2015: New game plan in Kwara

 

 •Olusola Saraki

 

The recent renaming of the Ilorin Golf Course by the Kwara State Government may have thrown up new political calculations ahead the 2015 general elections, reports Remi Adelowo

The recent decision by Abdulfatah Ahmed-led government of Kwara State to rename the Ilorin Golf Course in honour of the former governor of the state, the late Mohammed Alabi Lawal, has been described as both a political masterstroke and a careful strategy to cement plans for 2015 elections. This is because it has not only opened up avenues for political reconciliations but has tactically ended one of the bitterest political battles in the recent history of the state.  

The battle in question was one political battle that was fought with all the arsenals at the disposal of the combatants. Nothing was spared in this ‘war’ for the soul of Kwara politics. 

Pitched in the contest was the patriarch of the state politics, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, backed by his son, Bukola, and their array of die-hard supporters versus the then sitting governor of the state, Mohammed Alabi Lawal.

The elder Saraki, whose word was law as far as the state politics is concerned, had almost singlehandedly installed Lawal as governor in 1999 under the platform of the former All Peoples Party, now All Nigeria Peoples Party. The relationship between Saraki and Lawal was nothing but smooth at the beginning. Lawal deferred to Saraki almost without question.

But as in most relationships involving political godfathers and their godsons, a crisis of confidence soon put a sharp wedge between Saraki and Lawal. The situation got even worse in the run down to the 2003 general elections, as Saraki, felt slighted by Lawal’s alleged ‘effrontery to assert himself as governor. So, the Kwara state political godfather vowed to scuttle Lawal’s second term ambition.

Lawal, a retired Rear Admiral of the Nigerian Navy, was prepared for the battle. Fully conscious of the fact that he was up against a formidable foe, sources in the know said he deployed both the state and party machinery in a desperate bid to consign his godfather into political irrelevance.

So bitter was the acrimony between the erstwhile political soul mates that Lawal, determined to wrestle the control of his party machinery, forced Saraki to abandon the party and subsequently berthed at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Elections over, leaving traits of bruises on both sides, Lawal finally lost out. The elder Saraki’s son, Abubakar Bukola, was elected governor. Despite feeble attempts to stay relevant, Lawal never recovered from his fall from power until he passed on some years ago.

His demise left his political camp in disarray, while his party, ANPP, has never fully regained its pride of place in the state. For about eight years, Lawal’s key supporters, led by his son- in-law, Razak Lawal, have also made several attempts to rise from political obscurity, but without much headway.

That, however, may soon be a thing of the past, if a recent development in the state of harmony is anything to go by. In a surprise move that has been described as a deft political masterstroke, the state government some days ago, announced the renaming of the prestigious Ilorin Golf Course after the late Mohammed Lawal.

The decision, made public by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, and believed to have been sanctioned by Dr. Bukola Saraki, now the acknowledged new leader of the state politics, has drawn comments from political commentators from within and outside the state.

The decision though may appear simply as a reconciliation agenda on the surface, sources revealed that it was more of a strategic move by Saraki and the PDP to forge new alliances in the preparations for the 2015 general elections.

The move, The Nation further learnt, is to ensure that Kwara Central, which, prior to the 2003 elections, was sharply divided along cultural, political and traditional lines, unites behind the Saraki political camp. Both Lawal and the Sarakis hail from Ilorin in Kwara Central.

Already, feelers from the Lawal camp indicate that the renaming of the Golf Course was more than welcome. Days after the announcement was made, loyalists of late Lawal, led by Alhaji Saadu Suleiman Are, National President of the Afonja Descendants Union, Alhaji Olola Kasumu, the union’s secretary, Alhaji Isiaka Amao and former Commissioner for Special Duties, Razak Lawal, paid a thank you visit to Bukola Saraki, who represents Kwara Central at the Senate at his Ilorin GRA residence.

After the end of the visit, they paid glowing tributes to Saraki for showing political maturity, describing him as a ‘leader of substance’ who has all it takes to take the state to the next level. Owolabi also disclosed that one of the wishes of Lawal before he died was to reconcile with the elder Saraki, adding that they were only carrying out the ‘wish’ of their leader.

What hope for the opposition?

The modest inroad gained by the major opposition party in the state, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), at the 2011 general elections may have been the beginning of wisdom for the ruling party in the state.

With strong indications that the ACN governorship candidate in the last elections, Mohammed Dele Belgore, may throw his hat into the ring once again in 2015, the PDP, according to insiders, is not leaving anything to chance to retain the control of the state in the next elections.

Barcelona seal Song’s deal

Arsenal have agreed terms with Barcelona for the transfer of midfielder Alex Song to the Spanish side.

The 24-year-old Cameroon international will now travel to the Nou Camp to agree personal terms and undergo a medical, Arsenal announced in a statement on their website.

Barcelona confirmed in a statement the fee for Song will be 19 million euros (£15m).

The Barcelona statement read, “Barcelona have agreed a deal with Arsenal for the transfer of Alex Song to the Nou Camp. The fee is 19 million euros.

