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Culture › Re: Divorce Rate Among Yoruba Couples & Igbo Couples by sadiq88: 9:58pm On Oct 06, 2011

Ijawman:
Re: Which Is Better: High Bride Price (igbo) & High Divorce Rate (hausa And Yoruba)

•Cost of marriage in Igboland causes furore,but kinsmen begin amendment of list
By Chioma Igbokwe (misty4reel@yahoo.com)
Saturday, June 13, 2009

Today in Igboland, marriage has become a project for people the society see as having arrived financially. This entails that the intending groom would be ready to cater for the family of the wife should there be need for that, after he must have performed all the rites required to take a lady as wife.

•The Igbo’s traditional wedding
PHOTO: THE SUN PUBLISHING

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In most cases a junior sibling of the new wife would be attached to the new family to train. Whatever it takes, the man would be ready to foot the bills in order to be respected among the kinsmen of the in-laws.

But the duel of the husband to-be-would only get to the other commitments after he must have scaled the first hurdles. On the day of the traditional marriage, the kinsmen who might have taken laxative pills prior to the day would be in attendance to feast to their fill and probably get drunk too. Findings show that because of the endless demands made on the intending husband, traditional marriage seems to be phasing out as some parents would organize it in the city where they reside while the new wife would gladly move into the man’s house after the event.

Such factors have been responsible for low patronage of the marriage institution and a threat to the family system.

As a result, fathers are battling to give out their daughters on time or run the risk of leaving them unmarried. To achieve this they go out of their way to satisfy these kinsmen by allowing them have their way on the endless demands.

A young spouse, Chinwe, in one of such instances had to inform his embattled father to send for her whenever they were ready as her things were already in her suitor’s house. Knowing the implication and being a respectable person in the society, Chinwe’s father had to sell his land just to ensure that he was not turned into an object of ridicule by his kinsmen. With that he was able to raise N250,000 to support his in-law whose annual income was N300,000 to marry the daughter.

Igbo traditional marriage is cheap

But with the escalating demands, Chief Ukeje Eloagu, traditional ruler in Isuikwuato; now in his late 60s still insists that marriage in Igboland is cheap. He strongly disagrees with claims that the Igbo traditional marriage is expensive. He told Saturday Sun that Igbo traditional marriage is the cheapest and best so far. He blamed the kinsmen who are out to spite the family as the real problem of the system, especially when they could be controlled by the father of the bride.

History

According to Eloagu, the original marriage system was the least expensive as there was no money in circulation. “During those days all a man needed was to be a good citizen, a responsible man and if he finds a good girl of his choice, the young man will inform his parents and with a keg of palm wine and kolanuts, they will visit the family of the girl.”

Having made his intention known to the family of the bride, the groom will be asked to return for a second visit when they would allow their daughter to go home with the family of her intending husband in order to confirm whether she likes the place or not. If she returns with a positive answer, her family will send for the family of the intending couple to come for the bride price and other ceremonies. “The bride price was equal to nothing, and then it was the local type of money known as nkpoala (manila) and the ego Ayara (cowries). The whole ceremony will be full of drinks”.

Reason for change

On the sudden hike in what it takes to marry a girl, Eloagu said that it was when girls started going to school that the parents felt that the cost of marrying them should increase. Then fathers would be proud to flaunt their daughter who has managed to reach Standard Six. “It was so funny that when you come to their home they will tell you: Do you know that my daughter can now read the Bible?” It was so because those days some girls did not go to school, so whoever gets married would have the responsibility of brushing that person up to what you want her to be. But today our ignorant fathers believe that money was expended to train the child. They tend to skyrocket the cost because they feel that they have made wealth for another family.”

Misunderstanding

He explained that marriage is supposed to be a social arrangement by the kinsmen as a law but the execution of the law is strictly controlled by the parents. “If you cannot afford it, nothing prevents you from taking your wife home. You can always ignore it. In my village once you have paid the 12 shillings, four coconut heads, four wraps of ugba and potash, and also buy pomade and soap for the women, the parent of the bride should be able to say that his son in-law cannot afford the others. It is no longer mandatory for anyone to know what was given the family. It is only those who must have also milked other people’s in-laws that stand their ground when it comes to their turn. All these efforts are just to give a dog a bad name to hang it. For the love for my children, I would sponsor the marriage.”

In some cases where the parents are in penury, they will simply tell you that they do not want anything from you.

The only thing you should know is that they are there and would appreciate if you remember them. “You cannot be in affluence while your in-laws wallow in penury. There is a saying in Igbo language; “ogo bu ikwu ato” which means that your in-law is the third relation. There are isolated cases where after spending your life earnings you will be told to train one of the wife’s siblings and if possible build a house for the family. But if the parents still insist and consider your financial status, for the love you have for the girl, accept it. When the girl is in your house you can trash that promise. Meanwhile it is not a written agreement.”

Still stable

These days’ things are changing. Nobody wants a burden. The truth is that culture is dynamic and changes with time. Those who say that Igbo marriage system is expensive should remember to add that it is the most stable. It can never be disputed that is why men of different ethnic groups are trooping in to marry our daughters.

People in spite of changing economic situation should learn to cut their coat according to their cloth and do things according to their limit.

No fear

This belief and deceit by the umunna, he said has contributed to late marriages among the men especially among the Igbo. “Men get married at 40 because they are waiting for money in order to meet these unrealistic demands. Apart from companionship the main aim of getting married is to get children that would take care of you at your old age. Of what use will it be if you struggle to train them till you die.’

For those who are still hesitant in getting married because of the cost, Eloagu said it is an act of cowardice. “Marriage is a natural obligation and nobody should run away from it. Don’t be scared by those lazy men who don’t want to get married. Men must be bold. We no longer partnership. Marriage socially is the way of making children. Otherwise any child born out of marriage is a bastard.”

Our fathers should wake up and realize that those kinsmen who make marriage difficult for our children will be the one that will go behind and give out their daughters without collecting a kobo.

…Mixed reactions

Saturday Sun sought the opinion of Igbo elders on the problems of marriage that seem to get compounded by the day.

Nze Chika Nwosu (farmer)

Marriage is a thing of joy; therefore any man who decides to embark on such an institution should be ready. For the rural village dwellers, marriage is an occasion of enjoyment for us.

Let any man complaining that cost of marriage is expensive tell me if he paid close to what it took the family to bring up the girl she wants to have as wife. She is going to your house to make money for you. That young man must be an ingrate to even blackmail his father-in-law to reduce the price. Life is becoming difficult and with the state of the economy, the cost must be amended.

Ichie Obiagu (retired teacher)

Our men should be up and doing. If you allow them to marry our daughters so cheap, they will never respect them. If you check very well the most successful marriages are those that pass through this process. Give your daughter through the back door and see how she would be treated. It is a thing of joy for a man to brag that he actually spent some wealth to marry and would not hesitate to flaunt her. If you want your daughter to be seen as such, give her out for free.

It is not true that during our days it was much cheaper. You cannot compare yesterday’s value of money with that of today. When I married, I suffered and was still happy when I finally got my wife. Because of that when I want to introduce her I proudly call her Oriakum. I got married at the age of 26, so it is only a lazy man who would hold money as excuse not to get married.

