of piracy and all that, you have to cut cost. At the end of the day, you are killing creativity because you are not giving your all. I think it is just a very big problem that is really facing us and we are all trying to come together to actually fight it. The entertainment industry, as a whole, is growing and we will get there.

In fact, we are trying to get the government to actually pass rules, regulations and laws that would deal with that …to let people know that anyone caught pirating movies would be punished. We feel if that is done, it would go a long way.

How have you been coping with your fans that seek intimacy?

I appreciate my fans, both males, females, but I always know where to draw the line. When I know you are going beyond fan, and all that, I always know when to say ‘please, I’m a married woman, here is my wedding band and things l i k e that’.

What are you doing to build your brand?

I actually have an organisation I’m planning to launch very soon. There is also a foundation that we are going to launch very soon. I just want to give back to the society the little I can because I’m very passionate about children. I want to do things for orphans and the motherless babies. I have been doing it in my own little way but I want to take it to a bigger level so that I can have people coming and also helping out. What we do is that we go to these homes, find out their needs and then provide it for them. We move to the next home and continue from there. We just try to reach out to as many homes as possible. Now, I want to launch it so that we can have other people coming in, good-meaning Nigerians, to actually help.

What attracted you to your husband?

My husband is very handsome. I like his dark complexion. He is cute. That was the first thing that attracted me. What actually made me to marry him was because he is understanding and mature. When a man is understanding, that alone makes life easier for a woman. He makes me have my own way most times and he pampers me like a baby.

With the rising divorce rate in the society, what are you doing to protect your marriage from crashing?

The only thing I have done and still doing is to take my marriage to God. Apart from being in the limelight or a celebrity, it is not by your own power that you keep a home. I have come to the realisation that you have to make God the head of your family. The Bible says the wise woman builds her home. I have decided to go to God in prayers and put my marriage at His feet. I don’t intend divorcing my husband. I pray divorce is not my portion.

Can you describe your personality?

I’m a very friendly, honest, down-to-earth person. I can’t stand lazy people because the Bible says there is no food for a lazy man.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/sunday-mirror/applause/my-career-marriage-and-coping-with-fans-by-mercy-aigbe/

Worried by the rising number of stranded passengers at various bus stops across Lagos State, the chairmen of the 20 local government areas and the 37 local council development areas, yesterday called on the state government to provide more Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses to commuters in the state.

This, they said is to cushion the effect of the ban on commercial motorcycle operators on commuters.

The chairmen also said the restriction of commercial motorcycle operators would not affect their councils’ Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Briefing journalists on their position on the new Lagos Traffic Law 2012, the Chairman of the Conference of Local Government Chairmen in the state, Mr. Hakeem Sulaiman, who made the disclosure, implored the state government to provide more buses to meet the growing needs of the commuters.

His words: “The concern of Lagos State government for operators of commercial motorcycles and tricycles is unwavering and this was aptly demonstrated by the government’s offer to grant those who genuinely co-operate, access to loan to procure buses and taxis befitting the mega city status of Lagos.

“We also wish to advise the state government to provide more BRT buses as the people have shown that it is a veritable means of transportation, judging by the number of people who queue at bus stops to make use of the buses.”
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/news/okada-ban-lg-chairmen-call-for-more-brt-buses/

The Court of Appeal yesterday delivered judgement in the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Edo State governorship election, Maj-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd).

The court ordered the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to hear afresh the petition filed against the election of Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Chairman of the court, Justice Helen Ogunwunmiju, assisted by Justices S. Yakubu and Tom Awotoye, ordered the lower tribunal to begin afresh the hearing of Airhiavbere’s claims on alleged non-qualification of Oshiomhole to contest the election.

The court also dismissed the cross-appeal by the governor, which sought to quash the remaining issues of alleged non-compliance of the election to the Electoral Act 2010.

But Government House sources told National Mirror yesterday that Governor Oshiomhole may challenge the judgement at the Supreme Court.

In the judgement, Justice Ogunwunmiju upheld that the tribunal erred in law to have disqualified itself from entertaining Airhiavbere’s relief bothering on Oshiomhole’s qualification for the governorship election, insisting that issues in the petition could be tried.