“The Cameroon international midfielder will sign for the next five seasons with a release clause of 80 million euros.

“On Monday he’ll have a medical and then join the rest of the squad for the official team presentation at the Joan Gamper Trophy.”

If he completes his move to Barca, Song would become the Primera Division club’s second major signing of the summer after the capture of Spain full-back Jordi Alba from Valencia.

Song would also be following a well-worn path to Barca, with Marc Overmars, Emmanuel Petit, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Thierry Henry, Alexander Hleb and Cesc Fabregas having all moved from Arsenal to the Nou Camp during Wenger’s reign.

Wenger revealed Song had been keen on a move away from Emirates Stadium. Speaking after Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Sunderland, Wenger said, “He expressed a desire to go to Barcelona.

“It is frustrating, we have learnt to deal with that. I believe as well that the financial potential of some clubs is massive and that makes a difference.”

Di Matteo vows Blues won’t be held to ransom

Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo insists his club won’t be forced to pay over the odds by rivals looking to take advantage of billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.

Di Matteo had hoped to sign Wigan forward Victor Moses in time for this weekend’s opening round of Premier League matches, but instead the Nigerian will line up against the European champions when they travel to the DW Stadium on Sunday.

Wigan owner Dave Whelan has angered Chelsea by talking publicly about their negotiations over Moses in a bid to drive up the 21-year-old’s transfer fee.

Whelan claims Chelsea may lose Moses to a rival bidder unless they stop messing about, but Di Matteo, who has also been frustrated in his attempts to sign Porto forward Hulk and Marseille right-back Cesar Azpilicueta, is adamant Abramovich won’t be held to ransom.

The Russian has already sanctioned £60 million ($94.1m) worth of spending on Eden Hazard, Oscar and Marko Marin since the end of last season, but he won’t let other clubs take advantage of his desire to rebuild Di Matteo’s squad.

“I think that goes for many teams, not just for us. We’re not going to pay over the top,” Di Matteo said on Friday.

“What we think is the real value for a player, we have paid.”

Di Matteo also refused to be drawn on any developments in Chelsea’s interest in Moses, Hulk and Azpilicueta, saying, “There won’t be anybody coming in for Sunday.”

Moses may not relish the prospect of playing against a club he could be joining before the transfer window closes on August 31, but Di Matteo knows Chelsea’s defenders will still have to keep a close eye on their potential signing.

“We’ve played against him before – we know very well what ability he has,” he said. “He’s a young, talented guy… that plays for Wigan.”

Di Matteo wouldn’t say if

Chelsea ‘hurt’ over poor EPL campaign

John Obi Mikel has revealed how Chelsea’s joy at their greatest ever season was tainted by the “hurt” of finishing so far off the pace in the Barclays Premier League.

And the Blues midfielder declared he and his team-mates were determined to slash the 25-point gap to Manchester City and Manchester United in one fell swoop this term and mount a genuine title challenge.

Chelsea spent almost the whole of last season teetering on the brink of their worst campaign since Roman Abramovich bought the club, before ultimately securing an amazing Champions League and FA Cup double.

For some, that rendered their sixth-place finish in the Premier League – by far their worst of the Abramovich era – largely meaningless, but not for a squad used to competing for and winning the title.

Mikel said, “It hurts us that it was such a big gap last season. We spoke about it. We don’t want that to repeat itself.”

He added, “We don’t want a repeat of last season when we slipped out of the top four but, for us, the top four is not the target.

“The most important thing is to win the trophy. We want to regain the trophy.”

Chelsea have certainly made a statement of intent on that front in the amount they have spent this summer, but they will need all the new players they can get in a season that sees them compete for silverware on seven fronts.

One of those trophies has already slipped away after they were beaten by champions City in Sunday’s Community Shield.

But what was a fourth successive defeat in the build-up to tomorrow’s Premier League opener at Wigan did not faze Mikel.

He said, “We’re on the right track and if we keep doing what we’re doing now, we’ll be fine this season.

“It’s going to be a long season. It’s going to be too many games.

“It’s about how you cope with it, how you manage the players and how you get through the games.”

He added, “We want to defend the Champions League, we want to win the Premier League and, hopefully, we want to challenge for every cup.”

That could be made more difficult as Chelsea gradually try to implement a more attractive style of play and finally bring the best out of Fernando Torres.

“You can see Fernando fitting into the way we want to play and hopefully he can do the job,” said Mikel, who did not believe there would be a major change of approach.

“This is what we demand from him. This season, I hope he scores more goals for us.”

In the Community Shield, Torres began this season as he ended the last, with a goal, and Mikel added, “We hope he’s regained his confidence and that, during the season, he will come back and become the Torres we all know.

“There’s no doubt about it, he’s put in effort every day in training and you can see that in his game. Hopefully, it’s just a matter of things working out for him.

“When he has the chances and puts them away, I think everyone in the team will love him.”

Clifford Orji dies in Kirikiri Prison

Alleged cannibal and 12 years inmate of Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Clifford Orji, has died of unknown causes.

