Climate change: How Fashola stopped tree felling federal agents

11:44 PM News No Comments

It is unlawful and punishable under Lagos state laws for anybody to cut down any tree without permission from the state Ministry of Environment.

The warning by the state government to sanction individuals who cut trees indiscriminately is meant to stem the negative impacts imminent from persistent abuse of the environment. In particular, it is aimed to stem growing concern on climate change, and destructive human action on the environment.

And when the advocacy for tree planting and greening started, many who did not understand the great challenges that nature had in store for this part of the world, questioned the value of spending money on tree planting and preservation.

The law also tasked everyone that it is not enough to plant a tree, but to preserve existing ones and protect them from those who might wish to cut them down for any reason.

Trees play a critical role in maintaining environmental equilibrium and human comfort. They constitute an essential component of the physical environment, such that their unbridled exploitation has far reaching negative consequences on both the environment and man. A healthy environment makes for a healthy living.

Functions of trees

The importance of trees cannot be over emphasized. Trees are on biological record as the largest and longest living organisms on earth. We need trees for sustenance. They act as nutrient and chemical factory. They absorb water and salt minerals from the soil; transport them to the leaves where they combine with carbon dioxide from the air and, by means of photosynthesis, produce the nutrients which feed the tree. The vegetal matter is in turn eaten by man and animals.

By the same process, trees produce chemicals, seeds and fruits that are of great utility to man. Over and above that, trees absorb carbon, which is the main green house gas (GHG) from the air. They thus serve as carbon sink. Without the critical role played by trees, the earth surface temperature would be higher than normal. Trees also protect the soil and promote microbial activity within the forest complex, thereby enriching the soil with mineral nutrients.

Therefore, Fashola administration has, since its inception over five years ago, been involved in aggressive tree planting campaign in different parts of Lagos metropolis. Apart from the usefulness, the action has added aesthetics to parts of the city. But more action is needed in that direction.

Flagging off the Year 2012 state-wide Tree Planting campaign day, with the theme; “Plant a Tree for a better Climate” in Lagos, at the weekend, Governor Babatunde Fashola, disclosed how his administration stopped Federal Government agents from cutting down hundreds of trees at Igbogbo area of Ikorodu area, in order to pave the way for the installation of National Integrated Power Project, NIPP, infrastructure.

At Ojota, Olusosun Landfill site, one of the sites where trees were planted, the management of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, led by its Managing Director, Mr. Ola Oresanya, led other staff of the agency to plant over 50 trees of different species around the area.

Governor Fashola, explained that in Lagos, it is unlawful and punishable under state laws for anybody to cut down any tree without permission from the Ministry of Environment.

Also, Chairman of the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan also led council staff to launch tree-planting campaign, tagged: “Me and my tree” by planting hundreds of threes across the council area..

Though, Fashola’s government had in the last five years of tree regeneration and reforestation planted over three million trees across the state, the governor, urged everyone to go out and plant a tree, stressing that cutting of trees threatens not only the economy and health, but also the planet. “All patriotic Lagosians should support the government’s move, in the interest of public health and order.”

On that strength, the governor explained to the gathering that recently attempt by PHCN authorities in Lagos to cut down about hundreds of different kinds of trees at Igbogbo in Ikorodu was averted when it was learnt that they were going to cut down the trees in order to allow for infrastructure to be installed in its ongoing implementation of NIPP.

“When we got wind of this, I directed the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Tunji Bello to stop the move which we were able to achieve through their cooperation. It was later agreed that the trees should be pruned back and not cut down.” Respectively, Fashola’s renewed campaign on timely reforestation, stressed that the essence of planting trees in the environment can no-longer be over-emphasized, hence, the urgent need by residents to complement government’s drive in its determination to green the environment thereby making it a better, safer place to live in.

He said: “You can see extreme rainfall in the last 48 hours and not more than 50,000 people have been displaced in Japan. You can see the rain in Mississippi and in Newcastle, and there is still more to come.
“ We can see now that the solutions we put in place last year has reduced the flood we experienced last year in some areas including Agege, Lekki and Arigbanla and Idi Araba. There is no flood there again despite the heavy rains. It means that the solutions we are implementing are working.

“We have not gotten to some areas, but we would get there. I understand that there is a problem in Alpha Beach but we would get there, let me say however that before we come, there is a lot that you can do to help yourself. Plant a tree today, nurture a tree, protect a tree, do not allow any citizen to cut trees”

Tractor to transplant trees

Fashola, added that the state government has procured modern tractors to transplant tree,” it could move one tree from one location to the other without killing the tree.”

The governor spoke at the event graced by Environment Ambassadors like Dr. Wilson Badejo , Nollywood star Mr. Jide Kosoko and Mrs. Faderera Williams. A landscape architect said, “whether it is a citizen or a visitor, we have made it unlawful to cut down a tree without obtaining a permit.” Fashola reminded the residents that the trees would be the people’s first line of defense against flood, erosion and heavy wind that could wreak havoc in the environment.

The state Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, in his address said, tree would help reduce the effects of greenhouse by shading houses and office buildings, while creating vital habitat and promoting diversity. He added that this year, the types of trees to be planted are Ashoka(Police type), Ashoka (Hands up), Ficus (yellow) and Melaina adding that the trees have been chosen for site specifications.

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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Milk consumption by children declining

7:00 PM Health No Comments

National data indicate that milk consumption has declined among children while consumption of sweetened beverages of low nutritional quality has more than doubled. Although this suggests that sugar-sweetened beverages may have replaced more nutritious drinks in children’s diets, a new study suggests that in fact changes in children’s milk consumption are not significantly related to changes in their consumption of sodas and flavored fruit drinks over time. The results are published online in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

“We found that children’s milk consumption did decrease between 5th and 8th grade, but the changes weren’t related to changes in their consumption of sweetened beverages,” reports lead investigator Reena Oza-Frank, PhD, RD, in the Center for Perinatal Research of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Department of Pediatrics at the Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. “In addition, regardless of how much sweetened beverages children consumed, milk and 100% fruit juice were complements in children’s diets. Children increased or decreased their intake of both in tandem.”



Researchers studied beverage consumption among 7,445 students who were part of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-1999 (ECLS-K), a nationally representative study of children from kindergarten to 8th grade. The children filled out a food consumption questionnaire in the 5th and 8th grades that included questions about how much and how frequently they consumed milk, 100% fruit juice, and sweetened beverages. Investigators compared the data to measure changes in consumption over time. The analysis accounted for demographic characteristics and socioeconomic status and factors such as public versus private school attendance, whether the child ate school lunch or breakfast regularly, and whether the child received free or reduced-price lunch at school. Other nutrition indicators included were changes in consumption of vegetables, fruits, and fast food.

Overall, children’s reported caloric drink servings per week fell significantly between 5th and 8th grade. Milk consumption fell while consumption of 100% fruit juice increased, regardless of sweetened beverage consumption. Milk consumption fell more among children who drank any sweetened beverages than among those who drank none. The decline in milk consumption was even larger among children who drank sweetened beverages daily; that group drank an average two fewer glasses of milk in the 8th grade than they had in the 5th grade. Children who drank sweetened beverages were more often male and white. Those who drank sweetened beverages daily more often attended public school, ate school lunch or breakfast regularly, and received a free or reduced price school lunch.

However, controlling for demographic and nutrition characteristics, changes in children’s milk and juice consumption were not significantly related to changes in their consumption of sweetened beverages over time, indicating that sweetened beverages did not replace other caloric beverages in children’s diets. Children who increased their milk consumption also increased their juice consumption over the three-year period, indicating that milk and juice are complements, not substitutes, in children’s diets. “Analysis of multiple subpopulations indicates that milk and juice consumption increased or decreased in tandem for most children,” says Dr. Oza-Frank.

Of concern, Dr. Oza-Frank notes, is that as children increase their intake of one high caloric beverage, they also increase their intake of others.

