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Saturday 31 August 2013
"No Man's Penis Can Satisfy Me" - Kemi Olunloyo
Female passenger causes panic aboard Aero flight
Passengers were Friday thrown into confusion aboard an Aero Contractors aircraft scheduled to take-off from Lagos to Benin as one of the female passengers started screaming on top of her voice that she was no longer travelling, thus causing panic onboard.
The passenger’s strange behaviour is coming barely one week after a teenage boy, Daniel Ohikena caused scare at the airport when he stowed away on Arik Air plane from Benin to Lagos.
The female passenger whose identity could not be ascertained at press time was said to have been ignored by members of cabin crew and passengers alike but her persistence led to suspicion among the passengers.
An eye-witness who confided in Saturday Vanguard said that the female passenger after boarding the flight screamed on top of her voice that she was no longer willing to travel with the plane.
The strange behaviour, however led to the delay of the Benin- bound aircraft for two hours as all the passengers were asked to disembark while the plane was screened again.
Saturday Vanguard further gathered that all the checked-in luggage were also off-loaded for proper screening by both Aero and Aviation Security, AVSEC, of the Federal Airports authority of Nigeria, FAAN.
But despite the re-screening of the already checked in passengers and their luggage, nothing suspicious was found on board.
It was also learnt that the passenger was handed over to security agents by AVSEC while the other passengers proceeded on the journey to Benin.
According to the source, “All passengers were already onboard and the pilot was preparing to take off before the woman started the strange behaviour.
“At first, no one took her seriously, but when the shouting and soliloquy continued, the passengers became apprehensive and ordered the pilot to abort the flight.
”The situation was not funny at all. In fact, the woman was speaking in a language which no one understood. But I can tell you authoritatively that all the passengers have been taken to Benin with the same aircraft and they landed in the airport safely.
”This was not the first time such an incident would be happening. In fact, it is common among first time travellers but no one knows the motive behind this act. However, I believe the security agents will do their work and reveal what led to the strange behaviour.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/08/female-passenger-causes-panic-aboard-aero-flight/#sthash.yxR4fMek.dpuf
The passenger’s strange behaviour is coming barely one week after a teenage boy, Daniel Ohikena caused scare at the airport when he stowed away on Arik Air plane from Benin to Lagos.
The female passenger whose identity could not be ascertained at press time was said to have been ignored by members of cabin crew and passengers alike but her persistence led to suspicion among the passengers.
An eye-witness who confided in Saturday Vanguard said that the female passenger after boarding the flight screamed on top of her voice that she was no longer willing to travel with the plane.
The strange behaviour, however led to the delay of the Benin- bound aircraft for two hours as all the passengers were asked to disembark while the plane was screened again.
Saturday Vanguard further gathered that all the checked-in luggage were also off-loaded for proper screening by both Aero and Aviation Security, AVSEC, of the Federal Airports authority of Nigeria, FAAN.
But despite the re-screening of the already checked in passengers and their luggage, nothing suspicious was found on board.
It was also learnt that the passenger was handed over to security agents by AVSEC while the other passengers proceeded on the journey to Benin.
According to the source, “All passengers were already onboard and the pilot was preparing to take off before the woman started the strange behaviour.
“At first, no one took her seriously, but when the shouting and soliloquy continued, the passengers became apprehensive and ordered the pilot to abort the flight.
”The situation was not funny at all. In fact, the woman was speaking in a language which no one understood. But I can tell you authoritatively that all the passengers have been taken to Benin with the same aircraft and they landed in the airport safely.
”This was not the first time such an incident would be happening. In fact, it is common among first time travellers but no one knows the motive behind this act. However, I believe the security agents will do their work and reveal what led to the strange behaviour.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/08/female-passenger-causes-panic-aboard-aero-flight/#sthash.yxR4fMek.dpuf
Controversy continues to trail demolition of Onitsha hotel where human heads were found
•Detention of arrested persons illegal— NOPRIN…
On August 1, 2013, an unprecedented crowd gathered in front of Upper Class Hotel, 8 Market road, Onitsha , Anambra State, to witness its demolition, following the discovery of two human heads and ammunitions by operatives of the Anambra State Police Command.
Consequently, proprietor of the hotel, Mr Bonaventure Mokwe, alongside 13 of his staff were reportedly arrested.
Controversy has however begun to trail the demolition action allegedly on the directive of the Anambra State Government and the continued detention of the suspects.
Although the hotel proprietor’s wife, Mrs Nkiru Mokwe, had earlier cried foul over the demolition of her husband’s hotel, even as she had raised alarm that her husband’s life was in danger.
Throwing its weight behind Mrs Mokwe’s cry of injustice, the Network on Police Reform in Nigeria, NOPRIN, comprising 46 civil society organisations spread across the country,with the aim of promoting police accountability and respect for human rights has described the continuous detention of the suspects without trail as unconstitutional.
On August 1, 2013, an unprecedented crowd gathered in front of Upper Class Hotel, 8 Market road, Onitsha , Anambra State, to witness its demolition, following the discovery of two human heads and ammunitions by operatives of the Anambra State Police Command.
Consequently, proprietor of the hotel, Mr Bonaventure Mokwe, alongside 13 of his staff were reportedly arrested.
Controversy has however begun to trail the demolition action allegedly on the directive of the Anambra State Government and the continued detention of the suspects.
Although the hotel proprietor’s wife, Mrs Nkiru Mokwe, had earlier cried foul over the demolition of her husband’s hotel, even as she had raised alarm that her husband’s life was in danger.
Throwing its weight behind Mrs Mokwe’s cry of injustice, the Network on Police Reform in Nigeria, NOPRIN, comprising 46 civil society organisations spread across the country,with the aim of promoting police accountability and respect for human rights has described the continuous detention of the suspects without trail as unconstitutional.
Taking a swipe on the state government, NOPRIN also accused operatives of the state command’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad,SARS for working for the interest of politicians, rather than the Nigeria Police Force. It therefore, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar to re-organise SARS with a view to insulating them from abuse of office.
Asserting that there was more to the demolition of the hotel than the alleged discovery of human heads, NOPRIN’s Programme and Advocacy Coordinator, Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma , while briefing newsmen on the development, stated that : “ the Anambra State Government ‘s policy of extralegal demolition of properties of persons accused of crime in the state is condemnable. The state government’s rationalisation that such clearly illegal and primitive action is in line with its policy to sustain the fight against crime and criminality , is preposterous and unfounded in logic and law.
While violent crime plagues Anambra State as most other states in Nigeria and daily assuming a n alarming proportion, nothing whatsoever can justify any crime fighting policy or measure that is contrary to the fundamental law of the country that violates human rights, subverts due process and observance of the rule of law..
“ Among the hallmarks and cardinal principles of democracy include respect for human rights, principle compliance with the due process and observance of the rule of law . Any law enforcement or crime fighting approach that compromises or falls foul of any of these basic democratic principles, will not only be unlawful and criminal but will be counter productive. Democracy is protected by the rule of law. The absence of it will be anarchy which is a threat to democracy.
“The prevailing situation in Anambra State, whereby the state government demolishes property of any person accused of a crime, without any judicial process or valid order of court amounts to lawlessness. It is a policy that promotes self help. It is susceptible to abuse and creates room for the persecution or witch hunting of political opponents or personal vendetta.
Illegal arrest “Mr. Mokwe and 13 of his workers arrested along with him,including a Doctorate Degree student at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, who works part time in the hotel to pay for his studies have remained in detention at SARS Awkuzu till date without any indication from the police as to what next step they want to take.
“Following complaints received by NOPRIN on August 4, that Mr. Mokwe was detained, chained and being tortured, with fears that he may be extra judicially killed in custody, we called and inquired directly from the OC SARS, CSP Nwafor on the condition of Mr. Mokwe in police custody. He only confirmed to us that Mr. Mokwe was still in their custody and alive. He however, refused to state how soon the police will charge him to court or free him. Since then, we were informed, he had been unchained and his wife and counsel allowed to see him some times of the day.
*The 'hotel ...Before the bulldozer moved in
*The ‘hotel …Before the bulldozer moved in
The police violated Mr. Mokwe’s rights to due process and presumption of innocence by detaining him indefinitely. Mr. Mokwe’s family insists that he was framed up by business rivals and enemies who had earlier threatened to plant incriminating objects and use the police to deal with him. They contend that the demolished hotel was a commercial property that was accessible to anyone who could pay for room rental and could implant human skulls there.
Conflicting report“The Mokwe’s family said that although the Police claimed to have recovered fresh human heads dripping with blood from the hotel, what they actually displayed to the media were two dried skulls.
NOPRIN believes that if the police have credible evidence to prosecute the accused persons, they should not delay to charge and arraign them before a competent court of jurisdiction. His continued detention in SARS cell without trial is illegal, unconstitutional and condemnable. NOPRIN has already petitioned the Inspector-General of Police on this matter.
The Nigerian Constitution guarantees, among others: rights to life, liberty, fair hearing and due process. It prohibits torture,cruel, inhuman and other degrading treatment, and gives victims of human rights violations a right to seek redress in court. The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights {Ratification and Enforcement) Act, which makes the African Charter part of Nigeria’s domestic law, reinforces these human rights guarantees which are essential for effective policing.
Indicts operatives of SARS
“We have received information about an unholy alliance between the Anambra State Government and the authorities at SARS in Awkuzu whose operatives operate as if they are above the law and accountability. The use of SARS to provide security for illegal demolition of people’s property appear to underscore this unholy alliance.
SARS is under police Force Criminal Investigation Department specifically charged to combat armed robbery and other heinous crimes nationwide. But SARS in all parts of Nigeria has gained embarrassing notoriety , tainting the image of the Nigerian Police locally and internationally, and should either be scrapped or comprehensively reformed to conform to modern standards of policing or human rights compliant policing.
“SARS operatives are known for arresting people for all manner of alleged offences, torturing,and executing suspects, and detainees in their custody are secretly ill- treated. They also dabble into civil disputes.
We therefore, call on Anambra State government to discharge its governance responsibilities lawfully and put a stop to all illegal, barbaric policies and actions,” Nwanguma stated
Asserting that there was more to the demolition of the hotel than the alleged discovery of human heads, NOPRIN’s Programme and Advocacy Coordinator, Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma , while briefing newsmen on the development, stated that : “ the Anambra State Government ‘s policy of extralegal demolition of properties of persons accused of crime in the state is condemnable. The state government’s rationalisation that such clearly illegal and primitive action is in line with its policy to sustain the fight against crime and criminality , is preposterous and unfounded in logic and law.
While violent crime plagues Anambra State as most other states in Nigeria and daily assuming a n alarming proportion, nothing whatsoever can justify any crime fighting policy or measure that is contrary to the fundamental law of the country that violates human rights, subverts due process and observance of the rule of law..