Prison authorities said Orji died Friday morning and the cause of death is unknown; but an autopsy is being performed.

The PUNCH had reported on April 13, 2012, that Orji’s health was deteriorating due to the refusal of psychiatric hospitals to take him in.

The Deputy Comptroller of the prison, Mr. Noel Ailewon, had said Orji was in a bad state and had gone completely mad.

“Orji’s health is getting worse. He has gone completely mad, vomiting and even defecating without restraint and is naked most of the time” he said

The Director of Office of the Public Defender, Mrs. Omotola Rotimi, had said during a visit to evaluate the number of Awaiting Trial Persons that following a court order, Orji was taken to two Psychiatric hospitals for treatment but had been rejected.

“Initially, we took Orji to Yaba Psychiatric Hospital but was rejected because they claimed they did not have long-term medical facilities. Subsequently, he was taken to another hospital in Ewekoro but was similarly rejected” she said.

It was learnt that due to this challenge, Orji, who was 46-years-old, could not stand trial in court.

The Attorney-General of the state, Mr. Ade Ipaye, had said Orji’s case was stalled due to the impediments, adding that unless Orji received proper medical attention, he would not stand trial.

“Orji is mentally disturbed and no hospital is accepting him. Unfortunately, one cannot be tried mentally stable, so, he’s stuck in the middle. All we can do now is find help for him” he said.

Orji was arrested in February 1999 by the police under the bridge along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. He was subsequently charged before an Ebute-Meta Magistrate’s Court on 19 February but was never tried.

The acting Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Prison command, Mr. Biyi Jeje, confirmed Orji’s death to our correspondent on the telephone.

“As at Thursday, Orji was fine but on Friday morning, he died in his sleep. The cause of his death is still unknown but an autopsy is being performed,” he said.

Jeje confirmed that Orji was rejected by many mental health facilities in the country and maintained that the prisons authorities did all it could to manage his illness.

“We took Orji to many health facilities but he was rejected time and time again. I don’t know why they rejected him but we did all we could to manage his illness”, he said.

Scientists raise the alarm over global warming

Arctic sea ice is melting at a faster rate than previously believed, a group of scientists have claimed.

The European Space Agency say that new satellites they are using have revealed that 900 cubic kilometres of ice have disappeared over the last year. This is 50 per cent higher than the current estimates from environmentalists, they claim. It is suggested that the increase is down to global warming and rising greenhouse gas emissions.

The entire region could be eventually free of ice if the estimates prove accurate. This would trigger a ‘gold rush’ for oil reserves and fish stocks in the region.

‘Preliminary analysis of our data indicates that the rate of loss of sea ice volume in summer in the Arctic may be far larger than we had previously suspected,’ Dr Seymour Laxon, of the Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling at University College London (UCL), where CryoSat-2 data is being analysed, told the Observer.

The scientists launched the CryoSat-2 probe in 2010 specifically to study ice thickness. Until then most studies had focused on the coverage of the ice.

Submarines were also sent into the water to analyse the ice. The methods are said to have given a picture of changes in the ice around the North Pole since 2004.

The study revealed that the depth of ice had also been decreasing in addition to the amount of sea it stretched across.

Data from the exploration shows that in winter 2004, the volume of sea ice in the central Arctic was approximately 17,000 cubic km. This winter it was 14,000 km, according to CryoSat. The amount of ice in summer 2004 was said to be 13,000 km and now it is 7,000.

Professor Chris Rapley of UCL added, ‘Before CryoSat, we could see summer ice coverage was dropping markedly in the Arctic.

‘But we only had glimpses of what was happening to ice thickness. Obviously if it was dropping as well, the loss of summer ice was even more significant.’

The findings come after a study released earlier this month from the University of Copenhagen claimed that Greenland’s ice is less vulnerable than feared to a runaway melt that would drive up world sea levels.

‘It is too early to proclaim the ‘ice sheet’s future doom’ caused by climate change’, lead author Kurt Kjaer wrote in a statement of the findings in the journal Science.

An examination of old photos taken from planes revealed a sharp thinning of glaciers in north-west Greenland from 1985 to 1993, the experts in Denmark, Britain and the Netherlands wrote.

Another pulse of ice loss in the area lasted from 2005 to 2010.

The discovery of fluctuations casts doubt on projections that Greenland could be headed for an unstoppable meltdown, triggered by manmade global warming.

Greenland contains enough ice to raise sea levels by 7 metres (23 ft) if it all thawed.

Mixed reactions trail 2012 WASSCE results

Candidates writing the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination.

Following the release of  the May/June 2012 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results last Friday, educationists have expressed mixed reactions on whether or not the results should be a source of celebration. Despite their diverse views, they have unanimously called on the government to invest more in the education sector, MOTUNRAYO ABODERIN writes

Whether or not we should smile over the results of the 2012 May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination results has become a nagging question. Nevertheless some educationists said that the improvement, despite minimal, had shown that the education sector was on the right path to revival.

In the last four years, WASSCE results have been nothing to write home about.  

In the May/June 2009 WASSCE, the West African Education Commission said that only 25.99 per cent obtained credits and above in English Language, Mathematics and at least three other subjects.