She said though the petitioner had the option of approaching either the regular court or the tribunal, Section 177 of the 1999 Constitution also vested in the tribunal the jurisdiction to entertain the relief.

According to her, the Supreme Court had often frowned against the dismissal of election petitions on technical grounds that hardly allow parties to ventilate issues meritoriously.

The Appeal Court said that the appellant pleadings were clear, direct and formed the basis of his case.

The court, therefore, restored all the pleadings of the petition before urging the Acting President of the Court of Appeal to reconstitute a new election petition tribunal to hear the petition.

In his reaction, Airhiavbere, amidst his jubilant supporters, described the judgement as courageous. Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, who was also in court, reaffirmed Oshiomhole’s academic qualification for the election.

He said the governor’s next line of action would depend on the advice of his lawyers.
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/news/certificate-airhiavbere-floors-oshiomhole-at-appeal-court/

Despite the removal of interbank charges on ATM, some banks are still deducting these charges from customer. Hope the regulatory bodies read this report in one of the national dailies today .

Many of the Deposit Money Banks are still removing Automated Teller Machines, ATMs, charges on interbank transactions. The Bankers’ Committee had on Tuesday removed the charges on interbank trasactions to minimise the financial burden of bank customers and also make services friendly.

Speaking to National Mirror yesterday, a bank customer, Mr. Seyi Adeola said Guaranty Trust Bank Plc deducted N100.00 ATM card transaction charge for using the First Bank’s ATM to withdraw. He said, “Could you imagine that GTB charged N100.00 for using the First Bank ATM card to withdraw.

It’s like the banks don’t want to comply with the directive.” Another customer, Mr. Abdul Yusuf, said he used the GTB credit card to withdraw money at United Bank for Africa Plc and the N100.00 interbank transaction charge was removed.

When contacted, the Head, Corporate Communication of Union Bank Plc, Mr. Francis Barde said the Bankers Committee made the pronouncement for the removal and it was not authomatic.

He explained that there should be a timeline because the ATMs service providers have to reconfigure the machines to suit the present challenge. The spokesman of Ecobank Plc, Mr. Austin Asokpor, said that the bankers’ committee pronouncement is yet to be effected and as soon as they work out the modalities, the bank will comply.
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/bank-still-charge-on-inter-bank-atm-transactions-customers/

Political parties yesterday turned the heat on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, for accusing them of bribing security agencies and the electoral commission to rig elections in their favour.

The parties described Jega’s statement as dishonest and untrue, challenging him to name the culprits in the bribery saga.

But former governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, told National Mirror that commercialisation of elections by political parties had been going on in the country for long.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; Congress for Progressive Change, CPC; All Nigerian People’s Party, ANPP; All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA; and Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, spoke with National Mirror on the issue yesterday.

Jega had, at a two-day roundtable conference with the theme, “Party politics in Nigeria and lobbying the lobbyist and the legislature” on Monday in Abuja, said: “Political parties budget funds with which to bribe security agencies and INEC officials during elections.

“Of course, this is being resisted but we have to stop all this in our electoral process.

“There is a terrible lack of civility with which the parties relate to one another or the stakeholders.”

The PDP through its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, however challenged INEC to mention names of political parties that budget money for the purpose of bribing the commission for electoral favour.

Metuh said: “We heard what the INEC chairman said that some political parties bribe INEC officials to help rig or influence elections, but our response to it is that Jega should be honourable enough to mention the names of the political parties involved.

“Under the circumstances of transparent and fair election, INEC officials can no longer rig or influence elections.” The party said that INEC officials could not afford to rig or influence elections as the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states had proven. But the CPC said that Nigerians knew who Jega was referring to, even as it also indicted the INEC chairman as having contributed immensely to the problems besetting the electoral process in Nigeria.

The CPC National Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Fashakin, told National Mirror that Jega knows CPC is not in this ignoble endeavour. “Prof. Jega knows clearly that PDP, the ruling party that ensured his appointment, is the major culprit in this despicable and utterly reprehensible act. “INEC, very altruistically, has always worked in a way to undermine the interest of other parties.

“But for judicial interventions at the highest level, INEC under Jega’s watch had compromised itself in imposing candidates on the parties. “Truth be told, Jega’s INEC contributed immensely to the perils of the electoral process in Nigeria.