“ Among the hallmarks and cardinal principles of democracy include respect for human rights, principle compliance with the due process and observance of the rule of law . Any law enforcement or crime fighting approach that compromises or falls foul of any of these basic democratic principles, will not only be unlawful and criminal but will be counter productive. Democracy is protected by the rule of law. The absence of it will be anarchy which is a threat to democracy.
“The prevailing situation in Anambra State, whereby the state government demolishes property of any person accused of a crime, without any judicial process or valid order of court amounts to lawlessness. It is a policy that promotes self help. It is susceptible to abuse and creates room for the persecution or witch hunting of political opponents or personal vendetta.
Illegal arrest “Mr. Mokwe and 13 of his workers arrested along with him,including a Doctorate Degree student at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, who works part time in the hotel to pay for his studies have remained in detention at SARS Awkuzu till date without any indication from the police as to what next step they want to take.
“Following complaints received by NOPRIN on August 4, that Mr. Mokwe was detained, chained and being tortured, with fears that he may be extra judicially killed in custody, we called and inquired directly from the OC SARS, CSP Nwafor on the condition of Mr. Mokwe in police custody. He only confirmed to us that Mr. Mokwe was still in their custody and alive. He however, refused to state how soon the police will charge him to court or free him. Since then, we were informed, he had been unchained and his wife and counsel allowed to see him some times of the day.
*The 'hotel ...Before the bulldozer moved in
*The ‘hotel …Before the bulldozer moved in
The police violated Mr. Mokwe’s rights to due process and presumption of innocence by detaining him indefinitely. Mr. Mokwe’s family insists that he was framed up by business rivals and enemies who had earlier threatened to plant incriminating objects and use the police to deal with him. They contend that the demolished hotel was a commercial property that was accessible to anyone who could pay for room rental and could implant human skulls there.
Conflicting report“The Mokwe’s family said that although the Police claimed to have recovered fresh human heads dripping with blood from the hotel, what they actually displayed to the media were two dried skulls.
NOPRIN believes that if the police have credible evidence to prosecute the accused persons, they should not delay to charge and arraign them before a competent court of jurisdiction. His continued detention in SARS cell without trial is illegal, unconstitutional and condemnable. NOPRIN has already petitioned the Inspector-General of Police on this matter.
The Nigerian Constitution guarantees, among others: rights to life, liberty, fair hearing and due process. It prohibits torture,cruel, inhuman and other degrading treatment, and gives victims of human rights violations a right to seek redress in court. The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights {Ratification and Enforcement) Act, which makes the African Charter part of Nigeria’s domestic law, reinforces these human rights guarantees which are essential for effective policing.
Indicts operatives of SARS
“We have received information about an unholy alliance between the Anambra State Government and the authorities at SARS in Awkuzu whose operatives operate as if they are above the law and accountability. The use of SARS to provide security for illegal demolition of people’s property appear to underscore this unholy alliance.
SARS is under police Force Criminal Investigation Department specifically charged to combat armed robbery and other heinous crimes nationwide. But SARS in all parts of Nigeria has gained embarrassing notoriety , tainting the image of the Nigerian Police locally and internationally, and should either be scrapped or comprehensively reformed to conform to modern standards of policing or human rights compliant policing.
“SARS operatives are known for arresting people for all manner of alleged offences, torturing,and executing suspects, and detainees in their custody are secretly ill- treated. They also dabble into civil disputes.
We therefore, call on Anambra State government to discharge its governance responsibilities lawfully and put a stop to all illegal, barbaric policies and actions,” Nwanguma stated
No headway as ASUU battles govt over extra allowances, funding
When the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, embarked on a national strike on July 1, 2013 due to the refusal of Federal Government to implement the 2009 agreement it signed with the union which had several components, including adequate funding of education sector, Nigerians feared another long winter for their children forced to return home.
Strike by lecturers in public universities has become a normal trend every two years. The nation is accustomed to disrupted academic sessions that at times linger on for about six months.
To have an uninterrupted academic calendar in the university system is abnormal. So the strike factor is usually built into the calendar. An academic programme scheduled for three or four years, could last for seven years.
The blame for this can rightly be placed at the door step of the Federal Government, fond of breaching negotiated agreements reached with ASUU. There is the question of failed leadership, corruption, show of insincerity and lack of commitment to agreements; knowing that any breach would lead to shutting down of the universities by a frustrated union which feels government is unwilling to develop education in the country. The government is yet to understand that any refusal to honour agreement freely signed without duress tantamounts to a breach of contract, actionable in law.
Already, the public university system is in decadence in all ramifications. Most of the over 30 Federal and 36 State universities are in bad condition. Physical infrastructure for teaching and learning are grossly inadequate, dilapidated and over stretched. The laboratories and workshops are obsolete, poor furnishings, poor power and water supply, outdated equipment, crowded hostels and unhygienic living conditions.
Many of the universities don’t have video conferencing facility, only a fraction have or use interactive white boards. Many are without public address systems in their lecture rooms, while none of the universities had fully automated library resources.
Education Minister, Prof. Ruqayattu Ahmed and ASUU President, Nasir Issa-Fagee
Apart from all these inadequacies, it has been found in a Federal Ministry of Education Report, that many of the universities are grossly understaffed, relying mainly on part-time and visiting lecturers, with several under-qualified academic staff, lacking effective staff development programmes. Recently, the National Universities Commission (NUC) came out with a directive that all university lecturers must possess Ph. D degrees within a given time or lose their appointments. Only about 43% of academic staff in the university system have doctorate degrees, the remaining 57% don’t.
According to the report, there are 37,504 lecturers in public universities, but only 28,128 (about 75%) are engaged on full time basis, the rest 25% are either part-time, visiting, on sabbatical or on contract.
Against this sordid scenario, one can understand the struggle of ASUU to reform and transform public universities to meet with the standards obtainable in other climes.
Our leaders are not ready to embark of this transformation because they are not committed to proper and adequate funding of education of which UNESCO recommended 26% of national budget. But Nigeria allocates less than 10% of her budget to education which is even among the lowest in Africa. Yet this nation can do better.
People in government and politicians are quick to send their children to UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Ukrain, Russia, and even nearby Ghana, Togo, Benin for university education. Because of their ill-gotten wealth, they can patronise expensive private institutions, rather than increase funding to upgrade public schools at home.
Dr. Nasir Fagge, ASUU National President, had explained that the strike was not just to reposition the education sector, particularly the university system, but to salvage our country. He said ASUU was determined to prosecute the strike to its logical conclusion, and that the implementation of the agreement was a cardinal issue that must be accomplished by the union as this would transform the country’s university system. Government offered a paltry N100 billion for infrastructure, and N30 billion for earned allowances, a far cry from N87 billion demanded.
On accepting the offer of N30 billion and going back to class while reaching agreement on when the next installments will be paid, Fagge rejected this, saying, “We had made that mistake before whereby only the salary component of the agreement was singled out and so we can not afford to make such a mistake again. Until the whole agreement is fully implemented, we are not going to call off this strike.”
Over N500 billion is needed for infrastructure upgrade.
President Goodluck Jonathan and other eminent Nigerians had appealed to ASUU to take the N30 billion offer by government and return to classroom.
The union had demanded for N87 billion (not N92 billion) in extra allowances translated as excess work load, high carriage of students per lecturer, responsibility allowance which included supervision of academic projects for final-year students, Masters, Ph.D theses, course advice, administrative duties as heads of departments, deans of faculties, hall masters, etc.
Because of inadequate staffing, the work load had been heavy with one lecturer to 200, or even 300 students.
Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in stating the government position had said the money – N92 billion according to her, which ASUU was demanding (but refuted by the union to be actually N87bn) was not only unrealistic, but also not within the reach of the Federal Government.
Her words at a 2-day conference of Commissioners of Finance and Accountants-General of States Ministries of Finance held in Minna, Niger State. “At present, ASUU wants the government to pay N92 billion in extra allowances when resources are not there and when we are working to integrate past increases in pensions. We need to make choices in this country as we are getting to the stage where recurrent expenditures take the bulk of our resources and people get paid but can do no work.”
Series of deadlock had characterised meetings between ASUU leaders and the Federal Government Team lead by Governor Suswam of Benue State to resolve the crisis and pave way for lecturers to return back to work.
Mr. James Bidemi, a Senior Management staff in a public university, commended the ASUU action which seemed good and appropriate, but cautioned if the dispute is not resolved, it could destroy university education in the country. He called for state of emergency on education.
“Government should meet at least 50% to 60% of ASUU demand, and people will support government in the appeal for the strike to be called off. It’s about an agreement which government was bound to implement and also endeavour to tackle the decaying infrastructure in the university system.” A university teacher, in his reaction, wondered why the Minister of Education failed to capture these earned allowances owed to lecturers by the 2009 agreement in the 2013 budget. If they were legislators, the funds will be available.
Meanwhile, the strike is biting hard as students have been roaming the streets, lured into criminality and social vices like prostitution, drug trafficking, kidnapping and political thuggery.
Chief Joshua Nwosu, a businessman with three children in the university now at home blamed bad and insensitive leaders for the horrible condition of the education system.“The government just refused to allocate sufficient fund to education despite the abundant financial resources available. Millions of our youths are jobless, yet government is not willing to provide adequate money for educational development. Something drastic must be done to save our education from total collapse. President Jonathan should act fast and be patriotic.”
Strike by lecturers in public universities has become a normal trend every two years. The nation is accustomed to disrupted academic sessions that at times linger on for about six months.
To have an uninterrupted academic calendar in the university system is abnormal. So the strike factor is usually built into the calendar. An academic programme scheduled for three or four years, could last for seven years.
The blame for this can rightly be placed at the door step of the Federal Government, fond of breaching negotiated agreements reached with ASUU. There is the question of failed leadership, corruption, show of insincerity and lack of commitment to agreements; knowing that any breach would lead to shutting down of the universities by a frustrated union which feels government is unwilling to develop education in the country. The government is yet to understand that any refusal to honour agreement freely signed without duress tantamounts to a breach of contract, actionable in law.
Already, the public university system is in decadence in all ramifications. Most of the over 30 Federal and 36 State universities are in bad condition. Physical infrastructure for teaching and learning are grossly inadequate, dilapidated and over stretched. The laboratories and workshops are obsolete, poor furnishings, poor power and water supply, outdated equipment, crowded hostels and unhygienic living conditions.
Many of the universities don’t have video conferencing facility, only a fraction have or use interactive white boards. Many are without public address systems in their lecture rooms, while none of the universities had fully automated library resources.
Apart from all these inadequacies, it has been found in a Federal Ministry of Education Report, that many of the universities are grossly understaffed, relying mainly on part-time and visiting lecturers, with several under-qualified academic staff, lacking effective staff development programmes. Recently, the National Universities Commission (NUC) came out with a directive that all university lecturers must possess Ph. D degrees within a given time or lose their appointments. Only about 43% of academic staff in the university system have doctorate degrees, the remaining 57% don’t.