In 2010, 317,142 candidates representing 23.71 per cent of the candidates that sat for the examination obtained five credits including English and Mathematics. In 2011, 471,474 candidates representing 30.91 per cent had five credits and above in five subjects including English and Mathematics.

According to the Head of the National Office of the West African Examinations Council, Dr. lyi Uwadiae, the percentage represents 356,981 candidates out of the total of 1,373,009 of the candidates that sat for the examination.

In this year’s 2012 WASSCE, there was an increase of about eight per cent from last year’s performance.

Uwadiae disclosed that out of the 1,672,224 candidates that sat for the examination this year, 649,156 candidates representing 38.81per cent obtained credits in five subjects and above including English Language and Mathematics.

Despite the increase, some educationist said that until Nigeria crossed over some hurdles, it might remain below the border line of 50 per cent pass rate.

The President, Parents’ Teachers’ Association, Mr. Michael Nwachukwu, said 39 per cent is an ‘F’ mark.

 He said, “It is unfortunate. This increase is nothing to be happy about. I see the slight increase as a depiction of inadequate preparation for the examination.

“Candidates of today appear to be focused on malpractice. All they want is to pass and get out of school. They don’t spend enough time reading their books because they know they can take the easy way out. If a child studies hard, he must pass. This is an unbreakable law. Children have time to browse the internet and keep up with social networks, but they don’t want to spend time on their books. For one to achieve success, there must be hard work.

“I don’t expect parents to smile over the result. Parents are to blame for the failure rate. The life of a man is spent on a child. Why do we work as parents? It is to give our children a better life.

The success of our children is also our success. Parents must begin to play their roles. The WASSCE could be better if we all perform our duties. There must be seriousness, hard work and preparation.” 

The Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos, Prof. Omotayo Fakinlede said if there had been a 90 or 100 per cent increase, then we would have cause to smile, but a 39 per cent is still a fail mark. “We have not reached anywhere. After all, if a pupil gets 39 per cent in an exam, he has failed. Any factory with a waste product of 61 per cent will run bankrupt. We are interested more in paying lip service than ensuring quality. At the Olympics, we failed to prepare, that’s why we lost. How can we prepare for three months and hope to outperform people who have been preparing for eight years. This attitude can be related to WASSCE. Pupils don’t prepare but hope to pass. It does not work.

“Even these pupils are not too bothered about their WASSCE because they know that their parents know this person that knows that person. We don’t encourage hard work. When there is no success in our schools, there is no success outside. Our nation lacks good mentorship of people who have done well for themselves. Instead, we celebrate people who dropped out of school and are now driving big cars. Our children imbibe this wrong notion and see no reason to work hard. The end product of hard work is reward. Now, our society gives reward to laziness,” he said.

But the Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers, Lagos State, Mr. Kayode Idowu, has a contrary view. In his opinion, even if 39 per cent was not high, it was fair. “This minimal increase was not our expectation, but we will do better. If more resources are made available, we would do better.  If more funds had been spent on the education sector, there would have been a better improvement.  When our government gets holistically committed to the educations sector, things would change.

“Thirty nine per cent to a teacher is failure but we should take into consideration the decadence in the sector. I believe there is a lot of room for improvement.  It is time for all stakeholders to take education seriously. When our education gets better; the country will get better,” he said.

Also, the Provost, Federal College of Education, Akoka, Lagos State, Prof.  Sijibomi Olusanya, said the increase had shown that the country was moving forward. “This increase deserves applause. It shows that the education sector is getting a revival. I hope we all continue doing what we have done to bring about this increase. I beg to be different but these children have tried their best and should be celebrated. If  we have  better facilities on ground and better teachers; I believe we can do better next year.”

Dr. Taiwo Rotimi of the Department of English, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has the same view. “I think this increase is something to celebrate. If in the past years, candidates had been doing poorly and now they do better, we should be happy. It shows the education sector has improved.

“However, teachers need to be more dedicated. This 39 per cent is a reflection of their dedication. Pupils on the other hand need to be more committed. Achieving a 50 per cent is not farfetched,” he said.

The Principal, Wellspring School, Lagos, Mrs. Olayemisi Oloriade, said attention should not be given to the increase because the education sector had not reached the point for celebration.

“There is still a lot of work to be done.  Thirty nine per cent is not good. There are some factors that need to be tackled in order to better our WASSCE result. Teachers are partly to blame for our poor results. Whenever I get the opportunity to speak to teachers, I enjoin them to either work or leave the system. The future of our children is too important to toil with. Also, school administrators need to be sure of their teachers,” she said.

Reacting to the notion that teachers were to blame for the failure rate in WASSCE, a teacher, Mr. Steven Okugbowa, said, “I disagree with that claim, because  as teachers, we are doing our best. No teacher enjoys seeing his pupils fail. These children spend eight hours with us in school out of 24 hours.