Punch News

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Before I made it …I failed twice as garment, shoe producer – Ritalori-Ogbebor

5:00 PM Fashion/Lifestyle No Comments

SHE comes across as a fearless and courageous person. And indeed she is. Whoever encounters her must definitely be
amazed by the manner she conducts her daily affairs with the dexterity of someone in his 30s or 40s. But that is Chief Ritalori-Ogbebor, the Igba of Warri Kingdom and a woman who got the Ritalori story started. While this revealing chat with Sunday Vanguard lasted, her intelligence radiated from the way she responded to questions.

Though Ritalori-Ogbebor is a household name in Nigeria, following her various philanthropic activities, business tentacles and particularly her persistent calls for a better life for the citizenry, this piece presents Ritalori the journalist, hotelier and activist in a manner that has never been seen.

From your background, we discovered that you were trained as a journalist in England and rose to become the first Director of Programmes at the then Nigerian Television Service ,NTS. Today you have built the Ritalori brand which includes world class hotels, shipping companies, oil companies, commercial farming, among others. How did you get the Ritalori story started?

To talk about my present, you must go back to my past because where I am coming from is very essential. What pleased me when I was growing up was that I had disciplined parents, who were so concerned about integrity. I was born with integrity. And the tribe from which I come from also has integrity. My great grand mother was a princess. So that tells you that I have a royal background. But the first thing that makes me proud is that I am an Itsekiri woman. And when you come from a tribe that people respect for integrity, then you are expected to be a disciplined person.

When you also have parents with integrity, you will have no choice than to live an exemplary life. So, this is my beginning. My immediate father and mother were instrumental to who I am and what I am today. I am very proud of them. That is why in everything I do, I pray hard I do it diligently like them. I do so to ensure that I preserve their good names. And if I can not preserve their legacy, then I step aside. It is for that reason that I have been working hard all my life to keep that priceless name going for generations yet unborn, so that they can have a role model and carry on with their lives.

So, this is where I am coming from and this is what motivates me everyday especially when I am down. For example, I learnt something from my grand mother. She was a composer and composed all her life experiences into songs. She had catalogue of songs, which she sang whenever she was happy and when she was down. This is what has been guarding me.

You schooled in England at a time schooling abroad was a rare privilege. Did you school in the UK because you had a rich background and what were your memorable experiences while there?

No.There was no money, because I was not left with wealth that made me school abroad. But I met the palace of my great grand mother, who lived over two hundred and fifty years ago. My grand father also lived two hundred years ago. But these people left behind integrity that opened doors for me.

If you go to Warri today and ask of Ritalori, immediately people will remember that I am the daughter of Princess Igba because she founded a town. And that town is still existing, because my grand father lived to look after the town. And today, we are still looking after the town. We are proud that my great grand mother protected foreigners, indigenes and slaves in that town.(I am sorry to talk about slave).

Ritalori-Ogbebor

Now that I am what I am, I am following her footsteps. So, it is not the money, but integrity and I inherited that. A man must live with integrity, your yes must be yes and your no must be no. And you should always pray to God that under no circumstances, should you drop your integrity and honour. I want to dispel that idea that my parents had money, hence I was sent to school in England. In those days before and after independence, young girls were going to study Secretarial courses and I happened to be lucky to have a scholarship.

So, I went to England on scholarship. And getting there I saw many avenues, which I utilised to prepare myself for the task ahead. I was just studying from one school to the other. I did journalism and script writing. After my secretarial course, I got a job with the Nigerian Television Service in England. I did not stop there, I kept doing everything that was interesting. I was not born a poor person, I was born with a rich soul. While in England, I got a job with ATV, which is Associated Television. Nigeria Television Service, NTS, was already established in Lagos here, it was from there that I got the job with NTS as a Programme Director. Ever since, I have been on the move.

Like I said, one of my greatest influence in life was my father, he was a perfectionist. Anytime we thought our father had achieved something, he would carry a straight face. You don’t see him jubilating. And when he smiles, it would be like a million dollar smile. My father smiled only rarely.

When were those times?
He hardly tells you his mood. For instance, I have always done well during my school days, but my father has never said I was brilliant. Also, when I was building the hotel, I did not tell him. I was already at the third or second floor when he knew about it. So, when he came, to Lagos, he did not show excitement, he took one good look at it with a straight face and asked me if my mother was aware that I was building the hotel.

He never said anything. He gives you a feeling you can do more. I have never seen my father drink or smoke. He was soft spoken. But his yes was yes and his no was his no. And whenever I was angry over anything, he would ask why I was being worried having said no. I love him more today, he taught me integrity and how to live by my words. He taught me all that I know today.

At what point did you leave journalism, because the Ritalori brand today, makes it appear as if you left journalism with bag loads of money and why did you take that decision to quit the job at that time?

I left journalism in 1966. I did not leave with money. I left with my integrity. I started a magazine called The Teenager. I was the editor, I was the reporter and the marketer. I had to quit publishing.

Are you saying that you failed as a publisher?
Yes, I failed in publishing because there was no money in it. I did not relent, I went back to the UK and started working, with a family that was into shoe making. Before I came back to Nigeria, worked with them. Don’t foget that, at that time, I was no longer a student. When I came back, Awolowo was the Minister of Finance. Then there was a ban on importation of bags and shoes. I had to put together a factory, which was producing shoes and bags. The company existed until after the civil war. Unfortunately, the ban was lifted and importers came into the business. And it eventually displaced we the local manufacturers.

A lot of shoe factories like Bata, Lennards and Ritalori stated dying. I was into garments production also. I had seven shops across the country. You can see why I loved my great grandmother, because one difficulty opened new challenges. The same applies to my father, who never talked much, but his body language gave me the belief that I don’t have any reason to buckle under any situation.

There must always be challenges in life. The UAC, Esquire had monopoly of importation of goods from their country, I was glad I challenged their monopoly. I started in my living room here, but, within little time, I had opened up places like Ajegunle, which was a place people feared to go. When I started production, I went to Esquire and asked them to give me contract to manufacture for them. Within a little time, I had opened stores at Ajegunle, Idumota, Surulere and other places. But the ban that was lifted affected the business seriously, I had to quit the business. Again, I failed as a garment and shoe producer. This time, it was a matter of survival, I now asked myself, what next. After that I went into hotel and hospitality business.

Ritalori-Ogbebor

What motivates you in life?
My soul has always been searching for good things, it is the good things that my soul is searching for that is my driving force. I hate poverty and it is the fear of poverty that is driving me to work hard, because I have never experienced poverty. And I can’t imagine myself being poor. I hate to see people who are cheated, who can not feed and have to go about begging for food. This is why I have created farms for the then jobless youths of Warri and its environs. Today, they are gainfully employed in the farms.

Today, I have brought those boys out from Warri. We are aiming to transplant on 50 acres and, very soon, we’ll start crushing for sugar. About 3,500 suckers were planted and each sucker has brought forth additional four. Now, the farm boasts of more than 14, 500 suckers to plant. The aim is to provide food sufficiency in Delta and beyond. The youths welfare is very important to the expansion of these farms. This is why I leave the comfort of my homes in Lagos and Abuja to spend time with them.

Are you saying that you abandoned the comfort of the city, purposely for farming in your rural community for the benefit of youths? Can we know what prompted you into commercial farming at this stage?

People see me as a role model and I have strived to remain so. At the moment, I am more concerned with the socio-economic development of my people. So, I have taken the development of my people as a project in totality. At a point in my life, I discovered that after all my achievements, there was still something missing. I felt there was something I had not done. It is for this reason that I found myself going back to Warri.

This decision to go back to my root, Ajigba, was informed by the urge to bequeath a lasting legacy to my people. Ajigba is a village in Warri South local Government Area. Having made up my mind to recreate the place, I decided that it would be a good community that would once more create wealth for people, especially Warri youths, who were jobless. I was not happy seeing Warri youths wallowing in poverty. This is why I decided to create a farming village in Ajigba. It is not an ordinary farm, it is mechanised farm covering a huge expanse of land.

The idea is not just to produce for subsistence need, it is mainly to create wealth for the youths. We produce and process raw materials. Already the National Sugar Council has commended our sugar cane plantation. We are into piggery, all forms of mechanised farming. All that I am now hoping for in life is the best, because this project that I have undertaken is a product of vision. And this vision has transformed to good value to Warri people and humanity.