According to the report, there are 37,504 lecturers in public universities, but only 28,128 (about 75%) are engaged on full time basis, the rest 25% are either part-time, visiting, on sabbatical or on contract.
Against this sordid scenario, one can understand the struggle of ASUU to reform and transform public universities to meet with the standards obtainable in other climes.
Our leaders are not ready to embark of this transformation because they are not committed to proper and adequate funding of education of which UNESCO recommended 26% of national budget. But Nigeria allocates less than 10% of her budget to education which is even among the lowest in Africa. Yet this nation can do better.
People in government and politicians are quick to send their children to UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Ukrain, Russia, and even nearby Ghana, Togo, Benin for university education. Because of their ill-gotten wealth, they can patronise expensive private institutions, rather than increase funding to upgrade public schools at home.
Dr. Nasir Fagge, ASUU National President, had explained that the strike was not just to reposition the education sector, particularly the university system, but to salvage our country. He said ASUU was determined to prosecute the strike to its logical conclusion, and that the implementation of the agreement was a cardinal issue that must be accomplished by the union as this would transform the country’s university system. Government offered a paltry N100 billion for infrastructure, and N30 billion for earned allowances, a far cry from N87 billion demanded.
On accepting the offer of N30 billion and going back to class while reaching agreement on when the next installments will be paid, Fagge rejected this, saying, “We had made that mistake before whereby only the salary component of the agreement was singled out and so we can not afford to make such a mistake again. Until the whole agreement is fully implemented, we are not going to call off this strike.”
Over N500 billion is needed for infrastructure upgrade.
President Goodluck Jonathan and other eminent Nigerians had appealed to ASUU to take the N30 billion offer by government and return to classroom.
The union had demanded for N87 billion (not N92 billion) in extra allowances translated as excess work load, high carriage of students per lecturer, responsibility allowance which included supervision of academic projects for final-year students, Masters, Ph.D theses, course advice, administrative duties as heads of departments, deans of faculties, hall masters, etc.
Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in stating the government position had said the money – N92 billion according to her, which ASUU was demanding (but refuted by the union to be actually N87bn) was not only unrealistic, but also not within the reach of the Federal Government.
Her words at a 2-day conference of Commissioners of Finance and Accountants-General of States Ministries of Finance held in Minna, Niger State. “At present, ASUU wants the government to pay N92 billion in extra allowances when resources are not there and when we are working to integrate past increases in pensions. We need to make choices in this country as we are getting to the stage where recurrent expenditures take the bulk of our resources and people get paid but can do no work.”
Series of deadlock had characterised meetings between ASUU leaders and the Federal Government Team lead by Governor Suswam of Benue State to resolve the crisis and pave way for lecturers to return back to work.
Mr. James Bidemi, a Senior Management staff in a public university, commended the ASUU action which seemed good and appropriate, but cautioned if the dispute is not resolved, it could destroy university education in the country. He called for state of emergency on education.
“Government should meet at least 50% to 60% of ASUU demand, and people will support government in the appeal for the strike to be called off. It’s about an agreement which government was bound to implement and also endeavour to tackle the decaying infrastructure in the university system.” A university teacher, in his reaction, wondered why the Minister of Education failed to capture these earned allowances owed to lecturers by the 2009 agreement in the 2013 budget. If they were legislators, the funds will be available.
Meanwhile, the strike is biting hard as students have been roaming the streets, lured into criminality and social vices like prostitution, drug trafficking, kidnapping and political thuggery.
Chief Joshua Nwosu, a businessman with three children in the university now at home blamed bad and insensitive leaders for the horrible condition of the education system.“The government just refused to allocate sufficient fund to education despite the abundant financial resources available. Millions of our youths are jobless, yet government is not willing to provide adequate money for educational development. Something drastic must be done to save our education from total collapse. President Jonathan should act fast and be patriotic.”
What I hate about men – Mariam Elisha
What has been happening to you?
Nothing much, I go to work everyday and do what I’m supposed to do. I’m managing my clothing line called, Rikaoto, and my magazine called Urban Style.
What informed your decision to go into fashion and magazine publication?
I naturally love to see people dress well and wear good clothes. I realise that in Nigeria, we do not have companies that make quality clothes that people can buy at their convenience. I wanted to be that kind of person that could make such clothes people need when they have occasions or other social events to attend.
Mariam Elisha
Are your services meant only for the high and mighty?
Not really. Average Nigerians can afford it. My clothes are affordable, depending on the kind of fabrics and style required. We have the ones that are meant for the high ends, and also, we have the ones for the average salary earners. It depends really on what the clients want. In other words, we have the very expensive ones and we also have the affordable ones.
Where do you source your materials from?
I buy my fabrics anywhere I find myself or sometimes, I order specifically from where I know they have the kind of fabric I need at that particular time. I don’t have to disclose where I procure my fabrics from. That’s my secret but we have good fabrics.
Do you make clothes yourself?
I know how to make clothes myself. I also have people who do them and I supervise them.
Tell us about your Urban Style magazine?
It is about fashion and style. And as a fashion crazy person, I decided to do something that would celebrate the works of the fashion designers, showcasing fashion and style in a different way. How people can combine clothes and other accessories. I have a partner and things are actually going on since I started the publication.
How has the experience been?
It has been challenging but so far, I am coping with the stress. No work is easy as my mum would always tell me.
How challenging is running a clothing line as well as publishing outfit?
The challenge of becoming a fashion designer is enormous. Most of the time, there is no power supply, and we have to depend on our generating set. The tailors are not consistent. They are not ready to give you the standard for which you employed them most of the time. You always cross-check whatever they have done to ensure they have the meet the standard. When I came into fashion designing, I was thinking it was something I would cross my legs and fold my arms and probably pick up my pen and give someone instructions on what to do, and he gets it right but it isn’t so.
In fashion designing, you have to focus your mind, brain and come down to the level of the tailors for them to understand what designs you have and how to interpret the designs that you have conceptualised in your mind. Also, it’s really challenging dealing with different clients; the super rich and the middle class. On the Urban Style magazine, it’s equally challenging, publishing a special interest magazine;getting celebrities to adorn the cover of the magazine; putting the whole thing together including the adverts for that particular edition. Then the challenges of distributing your magazines.It is an easy task.
What else do you do aside your fashion outfit and your magazine?
I also have a foundation called, Save Tomorrow Today. I love charity and as an ex- beauty queen, I started a foundation during my reign and it’s still functioning till date. I love lending help to humanity whether I am a beauty queen or not. I have been able to cater for the welfare of these children under my care, and I’d visit different organisation soliciting support so I can help give them hope in life. It’s been working out so far and we usually hold different events about three times in a year. Most of the time, we don’t make such events loud because we believe in not blowing our own trumpet.
Mariam Elisha
Mariam Elisha
With all of these activities, what time do you have for yourself?
I just try to create time for myself. It is all about timing. When its time to be at Rikaoto, I will be there, and when it’s time to give attention to the Urban Style magazine, I do certainly that. I have people who work with me. I have already taught them what to do when I am not there. I can always come back for feed back. Though, it is not easy coping with the stress.
You recently contested the Miss Nigeria pageant, what informed that decision?
I have always loved the name-Miss Nigeria and I feel that being Miss Nigeria will provide me the needful platform to affect more lives positively. As you know, I’m into charity and I do a lot of things to assist the poor. At the moment, I have not less than 40 children under my care. It is really pretty difficult coping with these children. I feel I need more helping hands and being Miss Nigeria will probably give me more support to smiles to the lives of these children.
Are you going to contest again?
No, I think I’m done with pageant for now
Do you have any plan to organise your own pageant?
I don’t have any plan to organise any pageant but maybe, in the future
Tell us about your style?
I really do not have a specific routine but what I do is when I wake up in the morning, I ensure that I wash my face before applying anything I want to apply. If I want to apply make up, it’s probably when I’m back from work. I make sure I clean my face, using the facial removal but I don’t use any specific cream, its just normal baby oil. I use mild soap. I don’t use anything hard because my skin is very sensitive.
Your dress sense?
It depends on the occasion. Sometimes, I like to look simple, but very dramatic. I am always very simple. When I’m not in the red-carpet mood, I love casual wears.
What kind of books do you read?
I read all kinds of books, especially, motivational books and poetic works. My favourite author is Wole Soyinka. I love his poems a lot.
Who’s the man in your life?
I think my relationship is personal to me. I will marry at the right time. I pray it happens soon.
Mariam Elisha
Mariam Elisha
What kind of man would you love to marry?
I want to marry a God fearing man because I always dream of making heaven. I don’t care whether he’s tall , handsome or rich. As long as he has the fear of God in him, and has respect for womanhood, I will marry the person. He must take me for who I am. I’m okay with him.
How many times have you been heartbroken?
Once. I don’t want to talk about it please.
What do you hate about men?
I hate disappointments and lies. Disappointment, not in the context of when one promises to marry a lady and later on, he didn’t keep to that promise. I mean, when I trust you as a friend and I expect you to keep to that trust and never hurt my feelings.
How has it been as a young entrepreneur?
I don’t believe that because I’m young, I should fold my hands and wait for my parents to do everything for me. I believe that as an individual, you have the right to to give back to society whatever you have gotten from it. You can make a difference in your life if you believe in yourself and what you want to achieve in life. I have always been a hardworking person even when I was in school. I was combining my studies with modelling. It wasn’t easy but I tried as much as possible to strike a balance. Whatever you want to be in life, you can achieve it by remaining focus and committed to your cause.
Who supported when you started this cause?
My father supported me. Initially, he didn’t give me anything, but when he saw the zeal in me, he started supporting me. I started with the little money I saved. You don’t have to have billions of Naira before you can set out to achieve your dream. There are intelligent students from poor homes who are supported by well-meaning Nigerians. Just begin with something and help will come even from unexpected quarters.
How do you describe yourself?
I am simply amazing!
S.Africa government denies Mandela discharged
South Africa’s presidency on Saturday denied reports that Nelson Mandela had been discharged from hospital and had returned to his Johannesburg home.
“Madiba is still in hospital in Pretoria, and remains in a critical but stable condition,” President Jacob Zuma’s spokesman said in a statement, denying reports from several news organisations that he had left the facility.
“At times his condition becomes unstable, but he responds to medical interventions.”
During Mandela’s 80-plus days in hospital, the presidency through Maharaj has been the official source of information about the condition of the 95-year-old anti-apartheid icon.
But updates have been infrequent and have offered few details, prompting frequent speculation.
At the end of July, Zuma’s office said Mandela was continuing to show signs of improvement after scares were reported.
Mandela was rushed to hospital on June 8 for a respiratory infection and has remained in critical condition for most of the time since.
His lung problems date back to his 27 years in apartheid jail, where he contracted tuberculosis as a political prisoner.
Madiba, as he is known by his clan name, has been in and out of hospital since last year, with lung related complications.
In December, he spent nearly three weeks in hospital where he was treated for a lung infection and gall stones.