“When they get home, they spend the rest of their day browsing Facebook and other social networks. In my opinion, parents are to blame. The Internet can be useful for other things. One can access past questions, find mathematical equations, and learn new vocabulary. Nevertheless, I will applaud pupils for doing better in the WASSCE. Things can only get better from here,” he said.

 A teacher, Miss Oghenerobo Edeha, who chose not to disclose her school, said that the increase was not something to be happy about. “There is no reason to celebrate when parents pay teachers to help their children pass. To stay in business, one would have to dance to the tune of parents.   Teachers are not in any way to be blamed for the failure rate.”

Meanwhile, the former President, National Association of Proprietors, Dr. Saidu Minyinyawa, has said that this is not the time to pass blames.

He said, “We should not start passing blames and jumping to conclusions. We don’t even know if the acclaimed 39 per cent is the truth. We live in a country where one thing is said today and tomorrow, it’s changed. We deceive ourselves a lot.’’

Minyinyawa said it was time for everyone to  play their roles.

An author, Mr. Emmanuel Solarin, noted that it was time for Nigerians to change the ‘clock educational system’. ‘’This system is stressful. You have schools starting by 7am and closing by 6pm. The brains of our children are being loaded with too much information. It is work, work and work, he said.

He added, “We wonder if the stress of parents hasn’t crept into our education system. The school closing time should be earlier. Also, I see no reason why children should have extra lessons. After a long day’s work, I feel children should be left to rest, not bombarded with more information. By the time they get home, they are so tired.

“The bottom line is that if teachers are well-paid, there would  be no need for them to hold extra lessons. Most of them organise these extra lessons to augment their pay. Let us give credit to those who play a significant role in our economy and these people are teachers,” he said.

Consumer tips on buying goods and services

Global socio-economic trends these days indicate that the consumer must be more prudent in dispensing the meagre income trickling into increasingly emptying pockets. While income is shrinking daily, basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, education, health and even entertainment, are making us masters at juggling priorities and balancing budgets. The least one would expect is that the trade environment would adjust to these challenges and help stretch the  naira to maximum value. Unfortunately, various factors are colluding to make the commercial environment increasingly hostile. So as a consumer, you need to be more discerning, alert and enlightened so that you won’t end up with the current Nigerian financial dilemma of “no cash-backing for budget implementation.”

One key aspect of commercial transactions is the issue of trust between the consumer and the manufacturer or service provider. When we exchange cash for goods and services, there is an implied assumption that we trust the manufacturer enough to accept his claim that the product will meet a particular need. For instance, if you buy a television set, you assume that the manufacturer has installed a receiver that will pick up the signals of TV stations and transmit them to your home via the set so you paid for without any doubt at all. That is trust.

Unfortunately, the consumer can no longer conduct transactions naively like this as the incidences of fraudulent manufacturers and service providers abound. They capitalise on the consumer’s trust to defraud by putting sub-standard, fake and sometimes life threatening goods on the shelves for sale. This is why the Latin maxim “caveat emptor” which means “let the buyer beware”, must be your watchword when buying goods and services, especially in Nigeria where there are very weak or non-existent structures to protect the consumer from this kind of exploitation. A crash programme on protecting yourself from buying goods that will not serve you is thus necessary to get value for your ever shrinking naira in this cashless economy. The buzz word here is “warranty” or “guarantee”.

 Commerce, in trying to sustain the trust between buyer and seller, evolved the principle that the seller must commit to the veracity of his claim concerning his product or service by giving the buyer tangible additional assurance that his good or service is authentic and can be trusted, within a specified period, to deliver on its expected use or benefit. A buyer can thus rest assured that his trust in the seller’s integrity is not misplaced so he buys with confidence and peace of mind. That is a warranty.

While this principle is the global standard for trade, it is almost totally absent in our commercial environment. Nigerian consumers either do not understand they have a right to expect a warranty at point of purchase or are just too disillusioned to expect anything from the seller. This inertia unfortunately, fuels the dumping of sub-standards goods and poor services in the Nigerian market, resulting in great loss of value in the consumer’s purchasing power. While we wait for the Federal Government to put some sanity in the commercial environment, here are tips to protect you from being cheated or wasting money on sub-standard goods.

 • Have a budget: Decide how much you are willing to pay for any item or service long before going to buy it. You can compare prices in other markets via the internet to get a fair price range so you know when a product or service is overpriced.

• Always ask for a discount: Even on ‘fixed’ or advertised prices. I have a book titled “Never Pay Retail” which has eye opening tips on how to pay the least possible for the most quality. I might share some of those principles sometime on this page. I ask for discounts on bank charges like COT, super market prices, fixed prices, everything. The worst the seller can say is no but 99% of the time; I always get something off, no matter how small.

• Ask questions: Never let your tight schedules make you buy what you can’t use especially big ticket items like consumer electronics, cars, phones, etc. Engage the seller so you know what you are buying. Many times, while questioning the seller, I realize a new phone does not have the facilities to do what I need to do. A seller wants to sell so he won’t tell you unless you ask.