“In other climes, such commentary as Jega’s should have attracted further investigations from the law enforcement agencies.

“Which parties are involved? Which INEC officials have been compromised already? What has Jega done to ameliorate the situation? It is not just enough to try and look good with this kind of statement.”

ACN National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, denied his party’s involvement in the untoward act.

“I know that ACN do not vote money to bribe security or INEC officials. On the contrary, all we have been asking for is a level-playing ground in the electoral process.

“Unfortunately, some political parties have more influence on INEC, security agencies and others. “And we have always been disturbed that as long as chairman and INEC members are appointees of the ruling government and the police are centrally controlled, it will be difficult to persuade anybody that there is a level-playing ground,” the ACN spokesman said.

The ANPP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Emma Eneukwu, denied ever budgeting for the bribing of INEC officials and will never do such.

According to him, “If we are budgeting to bribe INEC, we will not be diminishing the way we are in some states.

“If there is any bribing, then it is done by PDP, not my party.

“We only budget for our agents and what we budget for them is not enough. “He (Jega) should come out clearly to say that PDP budgets to bribe INEC officials.

It is clearly the style act of PDP to budget for INEC during elections.” The National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, described Jega’s statement as a mere allegation.

He said: “We’ve not budgeted money for bribing INEC and security agencies during elections. “What we know is that candidates, especially incumbents, out of desperation bribe INEC and security agencies to rig elections in their favour.

“It will be funny if a political party make a provision for bribing INEC security agencies during election in its budget. This is so because party budgets are opened to the public.

“Some parties may be doing it through other means, but in APGA we don’t believe in compromising the electoral process.”

The APGA national chairman challenged INEC to name the parties involved in this unwholesome act.

“If Jega has evidence of those political parties making provision for money to bribe INEC and security agencies during elections, he should make them known to the public so those involved would be prosecuted,” he told National Mirror.

Balarabe, however, said there is element of truth in Jega’s statement. “Commercialisation of election in Nigeria has been going on for long.

“Since 1960, rich political parties have been able to manipulate the electoral process. That is why election is not free and fair in Nigeria.

“Jega’s allegation is certainly possible. Setting money aside in the budget to bribe security agencies and INEC by political parties is not impossible in the case of rich political par- success of the policy. ties.

“For a political party to be involved in bribing INEC and security agencies, it must control at least a state in Nigeria.

“And if you look at the existing political parties, only six are in the position of controlling a state. “So, those six political parties who have the capacity should be asked why they are doing that.”

The National Chairman of Labour Party, LP, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, said that the allegation was founded but that it was not too difficult for INEC chairman to call a spade a spade.

Nwanyawu said Jega must be referring to the big political parties with money and not small parties like LP that he said was struggling to meet its obligations financially.

He said that INEC could say that because it was either that the commission’s officials had been bribed in the past or there had been attempts to bribe them.

Nwanyanwu said: “It is worrisome. For him to say such thing means he must have been experiencing such pressures from moneybags in the big political parties.

“But it would have been more apt for him to name the parties involved because such statement suggests that attempts have been made to bribe INEC officials by political parties.

“At the same time, we must have to congratulate Jega for having the courage to speak out because these are what small political parties like LP suffer in the hands of mega-parties whose leaders and officials have deep pockets built from our commonwealth.”
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/?p=14929

Sick son chases mum from home, takes over business

Sixty five years old Mrs. Yemisi Akinmuyiwa now seeks refuge in churches and acquaintances’ houses despite owning a house of her own of hers. Her eldest child, Michael, has chased her out of her house. He also sent her packing from her business. How could a son do these to his aging mother?

Mrs. Yemisi Akinmuyiwa is 65 years old and she could not be described as having filtered away her productive years. She owns a building at 48 Legacy Road, Ipaja\Ayobo Area of Lagos where her water business thrives. But for the sexagenarian, all that has now become history. She no longer stays in her personal building neither does she enjoy the proceeds of the business she set up with the sweat of her youth.

The mother of four grown-up children now moves from the residence of one friend or relation to another or around churches just to lay her head down for the night. No thanks to Micheal Akinmuyiwa, her eldest child.