But this is his longest hospitalisation since he walked free from jail in 1990 and went on to become the country’s first leader to be elected in all-race elections.
The global icon has received an outpouring of messages of support including prayers from clergymen and the general public.
Family members including his wife Graca Machel and ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela have been visiting his bedside at the private hospital in the capital Pretoria.
Hundred of people gathered outside the facility on his 95th birthday to wish him well and sing songs.
Mandela became South Africa’s first black president in 1994, after leading talks that ended the white minority rule. He only served a single four year term as president, stepping down in 1999.
The increasingly frail leader retired from public life in 2004 and has spent his time between his rural home in the Eastern Cape region and Johannesburg.
“Madiba is still in hospital in Pretoria, and remains in a critical but stable condition,” President Jacob Zuma’s spokesman said in a statement, denying reports from several news organisations that he had left the facility.
“At times his condition becomes unstable, but he responds to medical interventions.”
During Mandela’s 80-plus days in hospital, the presidency through Maharaj has been the official source of information about the condition of the 95-year-old anti-apartheid icon.
But updates have been infrequent and have offered few details, prompting frequent speculation.
At the end of July, Zuma’s office said Mandela was continuing to show signs of improvement after scares were reported.
Mandela was rushed to hospital on June 8 for a respiratory infection and has remained in critical condition for most of the time since.
His lung problems date back to his 27 years in apartheid jail, where he contracted tuberculosis as a political prisoner.
Madiba, as he is known by his clan name, has been in and out of hospital since last year, with lung related complications.
In December, he spent nearly three weeks in hospital where he was treated for a lung infection and gall stones.
But this is his longest hospitalisation since he walked free from jail in 1990 and went on to become the country’s first leader to be elected in all-race elections.
The global icon has received an outpouring of messages of support including prayers from clergymen and the general public.
Family members including his wife Graca Machel and ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela have been visiting his bedside at the private hospital in the capital Pretoria.
Hundred of people gathered outside the facility on his 95th birthday to wish him well and sing songs.
Mandela became South Africa’s first black president in 1994, after leading talks that ended the white minority rule. He only served a single four year term as president, stepping down in 1999.
The increasingly frail leader retired from public life in 2004 and has spent his time between his rural home in the Eastern Cape region and Johannesburg.
I4-year-old SSS1 pupil murdered in Ondo
A 14-year-old Senior Secondary School SS1 pupil Oluwaseyi Adelegan who was the son of the National President of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, Comrade Solomon Adelegan has been murdered in cold blood by yet to be identified killers.
Oluwaseyi was said to have been murdered at his father’s residence in Aduralere quarters, Ijoka areas of Akure in the early hour on Thursday.
Report had it that the deceased was matcheted when the killers invaded their residence and was left to die by his killers. Saturday Vanguard learnt that the deceased on the ill-fated day was alone in the house while other siblings have all gone for holiday lesson.
Why he did not accompany others to the holiday lesson that day was not known. The killers according to Police source matchetted him in the room, leaving him to die there but he was said to have managed to crawl from the room to the sitting room but had no more strength to crawl further to the front door in order to raise alarm.
His dead body lying in the pool of his blood was met in the living room by the other siblings when they returned from the holiday lesson and they raised alarm which attracted neighbours who could not render any assistance as he was said to be stone dead.
The Police in the State have vowed to bring to book the killers of the innocent boy.
Oluwaseyi was said to have been murdered at his father’s residence in Aduralere quarters, Ijoka areas of Akure in the early hour on Thursday.
Report had it that the deceased was matcheted when the killers invaded their residence and was left to die by his killers. Saturday Vanguard learnt that the deceased on the ill-fated day was alone in the house while other siblings have all gone for holiday lesson.
Why he did not accompany others to the holiday lesson that day was not known. The killers according to Police source matchetted him in the room, leaving him to die there but he was said to have managed to crawl from the room to the sitting room but had no more strength to crawl further to the front door in order to raise alarm.
His dead body lying in the pool of his blood was met in the living room by the other siblings when they returned from the holiday lesson and they raised alarm which attracted neighbours who could not render any assistance as he was said to be stone dead.
The Police in the State have vowed to bring to book the killers of the innocent boy.
Bianca denies dating Femi Fani-Kayode •I did not lie against her
Former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has dismissed as a lie the claim by the wife to the late Ikemba of Nnewi, Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Bianca, that he never knew her.
In a statement by Mr. Bisi Lawal on his behalf yesterday (Friday), the former minister insisted that the former beauty queen’s claim was false.
Fani-Kayode was reacting to a newspaper advertorial where Bianca threatened to sue him for mentioning her name in his article.
Bianca claimed in the report that she had never met the former minister in her life.
Reacting to the claim, Fani-Kayode said, “Ordinarily he would have not have said a word about this matter because he sympathises with her for whatever she may have been going through.
“However now that she has put it in the public realm, Chief Fani-Kayode is compelled to formally respond. To the assertion that he never knew her and that they were never friends, he says this is false and he asks why he would lie. The public evidence is to the contrary. Chief Fani-Kayode would not want to say anything to embarrass her because that would be ungentlemanly.
“He sympathises with her delicate situation and once again he expresses his regrets about the fact that his statement about her was misconstrued. We shall just leave it at that.”
The former minister in an article entitled, “A Word for Those Who Say I am A Tribalist,’’ noted that he associated with Igbo women in the past.
He named the three women as Bianca Onoh, Chioma Anasoh and Adaobi Uchegbu.
In a statement by Mr. Bisi Lawal on his behalf yesterday (Friday), the former minister insisted that the former beauty queen’s claim was false.
Fani-Kayode was reacting to a newspaper advertorial where Bianca threatened to sue him for mentioning her name in his article.
Bianca claimed in the report that she had never met the former minister in her life.
Reacting to the claim, Fani-Kayode said, “Ordinarily he would have not have said a word about this matter because he sympathises with her for whatever she may have been going through.
“However now that she has put it in the public realm, Chief Fani-Kayode is compelled to formally respond. To the assertion that he never knew her and that they were never friends, he says this is false and he asks why he would lie. The public evidence is to the contrary. Chief Fani-Kayode would not want to say anything to embarrass her because that would be ungentlemanly.
“He sympathises with her delicate situation and once again he expresses his regrets about the fact that his statement about her was misconstrued. We shall just leave it at that.”
The former minister in an article entitled, “A Word for Those Who Say I am A Tribalist,’’ noted that he associated with Igbo women in the past.
He named the three women as Bianca Onoh, Chioma Anasoh and Adaobi Uchegbu.
Fertility clinics: Lagosians make money selling sperm for N50,000
While it is generally agreed that it takes two to have a baby and every couple is expected to be in optimum health to have babies, medical experts claim men are having more fertility challenge now. Sperm concentration in men is said to have decreased by a third since 1990s while sperm count is said to have decreased by half over the past 50 years.
Studies are also showing genetic abnormalities in sperm particularly in older men. For men therefore, quantity, quality and motility of spermatozoa are seen as important factors in fertility.
Since the male factor is a prominent cause of infertility in couples, sperm donation has become vital in assisted conception treatment.
A study by the Society for the Study of Male Reproduction stated that “a male factor is solely responsible in about 20 per cent of infertile couples and contributory in another 30 to 40 per cent.”
According to experts, even when sperm numbers are great, a high proportion of men may have DNA damage that significantly impairs the chances of natural conception. Besides, male sperm deteriorates with age the same way it does for women.
Studies have also shown that if a man has poor health, smokes, drinks too much or has a bad diet, it’s very likely his sperms are also going to be unhealthy.
Indeed, investigation by Saturday PUNCH showed that sperm has become a commodity in high demand in Lagos. The Chief Consultant and Head, Obstetrician and Fertility Department, Eko Hospitals, Dr. Adegbite Ogunmokun, said fertility problem, based on recent experience, had tilted more towards the male factor.
He said, “If 10 couples come in, there will be problem with the male in six of them, using our parameter of 20 million sperm per millimetre. But 10 to 15 years ago, maybe about four out of 10 men would have problem.”
Our correspondents, who visited some fertility centres in Lagos, learnt that more men are having low sperm count, thus necessitating the need for more volunteer donors. But because donors are scare, fertility clinics offer as much as N50,000 to men who are interested in selling their sperm.
They also pay more when sellers have special features that the beneficiaries are looking for.
Like blood sellers, investigations show that many people in Lagos, especially students, now sell their sperms anytime they need money.
A student of the University of Lagos, who identified himself as John, said he had sold sperm to a few fertility centres in Lagos. John said he had been funding his education for the past two years with what he earned from selling his sperm.
John said he was introduced to the programme by a friend and that he had in turn brought in two other friends to ‘business’.
“I’ve sold to a number of fertility centres. The money has really helped me to stay in school. It takes care of my tuition and some other personal needs,” John said, with a measure of satisfaction.
“It’s cool money, really and I’m also doing a service to mankind by helping out some people in need. Even friends that I introduced to it have not turned back since then.”
An employee in a Lagos fertility clinic, who identified himself as Olufunsho, told Saturday PUNCH that some women would pay any amount to get a sperm seller with the features they want.
He said, “We pay N50,000 here but there are times when women come in and request that, at all cost, they must get a tall man. The person can earn more when they make such requests, especially if we don’t have any that fits the profile in our bank.
“There was a time a woman came and requested that we get a tall man for her at all cost. I showed her the samples we had, but she did not like the profile. She said she was not satisfied with the heights. And we were unable to get what she wanted from the sellers that came at the time.
“The sellers that came then were either AS, or positive with hepatitis B or had low sperm count. We had up to twelve sellers that came and we were unable to get anybody. In such cases, we could offer a lot more when we find the right person. Sometimes, such people are also in a position to negotiate for what they want.”
However, subsequent drops attract lesser amounts of money for the same seller.
To sell sperm, the person, according to Olufunsho, must stay off sex for five days. He undergoes some tests to confirm that he is not HIV positive and that he also has healthy sperm among others.
He said, “If the same person is still interested and we still need him, he would repeat the screening process again. We pay N10, 000 per ejaculation for other subsequent ones. With my own discretion, if the quality of the sperm is good and we have somebody who needs something that matches perfectly with that seller, we may reduce the probation period, but the sperm must be very good.
“Although that is the protocol, it could always be amended when there is nothing wrong with the person. Even if someone ejaculates the first time and in twenty minutes time, he does the same, it is still going to be good, but not as good as the first one.”
At the various fertility centres where our correspondents posed as potential sperm seller, the clinic workers made keen attempts to have them start the process immediately, by leaving blood samples for tests.
On one occasion, a clinic worker told one of our correspondents that he was willing to waive the two to five days’ probation period of abstinence, after our correspondent said he wished to “sleep over it.”
The worker said, “What is there to think about? After all, you already said you’re not married. You can leave your blood sample for testing while you go ahead and think over it.”