The next five years
In the next five years, Delta State would be one of the major suppliers of rice in this country, courtesy of Ajigba farms. Nigeria would depend on Odogene farms for its wealth. The swamps of that locality would also be transformed to a fully functional town. I have always been a wealth creator. I have been creating jobs. I conceived and built my hotels without anybody helping me. And you should know that building hotels of that magnitude is no joke. And I have been sustaining them.

When your name is mentioned many people describe you as a politician, yet you always maintain you are not one. Why always refusing this toga of politician? Have you at any point in your life had an ugly experience that informed your decision of not wanting to be identified as one?

I am still saying it that I am not a politician and have never been. What I do is to speak and act to contribute my quota to the socio-economic upliftment of this nation, because that is the only country we have. With my position, I am directly responsible for the daily lives of a lot of people, so it would not be out of context if I always talk for there to be better life for Nigerians. Perhaps that is why people think I am a politician. I have never accepted political appointments in my life, because I am constantly creating new things which require time and honour to become realistic.

Looking at this your journey through life, can we know, if there was anything, event or people, that left an indelible mark on you. It could be positive or negative, can you share such experience with us?

(Long pause) What I don’t like is injustice, because it makes me angry. So instead of being excited, I get angry when things are not done well. I feel pains when I see people who oppress other people being celebrated. And it is evident in today’s Nigeria. Each time I see what is going on in Nigeria today, I get sad. Today, I have gone back home to Ajigba, which is the cradle of my life. I have gone back to put up a community, which would be taken care of the way I want this country to be governed. Today, I am the Igba of Warri, which no one had been honoured with since my great grand mother and I am proud of that.

By Charles Kumolu

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Our loss in Edo painful —PDP

4:36 PM Politics No Comments

PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur
| credits:

The Peoples Democratic Party has yet to recover from the loss of the governorship election in Edo State to its major rival, the Action Congress of Nigeria.

This was shown in the letters written by the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, to the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Maj.-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (retd.) and the state chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih.

The ACN candidate, who is also the incumbent governor of the state, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, won the election conducted penultimate Saturday.

Although Tukur said in his letters that he appreciated the efforts made by the leadership of the party in the state to win the election, he, however, noted that it was painful that they lost.

He said, “Though a painful loss, considering the quantum of preparation and mobilisation which the party mustered towards the election, I identify with the spirited effort and discipline demonstrated by the party under your good leadership.

“Reconciling all members of the party as a precursor to rebuilding the PDP is a task in which I solicit your usual cooperation and support.

“I encourage you to keep the PDP family intact. We shall re-strategise and build on your present commitment to reclaim Edo State for the PDP, God willing.

“Kudos to all those who laboured with you while the campaign and election lasted.”

Meanwhile, Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, has said the victory of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the Action Congress of Nigeria in the last governorship election ended ethnic politics in the state.

Speaking in Benin, on Friday, Odubu, who retained his position for a second term, added that the election erased the impression that politics in the state was all about money.

He said, “The election was a reflection of the wishes of the people. Our victory was sweet because that is what the people want; a man that will perform, not a man that wants to be the richest man in the world.

“You will understand that the Peoples Democratic Party couldn’t even get one quarter of the votes in any of the seven local government councils in Edo south and we won the 77 wards in Edo South, we thank God.

“We asked for sweet victory and we got sweet victory. Oshiomhole has demonstrated that money can never make the difference again in Edo politics. People don’t fight over how much you bring anymore but they are now fighting for which project has not been done in their areas.

“Before, it was just ‘give us the money and you will get the votes’ but none of those hamlets we visited asked for money. It was either they said they needed light, road or water.”

Odubu added that Oshiomhole had performed beyond the expectation of the ordinary Edo man in his first term.

BY OLUSOLA FABIYI AND JAMES AZANIA

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PDP would have won only through rigging — Edo ACN

4:15 PM Politics No Comments

Edo State Action Congress of Nigeria chairman, Mr. Thomas Okosun

Basking in the euphoria of winning the governorship election, the Edo State Action Congress of Nigeria chairman, Mr. Thomas Okosun, in this interview with JAMES AZANIA, sheds more light on the poll.

With the governor’s victory in all the 18 local government areas of the state, can you justify the apprehension expressed by your party before the election?

If we didn’t cry out, the Peoples Democratic Party would have done what they planned to do against our party. For example, even on the day of the election, materials arrived Oredo which is just beside Independent National Electoral Commission headquarters around 11am, whereas accreditation had commenced all over the state. Edo South- Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba-Okha had the largest number of registered voters; the three local governments put together will give you over 600, 000 registered voters. You know what that would have meant if we had lost the three local government areas or if they had succeeded in highjacking the registration or the voting materials for those local governments? So, our cry at the beginning, before and even on the day of election clearly demonstrated that we were justified over our worry. You will recall that on several occasions we said they were trying to alter the voters’ registration; these fears were confirmed even in the election that we won. There were several voting centres in Edo South where voters could not find their names; in a place where you have about 1, 000 voters, only about 300 people had their names in the register.

What in your opinion made voters in Edo Central embrace the ACN?

The truth is that ACN has always been in firm control of this area since the last election. But unfortunately, in the 2001 election, we didn’t realise that one man, one vote was not going to count and so these people who have been used to fixing election succeeded in Edo Central, but this time we were more determined to ensure the one man, one vote count in the place. You can see it that even “Mr. Fix it” himself lost in his area. We didn’t do any other magic, other than make sure that it was one man, one vote. It simply tells you that there is no way PDP would have won any election in Edo Central if not through rigging.

What are the challenges ahead now that ACN has triumphed in the election?

It’s just for us to remain focused and determined in order to bring development to the people of Edo State. The people will always come first. More challenges have even been thrown to us, because what happened in Edo is unprecedented in the political history of this state. No man has ever won an election the way it happened in Edo where one party won every local government. It has never happened. The highest we ever had was about 58 per cent to 42 per cent. That tells us that the people are more interested in getting value for their votes and that value for their votes is in bringing development to them. So, for us, we will remain focused to bring development to the entire 18 local governments of the state.

Is the ACN aiming to turn Edo into a one party state?

It’s not about one party state. That has not been our interest. Our intention has just been to bring development to the people of Edo and open the eyes of the people. As long as you continue to deliver dividends of democracy to the people, the people will want to belong to your party. We did not buy anybody; we have never induced anybody to join the party. Since we won this election, I can’t count the number of PDP people that have called to congratulate me. They believed it was possible to fix the election but they have realised that it is impossible to fix elections in Edo State.

Observers have said it was the governor, rather than the ACN that won the election. What is your comment on this?

I don’t understand the separation of the governor from the party. The governor belongs to this party; he didn’t contest as an individual, he contested on the platform of the ACN. Yes, if his achievement and pedigree went a long way to affect the result, why not? But he belongs to a political party and if another party can’t boast somebody like Adams Oshiomhole, so that is to the ACN.

The governor has extended his hands of friendship to his opponents in the election so that they can build the state together. Does the party agree with this?

This state does not belong to one individual; it belongs to all of us. When we build schools, we do not say that only ACN children should attend those schools; when roads are constructed, we did not say only ACN members should ply them; when we build hospitals we do not say only ACN people should attend them. It’s for all; it’s for the good of Edo people. I said a lot of PDP leaders have been calling me to congratulate me. That showed that they believe that the election was credible and that they have a responsibility to join hands with us to work together for the good of Edo people. For us, that is a good approach. I think that is what we require in this country. It’s not a question of the winner takes all. We wouldn’t say because we won, therefore PDP should walk away from Edo State. No, this state belongs to all of us.

How would you rate INEC’s performance during the election?

This is a remarkable improvement on past elections but it was not a perfect election. Not perfect in the sense that we no longer want voters’ names disappearing from the register. We do not want a situation where people go to vote and they queue up for long hours. We want a situation where we won’t even need the military to defend our votes. We want a situation where you can walk away and be sure that your vote will count.