• Avoid buying in traffic: Suddenly, we now buy pillows, tables, blenders, and more while in traffic. This is the  surest way to buy a sub-standard product. Be honest, how many things have you bought in traffic only to find them broken, fake or overpriced? My list is endless. Let’s stop throwing money away.  If you cannot return it, don’t buy it!

• Insist on a written warranty before paying for any product or service: Retailers have this dubious clause printed on their invoices that “goods purchased in good condition cannot be refunded, returned or replaced”. That is a direct violation of your consumer rights. There is a reasonable time that a durable product is expected to last before it becomes unserviceable. It is called ‘implied warranty’ and recognised in law. I Never accept an invoice with that clause, even in the open market. The clause must be cancelled or I will not buy the product.

4 Things Every Man Wants In A Woman

#1) A Real Man Wants A Woman Who Is Playful
There's something that drives men wild and invites them into a deeper level of "connection" - play.
 
Men love to be active and to play. They were raised to express themselves and connect with those around them through action.

Unfortunately, too many women seem to forget this and want to talk their way into a man's heart. But the fact is that men don't "feel it" for you because of what you say.  It's not your words that make a man attracted to you, it's the experiences you create with him.

Watch or play sports together, be competitive in casual games like ping pong - even add a little teasing and sarcasm here and there - and you'll really ramp up the attraction and interest. 

#2) A Real Man Wants A Woman Who Is Independent
Lots of women mistakenly believe that men are looking for a "weaker" woman who will make them feel like they are smarter and more powerful.

Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Real men want a woman who inspires them because she has great things going on her own life. They want a woman who has her own purpose other than being in a relationship.
 
A great guy isn't intimidated by independence and success. What matters to a man is that a woman still has space in her life for a great relationship and is grounded and present when she's with him.

The best way to communicate this to a man is to stay busy in your own life and not suddenly make him your world.  Don't drop your own interests, responsibilities, and friends just to be with him.  And then, when you are with him, really BE with him - have fun and give your attention to him and what you're doing together.

#3) A Real Man Wants A Woman Who Is Emotionally Mature
If a man feels attracted to a woman, eventually there's going to be a situation that comes up where you and a man will see something differently and misunderstand each other.
How will you respond to this and share your feelings? 

A woman who has the maturity to not blame or criticize a man for what she's feeling, but to share her feelings in an honest and authentic way that helps a man better understand her will be attractive to a man. How a woman handles her emotions is one of the most important things men look for when deciding whether or not to get serious with a woman.  If she lets her emotions get out of control, this is a big red flag to him.

On the other hand, if she can present her feelings to him in a calm, non-dramatic manner, she will win his respect and make him feel like she's the kind of woman who will be a real partner to him.  He'll see that she can handle things with a cool head rather than becoming a damsel in distress he has to rescue.

#4) A Real Man Wants A Woman He's Intensely Attracted To
Fact: Men aren't as scared of commitment and relationships as they are scared of being in a relationship with a woman where there is no passion and attraction.
A common way women accidentally kill the attraction men might be feeling is by either trying too hard to get him to like you, or by acting like the relationship is too serious too soon.

Relax and let things happen naturally. Make sure you do and say things that interject fun and humor into your relationship from the very start.  There's nothing more appealing to a man than a great woman who knows how to relax and have fun.

You can do this through playful teasing, flirting, humor, and being unpredictable (in a good way).  For instance, instead of talking about what he does for a living when you meet him (yawn), ask him about what sports he plays and what drives him.  Once you're in a relationship, don't be afraid to shake things up.  If you normally go to brunch on Sundays, suggest something completely different like a bike ride and a picnic.  Mixing things up keeps the relationship fun for both of you, and being a woman who is open to new experiences is very attractive to him.

CAC ends 20-year leadership crisis

THE leadership crisis, which began over 20 years ago and had continued to tear the fabric of love and peace of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) apart, appears to be finally fizzling out.

The indication emerged when members of all factions expressed their readiness to come together, as demonstrated at a joint unification and prayer session held at the general headquarters of the CAC Worldwide, Ebute Elefun in Lagos.

The joint unification and prayer session was, not only a milestone success, but has been adjudged a remarkable and positive step toward total and genuine unification of all factions of the CAC.

The convener of the revival, the Movement for Divine Restoration of CAC Worldwide, under the leadership of Pastor Moses Adedoyin, could not contain its joy of having all factions— the General Executive Council, Supreme Council, including the WOSEM, representatives of past leaders of all factions, ministers of God, elders, representatives of good women society and youth leaders, gathered under one roof at the headquarters in true testimony to the CAC doctrine of “one fold, one shepherd.”

Members under the unification assembly expressed total commitment and optimism to put an end to the lingering crisis, pointing out that any true CAC member should not be left out of the crusade for peace being campaigned for by the Divine Restoration Group.

According to an elder at the unification revival service, “it is, indeed, a commendable effort, for well-meaning members of CAC to be seeking peaceful resolution of the crisis in the church of God, which can only come through the members themselves and not through imposed and selective means by the church leaders.”

Also, a representative of youth member at the service expressed his delight to have made it to the service despite being discouraged by a member of one of the factions of the church leadership.