Investigation showed that fertility centres want sellers between 18 and 45 years of age and expect them to abstain from sex, two to five days before giving sperm sample, depending on the centre.
Other conditions to be met by potential sperm sellers include testing negative to HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, sickle cell and some other sexually transmitted diseases. Tests are also carried out to determine the count, morphology (shape) and motility of the sperm cells.
In addition, fertility centres claim to also place a high premium on average intelligence, education and lifestyle. Although, Saturday PUNCH learnt that such claims are not always true as more emphases are actually placed on height and other physical attributes.
“It is not immediately that we pay. We prefer AA genotype because it can be given to anybody, unlike AS that cannot be given to just anybody,” Olufunsho added.
However, an employee in another fertility clinic in Lagos, Akin, said sperm sellers could get paid within a week of starting the process. This is possible only if they satisfy the conditions.
He said, “If the motility is good, the count is good and you’re okay, then, you can produce for us. If everything is okay, within a week, you can get your money.”
A 2012 study into the reproductive health of 26,600 men in France, warned of a sperm crisis worldwide. It said that sperm concentration has decreased by a third since the 1990s. The study found a continuous 32.2 per cent decrease in sperm concentration over a period of 17 years.
During the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology annual conference in London in July 2013, some experts, critical of the study’s validity, said it did not completely represent the situation in certain areas, particularly the developing world.
However, a fertility expert at Mother’s World Care, Ikeja, Lagos, Dr. Margaret Olusegun, said the situation is similar in Nigeria.
She said, “A man should have a good count, up to 40 to 50 million sperm per millimetre of semen upward. But you find that these days, men have more challenges with fertility than women.
“Although, I don’t have the statistics, men are the ones with more challenges now, even though they are the ones who drive out their wives if they can’t bear children.”
Olusegun explained that good sperm should have “at least 50 per cent motility (activeness) because sperm cells can be active, sluggish or dead.”
“For morphology (shape) too, which could be normal or abnormal, sperm should have upward of 50 per cent normal cells. And there should not be bacteria growth,” she added.
Ogunmokun described low concentration of sperm as “Oligospermia.” He, however, said a sperm count with a minimum lower limit of 20 million sperm per millimetre of semen would still be considered normal. But he added that any sperm concentration of less than 20 million per millimetre of semen could be categorised as mild, moderate or severe oligospermia, depending on the count.
Ogunmokun said fertility problems could be with the man, the woman or the two of them.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that the demand for sperm has made the fertility business a lucrative one. Many of the fertility centres in Lagos have facilities for sperm preservation, where it’s freezing costs about N50, 000 per quarter.
Ogunmokun said, “After collection, the semen is processed and seminal fluid and all other things are removed. The sperm is put in little bottles and placed in special containers called dewars, connected to a power source. It is stored at very low temperature and there must be an indicator for monitoring should there be a change in the condition.”
He, however, added that there must be a standby generator in a place like Nigeria, where power supply is unstable, as sperm can be frozen for decades.
“Although, there are many other reasons why people freeze sperm, someone living far away from his wife can decide to freeze his sperm for the wife’s use while he’s away. Also, someone going for cancer treatment can freeze his sperm before starting the treatment since such treatments affect sperm production,” he added.
Ogunmokun said fertility centres focus more on university undergraduates to ensure that sperm donors have a certain degree of intelligence.
He said, “The current practice is to actually recruit sperm donors and the focus is on undergraduates. The focus is on students because they should be able to provide their ID cards so that background checks can be done.”
According to Ogunmokun, the perceived increase in the number of men with low sperm count is as a result of infection and lifestyle habits like sitting for too long and wearing of tight underwear.
He said, “The testes are not supposed to be too close to the body because of the higher body temperature. The testes are naturally colder, so people who travel long distances or sit in traffic for long can be prone to infertility.”
Ogunmokun advised that men should “exercise appropriately, take good nutrition, avoid tight underwear, premarital sex, cigarette and alcohol to try to prevent low sperm count.”
However, Olusegun identified good hygiene as key to the prevention of low sperm count, saying, “Our environment is too contaminated.”
Indian hemp nearly put me in trouble –Oba Oluyede
How does it feel to transit from being an academic to a traditional ruler?
Before I became the Alayede, I had thought that the stool could be a bit boring but I have been completely proved wrong. Today is an example of what I experience every day. For example, this is about the fourth engagement I have had today and each engagement is really demanding. It could be interesting but at the same time, it could be tasking. As a retired academic and judicial officer, I feel a bit fulfilled because I have never liked idleness all my life but again, it could be rather stressful.
Did you grow up in this community?
Yes, I was born here and when it was time for school, I went to school in Akure, where I stayed with my grandmother. I had my primary school education there. Later, I went to Ondo Boys High School, Ondo, even though I wanted to attend Government College, Ibadan. I went for the short interview but I wasn’t lucky enough to make it. I gained admission to Christ School, Ado-Ekiti, but my father preferred Ondo Boys High School simply because Chief Fasoranti, then Master Reuben Fasoranti, attended the school. My father thought that was the place somebody he knew schooled.
How was Ondo Boys High School then?
I was there between 1947 and 1951; it was an ideal school at that time. I thank God I gained double promotion to justify my father’s choice. It was a question of doing what your teacher told you and you would be alright. After leaving OBHS, I picked up government work. Then the ministries were going round schools and picking the best hands to work with government. The best ones would go to the treasury department. I went to the treasury department and I found it very interesting. It was an 8am – 2pm work and for those who were industrious, they did whatever they liked after 2pm. In this light, I decided to invest my time in reading privately. Three of us were doing it; Afe Babalola, Adejumo and myself. We sat for GCE at the same time and we passed. We also passed all our Advanced Level papers at a go and because of that, we were exempted from intermediate B.sc in some subjects. Afe and Adejumo were teaching while I was the only civil servant among us and they seemed to have a little time compared to me and we all did very well in our exams.
How did you come about Law?
I made up my mind to study Law as far back as 1941. Then, I used to follow my father who was a baale (chief) as a small boy to the palace of the Deji of Akure, Oba Efunbiowo; he was really like a white man. There was this Akure/Owo land dispute which resulted into a court case. The Deji was so much revered that nobody sat near him but that day, everybody was waiting for this lawyer they called Mr Soetan. He came fairly late. Everybody was very anxious to see him. As soon as he came in, he drew his chair which was a bit away from the Deji and sat side by side with the respected king. Then, it arrested my attention and I started wondering; how could anyone be so daring to sit with the Deji? Driven by curiosity, I moved nearer the Deji and the lawyer and my father who was far away could not caution me to be careful. It was that day that I made up my mind that I would become a lawyer like Soetan who could sit with the Deji. That day, he drilled everybody, including my father and as soon as he left, I asked my father what kind of man he was and he said, ‘didn’t you hear everybody calling him a lawyer?’
How did you combine studying Law with your work as a civil servant?
I did my degree up to the intermediate level and I applied to Lincoln’s Inn in London and they gave me an admission and said I should come over immediately and do my part two. They exempted Afe Babalola and I. As at the time we passed our intermediate here, only eight of us passed the exam in Nigeria. When Lincoln’s Inn gave me admission to come and do part two, people like the late Oba Adelegan Adesida, the Deji of Akure and Chief Fasoranti encouraged me to go abroad to further my education in Law. Then it was not easy to gather £150 to travel abroad but my father did his best possible and got me the money with which I travelled to England.
When did you travel out and how was it then?
I travelled out in 1960 and it was a very strange sort of life. I had already married then and my wife did not give me a breathing space. She pressured me to go so that people would not think she was the one responsible for my not going. I left my two children behind and a few months thereafter, my wife joined me in Britain. Exactly one year after I had left, I passed all my LLB part one papers and in 1962, I passed the part two but the degree could not be conferred on me until 1963. In fact, when I arrived in Britain, I sought admission to Kings College and they said they would take me but that I would have to spend three years before I would be allowed to take my degree but I declined. So, after I was conferred with my LLB and called to the British Bar, I decided to wait for my wife to finish her studies before coming back and while waiting, I started a Master’s degree in Law.
How did you start working?
The Western Region wanted me to join the service but I was almost rounding off my LLM then so I kept the appointment in the cooler. Shortly before my LLM, the late Justice Aguda came to Britain and when he called on me, he said it was good that I started my Master’s. He said I should come and join the government when I come back but I went to academics. I joined the University of Ife to teach and I taught for four years. I was in Ife between September 1965 and 1972. After Ife, I left for the University of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, and I was there for three years. While I was there, I wrote a book, Administrative Law in East Africa. It is still the standard book used in the three universities there till date. I joined the civil service when I came back working in the Ministry of Defence. There I met the late Oba Adesanoye again after our OBHS days where he was my senior for two years. I was being promoted every year in the ministry and when Ondo State was created, I was persuaded to join the new state.
You mentioned Afe Babalola earlier, was that the end of your relationship?
Not at all. We were both in London and finished at the same time but he didn’t wait to do Master’s. So he came home and started practice and as a result, he is two years ahead of me at the bar. When I was at Ife, I used to visit him in his chambers.
Why were you not attracted to go into private practice just like him?
There were two reasons. First, I was persuaded that teaching was a good job and the other reason is that I was really in love with my students because they treated me like their father. There was money in private practice and Afe Babalola was always teasing Adejumo and I, asking us to leave teaching and join the private practice. At a time, I was almost persuaded but on a second thought, I decided not to because at times, money is not everything.
How did you become a professor?
When I was about to leave East Africa, Malawi actually invited me to come and take up a chair in their new and young university but I declined and came back home. While I was in the civil service and came to Ondo State, I discovered that the civil service was politicised and I didn’t like it. I was the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General in the Ministry of Justice, the first Ondo State indigene and I did my best. They used that against me when I was graded number one when judges were to be appointed. If I was dropped on question of merit, I won’t be worried but I was dropped because they said if I was removed from the Ministry of Justice, the place might collapse. I then went to the head of service to protest and threatened to leave. I then put in applications to University of Benin and the University of Lagos but Lagos shortlisted me first. I went for the interview and all 14 of them in the panel said I should be appointed. By then, I had two books on Nigerian law. At the panel, they were asking me how soon I could join them and I told them as soon as I was appointed and allowed to give notice. One of them who was in the final year when I was at the University of Ife, Prof. Itse Sagay, was the Dean of the Faculty of Law, came to convey the news that I had been given an appointment. UNILAG interviewed me for the post of a professor and I was so appointed. A few weeks after, UNIBEN called me and one of the panel members said he had been a professor for a fairly long time; yet, he didn’t have as much publications as I had but I settled for UNILAG. When I came to UNILAG, I was at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies as head of academics. Then I was in my best elements, especially in writing.
So, you retired from UNILAG to take the stool here?