The widow with four grown up children is having a serious situation with her first child Michael. Generally he is believed to be a deranged person, his situation gets accentuated anytime he sets eyes on his mother. Akinmuyiwa is currently taking refuge at a CAC church close to the Ogun State border.

She is now homeless and begs neighbours and friends for help regarding her son who is trying his best to get rid of her whenever he sees her. Life for the Akinmuyiwas, of course, some few years ago, was not like this. It all began in 2010.

The 65-year-old widow had a spat her eldest child who had the habit of pushing his mother in public. And anytime he did this, the mum would fall flat on the ground. This led to the hapless woman sustaining a lot of injuries especially on the face. Curiously, any time Michael did this and he was asked for the rationale behind his action, he would always reply: “Ask my Mother, she is here isn’t she?” One day he performed one of these stunts also in the open and the mum put up a resistance.

This led to a scuffle between mother and child. The bashing the woman received was said to have infuriated her to such level that she sought the service of some boys from the area who now gave Michael a thorough beating. He was eventually bundled to the hospital for the treatment of both his physical and mental health. When Michael was in the hospital there was a sort of respite for Mrs Akinmuyiwa. But it was to last for just a brief spell. Michael escaped from the hospital!

On his way home, he was hit by a car. Then, the real problem was said to have begun. He reportedly came into the house in the night and beat daylight out of his mother, thereby making her run out of the house in the middle of the night half-naked with injuries.

Neighbours who witnessed the scene said they were speechless and that they helped the woman out for clothing and medical care. That night was the last Mrs. Akinmuyiwa set foot into the house she built with her sweat and money.

From then, any time she made any attempt to step into the house, Michael would go berserk. It was alleged that the son would wait for her with a cutlass and threaten to kill her. A common phrase Michael reportedly uses anytime he talks is that he would kill the mum.
But judging from recent events threat, it might not be an empty after all because he was all out for his mother whom he later chased on the street, when she didn’t respond to his threat. According to a tenant in the house, Mr. Salami, who said the earlier they take the boy to the hospital the better, “I was sleeping when I heard noises from the other room.

Their room is opposite ours. I went out and I saw Michael holding his mother’s neck, telling her that he was going to kill her. Not knowing what to do, I quickly looked for a plank which I used to hit him on the head, I think that was how the mother was able to run outside, I don’t know because I also ran for my dear life” A young woman who lives some houses away from the Akinmuyiwas also shares her own story saying that after then anywhere Michael sees his mother it’s as if he is possessed “that boy is not normal, he needs attention, anytime he sees his mother, it’s as if an evil spirit enters him.”

However, the physical appearance of Michael belies his otherwise violent nature. He even runs his mother’s water business now and collects the house rent. Though he is said to behave funny once in a while, in all, his entire mien is normal.

This, however, doesn’t keep away the pain and anguish from the heart of the mother who is trying to find a solution for her son but at the same time angry about how her son destroys and sells her property for an absurd price.

“He is my son, I know and I pray for him but how can I be happy when my own child is selling my property when am still alive. He is not my only child; I don’t know why God chooses to punish me with him, everything I own he takes away from me. Look at me I am homeless and hungry, how many things do you want the church to do for me?
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/saturday-mirror/living/homeless-landlady-cries-for-help/

Doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja, in Lagos State are currently battling to save Charity Okoye’s life. An acid bath victim, Charity was reportedly bathed with the dangerous substance by the man she had been married to for four years and with whom she has a kid.

According to sources close to the estranged couple, sometime in 2008, Charity’s husband, Gabriel Okoye, had met the family of his then fiancée, and told them of his intentions to have their daughter’s hand in marriage. To show his seriousness, Okoye hurriedly arranged the traditional marriage with Charity. During the traditional solemnization of their marriage, he promised to take good care Charity, as well as love and protect her.

But Okoye, a native of Enugu State, who was unemployed at the time he organised the traditional marriage with Charity, promised his in-laws that in no time he would come to complete the marriage ceremonies with a church ceremony and all the other marriage customs of Charity’s village in Enugu State. Okoye had hoped that things would pick up for him with time.

But that was not to be after all. After the traditional marriage, Okoye pleaded with his in-laws to allow Charity join him in Lagos with assurances that he would come quickly for the church wedding and other marriage rites.