Niamey heat scares Eagles

Stephen Keshi

The intense heat in Niamey scared the Super Eagles off training on Monday as they prepare for the friendly with the Menas of Niger Republic.

The game will hold on Wednesday but the players are worried it will hold in the afternoon when the sun will be high.

Some of the players ran off the synthetic pitch of Stade Omnisport in Niamey, venue of the training, when the heat seared their boots and skins but coach Stephen Keshi would not permit poor resistance to the condition.

Keshi had to lecture the players on the importance of the game and reminded them that the game would be played in the afternoon.

He insisted on training in the condition, which was about 33 degrees Celsius, while humidity was 46 per cent. The players therefore had to endure the training for about 75 minutes.

Keshi said after the training, “We have to endure it because we are professionals and we want to do well in the friendly and in other upcoming games.”

The game, which will be played at the Stade Gen Said Kountche in Niamey, will feature players from the Nigeria Premier League, while the Menas will have only five foreign-based players in the game.

Nigeria are using the game to prepare for the crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Lone Star of Liberia just as Niger are planning ahead of their qualifying game with Guinea in Conakry on September 8.

Meanwhile, Eagles captain Joseph Yobo is backing the team to beat their hosts tomorrow.

Yobo, who completed his transfer to Fernebahce a few days ago, said he trusted in the quality of the Nigerian players.

“I wish them good luck and a fine result because they are quite good and capable of doing what all of us in the team can do”, Eagles media officer, Ben Alaiya, quoted Yobo as saying.

“By God’s grace Nigerian will see a refreshed Joseph Yobo in the match against Liberia.”

Chukwumerije stays back to reflect as Nigerians return

Captain of Team Nigeria Chika Chukwumerije was billed to leave London for Nigeria on Tuesday but the Olympian adjusted his departure schedule to enable him undertake what he called “proper reflections” under the right atmosphere devoid of distraction. The taekwondo athlete made his plans known in an exclusive talk with The PUNCH on Monday in London. Most other Nigerian athletes and extended delegation began to depart London en masse  on Monday with the Heathrow Airport buzzing with passengers travelling to different destinations across the world from all the countries that participated in the event.

Chukwumerije was a medal hopeful for Nigeria but within 30minutes on Saturday the entire Olympic dream died when he lost by a point to Robelis Despaigne of Cuba. The Nigerian athlete said on Monday that the emotions of the Games will take a little while to heal.

He said, “I had to change my travelling plans. The truth is that I just need a little more time on my own to think and decide the next best move to make under this circumstance.

“This is now like plan B and I don’t have to rush to a decision as you know this was far from what I thought of the Olympics.”

ASUU strike paralyses academics at RSUST

Activities are at a standstill in the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt.

Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are on strike  over the reappointment of Prof. Barineme Fakae as Acting Vice-Chancellor.

Fakae, however, urged the striking lecturers to embrace dialogue.

The VC, who spoke through the varsity’s spokesman, Des Wosu, also pleaded with ASUU to show understanding and support his administration.

But theASUU Chairman, Felix Igwe, insisted that the university’s law on the appointment and reappointment of a VC must be adhered to.

Igwe said ASUU members would continue to boycott classes and fully withdraw their services, until Governor Rotimi Amaechi reverses Fakae’s reappointment.

Fakae was appointed acting vice-chancellor in November 2007 and confirmed on August 1, 2008 for a four-year tenure, which expired on July 31. 

He was reappointed in acting capacity the same day.

His reappointment, according to ASUU, “again” disregarded the result of a selection concluded on May 30 by the university’s Governing Council and the Senate’s selection committee.

Osun ACN gives PDP 21 days to prove allegation against Aregbesola

Gov . Aregbesola 

 

The ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Osun State yesterday gave the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) a 21-day ultimatum to prove its allegation that Governor Rauf Aregbesola siphons N48 million monthly through the Osun Youths Empowerment Scheme (OYES).

The Arergbesola administration recruited over 20,000 youths for OYES with each of the volunteer receiving N10,000 salary.

The Osun State PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Prince Diran Odeyemi, condemned the scheme.

The party alleged that Aregbesola uses the scheme to siphon the state’s meagre resources.

It said: “The Aregbesola government is recklessly misusing the state’s finances while the governor is creating the impression that he is prudent with the resources at the disposal of his government.”

But in a statement yesterday by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr Kunle Oyatomi, ACN challenged the PDP to substantiate its allegation with facts or be taken to the court of public opinion.

The ACN said: “If the Osun PDP does not proceed to court to demonstrate its credibility by proving this allegation in court within 21 days, then the PDP will stand accused of being a collection of not just irresponsible politicians, but a dishonourable outfit unworthy of participating in civilised political engagements.

“ACN believes that it is high time the national office of the PDP in Abuja called its people in Osun State to order before it makes the rest of us believe that this primitive conduct of the party in the state is actually the nature and characteristics of the PDP nationwide.”

Calling for a public debate on the matter, the ACN noted that “apart from the challenge we have posed to the PDP to approach the court to prove its allegations, we equally call on the best of PDP’s leaders to come forward with facts and figures in a public debate”.