No, what happened was that, I was at UNILAG and had published Nigeria Administrative Law. One cold morning, my secretary walked into my office to announce the arrival of somebody that had come to see me. But before he turned back, Bola Ajibola, the then Attorney General of the federation, walked in. We were together in London but not that we were so close. He said he was mandated to bring a paper to the council on the establishment of the Code of Conduct Bureau and because I devoted a whole chapter to it in my book, I should prepare the paper for him in two days at the most. I prepared what he called a readable paper and before the day ran out, I took it to him. He was very impressed by the paper and the speed involved and said I would be hearing from him. The next thing I heard was the setting up of the Code of Conduct Bureau and he called me to his office to tell me that he considered me to be the chairman of the body. I said I would not accept for the simple reason that I had never done the work of a policeman before. The bureau serves as the policeman for the tribunal. I told him he should not bother appointing me but he said that much I could say but much I could not do. So we parted but by the third day or thereabout, I came home for lunch with my family. But shortly before I left the office, a police dispatch rider said he was looking for Prof. Oluyede’s office, that he had a message for him. And as I was coming out of the office, I met him and he said the A-G said he should give me a letter and upon opening it, I had been appointed a member of the bureau. Before the dispatch rider left, he said the A-G asked me to see him as soon as practicable. When I went to see him, I said I didn’t like the way the appointment was made but he said I was free to go and tell Gen Ibrahim Babangida. He said I would have been appointed the chairman but for the fact that a retired judge was more suitable. That was how I became a member and I was there for 20 years. We were treated just as judges and were ranked same as Court of Appeal judges. I retired in 2008.
What did you do after retirement?
No sooner had I retired from the Code of Conduct Bureau than Afe Babalola called me to be the Provost of the College of Law at his university. I was the first provost of the college. I resisted it but he went around talking to people, even to my wife. I had to take up the job and I was there when the kingship issue came up.
How do you feel when this community is touted as the headquarters of hemp plantation in the state?
To be honest with you, I had experienced personal embarrassment over this issue. This was when I was on my way to London. Of course, I proudly refer to this place, Ayede Ogbese, as my place of origin. We were on a queue and they were checking everybody but when it came to my turn, they looked at me whether it was true that I came from Ayede Ogbese. They asked whether my luggage had been checked in. One officer was asked to follow me and they checked every item I had in my luggage simply because of the bad publicity and I was thoroughly embarrassed. Because of this, I needed no one to clean up this place of Indian hemp. When the governor met me casually before I was appointed, he mentioned it even though it was casual, I got the message and I am working on it seriously. The representative of Akure North came here and I told him what I was doing. Today, the story is different. I am working closely with the Commander of the NDLEA and the police. There is no question of someone being a relative, once anyone is caught; it is straight to the NDLEA.
Why is this place attractive to hemp planters?
You know Nigerians’ quest for easy money and because of the forest reserve here, they can easily cultivate anything in the reserve but I have devised a means of checking them out.
What is the relationship between you and the Deji of Akure?
The Deji is the Oba of Akure while the Alayede of Ayede Ogbese is the oba of this place; that is how we should relate since this place has been accorded recognition. Before now, the relationship was very cordial until lately when it got strained because some people are pushing him. He is trying to impose chiefs on some communities under my jurisdiction but the legal position is that a ‘prescribed authority’ does not go beyond its boundary. On the day of the council of obas’ meeting, the Deji told me openly that I am the prescribed authority over Alayere. The entire people of Akure-North are now asking questions why they should forever remain in servitude. I advise the Deji to stop listening to those that are pushing him because of their vested interest in the forest reserve here.
My marriage is on contract basis, love is a myth – Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi
Akiyode-Afolabi, talks about her life and beliefs in this interview with BOSEDE OLUSOLA-OBASA
How did you find yourself in women advocacy?
I started life as a child that could not go unnoticed either by being naughty or very engaging. That was at St Francis Primary School, Osogbo, then in Oyo State. My records and the stories older people told me showed that I have been someone who wanted her voice to be heard on issues. I was also active in sports. I remember that in Form Three in my secondary school, we learnt of a youth corp member, who sexually abused some of our colleagues. I made sure that the case was brought to the attention of the school authorities, which dealt with him. We were about ages 13 and 14 and that gave me greater prominence in school. When I got to Form Four, I represented the school in debates, quiz and sports competition. I graduated from the University of Ife in 1993, having studied Law. Before I gained admission into the school, I had yearned to study there and be part of the active students’ union. I loved the vibrancy of the students’ body in those days. I was, however, disappointed when during their election in my first week in school, I saw ballot boxes being taken away. This fell short of my expectation of a forthright body. I returned to my room and wrote a piece titled, ‘The great Ife I used to know.’ I pasted it around the campus. People read and many of them wondered what gave a ‘Jambite’ the guts to write such a piece. People eventually got to know me and started inviting me to be part of all types of groups in the school. That eventually marked the beginning of my involvement in student unionism. I became the first female public relations person for the union. And of course, my vibrancy and confrontations with the school authorities earned me several arrests, suspension and so on. It got so tense that my dad was sometimes arrested too. He almost disowned me. But I was ready to die for change. Chief Gani Fawehinmi and Femi Falana were always on hand to help us in those days. I was working for Dr. Tunji Abayomi when I got a scholarship for a Master’s degree from the Centre for Human Rights to professionalise in human rights. I worked with the International League for Human Rights, among others. But the story of Safia and the Sharia law some years ago made me to see that women needed to respond better to such issues. I got grants from the ILHR and decided to come back to Nigeria to effect change. I set up WARDC in May 2000.
So at what point in this journey did you get married?
I got married in August 2008 just before I went for my Master’s programme. I had to make a decision to get married. I thought that if I didn’t get married at age 30 it wouldn’t be necessary anymore. I got married to a long-standing friend, a medical doctor. He shares the same views with me on many issues of interest. But I had to travel for my programme two days after our wedding. I got married on a Friday and travelled out for a two-year course on Sunday. He didn’t come over to see me and I didn’t return to Nigeria until I was through.
Did you expect to come back and meet the marriage intact?
When I came back, there were issues to settle and I now counsel younger people about this. I saw a very different person when I came back. We had to talk and find out if the relationship should continue or not. We had to go back to the basics; it took us another one year to decide to continue and since then, it’s been a good marriage.
That is a rare survival, don’t you think?
I have always lived with some ideas. When I say this, people usually get unsettled. I don’t believe in this whole myth about love. For me, marriage is a contract of the mind. If it is meant to be, it will be and if it is not meant to be it won’t be.
You used to have that view or you still do?
I still do till this moment. Marriage is just a relationship and people should be free about having the relationship. There are some underlining rules guiding the relationship, which we all know. So, if it works well, good. It is a contract and that has been my attitude to marriage. I don’t attach emotions to it and I don’t believe in people saying this is what it should look like. Your marriage is what you make out of it. We have problems in marriages largely because we expect too much from it. Many times, we don’t bother to work towards what we expect, we just assume them. You expect that your spouse should be faithful to you, but you don’t see whether there are circumstances that can make people unfaithful. A lot of divorce cases are based on assumptions. People should keep open minds to make it work instead of believing that what is binding you together is one myth that cannot break called love. It has been working for me. I take marriage very lightly; it is not all about my life. I feel that I can walk out of it if I need to do so and he can do same. With that understanding, we both realise that we are managing something together to which we are mutually responsible and we have been like that for about 15 years.
Are you saying you don’t have feelings for your husband?
For me, feelings are what you make out of them, although a lot of people disagree with me on this. You can only feel what you want to feel. It’s about understanding and who you are.
How then is romance and sex in your relationship?
On romance, I believe that people were usually carried away by love story series they read when they were young. They try to play it out in reality. It makes it deceptive, a make-up. You should rather be able to determine the kind of relationship that you want and work at it instead of laying claim to love and affection. Many marital foundations are defective.
So you could have remained single for all you care?
Yes, and that is why when people are addressed as single, I don’t think that it takes anything away from them. It is a choice that people can make at any point in life. I love children, and I know that I don’t have to be married to have one. I can be a single mother; I can adopt children, adore them and live with them. I am married for as long as I think it can work.
What attracted you to your husband?
His intelligence, his analysis of issues, of female issues, among others, attracted me to him. I got into school eight years after he graduated.
Do you think the age difference makes him a mature husband?
I don’t think so. I wouldn’t notice the age difference if he didn’t tell me how old he was. He is eight years older than I am. We have seen several older men, who did badly. I think my husband actually finds me and my ideas amazing. He understands who I am and that’s the point I was making earlier. Forget about love, what we need is to understand the other person and live together based on that.
Have you ever told your husband that either of you could walk out of the relationship?
Yes. I think he knows. Initially he was not comfortable with it, but after a while, he discovered that it’s my way of reasoning.
Did your parents support this view?
My parents are very religious people. They don’t share my views. My mother remained in her marriage but you could see that she was not comfortable. Like most mothers, she stayed on because of the children and because of how they hold the marriage institution. My husband is a Muslim and I am a Christian.
So you know that by religion, he is entitled to more than one wife?
Oh yes, it is a choice of life. Even if he is a Christian, you can’t stop a man from having another wife. That is why I say that marriage is only a relationship being run by the two people involved. If you put too much seriousness into it, there may be problems.
Will you impart this view to your children?
I tell every young person who cares to listen. That is the secret to a good marriage. Leave it open. There are women who will not leave their husbands even when it becomes obvious that they (husbands) will kill them. Women take marriage more seriously and I think some men capitalise on that to hurt them.
How have you been able to cope with raising your kids and building a career?
Well, we worked it out. I have had very supportive parents in raising the children. At a point, I had a nanny, a mature woman, who comes during the week and leaves at the weekends. I don’t expect too much from the nanny, so I am able to appreciate what she does.
Which is the most emotive case you ever handled?
I have handled cases that have made me to query my returning to Nigeria because the law has not been useful to the women when it should be. There is a case involving a police corporal and his wife that we are currently handling. The man bathe his wife with hot soup, leading to very serious burns. The case has suffered so many hitches in the hands of the police because it involves one of them. I have asked them to forward the case to an unbiased umpire, but they refused, while the woman goes about with her burnt body. There is no justice.
Looking back at what you described, are you fulfilled?
Yes. There is still more work to do though, but I have contributed significantly to the society in my small way. We still expect the government to show more sincerity to the girl child.
I used to scare boys when I was younger –Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde
In a recent interview she granted a UK-based newspaper, Telegraph, the screen goddess stated that she had two younger brothers and that rubbed off on her making her a tomboy. She said her mother used to make jokes that she would not find a husband, ironically she met her husband when she was 16 years old.
Omosexy said, “I have two younger brothers and was a tomboy, fiercely independent. I used to scare boys from a very young age. They found me too much, because I knew what I wanted and I’d boss them around. In those days my mother would joke that I would never find a husband.”
A daddy’s girl while growing, the star actress said that she was close to her late father who used to treat her like a boy. Her father, a manager of Lagos Country Club, died in an auto crash when she was just twelve years old.