Mr. Steve Echefuna (contractor)

My sister, don’t you see that we are losing our girls to strangers? If you dare reduce the price all girls will be married to foreigners. The truth is that if a prospective in-law is from our area, the cost would be reduced drastically to encourage them. Any one complaining about cost should go to other places and see. A good girl is a good girl no matter the cost she will always get a good suitor who will meet the demands on the people. It is not true the cost of marriage is discouraging men from venturing into the institution. Those complaining are people of those ethnic groups that impregnate women and take them home without paying a dime and trash them months later. They will be made to fend for themselves while another woman would be ushered in. Things are increasing so is the price for our girls.

Ichie Ononogbu (retired civil servant)

It is negotiable. It depends on the father of the bride. We’ve had cases where an in-law would promise heaven and earth and disappear with our daughter and till date he would not remit a kobo and nothing will happen. Nigerian men are lazy today. During our youthful days, if you cannot afford to pay, then you will serve the family for some years in the farm.

But our men would want to wake up and pick a ready made woman, they would wait till that child must have graduated and they will surface and want to carry our wealth to their home. That is wicked, left for me they would be made to pay tithe every month.

…The victims speak

Obinna Nduka

My sister, I am not rich enough to marry. It is not a joke to marry in our place. I knew what our in-laws paid when they came for my sister and I am not ready yet. I need my respect especially in the midst of my umunna. That is why I am yet to marry. I have seen a girl that I love but then she is from a place the cost of marriage is quite on the high side and I am not ready to sell my land to meet the requirements. If she loves me, she would be patient.

Ado Bulus (Adamawa)

Igbo women are for the rich. In my place it will not take me up to N30,000 to get married but in Igbo setting after borrowing to marry their daughter, they will also attach one of their daughters to you, insisting that you would train the child and some would demand that you build a house for them. I am talking from experience. I would have married an Imo girl, but when I got to their place to seek her hand in marriage, the list the family gave me was too much. Since I do not want to be poor the rest of my life, I called off the engagement. You will tell me that if I love her I would proceed with the marriage. But my sister, once there is no money that love will surely vanish.

Abey Edion

Igbo marriage is the most expensive in the country. In Yoruba land, once you impregnate a girl, she can move in with you as your wife. Whenever you have the money, you could call a party and celebrate with your family but the reverse is the case in Igbo. Their parents have spoilt them that it will take the grace of God for an Igbo girl to agree to date a jobless man not to talk of marriage. Take a look and you will find out that most single girls in Nigeria are Igbo, and nobody has money to waste. I can date them but for me to marry a woman to liquidate me is impossible.

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Women In Agony
June 15, 2009 10:52, 458 views

They get divorced for the flimsiest of excuses, are denied the chance to work despite attending some of the best schools in the world. This is the sobering story of women from northern Nigeria.

By Babajide Kolade-Otitoju

On 29 January, 2009, 45,000 divorced women came together in Kano under the auspices Voice of Widows, Orphans and Divorcees Association of Nigeria. They had a grand plan to stage a one-million man march against increasing spate of divorce in the state. However, the police and other security agencies, including the State Security Services, SSS received a series of petitions from elders and religious leaders in the state who expressed the fear that the protest may snowball into a big crisis if allowed to take place.Hajiya Altine Abdullahi, Chief Executive Officer of the non-governmental organisation, was pressured by the Police, SSS and Hisbah, the state agency responsible for Shariah implementation, to drop the idea. She did, but the group had drawn attention to one of the biggest social problems confronting the core North today.
tn-june-22

Hajiya Abdullahi, herself a divorcee, wants the government to look at the economic, social and religious implications of divorce, arguing that the worse victim is often the woman. According to her, women get routinely thrown out of their matrimonial homes and are exposed to danger and hardship. “They go through terrible times; they have no money to eat and cannot just resume their normal lives without the help of the society,” she explained. Members of VOWODAN told TheNEWS that they are determined to tell the world about the increasing harassment by their husbands, who threaten them with divorce at the slightest provocation. “Imagine a situation where a husband will scribble some words on a paper and ask you to leave and never return because you failed to get his meal ready on time. Do you think that is right? Do you think Allah approves of that. It is simply inhuman. In most cases, you find that in this part of Nigeria, some men divorce their women for selfish reasons without a recourse to Islamic principles,” Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim, a divorcee, intoned.

For full details, demand the 22 June, 2009, issue of TheNEWS from your vendor now.
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Politics › Jonathan’s Statement On Critics Self-mocking – Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum by sadiq88(op): 7:30am On Sep 29, 2011

Jonathan’s statement on critics self-mocking –Group
By SEYE OJO
Thursday, September 29, 2011

•
Photo: THE SUN PUBLISHING
More Stories on This Section

A pro-democracy group, the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum, has taken a swipe at President Goodluck Jonathan on his recent statement on the critics of the incumbent administration in Nigeria, insisting that the statement was nothing but a gentle way in self-mocking.

In a statement by the Secretary-General of the group, Mr. Akin Malaolu, the forum disclosed that it was right for critics to tell Jonathan’s government where its administrative decisions had failed so that he could take pragmatic steps towards finding a lasting solution to the challenges.

Jonathan had asserted at an interdenominational service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, as part of activities marking the country’s 51st Independence Anniversary:
“If you listen to some of the things people say or write in the papers, some people would want the president to be a lion; some people would want the president to be a troop commander who would crush everybody on sight. Unfortunately, I am not a troop commander. I am not an army general. Some would want the president to be like David or other warriors in the Bible, unfortunately, I am not one of those.

“The only prayer I need from you is for God to use me to change this country. I don’t need to be like Nebuchadnezzar, David or other great men to change this country.“Someone had written in the papers: Is Nigeria on auto pilot? I tell them that Nigeria is not on auto pilot. God is in-charge and God will take us to the destination He has destined for us.” But the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum said in the statement: “We shall confess to how regrettable we viewed the statement made by our president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, on outspoken critics of his government. It is sad that such superstition can be displayed by our president himself and a gentle way in self-mocking.

“We wish to state clearly to our president that a leader should be seen to be leading, putting up, hurrying around, turning about, laying down, making, organising, exceeding and restraining. These are the attributes Americans saw in President Barack Obama and other good leaders now and before, which we assume to be near absent in our dear president’s case and most of our other political leaders.

“It is right for critics to show the president the absurdities he is guilty of and most especially when his administrative decisions had failed to prove that they can ameliorate the conditions of our millions of helpless people. “For the information of the president, kerosene is still N200 per litre as against its official price of N50 while a bag of cement is now N3, 000 in the aftermath of his presidential orders to the petroleum minister and cement manufacturers and recent suspension of travels of Nigeria by the United Nations (UN) is an addition to the woes.”