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Edo election: PDP is probing what went wrong —Airhiavbere

4:03 PM Politics No Comments

Maj.-Gen. Airhiavbere (retd.)
| credits:

The Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the just concluded Edo State governorship election, Maj.-Gen. Airhiavbere (retd.), in this interview with JAMES AZANIA, speaks on why he has yet to congratulate the winner, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, and other issues.

The election has come and gone, what do you have to say as the candidate of the PDP that was considered to have given the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria a stiff challenge?

Just as you have said, the election has come and gone but the dust is just settling. Everyone is doing a post-mortem. But firstly, I want to give thanks to President Goodluck Jonathan for ensuring a peaceful and safe environment for Edo citizens to exercise their franchise at the just concluded election. We thank Edo people that came out en mass; we thank the security agencies that took their time to ensure there was peace; there was no ballot snatching and everybody felt secure. And, we thank the media, because journalist were all over the place to ensure it (the election) was beamed on satellite throughout that day. As far as I am concerned, that was a day Edo people had a pact with history. For me, it was a very big experience, a knowledge-driven day and I am still reminiscing over it.

After the election, there have been calls from some quarters for the dissolution of the executive council of Edo PDP. What do you think about this?

Well, I saw it in the newspapers. Nigerians are hasty in making comments. 144, 000 people voted for the PDP during the just concluded election and you just want to wish them away? I think it is unfair. PDP is strong in Edo State; PDP is present and I believe that a party in power that does not have opposition, a formidable opposition like the PDP, is not supposed to be in power… I also believe that everybody should be given a fair chance to express his or her individual interest. I believe that that is the beauty of democracy. I am also aware that some people were using security agencies to oppress people in the opposition.

Are you satisfied with the conduct of the election?

I wouldn’t say I am not satisfied, but I am also studying the outcome. The only way to prove you are not satisfied with the outcome is to do a post-mortem. It’s like when somebody dies, you do a post-mortem; the doctors do a post-mortem to find out the cause of death. We are trying to re-assess what went wrong.

Some observers of Edo politics argue that your foray into politics is to seek national relevance, that you are more focused on Abuja than on the state. Is this true?

I don’t believe that. My interest in coming into PDP after rising to the rank of a Major-General means I have already attained a national status; as an officer that has served at the embassy in Washington, I have already attained a national status.

Before the election you said you would congratulate any of the candidates that emerged winner. President Jonathan and the Senate President, David Mark, have already congratulated Governor Oshiomhole, who emerged winner? Why haven’t you done same?

I wouldn’t say I am not congratulating him. All I have said is that I will not be in a hurry to congratulate him, because as early as 1 o’clock on the day of the election, he had condemned the system, so there are things I am also expecting from him. I also have expectations of him, to give some credibility to the system before I will congratulate him.

The governor has already given a pass mark to INEC, over the conduct of the election. Would that settle it?

I am looking at the evolving situation and then, I will congratulate him in due time.

2016 is around the corner. Do you advocate a change of PDP structure in Edo State?

My belief as of today is that having been the standard bearer of the party, I have also emerged as one of the leaders of the party and it is my duty to bring the party faithful together to ensure that we have a formidable opposition. We also want to be recognised as a formidable opposition in Edo State and above all PDP is the party at the centre, so we are ready to work. Edo State has no reason to be poor. We are going to work earnestly to ensure that whoever is in power gives value to the people who came out en masse to vote; to exercise their franchise during the July 14 election.

People of Edo State have become aware and, as I said during the campaigns, Edo will not remain the same. It is a state where if you don’t give them what they expect, they will criticise you. They are more informed, because the campaign process was knowledge-driven, and there were (PDP) volunteers at the various levels, and the INEC interaction was quite explosive. And we must sustain that tempo towards 2016.

BY JAMES AZANIA

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I hawked castila soap on the streets – Ekhomu

3:57 PM Fashion/Lifestyle No Comments

Dr. Ona Ekhomu, is Nigeria’s first chartered security professional and author of the highly acclaimed book on security awareness titled Effective Personal & Corporate Security. He is the president of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON) and Africa’s Representative of the International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO).

He was born in Irrua, Edo State 58 years ago, precisely March 26 1955. He obtained BA (History) from Voorhees College, Denmark, South Carolina USA 1977; M.A (Political Science) from the Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 1979; and PhD (Public and International Affairs – Policy Management) from the University of Pittsburgh, USA 1985. He attended the Security Officer Training Academy of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania USA (1986). He also obtained the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Act 235 Lethal Weapons License in 1986.

Ona

A management consultant, policy analyst and corporate security consultant, he is presently the chairman of Trans-World Security Systems Ltd,the position he has been occupying for 32 years. He is the chairman of the School of Management and Security and Chairman of Trans-World Consultants Limited as well as President of Trans-World Security Systems Inc. of Chicago, Illinois USA.

He is our ICON in this edition of Past Perfect as he takes us around his life and who he is today.

The struggle of my life began as a freelance journalist with NTA when my admission was aborted. As a journalist, I was opportuned to go for a 3-month course on editing at NIJ.

Afterwards, I went back to Benin where I started as a sub-editor at Observer. In July, 1975, I decided to travel abroad to study and after several years of study, I came back to Nigeria. Then, I was enriched with opportunities that helped me in life. I had the contact, chains of degrees, aspirations, so it was a change of level.

I left Nigeria as a little boy who was looking for the golden fleece but by the time I came back, I had an idea of what I am expected to do to make a difference. It was a paradigm shift unlike Nigeria where people are trained to be dependent instead of being independent. Nigerians are not trained to be self reliant or self-starters and that is why most graduates are not making impact in the country.

In our days, we read good books and built solid vocabularies. When I went to the US, my services were being sought after because I could write. People were begging me to write newsletters and speeches for them. I was employed in a school and people were competing for my services because I could write. And I think excellence is the watchword. Whatever anyone could write, it is better, it is written well.

I was not born with a silver spoon. My father was a lonely civil servant. He worked with NPA in Port-Harcourt and my mother was a petty trader.

As a little boy, I hawked castila soap on the streets of Port-Harcourt. We were given orders to go and hawk soap. It is not as if we wished to go on the streets to sell castala soap but there was no choice because we had to help our parents. And so, nobody thought it was child exploitation. Another challenge I had was the fact that my parents could not pay my school fees on time. We were obeying all the rules and regulations. The only thing was that we had the chance to play without restriction. And that was what I liked about freedom of life. But, we wouldn’t neglect all the house chores and those were features of life that helped me. Disobedience was not in the dictionary as we grew up.

But, education helped me through. Apart from the fact that I sold castala soap, I was a boxer at nine years. I was engaged in boxing competition, NPA, Port-Harcourt before my parents decided to relocate me to what is known today as Delta State.

I was to stay with my Uncle
and so, my father suggested that I should be sent out of the vicinity so as not to become a hoodlum. So, I joined my uncle who was a disciplinarian and I became his servant. I used to wash his motorbike in the morning, clean the house and do some washing before going to school. One day, he was transferred from Sapele to Agbor after six months and I joined my family after a while.

My journey as a security expert was not planned. When I was in secondary school, I dreamt about being a lawyer. I used to be the president of drama society in school. But, when I was undergoing my degree, I thought of being a professor, and I obtained both first and second degrees. But, my direction changed when I went abroad for my PHD. I stumbled on some individuals who were looking for market opportunity for security business for their security equipment and so, being a Nigerian, they approached me and after a considerable agreement, I started learning their system. That was how I got into the technical end of security.

Before then, I was training at Mopol 5 in Benin. I was used to law enforcement personnel in that capacity so when I got to the United States, I still made efforts to seek out law enforcement people to collaborate with them by engaging in some trainings.

My parents told me how I used to be very troublesome as a child and how they (parents) used police to threaten me. That built up my respect for people. Besides, I was brought up under the guidance of disciplined Christian parents which built me.