The understanding in-laws granted Okoye’s request and Charity soon joined her husband in Lagos. Barely a year after the two started living together, Charity conceived and bore a child for Okoye.

Though Charity’s parents were happy for the fruit of the womb with which their daughter was blessed, they did not cease to remind Okoye of the need for him to come conclude the marriage rites. It is reported that this topic soon become a sore point between Okoye and his wife. Sometime in 2011, Okoye started accusing his wife of having extra marital affairs with another man in the neighbourhood, an accusation the woman severally denied. But Okoye remained unmoved by his wife’s denials of the charge.

Many times, Okoye would severely beat his wife, even as she continued to claim innocence of the charge. Charity soon started reporting her husband’s attitude to her family, friends and church members. She claimed that she was tired of the relationship and was ready to go back to her village. Charity confronted her husband with her plans to quit the marriage.

When Okoye would not end his beating of the woman, Charity reportedly moved her luggage out of Okoye’s house and took her kid to her parents in the village without her husband’s knowledge. But contrary to her earlier plans, Charity did not stay in the village. She returned to Lagos and got for herself a room at Governor’s Road in Ikotun area of the state.

Not long after Charity moved to Ikotun, information reached Okoye that his ‘run-away’ wife was found at Ikotun. Okoye traced Charity to her new apartment and pleaded with her to return to his house. But Charity refused to hearken to Okoye’s pleas.

When it became obvious that Charity was not going to come back to his life, Okoye reportedly went to her house recently as if he came for reconciliation. He allegedly poured on her body a substance believed to be raw acid. Charity’s face and parts of her body were severely burnt in the process. Realising what he had done, Okoye took to his heels. Neighbours rallied around Charity and took her to LASUTH for treatment.

The matter was reported at the Ikotun Divisional Police Station where a manhunt was launched for Okoye immediately. He was later arrested and detained at the station. One of Charity’s neighbours, identified simply as Stella, told Saturday Mirror that no one in the compound ever suspected that Okoye would do what he did.

She said, “We all know this man as Sister Charity’s husband and we also know that they both had a misunderstanding which was why she came to live in our compound.

The man had come to see her many times, so no one would think that he would come to pour acid on his wife. But the cry of Sister Charity drew our attention and before we could get to the room, the man had jumped out of the window and run away.”

A female police Constable at Ikotun Police Station, who asked not to be named in this story, confirmed that the accused has been apprehended and is cooling his heels at the station. The Divisional Police Officer could not be reached for his comments on the case, as his phone lines were busy until press time.
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/saturday-mirror/living/man-bathes-estranged-wife-with-acid/

The remains of Sheila, the widow of late foremost education icon, Dr. Tai Solarin was yesterday interred beside her late husband in their Ikenne home after a funeral service which had in attendance eminent personalities from across the country. The interdenominational funeral service was held on an open ground within the Mayflower School, which the late Sheila co-founded with her husband in 1956.

It was presided over by the Presbyter, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Ilishan Circuit, The Very Reverend Joseph Osifuwa. The heavy down pour which preceded the funeral service, however, nearly denied Sheila the full glamour of the day. The funeral programme for Sheila, who died October 21st, 2012, at Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo at the age of 88 commenced at exactly 11am.

”"

Her remains were conveyed to the venue in a grey Mercedes Benz with registration number TOS 9. Eminent personalities from within and outside Nigeria converged on the Ikenne-Remo home of the Solarins to bid their matriach farewell.

They included the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the immediate past governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel, former Ambassador to Netherlands, Ambassador (Mrs.) Tokunbo Awolowo- Dosunmu as well as the Afenifere chieftain, Sir. Olaniwun Ajayi.

”"

Others were Mrs Bola Obasanjo, the wife of the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Senator Biyi Durojaiye. In his short sermon at the funeral, the presiding Minister, Reverend Joseph Osifuwa admonished the gathering to live a purposeful life worthy of emulation. The cleric emphasised that the gathering was not to mourn but to celebrate the good deeds of the late woman she described as a “woman of many parts.”