At the interdenominational service, Jonathan was not happy that detractors of his government always make unfair remarks on his style of administration, which according to him, had received several accolades from respected world figures such as President Barack Obama of United States and Jacob Zuma of South Africa.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/sept/29/national-29-09-2011-018.html

Jokes Etc › Re: Patronize Central Hotel Ibadan For Maximum Comfort And Security by sadiq88(op): 12:04am On Sep 18, 2011

Jokes Etc › Re: Patronize Central Hotel Ibadan For Maximum Comfort And Security by sadiq88(op): 11:54pm On Sep 17, 2011

we offer best services

Jokes Etc › Patronize Central Hotel Ibadan For Maximum Comfort And Security by sadiq88(op): 11:50pm On Sep 17, 2011

come one come all

Politics › As Niger Delta Activist Faces Life Imprisonment In Far Away Netherlands by sadiq88(op): 12:03am On Sep 13, 2011

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/sept/04/national-04-09-2011-007.html

Niger Delta activist faces life imprisonment in Netherlands
By Daniel Alabrah
Sunday, September 04, 2011

More Stories on This Section

The trial of president/founder of Rotterdam-based Hope for Niger Delta Campaign (HNDC), Comrade Sunny Ofehe, who has been charged with terrorism, opens tomorrow in The Netherlands.
The Dutch prosecutor has charged the activist with plotting to blow up oil pipelines operated by Shell in the Niger Delta.

He faces life imprisonment if convicted.
The Delta State-born Ofehe, who is also a Dutch citizen, was arrested in his home in Charlois, Rotterdam, on February 22 this year on suspicion that he was involved in human trafficking and document forgery.
He was granted bail two weeks later after being held in a solitary cell and deprived from contacting his wife and lawyers.

But, surprisingly, the human trafficking charge was dropped and replaced with the charge of plotting to blow up pipelines in Nigeria’s oil producing region. The historic trial has generated much interest in the Dutch media, as it is the first time an individual is being charged with terrorism in the country.

Curiously, Ofehe is being tried for a crime that the prosecution claims was to be committed outside The Netherlands. His lawyers expressed surprise over the new charges. In a telephone conversation yesterday afternoon, one of Ofehe’s counsel, Mr Ed Manders, said it is curious that “oil bunkering, which is reportedly common in Nigeria, has suddenly become an offence in The Netherlands. We are very surprised.”
He explained that his client’s phone lines had been tapped by the Dutch police, which recorded his conversation with an undisclosed Nigerian on how to produce a documentary on the oil bunkering situation in the Niger Delta.

“This charge has come as a complete surprise to our client and us. (It) is based on just a few tapped phone calls between our client and an acquaintance of his in Nigeria in which Sunny simply tries to come to an agreement to record bunkering of oil pipelines in the Niger Delta region. In no manner was his intention directed to blowing up any oil pipelines.

“The surprise of this charge was even bigger when we noticed that these phone calls were already known to the prosecutor at the moment Sunny was arrested. However, he was not charged with terrorism then and only went into pre-trial custody on the charge of people smuggling and forgery.“Now suddenly the prosecutor changed his mind and charges him with this serious crime, with hardly any ground to stand on,” Manders said in a statement made available to Sunday Sun.

He added that the police tapped all the phones and computers of Ofehe during the investigation and put a car with a camera in front of his office for three weeks.“It is not clear whether the Nigerian government has indicated interested in the case even though Ofehe said when contacted on the telephone that he had briefed the Nigerian Embassy at The Hague.
Checks at the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice revealed that there was also no file on the matter in the ministry.

A source in the office, who craved anonymity, said: “I have checked and I can tell you that there is no record of such a case with us. I heard from you for the first time and it is a surprise.”
It could also not be ascertained at press time if the embassy had sent a report to the Foreign Affairs Ministry on the matter.

Politics › As Oil Producing Communities In Abia Begin To 'enjoy' Dividents Of Oil by sadiq88(op): 11:58pm On Sep 12, 2011

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/sept/05/national-05-09-2011-014.html

Oil spillage wreaks havoc in 6 Abia communities
From OKEY SAMPSON, Aba
Monday, September 05, 2011

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Oil spillage, which occurred over a week ago has wreaked havoc in six oil producing communities in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State. The affected communities include Umuorie; Umukalu; Umuitiri; Obahu; Umuebulungwu and Obohia.

The spillage, which began on August 25 was said to have occurred as a result of the washing by officials of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of the oil collecting tank at Canoe’s park creek, location one, Isimiri oil field at Isimiri autonomous community in Ukwa West Local Government.

A source hinted that the pressure exerted in order to get the tank properly cleaned, led to the bursting of the connecting oil pipes, which conveyed products from the location to one of Shell’s flow stations.
Some of the burst pipes, according to our source, were laid in the 60’s and no step, he said, had been taken to upgrade them which was why they burst at the slightest pressure. Although the spillage occurred at the Isimiri oil location, the fast running river had spread the spilled oil to as far as five other communities, destroying the ecosystem along its route.

When Daily Sun visited the area, the villagers bemoaned their experience. Their spokesperson, Chief Ridley Dike said it was unfortunate such a thing could happen to the communities at a time they were about to harvest their farm produce. He bereted SPDC for not taking enough precaution that would have forestalled the spillage and for not upgrading the pipelines, which he said, were laid in the 60’s and had become rustic and prone to bursting. He said it was painful that for days, SPDC left the oil spillage to continue without doing anything to checkmate it, which was why it spread to the other five communities.

He decried the situation where oil spillage of that magnitude occurred and nothing was urgently done to control it. “We condemn in strong terms the lackadaisical attitude of Shell petroleum as it concerns our plight or is it because we are from Abia,” he queried.“Otherwise how would oil spillage of this magnitude occur and for one week, nobody came to control it.

“Look at the Isimiri river, our only source of water supply has been contaminated. Our fish ponds, economic trees, aquaculture, in fact, the entire ecosystem has been destroyed and Shell is keeping adamant.” Dike said they had not taken stock to quantify exactly what the six communities had lost as a result of the spillage since it was still spreading but he, however, admitted that properties worth billions of naira had been destroyed and called for immediate steps to be taken to cushion the effects of the oil spillage on the communities.

Nairaland General › Re: Nairaland 2011 Ethnic Census. by sadiq88: 5:36pm On Aug 04, 2011

shoooooooooooooooooooooowwwwwww!
i thought this website/forum is owned by yorubas, why is is ibo beating them in population?

op
why can't i vote twice or more than?

Celebrities › Re: ‘the Crown Has Attracted Many Men To Me’ by sadiq88(op): 6:45am On Jul 03, 2011

i think a town in bende Local Governmennt Area of abia state

Celebrities › ‘the Crown Has Attracted Many Men To Me’ by sadiq88(op): 11:05pm On Jul 02, 2011

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/sunstyle/2011/july/02/sunstyle-07-02-2011-002.html

‘The crown has attracted many men to me’
By RACHAEL AGUNTA
Saturday, July 02, 2011

• Miss Igbere
• Photo: The Sun Publishing
Sun Style Index
T he confidence she had in herself made her go for the beauty contest and she emerged the winner. Face of Igbere beauty contest is a contest that has brought development to the village of Igbere. Today, not only that development has come, Miss Igbere has realized that she is now a mature woman. In this interview with Saturday Sun, Queen Nnenna Omeme tells of her experiences.