How he met his wife

I came back to Nigeria in 1980 for my PHD thesis and I was doing some data gathering. She has just finished her youth service and so, I was looking for a youth corps member to interview. She was living across my house in Benin. Then, my younger sister introduced her to me as a youth corps member who was of a marriageable age. They brought her picture to me. I liked the picture and that was how it started. They gave me her contact and I called her on phone requesting her to come over to my office but she banged the phone on me. She then requested me to come over to the house and that was how we started. We have so many attributes in common and that was how the relationship kicked up. My mother fell in love with her and they accepted her.

As a young boy, I could cook but since I got married, I started drifting away from the culinary department. I started losing my touch. I worked in a restaurant as a cook in America, I worked in two factories. I worked as a driver too. I was a professional bus driver. I was doing the transportation business on part time.

I have learnt in my life to be hard working and determined. I do not see challenges as obstacles but as opportunities.

Vanguard News

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Scientists see AIDS vaccine within reach after decades

3:54 PM Health No Comments

At an ill-fated press conference in 1984, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Margaret Heckler boldly predicted an effective AIDS vaccine would be available within just two years.

But a string of failed attempts — punctuated by a 2007 trial in which a Merck vaccine appeared to make people more vulnerable to infection, not less — cast a shadow over AIDS vaccine research that has taken years to dispel.

A 2009 clinical trial in Thailand was the first to show it was possible to prevent HIV infection in humans. Since then, discoveries have pointed to even more powerful vaccines using HIV-fighting antibodies. Now, scientists believe a licensed vaccine is within reach.

“We know the face of the enemy,” said Dr. Barton Haynes, of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and recent Director of the Center for HIV AIDS Vaccine Immunology.

The research consortium was funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, founded in 2005 by the National Institutes of Health to identify and overcome roadblocks in the design of vaccines for the human immunodeficiency virus, which causes AIDS. NIAID’s funding of CHAVI ended in June.

Unlike many viruses behind infectious diseases, HIV is a moving target, constantly spitting out slightly different versions of itself, with different strains affecting different populations around the world. The virus is especially pernicious since it attacks the immune system, the very mechanism the body needs to fight back.

“The virus is far more crafty than we ever thought,” said Haynes, who will outline progress in vaccine research at the International AIDS Society’s 2012 conference being held in Washington from July 22-27.

Thanks to drugs that can control the virus for decades, AIDS is no longer a death sentence. New infections have fallen by 21 per cent since the peak of the pandemic in 1997 and advances in prevention — through voluntary circumcision programmes, prevention of mother-to-child transmission and early treatment — promise to cut that rate even more.

Still, as many as 34 million people are infected with HIV worldwide. And with 2.7 million new infections in 2010 alone, experts say a vaccine is still the best hope for eradicating AIDS.

Teams have been working on a vaccine for nearly three decades, but it wasn’t until RV144, the 2009 clinical trial involving more than 16,000 adults in Thailand, that researchers achieved any hint of success.

The test of a combination of two vaccines followed several big failures, including the stunning news that Merck’s vaccine may have increased the risk of infection among men who were both uncircumcised and had prior exposure to the virus used in the vaccine.

“It had an extremely chilling effect on the whole field,” said Colonel Nelson Michael, director of the U.S. Military HIV Research Program at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, which led the RV144 trial.

The Thai study tested Sanofi’s ALVAC, a weakened canary pox virus used to sneak three HIV genes into the body, and AIDSVAX, a vaccine originally made by Roche Holding’s Genentech that carried an HIV surface protein.

Both vaccines had poor showings in individual trials. Researchers were so convinced the Thai trial would fail that 22 scientists wrote an editorial in Science calling it a waste of money.

Then came the shocker. Results of the study published in 2009 showed the vaccine combination cut HIV infections by 31.2 per cent.

According to Michael and many other experts, the result was not big enough to be considered effective, but its impact on researchers was huge, says Wayne Koff, chief scientific officer of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative based in New York.

An extensive analysis of the Thai trial published this year in the New England Journal of Medicine offered clues about why some volunteers responded.

The study, led by Haynes, scientists at Walter Reed and 25 other institutions, found men and women who were vaccinated made antibodies to a specific region of the virus’s outer coat, suggesting this region provides an important vaccine target.

Preparations are under way for a follow-up trial testing beefed-up versions of the vaccines among heterosexuals in South Africa and men who have sex with men in Thailand.

Once again, the trial will use a Sanofi vaccine, but instead of AIDSVAX, researchers will use a different vaccine candidate with a boosting agent from Novartis.

Michael said it has been a major effort to secure new research partners and funding, including support from host countries, as well as to persuade rivals Novartis and Sanofi to work together. The teams still need to retool the vaccines to work in South Africa, where the strain of HIV is different.

“We’re really working as fast as we can,” said Michael, who expects large-scale effectiveness studies to start in 2016.

The hope is to have at least 50 per cent effectiveness, a level that mathematical modelers say could have a major impact on the epidemic. Michael thinks this might be the pathway for getting the first HIV vaccine licensed, possibly by 2019.

Vaccine experts are equally excited about a vaccine that Michael’s team is developing with Harvard University and Johnson & Johnson’s Crucell unit, which uses weakened versions of a common cold virus and a smallpox virus.

A study published in February showed this vaccine protected monkeys from a virulent strain of HIV. Animals that did become infected after repeated exposure also had low levels of virus in their blood. Safety studies in human patients are just starting, with large-scale efficacy studies slated for 2016.

The current crop of vaccines is largely designed to train immune system cells known as T-cells to recognise and kill cells already infected with HIV. While these trials progress, scientists are working on even more advanced vaccines that activate powerful antibodies to prevent HIV from infecting cells in the first place. Both would be administered before a person becomes exposed to the virus.

Most modern vaccines use this antibody approach, but HIV’s extreme skill at mutating makes it difficult for specifically targeted antibodies to identify and neutralise the virus.

Teams led by Dr. Dennis Burton of the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, Dr. Michel Nussenzweig at Rockefeller University in New York, Dr. Gary Nabel of NIAID’s Vaccine Research Center, Haynes at Duke and others have focused on rare antibodies made by 10 to 20 per cent of people with HIV that can neutralise a broad array of strains.

Researchers think a vaccine that can coax the body into making these antibodies before HIV exposure would offer a powerful foil to many forms of the virus.

Such antibodies seek out and latch on to regions of the virus that are highly “conserved,” meaning they are so critical to the virus that they appear in nearly every HIV strain. By attaching to the virus, they make it incapable of infecting other cells.

Until 2009, scientists had identified only a few broadly neutralising antibodies, but in the past few years, teams have found dozens.

So far, scientists have isolated the antibodies, identified what part of HIV they target and even know the exact shape they make, Koff said. Researchers are now using this information to design vaccines that prompt the immune system to make them.

“We’re not there yet,” Nabel said.

NIAID this month said it will spend up to $186m over the next seven years to fund the Centers for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology & Immunogen Discovery. The new consortium is focused on making vaccines that induce these protective antibodies, with major grants going to Duke and Scripps.

Nabel said no vaccine being tested today “is likely to hit it out of the park,” but many researchers do feel advances in broadly neutralising antibodies are key to developing a highly successful HIV vaccine.

“It’s really a new day when we start to think about where we are with AIDS vaccines,” Nabel said. (Reuters News.)

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Anxiety mounts over missing journalist

3:54 PM News No Comments

Described by many as easy going, hardworking, godly and amiable, Alhaji Rasak Aremu Gawat, ace Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, presenter, has been missing for more than one week. To be precise, he was declared missing penultimate Wednesday when the case was reported to the police.

Gawat, anchorman of an Islamic programme on television, was said to have left home for the office on that fateful Wednesday, but did not return home. His vehicle was later found abandoned on Apongbon Bridge, Lagos Island.

Consequent upon this, family members, relatives, friends and well wishers have continued to express fear on the possibility of finding Gawat alive, hence the declaration of daily fasting and praying for divine intervention.

The presenter’s wife, Fatimat, and son, Jubril, have sent passionate pleas to whoever might be in possession of their breadwinner to release him. Also, repeated calls to his phone line have remained unsuccessful.