She said, “My father was a different kind of African man. He was very enlightened. He always asked me what I wanted, and encouraged me to speak up. He treated me like a boy.”
Recounting her father’s death, the actress who is often referred to as the Queen of Nollywood said she did not grieve when her father died instead she just bottled everything up inside her. This she said affected her for years.
“I didn’t grieve. When I got home people were telling me that my mother had been crying for days, and that, as the eldest, I had to be strong for her and my brothers. I didn’t know what to do, so I just bottled everything up. It affected me for many years afterwards. I was always very angry.”
Omosexy stated that she later used to play out her repressed grief on camera, using it as an emotional trigger to make herself cry whenever scripts called for it. But this soon created other problems.
“The director would shout, ‘Cut!’ and I’d still be crying. I could bring the tears, but I could not control them. In the end I had to stop using that technique,” she said.
No beef between Waconzy and Burna Boy
When his L. I. F. E album dropped recently, it was well received by fans. However, some raised eyebrows when they listened to his No No No track where he mentioned one of Nigeria’s reigning artistes, Waconzy. Waconzy is one of the few successful artistes from Port Harcourt.
Some fans were curious to know what he said about Waconzy whose club banger, Celebrate put Port Harcourt on the Nigerian music map.
When Saturday Beats got in touch with Burna Boy’s camp, they said that the song was not meant to insult Waconzy in any way.
Burna Boy claimed that Waconzy has had heard the song and that they are good friends. Saturday Beats learnt that Burna Boy did an accapella of the song in Port Harcourt.
Saturday Beats further learnt that the song was produced in 2011 and both singers have now relocated to Lagos alongside their colleagues, Timaya and Duncan Mighty.
Thursday 29 August 2013
I can be very romantic if… – Ruggedman
When the name ‘Ruggedman’ is mentioned the picture that comes to mind is that of a hard-faced, tough-talking and mean gangster rap star, but the Ohafia, Abia State-born rapper is anything but that as he reveals in this telling chat with Weekend Groove. Excerpts:
What have you been up to lately?
I have been working on the singing sensation I just signed to my label, Rugged Records label. His name is Mbryo. I believe he’s the next act to blow from Nigeria. And we have been recording tracks for his album. I’ve also been on a promotion/introduction tour around Nigeria to introduce him to the industry and my fans.
Rugged Man
Mbryo is multi-talented. He writes, sings, plays guitar, drums and piano. So in order to introduce him into the industry, I released a joint album in December 2012 with him titled ‘Money Making Music’ which has songs like ‘Push’ featuring Terry G, Mbryo’s ‘Remote’ and lots more. He’s already getting heavy rotation. He has recorded songs with Olamide and Waje.
Is that why you retired from music so early so you can face production?
I didn’t retire. I just slowed down a bit so I can concentrate on my record label. The Mbryo project is the reason you haven’t heard a new song from me but I already have new songs with Wizboy, 2face, Wande Coal, TM 9ja and Vector to mention a few. My birthday is in September so, expect a song on that day.
What about your fashion outfit? Much hasn’t been heard of it lately?
My clothing line called 20th September Wear is work s in progress. I have done fashion shows and parties to showcase it but I’m still on it. Presently, I’m doing my research because I’m interested in putting out everyday clothing, not fashion show/runway clothes. That’s why I’m taking my time.
So are you throwing a birthday party?
Last year, I said I wasn’t going to throw a party but I ended up celebrating a week-long and in five different clubs. So I can’t say yes or no yet. But I will always thank God for an additional year on the date.
Which song do you intend dropping on that day?
I haven’t decided which one I will be releasing yet. I’m even still going to hit the studio before then so, it just might be the newest one with ‘Reminisce’
So your label intends to work with just rap acts like you?
My label isn’t just for rap artistes. Mbryo is an R n B singing sensation. He is the first to get officially signed to Rugged Records
Most of your posts on Twitter reflect activism. Are you also an activist?
I have always been a critic. Remember the Ehen part 1 that I featured Nomorloss? It was the song that changed the face of Nigerian music and it was a constructive criticism which paid off in the long run because the outcome of that movie is what a lot of new age artistes are enjoying now. I am ever ready to lend my voice anywhere it will have a positive impact.
Ruggedman
Ruggedman
How do you explain your love for soccer too?
I can’t just explain the kind of passion I have for football. But all I know is that I have loved soccer for so long as I can remember. As a kid, I remember watching Big League Soccer and reading hot shot Hamish comics. I have also been a Manchester United fan since 1986.
Why Man U?
I think it was love at first sight between Manchester United and I just clicked.
You seem not to be the romantic type?
Says who? I am very romantic when I’m with the right woman. Just like love and marriage, romance isn’t something I throw around.
I remember one St. Valentine’s day. I went to see my Val but I didn’t meet her at home. I tied a rose(a real one not plastic) to her door and wrote my initials on a paper. When she returned and saw it, she knew I was the one who put it there.
The incident that made me put my romance in check happened years ago too on another St. Valentine’s day. I bought loads of gifts and fifteen cards because I don’t like getting just one. I even booked an hotel room for dinner and all. All she did was say “you shouldn’t have done all these!” She didn’t even bring me a card. After that, I put a leash on my romance. She has to be worth it before I show her that side of me.
Can’t imagine a girl doing that to almighty Ruggedman.
No. At that time, it was just the start of my career. I hadn’t even recorded Baraje.
So how do you feel having experienced the other side of love?
I learnt that life goes on no matter what, and you need to know who you do things for.
Does that mean you don’t have anyone in your life?
Right now I don’t have anybody in my life. It’s been my work and me for a while now. Although it feels somehow sometimes, especially when I see couples out and about . But I find solace with the thought that the right person is out there for me.
So it means wedding bells isn’t ringing any time soon?
I guess so but I’m very happy it’s ringing for others and I pray their union stands the test of time.
But is it so hard to find the right woman?
I guess it is sometimes especially now that vanity rules. You find it hard knowing she is with you for you or your status.
It’s like you’ve really had hard times with ladies.
Not at all, the ladies love me and I love them right back. It’s getting the right one for me that’s the issue. A while ago, Bisi Ibidapo-Obe looked at me and said “Rugged, it’s not a curse but before you find a babe for you, it will be difficult.” She said I’m a fine man, successful artiste and so, women will come and it will be hard to know who is who. Now I understand what she meant but God is in control.
Why did you fire Mode 9 to ‘Go get another job’, have you any axe to grind with him?
I didn’t say that to Mode 9,bloggers put up that headline from what I said generally about music and entertainers. If you ever read my story,even I said “when I started I was tired of mediocrity being celebrated and I was left with two options: either to fight for the music I love or to get another job. And I decided to fight for it,hence Ehen Part 1 featuring Nomoreloss was born. That was 2002,this is 2013.
So no beef with Mode 9?
I don’t have time for musical beef. I can do a track if it is needed to clear a wrong perception of me, but to start exchanging words with another artist at this stage? No way man!
What’s your view of music being churned these days?
Too many wishy-washy music that do not last more than 2 months on the airwaves. Sweet? Yes. Content? Definitely below average. But it seems they are doing it and getting away with it because the masses enjoy it. What this means is that the chances of this generation making songs that will be evergreen are very slim.
What have you been up to lately?
I have been working on the singing sensation I just signed to my label, Rugged Records label. His name is Mbryo. I believe he’s the next act to blow from Nigeria. And we have been recording tracks for his album. I’ve also been on a promotion/introduction tour around Nigeria to introduce him to the industry and my fans.
Mbryo is multi-talented. He writes, sings, plays guitar, drums and piano. So in order to introduce him into the industry, I released a joint album in December 2012 with him titled ‘Money Making Music’ which has songs like ‘Push’ featuring Terry G, Mbryo’s ‘Remote’ and lots more. He’s already getting heavy rotation. He has recorded songs with Olamide and Waje.
Is that why you retired from music so early so you can face production?
I didn’t retire. I just slowed down a bit so I can concentrate on my record label. The Mbryo project is the reason you haven’t heard a new song from me but I already have new songs with Wizboy, 2face, Wande Coal, TM 9ja and Vector to mention a few. My birthday is in September so, expect a song on that day.
What about your fashion outfit? Much hasn’t been heard of it lately?
My clothing line called 20th September Wear is work s in progress. I have done fashion shows and parties to showcase it but I’m still on it. Presently, I’m doing my research because I’m interested in putting out everyday clothing, not fashion show/runway clothes. That’s why I’m taking my time.
So are you throwing a birthday party?
Last year, I said I wasn’t going to throw a party but I ended up celebrating a week-long and in five different clubs. So I can’t say yes or no yet. But I will always thank God for an additional year on the date.
Which song do you intend dropping on that day?
I haven’t decided which one I will be releasing yet. I’m even still going to hit the studio before then so, it just might be the newest one with ‘Reminisce’
So your label intends to work with just rap acts like you?
My label isn’t just for rap artistes. Mbryo is an R n B singing sensation. He is the first to get officially signed to Rugged Records
Most of your posts on Twitter reflect activism. Are you also an activist?
I have always been a critic. Remember the Ehen part 1 that I featured Nomorloss? It was the song that changed the face of Nigerian music and it was a constructive criticism which paid off in the long run because the outcome of that movie is what a lot of new age artistes are enjoying now. I am ever ready to lend my voice anywhere it will have a positive impact.
Ruggedman
Ruggedman
How do you explain your love for soccer too?
I can’t just explain the kind of passion I have for football. But all I know is that I have loved soccer for so long as I can remember. As a kid, I remember watching Big League Soccer and reading hot shot Hamish comics. I have also been a Manchester United fan since 1986.
Why Man U?
I think it was love at first sight between Manchester United and I just clicked.
You seem not to be the romantic type?
Says who? I am very romantic when I’m with the right woman. Just like love and marriage, romance isn’t something I throw around.
I remember one St. Valentine’s day. I went to see my Val but I didn’t meet her at home. I tied a rose(a real one not plastic) to her door and wrote my initials on a paper. When she returned and saw it, she knew I was the one who put it there.
The incident that made me put my romance in check happened years ago too on another St. Valentine’s day. I bought loads of gifts and fifteen cards because I don’t like getting just one. I even booked an hotel room for dinner and all. All she did was say “you shouldn’t have done all these!” She didn’t even bring me a card. After that, I put a leash on my romance. She has to be worth it before I show her that side of me.
Can’t imagine a girl doing that to almighty Ruggedman.
No. At that time, it was just the start of my career. I hadn’t even recorded Baraje.
So how do you feel having experienced the other side of love?
I learnt that life goes on no matter what, and you need to know who you do things for.
Does that mean you don’t have anyone in your life?
Right now I don’t have anybody in my life. It’s been my work and me for a while now. Although it feels somehow sometimes, especially when I see couples out and about . But I find solace with the thought that the right person is out there for me.
So it means wedding bells isn’t ringing any time soon?
I guess so but I’m very happy it’s ringing for others and I pray their union stands the test of time.