What does Face Of Igbere mean?
It is an annual beauty contest that carries the objectives, needs and dreams of Igbere people. It is an avenue to develope Igbere village and impact knowledge on the youths.

What is your duty as the face of Igbere?
I am carrying the face of Igbere and I am expected to be an ambassador of peace and development in my village. I am also expected to be a moral figure to Igbere people. I serve as a voice that speaks for my people and I help the youths in actualizing their dreams.

How do you do that?
I do that by soliciting for funds from our chiefs and sons of Igbere who are well to do after I must have let them know the needs of the youths.

Have you done any of these things?
I am still carrying out my projects.

How long are you supposed to be the queen of Igbere?
It lasts for one year. I was crowned on December 29, 2010. I have less than six months to go.

What have you achieved?
I am still running on my pet project. I am still raising funds.

Could you give us an insight into your family background?
I am Queen Nnenna Omeme. I am from a family of four, the second daughter and the last child. I am from Igbuniukwu Igbere in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.

What was your growing up like?
It was fun. I had the lovely and the bad sides. I have a wonderful family. We go out together to have fun. I played with my mates. The bad side was that there were things my mummy would say I should not do and there were the ones I would love to do. I remember that any house she asked me not to enter was the one I entered often.

What is your educational background?
I am a National Diploma holder in Accountancy from Federal Polytechnic, Oko. But I hope to go for my HND soon.

What were your experiences during the contest?
It was a good one but at a time, I began to lose confidence in myself. The first contestant was so brave that when she came out, everybody was cheering at her. I got scared at that minute but when I came out too, people cheered me and that in a way, made me regain my confidence.

Was it stage managed?
I never knew the judges. We were not allowed to see them until that night. So, it was not stage-managed at all.

What were the criteria for selecting the queen?
There were so many things they considered. The cat walking, confidence and how the person speaks.

What gave you the confidence to even obtain the form?
I know myself. I have always believed in myself.

What specifically gave you the edge over others?
It was how I answered the questions I was asked. I did not beat about the bush. I gave the answers right away.

What are the benefits of the contest?
It has a lot of benefits. I have built a lot of relationships. I have met people and have had fun.

What was the prize given to you?
I don’t wish to talk about it but it is of inestimable value.

Were you mandated to carry out a pet project or was it your idea?
It was my idea. No one mandated me to do anything. I am a youth and I believe that the major people that are having problems now in the society are the youths. I am looking for a way to assist as many as I could in less than one year. I want as many as possible to acquire skill on how to make shoes, sow and design clothes, and on catering too, so that they can make money for themselves. I am good at catering.

How has the crown affected your life?
It has made me to create confidence in myself. I have understood by the reason of this crown, that I am a full fledged woman, mature enough to take care of certain things.

Were there things you were doing that you stopped doing?
Yes, I have changed the way I talk to people. I don’t go out as usual now because anywhere I go to, people try to reckon with me. A lot has changed as a matter of fact.

Did you tell your parents before you went for it?
Yes and they said it was a good idea that I should go.

What is unique about you?
I am a well trained person, simple and resourceful.

What are your likes and dislikes?
I like people that have sense of reasoning and I dislike people that are not straightforward.

Are you into a relationship?
Yes, I am in love with someone but I will not mention his name.

Who is your ideal man?
He is someone that has a sense of reasoning, cute, handsome and a good man.

How does your friend feel now that you are a queen?
He is proud of more. He boasts that his girl is the face of Igbere. He likes it and he encourages me in all I do.

How many men has the crown attracted to you?
Many.

How do you cope with them?
I talk to them politely. When they call me on phone, I try to be nice, we chat and talk but I don’t give them the room to get closer. My friend even knows and he tells me that it is what it takes to be exposed. He is my back bone. I run to him whenever I need advice and he does that.

What is your most memorable day?
It was the night I was crowned. I was very happy.

What is your most embarrassing moment?
I have not had any.

What is your advice to your friends?
I advise them to hold on to their dreams and never give up on anything they hope for.

Celebrities › I’ll Forever Cherish My Reign As Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria---fiona Amuzie by sadiq88(op): 10:51pm On Jul 02, 2011

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/blockbuster/2011/july/02/blockbuster-01-07-2011-001.html

Fiona Amuzie
I’ll forever cherish my reign as Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria
By Tosin Ajirire
Saturday, July 2, 2011

Amuzie
Photo: Sun News Publishing
Mores Stories on this Section
For Fiona Amuzie, former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, a chapter in the book of her life was closed last Saturday. It was just as another one was opening for 20-year-old Sylvia Nduka, Miss Taraba State, who emerged as the new MBGN queen. Clad in a green night gown, Amuzie was all smiles as she relinquished her crown. This is her parting shot.

Closed chapter
I am closing one of the most beautiful chapters in the book of my life as the outgoing Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria. It was a year filled with emotions, learning, friendship and growth. From dancing on the same stage with the President and the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to meeting influential people, to assisting victims of human trafficking and child labour, I have really enjoyed my reign.

Cherished experience
Being the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria is an experience that I will cherish forever. This experience has changed my entire perspective of life. So many people gave me strength, inspiration and encouragement throughout my reign and I am thankful to everyone. From receiving a peace ambassadorship award by Igwe Efobi of Idemili North LGA and Youth Achievers Award by Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, to presenting an award at the MTV Africa Awards, to representing my country in China for the Miss World competition, I am truly grateful for every single occurrence that has gone into shaping my year.

Gratitude
First and foremost, I would like to express my utmost gratitude to everyone at the Silverbird Group for making my dream of being an ambassador of our great nation come to fruition. Mr. Guy Murray-Bruce, without you none of this would be possible and I will always be indebted to you for your kindness.

My family, my backbone
My family has been my backbone. I couldn’t have asked to be born into a better family. The support I have received from all my siblings, cousins, uncles and aunties and especially my parents have all been incredible. I thank my mother for coming all the way to China to encourage me.

Advice to new queen
As I open a new chapter as MBGN alumni, I hope to continue to make an impact in the world with my non-profit organization, Fiona Amuzie Organisation Against Trafficking in Persons and Child Labour (FOTP). NAPTIP and WOTCLEF have assisted me in making an impact during this time. As I pass along a wonderful crown to the next Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, I would like to offer her a few words of advice. You should take advantage of this grand opportunity and note that this is only the beginning of a promising and bright future.

My life, a testament
I stood in faith with my Maker a year ago, I stand with Him now and I thank Him for His blessing. My life is a testament to what God can do if only we could believe in Him.

Politics › South East Pdp Leaders Demand National Chairmanship Position by sadiq88(op): 10:42pm On Jul 02, 2011

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/july/02/national-02-07-2011-03.html

South East PDP leaders demand national chairmanship position
From PETRUS OBI, Enugu
Saturday, July 02, 2011

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South East leaders, made up of governors, former vice president, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, deputy Senate president Ike Ekweremadu, senators and others, have pointedly demanded the occupation of national chairmanship position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP by an Igbo man.

Towards this end, they promised to nominate somebody who would be appointed as the national chairman, in the next two weeks, for the ratification of the National Executive Committee of the party.