The wife, in tears, begged thus: “We ask for forgiveness from whoever he might have offended unknowingly. Anyone that may have seen him should immediately, kindly, contact the nearest police station or better still the family members or any NTA office for appropriate action.”

Last week, Lagos State House of Assembly, led by Rt Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji, directed the police to find Gawat. Meanwhile, the General Manager of Lagos State Traffic Managing Agency, LASTMA, Engr. Babatunde Edu, has explained how the agency recovered the abandoned vehicle of the missing television presenter on Apongbon Bridge.

According to him, a black colour Toyota SUV with number plate RE 77 AAA was discovered on the Eko Bridge inward Apongbon around 11:45pm on Tuesday night by LASTMA officials led by the Zonal Head, Mr Akinpelu Ayuba, while conducting safety checks on the bridge in order to ensure that no impediments were left unattended to on the bridge as a result of abandoned or broken down vehicle. The vehicle was parked very close to the kerb with no visible sign of hit from other motorists except thatthe hazard light of the vehicle was on and the four doors were locked.

He added: “Thinking that the unknown occupant (s) had run out of fuel and had gone to source for same or in dire need of assistance, the dedicated officers, in order to ensure the safety of the occupant (s) and also render assistance if need be, formed a search group to look out for the vehicle occupant(s)”.

Edu said the search went on for over one hour with no trace of the occupant(s). In order to guard against stealing of the vehicle and to ensure that other road users did not run into the vehicle in the darkness of night, the black jeep, according to him, was towed, in the early hours of Wednesday, to bthe themselves Olowu Zone of the agency’s office in Lagos Island.

He continued: “On Wednesday, the base officer of the Zone, Mrs Ganiat Ijaoba, while conducting routine checks on all impounded vehicles, discovered, through the side glass (as the doors were locked), that the passenger seat of the jeep had some religious stuff such as Qurans, Islamic materials, documents and complimentary cards that had Gawat Communications written on them, A distant relative of Gawat who is also an official of the agency and familiar with the vehicle contacted the family.

“Later, Gawat’s wife, Fatimat, and three other men appeared at the Zone, and later joined by the police led by the Divisional Police Officer of Adeniji Central Police Station, Lagos Island, Lagos, Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, Monday Agbonnika. On their arrival, a duplicate key was brought out in the presence of LASTMA officials with an attempt to open the jeep, after several unsuccessful attempts. According to Edu, the first son of the victim, Jubril, invited a panel beater who forcefully opened the car doors in the presence of his mother, officials and relatives.

“After the doors were opened, Jibril entered the jeep to source for some documents which were observed to be missing together with his phone. Several unsuccessful calls were made to the victim’s phone. Subsequently, t he team consisting of Mrs. Gawat, other members of the family, officials of LASTMA and the police later visited the scene where the vehicle was initially towed”.

Worried by the development, Governor Babatunde Fashola has appealed to residents and well meaning Nigerians who have information regarding the whereabouts of Gawat to come forward with it.

Fashola, who made the appeal while speaking to newsman, said that such information will aid investigation by the police and the state government on the issue. The governor added: “So, anybody who has any information that may lead us to him, let us know. My number is 08034301122”.

Vanguard News

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Fashion means suitability — Ijeoma Ubosi

3:36 PM Fashion/Lifestyle No Comments

Ijeoma Ubosi
| credits:

I just love leather!

I am in love with shoes and bags. As an undergraduate in a university in England, I had started travelling to America to bring in shoes and bags. I had a passion for it even though I trained as a pharmacist with a first class from the University of Bath, United Kingdom. I stopped practising in 1997 when I moved back to Nigeria.

Why I dumped pharmacy

When I returned home in the late 90s, pharmacists were not getting the necessary recognition. Besides, the trade was not regulated because anybody could open a corner shop and call it a pharmacy (or chemist in local parlance). Then, it was not financially rewarding to practise because anybody could pretend to be one. Now, it is more interesting to practise. I hope to go back to pharmacy when I am much older (maybe when I clock 50, which is in about 10 years).

Again, my love for leather

I started from one small shop but I have six shops now. Nigerians are very fashionable and do not want to be left behind. Those facts translated to good business for me.

The name, Kontessa

It came from my husband, who just coined it and it stuck. For my entrepreneurial spirit, I got that from my father, who has been in the business since the early 70s. He actually went to Harvard Business School.

Challenge

The importation of shoes has been banned. This makes it costly and there is no thriving leather goods manufacturing sector in this country. Having a factory for leather shoes? No. I deal in high end quality goods. To get the expertise and equipment to produce shoes of my clients’ standard could be nearly impossible in Nigeria. Technologically, we still have a long way to go.

Leisure

I like to stay at home because I work very hard. I relax with my family either at home or we go on outings. Socialising? I have a home and business to tend to but I try to be reasonable about it.

To be a successful entrepreneur

You need hard work. You have to be up and doing, focused and don’t ever think of giving up. It has worked for me and it can work for any other person with the right attitude.

My style

Fashion to me, is suitability. It is not necessarily what is in vogue. I like to wear what I am comfortable in and what looks good on me. That is my style. You should consider your body shape and wear what is appropriate. I like a lot of dresses and I like pants also. I am not one, who would be clad in traditional attire but I like bold colours.

Family life

I have been married for 15 years to Chris Ubosi, the CEO of Megaletrix, owners of Classic FM, Beat FM and Naija FM. We have three children- a 15-year-old boy, 10 and 5 year old girls. I am from Anambra State and I will be 40 by the end of the year. I met my husband in the village in 1992 at a ceremony. We just took it off from there and today, the rest is history.

Striking a balance

Not easy but God has been my strength. I handle it in such a way that things do not clash. I pay adequate attention to my husband, children and business such that no one is left feeling deprived.

Keeping fit

I work out and eat healthy.

Fashion accessory I can die for

I love bags and I spend a lot of money on that. I love Chanel in particular because every bag from that stable is timeless and will serve you for years.

BY KEMI LAWAL

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Prezzo betrayed me – Goldie

3:15 PM Entertainment No Comments

Nigeria’s last representative at the Big Brother Africa StarGame, Goldie has been under heavy criticism for the past few weeks, following her activities, while she lasted in the reality show. The singer who was evicted on Sunday, July 15, 2012 arrived Nigeria Wednesday night and was at a press briefing on Thursday where she addresses all issues concerning her quest in South Africa, comparing herself to other entertainers most especially Beyonce who according to her, is an opposite of what she represent on stage.

She also tendered an unreserved apology to Nigerians, saying that the speculation about her character and activity in the house were far from the truth. “I didn’t go to BBA house as Goldie, she actually went there as Susan. ‘Personally, I didn’t go there with any strategy, I went in there to be myself. I went into the house as Susan…I have two facets to myself, on the TV, I am the entertainer and in the BBA house, I was Susan that’s me.’

Hear her story…

Everything that happened between you and Prezzo, would you say it was a strategy you used or your real self because it did not go down well with a lot of your fans.?

First of all, going into a place like Big Brother house, where you come in contact with people you don’t know, people you have never met before in your life. Personally, I didn’t go into the house to perform, I went there as Susan. I went into the house to be myself , I went there as an individual, and I didn’t go there to perform on stage as Goldie. I went there as Susan.

Secondly, I’m a true Lagosian, and as an artiste and songwriter who should be able to convey emotions through her music to her fans.

And if you are not an emotional person, you cannot write a good song that people can relate with at the emotional level. So, being emotional is an integral part of who I am. Fortunately, my fans get to know that I’m a human being as well, and not only Goldie, they used to watch on screen. They just saw the human side of me and this is very positive thing because when I write my song people can relate with my emotion.

Talking about strategy, I went into the house without any strategy. And as for my relationship with Prezzo, I am an extra emotional person and as for Prezzo, I came to care for him very much. What I saw was that he was a calm person and he appeared intelligent. You had the option of 50 cameras, I had only two eyes and two ears and I believed in what I saw

What did you miss most, while you were in the BBA house?