Reign of Terror on Journalists: Our ordeals in the hands of Mimiko henchmen

Ondo Governor Olusegun Mimiko has been accused of sponsoring violence against selected media-men.

We live in a world where brutal force is used as an instrument of oppression by those who control the institutions of government. They wield state powers and control the institutions that are financed from our collective patrimony. We matter not to them.

Our ignorance is all that is required to vagrantly rape the law of the land. That is why there is so much impunity in the land. Opposing their views is like opposing the God almighty. But they have forgotten that no human being shares the unique attribute of the God almighty. The God that is present everywhere. The God that distinguishes not the governor from the governed. The ultimate owner of all powers, including the ones in the kitty of Mimiko and his lieutenants. They live large in the aura of powers, latent in the ephemeral authority of the governor and his boys.

Such naked power was unleashed on the editorial staff of the “DROCKET NEWS” on Thursday 2nd, 2012 at the newspapers circulating point, Adegbola Junction, Akure. Some sponsored thugs, supported by the government, had reportedly gathered at the office of the Chief of Staff to Governor Olusegun Mimiko, a day before that unfortunate morning. They came in a commando manner, packed all the copies of the newspaper to the Government House. I had a share of their fury. Resuming the production of the DROCKET NEWS and publishing the rot in the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, OSOPADEC, were the reasons why they attacked us.

Ondo Governor Segun Mimiko accused of sponsoring violence against media men. This road was made impassable for several months. The road leads to Adaba FM, a major opposition news medium in Ondo State

Thanks to the people of the state who showed appreciable concerns through their repeated calls. My phone rang till it ran out of power. For those who could not reach me on hearing the news of the unfortunate incident, I sincerely express my unreserved apology for creating fear with my incommunicado. I thank the media too for its support. Precisely, I am moved by the concern of the correspondent of The Nation and Adaba FM radio, the only private radio station in Ondo state. Were it not for their quick intervention, the hostility and threats would have imprisoned our desire to go on.

The present horrible experience raised the need to confront the challenges that have rendered our laws impotent and made our youths tools of violence. Governance in our country is about men and not the law. That is the reason why some worthless entities who only possess the cancerous nuisance value could mobilize their fellow urchins to the newspaper distribution centre in Akure to pack a community newspaper in the glare of the public. In a society where there are laws and the laws are in operation, no sane human being will engage in that kind of criminality.

These elements are patronized by the desperate people in the Nigerian politics. They tinker with the judiciary to circumvent the judicial process. Any discerning mind needs not ask why the likes of James Ibori and other notable men committed unimaginable financial sleaze and still escaped all the judicial snares on their ways. Why won’t the younger ones join others when they know the long hands of the law could no longer bring them to justice?

We breed army of cultists from our tertiary institutions who turn out to be area boys and party thugs. I could recollect my encounter with a young fellow who accosted me recently on my way home. He demanded explanation on why the assailants hijacked the newspapers from the agent. I offered an abridged narration of the event. The poor boy, out of ignorance and genuine passion to help, offered to give me some of his boys as stand by body guards. I declined and cautioned him. This is a clear example of how degenerated the situation is.

In addition to the above is the failure of the State to pursue genuine development in the last three and half years. The massive corruption of State officials and the anemic state of social services with its attendant consequences has robbed the State of its God-like character, thus providing incubation for breeding of dangerous army of youths needed for dirty politics. Specifically, the ability to create full employment opportunities for her citizens has eluded the state. Chief Olu Falae attested to this while speaking at the campaign jamboree of Dr Rahman Mimiko in Akure recently. A government that was adjudged a failure in the area of job provision for its youth has missed the very essence of governance.

Also, the desperate desire to access scarce State resources has serious implications for youth involvement in violence. This situation is accentuated because of the fact that the State in Nigeria plays a leading role in the development process; economic resources are therefore largely controlled by the State. This has the extended implication of making the state a coveted price to be won at all cost by the various class fractions that create division in society to attain their goal. The youth are thus used when required during intra class struggle for State control. That is why Mimiko and his men are out to frustrate any attempt that could put his hands off the public purse.

The active age to which the unemployed belong has several implications for the society. The youth are not only easily mobilized in period of crisis, the increase in crime rates, armed robbery and other social vices are found among these groups. And the government has deliberately subverted our laws so as to keep their hold on the masses and violate our laws to suit their purposes.

The cumulative implication of this development is that while the few that has political power easily manipulate the youth to mobilize support when they have need to so do, there are no instruments to check them. This is a major reason why thuggery is an attractive area in Nigeria politics today. That is why the youth will continue to remain instruments in the hands of the political class for survival.  I have risked all that I have to call the attention of Dr Rahman to what needs to be done. I have made him, the governor realize that his approach to governance will only increase the burden of the state. I advise him to redirect his energy to efforts that could lead to the creation of quality jobs. That to me is the only solution to this rottenness and unbridled violence that we have in our hands in the state.

In a society where men are above the law, there is always anarchy, economic impoverishment, unemployment and oppression.