The Igbo leaders vowed to invoke Article 14 (5) of the constitution of the PDP to realise this move.
In a communiqué, after their deliberation in Enugu, the South East leaders said the South East PDP leaders said they are demanding that one of their own be appointed to fill the vacant position of the party chair in view of the provision of the constitution of the party.
The document explained that the said section of the PDP constitution provides that the National Executive Committee of the party should appoint a substitute/replacement for the national chairman whenever there is a vacancy in the office.

They explained that the provision specifies that the replacement should come from the zone of the immediate substantive chairman, who so vacated office, adding: “In this circumstance, South East should be the zone to so benefit since the last confirmed chairman of the party was Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo from the area.”
The Igbo leaders argued that the zone becomes even more qualified, based on the provision of the party constitution, when they recall that even if you put together the tenure of Nwodo and Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, his predecessor, they spent only 22 months, as against 48 months specified by the constitution.

Others PDP stakeholders, who attended the meeting, were Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metu, Senator Hope Uzodimma and Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, among others
Others were Governors Chime (Enugu State), Theodore Orji (Abia State) and Martin Elechi (Ebonyi).

Politics › Re: Letter To Boko Haram: This Is Great by sadiq88: 10:24pm On Jul 02, 2011

nonsense, the writer of the letter is even a southerner- a fake muslem. he should tell that to his fellow southern cristians.

Business › Senate Clears And Comfirms Alison Madueke by sadiq88(op): 8:22pm On Jun 29, 2011

ait 8:00pm news

Politics › Re: Picture Of A Unconscious Policeman With Gun by sadiq88: 8:08pm On Jun 29, 2011

no be today dey don start disgracing us

Politics › Re: Breaking News: Fresh Bomb Blast Kills 50 In Maiduguri by sadiq88: 12:24am On Jun 27, 2011

Boko Haram massacre
•Islamic sect kills 30 in sporadic shooting at beer parlour in Borno
From TIMOTHYOLA, Maiduguri and From PAUL ORUDE, Bauchi
Monday, June 27, 2011

•
Photo: Sun News Publishing
More Stories on This Section
It was another day of tragedy yesterday as members of the Boko Haram sect stormed a drinking joint in the Maiduguri metropolis killing no fewer than 30 people even as fears heightened in Bauchi over rumour of fresh attack.

A source told Daily Sun that the members numbering about 10 had arrived at a popular drinking joint at Dala Kwamti around the Dala Alanderi area of the Borno State capital at about 6 pm in a convoy of two cars and started shooting sporadically.

Another source also claimed the men rode to the area on motorcycles from different direction, to beat the heavy security in the city.
“I don’t think they came in a convoy of cars as suggested. They might have ridden on motorcycles from different directions to beat the soldiers and police at a junction close to the area. They started firing shots from different directions into the joint and there were many people there at that time because it was not dark yet,” a resident of the area told Daily Sun on telephone.

It was also gathered that the Vice Chairman of Ngala Local Government, Alhaji Baba Kamfut and two others were shot and killed on Saturday night. Details of the killing of Kamfut were sketchy as at Press time, but sources said he was killed in his residence within the metropolis.
Unconfirmed report claimed the second victim was killed on Sunday while sympathisers were at the deceased local government boss house to condole with his family. Gunmen were said to have stormed the place again and shot two; one of whom died on Sunday, the source claimed.

Efforts to get official confirmation from the police as at Press time yielded no results. The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abdullahi Lawal, could not be reached as his mobile line was unavailable.
Meanwhile, palpable fears yesterday gripped the residents of Bauchi metropolis over a rumour of fresh attack by Boko Haram. The fears were heightened as unconfirmed reports claimed yesterday that the group plans to attack parts of the Bauchi State capital.

Residents in Yelwa told Daily Sun that the Rafin Zurfi was one of the places slated for attack.
A resident, who opted for anonymity, said as a result of the news, the men in the area formed themselves into groups patrolling at night in order not to be taken unaware. Daily Sun learnt that the insecurity was believed to have been heightened by rumours that there had been a bomb explosion at Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.

It turned out that there was no bomb explosion in the volatile Tafawa Balewa council headquatres, but a fire, which gutted the treasury department.“Bauchi is one of the states where Boko Haram had a running battle with the law enforcement agencies.“Such onslaught had led to the killing of many of the Boko Haram members and policemen. For instance, on July 26, 2099, the group had an all-night attack on Dutse Tanshi police station. Several members of the sect and two policemen were killed.

“On September 7, 2010, the group stormed Federal Prison in Bauchi and freed about 700 of their detained members facing trial. Innocent people had also been killed when the group carried out a spate of bomb attacks at Mammy Market in the 33 Artillery Brigade headquatres, Bauchi.“The group has also threatened more attacks and Bauchi is one of the states the Boko Haram wants Sharia law to be implemented as conditions for peace.”

Many people were considering the option of leaving the state en masse as a result of the insecurity if the situation does not improve. A week ago, a student of the Bauchi State-owned Polytechnic, Abba Abdullahi, was murdered on campus, prompting the students to protest against insecurity. However, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Barua, said the police were investigating the murder and assured the public that it would ensure protection of lives and property of citizens.

Barau could, however, not be reached to react to the news of the plan to attack some places as at Press time.
“There is actually, a threat to security that is why we must all be vigilant and secure yourself and property. It is only God that can save us for now,” another resident who said he was among those patrolling all night in Yelwa said.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/june/27/national-27-06-2011-001.html

Politics › Prof. Dora Akunyili Speaks Out: ‘ God Is In This With Me’ by sadiq88(op): 2:34pm On Jun 26, 2011

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/icon/2011/june/26/icon-26-06-2011-001.html

ICON
Dora Akunyili: ‘God is in this with me’
By SHOLA OSHUNKEYE
Sunday, June 26, 2011

Dora Akunyili
• Photo: The Sun Publishing

More story on this section

For as long as she was in government, Dora Nkem Akunyili, a 56-year-old mother of six, erudite scholar and professor of pharmacy, is easily one of the stars of this democratic dispensation.

Her sterling performance at the National Agency For Food and Drug Administration, NAFDAC, and her honest and fearless stance on sensitive national issues, have endeared her not only to millions of her compatriots at home and in the Diaspora, but also to many agencies across the world which have bathed her with countless awards.

Driven by the avoidable demise of her diabetic sister who died as a result of fake insulin administered to her, and the burning desire to save Nigerians from unnecessary agonies, she chased dealers and manufacturers of fake and adulterated drugs to hellholes and gave them a run for their blood money. Although she almost paid with her life on one occasion, she was never deterred. She was unstoppable. In fact, the fear of Dora Akunyili became the beginning of wisdom for the merchants of death.

Very few Nigerians were, therefore, surprised when the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua named her Minister of Information And Communications. Her pedigree had preceded her. Although most people had thought she would be best suited for a health-related potfolio, Akunyili, a quintessential storm-rider, never disappointed. She learned fast on the job and took firm control of her beat in no time.
On February 3, this year, at the peak of the controversy over the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s actual state of health, a needless controversy that almost drove the nation to the brink, Akunyili presented a memo to the Federal Executive Council, FEC, asking the council to square up to the reality of the ailing President’s dilemma and transmit a letter to the National Assembly for a smooth transition.