*Goldie and Prezzo

I missed a lot of things, I missed my music because I’m a performer, I perform to make people happy. Also, communication with my family and my beloved ones.

Your brand name as Goldie is at stake after your outing at this year’s BBA, how do you intend to manage your music career. Do you want to come back as Susan that people have seen, or your brand name -Goldie?

I’m a human being. I have two faces to myself. What you see at home is the entertainer, and what you saw at home in the BBA is Susan. Every artiste has two faces. Beyonce, for example when you see her on stage doing all those things, she is in control of the situation, she’s confident and remain herself. You can imagine what is like at home in her quiet time.

Granting interviews, her voice is so soft, and sometimes, she doesn’t like to speak. You never get to see that side of her life because she would not be in the BBA house. Imagine late Michael Jackson dancing on stage and doing all those stuff. In his quiet time, he was a soft-spoken human being.

All artistes that I know are people who are opposite of what they are while on stage. I’m sorry if people expected the Goldie they see on television everyday to be in that house. I tend my unreserved apology to Nigerians. But honestly, one couldn’t go on everyday without breaking down because that is not how I am at home. Personally I went there to be myself

When you realised that the man you gave(Prezzo) your heart was the one that stabbed you at the back, did you feel disappointed, betrayed or disillusioned?

Prior to my participating in this year’s BBA, I have been a very big fan of the reality show. BBA is a strong platform to fame, and unfortunately, due to the nature of my work, I have never been glued to my television set to watch the reality show. So, I went into the house as a novice because I have never seen a single episode of the show. When I heard everything he said, I was sad but I realise he went into the house to play a game which I didn’t. I have learnt my lesson and I am stronger for it.

What will happen to your relationship with Prezzo, especially now that you have been evicted?

No one knows tomorrow, when I was entering BBA house I never knew that I was not going to stay till the end of the show. But one thing I know is that I’m someone who does not hold grudges. Nobody knows why you fall in love with someone. You see something in someone you feel you can connect with.

Where you surprise when you were evicted from the house?

Was I surprise? Yes, because when IK showed me the nomination, everybody had six, eight nominations, but I had only two. At that point, I started wondering that how can I with the least nomination survive eviction. I was very surprise because I did not see it coming at all.

Though I had the highest votes, the problem was that didn’t cut across the continent. My country voted for me. I had 15,000 votes, while the second person, Tieta had 13,000 votes. But his votes were spread across six countries of Africa, while mine was only my country and Liberia.

Assuming you won the show, what would you have used the money for?

Invest in property as well in education. I love to establish a school as a way of giving back to the society.

While you were in the house, you found it difficult to open up yourself properly. Why was it so?

My moral upbringing or background didn’t allow me to express certain things in the house. Those things doesn’t appeal to me as a person. That’s not how I was brought up.

Everybody saw when I asked Prezzo why he was separated from his wife for over two years. And I even asked him if was sure that he wouldn’t want to reconcile with his wife because of his child. I remember it was the early stage of our stay in the house. And he replied, saying that he had wanted to reconcile with her, he would have done that two years ago. But now, he would never go back to her.

Are sure Prezzo will not miss you?

Why will he miss? Prezzo was playing a game, and I wasn’t. So, why do you think he will miss me?

What are the qualities that you saw in Prezzo that made you to fall in love with him?

(screamed!) fall in love? If I was in love with him, I would have been all over him, kissing and hugging him. Also, I would have been doing all the things that lovers do with him. I wasn’t all over him, and more over, I only cared for him.

Could you share some of the experiences you had while in the house?

Exciting and memorable. I enjoyed being part of the housemates because I met people from other African countries. I learnt their culture and music, even their national anthems. I leant how to be tolerant and courageous. I’m the only housemates that won the head of the house for three consecutive times.

Now that you are back, what’s the next level for you?

I want to continue with my music. Obviously, I left a lot of things to go into the BBA house. So, I’m going to continue on my tour, put up a studio and hopefully record about my experience in the house. I want to do collaboration with African artistes. That is uppermost in my mind. I have met a lot of artistes now, and mindset is broaden when it comes to African music. I want to record and do collaborations with African artistes.

By Benjamin Njoku

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Italy still major destination for human traffickers – NAPTIP

2:43 PM News No Comments

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has said Italy remains the leading destination for human traffickers in Nigeria.

The agency also said countries in the Eastern Europe like Ukraine and Slovenia have become major destinations.

The NAPTIP’s spokesperson, Mr. Arinze Orakwe, told our correspondent on the telephone that the higher the number of trafficked persons, the greater the challenge of the agency.

He said, “Even though it is difficult to know which countries are the major destinations of human traffickers in Nigeria as victims are found in almost every country, Italy has been a leading country where the victims are exposed to prostitution.”

On some rescue missions, Orakwe said, “NAPTIP’s last rescue mission was to Mali, where we evacuated 100 victims. Each rescue mission costs an average of N25m. Most times, we charter an aircraft to convey them because the traffickers have formed rings and networks. The victims can be violent and we usually try to preserve their rights.”

He explained that more funds were expended on accommodation, transportation, food and medicals, adding that travel certificates issued and medical screening were conducted on the victims to avoid the spread of diseases.

Orakwe further said the agency had suspended the evacuation from other countries until a new strategy was designed with the office of the National Security Adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigeria Immigration Service.

BY LEKE BAIYEWU

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Baby Destiny with two holes in the heart needs N2 million to live

2:30 PM Health, News No Comments

The birth of a child brings not only joy to the immediate family but also peace in the community. For instance, in some parts of Nigeria like Igbo land, the birth of a child brings unity and settles quarrels among friends, enemies and neighbours.

But when this most sought after gift comes with a price, neither the mother of the child nor the father, relations and friends can sleep with their two eyes closed. Worse still, the condition is complicated when the couple is faced with the challenge of resources to tackle the life-threatening situation.

This is exactly the situation Mr & Mrs Godwin Aboh are facing. Their 15-month old baby, Destiny, is down with two large holes in the heart, a condition experts at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), say if nothing is done pretty fast, the baby may not live to celebrate his second birthday. And Destiny’s case is a bit complicated than what could be taken care of here in Nigeria. He needs N2 million for a life-saving surgery in India. Unfortunately his parents cannot afford it.

The couple already had a travelling passport obtained for Destiny for possible medical trip in India last Monday when they visisted the Vanguard Corporate Head Office, Apapa, Lagos. Sadly, securing a passport was far from the issue at stake. Where is the money? This is the one million dollar question this young couple has long been searching for an answer to four days after the birth of Destiny at Zoligan Hospital, Ajegunle, Lagos.

Destiny

A year and three months after, nothing substantial has been done to reduce Destiny’s suffering. Having to take care of the baby is difficult as he cries all day. Some times he loses consciousness. It is so bad that you even think he was dead.
At 15 months (a year and three months), Destiny cannot sit or play like every other child. His breathing is abnormal. He only feeds on milk. He consumes at least three tins of milk in two days.

Destiny is said to have been born with a congenital heart disease. According to an echocardiogram report from LASUTH, signed by Dr. B. A Animasahun, a consultant paediatric cardiologist, the baby has large perimembranous vascular disease, VSD, with posterior upper muscular extension, moderate sized PDAL- R and severe PAH. By this result, Destiny requires urgent medical attention.

He cannot feed like every other child; even as essential as breast milk is to babies, he has never had a taste of it due to ill health. He only feeds on milk. His father, a contract security officer with Cardinal Security, can no longer cope with the baby’s exorbitant hospital and feeding bills. .

The mother, Anna, who confessed to have fainted when the result of the echo test was broken to her, said: “I lost consciousness immediately the news was broken to me because I know the kind of work my husband does and definitely that cannot afford the hospital bill not to talk of our feeding.

“The meagre salary of my husband before now was not able to sustain us and our two other children. Our survival till this moment remains a miracle. Since the diagnosis, we have been running from pillar to post to raise money; all we get is promises, but, according to the doctors at LASUTH, we have little time.