Reading from the book of 2nd Timothy 4: 7-8, the man of God charged everybody present to always remember that they would give account of their deeds to God notwithstanding the number of years they spend on earth. Osifuwa, who stressed that Sheila and her husband used their lifetime to serve humanity with all that God endowed them, equally charged those in attendance, particularly those in positions of authority, to use their positions to better the lots of the less privileged in the society.

“She left so many indelible works which people must draw inspiration from. Many come into this world without impacting on those who came in contact with them. “Mama agreed with her husband to fulfil the mission that God gave them by giving qualitative education to thousands of Nigerians.

She contributed positively to the develop-ment of education in Nigeria and for many years to come, we shall continue to appreciate her contribution to the education industry in Ogun State. “Madam Sheila knew the purpose for which she was sent to this world and she fulfilled the purpose. Are you pursuing the purpose of which you are created?

She kept the light and the fire burning many years after the demise of her husband till the end. “She has lived her life. She has made her impact and she is leaving her footprints in the sands of time.

She and her husband have done their part. What will you be remembered for?” the cleric asked. In his remarks, Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, who eulogised the late Sheila, said that she was committed to the provision of qualitative education not only in Ogun State, but Nigeria at large. Amosun described the deceased as an icon who built her world around Nigeria. The governor stated that the state government as a mark of respect would build one of the 26 model schools in memory of the late educationist.

“As a non-native, she has endeared herself to the society. She was committed to the provision of qualitative education. The Mayflower School she co-founded with her late husband has continued to stand out among schools in the country.

“She built her world around Nigeria and she served the country with all her might. She is our hero and in honouring her, we have decided to build a model school within the school,” the governor said. Former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel described the late Mrs. Solarin as a disciplinarian who did her best in life. Daniel said the entire world would be better for all to live only if Nigerians could emulate the virtue of late Sheila.

“I want other people to emulate her attitude so that life will be better for all of us,” he said. In his own tribute, Sir Olanihun Ajayi described her as a mother of mothers and a rare breed. “She was a mother of mothers. Sheila made her mark.

We hardly can say anything about her without mentioning her late husband, Tai. They were a rare breed. They came, they saw and they conquered.”
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/saturday-mirror/living/sheila-solarin-goes-home/

Unlike many of her colleagues, pretty actress, Toyin Adewale, has been married for 28 years and her career has equally blossomed. She shares with YEMISI ADENIRAN, in this interview, the secret of her successful marriage and how she has managed to stay off scandals for the many years she has spent in the movie industry.

Excerpts:

Where did you grow up and what was it like?

I grew up on the Island and you know what that could have spelt. It was much fun. We were exposed to a lot of fun but we were strictly guided. My parents were strict and very disciplined.

They wouldn’t allow us go to the extreme of whatever fun we were having. For me, it was extra tough. I was the only child of my mother and so, I was closely monitored. I am from a polygamous family and so, I was never lonely. I had people around me all of the time. Lagos Island was full of activities, so, I really had a lot of fun.

You have proven yourself as a versatile actress more so as a cross over actress. What is your staying power?

I think I owe all to God and my husband who has been supportive all the way. He has this peculiar philosophy of life that has kept us both on till this time. For him, there is no down moment. He has always believed in what he does and that pride and belief in creative energy of the actor is, for him, a special gift from the Almighty. He is not easily discouraged and that has helped me a lot.

There are times I would be down with no jobs and things are pretty grim and then, he would come up with an indifferent attitude saying, it is part of an actor’s normal cycle. Besides, he does not believe in boxing yourself to a particular world when you are capable of doing more.

What is your assessment of the Yoruba and English sections of the movie industry, having taken part in the two?

Both are good but have some peculiarities. In the Yoruba sector, we relate as one big family. We help ourselves where and when necessary. But in the English speaking sector, it is purely a professional relationship. You work for me, you get paid.

Which would you prefer or recommend?

I wouldn’t recommend any because I belong to both. Whichever one people employ is definitely for a reason best known and thought best to them. I would not condemn anyone. The choice is simply for anyone who desires it.

You are married to an actor just like you and you have been married for some years now. How do you manage your home and career?