Although her memo shocked, awed and tore the federal cabinet apart, it provided the impetus for the flat-footed National Assembly to recognize Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, then Vice President, to assume duties as Acting President in Yar’Adua’s stead. The ‘shock-and-awe’ memo created a few enemies for Akunyili but further endeared her to majority of Nigerians who saw her as an embodiment of courage.
And just last week, Wednesday, Akunyili, who was born July 14, 1954, in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, again jolted the nation. She suddenly resigned her appointment as Information and Communications Minister, and announced immediately that she was going to contest the Anambra Central Senatorial District seat under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. As the decision continued to generate heated debate across the country, last week, ICON trailed the former minister to Awka, the Anambra State capital, where she granted a two-hour no-holds-barred interview.

Here are excerpts from the encounter:

Last week Wednesday, you took the nation by storm when you suddenly announced that you were leaving government. To use your word, you said you were leaving your comfort zone to come to Anambra State to help Governor Obi, and most importantly, to pick a ticket for the Anambra Central Senatorial District. What informed that sudden decision?

Well, since you call it ‘sudden’, I confirm that it needed to be sudden for me to succeed in my decision to resign. If I had started telling friends and relations, they would have discouraged me. That is a natural situation, because people are generally afraid of leaving the so-called good job, the so-called secure job to go and run election. Usually, at such a juncture, people are usually confused by all kinds of advices and questions. Questions like: ‘what if you don’t win?’ ‘In this horrible terrain, this people will blackmail you, they will fight you.’ ‘They will even start saying are not from Anambra State’.

You will hear all sorts of things. So, whatever I do in life, I try to pray over it, meditate upon it, seek the face of God, and ask men and women of God to seek the face of God with me and for me. Once that is done, whatever God tells me is final. No looking back. I started, like two months ago, to ask pastors, priests, bishops, to pray for me on this mission; and each time each of them finished praying, and I asked them what did the Lord said, they told me ‘the Lord says you should go.’ So, that actually strengthened me. On my own, I tried to go to Mass every morning, (sometimes I was not able to get up), and once I was before the Blessed Sacrament, I will say to God, ‘God tell me if I should go’. I tell you, the more I prayed, the more my spirit got strong, and the more I was convinced that I should take this step forward. So, I’m sure God is in this with me. If I wasn’t sure God’s hands are in this, I would not have come forward.

You didn’t even give room for rumours. Naturally, things like this would have been subject of rumours for like two, three weeks before the cat is let out of the bag.
Actually, there were rumours about two weeks to the time. But not that I was leaving because the Lord didn’t say that I should leave immediately, the Lord said I should leave like one month to the election. But I didn’t feel like staying and not concentrating on what I am doing, that is my official assignment as minister. It’s like eating your cake and having it. If I did not tell men and women of God to pray for me, and I did not discuss with my husband, my brother and maybe one or two people, it wouldn’t have leaked. I would have kept it to myself, just like the memo. That memo was even tighter than this because I did not even tell my husband about the memo issue. But this particular one, I told him. I needed to tell him to get his permission. And he gave me the nod.

On the memo thing, some people, who probably didn’t like your guts, said it was a product of self-survival. That you did it because you saw the handwriting clearly on the wall.
How could it be a self-survival step? Was I threatened? I wasn’t threatened n any way. I didn’t have any problem with President Yar’Adua. He loved me until he left. I had no problem with him; I had no problem with anybody. I just saw the ship of the nation sinking and felt like taking a stand. You are talking of self-survival, what of some of my detractors that said I was an opportunist. And I laughed because if you have the opportunity to do good, would you rather reject it and do evil? Where there is opportunity to do good, you do it! When there is opportunity to talk, you talk.

As far as you are concerned, you don’t owe anybody any explanation?
I don’t owe anybody any explanation. It’s between me and my God. And every morning, before that memo, I was praying and asking God, ‘how long can this last?’ In the morning of the memo, I called my special assistant, and I said ‘it is over’. I told him what I was about to do. He almost jumped out of his skin. He screamed, ‘but you can’t do this ma’. He was like almost threatening me. ‘Our job is on the line, ’ And blah, blah, blah.

So, I have no regret on this particular one. I have no regret. I have left the cabinet, and this election is not a matter of do-or-die. If I win, I will be very happy and do my best. I will put in my best. I will do this job in such a way that Anambra State Central Senatorial District will say ‘Thank God’. If for any reason, God Changes his mind, God will still be God. Nobody can direct Him. If for any reason, He says, ‘my daughter, you are not going’, I will still glorify God, and then go on working with my governor, because what is important is that my state should move forward. It has to be because this is a state of very intelligent, very resourceful people.

The state of the Great Zik of Africa, the state of our indomitable leader, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, the state of the unbeatable, globally acclaimed Chinua Achebe, the state of the great Chike Obi, the impressive Cyprian Ekwensi, the glorious Ezilo, the versatile Chimamanda, does not have a choice but to move forward. You can go on and on. Yet, we are almost getting to a point of self-destruct. So, we have to come here and work, whether I am a senator or not. I have come into the ring and I will not leave. Whether I am a senator or not, I have come out to help my governor, hard-working Governor Peter Obi to build this state and there is no going back. I don’t have to be a senator to help him, but being a senator will offer me a better platform.

Although people are also insinuating, rightly or wrongly, that the scheme is that if you pick the ticket and you do your four years, the four years would be your preparatory period towards aspiring to becoming the governor of the state.
Human beings are wonderful. They are already thinking for me (laughs). Is the office of governor the highest in the land? Maybe the next story now would be, from governor, they will say she wants to be president. I thank God for favoring me so much that people are ascribing these great things to me. Even if they say ‘she wants to be president’, I will say ‘That’s okay, no problem, if it is God’s will’. If people say ‘you want to be governor, no problem, if it is God’s will’. If people say you are an opportunist, I will say ‘thank God for giving me opportunity.’ If people say ‘you are a survivalist, I will say ‘thank God for telling me how to survive’.

That would be my response because if you start denying and exchanging words, you would waste valuable time, and some people who people would not naturally listen to will sue you just to get to the limelight. They will say: ‘Akunyili said, ’ So, I don’t have the time, and I don’t even want to answer such things. Quite frankly, we take these things, one step at a time. After all, I was not thinking about it this senate thing some months ago. The first Anambra person that came to my office to mention senate was Engineer Okoye, and I said ‘Never!’ That’s why, honestly speaking, we should no be saying ‘never’.

Why did you say ‘never’ at that point?
Because it wasn’t in my mind in any way. Either I said never or God forbid, I cannot remember exactly what I said. But it was so vehement that he changed the topic.
What transpired between that time, five months ago and now, and last week when you resigned?
About one month after he brought it up, some Anambra people were coming to me and saying ‘Madam, why don’t you go to the senate and give us proper representation?’ I said, ‘well, I‘m not thinking about it’. But as people continued talking to me, I started praying over it. Then, about two months ago, I went to some Reverend Fathers, some pastors, some bishops, and talked to them, and urged them to please pray for me. These were men of God from different denominations.