But is it so hard to find the right woman?
I guess it is sometimes especially now that vanity rules. You find it hard knowing she is with you for you or your status.
It’s like you’ve really had hard times with ladies.
Not at all, the ladies love me and I love them right back. It’s getting the right one for me that’s the issue. A while ago, Bisi Ibidapo-Obe looked at me and said “Rugged, it’s not a curse but before you find a babe for you, it will be difficult.” She said I’m a fine man, successful artiste and so, women will come and it will be hard to know who is who. Now I understand what she meant but God is in control.
Why did you fire Mode 9 to ‘Go get another job’, have you any axe to grind with him?
I didn’t say that to Mode 9,bloggers put up that headline from what I said generally about music and entertainers. If you ever read my story,even I said “when I started I was tired of mediocrity being celebrated and I was left with two options: either to fight for the music I love or to get another job. And I decided to fight for it,hence Ehen Part 1 featuring Nomoreloss was born. That was 2002,this is 2013.
So no beef with Mode 9?
I don’t have time for musical beef. I can do a track if it is needed to clear a wrong perception of me, but to start exchanging words with another artist at this stage? No way man!
What’s your view of music being churned these days?
Too many wishy-washy music that do not last more than 2 months on the airwaves. Sweet? Yes. Content? Definitely below average. But it seems they are doing it and getting away with it because the masses enjoy it. What this means is that the chances of this generation making songs that will be evergreen are very slim.
Mayhem in Seme border, Customs officer killed
There was mayhem at the Seme border area of Lagos State on Thursday after a 35-year-old man, Saturday Joel, was shot by officials of the Nigerian Customs Service.
Eyewitnesses said Joel was hit by a stray bullet while some customs officers were trying to apprehend a motorist who was smuggling a red Volkswagen bus from Benin Republic into Nigeria.
It was learnt that after the shooting, some residents took to the streets in protest. The residents were said to have alleged that customs officials had killed at least three motorists this month under the pretext that they were smugglers.
It was learnt that in the ensuing pandemonium, the customs officials stationed in the area fled. However, a Superintendent of Customs, identified as J. I Motojelu, was said to have been driving by at the time.
PUNCH Metro learnt that in retaliation, the angry mob, led by a community leader, dragged the officer out of his Toyota Corolla car marked ABJ 663 DW, and killed him.
It was learnt that the irate mob, also set the deceased officer’s vehicle ablaze and set up bonfires at the centre of the road.
The culprits were said to have used the opportunity to steal some items that had previously been seized by customs.
A police source said, “Motojelu, who knew nothing about the incident was beaten to death. The mob opened a customs patrol van stationed nearby and took a G3 rifle with 30 rounds of ammunition kept inside it. They then set the vehicle ablaze.”
Sources told our correspondent that some customs officials and policemen later returned to the scene and fired shots to disperse the mob.
Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Razaq Fadipe, said his men attempted to put out the fire but they had to retreat because of the sporadic gunshots in the area.
It was learnt that the victim had been rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
But the NCS Public Relations Officer, Seme Command, Ernest Olattah, said in a statement that the officer was killed while on his way to attend a meeting at the command.
He said, “We announce the gruesome killing of one of our senior officers by some smugglers in the Ashipa area of Seme around 9.50am on Thursday. The deceased officer, while in his official uniform, unarmed, and driving to the command’s headquarters for a routine meeting, was accosted by a mob who forced him out of his vehicle.
“Led by an identified chief of the community, the officer was murdered in cold blood, while his vehicle was set ablaze.”
The customs spokesman said efforts were on to apprehend the culprits adding that the customs had achieved many feats this year alone.
He said NCS operatives, due to their uncompromising stance against smuggling and the protection the nation’s economy, had come under series of attacks by smugglers and some unpatriotic elements that saw smuggling as their rights.
The PRO said, “Customs Area Controller of Seme Border, Othman Abdu Saleh, has in collaboration with sister government agencies including the police, commenced moves to bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime to book. The controller posits that this unfortunate incident will not deter operatives of the command under his watch from carrying out their lawful duties.
‘’This is indeed a sad day for us here in this command, but let me emphasised that we are not relenting in the discharge of our duty as we will not allow the darkness of criminality to dampen the light of our service to Nigeria.”
Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, told our correspondent on the telephone that seven suspects had been arrested, adding that they would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.
She said, “Joel is recuperating at Badagry General Hospital while the slain customs officer has been deposited at the mortuary.”
Police recover assailants of Young Shall Grow Motors boss mobile phones
The Lagos State Police Command, yesterday, said it hadrecovered two mobile telephones belonging to the gunmen that attacked the Chief Executive Officer of Young Shall Grow Motors, Chief Vincent Obianodo, Tuesday night, in FESTAC Town.
This came as Vanguard gathered that there was an attempt to kidnap Obianodo few months ago.
Meantime, Obianodo is recuperating after a surgery to extract the bullet lodged in his left arm at an undisclosed hospital.
Police sources told Vanguard that the telephones were recovered inside a drainage close to the scene of gun battle between the assailants and policemen.
Sources said immediately three members of the five-man assailant fled in their operational Highlander Sports Utility Vehicle, a search was conducted around the vicinity, during which the telephones were found.
According to our sources, “one of the phones was damaged while the other was intact. It will be improper and unprofessional to give details of our findings.
“All I have to say is that investigation is on-going. At the end of which we hope to get the gunmen. So far, there is progress in our investigation.“
Contacted, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed that investigation had commenced, expressing optimism that the fleeing gunmen would be arrested soon. She said Obianodo was responding to treatment.
This came as Vanguard gathered that there was an attempt to kidnap Obianodo few months ago.
Meantime, Obianodo is recuperating after a surgery to extract the bullet lodged in his left arm at an undisclosed hospital.
Police sources told Vanguard that the telephones were recovered inside a drainage close to the scene of gun battle between the assailants and policemen.
Sources said immediately three members of the five-man assailant fled in their operational Highlander Sports Utility Vehicle, a search was conducted around the vicinity, during which the telephones were found.
According to our sources, “one of the phones was damaged while the other was intact. It will be improper and unprofessional to give details of our findings.
“All I have to say is that investigation is on-going. At the end of which we hope to get the gunmen. So far, there is progress in our investigation.“
Contacted, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed that investigation had commenced, expressing optimism that the fleeing gunmen would be arrested soon. She said Obianodo was responding to treatment.
SHOCKING: Kidnappers From Delta State University Abduct Over 20 Lecturers
Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Mordi said that lecturers were particularly disturbed, as educators are not millionaires, but the gunmen keep attacking them
In the last two years, he said over 20 members had been abducted, but what has troubled the academic community more in recent times, was the kidnap of a lecturer of Department of Science Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Mercy Mokobia, from her nuptial home in Obiaruku, since April 9 without trace by the Police.
Indeed, during his visit to the university, some months ago, the vice-chancellor, Professor Eric Arubayi, told Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, that the university was under siege.
Mordi said in most of the previous kidnap cases, it was demand for ransom by abductors, after which the victims regained freedom.
However, in Dr. Mokobia’s case, they demanded, it was paid, yet, she was not released.
He said: “Lecturers have their hearts in their mouths because we do not know who will be kidnapped next and nobody is comfortable doing his work here.
“As a matter of fact, the academic staff of DELSU are demanding the release of their colleague; we are going to embark on a fresh strike after the current nationwide strike action to protest the failure of the police to secure her release.
“We are not safe here if some gunmen can come to the home of our colleague and kidnap her and for almost five months, the police have no answer to her whereabouts, that is our plight, we are lecturers, we are not politicians, our duty is to teach students and do research, why are kidnappers after us.
“Academics are not money bags but law abiding, knowledgeable citizens who sacrifice day and night, all their comfort to impact knowledge and skills to Nigerian youths so as to equip them to become useful members of the society who can perpetuate human civilization.”
How gunmen abducted Mokobia
Gunmen kidnapped Dr. (Mrs.) Mokobia, whose husband, Prof. Mokobia, is also a staff of the university, between 12.00 am and 1.00 am, Tuesday, April 9, in Obiaruku. They broke into their residential apartment.
The couple was reportedly sleeping when the hoodlums struck in a commando style and took away the female lecturer. They contacted the family two days after the incident through a close associate demanding N20 million ransom for her release.
According to Dr. Mordi, “They robbed the family after which they took her along on foot to an unknown destination. Her whereabouts has since remained unknown
“Until her kidnap, there was a lull in the kidnapping of our members and their spouses, which gave lecturers at DELSU a false sense of security.”
Suspicion
A security source said: “It is either an insider or somebody that knows the family was involved in the kidnap because they robbed the family and still abducted her.”
The source stated: “In fact, an artisan who has worked for the family before is believed to be working with the kidnappers.”
“Some 12 hours before the incident, some motor cycle, popularly known as Okada riders were seen near the vicinity of the Mokobias discharging some unidentified passengers,” our source added.
Following security report on the activities of kidnappers in the area, who found it easy operating with motorcycles, the state government, after the incident, banned the use of Okada for commercial transportation in Abraka, Kokori and other parts of Ethiope East Local Government.
Police not sleeping on the matter
Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, told Vanguard that he understands the plight of the lecturers and like any other kidnap case; the police were not sleeping on the matter.
He said the police spread their dragnet but the kidnappers initially went underground and the police did not get useful information.
It was gathered that when police got information that the kidnappers had told the husband of the victim to pay ransom, they marked the money and urged him to play along.
His words: “The Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit and tracking team tracked the gang to a house at Uremu Road, Ozoro. The suspected kidnappers upon sighting the squad, opened fire and in the hot exchange of gunfire that ensued, one of the suspects later identified as Vote Michael suffered fatal gunshots, while three female suspects were arrested.”
Two persons, including the kingpin of the gang escaped on that day, while police recovered the N1.2 million ransom, a locally made pistol and 50 rounds of cartridges.
Police trailed and arrested the fleeing leader of the gang in Kogi State, as well as a pastor, but none could tell her whereabouts.
At a stage, about 11 persons, including a pastor, were seized in connection with Mokobia’s abduction. Nevertheless, nobody would say where she was or what happened to her.
In keeping with the anti-kidnapping law of the state government, the building in which the gang was believed to have detained Dr. Mokobia before she was moved to an unknown location was demolished.
Aduba told Vanguard that the husband of the kidnapped lecturer was around when the police was asking one of the suspects, a pastor, the whereabout of his wife, but he said nothing.
The police chief said his comment that police were not magicians, which was misinterpreted by some persons, was borne out of the fact that the police have done a lot in the matter and was investigating the incident, up till date, yet some persons are accusing security agents of non-performance.
“Yes, we are still investigating the matter; we cannot sweep it under the carpet. Sometime ago, I heard that ASUU people in Abraka were saying something about not understanding our role. I visited the university and took time to explain to them what we have done, including how we traced the ransom to a suspected kidnappers den in Ozoro and arrested some persons.”
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