I thank God for the kind of husband and in-laws that I have. We both understand the nature of our job and we support each other. He has been wonderfully supportive and that I’m enjoying. That is not to say it is not tasking but God has been helpful. My mother in-law has also been helpful and I have a maid too who also assists. That was when the kids were younger. Now, they are grown up and can take care of themselves when we are away. That is if they are not in school.

How did you meet your husband?

We met in 1986 while we were at Rimax, a vocational school that we attended together. He was a year my senior before he went to the University of Ife. I also proceeded to Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH). The relationship took off then, we got married and by the grace of God, we are blessed with three children.

Would you like to take us down the memory lane of your acting career? How did it all start? Why acting and not other professions like nursing that was popular then?

To be honest with you, acting is where my talent is. I have always loved it and I have always shown it. I always derived comfort in it, it excited me and it was something I felt I could do no matter the stress. It all started while I was in the primary school. Whenever I had the chance to act any drama, I used to do it with all passion and some appreciable level of expertise such that one particular teacher of mine couldn’t but commented on this.

He advised that I should go into it professionally and that if I did, I would make huge success out of it. That comment really hooked me and I had nursed the idea since then. Amazingly, that has been the song with me and the career.

Were your parents in support of your decision when you first indicated your choice of profession?

My father especially was against it! How could his daughter be dancing and acting around like some beggars when he was alive? He did not see any future in it and did not mince a word about it. No! He had told me, ‘you had to face your academics. I don’t want a child of mine to end up an illiterate.’

And you know then, whatever a husband decides, the wife or wives automatically supports. My mother lined up instantly behind him. But it was what I wanted and I wasn’t going to give it up just like that. Fortunately, I am literate today and a success in this career.

How would you describe the journey of your career so far?

It has been hectic and challenging but we thank God that it has been favourable. The Lord has been good. When I first started, it wasn’t very rosy.

There were no cars to move around and the efforts we put in were not as rewarded as we have it now. Thank God for the improvement we have now. Things are getting better and that is why challenges, no matter how terrible they may be, must never be allowed to discourage one. It is supposed to be a stepping stone.

Have you ever been sexually harassed before?

How could that have been with my husband around?

But you can’t always be with your husband all of the time?

Yes, that is true. But I don’t come across as a single woman and they all know my husband. So, why would anyone try to harass me?

But you are a beautiful woman?

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/saturday-mirror/woman/beauty-is-no-license-for-waywardness-toyin-adewale/

It is four month today that popular broadcaster, Alhaji Rasaq Aremu Gawat, got missing. Worried by his continuous disappearance Muslims faithful have decried the state of insecurity in the nation. Gawat, a producer of Islamic programme ‘E dide Ejisaari’ on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) was announced missing on July 10 2012 after his car was found at Apagbon bridge.

Speaking with Saturday Mirror, some viewers of the journalist’s programme bemoaned the state of security in the nation.

They lamented the mystery surrounding the sudden disappearance of the man with out any clue as to his whereabouts.

A cleric, Uztadh Kazeem Kewulere who spoke with Saturday Mirror after ‘Jumat’ prayer, called on the government at all levels to beef up security in the country “How can someone disappear into thin air just like that and the security could not give us any clue as to where he is. Government has to do something on the security in the country. It is Gawat today, we don’t know else will be missing.”
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/news/gawat-still-missing-four-months-on/

Minister for Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, has challenged Nigerians to make money by exploiting the opportunity provided by his ministry’s offer of N25, 000 per one case of guinea worm reported.

Chukwu described the policy as a deliberate effort by the Federal Government to wipe out guinea worm in the country, saying that the N25, 000 per report had no limit as one could report as many cases as possible.

The minister, who spoke during a visit to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Gombe, expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Centre in healthcare delivery.

He said a lot had been achieved by the FMC for which its Chief Medical Director, Dr. Saidu Abubakar, received commendation.

Chukwu said the Gombe FMC was among the first medical centres to establish sickle cell centre as well as many other specialised units.

The feat, according to him, would go a long way to enhance healthcare delivery in Gombe State.

The minister added that the policy of saving one million lives was to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)’s health target.

He said President Goodluck Jonathan believed and laid emphasis on good leadership because a lot of success could be achieved through it for the betterment of the lives and well being of the citizenry.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/news/minister-to-nigerians-report-one-guinea-worm-case-earn-n25-000/