And they unanimously agreed?
I did not meet one man of God or woman of God who said ‘Don’t go’. Not one. In fact, some of them even said instantly, ‘I will pray, but I think you should go’. I said ‘no, pray for me first’. People pressurized me but I don’t want to say I am coming out because people pressurized me. It is wrong to go and vie for a position because you are pressurized. No, there must be a strong personal conviction.
I am somebody that can never do what I am not convinced about.

I cannot do something because I am pushed. That is why it really annoys me when people keep saying ‘my people pushed me to go and run election’. When people say that, I just feel that people are beginning to make it up. You cannot run for an election because people are pressuring you. People’s pressure can only start a thought process. Then, overtime you work on it. ‘I am coming out because of the wishes of my people’, I think, has become a cliché in this country.

It is terrible thing. In Abuja, one lady came and told me that some women wanted to come and tell me that they wanted me to go to the senate. They wanted to pay courtesy call but I said ‘no, I don’t want’. I have seen that over and again on television, and it is beginning to annoy me. And people will not even believe that I didn’t organize it.

For me, people pressurizing me is not the right reason. But when people pressurize you, they put it in your consciousness that ‘this is possible. Think about it’. Then, you start thinking about it. Then, you pray over it, then God directs. That is where I am today. Eventually, I started consulting with people in the political class and stakeholders and a few of them said ‘well, that will be very good, but why APGA?

And I said ‘why not?’
Really, why APGA? After all, PDP is supposed to be the biggest party in Africa with all the financial muscle and influence to sway any election.
Let me tell you something about political parties. Political party is a platform to get to that destination where you can offer services to your people. So, I don’t really think it matters the political party that gives you the platform or the political party through which you can get the platform. What is important is getting the opportunity to serve your people. And I mean selfless service.

Or is it because you think that the opportunity will be brighter in APGA than in PDP because APGA is incumbent here?
Not just because APGA is incumbent, but most importantly, we have an APGA governor that is doing a fantastic job; and success begets success. And I want to be part of the success story. We also have Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, who is our leader today in Igbo land, who is the leader of this party. We have the chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, who is the chairman of the party. These great minds have stabilized the party and endeared it to the good people of Anambra State.

If Anambra State people love APGA, and the APGA governor is doing a fantastic job, and their leadership is excellent, and there is no rancour, and my spirit accepts to move with them, I’m moving with the people. And when you talk about this party thing, I look at people and laugh. I say so because I am first and foremost an Anambra person before I became a PDP member.

Are you not afraid that some people would misread your judgment and conclude that you are desperate, judging the way you dumped PDP to embrace APGA? They might say why didn’t you continue with PDP if this is all about service?
You are asking me why I did not continue with PDP. Do you know that as we speak, today, PDP is Anambra State is in disarray? And we all know that. So, why are we pretending? We cannot pretend all our lives. And it is not as if there was a lot of fight among PDP members in Anambra and this woman did not even try to bring peace. And she just left.

No. I spent my money, my personal resources, to call for meeting of PDP people in Anambra in Hilton Hotel, Abuja. After that meeting, they were very happy. They said it is better to bring the meeting to Anambra State. I called another meeting in Anambra State. I spent my own money. Some PDP members organized and brought some students, very young boys that came into the hall, not police, and released teargas on us in that meeting.

There are so many court cases among PDP members and so many injunctions, and more are coming. People have these injunctions in their pockets, waiting for the right time to release them. So, the atmosphere is not conducive. So, it’s not matter of dumping PDP, it’s a matter of if I am desperate or not. Oh yes, I am desperate for peace. And if there was no peace and people are not ready to sit down and accept that there should be peace, why would I die and sink with rancour, anger acrimony? I think one of our problems in Anambra is that we have too much money.

What is the meaning of that?
That is Anambra people are so rich that we are now allowing our wealth to destroy us. Too much wealth. My grandmother calls it ‘over sense’. We have too much money, too much brain, and instead of our too much money and too much brain earning us development and recognition, it is leading us to self-destruction. And if I tried in PDP for us to make peace and I did not succeed, I can also succeed through APGA. We can eventually come together, it may not be now, but we have to come together because we are brothers and sisters.

Talking of brothers and sisters, one of the problems you may have had in PDP may be due to the strained relationship between you and your brother-in-law, Charles Soludo?
As a person, I don’t have any problem particularly with PDP, because I never ran election in PDP. But PDP has internal intractable crisis.

Like what?
Like they have many court cases, many injunctions, and bad blood, generated from here and there.
The issue of your brother-in-law?

I don’t think it’s an issue. It is not an issue because I never ran election.
It almost disrupted your elder sister’s funeral. Everything came to the fore and we all saw it.
It’s unfortunate. That’s all I can say. And I want us to respect the soul of the deceased. However, I want to tell you is I have a right to support who I want to support, just like I have a right to determine which platform that is best to render service to my people. In more civilized societies, we have had instances where a husband comes out to run for election on the platform of a party and the wife supports another party. That should not necessarily scatter their home. If my husband joins a party tomorrow, and if I feel he will not do well, I will secretly tell him that he should not go. If he insists, then I may not come out to campaign for him.

What I am saying is that, no matter how close you are to me, if I believe your rival is better, I will not come out to campaign for you. In the case of my brother-in-law, Professor Charles Soludo, I never campaigned against him and I never went to any rally with Governor Peter Obi. I avoided coming out even when some PDP people came out and openly canvassed for Peter Obi. I did not because I wanted to respect my sister. But my sister still felt I should have come out to campaign with Charles Soludo but my spirit did not agree. And I don’t think people should be forced to campaign for anybody.

I think we are pushing this democracy to a funny level. I remember during the time of Tofa and Abiola. You know people were standing on the line under Option A4. My people stood on one line and I stood on the other line. My husband was saying come over to my line, and I was telling him: come over to our own. He said ‘okay, we will win. And I told him we would win.’ At the end of the voting, both of us left and we were waiting together for the result. He didn’t because of that divorce me.

To me, that was beautiful democracy. He never said ‘why are you not standing for my candidate?’ And I never said: ‘Why must I stand for your candidate?’ The thing is that, I had no problem with Professor Charles Soludo because I didn’t run election. He had problems with people he ran primaries with. I never picked a form. I had a chance to pick the form because my picking the form with PDP was to take it free. But I had no plan to pick it and I did not pick it.

Why is it also impossible for the two of you to mend fences?
I don’t think I can answer that question. I think the bitterness that went with losing that election is so deep that it might take time to heal.

Deep on both sides?
No, I didn’t lose election. My candidate was Peter Obi and he won. But I never campaigned for Peter Obi. I never went to any rally with him. I never went to people’s houses to say vote for him. I never called people together in any group to say vote for him.

But did you support him underground with money?
I never gave him a kobo. I didn’t give him one naira. And if you know Governor Peter Obi, he is not a money politics man. That is why people called him Araldite hand. He is financially prudent. In a state like Anambra State, where we have very lean resources, if he is not financially prudent, this state will not get to where it is now. In fact, it was his performance and prudence that attracted me to APGA, whatever anybody may want to say. If he is not doing well, I would not be interested.