“We have been to Kanu Heart Foundation where we were told that the list of awaiting patients is long and that if we want to wait, it may take two to three years before it will get to our turn. It was then we knew there was no hope. We have also been to many other Foundations but help seems not to be coming our way. Then, we decided to come to Vanguard to appeal to Nigerians to help us save the life of our son.”

The husband, Godwin, continued from there. According to him, it all began like a child’s play. He told Sunday Vanguard that Destiny’s condition started the day after they were discharged after his birth. Destiny’s health condition started like fever.

According to medical science, some babies are born with such congenital defects. The Aboh family was able to recognise the medical implications even though they do not have the resources to take care of the baby.

Appealing to Nigerians, corporate organisations, philanthropists and the governor of his home state of Benue, Gabriel Suswam, to come to their aid, Godwin said: “It has been a tough situation for us. Only the feeding and drugs that are changed every two weeks have consumed all my life savings. I appeal to Nigerians, corporate organisations and Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola to please save my child. I want my baby to live but how do I do it if I don’t get help? Doctors are saying that we are running out of time.”

If you are touched by the story of Destiny, please contact Mr & Mrs Godwin Aboh on 08051517256 or 08057033128

By CHIOMA OBINNA

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My rise to fame unexpected – Davido

2:26 PM Entertainment No Comments

He is just 19 years, yet he looms larger than life. In less than two years of his entry into the music industry, David Adedeji Adeleke a.k.a. Davido has become one of the most celebrated musicians in the country.

He shares his story with Vanguatd Entertainment Editor, OGBONNA AMADI.

The last time I saw you on stage was at the finals of the Nigerian Idol. Between then and now, so many things have changed, can you explain why?

Jesus. If I could explain, then I’d be lying because everything happened fast. But one thing I’d always tell myself is that; I remember exactly a year ago at Eko Hotel. I was at Ice Prince’s album launch and I told myself that I too must do same thing. So I had to work hard.

I’ve been working hard and prayed for God to bless me with hit songs because I know that when you have God and support like good structures, then, everything will fall in place. To me, whoever God wants to blow will blow.

This whole thing; did you expect it to be this big?

I didn’t expect it to be this big at all. When I first started in the industry, I used to tell myself that I don’t want to be too big. I just want to be in the industry and don’t want to be known too much. But after some time, I started getting bigger and people could recognize me anywhere I go. It’s just crazy. It comes with a lot of benefits though. Like at first, my father didn’t want me to go into music. But now, anywhere both of us go, people call him Baba Omo Olowo.

So, he didn’t want you to go into music?

No he didn’t. He was 100% against me. He just wanted me to focus on education. But after my music became big, he goes to parties and hears my songs. With this music I have been traveling everywhere; I traveled to like seven countries in just six months.

With just one song?

Yes.

What has changed?

(laughs). My house…

You just bought a new car…

Yes. What has also changed is that people take me more serious now. At first, my family didn’t take me serious but now, they do. I feel I now have a job, a profession. So it feels really good that I’m doing something where I make money from.

How did it all start?

It started about two years ago at Atlanta Georgia, I was schooling in America for about two years

Studying what?

I was studying Business Administration and I remember when I came home for Christmas one December, I saw how crazy the industry was getting and I was amazed. I saw the likes of D’banj, Wande Coal, P-Square getting shows for millions. I knew I’m also talented too so I decided to give it a try. So I came back to the country. But when I came back, it was very rough for me. My dad was against my music

*Davido

You left school?

Yes. I left school in America

To follow your dream

Yes. But I’m back in school running a part- time programme. One thing I told my dad was that even if I’m not in school, he should allow me do part-time. So that’s what I’m doing now. So when I moved back, it was hard for me. I survived by chilling with Shank, Wande Coal, D’banj and even Don Jazzy who supported me until I dropped my first single. I couldn’t go back home then.

You couldn’t go back home?

It’s not as if I couldn’t go back home. I wasn’t at home. If I was at home, I’d have to be in school. So that’s why my dad and I were not on speaking terms for like a month. But one day, he just called me and told me he wouldn’t want to take my dreams away from me.

He said he dreamt that music is my dream and told me that if I have to do it, then I have to do it right. He challenged me to make it big. And I can say he’s one of my biggest fans now.

You wrote the song?

Yes.

What inspired that song?

I was trying to tell folks like my dad not to stop me from doing my music because everybody was trying to stop me.

Are you sure you are not into this for the money?

No it’s not for the money. I don’t know what happened, I remember when we recorded that song, my house was quiet for like two days because the song touched everyone in my family. Everyone, including our cook all said the song was going to blow. I played it for my dad and he told me it’s a hit. So we dropped it around late November. And from then, I can’t even remember what happened, because so much has happened so fast.

But it was a slow start initially…

Yes. It was a slow start. But like I said, I don’t know what happened. If I have to start explaining, I’d be lying. It’s all God’s doing.

So how do people see you on the street?

It’s crazy. At every show I go to, I have like sixty to seventy Area Boys following me and my car. Every where I go people want to have handshakes with me, some would say “Davido I love you,” some would just want to touch me.

How do you control the girls?

I’ve always been getting girls even before music. But it’s always about self control and knowing what you want to do. You can have fun everyday if you choose to. But at the end of the day, you know what you have to do.

So what’s been the most embarrassing moment for you with girls and the fans?

It was my picture that went viral. The one that showed up in Ghana.

Was it really your picture?

Yes.

So why did you let down your guard?

I was sleeping, when the photographs were taken and that’s it.

And what did you do to the girl after that?

Nothing.

Is she still with you?

I don’t know where she is.

Thought you are signed on to D’banj’s label, now you’re talking about HKN. Is that also D’banj’s label?

D’banj and I work together but HKN is my label. We recorded the album on HKN label

What’s HKN?

Hakkan in Arabics meaning King Of Kings. It’s mine and my brother’s label. D’banj and I are business partners and he’s my big brother.

So you’re not signed unto his label?

Wait and see.

Surprises?

Just wait and see.

But you’re doing it with Flytime. Why did you choose Flytime?

Because Cecil promised he’s going to do my album launch if I could get him a hit record. I promised him I was going to come back to him with deal; a hit record. Today it’s a deal come true.

And you have a new one, Ekuro?

Yes.

Beautiful song

God bless you

But it’s not particularly new. It’s like a folk song from somewhere…

Yes. I was in the car one day with my consultant and he was playing some old school songs. When I heard it, I thought about doing something in that direction. So I just put it in my own way.

So what do we expect on Sunday?

It’s going to be crazy. Expect it to be one of the greatest shows in Lagos ever. We’ve planned for it from acting to everything. It’ll feature acts like Tuface, P-Square, D’banj and everyone that counts in the game.

What’s growing up like?

I wouldn’t say growing up was sweet but thank God I have wonderful parents who brought me up. My mum passed away when I was ten. So from then, it was just my father and I

He never re-married?

Yes, he re-married.

You schooled in Lagos?

Yes for some time and then went to America for two years for my University until I decided to come back.

So why did you decide to shoot your new video Ekuro in America and not in Lagos?

I went to America because I want my music to be international. Right now I’m planning to shoot my next video in Sudan

Why Sudan?

You’ll know when the video comes out.

Do you have a visa to Sudan?

When we get to the bridge we’ll find a way across. I’m an American citizen remember

Why did you choose Sudan?

Because there are deserts there.

What message are you trying to pass across with such video?

You’ll see it.

Now, how many tracks do you have in your new album?

I have about seventeen tracks

…And you worked with how many producers?

I worked with five of them, big names like Chizee, J Sleek, Dr. Frabz, myself and one other person.

How many collabos?

About four- with May D, Tuface, Naeto C and myself

Has anything changed in the music industry since you came on board?

I’ve only been here for a year. The technology is growing. We have things like Twitter, Facebook and different things, that were not there in the past

I need to know what happened that led to your being slapped by a policeman?

Nothing really happened. I was just on my bed going through the internet and I saw the story. I was amazed. I didn’t get slapped.

You weren’t anywhere around there?

No. I wasn’t. I was in Lagos but the story said I was in Abuja.

So how did that make you feel?

I don’t care because it didn’t happen but people would always talk.

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