One last question about Professor Charles Soludo: as a good Christian, don’t you in the spirit of the bible or what the bible teaches about forgiveness, don’t you see yourself making a first move towards reconciliation between the two of you?
As a Christian, I don’t bear grudges. I bear no grudges against him. I have no grudges whatsoever against him. And if I don’t have grudges against somebody, I don’t really see why I should worry myself. I have no grudges against him; I can never work against him in anything he is doing.

How has it been since you threw you cap into the ring?
Interesting. Very interesting. I have found God’s favour. The level of support has been incredible. I have enjoyed unbelievable level of support, from the high and the low. You won’t believe the kind of support I am getting; it’s highly encouraging-text messages, people giving me money, etc. And it would interest you to know that I have never done anything for most of those people that are giving me money. That is the one that is most baffling.

The most amazing one is the case of a clerk who sent a text message promising to donate her January salary to my campaign. I have seen messages that are touching but this is the most profound. The kind of support I have today is unprecedented. People have come to say this is unprecedented in the history of the state. I respect the people that are running with me, and I pray that the will of God will be done in all of this. Whoever wins, we will congratulate that person.

And cooperate with him or her?
Of course, what is important is that we should have a free and fair election. I am not going to fight anybody who does not support me. That is very important in elections. Because in Nigeria, people feel that you either support or you become an enemy forever. It is wrong. Politics is all about choices. It’s all about thinking of what you want. Somebody might have a reason not to support me. If I am really desperate about that person’s support I will go and plead with the person. I will tell him or her, ‘please, whatever reservation you have about me, please support me’.

Even at that, there is no way I can get 100 percent of the votes. And if I get 100 percent today, I will feel uncomfortable about it. I won’t even like it. What of the people running with me, are they not human beings? Don’t they have families? Don’t they have friends? All we are praying for is free and fair election. An election free of thuggery. I don’t want any thugs. Why would I use other people’s children as thugs? It’s a sin because you wouldn’t want your child to be a thug.

My child can drive me as driver, but my child cannot be a thug. My child can cook for me as a cook, but can never be a thug. A thug is like using a human being like an animal. That is why I keep preaching against it. I have preached it to some women, telling them that when they finish using them and giving them guns, at the end of the elections, it becomes difficult to collect the guns back from them. Then, they would go into kidnapping and all other forms of crime. Kidnapping is now the easiest because it is not as difficult as armed robbery, and they make so much money without sweat. Without any danger. So, I am very optimistic, but I am not desperate.

Talking about desperation, we have heard stories of diabolical things that politicians do, like going to Okija Shrine to swear to oath of allegiance, and so on. Some were reported to gone to shrines to wear in unclothedness. What extent can Professor Dora Akunyili go?
Me, shrine? God forbid! I talk to the living God every morning, every day. I can never go to any shrine to swear to any oath because I want to win election by all means. Never! I can never touch anything that will make me deviate from following the living God.

I take my own oath with my God every early morning during the morning Mass. Every early morning, I go to Mass and talk to God before the Blessed Sacrament. That is my oath. Anything that will make me go to shrine or worship another god, or believe in another thing except my God, God should take my life before I start thinking about it.

For what? What is it that I want today that God has not done for me? Even if I don’t work from now till I die, God has blessed me. My children have all gone through school. The last one is graduating. They are working. So, what do I want? So that I must be senator? Nonsense! People forget that whenever the devil gives you anything with the right hand, he collects it back, and much more, through the left. The devil does not give you anything free. If you are getting anything through shrine, it’s from the devil. The joy from whatever the devil gives you will never last because he will take something back from you and eventually destroy your soul. And what gain is it if you gain the whole world and lose your soul? What is the essence? Politics should not be do-or-die. It is not do-or-die for me who is a professional in politics, not a professional politician.

What is the difference?
There is difference, I am a professional in politics, I am not a professional politician.

Who is a professional politician?
Professional politicians are people that cannot do any other thing. It’s their job. For me, I can do too many other things. For professional politicians, it is their first and last job. It is what they have regarded as ‘this is my job for life.’ Politics is their job, A to Z. On the other hand, a professional in politics is like somebody like me who is a pharmacist. I can go into practice, I can go into consultancy, I can teach, I can go in to the laboratory anywhere in the world.

There is nowhere that I cannot work in pharmaceutical laboratory. There is nowhere in the world that I cannot teach in pharmacy or medical school. So, the difference is that a professional in politics is not supposed to be desperate, except if you are greedy. Because if I lose election, I can get on with other things. But if some people lose election, they are finished. If a professional politician loses election, most of the time, he is finished. He goes down, and he may never come up because there is nothing to go back to. I have too much to go back to.

For instance, people are looking for me across the world to come and teach regulation. They are not yet teaching regulations in universities abroad. I can get a United Nations job if I put my mind to it. I started International Medicine Anti-counterfeiting Taskforce, IMPACT; I generated the issues that made United Nations and World Health Organisation, WHO, to set it up. I can write them that I ran election in my country, and I lost, I want a job. And that is a little bit more relaxing, like consultancy, if I can get accommodation and a decent salary, I don’t think they will deny me that.

They might not make me the chairman, because there is already a chairman, but they will certainly give me something decent to do out of my worth, and the need for me. And then out of sympathy, if I apply and put it on paper that I lost election, and that I am looking for work. For a professional politician, it is not like that. It is more difficult and that causes desperation.
That is why we have this do-or-die attitude to almost everything,

Because when they lose, they are finished.
Which one, then, would you count as preferable: that we should have professionals in politics rather than professional politicians?
We should have both because if you are a professional politician, you can still be decent. Many professional politicians are very decent, decent enough and Godly enough to know that everything happens as God wills it. That is important. But if you are a professional politician, and you are not godly, there is trouble.

Celebrities › Miss Taraba , Sylvia Nduka Is The Winner Of Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria by sadiq88(op): 1:51pm On Jun 26, 2011

Current Miss Taraba , Sylvia Nduka is the winner of Most beautiful Girl in Nigeria(MGBN )2011 contest that just took place at Eko hotels,V.I,Lagos.

CONGRATS
As the winner of this year's competition she will take home a brand new Hyundai car and a 3 million Naira cash prize.
She will also represent Nigeria in this year's Miss World competition taking place in London, United Kingdom later this year.

other winners:

MBGN Tourism 2011 – Obioma Isiwu (Miss Enugu)
MBGN ECOWAS 2011 – Grace Ndam (Miss Lagos)
MBGN 2011/BellaNaija Miss Photogenic - Tobi Banjoko (Miss Ondo)
MBGN 2011 Miss Amity – Delphine Okobah (Miss Ebonyi)
MBGN 2011 Miss La Casera – Nwando Ebeledike (Miss Adamawa)
MBGN 2011 Model - Oluchi Okafor (Miss Kogi)
MBGN 2011 Face of Select Pro - Gabriella Ndu (Miss Abia)

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